Actor Kirk Cameron takes on the Darwinists

from JBS

Actor Kirk Cameron is finding himself at the center of a firestorm because of his beliefs. Since his conversion to Christianity from atheism 20 years ago, Cameron has become increasingly outspoken concerning his faith in recent years. Now, in this purported “Year of Darwin,” the 38-year-old actor has become active in countering…more

National Repentance or National Judgment which will it be?

In a previous post I mentioned that I consider Obama to be an enemy of the Cross of Christ. I consider him this for several reasons, but at the top of the list is his inability to take a clear stand as a Christian. What I mean is he says he is a Christian, but when interviewed about what that means he can not point to a clear point of faith. In fact what he does is say he is a Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu and Buddhist. Being a Christian is not a pot luck, but a feast celebrating the completed work of Christ on our behalf. A Christian can only be a Christian and nothing else. This post here explains a lot of the reasons why I feel that pointing out Obama’s lack of a true Christian faith makes him an enemy of Christ. Included in this is also his stand on and support of abortion on demand. This is a big issue with Christians and is not going to go away ever.

And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.  (1Ki 16:33)

Apparently it is possible to provoke God to anger, just what does one have to do to make God angry? Especially considering what the Psalmist King David had to say about God’s anger. The purpose I have here is in the form of a warning for America starting from the top to the least of our citizens. We are provoking the Lord to anger by our willful sinning.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  (Psa 103:8)

David tells us that God is slow to anger, not that the Lord does not get angry. The Lord is merciful, gracious and loving, even willing to show mercy, but He can be provoked to anger. Ahab was a descendent of kings of Israel and hence a descendent of King David, but Ahab provoked the Lord God to anger. Ahab was the bad guy king of the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. What kinds of things did Ahab do to provoke the Lord to anger. First we are told that Ahab did evil in the sight of God, but much worst then that he did so more then all of those before him. It could be said that Ahab had so angered the Lord that judgement had become not a remote possibility, but a very urgent possibility.

And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.  (1Ki 16:30)

Ahab, just as if it was not anything at all took to himself the daughter of one of the enemies of Israel. To top his sin off, he joined here church and worshipped her god.

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.  (1Ki 16:31)

However, Ahab was not even content enough to be just a member of his wife’s church and religion, he became a contributor to their building plans.

And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.  (1Ki 16:32)

Then he set to installing all of the idols into the place, the groves here were kind of like a sacred forest. More, like a place to go for pagan orgies and the sacrifice of children to this pagan church. He had finally provoked the Lord God of Israel in a way that none of the kings before him had been able to do.

And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.  (1Ki 16:33)

What was  completely wrong here was that Israel had come to a place that they no longer served and worshipped the Lord God alone. They had forsaken Him all together and turned to serving idols. America has been traveling a well worn path for the last 100 years or so. It has come to the place that now they have completely forsaken even the rudiments of the Christian faith and turned to worshipping at the altar of the modern form of Baal and Molech. America has chosen to sacrifice it’s unborn children to Molech and we do not even seem to care what is going to happen to us. Abortion is murder, but it is really much more then that it is human sacrifice on the altar of what is convenient. Humanism has led us down a trail from which the only salvation is for the Lord to judge America.

And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.  (Lev 18:21)

There are going to be those who make the accusation that the Lord is loving and won’t judge America. You would be very wrong in that, because the Lord not only will judge America, but is doing it even as you read these words. Not only is God judging America because of the murder of the unborn children, but he is also doing it because of the mistaken idea that we should allow people to do anything they like, including homosexuality. Note these are the Lord’s Words and hence the Word of God and not mine. Any argument against what is said here is against what God says.

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.  (Lev 18:22)

We as a nation have lifted sex up to a place of worship. We as a nation worship at the altar of man’s sinful defiled nature. We worship sexual fornication of all types as a nation and have absolutely no remorse for our actions. How can we dare say that we as a people believe in God, when we won’t even obey Him. Maybe because Americans who claim to believe in God are not actually believers in the first place, but are worshippers of Baal and Molech.

Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.  (Lev 18:23)

The Lord’s promise is to cast out the nations who have defiled themselves after the manner of the pagan nations. This means America if we will not come to a place of national repentance. This means tearing down Roe vs Wade and abandoning the defense of gay rights at the highest levels. This means supporting the nation of Israel fully. This means listening to our national prophets instead of taping their mouths shut.

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:  (Lev 18:24)

The Lord’s promise is to bring judgement on the nations. In fact, one only need to read through the book of Revelation to come to the conclusion that God is not only a God of love and always has been, but He is also Holy and a God of judgement on the nations. The land here was ancient Israel, but it can just as easily be America, our land has become defiled, it is no longer the great nation it was, but is now moving under the mighty hand of God as judge. Which will it be to take God as savior and Lord or remain in an unrepentant state and experience His wrath?

And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.  (Lev 18:25)

The rest of the context of Lev 18 is following this post. However, as a last part to this we need to take a further look at national repentance. This passage is often quoted by those who want to call America to prayer, but actually what this passage is saying is more about a change of direction, change of mind and change of attitude towards the Lord and the things of God.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2Ch 7:14)

(1) called by the Lord’s name. In the Old Testament way of looking at this it was Israel, because that was who represented God in this world. Today, the Lord works through those who are real Christians and not just those who make a show at calling themselves Christian. What is meant here is those who God says are believers, not those who say or claim to be something they are not.

(2) true humility. Wow! We are probably the most unhumble people in history, we are “a cold, cruel, and hard hearted” people being led by a man who is a “a cold, cruel, and hard hearted man, a wolf in sheep’s clothing”. If ever a nation needed true humility we do

(3) real prayer, not what actually pass’s for prayer today. We have come to a place that we have national prayer meetings, which are just a farce. These are definitely not true prayer meetings, because true prayer meetings are those who are between true believers and their Holy God. Prayer can be a life changing experience or a fruitless effort from fruitless people.

(4) seeking God. Seeking out the Lord in prayer can only be done by one who really, really believes in the Lord in the first place. It is a lie that says God listens to the prayers of those who do not mean a single word they say. If you really do want to seek God out in prayer, then He has open arms to receive you. If you really want the Lord to change America, then you must seek Him out in faith and repentance.

(5) turn (repent) from wicked ways, which become recognized as the sin it is. This means to understand that our wicked ways are indeed rebellion against the Lord God. Out of repentance for our wicked ways as a people comes true Godly repentance. This is the sack cloth and ash’s of the old testament a true disdain for our actions and beliefs.

(6) receive forgiveness. The Lord will not forgive if there is no repentance, these two things are always connected in scripture, repentance and forgiveness.

(7) finally after all of this, then the Lord will heal our great land, but until this occurs America is still in the line to receive judgment. At this point in time it is obvious to me that we are not going to repent as a people. There are several things that are against us in this respect. Probably the most important problem lies in the White House. I am not suggesting that Obama is an adulterer, but his support for abortion is causing America to sin. Just substitute abortion for adultery and see what it sounds like.

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, he thought that being the King could insulate him from the Lord’s judgment. The problem for David was that the Lord saw what the King did and then revealed it to a prophet of God. One of the most interesting encounters in the Old Testament was between David and the prophet Nathan. David had taken another mans wife and then had her husband murdered. For this sin, even with David’s repentance, the Lord judged the nation. This judgement was no light thing, but caused the death of many in Israel be fore God’s wrath was vented. Notice this judgement started at the top. For the full story go to 2 Samuel 12.

The true believer in Christ is found perfect in Christ positionaly, because Christ fulfilled the demands of the old testament ceremonial law. This are the statues having to do with offerings and sacrifices. The moral law or Decalogue also known as the ten commandments are just as applicable today as they are in the day into which they were written. They were not meant to be a means of salvation, but to point out the necessity of salvation. Christ paid for the penalty that goes with transgressing the moral law. Mankind needs to be saved by personal faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, salvation is not offered in any other way to man, no other religion or philosophy can do this. So when the Lord God says we are to keep His statutes and judgements He meant that the abominations were wrong no mater what age in which they are committed.

