Another Kay Arthur Study

Back in December 2016 I wrote an article about a Kay Arthur Bible Study which was passed on to me.  Recently an elderly woman friend passed away while in a care center, but she had previously told my wife and me to take any of her books we wanted from her house because she was concerned that she would be unable to go back to live there.  I saw she had one Kay Arthur study so I decided to take it and read it for apologetics purposes.

The title of this current book is, LORD, Give me a Heart for You, which is a study of 2nd Corinthians. It is part of her series of what she calls her “LORD” books. This book gave me some concerns, which I will discuss below.  However, the concerns I noted in my previous post are valid for this book also, because some of the things she says are identical or virtually identical as with the other one, so take a look at my previous article for general problems.

Now for some general issues specific to this book:

First, Kay seems to be de facto claiming revelation from God in regards to choosing 2nd Corinthians to study: Finally the day came, and I knew that God would have us study the subject in the form of another “Lord” book rather than a Precept course, for a “Lord” book allows more room for me to also pour out my heart, to share the things the Lord has taught, while at the same time helping you discover for yourself the wonderful truths of God’s Word.

(Introduction, pg.vii) Notice: she KNEW God wanted her to have this “study” as a “Lord” book, and what she learned wasn’t just what she believed or understood from the text, but it was what “the Lord has taught” her.

your heart will touch God’s heart in such a way that it will beat in unison with His from this day forward. (Introduction, pg.viii)  Really? How does she know this unless she’s had some statement from God himself?

And what has God put into your hands? What are you holding and reading right now? Is it an accident? A coincidence? No! You are holding a devotional study that first and foremost will be the beginning of a new depth of understanding about God and all that He is for you. God is going to speak to you because, through this book, you’re going to come face to face with the living Word of God…. (Introduction, pg. ix)

So rather than God just letting you make choices as to what to study, this is one case where God decided that the reader needed this study, and God will specifically speak to the readers. This statement also would fit under my “hubris” collection below. 

What you have learned, God intends for you to share. (Introduction, pg. ix) How does she know this?

Second, she appeals to emotion all the way through the book, including calling her readers terms such as “precious one,” “Beloved of God,” “Beloved,” “my friend,” “we are kin—of a kindred heart,” “dear one,” 

While this sort of over-familiarity with strangers may be something women get all gooey about, I found it distasteful and annoying.

As with the other study, I think there is quite a bit of hubris:

this will be another revolutionary study in your life (Introduction, pg.vii)

This “Lord” book contains truths every human being needs to know and to apply to his or her life. (Introduction, pg. ix).

Then, also as with the previous study, there is the unmitigated self-promotion:

So what is my vision for you, my friend? It is the you go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to direct you to at least one other person—but preferably at least ten—and that you, along with them, study this book together. … You can take the questions you’ll find at the end of each chapter and use them to stimulate a discussion among those whom the Lord has brought together in answer to your prayer. These are those who will be part of your crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. As you watch them learn and grow in knowledge of God and His Word, you will experience the humbling joy of knowing that you have been used of God. That what you have done has eternal value. That your life and God-given gifts have not been wasted. That your work will live on—that the grace of God poured out on you was not poured out in vain, for you have labored in the strength of His grace.  (Introduction, pg. ix, x; this seems to be also talking for God and appealing to emotion).

On page 19 she tells how she and her husband travel all over the middle-east, Greece, etc,  with the Precept Ministries International teaching team, including via a cruise ship, and calls it a “vacation with a purpose.”

Throughout the text she continues to refer to her New Inductive Study Bible, meaning that the readers would have to purchase this book.

In my previous review I noted how Arthur made it virtually mandatory to write in your Bible with various underlining, symbols, colors, etc.  Here are things she wants marked in your Bible (and she suggests you take a 3X5 card or paper as a bookmark and list the following keys for reference):

References to geographical locations: double underlining in green.

References to Jews: make a blue star of David.

References to the synagogue: blue or with a symbol that looks like a triangle topping a square.

References to suffering of any kind: red squiggle line over the “appropriate words.”

References to Scriptures: draw a picture of an open book.

References to time: use a symbol, and she suggests a drawing of a clock in green ink.

References to the judgment seat: underline in red.

