AW Tozer

I like quotes and find them interesting. People use quotes in a number of ways such as to make or refute a point. We often quote the Bible in such a manner. We also do this with "fathers of our Christian faith"; with those people that we consider "spiritual giants".

While God should be our focus and the Holy Spirit our guide, I do believe that articles of truth can be shored up by a quote offered in line with what the Bible teaches.

Anyway, I came across this quote today and wanted to share it. I find it interesting considering the modern landscape of Christianity today.

“One of the most popular current errors, and the one out of which springs most of the noisy, blustering religious activity being carried in evangelical circles these days, is the notion that as times change the church must change with them. Christians must adapt their methods by the demands of the people. If they want ten-minute sermons, give them ten-minute sermons. If they want truth in capsule form, give it to them. If they want pictures, give them plenty of pictures. If they like stories, tell them stories. If they prefer to absorb their religious instruction through drama, go along with them—give them what they want. ‘The message is the same, only the method changes,’ say the advocates of compromise.”

- A.W. Tozer

Because Truth Matters,
George

Lost in Translation

I just read an interesting article on a new Bible translation. It's being put out by Brian McLaren and Leonard Sweet, stalwarts of the Emergent church "movement", "conversation", or whatever they call themselves today.

Below is an except from their Gospel of John...

1Before time itself was measured, the Voice was speaking. The Voice was and is God.
2This celestial Voice remained ever present with the Creator;
3His speech shaped the entire cosmos. Immersed in the practice of creating, all things that exist were birthed in Him.
4His breath filled all things with a living, breathing light.
5Light that thrives in the depths of darkness, blazing through murky bottoms. It cannot, and will not, be quenched.

My main concern is that they, the Emergent church as a whole, play "fast and loose" with doctrine and attempt to redefine the very meanings of the essentials of the Christian faith, redefining what truth is or isn't; saying that we can't know anything for sure and tailoring their experiences toward the worldly culture.

Sadly, those who follow these "leaders" will probably pick up this translation and encourage their followers to as well.

The Emerging Obamanation

Earlier I wrote about Brian McLaren's endorsement of Barack Obama for President. Today I read that emerging church author Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz) gave the closing prayer at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, August 25th.

Now, out of curiosity, I'll admit that I've watched some of the DNC over the past few nights just to get an idea of what's going on. Unfortunately, I missed Mr. Miller's prayer. His prayer follows below...

"Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen."

His reason for being at the convention was to bring

"a message to Washington that no single party has the Christian community in their pocket,"

While I agree that no party has the "Christian community" in their pockets, as we should be Christians first, then Republicans, Democrats, etc. second, I would just say to you, the reader that we should look at the values that are represented and see what aligns with God's Word.

I can understand trying to unify people, but the Bible says that light has no unity with darkness. Christians are called to be unified with each other, not with the world.

I'll leave off with this quote from the Bible...

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20 (NASB)

Because Truth matters,
George

Jargon

Sometimes my oldest daughter, thinks that I am out of touch with the modern world. I dance funny and say funny phrases that make her cringe.

"Dad, that's so 80's," or worse yet, "That's so 60's." I don't think that she realizes that I was born in the late 60's... lol.

She thinks that the words that I use come from (and need to stay) in a different time. It got me to thinking about jargon. There's a sort of "culture" of words that are used in various "groups" of people. Truck drivers and doctors have their own way of talking, lawyers do as well. Teenagers DEFINATELY do, too.

He's a question. Does the church?

I was once accused by a ministry leader of being to "churchy" when using a certain word in a daily devotion that I was writing. "Well, it IS a devotional." I was told to try to change it so people would be more comfortable.

In looking at the trends of the post-modern church and how it is sharply veering away from Biblical Christianity over the past 5 or so years (I'm sure that it's been longer.), I am amazed that "emergent" churches and leaders chide "traditional" churches over being too "churchy" or out of touch.

Hello?!?! Have you ever tried to read something from one of their blogs or sites? It seems like they make up words daily to describe their new, but the way that Jesus really did things, way of doing church.

That being said, I ran across this interesting clip from an blog today that rather nicely sums up the pharasitical nature of emergents...

One of the criticisms leveled at traditional churches by the “emergent/emerging” crowd is that they use too much technical language, theological terms, and Christian jargon that nobody understands. They say we should root out of our vocabulary words like “justification, sanctification, glorification, dispensationalism, eschatology” and other similar terms. But ironically, they have gone and created their own vocabulary that nobody understands except those who are “in.” And yet, people who are excited and intrigued by what the emerging/emergent churches are doing are willing to learn the terminology and begin using it themselves.

