Monday, September 29, 2014

The Home Going of Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries

       
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Stand up for Truth reports:

One of our dear comrades, Pastor Ken Silva, has passed away after a long illness.
Ken died last night in his New Hampshire home. A veteran researcher and reporter, Ken foundedApprising Ministries as well as Christian Research Network, two foundational apologetics sites where he wrote about trends in the church. Ken loved the Lord and loved sharing his faith. In recent years his degenerative illness worsened, and it became more difficult for Ken to write.
Ken has also been a pastor at Connecticut River Baptist Church in Claremont, New Hampshire, since 2003.
End quote.
I knew Ken through emails and enjoyed his strong stand for the Truth as he would publish reports on current goings-on in "Christianity" today in light of Scripture. I have used Apprising Ministries, his discernment blog, quite often over the years. This was his last post, on Sept. 27, 2014.
While I am saddened and surprised by his death, I rejoice that now he sees that which he hoped for, that which he fought for, that which he believed.....the risen Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory. 
Psa 116:15  Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 

The Christian Professor: The evidence of genuine piety


(John Angell James, "The Christian Professor")

The evidence of genuine piety is to be found in . . .
real humility,
reliance on Christ,
hungering and thirsting after righteousness,
sincere sorrow for sin, and
a continual effort to regulate our thoughts, words, and conduct by the Word of God.

Genuine piety will not thrive and increase without effort--but is of so tender and delicate a nature as to require great, constant, and persevering concern, watchfulness, and care.

"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:12-13 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace

            


Rom 5:1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2  through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Php 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Smuggling Theology Into People's Minds

Any amount of theology can now be smuggled into people’s minds under cover of romance without their knowing it.”
~ C. S. Lewis, 9 August 1939, in The Collected Letters of C. S. Lewis, as quoted by Michael John Beasely in his article, "Part Two: Lewis’ and Piper’s Transitive Influences onEvangelicalism."
That's a bad thing, because Lewis loved universalist George MacDonald. Both wrote fiction that incorporated their bad theology and fed it to the masses. Those of Christ, on the other hand:
2Co 4:2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.
Confusion is not of the biblical God. Neither is trying to sneak in doctrines.
Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
 Beasely went on to say:

"One of the interesting things about Lewis’ work, The Great Divorce, is that the question ofUniversalism is never completely answered. According to Lewis’ Master, “all answers deceive,” and so the reader is dissuaded from looking into such a query.[10] Though the reader may not recognize it, Lewis’ fictionally constructed dialogue with MacDonald affords him the opportunity to present the words of Lady Julian, a 14th century mystic and Universalist. In her collection of claimed revelations from Christ entitled, Revelations of Divine Love, Lady Julian recorded the following...." Go here for the article.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Salvation From The Pleasure Of Sin

"The fact is, my reader, that we are not only born into this world with an evil nature, but with hearts that are thoroughly in love with sin. Sin is our native element. We are wedded to our lusts, and of ourselves are no more able to alter the bent of our corrupt nature than the Ethiopian can change his skin or the leopard his spots. But what is impossible with man is possible to God, and when He takes us in hand this is where He begins — by saving us from the pleasure or love of sin. This is the great miracle of grace, for the Almighty stoops down and picks up a loathsome leper from the dunghill, and makes him a new creature in Christ, so that the things he once loved he now hates, and the things he once hated he now loves. God commences by saving us from ourselves. He does not save us from the penalty of sin until He has delivered us from the love of sin."

~Arthur Pink, "Salvation from the Pleasure of Sin"

The Sovereignty and Authority of The Holy Spirit

Act 11:12  And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 

Act 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

The Holy Spirit speaks, calls, and commands.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Faith Looks Not On One's Circumstances

“It was his being occupied with circumstances which brought about Elijah’s sad fall. It is a dictum of the world’s philosophy that “man is the creature of his circumstances.” No doubt this is largely the case with the natural man, but it should not be true of the Christian, nor is it so while his graces remain in a healthy condition. Faith views the One who orders our circumstances, hope looks beyond the present scene, patience gives strength to endure trials, and love delights in Him whom no circumstances affect. While Elijah set the Lord before him he feared not though an host encamped against him. But when he looked upon the creature and contemplated his peril he thought more of his own safety than of God’s cause.”

