THE TANGLED WEB OF ECUMENICAL APOSTASY VIA THE "CHRISTIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY"

I thought that I had seen a brief glimpse of Franklin Graham at pope Benedict's side on a newscast about his papal visit to the USA yesterday. I never saw it again and wondered if I had imagined it. On another telecast I was sure I heard Graham's distinctive voice making an introduction of the pope. Please do not quote me on this, as I have as yet been unable to find any solid evidence to back this up. (Maybe one of my readers will be able to verify this).

While on the web today seeing if I could find documention of this I came across a website site called BREATHEcast which reported on April 3 that a band called Salvador had been invited to perform at the Papal Youth Rally on April 19th in conjunction with the pope's visit to the USA. BREATHEcast also reports:

Four-time Billboard Latin Music Award nominees, Salvador won the 2004 GMA Dove Award for Spanish Language Album of the Year for Con Poder. In addition to performing at the final Billy Graham Crusade in New York in 2005, the group has also appeared at Promise Keepers, Teen Mania’s Acquire The Fire youth conferences and Franklin Graham Crusades, among other events. Salvador’s radio hits include “Shine,” “Heaven,” “Breathing Life” and “Crucified.”1.

This is an example of how the Contemporary Christian Music industry has successfully promoted the ecumenical movement and apostate Christianity. The combination of a different gospel (the apostate Roman Catholic church), and a different spirit (the charismatic Teen Mania), and the mixed messages and ecumenism of Promise Keepers and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (Franklin Graham) is leading this generation straight toward the interfaith movement. The Roman Catholic church is openly involved in interfaith alliances and anyone who desires to be faithful to Christ will separate themselves from it. The spiritual compromises of once-faithful believers and organizations with their spiritual alliances are leading this generation of young people straight into the arms an interfaith-style pseudo-Christianity. And isn't that the goal of Satan for the Christian church and a fulfillment of prophecy after all?

There are a good number of people who know me personally that do not understand my disapproval (to put it mildly) of much of the contemporary "christian" music that exists today. I think it is because they are unaware of Satan and his determination to infiltrate the church. His primary target is young people because they are the most vulnerable and most biblically illiterate. (I could also address the weak theology in much of this "christian" music, which makes it attractive to apostate churches and young people due to a poor understanding the character and nature of God, but will leave that for another time). The spirit of lawlessness/rebellion is fostered by the world's system and young people are encouraged to be rebellious by a steady diet of the world's entertainment culture in which they a fully involved. The cross-over of "Christian artists" has created a bridge that have caused more Christian youth to cross over to the secular side than the other way around. I have observed young people who have been brought up in a Christian environment who have abandoned their faith in a practical way (it is no longer evident in the way they live their lives).

By the testimony of my own children, they have observed that the majority of their friends who were brought up in a Christian home and listened to "christian" rock/heavy metal/grunge/emo/rap/et al, ad nauseum no longer live a life of self-denial, taking up their cross and following the way of Christ. They are virtually indistinguishable from the rest of the world by their lifestyle. How utterly sad for a parent to see this happen to their child. The results are spiritual confusion, involvement in all kinds of destructive behaviors, and sometimes suicide. How can this be a godly thing? The remnant of those faithful to Christ and the written Word has become much smaller with this generation. Unless there is repentance and separation from this world's system, this generation will probably be the final one before Christ calls and gathers His own to meet Him in the air.

While there is nothing we can do to stem this Flood of Filth and Compromise within the entertainment industry (Christian and otherwise), we must continue to teach, train and pray for our children, while we still can. (Click HERE to read my comment on another blog about some of the music that claims to be "christian rock" - an oxymoron, if you ask me. It is either the last or one of the later comments, towards the bottom of the page).

2 Timothy 3

1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 4

1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

1.http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.News-Salvador.Is.Aware.April.29/1_2076.htm

THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 3

Read the THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 1
Read the THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 2
Read the ADDENDUM TO THE "GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 2

I have been having a little trouble getting back to this topic to create Part 3 as I said I would, part of the reason being that I have been discovering a new connection to another post I wrote not long ago (END TIMES WATCH ~ NOAHIDE LAWS ~ "EVERY KNEE SHALL BEND") which also links with this topic. Anyone doing research understands that it takes time to gather material and assemble it into something that makes sense, and the revisions that have to take place when additional material is discovered and needs to be incorporated. In between I have been customizing a new computer, as my old one is on it's deathbed, so I have been a little distracted lately. But now, forward we go...

The United Religions Initiative began as an idea in 1993 in the mind of Episcopalian Bishop, Willliam Swing after a sleepless night following a United Nations invitation to host an interfaith service, when he asked himself, "If the nations of the world are working together for peace through the UN, then where are the religions of the world?". His question and the resulting idea of a united religious organization came to fruition with the creation of the United Religions Initiative, which could be considered to be the spiritual counterpart to the global political entity, the United Nations. Here is its stated purpose:

United Religions Initiative (URI) was founded in 2000 by an extraordinary global community committed to promoting enduring, daily interfaith cooperation and to ending religiously motivated violence. Today the URI includes thousands of members in over 65 countries representing more that (sic) 100 religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions. (1.)

The organization advanced until it joined together with the United Nation to declare an international day of peace:

On June 20, 2006, The Global Council Trustees, on behalf of the members of the UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE throughout the world, issued a Peace Proclamation, joining with the United Nations in proclaiming September 21 as The International Day of Peace. We urge all our members to encourage all citizens of this world to work together to create peace, justice and healing for the Earth and for all living beings. (2.)

Moving steadily forward, in April 2007 the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI), a member of the URI, has proclaimed April 5th to be "Golden Rule Day", calling for it to be recognized as such by all citizens and organizations of the world, including the UN. This should not be a difficult task to accomplish, since a poster of "The Golden Rule" ala Scarborough Missions is already hanging on the walls of the UN Headquarters, and its agenda is worldwide peace. (See previous posts on this topic). Below is the news account of the "Golden Rule Day" Declaration by the IPI:

************************************************

Written by Mussie Hailu
Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Addis Abab, Ethiopia. Athlete Haile Gebreselassie Appointed Goodwill Ambassador of Golden Rule by URI CC in Ethiopia.

