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By Marsha West
March 10, 2012
NewsWithViews.com
“The gospel’s most dangerous earthly adversaries are not raving atheists who stand outside the door shouting threats and insults. They are church leaders who cultivate a gentle, friendly, pious demeanor but hack away at the foundations of faith under the guise of keeping in step with a changing world.” – Phil Johnson
“Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
There is a spiritual battle of epic proportions going on in churches all over the globe that should drive serious Christians to their knees. A whole host of aberrant to downright heretical movements have slithered into contemporary evangelicalism and more are being added to the mix virtually every day.
Unbiblical teaching is rampant in mainline Protestant denominations as well as in non-denominational churches. Inside our churches you will find men and women teaching rank heresy. Sunday after Sunday people flock to churches and become a captive audience to those who preach outlandish lies and half-truths. Televangelists are the worst offenders! Many of them are money grubbing charlatans! As a result of false teachers and cult leaders gaining worldwide access to churches and Christian ministries over these past few decades to spread their false doctrines, evangelical Christianity is experiencing a downward spiral.
The good news is: “Upon this rock I will build my church,” said the Lord Jesus Christ, “and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mat. 16:18).
Matthew Henry stated that “Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church; and woe to him that attempts to lay any other!”
Triple “woe” goes to the wolves that have infiltrated evangelicalism and show a startling disregard for the major tenets of the faith.
Speaking of wolves, somewhere around 45,000 people attend Lakewood Church each Sunday to hear Pastor –celebrity Joel Osteen preach the word-faith prosperity gospel “lite.” The Lakewood services are broadcast in over 100 countries. Gary Gilley reveals that:
Osteen has no theological training and it is obvious from his books, sermons and interviews on television that he has little knowledge of the Scripture. Nevertheless, he has caught an unprecedented wave of popularity and could clearly claim the title as the most admired pastor in America.
Osteen brags that he teaches a non-confrontational gospel. He believes:
There’s a lot of negativity in the world. We need somebody to bring us hope and somebody to tell us that we can overcome our past and break free from addictions and things like that. And, you know, our whole message is that Jesus came to help us live a great life. And some people are not going to agree with that. (Online source)
I for one disagree with Joel’s statement that Jesus wanted us to live a “great life.” Tell that to the persecuted church! Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world,” so for many the “great life” Osteen speaks of will not be experienced here on earth, but in the Kingdom of God. The reason Jesus came to earth was to set the captives free! Free from what? Free from sin and death! Why? We are dead in our sins. And by the way, sin is an odious thing – and the God of the Bible is infinitely holy and righteous. (Isaiah 6:3, Rev. 4:8, 2 Thess. 1:6)
Sin makes us unclean, thus the unredeemed are not permitted in the presence of holiness. How do people get clean? By believing in Jesus! Believe that He came to earth to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. When He died on the cross our debt was paid for – in full. He died once, for all. Only believers will spend eternity in heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Contrary to popular belief there is no way to have a relationship with the One true God unless we believe that we are sinners in need of Savior, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) God says sinners must be punished, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).
This is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, this is not the gospel people hear from Joel Osteen and countless other word-faith prosperity preachers.
The intent of this article is not to fully examine the Word of Faith Movement (WF), but to give readers a glimpse into their beliefs. At the end of this piece are links to articles and videos of a few prominent word-faith teachers. It’s important to take the time to watch these so called teachers and preachers in action.
Following is a summary of WF teaching:
God created man in “God’s class,” as “little gods,” with the potential to exercise what they refer to as the “God-kind of faith” in calling things into existence and living in prosperity and success as sovereign beings. Of course, we forfeited this opportunity by rebelling against God in the Garden and taking upon ourselves Satan’s nature. To correct this situation, Jesus Christ became a man, died spiritually (thus taking upon Himself Satan’s nature), went to hell, was “born again,” rose from the dead with God’s nature again, and then sent the Holy Spirit so that the incarnation could be duplicated in believers, thus fulfilling their calling to be what they call “little gods.” Since we’re called to experience this kind of life now, we should be successful in virtually every area of our lives. To be in debt, then, or be sick, or (as is even taught by the faith teachers) to be left by one’s spouse, simply means that you don’t have enough faith — or you have some secret sin in your life, because if you didn’t, you would be able to handle all of these problems.
Further…
In every instance, the “Word-Faith” teaching is guilty of presenting an inflated view of man and a deflated view of God, thereby compromising God’s message as revealed in the Bible. This fast-growing movement has disastrous implications and, in fact, reduces Jesus Christ to a means to an end — when in fact he is the end. If the New Age Movement is the greatest threat to the church from without, “positive confession” may well be it’s greatest threat from within. (Online source)
The WF is considered a metaphysical cult. Pastor/teacher John MacArthur calls it Satanic. WF holds that faith is a tangible force. This force is released through the spoken word, hence name-it-and-claim-it. When we speak words of faith, power is discharged that will accomplish our desires. Through faith we can have health, wealth, success – anything we want!
As I previously stated, word-faith teaching ranges from aberrant to outright heretical. As such these people must be exposed. “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:13-14).
It is imperative that serious Christians recognize word-faith teaching. Therefore I’m including Beyond Grace’s Word Faith Top Ten which is an abbreviated version of an article Tricia Tillin wrote: Top Ten Reasons for rejecting Word-of-Faith doctrine.
REASON ONE:
It requires ‘revelation knowledge’.
REASON TWO:
It makes the Almighty God and Creator a weak ‘faith-being’ who is at the mercy of His own universal laws.
REASON THREE:
It makes the Divine Son of God into a born-again man who had to die in Hell to pay the price for our treason.
REASON FOUR:
It elevates man to equality with Jesus.
REASON FIVE:
It makes man a god.
REASON SIX:
It makes the redemption into a restoration of dominion for mankind.
REASON SEVEN:
Its goal is the transformation of the earth by spiritual dominion.
REASON EIGHT:
It replaces prayer with confession, and God’s will with the manipulation of ‘forces’.
REASON NINE:
It denies the reality of sin and sickness.
