Discernment: What’s Love Got to Do with It?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Spiritual discernment (wisdom) comes from knowing Jesus Christ. Those who have spiritual discernment have a heart for God, a biblical worldview that comes from reading God’s Word, and a love for Truth. Those who are spiritually discerning have no trouble recognizing false doctrine and those who teach it. Those who are spiritually discerning know exactly what has to be done when they encounter wolves in sheep’s clothing — they are to expose them, they are to turn from them, and most importantly, they are to warn the sheep about the wolves.

In 2016 Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley addressed the barrage of criticism leveled at those of us who are involved in online discernment ministries. One of the enemy’s favorite fiery darts is the Don’t judge lest ye be judged dart. And then he pulls the cruel You’re unloving dart from his quiver. Bing!  Right between the eyes. Our wily enemy is fully aware that getting accused of being judgmental and unloving (mean and divisive) can shut a person down. Continue reading →

Review: What Is The Bible? by Rob Bell

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Reviews ∙ , ,

Dr. Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel reviews Rob Bell’s latest stab at discrediting God’s Word, What is the Bible? How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything. In this book “beloved author” Rob Bell claims that Jesus didn’t have to die, denies God’s wrath, says he believes all people are saints….and there are far worse unbiblical musings from the former pastor. Berean Research wrote in a post about his 2016 book How to Be Here, “We are in for another round of worldly, self-focused fulfillment. Not in Christ, but in, you know, you.” Here we go again. Continue reading →

God Does Not Give A Fresh Revelation, But He Rivets The Old One

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Now there are some persons who make a great mistake about the influence of the Holy Spirit. A foolish man, who had fancy to preach in a certain pulpit, though in truth he was quite incapable of the duty, called upon the minister, and assured him solemnly that it had been revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he was to preach in his pulpit.

“Very well,” said the minister, “I suppose I must not doubt your assertion, but as it has not been revealed to me that I am to let you preach, you must go your way until it is.” I have heard many fanatical persons say the Holy Spirit revealed this and that to them. Now that is very generally revealed nonsense. View article →

Billy Graham’s Funeral Attracts Gaggle of Heretics

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

(Pulpit & Pen News) Like moths to a flame, a gaggle of the world’s most notorious false teachers have flocked to eulogize and celebrate the death and life of Billy Graham. Attendees at the private, invitation-only event included Elevation Church pastor Steven Furtick, survival-slop peddling doomsday felon, Jim Bakker, and wild-eyed prophetess, Beth Moore.

Held at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, the whos-who of evangelicalism gathered for the occasion. Continue reading →

YouTube Secretly Using SPLC To Police Videos

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(The Daily Caller) The Southern Poverty Law Center is assisting YouTube in policing content on their platform, The Daily Caller has learned.

The left-wing nonprofit — which has more recently come under fire for labeling legitimate conservative organizations as “hate groups” — is one of the more than 100 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and government agencies in YouTube’s “Trusted Flaggers” program, a source with knowledge of the arrangement told TheDC. View article →

Cleaning house: ‘No more free heresy!’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

This is the story of one church taking drastic steps to rid itself of the heresy from its church library.

Church libraries are a great source for free Christian reads, and those nice librarians rarely charge late fees. Notice I didn’t say “great Christian reads;” I said “free.” Unfortunately many church libraries contain some of the worst fiction in Christendom. Books by authors promoting the New Age, Spiritual Formation, Word of Faith, New Apostolic Reformation, Hebrew Roots, and every seeker-sensitive, feel-good, self-esteem-building, purpose-driven, paradigm-shifting message that distorts the True gospel of Jesus. View article →

Moody Bible Institute Takes Bold Step to Affirm Biblical Inerrancy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

(Julie Roys) In wake of allegations that not all its faculty affirm biblical inerrancy, the Moody Bible Institute (MBI) yesterday took a bold step to define and strengthen its position on inerrancy, and to hold its faculty accountable.

In an email sent to faculty and alumni, the institute announced it is adopting the Short Statement of the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, as well as its Articles of Affirmation and Denial. The institute further stated that all faculty will be required to sign an affirmation of the Chicago Statement as a condition of employment beginning with the 2018-2019 academic year. View article →

Preaching the real Gospel instead of another one

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel to you besides that which we preached to you let him be a curse. 9 As we have previously said, and now again I say, if anyone preaches a gospel to you besides that which you received, let him be a curse. [Read 10-12 on the site] Galatians 1:8-12 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

There is only one true gospel. That may surprise many, but is actually one of the major themes of the epistle of Galatians. I have been in “conversation” on this topic for the last several days with many who disagree that there is only one gospel. Their stance is that no one can know everything about the gospel. …  View article →

