Wednesday, February 27, 2008

From Everlasting

Whose goings forth have been from old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2)

The Lord Jesus had goings forth for His people as their representative before the throne, long before they appeared upon the stage of time. It was "from everlasting" that He signed the compact with His Father, that He would pay blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony for agony, and death for death, in the behalf of His people; it was "from everlasting" that He gave Himself up without a murmuring word. That from the crown of His head to the sole of His foot He might sweat great drops of blood, that He might be spit upon, pierced, mocked, rent asunder, and crushed beneath the pains of death. His goings forth as our Surety were from everlasting. Pause, my soul, and wonder! Thou hast goings forth in the person of Jesus "from everlasting". Not only when thou wast born into the world did Christ love thee, but His delights were with the sons of men before there were any sons of men. Often did He think of them; from everlasting to everlasting He had set His affection upon them. What! My soul, has He been so long about thy salvation, and will not He accomplish it? Has he from everlasting been going forth to save me, and will He lose me now? What! Has He carried me in His hand, and His precious jewel, and will He now let me slip from between His fingers? Did He choose me before the mountains were brought forth, or the channels of the deep were digged, and will He reject me now? Impossible! I am sure He would not have loved me so long if He had not loved me with a love as deep as hell, and as strong as death, He would have turned from me long ago. Oh, joy above all joys, to know that I am His everlasting and inalienable inheritance, given to Him by His Father or ever the earth was! Everlasting love shall be the pillow for my head this night.

This devotion was taken from "Morning and Evening" by C.H. Spurgeon.

Bring It On!



HAT TIP: The Bororean

No Cross to Bear

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (Matthew 10:38)

Vast swaths of the professing church have no cross to bear. Through both word and deed they reject the hard demands of Jesus and opt instead for an easy believism that says "You can have your cake and eat it too, brothers and sisters!". These blind guides of the blind teach their itching ears followers a sickly sweet compromised gospel that assures them of their Best Life, NOW!"

Smiling like crocodiles and with a glimmer in their eyes they send their deceived congregants home week after week singing of a heaven they'll never see and praising a Jesus Who will will rebuke and condemn them on judgment day.

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23)

What does the Lord mean here when he rejects the workers of iniquity and who are they?

INIQUITY
in-ik'-wi-ti (`awon; anomia): In the Old Testament of the 11 words translated "iniquity," by far the most common and important is `awon (about 215 times). Etymologically, it is customary to explain it as meaning literally "crookedness," "perverseness," i.e. evil regarded as that which is not straight or upright, moral distortion (from `iwwah, "to bend," "make crooked," "pervert"). Driver, however (following Lagarde), maintains that two roots, distinct in Arabic, have been confused in Hebrew, one = "to bend," "pervert" (as above), and the other = "to err," "go astray";

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Few...

Few there be that find it.

We can see that the Lord is rebuking a group of lawbreakers, a group who is guilty of committing lewdness, crookedness, and perverseness in contradistinction to being straight, upright, and moral according to God's Holy commandments. I should point out here that I'm not advancing a works based salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith and is a miraculous and sovereign work of God alone. Yet God's holy demands are irrevocable and it is His Spirit that empowers and enables the regenerate to holy and righteous living before His face.

It's interesting to note in the verses leading up to verse 23 a group is described who will call Jesus "Lord" and who will recite a litany of good works they've performed in His name. Still more interesting in this discourse we see that the Lord does not deny or make any effort to refute the works claimed, nor does he dispute that the lawbreakers did the works in His name, rather He simply commands them to depart from Him and summarily states that He never knew them! Clearly Jesus is the omniscient God Almighty so He mustn't mean that He has no idea who they are, rather He is unequivocally stating that He was never in a relationship with them. They are strangers to His covenant of grace, and hence are guilty and condemned covenant breakers.

I have little doubt that this stinging rebuke and rejection of the King of Glory strikes the unregenerate false believers as a complete and utter surprise.

They believed they knew Him!

They claimed their good works were performed in His name!

And the Lord doesn't even deny their claims! Is there some mistake here? Is the Lord guilty of unreasonably and arbitrarily rejecting true, regenerate born-again Christian men and women? God forbid!

The truth of the matter is that the false believers pictured in this terrible and frightful verse in Matthew are typical of the sort of lukewarm Laodician Christian who is so prevalent in the modern professing church. Today's church is a hothouse within which "shallow root", "weedy" false Christians thrive. These are the tares sown by the enemy which spring up alongside the true wheat of the Lord. This is the false church which exists side by side with the true invisible church. These are the stooges and pawns of the enemy who trust in themselves that they are righteous. They are self righteousness exemplified, an object lesson in damnation.

I personally believe the Lord doesn't bother attempting to refute their works claims because their claims are truthful and accurate as far as they go. By the measure of man they probably did many admirable and noble works in the Lord's name during their time on the earth. They were probably model citizens, faithful church attenders, good parents, community volunteers, and cheerful givers. No doubt within their ranks were pastors, deacons, elders and church leaders and congregants of all stripes. I would imagine they were a congenial and generally wonderful group of people while on this side of glory.

But they had a spiritual problem. They didn't know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

What does this verse mean? We can clearly see here that Jesus is addressing the very type of person who verbally and/or intellectually assents to Christ's truth claims, but fails to submit to Him as Lord and Savior. This describes the exact types of false believers - the very same individuals - that are rejected by the Lord in Matthew 7:23!

Trusting in Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior isn't simply repeating a "sinner's prayer" or "believing in God". Trusting in Christ is believing God and acting on that belief through repentance and humble submission to His Word, including His hard commands. It's the total abandonment of self to apprehend Christ.

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

Jesus was serious about people surrendering their all in order to follow Him. He didn't preach a gospel that allows men to keep one foot in heaven and the other foot in the world, quite the opposite in fact. Jesus challenged men to be willing, able, and even eager to give up all their worldly comforts, their families, wives, children, reputations, inheritances, even their very lives if called upon by Him to do so. His message was so important, and His demands were so strident that scripture records how time and again He turned away the half-hearted adherents, the curious hangers-on, and the "seekers" by the thousands.

Had they been around in those days there's no doubt that many within the ranks of our modern "evangelical leadership" - so called - would have criticized Christ and counseled Him to soften His approach because of His habit of turning away so many "prospects", so many "seekers". They would have upbraided the Lord and critiqued His application based on His paltry numbers and the puny - and motley! - crew He actually managed to attract and retain during His earthly ministry. I can almost hear them now:

"Aw, c'mon Jesus! You had at least 5,000 men out there, probably 15,000 total when you count the women and children who were literally eating out of Your hands! You had them so engaged in the message, they were practically fainting out there! Oh, and You blew it, You just blew it!

Just think of all the tithes and offerings we could have received from them! And did you stop to consider all the programs we could have implemented and how many churches we could have planted with all that help! You've got to loosen up a little bit and show a little more tolerance for those who don't believe like You do! You're a little overly focused on doctrine, everything isn't black and white You know, we have to be able to operate in the gray areas and speak the truth in love! Sometimes we have to be willing to re-think things and meet people where they are, You know, compromise a little here and there. After all, a little give and take never hurts anything! We shouldn't let a few little doctrinal disagreements cost us fellowship! You have to be careful not to let Your spirituality become a divisive issue that could be construed by other people as being abusive. Let's try to work together to find common ground and seek to gain an understanding of what others think and how they feel so we can have more unity!"


Does this aforementioned line of reasoning sound familiar? It should because by and large today's Bible-lite circus churches are measured and managed like for-profit corporations as opposed to being carefully and lovingly tended as Christ's little flock. These are those who are more interested in obtaining a false temporal "unity" through compromise than they are in counting the costs and serving the Glorious Risen Lord with abandon, dedication, and unwavering singleness of heart. But, I suppose when you answer to the bottom line instead of answering to the Creator it becomes easier to seek after nickels and noses and ignore the weightier matters of the Gospel of grace.

With no cross to bear today's false professing Christians shamefully abuse themselves and call it the "liberty of the Lord". They profess Christ with their mouths but deny Him in their hearts. And just as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow lest they repent of their sinful ways they will someday hear those awful and terrible words ..."depart from Me"...

