Random Apostasies and Heresies

Tim Challies has been doing a series on false teachers, with short biographies and explanations of their false teaching.  Most, but not all, have been well-known cult leaders.  I don’t think many people know who Charles Taze Russell was (founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses), so here’s a link to that article.  Also, I’m always surprised by people who don’t know what a heretic Norman Vincent Peale was.

Speaking of false teachers, I like what this guy has to say about Mark Driscoll.

Then there is the emergent heretic Tony Jones.

It looks like a movie is coming soon based on the best selling “Heaven Is For Real.”  The sad thing is that the majority of the people buying this junk appear to be Christians — who obviously lack discernment.  I’m sure the movie version will be sold out.  This book is but one among many books by people claiming to have visited heaven.  Can these visits be real?  NO.  They all contradict Scripture.

The Cripplegate has another article in their series about speaking in tongues.

I have often noted problems with modern “worship” songs used in the assemblies, and how many of them are the “Jesus is my boyfriend” type of drivel.  I was directed to an outstanding article about the sensuality of so many contemporary songs.  The author had an excellent question:  “What if a generation is being trained to feel saved rather than to be saved?”

Same-sex fake marriage is now legal in England.  The Archbishop of Canterbury said the Church of England will now drop their opposition to the unions.  We knew that would happen, didn’t we?  Just another apostate denomination making people feel good rather than telling them of their sin and their need for a savior.

World Vision learned about what happens when you approve same-sex fake marriage while claiming to be Christian.  The Cripplegate tells of four lessons learned in this incident.

Of course we all know by now about the flap with World Vision wanting to sanction same-sex unions.  Their turnabout got Rachel Held Evans all in a snit.  She thinks evangelicals have “won a culture war and lost a generation.”  To begin with, we’ve actually lost the culture war, but we knew we would - all we had to do was read what the Bible says about the end times.  But Evans, ever the false teacher she has proven to be, says:  “There is a disproportionate focus on homosexuality that consistently dehumanizes, stigmatizes and marginalizes gay and lesbian people and, at least in this case, prioritizes the culture war against them over and against the important work of caring for the poor.”  Of course what Evans pretends isn’t happening is that it is the homosexual activists who are forcing the focus on homosexuality by using the power of government to force Christians to either accept homosexuality or be punished.  But getting on to Evans’ statement, she teaches the social gospel rather than the gospel which saves.  Guess what, Rachel — the church’s calling is NOT the social gospel!!!   Chelsen Vicari has a good response to Evans.  As does Neil Simpson.

Anyway, according to Tony Jones and Rachel Evans, would-be Christians are being driven away from the church.  Is this true? Of course not, because if people really want to be Christians, they will follow Christ rather than false teachers like Jones and Evans.

With so many denominations - and non-denominational churches - accepting homosexuality as something good rather than the abomination God calls it, there are those who ask why we can’t just all “get along.”  Stan tells us the reason why.  Always remember that "Jesus already defined marriage for his creation."

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

Sometimes it really gets depressing reading about all the apostasy which is invading the Church, but it is important that the information get out so as to protect the flock from deception.  What is really upsetting is that so much of the invasion is by those who are pretending to be shepherds (as depicted in the above graphic I found on the ‘net a few weeks back).  These wolves are multiplying by leaps and bounds, so it is imperative that they are exposed for what they are.

One of the latest wolves gaining a larger and larger following is Steve Furtick.  I’ve previously reported on him and his support and promotion of Word Faith heretics, but he  seems to be getting worse.  Now he's “excited” to be on TBN, the station of the WF heresy!  And Joel Osteen is a real inspiration for him, and considers Osteen a real “man of God.”  This guy is bad news to the Christian faith, and yet he has seven campuses with over 10,000 lemmings following him!!!

Speaking of Joel Osteen, he has another new book to make you feel good and to tell you the whole Word Faith heresy is perfect for you.  You, too, have creative power just by speaking. I agree with Erin - with this book, we can indeed judge it by its cover!

Apprising Ministries explains why Word Faith teachers such as Osteen are no more than agents of Satan, and why it is reprehensible for popular pastors to share the stage with them and promote them.

In that article, John Hagee gets a mention as a WF adherent, but this article demonstrates more of just how bad Hagee can twist Scripture!

We also have women “stars” becoming quite popular as they also support WF heretics.  Christine Caine not only thinks Sheryl Brady is the “best chick preacher,” but she tells us that Joyce Meyer is her “Spiritual Mother”!!  Of course Caine also supports the unbiblical idea of women pastors, as I have previously noted.  A woman of so little discernment is not worthy of listening to for teaching on God’s Word.

