What Worldview Does the Maker of Star Wars Movies Want You to Accept?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Wintery Knight) I heard that there was a new Star Wars movie out, and that many of my Christian friends were going to see it. I passed on it, because there is something about that whole series that is creepy to me.

It looks like my concerns have some justification. I noticed a couple of reviews of the movie from Come Reason Ministries and Bnonn Tennant.

Here are 3 points that Lenny makes at Come Reason: (H/T Brian)

  1. Faith and tradition are disposable
  2. You don’t really need to put in years of work to be competent
  3. Men are inconsequential

All three points he makes seem to me to be exactly what the movie communicates, but I want to focus on point #3: Continue reading →

‘Fixer Upper’ Stars Reveal Pregnancy in ‘Little Heartbeat’ Ultrasound

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(Katie Yoder – NewsBusters) Many in the media have long idolized “childfree” relationships. But that isn’t stopping one well-known couple from welcoming their fifth.

Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines recently announced that they’re expecting their fifth child. On Wednesday, Joanna shared an ultrasound video showing the baby’s “little heartbeat” on Twitter and Instagram.

(Watch the ultrasound)

“What!” Chip reacted in the video. “A beating heart.”   View article →

Michael Brown to Take Part in Upcoming Toronto Blessing NAR Conference

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Pulpit & Pen News) Michael Brown, the charismaniac apologist who is affirmed as an orthodox Christian believer – to be promoted to the church – by Dr. James White, is appearing at the “Light the Fire Again 2018” Conference. It is associated with the Toronto Blessing. In fact, it’s the first thing you see on the website.

It advertises itself – as you can see above – as the “site of the Toronto Blessing.” The advertisement encourages people to come and be “a part of a historic gathering of leaders from the great global moves of God at the close of the last century,” referencing the Toronto Blessing and the development of the New Apostolic Reformation. Continue reading →

Having a zeal for God but not according to perception

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4 (NKJV) 

When I went off to Oklahoma State University in the Fall of 1969 after graduating from High School just three months earlier things were philosophically very different in the world than what we have now. That is, on the surface they are different. … View article →

Abortion, Not Birth Control, Is Pushing U.S. Pregnancy Rates Down

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(Brendon Kirby – LifeZette) Legalized abortion is a bigger factor than broader access to birth control in the declining U.S. birthrate and steadily shrinking family sizes, according to new research by a Middlebury College professor.

“The results suggest that policies governing access to the pill had little, if any, effect on the average probabilities of marrying and giving birth at a young age,” Middlebury College professor Caitlin Knowles Myers wrote in a December report for the Journal of Political Economy that received little notice in the mainstream media. View article →

Supreme Court free speech case could destroy a generation’s rights to life and speech

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(Thomas Glessner – Washington Times) Which one of the following is true?

  1. Massachusetts has passed a law requiring Alcoholics Anonymous to hang posters at their meetings to advertise where to get alcohol.

  2. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill that requires Hindu temples to post signs advising on where to purchase hamburger meat.

  3. California’s attorney general is fighting to force pro-life pregnancy centers to refer for abortions.

If you guessed the last one, you are correct. View article →

Planned Parenthood: We Did 321,384 Abortions; Got $543.7 Million in Tax Dollars

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙

(Terrence P. Jeffrey – CNS News) Planned Parenthood says its affiliates did 321,384 abortions in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2016, according to its newly released 2016-2017 annual report.

In the same report, Planned Parenthood says its affiliates received $543.7 million in payments from government—“Government Health Services Reimbursements & Grants,” the report calls them—in the year that ended on June 30, 2017. View article →

Michael Brown attacks Christian authors & defends NAR cult

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Churchwatch Central’s title for their article is “What Michael Brown is hiding from his audience (Part 1): Attacking Christian authors; contends for NAR gospel.” Thus far there are 4 articles in the series. We’re posting part 1 and providing links for those who wish to read CWC’s entire series:  Part 2,  Part 3,  Part 4.

