the hot spot Discussions - All About GOD2024-03-28T15:19:42Zhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/groups/group/forum?groupUrl=the-hot-spot&feed=yes&xn_auth=noMatthew 18 – And Heretics and Hypocritestag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-07-19:1383940:Topic:15723542014-07-19T03:22:34.582Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<h2 class="art-PostHeader"><a href="http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=9605" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Matthew 18 – And Heretics and Hypocrites">Matthew 18 – And Heretics and Hypocrites</a></h2>
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<h2 class="art-PostHeader"><a href="http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=9605" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Matthew 18 – And Heretics and Hypocrites">Matthew 18 – And Heretics and Hypocrites</a></h2>
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<div class="art-PostContent"><div class="pf-content"><p><strong>By Paul Proctor</strong><br/><strong>Free-lance writer</strong><br/><strong>Used with permission.</strong></p>
<p>Every now and then I get a terse email from someone who has taken exception to my candid comments on Rick Warren, asking questions like: “Have you ever spoken with him personally about your objections and concerns and tried to work through your differences privately as scripture teaches, rather than attack him publicly as you do?”</p>
<p>The scripture they usually cite is, of course, Matthew 18:15-17</p>
<blockquote><p>“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is probably one of the more misunderstood and misapplied Scriptures quoted today, especially among those who ingest Church Growth Carcinogens and Purpose Driven Lies. Because we have been inappropriately taught that unity and relationships are the most important things for Christians to pursue and protect in the church, these verses are often touted as the principal directive we should follow when addressing false teachers, which frankly, couldn’t be any further from the truth and only ends up protecting, sustaining and empowering them, which is probably why they teach it.</p>
<p>There is absolutely no biblical record of Jesus or any of His disciples ever taking a heretic off to the side for coffee and donuts after they led someone astray distorting the Word of God. They didn’t shake hands, exchange hugs, kisses and phone numbers or set up appointments on their PDAs to dialog their doctrinal differences over lunch in the quiet corner of a favorite restaurant at a more convenient time.</p>
<p>No, Jesus dealt with heretics harshly, publicly, and immediately, as did Paul and the other disciples. And, keep in mind; we’re talking New Testament here friends. In the Old Testament, false prophets were simply taken out and stoned to death for their lies. That’s how serious God is about His Word being rightly divided and properly proclaimed.</p>
<p>So, what was Jesus referring to in Matthew 18? Look again carefully at how he begins:</p>
<blockquote><p>“…If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone…”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>You see, the Lord is referring here to a personal offense, grievance and/or misunderstanding between two people – something that has broken their fellowship and has little or nothing to do with anyone else. Personal and private matters of wrongdoing should always be dealt with personally and privately first, so as not to unduly disrupt the unity of the body. That is indeed, biblical.</p>
<p>Now, as for wolves in sheep’s clothing that stand in pulpits and on stages before vast audiences with microphones and television cameras proclaiming demonic doctrines as the Word of God, the scriptural directive is altogether different:</p>
<blockquote><p>“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” – Galatians 1:8</p>
<p>“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” – Ephesians 5:11</p>
</blockquote>
<p>(“Reprove” is another word for rebuke)</p>
<blockquote><p>“A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject” – Titus 3:10</p>
<p>“If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (2nd John 1:10)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Jesus didn’t request a closed-door session with the Scribes and Pharisees in order to find common ground, build relationships and promote unity in Jerusalem. He condemned their blasphemy before one and all and repeatedly warned His disciples about their leaven. And when His number-one disciple challenged Him about His own up and coming crucifixion, Jesus didn’t put His hand gently on Peter’s shoulder and effeminately whisper: “My friend, you just don’t understand.” No, He lashed back at him with power and authority in front of ALL the disciples saying:</p>
<blockquote><p>“…Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” – Matthew 16:23</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Why? Because, Peter was publicly contradicting God’s Word and Divine plan, which is the equivalent of proclaiming Jesus to be a lunatic or a liar.</p>
<p>Did the religious leaders stone Stephen to death because of all the cute and cuddly things he had to say about them? I don’t THINK so. Stephen spoke the cold hard truth that day and they hated him for it because God’s Truth is always “evil” and intolerable in the ears of the unrepentant. He told them:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears…who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>You see, defenders of today’s religious leaders almost always resort to calling their critics, among other things, “legalists,” for incessantly using scripture to rebuke unbiblical teachings and practices; comparing them to the Pharisees of Stephen’s day, when, in reality, Stephen might just as easily say to Rick Warren and others like him:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears…who have received the Gospel, but have not proclaimed it.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Of course, when someone reprimands today’s religious leaders for their unbiblical teachings, they are silenced, shamed, slandered, marginalized, isolated and/or asked to leave. But, isn’t that exactly what the religious leaders did to Jesus and His disciples?</p>
<p>The Pharisees were a lot of things but they were not “legalists.” They’ve merely been labeled as such by the religious liberals of OUR day in order to try and discount the importance of studying and obeying scripture. In fact the word “legalist’ does not even appear in any version of the Bible I searched. It is just another contemporary twisting of the truth to forward a corrupt agenda and steer people away from God’s Word to something more flexible, entertaining and endearing.</p>
<p>“Legalism” is defined in my dictionary as the “strict adherence to a literal interpretation of a law, rule, or religious moral code.” Under this definition, is not Jesus Himself a legalist? You see, without the law, there is no need for a cross; which probably explains why both are being expelled from the church and society today as outdated and offensive relics from the past.</p>
<p>So, according to Stephen’s own testimony, if the religious leaders indeed “received the law but have not kept it,” they don’t even QUALIFY as true “legalists” but only as lawbreakers; or, as Jesus repeatedly called them; “Hypocrites,” which is another word for “actor,” meaning, they only pretended to keep the law.</p>
<p>And THAT, my friends, is what today’s Purpose Driven Pastor is – an actor – a hypocrite and a pretender, because he CLAIMS the Word of God but does not actually believe it nor proclaim it. If he did, he would preach the Bible and nothing else; verse by verse, for the rest of his ministry; not The Purpose Driven Life, chapter by chapter for 40 days. He would quote The Almighty with power and conviction before a trembling and uneasy congregation, instead of quoting Rick Warren with purpose and ambition before a casual and comfortable constituency.</p>
<p>When church attendance and revenues are down, closet liberals, be they Purpose Driven or otherwise, often minimize, in varying degrees, the importance of the Bible in a Christian’s life, calling it “legalism” whenever one encourages the brethren to obey God’s Word or dares to chastise those who refuse. Well, THEY might call keeping God’s commandments “legalism,” but Jesus Christ calls it “love.” Don’t believe me? Read it for yourself:</p>
<blockquote><p>“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” – John 14:15</p>
<p>“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” – John 14:21</p>
<p>“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” – John 14:23-24</p>
<p>“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” – John 15:10</p>