Golden Rule Day proclaimed for April 5. World renowned, holder of many world records and superstar athlete, Haile Gebreselassie, was appointed Goodwill Ambassador of the Golden Rule by the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI), a peace-building organisation whose purpose is to promote the Golden Rule, interfaith harmony, a culture of peace, reconciliation, nonviolence, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

Handing over the certificate of appointment, trophy, peace medal and the framed “Golden Rule,” the Board Chairman of IPI and Coordinator of Golden Rule Goodwill Ambassador Program Hon. Mussie Hailu said “this honor is bestowed upon athlete Haile in recognition of his outstanding contribution in promoting a culture of peace, harmony, and international solidarity among people of different cultures, ethnic groups, religions, and nationalities through the Great Ethiopian Run program.” The Board Chairman further said “his exemplary work in promoting, throughout the world, the universal message of the Golden Rule which says ‘Treat others the way you want to be treated’ is highly appreciated and commendable.” The Golden Rule has been affirmed in many religions, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation upon which a global ethic is founded. It is the best tool to educate people about respect and mutual esteem in order to achieve peaceful coexistence and solidarity among members of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions, and it has played a major role in promoting the culture of dialogue so that understanding and interest may develop among individuals and peoples as these are the conditions of authentic peace. The message is simple, universal and powerful and is the most prevalent and universal moral principle in human history.

The Board Chairman further said “It is high time to promote the Golden Rule throughout the world as it is a fundamental principle that addresses critical issues such as peace, non-violence, interfaith harmony, democracy, human rights, respect for each other, gender equity, social development, constructive dialogue among nations, conflict prevention and right human relationship.

With this in mind, IPI declared this day, April 5, as Golden Rule Day and calls upon all citizens of the world, religious leaders of the world, mayors, heads of state of the world, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States, interfaith organisations, schools, higher learning institutions, the business community and civil society to join IPI in proclaiming this day as Golden Rule Day and to live accordingly to make this world a better place for all and the coming generation." Athlete Haile, on his behalf after receiving the award, expressed his profound appreciation for the work of IPI and thanking IPI for the honor bestowed upon him and he affirmed to the board members of IPI that he will do all he can to promote this principle which is a key to life. Further he said, “There will not be development without peace as peace is the foundation of everything.” He strongly emphasized that, by promoting the Golden Rule, it will open up the door for peace to prevail on Earth and the betterment of this world. In response to the board’s invitation Athlete Haile accepted to be an honorary member of the Interfaith Peace-building Initiative and United Religions Initiative, an international interfaith organisation which is working throughout the world to build global interfaith cooperation for a better world. IPI is a member of the United Religions Initiative.

All board members, on behalf of all the members of IPI, expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the great work Athlete Haile is doing by promoting his country and building a good image for Ethiopia and Africa through sport, and by bringing people all over the world together for the common good. This kind of collaboration is what is needed in our world to bring a positive change and create a better future for the coming generation. The Proclamation of the Golden Rule, which was declared on this occasion, will be sent to all Heads of State, religious leaders of the world, United Nations, African Union, European Union, interfaith organisations, international organisations and members of civil society and the business Community. It is the hope of IPI that this proclamation will be endorsed through the United Nations General Assembly and that “International Golden Rule Day” will be proclaimed by the UN so that all member states can use this day as a neutral platform where policymakers and citizens of the world could meet together and pave the way for a better world.

May Peace Prevail on Earth! (3.)

***********************************************

Bishop Swing, initiator of URI, also authored a book entitled The Coming United Religions, in which he equates proselytizing with religious violence. A customer at Amazon.com left this comment about the book:

Swing...identifies Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as "exclusive religions" (p. 31) and says, "if billions of people from exclusive religions are commanded to oppose the godly claims of other exclusive religions, what hope is there for peace among religions? In order for a United Religions to come about and for religions to pursue peace among each other, there will have to be a godly cease-fire, a temporary truce where the absolute exclusive claims of each will be honored but an agreed upon neutrality will be exercised in terms of proselytizing, condemning, murdering, or dominating. These will not be tolerated in the United Religions zone" (p. 31). (4.)

This is a ridiculously impossible ideal! I am not a fatalist; I am, however, a realist. Once again, we have a utopian, socialistic ideal. It has NEVER worked, and WILL NOT, because this world is full of sinners who live before a Holy God who cannot abide sin. I think it would be cruel not to be willing to share God's way of salvation with others, in effect to proselytize. He only gave the world one solution ~ His Son, Jesus Christ ~ and it is by faith in Him alone that we can escape the the eternal consequences of our sinful condition. Truth is not what we want it to be, it is what God says it is. It is narrow and concise, and it is embodied by the person of Jesus Christ, and it is exclusive by its very nature. Every time an organization has tried to implement socialistic ideals it has ended in disaster for all those involved and those who had to endure its ideology against their will. But I move on...

The following is a video of the Public Interfaith Service for Peace, hosted at NYC's historic Riverside Church - Sept. 2005. Sponsored by the Tanenbaum Center, International Committee for the Peace Council and Union Theological Seminary.

Peace Is Possible - Peacemakers read the Golden Rule



And now I assert: Apart from from faith in Christ alone and His work of atonement on the cross, PEACE IS IMPOSSIBLE! It will never prevail upon the earth until the PRINCE OF PEACE physically returns in power and glory to reign in righteousness and justice. (Matthew 24:29-31 and Revelation 1:7). Those who have rejected Him will have no part in His kingdom. The promise of worldwide peace and safety are lies of the Antichrist which will end in disaster and bondage. I am reminded of the verses in 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11, which say ~

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you,
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord
so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness,
that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day:
we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep sleep in the night;
and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober,
putting on the breastplate of faith and love;
and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath,
but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep,
we should live together with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together,
and edify one another, even as also ye do.