REASON TEN:
It focuses on self and the world instead of God and Heaven. (Tillin’s article expands on these ten points)
To avoid being taken in by false teachers and cult leaders Christians must have some knowledge of heretical movements such as the word-faith/prosperity gospel/name-it-and-claim-it. Another movement that is steeped in word-faith theology that’s taking the Church by storm is the New Apostolic Reformation/Dominionism aka Latter Rain/Kingdom Theology/Kingdom Now/Charismatic Renewal/Third Wave/Joel’s Army/Manifest(ed) Sons of God. Read about this dangerous movement here.
Most false teachers and cultists do not take the opposition’s rebuke or criticism lying down. In part 4 of a piece I wrote titled Doublespeak: The Language of Deception I explained how words are often used as a club against anyone who reports on the aberrant teaching of those who have “Christian rock star” status:
…Conservative Christian apologists and those involved in the counter cult and discernment ministries who dare to expose apostates are accused of being divisive. For example, if a conservative attempts to combat the spread of the social justice gospel that emphasizes good deeds without the power of the gospel, their liberal critics cry “Pharisee!” Implying that these critics are Pharisees is another way of saying that they are narrow-minded, mean-spirited and unloving — and yes, even intolerant and bigoted.
Word Faith (false) teachers use “heresy hunter” to define the opposition. But in reality discernment ministries are “truth-seekers.”
What is heresy and what is a heresy hunter? According to Let Us Reason Ministries:
“Heresy can be defined as any departure from Christian orthodoxy which is a teaching, doctrine or practice that goes beyond the apostles teachings — the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Biblical heresy is often a denial of the core beliefs held in the Church that are founded on the Bible. In this sense it applies to groups which reject basic Christian doctrines and separate themselves from the historic church.”
Most mature Christians recognize heresy when it rears its ugly head. But when they speak out against prominent false teachers who are leading the Body of Christ astray, their bamboozled followers invariably play the Matthew 7:1 card:
“Judge not, lest you be judged.”
This is doublespeak for: Shut the heck up!
First of all, discernment demands that we make judgments. As my pastor, Stan Way, said in a recent sermon, faithful Christians live their lives in a new center of gravity – the biblical worldview. Serious Christians must stand up and speak the truth with conviction and courage. We must be willing to lose our life for Christ and the gospel. In other words, for truth! Further, we must be willing to be treated with contempt by the world. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).
So – I am going to name names. The list of popular word-faith teachers numbers in the hundreds. Following are the names of a few of these who have risen to a more prominent status:
Kenneth Hagin, E. W. Kenyon, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Robert Schuller, Paula White, Paul and Jan Crouch, Robert Tilton, Paul Yonggi Cho, Jentezen Franklin, Marilyn Hickey, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Fred Price, John Avanzini, Charles Capps, Jerry Savelle, Morris Cerullo, Juanita Bynum, Rod Parsley, Ed Young, Eddie Long, Rodney Howard Brown, Joseph Prince, Kim Clement, Cindy Trimm, and John Hagee.
As I have indicated in this piece there are things going on in the Church that are deeply disturbing. And for this reason it is imperative that Christians have no fear of exposing those who “hack away at the foundations of faith.” We really have no choice, the reason being that the Bible commands the Body of Christ to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
Marsha West — A fast-growing movement with disastrous implications.
Please watch the preview of this video.
Discovering the New Age Movement / New World Order, Part One
Submitted by Craig “Lee” Dorsheimer
I first became aware of the New Age Movement / New World Order in the late 1980s well before I became a Christian through an acquaintance who was witnessing to me at the time and who allowed me to borrow a book titled The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow written by Constance Cumbey, a Detroit area attorney. I ended up buying a copy of the book.
A few years later, I recall being in night school and seeing on a TV in our break room President George H. W. Bush in his 1991 State of the Union address stressing a “New World Order” and chills went down my spine.
…What is at stake is more than one small country; it is a big idea: a new world order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind — peace and security, freedom, and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle and worthy of our children’s future…
…The world can, therefore, seize this opportunity to fulfill the long-held promise of a new world order, where brutality will go unrewarded and aggression will meet collective resistance. Yes, the United States bears a major share of leadership in this effort…[1] [emphasis mine]
And, again on March 6, 1991, at the close of the Gulf War:
…Now, we can see a new world coming into view. A world in which there is the very real prospect of a new world order. In the words of Winston Churchill, a world order in which “the principles of justice and fair play protect the weak against the strong. . . .” A world where the United Nations, freed from cold war stalemate, is poised to fulfill the historic vision of its founders.
…Even the new world order cannot guarantee an era of perpetual peace. But enduring peace must be our mission. Our success in the Gulf will shape not only the new world order we seek but our mission here at home.
In the war just ended, there were clear-cut objectives — timetables — and, above all, an overriding imperative to achieve results… [1] [Emphasis mine]
It would be years after this that I would accept Jesus Christ as my savior. During my B.C. [before Christ] days I began to see New Age / New World Order connections in quite a few different areas. One in particular was music – a HUGE idol in my life. There was Eastern mysticism in most of the different genres of music I listened to whether it was the lyrics, liner notes, artwork, music or a combination of these. And, of course, most music stores have an entire section devoted to “New Age” music. This genre is generally for meditational purposes since it’s usually quiet and relaxing yet repetitive – perfect for use as a vehicle for emptying one’s mind.
A basic tenet of the New Age Movement is a syncretism of religions with the belief that there are ‘many paths to God.’[2] However, the main focus is to realize that God is in all – this is called panentheism – so, we just need to realize, then actualize, our own divinity.[3] Panentheism is a further step from pantheism which means ‘God is all.’[3] Religious tolerance is promoted and accepted with the exception of Orthodox Biblical Christianity and other monotheistic religions since these are viewed as divisive.[4]
Some New Agers redefine Christian terminology into New Age meanings. A perfect example is found in the Theosophical writings of Alice A. Bailey – who claims her writings were channeled through her by a ‘Tibetan master’ named Djwan Khul – in the use of ‘atonement’ which is hyphenated to the more Eastern ‘at-one-ment.’ The redefined meaning is to become ‘at one’ or to ‘achieve unity’ with God.[5]
It was at a particularly low point in my life when I accepted Christ; and, the thought of the New Age Movement was far from my mind. During my subsequent Christian walk, which was fraught with waywardness amid faithfulness, I would occasionally think about the New Age Movement / New World Order; but, the stresses and distractions of daily life in the U.S. would overshadow them. However, around April of 2007 I was introduced to some strange teachings that I recognized as being New Age in origin.
