Berean Research reports:
“We will not obey.”
That’s the blunt warning a group of prominent religious leaders is sending to the Supreme Court of the United States as they consider same-sex marriage.
“We respectfully warn the Supreme Court not to cross that line,” read a document titled, Pledge in Solidarity to Defend Marriage. “We stand united together in defense of marriage. Make no mistake about our resolve.”
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 NASB
The Lord’s Day approaches. While many will go to church in a few days and hear expository preaching and worship God in spirit and truth, many more will hear sermons that the preacher bought from Sermons.com or some other source. While I understand the pressures these men are under trying to be “successful” in growing their churches, I contend that those doing this are serving an idol rather than the Living God.
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, does not mince words when he states that same-sex marriage “sets the stage for what may well be, in the United States, the greatest threat to religious liberty of our lifetime.” He writes:
“It is going to be an issue.” With those words, spoken yesterday before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Solicitor General of the United States announced that religious liberty is directly threatened by the legalization of same-sex marriage. Donald Verrili, representing the Obama Administration as the nation’s highest court considered again the issue of same-sex marriage, was responding to a question from Justice Samuel Alito. His answer confirms with candor the threat we have long seen coming.
According to the Business Insider:
An extensive study done by the Pew Research Center has yielded some fascinating information regarding the trajectory of world religions over the next four decades.
As of 2010, Christianity was the dominant world religion with roughly 2.2 billion adherents and Muslims were second with about 1.6 billion adherents. If current demographic trends continue however, Islam is expected to catch up to Christianity midway through the 21st century.
According to Christian News Network:
The U.S. Supreme Court was divided on Tuesday as it heard oral argument over states’ rights surrounding the definition of marriage, with some justices expressing a hesitancy to change the definition for one particular type of relationship.
As previously reported, the court was set to hear argument in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, as well as several other cases that were on appeal after the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that states had a right to decline to recognize arrangements outside of the male-female marital union.
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
1 Timothy 1:2–11, NASB
Carefully read the passage I placed at the top of this post. What is the aim of the charge of a true disciple? It is to produce the good fruit of of love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. That is the good fruit of genuine prophet of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, our Lord Himself told us in His Sermon on the Mount how to discern whether a prophet was false or not.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15–20, NASB
According to Elizabeth Harrington, staff writer for the Washington Free Beacon, the EPA is “developing workshops to teach pastors and other religious leaders how to change the behaviors of their congregants” to help combat so-called global warming. The fact cannot be ignored that many men and women in the scientific community believe that global warming is “the greatest hoax ever imposed on modern man.”
The Christian News Network reports:
A Christian legal organization in Alabama has filed a motion urging the recusal of two U.S. Supreme Court justices who have officiated same-sex “weddings” as the high court hears oral argument today surrounding states’ rights regarding the definition of marriage.
As previously reported, liberal Justice Elena Kagan, nominated to the bench by Barack Obama, officiated her first same-sex “wedding” last September, participating in a ceremony for her former law clerk Mitchell Reich and his partner Patrick Pearsall. The event was held in Chevy Chase, Maryland, a suburb just outside of the nation’s capital.
Will, who blogs at Entreating Favor, expresses his concern over comments made by Andy Stanley, senior 
pastor of North Point megachurch, at a recent conference. The popular pastor declared that local congregations should be the “safest place on the planet for students to talk about anything, including same-sex attraction.” Will wonders what he meant by “safe.” “Safe from what?” queries Will, as he believes that it’s unlikely that Christian churches are causing physical harm to their homosexual youth. He does, however, believe that Pastor Stanley “is at risk of causing them the worst possible spiritual harm.”
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” 34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:31-38 NASB
One of the major weapons of our enemy is attacks centered on provoking our pride, to incite us to be deeply concerned about what others think of us in relation to our profession of faith and how we walk the narrow path set before us by God. Our Lord warned us that this sort of attack would be coming our way and it causes professing Christians to lose their boldness as they actually seek to preserve “their life” for their own sake. When we are more concerned with our image and standing before men rather than for Christ and His gospel then we compromise because we have set our minds on the things of man rather than then things of God.
