Slow and Methodical, Deception Creeps Forward

I was reading a post over at Mark's Chester Street blog entitled The antichrist plans...acceptance or else where he discusses the parallels between the acceptance (and nothing less) of the homosexual indoctrination agenda disguised as "rights" and how it all fits so nicely (unfortunately) into the plans of the coming antichrist.

Excerpt:

If there was ever a clearer sign that the spirit of the antichrist is actively at work in the earth, this is it. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest homosexual rights organization, issued a “Clergy Call” May 4-5 in the nation’s capital.

Slow and methodical, deception creeps forward.

Don’t be deceived, satan is methodically working to usurp power in the earth through three avenues headed by three powers.

The three powers listed and briefly described at his blog are:

1. The beast
2. The antichrist
3. The false prophet

Be sure to read the additional links, like GCM Watch's recent post that Mark has also provided at his blog.

My comment there (awaiting moderation):




Hi Mark,

Good post!

This statement:

This was chillingly played out by the union of world religions which pledged to a “Faith in Human Rights Statement”

reveals exactly why the gay indoctrination (especially within so-called "gay-affirming" churches - which are promoting sin disguised as "rights") agenda can NEVER exist along with true biblical Christianity unless the people in these churches repent.

Why?

Because they are at opposite ends of the TRUTH spectrum. The "gay" churches promote a lie. Bible based Christian churches promote the TRUTH.

The gay "rights" and their "faith" in human rights show an obvious denial of God's laws, morality, object of faith (Jesus Christ), God's purpose for our lives, and God's authority over believers. Thus, it propels these deceived people right into the direction of the lying false prophet!

The "gay" churches are, indeed, celebrating an abomination (according to God's Word) and therefore glorifying man and his "achievements" over God's laws, purpose, and sovereignty.

Have you ever seen the movie "Judgment" starring Corbin Bernson, Jessica Steen and Mr. T? That fictional account of the end times is looking more and more like reality today!!

Read all of the additional details at GCM Watch.

Excerpt:

These three [the beast, the antichrist, the false prophet] will attempt to dominate every facet of human existence from currency to church and everything in between. In fact, Revelation tells us that under their brief but murderous reign “no one will be able to buy or sell” without having the sign of the beast ( the consolidated government) visible in their forehead. The best foreshadowing of this is the WW II Nazi requirement that European Jewry wear the star of David in public. If you will study the origin, deployment and execution of the Nazis death and domination agenda, you’ll see stunning parallels of what is to come.

The antichrist is the key to satan’s attempted final solution to murder the righteous and enthrone himself in Jerusalem as king. The other two are stepping stones deployed to (1) deceive the world and (2) control the world, in that order. Premeditated deception is crucial to unrestrained dominance.

Hat Tips:

Chester Street

GCM Watch

Churches That Create False Converts

People....YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO the radio clip over at Christian Research Net. Even though it is an hour long, you would only need to hear the first twelve minutes to see how utterly ridiculous the teachings can be of some of the purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive churches.

Excerpt of what is written at the site:

Granger Community Church, one of the premiere Purpose-Driven churches and the 6th most influential church in America just announced the results of their Reveal Study. The results are SHOCKING but not surprising because sites like this one have been warning for years that the seeker-sensitive / purpose-driven model was creating false converts and now there is hard statistical data that backs up this claim.

Granger’s own qualitative study revealed that:

47% of those attending Granger DO NOT believe in salvation by grace.

57% of those attending Granger DO NOT believe in the authority of the Bible.

56% of those attending Granger DO NOT believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life.



Chris Rosebrough, on today’s edition of the Fighting for the Faith radio program tackles these findings and what they mean. This is a MUST LISTEN program!

Can you even believe what is being passed off as "Christianity" today?

AWFUL!!!

Need a visual? Go to A Little Leaven and view the six minute video.

Know what's messed up? Their crazy theology...

P.S. What are they focusing in on in that video? Themselves... That's idolatry. How sad...how lost they are.

Did you notice?
1. No worship of Jesus Christ.
2. No Bible reading or study.
3. No honor or glory directed at God the Father or Jesus Christ.
4. No altar call to repent of sin.
5. No invitation to be born again in Jesus Christ.

How easy it is to recognize a false church, false ministry, and false teacher when the truth of the Bible is not being preached!

HT: Christian Research Net

A Little Leaven

Politics for Ordinary Radicals

Leave it to the CNN Politics.com news site to share a story about two, politically leftist writers (of course!) - who happened to name their book, "Jesus for President" - to gleefully claim that these two men are endorsing "what is at the heart of Jesus."

Oh really???

As I had mentioned briefly in a previous post, how strange is it that the authors chose to only have part of the title of their book "Jesus for President" on the cover. They eliminated the "Politics for Ordinary Radicals" phrase! Hmmm......

Sorry fellas - but your book (with it's unfortunate use of Jesus' name in the title) is, for the most part, focused on getting their typical Bush-hating, anti-war, pro-Marxism screed out into the hands of other young evangelicals.

For shame!

How sad it is that these men have chosen to use Jesus, and God's Word, the Bible in ways that distort the true message of the gospel. How unfortunate that their own minds have skewed hundreds of Bible verses in order to promote their own worldview. There are just too many errors in their writing to list them all here.

How terribly sad it is to read that they compare Harry Truman with Hitler! This, as well as the many examples of hate-mongering done towards traditional Bible-believing, Christ following, true gospel sharing, church fellowship and Bible studying evangelicals (which, of no surprise, includes the rejection of their own parents beliefs) are quite evident in their ranting contained within the pages of this book. It is the Bush-hating, far-left secular humanist's dream to have them on their side of the political spectrum!

Do these authors know that they are using God to promote their own, anti-American political agenda?

True Christians allow God to use THEM! And, not to use His Son to promote a Marxist political agenda!!

Everyone has a worldview. Some worldviews are better than others. The Biblical worldview is having "the mind of Christ" as Paul reiterates in his epistle.

How can I judge these young men so harshly - you may ask? Because they have been deceived, that's why.

For example. In the article link above we read:

But these voters say views on abortion and homosexuality won't define them in November. The environment and social justice are moving to the forefront of their discussions.

Now, in their book we read:

"We are dying and killing for abstract nouns like freedom and democracy...but this is not the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Letter from a U.S. soldier in Iraq

So...let's see now. One disgruntled soldier in Iraq skews their "Christian" worldview to agree with a statement like that? Nouns like freedom and democracy are abstract nouns?

