The Battle for Truth

May 17, 2012 in A.W. Tozer, Christians, faith | Tags: | Leave a comment

The Battle for Truth

Let us be mindful of the words of A.W. Tozer, who wrote:

“So skilled is error at imitating truth that the two are constantly being mistaken for each other. It is therefore critically important that the Christian take full advantage of every provision God has made to save him from delusion – prayer, faith, constant meditation of the Scriptures, obedience, humility and the illumination of the Holy Spirit” (That Incredible Christian).

We need to ask God for courage and boldness as we rely on the power of His Word. May we all become more like the apostles who were strong, bold, fearless, dogmatic, unaccommodating of error, courageous, intolerant of sin, inflexible concerning the Gospel, controversial, willing to die for the truth and fully devoted to Christ. We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Eph. 4:14).

During these times of great deception, the Body of Christ must respond with a theological, biblical worldview that defends the glory and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must protect the purity of His Gospel for the sake of His elect.

From Proclaiming the Gospel

The Strange Teachings of Chuck Missler

May 14, 2012 in apostasy, discernment | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

“How does a respected evangelical leader move so far away from the plain truth of Scripture?”

COSMS, CODES, AND CRYPTOLOGIES, Part 2

By Gaylene Goodroad*

Are we in possession of messages of extraterrestrial origin?

If so, what do they mean?

What do these messages from the edge of eternity portend for the future?

What has the science of cryptology revealed about these ancient texts? Is our universe itself a “digital message”?

Do these messages explain the interval between the miracle of our origin and the mystery of our destiny?

Read the implications of our finite universe and the shocking discoveries of quantum physics at the very boundaries of reality and learn their significance to our origin and personal destinies!

(Koinonia House advertisement for Cosmic Codes)

Chuck Missler’s Cosmic Codes: Hidden Messages from the Edge of Eternity is a 535-page textbook for the Koinonia Institute Bible Course, BTE 620: Introduction to Biblical Cryptology.[i] Here is a description from the KI [Koinonia Institute] Handbook:

This course includes an introduction to cryptography (the study of secret writing), with a survey of codes and ciphers: transpositions and monoalphabetic, polyalphabetic, and polygraphic substitutions.

It explores the surprising use of encryptions in the Biblical text, including—but not limited to—the controversial equidistant-letter-sequences which have been so fancifully promoted.

Microcodes (“jots and tittles”), Macrocodes (strategic anticipatory structures) and Metacodes (beyond the boundaries of physical reality) are explored.

Paracryptology and extraterrestrial communication investigations are also highlighted.[ii]

Did you understand this quote? In order to interpret it one must use interchangeable language pulled from New Age physics** where “microcosm” becomes “microcode,” “macrocosm” becomes “macrocode,” and “metacosm” becomes “metacode.” These, and other terms linked to mystical, occultic, and arcane ideas, are vigorously used and taught in Cosmic Codes. This includes numerous highly unusual and extra biblical words that read like codes themselves—terms such as cryptography, cryptanalysis, cryptology, encipher, encode, ciphertext, cryptogram, decipher, decode, acrostic, and anagram.

Chuck Missler defines these secret code practices:

Some [codes], we discover are hidden behind, or underneath, our day-to-day traffic of ideas. The ones which are hidden usually reveal an ulterior intent or purpose…. From the ancient palaces of our earliest cultures to the super-secret “black chambers” of our most modern command posts, the art of secret writing—and the science of their decipherment—have determined the course of history. Cryptology—the study of secret codes and ciphers—has also been stimulated by its use in literature.[iii] [bold added, italics in original]

De-Coding the Bible

It is significant that the word “occult” means “hidden” or “secret.”[iv] The idea that the LORD God would imbed secret knowledge in His Word—requiring believers to “decrypt” it by using worldly techniques—soars to the heights of blasphemy. “Cryptological Bible study” is totally foreign to the Bible’s plain teachings and precepts.

Full article HERE

COSMS, CODES, AND CRYPTOLOGIES – Ominous connections between Horn, Missler and New Age physics

May 12, 2012 in Christians, discernment, religion | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 3 comments

QUANTUM MYSTICISM IN THE CHURCH

COSMS, CODES, AND CRYPTOLOGIES

PART 1: Crossing the Boundaries of Reality and Scripture

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

(2 Peter 1:16)

By Gaylene Goodroad

“We are stumbling within this interval between the miracle of our origin and the mystery of our destiny. And we are now beginning to realize that the most critical aspects that impact our destiny lie just outside the ostensible boundaries of the veil surrounding only a ‘virtual’ reality.”

