Apostasy/Lukewarm

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Franklin Graham follows in his father’s footsteps of compromise.

franlkin-graham I found the following piece from Ingrid Schlueter over at Slice of Laodicea. I’ve reprinted it below in it’s entirety.

Franklin Graham finds it “ludicrous” that any Christian could object to Rick Warren invoking God’s blessing on Barack Obama and his administration. Frankly, I find it ludicrous that any Christian would even consider asking for God to bless a man who has sworn to defend child-killing and homosexual rights. As Joseph Farah put it, God isn’t going to bless that no matter what Warren intones at the inauguration.

The Graham family has made a practice of speaking smooth, silky, easy messages to U.S. Presidents. There is no John Knox blood running in the Graham veins. There is no John the Baptist precedent from that quarter. When a President campaigns on a platform built on the bones of the preborn, it is the moral obligation of all Christians to cry out. Someone who claims to be a minister of the Gospel has an even greater responsibility to confront evil and to defend the helpless. The Grahams have refused to do that and the bloodshed continues.

It would have been a horrendous thing to have a Christian believer pray an invocation for Hitler and his murderous leaders who killed 6 million Jews. It is equally monstrous to think that a Christian minister today would pray an invocation for the murderous leaders who have overseen the butchery of 50 million American babies. Franklin Graham, we’re not going to remain silent in the face of Warren’s treachery, now or ever.

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The smoldering ash heap of Ravi Zacharias Ministries.

ravi-zacharias DefCon has chronicled Ravi Zacharias’ downfall beginning with his first public compromise when he accepted an invitation to speak at the LDS temple in Salt Lake City but failed to make any distinction between the true Jesus Christ of the Bible and the demonically inspired false Christ of Mormonism. See Ravi Zacharias fails to preach the Gospel to the Mormons.

We then examined his further compromise in Ravi’s Descent where he accepted the condition to not pray in Jesus’ name at the National Day of Prayer coordinated by NDP chairwoman Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson of Focus on the Family which recently promoted the cult of Mormonism. Beginning to see the big picture yet?

Then we examined Ravi’s Crash and Burn as he not only accepted an invitation to speak at rank heretic Robert Schuller’s New Age ReThink conference, but that Ravi Zacharias also spoke favorably of Roman Catholic mystic Henri Nouwen, calling him “one of the greatest saints in recent memory.”

Now Slice of Laodicea and Apprising Ministries are reporting that not only will Ravi Zacharias not apologize or even back away from his endorsement of Henri Nouwen, but his ministry is defending his position. You can read the following letter from Ravi Zacharias Ministries in defense of Ravi’s endorsement of Nouwen by clicking here (PDF).

One of the most shocking parts of this letter written by Margaret Manning was her justification of Ravi’s compromise via the following statement:

“ . . . if it weren’t for the Catholic church you and I would not be here–nor would Christianity.”

Ravi Zacharias has become one of a long line of “public figure” Christians to compromise a little here and a little there until full blown apostasy is reached. What next Ravi, what next?

“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.”

Roman Catholic mystic Henri Nouwen

Sabbatical Journey

Page 51, 1998 Hardcover Edition


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Being bold and radical, or being contemptuous and blasphemous?

jesus-costume Some professing Christians in Kansas City have discovered what the greatest problem facing the world is today, and what the most menacing threat to Christianity is.

Apparently the folks at Praise Chapel have identified the problem as retailers and shoppers not acknowledging Christ in Christmas enough. Wouldn’t this simply be a case of worldly unregenerate people acting like worldly unregenerate people?

They consider what they’re doing as being “bold” and “radical.” But how does getting people to say “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays” do anything for their eternal soul? Will people be cast into a Christless eternity in Hell because they said “Season’s Greetings” or because they were not born again of God and made new creatures?

Although I completely disagree with their mockery-style tactic lacking all reverence for the Holy Son of God, I’d be more impressed by their efforts if they tried being “bold” and “radical” by taking their stunt to the places where Christ is truly being left out . . . the churches across America!

See the fox news article here.

HT: Sola Dei Gloria

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“Purpose” = “Compromise”

Rick Warren, pastor of the Church at Laodicea Saddleback Church, in an effort to show homosexuals that he could be just as tolerant of their sin as the next person, visited a gay thrift store in West Hollywood–all in the name of “Purpose” and “Unity” you know. You can see him trying to strike a “tolerant” pose here, with his arm around the openly gay owner of the store.

