Emergent Posters

I was doing my usual checks of blogs and sites and noticed that I forgot to mention this one

http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/posters.htm

I have been watching the "poster" post for a bit now and it seems to get better by the day. Tell me what you think.

Music

Most of us are aware of Eph. 5.19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord."

Is this a mandate dictating the music we should have in church or listen to personally?

As a Christian we must decide how we feel about about music. Should we only listen to Christian and if so what constitutes "Christian." Is it Southern gospel, hymns, praise, choruses, contemporary, and etc?

On the other hand are we free to listen to secular music? What about classical or jazz? Love songs are fine aren't they? We've heard it all but the question is still there.

From a personal standpoint I feel that I cannot listen to secular music. I do listen to jazz occasionally and classical regularly. Other than that I listen to contemporary Christian and hymns with some praise.

I say that I cannot listen to secular because:

1. I was a slave to rock music before I was saved. I had a very difficult time giving that stronghold to the Lord. I realized what a hold music had on me.

2. The verse listed above.

I suppose some would say that the jazz that I occasionally listen to does not lift up the Lord and they are right. Believe it or not though, the classical that I listen to often does make me think on things above.

Before you write me and tell me that these are my personal convictions and you can listen to what you want just think about it for a moment. Most of the country and rock music of today is self focused and definitely not honoring to God. How can I repeat most of these words when they are about me, sex, vengeance, or sinful habits? What does the music that you listen to in private or in church make you think about? Is it the beat or is it the Savior?

I know that this one subject can put a charge into the most relaxed of individuals. But think about it and let me know your thoughts.

Spurgeon on Free Will

"Philosophy and religion both discard at once the very thought of free will; and I will go as far as Martin Luther, in that strong assertion of his, where he says, `If any man doth ascribe of salvation, even the very least, to the free will of man, he knoweth nothing of grace, and he hath not learnt Jesus Christ aright.' It may seem a harsh sentiment; but he who in his soul believes that man does of his own free will turn to God, cannot have been taught of God, for that is one of the first principles taught us when God begins with us, that we have neither will nor power, but that he gives both; that he is `Alpha and Omega' in the salvation of men."

"Their foot shall slide in due time"- Deut. 32.35

Free(?) Will

I came across this post and it made think about the idea of "Free Will." I would be eager to hear your view on this. Please do keep in mind though that this topic can really get heated.

People want to feel that they have a free will. I think it all boils down to the fact of pride. We want to feel like we have a say in what goes on. We want to think that "God does His part and we do ours." In one way this statement is correct. God does do His part. He chooses, convicts and draws us to Himself. We also do our part. Our part is sin, sin and sin. We run from God. We hide from God. We are opposed to God on all fronts. Salvation is totally and wholly His. He initiates it and completes it.

We have sinfully made salvation a man thing. If you really think about it from man's point of view salvation totally is up to man.

It goes like this. "Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. Just let Him come in. He is waiting on you to make a decision for Him. He is ringing His holy hands hoping that today will be the day."

What an unscriptural view of salvation. We moved God out of His seat of Omnipotence and taken His place. If we teach that God is really limited by what we do then salvation is all about man and not God.

Pastor's School Update 2

I wanted to give one more update as to the happenings at Beeson Divinity School's Pastor's School in Birmingham, AL.

When my family and I arrived we each received a nice duffle bag with somet things inside. Keep in mind that I shared in an earlier post that I was afraid this conference had been going downhill over the past several years with its heavy emphasis on ecumenicalism. One of the items in the duffle bag was a Lead Like Jesus Seminar DVD with Ken Blanchard and Erwin McManus. I knew that was a problem. It found its way to the trash.

A friend, while we were there asked me to look over a handout he received while at a session on Suffering and Evil. The leader of the class, a Ph.D, M.D. and a professor at the school proceeded to give his deistic view of the happenings of the world and that God cannot intervene and that many things happen by mere chance. Buffoonery

The week left me mentally rested but spiritually bothered by the throng of Rodney King Theology ideas and viewpoints. Is this where everything is headed?

On a brighter note Calvin Miller seems to have changed a bit. Over the past couple of years Miller has been a little too liberal for my liking and seems to have been friendly with the mystical crowd. In the session I went to he seems to have made a strong change back to his roots. It is clear that he is not Calvinistic in his theology but his strong evangelistic fervor and desire to see the church be the church and not follow the church growth methods was refreshing.

I am contemplating if I will attend the Pastor's School next year.

Pastor's School Report-Catholicism update

This week I am at Beeson Divinity School's Pastors School at Samford University in Birmingham, AL.

My family and I have been coming to it for the past 9 years. It has been a source of mental rest for me and at times spiritual encouragement. Over the past 3-5 years I have noticed a strong tendency toward the ecumenical movement. It has bothered me because when this movement is pushed something else ALWAYS follows...compromise. For all groups to get along you have to bring in all sorts of things and teachings and throw out other things to make room for the ecumenical party favors.

When I arrived here Monday I noticed that the Dean of Beeson, Timothy George (who is Mr. Ecumenical in theology circles), was teaching a class with Franciscan Brother-Father-Friar Francis Russo from Washington DC. The name of the class was "Saint Francis of Assisi-A Saint for all of us." I thought to myself "I've got to go and hear this."

I have never thought that an ascetic lifestyle equated salvation but I guess to some it does.

Anyway, my son and I attended and it was ridiculous. Timothy George's explanation of Francis of Assisi's salvation was "he looked around and was burdened for the homeless derelicts on the street and decided to become one himself."

Francis Russo stood up in his Franciscan garb and told us how he had taken the vows of:

1. Poverty

2. Chastity

3. Obedience

I was wondering if he wanted us to clap or something. I never heard about his conversion though. Interesting

He then stood near a framed painted picture of Jesus on a cross and told us about how Francis of Assisi loved the gospel. Over and over I heard that phrase with not one crumb of an example of such.

Then the Q&A came. Amazingly, I restrained myself. Finally, one fellow in the front row said how he was worried that the "dialogue" between Catholics and Baptists is starting to fade because of Joseph Ratzinger's (the pope) comments last month and how worried he is that some Baptists are withdrawing fellowship from the "dialogue." I wanted to throw some cheese up there to him and play "Time to say goodbye" on my air violin.

Russo along with George said that what Ratzinger (the pope) said was nothing new and they had always felt that way. I wanted shout "AMEN, AMEN and AMEN." The problem came when no one had a problem with that answer.

I will post later with more of the sordid details from this class.

Papal Bull on Mariolotry

Chris at Papal Bull has a good post about what is commonly known as Mariolotry or Mariology. Do check it out.

Wickedness Run Wild

The wickedness never stops.

The Templeton-funded seminar "Open Theology & Science" held at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts is evidence of this. Slice of Laodicea brought this to our attention and can be followed here.
It amazes me how we so quickly lower God to our standards. If we can make Him touchable, tangible, and tolerable then we can rule our own lives without God's intervention. He is just some deistic cosmic force that created in the beginning and now sits back on his human-made throne and hopes that we give him credit for things. He wrings his hands hoping that things that turn out for the good but is hopeless to control or change things. He has no idea of what the future holds and is just as surprised by its events as we are. This is what Open to Correction is sharing with us in the latest installment from Compromising Today.