You know what this means? Getting out message heard is not about weeding out tricky terminology. It’s speaking and writing with a passion and excitement that others are not only willing to listen, but also to learn and adopt the language. Look at text messaging as an example. Text messengers have developed their own entire language. I understand very little of it, but those who want to communicate with other cell phone users have learned the language and terms and created their own sub-culture.

So can you use words like justification and sanctification? Sure! They’re more BIblical than words like “emerging” and “glocal.” But whatever terminology you use, don’t speak and write in a way that is dispassionate and cold toward God, His Word, and all those in the world (whether believers or unbelievers) seeking direction. While we want to be as clear as possible, if you use terminology that people don’t understand, they will try to learn that terminology if they catch your passion and vision.

Well said! In the end, if we just stick to the Bible instead of blindly following after leaders, personalities, conferences and mega-churches, we'll do just fine. There are enough words that have to be exegeted and taught without making up new ones that describe unbiblical methods.

I'm out. 10-4, good buddy!

Because Truth matters,
George

A la cart religion

I read an article in USA Today whose headline stated "Survey: More have dropped dogma for spirituality in U.S.". It's an article that describes a sampling of American's beliefs about certain tenents of religion and life. Here are some numbers/percentages taken from the article.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.6 percentage points for overall findings. The margin is a bit larger for subgroups such as "evangelicals" (26.3% of adults, who share strict ideas on salvation and common historic origins), mainline Protestants (18.1%, who share "a less exclusionary view of salvation and a strong emphasis on social reform") and historically black churches (6.9%, "shaped by experiences of slavery and segregation"). Among the highlights:

• 78% overall say there are "absolute standards of right and wrong," but only 29% rely on their religion to delineate these standards. The majority (52%) turn to "practical experience and common sense," with 9% relying on philosophy and reason, and 5% on scientific information.

• 74% say "there is a heaven, where people who have led good lives are eternally rewarded," but far fewer (59%) say there's a "hell, where people who have led bad lives and die without being sorry are eternally punished."

• 70%, including a majority of all major Christian and non-Christian religious groups except Mormons, say "many religions can lead to eternal life."

• 68% say "there's more than one true way to interpret the teachings of my religion."

• 44% want to preserve their religion's traditional beliefs and practices. But most Catholics (67%), Jews (65%), mainline Christians (56%) and Muslims (51%) say their religion should either "adjust to new circumstances" or "adopt modern beliefs and practices."

• 50% say "homosexuality is a way of life that should be accepted by society," but the most consistently traditional religious groups say society should discourage it — 76% of Jehovah's Witnesses, 68% of Mormons, 61% of Muslims and 64% of evangelicals.

• 51% have a certain belief in a personal God, but 27% are less certain of this, 14% call God "an impersonal force," and 5% reject any kind of God. "People say 'God,' and no one knows who they mean," says Kosmin, director of the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn.

• 14% of all surveyed, including 28% of evangelicals, say religion is the "main influence in their political thinking."

Let's start... 78% overall say that there are absolute standards for right and wrong. On the surface, that sounds encouraging, but of that number, only 29% get that standard from their religion. Now the shoking thing is this number includes ALL religions. We are not just talking about Christians, so the number would drop even further is we take others out of the equation. Common sense and community experience accounts fot the remainder.

I think that it's interesting to note that the number of people who say that "there is a Heaven..." have the rest of that statement, "where people who have led good lives are eternally rewarded" to consider. I would have liked to have seen "there is a Heaven for people who have accepted the atoning work of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross", but that would probably be too narrow for the sampling that was taken.

Nevertheless, it's the narrow road, regardless of how society thinks, that is the way to eternal life.

Yes, it means that all roads don't lead to God.

Yes, it means that there is only one true way to interpret the teachings (there are many applications, though)

Yes, it means that there are absolute standards for what is right and for what is wrong. For the 22% that said there wasn't, are you absolutely sure of that? :)

Yes, it means that there is one rule and guide for our lives - the Bible. We should NOT adopt modern beliefs and practices as our practice.

Rev. Frank Page, past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, sums the article up nicely by saying that, "The number (of churches that) teach a clear doctrinal Christianity are a minority today. How would people know it when they never hear about how to be saved?"

Still, Page is undaunted. "Jesus predicted all this," he says, quoting from the Bible (Matthew 15:8): "People honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me."

"We still work as hard as we can to share the good news," he says, "even though we know most will reject the way."

As he song says, "Come, come let us return to the Lord..."