Here is Constance Cumbey, who was “The first major evangelical critic of the New Age Movement” according to her own words in this clip, filmed at the 2006 Radio Liberty Conference in Aptos, California:[6]
I entreat you to set aside one hour of your time to listen to what she has to say on the subject of the New Age Movement / New World Order. Cumbey wrote The Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow in 1983 and its follow up A Planned Deception: The Staging of a New Age “Messiah” in 1985 in which she exposes the NAM/NWO having thoroughly researched this unfolding of end time’s prophecy. She continues to research news reports and other info in her ongoing search of the NAM/NWO on her blog.[7]
Throughout this article and the upcoming second part I will provide quotes from this video/audio message in which Cumbey recounts her journey into the knowledge of the New Age Movement beginning in 1981. In addition, I will bold some key New Age Movement (NAM) / New World Order (NWO) terms as I’ve already done above. This does not mean to imply that every time one sees these words that they are necessarily referring to the NAM/NWO.
While the NAM and NWO are intrinsically intertwined, for the sake of simplicity it may be easiest to see the NAM as the spiritual/religious side compared to the NWO which is its political aspect. But, make no mistake, the intention is to establish a one world religion/one world government. This, in fact, makes perfect sense in light of Biblical prophecy:
7He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
13And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. 14Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. [Revelation 13:7-8, 13-17 Emphasis mine]
This makes it clear that the ‘beast’ will have authority over the entire earth and all inhabitants including the monetary system. The only way for this to occur is to have total governmental control as in a one world government. In addition, if the ‘beast’ is going to conquer all the saints – true Christians – then either: 1) all religions of the world will be in total opposition to Biblical Christianity; or, most likely, 2) there will be a one world religion which will be at odds with Biblical Christianity.
It seems quite obvious that this prophecy will not be fulfilled in a ‘one fell swoop’ kind of way but rather a process over time. It is highly implausible that the Antichrist would just appear on the scene without some sort of plan toward this end. Keep in mind, this is not “man” doing this – this is the power of dark forces bringing forth biblical prophecies toward their fulfillment. And, of course, God is allowing it.
18Dear children, this is the last hour, and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us but they did not really belong to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. [1 John 2:18-19 NIV]
In the above what is John referring to with his words “their going?” I believe it obviously refers to those who’ve walked away from the faith altogether; however, I also believe it refers to those who have moved away from the strict Word of God to subtle errors which in turn leads to larger errors. Remember Jesus’ and Paul’s words regarding ‘a little yeast/leaven’ and how these can “leaven the whole.” [Matthew 16:6, 11-12; Galatians 5:7-10; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7] Whether these folks are doing it knowingly or unwittingly only the Lord knows for sure.
Constance Cumbey’s Introduction to the New Age
In a Methodist book store across from her law office Cumbey found books with a common theme proclaiming the need for a “‘New World Order…’ for ‘transformation,’ to ‘see ourselves as part of an interconnected whole.’ Cumbey: “I started thinking I was looking at some very serious religious apostasy combined with some political elements…”[6]
These books were from those identified as Methodist, Baptist, Mennonite and Catholic authors; however, “…The books all sounded more like each other rather than the respective teachings of their respective denominations.”[6]
From The Aquarian Conspiracy by Marilyn Ferguson, Cumbey quotes, “Doctrine is losing authority and knowing is superseding belief.” [Emphasis mine] This quote itself was taken from The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ by Levi H. Dowling according to Cumbey. Dowling’s book spoke of a Jesus “‘who was not always ‘the Christ’ that …Jesus had earned the degree ‘Christ’ by a life of strenuous service and equipping Himself to find the ‘Christ Consciousness…’[6]
“‘…it is time for more revelation and Jesus is the flesh-made messenger to bring that light to man; but, in the ages yet to come man will attain to greater lights… and finally at last a mighty master soul will arise to light the way to the throne of perfect man.’ I slammed that book shut… I knew I just looked at something about and promoting and preparing folks for the Antichrist.”[6]
The name ‘Lucifer’ comes from the Latin ‘lucis’ which means ‘light’ and ‘ferre’ ‘to bring;’ so, ‘Lucifer’ literally means ‘light bringer’ or ‘bringer of light.’[8]
At a dinner with Phyllis Warren, a biofeedback instructor at Detroit’s Unity Temple who claimed she could heal Cumbey’s husband who had lost both legs just above the knees, Warren proceeds to tell Constance about the “New Age Movement” also known as “The Holistic Movement,” “The Networking Movement,” “The New Consciousness Movement,” and “Age of Aquarius.”[6]
Cumbey comments, “So help me, I did not know that they had a slogan ‘When the pupil is ready the master will appear.’”[6] Interestingly, I found this quote on a site on neopaganism/paganism in response to the following questions on that site, “How do I find pagans/Witches/covens/teachers in my area? How do I evaluate them:”
Some of your best contacts may come from your local new age, pagan or occult bookstores. Check their bulletin boards for notices, or ask the staff.
Don’t be in a hurry to find a teacher. “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear” is a popular saying in most pagan and Craft communities.[9] [Emphasis mine]
Cumbey quotes Warren as saying that those in the movement “‘communicate with code words and signals.’” Cumbey began to say some of the code words which Warren agreed with, “Spaceship Earth, Global Village, interdependence… …I had noticed this strong thread of mysticism, both Eastern and Western, running through it.” Warren further states that Marilyn Ferguson’s book understates the magnitude of the movement.[6]
Cumbey tells Warren that she had been reading the Bible and was “convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that this may very well be what was described in the Bible as the last political/social movement that will bring the Antichrist on the scene.” Warren, still thinking that Cumbey wanted to “come on board,” proceeds, “Oh yes, that’s VERY perceptive of you… I’ve been convinced of that for many years myself.”[6]
Cumbey opens her Bible to Daniel 11:38, “‘He shall honor in his estate a god of forces, a god whom his fathers knew not.’ And, I turned to a page in The Aquarian Gospel: ‘and one may enter fully into the god of forces.’” To which Phyllis Warren says, “You saw it! You saw it! That’s such an important point! Most students of esotericism fail to grasp it immediately. …we believe that Jesus and the Christ are two separate entities, that ‘Christ’ is an office not a man.”[6]
Another meaning for ‘Lucifer’ is ‘force god’ or ‘god of forces’ according to esotericists such as Freemasons, Theosophists, Pantheists, etc.[10] (Star Wars anyone?) So, what does that say about Word of Faith adherents who believe God used the ‘force of faith’ in speaking things into existence assuming Christians can tap into this same creative ‘force?’
