Apprising Ministries gives you a look at a most critical question to which all people must eventually respond.
SBC's Richard Land Issues Apology for Plagiarism
Baptist Press reports:
Richard Land, recently in the news for comments about the Trayvon Martin killing, has responded to charges that he failed to attribute the comments on air to a Washington Times columnist.
In a statement to Baptist Press April 16, Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, expressed regret for the way he handled remarks on his March 31 radio broadcast.
The official statement has been posted on the Richard Land Live! website, and reads in part:
“On occasion I have failed to provide appropriate verbal attributions on my radio broadcast, Richard Land Live!, and for that I sincerely apologize. I regret if anyone feels they were deceived or misled. That was not my intent nor has it ever been. Clearly there has been no attempt to deceive the public or we would not have posted the articles that are used on the air. Source
In the statement, Land also noted that he was “grateful this oversight was brought to my attention.”
On 18 April, an additional announcement was made regarding the availability of archived episodes of Land’s radio show:
We, the Executive Committee of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, have decided, with Dr. Land’s encouragement, to remove the links to past shows for the reason set forth below.
We recently became aware of instances in which Dr. Richard Land read from materials written by others during his radio show without clear and proper attribution to the authors of those materials on the program. We have also learned that news agencies occasionally access this website and use clips from Dr. Land’s past broadcasts without prior notice or permission. Due to the danger that such unauthorized use by news agencies or others might include quoted material used by Dr. Land without clear and proper credit being given to the author or source of the quoted material, we have removed links to prior radio broadcasts. Richard Land Live! will continue to post links to broadcasts from this date forward, with careful attribution given to the authors of any material quoted on air.
For Shame—Speech Crimes and Ideology
Dr. Peter Jones, Director of truthXchange and Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Westminster Seminary, examines the new character of shame. In today’s culture, shaming is used to “punish speech against the new reigning orthodoxy of politically correct relativism, rather than to condemn personally reprehensible moral acts.” He writes,
Fifteen years ago James Twitchel’s For Shame: The Loss of Common Decency in American Culture argued for the socially redeeming character of shame: “Shame is the basis of individual responsibility… It is where decency comes from… shame inhibits behavior — that’s the point. It retards action, it increases reticence, it invokes self censorship. Its final object is not banishment, but reintegration.”
Death in Adam, Life in Christ
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.
May 2012 Conference To Indoctrinate Children Into Brian McLaren Mythology
Apprising Ministries goes over important background information concerning the methodology used by the Emerging Church to infiltrate and capture younger sectors of evangelicalism.
You’ll also see in this new article that the Emergent Church is now even set to begin indoctrinating helpless little children into the psuedo-Christian fables of one of its most notorious leaders.
God's Sustaining Power
Chuck Colson 'Will Soon Be With the Lord'
Richard Foster Says Bible Reliable Guide Despite “Inconsistencies”
The Comforter
Religiosity and Unbelief
εἶπεν οὖν ὁ Ἰησοῦς πρὸς αὐτόν· ἐὰν μὴ σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα ἴδητε, οὐ μὴ πιστεύσητε. John 4:48, NA27
48 Therefore, Jesus said to him, “Except you see signs and wonders you never believe!” John 4:48, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1
In this stage of my life, God has me residing in the Kansas City area. In our city is a “church” that calls itself “World Revival Church.” It is closely associated with another “church” that was recently sued by the corporation International House of Pancakes because it used the same logo, i.e. IHOP. In any case, the people behind these “churches” advertise heavily on our local television during the evening news hour. The focus of their ads is not to come there to see God glorified or to come and learn about Jesus our Lord and Saviour. Nope, it is all about “feelings” and “being blessed” and “experiences.” I have written about them before. There are some very disturbing videos portraying “signs and wonders” on YouTube about them as well. In any case, what they promote is attending their church for the experience, to get something for self, all subjectively. Contrast that with our Lord’s own words from John 4:48 (above).
Concerned To Discern
Jesus: The Illumined Illuminator
By Marsha West
Contemporary Christianity is following “every wind of doctrine” in spite of the fact that the Bible warns about taking this route. Self-professed Christ followers no longer “endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim. 4:3).
Regrettably, many believers have embraced neo-Gnosticism.
One of the many obstacles the first century Church faced was Gnosticism, a heresy that held that salvation was only available to those who possessed the hidden truths of Christ. GotQuestions.com explains Gnosticism thusly:
Christian Gnosticism is the belief that one must have a “gnosis” (from Greek “Gnosko,” to know) or inner knowledge which is mystical knowledge obtained only after one has been properly initiated. Only a few can possess this mystical knowledge, limiting the number of those “in the know”. … Gnosticism today seems to provide a lot of the form and color for the New Age portrait of Jesus where Jesus is seen as the illumined Illuminator: one who serves as a cosmic catalyst for others’ awakening. As such it is as false and heretical as the Gnosticism of the first century and needs to be roundly condemned for the heresy that it is.