I suppose these conferences are for our good. When God starts getting too much recognition, admiration, and exaltation man has to bring God down a peg so that He can be not on our level, but below us.

Most of the above is written in total sarcasm. I am appalled that this wickedness (and that is what this is) goes on. May God have mercy on us.

Too Much Fun

I think the problem that I see that is so prevalent today is the worship of fun. If you can jazz up the lesson with fun or dress it in a Veggie Tale's outfit it will be a hit. BUT, you have to stay current or up to date or you will be moved into the morgue of purposelessness.

We have to have fun or we don't want it. The entertainment industry is booming because we all want to have fun, we all want to laugh, and we don't, Don't, DON'T want to be too serious or touch on sensitive subjects that might offend.

The church has become a tool that promotes worldliness. It shows the world that adultery, drunkeness, and vile behavior is something that we can laught at. The TV is proof of that.

The mom and dad who want to be entertained to death are no different than the child who wants to be entertained in church. In the end it is all about making ourselves estatic with entertainment. Right?

The Arch-Heretic Speaks

To all of my detractors, this post seems to clarify my point about the Roman Catholic Church being a cult.

Of course this article does not highlight their main doctrines but does emphasize the point that they think that everyone else is wrong. To make a claim like that is presumptous and wicked. That is saying that the RCC is THE authority and defines Christianity.

I really do not know what other proof the papist and papist sympathizers need.

In all of the years that I have taught about World Religions at the church level and college level, going over the Roman Catholic Church brings out the optical daggers and fumes of anger like nothing else.

The truth hurts.

Youth Ministries- A Point Made Even Clearer

Here is an article that highlights the point. I could not have said it any clearer.

Youth Ministries? Part 2

I recently asked in my first post "Is the youth minister a scriptural office?"

A few wrote back and stated that " 'xyz' is not in the Bible either, does that make it wrong?"

To me this is what is described in Latin as "argumentum a silentio" or an argument from silence.

To follow this reasoning one could easily take anything that is not specifically prohibited in the Bible and say that it is fine.

The problem I still see that is most prevalent is that "it works." Just because something works does not make it a good thing. Pointing a gun at someone's head "works" also. That does not make it right. Again, this is pragmatism.

Then we have others who think that since little Jr. and little Jane do not have a godly daddy that a youth minister is or can be a blessing to them. What is wrong with the men and women of the church pointing little Jr. and little Jane (Titus 2) to the Lord and to good works?

Here is an interesting question to consider. Why do we feel that little Jr. and little Jane need a specialized service like children's church, youth groups, youth Bible studies and so on? What is wrong with the Word from the pulpit? Does it really need to be scaled down to help them understand when in fact the Holy Spirit is the One who opens our spiritual eyes to understand.

I know this is not popular in a day when we have singles Bible studies, singles-again Bible studies, senior adult Bible studies, men and women's Bible studies and left-handed blue eyed people that like American Idol Bible studies. But I think these questions have to be asked.

We have "specialized" groups so much that "big" church is not needed or relevant. Since when does something have to be relevant to be spiritually productive?

Besides, little Jr. and little Jane cannot sit still during church for a whole service.

Interesting Quote

"There is enough dust on some of your Bible's to write "damnation" with your fingers. "
--Charles Spurgeon

Youth Ministries? Part 1

I know that I am bound to make people mad at this post. That is ok. My goal is to get people to think and to live a life that pleases God. I think the best way to handle this post is not to get emotionally involved and consider the content. Is there any truth to it? Is it a valid point? Also, I would ask that before you bring out your pen (sword) please consider some of the questions that I am raising.

For a while I have wondered about Youth ministries. Is the youth minister a scriptural office? What is the point to a "youth ministry" led by a certain leader?

I understand that many of you are thinking about how your children have been blessed by the young man who is the youth leader or youth minister. Let me get straight to the point.

1. Why would I want my child going to a young man telling him things that he should be telling his father and/or mother?
2. Why do most youth ministries seem to specialize in entertainment and teaching the Word seems to be minimized?
3. Why do we want the children/youth separated from the parents more than they already are?
4. What did the youth do before youth minstries existed?

I pose a few questions here with the intention of answer a few and asking a few more in my next post.

Pragmatism Illustrated

I am sure that many of you have seen this but it is definitely worth a second look.

We have become so focused on results that the means in which those results are acquired does not matter. Just as long as it works, that is what matters.

"The greatest threat to the gospel specific to today is the indirect challenge of pragmatism among evangelicals". --Mark Dever

I believe Satan has had to put no effort into growing this into our mindset. We want our church to grow. We want to see people saved. But somewhere down the line we have crossed over into secular territory because it appears to work. Of course it works. You are baiting the world with the stuff the world loves. Who wouldn't come to that? Just like mice and cheese. You give the world what they want and bam, growth.

"The most insidious opposition to the Gospel has come from within worldly churches." --Iain Murray

But I think the church is guilty on two major fronts.

1. We are compromising our integrity and purpose as a church. Instead of preaching "Christ and Him crucified" we give them toys, fun, and no words from the Word of God. That might run them off as Schuller says. We continue to give the masses what they want instead of what they need. But as we do this a problem comes in and has to be addressed. To keep this flow of people growing and entertained you have to feed this "machine" of sorts, or it will break down. When it breaks down, God might just "lead them to the church down the road."

2. Supposing that you really do want people to be saved and you really do want to preach the gosepl to them once they are in the door. You have tricked them by deception. You have baited them with fun and activities and now you pull the rug out from under them to preach about sin and salvation. They thought they were coming for fun but you have changed directions on them. This is being dishonest to the people.

Both of these are wrong in God's eyes but the last one is wrong in the world's eyes.

"The biggest mission field in America is professing-Christianity". --John MacArthur

Ridiculous- What Has Happened To The Church? Part 3b

Division is just over the horizon.

The idea of a denomination dividing or splitting is troubling. If one group is standing on solid ground doctrinally and the other group isn't, then the split is necessary. The issue that bothers me is a subtle one.

In the June 21, 2007 edition of the Christian Index an article struck me.

"Half of SBC pastors believe in private prayer language"

Traditionally, Baptist have been those who did not adhere to the use of Tongues as used in churches of other denominations. Most that I have talked to believed it was totally unscriptural or simply a gift that has ceased.

Well, times have changed. It appears that at least half of the pastors in the SBC believe in a private prayer language; a.k.a. tongues.

Add to this ABP's article quoting Jerry Rankin (President of the SBC's International Mission Board) stating that he has practiced a private prayer language for more than 30 years and you have something that is a concern to many.

I do not want to use this post at this time to debate Tongues. What I am concerned with is losing our identity. I posted about this a while back.

Then we see "Messengers on June 12 approved a motion – 58 percent to 42 percent – to affirm the BFM as the denomination’s "only consensus statement of doctrinal beliefs."

