Perry Noble calls us “jack***es”

Well, well, well. It seems as though the High Guru of the hip/cool/relevant, Purpose-Driven, marketing-driven, gospel-less goat pen known as BitterSpring Church doesn’t think it’s all that important to teach the truth of God’s Word. Yeah, I know–go figure, right? This is from the same guy that has no problem joining the house of God with pagans and Satan-worshippers, and who encourages his flock of sheeple to indulge in entertainment that promotes drinking and sexual gratification. And who says that anybody who critiques his Pope, Rick Warren, can “Kiss my…” (I’ll let you fill in the blank).

Well, now, Goat Master Noble has sunk to calling those of us who labor in the word “jacka**es.” Don’t believe me, go over to Apprising Ministries and listen for yourself to what this “man of God” has to say for yourself. Gee, don’t you wish you could be half as hip/cool/relevant as Perry Noble? After all, with one comment, he has managed to disparage men like: Martin Luther, John Wesley, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, George Whitefield, John Owen, AW Tozer, John MacArthur, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and many, many others–maybe even your own pastor. All in the name of “engaging the culture” and keeping people biblically illiterate. Truly, a devoted student of the High Priest of Purpose.

If Perry would actually blow the dust off his Bible and actually read it, he just might find these words from the apostle Paul in 2nd Timothy 4:1-3I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Did you catch that, Perry?

But hey, who needs to read that dumb old Bible when you can be fed on the regurgitated vomit of Purpose-Drivenism? Just more fruit from the poisonous tree planted by Pope Warren.

The Two Trees

(From: Discernment Research Group at Herescope)
Meditation that is not founded upon the Word of God, like a labyrinth, is a maze that ultimately ends up in futility, going nowhere but endless spirals.

Those who have practiced Eastern-style meditation, with its emptying of the mind and/or visualization (imagery), often do so because they desire to acquire peace, or because they are hurting and desire their inner psycho-spiritual needs to be met. Yet they will eventually find that their needs are not met, and they are more empty than ever. Further, this type of meditation opens one’s mind to occult spirituality – even if it is done under the aura of being “Christian.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Why we do what we do

question-mark

Many people who visit DefCon come here seeking truth. They have heard lies and stories told by those who claim to be shepherds and pastors, only to find they have been lied to and misled. Others are new Christians who are looking for help to understand what is truth, where to find it, who can be trusted, and who to should be avoided at all costs.

Then there are some who come here from a mindset, a philosophy, a religion, that is opposed to the truth of God. They are Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness or Emegerent or postmodern or they come from the prospoerity gospel, and so on and so forth. Or they may come from The Church of the Fluffybunny–those churches where they would not DARE speak biblical truth, lest somebody’s feelings get hurt. They would not DARE talk about sin, lest somebody’s self-esteem be injured. They are from an all-inclusive, seeker-sensitive, porpoise-drivel, Osteen/Warren/Schuller/Ed Young type church where truth is simply whatever you want it to be.

So, this person comes to DefCon, sees that we are not afraid of offending anyone, knowing that the cross is “to the Jews a stumblingblock, and to the Greeks foolishness” (1st Corinthians 1:23). And they see us tear down the foolishness of these “little boy preachers,” and compare/contrast what they say against the Scripture. And the accusations come flying. We are “Pharisees.” We are “judgmental.” We are “putting God in a box.” We are “the only ones who know the truth.” We have never “talked to God.” etc. etc. etc

At this point, the question becomes: “Why do we do what we do.” That’s what you’re about to find out. Let me tell you in a parable.

Suppose I served a master who was married to a young bride. This bride is not always wise when it came to the ways of the world (Matthew 10:16). Now, my master is going on a long trip, and will not be back for a long time (John 16:16). While my master is gone, he has entrusted me with the care of his bride (1st Timothy 3:15). I promise that I will look after her, watch over her, and let nothing happen to her. I promise to let no one do violence to her or despoil her (Acts 20:28). After all, my master has gone to great lengths to keep her pure (Ephesians 5:27).

Shortly thereafter, a young man comes knocking at the door. He is a finely-dressed, good-looking, well-spoken young man. But I also know he is not as he seems. Yet, when He asks to come in, I let him in. After all, I don’t want to offend him or make him feel bad or unwelcome. Then I step out to go to the store, leaving the young man alone with my master’s young bride. When I return, the young man is gone. I go upstairs to find my master’s young bride in the bedroom. Her face is bruised, her clothes are torn. She is crying and inconsolable. I know what has happened. I also know that it is my fault that it happened, because I left her alone with someone whose intentions were evil–and I knew it. I have done evil by allowing this evil to be done–all the while thinking my master will never know (Psalm 10:11).

