Movies that Imitate Christianity, Blogtalk – Susan Puzio

I just had another blogtalk with Susan Puzio addressing some of the things I had previously been involved with. We also looked at the NRB Proclaim 16 conference that went on this past week, the speakers and contributors and the movies that are being released.

I see there is a mix of Christianity, Catholicism with influences of other beliefs, most of which will not be backed up in scripture. Have a listen, watch the movie trailers linked at Proclaim 16 on the footer that I spoke of and use the information to help others avoid these pitfalls. With all the information we have available it is easy to connect the dots. By using our bible as reference it is just as easy to recognize false doctrine coming from these movies.

We need to rid ourselves of emotions and think clearly and soberly at these deceptions which will grow stronger and more convincing as time goes on. There is a real coming together of religions forming as one. The media, entertainment sectors of our society, as well as our government are helping it take shape. Many are blind and need help to see.

Movies that imitate real Christianity

References:

NRB “Mission Statement”

Proclaim 16 

Building the Sphere of Media Influence

Media Sphere Promotes Another False Jesus

Seth Dunn’s Review of War Room Movie

Seven Mountains Defined (not condoning the prophetic voice of C Jacobs)

Roots of Seven Mountains

Healing Room Beliefs

Grave Sucking Bethel

 

(Correction – During our chat I stated that Jesus warned us that many would come in His name and deceive as located in Matthew 18. That would be Matthew 24! oops!)

Building the Sphere of Media Influence

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Upcoming next month, Proclaim 16

Proclaim 16, the NRB International Christian Media Convention, is a four-day, jam-packed event that connects, equips, and edifies thousands of Christian communicators – from broadcasters to producers, writers to publishers, managers to pastors, artists to consultants. This is a “must attend” event for Christian communicators. You will hear outstanding internationally known speakers and artists, have the opportunity to attend numerous networking events, and receive helpful industry insights.

If you’ve attended before, you know the Convention is only half of the attraction. Experience our award-winning Exposition, featuring approximately 200 companies. The booths of the exhibit floor make up an active marketplace of products and services that can expand and enhance your organization. From innovative ideas and endeavors to must-have tools and equipment to organizations that influence millions around the world, the Expo has it all!

This event is a coming together under what can only be described the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) 7 Mountains, the sphere of Media/Entertainment. If you aren’t familiar with the 7 Mountains, it’s based on the premise that we, as believers, must take over the world for Christ. Until this is accomplished Christ cannot return, the belief which is commonly referred to as “dominionism”. There are believed to be 7 areas (spheres, mountains, etc.) of societal or cultural influence, being Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts/Entertainment, Business. The 7 Mountains came around years back when scripture from 2 Corinthians 10 was taken out of context and applied as  personal direction to a small group of Christian friends. Since that time, the concept has been popularized by many people – C Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, Bill Johnson, Rick Joyner, etc., and the most well known teacher of this theory is Lance Wallnau. For more information, please refer to  7 Mountain – Dominion and New Apostolic Reformation Categories here on my blog.

As the quote above states  scheduled speakers, include Rick Warren, Roma Downey, and the Kindrick Brothers, combined with supporters such as TBN, CBN, Regent University. See here for a line up of speakers, and here for the detailed schedule.

We know from previous research that Rick Warren is heavily into supporting what he terms Chrislam, the combining of Christian beliefs with Islam. We are also aware of his peace plan which mirrors that of the United Nations and that his methods for promoting Christianity is far from scriptural as with everything else he does.

We know that Roma Downey is Catholic and her version of what she deems Christianity is much different from that of the bible. Yet she and her husband have made a name for themselves through the media and false teaching.

We know that the Kindrick Brothers create some great movies- but at the core they are based on emotionalism, which is of the flesh and their themes are grounded in word of faith teaching. Their last movie The War Room starred a woman who heavily promotes contemplative prayer, who isn’t even an actress. I will not discount the thought there is a deliberate connection between the two. Having been an “intercessor” with an organization which had a “war room” I can attest these ideas are rooted in pride. Yes, we are called to pray, but not in the way this movie and word of faith teaches. Please understand that there is a difference. Read a well-written and informative review of the movie here.

We know the organizations of Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN, 700 Club) both promote false prophets and teachers of charismania, word of faith, the supernatural of false dreams and visions, etc.

We know that we are warned in scripture to not do as the pagans or unbelievers and to not be like them and have discussed this point often in exposing false teachings and the practice of other religions as part of Christianity.

We know that in the end times there will be a joining together of religions and this is the main concern I have with these types of gatherings. As with this event we can clearly see this taking place. Many of us are already aware because of the deception going on inside churches and para-church organizations as we have witnessed our churches becoming something other than what they once were and our warnings to wake up go unheeded.

Aside from that is also the fact that this method of spreading the gospel is based on man-made effort of the world and not on the reliance of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts, the things that set us apart from the world.

Instead, we see some of the most well known and influential people deemed as Christians joining forces with the Hollywood movie and film industry. We should seriously stop and think about that last point because most everything coming out of Hollywood shows a vehement hate for God and Christianity as a whole. Do I also need to point out the horror stories of forced sex, rape and molestation that goes along with Hollywood careers of wanna-be and established actors and actresses?

So why do these “movers and shakers” of Christianity join forces with them? I believe we have already had that answer given to us which we should take great heed to understand – Matthew 24. I would find it safe, though very sad to say that most of the speakers and exhibitors listed in the links above no longer stand for Jesus Christ. This is why our care and concern is needed when one claims to come in the name of Jesus and offers to teach others. And yes, they will often give the basics of the gospel correctly, but it is what they do and say after those words that will tell whether they are truly of God. It is also defined in who they join forces with. These are areas that we need to pay close attention to. It is not enough that someone uses the name of Jesus.

What is the fruit? Is it money? Is it fame and fortune? I believe this to be the case for Proclaim 16, as I see it as a set up for what is coming on the earth. Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world (John 8:36 )! Why are they trying to make it as though it is?

Have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11

 

 

The New Age Propensities of Bethel Church’s Bill Johnson, John Lanagan

My friends, John from My Word Like Fire has published the following tract on the relationship between Bethel teachings and the New Age. I was exposed to, and was taught similar ideas from John Paul Jackson. And in and my dealing in the false prophetic I too, was considered a “seer”.

It is widely believed and taught therein, that the works of the occult, the supernatural and psychic power are truly from the Lord. Those who practice these things outside a relationship with the Lord, only have yet to know Him, and that and the church itself has forgotten its true ways. Nothing can be further from the truth. If you have ever heard of Christian prophetic booths set up at fairs and conventions, this is where it comes from.