It appears some do not want to stand behind the Baptist Faith and Message (BFM) as a basic primer for our belief. Others think it should be more strict while others think it should be left up to the institution, church or group to interpret what it means.

The closeness of the vote and on Tongues shows a clear division on where we stand.

This post is nothing more than rambles I know. But I am concerned that as we progress our doctrine is going to become less and less important and that experience will be the rule of the day.

We also have to realize that just because someone has "experienced it" does not make it a valid practice or teaching.

How Low Can The Church Go?

It amazes me what a church will do to try to reach people. This is hellish (no pun intended). As I've said before, "Is our product (the gospel) so inferior that we have to doctor it up to make it more palatable?"

The church must look so desperate to the world. They must think that our life and message is a joke.

Ridiculous- What Has Happened To The Church? Part 3a

This is the third installment in this series and there appears to be no letting up.
I have called this post "3a" as opposed to "3." The reason for this is that I plan to delve further into the mire of the SBC's convention news with follow-up posts that are equally, if not more, aggravating, discouraging, or simply ridiculuous.

As a Southern Baptist pastor it pains me to see the convention gather every year for fear of what nonsense is going to take place. This year is no exception. I will get right to the point.

The Christian Index, the Southern Baptist bi-weekly newspaper for Georgia, shares the first bit of nonsense.

California pastor Rob Zinn preached the convention sermon and delivered a similar message, saying, “We are a denomination that talks a lot and does little when it comes to evangelism.”
Addressing the topic of dismal baptism numbers within the SBC despite lofty goals, Zinn said, “Our attitudes stink.” The denomination, he added, must be willing to change its methodology while staying true to the gospel message. One of the changes, he added, includes music. His church uses a blended style. He asked grandparents in the audience, “How many of you love those grandkids enough you’d be willing to change your music for them?

“[I]f we’re going to win [young people] to Jesus in this culture, we’re going to have to be willing to change our mindsets,” said Zinn, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Highland, Calif.

“Folks, what you did in the [19]40s and what you did in the 50s isn’t going to win this culture to Jesus.”

So, does this mean that the Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose again in 3 days is not good enough to save today's young people?
Does this mean that the music is what we are trying to win them with and win them to?
Does this mean that the Gospel is changing?

I know what some are saying as they are reading this.
"The methods change, the message doesn't."

I say that in this process the message is changing also. We have to invent ways to make the gospel more appealing and tasty for our audience. We have to make Jesus out to be a comedian with His hat turned to the side, wearing low and baggy pants, listening to music that really says nothing but is loaded with personal pronouns, drinking a beer (for the Driscoll fans) with a little cussing to impress the youngsters, and leading games at church since sermons are boring and long.

I say this is the kind of foolishness that the church is drinking, eating, and wanting more of everyday.

May the Lord have mercy on us.

Excellent Post

The Isle of Hope has a great article here. Good to see someone addressing this issue.

Ridiculous- What Has Happened To The Church? Part 2

From the first post in this series...

"Or better yet, let's Christianize something worldly."

Why does the church feel that they have to Christianize things that are of the world? Is it to make it more palatable? Does the church feel that their "product" (the gospel of Jesus Christ) is so inferior that it must be dumbed down or re-packaged to appeal to the masses? Enter American Idol.

I have never seen American Idol but it appears to be a popular show. I find it interesting that we are to avoid idols and now we have a show with that name in the title. I suppose the premise is to become a star so that others will look up to you; hence Idol.

A church in Anderson, South Carolina, decided to have an American Idol type of contest. Notice the song and the lyrics.

Truly, is our messages so boring and unimportant that we have to spice church up so that the world will come? Again, if our goal is to fill the church with warm bodies, then this is good.

I wonder if we give Jesus action figures away, will the little ones come in droves? What if we pipe in movie snippets on a screen and form a sermon around the movie, will the moms and dads come?

“It is a very ill omen to hear a wicked world clap its hands and shout well done to the Christian man.”- Charles Spurgeon.

Pirates of the Magesterium!!!

I was noticing Sacred Sandwich's site and found this little gem.

Nothing Like Hearing It From a Heretic's Mouth!!

WICKEDNESS TO THE CORE

It seems that a church in Cologne is having or has had a service with the theme "Erotic Church Service." Read this and you will see what I mean.

Tozer Speaks From The Grave

The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it.

--A.W. Tozer

Ridiculous- What Has Happened To The Church?

This is a series of posts that I have titled... Ridiculous-What has happened to the church?

The question that I am most often asked of late is what is wrong with the Warrens, Hybels, Schullers and Osteens of the world.

Gary Gilley says...

"The problem is that the main business of entertainment is to please the crowd, but the main purpose of authentic Christianity is to please the Lord."

My question is...
If this is the case then why is the church spending its time entertaining the world instead of pleasing the Lord?

That is where my beef with the above mentioned men (amongst others) come in. They seemed to have adopted the view that if it works, let's do it.

Now keep in mind, if our job as spiritual leaders is to populate the church then these men have excelled in great fashion. But that is not a scriptural view of the pastor or church.

We, as Christians exist for the Glory of God. We are to live holy God honoring lives. God is the one who brings increase to His church. With this in mind we have to consider how the gospel and the church are being sold out to the highest bidder. The highest bidders for the church are warm bodies (saved or not) and the highest bidder for the gospel is entertainment. Forget preaching about sin, the cross, denial of worldly pleasures, fasting, witnessing and holiness.

Enter entertainment. Rock bands that mimic secular musicians, puppet shows so that the kids want to come, senior adult trips to wherever, marriage conferences to draw the maritally challenged, pizza parties and extreme games so that the youth will come is the order of the day. "Hey, whatever it takes to get them here."

This pragmatism is hellish. We bait them with the world. Whatever the world is doing let's do it. Or better yet, let's Christianize something worldly.

In my next post I will go over that last sentence and elaborate.

The Mindset of the World?

An Old Post

Here a few things that the Roman Catholic Church has proclaimed:

1. Prayers for the dead . ………………300 A.D.

2. Making the sign of the cross ………………………… …300 A.D.

3. Veneration of angels & dead saints ……………….375 A.D.

4. Use of images in worship………………………………… . 375 A.D.

5. The Mass as a daily celebration……………………………… 394 A.D.

6. Beginning of the exaltation of Mary; the term, "Mother of God" applied a Council of Ephesus…431 A.D.

7. Extreme Unction (Last Rites)……………………………… ..526 A.D.

8. Doctrine of Purgatory-Gregory I…………………………… .593 A.D.

9. Prayers to Mary & dead saints ……………………………… .600 A.D.

10. Worship of cross, images & relics ……………………… … 786 A.D.

11. Canonization of dead saints ………………………………… ..995 A.D.

12. Celibacy of priesthood …………………………………… …1079 A.D.

13. The Rosary ……………………………………………… … 1090 A.D.

14. Indulgences ……………………………………………… …..1190 A.D.

15. Transubstantiation-Innocent III …………………………… 1215 A.D.

16. Auricular Confession of sins to a priest …………………… 1215 A.D.

17. Adoration of the wafer (Host)…………………………… .. 1220 A.D.

18. Cup forbidden to the people at communion …………………..1414 A.D.

19. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma……………………………..1439 A.D.

20. The doctrine of the Seven Sacraments confirmed …………….1439 A.D.

21. Tradition declared of equal authority with Bible by Council of Trent..1545 A.D.

22. Apocryphal books added to Bible ……………….1546 A.D.

23. Immaculate Conception of Mary……………………………….1854 A.D.

24. Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals, proclaimed by the Vatican Council …1870 A.D.

25. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death) .1950 A.D.

26. Mary proclaimed Mother of the Church……………………… 1965 A.D.

As I said in a much earlier post I am wanting to write like I speak. Typically, people tend to write much more fancy than they speak. Well, not here. So let me be perfectly clear in the next paragraph or so.

Many of the above mentioned items are wicked to the core. I don't care what council said it; if it is not supported in Scripture then it is man-made. I am tired of RCC's trying to tell me what this or that meant. I say let's just take it at face value. ie

INDULGENCES are demonic and from the pit of hell. The RCC has refused to publically repent of this past practice.

PURGATORY-if this place is real then Jesus did not have to die to cleanse us from our sins; hence, a cult.

PRAYERS TO MARY AND DEAD SAINTS- another wicked demonic practice that the RCC refuses to admit is unscriptural

ASSUMPTION OF MARY- scripture???? I could go on and on but in the end the burden of proof lay in the lap of RCC's. We are not brothers and sisters in the Lord. You must repent of your sins and quit trusting in mere man to forgive you.

Here is a little food for thought...

[He told him that He would not leave them orphans. That phrase struck me because I heard it used when Pope John Paul II passed away. One of the television news interviewers was talking with a young woman in St. Peter’s Square who responded: “With our Holy Father now dead we feel like orphans.” Then when Pope Benedict XVI’s election was announced and he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s, another person being interviewed declared: “We are no longer orphans.”] http://www.catholicweb.com/media_index.cfm?fuseaction=view_article&partnerid=40&article_id=2059

Rodney King Theology

Many of you might remember Rodney King. His plea was "Can't we all just get along."

I fear that many of today's Christians are crying this mantra all the while compromising what they believe.

To me this give a great foothold to Satan. He can and will do his level-headed best to get us to give some deference to those of other beliefs. I will tell you that it will not be happening in my camp. I will come against it at every point. And yes, I know this might not seem very loving but my name is not Robert Schuller.

A Little Clarification for all of My Cultic Observers

I posted this last year but I think it needs to be reposted. It follows the math symbols as a guide to distinguishing a false teaching.

Here is an excerpt...

Very simply, a cult is:
1. (+) any group that adds to the Word of God as their spiritual guidance, manual or wisdom
2. (-) any group that subtracts from the person of Jesus Christ. "He is a good teacher" or "He was only a prophet."
3. (x) any group that multiplies what you have to do to become a Christian.
It is by Grace alone though faith alone in Christ alone. If we add anything to this (like works) we are in grave error.
4. (./.) any group that divides itself as the only true church.

So, for all that think that I am "not nice, not loving, being unchristian" remember this...

I will come against any group that follows some or all of these practices.

DT

More for the Papists

From Christian Research Network: This piece concerning the apostate Church of Rome over
at Apprising Ministries begins with a quote from Dr. John MacArthur who says, "The papacy is unbiblical; it is unbiblical. There’s not one tiny shred of evidence in Scripture for the papacy,… It was all developed by evil people, satanically led to create a false religion that would be the enemy of the Truth." Here you will see from official Roman Catholic sources themselves that this "office" of the papacy has "the function of proclaiming the gospel [which] has been entrusted principally to the Roman Pontiff and the college of bishops.”

To read more click here.

"Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm..." -Jeremiah 17:5

Welcome, Catholic Observers

I hope everyone likes the picture that I have posted for all to see. Mary, our "CO-REDEMPTRIX" is gracing this post for you.

This is what the Roman Catholic Church believes. Forget praying to Jesus (1Tim. 2:5-For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus). Now you just tell people to pray to Mary who was a sinner and needed a savior like everyone else and you're in.

That alone is grounds for a cult. It takes the complete focus away from Christ, the blood and the Cross.

Mind you, I do not have any disrespect for Mary herself, just the the Whore of Revelation (Roman Catholic Church) that have used her as their poster child.

Mary was blessed among women and was a special vehicle that God used to bring His Son to this earth. Forget worshiping the vehicle and start worshiping the savior.

Oh, and by the way. "Anonymous, you are a good copy-er and paste-r." It is a shame that you don't have a name.

The Beauty of Election

Look at this wonderful explanation of Election by John MacArthur.

My own struggle with the doctrine of God’s sovereign election comes from my emotion, it comes from the influences of my fallen heart, it comes from my expectation that everybody ought to have a right to make a choice. And it also comes from the early years of my Christian experience when I didn’t understand what it meant to be depraved.
As a young Christian I didn’t understand how really dead the sinner is. That is the bottom line issue here. Salvation has to be all of God if you understand the doctrine of human depravity. If you understand what it means to be utterly unable to do right; unable to know God, dead in trespasses and sins, in the most profound kind of unalterable death about which you can do nothing. And if you understand there is no human merit, there is no human effort, there is nothing we can do to alter that situation or to please God.
Out of the doctrine of what I call utter human inability comes the doctrine of election. It was when I understood the sinfulness of man and the total inability of the sinner to do anything about his condition that I was left with nothing but the doctrine of election to solve that problem.

(Answering the Key Questions About the Doctrine of Election, Grace To You, GTY 106)

Which Picture Describes Today's Pastor?

What is the Purpose of the Church?

Before your fingers jumped to the keyboard give this a little thought. What is the church's purpose? I am not saying what is the christian's purpose. When the called out (christians) come together on a certain day what is their purpose? What should they do or be doing?

Before you start typing please consider scripture to support your view. What is the point to them getting together.

"Christian" Pragmatism

Isn't this what the church is doing? Since the church is more interested in growing rather than seeing people saved and displaying holiness I guess we need to be more like the world. Since the church is more interested in filling the pews than loving God we had better get the Maxwells, Hybels, Schullers and Osteens and maybe they can tell us how to be worldly enough to draw the masses; since that is our goal.

A Question for Everyone...What, in your opinion has happened to the church?

Would the early church fathers and apologists be proud as to what the church is like now? Has the church become what God wants it to be? Is it honoring God now? Maybe it is in some areas and maybe not in others? What do you think?

Are You Dancing? II -The Worship of Warren

I will borrow from a previous post to start off with.



An Organ Grinder was someone who traveled around town and played a tune on a portable organ for money. Oftentimes the grinder would have a monkey with him who would dance to the music and would walk around and collect money from those observing.

I bring up Organ Grinders because the church often reminds me of the monkey who dances around when the music starts playing. The question is, “Who is playing the music?”