Cumbey then quotes 1 John 2:22, “‘Who is the liar but he who denies Jesus is the Christ …is antichrist he that denies the Father and the Son.’ And, suddenly she [Warren] had a mystic, crystal revelation – she told me too much. And, she started trying frantically to take it back.”[6]
Phyllis Warren, after figuring out that Cumbey believed the Bible to be the inerrant, infallible Word of God with no ‘hidden meanings’ or ambiguities blurted out, “‘That’s not right, that’s not right! …That book is simply too misleading…The Antichrist is NOT the negative thing the Bible’s made him out to be!’”[6]
Read Part Two of this series here.
[1] < http://www.c-span.org/executive/stateoftheunion.asp>
[2] < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Age>
[3] Strohmer, Charles. “Beliefs Behind the ‘Seens.’” Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs; John Ankerberg & John Weldon; Harvest House Publishers; Eugene, Oregon; 1996; ppX-XI
[4] Strohmer, Charles. “Beliefs Behind the ‘Seens.’” Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs; John Ankerberg & John Weldon; Harvest House Publishers; Eugene, Oregon; 1996; p XIII
[5] Bailey, Alice A. “Introduction to Initiation.” From Bethlehem to Calvary. Lucis Trust; copyright 1937 by Alice A. Bailey, renewed 1957 by Foster Bailey; 4th paperback edition, 1989; Fort Orange Press, Inc., Albany, New York; p 18
[6] <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8937919448007045479>
[7] < http://cumbey.blogspot.com/>
[8] < http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/lucifer>
[10] < http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/masonry.html
This is a related article you might enjoy reading:
https://kimolsen.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/the-age-of-aquarius/
Are we suffering for Jesus Christ?
So many people ask “Why do Christian’s suffer?”
I am afraid I have to ask instead, “Why are Christians NOT suffering for the Lord Jesus Christ these days?”
It seems as though we are seeing times of great reversal of thought. For instance, false teachings in the church of today are saying that if we give 100 fold we will receive back, 300 fold, 600 fold, 1000 fold, etc. While it is true that the Christian will receive blessings, and it is not wrong to want the rewards, it is not to be our focus. The Bible tells us we will suffer for Christ, but this makes us uncomfortable so we delight instead of being told of the riches we receive when we give to ministries.
With the attitude of “What’s in it for me?” the gospel perishes. This is the ugly result of Word of Faith and prosperity teachings.
While studying Genesis, I found the story of Joseph truly astounding. There is so much information about how we are live our own lives by Joseph’s example that it simply cannot be contained in this short article.
Joseph was hated by his brothers. He was chosen by God. They plotted against him and threw him into a pit to die, while they ate a meal. When a caravan approached, the brothers decided to sell him to the Ishmaelites so as not to spill his blood. They took revenge on their father Jacob and deceived him by staining the coat with blood of a goat. This is of course the famed coat which belonged to Jacob’s favorite son.
Joseph must have felt led by God after receiving his two dreams. What excitement he must have experienced, anticipating his service to God, only to be sold into slavery in which he suffered for 13 years. He was a servant in Potiphar’s house, only to be accused wrongly by his master’s wife. He then was imprisoned and thrown on the floor in chains. It was not until the Pharaoh summoned Joseph because he could interpret dreams, that he was removed from prison. Later he was elevated to the highest court in Egypt. He was 30 years old at this time.
So what did Joseph do to deserve the extreme suffering that was inflicted upon him? Nothing! There is no evidence that Joseph deserved such treatment from family and foes. He walked with the Lord and was obedient to God’s will.
Search the scriptures in Genesis 39-40 for the complaints put forth by Joseph for his unjust treatment and you will find nothing. Look at his amazing qualities and actions while he suffered and you will discover a model of what constitutes a great leader of God.
Search for the ways that Joseph was trained through his suffering. He always waited on God and learned faith through his difficulties. What trust and fellowship he had. There is no way Joseph would have understood why he was being put through these hardships. Yet there was no hatred, bitterness, doubt, or worry. Joseph’s faith puts my faith to shame. No matter what situation he was in, he endured, he was faithful, and he was determined to be the best slave he could be. The Lord trained Joseph for service in this manner.
How can you look at Joseph and apply his great faith and trust in the Lord to your everyday situations? Are you grousing and complaining about your circumstances? Is the Lord testing you? Are you being prepared for a future work? Is the Lord refining you? If you have never trusted the Lord in your difficulties how can you aid your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Times of trouble can strengthen us if we call upon the name of Lord. The problem with false teachings today is that we call upon the Glory of the Lord upon us and just “soak” in ecstasy. This is a deception of the enemy. The self-elevating process seems ridiculous when looking back at Joseph and examining his faith and actions in his life while he was suffering. What we can learn from the example set forth by Joseph, is how the Lord trained him to serve others. Joseph was eventually exalted. Was he proud? Did he pump his fists in victory? Did he hold his position over his brothers? No.
There was no self-exultation in this godly leader. No self-promotion. He did not touch God’s glory. There are few leaders who can shun the pride of success and fame. This pride is so evident today.
So why do Christians suffer? As a Christian other people are watching you. What is your reaction going to be if you experience a economic downfall? A death in the family? Declining health? Will you be complaining and grumbling, or will you instead be praying for strength in the Lord to bear up under difficulty? What example are you setting for those in your family or unbelievers who are watching you?
Suffering can be a blessing. It gives the opportunity to witness of the grace of God and the hope that He gives in adversity. Are you prepared to witness to the goodness of God when your situation seems impossible? Will others see the love and joy in your heart even though your circumstances may appear glum and dreary? God has a plan that He will work out for His purposes, and we may never know in our lifetime what that purpose may be.
Paul is a prime example of many hardships. Beatings, shipwrecks, persecution, distresses, sleepless nights, imprisonment, loneliness, poverty, riots, and pain. He suffered much while preaching the cross of Jesus Christ. Yet he was not discouraged. He kept running the race. In the midst of such sorrows there was also much rejoicing.
