A Little Bit of This

You can't accept a little bit of Evolution, Psychology, Feminism, homosexuality, or Socialism/Marxism and not expect for it to take over a person's, an institution's, a church's, a political party's, or a society's thinking and behavior.

Allowing for "differences of opinion" is the leaven that will leaven the entire loaf. A little bit of evolution leads to accepting it fully. A little feminism leads to accepting it fully. A little homosexuality leads to accepting it fully. A little bit of psychology leads to accepting it fully. A little socialism/marxism leads to accepting it fully. A little affection for the world leads to loving it fully.  Incrementalism is what this is. "Just a little bit" is ok. No it isn't. 

Each one of these is a godless, pagan worldview which has taken over Evangelicalism, because it's taken over our society. 

"No lie is of the Truth," Scripture states. Conversely Truth is not of a lie. To try and wed lies with truth is as possible as trying to bond Christ to Satan or water to oil. It is impossible. So one will take over. A person will repent of one and be loyal to the other. As King Jesus has said, no man can serve two masters, for he will love one and hate the other. He also stated that a lukewarm person He will reject. Scripture teaches exclusivity and absolutes. Post-Modernism teaches a blending of truth and lies, right and wrong, and an inability to know the difference. 

We are to reject an entire philosophy or gospel that does not entirely line up with Scripture. As well, we are to reject the men through which they come.

Col 2:2  that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

Col 2:3  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Col 2:4  I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument.

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 
Eph 4:18  being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 
Eph 4:19  and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 
Eph 4:20  But you did not learn Christ in this way, 

Eph 4:21  if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 

2Jn 1:9  Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he 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, and do not give him a greeting;

2Jn 1:11  for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 

2Co 6:14  Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

2Co 6:17  "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.

Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." (1Co 15:33)

God's Love and Our Love

"In due time, God sheds abroad His love in the hearts of those whom He has loved from everlasting, so that they in return love Him....This love is not of natural kindling, but from the supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit...The renewed person now sees there to be nothing in heaven or earth to be desired in comparison with Him.....This is one of the essential characteristic features of all the regenerate. They differ considerably in gifts and attainments, but one thing they have in common; they are all lovers of God. Never has a single individual been born into the kingdom of God which was destitute of affection for Him, “every one that loveth is born of God” (1John 4:7)."

~ Arthur Pink, "Our Love to God"

Well stated. I believe many have twisted the verse "we love because He first loved us" thinking that it's a response by us because of God's response to us (tit for tat in a "positive" way). No, rather, it's based in Rom. 5:1,5 that AFTER being justified HE pours His love into our hearts so that we can now love Him as He commands. It has nothing to do with us being impressed with His love and so see some merit in loving Him (as if He earned our affection). It's that now we actually HAVE agape love in our hearts with which to agape God as He instructs us. This is to His glory and is not contingent upon our emotions.

Matt Chandler's Church Has Another Pedophile It Seems

First there was Jordan Roots, who was exposed in 2015 to be a pedophile, although whether he has sexually assaulted any children is in question. 

Now there's Matthew Tonne, a youth staff at Charismatic Emergent Matt Chandler's Acts 29's The Village Church who has been charged this week by the DA with sexual assault which occurred in 2012.

The church stated in part:

"We anticipate and understand questions about why Matt Tonne left staff and whether this case had anything to do with his transition. We removed Matt from The Village Church staff in June of 2018 for other reasons, and we communicated those specific issues to our staff, as well as to members and volunteers in his ministry department at that time." (bold, red, my emphasis)

Bad doctrine, bad leadership, bad practice. It's not theory. It's real. And it affects lives.

1Ti 6:3  If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 
1Ti 6:4  he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,

James: the Word's Indictment Against Sin (it's more than what you think)

Jas 1:19  This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 
Jas 1:20  for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. 
Jas 1:21  Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

Jas 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  (see 1John 1:6,8).

