And I wonder how many “Christian” bookstores still carry this man’s books.
HT: A Little Leaven
False Teacher
Contrasts.
Observe the contrast between heresy and biblical teaching. The first quote comes from a rank heretic of the first order. The second quote comes from a man who faithfully exposited the Word of God in England for years.
“I don’t think anything has been done in the name of Christ and under the banner of Christianity that has proven more destructive to human personality and, hence, counterproductive to the evangelism enterprise than the often crude, uncouth, and unchristian strategy of attempting to make people aware of their lost and sinful condition.” Time, March 18, 1985 – Robert Schuller
“Evangelism must start with the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, the demands of the law, and the eternal consequences of evil.” Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, pg. 225
The preaching of the cross is foolishness . . . to Mormons.
The Mormon organization has no problem with Masonic symbols, occultic symbols, and even inverted pentagrams adorning their temples, but they draw the line when it comes to that offensive cross. The two most common ‘excuses’ they provide for their aversion to the cross are:
1). “The cross is a pagan symbol.”
And the pagan symbols in Mormonism are not pagan? Not to mention the pagan practices that go on inside.
2). “We wish to focus on Jesus’ life, not His death.”
Ah, in this one statement Mormons reveal that they have absolutely no idea the true purpose of Christ’s coming to earth nor what it meant for Him to become a propitiation for the believer’s sins. Neither do they understand the fundamentals of the Christian faith or the very Gospel itself. For the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. How can you possibly “focus on His life” at the exclusion of His death . . . the very reason He came to earth (Mark 10:45)?
The preaching of the cross is a stumbling block to the Jew and foolishness to the Gentile (1 Corinthians 1:23) but it appears to be both to the Mormon.
Mormons not only have an aversion to the symbol of the cross like a vampire to a crucifix, but Mormons have an aversion to what the cross represents. Just like Satan who desires nothing more than to avert the sinner’s gaze away from the redemptive work accomplished by Jesus on the cross, Mormons attempt to direct the attention of their followers away from the redemptive work accomplished by Jesus on the cross as well. For example:
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ took upon himself the sins of all mankind.
Gospel Principles
Page 70
1997
The night preceding His crucifixion, Jesus Christ . . . . took upon Himself the burden of the sins of mankind from Adam to the end of the world.
Milton R. Hunter
The Gospel Through The Ages
Page 182
1945
Jesus, therefore, preceding crucifixion, had His last great struggle, while in mortality, with Satan and with death and came forth victorious.
Milton R. Hunter
The Gospel Through The Ages
Page 183
1945
If you’re believing in a “savior” that bore your sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, then you’re believing in one of the many false Christs that the True Christ warned us about, and you are still dead in your sins and will face the righteous, holy, and eternal wrath of God when you die.
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22), but Mormonism would have you believe that the Garden of Gethsemane was where Jesus bore our sins and that His ‘sweating’ (not ‘shedding’) of blood had something to do with our redemption. The context of ‘shedding of blood’ is not an expelling of some blood in your sweat, but that of death. I am in no way diminishing the suffering of Christ in the Garden, but it was not the place where He atoned for our sins.
The foreshadow of Christ throughout the Old Testament was of the death (shedding of blood) of a worthy substitute (e.g. the animals killed to ‘cover’ Adam and Eve’s nakedness, the ram in the thicket in place of Isaac on the alter, the blood of the lamb on the doorposts in Egypt, etc.). All of these required the death of an animal, not merely the loss of a little of its blood.
If this corrupt doctrine of LDS were true, then the Mormon “Jesus” could have essentially atoned for the sins of mankind the first time He scraped His knee playing as a child, or the first time He cut His hand while working as a carpenter.
Although nowhere in Scripture can even the idea be found that Christ paid for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, this doesn’t stop Mormonism from teaching this heresy.
But what saith the Scripture?
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. – 1 Peter 2:24
But Mormonism is not content with diverting your attention away from the finished work of Christ on the cross; they also blasphemously attack the very efficacy of the sacrifice of our precious Savior!
Are you aware that there are certain sins that a man may commit for which the atoning blood of Christ does no avail? Do you not know, too, that this doctrine is taught in the Book of Mormon?
Joseph Fielding Smith
Doctrines of Salvation
Volume 1 Page 133
Joseph Smith taught that there were certain sins so that man may commit, that they will place the transgressors beyond the power of the atonement of Christ. If these offenses are committed, then the blood of Christ will not cleanse them from their sins even though they repent. Therefore their only hope is to have their own blood shed to atone, as far as possible, in their behalf. This is scriptural doctrine and taught in all the standard works of the Church.
