Here are several excerpts from an article by Clifton R. Loucks, from The Trinity Foundation originally.
Quote:
The central message of the Bible is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour from sin, and the only safety from God’s righteous punishment of sin. The only way of salvation is through belief in the purpose of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 3:11). The Apostle Paul proclaims Christ crucified as the only antidote to the deadly venom within man, called sin. He wrote: "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (I Corinthians 2:2).
Evidently, the Apostle believed that the meaning of the death and resurrection of Christ was of primary importance, a message to be understood by both those who have already trusted in Christ for their eternal state, and those who were yet to hear the Gospel.
[T]he Gospel of Christ...is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith [Romans 1:16-17].
Knowing what that Gospel is, and believing it, is of first importance for those who proclaim the Word of God. If it is not first in importance, but somewhere down the list of things to be taught, or absent from the list entirely, confusion (frequently fatal) results.
How shall the justified live by faith, if the object of that faith is unknown, or at best, obscured? If the professed Christian doesn’t understand the meaning of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, how can he give a clarion call to those without hope and without God in the world?
Recitation, so it is said, aids in the understanding of Christian doctrine; but it may not do so, if the recitation is done or heard inattentively, or the creed itself is not faithful to the Gospel. Supposedly, the congregation’s "one voice" in reciting a creed reflects its unity in one belief as well. Yet, what do individual minds (and there is no other kind) understand by what they say? Is there unity of thought and meaning of the particular words expressed? Or is the creed ambiguous or incomplete?
The Apostles’ Creed is a case in point. It has a long history behind it, and in its longevity, it is unchallenged as the Christian’s creed; yet is it Christian? The apostles knew nothing of the Apostles’ Creed, for it emerged some three centuries after their passing, its author(s) lost to history. It has the honorific label "Apostles" attached to it, as if they created it, recited it, and endorsed it; when they neither wrote, recited, nor endorsed the creed attributed to them. Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics, Anglicans, Liberals, and Protestants all recite the Apostles’ Creed, yet the Reformers thought rightly that the Roman Catholic Church with its papacy is Antichrist. How can this be? Rome has recently called Protestant dissenters to its hierarchy and doctrine, "separated brethren," and continues to attempt to end the separation by such means as ecumenical councils, documents, and creeds. The Apostles’ Creed is one ecumenical bridge over the gap. The Apostles’ Creed is a lowest-common denominator attempt at ecumenism.
The Apostles’ Creed does not perform the requisite functions of a creed: It does not accurately summarize the content of Christian belief; it omits essential Christian doctrines; it does not distinguish heterodoxy from orthodoxy; and it is ambiguous, rather than clear. Because of these defects, it cannot unify the hearts of God’s people, for, as an ecumenical creed, it allows many who do not hold to the Gospel revealed by God to profess to be Christians.
God’s revealed truth divides men; but it also is the only basis of Christian unity.
But if the words of a creed join together believer and unbeliever, Protestant, Roman, Anglican, Liberal, and Greek, then the creed has failed to achieve Christian unity, but has accomplished the purpose of the enemy, who sows tares among wheat.
...Notice that the Apostles’ Creed neither mentions essential articles of the faith nor defines the terms it uses. Thus it becomes, at best, a mere mentioning of terms, not a confession of well-defined truths revealed by God for our instruction....
The Heidelberg Catechism seems to say that the Apostles’ Creed expresses the very things, termed "Articles of our catholic, undoubted faith," necessary for a Christian to believe: that is, it supposedly expresses that which a person must believe to be a Christian.....Then it asks, "Where can we find a short statement of everything God commands us to believe?" (This question itself seems a bit contrived given the previous answer and command "to believe everything God tells us," does it not?) The primer answers: "In The Apostles’ Creed." Now, does this Creed contain "everything God commands us to believe," even in summary? Does the Apostles’ Creed express that which a person must believe to be a Christian? Is it the "litmus test" of one’s Christian faith? Ponder these omissions of some of the articles of our Christian faith.
1. The Creed is silent on Christ’s satisfaction of the Father’s justice. The term and concept of propitiation are absent.
2. The Creed is silent on Christ’s substitutionary death. The term and concept of Atonement are absent.
3. The Creed is silent on the purpose of Christ’s death. His death is mentioned, but an historical event, without an explanation of its meaning, is not a Christian confession. The Pharisees also believed Christ died. Christians must confess, "Christ died for our sins."
4. The Creed is silent on Scripture. In his summary of the Gospel, Paul wrote: "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures." How can a Creed derive its authority from Scripture if it does not even mention it? Perhaps this is one reason why the pope can confess the Apostles’ Creed too: Belief in Scripture is omitted, but belief in the "Holy Catholic Church" is included.
5. The Creed is silent on the inspiration of Scripture, the authority of Scripture, the sufficiency of Scripture, the necessity of Scripture, the inerrancy and infallibility of Scripture, the perspicuity (clarity) of Scripture, the power of Scripture, the coherence of Scripture, etc. The Apostles’ Creed describes the "Catholic Church" as "Holy," but not the Word of God.
6. The Creed is silent on the Trinity. Although all three Persons are mentioned, the unity of the Godhead is not expressed, and only one Person is confessed as God. The Creed is so vague that its confessors may believe in three gods, or that only God the Father is God, and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are lesser beings.
7. The Creed is silent on the Gospel. The term and concept are absent. It makes no reference to the method and means of salvation. Salvation by God’s grace alone is not mentioned.
8. The Creed is silent on justification by faith in Christ alone. One would think a creed would say something about justification and faith. The Apostles’ Creed does not.
9. The Creed is silent on predestination, and election. It contains not even a hint of an eternal divine plan for the salvation of God’s people.
10. The Creed is silent on regeneration and sanctification—the new birth and the Christian life.
11. The Creed is silent on confession of sin to God, and offers no definition of sin.
12. The Creed mentions Pontius Pilate, but is silent on the Person of the Holy Spirit. "I believe in the Holy Ghost" does not express much of anything. Would any listener figure out who he is or what he does? The Apostles’ Creed does not even say that the Holy Ghost is God. Amazing, isn’t it? Did I say amazing? I meant appalling.
13. The Creed implies that only the Father is Creator. John says that "All things were made by him [the Logos]." Job and the Psalms proclaim that the Spirit "made the heavens and all the hosts of them."
So what kind of creedal expression is the Apostles’ Creed? It is a lowest-common denominator ecumenical confession, apparently designed to please everyone in the churches, except the Christians. It is not, as Schaff believes, "the Creed of creeds." Nor does is it "contain all the fundamental articles of the Christian faith necessary to salvation" (Creeds, 1, 14).
Omission of these central truths leaves many doors open for cunning persons to bind unsuspecting souls in ecclesiastical chains. Without God’s wrath fully appeased once for all by Christ’s death, we must sacrifice Christ afresh every day and work for our own salvation. The Apostles’ Creed does nothing to preclude or dispel damnable heresies such as the mass, taught by the largest religious organization on the planet.
Creed Articles Not Found in Scripture
These words of this ecumenical Creed—"He descended into Hell"—tend to confuse, not explain, the belief of the Christian. Must one believe that Christ went to Hell after his death and before he rose from the dead? (This is how the Apostles’ Creed states it by its word order.) What is the basis for this belief?
What do unbelievers think as they attend our assemblies and hear us say, "He [Jesus Christ] descended into Hell" after his death, and then try to explain away the obvious meaning of the words by saying that Christ really didn’t go to Hell? Why should they believe anything else they hear in our assemblies? Perhaps we have an esoteric interpretation of other statements as well. Intellectual dishonesty—or ecclesiastical dishonesty—will not persuade anyone to listen to the rest of our teaching.
One does not need to travel far from the Biblical descriptions of Christ’s suffering to learn the meaning of it all: God’s sufficient Word does not keep us hanging in suspense. But the Apostles’ Creed does.
Another example of this–not saying what we mean, and saying what we don’t mean–is found in the words: "I be-lieve...in the Holy Catholic Church." This clause is such a source of confusion that disclaimers need to be made for it upon its every utterance, and it isn’t the only one.
Commonly, Reformed and Protestant preachers will give a disclaimer immediately following the recitation of the Creed to the effect that the Creed is not to be construed as meaning the Roman Catholic Church, which calls itself "the Holy Catholic Church." If Protestants mean "We believe that there is an elect people of God that the Lord Himself gave out of the whole of mankind to the Son, and this people is ‘the church’ in view, known in Scripture as the very small remnant, and the only true children of Abraham," then they should say so: "I believe that God has chosen and saved his own people out of every race and nation." This would maintain the antithesis between true and false, which distinction is blurred by the confusing term "Holy Catholic Church." When Rome decides to call "home" the "separated brethren" of the Protestant churches, she will no doubt use the ambiguous terminology of this very Creed to further her aim. The call will be legitimized by the gentle reminder that "we all believe in the one Holy Catholic Church, do we not? You’ve been confessing it in your churches for centuries; now come home, come home to the one place you’ve been confessing for all those generations. Mother Kirk has her arms spread wide to embrace you."
Protestant Reformers protested against that very institution, the organization calling itself the Holy Catholic Church, which is a governmental power, a nation unto itself, and not a church at all. Roman Catholics recite this Creed, using the same words, without disclaimers, and people know very well what they mean. Why adopt their confession? Why can we not frame the words of a true confession to reflect Scripture?
This clause, "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church" is followed by a confession of "the communion of saints," and then by "the forgiveness of sins," with no explanation given as to how one can have forgiveness. Out of all the things of importance in life, how one obtains forgiveness of sins is absolutely vital. Since it follows on the heels of "the Holy Catholic Church," would it not plausibly follow that forgiveness comes through and because of that Holy Catholic Church? It is strongly suggested by the word order of the Creed.
One possible—and plausible—reason for the order in the Apostles’ Creed is the false teaching that the dispenser of forgiveness is not God, but the Holy Catholic Church. That large and influential religious organization based in Rome teaches that very thing: Forgiveness comes from its authority, through its priests and sacraments. There is no ambiguity as to their teaching in this regard; the ambiguity lies in Protestants’ using the same words to confess some different meaning. Christians are to proclaim clearly what they mean, and not speak in ambiguities that confuse others.
The Creed says, "I believe…in the Holy Ghost." Well, so do the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The question is: What are you confessing when you say those words? Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the Holy Ghost as a "radar beam" of God’s power (their words, at my door, many times) but not as a Person of the Trinity. They believe that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force used by God to direct people and things. The Apostles’ Creed does not rule out such a notion. To say: "I believe in the Holy Ghost," is not to say very much. The clause is devoid of definition, of predication, and therefore of clarity. It does not distinguish between meanings that differ, for no meaning is given. The antithesis between false doctrine and true teaching is absent. The clause as it occurs in the ecumenical Apostles’ Creed is devoid of the meaning that would make it Christian, i.e., Scriptural....
Is the Apostles’ Creed less than accurate? We have seen that it is. Is it less than Biblically sufficient? Absolutely. There are deficiencies in this Creed in that central doctrines are not expressed. This allows common confession of the Creed with Antichrist.
A Challenge
The Creed substitutes unexplained statements of historical events for the Gospel of an atoning Christ who is the perfect satisfaction of holy justice for his elect people.... The question is: Will the Reformed churches put away the so-called Apostles’ Creed of the Roman Church-State, or will they continue to recite it, obscuring the Gospel and erasing the distinction between a true church and a false? Will they practice the first mark of a true church of Jesus Christ–as defined by Guido de Bres in the Belgic Confession, "the preaching of the pure Gospel"—or will they sink deeper into the mire of "unity first" thinking? Will the Gospel of justification by faith alone be clearly expressed to those whom God brings to their assemblies? Shall it contain the evangel, the Gospel of the Christ who died for the sins of his people, explained according to the authority of the Scriptures, or omit it for the sake of peace, unity, and tradition, as the Apostles’ Creed has done for many centuries?
End quote.
I rather go directly to Scripture and use it as the sole authority to test all things and ever person. And so I do.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Take Heed What You Read!
AW Pink hits the nail on the head again in this piece. Here are some excerpts, but read the whole thing. Its excellent.
"Take heed what you hear" (Mark 4:24): the word "hear" obviously includes what is read, for that which is written or printed is addressed to the ears of our intellect. Few people today realize the urgent need for "taking heed" unto what they read. Just as the natural food which is eaten either helps or hinders the body—so the mental food we receive either benefits or injures the mind, and that, in turn, affects the heart.