Jas 4:11  Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it. 

They shouldn't be angry against God's indictment of their sins which include:

Doubting God's Word which is unbelief and so they go to the world for wisdom (1:5-8;3:13-18). (see Eph. 4:17-24)
Argue and speak against the Word which sits in judgment of one's sin (1:19; 2:9;4:11)
Being a mere hearer of the Word and not a doer of it (hypocrisy) (1:19,22-27).
Unbridled tongue and calling himself religious (1:26).
Visiting the true orphan and true widow (instead of special attention to the rich 2:1-6).
Adultery with the world (1:27; 4:4).
Sin of partiality for selfish gain (preference of the rich unbeliever so as to gain their favor and not be persecuted and to gain position and wealth (2:1,6;4;3:13-16;4:1-4).
Judges with evil motives (2:4-9;4:3).
Hating one's neighbor thus breaking the royal law of love (2:8-9).
Judging the Law itself as if a Judge, as they sit in judgment of a brother (2:9; 4:11).
Bless God but curse men (brothers they sit in judgment over and slander), hypocrisy (3:8-10; 4:11.)
Claim to be teachers and have wisdom but have bad fruit (3:12-16).
Can't even obey the law they claim to teach (2:8-11).
Divisive (2: 1-4:1-4).
Quarrels, conflicts, bitter jealousy, envy, lust, murder, hedonism (4:1-2).
Wrong motives (4:3).
The source of conflicts is demonic, earthly, and natural  wisdom (3:13-16;4:1-4).
Doctrinal triage (1:19, 2:9-11;4:11).

Jas 4:6  But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
Jas 4:7  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Jas 4:9  Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom.
Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

This passage is in the context of those who claim to be teachers with wisdom or those who say they want wisdom, but actually doubt Scripture or worse, are spiritual whores who have demonic, earthly, and natural wisdom which is opposed to biblical, godly Wisdom. This is known by the fruits they bear. Resisting the devil necessarily means submitting to God's Word and indictment of your sin and repenting of it in humility, while at the same time rejecting the demonic, earthly wisdom of the world and it's friendship. (See Eph. 4:17-24).

Jas 4:11  Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law, and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.
Jas 4:12  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

Speaking against one another ("katalaleo") = speak evil, slander, backbite. To do this is to do it to the Law of God, sitting in judgement of both. It's to presume to judge others and to do so with partiality, impure, selfish, motives out of envy, bitter jealousy, and self advancement, of the one that belongs to Christ and who posses true fruit of the Spirit. It is to NOT love the saints, to be territorial over one's empire, to dismiss the believer based on his position in life because he can't advance your cause and position to a higher one. It is Matt. 7 which Jesus condemns the Pharisees for doing. It's using a false standard (men's traditions, commentaries, pragmatism) to judge a child of God.

And that's exactly what Evangelical leaders are doing with white Christians as they divide away from the truth to the world's demonic wisdom ("social justice") and slander them with sin they have not committed. See also Eph. 4:17-24 and Col. 2-3.

Three Fallacies Evangelicals Tell Themselves And Their Followers

"We can't know the heart."

"We can't judge motives."

"The more we learn, the less we know."

Three fallacies Evangelicals tell themselves & everyone else.

Mar 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries,

Mar 7:22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.

Mar 7:23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

Jas 2:4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? ...4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

Eph 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming

Tit 1:1 Paul, a bond-servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Col 1:9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Col 1:10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Col 1:11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

2Pe 1:6  and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness; 

2Pe 1:7  and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 

2Pe 1:8  For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2Pe 1:9  For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 

2Pe 1:10  Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 

2Pe 1:11  for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Those who actually "learn" but do not gain wisdom and maturity:

2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Heb 10:26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, Heb 10:27 but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.

March For Life Is Roman Catholic

Nellie Grey, the founder of March For Life, was a Roman Catholic. The Board of Directors is replete with Roman Catholics. This is spiritual harlotry for anyone joining them to make a political point (which as not changed the laws at all).

