Random Stuff

I have been collecting a lot of items this past week, so put on your sunglasses and get ready for much darkness to be exposed!

There is a lot of controversy about The Harbinger, the best-selling book by Jonathan Cahn.  I have discussed this book in previous random posts (under the label “Cahn, Jonathan), but more and more is coming out about Cahn himself and his aberrant beliefs.  Apprising Ministries has been following the subject, so my links will take you to that site.  The first article I’d like you to read has a claim by Cahn that God used “spiritual wingnut” Jim Bakker to launch his book.  The next article tells about Cahn’s claim that he’s been blessed by Bakker’s mentoring.  The last article demonstrates more of Cahn’s association with Word of Faith heretics, as well as showing how Cahn will not correct those who see him as a prophet.  I think discernment would tell us to avoid any teachings by Jonathan Cahn.

Seeker-sensitive goatherd Steven Furtick has become buddies with Word of Faith heretic Rod Parsley.  Parsley considers Furtick to be “one of the nations most influential young leaders.”  I think this idea is really scary.  Apprising Ministries demonstrates that Furtick is becoming a “quasi-Word Faith preacher.”  For those who doubt that Rod Parsley is a heretic, I suggest this post by Apprising Ministries.

Tim Challies has posted a review of Mike and Debi Pearl’s book, To Train Up a Child. This is a book I previously reviewed, but you might find Challies’ report to be worthwhile. Meanwhile, Recovering Grace did their own review of the book Challies previously reported on, Debi Pearl’s “Created to Be His Help Meet.”  The Pearls are definitely teachers to avoid.

In the news last week was a report about a Jackson, MS, church [link gone by 12/16/16] who would not allow a black couple to be married there.  This is totally unbiblical and unChristlike racism.  The pastor of the church was told that if he conducted the wedding there, he would lose his position.  I understand that the pastor, Stan Weatherford, was interested in giving the couple a controversy-free wedding, however, I have to condemn him for not defying the members who were racists.  I think the proper thing for him to have done was to either defy them (and I would think the couple would go along with it - at least if it was me, I would) and hold the wedding ceremony there, or else resign his position.  The racists won the battle.  If Weatherford had done the ceremony there, the racists would have been exposed and excommunicated until they repented. The big question I have is, will Weatherford preach against racism?  Will he require repentance of the racists? Apparently there are enough members of that assembly who would have supported Weatherford had he done the ceremony there.  This goes to show that our shepherds should not allow themselves to be intimidated against doing what is right.

“Vision Casting” seems to be the rage among many of the seeker-sensitive and emergent leaders.  They have a “vision” for the direction of their church and if you don’t agree, well then, as Mark Driscoll has said, they need to be thrown off the bus.  Ken Silva has a good article about the unbiblical nature of “vision casting.”

Recovering Grace blog is testimonies from former Gothardites, i.e., those involved with IBLP.  There are so many excellent testimonies telling of the cult-like teachings of this organization that it is difficult to choose what to tell you about.  I have posted some previously.  “Why I Reject IBLP” is a good one to read to understand the depths of spiritual damage which happens in groups like this.

Lifeway Christian Resources bookstores is an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention.  It is they who are responsible for publishing Beth Moore’s false teachings while pulling the movie “Courageous” because of language issues.  The SBC rejected the 2001 NIV Bible because of its gender-neutral translations, yet Lifeway continues to sell it.  When questions were raised about this issue, Lifeway simply stated that people have to trust its trustees to determine what they sell in their stores.  Um, yeah; I’m supposed to trust people to decide what is appropriate when they are very inconsistent.  They sell boatloads of false teaching by Beth Moore and yet refuse to sell a movie because of questionable language (and it isn’t the really foul stuff, either), but they will sell a liberal translation Bible.

Seeker-sensitive and emergent churches have claimed that Paul taught the use of worldly ways to draw people to hear the Gospel.  They claim this based on 1 Corinthians 9:22b, where Paul says, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”  Was Paul really a pragmatist?  Pastor Larry DeBruyn presents an excellent biblical argument against that idea.

Finally, Apprising Ministries exposes the mysticism of Henry Blackaby’s “Experiencing God.”

Exposing False Teachers

I have been wanting to work on some articles, but it seems as if life keeps me occupied.  My wife and I also got a chance to take off for a few days to celebrate our 36th anniversary.  So now I have a whole stack of “Random” stuff about darkness to expose to the light, which will be the next article to follow this post.

Of late I have received criticism for “naming names” while exposing false teachers (I know most apologetics ministries hear the same complaint).  I even had a false prophet claim that if I didn’t repent of “criticizing” other Christians, including ceasing such “critiques,” then God would silence me; I was given “40 days” before judgment would come.  Well that day has come and gone, and the “curse” I was given was that I would no longer bear fruit.

