Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

A Warning to Shepherds Who Mislead the Sheep

Contrary to the teachings of Jonathan Cahn and his ilk, America is NOT the new Israel.

Steve Bricker has a good analysis of a blog post by false teacher Jen Hatmaker.  This woman really needs to learn what the Bible says rather than what she wants it to say.

Tim Keller seems to forget that we had a reformation, as he promotes Roman Catholicism.  I’d say anyone who promotes the RCC is a false teacher, wouldn’t you?

Roman Catholics really have no right to claim apostolic succession, infallibility of teaching or anything else related to Christianity as long as so many of their private schools promote ungodly teachings.  I have posted TOO MANY of these examples on this blog.

Of course the Roman Catholic Church continues to meddle in politics to force the world to accept their social gospel message, this time by supporting the false “climate change” narrative.  More proof that the RCC does NOT represent God.

The Greek Orthodox Church is demonstrating their own apostasy

An excellent review of the latest Beth Moore Simulcast event, demonstrating more reasons why Beth Moore is a false teacher who needs to be avoided.  This is followed up by a companion article about Beth’s issue of romancing Jesus, along with the whole “Jesus is my boyfriend” theology.

John MacArthur explains why women are not to be teachers or leaders in the assembly.

Way too many “Christians” are looking for a “Donut Church.”  Their site really makes some good points about today’s apostate church.

This is what happens when you make a woman a bishop.

A good examination of the problems with the Catholic Mary.  Not as detailed as my article on the subject, but certainly a great summation.

A PCUSA heretic, Mark Sandlin, has gotten to the point of virtually worshipping abortion, and lies about what the Bible, early Christians, and even science say about the unborn child.  If you have to lie to support your ideology, that should say something about how false it is.

Destructive trends in the church.  HT to Elizabeth.

I just this week learned of a new Bible translation, the “Modern English Version.”  Supposedly just an update of the KJV with modern English.  So what is the point?  Another way to make money off of God’s Word?  A new “KJV Only” prop?  Or developed for a niche group (endorsements seem to be from charismatic people)?  And don’t we already have an updated language version of the KJV — the KJVER — for the KJV only folks (although some KJVOs don't like it because it isn't "real" KJV)?  Why do we need another translation when we have good, accurate, formal translations already?

Finally, it is really good to hear of a pastor who stands his ground on the Word of God.  If only more would do so.

Qualifications of an Apostle

Certain things are made quite plain in the New Testament Scriptures with regard to the office of an apostle.  An apostle was a man of whom the following things had to be true.  First and foremost, he must have seen the risen Lord, he must have been a witness of the resurrected Christ.  We cannot deal with all the scriptural proofs, but one of the most important is 1 Corinthians 9:1 where Paul writes, “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?”  Likewise in 1 Corinthians 15, in giving a list of the people buh whom the risen Lord had been seen, he mentions the fact that “Last of all he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time.  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle.”  A man could not be an apostle unless he could be a witness to the Lord’s resurrection, unless he could say that he had seen the risen Christ.  We shall see the importance of emphasizing that.

The second essential is that he must have been called and commissioned to do his work by the risen Lord Himself in person; not by the Church, not by any delegation.  This, again, is seen in Galatians chapter 1. …

Thirdly, an apostle was a man who had been given a supernatural revelation of the Truth.  The apostle has already death with this in the third chapter of this Epistle where he says, “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation he made know unto me the mystery” (vv.2-3).  He had received “by revelation” the knowledge of the truth he was to preach. …

Fourthly, the next desideratum follows logically from the third, namely, that an apostle is a man who has been given power to speak not only with authority but with infallibility.  The apostles were ambassadors for Christ, and a unique authority was granted to them.  The early Church recognized this authority. …

The fifth and last test which must be emphasized is that an apostle was a man who had the power to work miracles.  This is stated in Hebrews 2:4, where we are told that the word was first spoken by the Lord, and them by them who heard Him, “The Lord also bearing them witness with signs and wonders and diverse miracles.”

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Christian Unity: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:1-16,” pp.183-185

Some additional passages to buttress Lloyd-Jones’ argument as to qualifications for an apostle:

Seen the risen Christ:  Acts 1:21-23

Were personally taught by Christ:  Luke 24:45; John 14:26; John 16:13-14; John 17:7-8, 14, 26; Acts 1:2; 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:11-12. 