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:  (Lev 18:26)

I think in a certain respect that the land we know as America has been damned simply because we have chosen to ignore the commandments of God. We have looked to find out ways to explain away our responsibility to live like God commands. In other words we have found ways around the thou shalt’s and the thou shalt not’s of the bible and some of them will not keep you away from the judgement to come. We are seeing all kinds of abominations happening all around us and do not seem to even bat an eye lash over it. The real big problem here is that we as believers have not made our final stand and until we do really stand up these are left to their devices. Do not get me wrong this does not mean that we should do anything at all to those who are in disobedience, but we can not tolerate silence on the part of the pulpits of America

(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)  (Lev 18:27)

Sin never goes un punished by the Lord ever, even if we think it does. A person can either have forgiveness through the gospel of Christ or stand before the judgement seat of God (also known as the great white throne). We use nice words to describe sin, but the Lord calls it an abomination, how dare we try to trump God.

That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.  (Lev 18:28)

Ultimately the fact is that the Lord holds us accountable for our acts. It maters not what nation we are talking about the abominations mentioned in Lev. 18:27 are in violation of the Word of God. When a nation that was or is after the Judeo Christian ethos, does these abominable things today it really makes one want to ponder the following two verses. Especially when the Lord says that they are not to commit “any one of these abominable customs”, if this was written today certainly the author would have abortion in mind. Certainly God holds us responsible for what happens in our land and to our land.

For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.  (Lev 18:29)

Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.  (Lev 18:30)

Enemies of the cross

All those who do not follow the Christ of scripture and particularly own HIM as their savior are considered to be enemies of the cross. Further, those who claim to be Christians and yet do not hold to what the scriptures layout are not Christians no mater how hard they argue. In the case of Obama he is in a place to teach his own brand of syncretism of different faiths. This makes him an enemy of the cross.(see my recent post) Then the scriptures do tell us to love our enemies, but this does not mean to say our enemies are right in their beliefs. Their are many fellow travelers to those who hold that a person can be gay and be a Christian, those who say it is ok and those who practice this sin are both under the judgement of God Almighty. Their is absolutely nothing warped about being a Christian and looking to the Bible as our guide to life and the life to come.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  (Php 3:8)

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (Php 3:9)

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (Php 3:10)

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  (Php 3:11)

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  (Php 3:12)

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (Php 3:13)

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  (Php 3:14)

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.  (Php 3:15)

Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.  (Php 3:16)

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  (Php 3:17)

(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  (Php 3:18)

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)  (Php 3:19)

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:  (Php 3:20)

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.  (Php 3:21)

As A Man Thinketh So is He.

“The inner thought world determines the outward action (Schaeffer, 20)

Human action always starts from our inner thoughts. “As a man thinks so is he” is taken in part from Proverbs 23:7, is very true our actions good or bad always start from what we are thinking. A Christ centered individual should always act by first asking if this is what Christ would have me do. Being Christ centered means to also be scriptural and biblically motivated. If we are to be a Christian people who are in possession of a great deal of discernment, then we must be a scriptural and biblically oriented people. Everyone starts with some basic presuppositions and moves from these to actions.

Thoughts become our basic presuppositions and we catch these from our families. We do this much like we catch the common cold. “…people with more understanding realize that their presuppositions should be chosen after a careful consideration of what world view is true (Schaeffer, 20).” When it gets all gets gathered together there really only a handful of basic world views (Schaeffer, 20). For about the last 25 years or so Christians have been abandoning a Christian world view in favor of a secular world view. Many scientists if not all of them claim that they have no presuppositions, but when it comes right down to the fine points it is impossible to not have a basic supposition. If your presupposition says that there is no God, then all of your thoughts, acts and decisions are based on atheism. This creates a very biased way to look at the world. “–that is, although world views have many variations, there are not many basic world views or basic presuppositions (Schaeffer, 20).

