Granted - some are certainly easier to spot than others.
Fox News Channel's Julie Banderas, just had quite an alarming telephone interview with Tony Alamo - whose compound was raided on Saturday by hundreds of federal and state authorities on the suspicion of child sexual abuse (including illegal polygamy with under aged girls) and child pornography.
The phone interview exchange between Banderas and Alamo isn't up at the site yet. Perhaps it will be in the future. When it's up, I will post a link to it.
Unbelievable!! Awful!!
HT: Fox News Channel Website
Showing posts with label cults. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cults. Show all posts
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
This and That
Yesterday, I drove my daughter to the Santa Monica Pier for her Invisalign print ad booking. It's a good thing I went with her. Using the carpool lane saved her from getting caught in a lot of traffic.
These bookings are fun. We get to go to the beach! It was a bit chilly (only 65 degrees), but there were still some brave people who went in the water anyway. My daughter was grateful that she didn't need to pose in a bikini! After all, she got the booking through just a photo of her smile! All of the female models wore beach dresses, shorts and tops; and the guys wore t-shirts and board shorts.
Weeks ago, auditions for this booking appeared on the L.A. Casting site. She submitted some photos, but didn't bother to go on the audition. One reason was because they were looking for teens to do the shoot. She is age 20, soon to turn 21. However, she has a look that is often mistaken for being much younger.
Several weeks ago, we walked into a mall boutique that had prom dresses and bathing suits for sale. The salegirl asked her, "looking for a prom dress?" She said, "no." I knew that it bothered her. She doesn't want to look like she's 16 anymore! Well, getting this booking taught her the advantages of being able to look younger!
When she saw the posting (and the money she could earn!) she told me that she thought 'what the heck...just send some photos...I probably would not get chosen for the job even if I auditioned for it.' Imagine her surprise when they called her for the booking! She told them her age, but the Invisalign people wanted her for the photo shoot because of her smile. In the past, she did wear braces for about a year.
The Invisalign product was formerly available only to adults, 18 yrs. and up. Now, the company wants to promote it to teens. The photos will appear in catalogs delivered to orthodontists for the purpose of encouraging them to offer the product to teens that come in for braces.
It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, and the breeze was blowing. I walked along the beach several times, stopping to watch the photo shoot as they shifted locations throughout the day. I also took some time to sit in my car and listen to several talk radio shows.
Heard all about the recent gaffes of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Hillary's reference to Robert Kennedy's assassination was being bantered about by several radio commenters. Some thought it was intentional; others did not. All did agree that it was a terribly awful gaffe and that she should never have said it!
Barack Obama's Memorial Day gaffe was less egregious than Hillary's. One commenter over at Hot Air wrote:
Now THAT'S FUNNY!
It seems that Obama often makes such dumb mistakes when he does not have a teleprompter in front of him. Some gaffes are more serious than others. Confusing his great uncle's involvement in the Auschwitz Camp liberation with the actual one at Buchenwald does reveal his lack of knowledge about important historical events. With the increasing amount of obvious political gaffes, where he is largely given a pass by the MSM, as well as all of the terribly questionable characters that he has been associated with; I think that more and more people are coming to the realization that the guy just isn't qualified to be president. Period.
Many Americans are worried that if Obama gets into office we would have another Jimmy Carter to deal with. I don't even want to mention Carter's latest gaffe! I agree with this commenter over at Hot Air:
Yes. That utterance by Carter was extremely egregious!! I personally think that he deserves to have his visa taken away!
Shifting gears a bit.
Today, I want to focus in on what Dennis Prager discussed on his radio show yesterday. It was a rebroadcast of a show about The Search for Utopia
You can go to that link and listen to the 35 minute broadcast. Some of the points that Prager made shows how very different the thinking of the far left is compared to conservative Christians. We all know this, of course, but when Prager mentioned that many of the cults out there are attempts to create a mini-utopia, it made me realize that cult leaders often exploit people, and religion (not genuine worship of God or Jesus Christ) in order to get power and their physical desires satisfied. Many of these men create cult-like atmospheres for one reason - to get sexual gratification from women and children!
Look at the current debate regarding polygamist cults. Some people think that because it exists under the guise of "religion", that the children - who allegedly have been sexually indoctrinated and/or abused before the proper age of consent - should not have been taken away from the compound. Apparently, the recent court ruling agrees. Such situations are very difficult to ascertain what is the best way to deal with them. We all remember the terrible handling and deathly results from the Waco disaster.
But what about these children in this polygamist cult?
Perhaps taking them from the compound wasn't done correctly.
But what about the children?
How does one determine a dangerous cult from the silly ones? And, what should be done about it?
Be back later -
Christine
*******
Update: Be sure to read Escape at the CBS News site. Good comments, too.
HT: Hot Air
Michele Malkin
Winnepeg Sun
Protein Wisdom
TownHall
CBS News
NY Daily News
These bookings are fun. We get to go to the beach! It was a bit chilly (only 65 degrees), but there were still some brave people who went in the water anyway. My daughter was grateful that she didn't need to pose in a bikini! After all, she got the booking through just a photo of her smile! All of the female models wore beach dresses, shorts and tops; and the guys wore t-shirts and board shorts.
Weeks ago, auditions for this booking appeared on the L.A. Casting site. She submitted some photos, but didn't bother to go on the audition. One reason was because they were looking for teens to do the shoot. She is age 20, soon to turn 21. However, she has a look that is often mistaken for being much younger.
Several weeks ago, we walked into a mall boutique that had prom dresses and bathing suits for sale. The salegirl asked her, "looking for a prom dress?" She said, "no." I knew that it bothered her. She doesn't want to look like she's 16 anymore! Well, getting this booking taught her the advantages of being able to look younger!
When she saw the posting (and the money she could earn!) she told me that she thought 'what the heck...just send some photos...I probably would not get chosen for the job even if I auditioned for it.' Imagine her surprise when they called her for the booking! She told them her age, but the Invisalign people wanted her for the photo shoot because of her smile. In the past, she did wear braces for about a year.
The Invisalign product was formerly available only to adults, 18 yrs. and up. Now, the company wants to promote it to teens. The photos will appear in catalogs delivered to orthodontists for the purpose of encouraging them to offer the product to teens that come in for braces.
It was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, and the breeze was blowing. I walked along the beach several times, stopping to watch the photo shoot as they shifted locations throughout the day. I also took some time to sit in my car and listen to several talk radio shows.
