Why Joni Eareckson Tada Should Be Avoided

Joni Eareckson Tada

***Update***

So the unsound practice of Joni Tada continues. She's teaching pastors and leaders at the notorious Willow Creek Church who has women pastors (founder Bill Hybels had to step down), on how to lead. Please do not continue to say she's "sharing her testimony". She TEACHES MEN about LIVING a "Christian" life--sanctification. Telling OTHERS how to live, how to understand God and His work in life, how to THINK about "suffering", even using Roman Catholic mystic monk Lawrence to do it.

"So when Tada, an author and artist known mostly as just “Joni,” took the stage at this summer’s annual Global Leadership Summit held at Willow Creek, a Chicago-area megachurch, she told the pastors and other leaders gathered that if they want to succeed they are going to have to admit their imperfections.

“The most effective leaders do not rise to power in spite of their weakness,” Tada said. “They lead with power because of their weakness.”

~article from Roys News

She has been a member of the Lausanne Congress (Lausanne Senior Associate for Evangelism Among Disabled People until 2013). She has been a board member since 1989  and was a plenary speaker that year.  Lausanne Congress is a pragmatic/inter-faith/ecumenical/feminist group & has attended the conference hosted by them. Some very liberal people have been a part of it, including Billy Graham, John Stott, Tim Keller, Richard Mouw, & Rick Warren.

“I'm grateful for Lausanne’s commitment to the whole Gospel of Christ. The 2010 Lausanne Congress will emphasize that true evangelism means reaching out in Jesus’ name to every part of society — including those who are sick, hungry, poor and disabled.”

 

Mrs. Joni Eareckson Tada
Founder, Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Lausanne Senior Associate for Evangelism Among Disabled People

Link to see her endorsement here.

UPDATE 7/31/24 on Lausanne is at Disntr: "How the Lausanne Movement Is Hijacking Christianity to Jumpstart a Global Marxist Revolution – Part I".

She signed the 2009 inter-faith Manhattan Declaration (supposed to have addressed key moral issues in our country like abortion and homosexual "marriage") which John MacArthur refused to sign b/c it was not explicitly Christian & joined w/ Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox without explicitly showing the fundamental chasm between Christians and the rest.

The Manhattan Declaration states in part:

"We, as Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Christians, have gathered, beginning in New York on September 28, 2009, to make the following declaration, which we sign as individuals, not on behalf of our organizations, but speaking to and from our communities. We act together in obedience to the one true God, the triune God of holiness and love, who has laid total claim on our lives and by that claim calls us with believers in all ages and all nations to seek and defend the good of all who bear his image." (emphasis, mine)

But Scripture states:

2Co 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15  What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16  What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

The answer: NONE. Moreover, Israel tried to find help from the pagan Egyptians against God's sanction. It was spiritual harlotry just as marrying women outside of Israel led to spiritual harlotry. 

Isa 30:1  “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin"

Tada endorsed RC "First Things" Journal

https://excatholic4christ.wordpress.com/2015/10/08/popular-evangelical-joni-eareckson-tada-endorses-ecumenical-first-things/comment-page-1/

She also campaigned for pro-abortionist (he's ok with some abortions, not for abolishing it) Roman Catholic Marc Rubio around 2016.

 

2012 Tada participated in pagan prayer circles with Nancy Leigh DeMoss (links are down below) Prayer circles info: https://tottministries.org/praying-circles/  as well as saying this:

 

She sounds VERY similar to John Piper and his sensuality as he uses the exact same word (no coincidence--biblical Christians do not think like this):

 “Jesus is ecstasy beyond compare and if new hardships draw us closer to Him, I'm more than content with it.” ~Joni Eareckson Tada posted on Joni & Friends, November 19, 2018

This quote sounds more like Ann Voskamp and John Piper with such sensual spiritual errotica talk about Jesus than she does a sound, biblical Christian. This statement is hardly biblical, nor God-fearing, nor worthy of Christ Jesus the King. It's quite fleshly and emotive.  

