Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, forge ahead with moving US Embassy

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Fox News reports:

President Trump on Wednesday will order the State Department to begin moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, senior administration officials said, a move that fulfills a campaign promise made to religious conservatives but one that could inflame tensions across the Middle East.

In his announcement, Trump will say that the U.S. government recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. One official described it as an “honest” acknowledgement of a “seven-decade old fact.”

“While President Trump recognizes that the status of Jerusalem is a highly sensitive issue, he does not think it will be resolved by ignoring the simple truth that Jerusalem is home to Israel’s legislature, its Supreme Court, the prime minister and is such the capital of Israel,” one official said.

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Discernment and man-made religiosity

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

10 When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.” 11 But I said, “Should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” 12 Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 He was hired for this reason, that I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me. 14 Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. Nehemiah 6:10-14 (NASB) 

16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. Colossians 2:16-19 (NASB) 

Carefully read both passages I placed at the top of this post. In both passages false prophets have proclaimed to know something or have a message from God or have received a vision from God that is not true. …  View article →

Religious Liberty Case Is Not about Refusing to Serve People ‘Because of Who They Are’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Amy K. Hall of Stand to Reason explains what the case is really about:

Today, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. I recommend you read this article by David French to clear up a major misconception about the case that’s being promoted out there. The article responds to a New York Times opinion piece that completely misunderstands the case, claiming it’s about denying people services “because of who they are.” (See here and here for more responses to this common mistake.)

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The Antidote to Anemic Worship

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From Berean Research:

In far too many churches, the Bible is nearly silent, chides Albert Mohler, president of Baptist Theological Seminary. “The public reading of Scripture has been dropped from many services and the sermon has been sidelined, reduced to a brief devotional appended to the music.” We are in the age of entertainment, says Mohler.  And there is little desire for expository teaching anymore. To please the congregation, many of whom are goats, some preachers put in a “brief message of encouragement or exhortation before the conclusion of the service.” As a result of pastors giving their congregants what they want, a large number of churches have strayed from authentic worship that pleases God.

Dr. Mohler’s piece is posted over at Ligonier Ministries:

The Sermon on the Mount
Carl Bloch, 1890

Evangelical Christians have been especially attentive to worship in recent years, sparking a renaissance of thought and conversation on what worship really is and how it should be done. Even if this renewed interest has unfortunately resulted in what some have called the “worship wars” in some churches, it seems that what A.W. Tozer once called the “missing jewel” of evangelical worship is being recovered.

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Scare Quote Explosion: ‘Pastor’ Perry Noble’s ‘Church’ Launch ‘Sermon’ a Total Mess

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Pulpit & Pen News has the latest on the Perry Noble saga. The “spiritually unqualified” disgraced pastor “took to Facebook for the ‘digital launch’ of his ‘church,’ Second Chance ‘Church.'” P&P posted the video of the event and reviews Noble’s sermon:

Perry Noble was known for primarily three things, prior to self-destructing in his personal life due to alcoholism and bad marital decisions (and now divorce). He was known for (1) being the pastor of a mega-church, NewSpring, (2) playing Highway to Hell for Easter worship , (3) for his theology that was sooooo bad it earned a rebuke from his denomination.

When Noble refused to go away and later announced the beginning of a new church plant, it forced the hand of his former church to formally denounce him as spiritually unqualified (Noble agreed with them, but continued anyway). Even still, mega-pastors like Steven Furtick have continued to embrace him, along with a legion of online followers.

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Godly discernment is rooted in Christian maturity

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

12 Not that I have already received or have been completed, I press on that, if possible, to apprehend it because Christ Jesus has apprehended me. Philippians 3:12 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

I and those who do what I do often take a lot of heat that most of you know nothing about. There are some who claim to be operating “discernment” ministries or claim that they have “discernment”, but when they go after men of God simply because they are wounded warriors who are under heavy assault by the likes of Brannon Howse and his Worldview Weekend, then you must at least take a few steps back, shut off the noise, get with God, examine the evidence through His truth and wisdom and react, or not, accordingly.  However, those who simply follow the example of the noisemakers trying to gain an audience so they can get more donations from those they suck in to support their “ministries” are the ones that I have found attempting to sneak into the comment section on this blog as trolls to be used by our enemy to torpedo the truth.   View article →

Ravi Zacharias Responds to Sexting Allegations, Credentials Critique

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , ,

Before we get to Christianity Today’s story, you should know that Ravi Zacharias does not hold a doctorate in anything (more on this here). He has honorary doctorates. An honorary doctorate is not the same thing as an earned Ph.D.  Zacharias has not written a dissertation nor has he passed an oral defense. He has a master’s degree. Period. Thus, we should not refer to him as “Dr.”

