I’m Speaking Truth…

Last week, I explored an interesting article on the lack of enthusiasm for reformed theology in the black community. The comment thread to that post mirrored the conversations I’ve had with friends and family regarding my interest in reformed theology.

I usually get a concession that reformed theology isn’t a cult or a radical fringe of Christianity, but the next questions rolls off the lips of the inquiring party every time: “Yeah, they’re biblically sound, but how do they worship?”. I suppose that most folks (especially us black folks) imagine that “praise and worship” at a reformed church consists of stoic hymns sung in the King’s English to the tune of an old piano.

The reality is that reformers adhere to reverent worship - not mundane worship. The words of most songs in gospel and contemporary Christian music have reverent lyrics - it’s just that the delivery of those lyrics sometimes creep over into “man worship”. You know, the vocal gymnastics, extended LP version of the chorus (that’s a reference to wax records for all of you 17 year old reformers out there ) and “drop it like it’s hot” body gyrations.

Our brother Pastor Anthony Carter over at the blog Non Nobis Domine penned an excellent article dispelling the notion that reformers can’t freely praise God during church services:

“Experiencing The Presence of God”

…We must remember that Christianity is a “forward remembering” faith. In other words, while we are always looking forward to what God has promised us in the grand consummation, we are always remembering what He did for us at the cross. While we are always proclaiming the glories of the returning King, we are also remembering the glories of the resurrected King. Therefore, let us not jettison the past in favor of the present, and let us not neglect the present in favor of the past. Rather let us embrace them together, even in our worship. How enhanced our worship would be if we made sure that we included such songs as Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee sung to the magnificent arrangement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, as well as Fred Hammond’s Bread of Life, with its irrepressible urban beats. How glorious and worthy of our God and reflective of heavenly realities would our worship be if we were more diligent in making sure we have something old, something new, yet always careful to maintain all things true.

Click the title to read the article in it’s entirety. And while you’re at it - break out that old Commissioned cassette and get to worshipping God!

That’s a question I get from a lot of “non-blacks” when I mention that I’m studying reformed theology. Martin Luther (the man pictured above) essentially lit the match of the Protestant Reformation Movement when he penned his “95 Theses” and shined the light of truth on the wicked Roman Catholic Church. I became interested in reformed theology when I fled my former plantation (and my pimp) and returned to the Word of God instead of the heresies I held dear in my past.

Since I don’t speak for my entire race (a notion I’ve had to argue against many times in my professional career, particularly since I’m usually the only black man in my company), I can only speculate that they don’t find it as riveting as the traditional black church - the mega church, specifically. As I’ve said on many occassions, expository preaching isn’t as glamorous as the motivational speeches and “sing/talk” sermons that you hear in churches across the country (no matter the race), but it is the sorely-needed foundational method of properly exegeting the Word of God to keep the focus on God through Jesus Christ and OFF of self-centered man.

One of the people on the front-line in exposing more blacks to reformed theology is Anthony Carter. Carter is an assistant speaking elder at Southwest Christian Fellowship Church in Atlanta (a reformed assembly I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a few times recently),  - where Robert Benson is the speaking elder. From what I’ve seen and heard during my few visits to SWCF, the assembly is built on firm biblical doctrine, and the speaking elders preach expositorily with no shame.

Carter is also the author of 2 books: “On Being Black And Reformed” and his newest work “Experiencing The Truth: Bringing The Reformation to the African-American Church” (two books that have been added to my ever growing “must read” list). Carter was recently interviewed by By Faith Magazine about his newest book and he answered the question posed in the title of this post succinctly:

Bringing the Reformation to the African-American Church: An Interview With Anthony Carter

Q. Why are African-Americans attracted to mega-churches preaching the prosperity gospel?

A. That type of preaching is experiential—it has a very practical element to it, and it draws upon the experiences of both the preacher and the congregant. This message tells them that they can have what they desire, what they see around them. Many are socially and economically outcast, and this teaching allows them to rejoin the economic stream. It says, This is what God wants you to have. And that’s very appealing. African-Americans have a high view of church, the preacher, Scriptures. When you couple that with the prosperity message, it’s very appealing.

