Divinely Subdued

“A person who is vain and self-important, who pushes to the fore seeking the notice of others, who parades his fancied knowledge and attainments, has not learned of Him who is “meek and lowly in heart.” One who is hypersensitive, who is deeply hurt if some one slights her, who resents a word of reproof no matter how kindly spoken, betrays the lack of a humble and teachable spirit. One who frets over disappointments, murmurs each time his will is crossed and rebels against the dispensations of Providence, exhibits a will which has not been Divinely subdued.” —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)

Taken from “Eternal Security” by A. W. Pink (1886–1952)

Common Delusions

"Am I to fancy that I enjoy some special revelation, and am I to order my life by voices, dreams, and impressions? Brethren, fall not into this common delusion. God's word to us is in Holy Scripture. All the truth that sanctifies men is in God's Word. Do not listen to those who cry, "Lo here!" and "Lo there!" I am plucked by the sleeve almost every day by crazy persons and pretenders who have revelations. One man tells me that God has sent a message to me by him; and I reply, "No, sir, the Lord knows where I dwell, and he is so near to me that he would not need to send to me by you." Another man announces in God's name a dogma which, on the face of it, is a lie against the Holy Ghost. He says the Spirit of God told him so-and-so; but we know that the Holy Ghost never contradicts himself. If your imaginary revelation is not according to this Word, it has no weight with us; and if it is according to this Word, it is no new thing. Brethren, this Bible is enough if the Lord does but use it, and quicken it by his Spirit in our hearts. Truth is neither your opinion, nor mine; your message, nor mine. Jesus says, "Thy word is truth." That which sanctifies men is not only truth, but it is the particular truth which is revealed in God's Word—"Thy word is truth." What a blessing it is that all the truth that is necessary to sanctify us is revealed in the Word of God, so that we have not to expend our energies upon discovering truth, but may, to our far greater profit, use revealed truth for its divine ends and purposes! There will be no more revelations; no more are needed." —C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Anythingarians

"We have men who in the morning hear a Calvinistic preacher, and say, "Oh, it is delightful;" in the evening they hear an Arminian, and they say, "Oh, it is just as good; and no doubt they are both true, though one contradicts the other!" The glorious charity of the present day is such, that it believes lies to be as good as truth; and lies and truth have met together and kissed each other; and he that telleth truth is called a bigot, and truth has ceased to be honourable in the world! Ah! beloved, we know better than to profess such unlimited, but false charity; the truth is, we know how to "hold fast the form of sounds words," which has been given to us, because in this way we grow. Changeable people cannot grow much. If you have a tree in your garden plant it in one place to-day, and tomorrow place it somehwere else, how much bigger will it be in six months? It will be dead very likely; or if it does not die, it will not be very much grown; it will be marvellously stunted. So it is with some of you: you plant yourselves there; then you are persuaded that you are not quite right, and you go and plant yourself somewhere else. Why, there are men who are anythingarians; who go dodging about from one denomination to another, and cannot tell what they are; our opinion is, of these people, that they believe nothing, and are good for nothing, and anybody may have them that likes; we do not consider men to be worth much, unless they have settle principles, and "hold fast the form of sound words." —C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Excerpt taken from a sermon titled "The Form of Sound Words" delivered on Lord's-Day Morning, May 11th, 1856, by C. H. Spurgeon

What's Your Name?

By no means would I want to turn this blog into a political blog, but I read an article that was quite interesting on the faith of our candidates for the upcoming election. Obama claims to have "a personal relationship with Jesus Christ" and to believe in his "redemptive death and resurrection." Despite such affirmations, Obama admits to doubts and uncertainties, discomfort with some aspects of Christianity, and a belief that there are many paths to God and salvation.

It is not my intent to attack the man but the idea or ideals supported by many in this country. First of all, you are not a Christian if you believe in any other way but through Jesus Christ. Salvation is of the Lord and of Him alone. You are not a Christian because you were born in the United States of America. You are not a Christian because you were baptized as a child. You are not a Christian because your parents were professing Christians. You are not a Christian because you are a member of a local church, teach Sunday school, or even preach from the pulpit.

If you claim the name Christian, you are professing faith in Jesus Christ. Not of yourself or your choice, but because God did a supernatural work within you. He regenerated you so that you would have faith in Him. So do yourself a favor and don't claim to be a Christian if you don't believe He is the only way to the Father. Simply put, if you claim to be a Christian you are taking the name of Christ and all that encompasses; the Bible is the inspired word of God (God-breathed), we have all sinned and fall short of the Glory of God, Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and that none come to the Son lest the Father draw them.