Let’s face it. Being “in the know” gives a person an exaggerated feeling of self-importance. Even mature believers, who should know better, are seeking the so-called hidden truths of Christ. How does one go about uncovering these “truths”? By way of Catholic mysticism, which has its roots in Gnosticism.
A decade ago who would have dreamed that scores of evangelicals would even consider being involved in monastic disciplines. One such discipline evangelicals have borrowed is contemplative or centering prayer. This meditative practice was introduced by the Desert Fathers. It entails going to a quiet place to clear one’s mind of all outside interference so that God’s voice can be heard. But in order to connect with God on a deeper level the practitioner must repeat a word (mantra) over and over until he/she falls into an altered state of consciousness. Once this is achieved the practitioner will allegedly feel God’s presence and then seek His guidance.
Evangelicals also participate in Lectio Divina or divine reading. Lectio Divina involves Scripture reading, meditation and prayer. Its purpose is to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of the scriptures.
Christians have been initiated into monastic mysticism through reading the books of priests such as William Meninger, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, Brennan Manning, Henri Nouwen and Brother Lawrence. Likewise, Richard Foster and Dallas Willard are driving evangelicals into Catholic mysticism.
The Apostle Paul warned the Body of Christ about the Gnostics. He told them “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14).
Clearly, God does not wish His people to involve themselves in any sort of unrighteousness. Yet many Christians are participating in the very things God condemns. They’re not going to God for their marching orders; instead they’re participating in practices found in false religions. Endeavoring to seek God on a deeper level they’re falling into sin.
Christians have got to start taking the Bible seriously. Scripture teaches that Satan and his minions are highly intelligent beings with supernatural powers. What is more, Satan comes to us as an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14). Hence, undiscerning, biblically illiterate believers are easily bamboozled.
So here’s the bottom line: Neo-Gnosticism is evil. Christian that involves themselves in practices that stem from unscriptural practices, such as the ones described above, will not find a deeper spiritual experience with God. In fact, just the opposite will result.
Related:
The Gnostic Gospel—Dr. Peter Jones’ lecture
Psalm 46:10 Does Not Teach Centering/Contemplative Prayer—Pastor Ken Silva
Research
Copyright by Marsha West, 2012. All rights reserved.
Rising Word Faith Profit Manasseh Jordan Imitating Benny Hinn
Beneath The Eye Of God
Living Water
ἀπεκρίθη Ἰησοῦς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ· εἰ ᾔδεις τὴν δωρεὰν τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τίς ἐστιν ὁ λέγων σοι· δός μοι πεῖν, σὺ ἂν ᾔτησας αὐτὸν καὶ ἔδωκεν ἄν σοι ὕδωρ ζῶν. John 4:10, NA27
10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me to drink,’ you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1
Sacred Scripture clearly teaches us that those who are saved by God believe in the Lord Jesus, that is, they believe the Gospel or Good News. It is good news because it comes to those who realize they are helpless to justify themselves before God who is Holy, Righteous and Just, and also know for certain that their own righteousness is as filthy rags, that is, worthless. The good news is that someone else has paid their sin debt to God for them. They are no longer hopelessly in debt to God. Of course, this applies only to those who believe. The Apostle John used several images or analogies to vividly portray what it is to truly believe in Jesus. In John 6:56, 8:31, and 15:7 he used the physical image of believers abiding or remaining in Jesus and His Word. In John 8:12 and 12:35–36, he used the analogy of believers walking in and having the light. In John 6:53–56 he gives us our Lord’s hard preaching and His own standard of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. In John 6:35, 47–48, 50–51, and 53–58 he gives us our Lord’s image of real believers eating the bread of life. In John 4:10–14 and 7:37–38, we read of real believers drinking living water. In this post, we will look at John 4:1–42.
NYC Pastor's Tweets Get XXX Billboard Removed
Christians ‘Vilified’ by British Courts
The True Christian Serves the Law of God with the Mind but the Law of Sin with the Flesh
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24–25, NASB
As I thought it would, my last post, Antinomianism, caused some backlash. Every time I have posted on that topic it causes something like that to happen. I was accused of things that as far as I know are not true, and was told that the article was heretical. At the opening of it I stated, “Antinomianism means ‘opposed to law.’ Antinomian views are those denying that God’s law in Scripture should directly control the Christian’s life.” The one doing most of the accusing demanded a verse stating where God’s law in Scripture should directly control the believer’s life. The first one I thought of was Romans 7:25.
If You Love Jesus Defend His Doctrine
Because too many are in lust for the approval of the world and each other, it’s quite common today to hear people disparage the importance of doctrine.
Apprising Ministries brings you an excellent video defending the truth as to why if we love God, we will also love and defend His doctrine found in His inerrant and infallible Word in the Bible.