I don’t understand why Christians want to pretend bad teaching doesn’t exist, or that no one should criticize false teachings if it comes from a Christian.  I read a citation this past week, which was attributed to John Calvin:  “A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw the truth of God attacked and yet would remain silent.”

I have often heard it said that we should just teach the truth and people will learn to discern the difference.  While that may be true of mature Christians, the fact that half of what you find in “Christian” bookstores is false teaching and even heresy, proves that the average Christian is in great danger of being led into spiritual deception.

Others say we should just expose false teachings without naming who teaches such things.   Can you imagine a shepherd, knowing there are wolves in sheepskin among his flock, just telling them what wolves do without telling them who the wolves are?

Earlier this year I read an excellent article about the subject of naming names.  The argument is very well presented, using Scripture to prove that we do indeed need to name the names of false teachers so as to protect the sheep from the wolves.

I challenge all those who think naming names is wrong to do, to read the article and then, if you still feel it is wrong to expose names of false teachers, please demonstrate from Scripture why it is wrong.

Palestinian Liberation Theology

I just learned about this false teaching via an article by Christopher J. Katulka in the July/August 2012 Israel My Glory magazine.

I’m already familiar with Liberation Theology, and have taken a class on Black Liberation  Theology.  Liberation theology is essentially Marxism and the social gospel rolled into one, and then it gets labeled by whichever victim group espouses it with their own particular slant.

PLT is the theology taught to, and preached by Palestinian Christians.  The chief proponent is Dr. Naim Ateek, and this teaching is causing quite a rift between Israeli Christians and Palestinian Christians.  

As much as Black Liberation Theology is cultish, so is Palestinian Liberation Theology.  Ateek’s teachings include the claim that the Torah to be a “Zionist text” and he also has problems with other OT books which confirm God’s land covenant with Israel.  Katulka says of Ateeek, “He speaks of peace and nonviolence but makes no apology for Palestinian terrorism.  In fact, much of his rhetoric regarding Israel is indistinguishable from that of a Palestinian Muslim.”

When I learned that Dr. Ateek is an ordained Episcopal priest, that immediately told me why he was socialist as well as liberal in his theology. In the 1990s he also helped to found the Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center (Sabeel Center) in Jerusalem.  

Ateek says Palestinians have been disenfranchised under “the colonialist Zionist Israelis,” and that Zionist Christians have a “dangerous theology.”  It appears to me that Dr. Ateek needs to study more history and less socialism.

Katulka tells us that, “Today PLT is the primary doctrine of Palestinian Christians, rooting and grounding them in a highly politicized form of Replacement Theology.”  He also tells us that “Dr. Ateek and the Sabeel Center have used the Palestinian dismissal of the Old Testament as an opportunity to propagate PLT, which desires to de-Zionize the Bible in order to promote and anti-Israel agenda.”

To better understand PLT teachings, Katulka cites the Sabeel Center’s definition of PLT:

Palestinian Liberation Theology is an ecumenical grassroots movement, rooted in Christian Biblical interpretation and nourished by the hopes, dreams and struggles of the Palestinian people.... In a situation where justice has been long neglected, Palestinian Liberation Theology opens new horizons of understanding for the pursuit of a just peace and for the reconciliation proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  By learning from Jesus - his life under occupation and his response to injustice - this theology hopes to connect the true meaning of Christian faith with the daily lives of all those who suffer under occupation, violence, discrimination, and human rights violations.  Additionally, this blossoming theological effort promotes a more accurate international awareness of the current political situation and encourages Christians from around the world to work for justice and to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

The blatant abuse of Scripture to support this cultic - as well as unChristian - theology, it atrocious.  The total lack of any historical knowledge about the events which have taken place over the past 65 years is also demonstrated by the claims that there is even such a people group identified as “Palestinian,” a group which did not exist until long, long after Israel became a nation.  Israel is not an “occupier,” nor are they the ones keeping the area a hot-bed of violence.

PTL is nothing more than a cultic teaching which reinterprets the Bible to suit their socialist agenda, as well as their Replacement theology.  It is regrettable that a liberal Episcopalian priest has brainwashed the Palestinians who are searching for the real Christ of the Bible.  We can just pray that these people will one day learn the truth and come to saving faith in the Christ of the Bible instead of a false christ of man’s making.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

Well, it has been a busy week for me, with little time at home, so I haven’t worked on any articles as I wanted to do.  And here it is already time for another “Random” collection.

First up, Tim Challies posted the second part of his review of Debi Pearl’s book, “Created to Be His Help Meet.”  Well worth reading.  As usual when dealing with false teachers, the comment string does have some supporters who think Challies is wrong in his assessment.

Erin reports on “The Resurgence” conference, which promotes Rick Warren’s “man-centered mythology.”  This is the type of stuff which is destroying the Church from within.