References to love or comfort: mark, with no specific color or symbol

References to death: black tombstone outline and color in with brown.

References to prayer: color the word pink.

References to Paul (“or to Paul and his companions, which means you would mark every we and us that refers to them”): color them blue

References to the Corinthians: “orange or another color of your choosing”

Occurrences of I wrote and we wrote: underline.

Mark proud confidence, chosen, and boasting: “in a distinctive way”: suggestion of boxing it in green and coloring it inside in pink.

The word understand: circle it.

References to sorrow: “downturned mouth and color them red.”

References to emotions Paul experienced: Mark, but no specific marking suggested.

References to forgiveness or forgiving: Mark, no specific suggestion. 

Occurrences of the words adequate or adequacy: “mark in a distinctive way.”

References to the Spirit: A drawing of one-half of a parallelogram (the bottom side and left 45 degree angle side leaning right) with a puffy cloud-like outline across the top, around the word Spirit. “you may want to outline it in purple (the color of royalty) and fill it in with yellow—remembering that we walk in the light of God.” (she later notes the yellow part is only if it refers to the Father)

The phrase new covenant and synonyms: outline in yellow and color red.

Occurrences of tablets of stone, letter, or synonyms: A drawing of a traditional Ten Commandments shape.

The words glory, veil, and references to Old Covenant: Mark, but no specifics suggested.

“Any key repeated phrase concerning the heart” or love: mark “and put a big red heart over it!” 

The word power: draw a stick of dynamite in black and filled in with red.

Ref. Romans 8: “underline the part that says we can overwhelmingly conquer.” (I’m not sure what word or phrase she’s looking for here; vs 28-39?)

“Mark the following words and phrases so you don’t miss them”: (no specific suggestion): the day, reward, each man’s work.

Phrases according to the flesh and new creature: Mark, but no suggestions.

References to God the Father: Mark with a triangle.

Occurrences of reconcile, reconciled, reconciliation, and forms: Using red, draw two horizontal overlapping semi-circles, with the arcs over-lapping.

Every reference of the word temple: Mark, but no suggestions.

Every reference “this gracious work—the ministry of giving,” pronouns and synonyms referring to giving: “Mark in some distinctive color.”

The word readiness: Mark, but no suggestion given.

The word tempter (or references to the devil or demons): red pitchfork.

Occurrences of the words desire or ability: Mark, but no suggestions given.

The words equality, sufficiency, abundance, enriched, liberality: circle or underline them.

References to war or warfare: graphic looks like a right-leaning pitchfork.

References to pride: Mark, but no suggestions given.

References to strength, weakness: Mark, but no suggestions given.

The words repent, sin, weakness, and their expressions: Mark, no suggestion given.

I’m sorry, but this is just absurd! Not much will be left that doesn’t have some sort of marking, and a lot of time spent doing all that would be better used simply for reading. (For the record, I mark in my Bible: yellow highlighter for verses memorized, red underline for important doctrinal issues, blue underline for other important subjects. I also write small comments in the margins which help with understanding, directing to other passages, etc. Those will be in the same colors of red and blue depending on the topic, or will be in black.)

Then we have this childish exercise on pg.102, which steps out of the realm of Bible “study”:

Now this may seem a little strange, but I am going to ask yo to do it—and then you can decide if you will or not.  I really want you to do this so you “get the picture.” Using stick figures or whatever, draw this scene that Paul paints for the Corinthians [chapter 3] in verses 12-15. You might want to approach it from the angle of two different persons with contrasting building materials. Just note that the building can have only one foundation—Jesus Christ. That’s the foundation Paul laid when he brought the good news of the New Covenant, that ministry of life, to Corinth. As you do this, note the “fate” of each person.

I just can’t see adults drawing pictures during a Bible study so as to “get the picture.”

There are three statements/teachings which I found disturbing.

Pg.27: Regarding Genesis 6 & 7 wherein Noah is said to be righteous, Kay writes this: “Only one man—Noah—had remained righteous out of the whole lot.” The Bible doesn’t say that!  There may have been others who were righteous (what about Noah’s sons?) but Noah was the one God chose to continue the human race.  Then again, there may not have been anyone else righteous, but the probability that only one person on earth was righteous would be unlikely. I found the statement disturbing because Kay teaches her speculation as fact.