(“The Life of Elijah” A.W. Pink)


Foundation For Your Life: the filter of Philippians 4:8

               
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Php 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things

Putting the Creature Before the Creator

       Ps. 138:2b You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.     


                
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Every time we put any single idea of our own before the revelation of Scripture, we have put the creature before the Creator. 

~MLJones


The Supremacy of Scripture

                         
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Christianity is founded upon the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His attitude to the Scriptures is supremely important. Since he is God, then all that he teaches must be true and authoritative.
Jesus clearly taught that Scripture is inspired by God. He regarded it as truth—infallible, inerrant, historically reliable, authoritative for living, and an all-sufficient rule of faith. He could say, for example, when speaking with the Pharisees or Sadducees, ‘Have you not read what God said?’ and then quote from Scripture (Matt. 22:31-32). In Matthew 4:4-10, Jesus repeatedly answers Satan by using the Old Testament as the Word of God, saying, ‘It is written.’ He maintained that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law until all was accomplished (Matt. 5:17) and that the Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35). In the prayer to his Father on the night before he was crucified, Jesus declared that ‘Thy word is truth’ (John 17:17). He affirmed the historicity of Adam (Matt. 19:4), Cain and Abel (Luke 11:51), Noah (Luke 17:26), Jonah (Matt. 12:40), the creation account (Mark 10:6-9), and the reality of heaven and hell (Mark 9:44-46).
Jesus also used the Word of God as an ultimate standard of authority when he came into conflict with other people. He rebuked men with Scripture; correcting their false concepts, teaching and misinterpretations of Scripture by using scriptural proofs. Matthew 22:23-33, for example, describes how Jesus told the Sadducees that they were greatly mistaken in their denial of the resurrection because they did not know the Scriptures or the power of God. Then he quoted a passage from the book of Genesis as an authoritative declaration from God to correct them. It is highly significant that Christ never appealed to tradition as a standard of authority; instead he used Scripture to correct the errors of tradition. 
~William Webster

The following are some of the words which tell us how God would have us regard his Word:
pure—perfect—sure—truth—eternal—forever settled in heaven—it sanctifies—it causes spiritual growth—it is God-breathed—it is authoritative—it gives wisdom unto salvation—it makes the simple wise—it is living and active—it is a guide—it is a fire—a hammer—a seed—the sword of the Spirit—it gives the knowledge of God—it is a lamp to our feet—a light to our path—that which produces reverence for God—it heals—makes free—illuminates—produces faith— regenerates—converts the soul—brings conviction of sin—restrains from sin—is spiritual food—is infallible— inerrant—irrevocable—it searches the heart and mind—produces life—defeats Satan—proves truth—refutes error—is holy—equips for every good work—is the Word of the living God (Psa. 119:9-11, 38, 105, 130, 133, 160; Psa. 19:7-11; Psa. 111:7-8; Isa. 40:8; Eph. 5:26; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; Jer. 5:14, 23:29; Matt. 13:18-23; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 107:20; Titus 2:5; 1 Pet. 1:23, 2:2; Acts 20:32; John 8:32, 10:35, 17:17).

It is impossible to find a more convincing argument for the sufficiency of Scripture than these descriptions. And no such language is ever used about tradition in the Scriptures. Nowhere does it receive such commendation. We are told in explicit terms that Scripture is inspired, but never is that said of tradition. On the contrary, when the New Testament speaks of tradition it does so in words of warning (Matt. 15:2-6; Mark 7:3-13; Col. 2:8; 1 Pet. 1:18; Gal. 1:14). When we look at the overall teaching of Scripture about itself and tradition, it is surely clear that it teaches that Scripture is sufficient.

~William Webster
 Find Jesus where you may, He is the antagonist of those who would lessen the authority of Holy Scripture. “It is written” is His weapon against Satan, His argument against wicked men. The learned of this hour scoff at the Book and accuse of Bibliolatry those of us who reverence the Divine Word; but in this they derive no assistance from the teaching or example of Jesus.

—Spurgeon

Not a word derogatory of Scripture ever fell from the lips of Jesus Christ; but evermore He manifested the most reverent regard for every jot and tittle of the inspired Volume. Since our Savior, not only before His death, but after it, took care to commend the Scriptures to us, let us avoid with all our hearts all teaching in which Holy Scripture is put into the background.

--Spurgeon

Monday, September 22, 2014

Parenting

        
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Lordship and Unity

Joh 14:21  Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." 