"Never forget, the point of the kitchen is the banquet. The aim of hermeneutics: happiness. The goal of exegesis: ecstasy." - John Piper, April 29, 2014 on X (Twitter)

Tada and Voskamp:

Why Voskamp is bad. 

https://annvoskamp.com/2016/10/when-god-says-no/

https://annvoskamp.com/2017/11/how-to-feel-lasting-comfort-through-the-really-hard-days/

She promotes the website with her articles on her own website--directs her fans to to pagan Voskamp: https://joniandfriends.org/uncategorized/why-doesnt-god-heal-people-we-love/

Tada and Brother Lawrence

Why Brother Lawrence is bad

Lawrence was a Roman Catholic Carmelite monk, so all his doctrine and practice will be false. He was a mystic, claiming that his practices led to a "higher spiritual life" in his monastery, so that's also pagan.

According to Wikipedia, Lawrence's order:

"The Discalced Carmelites are friars and nuns who dedicate themselves to a life of prayer. The Carmelite nuns live in cloistered (enclosed) monasteries and follow a completely contemplative life. The Carmelite friars, while following a contemplative life, also engage in the promotion of spirituality through their retreat centres, parishes and churches. Lay people, known as the Secular Order, follow their contemplative call in their everyday activities. Devotion to the Virgin Mary is a characteristic of Carmelites and is symbolised by wearing the brown scapular."

Another infamous Carmelite nun was mystic Teresa of Avila,  the founder of the Discalced Carmelites along with John of the Cross. She's a favorite in the contemplative spirituality evangelical circles. They're all connected to the mystic & original Carmelites, the "Desert Fathers" who worshipped Mary. 


In this video where she says she read Lawrence in high school, so her devotion to the Catholic monk started over 50 years ago:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnXLFHyYyFo&t=409s 

Her latest book promoting Brother Lawrence:

https://joniandfriends.org/product/the-practice-of-the-presence-of-jesus/

Tada and "Jesus Calling" 

Why "Jesus Calling" is bad: here and here.

https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/lifeline-drowning-hurts-joni-eareckson-tada-dedee-greg-lhamon/

Tada and prayer circles

Why prayer circles are bad.

Tada talking about being inside the prayer circle at the 2012 Revive Our Hearts conference:

Transcript :

Joni: These are women who through their decisions, whether with their husbands, with their children, in their homes, their communities, in their churches, these people, these women can be great influencers for good. They can help shape the destiny not only of their families and their churches and their communities, but the destiny of this nation. These women are change agents for the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that I get a chance to encourage them? That’s pretty cool!

Joni: Because all the speakers had an opportunity to stand in it. And of course, I had an opportunity to wheel inside that circle. May revival begin with me.

Joni: May renewal in the church begin with me inside that circle.

Tada In Leadership & Teaching Over Men

Tada teaches men and women about their walk, their sanctification. She focuses pretty singularly on the "theology of suffering". This is teaching doctrine and  crosses over from retelling her testimony of her accident, which everyone's heard of for the last 50 years (which is why she's invited to speak in the first place), to violating Scripture in teaching men. 

Moreover, she was CHAPLAIN for the US Paralympics in 2000. This is another violation of Scripture. Her video is here.

She's also on the Today's Christian Woman advisory board. This is a division of the notorious "Christianity Today" that promotes all manner of false doctrine, feminism, mysticism, and heretics.

Tada refers to "joni & friends" as her ministry in the "She Leads" article (see below): “I’m grateful to Elizabeth Doyle and my friends at She Leads America for their recognition of our ministry among families that struggle with disability." (bold, my emphasis)

Therefore Tada's position as CEO, and the president of the ministry is also a woman, Laura Gardner. It is structured not like a ministry but a business with a president and senior vice presidents as well as chiefs of Executive, finance, marketing, operating, finance. This is not how a ministry should run. Scripture shows us how and fundamentally it is connected to a local church. Women are NOT leaders over men in ministry according to Paul's epistles (1 Tim. 3, Titus 2).

