Testing the Spirits: the failure of John Piper

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

                                                    

John MacArthur rightly  used a lot of biblical tests in the Strange Fire conference in determining if the Charismatic Movement is a work of the Holy Spirit as 1 John 4 commands us to do. Clearly it fails the tests.

Well here's one of the tests of a believer which we should use on his friend Piper to see if Piper is as faithful of a teacher as he says.

"And in his message The Theology of Creation, concerning the origin of our universe, Dr. John MacArthur correctly points out:

"Now, because the Bible is so clear about this in Genesis 1, and then giving us an even further and more detailed look at this creation, rehearsing its elements in a broader way in chapter 2, you face a test at the very outset of the Bible. You’re not going to get past the first verses of the Bible, you’re not going to get past the first verse in the Bible, the first chapter in the Bible, the first two chapters in the Bible without facing a test. And the test is this, do you believe the Scripture? Do you believe the Scripture? That is the test. No one gets past the opening verses of the Bible without having to face the test of whether or not that person believes the Bible to be the authoritative Word of God. Do you submit to Scripture? Genesis 1 is your first test…" "

~Apprising Ministries (emphasis, mine)


So here is what John Piper has said:

Now, when it comes to the more controversial issues of how to construe Genesis 1-2 about how God did it and how long it took him to do it, there I'm totally sympathetic with a pastor who is going to lay his view down, having studied it, and is going to say to his people, "Here is my understanding of those chapters. These six days can't be anything other than six literal days, and so that's how long God took to do it. And this universe is about 10 or 15,000 years old. Though it looks old, that's the way God made it. He made it to look old," or something like that.

Or he might take another view that these days are ages.

Or he might take Sailhamer's view, which is where I feel at home. His view is that what's going on here is that all of creation happened to prepare the land for man.

In verse 1, "In the beginning he made the heavens and the earth," he makes everything. And then you go day by day and he's preparing the land. He's not bringing new things into existence; he's preparing the land and causing things to grow and separating out water and earth. And then, when it's all set and prepared, he creates and puts man there.

So that has the advantage of saying that the earth is billions of years old if it wants to be—whatever science says it is, it is—but man is young, and he was good and he sinned. He was a real historical person, because Romans 5 says so, and so does the rest of the Bible.

That's where I am, and I think every pastor should go ahead and say what he believes. But how do you define who gets on your eldership, for example? Who gets a teaching office in your church? I'm inclined to not draw that too narrowly.

But I could be wrong about that, you know. I'm 63 years old, and I've never preached through Genesis yet. And I'd like to! I'm going to finish John, and then maybe the next thing I'll turn to, if the elders let me stay around that long, would be Genesis.

We need to give our people help in this.

End quote.

As More Books And Things reports, Sailhamer’s book, which Piper refers to, is about selling an old idea as “new” and “provocative”, when its neither new nor provocative. Its damnable doctrine, sitting in the seat of scoffers and especially that of the Serpent, proclaiming, “Hath God Said?” According to Answers in Genesis, this Hebrew "scholar" “has ‘unbound’ are the rules of grammar, the semantic fields of words and the laws of logic.” ~Source

Piper does not believe what God said, and instead says if the earth "wants to be" billions of years old, or if science says it is, then it is. In other words, Piper's authority about creation is not the Creator, but the creation!

So Piper denies the Genesis account, and instead holds to an evolutionary view of Creation except for Adam and Eve. He is unfaithful to God in the very first two chapters of Genesis, the very test of Scripture that MacArthur proclaimed as such: do you believe Scripture or not?

For Piper, on creation, his authority is the earth and science, NOT THE WORD OF GOD.

Is THIS "faithful" teaching? Can this to benefit anyone who "needs help"?

Hardly. Rather it is a DIRECT attack on God's Word.

Piper fails the very first test of all of Scripture.