The unity between the Father and Son is the unity we have with God. This shows distinction of persons between the Father and Son, and between believers and God. Jesus is not the Father nor are believers Jesus Christ.

I noticed as well that it is ONLY those who keeps the commands of Jesus Christ, actually love Him and it is that person who will be loved by the Father as well. In addition this is the person (hears and obeys His commandments) to whom Jesus reveals Himself, not to the world.

Joh 14:22  Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?" 
Joh 14:23  Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 
Joh 14:24  Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. 

This is the Lordship of the Lord. If one does not keep His commands and words, then such a person, despite their claims, does not in fact love Jesus Christ, nor is he loved by the Father, nor is he indwelled by God. This is the proclamation of Jesus Christ and ultimately God the Father.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

God Upholds All Things By the Power of His Word, Including Those Headed for Eternal Destruction

Consider the power and majesty of Jesus Christ, even in the destruction of sinners. We read in Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus upholds “all things by the word of His power”. Whether stars or planets, lillies or lions, oceans or snow flakes, gasses or stones, angels or demons, or humans, the Lord Jesus Christ holds it all together by His word......

~ Justin Edwards,"Upheld For Destruction By the Word of His Power", Airo 

What Is the Gospel?

What is the Gospel? Is it a message of glad tidings from Heaven to make God-defying rebels at ease in their wickedness? Is it given for the purpose of assuring the pleasure-crazy young people that, providing they only "believe" there is nothing for them to fear in the future? One would certainly think so from the way in which the Gospel is presented—or rather perverted—by most of the "evangelists," and the more so when we look at the lives of their "converts." Surely those with any degree of spiritual discernment must perceive that to assure such that God loves them and His Son died for them, and that a full pardon for all their sins (past, present, and future) can be obtained by simply "accepting Christ as their personal Saviour," is but a casting of pearls before swine.

~A.W. Pink

Do Not Be Alarmed Or Act Like Unconverted Men Without God When Evil Comes

You ought not to dread the arrival of evil tidings; because if you are distressed by them, what do you more than other men? Other men have not your God to fly to; they have never proved His faithfulness as you have done, and it is no wonder if they are bowed down with alarm and cowed with fear: but you profess to be of another spirit; you have been begotten again unto a lively hope, and your heart lives in heaven and not on earthly things; now, if you are seen to be distracted as other men, what is the value of that grace which you profess to have received? Where is the dignity of that new nature which you claim to possess?

Again, if you should be filled with alarm, as others are, you would, doubtless, be led into the sins so common to others under trying circumstances. The ungodly, when they are overtaken by evil tidings, rebel against God; they murmur, and think that God deals hardly with them. Will you fall into that same sin? Will you provoke the Lord as they do?


Moreover, unconverted men often run to wrong means in order to escape from difficulties, and you will be sure to do the same if your mind yields to the present pressure. Trust in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Your wisest course is to do as Moses did at the Red Sea, "Stand still and see the salvation of God." For if you give way to fear when you hear of evil tidings, you will be unable to meet the trouble with that calm composure which nerves for duty, and sustains under adversity. How can you glorify God if you play the coward? Saints have often sung God's high praises in the fires, but will your doubting and desponding, as if you had none to help you, magnify the Most High? Then take courage, and relying in sure confidence upon the faithfulness of your covenant God, "let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."


~~Charles H. Spurgeon


Let us not fear the opposition and so go down to Egypt for help. Pragmatism is not an option for the biblical Christian who loves the truth.

Encouragement and Resolution

Resolve, brothers and sisters, when you are in any sort of persecution, to face it with a full countenance. Like a nettle is the persecutor; touch it gently and it will sting you, but grasp it, and it hurts you not. Lay hold of those who oppose you, not with rough vengeance, but with the strong grip of quiet decision, and you have won the day.

Yield no principle, no, not the breadth of a hair of that principle. Stand up for every solitary grain of truth; contend for it as for your life…Shall these soft times, these gentle ages, take away your pristine valor—make you the coward sons of heroic fathers? No—if you are not called to the sufferings of a martyr—yet bear the spirit of a martyr! If you cannot burn as he did in the flesh, burn as he did in the spirit! If you have nothing to endure but the trial of cruel mockings, take it patiently, endure it joyfully; for happy are you, inasmuch as you are made partakers of the sufferings of your Divine Master! Never, I entreat of you, grow faint in your course, but bring more of the love of your hearts into the service of your lives.

