Christian Leaders: It’s About Time You Test False Teachers

August 28, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

I have written several articles voicing concern over the Christian Right (CR) uniting with leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) for the purpose of fighting the culture war. Other Christian bloggers are concerned as well and have been asking valid questions, such as why the CR chooses to involve themselves with these fringe groups. As of this date we’re still in the dark. So I’ll toss out the question again: Why do Christian leaders, pastors, and luminaries choose to unite with what Jesus referred to as “ravenous wolves”?

In my article series The Religious Right uniting with Religious Renegades I expressed alarm over some or our Christian leader’s decision to attend Gov. Rick Perry’s The Response: A call to prayer. Many evangelicals were distressed that respected leaders would be standing shoulder to shoulder with folks who are associated with fringe groups such as the New Apostolic Reformation(NAR), the International House of Prayer (IHOP) and the Word of Faith (WoF). These groups hold many of the same unbiblical beliefs such as “positive confession.”

“‘Positive Confession’, a movement that came to popular acclaim through supposedly good fruit such as healing, has revealed its true nature as something more like a cult, with extremes of belief that bring the Name of the Lord into disrepute. The roots of Word of Faith doctrine are firmly planted in the soil of the metaphysical cults.” (Cross + Word, 1997)

For several weeks before The Response many CR leaders who weren’t on board with the rally warned their brothers and sisters who were endorsing it that if they went to Perry’s prayer rally they’d be joining forces with false teachers and heretics. But their warnings went unheeded by many. A case in point would seem to be Joel Rosenberg.

On August 5, Joel posted his reasons for attending The Response (here). He later posted a glowing report of his experience (here). From where I stand it appears he chose to shut his ears to friends and fans that urged him not to lend his good name to an event that included IHOP-Kansas City on the leadership team. Here’s what Joel wrote on his blog:

“The Response” was no ordinary prayer meeting. Personally, I’ve never been to anything like it, and I was blessed by every minute of it. There were no political speeches. No entrance fees. No offering. No fund-raising appeal. No merchandise sold. No light show. No entertainment of any kind. This was simply seven straight hours of prayer and fasting, heartfelt contrition and repentance, Bible reading from the Book of Joel and many other Scriptures, and wonderful worship – both modern praise songs and beloved hymns — with every generation represented along with so many races and ethnic backgrounds. Let’s do more of this.

About those who urged him not to participate he said:

Some evangelicals were critical of “The Response.” They urged people not to attend because they have serious and fundamental theological differences with some of those involved in the event. A few emailed me and urged me not to participate. I heard those concerns and I have strong disagreements with some of the participants, too. But the truth is the vast majority of organizers and participants of this prayer meeting were theologically, morally and ethically solid evangelical, Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ. They included some trusted friends and allies that I have worked with over the years like Dr. James Dobson and Shirley Dobson, Vonette Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Pastor Greg Matte of Houston’s First Baptist, Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America, Don Wildmon of the American Family Association, among others. Such men and women see the grave crises facing our country. They believe and faithfully teach that the Bible offers the only answers. Together with the governor of an important state, they called the country to pray based on the Scriptures. And many — including the media — paid attention.

Three things. (1) A large number of organizers and endorsers were NAR/IHOP leaders. (2) Bible believing follower of Jesus Christ Tony Perkins has partnered with the NAR in the past (see links below). Tony knows how dangerous these groups are so why does he continue to partner with them? (3) The AFA sponsored and organized the rally so most likely Bible believing follower of Jesus Christ Don Wildmon chose the leadership team. Don knew well in advance that some were apostate IHOP-KC leaders. Is Wildmon (and other Bible believing followers of Jesus Christ in AFA’s leadership) so results oriented that it doesn’t matter to them who they unite with as long as they get the results they want? Another question for AFA is: Do some of its leaders share the NAR’s unbiblical Dominionist beliefs?

Last year Joel Rosenberg was invited to speak at the 2010 Break Forth Canada Conference and promoted the conference positively on his blog. He shared a platform with those in the contemplative/emerging/new spirituality camp including New Age sympathizer and Emergent guru Leonard Sweet and universalist . When people wrote to voice their distress over his involvement in the conference, here’s how Joel responded:

The reason I am attending is because it is the largest Christian conference in Canada (some 15,000 are expected to attend), I believe the Holy Spirit wanted me to accept the invitation, and I’m not ready to concede such ground to those who are peddling false teaching. I’ve been asked to come and teach the Word of God and preach the gospel and that’s what I intend to do. I can’t explain why Young, for example, was invited. But why cede the entire stage to him? Moreover, at this critical juncture, I hope to explain why the God of the Bible loves Israel so much and why He wants us to help mobilize a global movement of true believers to stand with Israel while so much of the rest of the world turns against her. Thanks for your concerns. I would appreciate your prayers. God bless you. (Online source)

The Holy Spirit wanted him to accept the invitation? That doesn’t seem very likely in light of what the Bible says:

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’ table, and of the table of devils. (I Corinthians 10:20-21)

Please understand that I’m not picking on Joel Rosenberg. To be fair, he’s not alone. Many Christians share a platform with men and women they have theological differences with. I’ve singled Joel out because the reasons he gave for doing it don’t really stand up. It stands to reason that if he’s invited to “teach and preach the gospel” the other speakers are invited for the same reason. At the Canada conference attendees were exposed to Sweet’s and Young’s heresy! Moreover, they were exposed to a false gospel.

In a previous article I pointed out that some of The Response organizers and participants were also involved in the May Day 2010: A cry to God for a Nation in Distress put on by NAR “prophet” Cindy Jacobs of General’s International. James Dobson promoted the event and recorded an audio message encouraging people to attend. Several CR leaders who attended both prayer rallies have been guests on Mormon Glenn Beck’s radio and TV broadcast. Glenn’s guests have included Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, mega church Pastor Jim Garlow, David Barton of Wall Builders, televangelist James Robison (he didn’t attend The Response), even Joel Rosenberg. Rev. John Hagee was one of the only pastors to pray solo at The Response. Hagee chose Glenn Beck as a keynote speaker for “A Night to Honor Israel.” CR leader Gary Bauer, President of Our American Values and a board member of Hagee’s Christians United for Israel, also spoke. For readers who are unfamiliar with Rev. Hagee, he’s the founder and pastor of San Antonio-based Cornerstone Church which is one of America’s largest WoF churches (prosperity gospel, name it and claim it). According to G. Richard Fisher, Hagee is a false teacher:

[C]areful evaluation of the teachings of Hagee…reveals false teaching and a defective view of a basic and essential issue regarding salvation and the Gospel. Hagee preaches another way of salvation for the Jew, which is in direct violation of Paul’s warnings in Galatians 1:6-9. (Online source)

Some of you are probably thinking, “Hagee’s books line the shelves of Christian bookstores and sell like hotcakes so he must be a solid Christian.”

It ain’t necessarily so:

“How a book sells is not an indication of its merit. The American public has a seemingly bottomless appetite for nonsense, as evidenced by the countless tomes about astrology, aliens from outer space, quack diets, and UFOs that have regularly graced best-seller lists over the years. Some books that sold millions have later been exposed as hoaxes. A slot on the best-seller list tells you exactly one thing about a book: that a lot of people bought it.”(Online source)

The point I’m making is that even discerning Christians are finding it difficult to ferret out true believers from those that have a very different agenda.

I have one final question for CR leaders: Do you not know that:

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: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 9-11) (Bold mine)

The NAR’s aberrant doctrines and beliefs are causing division in the Church. In Romans 16:17-18, Paul writes,

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (See also Philippians 3:17-19).

CR leaders must be obedient to God’s Word and stop uniting with those who are deceiving the hearts of the simple and do as Paul says: Mark them!

I’ll leave you with an excerpt from a 1988 message given by the late Dr. Walter Martin Warning of the Word Faith Movement’s teaching to the church:

Jesus said there will come men who will speak claiming their authority is from me…There will come men who will speak in my Name. That is, I am supposedly saying this to you – that’s a very important phrase! They are going to come and say I’m speaking to you in my Name, they will work miracles in my Name, they will cast out devils…they will prophesy and preach. But when I meet them I will say, leave me, I never knew you, workers of iniquity!

Why? Because they use His authority and His Name because the power was in Jesus’ Name, or in Jesus’ authority, not in them. And God honored the Name of His Son. And they took that as a means of teaching their own false doctrines and false prophecies and because of that they corrupted the faith of the church. But inwardly, spiritually, they really roooaaar! And if you don’t know fleece from fur, you’re dinner, dumb dumb. And the only way you can know fleece from fur is to know how to test them. And you don’t test them by Walter Martin or by Norman Geisler, as good as the apologist and defenders of Christianity might be and as much as you trust them. You don’t test them by other people. You test them by Scripture. Then if your fidelity is the Scripture, and your allegiance is the Scripture, you reject them! But, says Paul, in the last days men are going to be drawn away by false teachers and prophets in the Church speaking in the Name of Jesus and you’re not going to test them. You’re going to go along with them. And they’re gonna fragment and divide the Church because you won’t test them. Well, it’s about time we test them. (Note: For clarity I took the liberty of making a few changes. The original quote is onLet Us Reason Ministries.)

My Response to “The Response” Gov. Rick Perry’s Call to Prayer

August 10, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

Having previously written a piece on The Response voicing my legitimate concerns over Gov. Rick Perry’s August 6^th prayer event that was held at Reliant Stadium, now that all is said and done I’ll respond to what I watched via the live streaming on their website.

As the camera panned a sea of people with their arms outstretched to heaven, many of them with tear-stained faces singing praises to God, my eyes well up and I was moved. There is something about that Name…

Christians go to big events expecting to hear a Christian band playing praise and worship music. It breaks down barriers, draws the crowd together and pulls them out of their chairs and onto their feet. The right kind of music puts people in a worshipful mood. Did you know that the steady beat in conjunction with word repetition…Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…can put individuals into an altered state of consciousness? But that’s an article for another time.

The band played mostly contemporary music and also some old hymns. I knew the words so I sang along! Hearing the Name Above all Names booming through the air is a wonderful way to start the day.

For close to 3 hours I was glued to my computer screen. Quite honestly, I was both moved and infuriated.

THE GOOD

I’ve stated before that I believe it’s good for Christian groups gathering together to fast and pray for America and to repent of our egregious sins against God. Praying is what Christians do. Through prayer and Bible reading we are able to connect with God. Because our nation is in dire straits we need to call on God for His help in putting our Humpty Dumpty nation back together again. We serve a loving, gracious God. We have the hope that our prayers will be answered.

I believe Gov. Perry’s call for prayer and fasting was a good idea. Not many politicians would stick their necks out like he did. He got pummeled by the liberal press, even worse by the far-left loons. And he stood his ground.

Gov. Perry had invited 49 governors. Only Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback attended. He joined Gov. Perry on stage and said a brief prayer. Florida Gov. Rick Scott participated via a videotaped message. Texas Rep. Louis Gohmert was also there.

It warmed my heart to see thousands of Americans join together to pray, fast, weep and mourn for the country they love. Every ethnic background and all generations, from the very young to the very old, came up on stage to pray. Time and time again Scripture was cited. Some repented for the “shedding of innocent blood” of 50 million babies who have died as a result of Roe v. Wade. People prayed for our awesome military. They prayed for the state of Israel too.

The best part by far was hearing a multitude of voices lift up the precious Name of Jesus.

THE BAD

So, what went wrong? Gov. Perry made an unfortunate decision when he chose his leadership team.

“Apostle” Doug Stringer of the International House of Prayer (IHOP) cult hosted the event so he was on stage all day. Seeing Stringer in the limelight was my first clue that the American Family Association (AFA), the pro-family group that sponsored the event, had made the decision to ignore the pleading of Christians who urged them not to unite with false teachers. I was one who pleaded with them. (Read my piece here)

Doug Stringer seemed like the perfect choice to host the event. He’s articulate, has a soothing voice, his prayers are fluid and heartfelt, and he demonstrated that he is more than capable of handling a microphone! From all appearances Doug is a “godly man” who has a passion for God. What I’m leading up to will no doubt shock some of you. This so-called apostle is up to his eyeballs in a cult. Any person who shares the beliefs of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), as Stringer does, is a false teacher. Anyone who shares the beliefs of the Word of Faith (WoF) movement is a false teacher. Anyone who stands on a platform with false teachers, as some of the most respected Christians in America did, ignores what God says in Scripture:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (rebuke) them.” (Eph 5:11)

In 2 Tim 3:5 Paul explains that some men have a form of godliness, but they deny the power of God. He admonishes Timothy to turn away from such men.

Gov. Perry and other politicians along with many in the Christian Right (CR) did not turn away from false teachers; instead they invited these men and women to break bread with them. CR leaders were warned that they were uniting with cultists, but instead of turning away they received them. And then they publicly embraced them, even prayed with them.

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: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 9-11) (Bold mine)

THE UGLY

Let me give you the Cliff Notes version of the NAR’s warped theology that is being introduced through the back door of many evangelical churches:

Advocates believe they are equal with Jesus Christ and have the same power that Jesus had.

They believe they receive extra-biblical revelations from God apart from Scripture and they are able to rewrite doctrine with “new understanding.”

They are modern day prophets and apostles and claim that the biblical ministry of an apostle has been forgotten so God has called them to restore it.

They are “Super Apostles” second only to God.

They believe the church is a theocracy not a democracy and the government of the church must be under the leadership of restored “apostles.”

They believe “all people, nations, and demonic principalities must submit to these so-called apostles and prophets, who will lead God’s end-times army in establishing His kingdom on earth.”

They believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit—who was the source of all of Jesus’ power when He was here on earth– they can perform miracles even greater than Jesus performed because they have access to the same power source, the Holy Spirit.

They’ve been commanded by God to “take dominion” over certain spheres of influence. They call this the Seven Mountain mandate. These mountains of influence are (1) Arts and Entertainment; (2) Business/Economy; (3) Education; (4) Family; (5) Government; (6) Media; (7) Religion.

According to NAR czar C. Peter Wagner,

We can pray for all these mountains with power because we have that power that Jesus had and it’s up to us to be in a place where we’re open to release that power of the Holy Spirit so that His name will be know and that His kingdom will advance.(Online source)

Did you get that? Wagner believes born again Christians have the same power that Jesus had.

Do we…really?

No! First off, the Holy Spirit is a not a personal power source and God’s people are not Energizer Bunnies! Secondly, the Holy Spirit cannot be manipulated. Thirdly, if we have the same power that Jesus had, why are true believers unable to walk on water? Why can’t we stop a tornado in its tracks? Why are God’s people unsuccessful at bringing our dead loved ones back to life? Jesus performed miracles with a wave of a hand. He also used words, but very few. “Lazarus,” He commanded, “come forth!” Lazarus, who had been dead 4 days, instantly obeyed the Voice and came out of the tomb. (John 11:43) I for one would like to see Peter Wagner or Cindy Jacobs or Rick Joyner or Todd Bentley perform the same kinds of miracles Jesus did.

Listen to what Mark Vrankovich says about these people:

[T]hese Super Apostles do not follow Paul’s example. They are rigorous self-promoters who see power and wealth as important goals. They demand that you cede (to yield typically by treaty) to their authority. Church members must sign “covenants” stating that they will obey the church leadership. Church leaders themselves must “submit” their lives to the Super Apostles. To not submit is to rebel against God’s will and condemn you to a barren Christian life outside the protection of the Super Apostles magical “umbrella of authority”. (Online source)

Calling them heretics does not qualify as an argument, which is the reason I cited a small portion of their heretical beliefs. (Read more about the NAR/Dominionism here)

What does the WoF movement believe? Faith is a force. Our words are the containers of our faith or fear. Through faith we can create our own reality. Pastor Gary Gilley explains that supporters of this movement believe that faith works like a mighty power or force. Through faith we can obtain anything we want — health, wealth, success, whatever. However, this force is only released through the spoken word. As we speak the words of faith, power is discharged to accomplish our desires. (Bold by author)

Later in his article Gilley says of faith teacher Kenneth Copeland,

Kenneth Copeland states the faith formula this way: “All it takes is 1) Seeing or visualizing whatever you need, whether physical or financial; 2) Staking your claim on Scripture; and 3) Speaking it into existence.”

More…

Paul Yonggi Cho, borrowing from the occult, has developed what he calls the “Law of Incubation.” Here is how it works: “First make a clear-cut goal, then draw a mental picture, vivid and graphic, to visualize success. Then incubate it into reality, and finally speak it into existence through the creative power of the spoken word” (Online source)

As you can see, the NAR (Dominionist, Latter Rain, Manifest(ed) Sons of God) and the WoF (positive confession, name it and claim it) movements share many of the same beliefs. I don’t have the space to go into IHOP. What’s important to “get” is that it’s an outright cult and some of its members including, as I said above, the very pleasant host Doug Stringer, were on Rick Perry’s leadership team. Why? Only AFA, the group that sponsored the event and its founder Tim Wildmon, has the answer.

DANCING WITH WOLVES

Knowing what you now know about what these people believe, does it make sense that Gov. Perry, the AFA, CR leaders, pastors, ministry leaders, politicians and Christian luminaries would have anything to do with these wolves? I use wolves because that’s what the Bible calls false teachers. Wolves are ferocious creatures who stalk their prey before they pounce and devour it! This is how God views these people! They stalk and devour. They are cunning and crafty. This is why God’s people are to avoid them like the plague.

Not long ago I wrote a piece on prayer titled Are You Praying to the Only True God? I’ll close with this quote:

The scriptures speak of God the Holy Spirit residing within all who believe in the Son of God. The Spirit guides, instructs and empowers believers. (John 14:16-17) As well, the “Spirit of truth” confirms everything about Jesus. (John 15:26) The unregenerate (unsaved) person is not Spirit filled. God does not hear anyone’s prayer unless it is put into words by the Holy Spirit. So if we want our prayers to be heard and answered we must pray to the right God.

