Random Apostasies and Heresies

The week goes by so quickly and there are so many things to report!

One of the things that liberal Christians hate is the FACT that the Bible teaches what is known as “complementarianism” in regards to roles of men and women in the church and family.  Liberals teach “egalitarianism” - that there are no different role for men and women in the church or family.  This subject blew up in the news recently because actress Candace Cameron Bure had the audacity to write a book about proper biblical roles for wives.  This, of course, gave the liberals a hissy-fit, with a feminist being particularly angered.  Stan even weighed in on Bure’s side.
Of course, the proper roles as instructed in the Bible scare the liberals.

As if Michael Brown’s attack on the “Strange Fire” conference wasn’t enough (I’m looking forward to reading these reviews), now we have Frank Viola putting in his two-cents’ worth.  Viola isn’t known for being strong on orthodoxy or church history (as demonstrated in the book, “Pagan Christianity,” which he co-authored with George Barna).  Apparently his new book about “Strange Fire” isn’t any better than Pagan Christianity when it comes to revising facts to fit his ideology.

I read a very interesting confession of a pastor who once allowed Gothardism in his church - to his regret.

Calvary Chapel, as a denomination, has had a pretty good record over the years for being fairly fundamental in their teachings.  I know around my neck of the woods I have no problem recommending the local CC assemblies, and I’ve always - in the past - have read how solid they are overall.  Well, sad to say, over the past few years there has been more and more turning away from solid teaching at CC as contemplative and mystical teaching has entered some assemblies.  News from Lighthouse Trails Research about Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa’s sanctioning of horrid “worship” in England really gets my head spinning.  The video of the sanctioned event, showing not only a bizarre “hard rock” version of “Amazing Grace,” but also the lead singer’s immodest attire.  I see nothing in the video which even HINTS at giving praise to anyone but the performers.

Still another bit of information about the bad teachings by Sarah Young in her book, “Jesus Calling.”  Did you know that Jesus told Sarah about the “filthy stable” in which He was born?

Then, of course, there is arch-heretic Benny Hinn.  Think of all the damage he has done to those who follow him!

This past Sunday was “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday,” and yesterday the nation celebrated the birthday of Martin Luther King.  Neil Simpson exposes the liberal agenda of false teachers by what was taught on Sunday.  Sigh.

Finally, I have to say that there is no way I’d go to listen to a 16-year-old “pastor.”  I’d say the very first qualification he is lacking is that he is not old enough to be an “elder.”  The video of his sermon delivered while 10-years-old seriously abused the passage about David and Goliath so as to give support for his preaching as a young person.   I just don’t understand what it is about these types of “churches” who put kids in the pulpit.  Take a look in the Bible at the qualifications to be an elder, and then let me know which of these this boy has met.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

Wow, it’s been almost two weeks since I last did a “Random” post, and I really have been collecting stuff to warn people to watch out for - some bad stuff to be exposed!

First up, more about that book, “Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth.”  This book is rife with Scripture-twisting and other false teachings.  On top of that, the author misrepresents himself and his credentials as an author for such a book.

Interesting statement from Mark Batterson (Mr. “Circle Maker”) showed up.  Did you know that “there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet”!?  Well, firstly, I didn’t know we were “doing” church - I thought Christians ARE the Church.  If he means concocting “worship” services, yeah, there are ways I’m sure no one has thought up yet, but they sure aren’t biblical.  Batterson is among the market-driven bunch always looking for more ways to feed the goats.

The Pope, who claims he represents Christ on earth, continues to demonstrate just how far he is from representing Christ.  He gave Ramadan greetings to Muslims, and said, “We are called to respect the religion of the other.”  Wow!  Can you imagine Jesus or Paul giving the pagans greetings during their celebrations of their false beliefs?  Can you imagine God telling Moses and Joshua that they should respect the Canaanite religions and its “teachings, its symbols, its values”?  Islam worships a false god.  The teachings of Islam is to conquer everyone and exterminate those who disagree with Islam.  Its values includes the abuse of women, terrorism, and extermination of Jews and Christians.  And yet the Pope says we should respect all that!?!?  Just more proof that Roman Catholicism does NOT represent Christianity.