Heard all about the recent gaffes of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Hillary's reference to Robert Kennedy's assassination was being bantered about by several radio commenters. Some thought it was intentional; others did not. All did agree that it was a terribly awful gaffe and that she should never have said it!
Barack Obama's Memorial Day gaffe was less egregious than Hillary's. One commenter over at Hot Air wrote:
Is that Barack a Gaffe Guzzler or what?
Jack Bauer
Now THAT'S FUNNY!
It seems that Obama often makes such dumb mistakes when he does not have a teleprompter in front of him. Some gaffes are more serious than others. Confusing his great uncle's involvement in the Auschwitz Camp liberation with the actual one at Buchenwald does reveal his lack of knowledge about important historical events. With the increasing amount of obvious political gaffes, where he is largely given a pass by the MSM, as well as all of the terribly questionable characters that he has been associated with; I think that more and more people are coming to the realization that the guy just isn't qualified to be president. Period.
Many Americans are worried that if Obama gets into office we would have another Jimmy Carter to deal with. I don't even want to mention Carter's latest gaffe! I agree with this commenter over at Hot Air:
On May 27th, 2008 at 7:23 am, bloghooligan said:
This isn’t even liberalism anymore…this is sociopathic-ism. He’s crazy, and not in the ‘crazy uncle’ kind of way. He’s dangerous.
Not to mention, Jimmy Carter is the father of modern day slavery. Let’s remember he ruined Iran and enslaved its people as well as Zimbabwe.
Wherever there’s an international disaster, it has it Jimmy’s paw prints prominently front and center.
Yes. That utterance by Carter was extremely egregious!! I personally think that he deserves to have his visa taken away!
Shifting gears a bit.
Today, I want to focus in on what Dennis Prager discussed on his radio show yesterday. It was a rebroadcast of a show about The Search for Utopia
It always sounds noble and it always leads to terrible results. Communism is an example. Seek to make the world better, but don't seek to make it a utopia. Originally broadcast on July 10, 2007.
You can go to that link and listen to the 35 minute broadcast. Some of the points that Prager made shows how very different the thinking of the far left is compared to conservative Christians. We all know this, of course, but when Prager mentioned that many of the cults out there are attempts to create a mini-utopia, it made me realize that cult leaders often exploit people, and religion (not genuine worship of God or Jesus Christ) in order to get power and their physical desires satisfied. Many of these men create cult-like atmospheres for one reason - to get sexual gratification from women and children!
Look at the current debate regarding polygamist cults. Some people think that because it exists under the guise of "religion", that the children - who allegedly have been sexually indoctrinated and/or abused before the proper age of consent - should not have been taken away from the compound. Apparently, the recent court ruling agrees. Such situations are very difficult to ascertain what is the best way to deal with them. We all remember the terrible handling and deathly results from the Waco disaster.
But what about these children in this polygamist cult?
Perhaps taking them from the compound wasn't done correctly.
But what about the children?
How does one determine a dangerous cult from the silly ones? And, what should be done about it?
Be back later -
Christine
*******
Update: Be sure to read Escape at the CBS News site. Good comments, too.
HT: Hot Air
Michele Malkin
Winnepeg Sun
Protein Wisdom
TownHall
CBS News
NY Daily News
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Obama's Preacher's Hate Speech
The following two links each contain actual recordings of Obama's "preacher" spewing some awful, anti-American hate speech. He certainly doesn't sound like any genuine Christian pastor that I have ever known or heard!
Jeremiah Wright's Hate Speech (part 1)
Those audio clips are bad enough, but the next four are far worse! In fact, he takes the name of God in vain in one clip!!!
Jeremiah Wright's Hate Speech (part 2)
That place is no true Christian church. It's an ugly, demonic, hateful, anti-American political forum for a ranting maniac who tries to pass himself off as a "pastor."
Awful!!!
HT: Michael Savage.com
What others have written (including a video at Hot Air!):
1. Michele Malkin - Now we know where Michelle Obamas' resentment of America comes from.
2. Hot Air - Video: Obama's pastor takes highly nuanced approach to racial divisiveness.
Jeremiah Wright's Hate Speech (part 1)
Those audio clips are bad enough, but the next four are far worse! In fact, he takes the name of God in vain in one clip!!!
Jeremiah Wright's Hate Speech (part 2)
That place is no true Christian church. It's an ugly, demonic, hateful, anti-American political forum for a ranting maniac who tries to pass himself off as a "pastor."
Awful!!!
HT: Michael Savage.com
What others have written (including a video at Hot Air!):
1. Michele Malkin - Now we know where Michelle Obamas' resentment of America comes from.
2. Hot Air - Video: Obama's pastor takes highly nuanced approach to racial divisiveness.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Oprah's new Easter??
The battle of the century begins! Norris takes on the queen of daytime talk and her upcoming 10-week webinar with spiritual guru, Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth. Chuck exposes their “awakening” and points readers to the real source to discover the purpose for life. One of Chuck’s best columns to date!
read more digg story
[Note: For some reason, the "Digg story" link (above) is not working. Click here.]
I have written about Oprah's gospel before.
Just did a search over at Herescope, and dozens of articles can be read at this link that expose Oprah and her New Age gurus and heresy.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon told us that "there is nothing new under the sun." The false religions in that day attempted to corrupt true faith in the God of the Bible. Today, false religions are still attempting to corrupt the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus told us to watch for the signs of the end of the age. The signs are coming at us at an alarming rate!!
The book of Jude is the last epistle in the Bible. It is placed just before the book of Revelation for a reason. It serves as a warning for true believers to watch out that no one deceives us!
It is interesting to note that Jude begins his epistle with the intention of writing to the recipients about their common salvation.
Then, he abruptly changes his plans. He is led, by the Holy Spirit of God, to write about something else. He wrote, "...I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."
Jude found it necessary to contend earnestly for the faith! To whom? To the saints - those who belong to Jesus Christ.
Notice the terminology. Was this any kind of "new revelation?" No! We are told to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
There is nothing new under the sun to add to the true gospel of Christ - or, the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
This illustrates the errors, falsehood, heresy, and apostasy being sold to the public by Oprah and her various guru false teachers!
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" (Ephesians 2:2)
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus,whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel,which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:4)
Don't be fooled people!
Read Jude and be forewarned!