“This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

Texas Governor’s Aug 6th Prayer Event Leadership Team Includes Cult Members

August 2, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

The prayer event I’m speaking of is The Response: a call to prayer for a nation in crisis. The cult Gov. Rick Perry has involved himself with is the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The NAR has dozens of offshoots and an assortment of names such as Dominionists, Latter Rain, Kansas City Prophets, Third Wave, Joel’s Army, Manifest(ed) Sons of God, Five-Fold Ministry, to name a few. Another offshoot, and the one I’ll deal with here, is the International House of Prayer (IHOP), a splinter group of the Kansas City Prophets. Confusing? You betcha!

I’m not alone in my view that much of the NAR and IHOP theology and doctrines are unbiblical, most conservative Bible scholars, apologists and pastors agree. According to Brannon Howse:

The Response…is being promoted as a time of prayer and repentance. However, how can Christians and Christian leadersgather together in a spiritual enterprise and a spiritual service, with individuals that embrace a theology and doctrine that teaches a different Jesus and a different gospel? I, and thousands of pastors and theologians, believe that the Word of God reveals that the teaching of the New Apostolic Reformation, (NAR) the Word of Faith movement and the prosperity gospel is completely unbiblical. (Online source)

The American Family Association (AFA) is sponsoring the event. AFA is part of the Religious Right a.k.a. the Christian Right (CR). Is the fact that cultists are involved just a slip up or a failure on the part of AFA to fact check? No. They know perfectly well who these people are and have decided to unite with them anyway.

So why would a so-called Christian group pal around with members of a Christian cult? In a word, pragmatism. This is the philosophy that “the end justifies the means.” In this case the end is getting people motivated to show up at a prayer rally. The NAR has the resources to accomplish this task because a large part of what they do is planning global prayer events. Although I have no way of validating how this project was conceived it’s not out of the realm of possibility that the NAR wanted to do a prayer event in Texas that included the governor so they presented the plan to the AFA and a partnership was created. Since it benefits politicians to have the support of the Religious Right, Perry also jumped on board. Another possibility is that AFA’s leadership has Dominionist leanings and they, feeling comfortable with this group, sponsored the event. Finally, it very well might be that the governor’s staff came up with the idea and presented it to the AFA, they liked the idea and agreed to sponsor it. Although it would be interesting to know how the idea for this event was conceived and how this group of organizers was put together, the fact remains that Gov. Perry and the CR are involved with cultists.

It’s not a stretch to say that most folks, including the governor, have never heard of the NAR or IHOP-KC, so it’s possible that at first he was unaware that cultists were on The Response leadership team. He knows now! And rumor has it that he might be backing away from the event. We shall see what happens on August 6^th.

On the other hand, the AFA is not backing away. As of today AFA.net has a large advertisement on its website. But I’m getting ahead of myself. More on the AFA after I summarize the NAR’s beliefs.

Let there be no doubt that the NAR is a cultic movement within many Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. It stresses supernatural signs and wonders, prayer, and spiritual warfare. According to C. Peter Wagner, former professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, church growth guru, and NAR author, the new apostolic churches, better than any I have previously studied, combine, on the highest level, solid technical principles of church growth with solid spiritual principles of church growth. (Online source)

The NAR believes that God is restoring the lost offices of Prophet and Apostle and that the modern-day apostles and prophets are gifted with the same gifts as the New Testament era Apostles. What do the apostles and prophets do? Wagner explains:

The apostles bring spiritual government to the pastors of the city so that the pastors of the city can do the job that God has given them in a much more effective way. The only thing is that the pastors of the city have to recognize the existence of apostles and be willing to acknowledge their governmental role. This hasn’t happened too much yet. (Online source)

Wagner said this over a decade ago. Today it is definitely happening… too much.

The NAR also believes God is giving them new revelation, thus they are able to rewrite Church doctrine. Moreover, these so-called apostles and prophets plan to aggressively “retake the reins of our country” for Christ. They also hold that Jesus Christ cannot return until Christians subdue and rule the earth. You say, “that’s crazy! The Bible doesn’t teach that!” True….which makes one wonder how a savvy politician like Rick Perry—who’s considering a run for the presidency–got bushwhacked by a band of religious renegades.

That’s it in a nutshell. (For more on the NAR go to Recommended Reading.)

Returning to the AFA, what’s important to know is that it is a prominent Christian organization that has been on the frontlines of America’s culture war since 1977. How prominent? According to their website,

AFA is one of the largest and most effective pro-family organizations in the country with over two million online supporters and approximately 180,000 paid subscribers to the AFA Journal, the ministry’s monthly magazine. In addition, AFA owns and operates nearly 200 radio stations across the country under the American Family Radio (AFR) banner.

AFA is big. My reason for bringing attention to them is simple: Their supporters have a right to know if the AFA leadership shares the NAR’s unbiblical beliefs — or they’re simply deceived.

In my opinion the AFA’s leadership is anything but deceived. Whoever chose The Response leadership team knew perfectly well that they were choosing members of the IHOP-KC and I have good reason for believing this. Several weeks ago an article I wrote titled The Religious Right unites with Religious Renegades, Part 1 was featured on AFA’s blog Rightly Concerned. After 2 days my piece was pulled — with no explanation for several days. Why did they suddenly pull it? Because I connected the dots between the CR and the NAR. (Blogger David Brumley noticed that my article disappeared from AFA’s blog. He became curious and began digging to find out why. There’s not enough space to explain what he found. Read his report. You will find it very interesting.)

Christian discernment groups have been all over the Perry debacle. They’re rightly concerned that the NAR is a major player in the event and that their participation will give these wolves credibility, not only with people of faith but also with politicians. CR leaders must heed Christ’s warning:

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22).

In an effort to right the wrongs here I’m going to include the names (it’s biblical) of The Response leadership and endorsers. Some of them are high-profile Christian leaders, others not so much.

Leadership:

AFA

Don Wildmon—Founder

Buddy Smith—Executive VP

NAR/IHOP

Luis & Jill Cataldo-Mike Bickle’s International House of Prayer (IHOP)

Randy & Kelly Bohlander-IHOP & Lou Engle’s The Call

Dave Sliker–The Call & The Elijah Revolution

Doug Stringer–NAR “Apostle”

Honorary Co-Chairs:

James & Shirley Dobson

Richard Land–Director of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

Penny Nance—CEO Concerned Women for America

Tony Perkins—President of the Family Research Council

Tony Evans—President of the Urban Alternative

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez –President National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference / Hispanic Evangelical Association

Endorsers: (More here)

David Barton–President & Founder, WallBuilders

Jim Garlow—Senior Pastor Skyline Church

John Hagee—Cornerstone Church; John Hagee Ministries

Timothy Johnson–Founder and National Chairman, Fredrick Douglass Foundation

Max Lucado—Pastor, author, speaker

Kelly Shackelford–President and Chief Counsel, Liberty Institute

NAR Endorsers (includes “Apostles” and “Prophets”)

C. Peter Wagner—Presiding Apostle of the International Coalition of Apostles. (According to Herescope: “Wagner’s presence indicates the marshaling of forces of his Seven Mountains Army behind a potential presidential candidate.” Wagner and his wife’s names were recently removed from the list with no explanation)

—General’s International

Mike Bickle—Director, International House of Prayer – Kansas City

Ché Ahn–Senior Pastor, Harvest Rock Church

John Benefiel—Heartland Apostolic Prayer Network

Laura Allred—Founder, Captured and Back to Life Movement

Nick Nilson–Youth & Young Adult Pastor, Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen’s church)

This is only a partial list. And the list is growing.

You’re probably wondering, Is something sinister going on behind the scenes?

According to Herescope:

This type of prayer is not about evangelism. It is about Dominionism. This movement has been going on for decades now, but it gained momentum and popularity under the auspices of C. Peter Wagner, who first articulated this agenda in numerous books on the topic. Wagner… began to experiment with novel forms of worship, including prayer, in the 1980s. Wagner says that his idea about prayer began to change when he was exposed to Paul Cain in 1988 and Cindy Jacobs in 1989. Paul Cain was a father figure in the “Kansas City Prophets” which formed the IHOP … movement. Cindy Jacobs has since become one of Wagner’s chief lieutenants in the global Dominion movement, particularly through the vehicle of prayer. (Online source)

The Response is not the only event where the CR and the NAR have joined forces. In my 3 part article on the CR uniting with the NAR, I took no joy in reporting that “prophet” Cindy Jacobs and General’s International held the May Day 2010: A Cry To God For A Nation In Distress at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial and that pro-family conservative Janet Porter of Faith2Action organized the event. Among the many promoters were James and Shirley Dobson. According to the Christian Post intercessors included Janet Porter, Tony Perkins, Jerry Newcombe, host and senior producer of “The Coral Ridge Hour,” the television outreach of the late Dr. D. James Kennedy, and Rev. Pat Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. NAR leaders , and offered prayers of “Repentance for the Mountain of Religion” and for “The Church.” A large number of pro-family conservative leaders showed up for the prayer meeting.

Janet Porter is a huge supporter of Israel. On May 19^, 2011 she ran a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal and in the Jerusalem Post on May 20^th: Israel: You’re Not Alone. We Stand With You. Following are some of the signatures of CR leaders Porter gathered for her ad: Tim Wildmon, Mike Huckabee, James Dobson, Mathew Staver, Lou Sheldon, Bill McCartney and Judge Roy Moore. She also gathered signatures from NAR “apostles” and “prophets” Chuck Pierce, Rick Joyner, and . Far be from me to criticize Janet for supporting Israel. I’m with her on this one. What troubles me is her ongoing friendship with wolves in sheep’s clothing.

There’s more. A number of prominent pastors and Christian leaders attended Televangelist James Robison’s Leadership Summit in September of 2010 and again in June of 2011. Robison conducted the gathering because he believes, there is an insidious attack on God, faith, family and freedom” and that God was planning on using this group of “national leaders to help inspire a spiritual awakening, a return to sanity and a restoration of freedom’s foundation. (Online source)

Robison’s blog provides visitors with a list of attendees along with those who encouraged and assisted in bringing about the gatherings. The list includes some of the leaders and endorsers of The Response such as AFA founder Don Wildmon, Tony Perkins, Jim Garlow, Richard Land and Tony Evans. Emergent Church guru Dallas Willard is also on the list. And there are several infamous televangelists. For example: Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer and Rod Parsley. On the roll with prosperity preachers you find David Meyers (Summit Ministries), Jay Richards (Discovery Institute), Maggie Gallagher (National Organization for Marriage), Wayne Grudem (author and professor of Phoenix Seminary) and Rabbi Daniel Lapin (American Alliance of Jews and Christians). David Barton and Ravi Zacharais were on the list but their schedules did not permit their attendance. You’ll find the entire list here.

I have thrown out a number of names, events, and organizations in this article. My intent is not to confuse but rather to provide limited insight into how blurry the lines are becoming between true believers and cultists. I hope readers will do their homework and follow the links I’ve provided.

The serious Christian must ask oneself if it is prudent to support false teachers in an effort to “take back America.” You’ll find the answer in the Bible:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them. (Eph 5:11)

Exposing unfruitful (worthless) works is not happening! What’s happening is that so-called Christian organizations are teaming up with outright heretics and unbelievers. What does the Bible say on this subject?

“Be ye not unequally yoked together (team up) with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14)

It seems many Christian leaders do not have an ounce of discernment. Here they are standing on platforms all across America in front of thousands of people calling for repentance when they’re the ones who need to repent for going against God by uniting with wolves in sheep’s clothing! Many in the discernment ministries have been warning the Religious Right about their alliances with those in false religions the cults. How do they respond? By thumbing their noses and continuing their march down the path to destruction.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you really want God to bless this nation His people need to start keeping His commands beginning with Jesus’ command to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:5)

Do you love Him? Then prove it.

The Religious Right unites with Religious Renegades, Part 3

July 1, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

There’s an old saying, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” meaning that people who believe they are doing good often end up doing evil. It’s the law of unintended consequences. Unfortunately this is what has happened to some–not all–religious conservative organizations. I know of altruistic Christian activists, both conservative and liberal, who believe they are doing God’s work, but in their effort to “right wrongs” they have utterly failed to honor God’s command to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. “ (Jude 1:3)

What does Jude mean? Simply that true followers of Jesus Christ are first and foremost to share Christ with the lost. Yet many so-called Christians are not evangelizing the lost for fear of being perceived as trying to “push their religion on others.” They detest being thought of as intolerant, thus they remain silent. News flash: The Gospel of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be offensive to those who are lost! It’s a whole lot easier to say “Jesus loves you” than “take up your cross and follow Him.”

Some prominent Christian Right (CR) leaders that head up ginormous organizations are so busy fighting the culture war that they’ve forgotten what’s most important — Truth! Jesus said: “Thy Word is truth!” (John 17:17)

The CR (unrepentantly) unites with pretty much anyone who is likeminded politically. Sadly this includes a slew of false teachers, cultists, and Social Justice Christians (SJC) a.k.a. Progressive Evangelicals. SJCs are chiefly liberals whose main goal is to dismantle historical, orthodox Christianity and usher in a “new kind of Christianity.” In the name of social justice, SJC leaders stealthly steer undiscerning believers into a left-wing collectivized utopia!

SJC is beyond of the scope of this article so I’ll move on.

PRAGMATISM = COMPROMISE

Many in the CR leadership are uniting with evil doers (God’s word, not mine). They have climbed aboard the SS Pragmatism and are proceeding full speed ahead into shark infested waters. Uniting with evil doers serves two specific purposes. It helps get the message out and provides an additional source of revenue. And let’s face it. When the money stops rolling in organizations are forced to close their doors. So these additional funds, regardless of the source, keep the message alive and the group afloat.

Before I move to my next point I need to stress that it is my belief that Christians should try to influence public policy. How? By casting their vote, serving in local government, forming and joining special interest groups, writing letters to the Editor, giving financial support, and participating in lawful demonstrations. Anti-abortion activists are a good example of Christians trying to influence public policy. Pro-lifers have formed groups comprised mostly of Christians that engage in politics because it is the only means they have to end abortion. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it will happen because of the dogged determination of political action groups.

For obvious reasons Christians should never relinquish control of the government to godless secular humanists and “grievous wolves” (Acts 20:29)! On the other hand, Christ never commanded His followers to build a theocracy!

Isn’t the NAR’s attempting to do this?

A SUBTLE SHIFT

P. J. Miller urges visitors to Sola Dei Gloria to read an essay by Rachel Tabachnic titled Lions In the Pews. “This is an extremely interesting article,” says Miller, “one I would suggest reading in its entirety. You may not agree with all of it, (the author touches on the rapture and a few other points which many believers differ over, theologically) but sitting that aside, the information concerning the subtle shift many Churches are making into Dominionist/Dominionism theology is excellent reading for those interested in the goals these people have set and are pursuing: That includes the NAR…” (Bold added by P. J.)

The following is an excerpt from Tabachnic’s article with bold by P. J.:

But this strand has emerged from Pentecostal and Charismatic backgrounds and has been nearly invisible to both the mainstream press and progressive writers. Like other Dominionists the New Apostolics are culture warriors and have specific stated goals for overtaking all spheres of American society and government as seen in the video above.

Also, like other dominionist groups they actually invest much of their efforts in fighting the traditional institutionalized church.

However, they differ from most other Dominionist groups in their embrace of the outpouring of gifts of the holy spirit, or manifestations, like being slain in the spirit, Holy Laughter, and other states of altered consciousness that are a part of their very experiential worship style.

The New Apostolic Reformation is also much more focused on the expulsion of demons as the process for healing, social reform, or even raising people from the dead. They have a unique and extensive lingo that is dedicated to the description of the expulsion of territorial demons including terms like ground level spiritual warfare, occult level spiritual warfare, and strategic level spiritual warfare.

While Pentecostal churches have always celebrated a restoration of the church, this has been tempered with Rapture theology. As churches embrace this Apostolic revolution they are moving away from the traditions of Assemblies of God and other denominations and are adopting a view of the end time that includes the triumph and perfection of the church as opposed to escaping in the Rapture from an evil world descending into the apocalypse.

They see the imminent end times as a time of great glory for the restored true Apostolic church greater than the one of New Testament times, and a time when the foot soldiers of this church will be imparted with supernatural powers.

This outpouring of powers will allow them to crush evil with a “rod of iron” and deliver a purified church to Jesus when he returns.

Seeing as pro-family leaders , Don Wildmon, Janet Porter and have united with the NAR one can’t help but wonder if they share their end times beliefs. It’s a legitimate question to ask.

PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT

Methodist holiness preacher Charles Parham is considered the founder of modern Pentecostalism. Parham broke with the Methodist church and started his own ministry. In 1901Agnes Ozman began to speak in “tongues” when hands were laid on her. Parham believed that speaking in tongues was both a sign of Spirit baptism and also the signal of the end of the age. Parham also linked the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with a latter-day Pentecost.

“What began on a corner at the turn of the twentieth century is now barreling down Main Street. What was once known as thePentecostal movement has now splintered into numerous diverse, yet overlapping movements: Pentecostal, Charismatic, Vineyard,Word-Faith, and Holy Laughter.” (1)

Add to the list Latter Rain Restorationism/ International House of Prayer (IHOP)/Third Wave/Deliverance/ Soaking in the Spirit/ and the aforementioned Dominionists/ Seven Mountains/Elijah Revolution/Kingdom Now/Joel’s Army/Manifest Sons of God and most recently the NAR. I’ve only scratched the surface!

Bud Press of Christian Research Service lamented:

The Prophetic Movement is a dark, evil wasteland teeming with false apostles, false prophets, hyper-heretics, false healers, and greedy, money-hungry con men and women, all of whom are overshadowed by Satan and his demonic forces.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for the unholy mess the Church has become. Liberals, liars, and loons have infiltrated her. To paraphrase my pastor’s teaching (from my notes), believers have been misled by well-spoken, self-promoting, self-serving, charismatic leaders who emphasize power gifts but put little emphasis on preaching the gospel. These men and women think nothing of exploiting God’s people for their own gain.

Jesus gave us fair warning:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Mat 7:15-17)

While we’re on the subject of ravening wolves, some false teachers deny the divinity of Jesus Christ…

There was no bodily resurrection…

The Bible was written by men, not by Divine inspiration. It’s a book of myths and fables, full of contradictions, open to interpretation, holds hidden meanings that only the “enlightened” can know…

Seriously?

