Off Witchcraft!

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing. Acts 19:18-20

Luke mentions two movements here. It started with the believers who began to clean up their own lives, who came and divulged their hidden practices, confessing what they were doing in private. Obviously these were relatively new Christians and perhaps they had never thought that anything was wrong with these practices. Continue reading →

Why Trump doesn’t admit Russian election interference

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Photo attribute www.kremlin.ru

“So why did he do what he did? The answer has to do with the peculiar nature of the Russia investigation, and the peculiar nature of Donald Trump.”

(Byron York – Washington Examiner)  Was Russia’s effort to interfere in the 2016 election the most important issue on the table at President Trump’s Helsinki summit with President Vladimir Putin? No. But it’s not an unimportant issue either, and Trump knew the American press is obsessed with it. So he knew it would play a big role in the Trump-Putin post-summit news conference. Continue reading →

Gallup Polls Show Americans Couldn’t Care Less (Literally) About ‘Situation With Russia’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(Joseph Curl – Daily Wire) Judging from the mainstream media’s breathless coverage of President Trump’s alleged blunders in Helsinki during his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, it’s clearly the biggest story in the history of the world (mankind’s harnessing of fire is a distant second).

Google “Trump” and “treason” and you’ll break your computer.

So what do Americans think? What percentage think the “situation with Russia” is “the most important problem facing the country today”?

*

No, that’s the answer, an asterisk. The percentage of people who think Russia is the most pressing issue is literally unmeasurable.

Gallup did a poll of 1,033 people from July 1 to July 11 and found 37 issues Americans care more about.    View article →

Matt Chandler Preaches Charismatic Poppycock

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“Using what appears to be snippets of a few of the Church Fathers on miraculous gifting that were obtained probably from a brief Google search of charismatic websites, Chandler claims that the first 500 years of church history were replete with accounts of the miraculous. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Something eventually happens to everyone who calls themselves a Charismatic Calvinist;” they eventually become all of one thing and none of the other. Like with Mark Driscoll, the charismatic side of the Charismatic Calvinist grows and grows more wildly out of control as claims of dubious supernatural manifestations grow so pervasive that it strangles out any vestiges of good theology that remain. One simply cannot deny the sufficiency of Scripture (which is the foundational anthesis of the Charismatic Movement) for very long without having it grow like a pervasive and invasive fungus upon the rest of their theology, stifling and snuffing out anything wholesome or true. Continue reading →

Genetically modified babies given go ahead by UK ethics body

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics says changing the DNA of a human embryo could be ‘morally permissable’ if it is in the child’s best interests

(Ian Sample – The Guardian)  The creation of babies whose DNA has been altered to give them what parents perceive to be the best chances in life has received a cautious green light in a landmark report from a leading UK ethics body.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics said that changing the DNA of a human embryo could be “morally permissible” if it was in the future child’s interests and did not add to the kinds of inequalities that already divide society. Continue reading →

Christ the Judge

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

47 If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day. 49 For I did not speak on My own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.” John 12:47-50 (NASB) 

Ultimately, we find ourselves either under a judgment of condemnation or in a state of salvation. This is the consistent teaching of Scripture, particularly with respect to the last days. A final day is coming on which the dead will stand before God and the condemned will go off into everlasting contempt while the saved will go on to enjoy everlasting life (Daniel 12:1–2).    View article →

The dangerous theology of Spiritual Breakthrough

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“Spiritual breakthrough” is a term that seems to have more in common with animism and African Traditional Religion, than Christianity.  ATR and animism teach that there are evil forces that constantly bind and oppose us and we need to break through these oppressive forces to access God’s favour.

(PastorFish)  Many conferences and meetings, under the banner of Christianity, promise spiritual breakthroughs to take your faith to the next level.