From the Blue Letter Bible
New King James Version
Jud 1:1 JUDE, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified[fn1] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Jud 1:2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jud 1:4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[fn2] and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;
Jud 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jud 1:8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Jud 1:10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
Jud 1:11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about[fn3] by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
Jud 1:13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
Jud 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
Jud 1:15 "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
Jud 1:17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Jud 1:18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[fn4]
Jud 1:23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,[fn5] hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[fn6] from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To God our Savior,[fn7]
Who alone is wise,[fn8]
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,[fn9]
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Footnotes:
1:1 NU-Text reads beloved.
1:4 NU-Text omits God.
1:12 NU-Text and M-Text read along.
1:22 NU-Text reads who are doubting (or making distinctions).
1:23 NU-Text adds and on some have mercy with fear and omits with fear in first clause.
1:24 M-Text reads them.
1:25 NU-Text reads To the only God our Savior.
1:25 NU-Text omits Who . . . is wise and adds Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:25 NU-Text adds Before all time.
New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
*******
Update @ 6:34 p.m. P.T.
My blogging friend, Stacy Harp, has several posts up about Oprah's book of the month club choice (and Oprah's online class being offered) called Examining A New Earth, Chapter 1, Part 2 over at her Active Christian Media blog.
read more digg story
[Note: For some reason, the "Digg story" link (above) is not working. Click here.]
I have written about Oprah's gospel before.
Just did a search over at Herescope, and dozens of articles can be read at this link that expose Oprah and her New Age gurus and heresy.
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon told us that "there is nothing new under the sun." The false religions in that day attempted to corrupt true faith in the God of the Bible. Today, false religions are still attempting to corrupt the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus told us to watch for the signs of the end of the age. The signs are coming at us at an alarming rate!!
The book of Jude is the last epistle in the Bible. It is placed just before the book of Revelation for a reason. It serves as a warning for true believers to watch out that no one deceives us!
It is interesting to note that Jude begins his epistle with the intention of writing to the recipients about their common salvation.
Then, he abruptly changes his plans. He is led, by the Holy Spirit of God, to write about something else. He wrote, "...I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."
Jude found it necessary to contend earnestly for the faith! To whom? To the saints - those who belong to Jesus Christ.
Notice the terminology. Was this any kind of "new revelation?" No! We are told to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
There is nothing new under the sun to add to the true gospel of Christ - or, the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
This illustrates the errors, falsehood, heresy, and apostasy being sold to the public by Oprah and her various guru false teachers!
"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" (Ephesians 2:2)
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus,whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel,which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:4)
Don't be fooled people!
Read Jude and be forewarned!
From the Blue Letter Bible
New King James Version
Jud 1:1 JUDE, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, sanctified[fn1] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Jud 1:2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jud 1:4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[fn2] and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jud 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jud 1:6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;
Jud 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jud 1:8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
Jud 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
Jud 1:10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
Jud 1:11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about[fn3] by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
Jud 1:13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
Jud 1:14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,
Jud 1:15 "to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
Jud 1:16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
Jud 1:17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Jud 1:18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
Jud 1:19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Jud 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;[fn4]
Jud 1:23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire,[fn5] hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jud 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you[fn6] from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Jud 1:25 To God our Savior,[fn7]
Who alone is wise,[fn8]
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,[fn9]
Both now and forever.
Amen.
Footnotes:
1:1 NU-Text reads beloved.
1:4 NU-Text omits God.
1:12 NU-Text and M-Text read along.
1:22 NU-Text reads who are doubting (or making distinctions).
1:23 NU-Text adds and on some have mercy with fear and omits with fear in first clause.
1:24 M-Text reads them.
1:25 NU-Text reads To the only God our Savior.
1:25 NU-Text omits Who . . . is wise and adds Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:25 NU-Text adds Before all time.
New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
*******
Update @ 6:34 p.m. P.T.
My blogging friend, Stacy Harp, has several posts up about Oprah's book of the month club choice (and Oprah's online class being offered) called Examining A New Earth, Chapter 1, Part 2 over at her Active Christian Media blog.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
JW's At My Door
Smack dab in the middle of creating my blog post yesterday, the doorbell rang. Two men, one middle-aged, the other a senior, were standing there. They smiled and asked me, "Are you concerned about the crime that is going on today?"
Before the younger man even finished that question, I had already noticed the familiar "Awake" pamphlet in his left hand.
My answer to his question was, "unfortunately, crime will always be with us until Jesus Christ returns." Later, during our conversation, one of the men said that my answer pleasantly surprised him.
I have probably been approached by Jehovah's Witnesses about five times over the last 20 years. Several years had passed since my last encounter. In that situation, a 50ish year old man walked up to me in a grocery store parking lot. I was busy putting my grocery bags in the car. He made a brief reference to my license plate frame. It says, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven by a God who is."
He proceeded to ask me about my God. I told him that I have already heard what JW's share with people when they witness. He said, "we are Christians too." I replied that JW's have many differences in their beliefs regarding who Jesus is. I know that your organization (didn't want to say "cult") claims that belief in the Trinity is considered paganism.
He started to open his New World Translation Bible to share a verse that refutes the belief that Christians have in the Trinity. You know...the same old argument that the word "Trinity" is no where to be found in the Scriptures.
I was in a hurry. Needed to get home to make dinner. However, I tried to be patient and decided to ask him about these verses:
When I mentioned that Jesus, himself, described the relationship of three persons in one God in Matthew 28:20 [especially noting that he did not say names, but used the singular term name when describing the Godhead], the man didn't know what to say! I also mentioned that the JW's believe that Jesus is a "lesser God" being; and that they believe he is the "begotten Son Of God" and thus, not to be considered " the same in being" as God the Father. However, Matthew 29:18 informs us that "all power is given unto me [Jesus] in heaven and in earth." How can we explain this?
The man turned around and walked away!!
I called out to him and said, "search the Scriptures for yourself to get the truth...do not just blindly follow what the JW teachers want you to preach."
Well, I wasn't about to get out of the conversation so easily with these two guys at my door.
We went round and round on many of the familiar Scriptures that JW's often attempt to dispute.
The middle aged man said that he has been with the Witnesses for 15 years. The older man was "new."
After about 20 minutes of Scripture verses and their interpretation, the men felt that it was time to leave. The younger man offered another little booklet (I had already refused the Awake pamphlet) but I said, "no thank you."
One of the disputes we had was over the meaning of Jesus being "Firstborn over all creation." I encouraged them to go to the Blue Letter Bible online and read the commentaries and Scripture knowledge pages regarding the meaning of that phrase.
