To Live is Christ

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1

As we have been seeing over the past several months (or is it years?) as we have dug deeper and deeper into the persons of the Holy Trinity, the doctrines of the Church, which is the Body of Christ himself, hasn’t it also been true how in our drawing closer and closer to God that in this that the disingenuousness of the man-centered elements of the visible church becomes more and more exposed to those with eyes of genuine saving faith? On the other hand, those with their self-focused, self-edifying faith in their in their own self-made religiosity simply continue to go deeper and deeper into their self-made deceptions that are based on a world view as shallow and insipid as post-modernity. Those people actually are guilty of saying that Christianity and the Church as formed by Jesus Christ is wrong and they have a better idea. View article →

The "God" Of Glenn Beck

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

Apprising Ministries reminds you that Mormon talk show host Glenn Beck is making the rounds and doing a little preaching in some ostensibly Christian megachurches.

Here we take a look at official sources of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and find out what the Mormons really believe about God the Father and Jesus Christ, God the Son. View article →

Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Religion?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ ,

Christians in A.A. may not see it this way, but they are in agreement with a belief system that lifts up strange gods (Amos 3:3). In Alcoholics Anonymous all gods are called the “higher power,” thus relegating Christ our King to commonality, as if He were simply one nameless deity among many.

I am the Lord, that is My name. I will not give my glory to another, nor my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:8

In 1941, Jack Alexander of the Saturday Evening Post wrote the article that provided A.A. its first national publicity. Describing A.A.’s “higher power,” Alexander noted the alcoholic “may choose to think of his Inner Self, the miracle of growth, a tree, man’s wonderment at the physical universe, the structure of the atom, or mere mathematical infinity. Whatever form is visualized, the neophyte is taught that he must rely on it and, in his own way, to pray to the Power for strength.” View article →

Planned Parenthood Urges Students to Share Their Sex-perience

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Most Americans are unaware that National Condom Week has been an annual occurrence since the 1970s, commencing the week of 14 February. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) did not give out the customary flowers and chocolates; instead, they distributed condoms to students at universities in the Pacific Northwest. In its effort to promote safer sex, the organization launched WhereDidYouWearIt.com and passed out 55,000 condoms wrapped with smartphone-scannable QR codes that link to the site, so that students can ‘check in’ to their booty call locations. View article →

The Deity of Jesus Christ

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος, καὶ ὁ λόγος ἦν πρὸς τὸν θεόν, καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος. John 1:1, NA27

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and God was the Word. John 1:1, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1

Going back to Genesis 1:1, which says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” we understand that the Bible always assumes, and never argues, God’s existence. Although everything else had a beginning, God has always been (Psalm 90:2). In John 1:1-10 we see that the Apostle, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, stresses the work of Christ in creation and opens in v1 (above) with the same phrase as in Genesis 1:1. In John 1:1, the word “Word” translates λόγος (logos). Λόγος was used by the Greeks not only of the spoken word but also of the unspoken word, the word still in the mind—the reason. When they applied it to the universe, they meant the rational principle that governs all things. Jews, on the other hand, used it as a way to referring to God. John, therefore, used a term that was meaningful to both Jews and Gentiles. He goes on to say that the λόγος was with God. The λόγος is, therefore distinct from the Father. However, he then says very clearly, “καὶ θεὸς ἦν ὁ λόγος” or, ”God was the Word.” Jesus was God in the fullest sense. View article →

Harvard Hosts Born This Way Foundation Launch Event

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

The Guardian writes that ‘Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey are among the luminaries lending their egos to the Born This Way Foundation launch event at Harvard today’:

We’re getting set to live blog the launch event of the Born This Way Foundation, a youth empowerment project started by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. As youth outreach goes, this is way beyond after-school-special territory: BTWF is big. Oprah-big. Plus Harvard. Attending today’s launch at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre are Ladies Gaga and Winfrey; Deepak Chopra and the US health secretary, among other luminaries.

Participating in the foundation are Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society, the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the California Endowment.

View article →

The Conflict of Two Natures

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Romans 7:24, NASB

This is written to Christians, that is, those who were dead in their trespasses and sins in which they 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. Among them they too all formerly lived in the lusts of their flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy because of his great love with which he loved them, even when they were dead in their transgressions, made them alive together with Christ (by grace they have been saved), and raised them up with him, and seated them with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the ages to come he might show in the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward them in Christ Jesus. For by grace they have been saved through faith; and not of themselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For they are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that they would walk in them. View article →

The Separation of the Cross

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also. John 14:19, NASB

When our Lord spoke of the “world” in John 14:19, he was talking about those in this temporal existence who are not believers. They are not true Christians even though some in that group may profess to be so. In this context he was also referring to the Jewish religious leaders of his own day who so opposed him and his ministry and who would continue to oppose the early church as is seen all through the books of Acts for example. What is it that separates those alive in is this world who truly see Jesus for who he really is, believe and are saved from those who refuse to do so, reject the gospel, and remain in their sins, even if they may develop a form of Christianity that suits them that is absent of the real Jesus? View article →

Women Pastors, Priscilla Shirer, And The Southern Baptist Convention

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

Apprising Ministries continues to point out growing syncretism with the mainstream evangelical community in unparalleled ways.