Christian News Network reports:
In the first decision of its kind upholding the rights of a Christian business, an appeals court has ruled that a Christian t-shirt company did not violate the law when it declined to print t-shirts for a local “gay pride” event.
As previously reported, the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization of Lexington (GLSO) had wanted the company Hand On Originals–a company that identifies as “Christian outfitters” on the home page of its website–to print t-shirts for the 2012 Lexington Gay Pride Festival. When manager Blaine Adamson declined the order due to the company’s biblical convictions, GLSO filed a complaint with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Human Rights Commission.
Nathan Busenitz of The Cripplegate paints a picture of heaven as a place of vibrant color, good food, loud music, close friendships, as well as physical activity. But what will be missing from heaven? Busenitz puts forward a list of 17 items that the Apostle John reveals in the book of Revelation that will be missing in heaven. It’s reassuring to know that “Each of these represents some aspect of fallenness, rebellion, or divine judgment connected to this present world. And there will be no sign of corruption or judgment in the world to come.”
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NASB
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NASB)
If we listen to some today it is as if the Incarnation of Christ was to show Man how to live in such a way that there would be no war, no hunger, no sickness and that the Earth be recovered back to the pristine state of Creation. Was this His mission? If you go to any secular book store either such as Barnes and Noble or even Amazon.com and browse the religious/theology section you will find a large number of books that attempt to blend Jesus Christ into all religions or even non-religious causes. I found one recently that was a supposed list of the parallel sayings of Buddha with those of Christ.
12 οἶδα καὶ ταπεινοῦσθαι, οἶδα καὶ περισσεύειν· ἐν παντὶ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν μεμύημαι, καὶ χορτάζεσθαι καὶ πεινᾶν καὶ περισσεύειν καὶ ὑστερεῖσθαι· 13 πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με. (Philippians 4:12-13 NA28)
12 I know both how to be humbled and how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger, both to abound and to have lack. 13 I can do all things in the one empowering me. (Philippians 4:12,13 translated from the NA28 Greek text)
The enemy of our souls, Satan, does not attack believers in such a way that we should recognize him as being who he is. Instead, he comes disguised as the voice behind the theologian from the best seminary who may be the leader with a huge church empire and also be the author of many best-selling books. How does he attack what we call the Orthodox Christian faith? You know, the preaching of the gospel, the weekly opening of the Word of God, the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper, et cetera. He attacks that by putting people in place that both insist on and those who promise to deliver “more.” You know, taking emphasis away from all that stuff above and giving people “what they really want!” Sometimes the leaders doing this think this is what the people really want, but it is not. That is when the sheep go to their pastors and ask to be fed rather than be entertained. What happens most of the time nowadays when that takes place?
Nathan Busenitz of The Cripplegate paints a picture of heaven as a place of: “vibrant color, good food, loud music, close friendships, as well as physical activity.”
But what will be missing from heaven? Busenitz puts forward a list of 17 items that the Apostle John reveals in the book of Revelation that will be missing in heaven. It’s reassuring to know that “Each of these represents some aspect of fallenness, rebellion, or divine judgment connected to this present world. And there will be no sign of corruption or judgment in the world to come.”
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. 9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Colossians 2:8-15 NASB
The more I deal with professing Christians, no matter how conservative they may be, it can be somewhat trying at times to encounter the growing nature of Christ in some of them. There are some who are so ruled by their flesh that the only fruit that I ever witness in them is of this world, full of bitterness, anger, resentment, and a complete disregard for the commands from own Savior to deny self, forgive, turn the other cheek, et cetera. I know that in my own case that my flesh must be continually kept reigned in and controlled or it will cause me to slide right back into those habitual sins it loves so much. However, the mark of one who has been truly made alive together with Christ is not sinless perfection, but rather one who is actually fighting this fight. That being said, let’s look at two passages in which is found the only New Testament occurrences of the Greek Word συζωοποιέω or suzōopoieō, “to make alive together with another; to make a sharer of the quickening of another.”