They thanked me for my time and appreciated sharing my knowledge and study of the Scriptures with them.
I don't think that I changed their minds yesterday. They certainly didn't change mine. All I can ever hope for after such encounters is that they would research the Scriptures on their own and not just take the word of the leaders of their organization. I also mentioned that their "New World Translation" is not as accurate as the KJV. They insisted that it was a better translation. Today, while going to the Blue Letter Bible site, I noticed that the NWT is not available there! Hmmm...if it's considered so "accurate," I wonder why it has been eliminated from the choices? Wish I would have thought of telling them that when they were at my door.
They mentioned that they will come back to talk again one day. I didn't discourage them. There is always the hope that the Holy Spirit will lead me to the best Scriptures, including the ones listed below, next time to help them understand the concept of the Trinity.
P.S. As far as arguing with Jehovah's Witnesses goes, a previous conversation that I had with a commenter named "Ratiocination" in August, 2005 over at my message board certainly demonstrates how unwilling they are to see the truth and give up their cult-like beliefs!
Note: The link to the Robert Bowman article (described in the above linked message board thread) has been changed. Here is the new link:
The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Print that essay out and you will be prepared to answer any Jehovah's Witness that comes to your door!
I just printed the commentary out. It's sixteen pages!!! At least I will be much better prepared the next time they come to my door.
Before the younger man even finished that question, I had already noticed the familiar "Awake" pamphlet in his left hand.
My answer to his question was, "unfortunately, crime will always be with us until Jesus Christ returns." Later, during our conversation, one of the men said that my answer pleasantly surprised him.
I have probably been approached by Jehovah's Witnesses about five times over the last 20 years. Several years had passed since my last encounter. In that situation, a 50ish year old man walked up to me in a grocery store parking lot. I was busy putting my grocery bags in the car. He made a brief reference to my license plate frame. It says, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven by a God who is."
He proceeded to ask me about my God. I told him that I have already heard what JW's share with people when they witness. He said, "we are Christians too." I replied that JW's have many differences in their beliefs regarding who Jesus is. I know that your organization (didn't want to say "cult") claims that belief in the Trinity is considered paganism.
He started to open his New World Translation Bible to share a verse that refutes the belief that Christians have in the Trinity. You know...the same old argument that the word "Trinity" is no where to be found in the Scriptures.
I was in a hurry. Needed to get home to make dinner. However, I tried to be patient and decided to ask him about these verses:
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
When I mentioned that Jesus, himself, described the relationship of three persons in one God in Matthew 28:20 [especially noting that he did not say names, but used the singular term name when describing the Godhead], the man didn't know what to say! I also mentioned that the JW's believe that Jesus is a "lesser God" being; and that they believe he is the "begotten Son Of God" and thus, not to be considered " the same in being" as God the Father. However, Matthew 29:18 informs us that "all power is given unto me [Jesus] in heaven and in earth." How can we explain this?
The man turned around and walked away!!
I called out to him and said, "search the Scriptures for yourself to get the truth...do not just blindly follow what the JW teachers want you to preach."
Well, I wasn't about to get out of the conversation so easily with these two guys at my door.
We went round and round on many of the familiar Scriptures that JW's often attempt to dispute.
The middle aged man said that he has been with the Witnesses for 15 years. The older man was "new."
After about 20 minutes of Scripture verses and their interpretation, the men felt that it was time to leave. The younger man offered another little booklet (I had already refused the Awake pamphlet) but I said, "no thank you."
One of the disputes we had was over the meaning of Jesus being "Firstborn over all creation." I encouraged them to go to the Blue Letter Bible online and read the commentaries and Scripture knowledge pages regarding the meaning of that phrase.
They thanked me for my time and appreciated sharing my knowledge and study of the Scriptures with them.
I don't think that I changed their minds yesterday. They certainly didn't change mine. All I can ever hope for after such encounters is that they would research the Scriptures on their own and not just take the word of the leaders of their organization. I also mentioned that their "New World Translation" is not as accurate as the KJV. They insisted that it was a better translation. Today, while going to the Blue Letter Bible site, I noticed that the NWT is not available there! Hmmm...if it's considered so "accurate," I wonder why it has been eliminated from the choices? Wish I would have thought of telling them that when they were at my door.
They mentioned that they will come back to talk again one day. I didn't discourage them. There is always the hope that the Holy Spirit will lead me to the best Scriptures, including the ones listed below, next time to help them understand the concept of the Trinity.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
P.S. As far as arguing with Jehovah's Witnesses goes, a previous conversation that I had with a commenter named "Ratiocination" in August, 2005 over at my message board certainly demonstrates how unwilling they are to see the truth and give up their cult-like beliefs!
Note: The link to the Robert Bowman article (described in the above linked message board thread) has been changed. Here is the new link:
The Biblical Basis of the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Print that essay out and you will be prepared to answer any Jehovah's Witness that comes to your door!
I just printed the commentary out. It's sixteen pages!!! At least I will be much better prepared the next time they come to my door.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Truth War
I have almost completed reading the book that I previously blogged about called "UnChristian - What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity."
As I read Steve Camp's blog post today, I found myself recalling the Emergent church attitudes and errors that were blatantly obvious within the theme of "UnChristian." The philosophy, premise, and theological opinions of the book authors stand in stark contrast to the biblical truth of the matter that John MacArthur points out in his new book, "The Truth War."
On the back cover of the "UnChristian" book it says in large black type:
Note this very telling sentence:
Steve's warnings in his blog post expose the conceptual errors inherent in the "UnChristian" book.
He writes:
I have found that the Emergent church movement and several of its errant offspring movements, have the bad habit of moving towards either a "cross-light" (i.e. - "light" meaning, severe de-emphasis of the depravity of man and his need for repentance at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ in order to be reconciled back to Holy and Righteous God) or, just tend to ignore the subject altogether. Some have become so steeped in cultlike error that they have even gone so far as to actually call Christ's sacrifice for man's sin as "insane" and, thus 'celebrate' a totally cross-less Gospel.
Since the authors of "UnChristian" are so concerned with "negative perceptions" about Christian faith, why would they want to preach the Cross of Christ which is "offensive to those who are perishing?"
The answer?
They wouldn't...and they don't!
In their skewed worldview, tolerance trumps the need to preach repentance.
I am currently reading John MacArthur's "The Truth War." It is EXCELLENT! I think that I first heard about the book at Steve's Camp on This blog.