Never yield one little bit of the Truth which God has committed to you! Take up the Cross and bear it! However weighty, however ignominious, carry it manfully! If the father is turned against the child, and the child against the father, weep over it and mourn it. If the husband is turned against the wife, and the wife against the husband, take care that it is not through your own fault. But if it is for Christ’s sake, bear it joyfully! Bear it with transport and delight; you are highly honored! You cannot wear the ruby crown of martyrdom and fire—that blazing diadem—but you have got at least a stray jewel out of it! Thank God for it and never shrink; never blush to suffer for His name’s sake.


~CH Spurgeon

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Think You Are Saved?


photo source

The Favorite Book Of Charismatics Condemn Their Blasphemy and Greed

                
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Act 4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 
Act 4:33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
Act 4:34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 
Act 4:35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Ironically, the favorite book of Charismatics show that true Christians do not seek to gain more stuff and then demand it of God. The opposite is what we see: true Christians SOLD ALL THEIR LAND AND HOUSES and gave the money to the true and only apostles (there are none today), and the money was then distributed to those who were in true need. There was no 100-fold blessings, there was no seeking God for MORE houses, land, money.  There was a LETTING GO of material things, NOT A HANGING ON TO IT AN DEMANDING MORE.
The two people who held back in order to GAIN MONEY were cursed by God and died. A lesson for Charismatics/WOF/NAR followers to believe and repent from their idolatry and blasphemy.

Act 5:1  But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 
Act 5:2  and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. 
Act 5:3  But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 
Act 5:4  While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 
Act 5:5  When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 
Act 5:6  The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. 
Act 5:7  After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 
Act 5:8  And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much.
Act 5:9  But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 
Act 5:10  Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 
Act 5:11  And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things. 
Act 5:12  Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico. 
Act 5:13  None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Humility

Mere introspection is not humility. Ecumenism is not humility. Fear of man is not humility. Often what we reward as humility is the sin of cowardice. Biblical humility, Christian humility is unashamed of the Person, work and words of Jesus Christ. True humility is often accused of being prideful. In fact, humility is seeing things biblically, precisely as God sees them in His blessed Son. Beyond that, we do not only see such things, but are moved to exhort what is true and refute that which contradicts the only truth in Scripture. True humility boasts that Jesus Christ is God and is coming to judge the world, lest she repent of her vile wickedness and turn to Him in saving faith.

~Doron Gladden, Biblical Christ Research Institute

Charismatics Seek To Gain Possessions While The First NT Christians Sought To Sell Them

               
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Act 2:44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Act 4:34  There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35  and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 

This is diametrically opposed to today's Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. The selfish indulgence of these movements seduces them to seek an unholy spirit and to reject biblical and inerrant doctrinal truth while seeking to GET MORE STUFF NOT SELL IT AND GIVE TO THE TRUE NEEDY.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Obama The Messiah Not Only Failed, But The Nobel Peace President Is Going Back Into War

For five years they did everything they could to discredit Bush and anybody else that supported it, including General Petraeus, you remember all that.  So Obama campaigns for president, gets elected on the premise that he's gonna finally get us out of here. He's gonna end torture. He's gonna close Gitmo. He's going to close this whole horrid chapter of history that shows what an absolute reprobate this country is, what an absolute disaster America is.  He's gonna end it and he's gonna put it back together.  The planet's gonna heal and the world is gonna love America again.  There isn't gonna be any more Al-Qaeda, and there isn't gonna be any more terrorism, because Obama's here, and he has a special way to relate to these people 'cause his name is Barack and he grew up somewhere else. 
He's a powerful guy. He's the smartest guy. He's a messiah. He can do it all. He can heal the planet. He can lower the sea levels. He can lower the temperature. He can save all the endangered species. He can get rid of oil. He can go with alternative energy. We could have no pollution ever, and nobody's ever gonna die. We're gonna have universal health care to make sure nobody ever dies. It was gonna be a utopia and it was all centered around the fact that we were gonna get the hell out of Iraq.  Right?
And that's what they did.  First chance, skedaddled, left no residual force because they never took it seriously as a military engagement.  They never took it seriously as a military operation.  They couldn't afford to all of a sudden take it seriously after Obama wins the White House.  They'd spent five years trashing it.  They and their friends in the media had spent five years telling the American people that Iraq was a total boondoggle, a mistake. We should never have been there. We should never have gone in the first place, and we're not gonna leave any evidence that we've ever been there. It's an embarrassment.
~RL