Now to CWC’s exposé on Dr. Michael Brown:

This year, a controversial book has been published and caused a ruckus in the Christian media scene. The book is called, ‘The Rise of Network Christianity: How Independent Leaders Are Changing the Religious Landscape’. It was written by Brad Christerson and Richard Flory. Continue reading →

Justification and its fruits

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 (NKJV) 

In my younger days when I was working on my undergraduate degree, I had a professor who used to work in a major manufacturing company in the US. He used his experiences there in analogies pertaining to the management topics we were studying. He used one of his former co-workers as an example, a bad example, as he taught us how we should work together toward our common goals, et cetera. This fellow’s nickname at that company was ‘Yeah-but.’ …  View article →

Fact Checking the Worldview Weekend Newsletter

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Brannon Howse of Worldview Weekend (WVW) is under fire once again. Those of you who are unfamiliar with what’s been going on can read about it here.  The reason for the latest brouhaha is that Howse allegedly failed to fact check before sending his WVW newsletter to thousands of subscribers. There are a lot of twists and turns in this story. Find out the details over at Pulpit & Pen:

Well, the financial solicitation letter newsletter for Worldview Weekend has made its way out to their supporters, and to a few people who are not supporters, which is why we have it. It has all the doom and gloom, Elijah-complex sensationalism that one would expect from any ministry selling survival supplies. You may not know it, but Brannon Howse is the last line of defense against the Muslim hordes invading our shores and churches in a global jihad. That’s right. He and his supporters are the last line of defense – unquote – against the imminent Islamocalypse. Continue reading →

At ‘pot churches,’ marijuana is the sacrament

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

(11Alive) A man wearing a “Jesus Loves You” baseball cap and toting a shofar, piped up. “Thank you, God, for the weed,”

Services at the Coachella Valley Church begin and end with the Lord’s Prayer.

In between, there is the sacrament.

“Breathe deep and blow harder,” intoned Pastor Grant Atwell after distributing marijuana joints to 20 worshipers on a recent Sunday. “Nail the insight down, whether you get it from marijuana or prayer. Consider what in your own life you are thankful for.” View article →

Copeland affirms ‘little gods’ doctrine: Todd White claiming he is a ‘god’ (New Breed) in human flesh

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Churchwatch Central) This is the New Order of the Latter Rain and New Apostolic Reformation heresy that teaches when people are spiritually baptized by this demonic ‘spirit’, they become Sons of God, little Gods or Kings Kids (like Jesus).

Copeland Ministries uploaded an interview on YouTube between Tim Fox and Todd White. In this interview, Todd White recalled his experience ministering to people in a hospital. Remember that Todd White is a ‘little god’, a New Breed:

The ‘New Breed’ Among Us (Part 3): Todd White.

While he later claims he preached ‘the cross’ to them, this was the first thing that came out of his mouth to explain how one is set free from sickness, disease and circumstances: View article →

Testing the Genuineness of our Faith

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: Tempests are her trainers, and bolts of lightning are her illuminators. View article →

Resolutions: 6 Ways God Could Sanctify You in the New Year

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Should Christians make New Year’s resolutions? “Is it OK to set a goal to get a certain area of our lives under better control?” asks Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley. In this piece, Lesley offers 6 ways for believers who desire to achieve conformity to the image of God to get there this year. One thing on the list that shouldn’t surprise anyone is daily prayer time, as prayer brings believers into conformity to God’s will in their lives.  So she suggests that God’s people set a daily block of time aside and communicate with Him through prayer.

Here are 5 more goals Michelle Lesley urges Christians to consider: Continue reading →

Peter preaching the Gospel at Pentecost

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ Acts 2:14-21 (NKJV) 

Thus began the Apostle Peter’s sermon following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost just 10 days following our Lord’s Ascension. I am going to walk through this sermon with you so that we can see how the Gospel works when preached with power and with the right focus. …  View article →

Adultery of the heart and apostasy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.  10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:4-10 (NKJV) 

This fallen world is diametrically opposed to God and His ways in every part. Even those of us who have been delivered through the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life in Him can find ourselves at times with a temporal focus, which causes us to make compromises in our walks. View article →

Leftists Declare War on Thomas the Train

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

(Gamaliel Isaac – American Thinker) A conservative cynic from birth, I foolishly thought I had seen it all when it came to leftist madness. But then I saw, posted on CNN’s website, “Why kids love ‘fascist’ cartoons like ‘Paw Patrol’ and ‘Thomas’.” The article referenced several other articles that described Thomas as “a premodern corporate-totalitarian dystopia,” “imperialist racist and sinister,” and “classist, sexist, and anti-environmentalist.”

This caught my attention because my six-year-old boy — like children all over the world — loves stories of Thomas the Train. I recently took my children to Thomasland in Massachusetts and now my boy wants to visit the Thomasland in Japan. The Thomas cartoon is so popular that 1 billion dollars of merchandise related to the show is sold every year. Continue reading →

Seven Celebrities Who Made Fools of Themselves in 2017

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

(Zachery Leeman – LifeZette) Prominent Hollywood figures spread fake news, bullied kids, tried (and failed) to take the moral high ground — and plenty more

The year 2017 was hardly a “best foot forward” period for Hollywood celebs.

