(2) The "Left Behind" Series - Book Review by Pastor Kevin Beier, Bible Believer's Baptist Church of Custer, South Dakota, Updated 2/3/2000
"These books boil down to good old-fashioned COMPROMISE! " DITC does not recommend this book series.  This review brings up some of our objections, so rather than do a seperate article, we give you this one instead.  Here is another review by a Fundamentalist Baptist.

(4) Postribulationism Vs. The Latter Rain Doctrine by Ed Tarkowski, 2000
"Rather than BEING the Manifest Sons earth-rulers, the Posttribber will be persecuted BY the Manifest Sons. As I said, the MSOGs believe in sinless perfection so that the glory of God will shine through them BEFORE Christ returns. But the Posttribulationist believes the believer is glorified by Christ WHEN He returns at the end of the Tribulation period, i.e., Daniel's 70th week. No Christian can be perfected from his sin nature until Christ raises him from the dead or changes him to be like Him when He returns after the Tribulation period because we will live in a sinful body until then. "New" revelations cannot, as the MSOGs believe, overcome this body of death before the return of Christ: (1 John 1:10 KJV) If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

(5) Authority And Responsibility by Dave Hunt, The Berean Call, April 2000
"In seeking to understand any passage in Scripture, one rule must govern: whatever the Bible declares, the Bible itself (not some outside authority) must interpret. It is from the Bible that we learn the gospel, about the church Christ
established, about discipleship and the responsibilities, authority and power He has given to His own. Therefore, it is to the Bible that we must look to understand these things and the Bible is understandable."

(6) Once Dogs Under The Table, We Should Not Boast by Ed Tarkowski, May 2000
"Some today say God is done with Israel. Others say all that Israel was promised is now in the possession of the Gentile Church. Others have applied the promises to Israel in the Old Testament to the Church, even raising up a "new" Abraham, a redefined Abrahamic Covenant, a "new" Isaac, etc. so it looks like Israel and talks like Israel, yet really usurps the place of Israel. Others make all the Gentiles of the world Jewish and do away with Israel. But Scriptures warns the Gentiles that they were made part of the olive tree and that we should not boast against Israel, yet the boasts continue through all kinds of "new" doctrines. Realizing our state before God in Jesus' time and our position in Christ now, how much more should we heed the warnings of Paul in Romans: 'Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.' (Romans 11:18-22 KJV)"

(7) A Very Close Look At "God Chasers" By Tommy Tenney by Rev. Bob Liichow, Truth Matters Newsletter, 2000
"There is a book which is sweeping through many charismatic congregations and it is also making inroads into some mainline denominations and evangelical churches too, and that book is The God Chasers by Tommy Tenney. I purchased Mr. Tenney’s book and read it in a couple of hours and I am very concerned about the content of this popular book. I am going to take great pains to make you aware of why I am troubled about this book and I fear for those who blindly swallow the concepts Mr. Tenney sets forth in his writing."

(8) Getting To Know God by Juanita Simpson, 2000
This excellent little tract was written by my mother and we still use it today in witnessing.  It explains the Gospel message from the beginning in short form.  You can download or print this online tract and use it for yourself.  It is sure to be a blessing to many people.

(9) Christian: Who Is Your Covering?  A Christian Look At The Shepherding Movement by Steve Coleman, 1981
"It should be apparent why the Shepherding Movement is in such error: it has applied to men what rightfully belongs to God. Instead of saying the Lord is the covering, it claims that shepherds are the covering. While the Bible says people can trust God for strength and guidance, the Shepherding Movement says that a man is necessary too. In short, the Shepherding Movement casts doubt on God's ability."

(10) Just Two Kinds Of Religion by Timothy Oliver, The Watchman Expositor, Vol. 15, No. 1, 1998
"There is an ever-increasing cry in the religious world today, not just for tolerance, but for unity of all people and all religions. It is often stated — almost never with any attempt to prove the assertion — that all religions are alike in their fundamental doctrines. One must suspect that the lack of any serious attempt to prove the assertion is on account of the paucity of evidence. Indeed, it seems almost impossible to find even one standard to which all will willingly adhere."

(11) Trinkets Or Truth? by Lynn Vincent, © 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 WORLD Magazine, July 1, 2000
"How bumper stickers, stuffed animals, and retail kitsch are squeezing the books out of Christian bookstores."

(12) Book Review Of The "God Chasers" By Tommy Tenney by Bill Randles, Believers In Grace Ministries, 2000 
"... Is the GODCHASERS really about the kind of hunger for God that perhaps Tozer wrote of, or Spurgeon, Wesley, Nee and the other giants of the Faith of days gone by? You be the judge. But lest there be any doubt that some other kind of hunger is at work here, consider that the last page of this Destiny Image book is an advertising page featuring the full line of GODCHASERS products, The GODCHASER hat is available for a mere $17.99 and the God chaser shirt is available in four sizes for a mere $16.99, and for those who truly want to attest to this new hunger, the GODCHASERS license plate is available for a mere $6.99!!!!! "

(13) Self Does Not Die Without Our Full Consent by A.W. Tozer, Renewed Day By Day, 1950, pg. July 11
"A good rule is this: Nothing that comes from God will minister to my pride or self-congratulation.  If I am tempted to be complacent and to feel superior because of an advanced spiritual experience, I should go at once to my knees and repent of the whole thing.  I have fallen a victim to the enemy!"

(14) Lord, Make Us Like Philadelphia by Pastor Randy Elliott, from a tape transcript dated October 18, 1992
"The Spirit today is speaking to those who will listen, but He doesn't speak to just individuals. Revelation 3:13 says, "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Are you listening, Christian? Is your church listening? The Spirit is continually striving with us, prodding us toward truth and righteousness and away from attachment to this dying world."

(15) Time To Leave The Playpen by Andrew Gould, 10/00 "When I hear the phrase “that was so unloving”, sometimes I want to scream!"

(16) Testing Music In The Church by Sandy Simpson, 10/00
"Music is a very powerful medium, perhaps even more powerful in terms of what and how much a person remembers than sermons. So it must be treated with the same kind of discernment. We need to be very much aware of the songs that are being used in the church."

(17) The Unknown Saints by A.W. Tozer, Man: The Dwelling Place Of God, pg. 95-99, (c)1966 Christian Publications
"The wise Christian will be content to wait for that day.  In the meantime, he will serve his generation in the will of God.  If he should be overlooked in the religious popularity contests he will give it but small attention.  He knows whom he is trying to please and he is willing to let the world think what it will of him.  He will not be around much longer anyway, and where he is going men will be known not by their Hooper rating but by the holiness of their character."

(18) Walking With God by Sandy Simpson, Sermon Notes, 11/00
"What would it be like if you have a friend but no contact, no walking with him?  (1) lose touch (2) lose track - lose understanding (3) no longer moving in the same direction (4) ultimately friendship grows cold - lose friendship."

(19) Rebuttal To The Defense Of The Term "Christian Hedonism" by Sandy Simpson, DITC, 1998
This is a paper about the term "Christian hedonism" which author John Piper is trying to coin in books such as "Desiring God" and "Future Grace".  Though there is no doubt good material in the books, there is a danger here.  This danger flows into the gnostic revivals out of RHEMA, Toronto and Brownsville.  I believe these books and their message will be, and in fact are being, taken the wrong way.  The term "Christian hedonism" is an oxymoron using the standard dictionary definitions of both "Christianity" and "hedonism".  To be fair, we have posted an analysis of my rebuttal by Graham.  Then, go here for my second (and final) rebuttal.  Also, check out this e-mail for confirmation of what I have been trying get John Piper to understand. Also please read A Biblical Study of the Theological Foundation of "Christian Hedonism" by Craig W. Booth, 6/02

(20) The Prayer of Jabez - A Review by Biblical Discernment Ministries, 4/01
NOTE: This is a good article.  Please be aware, however, that we do not agree with some articles on the BDM web site that lump Chrsitians like Chuck Smith and Dave Hunt in with heretics like Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland. The author of BDM needs to learn to discern between heretics and true brothers in Christ. If you need help distiguishing the essentials of the Faith, refer to our artricle called "The Five Basic Doctrines". "The real tragedy of Bruce Wilkinson's book will be the carnage created as desperate souls follow his advice and pray Jabez's prayer for a month, and yet see no change or see things getting worse around them. The book has no discussion of what to do when the prayer seems to fail (e.g., a child dies, a marriage fails, a job is lost, or healing does not come, etc.). Many of them will turn to themselves seeking the reason. Yet Wilkinson has guaranteed that the prayer will work. The clear implication is that a failed prayer equals failed faith. Wilkinson teaches a shallow "results-oriented" faith that is supposed to guarantee success, as opposed to a deep, abiding, loving relationship with our Father that will sustain us through heartaches, failure, and success."

(21) Do You Jabez? - An Examination Of Dr. Bruce Wilkinson's The Prayer Of Jabez by John Miller, Chapel 42, March 25, 2001
"Many who fail to see the promised results will turn from God thinking that Christianity is a sham.  They will question God's existence or His faithfulness because, in my opinion, the book teaches a shallow 'results-oriented' faith that is supposed to guarantee success as a opposed to a deep, abiding, loving relationship with our Father that will sustain us through heartaches, failure and success.  So that there will be people there to pick up the pieces, please pray that God will use you when the time comes.  Please don't spend the money to buy the book unless you're just curious about the depths of its error."

(22) The Prayer Of Jabez - A Review by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 4/01
"A biblical look at the newest sensation on prayer that is sweeping America and other countries."

(23) The Prayer Of Jabez & The Prayer Of James by Sandy Simpson, 5/01
"Do you want your rewards now or later?  Would you rather ask for abundance or wisdom?  Did Solomon ask for abundance or wisdom?  Would you rather lay up treasures in heaven or on earth?"

(24) More Magical "Jabez" Type Prayers - A Prayer For Every Occasion And For Everything You Want
by Sandy Simpson, 5/7/01
Tongue in cheek commentary on the Prayer Of Jabez.

(25) What Prayer Will And Will Not Do by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 5/00 
An exposition on biblical and unbiblical prayers.

(26) Is That Really You, God? Hearing the Voice of God - A Review by Loren Cunningham with his sister, Janice Rogers, Chosen Books, 1984 -  Evaluation, quotes and comments by Rev. Greg Robertson, Jakarta, Indonesia. 
"Although Robertson had decided that his YWAM experience was something from the past which must be left at the foot of the cross, he soon found that the same false doctrines and spiritual misgivings which had so
negatively affected his life through his YWAM Daze, had progressed to new levels, moved further away from
Scripture and had become a poisonous leaven for other groups and movements."

(27) The Call By Rick Joyner - A Review by Kevin Reeves, 5/01
"In my opinion, there are great problems with both of Joyner's books concerning this “vision”. He would have us accept that Jesus took him to the 3rd heaven, that he spoke face-to- face with Christ, that spirits of great Christian reformers and even people from his own time who had died spoke with him and revealed their hidden earthly lives, and that he was being guided by and having wisdom imparted to him from angels, and all this taking place in what he calls the highest level of revelation, and then he tells us in “The Call” that we have to sort through all this and decide which portions he is relating are true and which are not! When you say, "The Lord said," (as Joyner did repeatedly in both books), you are giving the weight of heaven to your testimony. But if in the next breath you deny the certainty of the revelations, you effectively dismantle your own testimony."

(28) Say a Little Prayer for Me - "The Prayer of Jabez": New Age Self-Help With Christian Trappings by Damon Linker, The Wall Street Journal, Editorial Page, Houses Of Worship Section, Friday, May 25, 2001 12:01 a.m. EDT 
"That Mr. Wilkinson and his legion of admirers apparently find nothing particularly inappropriate about treating God as a means to their worldly satisfaction teaches us something important about American Christianity today--and thus something essential about America itself." If you have trouble getting through to the link above, try this one.

(29) The 'Prayer of Jabez': The New Christian Mantra by  Bill Koenig, Koenig's International News, Update / Commentary, WorldWatchDaily, June 14, 2001 
"Unfortunately, this book is one indicator of the condition of the church today; it reflects the desire for many to share in His glory, just like Adam and Eve did 6,000 years ago. Can it be said that today, we don't want to submit to God; we want to be God?  How many copies would a book on dying-to-self, repentance, brokenness, submission, obedience, and receiving, sell in today’s market? It would be very fortunate to hit 100,000."

(30) Sons Of Zadok by Jacob Prasch, Moriel Minsitries, 6/01
"If your minister is a Zadokite -- if he is somebody who will kick the alien out, who will give the people what God says they need, who ministers to the Lord rather than to men, in whom there is no mixture in what he teaches, believes and does, who will rather rest in the Lord than strive in the flesh, who will teach people to discern, and who will take a stand in a dispute -- if that is your pastor, you stand by him. You pray for him, you support him financially, and you help him in any way you can. He may not be a perfect man, but he is a good man, and he is God’s man. You stand by him, you pray for him, you support him, you be loyal to him so long as he is loyal to the Word of God. He needs your prayers, he deserves your support, and he is entitled to your help. "

(31) All My Friends Pray The Prayer Of Jabez, And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt by The Harpazo Network, 8/01
"We are afraid that after carefully & prayerfully watching this stir that has developed.  Our conclusion is that: Jabez - by no fault of his own - has indeed brought pain & sorrow after all.  PRAYER is about RELATIONSHIP! This is what God desires from us - NOT RITUAL!  If you have already been "Jabezing" maybe your motives have been pure and sincere ... BUT you can put aside this daily ritual and still 'seize opportunities' to witness for the Lord - and despite ourselves - God takes care of His own.  We would like to urge you to instead appreciate Jabez for what he was: an honorable man in the line of Judah.  But there is another one who came out of this same genealogy who needs to be our ONLY focus and that is JESUS and He wants you to Pray from your heart - Not someone else’s! "

(32) Charismatics Use Jabez Prayer For Money, Salvation, And Healings by THE CALVARY CONTENDER, VOL. XVIII NO. 16 August 15, 2001
"It had to happen. Wilkinson's The Prayer of Jabez book is tailor made for name-it-and-claim-it, health-and-wealth charismatic charlatans."

(33) Tommy Tenney And The God Chasers by Mike R. Taylor, 3/4/01
"A person brought up in the Oneness tradition, which is blatant and utterly unapologetic about such psychological manipulation, yet still calling both his forbears and himself “Spirit-filled”, clearly accepts all such manifestations as true products of the Holy Spirit.  But unless such a person repents of all counterfeits which he has experienced or accepted, he will remain undiscerning in such matters.  His discernment will always be compromised until he stands in clear judgment against past false experiences." Read Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, & Part 4.

(34) Upgrade Your Old Hymns For The New Paradigm! by Sandy Simpson, 9/01
"Time for a rewrite of the old hymns.  In this day and age of Third Wave revival movements and Word-Faith dominion, the old hymns just aren't cutting it anymore.  Not only are they old fashioned musically, but the lyrics are, for the most part, particularly depressing. They talk of sin, death, repentanace, the cross, the blood of Jesus and a whole host of other disgusting subjects.  There are also too many lyrics in them, frankly, which takes away from the "worship" atmosphere. Repetitiveness is what we need, not dead doctrinal concepts. The old hymns are just too biblical. Give us a beat to move our feet, not concepts to move our hearts and minds!"

(35) The Prayer Of Jabez - Fadish Idolatry by Joseph Chambers, Paw Creek Ministries, 9/01
"Religious fads are the most dangerous fads of all.  Any religious leader that will lower himself to create and perpetuate a religious idea that has the potential to promote a “faddish idolatry” is in serious trouble. 
Misplaced fads of a Christian nature cannot be called anything but idolatry.  Superstitious or soulish people
have no capacity to discern between a religious fad and the true faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Fads capture these types of people and carry them along on a false journey of imaginary faith.  It is impossible to prevent these dark souls from grabbing the next dream just as soon as some guru can create it."

(36) Is Allah The Same As YHWH? by Sandy Simpson, 9/16/01
"Is the god of Islam, Allah, the same as the God of Israel and Christianity, YHWH?  Does Allah have a son?  Does YHWH have a Son?  What other teachings from the Koran show that Islam is a different religion than biblical Christianity?  Here is a side by side chart that might prove helpful in your research on this subject."

(37) The Towers Have Fallen - But We Missed The Message by David Wilkerson, World Challenge, Inc., 9/16/01
"Six weeks prior to the disaster, the Holy Spirit forewarned our pastoral staff that a calamity was coming."

(38) More Quotes From The Koran by The Kingdom Alert #130, p.1, Weekly Update, 9/01
"(These quotes) are taken from the Koran (translated by N.J. Danwood). By reading these quotes you will have a basic understanding of the Muslim religion, the wars and tension in the Middle East, and the terrorism on September 11..."

(39) GOD, PRAYER AND AMERICAN EVANGELICALISM - A review article on The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life, by Bruce H. Wilkinson by Mark Talbot, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, 2001
"It is distasteful to criticize a fellow Christian's book this thoroughly. Yet there is good reason to fear that Wilkinson's book is encouraging many to think about God and the Christian life in ways that are insufficiently biblical. May God himself keep his people from falling prey to this book's inadequate theology."

(40) The Qur'an's Jesus by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 10/01
"What does the Qur'an teach about Jesus, the Son, begotten and the father?"

(41) Which Is The Real Islam? by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 10/01
"Does the Qur'an teach peace or violence, and to whom?"

(42) Joy To The World by Dave Hunt, The Berean Call, 12/01
"Let us pray that in the wake of the September 11 attacks the world will recognize the obvious dishonesty of Islamic countries suddenly claiming they are against terrorism,
whereas, the day before, they supported and praised it. Let us pray that millions of Muslims will have their minds and hearts opened to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us pray, too, that Islamic countries will at last allow their citizens—so long held in the bondage of fear—freedom of conscience and of faith, and that many will receive Christ. And let us do our part to bring this to pass."

(43) The Church Is Losing Her Salt by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 3/02
"Looking at the newest report of the church and what is happening to Christianity."

(44) The Christian Message: Prophetic, Not Diplomatic by A.W. Tozer, Renewed Day By Day, March 7
"WE WHO WITNESS AND PROCLAIM the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world."

(45) The Fruit Of The Spirit by Sandy Simpson, 3/02
"A Bible study on the fruit of the Spirit.  I hope this will be a blessing and a challenge to all who read it!"

• Lesson 1 - Love
• Lesson 2 - Joy
• Lesson 3 - Peace
• Lesson 4 - Patience
• Lesson 5 - Kindness
• Lesson 6 - Goodness
• Lesson 7 - Faithfulness
• Lesson 8 - Gentleness
• Lesson 9 - Self-control

(76) Misquoting God’s Word - Open Season on the Bible by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason ministries, 5/3/06
We are seeing an all out attack on what is true Christian teaching.

(77) Today's Christianity: Let Us Entertain You! by Michael C. Gaudiosi, The Berean Radio Network, THE NOBLE BEREAN: Volume Eleven - July 2006
THERE’S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS! I had initially struggled to come up with a topic for this month’s newsletter, there really is a lot to talk about when it comes to the problems in mainstream Christianity today, I was not sure where I could begin! Then about two weekends ago it happened! On that Saturday I received an advertisement postcard in the mail for a church located not far from my hometown. On the front of this card was a picture of somebody’s feet with their socks being blown off, and the caption read “Church that will blow your socks off!” Of course, that captured my attention!

(78) Billy Graham's New Thinking on Salvation by Ingrid Schlueter, Slice Of Laodicea, 8/7/06
This week Newsweek online is featuring a long article on Billy Graham and his "new thinking". So why was it that Billy Graham couldn't give a biblical response when asked whether he believes that heaven will be closed to those of other religions? He says he doesn't "want to speculate about all that..."

