How To Tell if it’s a Prosperity Gospel Church

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“71 percent of American prosperity megachurches use the image of the senior pastor as the primary advertisement on the church’s homepage.” 

(Tim Challies) The prosperity gospel is a diverse, popular, and worldwide movement that understands faith to be the instrument through which Christians can attain physical health, material riches, and divine favor. There are countless thousands of these churches around the world with various levels of adherence to the key tenets of the wider movement, yet they rarely advertise themselves as prosperity gospel churches. So how can we know if a church is part of this movement? In Kate Bowler’s book Blessed, she provides some helpful guidance. Continue reading →

Paige Patterson Fired by Southwestern, Stripped of Retirement Benefits

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

“Patterson supporters seemed willing to live with the decision but it infuriated many, especially conservative Christian women, who said Patterson had not been explicitly held accountable and had been allowed to retire with his stature intact.”

(Kate Shellnutt – Christianity Today) A week after trustees voted to immediately shift Paige Patterson to “president emeritus” at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), the board’s executive committee has stripped the Southern Baptist stalwart of all “benefits, rights and privileges.” Continue reading →

Apostates, tares, fiery trials, and tests

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! Matthew 10:24-25 (NASB) 

When God saves a person, it is a resurrection from spiritual death to spiritual life. No matter how many years that person lives in this life after that, that condition will not change. However, all those whom God saves are left to deal with their flesh in a demon infested temporal place that He uses to purify and mold them unto the image of their Saviour. This process is dealt with all through the New Testament and is referred to as fiery trials or tests. …  View article →

Yes, Alexa Is Spying On You, Even If Unintentionally

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

“First of all, let’s be clear about one thing. Alexa, Siri and Cortana are always listening. If they weren’t, how would they know when you said their name to wake them up?”

(Jazz Shaw – Hot Air)  Continuing with our ongoing investigation into What The Heck Are These Newfangled Machines Up To, an interesting story popped up last week involving the Amazon digital assistant known as Alexa. One family in Oregon ran into an unexpected and potentially embarrassing situation after discovering that Alexa was far more interested in what they were talking about than they’d originally imagined. Even more alarming was the fact that she was pretty proactive about it too. … Continue reading →

Do believers need the Gospel?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

“We all need this message, every day! Paul knew this. The Gospel is the mighty rushing wind of power and sustenance for every believer on earth who lives by the Spirit. “

(Elizabeth Prata – The End Time)  Paul opens his massive and majestic letter to the Romans with effusive rhapsodies of his love for the Roman believers and his gratitude for their faith- which he said is known the world over. He speaks of his intense desire to come to them so that he can be encouraged by their faith. Paul mentions them all the time to everyone. And so on. Continue reading →

Willow Creek Hires Independent Firm to Help Reconcile With Bill Hybels’ Accusers; Women Say They Want Truth First

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

(Leonardo Blair – Christian Post)  Two weeks after Willow Creek Community Church’s elder board apologized for initially brushing off several women’s sexual misconduct accusations against founder Bill Hybels as lies, some of the pastor’s most vocal accusers have rejected an independent conciliation effort offered by the megachurch as an olive branch.

“The elders have said publicly that they are trying to reach out and ‘care for the women’ involved. But what would true caring look like? In my view, this is not the time to enter into any kind of reconciliation process. That is grossly premature. As I have said in prior statements, truth finding must precede reconciliation,” Nancy Beach, Willow Creek Community Church’s first female teaching pastor, wrote in part in a blog post on Friday. Continue reading →

Seeker-Sensitivity Circa 1975

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

God saved me in 1986, but that was by no means the beginning of the history of my Churchianity and religiosity. No, I grew up going to church. When I was in the U.S. Navy (June 1973-July 1976) I was stationed in Washington D.C. I was in a period of rebellion at that time in which I wanted nothing to do with “church” in any form. My family was all Southern Baptists, which is the dominant denomination in Oklahoma where I grew up. However, in 1975 I moved to a new apartment just off of Columbia Pike in Arlington, Virginia. There was a married couple on my floor that I became acquainted with over the next several weeks. They invited me to their church. It was in the District. I resisted for quite awhile, but finally agreed to go. It was nothing like “church” that I was used to. …  View article →

‘Heretic’ in the Vatican

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“The shift may seem like small beer to non-Catholics — and Francis’ suggestions are already the practice among many priests. But the changes have become the touch-paper for conservative dissent, enflaming mutterings of disapproval into open mutiny. The Vatican’s conservative flank is increasingly taking action.”

(Hannah Roberts – Politico)  ROME — “They call me a heretic.”