<p>“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” – 1st John 2:4</p>
<p>“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” – 1st John 5:3</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Keeping God’s commandments will not gain you entry into the Kingdom of Heaven anymore than attending church will make you a member. That only comes by faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for our sins. (Ephesians 2:8-10) But for those of us who claim Him, there is no other way to exercise that faith and prove our discipleship.</p>
<p>Loving God is not having a hand-raising, hip-hopping, wave-making, emotional experience in a Hawaiian shirt and sandals before a rock band in some downtown arena full of shrieking Seekers, Creekers, Promise Keepers and Passionate Purposeites. The only true act of love, worship and service to God is obedience to His Word. Everything else is distortion, distraction, deception, delusion and destruction.</p>
<p>And, when you set your Bible aside for some other book or teacher or preacher, you are neither loving, nor following, nor obeying the One you claim as your Lord and Savior. Oh, you might be Purpose Driven or Seeker Sensitive; but more than anything else, you’re a hypocrite.</p>
<blockquote><p>“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” – Matthew 7:21-23</p>
</blockquote>
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</div> Strangest Bumper Sticket I've ever seentag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-05-17:1383940:Topic:15595872014-05-17T02:54:00.472Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<p><span>The other day I was driving to our office and found myself behind a car displaying the popular bumper sticker, COEXIST. As you can see, each of the letters is shaped from a different religious symbol: the C is from Islam, the X is a Star of David, the T is a cross, and so on.</span><br></br><br></br><span>That wasn't surprising. But this was: higher on the car was a sticker stating, "SOMETIMES I WRESTLE WITH MY DEMONS SOMETIMES WE JUST SNUGGLE." </span><br></br><br></br><span>Ironically, the rear…</span></p>
<p><span>The other day I was driving to our office and found myself behind a car displaying the popular bumper sticker, COEXIST. As you can see, each of the letters is shaped from a different religious symbol: the C is from Islam, the X is a Star of David, the T is a cross, and so on.</span><br/><br/><span>That wasn't surprising. But this was: higher on the car was a sticker stating, "SOMETIMES I WRESTLE WITH MY DEMONS SOMETIMES WE JUST SNUGGLE." </span><br/><br/><span>Ironically, the rear license plate was set inside a frame which stated, "DON'T FOLLOW ME I'M LOST TOO."</span><br/><br/><span>"More than you know," I thought.</span><br/><br/><span>One of </span><a href="http://www.denisonforum.org/faith-questions/33-spiritual-warfare/257-who-is-satan" target="_blank" title="Who is Satan? by Jim Denison">Satan</a><span>'s most subtle strategies is to confuse opinion with truth. "</span><a href="http://www.denisonforum.org/cultural-commentary/527-spiritual-but-not-religious" target="_blank" title="Spiritual but not religious by Jim Denison">I'm spiritual but not religious</a><span>" is a common claim today. Many in our culture think they are the final arbiter on spiritual truth. "</span><a href="http://www.denisonforum.org/morality/658-pastor-responds-to-columnist-on-reality-of-hell" target="_blank" title="Pastor responds to columnist on reality of hell by Jim Denison">I don't believe in hell</a><span>," a man once told me with finality, as though his opinion had any bearing on whether hell actually exists or not. It's like saying, "I don't believe in Mars" and expecting an astrophysicist to stop trying to convince me of the planet's existence.</span><br/><br/><span>Many think "</span><a href="http://www.janetdenison.com/blog/249-heaven-is-for-real" target="_blank" title="Heaven is for real by Janet Denison">all roads lead to heaven</a><span>," but they don't think all roads lead to the same destination on earth. Many think "it doesn't matter which <a href="http://www.religiontoday.com/">religion</a> you choose so long as you're sincere," but they'd never try this axiom with medicine. Many think that "tolerance is what matters in religion," but they would never tolerate poison in our food or cancer in our body. Many are especially interested in the occult today, but most have no idea what forces they're "snuggling" with. Our enemy is very real, and he "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).</span><br/><br/><span>Our society is syncretistic (fusing many different religions) and relativistic (convinced that all truth claims are equally valid). First century culture was equally confused. Peter renounced political correctness for transforming truth when he said of Jesus, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).</span><br/><br/><span>Today you can be popular or you can be prophetic, but you can seldom be both. Choose wisely.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Publication date: May 15, 2014</em></p>
<p><em><a href="http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/denison-forum/the-strangest-bumper-sticker-i-ve-ever-seen.html">http://www.christianheadlines.com/columnists/denison-forum/the-strangest-bumper-sticker-i-ve-ever-seen.html</a></em></p> The Trinitytag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-03-13:1383940:Topic:15500832014-03-13T01:50:02.042Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<p>I saw a post on the Trinity. Can someone please help me with this? I know it doesn't use the word trinity in the Bible and I need help understanding. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. </p>
<p>Anyone please help? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I saw a post on the Trinity. Can someone please help me with this? I know it doesn't use the word trinity in the Bible and I need help understanding. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. </p>
<p>Anyone please help? </p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks</p> Who's job is it to be a watchman ?tag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-03-07:1383940:Topic:15491702014-03-07T13:25:31.088ZChip Fitzpatrickhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/ChipFitzpatrick
<p><em><span class="font-size-4" style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I can not help but get a little nervous when I see so much decay and what seems to be a swift retreat from God.....</span></em></p>
<p><em><span class="font-size-4" style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;">I began watching the weather patterns, and the natural disasters....but its all starting to make sence nowthere is still that great war in Heaven....the heavenlies are shaken by it...and it cascades down…</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">I can not help but get a little nervous when I see so much decay and what seems to be a swift retreat from God.....</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">I began watching the weather patterns, and the natural disasters....but its all starting to make sence nowthere is still that great war in Heaven....the heavenlies are shaken by it...and it cascades down to us.... We are repeating history mankind is.There is more activity than ever before......we are about to enter the tribulation time...if I didnt say anything blood would be required at my hand......the why wasnt the warnings going to my people? which is the most dreaded thought I believe a believer would ever have to face....Keeping an eye on the flock, watching for signs of desent....with one eye open to whats happening on the horizon.This could get deeper than I could ever explain......and that would lead to confusion.......perfect for the enemy.....I will not do it. I want to take us back to September 11 2000.......also to bring in to picture Isa 9:10 its fulfilment......Soloman dedicated the Temple to God and if the nation turned away judgement was going to come........and in which it did in AD79 the destruction of the Temple and the people went into captivity.......Jerimiah's acct of the captivity was interesting.......Im going to a simular place......it was the dedication and by who.....this was a Harbinger in itself an omen,warnings,blessings......these had emerged in Israel when the people turned from God....these are now appearing on American soil...America is under Judgement and it is progressive.......</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms, sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">It began with the breach, the strike from an enemy on our home soil...the protection we had from God was lifted briefly.....Nothing anyhuman can do in thier own strength to change this.....National repentance is needed.....the next 2 years will be very difficult for Christians here.......We are already being watched.....the NWO is next......prepare yourselves...... Tell anyone that will listen.</span></em></p> The "Son of God" Movietag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-03-03:1383940:Topic:15435332014-03-03T01:23:56.785Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<h2 class="entry-title">Making more money....? What do you think about this movie? </h2>