Click the title to read the article in it’s entirety. I also encourage you to take a closer look at reformed theology - and it’s adherence to the infallible Word of God and not the “get rich” schemes and “live your best life now” fallacies of modern “theology”.

I’ve been very direct about my scripture-supported belief that the Roman Catholic Church (a/k/a The Cult of Mary) is an apostate church that teaches a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-7). Now one of my favorite expository preachers is expounding on the RCC’s departure from sound doctrine.

I found the following article while visiting the blog Symphony Of Scripture:

“Is Roman Catholicism Biblical?” by John MacArthur

In today’s spirit of ecumenism, many evangelicals have called for the Protestant Church to lay aside its differences with Rome and pursue unity with the Catholic Church. Is that possible? Is Roman Catholicism simply another facet of the body of Christ that should be brought into union with its Protestant counterpart? Is Roman Catholicism simply another Christian denomination?

While there are many errors in the teaching of the Catholic Church (for example its belief in the transubstantiation of the communion wafer and its view of Mary), two rise to the forefront and call for special attention: its denial of the doctrine of sola Scriptura and its denial of the biblical teaching on justification. To put it simply, because the Roman Catholic Church has refused to submit itself to the authority of God’s Word and to embrace the gospel of justification taught in Scripture, it has set itself apart from the true body of Christ. It is a false and deceptive form of Christianity.

Click on the title above to read the article in it’s entirety - it is an excellent read. In my opinion, MacArthur deconstructs the alleged validity of the RCC by exposing:

1. Their lack of adherence to Sola Scriptua by adhering to the bible AND the Apocrypha AND the Magisterium AND Papal pronouncements AND ancient church tradition.
2. Their error in teaching that the Doctrine of Justification is a process instead of an instantaneous action (John 5:24).

MacArthur sums it all up very succinctly:

As long as the Roman Catholic Church continues to assert its own authority and bind its people to “another gospel,” it is the spiritual duty of all true Christians to oppose Roman Catholic doctrine with biblical truth and to call all Catholics to true salvation.

Amen Pastor John, Amen!

***In accordance to 2 John:10, efforts to support or defend the Cult of Mary will not be permitted***

Psalm 119:105-106 (New American Standard Bible)

105 Your word is a ^(A)lamp to my feet
         And a light to my path. 
106 I have ^(B)sworn and I will confirm it,
         That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

Last week I shared the topical method of bible study. I will admit that It’s not the easiest way to dive into the Word of God, and if you’re like me, you could spend a long time climbing through the various topics that the bible addresses. Nevertheless, it’s still an important method to know - and at least attempt.

Today’s method is a bit more straightforward: the book summary method (some folks use the chapter summary method, and the techniques are essentially the same). This method entails the reader choosing a specific book (or chapter of a book) in the bible to “digest”. For example, you can choose a Pauline Epistle (say, 1 Corinthians) and read the book (or chapter) at least 5 times (in a row). Next attempt to use the “10 C’s” to gain a better understanding of the book or chapter: 

Caption It - give the chapter or book a short descriptive caption or title

Contents - describe or paraphrase the major points of the chapter or book

Chief People - list the important people in the book or chapter

Choice Verse - list a verse that summarizes the entire book or chapter (or one that speaks to you the most)

Crucial Words - write down the key word(s) of the book or chapter

Challenges - list any challenges you had with the book or chapter

Cross Reference - use the cross references (contained within the scriptures of the book or chapter) to give a broader understanding

Christology - seek specific language, metaphor, or references that reveal Christ in the book or chapter (easier for the New Testament, more challenging/interesting for Old Testament study)

Central Lesson - write down the major principles or lessons you learned from the book or chapter

Conclusion - determine how to apply what you read to your daily life 

We’ve heard the term “we are in the last days” for many years - and I use the phrase as well when shaking my head at Todd “the tool of Satan” Bentley and the other various wolves, pimps, heretics ET. AL. of the day. The truth is, no man really knows when the end will be (Matthew 24:36; Matthew 24:42) - even though we see many signs today.

