Stand Against the Wiles of Satan

Heresies always result from the wiles of the devil, the efforts of the principalities and powers.  Are your eyes open to it?  Do you realize the relevance of all this to you as a member of the Christian Church?  Are you being carried away by this loose, general, sentimental talk?  God forbid that any of us should ever say that it matters not what you believe as long as you are a Christian.  May God open our eyes, and having given us to see the truth, then enable us “to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.”  “Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg.120

Truth vs Numbers

So many of these modern preachers are much nicer people than the Apostle Paul!  They never say a word against anyone at all, they praise everybody, and they are praised by everybody.  They are never “negative”!  They never define what they believe and what they do not believe.  They are said to be “full of love.”  I am not misjudging them when I say that that is not the explanation.  The explanation is that they do not “contend for the truth,” they are innocent concerning the “wiles of the devil.”  It is not for us to decide what to leave out and what to drop for the sake of unity.  My business is to expound this truth, to declare it — come what may!  We must not be interested primarily in numbers, we must be interested in the truth of God.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg. 119

Mormon Gospel Topics Essays

The second workshop we attended at the EMNR conference was taught by Bill McKeever of Mormonism Research Ministry.  The topic was about the recent essays published by the Mormon Church, and how they are affecting the membership.  While I’ve posted the information about this class on my “Anti-Mormon Blog” I thought it would be a good idea to post it on this blog also.

In 2013 the LDS church began posting a series of essays intended to show that they are being more “transparent” about their history and beliefs but, as usual for the LDS, they told mostly half-truths and even lies.  Even so, the information provided has been truthful enough that many Mormons have finally learned that sites like mine, which expose the LDS for what they are, have actually been telling the truth!  This becomes quite disconcerting for them, and many have left the LDS because of this.

The LDS has the following to say concerning the Gospel Topic Essays.

Recognizing that today so much information about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be obtained from questionable and often inaccurate sources, officials of the Church began in 2013 to publish straightforward, in-depth essays on a number of topics. The purpose of these essays, which have been approved by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has been to gather accurate information from many different sources and publications and place it in the Gospel Topics section of LDS.org, where the material can more easily be accessed and studied by Church members and other interested parties.

Notice that sites like the Utah Lighthouse Ministry, Mormonism Research Ministry, et al (including my "anti-Mormon" blog) are considered “questionable and often inaccurate sources.”  Of course they’ve never demonstrated anything on these sites is ever inaccurate, but by saying so they hope to keep Mormons from learning the truth.

Mormonism Research Ministry has published responses to these essays so as to demonstrate where the LDS is not being as forthcoming as they claim.  Below are the topics of the LDS essays, the dates they were first posted, and the links to both the LDS article and the MRM commentary:

Are Mormons Christian?  (11/20/13)

https://www.lds.org/topics/christians?lang=eng&_r=1

http://www.mrm.org/mormons-christian

Becoming Like God  (2/24/14)

https://www.lds.org/topics/becoming-like-god?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/becoming-like-god

Book of Mormon Translation (12/30/13)

https://www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-translation?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/book-of-mormon-translation-essay

Book of Mormon and DNA Studies (1/31/14)

https://www.lds.org/topics/book-of-mormon-and-dna-studies?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/dna

First Vision Accounts (11/20/13)

https://www.lds.org/topics/first-vision-accounts?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/first-vision-accounts

Joseph Smith’s Teachings about Priesthood, Temple, and Women (10/23/15)

https://www.lds.org/topics/joseph-smiths-teachings-about-priesthood-temple-and-women?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/gospel-topics-women

The Manifesto and the End of Plural Marriage (12/23/13)

https://www.lds.org/topics/the-manifesto-and-the-end-of-plural-marriage?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/end-plural-marriage

Mother in Heaven (10/23/15)

https://www.lds.org/topics/mother-in-heaven?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/mother-in-heaven

Peace and Violence among 19th Century Latter-day Saints (5/13/14)

https://www.lds.org/topics/peace-and-violence-among-19th-century-latter-day-saints?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/peace-and-violence-essay

Plural Marriage and Families in Early Utah (12/16/13)

https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-and-families-in-early-utah?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/plural-marriage-early-utah

