Doctrine divides!

standing-alone “Doctrine divides!”

Whenever you hear this it’s usually followed up with we all worship the same God” and can’t we all get along?”

Whenever the mantra “doctrine divides” is employed, it’s always with a negative connotation. But have you stopped to ponder why?

Allow me to submit for your consideration, that “doctrine divides” is actually a good thing–a positive thing. It’s true that “doctrine divides,” and here’s what it divides:

The ones just wanting to be fed from the ones willing to take up their cross.

The false conversions from the true conversions.

The ones under law from the ones under grace.

The swine from the pearls.

The profane from the holy.

The tares from the wheat.

The goats from the sheep.

The wolves from the flock.

The hirelings from the shepherds.

The “other gospels” from the one true Gospel.

The false christs from the one true Christ.

The darkness from the Light.

The lies from the Truth.

The myths from the facts.

The wicked from the righteous.

The wide gate from the narrow gate.

The broad road from the narrow road.

and

The many paths from the only Way.

Doctrine divides; doctrine divides; thank God Almighty, doctrine divides!

The Pilgrim

“If we find any evidence you are a Christian, we will kill you.”

guillotine This death threat was uttered from an Iranian judge spoken to an underground Believer in Iran as quoted in the latest Voice of the Martyrs publication (2009 Special Issue page 8).

It got me thinking about the difference between those who become Christians in nations where it means a death sentence, and those who become Christians in the West. It raised the following questions for me:

– What if we were faced with the same proclamation that this judge gave to this man?

– How would we react in this same situation?

– Are we prepared to face this possible life or death situation?

– If Christianity was made illegal tomorrow and we were brought before a court for the crime of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence in the average life of an American Believer to convict them?

Tough questions, but questions we may one day have to face no matter what comfortable, prosperous, and secure nation we live in today.


Goodbye Westminster, hello Behemoth.

behemoth

Earlier this month my wife stumbled upon something shocking. While perusing Westminster Bookstore (one of our favorite online book sellers) she asked me, “Did you know that Westminster Bookstore is selling Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church?” I thought to myself there must be some mistake. So I walked from the kitchen over to the computer where she was at because I had to see it with my own eyes. I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it: the reformed online book seller Westminster was indeed selling Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Church.

My wife and I both sent Westminster an e-mail (separately) in regards to this matter on November 3rd. It’s been three weeks and neither of us have received a reply. So it is with great sadness that I am removing them from DefCon’s Online Bookstores category as I can no longer endorse them.

However, I still can continue to endorse such trusted book sellers as Family Faith Books, Monergism Books, Vision Forum, and North Hampton Press. And now I am excited to introduce a new kid on the block: Behemoth.com.

Behemoth.com is run by Vision Forum (both very pro-family and pro-home school) and is definitely worth checking out. They offer a wide variety of materials and a daily free download.



Thank you: An open letter to faithful pastors.

standing-alone DefCon deals with defending the Christian faith from a virtual cornucopia of heresy, damnable lies, false teaching, cults, and the lukewarm status quo which is running rampant throughout most American churches. But I wanted to take a moment to not only recognize those pastors out there who have refused to compromise, but I wanted to also encourage them to continue to remain faithful.

So in the same spirit as Ingrid Schuleter’s Wanted: An Old Fashioned Church, I’ve decided to post my own open letter. I’d like to address mine to all the faithful pastors out there; these pastors know who they are.

Dear faithful pastors:

While every other church in your town has gone “purpose-driven,” you refuse to allow this poison to infect your congregation; blocking it at the door. Thank you.

When the goats and wolves among the flock urge you to change what you’re doing or they’ll leave, you refuse; remaining steadfast to the truth and preaching the whole counsel of God. Thank you.

When the wolves secreted among the sheep try everything they can to get you to capitulate and compromise in this or that matter, you stand firm to protect your flock and drive out the wolves from among them. Thank you.