“This field of study is called ‘Quantum Physics’ and its philosophical implications can be shattering to our presuppositions about our ‘reality.’ We now discover that the physical reality that surrounds us is only a virtual simulated reality—made up of indivisible, electrically charged particles: in fact, we exist within a digital electrical simulation!”

“Does the ‘Paranormal’ lie within the margins between the ‘Metacosm’ [a larger reality beyond the macro/microcosms consisting of 10 dimensions or more] and the virtual reality established by the digital simulation?”

— Chuck Missler, Systems Engineer, Author, & Bible Teacher (Introduction to God’s Ghostbusters [italics in original, bold added])[i]

When I began reading successful evangelical author, publisher, and former pastor Tom Horn’s recent book, God’s Ghostbusters, dealing with classic horror film themes (vampires, ghosts, aliens and werewolves), I didn’t expect to encounter these Chuck Missler quotations above dealing with the new science/new math of quantum physics or quantum mechanics.

Initially, terms such as Chaos Theory, Metacosm, and Hyperdimensional or Holographic Universe seemed starkly out of place. Familiar with the bizarre teachings and science fictionesque concepts of Tom Horn (the subject of two previous Herescope articles),[ii] the more I read, the more I began to see other ominous connections between Horn, his collaborators, and New Age physics.[iii] These men are not only taking their readers beyond physical realities, but beyond what is written in Scripture.[iv]

Finish HERE

The Test of True Biblical Discipleship

May 5, 2012 in apostasy, Bible, Bible Study | Tags: | 5 comments

THE TEST OF TRUE BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP

by Savvas Constantatos

“Now I Beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine [didache] which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such [the false prophets] serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [the innocent].” Romans 16:17,18.

Unbelievers say that the Word of God, the Bible, is irrelevant to our times, but many of us Bible-believing Christians do not cease to be amazed how fresh and up to date the Word of God is! “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isaiah 40:8. “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5.

It was God the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostle Paul to write and to exhort the Roman Christians [and of course all Christians] to “mark them which cause divisions and offences CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE which ye have learned; AND AVOID THEM.” Dear Christian friend, what is your attitude towards the truth of this verse? This very verse will put you to the test, and you will know whether you are a compromiser, or a true disciple of Christ!

Do you think that the apostle Paul who wrote these words, was judgmental, a mistaken separatist, an unloving rightwinger, and an unenlighted extremist, as many think of us today? Did he in any way imply that Bible-believing Christians are to join forces with the compromisers and the false preachers in their religious enterprises? No, of course not! He said “AVOID THEM”, and that is exactly what the Holy Spirit wanted him to say!

What then is your attitude towards this truth, and towards the compromisers and the false preachers of this apostate hour? Do you AVOID THEM, or do you reject the Word of God, and the people of God who have tried to warn you? Do you condone and tolerate the neo-Christianity of our time and its many false preachers, in the name of a false love, and in the name of a false unity?

If that is your attitude towards the exhortation and warning of the Word of God, then you are not a Bible-believing Christian, and you are not a true disciple of Christ! You are a compromiser, and in great danger.

Remember that with God there is hope! “For the Lord is good; and His mercy is everlaslasting.” If you have not gone too far into the apostasy of our time, and to a place of no return, of which God’s Word speaks about, repent to God, and become a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ!

From Crosswise – A Deliverance from Extreme Pentecostalism

April 30, 2012 in Christians, Church, discernment, Testimonies | Tags: , , , , | 1 comment

Deliverance from Extreme Pentecostalism – A Personal Testimony of Bethel’s Influence

Following is a personal testimony of an individual who, under the influence of Bethel Church in Redding, CA pastored by Bill Johnson, fell into error and later was freed.  The original article in four parts can be found at inerrantword.]

A Dangerous Journey – My Wife’s Deliverance from Extreme Pentecostalism (Part 1)

****

 At the beginning of 2010 I decided I wanted to get involved in a more passionate “Christianity”. I have always thought of myself as a worshipper & I craved being around others who lived & breathed worshipping the Lord.