You may say that I can't see your heart, but as Bro. Paul Washer says "I don't have to, I see it in your actions and words."

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the, truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day."

Dressed to Impress

In the Old Testament when the priest went behind the curtain to the Holy of Holies to make supplication for the sins of the people he wore bells and a rope tied around him. If he was struck dead by God the bells would ring and he could be pulled out by the rope. Read the descriptions of the robes and breastplates worn by the high priests in the Levitical lines, how detailed and awe-inspiring they were. The reason I bring this up is to show the honor and respect that was shown to God, and the fear of Him for that matter. Where have either of these things gone today?

Today we have "preachers" in the pulpit with holes in their jeans; their shirts untucked. Basically looking like they just got out of bed picked up whatever was laying on the floor threw it on and ran out the door. But quite the opposite is actually true as these 30 and 40 year old men are probably spending countless hours picking out just the right "cool" clothes and styling their hair just so everyone will think they are cool and relevant. The thing that is really at the heart of this is man wanting to be praised and found relevant.

It can be taken the other way as well; God never called His people to wear an Armani suit or some purple jacket that hangs down past their knees. The people that wear these outlandish and extremely extravagant suits in the pulpit are no different than the guys wearing the jeans and t-shirts. They both simply want you to look at them and praise them for how cool and relevant they are.

What's lost is that we are to be separate from the world. We aren't supposed to attract unbelievers because of what we are wearing. We are to simply be witnesses to a spiritually dead world. God is in control and he will do the drawing of the sinners to the truth. He does not need us to be dressed a certain way to draw people to Him. That is a prideful, arrogant and therefore sinful approach to evangelism. When we are in His house on Sunday mornings we are supposed to be there to worship Him and for nothing else. That being said we should be dressed nicely and respecfully because you are supposed to be there to worship the Almighty God.

They hated and spit on my Lord and Savior; and ultimately crucified Him. So why should I want them to all love me and shower me with praise. We should show love and compassion but we shouldn't strive to be loved by the world by dressing and acting like the world. If you get large crowds and high attendance by looking like everyone else, they aren't there because you are offering something different to them. They are there because you look like them and they feel comfortable singing some catchy tunes about Jesus with you. We are called to be separate from the world. In the world not of the world. Pride is a most heinous sin indeed.

The Sham (Shack)

Gal 1:6-9 "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed."

I recently finished reading "The Shack" or as I like to call it The Sham. I normally devour books of this size in about 2 days. This book took me closer to 3 weeks. It was tough to swallow when it got to the main character's weekend with his fictional triune God.

A young lady in my Sunday school class told me she had purchased the book and asked my opinion of it. I immediately told her I thought it wasn't a very good book based on what I had read about it. I have said this about several books in the past without having read them myself, only reviews by people whose opinions I trust. But, as if by Divine Providence, a friend of mine brought a copy of it for me to read the week after I had the discussion with the girl in my class. I begrudgingly submitted myself to the task of reading it, so I could completely defend or change my stance of it.

I attempted to read it with no preconceived notions. By the third page of the first chapter my thoughts of what this book was had surfaced. The main character Mackenzie or Mac for short received a letter from "Papa" telling him he missed him and would like to meet with him if Mac was willing. WHAT?! The Potter asking the clay to meet with Him, through a letter nonetheless.

For more information on the heresies in this book I would refer you to the earlier post with the link to the free download by Dr. Michael Youssef who expounds greatly on this book. I would like to spend a little of your time speaking of this growing trend in the so-called "Christian" book industry. Books such as The Secret, Your Best Life Now, and so on are all on the best-sellers lists and yet full of heresies and blasphemous statements. They attack the very nature of God and just about everything He has revealed about Himself in Scripture. Then again "papa" dismisses Scripture in The Sham anyway.

These authors have the audacity to play on readers emotions and tickle their ears to push their own agendas. The Shack even uses quotes from C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer and others. This book has even been compared to John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress". Although Lewis and Bunyan would never depict the Almighty in humanly form as William P. Young does.

Friends this is an extremely popular book; as well as all the new fad "Christian" books that come out every couple of months and downplay the legitimacy of Scripture. It's not that we should purpose to be hated, spit on, and unpopular as Christians; but that is the natural consequence of preaching and expounding on God's true Word. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a condemning and yet loving Gospel. It is about God's grace on undeserving sinners. Yet it is an unpopular, hated and rejected message when presented correctly in light of Scripture.