In a telephone interview with The Anchor, newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River, Gray said she wasn't a Catholic as a child, but "I had elements of the Catholic faith in my life." As a young woman, she encountered a priest who brought to light what the Catholic Church was about and he tutored her until she joined the church.

Larry Cirignano, former executive director of Catholic Citizenship, a grass-roots education organization in Massachusetts, has been working closely with Gray for more than a year.

"Many priests cite the March for Life as the reason for their choice of vocation," he told The Anchor. "Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life says the march was what inspired him to join the priesthood and make the life issue his calling."

~Catholic News Service

"Gray, who converted to Catholicism as an adult, was single and a parishioner of St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Washington." 

~United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

They have had three high masses in her name. One was the  Latin Requiem High Mass

2Co 6:14  Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17  "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 

Doctrines in Proverbs 30:1-6

Pro 30:1  The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
Pro 30:2  Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.
Pro 30:3  Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
Pro 30:4  Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know! 
Pro 30:5  Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 

The questions are answered by every Word of God--Scripture.

Jesus ascended and descended from Heaven:

Joh 3:12  "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
Joh 3:13  "And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. 

Eph 4:8  Therefore it says, "WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."
Eph 4:9  (Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 
Eph 4:10  He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 

The Holy One is the Trinity, here, the Father and Son:

Pro 30:4  Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know!

The Holy One is Creator.

Gen 1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The Father has a Son:

"What is His name or His son's name? Surely you know! "

Psa 2:7  "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.

Mat 1:20  But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
Mat 1:21  "And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins."

Mat 3:16  And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him,
Mat 3:17  and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased."

This is also all summed up in Hebrews:

Heb 1:2  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
Heb 1:3  And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Heb 1:4  having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.
Heb 1:5  For to which of the angels did He ever say, "THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE"? And again, "I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME"? 
Heb 1:6  And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, "AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM."

Pro 30:5  Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6  Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.

Psa 12:6  The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. 
Psa 12:7  Thou, O LORD, wilt keep them; Thou wilt preserve him from this generation forever.

Psa 18:30  As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psa 18:31  For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God,
Psa 18:32  The God who girds me with strength, And makes my way blameless?

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is inspired by God

Mat 4:4  But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"

Pro 30:5  Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6  Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Rom 3:3  What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it?
Rom 3:4  May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT THOU MIGHTEST BE JUSTIFIED IN THY WORDS, AND MIGHTEST PREVAIL WHEN THOU ART JUDGED."

God's Word and His alone is pure and infallible. It alone is inspired, not man's. Adding to His Word is to make it impure, imprecise. Man's word is fallible and impure. When people preach man's words through opinions, commentaries, confessions, and creeds, he is teaching men's precepts as doctrine.

Mat 15:9  'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'"

Rabbinical and Evangelical commentaries are not inspired and not Scripture. They are mere opinion of man. They are dross, impure, and unable to do what the double-edged Sword of the Spirit alone can do. Such may be what men hide behind--their favorite theologian, scholar, teacher, speaker, author, attaching himself to that man and his ministry, but it is not taking refuge in God. Man has a low standard that excuses and justifies sin--even leading most into error as they try to gain disciples and followings after themselves; God's standard is the highest and most precise, cutting between thoughts and motives, judging all things both seen and unseen. This cannot be done by a theologian.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Heb 4:13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

DeMoss PR Firm Shutting Down

The Christian Post reports that Mark DeMoss is going to shut down his public relations firm (who represents The American Bible Society, Billy Graham Evangelicstic Association, The Potter's House, Samaritan's Purse--see more of this list of clients below), this Spring, due to a current change of direction of the PR industry which he doesn't prefer.

