Pilgrim’s Corner

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Happy 100,000th.

Today DefCon received its 100,000th hit since its inception on April 15th, (three and a half months ago). I want to thank all the faithful readers who have helped us reach this milestone, and I want to thank the contributors that have been faithful to the cause of defending truth and contending for the faith.

To mark this celebration I’ve changed the appearance of DefCon. I think the new look is clearer and a little crisper to the eyes. I trust that if you don’t immediately fall in love with it, it will eventually grow on you.

Thanks to all of you for all of your support.

– The Pilgrim


P.S. As you can see, I’m still working on the perfect header. So the header you see now may not be the header you see tomorrow . . . or even ten minutes from now.

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How to make your husband a false convert and cause your kids to reject the Christian faith.

Worldly wisdom from a Christian women’s magazine

on a matter already addressed in Scripture.

My wife still receives the magazine Today’s Christian Woman after subscribing to it a couple years ago (before we knew better). TCW is published by Christianity Today (which is a perfect name for it because it bears no resemblance to the Christianity of yesterday). TCW’s target audience is mainstream, affluent, suburban, women of the Laodicean church.

In their latest July/August issue, I came across a little blurb designed to help women get their unregenerate husbands into a church to warm a seat. I decided to reprint the blurb (which was adapted from a book) below for the readers of DefCon to see how far American Christianity has fallen.

Pew Partners.

Wish your spouse spent Sunday mornings with you? Choose a church with these man-friendly characteristics.

* Large congregation

* No denominational affiliation

* Strict Scriptural adherence

* Young, multiracial crowd

* Authoritative, male pastor

* Informal dress

* Modern technology

* Fun services

Adapted from How Women Help Men Find God by David Murrow (Thomas Nelson)

Granted, not all of the suggestions are bad, but the overall theme is what’s of concern (how much poison would you like in your glass of water?).

I can’t help but wonder what a mess this will create if someone follows this and it works. Instead of an unregenerate man who stays at home on Sunday mornings who could still possibly be reached with the gospel one day, you now have an unregenerate man sitting in a circus church on Sunday mornings who was manipulated into church by his wife and had his fleshly needs catered to by the ear-tickling pastor during one of those great modern technological church extravaganza shows.

Furthermore, the husband is now inoculated from the true gospel because he thinks himself in good standing with God because he’s begun attending church, (and no one in that church would dare challenge him to examine himself daily because that would be “judging”).

This spiritual self-deception will only be furthered if the husband ends up repeating a lifeless prayer of salvation after hearing a non-threatening, positive, upbeat, message on the life-lessons of King David during one of those “fun services” in which the pastor coaxed the audience to “try Jesus, He’ll make your life better.”

Sadly, unless a true conversion has taken place, this man will just be “playing church” and everything will remain the same as it was at home before he began attending church. His kids will grow up understanding what a true hypocrite looks like because daddy doesn’t act in church the way he acts throughout the rest of the week. This will more than likely turn his kids off to the Faith and they may rebel and reject Christianity based off this experience of growing up with a fake Christian in their midst.

But what does the Scriptures say about how a godly wife is to handle her unbelieving husband? Surprisingly it makes no mention of church attendance at all:

In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.  (1 Peter 3:1-2)

Ahh, so according to Scripture, the real work is done in the home–in your everyday life–not in some church that caters to men’s needs.

By following the clear command of Scripture it would be better for the wife to remain faithful to the Lord’s instruction and not compromise, capitulate, and water-down her witness by resorting to manipulation in order to get dad to merely be a presence in a church.

It would be better for her children to grow up seeing the contrast between a godly mother and an ungodly father, and learn from their mother’s steadfast faithfulness to do what is commanded of her in Scripture. The above suggestions from TCW, however, would have the kids grow up with mom the compromiser of the faith, and dad the hypocrite of the faith.