When the goats among the sheep defend the wolves you’re resisting and demand you compromise to accommodate the wolves, you continue to stand firm. Thank you.

When every other pastor in your town has refused to teach sound Biblical doctrine in favor of tickling ears with myths, fables, and upbeat, positive self-help messages, you remain true to preaching the whole counsel of God, including the not-so-seeker-friendly parts. Thank you.

When the other pastors are too busy courting friendship with the world (i.e. being enemies of God) in order to be seen as “hip” and “relevant,” you have resisted and stood firm on the matter of holiness. Thank you.

When many of the other churches in your area are offering “sermons” on the Beatles, Elvis, sex, Hollywood movies, and every other lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life, you continue to faithfully, systematically, and fearfully teach the words of life from the holy Scriptures. Thank you.

When other pastors are spending their time immersed in the culture, setting wickedness before their eyes by spending countless hours rotting on the couch in front of their televisions and sitting in darkened theaters, you spend countless hours in prayer and studying the Word of God to not only show yourself an approved workman of God, but a faithful shepherd of your flock. Thank you.

When it seems that no one in your local assembly wants to sacrifice but they all want to reap rewards, you don’t let it discourage you; you keep on fighting the good fight. Thank you.

In spite of pressure to compromise Biblical truths for the sake of “unity” and “tolerance,” you stay the course, preaching the exclusivity of Christ and Him crucified. Thank you.

You endure those middle-of-the-night phone calls. You give so much of yourself in endless counseling sessions to those who refuse to simply open the Bible and follow its directions. You make great sacrifices in ways that no one will ever know and almost all of which go completely unnoticed. Thank you.

No matter how much the world pulls at you to compromise, you know that you will stand before God one day and give an account and that you have many people counting on you to persevere till the end. Thank you.

On behalf of those who sit under your preaching week after week, we stand up and applaud, thanking God for your faithfulness as shepherds of His Church, tirelessly counseling, teaching, preaching, and protecting the flock that He’s entrusted you with in the face of a world (and church) full of relentless opposition.

Thank you for your faithfulness to Jesus Christ, to His gospel, to His Church, and to His truth. You are few. You are a minority. Many times you feel as if you stand alone, but know that you are never alone and great will be your reward in Heaven.

Stay the course and never compromise!

Sincerely,

The Pilgrim

_________________________________________________________________

Please see: A Sobering Call to Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers



DefCon welcomes Brian Culver to the team.

brian-culver

I am happy to announce that Pastor Brian Culver of Time 2 Change Churches, Open the Bible, and Feed Your Spirit Ministries has joined the DefCon team in the Truth War. Please welcome him in the battle to defend truth and contend for the faith as the DefCon 6 now becomes the DefCon 7.

Happy 200,000th.

Today DefCon celebrates its 200,000th hit since its inception on April 15, 2008. Thank you all for your faithful readership and a special thank-you to the DefCon contributors for your faithful defense of the faith. To mark this milestone I’ve unveiled a new look at the request of The Desert Pastor, so if you don’t like it you can blame him. :o)
– The Pilgrim

Which Bible translation do you prefer, and why?

I’ve asked this question in the past but since new readers have come on board here at DefCon, I thought I’d pose the question once more: Which Bible translation do you prefer and why?

Please take our poll below and if you want to explain why you use a preferred translation, feel free to leave a comment.

If you choose “Other,” please take a moment and let us know what your “Other” is. And yes, I know . . . The Message isn’t a “translation” but I thought I’d just throw it in there to see what happens.


Has the Religious Right lost its voice in American politics?

When those who comprise the politically Religious Right awoke recently to the news that John McCain was the republican nominee, there must have been a collective sigh of disappointment heard across the nation from those who for the last few decades banked on their valiant efforts in the political arena to assist in ushering in God’s Kingdom on earth.

So now what does the Religious Right have to show for decades of compromising the Christian faith to “help God out?” And what has happened to the morality of this nation during the Religious Right’s years as change agents over their country’s behavior? Let’s take a quick look at the state of the nation after years of the politically-minded Religious Right having a voice in national politics:

Teen pregnancy is still rampant.