Wolves teach that God loves, doesn’t judge, so all humans go to heaven.

Triniterianism is out…

No vicarious Atonement…

The virgin birth? Don’t make me laugh!…

As for sodomy? No sin there!…

Fornication and cohabitation? What’s the big deal?…

Abortion? It’s my choice!…

Wait a minute! A Christian can choose to murder a baby?

Really?

I could go on, but hopefully the point is made. The postmodern Church will only tolerate a small “g” god who simply rolls his/her eyes at sin and say, “Boys will be boys.”

Over 20 years ago the late Dr. Walter Martin took on liberalism in the Church:

Let me tell you something that I have learned; I know the liberals. I know them well; I was one of them. And they are the most dangerous, insidious, and all-pervading cult that’s loose in the United States right at this moment…

And this theological flea infestation is ruining the lifeblood of the Church, which is evangelism. And, you think these are very strong statements; I intend to back them up in—if necessary—excruciating details. For any person who does not know that today in the United States, and in denominational structures world-around, we are in an accelerating apostasy does not know—I repeat—does not know what’s going on…

We have, for more than one hundred years, been under sustained attack in the United States; in our theological seminaries, church related schools, and our churches. A sustained attack by people, who have the form of godliness, and work within the structure of the Church and have—wherever they have been permitted the opportunity—diluted the Gospel and destroyed the Faith.

They occupy today the chairs in our major theological seminaries; the rulership of our major denominational structures—they maintain boldly and boastfully—“This[is] the Church!” But it’s not the Church if it denies the power of the Gospel… (2)

LYING SIGNS & WONDERS

The NAR travels the globe allegedly performing miraculous healings, raising the dead back to life and breaking down “demonic strongholds.” They have visions as clear as a movie screen… give future prophecies…experience visitations from Jesus, angels, and Aimee Simple McPherson. As an extra added bonus they get “revelation knowledge” directly from God and have the unmitigated arrogance to say, “The Spirit of God spoke to me…” but there’s no way to verify whose voice they hear! According to Isaiah 8:20, “[I]f they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them.”

With all the powers these wolves possess, I presume some of them can walk on water.

WE’RE STILL WAITING, RICK

In 1988 “super-prophet” Rick Joyner shared his “vision” concerning the coming “revolution” in the Church:

“What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. The vision was given in order to begin to awaken those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity. The dismantling of organizations and disbanding of some works will be a positive and exhilarating experience for the Lord’s faithful servants. A great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles will be raised up with the spirit of Phineas; it will be said of the apostles soon to be anointed that they have turned an upside down world right side up. Nations will tremble at the mention of their name.” (3)

Have I missed something? I can’t think of a single nation that trembles at the name of Rick Joyner or the other so-called apostles and prophets. Joyner’s alleged prophecy came to him over two decades ago. He claimed that the “soon to be” anointed would turn an upside world right side up. Well, what’s the hold up? With the way things are going in this country, I’m eager for the “great company” to turn things right side up, aren’t you?

A CALL TO DISCERNMENT

Admittedly there are some CR leaders that want to build a theocracy as do Dominionists, but many in the CR do not. The CR leadership unfamiliar with the NAR’s global goals is leading those involved in fighting the culture war into shark infested waters. They must “take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them (evil men).” (Deut. 12:30) In other words, listen up — and abandon ship!

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:13, 14)

Part 1
Part 2

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The History of the Charismatic Movement–By Gary E. Gilley

[2] Walter Martin, The Cult of Liberalism, CD Rom—Obtained from Apprising Ministries

[3] Rick Joyner. Restoration, May/June 1988, “The Harvest”

Beware of Bachmann Palin and Religion in Politics

June 19, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

Less than 24 hours after President Obama stated:

“The United States believes that negotiations should result in two states, with permanent Palestinian borders with Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and permanent Israeli borders with Palestine. The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state.” [1]

Presidential candidate, Tea Party congresswoman Michele Bachmann launched 150,000 robo-calls to residents in Iowa and South Carolina on May 19th accusing Obama of not standing up for Israel.

In her recent speech at the “Faith & Freedom Conference” held in D.C., Bachmann termed Obama’s call for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict based on Israel’s 1967 boundaries and mutually agreed land swaps “shocking ” and she followed up by buying ads on Jewish websites reiterating her message.

After graduating from high school, Bachmann worked on a kibbutz in Israel near to Beersheva, one of over 500 Palestinian villages and towns that Israel ethnically cleansed beginning in 1948.

In 1986, Bachmann received a J.D. degree from Oral Roberts University, a cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian university that is part of a movement of individual, historically mainstream congregations who have adopted beliefs and practices similar to Pentecostals, which includes a wide range of different theologies, such as The NAR/New Apostolic Reformation.

The NAR is a religious movement of elites and regular people guided by an entire genre of books, texts, videos and other media. Among NAR adherents, is Sarah Palin and the NAR is one of the largest movements in America that nobody knows of due to the dearth of investigative reporting on the intersection of faith and politics.

NAR videos “demonstrate the taking control of communities and nations through large networks of ‘prayer warriors’ whose spiritual warfare is used to expel and destroy the demons that cause societal ills. Once the territorial demons, witches, and generational curses are removed, the ‘born-again’ Christians in the videos take control of society…Leaders in the NAR movement refer to themselves as ‘apostles.’

“Palin has also been blessed, or ‘anointed’, by an African cleric, prominent in the Third Wave movement, who has repeatedly visited the Wasilla Assembly of God and claims to have effected positive, dramatic social change in a Kenyan town by driving out a ‘spirit of witchcraft.’

“The Wasilla Assembly of God church is deeply involved with both Third Wave activities and theology…The Third Wave is a revival of the theology of the Latter Rain tent revivals of the 1950s and 1960s led by William Branham and others. It is based on the idea that in the end times there will be an outpouring of supernatural powers on a group of Christians that will take authority over the existing church and the world. The believing Christians of the world will be reorganized under the Fivefold Ministry and the church restructured under the authority of Prophets and Apostles and others anointed by God. The young generation will form ‘Joel’s Army’ to rise up and battle evil and retake the earth for God…” [2]

Jesus called politicians foxes and with Bachmann and Palin being touted as presidential material, the issue of faith in politics has never been more deadly.

As Don Hewitt advised: “Tell me a story. It’s that easy” I offer this one to my sister and brother Americans, in particular those who claim to be Christian:

On March 20, 2006, I traveled from the Little Town of Bethlehem: Occupied Territory to the Mount of Beatitudes in Israel. This awe inspiring site sits above the shimmering Sea of Galilee where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, and I ended up delivering my own Sermon on that Mount! Read more…

Four Franciscan Sisters, one each from Syria, Jordan, Malta and Italy care for the shrine and the pilgrim guests at the Hospice Center where I spent two nights and a day of silent reflection after nine days on a Sabeel Reality tour through occupied Palestine.

At dinner a Catholic Pentecostal from Scotland introduced himself and asked me why I was there and what church I was from.

I responded that I have Irish Roman Catholic, Polish Jew and Ukrainian DNA and my rock is The Beatitudes.

He looked even more perplexed when I told him I had come to the Mount of Beatitudes to decompress and reflect upon my nine days in Occupied Territory. I asked him if he were aware of the work of Sabeel, the Palestinian Christian liberation theology organization founded by a 1948 refugee, which promotes a theology of liberation, based on justice, peace, non-violence and reconciliation with all people regardless of faith path or nationality.

He sternly admonished me; “God gave this land to the Jews! The Bible never mentions Palestine, and that is that! God gave this land to the Jews and that is that!”

I responded just as fervently that the Palestinian Christians are the descendants of those who first followed Jesus and they have been denied inalienable human rights by the Israeli government. I told him the Christians in the Holy Land have shrunk from 20% of the total population to less than 1.3% since 1948 and if things don’t change soon, there will be no Christians left in the land where Christ promised that it is the peacemakers who are the children of God.

He sputtered, “But the Jews have suffered! God gave this land to the Jews and that is that!”

This really got my Irish up and I retorted, “Yes they did because good people did nothing for far too long, and now the oppressed have become the oppressors. In the 21st century good people are unaware, ignoring or are in total denial of the injustices Israel gets away with in the so called Holy Land. And the Hebrew prophets, such as Micah reminded the people of what the Lord requires: To be just, to be merciful and to walk humbly with your God!”

I could NOT shut up although I knew that that Scotsman was trying to get away from me, but, I was on a tear and barely took a breath as I told him that instead of staying in Israel for his entire visit, he should go and witness life in the occupied territories; go and see the effects of The Wall on his spirit and see what it has done to the Palestinian economy. I told him he should go and tour some of the Bethlehem refugee camps and see the ruins of all the uncompensated home demolitions. I brought it on home by telling him that I also doubt that God was ever in the real estate business!

His eyes had bugged out and his mouth had dropped open while the torrent of words spewed out of me. After I finally shut up, he stammered, “But there is suffering everywhere!”

“Yes there is and Christ always stood up for the poor and the oppressed. And he told us what ever we do or do not do for the least and the outcast; we do it or not unto God.”

He shook his head and turned and walked quickly away and never again looked my way.

Nobody else spoke to me the rest of the evening or the next day. That was fine with me, for I was listening to the voice within and I kept hearing Luke 23:34:

“Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

But when you know and if you are of good will, you must do something and as education is the way to compassion and compassion is the way to change, so I persist to try and Wake Up the Bachmann’s and Palin’s of America many of whom have been misled into accepting the ideology of Christian Zionism as IF it were theologically sound!

What is Christian Zionism?

Christian Zionism is an extremist Christian movement, which supports the claims of those who believe that the State of Israel should take control of all of the land currently disputed between Palestinians and Israelis. It views the creation and expansion of the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy toward the second coming of Jesus.

Christian Zionism is a modern theological and political movement that embraces the most extreme ideological positions of Zionism, thereby becoming detrimental to a just peace within Palestine and Israel. The Christian Zionist program provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it laces an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ’s love and justice today.

What is the Christian Zionist connection with the Holy Land?

Believing that God fights on the side of Israel, Christian Zionists call for the unqualified support for the most extreme political positions. They do not have eyes to see or ears to hear their sisters and brothers in Christ, or cousins in the family of Father Abraham who are caught in the crossfire of the military minded.

Christian Zionist spokes persons have also attributed Hurricane Katrina to God’s wrath over America’s failure to stop Israel from “disengaging” from Gaza in 2005, although Israel has never ceased their total control over air, land and sea borders!

They also consistently oppose any moves towards a solution to the conflict, which would validate the political aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Who Supports Christian Zionism?

Christian Zionism has significant support within American Protestant fundamentalists, and number between 10 and 20 million. Its reach is broad, by virtue of its favorite themes related to the “End Times” and an Israel-fixated Christian media.

Christian Zionism is both a political movement and a way of mis-interpreting current events. Its focus on Israel and the Middle East is an ideology and a movement. Its promoters share many beliefs but are not organized through any one institution.

Throughout history Christians have at times twisted scripture to justify violence: for the Crusades, for Antisemitism, and for slavery.

Too often the Church has been slow to respond to these biblical distortions and with disastrous results.

Today Christian Zionists – particularly those with dispensationalist leanings – are well organized and although their motives are couched in terms of compassion toward the Jewish people they base their theology on literal readings of scripture.

The political agenda of territorial expansion advocated by Christian Zionists has given rise to the brutal injustices against Palestinians, which fuels the fires of militancy in the Middle East.

While Jewish Zionism began with the hope that all Jewish people would have a safe and peaceful dwelling place, these corruptors of the gospel Christ preached, adhere to a 200 year old convoluted interpretation of disparate scriptures that they have chosen to weave together to support their fear based judgmental narrow minded doctrine.

This heretical theology of Premellenial Dispensation worships a god of Armageddon and not the God of love, forgiveness and compassion that Jesus/The Prince of Peace modeled even while being nailed to a cross.

The “Left Behind” series of fiction is the epitome of what millennium of theologians have always understood to be what the term anti-Christ is truly about

The term “Antichrist” only appears five times in the Bible, but a cult not based on sound theology has created an urban legend that seeks Armageddon.

The term “Antichrist” never appears in John’s Revelation or Daniel, two disparate works of literature written three centuries apart and under very different circumstances, yet the Left Behinder’s weave them together.

The small texts that mention the “Antichrist” were written to attack the Gnostic understanding of whom Christ was. A Gnostic relies on intuition and not on dogma and doctrine. Gnostic’s were most certainly free spirits and most all of the writings we have about Gnostics, have been the attacks upon them. That all changed when the Nag Hamadi Library was translated and published, for what had been deemed heretical by those in power in the fourth century can now be read in most every language. Read more…

The theology promoted in the Left Behind fiction is a theology based on fear and punishment.

These misinformed Christians worship a punitive father as God. They do not have eyes to see that nature is God’s primary temple, and war the greatest abomination.

The theology of the fictional “Left Behind” series is the epitome of the spirit of the anti-Christ: which is the evil within ones own heart that leads one to fear “the other” and compels them to violence.

According to Christ, to be his follower, one must do what the Father requires. The Hebrew prophet Micah summed it up best: “What does the Lord require? He has already told you o’man: Be Just, Be Merciful and walk humbly with your God.” -Micah 6:8:

To be just is to be fair and reasonable. To be merciful means to treat all people the way we want to be treated. To be humble is knowing oneself; the good and the evil, for both cut through every human heart.

Jesus taught that the only way to resist evil is with good and he modeled that one must always work for peaceful resolutions, even to the point of returning violence with compassion and forgiveness.

No religion owns God and no church owns Jesus, who was never a Christian, for that term was not even coined until three decades after he walked the earth.

Jesus was a social justice radical revolutionary nonviolent Palestinian devout Jewish road warrior who rose up and challenged the job security of the temple priests by teaching the people no need to pay the priests for ritual baths or sacrificing livestock to be OK with God; for God already LOVES you just as you are.

Christianity and this republic were founded by rebels, revolutionaries and dissidents. Jesus called politicians foxes and I take that as a warning to US that when religion rules politics instead of guiding ethics and morality, we the people for justice, peace, equality and true democracy get screwed.

Eileen Fleming is a regular columnist for Veracity Voice

Eileen Fleming, Founder of WeAreWideAwake.org
A Feature Correspondent for Arabisto.com
Author of “Keep Hope Alive” and “Memoirs of a Nice Irish American ‘Girl’s’ Life in Occupied Territory”
Producer “30 Minutes with Vanunu” and “13 Minutes with Vanunu”

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The Religious Right unites with Religious Renegades, Part 2

June 19, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

My purpose for writing this article is not to discredit, scold or embarrass the Christian Right (CR) for their part in helping to advance the bizarre beliefs of a renegade movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). My words are intended to be loving but firm. (Eph 4:15) I believe the CR’s intentions are good and that they are honorable men and women who believe they are faithfully serving our Lord. What they fail to understand is that the NAR is a Christian sect!

So with this in mind I am calling for spiritual discernment from CR leaders. Prominent Christians are not exempt from doing as the Bible instructs: “Prove [test] all things; hold fast to that which is good [true].” (1 Thes 5:21) My hope is that CR leaders will scrutinize NAR’s theology and doctrines by the light of God’s Word. If they will do this, what they will discover is that the NAR’s message has little to do with the true Gospel of Jesus Christ – and this should be cause for alarm.

CHRISTIANITY 101

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

(Heb 1:1-4)

The words the Son of God spoke while He was among us are found in the pages of the Bible. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the four Gospels to correctly record what they heard from the lips of Jesus. One of the essential doctrines of Christianity—a non-negotiable– is the inerrancy of Scripture. In other words, everything in the Bible is true, thus God’s people must believe what the scriptures say. This is Christianity 101, my friends.

Nowhere in Scripture does it teach that we can expect “new revelation” from God. Those who teach this are in error. Moreover, our feelings and experiences are not to be trusted. I mean, seriously. Can you really trust your emotions?

Many Christians, especially Charismatic Christians, are open to receiving a “prophetic word from the Lord” through a so-called prophet. Some have even bought into the notion that they actually hear God speaking to them in a sort of whisper. Apologist Greg Koukl offers this warning:

This teaching that God will whisper in your ear all kind of particulars that pertain to you and His will for your life is very appealing to Christians. Even though when you look at the Scriptures, the specialized directions are rare. They are unusual. They are usually unsought. And they are always crystal clear. None of this “I think the Lord is telling me” business. People are still gravitating to the suggestion that we can develop a sixth sense that can tie us into a hotline to God so that we can have certitude about the things of life and the decisions we ought to make. Why is this appealing? Because it’s easy. (1)

It is vitally important that we understand that God has chosen to speak to us through His Word:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16-17).

The Bible makes it clear that God’s people are to live righteous lives. The Bible says thou shalt not lie, cheat, steal, have sex outside of marriage, laze around, dress like a slut, get occult tattoos, drink like a fish, view pornography, and so on and so forth. Living righteously means not being involved in immoral behavior. (I find it ironic that Christians knowingly participate in all sorts of activities that displease God, yet they sit around fretting over whether or not it’s God’s will for them to take that job offer, or marry Harry, or go on a mission trip to Timbuktu.)

Simply because someone believes they hear God whisper things that pertain to them—or His will for them–does not mean the “voice” is God’s. (Read Greg Koukl’s article Does God Whisper?)

Christians must be careful of such things as voices, visions, dreams, revelations, strong impressions, angel visitations and drawing on their experiences. None of these things should be given equal or greater authority than what is contained in Scripture. The Bible is the believer’s final authority. Everything we need to know has already been written. “If we do not base our understanding of Christ on the Word of God,” says Justin Edwards, “then all we are left with are opinions based on the figment of our imagination, the consequences of which are fatally hazardous to the soul.”

SEVEN MOUNTAINS TO CONQUER?

Conquering The Seven Mountains for Christ is the brainchild of the Dominionist movement. Over the years Dominionists have gone by many names including Latter Rain/Kingdom Now /Joel’s Army/Manifest Sons of God and most recently the NAR. The so-called Apostles and Prophets have a plan to aggressively “retake the reins of our country” for Christ. Dominionist Johnny Enlow wrote The Seven Mountain Prophecy where he shares his expertise on the subject. Enlow proclaims:

You are called to impact your culture! The coming Elijah Revolution will affect the entire world and will prepare the way of the Lord before His return.