1Ti 2:12  I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13  For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14  and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 

She is a self promoter of her awards like the "She Leads America" in 2023 . Reprinting the press release, it states in part: "As part of the recognition, Tada’s name and accomplishments have been entered into the Congressional Record at the U.S. Capitol" as if the world's awards have any bearing on one's relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. Medals, awards, accolades, and praise from the world isn't something to brag about.

John 15:18  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 

Like Billy Graham (a founder of the Lausanne Congress and pro-Roman Catholic), Tada gets praise from the world, which tells you that she's not specific with the Truth to cause offense like Christ Jesus and the apostles and true Christians do. Fans of Tada: Pres. George W Bush and Ronald Reagan, Larry King, the US State Department/National Council on Disability, and the Paralympics. 

 A good example who does get heat for being specific on the Gospel as well as pointing out heretical teachers is Justin Peters. While I disagree with him at times on some things, and sometimes he doesn't take a hard enough stand against certain false teachers (they all deserve harsh criticism), he's also in a wheelchair. A disability isn't a shield from criticism nor lack of discernment. 

Apostate Francis Chan wrote the forward to the 25th anniversary edition of her autobiographical book as well.

A Correction For My Use of Gen 3:1-3 "Hath God Said?" Reference

I need to make a correction my reference to this passage:

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of ANY tree in the garden’?” 2  And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3  but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”   (Bold and all caps, my emphasis)

I need to correct myself. There’s something that I missed in using the quote “Hath God said?” to counter those who reject clear Scripture (for example passages about not women teaching men or creation in six literal days), and I often would say “Yes He did”. In fact I was wrong, or imprecise. God has indeed spoken on the topic—that was my point—but the Serpent asked if God said “don’t eat from ANY tree in the garden” to which the answer is NO, that’s not what God said. 

Here's what God said:

Gen 2:16  And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You MAY SURELY eat of EVERY tree of the garden, 17  BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall NOT eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”  (bold, all caps, my emphasis)

God's word is precise and I need to be too. I just wanted to correct myself on this. 

May anyone who reads God's Word stay faithful to it and its precision and its power. 

"Ministry" Branding

 If your "ministry" have a brand, it's not biblical. It's an empire, a legacy, a corporation, and very temporal, worldly, and fleshly. But it's certainly not biblical. 

Photo and article here here.

John MacArthur Recommends Heretic John Stott

2Co 11:3  But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4  For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. 

Today I found that Grace Books, part of Grace Community Church, offers what MacArthur recommends by way of books, which includes John Stott who was an Anglican (false church that taught salvation by works and whose founding was in Henry VIII's sexual immorality) and was also an annihilationist (which rejects God's word about eternal torment and His justice).

John Stott used infamous corrupt psychologist and author Alfred Kinsey to interpret Scripture's view of sodomy and cast doubt Scripture's clear condemnation of sodomy. He offers no salvation from gay desires in this life; says there are homosexual Christians what will always be homosexual by orientation; tells us to listen to the world's wisdom on sodomy alongside the Bible ("double listening"). I deal with this here. But here's the excellent video by T.S. Williams who deals with Stott, his book, and his teaching:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxEex5y754w&t=1s

Why MacArthur would read, much less offer Stott as being a benefit to a Christian, instead of a heretic that has done great damage to many, aiding and abetting their sin, offering zero hope and help to those in their sin, is beyond me.  I guess denial of eternal torment and God's just nature and sure Word are personal preferences. This is egregious and condemned by Scripture (2Peter 2-3; 2 John 9-11; 2 Cor. 6:14-17).

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. 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. 

Voddie Baucham

 

Voddie Baucham is platforming with Mormon Glen Beck.

2Jn 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

2Jn 1:11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

We're not to share the platform w/ others who promote a false God. That at best, confuses people.