(79) Being True to my Church by Jackie Alnor, Apostasy Alert, 9/4/06
I’m having church issues this week. As many of you know, I have attended Calvary Chapels since I was born-again back in 1981. My first Calvary was Costa Mesa and my first pastor was Chuck Smith. I still think of it as my home church since I’ve moved around this country a lot. Pastor Chuck and I would agree on all the essentials of the faith and even on many non-essentials. But, because he pastors a mega-church, I’ve never actually met him face to face. He doesn’t know me, though he knows of me, however I can finish his sentences, I’m that familiar with his teaching.  Since the late 1990s, I have had various run-ins with his son, Chuck Smith Jr., pastor of Capo Beach Calvary. Things came to a crescendo last year when Jr. took a sabbatical to a Catholic monastery and put some real new-agers in his pulpit. I reported these events to the Body of Christ and even leafleted CBC to warn the people about a particular guest speaker who has a ministry called "The Vortex." Out of my love for my fellow Calvary Chapel saints, I felt compelled in my spirit to put my neck on the chopping block to try and sound the warning to them.

(80) Beware Of ‘Christian’ Bookstores! by Paul Proctor,
NewsWithViews.com, 9/06
Want a shock? Go to your favorite Christian website, more specifically, to the page where they sell books. Type the names of known heretics and false teachers into the site's search engine; names of authors from the church growth movement, emerging church movement, Word Faith movement and even the New Age and see what pops up on the screen for sale. Brace yourself though, because you're probably going to be surprised. Believe it or not, some Christian bookstores are even selling the published works of homosexuals, pagans and occultists! But that's not all. 

(81) Non-Christian Authors, Books Continue to Haunt the Christian Bookstore Industry by Bud Press, Christian Research Service, 10/13/06
Christian Research Service (CRS) has spent years researching and providing free information to the Christian bookstore industry concerning the non-Christian content in major online Christian bookstores worldwide.

(82) In Islam's Own Words by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 10/06
A must read to be informed. Want to know what the current leaders of Islam say and plan for America, Israel and the world?  This will be added to weekly.

(83) Healing of Memories or Cleansing of the Conscience? by Bob DeWaay, Critical Issues Commentary, Issue 96, 11/06
In this article I will address the false premises of this movement, describe what the Bible teaches about sanctification and memories, describe the harm that false inner healing teachings inflict, and propose a Biblical alternative.

(84) Beware Of Christian Bookstore Hypocrisy by Paul Proctor, NewsWithViews.com, January 26, 2007
Now, there's this little pious piece from the Southern Baptist Convention's own Baptist Press, criticizing Wal-Mart for selling pro-homosexual books over the internet - informing their readers that entering words like "gay" into Wal-Mart's online bookstore search engine would reveal problematic authors and titles ... if you go to the ChristianResearchService.com website, click on the Master List, scroll down to the section subtitled, Homosexual/Lesbian/ Transgendered/Pro-gay, and enter each of the names listed there into the Southern Baptist Convention's LifeWaystores.com search engine, (select keyword: "author,") you will find numerous examples of the double-standard that continues unabated in the online Christian bookstore industry. 

(85) An Open Rebuttal to Tim Wildmon's Response to His Critics - Is the American Family Association Purposely Promoting Heresy? by Bud Press, Director, Christian Research Service, 1/25/07
Unfortunately, the revolving door of non-Christian authors and books continue to haunt AFA's bookstore. Thus, AFA's failure to monitor their own bookstores over the years is not due to their lack of knowledge. AFA has been informed over and over and over again, to the point of saturation. Consequently, if a grading system existed for online Christian bookstores, then CRS would grade AFA's Family Resource Center an "F".

(87) Can the SBC avoid the Samson Effect? by Watcher's Lamp, 1/31/07
Having fought the flood of modernism of the early 20th century, has the SBC allowed itself to fall into the hands of the alluring, charming and successful? Is the Southern Baptist Convention on the edge of the Samson Effect?

(88) Should Christian Bookstores Offer Anything From Bibles to Porn? - Paul Proctor, Biblically Speaking, NewsWithViews, 2/07
You would think that a Christian bookstore is a place where only biblically sound materials are sold. If you take the scriptures literally, like for instance: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." - 1st Thessalonians 5:22 - and in your heart, believe them to be the inspired and inerrant Word of God, then anything that contradicts it cannot legitimately be considered "Christian." But, that doesn't seem to matter anymore, does it? 

(90) Final Dissolution of CRI/Hanegraaff vs Alnor by Bill Alnor, June 20, 2007
The final tally is in from my legal team.  In court documents just filed in Orange County, California my legal team has petitioned the court for a payment of $254,302.58 from CRI and Hank Hanegraaff personally to cover my expenses in their ill-advised defamation law suit they lost against me. It also turns out that my initial article about a criminal probe against Hanegraaff and CRI was entirely accurate at the time it was written. If the court approves this amount -- and they have already ordered Hanegraaff and CRI to pay my legal bills, Hank Hanegraaff and CRI will have to *immediately* pay this amount. This is a hefty sum indeed, especially when considering that the decision to file a law suit against me was apparently made: 1.) without the full CRI board's approval  2.) in direct defiance of Scripture, being that I am a professing Christian involved in evangelical causes for  more than three decades (1 Cor. 6).

(91) The Universe According To Oprah by Mike Oppenheimer, 7/07 - Read The Universe According To Oprah Part 1 The Secret”- Making the Universe Obey YOU Part 2 & The Real secret behind the Secret Part 3.

(92) Neo-Evangelicalism Re-Packaged In A "Broadly Reformed" Parcel by Dr. Martin Erdmann, Herescope, 7/3/07
The Gospel Coalition is the current attempt of "broadly reformed' pastors and theologians to enter into a more formal relationship by establishing an institutional base called "The Gospel Coalition" to propagate their neo-Evangelical "Confessional Statement." Tim Keller and D. A. Carson personally invited a core group of like-minded pastors to form a steering committee which formulated a doctrinal and policy document entitled "The Gospel for all of Life.” It is significant that Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, has also participated in the initiative from the very start.

(93) 'Is Harry Potter the Son of God?' - Comments on Abigail BeauSeigneur's Editorial by Bud Press, Director, Christian Research Service, August 2, 2007
Abigail BeauSeigneur is convinced that J.K. Rowling is a closet Christian, and that Rowling's fictional character, Harry Potter, is an archetype of none other than Jesus Christ. But can one be a Christian and promote occultism at the same time? Is Harry Potter an archetype of Jesus Christ? Is God's word, the Bible, sufficient for the believer, and to be used as the ultimate and final authority in faith and all matters of the Christian life?

(94) Excuses: Compromise in Disguise - There is nothing humorous about playing nicer than God by Bud Press, Director, Christian Research Service, August 16, 2007
Compromise, deception, dishonesty, and hypocrisy are at an all-time high. And because Christians aren't immune to sin, it is imperative that they test and examine themselves daily to see if they are in the faith, and to see where their priorities are. If their first priority isn't Jesus Christ, then their priorities are misplaced, and repentance is in order.

(95) How To Find A Good Church by Todd Friel, Christian Worldview Network, 01/30/2007 
Looking for a good church? Join the club.  Church-shopping can be a long and painful process. To shorten your search, call the pastor of the church before you visit and ask the following questions. This might save you a lot of Sundays.

(96) Truth: The Remedy to So-Called Knowledge by Jackie Alnor, Apostasy Alert, 12/9/07
The modern world poses modern problems when it comes to understanding spiritual truth. Everyone these days are claiming special knowledge with scientific sounding verbiage that impresses the simple minded and the scholar alike. As I have shared many times, I honestly believe that professing Christians are being conditioned to believe in a faith that sounds good but is in opposition to the truth and it’s all done in the name of truth. But is all truth God’s truth? God’s Word IS Truth and that is the ONLY Truth we should set our hope upon. 

(97) “The Number One Damnable Heresy of 2007” by Michael C. Gaudiosi, The Noble Berean, Volume Twenty Seven, December 2007
SO MANY CHOICES but there can only be one who will be declared the “winner”. I had to carefully think this over, there were so many heresies spread over 2007, it was a very difficult task to choose only one for this article. But only one stood out in front. This one has it's roots in New Age theology, however it has gained more and more followers in recent years. I am speaking of the “inclusive” Gospel. This year, the “award” goes to a man who, is well known in mainstream Christianity, and at one time, had been a fire and brimstone preacher. but now with his “Inclusive Gospel/New Age” doctrine, he is doing incredible damage to the Church. This years recipient of “The Number One Damnable Heresy of 2007” goes to Carlton Pearson, pastor of New Dimensions Worship Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

(98) Selling Faith - Values and Ethics by Gary Gilley, Think On These Things, February 2008 - Volume 14, Issue 2
While it is admirable that Christians may wish to advertise for their faith on their favorite coffee-cup or golf balls, it is important that Christians realize that they are called out from society, they are not simply a subset of a society, but as strangers and foreigners living among a people unlike themselves. 

(99) Who does Oprah think she is? GOD?! by Herescope, 3/5/08
This question is not meant to be disrespectful. It is meant to illustrate a point. Most amazingly, Oprah Winfrey might be the first person to answer this question with a "yes." And, if you follow Oprah closely and participate in her new endeavors you may eventually answer this question in the affirmative also.

(100) The Secret unfolds further - The process of deceit -The Moses Code by Mike Oppenheimer, 3/7/08
The New age movement has been anticipating a transformative shift that will affect consciousness on a global level, up until now it has been coming in small introductory steps.

(101) Cheatn' Hearts by Herescope, 3/10/08
On Oprah’s first show last week with Eckhart Tolle, author of A New Earth, the first caller set the stage for a discussion of the New Spirituality of the New Age.

(102) Rethinking the New Age and Thought Reform by Russ Wise & Warren Smith, 12/5/2007
Oprah Winfrey is back with her New Age guru Marianne Williamson promoting A Course in Miracles1 on her XM Radio program Oprah and Friends beginning January 1, 2008. Another event taking place in Southern California soon afterward is Robert Schuller’s Rethink Conference to be held January 17-19, 2008. 

(103) What is Oprah Teaching About EASTER? by Herescope, 3/18/08
During this Easter week, it is important to understand what Oprah Winfrey, Marianne Williamson and Eckhart Tolle are teaching about Jesus Christ and Easter.

(104) Updated! The Great Heretical Idea: Oprah and Eckhart Do the New Age Shift by Warren Smith - Discernment Research Group, Herescope - Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4.

(105) Updated! Islamic Teachings That Prove Their Religion Is False compiled by Sandy Simpson, 4/1/08
This article presents documented proof that Mohammed was a false teacher and a false prophet ... thus the Qur'an and other Islamic holy writings by Mohammed and his followers are based are false.  More evidence that the "god" Allah they worship is a false god.  Their false religion is based on a false prophet, false scriptures and a false god.

(106) Here A "Christ," There A "Christ," Everywhere A "Christ-Christ"!  - What would Jesus think (WWJT) about "the shift" to christ-consciousness? by Pastor Larry DeBruyn, 4/4/08
Throughout this inter-advent age--the time between Jesus' Incarnation and Second Coming, or Parousia--Jesus and John warned that false prophets would arise preaching the doctrine of replacement christs (Matthew 24:5, 23-24; 1 John 2:18).

(107) Oprah And The Gospel Of Me by Paul Proctor, News With Views, 4/9/2008
In a nutshell, the New Age and its New Spirituality promises to help you find God in everyone and everything, including yourself, with or without Jesus Christ.

(108) The False Imagining of the False Christ - Colossians and the coming of the cosmic-christ by Pastor Larry DeBruyn, Herescope, 4/18/08
Concerning our relationship to all of the christ-imagining being advocated by the gurus and promoters of New Ageism and the New Spirituality, the apostle Paul warns: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8, NASB).

(109) The Oppression of Black Liberation Theology by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 5/9/08
This theology was used by Marxist regimes to take over churches in Africa and Central America. They use “Christian” terminology they promote violence to overthrow governments and populations. It especially became popular in Nicaragua in the 1980’s with the pro-sandanista dictatorship. It used Marxist strategies to be an impetus for the people to rebel where violent revolution was used. In some churches Jesus was represented as Sandinista soldier identifying with the oppressed. In this theological framework Jesus becomes a liberator of the oppressed masses which are black. This is in contrast to the word faith prosperity message preached by numerous black pastors today. Black Liberation theology describes Jesus as a poor black man who lived in oppression under “rich white people” which makes this particular view racially based, accentuating the tensions of being Black. The notion of “Blackness” is not merely a reference to skin color, but rather is a symbol of oppression that can be applied to all persons of color who have a history of oppression (except Whites, of course).” [“Wright's Black Liberation Theology” By Anthony B. Bradley assistant professor of theology at covenant theological, March 25, 2008]

(110) Apostasy Gaining Speed by Randall J. Sortino, Evergreen Freedom Foundation, 6/24/08
Only 11 out of 100 Evangelical church members believe that Jesus is the only way to eternal life.

(111) Meet the Millstones - How Child Molestation is Becoming Rampant in Apostate Evangelicalism by Dusty Peterson, 7/11/08
“Troublemaker!”  Over the years, many readers will have been called this sort of thing by fellow believers they were simply trying to protect.  For a very long time now, Christians who have been warning churches against compromising on the Bible have been branded as troublemakers.  The opposite is the case, but this truth has now been made as plain as a pikestaff.  It is those who have ignored these warnings and have allowed the world’s ways into their fellowships who have been causing the real trouble – and their own children are paying the price, because a large number of these unscriptural trends are facilitating paedophile attacks.

(112) Evangelicals and New Agers by Herescope, 8/11/08
In this new article, Cumbey links New Age leaders with evangelical leaders in ways which have heretofore have been undisclosed. Based on the groundbreaking research on the evangelical secret society called "The Family" (or "The Fellowship") made public by Jeff Sharlet in his recently released book The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, Cumbey connects the dots to the Institute of Noetic Sciences. And she adds important pieces to the perplexing puzzle of interconnections between key evangelical leaders and ranking New Agers.

(113) Greg Johnson and Robert Millet Research Page compiled by Bud Press, Christian Research Service, 8/08
Greg Johnson is a professing Christian and the founder and president of Standing Together in Lehi, Utah. Robert L. Millet is a dedicated, lifelong Mormon, a Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, and author of the book, A Different Jesus? The Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, which was endorsed by Greg Johnson.

(114) Keep the Faith and Your Faculties by Jackie Alnor, 9/21/08
When I was saved back in 1981, a co-worker warned me that Christianity could make one crazy. He said that when his wife converted, she soon became detached from reality and had to be committed to a mental asylum. He soon divorced her. "I would hate to see that happen to you," he warned. "Stay away from that stuff." 

(115) Excuses: Compromise in Disguise by Bud Press, Christian Research Service, August 16, 2007
A Christian walked into a crowded Christian bookstore. As he browsed the many shelves of books and materials, to his amazement he noticed a copy of The Book of Mormon resting on a shelf at the very back of the bookstore.

(116) Occultism in the Heartland by Carl Teichrib, Forcing Change, September 2008
The response from Christian churches was strangely absent. One of the largest, and most potent occult rituals had been set up in the Midwest Bible Belt, and the silent majority held firm to their modus operandi – silence.

(117) Handel's "Messiah" by P.C. Johnson, 1/09
MOST of us will have heard excerpts or whole performances of Handel’s Messiah at some time in our lives. Using text from the Authorized Version of the Bible, Handel set to work in 1741 to compose this magnificent oratorio obviously subject to intense divine inspiration. He completed the whole work in twenty-two days and remarked “I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the Great God Himself”. So often, when listening to this exquisite music and singing, the actual words may not always be taken in and, the story as a whole, not fully comprehended. Accordingly, all the Biblical quotations Handel used have been written down hereafter in the order Handel chose, using only authentic Authorized Version text without any comment. Handel found it necessary to slightly alter some quotations, no doubt he had good reasons. The work is divided into three parts which cover fifty three separate Recitals or Choruses, two of which, No 1. The Overture and No 13. The Pastoral Symphony are purely orchestral with no singers. Biblical references have also been given to enable the reader to look up the context of each quotation.

(118) The New Athiesm by Gary Gilley, Think On These Things, February 2009 - Volume 15, Issue 2
One of the mystifying things about the New Atheism is that its cheerleaders are eager to make converts.  We have to wonder why?  It is one thing to believe that we, and the whole universe, are products of billions of little accidents governed by the apparently omniscient but impersonal power of natural selection, but why be so enthusiastic to destroy theism and spread your own ideas devoid of God?  Could it be fear?

(119) The UK Assemblies Of God - A Different Movement With The Same Name by Philip L. Powell, Christian Witness Ministries, 1/23/08
That a spiritual plague has broken out in the Church there can be little doubt. It is everywhere. The True Church is being decimated while the false Church multiplies through Church Growth, sensational appeal to the so called supernatural and by other means. The most recent demonic expression of The Plague is manifest through Todd Bentley and his so called Florida Healing Revival, the latest disclosures about which reveal it as a conception from hell to take the “ministry” into expressions of violence.

(120) True Love - Part 1 by Dave Hunt, The Berean Call, 3/1/09
“Science falsely so called” (1 Tm 6:20) has lately decided to debunk human love under the guise of supporting it. “Science” claims to have identified a part of the brain where “lasting love” resides.

(121) Jehovah's Witness at Christian Research Service, 3/09
A page of articles on JWs and the Watchtower.

(122) Latest David Wilkerson Prophetic Prediction - Is It New? by Jacob Prasch, Moriel Ministries, 3/11/09
Moriel Ministries and Jacob Prasch have received multiple inquiries regarding the issuance of a prophetic prediction by David Wilkerson dated March 7th, 2010. The complication is that although having some additions, it is not new but reiterates one made in 1992 when he said it would be “soon” 17 years ago, and is confusing in that it urges a 30 days emergency food supply be kept on hand, but stating he has no idea of when. 

(123) Testing Music In The Church - Part 2 by Sandy Simpson, 3/18/09
For my previous article on testing music in the churches, go here.  Since the first article I wrote on testing music in the churches there have been developments in Christian music that are even more alarming. 

(124) Put Your Hand In My Side - Meditation on the Scars of Jesus by Pastor Bill Randles, Believers In Grace, 4/21/09
When after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his badly frightened, and dejected disciples, He showed them His scars. He ate fish with them, spoke to them and rolled up His sleeves and opened His robe to show them His actual scars in hands and side. One of the things this story illustrates is that Jesus truly “has come and remains in the flesh”. One of the heresies of the early church was the Docetic teaching. Docetism, from the Greek word Dokeo? def. ‘to seem’, is the teaching that Jesus only seemed to be Incarnate, He really wasn’t ‘in the flesh’...

(125) Hawaii says Aloha to Islam day by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 6/1/09 
The Hawaii Legislature makes decision to honor Islam. 

(126) The mindset of a cult leader by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 7/25/09
How to identify a true shepherd from a false shepherd.

(127) A letter to the church from a member of a cult by Mike Oppenheimer, Let Us Reason Ministries, 7/25/09
What would they say to us?

(128) Recognizing Spiritual Abuse, Deception Prevention, and more ... by Chris Lawson, Spiritual Research Network, 7/29/09
A page witha series of articles on these subjects.

(129) Christian Bookstores - Why compromise costs in the long run by Jim Fletcher, WorldNetDaily, July 26, 2009
With attendance down significantly at the Christian Booksellers' Association trade show last week, I want to examine some reasons for the decline in Christian retail – without focusing on the much bemoaned economy. Discussing the real reasons for that decline, however, can't be done in polite company. 

(130) The Influential Nature of (Eastern) Orthodoxy Endangers Christians by Richard Bennett and Stuart Quint, 8/14/09
The Orthodox Church makes a startlingly bold claim to preserve the “pure apostolic faith.” However, the light of God’s Holy Scripture exposes the core teachings of Eastern Orthodoxy as false. Eastern Orthodoxy merely preserves the tradition which men have developed within Orthodoxy, and not those things which God has explicitly revealed in His Word. Eastern Or-thodoxy in its sacramental system, its doctrine of salvation, and its understanding of Scripture falls short of God’s inerrant Word. 