What is the Elijah Revolution? ER’s website explains:

Elijah Revolution is a new ministry working in partnership with TheCall, Luke18 Project, and IHOP–KC, launching teen conferences and high school campus initiatives, calling teenagers to a life of wholehearted devotion to Jesus and radical commitment to God, in the spirit of a Nazirite.

Enlow continues:

There are seven nations “greater and mightier than we” – the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These nations correspond to seven “mountains” of global society – Media, Government, Education, Economy, Religion, Celebration/Arts, and Family. These culture-shaping areas of influence over society are the keys to taking a nation for the kingdom of God.

This is hogwash.

The purpose of Enlow’s book is to:

help each individual determine his or her specific assignment in this mission; and then to offer insight into the nature of the battles involved in this spiritual confrontation.

Enlow then adds:

With divine power and favor, revolutionaries will take these mountains for Christ!

Revolutionaries? Does he mean Christian young people must stand together and organize a far-left type revolution to take mountains for Christ? Yes, this is exactly what Enlow is purporting.

I don’t have a problem with Christians standing together to try to shape the culture using biblical morality as a guideline. Nor do I have a problem with Christians becoming social activists, especially when it comes to protecting the unborn and traditional marriage. But here’s what I do have a problem with. It is a fact that the NAR is awash in heresy — and this is easily proven – and yet these men and women, who teach doctrines of demons, are being taken seriously by the CR.

Something else I find troubling is that many professing Christians no longer share the Gospel of Jesus Christ – ever! Christians of all people should know that real change will not come until hearts and minds are changed. Why? Because the unregenerate (unsaved) man is dead in his sins. In other words, the unsaved man is spiritually dead. (Eph 2:1) When he accepts Christ, he is “born again” or regenerate. Thereafter he will see things through a spiritual lens. In time his worldview will change. Which leads to this question: Why are Christians not sharing the good news?

Listen to what Jesus commanded His followers to do:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Mat. 28:19-20)

This is a far cry from what the NAR is doing. They think God has given Christians a mandate to stem the tide of evil in this world. In order to accomplish this they must take the Seven Mountains of influence. These mountains of influence are:

(1) Arts and Entertainment; (2) Business/Economy; (3) Education; (4) Family; (5) Government; (6) Media; (7) Religion.

They believe that as they accomplish ridding the world of evil, things will get better and better and then Jesus Christ will return to set up His kingdom. And this is in the Bible?

One disgruntled left-wing blogger wrote:

I’ve been writing a lot about the steadily increasing influence that 7 Mountains/Dominion theology has been having on the Religious Right recently, though mostly as it has relates to Janet Porter.

But it is important to note that Porter is not alone in embracing this theology and partnering with activists who espouse it. For instance, Lou Engle played a central role in last year’s Family Research Council “prayercast” against health care reform and has developed ties to many other Religious Right leaders as well. Others, like Cindy Jacobs of Generals International, have likewise been making similar connections and several of these groups have also become members of the right-wing supergroup known as the Freedom Federation.

And even Newt Gingrich is cultivating his own ties to 7 Mountains advocates. Last year, Gingrich appeared alongside Engle at a “Rediscovering God In America” conference where Engle laid hands upon Gingrich and prayed for God’s protection for him. Not long thereafter, Gingrich formed a group called Renewing American Leadership and tapped Engle-associate and Prop 8 leader Jim Garlow to serve as Chairman of the organization. (2)

So what is going on here? It is obvious—even to the far-left–that the CR has united with the NAR. If this is untrue then why, for example, is the American Family Association (AFA) part of the leadership group promoting Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s “apolitical prayer meeting” The Response: August 6 1011? Is AFA not aware that the group includes several NAR leaders? Look at the list! In the leadership are such notables as:

Luis & Jill Cataldo—Mike Bickle’s International House of Prayer (IHOP)

Randy & Kelly Bohlander—IHOP &Lou Engle’s The Call

Dave Sliker—The Call & The Elijah Revolution

Doug Stringer—NAR Apostle

I can only assume Gov. Perry’s heart is in the right place and his purpose for this event is honorable, but without question the aim of many of those in leadership is to advance the NAR’s Seven Mountain agenda to take over society and government for Christ.

Sarah Leslie of Discernment Ministries has written extensively on the NAR. In an email to me Sarah explained the depths of the NAR leader’s depravity:

They believe that the modern-day apostles are gifted with the same gifts as the New Testament era Apostles (with a capital “A”). We know from Scripture that the first Apostles in the New Testament era were given a unique job by Christ Himself, which was to write the books that we have in the Canon of Scripture. These 12 men gave us the Foundation (Rev. 21:14) of the DOCTRINE of the Gospel of Salvation. It was the APOSTLE’S DOCTRINE which built the church.

The NAR believes that the modern-day apostles are being given new words (both rhema and logos) from God and are able to re-write that doctrine with “new understandings.” We have many articles posted about this on Herescope, including some key quotes from C. Peter Wagner and Hector Torres.

The NAR teaches the heresy that the modern-day apostles are the “foundation” of the church in a reverse hierarchical pyramid structure where they will rule the world (the 7 mountains) from a top-down networking structure. Their rule is said to be absolute and requires obedience from their downline. See the series that we ran on Herescope, for example. (3)

I’ll end part 2 with a quote from 2 Thes. 2:13-15:

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Stay tuned for part 3

Read part 1

FOOTNOTES

[1] Hearing God’s Voice—By Gregory Koukl

[2] The Dominionist Agenda Driving Gingrich’s New Organization—RightWingWatch.com

[3] The quote was taken from an email sent to me by Sarah Leslie, used by permission.

The Religious Right uniting with Religious Renegades, Part 1

May 21, 2011 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

Some Religious Right leaders have joined forces with movers and shakers, literally speaking, of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). They have been warned about this “New Breed” of Christian and their global kingdom agenda and have chosen to disregard the warnings. This article will put to rest the notion that the NAR’s esoteric doctrines fall within the pale of orthodox Christianity. The hope of course is that the Religious or Christian Right will wake up and smell the coffee and sever all ties with these renegades.

What’s astounding is that conservative Christian leaders, many of whom are biblically literate, fail to recognize blatant false teaching. For instance, some of them assume John Hagee, senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, is an orthodox preacher when Hagee promotes unbiblical word-faith teaching!

But this is not about John Hagee’s promotion of the doctrine of positive confession. This is about the unorthodox teaching and the sinister plans of the NAR. The reason I’m sounding the alarm is that more and more Christians are getting caught up in this cult.

False teachers have made their mark on the Church by marketing a user-friendly “relevant” Christianity that is a whole lot more palatable to the unchurched “seeker” than the Christianity of the Reformers. Admittedly, even to the discerning believer truth laced with false teaching is as tough to detect as a few drops of arsenic in a tall glass of water.

Some apostates are so sly that the average Christian in the pew is defenseless against them. But, thankfully, not everyone is taken in by them. When false teaching comes into churches from lose canons who depart from sound doctrine (Titus 2:1) some folks recognize it and alert others. In many instances those who speak up and address their concerns are ignored, marginalized, or accused of being divisive. The person who will not back down is often given the boot!

THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION

I have written about NAR previously. I pointed out that,

leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation, a heretical movement that sprang from the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, claim that they hear directly from God, Jesus and angels. They even encourage their followers to contact angels despite the fact that Scripture expressly forbids contacting the spirit world because Satan and his demons can appear as an “angel of light” to deceive people. (2 Cor 11:14) Like the apostles who established the early church, these “restored apostles and prophets” believe they are called by God to lay the foundation and government for the new earthly Kingdom. Moreover, they believe that soon they will take dominion over government and dominate the world politically and spiritually. (I’ll cover Dominionism in Part 2.)

It has become necessary to report on the NAR again because it is gaining credibility with evangelicals as well as the conservative media, entertainers, politicians and the Tea Party movement.

Last year self-professed NAR prophet Cindy Jacobs’ and General’s International held the May Day 2010: A Cry To God For A Nation In Distress at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial where “local representatives shared about their state’s Christian heritage and lifted up prayers for their state and the United States. National leaders offered up prayers of repentance for seven main issues: family, the church, education, arts and entertainment, business, government and the media.” Janet Porter of Faith2Action had an active role in organizing the gathering. In attendance were such notables as James Dobson, Tony Perkins, Wendy Wright, Jerry Newcombe, Peter LaBarbera, David Barton, Mathew Staver, Robert Knight, Alan Keyes, to name a few. Also in attendance were several NAR leaders including C. Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets, Lance Wallnau and Rick Joyner.

In April 2010 conservative Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA hosted The Awakening 2010 conference sponsored by the Freedom Federation. They define themselves as “a group of the nation’s largest multiracial, multiethnic and multigenerational faith-based and policy organizations representing more than 30 million Americans united by core values. The group’s mission is to bring together community leaders committed to mobilizing the Judeo-Christian worldview to preserve freedom and promote justice.”

One of the speakers at the event was Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Other influential leaders include Newt Gingrich, Gary Bauer, Tony Perkins, Wendy Wright, Richard Land, Andrea Lafferty, Kelly Shackelford, Ken Blackwell, Mat Staver, Rick Scarborough, and NAR Apostles Cindy Jacobs, Lou Engle, Harry Jackson and Samuel Rodriguez.

What is wrong with this picture? People from the NAR who are in the grip of evil were invited to participate in both of these events. One example is Cindy Jacobs. Jacobs is the NAR’s “lead U.S. National Apostle.” Cindy is supposedly a modern day prophet. But I beg to differ. This woman has uttered more false prophecies than Walgreen’s has pills, proving beyond a reasonable doubt that she is no more a prophet of God than Lady Gaga! The truth is, Cindy Jacobs is a false prophet.

The May 2010 edition of Herescope reported:

Forays by NAR Apostles into the political scene in America have been until recently sparse. But Lou Engle…who has his own ministry to youth called “The Call,” has been politically active in pro-life and homosexual issues. Some months ago he was able to pray for Gingrich and Huckabee with the laying on of apostolic hands. But very recently the political stars seem to have come suddenly into alignment.

American political landscape has suddenly changed. A tumult is appearing in the land with the passage of health care reform. The Christian Right, with its years of courting political influence, is now poised to merge with the new Tea Party Movement. In times of crisis, natural or caused, things seem to happen faster and opportunities, that would take years, seem to happen in months. There is the scent of rebellion in the air.

Before I move on, I should point out that there is nothing wrong with Christians gathering together to stand up for biblical principles and fight the forces of wickedness that are destroying America. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with praying for our country and for the men and women in the armed forces who put their lives on the line so that we can live free. To say that our nation and our soldiers are in dire need of prayer is an understatement. Even though the Christian Right (CR) often shares a stage with controversial groups/persons it does not mean that they necessarily share their views; what it does mean however is that when controversial groups/persons are invited to participate in a CR event it appears that they endorse these groups/persons. It grieves me to say this—and I’ll get a lot of flak for it–but many professing Christians seem to have little or no problem partnering with false teachers and cultists, perhaps because these groups/persons are useful in furthering their political causes.

As a conservative Christian myself, I find partnering with the wicked unacceptable for the reasons that: (1) God opposes the wicked; (2) The wicked should not be given a platform — especially when God’s people provide that platform!

But that’s just me.

Ever notice how the CR complains about RINOs (Republican in name only) hijacking the Republican Party? Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani is considered a RINO because he’s fiscally conservative and socially liberal. So when he ran for President in 2008 he couldn’t muster the support of socially conservative evangelicals because they get all hot under the collar when liberals, who call themselves moderates, refuse to adhere to the official Republican platform on important issues such as abortion, homosexuality and same-sex “marriage.” Yet the CR has no problem joining forces with CINOs (Christians in name only) that pervert sacred Scripture!

Listen to what Jesus said about false prophets:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (Mat. 7:15).

And,

For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect (Mark 13:22).

MOVIN’ ON UP

The NAR a.k.a. Latter Rain/Kingdom Now/Dominionist/Joel’s Army/Manifest Sons of God—no doubt I’ve left some names out–has been on the rise for over six decades. As you can see the name has been changed umpteen times so that unsuspecting Christians will swallow the hype that there’s a “New Wave” or a “Paradigm Shift” taking place in Christendom. They claim they’re receivingnew revelation from God and are ushering in “a reformation greater in scale than the reformation of the 1500’s.” They also claim that a new group of believers will rise up and be given the power to perform miraculous signs and wonders, even greater than the miracles of Jesus and the Apostles – and they believe they have the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead and bring multitudes into the Kingdom of God.

The founder of this sect is C. Peter Wagner from Fuller Theological Seminary. Wagner is one of the leading authorities on the Church Growth movement and has been studying the field of church growth for close to 40 years. (Rick Warren wrote his doctoral dissertation at Fuller Seminary on Wagner’s church growth ideas and was mentored by Wagner.) C. Peter Wagner is the “presiding apostle” in the International Coalition of Apostles.

Orrel Steinkamp of Discernment-Ministries believes Wagner is, attempting to will into existence [the] ‘New Apostolic Reformation.’ He tells us in a book he has edited called ‘The New Apostolic Churches’ of the struggle he had with naming his new reformation. [3]

As I pointed out earlier, what the NAR is putting out there is not new. In fact, Bill Hamon of Christian International has been teaching it for decades. Hamon runs a school to train people to become modern day “Apostles” and “Prophets.” In his view the church is in her third and final Reformation and Christ can’t return to earth until the Church purifies itself.

Steinkamp wonders:

Can it be argued that this ‘New reformation’ is something that God has just recently dropped new from heaven like the baby Superman from Krypton? I suggest that there is nothing new here at all and for anyone willing to do the study they will find it a mere cutting edge version of something at least 100 years old. G. Raymond Carlson, former General Superintendent of the AOG [USA], had this to say regarding the new apostles and prophets:

‘I saw it in the New Order of the Latter Rain in the late 40’s and early 50’s. Before that, it made its presence felt in the early days of the century among early Pentecostals.’

Steinkamp continues:

To Latter Rain teachers it seemed obvious that if there was to be a repeated apostolic Pentecost then apostles and prophets must be restored as well. These teachers then devised a historical scheme of restoration. Church history was understood as a succession of recoveries of lost or neglected truths. Luther recovered justification by faith, Baptists believers’ baptism, Wesley holiness, A.B. Simpson healing and the early Pentecostal pioneers the gifts of the Spirit. The recovery process was now extended further. The end time body of Christ must go on to maturity and restore the apostles and prophets and these restored ministries must lead the church to a new and final dimension of power and authority not only bringing in the final harvest but establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth. [4]

Are we to establish a Kingdom of God upon earth? Listen to what Jesus says:

My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36).

The NAR has one thing right. The ministry of the apostles continues today:

Not in the person of anyone claiming to be an apostle, but in the New Testament. Every time the Word of God in the New Testament is read and proclaimed, the apostolic ministry and office fulfills its role. The apostles of the first century live on today, in the Church, through the Word God has given us through them. [5]

NOTES:

1. The History of the Charismatic Movement–By Gary E. Gilley

2. Rick Joyner. Restoration, May/June 1988, “The Harvest”

3. The New Apostolic Reformation –By Orrel Steinkamp, D. Min

4. Ibid

5. Quote from Human Capital Systems and Church Performance by Lynn D. Leslie, Sarah H. Leslie and Susan J. Conway

Enemy Within The Gates

December 31, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

As surely as William Barret Travis drew a line in the sand at the Alamo, a line is being drawn in the hearts of men today. By the time it is over, every man and woman in America will have to choose which side of the line they are on. Neutrality will not be an option. Furthermore, this line is separating, not only political and cultural adversaries, it is dividing friends and families as well. In fact, it is no hyperbole to say that the enemy is not only AT the gates; the enemy is WITHIN the gates. Then again, I suppose that during any momentous turning point of history, it has always been this way. And make no mistake about it: we are at a momentous turning point of history.

Consider what our Lord told us: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” (Matthew 10:34-36 KJV)

It’s happened before in America. It happened during our War for Independence. It happened again during the War for Southern Independence: father against son and brother against brother. And so it is now.

The enemy has always done its best and most efficient work from within. At this point, I am reminded of what America’s most celebrated jurist, Daniel Webster, once said, “There is no nation on earth powerful enough to accomplish our overthrow. Our destruction, should it come at all, will be from another quarter: from the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence. I must confess that I do apprehend some danger. I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct; that in this way they may be made the dupes of designing men and become the instruments of their own undoing.”

I am often asked, “From whence comes our greatest threat: Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia, China, etc.?” And my response is the same as Webster’s: our greatest threat is within the gates of our own country. Our greatest threat is Washington, D.C. I will even go further than that. Many times, our greatest threat is within the gates of our own churches, and within the walls of our own homes!

Remember, the Lord Jesus was betrayed by one of his own apostles. King David was betrayed by his own son. Samson was betrayed by a lover. Noah was betrayed by a grandson. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers. Moses was betrayed by the ten trusted scouts. The list is endless.

I remind you that during our War for Independence, the colonial army had far more to fear from Benedict Arnold than it did from King George! And so it is today. The enemy at the gates at least looks like the enemy. It dresses like the enemy; it talks like the enemy; it acts like the enemy. But the enemy within the gates looks like a friend. It dresses like a friend; it talks like a friend; it acts like a friend. But it is still the enemy!

The enemies of freedom are ubiquitous today. They are in our State legislatures; they sit on the benches of our judiciary; they teach in our colleges and universities; they preach in our pulpits; they teach in our Sunday School classrooms; they sit across our dining room tables; they even sleep in our own beds! And, for the most part, they are in charge of most things going on in Washington, D.C.

These enemies of whom I speak are those who would rather protect government (even illegitimate government) than protect freedom; they would rather please the powers that be than please the Power that is; and they would rather promote their own success and prosperity than the success and prosperity of their country. They are self-aggrandizing statists who suck at the teat of Big Government. They might be Democrats or Republicans: at the national level, both have a large welfare-addicted constituency. They might be Christians or unbelievers. In fact, many of today’s Christians, churches, and pastors are proving themselves to be the enemies of freedom to an even greater extent than many unbelievers.