1Th 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Politics

 Here's a glimpse into what the NAR is about:

One of the New Apostolic Reformation’s (NAR)  founders, C. Peter Wagner, and its leaders like HRock’s Che Ahn, deny the absolute sufficiency and authority of Scripture. Built on false prophets and prophecies, it has an occultic aspect (personal psychic readings aka "personal prophetic word"), along with the "signs", "wonders", "prophets", "apostles" and their "authority" over people not in their own churches. They also believe in grave soaking (going to graves to get an anointing from the dead). It was born out of the Charismatic Movement and the Word of Faith Movement.

NAR believes that by influencing every area (as they see it) of society, it will bring Jesus down to earth (hence their "7 Mountains" of influence they seek to take dominion in: government, arts, finances, education, religion, family, and entertainment/media).

Herescope reported:

"Wagner’s eschatology is also based on marketing’s “critical mass” theory — he believes that when they (his NAR) “restore” this “kingdom” and enforce “his will be done on earth” that then the paradigm will shift. He says “when that happens enough, Jesus will return.”

This is parallel to the esoteric (New Age) idea that there will be a cosmic spiritual shift where man becomes a co-creator in his own destiny, and a co-redeemer of the planet earth. Elsewhere on this blog we have written extensively about this view. In this eschatology the return of Jesus hinges upon everyone on the planet become aligned to the kingdom shift. The NAR’s impotent Jesus is stuck in heaven. He can’t act until we reach a planetary “critical mass.” Which also accounts for the frenetic prayer warfare activity to try to bring heaven to earth."

But the biblical Christ Jesus said:

John 18:36  Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 

2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 

2Co 10:4  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 

The book of Revelations also shows how utterly degenerate and destructive the Tribulation will be at the very end of history. The last three and a half years of the Tribulation under the rule of the Lawless One will be horrific as he commands all people to take the mark of the beast and worship him. The judgements of God will fall down on all humanity, and even then, they will refuse to submit to God and repent, and instead gnash their teeth in rage against Him. We also see the slaughter of the believers during the Tribulation, for the sake of the testimony of Jesus---this is hardly the pagan utopia NAR is trying to sell people. 

2Ti 3:12  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13  while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 

Feminist occultic mystics have no place to lead our country (I saw one trying in the state of California, running for state senator as a Republican). Their minds are not working properly as they have openly submitted to the occult and mystic practices and are deceitful on many levels. 

Compromise and Lose Your Testimony Later

 You lose your ability & integrity to stand for truth later, if you compromise with wickedness now.

Lot, Jude, Peter, and Paul: the disposition of the Christian toward sodomy

Rom 1:32  Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.  

The true Christian's disposition toward sodomy should align with Peter's, Lot's and Jude's:

Jud 1:22  And have mercy on those who doubt; 23  save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 

2Pe 2:7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8 (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

He did not celebrate nor have compassion on them. Instead he gave a warning to stop their evil behavior

Gen 19:7 and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly.

Gen 19:9 But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down.

Those who stand with the righteous men of faith of old:

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 

2Ti 3:12  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13  while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 

Eph 5:6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Eph 5:7  Therefore do not become partners with them;  Eph 5:8  for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  Eph 5:9  (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),  Eph 5:10  and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.  Eph 5:11  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  Eph 5:12  For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 

Alistair Begg Triples Down

Alistair Begg triples down on his wicked foolish advice to a professing Christian grandmother to go to a grandchild's transgender/gay "wedding" and bring a gift. Here is most of the response. .  Here is the full response.

Begg entirely mishandled the Scripture regarding the prodigal son. There's nothing in common between him and a transgender/gay "wedding". The prodigal son repented in humility and returned to his father. Transgender/gay ceremonies are defiant against God and His created order and institution of marriage.

That Begg now cannot rightly handle the Word of God, but is instead, apostatizing away from the Truth he professed necessarily means he's unfit as an elder and should've been fired. Truth is simple. Complications arise when one tries to compromise on the Truth. 

