Tongues: The Final Word … Was Not Ecstatic Gibberish

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Bud Ahlheim of Pulpit & Pen tackles the speaking in tongues debate. Is the gift of tongues extant today? Are the tongues being manifested today the same as the tongues in the New Testament? Must the hearer understand the utterance?  Ahlheim answers these questions and many others.  He writes:

Right now, today, there are more than 670 million people on the planet who claim adherence to charismatic theology. They outnumber non-charismatic evangelicals almost two-to-one. While the theological perspective of the charismatic movement is an interpretation of Scripture which claims to validate the continuation of the apostolic “signs and wonders” gifts of the Holy Spirit, the overwhelming practical feature of charismatic churches is the modern exhibition of “tongues.”  As Morgan Freeman said, tongue-speaking practitioners believe they are speaking “the language of heaven.”

The sheer preponderance of the practice of tongues in the modern church, considered in light of the warning from Christ about the wide, easy gate that leads to destruction, (Matthew 7:13-14) demands that the practice must be given diligent, Berean-like examination against what Scripture actually teaches. We must know if what we see in the charismatic movement is an authentic feature of the narrow, hard way, or whether it is merely an emotionally appealing trait of the wide path deceptively introduced by an enemy who seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy.” (John 10:10)  The author of Hebrews provides the weighty admonition that we “must pay closer attention” to the revelation of divine truth given “by his Son.”

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Silence: movie promotes Contemplative Spirituality and sanctions apostasy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Reviews ∙ , ,

C.H. Fisher over at Truthkeepers reviews “Silence” that hit theaters this past December. He points out that what many people, including professing Christians, will miss is that, although the film is presented as true Christianity, it is actually Roman Catholicism  which Fisher demonstrates in his review:

“Silence” is the latest movie by Martin Scorsese, who also produced “The Last Temptation of Christ.” I have read several reviews by professing Christians who are recommending it without reservations. Additionally, the Dove Foundation awarded the movie 4 out of 5 doves. Charisma News asks, “Is Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ Prophetic?” CBN also presented a rave review. Christianity Today entitled its review, “Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ Asks What It Really Costs to Follow Jesus.”

Another review in CT is entitled, “Silence Review: Hollywood’s Gift To The Church That Might Just Save Your Faith.” And what is the message of “Silence” that might save your life? The message of the movie is antithetical to true faith.

The title of Lumindeo’s review of the movie is, “Silence—A Christian’s Contemplative Guide.” [1] In the “About” section of the Lumindeo website it is described as “a network created by and for passionate followers of Jesus Christ.” If Lumindeo consists of passionate followers of Jesus Christ, why don’t they know that Christianity never grew in apostasy, but always in persecution and martyrdom?

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See our Research Papers on Roman Catholicism and Contemplative Prayer

Trump Chooses Episcopalian Neil Gorsuch as U.S. Supreme Court Nominee

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

Christian News reports:

President Trump has announced that he has nominated 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court as the replacement for the late Justice Antonin Scalia.

“Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and has earned bipartisan support,” Trump stated in introducing his pick to the public Tuesday night.

“Mr. President, I am honored and I am humbled. Thank you very much,” Gorsuch, an Episcopalian, said to applause in accepting the nomination.

Gorsuch, now 49, had been nominated to the 10th Circuit in 2006 by then-President George W. Bush. He was a graduate of Harvard Law School and has a PhD. from Oxford. He served as a clerk under current Justice Anthony Kennedy.

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What commandment is the foremost of all?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 The scribe said to Him, “Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that He is One, and there is no one else besides Him; 33 and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as himself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 When Jesus saw that he had answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that, no one would venture to ask Him any more questions. Mark 12:28-34 (NASB) 

The rabbis of Jesus’ day engaged in an ongoing debate to determine which commandments of the Law were “light” and which were “weighty” (Matthew 23:23). It reminds me of the debate in certain circles of the visible Church today in which some are concerned with how far they can push their “Christian Liberty.” This concept is no more biblical than that of the rabbis attempting to compartmentalize their religion. Does our Lord’s answer to the Pharisee in Mark 12, Matthew 22, and Luke 10 have any significance to the Christian? View article →

Why We Should Not Fear Satan and Demons

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Crossway has a post by John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue that’s adapted from “Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth”:

Are Demons in the World Today?