EVERY CHRISTIAN needs to read this book! You will then be better able to discern the truth, that is, Orthodox, Biblical Christianity and recognize the falsehoods and deceptions of the Emergent church, gay "christian" movement, and "seeker-sensitive" false teachers (like Brian McLaren).
MacArthur's subtitle says, "Fighting for certainty in an age of deception."
Deception is rampant in today's culture. It's not only deceiving those who have absolutely no Christian beliefs, but many deceptions disguised as "Christianity" are fooling many who claim to be Christians.
Those who deem themselves as Christians, yet are ignorant of what the Bible teaches, could end up going to an emergent church without having the discernment ability to recognize any errors being taught by the leaders there. This is especially problematic when the teaching and preaching at these churches are not biblically sound. The attraction of the "emergent friendly" atmosphere might "tickle their ears" but will, unfortunately, lack the sound doctrine of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
MacArthur has so many great quotes in his book that it is hard for me to choose which ones to share today.
As I continue to read through The Truth War book, I plan to blog about portions of this important book that will definitely help readers have more of an ability to discern truth from error.
For now, I want to show how MacArthur demolishes the "UnChristian" authors' premise in their book. Here are just a few of the relevant quotes:
[Time out. For those who might be interested in seeing a debate that shows how a "postmodernist recoils from absolutes," I invite you to view a video that shows the exchange between New-Age guru Deepak Chopra and Christian Apologist and Ambassador for Christ, Greg Koukl on a program called "Faith Under Fire." The video is a bit grainy, but it's certainly worth your time to see that as the dialogue progresses, Chopra takes pride in "embracing his uncertainty," yet, verbally indicates that his relativistic worldview causes him to recoil from Koukl's certainty in his faith about the Person of Jesus Christ.]
Back to John MacArthur's quotes:
Here is the crux of the emergent movement. The notion that certainty about anything is inherently arrogant.
I have read countless blog posts from people who refuse to repent because they want to hold onto a particular sinful lifestyle; yet, make want to make the claim that they are Christian. This is wildly popular today in this age of postmodernism. The "UnChristian" book was filled with applause for the "do not judge" view!
How ironic is it that the belief that no one can really know anything for certain (e.g. "my" truth tells me differently from "your" truth mantra) is emerging as virtually the one dogma postmodernists will tolerate!!
MacArthur provides a biblical definition of truth.
He goes on to support this claim with Bible quotes, including what Jesus has said about truth. He also shows the necessity of absolute truth, why we can only get it from God, and how all other definitions which try to omit God, hopelessly fall short.
If you took the time to view the video of Chopra and Koukl's debate, you would have noticed that Chopra holds to the idea that his own cynicism should be regarded as the most splendid of all virtues! You can actually see the contempt on his face and his dislike for Greg Koukl when Greg shares the fact that (paraphrased here) "since all religions claim different things, logically, it is impossible that each religion can be true all at the same time."
Chopra thinks that his view is more "tolerant." He thinks that his view is more "noble." Chopra even naively claims that unlike Koukl, he does not "impose" his beliefs upon everyone else.
Greg nailed it when he came back at Chopra's hint of having "humility" with the fact that Chopra has sold millions of books promoting his views about his "uncertainty."
This claim of uncertainty on the part of Deepak's worldview is supposed to be an indication that Chopra isn't "imposing his views" upon others? C'mon!! How hypocritical is that?
Greg Koukl's book, "Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air" describes Chopra's worldview and exposes the irrationality of it.
Absolute truth does exist. It can be found in the pages of the Bible.
To claim religious neutrality is a fallacy. There is no such thing. Even the religions of atheism, skepticism, and secular humanism all have an object of worship. Namely, the self!
What is really sad, my Christian friends, is the fact that false teachers like Brian McLaren have much more in common with Deepak Chopra than with the Truth of Orthodox, Biblical, historic Christianity.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that the emergent church movement is moving away from the truth into a spiritual oblivion, similar to the one that Chopra embraces!
MacArthur writes:
Doesn't McLaren's doublespeak (which is masterfully pointed out by Dr. MacArthur's comments about McLaren's quote from his book) eerily remind us of Satan's encounter with Eve in the Garden of Eden and how he (Satan) led her astray by saying, "Did God really say....?"
Hat Tips:
Camp On This
GCM Watch
Faith Under Fire
The Truth War
******* to be continued *******
As I read Steve Camp's blog post today, I found myself recalling the Emergent church attitudes and errors that were blatantly obvious within the theme of "UnChristian." The philosophy, premise, and theological opinions of the book authors stand in stark contrast to the biblical truth of the matter that John MacArthur points out in his new book, "The Truth War."
On the back cover of the "UnChristian" book it says in large black type:
1. Christianity has an image problem
2. Leaders offer vision for the future.
Note this very telling sentence:
"Find out why these negative perceptions exist, learn how to reverse them in a Christlike manner, and discover practical examples of how Christians can positively contribute to culture."
Steve's warnings in his blog post expose the conceptual errors inherent in the "UnChristian" book.
He writes:
Temporal vs Eternal
Emergent Christianity guts the faith to appeal to culture; and their myopic view of the kingdom of God predisposes them to be more concerned with the temporal, than the eternal.
The ECM has two Fundamental Flaws:
1.) a lack of reverence for God and His Word; and
2.) the unquenchable need to contextualize the Christian faith in adapting it to culture.
This is gangrenous to authentic Christianity. Erosion of the truth always begins with the subtle wandering away off the path of the essentials of the faith.
I have found that the Emergent church movement and several of its errant offspring movements, have the bad habit of moving towards either a "cross-light" (i.e. - "light" meaning, severe de-emphasis of the depravity of man and his need for repentance at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ in order to be reconciled back to Holy and Righteous God) or, just tend to ignore the subject altogether. Some have become so steeped in cultlike error that they have even gone so far as to actually call Christ's sacrifice for man's sin as "insane" and, thus 'celebrate' a totally cross-less Gospel.
Since the authors of "UnChristian" are so concerned with "negative perceptions" about Christian faith, why would they want to preach the Cross of Christ which is "offensive to those who are perishing?"
The answer?
They wouldn't...and they don't!
In their skewed worldview, tolerance trumps the need to preach repentance.
I am currently reading John MacArthur's "The Truth War." It is EXCELLENT! I think that I first heard about the book at Steve's Camp on This blog.
