Author: Pilgrim

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The silence is deafening.

A couple weeks ago I found this short film on Youtube and–even though I have reservations about a few parts–felt compelled to share it with the DefCon readers.

I didn’t quite get the ending at first but after playing the ending a second time it hit me: Wow! What a devastating video. It moved me greatly.

I then put it away until tonight when I watched it again. This time it moved me to tears. I encourage you to watch this short film, it definitely puts things into perspective regarding the issue of abortion.

Three unborn babies give an account of their time within the confines of the womb. Starting from the point of conception, they chart their development, voicing delight at the discoveries that come with each new week. However, as the thirteenth week approaches the excitement for one soon vanishes. A voice formally brimming with an expectation of life out in the real world is silenced when it meets a murderous fate, one that will ensure it never leaves the womb alive.

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More truth on a cup of coffee than many churces offer on a whole Sunday.

cups.jpg Sometimes the culture hits the nail on the head. In this case, it was on a cup of coffee.

A recent trip to Starbucks revealed another great gem of truth from their The Way I See It series (see my previous post on another The Way I See It ).

The following quote–printed on the coffee cup–came from a man named Bernie Brillstein recognized as a film and television producer (so the cup says). It is The Way I See It # 291:

“In a world where celebrity equals talent, and where make-believe is called reality, it is most important to have real love, truth and stability in your life.”

If I didn’t know better I’d think this guy was referring to the current state of the American church. But then again, I don’t know that he wasn’t.


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Crosstalk: Todd Bentley’s Lakeland Revival.

On this episode of Crosstalk, host Ingrid Schlueter (Slice of Laodicea & Hope in Laodicea) and guests Ken Silva (Apprising Ministries & Christian Research Network) and John Sharp (The Way Christian Fellowship) discuss the Todd Bentley and the Lakeland revival. To listen click or download here.

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Quotes (284)

John MacArthur Ever since that day in the garden when the serpent tempted Eve, he has relentlessly attacked the truth with lies, using the same strategies over and over to sow doubt and disbelief in the human mind. . . . The form of his evil dialect rarely changes. He questions the truth God has revealed “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). Then he contradicts what God has said “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). Finally, he concocts an alternative version of the “truth” “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” (Genesis 3:5). The devil’s alternative credo often has a few carefully chosen elements of truth in the mix—but always diluted and thoroughly blended with falsehoods, contradictions, misrepresentations, distortions, and every other imaginable perversion of reality. Add it all up and the bottom line is a big lie.

– John MacArthur

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Sheek a boom bah?

This short video breaks my heart. The abuse that these parents put their two precious children through by forcing them to come face to face with such evil raises up a righteous indignation within me. “I don’t want you to touch me” the one girl pleads through her tears, yet they all just laugh as they subject these children to the legion within Bentley. Why are these parents so blind to what their children can plainly see? If this is a move of God, the children would not be so frightened. What more proof do you need?

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Todd Bentley: Naturally doing what false prophets do.

Birds fly.

Fish swim.

Kangaroos hop.

False prophets falsely prophesy about Christ’s second coming.

But why let a little thing like being a false prophet slow you down? Just look at Charles Taze Russell and Joseph Smith; they both falsely prophesied Christ’s return but their cults are alive and well today.

I received a prophetic Word from the Lord for Todd Bentley and his followers. You can read it here.

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Worship at Bentley’s.

Some of you may have been wondering what “worship” was like at the Lakeland “revival.” But most of you (like me) probably didn’t care. However, as a public service for those who were wondering, I’ve decided to provide you with a video that should satisfy your curiosity (and sicken your stomach).

I couldn’t sit through the whole 4 minutes of this pagan-looking, Woodstock-style, hippie-like, drug-induced gyrating so I skipped ahead. You may want to as well.

Now will someone please explain to me what the woman begins doing at 3:28 into the video and why? Will any Bentley-ite out there please provide me with Scriptural support (not only for this woman’s actions throughout the whole video) but specifically for what she does at that point in the video. And you can’t use, “King David did it” with this one!

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24 Questions for Charismatics and followers of Todd Bentley.

This post is for Todd Bentley supporters and all Charismatics. I have 24 questions for you and would like serious answers only. If you should choose to take up this challenge I have only one condition; that you don’t just pick and choose the questions you want to answer (much like many do with verses of Scripture) but if you want to answer one, I request that you take a stab at them all.

These questions will require the use of your Bible and some will only seek your opinion. Are you up to the task? If so, let’s begin:

1). If a modern-day prophet says one thing and the Bible says another (opposing/opposite) which do you follow?