Piper has also failed the most important test of a pastor:

1Ti 6:20  O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- 

                               

Christians are clearly commanded....demanded by God...to test all teachers and teachings against the plumb line of Scripture:

Isa 8:20  To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn. 

Act 17:11  Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 

Rev 2:2  "'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 

Strange Fire: John Piper Gets a Free Pass but Not From Me

                          

While the exposing of the Charismatic Movement (and Charismatic Calvinists) was correct and pretty powerful, I must admit after yesterday's Q&A and the last session at the Strange Fire Conference, I'm left with the same concerns.

John MacArthur and Phil Johnson  have been blinded by affection for Charismatic Calvinist John Piper to the the point that they are unwilling to give him up (unless he repents). Sadly, MacArthur has tunnel vision when it comes to his friend Piper, saying that  Piper's embrace of the Charismatic movement is merely an "anomaly" and therefore he doesn't deserve to be rejected. However, in my view, Piper's issues are far greater than just his charismaticism. Far greater. I know both Johnson and MacArthur are very aware of Piper's promotion of heretic Rick Warren. Certainly that in itself should be enough to sever ties with Piper based on one of the clearest declarations in the New Testament: 2 John 9-11. Its only complicated or confusing if you don't believe and obey this passage.

Both MacArthur and Johnson painted a picture of Piper that is not consistent with Piper's fruit; they love him and called him a faithful man of God and teacher who has benefited many people including themselves.

Scripture states how important it is to test the fruit and walk of such teachers:

Mat 7:15  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16  You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

1Jn 1:6  If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 

Scripture says Piper is not only unfaithful, but is committing spiritual adultery because he promotes false teachers like Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, and Doug Wilson, along with worldly systems like Roman Catholicism and mysticism, for example.

2Jn 1:9  Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. 10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

Jas 4:4  You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5  Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? 6  But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 

Here is the fruit and walk of John Piper: does it line up with fruit of those who are walking in the light; of those who are faithful teachers of Scripture?

Piper married "hedonism" with Christ in his first book "Desiring God".

Piper says you can be saved while denying the doctrine Imputation; that a partial or defective gospel still saves.

Piper quotes liberals like Bonhoeffer, Dallas Willard, Chesterton, Foster, and St. John of the Cross, in favorable ways.

Piper promotes Contemplative spirituality.

Piper affirms the position/office of the pope.

Piper promotes Doug Wilson and Federal Vision

Piper claims "Allah" (the Islam god) AND "Adonai" are "ONLY known and loved through Christ.

Piper promotes and mentors X-rated, Sexually obsessed, Foul-mouthed Mark Driscoll

Piper promotes Rick Warren.

Piper promotes Tim Keller.

Piper promotes Beth Moore.

Piper rejects the Genesis account of a literal 6 day Creation week
Piper promotes women teachers who teach men (and he also learns from those women teachers).

(For the documentation of this list along with Scripture to show the error go here.)

How is any of this even remotely faithful to Christ Jesus, His Word, and His sheep? Where is the discernment of an elderly, "mature", pastor of thirty-plus years and author of dozens of books, who got degrees from various seminaries? 

How can MacArthur call this "good" fruit and something that has "greatly benefited" anyone?

The only way people like John MacArthur and Phil Johnson won't see the need to reject Piper is if they don't believe this:

2Jn 1:10  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; 11  for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds. 

My question is this:

How else do false teachers creep in unnoticed bringing with them their heresies to deceive the sheep, if not through the "shepherds" holding the door open for them and allowing them in?

2Pe 2:1  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2  And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3  And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 

Jud 1:4  For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Mat 7:21  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23  And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' 

So for now Piper's got a LOT of cover and a LOT more time to do more damage.

Many folks at the conference were amazed at how anti-biblical and pagan the Charismatic/WOF is and how Grudem and Piper are affirming that mess. Sadly though, MacArthur and Johnson say the movement is wrong, but yet  embrace those who affirm it like Piper and Grudem. 

But that's just what Piper's doing himself. 