Our brother Job over at the blog Jesus Christology posted an excellent article last week on the preparation of the third Temple in Jerusalem- an event that perked the ears of some as a sign of the coming Apocalypse (which is erroneous, of course, since there is no command in scripture for the building of another earthly temple). GotQuestions[dot]org posted an interesting article today:

Question: “What is Israel’s role in the end times?”

Answer: Every time there is an explosion of conflict in or around Israel, many see it as a sure sign of the quickly approaching end times. The problem with this is that it creates a “boy that cried wolf” syndrome. We may eventually tire of the conflict in Israel, so much so that we will not recognize when true prophetically significant events occur. Conflict in Israel is not necessarily a sign of the end times.

Conflict in Israel has been a reality whenever Israel has existed as a nation. Whether it was the Egyptians, Amalekites, Midianites, Moabites, Ammonites, Amorites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, or Romans, the nation of Israel has always been surrounded by and persecuted by its neighbors. Why is this? According to the Bible, it is because God has a specialplan for the nation of Israel, and Satan wants to defeat that plan. Satanically influenced hatred of Israel—and especially Israel’s God—is the reason Israel’s neighbors have always wanted to see Israel destroyed. Whether it is Sennacherib, king of Assyria; Haman, official of Persia; Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany; or Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, attempts to ultimately destroy Israel will always fail. The persecutors of Israel will come and go, but the persecution will remain until the second coming of Christ. As a result, conflict in Israel cannot be considered a reliable indicator of the soon arrival of the end times. (click here to read the entire article)

The bottom line is this - read scripture so that you’re not taken in by the charlatans of the day, or “crying wolf”. Matthew 24 is a great place to read Christ’s own words about the end of days, so let no one deceive you.

After having written many articles about the importance of studying and understanding the Word of God, my brother in Christ Ready4Change posed a simple question: “Which bible study method do you prefer?”

Thanks to R4C’s “gentle nudge”, I decided to share some of my bible study techniques in hopes of encouraging the sheep to study the Word so as not to be taken by the wolves of the day - and to hopefully avoid biblical ignorance. As I’ve said on many occasions, I’m no biblical scholar (and I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer - if you know what I mean), but I thirst for God’s Word, and these methods help me approach the Word to seek God’s truth.

Noted pastor and teacher R.A. Torrey penned a book called “How To Study The Bible” (Torrey died in 1928, but the book based on his notes was published in 1985). One of the methods that Torrey discussed is a method that I use - the topical method.

Studying the bible topically means literally going to the Word to see what God says about a particular topic (or subject) - for example homosexuality, marriage, raising children, etc. “Nave’s Topical Bible” is a great resource to use in searching through the bible based on topics - along with a few other translations of the bible for cross referencing purposes (your favorite translation along with another one you respect or use secondarily).

There are four primarily rules of topical bible study, and it would behoove you to remember them as you approach scripture:

• Study systematically: develop a series of interrelated topics that flow logically (e.g. grace, salvation, repentance) so that you’re not “jumping all over” the bible - or focusing only on the topics of immediate interst.
• Study thoroughly: don’t just look for the word “grace” and study the first 3 references - you must read and study every reference to the word “grace” in order to get a holistic view.
• Study exactely: find the exact meaning of the passages related to your topic(s), use a lexicon to learn more about the words used in those passages, and look at how those passages are treated in the different translations you’re studying (e.g. crossreference with the NASB, NIV, and NKJV).
• Study academically: write down what you find, not in thesis form but notes to help you reference what you’ve learned in further reading

As always, pray for clarity before you study, and pray for discernment on how to apply what you’ve read when you’re finished.