Not the words you’d expect to hear from the head of the Roman Catholic Church. But that’s what Pope Francis told a group of fellow Jesuits in Chile earlier this year, acknowledging the fierce pushback from arch-conservatives in the Vatican. Continue reading →

Was Monday the Clintons’ Last Pre-Indictment Memorial Day?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Latest treasure trove of ‘pay-to-play’ Hillary State Department emails is full of bad memories for America’s best-known crime family

(Charles Ortel – LifeZette)  Just when the Clintons thought they might open a new chapter in their lives, shining at a fundraising gala for their “foundation,” hell has broken loose and is assaulting the family from myriad directions.

On the worse-than-tawdry side, New York state and federal prosecutors are ramping up criminal cases against sex ghoul and Clinton family pal Harvey Weinstein, whose horrific practices against Hollywood starlets Hillary only belatedly and half-heartedly condemned; she profited politically for years from Weinstein’s direct and indirect financial support. Continue reading →

Transgender people encouraged to become priests in Church of England diversity drive

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

(The Telegraph) Transgender people are being encouraged to become Church of England vicars as bishops launch a diversity drive.

Bishops in the diocese of Lichfield have issued new guidance to parishioners and clergy reminding them that LGBT people “can be called to roles of leadership and service in the local church”.

The guidance, titled “welcoming and honouring LGBT+ people”, warns that the church’s reputation as being unwelcoming towards gay and transgender people is stopping young people attending. View article →

The Wretched Art of Loveless Discernment

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“when it comes to doctrinal issues, we must wield discernment like a surgeon’s scalpel, carefully incising into a teaching to separate the bad tissue of error from the healthy tissue of truth. But we must be precise in how we go about exercising discernment as well.”

(Reagan Rose – The Master’s Seminary) Christians are called to speak the truth (Eph 4:15). It is no surprise, therefore, that our enemy’s preferred tactic is deception (Rev 12:9). Consequently, because of this war between truth and deception, believers are called to exercise discernment—to be vigilant in dividing truth from error (Acts 17:11; Jude 3). Continue reading →

Beloved Enemy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, Ananias! Yes, Lord, he answered. The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. (Acts 9:10-12)

Paul has been converted. Now he is a Christian. And what is the first thing he experienced as a Christian? The life of the body of Christ. That is wonderful, is it not? Two unknown, obscure Christians are sent to him. He meets them and is immediately helped by the strengthening that can come from the body, from other Christians. First there is a man named Judas. That is all we know about him. Saul is led to his house whom he has never met before. While he is there a man named Ananias is sent to minister to him. Continue reading on Ray Stedman Daily Devotions

Did Hell Disappear?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

“Is there a Hell? Is it how the Bible describes it? I read in the Bible that there is a hell and that Jesus affirmed it and warned that some will go there. I have staked my life on its veracity. “

(Herescope) The Wall Street Journal wrote last week that “Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari, a friend and frequent interviewer of the pope, reported that the pontiff had denied the existence of hell.”

Sinners who die without achieving eternal salvation “are not punished,” the pope said, according to an article by Mr. Scalfari in the Itlaian newspaper La Repubblica. “There is no hell; there is the disappearance of sinful souls.”[1] Continue reading →

10 Incredible Reminders of American Military Battles and Bravery

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

(Kyle Becker – LifeZette) The 10 pieces of our history shown in this slideshow call out to us from the past.

They invite us to take a closer look.

They invite us to understand what went into the creation — and the defense — of our country over the years.

As we remember the courage and sacrifice of our military this weekend, as we celebrate their accomplishments, mourn their loss and honor their service — these pieces of war memorabilia provide a closer look at the history of America. View article →

The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.,Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) 

In this day in which the truth is said to be unknowable, Christians must rely on the only source of pure truth we have. There is no truth that we can say is the complete truth unless we take it from God’s Word. The Bible is pure truth and it is the authority we rely on in order to have a firm foundation in this lost and dying world that is consuming itself in rebellion against God.