This rejoicing and glory was balanced by Paul’s thorn in the flesh. He asked three times to have this thorn removed. But God did not remove it. He was told, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
So Paul delighted in his weaknesses. (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10) “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”So how can we apply this to our own lives? We certainly have our share of sickness, trials and tribulations. The comfort God gives us will balance our afflictions and His grace will be sufficient. Of course, this is not what we are hearing from the pulpit. God’s grace is not enough so we are being sold the deception that healing and prosperity has been withheld from us because we lack faith. This destroys our walk with the Lord. How this cheers up Satan when we no longer rely on the sufficiency of God, and his abundance of grace. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
This lack of trust in the Word of God, stops the flow of comfort that we would give to others. (2 Corinthians 1:4) So we should rely on the eternal glory that outweighs all suffering.
“Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18.)
Paul is saying that the eternal glory will far exceed the sufferings of this present life, since we have the resurrection to look forward to. Not all suffering will bring glory though. Faith is required. That is why we are not to fix our eyes on the unseen. When faith is not enough we allow ourselves to stray into realms of the paranormal to satisfy our lack.
Both Joseph and Paul experienced God’s comfort in their trials. But God gives a supernatural comfort, joy and peace. Is this your experience, that every trial is abounding with consolation? Are you anticipating the glory that is promised to all believers at the return of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to suffer pain for His name? Are you willing to endure persecution for the declaration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
1 Peter 4:19
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Justin Peters was at the revival and in a wheelchair himself. Hear his account of the healings at this so-called revival, and about the people who were walking in the “sauce”.
Part One
Part Two
A man does just does not have enough faith to walk from his wheelchair. Justin also speaks about the importance of music at these gatherings and the key role it plays on the audience.
Justin who has cerebral palsy, praises God for His providence of removing him from the WOF movement, and thanks God for the gift of his disease which keeps him dependant on the Lord. What an amazing person…. this Justin Peters. Praise God for the burden he carries for the deceptions we are seeing today and for his courage to tell us about it.
False Teachers, False Teachings, & Non-Christian Cults
Not too long ago it was pretty simple to expose false teachers and non-Christian Cults, but today this task has taken a much deeper level and quite frankly it is becoming more difficult. See, non-Christian Cults such as Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Moonies, and others are for the most part known about today, but there are many within our so-called Christian Churches today that many Christians are not aware of. It is a sad thing to say this, but many of us who are a part of the body of Christ have been deceived from teachers within more so than those outside of the Church.
What is the Big Deal? There are people who simple say: “why are you judging people, who are you to point a finger, just let people be, it really does not matter what people believe as long as they believe in Jesus.” The Bible does speak of not judging another person in the sense of being like the religious Pharisees who lorded over people and were hypocrites.
(Matthew 7) Jesus in Matthew 7 and the other accounts of the same sermon in the Gospels was speaking to the crowds on the issues of how people were be looked down upon in a way of disrespect and contempt, and this we are not to do. However, looking at other places on what Jesus and the apostles taught on Biblical judgment consider the following.”He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”(John 3:18 NASB)
“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”(John 7:24 NASB)
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB)
“in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:12 NASB)
“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27 NASB)
“to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 1:15 NASB)
“12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.” (Revelation 20:12-13 NASB)
These are just a few Scriptures that speak of the issues of judgment to come and if you don’t like it, well, then you just don’t like the truth of God’s Word. The Bible warns about false teachers and prophets who claim to be of God, and it is very Biblical to be on your guard against being deceived, even from those among us.
“13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:13-15 NASB)”
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, `Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, `I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'” (Matthew 7:21-23 NASB)”
28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31 NASB) ”
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”(2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NASB)
“6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:6-9 NASB)
Be Careful of False Teachers in Sheep’s clothing. Unfortunately when it comes to exposing false teachers it is not an issue of feel good mentality but rather on the issues of concern for the body of Christ. Let it be known that it is the purpose of this information and it is important to examines things for yourself. Non Christian Cults are more obvious in certain areas where they have false teachings, but when it comes to those who are supposedly of the Christian faith it is more difficult.
Tommy Tenney is a very common teacher within Christian bookstores and among Churches. However many Christians are not aware of Tommy Tenney’s Church background and affiliation with the UPCI, commonly known as the Oneness Pentecostal movement. Oneness Pentecostals deny the doctrine of the Trinity and teach another theological spin of who God is known as Modalism.
Now according to the sources Tommy Tenney broke off from the UPCI but nothing has ever been stated on his part in rejecting the Oneness teachings on who God is and accepting the true doctrine of the Biblical Trinity. Along with that Tommy Tenney has connections with the charismatic chaos known as the Toronto Blessing movement. Tommy Tenney is Biblically teaching false things concerning the identity of God, the working of the Holy Spirit, and he endorses false teachers among the Faith Movement and Toronto Blessing. For more in depth information check out http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/ttenney.html & http://www.letusreason.org/Poptea10.htm &
Joyce Meyer? What does Joyce Meyer teach that is so bad? Is Joyce Meyer a false teacher? Is Joyce Meyer a Christian? Why should anyone be concerned? Joyce Meyers does not have all the same false teachings as those in the Faith Movement, but she does have some teachings that are the same with various Faith teachers. Examine this information for yourself and line up the Biblical gospel to the gospel that Joyce Meyer teaches, check out http://www.afcministry.com/Joyce_Meyers.htm
Bishop Thomas D. Jakes is a very popular preacher and writer. The purpose of this examination is to provide people with information concerning T. D. Jakes beliefs & teachings on the Trinity doctrine, his affiliation with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI, Oneness Pentecostals), and other issues of concern. Our intent is not to be judgmental but to be open to the truth and test all things in light of the Scriptures. The concern is, Is Bishop T. D. Jakes a true or false teacher of God, and What is the evidence? Check out http://www.afcministry.com/T_D_Jakes_Examined.htm
Kenneth Copeland is a popular faith movement teacher. Many say do not attack Kenneth Copeland. I wish to say that I am not attacking at all, but I am sharing information that is needed for the body of Christ to know concerning what Kenneth Copeland Ministries teaches concerning what took place at the cross and what Jesus went through for atonement. I ask all those who read this to be open enough to look at this carefully and decide for yourself whether or not Kenneth Copeland is true or false doctrines on the message of the cross and salvation. For more information check out http://www.afcministry.com/Kenneth_Copeland.htm
Benny Hinn is known by being on TV and his crusades around the world. Is Benny Hinn a true teacher? Is Benny Hinn a false teacher? Is Benny Hinn a false prophet? Is he a true prophet? The following will be actual statements and quotes from Benny Hinn’s teachings on what he believes concerning certain topics and you examine for yourselves whether Benny Hinn is of God or not. For more information check out http://www.afcministry.com/Benny_Hinn.htm
Do not be Deceived! False teachers hide behind things like don’t touch God’s anointed, do not judge, and it is our Biblical Christian duty to expose those who are misleading people with false teachings on who God is, the Gospel message, and the working of the Holy Spirit. Non Christian Cults such as the Mormon Church (Mormons), Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc, all have false teachings on the identity of God, the Gospel, and if you are looking for information on them visit our other sections, and we welcome your questions or comments.