The only thing which is really worth calling "religion" is the life of God in the soul-commenced, carried on, and consummated solely by the Holy Spirit. Hence, whatever does not bear the impress of the Spirit's unction, should be rejected by the Christian: for not only can unctionless messages do us no good—but what proceeds not from the Spirit—is of the flesh.
Some of God's dear people may suppose that it would be presumptuous to set themselves up as judges of what they hear or read—but that is a serious mistake, being both a false humility, and a shirking of duty. The Apostle rebuked the Hebrews because their senses (spiritual faculties) were not developed so as to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:13).
If the God of creation has given us natural palates for the purpose of distinguishing between wholesome and unwholesome food, the God of grace has furnished His people with a capacity, a spiritual sense, to distinguish between nutritious and unwholesome soul food.
"Just as the mouth tastes food—the ear tests the words it hears" (Job 34:3). Does yours, my reader? Are you as careful about what you take into your mind—as what you take into your stomach? You certainly ought to be, for the former is even more important than the latter.
How many of God's dear children listen to the automaton "letter" preachers of today, and yet find nothing suited to the needs of their poor souls!
What they hear and what they read does not penetrate and grip—it has no power—it neither breaks down nor lifts up—it produces neither godly sorrow nor godly joy. The messages they hear or read, fall upon their ear like an idle or twice-told tale—it completely fails to reach their case or minister to their needs. They are no better off after hearing a hundred such "sermons" or reading through a hundred such periodicals, than they were at the beginning! They are no farther from the world—and no nearer unto God!
It is often a long time before God's children are able to account for this. They blame themselves; they are exceedingly loath to say, "This message is not of God." They are afraid to act in the spiritual, as they do in the natural, and condemn and discard that which is worthless.
Ah, it is a great thing when once the Holy Spirit teaches a soul—that it is power which is lacking from the lifeless preaching and lifeless articles of dead professors.... Yes, what the renewed soul longs for (though at first he knows it not) is that Divine message which comes to him "not simply with words—but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction!" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Those who are partakers of this Divine power (and they are few in number) can never be satisfied with a powerless ministry, either oral or written.
"Those who live according to the flesh—have their minds set on what the flesh desires," (Romans 8:5). They are charmed with oratorical eloquence, catchy sayings, witty allusions, and amusing illustrations. On just such "husks", do the religious "swine" feed!
But the penitent prodigal can find no nutriment therein! Men "of the world"—and they may be graduates from some "Bible Institute" or possessors of a diploma from some Bible Seminary, now styling themselves "preachers of the Gospel"—will speak of the things of the world and "the world hears them" (1 John 4:5). But those who are seeking to "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling" obtain no help therefrom, yes, they perceive clearly that such sermons and periodicals are "broken cisterns, which can hold no water" (Jer. 2:13).
"Take heed what you hear" and read! More than forty years ago the saintly Adolph Saphir wrote, "I think the fewer books we read—the better. It is like times of cholera, when we should only drink filtered water." What would he say if he were on earth today and glanced over the deadly poison sent forth by the heterodox, and the lifeless rubbish put out by the orthodox? Christian reader, if you value the health of your soul, cease hearing and quit reading all that is lifeless, unctionless, powerless, no matter what prominent or popular name be attached thereto. Life is too short to waste valuable time on that which does not profit. Ninety-nine out of every hundred of the religious books, booklets, and magazines now being published, are not worth the paper on which they are printed!
To turn away from the lifeless preachers and publishers of the day—may involve a real cross. Your motives will be misconstrued, your words perverted, and your actions misinterpreted. The sharp arrows of false report will be directed against you. You will be called proud and self-righteous, because you refuse to fellowship empty professors. You will be termed censorious and bitter—if you condemn in plain speech—the subtle delusions of Satan. You will be dubbed narrow-minded and uncharitable, because you refuse to join in singing the praises of the "great" and "popular" men of the day. More and more, you will be made to painfully realize—that the path which leads unto eternal life is "narrow" and that FEW there are who find it. May the Lord be pleased to grant unto each of us—the hearing ear and obedient heart! "Take heed what you hear" and read!
"Take heed what you hear" (Mark 4:24): the word "hear" obviously includes what is read, for that which is written or printed is addressed to the ears of our intellect. Few people today realize the urgent need for "taking heed" unto what they read. Just as the natural food which is eaten either helps or hinders the body—so the mental food we receive either benefits or injures the mind, and that, in turn, affects the heart.
The only thing which is really worth calling "religion" is the life of God in the soul-commenced, carried on, and consummated solely by the Holy Spirit. Hence, whatever does not bear the impress of the Spirit's unction, should be rejected by the Christian: for not only can unctionless messages do us no good—but what proceeds not from the Spirit—is of the flesh.
Some of God's dear people may suppose that it would be presumptuous to set themselves up as judges of what they hear or read—but that is a serious mistake, being both a false humility, and a shirking of duty. The Apostle rebuked the Hebrews because their senses (spiritual faculties) were not developed so as to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:13).
If the God of creation has given us natural palates for the purpose of distinguishing between wholesome and unwholesome food, the God of grace has furnished His people with a capacity, a spiritual sense, to distinguish between nutritious and unwholesome soul food.
"Just as the mouth tastes food—the ear tests the words it hears" (Job 34:3). Does yours, my reader? Are you as careful about what you take into your mind—as what you take into your stomach? You certainly ought to be, for the former is even more important than the latter.
How many of God's dear children listen to the automaton "letter" preachers of today, and yet find nothing suited to the needs of their poor souls!
What they hear and what they read does not penetrate and grip—it has no power—it neither breaks down nor lifts up—it produces neither godly sorrow nor godly joy. The messages they hear or read, fall upon their ear like an idle or twice-told tale—it completely fails to reach their case or minister to their needs. They are no better off after hearing a hundred such "sermons" or reading through a hundred such periodicals, than they were at the beginning! They are no farther from the world—and no nearer unto God!
It is often a long time before God's children are able to account for this. They blame themselves; they are exceedingly loath to say, "This message is not of God." They are afraid to act in the spiritual, as they do in the natural, and condemn and discard that which is worthless.
Ah, it is a great thing when once the Holy Spirit teaches a soul—that it is power which is lacking from the lifeless preaching and lifeless articles of dead professors.... Yes, what the renewed soul longs for (though at first he knows it not) is that Divine message which comes to him "not simply with words—but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction!" (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Those who are partakers of this Divine power (and they are few in number) can never be satisfied with a powerless ministry, either oral or written.
"Those who live according to the flesh—have their minds set on what the flesh desires," (Romans 8:5). They are charmed with oratorical eloquence, catchy sayings, witty allusions, and amusing illustrations. On just such "husks", do the religious "swine" feed!
But the penitent prodigal can find no nutriment therein! Men "of the world"—and they may be graduates from some "Bible Institute" or possessors of a diploma from some Bible Seminary, now styling themselves "preachers of the Gospel"—will speak of the things of the world and "the world hears them" (1 John 4:5). But those who are seeking to "work out their own salvation with fear and trembling" obtain no help therefrom, yes, they perceive clearly that such sermons and periodicals are "broken cisterns, which can hold no water" (Jer. 2:13).
"Take heed what you hear" and read! More than forty years ago the saintly Adolph Saphir wrote, "I think the fewer books we read—the better. It is like times of cholera, when we should only drink filtered water." What would he say if he were on earth today and glanced over the deadly poison sent forth by the heterodox, and the lifeless rubbish put out by the orthodox? Christian reader, if you value the health of your soul, cease hearing and quit reading all that is lifeless, unctionless, powerless, no matter what prominent or popular name be attached thereto. Life is too short to waste valuable time on that which does not profit. Ninety-nine out of every hundred of the religious books, booklets, and magazines now being published, are not worth the paper on which they are printed!
To turn away from the lifeless preachers and publishers of the day—may involve a real cross. Your motives will be misconstrued, your words perverted, and your actions misinterpreted. The sharp arrows of false report will be directed against you. You will be called proud and self-righteous, because you refuse to fellowship empty professors. You will be termed censorious and bitter—if you condemn in plain speech—the subtle delusions of Satan. You will be dubbed narrow-minded and uncharitable, because you refuse to join in singing the praises of the "great" and "popular" men of the day. More and more, you will be made to painfully realize—that the path which leads unto eternal life is "narrow" and that FEW there are who find it. May the Lord be pleased to grant unto each of us—the hearing ear and obedient heart! "Take heed what you hear" and read!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Present Day Evangelism
Excerpts from Arthur Pink's "Present Day Evangelism"
"The glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." 1 Timothy 1:11
Most of the so-called evangelism of our day is a grief to genuine Christians, for they feel that it lacks any scriptural warrant, that it is dishonoring unto God, and that it is filling the churches with empty professors! They are shocked that so much frothy superficiality, fleshly excitement and worldly allurement should be associated with the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They deplore the cheapening of the Gospel, the beguiling of unwary souls, and the carnalizing and commercializing of what is to them, ineffably sacred. It requires little spiritual discernment to perceive that the evangelistic activities of Christendom during the last century have steadily deteriorated from bad to worse—yet few appear to realize the root from which this evil has sprung. It will now be our endeavor to expose the same. Its aim was wrong, and therefore its fruit faulty.
If the evangelist fails to make the glory of God his paramount and constant aim, he is certain to go wrong, and all his efforts will be more or less a beating of the air. When he makes an end of anything less than that, he is sure to fall into error, for he no longer gives God His proper place. Once we fix on ends of our own, we are ready to adopt means of our own. It was at this very point, that evangelism failed two or three generations ago, and from that point it has farther and farther departed. Evangelism made "the winning of souls" its goal, its summum bonum, and everything else was made to serve and pay tribute to the same. Though the glory of God was not actually denied, yet it was lost sight of, crowded out, and made secondary. Further, let it be remembered that God is honored in exact proportion as the preacher cleaves to His Word, and faithfully proclaims "all His counsel," and not merely those portions which appeal to him.
The evangelist was esteemed not for the soundness of his message—but by the visible "results" he secured. He was valued, not according to how his preaching honored God—but by how many souls were supposedly converted under it.
Once a man makes the conversion of sinners his prime design and all-consuming end, he is exceedingly apt to adopt a wrong course. Instead of striving to preach the Truth in all its purity—he will tone it down so as to make it more palatable to the unregenerate.
To say nothing here about those cheap-jack evangelists who aim no higher than rushing people into making a formal profession of faith, in order that the membership of the churches may be swelled.
In twentieth-century evangelism, there has been a woeful ignoring of the solemn truth of the total depravity of man. There has been a complete underrating of the desperate case and condition of the sinner.
Instead of seeking the aid of outside evangelists, let the churches get on their faces before God, confess their sins, seek His glory, and cry for His miracle-working operations. "Not by might [of the preacher], nor by power [of the sinner's will]—but by my Spirit, says the Lord."
It is in no captious spirit that we write, seeking to make a man an offender for a word. It is not that we are looking for perfection, and complain because we cannot find it; nor that we criticize others because they are not doing things as we think they should be done. No, it is a matter far more serious than that, the "evangelism" of the day is not only superficial to the last degree—but it is radically defective. It is utterly lacking a foundation on which to base an appeal for sinners to come to Christ. There is not only a lamentable lack of proportion (the mercy of God being made far more prominent than His holiness, His love than His wrath)—but there is a fatal omission of that which God has given for the purpose of imparting a knowledge of sin. There is not only a reprehensible introducing of "bright singing," humorous witticisms and entertaining anecdotes—but there is a studied omission of dark background upon which alone the Gospel can effectively shine forth.
But serious indeed as is the above indictment, it is only half of it—the negative side, that which is lacking. Worse still is that which is being retailed by the cheap-jack evangelists of the day. The positive content of their message is nothing but a throwing of dust in the eyes of the sinner. His soul is put to sleep by the devil's opiate, ministered in a most unsuspecting form. Those who really receive the "message" which is now being given out from most of the "orthodox" pulpits and platforms today, are being fatally deceived. It is a way which seems right unto a man—but unless God sovereignly intervenes by a miracle of grace, all who follow it will surely find that the ends thereof are the ways of death. Tens of thousands who confidently imagine that they are bound for heaven—will get a terrible disillusionment, when they awake in hell!
The nature of Christ's salvation, is woefully misrepresented by the present-day "evangelist." He announces a Savior from hell--rather than a Savior from sin! And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire--who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness!