(131) Would the Devil Do This? by Herescope, 8/27/09
If I were the devil, I'd be real upset at churches. I'd spend a lot of time and effort trying to destroy them. My major efforts haven't yet worked, so I'd go to work on pesky things that can be cultivated to destroy a church from within itself.

(132) Do You Fear God? by Herescope, 9/9/09
For several decades our society has brazenly displayed the slogan on T shirts to auto windows, "NO FEAR." David, in Psalm 36:1, makes it clear that this generation of sinners is not unique in their folly. "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes." Perhaps this generation is even more brazen, for they have not only "said in their hearts," they have blazoned it in bold advertisement! 

(133) Meditating Upon AA by John Lanagan, Herescope, 9/17/09
AA's 11th Step states: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. "Don't make a big deal about AA's 'prayer and meditation,'" writes pro-AA author Dick B. ... "It is nothing more than praying and studying or 'pondering' what you are reading." This is simply not so. As discussed in 'Alcoholics Anonymous and Contemplative Spirituality,' advocates of contemplative spirituality are using AA and other 12 Step groups as a launching pad for their meditative practices. Nor is AA's contemplative potential a new thing. As a treatment website notes, "AA and 12 Step Fellowship have known for years that spirituality or some form of contemplative meditation is an important part of treatment."

(134) Oprah Winfrey Promotes Pantheist Eckhart Tolle - How Biblically Illiterate America is Being Deceived by Bob DeWaay, 11/09
What sort of god needs to read a book or go to a seminar to discover his own identity? According to Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle, millions of such deities find it necessary to act on that need to awaken to their own godhood. These are human beings who lack a sense of consciousness of their divinity, and Oprah and Tolle have set out to remedy that situation.

(135) Break Forth Update: Will Christian Leaders Cause More Confusion Than Good? by Lighthouse Trails, 11/16/09
If your head is spinning, trying to keep up with the latest happenings of the leaders of the evangelical Christian church, it’s no wonder. For many, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to see clearly through the muddy waters of organized Christianity. More and more leaders, who have been considered orthodox and traditional, are ending up on speaking platforms with those from the emerging/contemplative/New Spirituality arena.

(136) Christ and Allah by Larry DeBruyn, Guarding the Flock Ministries, 11/30/09
In contrast to orthodox Christians, no Muslim would ever confess "Jesus is Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:3) and worship Him (John 20:28). Therefore Muslims, as well as Jews, do not worship the same God as Christians. We worship the Lord Jesus Christ (Phillippians 2:9-11).

(137) A Permissible Deception by Mike Oppenheimer, 1/27/10
It is 2010, what is the church like today and what to be aware of in the future. What the church has allowed has brought us to the state we are in.

(138) Are you a new ager? by Mike Oppenheimer, 1/27/10
Questions to personally ask oneself about their spiritual state.

(139) Replacement Theology by David Hocking, Hope For Today, 2/21/07
Replacement Theology is the belief that the Church of today has replaced Israel in God’s prophetic program. It teaches that God judged the Nation of Israel for their sin and disobedience in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple (Herod’s restoration project) in 70 AD, and that Israel has forfeited the right to God’s “everlasting covenant”!

(140) Approximately 100 Million American Church Members Have Very Little to No Understanding of Bible Prophecy by Bill Koenig, World Watch Daily, 3/27/10
Today there are approximately 100 million American church members who have very little to no understanding of Bible prophecy. These church members are from replacement theology churches that don't teach Bible prophecy and who look at prophetic scriptures as allegorical and not literal. Consequently, they do not understand the importance of Israel to the God of Israel or God's redemptive plan for Israel and the nations.

(141) The Victory of the Cross by Berit Kjos, 4/7/10
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Fanny Crosby, who wrote that joyful hymn, was truly blessed with an unwavering confidence in God's loving grace! Born into a humble family in 1820, she became totally blind through a medical error six weeks later. But her overwhelming lifelong response was gratefulness, not bitterness or complaints.

(142) The School of Joyful Endurance Part 1: "O Love that will not let me go"by The Shepherd's Way, 4/18/10
Over a century ago in Scotland, a blind preacher in "deep mental anguish" penned a hymn that would long outlive his own challenging life here on earth. 

(143) Who's Taking Our Liberty? by Paul Proctor, April 21, 2010
For those who are just now waking up to the reality around us, our precious liberty is under siege here in America. But, will that loss of liberty be the end of he road? If Almighty God, the giver of liberty, permits it to be taken it away, for whatever reason, how then can we or anyone else take it back? “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.” – Acts 5:39  Since we know persecution is coming and may not be avoidable, what should Christians do to prepare? Is there a divine purpose behind oppression – that what men intend for evil, God might intend for good – and isn’t the cross on which Jesus was crucified for our sin a perfect example of this?

(144) Balaam by Bill Randles, 4/28/10
Perhaps the most misunderstood story in the Bible is that of Balaam, the pagan prophet. When it is told, it is usually related as a morality story, merely a caution against greed in ministry.  The love of money indeed is part of the story - as well as the danger of false prophets and corrupt ministers. But lately I have come to realize that there is an eschatological dimension to this story that too often is unappreciated. It is amazing how current and relevant the story of Balaam really is to today’s geo-political situation. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 & Part 5.

(145) The Situation Is Grave - Are You? by Paul Proctor, NewsWithViews, May 8, 2010
My hope is that when crisis comes to America and to the world, which I believe is very near, Christians will once again embrace the duty and disposition we were called to and forego the foolishness and frivolity that has kept us from our spiritual rescue mission – recognizing with grave concern the urgency of the hour.

(146) Cultural Collapse in America – Christian Leaders Partly to Blame for Abandoning the Gospel by Lighthouse Trails, 6/16/10
The following are excerpts from last week’s interview between VCY America Ingrid Schlueter and Herescope author and researcher Sarah Leslie (used with permission). Please refer to our article “CrossTalk on WorldNetDaily Article – Challenge to Dominionist Leaders – The Gospel Should Come First! where you can also listen to the full interview.”

(147) Dr. John Piper and Unanswered Questions by Ken Silva, 6/17/10
Apprising Ministries now brings you a follow up to Questions Concerning Dr. John Piper where I told you that when Dr. Piper made the ill-advised decision to invite Leadership Network’s propped-up Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren to DG 2010 as a keynote speaker it set off a rippling effect where people, and not merely discernment ministries, have started to look a little closer at his theology, educational background, and associations; e.g. his charismatic bent, Fuller Theological Seminary, and the late Ralph Winter.

(148) Already Gone by Ken Ham, 9/6/10
In this powerful book and DVD popular author Ken Ham and consumer behavior research/analyst C. Britt Beemer combine to reveal trends that must be dealt with now . . . before we lose another generation! The trends are frightening, but Already Gone shows how to win back our families, our churches, and our world!

(149) Knowing and Loving God by The Berean Call, 10/1/10
The new theology denies us this path of victory. Its joy is selfish. To obey the first and great commandment is necessarily to deny self as Christ commanded (Mt 16:24). Nor can one deny self and at the same time love, esteem, and value self. Seeing God's love as a response to my significance and worth salvages just enough value for self to deny God's truth. Let us forget ourselves, our needs and hurts, and seek to know and love God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) because of who He is and His love and grace to us. His love will then flow through us to others, whom we will then esteem better than ourselves (Phil 2:3). Such is the path to true joy (Heb 12:2). 

(150) Is Your Denomination A Sinking Titanic? by “Nathan”, 10/1/10
Now, think for a moment. Could a Christian denomination go the way of the Titanic? Could the process of sinking be avoided? Is it possible that the captain could foresee the inevitable but do nothing to prevent it? Over the years of history, many denominations and movements that were once sailing “smoothly” went down just like the Titanic. Apparently, given time, this is what happens, and it just cannot be avoided. Why is this so? The answer is simple. Christians are humans and human behavior can be predicted.

(151) Are You A Contender Or A Pretender? by Paul Proctor, October 1, 2010
But, here in the increasingly “tolerant” western world, churches are, for the most part, being destroyed from within, leaving a different kind of casualty for Christians to grieve over. It is truly a sad thing to see and an all too common sight – one this writer has not only commented on numerous times, but also witnessed firsthand.

(152) Occult Invasion into the Churches
Date: October 01, 2010 
Host: Vic Eliason, Crosstalk America
Guest: Dave Benoit 
Listen: RealAudio | Windows Media|MP3 | Order Tape or CD
Dave Benoit has served over 30 years as an evangelist. He will be the featured speaker at a VCY America rally October 2 at 7pm at the Waukesha, Wisconsin Exposition Center. The title of his presentation is, "Disarming the Powers of Darkness Part 2: The Spirit Gate". Dave’s main message on this Crosstalk broadcast was that the church is in a state of slumber; sleeping while the “ship” is sinking as was the case with Jonah. In the meantime our nation is going through a wholesale embracing of false doctrine. From werewolves to Islam to the lies perpetrated in the media, there is a spirit behind all false doctrine. Dave covers these problems and more as he exposes the spirit of the occult invading the church and society. 

Updated! (152) Dancing With the Stars - “The Vibrant Dance of Faith and Science,” A Cosmic Two-Step by Pastor Larry DeBruyn and Sarah Leslie, 11/10/10 - Read Part 1 & Part 2
Billed as “How Science Supports Christianity and Christianity Supports Science,” on October 26-28, in Austin, Texas, Christianity Today co-sponsored a symposium called “The Vibrant Dance of Faith and Science: Empowering the Church to Transform the Culture.”[2] This gathering of evangelical luminaries underscores the concerns addressed in the previous 6-part series on Herescope, “FROM COSMOS, TO CHAOS, TO CONSCIOUSNESS.”

(153) The Second Great Evangelical Meltdown by Richard Nathan, M.A., Inheritance of the Saints, October 10, 2010
This article is the first in a series about ongoing sea changes in Evangelicalism today. The series will utilize Scripture and church history in an attempt to clarify those issues that are tending to weaken, break down, and misdirect Evangelicalism. Even though the effects are obvious, the forces behind these changes are not.  Read Part 1 & Part 2.

(154) Christ & Christmas by Dave Hunt, The Berean Call, December 1989
This twenty-year old message from Dave has not lost any of its relevance for the church today. There is still much confusion about the mission of Jesus and the kingdom of God. Many diverse movements that profess to be Christian and biblical are coming together in an attempt to help establish Christ's physical kingdom on earth prior to His return.  Since the time that Dave first penned this article, the "kingdom here and now" proponents seem to be increasing in their influence exponentially, as we have been pointing out in our series "The Temporal Delusion." Part III is scheduled for January 2011. Although Dave has, for the most part, retired from ministry, we are thankful to be able to mine the treasury of what he has written over the years and present his material to our readers on an ongoing basis. The Lord has graciously given him tremendous insights as a watchman regarding trends and issues that continue to adversely affect the church today and in the days to come.

(155) PHILIP YANCEY – “turning the grace of God into lasciviousness” Jude 4 by Cecil Andrews, 12/15/10
LTRP Note: Cecil Andrews of Take Heed wrote this article six years ago – perhaps it is more relevant today than when it was first written.

(156) The Incarnation: The lowly path of our heavenly King by Crossroad, 12/18/10
Following Him, we have nothing of lasting significance to lose, and we have everything to gain! Walking with Jesus in His lowly path -- never ceasing to demonstrate His love, yet never compromising His truths to win approval -- we enjoy a peace and joy that far surpasses all earthly thrills. Our lives will be full of challenges, but He has promised to provide all the resources we need. “My grace is sufficient for you," he assures us, "for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Hopefully, you and I will echo Paul's heartfelt response: "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

(157) Warning: Energy “Healing” and Reiki May Be Offered to You at Your Hospital by Lighthouse Trails Editors, 12/20/10
Rand says that the general public is “turning with ever-increasing interest to complementary health care, including Reiki,” and according to one study, one in every three Americans has used this type of “care.” Another survey showed that  “1.2 million adults and 161,000 children in the U.S. received one or more energy healing sessions such as Reiki.”

(158) Christian Nation? by Antoon Bosch, 12/21/10
Over the past two millennia many nations have claimed to be a “Christian nation.” The whole Roman empire became “Christian” in 312 AD, France became a “Christian nation” in 466 AD and technically England remains one to this day, since the monarch is both head of the “church” and head of the state. Germany was a “Christian nation” when it spawned Nazism. Sweden and Denmark became “Christian nations” in the 11th and 12th centuries respectively. South Africa made the same claim until 1994 when overnight it changed from “Christian” to Secular/Communist. These are but a few examples of the many nations that have claimed to be “Christian” over the last 2,000 years.

(159) Earthquakes & Destruction: The Wake-Up Call
by Paw Creek Ministries, 1/17/11
Eight thousand turtle doves fall out of the sky in Italy. Two million fish die on the beaches of the Chesapeake Bay. One hundred thousand fish die in the Arkansas River. Forty thousand velvet swimming crabs dead on England’s beaches. Hundred of tons of fish dead and dying on the shores of Brazil. Flocks of birds falling out of the sky in Wilson County, Tennessee.

(160) Good Church Choices by Sandy Simpson, 2003
This page is some recommendations on how to find a good church.  What you need to find is a church that not only has orthodox doctrinal statements but teaches, both explicitly and implicitly, in line with the core doctrines of the Faith.  These are Bible-believing Christ-centered churches that are balanced in their theology.  Be sure to test all churches before you become involved.  Here are some tips for finding a good church.

(161) Deception in Disguise by Heidi Swander, February 24, 2011
"Mormon leaders call their empire the 'Kingdom of God.'  However, their 'God' is an extraterrestrial from [the planet] Kolob, definitely not the God of the Bible; and the 'Zion' to which their spirit-brother-of-Lucifer Jesus Christ will return to reign, is Independence, My kingdom comeMissouri." So writes author and former Mormon Ed Decker in his book My Kingdom Come.

(162) Surprising List of Speakers at “Rediscovering God in America” Conference Draws Strong Concerns by Roger Oakland, Understand the Times International, 3/26/11
Are you familiar with these names: David Barton, Newt Gingrich, George Barna, Mike Huckabee? Do you know what Barna Group is? Do you know who David Barton is? What about Newt Gingrich? Do you know what role these names are playing? WHAT IS GOING ON? Looking at the list of speakers for the Rediscovering God in America reminds me of a book I once read called Who’s Who and What’s What?. Check out Barna and Barton and see for yourself their backgrounds and the things they are doing, then check out the Jesuit plan to establish the kingdom. 

(165) The Queering of America's Churches by Devvy Kidd, News With Views, 6/14/11
Shame on the churches in this country who condone that which God has called an abomination. God's laws and what he commands us to do in our lives isn't a fad. God's laws and what he commands us to do has not changed over the millenniums, only people have by cultural influences. It's easier to embrace sin than to live as our Creator has commanded. For decades, the created have mocked God by willfully accepting a bastardized version of His word all in the name of political correctness and tolerance......

(166) 'God the Father' banished by mainline denomination - United Church of Christ prefers 'to leave that more open for different expressions of the Trinity' by Bob Unruh, WND, 7/8/11
The United Church of Christ, the denomination whose Chicago pastor Jeremiah Wright blasted the United States and white people for years from the pulpit while Barack Obama sat in his pews, has decided to banish God "the Father" from its organizational documents.

(167) Offensive Music in the Church, Host: Vic Eliason, VCY America, 7/20/11
Many people appreciate the preaching of their pastor but are put-off by the music.  Are you tired of standing for long periods while the worship leader has you singing the same chorus over and over and over again?  Do you arrive late just so you don’t have to endure the pounding beat of what some churches call, “worship”?  If the music of your church isn’t in harmony with the preaching, Vic understands.  That’s why he opened the phone lines to allow listeners to call and share their experiences to see how Christians around the nation are reacting to this phenomenon.

(168) From Oprah to Oz--And Beyond by T. A. McMahon, 8/1/11
If you were asked to name America's most influential spiritual advisor for the past 25 years, what would your response be? Billy Graham? Robert Schuller? Perhaps Rick Warren or Joel Osteen? It may surprise you to learn that none of these men have been as successful numbers-wise as Oprah Winfrey! Her programs drew a daily audience as high as 12.4 million and averaged 7.4 million in 2007, diminishing only slightly when she touted Obama during the 2008 election year. Her closing program had its highest-ever rating, with 16.4 million viewers.

(169) Glenn Beck's "pure personal truth" by Marsha West, Worldview Weekend, 9/15/11
Here Glenn Beck goes again, claiming he's a Christian, this time at Restoring Courage 2011 - Jerusalem.  Glenn gets upset when anyone questions his Christianity.  That's weird because he's a Mormon who affirms the official teaching of Mormonism aka the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).  The LDS outright deny many of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.  Moreover, LDS doctrine contradicts what Scripture teaches.   So of course there are Christians who feel Beck's not a true follower of Jesus Christ -- not the Jesus of the Bible anyway.  When his "I'm a Christian" claim is held up to scrutiny Glenn gets his knickers in a knot.  At the rally he choked up with emotion and said in an accusatory tone that only Christians question his salvation. (ACT Note: Glenn Beck was on TBN last night, so now people assume he is in line with the Bible.  He is not!) Read Part 1 & Part 2.

(170) A “New” Dark Age – In Politics and in the Church by Mike Oppenheimer, 10/15/11
Christians should be more aware than other people because we have the Word; we are told what will take place in the last days (1 Tim. 3:1), and we are instructed on how to resist it. The majority of people have been dumbed-down and made lazy by our culture. In this void, the government comes to the rescue. The church has the same problem at work; people rely on big church to come to the rescue when they should be doing the work. This is because of our lack of Bible knowledge and lack of being equipped to evangelize and fulfill Jesus’ commission.

(171) Another Hijacker of Evangelicalism by Jan Markell, October 18, 2011
Jim Wallis wants to re-define evangelicalism. I find that scary and will explain why. Over the decades, it has become more and more difficult to give evangelicalism a definition as it has been morphing. But Wallis insists that he is much more conservative than his friends who make up the "religious Left" when, in reality, he is their fearless leader. He is respected by the White House and even by many evangelicals who lean Left on social issues. Do a Google search on Wallis and you'll come up with 4,500,000 hits. He's been a busy guy!

(172) God's Plan for the Clueless: A personal testimony by T.A. McMahon, The Berean Call, 11/1/11
When I speak to young Christian adults, whether they are in the workplace or in college, a message that I hope encourages them concerns God's willingness to guide their lives if that is their desire. I use His involvement in my own life throughout my 67 years as an example. The following is an abridged version of God's gracious guidance, much of it well before I came to know Him personally.

(173) Calvary Chapel Alert For Pastors and Church Leaders - Documenting the Progession of Compromise and Ecumenical Relations compiled by Spiritual Research Network, 11/4/11
The ministry of SRN has chosen to have this page remain on this website due to the increasing Ecumenical relations that a number of very well known Calvary Chapel pastors are involved in, i.e.  Rick Warren working together with Greg Laurie (and Chuck Smith) at the Harvest Crusade; and now Lt. Gen. (Ret.) William "Jerry" Boykin speaking at numerous Calvary Chapel venues / churches.

(174) 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW Top 10 Out-of-House Articles by Like-Minded Ministries, 12/30/11
Ten excellent articles on various topics.

(175) Repent, While There is Still Time by Rick Frueh, 1/19/12
I can no longer believe that many so called “evangelical” churches are even Christian. Churches by the tens of thousands, led by their pastors, have strayed so far from the New Testament directive that they are no longer Christian.

(176) Wisdom Cries out From a Sinking Ship by Pastor Bill Randles, 1/25/12
God's wisdom is always crying out to every generation, whether it be through the Scriptures, the church, or Israel, there is always a Divine witness to truth trying to get people's attention as life pushes them on to their final destination. I believe that one of the ways God's wisdom cries out to this generation is in certain current events.

