IS YOUR CHURCH A PART OF "THE TANGIBLE KINGDOM"?

"The Tangible Kingdom" is book written by Matt Smay and Hugh Halter and published by Jossey-Bass Leadership Network, and it's creation, like so many other books published by the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network, is intended to move the church into the 21st century via the emerging church movement. Sadly, however, its methods are anything but biblical (I will say more about that later in this post). The emerging church has received the backing of the Leadership Network managerially and the Eli Lilly Corporation (drug manufacturer of Prozac) financially, and it appears to be a success due to their help, rather than a true move of God. 1.

To discover the answer to the question, "What is The Tangible Kingdom movement?" please click HERE.

What most people are not told about The Leadership Network and its baby, the Emerging/Emergent church movement* (see notes at the bottom of this post) is that it is based on both human and occult philosophy, not on Scripture. It is what is not being said about it that is so dangerous to the spiritual health of the churches which are looking to these church growth/missions methods as part of their program for spiritual development. That being said, however, the emerging church is showing its true colors, for those who are truly willing to see them; and although the rumor last year was that the emerging church movement is dead, it is anything but. It may have morphed or matured or changed its name, but the underlying philosophy is alive and well and continues to penetrate churches around the globe.

The authors of "The Tangible Kingdom" use the method of deconstructionism** in order to introduce their version of the kingdom of God (which according to Scripture is spiritual, not physical, as in the sense that it is a material kingdom in the present age). Although Christ and His church will one day rule this earth in a both a physical and spiritual sense in the Millennial Age, that is not presently happening. In this sense, the emerging church movement of the tangible kingdom fits more closely with Kingdom Now/Dominion/Theonomy/Reconstruction theology, which is preterist in nature.

"The Tangible Kingdom" also uses terminology typical to the emerging church , words such as tranformational, missional, and incarnational community. Which brings me to my next thought - the communitarianism*** inherent within the movement. The emerging church promotes communitarianism as a replacement for biblical unity (which is always based on the truth), as compared to the man-made false unity created by a common goal to use the church as a humanitarian organization which will eventually, and finally, compromise the truth of God's Word to achieve it. The purpose of this goal is to make the church fit in with the globalist/socialist agenda, a "three-legged stool" comprised of government, the business sector, and the social sector (which includes the church). It is blatant social engineering. The plan for socialism to infiltrate the church has been known for quite some time now, and has been purposely hidden from the church in order to deceive it. Please read the evidence HERE. It is time for the church to get its head out of the sand now!

"...we have seen how Dr. Walter Rauschenbusch... and the leaders of the social-action movements in the churches decided to do away with Christian individualism and turn to outright collectivism, using the church as their instrument.... Religion was only a means toward achieving socialism. And, like all other false prophets who have infiltrated religion through he centuries, [Rauschenbusch] used a 'front' or disguise. This disguise, as we have seen, was 'The Kingdom of God.' The Kingdom was not pictured as a spiritual society into which men and women had to be born as individuals through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior, but as a collectivist society which would be brought about by... eradication of poverty, redistribution of wealth... and 'economic justice.'" 2. (Edgar Bundy, Collectivism in the Churches.)

The words of Jesus:
"My Kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36)

Notes:

* (from "Emerging Towards Convergence" by Sarah Leslie at http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/009/discernment/7-emerging-5.htm)

"We know that the current Emergent Church is a marketing phenomenon, set up as an official movement by Bob Buford’s Leadership Network, a historical fact which we documented in a series of Herescope posts in 2005 and 2006.[2] From its very inception in the 1980s Leadership Network imported a number of leading New Age business “gurus” as “experts” – holding nebulous (if any!) Christian credentials. They trained an entire generation of evangelical “leaders” on the latest tactics of psycho-social change theory, substituting it for genuine Holy Spirit revival. These business “gurus,” some of whom had open New Age beliefs, included such notables as Margaret Wheatley, Peter Drucker, Jim Collins, and Ken Blanchard. Many spoke at a 2000 Leadership Network conference “Exploring Off the Map” which launched the Emergent Church movement.[3]

From our research we also know that the Emergent Church was set up to be a vanguard, a forerunner, to propel the postmodern evangelical church towards a paradigm shift in theology, structure, methodology, and purpose. As such, it has been rushing headlong towards an open convergence with the New Age movement. Emergent leader Phyllis Tickle has termed this “The Great Emergence,” which is the title of her 2008 book announcing the “birthing” of a “brand-new expression of… faith and praxis” (p. 17) which will ultimately “rewrite Christian theology” (p. 162). Important details about both the history and theology of the modern Emergent movement can be found in Pastor Bob DeWaay’s recently published book The Emergent Church: Undefining Christianity (2009). This book summarizes the basic doctrines and practices of the movement, and gives an account of a few key leaders."

** (from "Envisioning Emergence"" by Sarah Leslie at http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/009/discernment/7-emerging-6.htm)

"Pastor DeWaay does an excellent job of scouring the Emergent chronicles for evidences of “deconstruction.” “Deconstruction” is a philosophy that de-emphasizes the Word of God, and claims that no one can really know the Truth. It fits hand-in-glove with mysticism.