For the last several years, the absence of Christians (and especially pastors) from the freedom fight is glaring! The vast majority of them show little interest in whether or not their State defends itself from ever-increasing federal encroachments; they show little attention to the exponential growth of a Fascist-style police state that is taking shape in front of their very eyes; and they seem little concerned over the demise of constitutional government.

Beyond that, I have discovered firsthand that not only do many Christians seem to revel in apathy and indifference to the aforementioned attacks against our liberties, they will often unleash vehement resistance and hatred to the brother that stands in opposition to these attacks. It is no wonder Jesus said, “A man’s foes shall be they of his own household.”

Some of these enemies and false brethren are motivated by jealousy. Some are motivated by greed or ambition. Still, others suffer from extreme character deficiencies, such as egomania, pride, laziness, or intense feelings of insecurity. Regardless of the motivation, they set their sights and whet their arrows against those who would dare take a bold and courageous stand for liberty.

My fellow patriots, watch your back, because your greatest enemy is probably behind you! Remember, Jesus “came unto his own, and his own received him not.” (John 1:11) And of Christ does the prophet not say, “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends”? (Zechariah 13:6 KJV)

I can personally identify with Zechariah’s prophecy. The wounds my wife and I (and our entire family) carry today were inflicted “in the house of my friends.”

Perhaps the patriot’s courage convicts the statist of his own laziness or greed. Perhaps the statist truly despises liberty in his own heart, because, in his soul, he is either a tyrant or slave–or even both. In fact, when the discussion of liberty is broached in today’s Churchianity, I fear this is a major part of the problem.

I have witnessed firsthand the effects that legalism, denominationalism, and corporatism have caused within the Church. Many Christians are so enslaved by legalistic churches and institutions that they wouldn’t know freedom if it came up and bit them on their blessed assurance! They are told what kind of music to listen to, how to wear their hair, what kind of clothes to put on, who can and can’t be their friends–even how husbands and wives should express their love to each other. Their entire lives are lived as subjects and servants to the all-powerful institution (read: church, school, college, etc.). What, pray tell, does the subject of liberty mean to them? They are already enslaved!

Likewise, many professing pastors and Christians are as enslaved to a denomination as any political subject in Russia or China. To them, there is no truth worth defending but the truth proclaimed by the almighty denomination. There is no battle worth fighting unless it is sanctioned by the all-wise denomination. And there is no enemy worth resisting who is not identified by the all-knowing denomination. What, pray tell, does the subject of liberty mean to them? Are they not slaves already?

Then there is the corporate slave! This is the so-called Christian statist who recognizes no church that the IRS does not recognize–or approve. This is the Christian, who, if he lived in communist China, would attend the state-approved church, with a state-approved minister, preaching state-approved sermons to state-enslaved subjects. But as almost anyone knows, the real Church in oppressed countries is never the one you see in state-sponsored “we-have-freedom-of-religion-here” propaganda photo ops.

The real Church in oppressed countries meets in private living rooms, back rooms, barns, sheds, or even in the backwoods. In all likelihood, their gatherings are illegal, their ministers unlicensed, and their worship politically incorrect. This has been the history of the real Church since the Book of Acts. And it is fast becoming the experience of the real Church in America!

Yes, a line is being drawn in the sand in this country. One will either be a statist, who is devoted to the supremacy of the State, or he or she will be a freedomist, who is devoted to the spirit and principles of liberty. And just like at Travis’ Alamo, there can be no neutrality.

I personally believe that God Himself is drawing this line in the sand. I also believe that many professing Christians are quickly lining up on the wrong side of that line and have made themselves the enemies of truth and freedom (and those who love them). I further believe that because so many Christians are holding their peace, the “stones” are crying out for truth and liberty (Luke 19:40), meaning God is often using strangers of the covenant to advance His truth.

I also believe that God is preparing a robust and righteous remnant from among those who love liberty (and are willing to guard and defend it), while the traditional church (read: organized, incorporated, state-sanctioned) is being given over to servitude and judgment. And as I’ve also learned (and said before), patriots must watch their backs, because the enemy is not AT the gates, it is WITHIN them!

Chuck Baldwin is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

You can reach him at:
Please visit Chuck’s web site at: http://www.chuckbaldwinlive.com

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The Enemy Within

December 31, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

The phrase “enemy within” brings to mind the image of a shadowy spy stealing military secrets. That was the case for Israeli master spy Jonathan Pollard jailed for 1980s espionage that compromised U.S. Cold War strategy.

That phrase also describes those involved in a form of psy-ops that is not easily detected because it operates so brazenly. For instance, the well-timed release of diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks displaced reports of Israeli obstinacy in peace talks with reports of a need for war with Iran.

That operation relied on editors at four major newspapers chosen by WikiLeaks to manage the releases. Despite the delight at their impact voiced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, mainstream media failed to mention the possibility of undisclosed bias by those who chose what to release and when.

The bias of The New York Times is well known. Less clear is the role of Ian Katz, Deputy Editor at The Guardian (London) and Executive Editor Sylvie Kauffman at Le Monde in Paris. The geopolitical success of the WikiLeaks operation suggests an enemy within.

Israeli duplicity often operates through what U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates describes as “the people in between.” When waging unconventional warfare, those people are the most dangerous combatants, particularly those operatives in mainstream media.

The People in Between

For systems of governance reliant on informed consent, nothing could be more perilous. The “people in between” routinely target media—freedom’s greatest vulnerability—as a means for displacing facts with what a targeted populace can be deceived to believe.

How old is this duplicity? How long have false beliefs been used to manipulate behavior? Modern technology—particularly media—enables deception on a global scale. Between the American populace and the facts they require to protect their freedom—that’s where this enemy within imbeds its operatives.

The false intelligence claiming Iraqi WMD was a people-in-between operation. Judith Miller at The New York Times fed us a steady diet of front-page news that we now know was fixed around Israeli goals promoted by Ahmad Chalabi, a London-based Iraqi expatriate who, like Israel, sought regime change in Iraq.

Pentagon insider Richard Perle developed Chalabi over two decades. A Jewish Zionist, Perle has long been a strategically well-placed “person in between.” Miller left The Times and joined Fox News and then Newsmax.

Yet the impact of complicit media pales in comparison to the enemy within that brought the U.S. economy to its knees and undermined national security at its financial core.

Imbedded Inside

The most devastating in this chronicle of enemies is the most difficult to see. As with other “in between” operations, this too succeeds by displacing facts with false beliefs. Only in this case, those beliefs were imbedded in education and over decades worked their way into law.

Known as the “Washington Consensus,” this widely shared perspective shapes economic policy worldwide. At the heart of this generally accepted truth is found the belief that money should be accountable only to itself.

In this mindset, financial freedom is an article of faith. Instead of the civil rights refrain, “Let my people go,” its proponents insist: “Let my money go.” Allow money the freedom to work its will worldwide and everything will work out fine.

That shared belief works “in between” in the same way that Jonathan Pollard undermined national security, WikiLeaks shifted attention to Iran and Judith Miller induced us to war in Iraq. Only in this case a false belief has been so thoroughly internalized that it’s difficult to see because this shared mindset has become that with which we have been educated do our seeing.

A Global Sanhedrin

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are the primary apostles of this consensus faith. The World Trade Organization (WTO) now seeks to take this belief to global scale by enforcing unrestricted free trade not only in goods and services but also financial capital.

The WTO operates like a global Sanhedrin akin to a Jewish high council accountable only to itself. What’s now emerging as a global enemy within is a finance-guided form of transnational governance marketed as free trade but accountable only to itself.

That ‘self’ traces its origins to an internalized mindset in which financial freedom serves, by consensus, as a proxy for personal freedom. That mindset was decades in the making.

This modern-day Mindset Warfare is being waged by an enemy that is truly within. Fast globalizing financial forces now induce us to freely embrace the very forces that undermine our freedom.

By waging war on us from the inside out, the originators of this money-myopic mindset dismantled the U.S. economy, enabled vast financial pillaging and induced us to fiscal ruin.

Those wielding this weaponry operate from our internal shadows as the Zionist entity within.

Jeff Gates is author of Guilt By Association, Democracy at Risk and The Ownership Solution.

Visit his website at: www.criminalstate.com.

Jeff Gates is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

Filed Under: Jeff Gates
Tagged: America, Apostles, Bank, CIA, Combat, Economy, Education, Free Trade, Freedom, Iran, Iraq, Israel, London, Mainstream Media, Military, Money, National Security, New York, Paris, Technology, Truth, War, WikiLeaks, WMD, Zionism

Cars to Scooters – Scooters to Cars

December 25, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

The Largest Transfer of Wealth in World History…

“Those who recline on beds of ivory and sprawl on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall, who improvise to the sound of the harp, and like David have composed songs for themselves, who drink wine from the sacrificial bowls while they anoint themselves with the finest oils, yet they have not grieved over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore, they will now go into exile at the head of the exiles and the sprawlers’ banqueting will pass away. The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts has declared: I loathe the arrogance of Jacob, and I detest his citidels; therefore I will deliver up the city and all it contains. Amos 6:4-8

United States citizens are going from cars to motor scooters while Chinese citizens are going from motor scooters to cars.

In a ten year period beginning in 1997 the United States has run up a $1.2 Trillion dollar deficit with China. In one the largest transfers of wealth in the history of the world United States, once the wealthiest nation in the world, is in the process of siphoning wealth to China, once one of the poorest nations in the world.

Read the figures here. This massive transfer is in addition to a continuing several decades long costly association with Japan. Read those figures here.

As hundreds of thousands of American workers loose lucrative jobs and are out of work or forced accept 50 percent pay cuts, establishment cronies, the Marie Antoinettes of our day, respond with similar disdain.

Dick Morris, famous during the Clinton Administration for telephoning the President from the bed of a naked prostitute named Sherry Rowlands, parlayed his indiscretion and a Bachelors Degree into an expert commentator job in the media. On C-Span with Eileen McGann, his co-author of a book entitled “Fleeced”, Morris gave the establishment response to the wholesale theft of United States wealth. Our manufacturing base has not been affected by globalization, he said, and added that even if it had been we need not worry since manufacturing will soon be done by robots while the U. S. will excel in fields like architecture, engineering, design, and innovation. He also stated that water boarding is whimsical procedure used in the initiation process at a prominent military school. Morris and the rest of his Neo-Con cronies are better qualified to suck Sherry Rowland’s toes than to obey the Constitution. Their support for the prevailing agenda coupled with the proper ethnicity has served them well.

All this was planned in detail by a largely hidden elite world cabal. Those that believe all this is happening by chance are living with a form of insanity stoked by government propaganda. Read details of this conspiracy here.The plan might be compared to America’s antebellum plantations where a slave class provided the labor to maintain the gracious lifestyles of the plantation owners. Sovereign nations are expendable; the United States is being used as a tool in the conquest. With slave-like devotion United States citizens have elected the representatives that have structured their own ruin. It appears the next election will be no different

It is difficult to believe that a great nation would plan and execute its own destruction and do so with the support of the majority of its citizens. However, it becomes easier when we realize that the leaders of a democratic society with a controlled press and a poorly informed electorate can successfully manipulate voters to support candidates whose allegiance is to forces inimical to their interests. The two-party system is similar to professional wrestling matches; a contest is presented by pre-selected, pre-programmed contestants. Selected candidates are jacketed with an agenda that has nothing to do with the rhetoric of the campaign but everything to do with the lurking foxes of world government who have been busy behind the scenes from antiquity. Like wrestling it is an excitingly attractive spectacle that, though artificial, wins enthusiastic participation. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are transferred to the monopoly press to create a voter image; a contrived image designed to gain voter support without regard for reality.

Egalitarianism is a self righteous objective of starry eyed collectivists but the world elite are not altruistic. Their objective is domination. They seek a utopian world where they can enjoy peace and freedom in a pristine environment without being intruded upon by the riff raff of civilization. The world’s wealthiest individuals meet and collude to rob the citizens of affluent nations and give the stolen goods to poor nations. The idea of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor is a popular utopian concept that allows the end to justify the means. The story of Robin Hood has been told over and over again and is a popular today as it was 800 year ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood Criminal activity by Robin Hood and his men was counterbalanced by benevolence. A similar theft is being carried out in our time but the perpetrators are wealthy and powerful men and women who are in the process of centralizing power by robbing and disenfranchising their fellow citizens.

Centralizing wealth and power is similar to handling high explosives – it is extremely dangerous! The concentration of power involved in World government vested in the most humble and reverent men would be fearsome but in the hands of the callus secular cabal of our day it is horrendous.

In direct opposition to the new world order, God’s Kingdom is de-centralized. The basic unit of government is the individual family which requires only a small federal entity to protect the nation and carry out the rulings of the magistrates. There is little need for a legislative function since all behavior is measured against the ultimate justice of God’s Law. This Law is taught by the Church and enforced by the magistrates. Each family and each member of each family has complete freedom within the scope of God’s legal standards. There is no room for manipulative humanistic do-gooders to enforce their bogus claims on their fellows. Jesus is King and freedom reigns.

Removing the wealth of one segment of society and giving it to another through taxes or other government contrivances is stealing and should be treated as such. However, God did not intend that particular families accumulate inordinate amounts of wealth in perpetuity. The year of Jubilee was intended to return the social order to its previous condition and restore the fortunes of those who had lost them. The economy anticipated the coming redistribution and made adjustments accordingly.

When God apportioned the Promised Land to the Twelve Tribes He made provision for the inequities in ownership and wealth that would soon be evident. Just as “Terrorism, War & Bankruptcy are caused by the privatization of money, issued as a debt and compounded by interest “, power resulting from inordinate wealth in the hands of sinful human beings results in bullying and social strife. In the 25^th Chapter of Leviticus God provides for a just method of restoring property and inhibiting the accumulation of excess wealth and power. It is a complex system that contains a principle badly needed in our times. Like God’s criminal punishments the Year of Jubilee provides for justice that is lost in our humanistic culture.

As the center of world wealth moves from the United States to Asia the impetus for this cataclysmic change remains cloudy. We know that David Rockefeller has promoted globalism for several decades of his long life. We know that money and banking has been the vocation of the Rothschild family for generations.

See this. We know that wealthy individuals have been meeting and conversing on international issues for more than a century. We know that our elected representatives have knowingly voted for legislation that is inimical to the best interests of our nation. We know that the electoral process has had no affect on globalist policies. There is ample evidence that presidential candidates are preselected to assure compliance with globalist goals. We know that Constitutional mandates are being ignored and the President, himself, may not meet its standards. We know that our media is controlled and vast amounts of information in several different arenas are censored. We know that laws have been encoded that can create a police state overnight and the tenor of enforcement is progressively barbaric. We do not know the specific individuals who formulate and enforce the policies of our profligate government but we can clearly see the results of their decisions and therefore know that they exist and are working to enslave us.

David DeGraw describes the power structure in detail but even his extensive work fails to identify a specific culprit.

The lack of confrontation by Christians is as tragic as the malicious intentions of the hidden cabal. Antinomianism and the Pietistic paralysis of an imminent Second Advent have neutralized the Christian quest for dominion.

It is time we faced reality. The world is in terrible turmoil and Jesus may come again soon but we are a decade away from the frenzied predictions that accompanied the turning of the Century and He lingers. The end times have been popular among Christians since the time of the Apostles but God is angered when that blessed expectation paralyzes His people. We are enjoined to bear fruit. The Great Commission produces the vines but building dominion produces the fruit. Dominion involves taking ground for Jesus and that involves conflict with the minions of evil. When human opinion overrides God’s Law, evil reigns. Human opinion, the primary entrenched evil among Christians and pagans alike, must be challenged with the Word of God.

United States is being strangled and God is ignoring our pleas. Flag waving and political bravado will not allay the judgment of Almighty God. He seeks humility, repentance, and obedience.

National belligerence is not humility; it is arrogance. God cannot bless arrogance. He is the Creator we are His creation. When we seek to dominate the world with military power He is not honored. The White European culture is being dismantled in Europe and America. If our fall is to be broken our ways must be changed.

Several of my readers prayed for the lung spot found in a routine Ct. Scan in September. A December Scan revealed a static image. The scan will be repeated in six months. I am 81 years old, health problems have curtained but not stopped physical activity, I have been married for 35 years to a wonderful woman and have a son who is a blessing. On top of all that for the past ten years I have had an opportunity to write and publish my thoughts and opinions God has richly blessed me and I am grateful and expectant. Prayers are very much appreciated.

Al Cronkrite is a writer living in Florida, reach him at:

Visit his website at:http://www.verigospel.com/

Al Cronkrite is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

Filed Under: Al Cronkrite
Tagged: America, Apostles, Asia, Bank, Cabal, China, Christian, Church, Conspiracy, Culture, Democrat, Economy, Environment, Europe, Freedom, Globalism, God, Government, History, Japan, Jobs, Justice, Military, Money, New World Order, Oil, Planet, Police State, Predictions, Prison, Progressive, Propaganda, Society, Taxes, Terrorism, War, Water, Wikipedia

Christians get twisted out of shape when they learn the truth about yoga

October 15, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

Believers are called to meditate upon the Word of God — an external Word that comes to us by divine revelation — not to meditate by means of incomprehensible syllables.” – Albert Mohler

“All forms of yoga involve occult assumptions, even hatha yoga, which is often presented as a merely physical discipline.” – Douglas Groothuis

Albert Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, got into deep weeds with devotees of “Christian yoga” over his recent article, The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga? Things got worse following his podcast The Meaning of Yoga: A Conversation with Stefanie Syman and Doug Groothuis.

In the interview Douglas Groothuis, who serves as Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary, stated categorically that yoga should not be practiced by those who profess Christ and Dr. Mohler agreed. For this he was called insane, incompetent, stupid, vile, fundamentalist, and perverted. Other names are “best left unrepeated.”

So much for Christian love.