“At age 56, it is more clear to me than ever that my passion and skill lay in the practice of public relations – not the business of PR. Most successful PR firms began reinventing themselves and changing their business models a number of years ago, and I realize I’m not wired to want to do that with my firm. So, after nearly three decades of owning and running a firm, traveling extensively, directing and managing PR campaigns, and navigating every conceivable type of ministry crisis, I have decided to dissolve my firm on Friday March 29,” he wrote.

End quote.

It appears DeMoss is slamming PR firms for, well, doing PR on themselves. The PR business is a business as well as a practice so for him to make a distinction is a bit disingenuous. 

He went on to say:

“In my years in PR, eight with Jerry Falwell, and 28 more with this firm – I’ve experienced far more than I ever envisioned and have been blessed well beyond anything I deserved. I feel as though God gave me an all-access pass to so much evangelical history of the past three-and-a-half decades,” he said.

“I’ve derived personal and professional fulfillment from supporting . This is how I always viewed my PR firm – working behind the scenes to give greater support and lift and protection to the people, programs and ministries devoted to advancing the Kingdom,” he added.

End quote.

"All access pass" ? What is this? A concert of celebrities? Well, yes.  That's what he's helped develop over the years: celebrity Evangelicalism. His own words bear that thinking out. But in Scripture those who want to be first will be last; those who are in leadership in the local churches (that's the ONLY spiritual leadership there is in Scripture) are to be "slaves" as Scripture states. They are there to serve, not be served. They will be persecuted and come into great afflictions and trials as promised by Christ Jesus the King Himself for all His own. This is contrary to the big venues, palatial multi-million dollar compounds they label as "churches", not jetting to conferences, not free or fancy cars or houses, loved by the world. It's actually a study of contrasts, if you look at the lives and doctrine of the apostles compared to today's men.

Note, his clients include some false teachers and wayward ministries including: T.D. Jakes' The Potter's House, Steve Furtick's Elevation Church, Daystar Television Network, Coleson Center for Christian Worldview, Focus On the Family, Inspiration NetworkThe King's College and Seminary, Manhattan Declaration,Oral Roberts University, Psychological Studies Institute, Pat Robertson's Regent University, the SBC, Gordeon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Hillson, Wheaton College, Bill Hybel's Willow Creek Association, TD Jake's Woman, Thou Art Loosed, Zondervan.

When one considers the filth coming out of these ministries, businesses, institutions and networks, along with what they support by giving false teachers a platform, it's clear that DeMoss isn't principled himself and it gives lie to his statement that he wasn't about the PR "business". Sure he was. It paid handsomely. These are people who are advancing the kingdom of Satan, not that of Christ. To slap on His holy name to such filth is wicked.

There is an irony here as well. DeMoss denounces President Trump and those who supported him, listing Trump's "bullying tactics of personal insult", yet consider the horrible men and ministries he's helped that gave cover to their greater sins because these men are holding themselves out as religious leaders and teachers. Trump isn't. He says he's a Christian. I doubt that, but he certainly does not hold himself up as a mature Christian, a leader, and Scripture states that leaders and teachers are held to a stricter judgment and higher requirements in order to hold such an office (James 3:1; 1Tim 3;Titus 2). How many of these organizations like the SBC, bully truth-tellers? Go over to Thirty Pieces of Silver and find out.

So consider what bothers DeMoss versus what his company promotes as "Christian" (that's not to mention Liberty University, one of his clients, who continually brings in anti-Christ speakers like Mormon cult member Glen Beck, and then there's the falsifying of Liberty's former faculty member Ergun Caner's testimony and SBC's joining to circle the wagons on Liberty's behalf, with the SBC as a client of DeMoss as well) - these things don't bother him at all. Why? Because it's lucrative to turn a blind eye to these things and what these clients stand for. It's a business. For DeMoss to use the character card on a mere politician while not using that same card for his wayward clients is the height of hypocrisy.