Divinely inspired:  1 Cor. 2:10-13, 14:37; 1 Thes. 2:13; 1 Tim 1:11; 1 John 4:6.

Signs of: Acts 5:12, 14:3; Rom. 15:18-19; 2 Cor. 12:12

Signs confirmed them:  Mark 16:20; Acts 2:42-47

They were the foundation of the church (i.e., no new foundation to be had): Eph. 2:20.

All this is to prove that the false apostles of the New Apostolic Reformation are nothing but self-appointed leaders who are liars leading people astray.  DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM!

Biblical Love Confronts and Exposes Error

Biblical love does not mean that I ignore things that people do that are wrong and injurious.  This is true both in the physical and spiritual realms.  For example, to love a murderer, in a biblical sense, does not mean that we ignore his crime.  It means that we put him to death for his horrible trespass agains the image of God (Genesis 9:5-6).  Likewise, to love a false teacher does not mean that I turn a blind eye to his error and strive to have unity with him regardless of his doctrine.  It means that I obey the Bible and mark and avoid him (Romans 16:17), that I expose his error publicly to protect those who might be led astray by his teaching.

David W. Cloud, Contemporary Christian Music Under the Spotlight, pg. 168

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

The results of the leftist/liberal/apostate teaching from so-called Christians has led to demanding acceptance for homosexuals and other sexual deviants.  Matt Walsh does an excellent job of responding to such ideology.

Real love includes hate for sin and evil.

While I disagree with Rome as to their handling of divorce and remarriage, the idea that homosexual couples should ever be allowed communion is totally unbiblical.  Yet this archbishop thinks it is just a matter of conscience for homosexual couples to decide for themselves.  So why isn’t this guy defrocked?

Did you know you may be attacked by witchcraft at any moment?  This is an example of the totally unbiblical nature of charismania.  They just make this stuff up, and it puts people under such burdens of fear and paranoia that they can never just live a joyful life in Christ.

Another example of unbiblical ideology of charismatics.  These people are an embarrassment to the Church; rank arrogance! And her “tongues” are hysterical, with great response by the guy.

Often when I mention teachings by John MacArthur, I get the inevitable claim that MacArthur’s “Lordship Salvation” teaching is nothing less than the heresy of “works salvation.”  I’ve countered this many times in comments and emails, and what I find ironic is that it usually comes from KJV Onlyers or “Free Grace” heretics (yes, it’s heresy if you believe you have no lifestyle change after becoming a believer).  Well, I’m cleaning out some old files and I came across an article by Gary Gilley which explains the issue quite well.

Mary Dalke has quite a bit of information about the Parliament Of The World’s Religions.  Don & Joy Veinot, of Midwest Christian Outreach, also discussed their trip to the “Parliament,” as they explain the “mom doctrine,” which keeps people in false teachings.

For those unfamiliar with the false teachings of “Dominion Theology,” Gary Gilley has an excellent summation.

Finally, an article from The Crux, The E-Newsletter of Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc, 10/22/15, demonstrating another reason why John Hagee cannot be trusted for anything:

Over the last several years John Hagee has been telling the following story about an incident that occurred at Trinity Assembly Church in San Antonio, TX, in 1971 when he was pastoring:

"There was a man who walked into my church during a Bible study. It was on a Wednesday night, and he came in. He was carrying a loaded six-shooter, and he walked to the front of the church and he roared like a wild animal and said, 'I've come to shoot you to prove that Satan has more power than Jesus Christ.' And I held up my Bible and said that this book says that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. And he became infuriated and said, 'I'm going to kill you on the count of three. Get on your knees and beg for your life.' I said, I will not because the Lord is my protector. And he said, 'I'm going to shoot you on the count of three.' He lied. He started shooting on the count of two. And he emptied the gun at me from a distance of eight to ten feet, and by the grace and mercy of God missed every shot. He ran out of the building, he was knocked down, apprehended, sent a few days later to the asylum for the criminally insane. Ninety days later a team of psychiatrists pronounced him ready to take his place in society and he went home and immediately climbed the highest tree in his backyard and hung himself,"

It is an interesting and for some a spellbinding story but, as is often the case with Hagee, only very loosely resembling the actual facts. The September 23, 1971 San Antonio Express there was a shooting but it was not at Hagee or about his teaching on demons. It was a gun fight between 2 cousins. According to the Express, one man entered the church and at gun point made forced his cousin to mount the podium and kneel to beg for mercy. Hagee did attempt to calm the situation as the gunman began counting and then fired his pistol his cousin pulled out his pistol and fired back. One of them was wounded in the cheek the other was unharmed even though 7 shots had been fired at him, but not at Hagee.

