church

by

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

by

A timely election day quote.

I couldn’t find a more appropriate quote for today than what I recently saw on a cup of Starbucks coffee. This apropos quote is by author Stephen Elliot:

“Politics is about getting outside of yourself and your own problems for a little while and fully immersing yourself in the lies and deceit of others.”

by

Wanted: An Old Fashioned Church.

I wanted to share with you a fantastic open letter written by Ingrid Schuleter that I encourage you all to read. I can think of a few churches that should receive this letter.

Wanted: An Old Fashioned Church

To Whom it May Concern:

I’m looking for a good Christian church. I don’t want to sing songs off a wall, the same five notes, over and over and over and over again while I am lightheaded from standing so long. There’s a record of the hymns of God’s people that spans 2000 years. Why are we so arrogant as to think we don’t need those wonderful songs any longer? Have we gone through more suffering, more affliction, more pain for Jesus than those who wrote these enduring hymns? Does a semi-secular song writer in Nashville with a multi-million dollar music contract have more to say to us about God and the Christian life than the 17th-century hymn writer who lost four children and his wife during the 30 years War?

I don’t want to have my eardrums bashed in by the three kids in the “worship band” who can’t be bothered to bathe, shave, dress or comb their hair on Sunday morning. If it’s really all about the God that Scripture describes as ineffably holy, shouldn’t that be reflected in attitude and dress for those who serve in church music?

I don’t want a vampy “praise and worship” leader who is flaunting her wares at every male within view as she does her worship moves on “stage”. If we are to worship God in spirit and in truth, as Scripture tells us, than what’s all the flesh about? Can we no longer discern the difference?

I don’t want to see people in beach attire with their backsides peeping out of their shorts because they think that God isn’t worth their best efforts at dressing. “God doesn’t care about clothes, only man”, they say. But the real reason is that it’s just plain easier to cruise into church in jeans or whatever is still lying on the floor from the night before. Dressing up for worship of the Lord would cost them something, however little, and they don’t want to pay it.

I also don’t want to see all the variations on lovers’ back rubs where Chuck and Sue take turns massaging each other’s neck and shoulders during the sermon so everyone behind them is completely distracted. Behavior affects other people. Are Christians so self-absorbed that they never think about the people behind them trying to hear the message?

I don’t want to hear announcements during “worship” about the youth group pizza blast and laser tag event next Tuesday night, the need for grills for the upcoming church fun fest or jokes about how Bill burned the wieners last summer at the church picnic. Why can this not be put at the end after our “worship” is completed?

Continue reading here.

by

Quotes (414)

Knowing the wiles of the devil, the apostle Paul exhorts us to be purely devoted to Jesus Christ. He wrote: “I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3). In Roman Catholicism, there are many diversions that lead Catholics away from Christ, but none so prevalent as their perversion of the biblical Mary.

– Mike Gendron

by

Pope tells Rick Warren that he doesn’t pastor an actual church.

Check out the following piece from Apprising Ministries on the pope throwing a monkey wrench into Rick Warren’s ecumenical machine:

Ok, here’s the latest scoop on the religious scene from Apprising Ministries. Well, it turns out that Rick Warren Is Saying Protestant Reformers Luther and Calvin Were Wrong because in opposition to what these Reformers taught Purpose Driven Pope Warren has now pontificated that the Roman Catholic Church is no longer apostate and is, in very fact, once again a part of the Body of Christ.

O but wait, it gets even better because meanwhile, back at the ol’ Vatican ranch Benedict XVI, the papal pretender to being the Vicar of Christ, has said instead that Rick Warren is the one who is actually wrong. I know, I could hardly believe it myself when I heard it! Just imagine the nerve; someone dares to criticize America’s favorite social worker and Megapastor. Zowie; good thing he’s a god on earth, huh.

So now here’s the deal; you see, Rick Warren is not a Roman Catholic but is instead a decidedly—er, non-protesting *ahem* “Protestant” in the SBC—which might actually stand for Slowly Becoming Catholic. Ok, because of that fact, according to the RCC Pope it now seems that the PD Pope can’t even be “America’s pastor” anymore because he doesn’t actually pastor a real church:

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday [July 10, 2007] that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches…

It restates key sections of a 2000 document the pope wrote when he was prefect of the congregation, “Dominus Iesus,” which set off a firestorm of criticism among Protestant and other Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches but merely ecclesial communities and therefore did not have the “means of salvation.”

In the new document and an accompanying commentary, which were released as the pope vacations here in Italy’s Dolomite mountains, the Vatican repeated that position. (Online source)

If only this was as silly as a Hollywood gossip column. But with people’s eternal souls in the balance I’m afraid there’s nothing funny about men such as these, who for now, are peas in a very corrupt spiritual pod and speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them (1 John 4:5).