These authors won't let "abortion nor homosexuality define them in November." Abortion has killed 52,275,770 BABIES since that horrible ruling in 1973. That amount of babies killed through abortion will have increased by the time you view the site. THAT is the evil of our time! If you listen to, and view, the brief video at that link, you will discover that abortion has killed ONE THIRD of Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw's (authors of "Jesus for President") generation! This is FAR MORE, MILLIONS MORE than the deaths of our brave military men and women fighting valiantly in the current war against radical Islamic terrorism!

What is wrong with this picture?

What would Jesus say about that?

But the book gets worse people - MUCH WORSE.

The authors compare our great nation, liberators of millions of oppressed peoples around the globe, to Rome's empire! I can see where they get their skewed theology. They read books written by John Dominic Crossan.

Excerpt:

In the introduction of his book In Search of Paul: How Jesus' Apostle Opposed Rome's Empire with God's Kingdom, biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan asks this haunting question: "Who now is Caesar and where now is Christ?" As we consider the theology being preached from the pulpits by both pastors and politicians (and these days, its hard to tell them apart), we need to contemplate this question. Fortunately, more and more Bible-literate Christians are deeply disturbed by the skewed theology of empire. It is becoming more and more clear that the Pax Americana is not helping the world get any closer to understanding the crucified Christ and his gospel of grace. 29

O.K. We can see where they are getting their theological opinions from. But take a look at the authors' footnote. It's quite the eye-opener to their true agenda in writing this book!

29 The essence of our book is not dependent on whether the United States is truly a prideful empire. Christianity proclaims an alternate allegiance even to citizens of humble nations. And the point is certainly not that only the United States is one of the beastly powers. Among Russia, China, Rwanda, Belgium, and countless others, it would be quite a competition as to which dictatorship tops the list of most blood shed and worst publicly legitimated insanity. But to see the bad fruits of power is an important connection to make for those who have a white-knuckle grip on both the cross and the flag. When we take a good look at the history of the United States, we must face the reality that the U.S. is not, as Barak (sic) Obama (and countless others) said, "the last great hope for humanity." This not only is false according to the standards of secular history but also is heretical for us in the church. This is the kind of stuff that made John of Patmos seethe (not to mention God). And in the scope of history, the United States is a young project that doubtlessly will fall--whether in a few or in many years.

Quite the patriots...aren't they? /sarcasm

Notice how the CNN article LIED about their "neutrality" concerning the upcoming election!

CNN article:

They endorse no candidate and make no effort to sway the voters for one party or another.

Think that's bad enough? It's only the beginning. On another page, the authors discuss "idols and images". They quote Exodus 20:4, Lev. 26:1, and 4 Ezra 4:11:

"Therefore, you will surely disappear, you eagle...so that the whole earth, will be freed from your violence." The Eagle will not live forever, blessed be the Lamb.

Can you guess what is pictured next to these verses? You'll never guess so I'll tell you. They have sketches of three bombs dropping from the sky with "Made in U.S.A." stamped on them!

Some of the additional things written on the page do not even make sense. In one box, they quote Crossan as stating that, "over 50 percent of the Roman budget went towards the Roman military." Next, they write, "Of each dollar paid in taxes, 36 cents goes toward the military of the United States.

Duh!! Do these guys even know history? Do they know that military (and police) protection was the original (and only) reasons for taxes in the first place??

Here's the quote that reads a bit convoluted:

"Only God can make an image of God's self...and God did. Look in the mirror or look in the slums.

ONLY SOMETHING SACRED CAN BE DE*SACRATED.

Is "de*sacrated" even a genuine word? It's obviously misspelled.

Desecrated:
–verb (used with object), -crat·ed, -crat·ing.

1. to divest of sacred or hallowed character or office.
2. to divert from a sacred to a profane use or purpose.
3. to treat with sacrilege; profane.

[Origin: 1665–75; de- + -secrate, modeled on consecrate]

What on earth are they talking about? Sounds like gibberish to me!

Then, we have evidence of their "youthful" views:

"It was once said, if you want to know your idols, consider what you are willing to kill for. WHAT ARE IDOLS?"

Next to that quote, they have a crude drawing of a television with "KILL YOUR TV" written on it. Quite the non-sequitur, isn't it?

It gets worse! On another page in the book they have a drawing of Jesus carrying the cross with a soldier holding a bazooka sitting on the cross behind Jesus!

Are you getting the picture of their skewed thinking yet?

Do they represent many of our young evangelicals today? I hope not! I PRAY NOT!!

Now, the authors aren't crazy. I just think that they are sorely misguided. For instance, read this quote:

Aelius Aristides: "Now the earth itself and its inhabitants have been granted universal security which is evident to all. Every war begins with fear."

Ah ha! That explains it! "Every war begins with fear." Period. Nothing else? What about being attacked? What about defending our nation and our peoples from further attacks?

I could go on and on and on. There is so much skewed theology applied to anti-war rhetoric in this book it would make your head spin!!

Lastly, I will share just why these authors (and their followers, presumably) do not concern themselves with the proliferation of the homosexual agenda in the political, social, educational, judicial, and church arenas:

What was so evil about Sodom? "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned: they did not help the poor and needy" (Ezek. 16:49). That's not what we learned in Sunday school.

Whoo boy! Talk about leaving out some of the other equally important details!! Ah, but, if they included any other details about The Days of Lot and the Days of Noah, then they would have to address their errant theological opinion that the homosexual agenda "doesn't define them" or influence their voting preferences.

Look at the skewed way they describe the meaning of being "born-again" :

"So being born again redefines family: it grants a new way to see the world, a way to see right past the artificial borders we create and proclaim a deeper allegiance and affection. For those who pledge allegiance to the kingdoms of this world, Jesus preached good news: repent and become born again, "see the kingdom," and find a new identity. This is not a set of political suggestions for the world; this is about invoking and embodying the alternative. handwritten: (More on that later.) All of this is an invitation to join a peculiar people--those with no king but God, who practice jubilee economics and make the world new. This is not the old-time religion of going to heaven; this is about bringing heaven to the world."

We can agree with some of what is written in that paragraph. However, the ultimate point of being born again in Jesus Christ is to humble ourselves, confess and repent of our sin; then, invite Jesus Christ into our hearts where he will reside through the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God.

Question. Do the authors even mention this? No. It is no where to be found. Notice that the cross isn't mentioned in the above paragraph, either. Finding a "new identity" isn't defined either. Whose identity are they emulating? We are not told. Plus, that last sentence sounds more like Oprah's New Age theology rather than genuine Christianity.

Your thoughts?

*******
P.S. Apparently, Shane Claiborne is 33 years old and Chris Haw is 27. However, it appears that their radicalism is appealing to 20-something-year old evangelical Christians. God help us!

