Random Apostasies and Heresies

My last report told how the Church of England was considering women for the roles of church leadership.  Now they are saying that those people in same-sex fake marriages should be welcomed into the assembly.  And their pit gets deeper.

Is it right to “name names” when exposing false teachers?  I have previously written an article about this subject, explaining the necessity for naming who the false teachers are.  In that article I linked to another blog’s article with much more in-depth teaching on the subject.  Since that time I have come across this post examining as to whether we should name names.  The answer is, of course, that we should do so.  By not doing so, we allow the sheep to be attacked by wolves.

Christianity Today Astray actually named names of some of the movers and shakers in the Emergent Church movement: Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, and Donald Miller.

Don’t step on the toes of a Beth Moore follower!

I have many times debated with charismatics over their use of so-called tongues.  One of the major claims I hear for supporting their position is that there are TWO types of tongues.  The Cripplegate demolishes this argument.

Further reviews of Michael Brown’s book, “Authentic Fire” are now posted.  Chapter five part one is here, while part 2 is here.  Last for now is chapter six.

A new movie is coming out which we can expect to misrepresent Christ: Son of God.  From what I read, it will be just as bad as the other fad movie, “The Passion of Christ.”  But, can you believe that Rick Warren has joined in a project to make “Bible” studies available, which are based on the movie?  Why don’t they study the Bible once in a while!!??!!

More about Steven Furtick’s advice on how to plan for “spontaneous” baptisms.  And there’s more about his vast wealth and how it is acquired.  There sure are a lot of deceived people following wolves like Furtick.

Another Bible for bringing in the dollars to publishers; this one is a Jesus Calling Devotional Bible!  Since Sarah Young’s book is a theological disaster, why is Thomas Nelson publishing such blatant false teaching?!?!  Because making money is more important than loving God.

Another episode at Mormon Coffee exposing the racism in the Mormon Church.

The Mormons are always making changes to their doctrines, and then they turn around and say we misrepresent them!  I want to know how they can change their “Articles of Faith” without consulting Joseph Smith!

Random Apostasies and Heresies

The big news last week was the Ken Ham and Bill Nye debate.  If you haven’t seen it, the full debate is available to watch on youtube.  Albert Mohler has an excellent commentary about how the debate was really an examination and exposure of clashing worldviews.  Rick Phillips at Reformation 21 has a good, short commentary worth your while also.
There are some really good analyses of the debate, and I can provide some links if requested.

I’ve read several interesting things about the Mormons the past week or so, a few of which really need to be shared with my audience.
A lawsuit has been filed in England against the LDS president, for fraudulent teachings which led to the loss of money from an adherent of the faith.  It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.
This situation was first brought to my attention through a link to a site I’ve never seen before, but which I think is a good one to follow regarding news about the LDS; it’s called, The Mormon Curtain.  Mormon Coffee has posted part 2 of their article exposing Joseph Smith as the founder of racism in the Mormon church.

Recovering Grace, a web site by former followers of Bill Gothard, which exposes the teachings and practices of Gothard’s organization, had as a six-part series the testimony of a young lady who was being groomed by Gothard to be his bride - unbeknownst to her.  It is a good exposure of the sort of sexual harassment that was apparently common with Bill.  Part one will take you to part two, and so forth.
After you’ve read that one, take a look at Charlotte’s Story for an example of just how far Gothard would go.

Long ago I learned of the origin and teachings behind Alcoholics Anonymous, and why it is something Christians should not be a part of.  Lighthouse Trails Research has a new booklet about AA, and this article sums up what the booklet exposes.
(I’d like to point out that the founder of AA coined the word “Alcoholic” so as to take away the responsibility of the drunk, and the psychology and psychiatry industry turned “alcoholism” into a “disease,” which is total nonsense.)

One site I have never previously read is that of Rolling Stone Magazine; that sort of material is just not my cup of tea.  However, I was given a link last week to an article on the site, about the International House of Prayer cult.  It is a very interesting viewpoint from a secular publication, but they seem to have hit the proverbial nail on the head in their assessment.  And I would say they describe a lot of demonic activity! Of course, as with any cult, followers have joined in the comment section making claims against the article - but my personal research confirms what the article says.  It is sad that cult followers are so deluded in the defense of their particular cult.

Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, continues his slide into total apostasy.

One of the things which has always bothered me is the teaching that Christians pay a “tithe” to the Church.  This is a 100% false teaching!  The tithe (meaning 10%) was something Israel was required to give (as one of many required offerings).  Christians have no minimum amount for giving, rather we are told to just give as our heart directs us, without grudging or compulsion.  Some people say 10% is a good place to start, but I think that depends on one’s financial condition - sometimes that 10% can be the difference between eating or not eating.  
Elizabeth Prata has a good article on this subject.

I thought Larry King’s interview with Joel Osteen took place a few years back, but this link makes it appear to be recent.  So is this a new one?  I don’t know, but the interview is 100% proof positive why Joel Osteen should not be in any pastoral position.  It is difficult to even conceive of him being saved, since he never really seems to understand the Gospel.  I think, again, that Elizabeth Prata has a better handle on Osteen’s teachings than do most Christians - “doctrines of demons.”

I’ve previously addressed Michael Brown’s book, “Authentic Fire,” and how confused it is with reality.  Another article about the subject, which I think is worth your perusal, is over at the Cripplegate.  Meanwhile, Phil Johnson addresses Brown’s association, and defense of, arch-heretic Benny Hinn.