Yes, I think the lost world is playing loud music. I also think that there are some possibly under the guise of “Christian” that are playing it; namely Rick Warren.

As a pastor I am sickened by the throng of “Christian” literature that is on the market that is meant to be a help in the ministry that I serve. We have Bible studies that are flavored with The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith and who knows what else. And then we have the plethora of Purpose Driven drivel.

Mr. Warren has international attention at his disposal at any moment. He sells truckloads of books and is considered the guru in church growth.

As a pastor the idea of church growth will get most of us to turn our heads for a second look. We want our churches to grow. We want to see the Kingdom enlarged. We want to see God honored and His people growing. But upon closer examination, the diet that we are being fed from Mr. Warren and his ilk is so watered down that I am not sure what it is supposed to resemble. Let me share a few concerns.

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“The last thing many believers need today is to go to another Bible study. They already know far more than they are putting into practice.” (Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life , 2002, pg. 231) [emphasis mine]
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I have had to read and re-read this quote many times. To me this is a lowering of the value of the Sword of the Spirit which is exactly what Satan wants for the Christian.

I must admit that I am very hesitant of something that the masses are falling in love with; especially if it is about the Lord. It seems that everything that Rick Warren says is put into print and sold at a price. Why should someone who wants to “help” pastors sell their ideas that supposedly came from God?

According to Romans 3.23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

This alone lets me know since everyone is born a sinner and separated from God that their nature will run from anything that does not glorify the flesh. It reminds me of when I was a child and I would be playing and then…there it was. The ringing bell! It was none other than the ice cream truck as he drove through the neighborhood ringing his bell. Children would scramble for change and bolt out the door to see if they could catch him.

So, ministries and bookstores tell us that our ministries are not complete or fulfilling the calling that Lord has placed on our lives until we read the latest offering of Purpose Driven nonsense.

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How to increase baptisms at your church
by Rick Warren
As pastors, we all want to see more people celebrate brand-new relationships with Christ through baptism. Nothing symbolizes life change like it. We’ve baptized more than 20,000 people in the past 26 years at Saddleback. Along the way, I’ve learned a thing or two about giving people an opportunity to make this kind of commitment. Here are some tips to help your church increase its number of baptisms.
http://www.pastors.com/RWMT/?id=267&artid=9616&expand=1 [emphasis mine]
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I suppose by the numbers stated above that I should listen to his “thing or two” about moving people to make this commitment.

I remember serving as an associate pastor in North Georgia where I served under a godly pastor who is now with the Lord. I distinctly remember him being questioned by the pastor search committee. “Can you tell us how many people you baptized in your last church?” The soon to-be pastor said, “If you will tell me how many people look like Christ in this church I will tell you how many I baptized in my last church.” They sat silent. At that moment God starting teaching me that it was His business to save and it was my business to be holy and share Him. It was not my business to bring the masses in and have membership and baptism campaigns.

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Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 1Cor. 3.5-6 [emphasis mine]
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It appears that as pastors we have been led (slight of hand?) to focus solely on numbers, comforting sinners, solving the social ills of today, and getting along with each other and all the while ignoring the holiness of God, the demands of God, the sin of man and the substitute provided by God.

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“What you win people with is what you win people to.”
-The godly pastor that I mentioned earlier
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As pastors we are to hold God and His perfect Son up for everyone to see.
It is our job as pastors to teach the church to put Jesus Christ on display. We are to reflect the image of Christ to a lost world. We are not to “draw” people in with our music, youth programs and whatever else we can muster. We have to let them know of the demands of God. We have to let them know of His holiness and their sinfulness. We have to let them know that they are separated from God and without His intervention first, they are Hell bound. This is not about scaring people; it is about the facts laid out in Holy Writ.

The only way that a sinner can be changed and reflect the image of Jesus Christ is for God’s Spirit to invade that person’s heart and change them.
We are not to make a sinner comfortable in his/her sin. To do so would be to compromise His holiness and righteousness.

Pastors, I encourage you not to abandon the Word of God for a book-study or how-to methods. Mr. Warren is not the guru in church growth. He is the guru in growing a business that he calls a church.

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So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2.46-47 [emphasis mine]
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Who is playing the music that you are dancing to?

Interesting

As I have said before, people get cranked up over my posts about Catholicism being a cult.

For those of you that are Catholic, read this post.

"The greatest obstacle to the Gospel is silence. By remaining silent and hoping that our Christian life will testify for itself we fail to keep the Lord's commandment. The commandment, "go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." means to go and speak the Word to the Catholic! The majority of Nuns and Priests and former Catholics that I know who have" ...Read more (Here)

Offended?

It is has come to my attention that a group of folks have been in an uproar over my post about Catholicism being a cult.

It seems that I have offended some by my lack of love for those of "another denomination."

Well, here is what Webster's says about this term, denomination.

Denomination- "a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices"

Can I rightly claim that Protestant churches believe this web of lies that the Catholic Church adheres to?

Please continue reading as I add some clarity to this subject.

Christ’s redemptive activity finds its apogee in the death of sacrifice on the cross. On this account it is by excellence but not exclusively the efficient cause of our redemption....No one can be just to whom the merits of Christ’s passion have not been communicated. It is a fundamental doctrine of St. Paul that salvation can be acquired only by the grace merited by Christ (Ludwig Ott, Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma (Rockford: Tan, 1974), pp. 185, 190).

Are the sacraments necessary for salvation?
According to the way God has willed that we be saved the sacraments are necessary for salvation
(John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Questions # 401, 402, 461, 462, 1119).

If any one saith that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation...and that without them, or without the desire thereof, men obtain from God, through faith alone, the grace of justification...let him be anathema (The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent. Found in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1919), Canon IV, p. 119).

Penance is...necessary because we must expiate and make reparation for the punishment which is due our sins...We make satisfaction for our sins by every good act we perform in the state of grace but especially by prayer, penance and the practice of charity (John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Question #1320).

The Sacrifice of the altar... is no mere empty commemoration of the Passion and death of Jesus Christ, but a true and proper act of sacrifice. Christ, the eternal High Priest, in an unbloody way offers himself a most acceptable Victim to the eternal Father as He did upon the Cross...In the Mass, no less than on Calvary, Jesus really offers His life to His heavenly Father...The Mass, therefore, no less than the Cross, is expiatory for sins (emphasis mine) (John Hardon, The Question and Answer Catholic Catechism (Garden City: Image, 1981), Questions #1265, 1269, 1277).

THESE COMMENTS OFFEND ME. THEY ARE TOTALLY DEMONIC!!!!!!

I guess that I am "cursed" since I belive in Grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone.

If this is not enough to convince someone that Catholicism is a cult then I seriously question their understanding of the gospel message and salvation.

In the end. I am not worried if the truth offends you. SIN OFFENDS GOD EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY.

No, this is not self-righteousness on my part. This is me bringing to the surface what another RELIGION, not demination believes.

How To Raise a Crook

I came across this several years ago.