EVERY CHRISTIAN needs to read this book! You will then be better able to discern the truth, that is, Orthodox, Biblical Christianity and recognize the falsehoods and deceptions of the Emergent church, gay "christian" movement, and "seeker-sensitive" false teachers (like Brian McLaren).
MacArthur's subtitle says, "Fighting for certainty in an age of deception."
Deception is rampant in today's culture. It's not only deceiving those who have absolutely no Christian beliefs, but many deceptions disguised as "Christianity" are fooling many who claim to be Christians.
Those who deem themselves as Christians, yet are ignorant of what the Bible teaches, could end up going to an emergent church without having the discernment ability to recognize any errors being taught by the leaders there. This is especially problematic when the teaching and preaching at these churches are not biblically sound. The attraction of the "emergent friendly" atmosphere might "tickle their ears" but will, unfortunately, lack the sound doctrine of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
MacArthur has so many great quotes in his book that it is hard for me to choose which ones to share today.
As I continue to read through The Truth War book, I plan to blog about portions of this important book that will definitely help readers have more of an ability to discern truth from error.
For now, I want to show how MacArthur demolishes the "UnChristian" authors' premise in their book. Here are just a few of the relevant quotes:
"The idea that the Christian message should be kept pliable and ambiguous seems especially attractive to young people who are in tune with the culture and in love with the spirit of the age."
"People are experimenting with subjective, relativistic ideas of truth and labeling them "Christian." This trend signals a significant departure from Biblical and historic Christianity."
"The postmodernist recoils from absolutes and does not want to concede any truths that might seem axiomatic or self-evident. Instead, truth, if acknowledged at all, becomes something infinitely pliable and ultimately unknowable in any objective sense."
[Time out. For those who might be interested in seeing a debate that shows how a "postmodernist recoils from absolutes," I invite you to view a video that shows the exchange between New-Age guru Deepak Chopra and Christian Apologist and Ambassador for Christ, Greg Koukl on a program called "Faith Under Fire." The video is a bit grainy, but it's certainly worth your time to see that as the dialogue progresses, Chopra takes pride in "embracing his uncertainty," yet, verbally indicates that his relativistic worldview causes him to recoil from Koukl's certainty in his faith about the Person of Jesus Christ.]
Back to John MacArthur's quotes:
"Uncertainty is the new truth. Doubt and skepticism have been canonized as a form of humility. Right and wrong have been redefined in terms of subjective feelings and personal perspectives."
Here is the crux of the emergent movement. The notion that certainty about anything is inherently arrogant.
I have read countless blog posts from people who refuse to repent because they want to hold onto a particular sinful lifestyle; yet, make want to make the claim that they are Christian. This is wildly popular today in this age of postmodernism. The "UnChristian" book was filled with applause for the "do not judge" view!
How ironic is it that the belief that no one can really know anything for certain (e.g. "my" truth tells me differently from "your" truth mantra) is emerging as virtually the one dogma postmodernists will tolerate!!
MacArthur provides a biblical definition of truth.
Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory, and being of God. Even more to the point: Truth is the self-expression of God.
He goes on to support this claim with Bible quotes, including what Jesus has said about truth. He also shows the necessity of absolute truth, why we can only get it from God, and how all other definitions which try to omit God, hopelessly fall short.
If you took the time to view the video of Chopra and Koukl's debate, you would have noticed that Chopra holds to the idea that his own cynicism should be regarded as the most splendid of all virtues! You can actually see the contempt on his face and his dislike for Greg Koukl when Greg shares the fact that (paraphrased here) "since all religions claim different things, logically, it is impossible that each religion can be true all at the same time."
Chopra thinks that his view is more "tolerant." He thinks that his view is more "noble." Chopra even naively claims that unlike Koukl, he does not "impose" his beliefs upon everyone else.
Greg nailed it when he came back at Chopra's hint of having "humility" with the fact that Chopra has sold millions of books promoting his views about his "uncertainty."
This claim of uncertainty on the part of Deepak's worldview is supposed to be an indication that Chopra isn't "imposing his views" upon others? C'mon!! How hypocritical is that?
Greg Koukl's book, "Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air" describes Chopra's worldview and exposes the irrationality of it.
Absolute truth does exist. It can be found in the pages of the Bible.
To claim religious neutrality is a fallacy. There is no such thing. Even the religions of atheism, skepticism, and secular humanism all have an object of worship. Namely, the self!
What is really sad, my Christian friends, is the fact that false teachers like Brian McLaren have much more in common with Deepak Chopra than with the Truth of Orthodox, Biblical, historic Christianity.
What does this tell us?
It tells us that the emergent church movement is moving away from the truth into a spiritual oblivion, similar to the one that Chopra embraces!
MacArthur writes:
Listen, for example, to how Brian McLaren sums up his views on orthodoxy, certainty, and the question of whether the truths of Christianity are sound and reliable in the first place:How ironic that I am writing about orthodoxy, which implies to many a final capturing of the truth about God, which is the glory of God. Sit down here next to me in this little restaurant and ask me if Christianity (my version of it, yours, the Pope's, whoever) is orthodox, meaning true, and here's my honest answer: a little, but not yet. Assuming by Christianity you mean the Christian understanding of the world and God, Christian opinions on soul, text, and culture...I'd have to say that we probably have a couple of things right, but a lot of things wrong. 1
1 Brian McLaren, A Generous Orthodoxy (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 293.
McLaren suggests that clarity itself is of dubious value. he clearly prefers ambiguity and equivocation, and his books are therefore full of deliberate doublespeak. In his introduction to A Generous Orthodoxy, he admits, "I have gone out of my way to be provocative, mischievous, and unclear, reflecting my belief that clarity is sometimes overrated, and that shock, obscurity, playfulness, and intrigue (carefully articulated) often stimulate more thought than clarity." A common theme that runs throughout most of McLaren's writings is the idea that "there is great danger in the quest to be right."
Doesn't McLaren's doublespeak (which is masterfully pointed out by Dr. MacArthur's comments about McLaren's quote from his book) eerily remind us of Satan's encounter with Eve in the Garden of Eden and how he (Satan) led her astray by saying, "Did God really say....?"
Hat Tips:
Camp On This
GCM Watch
Faith Under Fire
The Truth War
******* to be continued *******
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Loosely Christian??
Yesterday's North County Times Faith and Values page had an article called, Seaside church becomes center for spiritual living.
I thought how nice...another cult comes into being.