<h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-son-of-god-movie-is-not-what-we-think-do-you-know-the-voice-of-your-master/" rel="bookmark">The “Son of God” Movie Is NOT What We Think–Do You Know The Voice of Your Master</a></h2>
<div class="entry-meta"><span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author">Posted on</span> …</div>
<h2 class="entry-title">Making more money....? What do you think about this movie? </h2>
<h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-son-of-god-movie-is-not-what-we-think-do-you-know-the-voice-of-your-master/" rel="bookmark">The “Son of God” Movie Is NOT What We Think–Do You Know The Voice of Your Master</a></h2>
<div class="entry-meta"><span class="meta-prep meta-prep-author">Posted on</span> <a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-son-of-god-movie-is-not-what-we-think-do-you-know-the-voice-of-your-master/" title="2:40 pm" rel="bookmark"><span class="entry-date">February 23, 2014</span></a><span class="by-author"><span class="sep">by</span> <span class="author vcard"><a class="url fn n" href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/author/thelasthiker/" title="View all posts by The Last Hiker" rel="author">The Last Hiker</a></span></span></div>
<div class="entry-content"><p><img class="aligncenter" alt="" src="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/images/size500/Son_of_God_poster_CNA_2_14_14.jpg"/></p>
<p>Last year the History Channel featured the epic television event, “The Bible Series,” which was produced by Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett. This show captivated audiences and became the talk of many churches. <a href="http://www.outreach.com/the-bible/church-engagement.aspx#movie_event">Churches even purchased pre-written sermons</a> to go along with the show, which according to outreach.com made it into 180,000 churches.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" alt="" src="http://ll-media.tmz.com/2011/11/29/1129-mark-victoria-roma-mark-tweet.jpg"/></p>
<p>Roma and Mark were endlessly interviewed in Christian magazines, and on Christian radio. All along saying that they were sold out Christians and believers filled with the Holy Spirit.</p>
<p>And the churches bought it.</p>
<p>They promoted it.</p>
<p>And yet, as I watched “The Bible Series<em>,”</em> I personally became furious at how much they twisted the word of God. Not just omitting things for the sake of time–but changing the theme, the message, and the nature of Bible characters, and the nature of God Himself.</p>
<p>That is unforgivable.</p>
<p>God will judge that.</p>
<p>I was furious.</p>
<p>My husband and I were sitting in our darkened living room with our bowls of ice cream and we couldn’t even get five minutes into it without pausing it and discussing how, not only is it different than the Bible, but that<em> the way that</em> it is different changes so much of the truth of God and the Bible. We would talk about what message it is sending to people that don’t know God. It got so bad that I had to write about it.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>***Disclaimer</strong><span><strong>–</strong>Now, in this blog I am going to go on and tell you some things about Roma Downey and Mark Burnett that some of you might find judgmental. I am being judgmental. Jesus told us to know</span> them<span> by their fruit, He warned us that false teachers come in like wolves among sheep. There are two types of judging–judging to identify the nature and identity of someone or something (which Jesus told us to do). And judging to punish or condemn to hell (which we are to leave to God). I am judging to identify, and warn. I am not judging to condemn to hell.</span></p>
<p><span>You might not be used to this kind of writing. You might think it is unbiblical. If you haven’t read the Epistles in the New Testament you might not know that most of them are warnings to the churches to be careful of false teachers, and exhortation to stand against false teaching. Paul did this. Timothy did this. Peter did this. John did this. Titus did this. And so did Jude. This is what the church is supposed to do. I am not hateful. I have passion for the truth of the Lord Jesus. I am going to post a verse that sums it up before I let you get back to the article.</span></p>
<p><span>“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)***</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Last year, I wrote about some alarming information about Roma Downey’s New Age ties and unbiblical twisting of the Bible in “<a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/wake-up-me-screaming-then-apologizing-for-some-strange-reason/">Wake Up! — me screaming then apologizing for some strange reason</a>” and later in “<a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/the-bible-series-on-the-history-channel-turning-the-word-of-god-into-hebrew-myth-humanismpaganism/">The Bible Series on the History Channel–Turning The Word of God into Hebrew Myth</a>“</p>
<p><img class="alignright" alt="" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Mark+Burnett+Roma+Downey+Opening+Gala+Unmasking+zYmxD0todi4l.jpg" width="257" height="356"/>All along the thing that got me the most upset was how easily the church allowed Roma Downey and Mark Burnett to come in and deceive us. We gave up our pulpits to strangers, thinking they were like us but all along they were fake Christians.</p>
<p>Did you know that?</p>
<p>They are NOT real Christians.</p>
<p>They are full on New Agers.</p>
<p>This is portion of what I wrote on this topic last year:</p>
<blockquote><p>I was listening to Christian radio last week and I heard a<a href="http://www.focusonthefamily.com/popups/media_player.aspx?MediaId={CE56DA35-882D-4C21-BD88-B4022EABA312}"> radio interview on Focus on the Family </a>with Roma Downey and Mark Burnett about their new television series, <span>The Bible</span>. They claimed to be Christian and said that the Lord has called them to make this series. She shared about how she would pray and ask the Holy Spirit to fill her when she was on “Touched by an Angel.” I was a little surprised at the picture she was trying to create, but I let it go. Whatever. But one of their main points was that there are a lot of Christians in Hollywood and they are not ashamed to admit it.</p>
<p>… Then I happened to see a blog by a woman I used to follow years ago. And she mentioned that Roma Downey has some New Age ties. I remembered my red flag and I followed up on her sources and did my own research. Because by now many members of my church were posting on Facebook about how “AMAZING” the show was. I don’t want to be a kill-joy! But it is true. Roma Downey deceived the church when she went on Focus on the Family. She came on Christian Radio and pretended to be a the same kind of Christian that we are. There is room for differences in the body of Christ, but New Age paganism falls outside the fence.</p>
<p>She was quoted in an article talking about how she listens to books on tape by Eckart Tolle. “I get my own selections [on the radio in the car] — books on tape by Eckhart Tolle, Tony Robbins…” She goes on to say, “My husband says I’m so self-realized I’m practically levitating.’” Really? Because I have never heard my pastor’s wife talk like that? If you are not familiar with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle#Influences">Eckart Tolle</a>, he is a New Age teacher who twists the Bible and adds it to his Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Shintoist philosophy. If you are familiar with him, and you like him–whatever. He is a false teacher when it comes to Christianity. Charlie Campbell has a<a href="http://www.alwaysbeready.com/oprah-winfrey?id=144"> list </a>of his troubling statements.</p>
<p>Aside from her VERY questionable theological beliefs, she has gone to the University of Santa Monica to get a degree in “Spiritual Psychology.” When I first read that I thought, “so?” BUT when I looked it up, the University of Santa Monica is not just a school like Cal Poly or USC that people from all walks of life go to. When you click on their <a href="http://www.universityofsantamonica.edu/">home page</a> you will see that it specializes in New Age degrees.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSIni_OZJc7u4S8REmABBYRGgh5vYuq80vxBpdKep3t4FRslPFMAg" width="272" height="185"/></p>
