Apostasy poses real and present dangers today as always. Actually, the threat may be more imminent and more dangerous than ever, because most Christians nowadays simply don’t care about the prevalence of false doctrine, nor do they take seriously their duty to fight against apostasy. Instead, they want a friendly atmosphere of open acceptance for everyone, tolerance of opposing ideas, and charitable dialogue with the apostates.
– John MacArthur
This is a fantastic video comparing the truth of Scripture with that of Kenneth Copeland’s false teachings spawned from the abyss of Satan. If you want to view the complete video (about 7 minutes longer than the one below) you can find it here.
Todd Bentley bragged (in the video on this previous post) about kicking a lady in the face with his biker boot to heal her. In that same video he also boasted about tackling, leg-dropping, punching, and choking people to generate “healings.” Well, now he’s battered someone for real and it’s been caught on video.
And why did Todd Bentley unexpectedly and without warning run up to this dying man with colon cancer and knee him in the stomach? Because, as he says, “I had to be obedient to the Lord, sir.”
No, Mr. Bentley, if you were obeying the Lord you wouldn’t be doing this stuff.
Source: Slice of Laodicea
Emergent pastor Dan Kimball makes some good points in this 7 minute video, as do other Emergent leaders from time to time (like leaving the “bubble” and reaching out to those on the outside). But as usual it doesn’t take long for Emergents to quickly make a hard left-turn and nosedive into a downward spiral of tolerance of sin and the advancement of heretical false teachings which ultimately leave the hurting (like the man in this video for example) still lost and seeking truth in the end.
I wish people like Dan Kimball would just remove “Christian” from their title and replace it with “Universalist.” There would be a much greater clarity and truth in advertising.
Jesus hung out with thieves, prostitutes, and murderers, but he called them to repentance not–as Emergents suggest–to leave them feeling good about their sin. God calls us to come as we are, but He doesn’t expect us to stay that way!
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
See the following related posts:
Conversations with a nun in the unlikeliest of places
Mary-Virgin, Virtuous, not to be Vaulted above her position
Was the Apostle Peter the first pope?
The written Word of God and Roman Catholicism
On this episode of The White Horse Inn, the guys discuss Joel Osteen – A Case Study in American Religion. Here’s the details:
Why is Joel Osteen so popular? Is he a faithful representative of the Christian faith, or is his message more about self-help and personal motivation? On this edition of the White Horse Inn, the hosts will examine the theology of this bestselling author as they continue their series “Christless Christianity.”
I was speaking with The Desert Pastor the other day and we were discussing the amount of attention Todd Bentley was getting on DefCon. We were apparently both thinking the same thing: this false prophet was beginning to get too much coverage on this blog.
I expressed to him that I think we’ve posted more than enough information on this false prophet that those who are discerning (and truly seeking after truth) will benefit from what we’ve made available. On the flip side, however, that same information has been seen by those who still defend and follow him and their continued allegiance to this man will only add to their condemnation. They will not be able to proclaim “ignorance” on the Day of Judgment.
So with that said, barring some periodical event that requires commentary, this will probably be one of my last posts on this pied-piper who draws the selfish after him as they chase signs and wonders and the next big thing/experience/spectacle.
This video is one of the best examinations of Bentley that I’ve seen so far. I can only hope and pray that those who haven’t drank the Kool-Aid can watch this and come to understand that not everything that glitters is gold, and even Satan himself can disguise himself as an angel of light.
This church’s motto is, “Our faith is over 2,000 years old but our thinking is not.”
Yes it is. There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9) and certainly not the sin this church is openly involved in. It’s as old as Sodom and Gomorrah.
Click on any of the pictures of Todd Bentley’s tattoos to enlarge.
For more on Todd Bentley, click here.
“Lord, why can’t I just move in healing and forget talking about all that other stuff? He said, ‘Because Todd, you got to get the people to believe in the angel.’ I said God, why do I want people to believe in the angel, isn’t it about getting the people to believe in Jesus? He said, ‘The people already believe in Jesus, but the church doesn’t believe in the supernatural.’ The church has no problem believing in Jesus, what we don’t believe in is the supernatural. We don’t believe in angels, we don’t believe in the prophetic, we don’t believe in what’s going on, and I’ll tell you what, we need to have an awakening.”
– Todd Bentley
Notice how Todd Bentley claims “God” told him that he needs to get the people to believe in “the angel” and not “angels”? Anyone want to guess what “angel” he’s speaking about?
No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14
Thus saith the Lord:
But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
– 1 Corinthians 14:40
On this episode of Crosstalk, host Ingrid Schlueter (Slice of Laodicea & Hope in Laodicea) and guests Ken Silva (Apprising Ministries & Christian Research Network) and John Sharp (The Way Christian Fellowship) discuss the Todd Bentley and the Lakeland revival. To listen click or download here.