I am all for tolerance when it comes to believing that every human being is a creation of God, and should be treated with dignity and respect. But not all ideas, all beliefs, and all faiths are equal or valid or truthful. The battle for the truth is a spiritual battle, by the way, not a physical one. There are some who have named the name of Christ who have gone to war in His name. This is due to a false understanding of the nature of the kingdom of God, which is a spiritual kingdom at this time. I in no way advocate the use of force, physical or otherwise, and do not equate proselytizing with force. The Christian is never to force anyone to accept their beliefs, but an invitation to examine the truth is not a forceful thing. If it is done with force, it is done contrary to Christ's own teaching, and that person is no true Christian, or is one who is acting contrary to the faith. However, when Christ does return in the flesh, he will conquer the evil one and his followers and destroy them. So now is the time to choose to follow and obey Christ, before that time comes, and it is too late to change your mind.

We must be able to answer the question, "What is truth?". This is the question Herod asked Jesus as He stood before him preceding the crucifixion, and the answer and response to this question will determine your eternal destiny. Truth cannot be relative, for if that could be possible, then it would cease to exist. It would cease to be the truth. Truth by its nature is fixed and stable, not relative. Those who would claim tolerance as their creed will not tolerate this statement. And they must reject the embodiment of truth according to God's Word, Jesus Christ, who said, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life. NO MAN comes to the Father BUT BY ME." (John 14:6), because this is an exclusive statement, and counter to the religious tolerance movement. We cannot follow a Christ of our own making, or He is nobody but a figment of our imagination. The Christ who we are to accept is the Christ we are told of in the Bible, an historically and spiritually accurate document of His life and His nature. We can not cut out the passage in which He claims exclusivity. Those who do not have a love of this truth will accept a lie and delusion in the days to come, and must be warned of the consequences. To remain silent would be the greatest tragedy and error of all, for it is this truth that sets us free to live as we ought in this world, not any rule or law.

The golden rule is only an ethic. It has no power to rescue or save. It is a standard and a law, not a savior. It does not have the power to change a person's heart and it cannot create peace or make the world a better place to live. It never has, from the day it first came into being. It does not have the power create peace within one single individual, so how can it create peace worldwide? It does not solve mankind's inability to measure up to the standard, as it is not inherent within it. Its existence within every religion only proves that man was created with a conscience, a sense of right and wrong. This is proof that he is a created being with a sense of justice, not proof that he is capable of solving the world's problems. The power to follow the golden rule comes only outside of it, through Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirit, to the believer.

Those who would include Christianity within the spectrum of the religious tolerance movement want to say that the golden rule is what it is all about, the underlying principle of its beliefs, and the most important element it contains. But those in the movement reject its exclusivity and embrace an ethic contained within it as the basis of unity with all other faiths. Just because it contains a common element (ethic) does not mean that other religions are equal to it or should be equally accepted. That is like saying that aspirin and arsenic are equal and can be used interchangeably because they both come in tablet form or contain cornstarch as a filler ~ possibly true, but deadly if confused one with the other. The golden rule/global ethic is the filler, not the active ingredient. When it comes to matters of faith, unity in diversity is a deadly combination, with no good outcome. To believe otherwise, I would have to deny my faith. And remember, those within the movement have redefined tolerance to include acceptance and agreement without proselytizing. Shall we tolerate untruth according to these terms?

That would be THE GOLDEN RULE ~ TWISTED.

********************************************

(1.) http://www.uri.org/About_URI.html
(2.) http://www.uri.org/United_Nations.html
(3.) http://www.uri.org/CC_News/Africa/Gebres.html
(4.) http://www.amazon.com/Coming-United-Religions-William-Swing/
dp/0963789759/ref=sr_1_1/103-0203452-6738268?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185476920&sr=1-1

DR. RIDDLEBARGER'S LECTURES ON THE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL

This evening I have been listening to the first lecture on the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) by Dr. Kim Riddlebarger entitled, Why a New Perspective on Paul? What's Wrong With the Old One? which strips the movement down to its bare bones. I highly recommend that anyone interested in the NPP and its implications for the evangelical church take the time to listen to at least some of these lectures. They can be accessed HERE. I have just placed a new category on my sidebar entitled New Perspective on Paul so that this resource and others in this category can be easily found at a later date. I believe this is an issue that is not going to go unfelt in a very broad sense in the evangelical church, and that it is here long-term.

Below are some of the things he said that really caught my attention.

*****************************************

Riddlebarger, in criticism of the NPP, says:

...according to "The Paul Page" (which is pro-NPP) the New Perspective on Paul will help us do the following

1.Better understand Paul and the early church
2.Reconcile contemporary biblical scholarship with theology
3.Build common ground between Catholics and Protestants
4.Improve dialogue between Christians and Jews
5.Flesh out a theological foundation for social justice.

Riddlebarger repeats the first two and says:

Then...Look at 3, 4, and 5 - Build common ground between Catholics and Protestants. That's not on my agenda. I don't know if it's on yours, but it's not on mine, and the reason is because until Rome repents of the decrees and canons and the Counsel of Trent I view Rome as a false church...Improve dialogue between the Christians and Jews which is very important in the ecumenical climate of today because the surest way to lose your job today as an evangelical Bible scholar is to be at a university and say Jews aren't going to heaven, you're gone...and so there's a real pressure here to establish ecumenical ties and to speak of evangelical Christianity in a way that does not offend Jews...and that's part of the problem. And then fifth, this is where the New Perspective is going, and the latest writings of N.T. Wright are headed in this direction: to flesh out a theological foundation for social justice. So where is New Perspective going to ultimately take us? To ethics. And N.T. Wright, in his latest stuff, ...has come out and ripped the Bush administration, ripped the United States for it's Iraq policy, which is fine with me - fair enough, it's fair game for discussion, but he does it in the name of Paul. Why? Because Jesus came to conquer principalities and powers. He didn't come to save us from sin, he came to triumph over the forces of paganism, and to truimph over the pricipalities and powers and what's the greatest manifestation of these principalities and powers in the world today? - Don Rumsfeld and George Bush and the United States military in Iraq. So that's where this is going to go. It's going to have a conservative political/theological sound to it, but at the end of the day it's now being enlisted to serve the left-wing political position. Whether that's right or wrong is irrelevent, the fact that it's being enlisted for that end ought to tell something about its true nature."

It is interesting that this really ends up with a political agenda and has strong implications politically. The proponents of the NPP are social activists above all in their theology. This is where their theology takes them. He mentions that it becomes about ethics. It really comes down to focusing on doing good works and leaves the message of the cross out of the picture or minimizes it. They want to make Christ Lord, but not Savior. They want to reform society so that they can build a physical kingdom of God on earth, because they don't believe in a literal second coming of Christ, or believe that He will only return when Christians "possess the land".