An excellent analysis of “deconstruction” was written by Samuel Blumenfeld in 1995, as part of his scholarly refutation of the “whole language” style of teaching reading that resulted in illiteracy. Blumenfeld explained how “deconstruction” obliterates the fact that words have meaning, de-emphasizes written language by claiming that there is no “truth” in it, and declares “the impossibility of determining absolute meaning”[15] in a text. He wrote:

"But not only do the whole-language deconstructionists reject the concept of the absolute word—the logos—but they reject the very system of logical thinking that made Western civilization possible. They not only reject the Bible, they reject Aristotle’s A is A. Their new formula is A can be anything you want it to be, which can only be the basis of a pre-literate or non-literate culture in which subjectivism, emotion and superstition prevail as the means of knowing. That, of course, is simply a form of insanity—the inability not only to deal with objective reality but to recognize and admit that it exists. A mind so inclined is a mind that will lead its owner to destruction."[16]

The Emergent Church is at the vanguard of this type of deconstructionism. It discounts the Word of God, mocks exegetical preaching and teaching, and emphasizes dialogue (“conversation”), mysticism, symbology, community (“relationships”), and various “spiritual disciplines.” A recent, related fad in the evangelical mission world is “orality,” which is telling stories about the Bible instead of teaching Scripture itself. This cheats the listener out of the precious ability to hear or read God’s Word."

*** (From http://www.thirdgreatawakening.org/communitarianism.htm)

"Communitarians refer to the creation of a world government as the effort to create a “healthy society.” The goal of the church growth movement (CGM) is to manipulate Christians and churches into this healthy society. “Health-based” language is sometimes used in the CGM. Some church growth leaders desire “healthy churches” and “healthy congregations” made up of “healthy Christians.” A healthy church would be one in which all members are willing to compromise the Word of God for the common good. Communitarians believe that attaining a healthy society involves the successful merger of the 3 sectors of society. It requires a merger of the government sector, the private sector (business) and the social sector (which includes the churches). This merger is also known as “Drucker’s 3-legged stool,” named after its main proponent, Peter Drucker, who is considered to be the “father of modern management.” Peter Drucker, like Amitai Etzioni, was a Communitarian and was also a student of the Kabbalah. According to Roger Oakland’s “Bob Buford, Peter Drucker, and the Emerging Church,” Peter Drucker, like Amitai Etzioni, shared a bond with the Kabbalist, Martin Buber. Roger Oakland stated, “Drucker felt a strong bond…with a panentheist/ mystic named Martin Buber (1878-1965), who embraced the teachings of Hasidism (Jewish mysticism).” In his book, “Between Man and Man” (New York, NY: Routledge Classics, 2002, first published in 1947), p. 219, Buber states, ‘Since 1900 I had first been under the influence of German mysticism from Meister Eckhart [a mystic] ... then I had been under the influence of the later Kabalah [Jewish mysticism] and of Hasidism.’” 32.

Peter Drucker was very interested in getting churches involved in the implementation of the world government. Drucker, who once lamented that there were “still many unhealthy churches,” 35. was not only an occultist, but an organizational guru. It was his involvement in the Jewish Kabbalah that inspired him to create an organizational model that would transform churches into agents of Satan. This organizational model today is called Total Quality Management (TQM). “Total” stands for “totalitarian.” It was Drucker’s vision that all organizations, including church organizations, within the 3-legged stool (Communitarian system) be run on TQM. He considered churches not conformed to this TQM model to be “still unhealthy.”

For further reading: 1. " 'Undefining' God's Mission - The Emerging Church on a 'Mission from God' " by Bob DeWaay 2. "What's Wrong With the 21st Century Church? by Dr. Robert Klenck
3. "Treason in the Church: Trading Truth for a 'Social Gospel'" by Berit Kjos 4. "Transforming the World by Subverting the Church" by Berit Kjos

End Notes: 1. http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1585 2. Edgar C Bundy, Collectivism in the Churches: A documented account of the political activities of the Federal, National, and World Councils of Churches (Wheaton, Illinois: Church League of America, 1957), page 101

FORMULA ZERO: RACING TOWARDS OBLIVION ~ BRIAN MCLAREN AND THE EMERGENT CHURCH

I saw something this week that has about made my blood boil a few times as I was thinking about it: a poster promoting Brian McLaren at Eastern Mennonite University on April 1, 2009 on the wall of the church I attend; this shouldn't really come as a surprise since this is a Mennnonite Brethren church. What really bothers me though is that ignorance of McLaren's theology is so prevalent, and that people blindly endorse a speaker because they are promoted by a trusted source. (I, however, no longer consider the MB Conference to be on that list). I would no more send one of my children to hear McLaren speak than I would throw them into a den of ravenous hyenas. (The lecture at EMU is being promoted as for Senior High youth).

These thoughts prompted me to do an internet search to see if I could find a comprehensive article on McLaren's theology in case anybody would ask me for more information about what he believes. The best article I could find is entitled Formula Zero: Racing Towards Oblivion ~ Brian McLaren and the Emergent Church in the July 2007 issue of Vanguard Magazine by Neil Richardson. Using quotes from McLaren's own books, (especially A Generous Orthodoxy, which begins with chapter "0", hence "Formula Zero") Richardson reveals the aberrant theology held by McLaren.

Here is Richardson's fine conclusion to the article:

Brian McLaren’s brand new formula of Christianity when tested by the Word of God proves to be, like the first chapter of A Generous Orthodoxy, nothing but a big zero. He dismantles every single major doctrine of the Bible: the authority of Scripture, the nature of God and Creation, the nature of Man and Sin, who the Lord Jesus is, why He died, who the Holy Spirit is, what His work is in converting unbelievers, what the unchanging Gospel is that we proclaim, what being part of the Body of Christ means, how truth and unity must connect, the doctrines of hell and the devil.

The Emergent Church, like a souped-up theological race-car, makes a lot of noise, has a lot of va-va-voom, has every possible denomination label stuck on the side (each cancelling the rest out). McLaren goes round and round in circles, leading his followers, not to the finish line of a Christ-filled eternity, but to the hellbound pit-stop of a Christless social gospelism. 1.

I hope you will find his article as helpful as I have.