Thanks to Pastor Ken Silva for this piece. I’d like to add that I find it ironic when the very apostate Roman Catholic Church that the very apostate Saddleback Church is trying so hard to merge with refuses to consider them a legitimate Church at best and anathema at worst. What Rick Warren fails to realize is that if the world’s religions are going to merge into one anti-Chirst led conglomerate, it’s going to be under the RCC and it’s going to be on their terms, not his.

See also: All roads may not lead to Rome, but according to the pope, only Rome leads to Heaven.

by

Quotes (413)

By 1800 the American church was in a dismal state and ripe for anything that would offer some kind of spiritual sustenance. The Second Great Awakening, which began in 1801 in Cane Ridge, Kentucky, would fill that void and forever change Christianity in America. Sermons of substance were rapidly replaced with emotional appeals. Doctrine was steadily replaced by “conversion” stories, and the preacher’s performance became more important than what was taught. Music took on a central role as emotionalism became the order of the day. Ministers began to study “what worked” in order to draw a crowd. . . . In other words, church services became a form of entertainment.

– Gary Gilley

by

Book review: “This Little Church Went to Market” by Gary Gilley.

I just finished reading Gary Gilley’s excellent book This Little Church Went to Market. I wish I could get this quick and easy read into the hands of every Christian (especially those in the Laodicean churches).

Gilley covers such topics as the market-driven’s philosophy, music, and false gospel. He’s also not afriad to name names. I highly recommend this enlightening examination and scathing indictment of Western Christendom; it’s a book that needs to be read.

by

Quotes (412)

ryle.jpg What could an unsanctified man do in Heaven, if by any chance he got there? . . . No man can possibly be happy in a place where he is not in his element, and where all around him is not congenial to his tastes, habits, and character. When an eagle is happy in an iron cage, when a sheep is happy in the water, when an owl is happy in the blaze of the noonday sun, when a fish is happy on the dry land—then, and not till then, will I admit that the unsanctified man could be happy in Heaven.

– J.C. Ryle

1816 – 1900

by

Happy Reformation Day!

Berry from Social Hazard posted the following piece on his blog. Great quotes Berry!

Celebrating 491 years (with all due respect to such ‘pre-reformers’ Wycliffe and Hus) of freedom from the apostate church of Rome!!

WHAT IS THE HEART OF THE REFORMATION?

5 Solas!
Sola Scriptura! (Col 2:8, 1 Tim 3:16-17, Heb 4:12)
Solus Christus! (1 Tim 2:5-6, Is 43:11, Acts 4:12)
Sola Gratia! (Eph 1:3-8, Eph 2:8-9)
Sola Fide! (Gal 3:6-11, Eph 2:8-9)
Soli Deo Gloria! (Is 42:8)

CLICK HERE for details.

WHY THE REFORMATION?

The thick pollutions of thine abominable church forbid the idea of descent from any apostle but the traitor Judas.
– Charles Spurgeon

The doctrine of Salvation by Sacraments is- a deadly delusion, the overthrow of the gospel, the destruction of souls and the path to perdition.
–John Campbell

We would as soon worship cats with the Egyptians, as popes with the Romanists: we see no difference between the people whose gods grew in their gardens and the sect whose deity is made by their baker.
– Charles Spurgeon

Rome never changes. Rome will never admit that she has made mistakes. She burned our English Reformers 300 years ago. She tried hard to stamp out by violence the Protestantism which she could not prevent spreading by arguments. If Rome had only the power, I am not sure that she would not attempt to play the whole game over again.
– J. C. Ryle

What is the popish religion, but a bundle of ridiculous ceremonies! Their candles, beads, crucifixes; what are these but Satan’s policy, to dress up a carnal worship, fitted to carnal minds! Oh! what cause have we to bless God for delivering us from popery!
– Thomas Watson

There is a voice in the blood of the martyrs. What does that voice say? It cries aloud from Oxford, Smithfield, and Gloucester,- “Resist to the death the Popish doctrine of the Real Presence, under the forms of the consecrated bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper!”
– J. C. Ryle

The Kingdom of Christ is a kingdom of mercy, grace, and goodness. The kingdom of the Pope is a kingdom of lies and damnation!
– Martin Luther

But the man Christ can be but in one place, and he is now at the right hand of the Majesty on high. It is absurd, it is horrible, both to faith and to reason, to say that Christ’s body is eaten, and that his blood is drunk in tens of thousands of places wherever priests choose to offer what they call “the mass.” A “Mass” of profanity, indeed, it is!
– Charles Spurgeon

For God’s sake beware of Popery: for though it appear to have in it unity, yet the same is vanity and Antichristianity, and not in Christ’s faith and verity.
–Rowland Taylor

Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason – I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other – my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.
– Martin Luther (at the Diet of Worms)