Joseph Fielding Smith
Doctrines of Salvation
Volume 1 Page 135
But under certain circumstances there are some serious sins for which the cleansing of Christ does not operate, and the law of God is that men then have their own blood shed to atone for their sins. Murder, for instance, is one of these sins; hence we find the Lord commanding capital punishment.
Bruce R. McConkie
Mormon Doctrine
Page 92
1966 Edition
We must believe that this same Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world, that is for the original sin, not the actual individual transgressions of the people; not but that the blood of Christ will cleanse from all sin, all who are disposed to act their part by repentance, and faith in his name. But the original sin was atoned for by the death of Christ, although its effects we still see in the diseases, tempers and every species of wickedness with which the human family is afflicted.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses
Volume 13 Page 143
1869
It will be necessary here to make a few observations on the doctrine set forth in the above quotation, and it is generally supposed that sacrifice was entirely done away when the Great Sacrifice [i.e., the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus] was offered up, and that there will be no necessity for the ordinance of sacrifice in [the] future: but those who assert this are certainly not acquainted with the duties, privileges and authority of the priesthood, or with the Prophets.
Joseph Smith
History of the Church
Volume 4 Page 211
It is not to be understood that the law of Moses will be established again with all its rites and variety of ceremonies; this has never been spoken of by the Prophets; but those things which existed prior to Moses’ day, namely, sacrifice, will be continued. It may be asked by some, what necessity for sacrifice, since the Great Sacrifice was offered? In answer to which, if repentance, baptism, and faith existed prior to the days of Christ, what necessity for them since that time?
Joseph Smith
History of the Church
Volume 4 Page 212
Christ did his part to atone for our sins. To make his atonement fully effective in our lives, we must strive to obey him and repent of our sins.
Gospel Principles
Page 75
1997
Christ’s atonement makes it possible to be saved from sin if we do our part.
Gospel Principles
Page 75
1997
It is true that the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men, yet men can commit sins which it can never remit.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses
Volume 4 Page 54
1856
There are sins that men commit for which they cannot receive forgiveness in this world, or in that which is to come, and if they had their eyes open to see their true condition, they would be perfectly willing to have their blood spilt upon the ground, that the smoke thereof might ascend to heaven as an offering for their sins; and the smoking incense would atone for their sins, whereas, if such is not the case, they will stick to them and remain upon them in the spirit world. I know, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it is a strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not destroy them.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses
Volume 4 Page 53
1856
I do know that there are sins committed, of such a nature that if the people did under the doctrine of salvation, they would tremble because of their situation. And furthermore, I know that there are transgressors, who, if they knew themselves, and the only condition upon which they can obtain forgiveness, would beg of their brethren to shed their blood, that the smoke thereof might ascend to God as an offering to appease the wrath that is kindled against them and that the law might have its course. I will say further; I have had men come to me and offer their lives to atone for their sins.
Brigham Young
Journal of Discourses
Volume 4 Pages 53-54
1856
No matter how current LDS apologists try to spin it, the fact is they do not believe that Christ’s sacrifice (in the Garden of Gethsemane or on the cross) was sufficient to cleanse you from all of your sins. They continue to believe the blasphemous doctrine that you must still do something on your behalf to merit God’s favor. Former LDS prophets have even gone so far as to teach that the shedding of your own blood is required for remission of sins. This is known as the Doctrine of Blood Atonement and is one of the many LDS doctrines that modern-day Mormons have tried desperately to distance themselves from (you can find out more about this utterly Satanic doctrine here and here).
However, one only needs to look as far as Holy Scripture to see the error and folly of this false gospel of Mormonism. The same God who can redeem Israel from all her iniquities (Psalm 130:8) can surely redeem sinners from all of their iniquities. In spite of Mormonism’s claim that there are “some sins” that men can commit that the blood of Christ cannot atone for, the inspired Word of God tells us the exact opposite:
But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7
Jesus gave Himself to redeem us from every lawless deed (Titus 2:14) as we are justified and saved from the wrath of God by His blood (Romans 5:9). Reconciliation was accomplished by the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross (Colossians 1:20) and we are redeemed not by perishable things, but by the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).
In spite of what the false teachers of LDS would have you believe, Christ’s sacrifice was not only sufficient to put away sin (Hebrews 9:26) and obtain eternal redemption through His blood (Hebrews 9:11-12), but it was done once and for all (Hebrews 7:26-27).