So with that said I will give this book 2 thumbs down. I fear it will lead many down the wide path that says Heaven, only to realize that wasn't the case. The Lord will not lose any of His sheep, but I fear many will be self-deceived and swept up into the emotion surrounding this book. Possibly doubting everything they have ever heard about God that was taught to them by Christian parents and laypeople. His sheep know His voice and cannot ultimately deny Him, but reading a book like this could lead to much pain and hurt in a young Christian's walk.

The Lord of all creation does not need me to defend Him. But we are called to make a defense of our faith. Jude1:3-4 "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

I could write so much more, but it would be easier for you to download the free message from Dr. Michael Youssef in the earlier post by my brother John and listen and share it with others. Beloved, I pray that you let not your ears by tickled or your emotions played upon.

Real Religious

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Have you ever heard anyone describe another person this way? Oh he's real religious; what does that mean? What are they really trying to say by this statement. Do they mean that this person has obtained a higher level of spiritual enlightenment or do they mean he's on his way to Heaven because he does so many good things for God? Or maybe he just doesn't drink, smoke or swear anymore, perhaps he just started going to church or maybe he even teaches Sunday school class. How are we to spot those who are real religious or better yet how are we to spot one who has the one and only true religion? Maybe they should all wear a backward collar so we can all know who they are or maybe they should just wear a t-shirt that says "religion inside".

Sometimes I'm still so amazed at what people deem to be religious or even spiritual, have you ever noticed that for the most part their perception of what's religious is always an outward work or action that gets the credit for being religious, even from Christians? So it seems to me that many people think that being real religious means praying in public just before they eat a meal or just giving up bad habits or doing good deeds. But do outward actions really describe what true religion is? How about an attitude of gratitude or a great hatred for sin, or a meek and humble spirit, or someone who has great spiritual discernment in the things of God, perhaps someone who's every thought is consumed with Jesus Christ and the Word of God, (the Bible) and the seriousness of his own sinfulness. It's a sad state of the church today that so many Christians forget all to soon that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance".

I wonder what someone would say the next time they refer to someone as being real religious and you were to respond with "oh yea you mean he loves the Lord with all of his heart, mind and strength and his neighbor as himself?" He might respond with I don't know; then you could say "well then how do you know he's real religious?" Perhaps this might even open a door to share the only real religion with them, the Gospel of Grace. Because being real religious doesn't mean you have eternal life, only the true religion promises that. Just look at the Pharisees who were the most religious people of their day outwardly and Jesus called them hypocrites, fools, snakes, blind guides. So don't be fooled by outward actions alone, look for the real religion that is displayed only by the fruit of the spirit!

Christians Hating the Gospel?

If you haven't been over to the Law Man Chronicles and read the post titled "They Loved The Darkness Rather Than The Light", prepare yourself for the unbelievable. Be sure to watch the video's that go along with this event... Shocking!

In light of what took place at this event, I too have noticed a trend with myself as it seems that I am spending more time witnessing to professing Christians than those who deny Christ? The sad thing is they both respond the same way, negatively.

Campbellism Exposed

Living in the Bible Belt one of the first things you will notice down here is the wide spread teachings of Alexander Campbell (1788-1866) which is sometimes called "Campbellism" and better know as The Church of Christ or CoC. I really don't have the time or space to discuss Mr. Campbell's bio or background but will just mainly deal with one of his unusual doctrines. One of the most destructive teachings of Alexander Campbell is what is know as "Baptismal Regeneration" which most CoC members will surly deny the use of this terminology but will quickly accept the definition, which is that water baptism is a part of salvation and washes away sins. This is mainly due to Biblical misinterpretation of several scriptures like Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:20-21 and Mark 16:15. And in doing so they teach that baptism is a requirement for salvation which ultimately destroys grace and puts baptismal waters on equal ground with the Blood of Christ. Below is a quote from a great resource on Campbellism by William Phillips that was first published in 1860 basically titled "Campbellism Exposed".