(177) Would the Son of God contradict the Father? by Marsha West, February 10, 2012
Is it true that Jesus never mentioned anything about homosexuality? That He never brought it up, even once? Most of us have heard the line that in the Gospels there's no record of Jesus condemning homosexuality. There are individuals, especially from the militant homosexual rights movement, who utter this fabrication with all the raw hostility of liberals who think abortion is their God given right.

(178) Oprah Continues Forward With Her New Age Gurus by Warren Smith, Lighthouse Trails, 2/18/12
LTRP Note: This month, New Ager Gary Zukav announced that Oprah would be joining him in a Super Soul Sunday (on 2/12/12) as part of his Awakening to Spiritual Partnership Course. Oprah has been a fan of Gary Zukav’s for many years. In fact, it was she who propelled Zukav into prominence after his first appearance on the Oprah show in 1998,  after which his book on spirit guides, The Seat of the Soul, soared to the top of the New York Times Best Seller list. As Ray Yungen points out,  ”The book’s basic message is, ‘Dwell in the company of your nonphysical Teachers and guides [spirit guides]” (p. 39). Some have wondered what direction Oprah would go now that her daytime television show has ended. It is clear that she will be including the New Age/New Spirituality in her future (as she has in her past) and in the future of her millions of followers. Below we are reposting Warren Smith’s article on Oprah and New Ager Eckhart Tolle, another New Age guru who is embraced by Oprah Winfrey.

(179) Got meat? by Marsha West, 2/20/12
Christians must come to understand that God made them and He owns them. The parameters He has set for His people to live by are for their ultimate good. God makes no bones about sorcery. It's a health hazard!

(180) Crying for Our Country and the Church by Ted Kyle, 3/23/12
The question remains: How much do we, as God’s children, care? Does the already deplorable and rapidly worsening spiritual condition of our country grieve us? The answer may tell us much about our own spiritual condition!

(181) The Root of the Righteous by A.W. Tozer, The Root Of The Righteous, Chapter 1, 6/3/12
One marked difference between the faith of our fathers as conceived by the fathers and the same faith as understood and lived by their children is that the fathers were concerned with the root of the matter, while their present-day descendants seem concerned only with the fruit. ... ”The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit,” said the wise man in the Proverbs. ...

(182) Coming Soon: The Tribulation Temple by Heidi Swander, 6/6/12
"Anyone interested in end-time events has his eyes on the temple project." This statement stood out to me as I read a chapter in the updated-and-expanded edition of Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' classic book, Are We Living in the End Times?  I remember reading the first edition of this book years ago and thinking what a riveting and easy-to-read commentary it was on prophecy and current events. And now it's been updated to address all that has transpired since 9/11!

(183) Survey Reveals Increase in Number of 'Worldly Christians' at Understanding The Times, 6/9/12
An online quiz started a year ago that examines how consistently Christians are living out the teachings of Jesus Christ has found an increase in the number of believers who are "Christians in name only."

(184) Hazards Of The Occult And New Spirituality at Spiritual Research Ministries, 8/6/12
Readers should be aware that the New Age Movement, Wicca/Witchcraft, Magick, etc., is steeped in occult influences. Many of the articles within the New Age and Occult categories contain information about or descriptions of occult practices and a Biblical perspective on it. Our purpose in giving this information is not to endorse occult practises but to alert you to the physical and spiritual dangers that one faces when practising what God clearly forbids. Our desire is to help you recognize and avoid these practices so that you do not incur the hazards that many have succumbed to.. Please be aware that for those of you who are especially sensitive readers, particularly those who have had previous occult contact, you may find this material disturbing.

(185) Babylonianism at the Gates - Christians and the Encircling World of the Occult by Pastor Larry DeBruyn, 8/24/12
So, to which group do we belong? Motyer notes that in Isaiah there exists “a distinction between the secularized, politicized professing people of God and those, within that people, who turn to him in repentance and faith, who look to his word and obey it.” Are we part of a minority who serve as “signs and wonders,” or are we numbered amongst those who do not fear the Lord?

(186) How to Recognise a Good Church by Mike Lloyd, Truth Watch NZ, 8/27/12
Within the Christian community there is a wide divergence of opinion, division, and even fierce competition among the different groups. Subsequently, many believers are confused about which church is the right one to belong to and which church being closest to the truth is therefore worthy of their support. Many today who are looking for a church home have the wrong priorities. Some are drawn to a church by the size and appearance of its buildings. Others are attracted by an outstanding musical programme or by the personality, appearance and oratory skills of the pastor. Some look for a church with an order of service that appeals to their particular liking. Others are simply denominationally loyal or have friends that attend a particular church. It is vitally important for believers to know exactly what to look for in a church. It is dangerous to simply rely on feelings and to make a hasty subjective decision based on personal preferences of style and physical appearance, as so many do today. A clear and objective decision, based on Scripture, is the only successful way to assess the church fellowship a person intends making a whole-hearted commitment to.

(187) The Zohar & Kabbalistic Mysticism by Berit Kjos, 8/27/12
Below are notes and quotes, not an article. The information they contain provides valuable insights into Jonathan Cahn's mysterious theology. They may also help to explain some of the puzzles in his popular book, The Harbinger, with its guru-like ‘prophet’, so-called mysteries, and bewildering misapplication of Scripture. On the video in the box below, Cahn quotes from the Zohar [the mystical rabbinical writings behind the Kabbala] and presents his view of Golgatha [Gulgalta]. Notice in that partial transcript that the "god" who is credited with salvation, redemption, spiritual light and life is merely a place or object -- a skull or Gulgalta -- not Jesus Christ our Lord! Apparently, the rabbis behind the Zohar have borrowed from the actual Bible but twisted God's Word into their own esoteric message.

(188) The Loneliness of the Christian by A. W. Tozer From Man - The Dwelling Place of God, Chapter 39: "The Saint Must Walk Alone", 9/9/12
The loneliness of the Christian results from his walk with God in an ungodly world, a walk that must often take him away from the fellowship of good Christians as well as from that of the unregenerate world. His God-given instincts cry out for companionship with others of his kind, others who can understand his longings, his aspirations, his absorption in the love of Christ; and because within his circle of friends there are so few who share his inner experiences he is forced to walk alone. 

(189) Cult Alert: The Christian Family Fellowship by The Berean Call, 10/1/12
The Christian Family Fellowship is another non-Christian cult spreading in the already cult-saturated landscape of America. Unfortunately, the group is growing with fellowships in other states. I do not know how large the membership is but it appears to be in the thousands. This group appears to be an offshoot of The Way International, a decidedly non-Christian cult since it denies the deity of Jesus. The Christian Family Fellowship Ministry describes itself as a "studying, teaching, and fellowship ministry." It says, "Our purpose is to study and search the scriptures to understand their accuracy regarding Jesus Christ, who is 'the way, the truth, and the life.'" This sounds good on the surface. But, when you dig into the site, you discover some serious problems. The Christian Family Fellowship denies the doctrine of the Trinity.  On their website is an article written by a Rev. Jeff Rath (August 1998) titled, "The Historical background of the Trinity." In it Rev. Rath states, "The trinity originated with Babylon." He then goes on to attack the doctrine as an unbiblical teaching. He also states that "This polytheistic (believing in more than one god) trinitarianism was intertwined with Greek religion and philosophy." This is a misrepresentation of the Trinity doctrine which is decidedly not polytheistic. It is monotheistic.

(190) Sacred Cows and Stars  - The Cult of Evangelical Leadership by Herescope, 10/4/12
Sacred Leaders are a temperamental puffed up lot, you know. They require faint-hearted Sheeple to think more highly of them, preferring them. They believe that the humble should not be exalted, especially if it threatens their own popularity. And any sheep with discernment should be treated as “offscouring.” They invoke one spirit, but believe only the Elite have many gifts. “Let all men glory in Leaders” is their slogan, contrary to I Cor. 3:21. Puffed-up Priests, all of them. And the sad fact is, despite all of this, the sheep continue their faddish worship of these Sacred Cows and Stars.

(191) Self-Elevated Little Popes by A.W. Pink, 10/8/12
Biographer Iain Murray has said of evangelist and scholar A.W. Pink that “the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century.” The teachings of Pink led to an increase in expository preaching and appeals for holy living for those who have been saved by Christ. In an article entitled, “Private Judgment,” Pink warns against those ministers of the gospel who would seek to usurp the authority of Christ, imposing upon their congregations their own dictates rather than, or in addition to, the commands of Scripture. 

(192) Examining Freemasonry: The Question of Religion by Carl Teichrib, Crossroad, 10/11/12
In the midst of today's spreading war against genuine Christianity, we must stand firm in faith, ready to share God's true Word with all who will hear!

(193) Billy Graham Offers Help To Mormon Mitt Romney Then Removes Section From Website Calling Mormonism A Cult! by SoulRefuge, 10/13/12
The Washington Post reported that Evangelist Billy Graham offered his help to Mormon Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Here is an excerpt from that article from the “On Faith” section: Billy Graham offered to “do all I can to help” GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a Thursday (Oct. 11) meeting at the evangelist’s North Carolina home. Romney campaign spokesman Rick Gorka told reporters after the visit that Graham told Romney: “I’ll do all I can to help you. And you can quote me on that.” By Adelle M. Banks| Religion News Service, Published: October. Another article from a website entitled  “The New Civil Rights Movement” revealed that the Billy Graham website “scrubbed” a statement which labeled Mormonism as a cult, shortly after the meeting between Billy Graham and Mitt Romney. Evangelist Franklin Graham, the son of Billy Graham, was also present at that same meeting. Franklin Graham is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Updated! (194) The Cult of Evangelical Leadership by Herescope, 10/17/12
Sacred Leaders are a temperamental puffed up lot, you know. They require faint-hearted Sheeple to think more highly of them, preferring them. They believe that the humble should not be exalted, especially if it threatens their own popularity. And any sheep with discernment should be treated as “offscouring.” They invoke one spirit, but believe only the Elite have many gifts. “Let all men glory in Leaders” is their slogan, contrary to I Cor. 3:21. Puffed-up Priests, all of them. And the sad fact is, despite all of this, the sheep continue their faddish worship of these Sacred Cows and Stars. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4.

(195) Preparing For Perilous Times and Finding God’s Peace in the Midst of Them by David Dombrowski, 10/17/12
Over the last ten years since Lighthouse Trails began, we have been contacted by many who love the Lord and were struggling with great challenges: Some were ostracized by their churches, which had gone Purpose Driven, contemplative, or emerging; some had division in their families; some had financial concerns; and others were worried about health issues – whether their own or that of loved ones. Beyond all of this, many have expressed a sense of uncertainty or foreboding of what the future will bring: The Bible indicates that in the last days perilous times shall come.

(196) Deceptions of the Occult by Carl Teichrib, Crossroads, 10/23/12
Yes, the physical world is a marvelous wonder, filled with many transfixing and puzzling surprises. It still baffles man by its beauty and complexity. So too the non-physical universe, including mental and spiritual components, is a place of fascination. However, when dabbling and dealing with the supernatural – and the mind sciences that sometimes attempt to explain or exploit it—a mental, emotional, and spiritual minefield is encountered. And just as wandering into a physical minefield will destroy the body, so too will a spiritual minefield destroy the soul.

(197) The “gods” of Babylon by Pastor Larry DeBruyn, Guarding His Flock Ministries, 10/25/12
Enter old-age Babylonism. Yahweh addresses them: “Now, then, hear this, you sensual one, / Who dwells securely, / Who says in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me’ ” (Emphasis mine, Isaiah 47:8). And again, “Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you; / For you have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one besides me’ ” (Isaiah 47:10b). Who is this sensual and deluded one who dares to assume the divine name (i.e., “I am“) of Yahweh? Why, it’s the Babylonians! About Isaiah’s address to the Babylonians, one commentator observed, “There is even an assumption of divine supremacy in these words, when compared with the frequent use of the pronoun I, in the solemn declarations of Jehovah . . .” [3] Another notes that Babylon was, “frivolously deifying herself.” [4] Like devotees to Eastern-pantheist-mystical religion, and the Schucman-like spirituality being infused into the American consciousness by Marianne Williamson and Oprah Winfrey, the Babylonians thought they were gods. [5]

(198) The Gods Of Babylon by Larry DeBruyn, 10/29/12
Though contemporary Mormons now disavow his statement, Lorenzo Snow (1814-1901), the fifth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, once said, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” Pretending to be within the pale of Christendom, some Word of Faith teachers boldly tell their followers, “You are gods.”

(199) Franklin Graham "shocked" his site called Mormonism a cult by Stand Up For The Truth, 11/16/12
I think I am just as shocked as Franklin Graham. So to be clear, it is OK for him to call Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists, and Scientologists cult members, but Mormons? Nope. Either they are just a different flavor of orthodox Christianity, or they are somehow more deserving to be “won over to Christ” than the other cult members. Or does it depend on whom runs for the office of President of the United States?

(200) Thanksgiving Articles Links at Crossroad, 11/19/12
May our wonderful Lord fill our hearts with thanks to Him this special day!

(201) Eastern Lightning / Lightning from the East at Apologetics Index, 12/18/12
Read the four articles under this topic: 
1.Eastern Lightning / Lightning from the East
2.Eastern Lightning: Jesus Is Back, and She's Chinese
3.An Examination of the Eastern Lightning Cult
4.Eastern Lightning - research resources

(202) Testing the Genuineness of our Faith by Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: Tempests are her trainers, and bolts of lightning are her illuminators. 

(203) The "new breed" of Christian fashion by Marsha West, Renew America, 1/3/13
A couple of weeks ago, while I was surfing the net for articles to include in the Email Brigade News Report, I came across a piece entitled "Provocative Clothing Company Creates Tees to Help Christian Girls be 'Playful' for Jesus." For obvious reasons the headline grabbed my attention.  Featured in the article is a picture of an attractive young woman in a sexy pose seated on a bed wearing a tank top with the words "God knows my secrets."

(204) Texas: Curriculum Teaching Allah Is the "Almighty God" by The Berean Call, 1/5/13
Texas: Curriculum Under Fire For Teaching ‘Allah Is The Almighty God’, Calls Boston Tea Party ‘A Terrorist Organization’ [Excerpts] “In the 70 percent of Texas public schools where a private curriculum has been installed, students are learning the ‘fact’ that ‘Allah is the Almighty God,’ charge critics of a new online curriculum that already is facing condemnation for its secrecy and restrictions on oversight.

(205) Generational Sins & Blaming the Past by Martin & Deidre Bobgan, PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries, 1/12/13
Psychological counseling theories and therapies encourage individuals to look outside themselves to explain why they do what they do and why they feel the way they do. This blame game all started in the Garden of Eden and has continued throughout the centuries. The blame game gained status during the last century through Sigmund Freud and his followers, who placed the main source of adult problems back into one’s early childhood. The parents, especially the mothers, were the culprits, and of course the parents were simply passing along their own problems, which likewise had their source in their parents, going back generation after generation all the way back to Adam and Eve. Through Freud the blame game was dressed in medical garb and has now risen to great prominence in the present therapeutic culture of our psychological society.

(206) When Is Yoga, Yoga? by Roger Oakland, 1/25/13
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, students in public schools cannot be indoctrinated with any specific religious belief. Education must be religiously neutral. However, it can be documented that when children are being introduced to yoga and witchcraft in public schools, parents are told not be alarmed.

(207) Threatened Lawsuit by The Harbinger Publisher & Author by David James, 1/31/13
We have received letters threatening legal action related to the publication of my book The Harbinger: Fact or Fiction? These letters were from a lawyer with a firm which “serves as litigation counsel for Charisma Media, publisher of The Harbinger by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn and published by Charisma Media.”

(208) The Emerging Galactic Religion: Science Fiction and the Rise of Technocratic Posthumanism by Dr. Martin Erdmann, 2/28/13
Medicine is no longer restricted to healing. Biotechnology’s popular uses constitute a long list, among them weight loss, hair growth, birth control, teeth straightening, and sex selection of children.[1] Transhumanism takes human enhancement further, in morphing the vision of perfect man into a human-machine complex properly called “posthuman”. This is an effort to break every human limitation and redefine personhood. 

(209) Noted Apologist Calls Out Evangelical Leaders Who 'Undermine the Word of God' by Russ Jones, Christian Press, 3/9/13
A noted biblical apologist and expert on creationism is calling out several of his colleagues. An audience of some 300 people at the recent National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) convention in Nashville were shocked to learn of the number of evangelical leaders who don’t believe in a literal 6 days of creation narrative.

(210) Starbuck’s CEO telling Christians to take a hike (Video) at Focal Point, 3/25/13
At the annual shareholder's meeting on Wednesday, Starbucks CEO, Howard Shultz, told Christians, and all who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman for life, "we don't want your business".

(211) Hedonists and Martyrs by Anton Bosch, 3/26/13
While reviewing church history recently I was reminded of some of the things we should learn from history. But before I share those with you, I want to remind you that what normally passes for church history is the history of the apostate church (lower case “c”). The history of the true Church is not normally taught in Bible schools and seminaries except for a passing mention to the little groups of true believers that were a thorn in the side of the institutional churches.

(212) Seduction of the Hebrew Root Movement Part 1 of 2 by Jacob Prasch, 3/28/13
There are various areas in which Satan is attempting these seductions of the trend back towards the Hebrew Root.

(213) In Loving Memory: Dave Hunt 1926-2013 by The Berean Call, 4/5/13
Dave has left us a legacy of inestimable value. We are blessed to be able to see and hear and read what he has taught about the evidence for God in a breathtaking number of materials. From explaining about the history of Christianity, to exposing the deception that has crept into the church, to teaching about the prophecies that are being fulfilled even today, this humble, brilliant man will go on teaching us for a very long time. We look forward to the day when we will see him again.

(214) In Memory of Dave Hunt by Mike Oppenheimer, 4/8/13
The time goes by so quickly and what we do for the Lord will last into eternity, nothing else. To me the real heroes of the faith are those who risk their reputation, ignoring what others may think of them to rescue those caught in spiritual bondage that can cause death. To help one escape from the clutches of the enemy of our soul takes confrontation and being readily equipped to answer the objections. For this we will be eternally grateful. We are just one of the many lives Dave had touched by his faithfulness to the truth. We will remember Dave as being an exemplary example in this.

(215) Be Watchful! by Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Note: We, too, may be "hard-pressed" in the years ahead. The world is changing fast, and Christianity is increasingly mocked, banned, and despised.  History reminds us that persecution comes and goes; and now, after a long season of peace and freedom, we may again face hatred and cruelty.  But those who belong to Jesus have a place of peace and refuge.  He is our hiding place, our strength and our joy.  How blessed we are to belong to Him at such a time as now!

(216) Circling The Wagons: Pan Evangelicals Still Wield the Broken Sword of Political/Cultural Evangelism by Dr. Orrel Steinkamp, 4/16/13
In biblical cultures as well as many cultures today fishing is done with a net. If the net is mended and has no holes it will bring in a catch. May our church repair the broken nets, deliver the Gospel message, and return to biblical fishing for men.

(217)  Calvary Chapel Pastors Respond to Our Lonnie Frisbee Commentary by Roger Oakland, 4/18/13
We are grieved by the number of people who still will not think for themselves. For those who want to know the truth, please watch and listen to witnesses who were there during the days of Lonnie Frisbee and to Lonnie himself when he talks about who he was and what he believed.  Read the original commentary on Frisbee called "Another spirit or the Holy Spirit?". 

(218) UPDATED! Islamic Teachings That Prove Their Religion Is False compiled by Sandy Simpson, 4/1/08
This article presents documented proof that Mohammed was a false teacher and a false prophet ... thus the Qur'an and other Islamic holy writings by Mohammed and his followers are based are false.  More evidence that the "god" Allah they worship is a false god.  Their false religion is based on a false prophet, false scriptures and a false god.  This update includes pictures in the article.  Stay tuned for this article to be released on DVD.