But, my master does know. He has cameras all over the house. He can see everything that happens (Hebrews 4:13). And He has seen that I left His bride with a man who was good-looking outside, but evil resided within him (Matthew 7:15). When He finally returns, will He be angry? I dare say He would be extremely angry for allowing such evil to be done to his bride (Jeremiah 23:1). He would be furious with me for allowing His bride to fall prey to someone that I knew good and well was evil throughout (James 4:17). And He would beat me severely for my disobedience (Luke 12:47).

On the other hand, suppose when that young man came to the door, I knew his intentions (Hebrews 4:12). And instead of letting him in, I proclaimed to the entire neighborhood that he was evil (Philippians 3:17-19). I let it be known to all who could hear that this man who looked so dashing and charming was a snake on the inside (Romans 16:17-18). Thus warned, men kept their brides hidden from him, and would not so much as open the door to him (2nd John 1:9-11). And when my master returned, He would reward me for my obedience (2nd Samuel 22:21; Revelation 22:12).

That, friend, is why we do what we do. Because there are many good-looking, fine-sounding religions that are just waiting to find their way into the true church and wreak havoc upon her. We, with every breath in us, will fight to never let that happen! And will warn everyone we can so they do not fall prey.

Gaithers enter “The Shack”

 

Sadly, Bill and Gloria Gaither–names almost synonymous with Southern Gospel music–have joined the apostasy that is “The Outhouse” “The Shack.” A couple weeks ago, they held a “Family Fest” (hat tip: Apprising Ministries) in Gatlinburg, TN (pop: 3800. pop during tourist season: 2,500,000), right near my back yard. And who were two of their guest speakers? None other than Paul Young, author of the blasphemy that is “The Outhouse” “The Shack” and Steve Brown of Key Life Ministries (why should you avoid Steve Brown answered here).

Gloria Gaither gave a copy to Mark Lowry, who then gave a personal endorsement of “The Outhouse” “The Shack” (via Slaughtering the Sheep):

I am only on page 149 but, already, I want there to be a sequel. Part 2, please!

Gloria Gaither handed this book, The Shack, to me while I was staying in their home. I read up to the murder of the little girl and couldn’t read any more. I put the book down, lost it and, a few weeks later, felt compelled to go to Lifeway in Nashville and buy another copy.

Now, I can’t put it down. (Source: Scroll down and read the post from May 1, 2008.)

[…]

Well, I finally finished The Shack by William P. Young. The first five chapters are very hard to read. Very painful. But somewhere around chapter 6, Dorothy lands in Oz and everything becomes technicolor. I really love this book. It confirmed for me a lot of things I’ve been learning about God. (emphasis mine) Source.

So, unfortunately, if asked, I can no longer endorse The Gaithers’ music in any way, having embraced the heresy that is “The Outhouse” “The Shack.”

Rob Bell invites heretical mystic woman to speak

 

Phyllis Tickle (She’s the one on the right. And yes, that’s her name, and that’s what she does to the ears) was invited to speak at a pagan shrine in Grand Rapids, MI recently. The shrine to the gods is headed by emergent guru Rob Bell, and was host to this woman who quoted all kinds of “Christian” msytics and heretics–but precious little Scripture. In fact, she calls those of us who do believe the truth of Scripture “fools” for daring to examine the filth she is spewing. It’s over at A Little Leaven; stomach it if you can. If you thought Mark Driscoll’s take on Song of Solomon was weird, wait till you hear how whacky this woman gets right before the 7:00 mark.

For those of you who come down on us for opposing “Christian” mystics and those who teach “contemplative prayer” &c, as well as exposing the people who quote them (all the while claiming to be Christian)–now do you see the danger that comes with following those heretics? This is the kind of drivel you get when you follow mystical enchanters instead of the One True God and His Christ. And when yolu follow someone like Rob Bell.

Our Daily Bread Crumbles??

ODB_2006_06_Large (1)Few who personally know me realize I have concerns over the devotional publication entitled Our Daily Bread. This little publication gives a daily text reading from the Scripture accompanied by a little story of some kind designed to give encouragement as the reader travels the rat race of life for the day.

However, when the daily bread of the infallible, inerrant AND holy Word of God is watered down with the drivel of the world, it will at best become nothing more than a daily crumb and at worst will prove to be poison that will slowly (almost imperceptibly) destroy the soul of the one who is reading. This is especially true if the one who is reading is not grounded in the Word of God.