<p>When you go to the page entitled “<a href="http://www.universityofsantamonica.edu/About_USM/spiritual_psychology.aspx">What is Spiritual Psychology?</a>” you will see that they are indeed promoting New Age ideas. Here is a quote, “<span>Spiritual Psychology is the study and practice of the art and science of human evolution in consciousness.” </span>It goes on to say, “<span>Put another way, Spiritual Psychology is a technology that empowers students to convert their everyday life experiences into rungs on the ladder of Spiritual Evolution.” </span></p>
<p>Spiritual Evolution.</p>
<p>Do you think that has ANYTHING to do with Jesus dying on the cross for your sins? So you could evolve spiritually? NOOOOO. It is blasphemy to the Christian which she claims to be. A Christian who happens to be so self-realized that she is levitating?!?! Uhm levitating? That is a funny little joke Roma. Because IF you were self-realized, have you realized that you are dirt? You are a sinner? You can’t evolve spiritually, because if you could Jesus wouldn’t have had to come die on the cross for your sins. Do you “realize” that the Bible is the BEST book on “Spiritual Psychology” there is??? And it won’t baby you, or flatter you–but it will give you the truth and give you HOPE that ONLY exists IN CHRIST JESUS!</p>
<p>So this New Age woman and her husband want to go on Focus on the Family and laugh and talk about the Holy Spirit and their love for the Bible, and this call that God placed on their lives to make a Hollywood movie of His favorite book.</p>
<p>Then they wanted all their <a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/03/03/10-surprising-celebrity-endorsements-for-the-bible-the-epic-tv-series-premiering-tonight/">Hollywood friends to promote the series on Twitter</a>. For some reason John Edward from “Crossing Over” tweeted that he didn’t need to be a psychic to know that this series is going to be SPECTACULAR! And P-Diddy, Christian Aguilera, Jane Lynch, Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York, Adam Levine, and Shakira just so happen to really love the Bible, right? Do they go to church too? Are they some of the Christians in Hollywood that you talked about in your interview? That is crazy.</p>
<p>And then when my friends are telling me, after watching it, that it was “SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD.” And they did notice a few things that were different, but other than that it was really, really good. So to them it is okay that it is different from the Bible. A series called the Bible and it is DIFFERENT than the Bible. Okay . . . (The Last Hiker)</p>
</blockquote>
<div class="wp-caption alignright"><img alt="" src="http://amos37.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Roma-Downey-New-Age-Bible-History-Channel-Bible-Series.jpeg" width="192" height="249"/><p class="wp-caption-text">Downey on the cover of OM Times Magazine</p>
</div>
<p>I just read that Roma Downey was even on TV with famous psychic Jonathan Edward talking to her dead mother. This is a practice called necromancy, which is forbidden in the Bible, at least for real Christians. God hates this.</p>
<blockquote><p>ACTRESS Roma Downey has talked to her mother through a psychic on live TV. The Derry-born Touched By An Angel star was a guest on a celebrity version of the US psychic show <span>Crossing Over</span>, hosted by medium John Edward. Roma’s mother Maureen died of a heart attack in Derry when she was 10. And Roma was heartbroken that she was never able to tell her how much she loved her. So she jumped at an offer from the producers of the show on the Sci-Fi Channel to speak to her mum using Edwards for the connection. (<a href="http://davemosher.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/roma-downeys-comments-and-connections-with-psychic-medium-john-edward-show-she-is-not-a-christian-as-she-claims-but-a-new-ager/">source</a>).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>And her connections to psychic Jonathan Edward do not end there, she even went on to partner with him in a book he wrote. Does this sound like someone you would invite to teach in your church?</p>
<blockquote><div class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://beginningandend.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Practical-Praying-John-Edwards-Occult-Necromanacy-e1363331968164.jpg"><img alt="History Channel The Bible | New Age heresy and unbiblical errors." src="http://beginningandend.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Practical-Praying-John-Edwards-Occult-Necromanacy-e1363331968164.jpg" width="234" height="268"/></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Psychic Jonathan Edward’s book with a Meditation CD of Roma Downey’s</p>
</div>
<p>Not only has Downey used and endorsed John Edward’s occult practices, she has assisted him with a book on praying based on heretical Catholic practices. In the book Edwards encourages readers to “pray the rosary” a practice of holding a Catholic Crucifix necklace and uttering repetitive chants in prayers to Mary, the mother of Jesus in the Bible. This practice is sinful for several reasons. As shown above, Christians are not to communicate with the dead. Whether it is a relative, someone from the Bible or a celebrity, any attempts to speak with the dead is necromancy. Secondly, Mary was just a normal person. We are not to pray to her, hail her or seek anything from God through Mary. 1 Timothy 2:3 says: <span><strong>“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”</strong> </span>It is Jesus Christ who is our advocate with God The Father. He is our High Priest who we take our prayers too.<a href="http://beginningandend.com/the-bible-miniseries-hollywood-heresy/">(Beginning and End</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>These people are liars. They have a history of twisting the Word of God in ways that change the message of the gospel and the nature, character, holiness, righteousness, and justice of God. I go into more detail in the “<a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/the-bible-series-on-the-history-channel-turning-the-word-of-god-into-hebrew-myth-humanismpaganism/">Hebrew Myth</a>” post. Please take time to read it. What they do with the Bible is terrible. And this is very important.</p>
<p>Because this film is being handed to us as a “tool of evangelism” and a way to give Jesus to people who do not go to church–isn’t it important that we make sure we are giving them the real Jesus and not Hollywood Jesus? Because again, they are asking us to do their publicity for them. On their <a href="http://sonofgodresources.com/flyers">official site</a> you can get free posters and community outreach kits. Pastors can again buy sermons and discussion guides. The level of marketing for this movie is crazy. Not only do they want to market and promote this movie THROUGH the body of Christ, they also want to SELL the doctrine of this movie to the church. As if the Word of God was for sell. As if the message of the life of Christ was something they have some special insight into.</p>
<p>What if millions of people walk away from this film with a false understanding of Jesus Christ? And what if the Church doesn’t notice this as much because we are already so familiar with Jesus, that we may subconsciously fill in the gaps of the story, but the unchurched cannot do that. They don’t have the prior reference to be able to do that.</p>
<p>I think this “Son of God” film is outright dangerous. It should be treated the same way we treat Mormon and Jehovah’s Witness material. Yes they talk about Jesus. Think about it–<em>they share our same Bible stories</em>. But they have twisted the gospel, the nature of God and the nature of Christ. It is the same thing.</p>
<p>We have seen enough from “The Bible Series” already to convince us that they are going to give the New Age Gospel.</p>
<p>Sunny Shell was quoted on Stand For the Truth, and she said some really important things about how they portrayed two important moments in the life of Christ,</p>
<blockquote><p><b> On John the Baptist: </b>Prior to being beheaded John exclaims <span>“He [Jesus] will bring a <strong>new age</strong> of righteousness and justice. His [Jesus’] power will draw all men to <strong>a new world</strong>.”</span>This entire statement is very new-age and doctrinally unsound. Jesus is not interested in social reform. He’s interested in reconciling utterly sinful human beings to a holy, righteous and good God through: His substitutionary death for sinful man, His resurrection of new life for those who’ve repented and trusted in Him, and a glorious eternal life spent in the presence of the Almighty once we’ve completed our sojourn here on earth. Jesus did not come to earth, die, be resurrected and ascended to the right hand of the Father so we could have a “better life” here on earth.</p>