Our church had been *pushing* & wanting revival to break out. So naturally I went home one day and decided to research about what “revival” actually was and how we could get it! Through my discoveries I found out about The Welsh Revival, Charles Finney and others.

I wanted *revival* to break out in our church. The more I read about the “amazing” things that happened in Wales, the more I wanted that to happen to us.

A member of our church had been involved in the Brownsville Revival. She told me many stories about the revival that happened there & the anointing that she received from there. Whenever she went up for prayer her body would shake & eventually she would, fall to the floor.

I was curious and started looking into the information surrounding the Brownsville revival. Like the Toronto blessing, the Brownsville revival had similar manifestations of the holy spirit, and following that was the Lakeland revival.

At that time I was initially very cautious. It didn’t seem to line up with the God of the Bible I knew and I couldn’t find anything in the scriptures to back up what was happening in these places. BUT I so desperately wanted to feel God and being among passionate Christians, I thought that this was where those sorts of people were. Some of the manifestations, including the prophetic seemed exciting and it drew me in.

Despite my initial caution & a nagging feeling of unease, I started listening to the answers that these extreme prophetic people would give to the sceptics.

Here are some of the things they said/say:

Continue HERE

Are You Sure You Will Like Heaven?

April 19, 2012 in Christians, Church | Tags: , , | 10 comments

 

Heaven 

The Most Important Thing

By Pastor Anton Bosch

Most people, whether Christians or not, have some ideas about a future life that could be called heaven. Many of those ideas are misguided or plain wrong and, sadly, even reasonably well taught Christians may have wrong ideas of what heaven is all about.

In a recent Time magazine article, the author said that many Christians are beginning to understand that heaven really is about making this earth a better place. I think he is right – that is what many people believe. But they are wrong. We cannot make this earth into heaven. Unfortunately, that is the agenda of much of the church today. They believe that the purpose of the church is to create heaven on earth and they work very hard to change the various structures of this world.

This world is simply too corrupt, sinful and contaminated to ever become heaven. People who are trying to save the planet and change governments to create God’s Kingdom on this earth are wasting their time. Yes, one day Heaven will be back on this earth, but in order for that to happen, God will completely destroy the present heavens (sky) and earth (Revelation 21:1, 2Peter 3:10-13). In fact, the process by which He will do that can be described as “uncreating” – He will reverse the whole process of creation and the present creation will cease to exist. He will then create a “New heavens and a new earth” and then the New Jerusalem will descend out of heaven and be located back on the New Earth (Revelation 21:3, 10).

So what will heaven be like? Modern Gospel songs do not sing about heaven because their writers are looking for heaven in this creation. But if I have to believe the old Gospel songs, then heaven will be about streets of gold, a mansion over the hilltop, crowns and an eternity of comfort. That is actually how most Christians see heaven and of course those ideas are actually based on the Scriptures.

But there is one problem. All these ideas about heaven miss the most important part of heaven – The Lord Jesus Christ!

We have missed the point regarding the purpose of the church. We believe church is about worship, preaching, fellowship, evangelization, meetings and so on. Most churches have forgotten that all those things we do every week is secondary and that it should really all be about Jesus Christ. Paul put it this way: “And He is the head of the body, the church… that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18). Thus church has become a whole bunch of activities and Jesus finds Himself outside His own church (Revelation 3:20).

In the same way we have created a Heaven in which Jesus is simply a curiosity. Just like when you go to Paris, you have to see the Eiffel Tower and when we go to heaven, we will get to see Jesus. But we are really more interested in the big mansion and wonder if we will have air conditioning, a big screen TV in the living room and a barbeque in the back yard. We wonder if our crown will be bigger than our neighbor’s and if my mansion will be the grandest on the block.

Because of our materialistic worldview we have turned heaven into a place of things, houses and streets. Because of our sinful pride we have re-created heaven into a place where I will be the big deal, with the big crown and mansion and where I will eventually be vindicated.

Heaven is not about you or me, or even about Paul or Peter – it is about Jesus. He is the center, the focus and the purpose. We will spend eternity simply being in His presence and worshipping and serving Him. And here’s the problem. For the majority of Christians that is not very exciting. If God told us that heaven would be a squatter camp but Jesus would be there, would you still want to go? If Jesus is what your life is about you would agree with the hymn writer:

Oh, hallelujah, yes, ’tis Heav’n,
’Tis Heav’n to know my sins forgiv’n;
On land or sea, what matters where?—
Where Jesus is, ’tis Heaven there.