Basically if we are to understand what is happening in our world we must examine the past. Today’s world is best understood by looking at these three areas in history, philosophy, science and religion. Philosophy seeks to provide an answer by approaching it from the view point of an intellectual answer to the basic questions. Science as we see it today seeks to find answers in “physical universe” and then “practical application” of these answers in the area of technology. To the scientist how he or she sees the direction of where they go with their research, is based on their philosophic world view. A religious view also determines what direction a person will take in their lives and for society as well (Schaeffer, 20).

We thus need to see an understanding as to what the main dilemmas are and then look at the past to determine where this came from historically. We could go all the way back, or just as far as the Greeks to give us the needed lessons from history. We could just go back to the Romans, “..because Roman civilization is the direct ancestor of the modern Western world (Schaeffer, 20). Rome was one of the worlds great world empires of history and we gained many great things from the Roman empire, “But it had no real answers to the basic problems that all humanity faces (Schaeffer, 21).

The Greek and Roman empires attempted to build their whole society on their concept of god, however they ran into a problem in this respect, because “..these gods were not big enough because they were finite, limited (Schaeffer 21). In fact their gods were just larger then life human beings and for that reason were unable to be any kind of sufficient answer, their gods were just “amplified humanity” and not “divinity” (Schaeffer, 21). Their gods were not big enough to provide a “reference point” or even permanent enough that could relate to real lives.  Their gods lacked the kind of strength that would stand up under strains either political or individual. Once their society collapsed their gods did too (Schaeffer, 21).

The net result is that anytime you trust in a god made by human hands and in a humans image you have the recipe for failure. The Romans failed, because their gods ultimately failed. Many in our day are trusting in man made religion to cope with the hard things of life. When self centered man seeks to have peace and affluence instead of a personal relationship to Jesus Christ the result will be exactly what we see today. The largest religion in America today is not Roman Catholic, Baptist, Protestant, Muslim or for that mater it is not even considered to be a religious organization, but it is–Humanism is the predominant religion in America today. Humanism has both a secular form and a religious form. Many religious organizations have now adopted religious humanism and have virtually replaced Christ in many of our nation’s churches with this idol for that mater so has the whole world.

THE HOLY AND CATHOLIC CHURCH IS NOT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

There is a major myth perpetually perpetrated by papal pretenders and their apostate Roman Catholicism that when we read the “holy and catholic church” in the ancient creeds this is actually a reference to the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). When the truth is the RCC itself is a false religious system, a pseudo-Christianity, which Dr. John MacArthur rightly calls the best front for the kingdom of Satan, as well as another religion entirely.

Men and women, as anyone familiar with the history of the ancient Christian Church knows the word “catholic” is actually derived from the Greek word katholikos, which is the one used in the early Creeds. In the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology we read that katholikos means:

“‘throughout the whole’ [of a thing]… When the term begins to appear in the [Creeds]…‘one holy catholic and apostolic church’ — it [means universal] and thus accents the unity of the church in spite of its wide diffusion.” (199)

In other words; these early Creeds refer to “all those called out to assemble”—or the “catholic”—as in universal and invisible Church all over the world. It’s not at all speaking of the Roman Catholic Church. Any Biblical scholar not blinded by his prejudices will tell you there simply was no recognized Pope in Rome until late into the sixth century as you are about to see.

Here is what Dr. Walter Martin (1928-1989), author of the classic textbook the Kingdom of the Cults and a recognized expert in the field of Comparative Religion, actually had to say about this myth being spread by the Church of Rome that it is the Church spoken of in the ancient creeds:

Let us learn what history has to say. Before the year 590 AD, with the ascension of Gregory the First, there was no centralized Roman authority. It was not until the tenth century, when the eastern and western churches split, that there was anything known as the Roman Catholic Church—tenth century of the Christian Era—a thousand years after the fact. (Roman Catholicism—Peter the Rock, Church Tradition and the Bible, CD Rom, available from Walter Martin’s Religious InfoNet)