I was ready to dismiss it as such, but then I noticed this phrase in the article:
O.K. I decided that I've got to challenge this.
Is this new term, "loosely Christian" taking the place of what the book of Jude calls heresy and apostasy? You bet! Of course it is! Heresy and apostasy is warned about in many of the Epistles of Paul, as well. It is prophesied in the Bible that in the last days, people would have "itching ears" for what they want to hear instead of knowing the absolute truth of God's Word, the Bible.
I will analyze what was said in the article and my comments will appear after each paragraph.
*******
My first question. Whose "spirit" are they living with and for? We shall see.
Oh yes! Don't want to confuse one cult with another cult! That wouldn't be prudent!
That explains it some. With all the bad publicity that has fallen upon the Scientology cult via Tom Cruise's bizarre behavior, I can't blame them for being motivated to get both the inference of "Scientology" and the label of "Christian Scientist" out of their title! BTW, Christian Science is neither Christian nor Scientific...two heresies for the price of one!
What?? Loosely Christian? I can't even believe that they would say that! It's comparable to someone claiming that they are "loosely pregnant." Either you are or you're not!
The point is, either a person is a Christian or isn't a Christian. Since the word Christian means, "Christ in one," there can be no such thing as a "loose" Christian. Carnal Christian? Yes. There are many. But "loosely Christian" gives away their cult status in a heartbeat!
Notice that they don't have "crosses or images of Jesus" in the room. So tell me. Whom do they worship? Do they even know?? They appear similar to the "religious" people in Athens when Paul said in Acts 17:23 - "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."
Another thing. When the cross of Christ is ignored, the alarm bells should go off. Beware the crossless gospel!
Here we go! The "tolerance, inclusivity" claim that leads directly to relativism and spiritual oblivion! Oprah and Deepak Chopra would love this group!
But notice how they go further...they claim to want to inspire people to "live their DIVINITY"!! Did you catch that? Breaks the very first commandment..Thou shalt have no other gods before me!
Exd 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Oldest trick in the book!
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
No Bibles. No mention of sin. No Lord's prayer. How un-Christian can you get??
2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Jesus speaking about the Bible:
Jhn 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
It is only through Jesus Christ that we are saved and is wellpleasing in God's sight.
Hbr 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
If we say we don't sin (or ignore the fact) then we deceive ourselves:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Lord, teach us to pray:
Luk 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
This "preacher" ignores the Word of God. Whom does he in fact follow then?
Jhn 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
What kind of "spiritual" nourishment? From whom does their spirituality arise?
1 John - Chapter 4
1Jo 4:1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
It's not about religion...it's about relationship...with Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior!
It's all about him apparently. No mention of anything being about the one and only true God of the universe!
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8
Commune with a state of God? Whose god? What god? Man's mind is a god?
We are warned about divination in both the Old and New Testaments.
Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
2Ki 17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Eze 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken?
Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Jesus called hell a real place, spoke about how vitally important it is to avoid going there, and mentioned it several times during his three year ministry on earth.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mat 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Mat 23:33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Mar 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Luk 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Apostles speaking of hell:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Jam 3:6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Resurrected and ascended Jesus speaking about hell in Revelation:
Rev 1:18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Deepak Chopra's dream! Similar philosophy, too.
But what does Jesus say?
Jhn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There are many, many more Scriptures that we could add to this post! Care to share some? Please do!
I thought how nice...another cult comes into being.
I was ready to dismiss it as such, but then I noticed this phrase in the article:
"There are no crosses or images of Jesus in the room, though the Seaside ministers say the congregation consider itself loosely to be Christian."
O.K. I decided that I've got to challenge this.
Is this new term, "loosely Christian" taking the place of what the book of Jude calls heresy and apostasy? You bet! Of course it is! Heresy and apostasy is warned about in many of the Epistles of Paul, as well. It is prophesied in the Bible that in the last days, people would have "itching ears" for what they want to hear instead of knowing the absolute truth of God's Word, the Bible.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
2Ti 4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
I will analyze what was said in the article and my comments will appear after each paragraph.
*******
Seaside church becomes Center for Spiritual Living
By: RUTH MARVIN WEBSTER - Staff Writer
WHAT WE BELIEVE: An occasional series looking at different faiths.
On any Sunday morning, as a light salty breeze drifts in from the Pacific under a bright cloudless sky, a crossing guard stands in the middle of Lake Drive in Encinitas waving traffic into the Seaside parking lot. The sign at the street still reads Seaside Church of Religious Science, but a new one has been ordered. Soon it will read Seaside Center for Spiritual Living.
My first question. Whose "spirit" are they living with and for? We shall see.
The name has been changed, at least in part, so it no longer will be confused with the Churches of Scientology or Christian Science. "In February at our annual gathering, it was decided to change the name," said the Rev. Dr. Rev. Christina Tillotson, one of the ministers at the center.
Oh yes! Don't want to confuse one cult with another cult! That wouldn't be prudent!
She said that people have often asked her whether the churchgoers were Scientologists or Christian Scientists. "We are still the United Church of Religious Science legally, but we are now doing business as the United Centers for Spiritual Living."
That explains it some. With all the bad publicity that has fallen upon the Scientology cult via Tom Cruise's bizarre behavior, I can't blame them for being motivated to get both the inference of "Scientology" and the label of "Christian Scientist" out of their title! BTW, Christian Science is neither Christian nor Scientific...two heresies for the price of one!
And they're doing a good business. Hundreds of shiny sedans park in straight lines for the 9 and 11 o'clock services. Parking for first-time visitors remains empty near the front of the building, which looks more like a warehouse than a church. Greeters stand by the open doors, extending their hands and their smiles.
Inside the large auditorium, called the sanctuary, rows of forest-green conference chairs placed before the stage fill quickly. There are no crosses or images of Jesus in the room, though the Seaside ministers say the congregation consider itself loosely to be Christian.
What?? Loosely Christian? I can't even believe that they would say that! It's comparable to someone claiming that they are "loosely pregnant." Either you are or you're not!
The point is, either a person is a Christian or isn't a Christian. Since the word Christian means, "Christ in one," there can be no such thing as a "loose" Christian. Carnal Christian? Yes. There are many. But "loosely Christian" gives away their cult status in a heartbeat!
Notice that they don't have "crosses or images of Jesus" in the room. So tell me. Whom do they worship? Do they even know?? They appear similar to the "religious" people in Athens when Paul said in Acts 17:23 - "For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you."