The same Christians who say they long for heaven complain when the service goes five minutes too long or the pews are too hard. Friend, if you find an extra five minutes in the Lord’s presence a challenge or if you cannot sit through a one hour service without checking your cell phone, I have news for you. Heaven will be a long hell for you!

Do you find that shocking? Well, it is supposed to be because it’s the truth. If you cannot wait to get out of the prayer meeting, or don’t even bother to go to the prayer meeting, or wonder why the hymn could not have a few less verses, I seriously doubt that you will enjoy heaven. If you find reading the Bible or attending the Bible study boring, you will be very uncomfortable in heaven.

If Jesus is not the real center of your life – I mean that everything you do and think, revolves around Him, then heaven really has nothing to offer you. Heaven is not about streets, mansions and crowns. It is about simply being in the presence of Jesus for ever and ever. If you find that idea scary, I am concerned that you will be disappointed with heaven. Actually, you won’t even see heaven because heaven is only for those who love Him with all their hearts and whose lives revolve totally around Him.

Be honest now: Are you looking forward to heaven because you are tired of this life or because of the secondary attractions of heaven, or is it simply that you want more of Him? If your answer is anything except you want to see Him face to face and be in his presence forever, then you need to check your birth certificate.

If, on the other hand, you enjoy this life so much that you hope Jesus will not come too soon, you also have a serious problem. You are probably not fit for heaven either.

Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain… having a desire to depart and be with Christ… is far better.” (Philippians 1:21, 23). His highest goal was simply to “be with Christ.” That is heaven!

Source of  Article HERE

Indigo Children and Oppression

April 19, 2012 in new age, Spirituality | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The issue of Indigo Children has resurfaced with my dealings with Christians worried about New Age thought entering the church and its influence on their families.

I accessed a Facebook page called Indigo Children and was shocked to find how many people were experiencing manifestations…especially in the evening. I gather these commentators are not children but adults.

Here was the question posed March 24th, 2012

Did anyone else wake up last night with their heart racing, clammy hands, feeling anxious, but really tired. My nervous system was definitely overstimulated. [David]

Here are some of the unedited comments.

I woke up at 4:44, then again in 5:55…

***

I’ve been wakin up for two weeks at the same time which is 2:30 covered in sweat and wonder where I am and so on

***

feeling the Oneness of the same experience….only got 4 hours sleep as i too got woken up……energy releasing via dreamlands ♥♥

***

uranus is enetering conjunction today so it could be some new energies coming in… ive been having some really vivid and wild dreams myself… one of them was what appeared to be alien disclosure with ships that had a rainbow crystal forma…tion on the top of the craft like a receiver almost… some ships made no sense like one of them had 1 wing petruding from the side of a tube shaped craft… others were brilliant lights… i also saw images in the sky like they were being projected.. i cant remember the images but they were very intriguing and hard to comprehend….

***

I couldn’t fall asleep till 4am, woke up around 6am, feeling anxious, had the worst nightmare, and I felt the pain (my sister pinched me in both my thighs on the inside and the bruises were huge and it hurt like hell)…I’ve been havin’ nightmares for 2 weeks now…and I can’t go to sleep…what does all this mean?

***

Feeling just anxious in general, without cause. I’ve been trying to meditate to balance the energy around me, but I still seem to be absorbing what seems to be in “the air.” Lately this energy disbalance, has been overwhelming and confusing.And the restless nights are just not making it better. Another night of insomnia…

***

Yes. Woke up in a panic last two nights… Got up for a bit but could sense ‘a presence’ around me, so hastilly got back to bed! Can’t be doing with talking to spirit at 3 am!!!

***

I woke up around 4 in the morning feeling panicked and out of breath and could sense something else in the room. There was also a red light coming from the corner, where there are no lights, or even outlets. When I tried to focus on the presence I felt, I experienced a splitting pain in my head that kept me from being able to think. It went away as fast as it started, but I couldnt get back to sleep afterwards.

