Desperate Imitation of Christ

The New Testament & False Teaching: A Short Survey of False Teaching & False Teachers in the New Testament

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 14:44:00 +0000

The New Testament & False Teaching

A Short Survey of False Teaching &

False Teachers in the New Testament

1. Matthew:

a. 7:15-23 (False Prophets who are ravenous wolves...depart from me you workers of lawlessness). We can discern false teaching by the teacher’s lifestyle

b. 10: 16 “Sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.”

c. 12: 32 “blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” was propagated by Pharisees

d. 12:33-37 “Brood of Vipers”

e. 13:24-30 “Parable of the Weeds.”

f. 16:1-4 “an evil generation asks for a sign (condemnation of the Pharisees).

g. 16:6 “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

h. 22:23-33 Jesus corrects the Sadducees false teaching on the resurrection

i. 23:13-36 Seven “Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees.”

j. 24:24 “for false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible even the elect.” False teachers may be accompanied by miraculous signs” this means that the False Teachers in false Christ will and can perform great signs and wonders. So being able to perform miracles is not a sign of being a true follower of Christ or much less a true teacher.

2. Mark:

a. 3:22-30 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

b. 7:1-13 Jesus calls out the Pharisees hypocrisy regarding their teaching on ceremonial cleanliness and washing

c. 12:18-27 Jesus corrects the Sadducees false teaching on the resurrection

d. 12:38-40 Beware of the scribes

e. 13:22-23 “False christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders and lead astray if possible, the elect.” False teachers may be accompanied by miraculous signs this means that the False Teachers and false Christs will and can perform great signs and wonders. So being able to perform miracles is not a sign of being a true follower of Christ or much less a true teacher.

3. Luke:

a. 3:7 John the Baptist calls the people a “brood of Vipers”

b. 3:18-20 John rebuked Herod publicly

c. 6:1-5 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their views of the Sabbath

d. 6:24-26 “Woe to you when people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” False prophets may be spoken well of and have a “good reputation” mainly because they are smooth talkers.

e. 11:37-53 Woe to Pharisees and Lawyers

f. 12:1-3 Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees (hypocrisy)

g. 13:32 Jesus calls Herod a “fox”

h. 18:9-14 Pharisee and tax collector (Humility of sinners vs the pride of false teachers i.e., Pharisees)

i. 19:45-48 Jesus cleanses the Temple of robbers (swindling true worshippers)

j. 20:27-40 Jesus corrects the Sadducees false teaching on the resurrection

k. 20:45-47 “Beware of the Scribes”

4. John:

a. 2:13-22 Jesus Cleansed the Temple (robbers thieves and false teachers who tried to rob true worshippers)

b. John 8:39-47 Jesus says the Jews who didn’t believe were of their father the Devil

5. Acts (of the Apostles)

a. 8:9-25 Simon the Sorcerer is rebuked by Peter “may your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” and “Repent therefore, of this wickedness, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven.” Simon was engaged in the false teaching (belief) that one could buy gifts or power from God.

b. 13:6-12 Saul and Barnabas rebuke the magician Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus. He rebuked Elymas the magician and said “You son of the devil you enemy of righteousness full of deceit and villainy. Will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?” And Saul struck him with blindness. God can and will judge false prophets and teachers whether in this life or the life to come.

c. 14:13-15 The People of Lystra tried to Worship Barnabas and Paul as Zeus and Hermes. Paul did not allow it and preached the gospel.

d. 15 The Jerusalem Council began by confronting the false teaching of the Judaizers “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved (v.1).” Paul and Barnabas debated hotly with them, and then traveled to Jerusalem to seek clarity from the Jerusalem Apostles. Peter said God “made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith (v.9).” “But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

e. 17 to avoid the easy acceptance of false teaching the Bereans “examined the scriptures to see if these things were so.” And they were lauded as more noble for their examination of the scripture.

f. 18:26 Priscilla and Aquilla took Apollos to the side and corrected him by explaining the “way of God more accurately.”

g. 21:17-26 Further dealing with the false teaching that the Jerusalem Council was dealing with. Paul took an oath wherewith he confirmed he was committed to the law, but NOT a Judaizer

h. 23:1-11 Paul defends himself with the scripture before the Sanhedrin. This is how the scripture should be used to defend against false teaching that would jeopardize the truth of the gospel by taking anything away or adding anything to it.

6. Romans:

a. 2 Paul deals with circumcision and adherence to the law in juxtaposition to faith alone. And if you adhere to the law one needs to keep the whole law (Judaizers).

b. 16:17-18 “Mark and avoid” those that teach things opposed to sound doctrine. We are encouraged here by Paul to shun by marking and avoiding false teachers

c. 16:18 Such false teachers serve their own appetites (bellies). They seek money. In another place, it says teaching for “shameful gain (Titus 1:11).”

d. 16:18 they deceive by flattering the hearts of the naïve. False teaching can be avoided and resisted by not being naïve. How are we not naïve? By being rooted in Christ and his word.

7. 1 Corinthians

a. 1:10-17 & 3:1-14 do not quarrel among you as to whom you follow we all follow Christ (not Apollos, Paul, Cephas)

b. 3:18 People can be self-deceived “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” Wisdom is a strategy against falling prey to false teaching.

c. 4:2 teachers (stewards) must be found faithful “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

d. 5:1-2 sexual immorality is not to be tolerated and the person who is the ringleader of it is to be removed from the congregation. The same sort of thing has happened often with false teachers, including sexual immorality from Benny Hinn and many others. Those false teachers stay in power even though they have committed grievous sexual immorality. We are commanded by Paul to put them out from our fellowships.

e. 5:9-13 those who claim to be believers and are sexually immoral; we are not to associate with them. This list could certainly include many of the false teachers who have been accused of much sexual morality greed and swindling…“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.””

f. 12:3 We can discern false teaching by its contents

g. 14:26-33 false teachers who promote chaotic worship defy the “order of worship” described by Paul “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,”

1 Corinthians 14:26-33 ESV

8. 2 Corinthians

a. 1:20-22 anyone who would teach that there is an extra special anointing above the anointing with which every Christian is anointed is certainly a false teacher “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” (2 Corinthians 1:20-22 ESV)

b. 2:17 false teachers can often be “peddlers of God‘s word” “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV)

c. 11:3-4 False Teaching can be demonically inspired

d. 11:20 We can discern false teaching by the teacher’s lifestyle

e. 11:3-15 there are such things as false apostles and Satan disguises himself as an angel of light…“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So, it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV)

f. 12:1-10 Paul spoke of his thorn the flesh in the third person to deflect attention from himself to Christ. Most people speak today of visions and dreams and prophecies not to deflect but rather to garner attention for themselves.

9. Galatians

a. The whole book deals with the Judaizers and their false teaching

b. 1:9 There are false gospels and false teachings out there, and if you hold to an untrue gospel or accept another gospel then the person preaching that gospel shall be accursed. False teachers, people propagating a false gospel, will be accursed.

c. 1:6-9 The antidote to false teaching is holding fast to the true gospel

d. 2:4-5 people can slip into our congregations as was in Paul’s case bring congregations back into slavery. And as false teachers slip into congregations it is necessary to not yield for a moment to their message to preserve the truth of the gospel. “Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery—”

e. 2:11-14 Paul opposed the senior apostle (Peter) to his face because of his hypocrisy and not holding to the truth of the gospel. Paul opposed him because the gospel is for all people and ethnicities and it creates unity between ethnicities, but Peter was holding to the law, not the gospel. if you’re holding to the law then you’re not holding to the gospel. False teaching should be swiftly and quickly confronted, even if it is a senior leader. Especially when it affects so many people and it did in this case.

f. 3:1 false teaching can “bewitch” people

g. 4:9 it is possible to turn back to week worthless and elementary principles of the world. “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”

h. 4:13-15 Those who would teach that the gospel includes healing Paul speaks in direct opposition to that false teaching when he says the gospel came to the Galatians because of his ailments whatever they were. And it was likely an eye ailment of some kind “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.”

i. 5:9 False teaching is like leaven it can only spread…“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

j. 5:12 Paul has some harsh words for the Judaizers false teachers who are teaching that circumcision was necessary to be saved. “I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!”

k. 5:15 false teaching can lead to biting and devouring each other “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

10. Ephesians

a. 4:14 False teaching leads people astray. False doctrine can be deceitful, cunning, and full of craftiness to draw people away from the truth.

b. 4:15 we are meant to speak the truth and love as we teach and admonish one another and grow up and to maturity

c. 5:6 False Teaching is devoid of value

11. Philippians

a. 3:2 Paul says watch out for the Judaizers sort of like in Romans 16:17. What do you do when you watch out for people? You try to avoid them and their teaching and their influence. “Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—”

b. 3:18-20 there are people who are false teachers who are “enemies of the cross their end is destruction. Their God is their belly and their glory their shame“ “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

12. Colossians

a. 2:8 False teaching can be a result of human error and empty philosophy “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

b. 2:18-20 False teaching can disqualify people by believing false visions from puffed up people…“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” (Colossians 2:18-19 ESV$

c. 2:20-23 false teaching has no value“If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:20-23 ESV)

13. 1 Thessalonians

a. 2:14-16 Sometimes false teachers will oppose the gospel as the Judaizers did. They may say they preach the gospel but opposition to the gospel is preaching a false gospel in actuality. “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 ESV)

14. 2 Thessalonians

a. 2:1-3 Do not be shaken, alarmed, or deceived by false teaching. In Paul’s case, the teaching was that “The Day of the Lord has come.”

b. 2:9-10 False teachers may be accompanied by miraculous signs, wicked deception, “all power and false signs and wonders.”

c. The end times will include false teaching that makes people fall into a “strong delusion“ we can certainly acquire principles from this but false teaching includes people who refused to love the truth. And they refused to be saved. This false teaching includes deception and the way they deceive is through false signs and wonders. Because of their inability to accept the truth, God will send a strong delusion. “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 ESV)

15. 1 Timothy

a. 1:3-7 we should charge people not to teach different doctrines that do not line up with biblical truth. And people who “swerve” from the truth end up taking people with them. “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV)

b. 1:3-4 We can discern false teaching by its effects

c. 1:3-7 False teaching is void and valueless.

d. 1:18-20 The antidote to false teaching is holding fast to the true gospel.

e. 4:1-3 False teachers may be popular because of their false teaching.

f. 4:1-2 False teaching can be demonically inspired “Doctrine of Demons.”

g. 4:1-5 False Teachers are liars whose consciences are seared. They sometimes forbid marriage…“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”

h. 6:3-10 false teachers are puffed up with conceit and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels. In the end, these things produce envy dissension slander evil suspicion. They are depraved of mind and deprived of the truth. These people who are false teachers imagine that their teaching is a means of financial gain. Many of the false teachings that are around today include the teaching that we are meant to be healthy wealthy and prosperous. They would teach that wealth is included in the cross of Christ (i.e., financial prosperity). Paul here debunks that idea. By saying that those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare. The desire for wealth can lead to ruin and destruction. How could the cross of Christ and the things that he accomplished for us, bring our ruin and destruction? It’s impossible that Jesus accomplished for us something on the cross that would bring and lead to our “ruin and destruction.” “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:3-10 ESV)

i. 6:3-5 We can discern false teaching by the teaching’s effects

j. 6:20-21 False teaching has the power to lead people astray and can be a result of human error

k. 6:20-21 Timothy is commended to guard the positive sound doctrine that has been laid up in him through Paul. And to avoid irreverent babble and contradictions namely the gnosis heresy. Paul displays here that false teaching and particularly this early heresy can lead people away from the faith, namely that they have “swerved from the faith” “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21 ESV)

16. 2 Timothy

a. 1:13-14 The antidote to false teaching is holding fast to the true gospel

b. 2:16-19 is the second time that Paul calls false teaching “irreverent babble.” He names two people who were teaching such “irreverent babble.” that the resurrection had already taken place. He says also that they had swerved from the truth. False teaching also he said spreads like gangrene. Gangrene is a cancerous and deadly infection that will eventually kill the whole body. Gangrene must be eradicated or else it will eventually kill a person. Paul says here that these two men “upset the faith of some.” False teaching naturally upsets the faith of some. “But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”” (2 Timothy 2:16-19 ESV)

c. 2:16-18 We can discern false teaching by its effects

d. 2:23-26 Paul gives here, a roadmap for how to correct false teachers. First of all, we should have nothing to do with foolish controversies that breed only quarreling. We should patiently correct opponents with gentleness, because God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Paul indicates here that those who are caught up in false teaching after correction might come out of such false teaching and the snare of the devil and that God might grant that. “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:23-26 ESV)

e. 3:1-9 Here is another indication that false teaching will increase in the last days. Such false teachers will work their way into weak-willed women’s homes and overtake them. He says such false teachers have an appearance of godliness but deny its power. That power is the power of the message of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul says in his Romans treatise that God’s power is found in the message of the gospel. So, these false teachers deny the message of the gospel. He compares such false teachers to Jannes and Jambres in the Old Testament who opposed Moses. So also, such men Paul says, oppose the truth. Paul also indicates that false teachers' folly will be evident to everyone. “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.” (2 Timothy 3:1-9 ESV)

f. 3:1-9 We are commanded to shun false teachers

g. The antidote laid out by Paul to Timothy to oppose false teaching is sound doctrine. He encourages him to teach the word in season and out of season. Never diverging from the consistent teaching and preaching of the word of God. He juxtaposes the consistent teaching of the word of God, with what will happen when The word of God is not taught consistently. People will gather for themselves teachers who teach what their itching ears want to hear. He says the time is coming when people will not want to endure sound doctrine. So people who want to gather for themselves teachers who teach for their itching ears are also culpable in the proliferation of false teachers. People want to hear false teachers’ messages. The hearers are as culpable as the teachers themselves. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5 ESV)

17. Titus

a. 1:9 an Elder must hold to sound doctrine and be able to rebuke those who contradict sound doctrine (i.e., be able to contradict false teaching).

b. 1:10-16 Paul thought that the Judaizers, the false teachers, should be “silenced” and that this particular false teaching was upsetting whole families. This particular set of false teachers was teaching for “shameful gain.” This shows us that Paul thought the way in which they earned their money through false teaching was shameful. Paul then later exhorts Titus in verse 13 to “rebuke them sharply.” “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” (Titus 1:10-11 ESV)

c. 1:10-11 False teachers have the destructive power to lead people astray

d. 3:9-11 those who are false teachers should be once or twice warned and corrected and when they are not correctable after the second time you should stay away from them. Have nothing more to do with them. “But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11 ESV)

18. Philemon

a. No known false teaching addressed

19. Hebrews

a. 13:9-14 false teaching leads people astray. False teaching is a perpetual danger for God’s people. To avoid being carried away by false teaching, we may imitate the faith of godly leaders. To avoid being carried away by false teaching, hold firmly to the centrality of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death. “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:7-14 ESV)

20. James

a. 2:1-13 The Sin of partiality to the rich. The Prosperity gospel certainly shows partiality or gives in to the partiality to the rich. This is sin and certainly false teaching and practice

b. 4:1-12 James warns against worldliness. False teaching often seeks to make us friends with the world or at least more palatable to the world. Verse 4:4 “You adulteress people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

c. 5:1-6 James here again warns the rich. These teachings directly contradict the contents and the emphasis of the prosperity gospel.

21. 1 Peter

a. 5:1-3 Peter describes how an overseer is to shepherd the flock of God in verses 2-3 “not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.” Juxtapose this teaching over and against current false teachers whom nearly all teach for shameful gain, and domineering.

22. 2 Peter:

a. 2:1 False teaching is destructive in nature

b. 2:2 False teachers may be popular who follow their “sensuality

c. 2:3 False teaching can be a result of human error

d. “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV)

e. 2:14-15 False teaching has the power to lead people astray verses 14-16 “insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children. Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrain the prophet’s madness.”

f. 2:18-19 False teachers may be popular but God is reserving the “gloom of utter darkness.” And their teaching has no content “waterless springs.”

g. “These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”” (2 Peter 2:17-22 ESV)

23. 1 John

a. 2:20-23 We can discern false teaching by its contents

b. 2:24 The antidote to false teaching is holding fast to the true gospel

c. 2:26 False teaching leads people astray

d. 3:7-10 We can discern false teaching by the teacher’s lifestyle

e. 4:2-3 We can discern false teaching by its contents

f. 4:1-3 False Teaching can be demonically inspired

g. 4:1-5 They might be very popular

24. 2 John

a. 7-11 We can discern false teaching by its contents

b. 9-11 We are commanded to shun false teachers

25. 3 John

a. John the beloved Apostle talks about Diotrephes and will address his “talking wicked nonsense” when he comes to them.

b. “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.” (3 John 1:9-10 ESV)

26. Jude

a. The whole book gives a blueprint of sorts in dealing with false teaching, false teachers, rebuking it, and contending for the faith.

b. 4 We can discern false teaching by the teacher’s lifestyle

c. “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” (Jude 1:1-23 ESV)

27. Revelation

a. 2:14-15 false teaching of Ballam, which was putting a stumbling block before the sons of Israel so that they might “eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.” There were also the teachings of the Nicolatians. Nicolatian doctrine spiritually or symbolically. Literal eating of idol meats and fornication in Pergamos were accompanied by spiritual idolatry and fornication. Jesus reproves the church for their sinful failures (v. 14): But I have a few things against you because you tolerate those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, etc., and those that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. There were some who taught that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and that simple fornication was not a sin; they, by an impure worship, drew men into impure practices, as Balaam did the Israelites. Noteworthy here is that spiritual filthiness and fleshly filthiness often go hand in hand. Corrupt doctrines and corrupt worship often lead to a corrupt conversation. It is very lawful to affix the name of the leaders of any heresy upon those who follow them. It is the shortest way of telling what we are talking about.

b. 2:20 We can discern false teaching by its effects (seduction, sexual immorality, eating food sacrificed to idols, idolatry).

c. 13:11-15 False teachers (the Beast) will be accompanied by miraculous signs, that will be allowed by God.

d. 16:13-14 False Teaching can be demonically inspired and produce “signs.”

e. 22:18-20 no teacher shall add to or take away from scripture. The private revelation that is on par with “thus saith the lord” is to be rejected. Because the revelation of the canon of scripture is closed.

The New Testament “Names Names” of False Teachers

Some teach it is not good to “name names” when confronting false teachers. The idea goes something like this. We ought not to call anyone by name a False Teacher or call them out individually for their false teaching. People teach something to the effect that Paul and the NT writers did not “name names” so to speak. So, we ought not “name names” either. If you have a problem with a teacher then you should humbly approach them in private as seen in Matthew 18 even though Matthew 18 is talking about approaching a brother about a specific sin against you. But the New Testament teachers and the biblical pattern of the New Testament is something altogether different.

For instance, Jesus calls Herod a Fox in

Luke 13:32-35 32) And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33) Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.’ 34) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35) Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Paul Calls Elymas the Magician a “son of the Devil”

Acts 13:9

9) But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10) and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

Paul called out Demas and Alexander the Coppersmith in a very harsh way…

2 Timothy 4:10-15

10) For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11) Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12) Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13) When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. 14) Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15) Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.

Paul names Hymenaeus and Philetus as false teachers

16) But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17) and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18) who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

And Here Paul repeats the names of Alexander and Hymenaeus again with a very sharp rebuke…He “handed them over to Satan.”

1 Timothy 1:20

"among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."

In Acts 19:13-17 The Seven Sons of the High priest Sceva were named and the embarrassing story about their counterfeit miracles speaks about how they could not “imitate” the miracles of the Apostles. The seven sons of Sceva were named.

Paul writes in Romans 16:17-18 to Mark false teachers, ones that teach a different doctrine that the one you have learned. He says to “mark and then avoid” them. How can you avoid them if you do not know who they are?

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul talks about and addresses a man in the church there who had committed grievous sexual immorality. Having sex with his mother-in-law. They knew precisely who he was even though he had not named him in practicality Paul did. He said, “deliver such a man to Satan and remove him from your midst.” Paul did this so that he might “be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus” how could they have delivered him over to Satan if they did not know who he was?

in 2 Corinthians Paul denounced several false teachers in the city. The Corinthians would certainly have known whom he was talking about even though he did not name them. he says, “such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”

Paul likewise mentioned “opposing Peter (an Apostle of Christ) to his face because he was not “walking in step with the gospel,” and “he stood condemned.”

In Philippians Paul again did not necessarily name people although he did “urge Euodia and I urge Snytyche to live in harmony in the Lord (4:2-3).” Apparently, their sin had nothing to do with false teaching but with hurtful attitudes toward each other. He urged them by name to reconcile.

Later in Philippians, Paul mentions how to deal with the sins of elders who refuse to repent. He says, “Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning (5:20).” Sometimes a public rebuke is necessary for the good of all involved. That would include naming names

Paul even named names for non “false teaching” offenses. In 2 Timothy 1:15, He called two out by name for having abandoned him “You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.”

Paul saved his choicest words for the Judaizers…in Galatians 5:11-12 He said he wished they would go all the way and emasculate themselves. How could he not be talking about specific people? He just did not name them all because most certainly they were numerous. 11) But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12) I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Then there was Demas…In 2 Timothy 4:10 he wrote, “Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me (4:10).” Did Demas ever repent and return to Paul? there is no real record of it, but he called him by name.

In his letter to Titus Paul says an elder might need to refute someone…“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” How would you be able to rebuke a nameless person? You can’t you need to know whom to rebuke.

He then goes after the Judaizers a group of people again in Titus 1:10-11 and said they must be silenced. How should we silence people we cannot name? “10) For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11) They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” although he does not name them he is clear that these men must be openly denounced and silenced. You need a name to be able to silence them.

John, the beloved apostle’s, warnings are also very clear. He says that many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who “do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the anti-Christ (2 John 7).” He says that the faithful saints must have “nothing to do with these deceivers: Do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting (vv. 9-11).” So those are people that they must have known although John does not name them. They had to have known who they were to deny them hospitality.

When John wrote to Gaius (3 John), he warns of a certain Diotrephes: “I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say (v. 9).” He says that when he comes, he will deal with this proud and rebellious man (v. 10). Not just Paul named names also the beloved Apostle did.

The book of Revelation contains seven letters written to seven of the assemblies in Asia (chapters 2-3). Here we find that Jesus personally rebuked those in the city of Thyatira, saying, “I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols (v. 20).” He warned that He would personally deal with this false prophetess and those who followed her (vv. 21-23). Jezebel was a real person in Thyatira whether that was her real name or a symbolic name taken from the wicked queen Jezebel we do not know but it was a real person NOT the Spirit of Jezebel.

These several passages in the new testament should suffice to dispel the myth that we should not name names. All the previous sweeping examples in the NT also give us a clearer picture of how false teaching was handled in the New Testament. It gives us a clearer picture that nearly every NT book deals in some way with false teaching that perverts the gospel and may if possible draw away the elect. We should also as Jude describes “contend for the faith.” I hope and pray this helps you contend for that precious faith once and for all handed down to the saints.

A.B. SIMPSON'S ABERRANT VIEW OF DIVINE HEALING

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 15:15:00 +0000

ALBERT BENJAMIN SIMPSON (1843-1919)

A.B. Simpson (1843-1919) was the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and by many accounts one of the most important figures in the history of Christian World Missions. I do not mean to critique Simpson on his contribution to evangelicalism and the modern mission’s movement. However his view of divine healing displays many gaps and I believe has led us to the modern aberrations, excesses, and extremes we see propagated in modern Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation leaders and teaching that have crept into mainstream evangelical thought. Simpson held the view that divine healing is bound up in the atoning work of Christ. Simpson taught a “Fourfold Gospel” and wrote a short booklet by the same name.[1] I would like to take an in-depth look at his views on divine healing. I studied the booklet and there are many tenuous teachings in his so-called “Fourfold Gospel,” namely that Satan is the source of sickness and illness. Simpson said, “sickness is his work.”[2] He even misquotes the scripture found in Matthew 24:24 saying “that in the last days the spirits of devils shall be upon the earth working miracles, so that, if possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”[3] Matthew 24:24 does not read “spirits of devils” it reads “false christs” and “false prophets” and that they will perform great signs and wonders. Those false christs and false prophets may very well be possessed by devils, but they will not be possessing people to make them sick. The meaning of that passage is that Jesus is saying that these false christs and false apostles will be performing wonderful and great miracles that are seemingly authentic and godly miracles if possible to pull the very elect into their deception. Simpson badly misinterprets this passage to mean that devils can and will give sickness. He actually puts words into Jesus’ mouth. Jesus does not mean that devils can cause sickness which is Simpson’s meaning. Only Job and the woman with the withered hand could possibly be given as justifications for this view. However, God allowed Job’s suffering and even made Satan aware of Job. And the woman with the withered hand was probably that way only through her many years of being possessed, not that the demon caused some palsy in her hand. There is not one other instance of Satan in the Scriptures being the cause of sickness or illness. Rather, God is sovereign in sickness, illness, and disability throughout the Scriptures. Any other view ignores every time that God struck someone with an illness, sickness, or was sovereign in the giving of disability (e.g. Ex. 4:11; Jn 9; Acts 9:1–9; 13:9–12; 2 Kgs 6:16-22; 2 Cor 12:6-7; Gal 4:13-15; 2 Chr. 13:20; 2 Chr. 21:18- 19; 2 Chr. 26:20–21; Rev 8, 9, 15, 16).