This short video breaks my heart. The abuse that these parents put their two precious children through by forcing them to come face to face with such evil raises up a righteous indignation within me. “I don’t want you to touch me” the one girl pleads through her tears, yet they all just laugh as they subject these children to the legion within Bentley. Why are these parents so blind to what their children can plainly see? If this is a move of God, the children would not be so frightened. What more proof do you need?
Birds fly.
Fish swim.
Kangaroos hop.
False prophets falsely prophesy about Christ’s second coming.
But why let a little thing like being a false prophet slow you down? Just look at Charles Taze Russell and Joseph Smith; they both falsely prophesied Christ’s return but their cults are alive and well today.
I received a prophetic Word from the Lord for Todd Bentley and his followers. You can read it here.
Some of you may have been wondering what “worship” was like at the Lakeland “revival.” But most of you (like me) probably didn’t care. However, as a public service for those who were wondering, I’ve decided to provide you with a video that should satisfy your curiosity (and sicken your stomach).
I couldn’t sit through the whole 4 minutes of this pagan-looking, Woodstock-style, hippie-like, drug-induced gyrating so I skipped ahead. You may want to as well.
Now will someone please explain to me what the woman begins doing at 3:28 into the video and why? Will any Bentley-ite out there please provide me with Scriptural support (not only for this woman’s actions throughout the whole video) but specifically for what she does at that point in the video. And you can’t use, “King David did it” with this one!
This post is for Todd Bentley supporters and all Charismatics. I have 24 questions for you and would like serious answers only. If you should choose to take up this challenge I have only one condition; that you don’t just pick and choose the questions you want to answer (much like many do with verses of Scripture) but if you want to answer one, I request that you take a stab at them all.
These questions will require the use of your Bible and some will only seek your opinion. Are you up to the task? If so, let’s begin:
1). If a modern-day prophet says one thing and the Bible says another (opposing/opposite) which do you follow?
2). Why if God spoke “long ago” through prophets, but now in the last days speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1) do we still chase after men like Todd Bentley?
3). If the temple veil was ripped in two (Matthew 27:51) and God is not to be found in any one particular place on earth (Acts 7:48), but is now available to any true believer anywhere, why must we go to a certain church, event or venue in order to “come get some?”
4). God sent prophets to the Jews up until the 400 years of silence preceding Jesus Christ, (whom to this day the Jews still reject). Why don’t those who know the standard of prophets best (the Jewish people) continue to “raise up” and chase after prophets like the Charismatics do continually? Why do the Jews continue to patiently wait for their Messiah (which they missed 2,000 years ago) while the Charismatics keep chasing after the next big prophet? What do the Jews understand about a true prophet of God that Charismatics seem to keep missing?
5). Why if the Church is instructed in 1 Corinthians 14:40 to conduct itself “properly and in an orderly manner” do Charismatics refuse to accept this and instead we see the antics, shenanigans, and circus-like atmosphere in these self-proclaimed movements of God?
6). When Charismatics use the “my God is the same yesterday, today and forever” argument in the context that they commonly use it, why do they then no longer stone false prophets to death?
7). Why do Charismatics keep proclaiming the coming of a great revival in these last days when this is in direct opposition to the revealed Word of God which says that a great falling away will occur in the last days (2 Thessalonians 2:3)? Where does it say that the return of Christ is preceded by a great healing revival?
8). Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus asking Him to show them a sign (Matthew 16:1, Luke 11:16, John 2:18, John 6:30). Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?
9). Why do those seeking a sign in Mark 8:11-12 cause Jesus to “sigh deeply in His Spirit”?
10). Why are those seeking signs and wonders (Matthew 12:38-39, Matthew 16:4, Luke 11:29) referred to by Jesus as evil, wicked, and adulterous?
11). Was Jesus saying the need to see signs and wonders was a good thing in John 4:48?
12). Was Paul implying the need to see signs was a good thing in 1 Corinthians 1:22?
13). Why do Charismatics always use Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2 (quoting Joel) to justify the tongues and prophecies they perform while excluding the other events like the sun turning dark and the moon turning to blood (v. 20)?
14). If it is God’s will that we should be healthy and wealthy, why did Paul suffer so much (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 12:7-10)?
15). Isn’t seeking to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable in this life a direct contradiction to God’s way of testing the faith of a believer and producing endurance in the life of a believer (James 1:2-4)?