Light In the Darkness

I'd like to start this post with a question... When is light needed?

Our youngest daughter HAS to have a light on in her hallway. If I forget and accidentally turn it off after saying prayers, she gentle (sometimes not) reminds me, "Daddy...", and I would turn the light on.

I can relate. As a child, nightlights gave me a sense of security. Somehow, just being able to see what was "out there" made me feel better.

When I get up in the middle of the night and have to stumble around the house, one of the first things that I look for is a light switch so I can see where I am and where I am going.

OK, so where am I going with this? Light is needed in places where darkness is. I would ague that this would include "in the world", but also in some churches. Please don't get me wrong. Please hear my heart, here. I am not knocking a person's heart with God. Only He know a man's heart. I will, however, say that we ARE called to bear witness to the light wherever darkness is... even in a church.

It saddens me to even have to say that and in some respects, it looks almost wrong when I read it, but we are called to rebuke whenever that is necessary.

When you get some time, you can read the story of Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy and about the shipwreck that happened with their lives; and that was after years of faithful service. Such is the case when people turn from their faith. Now, I am not saying that the people or churches that I write about have turned from their faith, but they HAVE turned from being God-centered to man-centered.

"But", you say, "Who are YOU to judge?" "Can't we just leave them to what they are doing?"

No. Please read on...

In Galatians 2:11-21, we read where Peter was opposed by Paul.

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? "We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! "For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."

Taking all of this into account, it would seem to be Biblical to take a close look at what is being preached to people under the guise of a Biblical lesson. In my searching and reading of various blogs, websites, etc., unless certain churches websites and sermons are misrepresenting what is going on at these churches, it sure looks like there is a lot of information that I and others could and should use to make informed decisions. Be a Berean. Check everything (even this site) against the Bible.

For example, consider the following...

On various websites and in one Indiana church that got sued, youth have activities where the kids licked peanut butter out of other kids armpits... or been dared to drink what someone has chewed up and spit out.

Less you think this is an isolated incident, churches from Saddleback to Granger, both locally and across the country bow at the alter of relevance.

Elvis impersonators?... check.

U2 "worship" music? ...check.

Movie-themed sermons ... check.

Sex talks... check.

Being a Berean?... check...er...wait! "Don't judge me! This works for us." comes the cry. Yet people who rally around this faux persecution are themselves judging those who are being Bereans and testing everything according to God's Word... hmmm...

Dr. John MacArthur wrote an interesting article on part of this subject called But Does It Work?

You see, when making a determination about churches and Christian programs, the ONLY standard that should be used is the Bible. Early Christians (yes, they called themselves that and proudly) didn't look to marketing, community surveys, etc. They came into town and went to preaching the Word of God. It doesn't matter what I, Rick Warren or Tony Morgan says. The only thing that matters is the Word of God.

Lest you think that I am unfairly categorizing people, let me give you an example. I've tried talking with Tony Morgan via email and on his blog. My emails have gone unanswered and my blog comments deleted. See my post here for that story.

When ministry is public, it becomes exposed to necessary public scrutiny. This is necessary to guard the Truth as well as guard the people sitting under the teaching.

Romans 12:2 tells us "do not be conformed to this world".

James 4:4 says: "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God".

Colossians 2:8 tells us: "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ".

See, the Bible, which is our standard is the mirror to which ALL things are held up to. Let me continue...

"As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." - 1 Timothy 5:20

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," - 2 Timothy 3:16

"...reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." - 2 Timothy 4:2b

See? Reproof and rebuke are part of the package.

All of that being said, there are several things which need to be done. Here is the takehome.

1. Man-centered approaches need to be rebuked. See the above Bible verses. (Notice again, that the Bible is the rule, not my opinion.
2. The Bible has to be held up as the ultimate authority, not some marketing book of big ideas.
3. These churches need to be prayed for. Pray for their staffs that they may lead a Christ-centered church with the heart of God. Pray for the people in attendance that their eyes are opened and that they lovingly approach their staff.
4. Pray that the Holy Spirit leads, guides and directs these churches.
5. We need to love these people. Even though they're not Biblically correct, a lot of these type of churches have a real heart for people. Unfortunately, this is evidenced in their man-centered theology.

Again, please hear my heart. My heart breaks when the church tries to take things upon itself instead of relying on God. It causes confusion amongst the sheep, confusion amongst the World and sets up a false dichotomy amongst the body of Christ. It divides when we really need unity.

What an incredible impact we (as the church) would have if we would focus our energies (and tremendous resources) at honoring God, not catering to man.