The Tenderhearted
Antinomianism
Πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία. καὶ οἴδατε ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ἐφανερώθη, ἵνα τὰς ἁμαρτίας ἄρῃ, καὶ ἁμαρτία ἐν αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστιν. πᾶς ὁ ἐν αὐτῷ μένων οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει· πᾶς ὁ ἁμαρτάνων οὐχ ἑώρακεν αὐτὸν οὐδὲ ἔγνωκεν αὐτόν. Τεκνία, μηδεὶς πλανάτω ὑμᾶς· ὁ ποιῶν τὴν δικαιοσύνην δίκαιός ἐστιν, καθὼς ἐκεῖνος δίκαιός ἐστιν· ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἐκ τοῦ διαβόλου ἐστίν, ὅτι ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς ὁ διάβολος ἁμαρτάνει. εἰς τοῦτο ἐφανερώθη ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα λύσῃ τὰ ἔργα τοῦ διαβόλου. 1 John 3:4–8, NA27
4 Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that he was manifested to take away sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 No one who abides in him continually sins; those who continually sins has not seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous 8 The one practicing sin is of the devil for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this cause the son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:4–8, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1
Antinomianism means “opposed to law.” Antinomian views are those denying that God’s law in Scripture should directly control the Christian’s life. Dualistic antinomianism appeared early in the Gnostic heresies as we discussed in our last post, The Word of Life. The Gnostics taught that salvation was for the soul only, making bodily behavior irrelevant both to God’s interest and to the soul’s health. The conclusion was that one may behave riotously and it will not matter.
Video: Joel Osteen Exposed 2012 – Word Faith Prosperity Stars
Anticipating Conflict
Christianity the Only Means of Eternal Life? Some Pastors Disagree
The Christian Post reports:
A recent survey conducted by LifeWay Research found that while a majority of Protestant pastors believe Christianity is the only way to obtain eternal life, there is a small percentage who strongly feel other religions offer eternal salvation as well.
The survey asked 1,000 Protestant pastors the question, “If a person is sincerely seeking God, he/she can obtain eternal life through religions other than Christianity.”
Seventy-seven percent of the pastors questioned said that they strongly disagree with the statement and seven percent somewhat disagreed. Another seven percent somewhat agreed and five percent strongly agreed. Three percent said they are not sure.
The Word of Life
Ὃ ἦν ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, ὃ ἀκηκόαμεν, ὃ ἑωράκαμεν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ἡμῶν, ὃ ἐθεασάμεθα καὶ αἱ χεῖρες ἡμῶν ἐψηλάφησαν περὶ τοῦ λόγου τῆς ζωῆς – καὶ ἡ ζωὴ ἐφανερώθη, καὶ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ μαρτυροῦμεν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλομεν ὑμῖν τὴν ζωὴν τὴν αἰώνιον ἥτις ἦν πρὸς τὸν πατέρα καὶ ἐφανερώθη ἡμῖν – ὃ ἑωράκαμεν καὶ ἀκηκόαμεν, ἀπαγγέλλομεν καὶ ὑμῖν, ἵνα καὶ ὑμεῖς κοινωνίαν ἔχητε μεθ᾽ ἡμῶν. καὶ ἡ κοινωνία δὲ ἡ ἡμετέρα μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. καὶ ταῦτα γράφομεν ἡμεῖς, ἵνα ἡ χαρὰ ἡμῶν ᾖ πεπληρωμένη. 1 John 1:1–4, NA27
1 What was from the beginning which we have heard–which we have seen with our eyes, which we beheld and touched with our hands—with respect to the Word of Life—2 indeed the life was manifested and we have seen it and we give testimony and we proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—3 what we have seen and we have heard we proclaim to you also that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his son Jesus Christ. 4 These things we write that our joy maybe made full. 1 John 1:1–4, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1
As many of you know, I have been reading The Church History by Eusebius. He was a contemporary of Constantine, but most of his history covers the time of the Apostles and spread of Christianity over the Roman world during and after their time. He brings up an interesting point about a third of the way through the book in that while the Apostles were still alive as well as those who were eyewitnesses to their lives and ministries and that included those who had actually seen our Lord Jesus before his crucifixion and after his resurrection, our enemy could only successfully attack with limited success from within the Church. Heresies were easily dealt with as John did in the passage above in dealing a deathblow to the major doctrines of an early form of Gnosticism. However, after these first generation leaders of the Church died or were martyred (which was more likely), our enemy changed tactics and so began the era of wolves coming into the Church to lead astray the sheep with deadly heresies such as Arianism. What is the solution? What has always been the solution? It is the same as what the Apostle John did in 1 John and the Apostle Paul did in 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, and 1 Corinthians and the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter. They commanded leaders to teach and preach the Word.