According to Simpson, sickness could be a judgment from God, and one must make themselves right before God before healing can take place. Simpson writes

you cannot be healed till that difficulty is made right. You may be in some wrong and crooked attitude. He probably will not restore you till that is adjusted. He may have called you to some service and you are holding back. There will not be healing for the body till you have yielded at this point. There are hundreds of meanings in the sicknesses that are allowed to come upon God’s dear children, and He will show you what His voice is for you (emphasis mine).[4]

Either healing is bound up in the work of Christ in the atonement as he explains throughout this chapter on “Christ our Healer” and is only to be received by faith or it’s not. Nothing man could do by way of works could earn Christ’s atoning work. Simpson even says himself that Divine healing comes by grace, not by works[5] which contradicts his claim that we can receive it only when we make ourselves right with God. These two elements of his teaching contradict each other, are misleading, and contradict the gospel that is to be received by grace through faith. Simpson’s Fourfold Gospel inextricably links divine healing to the gospel. The gospel is not received by works it is received by faith alone. Simpson’s view of getting right before healing can occur makes his gospel a gospel of works.

Simpson taught in the Fourfold Gospel that Christ’s redemption covers all the “liability” of our bodies.[6] This view is not played out in the life of the everyday Christian. Who has lived one full year of their Christian lives without any kind of sickness or illness? Who has lived without a cold, flu, or the coronavirus? Christ’s redemption does not cover “all the liability of our mortal bodies” because every Christian will get ill at some point or another. It is an eventuality of the fall and death is the final illness. Christ’s atoning sacrifice did not cover the liability of our mortal bodies in this life, but rather he has purchased for us through his resurrection the promise of an incorruptible and imperishable body beyond the touch of decay only in the life to come (1 Cor 15:35-58).

Simpson likewise taught that Christ’s resurrection infuses healing into our mortal bodies and that this infusing is a “touch of Divine omnipotence.”[7] He wrote that the “very life of His veins is transfused into yours. That is Divine healing.”[8] This is an associative jump that cannot be substantiated. We certainly receive an incorruptible body at the resurrection of the righteous (1 Cor 15). However, that day has not yet come. We cannot infer that we presently receive Christ’s resurrection body infusing healing into our mortal bodies. His resurrection secures the resurrection of our mortal bodies, not the healing of our present mortal bodies.

Simpson additionally taught that Christ did not heal by his deity but by the Holy Ghost (i.e. by his anointing the anointing being a force or power). This is taught by nearly every Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation leader. They teach this to knock Jesus down an peg to make him just like us. Many teach that we all have the Holy Spirit, and Jesus had the Holy Spirit, and healed only through the Holy Spirit, so we can too. Anything Jesus can do I can do too—is the mantra of the Word of Faith and the New Apostolic Reformation! Simpson wrote

“When Christ healed the sick while He “was upon earth, it was not by the Deity that dwelt in His humanity. He said, “If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you.” Jesus healed by the Holy Ghost. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the broken hearts.” The Holy Ghost is the agent, then, by which this great power is wrought. Especially should we expect to see His working in these days, because they are the days of His own Dispensation, the days in which it has been prophesied that there shall be signs and wonders. How did Samson receive his strength? When the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Then he was able to hurl the temple into ruins and their god Dagon with it. The Spirit of God was in his flesh. So when this electric fire is running through our frame, it brings healing and strength to every fibre (emphasis mine).”[9]

Firstly, Simpson describes the Holy Spirit as an electric fire, although no Scripture describes Him or his work in that way. Furthermore, Simpson’s claim that Christ did not heal by his Deity cannot be substantiated by the gospel accounts. Jesus absolutely did heal by the power of his divinity. John 20:30-31 claims that Jesus did many more miracles but these are recorded so that you may “know that Jesus is the Son of God (i.e. divine).” Likewise, Jesus forgave sins and healed simultaneously which is a clear display of his divinity. Christ said while healing the paralytic “that you know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins (Matt 9:6).” In healing the paralytic and forgiving his sins he displays his divinity—for only God can forgive sins. Christ used his divinity to heal and forgive sins simultaneously. He certainly healed and forgave the paralytic by his divinity. For Christ’s miracles to be evidence of his divine sonship, they must have been performed out of his divinity or from his divinity, not merely from his humanity. The Council of Chalcedon says that Jesus is, “acknowledged in two natures unconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably.”[10] Jesus cannot turn off one nature for the other. His divine and human natures are joined indivisibly and inseparably. Jesus is fully God and fully man in one glorious union. Jesus did everything on this earth as God and man in one resplendent indivisible union. In other words, he did and continues to do everything as God and man simultaneously.

Another biblical story in which Jesus' divinity is linked to his healing ministry is when he healed the man born blind and John 9. After Jesus had healed the man born blind later he showed himself to the man. Jesus then asked him “do you believe in the son of man (Jn 9:35).” And in verse 38 the man born blind worshiped Jesus for his healing power and he said “Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him (Jn 9:38).” Here the man born blind worshiped Jesus for his sovereign act of healing in his life and then worshiped him as God. Jesus received worship, and that as God. Only God can be worshiped and thus the man born blind worshiped Jesus as God for healing him as God.

According to Simpson, Faith is the force that enacts Healing, and healing is part of the redemption of Christ as long as you receive it and abide in it.[11] This is the mistake of the modern faith teachers that faith is some kind of force that enacts healing. Modern Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation teachers teach faith is the thing that “makes withdrawals” from our heavenly account. Principally, we can see that most of the thoughts of the modern faith movement and the more recent NAR find their roots in the teaching of Simpson on divine healing, particularly that you must somehow abide in or keep your healing. It is somehow up to you to keep, maintain, or abide in that healing. It seems almost like Simpson is teaching that you could lose your salvation if you do not abide in Him. This teaching is certainly communicating that you can lose your healing if you do not abide. Could one likewise lose their salvation if they were not to abide, as Simpson teaches here, that we are to abide in our healing?

Simpson furthermore believed that a positive mental outlook contributed to healing and answered prayer. This adds to the contradictory nature of divine healing being part of the atonement. Either we receive divine healing as we receive the gospel, and we should never get sick again, or it’s not. His belief that a positive mental outlook contributes to your healing shows that it cannot be included in the benefits of the atonement. We don’t receive the forgiveness of sins and the other benefits of the atonement through a positive mental outlook, so why would we receive another benefit of the atonement also through a positive mental outlook?

Simson’s inclusion of physical healing as one of the four major aspects of the gospel message cannot be worked out in any practicality. If people aren’t healed then have they even received the full Fourfold Gospel? If someone even becomes ill at all in any way in this life, which is a necessary destiny for every man, then that person has essentially not embraced all the truths of the gospel. Moreover, they may have actually rejected one of the four cornerstones of Simpson’s gospel. Correspondingly, their lives might actually be in eternal jeopardy. If Simpson’s inclusion of divine healing in the gospel is accurate, then did all the people in the New Testament who got ill—did they not embrace the full gospel? What about Paul’s thorn, Timothy’s stomach, Trophimas was left ill by Paul, Epaphroditus was near death but God had mercy, the man born blind in John 9 so that the “works of God might be displayed in him.” In exodus 4:11 God says to Moses “who made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I the Lord?” How could God provide for healing in the atonement when he credited himself with making men mute, deaf, and blind? It would be contradictory for God to credit himself with being sovereign over men to being born blind like John 9 and likewise mute or deaf and then also provide for the eradication of those things in the atonement. Were the 12 apostles, outside of John, who died by persecution and the sword also outside the scope of divine healing and the benefits of healing in the atonement? Jesus has promised, “In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33).”

Furthermore, if someone is relatively healthy and does not require healing of some type, then have they received the gospel? If healing is part of the four main aspects of the gospel, and a person does not necessarily require the benefits of that aspect of the gospel, then have they or can they receive the Fourfold Gospel? The gospel must be fully received by the whole person to receive eternal life and not individual elements by certain people who “need” certain aspects. I would posit this is a pseudo-gospel because it adds elements to the gospel that before Simpson had not been proposed in Christian history. Simpson added the element of health into the atonement that had never before been hypothesized, and in so doing, he expanded the atonement to unbiblical boundaries.

If healing is part of the benefits of what Christ has done for us on the cross then why is it necessary for others to pray for a Christian’s healing (James 5:13-16) if it is an inclusion in the gospel? Individuals pray on their own to receive the gospel on their own. We receive the gospel ourselves by faith, not through proxy prayers. We receive the gospel ourselves. We have no human mediators that help us receive the benefits of the gospel. We receive it personally. Why would you need someone else to pray for your healing if that is a part of your reception of the gospel (i.e. your divine healing)?

One stunning scripture that most opposes Simpson’s view is where Paul, writing to the Galatians, said that it was because of his ailment that he preached the gospel to them. Notice it was not in spite of his ailment, but rather it was because of his ailment that he preached the gospel to the Galatian believers. How can a pillar of the gospel be divine healing, but Paul preached the gospel to them because of his ailment? This would be contradictory at best, and at worst Paul preached an incomplete gospel. Moreover, according to Simpson, one of the main remedies of the gospel was the reason Paul preached the gospel to the Galatians. How could Christ’s redemptive work include physical healing when Paul did not experience that physical healing and was a cornerstone of why he preached to the Galatians? Paul’s ailment was the reason that the gospel was preached to the Galatians. Not only that, but the Galatians did not despise him or scorn him for his ailment, but received him as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. If physical healing is part of the atoning work of Jesus Christ, then the Galatian believers should’ve rejected Paul and scorned him and despised him, but rather they receive him as an angel of God. Although divine healing does happen by the sovereign will of God, the true gospel that Paul and the Apostles preached does not necessarily include divine healing in Christ’s redemption. Paul wrote, “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus (Gal 4:13-14 ESV).” It would seem that Paul’s ailment was necessarily part and parcel to his message that the “word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18).”

Moreover, how many people throughout Christian history have had the opportunity, like Paul, to preach because of a disability, ailment, or sickness that they would not otherwise have had had they not been disabled, sick, or had some other infirmity? I think of more recent examples such as Joni Eareckson Tada (paralysis), Nabeel Qureshi (cancer), and Nick Vujicic (born without limbs). I also think of Krista Horning’s Book Just the Way I Am: God's good design in disability, which highlights families and individuals with disabilities and how they glorify God in and through their disabilities. This book is magnificent! Every page is beautiful pictures of people affected by disabilities and their scripture and messages that they would share of Christ and his glorious gospel.

"Just the Way I Am" by: Krista Horning

[12] All these people have had extraordinary opportunities to preach the saving message of Jesus Christ because of their illnesses, and disabilities that they would not have had had they not been disabled or sick. Have these people preached an incomplete gospel? No! They have gained a greater audience because of their trying circumstances. I would suggest that their trials strengthen their message because these three high-profile people have embraced the message of the gospel despite their trying circumstances. These three people are not preaching an incomplete gospel or only three aspects of Simpson’s gospel. They are presenting the entire council of God while their suffering and hardship are not lifted. Simpson adds the element of healing to the gospel whereas Tada, Qureshi, Vujicic, and Paul have preached the gospel and found bigger platforms for the spread of the gospel than they would have had had they not had their ailments.

I have observed that the view that healing is bound up in the atoning redemptive work of Christ is a convenient theology for those who are not chronically ill, disabled, handicapped, or face some other debilitating malady. If we look at the global number of people affected by disability put out by the World Health Organization they estimate that up to 18% of the world’s population experience some degree of disability.[13] They record, “around 720 million people have difficulties in functioning with around 100 million experiencing very significant difficulties.”[14]

This means that up to 720 million people have some physical difficulty in functioning and 100 million people have very significant difficulty in functioning. What has Simpson’s Fourfold Gospel done for them? It is not a stretch to conclude that several million people out of that 720 million figure of the global population are Christians. Have those people not received the true gospel of divine healing that live with a permanent disability? Moreover, Simpson’s teaching places a harsh burden on those Christians who struggle under such devastating challenges. This theology places an extra burden on people compounding their suffering unnecessarily. This theological perspective communicates that something is profoundly wrong with people who are handicapped, disabled, chronically ill, or face some other form of physical challenges. This theological view is pastorally cruel.

Furthermore, Simpson seems to reflect the views of his times and was deeply affected by Mary Baker Eddy (founder of Christian Science), Ellen G. White (founder of Seventh Day Adventism), and Bibelheim in the small Swiss town of Männedorf, and then later one of his extremely controversial contemporaries John Alexander Dowie.[15] One thing that we can certainly attribute Simson and his perspective to is the beginnings of divine healing, its modern application, and the excesses that we see in the New Apostolic Reformation. Apart from his contribution, we might not be where we are—having to deal with the aberrations and extremes that are so prevalent in the modern Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation and further spreading its leaven (Gal 5:9) broadly throughout evangelicalism. I have only seen this teaching hurt people and shipwreck Christian’s faith (1 Tim 1:19). The organization that Simpson founded, The Christian and Missionary Alliance, still summarizes its Christological DNA on Simpson’s Fourfold Gospel. Even their mission branding incorporates “Savior, Sanctifier, Healer, and Coming King.” I would beg the Christian & Missionary Alliance to likewise reconsider it as one of the staples (DNAs) of its global ministry and gospel proclamation.

Christian & Missionary Alliance Mission DNA

[16] The Christian and Missionary Alliance may forfeit the opportunity to minister to the global disability community as a result of their belief that the atonement of Christ includes physical healing. For these multiple reasons, we must abandon this perspective and leave it behind as the deviation from biblical Christianity that it is.

[1] Access Fourfold Gospel here https://cdn.cmalliance.org/wordpress/cmalliance/the-fourfold-gospel.pdf

[2] Simpson, A. B. (1890). The Four-Fold Gospel. The Christian Alliance Publishing Co. 73

[3] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 74

[4] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 82-83

[5] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 89

[6] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 86

[7] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 79

[8] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 87

[9] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 87-89

[10] Bindley, T. Herbert, and F. W. Green, (1950) The Oecumenical Documents of the Faith; the Creed of Nicaea, Three Epistles of Cyril, The Tome of Leo, The Chalcedonian Definition (London: Methuen), 91-92

[11] Simpson, The Four-Fold Gospel. 92-93

[12] Horning, K. (2001). Just the Way I Am: God’s Good Design in Disability. Christian Focua Pubn.

[13] World Health Organization & World Bank. (2011). World report on disability 2011. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44575. 27

[14] World Health Organization & World Bank. World report on disability 2011. 27

[15] John Alexander Dowie. (2022). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Alexander_Dowie&oldid=1120446947

[16] What We Believe. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://cmalliance.org/who-we-are/what-we-believe/

Germany Has Opened Pandora’s Box with Decision in Favor of Doctor Assisted Suicide

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 19:30:00 +0000

Germany Has Opened Pandora’s Box with Decision in Favor of Doctor Assisted Suicide

German Supreme Court

Germany’s Supreme Court on February 26^th, 2020 decided in favor of doctor assisted suicide. This opens pandoras box and can only lead down a slippery slope of unbiblical ethics on end of life issues. The whole western world is abuzz with such ethical issues on the “sanctity of life.” Today I would like to deal with these from Biblical terms and what a Christian response should be.

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!”

Psalms 139:13-17 ESV

A healthy God honoring culture takes care of the weakest members of its society to the best of its abilities. God has ordained and created life from conception to natural death (Psalm 139:13-16; Job 10:11) And we should honor and do our best to protect and preserve every image bearing creation of God. With this recent Supreme Court decision to allow for doctor assisted suicide, these issues come up again. It is a sad day indeed that a country would not legally protect life from God ordained conception (Psalm 139:13-16; Job 10:11) until the numbered days are fulfilled to one’s natural death (Psalm 139:16; Job 14:5).

Entrance to Auschwitz used for the "Final Solution" above
"Arbeit Macht Frei" means "Work Makes You Free"

This could and will lead to the eventuality that we saw under the evil Hitler regime of the “final solution” in ridding the “master race” of all impurities such as disability, and any other racial imperfections. The “final solution” was not just the eradication of the Jewish race, it was the eradication of any unwanted and unnecessary burden on the victory of the 3rd Reich. Those expendables were systematically exterminated or imprisoned with impunity. This is the slippery slope that we humans find ourselves on. Germans didn’t wake up one day and think, “let’s kill 6 million Jews and untold others with disabilities and other unwanted.” It was a series of unethical and unchristian compromises that led to the full acceptance of the “final solution.”

How does a culture come to allow such atrocities? They make simple “compassionate compromises” like the “allowance of suffering people to die with dignity.” But long before that a culture must have decided to abandon faith in and obedience to God.

This is not a judgement on Germany, but rather an indictment on the whole western world that has abandoned the belief in the sanctity of life. When a culture abandons trust in God, and obedience to his word, the abandonment of the sanctity of all life is soon to follow. Most western countries have long before abandoned their trust and reliance on God with the rise of secularism. On the dollar bill in America stands the phrase “In God We Trust,” which ironically has not been the case since at least the infamous Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973.

There are tenuous and treacherous days ahead of us. Especially with the themes that are also on the table now in many western countries. One theme being, if medical insurance companies should offer and or require prenatal testing of pregnant women. The natural outcome of such a practice can only lead to more abortions of disability pre-diagnoses. In our day and age, with the constant sanctity of life issues that are finding their way to national political levels, we find ourselves not just on a slippery slope, but rather we are racing down a jagged cliff toward the dangerous end of all hindrance or protections for the weakest in our societies the elderly, sick, disabled, and babies in the womb. A current development that proves that the “slippery slope” is not a crazy conspiracy theory argument is a current case being argued before the US supreme court. The legal right to abortion was not enough for abortion rights, but now a case is being heard that could tip the scales in favor of easy access for everyone to abortions. June Medical Services LLC v. Russo[1] could very well be the decision if Roe v. Wade was enough or should every woman everywhere have the right and full access to an easy and convenient abortion. The slippery slope exists in this “sanctity of life” ethical fight. It is not a conspiracy theory construct by the “right to life” groups. There are a consistent litany of cases coming, and the lines keep getting pushed further and further away from a reasonable and rational ethic of the sanctity of life.

Terry Shiavo with her mother in 2001

I am by no means an Ethical expert, but needless to say these current developments stand in clear opposition to Biblical Ethics. I remember years ago when the Terrry Schiavo story was played out in front of the public eye. Terry was as a young woman who suffered a heart attack and was deemed brain dead and proclaimed in a “persistent vegetative state.” This was the first “right to die” case of its kind in modern medical history. Her husband and legal guardian pursued the right to remove the feeding tube from Terry and in all practicality let her starve to death. Schiavo’s parents contended against his wishes and a prolonged legal battle for Terry’s life ensued. This case was battled out in the public eye from 1990-2005. Of course, these are complex medical issues. The question certainly arises, “when is someone truly dead, and when is someone only being held alive by machines?”

Peter Singer in 2013

The question I would like to address is, at what point does an immortal life begin and end? Many ethicists have sought to answer the question. The infamous Peter Singer, professor of Bioethics at Princeton University, believes and teaches that it is morally and ethically acceptable that a baby would be killed up to six months after birth. He argues that a chimpanzee could have a greater right to life than a human infant. He even goes so far as to argue that killing a human baby can be the right thing to do. Should a six-month-old be required to prove their personhood? Should a six-month-old be protected? Should the life of the elderly and the suffering likewise be protected? Should a terminal patient that cannot prove or validate their personhood be given the same rights as the hard working and fit 30-year-old construction worker? If the Christian scriptures and its moral and ethical standards are not our full and final authority, then Singer’s ethics make sense. Why not take this ethic to its logical

Justice Harry Blackmun

author of the majority

opinion in Roe v. Wade

conclusion, and fully engage with the evolutionary ethic “Survival of the Fittest?” Why should we take care of the weakest members of our society at all? When they become a drain then people in all stages of life become expendable. Those who are fit should survive and those who cannot should be exterminated by the fittest. This is the ethic that the western world and now Germany has bought into. Singer is not alone in his ethical stance. In the landmark Roe v. Wade decision Justice Harry Blackmun introduced the idea of a “useful life.” He described that ending a life that is deemed not useful, is not only permissible, but required of a sensitively ethical person. Thus, the sanctity of life from conception to natural death was done away with. Here we witnessed a shift in sanctity of life ethics. Things shifted and the calculating argument became no longer “sanctity of life,” but rather “quality of life."

To help answer that question of who is an immortal life and when it begins and ends, I turn to Robertson McQuilken’s book “An Introduction to Biblical Ethics.”

“Because of recent advances in our knowledge of prenatal life, virtually all agree that the zygote (fertilized egg) is alive and that it is human. The contention of some pro-choice advocates that the embryo is merely tissue or organ of the mother, like her appendix, gave way in the seventies before the weight of scientific evidence. Virtually all agree that zygotes, embryos, and fetuses are individuals of the human species. The zygote's unique DNA code is already determining its independent existence, including the processes of the pregnancy itself. So, the debate has shifted from the question of when human life begins to the question of the value of various forms of life.”[2]

Dr. C. Everett Koop 13th Surgeon
General of the United States

The question is not for us whether or not babies, elderly, and those suffering belong to the human community. It is a question of wether those pre-born, elderly, disabled, suffering, and the terminally ill are immortal lives with eternal souls. The Bible is however clear that all Image bearing humans have eternal souls. McQuilken explains further how movement to Abortion and Euthanasia did not happen in a vacuum. He describes how in the 1930’s the humanism movement strongly pushed abortion and euthanasia early on and that the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was a foregone conclusion to the Humanism/Feminism movements. Within Roe V. Wade is built in the new framework that the only child that should be born is the child that is “wanted.” Closely linked to these stories is the case of “Baby Doe” in 1982 and this story resonates with me personally because the child in this case had Down syndrome. The parents of this child declined surgery to fix esophageal atresia which lead to the baby’s death. Dr. C. Everett Koop who was the surgeon General at the time believed that the boy was denied treatment and sustenance, not because of the risk, but because of the child’s Down syndrome. Koop was publicly vocal about his disagreement with withholding treatment as he himself had successfully performed hundreds of such procedures. He was of the opinion by the year 1982 that if such a procedure was done that it would have been most certainly successful. Thankfully through Koop's efforts the “Baby Doe Amendment” was passed into law on October 9th, 1984. The amendment defined child abuse as withholding sustenance, medically reasonable care from disabled children. However, in 1986 it was struck down on the grounds that the “Rehabilitation Act didn’t apply to medical care of handicapped infants.”[3]

The robust argument against the logic of abortion on the basis of desirability is the unequal application of protection that a baby in utero is provided. If a baby is wanted, it is protected in the womb. Let’s say for instance, two different women are pregnant. One has decided to have an abortion and goes through with it. The other has decided to have the baby and wants to carry it to term and deliver it. God forbid, but the second mother in the term of her pregnancy is attacked by a mugger. Let’s say he violently strikes her in the stomach during the mugging and the baby in the womb dies and the woman miscarries. That man could and should be charged with murder or at the least manslaughter. What is the difference in the two cases? The one woman has decided that her child in utero is not wanted and the other woman has decided that her child is wanted. The protection of personhood is not equitably applied across all cases as seen in this example. As seen in this example, we obviously make exceptions for the protection of innocent life in the case of wanted and unwanted pregnancies. It follows then that with the “right to die” that people eventually who are “not wanted” will soon become expendable as seen in our inequitable application of justice in the abortion of the “unwanted” child and the “wanted” child. This will also be the inevitable outcome on the slippery slope of doctor assisted suicide. It is just a matter of time. We have seen that in the case of abortion, how the slippery slope of ethics of the protection of desired personhood and unwanted personhood works.