(219) The 10 Things You Need to Know About Islam by Ron Rhodes, 2013
One out of every five persons on the earth is a Muslim. In the past 16 years, the number of Muslim mosques in the United States has mushroomed from 30 to over 3,000. An Islamic leader recently inaugurated a session of the United States Senate, praying in the name of Allah. Chances are that if you don't currently have Muslim friends, you soon will. To understand and communicate with them, you need to know... Are all Muslims the same? Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God? Was Muhammad really a prophet of God? Do the Quran and the Christian Bible agree? What are the major doctrines of Islam? What are the five major obligations of Muslims? How is the basis of salvation in Muslim theology? Has the Bible been corrupted, as Muslims claim? Was Jesus a mere prophet, as Muslims claim? What do Muslims say about Judgment, heaven, and hell? What are the best strategies for dialoguing with Muslims? This concise, easy-to-understand guide answers these questions and others, and also provides a powerful Christian apologetic response. This book is engineered to guide Christians through the most important information with clear explanations and solid biblical reasoning. This is a must–have resource for individuals and churches trying to discern today’s news stories.

(220) Worldview and Islam at The Berean Call, 5/2/13
Today, there are cross-cultural church planters who are making catastrophic mistakes in accommodating Islamic theology and practices in their fledgling congregations. They are intentionally incorporating Islamic practices that they do not understand. Instead of allowing the converts to move away from Islam, they are encouraging them to stay within the socio-religious community and continue to participate in the practices, which are formational for Islamic theology and worldview. While it is hoped that these converts will continue to grow in Christian nurture and practice, it is difficult to conceive how this will happen as long as they are being directed back into Islam rather than out of it.

(221) Calvary Chapel Breached by Jim Fletcher, Prophecy Matters, 5/8/13
This week, Sami Awad, a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem (and director of the Holy Land Trust), announced on Facebook that he will be speaking at several churches on the West Coast this month. The May 10th date caught my eye and leaves me dismayed: May 10 San Diego, CA. North Coast Calvary Church. 7-9 p.m.

(222) North Coast Calvary Chapel Breached Indeed! - What Will The North Coast Calvary Chapel Leaders Do? by Chris Lawson, 5/11/13
The current issue at North Coast Calvary Chapel (NCCC) in Carlsbad, California is rather bleak to say the least. The fact that yet another article had to be written exposing Calvary Chapel compromise goes to show that there is no slowing down of ecumenical compromise within the Calvary Chapel movement. There is plenty of documentation available on the Internet exposing years of Calvary Chapel compromise. Christian apologetics ministries have sought to address these things for a long time now, but shouldn't it be Calvary Chapel pastors keeping each other accountable? Of course it should be!

(223) Peter Enns Continues to Promote Heresy by Ken Ham, 5/16/13
Many of you may be familiar with Peter Enns, who is a former fellow with BioLogos, an organization dedicated to promoting a form of theistic evolution (or “evolutionary creation” as they call it). We both spoke at the same homeschool convention a few years ago. During my talk, I showed a few video clips of him, demonstrating in his own words that he doesn’t believe in a literal Adam or Eve or in a literal Fall. After we were told by conference organizers that I could critique Enns’s beliefs during the conference, we had informed them that we were considering it, and we were cleared to do so. Well, I was dropped from the next homeschool convention and Peter Enns was retained.

(224) Calvary Chapel Founder Chuck Smith Denounces North Coast Calvary Chapel Invitation of Palestinian Activist by Lighthouse Trails, 5/17/13
In a dramatic showdown last week within the Calvary Chapel movement, the leadership of the California-based association of churches rebuked an event held at North Coast Calvary Chapel that featured a presentation by Palestinian activists. Called “Hope for the Holy Land,” the seminar program aims to present the Palestinian narrative to church audiences. Observers are saying that what made the North Coast event such a flashpoint was the fact that since its inception, Calvary Chapel has been staunchly pro Israel.

(225) Shhh... It's a Secret God Told Me to Tell You! by Pastor Danny Isom, 5/19/13
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law. \(Deut. 29:29) As the Preacher has already told us, “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecc. 1:9) So why should we be surprised that yet another person has been the exclusive recipient of yet another “secret” from God and, for the first time in the history of the world, is making it known to us? For some reason, instead of writing it down in one of the original languages of the Bible and making it freely available to all like the original Prophets of old, this time around God chose to have it printed in English and sold for $16.99 ($9.00 on the Kindle). For a fee, the “prophet” will come and speak about it. False teaching disguised as “revelation” like Jonathan Cahn’s The Harbinger have been around since  handwriting was invented and such will, no doubt, persist until the Lord returns. Please do not buy it or even bother reading a friend’s copy; why should you take away time from your personal meditation in Scripture, the only true source of revelation?

(226) Muslim Cleric Invited to Pray over Fallen SEALs Damns Them to Hell During Service at The Berean Call, 5/20/13
TBC: The Muslim cleric's remarks during the memorial service were in Arabic. The families of the dead men obtained a translation of the cleric's remarks.] This is what the imam was quoting: "Not equal are the companions of the Fire and the companions of Paradise. The companions of Paradise - they are the attainers [of success]. If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought." -- Qur'an 59:20-21

(227) 20 Completely Ridiculous College Courses Being Offered At U.S. Universities by Michael Snyder, June 5th, 2013
Would you like to know what America's young people are actually learning while they are away at college?  It isn't pretty.  Yes, there are some very highly technical fields where students are being taught some very important skills, but for the most part U.S. college students are learning very little that they will actually use out in the real world when they graduate.  Some of the college courses listed below are funny, others are truly bizarre, others are just plain outrageous, but all of them are a waste of money. 

(228) The Rise of Endtime Occultism by Herescope, 6/13/13
Many evangelicals now believe that God sent Noah’s Flood to stop the Nephilim corruption of human DNA. From the plain truth of Scripture it is very evident that the “wickedness of man” was very great on the face of the earth before the Flood ... Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4.

(229) England's "Christianity-centered" Pagan Church by The Berean Call, 6/26/13
The mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion is seeking to create new forms of Anglicanism with which people of alternative beliefs should feel comfortable, according to The Telegraph.

(230) What does Islam and the Quran say about Jesus? by Matt Slick, CARM, 7/6/13
Following is a chart that lists the verses in the Quran that teach about Jesus.

(231) Exposing Christian Palestinianism - DVD by Caryl Productions, 7/11/13
A biblical perspective on the relationship between Israel, the church, and the Arab world. Some 2500 years ago, the Hebrew prophet Zechariah foretold, "Jerusalem will be a burdensome stone for all people: and, all the people of the earth shall be gathered together against it" (Zechariah:12:2-3). End time biblical prophecy is unfolding before our very eyes as the promised ingathering of a dispersed and diverse cross-section of Jews, including secular, atheist, agnostic, and Jewish believers in Jesus Christ, are returning, from all over the world, to their biblically covenanted homeland of Israel. Controversy about the existence of the nation of Israel is intensifying not only amongst the Arab world but within Christianity also. A political-religious campaign is gaining worldwide acceptance as church leaders, denominations, charities, missions, and humanitarian groups are uniting with Muslims and other world religions against Israel. Caryl Matrisciana narrates this informative three-part documentary featuring Dave Hunt and Paul Wilkinson. Each powerful program is approximately 35 minutes in length and features fast-moving, graphic footage that exposes the rising tide of apostasy gripping today's church regarding modern Israel.

(232) Christianity vs. Psychology (MP3) Host: Vic Eliason Guest: Dr. Ed Bulkley July 19, 2013
Ed Bulkley is the founding pastor of Life Fellowship in Westminster, Colorado.  He is also the President of the International Association of Biblical Counselors.  He is the author of 3 books including, “Why Christian’s Can’t Trust Psychology”, “Only God Can Heal a Wounded Heart”, and “How Big is Your God?”  He speaks extensively on Biblical counseling.  For several years he hosted, “Return to the Word” a program addressing Biblical counseling issues. Dr. Bulkley began by explaining that our world has moved away from Christ and is relying on the philosophies of this world as Paul describes in Colossians 2:8. Since people are moving away from the simple truth that God’s word is more than enough to deal with any life issue when we obey him, many adults are on anti-depressants or anti-psychotics.  Children as well are on drugs for maladies like Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  In fact, Vic noted that 90% of school shootings are linked to medications yet as Dr. Bulkley noted earlier in the discussion, drugs often anesthetize the conscience and the mind itself. Sanity comes from obeying the Lord.  Unfortunately the world has things turned around and is communicating today that religious practice can be a sign of deeper mental health issues.  Find out why that’s false and discover why God’s word is mankind’s only true solution to issues of the heart when you review this edition of Crosstalk.

(233) Why millions of Muslims are seeing apparitions of the Mother Mary at Understamd The Times, 7/24/13
Comment from Understand The Times: One of the great signs that we are in the Last Days will be when Muslims embrace false appearances of a woman believed to be the mother of Jesus that will bring about peace and unity. As mentioned in the article below this happened at Zeitun, Egypt in 1968. One of the common denominators between Roman Catholics and Muslims is their reverence for "Mary." Current problems in Egypt may well bring about another round of apparitions, or as described in biblical terms, "lying signs and wonders" that will occur in a time of great deception. 

(234) Former Archbishop Desmond Tutu Says He Would Choose Hell Over 'Homophobic' Heaven at Understand The Times, 7/31/13
Speaking recently at the United Nation's launch of its "Free & Equal" campaign to promote fair treatment of LGBT persons, former archbishop and South African anti-apartheid activist Desmond Tutu declared that the issue was so close to his heart that he "would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven" and instead choose "the other place."  The 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former head of the South African Anglican Church and South African Council of Churches made the remarks last Friday, July 26, during the press event in his home country, where same-sex marriage is legal but where views remain antagonistic toward homosexuals.

(235) When Popular Music Becomes Obscene & Immoral excerpts from How to Protect your Child from New Age and Spiritual Deception by Crossroad, 8/5/13
May God enable us to train our children and grandchildren to take a stand and reject the world's corruptions and follow His way!

(236) Updated!An Evaluation of Muslim Dreams & Visions of Isa (Jesus) by Dennis McBride, Think On These Things, June/July 2013, Volume 19, Issue 3 - Read Part 1 & Part 2
Much confusion surrounds the numerous stories coming from Islamic people concerning their dreams and visions leading to conversions. “Think on These Things” published an article by Richard Fisher in 2008 entitled “Don’t You Believe It.” The next two issues will be composed of an article written by Pastor Dennis McBride. I believe Pastor McBride has done an excellent and thorough job of analyzing these experiences in the light of Scripture. 

(237) Muslims Angry over Virtual "Third Temple" at The Berean Call, 9/6/13
A website with a simulation of a Third Temple has been met with an angry backlash from the Arab and Muslim world.

(238) America's Bible Hypocrisy: Study Shows Disconnect Between Beliefs and Behavior at Understand The Times, 9/10/13
The American Bible Society's annual "State of the Bible" study shows most Americans believe society needs the Bible, but few are finding time to read it.  A majority of people in the United States believe the Bible contains the best advice for a meaningful life, but they also don't want to take it, and are too busy to read the scriptures.

(239) Four Books That the Enemy Has Used To Corrupt Christianity by Sandy Simpson, 9/9/13
Four men changed the world into their postmodern, communist, evolutionist, materialist, Narcissistic concept of reality.  There are also four books that have corrupted Christianity worldwide. 

(240) The New Age and the World of Occultism - Exposing the Philosophy, the Lies, and the Dangers by Chris Lawson, Spiritual Research Network, 9/24/13
The New Age Movement (NAM) is based on a belief system that is essentially a Western hybridization of pantheistic and pan-en-theistic Eastern occult philosophy and practices. The New Age movement encompasses countless thousands of autonomous (and sometimes contradictory) beliefs, organizations, and events. “New Age” beliefs also incorporate practices from 19th century Western occultism including teachings from “channeled spirits” or “universal energy” [in actuality they are fallen angels which the Bible refers to a lying spirits, or, demons]. The term “New Age” is also used by many to describe organizations, teachers and teachings, which exhibit at least one or more of the following beliefs:  “(1) All is one, all reality is part of the whole; (2) Everything is God and God is everything; (3) Man is God or a part of God; (4) Man never dies, but continues to live through reincarnation; (5) Man can create his own reality and/or values through transformed consciousness or altered states of consciousness.”

(241) Chuck Smith, 86, Dies After Cancer Battle by G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Christianity Today, 10/3/13
Chuck Smith, the evangelical pastor whose outreach to hippies in the 1960s helped transform worship styles in American Christianity and fueled the rise of the Calvary Chapel movement, died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, after a battle with lung cancer. He was 86.

(242) Statement By Pastor Bill Randles Regarding The Charge That Jacob Prasch Is A Gnostic by Bill Randles, 10/4/13
I want to go on record as saying that I do not regard Jacob Prasch, our brother and gifted teacher as a gnostic. Neither do I see Midrash as anything but a biblical hermaneutical tool. ... I urge all involved to prayerfully work out any differences in the spirit of Christ with forbearance, humility and love. - Pas Bill Randles

(243) How the Mighty Have Fallen by James Jacob Prasch, 10/17/13
John MacArthur now teaches: “Those accepting the mark of the beast and worship the anti Christ can still be saved. Supported by Jimmy DeYoung, this is the exact teaching of John MacArthur on the clip below.

(244) Jesus-denial, Bible denial and other dangerous 'denialisms' of global anti-Semitism by Daniel Jonah Goldhagen, Fox News, 10/27/13
Holocaust denial is widely known and widely understood to be a form of anti-Semitism and a tool to delegitimize Israel. Anti-Semites do not want Jews to be recognized as victims because sympathy for Jews impedes spreading hatred of them. Anti-Semites also see the Holocaust as legitimizing the notion that Jews, like other peoples, need their own country with the political and military means to defend themselves. All right thinking people condemn Holocaust denial, which is not just a fringe belief but is extremely widespread especially in the Middle East, no less than they would condemn a movement that denied that American slavery existed – should anything so nutty ever come to be. Yet Holocaust denial is but one of the many kinds of widespread anti-Semitic denialisms that exist and powerfully grip peoples especially in the Middle East, but also in Europe, and even in the United States. 

(245) If I Were The Devil by Paul Harvey, 1964
If I were the Prince of Darkness I would want to engulf the whole earth in darkness. I'd have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree. So I should set about however necessary, to take over the United States.

(246) Calvary Chapel Concerns & Greg Laurie Endorses Steve Berger's 'Have Heart' (Listening to the dead?) Michael-Anthony Rene Chavez & Sergio Martinez of SAID Radio Interview Chris Lawson, reposted 11/3/13
Listen to this podcast.

(247) "Are We Fundamentalists?" by Dr. Peter Masters, 11/17/13
THERE ARE NOW TWO KINDS OF EVANGELICAL.... The old is the authentic, biblical position.  The new is far off the track, not in its basic view of salvation, but in its readiness to compromise with doctrinal error and worldly ways. The new is selling the faith for earthly respect and recognition... and churches are being ruined.

(248) The Secret of Biblical Self-Improvement by T.A. McMahon, The Berean Call, 12/2/13
The popularity of self-improvement, or self-help, books throughout the history of publishing is rather amazing. The reasons given for the wide acceptance of such books, historically, and especially in our day, are many, but they all boil down to man’s desire to improve his condition or situation, whether financially, socially, educationally, physically, psychologically, spiritually, or “all of the above.” Although the goals are improvement and the bettering of one’s circumstance, the primary method and motivation is by self and for self : how can I improve me? Read Part 1 and Part 2.

(249) Lighthouse Trails 2013 Year in Review—PART 5 – Top 7 Articles in 2013 By Out-of-House Like-Minded Writers by Lighthouse Trails, 12/28/13
The following are the Top 7 Articles By Out-of-House Like-Minded Writers that Lighthouse Trails posted in 2013. These were also used in our Lighthouse Trails Research Journal in 2013.
1) Four Men and Four Books That the Enemy Has Used To Corrupt Christianity  (Sandy Simpson – Deception in the Church)
2) Circling the Wagons (Orrel Steinkamp)
3) What would Jesus think (WWJT) about “the shift” to christ-consciousness?  (Larry DeBruyn – Guarding His Flock Ministries)
4) The Final Accommodation – The Mark . . . Revelation 14  (Bill Randles – Believers in Grace)
5) No Peace – No Messiah  (Tony Pearce – Light For the Last Days Ministry)
6) A Doctor’s Plea for His Hometown – “Why are the pulpits silent?”  (Tom Baker, M.D.)
7) “Propaganda Wins” on Israel  (Jim Fletcher)

(250) Calvary Chapel Bookstore on Jesus Calling: Hush!! It’s Controversial – We Keep it in the Back Room by Lighthouse Trails, 1/11/14
Yesterday, we verified that the Calvary Chapel store is still selling the book from the back room. A woman who is an acquaintance of Warren Smith and had heard from Warren about the “back room” copies has given us permission to relay this to our readers. She entered the store, searched for Jesus Calling in the devotional section, and when not finding it, she approached a store clerk and asked if the store was carrying Jesus Calling. The clerk told her it was being kept in a back room. The clerk then disappeared and returned a few moments later with a copy. The woman purchased the book and left (she’ll be using it for research purposes).

(251) Silken Traps at The Berean Call, 1/20/14
“Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise” (Deuteronomy:12:30)

(252) “I Am Sorry You Were Offended” and Other Insincere Apologies by C. W. Booth, 1/25/14 
When Adam took a bite from the fruit, following Eve into sin, he "apologized" to God by shifting the blame. He said something like, "Lord, this woman that You created and that You put here in this garden with me, she gave me the fruit, so I am sorry if You were offended" (see: Genesis 3:12). Sorrow and grief-driven sincere apologies always actively acknowledge that the sinner is the one making the apology. By active, I mean the sinner says, "I did this specific sin, and now I am sorry; please forgive me." Those words, "I did this" make all the difference. They say, "I actively committed this sin. I am culpable. With my own head, heart, and hands I have done this thing." By contrast, an insincere apology, a blame shifting approach, is the passive wording. It is generally characterized by the subtle implication that you are in the wrong for being the victim. "I am sorry if you were offended." Here the key words are "if" and "you were offended." Nothing is admitted by the sinner. In fact, his only sorrow is that he got caught because you took offense, and if you had not taken offense, there would be nothing for which to apologize. So it is all your fault, you easily offended person, you.

(253) A Word to Calvary Chapels (Video) by Jaocb Prasch, 1/28/14

(254) What is Now on the Horizon in a Church World Without David Wilkerson, Dave Hunt, and Chuck Smith by Jacob Prasch, 1/28/14
Collapse of the mega churches and beyond - In 2008, several months before the sub prime crisis, I publicly shared a teaching called “Everything That Can Be Shaken” which was promptly filmed and recorded in the USA ,and UK and placed in the public domain. I, of course, make no claim to being a prophet and I regard those who do make such claims concerning themselves to be are either false ones or just plain religious crackpots. I was not the only person to issue such a predictive warning and was probably not the first. I was just one voice among various others that I am now aware of (but was not at the time) who believed the Lord was warning us that a financial crash was coming that would impact the church, including major supposedly Evangelical churches.

(255) Ravi Zacharias Asks Faiths to Oppose 'Lost Morality' Together by The Berean Call, 1/29/14
TBC: Mormonism has never changed its unbiblical “gospel.” Consequently, there is no “true brotherhood and sisterhood” between Mormonism and true Bible believers. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians:6:14-15 “Shared love for the Lord Jesus Christ”? That would only be viable if the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the biblical Jesus were one and the same. No, the former is the spiritual brother of Lucifer, i.e., Satan, according to Mormon doctrine. Zacharias, rather than looking to Mormons for “moral” help, needs to obey the Scriptures: II John:1:9-10 "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed".