And of course, the obvious problem here is that there is no such thing in biblical Christianity as a public relations firm to bolster a ministry/man's public face. It's a worldly concept which goes contrary to Scripture. PR is literally about saving face. Scripture says that we're not to take on the world's philosophies. It also says we're not to indulge in the sin of favoritism. 1 Cor. 1-3 comes to mind when there began factions of favorite leaders within the Corinthian church. Moreover, Scripture tells us to not praise ourselves, nor announce our giving or good deeds (Pro. 27:2;Matt 6:1-4). We're to keep our eyes on the things above where Christ is seated (Co. 3), not on ourselves, our reputation, our donors, etc. Public sin must not be spun by a PR firm, but rather it must be dealt with biblically within the person's local church and then pronounced in some cases, publicly (for example, if it's a celebrity elder and he committed adultery or fornication who therefore stepped down as Scripture requires). In other words, a crisis isn't to be manage in order to reduce financial and public repercussions. That's what politicians do. That's what celebrities do. That's what companies do. That's what schools do. That is not the way of the biblical Christian, much less any ministry (which should be attached to a local church under the guidance of it's elders). 

It's good to note that there's a huge distinction between suffering for righteousness' sake (as defined by Scripture, not personal opinion or by one's associates who have a vested interest in the person's success), and suffering for sin (1Peter 3:17;4:12-14). PR companies spin the latter into the former, turning their client into a victim. There is no need for a public relations firm if one is walking in integrity before God.  

What should be done when a leader has been found to be in sin?

1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7  but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8  If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1Ti 5:20  Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also may be fearful of sinning. 21  I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 

If he has violated the requirements of an elder, he must step down and not attempt to regain that position. He is disqualified from that position.

How are Christians to respond to slander and persecution (biblically defined)?

Walk in integrity:

Pro 2:7  He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8  Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.  

Acknowledge that God alone will avenge His own:

Isa 35:3  Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. 4  Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you." 

Realize this is a good thing:

Mat 5:10  "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11  "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. 12  "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. 14  If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15  By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16  but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. 

1Pe 4:19  Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. 

The whole industry of public relations can be shut down by this one verse:

Joh 3:30  "He must increase, but I must decrease. 

Contrary to the Teaching

Rom 16:17  Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
Rom 16:18  For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

What doctrines or teachings did they learn? What did Paul, the other apostles, and the Prophets write about?

Everything pertaining to life and godliness, starting with Genesis 1:1.

Therefore anyone who divides from the sound doctrine of Creation in six literal days by God's voice,  is in direct and serious sin against Him, causing divisions among the saints. Leaders who do this do so alongside flattering and smooth speech in order to deceive others and gain a following. We are to reject such men, not give them a platform nor consider their condemned opinions as worthy of Christ nor His saints. Such folly is filth and not pure, healthy food for the soul of those in Christ.

Moreover, the teaching we have learned covers things like modest dressing, speech, conversation, source of wisdom, the Lord's Table, baptism, parenting, working to earn money, who to support, etc. Anyone who calls these things "opinion" are teaching contrary to Scripture. If a person can "divide" on any part of sound doctrine, then he's in rebellion and he's causing division.

Hiring Problems of TMS in 1995

The more I look back, read information, and hear the leadership speak, the more I'm seeing a pattern of ungodly, unbiblical behavior with TMCS. The WASC report found problems with neopotism, hiring and firing practices among other things. You can read the report here.

What was revealed after this was John MacArthur's angry, defensive, and rebellious diatribe at TMS's first chapel for the 2018-2019 school year in August. What struck me was what MacArthur said about the founding of TMS: that he knew what it would take to apply to get the seminary started (a lengthy process), so "it was better to ask for forgiveness later than ask for permission now".

Just a little while ago I stumbled upon this article and it again, shows a similar the pattern that WASC was very concerned about.

Psychoheresy wrote an article back in 1995. Larry Crabb was removed from TMCS/GCC's bookstore shelves because he was rightly deemed unbiblical. Then this happened.