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Additional articles revealing McLaren's theology:

• The Coming Kingdom: Evolution or Revolution by Pastor Larry DeBruyn
• Who Defines the Kingdom of God by Berit Kjos
• Brian McLaren Quotes: "Ignorance is Bliss" to "Theology" by Matthew J. Slick
• A Review of Brian McLaren's "Everything Must Change" by Chris Curry
• Book Review of McLaren's "Secret Message of Jesus" by Randy Brandt
• Book Review of McLaren's "Finding our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices" by Lighthouse Trails

Quote from the Lighthouse Trails review of 'Finding our Way Again", McLaren's latest book, the first in a series of seven:

In the last chapter of McLaren's book, "Theosis (via Unitiva)," he sums up his calling by stating that "The purpose of the via purgativa [the practices] is to prepare us for the via illuminativa [the awakening], and the purpose of the via illuminativa is to prepare us for the via unitiva [all is one], the union of our nature with the nature of God" (pp. 171-172). He calls God "fire" and says, "We join God in being fire ... Before the beginning ... God was All, and All was God" (p. 175). This is the exact same message that Eckhart Tolle and Oprah are propagating. But while many Christians are now condemning Tolle's message, they don't realize that the very same message is permeating their very own churches. For those readers who care about the spiritual future of their children and grandchildren, it is vital they understand the meaning of McLaren's spirituality in particular and the emerging/contemplative movement in general. We believe this is an extremely compelling motivation and should prompt us as believers to defend the faith and the gospel message of Jesus Christ. 2.

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1. http://www.vanguardmagazine.info/vanguard/Vanguard23.pdf
2. http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?c=1&more=1&p=1093

THE EMERGING CHURCH AND THE NEW WORLD ORDER

Could the emerging church have anything to do with with New World Order? They are using much of the same terminology. Carla at More Books and Things has posted an article entitled The Emerging Church and the New World Order, which I recommend. Click HERE to read it.

ON A COLLISION COURSE WITH GOD

I like what Don Koenig of The Prophetic Years blog wrote about the coming global spiritual, economic and political unity. Regarding an article by Brannon Howse, Koenig says:

Brannon House gives a very good explanation of how three different demonically inspired worldviews have merged to create what he calls “One-World Spirituality”. After you read this article you will have a much better understanding of where Oprah, Obama, Al Gore, Tolle are leading the world via the lies from Media, Educational systems, Radical Environmentalism, Emergent Church, WCC, CFR, UN etc.

Over half of America now is under the influence of this new worldview and that includes most of those who call themselves Christians. All of the three worldviews are incompatible with Christianity and when combined they are not only hostile toward Bible believers they also have the power to carry out hostility and persecution on those who oppose them. The root teaching of all of the worldviews can be traced back to people influenced by paganism and the occult.1.

Click here to read the Howse article, One World Spirituality: Three Worldviews Emerge.

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On a related note, Slice of Laodicea reports that spiritual leaders of many faiths gathered at the Aspen Institute in Colorado (a New Age interfaith organization) this month to discuss the "healing of the nation" (USA). The article in the Aspen Times said that it was deliberately scheduled two days after the presidential election. Here are a few quotes from the Aspen Times article, Spiritual leaders gather in Aspen: group hopes to discover collective voice:

Included among the group are Father Thomas Keating, senior monastic, St. Benedict’s Monastery in Old Snowmass; Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of the Jewish Renewal Movement; Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi, chairman of the American Buddhist Association; Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, former general secretary of the National Council of Churches; Swami Atmarupananda, senior monastic of the Ramakrishna Mission; Imam Mohamed Bashar Arafat, founder and president of Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation, and Brother Achalananda, senior monastic of the Self-Realization Fellowship, among many others.

The premise of the gathering is that the spiritual landscape of America is changing.

Organizers said that the religious voice of the Fundamental Christian Right has dominated the country for several years and it represents a minority of Americans.
That’s why the initiative conducted an extensive search to find respected leaders from the Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, contemplative Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths — who aren’t advocating for the superiority of one faith, themselves or their churches. (emphasis mine)

“We have come together across spiritual lines, because that is where the great mystical energy resides,” said Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW). “There is a type of activism that comes out of contemplation, anything else is social action.”

“Our new president, Barack Obama, said there will be some changes and that is happening now, right here,” said a participant during Friday’s summit. “I hope that we can all get together, live a good life and be kind to each other.”

The summit wraps up today, starting with meditation and yoga at the Aspen Meadows Gym. Discussions begin 9 a.m. The day’s activities close at 4 p.m. with an inter-spiritual ceremony.

Merriam said she hopes the spiritual coalition will gain momentum in the coming months and contribute to the nation’s most pressing challenges, and ultimately lead to a paradigm shift in the world’s leadership.

“A new spiritual energy is emerging in the country,” she said. “Just as the political landscape is changing, so too is the spiritual landscape. We must tap this new energy to gain a forward looking vision of how to advance our national well being.” 2.

Please note the list that includes "contemplative Christian" as a faith that is not advocating the superiority of one faith over another. This contradicts Jesus words stating that He is the only way to the Father. "Contemplative Christians" try to wiggle around this by using verbal gymnastics, twisting His words and their meaning to include all people of all faiths. To those who have had doubts that the emerging church and its contemplative leanings are a danger to those who uphold the Word of God, this should make it clear where the contemplative spirituality movement is moving. It is in step with a one-world spirituality, fitting right in with Obama-style Christianity, and Oprah's and Eckhart Tolle's ("A New Earth" author) New Age christ. It leaves little to wonder about who and what the "paradigm shift in the world's leadership" (as stated in the above quote) may be referring to.

In order for many Christians to fall away in the last days they must be decieved into accepting a counterfeit christ within the framework of a counterfeit Christianity. Those who are following the "Christian" contemplative pathway are flirting with the devil who is appearing as an angel of light. Beware: the contemplative christ is the counterfeit christ. If you are following the contemplative pathway you are on a collision course with the Creator of the Universe, Jesus Christ himself (John 1).