Pg.27-28: “Have you thought your heart would break—burst wide open because of sin? Jesus’ heart burst.  This was proved by the blood and the water that gushed out when the Roman soldiers pierced his side to see if he was dead. Jesus, God in the flesh, died of a heart broken by sin.”  This is just plain appealing to emotion while totally misrepresenting Jesus’ death.  When we speak of people having a “broken heart” or being “heart-broken,” it is a metaphor for particular feelings; the heart is not literally broken.  Jesus did not die of a broken heart.  Kay should know better.

Pg. 211: Kay discusses a televangelist who claims direct revelation from God, and how it grieves her that “sheep” follow such teachers, yet she never names him so that her readers can avoid him!!

I have to say that overall her book is a very good introductory study of 2nd Corinthians so there is no real harm done. I just can’t see the value in so much wasted time making your Bible look like paint splatter and cartoons, putting up with her de facto claims of revelation from God, her hubris, and her self-promotion. And, of course, beware of Kay’s lack of discernment noted in my previous article.

Kay Arthur Follow-Up

I received an email, in regards to Kay Arthur,  from a long-time follower of my blog.  This person gave me the following testimony, which I felt was important information for anyone using Arthur’s material or following her in any way.  I asked permission to use the testimony and was given said permission as long as the person’s identity was not included.  

I totally agree with your assessment of Kay Arthur.  I’ve personally taken over 50 Precept classes (from 1992 – 2002) and also have taken their leadership course to become a Precept leader.  I never did, though, because I wasn’t totally comfortable with some aspects of the way the teaching had to be done.  It was too ecumenical for me even at that time. 

I had a personal “run-in” with Kay when she first shared a simulcast with Joyce Meyer in 2000.  I was totally shocked and e-mailed the ministry for some clarification.  I received an e-mail back from Kay herself.  Her very condescending manner surprised me and thoroughly turned me off.  I also thought she was dishonest in her explanation.   From that point on, I wasn’t able to receive any teaching from her.  I think the last several classes I took had Wayne Barber’s videos. 

I also was concerned about her recommendations like Neil Anderson, Henry Blackaby, etc.  Then she began showing up in the Women of Faith meetings with Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer.  So, I would say that she’s one to be very careful of and I thank you for writing this article. 

Not many discernment sites have info regarding her and some of the other problems with the way the Precepts Bible study is carried out. Like I said, it’s very ecumenical.  Catholics, New Agers, cult members, etc. are in the classes with you and nothing can be mentioned about doctrinal differences, solid authors and teachers are not to be mentioned either.  This sets up a very dangerous precedence. 

As I have previously noted in some of my “RAAH” posts, Kay Arthur has become very questionable with her teachings and she associates approvingly with many false teachers.  She should therefore be avoided.

Kay Arthur Bible Study

Someone gave me a copy of Kay Arthur’s “Inductive Study” on 1 &2 Timothy and Titus.  The study is titled, “Walking in Power, Love, and Discipline,” and shows the authors as Kay Arthur, David Lawson, and Bob Vereen.

Having never had my hands on a Kay Arthur study, I decided to read the book.  Overall I think it is a very good study guide, requiring the asking of specific questions which should lead to proper conclusions as to what the passages are saying.  I would have no problem with people using such studies -- assuming that other studies are arranged in the same way.

There were some concerns I have, albeit not from a theological point.  Let me demonstrate the issues I have with this book (and most likely repeated in the other books):

On page 5:  “If you desire to sharpen your study skills, we would like to recommend two things.  One, purchase the book How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur.  Two, attend a Precept Ministries Institute of Training.”
Such self-promotion!!!!!  Why couldn’t they also suggest material from other authors, such as Roy B. Zuck’s Basic Bible Interpretation?  Why send the person to an “Institute of Training,” which I’m pretty sure won’t be free?