The Wrath of God

The wrath of God is a perfection of the divine character upon which we need to frequently meditate. First, so that our hearts may be duly impressed by God’s detestation of sin. We are prone to regard sin lightly, to gloss over its hideousness, to make excuses for it. But the more we study and ponder God’s abhorrence of sin and His frightful vengeance upon it, the more likely we are to realize its heinousness.
Second, to beget a true fear in our souls for God: "Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:28-29). We cannot serve Him acceptably unless there is due reverence for His awful Majesty and godly fear of His righteous anger; these are best promoted by frequently calling to mind that "our God is a consuming fire." Third, to draw out our souls in fervent praise for having delivered us from "the wrath to come" (1 Thess. 1:10).
Our readiness or our reluctance to meditate upon the wrath of God becomes a sure test of how our hearts really are affected toward Him. If we do not truly rejoice in God, for what He is in Himself, and that because of all the perfections which are eternally resident in Him, then how dwelleth the love of God in us? Each of us needs to be most prayerfully on guard against devising an image of God in our thoughts which is patterned after our own evil inclinations. Of old, the Lord complained, "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether . . . as thyself" (Ps. 50:21), If we rejoice not "at the remembrance of his holiness" (Ps. 97:12), if we rejoice not to know that in a soon coming day God will make a glorious display of His wrath, by taking vengeance on all who now oppose Him, it is proof positive that our hearts are not in subjection to Him; that we are yet in our sins. 
~AWPink

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Piper Believes In Praying People Into Becoming Prophets

O my, this is good. Anyabwile on “The Coming Reformation of Black Churches.” Pray him into a prophet.

4:01 PM - 10 Sep 2014

How is it even possible to pray a man into a prophet? This goes against clear Scripture and the doctrine of predestination. WE can't pray anyone into anything. God has already appointed men to be pastors, teachers, etc. --see Eph. 4:10 among other verses. WE can't determine whom God will use, even if one takes the meaning of "prophet" to merely mean a pastor/teacher. This is utter Man-Centered nonsense from a supposedly famous celebrity Calvinist.

Victoria Osteen, John Piper, and Hedonism

Last month I wrote about my observation that what Victoria Osteen, wife of infamous Joel Osteen, said about going to church,worshiping, and doing good works was "for us" and not really for God, and how it resembled John Piper's "Christian" hedonism.

She said in part:

“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize that when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God. I mean that’s one way to look at it- we’re doing it for ourselves. Because God takes pleasure when we’re happy. That’s the thing that gives him the greatest joy this morning. [unintelligeable] So I want you to know this morning, Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to Church, when you worship him- You’re not doing it for God, really, you’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy. Amen? Let’s open our hearts to him today “

End quote.

I noted:

She sounds just like Piper and his hedonistic "Christianity" where his god wants us to find self fulfillment and pleasure too, only Piper tries to sanitize it with some Christianese, but the center is man and the fruit is bad just the same. Driscoll anyone?

She blasphemes God and usurps the pulpit which God says only men are to stand in as His Word is being taught to men and women. Then again, this is a false church, with a false gospel, with a false God, and false teachers.


End quote.


Today Michael Beasley at Worldview Weekend also noticed the same thing.  Apparently Piper's ministry, "Desiring 'God'" tweeted:




Wait, was Victoria Osteen really that off base? In one sense, no.

11:35 AM - 4 Sep 2014



Now, considering that most of the evangelical community seemed to agree that what she said was outrageous and anti-biblical, it caught the attention of Beasely that Piper's ministry would actually partially agree with the heretical Victoria Osteen.

First of all Victoria is a woman and she's preaching to men. That's the first sign of a false teacher. Of course, Piper has no problem with that as he has stood alongside Charismatic Beth Moore who also teaches men. He has also shared the platform at the Passion conference with Word of Faith  "Pastor" Christine Caine.

But secondly we know the heresy of the Osteens: humanism drapped with the name of Jesus Christ. They preach a false gospel of the goodness of man, the power of positive thinking and living, and an all-around plastic, shallow message of life coaching that can not change a life in the most fundamental way.