2). Why if God spoke “long ago” through prophets, but now in the last days speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1) do we still chase after men like Todd Bentley?

3). If the temple veil was ripped in two (Matthew 27:51) and God is not to be found in any one particular place on earth (Acts 7:48), but is now available to any true believer anywhere, why must we go to a certain church, event or venue in order to “come get some?”

4). God sent prophets to the Jews up until the 400 years of silence preceding Jesus Christ, (whom to this day the Jews still reject). Why don’t those who know the standard of prophets best (the Jewish people) continue to “raise up” and chase after prophets like the Charismatics do continually? Why do the Jews continue to patiently wait for their Messiah (which they missed 2,000 years ago) while the Charismatics keep chasing after the next big prophet? What do the Jews understand about a true prophet of God that Charismatics seem to keep missing?

5). Why if the Church is instructed in 1 Corinthians 14:40 to conduct itself “properly and in an orderly manner” do Charismatics refuse to accept this and instead we see the antics, shenanigans, and circus-like atmosphere in these self-proclaimed movements of God?

6). When Charismatics use the “my God is the same yesterday, today and forever” argument in the context that they commonly use it, why do they then no longer stone false prophets to death?

7). Why do Charismatics keep proclaiming the coming of a great revival in these last days when this is in direct opposition to the revealed Word of God which says that a great falling away will occur in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3)? Where does it say that the return of Christ is preceded by a great healing revival?

8). Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus asking Him to show them a sign (Matthew 16:1, Luke 11:16, John 2:18, John 6:30). Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?

9). Why do those seeking a sign in Mark 8:11-12 cause Jesus to “sigh deeply in His Spirit”?

10). Why are those seeking signs and wonders (Matthew 12:38-39, Matthew 16:4, Luke 11:29) referred to by Jesus as evil, wicked, and adulterous?

11). Was Jesus saying the need to see signs and wonders was a good thing in John 4:48?

12). Was Paul implying the need to see signs was a good thing in 1 Corinthians 1:22?

13). Why do Charismatics always use Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2 (quoting Joel) to justify the tongues and prophecies they perform while excluding the other events like the sun turning dark and the moon turning to blood (v. 20)?

14). If it is God’s will that we should be healthy and wealthy, why did Paul suffer so much (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 12:7-10)?

15). Isn’t seeking to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable in this life a direct contradiction to God’s way of testing the faith of a believer and producing endurance in the life of a believer (James 1:2-4)?

16). Jesus addressed the fact that we are not greater than He, and since He suffered, we (true Christians) should expect the same (John 15:20, Matthew 10:24-25). Why do Charismatics ignore this and cling to the false notion that any suffering is of the Devil?

17). Why do the only two prophets directly referred to in Scripture in the last days (Revelation 11) perform no healings? Instead they do exactly the opposite of what all the “prophets” of today do; the very things most Charismatics would say is from the Devil. Why is that?

18). Why does the Bible repeatedly identify the existence of and warn us about false prophets (Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24:24, Mark 13:22, Luke 6:26, Acts 13:6, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1, etc.)?

19). In the end many false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to mislead many (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22). Why do most Charismatics refuse to accept this, and if they do accept it, they never accept that this could be referring to their favorite prophet?

20). Is there any “sign and wonder” that you can point to that is false/counterfeit from Satan? Or do all “signs and wonders” come from God only?

21). Can Satan and his servants appear as “good” or do they always come to us as easily identifiable “bad” spirits (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)?

22). Is the great and visible sign performed in Revelation 13:13 a good thing from God or a counterfeit from Satan?

23). Can Satan and those in accord with his activity perform signs and wonders and exhibit power (Exodus 7:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:9)?

24). What is the more common theme of the Bible regarding the prophets with accompanying signs and wonders?

A). The presence of signs and wonders are proof of them being true prophets of God.

B). That false prophets will mislead many and they will use signs and wonders.

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It is well with my soul.

I hope this song will bless and encourage you this Lord’s Day.

It is Well With My Soul by Horatio Spafford.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain


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Quotes (282)

John MacArthur There are lots of apostate people. Ever since the time of Judas, there have been people who profess faith in Christ and identify themselves as disciples but who never genuinely embrace the truth. They may understand the truth. They may even seem to follow it enthusiastically for a while. They might identify with a church and therefore become an active and integral part of the earthly Christian community. Sometimes they even become leaders in a church. But they never really believe the truth with an undivided heart. Like tares among the wheat, they have an appearance of authenticity for a while, but they are incapable of producing and useful fruit (Matthew 13:24-30).

