We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Random Apostasies and Heresies


It is getting more and more difficult to keep up with the fast pace of apostasy and heresy invading the Church.  I can only try to give you highlights of stuff to look out for and to stay away from if you want good spiritual health.  I realize I’ve only posted two articles since my last “Random” collection, but my list has gotten too long to not post another “Random” article.  So hold onto your seat-belts, because this will be a rough ride.

Calvary Chapel has in the past been considered a very fundamental denomination, and I have indeed recommended the local assemblies.  However, the more I read about various Calvary assemblies moving over to the Emergent side of apostasy, the more leery I become about recommending them.  I have personally met a local C.C. pastor, and he is adamant about keeping Emergent stuff out, so this appears to be an assembly-by-assembly thing to check.  However, founder Chuck Smith seems to be leading the way into Emergent.  Stay tuned.

Another story about Kay Arthur gives me some more uneasy feelings about her; she has a story about her back-and-forth discussion with God.  This claim to direct revelation disturbs me.

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you should know that Joel Osteen is not someone any Christian should listen to; the man is about as heretical as they get.  He may be a great motivational speaker, but he is not a teacher of the Word of God.  Well, he has a new book out, which brings him again into the media spotlight.  Of course, like his other books, you will find no Christian teaching in this one, and it seems the Word of Faith heresy is even stronger.  The fact that New Age guru Deepak Chopra thinks Osteen’s teaching is good should tell you something!  Albert Mohler’s article not only exposes this, but he also discusses Osteen’s answers in regards to questions about homosexuality.  Osteen really has a problem saying that homosexual behavior is a sin.  After all, he wouldn’t want to offend the many homosexuals in his congregation. 
Another example of Osteen’s horrible teaching in his new book is demonstrated by this video.  Osteen really, really has no clue what the Bible says, and yet thousands of Christians waste their money on his books!

Rick Warren’s apostasy just keeps building.  His focus on the social gospel long ago left the real gospel behind, but the real disturbing thing is his “bridge to Muslims.”  His idea is not to try to convert Muslims and bring them to salvation, rather he just wants Christians and Muslims to work together.  Can you imagine King David asking the Israelis to work together with the Canaanites?  Yet Warren has decided to work to have Christians declare that we worship the same God as do Muslims!!  This is just plain false; the god of Islam is NOT the God of the Bible.  The claim is that there are 1400 years of misunderstandings between Christians and Muslims, but I don’t see misunderstanding at all except on the part of Warren and his lackeys who do not see Islam for the pagan, violent religion that it is.  While we can respect individuals, we are not to respect belief systems which are against God and His Word, as is Islam.  Warren needs to read 2 Corinthians 6:14.  Far too many Christians are following this false teacher.

Continuing on the subject of Rick Warren, his “purpose-driven” nonsense just keeps morphing and building into more and more unbiblical teaching.  He has a new campaign to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his PDL, titled, “What on earth am I here for?”  Do you really think he’ll give you a biblical response?

On the subject of Saddleback and the Warrens, it seems that Saddleback is planning on having Kay Warren preach messages there this coming weekend - again violating the Bible’s teaching that women are not to be in that position (they previously had Christine Caine teaching, and Kay has previously done so).  They are also having Mark Driscoll come to teach, and he is someone who should not be promoted as a good teacher, for reasons I have thoroughly explained in previous articles.  However, a current, short article demonstrates the complete arrogance of Driscoll and what he thinks of his followers.

More and more Christians are pandering to the Mormons, and I just don’t understand the why behind such thinking.  Mormons are NOT Christian!!!  Another “pastor,” Robert Morris, now claims Glenn Beck is “a believer.”  Beck is a Mormon, and not even a good one because he mixes in a lot of New Age beliefs in his personal system.  Of course Morris is of the cultic Word of Faith belief system, so much of what he teaches doesn’t come close to true Christian faith anyway, so perhaps that is why he doesn’t recognized that Beck is not a “believer” in the Christian faith.

Another book has hit the shelves purporting to describe a visitation to heaven.  This one is titled, “My Proof of Heaven.”  As usual, the story is not orthodox in its claims, and a good review of it can be found at Guarding His Flock.