Beasely notes:

"Her version of “Christianity” is an idolatrous cauldron of hedonistic pleasure. In her world, self reigns supreme – and the name of Christ is simply a nametag that she attaches in an attempt to provide cover for her heresy."


He goes on to say:

In his book, Desiring God, Piper tries to justify using the salacious term, hedonism, as an expression of Christian worship.[1] In his earlier years in the ministry, he credited C.S. Lewis for this idea more directly, but over the years he has attempted to justify it through various other means. In his book, Desiring God, Appendix 4 – Why Call It Christian Hedonism?, Piper issues a strenuous attempt to justify his use of this expression in six different ways:
1. Through a definition supplied by Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.
2. Through another definition supplied in The Encyclopedia of Philosphy.
3. Through C.S. Lewis’ statement (among others): “You notice that I am drawing no distinction between sensuous and aesthetic pleasures. But why should I? The line is almost impossible to draw and what use would it be if one succeeded in drawing it? If this is Hedonism, it is also a somewhat arduous discipline.”
4. By reason that the term “Hedonism” has an “arresting and jolting effect.”
5. He cites Jesus’ mention of coming as a “thief” in the night (Matt. 24:43-44), among other texts, as justification of using scandalous terms in a godly context.
6. He argues that he is able to sanctify, for godly purposes, the term Hedonism by affixing it with the name Christian.
These are all interesting arguments, but the reader should notice that they are rooted in C.S. Lewis, philosophy, and human reasoning more than anything else. As for his attempt to supply scriptural justification for “Christian Hedonism,” perhaps another man could just as well begin advocating “Christian Lust,” “Christian Fornication,” or “Christian (fill in the blank with any corruption here_____)” based upon the same reasoning. Frankly speaking, this is all reckless thinking and continues to be propagated through many today who insist on speaking of Christian faith in sensual, salacious terms. Within this same appendix (Appendix 4), Piper strangely admits that his actions run contrary to the counsel of wise men like J.C. Ryle – who strongly advises against the use of “uncouth and new-fangled terms and phrases in teaching sanctification,” but then proceeds to justify his use of the term hedonism which, scripturally speaking, depicts grotesque self-satisfaction (lust, autonomous delight, similar to eros) as a means of conveying Christian affections....

The Bible never uses “hedonism” as an expression of godly affections because selfish, autonomous delight is at the heart of such a term, whereas epithumea(desire) can be used of godly desire, but is never emphasized on equal footing with agape love. However, agape love is repeatedly given supremacy over every affection mentioned in Scripture...

If we refuse to be anchored by the language of Scripture, then we will drift into the dangerous waters of human reasoning – perhaps even giving half-credit to heretics. But when it comes to love versus hedonism, the Scriptures are quite clear. God has many attributes (Holiness, wrath, righteousness etc…) – but of all of His attributes, there are very few that have been elevated to the status of this predicate adjective constructGod is love. One thing He is not is hedonism (selfish, autonomous delight) – such a contrivance as this is unscriptural and borders on blasphemy.
End quote.
For the full article go here .

It's no wonder that Piper's tweets will focus on sensuality like this one:


Never forget, the point of the kitchen is the banquet. The aim of hermeneutics: happiness. The goal of exegesis: ecstasy.


For the dangers of CS Lewis go here.

Note:

I'd like to take one exception to Beasley's article and that is the way he gives credibility to Piper when Piper talks about the Gospel. First of all, his view of Justification is totally off which is why he can give credibility to the "gospel" of the Roman Catholic Church. Secondly, he is guilty of the wicked deeds of heretics like Rick Warren, Doug Wilson, Beth Moore, etc. :

2Jn 1:9  Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 
2Jn 1:11  for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. 


Piper also denies the clear teaching in Genesis 1-2 of a literal six day Creation week. He has promoted "sodomy of the heart" at DG, he speaks of absolutely inappropriate things in his tweets, which by the way, are becoming increasingly bizzare and nonsensical (one he tweeted recently was about watching a teenage couple making out by the river). Here's more of a complete list of why Piper should be rejected.

These are several reasons why Piper is not, nor never has been, a legitimate pastor-teacher (besides he gave up being a pastor which proves he was merely a hireling).

If the fruit is bad, then the tree is bad. There's no such thing as a good tree bearing bad fruit, Jesus Christ Himself said.