When it comes to practicing yoga Dr. Mohler believes there are contradictions between Christian’s commitments and their embrace of yoga. He wrote:

“The contradictions are not few, nor are they peripheral. The bare fact is that yoga is a spiritual discipline by which the adherent is trained to use the body as a vehicle for achieving consciousness of the divine.”

Many professing Christians choose to ignore the bare facts about yoga. They are not interested in looking to Christ “for all that we need and to obey Christ through obeying his Word” as Mohler suggested, rather they are inclined to participate in Eastern mystical practices such as meditation. Mohler drew attention to what many Christians forget: “We are not called to escape the consciousness of this world by achieving an elevated state of consciousness, but to follow Christ in the way of faithfulness.”

Not surprisingly there were Christians who disagreed with him. When word got out he received a rash of emails from those who call themselves Christians, 90% of whom were women, telling him in no uncertain terms to put a sock in it. In his response he made the point that, “almost every protest email makes my point better than I ever could myself. I have heard endless claims that there is no incompatibility between yoga and Christianity because it makes people feel better, it helps spirituality, it is a better way to know God, etc. There is no embarrassment on the part of these hundreds of email writers that they are replacing biblical Christianity with a religion of their own invention.”

Here are a few of the arguments Dr. Mohler received:

“From a “devoted Southern Baptist church member who resents your ignorance”: I get much more out of yoga and meditation than I ever get out of a sermon in church. From “a Christian who goes to church every service”: My favorite image I use in yoga is that of Jesus assuming a perfect yoga position in the garden of Gethsemane as he prays. And, to cap it all off: How do we know that the apostles and early Christian guys did not use yoga to commune with Jesus after he left?”

These people need to buy a Bible – and read it.

The professing Christian who practices yoga as a way to keep fit should heed the words of Mohler and Groothuis who both agree that yoga, even if it’s labeled Christian, is diametrically opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many Christians practice yoga for “relaxation and exercise” without realizing that classical yoga is intended to put you into an altered state of consciousness. Yoga is not “just exercising.” Participants are being swept into a counterfeit religion. According to God’s Word, pagan religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, are evil. The Bible clearly says that God’s people are to have nothing to do with wicked customs. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14) Believers are instructed to, “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:90) Ever noticed how professing Christians are no longer uncomfortable in the face of evil? The reason is that we have been desensitized!

Sadly, Christians have become worldly. Instead of being beacons of light in a dark world we have become world-minded. In fact, we have blended into the dishonest, destructive and debase culture so thoroughly that it’s near impossible to tell the difference between Christians and heathens!

The medical profession and the health and wellness industry encourage yoga as a workout for the body and mind. Even though yoga is a religious practice, public schools offer it to students. And now many Christians flock to “Christian Yoga” classes offered by evangelical churches!

Those who participate in yoga rationalize that because some Christian leaders/writers/entertainers promote Eastern religious practices such as yoga, contemplative/centering prayer and Spiritual Formation, taking a yoga class is fine and dandy. But Groothuis believes otherwise. In his conversation with Al Mohler he warned:

We have some emerging church leaders such as Doug Padgett and others saying that it is simply a physical discipline, you don’t have to incorporate the element of Hinduism and in fact it can actually bring you closer to God, the God of the Bible, the God of the universe, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and I do not believe that is the case for many reasons but the word yoga itself means to be yoked or to be in union and it comes out of this ancient non-Christian religion called Hinduism and it’s one of the essential planks of Hinduism.

There are potential problems with electing to get on board with Christian personalities. Some well-known ministers/evangelists/speakers/writers and such are false teachers. Unbeknownst to the flock they are what the Bible refers to as wolves in sheep’s clothing. For example, leaders in the New Apostolic Reformation, a heretical movement that sprang from the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, claim that they hear directly from God, Jesus and angels. They even encourage their followers to contact angels despite the fact that Scripture expressly forbids contacting the spirit world because Satan and his demons can appear as an “angel of light” to deceive people. (2 Cor 11:14) Like the apostles who established the early church, these “restored apostles and prophets” believe they are called by God to lay the foundation and government for the new earthly Kingdom. Moreover, they believe that soon they will take dominion over government and dominate the world politically and spiritually.

Seems absurd doesn’t it? Well so is “Christian yoga!” Yet many women meet in churches for yoga classes and see nothing wrong with doing the goddess pose posture.

In my 2006 article “Christian Yoga? C’mon!” I explained why this is wrong thinking:

“Professor Tiwari is an authority on classical yoga. He believes that yoga cannot be separated from its spiritual center. “The simple, immutable fact,” he says, “is that yoga originated from the Vedic or Hindu culture. Its techniques were not adopted by Hinduism, but originated from it.” These facts need to be unequivocally stated in light of some of the things being written to the contrary by yoga teachers. The effort to separate yoga from Hinduism must be challenged because it runs counter to the fundamental principles upon which yoga itself is premised, the yamas (restraints) and niyamas (observances). These ethical tenets and religious practices are the first two limbs of the eight-limbed ashtanga yoga system which also includes asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (contemplation/Self Realization). Efforts to separate yoga from its spiritual center reveal ignorance of the goal of yoga.” (Emphasis added)

If the above doesn’t convince you, perhaps this will:

“What is Yoga?” asked “Integral Yoga” pioneer Sri Chinmoy, “Yoga is the language of God. If we wish to speak to God, we have to learn His language. What is Yoga? Yoga is that which discloses God’s secret. If we wish to know God’s secret, we have to launch into the path of Yoga. What is Yoga? Yoga is the Breath of God. If we wish to see through God’s Eye and feel through His Heart, if we wish to live in God’s Dream and know God’s Reality, if we wish to possess the Breath of God, and finally if we wish to become God Himself, Yoga will beckon us. (Online source)

For the Christian, salvation is found by reaching out, trusting someone outside ourselves, we do not look within to find God, nor do we become God Himself as the Hindu’s believe. Christians are to look to the cross of Christ and the empty tomb.

Going back to all the mud-slinging that went on over the column Dr. Mohler wrote on yoga, fair-minded people have got to admit that much of what was said to him was way over the top and the accusations unwarranted. Al Mohler and Doug Groothuis, both godly men, were simply trying to communicate to Christians who are participating in an occult activity that what they’re doing is spiritually damaging! That God hates pagan practices, like yoga, should give the serious Christian pause.

Those who are still on the fence about yoga, I invite you to do your own research. You’ll find plenty of links on my “Christian Yoga?” page to help you discover the truth.

I’ll close with a quote from Mike Ratliff:

“Christians are in “this present darkness” because they are in the darkness of ignorance and alienation from God because they reject the real Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and insist on their own way to a god of their own choosing.”

Marsha West is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

She can be reached at:

Filed Under: Marsha West
Tagged: Apostles, Christian, Christianity, Church, Demons, Denver, God, Government, Jesus Christ, Love, Occult, Philosophy, Religion, Scripture, Truth

New Heaven and New Earth united (Part 1)

July 31, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

“Heaven and Hell are not places far away. You may be in heaven before the clock ticks again, it is so near. Oh, that we, instead of trifling about such things because they seem so far away, would solemnly realize them, since they are so very near! This very day, before the sun goes down, some hearer now sitting in this place may see the realities of heaven or hell.” ~~ Charles Spurgeon

Without knowing anything about the eternal Heaven, you believe it exists and is your destination when you die?

According to religious surveys (Gallop&Pew Research), belief in Heaven shows a steady 60-80 percent. When asked where Heaven is, usually the answer is “somewhere out there” in the sky or space (universe or parallel universe). If people are asked “what” Heaven is, most respond with their own personal desires.

My Aunt Evie once described Heaven as “boring” if we were just going to sit on clouds and play harps. Descriptive terms offered are “eternal bliss” or Utopia. We will supposedly be spirits (wandering ghosts or soul-spirits) where we will always be happy.

If you knew you were taking a trip to another country, wouldn’t you arrange for passports, plan how to get there, where you would stay, what interesting places you would like to visit, what clothes to take depending on the weather, etc? Yet most Christians don’t know much about Heaven. Shouldn’t believers’ highest desire be to know this place, God’s dwelling place, where they will spend eternity?

The Bible has plenty to say about Heaven. The eternal place is revealed to us in astounding words throughout God’s Word to mankind. Some wondrous particulars are given in the last chapters of Revelation.

So where and what is this eternal Heaven? God gives us plenty of clues. After God’s Great Wrath has fallen on the earth, the Earth and the Heavens fall away or flee from Jesus Christ who sits on the Great White Throne for the final Judgment of millennial nations (people). Those whose names are not in the Book of Life (passports) will join Satan and his minions in the eternal lake of fire.

The Earth and Heavens will be burned up, laid bare. As Dr. Donald Barnhouse described it: “There is to be an end of the material heavens (universe) and earth which we know. … They are to be uncreated.” There goes the Laws of Thermodynamics.

What will take the place of the old earth and heaven? John’s words, “Then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth …. and there is “no longer any sea.” The word “new” means ‘brand new, never before seen.” The Capitol of this new earth will be … “the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven…” and “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.”

There is much more about the New Jerusalem merged with the New Earth (with no sea). To give you a glimpse of the size of this City, the angel, using a gold measuring rod to measure the city, its gates and its wall, shows John that the city is laid out in a square, its length as great as its width; each side measuring about 1500 miles — its length and width and height are equal. A HUGE CUBE.

The material of the City’s surrounding wall (estimated 216 feet thick) is jasper; the city is pure gold, like clear glass; the foundation consists of twelve massive stones each made of a precious stone and on them are the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. There are twelve gates, three on each side, each gate is a pearl (huge) estimated to be as high as the city. The names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel will be on the gates.

As Dr. Henry Morris noted: “Never, of course, was there ever a city like this! If it were to be superimposed upon the United States, its area would cover all the way from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic Ocean to Colorado.”

The best achievements of mankind over the centuries can not be compared to the New Heaven and New Earth merged as one; neither can God’s eternal place prepared for us be totally comprehended in the minds of men.

God has given us a destination to plan for and a beautiful word picture of our Hope. More to come.

Resources:

Heaven and Hell, Edward Donnelly, Banner of Truth Trust, 2001
Heaven, Randy Alcorn, Tyndale, 2004
Revelation 12-22 Commentary, John MacArthur, Moody Press, 2000
Scripture quotes: New American Standard Bible

Bonnie Alba is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

Bonnie Alba is an ‘Un’ Politically Correct writer and researcher. She has a regular column at www.renewamerica.us and publishes on other online publications.

Filed Under: Bonnie Alba
Tagged: America, Apostles, Canada, Christian, Colorado, God, Gold, Gulf of Mexico, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Scripture, Truth, War, Weather

Damnable heresies invading the Church

May 27, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

A large number of Christians are unaware that literally truck loads of counterfeit Christians have gained access to pulpits, wormed their way into Church leadership, Christian organizations and are deeply entrenched in the so-called Christian entertainment industry. Call them what you will–false teachers/prophets, liberals/progressives, cultists, misinformed, misled, even looney tunes–the one thing they all have in common is that they have strayed from the truth.

Unbiblical teaching has been going on since the early church took root. Peter cautioned that “there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

Today there is a damnable heresy in the Church that many Christians haven’t yet heard of: The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) a.k.a. Dominionism/ Kingdom Now/Replacement Theology. Those who disagree with their false gospel must be removed through intense “spiritual warfare” and by raising up a “new breed “of Christian they call an “Army of God.”

The NAR is not new at all. Only the name has been changed—many times—to fool people into thinking there is a “New Wave” or a “Paradigm Shift” taking place in Christendom. Over the years they have dubbed themselves Joel’s Army, Latter Rain, Manifest Sons of God, and the list goes on. They’re ushering in “a reformation greater in scale than the reformation of the 1500’s.”

A liberal pundit lamented that NAR is on a mission to “take control of communities and nations through large networks of ‘prayer warriors’ whose spiritual warfare is used to expel and destroy the demons that cause societal ills. Once the territorial demons, witches, and generational curses are removed, the ‘born-again’ Christians…take control of society.”

The concept of spiritual warfare comes from the Bible. It warns of invisible beings who want to harm us and advises us to put on armor (spiritual armor) in order to ward off their vicious attacks. Problem is, the way in which NAR practices spiritual warfare is both unorthodox and extra-biblical. First of all, they teach three levels of spiritual warfare:

“Ground-level” involves casting demons out of individuals; “occult-level warfare” involves more organized “powers of darkness” [They target here New Age thought, Tibetan Buddhism, Freemasonry, etc.]; and “strategic-level warfare” directly “confronts ‘territorial spirits’ assigned by Satan to coordinate activities over a geographical area.”

In addition, they carry out other extra-biblical practices such as “binding Satan,” “rebuking demonic spirits,” “tearing down strongholds,” and “taking control of cities and situations.”

Why go to all the trouble of demolishing demonic strongholds, even if such things do exist, when the Bible teaches that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient for demolishing strongholds! (2 Cor 10:3-5).

Liberals/progressives actually fear born again Christians who hold a place of power, have political influence, and are well-connected. One reason the Left hated George W. Bush is because he purported to be a born again Christian. For daring to openly profess his faith in Jesus Christ, liberal elitists labeled him a religious zealot. The liberal press relish portraying individuals who professes a belief in Christ as not the sharpest knife in the tool shed. Never mind that a number of our Founding Fathers, who most will concede were brilliant men, were born again Christians.

Now it seems liberals have a bit of anxiety over “movement operative’s” plans to take dominion:

“The movement’s notion of ‘spiritual warfare’ has spread from the California suburbs to an East-Coast inner city, and has impacted policy decisions in the developing world. Movement operatives are well-connected enough to have testified before Congress and to have received millions of dollars in government abstinence-only sex-education grants, and bizarre enough to maintain that in its prototype communities, the movement has healed AIDS, purified polluted streams and even grown huge vegetables.” (Note: Michelle Obama has also grown huge veggies in her garden at the White House.)

With all due respect, most progressives/liberals haven’t the foggiest idea what spiritual warfare even means. What they don’t quite “get” is that spiritual warfare is a metaphor for what is taking place in the invisible realm. The Bible tells us that Satan is the ruler of this world until Christ returns to judge the world. Moreover, the demonic forces control the minds of individuals. Jesus said to the Pharisees: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). What does this mean? John Wesley explains:

He was a murderer – In inclination, from the beginning – Of his becoming a devil; and abode not in the truth – Commencing murderer and liar at the same time. And certainly he was a killer of men (as the Greek word properly signifies) from the beginning of the world: for from the very creation he designed and contrived the ruin of men. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own – For he is the proper parent, and, as it were, creator of it. See the origin not only of lies, but of evil in general!

Suffice it to say that Satan and his demons influence people’s thinking–and not in a good way. Since Bible-believing Christians hold that the devil exists, we prepare ourselves for battle by putting on the “armor of God.” (Eph 6:10-19) (Learn how to get dressed for battle by clicking here.) We are commanded to be discerning: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Let us apply this principle to dominionists.

The movement is made up of Charismatics and Pentecostals. There is a movement of charismatic Catholics as well. NAR is growing at a rate of 9 million per year. Charismatics hold that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit seen in the first century Christian Church are still available today and can be experienced and practiced and that the Holy Ghost has endued them with supernatural gifts such as prophetic utterance, speaking in tongues, casting out demons, breaking down strongholds, healing, and other “signs and wonders” to include bringing dead people back to life, although no documentation exists to prove this claim.

The “High Priest” of NAR is C. Peter Wagner, former professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission. Wagner, born in 1930, is the founder of Global Harvest Ministries and the presiding apostle of the International Coalition of Apostles, which he also founded, and co-founder of World Prayer Center.

There is a hierarchy in NAR that resembles the Roman Catholic Church. Once world dominion is accomplished, those at the top level will have apostolic authority over other ministries. Are you seeing the danger yet? This could mean literally thousands of ministries with so-called apostles and prophets at the helm! Every person will have an apostle or prophet to whom they are accountable.

According to one source the coalition includes “several hundred apostles across the U.S. and about 40 nations, international training centers and prayer warrior communication networks in all 50 states and worldwide.”

Some readers are sitting there with their mouths agape, thinking “This smacks of imperialism!” Bingo!

Sarah Leslie of Discernment Ministries has written on this very subject. In her article “Dominionism and the Rise of Christian Imperialism” She reveals what the Dominionism teaches. Here is an excerpt:

“The Gospel of Salvation is achieved by setting up the ‘Kingdom of God’ as a literal and physical kingdom to be ‘advanced’ on Earth in the present age. Some dominionists liken the New Testament Kingdom to the Old Testament Israel in ways that justify taking up the sword, or other methods of punitive judgment, to war against enemies of their kingdom. Dominionists teach that men can be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom. They assign to the Church duties and rights that belong Scripturally only to Jesus Christ. This includes the esoteric belief that believers can ‘incarnate’ Christ and function as His body on Earth to establish His kingdom rule. An inordinate emphasis is placed on man’s efforts; the doctrine of the sovereignty of God is diminished.”

Any student of the Bible will understand that the type of thinking described above is highly unbiblical. Where in Scripture does it teach that the sheep, as Jesus refers to His followers, will be given the power to incarnate Christ?

Also mentioned in Sarah Leslie’s article is Pastor Rick Warren. She says Warren “intends to amass the world’s largest volunteer ‘army’ of ‘one billion foot soldiers’ to implement his global P.E.A.C.E. Plan.”

On Sunday, April 17, 2005 Speaking before 30,000 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Rick Warren announced his plan:

“The bottom line is that we intend to reinvent mission strategy in the 21st century. As I stated, this will be a new Reformation. The First Reformation returned us to the message of the original church. It was a reformation of doctrine – what the church BELIEVES. This Second Reformation will return us to the mission of the original church. It will be a reformation of PURPOSE – what the church DOES in the world.”

“Our goal will be to enlist one billion foot soldiers for the Kingdom of God, who will permanently change the face of international missions to take on these five ‘global giants’ for which the church can become the ultimate distribution and change agent to overcome Spiritual emptiness, Self-serving Leadership, Poverty, disease and ignorance (or illiteracy).”