Plural Marriage in Kirtland and Nauvoo (10/22/14)

https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng

http://www.mrm.org/gospel-topics-polygamy

Race and the Priesthood (12/6/13)

https://www.lds.org/topics/race-and-the-priesthood?lang=eng

http://mit.irr.org/race-and-priesthood-analysis-of-new-mormon-statement

Translation and Historicity of the Book of Abraham (5/13/14)

https://www.lds.org/topics/translation-and-historicity-of-the-book-of-abraham?lang=eng&_r=1

http://www.mrm.org/book-of-abraham-essay

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

“Christian Publishing Full Of Rotten Fruit.”  Just now figuring that out?!?  I’ve been saying, for at least 30 years, that Christian book stores are minefields of false teachings.

This hour-long examination of “The Prayer of Jabez” book really hits the nail on the head!

Praying with our bodies?!?!? Where is this in Scripture?  This is total pagan nonsense.  Just more foolishness from the Methodist Church.

The New Apostolic Reformation — You will know them by their nuts.  H/T Marsha West

The Church of Scotland slips into apostasy.

The Daniel Prayer!?!  Another inane idea, this time from Anne Graham Lotz.

Mike Bickle has absolutely no clue about what the Bible says.

False teaching founder of KJV Onlyism has died.  Ruckman was about as whacked-out as they come.

Todd Bentley — Angelic encounter, or demonic encounter?  Definitely demonic (and there is nothing true about his stories!) And yet Bill Johnson has blessed him!  H/T Mary Dalke

Lighthouse Trails Research has a new tract booklet about the Alpha Course.

List of links about false teacher Jen Hatmaker.

Vineyard has long been aberrant in their teachings, but now they’ve crossed the line into heresy.

Why pastors should say “NO MORE!” to Beth Moore.

Glory of Zion goat pen — why do people get involved with such nonsense?!?!?

“Heavenly Tourism” is all fake.

The Clear Word Bible is a false Bible with added text supporting the cult of Seventh-day Adventism.

Kenneth Hagin is pretty much known as the father of the Word of Faith heresy.  The video in this article says “demonic activity” to me.

Finally, you vision-casting pastors need to be careful!

Love vs Doctrine?

I do not understand that mentality in the Christian Church today which says that we must all come together and sink our differences; and that what we believe does not matter.  It is a denial of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and of the story of the twelve ignorant, untutored and unlettered men who knew whom and what they believed, and who had the power of the Spirit upon them, and who “turned the world upside-down.”  This is surely one of the central messages of the Bible.  The great concern of the New Testament Epistles is not about the size of the Church, it is about the purity of the Church.  The Apostles never said to the first Christians, “You are antagonizing people by emphasizing doctrine.  Say more about the love of God and less about the wrath of God.  They do not even like the Cross, and they cannot abide the story of the resurrection!  Drop that talk about the wrath of God and Christ’s ethical teaching!”  Not so do the Apostles speak!

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg.118

If You Go Wrong In Your Doctrine…

One of the first things you are to learn in this Christian life and warfare is that, if you go wrong in your doctrine, you will go wrong in all aspects of your life.  You will probably go wrong in your practice and behaviour; and you will certainly go wrong in your experience.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg.113

Culture of Deception in Counterfeit Religions

On 14 May, while at the EMNR apologetics conference in Palatine, IL, we attended this workshop class with teacher Joel B. Groat, who is Director of Ministries for EMNR.  The following are taken from the powerpoint presentation.

A.  Counterfeits want to be accepted as “Christian,” yet they deny or reject the following:

> Christian view of the Bible as the Unique, Final and Infallible Word of God.

> Christian/biblical concept of God

> Christian/biblical teaching on Jesus

> Christian/biblical teaching on salvation

This is what makes them “counterfeit.”

B.  Culture of Counterfeits

> Friendly

> Family oriented

> Church focused

> Doubt intolerant

> Persecution sensitive

> Deception tolerant

C.  Unique Components of Counterfeit Religions

> Culture of Novel Exclusivism: One and only true church.

> Culture of Organizational Truth:  Group as only source of truth or correct interpretation.

> Culture of Membership:  Only members “get it.”

> Culture of Authority:  Only leaders provide truth.

> Culture of Insider Language:  You think you know what I mean.

> Culture of Deception:  Protect the group at any cost.

