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

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

I’m going to start out with the Mormons today, and if there is a reader who is a Mormon it would be interesting to see their take on the issue of perfectionism.  I’m looking forward to the next installment.

I’d also like to see a Mormon explain how their President/Prophet can teach something that doesn’t represent the Mormon church!

There is a group of apostates and heretics who claim the title of “Progressive Evangelicals,” but they are really “CINOs” — "Christians In Name Only."  A group of these PE/CINOs actually have the audacity to call themselves, “Evangelicals for Marriage Equality,” while launching an anti-marriage campaign promoting support for same-sex fake marriage among the Church!  Chelsen Vicari has a good commentary about this group.

I read another blog this week which pointed me to this next item.  Charisma Magazine is a great place to find all that is bizarre in the world of charismania.  Now they have an article providing us with a prophecy of which we really should take heed.  I had to chuckle at the very first item, where the “prophet” prophecies about the Middle East; anyone who doesn’t know that the problems in that region are only going to get worse hasn’t been paying attention.  AH, but this “prophet” claims that for over a decade he has named 2014 as the year which would lead to a “boiling cauldron” over there.  From there his “prophecies” just go down hill in inanity.  Pay no attention to such self-proclaimed prophets.

Would you like to know if you are being spiritually manipulated?  Recovering Grace has a good article about the “tools” spiritual manipulators use.

As if Jonathan Cahn didn’t beguile enough non-discerning readers with his book, The Harbinger, he now has a new book titled, “The Mystery of the Shemitah.” Can someone explain why no Christians for the past 200+ years of the America’s existence have discovered all these “secrets” which Cahn and his ilk crank out? 

Of course there are many more of those who claim all sorts of things about Biblical prophecies and how they affect us today - and the funny thing is, they often disagree with each other!  This is a TV program you should be sure to pass by.

Jimmy Carter — AGAIN!  This “committed Christian” has no real understanding of Scripture if he can say with a straight face that Jesus never “discriminated against anyone.”  Didn’t Christ rail against the Pharisees?  Didn’t he rail against false teachers?  Isn’t that “discriminating”?  Carter thinks that sexual behavior is no different than skin color!!

A Bishop of the Episcopal Church worships the creation rather than the Creator.  I’d wonder why he hasn’t been excommunicated except the answer is the Episcopal Church.

Elizabeth Prata has an excellent article about the books which are being virtually inhaled by non-discerning Christians who are accepting all sorts of occult and new age teachings just because the authors claim to get their teachings from God.

Sola Sisters have a thought-provoking article about the Patriarchy and Quiverfull movements.

Lastly, in today’s Cedar Rapids Gazette I learned of an apostate “church” organization which has been around for four years:  the Affirming Pentecostal Church, International.
The claim to fame of this “church” is that they are “affirming” of sexually perverse lifestyles; they affirm and celebrate that which is an abomination to God.  It is a subject of our local news because a branch just opened locally.  Oh, and if you disagree with them, you are labeled as a “hater.”  I guess God is a “hater” also.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Glenn,

Great RAAH today.

I had to LOL about "Tiber Creek CC"... is that seriously happening, or is that a satire piece?

Either way, I detest the phrase "relevant". Usually churches that think they are making their services more "relevant" actually make their services **irreverent**. Been there, seen - and left - that.

When the secular media can see MDs problems, but many in the church cannot, we're in trouble.

Recovering Grace and Sola Sisters articles were both good. So was Elizabeth Prata's.

With the SS article, I admit I had to chuckle that two of the "featured couples" in Harris's pro-courtship book are now divorced. I'm not laughing that they got divorced (that is very sad news), but rather I am laughing at the futility of churches and pastors that try to hold up man made rules as if they have any power over the flesh.

Or as the SS's said, "An inconvenient fact like that is certainly apt to take the wind out of the sails of those who think that creating and living in a lifestyle of systematized legalism is a safeguard against sin."

Amen, ladies. Well said.

-Carolyn

Sara Piazza said...

The Tiber Creek piece is total satire. How or why would anyone promote this as a serious news story boggles the mind and calls into question the judgement and motives of the creator of this blog. I'll eat my hat if this comment is published.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Eat your hat,

Looking back, I see that I was caught. You're right -- I had a lack of discernment on that one! Don't know what I was thinking. Looking at it again all I can say is DUH! Thanks for pointing that out.

I have at times posted satire as if it is true so as to make a point. When I took a quick look at the article just now I assumed it was another one I was using in that regard, which is why I quickly posted a response to you. Then I saw a previous comment by me taking it seriously and just shook my head at what happened. I must have been half asleep.

Sara Piazza said...

The hat was yummy. :-)
It happens to the best of us.
Thank you for your gracious response.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Sara,

I want people to tell me when I screw up. I'm always open to correction. :)