Quote:

The Master’s College recently employed David Harrell as a faculty member in the expanding Department of Biblical Studies. According to Dr. John Stead, who was Vice President of Academic Affairs at the time, Harrell was hired at the recommendation of Dr. Wayne Mack.

Harrell has a B.S. in psychology and an M.A. in biblical counseling. He earned the M.A. under the leadership of Dr. Larry Crabb at Grace Theological Seminary. This is a one-year degree program compared with an M.Div., which usually takes three years. At one time Harrell attended Tennessee State University and was majoring in Psychology.

Harrell also has a D. Phil. degree from Oxford Graduate School, which sounds rather prestigious until one learns that this Oxford is unaccredited and is essentially a correspondence school in Tennessee.

Harrell is cofounder and Executive Vice President of Buyer’s Healthcare Cooperative, Inc. (BHC). We called BHC and found that Harrell was there from 1989 through 1995 until he left for The Master’s College. During his first six months at BHC Harrell worked part-time and counseled part-time. During the past five years he was full-time at BHC. Harrell is a member of the board of BHC and is one of five shareholders.

BHC negotiates discounts for employees for health care services. The employees work for businesses that are represented by BHC. The health care services include the usual psychiatric and mental health services that similar plans offer. For a little less than one year, prior to coming to The Master’s College, Harrell was both full-time at BHC and the pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Joelton, Tennessee.

While we do not believe one needs programs and degrees to give godly counsel, one would expect accredited Bible Colleges and Seminaries to follow academic standards of sound biblical scholarship in the Biblical Studies departments. Therefore we looked into what is usually required of prospective faculty members in accredited, academically oriented Biblical Studies departments in liberal arts Christian colleges.

After interviewing a number of department chairs of such colleges, we conclude that Harrell would not likely have even been considered by those institutions, let alone be hired, because he lacks the educational and experiential background requirements for teaching in a Biblical Studies department at an accredited Christian college. In addition, The Master’s College lists Harrell’s D. Phil. from Oxford, even though the Christian colleges we called do not permit recognition for work or degrees received from unaccredited institutions.

With a B.A. in psychology, an attempt at a doctorate in psychology, and an M.A. in an integrationist biblical counseling program under Crabb, we are concerned about a possible incongruity between Harrell’s educational interests and his current position in a Biblical Studies department

Based upon our interviews with department chairs at other Christian colleges, we also conclude that in addition to being academically unprepared, Harrell is experientially unprepared. He has no real college teaching experience. Both college teaching experience and recency of college teaching experience are important factors in consideration for employment at other Christian colleges similar to The Master’s College. The only college teaching experience we are aware of occurred as a part-time hourly instructor under Crabb at Grace Theological Seminary during 1984-85. We were told by an administrator at Grace that this involved "very little teaching." If this is true, he has no teaching experience similar to what he is required to do at The Master’s College. And, the limited amount of teaching he has done was supervised by Crabb.

The fact that Harrell’s business, BHC, negotiates mental health care services for employees seems a bit contradictory if one stands for the Bible as the source for dealing with problems of living. We understand how this would occur if one were merely an employee, but question a Christian who is an owner doing it. We wonder how many Christian employees have used the mental health services as a result of Harrell’s company’s negotiations. If Harrell is now opposed to such services, has he been public in his opposition to the use of the usual psychotherapy provided by such services?

Harrell has written three brief articles during his career. The first was for IBC Perspectives, a publication from the Institute for Biblical Counseling headed by Crabb. We could not obtain a copy of this article. The other two brief articles were in Parent Life. Parent Life is a mixed bag of soundly biblical teachings and psychoheresy. We give one example of Parent Life’s psychoheresy in our July-August PsychoHeresy Awareness Letter. If invited, individuals who are truly biblical should not provide articles for such a publication.