To God alone be the glory!

Because Truth matters,
George

Mc Churches - I'm NOT Lovin' it

Mc Churches... what???

I've been reading some blogs lately and it seems like an overarching theme is "experience". People need experiences. Worship programming promote experiences.

More and more lately, from what I've been seeing, music is designed for the experience of the "unchurched". Stages (without pulpits) are now elaborate sets designed for culturally relevant, messages trying to convey Truth veiled in worldy themes of secualr movies or television shows.

Bigger, louder, more comfortable, "bring your latte from our food court and socialize" services are "crafted" to make people (man-centered approach) comfortable. I mean, if you don't give people what they want, they won't come to church, right?

I would argue that they are not going to church anyway.

R.C. Sproul once said

"One of the most dangerous things you can do as
a Christian is to determine your theology by your experience"

How then did we as a culture (I'm beginning not to like that word) fall into this trap? I've heard it said over and over again from numerous seeker-sensitive and emergent pastors that we need to be like the world, read worldly magazines, listen to worldly music and talk like the world. Do people know the meaning of "mac daddy"? Google it and see what you find. It's not for the faint of heart.

Wait! Didn't Paul became all things to all men? Shouldn’t we adopt those forms of music and the accompanying behavior to get the Christian message to the lost, er... unchurched?

Ummm... no.

When Paul “became a Jew to the Jews and a Gentile to the Gentiles,” he didn't adopted cultural expressions that were in conflict with principles he himself insisted elsewhere that we follow as a course of life that is pleasing to God. Actually, he commands us not to adopt or continue in unbiblical practices of the pagans, who are in darkness (Ephesians 4:17-20), but to walk in a manner worthy of our high calling (Ephesians 4:1-2). When he commands us to “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth” (Ephesians 4:29), he makes no exception for “cultural expression” or “contextualization.”

Here are the verses quoted from above...

Ephesians 4:17-20 says,

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

Ephesians 4:1-2 says,

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one anotherin love,

Ephesians 4:29 says,

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Does your walk and ministry line up with the Bible? All of this leads up to the point that I wanted to make about "church methods". One of the hottest methods for growth is that churches try to clone themselves. Their argument is that people will buy into and trust what they are familiar with. While this may be true in the fast-food ecomony of marketing, it does not fly when you hold it up to the light of scripture which plainly tells us that it is the Lord who grows the church, not the "Director of something or another" at a church.

Yes, a church should be involved in church planting, but there is a difference in listening to the Holy Spirit grow a church from the community than in setting up a cookie-cutter representation of themselves (often with shared staff, worship bands, etc.) in a small form of a papacy with a busy pastor that doesn't know his flock at the top of the power pyramid.

Do we really need multiple "campuses"? with names like "The "[Insert name] Church of [Insert your favorite city here], [Insert another city here] Campus"

I think that sometimes people are well-intentioned and fall into the trap of trying to bring about God's will under their own power or for their own gain. Don't get me wrong, I fall into that trap on occasion. Whenever I go on a job interview, I pray for God's will, but admit that it's easy to fall into the trap of trying to will myself on God. "C'mon, God, this would be good..."

Anyway, it seems that we have become a results-only society. Do the ends justify the means? do numbers equate to God's blessing?

The Mormon's have a huge organization, with many seemingly "Christian" people. They live lives that most of us would be envious of (on the surface) yet unless they repent, they are on the fast track to hell.

Speaking of which, what we need is a more Biblical approach to "doing church". We don't need survey-based, market-driven, "our primary 'target' is people 35 and under", culturally relevant and worldy style churches.

I will say that I do like fast food once in a while, but I also know that I cannot have a steady diet of it, because once going down this route, stale reheated meals have a detrimental affect on the body. Likewise, stale reheated, prepackaged meals and experiences based upon personalities aren't good for the body of Christ, either.

There is enough corporate marketing and self-help mumbo-jumbo in the world that we don;t need it seeping into the church poluting what God wants to be Holy and Christ-honoring. We need an honest call to obedience, beginning with repentance for our man-centered ways, so gentlemen, put away your cigars and stop quoting culture, because I'm NOT loving it.

Because Truth matters,

George

Prophet or Profit?

Well, it's been a while, two weeks, I think, since Rick Warren has been in the news, so I guess that it should come as no surprise that a new article published by the Christian Post informs us of more of the Apostacy Driven movement.