Calling out Piper and Grudem and Storms regarding their continationism wasn't dividing from the Charismatic movement at all, really, because they are still embracing those who in fact DO affirm the Charismatic movement.

Indeed, they are doing the very thing they are calling Piper out on.

Such a disappointment.

And they are in sin for doing so.

The Peaceful Coup of America

It feels like we've lost a war to a communist country. It's almost like there's been a coup. There's been a peaceful coup. The media has led this coup, and the Democrats have taken over with popular support. We're getting policies and implementations and things that were never, ever part of this country's design and founding.

...It feels like we've lost the country. In some estimations it's almost like we lost a battle for the country. Some outside force has actually come in and taken over, and they did it without firing a shot, 'cause there wasn't really a war going on that anybody saw. Sort of like a peaceful coup. It happens gradually and then all of a sudden everybody wakes up, "Gee, what in the name of Sam Hill's happened here?" I understand it.

If you're sitting out there wondering what happened to your country, what happened to the people, all you gotta do is take a look pop culture media. All you have to do is look at mainstream news media or whatever you want to call them, Drive-Bys, and you'll see. All you have to do is listen to how the opposition to any of this is treated, and you'll understand it. That is really why I have so much appreciation for what Ted Cruz and his gang, if you will, are trying to do. I really do. I don't think they're the problem at all.

~Rush Limbaugh

It "feels" like it, sure. But it really IS happening. It started decades ago  within the educational system, which pumped out kids from socialist colleges and universities who have been brainwashed into socialism that now work for the media.

In the meantime, the churches have lost loyalty to Christ and Scripture, and instead have also been corrupted by society's worldview. Socialism included.

I guess for me, the "feeling" is of grief. Because this socialism, this statism is NOT what my family risked their lives for. It's completely the opposite.

Charismatic Reformers: "Scripture Alone" Denied

                                        

"The main problem is that many religious leaders today say one thing and
teach another. If you ask Gregory Boyd or the other “Open View of God” heretics if they
believe in the “omniscience” of God, they will say, “Yes.” Dumb Christians are satisfied
at this point and go their merry way deceived and hoodwinked. But if you force
them to define the term “omniscience,” they end up denying that God knows all things!
They claim that God does not and cannot know the future.

Just because someone says, “I believe in sola scriptura,” does not mean he really believes in it. If he elsewhere says that the Bible is not the final authority in faith and practice, he has denied in substance what he supposedly affirmed as a slogan. Heretics have always done this. What they affirm with the right hand is what they deny with the left hand.  It does not matter what doctrine is at stake."

End quote.

~Robert Morey

Pistols and Poison

  Vice is like killing with a pistol;  

  error is like killing with poison!

~Thomas Watson                 

             

                

The Bible and Its Reliability

I'd like to share what a pastor friend of mine, Joey Rogers of Means, KY, shared in the way of how amazing and reliable Scripture is:           

              

                     

First, you have a religious text unlike any other book. A collection of 66 books with approximately 40 authors written over approximately a 1600 year period of time, and yet you have perfect agreement and continuity. You can't find any two authors of any religious persuasion that can agree in continuity on anything!

Second, you have an incredible accuracy as far as historical claims are concerned. Archeology and other extra-Biblical records show the people, places, and events recorded in the Bible were real historical people, places, and events. No other religious text can hold this claim with such precision and accuracy.

Third, you have the prophetic uniqueness of Biblical text. The Dead Sea Scrolls were a unique discovery showing us the reality of Old Testament manuscripts. In Daniel you have a perfect description of a coming leader, a young man who will die young after conquering the known world. He will leave his Kingdom to four warriors, and they will divide it into four parts. This is a perfect description of Alexander the Great and his four generals, and it was written hundreds of years before him. The prophet Zepheniah described the crucifixion of Christ, again hundreds of years before crucifixion was dreamed of. Isaiah perfectly described the life, ministry, events, and death of Christ Jesus hundreds of years before many of these possibilities existed. These prophecies did not come in vague mysterious random visions that could be interpreted a million ways. They came with clear attention to the most minute detail. The odds of even a tenth of them being accurate are impossible for human scientists to calculate... ALL of them were perfectly accurate!