HOW TO RAISE A CROOK

1. Give him/her everything they want. This way they will grow up to believe that the world owes them a living.
2. Never give him spiritual training. Wait until he is twenty-one and then let him decide for himself.
3. Avoid using the word “wrong.” It might make him feel guilty and his school-work may suffer.
4. Do not make him work at home. Do his work for him, so he will learn at an early age to leave responsibility to others.
5. Let him watch anything he wants, so he can learn from television how to get along in the world.
6. Give him spending money so he won’t be frustrated by having to earn his own.
7. Do not make rules for him-you might make him angry at you.
8. When he gets bad grades, blame the teachers.
9. When he gets in trouble at school, blame the principal.
10. When he loses his job, blame the boss.
11. When he gets caught drunk driving, blame his friends.
12. Let him experiment with sex, alcohol, and drugs so he will be able to make an educated decision.
13. Buy him a car as soon as he can drive so he will have the freedom to go wherever he wants.

--from The Presbyterian Journal

Are You Dancing?

An Organ Grinder was someone who traveled around town and played a tune on a portable organ for money. Oftentimes the grinder would have a monkey with him who would dance to the music and would walk around and collect money from those observing.

I bring up Organ Grinders because the church often reminds me of the monkey who dances around when the music starts playing. The question is, “Who is playing the music?”

I think the music makers are those that are not Christians or those that leave you wondering if they are.

For some reason the church (Christians) think that they have to dance (keep in step, imitate, copy) those that are not Christians. We act like them, dress like them, talk like them, and have many, if not most, of the habits and ways of those who are not going to Heaven.

There is no holiness in the church just conformity. If it feels good, looks good or sounds good, do it.

“God loves all kinds of music because he invented it all – fast and slow, loud and soft, old and new. You probably don’t like it all, but God does” Purpose Driven Life, page 65

What if the music glorifies self, sex, or sin? God approves?

Some would say that the church just wants to be relevant and culturally in-touch. That seems to be what Rick Warren wants for the church. The social gospel is more important than preaching Christ and Him crucified. It seems that if your church is not drawing lost people to it then you are dead in the water. That's why you need to buy this product or that subscription to boost your numbers and get'em comin'.

But how are you going to draw lost people to church without entertaining them? If church is not entertaining then they do not want to come. But when was the church supposed to be about fun and entertainment? I thought it was about lifting up the holiness of God, the sinfulness of men and teaching His people to do the work of the ministry.

What I see going on is a major down-playing of beliefs and more of a "feeling" type of salvation.

On page 34 of Purpose Driven Life Warren says: “God won’t ask about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?”

What Jesus are we talking about here? The Jehovah Witnesses version, the Emergent version, the Catholic version, or the Jesus in the Bible?

Doctrinal views are your belief system. They are inseparable.

I think one of the big problems here is one word-Compromise.

You see, our goal in church should not be to fill it up. Our goal should be to point people to Christ and to encourage them to imitate Him. We should learn more about denying self instead of pleasing self. We need to hear that we are sinners hopeless without Christ and that we need to be abandoned to Christ. But...that does not make people come back. Little Johnny did not like the preacher talking about Hell being a real place. Dad did not like the preacher preaching against self-help techniques. Mom did not like when the preacher preached on submission.

So, where does that leave us? Rick Warren wants to make the lost man comfortable. And then we wonder why the church has lost its flavor (salt) and why world looks at us and laughs. We act no different than the cussing, drinking, staring at women, cheating on taxes, griping, lazy man who cares nothing about going to Heaven.

Why should the world take notice of us? Why should they be impressed with Christianity? When the people (Christians) who represent Christianity do their best to look like the world they are bringing reproach on themselves, the church and ultimately, Jesus.

We are called to be in this world, not of it. The world around us should see a striking difference between ourselves and those who care nothing about the cross of Christ.

What tune are you dancing to?

Cults- Jehovah's Witnesses-Watchtowerites

No doubt the hardest working cultists are the JW's. WOW, can they work!! But hey, if you promote that you are saved through your works then people will work.

Let's look at what this hellish religion believes.

- There is one God in one person, Make Sure of All Things, p 188.
- There is no Trinity, Let God be True, p. 100-101; Make Sure of All Things, p.386.
- The Holy Spirit is a force, not alive, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 406-407.
- The Holy Spirit is God's impersonal active force, The Watchtower, June 1, 1952, p. 24.
- Jehovah's first creation was his 'only-begotten Son'. . . was used by Jehovah in creating all other things", Aid to Bible Understanding, pp. 390-391.
- Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man, The Watchtower, May 15, 1963, p. 307; The New World, 284.
- Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 306.
- Jesus did not rise from the dead in his physical body, Awake! July 22, 1973, p. 4.
- Jesus was raised "not a human creature, but a spirit." Let God be True, p. 276.
- Jesus was born again, The Watchtower, Nov. 15, 1954, p. 682.
- Jesus did not die on a cross but on a stake, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 89-90.
- Jesus began his invisible rule over the earth in 1914, The Truth Shall Make You Free, p. 300.

- Jesus' ransom sacrifice did not include Adam, Let God be True, p. 119.
- Their church is the self-proclaimed prophet of God, The Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197.
- They claim to be the only channel of God's truth, The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1981, p. 19.
- Only their church members will be saved, The Watchtower, Feb, 15, 1979, p. 30.
- Good works are necessary for salvation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pp. 150, 152.
- The soul ceases to exist after death, Let God be True, p. 59, 60, 67.
- There is no hell of fire where the wicked are punished, Let God be True, p. 79, 80.
- Only 144,000 Jehovah's Witness go to heaven, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 166-167, 361; Let God be True, p. 121.
- Only the 144,000 Jehovah's Witness are born again. Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p. 76.; Watchtower 11/15/54, p. 681.
- Blood transfusions are a sin, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 72-73.
- The Cross is a pagan symbol and should not be used, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 90-92.
- Salvation is by faith and what you do, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pp. 150,152.
- It is possible to lose your salvation, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp. 358-359.
- The universe is billions of years old, Your will Be Done on Earth, p. 43.
- Each of the 6 creative days of God in Genesis 1, was 7000 years long. Therefore, Man was created toward the end of 42,000 years of earth's preparation, Let God be True, p. 168.

- Satan was entrusted with the obligation and charged with the duty of overseeing the creation of the earth, Children, p 55

In the end the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society is the god of the JW's. Whatever the Watchtower prints it is absolute truth and cannot be questioned.

When you study with the Jehovah's Witness, you agree to attend five meetings a week where you are taught from Watchtower literature. You cannot be baptized until you have studied their material for at least six months and have answered numerous questions before a panel of elders. Men are not supposed have long hair or wear beards and women are to dress in modest apparel. They refuse to vote, salute the flag, sing the "Star Spangled Banner, celebrate birthdays or Christmas, won't take blood transfusions, and they can't join the armed forces. A schedule of door-to-door canvassing is required where you distribute the Watchtower literature, acquire donations, and forward all monies to the headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. If you ever leave the Jehovah's Witness organization, you are considered an apostate and are to be shunned.

