Engaging The Culture: Beating The Secularists At Their Own Game?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

“There is more that could be said but this should be enough for the reader to see some of the difficulties inherent in this new approach to sexuality and to apologetics in the church. The early Christian response to pagan criticisms was not to put forward those who identified themselves according to their sinful proclivities. An important part of the early Christian apologetic was their resolute adherence to God’s moral law, not in order to be saved but because they had been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.”

(R. Scott Clark – Abounding Grace Radio)  In a recent essay, Rebecca McLaughlin calls for Christians to stop retreating and to “go on the offensive.” She makes some valuable observations. She is right to note that, though Christianity seems to be in trouble in the West, globally it is flourishing. … Continue reading →

‘Clinging For Survival’: Mike Pence Issues Urgent Call to Help the Persecuted Church

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According to persecution watchdog, International Christian Concern, some 23 people were murdered in the attacks, which were perpetrated with machetes and firearms. “It was bad. They killed over 20 people. Some were killed by gunshots and some by machete hacks!”

(Will Maule – Faith Wire) Vice President Mike Pence has issued an “urgent call” to assist the persecuted Church around the globe. Speaking at the “Help the Persecuted” summit in Washington D.C. Friday, Pence said that “No people of faith face greater hostility or hatred than followers of Christ” and called on American Christians to stand with them. Continue reading →

Biblical unity and separation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion.  Titus 1:5-9 (NASB)  (Read verses 7-9 on the site)

It doesn’t take very long for me to discern whether the person I am dealing with is truly God’s man or woman or is a pretender. That personal interaction is necessary for me to see the true nature and focus of the person. As we debate or discuss doctrinal or church issues or even secular issues it soon becomes very clear whether I am dealing with someone who is walking within the Lordship of Christ or is their own man or woman. Their values soon become apparent. All of us are in various stages of spiritual growth and repentance to be sure, but the mark of the washing of regeneration is there to be seen in all of God’s people that cannot be counterfeited. Of course, this is only discernible by those who are looking for it and then only through God’s testing fires. View article →

LifeWay to Close All of Its Stores This Year

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Christian book seller, LifeWay, carries books by false teacher Beth Moore, Word of Faith prosperity preachers, anti-trinitarians, New Agers, Roman Catholics, those who allege they’ve gone to heaven and returned to tell about it, “gay Christian” activists, and the controversial The Message “bible” written by apostate Eugene Peterson. The retailer announced that all its stores will be closing. Reformation Charlotte has the story:

LifeWay Christian Stores is the retail chain of the Southern Baptist Convention under the direction of Thom Rainer who has been under fire for many years for peddling heresy to Christians for cash. Previously, LifeWay announced that they would be closing “a number of stores” in a letter sent out to employees in January due to “accelerated rate of erosion.” Today, LifeWay announced that they would be closing all stores. Continue reading →

How to Silence Debate, New Zealand Edition

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“Here’s the truth: Radical Islam is dangerous. The Islamic world has a serious problem with radical Islam. And large swaths of the Muslim world are, in fact, hostile to Western views on matters ranging from freedom of speech to women’s rights. To conflate that obvious truth with the desire to murder innocents in Christchurch is intellectual dishonesty of the highest sort.”

(Ben Shapiro – Townhall)    Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has unleashed a barrage of openly anti-Semitic commentary. She suggested that Israel had “hypnotized the world.” She recently suggested that Jewish money lay behind American support for Israel. Finally, she suggested that American Israel supporters are representatives of dual loyalty. … Continue reading →

Short-Term Opioid Abuse Requires ‘Long-Term’ Brain Recovery

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

“We’re putting a lot of emphasis on prevention because of how difficult it is once they’ve gotten involved with this,” said Carson. “It means educating people. It means looking at the gateway. It disturbs me that I see so many people trying to legalize marijuana, for instance. It’s a well-known gateway. But not only that, but as a pediatric neuroscience, I recognize that the human brain continues to develop until your late 20s, and it is well-documented that cannabis affects the developing brain and can affect your IQ. We have enough people low IQs. We don’t need to be generating more.”