The more debates I have with readers (or naysayers) of this blog, the  more I realize the importance of studying the bible in order to defend and contend for the faith. I’m no biblical scholar - in fact, I’m just a hungry learner who strives to learn more and more everyday. I sincerely believe that God speaks every time I read the words that He inspired (and flat-out told) men to write.

I wrote an article recently about the importance of understanding the Word of God that we read, and not just reading to “check off” our attention to scripture for that day. We can’t defend our faith if we can’t formulate sound arguments directly from the Word of God. It’s a waste of time to engage in biblical debate with people who refuse to use Holy Scripture to intelligently defend their interpretation of Holy Scripture.

Some of us (and I was one of them) have a hard time just admitting that we don’t approach God’s Word correctly. It is not a book of personal prophecy that will guarantee health and wealth or “our best life now”. If we can’t dig deeper to learn of God’s plan for man (repentance of sin and salvation through His Son, eternal defeat of the works of Satan and glorious fellowship with Him forever), then we end up defending the false teachers who bastardize scripture for their personal gain - all the while leaving the Holy Writ untouched.

Our brother Alan Higgins over at the blog Real Christianity wrote an excellent article last fall and I think it’s only fitting that I point you to it in a time when people circle the wagons to protect pimps, hustlers, apostates, heretics, wolves, and vipers of every stripe and their misuse of God’s Holy Word:

“Ten Rules of Biblical Interpretation”

Below are 10 rules of biblical interpretation which I believe will spare you much pain. This has been taken from Tekton Apologetics Ministries

1. Pray! Pray! Pray! The Holy Spirit knows better then you do!
2. Always know what the verse actually says, not what you think you remember it saying
3. Take the verse in literary context, don’t just read what you want to read to prove your point and don’t forget the Bible is a mosaic of different kinds of literature meant to be read different ways.
4. Take the verse in cultural context, just like you saying “it’s raining cats and dogs” is not what you literally meant
5. Remember the Bible is a whole 66 books! Interpret all verses in relation the other 1000’s of verses
6. Check the other translations, The variations are complimentary and show the whole picture
7. The Bible was not originally written in English, go back to the sources
8. Theological presuppositions are bad, scripture determines doctrine, not the other way around
9. Check the Theologians’ opinions, The Ph.D, professor of heart surgery of Harvard is better then your uncle Ted’s heart removal service. Professional opinions matter! (but don’t assume they’re always right)
10. Assume nothing, be ready to learn, don’t give up. Remember, only God knows everything

I haven’t cornered the market on biblical study and interpretation. On the contrary, it is only through the grace of God that I can even attempt to comprehend His Word.

Matthew 24:35 (New American Standard Bible)

35“^(A)Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

My sincere prayer is that all who claim to love God through Jesus Christ develop an unquenchable desire to know His Word - and be courageous enough to defend it instead of those who distort it.

As we take a moment to celebrate Independence Day and reflect upon the many sacrifices made to make this nation free from the tyranny of Britain, we must also remember that those of us who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ are utterly lost UNLESS and UNTIL we cast all of our hope and dependence on Him:

John 15:4-5 (New American Standard Bible)

4“^(A)Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

 5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he ^(B)bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

May the Lord grant wisdom and discernment to the leaders of this nation in these perilous times - and may His children seek comfort in no other source but Him.

“Stop slandering God’s leaders!”

That’s the typical edict that I get on average. Of course, some admonitions are a bit more…descriptive, but the message is still the same: “God said ‘touch not my anointed’, so get your mouth off the man of God!”.

My brother Independent Conservative edited an article written by GaryV on his site this past February that shines more light on the twisting of scripture used to protect pimps:

“Touch Not My Anointed”..The command of God or the cries of the misled??

Those who feel the call to be watchmen on the wall during this time of apostasy have heard this phrase repeated ad nauseum, by those who seek to defend their favorite “ministers” against the claims of Scripture. In fact, along with “Judge Not”, it’s probably among the most frequently used (though commonly misunderstood) texts in the entire Bible. Have any of them ever actually read the verse in question??