Riddlebarger later says this about their erroneous views on Judaism and justification ~

...the revision of Second Temple Judaism and New Perspective folks argue that Judaism is not legalistic. That's the work of E.P. Sanders. That Israel practiced a religion of what was called "covenental nomism", that we are in by grace, we stay in by obedience, and that God has provided means of atonement, and so on, for the people in the (Jewish) covenant. And so New Perspective is saying that we get in by grace, we stay in by obedience...and so justification gets completely redefined. Instead of there being a right standing before a holy God, justification is the identification of who's in the church. It doesn't have anything to do with individual salvation. It has to do with who is in the convenantal community and who's not.

Justification essentially becomes a process rather than a one-time legal declaration and imputation of the righteousness of Christ (in NPP theology). It becomes something that must be maintained by the believer rather than by Christ. There is a confusion between justification, and sanctification, which is progressive. According to Scripture, justification happens once, sanctification is ongoing, and both happen through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is one of the main theological corrections of the Reformation, and now the NPP attempts to undo that correction by saying that Martin Luther was culturally biased and misunderstood Paul. As I have examined this issue it is abundantly clear that Luther got this one right, even though he made other errors (baptismal regeneration, for instance), that he understood Paul correctly. It is Wright and his contemporaries who get it wrong on this one, when you examine the entirety of what Scripture says on this topic and when you examine the New Covenant in His blood and who it applies to ~ all people, not just the Gentiles. Salvation, Old Testament and New Testament, for Jews and Gentiles, was salvation by grace through faith. There was never salvation in law-keeping, which is the religion of the Pharisees. The law had its purpose - the law was a tutor or schoolmaster lead us to Christ. Abraham had faith in the promised One before the law was even given, and so it is with all who have faith in Him and are received by Him. See Galatians, the entire third chapter.

In answer to a question later on, he talks about the NPP's problem with their understanding of salvation, how they believe in corporate salvation rather than individual salvation, and that they have trouble explaining the atonement and the purpose of Christ's death (as in Colossians 2). They have trouble understanding that Christ's righteousness is imputed to those who accept it by faith, contrary to the Jews of Christ's day who thought they were righteous because they kept the law.

In answer to a question about the NPP being a threat against the gospel ~

New Perspective is a real challenge because it argues that justification is not about the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the sinner, but justification is about God's actions being righteous. God has acted righteously, and you believe in God, therefore, you are righteous. That just guts all those passages in Romans 3 and 4 and Galatians 3 and 4...it just empties them of any meaning, so that's one place that the gospel is under direct assault.

Riddlebarger says:

"New Perspective's here to stay."

He closes in prayer:

Our gracious God and Father we are thankful for the gospel that you have revealed in the New Testament. That gospel with great power and clarity reminds us that your gospel is about our individual salvation and it is about the salvation of your people , that it is about Christ's triumph over the principalities and powers, that it's all of these things, not just one. So Father, we're thankful for that reminder that Jesus Christ has indeed done for us what we could not do for ourselves, that He has taken people from every race and tribe and tongue under heaven and made them one because He has died for them, because He has borne Your wrath and punishment in His own body, because He fulfilled all righteousness and that righteousness is imputed to us. So Father we're thankful for the gospel and for its great clarity and we pray that as we work through these matters our understanding of that gospel would grow and we would come to greater and greater clarity of your Word. So Father we're thankful for this and we ask and pray this in Christ's name. Amen.

DON'T BURY THE EMERGING CHURCH, YET! by Roger Oakland

I just received another very good commentary by Roger Oakland that I want to pass on because it explains the lasting impact of the emerging church, and describes what it is emerging into. Here are a few exerpts from his article, Don't Bury the Emerging Church, Yet!:

Certain aspects of the emerging church, like other trends or fads that hit Christianity, will no doubt come and go. Perhaps the name will even change. However, the underlying spirituality (I call it emerging spirituality) and the overall vision of the emerging church is not going to fade away or disappear, even if...it blends into the evangelical church. It will still exist.

The ideologies and theologies that have been presented by the emerging church and the purpose driven church (one of the greatest evangelistic tools for the emerging church) have opened the door to a much bigger delusion that is coming in the name of Christ. The catalyst for this delusion is “contemplative spirituality” along with the desire to stimulate the senses to become more engaged with “God.”

February 2008 cover story of Christianity Today...titled “Lost Secrets of the Ancient Church” says that “evangelicals are connecting with the early church” and admits this is basically a “Catholic” looking church with a particular emphasis on ancient mystical practices.

...this ancient faith, focusing on church fathers of the early centuries and the mysticism that enveloped many of them, will not just blend with evangelicalism – it will consume it and absorb it back into the Mother church, a hope and plan that Rome has for what they consider the lost brethren (they call it the New Evangelization). And the emerging church and purpose driven church are the catalysts that will make this happen.

When the emerging church has “served its purpose” evangelical Christianity, as we have known it, will be no more. Those adhering to biblical truth will be viewed as troublesome and evil; and masses of people will be pledging allegiance to a world religion that will not include the Gospel of grace through Jesus Christ.

It is time for Bible believing Christians to be Bible believing Christians and avoid the apostasy that is underway and affecting every denomination and fellowship that professes the name of Jesus Christ.

Click HERE to read the rest of Roger's commentary at understandthetimes.org.

*********************************************************

To gain a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the emerging church, go to understandthetimes.org or lighthousetrails.com to order Faith Undone by Roger Oakland.

**********************************************************

To gain a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the invasion of mysticism in to the evangelical church, go to lighthousetrails.com to order A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen.

*********************************************************

OR, if you know me personally, you can ask me for complimentary copies as I have just received a new shipment and now have some on hand to give away to those who are not yet familiar with the issues.

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

Photo courtesy of FreeFoto.Photographer Ian Britton.