What a train wreck we create when we attempt to do the job of the Holy Spirit and cajole, trick, manipulate, and force people into the kingdom of God via church attendance. But hey, all that matters is you got your “pew partner,” right?

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Why don’t they get it?

Have you ever been perplexed by those who can’t seem to grasp simple axioms? Do you long for the days when people exercised reason and logic? Do you rack your brain trying to figure out how someone can fail to see something that’s so obvious?

Well, I discovered some great insight from the Scriptures on why this happens and I’ve succinctly written it below for your edification. I hope that it helps you when you are banging your head on the wall because the person you’re talking to seems completely incapable of accepting even elementary truths. When you find yourself at this point I encourage you to refer to the following:

One’s heart and mind has to first be opened by God to even be able to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:25, Acts 16:14, 1 John 5:20) because the carnal man cannot accept the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:14) and even as he’s perishing he considers the preaching of the cross to be foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18).

It is God and God alone who grants the repentance necessary that leads to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25). No one gets to the Father except through the Son (John 14:6) but no one can come to the Son unless the Father draws them (John 6:44) and grants it (John 6:65).

The Son also draws men unto Himself (John 12:32) and we don’t control who is drawn because all that the Father gives to Christ will come (John 6:37, 6:39, 17:2, 17:24).

When we keep these essential truths present in our mind we will be less likely to try to argue, debate, or manipulate someone into Heaven.

For your convenience I’ve incorporated the above into the printable Bible Reference Notes found here.


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The evolution of sin.

The first chapter of Romans illustrates a very revealing downward spiral of sin that readers of Romans may oftentimes unwittingly gloss over.

In this post I’ve briefly outlined the effects of sin as described at the end of Romans 1 and beginning of Romans 2. It should serve as a reminder to us all that sin is not something to be trifled with, it’s not harmless, and it’s not just a simple boo boo or mistake. Sin always takes a man where he never intends to go; into total depravity.

See if you can you spot the similarities in the downward progression of sin described in Romans to that of America (collectively) as a country.

Man: We begin our road of compromise into sin with the suppression of truth (Romans 1:18) which leads to our unthankfulness and dishonor of God (Romans 1:21).

Man: We then have speculations (that we of course hold in higher regard than God’s revealed word) which only causes our already evil hearts to become darkened even more (Romans 1:21).

Man: We then put more emphasis on our own intellect, thinking we’re wise (and many times thinking we’re wiser than God Himself). However, we’re only wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 26:12) because in reality we’ve become fools (Romans 1:22).

Man: We then put man–and God’s other creations–above God Himself (Romans1:23).

God: So God gives us over to the lusts of our hearts (Romans 1:24).

Man: We then exchange the truth of God for lies, and we worship and serve the created things (like money, cars, homes, sports stars, movie stars, trees, animals music, family, and most frequently ourself) above that of God the Creator (Romans 1:25).

God: As we continue down this slope of sin, God now gives us over to degrading passions (Romans 1:26).

Man: We then exchange the natural functions of the opposite sex for the burning passions of unnatural homosexual relations. Women with women and men with men (Romans 1:26-27).

Man: After this, we completely turn our backs on God, no longer acknowledging Him (Romans 1:28).

God: God finally gives us over to a depraved mind (Romans 1:28).

Man: Those of us with our newly depraved minds now engage in all kinds of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, envy, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, pride, disobedience, hate and lack of mercy (Romans 1:28-31). Sadly, those of us who once at least recognized God and acknowledged Him (Romans 1:23) have fallen so far into our sin that we now hate Him (Romans 1:30).

Man: At this point, although we now hate God, we still know His ordinances and understand that those who practice wickedness are worthy of death, but we not only continue in our rampant wickedness, we give hearty approval to those who practice it with us (Romans 1:32).