True, as the Christian grows in grace, he has a clearer realization of what sin is--rebellion against God; and a deeper hatred of and sorrow for it. But to think that one may be saved by Christ, whose conscience has never been smitten by the Spirit, and whose heart has not been made contrite before God--is to imagine something which has no existence in the realm of fact. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor--but the sick" (Matthew 9:12). The only ones who really seek relief from the great Physician, are those who are sick of sin--who long to be delivered from its God-dishonoring works, and its soul-defiling pollutions.
As Christ's salvation is a salvation from sin--from the love of it, from its dominion, from its guilt and penalty--then it necessarily follows, that the first great task and the chief work of the evangelist, is to preach upon SIN: to define what sin (as distinct from crime) really is, to show wherein its infinite enormity consists, to trace out its manifold workings in the heart, to indicate that nothing less than eternal punishment is its desert!
Ah, preaching upon sin will not make him popular nor draw the crowds, will it? No, it will not; and knowing this, those who love the praise of men more than the approbation of God, and who value their salary above immortal souls, trim their sales accordingly!
"The glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." 1 Timothy 1:11
Most of the so-called evangelism of our day is a grief to genuine Christians, for they feel that it lacks any scriptural warrant, that it is dishonoring unto God, and that it is filling the churches with empty professors! They are shocked that so much frothy superficiality, fleshly excitement and worldly allurement should be associated with the holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They deplore the cheapening of the Gospel, the beguiling of unwary souls, and the carnalizing and commercializing of what is to them, ineffably sacred. It requires little spiritual discernment to perceive that the evangelistic activities of Christendom during the last century have steadily deteriorated from bad to worse—yet few appear to realize the root from which this evil has sprung. It will now be our endeavor to expose the same. Its aim was wrong, and therefore its fruit faulty.
If the evangelist fails to make the glory of God his paramount and constant aim, he is certain to go wrong, and all his efforts will be more or less a beating of the air. When he makes an end of anything less than that, he is sure to fall into error, for he no longer gives God His proper place. Once we fix on ends of our own, we are ready to adopt means of our own. It was at this very point, that evangelism failed two or three generations ago, and from that point it has farther and farther departed. Evangelism made "the winning of souls" its goal, its summum bonum, and everything else was made to serve and pay tribute to the same. Though the glory of God was not actually denied, yet it was lost sight of, crowded out, and made secondary. Further, let it be remembered that God is honored in exact proportion as the preacher cleaves to His Word, and faithfully proclaims "all His counsel," and not merely those portions which appeal to him.
The evangelist was esteemed not for the soundness of his message—but by the visible "results" he secured. He was valued, not according to how his preaching honored God—but by how many souls were supposedly converted under it.
Once a man makes the conversion of sinners his prime design and all-consuming end, he is exceedingly apt to adopt a wrong course. Instead of striving to preach the Truth in all its purity—he will tone it down so as to make it more palatable to the unregenerate.
To say nothing here about those cheap-jack evangelists who aim no higher than rushing people into making a formal profession of faith, in order that the membership of the churches may be swelled.
In twentieth-century evangelism, there has been a woeful ignoring of the solemn truth of the total depravity of man. There has been a complete underrating of the desperate case and condition of the sinner.
Instead of seeking the aid of outside evangelists, let the churches get on their faces before God, confess their sins, seek His glory, and cry for His miracle-working operations. "Not by might [of the preacher], nor by power [of the sinner's will]—but by my Spirit, says the Lord."
It is in no captious spirit that we write, seeking to make a man an offender for a word. It is not that we are looking for perfection, and complain because we cannot find it; nor that we criticize others because they are not doing things as we think they should be done. No, it is a matter far more serious than that, the "evangelism" of the day is not only superficial to the last degree—but it is radically defective. It is utterly lacking a foundation on which to base an appeal for sinners to come to Christ. There is not only a lamentable lack of proportion (the mercy of God being made far more prominent than His holiness, His love than His wrath)—but there is a fatal omission of that which God has given for the purpose of imparting a knowledge of sin. There is not only a reprehensible introducing of "bright singing," humorous witticisms and entertaining anecdotes—but there is a studied omission of dark background upon which alone the Gospel can effectively shine forth.
But serious indeed as is the above indictment, it is only half of it—the negative side, that which is lacking. Worse still is that which is being retailed by the cheap-jack evangelists of the day. The positive content of their message is nothing but a throwing of dust in the eyes of the sinner. His soul is put to sleep by the devil's opiate, ministered in a most unsuspecting form. Those who really receive the "message" which is now being given out from most of the "orthodox" pulpits and platforms today, are being fatally deceived. It is a way which seems right unto a man—but unless God sovereignly intervenes by a miracle of grace, all who follow it will surely find that the ends thereof are the ways of death. Tens of thousands who confidently imagine that they are bound for heaven—will get a terrible disillusionment, when they awake in hell!
The nature of Christ's salvation, is woefully misrepresented by the present-day "evangelist." He announces a Savior from hell--rather than a Savior from sin! And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire--who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness!
True, as the Christian grows in grace, he has a clearer realization of what sin is--rebellion against God; and a deeper hatred of and sorrow for it. But to think that one may be saved by Christ, whose conscience has never been smitten by the Spirit, and whose heart has not been made contrite before God--is to imagine something which has no existence in the realm of fact. "It is not the healthy who need a doctor--but the sick" (Matthew 9:12). The only ones who really seek relief from the great Physician, are those who are sick of sin--who long to be delivered from its God-dishonoring works, and its soul-defiling pollutions.
As Christ's salvation is a salvation from sin--from the love of it, from its dominion, from its guilt and penalty--then it necessarily follows, that the first great task and the chief work of the evangelist, is to preach upon SIN: to define what sin (as distinct from crime) really is, to show wherein its infinite enormity consists, to trace out its manifold workings in the heart, to indicate that nothing less than eternal punishment is its desert!
Ah, preaching upon sin will not make him popular nor draw the crowds, will it? No, it will not; and knowing this, those who love the praise of men more than the approbation of God, and who value their salary above immortal souls, trim their sales accordingly!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Problems With Rick Warren's Statements In His Beliefnet Interview
While people may agree with what Rick Warren said in his interview on Beliefnet, there's a lot I certainly disagree with. He is slick and unless you listen carefully and know what else he has said, you may be fooled into thinking he's not that dangerous.
The quotes of his are in italics and then I respond.
That if God wanted to…, communicate to ants, he would have become an ant. If he’d wanted to communicate with cows, he would have become a cow. But he wanted to communicate to human beings so he became one of us.
Scripture says: Heb 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to do three things. He came to have my past forgiven, you get a purpose for living and a home in Heaven. That’s the big difference between Christianity and other religions. The difference between Works and Grace or Do and Done….That’s the big difference between Christianity and other religions. The difference between Works and Grace or Do and Done.
Note he didn't talk about glorifying and worshipping Christ Jesus for forever (Eph. 1). Its all about Self. He also didn't mention Scripture.
Warren has said:
“I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” —Rick Warren Aspen Ideas Festival, The Aspen Institute, July 6, 2005, “Discussion: Religion and Leadership,” with David Gergen and Rick Warren
“...You may be Catholic or Protestant or Buddhist or Baptist or Muslim or Mormon or Jewish or Jain, or you have no religion at all. I’m not interested in your religious background. Because God did not create the universe for us to have religion. He came for us to have a relationship with him.” —Rick Warren United Nations, Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, September 2005
Rick Warren said on Hannity’s show this year, on how to get to heaven: “Give as much of yourself as you understand to as much as you understand about me and then keep growing in it.”
To the question (the question itself reveals a wrong view of unbelief as if its merely a mistake, but I digress): So why wouldn’t he if we get to the gates of heaven and say “I didn’t believe in you. Boy do I have egg on my face,” as it were. “It was a horrible mistake.” Why wouldn’t he forgive that too?
I think that it’s not just a matter of knowledge. I think God’s gonna take care of a matter of… I don’t know about people who don’t know. I really don’t know. I know that the Bible says that Jesus is the way to heaven. I do, I do know that.
To not believe in Jesus Christ means no entry to heaven. To not know means no belief. Its simple. God has indeed revealed Himself to all people and no one is without excuse to worship Him.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
But again, he is like Graham and Schuller: “I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” —Rick Warren
Warren goes on to say:
And we believe that when God speaks to us that’s called inspiration. When Satan speaks to us that’s called temptation. And when I’m talking to myself and I think it’s God, that’s delusion.
Inspiration is not God talking to us. Inspiration is God speaking. Its not about us.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Mat 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Men are not inspired. HIS Words are inspired. There’s a difference. As John MacArthur points out:
"And just as a footnote, the Bible does not say that the writers were inspired. Paul does not say that. Peter does not say that. What is inspired is the Scripture. The men themselves were not inspired in the sense that they had some supernatural ability which they could use at any point to produce Scripture. The only time they were ever inspired was when God gave them His Word. The rest of the time they spoke independent of any inspiration. And so the Bible knows nothing technically of inspired men, only of inspired words, of God-breathed words."
Warren's source of temptation is also a problem. Scripture about temptation :
Jas 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
I do accept the Bible as a standard of authority and I judge my experience by it not vice versa.
So Scripture is merely “a” standard of authority for Warren. Its certainly not THE standard for him. That's why he can say there are people in other religions that are saved. God says HIS Word is THE Standard:
Is. 8: 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Warren goes on....
But going back to this thing about heaven and getting into a perfect place. Let’s say we got a scale of 1 to 100. Let’s put Hitler at zero and Mother Teresa at 100 OK. And Steve you’re at 85 and Larry’s at 65 and I’m at 45. The truth is, some people are better than others, there’s no doubt about it. Some people are more moral than others, they’re nicer, they’re less selfish, less self-centered, things like that. But the truth is, nobody makes [it] to perfection… And so somebody’s got to make up that difference. And that’s the gift I believe Jesus came to – to make up the difference between my zero and my 100 or my 45 and 100 -- somebody’s got to make up that difference.
No one makes up the difference. This smacks entirely of humanism. This assumes there’s some good in people, and what, Jesus makes up for our lack? He’s actually using man as the standard….if someone is 10% good, Jesus adds 90%? Nope. Jesus did NOT come to add to our goodness. This is a denial of the doctrine of Justification which necessitates our total sinfulness.
Scripture says:
Rom 3:10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;
Rom 3:11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Rom 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Rom 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
I think my first question[to God when he gets to heaven] would be the question of suffering. I think it’s the unanswerable question. I know why there’s evil in the world. I don’t understand why so much suffering happens to so many innocent people.
For the believer, I think our question will be, “Why did you save me, a wretched sinner?” because we will see His perfect holiness. The question of suffering is really a veiled accusation against God. It demeans His justice and it denies Man’s worthiness of suffering. There is no such thing as innocent people. As Romans 3 and Eph. 2 says, we are ALL born as enemies of God. For the true believer in Christ Jesus Christ, Scripture warns:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
For the believer, suffering is GOOD because it causes us to rely more upon the Lord (see also 2Cor. 1):
Jas 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Also, suffering is a result of the sin that entered Creation. The poor we will always have with us, Jesus said. Injustice occurs because of sin. All kinds of suffering (and let’s be clear, “suffering” is not doing without a larger house or better job, or being fired from a job because we were not good workers, or being rebuked for sin) happen because man is sinful and also because sometimes people make bad decisions.
We know that evil exists because God gives us a free choice. In order for love to be love, it has to be volitional, it has to be voluntary. I can’t say “I love you” unless I have a choice to not love you. He could have made us all puppets. We would have been marionettes. He could have put us on strings and we’d pray five times a day and we’d have no choice.
Since when is love defined by free will? We are born hating God (Rom. 3:10-18), then Scripture goes on to say:
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Without God working in my will and then helping me do it, I will not do His good pleasure. This is about the believer—how much more the unbeliever needs HIM!
The greatest gift God gave us is also our greatest curse, which is the free will. We are made in God’s image, the Bible says, which means we have the ability to love him or not love him, to reject him or not reject him.
God’s “greated gift” is a curse? Where is that in Scripture? The Bible states that ALL God does is good. HIS gifts are all good:
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Mat 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
1Ti 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Rick’s view of God’s “greatest gift” which is also accursed apparently, is very man-centered. Scripture says we do NOT have the ability to love God or not reject Him. Instead it says we are born hating HIM:
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
There is no such thing as being neutral toward God and sin, ever, for any person.