<p><strong>On The Last Supper:</strong> While the actor who portrays Jesus says the bread is the body of Christ and the wine is Jesus’ blood, he never says the most important thing:<b> it is for the forgiveness of sins</b> (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Matt%2026.28" target="_blank">Matt 26:28</a>). Though all of Scripture points to the Gospel, in this mini-series, there is no Gospel message; only a message of man’s power to have enough “faith” to see himself through and lead others to a “better place”.(emphasis mine. <a href="http://standupforthetruth.com/2013/03/something-huge-is-missing-from-the-last-supper-2/">Stand Up For Truth</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Well, apparently this film will closely follow the events in “The Bible Series.” They filmed both projects at the same time. Which means that the Jesus story will be similar, where we can expect to find a watered down social gospel, and a great commission to change the world. In “<a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/wake-up-me-screaming-then-apologizing-for-some-strange-reason/?relatedposts_exclude=714">Wake Up</a>” I had written about how “The Bible Series” portrayed Jesus:</p>
<blockquote><p>It isn’t just watered down. It isn’t just that they didn’t have time for Jesus to speak the real truth of the gospel. It is absolutely that they want to CHANGE the WORLD’s idea of what Jesus came for.</p>
<p>And another thing, why is the Jesus they picked so “hot?”</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMounEZtj0k4-zFkxfeh29tBwE7P_6AykDgdx83KL8LGrKyE-C"/></p>
<p>The Bible says plainly that the Messiah would be plain, not good looking. “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” Isaiah 53:2. Look at these people in the picture. He is made into a Hebrew Bieber. A celebrity. Our Lord did not come to find superficial worship and tempt women into lust. He was normal looking. You couldn’t look at His group and know which one was Jesus. His beauty came from who He was. But that is not good enough for Hollywood. Because they DO worship celebrity and beauty, so THEIR Jesus has to be super cute.</p>
<p>The Jesus of Hollywood’s Bible is not my Jesus.</p>
<p>And I am not really upset about that. I expect that. Let the world make their own gods, their own idols, and their own images to worship–the world always has.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter" alt="" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlZeClidA28Jp1_xlz8ezFF_213KAwXh6kqXF0j2Wv92Afi7hHMA"/></p>
<p>What gets under my skin is the church. What bothers me is the fact that Focus on the Family promoted this series and gave spotlight to two false teachers in an interview. What bothers me is that if I could verify in 15 minutes that these people are New Agers–they could have and SHOULD have. What also bothers me is that many of my friends don’t get it. They don’t see that there are reasons we don’t have non-Christians teach Bible studies in church, and there are also reasons we shouldn’t drool all over ourselves when we see Hollywood interested in the best book ever written. I have friends that have already paid over sixty dollars to pre-order the DVD’s before they even SEE the whole thing—”So we can teach our children.”</p>
<p>If people want to watch it, let them go for it.</p>
<p>But the church should NOT promote something that is not Biblically sound.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It is a different Jesus.</p>
<p>Now I am pretty much alone in my convictions. I mean there are people that are saying that these people are New Agers, and that ”The Bible Series” was horrible, but for the most part–those with the most influence are promoting the Bible Series as well as this new movie. 95% of the church that I currently attend will probably go and enjoy it. They don’t know better. To them, it is better than <em>American Hustle</em> and other garbage at the theaters.</p>
<p>And it seems like so many other Christians are saying it is good . . .</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright"><img alt="" src="http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20140214&Category=NEWS06&ArtNo=302140141&Ref=V1&MaxW=300&Border=0&LifeWay-releases-study-guide-Son-God-movie" width="210" height="265"/><p class="wp-caption-text">Money Money Money</p>
</div>
<p>Rick Warren is renting out movie theaters for it. Which is no surprise. I mean he is really a closeted New Ager and <a href="http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/05/peace-un.htm">New World Order promoter</a> himself.</p>
<blockquote><p>Many religious leaders are citing the movie as a natural opportunity to evangelize. Warren may have a vested interest in the film, since he wrote a curriculum tied to the movie and published by LifeWay Christian Resources.</p>
<p>The couple behind the show, producer Burnett and former “Touched by an Angel” star Downey, have enlisted interdenominational support from religious leaders such as Texas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes and Roman Catholic Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles.</p>
<p>Burnett, who has produced shows like “Survivor,” “The Voice” and “Shark Tank,” said he’s never seen a buyout before.</p>
<p>“There aren’t many things that could garner this kind of support,” Burnett said. “People are going to watch the movie collectively, in community.”</p>
<p>After Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” made $612 million, observers <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/inside-race-resurrect-jesus-onscreen-426132" target="_blank">expected</a> to see more films about Jesus. Several <a href="http://www.religionnews.com/2013/10/23/hollywood-looks-bible-screenplay-potential/" target="_blank">upcoming Bible-related films</a> are now in the pipeline.</p>
<p>While evangelicals are often credited with shoring up support for movies like “The Passion of the Christ” and “Fireproof,” Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl has commissioned discussion guides and videos for Catholic churches and schools, and Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami is planning to rent a theater for thousands of Catholics in Miami. (<a href="http://www.religionnews.com/2014/02/13/rick-warren-pastors-buying-theaters-jesus-film-son-god/">Religion News</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img class="alignleft" alt="" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t1/1555547_395922223887690_1249423850_n.jpg" width="403" height="237"/>This is huge. It is Ecumenical. Interdenominational. It is drawing the Osteens, the Catholic Archbishops, the Warren camp. T.D. Jakes, etc. So many BIG NAME religious leaders (and false teachers) are putting money into it, and probably making a lot money out of it.</p>
<p>Liberty University invited Downey and Burnett to speak and give a special screening of the movie. Compassion International is helping to pack movie theaters too.</p>
<p>They were at the Passion Conference in Houston earlier this month promoting the movie as well. It seems that even some popular pastors in the Calvary Chapel movement are promoting it as well. Dave Rolph, who is on KWVE radio, posted on his facebook this week:</p>
<blockquote><p>I saw the movie “Son of God” yesterday. (It will hit the theaters February 28th.) I’m praying that God will use it to get people talking about Jesus. If you like Bible movies, and especially if you liked the mini-series Mark Burnett did, you’ll enjoy this movie. When it comes to Bible movies I always think the book is better than the movies, but some people might see the movie who haven’t yet read the book. I’m sure there will be people who criticize the movie for not being exactly like the Bible. Like “Passion of the Christ” it borrows from church tradition instead of just Scripture, when it comes to the stations of the cross stuff. But it identifies Jesus as God in the first minute, and has a clear resurrection, so it is already the best movie about Jesus to hit the theaters. I appreciate the considerable effort Mark Burnett and Roma Downey put into this movie, and I pray God uses it.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It is everywhere.</p>
<div class="wp-caption alignright"><img alt="" src="http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/intelligencer/2014/01/30/30-cee-lo-green.o.jpg/a_560x375.jpg" width="314" height="210"/><p class="wp-caption-text">CeeLo giving the middle finger</p>
</div>
<p>Even CeeLo Green, most famous for his song “F*ck You” will be singing “Mary Did You Know” at the end of the movie. How touching.</p>
<p>And Christians will go.</p>