(Robert Kraychik – Breitbart)  Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, joined Tuesday’s edition of SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily to discuss opioid addiction and abuse with host Alex Marlow. Continue reading →

There is none righteous, not even one

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 (NASB)

We live in an evil time. There are large numbers of “Christian” leaders who claim to be ministers of God, but prove by their words and actions to have thrown off the authority of God. They do what is right in their own eyes while claiming that they are only following the leading of the Holy Spirit. The fact that what they say or do is unbiblical seems to trouble very few. When some point out the truth to them, they claim that God has led them to do what they do so it must be okay and those who protest are legalistic, divisive, and haters. View article →

Al Mohler: No Surprise Compromise

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Al Mohler…repented of his biblical view of sexuality by retracting earlier statements regarding sexual-orientation: “I got that wrong”  – “I repent of that.”  

(Toni S. Brown – Jude 1:4)  There is much confusion in the aftermath of the Shepherd’s Conference 2019 Q & A Session, especially regarding the embarrassingly blatant, evasive and downright rude behavior of Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. But there shouldn’t be, as there is a wealth of reliable evidence clearly testifying to the fact that Mohler’s associations, as well as his position and public statements on any number of issues stands in stark contrast to his statement of faith – so why was everyone so surprised? Continue reading →

The Left Must Keep Its Bizarre Religious Doctrines Out Of The Classroom

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

The “transgender” advocates are proposing a very strange kind of dualism, whereby the human body can be bifurcated into girl parts and boy parts, and the various parts can be combined into one confused whole. This is superstition, not science. It is an item of faith, and a very weird faith at that.

(Matt Walsh – Daily Wire)  As the Daily Wire reported this week, an elementary school in Virginia conducted a brainwashing session with a group of kindergartners. The susceptible children were required to sit on the floor and listen to a cross-dressing man read a book promoting “transgenderism.” … Continue reading →

Ligon Duncan, Gay Christians and the Bizarre Tweet Delete

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“What’s interesting is that instead of reaching out to his church elders or fellow theologians to know how to best deal with Buck’s tweet, Duncan reached out to a leftist political operative.”

What is happening? Ligon Duncan sat on stage at the ShepCon Q&A and tried to assure us (quite unsuccessfully) how totally non-liberal and uncompromising he is. Then, he went to the Ligonier Q&A and endorsed the work of a gay priest who he said was the best one to teach us the Biblical sexual ethic. Today, when pressed on Twitter, he (seemingly) called out for support from a pro-gay advocate. Then he deleted it. It’s bizarro world. Continue reading →

‘Day of Silence’ is a Day of Dumbed-Down Sin

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“The“Day of Silence” in 2019 is on Friday, April 12 and it’s time, parents, to find out if and how it will be observed at your child’s school. If it is, you can count on a flood of propaganda selling “LGBT” identities to children in the pretense of preventing bullying. It’s an event created by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, GLSEN, which is a homosexual group, and the whole thing is a scam to promote homosexuality and gender confusion to impressionable children—the younger, the better.”

(Linda Harvey – Mission: America)  If two middle school girls “date,” that’s normal – didn’t you know? Boys in girls’ restrooms, locker rooms and showers is also a “right” and anyone who objects is a racist. Continue reading →

For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

33 Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”  John 18:33-38 (NASB)  (Read verses 37-38 on the site)

In the passage I placed a the top of this post, we see where Jesus, as He was being questioned by Pilate, made the statement that He came into the world to bear witness to the truth. Then He made the following statement, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Of course Pilate made the following sarcastic response, “What is truth?” View article →

ECFA Finally Suspends Harvest Bible Chapel’s Accreditation

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“The fact that ECFA didn’t discover these violations itself is bad enough. But the fact that the group failed to act even after I reported these glaring violations is inexcusable. What it took to finally force the group’s hand was my report that MacDonald had funded African safaris, Florida vacations, and other luxury purchases with church funds. And even then, it took nearly a week for the group to act!”

(Julie Roys)  The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) has suspended Harvest Bible Chapel‘s accreditation following my report last week about gross misappropriation of church funds to support James MacDonald‘s lavish lifestyle. Also last week, I confronted the ECFA for continuing to accredit Harvest despite my repeated appeals over several months to ECFA to investigate financial impropriety at the church. Continue reading →

Gospel Coalition Says God Raised up ‘Same-Sex Attracted Christians’ to Lead Us

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“The position of TGC is indistinguishable from the position of the mainstream liberal denominations 30 years ago. These New Calvinist believers behind TGC, led by ultra-liberal New York progressive, Tim Keller, hold the same position today as the Episcopalian, ELCA, and United Church of Christ did just a few decades ago.”