So when a Mormon comes to you bringing their long laundry list of things you must do to be saved, remember that Jesus paid the debt, it was sufficient, it is finished, and “there is no longer any offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:10-18)!
Jesus came in order to take away sins (1 John 3:5) and yet Mormons say He did not accomplish this. Who are you going to believe? A false organization led by false prophets, rife with false prophecies all pointing to a false “Jesus” and a false “gospel,” or the holy and inspired Word of God that has stood the test of time?
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:18
See related: The preaching of the Gospel is foolishness . . . to Roman Catholics
Another example of Mormons “not attacking” another religion.
Anyone who tries sharing the true gospel of Jesus Christ with a Mormon will eventually (if they haven’t already) run into the tried and true LDS tactic of pulling the victim card. They’ll say, “We have never attacked anyone’s religion, why are you attacking us?”
Well, not only has this claim by Mormons been proven to be an outright lie (see the post What Mormons Really Believe About Christians), but here’s a video showing just how sensitive to other people’s faith some of them are, and with some questionable racial overtones too.
Quorum of the Twelve Apostates.
Sometimes you can find the truth about Mormonism in the most unlikeliest of places.
When hirelings don’t attack but wish they did.
You all saw Perry Noble’s tirade in When Hirelings Attack. Now meet goat herder Gary Lamb whose biggest regret is that he did not commit battery with a deadly weapon upon an elderly couple, vandalize their church, and then set it on fire. Seriously, I can’t make this stuff up.
HT: A Little Leaven
Seventh-day Adventism: Satan will bear your sins.
The founding false prophetess of Seventh-day Adventism offered the following doosey of a heresy on page 422 of the book The Great Controversy:
It was seen, also, that while the sin offering pointed to Christ as a sacrifice, and the high priest represented Christ as a mediator, the scapegoat typified Satan, the author of sin, upon whom the sins of the truly penitent will finally be placed. When the high priest, by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, removed the sins from the sanctuary, he placed them upon the scapegoat. When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of his ministration, he will place them upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty. The scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, never to come again into the congregation of Israel. So will Satan be forever banished from the presence of God and His people, and he will be blotted from existence in the final destruction of sin and sinners.
Rank heresy! Utter blasphemy!
Jesus alone had our iniquity placed upon Him (Isaiah 53:6); He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21); and it was Jesus Christ–God in the flesh–who bore our sins in his body on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).
When hirelings attack.
HT: A Little Leaven
Mark Driscoll: Flesh Peddler
As Mark Driscoll continues to slide ever further into the culturally relevant abyss – debasing himself and his ministry in the filthy conversation of this fallen world in the process – we find the chorus of voices calling for the purity of Christ’s church and a return to Biblical modesty and genuine repentance rising louder and louder. I came across the piece below by Ingrid Schlueter and felt it important to share with DefCon’s readership in its entirety.
How long will the “Big Name” evangelical leadership continue to enable potty-mouthed Mark Driscoll’s unbroken patterns of sin and his public contempt of God’s Holy Word (Eph. 4:29; Eph. 5:3-4; Col. 2:1-8)?
Why do men of stature like John Piper seemingly coddle and “tee hee” and “giggle giggle, wink wink”at Mark Driscoll’s brazen and cavalier teenager-esque rebellion, thereby tacitly endorsing his aberrant and unscriptural behavior?
Are ANY OF THESE MEN willing to evaluate Mark Driscoll in the light of infallible scripture and give him a prayerful, earnest and godly rebuke in the love of Christ that he might repent of the error of his ways, or will they, like John Piper, turn a blind eye to the matter and pragmatically pretend that the ends justify the means?
Rise Up, O Men of God! Your Women Are Fighting the Battle
There are ‘mothers in Israel’ who are rising up to confront Mark Driscoll and his filthy mouth and materials. Why? Because the men in spiritual leadership today not only refuse to, but legitimize and endorse Driscoll’s “ministry.”
If you wonder why there was a need for a Prophetess Deborah in the Old Testament, look to the times that produced her. Women only come to leadership when men abandon their biblical headship. But when it comes to threats to little ones, both literally and spiritually, the women will rise up to the job if men refuse. What Mark Driscoll is doing with his degrading sex columns and videos that are all over the Internet is causing harm to ourselves and our children. I received this email this morning from a spiritual “little one.”
