Fox News reports:
Jason Chaffetz said former FBI Director James Comey has a lot of “explaining to do” in light of new reports that he began drafting a statement exonerating Hillary Clinton even before interviewing key witnesses, including the former secretary of state.
“He’s certainly got a lot of explaining to do. He could have perjured himself,” the former House oversight committee chairman said on “Fox & Friends.”
Why are some professing Christians promoting an online event that is all about “self”? In one workshop, New Age/New Thought grande dame Marianne Williamson “Explores the spiritual dimension of self-acceptance” plus she will guide you to “the source of unconditional compassion.” Berean Research shares the nuts and bolts of the event and gives some pretty good reasons why Christians shouldn’t even consider taking part in it:
A 10-day online event promises to make you a better you. It’s called the Self-Acceptance Summit, and I’ve seen several Christians promote it. The event is put on by a group called “Sounds True.” (Are you tempted to add the words, But Isn’t? I know I am.)
While Jesus tells us to deny self, pick up our crosses and follow Him, these spiritual leaders are doing the opposite: teaching hearers to worship self.
2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous. Psalms 143:2 (NASB)
3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:3-4 (NASB)
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. 26 It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:24-26 (NASB)
Despite the prevalent “Christian” teachings in our time that suffering is never God’s will for His people, a close, sober, and honest study of Scripture reveals that the fires of tribulation are used by God to form and refine His people. The view that God desires of each Christian to always be healthy and prosperous is based on many false assumptions. One false assumption is that salvation is somehow deserved and those who profess faith can claim anything they want from a god who is bound to meet all their requests. Another false assumption moves the focus of salvation from God’s glory to the person’s glory and their “having their best life now.” Sin is seen as simple mistakes that God overlooks because He is all love.
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From Polemics Report:
This is a sermon from the Judge Not Conference, on the topic of “judging” as taken from Matthew 7 and a systematic theology of discernment. Is discernment ministry Biblical? Is it a sin to judge? Should discernment stay within the local church? JD Hall begins speaking at 5:25. (Source)
From Berean Research:
A manifesto written by evangelical leaders has drawn the ire of the LGBTQ community, the liberal press, and has Progressive Christians ticked off as well. Why? Because conservative evangelicals had the audacity to release a statement proclaiming that traditional sexual morality is based on the clear teaching of Scripture, not on the whims of an ever changing culture.
Liberals aren’t the only ones who have voiced their concern. Even some conservative evangelicals are apprehensive about the declaration. They point out that there are always risks involved with these sorts of issue declarations. And they’d like those who penned what is being called the Nashville Statement to address those concerns.
So – our advice is this: Before you sign it make sure your concerns are addressed. Ask yourself, do I really want my signature on a statement just because some of my favorite Church leaders signed it?
Being a Berean means doing your research. Bereans investigate. So for starters, go to the scriptures and find out what our Creator has to say about what it means to be a human being. What was God’s design for marriage from the very beginning? Then carefully read through the Nashville Statement. Does it line up with Scripture?
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was a speaker at the event in Nashville, TN where the manifesto was announced and a signatory as well. On August 30th Dr. Mohler began The Briefing with a lengthy explanation of what the Nashville Statement contains. Following is from the transcript:
In a time of confusion, one of the greatest gifts that can be given to and by Christ’s church is clarity, and clarity requires at times that matters of truth, matters of truth in particular times of trial, should to be put into words in order to bear the testimony of that clarity. A manifesto was released yesterday; it’s known as the Nashville Statement, it’s a coalition for biblical sexuality. A group of evangelical leaders had gathered in Nashville for a meeting to determine how the statement should be released, and it was released yesterday morning by the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. I should say at the beginning, I was a speaker at the event and a signatory to this statement, and there are many others, as we shall see, who signed it as well. The big issue is this: What took place as released on August 29, 2017 was a statement by Christians who believe that it is our responsibility to speak clearly to issues of gender and sex and sexuality and biblical morality in a time when these issues are commonly confused. By late yesterday the Nashville Statement was one of the most often discussed issues in social media and it had gained a great deal of media attention as well. More on that attention in just a moment, back to the statement for now.