In His Seminal work “Ethics” Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes the “right to bodily life” this way,

“Bodily life, which we receive without any action on our own part, carries within itself the right to its own preservation. This is not a right that we have justly or unjustly appropriated to ourselves, but it is in the strictest sense an “innate” right, one which we have passively received, and which preexists our will, a right which rests upon the nature of things as they are. Since it is God's will that there should be human life on earth only in the form of bodily life, it follows that it is for the sake of the whole man that the body possesses the right to be preserved. And since all rights are extinguished at death, it follows that the preservation of the life of the body is the foundation of all natural rights without exception and it is, therefore, invested with a particular importance. The underlying right of natural life is the safeguarding of nature against intentional injury, violation and killing. That may sound very jejune and unheroic. But somebody does not exist primarily in order to be sacrificed, but in order that it may be preserved. Different and more exalted considerations may give rise to the right or the duty of sacrificing the body, but this in itself presupposes the underlying right to the conservation of bodily life... According to the Christian doctrine, the body possesses a higher dignity. Man is a bodily being and remains so in eternity as well. Bodiliness and human life belong inseparably together.”[4]

Bonhoeffer continues,

“Among free independent persons any conscious injury to the body of another constitutes the destruction of the first natural right of man; it means that he is in principle deprived of all his rights and that natural life is destroyed. The first right of natural life consists in the safeguarding of the life of the body against arbitrary killing. One must speak of arbitrary killing were ever innocent life is deliberately destroyed... All deliberate killing of innocent life is arbitrary.”[5]

In regard to euthanasia, and doctor assisted suicide Bonhoeffer says, “If there is even the slightest responsible possibility of allowing others to remain alive, then the destruction of their lives would be arbitrary killing, murder. Killing and keeping alive are never of equal value in the taking of this decision; the sparing of life has an incomparably higher claim than killing can have.”[6]

Bonhoeffer goes on to describe that if a patient does not give or cannot give explicit consent for help with dying then the argument is moot and truly unethical. He even argues that a person who is depressed who has asked with help to die, that it cannot be taken as and treated with the same ethical standard because the person is no longer “his own master.”[7] Bonhoeffer clearly displays in this passage that the “right to life” takes inherent precedent over the demand for death. Within this whole passage Bonhoeffer displays the slippery slope and how when we start on it without the ultimate innate value of the “right to life” then we have strayed off the “Biblical Ethical course.”

We can see this in our activities with the cart blanche abortion of babies with disabilities. As previously stated, the question was debated recently in German parliament, “should health insurances offer as a rule prenatal testing to all pregnancies?” This would and could only lead to systematic abortion of babies with prenatal diagnoses of disabilities. Moreover, it could even lead to health insurances denying coverage or demanding that women abort babies with prenatal diagnoses of disability. Insurances could make it a rule, and then the rule becomes the procedure, and then the procedure moves to demands of the insured to comply with “lower costs” or what an insurance company labels “high risk.” Pretty soon, as we slide down this slippery ethical slope, insurance companies will have risk assessments labeling such pregnancies outside the scope of coverage. People could be penalized when they decide to bring babies to term instead of terminating their pregnancy. Because the insurance provider’s risk assessment model shows that the costs of such babies and children, and even adults will be a larger financial burden on the insurance company.

Let us seek now to lay a biblical case against doctor assisted suicide and abortion. Is there a biblical precedent for the “right to life” from conception to natural death? The Bible undoubtedly supports the view that life begins at conception albeit not necessarily with clear directives or commands. First, Scripture teaches that human life is precious, and that murder is wrong (Genesis 9:6). Uniquely among all creatures only man has the capacity for a relationship with God. Only man has a soul. Only man was made in God’s image, God’s

The Bible says we are image bearers of God

likeness (Genesis 1:26). The Bible talks of God knowing an individual from conception (Jeremiah 1:5). Additionally, David said he was “sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5) So David was in need of a Savior from the very point of his conception. In other words, he was like every man affected from conception by the fall of Adam. Paul later alludes to that fall, “For in Adam all men die (1 Cor 15:22).” Job speaks of God molding him like clay and forming his skin, flesh and bones.

One of the greatest examples of this is Psalm 139, the Psalmist praises God whom he says, “created my inmost being … [and] knit me together in my mother’s womb”. Human beings are the only one of God’s creatures that scripture singularity describes as being “God’s needlework.” More spectacularly, God’s knowledge of the Psalmist goes back to his creation in the womb when he “was made in the secret place”. God saw his “unformed body”, that is, God saw the Psalmist as an embryo. None of God’s creation is so uniquely formed and so thoroughly known by God in the womb. In Luke 1:41-45 the baby, John the Baptist, leaps for joy in his mother’s womb. Elizabeth, his mother, heard the voice of Mary far off, and John the Baby “leaped in her womb.” Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. It is obvious that John the Baptist was leaping for joy in the Lord because of the presence of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Why did he leap for joy? More than likely, because the Angel previously reported that John the Baptist would be “filled with the Spirit from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15).” How is it that a person could be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb, if a baby in the womb is not an eternal person with image bearing quality? Only people can be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is one of the most telling arguments for personhood from conception.

Christ similarly received his mortal body at conception. Jesus' conception is a tremendous example of this. He was uniquely “conceived by the Holy Spirit,” and subsequently began his earthly life at his conception. The incarnation of Jesus Christ began at his Holy Spirit conception, not in a manger in Bethlehem. God became in-carnate wrapped in flesh in an embryo. It follows then that the human soul must be present from conception. Therefore, body and soul cannot be separated until natural death.

Furthermore, to take a life toward the end of life would also be against the commands of God, Jesus repeated the ten commands in particularly the commandment not to murder when he said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire (Matthew 5:21-22).” For these biblical reasons a person has an eternal soul from the time of conception until death. Anything that interrupts that is an affront to God, and a transgression against the law of God. Although God is sovereign and has numbered the days of man (Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16), man has no such mandate to interfere or to seek to “play God.” in the interference with the “image bearing” life that God has ordained and created.

We see the further prohibition of “shedding blood” laid out in the beginning of Genesis. “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” What is the basis and foundation against killing an innocent person? It is the image of God in man that is the basis of this prohibition. We are prohibited from shedding blood precisely because God has made us and because we carry his image. Thus, our significance, or our claim to self-protection and outside protection of any life is not based on the “quality of life,” gifts, abilities, or any other status but the status of being made in the image of God. Our dignity is not based on what we can do, but in our creation identity. We do not earn or lose the right to be treated like image-bearers. It is intrinsic in all men according to our “made-ness.” “In the image of God, he created them male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27; 5:2).” Jesus in Matthew 19:4 reiterates this creation order that “He (God) made them male and female (Matthew 19:4).”

An embryo is not a potential human being, it is a human being with potential. Similarly, a life nearing its conclusion is no less human. A life with a flickering flame is not extinguished unless the days numbered for us have come to a close. It is a life until the flame of life has been extinguished by its creator and its potential has been fulfilled. Such flickering flames should fall under the protection and care of other image bearers. They fall under the care of the image giver, why should they not fall under our care and protection as well? Why do we not let every man fall under our care and love? Convenience, expediency, usefulness, pain, injury, money, depression, or that they have become a burden on the society? These are not grounds enough for the extinguishing of that flame. Jesus himself was the one at creation who gave us our image bearing quality. He still lovingly to this day continually upholds us by the power of his mighty word (Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4). It is in the mind and purpose of Christ to sustain us and continue to breathe the breath of life into our lungs. He purposes to keep us alive. He continually speaks from heaven, “Exist, exist, exist,” and we exist. Paul said in his address at the Areopagus, “In him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).” He is the sustainer of all life. Sustaining of life is one of the purposes of Christ. We ought to likewise have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and also seek to uphold our fellow image-bearers and do our utmost to that end. It is the Christ-like thing to do.

[1] https://apple.news/AzR66PGNJTdSbDYsVrn9jTA,accessed March 3, 2020

[2] McQuilkin, J. Robertson. An Introduction to Biblical Ethics. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1995. Print. Page 310.

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Doe_Law

[4] Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, and Eberhard Bethge. Ethics. New York, NY, Etc.: Simon & Schuster, 2002. Print. Page 154-155.

[5] Ibid, page 158.

[6] Ibid, page 159.

[7] Ibid, page 160.

THRON Konferenz 2019 Jeremy Riddle Vortrag Bewertung

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:11:00 +0000

Jeremy Riddle und Ben Fitzgerald

THRON Konferenz am 20. Juni 2019

Eimeldingen, Deutschland

Dokument übersetzt aus englischem Originalskript

Zu Forschungszwecken habe ich an der THRON Konferenz in Baden-Württemberg (Eimeldingen) teilgenommen. Der Eintritt war am Abend des 20. Juni frei. Ich bin gebeten worden, mein Feedback zu geben, deswegen habe ich diesen öffentlichen Artikel verfasst. . Die Sitzung, die ich besucht habe, leitete Jeremy Riddle, Lobpreisleiter der Bethel Church in Redding. Das Haus schien ziemlich voll zu sein, es gab noch einige freie Plätze. Alle Redner sprachen Englisch und waren ins Deutsche übersetzt worden. Als jemand, der fließend Deutsch und Englisch spricht (Englisch Muttersprache), bin ich davon überzeugt davon, dass die Übersetzung nicht völlig korrekt waren. Schuld hat daran wohl nicht der Übersetzer, sondern die spezielle Sprache mit eigenen Vokabeln, welche Redner der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) (FUßNOTE) benutzen. bestimmte Sprache, Präsentation, rhythmus welche übersetzung ganz schwierig ist. Ich glaube die meisten Leute haben keine Ahnung, was diese bestimmten Wörter tatsächlich sagen sollen. Riddle sprach über den Heiligen Geist. Bevor Riddle nach dem Lobpreis die Bühne betrat, sprach jedoch zuerst Ben Fitzgerald. Er behauptete, dass die Bibel sagt,

„Die Quelle Gottes ist für den Durchbruch da.“

Fitzgerald lieferte keinen biblischen Nachweis. Aber ich vermutete, dass er sich auf Sacharja 13,1 bezog. Es heißt dort: „An jenem Tag wird ein Brunnen für das Haus Davids und die Bewohner Jerusalems geöffnet sein, um sie von Sünde und Unreinheit zu befreien (Sacharja 13,1)". Hier hat Ben Fitzgerald diesen alttestamentlichen Vers aus dem Zusammenhang gerissen, um durch einen biblischen Bezug seine eigene Aussage zu untermauern. Es ist jedoch klar, dass sich dieser Vers auf das Haus David bezieht, welches von der Sünde gereinigt wird, und nicht auf unseren persönlichen Durchbruch. Dies ist typische Praxis der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR). Bibelverse werden aus ihrem Zusammenhang gerissen, um den eigenen Standpunkt zu "beweisen", auch wenn die Passage nichts mit dem Punkt zu tun hat, der bewiesen werden soll.

Fitzgerald fuhr fort: „Gott nennt sich selbst den Gott des Durchbruchs.“ Er spielte nicht darauf an, woher er diese Informationen hatte. Ich kenne keine Stelle in der Schrift, in der Gott sich selbst „den Gott des Durchbruchs“ nennt. Es ist außerordentlich problematisch, Gott falsch darzustellen. Als Pastoren oder Lehrer werden wir strenger beurteilt werden: „Nicht viele von euch sollten Lehrer werden, meine Brüder, denn ihr wisst, dass wir, die wir lehren, mit größerer Strenge gerichtet werden (Jakobus 3,1).“ Ich fürchte demütig, welches Gericht ihm bevorsteht, wenn er Gott mit einem Namen beschreibt, mit dem Er sich selbst nicht benannt hat. Wir können nicht einfach Gott Namen geben, von denen wir wollen, dass er sie hat. Es ist besonders prekär zu sagen, dass Gott sich selbst etwas genannt hat, wenn er es nicht getan hat.

Ben fuhr fort: „Gott sprach zu mir … Er will etwas vor dir („He wants to remove something in front of you”) entfernen.“ Es ist ebenfalls eine Angewohnheit von Sprechern der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) oder der „Wort des Glaubens (WDG) (FUßNOTE)“-Strömung, zu behaupten, dass Gott etwas gerade gesagt oder offenbart hat. Hier die tiefere theologische Frage: Spricht Gott zu den Menschen außerhalb der Heiligen Schrift? Erhält der Mensch „Offenbarungen“, wie die Neuen Apostolische Reformation (NAR) uns glauben machen will? Gott scheint täglich mit jedem der neuen Apostel oder Propheten auf der Bühne zu sprechen. Und wenn Gott gesagt hat: „Er will etwas vor dir entfernen“, was bedeutet das? Ich nehme an, er meint, eine Schwierigkeit zu beseitigen. Dient Gott unserer persönlichen Agenda, indem er Schwierigkeiten aus unserem Leben wegnimmt? Gott ist souverän und er wird manchmal Schwierigkeiten in unseren Leben stehenlassen, uns zum Guten und ihm zur Herrlichkeit.

Ben fuhr fort: „Ich kann Ihn im Raum für diesen Durchbruch (breakthrough) spüren.“ Ich nehme an, dass er von diesen lästigen Schwierigkeiten sprach, von denen Gott ihm sagte, dass er sie beseitigen wollte. Dann führte er das ganze Publikum in eine Zeit des „Gebets, der Deklaration und einer umwälzenden Atmosphäre". Er forderte die Zuhörer auf, für die Sitznachbarn zu beten und zwar wegen „Rückenschmerzen, Sünde, Durchbruch in den Finanzen“ usw. Nach nicht einmal 15 Minuten seit Veranstaltungsbeginn kam Thema Heilung bereits zur Sprache. Alle Worte, die Fitzgerald hier verwendete, sind typische Schlagworte und beliebte Slogans der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR). Dann sagte er: „Lasst das Licht aus, damit niemand dich sehen kann, für wen du betest.“ Ich fand das etwas seltsam. Warum wollte er nicht die Leute sehen lassen, für wen sie beten? Die Neuen Apostolische Reformation (NAR) nutzt solche Taktiken, um die Teilnehmer zu einer emotionalen Reaktion zu manipulieren. Es scheint ziemlich normal zu sein, auf die Person schauen zu können, für die man betet, aber es geht nicht darum, sondern es geht ihnen um den Durchbruch und das Gefühl, also ist die Kontrolle der Atmosphäre entscheidend. Er drängte die Menschen immer wieder, dafür zu beten, dass Gott Durchbruch im Bereich der Finanzen bringt, was auch eine wichtige theologische Ansicht der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) ist, dass nämlich die von Jesus Christus vollbrachte Sühne deine Gesundheit, deinen Reichtum, und deinen Wohlstand hier in diesem Leben gesichert hat.

Fitzgerald bestätigte dann die theologische Position der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) und „Wort des Glaubens”, indem er in etwa ausdrückte: „Er kann die Krankheit wegwaschen.“ Als ich mich im Publikum umsah, fand ich drei Personen, die in Rollstühlen saßen. Ich fragte mich, ob das Sühneversprechen von Gesundheit, Reichtum, und Wohlstand auch für sie verfügbar war? Aber wahrscheinlich nicht, ich bemerkte, dass eine der Personen an diesem Abend den Saal im selben Rollstuhl verließ, in dem sie gekommen war. Ich fand es interessant, dass Ben einige Minuten lang die Hände auf den Kopf, das Herz und den Rücken seiner Übersetzer legte, und wieder zurück zu Kopf und Herz. Hat jemand Ben die Hände aufgelegt? Natürlich nicht. Auf diese Weise üben die Führer dieser Bewegung eine Form der Kontrolle über die Angehörigen der Bewegung aus. Es ist ein Machtspiel, das alle Apostel und Propheten dieser Strömung nutzen, um die Menschen an ihr Bedürfnis nach einer weiteren Heilung, einem neuen Segen bringenden Ereignis zu binden. Die Anhänger dieser Bewegung können mit Drogenabhängigen verglichen werden, die immer auf der Suche nach dem nächsten „Kick“ sind. Warum konnte der Übersetzer auf der Bühne nicht für Bens „Durchbruch“ die Hände auf ihn legen und für ihn beten?

Dann bemerkte ich, dass etwas anfing zu passieren. Die Leute fingen an zu lachen, sprachen in Zungen und machten seltsame Geräusche. Dies wird in der Bewegung der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) als Zeichen des Wirkens des Heiligen Geistes oft praktiziert. Es ist jedoch ein künstlicher Zustand der Erregung. Der Heilige Geist wirkte im Neuen Testament durch das Sprechen in Zungen, aber es ist im Neuen Testament verboten, ohne einen Übersetzer in Zungen zu sprechen (1. Korinther 14,28). Ben manipulierte weiterhin die Musik und die Beleuchtung und er brachte die Menschen zum Weiterbeten. „Was haben die Musik und das Licht damit zu tun, dass wir beten?“ war mein Gedanke. Vereinzelt wurde weiter laut gelacht; auch dies kein neutestamentliches Zeichen des Heiligen Geistes. Mehrere Leute im Publikum schwenkten Banner (Flaggen).

Ben beendete seine Zeit mit der Befehl: „Gib ihm einen Schrei des Lobes, gib ihm einen deutschen Schrei des Lobes.“ Er forderte das Publikum auf, einfach zu schreien. Keine Worte des Lobes, nur ein lautes Rufen. Dann fragte er: „Wer hatte einen Durchbruch? Wer wurde gewaschen?“

Nach dem Schreien begann Ben, Jeremy Riddle vorzustellen. Er sagte: „Jeremy Riddle ist der Vater der Lobpreis-Bewegung.“ Er kann diese Behauptung nicht ernst meinen. Es gibt Hunderte von Lobpreisleitern und Künstlern, die Riddle vorangegangen sind. Zweifellos ist Riddle ein versierter Künstler mit mehreren erfolgreichen CDs, die seinen Namen tragen. Aber die Aussage von Fitzgerald entwertet so viele christliche Künstler vor Riddle, wie Larry Norman, Keith Green, Rich Mullins, Phil Keagy, Delirious, um nur einige zu nennen. Auch dies ist üblich unter NAR-Anhängern, öffentlich ohne besonderen Grund einander zu loben und zu ehren. Besonders vor größerem Publikum, so dass Leute ihn (Riddle) nicht in Frage stellen können, weil er ja der „Vater der Lobpreis-Bewegung“ ist, was so nicht stimmt. Dann sagte Fitzgerald uns: „Steh auf und ehre Jeremy Riddle.“

Jeremy Riddle begann zu sprechen. Eines der ersten Dinge, die er sagte, war: „Es ist sehr mächtig in diesem Raum.“ Falls ihr Riddle nicht kennt, er ist einer der vielen Lobpreisleiter in der Bethel Church in Redding, Kalifornien. Eine der Hauptlehren dieser Kirche ist, dass wir die Gegenwart Gottes schützen können und eifersüchtig darüber wachen sollen. Und wenn wir die Gegenwart schützen und eifersüchtig darauf aufpassen, dann gewährt Gott mehr von seiner Gegenwart. Riddles Hinweis darauf, dass „etwas“ in diesem Raum mächtig sei, ist ein Hinweis auf diese Theologie und auf die weiteren Geschehnisse des Abends. Es ist ein subtiler Rahmen für das Publikum, um sich auf das vorzubereiten, was am Ende seiner Präsentation passieren wird (die Taufe im Heiligen Geist). Dann sagte er: „Gott bewegt sich in Europa, aber vor allem in Deutschland.“ Keine wirkliche Erklärung dafür, aber ich nehme an, er bezieht sich auf die Ereignisse der Veranstaltung Awakening Europe, die von Ben Fitzgeralds Organisation durchgeführt wurde und die eindeutig mit Bethel und der NAR verbunden ist.

Riddle begann mit den Worten: „Lasst uns etwas Zeit mit Singen verbringen.“ Er bat alle, einfach einen schönen Ton zu singen. Es wurden keine Worte ausgesprochen, man sollte einfach eine Melodie singen. Zu dieser Zeit fing Riddle an, sich hin und her zu bewegen und und bat die Leute, einfach ihre Stimme zu erheben. Es ging ihm darum, kein richtiges Lied zu singen, vielmehr hieß es, „lass es steigen“, man solle die Lobgesänge hochsteigen lassen. Während das Publikum sang, sagte er etwas sehr Interessantes. Er sagte: „Sing, als würdest du etwas bewegen (“shifting something”).“ Dies ist ein sehr wichtiger Schwerpunkt in der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) und der damit verbundenen Wort des Glaubens-Bewegung. Als Vorbehalt sei erwähnt, dass nicht alle modernen Lobpreis-Bewegungen diese Theologie glauben. Der vorherrschende Glaube in der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) und der Anbetung nach Art Bethels ist, dass die Lobpreismusik etwas ist, das die Dinge in den himmlischen Bereichen verändern und Bindungen zerbrechen kann (wie in Fitzgeralds Einführung zu sehen ist) und auf sonstige Weise das „Schicksal umwälzt (“shift destinies”)“. Diese aktuelle Theologie des Lobpreises hat die Ansicht des historischen Christentums über die Anbetung abgelöst. Anbetung ist der Ausdruck von Huldigung, Anbetung, Danksagung und Gebeten aller Art an Gott, weil er einfach würdig ist, nicht weil die Anbetung an sich etwas verändern kann oder würde. Während das Publikum sang, fing Riddle an, seine Arme zu schwingen und seinen Körper hin und her zu schaukeln oder beugen.

An dieser Stelle dachte ich, dass dies genau wie ein Bethel-Gottesdienst oder eine andere Veranstaltung nach Art der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR) ist. Mit dem Lachen, den schwankenden, schwingenden Armen, dem Hin- und Herschaukeln und dem Befehl zu singen, als ob man „Schicksale verändert“. Die ganze Terminologie und alle typischen Körperausdrücke waren vorhanden wie auch in einem typischen Gottesdienst von Bethel oder der Neuen Apostolischen Reformation (NAR). Riddle schwang seine Arme, als würde dies etwas bewegen oder in Gang setzen. Er drückte seine Arme nach vorne, als würde er etwas auf uns drücken. Er schaukelte seitlich, links und rechts, und er schaukelte vor und zurück. Dann begannen die typischen Bethel-Phänomene im Publikum zu erscheinen. Die Leute riefen laut mit den Worten "woah" oder "schuuu", und mehr Lachen breitete sich im ganzen Publikum aus.

Riddle sagte weiter: „Es werden Leiter gebraucht, die den Ehrgeiz haben, das Geräusch in den Menschen freizusetzen.“ Auch dies ist ein Bethel-Thema und kommt vor in einem Bethel-Buch namens „Die Physik des Himmels“ (“The Physics of Heaven”). Dieses Buch behauptet, dass es einen Klang vom Himmel gibt, der im und durch den Menschen freigesetzt werden muss. Das Buch ist ein Versuch des Synkretismus von christlichen und esoterischen Inhalten. Synkretismus ist die Vermischung von nicht-christlichen Religionen mit dem Christentum. Riddle sagte auch, „Es gibt ein Geräusch, das aufgeschlossen werden muss, und es wartet auf die entsprechenden Leiter, um es freizusetzen.“ Es ist schwer zu verstehen, wovon er sprach, aber ich nehme an, dass es mit der seltsamen Praxis zu tun hat, einen esoterischen Klang zu finden, der tief in uns verborgen ist, und ich schätze, er meinte, gute Lobpreisleiter können diesen Klang aus den Menschen herausholen, so wie er es gerade mit dem Publikum gemacht hatte.

Riddle begann dann, in sein Thema zu kommen. Er sagte, dass er bereits etwas vorbereitet hatte, aber in letzter Minute gebeten wurde, stattdessen über den Heiligen Geist zu sprechen. Er drückte seine Unerfahrenheit in Bezug auf das Thema aus, als er sagte, dass er gerade erst anfing, den Heiligen Geist wirklich zu verstehen. Ich dachte sofort: „Wenn du nicht weißt, wie man über den Heiligen Geist lehrt, dann sag der Leitung der Konferenz, dass du nicht sachkundig oder erfahren genug bist, um über das Thema zu sprechen. Setz dich hin und lass einen erfahrenen Pastor oder Theologen über das Thema sprechen.“ Es gibt viele große Theologen und Pastoren, die hochqualifiziert sind und die Heilige Schrift viel besser kennen, als Riddle das Thema behandelt hat. Er bot kaum biblische Bezüge und lehrte sehr wenig aus dem „guten alten“ Buch, aus dem wir wissen, wer der Heilige Geist ist und wie er wirkt. Ich würde an dieser Stelle die Serie des weltberühmten Theologen Sinclair Ferguson über den Heiligen Geist empfehlen.

Riddle fuhr fort: „Ich will heute Abend den Heiligen Geist freisetzen.“ An diesem Punkt ging mein Alarm auf höchster Stufe los. Es tut mir leid, aber niemand hat die Macht, den Heiligen Geist freizusetzen. Er ist Gott. Er wird von keinem MENSCHEN kontrolliert oder befehligt! Das ist extrem unbiblisch und blasphemisch. Gott kann von keinem Menschen freigesetzt werden. „Der Herr ist in den Himmeln, er tut, was er will (Psalm 115,3).“ „Jahwe tut, was ihm im Himmel, auf Erden, in den Meeren und in allen Tiefen gefällt (Psalm 135,6).“ „Viele Pläne sind im Herzen eines Menschen, aber der Befehl des Herrn wird siegen (Sprüche 19,21).“ „Wer ist da, der spricht und es geschieht, es sei denn, der Herr hat es angeordnet (Klagel. 3,37).“ „Er erbarmt sich derer, die er will, und er stärkt diejenigen, die er verhärten will (Römer 9,18).“ Gott offenbart in der ganzen Schrift, dass er keinem Menschen verpflichtet ist und nur nach seinem souveränen Willen handeln wird, und nicht weil jemand sagt, dass er den Heiligen Geist bei einer bestimmten Konferenz freisetzen wird.