Monday, February 25, 2008

Yes Margaret, I'm a Fundie

I posted the following comment over at Mike Ratliff's Possessing the Treasure in his thread entitled The Root of Liberal Theology in response to an apparent sniper shot by what I suspect to be the appearance of an all-too-common Internet fauna known as the Bottom Feeding Blog Troll (Blogus Interruptus Maximus). This particular specimen was named "Ed Darrell". My comment was as follows:

It's telling that Ed Darrell sets up the absurd false-dichotomy straw man argument that fundamentalist Christians are "stuck in advocacy of racism, slavery, ignorance (such as creationism) and family violence" in apparent contradistinction to the "enlightened" and "moderate" progressives. Egads! I actually chuckled when I read Mr. Darrel's silly, intellectually clumsy, and cartoonish caricature of the unthinking, mindless, so-called "fundie-Christian" which is in fact non-existent outside the cult fringes of Christianity. He also tips his hand by inserting "creationism" into the mix and effectively equating it with racism, slavery and family violence. The illogical stream is connected so as to make them part and parcel of one another. It's akin to Mr. Darrell being asked if he is still beating his wife and children each evening or if he has stopped - in other words it's hogwash and smacks of a disingenuous a priori motivation. In my experience only manipulative women, politicians, and the weak minded use such emotionally charged language when trying to frighten their respective audiences into the suppliant's position.

The scary "boogey-man" Bible-thumping "fundie-Christian" of Mr. Darrel's fevered high-noon fantasies is a myth, a vapor, and a hoax. It's a self-serving sham that's perpetrated by those who esteem themselves as refined and sensible, and who often draw close to the Lord with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. These have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. How sad for them in this life, not to mention their fate in the hereafter.

In point of fact over the past couple of thousand years true born-again Christians have by the power of The One True and Living God been the driving force behind the advancement and betterment of human civilization and culture in this sin sick and fallen world. The world has benefited immensely by the mystery of God's common grace and His work through His people, the Body of Christ, the church invisible, though the world is unworthy of both.

I don't care to venture a guess as to why Mr. Darrell would spew such vile, false, and bigoted rhetoric, but it does speak volumes about his sad and badly misinformed worldview.

May we who are called by the Name of the Lord pray for those who would compromise His Truth for a temporal false unity! May we never fear the sideways glances, raised eyebrows, and disdain of the world that would look upon us with contempt for taking up our crosses daily and following after King Jesus! May we esteem the praise of God above the praise of men and never be ashamed of the scandal of the Eternal Gospel, of Christ crucified, dead, buried and victoriously raised on the third day to life everlasting! May we embrace the shame of our Lord and count ourselves unworthy to share in his sufferings!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After dealing with first things first I proceeded to expand on Mike's article by adding a few more thoughts in a follow up comment which incorporated portions from a recent post of mine entitled "It Stands Alone" and material gleaned from Dr. Robert L. Reymond's magnificent tome entitled "A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith":

My apologies for chasing after a red herring in my prior comment, Mike.

Back to your point at hand. I'd like to add a few thoughts to your damning indictment of Bultman and his modern day spiritual progeny. As you're no doubt aware Bultman was among the early primary architects of neo-orthodoxy which is enjoying a not so surprising resurgence among the recent crop of emergent/emerging heresy-mongers. Yet just like neo-orthodoxy which was theologically D.O.A. - stillborn if you will - the emergent/emerging ooze will find themselves relegated to the dustbin of church history because their false views are based on the shifting sands of subjectivism and cultural relevance instead of being set upon the solid Rock of the Eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Eternal Gospel stands alone.

Culture changes, the Eternal Gospel doesn't.

Intellectual fads come and go, the Eternal Gospel doesn't.

Men who are filled with the pride of life rise and fall, the Eternal Gospel doesn't.

The big hint and easy explanation for this phenomenon is given away in the descriptor "Eternal". I used to wonder why so many would fancy themselves as autonomous arbiters of truth; setting their own sinful reasoning powers up as the highest court of appeals by which all truth claims must be scrutinized, up to and including the truth claims of Almighty God Himself. I state that I used to wonder about this in times past because I've come to know the simple truth: It's because of sin. Every area of fallen man's being has been wholly corrupted by the dreaded perversion of sin, including his reasoning powers.

Christians are not called to compromise the Word of God by adulterating it with the hodge podge spirituality and so-called wisdom of this fallen world. In fact to compromise the infallible, immutable, eternal, and plenary counsel of the One True and Living God as contained uniquely within the Holy Bible is the very pinnacle of satanic hubris and wickedness!

Shouldn't Christians go to God's Word alone to discover His solution to the problems of our day and the solution to the culture? For in God's Word we find that the Eternal Gospel is the solution to the culture! There's nothing new or fancy here! God's plan, His strategy hasn't changed one bit and not one jot or one tittle of His Word needs modification to make it "relevant" or to make it "work" neither yesterday, today, nor tomorrow. This is because it is the ETERNAL GOSPEL! It changes not!!

In point of fact it is ONLY the Eternal Gospel that changes men; GOD FORBID IT SHOULD EVER BE THOUGHT TO BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!

Oh! How far modern Christianity has fallen from the Lord Jesus Christ! Surely men have made gods of themselves and perverted the ETERNAL GOSPEL in favor of a watered down, man-centered, cotton candy, sinless, bloodless, compromised, Nerf theology that's fit for nothing! The modern non-gospel embraced by vast swaths of professing Christianity is no gospel at all!

It's a tool of political expediency!

It's wide tent of paganized spirituality!

It's an idolatrous abomination and offense to the One True and Living God!

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Look, the Holy Bible contains God's strategy for changing the culture - preaching the gospel!

The Holy Bible contains God's strategy for changing men's hearts - preaching the gospel!

The Holy Bible contains God's strategy for making foolish the wisdom of this world - preaching the gospel!

The Holy Bible contains the cure for the culture - preaching the gospel!

So why is it that so many within the broader professing church itself insist on corrupting the simplicity of the gospel by blending it, marginalizing it, ignoring it, assimilating it, being ashamed of it, hiding it, twisting it, perverting it, allegorizing it, spiritualizing it, and thereby outright denying it?

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess. 2:11-12)

Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1)

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:16)

"God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27)

According to the Holy Bible the preaching of the gospel is God's chosen strategy to change men's sinful hearts and the church is not permitted to modify it. Men are not permitted by God to substitute their own strategies in place of His own Holy Counsel!

Another neo-orthodox advocate, James Barr, gave a telling admission that it is the "fundamentalist" who has read the scriptures correctly in his book "Revelation Through History in the Old Testament and in Modern Theology". This admission reminded Dr. Robert L. Reymond in his magnum opus "A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith" of Kirsopp Lake's oft-quoted acknowledgement in his tome "The Religion of Yesterday and Tomorrow":

"It is a mistake often made by educated persons who happen to have but little knowledge of historical theology to suppose that fundamentalism is a new and strange form of thought. It is nothing of the kind; it is the partial and uneducated survival of a theology which was once universally held by all Christians. How many were there, for instance, in Christian churches in the eighteenth century who doubted the infallible inspiration of all Scripture? A few, perhaps, but very few. No, the fundamentalist may be wrong; I think that he is. But it is we who have departed from the tradition, not he; and I am sorry for the fate of anyone who tries to argue with a fundamentalist on the basis of authority. The Bible and the corpus theologicum of the Church are on the fundamentalist side. (emphasis mine).

Quote taken from Dr. Robert L. Reymond's "A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith", page 16.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Yea, Hath God Said?

"He hath said." (Hebrews 13:5)

If can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said". Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life". So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.

This devotion was taken from "Morning and Evening" by C.H. Spurgeon.

Friday, February 22, 2008

On Sin

"The Christianity which is from the Holy Spirit will always have a very deep view of the sinfulness of sin. It will not merely regard sin as a blemish and misfortune, which makes men and women objects of pity, and compassion. It will see in sin the abominable thing which God hates, the thing which makes man guilty and lost in his Maker's sight, the thing which deserves God's wrath and condemnation. It will look on sin as the cause of all sorrow and unhappiness, of strife and wars, of quarrels and contentions, of sickness and death--the curse which cursed God's beautiful creation, the cursed thing which makes the whole earth groan and struggle in pain. Above all, it will see in sin the thing which will ruin us eternally, unless we can find a ransom,--lead us captive, except we can get its chains broken,--and destroy our happiness, both here and hereafter, except we fight against it, even unto death. Is this your religion? Are these your feelings about sin? If not, you should doubt whether your religion is authentic." —J. C. Ryle (1816-1900)

HAT TIP: The Bororean

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Never, Never, Never Give Up

The Spirit of God is speaking to His own who are caught within the apostate emergent camp and crying “Come out of her”!