The statement begins with a preamble that states,
“Evangelical Christians at the dawn of the twenty-first century find themselves living in a period of historic transition. As Western culture has become increasingly post-Christian, it has embarked upon a massive revision of what it means to be a human being.”
LifeZette has the story:
For the past two weeks, media panels on CNN have painted a picture of America as a nation deeply divided by race. But the countless rescue stories out of Houston, and the images of men rushing in with boats to rescue whites, blacks and Hispanics from rooftops and flooded homes and streets have shown Americans something different.
“The racist thing is going out the window because of the hurricane that happened in Texas…” a Florida woman named Jennifer Santana who goes by the pen name Political Avenger said in a YouTube video that got a thousand likes on Monday.
1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-7 (NASB)
Genuine Christians were rescued out of this lost and dying world according to the mercy and will of God by His grace through faith as His Gift, not according to any merit or work on the part of the believer (Ephesians 2:8,9). According the Matthew 16-20, which is often called “the Great Commission,” this saving of souls is seen as the outcome of the mission of the church in going and making disciples out of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Christ has commanded us. This is God’s plan.
According to Christian News:
A prominent professing atheist group has sent a letter to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, urging him to stop sharing Bible verses on his official Twitter account, which they say violates the separation of Church and State.
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent the letter on Aug. 22, noting that Rubio has tweeted over 60 Scriptures in the past three months. It asserted Rubio is violating the Constitution since he is posting the messages on what the group perceives as being a government-related account, not a private and personal account focusing on his home and family life.
From Churchwatch Central:
Could Joel Osteen have prevented Hurricane Harvey?
Sadly Osteen is a heretic (a person who promotes anti-Christian teaching under the guise of a Christian minister). Although the backdrop of his Lakewood church is of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), he has pioneered shaping his movement independent of the NAR to that of a Word of Faith (WOF) and Health and Wealth (HAW) cult. The dominionist aspect of NAR teaching is still there in his false doctrine (“I am the head and I am not the tail”), but it is clearly trumped by his positive confession and unhealthy focus on wealth.
“Friend, if you’ll do your part and speak words of victory, God will pour out His favor in exciting, fresh ways in your life, and you will live the abundant life He has in store for you.”
If Joel sincerely believes these false teachings – where was he using faith and taking dominion, by speaking against Hurricane Harvey? Where is Mr “I Am” when you need him? Where is Joel’s Army when Houston, Texas needed him the most?
The theology you are about to read below in no way represents any form of Christian teaching. You will find this teaching in the New Age movement, which means it is nothing more than occultism. This type of theology puts Joel Osteen and his church outside of the Christian faith and marks them as a cult: they are simply borrowing the Christian language to invent their own religion and making money out of people.
According to Seth Dunn, celebrity-pastor Louis Giglio will cancel church services on Labor Day weekend which very well could be because it’s a low church attendance weekend, “especially for seeker-sensitive churches like Passion City.” In his piece over at Pulpit & Pen, Dunn reveals that “The church’s website, while telling worshipers to stay home on Sunday, reminded them to still send in their gifts.” He writes:
I’m not making this up. I don’t think I could. This is actually happening. Louie Giglio’s Passion City Church has canceled its Sunday services on August 27th and September 3rd for what it has deemed a “Sabbath break”. The church’s pastor has instructed his congregation not to come to church on the Lord’s Day in order to “Stop. Rest. Remember”. A cursory biblical justification is given on the church’s website for canceling Sunday services for “Sabbath rest” but it’s not hard to discern that this course of action is a plainly ridiculous one for any biblically grounded church to take.
Chip and Joanna Gaines are giving aid and lending support to fellow Texans. LifeZette reveals what the couple is doing to help:
Two television celebrities want their fellow Texans to know they “will always have your back.”
The “Fixer Upper” stars, Chip and Joanna Gaines, are selling T-shirts that read, “Texas Forever,” to help victims of Hurricane Harvey.
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 (NASB)
Regardless of how many in the “visible church” feel about it, our Lord was quite serious when he said that the gate that all true believers enter to begin their pilgrimage as Christians as being small, narrow, and hard to find and the way they go from there to Him in eternity is straight and narrow and full of tests and trials. As we meditate on these things it can be quite disturbing as we witness once solid Christian leaders begin to compromise; some even to the point of apostasy. In any case, we must be honest, those who are compromising like this who were formerly quite solid in their ministries are doing so for the very same reason that any one else is deceived.
Michelle Lesley has some observations and suggestions on how we can help the hurricane victims — from her own personal experience:
I originally published this article on August 21, 2016, just a few days after the historic flood in my own area last year. I am re-running part of it now (along with some current tips about disaster relief) because the situation in the Houston/Galveston/Corpus Christi area in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey is going to be nearly identical when it comes to flood relief efforts. If you have midweek services at your church this week, it might be a good time to get with your pastor and fellow church members to talk about how your church can help.
And just to drive home the point of how much help is going to be desperately needed in Texas, the one year anniversary of the Baton Rouge area flood was about a week ago, and we still have many people who are not yet back in their homes and need help rebuilding.
CNSNews has the story:
Frank Somerville, a news anchor for KTVU in the San Francisco Bay Area, published an article with the San Francisco Chronicle today describing his personal experience of attending a protest in Berkeley, where left-wing protesters dressed in black, chanting they were against hate, sought to intimidate other people.
“I experienced hate firsthand today,” wrote Somerville. “It came from these people dressed in all black at a protest in Berkeley. Ironically they were all chanting about no hate.
“Some had shields and gloves. Some had helmets. Some had gas masks,” wrote Somerville. “I was watching them and taking it all in. I came there on my own time. Because I wanted to see things first hand. I was dressed in shorts and a tank top.”
Newsmax reports:
Joel Osteen denied accusations that his Lakewood Church was closed to Harvey relief following the extreme flooding in Houston that has left thousands of people without shelter.
Osteen’s response came after his church received wide criticism for apparently refusing to provide shelter for those affected by Hurricane Harvey, USA Today reported. News stories with headlines implying the church wouldn’t be helping out were widely published.
Osteen, the senior pastor of Lakewood Church, issued a statement saying the accusations were false and that his church is more than prepared to be a place of shelter for Harvey evacuees.
Because the Orpheum Theater in Memphis has decided to ax “Gone With the Wind” from its schedule, Zachery Lehman of LifeZette wonders what films will be targeted next. “The idea that art is supposed to be ‘sensitive’ and that we should simply scrub away past works is beyond worrisome,” cautioned Lehman. He writes:
A 34-year-old tradition has ended in Memphis, Tennessee, due to concerns about being “insensitive.”
The board of directors of the Orpheum Theater Group decided to end its once-frequent summer showings of the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind” this month, mostly due to social media outrage.
“As an organization whose stated mission is to ‘entertain, educate and enlighten the communities it serves,’ the Orpheum cannot show a film that is insensitive to a large segment of its local population,” said the board members in a statement.
8 As to the rest, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever righteous, whatever pure, whatever lovely, whatever well-spoken of, if there is any virtue, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)
Philippians 4:8 is one of the most profound statements in the New Testament. This is part of the Apostle Paul’s closing statements to the church at Philippi. His epistle to the Philippians is a wonderful letter, full of encouragement and deep spiritual truth about how to live this Christian life no matter what fiery trials we are going through. In chapter 4 v 8 we come upon this profound statement and we stop. We ask if this is even possible for us. How can we do this since we must live in this life in which we are pulled in every direction and so must find the time for such things. Perhaps a deeper look at the underlying Greek would help.
From Berean Research:
Hillsong’s Brian & Bobbie Houston
Two years ago Berean Research posted a piece by Churchwatch Central entitled “Brian Houston admits he can offer “no great answer” on gay stance.” They began by letting us know that “No one has a better handle on what’s going on with Hillsong’s background with the homosexual issue than Churchwatch Central, based in Australia. If you read and follow these well-researched sources, AND WATCH THE VIDEOS EMBEDDED (very important!), you will begin to understand an issue that has a lot of moving parts.”