<p>They will be entertained.</p>
<p>They will eat popcorn and invite their unsaved uncle.</p>
<p>Then pat themselves on the back for evangelizing their family members by giving them the DVD of the “Son of God” movie for Christmas next year.</p>
<p>A movie that like “The Bible Series,” will probably ignore our sin and our need for the<em>substitutionary</em> death of Jesus on the cross. A movie that will turn the gospel’s call for radical faith, repentance and reliance upon the Lord into a shallow feel good message.</p>
<p>People will walk away liking “Jesus,” or rather liking Diogo Morgado, and they will think because they like the Hollywood Jesus they are Christian more or less. They will not sense their urgent need to come to a saving knowledge of the true Christ. And they will be deceived into thinking they are alright, when they are in serious spiritual jeopardy.</p>
<p>That is dangerous.</p>
<p>There are those who think that all this can be redeemed though, and the movie will serve as a tool of evangelism, a “conversation starter” and an emotionally moving form of entertainment.</p>
<p>I think Sunny Shell did a great job answering these thoughts in the article I quoted from above. Take a look:</p>
<blockquote><div>Throughout the entire series, God’s holiness and righteousness is either completely omitted or diminished. The Almighty is portrayed as the Roman Catholic’s angry God who curses people if they don’t obey, mixed with the heretical false god of Joel Osteen who wants to give you a big hug and make you happy no matter what you’ve done. Putting both sects of heretical teachings together produces an angry and sappy deity who desperately wants people to know about His love (as defined by the world) and will punish all the “bad” people, while allowing all the “good” people.</div>
<p><b>Q.</b> “Even though there’s a lot of error in this movie, still, don’t you think it’s a great way to show people who God really is, I mean, can’t God use anything to save someone?</p>
<div><p><b>A.</b> No, I don’t think this movie is a great way to reveal the truth about God since it’s filled with lies about God. And yes, I realize God can use anything to save someone, but He only chose to use the message of the true Gospel to save all men (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/John%2014.6" target="_blank">John 14:6</a>, <a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Acts%204.12" target="_blank">Acts 4:12</a>). Nowhere in Scripture does God command or allow His children to use the work of Satan to proclaim His truth. And God is clear, anyone who denies Him and defiles His holy character or word, works for the devil, not for God. Since the beginning of time, the devil has attempted to minimize and blaspheme God’s holy character by lulling us to disregard His holiness, justice and righteousness. God has never called His children of light to partner with the works of darkness (<a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/2%20Cor%206.15-16" target="_blank">2 Cor 6:15-16</a>). As God’s children, we are commanded to pursue holiness, rather than try to find a way to compromise the glory of Christ in order to ‘reach more people’.</p>
<p><span> (</span><a href="http://standupforthetruth.com/2013/03/something-huge-is-missing-from-the-last-supper-2/">Stand Up For the Truth</a><span>)</span></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div><p>In “<a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2013/03/06/wake-up-me-screaming-then-apologizing-for-some-strange-reason/?relatedposts_exclude=714">Wake UP</a>” I shared about how evangelist Ray Comfort did not endorse “The Bible Series” which is <em>super</em> important for the following reasons:</p>
<blockquote><p>How can someone receive the Lord without a clear presentation of the Gospel? You are not automatically born again if you think “hot” Jesus’ message to “change the world” resonates with something inside of you.</p>
<p>Ray Comfort summed it up on his Facebook yesterday:</p>
<p><span>“It’s been brought to my attention, by a reliable source who conducted thorough research, that there are a number of unbiblical and very questionable things in “The Bible” television series–about the deity of Christ, the character of God, and the reality of sin (among other things). In light of this recent revelation, I cannot endorse this series. If you choose to watch it, I would urge you to do so with a discerning heart, testing all things.”</span></p>
<p>Note that is from a man whose only pursuit in life is to see people find Jesus Christ. Don’t you think if it had any evangelical merit, Ray Comfort would know it? I mean this guy still goes to the beach on the weekends (at least twice a month) and stands on a box and publicly proclaims the words of salvation. He cares about reaching the lost. But he also cares about the truth.</p>
<p>FAITH COMES by HEARING</p>
<p>And HEARING by the WORD OF GOD.</p>
<p>If people want to know about God, Jesus and the Bible. There are plenty of other amazing materials they can get their hands on–the best of which would be an actual Bible.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p>In Conclusion, I am not telling you to <em>not</em> go and see the movie. You can see it if you want.<em>If</em> I do go and see it, I know it will just be to see how much they twist the Bible. And yet I do not want a dime of my money to go to line the pockets of false teachers. But I definitely won’t let my kids watch it, and I won’t <em>recommend</em> it to anyone else.</p>
<p>I personally do not believe that Hollywood, or FAKE Christians can make a good truthful movie about Jesus. I think that the enemy is skilled at doing his best work, using a lot of truth, with just a tiny lie inside of it. Sometimes we don’t even notice the lie because we already agree with so much of the truth.</p>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img alt="" src="http://static.oprah.com/images/own/2013/onc/201304/20130414-onc-mark-burnett-7-365x240.jpg" width="365" height="240"/><p class="wp-caption-text">Roma Downey, Mark Burnet and Diogo Morgado promoting the Son of God movie on Oprah</p>
</div>
<p>Roma Downey and Mark Burnett are not Bible loving, gospel preaching Christians. They are New Age Pagans that call themselves Christians. Their gospel is the promise of a New World Order. They are the wolves in sheep’s clothing that come into the church. We need to expose them, not interview them on Focus on the Family.</p>
<blockquote><p>But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, <span>and</span> bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. (2 Peter 2:1-3)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Let us use this to prompt us to dig into the New Testament on our own. Let us soak in it, and chew on it, and live off of it. Let us memorize the red words in our Bibles. Let us mutter them in our mouths over and over until we can quote them, and be changed by them. They say that the best way to identify the counterfeit is to study the real thing. We don’t know how much time is left, so let us (let me) not think, ‘Hey the master isn’t coming for a while, let’s just sit back and relax’ like the evil servant. Let us keep watch. And be ready. And know the voice of our master.</p>
<p>Know the voice of our master.</p>
<p><a href="http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-son-of-god-movie-is-not-what-we-think-do-you-know-the-voice-of-your-master/comment-page-1/">http://thelasthiker.wordpress.com/2014/02/23/the-son-of-god-movie-is-not-what-we-think-do-you-know-the-voice-of-your-master/comment-page-1/</a></p>
</div> Nothing less than this will dotag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-03-01:1383940:Topic:15433872014-03-01T21:46:02.740Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<p><span>“Jesus never concealed the fact that his religion included a demand as well as an offer. Indeed, the demand was as total as the offer was free. If he offered men his salvation, he also demanded their submission. He gave no encouragement whatever to thoughtless applicants for discipleship. He brought no pressure to bear on any inquirer. He sent irresponsible enthusiasts away empty. Luke tells of three men who either volunteered, or were invited, to follow Jesus; but no one passed the…</span></p>