The article that I read begins,

"Megachurch pastor Rick Warren attended a large Reform Jewish gathering last week to share tips on how to build a community. The “Purpose-Driven” pastor spoke to thousands of Jewish leaders Thursday night at the Union for Reform Judaism’s biennial convention in San Diego. With the holiday season in mind, Warren urged clergy to take advantage of crowded events to publicize other programs so people can get involved in the community through smaller groups." "There are some principles that apply regardless of our faith, if it’s Jewish or Christian,” he said at the convention." "One of his principles: “Just be nice to people. Smile.”

umm... What?!?!?! Principles that apply regardless of our faith?!? Just be nice and smile?!?


"The article continues, "After Warren spoke a few minutes at the podium, he sat alongside two popular Southern California rabbis for a casual talk about strengthening congregational life."

I am extremely disheartened by this latest in an ongoing series of revelations about"Pastor" Warren. How can a person who is called to preach the Truth about God's Word go to a house of worship for a different religion and help them deceive people and drive them away from God? Maybe Mr. Warren doesn't take the words of Isaiah 5:20 to heart when it states, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!"

Further on down in the article, The Christian post reports,

"Other guests at the conference included the Rev. Jim Wallis of Sojourners and Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America."

Great! I guess it really doesn't matter that your helping the kingdom of darkness with this purpose drivel. Please excuse my sarcasm, but sometimes I feel like I am watching these things unfold and am the only one who "gets it" like someone shouting at the movie screen to "Look behind you!" or "Don't trust him!"

To make things worse, there are still many people, including a few churches local to me that STILL follow his techniques.

How does following a worldly formula teach about our sin and God's grace and redemption? It doesn't and it can't. I pray that people will wake up soon before it's too late.

Because Truth matters,
George

Reformation Redux

Calling John Tetzel...

Today I read an article today about Pope Benedict XVI. He is offering "relief from purgatory" to Catholics who visit Lourdes, France.


The article went on to say that,

The indulgences will be available from this weekend until Dec 8, 2008.

What?!?! After Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg Castle church following similar practices of the pope at the time, it seems incredible that something like this still goes on.

I came from a Catholic background and never understood it or felt comfortable with some of their practices (confession, purgatory, etc.) That, coupled with the fact that the Bible was never used and it felt like an ardous task.

I remember my salvation well. The freedom, the love, the mercy and forgiveness of our Lord and Saviour brought my spiritual life into sharp focus.

Oftimes it seems like I am in a movie and I am the only one who knows what the plot is and all of the other people around me are oblivious to the man-centered error that is being propagated to the people in the congregation.

It's frustrating and m,akes me want to shout, "JUST READ YOUR BIBLE AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AN HOW THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE!"

The déjà vu of this is very strange. This coupled with some of the monastic traditions that some emergent churches are using just reminds my of Ecclesiastes 1:9,

What has been will be again, what has been done
will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

Because Truth matters,
George

Christians and Muslims and Peace... Oh my!

I recently read an article, a response actually by Christian leaders to a Muslim letter calling for peace and unity. This letter was signed by a number of people including Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church, Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and by Brian McLaren.

Jeremiah 6:14 (NASB) states,

"And they have healed the brokenness of My people
superficially, Saying, 'Peace, peace,' But there is no peace."

It saddens my heart to read about "Christian leaders" who are willing to throw away all the essentials of the Christian faith for unity with a false religion citing "common ground", a "love of God", and a "love of neighbor" as the reasons.

A closing quote from the article leaves us with a chilling reminder of what we need to consider.

The future of the world depends on our ability as Christians and Muslims to live together in peace. If we fail to make every effort to make peace and come together in harmony you correctly remind us that “our eternal souls” are at stake as well.

Because Truth matters,
George

False Prophets

In doing some research for this Sunday's Youth lesson (We're going to be studying Jesus, starting with the Old Testament prophecies about him), I came across some interesting video clips and articles of some of the more "interesting" people that are in the spotlight as well-known Christians.

These are people who deny the Bible, the blood atonement of Christ, the sinful nature of man all in the name of humanism. As a famous country singer once said (and my old church once played while we were walking in), "I want to talk about me!"

Boy-oh-boy, the "You've got potential.", "God has faith in you" crowd is getting to the point where it's repulsive. Even more so, it's heresy.

People have got to be Bereans and search the scriptures. Check the teaching that you are sitting under or are listening to whether it's Rob Bell, Rick Warren or your local pastor. Compare it to the Bible.

The following Bible verses are from the New Testament and speak of false prophets...

Wonderful Works Are Done By False Prophets In The Name Of The Lord:

Mat 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Mat 7:16 - Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Mat 7:17 - Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Mat 7:18 - A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Mat 7:19 - Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Mat 7:20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Mat 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 - Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 - And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

False Prophets Will Be Numerous, And Very Successful:

Mat 24:11 - And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
2 Pet 2:1 [NIV] - But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves.