I wish I knew who wrote this but i do not…….It is a very important testimony…
A testimony of a former New Ager:‘The first time that I saw gold filling in teeth was back in the late 70’s when I was a graduate student at a New Age center for healing through the occult arts. An old-time new age christian evangelist named Brother Willard Fuller came for an intensive 5 days to teach the bible and introduce the “gifts of the spirit” which he said anyone can have if they just asked. He was invited because of the particular ‘power’ he operated in. He did teach on the bible beginning in genesis and did teach about Jesus. I don’t remember much of the teaching except for the miracles that this Jesus did.
I was interested in this particular training since Jesus was my spirit guide and I wanted to know more about him. At the end of the 5 days there was a “healing service” where he layed hands on people and gold would manifest in their mouths. I didn’t get gold but my teeth became a brilliant white ( for about a week afterwards).I was amazed by this type of power although my teacher, Eva, who was a shaman / healer and trans-medium ( channeled a spirit that would fortell and speak hidden “wisdom”) could do some pretty amazing things. I hadn’t seen anything like this that so titilated my flesh. I wanted this power that was in his name- Jesus. As a result, I bought a bible and began to study it on my own to find out more about this Jesus that I could be exactly like.. and operate in the same power. At one point a crystal manifested before my eyes, floated then dropped to the ground at my feet. My teacher said that this was a gift from my “spirit guide – Jesus” and was to be kept on me always as a source of power.Through the amazing grace of God I met the real Jesus alone in my apt while studying scirpture and He saved a poor wretch like me. After 7 years of studying to be a new age healer I became a Christian with the sincere desire to follow only Him. I burned all my amulets, books tapes etc renounced and repented. The mask came off of my spirit guide to reveal a monster demon.
The first church that I decided to attend was a Word of Faith church that was appealing because the pastor’s wife was a “prophetess” and they were seeking after ”true miracles”- signs and wonder. Now I could experience the “power“ ligitimately because I was a christian and it must be from god. During my 7 years at this church, I grew in the healing arts of christianity and got ‘drunk in the spirit’ alot through the ministry of Joe Jordon. We grew in flakiness and twisting of scripture and many lives became shipwrecked. The pastors divorced and the wife started working for the psychic hotline and her sister now reads Tarot cards.Sooo after joining a vineyard church I was hesitant when our pastor insisted that we go to Toronto for “the Blessing” since I thought the whole laughing thing was off( because of Joe Jordon) but you get swept in this and think that “how could so many people be deceived’? ” I want what they are experiencing.. I don’t want to miss out on a possible move of God.. I want to see real signs and wonders, etc, etc… ” But the sin of self/idolatry and desire for “power” and to be like god (gen.3) is so strong that you are blinded. When I heard of the gold dust and fillings I had a distant check but thought well it must be God if it is coming through Christians to the church.I began to see such similarity to my training in the new age from inner healing , body healing, visualization, meditation, body sensations, disguised shamanistic rituals and beliefs, divination , etc. that I was convinced that Jesus in very soon coming back for all religions are converging into one. After getting out of the river we began to read the bible with new understanding. The Holy Spirit really started to highlight scripture and teach us with a new understanding and in context.Jesus said to His disciples when they asked in Mathew 24:3-4 ” what will be the sign of Your coming. and of the end of the age? ” Jesus’ first reply to that question was ‘take heed that no one deceives you…’ That was His first response! Wow when you think about it that was a warning to the men who knew Him well . Jesus must have known that even those who know Him well could be deceived!I know well that satan can produce signs and wonders and much of what is being produced now through the charasmatic church is from satan. This polluted river is doing a fine job preparing the minds and hearts for the coming of the anti-christ. He IS coming back soon!
I know many people who are immersed (or should I say drowning in the pursuit of signs and wonders. It is almost like drug addiction. There is a growing need for something stronger with each experience. It does create a high. But as with drug addicts and alcoholics there is a denial. People really don’t want to look at their own sin or the harm that it is causing but would rather get high instead though the experience of “being at a conference where Jesus showed up with a sign and wonder”.
I just read about a conference called “Growing in the Supernatural” sponsored by Patricia King. There are 20 people advertized who will be speaking. I know that half of them operate ( in ignorance) in shaministic practices and with spirits of divination and sorcery. I guarantee that people who attend will have a sense of euphoria and a visitation but it will not be from Almighty God.
It is a sad thing that Jesus Christ and Him crucified- the wonder of the cross and His resurrection is not enough! It takes faith to walk this narrow road. And many times it does not feel good and there is suffering. We become impatient and have heard for years the rhetoric from the false prophets about the coming revival and visitation “where people will be healed and the dead raised”. Slowly our eyes turned from Jesus and our future hope to “I want something now which will confirm all that the false prophets have been saying”. There is such a desire to “experience something.. anything will do that is supernatural”. That is why contemplative prayer which is based on eastern mystiscism has become so popular in the church.
May the Lord through His mercy and grace open the eyes of our friends understanding and lead them into the truth.
Please use my testimony any way you see fit. Maybe it will be just the bait on the fishing pole that will draw someone out of the river. I pray for the people I know and those I don’t who are caught up in deception….People are looking for a quick fix and solution to their everyday problems. Being obedient and following the Lord – abiding in scripture is not appealing. Hebrews 5:14 ” But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil”.