Pastor Warren also made these comments:

“Who’s the man of peace in any village – or it might be a woman of peace – who has the most respect, they’re open and they’re influential? They don’t have to be a Christian. In fact, they could be a Muslim, but they’re open and they’re influential and you work with them to attack the five giants. And that’s going to bring the second Reformation.”

“‘I see absolutely zero reason in separating my fellowship from anybody,” he said. Noting he has theological differences with many of the diverse denominations that invite him to speak, Warren added, “That doesn’t stop me from fellowshipping with them.” When he heard of the SBC’s withdrawal, he added, “I thought, ‘This is silly! Why would we separate ourselves from brothers and sisters in the world?’”

What Warren is purporting is ecumenicism. Actually, we are moving beyond ecumenicism into interspirituality (interfaith spirituality) or interdenominational cooperation. “In the name of peace and unity,” says Ray Yungen, “the world’s religions are more and more joining together. And with that joining together will come a consensus that it is narrow minded and even hateful to say there is only one way to salvation.”

There’s not enough space here to cover interspirituality, so I’ll more on.

Peace and unity has a nice ring to it. But traditional, historic, evangelical Christianity holds that there is only one path to God, one door to enter through. Peter left no doubt when he said, “Salvation is found in no one else” (Acts 4:10). (Also see John 3:16, John 6:66-68, John 14:6, Acts 16:30-31, 1 Tim 2:3-6, 1 John 2:1) The Bible clearly teaches that all paths do not lead to God. Those who take a different path will spend eternity in hell. So the loving thing for a committed Christian to do is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost. In fact, Jesus commanded His followers to go out into the world and spread the good news. Those who keep the good news to themselves fail to understand that God gives no second chances. Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat. 7:22).

I’ve drifted from my point. Most Christians have no clue that false teachers abound in the Church. And if they’re aware, they’re ignoring it–or they just don’t care! Some may think the Bible teaches that believers must set up a kingdom here on earth to usher in the Second Coming of Christ. But let me assure you, this is extra-biblical teaching.

Christians have got to put up their discernment antenna. We must start probing to see what other Christians believe and then ask ourselves, “Is it scriptural?” There is nothing wrong with examining teaching coming from the pulpit! Paul praised the Bereans for checking his teaching against the Word of God. (Acts 17:11) We must scrutinize Bible teachers, evangelists, missionaries, speakers, writers, politicians, entertainers, health practitioners, bloggers, and look into “Christian” businesses to see what they’re really selling. Anyone can use a Christian symbol or quote Bible verses to make themselves or what they’re selling sound Christian because they know that gullible folks buy into it! Is it any wonder God warns us to be on the lookout for the spirit of error that comes from Satan and his demons? Satan was a liar from the beginning which is why believers have to be armed with the sword of the spirit–the Word of God!

It is imperative that Christians guard (tend to carefully) God’s Word. Deuteronomy 11:17-20:
“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates…”

When his words are written on our hearts we are not so easily taken in by charlatans, false teachers or enticed into a cult.

Paul admonished Timothy to “keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called” (1 Tim 6:20). In other words, “continue in the simplicity of sincere doctrine.”

Knowing the truth is essential to the faith. Yet neo-evangelicals are inept at protecting biblical truth. Biblical truth is not found in so-called Christians who abandon Church doctrine and rely on what God or so-called angels say to them in visions and dreams. Never, never, never abandon the Bible to follow the teachings of these men and women! Run from those who deny the Deity of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ is not God, Christianity is a sham.

One last thing. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that we are to treat false teachers with charity and Christian love. In fact we’re taught just the opposite:

“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: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:9-11).

Marsha West is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

She can be reached at:

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America’s All-Out Spiritual Battle, Part 2

April 14, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

JESUS CHRIST AND DEMONS…

My question to Christians who doubt the devil’s existence: Why would Jesus bother casting out demons if they don’t exist?

Why would Paul say in Romans 8:37-39 “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

According to the Bible, principalities and powers (demons) are under the power of Satan. (Mat. 12:24) Evil spirits have the ability to possess and control those who are unsaved. (Mat. 8:28-34) Evil spirits can cause sickness (Mat. 12:22); insanity (Luke 8:26-36); bodily injury (Mark 9:14-26); long term infirmities (Luke 13:11-13). Yes, Satan and his demons have been given certain powers, but as John MacArthur points out, “Satan is a servant of God and can only work within the perimeters that God defines…” (http://www.gty.org/AudioPlayer/Podcast/1277)

Here’s another questions for doubters: Why would the Son of God give the apostles power over evil spirits that are non existent?

According to the Bible the apostles were given the authority to cast out demons. (Mark 16:17,18; Luke 10:17; Acts 5:16; 8:7; 16:16-18; 19:12)

If fallen angels aren’t real, why would the account of the temptation of Jesus by Satan be included in the Gospels?

Listen to Mark 1:12-13:

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Now listen to Luke 4:2:

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

Even the Son of God was fully prepared before He faced down the enemy…because His enemy was real!

Jesus is our ultimate authority on how we should deal with demons. In what ways did He respond to Satan’s temptation? He used the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit) as a weapon to fend off his fork-tongued foe.

Matthew 4:2-15:

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Let that sink in for a moment…

Now that any misconception concerning what Jesus Christ believed about the forces of evil is cleared up, I’ll get back to my point. Paul reminded Timothy: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons”(1 Timothy 4:1).

Demons can teach humans things? Wow. According to Paul demons are deceitful. Hmmm….I wonder if they teach lies to people?

Of course they do!

These cunning spirits enlist men and women to pass on their lies and deceit! (The dumbest demon is a whole lot smarter than the most brilliant human. Even smarter than Barack and Hillary put together.)

According to the Bible a spiritual battle is raging. Humans are unaware of what’s taking place. We’re unable to see it because it’s in the invisible realm.

Who is behind taking God out of the public square? You guessed it.

Who is behind making Christianity irrelevant? None other.

To accomplish these goals satanic forces must control the minds of individuals in high places if they are to carryout their plans. One short example. Christians who refused to worship the Emperor Nero as God were dressed in tar jackets and put on stakes and then burned at night to light the streets. This is nothing short of diabolical.

If you want to avoid being taken in by “principalities and powers” read Ephesians 6:10-20

No doubt some readers are thinking, “I can’t buy into the idea of a war going on between angels and demons.” That’s fine. But please explain to me what is going on in this country. No one can deny that a culture war has been brewing for decades. Kids vs. Parents…Sexual deviancy vs. Virtue…Hollywood vs. Family values…Filth vs. Decency…Pro-death vs. Pro-life…Moral relativism vs. Absolute truth…Christian liberalism vs. Christian orthodoxy…Atheism vs. Theism…Evolution vs. Creation. If all of this weren’t bad enough, there’s another war brewing: Big government vs. Free enterprise.

Since the Marxist/socialist/progressive/statists have taken control, for the first time ever free market capitalism is losing ground in America – even though 70% of the American people think the free market is the best way to organize our economy. Worse, President “Hope and Change” is in the process of transforming us into an oppressive and tyrannical state! We the People are finally waking up to the fact that what’s in store for us is European-style socialism.

Wake up, America! Socialism is a godless system. Socialists want to take money from the “haves” and give it to the “have-nots.” This is redistribution of wealth!

Big Government is hell-bent on controlling our hard earned money and our lives. Big Government will tax Americans to death. Mark my words. A value added tax is coming. (http://tinyurl.com/y9y4ssk) Government bureaucrats will determine how the money is spent! Personally, I prefer to decide where my money goes especially when it comes to the arts, charities and anything to do with healthcare. This brings to mind abortion. American’s tax dollars will pay for killing womb-babies under ObamaCare. If tax-payer funded infanticide is not part of Satan’s diabolical plan, I don’t know what is.

So I ask you, how will a godless government that controls business and industry, banking, and our healthcare system–as well as the minds of the masses–benefit future generations? What will our country look like in 50 years if We the People don’t rise up and put a stop to the Obama administration’s Marxist/socialist agenda?

SATAN’S LETHAL WEAPON: POLITICAL CORRECTNESS

America, Canada, and Western European countries are dealing with political correctness on steroids! Woe to those of us who offend our fellow man’s sensibilities. Correction! Fellow person’s sensibilities.

Take for example “Merry Christmas.” The PC greeting is “happy holiday” so as not to offend those who are not Christians. “Spring break” has replaced Easter. The flavor of the month for retarded is “Developmentally impaired”…or is it mentally challenged…or developmentally challenged?

Just for the heck of it I visited dictionary.com to check the definition of “retarded.” It means the following:

“In childhood development sense, ‘mentally slow’ … To cause to move or proceed slowly; delay or impede …to be delayed … slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay. … Often Offensive Affected with mental retardation.”

Unless the word is used in a derogatory manner, which is unacceptable, referring to a person who has Down syndrome as mentally retarded is simply acknowledging that he/she is mentally slow. Why is that offensive or hurtful? Why do we need to come up with a new word or phrase every couple of years to take the place of perfectly good greetings, holidays, adjectives, etc.?

Ever notice how individuals who utter a PI word or phrase are attacked instead of given the benefit of the doubt? Critics will set aside a rational and brilliant argument and go all out to destroy the offending individual’s reputation and credibility! It matters not if it’s just a slip of the tongue, which it often is. The offender gets labeled a bigot, racist, homophobe, hateful or worse. From then on Joe Blow is known as the guy who said____ You fill in the blank. Both the Left and the Right are guilty of this, by the way.

The “politically correct police” pressure (bludgeon) people into conforming to social change. Paul Proctor points out that “It puts into practice any number of unbiblical behaviors, theories, religions and causes from promoting promiscuity, to homosexuality, to syncretism, to abortion rights, to euthanasia, to birth control, to stem cell research, to Darwinism, to faith-based initiatives, to ‘no child left behind,’ to global warming, to you name it…”

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS IN CHRISTIANITY

Progressive Christians embrace religious pluralism. For them each religion is equally valid and all religions lead to God. That’s weird. For over 2,000 years Christianity has taught that the only way to God is through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) Progressives get away with this heresy by rejecting historic Christianity’s long-held traditions, doctrines and creeds. What these folks are striving for is a New Kind of Christianity. (http://tinyurl.com/y6orbqg)

Progressive Christians celebrate unscriptural practices and behavior all in the name of tolerance and unity. “Although disturbing,” says Don Closson, “we shouldn’t be surprised. Our culture has been moving away from a biblical view of truth and toward the acknowledgment of just one moral duty or virtue, that is–tolerance. This new absolute requires that we be tolerant of every possible faith assumption and moral system except, it seems, the traditional Christian view of God and salvation. It’s not that we have new information about the life of Jesus or the reason for His death. As a society we no longer want to hear about a God who is holy and requires satisfaction when His moral order is violated. This view applies the notion ‘I’m OK, you’re OK to God.’ Maybe if we tolerate Him, even with His outdated notions of holiness, He will tolerate us in our fallenness.” (http://tinyurl.com/yedybjx)

Many pastors in our postmodern, moral relativistic, anything goes, live and let live houses of worship are too cowardly to teach on what the scriptures say about heaven and hell. If all paths lead to heaven, as progressives believe, will unrepentant tyrants, mass murderers, serial rapists, pedophiles, prostitutes, drug dealers and animal abusers go to heaven? What about atheists and those who say they’d rather go to hell where their friends are? Will God-haters be in heaven too? Is Judas there?

No. Unrepentant sinners do not go to heaven for all eternity. If there’s one thing the Christian religion is not known for is its all-inclusiveness. It is exclusive. What irks people about Christianity is its claim to be the only truth. Christianity also says that the God of the Bible is the One true God and that all other Gods and all other religions are a counterfeit. The Apostle John made this point clear: “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life” (1John 5:12). In other words, those who reject the notion that Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of man on the cross will remain permanently separated from the Father in heaven. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2). Sin separates us from God, Christ reconciles us to Him.

Serious Christians please note: Religious pluralism is an oxymoron! If you haven’t picked up on this yet, diversity is not tolerant. In fact it’s glaringly hypocritical. Is it possible to have a personal God (Christianity) and an impersonal God (Islam) at the same time? No! Can a person “die once and after that face the judgment” (Christianity) and also be reincarnated (Hinduism)? No! These are two incompatible beliefs. Can Jesus Christ be the Son of God (Christianity) and a mere prophet (Islam)? Again, no! Either Jesus Christ is God incarnate and rules the universe as Christians believe, or He was just a man…and a crazy man at that!

What I’m talking about is “doublethink.” Doublethink means simultaneously believing in two contradictory ideas. For example: same difference, spendthrift, perfect idiot, and my personal favorite, Southern Baptist Buddhist. (Some say Al Gore coined this one.)

For the sake of diversity everything society once thought of as perverted behavior is now seen by many as normal and acceptable. And of course Christians are expected to go along with what everyone else is doing or be ridiculed. However, the Bible, which is the roadmap that shows how followers of Jesus must live their lives, says we are not to embrace the culture’s vile ways. We are called to be Christ-like – which means holy. Not perfect — no one is perfect. We’re not called to be cool, that’s for sure. If the Apostles lived today, would they get all pierced and tatted up and use foul language to reach the culture? Um…no. Being cool is not in God’s plan for our lives. He has called His people to be separate from the world, to be a “light in darkness.” Are you ready? We are called to be holy.

Are you a light in this dark world, brothers and sisters? Or are you making decisions that will snuff out your light?

Part 3 to come

Part 1

Marsha West is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com
She can be reached at:

Filed Under: Marsha West
Tagged: America, Apostles, Asia, Business, Canada, capitalism, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, Darwinism, Demons, Economy, Europe, Future, Global Warming, God, Government, Hollywood, Islam, Jesus Christ, Love, Money, Political Correctness, Religion, Scripture, Sex, Socialism, Society, Truth, War

America’s All-Out Spiritual Battle, Part 1

April 7, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

“Two boys were walking home from Sunday school after hearing a strong preaching on the devil.

One said to the other, ‘What do you think about all this Satan stuff?’

The other boy replied, ‘Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It’s probably just your Dad.’”

What do you think about all the Satan stuff? Do you believe Satan exists? If you do, where do you think he hangs out? He must be a regular globe trotter. Every minute of the day, in every part of the world, exorcisms are being performed on people who are supposedly possessed by the devil. If these exorcisms are indeed legitimate the implication is that Satan can be in a million places at once.

According to Scripture Satan, a fallen angel, is a personal being. Note that Jesus used the personal pronoun when referring to him: “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).

Logically, Satan can only be in one place at a time. So I’ve been giving his whereabouts some serious thought. To me it makes sense that he would be headquartered on Capitol Hill. But I could be wrong. Perhaps he’s in Iran or Pakistan or for that matter, even Hollywood. Regardless of where the “liar” resides, you’ve got to admit that some pretty powerful demonic forces are working their wiles on a number of our elected officials. I mean, think about it. The Left’s diabolical agenda most certainly is influenced by liars.

All kidding aside, the Bible contains quite a few references to angels and demons. A Bible believing Christian knows that the spirits are very real — a clear and present danger.

Even after I accepted Christ I remained skeptical of Satan and his legions of demons for quite some time. As I worked my way through the Bible I came to believe that there are indeed “spiritual forces of evil.” You first meet Satan (the serpent) in Genesis 3:1. He shows up in the Garden of Eden intent on tricking Eve into disobeying God. (More on Eve and the snake later.) In the last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, he finally gets his comeuppance. Without going into the gory details, let’s just say that Satan and his demons are sent spiraling into the abyss where they will cool (or warm) their heals for all eternity. God’s judgment is final, by the way. No spirit or human being sentenced to eternal punishment (Mat. 25:46) in the lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 20:10) gets out on good behavior — or for any reason!

But before Satan takes up permanent residence in the place prepared for him and his angles, and all those who reject the Son of God, he shall remain the “god of this world” (2Cor. 4:4). Answers.com explains Satan’s influence: “Satan is the major influence on the mind-set expressed by the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His areas of influence also encompass the world’s philosophies, education, and commerce. The thoughts, ideas, speculations and false religions of the world are under his control and have sprung from his lies and deceptions.”

Angels were created with a free will. When some of them exercised their free will and rebelled against God, He cast them out of heaven to earth. For thousands of years God has allowed these spirits to wreak havoc on this planet. And one has to admit they’re doing a pretty thorough job of it.

In Ephesians 6:12 Paul “outs” mankind’s true enemy:

“Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

The Bible calls the struggle “spiritual warfare.” Spiritual warfare has been ongoing since the Fall of Man. Although Satan has won a multitude of battles, in the end he will be the big loser.

A word of warning before I move on. Evil spirits have supernatural powers that man does not possess, never will possess, and should not endeavor to possess. Deceptive spirits have persuaded some people to think they are among the “enlightened ones” (EO). Allegedly EOs are a spiritually advanced order of philosophers and peacemakers. (Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey are said to be EOs. Joe Biden, not so much.) These folks believe they’re here to help usher in a new way of being on the planet. In other words, to help humans evolve to a higher plane of existence. Supposedly an EO possesses superior intellect, has been given extraordinary insights, and is magically empowered. Many EOs seek guidance from spirits.

In Scripture God makes it abundantly clear that spirits, including angels, are not to be evoked, called on, invited in or channeled. We should never try to connect with spirits and we certainly shouldn’t try to glean information from them. Jesus Himself often told the demons to keep quiet!

Christians who are in contact with so-called angels will read this article and get a little testy with me because they see nothing wrong in contacting angels — and they sure don’t want anyone raining on their parade! But here’s the thing. Getting a little wet sure beats getting struck by a lightening bolt from above.

The purpose of this article, in part, is to attempt to give sincere Christians a clear understanding of the Bible’s teaching on spiritual warfare and also to pass on some of the practices God strictly forbids.

One thing is clear. Contacting spirits or consulting mediums for any reason is forbidden. In other words, participating in the occult is taboo. (Deut. 18: 10-12) You ask, “Why does it matter to God?” As I pointed out, the spirits are malevolent. They are counterfeit…phony…fakes! (There are rumors that Adolph Hitler, who was an occultist, invoked the “Spirit of Anti-Christ” for guidance. Look where it got him!)