Riddle fuhr dann fort mit der Anmerkung, dass er liebt, wie Bill Johnson über die „Gegenwart“ des Heiligen Geistes spricht. Bill Johnson ist Pastor und sogenannter Apostel in der New Apostolic Reformation. In Video unten erschien Bill Johnson bei einer Apostolische Anpassungs Zeremonie (“Apostolic Alignment”) von Todd Bentley, und wurde bei diesem Anlass als Apostel der Bewegung genannt.

Aus diesem Grund verbindet er sich mit Johnson und bestätigt, dass er ein Anhänger der Lehre von Bill Johnson ist. Johnson hat zweifellos grenzwertige Lehren über den Heiligen Geist. In diesem Zusammenhang sagte Riddle: „Wenn sein (des Heiligen Geistes) Herz bewegt wird, wenn er etwas liebt, zeigt er mehr von seiner Gegenwart. Er vertraut uns mit mehr von seiner Gegenwart an.“ Ich fragte mich, wo eine solche Idee in der Heiligen Schrift steht. Ich kann mich an keine Passage der Bibel erinnern, in der eine solche Idee erwähnt wird und ich weiß woran es liegt: Es gibt keine. Die Bibel vermittelt nie derartige Ideen über den Heiligen Geist und seine Gegenwart, die sich angeblich mehr manifestiert, wenn er etwas liebt. Erstens ist die Vorstellung, dass man die Gegenwart Gottes verdienen muss, heimlich in dieser Aussage verborgen, und zweitens ist der Heilige Geist die dritte ewige Person der Gottheit, und das bedeutet, dass er die gleichen Eigenschaften wie Gott hat, wobei Allgegenwart eines dieser Merkmale ist. Riddle gab in seinem Vortrag kaum biblische Referenzen für seine Aussagen. Er belegte seine fragwürdige und problematische Lehre über den Heiligen Geist eigentlich ausschließlich mit Erfahrungen.

Er sprach von zwei Dingen, die regelmäßig auftauchen, wenn er über den Heiligen Geist spricht. Er sagte, die Leute seien entweder ängstlich oder ignorant. Das ist sehr subtil, aber wenn er das sagt, gibt er dem evangelikalen Christentum die Schuld für die „Auslöschung des Heiligen Geistes.“ Nach dem NAR-Sprachgebrauch ist es das Schlimmste, wenn man als Christ besorgt und unwissend darüber ist, wie der Heilige Geist wirkt. Riddle förderte eine weitere Halbwahrheit, indem er sagte, dass der Heilige Geist die eine Person der Gottheit ist, die hier bei uns auf der Erde ist. Es ist wahr, dass der Heilige Geist hier auf der Erde „zurückgelassen” wurde, aber zu sagen, dass er „nur“ hier auf der Erde ist, ist begrenzend und eine Halbwahrheit. Auch hier gilt: Der Heilige Geist ist ein allgegenwärtiges Wesen, genau wie jede andere Person der Gottheit. Jesus war der Einzige, der sein göttliches Vorrecht der Allgegenwart einschränkte, während er seine Zeit hier auf Erden verbrachte. Er ist immer Gott geblieben, aber er schränkte seine Eigenschaft der Omnipräsenz ein, als er hier auf der Erde in einem menschlichen Körper wohnte.

Riddle hielt sich weiter von jeder biblischen Lehre über den Heiligen Geist fern, als er die Illustration verwendete, dass der Heilige Geist wie unsere Mutter sei. Er sagte, dass wir aus dem Geist geboren sind, also ist das Ignorieren des Heiligen Geistes wie das Ignorieren der eigenen Mutter. Darauf bezieht sich die Bibel nicht, wenn Jesus sagt, dass wir aus dem Geist geboren werden müssen. In der Annahme, dass Riddle sich auf Johannes 3 bezieht, hat er gleichwohl nicht gesagt, woher er diese Idee hat, aus dem Geist geboren zu werden. Ich werde ihm helfen. Es steht in Johannes 3,5-8: „Wahrhaftig, wahrhaftig, wahrhaftig, ich sage euch: Wenn einer nicht aus Wasser und Geist geboren wird, kann er nicht in das Reich Gottes eintreten. Was aus dem Fleisch geboren ist, ist Fleisch, und was aus dem Geist geboren ist, ist Geist.“ In diesem Abschnitt spielt Jesus auf die Regeneration (Erquickung) an, die der Heilige Geist bietet. Das ist eines der Werke des Geistes, die Riddle in seiner Präsentation zu vernachlässigen schien. Jesus bezieht sich nie darauf, dass der Geist deine Mutter ist. So geht die NAR häufig mit biblischen Konzepten um. Wenn die NAR-Leiter jemals die fragliche Passage predigen, überdehnen sie die Idee soweit aus ihrem biblischen Konzept heraus, dass sie nicht mehr das ist, was die biblischen Autoren beabsichtigten. Riddle hat hier nie über den biblischen Abschnitt gepredigt, er hat nur eine „halb-biblische“ Idee genommen und sie mit seinem eigenen Gedanken illustriert.

Riddle begann endlich über die Bibel zu sprechen und beschrieb das Buch der Apostelgeschichte. Er predigte allerdings nicht wirklich darüber, er beschrieb vielmehr die Geschichten darin. Er sagte, dass wir es im Vergleich zur Apostelgeschichte „nicht herausgefunden haben“ (das Leben im Heiligen Geist). Er sagte: „Wir haben keine Ahnung von der Ernte, die wir sehen würden, wenn wir uns dem Heiligen Geist hingeben würden“. Ich bin nicht sicher, woher er diese Idee hat. Ich kenne keine Schriftstelle, die eine größere Ernte von Seelen verspricht, welche auf unserer Hingabe gegenüber dem Heiligen Geist beruht. Dies sind Manipulationstaktiken, um Menschen dazu zu bringen, sich dem Heiligen Geist auf eine Weise zu unterwerfen, die die NAR definiert. Und wenn sie von Hingabe sprechen, meinen sie „Lachen“, „Schuu-ing“, „Woah-ing“, „Hinfallen im Heiligen Geist“, „Erschlagen im Heiligen Geist“ und dergleichen. In diesem Zusammenhang ermutigte er seine Zuhörer, die Apostelgeschichte zu lesen und nur die Seiten zu sehen, auf denen der Heilige Geist erwähnt wird.

Riddle verwendete weiteres Material von Bill Johnson. Er sagte, dass es einen sehr tiefen theologischen Grund dafür gebe, dass wir immer wieder vom Heiligen Geist „nachgefüllt” werden müssten. Er sagte: „Der Grund, warum wir immer wieder gefüllt werden müssen, ist, dass wir auslaufen (Wir sind nicht dicht oder wir haben Löcher).“ Dies ist fast ein wörtliches Zitat von Bill Johnson und schrecklich irrend. Er hat natürlich nie erwähnt, wo diese theologische Argumentation biblisch vorkommt. Er kann natürlich kein biblisches theologisches Argument geben, weil es keine biblische Stelle gibt, die solche Ideen unterstützt.

Riddle fuhr dann fort zu fragen, wie eine Person voll des Heiligen Geistes aussieht. Schnell stellte sich für mich eine Frage: Sollten wir einen Schwerpunkt darauf legen, wie Menschen aussehen, die mit dem Heiligen Geist erfüllt sind oder ist die Frucht des Geistes nicht vielmehr die Folge des Erfülltseins? Sieht ein mit dem Heiligen Geist erfüllter Mensch auf eine bestimmte Art und Weise aus? Nein, sondern er weist Früchte der Gerechtigkeit auf (Epheser 5,18-21; Apg. 4,29-31; Galater 5,22-23). Riddle sprach weiter über Geschichten in der Apostelgeschichte. Er sagte: „Stephanus war voll vom Geist, und der einzige Weg, wie sie ihn zum Schweigen bringen konnten, war, ihn zu töten.“ Eine Frage, die ich in Bezug auf Stephanus habe, war: „Haben die Pharisäer ihn gesteinigt, weil er vom Heiligen Geist erfüllt war?“ Nein! Sie steinigten ihn, weil die Erfüllung des Geistes zu einer kühnen Verkündigung des Evangeliums führte und er sie zur Umkehr gerufen hatte, und das wollten sie nicht.

Riddle sprach auch über Philippus, der in der Apostelgeschichte 8 vorkommt. Er spielte auf die Tatsache an, dass Philippus vom Heiligen Geist erfüllt war und den äthiopischen Eunuchen traf. Als Anmerkung sei hier festgehalten, dass Philippus durch die Kraft des Heiligen Geistes dem Äthiopier verkündete, dass Jesus die Antwort auf die Stelle in der Heiligen Schrift sei, die er gerade las. Der Äthiopier empfing Christus als Folge davon, dass der Heilige Geist die Schriften für ihn erleuchtete und Philippus als seinen Botschafter benutzte. Riddle beschrieb, wie Philippus nach Azatos entrückt wurde. Philippus wurde nach Azatos „weggetragen“, weil das Evangelium dort gebraucht wurde, nicht weil es cool war, an einen anderen Ort „versetzt“ zu werden, wie er behauptete. Dies ist eine Praxis, die in der NAR oft erwähnt wird. Es wird behauptet, , dass man, wenn man „im Geist“ ist, physisch an andere Orte versetzt werden kann. Erfahrungen außerhalb des Körpers (Out of Body experiences), „Entrückungserfahrungen“ (Translation experiences), Astralprojektionen und Portalreisen werden von einigen (Mitgliedern, Propheten, und Leiter) in der NAR und Bethel praktiziert. Dies ist auch im Buch "The Physics of Heaven" erwähnt, einer Praxis, die in vielen Präsentationen in Bethel von Kris Vallatton und dem Leiter von Bethels "School of the Prophets" Dan McCollam unterstützt wird.

An dieser Stelle ist es wichtig zu beachten, dass es in Bezug auf die Praxis, physisch per Teleportation oder Portalreisen an andere Orte zu reisen, die Behauptung aufgestellt wird, dass solche Dinge in die Bibel vorkommen. Wenn Dinge im Neuen Testament geschehen, die man damit vergleichen könnte, war der Zweck nicht die Euphorie und der Grund dafür war nicht eine intensive Lobpreis-Zeit, sondern es ging stets um die Überschreitung kultureller Grenzen mit dem und für das Evangelium. Hier wurde Philippus vom Heiligen Geist angewiesen, das Evangelium dem äthiopischen Eunuchen mitzuteilen. Unmittelbar nach der Taufe des äthiopischen Eunuchen wurde Philippus nach Azatos „weggetragen“, um das Evangelium weiter zu predigen. Gott wollte, dass das Evangelium über eine andere bestimmte Schwelle (kulturelle Grenze) des Evangeliums hinausgeht. Ein weiteres ähnliches Ereignis war, als Petrus seine Vision hatte; er wurde direkt danach in Cornelius Haus gebracht, um das Evangelium zu predigen. Diese Vision, die Petrus hatte, sollte ihn von seiner Ansicht abbringen, dass das Evangelium nur für die Juden bestimmt sei. Es gab bestimmte Gründe, warum Gott Seine Macht auf diese Weise in der Bibel zeigte.

Die nächsten paar Dinge, die Riddle sagte, waren richtig und gut. Er beschrieb, dass die Berufung des Paulus und Barnabas unter der Leitung des Heiligen Geistes geschah. Er beschrieb weiter, dass der Heilige Geist der Hauptverantwortliche in der frühen Kirchengeschichte war. Riddle aber blieb jedoch nicht sehr lange auf Kurs – sogleich kam als nächster Satz, dass „es jetzt eine Umwälzung (“shift”) gibt.“ Damit bin ich sicher, dass er über die NAR und das angebliche Wirken des Geistes in ihr spricht. Woher weiß ich das? Von welchen anderen Krafthandlungen des Heiligen Geistes könnte er noch reden? Das Wirken des Heiligen Geistes in der „auserwählten und eingefrorenen“ (frozen chosen) presbyterianischen Kirche? Oder die „Baptisten mit den Bibeln am Bettrand“ (Bedside Baptists)?“ Natürlich bemerkt er kein Wirken des Geistes in einer dieser anderen Traditionen. Seine Aussagen sind eine wenig subtile Werbung für die NAR und alle, die ihr angehören.

Riddle versuchte dann, das Wirken des Heiligen Geistes mit der Tatsache zu beweisen, dass das dritte meistgesungene Lied in die Gemeinden in den USA eines mit dem Titel „Heiliger Geist“ (Holy Spirit) ist. Ich weiß nicht, wie dieser Fakt ein stärkerer Beweis für das Wirken des Heiligen Geistes sein soll als das, was in der Bibel beschrieben wird. Was mich in seiner Präsentation immer wieder störte, war, dass er Geschichten und Illustrationen wie diese „bis zum Erbrechen” verwendete. Wenn ein Redner ein oder zwei Beispiele für die Wirkung des Geistes gibt, ist das eine Sache, aber seine ganze Präsentation war eine einzige Illustration und es gab ein Beispiel nach dem anderen; nicht eine einzige Schriftstelle über den Heiligen Geist wurde exegetisch ausgelegt.

Riddle sprach anschließend über Lonnie Frisbee. Riddle sagte anerkennend, Frisbee gründete Gemeinden und eine ganze Bewegung wurde explosionsartig geboren. Nach Riddles Darstellung pflegte Lonnie Frisbee den Gottesdienstraum zu betreten und mit einem Wort den Heiligen Geist auf eine ganze Gemeinde herunterfallen zu lassen. Frisbee sei schlicht gehorsam darin gewesen, auf den Heiligen Geist zu hören und zu tun, was er ihm sagte, und wenn er tat, was der Heilige Geist sagte, dann fielen alle auf den Boden. Daraus schließe ich, dass Riddle von Menschen spricht, die im Geist „umgehauen“ (wörtliche Übersetzung: „geschlachtet“) werden („slain in the Spirit“). Es gibt keine einzige Bibelstelle, in der wir eine solche Praxis für Christen sehen, die mit dem Heiligen Geist erfüllt sind. Menschen, die im Neuen Testament erfüllt sind, verkünden in der Regel das Wort Gottes, predigen oder verehren Gott mit „Psalmen, Hymnen und geistlichen Gesängen.“ Eine der Früchte des Geistes ist die Selbstbeherrschung, nicht der Verlust der Kontrolle, das Zittern, das Fallen auf den Boden oder unkontrollierbare Dinge. Der Heilige Geist bringt Ordnung und nicht Chaos oder Verlust der Selbstbeherrschung (1. Korinther 14,33; Galater 5,22-23). Hier ist ein Artikel von Costi Hinn (Benny Hinns Neffe) über die unbiblische Praxis, im Geist „umgehauen zu werden“:

Lonnie Frisbee (Artikel über Frisbee sein sehr beunruhigendes Leben) war einer der Gründer der charismatischen Calvary Chapel-Bewegung. Er ist auch der Vater einiger anderer moderner charismatischer Kirchen der Charismatischen Bewegung). Lonnie hatte eine sehr bewegte Vergangenheit, bevor er sich zu Christus bekehrte. Nach einer langen Zeit als Evangelist und Gründer der Calvary Chapel kehrte er zu seinem ursprünglichen, homosexuellen Lebensstil zurück und starb später an Aids, zugezogen durch homosexuelle Begegnungen. Obwohl er ein großer Evangelist zu sein schien, hatte er ein dunkles Geheimnis; später in seinem Leben kehrte er wieder in das Leben der Sünde zurück. Es kommt unweigerlich die Frage, ob ein so ausschweifender Charakter in der Lage ist, die Präsenz (des Heiligen Geist) zu tragen, wie Riddle behauptet. Das bedeutet, dass jemand, der einen homosexuellen Lebensstil führte, ein Träger des Heiligen Geistes sein und – nach Riddle – den Heiligen Geist mit einem Wort überbringen sowie eine ganze Gemeinde auf ihren Rücken „umhauen“ konnte? Auch hier zeigt sich wieder ein typisches Verhalten von NAR-Leitern und Lehrern: Sie ignorieren die abgründige, dunkle Seite der „Evangelisten,“ „Glaubensheiler“ und Anfänger der charismatischen Bewegung, von denen die meisten einen sehr „unchristlichen“ und reuelosen Hintergrund haben (z.B. hatte Charles Parnham Verbindungen zum KKK und Sodomie-Vorwürfe; Smith Wiggelsworth gab Menschen an ihrer eigenen Krankheit und ausbleibenden Heilung die Schuld, indem er sagte, dass ihre Sünde die Wurzel ihrer Krankheit sei; Aimee Semple McPherson war zweimal geschieden; ihr wurden etliche Affären und Drogenkonsum vorgeworfen und sie hatte einen verschwenderischen Lebensstil; auch Kathryn Kuhlman hatte mutmaßlich Affären, heiratete einen geschiedenen Mann, der sich ihr zuliebe von seiner ersten Frau und Familie getrennt hatte und ließ sich dann wegen öffentlicher Kritik gegen ihr Verhalten schnell scheiden; Kenneth Hagin hatte klare Verbindungen zur falschen Religion der Christlichen Wissenschaft (Christian Science); Kenneth Copeland lebt einen opulenten Lebensstil mit einem mutmaßlichen Nettowert von 760 Millionen Dollar). Das ist die Art von Menschen, die von der NAR als „Generäle“ verehrt werden. Lonnie Frisbee, eine traurige Gestalt, scheint für Riddle auch so ein verehrter General des Glaubens zu sein.

Dann sagte Riddle weiter: „Der Heilige Geist ist beleidigt, aber er kommt darüber hinweg.“ Ich fragte mich: „Wie wurde der Heilige Geist beleidigt und wie kommt er darüber hinweg?“ Könnte er ein Kapitel und einen Vers für eine solche Behauptung liefern? Diese Ansicht impliziert, dass die Kirche bisher den Heiligen Geist durch Vernachlässigung beleidigt hat. Hat Gott in seinem Wort jemals eine solche Idee zum Ausdruck gebracht? Dass er durch die Vernachlässigung seines Geistes beleidigt wird? Und dass er über seine verletzten Gefühle hinwegkommt? Ich kann mir keinen einzigen Fall in der Heiligen Schrift vorstellen, in dem der Heilige Geist über seine durch Vernachlässigung verletzten Gefühle hinwegkommt. Der Heilige Geist wird nie vernachlässigt, seine Pläne werden nie vereitelt. Gott rettet und zieht die Menschen zu sich durch den Heiligen Geist nach seinem Willen. Kein Mensch kann dem Wirken des Geistes widerstehen, und wir können seine Gefühle nicht durch Vernachlässigung verletzen.

Riddle behauptete dann, dass er gesehen habe, wie der ganze Himmel in eine Versammlung hineinbrach, gerade als jemand den Heiligen Geist einlud. Dies ist eine weitere typische NAR- und Bethel-Theologie, in der sie den Satz „wie im Himmel so auf Erden“ aus dem Vaterunser herausnehmen, um ihm die Bedeutung zu geben, dass die gleichen Dinge, die im Himmel geschehen, auch hier auf Erden geschehen sollen (d.h. vor allem Heilung). Doch kommt der Himmel auf diese Erde herab und in sie hinein? Ist dies das Ziel des christlichen Lebens? - Unser Ziel als Christen ist es, durch die Erlösung Jesu in den Himmel zu gelangen, nicht, dass wir den Himmel auf die Erde kommen lassen. Aber es ist sicherlich das Ziel von Bethel und vielen anderen NAR-Gemeinden, Trainingszentren und Veranstaltungen wie „Awakening Europe“ geworden. Das ist eindeutig falsch von Bethel und Bill Johnson. Johnson hat gesagt: „Was ist der Wille Gottes? Auf Erden wie im Himmel. Wenn es dort existiert, soll es hier existieren.“ (Bill Johnson, zitiert von der Bethel-Website) Meine offensichtliche Frage ist: „Das heißt, es gibt in Bethel keine Sünde, keine Ehe, keine Tränen, keinen Schmerz oder dergleichen? Weil diese Dinge nicht im Himmel existieren, sollte es sie hier auf Erden auch nicht geben?“ Nein, diese Dinge werden erst dann wirklich verschwinden, wenn unsere Erlösung abgeschlossen ist und wir diese vergängliche, durch die Sünde verdorbene Erde verlassen haben, um in unsere vollkommene ewige Ruhe zu gelangen.

Riddle setzte seine Geschichten über die Wirkungsweise des Heiligen Geistes fort, indem er erzählte, wie ein Mann einen Freund von ihm berührte und dabei ausrief: "Wooaah!" Dann begann er sofort mit der Prophezeiung über seinen Freund. Er sagte, er habe die Gedanken dieses Mannes gelesen. Es tut mir leid, aber das ist keineswegs die biblische Gabe der Prophetie. Außer an Jesus Christus, den ewigen Sohn Gottes, kann ich an keinen anderen denken, der die Gedanken eines Menschen liest oder die „Herzen der Menschen kannte.“ Diese Art von Vorgängen klingt eigentlich eher nach der Praxis eines Mediums, eines Geister-Channeling, nach New Age, Esoterik, Wahrsagerei oder Spiritismus, als nach der biblischen Gabe der Prophetie. Ich sehe keine Präzedenz in der Schrift, dass Christen die Gedanken eines Menschen lesen sollten.

Riddle bestätigte sein Vertrauen in diese Art von Aktivität des Heiligen Geistes, als er sagte: „Ich habe zu viel gesehen, um jemals wieder in das normale Leben zurückzukehren, das ich zuvor gelebt habe.“ Dies war eine Bestätigung dafür, dass er standhaft und ein absolut überzeugtes Mitglied der NAR und der „Zeichen und Wunder“-Bewegung ist. Er sagte weiter, dass wir nie dazu bestimmt waren, Gemeinde ohne den Heiligen Geist zu leben. Meine Kritik an dieser Aussage ist diese Frage: „Bedeutet das, dass die Kirche Jesu Christi bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt nicht den Heiligen Geist hatte?“ Nach der Bibel ist eine Aufgabe des Heiligen Geistes, die Menschen in ihrer Errettung bis zum Tag der Erlösung zu versiegeln. Man könnte zu dem Schluss kommen, dass er meint, die Kirche Jesu Christi hatte den Heiligen Geist als aktive treibende Kraft bis zu diesem Punkt nicht. Wenn das richtig ist, dass der Heilige Geist in den Kirchen nicht anwesend war, dann wurde niemand in diesen Kirchen, in denen der Geist abwesend ist, vom Heiligen Geist in Christus versiegelt. Wenn der Heilige Geist in der Kirche abwesend war, sind dann wirklich Menschen in diesen Kirchen gerettet worden? Das ist auf subtile Weise sehr überheblich und wirft anderen christlichen Kirchen vor, nicht wirklich christlich zu sein. Ausgehend von seiner Aussage könnten wir fragen, ob er glaubt, dass Christen jemals vor der „Erweckung der Azusa Straße“ (Azusa Street Revival) (FUßNOTE) gerettet wurden. Er fuhr fort zu sagen, dass das geistliche Leben und die Kirche ohne den Heiligen Geist langweilig sind. Wieder kommt eine elitäre Grundhaltung zum Vorschein. Sind Kirchen langweilig, die so ohne den Heiligen Geist leben, wie Riddle es sich vorstellt und er es definiert? Mit dieser Aussage hat er wohl etwa zwei Drittel der Christenheit beleidigt.

Riddle ging daraufhin zu der Frage über, wie man herausfinden kann, wie der Heilige Geist zu dir spricht. Wiederum war es offensichtlich, dass die Bibel von dieser Liste gestrichen wurde, in der es darum ging, wie der Heilige Geist spricht. Er begann diesen Abschnitt mit den Worten: „Die Art und Weise, wie der Heilige Geist spricht, ist für jeden anders.“ Dabei dachte ich, was ist, wenn ich behaupte, der Heilige Geist spreche durch drogeninduzierte Trancen zu mir wie die Drunken Glory Movement? Er spricht einfach anders mit mir als du es tust. Wenn wir alle durch den Heiligen Geist auf jeweils andere Art und Weise angesprochen werden, wie können wir dann wissen, wer tatsächlich vom Heiligen Geist gehört hat? Weil jemand sagt: „Gott hat es mir gesagt“? Er erläuterte weiter, wie der Heilige Geist funktioniert, indem er von Bill Johnson und einer seiner Lehren sprach, die darin besteht, die Gegenwart „zu empfangen und zu beherbergen“ (to host). Damit meint er, aufmerksam zu sein und sich als Gastgeber der Gegenwart des Heiligen Geistes bewusst zu sein. Wir sollten auf den Heiligen Geist achten, denn er ist ein Gast.