The Reformation found Englishmen steeped in ignorance–and left them in possession of knowledge. It found them blind–and left them seeing. It found them without Bibles–and left them with a Bible in every parish. It found them priest-ridden–and left them enjoying the liberty which Christ bestows. It found them strangers to saving faith, and grace, and holiness–and left them with the key to those things in their hands. It found them slaves–and left them free.
– J. C. Ryle

Mark me as ANATHEMA, Church of Rome, and I shall wear the scarlet A with pride! To be cursed by the Antichrist is to be blessed by the Christ. You, Popes and Bishops, are powerless to damn anyone but yourselves and those who would blindly follow your false gospel. Even so, I pray that you would turn from your heresies.
– (yours truly) [Berry]

by

On this day in history . . .

As most Americans celebrate Halloween today there is a smaller segment that will celebrate Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 theses to the Wittenberg door in 1517 which sparked the Protestant reformation. But there’s an even smaller segment that will recognize a much-lesser known event that occurred on this day almost a hundred years ago.

A 64 year old man on a train unexpectedly died as the train was approaching Pampa, Texas. That man was Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and on this day in 1916 this wolf in sheep’s clothing quietly slipped into eternity to face the very Christ that he taught was not God, and the very Hell that he denied existed.

It was on this day in 1916 that this false prophet died, being cast into the black darkness that had been reserved for him forever (Jude 13), and leaving a destructive cult in his wake.



by

Quotes (409)

paul-washer.jpg  I do not so much have to pray up when I’m preaching under a tent in inner-city San Anton[io], but I have to pray up and know that I am walking with the Lord when I walk into an average Baptist church because of the way most people dress. And you say, “It’s legalism.” No it’s not. They’re commands in the Bible. It doesn’t say we’re all supposed to dress like a Puritan, but it does say we’re supposed to be decent and cause no offense or stumbling. “Well you can’t judge a book by its cover.” Yes you can! Jesus said you can; by their fruits you will know them.

– Paul Washer

by

Pope puts the world in Mary’s hands.

Idolatrous paganism and rank heresy are two expressions that immediately came to mind as I read the following article on the Pope’s recent visit to Pompeii, Italy. Here are a few of the opening paragraphs from the article:

POMPEII, Italy, OCT. 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI placed the world in Mary’s hands during his one-day visit to the shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary in Pompeii, near Naples.

The Pope’s leading of the Supplication of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, a prayer written by Blessed Bartolo Longo (1841-1926) was one of the high points of this 12th pastoral trip in Italy.

“We implore you to have pity today on the nations that have gone astray, on all Europe, on the whole world, that they might repent and return to your heart,” the text of the prayer reads.

With the words of Bartolo, the Pontiff turned to Mary, saying: “If you will not help us because we are ungrateful and unworthy children of your protection, we will not know to whom to turn.”

In a gesture of filial love, the Pope then offered the Madonna a golden rose.

Return to Mary’s heart?

Don’t know who to turn to?

Is he serious? Does the Pope not own a Bible? Chapter and verse please!

To read the entire article click here. And when you’re done reading the article, check out the following short piece by James White on the idolatry of a Mary window smudge.

See also the following related links:

It’s all about Mary?

The written word of God and Roman Catholicism

A Christian debates a Catholic on the street corner

Unmasking the pope and the and the Catholic system

RC Apologist has trouble explaining the “Immaculate Conception” when students interject Scripture


by

Quotes (408)

Growing churches are creating an atmosphere, an environment of fun. So fun has replaced holiness as the church’s goal. Having a good time has become the criterion of an excellent, growing church, since fun and entertainment is what consumers want. Yet Bible references encouraging churches to become havens of fun are, as one may suspect, lacking.

– Gary Gilley

by

Sermon of the week: “Church Discipline” by Jeff Noblit.

We wrap up October’s theme of church discipline with Pastor Jeff Noblit’s sermon aptly entitled Church Discipline. I hope the Wednesday sermons of the week throughout of October have helped you better understand the mandate and purpose of discipline within the Church.

by

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.


by

Quotes (407)

There is no imagination wherewith man is besotted, more foolish, none so pernicious, as this–that persons not purified, not sanctified, not made holy in their life, should afterwards be taken into that state of blessedness which consists in the enjoyment of God. Neither can such persons enjoy God, nor would God be a reward to them. . . .  Holiness is indeed perfected in Heaven: but the beginning of it is invariably confined to this world.

– John Owen

1616 – 1683

by

Public school holds surprise “Gay Day” for kindergartners.

World Net Daily is reporting that a California public school held a surprise “Gay Day” for kindergartners. Read the article here. I wonder what would have happened if they had a surprise “Bible Day.”

This begs the question, “Should Christians take their children out of the public schools?”