God: God’s judgment will certainly fall on us (Romans 2:2). And the self-righteous hypocrites (those who just “play church” while their hearts–and ultimately their lives–remain unchanged) won’t escape God’s final judgment either. These people who make unrighteous judgments concerning those chronicled in Romans 1:22-32, (while they themselves are practicing these same behaviors), are storing up for themselves the wrath of God as well (Romans 2:3, 5).

It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10:31

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This nation will get the president that it deserves.

Like ancient Israel, we in the United States will soon get the leader that we deserve; a leader that will not respect nor honor the God of our fathers. Why?

* Sexual perversions of all types are not only tolerated and flaunted but they’re celebrated and protected by law.

* Government-run public schools ban anything to do with God but openly welcomes the occult, paganism, Witchcraft, etc.

* Government-run schools perpetuate the lie that God does not exist and they continue to mock Him by suggesting everything came from nothing by mere chance.

* We have 24 hour a day sin, immorality, wickedness, and filth pour into our homes via radio, television, magazines, and the internet.

* 40+ Million babies have been brutally and viciously dismembered in their mother’s womb since 1973 with the consent and protection of our government (and sometimes with the blessings of the “church”).

* And all of this is happening while the men in charge of shepherding and protecting the flock have sold their souls for money and popularity and have indoctrinated millions of people with their pop-psych, self-help, narcissistic, social, health, wealth, and prosperity false gospels. Their indoctrination is so deep and has been so successful that inoculated false converts wouldn’t know the true Gospel if they were hit with it, and many times they’re actually hostile to it–all the while believing themselves to be saved.

When a society considers its most innocent, defenseless, and precious resource as a blob of tissue, inconvenience, choice, punishment . . . then self-destruction is not far away.

As this once great nation is lulled to slumber while sitting in front of their televisions hypnotized by the flickering images of American Idol, and the churches have become too preoccupied to fight because they’re too busy chasing after the lusts of the world, we have collectively contributed to the cup of wrath that is quickly reaching its capacity.

When that cup will be full and God’s righteous wrath is unleashed on this nation is unknown. But what is known is that it will happen for–even though God is patient–once that cup of wrath is full, it will be poured out and we will see and experience things in this country that we can’t even fathom. The diseases, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, and floods plaguing this nation are nothing compared to what’s coming.

I love this country very much and am very saddened to see what it’s become, but we need to face reality and stop asking God to bless America–we need to instead be repenting for the sins of America!

Lord, let justice be served swiftly on this nation, let justice be served swiftly on the wolves in sheep’s clothing, have mercy on the watchman who have blood on their hands, and have mercy on your faithful and righteous ones who You have called out.

(Photo courtesy of Way of the Master Radio via Hazardous Material).

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It’s all about Mary?

Fact or Fiction; Scripture or Tradition?

The following is an examination of fifteen of the most often used arguments by Roman Catholic adherents in their defense of their near deification of Mary, (along with a brief response to each argument). Each of the pictures in this post can be clicked on to enlarge.

Argument 1). Mary was blessed among women: FACT

Mary was blessed, however, so is every Believer. To make the leap that because Mary was blessed she should receive the adoration/veneration/worship that she’s given is not Scripturally logical. In fact, Scripture records the way Jesus handled the first attempt to elevate Mary’s status. In Luke 11:27-28 a woman in the crowd tried to draw attention away from Christ and to Mary (what the RCC has perfected) but Jesus corrected her saying, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it. “ (Luke 11:27-28). Also, Mary wasn’t/isn’t the only person blessed. See the Sermon on the Mount for a list of others who are “blessed” (Matthew 5:3-11).

Argument 2). Mary is worthy of/deserves our adoration and veneration: FICTION

No human is worthy of any amount of veneration or worship because we are all sinners (Psalm 14:3, Romans 3:23); we are to worship God and serve Him only (Matthew 4:10); and God will not give His Glory to another (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11).