Er beschrieb eine Illustration, die Bill Johnson mit einem weißen Taschentuch auf der Schulter vorführt. Riddle bittet uns, uns vorzustellen, dass dieses weiße Taschentuch eine Taube wäre – dann würdest du jeden Schritt im Bewusstsein der Anwesenheit der Taube tun. Diese Illustrationen sind subtil, in ihrem Bezug auf eine „Taube.“ Auf welche Person ist der Heilige Geist in Form einer Taube herabgestiegen? Auf Jesus! Seine Theologie der „kleinen Götter“ wird durch solche Illustrationen bestätigt. Die Taube des Heiligen Geistes kann auch auf dich herabsteigen, wie er es bei Jesus getan hat, wenn du die Taube mit Aufmerksamkeit und Sorgfältigkeit behandelst, als würde sie dein Gast sein. Ihr seid genau wie Jesus, auf den der Heilige Geist in Form einer Taube herabstieg. Riddle erklärte außerdem, wie der Heilige Geist durch Atmosphäre, starke Gefühle, hörbare Stimmen, Bilder und Eindrücke spricht. Er hat seltsamerweise die allererste Art und Weise, auf die Gott, der Heilige Geist mit den Menschen kommuniziert, ausgelassen, nämlich durch die Bibel. Dann versuchte er zu erklären, wie man herausfindet, ob es Gott ist, der zu dir spricht. Er sagte, dass die Art und Weise, wie du bestätigst, ob es der Heilige Geist ist, der spricht, darin besteht, „ein großes fettes Risiko einzugehen“! Auch das ein großes Thema in der Bethel Church: Man solle aus der „Sicherheitszone” heraustreten und Risiken eingehen, um zu bestätigen, ob es wirklich der Heilige Geist sei, der führt oder nicht. Dies könnte für den Gläubigen unglaublich schädlich sein, wenn er nur wissen kann, ob der Heilige Geist zu ihm spricht oder nicht, indem er ein Risiko eingeht. Dies ist schrecklich ungenau und kann die Menschen dazu bringen, zu denken, dass der Heilige Geist zu ihnen gesprochen hat, wenn ihre selbst gestellte „Herausforderung“, die sie als Risiko eingegangen sind, gut verläuft. Dieser ganze Abschnitt ignorierte eines der größten theologischen Prinzipien, die Christen seit der Reformation hatten: „Sola Scriptura“ bedeutet, dass wir den Willen Gottes nur durch die Schrift allein wirklich erkennen können.

Riddle verbreitete weiterhin das Verständnis von Bethel und NAR hinsichtlich übernatürlicher Ideologien, als er sagte: „Ich kann fühlen, wie etwas in der Atmosphäre freigesetzt wird.“ Dies wird häufig in der NAR- und Bethel-Lehre gesagt. Wobei nicht klar ist, was genau in der Atmosphäre freigesetzt wird. Das ist Esoterik, Spiritismus und nähert sich dem Okkultismus an. Gibt der Heilige Geist jemals „etwas“ in die Atmosphäre ab? Bewegt er Dinge in der Atmosphäre? Ist es irgendwo in den Schriften offenbart, dass eine seiner Aufgaben darin besteht, Dinge in Atmosphären zu ändern oder freizugeben? Dies ist eine erfundene Sprache, eine fiktive Lehre und eine falsche Behauptung.

Riddle erzählte dann, wie der Heilige Geist ihm einmal versprach, dass, wenn er alles geben würde beim Singen einer bestimmten Liedstelle, etwas zum Durchbruch kommen würde. Der Heilige Geist würde den Durchbruch schenken. Dies ist wieder eine NAR- / Bethel-Lehre: Heilung und Durchbruch finden im Lobpreis und in der Anbetung (oder in der manifesten Gegenwart Gottes) statt. Die Frage ist, ob der Heilige Geist mehr wirkt oder einen größeren Durchbruch bringt, wenn wir mit all unserer Begeisterung lauter singen. Er benutzte tatsächlich das Wort „Gusto.“ Ich kann auch nicht in der Bibel erkennen, dass der Heilige Geist nach unserem „Gusto“ im Gesang wirken wird. Es gibt kein Kapitel und keinen Vers für diese Lehre. Wiederum erklärte Riddle das Wirken des Heiligen Geistes allein anhand seiner eigenen Erfahrungen; er hat nie eine einzige Schriftstelle exegetisch ausgelegt, was die biblische Art zu predigen ist. - Er fuhr fort in seinem Bericht, dass er dann mit all seiner Begeisterung sang, und sobald er es tat, „schoss Strom durch das Gebäude und wir sangen 45 Minuten länger.“ Er sagte, dass Macht freigesetzt wurde, um Sucht zu brechen, während sie sangen und verkündeten, dass die Sucht gebrochen werden würde. Ich sehe keinen biblischen Präzedenzfall für eine solche Sichtweise auf das Werk des Heiligen Geistes. In NAR-Kreisen wird propagiert, dass die Anbetung Bindungen und Süchte zerstört und dass sie den Durchbruch bringt. Das ist eine ganz und gar unbiblische Lehre. In der Anbetung drücken wir gegenüber Gott Seinen Wert aus, wir huldigen ihn, beten ihn an und bringen ihm Dank, weil Gott würdig ist, und nicht, weil die Anbetung Sucht oder so etwas Fades brechen kann.

Riddle fuhr mit seinen Ausführungenfort, als er erklärte, dass der Heilige Geist dir Eindrücke vermitteln wird, die den Himmel in einem Raum freisetzen. Ich dachte sofort „Nein!“ Der Himmel ist der Himmel, und das hier ist die Erde. Der Himmel wird nicht auf die Erde kommen, sondern wir werden in den Himmel gehen, weil wir gerettet wurden. Die Aussage Riddles ist im Einklang mit der „Kingdom Now (Königreich Jetzt) Theologie.“ NAR-Anhänger glauben, dass das himmlische Königreich bereits jetzt sichtbare Formen annimmt, wenn und während wir die Realität des Himmels hier auf die Erde hinabziehen. Diese vom biblischen Maßstab abweichende Theologie wurde von den „Assemblies of God“ (Versammlungen Gottes), dem größten Verbund charismatischer Kirchen der Welt, verurteilt. Bethel und andere NAR-Gemeinden und Lehrer lehren jedoch weiterhin diese theologische Perspektive, dass wir den Himmel in unsere irdische Existenz hineinziehen können.

Riddle lehrte dann das Publikum, wie man herausfinden kann, was der Heilige Geist von uns will. Er sagte, man solle „Heiligen Geist“ fragen, was du tun sollst. Ich fand es interessant, wie er ein paar Mal den konkreten Artikel aus dem Titel „Der Heilige Geist“ weggelassen hat. Auch dies eine gängige NAR-Praxis. Ich habe viele NAR-Führer und Leiter sagen hören, dass wir Gott nicht „den Vater“ und Jesus „den Jesus“ nennen, also warum nennen wir den Heiligen Geist „den Heiligen Geist?“ Damit wollen sie den Heiligen Geist persönlicher machen, aber in ihrem Versuch machen sie ihn zu nahbar und normal, wo er doch heilig und ganz „anders“ ist, wie Gott sich selbst in der Schrift beschreibt. Wie Riddle ist Jenn Johnson eine Lobpreisleiterin in der Bethel Church und sagt: „Er (der Heilige Geist) ist wie der Geist in Aladdin. Er ist blau, und er ist lustig, und er ist raffiniert / hinterhältig (sneaky), und er ist mutig, und er ist überall, und er ist wunderbar. Das ist es, was er für mich ist.“ Indem sie den bestimmten Artikel von Gott dem Vater, Gott dem Sohn und Gott dem Heiligen Geist wegnehmen, nehmen sie seine Besonderheit weg. Bestimmte Artikel sind grammatikalisch in die Sprache integriert. Die Verwendung des unbestimmten oder gar keines Artikels zeigt oder entfernt die Spezifität des Nomens. Der Heilige Geist wird in der Heiligen Schrift konkret und detailliert beschrieben. Wenn sie den bestimmten Artikel entfernen, können sie ihn eine Stange herunterholen und ihn so beschreiben, wie ihnen gerade der Sinn steht, wie Jenn Johnson in diesem Video. (Jenn Johnson lehrt, dass „Heiliger Geist“ wie der blaue Geist in der Flasche ist.

Wir sollten uns richtig daran stören, wenn der bestimmte Artikel entfernt wird, denn sprachlich und theologisch muss er da sein, wenn wir Gott den Vater, Gott den Sohn und Gott den Geist beschreiben oder erklären.

Riddle fuhr fort, die Zuhörer zu ermutigen, ihren Kindern beizubringen, wie man die Stimme Gottes hört. Auch hier ging es darum, die Stimme Gottes zu hören. Was ist denn mit der hauptsächlichen Weise, wie wir die Stimme Gottes hören, nämlich in und durch die Bibel? Er hat diesen wichtigsten Aspekt des Hörens auf Gottes Stimme kläglich vernachlässigt. Es ist völlig falsch, eine Präsentation darüber zu halten, wie man den Heiligen Geist hört, und buchstäblich nicht einmal die Bibel zu erwähnen als eine Möglichkeit, von Gott zu hören. Riddle fuhr fort: „Wenn wir nur wüssten, wie weit Gott gehen würde, damit wir seine Stimme hören.“ - Ohne mich wiederholen zu wollen, aber an dieser Stelle dachte ich, „Ja, Gott hat wirklich außerordentliche Anstrengungen unternommen, um uns seine Stimme hören zu lassen, ER LIESS MENSCHEN SEINE GEDANKEN AUFSCHREIBEN UND ER HAT SIE IN EINEM BUCH ZUSAMMENGEFÜGT, UND DIESES BUCH NENNT SICH DIE BIBEL!" Die Schrift ist ausreichend (Sprüche 30,5-6; Hebräer 1,1-2; Epheser 2,20; Offenbarung 22,18-19; Matthäus 5,18; Matthäus 24,35; 1 Petrus 1,24-25; 2 Timotheus 3,16-17).

Riddle machte weiter mit Illustrationen, wie der Heilige Geist wirkt, statt die Bibel zu gebrauchen, um Sein Werk zu beschreiben. Er sagte: „Wenn du ein Chef wärst, würdest du Leute feuern, die nicht danach fragen, was du denkst.“ Er verglich das mit uns, die nie den Heiligen Geist fragen, was er denkt. Meint Riddle damit, dass der Heilige Geist uns feuern oder uns verlassen sollte, weil wir ihn nicht fragen, was er denkt? Riddle versuchte dann tapfer, die Heilige Schrift in seine Präsentation zu integrieren. Leider hat er die Schriftstelle, die er benutzt hat, falsch zitiert. Er versuchte, 1. Korinther 12,31 zu zitieren, der besagt: „Aber begehre ernsthaft die höheren Gaben. Und ich werde dir einen noch besseren Weg zeigen.“ Riddle sagte jedoch: „Wünsch dir ernsthaft alle geistlichen Gaben.“ Dies ist eine bekannte und dokumentierte Praxis von NAR -Leitern, Lehrern, Aposteln und Propheten: Sie zitieren entweder falsch oder operieren an Bibelversen herum, damit diese ihre eigene theologische Perspektive untermauern. Hier hat Riddle den Vers falsch zitiert und aus dem Zusammenhang gerissen. Er nahm das Wort „höhere Gaben“ heraus und setzte sein Wort „alles“ ein. Mit diesem Vorgehen wollte Riddle zeigen, dass wir wirklich „alle geistlichen Gaben“ begehren sollten. Es ist ironisch, dass im Kontext kurz zuvor Paulus eine Reihe von rhetorischen Fragen stellt, um zu zeigen, dass nicht alle Personen jede geistliche Gabe haben oder haben können. Paulus schreibt: „Sind alle Apostel? Sind alle Propheten? Sind alle Lehrer? Wirken alle Wunder? Besitzen alle Gaben der Heilung? Sprechen alle mit Zungen? Interpretieren alle? Aber wünsche dir aufrichtig die höheren Gaben. Und ich werde dir einen noch besseren Weg zeigen (1. Korinther 12,29-31).“ Die offensichtliche Antwort auf diese Reihe von Fragen lautet: „Nein, wir alle können nicht jeweils alle Gaben haben.“ Paulus fährt in Kapitel 13 fort, den größeren Weg zu beschreiben, der die „Liebe“ war und nicht die Suche nach größeren Gaben. Die Liebe ist die der bessere Weg, von dem er in Kapitel 12 spricht. Aber Riddle möchte uns glauben lassen, dass der größere, bessere Weg darin besteht, „alle geistlichen Gaben“ zu haben. Deshalb brauchen wir Menschen, die in exegetischer, expositorischer Predigt ausgebildet sind, denn Menschen können Gottes Wort falsch zitieren und missbrauchen. Während der gesamten Präsentation zeigte Riddle im Umgang mit der Bibel, wenn er sie denn benutzte, dass er sie nur falsch zitierte oder sonst falsch behandelte.

Das nächste Thema von Riddle war zu erklären, dass wir eine Unterscheidung zwischen Geistern in unseren Kirchen, Regionen, Ländern und Staaten brauchen. Bethel und die NAR lehren eine Theologie namens „Territoriale Geister". Die Überzeugung ist, dass es dämonische Geister gibt, die für bestimmte Regionen verantwortlich sind, und dass wir als Christen in Regionen gehen und die „Herrschaft“ über diese Regionen von diesen Geistern zurücknehmen müssen. Diese Theologie gehört zum „7 Berge Mandat (7 Mountains Mandate)“ und zur theologischen Lehre des "Dominionismus" oder „Königreich Jetzt (Kingdom Now)“. Diese Auffassungen sind unter schwere Kritik geraten, beginnend mit den bereits erwähnten „Assemblies of God“, die diese Lehre im Jahr 2006 als „Irrlehre“ bezeichnete. (FUßNOTE)

Riddle fuhr fort: „Wir dürfen uns nicht von spirituellen Dingen erschrecken lassen, es ist nicht das Territorium der Esoterik, es ist unser Territorium.“ Das war das Sahnehäubchen auf dem Kuchen, auf das ich gewartet hatte. Diese Behauptung ist so unfassbar, dass niemand mehr Fehlerhaftigkeit Riddles leugnen kann. Das ist Synkretismus. Synkretismus ist die Mischung anderer spiritueller Praktiken (d.h. Spiritismus, New Age / Esoterik und andere okkulte Praktiken), die dem Christentum fremd sind, mit dem christlichen Glauben. Mit dieser Aussage entspricht Riddle den vorherrschenden Gedanken aus Bethel, dass das New Age und seine Praktiken tatsächlich zum Christentum gehören und wir sie zurückfordern müssen. Wenn dies nicht bestätigt, dass diese Form der Lehre eine „abirrende” Theologie ist, was sonst?! Ist die okkulte Religion des New Age unser Gebiet als Christen? Auf keinen Fall! Solche Praktiken sind in der Bibel strengstens verboten. Riddles Lehre steht im Einklang mit dem okkulten Buch „Die Physik des Himmels (The Physics of Heaven)“, das eine Mischung aus New Age und christlichen Lehren ist. Dieses Buch wurde von der Bethel Church produziert und herausgegeben, einige Kapitel wurden von Bill und Beni Johnson geschrieben und das Vorwort von Kris Vallotton. Die obersten Personen des Bethel-Leitungsteams sind also daran beteiligt.

Riddle fuhr fort: „Wir müssen die Kunst der Hingabe lernen. Die größte Opposition gegen den Heiligen Geist ist nicht die theologische, sondern die Kontrolle. Wir wollen die Kontrolle haben, wir wollen vorhersehbare Ergebnisse. Wir kontrollieren nicht den Heiligen Geist, sondern wir geben uns Ihm hin, wir geben die Kontrolle auf.“ Dann bat er alle, aufzustehen, denn er würde nun den Heiligen Geist „freisetzen.“ Dann stellte er, um das Publikum auf seine spezielle Marke des Heiligen Geistes vorzubereiten, die manipulative Frage: „Gott will sich bewegen, aber wird er hingegebene Menschen vorfinden?“

Kein Mensch ist fähig, den Heiligen Geist freizusetzen. Diese Sprache klingt irgendwie so, als wäre der Heilige Geist eingesperrt oder unfähig, im Leben der Menschen zu arbeiten ohne Riddle oder die Intervention einer anderen Person, um ihn zu befreien. Auch hier ist die dritte Person der ewigen Dreieinigkeit niemandem verpflichtet und lässt nicht über sich verfügen!

Riddles Präsentation endete, danach versuchten Fitzgerald und Riddle fast 45 Minuten lang, das „Feuer Gottes herabfallen“ zu lassen. Nochmals, wir können den Heiligen Geist nicht „freisetzen“. Ich fand es interessant, dass viele Menschen nach vorne gingen, um die Taufe des Geistes zu empfangen, die ich als langjährige Christen wiedererkannte. Hier zeigt sich erneut eine abirrende Lehre, die als „zweites Werk der Gnade“ bezeichnet wird. Die biblische Lehre ist, dass man getauft und im Heiligen Geist versiegelt ist, wenn man an Christus glaubt.

Jeremy und Ben standen dann zusammen auf der Bühne. Jeremy forderte das Publikum auf, sich zu melden, wenn sie die „Feuertaufe“ empfangen wollten. Er sprach in Zungen auf der Bühne ohne Übersetzer, was in 1. Korinther 14,28 verboten ist. Dann ließ er das Publikum brüllen, schreien, tanzen und sich meist würdelos verhalten. Er sang sogar das Lied „Würdelos (Undignified)“. Es war ein Zirkus von Tricks und Possen. Er sagte am Ende, dass er keine Tricks oder Kunstgriffe mag. Er drückte aus, dass er die Menschen nicht dazu bringen würde, die Feuertaufe zu empfangen. Ich dachte sofort: „Wenn du keine Tricks und Kniffe magst, dann schalte alle Trickmaschinen aus. Schalte die Musik und die Beleuchtung aus und schalte alle normalen Lichter ein, und sieh dann, ob die Leute auf die gleiche Weise reagieren.“ Es ist eine krasse Manipulationstaktik. Hatte die frühe Kirche ausgefallene farbige Lichter, Rauchmaschinen, schwache Beleuchtung und schöne Hintergrundmusik, um den Heiligen Geist an Pfingsten zu empfangen? Die Atmosphäre wird präzise gesteuert, um die gewünschte Reaktion zu erhalten.

Dies sind nur einige der Notizen, die ich gemacht habe, die zeigen, wo Riddle irrt. Er hat gelehrt, dass der Heilige Geist eine Kraft ist, die zu unserem Vorteil manipuliert werden kann, und nicht, dass er ein HEILIGER Geist ist, der verehrt und geehrt werden muss. Es ging einzig darum, die Stimme Gottes zu hören, wobei die wichtigste Art vergessen wurde, wie wir seine Stimme hören: „Sola Scriptura“ (allein durch die Schrift). Die Bibel ist der hauptsächliche Weg, von Gott zu hören, und der Heilige Geist erleuchtet und stellt durch sein Wort klar, wer Gott ist. Der Heilige Geist verherrlicht Jesus, nicht uns. Von Riddle wurde vermittelt, dass der Heilige Geist viel für dich tun wird, aber das ist nicht richtig. Die Hauptfunktion des Heiligen Geistes besteht darin, Jesus zu verherrlichen. Er tut viel für Jesus.

„Interessanterweise tut der Heilige Geist sein vielleicht bedeutendstes Werk dort, wo neugierige Blicke niemals hineinsehen können. Die Schöpfung (1. Mose 1,2), die Empfängnis des Herrn Jesus (Lukas 1,35), die Auferstehung des Herrn Jesus (Römer 8,9-11), die Erneuerung des Gläubigen (Titus 3,5), ... Er liebt es, Dinge unter Wahrung der persönlichen Geheimhaltung zu tun. Das ist ein Ausdruck Seiner Demut und Seiner Bescheidenheit“ (Zitat von Sinclair Ferguson). Im Gegensatz dazu versuchten Riddle und die anderen, den Heiligen Geist auf der Bühne herum- und vorzuführen. Der Heilige Geist tut sein größtes Werk, wo neugierige Augen nie etwas sehen können, und nicht auf einer Bühne, wo jeder sehen kann, wie „geistlich“ diese Leiter sind, die den Heiligen Geist „freisetzen“ können.

Gegen Ende des Events sagte Ben Fitzgerald etwas sehr Wichtiges, das viel darüber aussagt, was er und die NAR glauben und lehren. Er sagte: „Ich fühlte, dass heute Abend das theologische Ende von etwas und der theologische Beginn von etwas anderem war.“ Was könnte das bedeuten? Welche Theologie endete? Welche begann? Ich kann nur spekulieren, aber ich kann mir vorstellen, dass er meint, dass alles theologische Befragen und Infragestellen der Bewegung beiseite geschoben werden müssen. „Stelle keine Fragen, wende kein Urteilsvermögen auf deinen Glauben an und prüfe uns definitiv nicht auf Grundlage deiner Bibeln nach, wie es die Beröer mit Paulus taten (Apg. 17, 10-12).“ Er könnte aber, und das wäre noch viel schlimmer, auch ausdrücken wollen, dass du dich all der Theologie, die du bisher gelernt hast, entledigen kannst, jetzt, da du eine „Erfahrungstheologie“ hast, die „richtige“ Theologie.

Wie wirkt der Heilige Geist wirklich? Wie arbeitet er wirklich? Um uns zu helfen, das geheimnisvolle, kraftvolle und wunderbare Wirken des Geistes weiter zu verstehen, möchte ich einige Wege aufzählen, wie Er wirklich in den Gläubigen, der Gemeinde und der Welt wirkt. In erster Linie wirkt der Heilige Geist darauf hin, Jesus zu verherrlichen und ihn der Welt zu offenbaren, indem er die Herzen der Menschen zu Christus wendet (Johannes 16,14). Auf diese Weise wirkt er kraftvoll und übernatürlich (1. Korinther 2,14). Er wirkt durch die Gläubigen, indem er ihnen geistliche Gaben gibt (Römer 12; 1 Korinther 12; Epheser 4). Er arbeitet geordnet und nicht in Chaos und Unordnung (1. Korinther 14,33). Er wirkt so, dass wir die Botschaft empfangen, und die Botschaft des Geistes ist es, Menschen von Sünde und Schuld zu überzeugen (Johannes 16,8). Er arbeitet, indem er als Beistand den Gläubigen Kraft gibt (der „Helfer" oder „Beistand“ genannt in Johannes 16,7). Er wohnt in den Gläubigen und versiegelt sie bei der Errettung für den Tag der Erlösung (Epheser 1,13; 4,30; 1. Korinther 3,16-17). Er füllt die Menschen mit sich selbst, um ein geheiligtes und heiliges Leben zu führen (Epheser 5,18; Galater 5,16-21). Mit anderen Worten, ein erfüllter und vom Heiligen Geist bewohnter Gläubiger wird heilig, geheiligt und siegreich über die Sünde leben. Gottes Geist führt uns in alle Wahrheit (Johannes 16,13). Er tröstet uns und lässt uns nicht allein wie Waisenkinder (Johannes 14,18; 2. Korinther 1,4). Der Geist gibt uns Worte zum Beten, wenn wir die Worte nicht haben. Er stöhnt mit uns mit einem Stöhnen, das zu tief für Worte ist (Römer 8,26-27). Der Geist wird uns nie dazu bringen, etwas zu tun, was der Schrift widersprechen würde. Schließlich wirkt er in den Gläubigen als Frucht des Geistes (Galater 5, 22-23).

Ich behaupte nicht, all diese Weisen selbst erlebt zu haben, auf denen der Heilige Geist in den Gläubigen, der Kirche und der Welt wirkt. Ich behaupte auch nicht, dass ich überhaupt alle Wege kenne, wie der Heilige Geist wirkt. Das ist das Geheimnis. Diese Aufzählung eben, die zusammenstellt, was die Bibel über das Wirken des Heiligen Geistes sagt, ist weder vollständig noch abschließend, aber ich habe sie geteilt, um uns zumindest einen Bezugsrahmen dafür zu geben, wie der Heilige Geist im Leben der Gläubigen, der Kirche und der Welt wirkt. Ich möchte das klarstellen. Der Heilige Geist wird nicht im Widerspruch zu dieser kurzen Liste wirken. Riddle und Fitzgerald allerdings widersprachen in fast jedem Punkt dem, was die Bibel über die Wirkungsweise des Heiligen Geistes zu sagen hat. Die Schrift zeigt, wie der Heilige Geist am Werk ist. Außerdem ist Erfahrung nicht verbindlich. Erfahrung bestätigt die Schrift nicht; die Schrift bestätigt die Erfahrung. Die Gemeinde Jesu Christi muss treu bleiben, um die Wege anzunehmen, die Gott in seinem Wort offenbart hat, wie er wirkt. Meiner Meinung nach haben sich Riddle und Fitzgerald in ihrer Darstellung von Wesen und Werk des Heiligen Geistes stark von der theologischen Orthodoxie und einem biblischen Verständnis entfernt.