*******
Update: SJ Camp has a somewhat related post regarding skewed theology and how important it is to stick to biblical truth over at Camp On This

Excerpt:

"Gifted men of God, like Keller, know this and know better than this. When they flirt with pushing the edge of biblical truth by redefining God in today's postmodern terms out of the pragmatic emerging church framework, they make it difficult for the many of us who want to trust them in how they handle God's Word to do so. But as in this case, orthodoxy it seems was not the prime consideration; but relating to an audience, being clever, and cutting edge. IOW, pragmatics again.

Biblical terminology should not be stretched to a place that is foreign to the meaning of those words as found in God's Word. It can be very confusing for younger believers in the Lord, it can be gangrenous to the body of Christ in general, and the fallout to maintaining a right view of God compromised. "

(bold mine)

Understanding Bible Prophecy Fulfillment (Part 1)

In a previous comment thread, Mike Rucker asked me to provide a "prophecy that has been fulfilled in 2008." Now, I'm not quite sure if he was just joking around with me or if he seriously wanted a conversation about biblical prophecy.

Nonetheless, I did a lot of work locating links so that I could answer some of his questions. Since my time on the blog is limited this morning, I thought that I would use the comment as my blog post for today.

Biblical prophecy is a HUGE topic for discussion. It cannot be covered in just one blog post. Therefore, I have labeled this response as "Part 1."

Christine

P.S. Every other blogger is probably covering the Eliot Spitzer scandal. I've already had enough of that! T.V. is turned off at my home!

Here's my post:

1. Your lottery comedy routine makes me wonder whether or not you are genuinely serious about this topic.

2. I think that you misunderstand my position. Let me see if I can help alleviate your misunderstanding about prophecy fulfillment.

Bible prophecy is continually being fulfilled. Demanding that I show you a specific prophecy being fulfilled "in 2008," as you have asked, is not necessarily an accurate portrayal of how prophecy fulfillment is being revealed.

For instance. Today, the ancient prophecy of David, regarding the fact that Israel would be (and currently is) surrounded by many enemies is an exact prophecy fulfillment. If you read the Scripture at that link, you will see that David names the exact enemies (ancient names and current names listed in that post) that have surrounded Israel and have called for her complete destruction (e.g. Iran leaders want Israel pushed "into the sea.")

Because of biblical ignorance, we see the current U.S. administration attempting to make peace deals between the Palestinians and Israel. They may have the best intentions in mind, but the fact that the so-called "Road map to Peace" requires Israel to give up portions of land (that the Lord gave to her via nations that allowed the formation of the Jewish State after the Holocaust) is a HUGE mistake...IMHO.

I don't want to get too far off topic.

On May 14, 1948 (when the exact date was prophesied for Israel's re-formation as a Jewish State in the Bible) until now, we are witnessing prophecy fulfillment almost every day in that region of the world.

Here is a link that describes, in detail, how amazing it was for that prophecy to be fulfilled.

Other prophecy fulfillment can be seen through the increase of hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, fires, etc. being suffered around the world.

There is also the fact that Jesus himself stated that the signs of the times would be as "in the Days of Noah" (known for it's skepticism and godless paganism, violence, mocking of the faithful etc.) and as in the "Days of Lot" (known for it's sexual immorality and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah).

If you have been following my posts at this blog about the Falling Away of false convert Christians, as it is revealed through the Bible, then you know that such re probation, heresy, and apostasy is growing exponentially today. The book of Jude warns of this exact thing!

There has been discussion that some view Barack Obama as THE Antichrist. Poor Glen Beck. Just asking the question has placed a barrage of insults and condemnation upon him! I was watching a re-broadcast of his T.V. show last night, and it was mentioned that there were 450,000 google hits about his interview with John Hagee. Today, there are 878,000! Good news travels fast...eh? Just checked again! Now it's over 928,000!

There has always been speculation regarding who the Antichrist will be. There are people who exhibit a spirit of Antichrist, but this does not necessary mean that they are, or could become THE Antichrist described in Revelation.

Two more posts that may be of interest on this topic:

Babylon Rising

Ezekiel's Final Puzzle Pieces

Since you (Mike) don't want to get into a "fire hose" of information regarding Bible prophecy fulfillment, then I suggest that you just concentrate on one thing -Israel.

The hatred for Israel by Her many enemy nations is not only a central, continuing theme in Bible prophecy, it is one of the greatest signs of the approaching end times. Those who don't see or notice this would be wise to study it and notice how accurate the Bible has been throughout the centuries in this matter as well as many others! It is so crystal clear that to miss it would truly be tragic for non-believers and their destiny in eternity.

Happy reading!

Comments welcome!

HT: Christadelphia.org

*******

P.S. At least I found one SANE blog, Newsbusters that doesn't distort what Glen was asking and why he asked the question. [Warning: Some foul language by liberal bloggers included in the comment section.]

Leaven and Scabbed Sheep

This morning I found a great Christian blog called "A Little Leaven" which is dedicated to exposing the "leaven" of errors and heresies attacking the church today. The photos, blog posts and explanations shared at the site demonstrate how vital it is for true Christians to be involved with exposing heresies out there while remaining faithful to true Christian doctrine. Doing so helps us to heed the call in Jude's epistle - our need to throughly investigate and expose the damaging lies which are harmful to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and to exhort adherence to the "faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."

The blog is described in this way:

- A Museum of Idolatry -
This Is What Happens When the Church Fails to Remain Faithful to the Correct Preaching and Teaching of God's Word

Next, in the "Welcome to Our Museum" message we read:

We'd like to thank you for stopping by our Museum of Idolatry. In less than a year we've collected more than 350 exhibits and our collection grows daily. Be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed so that you can be notified of new exhibits.

If this is your first visit or if you haven't already done so, please grab your favorite beverage and spend some time wandering through our exhibit archives. We recommend starting on the "Jesus Junk Wing". Afterwards, if you have the stomach for it, be sure to visit our collection of Christian Erotica.

This Week's Featured Archive Exhibit: Blazing Saddles Bible Study

The "Jesus junk" list contains items that are just plain silly, all the way to items that are insulting and blasphemous. There are many, many items that I had never seen before. Where are these things being sold? Online?

But the "Christian" erotica is most disturbing. Thankfully, they didn't have pictures of the awful blasphemous sex toys being sold at that well-known sex orgy "festival" which was held in San Fransicko. However, be forewarned that what you read and see there is highly offensive.

The name of the blog inspired me to read what the Bible says about "leaven." The term "leaven" occurs 23 times in 20 verses.



Here are just a few Bible verses from the list:

1Cr 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

1Cr 5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

1Cr 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

According to the Blue Letter Bible Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words - Leaven (Noun and Verb):

Being bred of corruption and spreading through the mass of that in which it is mixed, and therefore symbolizing the pervasive character of evil, "leaven" was utterly inconsistent in offerings which typified the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ.