Of course this doesn’t matter to Catholics, whose worship of Mary leads to their seeing “visions” of her everywhere.  This is nothing less than idolatry.

A favorite icon of Romanists is Mother Teresa.  There are many myths about her, but the truth about Teresa leads one to wonder if she was ever saved (I previously noted that she had an exorcism done on her).

A month ago I noted that there was a “Wild Goose” festival coming which was a gathering of all sorts of false teachers.  Well, it happened, and it was about a degenerate as as it gets.

I came across an interesting book review this week.  It’s about Tom Horn’s “Apollyon Rising: 2012.”  It’s just another “Christian” book sold by “Christian” bookstores so as to make money off of those whose itching ears follow every whim of doctrine.  My recommendation - don’t bother.

I have previously discussed some problems with the teachings of Chuck Missler, but last week I came across an article exposing his propensity for plagiarism.  This is not something Christian teachers should be doing.  I’d avoid Missler’s teachings.

A couple of my “favorite” false teachers to expose are Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen (I haven’t done much on Meyer on my blog, but much in real life).  Way too many Christians follow the teachings of these heretics, which is why their teachings need to be exposed for what they are - dangerous!  I came across a good article discussing both of them, which gives no quarter!  I find many of the comments to be sad, because the commenters are so deceived as to protect these false teachers!

Another false teacher I have learned about this past week is Jentezen Franklin.  There are just sooooooo many wolves out there that it is difficult to keep up with them.

The ELCA Lutherans have gone even farther down the road to complete apostasy: they have now elected a woman as their presiding bishop.

Chuck Currie is a well-known false teacher with the heretical United Church of Christ.  He has now found a heretical version of the Lord’s Prayer from a New Zealand prayer book, and will be using it in his congregation for “the next several months.”  I think it would be virtually impossible to find a real Christian in the UCC.

One of the things I was always sadly amused about with the Mormons is their virtual worship of Joseph Smith.  I have previously seen hymns giving praises to Smith, and now you can see some of them, as well as other hymns teaching heresy, as posted on the blog of Mormon Research Ministry.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

Sola Sisters have an excellent post demonstrating the difference between Roman Catholicism and Biblical Christianity.  You’ll see some great charts with the comparisons.

Assemblies of God has always been aberrational with their charismatic beliefs, including aberrant spiritual warfare teachings, but they still tend to hold to the fundamental doctrines of the Faith.  Now it seems that they are jumping onto the contemplative bandwagon for this year’s General Council Conference as they invite false teacher Ruth Haley Barton to teach there.

Emergent false teacher Tony Jones has a new book out, spreading more of his apostate beliefs.  Lighthouse Trails Research posted a book review of The New Christians.  Just another mine to look out for in the Christian minefields bookstores.  And of course Christianity Astray Today has endorsed it.

Herescope posted a thought-provoking article, Circling the Wagons.  Here’s a hint of what you will find there:

Where in the New Testament did the church attempt to gain pagan popularity in order to evangelize? Roman emperors and provincial authorities openly had legal homosexual marriage partners. But Paul and his churches didn't give them the time of day. They zealously protected their so-called product line, the Gospel message. No cheap pagan knock-offs. They actually believed the so-called 'product' of the Gospel would sell itself if faithfully preached and lived. I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered but God gives the increase. (1 Cor. 3:6). Just a reliable, unashamed intelligent presentation of the Gospel, because it (the Gospel) is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:17)

Rachel Evans again demonstrates that she has no clue about what the Bible teaches.  Tim Keller (who usually gets things right, even if he does have some false teachings) discussed the fact that an obstacle to revival is fornication, and that the idea of giving up illicit sex for the Gospel is an affront to many people.  Evans didn’t like that, and made this response:

I’m often asked to speak on the topic of why young people leave the church. This. This is why young people leave the church. Because our questions aren’t taken seriously, because our value tends to be linked inextricably to our virginity, because our ideas are dismissed as silly.