It is time for Mr. Zacharias to come clean, stand tall, and admit that he’s not a doctor of anything. But, as you will see, he isn’t willing to do that.

Elizabeth Prata reminds us that “Even though there are some towering men of the faith, we must continue to do our duty and test all things against scripture. No one is immune from potential apostasy, error, or sin.”

As for the sexting allegations, neither Zacharias or his accuser can answer further questions about the matter due to the court settlement’s confidentiality agreement.

Now to Kate Shellnut and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra’s report:

Ravi Zacharias built his career defending the Christian faith. Now the famous apologist is defending his own reputation.

Today, Zacharias and his eponymous Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) released their first statements specifically addressing a personal lawsuit involving a married woman who sent nude photos to the popular author and speaker, as well as accusations that Zacharias has misled supporters by inflating his credentials in his RZIM biography.

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What is Heresy? Is Arminianism Heresy, Part I

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Pulpit & Pen examines what the meaning of heresy is. Included in this piece is a list of specified, defined heresies. Some of the examples given are: Antinomianism, Arianism, Modalism, Montanism, Pelagianism, Sabellianism, and the Galatian Heresy (works righteousness). All are prominent heresies.  Because the visible Church is infested with heresy, believers must do as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). We must read and study the scriptures to find out if someone’s teaching is true or if it is false.

P&P tells us what heresy is and what it is not — and what they consider damnable heresy:

  1. Random Internet Denizen: John MacArthur is a heretic! Us: Why? Random Internet Denizen: Because he said you could accept the Mark of the Beast and still be saved! Us: What heresy is that? Random Internet Denizen: What do you mean? Us: Heresies have names. What is the name of that heresy? Random Internet Denizen: I don’t know. Us: So John MacArthur is a heretic, but you don’t know what kind of heretic? Random Internet Denizen: [silence]

That’s pretty much how the majority of heresy discussions go. The term is often – but not always – misapplied in various ways. Unfortunately, the term has been misapplied so frequently that some have thrown out the term altogether, and choose not to use it at all. But, heresy is a fine word. There’s no reason to throw it out. Heretic is a fine title to give someone, and there’s no reason we should stop. We just need to make sure that we’re using it correctly.

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The necessity and nature of the Atonement

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin. I John 1:7

My hearers, what is the most wonderful event that ever occurred on earth, that ever happened in the universe? The history of our race is so full of wonderful events-you might well pause for your answer. My answer would be this: by far the most wonderful thing that has ever happened in the universe, is the atoning death of Jesus Christ the Lord. If without philosophizing, if in simplicity you will take what God’s Word declares concerning it, you will not only see this to be so, perhaps you will feel it to be so. If you will remember who he was-the thought would startle us if we were not so used to it-if you will remember how he died, how the Lord of life and glory, the sinless one, how he died in suffering and shame, and above all if you will remember what he died for, what his death is declared in the Scriptures to mean for the universe and for us, then you will believe that this is the great wonder of all wonders. And yet, God be thanked, it may be the simplest matter of each individual human heart’s everyday experience to rest upon that wonderful thought. There are many things we can never comprehend as to their nature, which are yet unquestionable as facts and essential to our existence. To declare before heaven and earth that all our hopes are turned upon the atoning death of Jesus Christ, a man may do that, may live on that atoning death, although it be a mystery he cannot solve. View article →

That which can keep believers from stumbling

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 “These things I have spoken to you that you not be caused to stumble.” John 16:1 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

In John 15 our Lord spoke of certain “things” in great detail in order that believers “not be caused to stumble.” He was referring to John 15:18-25, which is the fact that those who are truly in Christ will be hated by the world just as our Lord was. Our Lord made it an imperative that we understand that this is true, but also that we do not have to contend with this alone. In John 15:26-27, the promise of the Helper, the Holy Spirit, is given again. Those who have the Holy Spirit are genuine believers and they bear witness about Christ because that is what the Holy Spirit does.  View article →

The Conversion of Protestants to Catholicism Through the Eucharist

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

This piece by Roger Oakland is posted over at Lighthouse Trails:

More and more Protestants are testifying they are being drawn to the Catholic Church, especially through the Eucharist. Some say they have encountered the presence of Christ in a new and exciting way. One such person is Presbyterian pastor Steven Muse. Muse is one of the contributing authors of Mary the Mother of All: Protestant Perspectives and Experiences of Medjugorje.

According to Muse, his visit to Medjugorje was life changing, especially after he encountered the Eucharistic Christ. He states:

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See our Research Paper on Roman Catholicism

Kate Steinle Died in Her Father’s Arms, Now He’s Responding to the Jury’s Verdict for Her Killer

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙

Becky Loggia of Western Journal has the story:

What was seen as a just verdict to some was nothing more than political leniency to others, but the most important view in the entire case of Kate Steinle’s death may belong to the ones that loved her most.