In the Old Testament, "leaven" was forbidden in all offerings to the Lord by fire, Lev 2:11; 6:17.

In the OT "leaven" is not used in a metaphorical sense.

In the NT it is used (a) metaphorically (1) of corrupt doctrine, Mat 13:33; Luk 13:21, of error as mixed with the truth (there is no valid reason for regarding the symbol here differently from its application elsewhere in the NT); Mat 16:6,11; Mar 8:15

"Leaven" (yeast) was used as a symbol for sin -
1Cr 5:6-8

Matthew Henry's commentary:

IV. He hints the danger of contagion from this example: Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? The bad example of a man in rank and reputation is very mischievous, spreads the contagion far and wide. It did so, probably, in this very church and case: see 2 Co. 12:21. They could not be ignorant of this. The experience of the whole world was for it; one scabbed sheep infects a whole flock. A little leaven will quickly spread the ferment through a great lump. Note, Concern for their purity and preservation should engage Christian churches to remove gross and scandalous sinners.

During a Bible study on Psalm 23, I learned a lot about the harm that even just one sheep with the disease of "scab" can wreck upon an entire flock of sheep:

Keller (author of A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23) goes on to discuss and describe the irritating and highly contagious disease called "scab," which is common to sheep the world over. He mentions how sheep tend to rub heads together in a friendly, affectionate manner. However, when one has the "scab," this terrible disease spreads easily from one to the other.

Keller writes:

In the Old Testament when it was declared that the sacrificial lambs should be without blemish, the thought uppermost in the writer's mind was that the animal should be free of scab. In a very real and direct sense scab is significant of contamination, of sin, of evil.

Again as with flies, the only effective antidote is to apply linseed oil, sulphur and other chemicals that can control this disease. In many sheep-rearing countries dips are built and the entire flock is put through the dip. Each animal is completely submerged in the solution until its entire body is soaked. The most difficult part to do is the head. The head has to be plunged under repeatedly to ensure that scab there will be controlled. Some sheep-men take great care to treat the head by hand.

[S]o I know precisely what David meant when he wrote, "Thou anointest my head with oil." Again it was the only antidote for scab. [Keller adds that an old remedy is olive oil, sulphur and spices.]

In the Christian life, most of our contamination by the world, by sin, by that which would defile and disease us spiritually comes through our minds. It is a case of mind meeting mind to transmit ideas, concepts and attitudes which may be damaging.

Often it is when we "get our heads together" with someone else who may not necessarily have the mind of Christ, that we come away imbued with concepts that are not Christian.

Our thoughts, our ideas, our emotions, our choices, our impulses, drives and desires are all shaped and molded through the exposure of our minds to other people's minds. In our modern era of mass communication, the danger of the "mass mind" grows increasingly grave. Young people in particular, whose minds are so malleable, find themselves being molded under the subtle pressures and impacts made on them by television, radio, magazines, newspapers, [Christine adds: the internet!] and fellow classmates, to say nothing of their parents and teachers.

Often the mass media which are largely responsible for shaping our minds are in the control of men whose characters are not Christlike: who in some cases are actually anti-Christian.

One cannot be exposed to such contacts without coming away contaminated. The thought patterns of people are becoming increasingly abhorrent. Today we find more tendency to violence, hatred, prejudice, greed, cynicism and increasing disrespect for that which is noble, fine, pure or beautiful.

This is precisely the opposite of what Scripture teaches us. In Philippians 4:8 we are instructed emphatically in this matter, "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things"! Here again, the only possible, practical path to attaining such a mind free of the world's contamination is to be conscious daily, hourly of the purging presence of God's Holy Spirit, applying Himself to my mind.

Keeping what I have already shared in this post in mind, I'd like to add some quotes from John MacArthur's book, "The Truth War" -

False teachers aren't necessarily even that obvious. They don't wear badges identifying themselves as apostates. They usually try hard not to stand out as enemies of truth. They pretend devotion to Christ and demand tolerance from Christ's followers.

Been there...done that! I have certainly had my share of false converts "demand tolerance" from me. However, such "tolerance" would require accepting their heretical ideas for the sake of "can't we all just get along?"

MacArthur:

We must not take our cues from people who are perfectly happy to compromise the truth wherever possible "for harmony's sake." Friendly dialogue may sound affable and pleasant. But neither Christ nor the apostles ever confronted serious, soul-destroying error by building collegial relationships with false teachers.

You see, it's not "just a little thing" people! Defending the truth in a world of errors disguised as "Christianity" is essential in the truth war!

MacArthur:

Because Gnosticism constantly mutated and metamorphosed and spawned new errors, Gnostic thought was like a persistent virus attacking Biblical Christianity for many centuries. As a matter of fact, Gnosticism was never totally and thoroughly exterminated. Some of the most ancient expressions of Gnostic error are experiencing a powerful comeback in the current generation.

We are supposed to respond to a pseudo-Christian teacher who denies the core truths of Christian doctrine: "Do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."

MacArthur:

John evidently applied that principle in his own practice too. Iranaeus (who was born shortly after John died and was personally acquainted with people who had sat under John's teaching) records that John once refused to enter a public bathhouse in Ephesus when he learned Cerinthus (a Gnostic who insisted that Jesus' deity was an illusion) was inside. So much did John love the truth and hate falsehood that he refused any kind of fellowship (or even casual association) with the peddlers of gnostic notions.

Now, it is extremely important to realize that we are discussing those who profess to be Christians; not skeptics, agnostics, atheists, those of other religions. What this teaches us is that those who borrow truth from Scripture here and there - but then poison it with outright lies are even more damaging than non-believers. Why? Because just like the gnostics of the early days of Christianity, they are guilty of satanic truth twisting (a modern-day example are "The Da Vinci Code" adherents) and are heretics who are undermining the very foundation of true faith!

The caution for our present time is that if those who spread such lies are not opposed and clearly refuted with the plain truth of God's Word, then those who need to know proper, sound doctrine could easily be led astray by postmodern, creeping apostasy.

Yet, it has been my experience, (unfortunately), that many of my Christian friends and acquaintances actually seem more distressed about believers who think the Truth War is still worth fighting than about the dangers of false doctrine.

Why is that?

I think that it has a lot to do with what MacArthur states in chapter 5 "Heresy's Subtlety":

The more aggressively something is marketed to Christians as the latest, greatest novelty, the less likely most evangelicals are to examine it critically. After all, who wants to be constantly derided as a gatekeeper for orthodoxy in a postmodern culture? Defending the faith is a role very few seem to want anymore.

Have you experienced derision because you are involved in "earnestly contending for the faith" as Jude exhorts in his epistle? I know that I have.