Speaking of Rick Warren, his self-esteem theology makes for some wonderful satire.  Apprising Ministries demonstrates this as they give an example of a daily devotion by one of Warren’s staff.

Years ago I first read Alexander Hislop’s “The Two Babylons,” and immediately had some problems with his claims against the Roman Catholic Church.  As years have gone by I have learned much more about how poorly the book was written, based mainly on speculation and poor logic - and bigotry.  This book has become the mainstay of those who want to “prove” just how horrid Romanism is.  However, one doesn’t need to misrepresent and lie about Romanism to prove how apostate and heretical it is, so promoting the stuff in this book just backfires on those using it.  Sola Sisters has a good article about this book.

Ed Young, Jr continues to demonstrate how unbiblical he is as a teacher.  Now he is pandering for “tithes” via automatic withdrawal.  He seems more and more like the Word of Faith hawkers looking for money from the gullible.  This man is definitely a goatherd.

I’ve never been fond of Max Lucado because everything I’ve seen from him is touchy-feely, and that’s just not my cup of tea.  He also participated in the Be Still video, which has contemplative teachings.  Well, now I have another reason to dislike him:  He has now come to the conclusion that Christine Caine is just like Paul, Mary and Esther, and has endorsed her new book, “Undaunted.”   Caine’s promotion of various Word of Faith heretics certainly eliminates her from comparisons to these Biblical persons.

Roman Catholics have another recent demonstration as to how apostate they are.  It seems there is a relic of a “saint’s” heart which has been traveling around, with Catholic venerating it (read, “worshiping”).  The whole teaching of worshiping relics - including body parts - is nothing less than idolatry, as well as being totally nonsensical.

The ELCA Lutheran denomination long ago left any semblance of orthodoxy, especially when they began supporting homosexuality.   A good example of how far down to the pit the ELCA has gone is the fact that “pastor” Nadia Bolz-Weber has not been excommunicated.  This woman is a rank heretic, besides being a false teacher.

Hank Hanegraaff is really starting to bug me.  I have previously written about some theological problems of Hanegraaff’s, including his preterist view of eschatology, his support for the Local Church, and his low view of the book of Genesis.   Then there was his joining up with OWS in Iran.  Now Hank, and his cohort Gary Burge, attacks Christian supporters of Israel as being “racist and supporting ethnic cleansing.”  In this article, Hanegraaff demonstrates his complete lack of understanding of the mid-east conflict, as well as what Dispensationalism teaches about the end times.  They also have unbiblical ideas of Israel’s place in history.  Hank has been a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Rich Mouw, president of the liberal Fuller Theological Seminary, has spent too much time supporting the Mormon church.  Back in 2004 he made a stir when he suggested Christians have sinned against Mormons by exposing their false teachings.  His new book seems to be much of the same about how we just need to understand Mormons, and they really aren’t a cult, etc.  I agree with Mouw that we have to understand Mormonism in order to effectively deal with it, and the same could be said for any other cult.  But Mouw’s soft-peddling around the real issues of Mormonism, and his seeming lack of understanding of their teachings, makes his teachings on the subject dangerous.  I guess I shouldn’t expect any better from the president of Fuller.

Rob Bell once again proves he is a heretic and a dangerous teacher to follow.  He now has come out as “gay affirming,” who doesn’t see the need to tell homosexuals that their behavior is sin.

Meanwhile, the United Methodist Church has decided to take another step into the political area (aside from preaching the social gospel) and put out the call to ban all handguns. [link gone by 12/5/15]  Explain to me where in the Bible one finds God being against handguns?  Actually, I guess they have been anti-gun since 1972, but the latest shooting in Colorado is bringing them out of the closet again.  Perhaps the UMC should start reading their Bibles and leave the social gospel behind instead of promoting the banning of legal personal property.

Did They Really Say That?

?!?

The scientific fact that man and the universe are evolved from Spirit, and so are spiritual, is as fixed in divine Science as is the proof that mortals gain the sense of health only as they lose the sense of sin and disease.

Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p.69

Well, I know of NO science which says the universe and man are evolved from Spirit.  Pseudo-science says man is evolved from a lower life form, and the origin or eternality of the universe is a debated topic.  Scripture says sin is a fact of life, and disease is certainly a fact of life.  Christian Science claims sin and disease are both nothing more than illusions, which demonstrates that there is neither Christianity or science in their claims.