Then we have “The Circle Makers,” which exposes many who are teaching some really bad doctrines.  Mark Batterson isn’t alone in this convoluted idea; Rick Warren and Ed Young are right in there with him, albeit with a difference.

We’ve heard a lot over the years about all the “Holy Laughter” in so many false revivals, but the real “Holy Laughter” is from God.

Lastly, this video sums up a lot of current “worship” styles.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

I’m getting behind in my blog work, and here it is already time to post a “Random”  update!

I have reported on Joel Osteen’s false teachings several times in the past, but I found a good short article this past week which I think has some good information about this heretic.

Well, there’s more going on about Sarah Young’s book, “Jesus Calling.”  It seems that a pastor wrote a book critiquing it, and he was railed against in the reviews.  The followers of Young others like her, such as Beth Moore, behave so much like cult members that it is astonishing!  All discernment is thrown out the window as they follow these false teachers with every fibre of their being.  I find it to be very sad.

I’ve seen the Women of Faith conference advertised at my church in the past, and never saw anything in the advertisements which raised my warning flags.  But, now it looks like they are going the way of all other “tickling the ears” conferences.  The books sold through the Women of Faith online bookstore should be a good litmus test of what they are sanctioning and promoting at their conferences.  I guess it has been a while since I’ve seen the conference advertised, because they’ve been promoting this junk for quite some time now, including selling Brian McLaren’s heretical books.  Now they are getting involved with New Ager Roma Downey!  This article at Lighthouse Trails gives more information.

An interesting article was one I read from Tim Challies, about the obsession Christians have with virginity.  Of course we all believe that sexual relations should only take place within in the confines of marriage, but we also know that in today’s sex-saturated society that there are those who are seduced into having sexual relations while in junior and senior high school, let alone while in college.  What often happens is that these young people realize they have done wrong, repent of it and want to move on, but many Christians teach that they are now “damaged goods.”  This is especially true of the girls.  I think Challies makes some very important points.

I haven’t previously addressed a religious system which is prevalent in the area in which   I live - the Amish.  The Amish are indeed a very legalistic group of people, and I have read may testimonies by those who have left that system.  Now, I don’t doubt that there are true believers among the Amish, just as there are among Roman Catholics, but the Amish’ stress on works places a very heavy burden on their followers.  And the idea that living as if they are still in the 18th century makes them more holy and less likely to become worldly is just untrue. 

A friend recently loaned us a DVD movie based on a book by Beverly Lewis, who, for whatever reason, is enamored with the Amish and writes novels about them, romanticizing their religious beliefs.  It was very sad to see that the movie actually approved of such legalistic living.

This is all to say that I found a very interesting article about the Amish, as well about Beverly Lewis’ romanticizing of them.  I consider the Amish to be cultic.

More about Charles Stanley’s In Touch magazine has been reported by Lighthouse Trails Research ministry.  The magazine is getting deeper and deeper into the mystical movement and away from sound biblical teaching.  Stanley has to be held personally responsible.

Recovering Grace had a good article about the origins of Bill Gothard’s Institute for Basic Life Principles and all the false and legalistic teachings found there.  Just with the highlights covered in the article, one has to wonder why Christians - especially home-schoolers - are still enamored with him.

Former Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu says that he would rather go to hell than to go to a “Homophobic Heaven.”  Of course we all know that the word “homophobic” means being against sanctioning homosexual behavior.  Him being from the Anglican community makes this not really as surprising as it seems, since the Anglican community long ago went pro-homosexual.  Tutu says he won’t worship “a god who is homophobic.” I guess Tutu will discover the truth too late.

Tim Keller is getting more and more apologists and theologians criticizing his teachings - which is good from my vantage point; I always like it when popular teachers are exposed for their false teachings.  This article reviews a new book which examines some of Keller’s teachings.

Another popular false teacher is Donald Miller, of “Blue Like Jazz” fame.  He gave some advice recently about seeking truth, and yet it was poor advice - as usual.  A good examination of this latest teaching was posted over at Juicy Ecumenism.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) really, really doesn’t seem to every want to be an orthodox denomination again.  Now they rejected the hymn “In Christ Alone” because it teaches a biblical truth about God’s wrath!  Sigh!

An interesting thought about how Joseph Smith was fooled by Satan - according to the LDS teachings!

Oh, the United Church of Christ keeps demonstrating why it isn’t a real Christian denomination.  I don’t know if there is anything in their teachings which line up with the Bible!  They have an advice column on their official web site, and received a request for advice about a non-married sexual relationship, in which the one partner is suggesting a three-some.  The advice columnist has no problem with polyamory, and even uses the Bible to say it is okay!  In the advice, there is no condemnation of what the partner wants to do, rather the problem is that the two are not in agreement!!!!!  Well, once you approve homosexual behavior, then why is polyamory wrong?

Another liberal denomination, the United Methodist Church, has a pro-homosexuality movement within which has never been, to my knowledge, condemned by the UMC.  Well, this movement has led to the Desert-Southwest Conference to declare all their facilities now have “open bathrooms” policies.  The idea is to help “transgendered” people.  ARGH!  More of the emperor’s new clothes.

Lastly, the Pope is still Catholic.  I last reported about his granting indulgences for following him on Twitter, and now he has granted indulgences for those who attended the World Youth Day in Brazil.  Along with this heresy, the pope did a lot of praying to “Mary” while in Lampedusa, Italy.  Having read the prayer, all I can do is shake my head at such foolishness.  In addition to reporting on this event, Elizabeth Prata examines the whole issue of praying to Mary, and just how unbiblical it is.