The Spirit of God is speaking to His own who are mired within the apostate RCC and crying “Come out of her”!

The Spirit of God is speaking to His own who are trapped within the apostate Devil Driven Church and crying “Come out of her”!

The Spirit of God is speaking to His own who are in bondage within the apostate Word Faith Movement and crying “Come out of her”!

The Spirit of God is speaking to His own who are chained within the apostate liberal mainline denominations who are stumbling over issues as basic as homosexuality and crying “Come out of her”!

The Spirit of God is speaking to His own in all places who are strangers to His glorious covenant of grace and crying "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

The Spirit of God is speaking to the fallen world system and the spirit of the age by His Holy Word today just as He spoke to Pharaoh by Moses demanding: Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. (Exodus 8:1)

There have been numerous posts within the Christian blogsphere on the subject of the conflict, contention and division that are inevitably caused by genuine born-again believers in Jesus Christ. The world and the false professing church cry out with one voice for "UNITY! UNITY!! UNITY!!!", but in fact they're shilling spiritual bondage, deception, and unholy compromise - a Counterfeit Christianity.

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)

They are undermining the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ in order to attain a false temporal peace.

They have sold their spiritual birthright for a worthless bowl of worldly pottage.

You see, the world knows the difference between a counterfeit and the "real thing", and the same holds true for religion. The world doesn't counterfeit paper bags because they're worthless, of no value. For this selfsame reason the perverse purveyors of counterfeit religion are irresistibly drawn to formulate a corrupt counterfeit gospel and a corrupt counterfeit Messiah in order to diabolically deceive and mercilessly rend Christ's little flock. In the process they are leading countless myriads of souls toward the pit of hell with their damnable doctrines of demons.

The Word of God, which is sharper than a two-edged sword - and much more sure, steady and precise than the finest surgeon's scalpel - calls the Christian faith, true religion. This is an important distinction because by this we know the myriad cults of Christianity and the other faiths so-called that oppose the historical, orthodox, Biblical Christian faith and stand in stark and demonic contrast to the "faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3) are by definition false religions.

Yet false religions always have a common denominator which the discerning Christian can easily identify. Religion is what man says God says, but the Bible is what God says. Hence at the poisonous root of false religion you will always find sinful man masquerading as god. The discerning Christian ought not be surprised by this basic truth since within God's created order there are really no other options. Either God is God, or man is god and it certainly isn't the latter!

This is easily demonstrated by noting that a Christian is submitted to the authority of his Creator and Judge based on the self-attesting Word of God. For the believing Christian, God Almighty is the highest court of appeals and His Word is the final authority in all matters of day to day living, thinking, ethics, and philosophy. In other words the believing Christian's worldview is, quite simply, that God Almighty is the absolute Ultimate Authority, period. And since His self-attesting Word proclaims itself to be a plenary and infallible, (i.e. all that God has to say to mankind in this age He has perfectly said) and His self-attesting Word proclaims it is "God breathed" (i.e. God-inspired by the Holy Spirit) then the believing Christian takes God at His Word, fully trusting in Him alone and therefore rightly believing that he has been fully equipped by God to process all information in the light of revealed scripture and thus has been given the ability to reason properly - according to Biblical truth. This is not to suggest that believing Christians are infallible logicians or thinkers, but rather to state that Christians are no longer subject to "the old man" - under the total domination of our fallen sin nature - whereas the unbeliever indisputably is.

On the other hand we have the wicked, depraved natural man who has usurped the throne of God in his heart and has elevated his own sinful reasoning as the ultimate authority in his own life and his personal highest court of appeals. This wretched and perverse caricature of God's creation is perhaps the most abominable thing this side of hell. The natural man suppresses the truth of God in unrighteousness, reasoning according to the manner of the world and demanding "proof" of God. He sets his own sinful reasoning upon the throne of The Most High and stubbornly refuses to be submitted to God's authority.

Of course the Ancient of Days will never submit Himself to the inspection of sinful man. The Sovereign Creator and Judge of the universe will not be put on trial in the court of sinful man's depraved reasoning nor will He be subject to man's corrupted judgements. A type of this has already occurred prior to the crucifixion and natural man invariably screamed "give us Barabbas"!

By nature we receive Barabbas.

By nature we are Barabbas.

In the final analysis sinful man must be humbled before God Almighty and be submitted to Him as Lord and Savior in order that he might escape the wrath to come. Oh, that we who are called by His precious name would have the courage and faith to stand in the gap and boldly proclaim the victory of the Cross and the good news of the Kingdom! Oh, that we who are called by His precious name would be always ready with an answer for the hope we have within us! Oh, that we might be found worthy of the High calling of Christ and be found as faithful servants who might hear those sweet, wonderful words "Well done!"

And may we never, ever become complacent in our position in Christ and turn our backs on one single human soul that is on a one way trajectory toward hell. May we never, ever take a cavalier or flippant attitude toward the eternal horrors from which we've been spared. May we never, ever - while breath fills our lungs - stop fighting the good fight under the banner of our King, Jesus Christ.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Truth IS Love

Oh, my brothers and sisters in Christ,if sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies.

And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stop, and not madly to destroy themselves.

If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.


C.H. Spurgeon

HAT TIP: WayneDawg, curator of Dawg on the Lawn

When You Stop Fighting You're No Longer Needed

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.(James 4:6-8)

Where is the church militant? Where are the watchmen upon the gates who will sound the alarm as the heathen rage and the enemy within moves at will among the congregation of the faithful? Where are the kings and priests of the Most High who by the power of God are commanded to tear down every stronghold (2 Cor. 10:4) and earnestly contend for the faith that was once and for all delivered unto the saints? (Jude 1:3)

A.W.O.L.

M.I.A.

Deserters.

Turncoats.

Traitors.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19)

The Christian life is a life of obedience and sacrifice to the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. It is the abandonment the old man and to putting on of the new. (Romans 6:6, Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:9) It is to wrestle against the powers and principalities, the spiritual wickedness in high places of this sin sick and dying world (Epehsians 6:12) and to proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16:15). The Christian life is militant as we see from the word of our King in Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Furthermore the Christian life is marked by - through the grace of God alone - an absolute, radical and revolutionary change in worldview. Before salvation all our thoughts were processed through the sinful and corrupted ultimate authority of our own darkened and vain reasoning. After salvation we are delighted to subordinate all wisdom and knowledge to the revealed truth of Scripture, the TRUE, singular, and ultimate authority. Before salvation we were content to drift along through our lives using our natural depraved intellect as the highest court of appeals for all things. After salvation we bow our knees to our Infinite Creator and Judge and declare "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"! (Psalm 111:10)

The true Christian is not contented to stand idly by as his Master is publicly shamed by the perverse imaginations of "fools who have said in their heart there is no God" (Psalm 14:1). Instead he is imbued with power from on high to "take captive every thought unto Christ" (2 Cor. 10:5) and to boldly press the unbeliever who is blithely and blindly secure in his false worldly wisdom - so called - by asking the rhetorical question "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath God not made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Cor. 1:20) The simple truth, of course, is that there is no wise, there is no disputer of this world because there is none who can effectively gainsay the manifold wisdom of God Almighty.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13)

Matthew 5:13 is a clear picture of what our Lord Jesus thinks of the lukewarm professing Christian who believes he can have his "get out of hell free" card punched by saying a few words and possibly getting dunked beneath some tepid tap water. Sadly this type of false conversion is all to commonplace in today's meat market church environment wherein "decision cards", baptismal records, church attendance rosters, and dollars in the offering plate are the gold standards by which "ministry effectiveness" is bench marked. Oh how far she's fallen! Oh how foolish is this harlot bride! Forgive us, oh Lord!

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23)

And again we see from the Matthew 7:23 the sad end state of Tammy Talebearer and Bob Benchwarmer who "having a form of godliness [denied] the power thereof". (2 Timothy 3:5) Do we care enough about these people to tell them the truth? Do we believe that hell is hot, dark, and forever? Can we appreciate what's at stake in this spiritual struggle between eternal life and eternal damnation? Yet may every man be a liar and God be true! (Romans 3:4) For God is faithful and sovereign and His will cannot be thwarted; therefore let us who are called by His name be faithful servants and be obedient to His command to preach the Gospel to every creature under heaven. (Mark 16:15).