MacArthur certainly tells it like it is, magnificently in these concluding paragraphs in chapter 4:

Their complaint has become a familiar refrain: "Why don't you just lighten up? Why don't you ease off the campaign to refute doctrines you disagree with? Why must you constantly critique what other Christians are teaching? After all, we all believe in the same Jesus."

My answer? No we don't believe in the same Jesus!

MacArthur goes on:

But Scripture clearly and repeatedly warns us that no everyone who claims to believe in Jesus really does. Jesus Himself said many would claim to know Him who actually do not (Matthew 7;22-23). Satan and his ministers have always masqueraded as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15). We are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). After all, this has been his strategy from the very start.

So it is the very height of folly (and disobedience) for Christians in the current generation to decide all of a sudden that in the name of "love" we ought to sweep aside every aberrant idea about the gospel and unconditionally embrace everyone who claims to be a Christian. To do that would be to concede the whole battle for truth to the enemy.

We must continue the fight.

In this postmodern world, the clear voices of true biblical discernment are few. In fact, many are improperly labeled as "heresy hunters" or pesky whistle-blowers.

Where are the Berean-type believers of today? Such believers used to be commended. Not anymore! Today, many are labeled negatively for standing up for truth. Perhaps that is why there aren't enough believers willing to be ostracized for careful scrutinizing and discernment? In Acts 17:11, we are told how important it is for believers to "search[ed] the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

MacArthur provides a detailed history of the heresies that spawned up through those who followed errant doctrines. He shares that spiritual chaos results from false teachers when the church becomes weary of the conflict and ceases to fight against it. In the closing paragraphs of Chapter 5, MacArthur writes:

One of the main lessons of Jude's epistle is that Christians must never cease fighting. We cannot pretend error is no longer worth battling in our generation. We should not imagine that the enemy has finally shifted into retreat mode. The war against the truth goes on continuously, unrelentingly, on multiple fronts - and it always has.

Jude takes a condensed, fish-eye view of all history, starting from the beginning of time. He shows that the Truth War has been a perpetual reality ever since sin first entered the universe. The long struggle between truth and falsehood is one of the central themes of all history.

We all would do well to remember the effects of even just a little bit of leaven.

We all would do well to remember the effects of even just one scabbed sheep.

Most important of all, remember that God uses faithful warriors for the truth as His instruments to preserve the gospel for each succeeding generation.


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.

Countering Stealth-Like Apostasy

With each subsequent chapter in John MacArthur's book, "The Truth War," it is my heartfelt opinion that more and more heavenly light is being joyfully revealed to the reader. Chapter three, entitled "Constrained into Conflict: Why We Must Fight for the Faith" sheds a brilliant light upon the absolute, biblical reasons why heresy and apostasy must continually be challenged within the churches of true Christian faith.

Jude 3 -
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

MacArthur presents some wonderful, historical details about Jude and why he called himself, "Bondservant of Christ, Brother of James." The following brief quote only gives a smidgen of this information, but it does show that even a person who was once a skeptic can be forever changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

MacArthur:

As a young man, Jude appears to have been confused by the fierce opposition to Jesus, and at first he himself was swept up in skepticism. John 7:5 says that during Jesus' earthly ministry, "even His brothers did not believe in Him." Later, of course, Jude did believe. But at first, he seems to have followed the crowd in their rejection of Jesus' authority.

MacArthur details the fact that after Jude's conversion, and by the time Jude penned his famous epistle, it was clear that he had become a respected voice of authority among the saints and an effective warrior for the truth.

It's interesting to note that heresy and apostasy not only threatens the church today, but threatened the church from the very beginning!

MacArthur:

We sometimes tend to think of the early church as pristine, pure, and untroubled by serious error. The truth is, it wasn't that way at all. From the very beginning, the enemies of truth launched an effort to infiltrate and confuse the people of God by mangling the truth and by blending lies with Christian doctrine. Attacks against the truth regularly came not only from persecutors on the outside but also from false teachers and professing believers within the visible community of the church.

Today's emergent; politically correct; no need to repent; de-emphasize (or, completely eliminate) the preaching of the Cross of Christ; "lets all just get along for the sake of unity," crowd ignores the warnings in Jude and several other epistles. (See 2 Peter 2:1-34; 2 Peter 3:3, 17; and 2 Peter 2:1-2, 3:3.)

Yes. As Christians believers, we are not to get involved in "petty" arguments. One example of a typically "petty" argument might be silly disputes over the type of Christian-artist-music one listens to.

However, when it comes to major issues, like Jude, we need to urge believers to oppose those who spread error rather than embrace them. The life of the church depends on it!

MacArthur calls the various types and methods of false teaching by deceptive spiritual "terrorists" infiltrating the church "stealth apostasy." This sentence is key and most astounding:

Whether they are conscious of it or not, false teachers are satanic missionaries sent to produce more apostates.

Scary...isn't it?

The following is another paragraph in MacArthur's book that is similar to what I wrote about in the post "Types of Judgment."

Satan's design is to lead people who have been exposed to the gospel away from it into damning error. There are always people in and around the church who have heard the truth and understood it but who have not yet embraced it and committed to it savingly. They can be led to reject it, and that is exactly what the evil one hopes to accomplish.

(bold, italics mine)

The phrase, "have not yet embraced it and committed to it savingly" is similar to what The Way of the Master book authors typically label as "false converts."

MacArthur goes on and tells the reader that the apostasy problem was not unique to the congregation Jude was addressing in his epistle. In fact, apostasy is a familiar theme in Scripture. Jesus himself addressed it through the parable of the soils found in Matthew 13 and Luke 8.

MacArthur:

It pictures God's Word as seed being sown in four types of soils: hard soil, shallow soil, weedy soil, and good soil. The soils represent human hearts in various stages of receptivity. Jesus explained the symbolism of the parable in Luke 8:11-15:

Luk 8:11 ¶ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.


Luk 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.


Luk 8:13 They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.


Luk 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.


Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep [it], and bring forth fruit with patience.

.

MacArthur points out that three of the four soils picture people who hear the Word and turn away. Some turn away almost immediately (hard-soil hearers), others may show early signs of life but never bear fruit (weedy-soil hearers). The "weedy-soil" ones allow worldly desires to choke the life out of any spiritual interests these people ever had. They are a threat to the spiritual well-being of the church.

But the greatest threat of all comes from the "shallow-soil hearers."

MacArthur:

They "receive the word with joy; [but they] have no root. [They] believe for a while [but] in time of temptation fall away."

[...]they hear the truth, understand the truth, and superficially affirm the truth. But because they have no root, they will never produce authentic fruit..

Jude 12 describes apostates as "autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots." These superficial "saints" are actually rootless, fruitless, and dead. So they inevitably fall away.