The entertainment industry became increasingly political and aggressive toward average Americans during the first year of the Trump presidency — and celebs made fools of themselves as they abandoned common sense amid their red-hot anger over the results of the 2016 presidential election.  View article →

The Top 10 Child Corruption Trends of 2017

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

(Linda Harvey – Mission America) As we look back on 2017, how did our children fare?

Unfortunately, the risk to America’s youth of deliberate corruption is escalating and along with that, the responsibility of parents and public officials to change this picture.

I am not trying to overly sensationalize what’s happening. The facts alone do that. My goal is motivation with prayer points and action steps. Folks, prayer alone is not enough. We must get involved, confront this evil and make it go away.

Here are my Top Ten Child Corruption Trends during last year, hoping they do not continue: Continue reading →

Open Occultism and Millennial Magik

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Here’s an idea. Instead of Christian missionaries heading off to third world countries to evangelize the lost, why not remain at home and evangelize college students. As it turns out, many institutions of higher learning promote paganism; thus, a large number of college educated millennials have bought into pagan beliefs, hook line and sinker. They’re involved in occult practices like astrology, tarot card reading, aura reading, palmistry, Runes, charms, potions, they play the Ouija board game and so on and so forth. In other words, college students are practicing the magik arts, what is commonly called witchcraft. Continue reading →

Where Is Wisdom?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living (Job 28:12-13).

Job points out the elusiveness of wisdom. What is this wisdom Job is talking about? All through this book we have been confronted with the question, Why does God treat Job this way? But we have information that Job does not have. He has no knowledge of Satan’s challenge to God regarding him, and so his questioning is even deeper than ours. But we often feel this way ourselves. …  View article →

Christian Research Network 2017 Top 10 Articles

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

The following are Christian Research Network’s 2017 top 10 posts. But before we get to that, we want to thank those of you who use CRN, not just to do Research, but to start your day with our Devotion/teaching, or simply to catch up on the News.  Or you might visit CRN to read an informative Opinion piece so that you’ll be up on what’s affecting/infecting the visible Church. It doesn’t matter what your reason is, we’re grateful!  And because many of you share whatever happens to grab your attention, we know CRN’s on the right track!

From the beginning, the aim of this blog has been to direct readers back to Jesus Christ and His life, death and resurrection for sinners, as revealed in the scriptures. Nothing will change in that regard — but other changes are definitely coming in 2018 — so stay turned!

2017 TOP 10 ARTICLES 

1.     Insight Into the Lunacy of Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry

2.     Joyce Meyer Teaching the ‘Relationship Over Religion’ Heresy

3.     Saddleback Church Statement Appears to Downplay Role of Alleged Molester Ruben Meulenberg

4.     Saddleback Youth worker Reuben Meulenberg Charged With 5 Felony Counts – Saddleback Remaining Tight Lipped On Staff Issue

5.     Bible Answer Man Hank Hanegraaff Converts to Eastern Orthodoxy

6.     The Beth Moore Cornucopia of False Doctrine, Mysticism, and Impasioned Frenzy

7.     Who Cares About Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Slamming Shots With Justin Bieber

8.     The Photo That Lost Radio’s ‘Bible Answer Man’ Thousands of Listeners

9.     Hillsong, Bethel Music and the Great Seduction

10.  5 Most Ridiculous Books to Ever Become Christian Bestsellers

2017 TOP 10 ARTICLES WITH THE MOST HITS — some of these articles were posted several years ago. They’re still relevant today.   Continue reading →

The Five Biggest Pop Culture Stories of the Year

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

(LifeZette) From Hollywood scandals with stars like Kevin Spacey to celebs taking their Trump hate too far, it’s been a shocking time

This was the year that never slowed down or quieted down — especially in the world of pop culture.

It’s also hard these days for a news story of almost any kind to pass without a reaction from a celebrity in one way or another.

There are arguably more eyes on the entertainment industry than ever before, and the easier access to content and social media bridges the gap between consumer and creator today — so pop culture stories are more widely spread and consumed by Americans now. View article →

Doctrine and truth

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

3 Beloved, being extremely eager to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you encouraging you to contend for the faith delivered once for all to the saints. Jude 1:3 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

After R.C. Sproul died just a week ago or so several people in some of the Facebook groups I am part of began to attempt to denigrate his theology based solely on the fact that they disagreed with him. Let that sink in for bit. Some of them called him a heretic. Some called him a false teacher. Some said he was now burning in hell. Well, my list of people who Facebook thinks I should “follow” shrank quite a bit over the last several days. … View article →