"Who could have dreamed that a Protestant reformer, in the nineteenth century, claiming exemption, alike, from Catholicism and "sectarianism," would rake up WATER REGENERATION from the dregs of papal rubbish, and make it a leading feature of his reformation? This Mr. Campbell has done. I do not assert that his views on this subject are precisely those of the Catholic church, but they are substantially the same. Each makes baptism necessary to the remission of sins — a sine qua non in the salvation of man. The following quotations from Mr. Campbell's Millennial Harbinger — extra, No. 1, will show that we do not misrepresent him:

"If we speak Scripturally we must use these terms (immersion, regeneration, and conversion,) as all descriptive of the same thing." "Remission of sins cannot in this life be received or enjoyed previous to immersion." "Immersion alone is the act of turning to God." "No man can enjoy the peace of God, or the hope of heaven, until he is immersed for the remission of sins."

These assertions clearly make baptism a saving ordinance; and I know not that any Papist ever used stronger language in pointing out its importance. And it is well known that these views are received and promulged by his adherents; who, universally, urge "obedience" (by which they mean immersion,) as THE MEANS of obtaining remission of sins. Consequently, Mr. C's "ancient gospel" is literally a gospel of water, for upon its principles, without water there could be no salvation; and his reformation, taking a retrograde direction, goes back to embrace a radical error, which before the time of Luther, had almost driven the spirit of Christianity from the church; and which, if now received, must reform us back to that gloomy period, and enshroud us in darkness."

Excerpt taken from "Campbellism Exposed or, Strictures on The Peculiar Tenets of Alexander Campbell" by Rev. William Phillips, p18-19

Calling God a "Monster"?

John Hendryx posted a beautiful rebuttal to a response by a so called "professed Christian" who attacked one of John's previous post saying that the God John presented was a "Monster". A must read for any Calvinist. I also wanted to make note of one of the comments made by Jerry of Minor Mutterings which I think is so often the case. "Unfortunately, many "professing Christians" are, in actuality, blasphemous idolaters." Read Full Article

"It is pure ignorance and folly, and one of the highest forms of blasphemy, to call God a 'monster' simply because He exhaustively knows all things before they take place"

Distorted Grace

I was sent this cartoon a while back and after pondering the meaning behind this imagery I am troubled that Christians forward this type of stuff via email without ever considering the real message they are endorsing, what disturbs me most about this particular email is that I believe it perverts the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone which "is the hinge by which all Christian theology swings." So ask yourself if this cartoon is a true depiction of Biblical justification or is it a distorted view of the grace and mercy of God? Does this present a religion of grace or works?

Romans 5:6 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

Tithe or Give?

I know there are many, many preachers that advocate the tithe as a required duty of a Christian and in doing so I believe they bring undue guilt, burden, and grief upon their congregations. I know there are many who will disagree with me and some Christians that would even go so far as to say that those who do not give the ten percent as commanded by God in the Old Testament, but rather, give as they feel led to give by the Spirit, are not of Christ or are at best disobedient Christians.

But the questions I put before you is, since the tithe was instituted under the Old Mosaic Law which was given to God's people, is it to be kept, while all the other Laws are not? If the Law of Moses is a commandment to be kept for tithing, then are we not still required to keep the whole Law according to the Word of God? That would include the food Laws, clothing Laws, circumcision on the eighth day, the stoning of sinners caught in the act, the fasting Laws and animal sacrifices for the sins of the people. Well, how you doing so far? Hello!

Do you truly believe that ten percent is enough to give God after all he has given you? Do you really think that ten percent of all you have is enough to thank God for given His Son for you on the Cross? Shouldn't we truly lay face down on the alter every week with 100% of what God has given us as an attitude of thankfulness? If giving ten percent is a requirement for Christians to keep, then it is nothing short of another punch in their ticket of salvation by works, and the danger of becoming a cold heartless Pharisee is ever so near. Give abundantly, give cheerfully, give as it has been given unto you, give as you are lead to give and let God be the judge of the heart, for to tithe is lawful but to give is graceful.

Galatians 3:10 "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

Galatians 3:23 "But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed."

Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

Galatians 5:18 'But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

Recommended reading "A Biblical Model for Giving, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and The Truth about Tithing.