Here is a little interesting side-note. The JW's bible (small "b" because their bible does not deserve a "B") is the New World Translation. They have done their best to remove references that would give any idea that Jesus is God in the flesh. I have learned over the years that they did not do a good enough job removing all occurances. If a JW comes to your door have them bring out their bible and go over these verses with them in this order:

-Ask them in Rev. 1.8 who the Alpha and the Omega is. They will say God.

-Then ask them to turn to Rev. 21.5-7. Ask them again who is the Alpha and the Omega. They will say God.

-Then ask them to turn to Rev. 22.13. Ask them again who is the Alpha and the Omega. They will say God.

-Lastly, ask them to turn to Rev. 1.17-18. Ask them who the First and the Last is in v. 17. They should say God. Then ask them who is this in v. 18 who died. Only Jesus, God in the flesh died and rose again.

Also, another note. The next time you have one come to your door, offer him/her a gospel tract or some Christian literature. A good JW WILL NOT take your literature because it is false to them. Then you tell them you will not take their literature if they will not take yours.

Cults- Mormonism-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I have had a lot of dealings with those in the previously mentioned cults but none have I spoken with more, than Mormons. This cult, besides the Masonic Lodge (Masons), is the most deceptive group that I know of. It is totally demonic to the core. Its members call themselves Mormon Christians and also attempt to deceive others by promoting free KJV Bibles and family friendly movies.

Here are the key doctrinal points that need to be mentioned.

-God God used to be a man on another planet, Mormon Doctrine, p. 321. Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Vol 5, pp. 613-614; Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, Vol 2, p. 345, Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, vol. 7, p. 333.) "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s..." (D&C 130:22). God is in the form of a man, (Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 6, p. 3.) "God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!!! . . . We have imagined that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea and take away the veil, so that you may see" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 345 God the Father had a Father, (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 476; Heber C. Kimball, Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 19; Milton Hunter, First Council of the Seventy, Gospel through the Ages, p. 104-105.) God resides near a star called Kolob, (Pearl of Great Price, pages 34-35; Mormon Doctrine, p. 428.) God had sexual relations with Mary to make the body of Jesus, (Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 4, p. 218, 1857; vol. 8, p. 115.) - This one is disputed among many Mormons and not always 'officially' taught and believed. Nevertheless, Young, the 2nd prophet of the Mormon Church taught it. "Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38).

-Jesus The first spirit to be born in heaven was Jesus, (Mormon Doctrine, page 129.) Jesus and Satan are spirit brothers and we were all born as siblings in heaven to them both, (Mormon Doctrine, p. 163; Gospel Through the Ages, p. 15.) Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p. 247, 1856.) "Therefore we know that both the Father and the Son are in form and stature perfect men; each of them possesses a tangible body . . . of flesh and bones." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 38). "The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood - was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers." (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 8: p. 115). "Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers" (Mormon Doctrine," by Bruce McConkie, p. 547). "Christ Not Begotten of Holy Ghost ...Christ was begotten of God. He was not born without the aid of Man, and that Man was God!" (Doctrines of Salvation, Joseph Fielding Smith, 1954, 1:18). "Elohim is literally the Father of the spirit of Jesus Christ and also of the body in which Jesus Christ performed His mission in the flesh ..." (First Presidency and Council of the Twelve, 1916, God the Father, compiled by Gordon Allred, pg. 150).

-Trinity, the The trinity is three separate Gods: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. "That these three are separate individuals, physically distinct from each other, is demonstrated by the accepted records of divine dealings with man." (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 35.) "Many men say there is one God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost are only one God. I say that is a strange God [anyhow]--three in one and one in three. . . It is curious organization… All are crammed into one God according to sectarianism (Christian faith). It would make the biggest God in all the world. He would be a wonderfully big God--he would be a giant or a monster." (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 372).

-Salvation "One of the most fallacious doctrines originated by Satan and propounded by man is that man is saved alone by the grace of God; that belief in Jesus Christ alone is all that is needed for salvation." (Miracle of Forgiveness, Spencer W. Kimball, p. 206.) A plan of salvation was needed for the people of earth so Jesus offered a plan to the Father and Satan offered a plan to the father but Jesus' plan was accepted. In effect the Devil wanted to be the Savior of all Mankind and to "deny men their agency and to dethrone god." (Mormon Doctrine, page 193; Journal of Discourses, vol. 6, page 8.) Jesus' sacrifice was not able to cleanse us from all our sins, (murder and repeated adultery are exceptions), (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 3, p. 247, 1856.) Good works are necessary for salvation, Articles of Faith, p. 92.) There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, (Doctrines of Salvation, Vol. 1, p. 188.) "The first effect [of the atonement] is to secure to all mankind alike, exemption from the penalty of the fall, thus providing a plan of General Salvation. The second effect is to open a way for Individual Salvation whereby mankind may secure remission of personal sins (Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 78-79.) "As these sins are the result of individual acts it is just that forgiveness for them should be conditioned on individual compliance with prescribed requirements -- 'obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.'" (Articles of Faith p. 79). "This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts" (LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 697). "We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do," (2 Nephi 25:23).

1) God the Father is married and there is a Mother God (Answers to Gospel Questions, Joseph Fielding Smith, Vol. 3, pp. 143-144).2) All men and women who have ever lived on Earth are the spirit offspring of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. Every person was conceived and born in a pre-existent spiritual realm (Mormon Doctrine, p. 589).3) Black people are black because of their misdeeds in the pre-existence (Three Degrees of Glory, LDS Apostle Melvin J. Ballard, p. 21).4) Temple ceremonies include Baptism for the Dead, Washing and Anointing for the living and the dead (Mormon Doctrine, McConkie, pp. 72-74, 226-228).5) Salvation or exaltation, whereby men become gods, is based on one's own good works or merit (Church News, October 8, 1988, p. 23 and The Religion of the Latter-day Saints, Lowell Bennion, LDS Institute of Religion Director, p. 160).6) The Bible is considered usable, but suspect due to its many errors and missing parts (Articles of Faith No. 8, Ensign January 1989, pp. 25, 27).

This is only a tip of the iceberg in reference to info about Mormons.

Cults- Halloween

I know that Halloween is a not necessarily a religion but I felt it would be good to go over this subject this time of year.

I am absolutely amazed at the money that gets poured into this wicked celebration. It seems that there is no such thing as Thanksgiving during the Fall. Once the pumpkins and skeletons are hung up you can bank on it that Frosty and Santa are also coming out soon.

As a Christian should we celebrate this "holiday?" I think it helps to study what it is and the purpose of it to come to an answer. Otherwise, it is just a matter of opinion as to whether to celebrate it or not.

The word Halloween is derived from the term "All Hallows Eve" which occurred on Oct. 31, the end of summer in Northwestern Europe. "All Saints Day," or "All Hallows Day" was the next Day, Nov. 1st. Therefore, Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.

Michael Judge, writing for the New Age periodical Common Boundary explains Halloween probably began between 1000 and 100 B.C. among the Celtic people. The actual holiday was a commemoration of the new year (Sep./Oct. 1993, p. 29). It was at this time of the year that Baal, the Celtic god of Spring and Summer, ended his reign. It was also when the Lord of the Dead, Samhain, began his reign (Ibid.).