Hunter Baker gives an excellent response.

Willow Creek was one of the original market-driven assemblies, and while they are now a large association of assemblies, they are still focused on the wrong things.  One of their assemblies is now searching for a “Spiritual Formation Pastor.”  [link gone by 6/18/18]

This position is for a strong leader/developer who can create paths for new believers to move toward a FULL LIFE in Jesus Christ. This includes a restructuring/expansion of ALL things “discipleship.”  

Ah yes, let’s dive headlong in to all things mystical and apostate; there just isn’t a “FULL LIFE in Jesus Christ” without Romanist or Quaker mysticism or contemplative prayer - and don’t forget the labyrinth!

False teacher Chuck Currie wants to join with all sorts of pagan religions so as to pray for Boston - and for American Muslims!  The logo is about as anti-Christ as you can get.

Another false teacher among the Word of Faith cult is Peter Popoff.  Now he is selling “miracle water” with all sorts of bogus claims.  I find it really difficult to understand how people can be so very gullible.

Finally, I have over the past six years of blogging been accused of being unloving for exposing false teachers.  The Cripplegate has an excellent article refuting such an idea.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

To start off this week I just have to show you one of the most bizarre “Christian” ceremonies I’ve ever seen.  Ken Silva first just posted the video and titled it, “Christian Ordination or Really Bad Off-Broadway Musical.”  At that time he didn’t have a context.  However, a couple days later he posted an article at Apprising Ministries with the whole context, as well as posting the video again.  So I will only link you to the second post.  One of my questions while watching the video was, “This stuff is supposed to be tongues?!?!?!”  My other main question was, “Where do these people come up with this stuff!?!?!”  Well, when it originates with Oral Roberts, anything goes.

As a follow-up to last week’s information about Passion 2013, I must point you to Elizabeth Prata’s report about the subject of slavery raised at the conference.  “Let's pray that the more kids than not, released back to home churches after Passion 2013, learn who the real slaves are: themselves, to Christ, and their unsaved community members, to satan.”

Herescope has an excellent article about the importance of events such as Passion 2013, and how they are indoctrinating our young people into the whole “Latter Rain” and NAR aberrational beliefs.

Do you remember from my last report that one of the problems with Passion 2013 was the appearance and endorsement of the heretical/aberrational “ministry” of Jesus Culture?  This video demonstrates some of the occultic ideas they profess, including getting an imparting of the Spirit from dead people - they pray to “release the anointing of God” from the corpse of a dead man. They claim to know that God is healing someone as they speak - not just once, but at least twice in the video.  This group is dangerous to non-discerning Christians; and they are “more dangerous than bad politics.”  And don’t forget that they are a ministry of Bill Johnson’s church, which, again, demonstrates the nature of the false teaching HE propagates.

While on the subject of Bill Johnson, Ken Silva has an article demonstrating some of the problems with Johnson, and the good point that any spiritual experiences Johnson and his cronies are claiming do not come from the Holy Spirit.  In fact, the video with the article, showing Johnson’s buddy Todd Bentley at “work,” should prove to everyone that what Bentley has behind his teachings is nothing less than demonic!

Speaking of fake churches (like the Episcopal Church has become), Neil Simpson has an excellent example of what a fake church looks like.  His perfect example is those under the leadership of goat-herd Chuck Currie.  The man is not a Christian by any meaning of the word, yet apparently he gets the attention of the media.

One of the blogs I follow linked to an old book review by Tim Challies.  The review is about Warren Smith’s “Deceived On Purpose,” a book I purchased and read six years ago (I write the year I got a book on the inside cover).  The book examines the false teachings of Rick Warren.  If you don’t have time for the book, Challies’ review will give you a good look at it.