These are the facts: Prior to that time there just wasn’t any primacy of the Roman Bishop. He was treated the same as any of the other prominent Bishops within the various early Councils of the ancient katholikos, or universal, Church. Now consider the following from William Webster in his book The Matthew 16 Controversy:

What was the attitude of the Ecumenical Councils towards the bishops of Rome? If Roman Catholic teaching is correct and [really] has been accepted throughout the history of the Church as orthodox, then the popes should have always exercised supreme authority over the Church and all Church Councils. We should find this historically acknowledged by the Councils both in teaching and proceedings. But the facts reveal a different story.

The Ecumenical Councils never viewed the position of the bishop of Rome as one of supreme authority over the Church.

The Councils, in fact, always operated independently of Rome and with authority derived, in their view, directly from the Holy Spirit, and not in any sense dependent on Roman approval. Contrary to seeing themselves under the authority of the Roman see, the Councils viewed the popes as subject to the authority of the Council itself,… (161,162, emphasis added).

Webster then goes on to discuss the famous Council of Nicea, which was “convoked by the emperor Constantine in 325 A.D. Canon 6 of this Council demonstrates that the church of Rome had a very limited jurisdiction which was not universal” (163).

Then in eminent church historian Philip Schaff’s classic History Of The Christian Church we find out that canon 6 of this Council states:

The Nicene fathers passed this canon not as introducing anything new, but merely as confirming an existing relation on the basis of church tradition; and that, with special reference to Alexandria, on account of the troubles existing there. Rome was named only for illustration; and Antioch and all the other eparchies or provinces were secured their admitted rights. The bishoprics of Alexandria, Rome, and Antioch were placed substantially on equal footing, yet in such tone, that Antioch, as the third capital of the Roman empire, already stands as a stepping stone to the ordinary metropolitans.

And finally Dr. James White, Director of Alpha & Omega Ministries—and a leading Christian apologist against Roman Catholicism—brings out an extremely important truth below when he says:

This canon is significant because it demonstrates that at this time there was no concept of a single universal head of the church with jurisdiction over everyone else. While later Roman bishops would claim such authority, resulting in the development of the papacy, at this time no Christian looked to one individual, or church, as the final authority.

This is important because often we hear it alleged that the Trinity, or the Nicene definition of the deity of Christ, is a “Roman Catholic” concept “forced” on the church by the pope. The simple fact of the matter is, when the bishops gathered at Nicea they did not acknowledge the bishop of Rome as anything more than the leader of the most influential church in the West. (Online source, emphasis added)

See also:

HAS THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH REALLY CHANGED?

ROMAN CATHOLICISM: A FALSE HOPE IS NO HOPE AT ALL

ROMAN CATHOLICISM: ANOTHER GOSPEL OF BAPTISM AND SACRAMENTS

THE DECEIVERS OF ROMAN CATHOLICISM

THINK YOU’RE A ROMAN CATHOLIC IF YOU DISAGREE WITH THE POPE; BETTER THINK AGAIN

Biola University Drifting from Evangelical Protestant Roots?

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

Apostate Roman Catholic Mystical Spiritual Formation Has No Place In The Body Of Christ

My friend and brother in arms along this often ugly and neglected Internet Front of the Truth War Jim Luppachino of Watcher’s Lamp points out the Pope Calls for World to Return to Mary’s Heart. If this phony fronting the Roman Catholic Church, perhaps the single best version of Christianity ever concocted by the Devil, meant the Mary of the Bible in a way it would be alright because she really loved the actual Jesus. But this antichrist doesn’t; he means the demon impersonating her in various “visions.” But what’s all this got to do with Biola University? If you’re not one of the multitudinous Rip Van Winkles masquerading as evangelical “leaders” within the visible church today and you have eyes that see read on.