<p><span>“Jesus never concealed the fact that his religion included a demand as well as an offer. Indeed, the demand was as total as the offer was free. If he offered men his salvation, he also demanded their submission. He gave no encouragement whatever to thoughtless applicants for discipleship. He brought no pressure to bear on any inquirer. He sent irresponsible enthusiasts away empty. Luke tells of three men who either volunteered, or were invited, to follow Jesus; but no one passed the Lord’s test. The rich young ruler, too, moral, earnest and attractive, who wanted eternal life on his own terms, went away sorrowful, with his riches intact but with neither life nor Christ as his possession…The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict, half built towers—the ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. For thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake to follow him without first pausing to reflect on the cost of doing so. The result is the great scandal of Christendom today, so called “nominal Christianity.” In countries to which Christian civilization has spread, large numbers of people have covered themselves with a decent, but thin, veneer of Christianity. They have allowed themselves to become somewhat involved, enough to be respectable but not enough to be uncomfortable. Their religion is a great, soft cushion. It protects them from the hard unpleasantness of life, while changing its place and shape to suit their convenience. No wonder the cynics speak of hypocrites in the church and dismiss religion as escapism…The message of Jesus was very different. He never lowered his standards or modified his conditions to make his call more readily acceptable. He asked his first disciples, and he has asked every disciple since, to give him their thoughtful and total commitment. Nothing less than this will do” </span><br/><span>― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1136814.John_R_W_Stott">John R.W. Stott</a><span>, </span><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/241304">Basic Christianity</a></i></p> John 10:41tag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-02-27:1383940:Topic:15431152014-02-27T02:28:56.906Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<div><strong><em>Many came to him and began to say, “John performed no miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man was true!” (</em>John 10:41)</strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>You may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts, and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may live a great…</div>
<div><strong><em>Many came to him and began to say, “John performed no miraculous sign, but everything John said about this man was true!” (</em>John 10:41)</strong></div>
<div><strong> </strong></div>
<div>You may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts, and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may live a great life.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there had not appeared a greater than he.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>John’s main business was to bear witness to the Light, and this may be yours and mine. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says, “The dawn! the dawn!” and then dies away.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Do the commonest and smallest things as beneath His eye. If you must live with uncongenial people, set to their conquest by love. If you have made a great mistake in your life, do not let it becloud all of it; but, locking the secret in your breast, compel it to yield strength and sweetness.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We are doing more good than we know, sowing seeds, starting streamlets, giving men true thoughts of Christ, to which they will refer one day as the first things that started them thinking of Him; and, of my part, I shall be satisfied if no great mausoleum is raised over my grave, but that simple souls shall gather there when I am gone, and say,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“He was a good man; he wrought no miracles, but he spake words about Christ, which led me to know Him for myself.”<br/><em>—George Matheson</em></div>
<div><em>I thought this was a beautiful devotional and hope it brings the same to you.</em></div>
<div> </div> Ungodly Tolerance and Godly Intolerancetag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-02-25:1383940:Topic:15418622014-02-25T03:20:22.204Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<h2><span style="font-size: 1.5em;">Ungodly Tolerance and Godly Intolerance</span></h2>
<div id="main"><div><p>I am convinced that a committed Christian will show a zealous concern for the cause of Christ. He or she will live daily with a set of spiritual convictions taken from the Bible. He or she will be one of the toughest to move—along with a God-given humility—in his or her stand for Christ. Why, then, have Christian ministers so largely departed from exhortations to love righteousness…</p>
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<h2><span style="font-size: 1.5em;">Ungodly Tolerance and Godly Intolerance</span></h2>
<div id="main"><div><p>I am convinced that a committed Christian will show a zealous concern for the cause of Christ. He or she will live daily with a set of spiritual convictions taken from the Bible. He or she will be one of the toughest to move—along with a God-given humility—in his or her stand for Christ. Why, then, have Christian ministers so largely departed from exhortations to love righteousness with a great, overwhelming love, and to hate iniquity with a deep, compelling revulsion?</p>
<p>People remark how favored the church is in this country. It does not have to face persecution and rejection. If the truth were known, our freedom from persecution is because we have taken the easy, the popular way. If we would love righteousness until it became an overpowering passion, if we would renounce everything that is evil, our day of popularity and pleasantness would quickly end. The world would soon turn on us.</p>
<p>We are too nice! We are too tolerant! We are too anxious to be popular! We are too quick to make excuses for sin in its many forms! If I could stir Christians around me to love God and hate sin, even to the point of being a bit of a nuisance, I would rejoice. If some Christian were to call me for counsel saying he or she is being persecuted for Jesus' sake, I would say with feeling, "Thank God!"</p>
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<div class="box left"><h3>Verse</h3>
<p>Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? . . . <em>Habakkuk 1:3</em></p>
<h3>Thought</h3>
<p>Tolerance seems to be the greatest virtue in our culture. Habakkuk complained to God that He seemed to tolerate wrong. God may not move as quickly as we wish. But He will move against evil, sometimes in ways mysterious to us. It is our tolerance of evil that grieves the Lord.</p>
<h3>Prayer</h3>
<p>Father, help me. Often I am tolerant of evil and intolerant of good people who hold doctrinal views different from mine.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=1092">http://www.cmalliance.org/devotions/tozer?id=1092</a></p>
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</div> Assurance of Salvationtag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-02-22:1383940:Topic:15409962014-02-22T03:53:19.616Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<p>I recently saw an article on the assurance of salvation and it said that those who basically worry that they can lose it, have no peace or assurance. My reaction was WOW, really????? What do you say the Bible states on this? Let me start, examine yourself to see if you are in the faith?</p>
<p></p>
<ol>
<li>I'm very tired of those who claim that those who keep the commandments of God are less assured than those who don't. WOW! And Pastoring an entire congregation????? The assurance…</li>
</ol>
<p>I recently saw an article on the assurance of salvation and it said that those who basically worry that they can lose it, have no peace or assurance. My reaction was WOW, really????? What do you say the Bible states on this? Let me start, examine yourself to see if you are in the faith?</p>
<p></p>
<ol>
<li>I'm very tired of those who claim that those who keep the commandments of God are less assured than those who don't. WOW! And Pastoring an entire congregation????? The assurance of Faith is based completely on your walk with God, if it's not with God you no longer belong to Him. I'd like to hear your thoughts.</li>
</ol> On Biblical Rhetoric andProphetic Speechtag:www.allaboutgod.net,2014-02-15:1383940:Topic:15398412014-02-15T05:07:15.923Zthewatchmanhttp://www.allaboutgod.net/profile/puritanwatchman
<h1><span style="font-size: 13px;">hurch is in a mess”. It is a generalised or all-inclusive statement designed to have some effect, and challenge the hearers. Thus it is a rhetorical device, but one which is meant to add some punch and stir up my hearers.</span></h1>
<p>It is a very common rhetorical device. So do I mean by that that the entire church everywhere on the planet is only always screwed up? Of course not. There are always exceptions to anything, and many churches are doing a good…</p>