In addition, Rick says we are made in the image of God therefore we can choose to not love Him---how is the choice to sin "being made in the image of God"? God has no choice to sin. Heb 6:18 "so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie...." 1Jn 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Warren doesn't make sense. But his statements sure reveals his strange view of God.
No body works correctly – we all have problems with our bodies. The weather doesn’t work correctly – tornados and hurricanes and stuff like that. It’s the result of living on a broken planet. That’s why we’re to pray “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” ‘cause in heaven it’s done perfectly.
God’s will is not done most of the time on earth. When people go, “oh, that hurricane must have been God’s will” – baloney! That wasn’t God’s will. God’s will is not done most of the time. If I go out and get drunk and run over a pregnant mother and kill her and her baby, that’s not God’s will, that’s my will.
Well then the baby, according to Warren, goes to heaven. How is that bad? His theology makes no sense.
Contrary to Rick’s god, the true God of Scripture takes credit for the weather, as it is His tool to do His bidding:
Exo 9:18 Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.
Job 38:22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?
Psa 78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost.
Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
Psa 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Because God is Sovereign and Creator, He does as He wishes with the weather. The Flood is a good example of this, as is the drought of three years during Isaiah’s time. God’s is actively bringing about His plan---His plan revealed is called prophecy. It seems that Rick has issues with this.
God is truly in control of His whole creation:
Ps. 33: 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. Dan. 2 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
Warren also said:
And I think that one day, everyone of us is gonna stand before God and he’s not gonna say, “What religion were you? Were you Jewish? Were you Christian? Were you Buddhist? Baptist?” I don’t think he’s gonna say, “What church did you go to?” I think he’s gonna say first thing, first, “What did you do with my son who I sent to earth? Did you ever really get to know him? Did you even check him out? Did you trial test faith in him?” You know, “What did you do?” It’s about a relationship not a religion.
Remember, Rick has already stated:
“I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” —Rick Warren Aspen Ideas Festival, The Aspen Institute, July 6, 2005, “Discussion: Religion and Leadership,” with David Gergen and Rick Warren
“...You may be Catholic or Protestant or Buddhist or Baptist or Muslim or Mormon or Jewish or Jain, or you have no religion at all. I’m not interested in your religious background. Because God did not create the universe for us to have religion. He came for us to have a relationship with him.” —Rick Warren United Nations, Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, September 2005
Also, Rick signed the unity letter to the Muslims, declaring that Christians and Muslims worship the true God.
On page 34 of his PDL book, Warren says, “God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?”
Which Jesus? Which God? Accept what, exactly, about Jesus? If God asks people if they "checked out Jesus" and they rejected Him (this assumes people are neutral, and not born haters of God, HIS enemy), will God then be obligated to welcome them into heaven? After all, they could answer yes (Rick has challenged people to give "Jesus a 60 day try").
And the second question is gonna be the question of, “What did you do with what I gave you? The talent, the ability, the resources, the network, the opportunities, the health, the freedom?” And we are going to be evaluated and judged NOT on our relationship to other people, in terms of, ‘well he did better and he did worse,’ but what did you do with what you were given. So, a retarded person, who does not have mental capabilities will be judged on a totally different scale. In fact the Bible says that people who don’t even have the ability to acknowledge God or to accept Christ, that they’re safe. They are safe. That’s why I believe babies automatically go to Heaven. Every baby does go to Heaven.
He gave no Scripture for this either. There is NONE. He's lying.
Scripture tells of only one way to be justified and to be saved: by faith in Christ Jesus alone. See Rom. 4 & 10:9-10.
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."
He doesn’t believe that all men are born sinners, hating God (Eph. 2; Romans 3,5).
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
His view would also seem to diminish the seriousness of abortion against babies; certainly if all babies go to heaven when they die, then abortion is a good thing. After all, when they grow (whatever his magical age number is, where they suddenly go from guaranteed heaven to hell), then most of them will go to hell (the broad road to damnation is wide and many are on it).
Rick Warren is a theological mess. Moreover he’s a snake, because saying a lot of things that sound ok, he’s pulled the wool over many eyes. I suggest reading a few articles:
http://www.bereanbeacon.org/articles_pdf/rick_warren_purpose_driven.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9EzMWZoag John MacArthur on PDL’s lack of the biblical Gospel and assurance of salvation based on error.
Side by side comparison of what Warren says versus what Scripture says, throughout the PDL book: http://www.cicministry.org/berean.php
http://www.biblebb.com/files/purpose.htm various articles and comments on PDL
The quotes of his are in italics and then I respond.
That if God wanted to…, communicate to ants, he would have become an ant. If he’d wanted to communicate with cows, he would have become a cow. But he wanted to communicate to human beings so he became one of us.
Scripture says: Heb 2:17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to do three things. He came to have my past forgiven, you get a purpose for living and a home in Heaven. That’s the big difference between Christianity and other religions. The difference between Works and Grace or Do and Done….That’s the big difference between Christianity and other religions. The difference between Works and Grace or Do and Done.
Note he didn't talk about glorifying and worshipping Christ Jesus for forever (Eph. 1). Its all about Self. He also didn't mention Scripture.
Warren has said:
“I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” —Rick Warren Aspen Ideas Festival, The Aspen Institute, July 6, 2005, “Discussion: Religion and Leadership,” with David Gergen and Rick Warren
“...You may be Catholic or Protestant or Buddhist or Baptist or Muslim or Mormon or Jewish or Jain, or you have no religion at all. I’m not interested in your religious background. Because God did not create the universe for us to have religion. He came for us to have a relationship with him.” —Rick Warren United Nations, Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, September 2005
Rick Warren said on Hannity’s show this year, on how to get to heaven: “Give as much of yourself as you understand to as much as you understand about me and then keep growing in it.”
To the question (the question itself reveals a wrong view of unbelief as if its merely a mistake, but I digress): So why wouldn’t he if we get to the gates of heaven and say “I didn’t believe in you. Boy do I have egg on my face,” as it were. “It was a horrible mistake.” Why wouldn’t he forgive that too?
I think that it’s not just a matter of knowledge. I think God’s gonna take care of a matter of… I don’t know about people who don’t know. I really don’t know. I know that the Bible says that Jesus is the way to heaven. I do, I do know that.
To not believe in Jesus Christ means no entry to heaven. To not know means no belief. Its simple. God has indeed revealed Himself to all people and no one is without excuse to worship Him.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
But again, he is like Graham and Schuller: “I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” —Rick Warren
Warren goes on to say:
And we believe that when God speaks to us that’s called inspiration. When Satan speaks to us that’s called temptation. And when I’m talking to myself and I think it’s God, that’s delusion.
Inspiration is not God talking to us. Inspiration is God speaking. Its not about us.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Mat 4:4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Men are not inspired. HIS Words are inspired. There’s a difference. As John MacArthur points out:
"And just as a footnote, the Bible does not say that the writers were inspired. Paul does not say that. Peter does not say that. What is inspired is the Scripture. The men themselves were not inspired in the sense that they had some supernatural ability which they could use at any point to produce Scripture. The only time they were ever inspired was when God gave them His Word. The rest of the time they spoke independent of any inspiration. And so the Bible knows nothing technically of inspired men, only of inspired words, of God-breathed words."
Warren's source of temptation is also a problem. Scripture about temptation :
Jas 1:14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
I do accept the Bible as a standard of authority and I judge my experience by it not vice versa.
So Scripture is merely “a” standard of authority for Warren. Its certainly not THE standard for him. That's why he can say there are people in other religions that are saved. God says HIS Word is THE Standard:
Is. 8: 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Warren goes on....
But going back to this thing about heaven and getting into a perfect place. Let’s say we got a scale of 1 to 100. Let’s put Hitler at zero and Mother Teresa at 100 OK. And Steve you’re at 85 and Larry’s at 65 and I’m at 45. The truth is, some people are better than others, there’s no doubt about it. Some people are more moral than others, they’re nicer, they’re less selfish, less self-centered, things like that. But the truth is, nobody makes [it] to perfection… And so somebody’s got to make up that difference. And that’s the gift I believe Jesus came to – to make up the difference between my zero and my 100 or my 45 and 100 -- somebody’s got to make up that difference.
No one makes up the difference. This smacks entirely of humanism. This assumes there’s some good in people, and what, Jesus makes up for our lack? He’s actually using man as the standard….if someone is 10% good, Jesus adds 90%? Nope. Jesus did NOT come to add to our goodness. This is a denial of the doctrine of Justification which necessitates our total sinfulness.
Scripture says:
Rom 3:10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;
Rom 3:11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Rom 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.
Rom 4:5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Rom 4:7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
I think my first question[to God when he gets to heaven] would be the question of suffering. I think it’s the unanswerable question. I know why there’s evil in the world. I don’t understand why so much suffering happens to so many innocent people.
For the believer, I think our question will be, “Why did you save me, a wretched sinner?” because we will see His perfect holiness. The question of suffering is really a veiled accusation against God. It demeans His justice and it denies Man’s worthiness of suffering. There is no such thing as innocent people. As Romans 3 and Eph. 2 says, we are ALL born as enemies of God. For the true believer in Christ Jesus Christ, Scripture warns:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
For the believer, suffering is GOOD because it causes us to rely more upon the Lord (see also 2Cor. 1):
Jas 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Also, suffering is a result of the sin that entered Creation. The poor we will always have with us, Jesus said. Injustice occurs because of sin. All kinds of suffering (and let’s be clear, “suffering” is not doing without a larger house or better job, or being fired from a job because we were not good workers, or being rebuked for sin) happen because man is sinful and also because sometimes people make bad decisions.
We know that evil exists because God gives us a free choice. In order for love to be love, it has to be volitional, it has to be voluntary. I can’t say “I love you” unless I have a choice to not love you. He could have made us all puppets. We would have been marionettes. He could have put us on strings and we’d pray five times a day and we’d have no choice.
Since when is love defined by free will? We are born hating God (Rom. 3:10-18), then Scripture goes on to say:
Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
1Jn 4:10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
God defines love by what HE did, not that we loved Him. Scripture, as already shown, tells us we were hating God, disobedient to Him, refusing to worship Him. Love is defined by who HE is and what HE did.
Because of our total depravity we cannot love God until we have first been justified and saved, and THEN HE pours HIS love into our hearts, so that we can then love Him.
As for “marionettes” Scripture says:Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Without God working in my will and then helping me do it, I will not do His good pleasure. This is about the believer—how much more the unbeliever needs HIM!
The greatest gift God gave us is also our greatest curse, which is the free will. We are made in God’s image, the Bible says, which means we have the ability to love him or not love him, to reject him or not reject him.
God’s “greated gift” is a curse? Where is that in Scripture? The Bible states that ALL God does is good. HIS gifts are all good:
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Mat 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
1Ti 4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Rick’s view of God’s “greatest gift” which is also accursed apparently, is very man-centered. Scripture says we do NOT have the ability to love God or not reject Him. Instead it says we are born hating HIM:
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
There is no such thing as being neutral toward God and sin, ever, for any person.
In addition, Rick says we are made in the image of God therefore we can choose to not love Him---how is the choice to sin "being made in the image of God"? God has no choice to sin. Heb 6:18 "so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie...." 1Jn 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Warren doesn't make sense. But his statements sure reveals his strange view of God.
No body works correctly – we all have problems with our bodies. The weather doesn’t work correctly – tornados and hurricanes and stuff like that. It’s the result of living on a broken planet. That’s why we’re to pray “Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven” ‘cause in heaven it’s done perfectly.
God’s will is not done most of the time on earth. When people go, “oh, that hurricane must have been God’s will” – baloney! That wasn’t God’s will. God’s will is not done most of the time. If I go out and get drunk and run over a pregnant mother and kill her and her baby, that’s not God’s will, that’s my will.
Well then the baby, according to Warren, goes to heaven. How is that bad? His theology makes no sense.
Contrary to Rick’s god, the true God of Scripture takes credit for the weather, as it is His tool to do His bidding:
Exo 9:18 Behold, about this time tomorrow I will cause very heavy hail to fall, such as never has been in Egypt from the day it was founded until now.
Job 38:22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?
Psa 78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost.
Psa 105:32 He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
Psa 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
Because God is Sovereign and Creator, He does as He wishes with the weather. The Flood is a good example of this, as is the drought of three years during Isaiah’s time. God’s is actively bringing about His plan---His plan revealed is called prophecy. It seems that Rick has issues with this.