Neil Simpson, at Eternity Matters, has been giving lots of exposure over the past few months to Chuck Currie.  Currie seems to be one of those false teachers the media likes to give time and coverage to, so he really needs to be exposed so as to warn the sheep not to be taken in by him.  Currie claims to be a Christian, but there is no way a person with his belief system can be a true believer.  To begin with, he is a “minister” with the apostate and heretical United Church of Christ; that’s enough in and of itself to know to stay away from him.  He also promotes the social gospel, as well as every left-wing ideology conceivable - including abortion, the homosexual agenda, etc.  The man can twist the Scripture as good as any Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness, so that the Bible becomes unrecognizable in his hands.  For a good example of Currie’s teachings, take a look at Neil’s newest post about him.

Now go read the Bible and learn the truth!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Random Apostasies and Heresies


Well, here goes another episode of reporting on various things happening among the Christian Church, which brings disgrace to the name of Christ.

Let’s start with the Billy Graham association and it’s overseer, Franklin  Graham.  I previously reported that his association removed Mormons from their list of cults, but now it gets even worse.  Franklin said he was shocked to learn Mormons were on such a list.  Graham states the LDS will not be put on such a list, and that it is nothing more than name-calling.  Well, he is wrong; contrary to calling names, labeling such groups as the LDS and JWs, e.g., as cults only protects the true Christian faith by letting people know that these groups are false belief systems.  It’s called exposing the wolves!  This issue really brings to light that Billy Graham and his association have long compromised the Christian faith by sanctioning false teachings and false teachers.

Too many assemblies are bringing in the teachings and practice of Yoga, in the belief that is just a harmless exercise program.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Yoga is part of the Hindu belief system and should never be a part of the Christian’s life.  Chris Lawson has an excellent video explaining the problems with Yoga, as warning about “Calvary Chapel and Purpose-Driven Pastors Doing Yoga.

I have never really known much about Kay Arthur’s “Precept Ministries.”  From the publications I have seen, as well as some radio programs I have heard, I thought she seemed to be pretty solid.  Well her ministry has come under scrutiny this past week due to an apparent recommendation of Steven Furtick.  While this seems to have been cleared up, there are apparently other problems with Kay Arthur’s ministry which were discussed in light of this problem.  First, she recommends Neil Anderson as a teacher!  Neil Anderson is about as aberrant as a person can get with his teachings on “deliverance ministries” and spiritual warfare, and yet Arthur has endorsed his books!!!  However, the problem with Kay Arthur goes beyond this, because she has often shared the stage with women teachers who are known to have bad or false teachings.  Now that I have this information, I just can’t in good conscience recommend her.

Wayne Grudem is well-known for his volume on systematic theology, but I’ve never read any of his stuff, nor have I really learned anything about him.  Now, though, I know I won’t ever bother with anything he writes, because he has a new book promoting the charismatic teaching of the gift of prophecy.  While reading this review, it became clear to me that Grudem is like most in the charismatic movement , in that they abuse Scripture to support their view.  Learning that he is a member of a Vineyard assembly says a lot (they are all about “signs and wonders”).

Speaking of “charismaniacs” and all the nonsense they can come up with, the International House of Prayer is known for a whole trainload of aberrational teachings.  This past week I learned about a teaching there, which I hadn’t previously known: Mike Bickle’s teaching about the Song of Solomon using a “Bridegroom Jesus” paradigm.  Bizarre - simply bizarre.  IHOP is so bizarre that even the secular reporters look askance at them!

IHOP is part of the larger New Apostolic Reformation, which is nothing but updated dominion theology.  The NAR has a thing for date-setting in regards to superstitious ideas of the date numbers.  Take a look at the report at Herescope exposing this nonsense

Some people will do anything to promote an agenda, as we all should know quite well!  There are liberal “Christians” now abusing the Bible - taking passages out of their context - so as to promote abortion!  In their view, the pre-born baby is not living, supposedly because it doesn’t have a “breath of life” - i.e., it isn’t breathing yet!  My response has to be, then why does the Bible call the pre-born baby a “child” - or is a child not a living thing?

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Encouragement


Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!
-- John Wesley (1703-1791)


HT: The Berean Call

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

"Sweet Jesus"?!?


Is it just me, or do other men have a problem calling Jesus, “Sweet”?  

This is one of the songs we sang this week which, between the lyrics and the tune, seemed to be one of those “Jesus is my boyfriend” songs.