(256) From First to Last by Larry DeBruyn, 2/3/14
In the aftermath of reflecting upon this incident, I thought to myself, “How I felt after the checker’s apology to me must somewhat mirror how God feels about us when we apologize to Him for not giving Him first place in the line of our lives. Now I know, my experience that evening was not exactly analogous to the Lord’s feelings about us. For example, He doesn’t offend or get impatient with us. He’s longsuffering. But how often do we serve ourselves and others before before Him in the business of life? Then there comes that clarifying moment when suddenly we realize the error that we’ve ignored serving Him first. So we tell Him we’re sorry. Does His heart melt toward us as mine did toward the checkout person that evening? I believe so, for that is God’s character. All He’s looking for from us is an acknowledgement on our part that we have offended Him, and when the repentance comes, that’s it! It’s over. His heart delights in our response of admitting we erred by ignoring Him, but now desire to serve Him first and others second (Matthew 22:37-40). Toward such repentant hearts, Micah tells us that the Lord does not retain “his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy” (Micah 7:18b, KJV).

(257) Creating Straw Men from Cognitive Dissonance by Crosswise, 2/4/14
This article will address two separate yet sometimes related phenomena witnessed in various online exchanges (and elsewhere), namely the straw man fallacy and cognitive dissonance.  I’ll explain them one at a time, and then I shall illustrate how the two are at times combined.

(258) Esoteric Evolution – An Overview by Sarah H. Leslie, 2/27/14
This is an abstract of a thesis. This abstract provides an overview of evolution as a cosmological and metaphysical paradigm that seamlessly unites science with spirituality in a manner that corrupts the truth. Evolution is more than an alternative to the creation story. Evolution is not just a scientific concept; it is a spiritual worldview. This paper is not by any means complete, nor exhaustive. This is simply a broad overview of the topic of spiritual evolution, particularly its mysticism and esoteric applications to postmodern life in both the culture at large and also the church.

(259) Trends of our day - Body Piercing and Tattoos by Mike Oppenheimer, 2/27/14
This is a difficult subject to write on, and I have pondered this for a number of years. But I have found it to be necessary to write on it now because of what is taking place. I have noticed people having more and more tattoos. It has become very “in,” to have body Piercing and Tattoos.  The popularity of Tattoo and body piercing has increased tremendously. A 2006 survey taken by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology an estimated 36% of Americans aged 18-29 now have tattoos.  A Harris Interactive poll conducted in January 2008 concluded that 14% of all adults in the United States have a tattoo, with the highest incidence (25%) found among gays, lesbians and bisexuals. This article I would like to address both of these subjects, starting with body piercing. 

(260) Why is the Millennial Generation Not Receptive to the Christian Faith? by Gary F. Zeolla, 3/2/14
The Christian Church has a lot of work to do to become relevant to the Millennial Generation. But it can be done. Deviating from the Bible's teachings to accommodate the modern world's viewpoints is one path, but I think it would be a misguided one. A watered down Christianity is no Christianity at all. Christians need to remain faithful to the Bible and all of its teachings. But we need to be prepared to reach out to those with contrary views with knowledge and compassion, not in a judgmental or self-righteous way. As Peter put it, "But sanctify [the] Lord God in your* hearts, and always [be] prepared with a defense to every[one] asking you* an account concerning the hope [or, confident expectation] in you*, with gentleness [or, considerateness] and respect" (1Peter 3:15)

(261) A culture of counterfeit Christians by Marsha West, 3/3/14
Have you ever run over a dead skunk in the road? I have, during a heat wave. The smell got into my tires and permeated our garage for days! I'll go out on a limb and say that no one takes pleasure in the highly offensive smell of skunk spray, dead or alive. My point in telling you this is that to God the stench of sin is much worse than skunk. For an example of just how much the Lord hates sin, grab a cup of coffee and read First and Second Kings.

(262) My Church Journey- 30 Years of Lies at Truth Watch NZ, 3/21/14
As our name suggests Truth Watch recognises a cardinal truth: Christians must at all times adhere to and follow what is biblically and therefore theologically true. This chronicle of one Christian’s experience in the contemporary Church underlines our assertion that the western Church has slipped away from the truth in all sorts of areas. The experience outlined here describes what happens when a person stands up for biblical inerrancy and truth in today’s Church. At first they are tolerated with some measure of grace. Over time that grace turns into disdain and then outright hostility and ostracism. The love for truth and one’s brother in Christ soon gives way to intolerance and graceless-ness. Anyone blessed with the gift of discernment, prophecy and a love for responsible biblical exegesis in todays ‘consumer church’ is not welcome – see our article on ‘therapeutic Christians’.

(263) A Frank Exposure Of Freemasonry at Spiritual Research Network, March 2014 Newsletter
A philanthropic organization? A "syncretistic" Interfaith spirituality? A brotherhood based on esoteric ceremonies, Secretism and occult oaths? Indeed, Freemasonry is all these things and much more, and their influence is most likely in your very own community!

(264) Church Of Wells by Matt Slick, CARM, 4/6/14
The Church of Wells has been under a great deal of scrutiny nationally, even though it is a very small church in a very small town located in Wells, Texas, a city of fewer than 800 people.1  The Church is very tight nit, and exclusivistic. This makes sense since they teach that they are the only true church. Usually, when this kind of belief is held other beliefs are adopted such as 1) us against them, 2) a sense of being persecuted for their faith, 3) isolation, etc.  These kinds of things are apparently in the group. But these do not automatically make them a cult. Instead, we must be careful not to make harsh and quick judgments based on one or two points. Instead, it is the overall behavior of how the church (and its doctrinal teachings) that define a cult.

(265) The Church in Crisis! – Liberty University Hires Open Homosexual Advocate to Choreograph ‘Mary Poppins’ Production by Heather Clark, 4/10/14
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Liberty University, which is considered the world’s largest Christian university and whose motto is ‘training champions for Christ,’ has hired an open homosexual advocate to choreograph its upcoming Broadway-style presentation of Mary Poppins.

(266) Deception: Christian Publisher Sells Soul for Mammon by The Berean Call, 4/18/14
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group is planning to release, through its liberal sister imprint Convergent Books, a manuscript paradoxically titled God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships.

(267) Liberty University fines students for not listening to cultist Glenn Beck by Pajama Pages, 4/30/14
Liberty University invited Mormon Glenn Beck to preach to its students at its compulsory convocation last week, handing out $10 fines to residential students who didn’t have a suitable excuse for not attending. The Beck sermon continues a worrying trend that signals Liberty’s rapid retreat from Christian orthodoxy to an unapologetic embrace of false religions and heretics, starting with self-proclaimed messiah Rev. Moon in the 1990s, to Benny Hinn and the Mormon church today. Though it still markets itself as a Christian university, its definition as to what passes as Christian is not one shared by most of the churches that send their young people there for an education.

(268) Bill Gothard Resigns from Institute in Basic Life Principles Under Allegations of Sexual Abuse (And How to Spot the Signs of a Sexual Predator)by Lighthouse Trails, 5/13/14
On March 7th, Bill Gothard, the founder and president of the Institute in Basic Life Principles resigned from his position in the organization after allegations from over thirty women were made public that Gothard sexually harassed, and in one case out right sexually abused, these women while they were teens or young women. 

(269) Pat Robertson: After the asteroid hit the earth and wiped out the dinosaurs…by My Word Like Fire, 5/15/14
Pat Robertson believes that “after the asteroid hit and wiped out the dinosaurs” … “there was a particular human being that God touched and that was the human that started the race that we are now part of…” Here is the full quote: “…there was a point of time after the earth was created after these things were done, after the universe was formed, after the asteroid hit the earth and wiped out the dinosaurs, after all that, there was a point in time where there was a particular human being that God touched and that was the human that started the race that we are now part of and I think prior to that who knows what was here.” (start at 2:12 in video) “You’d have to be deaf, dumb, and blind to think that this earth that we live in only has 6000 years of existence. It just doesn’t.” (at 41 second mark in video) Ken Ham responded to Pat Robertson here: READ

(270) The End of Evangelical Support for Israel? The Jewish State’s International Standing at Lighthouse Trails, 5/29/14
We have posted the article below to show that a paradigm shift is taking place within evangelical Christianity that will result in further apostasy among proclaiming Christians. When you couple the move toward anti-Israelism within the evangelical church with the flood of homosexual acceptance,  the overwhelming embracing of mysticism (i.e.,  contemplative) and welcoming of Catholicism, and a growing hostility toward biblical Christians, it becomes plain to see that the stage is being set to form a one-world harlot “church” of which the Bible speaks.

(271) World Vision Crys “Reform” – But What About Israel and the Emerging Church – The Story Behind the Story at Lighthouse Trails, 6/28/14
So while World Vision is crying “reform” right now, and most likely this will be the story that the media, both secular and Christian, will pick up and run with, the real story behind the scene is that World Vision is part of the “new” spirituality/New Age “Christianity” that will help usher in the greatest deception this world has ever seen. And countless Christians’ tax-deductible dollars will help finance it.

(272) Christ at the Checkpoint: The Dangers of Deception at The Berean Call, 6/30/14
As for Fulfillment Theology it teaches that all the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant are fulfilled in the person and ministry of Jesus. For those subscribing to this nonsense, this includes the promise to Israel of the land of Canaan. The subsequent result of this teaching is that once again Israel’s present day restoration enjoys no biblical significance and that those, like Christian Zionists, who do happen to see biblical significance in Israel’s rebirth as a nation are deluded, in error and constitute an obstacle to peace.

(273) Kay Arthur With Erroneous Contemplative Interpretation Of Psalm 46:10 by Ken Silva, 7/8/14
It’s important for you to understand that Kay Arthur is firmly within the ostensibly conservative evangelical camp. However, phrases like learning “The Art of Being Still” sound like something we’d hear from gurus of CSM we first encountered in the postmodern liberal cult of the Emergent Church, now openly operating within evangelicalism through its foolish embrace of the Emerging Church. From all of this by Kay Arthur’s PMI, we can see she’s appealing to — Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), which is a classic verse misappropriated by instructors of CSM.

(274) California Church Disaffiliates With the Calvary Chapel Movement Over Heretical Connections by Lighthouse Trails, 7/9/14
LTRP Note: As many of you know, Roger Oakland, of Understand the Times, International, and Chris Lawson, of Spiritual Research Network, are former Calvary Chapel pastors/teachers, who both left the movement when their warnings about the infiltration of serious false teachings fell on deaf ears for several years and when they felt they could no longer, in good conscience, remain associated with the movement. Last week, Lighthouse Trails was informed of another Calvary Chapel pastor, Steve Shively of Refuge Church in Atascadero, California, who has made the decision (along with his church elders) to disaffiliate from the Calvary Chapel movement. The following letter was sent to the Calvary Chapel Association on June 29th, 2014. We are posting it with permission.

(275) Roman Catholic Bishop Prays at Franklin Graham's Event by Galatians 4, 8/21/14
Franklin Graham is following in his Catholic church loving father's footsteps. The bishop's name is David Zubik.

(276) Christian Musician Gungor Says Jesus Could Have Been Wrong About Creation Story or Lied About It; Calls Genesis 1 a 'Poem' by Christian Post, 9/3/14
Award-winning Christian musician Michael Gungor of the musical collective Gungor, who recently rattled the Christian world when he argued that the Bible should not be read literally, took his arguments a little further last month when he said Jesus could have been wrong about the creation story, or might have lied about it to fit in with popular culture.

(277) How old is human DNA? at The Berean Call, 9/5/14
Human mitochondrial DNA mutates at a known rate. Based on this known rate, the human genome is very young – much younger than evolutionary theory says it should be. It is only thousands of years old.

(278) The latest threat to Evangelical support for Israel at the Berean Call, 9/6/14
Targeting young Evangelicals at top Christian universities has also been an extremely effective tool in the hands of those seeking to erode Evangelical support for Israel.  Read Part 1 & Part 2.

(279) Gaza - The End Of Israel? by Al Dagar, Media Spotlight, Vol. 34-1, 9/10/14
THE FIRESTORM THAT is Gaza continues to blaze out of control. In spite of the best efforts of politicians outside the  conflict  zone  known  as  Palestine,  peace  is  not  a viable option for either side despite the cease fires. The mass media fan the flames with biased reporting that champions the cause of either Israel or the Palestinian people (far more often the Palestinians), while the average world citizen remains ignorant of the true spiritual cause of the warfare that will never abate until either Israel is driven into the Mediterranean Sea as promised by her Islamic enemies, or the Lord returns to deliver the nation as He has promised in His Word.

(280) Blood Moons For The Second Time Proven To Be A Baseless Hoax - The Boy Cries Wolf Yet Again by James Jacob Prasch. 10/12/14
I happened to be in Israel for Sukkoth, the second of the supposedly festal Blood Moons concocted  by Mark Blitz, whom given his abysmal track record - many now can only consider to be a religious con artist out to sell books about the 'Blood Moon'  hoax that he invented.

(281) Be Watchful! by Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)
“We die daily,” said the apostle. This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. [Most of us are not yet] called to pass through the same fearful persecutions. But if we were, the Lord would give us grace to bear the test. The tests of Christian life, at the present moment, though outwardly not so terrible, are yet more likely to overcome us than even those of the fiery age. 

(282) "Addressing the 'Positive Gospel' of the Metaphysical Movement" (an article from the Christian Research Journal, Fall 1988, page 7) by Dean C. Halverson.
Before we can accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we must first acknowledge our need to be saved. When we do so, we are saying that we have become aware of our enslaving sinful nature, of the alienation that our sin has caused in our relationship with God, of God's impending wrath on that sin, and of our total inability to save ourselves. Try telling someone in the Metaphysical movement (Religious Science, Unity, "A Course in Miracles," etc.) about the wages of sin, though, and they will look at you as though you are an anachronism -- a throwback to a less-enlightened age. The ideas of an enslaving sinful nature, of being alienated from God, and of God's wrath are, to them, extremely offensive. 

(283) My brother's succession plan for Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (Video)by Paul Smith, 10/20/14
As Pastor Chuck Smith's brother I wanted to share with you some of the events that occurred and I personally witnessed. Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement.

(284) Rowan Williams: How Buddhism Helps Me Pray [Excerpts] at The Berean Call, 10/27/14
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams has disclosed that he spends up to 40 minutes a day squatting and repeating an Eastern Orthodox prayer while performing breathing exercises as part of a routine influenced by Buddhism.

(286) Mark Driscoll Kicked Out Of His Own Organization by Sandy Simpson, 8/18/14
Driscoll was kicked out of the Acts 29 Network church planting group, his own organization, for his “ungodly behavior”.  “Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll has been removed from a church-planting network of more than 500 churches he helped found after a pattern of “ungodly and disqualifying behavior.” (Religion News Service, by Sarah Pulliam Balley, Huffington Post, 8/9/14)  His behavior is not the only problem with this guy.  Check out his false teachings and behavior over the years.

(287) Seattle megachurch dissolves after founder Mark Driscoll resigns at Understand The Times, 11/3/14
Two weeks after lead Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll resigned amid questions about his leadership, the Seattle megachurch he founded announced Friday it was dissolving its network of branches across four states. The church said on its website that the best future for its branches would be for them to becoming "autonomous self-governed entities." "This means that each of our locations has an opportunity to become a new church, rooted in the best of what Mars Hill has been in the past, and independently led and run by its own local elder teams," Pastor Dave Bruskas wrote on the church's website. The existing Mars Hill Church organization will be dissolved. The megachurch's controversial founder resigned as elder and lead pastor on Oct. 14, following an investigation into formal charges brought against him.

(288) Calvary Chapel Alert For Pastors and Church Leaders - Documenting the Progression of Compromise and Ecumenical Relations by Chris Lawson, 11/5/14
The previous introductory statement that was posted here was rewritten for publication as an article. There are numerous sources online now that are reporting on the imbalanced Calvary Chapel leadership issues as well as the growing ecumenical compromises. Many Calvary Chapel pastors as well as the Calvary Chapel Association Leadership Council (formerly CCOF Ministry, Inc.) are aware of many of the growing problems, but little is being done to publicly expose and correct them.

(289) Christians Losing Everything to Islam? at the Berean Call, 11/27/14
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ ” ( Philippians 3:8). When Paul wrote the above in his letter to the Christians of Philippi, he and the early church were being persecuted (Paul was eventually executed in Rome).  While today’s Western Christians still quote his words in the context of their daily struggles, an increasing number of Christians around the world, especially the Muslim world, are still literally losing absolutely everything for their faith.  (ACT Note: Be preparded, for the story of this Christian will become all too common when Islam takes over the world.)

(299) Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa's Chapel Store Compromised Again - Wanderlust Productions' HOLY GHOST film documentary pulled two days after it makes it onto the Chapel Store 'New Arrivals' shelf by Chris Lawson, November 5, 2014
Praise the Lord!  Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa's Chapel Store did the right thing - they pulled the Wanderlust Productions HOLY GHOST film documentary from the bookstore shelf, and they are no longer selling it. How do I know? I just got off the telephone (Wednesday, November 5, 2014, 11:51AM) with a Chapel Store employee. The Chapel Store employee kindly informed me that the movie was recently removed, two days after it was put on the shelf. Apparently the church overseers dealt with this one quickly, which is good! I appreciate the fact that the Chapel Store employee talked to me about this, and I am happy to see that a couple people have proactively dealt with this issue at Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa. Although the movie was pulled from the bookstore shelf, one wonders how and why it got there in the first place. Perhaps it was just a simple oversight. Or, perhaps it was just another blatant compromise. This not the first occurrence of this sort of thing happening at the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Chapel Store. Related articles can be found on the Internet, other documentation can be found at the bottom of this article, and I wrote about this sort of compromise in numerous Calvary Chapel's back in May of 2014. See my article here, Calvary Chapel Bookstores - Beyond Accountability?

(300) Self: Mankind's Number One Problem by T.A. McMahon, 3/4/15
Views about “self” today are confusing at least. The world has a number of them. All teach the importance of one’s having a positive regard for one’s self. The Bible, on the other hand, has nothing good to say about self. Nevertheless, the church, particularly in the last one hundred years, has increasingly reflected what the world preaches rather than what the Scriptures teach. As Dave Hunt reminds us, “Although we cannot define self any more than we can define soul or being or beauty, we can clearly see where self was first manifested, how it happened, and the eternal result. We can also see that self not only defines one person as distinct from all others, but it also defines man as distinct from God. What the Bible seems to mean by self is man cut off from God, acting and possessing independently” (Hunt, Beyond Seduction [Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers] 153).

(301) Spiritual Warfare Part 6 - The Misguided Aims of the Counterfeit "Church" by Berit Kjos - January, 2012
Almost two millennia ago, Jesus called His Church to follow Him, treasure His Word and spread His gospel. Countless thousands did. By faith, they faced torture and persecution, hatred and death. Yet they rejoiced, for they knew they were sharing the life and suffering of Jesus!  His eternal Kingdom was far more precious to them than any earthly treasure.

(302) Ex-Mars Hill pastor Mark Driscoll returns to evangelical orbit by Joel Connelly, 3/14/15
Controversial ex-Mars Hill Church senior pastor Mark Driscoll will resurface at Hillsong 2015, two summer conferences in Sydney, Australia and London sponsored by an Australian-based, multi-city mega church. Joined by his wife, Grace, Driscoll will not be in the pulpit but in the interview chair before an audience expected to number in the thousands. Brian Houston, Hillsong Church senior pastor, delivered a statement Thursday night to Warren Throckmorton, a Pennsylvania college professor who followed Mars Hill’s 2014 meltdown for the Patheos website.  Said Houston: “Well in advance of his resignation as senior pastor at Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, we invited Mark Driscoll to be one of our speakers this summer. “Rather than having Mark preach or teach, I am excited about interviewing Mark and Grace from our main platform during our Hillsong Conference 2015.