***

I don’t know about that, but I felt a pressure on my leg, then it turned ice cold for a split second. Then it was hot, and the heat shot up my leg. I’m still kinda wired from it…

***

Very interesting reading everyones comments. I too have been jumping out of my sleep very early 2am, 3:30, 4am and many times at exactly 5:55am four times this week. Feeling a deep pressure in abdomen region upon waking. Like something has been weighing on that area. But it goes away later after waking. Interesting times. Been noticing alot of number sequences lately also, 1:11, 2:22, 4:44 and 5:55.

***

The angels are speaking to you all just meditate and listen ask for there guidence and except it

***

And numbers are there way of telling you they are arround u

***

I know this so open up to them

***

I went to bed @ 10:30 Australia time EXHAUSTED and couldn’t sleep, finally fell asleep around 3:15am after taking FOUR Valiums and still only managed 5 hours of messed up sleep, 9am and I’m trying to crawl out of bed, definitely a lazy Sunday ahead…

***

Yes, it happens a lot, I need some good meditation and some chamomile tea!

***

I’ve been waking up in a panic and have had a general sense of deep anxiety for the past two weeks

***

I had troubled nights those ultimate days as well. I felt bad tonight and I called to beautifull spirists I know : I it was just so beautifull ♥

***

It happened again last night, during the early hours of the morning. I wish I had looked at the clock. I saw an image of my fiance in my dream, only him. Almost like out of no where. very vividly I saw years streaming from his eyes then he spoke, “it is here, again. Look behind you” immediately, I jumped out of my sleep and out of bed but saw nothing. This is happening almost every night.

End of Comments

These are some very alarming aspects to what some of these people are experiencing. There are patterns of numerology, panic, sensations of heat and cold, confusion, insomnia, and presence of spirits.

The numerology can fall into the divination department as people tend to ascribe reasons as to why they see these numbers and what they mean. Unfortunately we see the very same thing happening in some Christian circles. Numbers and codes are thought to be a sign from God which are applied to every kind of situation. Sometimes people think that these numbers lead them to predict the day of the rapture. This is a deception for I have seen hundreds of failed rapture predictions.

Eastern meditation is the most common practice used to enter a spiritual realm. It is simply a method to empty the mind. Passivity is necessary to give ground or permission to the spirit world to enter or use you. Psychotropic drugs also open up the mind.

The most dangerous phrase in the above comments is this one, “open up to them.”

People do not know what they are opening themselves up to. When they do, often they find themselves oppressed by these spirits. This oppression causes the manifestations that are most easily recognized at night. Many I have talked with have experienced depression and heaviness after contacting the spirit world.

Those who do light yoga may never go deep enough into the practice to create the associated problems mentioned. It is recommended to stay away from yoga completely as it cannot be totally separated from its spiritual purpose, which is to prepare one for death and be yoked with Brahma.

Others in the Christian world have also let themselves be oppressed by false anointings, mystical centering prayer, uncontrolled laughter, fire tunnels, etc. They often experience extreme lows and depression after experiencing what they consider spiritual “highs.”

It is important for the person experiencing manifestations to accept their true source. The oppression comes from the demonic world. No good can come from them. They can disguise themselves for a time but their nature is usually made evident.

What is the solution? Jesus Christ.

Some new-agers try to hold onto Jesus partially for protection, while delving into the metaphysical world, but this simply does not work. In the book of Acts we read that when the people learned the truth, they burned all of their magic books in a big bonfire. They rejected the old teachings, the old lie, the serpent, and totally turned away from such things.

New Age teachings are just repackaged old stinky lies from Satan. Reject them, repent of sin that inflates self-love. Let Jesus close the false door that you have walked through. This false door is an exit from truth and an entrance to a hellish life of deception and confusion.

The New Age Jesus is one of tolerance and of love. Jesus is indeed love, but He is also returning as King in Glory as a judge. The New Age Jesus, says there are many paths to God, but the Jesus in the Bible tell us that He is the only way to God the Father. John 14:6

In conclusion I want to post these thoughts from;

http://www.thebereanchronicles.com/indepth_news/indigo_children.html

These Indigo children are being helped along by many witches and New Agers. As they put it,

to bring about the cosmic shift of human evolution or the new awakening of peace on earth.

They would say that we need the wisdom of the ancients, the knowledge of what is possible for humankind that has been known and handed down in all cultures, among all indigenous peoples of the planet.

Today we have children being told, its ok to contact your spirit guide. And people ask these children to tell us of their visions and prophecies.

These Indigo children, try to contact the dead. Many use crystals, occult symbols and idols.