Sadly the professing church has gone whoring after strange gods and has left its first love (Revelation 2:4). Nothing is surer than God's judgment against idolatry, and we know from the Holy Writ that judgment begins at the house of God. (1 Peter 4:17). We also know precisely what the Ancient of Days thinks of the vomitous, lukewarm, apostate last days church of Laodicea which obviously abounds before our very eyes today; "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)

When the body of Christ stops fighting for the truth, when it stops contesting the enemy for the souls of men, when it sacrifices the whole counsel of God for the sake of utilitarian political expediency or a false temporal peace then it has ceased to be of any use whatsoever and has become as "whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27). Like a moth-eaten article of clothing or a shattered vessel it is fit for nothing except destruction.

But with God all things are possible! For within the visible modern day churches of deceit and spiritual adultery is the church invisible which clings to the Lord and holds fast to His teaching! These are they to whom to our Lord would say "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."

Oh Lord, strengthen your remnant! Teach us to walk in your ways! Write your Word upon the tables of our hearts that we might be "always ready with an answer for the hope that lies within us"! (1 Peter 3:15) Amen.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

On Temptation

"Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" (Matthew 4:1)

A holy character does not avert temptation - Jesus was tempted. When Satan tempts us, his sparks fall upon tinder; but in Christ's case, it was like striking sparks on water; yet the enemy continued in his evil work. Now, if the devil goes on striking when there is no result, how much more will he do it when he knows what inflammable stuff our hearts are made of! Though you become greatly sanctified by the Holy Ghost, expect that the great dog of hell will bark at you still. In the haunts of men we expect to be tempted, but even seclusion will not guard us from the same trial. Jesus Christ was led away from human society into the wilderness, and was tempted of the devil. Solitude has its charms and its benefits, and may be useful in checking the lust of the eye and the pride of life; but the devil will follow us into the most lovely retreats. Do not suppose that it is only the worldly-minded who have dreadful thoughts and blasphemous temptations, for even spiritual-minded persons endure the same; and in the holiest position we may suffer the darkest temptation. The utmost consecration of spirit will not insure you against satanic temptation. Christ was consecrated through and through. It was His meat and drink to do the will of Him that sent Him; and yet He was tempted! Your hearts may glow with a seraphic flame of love to Jesus; and yet the devil will try to bring you down to Laodicean lukewarmness. If you will tell me when God permits a Christian to lay aside his armour, I will tell you when Satan has left off temptation. Like the old Knights in war time we must sleep with helmet and breastplate buckled on, for the arch-deceiver will seize our first unguarded hour to make us his prey. The Lord keep us watchful in all seasons, and give us a final escape from the jaw of the lion and the paw of the bear.

This devotion was taken from "Morning and Evening" by C.H. Spurgeon.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

A Moment of Levity

Here's a fun quiz to break up the strident tone of my past few posts. Please enjoy - and remember - it's just a silly quiz, so don't take it too seriously or read too much into your results!

What's Your Theological Worldview?

Below is my result, and yes I expect feedback, so do me a favor and copy and paste your results in the comments section!

What's your theological worldview?

You scored as a Fundamentalist
You are a fundamentalist. You take the Bible as the foundation of your faith and read it very literally, and it shapes your worldview. Non-fundamentalist Christians have watered-down the Gospel in your view, and academic study of the Bible stops us from 'taking God at his word.' Science is opposed to faith, as it contradicts basic biblical truths.
Fundamentalist
100%
Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan
71%
Reformed Evangelical
71%
Neo orthodox
57%
Classical Liberal
29%
Modern Liberal
0%
Charismatic/Pentecostal
0%
Roman Catholic
0%
Emergent/Postmodern
0%

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

It Stands Alone

"The idea that the Christian gospel can mix with or blend with any other religious system in any way is absolutely wrong. You cannot mix the gospel with Roman Catholic or orthodox sacramentalism. You cannot mix the gospel with liberalism. You can't mix the gospel with Mormonism, or the religion of the Jehovah's Witness, or Christian Science or any other religion. You cannot mix the gospel even with the religion of Judaism. The gospel is absolutely exclusive. It mingles with no other religion. It accommodates no other religion. In fact, it replaces all other religion. The gospel is absolutely exclusive. Now this needs to be emphatically understood in a time which exalts diversity of belief, tolerance of religion, pluralism, inclusivism and even universalism which essentially says we're all headed the same direction. Now we know there is one God, there is one authoritative book, the Bible. There is one Redeemer of souls, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one gospel, the gospel of grace and faith. And that singularity of the Christian gospel means that any intrusion that mixes or alters the singularity of the gospel renders it void, nullifies it. It stands alone". —John MacArthur

"It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Corinthians 1:21)

Christians are not called to compromise the Word of God by adulterating it with the hodge podge spirituality and so-called wisdom of this fallen world. In fact to compromise the infallible, immutable, eternal, and plenary counsel of the One True and Living God as contained uniquely within the Holy Bible is the very pinnacle of satanic hubris and wickedness!

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:19)

It's not humble, or noble, or reflective to question God Almighty!

It's downright sinful.

It's wicked.

It's an abomination.

The stern and crystal clear warning above from Revelation 22:19 ought to cause those who would proclaim the Word of God to fall on our faces in holy reverence, awe, and terror before the Infinite Creator and Judge of the universe. Those who preach, teach, and reach with the Eternal Gospel ought to do so with fear and trembling fully realizing that they are directly accountable to King Jesus alone for each and every word they utter. Christians are responsible for properly handling God's truth, defending His Holy Name, and declaring His divine judgment upon this sin sick and dying world.

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (James 3:1)

So why is it that so many within today's broader professing church willfully choose to corrupt God's unchanging Word by perverting it into a man-centered, feel-good, message of self-esteem?

Or why is the whole counsel of God defiled by preaching promises of health, wealth, and material prosperity as though God's primary concern is the kind of clothes one wears, the type of car one drives and the number of bedrooms in one's new upscale suburban home?

Again why is the eternal gospel of grace reviled by enshrining the highest post-modern ideal - UNCERTAINTY - above the ancient Biblical truth that not only can God be known, but that He has personally endeavored to clearly reveal Himself to mankind by His Holy Word?

And last - but not least - why are so many self-professed evangelical Christians utterly preoccupied with the soteriology of Gnostic governance and completely given over to busily sacrificing their energy, finances, lives, and even ministries to the service of the Baal of political expediency?

Shouldn't Christians go to God's Word alone to discover His solution to the problems of our day and the solution to the culture? For in God's Word we find that the Eternal Gospel is the solution to the culture! There's nothing new or fancy here! God's plan, His strategy hasn't changed one bit and not one jot or one tittle of His Word needs modification to make it "relevant" or to make it "work" neither yesterday, today, nor tomorrow. This is because it is the ETERNAL GOSPEL! It changes not!!

In point of fact it is ONLY the Eternal Gospel that changes men; GOD FORBID IT SHOULD EVER BE THOUGHT TO BE THE OTHER WAY AROUND!!

Oh! How far modern Christianity has fallen from the Lord Jesus Christ! Surely men have made gods of themselves and perverted the ETERNAL GOSPEL in favor of a watered down, man-centered, cotton candy, sinless, bloodless, compromised, Nerf theology that's fit for nothing! The modern non-gospel embraced by vast swaths of professing Christianity is no gospel at all!

It's a tool of political expediency!

It's wide tent of paganized spirituality!

It's an idolatrous abomination and offense to the One True and Living God!

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Look, the Holy Bible contains God's strategy for changing the culture - preaching the gospel!

The Holy Bible contains God's strategy for changing men's hearts - preaching the gospel!

The Holy Bible contains God's strategy for making foolish the wisdom of this world - preaching the gospel!

The Holy Bible contains the cure for the culture - preaching the gospel!

So why is it that so many within the broader professing church itself insist on corrupting the simplicity of the gospel by blending it, marginalizing it, ignoring it, assimilating it, being ashamed of it, hiding it, twisting it, perverting it, allegorizing it, spiritualizing it, and thereby outright denying it?

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie; That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess. 2:11-12)

Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1)

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:16)

"God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27)

According to the Holy Bible the preaching of the gospel is God's chosen strategy to change men's sinful hearts and the church is not permitted to modify it. Men are not permitted by God to substitute their own strategies in place of His own holy counsel!

But clearly many today have modified it greatly and as previously mentioned many professing Christians seem to believe the solution to the culture is to be found in the realm of politics instead of the Word of God. These poor, misguided souls think it's possible to redeem society through political action and legislation. This is sheer folly and represents the Eternal Gospel being co-opted for political expediency. This is a totally unacceptable compromise on the part of those who would claim Christ.