Fourth, the philosophical difficulties we face in our own existence and purpose are only properly answered by scripture. Atheist after atheist has been recorded as saying the Biblical text can be argued against in it's description of the human condition. The claims made in scripture about mankind are true and reliable.

Fifth, the Gospel records were public record. There were thousands present at each recorded incident in the New Testament Gospels who could have easily written in length to discredit Jesus. Problem: secular authors in early AD history wrote to add credit to the Person of Christ and His miracles.

Sixth, the Bible and the Bible alone presents a unique perspective on the salvation of human souls. Every other religion in the world is based upon the idea of human achievement. What you achieve morally determines where you spend eternity. Yet, the scripture speaks of Divine Accomplishment, in that Christ Jesus accomplished on your behalf what you could never accomplish. He lived your perfect life for you, and He died in your stead the death you deserved. No other religion can make that claim.

Eighth, the Person and works of Jesus Christ. His claims are true. His life was a reality. His works are attested even in secular writings. What He did for us... Unimaginable.

"Secondary issues" Are Not Secondary

"Secondary issues" are not secondary. Biblical doctrines that "don't touch on salvation" aren't optional. Indeed, sometimes they are the very door through which heresy comes! In fact, error on "secondary issues" can reveal a foundational and/or grave doctrinal error.

Isn't it interesting that the WOF prophets used Grudem to defend themselves--the same man who Reformers use for the SAME REASON: justify unbiblical teaching and practices. 

But hey, Grudemn's  got a lot of good things to offer.

Really.

That's what Eve thought about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That's exactly what Satan used to seduce her. Its not THAT bad. In fact, its GOOD. 

Is seducing  people into the pagan, worldly, feminist, occultic Charismatic movement good fruit? I believe that fruit is ROTTEN. It is to declare war on the Word by saying Scripture isn't sufficient; that God has a few P.S.'s to give--that there isn't enough clarity and power in the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit to change, conform, and equip a life for Christ. It is to flat out reject God's repeated COMMAND to NOT add nor take away from HIS WORD. I have little respect for such men. 

As I said before Grudem is one of the major reasons why Reformers are now Charismatic. They went to the poisoned well and drank the water. By doing so they prove to reject Scripture Only, but rather embrace Scripture PLUS signs and wonders; Scripture PLUS miracles; Scripture PLUS visions and dreams. Its to LIE about holding to Scripture alone. Its also to be a hypocrite.

Is it any wonder why the fruit is poisoned too?

A little leaven leavens the entire loaf.

This is strange fire cloaked in optional views of "secondary" issues.

And this is one reason why strange fire has infested the Reformed movement: had the entire Charismatic movement  been rejected along with ALL of its proponents instead of just some ("the extreme"), the line would have been drawn clearly as God does in Scripture.

Pussy-footing around Warnock, Grudem, Piper, etc and playing favorites (they are not beyond asking for favors--which should have been a clue to  people  that its not of Christ--real Christian leaders are happy to be exposed to the Scriptures in full public view), has merely allowed such treachery to go unpunished. 

Show me where Jesus ever said "agree to disagree" especially when it comes to biblical doctrine and you might have an argument. However, throughout Scripture God tells us HIS ways are best and that His Word is the sole authority for ALL things pertaining to life and godliness.

Put away from you those men who have a low view of Scripture and have as a result of their "ministry" created chaos and confusion. If never a man every spoke rightly of Scripture and Christ again, we have one perfect source from which to quote for eternity:

Scripture.

If people cannot reject a teacher, a pastor, a commentary, a church, or a movement, when such has been shown to be in rebellion against the Lordship of the Lord and have thus declared war on the Word (denying the absolutely and solitary sufficiency of Scripture for all things pertaining to life and godliness), then they are guilty of spiritual idolatry and adultery.

