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

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

I wasn’t a bit surprised to learn that Rome was considering “sainthood” for “Mother Teresa,” even thought it is really doubtful she was a true Christian.  Over the years I have read much of the universalism she taught, and wondered why she was never condemned for it by Rome.  Ah, but doncha know her good works saved her?

This review of “War Room is easier on the movie than others I posted, but he does demonstrate real concern for the spiritual warfare taught.

IHOP had their annual circus this past weekend.  How very sad that these young people think they have to go to IHOP to “encounter” God and get their “spiritual highs” among the “worshiptainment” they will find there.  HT to Erin.

InterVarsity has decided to join the LEFTISTS with supporting the racist, socialist “gospel” of the Black Lives Matter.  God sees all lives mattering, but not BLM — they denounce you for saying “all lives matter.”  The racists have been demonstrated to be on the side of the blacks overall, much more so than with those with lighter skins; BLM is NOT the route to “racial reconciliation.”

The slippery slope of liberal Christianity.

Six reasons not to follow Christine Caine.  You only need one— she’s a heretic.

Tell the person next to you, “F-You!”?!?!  I have to agree with the Museum of Idolatry’s commentary.

No matter what they say, there is no such thing as “Holy Yoga.”  Yoga is a Hindu religious practice, totally incompatible with Christianity. 

Lots of false prophets with lots of false prophecies for 2016.

Mary Dalke has an outstanding, well researched post about the descent of Moody Radio into all things New Age.  Sad to hear this, since for the 17 years we lived in the Chicago area we found Moody Radio to be a great source of good teaching.

Final Chapter about Bill Gothard’s ATI.

What’s wrong with The Passion TranslationLOTS!!!

Larycia Hawkins can’t understand why Wheaton college would fire her just for saying Muslims and Christians worship the same God?!?   She said “Wheaton College cannot scare me into walking away from the truth (that) all humans — Muslims, the vulnerable, the oppressed of any ilk ­– are all my sisters and brothers, and I am called by Jesus to walk with them.”  Um, NO!  They are not all brothers and sisters if they are unbelievers (John 8:41-47).  Hawkins teaches that the unholy god of Islam is the same as the Holy God of Christianity — this cannot be allowed to take place in a Christian college.
Several religious leaders, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ahmed Rehab of CAIR Chicago, the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, expressed their support for Hawkins.”  Religious leaders they may be, but neither one is a Christian, so their opposition to Wheaton’s actions has no value.

Finally, it’s really saddening when you can’t trust Ravi Zacharias to be discerning. If he isn’t able to personally discern where he is erring in supporting false teaching, how can we trust him in general?



9 comments:

Doug Evans said...

I'm surprised the Museum of Idolatry stopped there, there's numerous verses they could have and should have quoted:

But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. (James 3:10)

and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4)

Anonymous said...

Thank-you for posting the piece concerning Ravi Zacharias. I used to be a faithful listener of "Let My People Think" during the time I was beginning to question some of the doctrines being promoted in our local Baptist Church - the extra Biblical revelations, the drunk in the spirit and birthing on the floor promotions, the Todd Bentley 'revival', etc. I appreciated what I saw as "stability within the Christian faith" pertaining to Zacharias and this is what drew me to his teachings. One of the red flags that led me to begin discerning his preaching, was his promotion of Henry Nouwen, as I was already into research concerning the 'lying signs and wonders movement.' The local Baptist College/Seminary down the road had also promoted the teachings of Nouwen through their Baptist magazines that graced the pews of our church, which caused me to approach one of the deaconesses with my concerns of apostasy.

It is interesting to watch the convergence of all forms of religion coming together in the name of universalism. Thanks for your work here, Glen.

Anonymous said...

Hi Glenn,

Christians are still trying to justify practicing yoga? Unreal.

Many of the rest of your headlines just amaze me... I can't believe what passes as "Christianity" these days.

-Carolyn

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Doug,

You're right, of course, but perhaps they felt they made their point with what they did use.

Alec said...