(Pulpit & Pen) The Gospel Coalition, a subversive political organization funded by suspect financial sources, posted an article earlier today telling Christians that we should get behind ‘faithful’ Same-Sex Attracted Christians who God has raised up to lead us.

The progressive organization, that has as an editor and contributor gay Anglican priest named Sam Allberry, has steadily been attempting to shift evangelical opinion away from condemnation of homosexual lust unless it is acted upon.

Jesus, however, taught us that the desires of our heart are sinful as well as our actions.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27 (ESV)

The normalization of homosexual desire has been the very clear goal of The Gospel Coalition (TGC) for several years as they’ve promoted Allberry, who identifies (sometimes, depending upon the audience) as a “Gay Christian.” Chiefly, TGC claims that being gay is not a sin unless actual physical sodomy takes place.

Putting homosexuals into places of church authority is now commonplace among the council members of TGC, with a church affiliated with 9Marx (founded by Mark Dever) that recently installed a lesbian minister. So long as they are celibate, the Evangelical Intelligentsia argue, it’s okay.

In her TGC article entitled Christians, It’s Time to Go On the Offensive, Rebecca McLaughlin writes:

None of this means bowing to identity politics. Truth is truth, whoever is voicing it. But God has raised up leaders whose voices can be heard. We need to field our A-team in the public square. And the rest of us must follow their lead.

In other words, this isn’t bowing to identity politics, but if it does sound like identity politics, hey…truth is truth.

PS…this is identity politics.

However, orthodox believers hold that the Holy Spirit gives us a new nature (Ephesians 4:24), and it’s the kind of nature that pulls us away from homosexual attraction (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Rebecca McLaughlin continues:

Likewise, when it comes to other areas of cultural engagement, we need to let our most credible voices speak. In a world where Christians are seen as homophobic bigots, we need to get behind the biblically faithful, same-sex-attracted Christians God has raised up to speak for and to his church.

McLaughlin had previously written a post at TGC about what Christians could learn from the sexually graphic pornographic sequel, Fifty Shades of Freed.

The position of TGC is indistinguishable from the position of the mainstream liberal denominations 30 years ago. These New Calvinist believers behind TGC, led by ultra-liberal New York progressive, Tim Keller, hold the same position today as the Episcopalian, ELCA, and United Church of Christ did just a few decades ago.

Their trajectory will lead them to the same place, which is the full inclusion of practicing LGBTQXYZLMNOP within the church.

As for the rest of us, we believe in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. While orthodox Christians do not believe that sanctification is immediate or that homosexual desire goes away instantly upon conversion, we deny that those who still wish to be sodomized or to sodomize others should be serving in ministerial positions within the church.

Published with P&P’s permission, 2019.

Research:

Sam Allberry

Tim Keller

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The Dangerous Cult of Hillsong

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“This is the doctrine of Hillsong — it is all about man becoming like God. In fact, one of the main tenets of prosperity theology is “little-god” theology which teaches that we, as “little gods,” have the kind of power that God has to create by speaking things into existence. Brian Houston’s teaching on this comes out clearly in his two books…”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Carlotte)  With familiar tunes and upbeat rhythms filling the sanctuaries in churches everywhere, Hillsong is by far the most popular producer of mainstream Christian music in the world. … Continue reading →

A House Divided

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

“What if such a war broke out today, as Dennis Prager imagines? For starters, and it is on their agenda, progressives would have to get rid of the Constitution and/or appoint six radical Supreme Court Justices. For Christians the response cannot be the war of the States but the war as conducted by Jesus and Paul.” 

(Peter Jones – truthxchange)  Respected Jewish commentator Dennis Prager has just made a stunningly bellicose judgment about American culture:

America is currently fighting its second Civil War…There will be unity only when the left vanquishes the right or the right vanquishes the left. Using the First Civil War analogy, American unity was achieved only after the South was vanquished and slavery was abolished. Continue reading →

I decided to not know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

2 I decided to not know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

When I started this writing ministry I had completely different goals (i.e. motives) than what I have now. I was doing this as a career move. I approached it from that perspective, but it did not take very long at all for God to force the issue and take away all of that as most in what we know of as the ‘visible church’ would consider what we do here as borderline reprehensible. However, I find it interesting that many of these same people do not hesitate to come to us for prayer and counsel when they hit rock bottom and God leaves them without an escape from the fiery trial that has come upon them. View article →

Francis Chan Defends His Friendship With False Teachers

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“What would it take for Chan to recognize Bill Johnson and others who spoke at The Send actively advance the thing Chan condemns? Yet Chan has preached that if you criticize these teachers, you are taking a sledgehammer to the house of God, and you will have to answer for that before God. He referenced 1 Corinthians 3:17 which says, “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” My friends, Bill Johnson’s “gospel” is anything but holy.” 