Vor dieser Konferenz habe ich meine Bedenken darüber geäußert, was bei dieser Veranstaltung aufgrund der Einladung speziell dieser Redner passieren könnte. Die Hauptredner standen meiner Meinung nach mit ihren Präsentationen außerhalb der orthodoxen biblischen christlichen Theologie. Ich habe die Fehler, die alle betroffenen Redner während ihres öffentlichen Dienstes gelehrt haben, sehr ausführlich dargelegt. Meine Bedenken wurden jedoch nie berücksichtigt. Vor der Konferenz habe ich die Ältesten von G5meineKirche (Mai 2018) gewarnt, dass diese Redner bestenfalls schwach und im schlimmsten Fall außerhalb des Bereichs der theologischen Orthodoxie sind. Meine Ängste und Bedenken haben sich bei meiner Anwesenheit bei nur einer Abendveranstaltung bestätigt. Mir wird oft vorgeworfen, dass ich keine Kritik an der Bethel-Gemeinde in Redding, Kalifornien, sprechen kann, weil ich dort nicht gewesen bin. Ich bin jedoch zu dem Schluss gekommen, dass sich meine Forschung als ausreichend erwiesen hat. Die Forschung und die Arbeit, die ich beim Schreiben meines Buches „Divergent Theology" geleistet habe, halten einer sorgfältigen Prüfung stand. Und jetzt, da mein Buch mit der CHRISTLICHEN VERLAGSGESELLSCHAFT DILLENBURG veröffentlicht und ins Deutsche übersetzt wird, ist es eine Bestätigung dafür, dass das, was ich geschrieben habe, strenger theologischer Kritik standhält. Bethel, die NAR, Jeremy Riddle und Ben Fitzgerald sind tatsächlich die, für die ich sie hielt. Ich muss nicht nach Redding fliegen, um die Probleme hautnah und persönlich zu erleben. Sie sind klar. Die Forschung ist klar. Jedes Mal, wenn ich an einer neuen Veranstaltung mit Bethel und Neuen Apostolischen Leitern oder Referenten teilnehme, wird die falsche Lehre immer mehr bestätigt.

Ich hoffe und bete, dass dieses Papier eine Hilfe für alle war, die versuchen, mehr darüber zu verstehen, was diese Männer lehren. Ihre Verbindung zur NAR ist tief und es ist im Prinzip das Gleiche, stünde Bill Johnson selbst auf der Bühne und predigte. Ich hoffe und bete, dass dieser Dienst, den ich versuche, der Gemeinde zu erweisen, ein Segen sein wird, indem er hilft, zwischen Wahr und Falsch zu unterscheiden. Ich schreibe euch auch, damit ihr wisst, dass die Kritik, die ursprünglich gegenüber der Leiterschaft ausgedrückt wurde, in dieser Präsentation von Riddle bestätigt wird. Die Kritik bezieht sich auf die falsche Lehre über den Heiligen Geist, sein Werk und seine Tätigkeit.

Gott segne euch, während ihr versucht, alle Aspekte dieser komplizierten Bewegung zu durchdenken.

Grüße im Namen unseres Gottes des Vaters, Gottes des Sohnes und Gottes des Heiligen Geistes. Möge die Gnade des Herrn Jesus Christus mit euch allen sein,

Gehalten von Ihm (In His Grip),

Richard Moore

Apostelgeschichte 20,24

***Ich habe die Präsentation in ihrer Gesamtheit aufgenommen. Nachfolgend finden Sie die komplette 2:07-minütige Sitzung***

______________________________________________________________________________

(1) Die neue apostolische Reformation (NAR) ist eine dominionistische Bewegung, die behauptet, dass Gott die verlorenen Ämter der Kirchenleitung wieder herstellen wird, nämlich die Ämter der Propheten und Apostel. Propheten und Apostel als besondere „Hochbegabte Leiter“ (Ungeachtet dessen, dass zur heutigen Zeit das allgemeine Priestertum der Gläubigen gilt, nachdem jeder Gläubige ein Priester/Diener Gottes ist und prophetische Rede empfangen kann) https://verfuehrungderbraut.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/nar-was-ist-das/

(2) Die Wort-des-Glaubens-Bewegung (englisch Word of Faith) ist eine spezielle Richtung des Christentums, die in manchen Pfingstgemeinden und charismatischen Gemeinden Verbreitung gefunden hat. Sie stammt aus dem angelsächsischen Raum und ist in Deutschland vor allem durch die Bücher des US-Amerikaners Kenneth Hagin bekannt geworden. Sie ist auch bekannt unter dem Namen Glaubensbewegung. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wort-des-Glaubens-Bewegung

(3) Als Azusa Street Revival (engl. für Azusa-Street-Erweckung) bezeichnet man die pfingstlerische Erweckungsbewegung ausgehend von der Azusa Street Mission, die ihren Ursprung in der Azusa Street 312 in Los Angeles hatte und als eines der wichtigsten historischen Ereignisse der aufstrebenden Pfingstbewegung gilt. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azusa_Street_Revival

(4) “Endtime Revival-Spirit-Led and Spirit-Controlled” August 11, 2000, General Council of the Assemblies of God, accessed November 3, 2016, https://ag.org/Beliefs/Topics-Index/Revival-Endtime-Revival--Spirit-Led-and-Spirit-Controlled

THRON Conference Review of Jeremy Riddle's Presentation

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 10:04:00 +0000

Jeremy Riddle and Ben Fitzgerald

THRON Konferenz June 20th, 2019, Eimeldingen Germany

For research purposes I attended the THRON Konferenz in Baden-Württemberg (Eimeldingen). Entrance was free on the evening of June 20^th. I was invited to attend to give my feedback and opinions on the event. In this session Jeremy Riddle, worship leader from Bethel, was presenting. The house seemed to be quite full, although there were some empty seats still. All speakers who spoke in English were translated into German. As a fluent speaker of German, I am convinced that the translations for this presentation fell short. It was not the translators fault. Translations were inadequate because the language of these speakers and people within the New Apostolic Reformation or Word of Faith background have a certain very tricky, special speech pattern, and peculiar vocabulary. They also spoke often right over the translators, and did not give them time to finish sentences. Riddle's presentation was on the Holy Spirit. But before Riddle took the stage, following the worship set, Ben Fitzgerald, from Awakening Europe, first spoke. He began by saying that the Bible says,

“The fountain of God is there for breakthrough.”

Fitzgerald did not provide a scriptural reference. But I presumed he was referring to this scripture in Zechariah 13:1. It says, “On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness (Zechariah13:1 ESV).” Here Ben Fitzgerald took this Old Testament verse out of context and takes the phrase within the verse that he wants to proof text out of context. However, it is clear that this verse is referring to the House of David and cleansing them from sin, and not speaking of our personal breakthrough. This is typical New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) practice. Proof texting Bible verses, or "eisegesis" is taking something out of context to “prove” your point, when the passage has nothing to do in actuality with the point you are trying to make.

Fitzgerald went on to say, “God calls himself the God of the breakthrough.” He did not allude to where he got this information. I am not aware of any scripture where God calls himself the "God of the breakthrough." Explaining God wrongly is exceptionally problematic. As pastors or teachers, we will incur stricter judgement, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1).” I humbly fear for what judgement he might incur for describing God with a name wherewith he has not named himself. We cannot just give God names that we want him to have. It would not be prudent or wise to call God something that he has not called himself in scripture. It is especially precarious to say that God has called himself something when he has not.

Ben went on to say that, “God spoke to me...He wants to remove something in front of you.” This is also a habit of New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) or Word of Faith teachers to say that God just told them something. Then the deeper theological question comes, does God speak to man outside of scripture anymore? Does man receive “revelations” like the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) would have us to believe? Every new Apostle or Prophet on the scene these days seems to have God talk to them directly and seemingly daily. And if God did say this, “He wants to remove something in front of you.” What does that mean? I presume he means removing a difficulty. Does God serve our personal agenda of taking difficulty out of our lives? God is sovereign and may have left that difficulty in front of you for your good and his glory.

Ben went on to say that, "I can sense him in the room for that breakthrough." I presume that he was talking about those pesky difficulties that he heard God tell him that he wanted to remove. He then led the whole audience in a time of “prayer, declaration, and shifting atmospheres.” He asked the audience to pray for their neighbors for “back pain, sin, breakthrough in finances,” etc. This was not even 15 minutes into the session, and the theme of healing and financial breakthrough came up. All the words he used here are New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) buzzwords and catchphrases. At that time, Fitzgerald said, “Keep the lights down so no one can see you who you’re praying for.” I thought this was a bit strange. Why not see the person you are praying for? The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) use tactics like this to manipulate participants into an emotional response. It would seem rather normal to be able to look at the person that you are praying for, but it is not about that, it is about the breakthrough and the feeling, so controlling the atmosphere is key. He kept on urging people to pray that God would bring breakthrough in finances, which is also a key New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) theological position that the atonement of Jesus Christ secured your health, wealth, and prosperity here in this life.

Fitzgerald then confirmed the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Word of Faith theological position by saying something to the affect that, “he can wash away sickness.” As I looked around the audience, I located three people sitting in wheelchairs. I wondered if the atonement promise of health, wealth, and prosperity were also available for them as well? But probably not, I noticed one of the people leaving the evening in the same wheelchair that they came in. I found it interesting that Ben laid hands on his interpreters head, heart and back to head and heart again for several minutes. He then laid his hands on his interpreters head for long time. Did anyone lay hands on Ben? Of course not. In this way the leaders of this movement exercise a form of control over the followers of the movement. It is a power play that all the Apostles and Prophets of this movement use to keep people subject to their need for another healing, another event where they could be blessed. This makes the followers of this movement sort of like drug addicts, who are always looking for the next "fix." Why couldn’t the interpreter pray for Ben’s breakthrough on the stage?

Then I noticed something begin to happen. People started laughing, speaking In tongues, and making odd noises. This is also often practiced in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement as a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit. However, it is a made-up affect. The Holy Spirit worked in the New Testament through speaking in tongues, but it is forbidden in the New Testament to speak in tongues without an interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:28). Ben continued to manipulate the music, manipulated lights, and manipulated people to keep praying. What do the music and lights have to do with us praying was my thought? Scattered laughter continued, which is also not a New Testament sign of the Holy Spirit. during this tie several other people in the audience waved banners.

Ben finished up his time by declaring, “give him a shout of praise give him a Deutsch shout of praise.” And asking the audience to just shout. No "words" of praise just a shout. He then asked, “Who had a breakthrough? who was washed?”

After the shout, Ben began to introduce Jeremy Riddle. He said, “Jeremy Riddle is the father of the worship movement.” He cannot be serious in this claim. There are hundreds of worship leaders and artists that could be put in front of Riddle. I will admit that he is an accomplished artist with several albums to his name. This was an offense to so many Christian artists before him like, Larry Norman, Keith Green, Rich Mullins, Phil Keagy, Delirious, just to name a few. This, too, is common among NAR supporters to publicly praise and honor each other without any particular reason. Especially in front of bigger audiences, so that people cannot question him (Riddle), because he is the "father of the worship movement", even though this cannot be true. Then he told us to “Stand up and honor Jeremy Riddle.”

Above is the Video Recording of Jeremy Riddle's Remarks

Jeremy Riddle then took the stage, and began to speak. One of the first things he said was, “It is very powerful in this room.” If you are not familiar with Riddle he is one of the many worship leaders at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. One of their main teachings is that we can guard and are jealous for the presence of God. and when we guard the presence and are jealous for it then God grants more of his presence. So, Riddle pointing out that he thought that the room was powerful is a hint at that theology, and a hint of what would come. It is a subtle setup for the audience to be prepared for what would happen at the end of his presentation (Holy Spirit Baptism). He then said, “God is moving in Europe but especially in Germany.” No real explanation of this, but I imagine he is referring to the Awakening events in Europe being put on by Ben Fitzgerald’s organization which have definite ties to Bethel and the NAR.

Riddle began by saying, “Let’s spend some time singing.” He asked everyone to just sing a nice tone. There were no words put forth, just sing a melody. At that time Riddle started bending, bowing, and rocking his body back and forth. He asked the people just to lift up a voice. He asked people to sing no real song just said “let it rise” let the high praise rise. While the audience sang he said something very interesting. He said, “Sing like you are shifting something.” This is a very high point of emphasis in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and the worship movement that it encompasses. I would like to make one caveat here. Not all modern worship movements believe or ascribe this theology. The prevailing belief in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Bethel type worship is that worship music is something that can shift things in the heavenly realms, can break bondages (as seen in Fitzgerald’s introduction), and otherwise “shift destinies.” This prevailing theology of worship has taken the place of historical Christianity’s view on worship. Worship being the expression of homage, adoration, thanksgiving, and prayers of all kinds to God because he is worthy of it, not because it can or would “shift” something. Riddle, while the audience was singing, became more exaggerated in swinging his arms, and rocking back and forth.

At this point, I though this is exactly like a Bethel service, or any other New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) style service. With the laughter, the swaying, swinging arms, bobbing back and forth and the command to sing like you are shifting destinies. All the terminology, and motions were present like that of a typical Bethel or New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) service. Riddle was swinging his arms like that was going to move or shift something. He was pushing his arms forward like he is pushing something onto the audience. He was rocking side to side, left and right, and rocking back and forth. Then the definitive Bethel expressions started to appear in the audience. People started the crying out loudly by saying, “woah” or “schew,” and more laughter was sprinkled throughout the audience.

Riddle then said, “It is going to take leaders who have the ambition to release the sound in the people” This is also a Bethel theme and also a theme in a Bethel published book “The Physics of Heaven.” This book claims that there is a sound from heaven that needs to be released in and through people. The book is an attempt at Christian and New Age syncretism. Syncretism is the mixing of non-Christian religions with Christianity. Riddle further said, “There is a sound of praise that needs to be unlocked, and it is waiting on leaders to set it free.” It is hard to understand exactly what he is talking about, but I assume it has to do with the strange practice of finding some esoteric sound buried deep within us, and I guess good worship leaders can bring that sound out of people.

Riddle then began to get into his theme. He said that he had already prepared something, but was asked last-minute to speak instead on the Holy Spirit. He expressed his inexperience in relation to the topic when he said that he was just beginning to understand the Holy Spirit. I thought right away, “if you don’t know how to teach on the Holy Spirit then tell the leadership of the conference that you are not knowledgeable or experienced enough to speak on the subject and sit down, and let some experienced pastor or theologian speak on the subject. There are plenty of great theologians and pastors who are highly qualified and know the scriptures way better than Riddle handled the subject. He had hardly any biblical references and taught very little from the “good ol’ book,” from whence we know who the Holy Spirit is and how he operates. I would recommend world renown theologian Sinclair Ferguson’s series on the Holy Spirit.

Riddle went on to say, “I want to release the Holy Spirit tonight.” At that point my heresy meter spiked all the way to 10. I am afraid that no-one has the power to release the Holy Spirit. He is God. He is neither controlled nor commanded by ANY MAN! This is extremely unbiblical, and blasphemous. God cannot be "released" by any man. “The Lord is in the heavens he does whatever he pleases (Psalm 115:3).” “Yahweh does whatever he pleases in heaven on earth, in the seas and all the depths (Psalm 135:6).” “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail (Proverbs 19:21).” “Who is there that speaks and it happens, unless the Lord has ordained it (Lamentations 3:37).” “He shows mercy to those he wants to, and He hardens those he wants to harden (Romans 9:18).” God reveals throughout scripture that he is beholden to no man, and will act only at his sovereign will, not because Riddle says he will release the Holy Spirit at a certain conference.

Riddle then continued, that he loves how Bill Johnson talks about the “presence” of the Holy Spirit. Bill Johnson is pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA and so-called Apostle in the NAR As seen in this video below...In the "Apostolic Alignment" ceremony of Todd Bentley, Johnson is named as an Apostle of the movement.

Bill Johnson's prophecy at Todd Bentley's "Apostolic Alignment" service

Because of this he connects himself and confirms that he is a follower and adherent Bill Johnson’s teaching. Johnson unquestionably has precarious teachings on the Holy Spirit. In that context Riddle said, “When his (The Holy Spirit’s) heart is moved, when he loves something he manifests more of his presence. He trusts us with more of his presence.” I wondered where such an idea is in the Scriptures. I cannot think of a single place where such an idea is talked about in the Bible. I know why I cannot think of a place; it is because there isn’t one. The Bible never gives us such ideas about the Holy Spirit and His presence being more manifested when he loves something. First of all, the idea that you can earn God’s presence is secretly hidden in this statement, and second the Holy Spirit is the Third Eternal person of the Godhead and so that means he has the same attributes as God, omnipresence being one of those characteristics. Riddle seldom in his talk ever gave scriptural support. He gave really only experiential support for his questionable and problematic teaching on the Holy Spirit.

He alluded to two things that come up when he said he talks about the Holy Spirit. He said people are either apprehensive or ignorant. This is very subtle, but in saying this he blames mainstream evangelical Christianity for their “quenching the Holy Spirit.” In NAR terms, being apprehensive and ignorant about how the Holy Spirit works, is the worst thing you could do as a Christian. Riddle promoted another half-truth in saying that The Holy Spirit is the one person of the Godhead that is here with us on the earth. It is true that the Holy Spirit has been left here on the earth, but to say he is only here on the earth is limited and a half-truth. Again, the Holy Spirit is an omnipresent being just like every other person of the godhead. Jesus was the only one who limited his godly prerogatives of omnipresence while he spent his time here on earth.

Riddle further stayed away from any Biblical teaching on the spirit when he used an illustration that the Holy Spirit is like our mother. He said that we are born of the Spirit, so ignoring the Holy Spirit is like ignoring your mom. This is not what the Bible is referring to when Jesus says we must be born of the Spirit. I presume Riddle is referring to John 3, he did not say where he got that idea of being born of the Spirit. I will help him out. It stands in John 3:5-8, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” In this passage Jesus is alluding to the regeneration that the Holy Spirit provides. Which is one of the works of the Spirit that Riddle seemed to neglect in his presentation. Jesus never refers to the Spirit being your mother. This is how the NAR frequently handles biblical concepts. If NAR leaders ever preach the passage in question, they stretch the idea so far out of its biblical concept that it is no longer what the Biblical authors intended. Riddle here never preached the passage, he just took a biblical idea and illustrated it with his own thought.

Riddle began to finally speak about the Bible and described the book of Acts. He never really preached from it he just described the stories in it. He said that in comparison to Acts we don’t have it (life in the Holy Spirit) figured out. He then said, We have no idea about the harvest that we would see when we would yield to the Holy Spirit. I am not sure where he gets this idea from either. I am not aware of any scripture that promises a greater harvest of souls based on our yieldedness to the Holy Spirit. These are manipulation tactics to get people to yield to the Holy Spirit in ways that the NAR define. And by yielded they mean laughing, “Schewing”, “Woahing”, “falling out in the Holy Spirit,” being “slain in the Holy Spirit,” and the like. In that context he encouraged his listeners to read the book of Acts and see only the pages where the Holy Spirit is mentioned

Riddle further used material from Bill Johnson. He said that there was a very deep theological reason that we need to be refilled time after time by the Holy Spirit. He said, “Why do we need to be filled again and again is that we leak.” This is nearly a word for word quote from Bill Johnson and terribly aberrant. He of course never mentioned where this theological reasoning comes from biblically.

Riddle then went on to ask what a person full of the Holy Spirit looks like? A question quickly arose for me. Should we be putting an emphasis on how people appear who are filled with the Holy Spirit or is filling with the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the spirit the outworking? Does a person filled with the Holy Spirit look a certain way? No, they have righteous fruits (Ephesians 5:18-21; Acts 4:29-31; Galatians 5:22-23). Riddle continued to talk about stories in the book of Acts. He said, “Stephen was full of the Spirit the only way that they could shut him up was to kill him.” A question that I have in regard to Stephen was, “did they stone him for being full of the Holy Spirit?” No! They stoned Him because the filling of the spirit led to bold proclamation of the gospel, and because he called them to repent, and they would not. Riddle also talked about the Acts character Philip. He alluded to the fact that Philip was full of the Holy Spirit, and met the Ethiopian Eunuch. As a note here, Phillip through the power of the Holy Spirit, proclaimed to the Ethiopian that Jesus was the answer to the scripture he was reading. The Ethiopian received Christ as a result of the Spirit illuminating the scriptures, and using Philip as his ambassador. He described how Philip was carried away to Azatos. Philip was “carried away” to Azatos because the gospel was needed there not because it was cool to be “translated” to another place, as he claimed. This is a practice often alluded to in the NAR. They claim that when they are “in the Spirit” they can be translated to other places physically. Out of body experiences, “translation” experiences, Astral Projection, and Portal travel are practiced by some in the NAR, and Bethel. This is also referred to in the book “The Physics of Heaven,” and a practice that is encouraged in many presentations at Bethel by Kris Vallatton and leader of Bethel’s “School of the Prophets,” Dan McCollam.

At This point it is important to note In relation to the practice of traveling physically to other locations via teleportation or portal travel, the argument arises that things like this happened in the Bible. That is true, but the purpose was not for euphoria, or because of an intense worship time, but rather for the Gospel to travel over cultural thresholds. Here Philip was commanded by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch. Directly after the Ethiopian eunuch had been baptized, Philip was “carried away” to Azotus to preach the Gospel further. God wanted the gospel to travel over another particular Gospel threshold. Another occurrence was when Peter had his vision; he was directly thereafter taken to Cornelius’ house to preach the Gospel. This vision that Peter had was meant to break him of his view that the Gospel was only for the Jews. There were specific reasons God displayed His power in these ways in the Bible.

The next few things that he said were correct and good. He described that the sending out of the Paul and Barnabas was at the Spirit’s direction. He further described that the Holy Spirit was the main mover in the early church. However, he did not stay on course for very long. Nearly the next sentence was that “there is a shift happening now.” By this I am sure he is talking about the NAR and the alleged move of the Spirit within it. How do I know this? What other move of the Holy Spirit would he be talking about? The move of the Holy Spirit in the “frozen chosen” Presbyterian church? Or the “Bedside Baptists?” Of course, he is not noticing any of the Spirit’s move in any of those other traditions. This was a blatant plug for the NAR and all those affiliated.

Riddle went on to seek to prove that the Holy Spirit is moving because the third most sung song in US churches is a song called “Holy Spirit.” I don’t know how this is evidence that The Holy Spirit is moving more than what is described in the Bible. What bothered me continually in his presentation is that he used stories and illustrations like this ad nauseum. If a speaker gives one or two examples of the Spirit’s move that is one thing but his whole presentation was one illustration and example after another, not once did he exegete, or exposit a passage of scripture on the Holy Spirit.

Riddle moved on then to speak about Lonnie Frisbee. Riddle said, Frisbee planted churches and a movement exploded. According to Riddle, Lonnie Frisbee would walk in a room and with one word would release the Holy Spirit on a whole congregation. Riddle said Frisbee was just obedient to listen to the Holy Spirit and did what he said and when he did what the Holy Spirit said then everyone fell on the floor. By this I assume that Riddle is talking about people being slain in the Spirit. There is not one single Biblical passage where we see any such practice for Christians who are filled with the Holy Spirit. People who are filled in the New Testament usually proclaim the word of God, preach, or worship with “Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Beside one of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control not loss of control, shaking, falling on the floor, or uncontrollable anything. The Holy Spirit brings order not chaos, or loss of self-control (1 Corinthians 14:33; Galatians 5:22-23). Here is an article from Costi Hinn (Benny Hinn’s Nephew) on the unbiblical practice of being “slain in the Spirit”

Lonnie Frisbee (article about the troubled Lonnie Frisbee) was one of the founders of the Calvary Chapel movement (Charismatic church, and the father of some of the other modern charismatic churches in the Charismatic Movement). Lonnie had a torrid past before he came to Christ. After a long stint as evangelist, and founder of Calvary Chapel, he returned to his homosexual lifestyle, and later died of Aids from those homosexual encounters. Although he seemed to be a great evangelist, he had a dark secret, and later in his life went back into the life of sin again. The question obviously comes, is such a licentious character able to carry the presence as Riddle claims? That means anyone who was living a homosexual lifestyle could be a carrier of the Holy Spirit and could, according to Riddle, deliver the Holy Spirit with one word, and lay a whole congregation flat on their backs? This is often done by NAR leaders and teachers. They ignore the incredibly dark side of “evangelists,” “faith healers,” and starters of the Charismatic Movement most of whom had a very “unchristian” and unrepentant backgrounds (i.e. Charles Parnham had ties to the KKK and allegations of sodomy; Smith Wiggelsworth blamed people for their own sickness and not being healed saying their sin was the root of their sickness; Aimee Semple McPherson was divorced twice, had alleged affairs, and drug use, and lived a lavish lifestyle; Kathryn Kuhlman had also alleged affairs, married a divorced man, and then quickly divorced him because of the backlash; Kenneth Hagin had clear connections to the false religion of Christian Science; Kenneth Copeland lives an opulent lifestyle with a claimed net worth of $760 million dollars). These are the kinds of people that the NAR revere as “Generals.”