Hi Glenn,

The review of "War room" was fair and even - just as you said. My problem with the "Christian films" in general is probably a prejudice on my part: I'm so concerned with wrong ideas being presented as orthodox faith that I cannot relax and enjoy the film. I like your review of "Courageous" you cited in your comment at Hip and Thigh.

My concerns with Moody date back aways when I noticed a definite lack of discernment on the part of a Moody graduate. One example doesn't a case make. Yet, here you've provided another data point. It seems more and more "evangelical" doesn't seem to be a guarantee of soundness.

And re: Ravi Zacharias, no surpise at all. Excellent article. Hope many people read it. The application is a lot greater than to this one man.

Thanks for the mention, Glenn.

Alec

Anonymous said...

For anyone serious about learning about the End Times, I wanted to let you know about a book I read the other day that has changed my life. After being in the church for 50 years and being a missionary for 30 of them, I have always known in my heart of hearts that there was much missing from the doctrines I've learned (and taught) in the church. I've waited patiently for the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send us teachers in the End Times as He says He would do in Matthew 23 and I truly believe my wait is over.

I discovered a man by the name of Dr. Scott McQuate from a friend who referred me to his video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/A8vMdDa-95U He has written a number of books about the End Times and I just read his book entitled 'The Tribulation' at http://www.Tribulation.co I've read hundreds of books about the End Times but this is the most enlightening book I've ever read on the subject of the Tribulation and needs to be read by anyone in the church. I know it will receive controversy and he will likely be met with some hostility from dogmatic Christians who are unlearned, but that is what the people did to Jesus 2000 years ago when they rejected Him and that is exactly what Jesus said we would do to those He sent to us at this time in history. Just read Matt. 23:34. McQuate's work is truly exceptional and even revolutionary much like Jesus' teachings (almost as if McQuate began where Jesus left off to give us the rest of the story) and I know I have learned the truth that my and my wife's heart has been seeking for many years. I will be purchasing more of his works at http://www.PaxeonPublishing.com as they have come highly recommended from another Pastor friend of mine and I would strongly encourage those who love Jesus and His truth to look at this man's work with an open heart and mind. You will be glad you did.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

For 50 years you've never heard teachings like that from Scott McQuate? There is a reason for that.
Be forewarned that he is a false teacher. Earlier this year The Berean Call exposed some of his teachings, and a reader took issue with them. The November 2014 issue of TBC has a thorough response to the reader, with a good examination of McQuate’s teachings.

Please read the information at this link:
http://www.thebereancall.org/content/november-2014-q-and-a

Anonymous said...

Response to Carolyn,

Yes! Yoga is alive and well within our local churches. The Presbyterian church hosts "Yoga Exercise" two days a week here in our community and the public is invited to attend. Also, my former Baptist church still has a "Certified yoga instructor" as a church member, who promotes her classes through the Community Education Program and is open to all ages. One of the deaconesses, whom has a strong personality/influence with that church, informed me that yoga is perfectly alright, just as long as the believer is not performing the meditation part of it. My question to her point blank was, "Have you researched yoga enough to understand its exercise/philosophies/religion?" Her response, "No, I haven't."

When the blind try to lead those who are led by faith in Christ, the fruits of such encounters are met with pride and pagan rituals that are the anti-thesis of Christ. When Jesus returns for His Bride, what pray tell, will He see? I think we know the answer.

God Bless you sister Carolyn.

Anonymous said...

To the kind anon, 1/10/16 1:32pm,

I remember having a discussion with a fellow believer about yoga several years ago. I did't know it was still a hot topic today. I know apostate churches advertise so-called holy yoga, but to see it in true believing fellowships and to see genuine believers practicing it would grieve me.

You are absolutely right, when researched, it is an endeavor where you cannot separate the philosophy/religion from the physical activity. My comment to my friend was: can you pray a "Christian" rosary? Or do any other religious activity and just whitewash it with the word "Christian" or "holy"? The answer is no, because that is religious syncretism, and God hates that.

As you said, when the Lord returns, what did He say? "Will I find faith?" May God help us be pure as He is pure. I know I am only able as led and taught by His Holy Spirit.

Grace and peace to you and all here who are in Christ,
Carolyn