Drunkenness and drug use is still rampant.

A staggering number of children are still being murdered in their mother’s womb every day and this abhorrent act is still protected by United States law.

Almost every unnatural and perverse sexual lifestyle is not only accepted but celebrated.

The adult entertainment industry continues to grow and pornography is now more easily available via the internet than ever before.

Children are being pumped full of drugs to combat perceived “disorders.”

Smut, filth, profanity, blasphemy, the glamorization of godless lifestyles, and the celebration of every sin imaginable continues to flow into our homes like a raging river that’s breached its banks via our televisions, movies, magazines, books, and internet.

Churches have increasingly become lukewarm at best and full-blown apostate at worst as the cancer of pragmatism has swept over the nation like the creeping blackness of a solar eclipse.

And now the Moral Majority has a candidate for president that is not a friend of the Religious Right (except during election time, of course) and is far from anyone that the Religious Right can rejoice over.

This and many other growing problems are what all that hard work has gotten the Religious Right while the true call of Christians (evangelism) has succumbed to the death of neglect.

While the Religious Right has spent enormous amounts of time, energy, and money to change the “minds” of the American populace, the “hearts” of Americans have grown colder, darker, and increasingly wicked.

So what do those who have put all their eggs in the basket of worldly politics—and who view the American political system as the answer to the decline of American morals—do now? What’s next for the Religious Right now that their exercise in the advancement of dominion theology has not only utterly failed to reverse the ills of America, but has also failed to elect a truly conservative “Christian” president?

For most, they will reluctantly support John McCain and convince themselves (through the frenzied hype of others) that John McCain is a friend of Christians. A man who Christians and the Religious Right would not have dreamed of supporting just a few short months ago, now grin and bear it–adorning their yards with McCain campaign signs and their cars with McCain campaign stickers.

Will some in the Religious Right finally sit back and take stock of the utter failure of all their combined efforts over the years as this nation’s flood of abominations continues to fill its cup of wrath to capacity? Will they finally concede defeat in man’s efforts to modify the behavior of their fellow man through legislation? Or will they go back to the drawing board to see what went wrong to try again?

May I make a suggestion to all those disciples of Robertson, Dobson, Haggard, Bauers, and Falwell? May I recommend something to all the Christians who are going to the polls to (yet again) vote for the lesser of the two evils and who still can’t seem to see that the more different the two parties are, the more they’re actually the same?

Take your sights off the world and put it back on Heaven! Get off the worldly system’s political train and get back to what Christians are supposed to be doing. Stop mingling with the world in the world’s game expecting to change hearts through legislation. Cease entangling yourselves in the affairs of the world. Quit trying to “Christianize” candidates like the Universalist George Bush when in the end the only one doing the compromising is you! Turn off the 24-hour news networks, put down the remote, and pick up the Bible.

The world has allowed you to play in its game for quite some time now but what has it really gotten you? How far have you drifted from God in the daily compromise of your faith to be able to battle in the political arena? Has Jesus Christ been lifted up and glorified and His Word honored among the nations by your political actions or has He been relegated to a “form” that you’ve created so that He fits neatly into your image of the widely accepted but Scripturaly incorrect American Jesus iconic image?

l

I am not against your civic duty to cast your vote in an election, nor am I against being involved in politics. What I am stressing here is the problems that arise when Christians erroneously think that government is the answer to man’s problems when the truth is it’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ that’s the answer to man’s problems . . . and those problems all stem from sin!

There is no command, example, teaching, or precedent found in Scripture where Christians are supposed to get involved in their nation’s political system to enact change or to enforce Christian values upon the populace. The Apostle Paul never once tried to run for public office or finagle his way into the political system to change Rome’s poor moral condition.