Riddle then said something quite outlandish, He said, “The Holy Spirit has been offended, but he is getting over it.” I wondered, “How has the Holy Spirit been offended and how is he getting over it?” Could he provide a chapter and verse for such a claim? This claim implies that the Church, up to this point, has offended the Holy Spirit through neglect. Has God in his word ever expressed such an idea? That he is offended through neglect of His Spirit? And that he is getting over his hurt feelings? I cannot think of a single instance in the Scripture where the Holy Spirit is getting over his hurt feelings of feeling neglected. The Holy Spirit is never neglected, His plans are never frustrated. God saves and draws men to himself at his pleasure. No man can resist the move of the Spirit, and we cannot hurt his feelings through neglect.

Riddle then claimed that he saw all of Heaven break into a meeting just when someone invited the Holy Spirit in. This is another typical NAR and Bethel theology where they take the single phrase out of the Lord’s prayer, “on earth as it is in heaven,” to mean that the same things that happen in heaven should also happen here in earth (i.e. healing). However, does heaven break into this earth? Is that the goal of the Christian life? Our goal as Christians it to get to heaven through salvation found in Jesus, not for us to get heaven to come to earth. But it certainly has become the goal of Bethel and many other NAR churches, training centers, and events such as Awakening Europe. This is plainly incorrect of Bethel, and Bill Johnson. Johnson has said, “What's the will of God? On earth as it is in heaven. If it exists there, it's supposed to exist here.” (Bill Johnson quote from the Bethel website) My obvious question arises, “so there is no sin at Bethel, no marriage, no tears, no pain, or the like? Because those things do not exist in Heaven, so they should not exist here on earth?” No, those things will only truly take place when our redemption is finalized and we have left this decaying earth, corrupted by sin to enter our perfect eternal rest.

Riddle continued his stories about how the Holy Spirit works by telling a story that a man touched a friend of his and said, “Woah!” He then immediately began to prophecy over his friend. He said he read this man’s thoughts. I am sorry but this is in no way the biblical gift of prophecy. I cannot think of one instance outside of Jesus Christ God’s eternal son who read the thoughts of a man, or “knew men’s hearts.” This sort of thing actually sounds more like the practice of a medium, spirit channel, New Age, or Spiritism rather than the biblical gift of prophecy. I do not see a precedence in scripture that Christians should read a person’s thoughts.

Riddle confirmed his confidence in this type of Holy Spirit activity when he said, “I’ve seen too much to ever go back to the normal life that I lived before.” This was confirmation that he is steadfast and a totally convinced member of the NAR and the “signs and wonders” movement. He continued to say we were never meant to do church without the Holy Spirit. My critique of this statement was to ask, “does he mean that up to this point the church of Jesus Christ has not had the Holy Spirit?” According to the Bible, one task of the Holy Spirit is to seal people in their salvation until the day of redemption. One could conclude that he means the church of Jesus Christ has not had the Holy Spirit as an active mover in the Church up to this point. If this is correct, that the Holy Spirit has not been present in churches, then no-one in those churches, where the Spirit is absent, have had the Holy Spirit seal them in Christ. If the Holy Spirit has been absent from Church then have any people in those churches truly been saved? This is subtly very elitist, and condemns other Christian churches of not actually really being Christian. Extrapolating from his statement, we could ask if he believes if any Christians were truly saved before the Azusa Revival? He went on to state that the spiritual life, and Church is boring without the Holy Spirit. Again, the elitist attitude comes forth. Are churches boring that live without the Holy Spirit like Riddle imagines it? With this statement, he has insulted probably about two thirds of Christianity who don’t live with the Holy Spirit as he presented it.

Riddle then moved into a section on how to discover how the Holy Spirit speaks to people. Again, it was glaringly obvious that the Bible was omitted from this list of how the Holy Spirit speaks. He started off this section by saying that, “the way the Holy Spirit speaks is different for everyone” I thought, “what if I say that the Holy Spirit speaks to me through drug induced trances (Drunken Glory Movement).” He just speaks to me differently than you. If we are all being spoken to by the Holy Spirit differently than each other, then how do we know who has actually heard from the Holy Spirit, and not our own feelings, or worse yet some other spirit? The way most leaders and people in this movement confirm the Spirit spoke to them is when someone says, “God told me.” He further elaborated on how the Holy Spirit works by speaking of Bill Johnson and one of his teachings, which is “hosting the presence.” By this he means being attentive and aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence as hosts. We should pay attention to the Holy Spirit because he is a guest.

He described an illustration that Bill Johnson uses of a white handkerchief on his shoulder. Riddle asks us to imagine if that white handkerchief would be a dove, you would take every step in awareness of the dove. These illustrations are subtle, in its reference to a dove. What person did the Holy Spirit descend upon in the form of a dove? Jesus! His theology of little gods is confirmed with such illustrations. The dove of the Holy Spirit can also descend on you, like he did on Jesus. You can "host the presence," like Jesus did if you treat the dove with awareness and attention like you would a guest. You can be just like Jesus who had the Holy Spirit descend on Him in the form of a dove. Riddle furthermore explained how the Holy Spirit speaks through atmosphere, strong feelings, audible voices, seeing pictures, having impressions. He curiously left out the primary way God the Holy Spirit communicates with people, through the Bible. He then tried to explain how to find out if it’s God speaking to you. He said that the way that you confirm if it was the Spirit speaking was to take “a big fat risk!” This is also a large theme at Bethel. They teach similarly that you should step out and take risks to confirm if it is really the Holy Spirit leading or not. This could be incredibly damaging to the believer to only know if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you or not by taking a risk. This is horribly inaccurate, and can lead people to think that the Holy Spirit has spoken to them when their risk that they took actually works out. This whole section ignored one of the greatest theological principles that Christians have had since the reformation “Sola Scriptura” meaning that we can only truly know God’s will through scripture alone.

Riddle continued to propagate the Bethel and NAR type understanding of supernatural ideologies when he said, “I can feel something be released in the atmosphere.” This is commonly said in the NAR and Bethel teaching. What is not clear is what exactly in the atmosphere is being released. This is esotericism, spiritism, and approaches forms of Occultism. Does the Holy Spirit ever release stuff in the atmosphere? Does he move stuff in the atmosphere? Is it anywhere revealed in the scriptures that a task of his is to change or release stuff in atmospheres? This is made up language, fictitious teaching, and obviously a spurious assertion.

Riddle then went on to tell a story of when the Holy Spirit told him that if he gave everything he had, to sing a bridge of a song, then something is going to breakthrough. This is also a NAR Bethel teaching that healing and breakthrough takes place in worship, or what they call the “manifest presence of God.” He told a story that the Holy Spirit was telling him to sing with everything he had, and the Holy Spirit would give breakthrough. The question is, does the Holy Spirit work more or give greater breakthrough when we sing louder with all our gusto? He actually used that word “gusto.” I cannot see this either in scripture that the Holy Spirit will work according to our “gusto” in singing. There is no chapter and verse for this teaching that I am aware of. Again, Riddle explained all of how the Holy Spirit works through his own experiences, and never exegeted or exposited a single scripture. He said that he then sang with all his gusto, and as soon as he did, “electricity shot through the building and we sang for 45 minutes more.” He said that power was released to break addiction as they sang and proclaimed that addiction would be broken. I also do not see any biblical precedent for such a view of the work of the Holy Spirit. This is huge in NAR circles that worship breaks bondage, addiction, and provides breakthrough. This is wholly an unbiblical teaching. Worship is our expression of worth, homage, adoration, and thanksgiving, because God is worthy of it, not because it can break addiction or something insipid like that.

Riddle continued on with his litany of falsehoods, when he explained that the Holy Spirit will give you little impressions that unlock heaven in a room. I though right away No! Heaven is heaven, and this is earth. Heaven will not come to earth! We will go to heaven, as a result of being saved. This is right in step with “Kingdom Now” Theology. NAR proponents believe that Heaven will, and is taking place now, as we pull the realities of heaven here to earth. This aberrant theology has been condemned by the Assemblies of God denomination, the largest charismatic denomination in the world. However, Bethel and other NAR churches, and teachers persist in teaching this theological perspective that we can pull heaven into our earthly existence.

Riddle then taught the audience how to know what the Holy Spirit wants from us. He said to ask “Holy Spirit” what you should do? I found it interesting how he left the definite article off of the title of “the Holy Spirit” a few times. This is also common NAR practice. I have heard many NAR leaders say we don’t call God “The Father” and Jesus “the Jesus” so why do we call Holy Spirit “the Holy Spirit”? By doing this they intend to make the Holy Spirit more personal, but in doing so they make him too personal and not holy and “other” as God describes himself in scripture. Like Riddle, Jenn Johnson is a worship leader at Bethel. She has said, “he’s (The Holy Spirit) like the genie in Aladdin. He’s blue, and he’s funny, and he’s sneaky, and he’s courageous, and he’s everywhere, and he’s wonderful. That’s who he is to me.” In taking the definite article away from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit they take away his specificity. Definite articles are integral in language grammatically. Using the indefinite or no article at all indicates or removes the specificity of the subject. The Holy Spirit is specifically described in scripture in definite detail. When they remove the definite article, they can bring him down a peg and describe him virtually however they want like Jen Johnson in this video. (Below: Jenn Johnson teaching that “Holy Spirit” is like the blue Genie in a bottle).

Jenn Johnson teaches that the Holy Spirit is like the Genie from Aladdin

We should be properly bothered when the definite article is removed because linguistically and Theologically it is supposed to be there when describing or explaining God The Father, God the Son, and God The Spirit.

Riddle went on to encourage the audience to teach their kids how to hear the voice of God. Again, it was all about hearing the voice of God. I want to reiterate that the main way that we hear God’s voice is in and through the Bible? He has woefully neglected this most important aspect of listening to God’s voice. It is completely incorrect to make a presentation on how to hear the Holy Spirit and literally not once mention the Bible as even one way we can hear from God. Riddle went on to say, “If we would just know the lengths God would go to let us hear his voice.” Not to beat the same drum, but I thought, “yes, God really did go to extraordinary lengths to let us hear his voice, HE HAD PEOPLE WRITE HIS THOUGHTS DOWN AND PUT THEM TOGETHER IN A BOOK IT’S CALLED THE BIBLE!” The Scripture is all sufficient (Proverbs 30:5-6; Hebrews 1:1-2; Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 22:18-19; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:24-25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Riddle continued with illustrations of how the Holy Spirit works, instead of scriptures to describe his work. He said, If you were a boss, you would fire people who don’t ask what you thought. And he related that to us never asking the Holy Spirit what he thinks. Is Riddle implying that the Holy Spirit should fire or leave us, because we don’t ask him what he thinks? Riddle then tried valiantly to bring scripture into his presentation. Unfortunately, he misquoted the scripture that he used. He tried to quote 1 Corinthians 12:31 which says, “But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” Riddle however said, “Earnestly desire all the spiritual gifts.” This is a well-known and documented practice of NAR leaders, teachers, Apostles, and prophets. They either misquote, or rearrange Biblical verses to proof-text and prove their theological perspectives. Here Riddle badly misquoted the verse and took it out of context. He took out the word “higher gifts” and inserted his word “all.” By this Riddle hoped to display that we should really desire “all the Spiritual gifts.” It is ironic that the context just before Paul asks the rhetorical series of questions, to show that not all have or can have every spiritual gift. Paul writes, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:29-31 ESV).” The obvious answer to this series of questions is, “no we cannot all have every gift.” Paul goes on in chapter 13 to describe the greater way, which was love, not seeking greater gifts. Love is the more excellent way he is talking about in chapter 12. But riddle would have us believe that the greater more excellent way is having “all the spiritual gifts.” This is why we need people trained in exegetical, expository preaching, because people can misquote and mishandle God’s word. Throughout the presentation, when Riddle did handle the Bible, he only misquoted, or mishandled it.

Riddle’s next subject was to explain that we need discernment between spirits in our churches, regions, countries, states? Bethel and the NAR teach a theology called “territorial spirits.” That there are demonic spirits that are in charge of certain regions, and that we as Christians need to go into regions and take back “dominion” of those regions from those spirits. This theology belongs to the “7 mountains mandate” and the theological perspective called “Dominionism” or “Kingdom Now” theology. Which has fallen under heavy critique beginning with the Assemblies of God denomination calling it aberrant in 2006.[1]

Riddle continued, “We can’t be creeped out by spiritual things it’s not New Age’s territory it’s our territory.” This was the icing on the cake that I had been waiting for. This claim is so unfathomable that no one can deny its error anymore. This is syncretism. Syncretism is the mixing of other spiritual practices (i.e. Spiritism, New Age, and other occult practices) foreign to Christianity, with the Christian faith. With this statement, Riddle falls in line with the prevailing thoughts coming out of Bethel that the New Age and its practices actually belong to Christianity and we need to reclaim them. If this does not confirm that this form of teaching is aberrant theology, then nothing will. Is the Occult religion of The New Age our territory as Christians? Absolutely not! Such practices are strictly forbidden in the Bible. Riddle’s teaching is in line with the New Age occult book “The Physics of Heaven.” This book was produced and put out by Bethel, and chapters written by Bill Johnson, Beni Johnson, and forward by Kris Vallatton, who are all senior leaders at Bethel.

Riddle continued further by saying, “we need to learn the art of yielding. The greatest opposition to the Holy Spirit is not theological, but control. We want to have control we want predictable outcomes. We don’t control the Holy Spirit we yield to him we give up control.” He then asked everyone to stand up and he would “release” the Holy Spirit. He then asked the manipulative question to make the audience ready for his brand of Holy Spirit by saying, “God wants to move, but will he find yielded people?” No man is capable of releasing the Holy Spirit. This language sounds sort of like the Holy Spirit is caged or incapable of working in people’s lives without Riddle or another person’s intervention to release him. Again, the third person of the eternal trinity is beholden or commanded by no man!

Riddle’s presentation came to a close, and then for nearly 45 minutes Ben Fitzgerald and Jeremy sought to ask for the “Fire of God to fall down.” Again, we cannot release the Holy Spirit. I found it interesting that many people went forward to receive the Baptism of the Spirit who I had recognized as being Christians for years? This is also a deviant teaching called the “second work of grace.” The biblical teaching is that you are baptized and sealed in the Holy Spirit at the moment you believe in Christ.

Jeremy and Ben then stood on the stage together. Jeremey challenged the audience to come forward if they wanted to receive the baptism of fire. He spoke in tongues on stage without an interpreter, which is forbidden in 1 Corinthians 14:28. He then had the audience roar, shouting, dancing, and mostly acting undignified. He even sang the song “Undignified.” It was a circus of Holy Spirit tricks and antics. He said at the end he did not like tricks or gimmicks. He expressed that he wasn’t going to trick people into receiving the Baptism of fire. I thought right away, “if you don’t like tricks and gimmicks then turn off all the trick machines. Turn off the music, smoke machine, and lights, and turn all the normal lights on, and see if the people respond in the same way. It was total manipulation tactics. Did the early church have fancy colored lights, smoke machines, dim lighting, and lovely background music to receive Pentecost? The atmosphere is controlled precisely to receive the desired response. These are just a few of the notes that I made where Jeremy errs greatly. He has taught that the Holy Spirit is a force to be manipulated to our advantage, not that he is a HOLY Spirit who is to be revered, and honored. It was all about hearing the voice of God and forgetting the main way we hear his voice “Sola Scriptura (through the scriptures alone). The Bible is the main way we hear from God, and the Holy Spirit illuminates, and clarifies who God is through his word. The Holy Spirit also glorifies Jesus, not us. I understood from him that the Holy Spirit will do a lot for you, but that is not accurate. The Holy Spirit’s primary function is to glorify Jesus. He does a lot for Jesus.

“Interestingly the Holy Spirit does perhaps His most significant work where prying eyes can never see. Creation (Genesis 1:2), The conception of the Lord Jesus (Luke 1:35), The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus (Romans 8:9-11), The regeneration of the believer (Titus 3:5). He loves to do things in personal secrecy. That is part of His humility. Part of His modesty (quote from Sinclair Ferguson).” But Riddle and the rest tried to parade the Holy Spirit around on the stage. He does his best work where prying eyes never see, not on a stage where everyone can see how “spiritual” those leaders are that can “release” the Holy Spirit.

Toward the end of the session Ben Fitzgerald said something very important and it says a lot about what he and the NAR believe and teach. He said, “I felt like tonight was the theological end of something and the theological beginning of something else.” What could this possibly mean? What theology ended? Which one began? I can only speculate, but I imagine he means that all theological questioning of the movement must be put to the side. Don’t question, don’t apply discernment to your faith, and definitely don’t check after us in your Bibles, like the Bereans did with Paul. He could also mean still worse that all that theology that you have learned up until now, you can put that to the side now that you have an experiential theology—the right theology.

How does the Holy Spirit truly act? How does he truly work? To help us further understand the mysterious, powerful, and wonderful work of the Spirit I want to share a few ways He truly works in believers, the church, and the world. First, and foremost the Holy Spirit works to glorify and reveal Jesus to the world by turning men's hearts towards Christ (John 16:14). In that way He works powerfully and supernaturally (1Corinthians 2:14). He works through believers by giving them spiritual gifts (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). He works in an orderly fashion not in chaos and disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33). He works in ways so that we receive the message, and the message of the Spirit is to convict people of sin and guilt (John 16:8). He works by coming alongside believers to empower them (named the “Helper” in John 16:7). He indwells believers and seals them unto salvation until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). He fills people with himself to live sanctified and holy lives (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-21). In other words, a filled and indwelled believer will live holy, sanctified, and victorious over sin. He leads us into all truth (John 16:13). He comforts us and doesn't leave us alone like orphans (John 14:18; 2 Corinthians 1:4). The Spirit gives us words to pray when we have not the words. He groans with us with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit will never lead us to do anything that would contradict the Scripture. Lastly, He works into believers the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 22-23).

I don't claim to have experienced all the ways that the Holy Spirit works in believers, the church, and the world. I also don't claim that I even know all the ways that the Holy Spirit works. That is the mystery. This list that I have accumulated of ways that the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit works is neither exhaustive. I share this short list of the Holy Spirit's work to at least give us a minimum framework for how the Holy Spirit does work in the lives of believers, the church, and the world. I do want to be clear. The Holy Spirit will not work in contradiction to this brief list. However, on almost every point Riddle and Fitzgerald contradicted what the Bible has to say about how the Holy Spirit does work. Scripture reveals that these are the ways He does work. Furthermore, my experience is not authoritative. My experience doesn't validate the scripture; the scripture validates my experience. The church of Jesus Christ must remain faithful to embrace the ways that God has revealed in His word how He does work. In my opinion, Riddle and Fitzgerald strayed greatly from theological orthodoxy and a biblical understanding in their presentation of the nature and work of the Holy Spirit.

Before this conference I expressed my concerns at what might happen at this event as a result of inviting these particular speakers. These two keynote speakers, in my opinion, stand outside orthodox Christian theology with their presentations. Before this conference took place, I expressed my concerns, in great detail in relation to the errors that these speakers have taught in their public ministries. Unfortunately, my concerns were never addressed. Before the conference I warned leadership that these speakers were tenuous at best, and outside the scope of theological orthodoxy at worst. My fears and concerns were proven right in my attendance of just this one evening event. I am often accused that I cannot speak to the problems with Bethel Church in Redding, CA, because I have not been to there. I have come to the conclusion that my research and observation over the last 20 years has proven to be enough. The research and the work that I have done in writing my book “Divergent Theology” stands up under tough scrutiny. It is accurate. Furthermore, now that my book is being published and translated into German with CHRISTLICHE VERLAGSGESELLSCHAFT DILLENBURG, it is validation that what I have written stands up under strict theological scrutiny. Bethel, the NAR, Jeremy Riddle, and Ben Fitzgerald are who I thought they were. I do not need to go to Bethel to see the problems close up and personal. They are clear. The research is clear. Every time that I attend a new event with Bethel and New Apostolic leaders or speakers, the false teaching is more and more confirmed. They are who I thought they were.

I hope and pray that this paper has been a help to all who would seek to understand more about what these men teach, and how their connection to the NAR is deep. Their teaching is virtually the same thing as if Bill Johnson himself stood on the stage and preached. I hope and pray that this service that I am providing the Church in Germany (and Europe) will be a blessing in helping discern between truth and falsehood. I also write this to you so that you know that the critique that was originally expressed about the speakers for this conference were confirmed during this presentation by Riddle. The THRON conference was not all great like I am sure some are saying. The critique that I, and I am sure many others, are confirmed in Riddle and Fitzgerald's false teaching about the Holy Spirit, his work and activity. God bless you as you try to think through all the aspects of this complicated movement.

Greetings in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

In His Grip,

Richard Moore

Acts 20:24

*I recorded the presentation in its entirety. Below is the full 2:07 minute session*

[1]“Endtime Revival-Spirit-Led and Spirit-Controlled” August 11, 2000, General Council of the Assemblies of God, accessed November 3, 2016, https://ag.org/Beliefs/Topics-Index/Revival-Endtime-Revival--Spirit-Led-and-Spirit-Controlled

THE FICTIONAL "SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL"

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 11:43:00 +0000

Someone asked me recently about the “Jezebel Spirit” that so often gets thrown around in the New Apostolic Reformation, Word of Faith, and Prosperity Gospel movements, normally as a manipulative tactic. For instance, a person could be blamed of having the “Spirit of Jezebel” as is often said of people who are “seductive,” “rebellious,” or “idolatrous.” This teaching and practice is used as a tool to create fear, or manipulate, and control congregants. Members of churches or participants in the New Apostolic Reformation, Word of Faith, or the Prophetic movement, can become victimized with fear. The leaders of this movement describe repeatedly how many have fallen prey to the “Spirit of Jezebel.” This is classic manipulation, in that leaders make blanket statements that some people “have the Spirit of Jezebel,” and in so doing they control congregants, by keeping them in line. I have known a pastor who said he committed adultery because his assistant seduced him with the “Spirit of Jezebel.” Because of this abuse, manipulation, and unbiblical teaching on the historical person of Jezebel, I wanted to create a full response to what is being seen more and more in these movements.

To lead off, we need to define who Jezebel was. Jezebel was the daughter Ethbaal, who was the priest-king of Tyre and Sidon. Jezebel was given in marriage to King Ahab to create an alliance between Tyre and Israel. In this marriage, provision was made for her to continue to worship her native god Baal. The story of Jezebel is found in the book of 1 Kings 16-21, and also later in 2 Kings 9. She was a strong, domineering, self-willed and forceful woman. She was very devoted worshiper of Melqart, the Tyrian Baal. She employed 450 of his prophets, and 400 prophets of the goddess Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). She continually advocated for her god to have at least equal rights with Yahweh in Israel. During her reign as Ahab’s wife, she often came into conflict with the prophet Elijah. This is seen most poignantly in the clash between Yahweh and Baal on Mount Carmel (I Kings 18:17-40). In that confrontation, Elijah slaughtered per prophets and priests of Baal. Instead of diminishing her zeal for the worship of Baal, this conflict strengthened it. Because of Yahweh’s victory and the subsequent righteous execution of the prophets and priests of Baal on Mount Carmel, Jezebel sought to kill Elijah, the prophet of Yahweh.

In another incident, Jezebel usurped authority over Ahab, with the acquisition of Naboth’s Vineyard. She dealt deceitfully, dishonestly, under-handedly, and in the process undermined King Ahab. She had Naboth stoned to death on a false charge, and took

JEZEBEL TROWN FROM HER PALACE WINDOW

ownership of the vineyard that belonged to him. This incident resulted in the prophetic revelation of the coming extermination of the house of King Ahab. It was particularly dishonest because Jezebel used Ahab’s signet seal (1 Kings 21:8). After Ahab’s death, Jezebel continued to rule in some form in Israel as a sort of “Queen Mother.” She also mocked Jehoram when he was killed by king Jehu, by dressing regally (2 Kings 9:30). Rather remarkably, maybe even ironically, Yahweh is honored in the naming of her three children (Ahaziah, Jehoram, and Athaliah). She was ostensibly responsible for destroying and killing (“cutting off”) The prophets of Yahweh from Israel. Obadiah hid the survivors of her persecution in groups of fifty in caves and kept them alive (1 Kings 18:4;13). After the confrontation with Baal on Mount Carmel, Jezebel put out a “bounty” of sorts on Elijah’s head (2 Kings 19:1-2). Upon hearing this Elijah went into hiding. Jezebel finally met her foreseen end at the hands of Jehu and some Eunuchs who threw her down from a window and she died. Jehu’s horses trampled her body and they tried to bury her, but dogs had devoured her body before they could, so that only a skull and her feet and the palms of her hands remained. This fulfilled the prophecy that had previously been spoken about her by Elijah that dogs would eat her (2 Kings 9:10; 9:30-37). Ironically, it appears that Jezebel’s name means “Where is the Prince?” Which she had done often in her lifetime was to question King Ahab, and question the ultimate King of Heaven, Yahweh. Historically, her name has instead come to be synonymous with the unchaste, lewdness, idolatry, sensuality, licentiousness, whoring, and wickedness.