TGC Women's 2024 Conference Includes Kristie Anyabwile

 TGC is corrupt both spiritually & morally. Anyone attached to TGC is unsound & dangerous.

Nancy Guthrie,Jen Wilkin, David Platt, Anne Voskamp are speakers at this year's TGC women's conference. Voskamp promotes spiritual sex with her god.

In 2018 Grace Community Church showed their hand at their trajectory of joining hands with TGC. The backlash forced them to cancel, but next month the Shepherds Conference is hosting three top TGC speakers, so it shows they're still on the same track.

As I said in my post about this unification with corrupt TGC back in 2018 (it's worse now):

I'm so old that I remember when MacArthur taught & wrote against evolution and for Creation in 6 literal days by God's Word.

I'm so old that I remember when MacArthur spoke and wrote against looking to politics to change a culture.

I'm so old that I remember when MacArthur honored law enforcement at GCC & taught on the honor and respect needed toward our government as Scripture dictates.

I'm so old that I remember when MacArthur wrote that down through the ages in all of Scripture (Law, Prophets, the Gospels & Epistles) God condemns homosexuality.

I'm so old that I remember when MacArthur taught against the RCC.

I'm so old that I remember when MacArthur and GCC taught against the Charismatic Movement and had an entire conference and book against it.

Yet TGC promotes evolution, social justice, Marxism, Black Liberation theology, sodomy, Catholicism and more.

Alistair Begg update

Excellent summary by Disntr of why biblical Christians are opposing Alistair Begg's blasphemy of telling a grandmother to go to a transgender's homosexual "wedding" and give them a gift, as long as he knows her belief in Jesus. 

Alistair Begg Update: he remains defiant

 The American Family Radio network reached out to Begg and his team to see if he'd repent of his blasphemous foolishness to Christians that they can and should attend a transgender gay "wedding" and give them a gift, as long as their disapproval because of Jesus, is proclaimed. 

As Disntr reported:

"But we did press the issue multiple, multiple times. And we even asked point blank, “So are you guys stating that Pastor Alistair Begg is standing by his original comment? He has no regrets? He didn’t misspeak? He doesn’t want to further clarify? Nothing?” and they said, “Yes, he’s standing by his original comment.” So very disappointing."

What message does such a "Christian" send when they SAY they don't approve of a transgender's gay "wedding" but then attends the ceremony (which means they DO approve) and brings a gift (celebrates)? Is that not the heart of saying one thing but doing another? Is this not the type of hypocrisy (not to mention blasphemy) condemned in Scripture? Both Begg (and his team) and anyone who listens to him stand condemned by such rank hypocrisy. This is a BAD testimony of Christ Jesus. This maligns the way of the Truth. God's way is not confusing or unknowable. It is clear and is to be obeyed. Moreover, Begg IS approving of blasphemous "weddings" and lifestyles by telling people to go to the ceremony and give the two wicked people a "wedding" gift. And it will only be a short time before Begg is just consistent with this view and comes out in support of sodomy "weddings". He's already defied Scripture's stance on women teaching men. He's barely hanging on to a thread of sound doctrine. At the moment, it's mere words, much like the Pharisees. In time, it will be with action. Consider this: Begg encouraged "Christians" to sin. Let that sink in.

Alistair Begg Approves Of Attending Homosexual "Weddings" And Giving Them Gifts

 Alistair Begg now approves of attending and giving a gift to a homosexual "wedding" to "build bridges" and avoid being labeled as "judgmental".

"I asked the grandmother, does your grandson understand your belief in Jesus? Yes. Does your grandson understand that your belief in Jesus makes it such that you can’t countenance in any affirming way the choices that he has made in life? Yes. I said, well, then, okay. As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony, and I suggest that you buy them a gift."

~ Disntr

You could not be more wrong, anti-biblical, unholy, man-centered, and pragmatic if you tried with this one. Biblical Christians are NOT called to "build bridges" with unbelievers, because:

2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

Begg is promoting the mockery of marriage which Christ Jesus created and to which He likens the relationship of Himself to His church. This is utter evil.