God is truly in control of His whole creation:
Ps. 33: 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. 9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. 10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. 11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. Dan. 2 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
Warren also said:
And I think that one day, everyone of us is gonna stand before God and he’s not gonna say, “What religion were you? Were you Jewish? Were you Christian? Were you Buddhist? Baptist?” I don’t think he’s gonna say, “What church did you go to?” I think he’s gonna say first thing, first, “What did you do with my son who I sent to earth? Did you ever really get to know him? Did you even check him out? Did you trial test faith in him?” You know, “What did you do?” It’s about a relationship not a religion.
Remember, Rick has already stated:
“I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions.” —Rick Warren Aspen Ideas Festival, The Aspen Institute, July 6, 2005, “Discussion: Religion and Leadership,” with David Gergen and Rick Warren
“...You may be Catholic or Protestant or Buddhist or Baptist or Muslim or Mormon or Jewish or Jain, or you have no religion at all. I’m not interested in your religious background. Because God did not create the universe for us to have religion. He came for us to have a relationship with him.” —Rick Warren United Nations, Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, September 2005
Also, Rick signed the unity letter to the Muslims, declaring that Christians and Muslims worship the true God.
On page 34 of his PDL book, Warren says, “God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?”
Which Jesus? Which God? Accept what, exactly, about Jesus? If God asks people if they "checked out Jesus" and they rejected Him (this assumes people are neutral, and not born haters of God, HIS enemy), will God then be obligated to welcome them into heaven? After all, they could answer yes (Rick has challenged people to give "Jesus a 60 day try").
And the second question is gonna be the question of, “What did you do with what I gave you? The talent, the ability, the resources, the network, the opportunities, the health, the freedom?” And we are going to be evaluated and judged NOT on our relationship to other people, in terms of, ‘well he did better and he did worse,’ but what did you do with what you were given. So, a retarded person, who does not have mental capabilities will be judged on a totally different scale. In fact the Bible says that people who don’t even have the ability to acknowledge God or to accept Christ, that they’re safe. They are safe. That’s why I believe babies automatically go to Heaven. Every baby does go to Heaven.
He gave no Scripture for this either. There is NONE. He's lying.
Scripture tells of only one way to be justified and to be saved: by faith in Christ Jesus alone. See Rom. 4 & 10:9-10.
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."
He doesn’t believe that all men are born sinners, hating God (Eph. 2; Romans 3,5).
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
Eph 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience--
Eph 2:3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
His view would also seem to diminish the seriousness of abortion against babies; certainly if all babies go to heaven when they die, then abortion is a good thing. After all, when they grow (whatever his magical age number is, where they suddenly go from guaranteed heaven to hell), then most of them will go to hell (the broad road to damnation is wide and many are on it).
Rick Warren is a theological mess. Moreover he’s a snake, because saying a lot of things that sound ok, he’s pulled the wool over many eyes. I suggest reading a few articles:
http://www.bereanbeacon.org/articles_pdf/rick_warren_purpose_driven.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI9EzMWZoag John MacArthur on PDL’s lack of the biblical Gospel and assurance of salvation based on error.
Side by side comparison of what Warren says versus what Scripture says, throughout the PDL book: http://www.cicministry.org/berean.php
http://www.biblebb.com/files/purpose.htm various articles and comments on PDL
Rick Warren's Liberalism Is No Surprise
I'm wondering why professing Christians continue to be astounded with Rick Warren and the things he does. The man is not a Christian; in fact he doesn't even know the Gospel. All he knows is self-centeredness and great marketing.
Why would anyone be angry with Ricky holding hands with the Sodomites and Muslims? Unbelievers share common ground.
Just remember that.
Why would anyone be angry with Ricky holding hands with the Sodomites and Muslims? Unbelievers share common ground.
Just remember that.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Focus On the Family Promotes Mormonism
Well its happened. And we saw it coming. Focus on the Family is promoting a Mormon and his religion (thanks to Slice of Laodicea for the heads up and the link) on their webpage "Citizen Link".
Citizen Link's interview excerpts:
But these days, Beck is hoping to spread a more eternal sort of gospel through his new book, The Christmas Sweater.
Beck spent several years addicted to drugs and alcohol, coming to the verge of suicide, before turning his life over to God at the age of 35. Now he has a message for readers and viewers about facing life’s storms, and finding hope and redemption on the other side.
Q: What message do you hope people take away from The Christmas Sweater?
A: I think the message that you can’t really escape is (that) the Christmas sweater is the metaphor for me of the atonement for Christ. We’ve all been given a gift. We celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus — but the real point is the death, and why He died. When I was in my 30s, I was suicidal. I had nowhere else to run. Then I realized that the real gift — the one we really need to appreciate — is the one that took so much to give. In my mother’s case, it’s the sweater. But in all our cases, it’s redemption and atonement.
Sounds ok so far. Except that they deny Jesus is the sinless, uncreated God the Son, the Second Person in the Trinity. Instead, they believe Jesus is a created being, the older brother of Lucifer (Satan).
Apologetics Index has a lot of information on the lies of Mormonism. For instance in a chart that compares the Mormon Jesus to the Biblical Jesus, the Mormon Jesus was"Conceived by a physical sex act between God the Father (Adam or Elohim) and Mary, thus not through a true virgin birth; Once sinful and imperfect; Earned his own salvation (exaltation, godhood)".
Of course the REAL Jesus Christ is eternally God the Son and is Creator of ALL things (John 1:1-4,14; Col. 1; Heb. 1:1-8), was sinless (Hebrews 4:15; 2Cor. 5:21). Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:27; Is. 7:14).
Mormonism is a polytheistic (multi-gods) religion (evern Mormon man works up to godhood and gets his own planet and populates that world with his wife). Their "salvation" is by works, not by grace alone in Christ Jesus alone. They have added to the Bible with their Book of Mormon, authored by Joseph Smith (who was deep into occultism and polygamy).
Mormons believe that their church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (D&C 1:30), the only organization authorized by the Almighty to preach his gospel and administer the ordinances of salvation, the only Church which has power to save" (Mormon Doctrine; 1977 ed, p. 136).
Chart comparing the god of Mormonism to the God of Scripture is here.
Ask yourselves why Focus promotes the damning gospel of Mormonism instead of Christ Jesus. Why does it focus on the family instead of Christ Jesus?
They seem to be merely interested in the things of this world, not spiritual Truth that actually transforms lives. In doing so, they are promoting blasphemy and lies. They aren't a Christian organization. They are now interfaith. Gal. 1:7-9 says if anyone brings to you a gospel other than the one given to us by God, let him be accursed.
Focus On I Don't Know What Kind Of Family is earning the wrath of God.
Joh 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."....58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
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.
1Jn 2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; AVOID THEM.
Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
This passage speaks to Focus and their reporter as well as editor of Citizen Link:
Gal. 1: 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
More on Mormonism and why they will never be part of the Body of Christ and this move to interfaith junk.
Shame on Focus On I Don't Know What Kind Of Family. They have taken the Broad Road, slapped "Christ" onto it, and embrace those on it. What hatred for the soul of millions! What hatred for Truth. What hatred for clear Scripture.
1Cor. 13: 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
2Thes. 2: 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Citizen Link's interview excerpts:
But these days, Beck is hoping to spread a more eternal sort of gospel through his new book, The Christmas Sweater.
Beck spent several years addicted to drugs and alcohol, coming to the verge of suicide, before turning his life over to God at the age of 35. Now he has a message for readers and viewers about facing life’s storms, and finding hope and redemption on the other side.
Q: What message do you hope people take away from The Christmas Sweater?
A: I think the message that you can’t really escape is (that) the Christmas sweater is the metaphor for me of the atonement for Christ. We’ve all been given a gift. We celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus — but the real point is the death, and why He died. When I was in my 30s, I was suicidal. I had nowhere else to run. Then I realized that the real gift — the one we really need to appreciate — is the one that took so much to give. In my mother’s case, it’s the sweater. But in all our cases, it’s redemption and atonement.
Sounds ok so far. Except that they deny Jesus is the sinless, uncreated God the Son, the Second Person in the Trinity. Instead, they believe Jesus is a created being, the older brother of Lucifer (Satan).
Apologetics Index has a lot of information on the lies of Mormonism. For instance in a chart that compares the Mormon Jesus to the Biblical Jesus, the Mormon Jesus was"Conceived by a physical sex act between God the Father (Adam or Elohim) and Mary, thus not through a true virgin birth; Once sinful and imperfect; Earned his own salvation (exaltation, godhood)".
Of course the REAL Jesus Christ is eternally God the Son and is Creator of ALL things (John 1:1-4,14; Col. 1; Heb. 1:1-8), was sinless (Hebrews 4:15; 2Cor. 5:21). Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus (Matt. 1:23; Luke 1:27; Is. 7:14).
Mormonism is a polytheistic (multi-gods) religion (evern Mormon man works up to godhood and gets his own planet and populates that world with his wife). Their "salvation" is by works, not by grace alone in Christ Jesus alone. They have added to the Bible with their Book of Mormon, authored by Joseph Smith (who was deep into occultism and polygamy).
Mormons believe that their church is "the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth" (D&C 1:30), the only organization authorized by the Almighty to preach his gospel and administer the ordinances of salvation, the only Church which has power to save" (Mormon Doctrine; 1977 ed, p. 136).
Chart comparing the god of Mormonism to the God of Scripture is here.
Ask yourselves why Focus promotes the damning gospel of Mormonism instead of Christ Jesus. Why does it focus on the family instead of Christ Jesus?
They seem to be merely interested in the things of this world, not spiritual Truth that actually transforms lives. In doing so, they are promoting blasphemy and lies. They aren't a Christian organization. They are now interfaith. Gal. 1:7-9 says if anyone brings to you a gospel other than the one given to us by God, let him be accursed.
Focus On I Don't Know What Kind Of Family is earning the wrath of God.
Joh 8:24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."....58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.
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.
1Jn 2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; AVOID THEM.
Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
This passage speaks to Focus and their reporter as well as editor of Citizen Link:
Gal. 1: 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
More on Mormonism and why they will never be part of the Body of Christ and this move to interfaith junk.
Shame on Focus On I Don't Know What Kind Of Family. They have taken the Broad Road, slapped "Christ" onto it, and embrace those on it. What hatred for the soul of millions! What hatred for Truth. What hatred for clear Scripture.
1Cor. 13: 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
2Thes. 2: 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Rick Warren's "Sleight of Tongue"
Slice has an article on Rick Warren's Hegelian dialectic method, which is part and parcel to Marxism. In essence, its the idea that through opposing views, there emerges unity:
As Ingrid notes, "It’s called the Law of the Unity and Struggle of Opposites. I quote: Between the opposites in a contradiction there is at once unity and struggle, and it is this that impels things to move and change.” –Chairman Mao Tse -tung "
So while Ricky Warren claims to be pro-life and such, he's holding hands with those who are actively against pro-life; ie, giving a prayer at Obama's inaugaration (however, he is not against homosexual rights).
I bring this up because this is what I noticed Cedarville University doing. They distance themselves from "liberal theology, the social gospel" yet they bring in liberal Emergents.
There's another word for all this: hypocrisy.
I was chastised by a pastor and seminary graduate for calling Rick Warren a false teacher and motivated by money; they said their only disagreement was with his methodology. While the seminary graduate, who just got a job up North, has seen some serious problems now with Warren, he never did come back to me to apologize. And the pastor? Haven't heard a peep.
Ingrid hits it on the head when she says:
Warren is nothing but a huckster, a wolf in sheep's clothing. He mimics Christianese, yet holds to a false gospel, promotes himself (yes, that's his newest book he's holding, reading out of), his works, and his church's works (every time...EVERY TIME the man is interviewed, he boasts about this). He hates the sovereignty of God ("hurricanes aren't God's will ... HIS will is not done most of the time on earth"). He is nothing but a prideful, coniving man, and God will deal with him harshly for mudding HIS name and HIS Word.
**The interview transcript can be read here ***
**The full video interview here **
**Caution** Beliefnet is an inter-faith, anti-biblical website, promoting itself as "Christian"
As Ingrid notes, "It’s called the Law of the Unity and Struggle of Opposites. I quote: Between the opposites in a contradiction there is at once unity and struggle, and it is this that impels things to move and change.” –Chairman Mao Tse -tung "
So while Ricky Warren claims to be pro-life and such, he's holding hands with those who are actively against pro-life; ie, giving a prayer at Obama's inaugaration (however, he is not against homosexual rights).