Of course, now that I’ve broached the subject of Rick Warren I have to mention his interview with Oprah Winfrey.  Now, Oprah Winfrey is one of the most spiritually-dangerous people to listen to, so the mere fact that Warren appears on her show gives her credibility, allowing even more people to be mislead by her new age teachings.  Apprising Ministries has two good posts about this show with Warren, showing that Warren’s teachings are unbiblical.  First, we have a clip with Warren giving some unbiblical psychobabble advice.  

Then there is a clip with Warren’s unbiblical idea that God intentionally gives everyone flaws so as to make us “unique.”  Wow, tell that to someone born without limbs, and that is sure to make him see God as loving.  Scripture teaches us that what flaws we have, including genetic defects, are due to sin being in the world.  Of course, if you’ve read Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life, you will know that he teaches that God decided what you will look like, what parents you will be born to, what time period you will be born into, and even what you will be saying at this very moment.  That makes God into a puppeteer with a pre-programmed robots, which would mean He also programmed into you every sin you will ever commit.  Can anyone show me this from Scripture?

Another United Methodist goat-herd is promoting same-sex fake marriage.  Apparently she has been very pro-homosexual for a long time, and yet the UMC has still not defrocked her.  The UMC continues to proclaim that same-sex unions are not compatible with their doctrine, but they don’t excommunicate any of their “pastors” who promote them!

There has been a lot of brouhaha over Louie Giglio’s withdrawal from being at President Obama’s inauguration, and how Christians just aren’t welcome (the first articles I saw stated that he had been asked to withdraw, but that has been later proven to be wrong).  I’ve seen articles by Christians making him out to be a virtual martyr for the Christian cause.  Well, since I recognized his name from lists of people involved with the “Passion” conferences, I already had a bad attitude about him, so the fact that he had even been invited to do Obama’s benediction was just another strike against him in my mind. You need to read Ken Silva’s article about why Giglio is not to be admired.

And since I’m sending you to Ken’s blog, I may as well do it one last time in this report, by directing you to an article which demonstrates how Steven Furtick is sliding farther and farther into the heretical world of the Word of Faith movement.  Personally, I just don’t understand why anyone is drawn to Furtick as a teacher.

For readers who are not familiar with the International House of Prayer (which I have occasionally reported on), once you’ve read this post at An Unknown Berean’s Blog, you should have a pretty good idea as to why this group needs to be avoided like the plague!

Lastly, many people see Tim Keller as a great man of faith, and an excellent teacher to follow.  While I have to admit that Keller has some good teachings, I have previously posted about his theistic evolutionist beliefs. It shouldn’t surprise me, then, when I came across this video in which Keller, in no uncertain terms, has decided that if the Bible and “science” seem to conflict, we should rely on science.  Of course this is why he is a theistic evolutionist.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

It is getting more and more difficult to keep up with the fast pace of apostasy and heresy invading the Church.  I can only try to give you highlights of stuff to look out for and to stay away from if you want good spiritual health.  I realize I’ve only posted two articles since my last “Random” collection, but my list has gotten too long to not post another “Random” article.  So hold onto your seat-belts, because this will be a rough ride.

Calvary Chapel has in the past been considered a very fundamental denomination, and I have indeed recommended the local assemblies.  However, the more I read about various Calvary assemblies moving over to the Emergent side of apostasy, the more leery I become about recommending them.  I have personally met a local C.C. pastor, and he is adamant about keeping Emergent stuff out, so this appears to be an assembly-by-assembly thing to check.  However, founder Chuck Smith seems to be leading the way into Emergent.  Stay tuned.

Another story about Kay Arthur gives me some more uneasy feelings about her; she has a story about her back-and-forth discussion with God.  This claim to direct revelation disturbs me.