Human government is NOT your friend.

Human government is NOT the church's friend.

Human government is NOT the friend of God.

HUMAN GOVERNMENT ISN'T THE SOLUTION, IT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM!

The sooner professing Christians as individuals and the broader church in general realize this fact the sooner they can begin extricating themselves from the back of the beast.

Now this is not to say that the Christian political activists are necessarily wrongheaded in their moral affirmations, but they are misguided. In fact all Christians ought to be unified in full agreement with our mutual, corporate loathing of the sinful wickedness of our nation and our world which openly and brazenly manifests its utter depravity by rejecting God's Holy Word in so many unspeakable ways.

The problem with the Christian political activists is that they apparently remain unconvinced that God's chosen strategy of preaching the gospel is a more effective remedy to the culture than a temporal political solution.

Why have so many professing evangelical Christians been duped by this Satanic lie?

Why are so many within the broader professing church seemingly convinced that the solution to America's continued slide into moral decay is a political solution?

Why after more than three decades of concerted political activism has the church still not realized that they're LOSING GROUND in this fight?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Yet in spite of the clear Biblical solution offered by God - which is preaching the gospel - many, many ministries continue to pour their human and financial capital into political lobbying. When did playing politics replace preaching the gospel as the effectual socio-cultural change agent? When was the church co-opted by this superstition?

Politics is built on compromise. ANY politician, political science teacher, and in fact anyone who's involved in politics whatsoever will and must affirm this undeniable fact. And there are certain things that are off limits within the political arena and genteel political discourse - and among those things are the exclusive claims of the Eternal Gospel! One isn't going to be very successful in gaining sufficient political allies by stubbornly holding fast to the annoying habit of preaching Christ crucified and the narrow way. The complete exclusivity of the Christian truth claims makes it stand alone over against and apart from all other competing philosophies, ideologies, and worldviews!

Is the true Body of Christ really so desperate for recognition by and identification with the vain imaginings, deceitful philosophies, and demonic powers of this fallen world that we're willing to sell out Christ Himself in order to gain the praise of men? Are we so ashamed of the foolishness of preaching and the offense of the cross that we're willing to abandon Christ's absolutely authoritative and unique truth claims in order that we might borrow from and adorn ourselves with the worthless, so-called "wisdom" of the secular culture? Why is the broader professing church so willing - nay eager! - to bend the knee to the Baal of cultural relevance and grovel for the attention and affection of those who wield the temporal power of human government? When did the spirit of the age come to possess the professing church at large?

In truth MANY IF NOT MOST of the political "co-belligerents" with whom the broader professing church shamefully plays the harlot do not have any love for or interest in the Eternal Gospel of the new covenant whatsoever. They utterly reject the exclusive claims of Christ. They deny the gospel. They are unregenerate unbelievers who are all too happy to use the money and resources of professing Christians and make merchandise of the church in order to further their own carnal, worldly ambitions.

"...he who believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

Listen, when your politics gets in the way of the exclusive truth claims of God Himself you have a problem. When the success or failure of one's political agenda depends on holding together tepid alliances with all sorts of unbelievers then one finds that COMPROMISE on the uniqueness and exclusivity of Christ's truth claims is required. And when a Christian finds himself willing to hide, stifle, or otherwise suppress God's truth in unrighteousness for any reason then he finds that he is at enmity with Almighty Himself for that soul is found guilty of undermining the gospel!

Friends, when a Christian is forced to offer up the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on the altar of political expediency then that is too high a price to pay! In this case for the true born-again Christian THERE ARE SIMPLY NO ENDS THAT CAN JUSTIFY THESE MEANS!!

The Foolishness of the Preaching

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34)



HAT TIP: Time 2 Change Churches

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Examine Yourself

To my dear friends, readers, and casual visitors I ask you now, in this very moment, as you are sitting there staring at these words on your screen to consider that this might be a time divinely appointed by The One True Living God's hand of providence that should cause you to continue reading this short post in order that you may carefully, prayerfully consider the weight and eternal magnitude of your answers to the questions that follow:

Are you a Christian?

Are you saved?

How do you know that you are a true child of God and that you have not been deceived by the enemy into merely thinking that you are truly born-again?

Did you know the demons in hell believe in God Almighty and TREMBLE? (James 2:19) Is yours a demonic faith?

What kind of a Christian are you?

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23)

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2 Peter 1:10)

I pray that you'll turn on your speakers, listen to this short four-minute audio clip by Pastor Paul Washer, and honestly, prayerfully, and humbly Examine Yourself!

In Defense of Excrement

I'd like to begin by pointing out that this post, despite its title, will not attempt to make a case for John Hagee's error filled tome entitled In Defense of Israel. That subject has already been covered here and John Hagee has been exposed for the charlatan and spiritual snake-oil salesman that he is. Now let us turn our attention to another Pastor John. Unlike the deceived John Hagee however, THIS Pastor John is not a ravening wolf in sheep's clothing.

In the short video posted below Pastor John Piper succinctly sums up the "Word of Faith, Health and Wealth, Prosperity" false gospel message by calling it exactly what it is: EXCREMENT.

Yet upon further reflection I found myself in a slight - and admittedly petty - disagreement with John Piper on the imagery used in his message. While his analogy is very good and quite appropriate, I don't think he went far enough; and to be quite honest I think he did a disservice to excrement everywhere by comparing it with the Word of Faith, Health and Wealth, Prosperity false doctrine.

Hence the title of this post, "In Defense of Excrement".

In point of fact the pernicious lie from the pit of hell known as the Word of Faith movement is actually worse than excrement because - in defense of excrement - at least it doesn't lead men's souls to eternal damnation in hell fire and everlasting punishment unlike the Word of Faith, Health and Wealth, false gospel of temporal "PROSPERITY".

I realize that I'm splitting hairs and may be rightfully accused of nit-picking, but even something as lowly excrement doesn't deserve to be disparaged by equating it with the abomination of the so-called Prosperity Gospel, which in truth is no gospel at all.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Rick Warren: Arch-fiend and Heretic (Part 2)

This is an addendum to my earlier piece entitled Rick Warren: Arch-fiend and Heretic in which I posted a brief exchange between myself and one "guymuse" over at The Truth In Context blog. "guymuse" is a self-professed brother of Rick Warren. It's my sincere hope and prayer that "guymuse" has simply mistaken Rick Warren for a Christian - as so many others have - and that he is not consciously identifying himself with Rick Warren's apostate, works-righteousness gospel of universalism that stands in direct opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

guymuse - Since you insist on claiming him then let it be known that your "Bro. Rick" is not my brother in the Lord. On the basis of Rick Warren's indisputable and unrepentant heresy I completely reject and deny that accusation.

So long as the Lord Jesus tarries I shall continue to expose the error of Rick Warren and his apostate ilk until such time as they repent and turn away from their rank heresies.

And you should understand that I'm not "lashing out" at anyone as you misinterpret, quite the contrary. It's my heart's desire that false teachers like Rick Warren would publicly repent so that their myriads of deceived followers might be turned away from the broad path to destruction upon which they currently travel and onto the narrow way that leads to Christ. To be quite honest it grieves my spirit that men like you would be so quick to dismiss the spiritual gravity of the situation based on...what? On nothing of substance, but rather on subjective feelings and on the misguided belief that Rick Warren's false converts to a false gospel are actually true, born-again, regenerate Christians!

The sheer folly is breathtaking!

What was your response to the evidence presented that Rick Warren is not even a Christian in the historical, orthodox sense of the word? You responded by confirming that he's your Bro. Rick! Don't you find it the least bit troubling that you seem to be blinded by Rick Warren's cult of personality? Are Christ's commands and the whole counsel of God to be treated like a wax nose that can simply be adjusted and manipulated to suit our personal tastes and preferences?

You suggest that my eyes ought to be fixed on Jesus and I couldn't agree more! I pray for this daily! Help me Lord!

My eyes are firmly fixed on Jesus Christ sir, and oh! His glory!

It's unspeakable!

His holiness!

It's unfathomable

His mercy!

It's boundless!

His righteousness!

It's a consuming fire!

His presence!

I'm eaten up with the zeal of the Lord!

For you see guymuse, it's Him and His Word that Rick Warren maligns, denies, and blasphemes with his heretical and destructive teachings!

Oh! How I tremble for Rick Warren and his deceived adherents, sycophants, hirelings and hangers-on!

Oh! How they're heaping hot coals upon their heads for their abomination and defaming of the Holy One of Israel, the Ancient of Days!

