Joaquin Phoenix and ‘The Gospel of Mary’: Gnostic Fiction Coming to a Theater Near You

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“Joaquin Phoenix grew up in a pseudo-Christian cult that seems to have soured him toward religion. While we should be sensitive to that experience, we have to admit he’s no expert.  Even so, his unfounded statements and the false story this movie tells will strike many as convincing, in the same way Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” did a few years back.”

(Christian Headlines)  Remember that 1980’s cough syrup commercial when Chris Robinson said, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV”? I wanted to paraphrase these immortal words when I read what actor Joaquin Phoenix of “Gladiator” fame said about his role as Jesus in the upcoming movie, “Mary Magdalene.” Phoenix is not the Son of Man, but he plays him on the big screen. His is a very different Jesus than the one we meet in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Continue reading →

If You Favor Socialism, You Are Welcome To Move To Any Socialist Hellhole You Like

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“The closest thing you can find to a socialist success story is Bolivia, which is not really a socialist success story. And, at any rate, would you actually want to live in Bolivia? Would you prefer it to here?”

(Matt Walsh – Daily Wire)  As the socialist country of Venezuela falls apart before our eyes — once the wealthiest country in South America, and now, after decades of socialism, a failed state — it is troubling to note that many in my generation wish to adopt the same system that led directly to the chaos we are seeing in that country…. Continue reading →

The Gay Christian: The Unicorn In Our Midst

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If homosexual orientation could be included under “a strong pattern of temptation,” that pattern is not something God intends to leave in place. The “in-indwelling” Spirit is set on cleansing His children from “indwelling sin.” He also intends to use our faith and obedience to do it (Phil. 2:12-13). But where is the struggle with residual sin in the one who says he is a Christian, but who claims that his gay orientation is unchangeable?

(John Barber – The Aquila Report)  The question of the so-called gay Christian has been on my mind since my days as a student at Yale Divinity School, a campus abounding with LGBTQ people. I still recall the sexual promiscuity in the Divinity dorm rooms, the annual “Gay Lesbian Awareness Days” (G.L.A.D.) sponsored by the University, and more. Continue reading →

Life With Father

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

Why is it that some Christians seem to be transformed by contact with Jesus Christ, but others are not? Some Christians, even Christians of long standing, still seem to be very much conformed to the world around them, even deformed in their views and outlooks. Yet all of them stoutly assert that they are Christians, that they too have been born again by faith in Jesus Christ. It is not strange that the world asks, What is wrong? Why is this condition true? The secret, John says, is fellowship. Continue reading →

If the Bible Is Wrong, I’m So, So Wrong

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“The Bible tells me our great problem is that we’ve sinned against a holy God, become rebels against him, and desperately need reconciliation. We are not good people who make the occasional poor choice, not innocent people who sometimes act ignorantly, but evil people who hate God and our fellow man.” 

(Tim Challies)  When it comes to the Bible, we’ve all got a choice to make. We can take the Bible on our terms, or on its terms. We can choose to follow it some of the way, or we can choose to follow it all the way. We can dabble in it, or we can dive deep into it. At some point we have to choose. Continue reading →

Transgender ‘Equality Act’ Threatens Women’s Sports

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Rachel McKinnon, transgender cyclist

“The Democrats’ pro-transgender law would prevent women from excluding men who say they are women from women’s showers, homeless shelters, prisons, and civic groups. The law also would prevent women from excluding men from women’s civic competitions for athletic awards, education scholarships, professional accomplishments or style status.”

(Neil Munro – Breitbart)  The Democratic Party’s pro-transgender “Equality Act” would wreck women’s sports, says a Washington Post article by three liberal women, including former tennis champ Martina Navratilova. Continue reading →

Christian parents must be willing to fight for the heart and soul of their children

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(Marsha West – Christian Research Network)  Recently I penned a piece to explain Bible believing Christian parents’ responsibility in helping shape their children’s worldview. I received a lot of feedback so I thought it would be a good idea to write a follow-up to “Christian kids must slay wolves in sheep’s clothing, not pet them!”