BUT....

This is NO surprise. I warned of this man years and years ago because he raised red flags:

In 2004 he played Bobby Jones' golf instructor in the movie of the same name where he cussed. A pastor taking on an acting role which cusses? Hello?

In 2015 Begg brought in false teacher and heretic Tim Keller as his "Basics" pastors conference.

In 2018 Begg joined compromisers and heretics at the Getty's Sing! which included Ravi Zacharias, John Piper, Ligon Duncan, JD Greear, music group Shane and Shane.

In 2019 Begg joined gnostic feminist heretic Beth Moore to preach at the National Preaching Conference at liberal Baylor University's Truett Seminary.

For many years he was on TGC's Council Board.

All that said, Begg is not much different than John MacArthur who himself answered in 2017 Ligonier's Conference to the question if it's sinful to bake a cake for a homosexual "wedding":

"No, it's not sinful for a cake maker to make a cake for a gay wedding anymore than its sinful for a guy who runs a restaurant to serve dinner to somebody who is gay, sits in a booth and eats the food, or goes to the market and buys a loaf of bread and you own the market," he argued. "What the issue is, is not whether that's sinful. It's weather the federal government can demand that people do certain things, which goes against their Christian conscience."

"I actually think that we need to show love to everyone and particularly, we need to do good to all those that are outside the kingdom, as well as inside the kingdom, as much as possible — a gesture of kindness toward some unregenerate person is in itself not a sin" . - CP article

I said this in response to MacArthur's compromise, but will say it to Begg's too: "Doing good" doesn't include promoting their sinful behavior. He's mixing the idea of the Good Samaritan (meeting a TRUE need and doing good) with selling meat for idol worship (which is not a need and is helping them sin against the Holy One of Israel) and it just can't be done biblically. How is it showing kindness and love by aiding and abetting a pagan do continue in his abominations and doing so as a Christian? How?

Rom 1:32  Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 

Rom 3:5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.)

Rom 3:6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?

Rom 3:7 But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner?

Rom 3:8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just.

1Th 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Isa 31:2 Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster And does not retract His words, But will arise against the house of evildoers and against the help of the workers of iniquity.

Isa 31:3 Now the Egyptians are men and not God, And their horses are flesh and not spirit; So the LORD will stretch out His hand, And he who helps will stumble And he who is helped will fall, And all of them will come to an end together.

Priscilla Shirer Update

Priscilla Shirer is now teaching modalism--the heresy that denies the biblical triunity of God. She says in the clip that God the FATHER puts on flesh and comes to earth. That's wholly inaccurate. God the Son, who is distinct from the Father and Holy Spirit, came and took on flesh (John 1, Hebrews 1, Col. 1, and Matthew 1).  This is a doctrine that necessitates PRECISION. To be wrong on who God is, is to have a false God and therefore a false gospel and a false salvation.

I warned about her years ago here, starting in 2009 and now you can see where that has all led. Here is Distnr's article. 

The Local Church vs "Community"

There is a difference between the local church and what so many call "community". These are just thoughts I had as I was studying Ephesians and is in no way meant to be a full treatment of the texts.

Eph 5:22  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 

Eph 5:24  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 

Eph 5:26  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 

Eph 5:27  so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 

Eph 5:28  In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 

Eph 5:29  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 

Eph 5:30  because we are members of his body. 

Eph 5:31  “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 

Eph 5:32  This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 

Eph 5:33  However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. 

 

1 Cor 12

 

The local body of Christ is made of many parts while it also one unit. True Christians are the body of Christ with each individual being important and necessary for the proper functioning of the body.

The Lord Loves His Body as each person loves his own flesh; that is, as a husband loves his wife as he loves his very own flesh. There are distinct individuals within marriage, but they make one unit or “one flesh”. Even within marriage, the two are still individuals before God as 1 Peter 3 discusses. They are a unit but they are also and foremost, individuals. We know Christ said there is no marriage in heaven, but there are a multitude of individuals.