Oh! That someone might tell them, that they might still repent and turn away from the precipice upon which they dance! That someone might pull them back from their teetering upon the brink of eternal damnation and hell fire!

And still you would ask what wrong Rick Warren has ever done to me?

Well, this time Rick Warren was actually right about ONE THING, it's not about me!

These wrongs against my God and my Savior are much, much deeper than ANY WRONG Rick Warren could ever inflict upon a wretched, unworthy, helpless mass of sin and corruption as myself.

You frequently ask "how many and how much?" in a deriding manner as though the numbers were more important than the truth. In point of fact this is precisely what Rick Warren teaches and is fixated upon - nickels and noses.

Is this what you say to the faithful remnant who labor in obscurity tending to Christ's little flock - "I hold you in derision until you meet or exceed Rick Warren's numbers!"?

Is this your narrow, myopic view of the Christian life - that we ought to be comparing ourselves to one another as we run our race in direct contravention to the Biblical admonition of the inspired Apostle Paul?

If so, then I truly feel sorry for you.

Please know that I have been lifting you up in prayer since our first exchange that the Lord of Glory might open your eyes to and free you from the deception under which you currently seem to labor.

Satan is the accuser of the brethren, however Rick Warren is not among the brethren being those who are true, historical, orthodox, Bible believing Christians. As I've previously stated Rick Warren is OF THE WORLD and has no part in the kingdom of God unless he repents of his sin and trespass and abandons his false gospel of works-righteousness and universalism in favor of and in humble submission to the eternal, immutable Gospel of Jesus Christ as contained within the Holy Bible.

In the light of inspired scripture I flatly and plainly accuse the arch-fiend Rick Warren of heresy, blasphemy, and of being a false teacher and have provided copious indisputable evidence from Rick Warren's own mouth proving these serious, terrible charges.

Satan accuses without merit because he is a liar. The true Christian is called to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints because destructive heresies will arise within the church and false teachers will rend Christ's little flock from within (again, see Jude).

Let Us Not Grow Weary in Well Doing

I found the message written by A.W. Tozer quoted below to be of no small comfort as it seems that a life devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ that endeavors to adhere to the lofty standards He sets forth often encounters conflict upon conflict with the very professing church which claims His Name!

In surveying the sad state of today’s apostate evangelical church I’m reminded of the Pharisees of Jesus day which outwardly appeared righteous but who were in truth full of ravening and wickedness. The barren, desolate spiritual landscape of professing Christianity is a wretched reminder of the predictable result each time man perverts the Word of God. When the counsel of God Almighty is exchanged in whole or in part for utilitarian political agendas, false temporal “peace”- so called -, or ecumenical unity you can rest assured that the judgment of God will quickly follow.

The Christian God, Creator and Judge of heaven and earth will not honor a man-centered false gospel, for His name is Jealous and He is jealous for His bride.

In today’s climate of “anything goes” evangelical easy-believism unsuspecting millions have been fed a poisonous pseudo-gospel message that measures on how man feels as opposed to measuring upon the immutable, unchanging, absolute Word of God. The existential root of this evil tree can be traced back to the fountainhead of ecumenical deceit; the Roman Catholic Church. Rome’s twisted theology is subjective and mysterious, complicated and contradictory, while the revealed Word of God is eminently objective and forthright. The wickedness of Mystery Babylon is clearly seen in her highly ritualized masses, vain repetition, idolatrous Eucharistic adoration and blasphemous worship of the created instead of the Creator.

The leaven of Rome has crept into the American evangelical church through heresy mongers such as Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, Rob Bell and many, many others. Unfortunately the church is ripe for these ravening wolves who seek to rend the flock because of its weak-kneed effeminate leadership.

Where are the Davids who will oppose the spiritual Goliaths that threaten the Lord’s little flock?

Where are the Elijas who will stand boldly before wicked Ahab and proclaim the Word of God?

Where are the watchmen upon the wall who will sound the alarm in Zion?

I for one say “Here am I, send me!” It’s no longer a matter of being labeled as “divisive”, or “contentious”. It’s time for men of God to stand up and earnestly contend for the faith.

Taking action will mean the loss of your comfort zone. Taking action may mean the loss of friendships, churches or even ministries for some, but God will honor those who honor Him, and He will utterly reject those who esteem the praise of men or worldly goods higher than they esteem the praise of God Almighty!

Choose this day whom you will serve.

Below is the excerpt from Tozer’s foreword to Leonard Ravenhill’s book “Why Revival Tarries”. I hope reading it brings you as much encouragement as it brought me:

Great industrial concerns have in their employ men who are needed only when there is a breakdown somewhere. When something goes wrong with the machinery, these men spring into action to locate and remove the trouble and get the machinery rolling again. For these men a smoothly operating system has no interest. They are specialists concerned with trouble and how to find and correct it. In the Kingdom of God things are not too different. God had always had His specialists whose chief concern has been the moral breakdown, the decline in the spiritual health of the nation or the church. Such men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi and others of their kind who appeared at critical moments in history to reprove, rebuke, and exhort in the name of God and righteousness. A thousand or ten thousand ordinary Old Testament priests or New Testament pastors and teachers could labor quietly on almost unnoticed while the spiritual life of Israel or the Church was normal. But let the people of God go astray from the paths of truth and immediately the specialist appeared almost out of nowhere. His instinct for trouble brought him to the help of the Lord and of Israel.

Such a man was likely to be drastic, radical, possibly at times violent, and the curious crowd that gathered to watch him work soon branded him as extreme, fanatical, negative. And in a sense they were right. He was single-minded, severe, fearless, and these were the qualities the circumstances demanded. He shocked some, frightened others and alienated not a few, but he knew Who had called him and what he was sent to do. His ministry was geared to the emergency, and that fact marked him out as different, a man apart.

Those who know Leonard Ravenhill will recognize in him the religious specialist, the man sent from God not to carry on the conventional work of the Church, but to beard the priests of Baal on their own mountaintop, to shame the careless priest at the altar, to face the false prophet and warn the people who are being led astray by him.

Such a man as this is not an easy companion. The professional evangelist who leaves the wrought-up meeting as soon as it ends to hurry over to the most expensive restaurant to feast and crack jokes with his sponsors will find this man something of an embarrassment, for he cannot turn off the burden of the Holy Ghost as one would turn off a faucet. He insists upon being a Christian all the time, everywhere; and again, that marks him out as different.

Toward Leonard Ravenhill it is impossible to be neutral. His acquaintances are divided pretty neatly into two classes, those who love him out of all proportion and those who hate him with perfect hatred. And what is true of the man is sure to be true of his books, of this book. The reader will either close its pages to seek a place of prayer or he will toss it away in anger, his heart closed to its warnings and appeals.

Purpose Driven Deceit

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)

Purpose Driven Puppet Master Rick Warren is world renowned for his "revolutionary" methods of doing church. It's true that his "successful" formula has indisputably put more nickels and noses into the professing church, but what's not so well known is the fact that Warren-esque success comes at a high price. Just ask the "resisters" who have been literally thrown out of their former churches by Rick Warren's zealous zombies - a.k.a. his Purpose Driven Pulpit-Puppets - as they mindlessly, methodically, and mercilessly implement "Pastor Rick's" New Age inspired systems.

Unfortunately for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Warren himself originally took root within the lukewarm Laodician hothouse conditions of their denomination and by virtue of his SBC pedigree he and his ilk have managed to thoroughly corrupt vast swaths of the church with their deranged doctrines. Warren's worldly methods of easy-to-use programs and measurable, manageable results appeal to the sinful, natural man precisely because he espouses a man-centered, works-righteousness non-gospel of nothingness which is modeled on the self-esteem teachings of the apostate Robert Schuller, Rick Warren's spiritual pimp...er...um...I mean godfather.

As I've previously detailed there is a common thread which connects seemingly disparate personalities within the broader professing church such as Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Ken Blanchard, Richard Foster, Tony Jones, Dan Kimball, Doug Pagitt, Erwin McManus, Leonard Sweet, Robert Schuller and Brian McLaren who represent the entire spectrum of seeker sensitive, purpose driven, and emergent/emerging churches. The common thread is a lofty view of man coupled with a low view of scripture. And I suppose it doesn't hurt anything to throw in an unhealthy dose of Gnosticism, Deism, and New Age mysticism in order to heighten the appeal to man's innate and sinful desire to be a god.