According to Christian News Network:
Televangelist Creflo Dollar defied opponents of his global effort to purchase a $65 million dollar jet in a recent message delivered to his congregation.
“Let me tell you something about believing God. I can dream as long as I want to. I can believe God as long as I want to,” he states in a video posted to YouTube by a group not affiliated with Dollar. “If I want to believe God for a $65 million plane, you cannot stop me. You cannot stop me from dreaming.”
16 The LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; 17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17 NASB
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.'” 4 The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:1-6 NASB
19 By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:19 NASB
The doctrine of original sin is a vital part of genuine Christian orthodoxy. For a long time I didn’t really appreciate how important it is in our concept of the depths of our guilt before our sovereign and thrice Holy God. However, as I have become involved in ‘discussions’ with those who reject this doctrine, God has revealed to me, through my studying his Word in order to answer certain ‘arguments,’ that when this doctrine is not part of one’s theology then their concept of their salvation is more self-centered and, in some cases, is understood that one is a Christian based solely on religious acts they have done. Let’s look again at the Apostle Paul’s thesis on our salvation, which none of us deserve.
25 ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἔρχεται ὥρα καὶ νῦν ἐστιν ὅτε οἱ νεκροὶ ἀκούσουσιν τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ οἱ ἀκούσαντες ζήσουσιν. (John 5:25 NA28)
25 Amen, amen I say to you that an hour is coming an now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those having heard will live. (John 5:25 translated from the NA28 Greek text)
The misunderstanding or false teaching about two truths pertaining to our Lord Jesus Christ and man are at the center of much of the false teaching that passes for “Christian theology.” It has always been so. The first truth refers to the deity of Christ and His sovereign authority as Lord and God. The second truth pertains to the original sin of Adam and fact that all people are born dead in trespasses and sins, no exceptions. That spiritual death is without any ability to please God in any way. If we get either of these truths wrong then we will get the Gospel wrong and that means all our theology is wrong as well.
1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NASB
Martin Luther is considered the “Lighting rod of the Protestant Reformation.” It was through his battle with the Roman Catholic Church that the doctrine of salvation through Justification by Grace through Faith alone was recovered and from that, many Christian martyrs went to their deaths refusing to compromise their faith by denying the truth of knowing Jesus Christ and Him crucified based not upon the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. So much of the pressure being brought to bear upon Christians in our time is to not be so precise in our theology, but be more willing to “compromise” along doctrinal grounds for the sake of “unity.” The “mega-church” model is based precisely upon never offending anyone, but being non-threatening and willing to be all things to all people in order to attract everyone, but to what?
Christian News Network reports:
Tony Campolo, false teacher and former spiritual adviser to Bill Clinton, is urging Christians to vote for Hillary as president, claiming that she is a Christian woman who will help to lower the abortion rate in America.
“I like Hillary Clinton. We are personal friends,” he wrote in a recent article for Religion News Service. “I am more than willing to do all I can to help Hillary Clinton get elected. Should she ask me to organize an Evangelicals for Hillary committee, I would be more than willing to do so. I believe in her. And you should too.”
By Marsha West
In part 2 of her series, Marsha West addresses some of the flaws in the “family values” movement. One such flaw is the cleverly contrived manipulation tactics conservative leaders, i.e. evangelicals, resort to in their effort to raise money to “take back America.” Notable evangelicals and so-called Christian musical artists have no qualms about appearing on stage with apostates for some “cause” or another. In this piece Marsha reveals the names of some of the prominent professing Christians who are partnering with apostates, even heretics, in the culture war.
Before the term pro-family was hijacked by liberals (evangelical was also hijacked) supporters were largely made up from conservative Protestants, Roman Catholics, Mennonites, Mormons, Muslims, and Jews, naming just a few. For the sake of the country, religious conservatives agreed to set aside their differences and pull together a grass roots movement of concerned citizens. These folks put their money where their mouth is in an all out effort to win elections. Their hope was that the politicians they elected would return America to “one nation under God.” Unfortunately, it didn’t much matter to pro-family leaders (LIE-celebs) which god their supporters bowed to as long as participants held conservative values and went to the polls.
