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, April 23, 2016

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

A good one from The Babylon Bee about Joel Osteen!

A good examination of another well-abused Bible passage: Philippians 4:13.


What about praying in “tongues”?  As I have previously noted, modern “tongues” is nothing more than gibberish.

Anne Graham Lotz is going farther and farther afield.  Beware of her teachings!

Beth Moore and Christine Caine together — two false teaching peas in a pod.

When Christians join in supporting the destruction of patriarchy in the family, then it is no wonder that the family unit is falling apart.



The “Seven Mountains Mandate” of the NAR.  These people have no idea of what Christianity is about!

Cruise with a Cause” — something I never heard of before.  Just another scam with some of the “usual suspects” among false teachers.  These guys will do anything to promote themselves.

False prophet/teacher Paula White is at it again!  Look at what she promised for Easter — more money for herself.  Yeah, sure God told her this.

Postmodernism has really affected the Church at large, and is part of the reason the Church is compromising with the world.  Gary Gilley has an excellent 5-part series on this topic.  Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5.

Contrary to the claims of the charismatics and cultists, “Sola Scriptura” was not newly invented with the reformation.  Just remember the Bereans, who made sure what Paul was teaching was in accordance with Scripture!

For all those out there idolizing “Prince” and mourning his death, we should really mourn because he was unsaved.


Christian” adult coloring books?  I guess I just don’t understand the draw to start with, but why delve into “new age” ideology?

But, hey, Justin Bieber is into coloring now — doesn’t this make you see him as a great pastor for his new church?  Um, no.

The Watchman Fellowship has a good profile on Rob Bell.

Another good one from The Babylon Bee to end with.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glenn, I would like a comment from you on a brief video I just saw--in fact, just a few seconds of the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM6uoLMzIyU

At 2:50 the minister says that the atonement 2,000 years ago was "retroactive to everybody who lived before Him."

I have never heard that preached before. Is it biblical? How would that work? How would a Jew who died a thousand years before Christ accept Christ into his heart and receive salvation? Is the minister perhaps claiming that EVERYBODY who died prior to Christ being on Earth got an automatic free pass into Heaven?

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

I don't have to see the video -- I'm familiar with the teaching.

Essentially, all people throughout time have been saved by their faith in God's salvation. The O.T. people's faith was in a future savior - the Messiah - or just in God as their savior in general. After Christ our faith is looking back at his work of atonement.

So our salvation is always based on faith in God and his provision of salvation.

Anonymous said...

That is so true. In Romans 4 Abraham was justified by faith. His faith was credited to him as righteousness, not thru circumcision or works. And also stated in Hebrews 11. The key is faith in God. And in the church age, faith in Christ alone.

Ms. B

Anonymous said...

Thank you Glenn and Ms. B for taking the time to respond.

I am still puzzled as to how your answer harmonizes with John 14:6 where we are told, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Maybe you could give a little more exegesis when it is convenient to do so.


A further question... If a modern Jew hears the gospel message and rejects it on the basis that he thinks Jesus of Nazareth did not meet the criteria of the prophesied messiah, can he still make it to heaven as long as he has faith in Yahweh and believes (mistakenly) that there will be a future messiah?

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous,

Since Jesus did not exist as the Savior prior to his incarnation, no one could believe in him as the savior. But they did believe in God as their savior:
1. Is. 43:11: I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior
2. Hos. 13:4: I am the LORD thy God…there is no savior beside me

God is called the Savior in the following passages:

1. 2 Sam. 22:47
2. 1 Chron. 16:35
3. Ps. 18:46; 24:5; 25:5; 27:9; 38:22; 42:5; 42:11; 43:5; 65:5; 68:19; 79:9; 85:4; 89:26
4. Isa. 17:10; 43:3; 45:15; 45:21; 49:26; 60:16
5. Jer. 14:8
6. Mic. 7:7
7. Hab. 3:18
8. Lk. 1:47
9. 1 Tim. 1:1; 2:3;
10. Tit. 1:3; 2:13; 3:4
11. Jude 1:25

When Jesus said no one comes to the Father except through him, he was speaking NOT of the past before his arrival, rather he was speaking of his current time and future. We are talking about a new "dispensation."

A modern Jew needs to accept Jesus as the Messiah for salvation, because he has been given the truth. If he rejects it, he is no different than anyone else who rejects the Gospel.

Anonymous said...

Thanks again.

I vividly remember watching an interview on TV years ago. Larry King, of Russian Jewish stock, asked Rev. Jim Bakker what he thinks happened to Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Rev. Bakker's answer: "I believe they went straight to Heaven."

That struck me as a feel-good answer rather than anything that the New Testament can support.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Jim Bakker is a false teacher, so that's all you can expect from him -- false teachings.

Anonymous said...

Agreed!

Anonymous said...

I listen to the music of people without idolizing them. No need to be placed on a pedestal above everyone else just because of creativity.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Anonymous 3/30/22

Prince is indeed idolized by many, including Christians. But I never hinted that all those who listen to him idolize him.

Personally, I don't see any more talent in him than any other performer and I really can't stomach his music.