These blind leaders of the blind are veritable spiritual apothecaries who are adept at mixing just enough truth with error to brew up a sweet tasting yet spiritually poisonous concoction. These are ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing who mercilessly rend Christ's little flock while purporting to be about God's work.

The discernment site Watcher's Lamp has posted an excellent piece that dissects Rick Warren's unbiblical conception of "unity" with the skill of surgeon. Rick Warren's "unity" - so called - is proven to be a vapor, a hoax, and a sham that is gained at the expense of preaching the whole counsel of God. Warren and his hirelings would rather attain a false temporal unity that's built on the shifting sands of bully-pulpit intimidation and mob tactics than believe and teach the Biblical truth of the spiritual unity of all true believers in Christ.

It would seem that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ doesn't fill the pews or the offering plates in quite the same manner as Rick Warren's man-centered non-gospel of 100% law and works righteousness.

Pastor Bob DeWaay deftly leaves a smoldering crater where Rick Warren's Devil Driven Idol used to stand in his well researched and damning indictment entitled Redefining Christianity: Understanding the Purpose Driven Movement. An excerpt from his article states:

Rick Warren wrote the forward to Dan Southerland’s book entitled Transitioning; Leading Your Church Through Change. The book is designed to show pastors how to transition their traditional church into a Purpose Driven one. Rick Warren sells the book on the Purpose Driven website. Some of the chapter headings reveal how heavily it depends on the concept of vision: “Preparing for Vision; Defining Vision; Planting the Vision; Sharing the Vision; Implementing the Vision, etc.” The future Purpose Driven church is what the vision is all about. The vision includes the process of removing people who oppose becoming Purpose Driven. This book is very revealing.

“What Happened to My Church?”
Reading Southerland’s book will help people whose churches have changed from gospel preaching and Bible teaching churches to “seeker” churches understand what has happened to them. Southerland characterizes those who resist this transition as “leaders from hell” who are of the ilk of Sanballat who resisted Nehemiah. It is clear that Pastor Southerland is convinced that he is like Nehemiah on a mission from God (i.e. to convert the church to being a Purpose Driven seeker church) and that all who resist are misguided, have evil motives, or are just unwilling to change because of their being caught in traditions.

There is, however, another side of the story. I have heard from many of these “evil Sanballat types” and they are heart-broken over what has happened to their churches. They love the gospel and hunger for solid Bible teaching. Besides being starved spiritually, they are now chastised as being evil doers. This email is an example:


We were labeled critical and divisive and negative in our Southern Baptist church for pointing out the watered-down gospel and twisting of scripture in the book Purpose-Driven Life. Despite the concerns we raised, our church pressed ahead with their 40 day journey earlier this year and we found it too difficult to attend church over that period, where all the ministries of the church were geared to that study over that time. We have found the lack of discernment very alarming. We are shocked at the weak teaching of scripture we are seeing, the lack of discernment, the ignorance of truth versus error, and the willingness to jump unquestioningly on every popular "Christian" bandwagon that comes along. We are very discouraged as we know of no solid, Bible-honouring, discerning church in our area and wonder what those of us who see these problems are to do. (from Canada)

Here is another lament from people whose church made the transition:

We attend a large Baptist, though in reality nondenominational church in the Detroit area. It seems our church, and many, many, others have embraced what I've come to call "Warrenism". . . What's disturbed us is the secularization of our church. It's become more and more worldly, while growing large in numbers. (about 6,000 members). We have felt alone in our uneasiness with the “Warrenistic” culture of our church as it's grown stronger there, but we felt confused about it after some Sunday sermons in support of it. What we see now at our church is not enough evangelism without, and God's House is very worldly within. This is what breaks our hearts. We hear sermons with only vague references to scripture and have a secularized worship service many times. My wife asks me, “shouldn't we be getting nourishment to prepare us for our battles as Christians?”

My question is this: “Are the resisters really leaders from hell or are they solid Christians who know the difference between the gospel as preached by Christ and His apostles and the Purpose Driven message that is tailored to appeal to the unregenerate and carnal minded?”

What most of these resistant people do not know is that their pastors have been trained in how to deal with them. Their pastors have been taught that “traditionalists” who do not get on board with the new vision will have to go if they cannot be placated or converted to the new paradigm. The reason for this is that the Purpose Driven franchise cannot succeed without conformity to its protocol. That is why Rick Warren makes all members of his church sign a unity covenant. In his case, his church never was anything but Purpose Driven. The people who have come there mostly do not know the difference between a gospel church and a Purpose Driven church. They are happy to sign unity pledges because they are already convinced the Rick Warren and his processes are from God. But Warren’s campaign to convert existing churches to become Purpose Driven creates a far different situation. It displaces thousands of people who know what real gospel preaching and Bible teaching are. They know that the synthetic alternative that pleases the unregenerate masses is not the same message. They, who were previously the stalwarts of the congregation, are now the “problem people” who have to be dealt with.


So there you have it. Unity at all costs, Warren-esque unity that is. For the Purpose Driven churches it's Rick's way or the highway for you, brothers and sisters!

As I've stated before, I believe God Almighty is sending a strong delusion into the world that men might believe a lie because they've been lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy (2 Timothy 3:2).

Friends, may those who are called by His Holy Name continue to pray up, speak up, and look up, for His coming is surely nigh, even at the door!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

The Narrow Way

In his article entitled Absolutely Exclusive, The Bororean juxtaposes the false gospel of universalism and "religious pluralism" of the Heretic Rick Warren with the truth of the Holy Bible as exposited by Dr. John MacArthur. Friends, these are TWO GOSPELS that are being taught side by side, one by Rick Warren his demonically inspired, man-centered, New Age ilk, and one by John MacArthur and other serious minded, Christ-centered, Bible believing men of God. I pray that you'll take a Berean attitude and search the scriptures to see which of these two gospels is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Absolutely Exclusive
In light of the recent Davos World Economic Open Forum where Rick Warren was supposed to represent Evangelical Christians, I would just like to share a quote by John MacArthur that Mr. Warren should be aware of the next time he ventures into the world of "Religious Pluralism".

"The idea that the Christian gospel can mix with or blend with any other religious system in any way is absolutely wrong. You cannot mix the gospel with Roman Catholic or orthodox sacramentalism. You cannot mix the gospel with liberalism. You can't mix the gospel with Mormonism, or the religion of the Jehovah's Witness, or Christian Science or any other religion. You cannot mix the gospel even with the religion of Judaism. The gospel is absolutely exclusive. It mingles with no other religion. It accommodates no other religion. In fact, it replaces all other religion. The gospel is absolutely exclusive. Now this needs to be emphatically understood in a time which exalts diversity of belief, tolerance of religion, pluralism, inclusivism and even universalism which essentially says we're all headed the same direction. Now we know there is one God, there is one authoritative book, the Bible. There is one Redeemer of souls, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one gospel, the gospel of grace and faith. And that singularity of the Christian gospel means that any intrusion that mixes or alters the singularity of the gospel renders it void, nullifies it. It stands alone." —John MacArthur

HAT TIP: The Bororean

Rick Warren: Arch-fiend and Heretic

The following is a modified and expanded version of a comment I left over at The Truth in Context blog after an individual calling himself "guymuse" questioned the moral ability of those - such as myself - who dare to question the demonstrably false teaching of the Purpose Driven Protestant Pontiff Rick Warren.

guymuse said: I would suggest that you might be careful making judgment calls against another professing believer.

Yes, you might suggest that, and I would respond that I've been quite careful - and thorough - in both my research and my comments and I stand firmly by each and every one of them.

But still I wonder; why would you suggest that when the "professing believer" in question unrepentantly spouts manifold heresies and teaches scriptural falsehoods and errors?

guymuse said: What I see is that you are the one ascribing judgment--something I clearly believe is an attribute that only God can do.

You're simply confused here. God alone judges who goes to heaven and hell. God can and will certainly save those whose names have been written in the Lamb's Book of Life from the foundation of the world. I'm not passing eternal heaven/hell judgment on Rick Warren, but I absolutely am judging him by his words and his actions and how those words and actions line up with the infallible, inerrant, inspired, plenary Word of God as contained uniquely within the Holy Bible! And by the way, ALL true Christians are commanded to do the same (see Jude 1:3).

guymuse said: What I am trying to say is that I would be careful making judgment calls against a fellow brother in Christ whom the Lord is greatly using to impact the world for the cause of Christ.