So keep this in mind as you read the Christian News (CN) report we’re posting. The story includes Word of Faith prosperity preacher Brian Houston’s latest statement explaining what he believes the Bible teaches on homosexuality. Pay attention to how he carefully crafts his words to avoid offending the LGBTQ community. As Churchwatch Central (CWC) makes clear in their above piece, Brian Houston is deliberately vague on controversial issues such as the sin of homosexuality. According to CWC, Houston tries to give the impression he’s “tight-rope walking the issue [when] he has in fact made up his mind where he stands and simply [lies] about Hillsong’s position.” Lie is a strong word; however, in their reporting on the Hillsong empire over the years, CWC has demonstrated how Hillsong’s leadership has hidden the truth from its fans. And according to CWC, they’ve been grooming their followers to change their stance on homosexuality. As Amy rightly says, those who take the time to research all the Hillsong issues–there are a number of them–will discover that there are a lot of moving parts.
Again, keep what we’ve just told you in mind as you read CN’s report:
As Australians are soon set to participate in a postal plebiscite on the issue of same-sex “marriage,” Hillsong leader Brian Houston has issued a statement outlining that he believes the Bible clearly states that God created marriage to be between a man and woman, but also said that Christians shouldn’t condemn homosexuals and “dismiss their desire to pursue happiness.”
“For Christians, the issue is also a matter of faith and biblical teaching, something that should never be mocked or downplayed by those with opposing views,” Houston wrote. “I believe God’s word is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. The writings of the apostle Paul in Scripture on the subject of homosexuality are also clear, as I have mentioned in previous public statements.”
Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley reminds us that “There is never any acceptable reason or excuse to say, ‘I can’t,’ when it comes to a command of Scripture. God expects us to be obedient,” says Lesley. Following are 8 ways we can move from all the excuses we come up with when we choose to disobey Him, to obedience. For example, consider that God is testing you. Will you pass or fail the test?
Now discover 8 ways you can stop making excuses and obey God’s commands:
Excuses, excuses.
We’ve all got them. We’ve all used them.
“The dog ate my homework.”
“I was going to, but…”
“I’d can’t, because…”
Sometimes there are legitimate reasons we can’t take part in certain earthly activities. Time conflicts: If a birthday party and a wedding are scheduled for the same date and time, you obviously can’t be in two places at once. Financial constraints: Maybe you’d really like to attend that conference, but there’s no money in the budget. Prioritized responsibilities and loyalties- you’d like to travel as much as you did when you were single, but now that you have a family, taking care of them comes first.
Most Christians seem to grasp this concept when it comes to one of the “big” commands. Take abortion, for example. We know that abortion is a sin regardless of the circumstances, even when those circumstances are huge and scary. We reach out to pregnant women with the gospel and with practical help so that they won’t commit that sin. We love the homosexual who wants to come to Christ but is being pulled the other direction by her lifestyle, living arrangements, and loved ones, by compassionately providing for her needs while holding firm to the biblical gospel that says she must turn from her sin in repentance if she wants to be saved.
According to Berean Research “Telling someone that he or she is saved by reciting a prayer is a lie from the pit of Hell.” Berean Research backs up this claim with Scripture:
Several readers have asked us, “What should I do if I am attending a church that practices the Sinner’s Prayer?”
If you’ve ever been to an evangelical church service or ministry outreach, you know the drill: Head down, no looking around, just you and God, sappy background music, and just slip your hand up if you want to invite Jesus into your heart. I see that hand in the second row. Thank you. Anyone else?
I can certainly understand why many people feel uncomfortable. There are some elements of it that are good, like confessing our belief in Jesus, admitting we are sinners and saying “I’m sorry,” but the most dangerous part of the practice comes at the end, when the minister declares, “If you prayed that prayer with me, congratulations and welcome into the kingdom of God!” Telling someone that he or she is saved by reciting a prayer is a lie from the pit of Hell.