Thank you John, for a work well done.

Read, and share –

From the Lighthouse BlogNEW BOOKLET TRACT: The New Age Propensities of Bethel Church’s Bill Johnson.

A New Pope and a Pop For Ecumenism

I guess news reporting is not what it used to be. We get only a glimpse of the happening, hardly a mention of serious matters, with lots of time spent on things that do not matter, and lots of opinions. The fact that everyone has got one has gone a bit too real. But oh, well, it brings in ratings, pays the bills and someone up there gets rich. So, who cares if its the truth, right? Opinions also build blogs, don’t they?

If I wouldn’t have watched it with my own eyes I probably wouldn’t have believed it. You may not believe it either because I am not going to put up a bunch of links to prove what I am saying is true. I’m not going to go into long explanations of why this is all so strange, scary and wonderful at the same time. I am going to simply say what I witnessed along with much of the world via tv land, assuming anyone else out there was paying attention. I am saying it because it needs to be said and so far, no one else has.

It seems the world has gone and got itself a new pope, a new Holy Father, a pontiff, a vicar, one they can follow, or who can lead them into the next phase of their religion, whatever that may be. A man who has chosen the name of another who lived long ago, famed for his strange supernatural experiences, one who heard the voice of God thru a cross. One whose long ago pilgrimage is very popular among not only the Catholics, but also the well-evolved Christians who have sought after another way.

Did you ever think you would hear a call for ecumenism during a prime time news broadcast? I didn’t. But on such a stellar occasion, amidst the joy and excitement, the sign of hope through white smoke, the new pope, and  – pop – there it was on CNN. The crier, Erin Burnett.

I think Erin does a good job most of the time, but I don’t watch her all that often. So, it is nothing personal against her ability to do her job. It is however, largely personal that she publicly denied Christ and urged others to follow along with her. But somehow I doubt she understands the gravity of her words. And that is most unfortunate.

So on the evening of March 13, 2013, the filming of Out Front, Erin, standing in front of St. Peters’ had a short conversation with Roma Downey. They discuss the new pope and are both very excited and pleased that a decision has been made. Roma is a practicing Catholic, and Executive Producer of the doctrinally failed, yet very popular mini-series, The Bible. Roma who later referred to herself as Christian stated she was very excited that her series, bible stories as she related to it, had brought in more ratings than “the zombies“. I’m not so sure that is an accomplishment to brag about. There is more truth to be had from AMC’s The Walking Dead than there is her version of the bible. And I can have an opinion here, I’ve watched both.

Suddenly, Erin commented that she wished she had read the Qur’an. It was a disjointed comment, and it took me back, because it was so out of place. But for Erin, her personal beliefs and religious needs, her comment had a place, and you will see that. She then asked Roma how she felt about the Qur’an. Roma stated it was ok that others read the Qur’an, that “as Christians, we are called to love and to be tolerant”. Roma, like the faith she follows is only partly right. To love is something we can all agree on, even superficially.

Going forward, Erin brings on via satellite an ex-Catholic turned atheist, lesbian woman. How fitting considering the sexual sin by the Catholic church and the current battle over same sex marriage, huh? But remember, everyone has an opinion. This woman, whose name I do not know feels that if the Catholic church would just change it’s beliefs to accommodate what the people want, what is relevant for today, then more people would probably return to the church. So, a woman who claims she no longer believes in God is going to give spiritual and doctrinal advice? And this woman’s presence on camera is not political? And let me say, with all the horrendous things done in the name of God, I can see why this woman made the choices she did. I don’t say they are right, but I do understand the reasoning behind them.

After the final commercial break, Erin, standing alone, facing the camera ends her show with a personal call for ecumenism. By her own words that is what she believes in. She too is an ex-Catholic, and although she doesn’t practice any more, she is excited that the church has a new pope. She states that the church does a lot of good for a lot of people.  But for her, all we need is ecumenism. She’s beautiful. She’s smiling. She is convincing. In the excitement and emotion of such a momentous occasion, in a place where so many have gathered together, who wouldn’t want to be included in the next great thing?

Ecumenism. A fancy word that basically means unity. Ahh-ha. Now the seemingly odd and out of place Qur’an question from earlier makes a bit more sense. As do the ideas and suggestions of the displaced atheist. Unity in what, Erin?  A god who condones homosexuality? Or reading of the Qur’an alongside the Bible, or reading any book for that matter, or maybe no book at all? Or maybe we will just chuck the bible and watch Roma’s newly produced bible stories, entertaining as they are. Unity, meaning we all believe in something, some god with whatever name we are to give him, or give her for that matter,  a higher power, a force, with doctrine based on whatever whim feels right at the moment, one that we can change when we become too bored?  Isn’t that what we call agnostic? Universalism? Don’t we call that emergent?

We do not by orthodoxy call that “Christian”. And Erin, you have not been the first to think of it.

This, my friends is the beginning of a one world religious system. This is wonderful bible prophecy unfolding before our very eyes. And it all happened right there, after the election of the new pope, on CNN.

I am still shaking my head.

Inner Healing – Christian or Occult?

Having been trained as a SOZO minister I know the dangers it presents first hand. The following is a well written article which relates to SOZO (Christianized inner healing with no basis in scripture.) 

I know there are many of you out there with questions and concerns. I hope this helps shed some light on its origins and why we need to stay away. Christ is sufficient for all our needs. Every one of them.

Inner Healing/Healing of Memories

Christian or Occult?*

–  Healing of the memories, or inner healing, or healing of the emotions has its roots in the teachings of anti-Christian and occultist, Agnes Sanford. It was carried on after her death by those she influenced, such as lay therapists Ruth Carter Stapleton (deceased sister of Jimmy Carter), Rosalind Rinker, John and Paula Sandford (currently of Elijah House, a demon-deliverance and memory healing center in Port Falls, Idaho), William Vaswig (of Renovaré fame), Rita Bennett, and others. John Wimber, David Yonggi Cho, Robert Schuller, and Norman Vincent Peale are some of the well-known pop psychological practitioners of inner healing, but it has spread widely in so- called evangelical circles in a more sophisticated form through such “Christian” psychologists as David Seamands, H. Norman Wright, and James G. Friesen, as well as a number of lay therapists like Fred and Florence Littauer. (Two of David Seamand’s books, Healing for Damaged Emotions and Healing of Memories, are considered the “inner-healer’s bibles” in today’s psychologically-oriented pulpits.)