There are books written about spiritual breakthroughs: Continue reading →

When false shepherds preach error with assurance

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 (NASB) 

There is a retort made in my direction more times than I can count when I have exposed a certain ministry or so-called Christian leader as saying or doing things that do not line up God’s Word in one or more ways. That retort is, “Well, I don’t believe it!” The standard for truth then becomes what they believe to be true rather than what God says is the truth. Christians are not immune from this my brethren. That is why we are commanded to stay immersed in God Word and be transformed through the renewal of our minds by that (Romans 12:2). Please carefully read the passage I placed at the top of this post (1 Timothy 1:6-7). What Paul is talking about in these verses are false teachers or shepherds who were preaching their error with assurance. Let us put that passage into context. View article →

Revoice Pastor Open to Hosting Christian Pedophile Conference

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

Intro from Crosspolitic interview on YouTube: “Pastor Greg Johnson, whose church is hosting the Revoice.us conference, joins us for a very challenging conversation. We hope this hard conversation is a blessing to the Church, and to Greg, who was willing to join us knowing the disagreements.”

(Pulpit & Pen)  Greg Johnson, the pastor of the PCA church that is hosting the infamous “Gay Christian” Revoice Conference, says that he’s open to a similar conference for Christians identifying as pedophiles. Continue reading →

Your Respectable Sin Is Your Achilles Heel

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“There are many different examples of respectable sins that we often overlook because they aren’t on the same level as open adultery or murder—but they’re just as deadly. Interestingly enough, the small venomous snake is often more deadly because they inject their venom without any restraint when they bite their prey. “

(Josh Buice – Delivered By Grace) The author of Hebrews sounds like a track and field coach explaining the need for proper attire and the danger of unnecessary resistance as he writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). The Christian life is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. Who dresses in long jeans and bulky leather shoes for a marathon? Continue reading →

Shroud of Turin Bloodstains Likely Fake, Not of Jesus Christ: Forensic Experts

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

“This is just not what happens to a person on a cross,” Borrini said, noting that the comparison model displayed very different blood angle patterns than the shroud.

(Stoyan Saimov – Christian Post) Bloodstains found on the shroud of Turin burial cloth, believed by many to have once wrapped the body of Jesus Christ, are likely fake, according to new research reported in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

In June 2017, researchers at the Institute of Crystallography found traces of blood on the 14-foot-long relic, with initial analysis of the particles discovering “a scenario of great suffering, whose victim was wrapped up in the funeral cloth.” Continue reading →

First Lesbian Reinstated to U.S. Army Comes Out Against Transgender ‘Erasure of Women’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“Earlier this month, a group called “Get the L Out” marched against transgenderism at the London Pride Parade. This group claimed that the transgender push for “the social transition of lesbians” is actually a form of conversion therapy, because it turns lesbian women into straight men. The group also warned — rightly — about the long-lasting damage transgender “therapies” can wreak on healthy human bodies.”

(Tyler – O’Neil – PJ Media) Feminists have finally begun to clash openly with the transgender movement, and the strongest attacks have come from lesbians. A lesbian Army veteran with an impressive pedigree has joined the charge, denouncing the transgender movement for erasing women. Continue reading →

The Church, 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 through personal interaction 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 someone who is walking according to the Lordship of Christ or is their own man or woman. …  View article →

A Sober Warning from the Earliest Christians

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“People today are perfectly willing to tolerate the Christian faith as long as it doesn’t disrupt the unifying principle of tolerance.”

(Tim Challies)  When I was a kid, my family once watched a movie that included vivid scenes of persecution against the earliest Christians. I remember lying awake at night, terrified by these images of Christians burning in the streets and being fed to the lions. I couldn’t help but imagine myself in the place of those beleaguered believers. At the time, I assumed they were being persecuted simply for being Christians, but as I’ve studied early church history, I’ve come to realize it’s not quite so simple. And as simplicity gives way to reality, I see there are some important lessons we can learn today through that early church persecution. Continue reading →

Brannon Howse Scurries to Cover Lies, Justin Peters Responds

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

[Howse] has repeatedly lashed out at Peters for the last year, while Peters has remained stoically silent. Only after these repeated falsehoods has Peters decided to respond.

(Pulpit & Pen) We originally highlighted this story in a post on July 11. However, we then had to update the post on July 13, after Howse filed a copyright claim against Justin’s response video (in a stunningly hypocritical move, considering Brannon used a snippet of a recording that he did not own, also under the Fair Use Doctrine). In the update, we included the video, linked elsewhere besides YouTube, where Howse had it removed under his false complaint. Continue reading →

Come soon Lord Jesus!