I bring this up because this is what I noticed Cedarville University doing. They distance themselves from "liberal theology, the social gospel" yet they bring in liberal Emergents.
There's another word for all this: hypocrisy.
I was chastised by a pastor and seminary graduate for calling Rick Warren a false teacher and motivated by money; they said their only disagreement was with his methodology. While the seminary graduate, who just got a job up North, has seen some serious problems now with Warren, he never did come back to me to apologize. And the pastor? Haven't heard a peep.
Ingrid hits it on the head when she says:
For years, he has been exposed for promoting exactly that—helping people externally minus the exclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet here we have the man who has done more to further the social gospel than any other, actually decrying the “social gospel.” Why does he do this? It’s the sleight of tongue that causes his followers to relax, to believe that after all, “Rick Warren would not mislead us! Look! He sees the social gospel for what it is! We’re all against Marxism, right? Warren is different. His message is not the social gospel! He even said so in the media!”
Warren is nothing but a huckster, a wolf in sheep's clothing. He mimics Christianese, yet holds to a false gospel, promotes himself (yes, that's his newest book he's holding, reading out of), his works, and his church's works (every time...EVERY TIME the man is interviewed, he boasts about this). He hates the sovereignty of God ("hurricanes aren't God's will ... HIS will is not done most of the time on earth"). He is nothing but a prideful, coniving man, and God will deal with him harshly for mudding HIS name and HIS Word.
**The interview transcript can be read here ***
**The full video interview here **
**Caution** Beliefnet is an inter-faith, anti-biblical website, promoting itself as "Christian"
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Downgrade of Cedarville
http://vimeo.com/1989393 for the powerful video of the downgrade of Cedarville in recent years. This is happening across our country people....the departing from Truth within "solid" and "evangelical" "Christianity". Its worth watching with your FULL attention. I'm seeing this same thing happening within churches. It deals with HOW it begins---doubting God's Word, and being open to philosophies like Post Modernism and shutting the doors on the noses of those who keep to Scripture and HIS Truth above all things.
http://www.cedarvillesituation.com/ the author, Professor Raymond Bartholmew.
This is happening in churches, not just colleges.
After viewing the video go here for the downgrade of academia in Spurgeon's day.
http://www.cedarvillesituation.com/ the author, Professor Raymond Bartholmew.
This is happening in churches, not just colleges.
After viewing the video go here for the downgrade of academia in Spurgeon's day.
Cedarville University Not So Conservative Or Christian
I got a heads up from Slice and checked it out. They're right: Cedarville, which many claim to be a conservative Christian school, is HOSTING (in partnership with other charities) the U2 conference. Actually its supposed to be a U2 "academic" conference. Its really a conference of scoffers and doubters who wannabe cool and emergent.
Go on with their bad POMO selves. What a waste of time and money.
But I'm sure there are those who will still claim Cedarville is conservative, just like the "conservative Christians" who voted for pro-abortion/pro-homosexual rights candidates.
So again I'll ask: what makes them conservative or Christian? Because they wave the Jesus flag around?
Go on with their bad POMO selves. What a waste of time and money.
But I'm sure there are those who will still claim Cedarville is conservative, just like the "conservative Christians" who voted for pro-abortion/pro-homosexual rights candidates.
So again I'll ask: what makes them conservative or Christian? Because they wave the Jesus flag around?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
"Illuminated Bible" Is Not Scripture: Its The Bible The Way Religious Scoffers Like It
Ps. 1:2… You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.
Pro 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Last night I stopped by Barnes & Noble. As I scoured the store I came across "Illuminated Bible". I saw "New Testament" on the cover, under a photo of an eye (man? woman?) with heavy, smudgy, black eyeliner. I picked it up and stood there in disgust. This is a Bible??? The cover alone is worldly and unholy. The OT picture in the back is just as trashy with a man and a woman, mouths open, ready to kiss. Go here for the side by side pictures.
Flipping through the pages in disbelief, I actually took notes. Set up as a magazine, but selling itself as a Bible, this thing has photos of various images, some from the news (a man on fire; Jackie Kennedy) and quotes (like from the great theologian, Andy Warhol).
In Hebrews, it has a picture of Jackie Kennedy watching Johnson being sworn into office on the airplane after her husband's assasination with the comment "when there is a change in priestood..." This is supposed to "relate" the world to the change in priestood of Jesus.
For James 1:1 this magazine says we're to "consider yourselves FORTUNATE" when you have trials. (Good News Translation)
Fortunate??? Fortunes? Chance? Their gods MUST be crazy. There's no such thing in Scripture as "fortunate". Talk about obliterating Scripture! This is supposed to be an accurate rendering of Scripture. But the Greek says we're to count it with all "JOY", that is, with cheerfulness found ini Christ Jesus, when we encounter many trials. Joy does not mean fortunate. Scripture says GOD brings about all things in our lives for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). HE predestined these things to conform us to the image of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:30).
Pro 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Last night I stopped by Barnes & Noble. As I scoured the store I came across "Illuminated Bible". I saw "New Testament" on the cover, under a photo of an eye (man? woman?) with heavy, smudgy, black eyeliner. I picked it up and stood there in disgust. This is a Bible??? The cover alone is worldly and unholy. The OT picture in the back is just as trashy with a man and a woman, mouths open, ready to kiss. Go here for the side by side pictures.
Flipping through the pages in disbelief, I actually took notes. Set up as a magazine, but selling itself as a Bible, this thing has photos of various images, some from the news (a man on fire; Jackie Kennedy) and quotes (like from the great theologian, Andy Warhol).
In Hebrews, it has a picture of Jackie Kennedy watching Johnson being sworn into office on the airplane after her husband's assasination with the comment "when there is a change in priestood..." This is supposed to "relate" the world to the change in priestood of Jesus.
For James 1:1 this magazine says we're to "consider yourselves FORTUNATE" when you have trials. (Good News Translation)
Fortunate??? Fortunes? Chance? Their gods MUST be crazy. There's no such thing in Scripture as "fortunate". Talk about obliterating Scripture! This is supposed to be an accurate rendering of Scripture. But the Greek says we're to count it with all "JOY", that is, with cheerfulness found ini Christ Jesus, when we encounter many trials. Joy does not mean fortunate. Scripture says GOD brings about all things in our lives for our good and His glory (Rom. 8:28). HE predestined these things to conform us to the image of Christ Jesus (Romans 8:30).
Here's what the site says about its product and motives:
Illuminated World: Illuminated Bible:
"One of the world’s most revered scriptures mediated through world leading photography. Not a new Bible edition, nor just another photo book, Bible Illuminated is a fusion of words and images at their most potent. It will bring “the greatest story ever told” out from the dusty bookshelves and onto the coffee tables and into the class rooms, to be browsed, gaped at, pondered over and hopefully enriched and inspired by."
"All in all the photography of Bible Illuminated has shed new light on biblical themes, using strong imagery to make them available and relevant to people today, regardless of their faith or lifestyle. Bible Illuminated – The Old Testament has first been published in Swedish with a great success during the beginning of 2007 and Bible Illuminated – The New Testament will be available to the Swedish market in Christmas 2007. Bible illuminated will also be published worldwide in English and other languages. The project is financed and managed by a Swedish consortium, chaired by Jan Carlzon, former CEO of Scandinavian Airlines and author of global management bestseller; The Moments of Truth (1987)."
Video is here.
More:
"This modern illuminated bible is an oversized (8 ¼ x 11 ½), full-color, 264-page glossy magazine. It has striking, provocative, contemporary photographs. It uses the Good News Translation (GNT) and it is aimed to be less intimidating than traditional bibles. The US book is available now."
How it all began :
"The concept originated with a general philosophical dinner table discussion between Michel Gyring and Mats Rabe in Stockholm, Sweden. The conversation, which led to several other discussions with key individuals, asked the question “Why people don’t read historical texts” and they began pondering if the traditional format or design turned people off. They realized there was a huge opportunity to re-design or illuminate these types of old texts. This was the beginning of Illuminated World (formerly Förlaget Illuminated Sweden, AB.)"
"Illuminated World seeks to introduce today’s audience to a revolutionary contemporary Bible, one that encourages dialogue and is culturally relevant, accessible and easily digestible for any reader regardless of religious, economic, racial or social background.
"We have no religious agenda nor do we support a specific faith. Bible Illuminated is intended to be a unique vehicle for reacquainting today’s reader with one of the most important historical, and cultural texts ever written."
The American contributor to this garbage:
"Larry Norton is a key partner in the effort to realize Illuminated World's vision in the United States. Larry brings over twenty-five years of book publishing experience to the team, most recently as President of the Sales and Distribution Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. His role with Illuminated world is to coordinate all publishing, sales, distribution and marketing activities in the U.S. Larry also acts as a spokesperson on behalf of the company. Larry's interest in the importance of the bible to today's culture and history dates back to his college years where he enrolled at Dartmouth College as a comparative religion major, eventually graduating cum laude with a degree in philosophy."
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
2Co 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Twilight Seduction of Christians: love of reading trumps love of Scripture Truth
Excerpts from: * The "Twilight" Phenomena by Caryl Matrisciana and Paul Villanueva. December 2008 (bold, my emphasis)
Quote:
Twilight takes occult darkness, introduced in Potter, to deeper, decadent fathoms: overt vampirism, acceptable blood-sucking (in this movie its only animal blood – later? Wait and see!) and sexual lust for the possessed soul (made appealing in its fictionalized form!). The books, akin to the Potter’s series, promote and familiarize their audience with magick, Wicca, supernatural powers and demon possession.
But what is beyond alarming is that Christians are seduced by satanic deception and have succumbed to Twilight's fascination of dark wisdom, a power Scripture warns against - loving evil more than good (Psalm 52:3), and placing what the world admires before what God requires.
Focus on the Family, Christianity Today, The Catholic News Service, Christian Stay at Home Moms and Christian Teen Magazine are among some of the Christian groups who’ve been misled by occult delusion, and instead of warning Christians of its dangers, have compromised its lying message. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.... Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21
Simultaneously, in 2006 a teenage phenomenon began gaining incredible momentum – a demonically inspired series of vampire romance, which surprisingly has hoodwinked Christian youth who are confusing God’s love with sensual, romantic lust and His Word with occult philosophy. As Twilight lulls the spiritually asleep into a darker 2009, the church needs to wake up to the supernatural dangers these compromises pose.
About the author and the instigation of what drove her to write the book
A housewife named Stephenie Meyer “received” the story of Twilight in a dream on June 2, 2003. The vision she had of a vampire and mortal as lovers compelled her to start writing the story immediately. She says she couldn’t resist the drive to write down her dream (a similar scenario to J.K Rowlings, author of Harry Potter). Meyer gives a summary of that first dream: “I woke up (on that June 2nd) from a very vivid dream. In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire. They were discussing the difficulties inherent in the facts that A) they were falling in love with each other while B) the vampire was particularly attracted to the scent of her blood, and was having a difficult time restraining himself from killing her immediately.” Within three months, she had the entire novel written. Within six-months, it had been dreamed, written, and readied for publishing.
Meyer, a Mormon mother of three, states that some of her inspiration in writing her vampire saga came from a band of musicians called Marjorie Fair. “For New Moon, they were absolutely essential. They can put you into a suicidal state faster than anything I know . . . Their songs really made it beautiful for me.” Also an inspiration for one of her characters was a band called My Chemical Romance. She states, “It’s someone . . . who just wants to go out and blow things up.” See mind blowing information about the music industry and a shocking spirituality many are involved in.
Scaringly, Meyer's fictional character Edward took on the "terrifying" form of "real" spirit when it leapt from the pages of her saga and communicated with her in a dream. She says she had an additional dream after Twilight was finished when her vampire character Edward came to visit and speak to her. The Edward who visited her in the night told her she'd got it all wrong because he DID drink human blood, and could not "live" on ONLY animal blood as she wrote in the story. She said, “We had this conversation and he was terrifying.”
Conversation with spirits (saying they need human blood to suck!) and frightening dream visitations by spirits are part of occult communication. Meyer’s spiritual experiences could well be influenced by her Mormon faith which allows for communication with the so-called "the dead"; indeed "the dead" of former generations are baptized into Mormonism in Mormon Temple ritual. Mormon founder Joseph Smith was "visited" by a communicating "angel" called Moroni, whose statue stands atop all Mormon Temples. This fallen angel of Mormonism gave Smith messages on which he formed his Mormon doctrine about prior civilizations, none of which have been discovered despite endless archeological digs to substantiate Mormons claims. Others Mormon teachings conflict with biblical Christianity such as Mormonism's claim that Jesus (Yeshua) of the Bible is the half-brother of Satan. Mormons additionally believe numerous teachings about the spirits that oppose Bible truths and could help embellish Meyer's Twilight series.