Leighton Flowers Accuses MacArthur of Inclusivism…Phil Johnson Responds

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

(Pulpit & Pen) Leighton Flowers, defending Billy Graham’s assertion that people can be saved without knowing Jesus, has made the waters of Synergism even muddier. Flowers himself espoused the idea that it was possible to be saved without having heard of or believing in Jesus or the Gospel. He said…

Would God show Cornelius grace even prior to when Peter showed up with the Gospel? Of course…why…of course He would. He obviously showed him enough grace to send him the Gospel. Why wouldn’t He show him enough grace to save him if he perished prior to hearing the specifics of Jesus’ work? Again, I don’t think that’s unreasonable and that’s not beyond orthodoxy to hold to that worldview.  Continue reading →

Sarah Palin Just Exposed Anti-Christian Joy Behar’s Complete Hypocrisy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Western Journal) Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin pounced on “The View” co-host Joy Behar’s double standard when determining whether hearing from God is a “mental illness.”

“So, Joy Behar,” Palin tweeted on Wednesday, “do you consider our friend Oprah Winfrey’s prayer a sign of ‘mental illness,’ too? Double standards, much?”

The 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee’s question was a clear reference to Behar mocking Vice President Mike Pence for believing he can hear from Jesus Christ in prayer.  View article →

Photos: President Trump and First Lady Melania Pay Respects to Evangelical Icon Billy Graham

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump participated in a ceremony honoring Reverend Billy Graham in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday.

Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries said of Billy Graham, “he was always someone I had looked to as an example and someone I greatly admired in Christ. That is until troubling quotes and questionable associations he’d been making through the years kept coming up in research.” In a piece he wrote entitled John MacArthur on Roman Catholicis, Billy Graham, and ‘Evangelical’ Inclusivism, Silva posted a video clip of John MacArthur talking about how evangelicals, including Billy Graham, are accepting apostate Roman Catholicism as genuine Christianity. Silva also included a video of an appearance by Rev. Graham on Hour of Power with the late Robert Schuller that shows him saying some rather disturbing things about the future of Christianity.

So with this backdrop in place, here are Breitbart’s photos:  View article →

See also:

Bill Clinton Pays Respects to Billy Graham, Who Claimed Former President Had a Heart to ‘Do God’s Will’ 

The Christ of God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.” 20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” Luke 9:18-20 (NKJV) 

Since this ministry has existed we have looked at the growing apostasy that appears to be consuming the Church. This has caused many of us anguish and grief along with some growing excitement in anticipation of the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ. …  View article →

In Disney’s much anticipated Frozen 2, Elsa just might be a lesbian

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

(LifeSiteNews) Lending credence to rumors which surfaced a couple years ago, principals involved in the making of Disney’s Frozen 2 are keeping alive the possibility of Elsa coming out of the closet as a lesbian.

In fact, everyone involved with the production seems to love the buzz that speculation about Elsa’s sexual orientation is creating regarding the planned sequel.

“I love everything people are saying [and] people are thinking about with our film ― that it’s creating dialogue, that Elsa is this wonderful character that speaks to so many people,” said writer and co-director Jennifer Lee in an interview with the Huffington Post.  “It means the world to us that we’re part of these conversations.” Continue reading →

Finger of God: a Review of Darren Wilson’s Documentary

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Reviews ∙ , ,

In this piece over at Junction City, Gabriel Hughes responds to questions about a so-called “Christian” movie.

Dear Pastor Hughes: I would like to ask you a few questions regarding this film [Finger of God]. I read your blog, but I cannot find any new information. The Church I attend is planning to show this film. Would you recommend we do? If not, why? Any updated information will help me.  Thanks, Mario

Continue reading →

My Protestant Oscar Predictions

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Carl Trueman – First Things) “The red carpet will provide us with a parade of beautiful people. That’s one way of looking at it. Here’s another: It will provide us with an endless stream of people who have cheated on spouses, betrayed friends, broken marriage vows, wrecked homes, had abortions.”

I make a point of never watching the Oscars. If I want to waste four hours of my life being alternately patronized and reminded what an abject failure I am according to the criteria contemporary society holds dear, I can always read The New Yorker. But I am sufficiently aware of what goes on at the Oscars to venture a few predictions. Continue reading →

Teacher talks about safety after Florida school shooting, is told to get psych exam, go on leave

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(Todd Starnes – Fox News) By nearly every account Timothy Locke is one of the most beloved teachers in the Cherry Hill, N.J., school district.

Locke is a veteran of the Iraq war and for the past 17 years he’s flavored his classroom lessons at Cherry Hill East High School with real-life experiences.