Click on the title to read the rest of that excellent article (one that I’ve emailed to countless friends, family, and foes). Why is it that those of us who blog God’s truth to expose deceit are always attacked, yet those who KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY distort, butcher, and assault God’s Word for selfish gain get protection?

These pimps rail against their detractors (i.e. mature bible reading Christians who dare take God’s Word over theirs), yet they (and their followers) get thin-skinned when the light of truth is shined on them. I pray that more sheep learn to defend the faith more than they defend their resident wolf, viper, false teacher, pulpit pimp, apostate, and heretic. I think those names sum it all up quite nicely.

So, why do I “call people names”? Simply because the names that I use aptly describe the pimps, heretics and apostates that stalk the “pulpit” today. I’m not “bitter” or “church hurt” - I’m just a former sheep of two skilled pimps (one Alpha Pimp, and one wanna be pimp) who decided to read my bible for myself and expose the doctrinal error that permeates Christ’s church today.

Since slander is defined as “a malicious, false, and defamatory statement or report”, I clearly DON’T engage in slander when I provide links to videos and text of the pimps own words for validation.

The Apostle Peter called people “names” when he exposed them for their deceitful works against the Gospel (2 Peter 2 NASB) Even Jesus used “harsh language and tone” when calling out the Pharisee’s and corrupt religious leaders of the day (Matthew 23 NASB).

Now, I’m not comparing myself to Peter or Jesus…not in the least. I am, however, comfortable that I am operating in biblical order with sound precedence - and sound biblical doctrine.

So, I’ll keep “calling people names” and calling out the wolves, vipers, apostates, pimps, heretics, false teachers and their ilk until they simply go away.

There, that outta keep my inbox full for a while…

***hat tip to djenk23 for the scoop on this news article***

When Carlton “The Heretic” Pearson was shunned by (almost) the entire Christian community when he unveiled his new found “revelation of inclusion” that you don’t have to accept Jesus Christ in order to gain access to Heaven, many thought he’d just find a corner and a few folks to spew his heresy to.

Well, old Carlton is climbing back up the mountain of “Pentecostalism” and moving closer and closer to his former popularity. Since the church is in the early stage of it’s free fall into total and complete apostasy, Carlton the Heretic is finding welcome audiences around the world who are just eating his garbage up (unrepentant homosexuals, Atheists, Unitarians, Universalists, Ecumenists, and all other manner of God’s enemies).

Well, Carlton the Heretic is moving his vipers den to a new church in Tulsa:

Pearson’s Church To Meet In All Soul’s

by: BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
6/14/2008  12:00 AM

The Church will host a small Pentecostal-style congregation.

Bishop Carlton Pearson’s New Dimensions church will begin meeting Sunday at All Souls Unitarian Church, bringing together a small black Pentecostal-style congregation and a large white congregation with a staid, intellectual style of worship. “It is truly historic. Nothing quite like this has ever happened before,” All Souls senior minister Marlin Lavanhar told his congregation last Sunday morning.

“And it comes at a time when it seems like our entire nation is entering a new era” . . . when “the next president of the United States may very well be African-American,” he said.

All Souls “is opening its doors, and its hearts, to a black Pentecostal preacher who has spent 25 years trying to cast demons out of this place,” he said.

“Something new is trying to burst forth in human consciousness right here in America, and right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This is a new day, when Unitarians and Pentecostals, young and old, black and white, gay and straight, Democrat and Republican can all find themselves sharing a church and caring for one another and each other’s children — that’s the beloved community. That’s creating the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven,” he said in his Sunday sermon. (click here to read the entire article)

The article goes on to talk about Carlton the Heretic’s affiliation with the United Church of Christ - Jeremiah Wright’s denomination:

Despite their external differences, All Souls and New Dimensions are both liberal and progressive churches. Pearson and his church last year affiliated with the United Church of Christ, one of America’s most liberal denominations, and among the first to openly embrace gay and lesbian members and leaders.