They are being called the Star Children or Crystal Children.

They are consulting with familiar spirits and they do necromancers (one who consults the dead). Many different names are used “trans-channelers,” “channelers,” “trans-mediums”.

The Holy Bible Says:

Satan nearly always comes transformed as “an angel of light, therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:14-15).

These Indigo Children are being defined as “restless, fearless” individuals who “believe in themselves . . . have difficulty with absolute authority,” and “often see better ways of doing things, at home and in school.” They are in every country, every continent, and only a clairvoyant can see their auras. They recommend that Indigo Children attend private New Age schools that focus on individual needs.

The above is a description of a rebellious child. For REBELLION is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry,”

1 Samuel 15:23 KJV

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

What Does The Bible Tell Us

Deuteronomy 18

The passage that gives the best comprehensive list of the various Occult practices condemned by God is found in Deuteronomy 18:9-14.

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, harkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.”

All of these forbidden practices are called “abominations of those nations” in the land and dealt with either foretelling the future or magic.

All of the practices mentioned above are forbidden in both the Old and New Testaments.

They are an abomination to God because they usurp His position as the sovereign Lord of the universe and open the door for Satanic deception, and eventually, the destruction of those involved is these things.

Several factors are involved in the reason why the Lord is so opposed to these practices:

(1) Using magic to manipulate one’s circumstances is in essence a futile attempt to flee the Lord’s ethical laws which promote life and blessing.

(2) The use of magic and divination (vv. 10, 14) is a refusal to acknowledge the sovereignty of the Lord in one’s life.

(3) Reliance on these practices automatically teaches one to trust in themselves for their destiny and not the Lord.

This is very dangerous since these practices will almost inevitably lead one into satanic bondage.

It should be clear by now that these Indigo children are if any person is involved in any of these things, even as a passive observer, they should repent and denounce all they have done before God. Turning to Jesus Christ, asking Him for forgiveness and forsaking all of these accursed practices.

EVANGELICALS’ COLLAPSING CULTURAL INFLUENCE

April 11, 2012 in apostasy | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

[TBC: Here is a valid critique from a conservative (not Christian) publication. The evangelical writer offers a pertinent analysis and rebuke of decades of evangelical activism and social gospel marketing.]

 From The Berean Call

EVANGELICALS’ COLLAPSING CULTURAL INFLUENCE [Excerpts]

On a day when many evangelicals are perhaps flexing their political muscles in the aftermath of their decisive votes in Alabama and Mississippi, it’s worth pondering whether evangelicals’ actual cultural (rather than political) influence is waxing or waning. I came across insightful and disturbing discussions by Yuval Levin and Ross Douthat. Surveying the devastating decline in marriage and other critical social markers in the working class, [political analyst and academic] Levin notes the failure of social conservatism outside the political sphere:

“In our time, American social conservatism has much to be proud of as a movement for justice: Social conservatives devote themselves to the pro-life cause, to human rights, and to the plight of the poor abroad. But American social conservatism has almost entirely lost interest in the cause of order — in standing up for clean living, for self-discipline and restraint, for resisting temptation and meeting basic responsibilities. The institutions of American Christianity — some of which would actually stand a chance of being taken seriously by the emerging lower class — are falling down on the job, as their attention is directed to more exciting causes, in no small part because the welfare state has overtaken some of their key social functions.”

 As a lifelong evangelical, let me add my whole-hearted agreement. During my years in the pews, I’ve witnessed a moral collapse — and a corresponding collapse in positive influence over the real lives not just of our fellow congregants but also of our fellow citizens in need. Of course it’s difficult to present a compelling witness when our own practices and lifestyle are often indistinguishable from the larger culture, but the problems get more specific. Here are three:

1. We are more focused on meeting the material needs of the poor than their spiritual needs. Spend much time in the evangelical community, and you’ll soon learn that the old-fashioned Gospel-focused mission trip is largely a thing of the past. Now, you go build schools. Now, you go dig water wells. Now, you repair houses. These are worthy goals, all, but service projects by themselves don’t change hearts and minds, they often make (frequently) self-inflicted misery more bearable. Service must be accompanied by intentional, vocal evangelism and discipling.