We Need A New Type of Preacher

If Christianity is to receive a rejuvenation, it must be by other means than any now being used. If the Church in the second half of this century is to recover from the injuries she suffered in the first half, there must appear a new type of preacher. The proper, ruler-of-the-synagogue type will never do. Neither will the priestly type of man who carries out his duties, takes his pay and asks no questions, nor the smooth-talking pastoral type who knows how to make the Christian religion acceptable to everyone. All these have been tried and found wanting.Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. When he comes (and I pray God there will be not one but many), he will stand in flat contradiction to everything our smirking, smooth civilization holds dear. He will contradict, denounce and protest in the name of God and will earn the hatred and opposition of a large segment of Christendom. Such a man is likely to be lean, rugged, blunt-spoken and a little bit angry with the world. He will love Christ and the souls of men to the point of willingness to die for the glory of the One and the salvation of the other. But he will fear nothing that breathes with mortal breath.

A. W. Tozer, The Size of the Soul, 128-129.

Reposted from 7/10/08

We Need A Savior

Thus also we who in our lives are ill of shameful lusts and reprehensible excesses, and other inflammatory effects of the passions, need the Saviour. And He administers not only mild, but also stringent medicines. The bitter roots of fear then arrest the eating sores of our sins. Wherefore also fear is salutary, if bitter. Sick, we truly stand in need of the Saviour; having wandered, of one to guide us; blind, of one to lead us to the light; thirsty, “of the fountain of life, of which whosoever partakes, shall no longer thirst;” dead, we need life; sheep, we need a shepherd; we who are children need a tutor, while universal humanity stands in need of Jesus; so that we may not continue intractable and sinners to the end, and thus fall into condemnation, but may be separated from the chaff, and stored up in the paternal garner.

Clement of Alexandria, “The Instructor, Book 1”

Chief Danger of the Church

The chief danger of the Church today is that it is trying to get on the same side as the world, instead of turning the world upside down. Our Master expects us to accomplish results, even if they bring opposition and conflict. Anything is better than compromise, apathy, and paralysis.  God give to us an intense cry for the old-time power of the Gospel and the Holy Ghost

--A. B. Simpson (Preacher, pastor, writer, and promoter of foreign missions)

Hat tip to The Berean Call

Exhortation from Clement

And now the more benevolent God is, the more impious men are; for He desires us from slaves to become sons, while they scorn to become sons. O the prodigious folly of being ashamed of the Lord! He offers freedom, you flee into bondage; He bestows salvation, you sink down into destruction; He confers everlasting life, you wait for punishment, and prefer the fire which the Lord “has prepared for the devil and his angels.”Wherefore the blessed apostle says: “I testify in the Lord, that ye walk no longer as the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind; having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart: who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness and concupiscence.” After the accusation of such a witness, and his invocation of God, what else remains for the unbelieving than judgment and condemnation?

Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathen.

Can Satan Read Our Mind?

Initial explanation:  When talking about Satan, I mean Satan and the demons.  Since Satan and the demons were created as angels - albeit now they are fallen angels - they are not able to be in more than one location at a time.  So when the name Satan is spoken, it refers to Satan and the demonic realm, with Satan recognized as the leader.  (In the same way we say General Patton won many battles, we recognize that Patton personally wasn’t the one doing the fighting, but he was the leader and, by referring to him, we mean all those who were under his leadership.)  So I will only say “Satan,” but mean the entire demonic realm.

Also, since Satan is an angel, he has great intelligence and great power.

Questions to consider:

1.  Can Satan plant thoughts in our mind?

2.  Can Satan read our mind?

If Satan was able to plant thoughts in our minds, then he would indeed be able to make us sin, but there no place in Scripture where we see Satan making people sin.  Even Adam and Eve were only tempted by Satan, but it is human free will choice that leads to sin, by choosing that which is against God.

The Scripture in many places speaks of the demonically-possessed.  In these people the demon does exercise control to a great degree, but there is no indication that Satan plants thoughts in their minds, rather he uses the people as channels to express his own thoughts.  

Contrary to much false teaching, a Christian cannot be possessed by demons because a Christian is in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit.  1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:17, 19; 2 Cor. 1:22; 2 Thes. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5; 1 John 4:4; 1 John 5:18.

Since God imbued man with a free will to choose between good and evil, it is not necessary for Satan to place thoughts in our minds.  All that is necessary is for him to observe human behavior with his great intelligence and place known temptations in the path of mankind.   After all, he has been observing humans for 6000 years!

 Eccl. 7:29 says, “God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.” (HCSB)  James 1:14-15, in response to whether God tempts people, says this:  “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.  Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.” (HCSB)  These passages certainly demonstrate that we don’t need Satan planting thoughts in our mind!

Can Satan read our minds?  NO.  This is not a power angels have been demonstrated to possess in Scripture.  God has the ability to do so, and we know this from many passages of Scripture, but God is omniscient while Satan - as an angel - is not.  However, since Satan is an extremely intelligent being and has been watching mankind for 6,000 years, he has great understanding as to how mankind thinks.  He knows what can be used as temptations to awaken sinful desires in man.