But on Feb. 22, the veteran school teacher was summoned to the principal’s office where his bag was searched, he was placed on administrative leave and was ordered to undergo a physical and a psychiatric evaluation. View article →

Defilement

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. Mark 7:15 (NKJV) 

One very interesting character in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is a fellow named ‘Ignorance.’ ‘Christian’ and ‘Hopeful’ encounter him after they depart the company of the ‘Shepherds’ as they continue their journey to the Celestial City.  The path on which they traveled became crooked and it lay next to a country called ‘Conceit.’ ‘Ignorance’ came from there. Bunyan described him as ‘a very brisk lad.’ After ‘Christian’ learned  that ‘Ignorance’ claimed to be on the same journey as he and ‘Hopeful’ he also deduced that this fellow had not begun it at the Narrow Gate nor had he encountered Christ Crucified. View article →

Presbyterian Minister Writes New Book to Make the ‘Christian Argument for Abortion’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(LifeNews) There seems to be a concerted effort among abortion activists to pervert Christian teachings by using religious arguments to justify killing unborn babies.

A new book by Presbyterian minister Rebecca Todd Peters pushes the notion that killing an unborn baby is not wrong.

In “Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice” from Beacon Press, Todd Peters argues for abortion from a religious perspective. View article →

Christian College Thanks God for Victory in 5-Year Religious Rights Battle

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

This news story from CBN News is posted for informational and research purposes and not as an endorsement of the source.

In a stunning turn of events, and some would add an answer to prayer, Wheaton College won a five-year battle against the contraceptive mandate implemented under the Obama administration’s Affordable Care Act.

On Thursday, the judge ruled that “the government would violate federal civil rights laws if it forced Wheaton to provide services like the week-after pill in its healthcare plans against its religious beliefs.” View article →

‘Legal Doctrine Evolves’: Appeals Court Rules ‘Sexual Orientation’ Is ‘Subset of Sex Discrimination’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

(Christian News Network) The Second Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that so-called “sexual orientation” does apply to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, remarking that while the courts have not made the correlation in the past, “legal doctrine evolves.”

“We now conclude that sexual orientation discrimination is motivated, at least in part, by sex and is thus a subset of sex discrimination,” Chief Judge Robert Katzmann wrote on behalf of the 10-3 majority. “To the extent that our prior precedents held otherwise, they are overruled.” View article →

Our good works done in the Spirit do not earn our salvation, but prove its authenticity

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:5-6 (NKJV) 

This Christian walk is fraught with struggle against a deadly enemy. That enemy is the flesh. Our flesh is deceitful and has only one goal, which is, motivated by pride, to drive us to seek fulfillment through channels which will always result in the believer not walking in the Spirit, but according to it. It is very clever and can even conjure up false humility that is really pride in disguise. It can justify all sorts of things that appear to be humble and Christlike, but which are merely screens and bluffs designed to disguise a life of self-gratification. …  View article →

Why Aren’t Men Reading Women Writers?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Tim Challies) Why aren’t men reading women writers? Jen Pollock Michel recently asked the question and it’s rather a good one. Though she provided an early answer (which you can read here) she was clear that her foremost desire was to provoke discussion. Since I spend so much time thinking about Christian books, I thought I’d take a shot at an answer. This is certainly not the whole answer, but it may be a part of it.

I have often observed this about Christian publishing: Men write for men and women; women write for women. … Continue reading →

‘Doubting Evolution Is like Believing the Earth Is Flat’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Answers In Genesis) To misrepresent and discredit creationists by comparing their position to a belief in a flat earth is a straw-man fallacy. The fact that some people in history believed the earth to be flat highlights the fallibility of man’s reasoning. Throughout history, scientists’ confident assertions have later been disproven, such as the common medical practice of bloodletting or the futile quest of alchemists to turn common metals into gold.

Scientists today are not exempt. We often elevate people in white lab coats as if their conclusions were inerrant. But an extensive education and high IQ can’t overcome any human’s inherent limitations. Scientific findings today are often contested or disproven. … Continue reading →

Transgender boy wins girls’ state wrestling title for second time

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

For the second year in a row, a transgender wrestler has won the Texas girls’ Class 6A 110-pound division.

Mack Beggs, an 18-year-old senior from Euless Trinity High School near Dallas, entered the tournament in Cypress outside Houston with an undefeated record. He beat Chelsea Sanchez — whom he beat for the title in 2017 — in the final match Saturday.

Video posted online showed a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd following Beggs’ win. View article →

Paying the cost of discipleship

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21 (NKJV) 

The message of salvation that is normally preached or taught in the vast majority of churches these days has been contaminated with Humanism. The focus is on becoming a Christian for some great benefit or reward from God. Tragically, masses of people respond to that false gospel as well. The genuine gospel that our Saviour preached during His earthly ministry may have mentioned the benefits of being saved, but He emphasized the cost of becoming His disciple in such a way that it caused many of His hearers to not follow Him anymore, which was His intent. … View article →