A recent example of conservatives uniting to win elections is the 2014 national election. To the surprise of many, Republicans won in a landslide. Now that the GOP has been given a mandate it’ll be interesting to see if pitiable capitulating conservative politicians will get anything done or if they’ll continue to cling to their fear of man.
But this series (Part 1) is not about pitiable capitulating conservative politicians – we pretty much know what we can expect from them if recent history is an indicator. What it’s about is pitiable capitulating LIE-celebs who believe that the only way to cure America of its social ills is to join forces with other religions (ecumenical ventures) to fight the encroachment of Secular Humanism into the culture. Seems like a selfless goal, doesn’t it? But the problem is that when Christians unite with other religions, politicians, entertainers, cultists, and knowingly prop up false teachers, guess what happens? Compromise! And when Christians compromise for any reason, the gospel gets compromised. As a result, the waters have become muddied and evangelicalism has lost its distinctiveness.
Evangelical No More
I don’t believe for one minute that the Lord would have those who say they represent Him resort to cleverly contrived manipulation tactics to accomplish His work. The God I serve would never condone the maneuvering that goes on behind the scenes to get people to part with their money. And as I stated earlier, many LIE-celebs call themselves Christians, when what they actually are is GOP political operatives. So – if one wishes to know who keeps these schemers in business, you need only to look in the mirror.
Pro-family groups could not stay in business without the low information evangelical (LIE) giving his/her time talent and treasure to “good causes.” Many people send money to these groups out of the goodness of their hearts. The reason I mention giving is this: God may not be on board with His people financially supporting organizations simply because they label themselves “Christian.” Doesn’t the Bible make it clear that believers are to be good stewards of the money the Lord has entrusted to them? With this thought in mind, I suggest there are “Christian” organizations that shouldn’t receive one penny of support from God’s people – but there are groups that should. It’s up to the giver to be discerning! If there’s any doubt, don’t hand your money out!
Returning to the point I was making before I got off onto giving: the cause of the collapse of evangelicalism. Who’s responsible and how did it happen? According to Mike Ratliff:
In our day the primary enemies that seeks to once again eclipse the gospel are seemingly diverse so-called churches and church movements such as the Purpose Driven paradigm or seeker-sensitivity and gospel contextualization, which remove essential parts of the gospel in order to not offend the “unchurched.” Then there is the Emergent church, which has taken on a definite New Age spiritualism bent. The movers and shakers in this movement consistently deny sola fide and sola scriptura as essentials for the gospel and the health of the church. Instead, they pursue a complete redefinition of every part of Christianity to suit their eclectic tastes. Then we have a complete implosion and collapse of what used be called Evangelical Christianity as leader after leader buys into the newest fads, such as contemplative prayer, in order to remain “culturally relevant” at the cost of their Christian genuineness. (emphasis added – Source)
I should take at least a paragraph or two to fill you in on the prominent groups that have become mainstream thanks in large part to LIE-celebs joining forces with pretty much anyone with a checkbook willing to plunk down money to fund their pet causes. For example, pro-family leader Gary Bauer is on the Board of Directors of Christians United for Israel, a lobby group headed by Word of Faith (WoF) televangelist John Hagee. (Hagee’s behind the Blood Moon lunacy.) WoF/name it and claim it theology is rife with heresy! So would God bless a union such as this? I rather doubt it, even if it is pro-Israel.
In his piece Ratliff addresses the Purpose Driven/seeker sensitive and Emergent movements, so I’ll tackle them now and later provide more information on WoF leaders as well as the New Apostolic Reformation/Third Wave/Latter Rain (NAR). NAR is a movement many are unfamiliar with.