On page 7:  They say you will need a Bible you are “willing to mark in.”  I disagree.  While I began writing in my Bible in fairly recent years, I don’t think writing in a Bible is “needed.”  It can be helpful, but one could also just have a notebook.  Ah, but then they say, “An ideal Bible for this purpose is The New Inductive Study Bible (NISB).
Guess where this Bible comes from-- Kay Arthur’s Precept Ministries.  Couldn’t they just suggest any wide-margin Bible?  More self-promotion.
“Whatever Bible you use, just know you will need to mark in it…”
This puts a guilty conscience on the person who doesn’t want to mark their Bible!  You DON’T need to mark in it.  Going over this course one can make notes in a notebook.  Underlining or marking words in the text is not necessary, no matter how many times the book claims otherwise.

On page 8:  “As a word of warning, you need to be aware that any time you get into the Word of God, you enter into more intensive warfare with the devil (our enemy).  Why?  Every piece of the Christian’s armor is related to the Word of God.  And the enemy doesn’t want you prepared for battle.  Thus, the warfare!  Remember that our one and only offensive weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and it is enough to fell the enemy.”
Wow, what a scare tactic!  This claim is not supported by Scripture!  It is not necessarily true that you will “enter more intensive warfare with the devil” -- this is just an assertion by the writers of this text.  I guess this is not surprising, since Arthur promotes false teacher Neil Anderson and his aberrant spiritual warfare ideology.

On page 14:  “If you want to do a more in-depth study of a particular book of the Bible, we suggest you do a Precept Upon Precept Bible Study Course on that book.  The Precept studies are awesome but require five hours of personal study per week.”
More shameless self-promotion.  They could have suggested their own AMONG others, but this continual self-promotion makes the book not only a study guide but also a full-fledged advertisement for Kay Arthur materials.

On page 108:  “Just think of what would happen if you would study this course with a group of people who want to take their Christianity seriously?  It would be awesome because there would be more of you to live out the truths you are about to discover, and together you would have a far greater impact.  So if you are not doing this in a group study, ask God whom you are to ask to join you--either in person, over the telephone, in a couple’s study, or over the Internet.   Then watch what God does in just three short weeks.”
Such hyperbole!  So if they don’t want to do these studies,  is the implication that they don’t “want to take their Christianity seriously”?  And just because they learn the truths, that doesn’t mean they will apply them!  Asking God to tell you who you are supposed to ask to join you implies three things: 1) that God wants someone to join you, 2) you can expect a direct revelation with the information, and 3) that God will do something (what if all He does is just allow the study and nothing else?)  This really puts a guilt trip on the person who is doing the study alone, let alone leave them wondering why God doesn’t speak directly to them!  Again, I guess this is not surprising when one considers Kay Arthur’s claims of direct revelation from God and back and forth discussions with Him.

On page 109:  “Are there men in your church who are upsetting church families through their actions, speech, and beliefs?”
Um, what about women doing the same?

Advertisements are fine, but they are usually found in their own sections, such as at the back of the book--just like those at the back of this book!  The shameless advertising in the text is manipulative, as are the comments about studying with someone else and asking God to tell you who!

In addition to the two problematic issues with Kay noted above (promotion of Neil Anderson and claims of direct revelation), I have to point out other concerns about her which may eventually show up in her studies (if not already doing so): 1) She has shared the stage with false teachers and those with bad teachings, 2) she hobnobs with those in the emergent crowd, 3) other general issues demonstrating lack of discernment.

So while Kay Arthur’s study guides may be beneficial, you might seek similar teachings from someone not carrying the baggage Arthur carries.

Random Aberrations, Apostasies, and Heresies

This week I had a young lady ask me what I thought about Becky Tirabassi’s teachings; having never heard of her before, I started the “Google” thing.  This is my summation:

Her church is one of those “market-driven” types which has lots of programs.  Classes I read about are sort of “me” focussed, with some on “spiritual disciplines” which usually means mysticism, such as the emergent church movement.  In fact, the church just might be emergent, since they do not state their doctrine.  And I’d really like to know what a “pastor of assimilation” does (staff member)!

Becky violates Scripture by being a pastor—co-pastor with her husband.  That is a bad setup from the get-go.  From reading about her on the Internet, a lot of her teachings seem to appeal to emotions, especially with a lot of pop-psychology.  And her close association with Joyce Meyer — who is a rank heretic — is very concerning.  She talks a lot about having “as much of the Holy Spirit as you want,” but we can’t have any more H.S. than He who lives in us.  That is a favorite claim of charismatics - you just need “more” of the Holy Spirit.