2 Pet 2:2 [NIV] - Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.

2 Pet 2:3 [NIV] - In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
1 John 4:1 - Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

False Prophets Work Miracles That Deceive:

Mat 24:24 - For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Mark 13:22 - For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Rev 13:12 - And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Rev 13:13 - And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Rev 13:14 - And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 19:20 - And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Many Prefer The False Prophet:

2 Tim 4:2 [NIV] -Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Tim 4:3 - For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

2 Tim 4:4 - They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
True Prophets Are Always In Harmony With Other Prophets Of God And Scripture:
1 Cor 14:32 - And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

1 Cor 14:37 - If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

The following Bible verses are from the Old Testament...

The True Prophet Hears From God Through Dreams:

Num 12:6 - And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Defining The False Prophet And Their Fate:

Deu 18:20 - But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Deu 18:21 - And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?

Deu 18:22 - When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.
Isa 8:20 - To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

The Motivation of the False Prophet Is Money:

Micah 3:9 [NIV] - Hear this, you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right;

Micah 3:10 [NIV] - who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness.

Micah 3:11 [NIV] - Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us."

Micah 3:12 [NIV] - Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.
Many People Actually Prefer False Prophets:
Isa 30:9 - That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

Isa 30:10 - Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Isa 30:11 - Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

Isa 30:12 - Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:

Isa 30:13 - Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.

Isa 30:14 - And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters' vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
Jer 5:31 - The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?

The Fate Of False Prophets And Those Who Follow Them:

Jer 14:14 - Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jer 14:15 - Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

Jer 14:16 - And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

The Prophecies Of False Prophets Do Not Always Fail:

Deu 13:1 - If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder,

Deu 13:2 - and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them,"

Deu 13:3 - you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Deu 13:4 - It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Deu 13:5 - That prophet or dreamer must be put to death, because he preached rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery; he has tried to turn you from the way the LORD your God commanded you to follow. You must purge the evil from among you.

Because Truth matters,
George

Faith(less) House

I recently learned of a new (although there is nothing new under the sun) "project" that is striving to incorporate all major religions into one "community" where we can learn from each other.

While on the surface, this may sound OK to some, it's a slippery slope from learning from others mistakes and practices to conforming.

Here is a quote from the FaithHouse website that states their mission.

OUR MISSION: We want to start a new kind of community in which we can discover The Other (individuals or groups other than those we belong to), deepen our personal and corporate journeys, and together participate in repairing the world. In this endeavor we will honor and learn from teachings, practices, and suffering of people from religions, philosophies, and worldviews, different from our own. Instead of isolating ourselves into like-minded groups or melting together into a single-minded organization, we will learn to live together with our differences and in a way that contributes to the wellbeing, peace, joy, and justice in the world. In this endeavor we will always be a courageous, hospitable and learning community.

Among the people listed as ones who are behind FaithHouse include:

Emergent Village network (Faith House is a friend of this non-denominational network of Christian pastors, teachers, leaders, and administrators representing the “Emerging Church Movement”)

One of the goals of this "project" is an open dialog and associateion between all religions to learn the "truth" from Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, etc. It includes invitations to imams, priests and rabbis.

To quote from the website,

We will not seek to establish one generic religion in the house. Instead, we will seek to establish one humanity that serves one God with many voices.

When will our eyes be opened to what is happening? What communion does light have with darkness?

Because Truth matters,
George

The Convergence of Emergents

Seeker-sensitive church, Willow Creek is sponsoring a youth conference from April 9-11, 2008 featuring emergent guests speakers.

Emergent, Dan Kimball will be speaking. Brian Mclaren, whose latest book, Everything Must Change, brings into sharp focus the nature of his unbiblical theology, will also be speaking.

In addition, one of Rob Bell's latest Nooma films will be screened.

It's very disconcerting that these two groups (seeker-sensitve and emergent), who usually are seperate are now joining together for this conference. The really scary thing is that there are some churches that follow seeker-sensitive churches like Willow Creek and Saddleback that are not aware of their emergent ties. Churches that embrace Willow Creek that would normally distance themselves from the "emergent conversation", will now find themselves inextricably tied together.

Now, more than ever, pastors and especially Christians in general need to wake up and compare everything that they hear (and read) with the Bible, the ONLY Truth.

Because Truth matters,
George

Happy Reformation Day!

Today is the anniversary of the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, an event which sparked the Protestant Reformation.