Why do demons sometimes receive so much attention from the media? Are the reports biblically correct, or are they just the musings of uninformed people who see a demon behind every bush and under every rock? Has demon activity accelerated in the world? How can one know which concepts are biblically accurate and which are not?

This subject deserves a full-length book, but it will only be summarized here. Consider several preliminary, general observations:

  1. We affirm the historical reality of Satan and demons, both in the past and in the present, as verified by the Bible.
  2. We affirm that the Bible admonishes Christians to expect Satan and demons to operate now much as they did in both Old Testament and New Testament times (1 Pet. 5:6–11).
  3. We affirm that the Bible teaches that, in living out the Christian life, one will experience real spiritual battle with Satan and his army of demons.
  4. We affirm that Scripture alone, independent of personal experience or clinical data, will truthfully determine the reality of demonic experiences and provide an understanding of encounters with Satan and demons.
  5. We affirm that instructions in the New Testament Epistles on how to conduct spiritual warfare were not limited to the first century (Eph. 6:10–20).

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Scientists Have Unlocked the Code That Turns Genes On and Off

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Now that scientists have gene editing ability they’ll have the means to practice eugenics. To make this discovery easier for the public to swallow, researchers prefer telling us that they’ll be able to find ways to prevent diseases….if that’s truly their goal. Time will tell what our future holds. Futurism has the story:

A DNA sequence code critical to our understanding of how human genes are turned on and off has just been unlocked by a team of scientists. Molecular biologists refer to this code as the “human initiator.” Ever since it was first observed back in the 80s, the human initiator was believed to play a significant role in gene activation, given that it commonly occurs at the start sites of genes.

Since then, numerous attempts were made to sequence the elusive code—but none were able to do so successfully until today, when scientists from University of California – San Diego were able to confirm the code responsible for initiating transcription and regulation of more than half of human genes.

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Boy Scouts Will Allow Transgender Children

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

Associated Press reports:

The Boy Scouts of America announced Monday that it will allow transgender children who identify as boys to enroll in its boys only programs.

The organization said it had made the decision to begin basing enrollment in its boys-only programs on the gender a child or parent lists on the application to become a scout. The Boy Scouts had previously held a policy that relied on the gender listed on a child’s birth certificate for those programs.

The organization’s leadership had considered a recent case in Secaucus, New Jersey, where an 8-year-old transgender child had been asked to leave his Scout troop after parents and leaders found out he is transgender. But the statement issued Monday said the change was made because of the larger conversation about gender identity going on around the country.

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What is death?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. Ephesians 2:1-3 (NASB) 

The fallen nature of man does not understand death. Depending on culture, some fight to stay alive with their all. The correct understanding of death comes to us from God’s Word. The word death is used in three different ways in Sacred Scripture. The first is spiritual death, which is separation from God (Ephesians 2:1,1). Then, of course, there is physical death (Hebrews 9:27). Then there is eternal death, which is referred to as “the second death” in Revelation 20:11-15). While many would consider the topic of death to be a subject to be avoided, it is vital for us to have a clear understanding of all three manifestations in biblical terminology so that we will have a better foundation for sharing the Good News. View article →

Refugee Hysteria Obscures Order’s Reasonable Goal

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

Dan Cadman expresses his disapproval of the “apocalyptic rhetoric and rowdy protests” that were held over what he believes are sensible safety precautions by the White House.  The writer admits:

The White House might have done a better job of rolling out this EO and so avoided some of the trauma and drama…

But!

in the end, it affected a total (at current figures) of 173 persons denied boarding and 109 held up at entry ports out of the hundreds of thousands who entered the United States in the past couple of days. Most of those 109 were kept a period of hours and then released.