Enter ye in at the strait gate:
for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat:

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

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Matthew 7:13-15

1.http://www.thepropheticyears.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/three-demonically-inspired-worldviews-merge-to-oppose-the-christian-worldview.html

2.http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20081109/NEWS/811089983/1077&ParentProfile=1058&title=Spiritual%20leaders%20gather%20in%20Aspen,%20hope%20to%20discover%20collective%20voice

IMPORTANT STUFF TO KNOW ABOUT THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CONFERENCE

Roll Over Menno, a blog exposing the mystical and emergent leanings of the MB Conference (which would likely cause Menno Simons to roll over in his grave), has enumerated five major concerns as evidence that it is departing from the faith once delivered to the saints. According the this blog, they are:

1. The MB Conference promoting contemplative retreats, contemplative spirituality and centering prayer

2. The MB Conference having emergent church leaders speak at their gatherings

3. The MB Conference using Natural Church Development by Christian Schwarz to refocus churches instead of the Bible

4. The MB Herald’s promotion of Catholicism/ecumenism and contemplative spirituality, Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren

5. MBBS training pastors in contemplative spirituality 1.

To read the articles related to these concerns, click HERE to go to Roll Over Menno.

Warning: Be prepared to be saddened and dismayed by this information, but also encouraged that this is a sign of Christ's soon return for His Bride and time to get your spiritual house in order.

1. http://rollovermenno.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/canadian-mb-conference-top-five-areas-of-concern/

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS IN THE MB HERALD

Many of you have noticed that I have not posted anything on my blog for quite some time. For now I'll just say that I've had other priorities. I'm doing okay, so nothing to worry about there, and I'll try to fill in a few details another time.

For now, I've sensed the need to quickly get some information out onto the web to alert and inform those who have received their issue of the October 2008 MB Herald, regarding the issues of the emerging church and their (MB Conference institutions) receiving funding from the Eli Lilly Foundation in the form of an endowment. These are issues on which I have spent considerable time reading and studying, and now have grave concerns about.

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In Gareth Brandt's article, Strange Bedfellows: Anabaptism and the emergent church, the two are given a favorable comparison. This is contrary to my understanding and it is troubling to me that the emergent conversation is being promoted in a positive light. The article compares the emerging church to the reformation and calls it a new reformation, whereas I would label the emerging church movement a DEformation: the creation of a deformed church. This movement is a front under which lies contemplative spirituality and the social gospel (a movement which by minimizing repentance, separation from the world and its values, and the spiritual nature of salvation and promoting spiritual experiences, good works and the promotion and preservation of the global community to such a degree that it actually compromises the truth and alters the gospel message). The only thing positive I can see about the emergence of the emergent church is that it will serve to separate those who hold solidly to biblical innerancy and truth from those who are in the process of departing from the faith once delivered and are forming the the apostate church (falling away) prophesied in scripture concerning the last days before Christ gathers His Bride to Himself.

Some people may say I am being overly dramatic by making such statements. My reply to that is please do some research of your own. If you have a love for the truth, you will desire to know what it is and won't be afraid to look for it. Examine for yourself to see if what I say is true; don't take my word for it. It is not my job to convince you, only to provide some resources in your search. I believe that convincing people of the truth is the job of the Holy Spirit. So if you love the truth you have nothing to fear. I am not saying there is nothing at stake, for there is much at stake, or I would not be writing this post, but I firmly believe that God watches over His own. Do you fear God or do you fear man? If you fear God, you will also want to know the truth.

To start you on your search you can go to my sidebar and find a number of articles under the heading Emergent/Emerging Church. I also recommend a well-researched and documented book called Faith Undone by Roger Oakland, which gives the background and implications of the emerging chuch. It can be ordered HERE. Another book, which I have not yet read but am ordering this week and looks like a good read is What is the Emerging Church? by David Cloud.

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The second article in question in the latest issue of the MB Herald is entitled Source of donations raises ethical questions. I thank Will Braun, the article's author for bring this issue to light. I believe the tough questions DO need to be asked of the MB Conference regarding their acceptance of these funds from the secular organization, the Lilly Foundation. (The Eli Lilly Corporation is the maker of the prescription drug Prozac). I do not doubt that accepting donations from such an organization will lead to spiritual compromise. For some reason the Lilly Foundation is sending vast amounts of money to a number of institutions that are promoting contemplative spirituality, including the MB Seminary's Ministry Quest Program. MBBS is also promoting contemplative spirituality through its Spiritual Formation curriculum. (See here, and here).

It's website says the Lilly Fund exists to "benefit young people and promote leadership education and financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit, charitable sector".1 Ever wonder why a secular insitution would want to be involved in promoting leadership education within a Christian seminary? I think it is important to find these things out.

From several hundred hours of research I have come to the conclusion that the contemplative spirituality movement is a link that ultimately unites peoples of all faiths (including the Eastern religions, the New Age, the occult, and paganism with Christianity) in a spiritual form of global unity. Some of you are probably shaking your heads in disbelief, but once again I ask you to do your homework. Hey, who said finding and knowing the truth was easy in the day and age in which we live? Do you want to know the truth or not? Should the MB Conference be receiving funds from such an organization, and should the MB Conference be promoting contemplative spirituality in its educational institutes?

If you want to read more about this topic, if you like you can start with the links on my sidebar under the title Mysticism/Contemplative Spirituality/Spiritual Formation. My book recommendations are A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen and Contemplative Mysticism: A Powerful Ecumenical Bond by David Cloud.

For more information about the Eli Lilly Foundation read There's Something about Lilly.

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I have heard many people give me the excuse that they are just too busy to take the time to research what I am telling them. To those people I ask the question:"What if you are being spiritually deceived by the emerging church and contemplative spirituality movements? What if that deception deludes you into believing in another gospel, another Christ and another spirit? Will you be able to tell God that nobody tried to warn you?" If after reading this post you have ignored this warning, you have no more excuses!