"For the present it behoves believers to be cautious, lest they lend their
support and countenance to the betrayers of the Lord.

Numbers of easy-minded people wink at error so long as it is committed by a
clever man and a good-natured brother, who has so many fine points about
him. Let each believer judge for himself; but, for our part, we have put on a few
fresh bolts to our door, and we have given orders to keep the chain up; for,
under color of begging the friendship of the servant, there are those about who

aim at robbing THE MASTER."

~The Downgrade Contraversy

As Robert Morey put it:

The main problem is that many religious leaders today say one thing and teach another. If you ask Gregory Boyd or the other “Open View of God” heretics if they believe in the “omniscience” of God, they will say, “Yes.” Dumb Christians are satisfied at this point and go their merry way deceived and hoodwinked. But if you force them to define the term “omniscience,” they end up denying that God knows all things! They claim that God does not and cannot know the future.

Just because someone says, “I believe in sola scriptura,” does not mean he really believes in it. If he elsewhere says that the Bible is not the final authority in faith and practice, he has denied in substance what he supposedly affirmed as a slogan. Heretics have always done this. What they affirm with the right hand is what they deny with the left hand.  It does not matter what doctrine is at stake.

In the early 1980s, those who denied the inerrancy of Scripture did not begin by openly denying it. They redefined it until the term “inerrancy” meant errors!

Those who deny the bodily resurrection of Christ often pretend to believe in it by tricky words and double talk.  Believe me; I have heard some slick theologians in my day!

Apostasy in Scripture is of two kinds: doctrinal and moral.

A heretic can be a good person who is very moral. Yet, he can also be an anti-Christ. The monk Pelagius was according to all a good man, morally speaking. Thus when I point out some teacher as a heretic, evanjellyfish usually respond, “But he is sooo nice! He is a good man. How dare you attack him!”

They assume that heretics are always mean and vile. A nice heretic who says that right phrases and theological clichés cannot be a heretic in their mind.The problem with heretics who are “nice” is that we tend to let them get away with the most outrageous teaching because they seem to be so nice.

End quote.

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. Rom 16:18  For
such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk
and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

1Ti 6:3  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4  he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions,5  and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 

Charismaticism, Strange Fire, and Poison

Strange fire in Lev. 10:1-2 was offered in worship to God by Aaron's sons who were priests. Repeatedly throughout the OT we see God not accepting unholy practices in worship of Him, which includes worldly pagan practices.

The strange fire we see today is occultic in nature. At best the "mild" Charismaticism is  still at the heart (which is true for all doctrines of the Charismatic movements and its daughters (WOF and NAR) ) is this: a very low view of Scripture and rebellion to obey it.

                            

To deny God's Word is to remove the constraints which HE has given in regard to doctrine and practice.

To deny His Word is to open one'se self up to another authority instead of God alone. This is treason.

It is to sit in the seat of scoffers, to say in unison with the Ancient Serpent: "Hath God said?"

Are we to befriend, even defend, those who have done such a thing? Are we to pet the snake on his head and say, "Well he hasn't bitten ME yet...after all he's part of God's creation. Let him alone, he's got some good things to offer these sheep over here."??

In The Downgrade Contraversy, written primarily by Spurgeon :

We are grateful to the editor of Word and Work for speaking out so plainly. He says:—
"In The Sword and the Trowel for the present month Mr. Spurgeon gives no uncertain sound concerning departures from the faith. His exposure of the dishonesty which, under the cover of orthodoxy, assails the very foundations of faith is opportune in the interests of truth. No doubt, like a faithful prophet in like evil times, he will be called a 'troubler of Israel,' and already we have noticed he has been spoken of as a pessimist; but any such attempts to lessen the weight of his testimony are only certain to make it more effective. When a strong sense of duty prompts public speech it will be no easy task to silence it.
"The preachers of false doctrine dislike nothing more than the premature detection of their doings. Only give them time enough to prepare men's minds for the reception of their 'new views,' and they are confident of success. They have had too much time already, and any who refuse to speak out now must be held to be 'partakers of their evil deeds.' As Mr. Spurgeon says, 'A little plain-speaking would do a world of good just now. These gentlemen desire to be let alone. They want no noise raised. Of course thieves hate watch-dogs, and love darkness. It is time that somebody should spring his rattle, and call attention to the way in which God is being robbed of his glory and man of his hope.'