One final point. Many Christians have a misconception of “spiritual warfare.” Nowhere in Scripture does it say that believers are to go into enemy territory. God’s people, says Paul, are to be “strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” As well, we are admonished by Peter to, “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith…”

Be strong in the Lord! Resist the devil! Put on the full armor of God! When God’s people stand firm in their faith the tempters make tracks. (To help give Christians an inside look at angels and demons fighting for control of the mind of a back-slidden Christian, I wrote an allegory on the armor of God. Read it here.

AN ALL OUT SPIRITUAL BATTLE

Most of the “experts” now agree that our beloved country is in dire straits. Some of them have gone so far as to say that our economy is teetering on the brink of collapse but that remains to be seen.

Thanks largely to the secularization of America, the culture is becoming darker, more corrupt and perverse as time goes on. Almost everyone I know has gone through—or is currently going through–trials and tribulations. It seems people all over the globe are getting pummeled by evil forces! I would go so far as to say that there is an all out spiritual battle going on for the hearts and minds of men!

What’s behind this? I’ll use Paul’s terminology: rulers, authorities, powers, spiritual forces of evil in the supernatural realm. In other words, Satan and the fallen angels.

Some of you reading this article probably think I’ve gone ‘round the bend. But keep in mind that a large number of rational people who resist the idea of the devil believe in angles. Many people believe in ghosts to include those of the dearly departed. Still others believe the planet is being visited by extraterrestrials. I don’t have the space to cover all of what people believe in, so I’ll move on.

Scripture clearly teaches that there are forces of good and evil occupying the heavenly realm. Angels are good, demons are evil. The chief of fallen angels has many names including Satan, Beelzebub and Belial. He’s called the old serpent, our adversary, god of this world, prince of darkness, father of lies, great dragon…enemy…deceiver… murderer…let’s leave it at that. Fallen angels are not benevolent beings. They do not come to impart wisdom and give guidance. On the contrary. They’re lying spirits! (1 Kings 22:22, 23; 2 Chron. 18: 21, 22) Moreover, they have nothing but contempt for humans. They are hell bent on destroying God’s entire creation.

If you’re not a Christian and you’re still reading this, you’ll be rolling your eyes about now. Fear not! The best is yet to come. Stay with me and you will see what many orthodox (conservative) Christians believe about angels and demons and why we believe it. Additionally, you’ll learn the ways in which Jesus and His apostles dealt with the devil. There will also be some examples of Satan’s victories in both the Church and the culture.

THE FATHER OF LIES

In our postmodern culture many self-identifying Christians deny that Satan, or the devil, actually exists. As I said, these same people readily admit to a belief in ghosts, angels, fairies, and extraterrestrials yet they reject the notion that Satan is real. Some skeptics think of the devil as a sort of mythological character while others say he’s merely a symbol of evil. Then there are those who think of him as a caricature. Parents who view him that way often dress their children in devil costumes on Halloween. Most of the costumes are a combination of red and black, have a long tail with a spear on the end, bat-like ears and a three pronged pitchfork. Women’s devil costumes are usually sexy.

Christians who read and study Scripture know that Satan relishes being thought of as a silly, or sexy, caricature. Most people have no fear of a person who goes around in red tights, sporting a cape and carrying a phony pitchfork. These sorts of devils are not taken seriously. I mean, why would anyone fear something so….ridiculous?

What we must remember is that Satan doesn’t wear a costume. He comes as one of us.

THE DEVIL WITHOUT TIGHTS

According to a number of Bible scholars, Isaiah 14: 12-15 tells the story of Lucifer, an archangel, who fell from God’s grace and became the devil. God tossed Lucifer out of heaven because he conspired to make his throne higher than the clouds. In other words, he contrived to dethrone God.

Lucifer is Latin for “morning star” or “light-bearer.” (In 2 Peter 1:19 morning star has no relation to Satan.) The way Isaiah describes him is a far cry from the way in which he’s viewed by our culture:

“How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.” (NIV for clarity)

Many people have heard the story of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman created by God. Adam and Eve were born with a free will. They did not have a sin nature. In the beginning there was no death. We learn from the book of Genesis that they made their home in the Garden of Eden. Then one day the wily serpent came to the garden with evil intent. He found Eve alone and, through lies and deceit, convinced her to disregard God’s command to Adam “…you must not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for when you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Gen. 2:17) The serpent claimed that God had withheld knowledge that would make them like God and give them hidden wisdom. So Eve chose to disregard God’s warning and took a bite out of the fruit. The serpent was right as it relates to God withholding knowledge from them. However, the hidden knowledge turned out to be detrimental. The moment Eve ate of the fruit her eyes were opened…and sin came into the world. Eve handed the fruit to her husband and he also chose to disregard God’s command and ate the fruit. Adam and Eve went from God-centeredness to self-centeredness. When God confronted them with what they had done Adam blamed the whole thing on his wife! Adam and Eve’s sin (going against God) precipitated the Fall of Man. The consequence of sin is death. (2 Cor. 11:3) Because of the Fall, human beings are in bondage to sin and the kingdom of Satan.

Marsha West is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com
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Questions for Candidate Palin and Sister Sarah

March 9, 2010 by Administrator · Leave a Comment

The New Apostolic Reformation/ NAR is a religious movement of elites and regular people guided by an entire genre of books, texts, videos and other media. Among NAR adherents, is Sarah Palin and the NAR just may be the largest religious movement you’ve never heard of.

Jesus called politicians foxes and in a country where Sarah Palin is being touted as presidential material, the issue of faith in politics has never been more deadly.

Researcher Rachel Tabachnick, reported regarding NAR videos that they “demonstrate the taking control of communities and nations through large networks of ‘prayer warriors’ whose spiritual warfare is used to expel and destroy the demons that cause societal ills. Once the territorial demons, witches, and generational curses are removed, the ‘born-again’ Christians in the videos take control of society.”

“The movement’s notion of “spiritual warfare” has spread from the California suburbs to an East-Coast inner city, and has impacted policy decisions in the developing world. Movement operatives are well-connected enough to have testified before Congress and to have received millions of dollars in government abstinence-only sex-education grants. Leaders in the NAR movement refer to themselves as ‘apostles.’”[1]

When Palin was 24, she joined a spiritual warfare network. Rachel Tabachnick, continues:

“These communication networks allow apostles to disseminate new prophecy to their ‘prayer warriors.’ During the presidential election this included prophecies about Palin, including one in which Glazier described a vision that Palin would take the ‘mantle’ of leadership after a period of national mourning, apparently following John McCain’s demise.

“The first Transformation film so impressed pastors in Wasilla, Alaska, that they contacted some of the religious leaders featured in the movie including Thomas Muthee, who was shown driving a witch out of Kiambu, Kenya. Wasilla Assembly of God developed an ongoing relationship with Muthee and a 2005 church video shows him anointing Palin. Unfortunately the press picked up on the witch part of the story, and not the more important fact that Palin has ties to top leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation.

“I believe this movement’s threat to separation of church and state is greater than some of the more overtly theocratic movements of the religious right. The inclusion of women and all races in leadership roles, and their enthusiastic sponsorship of social services conflicts with a popular notion about religious fundamentalism. Despite their radical strategies, leaders in the movement have been labeled in the press as moderate…a ‘new evangelical.’[Ibid]

Evangelical once was understood as a stand up call against slavery. The New Apostolic Reformation is a movement within Protestant Christianity that grew out of Pentecostal and Charismatic sensibilities and ascribes to an ideology that asserts God is restoring the lost offices of church governance, specifically offices of Prophet and Apostle.

They determine what being “saved” means for all and also maintain the need for submission to Church leaders. They have faith in leaders and believe that leaders are ordained by God and given power and authority by God to lead as described in the biblical letter of the apostle Paul to the Ephesians.

The grass roots of the NAR is foremost concerned with a process they refer to as the formation of Christ within its members. Apostolic churches tend to be small, consisting of dedicated believers who carry the weight of the church and are looking to do only good out of love for God.

But as Gandhi warned, “Everyone but Christians understands that Jesus was nonviolent.”

The first and greatest heresy in the Christian faith occurred in the third century when Augustine penned the “Just War Theory” which gave the church’s OK to violence perpetuated by the empire and “our problems stem from our acceptance of this filthy, rotten system.”-Dorothy Day

Clement, Tertillian, Polycarp and every other early Church Father taught that violence was a contradiction of what Christ was about, but as Gandhi commented, “Everyone but Christians understands that Jesus was nonviolent.”

Christians were not a part of the military until the third century, when Emperor Constantine instituted Christianity as the State’s religion and required all soldiers to be baptized, but “How can you kill people, when it is written in God’s commandment: ‘Thou shall not murder’?”– Leo Tolstoy

Bruce Wilson, Co-Founder of Talk To Action, recently reported, “At least three of four of Palin’s churches are involved with major organizations and leaders of The Third Wave of the Holy Spirit or the New Apostolic Reformation. The movement is training a young ‘Joel’s Army’ to take dominion over the United States and the world.

“Along with her entire family, Sarah Palin was re-baptized at twelve at the Wasilla Assembly of God in Wasilla, Alaska and she attended the church from the time she was ten until 2002: over two and 1/2 decades. Sarah Palin’s extensive pattern of association with the Wasilla Assembly of God has continued nearly up to the day she was picked by Senator John McCain as a vice-presidential running mate. Palin’s dedication to the Wasilla church is indicated by a Saturday, September 7, 2008, McClatchy news service story detailing possibly improper use of state travel funds by Palin for a trip she made to Wasilla, Alaska to attend, on June 8, 2008, both a Wasilla Assembly of God ‘Masters Commission’ graduation ceremony and also a multi-church Wasilla area event known as ‘One Lord Sunday.’ At the latter event, Palin and Alaska LT Governor Scott Parnell were publicly blessed, onstage before an estimated crowd of 6,000, through the ‘laying on of hands’ by Wasilla Assembly of God’s Head Pastor Ed Kalnins whose sermons espouse such theological concepts as the possession of geographic territories by demonic spirits and the inter-generational transmission of family ‘curses’.

“Thomas Muthee visited Wasilla Assembly of God and gave 10 consecutive sermons at the church, from October 11-16 2005. As both Palin and Wasilla AoG Head Pastor Ed Kalnins have attested, Thomas Muthee ‘prayed over’ Sarah Palin and entreated God to ‘make a way’ prior to Palin’s successful bid for the Alaska governorship. Muthee made a return visit to the Wasilla Assembly of God in late 2008.

“Thomas Muthee’s Word of Faith Church is featured in the ‘Transformations’ video which details an account on how Muthee drove ‘the spirit of witchcraft’ out of Kiambu, Kenya, liberating the town from its territorial demonic possession and enabling a miraculous societal transformation…The ‘Transformations’ video has helped spark a network of ‘Transformation’ ministries and mission organizations and ‘transformation’ has become a buzz word for change based on supernatural instead of human efforts.

“The Third Wave, also known as the New Apostolic Reformation, is a network of Apostles, many of them grouped around C. Peter Wagner, founder of the World Prayer Center. This center, which was built in coordination with Ted Haggard and his New Life Church in Colorado Springs, was featured in an article by Jeff Sharlet in Harpers, May 2005, ‘Soldiers of Christ.’ [2]

Charles Peter Wagner, is also a former professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission and he coined the Christian idiom Third Wave.

The first “wave” occurred at the beginning of the twentieth century with the rise of the Pentecostal movement, beginning with the Azusa Street Revival.
The second “wave” occurred during the 1960s as the Charismatic movement spread throughout some Protestant denominations, as well as the Roman Catholic Church.
The third “wave” occurred during the mid 1980s, and is identified as a resurgence of church planting and a new commitment to signs and wonders in evangelism.

Each wave identifies with different theologies regarding the Holy Spirit-but, which is universally understood as God within. Many Christians, including even some conservative Pentecostals, have rejected the “Third Wave” as being unbiblical.

One of the top reads in NAR circles is the novel, KINGDOM LOST. According to their website KINGDOM LOST is “A novel they will not want you to read.” “An enjoyable read.” “Tense story.” “Ominous, I would recommend it.”

Wayne Buchanan, Radio Talk Show Host & Assemblies of God Pastor went on the record, “If there is one novel a Christian ought to read in their lifetime, it’s Kingdom Lost. It’ll scare the willies out of everyone else too.”

Something else that should have scared the willies out of everyone was another article by Jeff Sharlet, who wrote for HARPER’S May 2009 edition, “The Crusade for a Christian Military: Jesus Killed Mohammed” regarding the entrenchment of Christian fundamentalism in the USA military beginning during the Cold War that accelerated during the Vietnam era and has wrecked havoc on the soul of our nation and misery for multitudes.

Fundamentalist [referred to as evangelical by Sharlet] Chaplains began to join the military in droves as they aligned themselves with the Industrial Military Complex in opposition with Catholics and mainline moderate Protestant denominations such as Methodists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians who were of one voice speaking out against American terrorism in Vietnam and for following in the ways of the nonviolent Jesus.

“Starting in 1987, Protestant denominations were lumped together simply as “Protestant”; moreover, the Pentagon began accrediting hundreds of evangelical and Pentecostal “endorsing agencies,” allowing graduates of fundamentalist Bible colleges—which often train clergy to view those from other faiths as enemies of Christ—to fill up nearly the entire allotment for Protestant chaplains. Today, more than two thirds of the military’s 2,900 active-duty chaplains are affiliated with evangelical or Pentecostal denominations.” [3]

“For decades, the military built a sense of solidarity out of a singular purpose, the Cold War struggle between free markets and state-planned economies—the shining city on a hill versus the evil empire…meshed neatly with ideologies [that connected] nationalism and fundamentalism…Communism…the dark alternative should we fail to unite. Fundamentalism thrived…a neat, black-and-white [theology and] a foreign policy. The end of the Cold War deprived militant evangelicals of that clarity [and] the emergence of “radical Islam” [became] the object of a new Cold War.” [Ibid]

In his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. penned a scalding critique of American Christianity addressed to his “Dear Fellow Clergymen”

Too long has The Peace Process been bogged down in a tragic effort to live in monologue rather than dialogue.

Lamentably, it is an historical fact that privileged groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily. We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. We must come to see that justice too long delayed is justice denied.

Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever and if repressed emotions are not released in nonviolent ways, they will seek expression through violence; this is not a threat but a fact of history.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial “outside agitator” idea. Anyone who lives in the world can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.

The world is pulled to change by extremism and our only dilemma is what will we be extremists for? Hate or love? God or State?

Few members of the oppressor race can understand the deep groans and passionate yearnings of the oppressed race, and still fewer have the vision to see that injustice must be rooted out by strong, persistent and determined action. Too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained glass windows.

It is a lack of imagination that accepts a future of endless war. It is fear of the other that fuels fundamentalism.

Jesus said: “FEAR NOT! You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Rev. King wondered if organized religion was too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world. He knew that “Any nation that year after year continues to raise the Defense budget while cutting social programs to the neediest is a nation approaching spiritual death.”

While he lived the FBI placed wiretaps on Reverend King’s home and office phones and bugged his hotel rooms throughout the country. By 1967, King had become the country’s most prominent opponent of the Vietnam War, and a staunch critic of U.S. foreign policy, which he deemed militaristic. In his “Beyond Vietnam” speech delivered at New York’s Riverside Church on April 4, 1967 [a year to the day before he was murdered] King called the United States “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today.”

The last words Jesus spoke to his follower’s before his martyrdom was to “put down the sword” and his first words after his resurrection was “peace be with you.”

During one of my seven trips to occupied Palestine since 2005, Mohammad Alatar, film producer of “The Ironwall” addressed my group on an Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions tour through Jerusalem and to the village of Anata and the Shufat refugee camp, in the very area where the prophet Jeremiah in the 6th century B.C. critiqued the violent conflicts in the Mid East, which were already old news: “I hear violence and destruction in the city, sickness and wounds are all I see.” [Jeremiah 6:7]

After we broke bread and ate a typical Palestinian feast prepared by the Arabiya family in the Arabyia Peace Center, Mohammad Alatar said, “I am a Muslim Palestinian American and when my son asked me who my hero was I took three days to think about it. I told him my hero is Jesus, because he took a stand and he died for it. What really needs to be done is for the churches to be like Jesus; to challenge the Israeli occupation and address the apartheid practices as moral issues. Even if every church divested and boycotted Israel it would not harm Israel. After the USA and Russia, Israel is the third largest arms exporter in the world. It is a moral issue that the churches must address.”

Christians are called by God to prayerfully use the gift of discernment and to test all things according to the teachings of Jesus. A follower of Jesus- perhaps anyone with a good conscience- would understand that war is the ultimate form of terrorism as well as the supreme expression of the spirit of the Antichrist-meaning against what Christ taught and modeled with his life-which was to be a Peacemaker, not to bomb, torture or occupy any.

The term Christianity was not even coined until three decades after Christ walked the earth. Until the day of Paul, followers of Jesus were called members of The Way; the way being what he taught!

Christ was never a Christian, but he was a social justice, radical revolutionary NONVIOLENT Palestinian devout Jewish road warrior who rose up and challenged the job security of the Temple authorities by teaching the people they did NOT need to pay the priests for ritual baths or sacrificing livestock to be OK with God; for God already LOVED them just as they were: sinners, poor, diseased, outcasts, widows, orphans, refugees and prisoners all living under Roman Military Occupation; and what got him crucified was for disturbing the status quo of the Roman Occupying Forces.

My question to my sister in Christ, is Sarah, please define just who your Jesus is and how does your theology inform your political decisions regarding what is best for America- and just what do you think that is?

To Candidate Palin, where do you stand regarding USA policy in Israel Palestine vis-à-vis the theology of Armageddon and a rapture of “saved” believers who live by the sword?

1. http://www.truthout.org/prayer-warriors-and-palin-organizing-spiritual-warfare-take-over-america57276

2. http://endtimespropheticwords.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/sarah-palins-churches-and-the-third-wave/

3. Jeff Sharlet, HARPER’S, May 2009 pages 31-43.

Eileen Fleming is a regular columnist for Novakeo.com

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The nationalist not only does not disapprove of atrocities committed by his own side, he has a remarkable capacity for not even hearing about them.

George Orwell

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