Proud Nonsense

"We have some who preach Calvinism all the first part of the sermon, and finish up with Arminianism, because they think that will make them useful. Useful nonsense!—That is all it is." —C.H. Spurgeon

"Hence it is, that natural men are generally so fond of Arminian principles. "Do and live," is the native language of a proud, self-righteous heart." —George Whitfield

"If you don’t believe that God is the Sovereign One who is determining who is being saved, then you must believe it’s your job. I’d be out of the ministry if I was an Arminian. I don’t want that responsibility." —John MacArthur

"There are many would have peace with the destroying of truth; peace with Arminian, Socinian, Antiscripturist. This is a peace of the devil’s making." —Thomas Watson

"If we sum up the evidence that has been given, we shall find its amount to be, that Arminianism came from the Church of Rome, and leads back again to the pit whence it was digged." — Augustus Toplady

"I have not discovered half the poison contained in the Arminian doctrine concerning God’s decrees, I will in brief present to your view the opposition that is in this matter betwixt the word of God and the patrons of free-will." —John Owen

"So that let Arminians turn which way they please with their notion of liberty, consisting in the Will determining its own acts, their notion destroys itself." —Jonathan Edwards

"[Arminianism is] the Pope's Benjamin, the last and greatest monster of the man of sin; the elixir of Anti- Christianism; the mystery of the mystery of iniquity; the Pope's cabinet; the very quintessence of equivocation." —Alexander Leighton

"What are the new Arminians but the varnished offspring of the old Pelagians, that makes the grace of God to lackey it at the foot, or rather, the will of man? that makes the sheep to keep the shepherd?" —Christopher Ness

"Arminianism is thus guilty of confusing doctrines and of acting as an obstruction to a clear and lucid grasp of the Scripture; because it mis-states or ignores the eternal purpose of God, it dislocates the meaning of the whole plan of redemption. Indeed confusion is inevitable apart from this foundational truth [of election]." —C. H. Spurgeon

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So if you would allow me to paraphrase.

"Arminianism is a half poisoned self righteous man of sin who's heart is full of proud nonsense that is of the devil's own making which leads back to the pit of Rome and produces a confusing offspring of the old Pelagian monster that destroys itself and truth in the mystery of iniquity."

That may have been a bit over the top.

Politics is not the Gospel

"God does not call the church to influence the culture by promoting legislation." — John MacArthur

I am constantly getting email from fellow Christians with political overtones trying to get me to sign some petition or a request for me to call my congressman or senator to complain to them about some bill that is on the table that will promote anti-Christian values, and so the main message I see Christians promoting today is for the cultural to be more moral instead of a call to repent and believe the Gospel. Are we really to be involved in such activities as believers in Christ? Is there a biblical example of this for us to follow? Actually there is a New Testament model to follow and its the Pharisees who make people "twice as much a son of hell". Now that's an example that I want to stay away from as much as possible.

John MacArthur has preached a sermon titled "The Deadly Dangers of Moralism" I highly recommend that every Christian read this sermon or download it and listen very closely. Another fine article is by Phil Johnson titled "The Foolishness of Preaching the Gospel". Both of these messages highlight the dangers of trying to force the culture into producing a morality that is not by the Grace of God.

Objective Ignorance

With all the widespread claims by so called "Christians" who believe that God is speaking directly to them through dreams, visions, and personal prophecies or even the audible voice of the Almighty. You know you've heard them say things like "I heard the voice of the Lord," "The voice of God spoke to me," or "I received a word from the Lord" and my favorite "God told me," and then they begin to tell you some bizarre story that could never be back up by Scripture. So the question is should Christians really buy into any revelation of God that comes from a subjective source?

"It seems particularly unfortunate that there would be such an affinity for subjective "revelations" in an era when the average "born-again Christian" is so ignorant of the objective revelation God has given us in the Bible. When knowledge of Scripture is at such an ebb, this is the worst possible time for believers to be seeking divine truth in dreams, visions, and subjective impressions." - John MacArthur

Excerpt taken from "Reckless Faith: When the Church Loses Its Will To Discern" Copyright 1994 by John F. MacArthur, Jr. , pg.180-181

Ecstatic Baptist? Part 5

The Rev. Dwight McKissic who has been at odds with the leadership of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary over the practice of speaking in tongues has resigned from the school's board of trustees. McKissic said in a resignation letter that he has been "distracted and consumed" by the controversy and needs to refocus on his family and church, The Dallas Morning News reported on its Web site Thursday night. ( Full Article )

In October, trustees voted 36-1 against any promotion of "private prayer language" at the school. McKissic, was the lone dissenter. I guess it's 36-0 now. I would suggest that the Rev. refocus on the Word of God.

Signs of Liberalism

Today's Christian has to search long and hard to find a true bible teaching church that isn't tainted in some form or fashion by the liberal mind set that is so dominant in today's world. This little outline should help you spot this hideous error that has over run so many church's within the SBC.

1. Liberals speak a lot about unity but never define unity around biblical truth. Unity to the liberal mind is void and absent of the Bible. It in essence means they want "freedom from" authority. This is the unified theme of the liberals, it is not unity around biblical truth.

2. Liberals hate authority in various forms. They often gossip about leaders, spread stories about pastors, and refuse to talk to those whom they have problems with face to face with an open Bible in the hand to determine truth. They spread their ideas elusively.

3. Liberals do not teach on essential doctrines, they fail to teach verse by verse through sections of the Bible, and they believe in many interpretations to passages of the Bible.

4. Liberals talk about a love that means we should not judge others, and this means they will not exercise nor accept the Bible teaching on church discipline or accountability. They are deceptive with their language, and they redefine love without any accountability, and they do so because they do not want anyone to hold them to any standard of truth. In essence they want to be their own god!

Excerpt taken from an article titled "Liberalism in the Southern Baptists" over at Essential Christianity Ministries.

Sins of The Father

In my pursuit of the origins of the beginning of the Pentecostal movement and it's founding leaders I have come across some very disturbing articles at the Seek God website and anyone who is involved in a Pentecostal or Charismatic church should read these articles and then seriously re-think the wisdom of staying in a church who's origins come from such men as Charles Fox Parham.

Depending upon which reports one reads, Charles Fox Parham’s sins and errors are partially discussed, totally ignored, excused, obscured or glossed over. Understanding that most people neither know the history nor the beliefs would explain why many have been snared into adhering to such as Parham and hence the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement. Many who endorse him as “father of the Pentecostal movement” generally say he started out good but developed some problems. However, facts dictate otherwise and the foundations which these many denominations have been built upon are not the Gospel of Jesus Christ and obedience to the Word of God. Many of those who associated and aligned with Parham can also be evaluated in this same manner. (Read the full article titled "The Sins of The Father")

Faith Club?

Acts 4:12- "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

"The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew: Three Women Search for Understanding." is the title of the latest attempt by the liberal publishing companies to bring about the inter-faith movement by women of so called faith. Suzanne Oliver the professed Christian of the three says in the book. "I was comfortable in my own religion, having made a difficult decision to leave the Catholic Church of my parents for the relative liberalism of the Episcopal Church. After twelve years in Catholic schools, I was finally going to get an inter-faith education." Suzanne also went on to say that "Muslims believe in the Gospels and the Torah? Our religions were closer than I had ever thought. It was thrilling!" What more could one expect from a liberal Episcopalian?

When Suzanne Oliver was asked by Meredith Vieira on the Today Show what she had learned about herself and each other she said quote "That we had so much more in common than what separated us actually, that we all found God in the same places, that we have the same God that wants us to revere him and to love each other and to treat our fellow man as we would like to be treated."

In USA Today Article the women say, "their views will be too liberal. For people who believe there is exactly one way to one heaven, described and delineated only by their own faith," I would like to see Suzanne squirm as she tries to fit that statement into John 14:6, John 3:3, and Acts 4:12. The article went on to ask "Will everyone be as open, as bold, as willing to press on with these women's mantra of absolute honesty, constantly asking one another, What do you really think?" Shouldn't we be asking what does the Bible say Suzanne?

In a final chapter of the book, they provide detailed advice on how to start a faith club: the questions to ask, the books to read, and most important, the open-minded attitude to maintain in order to come through the experience with an enriched personal faith and understanding of others.

It's a shame that the media has given Suzanne Oliver a platform to speak for the true Christians who do read the Bible and do know the TRUTH about Islam, Judaism and false Christianity.

'Deep Respect' for Islam?

Pope Benedict XVI said Wednesday (article) that he has "deep respect" for Islam, but can a true Christian truly have respect for a pagan religion? How does one respect a teaching that damn's people to hell? The Pope also said quote "I hope that in several occasions during the visit ... my deep respect for great religions, in particular for Muslims - who worship the one God and with whom we are engaged in defending and promoting together social justice, moral values, peace and freedom for all men - has emerged clearly,". It's quite clear that the Pope doesn't worship the God of the Bible because he is confused about who God is, if he believes that the Muslims worship the one true God then he does not know who the God of the Bible is, the only thing that has truly emerged is what the Pope doesn't believe! Also notice that he did not say that the Muslims and himself were concerned with promoting the TRUTH, but with social justice, morals and peace which is something that extreme Muslims don't seek at all. True Christianity can never have "deep respect" for any false religion nor does Ture Christianity embrace a view of God that contradict's the God of the Bible. Some would say that this view is unloving but the truth is that nothing is more loving than the truth! Jesus is truth.