(303) Beyond Seduction - Does a Positive Self-Image Make You a Better Person? by Dave Hunt & T.A. McMahon, 3/21/15
Our topic for discussion in this segment of our program is, and has been for the last few weeks, what the Bible has to say about self in contrast to teachings about self promoted in the world, and, to a large degree, in professing Christianity. Self is the solution to all humanity’s problems according to the so-called wisdom of psychology. It is the key to fulfilling human potential - that without a good self-image or loving one’s self adequately, humans will never improve their status or situation in life. On the other hand, the Bible says that self is mankind’s problem, and gives a prophetic warning about it in 2 Timothy:3:1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.,2: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves….” That says it pretty clearly, doesn’t it, Dave? I think anybody could look around and see that’s where we are today. Dave: On the other hand, Tom, a person could say, “Well, haven’t human beings always been narcissistic lovers of self?” So, yes, that is true, but today it’s gone beyond that. It’s no longer looked upon as wrong, but it’s a virtue. 

(304) Letter to the Editor: David Jeremiah Brings Roma Downey and Mark Burnett to Shadow Mountain Community Church at Lighthouse Trails, 3/24/15
A Lighthouse Trails reader who is on David Jeremiah’s mailing list received the following e-mail notice from David Jeremiah. The appearance took place earlier this month. Please read our new Booklet Tract/article by Gregory Reid, “Confused by an Angel: The Dilemma of Roma Downey’s New Age Beliefs.”

(305) Number of Americans Who Say They Have No Religion Hits Record High, Survey Finds at Understand The Times, 3/26/15
New data analysis on the 2014 General Social Survey conducted by NORC and the University of Chicago has found that although Americans are abandoning specific religions at record high numbers, the rate of those who said they believe in God has remained steady. The Associated Press identified it as one of the major findings of the survey, which asked a number of wide-ranging questions of the American public. The data found that back in 1972, only 5 percent of respondents said that they have no religion, but by 2014, 21 percent said the same, which is a record high. 

(306) 1 in 4 Americans Don't Believe in God; Lack of Trust in Local Churches Cited as a Reason Why Adults Are Leaving the Faith at Understand The Times, 3/28/15
Barna Group has released its 2015 study on the state of atheism in America, and has revealed that one in four unchurched adults in the country now identify as atheists or agnostics. The study also found that rejection of the Bible and lack of trust in the church are two main reasons why people are turning away from faith. The study was focused on those who have not attended church within the past six months, and found that the majority of such people identify as non-practicing Christians. One in four, or 25 percent, however, were classed as skeptics, which Barna defines as people who "either do not believe God exists (atheists) or are not sure God exists, but are open to the possibility (agnostics)." Of that number, nearly one-third said that they have never attended a Christian church service in their lives. Barna found that the three main reasons people decide not to believe in God stem from rejection of the Bible; lack of trust in the local church; and the "cultural reinforcement of a secular worldview."

(307) Persecution at the Door - Are You Prepared? by Anton Bosch, 4/4/15
While reviewing church history recently I was reminded of some of the things we should learn from history. But before I share those with you, I want to remind you that what normally passes for church history is the history of the apostate church (lower case “c”). The history of the true Church is not normally taught in Bible schools and seminaries except for a passing mention to the little groups of true believers that were a thorn in the side of the institutional churches.

(308) Most Americans now say Jesus actually a sinner at Understand The Times, 4/8/15
Despite more than nine out of 10 Americans agreeing Jesus was a historical figure, what they believe about Him diverges widely, according to a newly released survey from the Barna Research Group, a nonprofit organization that has been analyzing cultural trends related to religious belief since 1984.

(309) Report: Christianity Most Persecuted Faith Worldwide at Crossroad, 4/10/15
Christians continue to be the most persecuted faith, though the gap has dropped over time. In 2007 Christians were penalized or harassed in various ways in 107 countries. That peaked at 111 in 2010, dropped and then rose again to 110 in 2012, and dropped to 102 in 2013. Muslims were mistreated in the second most number of countries. They were at 96 in 2007, peaked at 109 in 2012, and dropped to 99 in 2013. Jews suffered in 51 nations in 2007 and have steadily increased, with a large jump from 71 in 2012 to 77 in 2013. Persecution of others stood at 38 in 2013; Buddhists were at 12 and Hindus at 9. The second group facing persecution in more countries in 2013 than 2012 was folk religions, rising from 26 to 34. What makes Jewish persecution numbers so striking and frightening is that Jews make up just .2 percent of the world’s population.

(310) "Positive Psychology" and the Army at The Berean Call, 4/23/15
Army morale low despite 6-year, $287M optimism program [Excerpts] More than half of some 770,000 soldiers are pessimistic about their future in the military and nearly as many are unhappy in their jobs, despite a six-year, $287 million campaign to make troops more optimistic and resilient, findings obtained by USA TODAY show.  [TBC: Dave Hunt noted in the November 1992 newsletter, " Psychology seeks to 'understand' how and why we think and act as we do. Such an approach would help repair an engine but not a person. We are not programmed robots.....Self had its awful birth when Adam and Eve willfully acted independently of God. That self, said Christ, must be denied (Mat:16:24-26) It is not that man must cease to exist as an individual with emotions, intellect and will. No, he willingly allows God to fulfill through him the purpose for his existence. Jesus, the perfect Man, said, 'I can of mine own self do nothing...I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me' ( Jn:5:30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.). Only through denying self can we enter into this relationship with the Father which Christ enjoyed and begin to experience the life He has for us. May this be our passion and joy. "] 

(311) Philip Powell of Christian Wintness Ministries has gone to be with the Lord by CWM, 4/26/15
It is with blessed Hope I write this morning, to let you know that your friend and fellow pastor, Philip Lewis Powell has escaped his tent and has met with His Saviour over on the other Shore. At 3:42am Brisbane Australia, this Lord's Day, Sunday the 26th of April 2015, the call was given and Philip answered.

(312) Unrepentant Mark Driscoll back on speaking circuit - forgives those who 'attacked' him by Warren Throckmorton, 5/6/15
UPDATE: For video of the end of Driscoll’s talk, scroll to the bottom. Here is an account from someone who was in attendance. So far, from the accounts I have seen, it appears that Driscoll focused on how he has forgiven those who he believes wronged him.

(313) Why Impostors Love the Church by Russell Moore, 5/8/15
Recently I read a book that kept me awake a couple of nights. It was about “Clark Rockefeller,” and the scare quotes are important. The man was neither “Clark” nor “Rockefeller.” He was a German immigrant who crafted an identity as an heir of one of America’s wealthiest dynasties. He married, fathered a child, and was involved in fraud, theft, and maybe even murder. And no one ever knew, until the very end. What made me squirm was that fact that the fake Rockefeller’s inroad to all his deception were churches and relationships, particularly with women. He would make the connections he needed in local congregations, and he would charm the women there. At the same time, he would parasitically imitate the men, watching and mirroring back to them their convictions and opinions, even the inflections of their voices. But, behind all of that, there was nothing real but a predatory appetite.

(314) Biblical versus Cultural Christianity by Berit Kjos, 5/10/15
This chart is an attempt to answer those who judge Christians by the atrocities committed in the name of "Christianity" through the ages -- including our own times. Those wars, persecutions, and cruelties had little to do with Biblical Christianity. They had everything to do with man's greedy, power-hungry human nature which seeks its own ways rather than God's. The ungodly expressions of our human nature may change from culture to culture, but the result is usually the same: the people imagine a god that fits their new cultural wants and values, and they learn to see this distortion of Christianity as the true church. Biblical Christianity means being joined to Jesus Christ through faith in what He did for us at the cross, then allowing Him to live His life through us, so that others might know Him and see His love. (That love may include sharing His warnings as well as His promises with those in need.) The established Church, like Old Testament Israel, has always tended to drift away from its devotion to God and become just other institutions, subject to the same human impulses and painful consequences as the rest of the world. Please don’t blame human evils on a "straw-man" or a convenient cultural distortion of Christianity. Consider some of the differences between Biblical faith and today's cultural deviations.

(315) The Gospel Of Self by Roger Oakland, 5/11/15
A brief examination of the books available in the psychology section of any local book store will confirm the fact that "self-empowerment" is being promoted as a key to the future survival of mankind. There are countless books published centering on the "self." Books on "self-awareness," "self-determination," "self-care," "self-acceptance," and of course, "self-esteem". Without a doubt we have become the "self-generation". As well, there are also numerous "human potential" workshops, seminars and weekend retreats offering individuals a personal pathway to unfoldment, peace, power and prosperity: "You can be greater than you think," or "visualize your dreams into reality," or you can "name it and claim it." Also, therapies and techniques are being popularized that will help you discover how to create personal power and positive direction for your life. In general, the gospel of "self" proclaims: "You deserve it. Don't worry about what others think. If it feels good, it’s OK."

(316) WorldNetDaily Identifies Agenda by Evangelical Leaders to Marginalize Discerning Whistleblowers by Jim Fletcher, 5/11/15
"The Internets” have given everyone a voice today. Obviously, that’s both good and bad. Computer technology has really leveled the playing field, so the classic “writer living in his parents’ basement” can have a platform, mostly, like a high-profile New York writer. . . . One gets the feeling, though, that some of the high-profile folks resent the heck out of all this. Case in point would be many of what I’d call evangelical elites in America. These are the famous celebrity pastors, ministry heads and media types who have placed the mantle of leadership on themselves (for the most part). What they detest is anyone questioning them or their methods. . . . It’s well documented that Rick Warren has a burr under his saddleback over those pesky “discernment folks” who regularly point out the easily-documented flaws in his “purpose-driven” agenda. “Pastor Rick’s” association with New Age thinkers is part of the public record (although, let’s be honest, the majority of evangelicals in the pews will never care about any of this, only that they can participate in a PDL “bible study,” eat finger foods and go home feeling good about themselves). When a researcher/writer like Warren B. Smith exposes Rick Warren’s troubling network, the (still Southern Baptist) pastor sometimes lashes out. Who can forget his almost comical split response a few years ago on Twitter, when one day he offered that one should be gracious when dealing with those who disagree with one’s viewpoint. A few days later, he urged his many followers on Twitter to “un-follow negative twits.” It would be funny if it weren’t so grotesque.

(317) Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Pastor, Brian Brodersen, Says Sometimes It’s OK to Attend a Homosexual Wedding at Lighthouse Trails, 5/31/15
On Friday, a long-time Lighthouse Trails reader contacted our office regarding the following situation. The person who called had attended Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa for several years but has not been attending for some time. According to an article titled “Can I Attend My LGBT Friend’s Wedding?” written by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s senior pastor Brian Brodersen, it is sometimes OK to attend a LTGB (Lesbian, Transgender, Gay, Bisexual) wedding. He says it’s not OK to attend the wedding if the two people getting “married” proclaim to be believers in Christ, but if they don’t claim to be believers then it may be OK.

(318) Christian Booksellers’ Implosion by Jim Fletcher, 6/6/15
What was once a fine idea – the first five minutes someone had it 60 years ago – has become one of those classic scenes you want to look away from, but can’t. I’m speaking of the slow destruction of the American Christian book industry. From scandalous books offered in Christian bookstores, to the recent bankruptcy of Family Christian Stores, the whole affair reeks of mismanagement and greed.

(319) From the Synagogue To the Saviour by Doctor Max L. Rossvally (1828-1892) 
Having been frequently asked whether all the details of this story are strictly true, I take this opportunity of stating that every incident occurred exactly as related.” MLR

(320) Government Crusade Against Churches Begins With Removal Of Non-Profit Status by Ben Shapiro, 7/7/15
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision mandating that states reward same-sex marriages throughout the nation, churches across the country prepare for the inevitable assault on their tax-exempt statuses.

(321) Making God’s People Trust in a Lie… by Pastor Bill Randles, 7/24/15
It is happening all over again. In the church, as in the last days of Judah, immediately preceding the devastation of the Babylonian captivity and the destruction of the temple, Christians are  being  inoculated  to conviction and preparedness by the soothing Words of false prophets like Hananiah. 

(322) The Road to Serfdom: Chapter 11: The End of Truth by F. A. Hayek (First published in 1944)
"The most effective way of making everybody serve the single system of ends toward which the social plan is directed is to make everybody believe in those ends. To make a totalitarian system function efficiently, it is not enough that everybody should be forced to work for the same ends. It is essential that the people should come to regard them as their own ends."[p.171]

(323) The Persecution Of Christians Is Intensifying As Anti-Christian Hatred Sweeps The Entire World at Understand The Times, 8/5/15
There is very little that the entire world seems to agree upon, but there is one very frightening trend that is now taking hold literally all over the globe. A passionate hatred of Christianity is sweeping across the planet, and very few global leaders have been willing to step forward and speak out against this rising persecution of Christians. In many parts of the Middle East, Africa and Asia, believers are being relentlessly attacked by extremists, churches are being destroyed, and laws are being passed to try to prevent the spread of the Christian faith. In some areas, the violence has become so extreme that Christians knowingly risk their own lives just to go to church services each week. Would you risk your life to go to church? In North America and Europe, the persecution is often more subtle. Even though violent attacks are still fairly rare, Christian beliefs are being undermined by new laws, comedians and television shows regularly mock the Christian faith, and many employers will immediately mentally disqualify a potential candidate for a job if they discover that an individual is a Bible-believing Christian. Sadly, this is just the beginning. In the years ahead, those that choose to be followers of Jesus Christ will face even greater persecution than we have seen already.

(324) Humans Pretending To Be God by Roger Oakland, 8/14/15
Scientists worldwide are creating bizarre human-animal hybrids that could wreak havoc on society. In the past ten years alone, unforgettable advances in the field of genetic modifications have left researchers and on-lookers stunned. To give a concrete example, scientists have made mice with an artificial human chromosome “in every cell of their bodies”. Such an act is being praised as a “breakthrough” which may lead to different cures for a wide scope of disease. . . University of Wisconsin researchers have had much success by transferring cells from human embryos into the brains of mice. These very cells began to grow, and in time made the mice more intelligent. While this may sound bizarre to some, the fact mankind is tinkering with life comes as no surprise to those who have read the Bible. The Bible states that God is the creator of all life. In the beginning, all life was created perfect (Genesis 1:26). The Bible also clarifies that God has an adversary—Satan—who hates God and His creation. Satan’s goal from the beginning has been to destroy or contaminate the original creation.

(325) Former Southern Baptist Church to Allow Gay and Transgender Ordination, Same-Sex Marriage by The Gospel Herald, 8/16/15
A historic, former Southern Baptist Church has adopted a new non-discrimination policy which will allow it to perform same-sex weddings and employ openly gay and transgender individuals without telling them their lifestyles violate Biblical mandates.

(326) Archaeologists Uncover Ancient City of Gath, Home to Goliath the Giant at The Berean Call, 8/17/15
Archaeologists in a Palestinian city in Israel have uncovered the ruins of a city that was once home to Goliath the giant. The archaeologists have unearthed a huge gate and a fortified wall in the modern-day city of Tell es-Safi. They believe the gate and wall to be part of "the lower city of Gath,” a Philistine metropolis of the ancient world, according to Christian Today.

(327) The "I AM" Movement by Mike Oppenheimer, 8/24/15
The “I AM” society was founded by Guy W. Ballard (1878-1939) and his wife, Edna W. Ballard (1886-1971). After his serving in the army during World War I, he superintended his uncle's lead mine in Tucson, Arizona. His wife Edna was an accomplished concert harpist, and like her husband also had an interest in metaphysics and the occult. After three years of marriage in 1916 their son Donald was born. Guy Ballard was an ardent reader of theosophical/occult literature, had heard the reports of strange occult events that had occurred at Mt. Shasta. Guy Ballard was a mining engineer in 1929. Upon completion of a job in the West had decided to visit Mt. Shasta, California. Occultists believed the mountain is the home of a lost race of mystic adepts from Atlantis who live inside. Ballard was a student of occult metaphysics and was captivated with the stories about Shasta. He decided to visit the mountain to investigate the rumor that a group of Divine Men called the Brotherhood of Mt. Shasta were to be found there. This became the turning point in the Ballard’s lives.  Read The "I AM" Movement - Part 1 The Occult ascended masters teaching to Guy Ballard & The “I AM” Movement - Part 2 history and teaching.

(328) Can I Attend My LGBT Friend’s Wedding? with commentary by Jacob Prasch, 8/27/15
Please read for yourself. Brian Broderson’s position on Same Sex Weddings. Need anyone say more? How convoluted, pseudo-scriptural, and compromised can someone’s twisted reasoning become; much less that of a supposed leader? Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa is spiritually, doctrinally, and morally dead. Somebody get a shovel and bury the corpse . Invite Rick Warren to deliver the graveside eulogy. Just bury it next to Chuck’s corpse. It died with him. Jacob Prasch.

(329) Do’s and Don’ts of Witnessing to Cults by Chris Lawson, 8/28/15
Practical tips on sharing with the cultist at your door. Various topics covered or mentioned: •Sanctify the Lord God in your heart. •Humility, compassion, love and truth versus arrogance, pride and strife. •Which “Jesus” are you proclaiming - the biblical Jesus or a counterfeit Jesus/false Christ? •Understanding Christian apologetics and defending the Christian faith. •What is a cult and how do we define cultism? •Confronting bad theology versus attacking people and their character. •Defending the truth, speaking truth, and giving biblical answers. •Communicating who Jesus Christ really is. •Studying to “show yourself approved.” •What exactly is “another Jesus”? •Weapons of righteousness, Christian character, and individual giftedness in the Lord. •The Christian warfare - understanding the enemy and our victory in Christ. •The cultists "experience" and emotions versus true biblical signs and wonders. •Cultists have been trained and/or inoculated against the historic Christian faith. •Biblical terminology in contradistinction to destructive cultic redefinitions. •Sample definition (“atonement”) and sample heresy (“baptismal regeneration”). •Important things to remember when speaking with people. •Practical “do’s” and “don’ts” when sharing with cultists. Scriptures: 1 Peter 3:15; John 14:6-7; John 3:16; 2 2 Timothy 2:15; Corinthians 11:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Galatians 5:22; Revelation 20:2; Jude 3,17,20-23; Isaiah 59:1; Mark 4:1-20; Isaiah 55:10-11; Colossians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 9:3; Philippians 1:7; 2 Timothy 4:16; Zechariah 4:6. 

(330) Not with a bang, but a whimper…The Islamic Refugee Trojan Horse by Bill Randles, 9/11/15
This is the way the world ends, This is the way the world ends, This is the way the world ends, Not with a bang but a whimper. TS Eliot, The Hollow Men To any thinking person, the spectacle of hundreds of thousands of “refugees” from Africa, and the horrors of the Syrian civil war, spilling out onto the shores of Italy, and forcing themselves over the barriers erected in Hungary is both heartbreaking and ominous. Who wouldn’t be moved at the plight of frightened women and children packed into rust ships, desperate to get away from the wanton slaughter occurring in their Syrian homeland? The apocalyptic warfare taking place in Syria spares neither the elderly, the weak, women nor children. Mind numbing atrocities are being committed on both “sides”of the conflict. (Ishmael cannot find peace, He even fights His brothers). Photos of precious children washed up on the shores, having drowned en-route to European shores tear at the western heart, which had once been softened by centuries of Christian teaching. But a closer examination reveals troubling details. Eyewitnesses report that the vast majority of those seeking asylum are single males of military age.  These ‘poor souls’ are already rioting, and demanding their own food, upon arrival at their generous host countries . Whoever heard of a houseguest demanding his own food be served him at the expense of the host?

(331) Liberty University Welcomes Socialist Bernie Sanders to Address Student Body: ‘We Have Same Goals’ by Heather Clark, Christian News Network, 9/16/15
Liberty University is listed among the colleges in the Lighthouse Trails contemplative colleges list. It is said to be the largest Christian college in the world. As Lighthouse Trails has contended for many years, when a school starts going down the contemplative path, views on morality, politics, and spiritual matters begin to change, eventually drastically. 

(332) 'Mindfulness' meditation fad popular with celebrities can make you dream up false memories at The Berean Call, 9/21/15
TBC: From the April 2006 newsletter: Psychotherapy is an exercise in futility unless innate goodness resides within man at his very core. Here’s why: if man has an evil nature, as the Bible teaches, then it’s impossible for him to change himself. In other words, if I’m innately evil, I will always be evil because there is nothing within me to enable me to change . But if I’m good within but am experiencing problems of living, then through various psychological methods or techniques, I should be able to tap into, utilize, or realize that goodness and thus remedy the adversities I experience. All the psychotherapeutic selfisms, from self-love to self-esteem to self-image to self-actualization to self-realization—and ultimately to self-deification—are predicated upon the innate goodness of one’s nature.]