Before I continue, I want to ensure the reader that I do not necessarily discredit daily devotional books or booklets. I do give fair warning though that they can easily become a quick fix to the morning or evening period when one should be spending time with the Saviour of their soul reading the Scriptures He has provided through His Holy Spirit.

Our Daily Bread has been on a long slippery road for quite some time and until doing some research on another topic matter, I did not realize how slippery the slope has become.

M. Scott Peck, Henri Nouwen, Larry Crabb, Brother Lawrence, Brennan Manning and others are (or were) either New Age proponents or hugely influential in what is known as contemplative mysticism. The latter is making huge inroads into evangelical churches, and I would go so far as to say it actually taking the church by storm! The connection that these individuals have is that they are all quoted favorably and extensively on a regular basis by Radio Bible Class and Our Daily Bread publication.

Henri Nouwen as an example was a Roman Catholic heretic who privately held to the sinful belief that he was also a homosexual and believed that men could be saved apart from Jesus Christ. Radio Bible Class has no problems endorsing this man as a fine example of a “Christian!”

Brennan Manning, who is also a Roman Catholic, has his salvation experience thus on his website, “In February 1956, while Brennan was meditating on the Stations of the Cross, a powerful experience of the personal love of Jesus Christ sealed the call of God on his life.”

I would encourage the reader to go to the Radio Bible Class website and in their search engine type any of the above names and see what articles and books show up. I have no doubt that you will be as surprised as I was to find a so-called evangelical publication and publishing house openly endorsing contemplative mysticism as well as Roman Catholic homosexual heretics!

Dr. M.R. De Haan would be appalled at what this organization has come to today. His goal to maintain and present biblical purity through the spoken and written Word has been put to the wayside. The meat of the Word has been laid aside for the sake of doctrinal inclusiveness and the crumbs of worldly philosophy have been injected into the morsels being provided daily to unsuspecting believers.

2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Hungering for the Meat of the Word,

The Desert Pastor

Todd Bentley exposed as fraud

Macs-for-Dummies

Unfortunately, we don’t have a category here called “News of the Obvious.” Because if we did, this would be at the top of the list. As if we needed any further proof that Todd Bentley was a liar, conniver, charlatan, false prophet, etc–in addition to the kicking, kneeing, motorcycle boots to the face, and all the other shenanigans that with the Bentley Brothers and Joyner and Branham Flying Circus™, here is a story about the list of those whom Todd Bentley Ministries claimed were MIRACULOUSLY HEALED!!

However, there’s a problem with some of those who were supposedly “healed.”

What’s the problem, you ask?

They’re dead.

I kid you not. From World Magazine (via A Little Leaven) [emphases mine]:

[W]hen [Christopher] Fogle got severe cancer, his relaxing fishing trips, which he sometimes took with his children, ended. It was a devastating blow for the active 45-year-old. But for Todd Bentley, television preacher and self-proclaimed healer, the cancer represented an opportunity to “proclaim the glory of God.” [Or was it more to proclaim “The glory of Todd“?–Ed.] At the height of what many called a revival, WORLD asked Bentley to talk about the healings, like Fogle’s, and asked for a list of people who had been healed at the services. His associates told me Bentley was out of the country and a list could not be produced. But six weeks and more than a dozen requests later, the ministry eventually sent a list of 13 names. Fogle was No. 12 on the list, along with this note: “Healed through the Outpouring and is back to fishing.”

That was on Aug. 8, 2008. There was just one problem. Two weeks earlier, on July 22, Christopher A. Fogle—according to his obituary in the Keokuk (Iowa) Daily Gate City, “left this life . . . after a courageous battle with cancer.”

Oops. But the fraud doesn’t end there. Read on [emphases mine]:

A review of the list nearly one year later reveals that Fogle is not the only person “healed” who is now dead. When I called Phyllis Mills, of Trinity, N.C., on April 22, to hear the testimony of her healing, a polite family member said, “Phyllis passed away a few days ago. In fact, we’re on our way to her funeral now.”