<h1><span style="font-size: 13px;">hurch is in a mess”. It is a generalised or all-inclusive statement designed to have some effect, and challenge the hearers. Thus it is a rhetorical device, but one which is meant to add some punch and stir up my hearers.</span></h1>
<p>It is a very common rhetorical device. So do I mean by that that the entire church everywhere on the planet is only always screwed up? Of course not. There are always exceptions to anything, and many churches are doing a good job, but generally speaking this is a fully correct statement – certainly when describing things in the West.</p>
<p>My point is quite simple: the church is in a mess, and we all can do better here. Yet so often when I say or write something like this I get all these Christians coming out of the woodwork to blast me. And often it is someone I otherwise never hear from. They never seem to come to praise you; but only open their mouths when they want to criticise you!</p>
<p>This must be their idea of WWJD sadly! So there I was, with the best of intentions, seeking to stir up the church and encourage believers, only to get slammed by some believer who thinks I was being unhelpful in my remarks. They will invariably come out with something like this:<br/> -but my church is not like this<br/> -you are over-generalising here<br/> -stop stereotyping<br/> -don’t be so broad in your statements, etc.</p>
<p>So these folks are committing two errors in my books: One, they are missing entirely the point of what I am trying to say, and two, they seem to be clueless as to how prophetic utterances and biblical rhetoric work. As but one example, a friendly critic recently said this: “The church is wide. The title should read ‘time for some spring cleaning in one of the church’s cupboards’. I know it wouldn’t be as catchy but it would be truer.”</p>
<p>No, it sure isn’t catchy. Which is exactly why such watered-down and half-hearted statements are rarely used when God is stirring up his spokesmen to get his message out. But these critics, instead of getting the gist of what I am trying to do, and instead of letting God speak to them and spur them on to bigger and better things for Christ, actually get all in a huff. Instead of letting God’s Spirit speak to them about how they can go further on for Christ, they get all defensive and grumpy.</p>
<p>One thing I have learned over the years is this: those who are the most humble and open Christians are those who will always hear God speaking from any quarter. They will always apply the word spoken or prophetic utterance given to themselves first.</p>
<p>But the proud and self righteous will always (there I go again, using generalisations) get upset with you, want to argue with you, and not receive what is being said, or receive the spirit in which something is being given. So we have a double problem here of misunderstanding rhetorical language, and of not being receptive to God’s word.</p>
<p>As to the first point, they seem to be totally unaware that this is always how God’s spokesmen have spoken, both in the Bible and church history. This is just common practice to help make a point and bring some emphasis. It happens throughout Scripture and elsewhere.</p>
<p>Let me just take one example from recent US history. Martin Luther King Jr used plenty of such language in order to make a more powerful, more challenging, more convicting, and more inspiring speech. Part of it goes:</p>
<p><em>I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of “interposition” and “nullification” — one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.</em><br/> <em>I have a dream today! I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; “and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.”</em></p>
<p>Now, his critics would have said, “Hey Luther, not everyone in Alabama is a racist. You are using all-inclusive language here which is just not helpful. You should have said ‘some racists’ etc.” Yes he could have toned everything down to assuage these bothersome critics, but no one would remember such a speech today, and blacks might still be second class citizens in America.</p>
<p>And also notice the biblical text he uses – that too is loaded with such inclusive and all-encompassing language. Will every hill indeed be made low? Or is this yet another example of biblical rhetorical language? Such rhetorical devices are found all throughout Scripture of course, with the prophets, Jesus and the disciples all using them frequently.</p>
<p>Let me give just a few examples of this utilising just a few of these all-inclusive words: always and never. How often are these words used by the prophets and others?</p>
<p>-Jeremiah 8:5: Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.<br/> -Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!</p>
<p>Always? Without any exceptions?</p>
<p>-Isaiah 56:11: They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain.<br/> -Matthew 13:14: In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”</p>
<p>Never? Without any exceptions?</p>
<p>In these examples and plenty others like them we find the use of exaggeration or over-generalisation to make a point. So it is a very common and well accepted rhetorical device which I am also happy to often use. And plenty of times I do offer a rider to what I am saying. Often I will use words of qualification as well, such as: most, many, often, usually, etc.</p>
<p>And many times in my articles I will make these obvious disclaimers, such as:<br/> -of course there are some good churches around<br/> -fortunately not all pastors have lost the plot<br/> -thankfully we still have some Bible colleges standing strong</p>
<p>But it is to have an effect that such rhetorical devices are used by me and others. Great men of God have also used such rhetorical devices. Consider just a few. George Whitefield could say: “The Christian world is in a deep sleep and nothing but a loud voice can waken them out of it.”</p>
<p>A. W. Tozer used this device constantly:<br/> “The ‘deeper life’ is deeper only because the average Christian life is tragically shallow.”<br/> “Never has there been more activity in religious circles and, I confidently believe, never has there been so little of God and so much of the flesh.”<br/> “I have preached myself off of every Bible Conference platform in the country.”<br/> “The Holy Spirit is not necessary to the church; we have arranged it so that he is not required. He has been displaced by what we call ‘programming’ and by social activity.”</p>
<p>Leonard Ravenhill said things like this:<br/> “The Church used to be a lifeboat rescuing the perishing. Now she is a cruise ship recruiting the promising.”<br/> “We have an all-time high in church attendance with a corresponding all-time low in spirituality.”<br/> “I get calls from all over the world, everyone wants my anointing and mantle… but nobody wants my sackcloth and ashes.”</p>
<p>In each case (and there are plenty more like them) the use of stereotypical, exaggerated or all-inclusive language is being used – and with powerful effect. Sure, to appease the many critics, Tozer could have offered us mealy-mouthed statements like this:</p>
<p>“The Holy Spirit is often not very necessary in some parts of the church; we quite often have arranged it so that he is not required. He has often been displaced by what we call ‘programming’ and by social activity. Sure, this is not true of every church, and I don’t want to be seen as judgmental here.”</p>
<p>Um, I know which version I prefer. I know which one carries Holy Ghost power and authority. Yet the critics will just not get it. They will offer their silly criticisms about not being nuanced enough or being too broad-brushed. I can just imagine the same critics who just don’t get it condemning Jesus for also making such strong and absolute statements.</p>
<p>Take just one text – Mark 7:6-8: He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”</p>
<p>‘But Jesus – and Isaiah – you are being too intolerant here, and too absolute. Surely not everyone is like this. Surely not all people deserve this rebuke!’ As I say, they miss the point doubly: they do not recognise the use of rhetorical language to make a point, and they are proud and arrogant, refusing to let God’s word first soak into their own hearts.</p>
<p>I of course do not claim to be a Jesus or a Isaiah or a Tozer. But I do have a burning desire to encourage, exhort and stir up the entire body of Christ to be fully sold out to Christ and the Kingdom. And I include myself in such exhortations. I too desperately need to hear what has been said.</p>
<p>So I will keep using such rhetorical devices, just as the biblical writers and the saints of God have always done. Those who don’t like it may just have to go elsewhere I am afraid.</p>
<p><em>[1949 words]</em></p>