Once again, I offer a free copy of the book Faith Undone to anyone who knows me personally. It and A Time of Departing are also available in our church library for those who live in my area.

~ Bonnie

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1. http://www.lillyendowment.org/theendowment.html

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ADDED NOTE: October 24, 2008

Since the writing of this post, I have decided to post a copy of it on the bulletin board of the church my husband and I attend. I have decided it is imperative to warn my fellow-Mennonites of the false doctrines entering the homes of Mennonite Brethren through the MB Herald. It has bold-facedly promoted the emerging church in its last edition as something to be welcomed with open arms. In light of this, I am giving anyone who would like to warn others about this aberrant movement permission to copy and distribute this post. I have also decided at this point to reveal my last name, so that you can give this article proper attribution, for I believe I must be willing to be held accountable for what I have written. If you need to contact me, please send me an email at fortheauthor@gmail.com. May God bless you as you stand for the truth.

BOOK REVIEW OF 'THE END OF RELIGION" by BRUXY CAVEY

When I became aware that Bruxy Cavey was going to be one of the speakers at Gathering 2008, the 89th convention of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Montreal July 10-12, and that he was also posting a transcript of a round-table discussion called "Enjoy the Silence" which explores contemplative spirituality in a positive light on his website, I decided I needed to read his book, "Encountering the Subversive Spirituality of Jesus: The End of Religion" to get a better understanding of his teachings. Searching through the web for book reviews, I did come across one by Gary Gilley, which I found to be extremely brief but quite accurate. I decided to purchase the book myself and read it in-depth in all fairness to Cavey. I found the book disturbing in a way that is difficult to describe (although I am determined to try). Like all things emergent, it is like trying to nail jello to a wall. I want to be clear that I have no personal vendetta against Cavey himself. He appears to be both warm and likable, and sincere about his faith. I don't think he is intentionally deceptive and will do my utmost not to judge his motives. It does appear, however, that he is being led down the emergent contemplative pathway whether he is willing to acknowledge it or not. This is evidenced by the fact that he is described freely as an emergent pastor on the web, positively references other emergents in the book, and by his promotion of mystical spirituality on his own website. It troubles me to have to say this, but this is just more evidence that the MB Conference is on a dangerous spiritual path.

I am not writing this book review after a quick skim through it. I have read and reread the book, making notes as I went through it. I will reread each chapter again before writing a review on it so that I can provide an in-depth review. I do want to say that I found some of Cavey's illustrations very enlightening, and appreciate his effort to bring people to an understanding of the importance of a relationship with Christ. However, I reject the underlying premise of the book and his method of trying to convince his audience. I will get into more detail about this as I write the review, chapter by chapter, in coming posts. The accolades, publishing details, preface, introduction and first chapter is available online HERE if you would like to have a look at them yourself.

As the librarian of a small Mennonite Brethren Church (of which I am now no longer a member), I want to state that my job has become a lot harder in the last five years due to the fact that there is so much false doctrine being presented these days. Many Christian book distributors show little or no discretion when it comes to doctrine, and as a librarian I have had to exercise extreme caution while choosing books for the church library. It seems there are more heretical books available under the label "Christian" than there are good solid ones. Although I do not generally write book reviews on those I purchase for the church library, I do scrutinize them carefully. I consider it both a privilege and a great responsibility to be allowed to continue to do so, and I write this review with the same attitude. The church is described as both the pillar and ground of truth. May we rise to the standard given us in God's Word and be considered faithful to that calling by God Himself as we stand before Him on that great day.

YOUTH MINISTRIES ALERT

Due to the rise of false teaching within the teaching materials available for youth leaders in these latter days, I have added YOUTH MINISTRIES ALERT to my list of Discernment Ministries on my sidebar. This is a blog of SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST which I have been following for some time. It's editor has been keeping track of the various avenues and leaders prominent within this group. They include Rob Bell (Nooma videos), Mark Yaconelli (Youth Specialities) and Ron Luce (Teen Mania). If you are a youth leader or have teens, you need to keep up with what they are being taught at youth group. I hope you find this a valuable resource.

ROB BELL TO PARTICIPATE IN SEEDS OF COMPASSION CONFERENCE

**Also read The Gospel According to Rob, another article I have written about Rob Bell's propensity for New Age doctrines, and an off-site article by Carla at an older blog, Books and Things, written on March 25, 2006 (look for the picture of Bell about a third of the way down the page).**

Why would someone who claims the name of Christ choose to participate in a conference (The Seeds of Compassion) co-founded by the personal emissary for peace for the Dalai Lama, as reported by UWNews? The article makes this statement about the Dalai Lama:

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on July 6, 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two the child, who was named Lhamo Dhondup at that time, was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. The Dalai Lamas are believed to be manifestations of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and patron saint of Tibet. Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have postponed their own nirvana and chosen to take rebirth in order to serve humanity.(1)

Could Rob Bell possibly participating in this conference in order to preach about the exclusivity of Christ's claims to messiahship and godhood, and His work on the cross? Could it be to call for repentance of sin and humility before the Creator of the universe who is going to judge the world because of its rebellion and rejection of His Son? Highly unlikely, considering that Rob Bell is an emergent pastor who promotes an eastern-style meditation to his followers and dos not accurately represent Christ.

I find his participation in this coming event very disturbing, since Rob Bell's Nooma videos are being used far and wide in Christian youth groups. The Christ Bell worships is beginning to look more and more like the New Age christ all the time. He uses an emotional appeal backed up by Scripture to teach. I say "uses" to refer to what he does with Scripture as well, because there is evidence to believe he is not "rightly dividing the word of truth". He preaches a watered-down version of the gospel.