Becky might have some good teachings (as does Beth Moore), but I wouldn’t trust her at all.

Speaking of Beth Moore, she is  Adorable and Dangerous.   She has more false claims of revelation from God, and she narcigetes herself [link gone by 7/18/18] into Acts 16:14.  How bad can she get?!?!

The sometimes questionable issues with Kay Arthur.

HT to Erin at Do Not Be Surprised… for the next two items:

False teachers are now getting another venue to spread their lies — on Netflix.

Mark Driscoll, who has been proven to be unqualified to be a pastor, is now starting a new church in Phoenix.  I guess he needs more people to abuse.

Defusing Demonic Dirty Bombs

It’s that time of the year for seeker-sensitive false churches to bring out the sex and sensuality for their “sermons.”

Does the Bible really say we’re not to judge? Marsha West has an excellent article addressing this subject.  Of course anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows my answer to the question.  As I noted on Marsha’s article, “If I had dollar for every time someone asked me if I confronted the accused false teacher IAW Matt. 18:15-17, I could take a cruise to Scotland!”

Doug Evans has an excellent article exposing Rick Joyner as a false prophet, let alone a false teacher!

Alec Satin has a great article about the Catholic practice of praying the rosary.

“The Passion Translation” is as bad as “The Message.”  Neither one are Bibles — just pretend Bibles pushing agendas.  Just like the cult versions.

Another example proving that the NAR people are bloviating false prophets.

Now that I’ve broached the subject of the NAR, here is a great collection of articles about the New Apostolic Reformation and all its false teachings.  These people are dangerous to the REAL Christian faith.

And, finally for today, Gary Gilley has good examinations of the “Toronto Blessing” and its offspring, the Brownsville Revival.  These circuses were nothing less than demonic.

Random Apostasies and Heresies

I’m still collecting way too many things to alert believers to!  It’s a very spiritually dangerous world out there with all the false teachings.  

Too many compromising teachers will tell us that we just need unity - disregard all that “unloving doctrinal stuff”; just seek unity with other believers!  What if the other believers aren’t really believers?  What if the other believers are following spiritually dangerous leaders?  Ken Sliva reminds us that unity for the sake of unity is very dangerous indeed.

I learned something new about Roman Catholicism this past week.  Did you know they treat the pope as a virtual god when they bury him?  Just another example of the false teachings found in the Roman Catholic organization.

Radio Bible Class is going contemplative.  This has been happening gradually, but it just shows that more and more teachers and organizations are jumping on the contemplative bandwagon.  Even Kay Arthur is now hobnobbing with the contemplative/emergent crowd.  The Bible just isn’t enough any more.

Goatherd Jay Bakker has been a false teacher from the “git-go” with his pro-homosexual and emergent teachings, but now he’s even denying the Atonement.  Just another example of the truth stated in 2 Timothy 4:3.

Joel Osteen is still avoiding any mention of sin in his teaching.  What can you expect from a motivational speaker pretending to be a pastor?  After all, if he started teaching about sin, he might end up wit a church the size of a house, and where would he get all his money?!?!

More on Rachel Held Evans, the false teacher who is becoming popular among the “Christian” left.

“The Bible doesn’t give us a blueprint,” said Rachel Held Evans to a group of about sixty students and adults gathered in a classroom at the College of William and Mary Sunday, February 10th. “Instead, the Bible gives us history and traditions, and stories and proverbs and poetry, well mostly stories. And stories don’t fit very well into a blueprint,” she explained. “The fact that it’s not a blueprint; that’s what brings us into community with one another.”

Of course the way she understands the Bible was played out in her book, demonstrating she has absolutely NO clue as to what the Bible actually has in it, or even what any of it means.

I have previously posted about problems with Bill Johnson’s church and the false teachings found there, including Johnson’s own bizarre and unbiblical ideas.  Well, now we have James MacDonald’s Walk in the Word quoting Bill favorably!  Does this mean MacDonald approves of him?  MacDonald has previously given approval to T.D. Jakes, so I have to wonder.

A major problem with the Church today is that so many assemblies seek to be “relevant” to the culture, as if the Bible and the Christian faith aren’t relevant already.  And this is why we have all the seeker-sensitive and market-driven mega-churches which focus on entertainment and programs to attract “customers.”  But should we really be trying to suit the culture?  Mormonism Research Ministry posted an excellent article on the subject, opening with a story about a horrendous activity of Episcopal priests (no surprise there).