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you should know that Joel Osteen is not someone any Christian should listen to; the man is about as heretical as they get.  He may be a great motivational speaker, but he is not a teacher of the Word of God.  Well, he has a new book out, which brings him again into the media spotlight.  Of course, like his other books, you will find no Christian teaching in this one, and it seems the Word of Faith heresy is even stronger.  The fact that New Age guru Deepak Chopra thinks Osteen’s teaching is good should tell you something!  Albert Mohler’s article not only exposes this, but he also discusses Osteen’s answers in regards to questions about homosexuality.  Osteen really has a problem saying that homosexual behavior is a sin.  After all, he wouldn’t want to offend the many homosexuals in his congregation. 

Another example of Osteen’s horrible teaching in his new book is demonstrated by this video.  Osteen really, really has no clue what the Bible says, and yet thousands of Christians waste their money on his books!

Rick Warren’s apostasy just keeps building.  His focus on the social gospel long ago left the real gospel behind, but the real disturbing thing is his “bridge to Muslims.”  His idea is not to try to convert Muslims and bring them to salvation, rather he just wants Christians and Muslims to work together.  Can you imagine King David asking the Israelis to work together with the Canaanites?  Yet Warren has decided to work to have Christians declare that we worship the same God as do Muslims!!  This is just plain false; the god of Islam is NOT the God of the Bible.  The claim is that there are 1400 years of misunderstandings between Christians and Muslims, but I don’t see misunderstanding at all except on the part of Warren and his lackeys who do not see Islam for the pagan, violent religion that it is.  While we can respect individuals, we are not to respect belief systems which are against God and His Word, as is Islam.  Warren needs to read 2 Corinthians 6:14.  Far too many Christians are following this false teacher.

Continuing on the subject of Rick Warren, his “purpose-driven” nonsense just keeps morphing and building into more and more unbiblical teaching.  He has a new campaign to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his PDL, titled, “What on earth am I here for?”  Do you really think he’ll give you a biblical response?

On the subject of Saddleback and the Warrens, it seems that Saddleback is planning on having Kay Warren preach messages there this coming weekend - again violating the Bible’s teaching that women are not to be in that position (they previously had Christine Caine teaching, and Kay has previously done so).  They are also having Mark Driscoll come to teach, and he is someone who should not be promoted as a good teacher, for reasons I have thoroughly explained in previous articles.  However, a current, short article demonstrates the complete arrogance of Driscoll and what he thinks of his followers.

More and more Christians are pandering to the Mormons, and I just don’t understand the why behind such thinking.  Mormons are NOT Christian!!!  Another “pastor,” Robert Morris, now claims Glenn Beck is “a believer.”  Beck is a Mormon, and not even a good one because he mixes in a lot of New Age beliefs in his personal system.  Of course Morris is of the cultic Word of Faith belief system, so much of what he teaches doesn’t come close to true Christian faith anyway, so perhaps that is why he doesn’t recognized that Beck is not a “believer” in the Christian faith.

Another book has hit the shelves purporting to describe a visitation to heaven.  This one is titled, “My Proof of Heaven.”  As usual, the story is not orthodox in its claims, and a good review of it can be found at Guarding His Flock.

Neil Simpson, at Eternity Matters, has been giving lots of exposure over the past few months to Chuck Currie.  Currie seems to be one of those false teachers the media likes to give time and coverage to, so he really needs to be exposed so as to warn the sheep not to be taken in by him.  Currie claims to be a Christian, but there is no way a person with his belief system can be a true believer.  To begin with, he is a “minister” with the apostate and heretical United Church of Christ; that’s enough in and of itself to know to stay away from him.  He also promotes the social gospel, as well as every left-wing ideology conceivable - including abortion, the homosexual agenda, etc.  The man can twist the Scripture as good as any Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness, so that the Bible becomes unrecognizable in his hands.  For a good example of Currie’s teachings, take a look at Neil’s newest post about him.

Now go read the Bible and learn the truth!