Any more? Yep [emphases mine]:

Another problem with Bentley’s list is that some of the healings, even if legitimate, didn’t happen at Bentley’s services. Gaila Smith, 53, of Yerington, Nev., was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago, at age 43, and had what she called a “total mastectomy” at that time. But the cancer had spread to her liver. Over the next decade she endured more rounds of chemotherapy, the latest one ending in December. She eventually attended a women’s conference, where “God touched me,” she said. She says she was healed at the women’s conference, but when she attended Bentley’s meetings in Lakeland, they asked, “If you had experienced a miraculous healing, come forward.”Smith went forward and told her story, and she ended up on Bentley’s list, with this note: “Healed of breast cancer that had spread to liver. Totally healed in Florida, all scans are now clear.”

Not only did any healing take place elsewhere, Smith now admits that the scans are not now clear. “The doctors tell me that my numbers are going up,” said Smith, who told me that she, too, had a healing ministry. “But we don’t buy into that. That’s a fact, but it’s not the truth. The truth is that I’ve been healed.”

It’s a fact, but it’s not the truth. So if I say my bald head “is a fact but not the truth,” does that mean I have hair up there? But, he does have his supporters [emphases mine]:

“We don’t regret our time there at all. We saw many miracle signs and wonders. The Lord knew what was going to happen, but he chose Todd anyway. And there are still fires burning all over the world. How can you argue with that?”

Still fires burning all over the world. Hmmm, I was starting to wonder why I keep smelling sulfur.

And the downward spiral that is Todd Bentley continues. All that “counseling” he was going through because he is such a “man of God?” Man of God, huh? What kind of “man of God” does this sound like [emphases mine]:

In November, the Fresh Fire board said that Bentley was “not submitting” to the counseling and restoration process and that he was guilty of adultery…..On March 9, 2009, [it was] announced that Todd had remarried—to the same “former employee” with whom he had had the inappropriate relationship.

In clear violation of the word of God that he was supposed to be so dedicated to. Except, he was NOT committed to the word of God. He was too busy being led around blindly by “angels.” Of course, those weren’t God’s angels who were leading him through darkness. If only Fresh Fire had shown that kind of sense before this circus got out of hand. But, hey, since he’s going to be restored to the charismatic circus, why not learn from the worst [emphases mine]:

Bentley relocated to Ft. Mill, S.C., where according to statements he is undergoing a “restoration process” under the direction of controversial charismatic ministry leader [and rank heretic–Ed.] Rick Joyner…..Joyner admitted that Bentley’s remarriage was “wrong and premature,” but he said that Bentley’s restoration process would continue.

Expect the Bentley excuse train to start firing up the locomotive any time now.

Bezel333: “21st Century signs and wonders”

Once again, Bezel uncovers the truth using a little thing called “Scripture” to debunk the claims made by the Satanic signs and lying wonders crowd who take God out of the box and make Him dance like He’s their own little puppet.

Quiz for 1/26/2009

OK, here is another quiz for you.

The question this time is, what kind of worship is the following quote describing? And, as usual, no fair Googling.

“The emphasis [is on] psychophysical relatedness and subjective experience…The transcendence of the deity is overcome in the ecstasy of feeling. Sensory participation  is featured. Images are necessary-the bolder, the more colorful, the more sensational, the better. Music and dance become the means for drawing persons out of their private diversities and merging them into a mass response…worship [is] reduced to the spiritual stature of the worshipper. Its canons are that it should be interesting, relevant, and exciting.”

Filled With The Ecstacy of God???

Pay close attention to what happens when the music starts about 5:09 and then LISTEN to what he says about “no longer having to study the Word” at about 5:52 into the video!

What Club Mysterio, Ekstasis Worship, and Patricia King are all offering worship which is not acceptable to God.  PlumblineApologetics states the following on this video –

“1) Ekstasis means any casting down of a thing from its proper place or state, displacement i.e Occultism

2) a throwing of the mind out of its normal state (Astral Projections), alienation of consciousness, whether such as makes a lunatic or that of a man who by some sudden emotion is transported as it were out of himself, so that in this rapt condition, although he is awake, his mind is drawn off from all surrounding objects and wholly fixed on things divine that he sees nothing but the forms and images lying within, and thinks that he perceives with his bodily eyes and ears realities shown him by God.

3) the state of one who, either owing to the importance or the novelty of an event, is thrown into a state of blended fear and wonderment”

HT: PlumblineApologetics

Becoming a God

If you’re looking for a religion that promotes the aspiration to become a god, you won’t have to look far.

This seemingly popular doctrine must appeal to a basic desire of sinful men. Satan played on this desire in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) when he convinced Adam and Eve to doubt God, who had said the couple would die if they ate the fruit. Instead, Satan told them, they would be like God if they transgressed the only law God gave them.