So we can now see further confirmation of the UCC’s allegiance to heresy and false doctrine as well (especially since Wright - a UCC preacher - and his church Trinity UCC espouse the wicked false gospel of Black Liberation Theology).

Another nugget from the article:

“Both churches reflect inclusion consciousness,” Pearson said.

Lavanhar said religion should be “inclusive, liberating. That’s the good news.”

He noted that while Oral Roberts and former All Souls senior minister John Wolf often were sharply at odds, he and Pearson, representing the next generation in their respective traditions, are not.

“There’s a new trend in America, a new openness.”

So there you have it, Carlton the Heretic is taken advantage of the ignorance of the church by pushing his heretical garbage and calling it “a new trend in America, a new openess”.

While Carlton the Heretic and other enemies of God want us to think this “new consciousness” is a new phenomenon sweeping across America, thank God through Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul warned us about this thousands of years ago:

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

Apostasy

 1But ^(A)the Spirit explicitly says that ^(B)in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to ^(C)deceitful spirits and ^(D)doctrines of demons,

 2by means of the hypocrisy of liars ^(E)seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,

Please please please stay away from ANYONE who claims that there are multiple paths to Heaven apart from Jesus Christ when HE HIMSELF clearly stated the contrary (John 14:6).

Last week, our brothers over at ProclaimHisWord warned us to stay away from the Ministers of Satan. This week, they highlight men who apply sound biblical doctrine in advancing the TRUE Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ:

***The video is no longer able to be embedded, so please visit ProclaimHisWord’s youtube channel and select the “Holy Men Of God” video***

If you’re unfamiliar with any of the men featured in the video, I highly recommend that you Google them and look into their theological works - especially if you’ve recently escaped the Word of Faith heresy or the bondage of a scripture twisting pulpit pimp.

Folks like RC Sproul, Albert Mohler, John MacArthur, John Piper, Michael Horton, Paul Washer and others are on the front lines defending AND contending for the faith. As a black man, I’m ashamed to say that I would’ve never heard of these men - or read any of their work - because my pimps were paranoid of exposing us to anyone other than them and their ilk (”you shouldn’t be eating off of other people’s plates when you’re fed the Word by the shepherd here!” they’d say).

Now, I not only read the works of doctrinally sound men of God, I even bought a John MacArthur New American Standard Study Bible (my new favorite translation).

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ that the Apostle Paul explained TRUE Christian leadership to Titus:

Titus 1:7-9 (New American Standard Bible)

7For the ^(A)overseer must be above reproach as ^(B)God’s steward, not ^(C)self-willed, not quick-tempered, not ^(D)addicted to wine, not pugnacious, ^(E)not fond of sordid gain,

 8but ^(F)hospitable, ^(G)loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

 9^(H)holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in ^(I)sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

If your pastor is unable to hold fast to the faithful Word of God, exhort you with sound biblical doctrine AND refute the enemies of God with His Word alone, then you need to pack your bible and move along.

The Word of God and the works of the theologically sound men mentioned in the video will help you continue to develop as a mature Christian until you find your next assembly.

Last week, I posted a few articles on Justin Peters and his ministry in exposing the wicked origins of the WOF heresy that is choking the church today. You can’t rail against Creflo Dollar, Ken and Gloria Copeland, and other vipers of the day without digging a little deeper at the root of their heretical allegiance to the false gospel of health and wealth.

Our brother Escapeetoo over at Pimp Escape has posted an excellent article entitled “The Word of Faith Movement - Who’s Your Great-Granddaddy?”:

While a member in Club Hustle & Flow I heard over and over the importance of “Sonship.” Over and over we’d hear the story of the “family tree”; from Jakes, to Eddie Long to Andre Landers, the pseudo Levitical order was set like cement into the minds of the giving units at “Club Hustle & Flow.”

But one long lost family member was left out in this family tree. One member that is considered the father of the Word of Faith Prosperity Gospel Theology running wild in the church today. That missing branch on the family tree is that of Korv Essek William Kenyon [aka] E. W. Kenyon (1867–1948).