(Gabriel Hughes – The Midwestern Baptist)  Yesterday, Francis Chan responded to the harsh accusations that he has been aligning with heretics. A recent article published at The Cripplegate was entitled Farewell Francis. The author Jordan Standridge warned that Chan “is sharing the stage with false teachers who will spend eternity in Hell (Gal. 1:6-9).” He pleaded for Chan to repent and “come back to your first love!” Continue reading →

Media Silence Surrounds Muslim Massacre of Christians

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“The New York Times did not place this story on the front page; in fact, they did not cover it at all. Apparently, when assessing “all the news that’s fit to print,” the massacre of African Christians did not measure up. The same can be said for the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Detroit Free Press, the LA Times, and every other major paper in the United States.”

(Thomas D. Williams – Breitbart)  Political leaders and public figures were falling over themselves this weekend to condemn the mosque attacks in New Zealand, while dozens of Christians were slaughtered by Muslims in Nigeria to the sound of crickets. Continue reading →

LGBTQ+ Audit simply will not do

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“Living Out states on their website that the audit is directed to the LGBTQ+ same-sex attracted community. Since Living Out believes that one’s sexual orientation is from one’s birth (more about this in my comments on statement numbers seven and ten) then clearly they believe that to live as a celibate homosexual, attracted to people of one’s same sex, but not acting upon one’s desires, is a sacrifice of Christian holiness.” 

(Al Baker – Banner of Truth)  It goes without saying that we must have compassion for all who are outside of union with Christ, including the homosexual. I think you know that I have ministered extensively in the past to the homosexual community, seeking lovingly to make known to them the hope that we all have in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and the transforming power of the gospel in our personal lives. We must be open to all kinds of people coming to our churches. Continue reading →

Christian Meditation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Joshua 1:8 (NASB) 

To most believers the word “meditation” smacks of Eastern Mysticism or some sort of New Age mumbo jumbo. However, God calls for His people to not only pray and read His Word, but also to meditate on it day and night. There is the right way to do this, which is God’s way, as well as the wrong way, which is the way the false religions teach their adherents. Let’s look at God’s way. View article →

Who Was Saint Patrick and Should Christians Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“What casts a far greater shadow than his monument, however, is St. Patrick’s Day. And that day in the middle of March raises a significant question: Should Christians celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? If you do, you might want to consider wearing orange. Orange?” 

(Stephen Nichols – Ligonier Ministries) When it comes to Saint Patrick, the true story is even more exciting than the legend and the myth. The facts are far better than the fable. This day that belongs to St. Patrick has become about leprechauns, shamrocks, pots of gold, and green—green everywhere. … Continue reading →

Discernment, divisiveness, unity, and proof of salvation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Therefore, since there is encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection, and compassions, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, the same love, as ones joined in soul and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2 translated from the NA28 Greek text)

The exercise of true discernment is not divisiveness regardless of that very charge by those who like to throw around the label “hater” against those who obey God by revealing the truth about their ministries to the Body of Christ. In fact, those who are being divisive are the very ones who are corrupting the truth through their false teachings, leading people astray and by not leading people to become God-focused in their life and worship rather than self-focused. Yes, that is truly divisive and their exposure to the discerning by those being obedient to God is both painful and necessary. Continue reading →

Killing Worship: The Experience (Part 1)

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“As I was trying to figure out what he meant by this, all of the sudden, the lights went out, and the pastor had an imaginary conversation with God. God’s voice came out of the speakers and the pastor, pretending to be Abraham, had a real life imaginary conversation with God.”

(Christopher Gordon – Abounding Grace)  Years ago I was challenged by a churchgoer that I have no right to critique another church’s worship unless I have personally attended and witnessed for myself what is happening. I took this challenge and visited the local evangelical church in which thousands from the community were attending. The church adopted the Saddleback model of worship that still is, to this day, the common practice of many churches in the United States. Continue reading →