For decades we’ve been seeing the advent of pragmatism in the Church, i.e., “whatever works” to get the folks to come to come to church. Most evangelicals are aware of this by now because a large number of churches have implemented the premiere pragmatic model: Purpose Driven Church. The book became a best-seller and was soon followed-up with Purpose Driven Life. I’ve written numerous articles to expose Rick Warren’s apostasy, so I won’t take up space here. What’s important to understand is Warren’s PEACE Plan is all about joining with other religions to bring about global peace. His plan is supposed to solve the five biggest problems in the world: spiritual emptiness; lack of godly leaders; poverty; disease; lack of education. But is what he’s attempting to do even biblical? Bible expositor Stan Way is of the opinion that:
Doing good is part of ‘loving our neighbor’. It seems to me that we need to be careful because ‘making a better world’ can distract us from preaching the gospel and discipling believers. My observation is that by properly discipling Christians in the faith contributes to the betterment of society. But, this is a byproduct of Christian discipleship, not its primary goal. Christian compassion should make us want to see human suffering relieved whenever that’s possible; while at the same time we hold the conviction that when Christ returns he’ll make all things new. (With permission)
For those who want to expand their knowledge of plan check out Kjos Ministries.
Seeker-driven pragmatism of faux Christianity has many goals, one of them being to create more palatable churches for unchurched Chad and Misty. Seeker churches go to ridiculous lengths to see that visitors aren’t “offended.” In their view, the traditional churches that allow the pastor to exposit Scripture are turn offs to Chad and Misty. I mean, how boring can you get! Seekers are also turned off by liturgy in the service; likewise by hymns, as today’s paying customers attendees prefer contemporary music to the old hymns. To please people, liturgy has been scrapped and the songs mimic the modern culture. There’s no question that the visible Church has moved from God-centered to a man-centered worship.
The Emergent/emerging/emergence Church is joined at the hip with the Purpose Driven/seeker-sensitive/pragmatic Church. Some are calling this assortment of beliefs “seeker-mergent” (S-M). The S-M folks are steeped in unbiblical Roman Catholic mysticism as well as New Age/New Thought “spirituality.” And the reason for this is that some S-M leaders claim a shift is taking place in the Church and that “everything must change.” Do they look to the Bible for guidance? No!
Because this movement is ever changing it is difficult to define, as its many names implies. What it boils down to is that participants are disillusioned with the traditional Church. As such, they’ve decided to throw off the shackles of historic orthodox Christianity, toss the creeds and confessions, and experience God in a whole new way (which is not the way Jesus prescribes in the Bible). In my experience, many S-Ms see themselves as highly evolved (enlightened) human beings. They’ve been given hidden knowledge that (what they deem) “flat-earth fundamentalists” are not privy to. Since they’re the ones “in the know,” “fundies” must get a grip on reality (theirs), get with the program, and change. And we have changed — big time. The change resulted in evangelical’s willingness to dive into Roman Catholic mysticism via Spiritual Formation. Without getting too far afield, this process, called disciplines, encourages believers to indulge in a variety of extrabiblical meditative practices such as contemplative/centering prayer (CP). The important thing to “get” is that the “new way of doing Church” mirrors the very thing the early church struggled against – false teachers who were spreading their Gnostic heresy. Examination of S-M organizations will bring to light their unbiblical beliefs. Any success they enjoy certainly can’t be from God.
As the S-M model continues muddying the waters, do not be surprised to see LIE-celebs join hands to sing My Sweet Lord with “brothers and sisters” from other world religions; likewise with social justice Christians (who deny God’s gospel) …cultists…New Agers…wiccans…wizards and whatnot. It should be noted that the lord in George Harrison’s song is not the Lord God Almighty of Scripture.
Are They Really That…Naive?