Focus on the Family's reviewer continues with a lack of spiritual discernment writing, “So within the context of a monster mash such as this, we can see a reflection of the Christian calling to put away the old man of sin and embrace the new one.” (Comparing the vampire’s struggle to hold back his desire to devour his young lover and drink her blood to the transformational power of the Lord Jesus Christ!)Focus's reviewer admits, “Edward considers himself and all other vampires to be eternally damned, and he resists mightily the idea of allowing Bella to descend into the abyss that he finds himself submerged in. She doesn't care a whit about that. She's eager to become a ‘cold one’ if only it means she will be with her beau forever.” Yet Focus recommends this “positive” movie to the “Christian” youth despite its blatant occultism, “Edward can read minds. His sister, Alice, sees visions of the future.” ….and the only “negative” admission from Focus is that the characters Edward and Bella “lie” to protect the vampire’s identity.
Biblical Christianity is under attack as is God’s Word, beginning with the wiles of Satan in the Garden who engaged Eve in “dialogue” about God’s truths. She was tempted to understand the unknowable God through her own limited reasoning. Dialectic conversing is designed to bring about collective consensus and is Satan's agenda. God encourages the study of His Word so that we may be approved workmen "rightly dividing the word of truth". (2 Tim 2:14-15) Youth must come to the things, “which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) for the sake of their eternal souls.
End quote.
It gets worse as more “Christian” reviewers are cited showing their utter lack of biblical wisdom or discernment and having a morbid fascination for wickedness thinking there’s light in it.
“…no lie is of the Truth” Scripture says.
Folks, please keep your kids from this demonically inspired garbage. It does NOT matter if its a book that would inspire your child to read. I'd much rather had a child innocent as to the demonic occult realm and not be taken with reading, than to read through all four books as if a love for reading (occult and lust) trumps a love for God and HIS Word!
**Note*** I do not know much about the website that this critique came from, so as always please be cautious.
****UPDATE**** Here's a good website with some info on Twighlight's problems.
Quote:
Twilight takes occult darkness, introduced in Potter, to deeper, decadent fathoms: overt vampirism, acceptable blood-sucking (in this movie its only animal blood – later? Wait and see!) and sexual lust for the possessed soul (made appealing in its fictionalized form!). The books, akin to the Potter’s series, promote and familiarize their audience with magick, Wicca, supernatural powers and demon possession.
But what is beyond alarming is that Christians are seduced by satanic deception and have succumbed to Twilight's fascination of dark wisdom, a power Scripture warns against - loving evil more than good (Psalm 52:3), and placing what the world admires before what God requires.
Focus on the Family, Christianity Today, The Catholic News Service, Christian Stay at Home Moms and Christian Teen Magazine are among some of the Christian groups who’ve been misled by occult delusion, and instead of warning Christians of its dangers, have compromised its lying message. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness.... Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21
Simultaneously, in 2006 a teenage phenomenon began gaining incredible momentum – a demonically inspired series of vampire romance, which surprisingly has hoodwinked Christian youth who are confusing God’s love with sensual, romantic lust and His Word with occult philosophy. As Twilight lulls the spiritually asleep into a darker 2009, the church needs to wake up to the supernatural dangers these compromises pose.
About the author and the instigation of what drove her to write the book
A housewife named Stephenie Meyer “received” the story of Twilight in a dream on June 2, 2003. The vision she had of a vampire and mortal as lovers compelled her to start writing the story immediately. She says she couldn’t resist the drive to write down her dream (a similar scenario to J.K Rowlings, author of Harry Potter). Meyer gives a summary of that first dream: “I woke up (on that June 2nd) from a very vivid dream. In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire. They were discussing the difficulties inherent in the facts that A) they were falling in love with each other while B) the vampire was particularly attracted to the scent of her blood, and was having a difficult time restraining himself from killing her immediately.” Within three months, she had the entire novel written. Within six-months, it had been dreamed, written, and readied for publishing.
Meyer, a Mormon mother of three, states that some of her inspiration in writing her vampire saga came from a band of musicians called Marjorie Fair. “For New Moon, they were absolutely essential. They can put you into a suicidal state faster than anything I know . . . Their songs really made it beautiful for me.” Also an inspiration for one of her characters was a band called My Chemical Romance. She states, “It’s someone . . . who just wants to go out and blow things up.” See mind blowing information about the music industry and a shocking spirituality many are involved in.
Scaringly, Meyer's fictional character Edward took on the "terrifying" form of "real" spirit when it leapt from the pages of her saga and communicated with her in a dream. She says she had an additional dream after Twilight was finished when her vampire character Edward came to visit and speak to her. The Edward who visited her in the night told her she'd got it all wrong because he DID drink human blood, and could not "live" on ONLY animal blood as she wrote in the story. She said, “We had this conversation and he was terrifying.”
Conversation with spirits (saying they need human blood to suck!) and frightening dream visitations by spirits are part of occult communication. Meyer’s spiritual experiences could well be influenced by her Mormon faith which allows for communication with the so-called "the dead"; indeed "the dead" of former generations are baptized into Mormonism in Mormon Temple ritual. Mormon founder Joseph Smith was "visited" by a communicating "angel" called Moroni, whose statue stands atop all Mormon Temples. This fallen angel of Mormonism gave Smith messages on which he formed his Mormon doctrine about prior civilizations, none of which have been discovered despite endless archeological digs to substantiate Mormons claims. Others Mormon teachings conflict with biblical Christianity such as Mormonism's claim that Jesus (Yeshua) of the Bible is the half-brother of Satan. Mormons additionally believe numerous teachings about the spirits that oppose Bible truths and could help embellish Meyer's Twilight series.
Focus on the Family's reviewer continues with a lack of spiritual discernment writing, “So within the context of a monster mash such as this, we can see a reflection of the Christian calling to put away the old man of sin and embrace the new one.” (Comparing the vampire’s struggle to hold back his desire to devour his young lover and drink her blood to the transformational power of the Lord Jesus Christ!)Focus's reviewer admits, “Edward considers himself and all other vampires to be eternally damned, and he resists mightily the idea of allowing Bella to descend into the abyss that he finds himself submerged in. She doesn't care a whit about that. She's eager to become a ‘cold one’ if only it means she will be with her beau forever.” Yet Focus recommends this “positive” movie to the “Christian” youth despite its blatant occultism, “Edward can read minds. His sister, Alice, sees visions of the future.” ….and the only “negative” admission from Focus is that the characters Edward and Bella “lie” to protect the vampire’s identity.
Biblical Christianity is under attack as is God’s Word, beginning with the wiles of Satan in the Garden who engaged Eve in “dialogue” about God’s truths. She was tempted to understand the unknowable God through her own limited reasoning. Dialectic conversing is designed to bring about collective consensus and is Satan's agenda. God encourages the study of His Word so that we may be approved workmen "rightly dividing the word of truth". (2 Tim 2:14-15) Youth must come to the things, “which are proper for sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) for the sake of their eternal souls.
End quote.
It gets worse as more “Christian” reviewers are cited showing their utter lack of biblical wisdom or discernment and having a morbid fascination for wickedness thinking there’s light in it.
“…no lie is of the Truth” Scripture says.
Folks, please keep your kids from this demonically inspired garbage. It does NOT matter if its a book that would inspire your child to read. I'd much rather had a child innocent as to the demonic occult realm and not be taken with reading, than to read through all four books as if a love for reading (occult and lust) trumps a love for God and HIS Word!
**Note*** I do not know much about the website that this critique came from, so as always please be cautious.
****UPDATE**** Here's a good website with some info on Twighlight's problems.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Rick Warren Memorizes Lines From Him Book But Can't Quote One Verse of Scripture In Context
This is errie----this morning as I had my second cup of coffee I read the transcript from Hannity and Colmes' show with guest Rick Warren. Here's what I emailed to a few friends (italics are my thoughts and emphasis in bold are mine):
Quote:
Rick Warren and his false gospel got a national audience on the Today Show again this morning. Here is how one reader put it after watching the interview with Matt Lauer. (Bold Emphasis mine.)
“God sent Jesus to solve all our problems”
“Most people don’t accept the gift”
“Jesus Christ came for your greatest benefit”
“He sent Himself to earth so that we could know what he is like”
Depression: “people need to turn to God”
Notice, when Matt Lauer says, ‘Happy Holidays”, Rick does not correct this, nor does he say Merry Christmas!
No message of repentant faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. None. THAT is the reason for Christmas. God’s gift of salvation through repentant faith in Him!
He uses everything but the BIblical truth of Jesus’ coming to save the sinner from hell. He refuses to mention sin, the message of the cross, repentance etc. No scripture.
Notice how he uses “seeker-sensitive” words to appeal to the culture.
End quote.
Rick Warren has talking points he's memorized which I bet (ha!) is from his little book, in order to sell his his little book that no one needs. Apparently he doesn't wander off script and repeats himself. Its almost like a mantra, and if he says it enough SOMEONE will believe him.
At least some Christians are noticing what he's NOT saying, as much as what he does; both make the man a raving heretic. Gal. 1:7-9.
Warren on Hannity and Colmes 12-4-08:
WARREN: You know, it's kind of like with Thanksgiving, on Thanksgiving we do just everything except give thanks. We eat, we watch football, we have a good time with family. Almost nobody gives thanks to God at Thanksgiving, unless there's a short prayer before we eat.
Well most if not everyone I know, even pagans, stop to say what they are thankful for. At school they kids made a "Gratitude Bag" several years ago. He's just crazy. And uh, he needs to eat less, talk less, and read the Bible more.
Warren: God has given us a gift in Jesus Christ. And people don't understand: it's for our benefit. One of the things that says, "For unto you is born this day a savior." They say, "Well, I don't need a savior." Believe me: if you didn't need one, God wouldn't have sent it. [Jesus is an it?] Because — because he wouldn't have wasted the time [but apparently He did waste time on the cross, dying for those He never intended on saving...so much for "purpose"]. And Jesus meets every one of our deepest needs. And what we need to do is accept his gift of a pastor-given (ph), purposeful living home in heaven.[And by the way, buy my book Purpose Driven Life to find out this purpose...you need it and I need your money]
ALAN COLMES, CO-HOST: Pastor, did you just say "peed off"?
WARREN: "Peed off?" No, I didn't. I might have.
Uh, he doesn't KNOW what he just blabbed?
WARREN: The thing is, Alan, I believe Jesus Christ came for everybody [a failed "purpose" because clearly people go to Hell, so the death of Jesus didn't cover "everyone's" sin]. I don't think he came for Christians. The Bible says take this good news to the whole world.
I don't care whether you're Baptist, Buddhist, Mormon, Methodist, Jewish, Muslim, or no religion at all. Jesus Christ still loves you. You still matter to God.
Jesus came not just for Christians? Jesus loves everyone and we all matter to God...wow I'm starting to feel my purpose....Not even. Jesus came only to save His people from their sin; He died for HIS church; HIS sheep; HIS bride. God clearly states He hates the wicked (Ps. 5:5-6; 11:5-6)
COLMES: True, and I think that's a wonderful message. But if you don't accept Jesus, if you're not something who goes that route religiously...
WARREN: Yes.
COLMES: ... can you find your way to heaven? Can you still be — go to the same place when it's all said and done?
WARREN: I'm not the authority on that, but I believe Jesus is. And everybody's betting their life on something. Jesus said, "I am the way." I'm betting that he's not a liar. I'm betting that he told the truth.
COLMES: What about — what does it say for all those people who do not accept Christ as their personal savior?
WARREN: I'm saying that this is the perfect time to open their life, to give it a chance. I'd say give him a 60-day trial.
HE PULLED A JOEL OSTEEN! Rotflol! No hell, no wrath, nothing. What an inept moron...Jesus is the way...to what exactly? To find purpose? Notice he left out the rest of the verse: the Truth and the Life and NO ONE goes to the Father but by HIM. "Betting Jesus told the truth"....HELLO? He IS Truth. How dare he make Jesus a test-drive errand boy! Perhaps that's why earlier on in the discussion he referred to Jesus as an "it". Had he been a Christian he would've used the time to proclaim Christ Jesus and the Gospel with clarity and boldness but all Warren does is cower and slither away from the truth, helping those in the lie to stay there.