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelation 3:11 (NKJV) 

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NKJV) 

It is one thing to say, “Come soon Lord Jesus!” and quite another thing to live as if you mean it. There are even some today who are of the “progressive” mindset that teach we should live this life with our focus on the here and now rather than eternity. Why? This is to create a better world or make this world a better place. … View article →

Why personal holiness is not optional

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NASB) 

Are we to accept the profession of faith from everyone who claims to be a Christian? This is a hot button issue in our time. I know of several people who once fellowshipped here who no longer do because they are convinced that it is wrong to rebuke and contend with those who profess faith in Christ, but whose fruit show otherwise. What about this fruit? Is it an indication of the veracity of one’s faith? According to Hebrews 12:14 we see that only those who possess holiness will see the Lord. This is a way of saying that those who will see the Lord, those who are truly saved, will possess some degree of personal holiness. View article →

Assertions and Assumptions are NOT the Foundation of the Church

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Steven Kozar of Messed Up Church, a blog over at Pirate Christian, believes that much of the bad teaching in churches happens because people who teach often make unbiblical assertions.  And the gullible folks in the pews just assume what they’re being taught is the gospel truth.  After all, pastors/teachers/church leaders would never stray from the truth, right?

Some pastors/teachers/church leaders get away with using assertions by claiming that what they’re teaching came directly from the Almighty, even when what they’re teaching is patently absurd. In other words, they use the “God told me” card to get gullible folks to accept what they’re saying.

So – now to Steve’s piece. He writes: Continue reading →

Pedophiles Believe They Should Be A Part of the LGBT Community

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Many blogs exist on Tumblr showing support for MAPs, claiming that they should be a part of the LGBT community and attempting to create “safe spaces” for these “minor attracted persons”.

(Jessica Jenkins – Daily Caller)  Pedophiles are rebranding themselves as “MAPs” or “Minor Attracted Persons” in an effort to gain acceptance and be included into the LGBT community.

According to Urban Dictionary, the blanket term MAP includes infantophiles (infants), pedophiles (pre-pubescent children), hebephiles (pubescent children), and ephebophiles (post-pubescent children). Some MAPs also refer to themselves as NOMAPs or “Non-Offending Minor Attracted Persons”.   View article →

Related:

Homosexual Agenda

The United Methodist Church has appointed a transgender deacon

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

“I understand the rules of the church,” Barclay said. “But here’s the truth: I’m queer, and I’m called to this. I tried to walk away.”

(Julie Zauzmer – Washington Post) The bishop spoke the traditional words as she placed her hands on the new deacon named M with just a slight difference from the way those words have always been spoken before.

“Pour out your Holy Spirit upon M,” the bishop said. “Send them now to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to announce the reign of God and to equip the church for ministry.” Continue reading →

Growing in Discernment

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

How do you measure maturity? It is not a function of how old you are—society is dominated by multiple generations of immature adults who refuse to act their age. Maturity is tested by time, but it’s not a question of how long a person has lived. Rather, it’s determined by how wisely he or she lives.

The same is true in the spiritual realm. It doesn’t matter how long a person has sat under the teaching of God’s Word if his life is still dominated by fickle emotionalism, foolish worldliness, and shallow spirituality. Exposure to the Word alone won’t make us mature Christians—we must be faithful and disciplined to put it to work in our lives.  View article →

The Rise of Woker-Than-Thou Evangelicalism

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

“Those of us who don’t believe that kind of “wokeness” reflects biblical integrity have been scolded, shamed, and called racists by key leaders from both organizations.”

(Phil Johnson – Pyromaniacs)  Unless you have been living in seclusion somewhere, you will have noticed that a radical putsch is currently underway to get evangelicals on board with doctrines borrowed from Black Liberation Theology, Critical Race Theory, Intersectional Feminism, and other ideologies that are currently stylish in the left-leaning secular academy. … Continue reading →

More Black Babies in New York City are Killed in Abortions Than Born Alive

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

“The magnitude of the death toll is nothing short of staggering.”

(Dan Undrusko – Life News) Can you imagine the response of Planned Parenthood or New York’s reliably pro-abortion-to the-max Gov. Andrew Cuomo to this proposal made yesterday by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason L. Riley?

Let’s Talk About the Black Abortion Rate

How about no, absolutely no, positively no, and “you must be a racist for asking it”? Continue reading →