I pray that people and churches examine themselves today and if they are not living a God-honoring life that they would turn from their man-centeredness and towards God for His glory.

I am greatly dismayed over the lack of reverence and lack of following the Bible as our authority that is found in a lot of lukewarm churches.

May we as the body of Christ, concentrate our efforts on Him and give Him the glory that He is due.

Some Things Never Change

oday, I read an interesting article on one of the sites that I frequent. It talked about "authenticity", showmanship and half truths that are taught by todays "modern teachers". It admonished us to check all things with the Bible, which is the inerrant Word of God and the final arbiter on issues of man, God and the like.

I invite you to read it for yourself. Please read all the way to the end :)

Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error: their "earnestness" makes many think they must be right. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge: many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days: many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties. There is a wide-spread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded: many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong. There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers: they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense. There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work. There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly, and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan often masquerades himself "as an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). There is a wide-spread "gullibility" among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man. All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing person to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, "Do not be carried away!"

If any one should ask me, What is the best safeguard against false doctrine?--I answer in one word, "The Bible: the Bible regularly read, regularly prayed over, regularly studied." We must go back to the old prescription of our Master: "Diligently study the Scriptures" (John 5:39).

It's interesting to me that this so accurately describes the state of some of our churches today. What is especially interesting is that it is from All Kinds of Strange Teachings by J.C. Ryle, who lived from 1816-1900.

Because Truth Matters

What is Truth? I know some people may just read that question and say, "Well, truth is something that's true." It sounds simple enough, but what makes something true?

I used to teach Adult Sunday School at a former church and our class once did a study on Truth. I remember it because of the depth of information that we covered along with the intense Bible study just made everyone's brain hurt; but we did learn a lot from it.

There are things that can be defined and redefined and that still doesn't change the fact that certain things, like Truth stay the same.

There are some misguided people that cast aspersions at others in some self-righteous way of defending their man-centered views and Heaven help you if you disagree with their version of the truth.

It's interesting to note that the word aspersion has it's root meaning as "sprinking". It's interesting as some are in the habit of sprinkling just enough truth with just enough man-centered falsehoood in sermons or gossip, um, I mean conversations with others; or that some "sprinkle" as in dropping viscious, yet veiled ad hominem attacks at others, labeling then as weak-minded, legalistic, divisive or pharisitical. The most recent one that I've read was about the former Slice of Laodicea website. It's horrible the anger that some "Christians" have when others are simply pointing them to the Truth.

OK, so what really matters? The only mirror that we should hold to our face or another person is the Word of God. What you say doesn't matter. What I say doesn't matter. What God says does matter and is the ONLY TRUTH.

The actual topic of Truth would take an entire series to discuss, so I will leave off for now with the fact that Jesus said in John 14:6,

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to
the Father but through Me."

This week, I've read about sermons featuring poker, Napolean Dynamite, business books and a myriad of other topics. All of this deals with the entertainment factor of grabbing someone's interest with culturally relevant ideas.

Do you know what is culturally relevant? If you don't know Jesus, you are a lost sinner and will spend eternity in Hell, forever seperated from God. The Good News is that Jesus dies on the cross so you don't have to. He died in our place and offers His sacrifice as a free gift; the gift of grace, God's unmerited favor.

The Bible is relevant just as it is. What a sad thing it must say for us as a culture that we have such short attention spans that if churches aren't doing things bigger and grander with each "production" that we're worried that "we" won't reach people.

Ahhhh.... wait a minute...

Who is trying to "draw" the people?

John 12:32 states,

"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men
to Myself."

It's not about being fed, becoming a social agency, musical styles or whatever music the "world" listens to. It is soley, undeniably about our Lord and Him alone. That's it... simple, eh?

It breaks my heart at the well-intentioned, yet man-centered entertainment centers that a lot of our churches have become. It's time that we stop sacrificing the Word of God on the altar of worldliness. It's time that we stop the flow of vitriol that seeps and spews from blogs, webcasts and pulpits. It's time that we stop the man-centered worldliness that is slowly infecting our churches in front of our eyes.

It's not about opinion, style or different methods... Simply, read the Bible. It's your blueprint. Don't take my word for it. I make mistakes. I used to tell my Sunday School class to be a Berean and search the scriptures and test everything. We are to stand behind God, not man or a personality.

Oh, Lord, how can we forget and have it any other way? Heavenly Father, search my heart and bring to mind anything that I need to confess and please remove anything that I have placed in a position that you alone should occupy.

Because Truth matters,

George

What's In A Name?