It can be disheartening for those who want to remain faithful to Christ to realize that many of those new in leadership are altering the message and the meaning of the gospel to include a New Age or Eastern worldview, and ultimately a global spiritual unity. At this point it becomes a belief that looks more like the New Age than Christianity, all the while remaining under the guise of Christianity.

When does a person cross the line from being a biblical Christian to being a New Ager? I used to believe that Oprah was a Christian, but I now see that she speaks from both sides of her mouth, claiming the name of Christ while promoting New Age authors and their techniques. I think she has crossed the line and is now worshiping the christ of the New Age. Jesus said that there would be many deceivers and many deceived in the latter days before His return. People like Oprah, Ken Blanchard, Ken Wilber and Rob Bell will not give up their associations with Christianity, because part of the plan is to infiltrate the Christian church and overtake it for the New Age christ (antichrist). How else could Christians become deceived and fall away as prophesied in Scripture, if the deception did not come from within and use the same language (albeit, with altered definitions)?

Scripture commands us to be sober and vigilant, as our adversary, the Devil, is seeking whom he may devour. His days are numbered, and he is anxious for victims, especially looking for unwary Christians to deceive. I urge you to warn the brethren of this deception and to read the Word and pray as this day comes upon us like a woman in labor and the birth pangs increase.

Click HERE to read the latest newsletter at Lighthouse Trails, which reports this event (scroll partway down the page).

(1) http://uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=39958

GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD BOAST EXCEPT IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM THE WORLD HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED TO ME, AND I TO THE WORLD.

Galatians 6:14

I read a great article today called "The Old Rugged Cross" on Crossroad, a website operated by Andy and Berit Kjos, discussing how the world and the modern church views the cross in these days. It saddens my heart to see the reality that formerly evangelical churches are turning their backs on the only way there is for man to be saved. If they are not outright denying the cross, they are doing it in a practical sense. The article draws attention to what is in store for churches who will not soften their stance on holding tightly to Christ's work on the cross as the only way of salvation, and some of the legal ramifications they will likely face. Click HERE to read the article.

The editors at Lighthouse Trails wrote an article, "Celebrating the Resurrection, but Denying the Atonement", exposing the pathway the emerging church and contemplative spirituality are taking in their practical denial of the cross. Here is an excerpt from that article:

This weekend, people throughout the world are celebrating Christ's resurrection. Even people who don't believe in the resurrection are celebrating the weekend and wishing Happy Easter to others. But while that seems odd to celebrate a day when you don't even believe in it's reason, what is more odd is that so many Christians are celebrating the resurrection but are throughout the year promoting a spirituality that ultimately denies the atonement. Without the atonement, why bother thinking about the resurrection - it would mean nothing.

Some may be saying right now-- my pastor doesn't deny the atonement. Really? Does he ever promote Brennan Manning or Richard Foster? What about the college you attend? Do your professors ever tell you to read Henri Nouwen or Larry Crabb? And what about the women's Bible studies you attend? Do you ever read books by Keri Wyatt Kent, Jan Johnson, or Ruth Haley Barton? And what about the youth group your teens go to? Do they watch Rob Bell's Noomas and read books by Dan Kimball and Brian McLaren? And is your church involved with Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life? You see, the spiritual formation movement (of which category all these authors and leaders fall into) has a core of mysticism. And contemplative mysticism, by its very nature, denies the Cross, the atonement, and the resurrection. So to celebrate the resurrection and yet to embrace spiritual formation is a terrible contradiction.

Now it is true that not all of the people who promote contemplative reject the Atonement, but by their adhering to and promoting the spirituality that does, they in a round about way reject it also. Those who believe in the true elements of contemplative/emerging spirituality say they love the Cross and they consider Christ an example of a great servant who sacrificially gave His life for others, but they deny the idea that He was a substitute - in other words He paid the penalty that we should have because we are sinners. They say that God would not send His Son to a violent death on a Cross to bear the sins of others (see our research on this). They say Jesus is their model but cannot say He is their Lord. By Christian leaders embracing spiritual formation as they are now doing in large numbers, they are inadvertently denying the atonement and are helping to usher in a world religious system that will attempt to snuff out the true gospel. This effort is already knocking at the door.(1)

Click HERE to read the rest of the article on the Lighthouse Trails website.

Here is a video of that old favorite hymn:

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS ON ACOUSTIC GUITAR


(1). http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?cat=41

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ROB

There are a LOT of Christian youth groups out there using Rob Bell's Nooma videos. I think that most youth pastors go by whatever is new and being promoted by their local Christian bookstore, looks good, is entertaining and by what other youth groups are using when choosing a curriculum for the group they are leading. Should that really be the criteria by which they are chosen? What about their faithfulness to the gospel message according to the Scriptures? It would seem that isn't always a priority. Makes you wonder what the next generation of Christians will believe, doesn't it?

Greg Gilbert from 9marks, a website dedicated to helping local churches re-establish their biblical bearings and re-think their ministry methods, has written a three-part article called "The Scoop'a on NOOMA" which talks about the problem with Bell's theology. For anybody with teenagers, this can be a little disheartening, but it is important to know so that you can teach them to have spiritual discernment and perhaps influence your youth pastor to find something more biblical.

Click HERE to read PART 1
Click HERE to read PART 2
Click HERE to read PART 3

I have also located a website called Youth Ministries Alert which reviews the latest teaching materials available for youth pastors. A great website for parents and youth leaders alike. Check it out.

For more information on Rob Bell's spirituality, Lighthouse Trails has an article called
"NOTICE TO PARENTS: Christian Schools Introducing Teens to Mysticism Proponent" exposing Bells' leanings toward mysticism. Click HERE to read the article.

A revealing quote:

"We're rediscovering Christianity as an Eastern religion, as a way of life."