17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. Ephesians 4:17-19 (NASB)
The vast majority of professing Christians in the United States and in other countries, whose churches are patterned after American churches, are enslaved to their flesh. Why? The trend that I have witnessed in our churches for at least the last 25 years or so is a de-emphasis of discipleship. Evangelism or outreach has crowded out in-reach and Bible study. Why? Church growth has become the golden calf of the new evangelism. Because of that, church leaders strive to be culturally relevant even if it means dummying down the Gospel and no longer putting any resources into biblical discipleship.
17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. 18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. 19 For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:17-20 (NASB)
Martin Luther’s ministry as a reformer was in the early 16th Century. However, even back then people were trying to force their own man-made doctrines on the Bible. Nothing has changed. People still do this. The use of the Bible this way is always eisegetical. That is, it is reading into the text that which is not there. This does violence to the authority of scripture and it’s inerrancy. Every heresy started this way. Also, much of the rebellion against traditional churches these days is born within those who believe that established denominations are guilty of doing the same thing. This has tragic consequences. No matter how we “feel” about these things, we must not fall into the mistake of throwing out the baby with the bath water. I am not alone in contending that the Church is ripe for another Reformation. However, currently there are many counterfeit reformations taking place that are extra-Biblical in nature with a focus on the temporal rather than the eternal. In their zeal to reform, they have done away with the Authority of Scripture as our baseline. This is a huge error and we must take a stand and not give in the least little bit on the truth and veracity of God’s Word, that it is inerrant and complete.
“In my judgment,” said President Trump, “the previous Administration failed to identify a sufficient basis to conclude that terminating the Departments’ longstanding policy and practice would not hinder military effectiveness and lethality, disrupt unit cohesion, or tax military resources, and there remain meaningful concerns that further study is needed to ensure that continued implementation of last year’s policy change would not have those negative effects.” Kathryn Blackhurst of LifeZette has the story:
President Donald Trump directed the military Friday to reinstate its ban on admitting transgender individuals and fully implement the longstanding policy that former President Barack Obama had reversed near the end of his administration.
The Obama administration lifted the transgender ban in 2016, with Defense Secretary Ash Carter saying at the time that there are an estimated 2500 active duty service members who are transgender. In a directive issued to the Department of Defense, the president ordered the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to refrain from recruiting transgender individuals and cease allocating military funds to cover sexual reassignment surgeries for transitioning service members, unless they had already begun medical procedures.
Todd Starnes, host of Fox News & Commentary, has the story:
A first grader at a California charter school was sent to the principal’s office this week after she accidentally “mis-gendered” a transgender classmate in what’s being called a “pronoun mishap.”
The incident occurred at Rocklin Academy, a school rocked by controversy after a kindergarten teacher led an in-class discussion on transgenderism that included a “gender reveal” for a little boy who was transitioning to a little girl.
For kindergartners.
Parents were furious because they were not informed in advance and were not given the chance to opt-out their five-year-old’s from the classroom transgender activity. However, school leaders informed moms and dads – they were not allowed to opt-out – and the state did not require them to notify parents.
The latest incident occurred during the first week of school when a first grader came across a classmate on the playground. She called the student by his given name – apparently unaware that the boy now identified as a girl.
God Made a PromiseOnce upon a time, there lived a man and a woman in the garden Paradise, where they were terrifically happy. Their names were Adam and Eve, and God made them. He made them in his image—like little mirrors to reflect his glory. And like everything else God made, he made them good. It was a wonderful time to be God’s children in his wonderful world.
But things didn’t stay happy and wonderful for long. One terrible day, Adam and Eve sinned. They ate from the only tree in the garden that God had declared off-limits. Adam and Eve had disobeyed God’s word; they believed the lie of the devilish Snake instead of the truth. God made Adam and Eve go away from the garden Paradise. It wasn’t possible for people so bad to live in Paradise with a God who is so good.