(333) The Hebrew Prophets named in the Qur'an by Mike Oppenheimer, 10/6/15
Most Muslims have not read the Bible carefully so they do not know what it actually says about God, Mankind, or the prophets. They know what their religion tells them, which is more often contradictory to the Bible.

(334) Obama: Christians Threaten Nation by Bryan Fischer, AFA, 10/18/15
If you have ever wondered whether President Obama has an abiding hostility to people of Christian faith, wonder no more. He believes we are a threat to national security. If you are a sincerely devoted follower of Jesus Christ, your president believes you are a potential domestic terrorist. 

(335) Calvary Chapel Pastor Greg Laurie Posts Photo Standing with New Age Advocate Roma Downey by Lighthouse Trails, 10/29/15
A Lighthouse Trails reader sent this photo (see below) to us today. It is a picture of Calvary Chapel pastor Greg Laurie, standing with Roma Downey and Mark Burnett and was posted on Greg Laurie’s Facebook page along with this caption by Downey: "So nice spending time with friends. Mark and I had a lovely lunch today with Greg and Cathe Laurie #harvestoc" Such a photo only heightens concerns as to the direction Greg Laurie (one of Calvary Chapel’s most popular pastors)  is taking the church.

(336) Oprah’s Latest Attempt to Introduce New Age Spirituality to Evangelical Church at Lighthouse Trails, 10/30/15
In light of your coverage regarding the Parliament of the World’s Religions, which took place Oct.15-19 in Salt Lake City, UT, it has been brought to my attention that Oprah’s “Belief” (her 7-episode television series) was shown some time during the conference, according to a post-conference e-mail from Imam Abdul Majik Mujahid, Board Chair of the Parliament of the World Religions. Oprah’s “Belief” television series (7 episodes) premiered Oct.18 on OWN Network and is Oprah’s latest attempt to introduce New Age Spirituality and interfaith spirituality to the evangelical church.

(337) United Methodist and Episcopalian Church Clergy Lead Prayer Rally to “Bless” Abortion Clinic at The Berean Call, 11/3/15
In Ohio, United Methodist Church pastor, Reverend Laura Young, says she believes pro-life protesters in front of Planned Parenthood and other abortion facilities have “misguided faith.” In fact, she thinks these clinics should be blessed, which is why she went out to an abortion facility called Preterm on October 8th in Cleveland. In 2014, Preterm was involved in the abortion-related death of Lakisha Wilson. Young explained her acceptance of abortion like this: “Christianity, like most faiths, is founded on love. Watching protesters shouting judgment and hate based on what they call religion is horrible. Is that loving God? Is that loving your neighbor as yourself?”

(338) Godlessness is Reaching Epidemic Proportions by Howard Green, 11/23/15
Imagine the world with no rules, accountability, or consequences for evil actions? This image is one where people take a life with no remorse. It is a place where life savings are greedily stolen, women and children are abandoned, and even basic respect that was afforded to a mother and father is absent. This place of our worst imaginings is one fraught with lawless, heartless, and treacherous people who are concerned with no one but themselves. That would be a world where the concept of love is foreign, while brutality, slander, and darkness become the norm. This is not a description of total societal, economic, or geopolitical breakdown sometime in the distant future. It is an accurate analysis of condition of our world at this moment. This is how a majority of people are living life. These are the direct results of one fact: Godlessness is reaching epidemic proportions.

(339) Praising God Through it All by Warren B. Smith, 11/26/15
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5)

(340) A Difficult Response to Paul Wilkinson by Jacob Prasch, 11/27/15
It has been a painful ordeal for Moriel and for myself (Jacob Prasch) personally to have, without warning, been publicly slandered and defamed on YouTube and elsewhere on the Internet by Paul Wilkinson as "not loving Jesus Christ", as "teaching heresy", and even as having gone into some brand of replacement theology simply because I and others do not agree with his particular view of the timing of the rapture. 

(341) The Fall and Rise of Human Violence: Why crime plunged in the 17th century but is rising again in the 21st by Berit Kjos - Updated December 17, 2012
As history repeats itself, the civilized world is regressing. Paganism, promiscuity, deception and violent crime are on the rise, while the growing hatred for Biblical Christianity is fanned by a global media and entertainment industry that wants nothing more than the death of Biblical Truth and morality. 

(342) Archaeologists uncover King Hezekiah seal by Biblical Archeology, 12/6/15
Archaeologists discovered the impression of a seal that bears the name of King Hezekiah and was found during recent excavations by Jerusalem.

(343) Syrian Refugees: Is There A Biblical Response? by Albert James Dager, 12/17/15
God has blinded the eyes and dulled the minds of the leaders in the West.  Even those who wish to resist the possibility of violent jihadists coming into the U.S. by imbedding themselves among the refugees are blind. While proclaiming that most Muslims are peaceful, they are ignoring the fact that virtually all Muslims believe their destiny is to conquer the world. Violent jihad is merely one means; peaceful jihad through immigration and procreation is as much, or more, a threat to our culture than violent jihad.
This invasion of the West is part of God’s judgment upon the nations that have had the advantage of the Gospel for the past millennium and beyond, yet have rejected God’s righteousness. But God’s will shall be done, regardless of who wins the next election. It may be just a matter of how soon He completes His judgment.

(344) Undertaker, Come Quickly: Neo Evan Christianis Has Died by Orell Steinkamp, 12/17/15
The Neo (New) Evangelical Christian experiment has failed. It reminds me of the Titanic. This unsinkable ship left England amid cheers and high festivity. For many it represented the latest in human achievement. But, alas! It was not to be. On the high seas amid the turbulence of the seas and surrounding icebergs its underwater hull was ripped open and seawater was pouring in. But on board gala and gaity was in full swing. Only a few noticed a minor listing of the mighty ship. But the band played on even while the water compartments were taking on water from the sea. The Neo-Evangelical Gospel ship was also launched with great promise. This was to be the beginning of prominence for the American and International Evangelical movement. They openly wanted a recognition by the religious academia and to dialogue with culture. In no time Neo-Evangelicalism was birthed, led by Harold Ockenga, Carl Henry, Billy Graham and the Fuller Seminary personnel. In due time Christianity Today became its publishing oracle and Carl Henry its editor. The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) became its constituency and Fuller seminary its training ground.[2]

(345) Walking in His Footsteps: A Special Christmas Message by Author uknown 1881
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:27-28

(346)  Preparing for Persecution by Berit Kjos, 1/2/16
Jesus described the normal Christian life: "If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." He told His disciples, "because they know not Him that sent me." John 15:20-21 We need to take His warning to heart, count the cost of discipleship, and pray that our Shepherd prepare us for inevitable battles ahead. Prayerfully consider these steps -- as a family or as an individual believer:

• Pray for His guidance.
• Learn from those who suffered persecution because of their faith. (See "victory") 
• Memorize His Word, the victorious "Sword of the Spirit" in every battle we face. (See Clothed with Truth)
• Memorize hymns and songs that enable you to keep praising Him and affirming His victory.
• Silently practice singing to Him in the midst of all kinds of distractions.
• Practice giving thanks in all circumstances.
• By His wonderful grace, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44-45

(348) The Fall and Rise of Human Violence: Why crime plunged in the 17th century but is rising again in the 21st by Berit Kjos, 1/13/16
As history repeats itself, the civilized world is regressing. Paganism, promiscuity, deception and violent crime are on the rise, while the growing hatred for Biblical Christianity is fanned by a global media and entertainment industry that wants nothing more than the death of Biblical Truth and morality. 

(349) Secret Societies Exposed: Inside the Hidden World of  Secret Societies at Spiritual Research Network, 1/19/16
The following quotes and content on this webpage come directly from Evangelical Truth, a ministry committed to exposing the lies and deception of secret societies, regardless of the consequences: "This site provides an unprecedented insight into the mystical domain of secret societies throughout the world. It looks at their hidden secret society degrees, rituals, secrets and esoteric teaching. It examines, in detail, Freemasonry, which is widely accepted as the mother of most of our modern-day secret society organizations. The site looks at the many so-called Protestant secret societies, which have been birthed by Freemasonry, like the Orange Order, the Independent Loyal Orange Institution and the Royal Black Institution and compares, contrasts and examines the similarities between these neo-Masonic structures and their ritualistic degrees. For anyone interested in the various Secret societies of the world this site will be a valuable resource. It essentially exposes the secret societies inside secrets. This site creates a unique facility for those both on the inside and outside of the many secret societies of the world who desire to examine otherwise hard-to-obtain internal material relating to the many esoteric secret societies throughout the world. This informative in-depth resource centre discloses startling evidence about the origins, structures, secrets, degrees and rituals of bodies which have hitherto been concealed from the public gaze. This website will endeavour to examine in an open objective manner the internal workings of these secret societies, and establish their status in relation to the Christian faith and the teaching of the Bible (a book these secret societies so frequently employ)."

(350) Discernment as Free Speech: A Brief Study by Sarah Leslie, 1/28/16
Peggy Noonan wrote in her weekly Wall Street Journal column this past December 4th her concerns that "The censorship movement is radical. It is starting to make everyone in the country feel harassed and anxious. It is odd to see candidates miss a rising issue that is giving pause to so many Americans. I pray someone will address it. Literally, I just did. This Herescope post is an answer to her prayers. It may be an unexpected answer and a politically incorrect answer, but nevertheless it is a response. It represents an exercise in the right of free speech and freedom of religion. 

(351) Once in Cult, Student Sees Importance of Knowing Theology at The Berean Call, 2/4/16
Is it important for a Christian to study biblical doctrine or should all Christians merely love Jesus and leave theology to trained theologians? Ask David Bell, who may be Exhibit A in the case for the doctrinal training of all Christians....less than a decade ago he was a pastor in the Church of God International, which branched off from the Worldwide Church of God in 1978.

(352) Israel: Archaeologists Uncover Inscriptions in Jesus’ Language at The Berean Call, 2/8/16
Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered ancient epitaphs in both Greek and Aramaic that date back to the first century. [It was reported] that the inscriptions were found in a cemetery that is located in the ancient Galilean capital city of Zippori. "Zippori was the first capital of Galilee from the time of the Hasmonean dynasty until the establishment of Tiberias in the first century CE. The city continued to be central and important later on," researchers explained in a press release announcing the discovery. Four words which are part of the inscriptions were thus far able to be decoded. One word, in Greek, means “Jose,” a common Jewish name during the period, the three other words are Aramaic for “the Tiberian,” “forever,” and “rabbi.” Motti Aviam of the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology stated that “the Tiberian” could refer to the hometown of the deceased, Tiberias. The word “forever” denotes that the deceased’s burial place will always belong to him. Scholars are unsure precisely what the word “rabbi” meant at the time of its inscription. This discovery is important because it proves the existence of a Jewish community in the region from ancient times--something which the Palestinian Authority continually denies. “The Jewish life in the city was rich and diverse as indicated by the numerous ritual baths (miqwe'ot) discovered in the excavation; while at the same time the influence of Roman culture was also quite evident as reflected in the design of the town with its paved streets, colonnaded main roads, theater and bathhouses. The wealth of inscriptions from the cemeteries attests to the strong Jewish presence and the city's social elite in the late Roman period," researchers concluded. (Veronica Neffinger, “Israel: Archaeologists Uncover Inscriptions in Jesus’ Language,” Christian Headlines.com , January 29, 2016)

(353) Chronology of Persecution: Plots to kill Jews & Christians & Rule an Islamic World by Crossroads, 2/9/16
Since the beginning of time, ambitious change-agents have plotted together to fuel revolutions and transform their world. Minor or major conspiracies have usually played an important part in fueling radical social change. Dismissing such secret plots as mere "conspiracy theories" has served powerful leaders well -- at least for a while. But those who know God see a larger picture. While human nature doesn't change, our God still reigns! That's why the author of Psalm 2 wondered why power-hungry rulers would even try to plot against God and His sovereign ways: "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot [conspire] a vain thing? ... the rulers take counsel together... saying, 'Let us break Their bonds in pieces...'" Psalm 2:1-3 Like many leaders today, Hitler knew how to use every crisis as an opportunity to grab more power. So did his anti-Semitic Muslim partners during Word War 2: Mohammad Haj min al-Husseini, (the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem) and the rising Muslim Brotherhood. Both aimed to eradicate Israel and radicalize the Middle East and North Africa. Their followers have come a long way! Today, their grand target is America. As we are told in a Muslim Brotherhood document titled, 'An Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America,' "The Ikhwan [Muslim Brotherhood] must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and ‘sabotaging’ its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God’s religion is made victorious over all other religions.”'  (Soros-funded "expert" defends Muslim Brotherhood) For those who trust God, this should be a time of prayer and preparation for the challenging times ahead. As the West becomes increasingly hostile toward Christianity, it's fast forgetting the truths and moral standards that laid the foundation for Western freedom and order. Yet, we need not fear, for--"The Lord... will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You." Psalm 9:9-10

(354) Upper or Supper Room excerpt from Illustrations for Church Service by Walter B. Knight, 3/3/16
The early Church prayed in the upper room, the twentieth century Church cooks in the supper room.

(355) 70% of Americans are Christians? Seriously? by Marsha West, 8/28/15
A recent report indicates that 70% of Americans are Christians. If this is true, what it says to this writer is that a whole host of people who profess faith in Jesus Christ neglect to read the instruction manual that reveals everything we need to know about the object of our faith. I'm referring to the Bible. Anyone who takes the time to read it knows what Jesus taught and how those who claim to believe in Him must live their lives. Clearly Christians are not reading the Book. So, isn't it a bit odd that people who say they believe Christ died for their sins aren't the least bit curious about who He is and what He taught while He was here? Jesus spent the better part of three years teaching his disciples all sorts of things such as what His mission was (John 1:14-18) and how they were to conduct themselves. The Lord gave commands, not suggestions. He never said: "It's not a good idea to murder someone...lie...cheat...steal...sleep around...commit adultery...practice homosexual sex...get drunk...use drugs...have a slew of idols, or anything like that." Nor did He say: "It would be nice if you'd consider forgiving those who do you wrong." He never tossed them the "Good job!" compliment when they exercised discernment. Neither was Jesus into high-fiving and "atta boys." Whenever these sorts of things came up in conversation, He said unequivocally, "Do not"..."You must!" Moreover, He was clear that in order to be saved people must repent of their sins and turn away from the sinful life. "If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:10).

(356) Muslims Slaughter Over 10,000 Christians and Destroy 13,000 Churches in Nigeria by Raymond Ibrahim, 3/29/16
"Over 500 Christian villagers were slain in one night." — Emmanuel Ogebe, Nigerian human rights lawyer, March 2, 2016. What Christians in Nigeria are experiencing is a live snapshot of what millions of Christians and other non-Muslims have experienced since the seventh century, when Islam "migrated" to their borders: violence, persecution, enslavement, and the destruction of churches. The Obama Administration refuses to associate Boko Haram — an organization that defines itself in purely Islamic terms — with Islam, just as it refuses to associate the ISIS with Islam. In all cases, the Obama Administration looks the other way, while insisting that the jihad is a product of "inequality," "poverty" and "a lack of opportunity for jobs" — never of Islamic teaching. Boko Haram, the Nigerian Islamic extremist group, has killed more people in the name of jihad than the Islamic State (ISIS), according to the findings of a new report. Since 2000, when twelve Northern Nigerian states began implementing or more fully enforcing Islamic sharia law, "between 9,000 to 11,500 Christians" have been killed. This is "a conservative estimate."

(357) The Beckism of Mormonism by Mike Oppenheimer, 3/31/16
Recently Glenn Beck in response to Breitbart addressed what he says is another Smear Campaign (Mar.25, 2016). Putting aside the politics and accusations flung from either side I wanted to address the Mormonism that Beck himself brought up and his continual denial of the facts of history of his own religion.

(358) Will A Gateway Be Opened When The Arch From The Temple Of Baal Is Reconstructed In Times Square? at Understand The Times, 3/31/16
In April, part of the Temple of Baal that stood in Palmyra, Syria will be reconstructed in Times Square in New York City and in Trafalgar Square in London.  The specific portion that is being erected in both cases is the 48-foot-tall arch that stood at the entrance to the temple.  The Institute of Digital Archaeology is the organization behind this effort, and the display of these two arches is intended to be the highlight of UNESCO’s World Heritage Week late next month.  After seeing my initial story, one of my readers observed that an arch is really just a gateway or a portal.  In other words, it can serve as both an entrance and an exit.  So could it be possible that we will be unknowingly setting up a gate or a portal of some sort in Times Square?

(359) 10 Practical Things You Might Not Know About Lighthouse Trails Publishing & Research by Lighthouse Trails, 4/2/16
Here are 10 things you might find useful about the practical aspects of Lighthouse Trails Publishing & Research Project.

(360) When God Calls a Man by Roger Oakland, 4/9/16
When God places a vision in a man’s heart, events happen God’s way according to God’s will. When man plans things man’s way without God, events may unfold but they are the product of manipulation. I have learned this principal the hard way and it took me many years. Sometimes it takes a few hard knocks to get a person’s attention. When the truth finally sinks it is obvious that God can use anyone, anytime, anywhere.

(361) Victory! The Arch From The Temple Of Baal Planned For New York City Has Been CANCELED at Understand The Times, 4/14/16
The Temple of Baal is NOT coming to Times Square in New York City next month.  This is great news, and it represents an incredible victory for Christians in the United States.  As you will see below, the New York Times, Snopes and a whole host of other mainstream news sources reported last month that everything was on track for reproductions of the giant 48-foot-tall arch that stood in front of the Temple of Baal in Palmyra, Syria to be put up simultaneously in Times Square in New York City and Trafalgar Square in London during the month of April.  But now that will not be happening.  The only arch that will be going up will be in Trafalgar Square, and it won’t be the one from the Temple of Baal.  Instead, the Institute for Digital Archaeology has changed plans and will be putting up a reproduction of the Arch of Triumph which the Romans originally built in Palmyra and that has nothing to do with Baal.  So why has there been such a dramatic change in plans?

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New Sandy Simpson Messages 
on CD & DVD

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NEW!

“Overtake you like a thief”
by Sandy Simpson

This DVD is a message based on this article.

1 Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; How serious will it be for a person to be overtaken in “that day” like a thief overtakes a household when he slips in and steals?  Will it just be a surprise for those who claim to be Christians who will get a slap on the wrist by the Lord but still proceed to heaven?  Will they simply lose rewards but still gain the ultimate reward?  What is this darkness that the brethren are not in?  1 Thessalonians 5:3-5 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night or of darkness; 

Only $10. plus s/h. for US. 

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Generic and Specific
by Sandy Simpson

This DVD is a message based on this article.

In my article “Blasphemizing the Bible” (http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/blasphemizingthebible.html) I give a number of examples of how a lot of modern Bible translation societies are putting the names of “supreme beings” in the Bible in the place of God or YHWH. In this article I'm going to examine two of the excuses they make for making those substitutions in the Bible in many hundreds of different languages today. 

(1) They claim that God has many different names and therefore they think they are justified in putting the names of various gods of various cultures in Bibles, as long as they are considered “supreme beings”. 

(2) The second excuse they give is that the names of the “gods” they are placing in the Bible are generic terms for God, like the words “God”, “Theos”, “Dios” and “Elohim”. By generic I mean a word that can be used for any deity whether of the one true God or other false gods who claim to be God. 

I will go through both of these excuses and show that they are both unbiblical, therefore the Bibles they have translated with names of other gods in them, or names they claim are generic, prove that they have “blasphemized” those Bibles.

Only $10. plus s/h. for US. 

Go here for further information.

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