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

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

I was going to wait until tomorrow for this post, but I’m going to be so busy with a funeral tomorrow that I don’t think I’ll have time for this, so here you go for today!

The Roman Catholics really have as many problems with their followers as any other denomination, even though they claim to have the direct line to God with their Pope.  A Catholic School in New Jersey suspended a long-time teacher because she defended real marriage on her Facebook.  And the local bishop supported the school!!! How dare a Catholic teacher mention that same-sex fake marriage is wrong while she’s employed at a Catholic school!  Will the Roman hierarchy excommunicate the bishop?  Will they excommunicate the school authorities and reinstate the teacher?  I won't hold my breath.

Lighthouse Trails Research Project has another on-line (and hardcopy for purchase) booklet-tract.  This one is part two of “Oprah Winfrey’s New Age ‘Christianity’”  It exposes Neale Donald Walsch also.

From Elizabeth Prata, “Marks of False Teachers, a discernment lesson.

Going along with that one is this article about tips for bringing false doctrine in your life.

Also from Elizabeth is an article debunking the whole “blood moon” nonsense going around the Internet.

Talk about debunking, this nonsense from Charisma should be easy to debunk; it is a false movement.  What does the Bible give as requirements/qualifications for being an Apostle?  1) Has seen the resurrected Christ, 2) Was personally taught by Christ, 3) Was divinely inspired  4)  Had signs authenticating and confirming him, and 5) were the foundation of the church.  No one who claims apostleship today meets any of these qualifications.

False teacher Anna Diehl is a blogger for Christian PostRob Bowman exposes her teachings, questioning CP for giving her a platform.

Coincidental with my article about choruses, I came across this article on a Lutheran (LCMS type) site..

I’ll end with this bit of humor:  Benny Hinn’s antics set to the music of the Benny Hill show.  Looks like the demons are being loosed!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glenn, HA! I just read "Why I quit the praise band" earlier today, and was going to recommend it to you!

-Carolyn

Joe said...

"...Christians are never required in the Bible to tithe! NOWHERE!"

When will we ever learn this truth? The problem is that so many pastors and leaders think they can live with one foot in the New Covenant and one in the Old Covenant.

These same leaders say things like, "Salvation is by Jesus plus nothing." Then they turn right around and say, "Salvation is by Jesus plus tithing."

They do not see their own inconsistency.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

I get tired of visiting churches where, when the plate comes around, they talk about giving your "tithes and offerings." ARGH!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Glenn,

Also a thank you for again reminding the church that there is NO TITHE. The church is to engage in freewill giving. Give freely, from the heart. 2 Cor 9:7

Rightly dividing the word of truth,

-Carolyn

Joe said...

Anonymous: Free will it is, but it is even deeper than that. Jesus did not commend the widow for giving 10%. The Pharisees there did that. Jesus commended her for giving 100%, what God had laid on her heart.

Jesus did not tell the rich young ruler to sell 10% of what he had and give it to the poor. The young man was Jewish and already did that. Jesus told him to sell ALL that he had.

The New Covenant concept is a complete sell-out to Christ...nothing held back. In our heart of hearts we must REALize that it is all His. Since it is His, we must give as He leads, from a willing and grateful heart.

Anonymous said...

Joe,

First brother I am not anon. I sign my comments with my name. Second, we aren't in disagreement. In Old and New Covenant alike, a genuine relationship with God has always been a complete sellout. Everything has always been His. Though for giving, the OT Jews had law-based regulations, we don't. But even OT, the temple construction was funded by freewill giving from the heart, so much so that God told them to stop.

Romans 12:1

-Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Our Baptist church covers the whole gamut on the church bulletin with, and I quote:

"Love Offerings and Tithes"

It works out great because we give offerings out of love under Jesus and for those Hebrew Roots pew sitters who desire to put the rest of us under the OT Law, including not eating pork (I am a farmer and enjoy a fresh pork chop from our pens), they satisfy their old coventalism with their "tithes". Our former Assembly of God pastor had all of his bases covered in getting the people to give more.....

He even gave a personal testimony, I call it a brag and boast fest, in stating that he and his wife even gave an additional 10 percent from their life and health insurance plans. I got up and left because I knew that was not coming from God, the Holy Spirit.....it was coming out of the mouth of a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Joe said...

Anonymous (Carolyn): I apologize. I didn't see the signature due to my bondage to format. Translation: I didn't look at the end of the comment.

I didn't mean to disagree. I wanted to use your comment as a jump to further discussion.

I am part of a local congregation whose pastor is very legalistic (although he would - and has - deny being legalistic.) I'm trying to reform him, but it is an uphill battle.

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe,

No problem, I understand. Forgive me if I misunderstood your comment and came across as curt. Admittedly I've been a bit overwhelmed these days, hence my judgement is probably off.

Sorry to hear your pastor is legalistic. You're right, trying to talk sense into such a person is an uphill battle for sure.

So what are your other thoughts on this issue that you wanted to share?

By the way, I loved your comment at the top about how some pastors try to live with one foot in the OT and one in the NT. I imagine them trying to do the splits on the bars like a gymnast... except they aren't flexible enough.

-Carolyn