Did They Really Say That?!?!

Every Masonic Lodge is a temple of religion; and its teachings are instruction in religion.  . . .  This is the true religion revealed to the ancient patriarchs; which Masonry has taught for many centuries, and which it will continue to teach as long as time endures.

Albert Pike, Morals and Dogmas of Freemasonry, pg. 213-214

I think of this quote whenever a Mason tells me that Freemasonry is not a religion.  And, since it is a religion, it is NOT compatible with Christianity because there is only ONE true religion.  Oh, and by the way, I don’t know how Pike defines “many centuries,” but Freemasonry has only been around for less than three centuries.  Of course they have myths and legends claiming origin from Solomon’s temple, but those are all fables to give themselves credence.

Freemasonry is a religious cult.

Christ as Commodity

By Nathanael Blake, originally posted at www.townhall.com on 12 My 2006.   

The link is no longer available and I could not find the article on the web.  This post is copied from the article printed out and placed in my files.

==========================

Modern “Christian music” is neither good music nor good Christianity.  Musically it’s bland and derivative, lyrically it’s banal, and the general artistry is slightly below an intoxicated lemur clambering about a toy piano.  Of course, most music of any sort isn’t very good, but the Christian variety has managed to secure a reputation for especial atrociousness.  The reason is that the industry which produces it isn’t much interested in musical quality.  Rather, it is by definition more concerned with spiritual content than auditory standards.

But despite this focus, the spiritual value of the products of the Christian music industry (henceforth the CMI) remains minimal.  The primary reason is that the construct is inherently flawed.  Mark Solomon of the band Stavesacre makes the case elegantly in his book Simplicity, explaining why he left the CMI, “Christianity as an industry is a conflict of interest.”

However, it’s also a profitable industry.  And so we get ChristianTM bookstores stuffed with  ChristianTM books (not just Bibles, theology, and devotionals, but ChristianTM romances, and ChristianTM action-adventure books, and ChristianTM westerns…), ChristianTM music,  ChristianTM movies, ChristianTM clothing, ChristianTM keychains, ChristianTM action figures, and ChristianTM night lights.  Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a brand name.

The fundamental flaw of the CMI is that its stated missions are incompatible with each other and with its structure.  The creation of genuine worship and devotional music, which Christians most certainly should do, does not lend itself to the rock star business model the CMI adopted from the mainstream.  Adulation of a band, arena concerts, pyrotechnics, awards ceremonies, and tour merchandise are incongruous with worship and devotion to God.

The common defense of these consists of the other proclaimed purpose of CMI, evangelism.  It’s not that they want to seek fame and fortune in the service of God; but they’re forced to it if they want to “reach the lost” and “minister.”  This is ridiculous.  Christian music is mostly sold to Christians; Christian concerts are mostly filled with bused in Christian youth groups.  As far as evangelism goes, Christian music is the epitome of mediocrity.

Consequently, the only way a Christian group can reach a non-Christian audience is to cross over into the mainstream music industry.  This creates awkward tensions in the genre.  For while one of their declared missions demands that they move into the mainstream, any group that does so is immediately assailed as having sold out.  This tension also devours artistic integrity.  The general consensus is that going mainstream requires trimming the overtly Christian content, so there’s pressure to dilute the message; in order to reach the world with Christianity, they disassociate themselves from Christianity.  Thus, there is some truth to the complaint that Christian groups sell out when they go mainstream, and the CMI responds by exerting pressure of its own.

Salomon notes that “the Gospel Music Association — giver of Dove awards, the Christian industry’s weak answer to the Grammy’s — at one point felt the need to make a standard with which they could judge whether or not a ‘Christian artist’ was Christian enough, that included how many times a band said ‘Jesus’ in their lyrics.”  On both sides genuine Christianity is subsumed beneath another agenda; one removes Christ to appeal to the masses, the other mandates token us of Christ to maintain credence with the niche market.  Neither encourages honest expression of the artist’s faith.