Random Apostasies and Heresies

It is getting more and more difficult to keep up with the fast pace of apostasy and heresy invading the Church.  I can only try to give you highlights of stuff to look out for and to stay away from if you want good spiritual health.  I realize I’ve only posted two articles since my last “Random” collection, but my list has gotten too long to not post another “Random” article.  So hold onto your seat-belts, because this will be a rough ride.

Calvary Chapel has in the past been considered a very fundamental denomination, and I have indeed recommended the local assemblies.  However, the more I read about various Calvary assemblies moving over to the Emergent side of apostasy, the more leery I become about recommending them.  I have personally met a local C.C. pastor, and he is adamant about keeping Emergent stuff out, so this appears to be an assembly-by-assembly thing to check.  However, founder Chuck Smith seems to be leading the way into Emergent.  Stay tuned.

Another story about Kay Arthur gives me some more uneasy feelings about her; she has a story about her back-and-forth discussion with God.  This claim to direct revelation disturbs me.

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you should know that Joel Osteen is not someone any Christian should listen to; the man is about as heretical as they get.  He may be a great motivational speaker, but he is not a teacher of the Word of God.  Well, he has a new book out, which brings him again into the media spotlight.  Of course, like his other books, you will find no Christian teaching in this one, and it seems the Word of Faith heresy is even stronger.  The fact that New Age guru Deepak Chopra thinks Osteen’s teaching is good should tell you something!  Albert Mohler’s article not only exposes this, but he also discusses Osteen’s answers in regards to questions about homosexuality.  Osteen really has a problem saying that homosexual behavior is a sin.  After all, he wouldn’t want to offend the many homosexuals in his congregation. 

Another example of Osteen’s horrible teaching in his new book is demonstrated by this video.  Osteen really, really has no clue what the Bible says, and yet thousands of Christians waste their money on his books!

Rick Warren’s apostasy just keeps building.  His focus on the social gospel long ago left the real gospel behind, but the real disturbing thing is his “bridge to Muslims.”  His idea is not to try to convert Muslims and bring them to salvation, rather he just wants Christians and Muslims to work together.  Can you imagine King David asking the Israelis to work together with the Canaanites?  Yet Warren has decided to work to have Christians declare that we worship the same God as do Muslims!!  This is just plain false; the god of Islam is NOT the God of the Bible.  The claim is that there are 1400 years of misunderstandings between Christians and Muslims, but I don’t see misunderstanding at all except on the part of Warren and his lackeys who do not see Islam for the pagan, violent religion that it is.  While we can respect individuals, we are not to respect belief systems which are against God and His Word, as is Islam.  Warren needs to read 2 Corinthians 6:14.  Far too many Christians are following this false teacher.

Continuing on the subject of Rick Warren, his “purpose-driven” nonsense just keeps morphing and building into more and more unbiblical teaching.  He has a new campaign to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his PDL, titled, “What on earth am I here for?”  Do you really think he’ll give you a biblical response?

On the subject of Saddleback and the Warrens, it seems that Saddleback is planning on having Kay Warren preach messages there this coming weekend - again violating the Bible’s teaching that women are not to be in that position (they previously had Christine Caine teaching, and Kay has previously done so).  They are also having Mark Driscoll come to teach, and he is someone who should not be promoted as a good teacher, for reasons I have thoroughly explained in previous articles.  However, a current, short article demonstrates the complete arrogance of Driscoll and what he thinks of his followers.

More and more Christians are pandering to the Mormons, and I just don’t understand the why behind such thinking.  Mormons are NOT Christian!!!  Another “pastor,” Robert Morris, now claims Glenn Beck is “a believer.”  Beck is a Mormon, and not even a good one because he mixes in a lot of New Age beliefs in his personal system.  Of course Morris is of the cultic Word of Faith belief system, so much of what he teaches doesn’t come close to true Christian faith anyway, so perhaps that is why he doesn’t recognized that Beck is not a “believer” in the Christian faith.