Throughout history our tendency is to idolatry. These leaders are idols who are worshipped and their teachings are the gospel ( of course backed up with the false signs and wonders) Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:14 to “flee from idolatry” and 10:21 “you cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons…”
I know how angry and defensive people get regarding their golden calf. The ramifications of seeing are enormous. Repentance is not popular and is almost becoming obsolete. There is nothing we can say that will open their eyes but for the work of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God…’
Gnosticism, spiritual warfare
and pride.
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I would like to pass on this article by Mary D. Valentine who wrote to Discernment-Ministries.
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A Rotten Apple
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Mary Diane Valentine, PhD
Thank you for your archived newsletters. These have been very helpful in discerning my own deceptions. Of course, I am concerned about others but I am cleaning up my own house.
In January 2003 I attended a meeting where James Goll was preaching and selling his teaching tapes. I did not know very much about him or the group he associated with. Charismatic Christian seemed okay to me. It was at this meeting I was asking God to show me discerning of spirits. This request has since led me through a maze of overlapping tunnels into the darkness of my own deceptions about some Christian teachings I had embraced. I didn’t know it at the time but that prayer would bring me into a light I hadn’t seen for many years.
As I questioned different spiritual happenings and teachings I had previously accepted, I aggravated a number of my Christian buddies, prayer partners for many years. These relationships had sustained me in times of struggle but also held me captive to false assumptions about the charismatic life. I lost a friend over the “gold dust.” She had this phenomenon and wanted me to accept this as something from the Lord. I hadn’t really known anyone who had this and at first thought it was all right. I studied the Scriptures and could not rationalize this to be God’s work even though it sounded so good. To my knowledge, she still has this manifestation although I sent her the biblical rationale for why this could not be God’s way. It’s been a cool relationship since. I aggravated a whole audience of Charisma devotees when I wrote a letter about the Narnia films and how I argued these to be from the dark side. Charisma disagreed. Well, I didn’t know those people so that wasn’t so bad. But I lost others along the way as well.
I don’t want to go over each situation of a deception revealed in this although I will mention the spirit of Jezebel. I’d heard these teachings for many years and it’s another popular latter rain thing. I don’t know exactly how it fits into their theological paradigm, but when I did a word study, I found no spirit of Jezebel, only behaviors. These are behaviors no Christian should desire and we should be observant if others are behaving like Jezebel. It came to me that as charismatics or Pentecostals, we should be careful what we call a spirit otherwise we will find ourselves in wrong teaching, what I later learned as the Gnostic Christian area. The search for the spirit of Jezebel and finding none helped me continue questioning. I had cast aside the generational curse thing and the binding and loosing formulas in prior years along with other skewed interpretations of Scripture. The process has been several years in the making.
It’s been since this last August that the veil on Gnosticism has really lifted. Yes, I had seen quite a bit and knew the spiritual harlotry I had been involved in but something else was not clear. That is how I found your site – I did a search on Google about spiritual warfare.
Before searching out the validity of warfare teachings, I was in a situation of trying to discover why things were not happening in my life. I reasoned it was because I was in warfare, that I was not getting my prayers answered. My spiritual friends prayed and agreed. We went into warfare for months with many manifestations and confirmations I might add.
Thinking can drive us into deception, but also lead us out. I had several nagging questions that kept coming to me. Why didn’t Paul or Peter have to pray this way to get things to happen? Why is it now we learn of this? Why aren’t people having victory if this really works?
When I started pursuing answers, it’s so obvious to me now. I had been living in the wrong paradigms here. These were Gnostic ones but I hadn’t understood what the Gnostic teachings were really about. I had been duped by the Gnostic paradigmatic world I was choosing to be in. Of course, I couldn’t see the difference then. I had on the Gnostic glasses and viewed the Gnostic Christian teachings as “the norm.” In communication theory this is called cognitive dissonance, meaning any information that contradicts what you already know or believe becomes discarded because you don’t want to be in dissonance or inner conflict with yourself. Because I was experiencing cognitive dissonance, I was not able to see how deep into the Gnosticism belief system I had gone. Although I was wearing a milder prescription of Gnostic glasses since I had seen some of the deceptive teachings, I hadn’t come totally away from the Gnostic Christians. When I got the revelation about the spiritual warfare teaching errors, the Gnostic glasses fell off entirely. I no longer experienced any cognitive dissonance in studying the deceptions surrounding this popular teaching on spiritual warfare. I no longer sense oppression like I did before and it’s such a relief to know I am not going to have to be under a condemnation over the warfare routine. And it is a routine, much like the formulas of the word-faith movement.
Your archived newsletters have helped me understand the subtleties in these false teachings. Although I had thought I had gotten rid of extra biblical teachings with regard to the Third Wave, Latter Rain group, I realized this was part of that whole rotten apple I had been eating. I still had the apple in hand when I believed I was to participate in the spiritual warfare regimen. I am reading through your archived newsletters. I have checked out other sources as well to confirm what I now see so clearly.
In closing, I offer these thoughts. My sense of the problems I had stemmed from two sources. One was a lack of a good foundation to rightly discern the gifts of the Spirit along with the Word of God and the other was my indomitable pride. I liked being puffed up with the idea that I was called for something very special. I had received many prophecies about my position in the Body of Christ. I like position; I was in the elite group. I like being elite; that was my pride showing off. I wanted to be spiritual and with the spiritual ones. More pride. I wanted insider knowledge on what God was doing. I wanted to be anointed and that was pride. I sure believed I could conquer any foe out there because God was on my side. And I wanted my own way with God. All this comes to my desire for power and I see that now. My weakness of pride was a pull, like the force of gravity, toward the Gnostic Christians. These teachings fed my weakness and desire to be elite, have power and be “in the know.” None of that sounds like a humble servant, nor was I.
To me, knowing the weakness of how I got there is equally important to understanding the false teachings. If I had not experienced the weakness problem, I doubt I would have taken one bite of the rotten apple – the latter rain teachings. For me, it’s been more than finding out truth but repenting of my pride and all the things involved in it. And I’m not afraid of saying that publicly.