There is value for every single true Christian—each is important and necessary because God made them and gifted them and grafted them into the body as He saw fit.

1Co 12:7  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 
1Co 12:11  All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills. 

The building up to maturity of the local body of believers is crucial as God set it up that way and has commanded the church(es) to believe and function according to Scripture in distinct ways. That’s why factions and favoritism is so bad and corrupt, because it dismisses the value, use, and importance for a part of Christ’s body. He died for that person, for that part of His body. No one can sit in judgement and value that individual based on their usefulness or advantage to a person in leadership for their position, agenda, career or any other advancement or preservation. This is not “community” but rather His body, the church, the called out ones into fellowship and fellowship is based on the same faith and doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

1 Cor. 12:18,22-26 talks about how if one individual in the body suffers, all the members suffer.  This demonstrates how each person affects the local body of believers. In 1Cor 12 uses words like “each individual”, “to another”, “each” “own bodies”, demonstrating that God is the God of individuals and its those individuals, the elect, for whom He purchased with His own blood.

The reason the individual is essential to the local body of believers:

Eph 4:10  He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 

Eph 4:11  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 

Eph 4:12  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 

Eph 4:13  until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 

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. 

Eph 4:15  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 

Eph 4:16  from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 

On the other hand “community” isn’t biblical, but rather secular. The notion of the “greater good” over the individual is strictly unbiblical. That is what the “collective” of socialism is. But the biblical triune God of Scripture is the God of Israel always being the God of each individual and He judges, saves, blesses, and punishes individuals, not collectively. And when an entire nation has rebelled against Him as Israel did, then He who is just, justly punishes the whole nation. But His children who are saved have His wrath satisfied by the atonement of Christ Jesus.

Now, fellowship is unity in the Holy Spirit and doctrine with one Lord, one baptism, one faith.

Eph 4:1  I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 

Eph 4:2  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 

Eph 4:3  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Eph 4:4  There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 

Eph 4:5  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 

Eph 4:6  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 

Eph 4:7  But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 

“Community” de-humanizes individuals by seeing them as and object and means to an end. Often this is seen in how churches refer to the individuals or families as “giving units”.  Elders and “pastors” who treat their people as such are using pragmatic and worldly views condemned by Scripture (James 3:15-18  and the widow’s mite Jesus dealt with in Luke 21:1-4).

“Community” is from socialism and humanism and is, in my opinion connected to evolution as they are anti-Christ and anti-Scripture, as they devalue the individual God created, among other things. It relies on the flesh and is not only worldly but divisive (James 3:15-16) and the source (worldly and demonic) can’t bring unity of faith in Christ by the Holy Spirit, but rather ONLY division, selfish ambition, jealousy, and envy as James 3 states. This is what happened to the Corinthian church—the factions were destroying that church and it’s unity.

Jas 3:13  Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 

Jas 3:14  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 

Jas 3:15  This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

Jas 3:16  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 

Jas 3:17  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 

“Community” shields individuals  and their sins and elevates the hierarchy. It also hides or dismisses the individual’s gifts and proper functioning. It is vague and so men like to hide behind that. How often we've heard "we as a church teach or believe this" but within that church are many who do not. 

“Community” is without biblical purpose, whereas the local church is the assemblying together of called-out ones to function in a set proper order with a set proper purpose: the maturity of each person and then the whole body, to protect them from error and to glorify Christ and encourage each other to functioning even better, to God’s sole glory and honor. See Eph. 4:10-16 above.

Another passage which destroys the collectivism notion of “the greater good” is this:

1Co 8:9  But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 

1Co 8:10  For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 

1Co 8:11  And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 

1Co 8:12  Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 

1Co 8:13  Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. 

God calls each star by it’s own name. He has each hair on our head counted. He died for individuals and grafted each one into His body. We all stand before God individually Who judges all (Heb. 9:27).