Inner healing therapies are offshoots of Freudian and Jungian theories rooted in the occult. They have destructively impacted secular society for decades and are now taking their devastating toll within the professing Church. A variety of “memory-healing” psychotherapies are masquerading under Christian terminology and turning Christians from God to self. Among the most deadly are “regressive” therapies designed to probe the “unconscious” for buried memories which are allegedly causing everything from depression to fits of anger and sexual misconduct, and must, therefore, be uncovered and “healed.”

–  The basic teaching of inner healing is the theory that salvation or healing comes through the uprooting of negative memories or “hurts” caused by others in early childhood that are supposedly buried in the “subconscious” from where they tend to dictate our behavior without us even knowing it. Thus, the blame for one’s bad behavior (a.k.a. “emotional problems”) in the present is placed upon others (who are perceived to have sinned against us in the past) rather than upon ourselves where it belongs (cf. Ezekiel 18). In order to “heal” these “diseased memories,” the occultic technique of visualization (which is in reality a type of sorcery or divination which has been used by shamans, witchdoctors, and sorcerers for thousands of years, and is specifically forbid by the Bible) is frequently used to recreate the distressful childhood scene, “image” Jesus (if one is a professing Christian), bringing Him into the past situation as a “spirit guide”/”healing agent,” and then causing Him to sanctify the event, forgive the person who supposedly caused the hurt, and in most cases, even alter the reality of the situation in the subject’s mind, all so that the subject might be “delivered” from the “crippling emotional pain” associated with the past negative experience that supposedly “diseased memory” in the first place. (Charismatic Roman Catholic memory-healers employ the same techniques, but generally substitute Mary for Jesus as the “healing agent” whom the subject meets in the fantasy.)

–  One of the seemingly attractive forms of inner healing is to have Jesus enter a painful scene from the past. The inner-healer helps the person recreate the memory by having Jesus do or say things that will make the person feel better about the situation. For instance, if a man’s dad had neglected him when he was a boy, an inner-healer may help that man create a new memory of Jesus having played baseball with him when he was a boy. Through verbal encouragement, he would regress him back to his childhood and encourage him to visualize Jesus pitching the ball and praising him for hitting a home run. Some inner-healers regress people back to the womb and lead them through “rebirthing” by guided imagery and imagination. Thus, through these psychoanalytic/occult techniques, inner-healers should not be surprised at the possibility of actually altering or enhancing the memory in their zeal to replace bad memories with good memories. Inner-healers are always in danger of unwittingly enhancing or engrafting memories through words or actions that mean one thing to the inner-healer, but may communicate something else entirely to the highly vulnerable subject.

–  Inner healing is based upon the implication that we clearly need something more than God’s love and forgiveness in order to love and forgive others who are perceived to have wronged us in the past. Since the Bible distinctly teaches that Jesus can never be called-up and forced to “perform” at our command, any “Jesus” actually visualized would have to be a demon spirit and not of God. Of course, that is precisely the danger of the occult technique of visualization — subjects are being taught to experiment with things that God has repeatedly condemned in both the Old and New Testaments alike, not because the phenomena visualized (i.e. “spirit guides”) are not real, but rather because they are produced by demons determined to lead one into the worship of other gods and ultimate destruction (Deut. 13 ff.). The Bible repeatedly warns against becoming involved with the occult on any level, because of what the Bible identifies as “spirits of demons working signs” for the purpose of deceiving the whole world (Rev. 16:14; cf. 13:14). This exposure to the occult, however unintentional and innocent, could easily lead the undiscerning into far more serious spiritual or “emotional” problems than they ever dreamed possible. Unfortunately, the research is replete with such cases of demonic/occultic influence experienced by first-time dabblers.

–  Inner healing practices of regressing into the past, fossicking about in the unconscious for hidden memories, conjuring up images, acting out fantasies and nightmares, and believing lies, all resemble the world of the occult, not the work of the Holy Spirit. An imaginary memory created under a highly suggestible, hypnotic-like state will only bring imaginary healing. It may also plunge people into a living nightmare.

What is being taught as inner healing/healing of memories is nothing but basic sorcery, which is an attempt to manipulate reality in the past, present, or future, and denies God’s omnipotence by implying that He needs our “creative visualization” in order to apply effectively His forgiveness and healing, while simultaneously, sets us up as gods who can, through prescribed rituals, use Him and His power as our tools. In fact, inner healing/healing of memories is nothing but “Christianized psychoanalysis” that uses the power of suggestion to solve so-called problems, which the technique itself has many times created.

–  The Bible has much to say concerning the healing of memories (besides condemning its methodologies). The Bible clearly teaches that moral choices rather than past traumas determine our current condition and actions, and thereby, our responsibility; the Bible has always taught that it is not the act in the past but how one reacts to the act that determines “which soul has sinned” (Ezekiel 18 again). Since there is no Biblical evidence that any prophet, priest, or apostle ever dealt with anything remotely related to buried or repressed emotions or memories, then shouldn’t one question why this is so if inner healing is the big truth that its practitioners say it is?

–  If prayer and Bible study and the power of the Holy Spirit are not enough for saints today to deal with life and problems, then the saints of old, including the apostle Paul, must have been greatly lacking. Despite his many hardships described in Scripture, Paul was able to function and rejoice in the Lord without the help of psychoanalysis. Paul forgot the past and pressed on toward the prize (Phil. 3:13-14) promised to all those who love Christ’s appearing (2 Tim 4:7-8).

Likewise, throughout Church history Christians have managed the same when they should have been at a great disadvantage without the “insights” of modern psychology. It is a dangerous heresy to insist that we must accept this new “revelation” by psychologists or live deficient lives. The past is of little consequence if Christians truly are new creations for whom “old things are passed away [and] all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Searching the past in order to find an “explanation” for one’s present behavior conflicts with the entire teaching of Scripture. Though it may seem to help for a time, it actually robs one of the Biblical solution through Christ. What matters is not the past, but one’s personal relationship to Christ now.

–  The people who are most vulnerable to inner-healers are those who are at a low point in their spiritual walk or who are experiencing difficult circumstances. The inner-healers entice through all kinds of direct and implied promises for healing damaged emotions, healing roots in the past that prevent personal growth, and enabling a person to have a closer walk with God. They circle about congregations like vultures, waiting for the opportunity to swoop down on those who are near to dropping from “spiritual exhaustion.” They assure their prospective victims of their sincere desire to help and they communicate a Biblical facade by using butchered Bible verses and Christian-sounding conversation. However, once their talons pierce the person, a penetrating parasitic process begins. And the host/parasite relationship continues as long as the host continues to look to the inner-healer to make him emotionally well and spiritually whole.

– Instead of being healed, there is a very strong possibility that the recipients of inner healing are now living on the basis of a lie from the pit of hell. Inner healing is not based upon truth. It is based upon faulty memory, guided imagery, fantasy, visualization, and hypnotic-like suggestibility. And, while the inner-healers may conjure up a “Jesus” and recite Bible verses, such inner healing is not Biblical. Jesus said, “If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32).

Moreover, inner healing is insulting to God when the “healers” attempt to take away His power to bless “emotionally-distressed” people simply in response to their repentance and prayers. It is extra-Biblical, blasphemous, and carnal in its visualization and manipulation of the Son of God. It is dangerous in the way it forces people into childish self-interest, subjectivism, and emotionalism. And it is wickedly presumptuous in its priestly bestowing of forgiveness and assurance.

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* Major portions of this report were adapted from: (a) the Fall 1989 issue of PsychoHeresy Update (now the PsychoHeresy Awareness Letter), (b) the 2/93 issue of The Berean Call, (c) two articles in the September 1990, Media Spotlight Special Report entitled “Latter- Day Prophets: The Restoration of Apostles and Prophets and the Kansas City-Vineyard Connection” and “Testing the Fruit of the Vineyard,” and (d) the books The Seduction of Christianity, Beyond Seduction, and The Healing Epidemic.

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Biblical Discernment Ministries – 5/94

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In The Name of Purpose

Looks like some more good purpose driven information here. The book is available for free download and also may be purchased in hardback and paperback form.

In The Name of Purpose by Tamara Hartzell

This link will bring up other book options including one on the emergent church. I haven’t read any of her work but I am trusting it as well and good because it came endorsed from a party I do trust.

The Theosophical Road to Babel

by Closing Stages

28 Jan

Many Christians have been deluded into believing that they can somehow “change or convert” the kingdoms of this world into the Kingdom of God. In the process they have put their energies and hopes into bringing about the Kingdom of God by working towards getting more influence with government in order to transform government. Some even believe that Jesus will only return once we have transformed the world and created the millennial Kingdom.

This presupposes that the Kingdom of God is a better version of or improved earthly kingdom. But what does the Bible have to say about this?

In the study of Hermeneutics there are many principles to aid the student of Scripture, in the endeavor to discover truth. One such principle is called the first occurrence principle. The first mention of a subject in the Bible is often very significant for an understanding of that topic. Then following this topic through Scripture, a thread is often revealed and built upon until the last occurrence is mentioned providing a complete picture and comprehensive understanding of the topic in view.

The first mention of the word “kingdom” is in Genesis 10:10 when it says of Nimrod that “the beginning of his kingdom was Babel.” It was at Babel that the tower was built with the intention of reaching Heaven and that to this day remains the prime example of man’s pride, self-sufficiency and rebellion against God. Babel was the precursor and type of Babylon, the false world system and religion, which is the domain of the Antichrist (Revelation 17 & 18). It was at Babel that God brought division between the nations and broke their rebellious unity.

Furthermore it is remarkable and significant that the last time the word “kingdom” is mentioned is in Revelation 17:17 where it says that the world rulers will “be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast.” This will bring the world full-circle where they once again are united against God and once again establish Babel/Babylon.

The fact that the first and last mention of the word “kingdom” both relate to the false world system which is united in its rejection of God and that both speak of that which is man-made with an emphasis on man rather than God is not coincidental. By definition any kingdom built by man is anti-god and anti-Christ. The kingdoms of this world have never been, are not and never will be God’s Kingdom. They have different kings, different citizens, function by different principles and laws and have different goals.

When Satan tempted Jesus he “showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.” (Luke 4:5-6). Jesus did not deny that this was in the Devil’s power to do and thus He acknowledges that the kingdoms of the world do indeed belong to the Devil. There are many theories as to how and when the Devil acquired them, but the fact remains that they are his to give. Several times Jesus refers to the Devil as “the ruler of this world” John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11), confirming Satan’s dominion here on earth.

Many Christians feel that things changed after the Cross and that the Kingdoms of the world are now under God’s control. But Paul (after the Cross) still refers to Satan as “the god of this world (age)” (2Corinthinas 4:4). John (also after the Cross) states emphatically that “the whole world lies under the sway (NIV – “control”) of the wicked one” (1John 5:19). Thus the Devil is clearly the one who is in control of the world kingdomes, its systems, its religions, and its governments. Romans 13 says that authorities are appointed by God and that they are God’s servants or ministers. This does not mean that they are godly, they clearly are not. Nevertheless God uses them to accomplish His purposes (Revelation 17:17).

At no stage do the kingdoms of the world morph into the Kingdom of God. There is not a single Scripture to support this popular misconception. The kingdoms of this world are so evil that they are completely destroyed (Daniel 2 and Revelation 18) and they will be replaced by God’s Kingdom. This will be a work of God and not of man or the church. “The God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44). (See also Revelation 18 and 19). Christ’s Kingdom will ultimately become a physical kingdom, known as the Millennial Kingdom, but as said above, that will come about by a single cataclysmic (Day of the Lord’s Wrath) event when He sets up His Kingdom.¹

In Revelation 11:15 when the seventh trumpet is sounded it alludes to the kingdoms of this world becoming or morphing into the Kingdom of Christ. “Then the seventh angel sounded; And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” The Greek Word for “have become” is ginomai and means, “to come into existence, begin to be, receive being.” The seventh trumpet presents the consummation of God’s reign and the end of all world Government, the end of Satan’s authority over the earthly kingdoms, and the end of Antichrist’s 1230 day reign as Christ is now King over one single Kingdom. It is the seventh trumpet which ends the 70th Week of Daniel and the final bowl judgments are instituted within the extended 30 day period given in Daniel 12.

IN THE BEGINNING

In the Garden of Eden, when the serpent spoke to Eve concerning the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he told Eve, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen. 3:4-5) (emphasis mine.) Driven out of the Garden, Adam and Eve had plunged mankind into spiritual darkness, separation from God, and with it man now had an unquenchable hunger for power and an insatiable thirst for godhood. Looking at Babel, under the leadership of Nimrod, a global community was formed as “the whole earth had one language and one speech” (Gen. 11:1). The appeal to personal power and recognition is seen in the building of a tower “whose top is in the heavens (vs.4).” Man sought to make a name for themselves and thus, make a statement, we can rule ourselves absent of God.

THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT (New Age)

Late in the 19th century there appeared the arousal of spiritualism known as Theosophy. It is believed by some that Theosophy, having Pagan origin, is the revival of a philosophy communicated by the Nephilim of old (See Gen. 6). Theosophy is any of various forms of philosophical or religious thought based on a mystical insight into the divine nature and is the system of belief and practice of the Theosophical Society. Though they deny the existence of any personal God, their views and doctrine express an intuitive insight into the divine nature. Today we call this movement the New Age Movement, however, it’s foundation rest upon the teachings of Madame Helena Blavatsky, founder of the Theosophical Society. Blavatsky was heavily influenced by and involved in the supernatural and mythological.

The word “theosophia” appeared in both Greek and Latin in the works of the early church fathers as a synonym for theology. The theosophoi are “those who know divine matters.” During the Renaissance of the 12th century, use of this term converged into a gnostic knowledge that offers the individual enlightenment and salvation through a knowledge of the bonds that are believed to unite him to the world of divine or intermediary spirits, or Ascended Masters, as the theosophical society likes to call them.²

Through the use of intellect, mystical enlightenment, and by the teachings of the intermediary spirits, man will conqueror the earth and will himself become God. It is taught in every Masonic temple, every secret society, every secret brotherhood, every mystical temple, and every occult organization teaches the luciferian doctrine inspired by the ancient Egyptian mythology, Roman mythology, Greek mythology, Gnosticism and Western occultism.

The world rulers will “be of one mind, and give their kingdom to the beast” (Revelation 17:17), will again bring the world full-circle where they once again are united against God and once again establish Babel/Babylon.

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour…and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world”

1 John 2:18; 4:3

The Theosophical Society revived and codified the concept of the New World Order and today all New Age thought and doctrine is cradled in the early teachings of Madame Helena Blavatsky (ISIS UNVIELED 1877; A Magazine which she started in 1887 called “LUCIFER”; her principle work “THE SECRET DOCTRINE” was published in 1888; she also wrote “THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY” and “THE VOICE OF SILENCE”) It is said that her book “The Secret Doctrine” was channeled to her through an ascended master or highly evolved being. Though it is masked in secret societies, these teachings are openly advanced through political and religious institutions.

The World View

The New Age World view has many components such as astrological and zodiacal beliefs, channeling higher powers to achieve knowledge, contemplative meditation, the belief that all is one, and all forms of monism, the belief that we can obtain godhood, esotericism/re-interpreting ancient texts to find hidden meanings and unify all religious belief into one, and the belief we need a one world system for the coming age. Today it has become a political agenda to create a one world system, one world government, one world economy, the unity of humanity, control over humanity and the submission of the masses to the elite. Theosophy, Freemasonry, and Marxism are all connected with the New Age Movement. In fact, Freemasonry viewed doctrinally, is Theosophy³.

The Coming World Messiah

Many perpetrators of the New Age Movement have authored the coming of a world Messiah. Scott Nearing made a call in 1947 to shift society from nationalism to worldism asserting “The world man is here. His coming has been heralded through the ages by far-seeing individuals who felt and dreamed and thought in terms of human solidarity.⁴ The “World Teacher,” an advanced spiritual entity and high-ranking member of a hidden Spiritual Hierarchy, the so-called “Masters of the Ancient Wisdom” is also proclaimed to appear on the world scene. According to Theosophical doctrine, one of the hierarch’s functions is to oversee the evolution of Humankind. In accordance with this function, the (Maitrea) is said to hold the so-called Office of the World Teacher. Theosophical texts hypothesize that the purpose of this office is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge about the true constitution and workings of existence. Reputedly, one way the knowledge transfer is accomplished is by Mailtrea’s occasionally manifesting or incarnating in the physical realm; the manifested entity then assumes the role of World Teacher of Humankind. The Messianic Maitrea is linked to both Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions.

Human evolution then, is overseen by a hidden spiritual hierarchy, whose upper echelons consist of advanced spiritual beings. In addition to the stated objectives, as early as 1889 Helena Blavatsky publicly declared that the purpose of establishing the Society was to prepare humanity for the reception of the World Teacher. Another prominent Theosophist was Alice Bailey, she convinced New Agers that humanity needs to make a one world Government and one world Religion. She then taught the religion of Theosophy and speaking on the spiritual war between esotericism and the people who refuse to accept the new age, she stated:

“…it will be fought largely with mental weapons and in the world of thought; it will involve the emotional realm, from the standpoint of idealistic fanaticism. This inherent fanaticism will fight against the appearance of the coming world religion and the spread of esotericism…It must not be forgotten that only those souls who are on the Probationary Path or the Path of Discipleship will form the nucleus of the coming world religion…There is no question therefore that the work to be done in familiarizing the general public with the nature of the Mysteries is of paramount importance at this time…When the Great One comes with His disciples and initiates we shall have the restoration of the Mysteries and their exoteric presentation, as a consequence of the first initiation.”⁵ (Emphasis Mine)

The plan of freemissionary and the theosophical society is to abolish Christianity and infiltrate World governments in its agenda to create a new world order of a united humanity with a single global authority. The express aim of the Illuminati, Freemasons, and Theolosophical Society Orders is to eliminate Christianity, and overturn all civil government.

“But the future is now and the maneuvers are being unveiled. Christianity therefore as I say must either now come frankly forward and acknowledge it’s parentage from the great order of the past, seek to rehabilitate that and carry mankind one step forward in the path of evolution – or else it must perish, there is no alternative.”⁶ Acharya S.

“…people will either change or die,” for “that is the choice.” According to those who would concur with Hubbard, Christians will need to be more open minded so they too can receive the mark of the Antichrist. If they will not join with the global community and its agenda, they will be killed by the “opened minded” New Agers. She states that, “This act is as horrible as killing a cancer cell. It must be done (or the sake of the future of the whole. So be it; be prepared for the selection process which is now beginning. We, the elders, have been patiently waiting until the very last moment before the quantum transformation, to take action to cut out this corrupted and corrupting element in the body of humanity. It is like watching a cancer grow; something must be done before the whole body is destroyed…. The destructive one fourth must be eliminated from the social body.” ⁷ Barbara Marx Hubbard

New Age writer John Dunphy claims the New Age is replacing the “rotting corpse of Christianity, together with all its adjacent evils and misery.” New Age writer Foster Bailey has taught that those who do not live up to “New Age standards,” will end up “irreconcilable outcasts.”⁸

“Out of the full spectrum of human personality, one-forth is electing to transcend…One-forth is resistant to election. They are unattracted by life ever-evolving. Now, as we approach the quantum shift from creature-human to co-creative human the destructive one-forth must be eliminated from the social body…Fortunately you, dearly beloveds, are not responsible for this act. We are. We are in charge of God’s selection process for planet Earth. He selects, we destroy. We are the riders of the pale horse, Death.”⁹ Barbara Marx Hubbard (Emphasis Mine)

Interesting is the use of the fraction “one-forth” and the use of the term “The pale horse, Death” used by Barbara Marx Hubbard. It may interest you to know just how remarkably accurate she is as this is exactly what Scripture describes as the Great Tribulation spoken of by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 24:21 and meticulously recorded by the Apostle John in Revelation 6:7-8.

“When He opened the forth seal, I heard the voice of the forth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a forth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” (Emphasis Mine)

G.H. Pember in his book “Earth’s Earliest Ages” devoted an entire chapter on Theosophy, and the Doctrines and ambitions of the Theosophical Society. Even during the Societies formative years their growth and organization was such that it drew the attention of men such as Pember who devoted his entire adult life to the study of the Antediluvian age, it’s mysteries, and it’s reemergence upon the world in the last days.

Pember states:

The objects of the Society were then set forth as follows.

1. To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity.

2. To study Aryan literature, religion, and science.

3. To vindicate the importance of this inquiry.

4 To explore the hidden mysteries of Nature, and the latent powers of man.

Subsequently a fifth object of the Society, the destruction of Christianity, was revealed.

Pember later says, “It will, therefore, be seen that this foe has made a formal declaration of war.” This war at the beginning was not the genocide of Christians spoken of by the more recent New Age authors such as Barbara Marx Hubbard, Acharya S., and Alice Bailey. In the beginning they sought to infiltrate and corrupt Christianity.

Pember writes: “By the autumn of 1883 there were already seventy branches of the Society in India, and many thousands of Mahomedans, Buddhists, Hindus, Parsees, Christians, officials and non officials, governors and governed, have been brought together by its instrumentality.” Pember went on to say, “The Perfect Way, or the Finding of Christ, and its anonymous writers, for they claim inspiration, and decline to be styled authors, certainly display considerable ability; though in the case of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures they exhibit a knowledge far less accurate than that which they claim in regard to the doctrines of the Mysteries. Sometimes also, to suit their purpose, they give strange meanings to words, without condescending to hint at the process by which they reached their conclusion.”

It appears, their attempts to corrupt Christianity were mildly successful as over the next 125 years to this present time the New Age Movement has sought to subdue Christian Orthodoxy with false doctrine. Presently, their efforts over the last Century have paid off, with the birth of Contemplative Christianity, Mysticism, pantheism and Ecumenicalism. As Pember said of his time, and so true today: “Christians who take the trouble to reconnoiter (investigate) in the darkening twilight are well aware that hostile forces are converging from various quarters, but with unmistakable concert, upon their camp; while that camp itself is, alas! becoming thinned by the almost daily desertions of those who cease to believe in the Bible as the only revelation from God, and in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One Christ and Savior.”¹⁰

It becomes clear that the “one forth” who must be eliminated from the social body, as Barbara Marx Hubbard alleged, are those faithful Believers who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1:2, 12:11,17; 14:12).

¹ Two Kingdoms by Pastor Anton Bosch; Revised by Michael Rogers.

² Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy

³ Wm. C. Irvine; Heresies Exposed.

⁴ Scott Nearing; “United World” Island Press, 1945, p.35

⁵ Alice Bailey, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, [Lucis Publishing, 2nd edition (June 1983)] p. 453, 511, 513, 514

⁶ Acharya S. “The Christ conspiracy, the greatest story ever sold”, [Adventures Unlimited Press, 1999]. [p. 416, 417]

⁷ Barbara Marx Hubbard; blessedhopechapel.org; The Coming Persecution

⁸ blessedhopechapel.org; The Coming Persecution.

⁹ Barbara Marx Hubbard; The Book of Co-Creation [1980 edition] p.59

¹⁰ G.H. Pember; Earth’s Earliest Ages; published 1876 by Hodder and Stoughton. Chapter 13, Theosophy.

The Vineyard – Emergent Connection

If you attend a Vineyard Church, or if the names John Wimber, Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, Madam Guyon resonate as great spiritual teachers, please take some time to consider who you are following. Spiritual formation, contemplative prayer, meditation, and yoga are not spiritual teachings of the bible.

I noticed these names at the Vineyard I used to attend and I had no idea of who they were or what they stood for. After I began my research I started to see the connection between these names, the Vineyard and the Emergent Church. It didn’t take me long to find the truth and to recognize these teachers are not of Christ.

Remember, we were warned in Matthew 24 by Jesus that many would come in His name and many would be deceived.

Important read from Lighthouse Trails –

This week we received an e-mail from someone who asked us to check up on a workshop taking place at the Vineyard in Anaheim, California. Our reader shared her concern that this may be an emerging type workshop and that the church might be going in that direction.

Our Response:

“The Vineyard Movement Grabs Hold of Contemplative Spirituality”

The Vineyard movement was started in the 1970s by John Wimber (who had been a leader in the Friends (Quaker) church) after breaking off from Calvary Chapel where Kenn and Joanie Gulliksen had started the first meetings. Vineyard Anaheim is the “mother” or “flagship” Vineyard church, pastored today by Lance Pittluck. Regarding the  ”Spiritual Formation” workshop that our reader wrote to us about, on the church website, it states:

We believe that every disciple is invited by the Holy Spirit into becoming conformed to the Image of Christ through the disciplines encompassed by solitude, silence, scripture-meditation and reflection.

Vineyard Anaheim has turned to Richard Foster’s Renovare to bring these “disciplines” to their church members. Richard Foster, also a Quaker, is one of the pioneers in bringing contemplative spirituality to the evangelical/Protestant church and is a disciple of Thomas Merton. Foster believes that Merton tried to “awaken” God’s people (through mysticism)2 and that he “has perhaps done more than any other twentieth-century figure to make the life of prayer widely known and understood.3 Yet Merton’s panentheistic view (i.e., God in all) coupled with his strong affinity to Buddhism (he once stated: “I see no contradiction between Buddhism and Christianity … I intend to become as good a Buddhist as I can”4) is contrary to the God of the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Richard Foster so resonates with Merton that he includes him in his list of spiritual masters in his two books Spiritual Classics and Devotional Classics.

It’s not just Richard Foster that Vineyard is looking to for “spiritual formation.” On the ”Pastoral Staff Recommends” page, there is a who’s who of contemplative mystics listed. Craig Lockwood, the pastor who will be heading up the Spiritual Formation program, includes Dallas Willard, Jan Johnson, Larry Crabb, Madame Guyon, Richard Foster, Gary Thomas, Morton Kelsey, and Adele Calhoun on his recommended reading list. These are some of the “heavy weights” in the contemplative movement, and you can read about most of them in A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen or on our research site. Typical of the contemplative mindset, one of those listed, Morton Kelsey, stated: “You can find most of the New Age practices in the depth of Christianity . . . I believe that the Holy One lives in every soul.”5

In Adele Ahlberg Calhoun’s book, Spiritual Disciplines Handbook (which Lockwood recommends), Ahlberg Calhoun promotes mantra meditation, giving detailed instructions on several types of contemplative practices. In addition, she quotes from many New Age sympathizers and New Age contemplatives and encourages the use of centering prayer, breath prayers, contemplative prayer, labyrinths, palms-up, palms-down exercises, and recommends for further reading a plethora of mystics. One of those she lists is Tilden Edwards, the founder of the mysticism promoting Shalem Prayer Institute, who said that contemplative prayer is the bridge between Christianity and Eastern religion.6

An interesting name shows up on the “Pastoral Staff Recommends” page at Vineyard Anaheim – J.P. Moreland. The beliefs of Moreland have been discussed in a number of Lighthouse Trails articles regarding his contemplative views, but we didn’t realize that he attends Vineyard Anaheim. When we saw his name on the Pastoral Staff Recommends page, we called Vineyard and were told that Moreland attends Vineyard Anaheim and “sometimes speaks” there. Moreland, a teacher at Biola University and Summit Ministries (in Colorado) recommends a number of Dallas Willard books and The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen. In that book, which is a primer on contemplative prayer, Nouwen states:

The quiet repetition of a single word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart . . . This way of simple prayer . . . opens us to God’s active presence. 7

What Nouwen is describing here is mantra meditation (i.e., eastern-style meditation). Practicing mysticism is what led Nouwen to say near the end of his life:

Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God.8

By saying this, Nouwen illustrated the “fruit” of contemplative spirituality – panentheism (God in all) and interspirituality. This can be further proven by Nouwen’s strong affinity with New Age meditation proponent, Beatrice Bruteau where he called her a  “trustworthy guide to contemplative consciousness” (from Abba’s Child) . J.P. Moreland’s endorsement of The Way of the Heart will point Vineyard members to the same spirituality Nouwen came to  embrace.

In a book review of Moreland’s book Kingdom Triangle, he lays out a three-step process to bring about a kingdom of God on earth through spiritual formation (i.e., contemplative prayer). This would resonate with what Vineyard is doing – turning to contemplative to accelerate their kingdom of God on earth goals.

In Kevin Reeves book The Other Side of the River, Reeves addresses the spiritual viewpoints of John Wimber. Wimber said that the Western church needed to go through a major paradigm shift because of its resistance to the supernatural.9 Reeves explains some of Wimber’s ideas:

 The old study and learn method (commended by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:13-16, and II Timothy 3:14-17) is no longer adequate. In fact, according to Wimber and a flood of Third Wave teachers, it never has been. Experience is what counts, they say, and all that head knowledge we’ve been accumulating all these years is a big waste of time. This teaching states that to really know God, His power and miracles, we need to shuck all that dead letter stuff and get into the life.

 Wimber also first introduced into mainstream charismatic congregations the incredibly strange manifestations that are supposedly initiated by the Holy Spirit. Pogoing (jumping up and down in place), rippling on or under the skin, tingling, shaking, convulsions, uncontrollable laughter—many of the same kinds of manifestations traditionally attributed to demonic influence—have now attained prominence in River meetings. It is shocking and frightening to see the similarities between Wimber’s manifestations and what is called Kundalini, “a Hindu term for the mystical power or force that underlies Hindu spirituality.” Here is a list of Kundalini symptoms:

* Burning hot or ice cold streams moving up the spine.

* Pains in varying locations throughout the body.

* Vibrations, unease, or cramps in legs and other parts of body.

* Fast pulse and increased metabolism.

* Disturbance in the breathing–and/or heart function.

* Sensitivity to sound, light, smell, and proximity of other people.

* Mystical/religious experiences.

* Parapsychological abilities.

* Persistent anxiety or anxiety attacks, confusion

* Insomnia, manic high spirits or deep depression. Energy loss.

* Impaired concentration and memory.

* Total isolation due to inability to communicate inner experiences out.

* Experiences of possession and poltergeist phenomena. 10

What some may not realize is that many of these symptoms are also experienced during deep contemplative meditation. By combining the hyper-charismatic experiences with contemplative spirituality (as Vineyard is doing), the process of going into altered states of consciousness (i.e., demonic realms) is speeded up; and the voice heard, believed to be God, may not be Him at all. Reeves points out that Wimber was drawn to the writings of Agnes Sanford and Morton Kelsey. Did Wimber realize that Kelsey “equates the ministry of Jesus with shamanism, commends encounters with the dead as natural spirit-earth links,bases much of his book on paganistic Jungian psychology, and calls the atonement a “hypothesis developed” by the early church”?11

An article titled “Buried Seed: Spiritual Direction and the Vineyard Movement” written by a Vineyard “spiritual director” in New Zealand reveals the efforts by spiritual directors in Vineyard to integrate spiritual formation into the Vineyard movement. Just to show the lack of discernment that occurs by contemplative advocates, the author of the article lists Thomas Keating as a source he used to write the article. Keating, like Merton, is a panentheist and mystic Catholic priest.

We should not hesitate to take the fruit of the age-old wisdom of the East and “capture” it for Christ. Indeed, those of us who are in ministry should make the necessary effort to acquaint ourselves with as many of these Eastern techniques as possible.

 Many Christians who take their prayer life seriously have been greatly helped by Yoga, Zen, TM and similar practices, especially where they have been initiated by reliable teachers and have a solidly developed Christian faith to find inner form and meaning to the resulting experiences. 12

Our reader who sent us the e-mail inquiring about Vineyard Anaheim asked if there was any emergent connection to spiritual formation. We have always contended that they are basically the same thing (see Faith Undone). What’s more, on the recommended reading list of Vineyard Anaheim, senior pastor Lance Pittluck recommends Rob Bell along with several other contemplative/emerging figures (Nouwen, Sider, Manning, Miller, Boyd, etc). It is clear that Pittluck resonates with these people.

For those who wonder if the contemplative/emerging infiltration is confined to just Vineyard Anaheim, a Book Recommendations for Youth list on the main USA Vineyard website recommends emerging church favorites N.T. Wright, Andy Stanley, Erwin McManus, and Shane Claiborne, and contemplatives Henri Nouwen, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, Jim Burns, and John Eldredge.  Sadly, Vineyard youth are being introduced to these contemplative/emerging leaders. In addition, Vineyard has at least one leader who is designated to work with Vineyard churches in spiritual formation. And just as a sampling to show this is not an isolated situation, listed below are a few Vineyard churches that are incorporating “spiritual formation” into church life:

Vineyard City Church – Redding California’ (also links to the very contemplative/emerging Simpson College and Bethel Church in Redding)

 Live Oak Vineyard – Monrovia California (promotes New Age sympathizer Phyllis Tickle)

Friends Langley Vineyard – BC Canada

Vineyard Community Church – Cincinnati, OH

All this would leave little doubt that the Vineyard movement has hopped onto the contemplative/emergent track, seemingly full speed ahead.

Notes:

1. Bill Jackson, The Quest For The Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard, ch 3, p. 80.
2. Ray Yungen, A Time of Departing (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2nd ed, 2006), pp. 76-77, quoting Richard Foster at a seminar Yungen attended.
3. Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin, Spiritual Classics (San Francisco, CA: Harper, 2000), p. 17.
4. David Steindl-Rast, “Recollection of Thomas Merton’s Last Days in the West” (Monastic Studies, 7:10, 1969).
5. Morton Kelsey cited in Charles H. Simpkinson, “In the Spirit of the Early Christians.”
6. Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend (New York, NY: Paulist Press, 1980), pp. 18.
7. Henri Nouwen, The Way of the Heart (San Francisco, CA: Harper, 1991), p. 81.
8. Henri  Nouwen, Sabbatical Journey (New York, NY: Crossroad Publishing, 1998), p. 51.
9. John Wimber: 1934-1997. Wimber’s “paradigm shift” is discussed and documented in several books and articles such as C. Peter Wagner’s Acts of the Holy Spirit (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2000), p. 123.
10. Kevin Reeves, The Other Side of the River (Eureka, MT: Lighthouse Trails Publishing, 2007), pp. 167-168.
11.  Ibid, p. 169.
12.  M. Basil Pennington, Thomas Keating, Thomas E. Clarke, Finding Grace at the Center  (Petersham, MA: St. Bede’s Pub., 1978), pp. 5-6.

a way that seems right

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Even in laughter the heart may sorrow and the end of mirth may be grief. Proverbs 14:12-13

Ken Silva at Apprising Ministries brought his article to my attention several days ago because of the attention it gathered on facebook, trafficked to his blog and the opportunity it brings for us to proclaim the truth.

I took some time to go through it to consider his words and read the additional information linked throughout. Ken is bringing some important connections to the attention of all who will listen as we see the emergents coming out as, and endorsing the gay lifestyle and some admitting to universalism. (Some admit, some do not, but the truth is in their words.)

I have to say what struck me the hardest is the video of Randy Roberts Potts at the end of the article. He was hard to listen to at first, a little sheepish, unsure, and a little mocking. But I held in there and soon that off-putting sense turned to compassion. Here we see a man, once a little boy, under the heavy handed, drivenness of his grandfather, Oral Roberts. A boy who questioned and found his answer the day he opened the bible and applied truth to the first scripture he came to. Had someone told this 12 year old boy the importance of context and the danger of personalizing scripture maybe he would have arrived at a different conclusion regarding the calling of God upon his grandfather.

From personal experience I can understand how false teaching can affect us the rest of our lives, especially when it is done at a young age. False doctrine leads to various forms of sin and causes many to turn from the true faith. At the same time, many things that feel right to us are not, and separate us from the one true relationship we do need with Christ. As Christians we are called out of sin, out of the desire to go against the things God has commanded us to avoid. He is a God of love and that great love is what brought Him to the earth as a man and to die on the cross. But His love will not excuse our indulgence of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you . But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Let’s remember to pray for Randy and his family – wife and children- he has set aside for his gay lifestyle. Let’s pray that Randy comes to know the real Jesus, not the one who was packaged and sold in the great bible belt of America.

From Apprising Ministries  – Randy Roberts Potts and the Gay Son of Oral Roberts (the article)

True Christ

I just listened to this talk from VCY America. Warren Smith describes some of his experiences in the New Age which are much like my experiences in charismania. With all that is going on in the world today, not just in America, but the middle east, in our churches and the government we need to take notice.

Knowing the True Christ in an Age of Counterfeits

Warren Smith (B.A. University of Pennsylvania; M.S.W. Tulane University) is a free lance writer and community social worker who was formerly involved in the New Age movement. He has served as a program coordinator for people with special needs, directed several homeless programs, and has worked most recently as a Hospice social worker in New Orleans and on the California coast. He has written extensively on the subject of spiritual deception and has been widely interviewed on radio and television. He is author of The Light that was Dark, Deceived on Purpose, A Wonderful Deception and False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care?

Having been saved out of the New Age movement, Warren Smith knows that there are many “christs” in the world today. As we are about to observe Good Friday and the resurrection of Christ, Warren underscores the importance of knowing the true and risen Christ, not a counterfeit.

The discussion begins with mention of Shirley McClain. She may not have been taken seriously years ago because of her New Age beliefs yet she was recently on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Why? It’s because some New Age teachings are no longer considered “fringe” but are now mainstream. Smith proves the point when he references Purpose-Driven author Rick Warren who has brought in three New Age doctors into his church through his “Daniel Plan”.

From there the discussion moves on to Marianne Williamson and her deceptive book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, the deceptive use of Bible terminology by New Age proponents, the experience that pointed him to Christ, the ties that the Emergentmovement has with the New Age, and more.

Also mentioned was Chuck Klein’s Understanding the Times conference on April 30th in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Pastor Larry Debruyn, Sarah Leslie and Warren Smith will be speaking on counterfeit spirituality.