Argument 3). It is permissible and acceptable to pray to Mary: FICTION

Mary was a human being and suffered the wages of sin–death (Romans 6:23) like everyone else. Scripture prohibits contacting, seeking out, consulting, and/or praying to the dead (Deuteronomy 18:11). It is called necromancy and it detestable to God (Deuteronomy 18:9, 12). Additionally, spiritists, sorcerers, and mediums (who seek to contact the dead) are also condemned by God

 

Argument 4). By bowing down and praying to Mary, Catholics are not worshipping her, just venerating her. In fact it is also permissible to make statues of her and bow down to them too: FICTION

The “veneration” and bowing down to statues is forbidden. It does not matter what you want to call something to make it more palatable, what matters is what God calls it. We can trivialize sin all day long (humans do it all the time) but God has made His commands very clear. I urge you to review all the pictures in this post (click on them to enlarge) and compare what you see—not with what you think and feel—but with what has been revealed in God’s eternal Word. I recommend starting with the 1st and 2nd Commandments found in Exodus 20:4-5.

Argument 5). Mary pleads our case to Jesus who would listen to His mother above us: FICTION

This same Jesus that supposedly obeys Mary’s petitions is the same Jesus who when told by Mary that “they have no wine” replied, “Woman, what does that have to do with us?” (John 2:3-4). She then tells the servants to do whatever Jesus commands.

The Scriptures paint an entirely different picture of the Jesus that supposedly can’t understand us mere humans, thus requiring Mary’s petitions. Hebrews 2:17-18 shows us of a merciful Christ who—being made like man—is able to the come to our aid because He too experienced the same temptations we do. Furthermore, it is Jesus who is our advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1-2), not Mary.

Argument 6). Mary is our Mediatrix, our co-redeemer with Jesus: FICTION

This RCC concept didn’t even emerge until the proclamation from Pope Benedict XV in 1922. But the date of its introduction matters little in contrast to how utterly blasphemous it is to even suggest this, let alone teach as if it’s the truth of God. This idea is in direct violation of God’s Word; Jesus is our advocate (1 John 2:1-2) and “there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus . . .” (1 Timothy 2:5) not Mary.

Argument 7). Mary was conceived without sin: FICTION

The idea of the “Immaculate Conception” proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854 has absolutely no foundation in the Scriptures. Even King David (a man after God’s own heart) proclaimed that He was conceived in sin and he was brought forth with iniquity (Psalm 51:5) just like every person ever born.


Argument 8). Mary remained sinless her entire life: FICTION

Those who say they have no sin are liars (1 John 1:8); no one does good, not even one (Psalm 14:3); each of us has turned to our own way (Isaiah 53:6); all have sinned (Romans 3:23). This includes Mary. There’s nothing found in Scripture to suggest otherwise. Anyone who claims Mary was sinless is basing this off of their opinion grounded in the purely mythical tradition of man.

Mary proved she was like everyone else (a sinner) when she brought her offering to the temple (Luke 2:24). This was a sin offering that Mary would not have been required to bring had she been sinless (Leviticus 5:11, 12:8). Mary also acknowledged that God was her Savior (Luke 1:47). A sinless person does not need a savior.

Argument 9). Mary remained a virgin her whole life (perpetual virginity): FICTION

This is not only beyond reason, but it is contradictory to the revealed Word of God, the holy Scriptures. Joseph kept Mary a virgin until Jesus was born (Matthew 1:24-25). This means that after the birth of Jesus, Joseph no longer kept Mary a virgin. Mary and Joseph had other children, the half-brothers and half-sisters of the Messiah. This can be seen in Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 13:55-57, Mark 6:3-4, John 2:12, John 7:3, 5, 10, Acts 1:14, 1 Corinthians 9:5, and Galatians 1:19. (Before you say, “This was brothers and sisters in the Lord” I suggest you read the context of these passages.)

Additionally, Mary withholding sex from Joseph would have not been in accordance with God’s plans for mankind: “Be fruitful and multiply . . .” (Genesis 1:28); “Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:5).