Let me start by saying that Christian parents must be willing to fight for the heart and soul of their children. In the same way we fight the spiritual battle each of us faces daily, preparing them to win that same battle requires parents, and to a reasonable degree, their children to  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  (Ephesians 6:10-12) Continue reading →

What does it mean for Christians to draw near unto God?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” Matthew 15:7-9 (NASB)

What does it mean biblically to draw near unto God? Obviously, the Jews our Lord confronted as Matthew recorded in the passage above were not doing so. However the writer of Hebrews says to those who are truly born again: Continue reading →

New York Times issues correction for op-ed calling Jesus ‘Palestinian,’ not Jewish

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“Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate and director of Global Social Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, accused the NYT of “fake news” and said they are trying to “rewrite” history.”

(Caleb Parke – Fox News)  The New York Times, which apologized yesterday for running “anti-Semitic propaganda” against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump, issued a correction about an article alleging Jesus was Palestinian and not Jewish. Continue reading →

Baptist Theologian Says Christians Against Homosexuality Guilty of ‘Selective Literalism’

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“The selective accusation from Gushee is no doubt tied to the old LGBTQ canard that because Christians view the Ceremonial Laws of the Old Testament (like circumcision or kosher diet) to be abrogated that the Moral Laws (like the type that forbid sodomy) must be discarded as well. In reality, Christians have had this interpretation of Ceremonial Law abrogation and Moral Law continuance since at least Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council and it’s certainly nothing new to the LGBT debate.”

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen)  Pete Buttigieg is a sodomite who is running for president in the Democratic primary. Late last week, after Buttigieg called himself a ‘gay Christian,’ Franklin Graham made waves for telling him that homosexuality was something to repent for, not to be proud of. Since then, Graham has received constant criticism for his remarks from leftist Christians…. Continue reading →

Discipleship Is…

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“In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he focuses on the task at hand and provides marching orders. Contrary to what anti-authoritarian opinions may be, discipleship includes telling people what to do and showing them how to do it.”

(Costi Hinn – For The Gospel)  What does discipleship look like?

As hard as it may be, every Christian needs to take an ongoing look in the mirror and ask: have I ever “made” a disciple? The Great Commission is not a mere suggestion so if Jesus commanded it, we ought to be busy doing it (Matt. 28:16-20). If you’re not sure what discipleship books to buy or where to begin, the Bible is still the best place to go for insight on what discipleship looks like. Continue reading →

The sword that divides

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

34 Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. (Matthew 10:34 translated from the NA28 Greek text)

The peace that Christians have because they are in Christ is between them and God and because of that, with each other. However, that does not mean that there will be peace between them and those not in Christ. In fact, these words of our Lord in Matthew 10:34-38 make it clear that those truly in Christ will be so changed by the Gospel, the presence of the Holy Spirit in them, and their new nature that there will be inevitable separation between them and those who are not in Christ. This holds true even within families…. Continue reading →

Southern Baptist Convention Leaders Taking SBC Far From Its Biblical Moorings

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Lighthouse Trails has a letter to the editor written by Lettie McNeece. Mrs. McNeece is concerned with SBC’s stances on contemplative spirituality, immigration, social justice gospel,  re-distribution of wealth, alliances with Muslims, Mormons, the Pope of Rome, and so on. She has been pro-active in trying to help SBC pastors in her own home state. Following is the letter she penned:

As a Southern Baptist, I am concerned that powerful leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention are taking the denomination far from its biblical moorings. Bureaucracy within the organization is to blame, as are a few mega-church pastors who take turns filling decision-making posts whether elected or appointed. What can Southern Baptists do to stop the march toward progressivism and apostasy? Continue reading →

The universe is younger and expanding faster than we thought, a new study found — and we may need new physics as a result

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Reiss downplayed the idea that the results could be the result of human error. He said that the “mismatch” between the two rates “has been growing and has now reached a point that is really impossible to dismiss as a fluke. This is not what we expected.”

(Sinéad Baker – Business Insider)  The universe is younger and expanding faster than we thought, a new study found, scientists think we may have to work on new physics as a result.

A new study lead by Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Adam Riess, found that the universe is expanding 9% faster than previous calculations that were based on studying the aftermath of the Big Bang. Continue reading →

Openly Homosexual US Ambassador: VP Mike Pence Is ‘on Board’ With Decriminalizing Homosexuality Worldwide

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“While some have been opposed to Pence in claiming that he is anti-homosexual — from Pete Buttigieg to Lady Gaga — Pence defended the Trump administration in February 2017 in its decision to retain an Obama-era order banning groups that contract with the federal government from “discriminating” against homosexuals and transgenders in their business or non-profit organization.”