For Christ died for sins
once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God.
He was put to death in the body
but made alive by the Spirit

1 Peter 3:18

The message of the cross is so powerful, that if accepted. it will revolutionize your life. It is no wonder that it has been under attack from the day this world was faced with the dilemma of who Christ was and what He came to do. His sole purpose was to give His life as an offering for sin, to pay the price we could not. The Old Testament is a record preparing the world for His coming; the New Testament is the record of His life, death and resurrection, and His impact on the world. He turned the world upside down, claiming to be God dwelling with man. He was was hated by those who rejected His claims. He saw what was in their hearts and revealed it. He threatened their thinking and their lust for power, their agenda. They had a Christ of their own conception who was to be Messiah, and Jesus didn't fit the bill. In effect, they tried to strong-arm God into accepting their god. And the ages roll on...and the scenario continues...

Today I would like to point you to some posts on other blogs that have been discussing the atonement. The doctrine of the atonement is so vital to our salvation, that if you get this one wrong, you really miss the whole point. You miss the plan and purpose of God for your life completely. We dare not get it wrong for the future of our souls is at stake!

There are many ways the cross is being undermined these days ~ liberal theology (the "social gospel"), mysticism, and interfaith alliances ~ are the ones that come to my mind as being the prevalent ones creeping into the evangelical church these days. They are like parasites, devouring it from the inside out, robbing it of life and power. I may elaborate on how these do that on another day.

*******************************

For now please read the postings at the Living Journey Blog:

An excerpt:

"We should all be very wary that there will be those who will preach another Jesus in the last days and because of this you will have to judge which Jesus it is that you are going to follow. Is it the one that is found in the Word of God, the one who is the Word of God in the flesh? Or is it the one that has become nothing more than a political leader fighting against the religious and political domination of his time."

Read the entire post... IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ATONEMENT, AGAIN!


Also from Living Journey~

"Recently there has been a bit of a buzz around the blogosphere concerning the ‘Atonement’, I have even posted a few things on this very subject. And in doing some research on it I have come across certain theories called the “Eucharistic praxis” and the “Atonement Imagery”.

As I understand it, “Atonement Imagery” is not so much about the suffering of the Son but more about understanding the passion and injustice done to a man. It becomes less about the divinity of Christ, as they often refer to that as a mythical story – and more about the historical man Jesus. To understand the crucifixion primarily in this way you may fail to see the whole of Jesus, the God/man.

If the atonement is brought down to the level of praxis and community only, then the divinity of Christ could very well be lost. As a result, the injustice of the cross against a man is exalted above the Penal Substitution act and this is because the emphasis is the man being punished by God the so called ‘child abuser’. If the divinity of Him is neglected, this could ultimately result in an unbalance in the understanding of the triune nature of God because man is amplified."

Keep reading... ATONEMENT PRAXIS

******************************

Book reviews about Stricken By God? (the book questions and attempts to redefine the atonement, and implies that the evangelical view of the atonement amounts to "cosmic child abuse"). Read the book reviews at the More Books and Things Blog:

BOOK ALERT!!! - STRICKEN BY GOD?
SBG PARTS 1-5

******************************

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,
led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able
to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
so do these also resist the truth:
men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

But they shall proceed no further:
for their folly shall be manifest unto all men,
as their's also was.

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured:
but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution.

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived.

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned
and hast been assured of,
knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

And that from a child
thou hast known the holy scriptures,
which are able to make thee wise unto salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3

ADDENDUM TO "THE GOLDEN RULE ~ PT 2"

I was browsing through our local library today to see if I could find something for my son to read when I decided I should look for something by new ager Scott M. Peck for research purposes, when what should to my wondering eyes should I see . . . something written by Hans Kung, one of the creators of the Golden Rule Bears mentioned in my previous post. I went to the computer at the end of the bookshelf to see if I could find anything else by him and discovered he has written quite a few books. I also discovered that he is considered the most prominent Roman Catholic theologian living today. He has been (or is) professor of Dogmatic and Ecumenical Studies at the University of Tubingen, West Germany and is the co editor of various periodicals and recipient of several honorary doctorates ~ no small potatoes!! And I didn't know!!

Among the books he has authored are On Being A Christian (that should be an interesting read seeing he is a Roman Catholic theologian); Eternal Life? Life After Death as a Medical, Philosophical, and Theological Problem (hmmmm); Christianity and the World Religions: Paths to Dialogue with Islam, Hinduism, and Bhuddism (oh yeah?); and Theology for the Third Millenium: An Ecumenical View (no surprises there!).

Well, I guess that explains his motivation for creating the United Buddy Bears. Somehow I am no longer surprised when I find out there is a Roman Catholic connection to all things ecumenical and interfaith ~ they just seem to go hand in hand. I guess the old axiom, "If the shoe fits, wear it" would apply here.

Anyhoo, just thought my readers might find this information as interesting as I have. Till next time...

******************************

Read the THE GOLDEN RULE ~ PART 1
Read the THE GOLDEN RULE ~ PART 2
Read the THE GOLDEN RULE ~ PART 3

THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 2

To read THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 1 click HERE.

As I noted in part 1 of this series, Scarborough Missions' version of the Golden Rule is interfaith in its agenda, and it appears to be targeting children in particular. It is expedient for the parents of young children in school these days to pay attention to what is being taught in the classroom.

Above is a picture of The United Buddy Bears, the brainchild of Eva and Klaus Herlitz. Take note of the religious symbols on the right bear. The Golden Rule in the various faiths are represented on the bear on the left side of the picture. These bears(in the foreground) and 140+ others (in the background) representing different countries have been on tour to major world cities since 2002, the last one being Jerusalem in November, 2007. Artists representing their countries created the bears, and the proceeds from any funds raised relating to the their exhibition go to Unicef and other charitable organizations. The bears are exhibited in a circle to represent love, peace, friendship, tolerance, and international understanding. You will notice the Golden Bears at the front of the picture which stand outside of the circle. They symbolize one of the requirements for a peaceful co-existence of the people in this world, and represent the global ethic or Golden Rule. Another name for them is The Golden Rule or Global Ethic Bears. Here is a statement on the United Buddy Bears official website about their interpretation:

*********************************************

As the peaceful co-existence of people, nations and states often breaks down because of conflicts between the different religions, the GLOBAL ETHIC BEAR is dedicated to this subject.

No peace among the nations without peace among the religions.

No peace among the religions without dialogue between the religions.