Rick Warren is NOT a fellow brother in Christ. Rick Warren is a demonic dupe, a satanic stooge, and a pawn of the prince of the power of the air. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing that is rending Christ's little flock with his pernicious, abominable, damnable heresy and is leading countless myriads of deceived souls toward the very pit of hell with his false teaching.

Either Rick Warren's man-centered 100% works righteousness false gospel god is God, or the One True Living God of the Holy Bible is God. I profess and claim the latter as my God and utterly reject the false gospel of universalism espoused by Rick Warren.

guymuse said: If you (or Alan) truly have concerns about Warren and his ministry, have you done the Biblical thing--ala Matthew 18:15-17, and gone to Rick himself to try and clear up your these perceived "sins?"

If not, I would say the ones out of line biblically, are those making the public accusations of "Gentile" and "tax-gatherer" without having FIRST gone to the brother in question.


Rick Warren's false statements are a matter of public record. If you've spent as much time as you claim studying the NT church then after reading this misapplication of the doctrine of church discipline I'd humbly suggest that you need to go back and hit the textbooks again.

Are you really saying that you believe Matt. 18 is referring to instances where the "professing believer" in question is a major public figure - and is a *total stranger* - who has made public statements which are verifiably Biblically incorrect, and yet another can't publicly speak (or write) about it without first going to said public figure privately?

What silliness!

Clearly the scriptural admonition here is for settling disputes within the local church - the local body of believers!

Do you privately remonstrate in your heart against the Apostle Paul for withstanding Peter to his face without first writing him a note or visiting him privately prior to publicly rebuking him for his gross error? For your sake I certainly hope not.

I'm forced to ask guymuse, within your spiritual worldview and according to your understanding of the scriptures why is it wrong or objectionable for believers to "make judgment calls" when the "professing believer" in question twists, wrests, and denies the very Words of the Lord Whose blood he claims bought him? Why do you object to doctrinal correction and rebuke of gross sin and error?

Have you ever listened to Rick Warren's false gospel?

Have you ever compared Rick Warren's false teaching to the Holy Bible?

Do you realize that based on the very scriptures regarding fruit and works that you cited Rick Warren must be considered to be an apostate and wholly outside the true Body of Christ? For example:

Did you know Rick Warren is an unrepentant liar?

Did you know that Rick Warren stages massive rallies at his mega church Saddleback to bring awareness to global HIV/AIDS, but studiously avoids any such rallies or mentions about the holocaust of global abortion?

Did you know that Rick Warren is OF the world and world loves him for it?

Did you know that Rick Warren openly engages in ecumenical exchange with Islam, and not for the purpose of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, but for building "common ground" between the "Abrahamic Faiths"?

Did you know that Rick Warren teaches that DISUNITY is Satan's greatest weapon?

Did you know that Rick Warren promotes New Age mysticism and contemplative prayer which are pagan and idolatrous?

Did you realize that heretics of a feather flock together and Rick Warren embraces a veritable Who's Who of apostates, heretics, and blasphemers? Again, IN NONE OF THESE INSTANCES does "Pastor" Rick bother to share the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ so let's not pretend that he's merely "building relationships" so he can slip them a "Gospel Mickey" when they least suspect it. Rick Warren loves rubbing elbows and glad-handing with the power brokers, movers and shakers, and "big names" of this fallen world. The spirit of the age is within Rick Warren and moves him like an unseen hand. Rick Warren, the Purpose Driven Puppet Master is himself a puppet of the evil master puppeteer himself, the enemy Satan.

In all of this Rick Warren demonstrates that he is just like his father the devil.

"By their fruits you shall know them" (Matt. 7:16)

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:8)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

You can see and hear the apostate Rick Warren deny the Biblical truth of salvation by grace through faith alone (Sola Fide) and teach a man-centered religion of works righteousness (the law) with your own eyes and ears in this short video.

Is this what the Reformers died for? Did Christian martyrs give their lives so that liars and thieves like Rick Warren could enslave men and lead them back to the damnable doctrines of Rome? Does the evildoer Rick Warren realize that the Pope could happily preach this precise sermon to a Catholic audience and be in full agreement with its content?

Warrenism = Ecumenism = Rome

Unity.

Unity at all costs.

Unity at the expense of truth.

It would be understandable for the non-discerning to come to Warren's defense and say, "Hey, Pastor Rick just wants unity for the Body of Christ, that's a good thing, that's something God desires and something we ought to be working toward!" Yet the truth is that all regenerate, truly born-again Christians are already in spiritual unity together in Christ; this is the mystery of the true church, the true Bride of Christ!

No my friend, Warren is so obsessed with a false temporal unity obtained at the expense of Biblical truth that he's willing in his capacity as Protestant Pope to excommunicate serious, discerning, Christ-centered brothers and sisters in Lord in order to ensure the absolute, unquestioned authority of his Purpose Driven Pulpit Puppets - those who will undoubtedly soon be known as his "Bishops". Amazingly Warren is so eager to spiritually prostitute himself to his idol god unity that he's signed an open letter to Muslims extolling the common virtues of the Christian and Islamic faiths emphasizing "the absolutely central commonality between both religions: love of God and love of neighbor".

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Warren's non-gospel of nothingness is in fact the bondage of religious works righteousness. In Warren's upside down spiritual world men are to earn "rewards" from God Almighty based upon their works of righteousness in the flesh. This is so far removed from the truth of Christianity as to make the Gospel According to Pastor Rick another gospel.

The men-in-skirts spiritual sissies that pass for "Christian leaders" in these last days aren't interested in divisive things like taking a stand on scripture, doctrine, or a bunch of dusty old creeds!

"Why be divisive"? This was Rick Warren's actual response when asked about the fact that his pastor-training programs welcome Catholics, Methodists, Mormons, Jews and ordained women.

“I’m not going to get into a debate over the non-essentials. I won’t try to change other denominations. Why be divisive?” he asks.

Egads man! Look, if the gospel itself is a non-essential to Rick Warren - and it is in both word and deed - then nothing else is left to debate.

Nothing else matters.

Elvis has left the building.

I can only give Rick Warren the benefit of the doubt that he actually is an apostate. But I must admit that I'm becoming increasingly convinced that he doesn't even qualify for that ignominious title because I'm not sure he was ever a true Christian believer/pastor/teacher in the first place.

He's providing more and more evidence that he may have always been a cultist.

I wonder how quickly his fawning media coverage would vaporize if he insisted on having rallies in favor of ending abortion at Saddleback instead of a warm and fuzzy conversation about A.I.D.S?

I wonder how suddenly his status as "America's Pastor" would evaporate if he were adamant about organizing every church and every church member to mobilize their resources to run the aborturaries out of their communities?

I wonder how immediately his invitations to appear on prime time television talk shows would disappear if he had dedicated as much time speaking out against the blood of millions of innocents flowing from their mother's wombs as he's spent shilling his social gospel of works righteousness?

May the Lord of Hosts open the eyes of Rick Warren and his itching ears followers, hirelings and hangers-on before it's too late!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

The Glory of the Blood

Without the shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22)

This is the voice of unalterable truth. In none of the Jewish ceremonies were sins, even typically, removed without blood-shedding. In no case, by no means can sin be pardoned without atonement. It is clear, then, that there is no hope for me out of Christ; for there is no other blood-shedding which is worth a thought as an atonement for sin. Am I, then, believing in Him? Is the blood of His atonement truly applied to my soul? All men are on a level as to their need of Him. If we be never so moral, generous, amiable, or patriotic, the rule will not be altered to make an exception for us. Sin will yield to nothing less potent than the blood of Him whom God hath set forth as a propitiation. What blessing that there is the one way of pardon! Why should we seek another?

Persons of merely formal religion cannot understand how we can rejoice that all our sins are forgiven us for Christ's sake. Their works, and prayers, and ceremonies, give them very poor comfort; and well may they be uneasy, for they are neglecting the one great salvation, and endeavoring to get remission without blood. My soul, sit down, and behold the justice of God as bound to punish sin; see that punishment all executed upon they Lord Jesus, and fall down in humble joy, and kiss the dear feet of Him whose blood has made atonement for thee. It is in vain when conscience is aroused to fly to feelings and evidences for comfort: this is a habit which we learned in the Egypt of our legal bondage. The only restorative for a guilty conscience is a sight of Jesus suffering on the cross. "The blood is the life thereof", says the Levitical law, and let us rest assured that it is the life of faith and joy and every other holy grace.

"Oh! how sweet to view the flowing
Of my Savior's precious blood;
With divine assurance knowing
He has made my peace with God."


This devotion was taken from Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon.