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

Friday, December 5, 2014

Thomas Nelson Publishers - Heresy for Fun and Profit?


The following article was included in yesterday's weekly e-mail letter from Midwest Christian Outreach apologetics ministry.  This information definitely needs to be spread around.

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Several were surprised last week as they read about the seeming lack of discernment at Thomas Nelson Publishers. I have said for a long time that one of the most spiritually dangerous places a Christian can go to is Christian bookstores. It isn't because the bookstore owes are evil but because there is an underlying belief that the books which are published by so-called Christian publishers and sold in Christian bookstores have been reviewed and approved as theologically sound. It ain't the case. In addition to the ones mentioned last week, Thomas Nelson has published WND author Joe Kovacs' book, Shocked by the Bible. Kovacs is a follower of Herbert W. Armstrong and as such is anti-Trinitarian, holds to a non-physical resurrection and  the God Family wherein we become of the same substance and stuff as God. WND in What's the most astonishing fact of the Bible? proudly quotes Joe Kovacs in an interview:

“I think the most important thing is the destiny of human beings,” said Kovacs. “A lot of people are aware that the Bible does promise eternal life for people who obey God; but the Bible does go well beyond that to tell us about an incredible, fascinating, fabulous future that we can barely conceive of and it uses the phrase ‘children of God’ and ‘sons of God’ and ‘daughters’ of God and it says that we will be above the angels, judging angels and judging the citizens of this world, and sitting down on the throne of Jesus Christ as the children of God.

“So that we will actually be born into the spirit world, not composed of flesh and blood anymore, but looking like yourself, composed of spirit just like God the Father and Jesus are composed of spirit, and be members of the actual Family of God; where yes, we’ll be immortal; and yes, we’ll be judging angels; and yes, we’ll be ruling from Christ’s throne. This is exactly what the Bible says and it calls us the children of God. God is having children. God is reproducing Himself after the God kind.”


Obviously Thomas Nelson can publish anything they want and if profit takes priority over orthodoxy at least they should be honest about that. WND though, is in the same boat. Joseph Farrah has been contacted on this issue more than once but has taken no steps to correct the problem.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wholeheartedly agree Glenn. Most of what is in "Christian" bookstore and is published by "Christian" publishing companies has long since been compromised.

I really believe they are in it for the profit. Sound doctrine is not financially lucrative enough for the lover$ of money.

-Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Quote "God is reproducing Himself after the god kind."

Wow. Great article here Glen, one that should be read in every church with the understanding that every person "understands" its context before they leave the building.

The quote above is exactly the same words I have heard come out of Kenneth Copeland and Joyce Meyer's mouths while researching these people (amongst many others" years ago. The women in my former church name dropped so many people, my head went spinning out the door...and they encouraged me to watch their shows, buy their books, cd's and dvd's, in addition to following their teachings!

One woman desired the important role of being our "spiritual mothers...."; guess her day care job wasn't enough for her. And even worse, these wolves are invited into the church's presence through so called Bible studies using their penned and pawed literature. The church goer is then made to feel guilty if you do not attend these classes, as leadership loves to lord over its people....guess their practicing their "god kind anointing."

When I came to the truth that God, our Father, gave us His only Begotten Son, not to make us healthy, wealthy, or prosperous, but to save us from my/our sins so that we will eternal life through Jesus......

well then, when you voice these words to the "god kind crowd" in these harlot churches, it doesn't take them long to withdraw all of that fake "love bombing" they gushed upon you when you first came to their building.

I would rather Praise Jesus in the local dime store with a sister in Christ Jesus, than go to a church gathering whose mission is accumulating "noses and nickels."

Where the true Gospel of Jesus Christ exists, there is a healthy balance of Law and Grace, and therein lies repentance and forgiveness of sins.....and absolutely no narcissistic god kind self serving theology.

LORD, have mercy and grace upon us.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Thomas Nelson also published Jesus Calling and did damage control there.

Unknown said...

Children of God and heirs of God is correct doctrine:

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God

Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Brian,

The context of those passages has nothing to do with the citation. We become children of God when we become believers. But this isn't the same thing as the teaching cited.