Sola Sisters have an excellent post demonstrating the difference between Roman Catholicism and Biblical Christianity. You’ll see some great charts with the comparisons.
Assemblies of God has always been aberrational with their charismatic beliefs, including aberrant spiritual warfare teachings, but they still tend to hold to the fundamental doctrines of the Faith. Now it seems that they are jumping onto the contemplative bandwagon for this year’s General Council Conference as they invite false teacher Ruth Haley Barton to teach there.
Emergent false teacher Tony Jones has a new book out, spreading more of his apostate beliefs. Lighthouse Trails Research posted a book review of The New Christians. Just another mine to look out for in the Christian minefields bookstores. And of course Christianity Astray Today has endorsed it.
Herescope posted a thought-provoking article, Circling the Wagons. Here’s a hint of what you will find there:
Where in the New Testament did the church attempt to gain pagan popularity in order to evangelize? Roman emperors and provincial authorities openly had legal homosexual marriage partners. But Paul and his churches didn't give them the time of day. They zealously protected their so-called product line, the Gospel message. No cheap pagan knock-offs. They actually believed the so-called 'product' of the Gospel would sell itself if faithfully preached and lived. I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered but God gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3:6). Just a reliable, unashamed intelligent presentation of the Gospel, because it (the Gospel) is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:17)
Rachel Evans again demonstrates that she has no clue about what the Bible teaches. Tim Keller (who usually gets things right, even if he does have some false teachings) discussed the fact that an obstacle to revival is fornication, and that the idea of giving up illicit sex for the Gospel is an affront to many people. Evans didn’t like that, and made this response:
I’m often asked to speak on the topic of why young people leave the church. This. This is why young people leave the church. Because our questions aren’t taken seriously, because our value tends to be linked inextricably to our virginity, because our ideas are dismissed as silly.
Hunter Baker gives an excellent response.
Willow Creek was one of the original market-driven assemblies, and while they are now a large association of assemblies, they are still focused on the wrong things. One of their assemblies is now searching for a “Spiritual Formation Pastor.” [link gone by 6/18/18]
This position is for a strong leader/developer who can create paths for new believers to move toward a FULL LIFE in Jesus Christ. This includes a restructuring/expansion of ALL things “discipleship.”
Ah yes, let’s dive headlong in to all things mystical and apostate; there just isn’t a “FULL LIFE in Jesus Christ” without Romanist or Quaker mysticism or contemplative prayer - and don’t forget the labyrinth!
False teacher Chuck Currie wants to join with all sorts of pagan religions so as to pray for Boston - and for American Muslims! The logo is about as anti-Christ as you can get.
Another false teacher among the Word of Faith cult is Peter Popoff. Now he is selling “miracle water” with all sorts of bogus claims. I find it really difficult to understand how people can be so very gullible.
Finally, I have over the past six years of blogging been accused of being unloving for exposing false teachers. The Cripplegate has an excellent article refuting such an idea.
12 comments:
WOW. Orrel Steinkamp sure hit the nail on the head. WOW! Thanks for that link.
Sola Sisters - Great post. With a gracious spirit, as per usual from those ladies. What a great chart. Bennett is excellent, as are Mike Gendron/Jason Hauser of Proclaiming the Gospel.
Caryl Matrisciana - Gives a clear, biblical answer. She's got a real eye for mysticism in the church, and she does her homework. Her testimony is fantastic.
Thank you for continuing to point out error in the true church, yet also for always speaking graciously, acknowledging our true brothers and sisters in the Lord, even if some of their teachings/beliefs are aberrant (ie: AG). Sadly some Christians treat their fellow believers as enemies due to differing beliefs in areas like eschatology, or spiritual gifts, or worst of all the calvin/arminian debate, etc. As long as the genuine Gospel is present, we are guaranteed of the work of the Holy Spirit in producing fruitful believers. Yet it is important that we all seek to know sound doctrine, for embracing error can lead us astray. Never a loss of salvation (which is permanent for all who have come to Christ in repentant faith), but we can get mixed up with the wrong crowd for a season. May the Lord give all of us eyes to see error and cling to the truth.
Of course, thank you for clearly dropping the axe on the teachers who are truly false and apostate. Expose them, refute them, so we can have NOTHING to do with them.
Great post today. Grace and peace to you in Christ.
-carolyn
Carolyn,
I think I'm missing something - what link are you pointing to with Orrel Steinkamp?
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
When it comes to other believers, I tend to not bother with the normal charismatic stuff when exposing aberrations. Even though I think it burdens them and gives them too many distractions, it is more important to go after the stuff which is more harmful. I have quite a few friends who are charismatics, and solid believers nevertheless. So I know where they are coming from.
Thanks for your diligent work here. Some of us are waking up to the reality of the mainstream church today. Your blog is shining the light. Blessings!
Glenn,
The article posted on Herescope titled Circling the Wagons - in small font it says, "An editorial by Dr. Orrel Steinkamp". Sorry for the confusion!
You're welcome, we all need encouragement especially in these days!
I do appreciate your stance toward pentecostal/charismatic believers. Even though I would not classify myself as one, there is an AG church that is very dear to my heart. The saints there are special to me, and as you said of the charismatic friends you have, they are solid believers.
-carolyn
Thank you, Pensive,
The most difficult part of this ministry is seeing more and more deception in the church - it gets downright discouraging.
Carolyn,
That's funny that I over-looked the author. I read that blog regularly and just assumed it was the normal author posting the article! I need to pay more attention!
Not all Assemblies of God have been in error, to say that is like saying ALL Baptists are calvinists, thats a very ignorant comment. Assemblies stems from Pentecostalism, it was the Charismatic movement that perverted the Pentecostal church. I am not saying that the Pentecostal church is perfect, no, but to lump it all up and say ALL Assemblies has always been wrong is incorrect. David Wilkerson who was very sound came from Assemblies background. You cannot lump everything that has been corrupted in the "always has been wrong" camp.
Anonymous,
I think you read much more into my statement about AOG than what was there.
My point is that AOG is a charismatic denomination. I disagree with charismatic beliefs, as well as Pentecostalism. I find much excess in the AOG as a denomination - tongues especially are totally false and yet propagated by AOG. Their spiritual warfare teaching is totally aberrant. Many, many AOG assemblies participated in the totally false Brownsville/Pensacola "revival." It is this sort of teaching at AOG which I find to be problematic.
What individual assemblies practice is something I cannot know without attending every assembly. I judge them by the denominational teachings.
It appears the word "christian" has taken on an entirely different meaning than it original intent.
The more I read, the further away from true Christianity things appear to be drifting. Drifting, NO; plowing full steam ahead with pastors, denominations, preachers and teachers at the front seems to be more like it.
You will continue to be attacked for exposing false teachings. That's one of the ways false teachers operate.
Nevertheless, yours is a needed ministry.
Thanks for your "Random Apostasies and heresies."
Glenn,
Just wanted to thank you for your responses to Timothy Cobbs on my blog post regarding the legalization of polygamy. I've been busy elsewhere and unable to keep up with my blog comments recently. Thanks for stepping up!
Hi Carolyn,
You are quite welcome. I was wondering why you hadn't responded yet :oD.
I love your blog and have been following it for quite a while now. Keep up the good work!
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