- Rob Bell, from "The Emergent Mystique"

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I began writing this post late last night, but decided to delay posting it until today. In the meantime I found this on Christian Research Net: Everything I learned From My Rabbi I Passed On To You Rob Bell. It talks about Bell's tendency to overemphasize Jesus' humanity and deemphasize His divinity, using the story of Jesus being found in the temple at age 12 by his parents in Luke 2:41-49. Bell seems to imply that Jesus was there to sit under the teaching of the Rabbi's in order to learn about the faith. This is a misrepresentation of what happened. Here is the actual account:

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
And when he was twelve years old,
they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned,
the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem;
and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company,
went a day's journey;
and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
And when they found him not,
they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
And it came to pass, that after three days
they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors,
both hearing them, and asking them questions.
And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
And when they saw him, they were amazed:
and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?
behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?
wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

The Scriptures say that they were astonished at his understanding and answers. He wasn't learning from the Rabbi's (doctors), he was astonishing them with His understanding!! And His parents were amazed! Now, why would they be amazed if they had sent Him to be schooled by the rabbi's? Wouldn't they rather be proud or thrilled that He had remembered what He had been taught, or angered that He would have the audacity to do such a thing? No they were amazed, because He had a knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures that they knew nothing about and was beyond His years.

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Two more good articles on Rob Bell below:

To read The Open Creation of Rob Bell and about Bell's New Age slant (and terminology) on creationism at Apprising Ministries, click HERE.

Then go to Slice of Laodicea to read Rob Bell is "Open" to New Age Thought by clicking HERE.

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I really think you can only truthfully call yourself a "Christain" for so long when you're heading down this path. Many used to (and some still do) believe Oprah Winfrey is a Christian. But how can somebody be a Christian and promote the teachings of the New Age (occult) and a New Age christ? Somewhere there is a change from believing that God says what He means and means what He says in Scripture, to believing the doctrines of men and demons.

It's time to call IT what IT IS!! (But of course that wouldn't be deceitful enough for the Father of Lies, would it? And all those vulnerable young people wouldn't be led down the path of dectruction either). This is a very sad commentary on the the state of the Christian church these days and a sign of the times in which we live, isn't it? If you can't find truth in a Christian church at a Christian youth group anymore, where can you find it these days? (Read your Bible, read your Bible, READ YOUR BIBLE!).

ZONDERVAN WRAPS UP ITS NATIONAL PASTOR'S CONVENTION

Zondervan's National Pastor's Convention took place February 26-29 in San Diego and featured some rather interesting events and speakers. So just what does it take to be a good pastor these days according to Zondervan and all the latest "relevant" pastors?

Here is an revealing report about it I am reposting that comes from Slice of Laodicea by Ingrid that can answer that question:

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National Pastors Convention: It’s a Leftie-Palooza

Yes, folks, it is time again for the National Pastors Convention in San Diego. Cue the sitar players, start up the incense, and drag out the yoga mats! You think that I jest about the yoga, and you are wrong. Under the heading, Christian Yoga, it reads:

“Join Shelly Pagitt for a time of prayer, stretching, and meditative reflection as you begin your day at the NPC. If possible, please bring a mat with you for the stretching time.”

Shelly Pagitt, wife of emerging Pied Piper, Doug, will be bowing before the pastors and their wives and saying, “Namaste”. That’s how a yoga session starts, and the words are Sanskrit for “I bow to the divine within you.” Yoga journal describes “Namaste” this way.

“The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. “Nama” means bow, “as” means I, and “te” means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”

When the pastors are done with their Hindu worship, they can cruise into a workshop with Roger Olson. His is a harmless enough sounding name that evokes images of a guy in a flannel shirt up in Duluth somewhere, serving lutefisk or making Swedish meatballs. This Roger Olson, however, will be redefining evangelicalism. He has quite an agenda. He will be speaking on the following:

How to Be Evangelical without Being Conservative

“Are ‘evangelical’ and ‘conservative’ synonymous or even inseparably linked? Not necessarily. In some cases it is possible to be more evangelical by being less conservative. We will look at how history sheds light on radical evangelical faith that breaks with the status quo and forges new paths in theology, worship and service.”

Well, Roger, we’ve seen where those new paths in theology, worship and service are leading the church. Witchcraft. (See the post below.) As if this wasn’t enough, Roger will be going further.

Postconservative Evangelical Theology

“Evangelical theology is breaking out of and moving beyond the traditional “left/right” spectrum of liberal to conservative. That spectrum is based on responses to modernity. What happens when evangelical theology interacts with postmodernity? Can there be a postconservative evangelical theology as there is a postliberal mainline Protestant theology? What do they have in common?”

I know, I know. Lemme answer the question. They have rebellion in common. These movements have rebelled against God by denying the authority of His Word. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. That’s why young people are actually attempting to Christianize real stuff. It’s all the same thing, folks.

To prove my point, Ruth Haley Barton is another speaker at the National Pastors Convention. After sewing her seeds of contemplative mystical spirituality at Willow Creek under Bill Hybels, she has now moved on. Look at her bio.

Ruth Haley Barton is a spiritual director, teacher, and retreat leader trained through the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and the Pathways Center for Spiritual Leadership in Nashville, Tennessee. Ruth is cofounder of The Transforming Center. She is also the author of several books including Sacred Rhythms and Invitation to Solitude and Silence.

But wait a minute. I’m on the mailing list for the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. It’s an organization dedicated to the use of contemplative practice by people of all religions to encounter the “divine”. Founder Tilden Edwards said this about contemplative spirituality.

“This mystical stream [contemplative prayer] is the Western bridge to Far Eastern spirituality.”
—Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend, p. 18.

So the pastors at the National Pastors Convention will sit back, refreshed from their yoga, and listen to Ruth Haley Barton, who was trained at Shalem, tell them how the mystical stream of contemplative prayer can enhance their ministries.