The mainstreaming of Word Faith prosperity preachers, e,g, T.D. Jakes, opens the door for the next push, which will be for women pastors.

In this new well-documented article see just how close this is getting even to the ostensibly conservative SBC. View article →

Was Rabbi Ralph Messer Called in to Re-Establish a Struggling Eddie Long?

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The Christian Post reports:

Nearly a month after a video showing Rabbi Ralph Messer, who leads the Simchat Torah Beit Midrash congregation in the Denver metropolitan area, “crowning” Atlanta megachurch leader Bishop Eddie Long went viral and earned both men a storm of criticism, Messer’s ministry is still evoking questions.

Most recently, a local Messianic Jewish community has officially renounced Messer, who has given the impression that he is a Messianic Jew. View article →

Is it Deceit or the Product of Being Unequally Yoked?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος; 2 Corinthians 6:14, NA27

Do not become unequally yoked with unbelievers for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1

As many of you have know, there has been much news and rumor about the “Historic Interfaith Document” between Saddleback Valley Baptist Church in Orange County, California and the many Muslim communities there. As usual, the absolute worst place to get the truth about something like this is in the opinion polls of “Twitter,” which are like popularity contests with only your best friends. What should our position be about this? We should always come down on the side of sharing the gospel with those outside of Christ, but not if is some sort of “social engineered gospel” meant to offend no one nor be robbed of the right view of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It must also be clearly defined in terms of the Orthodox position of the fall of man and his need of redeemer as the only means of redemption, hence, the need of a perfect, sinless, propititiation, that is, God himself, who is the second person of the Holy Trinity, God the Son. Yes, the gospel we give to these Muslims must at least start there. View article →

Rick Warren, Islam, And Jim Hinch

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion

Apprising Ministries sums up some of the CRN coverage of this still developing story and brings you the latest in this post.

I also share what I learned as a result of my phone conversation with reporter Jim Hinch who broke the story. View article →

Misrepresented by Leading Pastor – Ken Ham Responds to Tim Keller

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Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis writes:

Tim Keller is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York. He attended Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.

He is known as a good Bible teacher and has a heart for evangelizing New York City. Redeemer Presbyterian’s Hope for New York outreach program seeks to satisfy the spiritual and material needs of those in the community. Hope for New York does sets a high standard for Christian participation in the larger community. But …

In a new article posted this past week, he has grossly misrepresented what I believe and teach. But first of all, let me give you some background.

View article →

Why Aren't More Christians Provoked?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

A tragic result of the man-centered missions approach of the ill-fated Church Growth Movement, too many in church visible are seeking the approval of the world.

Apprising Ministries offers that apostasy is spreading as a result. In this piece we wonder why this and its idolatry is so easily tolerated today. View article →

Largest Protestant Denomination in America Considering a New Name

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙

The Southern Baptist Convention is going through a time of transition it appears with the proposal of a name addition, it being Great Commission Baptists. What are we to do with this idea of name changes?

Just changing a name doesn’t fix an image. This can apply across the board to many names that have a stigma attached to them. Take for example, the Walt Disney name. When Walt was alive, there was a family oriented sense to it and the theme parks were geared around that concept. Now Disney is synonymous with putting out films – even cartoon ones – with questionable material at best. The Little Mermaid, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules – all contain examples of risqué dress and promoting mythological figures for our children to look towards. If Walt Disney saw that his theme parks were turned into a money marketing plethora of these types of characters, we dare say he would not agree. They now support gay pride day at the parks in which his original innocent characters such as Chip and Dale are now paired up in a jaw dropping event. View article →

Bigoted and Un-American? Mitt Romney, Richard Land & Evangelical Politics

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Are Southern Baptists bigoted and un-American? On more than one occasion Richard Land, President of the Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention has stated that raising questions about a presidential candidate’s religion is both bigoted and un-American. Yet, most of the Southern Baptists whom I know are very concerned about this matter. It seems ungrateful at best for Land to take the contributions.

This is the  question that was running through my head when I recently attended a  forum at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, entitled, ‘The  Grindstone: Sharp, Theological Discussions On Topics That Matter’. The  topic for the evening was ‘The Christian and Politics’ and it featured  special guest panelist Richard Land.  View article →

Evangostrich

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Satire

Once again, with syncretism spreading we really do need new words in order to communicate in today’s church visible. Apprising Ministries continues to broaden your vocabulary in this piece.  View article →