We are called to evangelize the lost, not coerce the masses through legislation to be good moralists whose outside is washed white but whose insides are full of filth. We are called to proclaim to every creature salvation through Jesus Christ, not “God Bless America.”

If your desire is to “take this nation for God,” then stop trying to do it the world’s way and start doing it God’s way . . . preach Christ and Him crucified!

So in answer to the question, “Has the Religious Right lost its voice in American politics?” I can simply answer no . . . you can’t lose something you never had to begin with.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3

Would a Christian vote for Barack Hussein Obama?

Not could a Christian vote for Barack Hussein Obama, but would a Christian vote for Barack Hussein Obama?

When I say “Christian” I don’t mean a lukewarm, name-only, self-deceived “Christian,” but a true, born-again, regenerated Christian (think: the Apostle Paul vs Brian McLaren).

So what are those professing Christians of the Matthew 25 Network in the previous video endorsing?

Blasphemous association or divine doctrine?

Question: Would there ever be an occasion in which you would equate God the Father on the same plane as anything or anyone else?

Would you ever combine or associate God with anyone or anything in which the relation would indicate or imply equality? For example, would you ever assert that God and electricity are on equal footing? What about God and man being equal? What about God and an angel?

Most of you would rightly say, “No! That is not only contrary to the revealed nature of God, but it’s blasphemous.”

For those who are not sure about the point I’m trying to make, permit me to be more specific with the following examples:

– Would you ever do anything in the name of the Father, the force, and the power?

– Would you ever perform any work in the name of the Father, Peter, and Paul?

– Would you ever administer a sacrament in the name of the Father, Gabriel (the angel), and Michael (the arch angel)?

Where am I going with all of this?

Well, I was thinking recently about the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their rejection of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. There are so many examples in Scripture to support the Trinity and they are used with abundant frequency in its defense. But there’s one that isn’t used quite as much as I believe it should be, especially when dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses. That example would be found in Matthew 28:19.

The JWs are ardent proponents of the name “Jehovah” as being the most important name in the universe (in spite of some solid biblical text proving otherwise). So when baptizing new believers into the faith (in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit), why does Jehovah share the uniqueness and holiness of His name with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who the JWs claim are just an angel and an “active force” (like electricity)?

Let me be more clear; would a jealous God who will not give His glory to another, allow Himself to be associated with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in the administration of one of the two sacraments of Christianity in a manner that makes Him and His name equal to that of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit if they were not equal to Him?

It is hardly comprehensible to imagine Jehovah would do such a thing, especially when He has asked, “Who is like Me” knowing that no one is like Him. Why would Jehovah not only permit but instruct believers to be baptized “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” if they were not equal?

Woe unto you.

Anytime someone enters into a new culture it is important for them to understand the customs and even the language of that culture. Many cultures differ from ours and their words, terms, and expressions can hold entirely different meanings to them than they do to us.

It is for this reason that I’ve chosen to provide the readers of DefCon with the following public service to help everyone understand the new culture that is before us. So many times we come into contact with others on this blog who are from a world entirely foreign to ours. When you make a statement, the new wave of Laodicean Christians may define it very differently from how you understand it and meant it.

In order to avoid the confusion that would arise as a result of this, simply refer to this handy little guide when you are engaging those from Cultural Christianity.

What you mean

vs

What they mean:

Seeking after holiness = Legalism

Exercising Discernment = Judging

False conversion = Carnal Christian

Tolerating sinful behavior = Christian Love

Following Christ’s commands = Phariseeism

Exposing false prophets = Touching God’s anointed

Not following false prophets = You’re not spiritual enough

Tolerating lies, errors, deception, and heresy = Christian Unity

Hell = God would never send anyone to Hell, he is a god of love

God’s judgment and wrath = Not the god I serve, he is a god of love

Friendship with the world = Gotta be like them to reach them

Belief in the final authority of Scripture = Intolerant fundamentalist

Use of vulgarities and coarse language, being obscene and offensive = Hip and relevant; showing the world how real we are

~~~~~~~~~~

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight!

– Isaiah 5:20-21

Defending Contending post featured on Way of the Master Radio.

Todd Friel of Way of the Master Radio read a portion of How Do You Read Romans 1:16? on air on Wednesday, August 6th.

Sadly, he failed to make any mention of where it was from, but it was still great to hear him read it anyway.

For those interested in listening to it, click here. It starts around 4:26 into the broadcast.

How do you read Romans 1:16?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . . Romans 1:16

How you read Romans 1:16 tells a lot about you. Which of the following best resembles how you interpret the text?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel (the death burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior), for it (the preaching of that gospel and absolutely nothing else) is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (not a superficial shallow mental ascent, but a complete dependence and trust upon Christ) . . .

– Christian

For I am not ashamed of the gifts of the spirit, for they are proof of the power of God and proof of your salvation to everyone who believes . . .

-Charismaniac

For I am not ashamed of pleading for money, for sowing your faith seed offering is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . .

-Word of Faith Charismaniac

For I am not ashamed of Mary, the Pope, and the Mother Church, for they are the power of God and the only way to salvation to everyone who believes and receives the sacraments, attends meritorious masses, is baptized, keeps the law, does good works, purchases indulgences, endures purgatory, etc. . . .

– Roman Catholic

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the New Earth that we peddle door to door, for the Watchtower is the only ones who speak for God and is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and exhaustively works their tails off for the Watchtower almost every waking hour of the day for their entire life to obtain Jehovah’s favor, which is not guaranteed . . .

– Jehovah’ Witness

For I am not ashamed of the restored gospel, even though I am ashamed and embarrassed about our church history and the things our church prophets have said (that was just their opinion and they were not speaking for God when they said all those awful things) for the Melchizadek Priesthood which only we have is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and follows the following conditions as outlined in Gospel Principles pages 303-304 (1997 edition): 1.) We must be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. 2.) We must receive the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 3.) We must receive the temple endowment. 4.) We must be married for time and eternity.In addition to receiving the required ordinances, the Lord commands all of us to– 1. Love and worship God. 2. Love our neighbor. 3. Repent of our wrongdoings. 4. Live the law of chastity. 5. Pay honest tithes and offerings. 6. Be honest in our dealings with others and with the Lord. 7. Speak the truth always. 8. Obey the Word of Wisdom. 9. Search out our kindred dead and perform the saving ordinances of the gospel for them. 10. Keep the Sabbath day holy. 11. Attend our Church meetings as regularly as possible so we can renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament. 12. Love our family members and strengthen them in the ways of the Lord. 13. Have family and individual prayers every day. 14. Honor our parents. 15. Teach the gospel to others by word and example. 16. Study the scriptures. 17. Listen to and obey the inspired words of the prophets of the Lord. Finally, each of us needs to receive the Holy Ghost and learn to follow his direction in our individual lives.

– Mormon

For I am not ashamed of the value found in all religions regardless of whether or not they conflict with one another on core issues , for whatever truth is for you, it is the power of God, gods, goddess, no god, or whatever you believe for a better world to everyone who believes or chooses not to believe . . .

– Universalist Unitarian

For I am not ashamed of shameless church marketing, for the end justifies the means and pragmatism is the power of God for filling seats on Sundays to watch our awesome worship rock band followed by our hip and and oh, so cool pastor and we’re also giving away free gas cards to everyone who attends our local campus . . .

– Seeker-Friendly

For I am not ashamed of supporting any socialist cause or liberal issue, for a woman’s right to choose and a homosexual’s right to marry is the power of selfempowerment for salvation from the oppressive chains that the white, Anglo-Saxon, Capitalist, fascists have placed on the backs of everyone in this nation . . .

– Liberal

Romans? Is that in the Bible?

– Emergent / Emerging

** Update ** This post was picked up by Todd Friel and featured on Way of the Master Radio. To find out more, click here.