End quote.

God will not be mocked. He will indeed bring out what was done in secret by men who call themselves Christian teachers yet wed themselves to wolves. Secondary separation becomes, indeed, primary separation because such men who fellowship ("greet" ---"rejoice" as it says in 2John 11) show that they are wicked men without love for the Truth, God, and the souls of others.  For a simliar view go to Daniel's Place.

2Jo 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. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

1Jn 2:15  "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. " Wolves like Piper, Driscoll, and MacDonald love the world; they have NO love for the things of God, that which is pure, but rather they love that which is impure, unholy, and approve of those who also do likewise (namely each other).

A little poison can be very deadly. 

Name Names of Strange Fire

                             

Lev 10:1  Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. 
Lev 10:2  And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
Lev 10:3  Then Moses said to Aaron, "It is what the LORD spoke, saying, 'By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'" So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.

Heb 10:31  It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Tomorrow GTY's Strange Fire Conference begins.

It's time to expose the strange fire that is happening in the Charismatic, Word of Faith, New Apostolic Reformation, and Reformed movements. 

Name names.

Name churches.

Name leaders and teachers.

Expose, rebuke, and demolish such unclean, unholy, irreverent, occultic practices.

If the teachers at Strange Fire love Christ, they will not be ashamed to do all of this for the sake of HIS name, HIS gospel, and HIS sheep.

There's no time to dance around specifics.

False teachers hide behind vague teaching, but they cannot hide when their names are called out in relation to their treachery and irreverence against the Holy One of Israel.

Man up.

Modern Day Revelations

"Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3, emphasis added).

For many years I've watched with deep concern as a significant number of Christians have drifted from a thoughtful, biblical, God- centered theology to one that is increasingly mystical, non- biblical, and man-centered. One of the most disturbing indicators of this trend is the proliferation of extrabiblical revelations that certain people are claiming to receive directly from God.

Such claims are alarming because they dilute the uniqueness and centrality of the Bible and cause people to lean on man's word rather than God's. They imply that Scripture is insufficient for Christian living and that we need additional revelation to fill the gap.

But God's Word contains everything you need to know for spiritual life and godly living. It is inspired and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness so that you may be fully equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16). What more is necessary?

When the apostle John died, apostolic revelation came to an end. But that written legacy remains as the standard by which we are to test every teacher and teaching that claims to be from God (1 Thess. 5:21; 1 John 4:1). If a teaching doesn't conform to Scripture, it must be rejected. If it does conform, it isn't a new revelation. In either case, additional revelation is unnecessary.

God went to great lengths to record and preserve His revelation, and He jealously guards it from corruption of any kind. From Moses, the first known recipient of divine revelation, to the apostle John, the final recipient, His charge remained the same: "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you" (Deut. 4:2; cf., Rev. 22:18-19).

Don't be swayed by supposed new revelations. Devote yourself to what has already been revealed.

~John MacArthur, Drawing Near, October 12,2013



If Christians aren't willing to be content with the Scripture and love it and obey it, then why would God give them extra-biblical revelations? They reject the authority of God already by rejecting His all-sufficient Word. Rebellious in nature, such "Christians" don't want to be enslaved to Christ and His righteousness.

Joh 17:17  "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

As Jesus said, if they don't believe Moses and the prophets, they won't believe one who has come back from the dead. In other words, if such "Christians" refuse to submit to the Scripture already given, nothing else will convince them of the Truth. Truth is found solely in God's inspired, infallible, all-sufficient Word.

