Amid syncretism and promotion of Mormon Glenn Beck within evangelicalism, Apprising Ministries asks if you can handle the truth.
The Beginning of Opposition to the Son of God
18 διὰ τοῦτο οὖν μᾶλλον ἐζήτουν αὐτὸν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἀποκτεῖναι, ὅτι οὐ μόνον ἔλυεν τὸ σάββατον, ἀλλὰ καὶ πατέρα ἴδιον ἔλεγεν τὸν θεὸν ἴσον ἑαυτὸν ποιῶν τῷ θεῷ. John 5:18, NA27
18 Because of this, therefore, the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him not only because he breaking the Sabbath, but also he was calling God his own Father making himself equal with God. John 5:18, Possessing the Treasure New Testament V1
In our study of the Lord’s ministry from John 1 through John 4 the response from the Jewish religious leaders has been one of reservation and hesitation as Jesus as Messiah. Most of the Jews and Galileans had a mixed response as well. However, the Apostle John records for us in John 5 the controversial incidents that caused the shift from reservation and hesitation to outright opposition. This section of our Lord’s ministry is recorded by John for us in John 5:1 through John 12:50. In this post we look at John 5:1-18.
The Natural Set of the Sails
Glenn-vangelicals? Should Christians partner with Glenn Beck?
What Does It Mean to be "Unequally Yoked?"
Mormonism Declared War on Christianity
Apprising Ministries reminds you there’s appears to be a real push in the evangelical community to accept high profile practicing Mormons as Christian brothers.
In this new article you’ll see the, from official LDS sources, that the Church of Jesus Christian of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) first attacked the Christian faith.
Definition of a Non-Christian Cult
Sadly, evangelicalism is becoming more and more squishy in doctrine in its desire to please men and its lust for their acceptance.
With Mormon Mitt Romney growing in prominence due to the presidential race Apprising Ministries now gives you this succinct definition by the late cult expert Dr. Walter Martin.
Desire, The Root Sin Of Apostasy
What's Up With Liberty University
Al Mohler on the Challenge of Same-Sex Unions
Dr. Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, offers the Church an important teaching. He writes:
In the world but not of the world? From the very beginning, the church has faced the challenge of responding to external events, trends, ideologies, and controversies. By definition, the church does not get to choose these challenges, but they have been thrust upon Christians by the world. The question always comes down to this: What now?
An Invasion of Error: A Review of Bill Johnson's "When Heaven Invades Earth"
In a recent article and interview, Bob DeWaay offers a detailed review of Bill Johnson’s book, When Heaven Invades Earth. DeWaay demonstrates that Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and a key figure in the movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, “has departed from orthodox Christian teaching in many serious ways.” DeWaay illustrates how Bill Johnson pushes spiritual experiences, special knowledge (not found in Scripture), and points out that Johnson offers detailed formulas for performing miracles.
Who Is Jesus Christ – Part 1
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.