Argument 10). Mary ascended into Heaven: FICTION

The assumption of Mary into Heaven wasn’t even introduced into the RCC until 1950 by then Pope Pius XII, and there is absolutely no Scriptural support for this, not even a hint of it in Scripture.


Argument 11). Mary was the greatest among all born evidenced by the fact that she was “chosen” by God to birth the Messiah: FICTION

If anyone was the greatest ever born it would have been John the Baptist, not Mary. Why? Because Jesus said so. Jesus declared of John the Baptist that of those born among women there is no one greater than John (Luke 7:28). Following the logic of the RCC which drives their adoration/veneration/worship of Mary, one would expect that their devotion to Mary would only be eclipsed by their devotion to John the Baptist, however, this is not the case.

Furthermore, the emphasis put on Mary by the RCC is grossly out of proportion to the emphasis she receives from the Bible. Mary–the earthly mother of Jesus– is never mentioned again in the Bible after Acts 1:14. This means that of the 27 books of the New Testament, only five of them (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts) contain any reference to Mary. Not what one would expect when one looks at the current deification of her by the RCC. Even when one would expect to find her name among those mentioned in Hebrews 11, (commonly known as the great Hall of Faith), Mary and any reference to her is strangely absent.

Argument 12). Mary is the Queen of Heaven: FICTION

There is no Queen of Heaven. In fact, the only mention in Scripture of a “Queen of Heaven” (a false god) is in Jeremiah 7:18 in which those who are making cakes to her (and those pouring out drink offerings to other gods) will have the wrath of God poured out on them (Jeremiah 7:20).

Argument 13). Marian Apparitions are genuine and legitimate: FICTION

Again, no such teaching, example or precedent for this is found in the Scriptures. However, we are told “Marvel not, for even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).


Argument 14). Marian apparition messages are true and from God: FICTION

“You will never be alone. My immaculate heart will be your refuge and the way which will lead you to God.” – Mary Apparition in Fatima

“I alone am able to save you from the calamities that approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved.” – Mary Apparition in Akita

“You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my immaculate heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace.” – Mary Apparition in Fatima

“. . . I call upon you to open yourselves completely to me so that through each of you I may be enabled to convert and save the world . . .” – Mary Apparition in Medjugorje

The messages of this entity claiming to be Mary ultimately lead people’s attention away from Christ and to herself (itself), not Christ. The Apostle Paul sought to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Furthermore, the Apostle Paul warned us that if anyone, even an angel from Heaven, preached a gospel contrary to what was already preached, he/she/it is to be cursed (Galatians 1:6-9).

Argument 15). Roman Catholic Church (RCC) tradition has provided us the doctrines on Mary: FACT

This is true. The RCC consisting of sinful, fallible, fallen human beings has given the world these traditions of men, but the holy revealed Word of God—given to the prophets by inspiration and by which will never pass away—does not support these legends, myths, and downright heretical false doctrines.

Conclusion:

As noted above, Mary is never spoken of in the history of the Church or the letters (Epistles) to the Church (except in Acts 1:14 where a brief mention of her is made). Nowhere in all the instruction of conduct, examples of operation, and direction given to the early church for its operation and function is Mary ever mentioned, yet today you couldn’t walk into a Roman Catholic Church without bumping into something to do with Mary, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a member of the RCC that would deny Mary as being a pivotal or important part of their life in the mother church. This devotion and near-deification of Mary is something you cannot find anywhere in the early Church. The silence of the Scriptures alone speaks volumes against the RCC’s current obsession with Mary.

“For there is one God, and one mediator also

between God and men, the man Christ Jesus . . .”

1 Timothy 2:5

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See the following related posts:

Conversations with a nun in the unlikeliest of places

Mary-Virgin, Virtuous, not to be Vaulted above her position

Roman Catholic apologist has trouble explaining the “Immaculate Conception” when students interject Scripture

Was the Apostle Peter the first pope?