What can we learn from Hebrews 4:12 about this? View article →

Tribulation

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

20 And the seed upon the rocky places being sown, this one is like the one listening to the Word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but is only transitory, and when tribulation or persecution comes on account of the Word, immediately he falls away. Matthew 13:20-21 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

In the passage above, tribulation translates θλίψεως (thlipseōs) the genitive singular feminine case of θλίψις (thlipsis). This is a graphic word that literally means “to crush, press, compress, squeeze” and “is from thlaō, “to break.” We see θλίψις again in Matthew 24:21. View article →

Ireland Makes History: Legalizes Murder of the Unborn

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Cherie Vandermillen – Pulpit & Pen) Abortion has been illegal in Ireland since 1861.  In 1983, there was a growing concern among Ireland’s population, which was heavily influenced by the pro-life ethic of the Roman Catholic Church, that their country would follow the pattern of the more secular nations around it and legalize the practice of killing babies in womb.  Pro-lifers fought to maintain the protection of the unborn. On September 7th, 1983, the “Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Act” was enacted, giving the mother and the unborn equal rights and protection under Irish law.  Yesterday, May 25, Irish voters, in a referendum, had the opportunity to perpetuate or repeal the Eight Amendment. Sadly, in a landslide vote, Irish voters decided to repeal the amendment. View article →

Apostles Today Part 1

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Bible teacher and Christian apologist Elliott Nesh tackles the unbiblical notion that the office of Apostle and Prophet has made a comeback in modern day churches. As you will see, nothing could be further from the truth.

Elliott Nesh is the founder of Holy Bible Prophecy (HBP) and director of HBP films. Following is part one of his four-part series.  He writes:

In his article, “Understanding How Apostles Minister in Different Spheres,” the late modern Apostle C. Peter Wagner defines an apostles as a “Christian leader gifted, taught, commissioned, and sent by God with the authority to establish the foundational government of the church within an assigned sphere of ministry by hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches and by setting things in order accordingly for the growth and maturity of the church.” … Continue reading →

Vice President Pence Tells Pastors: ‘Share The Gospel!’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

“Keep preaching the good news. Keep preaching in season and out of season as the Bible says. Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have.” 

(David Brody – CBN) In a last-second surprise appearance before a pastors conference in Washington DC, Vice President Mike Pence outlined how the Trump administration has championed causes important to the evangelical community and implored them to continue to, “share the good news of Jesus Christ.” Continue reading →

Why Pope’s Response to a Gay Man is Wrong, But in Line With Many Evangelicals

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Author, speaker and talk show host Julie Roys reminds us that when it comes to the sin of homosexuality, Christians must remember that “The same power that raised Christ from the dead is alive in us. We should not be resigned to defeat; we should be proclaiming the hope of victory. We should not be affirming the sin nature; we should be affirming the new creation.”

In this must read post, Roys addresses evangelicals’ concerning response to the gay issue. She writes:

It was the most depressing conference I’ve ever attended. For two days, people on different sides of the gay issue debated how Christians should counsel those with same-sex attraction. Some pushed for gay affirmation and full acceptance of same-sex relationships; others upheld the Bible’s prohibition on homosexuality and urged gays to remain celibate. Many expressed sympathy and compassion. But none believed in healing – and no one offered hope. Continue reading →

Gandalf (Ian McKellen): ‘Half of Hollywood is Gay’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

“Confused” made the following comment on Michael W. Chapman’s piece:

“…half of Hollywood is gay…”. He forgot bipolar, antisocial, leftist, narcissistic, alcoholic, drug-addicted, pedophilic, presumptuous, prima donnas. Or maybe he figured all that was understood.”

Here’s Chapman’s piece over at CNSNews:

Award-winning actor Sir Ian McKellen, who played “Gandalf” in the Lord of the Rings series, is openly gay and in a recent interview about his life said that “Hollywood has mistreated women in every possible way” and that “half of Hollywood is gay.”   View article →

Indoctrinating Next Generation’s Leaders With Mickey & Minnie Mouse Celebrity Status

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

(Judy McCloud – Canada Free Press)  Boom! and Bingo! all at once.

The celebratory sound of Barack and Michelle Obama hitting Netflix pay-dirt.

Until Jan.  20, 2017 they were just U.S. President and First Lady where they got to torment half of the masses they were elected to serve for eight, miserable, long years.

Suddenly and out of the blue, now the entire world and not just the White House is their proverbial oyster. Continue reading →

What is an apostate?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

20 The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:20-22 (NASB)

The Bible very clearly teaches that Christians should examine themselves quite often in order to see what their spiritual condition is. Genuine Christians are not perfect people. Neither are they always full of happiness, in perfect health while having plenty of money in the bank. No, the fact that all believers are called to be humble, poor in spirit, meek, pure in heart and many other things that are growing in their character means that they will spend much of their time in the fires of sanctification. Continue reading →

Trump Quotes Bible Prophet As Proof Life Begins in the Womb

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

(Randy DeSoto – The Western Journal) President Donald Trump quoted the biblical prophet Jeremiah as proof that life begins in the womb at a pro-life event Tuesday night in Washington, D.C.

Trump was well-received by the several hundred in attendance at the annual Susan B. Anthony List Campaign of Life gala, as he became the first president ever on-hand for the occasion.   View article →