Sweet Jesus, my Savior, You are my faithful friend
You made me, You know me, You've seen my every sin
My soul is amazed 
By the gift of your grace
And the arms that take me in
Sweet Jesus, my Savior, You are my faithful friend

Sweet Jesus, my shelter, you are my faithful friend
The refuge I run to when the world comes closing in
Why should I be afraid
When I know I am saved
By the arms that take me in
Sweet Jesus, my shelter, You are my faithful friend

Sweet Jesus, my Shepherd, You are my faithful friend
You hold me, You lead me, I'll follow to the end
And once more I will say
On that beautiful day
When Your arms take me in
Sweet Jesus, my Shepherd, you are my faithful friend

Sweet Jesus, my Savior, You are my faithful friend


I guess it’s okay for a personal devotional song but, again, I must ask, “Is this the sort of song which should be part of corporate worship?”

As a man I find it really difficult to say “Sweet Jesus,” so I wonder how many other men would feel this way.  It’s the sort of appellation a woman would use towards guys.  So maybe it’s just me.  I know this sort of thing can be very subjective, but I just don’t see this as either a praise or worship song.  

Comments? Thoughts?

Monday, November 12, 2012

Random Apostasies and Heresies


The election last week has disappointed most true Christians, because even though most of us really wanted someone better than Mitt Romney for our candidate, just about anyone would be better for the Judeo-Christian worldview than Barak Obama.  

But I think Christians have a lot to answer for, because for the most part the Church as a whole has accepted and adopted the world's ways and is no longer the light exposing the darkness.  The Church allows so much aberrational, heretical and other false teaching to go unexposed for fear of "causing division" that a large percentage of Christians have no idea what the Faith really teaches, or the worldview it expects of them.  And so they follow every wind of doctrine and play marbles with the World, then wonder why the world is going amok.  Remember that unbiblical doctrine leads to unbiblical worldview.  Living and supporting an unbiblical worldview will eventually lead to a loss of our religious freedoms.  So think about that the next time you are unhappy with apologists exposing the wolves among the sheep!

I found another interesting review of Rachel Held Evan’s book, “A Year of Biblical Womanhood.”  Apparently, real Christian women are not happy with the fraudulent version Evans’ book projects.

Christine Caine, Beth Moore and Lisa Bevere have taken their aberrant and unbiblical teachings over to Greece.  “Do Not Be Surprised...” has a good report on this bad news.

Arch-heretic Joel Osteen makes so many people feel good while going to Hell that he just keeps writing more and more useless books.  Tim Challies had a good article about how Osteen’s ilk lead people to Hell as they keep on smiling and being “nice.”

Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) has always been a strong bastion of the Word of Faith heresy, and it has always dismayed me to see some solid teachers appearing on that station giving credence to it.  With scandals currently going on at TBN, there are questions as to whether real teachers should pull out.  I want to know why they compromised in the first place!

Apprising Ministries posted “The New Evangelical Christian Creed.”  While it is somewhat amusing to read - knowing how factual it actually is among some people - it is also a shame that such beliefs actually exist!

If you want to see just how bad some of the Word of Faith teachers can get, you really need to see this article about Paula White.  She is truly blaspheming God by claiming she hears from Him.

To end on a lighter note, I direct you to Mormon Coffee for an amusing interview between Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ at the final judgement.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Some Good Stuff


Every now and then I need to post some of the good stuff I come across.  Sometimes it is helpful stuff for learning more about cults and false teachings, and sometimes it’s just some good edifying stuff.  This post is to highlight some I’ve recently come across.

First, there is an excellent post by Edmond Gruss about what defines a cult.  Too often Christians have the idea that in order to be a cult it has to be an isolated group where everyone is brainwashed and following orders like robots.  That might be true of some sociological cults, but that’s not what defines a cult of Christianity.  I highly recommend you peruse what Gruss has to say.  It might be worthwhile to keep as a reference for the next time a Mormon gets upset when the LDS is called a cult!

Steve Bricker had an excellent post summing up an article he read about how Martin Luther would compare to modern leadership and modern church “worship.”  Quite thought-provoking.

The Apologetics Index posted a good article about phony doctorates so many false teachers use to bolster their position.  Not only does the article have some helpful information about where these degrees come from and how little value they are, but the article also give names of many of these false teachers.  Yep, it’s another good article to put in your reference bag.