The written Word of God and Roman Catholicism

Unmasking the pope and the Roman Catholic system




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Leading family worship and being the priest of your household. How?

I recently finished reading a fantastic book on family worship entitled The Family Worship Book by Terry L. Johnson. It was a great help in providing the reasons and resources to begin a daily family worship time (including creeds, catechisms, psalms, hymns, etc.). And although I highly recommend it, even after reading this book I still felt at a loss as to how to incorporate this into our home.

My family has recently begun practicing a family worship time but I still have a gnawing feeling that we’re just winging it. A typical evening devotion with the family goes like this:

Reading a few pages from a Bible-based childrens book like this childrens book on Noah’s Ark and this childrens book on Pilgrim’s progress.

Then singing a hymn.

Reading from Foxe’s Book of the Martyrs

Then reading a chapter of the Bible.

Then prayer.

I have recently discovered that I am not alone in this quizzical inability to properly facilitate a family devotion time. So it is my intention with this post to ask for suggestions, tips, and pointers from DefCon readers who do family devotions. I hope that the comments on this thread can benefit you and your family as well as me and my family.

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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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Which Bible most accurately reflects you?

The well-read, well-studied Bible?

(Click on thumbnail to enlarge picture – Source: Fish With Trish)

The neglected Bible?

(Click on the thumbnail to watch video)


The Erasable Bible?

(Click on thumbnail to watch video)

For those who can’t afford the Erasable Bible there’s always this much cheaper alternative:

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Are Christian bookstore owners responsible for what they sell?

Back in February I asked the question do you support your local Christian bookstore?

I now have a follow-up question:

Are the owners of Christian bookstores responsible to their fellow-Christians, the Church, and ultimately God, for the products they sell?

This past week I entered another one of these Christian book and paraphernalia bazaars. The first faces I saw staring back at me as soon as I entered were the prominently displayed faces of Joel Osteen, Juanita Bynum, TD Jakes, and Joyce Meyer (just to name a few) along with all the “Jesus junk” and trinkets that adorned the shelves and displays from wall to wall. A few more steps and I was struck with Rob Bell’s book Sex God and his Nooma videos

Another disturbing book I unexpectedly came across was a children’s book on the virgin Mary and praying the Rosary. In this book were Romanism’s false teaching of Mary being crowned Queen of Heaven and Queen of the universe. This was in a “Christian” bookstore!

I recall a brief conversation I had with the owner of one of these bookstore a few months back in which he provided me two excuses reasons why he sold the merchandise of such heretical teachers as Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Brian McLaren and Rob Bell. He said he 1). cannot possibly read every book that he sells; and that he 2). does not want to promote censorship.

This was such a sad example of wiggling around his deeper responsibility to not lead people astray. First of all he can’t be accused of censorship for not carrying certain books anymore than he an be accused of censorship for not allowing these types of books into his home. He owns his home, he owns the bookstore. He–as a retailer–has the right to sell whatever he does or does not want on his shelves, which explains the absence of such material as the Book of Mormon, the Satanic Bible or pornography. Is the absence of these books considered “censorship?” Furthermore, in order for his refusal to carry certain books to qualify as “censorship” he would have to be a representative of the government.

Secondly, the “I can’t possibly read every book I sell” excuse is a cop-out. You don’t have to read every book by Brian McLaren, Rob Bell or Robert Schuller to know that they’re spreading heresy . . . it’s common knowledge! And if you’re not that aware of what’s going on or you lack discernment regarding the wolves among us, a quick internet search will tell you all you need to know.

Do you need to read every issue of the Awake! that the Watchtower organization produces to be able to confidently say that they are a cult and thus not carry their material? Of course not. So why do certain big name heretics and false teachers under the umbrella of evangelicalism get a pass by the guise of willful ignorance?

