Random Apostasies and Heresies

Here we are with a new year and this blog starts with another episode of random things which are destructive to the Church.

This first item was going to be reported in my last “Random” post, but the link was down.   Midwest Christian Outreach has an excellent article exposing some of the false teachings of Neil T. Anderson.  Anderson is famous for his “exorcism” of demons from Christians - as if Christians can have demons.  His false demonology is a heavy burden for his followers.  As Pastor G. Richard Fisher says in this article, what Anderson teaches is “religious schmutz.”

Timothy George is a fairly well-known teacher who I used to listen to on the radio when I was living in the Chicago area.  As with so many Christian leaders, George is compromising with Rome.  In an opening address to a Synod of Romanists, George began with, “Dear Holy Father, Venerable Fathers of the Synod, brothers and sisters in the Lord.”  What in world is a Christian doing calling the Pope “Holy Father”?!?  What was he doing there anyway if it wasn’t to condemn Romanist teaching?!?

Lighthouse Trails Research Ministry reported on how so many “New Spirituality” leaders ridicule the idea of the teaching of biblical eschatology.   They name some of these leaders and how they ridicule those of us who believe Jesus will be soon returning: Mark Driscoll, Rick Warren (who claims by focussing “on fulfilling your mission” will lead to Jesus coming back sooner), Tony Campolo (who claims that those who teach eschatology are causing damage to the church), Brian McLaren, Robert Schuller, C. Peter Wagner, et al.

Are there Christians teaching an aberrant eschatology which can sometimes get quite bizarre?  Yes.  But the same holds true for any other Christian doctrine - some Christians will teach a bizarre version.  But those who teach biblical eschatology should not be denigrated or marginalized.  Scripture talks much about the end times, and from the descriptions in the Bible, I’d say we are getting exponentially closer and closer to the Second Coming.

This next video is what I would have expected to find first at The Museum of Idolatry; but I guess Ken Silva beat them to it.  The worldliness of “gangnum style” is now being used for “praise.”  My observation of the video shows people who seem to be more about having fun than about worshiping God.

Another item which Ken scooped The Museum of Idolatry is this one about members of a Baptist church claiming to see an image of Jesus in a door!  I expect this nonsense from Romanists, but not from those who call themselves Christian.

Apprising Ministries brings us another important item, this time exposing the fact that T.D. Jakes and Joyce Meyer continue to teach the “Little Gods” doctrine of the Word of Faith heresy.  And yet several Christian leaders, including as James MacDonald, are giving sanction to Jakes’ teaching by inviting him to speak at many evangelical functions!  Of course, Joyce Meyer has now been given the approval of Ravi Zacharias - as I reported recently.  This kind of compromise can only bring much harm to the Church.

One last item to share from Apprising Ministries:  Emergent Doug Pagitt is promoting a “Yoga Sanctuary” at Solomon’s Porch.  When once teachers leave orthodox Christian teachings, as have those in the Emergent movement, then anything goes.  Mixing Hinduism with Christianity, in the form of yoga, is an affront to all that is holy.  As Ken Silva says in this article, “I can tell you that ”Doug Pagitt has now grown quite far away from anything even remotely resembling the Christian faith.”

Perhaps you’ll be excited to know that Passion 2013 begins today.  This event is aimed specifically at younger and more immature believers, who can be more easily led into much of the false teaching so rampant in the church today, including the contemplative prayer movement.   In the 2012 version, both John Piper and Beth Moore were speakers supporting not only contemplative, but also Lectio Divina.”  Now we will not only be having mysticism promoted, but some of the leaders are also into aberrational charismania - including claims of direct revelation from God!  Highlighted is a singing group named “Jesus Culture,” and Erin Benziger examines the teaching, etc, of this group.  Passion 2013 should be avoided by those who care about the truth.

With all this apostasy, aberrational and mystical teaching, I find it absurd that there are those who discount eschatological teachings which show this is what is supposed to be happening as we come closer to the Second Coming.