Because the final disavowal of the truth occurs with full knowledge and understanding, this is a fatal apostasy from which there is o hope of recovery. It is precisely the sin described in such chilling terms in Hebrews 6:4-6:

Hbr 6:4 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,


Hbr 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,


Hbr 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame.

Is that absolutely chilling or what???

When I read that verse, and thought about the heresy and apostasy of the current, various "movements" that preach a "different gospel" than the TRUE GOSPEL - the one that has been "forever delivered unto the saints,"- I realized that those who often chastise me for bringing up such heresies aren't the least bit concerned (or aware of) the fact that such apostasy presents the greatest internal danger the church faces!

Those who do not savingly believe, can be caught up in corruption, avarice, moral failures, false prophecies, phony "miracles" and erroneous doctrine that all boils down to what MacArthur calls: "a reproach to Christianity and a stumbling block to the undiscerning."

Who will warn them if genuine believers do not?

I remember doing a Bible study on the book of Acts. MacArthur helped me recall a classic biblical example of how apostasy can occur. The story of Simon, a magician, who, (according to Luke) had a reputation of astonishing the people of Samaria with "sorcery." If you read the account in Acts 8:9-25, as the story unfolds we learn that Simon's faith appeared, at first, to be like Philip and the other true Christians. However, we learn in verse 20 that Simon wanted to purchase a gift of God with money!

MacArthur:

Peter clearly regarded Simon's request as evidence that the magician was not a real believer at all. "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God" (v. 21).

For those who claim that Christians "are not to judge," this account flies in the face of their errant philosophy. Peter was certainly direct in confronting this apostate!

MacArthur:

Notice that in Peter's subsequent call for Simon's repentance, the apostle speaks of forgiveness in almost hypothetical terms, suggesting that Simon's sin was so serious that it might not even be forgivable: "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity" (vv. 22-23)

Simon pleaded for Philip to pray for him, "that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me" (v. 24). He was obviously shaken and terrified by Philip's rebuke - for the moment, at least.

Unfortunately, we learn that Simon's dread didn't last very long. It appears that he fell away from Christ forever that very day. He is never mentioned again in the biblical record.

MacArthur shares that an early apologist named Justin Martyr did research and found that Simon ended up being an early founder of a gnostic sect.

MacArthur:

Those who have seen the truth of the Gospel, professed to believe it, and then turned away from the faith have no hope of redemption. Both Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-30 condemn that kind of apostasy with a tone of utter finality, suggesting that those who fall away willfully never do come back to the faith.

Bone chilling...isn't it?

Look at 2 Peter 2:20-21

2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.


2Pe 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

It's as though such apostates have "sealed themselves" in their own disbelief. Their arrogant attitudes are very evident when such people say things like, "I've been there; done that - and it doesn't work." Or, they say, "I used to believe that, but it's not true." Or, "I'm enlightened now. Let me enlighten you too."

Such apostate attitudes were very apparent in the Nightline debate between two self-professed atheists (who claim they were once Christians) and two Christian evangelists (Ray Comfort and former actor, Kirk Cameron). I wrote about that debate here.

Apostates may not always be clear and apparent atheists. Some are more subtle in their unbelief; purposely disguising themselves in a "wolf in sheeps' clothing" way in order to turn others awry in order to deceive them, too!

MacArthur:

Jesus' teaching made the truth starkly clear. These people, who evidently saw the truth plainly and understood Jesus' teaching perfectly well, turned away anyway. In fact, the utter clarity of the truth was the very thing that drove them away. When they saw the truth for what it was, they simply hated it. It was too demanding, too unpopular, too inconvenient, too much of a threat to their own agenda, and too much of a rebuke to their sin. Remember, "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

We see that apostasy, as appalling and dismal as it is, has been with us throughout all of redemptive history. In fact, Scripture teaches that apostasy will be widespread at the end of the age. It is prophesied and known as "The Falling Away."

As I mentioned before, we are not to argue over insignificant matters. However, Scripture is clear that in order to remain faithful to the truth, it may require us to wage "civil war" within the church - especially when enemies of truth posing as brethren and believers are bringing in heresies that lead to apostasy through stealth-like deceptions.

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:

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 *******

Biblical Uncertainty Drives Emerging Movement

Steve Camp has posted a video at his blog that all Christians need to see. It visually demonstrates how the "emergent church movement" is steeped in error!

Steve writes:

Church Dystopia - What's driving the emerging/emergent movement?

Steve's brief, but absolutely accurate answer to that question?

Ecclesiastical negativity; biblical uncertainty; theological infidelity; spiritual unrest; and the thirst for cultural relevancy.

I found the video astonishing! I didn't realize how dangerous this movement really is until I saw this video. It's "leaders" can be seen and their reprobate views exposed...in an up close and personal way via the video. It's very New Agey...and the "leaders" exude a kind of guru, "touchy-feely" type atmosphere.

Very creepy...

Here is a copy of my comment at Steve's blog:

Thank you for sharing this video. It shows that the "Emergent church movement" is even more dangerous than I had first thought!

I have done several blogposts about this growing heresy, including this one.

The book of Jude warns us that false Christs will be presented and "worshipped" the closer we get to the end times. Heresies will increase and deceive many...even the elect if that were possible. In other words, there will always be a remnant of the faithful who will not be fooled by such "movements" that are blatant errors disguised as Christianity.

Keep up the good work here, Steve, sharing the truth of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No matter how many heretics try to change such truth; they will be found out and exposed - first through the efforts of the faithful; and, even more importantly, by the plumbline of Scripture that will always refute their errors.

God bless you!
Christine

Warning: Avoid "Dark Materials" Trilogy

In a previous post entitled Hateful - The New Code Word, I included one of the seven satanic deceptions often used as schemes and devices to steer people away from the truth of God's Word which can lead them into a devastatingly error ridden place of existence.

The Bible warns us not to be ignorant of satan's devices.

2Cr 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2Cr 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.


2Cr 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.


2Cr 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The first deception of satan (discussed in that post) was false doctrine.

Within this Baptist Press article, we find that the author Bill Pullman of the "Dark Materials" Trilogy, has fallen for every single one of the seven deceptions.

1. False Doctrine

2. Lust (includes vanity, jealousy, greed & physical lust)

3. Pride, Vanity and Arrogance

4. Lying

5. False dreams, Visions, and Miracles

6. Bitterness

7. Lack of Faith

Oftentimes, the first six errors lead right into #7 - creating a Lack of Faith in the non-believer.

The Baptist Press article is certainly quite revealing. It points out the anti-Christian, anti-God, theme of Pullman's "The Golden Compass" movie. It is the first film in a series of books from Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy.

How ironic is it that within that article, we find similar verbiage to those groups who would call Christians and their beliefs, "hateful."