The San Francisco Chronicle detailed an exclusive interview with the Steinle family, from the inception of the event that changed their lives forever to the political turmoil that ensued.

“Each media interview, each exploitation of Kate’s name for political gain, each still shot of her smile on television only amplified the anguish of their loss,” the article states.

“Above all, they wanted it to mark the end of a public profile they neither sought nor enjoyed.”

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The good, the bad and the ugly of Michael Flynn’s guilty plea

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In a piece over at The Hill, Jonathan Turley, the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, tackles the Michael Flynn situation and explains the affect it could have on President Trump:

The plea agreement of Michael Flynn, the former White House national security adviser, is a case of the the good, the bad and the ugly for the Trump administration. It is an undeniably significant, though not unexpected, development in the Russia investigation. Flynn was always the most exposed of the high-ranking Trump officials and he lacked a clear defense on some of the allegations regarding his work as a foreign agent. In the famous Western “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” Clint Eastwood’s character Blondie explained the difference between a man with a defense and no defense: “You see, in this world there’s two kinds of people, my friend, those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.” Flynn had to dig for a plea but the question is whether he presents a clear and present danger to the Trump inner circle. That is far less clear.

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Do All Religions Just Teach Love?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

As a pastor, I’m often asked by friends outside the church whether there’s any difference between the major world religions. After all—the thinking goes—aren’t they all communicating the importance of love? Don’t they share a common basis in morality?

With all the religious tension in the world, it’d be great to simply conclude that all religions are, at their core, essentially the same. If that’s the case, it’s pointless to argue about dogma, and the thought of going to war over differences becomes incomprehensible. Despite what may be good intentions in emphasizing the similarities across religions, there are real problems with assuming that “all religions just teach love.” View article →

Get Ready Cause Jesus is Coming Soon!

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What does it take to “get ready”? Steve Lumbley offers his view over at Apostasy Watch. He writes:

I see this often on social media and it just drives me crazy.

What exactly does it mean to “get ready” for Jesus’ return? Is it like when the boss walks through the office and somebody says here he comes, everybody look busy? Maybe it’s like when you were a kid in school and everyone started acting up when the teacher stepped out of the room for a moment. As soon as she returned we all jumped back into our seats and tried to look innocent.

Do people actually think a warning like this has any effect or does it just make the person posting it feel like they are doing something for the Lord?

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What Happens When Christianity Doesn’t Work

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Christianity is not true because it works, says Dr. Michael Horton. “That is to say, it does not solve all of the problems that we think it should solve. Those who become Christians because they were told it would fix their marriages, only to find themselves in divorce court, might well give up on Christianity. Those who expected to be free of sinful habits and desires after a conversion in which ‘sudden victory’ was promised may find themselves disillusioned with God altogether soon thereafter, when they realize that they are still sinners saved by grace.”

Dr. Horton, J. Gresham Machen professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Seminary and host of the White Horse Inn, offers hope in the midst of suffering. His must read piece is posted over at CCC Discover:

So often, when people come to Christ, they are promised “victory in Jesus.” Smiling, happy people tell about how they once were unhappy, and now they are filled with buoyant exultation. Broken marriages are fixed, wayward children are returned to the straight and narrow, and depression is banished to the old life, but what happens when Christianity doesn’t work?

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Michael Brown is More Dangerous to Christianity than a Jihadi: We Release Emails with Brown

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

CRN has warned our readers about noted apologist Dr. Michael Brown for several years now, as he has no problem standing with false teachers in their error, from the infamous Benny Hinn, to cover-up artist Brian Houston, goofball Sid Roth, and self-professed prophetess Jennifer LeClaire. This piece by Jordan Hall of Pulpit & Pen is yet another warning to “mark and avoid” smooth talkers like Brown who “deceive the heart of the naive.” (Rom 16:17-18) The email exchange provided by JD Hall shows that this man simply cannot be trusted:

Earlier in the year, I made a Facebook comment that was an excerpt from a manuscript I would go on to preach at the Judge Not Conference. You can see the clip of the sermon this whole thing is about below, and for your convenience, it’s at about the 10.06 mark.

Michael Brown was recently on The Naked Bible podcast with Mike Heiser. You can listen to the full episode here, in which Brown goes to great pains to defend the New Apostolic Reformation and its leaders. I was brought up at around the 38 minute mark. You can listen to the short clip below.

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Sin

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:18-21 (NASB) 

In the passage above, the word “sins” in v21 translates the noun ἁμαρτιῶν, which is the Genitive, Plural of ἁμαρτία or hamartia, from the verb ἁμαρτάνω or hamartanō, which means, “to miss the mark.” The word group from which these two words belong gives the sense of missing the mark, losing, or falling short of a goal (particularly a spiritual one), as in Romans 3:23, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” The noun form, ἁμαρτία, typically refers to the transgression of the law, for example, 1 John 3:4, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” Therefore, ἁμαρτία is used to denote our sin against God. Apart from the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, ἁμαρτία results in death, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). View article →

Who’s the founder and leader of the NAR cult?