So we find ourselves caught between songs where it’s impossible to tell if the subject is God or a girlfriend, and songs filled with juvenile lyrics dropping the name of Jesus in order to make quota.  And in both, emoting wins out over anything of importance.  The average lyrics run along the lines of “I’m so happy/because you love me/my life is better/since I read your letter” (note the use of “letter” as code for the Bible, so clever).  This has moved well beyond the rock star wannabes in the CMI into the very culture of the American church, with modern worship music trending toward the same level of puerility.

Treating Christianity as an industry, a business with a profit margin, has corrupted the church, and the crowning achievements of the CMI are at the core of the refuse pile.  It’s time to end the token preaching to the choir, the coded religious messages, and the charging of money for events that supposedly exist to preach the gospel.

Get out.  Those who want to create worship and devotional music, go back to where you belong, which isn’t arenas, festivals, and clubs, but churches.  The rest of you, go out into the world; claiming Christianity and presenting Christian messages in your songs won’t prevent you from succeeding…if you have the necessary musical ability (U2, anyone?).

Quit pretending that Christianity is a brand name, because there will be Hell to pay for it, in the most literal sense.  If Christianity is true, then there are lost souls dying and going to Hell all around us, while the church sits and sells Jesus to itself.

Is Naming Names Normal?

The following is from an article by Jay Howard, published as an editorial in the Religious Research Project Newsletter, Volume 11, Issue 1, September-December 2004.  I found this newsletter in my files, and so looked on the Internet to find it for posting here.  I’m posting the article without the introduction, but you can read the full article here.

=====================

When we study the Pauline writings, it is clear the apostle saw a definite need for sharing the names of those that were bringing disrepute on the name of Jesus, by teaching false doctrines, in what can be seen as a historic confrontation between two great apostles in Jerusalem.  This glaring example, of calling out by name, a person who is starting to promote false doctrine is recorded twice in the New Testament.  The two men involved were none other than Paul and Peter.  Peter had begun to fellowship with the Judiazers [sic].  These were men in the first century that wished to place the burden of the Old Testament Jewish laws of certain food restrictions, strict observance of festivals, behavioral constraints that were common to Jewish religious ordinances, on Christian believers.  These men wanted to take the Christian Church back to these Old Testament teachings because, so they would say, that though Jesus’ death and resurrection were important to faith, the law was still part of the believer’s essential system for true biblical faith.  The first mention of this titanic showdown is recorded in the book of Acts 15:10,11, “Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to beer?  No!  We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”  It is again mentioned in Galatians 2:11.  Paul rebukes Peter in a public fashion, “When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.  Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles.  But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcised group.”

Then down in verse 14 the apostle Paul confronts Peter publicly, “I said to Peter in front of them all, ‘You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs’”?

This is a clear case of Paul rebuking a fellow apostle because he was teaching and acting falsely. Paul found it necessary from time to time to address the antics of false brothers by name. Here is another clear instance of his naming the persons teaching false doctrine. This is found in II Timothy 2:16-18, “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.”

It is clear from the context of this passage that they were Christians at one time, “who have wandered away from the truth.” So we are not dealing with outside groups, who also were laying siege to the Church at this time in church history. Paul seems to see an express need to confront these false brothers by name because their teachings are so egregious.

In perhaps the most definitive passage in which Paul address this important Church policy, we see him anguishing over the fact that false teachers will attack from within The Church. Acts 20:27-30, “For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” The apostle was positively grieving for what he knew was imminent. The Church must heed this warning in our day and be willing to call out the names of those who would spiritually harm Christians, if we wish to stay doctrinally healthy.