As if eastern spirituality wasn’t bad enough , Zondervan, who sponsors the NPC, has brought in political liberals like Shane Claiborne and Jim Wallis to make sure that left-wing theology matches left-wing politics. You can see the full line-up of speakers here.

The National Pastors Convention is an indication of evangelicalism’s future. Only those whose feet are on the rock of the unchanging Word of God will not be swept away by this tsunami of spiritual deception. The deception is not the exception, it is the norm now. Contend for the faith.(1)

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(1.) http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/?p=397

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

EVANGELICAL MONASTICISM

I just received a newspaper article about the rise of monasticism amongst evangelicals from the Boston Globe. The term "evangelical monastic" sure seems like an oxymoron to me. The Roman Catholic church is definitely making inroads into the evangelical church, and in a very visible way. At least once a week, if not more, I read something that indicates this is a reality.

From the Boston Globe today:

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The unexpected monks

Some evangelicals turn to monasticism, suggesting unease with megachurch religion - and the stirrings of rapprochement with the Roman Catholic Church.

Members of the Rutba House in Durham, N.C., gather for meals and morning and evening prayer. (Globe / Davis Turner)

By Molly Worthen February 3, 2008

S.G. PRESTON IS a Knight of Prayer. Each morning at his Vancouver, Wash., home, he wakes up and prays one of the 50-odd psalms he has committed to memory, sometimes donning a Kelly green monk's habit. In Durham, N.C., Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and fellow members of Rutba House gather for common meals as well as morning and evening prayer based on the Benedictine divine office. Zach Roberts, founder of the Dogwood Abbey in Winston-Salem, meets regularly with a Trappist monk to talk about how to contemplate God. Roman Catholic monastic traditions loom large in their daily routines - yet all three men are evangelical Protestants.

The image of the Catholic monk - devoted to a cloistered life of fasting and prayer, his tonsured scalp hidden by a woolen cowl - has long provoked the disdain of Protestants. Their theological forefathers denounced the monastic life: True Christians, the 16th-century Reformers said, lived wholly in the world, spent their time reading the Bible rather than chanting in Latin, and accepted that God saved them by his grace alone, not as reward for prayers, fasting, or good works. Martin Luther called monks and wandering friars "lice placed by the devil on God Almighty's fur coat." Of all Protestants, American evangelicals in particular - activist, family-oriented, and far more concerned with evangelism than solitary study or meditative prayer - have historically viewed monks as an alien species, and a vaguely demonic one at that.

Yet some evangelicals are starting to wonder if Luther's judgment was too hasty. There is now a growing movement to revive evangelicalism by reclaiming parts of Roman Catholic tradition - including monasticism. Some 100 groups that describe themselves as both evangelical and monastic have sprung up in North America, according to Rutba House's Wilson-Hartgrove. Many have appeared within the past five years. Increasing numbers of evangelical congregations have struck up friendships with Catholic monasteries, sending church members to join the monks for spiritual retreats. St. John's Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Minnesota, now makes a point of including interested evangelicals in its summer Monastic Institute.

"I grew up in a tradition that believes Catholics are pagans," said Roberts, who was raised Southern Baptist and serves as a pastor in a Baptist church. "I never really understood that. Now I'd argue against that wholeheartedly."

In an era in which televangelists and megachurches dominate the face of American evangelicalism, offering a version of Christianity inflected by populist aesthetics and the gospel of prosperity, the rise of the New Monastics suggests that mainstream worship is leaving some people cold. Already, they are transforming evangelical religious life in surprising ways. They are post-Protestants, breaking old liturgical and theological taboos by borrowing liberally from Catholic traditions of monastic prayer...1.

This is a long article, four pages, but worth reading for those following this trend. Click HERE to read the rest of the article.

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Molly Worthen, had this to say (on page four) about how the process began:

Evangelicals have been tentatively exploring that side of Christian tradition since at least the 1978 publication of "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster, a Quaker theologian who recast fasting and meditative prayer for an evangelical audience. His book sold nearly 2.5 million copies and launched a cottage industry of evangelical contemplative literature - a phrase that, 30 years ago, was a contradiction in terms. Some evangelicals made pilgrimages to the handful of older ecumenical monastic communities abroad, such as the Taizé Community (founded in Burgundy, France, in 1940), and the Iona Community, founded in 1938 at St. Columba's landing place in the Inner Hebrides. They brought back what they learned, and have tried to make it their own. 2.

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The influence of Richard Foster and his works is nothing new, but what is noteworthy is the direction Foster's spiritual disciplines takes its followers ~ straight into the arms of the Roman Catholic church.

Just this weekend my daughter asked me to check out a book for her that is required reading for one of her Bible School classes. The book is called Devotional Classics by guess who ~ Richard Foster, of course. It is a collection of selected devotionals by various authors, the majority of whom are Roman Catholic mystics/contemplatives. The list included John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Bernard Clairvaux, Henri Nouwen, Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, and the list goes on. I just finished examining this book yesterday in fact. It just seems there is no getting away from the Foster phenomenon. Every time I turn around, somebody is trying to foist the spiritual disciplines ala Foster on somebody I know. There is definitely a spiritual power behind this movement, and I don't thinks it is a holy one.

We need to be in prayer for our family and friends. The issue of the "new monasticism" is not going to go away. It must be dealt with head on, and those within our sphere of influence be warned about the roots of this movement. God bless each of you out there who is working diligently to do this.

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you
about our common salvation,
I felt the necessity to write to you
appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith
which was once for all handed down to the saints.

For certain persons have crept in unnoticed,
those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation,
ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness
and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude 3,4

1. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/02/03/the_unexpected_monks/
2. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/02/03/the_unexpected_monks/?page=4

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.

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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

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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

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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