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In a piece over at Churchwatch Central titled  “Why Wagner WAS the Leader of the NAR (Part 4): Generals International interview in 2000 reveals the truth” they examine the late C. Peter Wagner’s claim that the NAR has no leader.  Back in 2011 I expressed my concern (here) over former governor of Texas Rick Perry’s ties to the New Apostolic Reformation cult while he was a top tier candidate for President of the U.S. In an effort to do damage control, “Presiding Apostle of the International Coalition of Apostles” Peter Wagner quickly shot an email to his followers vehemently denying that the NAR is a cult, as I claimed, and went to the trouble of explaining exactly what the NAR is as only he could do.  In the email, the self-professed apostle stated that “It will surprise some to know that the NAR embraces the largest non-Catholic segment of world Christianity.” This statement ought to give one pause….because what he said is true.

So with this background in mind, following is part 4 of an exposé CWC penned on this dangerous cult:

WAGNER’S LIE: “THE NAR…..HAS NO LEADER.”

The above quote from C. Peter Wagner was in an article he wrote titled ‘The New Apostolic Reformation Is Not a Cult‘. His attempt to distance himself as being the head of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) needs to be noted.

“The NAR is not an organization. No one can join or carry a card. It has no leader. I have been called the “founder,” but this is not the case.“

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Federal Judge Says US Military Must Accept Transgender Troops In New Year

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TPM reports:

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. on Monday blocked President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military, after five transgender service members filed a lawsuit against the President’s orders.

Trump announced his decision to ban transgender people from serving in the military in “any capacity” in a tweet in July. He made it official with a memorandum in August, saying it was unclear whether transgender troops serving openly would impact “military readiness and lethality” and claiming any medical needs of transgender individuals, like gender reassignment surgeries and hormones, would be too expensive for the Department of Defense to pay for.

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Smartphone Addiction Creates Imbalance in Brain

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CISION has the story:

Researchers have found an imbalance in the brain chemistry of young people addicted to smartphones and the internet, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 46 percent of Americans say they could not live without their smartphones. While this sentiment is clearly hyperbole, more and more people are becoming increasingly dependent on smartphones and other portable electronic devices for news, information, games, and even the occasional phone call.

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For this reason they could not believe

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

35 So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. 36 While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. 37 But though He had performed so many signs before them, yet they were not believing in Him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” 39 For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, 40 “He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.” John 12:35-40 (NASB) 

God does control all things. If you doubt it, read the following passage from Isaiah. View article →

3 Reasons Every Christian Needs to Use the Creeds

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

What is the best way to instruct ourselves and our children? According to Timothy W. Massaro the best way is to familiarize ourselves with the creeds (statement of faith) of the early church. “Worshipping God, and understanding what was necessary for our salvation, drove our church fathers to write down why salvation had to look and be a certain way,” says Massaro. In his piece over at CCC Discover, he explains why he believes the creeds are essential. He writes:

When we think about the Christian faith, most people today rarely think about creeds, liturgy, or confessions, let alone see them as essential to their relationship with God. Our hesitation concerning creeds is understandable, especially when they are disconnected from our worship and love of God. People often see them as cold, mindless doctrines that have nothing to do with Jesus. But this is not how they were created nor how they should be used.

In the creeds of the early church, we find something of a hidden secret – a treasure chest overlooked by many. We find a way to instruct ourselves and our children in the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Let’s look at each of these three points to see why every Christian needs to use the creeds in their personal and corporate worship.

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Recommended:

Book by Kevin DeYoung: The Good News We Almost Forgot: Rediscovering the Gospel in a 16th Century Catechism

Todd Bentley Reveals Blurry Angel Photo as Proof of Charismatic Power

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Pulpit & Pen News has the story and the alleged photo of the “sister” nun angel:

Todd Bentley, nicknamed by some as “Bam Bam Bentley” is best known for his physical violence toward the sick and the much-publicized 2008 Lakeland Revival, during which he was cheating on his wife and engaged in regular drunkenness. New Apostolic Reformation “apostles” – led by NAR founder, C. Peter Wagner and accompanied by Bethel Church’s Bill Johnson – anointed Todd Bentley as a spirit-filled, spirit-manifesting miracle worker.  None of these apostles and prophets – NONE – could perceive that Todd Bentley was an adulterous fraud when they laid hands on him. That video is below. View article →

Check out Berean Research’s White Paper on Angels, Demons & Spiritual Warfare