Click on the title above to read the entire article. Like me, that brother fled New Birth South (or “Club Hustle & Flow” as he calls it), and did some research on E.W. Kenyon. He too has seen the root of Kenyon’s wicked metaphysical philosophy up close and personally.

Yet more evidence that the “name it and claim it” heresy is in fact a tenet of metaphysical philosophy, and not the Word of God - no matter how bad these wolves and vipers twist scripture to make it appear biblically sound.

Of course He is!

Some, however, still seem to think that we can control Him with our words, or that He’s sitting around in Heaven with His hands in His pockets waiting on us (the “little gods”) to “release” Him into our circumstances.

John Piper of Desiring God Ministries penned a short yet excellent article over at Christianity.com (hat tip to our brother Job over at Jesus Christology):

“Is God’s Sovereignty Limited?”

I reject this idea because the Bible doesn’t teach it. In fact, it teaches the opposite.

• It teaches that not a bird falls to the ground apart from our Father’s will.
• It teaches that the king’s heart is like a river in the hands of the Lord; he turns it wherever he wills.
• It teaches that when Joseph was sold into Egypt and finally turns around and his brothers are found to be guilty, God says, “You meant it for evil, but I meant it for good.”
• I reject it because the book of Proverbs says that the die is cast into the lap and its every decision is from the Lord; a man designs his way, but the Lord directs his steps; and on and on…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - In my opinion, the false teachers advance the “you are little gods” heresy so that you can ascribe god-like qualities to them as well as yourself. This makes it easier for them to endear your allegiance if you see them as god-like.

Not only does God have UNLIMITED sovereignty, but we must also declare His sovereignty to all and admonish all to keep His commandments (1 Timothy 6:12-16 NASB).

Based on some of the emails and comments I get, I would dare say that some of you are offended by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why else would you defend the various heretics, apostates, false teachers, and other wolves and vipers that this blog exposes?

I found an excellent article from Mike Ratliff over at his blog today (hat tip to Job at Jesus Christology):

“The Offense of the Cross” 

In Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians he delivers a scathing indictment against all  who teach works salvation or any version of the Gospel that has been edited from the original. If these false gospels be true then, as Paul says, the offense of the cross has been removed. However, the Apostle, in fact, is declaring that the offense of the cross never has cease, and never can cease. Any attempt to soften the offense is folly. While genuine Christianity is peaceful, mild, and benevolent, history shows us that it has been attacked with the bitterest hate from the beginning. Why? It is clearly offensive to the unregenerate mind.

In an age where folks would rather defend the false teacher instead of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that they claim to preach, we need to be reminded that the Gospel message is supposed to ruffle feathers - particularly because it helps us identify the sheep from the goats.

The unregenerate (and even some who claim the Name of the Lord) would rather gather around the camp fire holding hands and singing “Kumbya” than to dare allow the sensitive ears of those who ignore the Word and will of God to be offended by allowing His truth to be revealed through His Word.

The Apostle Paul said it best in Galatians 5:11-12 NASB (my emphasis in bold):

11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.

Careful there, Paul - you wouldn’t want anyone to accuse you of not speaking the truth “in love”…

Yesterday, I introduced you to a Mississippi based minister by the name of Justin Peters who conducts a seminar exposing and debunking the cancerous WOF movement. Thankfully, Justin decided to take a closer look at yet another ravenous wolf stalking the revival tent today - the satanic tool that is Todd Bentley.

Justin attended Bentley’s “Lakeland Revival” earlier this month to witness the claims of “healing” first hand, and decided to contact seven people who claimed to be healed as a result of this meeting. He shared his findings with Todd Friel from the Way of the Master radio program.

Imagine my surprise when learning that none of the “healings” that Justin investigated could be confirmed after the “revival”

Part 1 - Lies At Lakeland

Part 2 - Lies At Lakeland

Once again, I admonish any TRUE believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to STAY AWAY FROM THE DEMONIC TODD BENTLEY.