Proinsias MacCana writes, "During this interval the normal order of the universe is suspended, the barriers between the natural and the supernatural are temporarily removed, the sidh lies open and all divine beings and the spirits of the dead move freely among men and interfere, sometimes violently, in their affairs" (Celtic Mythology, p. 127).

As a part of the Druid festival, men and women had to fear not only the departed spirits, who were to return during the evening hours, they must also fear the Druid priests themselves. It was a time of mass human sacrifice. "Men and women, young and old, criminals and innocents, were forced into huge wooden and thatch cages. Often these cages were fashioned in the shape of giants - `wicker men' - perhaps representations of Samhain himself. At a signal from the presiding Druids, these immense structures were torched, everything in them burned to cinders." After the sacrifices, the Druids held thanksgiving meals around "roaring bonfires" (Common Boundary, Sep./Oct. 1993, p. 30).

It was believed by the Druids that during Samhain, the dead would play "tricks on mankind and caused panic and destruction. They had then to be appeased" (Ibid., Vol. 4, p. 440). Part of this appeasement process involved the giving of food to the spirits as they visited the homes. This formed the foundation of the modern practice of "trick or treat."

Another common belief of the Celts was the idea that those who had died the previous year "had been transformed into animals." Thus, to welcome the dead on this sacred night, the Celts "dressed as animals." Then, "As the dawn broke, they made a great parade to the edge of the settlement, in hopes of leading the ghosts into paradise" (Common Boundary, Sep./Oct. 1993, p. 30).

What does the Bible say about Halloween? Nothing. But it does speak concerning witches, the occult, and paganism.
Exodus 22:18, You shall not let a witch live.

Deut. 18:10-12, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD…"

The Bible definitely speaks negatively about occultic practices, spirits, and witches and condemns not only the practice but also the people who are involved in it. As Christians, we are to have nothing to do with the occult. Tarot Cards, contacting the dead, séances, lucky charms, etc., are all unbiblical and can harm a Christian's fellowship with God and open the Christian to demonic oppression. Most Christians know this and avoid these activities.

Just as the Celtic religion of Druidism had incorporated costumes from its Roman conquerors (Pomona worship, with her horn of plenty and sacred apples), so the Celtic religion adapted to its new environment. Things in America were different than they had been in Ireland. America possessed a bountiful harvest of a new product - the pumpkin.The Irish also did something that has become the indelible symbol of Halloween in America - they made jack-o-lanterns. The original jack-o-lanterns were potatoes or turnips carved and illuminated by Irish children and used to light Halloween gatherings. They commemorated Jack, a shifty Irish villain so wicked that neither heaven nor the Devil wanted him. Rejected by both the sacred and profane, he wandered the world endlessly looking for a place to rest, his only warmth a glittering candle in a rotten potato" (Common Boundary, Sep./Oct. 1993, p. 31). Hence, the jack-o-lantern finds its historical place in the history and religion of the Celtic people.

Romans honored the dead with a festival called Feralia in late October. It honored Pomona, their goddess of fruit trees who was often pictured wearing a crown of apples. During this festival, they ran races and played games to honor the "Apple Queen" and used omens such as apple parings thrown over the shoulder or nuts burned in the fire in order to predict the future concerning their marital prospects. When the Romans conquered the Celts, they combined local Samhain customs with their own pagan harvest festival. Bobbing for apples was derived from this blended pagan celebration.

I want to offer my thanks to Matt Slick, Rick Branch, and James Walker for much of the information provided here.

In the end, who in Christianity would want to be associated with such wickedness?

It does not matter how much fun you had growing up and dressing up or if you were only participating to have a little fun and candy. I say go buy a bag of candy and spend some time with your family.

Colossians 3.1-2
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Cults- Islam

I apologize for the long periods between my posts. I will work on being more consistent.

I also would like to say that most of us write different than we speak. I am no different. At the same time, I do not think that is a good nor honest way of communicating with others. So, from this point on I will try to write exactly how I would speak of it at home.

I would like to say that since I've been a Christian I have always believed that the Islamic religion/belief system is a cult. Their religion is the very definition of a cult. So, I have not just determined this since 9/11, the World Trade Center bombing in the early 90's, Kobal Towers, or the Cole attack. My comments are in bold.

I will start with the five pillars (beliefs or tenets) of Islam:

1. Shahada- The Islamic proclamation that "There is no true God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
I suppose that we could stop there and proclaim that this is cultic in its very foundation.

2. Salat- Prayer- Prayer involves confession of sins which begins with the purification of the body and ends with the purification of the soul. Prayer is performed five times a day. The first prayer is at dawn and the last at sunset. The names of the prayers are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha. The Maghrib prayer is the sunset prayer. Isha is the prayer that is said after sunset. There is also a prayer that is said right after Fajr known as Shurooq.
To whom are they praying?

3. Saum- Fasting The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting in Islam. It is an act of worship where the faithful follower denies his own needs and seeks Allah. Usually, this fasting entails no drinking, eating during, or sexual relations during the daylight hours for the entire month of Ramadan.

4. Zakat- Almsgiving or Charity Charity given to the poor. It benefits the poor and it helps the giver by moving him towards more holiness and submission to Allah. Alms-giving is considered a form of worship to God.

5. Hajj- Pilgrimage This is the pilgrimage to Mecca. All Muslims, if they are able, are to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. It involves financial sacrifice and is an act of worship. Muslims must make the pilgrimage the first half of the last month of the lunar year.

Muslims claim that only the Quran is trustworthy and that the other scriptures have been compromised because we do not posses their original manuscripts. The Koran (Qur'an) is the inspired word of Allah given to people through the Prophet Muhammad and it supercedes all other scriptures before it including. It alone is inerrant and trustworthy as a revelation for today. It is unchanged from the beginning.

In reference to Jesus Muslims believe He was a very great prophet, second only to Muhammad. Jesus is not the son of God (9:30) and certainly is not divine (5:17, 75)) and he was not crucified (4:157). These references are in the Qur'an.

Salvation-If your good deeds exceed your bad deeds, and you believe in Allah, and sincerely repent of sins, you may go to heaven (3:135; 7:8-9; 21:47; 49:14; 66:8-9). There is an eternal hell for those who are not Muslims, not practicing and of the truth faith (3:77). These references are in the Qur'an.

About God in general... There is only one God (5:73; 112:1-4). God is called Allah by Muslims (5:73) Allah sees all things (40:20), is present everywhere (2:115; 7:7). Allah is the sole creator and sustainer of the universe (3:191). Allah is not a Trinity, but is one (5:73). Allah is all-knowing (2:268; 10:61) and all powerful (6:61-62). Allah created the heaven and earth (2:29; 6:1, 73; 25:61-62; 36:81; 46:33).
These references are in the Qur'an.

I feel that this is an open-shut case. To give more info would be wasting my time and yours. This belief system and the others previously mentioned are from Hell. This is not an unloving comment but the truth.