2. We go on sinning so that grace may abound. The secular stereotype of the modern evangelical — as a judgmental moralizer — is so wrong as to be laughable. Everywhere you go, preachers reject this model entirely, emphasizing, for example, “divorce recovery,” therapy, and treatment for the consequences of sin. Again, these are worthy things, but Christ and the Apostle Paul also emphasized holiness and discipline. How often has your church actually disciplined adulterers? How often have you intervened in the life of a friend before they made devastating mistakes? Our desire to be liked trumps all, and suffering is the result.

3. We church-shop, seeking to meet our needs rather than serving the church. Church-switching is pernicious. Not only does the church “market” breed selfishness, it also makes pastors market-oriented. As you survey church after church, each doing things their own way, ask yourself, which of these church institutions will still be present and viable in 50 years? Or 100 years? Or 1,000?

 I once heard it said that following the social and political disruptions of the 1960s and early 1970s, religious conservatives decided that they had to win elections, while secular leftists decided to win the culture — and both groups succeeded. So now here we are, enjoying unprecedented influence on presidential outcomes even as our cultural foundation rots away beneath our feet. Not even the best presidential candidate will fix the family, nor will our most generous service project save a soul.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/293457/evangelicals-collapsing-cultural-influence-david-french

My emphasis in Bold.

kim

Plastic Easter eggs, jellybeans and Jesus?

April 6, 2012 in christianity, Christians | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Plastic Easter eggs, jellybeans and Jesus?

By Marsha West – The Christian Post

Easter congers images of decorative baskets filled with all sorts of goodies, cool new clothes, church services, the annual Easter egg hunt, families and friends getting together to enjoy a sumptuous meal. Doesn’t it seem a bit odd that people will spend an entire day celebrating a make-believe rabbit?

Today when Easter Sunday rolls around a good many Christians spend more time participating in secular events than they do celebrating the Resurrection of their Savior. Before I move on I should point out that “Easter” is now passé. Wanting to remove the Christian origins of our language, secularists managed to change Resurrection Sunday to Easter Sunday and Easter break to spring break – all in the name of tolerance. Fortunately a large number of believers have caught on to their shenanigans and have gone back to using Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter.

Just as our postmodern culture has secularized Christmas, likewise Easter has been secularized and now we incorporate the Easter Bunny, hunting for colorful eggs and binging on chocolate and jellybeans. There’s nothing wrong with Easter festivities per se — but for Christians, Christ’s triumph over death ought to be the reason for the celebration. What does a big bunny, a basket filled with plastic Easter eggs and decadently delicious goodies have to do with Jesus?

Full article HERE

Should Christians Celebrate Passover?

April 5, 2012 in Christians | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

From Gotquestions.org

Question: “Should Christians celebrate Passover?”

Answer: The celebration of Passover is in remembrance of the time in Israel’s history when the angel of the Lord moved through Egypt destroying the firstborn of all people and animals (see Exodus 11 and 12.) This was the final of the ten plagues God visited upon Egypt designed to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country and their captivity. The Israelites were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb—one without blemish—and smear it on the doorposts of their houses. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood, he would “pass over” that house. This is a foreshadowing of the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus, whose blood would cover the sins of those who believe in Him, causing God’s judgment to pass over them. Ever since that night, Jews have celebrated the Passover in remembrance of God’s grace to them.

There has been an explosion of interest in adapting the Passover festival to Christianity. Various organizations, such as Jews for Jesus, have long promoted Christian Passover services as a means for Messianic Jews to retain their cultural heritage while professing their Christian faith. They have also used the Christian Passover as a means to communicate to Christians the Jewish religious heritage that they value. Many of the rituals associated with the Passover Seder have application to the Christian faith, and a Christian celebration of the Passover provides a unique way to bring the story of salvation to the ceremony.

Whether or not a Christian celebrates Passover would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Like all the Old Testament Jewish Feasts, the Passover Feast was a foreshadowing of Christ’s atoning work on the cross. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us that we should “let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (NKJV). Christians are no longer bound to observe the Passover feast the way the Old Testament Jews were, but they should not look down upon another believer who does or does not observe the Passover or other special Jewish days and feasts (Romans 14:5).

While it is not required for Christians to celebrate the Passover, it is beneficial to study it and could be beneficial to celebrate it if it leads to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s death and resurrection. The Passover is a wonderful picture of Christ’s atonement for His people and His deliverance of us from the bondage of sin. That is something we should celebrate every day of our lives.

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