Pastor Larry DeBruyn always has some really good teachings over at Guarding His Flock.  In his article, “The Idolatry of ‘I am!’ he addresses the false god of the LDS, but also the ideology behind it and how it fits into the New Age paradigm taking over the church.

Neil Simpson has a very good blog I recommend.  The specific article I want to point you to now, though, is Leopard Theology.”  Apparently he wrote the article in the past and re-ran it last month.  I think we should pay attention to what he says about the way too many people pick and choose what to believe from the Bible.  There are some good warnings as to what to look for with false teachers and their abuse of Scripture, as well as thoughts about our own view of Scripture and how it plays out in our faith.  It is really important not to practice “leopard theology,” nor listen to those who do.

Finally, Midwest Christian Outreach has an excellent article on “Fractured Families” which result from false teachers and cults.  Don Veinot ends his article with this very important statement:
“When Christ talked about families being separated because of Him it was never the believers that did the separating but the unbelievers or followers of false teachers. Believers did all they could do to be at peace with all men (Ro. 12:18) and especially with family.”

I hope these article have been of benefit for you.  May you have a blessed day.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Did They Really Say That?!?

?!?
I was shown the company present at the Conference.  Said the angel: “Some food for worms, some subjects of the seven last plagues, some will be alive and remain upon the earth to be translated at the coming of Jesus.”  Solemn words were these, spoken by the angel.
Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol.1, pp.131, 132.

This was written in 1856 in reference to the conference at Battle Creek on 27 May 1856.  What she is saying is that there will be some individuals at the conference who would still be alive at Christ’s second coming.  Well, Christ hasn’t come yet, and I dare say that all who were alive in 1856 are now dead.  This is a bonafide false prophecy, demonstrating that E.G. White was NOT a prophet of God.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Are These Really Hymns?


Yesterday at church our song leader chose a mix of older music and “contemporary” music, which isn’t unusual for him.  Usually the “contemporary” stuff he chooses is not at all problematic.  But two we sang yesterday bugged me for a couple reasons. 

First, I just didn’t like the music - which I know can be a very subjective view.  Second the lyrics were just vacuous, although probably good for making people feel good - as if that is the purpose of our praise and worship.

Let’s look at the first song, I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever.  The music for verses (?) in this one was repetitive and staccato-like while the music for the chorus was just repetitive.  But what do the lyrics say?  Here is the first verse (or “intro”):

Over the mountains and the sea
Your river runs with love for me
And I will open up my heart
And let the Healer set me free
I'm happy to be in the truth
And I will daily lift my hands
For I will always sing
Of when Your love came down

Just what is God’s “river”?  This is a very commonly-used term among the charismatics.   But it doesn’t make any sense.

I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever
I could sing of Your love forever

Wow, what a chorus!  Let’s just sing that same phrase over and over while we work ourselves up into an altered state of consciousness.

The next verse (“bridge”):

Oh I feel like dancing
It's foolishness I know
But when the world has seen the light
They will dance with joy
Like we're dancing now

I guess the lyrics are okay, although I consider them to be vacuous, especially without any real contextual lyrics in the song.  This whole song could be sung by a Hindu, Muslim, or even Buddhist.  Ah, but then we sung that chorus phrase five times!

I noticed that this song originated in the United Kingdom, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it came from the likes of a Nicky Gumbel assembly - you know, where the Alpha Course mixes with Vineyard-type signs and wonders!  These kinds of songs are indeed used in these types of assemblies to get the emotions going as the “audience” sways to and fro, with their eyes and brains glazing over so as to be ready for listening to the false teachings.

The second song was Lord, You Are So Precious to Me.  This is another one which could be sung about any “god,” as well as getting the emotions going while the eyes and brain glaze over.

Lord, You are so precious to me,
Lord, You are so precious to me,
And I love You,
Yes, I love You,
Because You first loved me.

Lord, You are so gracious to me,
Lord, You are so gracious to me,
And I love You,
Yes, I love You,
Because You first loved me.

These types of songs are just fine for people to listen to on the radio, or on their CD player or IPOD, etc.  But I really don’t think these are suitable for corporate worship.

Please, music leaders, make your selections say something real; make them about more than feeling good.  And perhaps pick something where the writer of the lyrics actually shows talent!