Another thing. When the cross of Christ is ignored, the alarm bells should go off. Beware the crossless gospel!
"We say it's inclusively Christian, and that the words of Jesus are universal spiritual principles that live in each individual," said Dr. Christian Sorensen, Seaside's spiritual leader. "We are a non-judgmental faith ---- a spiritual nexus, inspiring people to live their divinity and reach out globally."
Here we go! The "tolerance, inclusivity" claim that leads directly to relativism and spiritual oblivion! Oprah and Deepak Chopra would love this group!
But notice how they go further...they claim to want to inspire people to "live their DIVINITY"!! Did you catch that? Breaks the very first commandment..Thou shalt have no other gods before me!
Exd 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Oldest trick in the book!
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Instead of the word "amen," the phrase "and so it is" is used during the service. There are no pews, no Bibles or prayer books, no mention of sin. No recitation of the Lord's Prayer.
No Bibles. No mention of sin. No Lord's prayer. How un-Christian can you get??
2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Jesus speaking about the Bible:
Jhn 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
It is only through Jesus Christ that we are saved and is wellpleasing in God's sight.
Hbr 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
If we say we don't sin (or ignore the fact) then we deceive ourselves:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
1 John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Lord, teach us to pray:
Luk 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Luk 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luk 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luk 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
A jazz band plays and a guest performer, Mary Dolan, who has collaborated with Bernie Taupin and other big names, strums her guitar and sings spirituals in a rich, soulful voice. The entire room stands to sing, clasping hands and swaying back and forth. "Last Sunday, we had over 400 people here," said Sorensen. "It's fun. I talk about joy. It is a joyful place where we feel the presence of God. And there is lots of music by the best jazz band."
Sorensen says he loves performing artists; his father was an actor and he was a model and actor for a time as well.
On this Sunday, Sorensen speaks about forgiveness, making the analogy between the beach pebbles his young son likes to pick up and stuff into his pockets and the wrongs people do us in our lives.
"Dr. Christian is so dynamic when he speaks, it just flows through him," said Tillotson. "People just love to stand up and clap after he talks."
1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received [it] not [as] the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
This "preacher" ignores the Word of God. Whom does he in fact follow then?
Jhn 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Sorensen started his ministry in Solana Beach with 25 people nearly 15 years ago. Now the congregation has more than 800 active members. The church also just acquired over an acre of new land and there are four-year plans and six-year plans to build new structures. Last year, members raised more than a million dollars.
"We can offer more opportunities, with our growth," he said. "What is exciting is that we continue to provide spiritual nourishment. It's not about the business, but that it delivers nourishment."
What kind of "spiritual" nourishment? From whom does their spirituality arise?
1 John - Chapter 4
1Jo 4:1 ¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jo 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Last year, Seaside opened a new private elementary school on the grounds, offering kindergarten and first grade. "Last year, we started out with 12 children," said Tillotson. "This year we have a new amazing teacher whom we managed to spirit away from one of the elementary school districts around here. We plan to offer a new grade level every year."
The center has recently started a masters program, accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council, in consciousness studies. A distance-learning program, it started five years ago and takes at least three years to complete. "We are the only small seminary in the world that is accredited," said Tillotson, who serves as the programs dean. "Right now, it is a masters and a ministerial license, but we are working on a program for lay people."
Coursework includes classes in philosophy, psychology, science and spirtuality as well as on many of the world's religions.
It's not about religion...it's about relationship...with Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior!
Sorensen said he was "born into this" as both his mother and father were followers of Religious Science from the early days of the movement that began in Los Angeles under the leadership of Dr. Ernest Holmes.
Though he was born and raised in New England, Holmes discovered his spiritual philosophy and his following in Southern California. First working as a purchasing agent for the city of Venice in Los Angeles, he began lecturing at libraries and later at the Ambassador Hotel and the Wiltern Theatre on Sunday mornings about philosophy, religion and metaphysics. Then, with the publication of his successful book, "The Science of Mind" in 1926, even more people came to his speaking engagements.
It's all about him apparently. No mention of anything being about the one and only true God of the universe!
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8
After a few years, Holmes and his followers incorporated as a nonprofit religious and educational organization called the Institute of Religious Science and the School of Philosophy. Later the institute launched a popular monthly magazine called Science of Mind Magazine which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary and has a worldwide circulation.
But before Holmes' death in 1960, a schism within the church occurred over adoption of a new constitution that would involve increased centralization of power in a national body. At the time, 46 churches chose to accept the constitution, forming what is known today at the United Centers for Spiritual Living, based in Burbank.
The other branch of 19 churches formed Religious Science International which is based in Spokane, Wash. According to the Rev. Kathryn McDowell, an ordained Religious Science minister based in Arizona, the United Church of Religious Science has 40,000 members worldwide in 160 churches and 106 study groups, with smaller branches and churches retaining a great deal of autonomy.
Using the views expressed in Holmes' "The Science of Mind," the Religious Science movement is said to endorse all sorts of meditation from creative visualization to more traditional techniques as a way to commune with a state of God. It also endorses all forms of prayer and teaching a form of prayer called Spiritual Mind Treatment, a sort of affirmation or statement about a particular goal.
Commune with a state of God? Whose god? What god? Man's mind is a god?
We are warned about divination in both the Old and New Testaments.
Deu 18:10 There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
2Ki 17:17 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Jer 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Eze 13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken?
Act 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Act 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
Act 16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
Religious Science believes that heaven and hell are states of mind, that sins are transgressions of spiritual perfection and that there is no devil per se. As for the concept of life after death, it also teaches the eternality of life, though it neither endorses nor rejects the idea of reincarnation.
Jesus called hell a real place, spoke about how vitally important it is to avoid going there, and mentioned it several times during his three year ministry on earth.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mat 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Mat 23:33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?
Mar 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Luk 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Luk 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Apostles speaking of hell:
Act 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Act 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
Jam 3:6 And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
2Pe 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Resurrected and ascended Jesus speaking about hell in Revelation:
Rev 1:18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Rev 6:8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
"We like to say we are teaching a spiritual philosophy, a broad perspective and religion as dogma," said Sorensen. "We don't make other religions wrong and recognize there are many paths to enlightenment. We welcome everyone."
Deepak Chopra's dream! Similar philosophy, too.
But what does Jesus say?
Jhn 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There are many, many more Scriptures that we could add to this post! Care to share some? Please do!
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