From TMZ.com:

We got this pic, taken yesterday at Out of the Closet thrift store. That’s Warren on the right (naturally), his arm around Erol Sarabi, who is openly gay. Warren, who supports the ban on gay marriage which has not sat real well with some Obama supporters, bought 8 to 10 books, two of which were his own (that doesn’t help with his Amazon ranking). Warren told Sarabi not to believe everything he reads, that he does a lot for AIDS research and was happy that Out of the Closet does free AIDS testing.

“Two of which were his own?” Are you kidding me?? He’s happy they do free AIDS testing? Is he happy they are living in outright sin also?

From another blog:

Meanwhile, in another attempt to soften his anti-homosexual stance, Warren pulled a message from his website. John Aravosis of Americablog noticed that Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church website on Friday said it explicitly bans gay “unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle” to become members. That message has since been removed. But one thing that hasn’t been permanently removed but “rather repurposed for clarity” is the site’s Q & A section addressing homosexuality. Kristin Cole, the press representative for the Saddleback Church purportedly e-mailed the gay website queerty saying:

I wanted to make sure you were aware that the Q & A addressing homosexuality on the Saddleback Church Web site has not been permanently removed, but rather repurposed for clarity. I know your readers have noticed the change. Click here and play the recorded answer to question 22, “What does the Bible say homosexuality?”

Is Rick Warren ashamed of taking–and maintaining–a biblical stance against homosexuality? It seems as though the quote from Martin Luther posted by Desert Pastor should be passed along to Mr. Warren.

I have to wonder something: how did the media get wind of this? How did TMZ find out that Mr. Purpose was at this thrift store? Paparazzi? I doubt it. How many Hollywood photogs are following Rick Warren around, cataloging his every move? No doubt The P.E.A.C.E. Pastor had someone put out the word he was visiting this place so they could do a photo-op of this event. It’s obvious the store owner didn’t approach Warren about having this picture taken, let alone forward it to the media.

You know, it wouldn’t seem so fishy if the Purpose Driven Pope hadn’t just been chosen to do the invocation at the inauguration for The Obamanation with all the kerfluffle that surrounded it. But the timing, the chutzpah, the obvious ham-handed attempt to look “tolerant” to those who are very intolerant of Christians–all in the name of “Purpose”–This was one big PR stunt meant to drive up book sales–Pastor Warren’s favorite “Purpose.”

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How to make a false convert.

You will see in this video numerous false converts made right before your very eyes. False converts that will grow up with an aversion to the true Gospel at best, and a hostility to the true Gospel at worst. This is what American Christianity has become.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

Matthew 23:15

HT: Perilous Times

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“Hip Hopera” the church Christmas play.

guts Guts Church (yes, that’s their real name) put on a Christmas play called Hip Hopera that can only be described as a confusing, convoluted, discombobulated adventure in narcissism, worldly values, and the culture of self-adoration. I kept watching this train wreck expecting it to make sense at some point but it never did.

This self-absorbed Christmas play of worldliness was supposed to convey a message that there’s more to Christmas than getting stuff. However, after watching this display I went away feeling that the Lord Jesus was not only not honored, but He was strangely absent; upstaged by the “relevant” performance.

See you if agree: You can check out their Hip Hopera video on their website by clicking here.

And I’m still scratching my head as to why they portrayed a prepubescent boy oogling the prepubescent girl who walked across the stage (heed Jesus’ warning in Matthew 5:27-28). Perhaps someone can explain that one to me.

If you want to see more of what this “church” is all about, check out this short promotional video in which they boast that at one of their October events called The Nightmare they “scare the hell out of people” (for the sake of the Gospel of course) and that after going through The Nightmare 12,000 people prayed the “prayer of salvation.”

Welcome to Christmas in Laodicea.

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“Self-righteous judgmental ____________.”

The title of this post is an actual quote I found that was referring to Christians. Obviously I’ve removed the inflammatory noun that was clearly an expletive.

So let’s take a little quiz, shall we? Where do you think I found this quote?

A). An Atheist message board.

B). A Wiccan website.

C). Scrawled on a bathroom wall.

D). A Satanist’s memoir.

D). A professing Christian Church’s website.

For the Answers click here.

attitude

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What is John MacArthur missing?