No co-existence on our globe without a global ethic.

These are the theses that Prof. Hans Küng puts at the beginning of his “Project Global Ethic“. It is not intended to create a new religion with Global Ethic, it is much more the effort to identify and emphasize the similar thoughts that all religions have in common, in order to enable and support the dialogue between the religions. Without this dialogue a peaceful co-existence is not possible.

“From my own experience I know all the dark sides of the religions – the Christian religion as much as all the others. Up to the present day religions have often played a fatal role in many conflicts all over the world” writes Prof. Hans Küng in the preface to his brochure.

“WORLD RELIGIONS – UNIVERSAL PEACE – GLOBAL ETHIC “



but he continues: “However, I also know the bright sides of religions: As doctrines and ways of salvation they can provide a sense of purpose and can be patrons of peace and reconciliation. They can provide ethic standards and personal orientation for the people of our days.“

Our modern society is increasingly characterized by a lack of orientation which is mainly due to a lack of an education for young people giving them a sense of purpose.

Thoughtlessness, an increase in crime rates and more violence are the results.

In our pluralistic society it is becoming increasingly difficult to acknowledge a universally binding formula for all people in one single religion, philosophy or ideology. “The “Project Global Ethic“ is supposed to show that the religions of this world can only contribute to peace in this world, if they think about what they already have in common. In 1993 in Chicago, at the “Parliament of the World’s Religions“ 200 delegates representing all religions and continents signed the “Declaration towards a Global Ethic”. On the GLOBAL ETHIC BEAR the four basic commandments of this declaration branch out in rays from the seven main world religions.

Above all is the so-called “Golden Rule”, its original quote from all the world religions can be read on the back of the GLOBAL ETHIC BEAR.

These are the original quotes of the "Golden Rule" as you can find them on the back of the “Global Ethic Bear”.

They are quoted from the brochure "WORLD RELIGIONS, UNIVERSAL PEACE, GLOBAL ETHIC" (www.global-ethic.org).

HINDUISM

This is the sum of duty: do nothing to others which would cause you pain if done to you.

Mahabharata XIII, 114,8

JAINISM

A person should treat all creatures as he himself would be treated.

Sutrakritanga I.11.33

CHINESE RELIGION

Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.

Confucius talks 15,23

BUDDHISM

A state that is not pleasant or delightful to me must be so for him also; and a state which is not pleasant or delightful for me, how could I inflict that on another?

Samyutta Nikaya V, 353.35 – 354.2

JUDAISM

Do not do to others what you want them to do to you.

Rabbi Hillel, Sabbat 31 a

CHRISTIANITY

In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.

St. Matthew 7,12; St. Luke 6,31

ISLAM

None of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

40 Hadithe (The Book of Muhammad) by an-Nawawi 13

Please find further information on this project under www.global-ethic.org.
You’ll find ideas for school projects on the subject under www.berlin-message.com.

This especially concerns our children. Having in mind that this way of thinking is an important tool for a peaceful coexistence, I would like to apply to all teachers and nursery-school teachers. This homepage can be used for finding information on this topic as a part of your teaching. Thank you!

Eva Herlitz(1)

To see a larger view of what is on each of the Golden Rule Bears click HERE.

To go to Global Ethic Foundation for Intercultural and Inter-Religious Research, Education and Encounter click HERE.

To read the DECLARATION TOWARD A GLOBAL ETHIC by the Parliament of the World's Religions click HERE.

**************************************************

There is a video on Youtube of a grade 2 class talking and singing about the Golden Rule in which young students recite some of the different aspects of it, including color, race, etc. and then religion, implying that this is something that all people share that is equal, in its message. This is really sad, when you think of these children growing up to think that they all contain the way of salvation. This makes the work of the cross of no effect to them. They will die in their sins if they don't accept God's gift of grace, His Son, as the atonement for sin. This is an abuse of the Golden Rule, which should act more like a mirror reflecting the inability of man to obey God. Instead it is promoting it as the means of salvation for the world. (The embedding for this video has been disabled, but you can view it by clicking HERE if you want to see it.

***************************************

Below is a video labeled Religious Tolerance: The Golden Rule which is made by an older student as a class assignment. It includes depictions of witchcraft, spiritism and animism in it. This is the message that children are receiving in school, believing and sharing with others. This will lead to the persecution of anyone considered intolerant by this new religious order.

So as you see, from their point of view there is no need to eliminate any religions from this picture. One must merely lay aside fundamental differences within the religions and unite in the areas of commonality. It seems to me that the "Golden Rule" is about the only thing they do have in common. All this says is that these religions all recognize the presence of the conscience within every man. However, only one of these religions deals with mankind's fallen, sinful state in an effective manner, and that would be Christianity. If Christianity is willing to lay down its claim on the truth and its claim to the only way for the salvation of man, it would fit nicely with its agenda. Within Christendom, those who will not lay this aside will be considered intolerant and counter to the peace process they so dearly want to promote. They will be labeled extreme and divisive. Unfortunately, many Christians are unaware of where this is leading and will likely be duped by the syrupy rhetoric of those who will purchase peace at the expense of truth. This Utopian type of thinking was present in Hitler's day too, don't forget. This is why so many German people followed him. The Holocaust had moral underpinnings; but without the anchor of truth it became a regime of brutality.

*************************************************

Are you prepared to honor all religions, agreeing that they are all truth? Attempting to witness to and win someone of another religion to your own will be forbidden as this will be seen as claiming to have something better than another, rather than equal to it. The Bible is very clear that there is salvation in no other than Jesus Christ. To deny that this is so would be to deny the very faith I base my life on. If you are a Christian and hold to God's Word as your standard it is time to prepare for persecution. At the rate these false religious ideals with their false unity are being spread, it won't be long before it happens.

****************************************

Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health.

He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:10-12

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6

You shall have no other gods before Me.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:7-10

***************************************

Read the THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 1
Read the ADDENDUM TO THE GOLDEN RULE ~ PART 2
Read the THE GOLDEN RULE TWISTED ~ PART 3

***************************************

(1) http://www.united-buddy-bears.com/de/bears/showinter.php?lang=en&bbbyear=2007&spbears=yes&bearid=1010

OF POPES AND PACIFISTS

WILL YOU BE A ROMAN CATHOLIC MENNONITE?