(Heather Clark – Christian News Network)  U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who is openly homosexual, told reporters this past week that Vice President Mike Pence is “on board” with his plan to urge nations worldwide to decriminalize homosexuality. Continue reading →

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

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“I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (vv. 31–32).  – Matthew 12:22–32

We will conclude our study of the hard sayings of Jesus today with a look at what is perhaps the most difficult saying of all for Christian readers of the Gospels. Matthew 12:22–32 tells us about Jesus’ teaching regarding the unforgivable sin, and these words of Christ have troubled many people. Continue reading →

Many University Campuses Are Playgrounds For Insanity

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“If, on the other hand, the Shapiro-friendly roommate had persistently accosted the offended snowflake in a ceaseless effort to proselytize him, that might be a different story. But in this case we are talking about a roommate minding his own business and watching a video on his own computer.”

(David Limbaugh – Daily Wire)  If you think the left hasn’t taken over university life in America, you are probably not paying close enough attention or in denial.

I’m not just talking about the liberalism of the professors and the core curriculum but about all of college life. There are glaring examples of leftist extremism everywhere you turn, and they’re so loony that even sane liberal parents should be concerned. Continue reading →

Sunday Mass canceled across Sri Lanka a week after bombings

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Sri Lankan church after bombing.

“Officials from the police to the prime minister say militants remain on the loose and have access to explosives. That has led to increased security at shrines, churches, temples and mosques across the multiethnic country of 21 million off the southern coast of India.”

(Krishan Francis Colombo and & Rod McGuirk – AP)  Catholic leaders canceled Sunday Masses indefinitely across Sri Lanka and officials urged Muslims to stay home for Friday prayers in an extraordinary call by the clergy to curtail worship as fear of more attacks plagued the island nation after the deadly suicide bombings on Easter. Continue reading →

Medical Expert Confirms Unborn Children Feel Excruciating Pain During Abortions

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“I know your listeners have probably seen that famous photo of the little hand reaching out of the womb grabbing the doctor’s finger. Little Samuel Armas, he was operated on at … about five months after conception … He was operated on while he was still in the womb. And [these fetal surgeons] know that these little ones feel pain. They see the responses, there is plenty of evidence for that.”

On May 12, 2015, David A. Prentice, Ph.D., Vice President and Research Director of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, was invited to speak on the science of fetal pain on Point of View radio talk show. On May 13, 2015 the United States House of Representatives passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

The full transcript is below: Continue reading →

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

When I was in seminary, I studied under an extremely learned professor who I was convinced at the time knew the answer to every possible theological question. I remember I was so in awe of him that I asked him one day with stars in my eyes, “What’s heaven like?” I asked him as if he had been there and could give me a firsthand report! Of course, he steered me immediately to the last two chapters of the New Testament, Revelation 21 and 22, in which we get an extensive visual image of what heaven is like. Some dismiss it as being pure symbolism, but we must remember that the symbols in the New Testament point beyond themselves to a deeper and better reality than they themselves describe. Continue reading →

Sacred Space and the Trivialisation of God

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“But modern Christians have tended to lose sight of God’s transcendence and his holiness. We have tended to trivialise God and make him just like one of us, instead of who he really is. [R.C.] Sproul also looks at the issue of church architecture and why it matters. His words show us why we may be doing God a real disservice with our dumbed-downed and desacralised church buildings.”

(Bill Muehlenberg – Culture Watch)  Have you noticed? Most new evangelical churches in the West today are deliberately being made NOT to look like a church. They look just like any other building – and that is being done on purpose. There is nothing about the building to indicate that it might in fact be a place of Christian worship. Continue reading →

Charisma News Has So Many Dumb Contributors

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“Let’s just take a couple of examples. One headline today read Shawn Bolz Offers Prophetic Perspective Into Easter Bombings That Killed Hundreds. Now seriously, what Christian in his right mind actually thinks Shawn Bolz is a prophet and has any kind of “prophetic perspective” to offer about anything?” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  One of the reasons I follow and read Charisma News and Charisma Magazine is that I find it very interesting — entertaining even — to watch what appears to be a scheduled series of soap operas with a dominant theme of false prophets and bad theology…. Continue reading →