The heretical head of TBN, Paul Crouch, believes that John MacArthur is one of the finest preachers around, a “precious man of God,” and is “going to Heaven with all of us.” But check out what Crouch says is the only thing John MacArthur is missing:

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High Desert “church” proving once again that nothing is sacred in American Christianity.

I found the following video over at Slice of Laodicea. For those who remember High Desert from my previous post Christianity: It’s All About the Music?, you’ll see that it’s still “church” as usual.

I cannot add any more to the commentary than what Ingrid Schlueter already added on her post:

The prophetically named High Desert Church has a Student Ministries pastor named Tim Kuhl who decided at some point in his career to serve as an archetype of everything that is wrong with evangelicalism. This YouTube video serves as a useful one stop place to explain why I could not be paid to attend one of these freak show churches at any price. Tim Kuhl is featured on YouTube at his church, “singing”/lip syncing the well-known mockery version of O Holy Night for the entertainment of the rabble attending. As one commenter put it, it’s no wonder the world laughs at Christians. Even they don’t take their own faith seriously, because they worship a god who is just like THEM.


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1 Sabbath, 3 wolves in sheep’s clothing, and 4 golden calves.

I was not entirely surprised to see Tony Campolo, Brian McLaren, and Rick Warren in support of a ecumenical movement but I was a little surprised to see such CCM golden calves as Natalia Grant, Michael W. Smith, Switchfoot’s lead singer Jon Foreman, and Third Day’s lead singer Mac Powell also lending their support toward this. It seems that every time I turn around another CCM artist reveals how little they believe in the exclusivity of the Gospel.

The One Campaign with the backing of these influential professing Christians has teamed up with three other religions that deny that Jesus is Lord and deny that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Whether you’re a Christian, Jew, Muslim, or Hindu, or of no faith at all, you too can put eternal truths aside to participate in making this world a “better place.”

For more information and examination of this surge toward the blending of all faiths, see A Little Leaven’s post on One Sabbath here, and Slice of Laodicea’s post on it here.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;   And I will welcome you.
“And I will be a father to you,  And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

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Who’s pastoring the youth pastors?

youth-group

Christian Lady published an eye-opening piece on Youth Specialties: Free Resources, Tips and Ideas.

Although there’s much wrong with these tips and ideas, it’s what’s missing that’s most disturbing.  Allow me to quote the original poster’s thoughts on this as she stated her concerns more eloquently than I could have:

I read through the 100 ideas for Youth Workers on the Youth Specialties web page and noticed words/terms/names not used at all in the list.

Missing are:  God, Bible, Christ, Salvation, Sin, Faith, Death, Hell, Devotion(s), Jesus, Holy Spirit, Believe, Repent, Prayer

Not Missing:  Church, Adult, MTV, Rolling Stone, Frisbee, Football, Surveys, Space, Phone Chain, Goals, Worship, Retreats

I’ve posted fifteen of their one hundred tips and ideas below for your examination. Visit their website to view them all.

Tip #2

Subscribe to a popular magazine like Rolling Stone or Teen that will help keep you on top of the current youth culture.

Tip #4

Use surveys and questionnaires to their best advantage. Find out what your young people are thinking on a regular basis.

Tip #10

Don’t meet in a room that is too big for your youth group. If your group is small, meet in a small room. This gives kids the feeling of being “packed” in. Always make sure your meeting place is casual and comfortable.

Tip #11

Have the young people in your group put together a “youth group yearbook” at the end of the year. It should include photos and articles about the past year’s activities. It will be a positive reminder of the good times shared by the group.

Tip #22

Develop programs that reflect the needs, interests and energy level of the young people in your group, not the adults who work with them.

Tip #25

Plan some early morning or late night activities. There will be few conflicts and the kids will enjoy the adventure.

Tip #39

Familiarize yourself with the music your students listen to. MTV’s weekly top videos countdown and some weekly radio programs will help you stay current. Periodically discuss the music with your kids in a positive way.

Tip #44

Put together a “skit closet” full of costumes, old clothes, and props for your drama productions or even last-minute illustrations. Ask people in the church to donate ridiculous looking clothing and other items. Your local thrift shop is a great resource, too.

Tip #59

Never use religious jargon and worn-out cliches. Say what you mean in words today’s youth can understand.