The second reason for naming names is strictly a practical consideration. For sake of example, let us say that you have been poisoned but you do not know the name of the poison. It would become more difficult to seek the proper treatment if the name was not readily apparent. Or if you were not familiar that a certain concoction was poisonous, it could be possible for you to ingest the substance, unaware of its lethal consequences. Much the same way there is a need to address certain individuals names when talking of extreme error in their teachings. It is not enough to say, “There is a certain teaching in some circles of The Church that states…” Because though the error is mentioned, it is entirely possible to read or listen to certain people, who are teaching error, without always catching the problems that are inherent in their system of beliefs. For example, I have spoken to dozens of people who align themselves with The Word/Faith Movement but are wholly unaware that some of their favorite teachers are into some of the most bizarre ideas. That is because not all teachings are taught with the same frequency in this movement or the person perhaps has missed some of the more unusual concepts being taught. However, when I list names associated to bad teaching, then people begin to discriminate, hopefully, and they will be able to avoid altogether those teachers who have been mentioned. That is the reason I choose to talk about individuals by name. In a real sense it acts as an inoculation against further exposure to dangerous doctrine. 

It should be clear that to mention false teachers by name, in relation to discussing their false doctrines within The Church, is an important part of preserving a healthy Church. We live in a time where sound doctrine is assailed with wild abandon, from wanting gays to be granted the right to be married to making humans “little gods”. If Paul were alive in our day he probably would have to get a second PDA just to hold all the names of those who are advancing heresy in the guise of biblical truth. Lord give us the strength and resolve to stay the course and continue to name the names that need to be named.

Homosexuality Is About Sexual Immorality -- Period!

Homosexuality is about sexual immorality. Period. All of the propaganda circulated by the LGBT proponents is aimed at obfuscating that simple fact. It is a grievous distortion of what God created as something good. Scripture couldn’t be any clearer in its opposition to homosexual acts as seen both in its words and phrases. The New King James version of the Bible underscores the Bible’s disdain in contemporary language: “uncleanness,” “lusts,” “dishonor their bodies,” “vile passions,” “exchanged the natural use for what is against nature,” “committing what is shameful,” “receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due,” “a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting.”

T.A. MacMahon, The Berean Call, October 2015

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

Another abused passage examined:  Matthew 25:34-46

One of my readers brought to my attention this excellent article about problems with “contemporary worship” music.

“Scottgate” — a deplorable happening in the Church of Scotland.

Heretic Jim Bakker should be sent back to jail for fraud.  This guy always has another gimmick to rake in the dough.  But the delusion of those who defend him is even more bizarre!

YOGA:  Exercise or Religion?

The Church Does Not Need Christian Radio

These UMC and Episcopal clergy are not representatives of Christ or God, rather they represent the devil and his evil.

The Tolerance Jesus Will Not Tolerate

Did the Early Church Believe in Transubstantiation?  Excellent article proving that they didn’t!

NAR “apostles” and “social justice.”  These people are getting nuttier and nuttier.  What is scary is that they promote so much false teaching and yet Russell Moore of the SBC is promoting these people!!!

Wow!  Focus on the Family seems to be more focused on destroying the family!

O FOOLISH CHRISTIAN, WHO HATH BEWITCHED YOU?  Excellent discussion of real spiritual warfare vs the fraudulent version.

Why are Christians, especially Al Mohler, apologizing to homosexuals activists?!?!

How about some humor to end with?

Do What You Are Called To Do

Each of us is to be willing to do anything that the Lord may call us to do — to go to the Mission Field, and equally perhaps, not to go to the Mission Field.  Sometimes it may be easier to go than not to go.  There are people who comfort and satisfy their consciences by doing something heroic, such as going to the heart of Africa and building a hospital.  But it may not be God’s will that they should do so.  It may be His will that they stay doing something drab and ordinary in this country.  As Christian people, as members of the body of Christ in particular, we are to be at His disposal, to be ready to do anything He calls us to do.  Those whom He calls to go and sends do a faithful work and bring glory to His name.

There has been much confusion in connection with this whole subject of Foreign Mission work, and Christ’s name has often been bought into disrepute.  People who rush emotionally into the work discover their mistake when they get to the Field, and when they come home on furlough they to do not go back again, and this becomes known to those who are outside the Church.  I have heard that in some countries only about one in three return to the Mission Field after their first furlough.  This is so  because they have been called by men and not by the Lord; the need has been regarded as the Call, or the Church has given the Call.  They have never realized that we are but individual parts and members of a body, and that it is the Head who decides and calls, and that this is His prerogative, and His alone.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Christian Unity: An Exposition of Ephesians 4:1-16, pp.174-175