As I begin this post I first of all want to acknowledge that I realize the information I am presenting here will not make me a very popular person with the majority of Mennonites. However, the windfall of this is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit. I acknowledge and take full responsibility for my presentation of this material and accept the consequences of doing so. It is the Holy Spirit who guides people into the truth, and is responsible for convicting and directing people into the truth. It is merely my responsibility to proclaim it. Let the chips fall where they may!

I will also qualify my public criticism of the MB Herald for publishing these articles on the basis of the fact that the following articles are published publicly and therefore may be criticized publicly. By publishing these articles, they have not committed a personal offense, but rather a public one. Paul publicly rebuked Peter for publicly promoting circumcision amongst the Gentiles as necessary for their salvation.

**********************************************

For those of you who have taken the time to read the latest (December 2007) issue of the MB Herald you may have noticed that there are several articles which appear to be pro-Roman Catholic. (To link directly to the articles, click on the underlined words).

The first is an article entitled Pope greets Mennonites: a first in church history (a Mennonite World Conference release). Here are a few quotes from the article:

“Since it is Christ himself who calls us to seek Christian unity, it is entirely right and fitting that Mennonites and Catholics have entered into dialogue in order to understand the reasons for the conflict that arose between us in the 16th century. To understand is to take the first step towards healing,” said Benedict XVI, in his short address.

“My impression of the whole four days was that they have a high regard for our theology,” added Canadian delegate Ron Penner, from the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

My question for the Mennonite World Conference and the editor of the MB Herald is this: "Is it biblical to sacrifice truth for the sake of peace or unity, and what is true unity based upon?". Also, "Do they honestly believe that 'they have a high regard for our theology'?", and if they do I would suggest that either there is something wrong with Mennonite theology, or maybe the Mennonites don't really understand Catholic theology or vice versa.

~~~
Next to be found is the article What I learned from my 7-year Mennonite-Catholic dialogue by Harold Jantz, in which he says:

My experience in these encounters with Roman Catholics has led me to a number of conclusions.

The first of these is the deepened conviction that if we are to find one another as fellow believers, it must be rooted in Jesus Christ. Genuine communion with one another can be based in one reality only and that is the confession we make that salvation is in Christ Jesus alone.

I have learned that on core issues such as salvation, we are closer than I might have thought.

In the article Jantz goes on to tell of two couples who have made the journey to the Roman Catholic church from the evangelical church. He then says:

For them the authority of the church to maintain faithfulness to its confession was a powerful attraction.

And so I ask, "Has the Roman Catholic church changed its doctrine, becoming more evangelical and biblical in the last 1000+ years?", and "Does the Roman Catholic church have a truly biblical confession which we can adhere to, and is it an authority which can be trusted?" These are absolute essentials in understanding this movement to unite with the Roman Catholic church. If we cannot agree that these things have happened, we have no business yoking ourselves to it, persuasive as it may be.

~~~
And then finally Mother Teresa, the "Mennonite" by James Toews. Here are some quotes from this article:

“She must be a Mennonite! Who would have known?” I thought as I read, Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta.

So what can we take from the writings of Mother Teresa, the “Mennonite”?

For me it was a reminder that we are the ancestors of a culture, like Mother Teresa’s, that taught and lived radical obedience and self-sacrifice. The world may not have idolized our “saints,” but they worked, built, served, sacrificed, and preached to the “poorest of the poor” just as Mother Teresa did. And they did it with their whole lives. Their stories are still alive among us.

Not all is familiar, of course. Mother Teresa represents a facet of the Christian world as bizarre and exotic as a Western Protestant can imagine. It is the world of ancient Catholicism, of vows and blind obedience, of monastic orders. The fact this foreign Mother Teresa wasn’t easy to understand is not surprising.

Come Be My Light is a timely reminder of the fundamental humanity of our heroes. For all the adoration given her, Mother Teresa was not perfect. She was a remarkable person to be sure but she also fought selfishness, pride, despair, judgementalism, and a host of other very human maladies. Putting our heroes on pedestals that can’t accommodate reality serves no one well. She was not above reproach and what she accomplished is only made more remarkable when we realize she was one of us.

Pride is a complex sentiment, but we should be proud of our “saints” and, like Malcolm Muggeridge, tell their stories well. Their feats are extraordinary. The fact that we already know them to be human and fallible only makes their stories richer.

Upon first reading this article I thought Toews was saying this tongue in cheek (and in a way he is); however, he goes on to say "she was one of us". This begs the question, "Was Mother Teresa a Christian in the biblical sense?" I think not. A good Roman Catholic, yes, but a Christian, really? Some may think I am audacious in doubting, but one only needs to carefully examine Roman Catholic doctrine to see that there is no salvation according to the scriptures being taught in the Roman Catholic church, and Mother Teresa was a devout Catholic. Only God knows a person's heart and is the final judge, but Mother Teresa held firmly to Roman Catholic doctrine and trusted it.

The real issues here are the definition of the gospel, and who is saved according to Scripture. Only this determines whether or not we can consider Roman Catholic followers to be fellow-believers and co-labourers in spreading the gospel. This has massive implications, because if we are, then we no longer need to evangelize Roman Catholics. This would mean that they are already saved. It also ignores the reality and severity of the widespread persecution and death inflicted upon her resisters which took place over the centuries for those who opposed what they considered to be a false religious system.

************************************************

Let us look at the false religious system called the Roman Catholic church.
(Go to BereanBeacon to hear the message Unmasking the Pope and the Catholic System by John MacArthur for a more detailed explanation, which is the source for the following items)

*It has a false priesthood, proclaiming the Pope to be the "Vicar of Christ" (the one who stands in the place of Christ). Biblical Christianity proclaims the priesthood of all believers with Christ alone as our High Priest.

* It follows a false source of revelation: tradition and the magisterium

*It has illegitimate power granted to it by it's hierarchical system

*It engages in idolatry and the veneration of saints. Scripture says all who follow Christ are His saints, and they need no veneration

*It gives Mary an exalted place above Christ

*It enforces celibacy on its representatives, which is an unnatural state and a gift only given to a few

*It conducts a twisted sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the Mass, in which Jesus is sacrificed again and again.