Lately here at Apprising Ministries I have been warning the Body of Christ about apostatizing “Protestant” evangelicalism’s sordid lust affair with Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM) and its antibiblical Contemplative/Centering Prayer (CCP), which is all simply a reimagined form of the alleged ”Christian” mysticism from apostate Roman Catholicism. The reason for this is really quite simple, we are witnessing the spread of The Cult of Guru Richard Foster deep within mainstream Protestant evangelicalism and with it a neo-pietism masquerading as Spritiual Formation (SF) as espoused by Southern Baptist minister Dallas Willard and his spiritual twin Living Spiritual Teacher and Quaker mystic Richard Foster.

Unfortunately it remains to be seen if the Church has any ministers left with the intestinal fortiutude to publicly back what they have told me privately concerning the teachings of Richard Foster, who, following in classsic Quakerism, is a highly ecumenical Reformation-rejecting mystic who’s basic theology is already a repudiation of Sola Scriptura. Now I ’spose I ain’t the brightest bulb in the Lord’s lamp but even I can see it’s absolutely asinine that evangelical Protestants should turn to someone whose very messed up mystic musings are derived from major apostate voices of the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation movement.

Yet it simply a fact that Foster has been forming the basis of so-called SF in their Protestant seminary classes for years and as a result we are hearing way too much talk about so-called “spiritual disciplines.” As I pointed out in Means of Grace: Searching the Scriptures you need to understand that these are largely artificial repainted ascetic practices of Roman Catholic monks and monkettes which greatly contributed to God bringing about the Protestant Reformation in the first place. And yes, it was the Spirit of the Lord Who moved men like Martin Luther, who as a former monk had forgotten more about ascetic “disciplines” than mystic monk wannabes Foster and Willard will ever know.

If you’ve bought into their mystic malarkey of centered on the self spiritual formation I will remind you here that the Biblical term for growing in the grace of God is discipleship. And the proper term the Protestant Reformers would use for things e.g. like fasting, prayer and studying the Bible would be “the means of grace” and not the Roman Catholic term “spiritual disciplines,” which has now become a new form of pietism. And if you don’t think this has grown into a cult of Foster-Willard then consider just how many times these mystical dreamers with their  “feelings” from the flesh are appealed to in virtually every writing on the subject.

Sadly, we also have major voices within evangelicalism who are now trying to “save” terms associated with mysticism e.g. like “silence and solitude” and import them into the work of powerful men of God like Jonathan Edwards. The problem is mystics as far back as the deceived desert hermits used those terms first and they referred to a form of “wordless” corrupt “Christian” meditation. Protestants shouldn’t even be trying to reinterpret their meaning and bring this centered on the self experience-oriented “worship” which then interprets Scripture according to what they “feel” God has said. O how the Church needs voices like Dr. Walter Martin who used to constantly ask the most important question we can ask as darkness continues to fall upon this late hour: “But what does the text of the Bible itself say?”

This is the background you need to keep in mind as I now point you to a letter from a student at Biola University published at From the Lighthouse… blog which informs us:

Biola’s entire chapel has been reformatted to become a totally postmodern way of doing things. Any time the Bible is pulled out it is simply just read, about 1 verse or maybe a couple in a passage. There is no expository preaching or much explanation. The new Chapel director is a total emergent, postmodern embracing person who leads the entire student body through the motions of contemplative prayer.

Last chapel the entire session was dedicated to being silent and listening to the Bible being read slowly, then having people focus in on it and do the entire contemplative prayer thing. This was Lectio Divina, which was mentioned by name… (Online source)

This letter is actually quite to one AM recently published in Concerning Leonard Sweet of the Emerging Church and Christian Education. Now concerning itself Biola University: A Private Christian University In Southern California, which called Dr. R.A. Torrey as its first dean, tells us:

From an institute to a university, Biola’s cornerstone has remained the same: commitment to Jesus Christ, the inerrancy of Scripture and biblical Christianity (within an evangelical Protestant framework), as well as to the spiritual, academic and holistic growth of those who are personally committed to Him. (Online source)

And its “Mission, Vision & Values” statement confirms that BU in in fact not Roman Catholic but rather a Protestant evangelical university:

Biola University’s vision is to be an exemplary Christian university characterized as a community of grace that promotes and inspires personal life transformation in Christ which illuminates the world with His light and truth. Further, as a global center for Christian thought and an influential evangelical voice that addresses crucial cultural issues,…

We believe that there is truth; it is knowable and revealed in God’s inerrant Word. As a result we can live with unshakeable confidence and hope knowing that the Bible and God’s truth have direct application to our lives, our work, our relationships and the culture around us. We believe that holding a biblical worldview is foundational to understanding life and Truth. (Online source)

I make this clear because by making these claims within the Body of Christ Biola University Christians should now take up their Bibles and begin to carefully judge this university as such.

Is Romanism truly Christianity?

Is Romanism truly Christianity. I will give you a clue it isn’t. Just so that anyone who reads my blog that I have written extensively on this subject. However, I am not alone in this observation. This has consisently in the past been the position of Baptists and Protestants.

BY
T. W. MEDHURST,
Glasgow, Scotland
I am aware that, if I undertake, to prove that Romanism is not Christianity, I must expect to be called “bigoted, harsh, uncharitable.” Nevertheless I am not daunted; for I believe that on a right understanding of this subject depends the salvation of millions.
One reason why Popery has of late gained so much power in Great Britain and Ireland, and is gaining, power still, is that many Protestants look on it now as a form of true Christianity; and think that, on that account, notwithstanding great errors, it ought to be treated very tenderly. Many suppose that at the time of the Reformation, it was reformed, and that it is now much nearer the truth than it was before that time. It is still, however, the same; and, if examined, will be found to be so different from, and so hostile to, real Christianity, that it is not, in fact, Christianity at all. Christianity, as revealed in the Sacred Writings, is salvation by Christ. It sets Him before us as at once a perfect man, the everlasting God, the Godman Mediator; who, by appointment of the Father, became a Substitute for all who were given Him. It teaches that by Him God’s justice was magnified, and His mercy made manifest; that, for all who trust in Him, He fulfilled the law, and brought in a complete righteousness; and that by this alone they can be justified before God. It teaches that His death was a perfect sacrifice, and made full satisfaction and atonement for their sins, so that God lays no sin to their charge, but gives them a free and full pardon; that He has ascended to the right hand of God, and has sent down the Holy Spirit to be His only Vicar and Representative on earth; that He is the only Mediator between the righteous God and sinful man; that it is by the Holy Spirit alone that we are convinced of sin, and led to trust in Jesus that all who trust in Him, and obey Him with the obedience of faith and love, are saved, and, being saved, are made “kings and priests unto God,” and have “eternal life” in Him...more

Evangelicals Desert the Faith once delivered

The Reformation fathers would be very disappointed in this generation. The battle cries of the Reformation were summed up on the words Sola Scriptura, this was always backed up by a turning to the scriptures to draw our understanding of sin, judgement and salvation. The further cry of the reformation was Justification by Faith alone, no works can ever get you into heaven only faith in the Word of God….

“The February 2008 edition of Christianity Today ran a cover story about evangelicals looking to the ancient Roman Catholic Church in order to find beliefs and practices.¹ What was shocking about the article was that both the author of the article and the senior managing editor of CT claim that this trip back to Rome is a good thing. Says Mark Galli the editor, “While the ancient church has captivated the evangelical imagination for some time, it hasn’t been until recently that it’s become an accepted fixture of the evangelical landscape. And this is for the good.”² Chris Armstrong, the author of the article who promotes the trip back to the ancient church, claims that because the movement is led by such persons as “Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and living and practicing monks and nuns,” that therefore, “they are receiving good guidance on this road..more

Romanism is a pagan religion

This is not mine, but I agree with John Gill’s conclusion completely. Rome is a harlot and the mother of harlots. Saying nice things about her is not in me to say. I can only echo the words of Revelation 2:21, in urging Catholics to leave the Catholic church while they have the oppurtunity. The day will come when it is too late.
(Rev 2:12) And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