Excerpt:

The entire series has been dubbed the "anti-Narnia," with Pullman regularly expressing disdain for C.S. Lewis' fictional world and even once calling it "propaganda in the service of a life-hating ideology."

Hmmmm...even an atheist/agnostic/skeptic like Pullman can't seem to resist using such an obvious code word of propaganda against those who adhere to true Christian faith.

The article also shows how hopelessly Pullman has fallen for satan's typical schemes and devices. They are revealed so vividly in all that he writes!

1. False Doctrine

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.

Excerpt:

The book and movie gets it name from a golden device that can, according to the books, determine truth itself.

How ironic is it that the author uses a golden device in his stories and makes the outrageous claim the it can "determine truth."

Again, Solomon was correct. There is "nothing new under the sun." Who could not recognize the golden calf comparison here?

2Ti 2:26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2. Lust (includes vanity, jealousy, greed & physical lust)

My. I would need to copy the entire article to cover this one. For now, I will focus on one paragraph.

Excerpt:

-- In one of the final chapters of The Amber Spyglass, an ex-nun named Mary tells Will and Lyra, "The Christian religion is a very powerful and convincing mistake, that's all." Mary also tells them that after she learned there was no God, she soon discovered that "physics was more interesting anyway."

Notice that Mary is an "ex-nun." Obviously, she has renounced her faith in God when she calls it "a very powerful and convincing mistake." She "learned" that there was no God. Just whom is she listening to? She feels that "physics was more interesting anyway." All of these are just additional code words which encompass vanity, jealousy, lust and greed for power over and above God's majesty; as well as rejection of God's Holiness, Righteousness and position of Absolute Truth.

3. Pride, Vanity, and Arrogance

2Cr 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.


2Cr 11:15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.


The article reveals that the author of the "dark materials trilogy" is filled with these traits, as well. Many quotes could be included here. But the following one "takes the cake," so to speak.

Excerpt:

-- In the second book in the trilogy, "The Subtle Knife," one of the main characters, Will, is told he possesses "the one weapon in all the universes" -- a magical knife -- that can "defeat the tyrant." That tyrant, he is told, is "The Authority. God."

This is so ridiculous that it would be laughable, if not so dreadfully prideful, awkward, and tremendously sad.

I can't even think of a good comparative analogy. Here's a thought. Imagine that an ant carrying a crumb of food thinks that it now owns a weapon that would give it the power to toss it at a human being and expect him to be destroyed.

1Ti 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.


1Ti 3:7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

4. Lying

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.

Isa 8:21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.


Isa 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and [they shall be] driven to darkness.



This has to be the biggest blunder that owns Pullman. There are so many lies that could be listed here! I will post the most arrogant ones.

Excerpts:

-- In "The Amber Spyglass," the third and final book of the series, Will is told -- by two fallen, homosexual angels, no less -- that "The Authority" has many names, "God, the Creator, the Lord, Yahweh, El, Adonai, the King, the Father, the Almighty." These were names God "gave himself" even though "he was never the creator." Instead, Will is told, the Authority simply was the first angel formed out of "Dust" and thereafter God proceeded to tell "those who came after him that he had created them."

-- In another scene in The Amber Spyglass, one of the homosexual angels tells Will that churches "tell their believers that they'll live in Heaven, but that's a lie." Instead, believers go to a "prison camp."

Denying the Creator? The ultimate lie.

Homosexual angels? Could there even be such a thing? Just add that to the sexual depravity of the minds of men and list it under the lust deception category.

1Cr 7:2 Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

No other sexual relationship is approved of by God in His Word.

Believers go to a "prison camp?" Wow! Is Pullman going to be surprised if he doesn't repent and enters into eternity without Christ.


Act 5:1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,


Act 5:2 And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.


Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?


Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.


Act 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

5. False dreams, Visions and Miracles

Excerpt:

The trilogy ends with Lyra, Will and their companions killing "God" and then resolving how their own relationship (they're in love) will continue.

"The God he has in his books -- particularly in the last book -- is not the Creator God," Brown said, emphasizing the evil nature of the trilogy's God. "It's just a weak being that is blown away at the very end.... I'm opposed to that view of God and to that view of the church, too."

That has to be the ultimate false dream of an atheist; having the ability to "kill" God? Obviously, Mr. Brown sets it straight (above) in his comment.

6. Bitterness

Jam 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Mr. Pullman is dripping with bitterness!! The entire article could fit under this category.

Excerpt:

"[I]f there is a God and he is as the Christians describe him, then he deserves to be put down and rebelled against," Pullman told the Telegraph newspaper in 2002. "As you look back over the history of the Christian church, it's a record of terrible infamy and cruelty and persecution and tyranny. How they have the bloody nerve to go on [the BBC's] 'Thought for the Day' and tell us all to be good when, given the slightest chance, they'd be hanging the rest of us and flogging the homosexuals and persecuting the witches."

He says, "as Christians describe Him?" What a depraved lie! Pullman reveals his bitter hatred for the God of the Bible and his hatred has turned into utter bitterness. Where does such bitterness lead? Ultimately, it can lead to the unforgiveable sin.

Hbr 12:14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:


Hbr 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;


Hbr 12:16 Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.


Hbr 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

7. Lack of Faith

Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Hbr 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Hbr 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Look at what Pullman's deception is causing him to miss out on:

Phl 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.


Phl 4:20 Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 3 (NKJV)
Col 3:1 IF then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Col 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

Col 3:7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

Col 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,

Col 3:10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Col 3:11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Col 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Col 3:18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Col 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Col 3:22 Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

Col 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Col 3:24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[fn1] you serve the Lord Christ.

Col 3:25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.


Footnotes:
3:24 NU-Text omits for.

Last but not least, all we can do is pray for this man who is in such rebellion to God that he desires to take as many people (and children!!) into the doomed dungeon of rebellion with him.

Those who do not trust in Christ:

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

God does not want anyone to perish:

Eze 33:11 Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;


Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Excerpt:

Cedarville University President Bill Brown told BP he hopes the movie will present Christians the opportunity to discuss their faith publicly in the media -- in the same way "The Da Vinci Code" presented such an occasion.

What man has meant for evil, God can turn towards good. May this awful trilogy end up being another chance for Christians to share the Gospel of Hope in Jesus Christ.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.


Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.


Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

HT: Baptist Press

They Will Despise It

During the week of the Weblogs Awards voting, I found a website that I had decided to join. It is called "Christians Unite." Perhaps you have noticed the two new links on the left sidebar.

In order to join, you must submit your website (or blog) and get approval by the administrators over there. I thought that was a wise thing for them to do.

Why?

Simply because today, there is so much reprobate theology passing itself off as "christian" that careful analysis of the beliefs being professed must be examined and judged according to the plumbline of God's Holy Scriptures.