Matthew 18 Is NOT About False Teaching

False doctrine is not the subject of Matthew 18 but something else entirely, and, therefore, does not come under the instructions Christ gives in that passage. False doctrine is never a private matter and is always to be dealt with publicly. In fact, much of the New Testament was written to publicly correct false teaching ... Paul withstood Peter to his face publicly for his false interpretation of the law that caused him not to associate with Gentile believers (Gal. 2:11-14). In a day of mass media, particularly when denied access to so-called Christian television and radio, the only method of public correction of false teaching is to write books and to speak publicly, in order to call the attention of the Body to errors that affect the whole Body....  Furthermore, what teachers say in books and on television, etc., is part of a public domain, subject to review, analysis, and critique of any kind. Anyone who makes public declarations intended to influence large audiences through books, radio, television, etc., ought to know that he is responsible for what he says and will be held accountable. No one need ask anyone for permission to critique anything that has been espoused in a public forum. It is not necessary to first talk with a writer or speaker in order to be accurate and fair in critiquing him....If members of the Body have erred, then if we love them, we will correct them.

--Dave Hunt (Newsletter, February 1986)

Christology Is Important!

It is theologically fallacious to believe that those who reject the biblical Christ and call God by some other designation are worshipping the God of the Bible, the true and living God.  God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Thus any person’s definition of God that excludes the Son (and the Spirit) as God in the biblical sense results in that person’s denial of the true and living God.

Steven Tsoukalas, Knowing Christ in the Challenge of Heresy, pg. xxiii

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

THIS POST IS ACTUALLY DATED OCTOBER 8, 2015, BUT AN ERROR IN THE DRAFT THE NIGHT BEFORE KEPT THAT DATE WHEN POSTING.

Narcissism in the world—AND the Church.

Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses

More verses examined in the series of abused Bible verses:

Revelation 3:20.

3 John 2

Examining “binding and loosing” — not what charismatics claim.

Justin Bieber claims to be a Christian, so the news reports, but what about his fruit?  And is he a legitimate spokesman for Jesus?  Considering he spends time at Hillsong, New York, and calls goatherd Carl Lenz a mentor, that should say something about Bieber’s theology.

A bonafide heretic claims people like me—gun owners—are heretics.  Simply bizarre.

Oh my!  A conference for Dominionists to save the world and bring back Christ!  A virtual who’s who of false teachers.

How the “church” of Sweden can still call themselves “Christian” is beyond my comprehension.

What is David Jeremiah doing here?!?!

False teacher Paula White declares speaking against Donald Trump will bring condemnation from God!

Elizabeth Prata examines some Beth Moore claims from her new book, “Audacious.”

As my regular readers know, I’ve written much about “worship music” in church and how problematic it can be.  This article pretty much sums up some of the problems I’ve raised.

I like his “six bugbears” of “contemporary worship music.”

Discovery

Glorious God, 

I bless thee that I know thee.

I once lived in the world, but was ignorant of its Creator,

was partaker of thy providences, but knew not the Provider,

was blind while enjoying the sunlight,

was deaf to all things spiritual, with voices all around me,

understood many things, but had no knowledge of they ways,

saw the world, but did not see Jesus only.

O happy day, when in they love’s sovereignty

thou didst look on me, and call me by grace.

Then did the dead heart begin to beat,

the darkened eye glimmer with light,

the dull ear catch thy echo,

and I turned to thee and found thee,

a God ready to hear, willing to save.

Then did I find my heart at enmity to thee, vexing thy Spirit;

Then did I fall at thy feet and hear thee thunder,

“The soul that sinneth, it must die,”

But when grace made me to know thee,

and admire a God who hated sin,

thy terrible justice held my will submissive.

My thoughts were then as knives cutting my head.

Then didst thou come to me in silken robes of love,

and I saw thy Son dying that I might live,

and in that death I found my all.

My soul doth sing at the remembrance of that peace;

The gospel cornet brought a sound unknown

to me before that reached my heart—and I lived—

never to lose my hold on Christ or his hold on me.

Grant that I may always weep to the praise of mercy found,

and tell to others as long as I live,

that thou art a sin-pardoning God,

taking up the blasphemer and the ungodly,

and washing them from their deepest stain.

From The Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, p.112-113