Dear Mrs. Schlueter,
I wanted to thank you so much for your latest post exposing the foul-mouthed “pastor” Mark Driscoll. I am an 18 year old Christian young woman who has struggled with pornography. You have no idea what reading and watching Mark Driscoll’s material did for my spiritual life. I was instantly reminded by my sinful flesh just how much I enjoyed my despicable sin, and was repeatedly tempted so strongly that I had to stop reading his article. I should have been able to find refuge in a godly pastor’s words, not even more temptation. I should be made to think of Holy Scripture, not of the perverted images that I have a hard enough time trying to keep out of my mind.
Thank you again for all you do, and God bless!
Because Driscoll is causing harm, I, Cathy Mickels and Deborah Dombrowskiand any other women who would like to join us, are speaking out. I am demanding a response from men like Dr. Erwin Lutzer who has refused to come out against this and who will be speaking with Driscoll at an upcoming conference. You can reach Dr. Lutzer through his assistant named Lori at Moody Church. The number is 312-943-0466 or 1.800.215.5001 . Here is a list of speakers who will be further legitimizing instead of rebuking Mr. Driscoll.
Because of the nature of the material Driscoll promotes, I will not link to his blog and videos here. A simple online search on Mr. Driscoll’s name along with the word “s-x” will provide more than enough documentation as to what he is doing if you choose to confront some of these speakers and leaders.
Rise up, men of God. Your women are having to shield the eyes of your children and take care of their own eyes and ears because not enough men will stand in the gap.
SEE ALSO:
Pulpit Magazine on Mark Driscoll and “Harsh Language”
Grunge Christianity? Counterculture’s Death-Spiral and the Vulgarization of the Gospel”
Who will be sharing the stage with John Piper?
John MacArthur on Mark Driscoll
John MacArthur on Mark Driscoll Part 2 – The Rape of Solomon’s Song
How can you tell when professing “Christians” are following the Gospel according to Todd Bentley instead of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
By observing their reaction to someone preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this actions-speak-louder-than-words and the-proof-is-in-the-pudding post from Tony Miano, you can check out for yourself the way Bentley-ites react to the preaching of the Gospel.
It’s very revealing; the Gospel is an obvious stumbling block to them. Read all about what happened when Tony Miano tried sharing the Gospel to Bentley-ites (including pictures and audio) in his post here.
Here’s an excerpt:
So, people go to Lakeland and the Galen Center, and other places around the world to “get some” of what Bentley and others are offering. They “repent and believe,” so to speak, and then Jesus is quickly brushed aside for what they really came to receive–manifestations, spirits, angels, healing, predictions about a better life, and a spiritual shot in the arm.
Thanks to Loretta Heiden for making me aware of this (and by the way, I love the new header on your blog).
Strange fire.
I am sure some of the people in the following two videos sincerely believe that they are participating in a form of “worship” that is acceptable to God. I grieve for them, especially the young, because I was there not too long ago myself. With very limited Biblical literacy and understanding, I too was swept up in all the emotion that these kinds of “shows” are designed to create. I was front and center to the wolves in the pulpits and the snakes with the guitars who were drumming up false fire and false excitement because the Holy Spirit was not in it.
VIDEO 1
The deep doctrinal truths found in the lyrics of Rick Pino’s worship music reflects the deep doctrinal truths found in Todd Bentley’s messages.
If you can get through the first 4 minutes of annoyingly juvenile repetitious “worship,” you get even more annoyingly juvenile repetitious “worship.”
HT: Dale McAlpine
See another, more deeply disturbing, Bentley “worship” service here on this previous post.
VIDEO 2
And if the first video isn’t bad enough, Mr. Pino caters to the lusts of the flesh as he takes an 80’s secular song and interjects the name Jesus into it.
“Jesus spins you ’round like a record” (where’s that in Scripture?). But it’s what he makes the people do with their socks–in the name of Jesus–that’s really disturbing.
See more foolishness from Rick Pino here.
When God’s not moving, Todd Bentley moves God.
Just wait long enough and the arrogance of a false prophet eventually always come out. From out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth speaks.
Traffic cop turned false Christ in Russia.
ABC News has an article and a video on this guy that is definitely worth checking out. I also found the following video on YouTube (although not as insightful as the ABC News piece, it is telling).
On a side note, because of the increase in false Christs, and the promise from Scripture that in the end times many will come claiming to be Christ and lead many astray, I’ve decided to create a new category called False Christs.
Christ Alone Wyoming 