The term "Christian" has, unfortunately, lost much of it's true, authentic meaning through the infiltration of skewed, reprobate, and dare it be told, unchristian theology.

Also, the term is often defined by secularists who write descriptions for dictionaries.

Case in point. At Dictionary.com, the term "Christian" is defined in several ways. However, the original meaning is no where to be found amongst the definitions.

The definition in the "Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary" gets closer to the true meaning, but, IMHO, still disappoints me just a bit.

Christian

the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

What's missing?

The fact that "Christian" means "Christ in one."

The Bible is filled with verses that talk about the need to be born again. We learn how once a person takes this step they invite Christ into their hearts to dwell there. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian believer is then transformed, guided and led in the direction towards being more and more like Jesus Christ. This is a process known as sanctification - meaning "To Be Sacred and Set Apart." The Holy Spirit also reveals the truth to the reader and helps the believer to understand the Bible. This results in having the ability to discern truth from error.

I'm not sure how many readers here have been following a conversation between Liberator Rev and myself in the post called "Orthodox Christianity vs. Liberal Theology.

[Note: When you click on link above, you will find that the page is skewed (due to large links posted in the comments section) and I don't have the time to correct it right now, so be sure to scroll down to read the essay and comments. Thanks for you understanding.]

It's been a "clash of the Titans" type debate. I knew in my spirit that it would be. I also knew, beforehand, that this commenter's mind would probably not be changed. I do think that his mind may have been stirred a bit. But, obviously not changed...yet! There is always hope!!

Now, in my travels across the blogosphere, I have found many good Christian bloggers who will not engage in such dialogue. One blog that I just happened to visit today, in fact, had this as a warning to any commenters there:

PLEASE make comments! Know that I review all comments before they are posted and will get back to you about changes. I want this BLOG to be free from rants and uncharitable judgments. Questioning motives, integrity, or intelligence are not acceptable here. Gospel humility and grace will be the controlling rule.

Please know that I can truly understand why this person wants to run his blog in this way. There is room for all different types of Christian blogs. If this is what he personally wants to stress in his postings and comment section, then that is entirely his right to do so.

Free speech.
Freedom of association.
Freedom of religion.

All of these are in play.

Some are called by God through His Holy Spirit to do what that blogger does. He (they) may not be equipped to do otherwise. It's O.K.!

However, I also believe that there is room for what I do here.

Some may wish to label it negatively. That's their opinion and they are welcome to it.

However, I truly see that with the New Age influence now attempting to present a New Age type of "Christ"; as well as those who want to claim that Christianity’s traditional teaching on Christ’s crucifixion for the sins of mankind is “repulsive,” “insane” and makes “God sound like a psychopath”; must be exposed for the heresy that they espouse!!

For a long time, I have been asking a question regarding how the liberal churches could possibly reconcile their differences with traditional, Biblical Christian churches. No one seemed (or wanted) to come up with a satisfactory answer for that.

I think that the Holy Spirit has led me to a satisfactory answer.

It may not be complete, mind you, but I think that I have found the "main ingredient" that makes reconciliation between these two quite divergent beliefs unresolvable.

What's the ingredient?

The realization and unchanging condition in God's Word for the need to REPENT!

The implausible position of most liberal churches is the rejection (or, in some cases the ignoring) of the need to repent (confess and turn away from) of sins.

A fellow Weblogs Award blogger named Steve over at Camp On This has a wonderful post called Genuine Repentance: "...till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet."

He quotes Spurgeon:

"If the professed convert distinctly and deliberately declares that he knows the Lord's will but does not mean to attend to it, you are not to pamper his presumption, but it is your duty to assure him that he is not saved. Do not suppose that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to the worldlings and telling them that they may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their Savior, while they are wedded to their idols, and their hearts are still in love with sin. If I do so I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel , insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness." -C.H. SPURGEON

Steve goes on and writes:

Strong and necessary words.

Repentance is a forgotten word within the church today. It is virtually left out of most gospel invitations you will hear presented at crusades, concerts and church gatherings. The use of the "R" word, as it is referred to by contemporaries in postmodern ecclesiology, should be avoided because it is too offensive to our advanced sensibilities, it is intolerant and nonecumenical, emergent unfriendly, and church growth stifling. They will say that it doesn't have "curb appeal" and lacks compassion.

But yet, it is unmistakably central to the biblical record. To paraphrase what Calvin once said: "a Christian's life should not be marked by just one act of repentance, but by a daily life of repentance." That is my contrite and painful prayer for my own life - to be that kind of man in the Lord though I fall woefully short most days. But praise be to God for His sanctifying grace that conforms us to Jesus and does not leave us to ourselves (Titus 2:11-12).

I recently posted this evening devotional within the comment section of another thread. But I think that it is so important for all to read; so, I brought it into this post as well:

C.H. Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional
Saturday November 10, 2007
Christians Unite Devotionals

Evening "It is enough for the disciple that he be as His Master."-Matthew 10:25

No one will dispute this statement, for it would be unseemly for the servant to be exalted above his Master. When our Lord was on earth, what was the treatment He received? Were His claims acknowledged, His instructions followed, His perfections worshipped, by those whom He came to bless? No; "He was despised and rejected of men." Outside the camp was His place: cross-bearing was His occupation. Did the world yield Him solace and rest? "Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head." This inhospitable country afforded Him no shelter: it cast Him out and crucified Him. Such-if you are a follower of Jesus, and maintain a consistent, Christ-like walk and conversation-you must expect to be the lot of that part of your spiritual life which, in its outward development, comes under the observation of men. They will treat it as they treated the Saviour-they will despise it. Dream not that worldlings will admire you, or that the more holy and the more Christ-like you are, the more peaceably people will act towards you. They prized not the polished gem, how should they value the jewel in the rough? "If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of His household?" If we were more like Christ, we should be more hated by His enemies. It were a sad dishonour to a child of God to be the world's favourite. It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout "Well done" to the Christian man. He may begin to look to his character, and wonder whether he has not been doing wrong, when the unrighteous give him their approbation. Let us be true to our Master, and have no friendship with a blind and base world which scorns and rejects Him. Far be it from us to seek a crown of honour where our Lord found a coronet of thorn.

We must be diligent with our ability to spot heresy. In order to do so, as Spurgeon so eloquently points out, we must know that the "world" is not going to like us for it!!

When comparing what the Bible truly teaches against the errors and heresies that several of the articles above reveal regarding the new age and reprobate theologies out there, we can clearly see that the prophecies in Jude about heresy creeping into the churches as we approach the end times are certainly coming to fruition at an alarming rate today.

HT: Camp On This; Herescope; GcmWatch; Christians unite