(Rev 2:13) I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

(Rev 2:14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

(Rev 2:14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

“Rev 2:13 – I know thy works,…. Both good and bad”,

and which in that pure part of this church, which opposed the growing corruptions of antichrist, were for the most part good,

And where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is. Pergamos was a city very much given to idolatry, here Satan reigned while it was Pagan, and so was a fit emblem of the idolatrous church of Rome. Pausanias says (a), the country the Pergamenes inhabited was sacred to the Cabiri, the chief gods of the Heathens. And the same writer (b) observes, that Aesculapius particularly was worshipped at Pergamos; and hence he is called by Martial (c) the Pergamean god; to his temple here, men used to go from different parts of the world for cure of diseases; hither Antoninus the emperor went for such a purpose, as Herodian (d) relates; and this being a common thing, hence Lucian (e) scoffingly says, that Aesculapius had an apothecary’s shop at Pergamos. As Rome, and its dominions, were the principal seat of the church in this period of time, it may well be called Satan’s seat or throne; not only because it had been the seat of the Roman emperors, the ten horned and seven headed beast, Rev_13:2; but because it was the seat of antichrist, which the great dragon Satan gave him, whose coming was after the working of Satan, and he was influenced by him; and who, like Satan, exalted himself above all that is called God; yea, placed himself in the temple of God, the church, as God, showing himself to be God, assuming that power to himself which only belonged to God. Moreover, he may be called so for his enmity and malice against the saints, and for his art and subtlety, and insidious methods to ensnare and destroy them. Now to dwell where such an one has his seat, his throne, has a kingdom, power, and authority, must be very uncomfortable, as well as dangerous; and required great care, circumspection, and prudence how to behave: and yet to the commendation of this church it is said,

and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith: the pure members of this church are the two witnesses, which rose up at the beginning of the apostasy of Rome, and bore their testimony against it, and for the truth; and continued to do so amidst all the corruptions and persecutions of that state: these are the two olive trees, that, through the golden pipes of the word and ordinances, emptied the golden oil of Gospel truths out, of themselves, pure and incorrupt, and the two candlesticks that held forth the light of the Gospel in the darkest times of Popery; these held fast the name of Christ, or the Gospel, and denied not, but confessed the doctrine of faith in the worst of times. They had the truths of the Gospel in their possession, which were dear and valuable to them; and whereas there was danger of losing them, they held them fast, with great courage, magnanimity, and strength, though the greater number was against them, and they were attended with reproach and persecution:

even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. Antipas is the proper name of a man; so a son of Herod was called (f), even he that beheaded John, and mocked Christ: and there might be a man of this name at Pergamos, that might suffer martyrdom for the Gospel of Christ; and who was an emblem of the confessors, witnesses, and martyrs, that suffered for Christ, in this period of time, through their opposition to the popes of Rome; for Antipas is the contraction of Antipater, and is the same with Antipapas, or Antipappas, which signifies one that is against the pope, an opposer of that holy father; and so intends all those that made head against him, upon his rising and revelation, and when he assumed the power he did to himself; such as the Waldenses and Albigenses particularly, who set themselves against him, openly declared that the pope was antichrist, and that his government was tyrannical, and his doctrines the doctrines of devils, abominable and fabulous. They bore a faithful testimony against all his corruptions and innovations, and became martyrs in the cause of Christ, many thousands of them being slain for his sake within the dominions of this firstborn of Satan. The Alexandrian copy reads “Anteipas”; and his name is left out in the Syriac and Arabic versions,

(a) L. 1. sive Attica, p. 8. (b) L. 3. sive Laconica, p. 215. (c) L. 9. Epig. 14. (d) Hist. l. 4. c. 14. (e) In Icaro Menippo. (f) Joseph. Antiqu. l. 17. c. 1. sect. 3. De Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 28. sect. 4.
ev 2:13) I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

(Rev 2:14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

(Rev 2:15) So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

(Rev 2:16) Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

(Rev 2:19) I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

(Rev 2:20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

(Rev 2:21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

(Rev 2:22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.