– John MacArthur

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Quotes (281)

piper-pic.jpg Becoming a Christian means death to sin. The old self that loved sin died with Jesus. Sin is like a prostitute that no longer looks beautiful. She is the murderer of my King and myself. Therefore, the believer is dead to sin, no longer dominated by her attractions. Sin, the prostitute who killed my friend, has no appeal. She has become an enemy.

– John Piper

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Christianity Today magazine gives Sex and the City 3 out of 4 stars.

Oh how this magazine continues to descend into the depths of total depravity. Christianity Today not only felt it was necessary to review Sex and the City, but also gave it three out of a possible four stars. You can see their review here.

“In the end, I didn’t quite heart SATC—but I certainly enjoyed this meaningful reunion with its beloved characters and their winning friendships.”

Folks, the DVD series is rated R for a reason (i.e. strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and language). No true Christian has any business willingly setting this trash before their eyes.

Apparently some readers of Christianity Today still have a conscience left after it being seared from reading this rag to begin with. They wrote in to express their displeasure and Christianity Today addressed the dissenting voices with their excuses for reviewing this show and other objectionable films. I’ve commented below on excerpts from their unapologetic drivel:

“We totally understand why many people would have no desire to see Sex and the City, choosing to avoid it because of its portrayals of pre- and extra-marital sex and rampant materialism. I myself have no desire to see it, mostly for those reasons. But to slam us for reviewing the film makes no sense. Our mission statement is to help readers make discerning choices about movies—not to make the choices for people. Our review clearly warned readers of the sinful behavior in the movie, while also noting some of its redeeming factors—like the universal longing for love and companionship, what it means to be a true friend, and more.”

Really? Is that why you gave it three out of four stars? Doesn’t sound like you’re doing a good job of warning readers about the “sinful behavior” in the film when you endorse it! It must be all those “redeeming values” that gave it such a high rating like this quote from the original review: “All of this said, there is a lot of sex and nudity in the movie. Be warned: There’s a threesome, a naked man in a shower, some steamy makeup sex. The sex scenes between married folk are somewhat less offensive, but there were too many times when it seemed that the producers were simply trying to shock.”

And yet what’s even more shocking is that professing Christians are watching and endorsing this lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh fest.

“As for why we review movies that depict sinful behavior, it’s because such films depict real-world truth, and the truth is sometimes ugly. To suggest that one cannot find redemption amidst the muck is preposterous; often the best kinds of redemption come from out of the muck.”

And it’s much more entertaining to our sinful flesh (which we refuse to crucify) than reading that old boring Bible for guidance and direction.

“But here’s another reason for reviewing SATC and other uncomfortable films: It’s good to sometimes enter into the minds and worldviews of others, even of those we completely disagree with. It’s good to see what the world looks like through the eyes of even the depraved.”

I’m not even going to touch that lame excuse.

“That, dear readers, is why we review ‘objectionable’ movies. Because our eyes ‘are not enough for me.’ We will ‘see through the eyes of others’ and yet ‘remain’ ourselves. It is our own ‘experiment in criticism.’ If that kind of thinking is good enough for C. S. Lewis, it’s certainly good enough for us.”

Wow, I’d like to see you use that justification to indulge the flesh as you stand before your holy and righteous judge. “But Mr. Lewis said . . .”. Perhaps when they stand before God they will quote man’s words, but I have a sneaking suspicion God will quote His own: “Dapert from Me, I never knew you“!

Oh Christianity Today, how you make me long for Christianity Yesterday!

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Quotes (280)

awpink.jpg The god of this century no more resembles the Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun. The god who is talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday school, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible conferences, is a figment of human imagination, an invention of maudlin sentimentality.

– AW Pink

1886 – 1952

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The White Horse Inn: Radical Informality

On this edition of the White Horse Inn the guys discuss the issue of Radical Informality in life, in church, and in the pulpit.

Show description: Previous generations wore suits to baseball games. Now many Americans show up at church in blue jeans and T-shirts. How has the cultural shift toward informality affected American Christianity over the last few decades? Join the White Horse Inn hosts as they evaluate the effects of “radical informality” on contemporary Christian thought and practice.

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Quotes (279)

John MacArthur Truth—including historical facts, assurance, and objective, distinct, knowable, authoritative propositions that demand to be embraced as true—is an essential concept in authentic Christianity. All the other aspects of religious experience flow from the truth we believe and simply give expression to it. Take away the ground of truth, and all you have is fluctuating religious sentiment.

– John MacArthur