“Apostle” Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Redding CA
Previously I pointed out how pro-family leader Gary Bauer joined forces with a notorious false teacher. Bauer is not alone – not by a long shot. In October of 2014, the president of American Family Association (AFA), Tim Wildmon, interviewed Bethel Church’s pastor (and grievous wolf) Bill Johnson on American Family Radio to promote Johnson’s new book Experience the Impossible: Simple Ways to Unleash Heaven’s Power on Earth. Wildmon has also interviewed NAR leaders such as Rick Joyner, Rod Parsley and Heidi Baker. Amazingly, Wildmon remains unaware that these people are what Christ referred to as ravenous wolves. So – isn’t it his responsibility to vet potential guests? One can only surmise that either he shares Apostle Bill’s unbiblical Third Wave (currently called NAR) theology or he hasn’t bothered to carefully examine what the Bible describes as the “teaching of demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1) I mean, does it not seem odd that Wildmon would pitch a book to his audience that is clearly unbiblical? For someone of his stature to promote false teachers is the height of irresponsibility.
Now, I’m not singling out Tim Wildmon. He’s not the only LIE-celeb who props up “Super Apostles” Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner and the like. Plenty of other pro-family groups have united with false teachers on important moral issues. (See links below) In this day and time it’s not uncommon for LIE-celebs, including Christian musical artists, to appear on stage with apostates for some “cause” or another. The reason I continue hammering AFA is that in their zeal to “Reclaim America” they’ve chosen to dance with the devil. In some cases they even pray with wolves! Mr. Wildmon, God doesn’t hear the prayers of apostates.
Anyway, there’s no sense dwelling on a topic I previously covered in The Religious Right unites with Religious Renegades, Part 1. In it I—gasp!—“name names.” I also made it clear that:
Even though the Christian Right (CR) often shares a stage with controversial groups/persons it does not mean that they necessarily share their views; what it does mean however is that when controversial groups/persons are invited to participate in a CR event, it appears that they endorse these groups/persons. It grieves me to say this–and I’ll get a lot of flak for it–but many professing Christians seem to have little or no problem partnering with false teachers and cultists, perhaps because these groups/persons are useful in furthering their political causes.
It’s important to note that there are many bona fide Christian and non-Christian organizations and individuals that need—and should receive—our prayers, our encouragement, and our financial support. Personally, because of what I do it seems some of the sites, where owner/editors have enough courage to publish articles like this one, are deserving of support. Perform due diligence and help them if you are so inclined. If your research leads to something that smells fishy, hold onto your money.
I’ll close with this warning from Christian apologist Ken Silva concerning who we relate to in our Christian walk:
Today I appeal to you to awaken from this Lunacy in the Lord’s Name, a narcissistic nightmare being falsely portrayed as Christianity. If you have been taken in by these deceiving man-pleasers having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power; now you need to avoid such people (2 Timothy 3:5). Friend, I beseech you to pick up the Bible and check these things out for yourself. You need to understand that time is running out and you are playing a game with your life that has eternal stakes.
In the Lord I admonish you to forget that convoluted conversation within the Emerging Church; turn away from those sinner sensitive Purpose Driven/Seeker Driven musings, and run from the prideful prophets of Word Faith heresy before you end up right back in the bondage of the apostate Church of Rome along with all the rest of them. Do you really think the Protestant Reformation was wrong; because in order to follow these fools this is what you are going to have to believe. (Source)
Resources:
Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council, with NAR “Apostle” Rick Joyner
Focus on the Family Gives Bono a Platform – Another Example Where 2 +2 Don’t Add Up –According to Christian researcher Berit Kjos, “U2’s 2005 tour was aimed at joining all religions into a unified global spirituality. To emphasize the coming solidarity, the word “COEXIST” was featured on a giant screen. The capital “C” pointed to the Islamic crescent, the “X” symbolized the Jewish Star of David, and the “T” was a reminder of the Christian cross. Bono led massive crowds in a vibrant chant: “Jesus, Jew, Mohammed—It’s True!”
Catholic Jeb Bush hired an adviser with extensive ties to the religious right–Jay Sekulow’s son, Jordan.
Next Great Awakening Tour, hosted by Jim Garlow and David Barton, visited sights of the First and Second Great Awakenings in America. The tour featured Lance Wallnau, chief promoter of the controversial NAR doctrine, the 7 Mountain strategy of taking Dominion. Other guests included Speaker Newt Gingrich, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rick Santorum, Rep. Bob McEwen, and Family Research Council’s Tony Perkins.