16). Jesus addressed the fact that we are not greater than He, and since He suffered, we (true Christians) should expect the same (John 15:20, Matthew 10:24-25). Why do Charismatics ignore this and cling to the false notion that any suffering is of the Devil?
17). Why do the only two prophets directly referred to in Scripture in the last days (Revelation 11) perform no healings? Instead they do exactly the opposite of what all the “prophets” of today do; the very things most Charismatics would say is from the Devil. Why is that?
18). Why does the Bible repeatedly identify the existence of and warn us about false prophets (Matthew 7:15, 24:11, 24:24, Mark 13:22, Luke 6:26, Acts 13:6, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 1 John 4:1, etc.)?
19). In the end many false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to mislead many (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22). Why do most Charismatics refuse to accept this, and if they do accept it, they never accept that this could be referring to their favorite prophet?
20). Is there any “sign and wonder” that you can point to that is false/counterfeit from Satan? Or do all “signs and wonders” come from God only?
21). Can Satan and his servants appear as “good” or do they always come to us as easily identifiable “bad” spirits (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)?
22). Is the great and visible sign performed in Revelation 13:13 a good thing from God or a counterfeit from Satan?
23). Can Satan and those in accord with his activity perform signs and wonders and exhibit power (Exodus 7:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:9)?
24). What is the more common theme of the Bible regarding the prophets with accompanying signs and wonders?
A). The presence of signs and wonders are proof of them being true prophets of God.
B). That false prophets will mislead many and they will use signs and wonders.
The heathen outside the pale of Christendom form gods of wood and stone, while millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a god out of their carnal minds.
– AW Pink
1886 – 1952
Oh how this magazine continues to descend into the depths of total depravity. Christianity Today not only felt it was necessary to review Sex and the City, but also gave it three out of a possible four stars. You can see their review here.
“In the end, I didn’t quite heart SATC—but I certainly enjoyed this meaningful reunion with its beloved characters and their winning friendships.”
Folks, the DVD series is rated R for a reason (i.e. strong sexual content, graphic nudity, and language). No true Christian has any business willingly setting this trash before their eyes.
Apparently some readers of Christianity Today still have a conscience left after it being seared from reading this rag to begin with. They wrote in to express their displeasure and Christianity Today addressed the dissenting voices with their excuses for reviewing this show and other objectionable films. I’ve commented below on excerpts from their unapologetic drivel:
“We totally understand why many people would have no desire to see Sex and the City, choosing to avoid it because of its portrayals of pre- and extra-marital sex and rampant materialism. I myself have no desire to see it, mostly for those reasons. But to slam us for reviewing the film makes no sense. Our mission statement is to help readers make discerning choices about movies—not to make the choices for people. Our review clearly warned readers of the sinful behavior in the movie, while also noting some of its redeeming factors—like the universal longing for love and companionship, what it means to be a true friend, and more.”
Really? Is that why you gave it three out of four stars? Doesn’t sound like you’re doing a good job of warning readers about the “sinful behavior” in the film when you endorse it! It must be all those “redeeming values” that gave it such a high rating like this quote from the original review: “All of this said, there is a lot of sex and nudity in the movie. Be warned: There’s a threesome, a naked man in a shower, some steamy makeup sex. The sex scenes between married folk are somewhat less offensive, but there were too many times when it seemed that the producers were simply trying to shock.”
And yet what’s even more shocking is that professing Christians are watching and endorsing this lust of the eyes and lust of the flesh fest.
“As for why we review movies that depict sinful behavior, it’s because such films depict real-world truth, and the truth is sometimes ugly. To suggest that one cannot find redemption amidst the muck is preposterous; often the best kinds of redemption come from out of the muck.”
And it’s much more entertaining to our sinful flesh (which we refuse to crucify) than reading that old boring Bible for guidance and direction.
“But here’s another reason for reviewing SATC and other uncomfortable films: It’s good to sometimes enter into the minds and worldviews of others, even of those we completely disagree with. It’s good to see what the world looks like through the eyes of even the depraved.”
I’m not even going to touch that lame excuse.
“That, dear readers, is why we review ‘objectionable’ movies. Because our eyes ‘are not enough for me.’ We will ‘see through the eyes of others’ and yet ‘remain’ ourselves. It is our own ‘experiment in criticism.’ If that kind of thinking is good enough for C. S. Lewis, it’s certainly good enough for us.”
Wow, I’d like to see you use that justification to indulge the flesh as you stand before your holy and righteous judge. “But Mr. Lewis said . . .”. Perhaps when they stand before God they will quote man’s words, but I have a sneaking suspicion God will quote His own: “Dapert from Me, I never knew you“!
Oh Christianity Today, how you make me long for Christianity Yesterday!
Christ Alone Wyoming 