These bookstore owners are knowingly or unknowingly selling doctrines of demons; material that an impressionable undiscerning person could buy which would lead them on the primrose path to Hell. This leads me to ask, will these bookstore owners be held responsible before God for selling these heretical, apostate, and often times blasphemous doctrines of wolves in sheep’s clothing?

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Suffering Christianity vs Chipper Christianity.

When a society prospers and enjoys great security it’s inevitable that false ideas about life, death, truth, and God will flourish with little resistance. Conversely, when tragedy strikes, those same people no longer want what once tickled their ears but they want answers and truth.

Sadly this same axiom is true for the visible Church. As American Christians continue to gluttonously indulge themselves on the riches and excesses of life that the West has to offer, they tolerate and even welcome all sorts of twisted ideas about life, death, truth, and God.

Some segments of the Church will tell you that God wants you to be rich and healthy and that if you’re not, you must be lacking faith. Another segment of the church will tell you that no one can know anything for sure (e.g. Emergents). And yet another segment will sacrifice any inconvenient truths of Scripture for popularity and the ever increasing appeal to entertain their members.

However, when your child is diagnosed with leukemia how will Your Best Life Now sound? When your spouse is unexpectedly killed by a drunk driver how will your Purpose Driven Life feel then? When a global famine strikes or the stock market crashes will positive confession and naming it and claiming it still have its place in your life? When a deadly plague spreads from nation to nation killing millions and war breaks out killing even more, does the ambiguity and total lack of certainty about anything give you any hope and comfort?

Whether the suffering is personal or global, the world will want answers that most churches cannot provide and are utterly incapable of providing.

I want to share with you this passionate ten-minute audio clip from John Piper that he delivered to a group of pastors. I’ve entitled it The Suffering of John Bunyan vs Chipper Churches and in it Piper contrasts the suffering of Bunyan with that of the chipper churches of today. This only serves to reinforce why it is better to sit under the preaching of a pastor who has suffered great loss (whose sermons have the smell of Hell permeating about them) than it is to sit under the teaching of one who hasn’t (as you’re pressured to conform to the everything’s happy-clappy facade that he and the rest of the church are putting on).

These chipper churches are whitewashed tombs that can only offer a sick and dying world a counterfeit Christianity; a Christianity without a cross. True Christianity has always been marked by suffering. Jesus promised His disciples that they would suffer great hardships and that they’d be hated by the world. It’s only the modern cultural Christianity of ease, comfort, and luxury that has suggested otherwise.

I strongly encourage you to listen to the Piper audio clip and then ask yourself; when your lifeless child hangs in your arms on Friday, will you find truth, hope, and answers in the preaching from the pulpit of your current church on Sunday?

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4)

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What to give.

We see them all the time. Panhandlers with their cardboard signs asking for money. Some are legitimately seeking help, others are simply preying on your compassion.

One Utah news station investigated a young girl panhandling in their city and–as you will see in this news video–not all is as it seems.

Not all panhandlers are faking dereliction to gain your money, some are in dire need of our help.

I would like to draw your attention to another video that depicts exactly who our neighbor is; the neighbor that we are commanded to “love as ourselves.” I’ve plainly entitled it Walking By. As you will see in the video, so many people are just walking by.

Whether they’re in need of the money or not, they do need Jesus Christ. Even if silver and gold you do not have to give, you do have the words of life which can lead to the Bread of Life.

What do you think?

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Tara’s story.

Alan posted a comment on his blog Real Christianity that was left by a lady named Tara. I think it is important for you to read her comment and if you have words to encourage her, please offer them. You can read Tara’s short story and the varied responses in two locations: here and here.

Her story and cry for help is a prime example of why we do what we do on blogs like this. The non-discerning culturally comfortable Christians call us “hateful,” “judgmental,” and “unloving.” However, those who have been hurt, destroyed, and have had their faith shipwrecked by apostate churches would beg to differ and find great love in what we do as we stand for the truth and warn the flock.

– The Pilgrim