Another book has hit the shelves purporting to describe a visitation to heaven.  This one is titled, “My Proof of Heaven.”  As usual, the story is not orthodox in its claims, and a good review of it can be found at Guarding His Flock.

Neil Simpson, at Eternity Matters, has been giving lots of exposure over the past few months to Chuck Currie.  Currie seems to be one of those false teachers the media likes to give time and coverage to, so he really needs to be exposed so as to warn the sheep not to be taken in by him.  Currie claims to be a Christian, but there is no way a person with his belief system can be a true believer.  To begin with, he is a “minister” with the apostate and heretical United Church of Christ; that’s enough in and of itself to know to stay away from him.  He also promotes the social gospel, as well as every left-wing ideology conceivable - including abortion, the homosexual agenda, etc.  The man can twist the Scripture as good as any Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness, so that the Bible becomes unrecognizable in his hands.  For a good example of Currie’s teachings, take a look at Neil’s newest post about him.

Now go read the Bible and learn the truth!

Random Apostasies and Heresies

Well, here goes another episode of reporting on various things happening among the Christian Church, which brings disgrace to the name of Christ.

Let’s start with the Billy Graham association and it’s overseer, Franklin  Graham.  I previously reported that his association removed Mormons from their list of cults, but now it gets even worse.  Franklin said he was shocked to learn Mormons were on such a list.  Graham states the LDS will not be put on such a list, and that it is nothing more than name-calling.  Well, he is wrong; contrary to calling names, labeling such groups as the LDS and JWs, e.g., as cults only protects the true Christian faith by letting people know that these groups are false belief systems.  It’s called exposing the wolves!  This issue really brings to light that Billy Graham and his association have long compromised the Christian faith by sanctioning false teachings and false teachers.

Too many assemblies are bringing in the teachings and practice of Yoga, in the belief that is just a harmless exercise program.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Yoga is part of the Hindu belief system and should never be a part of the Christian’s life.  Chris Lawson has an excellent video explaining the problems with Yoga, as warning about “Calvary Chapel and Purpose-Driven Pastors Doing Yoga.”

I have never really known much about Kay Arthur’s “Precept Ministries.”  From the publications I have seen, as well as some radio programs I have heard, I thought she seemed to be pretty solid.  Well her ministry has come under scrutiny this past week due to an apparent recommendation of Steven Furtick.  While this seems to have been cleared up, there are apparently other problems with Kay Arthur’s ministry which were discussed in light of this problem.  First, she recommends Neil Anderson as a teacher!  Neil Anderson is about as aberrant as a person can get with his teachings on “deliverance ministries” and spiritual warfare, and yet Arthur has endorsed his books!!!  However, the problem with Kay Arthur goes beyond this, because she has often shared the stage with women teachers who are known to have bad or false teachings.  Now that I have this information, I just can’t in good conscience recommend her.

Wayne Grudem is well-known for his volume on systematic theology, but I’ve never read any of his stuff, nor have I really learned anything about him.  Now, though, I know I won’t ever bother with anything he writes, because he has a new book promoting the charismatic teaching of the gift of prophecy.  While reading this review, it became clear to me that Grudem is like most in the charismatic movement , in that they abuse Scripture to support their view.  Learning that he is a member of a Vineyard assembly says a lot (they are all about “signs and wonders”).

Speaking of “charismaniacs” and all the nonsense they can come up with, the International House of Prayer is known for a whole trainload of aberrational teachings.  This past week I learned about a teaching there, which I hadn’t previously known: Mike Bickle’s teaching about the Song of Solomon using a “Bridegroom Jesus” paradigm.  Bizarre - simply bizarre.  IHOP is so bizarre that even the secular reporters look askance at them!

IHOP is part of the larger New Apostolic Reformation, which is nothing but updated dominion theology.  The NAR has a thing for date-setting in regards to superstitious ideas of the date numbers.  Take a look at the report at Herescope exposing this nonsense

Some people will do anything to promote an agenda, as we all should know quite well!  There are liberal “Christians” now abusing the Bible - taking passages out of their context - so as to promote abortion!  In their view, the pre-born baby is not living, supposedly because it doesn’t have a “breath of life” - i.e., it isn’t breathing yet!  My response has to be, then why does the Bible call the pre-born baby a “child” - or is a child not a living thing?