God exalts His word above all things (Ps. 138:2). Why don't "Christians"?

"Early" Abortions Can Now Legally Be Performed By Nurses, NP, and PA's in California

This map just got larger....

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants in California will be allowed to perform a type of early abortion under legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Jerry Brown, an action that drew condemnation from Catholic bishops and that came as many conservative states are limiting access to abortion services.

~KFI 


Botched abortions are numerous. Yes, this would include babies surviving abortion and then killed in the office.

                                            

                                  


All stages of a baby's life is just that: life. Here's what happens in the early stages of the baby's life that so many want to murder:

                                 


                                   
                                   (from: Jill Stanek)

One abortion is too many. Its time to abolish infanticide.

Religion Matters

Trendy New York restaurant has a "no talking" rule, based on the chef's experience with Buddhist monks in India. Spiritual influences matter whether with yoga or restaurants. 

'Eat' restaurant chef Nicholas Nauman says he was inspired to put on the occasional 'No Talking' affairs after spending time with Buddhist monks in India. He says the silence allows customers a chance to better experience the food.
 
~Fox

                                

Will you be loyal to your temporary pleasures or to Jesus Christ?

Surprise! Anti-Bullying Programs Not Only Don't Work, but Bullying Rises In Schools That Use Them

                                       

***Update at the bottom of the page***

Quote:

University of Texas at Arlington criminologist Seokjin Jeong analyzed data collected from 7,000 students from all 50 states.

He thought the results would be predictable and would show that anti-bullying programs curb bullying. Instead — he found the opposite.

Jeong said it was, “A very disappointing and a very surprising thing. Our anti-bullying programs, either intervention or prevention does not work.”

The study concluded that students at schools with anti-bullying programs might actually be more likely to become a victim of bullying. It also found that students at schools with no bullying programs were less likely to become victims.

~CBS 

The problem is that detached, psychologized adults have no clue what it's like to actually be on campus and terrorized. They give psychobabble to the kids; stupid, useless "advice" that never works: ignore the bully, try to reason with him...or worst: go tell a grown up. Seriously, what teenager or tween is going to incur more wrath by telling a teacher who's bullying him or her?

Basically psychologized adults leave the child defenseless. The bully is still in power. 

In fact, the grown ups are the cowards for not taking on the bullies the way they should. Fear of law suits from....the bully's parents? Fear of retaliation?

Ya think?

So this is no surprise to me at all.

De-clawing the bully victim (his only defense from FURTHER attacks) only serves to empower the bully.

Let's face it, bullies only understand a power stronger than themselves.

And one more thing: the way the schools and states deal with bullies (which is to say, they don't do much), is the same way they deal with gangs and terrorists. Its all the same mentality, just from a different age group and venue.

***UPDATE***

CBS Newsreports on the recent shooting and murder of a teacher at Sparks Middle School (Nevada):

As they try to understand what prompted a 12-year-old boy to open fire at his school, district officials were examining an anti-bullying video that includes a dramatization of a child taking a gun on a school bus to scare aggressors.

The video, which uses the scene as an illustration of the wrong way to respond, was being studied as students and faculty members prepared to return to Sparks Middle School, where a boy fatally shot a teacher, wounded two classmates and killed himself Monday.

Some experts warn that increased levels of awareness lead to increased reports of bullying, which can make it seem like the problem is on the rise.

It wasn't clear if the video had been seen by the young gunman, whom police previously refused to identify.

End quote.

Until Death Do Us Part......

                           

A married couple of 63 years died hours apart last week in Utah. Jerry Dunn died in his sleep and Edith, his wife, died just hours later. They were inseparable since high school

"They were buried in a simple graveside ceremony Friday. Jerry Dunn, a member of the American Legion, was given full military honors. The retired U.S. Postal Service mail carrier was a Korea and Vietnam war veteran."

~USA Today