D.  Why a Culture of Deception?

> Tied closely to the other cultural elements

> If the religion is “the one and only true” then it occupies a special place on the religious landscape.

> If you only get all the unique benefits by being a member, then getting people to join is essential.

> If the leaders (authority) are the only reliable source of truth then they are always right and their reputations must be defended.

> If you are using insider language and familiar terms that are redefined by leaders to gain acceptance and trust you must keep outsiders from discerning the differences.

> The only way to successfully accomplish all this is through extensive deception and manipulation.

> Deception is justified because it is for the good of both the deceiver (the organization) and the deceived (members and potential converts).

E.  How Should We View Counterfeits?

>  People first, religion second

> Fellow image bearers of God

> Part of a culture of deception and therefore capable of deceit and dishonesty

> Deceived and in need of truth

> Lost and in need of compassionate boldness

F. Responding to a Culture of Deception

>  Beam before speck — make sure we are modeling honesty first

> Clarify carefully:  “So you are saying that …”

>  Question rather than accuse:  “So do you believe your church teaches …?”

>  If what you are saying is not true, would you want to know it?

> Express hurt rather than anger in response to lies and deception

> Express concern for the state of their relationship with God

> Kneel for them, don’t Nail them

>  Be prepared to create spiritual need for repentance and faith.

Don’t Let Evil Depress or Discourage You

Turn now to another category — depression and discouragement.  This is one of the most remarkable manifestations of the activity of the devil.  He does it with non-Christians as well as with Christians.  He depresses the mind.  He does it generally by making us concentrate overmuch on ourselves.  He keeps us looking at ourselves and examining ourselves, always looking at the past, at something we did in the past which we should not have done.  He will keep us looking back until we are utterly depressed.  We doubt whether we are forgiven, we doubt whether we are children of God, we feel unworthy, we feel unclean, we feel out lives are a failure.  That we become miserable and unhappy, causes the devil to rejoin, for he is able to say, “There is a typical Christian! that is your Christianity!”  Cannot you see that this is an aspect of the wiles of the devil?  How wrong it all is!  And how we ought to detect it!  You have no right to remain in such a depression, because you are assured by God’s own word that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  He is a God who heals the backslider; He is a God who receives back the prodigal son.  “The past shall be forgotten, a present joy be given.”  You have no right to look back; you have no right to be perpetually looking within; you have no right to be depressed.  If you are depressed, you are merely succumbing to the influence of the evil.  Depression, discouragement, a sense of failure, a sense of utter and complete hopelessness, are generally the result of the devil’s activities.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg.90-91

The Devil Is Real

What I cannot understand is a man who does believe in God but who does not believe in the devil.  What I cannot understand is a man who gets up in his church and says, “I believe in the Holy Ghost” and then regards the devil as a joke!  “I believe in the Holy Spirit,” but he does not believe in evil spirits.  Such a man is utterly inconsistent.  He says he believes in a spiritual realm, but he only believes in one half of it; he does not believe in the other half.  What is involved here is our whole attitude towards the spiritual realm that is above us and outside us.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg. 49

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

Lots of stuff today, for another rocky ride; hold on to your hats!

First up, Is the Bible Full of Contradictions?  It’s a 53 minute video.

Gary E. Gilley did a three-part examination of the emerging church back in 2006.  You can read this series here, here, and here.

Discernment diagnostics — some good tests!

Anna McCarthy — another blogger pretending to be a Christian with good advice.  She’s certainly one to avoid!

I can certainly empathize!

Catholic gullibility.  H/T Doug

More proof that the Pope is a false teacher and a disgrace to the Christian faith.

“Thousands of conversions”?!?!  Conversions to what? These charismaniacs keep regurgitating the same false revivals with the same false “signs and wonders.”  People are so gullible — which is very sad.

This should be a no-brainer.  A pastor who commits adultery should never be in the pulpit — or any leadership position — again.

So why does Tim Keller allow this man to remain on staff?

The false apostles of the NAR — another good episode from Doug Evans

The greed of the top false prophet of the NAR is putrid.

I never cared for Oswald Chambers’ devotionals/teachings because I found them to be mostly fluff.  Yes, he had some good worldview things to say, and I would have no problem sharing some citations from him, but I could never recommend him as a teacher.  Now I can explain why.  (Steve Bricker also has an example of problems with Chambers.)