*It offers forgiveness through the confessional

*In it a person is able to participate in the acquisition of salvation by performing good works

*It calls for the unscriptural and useless sacrament of infant baptism

*It is motivated by money, and driven by the unbiblical doctrine of purgatory which hold the whole system together. This is its safety net.

*In it you can never know if you're saved and are going to heaven, but rather uses guilt and fear to retain its members.

*And to top it all off, there is the PAPACY, which has usurped the headship of Christ as the head of His church, declaring all others to be outside of Christ if they are outside of the Roman Catholic church.

********************************************

Here are some recent examples of the Roman Catholic church's continuing unbiblical practices:

PURGATORY AND INDULGENCES
From BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7131088.stm
Thursday, 6 December 2007, 16:44 GMT

Pope approves Lourdes indulgences
Pope Benedict XVI places great importance on indulgences Pope Benedict XVI has authorised special indulgences to mark the 150th anniversary of the Virgin Mary's reputed appearance at Lourdes.

Catholics visiting the site within a year of 8 December will be able to receive an indulgence, which the Church teaches can reduce time in purgatory.

Lourdes has drawn pilgrims since Mary was said to have appeared in 1858 to shepherdess Bernadette Soubirous.

The waters of the French shrine are said to have miraculous healing powers.

The Pope is expected to visit the shrine next year.

The pontiff also said believers who prayed at places of worship dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes from 2-11 February next year - or who were unable to make the journey - would also be able to receive indulgences.

The decree was signed by US Cardinal J Francis Stafford, who is head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court dealing with indulgences and matters of conscience. Indulgences became infamous in the 16th century for being sold rather than earned, helping, historians say, trigger the Protestant reformation. While some might consider indulgences an outdated concept, great spiritual importance have been assigned to them by Benedict XVI and his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

INDULGENCES AND PURGATORY
A plenary indulgence offers full pardon of the temporal punishment (suffering in this life or the next) due to sins already forgiven in confession
Purgatory is a kind of spiritual waiting room - for people who do not go directly to paradise or hell after death - to purify souls of residual sin before they enter heaven

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
From http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/pea/a2.html

Lanciano" border="0" height="331" hspace="2" vspace="2" width="182">

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration is the adoration of Jesus Christ present in the Holy Eucharist. In the many Churches that have this adoration, the Eucharist is displayed in a special holder called a monstrance, and people come to pray and worship Jesus continually throughout the day and often the night. Christ’s great love for us was shown when he was crucified on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and give us eternal life. He loves us without limit, and offers Himself to us in the Holy sacrament of the Eucharist. Can we not give Jesus a few minutes of love and adoration in return?

Lanciano

From http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/a.html
(A Roman Catholic website)

God's love for us is poured out in the sacrament of the Eucharist, where Christ is truly present for us, giving us life and healing.

The Roman Catholic Church has consistently held fast to the belief in the Real Presence. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all sacraments tend." In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present."

- The Catechism of the Catholic Church: paragraph 1374

In many ways, Our Lord, is calling us to worship and receive Him in the Eucharist. He speaks this desire in many ways: through the Pope and the Magisterium of the Church, in the Bible (Jn. 6), through his Blessed Mother in approved Marian apparitions, through the testimonies of Saints and Martyrs, through Eucharistic miracles, through Church approved messages given by Jesus by Divine Revelation, through our souls who long for Jesus in Communion, and through our suffering world which is in much need of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Unfortunately many of us disbelieve or have grown indifferent towards Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

********************************************

John MacArthur says:

What is our response to this current issue, a truce with Rome? Are we going to betray the martyrs? Are we going to betray the history of our faith? Are we going to betray those who lived and died to get us the truth? Are we going to betray the Tyndales and the Luthers, Calvins and all the rest? Are we so senseless? Are we so blind? Are we so ignorant? Are we so faithless? Are we so cowardly that we will not fight?

The doctrinal ignorance of the evangelical church is shocking, matched only by its cowardice, I fear. That has certainly been revealed to everybody in the recent response to the death of the Pope and the installation of his successor. The promotion of Catholicism that we’ve seen in the media in the last couple of months has had no equal in history. This is the single greatest promotion of the Roman Catholic system in the history of that system. The world media has set aside the sickening pedophilia, the abuse issues to parade the pomp and circumstance of this false system as if it were truly all glorious. It is a classic illustration of the old story of the Emperor’s New Clothes, spiritually it’s naked. And here we are at the very time when Roman Catholicism is receiving through the devil’s medium since he controls both, its greatest exposure. It is perpetrating on the world its greatest seduction. It is bringing to the world its damning delusion as never before. And Protestants and Evangelical representatives are just embracing it and its damnable heresies. The media, have you noticed how uncritical they are? Have you noticed how they don’t ever bring up the scandal of the priests? We hear people say, “Well, Catholicism is a different denomination.” Catholicism isn’t a different denomination. It’s a different religion. I don’t think people know the difference between the denomination and a religion. Has Rome changed? No. O Rome morphs, Rome is a chameleon, whatever it needs to be in any nation in any time it will become. Whatever it takes. That’s how the devil always works. He moves, changes to become whatever wins over people.

But here is Protestant/evangelicalism abandoning sound doctrine, shaming the name of Christ. And all in bold relief so the whole world can see. And the world was watching the death of Pope John Paul II in an unrivaled spectacle of worship given to a man. And the question came up, is the Pope in heaven? And you hear all these people say, “Yes, yes, yes.” People have asked me, “Is the Pope in heaven?” And my answer is, “Is the Pope Catholic?” Isn’t that the answer? I think he is, I think the Pope is Catholic. Does he believe Catholic theology? Yes. He is the guardian of Catholic theology. Do you get to heaven by works, by Mary, by Penance, by Baptism, by confession, by Rosary? No. This is another gospel. This is not the true gospel.

**********************************************

So fellow-believers and fellow-Mennonites,
how should we respond?

********************************************************

Here are a few other resources for study on this matter:
Alignment of New Evangelicals With Apostasy (& Some Biblical Principles For Separation From Error In Doctrine & Practise) by former Roman Catholic priest Richard Bennett

Biblical Truth vs. the New Catechism