Cadman puts the kerfuffle in perspective in a piece he wrote for LifeZette:

Following promulgation of the most recent executive order from the White House, establishing a 90-day suspension for visa issuance or entry into the U.S. of alien nationals from certain specified high-risk countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen), all hell broke loose.

Actually, the EO contains many significant facets, but most of them got lost in the shouting that prevailed.

Rowdy demonstrations were held at international airports and city centers in various parts of the country; international leaders issued solemn denunciations; three lawsuits were filed and temporary stays issued to enjoin that part of the EO which might result in actual removal of an alien who was in transit when it was issued, and arrived subsequently at a port of entry, and one even to enjoin detention and directing Customs and Border Protection to tell airlines to permit affected travelers to board — although both are probably judicial overreach given the government’s broad powers at U.S. borders.

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Responses to the Most Frequently Raised Discernment Objections

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley responds to those who take her to task for “naming names.” Her answer to #6 “You’re being unkind, unloving, ungodly, divisive, hateful, self-righteous, mean, critical, etc. for calling out false teachers” is spot on.  You will find Michelle’s responses to the opposition a great help in contending with scoffers.  She writes:

Discernment- it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it. While I’m a women’s discipleship blogger rather than a discernment blogger, discernment is part of discipleship. And it’s sorely lacking among Christian women today, which is why it’s regularly featured in my writing.

I’ve been very encouraged by the hundreds of e-mails, messages, and comments I’ve received from women who have turned away from false teachers or helped their loved ones and churches to forsake false doctrine because of something I have written. (I claim absolutely no credit for that. God and His word get all the glory. He is the one who changes hearts, not me.) It’s such a blessing to hear from so many women who are actively pursuing Christ and the truth of His word.

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Chili’s Cancels ‘Give Back’ Fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Affiliate Following Complaints

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

Christian News reports what can happen when patrons express their displeasure:

The restaurant chain Chili’s has canceled a fundraiser set up by a franchise partner for an affiliate of the abortion giant Planned Parenthood after receiving complaints over the matter.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky had announced on social media last week that supporters throughout the two states could present a voucher when dining at Chili’s and 15 percent of their pre-tax purchase would be donated to Planned Parenthood.

The promotion was a part of Chili’s “Give Back” program.

“Here’s why you should go to happy hour,” the organization wrote. “Show this flyer at any Chili’s Bar and Grill in Indiana and Kentucky, and the restaurant will donate 15% of your check to PPINK! The promotion lasts now through March.”

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What are destructive heresies?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Peter 2:1 (NASB) 

False professors and false prophets have one thing in common. They are convinced that the ‘religious paradigm’ they love, cherish, follow, and proclaim is true. Of course, they come to this conclusion through what some of them refer to as their ‘thinkology.’ In other words, what makes it true in their hearts is their own acceptance of it. The deciding or defining standard, which is used by these people, is their own value system. They oppose clear Biblical truth because “they just don’t believe it” while they embrace humanistic forms of Christianity simply because their ‘thinkology ‘ gives them a green light. View article →

My brethren, do not be surprised if the world hates you

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. (1 John 3:13 NASB)

There are many ministries in our time that are run by people who have either forgotten that friendship with the world is a sin or they are deliberately overlooking it. If a ministry operates in such a way that the world loves it then there is at least one missing component in it. That of course is obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture is clear that Christians cannot be friends of the world. Why? Satan is the one who dominates the evil world system, which is in rebellion against God (John 14:30). Therefore, the world not only hates Jesus, but also those who follow Him. This hatred is also focused toward the Father because He sent Jesus to testify against it. Now, since this is true and clearly taught in Sacred Scripture, what does this say about those ministries who work overtime to accommodate the secular and to appeal to temporal ways and means? View article →

Trump: Christian Refugees ‘Horribly Treated,’ ‘We Are Going to Help Them’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

Breitbart reports:

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network recorded on Thursday, but set to air in full on Sunday, President Trump said Christian refugees have been “horribly treated” and “we are going to help them.”