Part of the problem with many of today’s leaders who want to be popular, is that they spend a lot of their time trying to be “cool.”  James MacDonald, who was once a trustworthy pastor, has continued his slide into “relevance,” and now has gotten a tattoo.    And - he is so buddy-buddy with the very immature, sex-focussed Mark Driscoll! (I suggest perusal of the comments on the linked article.)

Emergent heretic Brian McLaren has now told us why he rejects what the Bible says about homosexuality - it’s all about feelings.  After all, don’t feelings trump God’s Word?

McLaren has also joined with another emergent apostate, Tony Jones, in telling us how innocent Muslims are, and that their faith is not as bad as that nasty video about them (you know, the one Muslims claim they are rioting about) claims to be.  They are as much false teachers about Islam as they are about Christianity!  And, of course, they do a little Scripture-twisting to support their ideology.

Three cheers for the countries who are banning false-teaching wolf Todd Bentley.  He is such a heretic that he thinks preaching the gospel is a waste of time!

Tim Challies has a good article refuting the false social gospel teaching that the Bible promotes redistributing the wealth.

These “all things sexual” titillation sermons so many churches are advertising reflect exactly what Midwest Christian Outreach calls “Parasitic Evangelism.”  It’s all about trying to be like the world and believing that will win people to Christ. 

When the Christian faith has nothing to offer but to be the same as unbelievers, then there is great difficulty in getting the world to hear the Gospel.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

Another fad book among non-discerning Christians is “Jesus Calling,” by Sarah Young.  This book is about supposed messages directly from Jesus.  This is an author who “is making Jesus out in her own image,” according to this review at the Cripplegate.  This book is not only a favorite among women, but study groups are using it!

Todd Bentley is one of the charismania heretics who continues in the news because he holds “revivals.”  But these performances of Bentley are really bizarre, especially with his abusive methods of fake healing which are quite dangerous.  The United Kingdom was to be a location of one of Bentley’s circuses, but they decided that his counterfeit miracles have no place in their country - and they banned him!!!  Now if only he was banned in the USA!

Another Word Faith heretic, Rod Parsley, now claims lots of direct revelations from God - numerous little “nuggets” deposited in his heart daily; and non-discerning people just keep sending him millions of dollars.

Surprise, surprise: the heretical and apostate, homosexual-supporting United Church of Christ has condemned the Boy Scouts for their stance in refusing homosexual leaders.  Just another example which demonstrates that this “Church” has no real Christians as members.

Perry Noble, one of the modern false teachers who gathers huge non-discerning audiences, is really descending to worldly depths for worship - correction, entertainment.  Now his “worship band” copies KISS! 

Another modern false teacher, and buddy of Perry Noble, is Steven Furtick.  I’ve discussed him before, but he has proven what a false teacher he is with his praises of heretic Joel Osteen, and now he has preached at Osteen’s church!  This is just the latest in his total support for false Word Faith teachers.  He has promoted Osteen in the past, and also promotes Australian WOF teachers Brian and Bobbie Houston, Joyce Meyer, Brian Carn, Rod Parsley, and T.D. Jakes.  And he violates the biblical injunction against women pastors, including having his own wife preach in his church, when he supports Bobbie Houston as a pastrix.  Erin even reports about Furtick’s direct revelations from God.  Christians should have nothing to do with Furtick.

Readers of this blog have seen many articles I’ve written about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), demonstrating how they are not Christians but rather a religious cult.  The deception by this organization is getting more and more crafty as they do their best to come across as a real Christian church.  Janis Hutchinson has an excellent article describing the LDS’ latest strategies.

Emergent Church leader Tony Jones is now saying, “Death to Homeschooling.”  Jones is well-known for teaching the social gospel also.  So why does he hate home-schooling?  According to this report, he doesn’t say.

Sex-minded Ed Young, Jr is back at it again.  His newest conference appearance is at “Sextember: Romance Uncensored.”  Put on by another false teacher, Shannon O’Dell (“husband to a hottie”), this is nothing but another attempt at titillation by people with nothing but sex on their brains.  Aren’t shepherds supposed to be teaching the Word of God?  Young has a promotional video about this “conference,” which is about as juvenile as it gets.

Erin over at “Do Not Be Surprised...” posted a video similar to many I’ve previously seen, showing the truly demonic “slain in the spirit” and “holy laughter” manifestations.  This is what too often passes for Christianity under the claim of movements of the Holy Spirit.  I say it is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit!

Lastly, here is a “poem” video with some very profound teaching about problems in the Church.   People should be listening to what this young lady says.