NAR Critic Slams James Dobson and ‘Pro-Family Leaders’ for ‘Giving Credibility to False Teachers’ (Far-left site. Enter at your own risk.)
NAR “Apostle” Rick Joyner’s Morning Star Ministries promotes 2015 conferences featuring Janet Folger Porter, Rep. Louie Gohmert, and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin – Porter and Boykin promote NAR.
Janet Porter Dropped From Worldview Radio Because Of Her Ties To “Whacked Out Folks” (Far-left site. Enter at your own risk.)
Charismania Embraces Glenn Beck—NAR “Super Apostle” Chuck Pierce offered Mormon pro-family leader, political pundit, commentator and New Age Mormon Glenn Beck a “new mantle for the future” because of his stand with the nation of Israel.
LIE-Celebs Capitulate
Russell Moore, Rick Warren, N. T. Wright visit Pope Francis —Puff piece by Christianity Today
Lee Strobel promotes Emerging Church leader Erwin McManus
Lee Strobel promotes Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren
Popular Southern Baptist Bible teacher Beth Moore unites with Word of Faith heretic Joyce Meyer
Francis Chan spoke at IHOP’s Onething conference where he declared “I love Mike Bickle.” Bickle is a false prophet.
Kirk Cameron invited New Age Mormon Glenn Beck to get the word out about his film “Monumental”
Joel Rosenberg was invited to speak at the 2010 Break Forth Canada Conference, promoted the conference on his blog, and shared a stage with those in the emerging/contemplative camp including New Age sympathizer and Emergent guru Leonard Sweet and universalist and author of The Shack, William P. Young.
James MacDonald, Mark Driscoll unite with T.D. Jakes and claim Jakes is a Trinitarian
Ravi Zacharias Praises Word of Faith Preacher Joyce Meyer
John Piper On Rick Warren: Invitation to “Hang Out” Or An Endorsement?
Steven Furtick as Televangelist at Lakewood Church of Joel Osteen
SBC Pastor’s Conference 2014 With Rick Warren, Francis Chan, and James MacDonald
World Vision, Christian organization? – Part 1—WV capitulates to homosexual activists and then they change their mind.
Copyright by Marsha West, 2015. All rights reserved.
17 Because you say, “ I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, Revelation 3:17 NASB
Self-Righteousness: the attempt to meet God’s standards based upon one’s own merits.
A thorough study of our Lord’s earthly ministry reveals with certainty the following truth. Our Lord was merciful in every instance to those who were broken, humbled, and spiritually helpless before Him. On the other hand, the proud, the self-righteous, and the self-sufficient He rebuked and shunned, which is thematically summarized for us by James our Lord’s brother in his epistle.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30 NASB
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 NASB
justify Function: verb Inflected Form(s): jus·ti·fied; jus·ti·fy·ing Etymology: Middle English justifien, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, from Latin justus Date: 14th century transitive verb 1 a: to prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable b (1): to show to have had a sufficient legal reason (2): to qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008. Merriam-Webster Online. 29 May 2008
sanctify Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): sanc·ti·fied; sanc·ti·fy·ing Etymology: Middle English seintefien, sanctifien, from Anglo-French seintefier, sanctifier, from Late Latin sanctificare, from Latin sanctus sacred — more at saint Date:14th century 1: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use :consecrate 2: to free from sin :purify 3 a: to impart or impute sacredness, inviolability, or respect to b: to give moral or social sanction to 4: to make productive of holiness or piety <observe the day of the sabbath, to sanctify it — Deuteronomy 5:12(Douay Version)> Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008. Merriam-Webster Online. 29 May 2008
The theological climate in the “visible church” today has taken on the characteristics of a free-for-all. Most professing believers’ Bible knowledge is extremely shallow. On top of that we are also in a period of intellectual barbarianism which is marked by relativism. This causes the truth to be perceived as unknowable. Those holding this form of thinking refuse to believe that there is such a thing as absolute truth. In this intellectual climate it is little wonder that false prophets and false teachers can lead so many astray simply by saying what people want to hear.