In my diet of rotten apple teachings, I did not feed myself enough truth from the word of God. I ate lies, which fed my pride and not my soul. 1 Peter 4:14 gives me biblical authority over the false Gnostic teachings. “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” I now know I don’t have to go seeking the glory because it rests on me. That itself speaks volumes to my soul. Very simply, the appeal of the truths of God in the Scripture is much more comforting and freeing than any peel on that rotten apple.
Chicken Soup for the Soul…did you know that the author of these series of books is listed under the New Age section on the Master List from Christian Research Services?
- UPDATE – This list is no longer available .
Have you ever read the shocking book “The Secret”? Well now you can get the Christian version called “the Secret Things of God” by Dr. Henry Cloud, a psychologist. More about this later…..
Every month I regularly receive a magazine from a well-known Christian store. I am on their mailing list because I have ordered from them in the past. I have been known to absent-mindedly just toss most of the magazines I get into the trash. This time I decided to take a look.
This particular christian book store has quite a few titles and many gift items. I have purchased CD’s here also. Now this was about two years and since, my taste in books have definitely changed with discernment and research.
Magazine in hand, I decided to search for bookstore authors featuring Centering Prayer, Church Growth, Contemplative, Emergent, Labyrinth, Mysticism, and Purpose Driven systems.
Here is who I found:
Ken Blanchard
Richard Foster
Tony Jones
Keri Wyatt Kent
Sue Monk Kidd
Dan Kimball
Brennan Manning
Erwin McManus
Don Miller
Beth Moore DVD
John Ortberg
Doug Pagitt
Eugene Peterson
Leonard Sweet
Gary Thomas
Rick Warren*
Robert Webber
Lauren Winner
I only found a few authors on the New Age list online with this particular website, although the New Age authors on the Master List are blatantly New Age. On the other hand this list will have to be closely watched because contemplative prayer is but one step from metaphysics which is entering an unknown spiritual realm. One will need to constantly review this portion of the list to inform the reader of any New Age material in their possession.
Brooke Boon (Holy Yoga)
Jack Canfield (They Call Me Dad, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Christian Soul)
Here is a quote from Canfield which will explain why he is in the New Age category. “In USA, we have a Christian fundamentalist movement right now which is threatening other religions and I don’t like it. It’s a religious revival which is intolerant, it creates separation, pain, and is based on ignorance…What works for me is a combination of disciplines: I do yoga, tai chi which is a Chinese martial art and three kinds of medidationvipasana, transcendental and manta (sound) meditation…I meditate every day and I do something with my body every day: yoga or tai chi”.
Now on to the Word-of-Faith, New Apostolic Movement, Kingdom Now, Manifest Sons of God, Latter Rain, False Healing, False Prophets and False Teachers. This is a different story…..
Reinhard Bonnke
Charles Capps
Paul Yongi Cho
Kim Clement*
Kenneth Copeland
Creflo Dollar
Jesse Duplantis
Richard Foster
Francis Frangipane
Marilyn Hickey
Benny Hinn
Bill Hybels
T. D. Jakes
Rick Joyner
Joyce Meyer*
Miles Monroe*
Joel Osteen*
Rod Parsley*
Frederick K.C. Price
Dutch Sheets/Chuck Pierce
Tommy Tenney
C. Peter Wagner
*Authors found in catalog.
So these were all the authors I found being promoted on the Christian website even though they are classified as unfruitful works by the Christian Research Service.
There is another list of contemplative authors on http://lighthousetrailsresearch.com which serves to round off the list. I believe there to be many more. But this a very good start. New names are sure to be added.
Now back to the featured book on the Christian website …. “the Secret things of God” by Dr. Henry Cloud. apparently Dr. Cloud a psychologist who is interested in spiritual things, was asked to write a “Christian” version of the shocking book “The Secret”. He says “This book is not a Christian argument for or against The Secret. In fact, it sometimes agrees with and sometimes differs with it.” For the record, this book needs to be totally rejected by Christians.
Here is an excerpt telling of how he became a Christian…..
I wandered across the SMU campus and found an empty chapel. It was cold and dark, and I went down to the altar and said a simple prayer. It was something like this: “God…I don’t even know if you are there. But if you are, I need your help. If you help me, I will do anything you tell me to do. Just help me. Find me.” At that point, I knew something had changed.
No — nothing happened. No lights, no burning bush, no feelings of peace. Just empty silence. Nothing on the outside was different, but I knew that inside something had changed. I had just taken a real step of faith…and I knew that if God did not show up in some real way, my life had just gotten a lot worse. I knew that if he did not answer me, I was truly alone in the universe. All my life I’d had the good ol’ American security blanket of “There is a God out there who is nice and loves us.” But now, I had actually stepped out and asked him to do something. (Emphasis mine).
It is not my place to decide if someone is living for the Lord, but where is the repentance? To belong to Christ involves admission of sin, as we are all guilty in God’s eyes. What is telling is that 25 years later he is on an airplane and describing how he usually tells a nosy passenger that he write books about God to shut them up.
Here is a video clip (1.5 min.) of the author and his book:
*UPDATE THIS CLIP IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. *
This video was taped at a Women of Faith Conference. I was once invited to one of these events when it was being promoted in Seattle, but when I researched the speakers, I found them to be “fluffy” with little biblical content. Max Lucado was one of the main speakers and I had been warned of him as a contemplative. I declined the invitation.
Well….. all this to tell you that Christian bookstores are promoting questionable books. You cannot trust many sources these days and I always recommend reading your Bible and pray that the Lord to open His word up to you. My study group uses the NIV but I use the King James Version and go to the Blue Letter Bible all the time to verify a translation or to see it in Greek or Hebrew. http://www.blueletterbible.org/ Whenever I am in doubt I simply google the author and check the discernment sites.
The time has come that I no longer can go to the religion section in a big-name bookstore and just select something that sounds interesting. Actually the New Age section is larger than the religion section, but the worst of it lies in the fact that there is a crossover of New Age and Religion titles. I only buy books that I know tell the truth, and the truth is getting harder to come by.
Zondervan is now owned by Harper Collins, who also publishes “The Satanic Bible” and “The Joy of Gay Sex”.
Need I say more?
8/21/16. I am adding a link of an excellent article taking a close look at his teachings.
Click to access 27%20Cloud%20Changes.pdf
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