Here's what I just read at Slice:
Quote:
Rick Warren and his false gospel got a national audience on the Today Show again this morning. Here is how one reader put it after watching the interview with Matt Lauer. (Bold Emphasis mine.)
“God sent Jesus to solve all our problems”
“Most people don’t accept the gift”
“Jesus Christ came for your greatest benefit”
“He sent Himself to earth so that we could know what he is like”
Depression: “people need to turn to God”
Notice, when Matt Lauer says, ‘Happy Holidays”, Rick does not correct this, nor does he say Merry Christmas!
No message of repentant faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. None. THAT is the reason for Christmas. God’s gift of salvation through repentant faith in Him!
He uses everything but the BIblical truth of Jesus’ coming to save the sinner from hell. He refuses to mention sin, the message of the cross, repentance etc. No scripture.
Notice how he uses “seeker-sensitive” words to appeal to the culture.
End quote.
Rick Warren has talking points he's memorized which I bet (ha!) is from his little book, in order to sell his his little book that no one needs. Apparently he doesn't wander off script and repeats himself. Its almost like a mantra, and if he says it enough SOMEONE will believe him.
At least some Christians are noticing what he's NOT saying, as much as what he does; both make the man a raving heretic. Gal. 1:7-9.
"Christian" Book Expo Admit In It For The Money: Its Not Even Close To A Ministry Or Love of Biblical Truth
From the Christian Post:
Over 150 authors are confirmed to attend a first-of-its-kind event for the Christian publishing industry that will be held next year in Dallas.
Authors including Henry Blackaby, Ruth Graham, Max Lucado, and Lee Strobel will be among the thousands expected to attend the inaugural Christian Book Expo, sponsored by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and slated for Mar. 19-22, 2009.
ECPA created the Christian Book Expo to directly connect with their core market – anybody making or influencing book buying decisions. Though Christian products will be sold to consumers at the Christian Book Expo, Kuyper says event sales are not the goal of Christian Book Expo Dallas 2009.
“We are trying to build future retail sales,” he reported. “Our goal is for awareness and exposure."
“Reaching the consumer is essential to the future of Christian publishing,” Kuyper continued. “Our goal with the Christian Book Expo is to connect the top authors from across the country with core customers from the region. We are dedicated to reaching the largest audience possible with the life-changing message in books, Bibles and other Christian resources.”
Those with discernment and know Scripture knew the truth of this admission: publishers are in it solely for the money, otherwise they wouldn't worry about widening the fan base and appealing to the lowest common denominator. They ought to be ashamed.
2Co 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
National Association of Evangelicals VP Says Christians Voting Pro-Abortion/Pro-Homosexual Is OK
Slice of Laodicea has a short article on "Christians" voting pro-abortion/pro-homosexual rights politicians, which says in part:
"Richard Cizik, VP for Governmental Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals, appeared on the Fresh Air program on National Public Radio on Tuesday. When asked who he voted for in the election, Cizik announced he had voted for Barack Obama in the Virginia primary, and said that the vote should give some indication of how he voted in the general election. He went further and said that evangelicals could vote for a pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage politician even though they disagreed on those issues."
McCain, however, was hardly an improvement: he is pro-abortion in cases of rape or incest and is also pro-embryonic stell cell research.
Again I will ask my question: what makes a person a Christian or a Conservative--because they say they are or because their actions prove it?
What good is the label if one doesn't adhere to the principles?
Principles are not notions of convenience to be held when things are good and left in the dust when things are more difficult. The point of Truth, of biblical doctrine, of principles, is to anchor us IN truth and to steer us to make the right and biblical decisions when we're in the middle of a difficult situation that would honor Christ Jesus.
Truth trumps all things, but more and more "evangelicals" wouldn't seem to know Truth if He stood before them even now. What a corrupt bunch of people wander this land under HIS name yet deny HIM and HIS Word. The leaders will be held particularly responsible. And you know if the leaders are this liberal, most of the people are too.
2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
"Richard Cizik, VP for Governmental Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals, appeared on the Fresh Air program on National Public Radio on Tuesday. When asked who he voted for in the election, Cizik announced he had voted for Barack Obama in the Virginia primary, and said that the vote should give some indication of how he voted in the general election. He went further and said that evangelicals could vote for a pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage politician even though they disagreed on those issues."
McCain, however, was hardly an improvement: he is pro-abortion in cases of rape or incest and is also pro-embryonic stell cell research.
Again I will ask my question: what makes a person a Christian or a Conservative--because they say they are or because their actions prove it?
What good is the label if one doesn't adhere to the principles?
Principles are not notions of convenience to be held when things are good and left in the dust when things are more difficult. The point of Truth, of biblical doctrine, of principles, is to anchor us IN truth and to steer us to make the right and biblical decisions when we're in the middle of a difficult situation that would honor Christ Jesus.
Truth trumps all things, but more and more "evangelicals" wouldn't seem to know Truth if He stood before them even now. What a corrupt bunch of people wander this land under HIS name yet deny HIM and HIS Word. The leaders will be held particularly responsible. And you know if the leaders are this liberal, most of the people are too.
2Ti 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2Ti 3:2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
2Ti 3:4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
2Ti 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2Ti 3:6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,
2Ti 3:7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
The Downgrade Of Academia
The Down Grade SECOND ARTICLE April 1887 Sword and Trowel
By Robert Shindler
Dr. Joseph Priestley, the great champion of Socinianism among Nonconformists He says:—"In my time the academy was in a state peculiarly favorable to the serious pursuit of truth, as the students were about equally divided upon every question of much importance, such as liberty, necessity, the sleep of the soul, and all the articles of theological orthodoxy and heresy; in consequence of which, all these topics were the subject of continual discussion. Our tutors, also, were of different opinions, Dr. Ashworth taking the orthodox side of every question, and Mr. Clark, the sub-tutor, that of heresy, though always with the greatest modesty. Both of our tutors being young, at least as tutors, and some of the senior students excelling more than they could pretend to do in several branches of study, they indulged us in the greatest freedoms. The general plan of our studies, which may be seen in Dr. Doddridge's published lectures, was exceedingly favorable to free enquiry, as we were referred to authors on both sides of every question. In this situation I saw reason to embrace what is generally called the heterodox side of every question."
But in too many cases sceptical daring seems to have taken the place of evangelical zeal, and the husks of theological speculations are preferred to the wholesome bread of gospel truth. With some the endeavor seems to be not how steadily and faithfully they can walk in the truth, but how far they can get from it. To them divine truth is like a lion or a tiger, and they give it "a wide berth." Our counsel is—Do not go too near the precipice; you may slip or fall over. Keep where the ground is firm; do not venture on the rotten ice.
The first step astray is a want of adequate faith in the divine inspiration of the sacred Scriptures. All the while a man bows to the authority of God's Word, he will not entertain any sentiment contrary to its teaching. "To the law and to the testimony," is his appeal concerning every doctrine. He esteems that holy Book, concerning all things, to be right, and therefore he hates every false way. But let a man question, or entertain low views of the inspiration and authority of the Bible, and he is without chart to guide him, and without anchor to hold him.
But when, on the other hand, reason has been exalted above revelation, and made the exponent of revelation, all kinds of errors and mischiefs have been the result...Human reason is exalted to a higher office, and what is not comprehensible by its grasp, is not readily received. The mind of the Socinian feels still less veneration for the Word of God; for, according to his sentiments, some parts of it are not inspired; mistakes occur in the reasoning of the apostles; not a few passages are unauthentic, and what remains is interpreted with a latitude as to the expressions and language of Scripture, which would not be tolerated in expounding the sense of any other writer." ("History of Dissenters," by Bogue and Bennet.)
They run in 'the course of this world,' follow every fashionable folly, and family and personal godliness seems in general to be lost among them. There is scarcely any appearance of life and zeal in the cause of religion, which demands and deserves the greatest.
By Robert Shindler
Dr. Joseph Priestley, the great champion of Socinianism among Nonconformists He says:—"In my time the academy was in a state peculiarly favorable to the serious pursuit of truth, as the students were about equally divided upon every question of much importance, such as liberty, necessity, the sleep of the soul, and all the articles of theological orthodoxy and heresy; in consequence of which, all these topics were the subject of continual discussion. Our tutors, also, were of different opinions, Dr. Ashworth taking the orthodox side of every question, and Mr. Clark, the sub-tutor, that of heresy, though always with the greatest modesty. Both of our tutors being young, at least as tutors, and some of the senior students excelling more than they could pretend to do in several branches of study, they indulged us in the greatest freedoms. The general plan of our studies, which may be seen in Dr. Doddridge's published lectures, was exceedingly favorable to free enquiry, as we were referred to authors on both sides of every question. In this situation I saw reason to embrace what is generally called the heterodox side of every question."
But in too many cases sceptical daring seems to have taken the place of evangelical zeal, and the husks of theological speculations are preferred to the wholesome bread of gospel truth. With some the endeavor seems to be not how steadily and faithfully they can walk in the truth, but how far they can get from it. To them divine truth is like a lion or a tiger, and they give it "a wide berth." Our counsel is—Do not go too near the precipice; you may slip or fall over. Keep where the ground is firm; do not venture on the rotten ice.
The first step astray is a want of adequate faith in the divine inspiration of the sacred Scriptures. All the while a man bows to the authority of God's Word, he will not entertain any sentiment contrary to its teaching. "To the law and to the testimony," is his appeal concerning every doctrine. He esteems that holy Book, concerning all things, to be right, and therefore he hates every false way. But let a man question, or entertain low views of the inspiration and authority of the Bible, and he is without chart to guide him, and without anchor to hold him.
But when, on the other hand, reason has been exalted above revelation, and made the exponent of revelation, all kinds of errors and mischiefs have been the result...Human reason is exalted to a higher office, and what is not comprehensible by its grasp, is not readily received. The mind of the Socinian feels still less veneration for the Word of God; for, according to his sentiments, some parts of it are not inspired; mistakes occur in the reasoning of the apostles; not a few passages are unauthentic, and what remains is interpreted with a latitude as to the expressions and language of Scripture, which would not be tolerated in expounding the sense of any other writer." ("History of Dissenters," by Bogue and Bennet.)
They run in 'the course of this world,' follow every fashionable folly, and family and personal godliness seems in general to be lost among them. There is scarcely any appearance of life and zeal in the cause of religion, which demands and deserves the greatest.
Presbyterian Church Offers Self As Islamic Prayer Center
Faith Presbyterian in Franklin doubles as Islamic prayer center
"Franklin - Each Sunday, children gather in the fellowship hall at Faith Presbyterian Church to ponder the lessons of Christianity, among them, "Love your neighbor as yourself."Now the church is setting a real-life example for the kids, by opening its Sunday school space to its Muslim neighbors for two of their five daily prayers.
Faith Presbyterian becomes the third satellite prayer center for area Muslims who wish to pray communally but may not be able to get across town to one of the four area mosques.
The other prayer sites are at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and the Muslim Student Center on Milwaukee's east side.The prayers, which contain verses from the Qur'an and are said in Arabic, can be spoken anywhere - at home, outside, at the airport, said Islamic Center Executive Director Isa Sadlon.
But many Muslims prefer to pray with others, and five daily trips to the mosque can be burdensome. The prayer centers, he said, allow them to meet their obligations closer to home or work.
Faith Presbyterian isn't the first church to open its doors to Milwaukee-area Muslims. Before the Islamic Center purchased its building in 1982, it conducted its Friday congregational prayers in the basement of Kenwood United Methodist Church near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said Islamic Society of Milwaukee President Othman Atta."
This isn't a shock. If people accept the Roman Catholic Church as valid, they will accept other religions as valid also. They reject Scripture that says no woman is to be a leader over men in church or marriage. They reject 2Cor 6:14-17 regarding having nothing in common with unbelievers. They reject the Master and His commands. A rebellious, religious people doesn’t fool God.
What is surprising is the laziness of the "Muslims"---they want the legalistic nature of their religion without the work. That whole religion is nothing but error and legalism, but they worry about the mere “burden” of going to their mosque? I suppose these westernized Muslims won’t go to Mecca either because that’s too burdensome, even if their religion says they should.
I'll give the Muslims credit though: this is the way to infiltrate our country. Get stupid "Christians" to accept the notion of accepting Islam, have them accept Allah as God, get them to turn their church over to them...and then take full control.
And it will happen.
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