Tip #60

Build self-esteem in your students by affirming them both when they are alone and when they are with their peers. Over time make it a point to say something positive to each one.

Tip #73

Keep a supply of games and recreational items in the trunk of your car at all times. You never can tell when you’ll need a football, a Frisbee, or a few water balloons.

Tip #75

Always serve refreshments at meetings and activities. It’s a relatively easy thing to do and kids love it. It also keeps them around a little longer for personal contact.

Tip #84

Videotape the “big game” this year at your local high school and show it after the game on a wide-screen TV. Invite the whole school.

Tip #93

Use TV to your advantage. Tape and discuss good programs. Discuss and evaluate the programs that are most popular with your youth.

Tip #97

Put on a drama once a year. It gives more kids a chance to use their talents and be in the limelight.

Besides the idea and concept of a “youth pastor” being completely absent from the Scriptures, and besides the fact that too often the “youth pastor” has never raised kids of his own, knows too little about theology and too much about MTV, and in spite of the incredible failure rate of “youth pastors” (the false conversions abound), it still seems that “youth pastors” are all the rage in Laodicea. I wonder why that is . . .

To quote Paul Washer on the subject:

“What are most youth groups like? You get a real personable young leader who’s usually not married and a lot of mousse in his hair. And then he gets a lot of young people around him, and what do they become? According to Proverbs they become companions of fools. When you put young people with young people in this atmosphere of adolescence you have no growth to adulthood, you have no maturity, no elders are involved, no parents are involved. It can’t work because it’s not Biblical.”

For a related sermon on the problem with “youth pastors/leaders” see Voddie Baucham’s The Centrality of the Home.



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Charismania unrestrained: Africa’s witch children.

This is one of the most disturbing and heart-wrenching documentaries I’ve ever seen. This shocking six-part video depicts what I view as simply the Word of Faith heresy taken to its logical conclusion (and perpetuated in the fertile soil of pagan superstition) in a land where no laws exist to protect children. You can’t help but be moved to tears by the human wreckage left in the wake of Pentecostalism’s sweep across Nigeria as children are starved, tortured, beaten, and killed because some “prophet” or “prophetess” labels them a witch. Stepping Stones (the only known organization helping these children) said the following on their website:

“Stepping Stones Nigeria does not wish to denounce any faith organisation. However the role of the church, especially some of the new Pentecostals, in spreading the belief in child witches cannot be underestimated. There are numerous so-called pastors in the region who are wrongly branding children as ‘witches’ mainly for economic self gain and personal recognition.”

This is a documentary that you must see, but be warned, it contains some graphic and disturbing images and material.

I’ve posted my own title/description preceding each video.

One:

The false prophet’s gold wrist watch (seen at 4:44 in the video) reveals his true intentions

Two:

Inside the churches of the ravenous wolves

Three:

Meeting Mary; the five-year old rejected by a whole village

Four:

Helen Ukpabio identified as the lead false prophetess

Five:

Helen Ukpabio’s true self comes out

Six:

A child’s heart-wrenching anguish of abandonment

Also see DefCon’s related posts:

The Hell-bound false prophetess Helen Ukpabio of Liberty Gospel Church in Liberia

and

Church Planting in Liberia, West Africa

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What is on Mark Driscoll’s shirt?

In the following video of Mark Driscoll I observed something that may have gone unnoticed (or ignored) by the masses of Driscollites.

Is the image on his shirt truly a depiction Jesus Christ (what we commonly associate in the West as being Jesus for those who will split hairs in Driscoll’s defense)? And is that depiction of who we commonly associate in the West as being Jesus Christ also being depicted on his shirt as a DJ at the turntables?

How completely irreverent but oh, so relevant.

His depiction of the Savior on his shirt betrays everything he says in the video. ‘Tis a shame, ’tis a shame indeed.

dj

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What did C.S. Lewis really believe?

cslewis Every time I turn around I discover some respected Christian preacher, teacher, pastor, scholar, etc. is affirming some doctrinal error or flat out heresy (and/or rubbing elbows with known heretics). And now I’ve come across this shocking examination of C.S. Lewis’ creed on Christian Research Network.

It asks the question whether or not C.S. Lewis is in Heaven. After reading this article which reviews some of Lewis’ beliefs (and teachings), I not only realized that it is a legitimate question to ask, but one whose answer is not as simple as you might think.