“The refugee changes that you’re looking to make, as it relates to persecuted Christians, do you see them as kind of a priority here?” CBN’s David Brody asked the President.

“Yes,” Trump replied. “They’ve been horribly treated.”

“Do you know if you were a Christian in Syria it was impossible – or at least very, very tough – to get in to the United States?” he asked. “If you were a Muslim, you could come in. But if you were Christian, it was almost impossible.”

“And the reason that was so unfair, is that everybody was persecuted in all fairness, they were chopping off the heads of everybody, but more so the Christians. I thought it was very, very unfair,” Trump continued. “So we are going to help them.”

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Researchers Experiment Creation of Human-Pig ‘Chimera Embryos’ to Address Shortage of Donor Organs

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ ,

According to Christian News:

Photo credit: The Scientist

A team of biologists at the Salk Institute in California has reportedly created the first-ever human-pig chimeras in an effort to test the idea of growing organs in animals that can later be used in human transplants.

“This biomedical advance has long been a dream and a quandary for scientists hoping to address a critical shortage of donor organs,” National Geographic writes. “Every ten minutes, a person is added to the national waiting list for organ transplants. And every day, 22 people on that list die without the organ they need. What if, rather than relying on a generous donor, you could grow a custom organ inside an animal instead?”

The concept of creating the hybrids, which are less than .001 percent human, involves injecting human stem cells collected from the patient’s skin inside of a small pig embryo, which is then implanted in a sow. The organ, grown for one month, would then be harvested from the pig and transplanted into the waiting patient.

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Trump Kicks Off a Pro-Life Presidency

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

LifeZette reports:

Photo credit: LifeNews

On Friday, Vice-President Mike Pence became the first vice-president or president to address the March for Life in its 44-year history.

“Life is winning in America,” Pence boomed to a thrilled exuberant crowd. “Life is winning again,” he repeated. “We will not rest until we restore a culture of life in America” Mr. Pence said, a statement that was met by deafening cheers.

“We will continue to win the hearts and minds of the rising generation if our hearts first break for young mothers and their unborn children,” he promised.

The importance of a senior administration official — the vice president himself no less — addressing the March for Life, and the support the march has received from Trump himself cannot be overstated.

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Heresy-neutics: A Review of ‘Destined To Win’ by Kris Vallotton

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Reviews ∙

Bud Ahlheim of Pulpit & Pen reviews a book by “noted prophetic voice” Kris Vallotton whose the Senior Associate Leader of the nefarious Bethel Church in Redding, CA.

The endorsements alone are enough to warrant a “Warning: Heretical & Hermeneutical Danger Ahead” notice on its cover.  With glowing endorsements from the likes of “apostle” Mike Bickle, Jesus Culture founder Banning Liebscher, Ted Dekker, Che Ahn, Heidi Baker, and Shawn Bolz, there is little doubt that Destined To Win is borne of a “wide path” false theology.  Add the obligatory laudation from Vallotton’s cohort in charlatanry, Bill Johnson – whom Vallotton compares to Moses – and the assurance that the book will distort and defile the truth of God is more manifest than fake Holy Ghost gold dust blowing through Bethel Church’s air ducts.

Kris Vallotton, the author of this “everything God does is about you” tome, is the “senior associate leader of Bethel Church and co-founder of Bethel School of Ministry, where he has served with Bill Johnson for more than three decades.”  This just goes to prove that one can spend decades in the “Jesus biz,” presumably surrounded by Bibles, (serving primarily as visual aids to prop up the “Christianized” illusion of Bethel’s otherwise heretical endeavors) and still not apprehend Biblical truth.  As Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.”  (John 3:7)

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Forty-Four Years and Sixty Million Dead Babies

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Conservative radio host and activist Chuck Baldwin penned a provocative blog post to bring attention to the 60 million womb babies who have lost their lives to abortionists since Roe v Wade became the law of the land.  Baldwin believes the slaughter of babies could have been stopped decades ago. In his piece he lays into the Republican Party and pro-life groups like Focus On The Family and National Right To Life Committee for their opposition to former Senator Ron Paul’s “Sanctity of Life” Act and state personhood bills. Their reasoning? “Since it was a Supreme Court ruling that instituted abortion-on-demand, we must wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a ruling reversing the decision.”

Balderdash! says Baldwin. He writes:

Last Sunday, January 22, was the forty-fourth anniversary of the Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion-on-demand. Since those dreadful decisions, nearly sixty million helpless, innocent unborn babies have been mercilessly slaughtered in the wombs of their mothers.

Think about it: an American fifty years of age or younger has no conscious recollection of a country where abortion-on-demand was NOT legal. And the truth is, both major parties and the vast majority of America’s pastors and churches are equally culpable for this slaughter of innocents.

The Republican Party touts itself as being “pro-life.” The claim is so much hot air. The GOP controlled the entire federal government for six of G.W. Bush’s eight years in office. They did nothing about Roe. This in spite of the fact that every year Congressman Ron Paul would introduce the “Sanctity of Life” Act; and every year the GOP leadership in Congress let the bill collect dust in the document room and die. And President Bush never once voiced his support for the bill. NOT ONCE. The bill was never voted on by a congressional committee, much less by the Congress as a whole.

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ISIS magazine calls for attack on First Baptist Dallas

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , ,

First Baptist church is led by Pastor Robert Jeffress who’s one of the Religious Right leaders that vigorously campaigned for Donald Trump and helped get him elected. According to Dallas News:

Islamic State radicals have named Dallas’ First Baptist church as a potential target for an attack.

A digital ISIS propaganda magazine, Rumiyah, earlier this month included photos of the downtown church in an article urging ISIS followers to carry out arson attacks, according to KXAS-TV (NBC5).

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Separating the sheep from the goats

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NASB) 

12 So He said, “A nobleman went to a distant country to receive a kingdom for himself, and then return. 13 And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. Luke 19:12-15 (NASB) 

26 I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 27 But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.” Luke 19:26-27 (NASB) 

There is an element in Man’s heart that refuses to bow the knee to any god except one with whom it is comfortable. If God the Father or our Lord Jesus Christ are honestly portrayed as we read in Sacred Scripture, the vast majority, those whose hearts are overrun by relativism, will stiffen their necks in rejection. However, when a smiling, culturally “relevant” preacher repackages the Holy Trinity and Christianity into a ‘product’ that sells then that ministry will become huge. Book deals and speaking engagements deluge this new superstar of a religion that seems to exist only to speak what people want to hear. View article →

Top Divinity Schools: Use Gender-Neutral Language to Refer to God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

Um, in John 1:18 the Lord Jesus refers to God as Father not mother. And His prayers began with Father not mother.  More importantly, it was God who chose to reveal Himself as male as we find only masculine pronouns in Scripture.  But in spite of all this, some divinity schools have made the decision to avoid gender specific pronouns when discussing God and suggest using the term God and Godself instead of God with himself. Katherine Timpf takes issue with America’s obsession over political correctness in a piece she penned for National Review. She writes:

The divinity schools at Duke and Vanderbilt Universities have instructed their professors to start using more “inclusive” language when referring to God because the masculine pronouns “have served as a cornerstone of the patriarchy.” For example: This year’s divinity course catalogue at Vanderbilt tells professors to give “consistent attention to the use of inclusive language, especially in relation to the Divine,” because the school “commits continuously and explicitly to include gender as an analyzed category and to mitigate sexism.”