We were aware that Harrell charged fees for biblical counseling in the past. When asked about charging, he said, "I’ve repented of that." We wonder if he has apologized to those whom he charged or offered to return their money.

As we said above, Harrell taught for Crabb at Grace Theological Seminary. Although Harrell claims to be converted from Crabb’s influence, Harrell has done Crabb-inspired integration counseling over a longer period of time than biblical counseling, since he has done little counseling during the past five years. How could he? A wife and three children and a full-time position at BHC, which he partly owns, along with his interest in "hunting, fishing, shooting sports, reading, writing, and family camping" (Handbook of the Biblical Studies Department, p. 7) would leave little to no time during the past five years to counsel, which is the very activity about which he is employed to teach. According to Harrell his change of heart began about five years ago. This raises the question: why would Mack recommend someone as a faculty member to teach classes in biblical counseling when Harrell has counseled so little in the past five years? And his prior counseling was Crabb-inspired.

With all of the deficiencies discussed above, it is startling that Harrell was employed at The Master’s College and as an Associate Professor, when the usual entry level is that of an Assistant Professor. Harrell claims that he has additional background that would shed light on why he was employed over others. We wrote to him and asked him for the additional background. We followed up with a phone call in which he said that he would provide the information. Though he has had plenty of time to respond, to the date of completing this issue of PAL, we have received nothing.

This unusual hiring of Harrell and his immediate elevation to Associate Professor causes us to wonder why he was chosen over others. Why were the usual hiring standards set aside? Why wasn’t someone with a better academic and experiential background employed? Our guess is that Dr. Wayne Mack, who has more than a taint of integrationism about him, selected someone who would be compatible with his own position on recycling (euphemism for integration) of psychological teachings. Considering Harrell’s interest in psychology with a B.A. and attempted doctorate augmented with an integrationist MA under Crabb, this surely makes sense.

End quote.

The rest of the article can be read here.

The Letter And the Spirit

2Co 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

A point was made at church about how many have created a false dichotomy between the "letter" and "the Spirit" of the Law (which I have heard all my life myself). Interestingly it's usually by those who want to redefine sin. It's also a way to devise a new class of Truth and spirituality, with a derision for the written Word of God. However it is the HOLY Spirit, the Author of the Law, who gave the Law IN ORDER to define what sin is (Rom. 7:7-14). The Spirit GAVE the Law, He is not in opposition to it.

Eze 36:23 "And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD," declares the Lord GOD, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.

Eze 36:24 "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land.

Eze 36:25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

Eze 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

Eze 36:27 "And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Rom 7:7  What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." 

Rom 7:12  So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 
Rom 7:13  Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 
Rom 7:14  For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 

1Ti 1:8  But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 
1Ti 1:9  realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 

The Law is the standard by which God judges each person. It is precise and exacting, therefore not allowing any sin to be undealt with.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 
Heb 4:13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 

 Note that God judges even the thoughts and intentions of our hearts as either righteous or unrighteous, not merely our actions. This should remind the believer of Matt. 6  and Matt 15:11 where Jesus defines sin as those of the heart first.

Mat 5:20  "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Mat 6:1  "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. 

Mat 5:17  "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 
Mat 5:18  "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. 

Mat 5:22  "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

Mat 5:28  but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. 
Gal 3:24  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.

It is a great mercy from God that He gave the Law in order to tell us what sin is, so that we can cry out to Him for His mercy and forgiveness, knowing that Christ alone and His work on the cross and His resurrection saves. The law can't justify because the heart of flesh needs to be removed. That's why the Law was limited in power--it is the standard by which God  judges all people. It is the Holy Spirit that gives life--a new heart, mind, will, indwelling us and empowering us to see the Truth and love it, confess our sins, and walk according to the Scriptures.

The Law is spiritual because it's from the mouth of God and it proves our sin against Him. It is NOT in opposition to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit uses it properly to convict us of our sin and that points us to Christ Jesus. There is no opposition between the Law and It's Author.