Mormonism teaches that good Mormons will become gods. This is a doctrine that the Mormon missionaries won’t bring up on their first door-to-door visit, but, from my experience, they will defend it when confronted with it. Becoming gods is a clear teaching of the LDS church, contained in their Scripture:

Referring to those who are married eternally through Mormonism, and don’t commit murder,

“Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.” (Doctrines and Covenants 132:20).

Catholicism also teaches that people can become gods—in very plain language.

“For the Son of God became man so that we might become God. The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.” Catholic Catechism 460

While there are many schools of thought in Hinduism, new ageism, paganism, and Satanism, many who practice these religions also hope to become gods. Hindus can become gods through many cycles of reincarnation. The new age religion teaches that men will evolve into gods someday (in the age of Aquarius). Pagans worship nature and deities that control nature, and through learning more and more about esoteric truths, they believe they may attain godhood (also known as Gnosticism). Some Satanists believe that Satan is the true God of the universe, and will someday re-ascend to his previous place. When this happens, his loyal followers will be made gods as their reward.

Mormonism and Catholicism appear to me to be merely Christianized versions of new age, pagan and Satanic religions. They all use the prospect of becoming a god to appeal to the pride of fallen man.

The Bible teaches something much different: There is only one God (Isaiah 43:10, John 17:3). If that isn’t a big enough blow to the pride of sinful man, here’s an even bigger insult: Every human is commanded to die to him or herself, and live for the glory of the only true God. Anything else is idolatry.

Bezel333 on “The Circle of Life”

The title of the video is “Reincarnation or Resurrection?” Ever see “The Lion King?” With so much Eastern Mysticism running rampant in American churches (“The Gospel According to the Beatles,” for example) the fact that all will be resurrected–the just will be resurrected to life, the wicked will be resurrected to death. We will not “come back” as a dog or a cat or anything else. Once we die, that’s it.

And why do we die? Sin. When sin conceives it brings forth death. It was because of Adam’s sin, that each and every one of us inherited, that these bodies break down and we die. It’s not a “circle”: we don’t get another chance. So, here’s Bezel:

Bezel333 on the “Intentions” of D. Wayne Dyer

In this Age of New Age, the sound scholarship of men like Bezel333 is a welcome oasis in a desert of…yuckiness.

D. Wayne Dyer, who sounds like a High Priest in the Church of Oprah, teaches a mushy-gushy, “You are everything” type of religion–kind of like the “prosperity ‘gospel'”.

Oprah Winfrey’s necromancy

Isaiah 8:19-20–And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

You can hear Oprah Winfrey, the woman behind the man who wants to be our next president (Hussein Osama bin-Obama) speaking with a woman who “channels” Abraham. Ask yourself if this is the kind of person you want so close to the White House.

More doctrines of demons.

In the same spirit (1 John 4:1) as Dan Kimball’s They Like Jesus But Not The Church, comes I Love Jesus, I hate Christianity by Kim Michaels.

There’s no need for me to comment on this New Age drivel. I’ll let the description of the book speak for itself:

“Despite the catchy and irreverent title, this book is the first book ever to call for a complete rethinking of Christianity that focuses on the human ego and the Christ consciousness. . . . The book also describes how humankind has moved from a mythic level of consciousness to a rational level of consciousness and is not moving into the intuitive level. Most of today’s Christian churches are still held hostage by a mythic level mindset and doctrines that spring from the black-and-white thinking of the mythic level. . . . The book calls for a new form of Christianity that is suited for today’s rational and intuitive level people. The book suggests a number of practical steps that can revitalize Christianity, including restoring Jesus as an example to follow instead of an idol to worship. It also gives an unprecedented description of how the path to personal Christhood is hidden between the lines of Jesus’ own words from the scriptures. . . . There is simply no other book on the market that contains so many revolutionary ideas about the Christian religion and the true meaning of Jesus’ mission and message. This is far more thought-provoking than The Da Vinci Code.”

And if this 412 page deception isn’t enough, Mother Mary’s Garden, (the New Age, occult-laden website promoting this doctrine of demons), also sells rosaries for all occasions including foundational rosaries and advanced rosaries. The advanced ones include rosaries:

For invoking spiritual protection.

For cleaning your four lower bodies.

For purifying the mother light.

And what Satanically-inspired, idolatrous, neo-pagan, superstitious, goddess worship would be complete withoutTools for healing mother earth“?

There never seems to be a shortage of attacks on the truth of Christianity, the doctrines of our Faith, and Bride of Christ.

Even so, come Lord Jesus. Maranatha!