“It is up to the individual professor’s interpretation for their classes and is suggestive rather than mandatory,” the associate dean for academic affairs at Vanderbilt’s divinity school, Melissa Snarr, said in an e-mail to Heat Street. Now, that may sound fair, but in many cases, it’s really not up to the professor. For example, if we are talking about the Christian God, every single reference to Him in the Bible uses a masculine pronoun . . . which kind of gives you the vibe that Christians have decided that their god is a dude. The fact is, teaching anything else would be giving inaccurate information — which is what makes Duke’s particular guidelines even more absurd.

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Apostate ‘Elder Team’ Welcomes Homosexuals ‘In Any and All Levels of Leadership’ After ‘Seeking Unity’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , ,

Christian News reports:

Members of the elder team of Denver Community Church (DCC) announced this week that following a two-year discussion period, and out of a desire to “seek unity,” they have decided to allow homosexuals and transgenders to have full inclusion, permitting them to serve “in any and all levels of leadership.”

DCC is led by Michael Hidalgo, and its elders are comprised of both men and women who “have determined to live in the ways of Jesus,” according to the DCC website.

On Sunday, members of the elder team announced to the congregation that they have decided to allow homosexuals and transgenders to serve in leadership roles. They also released a public video the following day explaining the announcement, as well as the two-year discussion period that led to their conclusion.

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Abortion Science: Heartbeats Are Imaginary, Unborn Babies Aren’t Alive, And Ultrasounds Are Just Tools Of The Patriarchy

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , ,

Sean Davis of The Federalist goes after the writer of a featured piece in The Atlantic who makes the ludicrous claim that a baby growing in its mother’s womb is not actually a baby and that the baby isn’t really alive. Davis writes:

Forget the war on babies. The abortion industry has a new enemy: ultrasounds. In a bizarre and rambling 2,600-word feature piece published on Tuesday, The Atlantic writer Moira Weigel took a sledgehammer to basic science and then did her best to vacuum its brains out before anyone could figure out what just happened.

The article’s headline is bad enough—”How the Ultrasound Pushed the Idea That a Fetus Is a Person”—but its subhed is the real work of art: “The technology has been used to create an ‘imaginary’ heartbeat and sped-up videos that falsely depict a response to stimulus.”

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The post-modern golden calf

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (NASB)  1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:1-4 (NASB)

Those familiar with the Exodus of Israel from bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land of Canaan know that the journey was long and arduous. Only two men from those who left Egypt made it through the journey. The rest died on the way including Moses. Their children were those whom Joshua led to conquer and claim the land flowing with milk and honey. God tested them in the wilderness. They were put in circumstance after circumstance by God to see if they would repent of their stiff-necked resistance to His Lordship, and time after time they proved that they were temporal, fleshly people who did not trust Him. In this post we will look at a parallel between one of those circumstances and the condition of the Church in the early 21st Century. View article →

God Hates Deceit

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

According to blogger and author Tim Challies, “God reserves words like ‘hate,’ ‘abomination,’ and ‘despise’ to describe the sins for which he has the greatest revulsion. In his series on the things God hates, Challies delves into God’s hatred for deceit. Deceit, he says, “is the natural condition of those whose hearts are in rebellion against God.” Moreover, “deceit is a sure sign of our depravity.” In this installment, Tim Challies walks us through what it looks like when a person is in rebellion against God. He writes:

The Bible leaves no doubt that God hates deceit. Three times in the book of Proverbs he states it bluntly. In Proverbs 6 we read a list of “six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him,” and two of them relate to deceit: “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who breathes out lies” (17, 19). Proverbs 12:22 echoes the theme: “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Proverbs 12:22).

Zechariah adds that God hates the kind of deceit that takes shape in false oaths, saying, “do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD” (Zechariah 8:17). As we assemble the evidence, it becomes clear: God hates any concealment of the truth, any denial of the truth, or any misrepresentation of the truth.

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