In doing some reading recently, I ran across something that piqued my interest. I've heard in the past that Bono had made some interesting comments when he was knighted earlier this year.

I went to You Tube to do a search for his comments. Bono, in his interview jokingly says not to call him "Sir". He jokes instead that he could be called "Lord of Lords" or a demi-god. (Check the link below)



Rev 19:16, when referring to Jesus, states that "And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."" Clearly there is only one Lord of Lords.

Dictionary.com defines a demigod as "a mythological being who is partly divine and partly human; an inferior deity."

Hmmmm... maybe this will be a wake-up call for those churches who chose to utilize his music and hold him up as an example.

Does he do humanitarian work and have good deeds? Yes, but so do the Mormons and other organizations. May we as the body of Christ wake up and return to God-honoring, Christ-centered worship and away from man-centered ways.

In light of his comments, it sounds like Bono, still hasn't found what he's looking for.

Because Truth matters,
George

Division and Truth, Rather Than Unity and Lies

Here is an interesting quote from Iain Murray. I'd be interested in hearing what your thoughts are on this subject.

Are there times when division is better than unity? I'm not talking about just stiring up trouble for troubles sake, but are there times when unity should not be the end result?

Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity.- But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching which is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin.

The old saying must never be forgotten, "He is the schismatic who causes the schism"... Controversy in religion is a hateful thing... But there is one thing which is even worse than controversy, and that is false doctrine, allowed, and permitted without protest or molestation. ...

For some extra thought...

Romans 16:17 says, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."

"For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. "

- 1 Corinthians 11:18-19, NASB

It would seenm that scripture is clear on this matter, division and truth, rather than unity and lies.

Wha'choo talkin' 'bout, Pastor?

When I was growing up, I remember watching TV with my parents and invariably, when it was on, my parents would watch a show called "Diff'rent Strokes".

The show had a character named Arnold who when confronted with a statement that didn't make sense (usually by his brother, Willis), would say, "Wha'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"

As I look around at who a lot of modern pastors are looking up to as examples of how to "do church", it seems that there is an alarming rise in false teachings amongst these "leaders".


Leaders such as Rob Bell, Perry Nobel and Steven Furtick, cast a shadow of thinly veiled anger and contempt for "traditional" Christians and in their attempt to be non-judgemental to the "unchurched" fail at being non-judgemental to fellow believers; and that's just the beginning.

In just the past few weeks...

Books like Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell, which question and are trying to "reinterpret" the Bible and our faith while casting doubt on our beliefs are applauded from the pulpit.

Perry Nobel, of Newspring Church, being carried out in a coffin after the "worship band" plays AC/DC's Hell's Bells is seen as being innovative.

It's even "IN" to recreate the church as an entertainment center for the lost. It's all about numbers. To paraphrase a friend of mine, "People are brought in, pray the sinner's prayer, are baptized, send out to make friends...next."

In a rant about "Christians", one of these leaders, Steven Furtick, a pastor at Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC epitomizes a VERY common "Do something (be like us) or your 'spiritually fat'" attitude.

In watching a recent video of one of his sermons, Mr. Furtick states plainly, “If You Know Jesus This Church is NOT for you!”

His attitude can summed up in these statements:

We don't teach from Books of the Bible because it gets in the way of evangelism.

We don't offer different kinds of Bible studies because it gets in the way of evangelism.

We don't teach doctrine because it gets in the way of evangelism.

If you want to be fed God's word or have the Bible explained to you then you are a fat lazy Christian and you need to shut up and get to work or you need to leave this church because we ONLY do evangelism.

Where is love, grace, holiness and reverence? Where are the Biblical mandates for preaching, discipleship, sound doctrine, etc.?

It makes me shake my head and say, "Wha'choo talkin' 'bout, Pastor?"

Keeping the main thing, THE MAIN THING

I recently opened an account on God Tube, a Christian alternative to You Tube. I like the idea of communication, hence the blog. I also like the idea of publishing videos and although the embedded video is not mine (obviously), I like what it has to say. It's a Biblical response to emergent Rob Bell's attack on street preaching.

There seems to be a lot of disdain and even hatred towards the ways that "we used to do things". Rob Bell with books like Velvet Elvis and Sex God, works to tear at the fabric of Christianity and sadly, many pastors are following his lead.

The gospel is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago. It's simply telling people about the reason for the hope that lies within you. There are diffent methods for evangelism and whether it's relational or "street" evangelism, they all have a purpose.

When it all comes down to it, I am just a beggar telling another beggar where he found food.