Are you guilty of “confirmation bias”?

SBC president Ronnie Floyd is at it again.  Why does the SBC not throw him out?

The Proclamation Magazine now has an on-line pdf version (for those unaware, this magazine is by ex-SDA members and has some really good articles about the SDA, as well as some articles of general interest for Christians).  Some good information about Ellen White and changes the Seventh-day Adventists are making to more-or-less hide how they see her teachings and “prophecies,” as well as an examination of the Hebrew Roots Movement’s cultic false teachings. (SDA members literally HATE this magazine and viciously attack it — they hate the truth.)

I don’t think I’ve posted this before, but it is a perfect example of the false teachings of Beth Moore.  And now she’s promoting “binding prayers”!

More apostasy from the Church by the Glades.

Finally

If the leadership of the United Methodist Church had done their jobs, and if they WOULD do their jobs, the invasion of that denomination by sexual perverts would never have taken place.  But the UMC has chosen the way of the social gospel and has even put women in the pulpits, both in violation of Scripture.  They deserve what they get for their apostasy.

Steve Chalke long ago was swayed to the “dark side,” and will now perform same-sex fake marriages.

The Bugle Call for War

Surely nothing has done so much harm to the true doctrine of sanctification as what are generally described as “devotional talks.”  It is a part of this same “nice teaching” — quiet devotional talks, with simple affecting illustrations!  But that is not what the Apostle is talking about.  What we have here is the exact opposite.  We have a martial atmosphere, we have a rousing, stimulating call.  It is a trumpet call — “BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.  PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD.”  Do you not hear the bugle, and the trumpet?  It is a call to battle; we are being roused, we are being stimulated we are being set upon our feet; we are told to be men.  The whole tone is martial, it is manly, it is strong.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “The Christian Warfare: An Exposition of Ephesians 6:10-13,” pg. 21-22

God’s Communication to Us Is In Scripture

When God did speak in Scripture, whether directly or through His prophets, He did so with audible words.  You will search in vain for some inner voice from God speaking to the heart of His people.  Nor will you find God communicating through prompting hunches.  No one said, “I feel the Lord leading me to do such and such.”  No one said, “I have the peace of God in this decision.”  In other words, God’s people have created a means of communication from God not found in the Bible.  God never spoke in this fashion in Scripture, but we now are to believe that this is the norm for today.

Gary E. Gilley, Pastor, Southern View Chapel, Springfield, IL, in “Thing on These Things” teaching letter, September 2005, pg.5 

Do Not Be United In Error

It is better to be divided by truth than to be united by error.  It is better to speak the truth that hurts and then heals, than falsehoods that comforts and then kills.  It is not love and it is not friendship if we fail to declare the whole counsel of God.  It is better to be hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie. . . .  It is better to stand alone with the truth, than to be wrong with a multitude.

Author unknown, cited in “Think on These Things” teaching letter, May 2006 (a ministry of Southern View Chapel, Springfield, IL.)

Tune Your Instrument First

Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards.  Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him.

Hudson Taylor

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

I’m not going to have time to do much reading of news items or writing anything for the next couple days, so I thought I’d get this “edition” of “RAAH” out this evening.  Lots of crazy things going on out there as Satan's web grows even wider.

Another very good review of Ann Voskamp’s horridly unbiblical book, One Thousand Gifts.

Good review of Steven Furtick’s book, “Unqualified,” as well as being a short review of Furtick himself! “Furtick-ology” proves Steven Furtick is a false teacher.

Lastly about Furtick, he doesn’t like to answer questions about his “ministry.”

Doug posted another article in his series on the New Apostolic Reformation.  Good stuff!

Fred posts the final episode of his excellent series on Continuationism.

When your church leadership refuses to exercise discipline for promoting sexual immorality, this is what you get.

Anne Graham Lotz — false teacher to avoid.

Should we judge others?  A good collection of Bible passage explaining that, yes, we should but that we need to make sure we are doing so properly.

Bill Gothard’s powerless gospel.

Morningstar Ministries and Rick Joyner — false teacher with a “ministry” of deceit.

Bethel Redding’s NAR false prophet and heretic Bill Johnson doesn’t want people to learn the truth about him.  He’s also a liar.

Finally, Gary E. Gilley examines C. S. Lewis.