The only other time that the name Jezebel is mentioned in scripture is in Revelation 2:20. That passage says, “But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.” (Revelation 2:20 ESV). It is unclear if this is referring to a specific person with the name Jezebel related to the Thyatiran Church, or if it is a general reference to the metaphoric or figurative Jezebel and all that she represented in the history of Israel. Easton describes The Old Testament Jezebel as, “the representative of all that is designing, crafty, malicious, revengeful, and cruel. She is the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. Guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man, passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship, she spared no pains to maintain idolatry around her in all its splendour.” Most likely, Jesus, in his rebuke of the Thyatiran Church, is referring to the Old Testament Jezebel character. In using the name Jezebel, he labels the Thyatiran woman as a false prophetess in the same vein as the Old Testament character. We can extrapolate from this instance in revelation, that the name Jezebel had come to be tantamount with apostacy. So, at the very least, Jesus is referring to Jezebel in those terms as a figurative counterpart or type that characterized the wicked actions of this prophetess from Thyatira.

All commentators agree that Jesus in Revelation 2 is referring to a real person. The context of Revelation also makes it clear that she was a real person. There are a few

reasons we can assume that the self-proclaimed prophetess is a real person. First, Jesus judges the church at Thyatira because it tolerated this woman who called herself a prophetess. Jesus would not have judged the church there for the work of a demonic spirit. Second, the text reveals that she used the title of “prophetess” to convince those in the church to commit immorality. This woman was physically active in deception in the church, by calling herself a prophetess, and actively promoting idolatry and immorality. Despite the existence of this prophetess, that Jesus names Jezebel, commentators are not sure whether Jezebel was a real or symbolic name. Lastly, It can be clearly understood that she was a real person in that she was given an opportunity to repent, but she refused. Jesus even pronounced the judgement for her evil actions in Revelation 2:22 “behold I will throw her into a sick bed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works.” Jesus even goes on to pronounce that he will strike her children dead (Revelation 2:23). Jesus is obviously talking about a real person, and not a spirit because a spirit cannot have children. Furthermore, only people are offered the opportunity to repent, spirits are not. Appropriately their fate is sealed. Luther described, in his famous hymn A Mighty Fortress is Our God, the destiny of our ancient foe, “His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.” This might also be partly the reason Jesus uses that name Jezebel in reference to her. The Old Testament character, Jezebel had plenty of opportunity to repent, but refused with stiff-necked obstinance until her very last breath, when she was thrown out of the window to her gruesome death. Her body then to be trampled underfoot by Jehu’s horses, and finally devoured by dogs.

The New Apostolic Reformation, Word of Faith, and Prosperity Gospel use the term

PIGS IN THE PARLOR BY HAMMOND

“Spirit of Jezebel” to mean a literal spirit that can possess people, and make them behave like the Old Testament character Jezebel. There is, however, no biblical evidence that there is such a demonic spirit. The book “Pigs In The Parlor” with over a million copies in print has mainstreamed the idea that there are spirits for every malady, and sin. The “Spirit of Jezebel” is described often in the deliverance circles as a woman who is controlling, takes over the roles of men, is rebellious, practices sorcery, manipulation, etc. I even read a deliverance manual that described the “Spirit of Jezebel” as a Passive-Aggressive personality. The emphasis on the “Spirit of Jezebel” is also seen in recent publications by self-proclaimed prophetess, purveyor of "water spirits" and the "sneaky squid spirit" and former editor of Charisma Magazine, Jennifer LeClaire. She has written books such as “The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel: How to Overcome the Spirit of Control, Idolatry and Immorality” and “Jezebel’s Puppets: Exposing the Agenda of False Prophets.” LeClaire also has presentations on YouTube called, “Prophetic Prayer: Rooting Jezebelic Alignments out of Your Life” and “Defeating the Spirit of Jezebel | Spiritual Warfare | Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel” and “Life After Jezebel's Mass Attacks! | Recovering From Jezebel Spirit Warfare.” These are just a few of the dozens of videos from LeClaire and hundreds of others on YouTube and other media speaking about the “Spirit of Jezebel.” It seems there is a deep fascination first, with naming spirits, and second, with erroneously naming and seeking to identify this particular spirit. Again, Jezebel is NEVER mentioned in scripture outside of the person who was a Queen and Married to Ahab, and the prophetess that was condemned in the book of Revelation and probably somehow part of the Thyatiran Church.

Jennifer LeClair explains her "Squid Spirit" below...

The folks who create these teachings and persona around the character of Jezebel err greatly by constructing a spiritual psyche that is never alluded to in scripture. The Bible describes no such spirit. Please do not be naïve about the intent of this movement’s teachers, authors, prophets, and apostles. They mean to invent and describe a real demonic spirit. Deliverance ministries, the New Apostolic Reformation, the Word of Faith, and the Prophetic movement truly mean a demonic spirit. The reason that we can be sure of that is that it is talked about ad nauseum, and deliverance ministries seek to cast the “Spirit of Jezebel” out of people. Bob Larson is one of the foremost perpetrators and practitioners that there is an actual “Spirit of Jezebel” whom he claims to exorcise from people regularly. A quick YouTube search “Demonic Exorcism of the Spirit of Jezebel” returned a dozen videos of Larson exorcising the “Spirit of Jezebel” out of people. Sorry, I did not have the stomach to watch them all.

At this point, you may be thinking, “Isn’t this like saying “the Spirit of the Age.”” That is a worthwhile consideration. When we say something like “spirit” we mostly do not literally mean there is a demon called “The Spirit of the Age” or “Zeitgeist.” What we mean when we use this term, is usually in reference to an invisible agent or force dominating the characteristics of a given time in history. That is certainly a possibility that it is rather a euphemism to try to more define a problem or to encapsulate the depth of sin in a person. I cannot agree with that assessment, however. In almost all these resources the teacher, leader, prophet, or Apostle are teaching and imploring people to “cast out” this demon in such deliverance ministry material. Their goal is to cast out this demon, so in that they do not mean something similar to when we talk about the “Spirit of the Age” or “Zeitgeist.” We understand the differences. The Zeitgeist is not a literal demonic spirit, but their meaning is that the “Spirit of Jezebel” is a real demonic spirit.

A social construct is an idea that has been created and accepted by people of a society or a smaller group of people. The idea of “The Spirit of Jezebel” is a social construct. It is unmistakably evident that there is never once a spirit given that identification in the biblical record, but this movement has created and given the title to this spirit. From that we can conclude that the “Spirit of Jezebel” is a social construct created by the prophetic, signs and wonders, and deliverance movements.

I want to make several conclusions on this matter. First the emphasis on this “Spirit of Jezebel” is extraordinarily unbiblical in three ways. There is not one single reference to a “Spirit of Jezebel” in the Bible. As I have made the case, the person of Jezebel appears only twice in the Bible, and only in relation to two real people, not spirits. Second, the belief and teaching that the “Spirit of Jezebel” is something to teach and deal with, is unbiblical in that these folks who put emphasis on the “Spirit of Jezebel” shift blame of sin from the sinner, and put responsibility of our actions onto another outside themselves. For example, the pastor that I knew who shifted the blame for his adulterous affair onto the woman for seducing him because she had the “Spirit of Jezebel.” As the scripture says, “we all have gone astray each has turned to his own way (Isaiah 53:3).” And the Psalmist says, “They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one (Psalm 14:3).” This shifting of blame for my own iniquity even nullifies the propitiatory death of Christ. If we deny our sin, and shift the cause to a demon, then we reject that the source of sin in our lives is us. As Walt Kelly said in his parody of Oliver Hazard Perry’s words “We have met the enemy and he is us.” When we shift blame we deny the most basic of gospel principles, admission of sin and guilt.

And lastly, it is unbiblical because this view challenges the gospel at its core. Most people who teach this, teach that a Christian can be possessed. That is impossible! When a person trusts Jesus in faith, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in that new believer. He indwells that person by faith and the new believer is even “sealed” unto the day of salvation (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 4:30). It is, therefore, unbiblical and terribly abusive to say that a person who is a regenerate Christian can or would be possessed by a demon. It is also terribly controlling and manipulative of leaders to hold this type of teaching over their flocks. Peter says we should shepherd not in a domineering way but in an exemplary and humble manner (1 Peter 5:1-5).

For these reasons I would encourage you to resist any teaching that would allude to some sort of “Spirit of Jezebel,” or for that matter naming any other spirit and putting the name of some sinful action behind it. I have heard all kinds of demons named by teachers and leaders, and the aforementioned book “Pigs in a Parlor” makes systematic and exhaustive lists of spirits by essentially putting a sin behind the name. Hammond says there are “Demons of Hate, Bitterness, Rebellion, Strife, Control, Insecurity, Accusation, Rejection, Depression, Jealousy, Withdrawal, Heaviness, etc. He has even gone so far as to create an astonishing extra-biblical list of what he calls “demon groupings.” He lists 35 demon groupings to be exact, with names to them all. He claims that some people are possessed by a group of demons and can manifest themselves in groups, if there are a group of problems that the person is oppressed with. This book is as far as I can tell the beginnings of the “deliverance ministries” movement. It seems to be the beginning of naming demons, and calling them by the names of the sins they represent.

This type of teaching is to be avoided, and rejected as false, and furthermore a false gospel. What the gospel is, is fully taking responsibility for our sins, receiving Christ by faith, repenting from our sins and turning to Christ. The gospel is NOT blaming a demon for your actions and getting someone to cast that demon out or trying to “re-align” yourself by uprooting the “Spirit of Jezebel.” The gospel is a gospel of freedom, not of fear to slavery again. Please I beg you, as Paul did in his Epistle to the Galatians to be free, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).” And so, let us call a spade a spade, and resist the teaching that there is such a thing as the “Spirit of Jezebel.” She is a fictional figment of the imagination and social construct of the New Apostolic Reformation, The Word of Faith, and prophetic movement. There is no “Spirit of Jezebel.” Jezebel was only a wicked woman in the Old Testament and a prophetess in the New Testament who did not repent when confronted with the power of the Most High God, Let us not fall into any such traps in blaming our sin on a made-up spirit. Let us learn from the wicked example of these two women, and instead acknowledge in humility and repentance the “Sin that so easily entangles...fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).”

(Source: Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.)

Two more worthwhile sources on the subject are S. Lewis Johnson and Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation.

S. Lewis Johnson, one of the greatest expository preachers, preached a sermon called That Woman Jezebel http://sljinstitute.net/revelation/that-woman-jezebel/

On the Birthday of Ana Katharina Müller Moore: Is Down syndrome Healable?

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Tue, 09 Apr 2019 14:12:00 +0000

Our daughter Ana Katharina Müller Moore was born to us 13 years ago today. Apart from my salvation, and my wife she has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. She was born with Down syndrome. I knew it right away. As soon as I saw her after she was born, I knew or at least suspected that she had Down syndrome. See, I had been around Down syndrome my whole life. My awesome cousin has Down syndrome, I volunteered at camps and the special Olympics in High school, and was in youth ministries that had teenagers with Down syndrome, and other handicaps.

My suspicions were confirmed a few hours later. our doctor came into our room and confirmed that she had all the signs of Downs. Down syndrome is a Chromosomal abnormality in which each cell of a person’s body have three chromosomes on the 21st strand. The effects of Down syndrome are wide ranging. Most people with Trisomy 21 have smaller heads, flattened nose, larger tongue, slanted or walnut eyes, grow slower, and are mentally challenged, usually altogether smaller, have an average shorter lifespan, higher chance of heart problems, slow muscle growth, heart defects, higher chance of diabetes, and early onset Alzheimer’s. In Ana’s case she has beautiful speckled eyes that are also a sign of Downs. Ana was born and had immediate complications. She was in the hospital for eight days. She then was released to us and we took her home. She was an immediate joy to us, although we had to grieve the loss of the child we though that we were going to have (a typical baby). I spoke with my cousins often and they could sympathize with me, but they said very clearly that they could not be sad for us because their sister has been such a Joy and blessing to them.

We also were able to meet with my Uncle and my Aunt and talked with tears about life and Joy in living with Downs. We are more incredibly blessed than we could have ever imagined at being so abruptly thrust into the world of disability and particularly Down syndrome. Ten months into Ana’s life we noticed a strange movement she was making. It looked like she was losing the ability to control her head. Our pediatrician immediately sent us to a neurologist. He thought she might be having seizures. Sure enough, she was having seizures. We immediately had an EEG (electroencephalogram) which measures the electrical impulses in the brain. They discovered that she was having seizures and actually had a seizure disorder called infantile spasms. We immediately began taking very heavy medication. We had to give her shots in her legs every day for six weeks. We then changed to another type of medication for a longer period of time. She has been seizure free, Praise the Lord, Since she was about two years old.

Despite being seizure free she has experienced serious delays in speech, development, and learning. We have since then, been very active in helping her development through therapies, surgeries, and all sorts of other medical treatments. We have it easy. We hear people’s stories in the disability community and think, “WOW! we have it so easy.” We received a diagnosis several years ago of Autism also. It was very interesting experience for me. I thought, “Oh wow, that explains a lot.” It was not devastating…It was more of a relief. “Oh, wow that’s what it is, that makes a lot of sense, and God will help us as he always has.” I cannot tell you how often the Lord walked with us through the “valley of the shadow of death.” In fact, I have learned only faith deepening, Jesus reliance, life lessons in the valley of the shadow of death. I have never learned anything of true faith significance in the “green pastures.” I am very thankful for the green pastures, but I cannot tell you how often I have felt Jesus’ rod and staff guide me through those dark nights of the soul through deep and dark valleys.

Early on in our lives with Ana I was asked often by well-meaning Christians if I had faith enough that Ana would be healed from Down syndrome. I even had a person offer me drugs that were developed by a faith healer. He claimed that the drugs helped people with Down syndrome and their appearance to look less and less like they had Down syndrome. Thankfully, God gave me the grace to answer those people without blowing up in a ball of rage like "anger" from the movie Inside out. I often felt like it. Then someone approached Simone after giving her testimony about Ana and gave her a CD of Bill Johnson’s teaching. I remember it very distinctly. He claimed that cancer and other diseases were directly from Satan. I dealt with that theme in a previous post here.

At that time nearly 12 years ago, I became aware of Bill Johnson and his teaching. I actually threw that teaching CD in the garbage at that time. It was where I believed such teaching belonged. Not only was it personally offensive, but biblically offensive. I put it in the only place that I had for such things in my office at the time, the garbage. As we continued in our life with our lovely, caring, beautiful Down syndrome, Autistic, blond hair, blue speckled eyed, precious bundle of action of a daughter, we have come to love and cherish the Down syndrome that God has so beautifully and wonderfully woven in her while she was in her mother’s womb. As a result of writing my book Divergent Theology I have become more and more aware of the “Healing Theology” of Bill Johnson and Bethel Church in Redding CA.

One recent video that has surfaced from Bill Johnson wherein he claims that Down syndrome will be healed in mother’s wombs. In the following video Johnson says the following about Down syndrome. Beginning at the 12-minute mark and continuing to the 13-minute mark. Johnson says,

“I can no longer be satisfied with things that are humanly possible. We do them we feed the poor, We collect the money for missions, we build the buildings. We do all the stuff that’s humanly possible, but they are not the high point of our celebration. The high point of our celebration is the child in the womb that’s pronounced Down syndrome that Jesus heals before it is born. The resurrection that takes place from the dead those are our high points. The cancer that disappears, the deaf ears that pop open, the bipolar that is suddenly gone, the schizophrenic that is no longer that is now in their right mind, these are the things. This that we carry, that I carry, that we carry, I am in debt. I owe God fruit.”

Does my Ana need to be healed? Is Down syndrome even healable? As explained before Down syndrome is a genetic anomaly whereupon every cell in the whole body has three chromosomes as the very building blocks of the whole person from conception on. For Down syndrome not to be Down syndrome anymore every cell would have to have two Chromosomes again on the 21st strand. This would be beyond medically miraculous. That's some kind of X-Men genetic altering or something. The person would not be the same person anymore. I have several thoughts here on this. After I get over how personally insulting Johnson’s statements are, I have to look at what the Bible says about life in the womb, disability, and suffering.

1. God is completely sovereign over life in the womb, and forms it. Thus He forms those with Down syndrome in the womb for his glory and pleasure!

Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?" (Exodus 4:11 ESV)
"As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." (ESV) John 9:1-3
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalms 139:13-16 ESV)

2. God displays his glory in and through the difficulty and beauty of Disability and Down syndrome

Matthew Henry, writing his commentary on John 9:3 says “God has a sovereignty over all his creatures and an exclusive right in them, and may make them serviceable to his glory in such a way as he thinks fit, in doing or suffering; and if God be glorified, either by us or in us, we were not made in vain. This man was born blind, and it was worthwhile for him to be so, and to continue thus long dark, that the works of God might be manifest in him.”

-Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible, John 9-

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

3. God is infinitely good, kind, and righteous, we also rejoice that He intentionally creates some to live with disabilities for His glory and for our good.

"The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way." (1 Corinthians 12:21-31 ESV)

4. Jesus took on the minimizing "disability" of human form and was “found in appearance of a man” and let himself be disabled. In that He enabled us to know God and respond to Him by faith.

“who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8 ESV

5. He has called us to share in His sufferings. For us it includes Down syndrome which was ordained by His good hand.

“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philippians 3:10 ESV

6. His grace is enough for anything that He has in His sovereign plan allowed.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

7. God is good, and we trust His goodness in the midst of a full and joyful life with Down syndrome!

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalms 34:8 ESV

8. Down syndrome is a light and momentary affliction that is producing for us a weight of glory beyond all comparison.

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,” 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV

Our story is the joyful realization of all of these biblical principles mentioned. All of these things have happened for us as a result of disability and Down syndrome, illness, difficulty, and hardship. Not just the challenges, but the joys and exultation of this precious child that God has charged to our care. There are more joys, and awesome stuff than hardship actually. Furthermore, why would I want to trade a light and momentary affliction and the weight of glory to come for light and momentary relief in this world? That would be stupid, and unspiritual. I don’t want Ana to be healed! I want her with Down syndrome, and everything else that God in his wisdom has ordained. That is the only way I can even imagine her. Just like I want my other kids with all their awesome and quirky attributes, that God has given them. I have no deeper joy than to know my kids exactly the way He has created them!

Lest you believe that this Down syndrome comment from Bill Johnson was a slip or just something that he was thinking, and it just came out clumsily. See the clip below where Prophet Brian Carn prophesied over Johnson that God was giving Johnson anointing over Down syndrome, and mental illness. Johnson seems to be receiving this “word” without reservation or objection. Brian Carn prophecies over Bill Johnson (starting at the 1:08 mark). He says...

“This may sound crazy to you, but a special anointing shall come upon you for the mentally disturbed. For the Spirit of God says, “You will see people with Down syndrome, with mental issues, I will set them free from the anointing on your life.” For I saw in the realm of the Spirit, wherever you reside, wherever you are from, around that region is a powerful spirit of oppression a powerful spirit of witchcraft. In the city outside of the city you are. And the Spirit of the Lord says, “I shall use you to spare that northern region (Does he mean Northern California?). For I prophecy, that the southern region shall fall in the water (does he mean Southern California?). But I will spare the northern region because of your heart for me.”

Further on in the video Carn says “This is what the Lord is saying to me...You are my red in that region, you are my blood in that region.” This is so blasphemous to say that someone will be the blood of Christ in a place. Bill Johnson will not be the intermediary for Christ! “For there is one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus” and NO ONE ELSE!

“You (Bill Johnson) will teach them how to soak in my glory”

Brian Carn says God is making a new covenant with Bill Johnson. However, there is only one covenant in the blood of Christ. God doesn’t make new covenants between individuals. He has made one covenant with man. This is blasphemy of the most egregious nature!

Carn also says, “I will give you (Johnson) an anointing to translate to different places” (teleportation is not a Christian practice rather an occult practice. It is however taught practiced and sought after at Bethel)

Prophet Brian Carn repeats Johnson’s wish to be someone who can deliver people form Down syndrome, but there is not one case of a child being “delivered,” “set free,” or otherwise not having Down Syndrome after being born with it. Like I said before it would be the very first time it has happened in history. This is quite a delusional claim. not to mention all the other bogus and spurious claims in this prophecy from Carn.

One could deduce from these videos that Johnson and Carn and others in the Word of Faith and New Apostolic Reformation do not want people with Downs and that they might even be not worthy of life in the way that God has, in his wisdom, created them. Here is a wonderful video of a man with Downs asking the world to “Let us live.” This is what I would like to say to Johnson and the Word of Faith New and Apostolic Reformation.

watch the "Let us live Down Syndrome campaign"

Before you think that these two instances are isolated instances in the Word of Faith/New Apostolic Reformation movements and their views on Down syndrome and disability, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland also tried to heal a girl with Down syndrome. The video below shows the tasteless and inappropriate outworking of the Word of Faith theology. They believe and teach that the Cross of Christ has purchased our health, wealth, and prosperity. If you can stomach it, watch the whole video where the Copelands try to heal several people with varied disabilities. At the 3:50 mark they begin to pray for a girl “suffering” from Down syndrome and not surprisingly she is not “healed.” This video displays for me the dark underbelly of the Word of Faith and New Apostolic reformation. The girl they pray for is a 28-year-old girl with Down syndrome. Kenneth Copeland begins to pray and says

“I speak in dominion over chromosomes, and I demand the proper count right now. Proper order, proper count, and I agree with Gloria for the redeeming of her time, that has been stolen from her, and she will live out the rest of her days in good health with a strong spirit, and a sound mind in Jesus name, Amen.”

Copeland here speaks as if God got it wrong when he created her and did not give her the "proper count and order of Chromosomes," but this stands in direct contradiction to the several verses listed above that says God creates and forms people with disabilities for His glory. He also prays that her time would be redeemed. Kind of like the life she had lived up to that point was a waste, and God now has to correct the 28 years of lost time. Notice after praying in dominion over the girl’s chromosomes she is the same beautiful girl that God created all those 28 years ago.

As we have seen before from the few points I have made previously these prayers for people to be healed from Down syndrome go against scripture in so many ways.

(1) God is completely sovereign over life in the womb, and forms it and thus He forms those with Down syndrome in the womb for His glory and pleasure!
(2.) God displays His glory in and through the difficulty and beauty of disability and Down syndrome
(3.) God is infinitely good, kind, and righteous, we also rejoice that He intentionally creates some to live with disabilities for His glory and for our good.
(4.) Jesus took on the minimizing disability of human form and was “found in appearance of a man” and let himself be disabled. In that He enabled us to know God and respond to Him by faith.
(5.) He has called us to share in His sufferings. For us it includes Down syndrome which was ordained by His good hand.
(6.) His grace is enough for anything that He has in His sovereign plan allowed.
(7.) God is good and we trust His goodness in the midst of a full and joyful life with Down syndrome!
(8.) Down syndrome is a light and momentary affliction that is producing for us a weight of glory beyond all comparison.

These few reasons can show just how absurd and pastorally abusive this movement is, when they pray for people with Downs or want it to be healed. The reason it is absurd and abusive is the root of unbiblical and improper beliefs about the atonement of Christ. A Theological absurdity and abuse will always work itself out in absurd and abusive practices. For further study on the Word of Faith and New Apostolic view of the Atonement check out my book Divergent Theology.

Finally, I would like to close with very wise words from John Piper and how we are meant to respond to disability. SEE DISABILITY DON’T LOOK AWAY! SEE IT AND BE CHANGED! WE ARE CHRISTIANS!

As I celebrate the life and birth of our daughter who is fearfully and wonderfully made by a good and sovereign God, my eyes have been opened to see Down syndrome, and disability as a precious gift from God to cherish, and to hold on to with my feeble fingers for as long as God has given her to us.

The Physics of Heaven Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 14:12:00 +0000

Front Cover of "The Physics of Heaven"

The book "The Physics of Heaven" By Judy Franklin and Ellyn Davis (with chapters written by many New Apostolic Reformation leaders) reads like a manifesto for a sort of New Age-Christian mixture. It acts like a syncretistic think-tank (Syncretism is mixing of occult and religious systems with Christianity). It's so bizarre that it's hard to know where to start. It honestly feels like the authors are just floating their craziest ideas of how they imagine Christianity should mingle with all sorts of New Age and Occult practices. Because it is a well known and well reviewed book, I would like to take a shot at reviewing and analyzing it. My questions arise virtually on page one. Are there vibrations in the supernatural that we need to tap into? No! Does God play games with people? No! does He hide himself in sound and light? No! Does God speak to people through “hints” of other things like sound? No! Does God speak through sound, light, energy, frequencies, vibrations, and quantum physics? No! Unfortunately this book espouses all of these ideas, and takes all of the scriptures it uses out of context and applies meanings to them that the original scriptural authors did not intend. If you want a smorgasbord of New Apostolic Reformation teaching and “seers” as they are called, then this is your book. Chapters in this book are written by Ellyn Davis, Judy Franklin, Bill Johnson (Apostolic leader of Bethel Church, Redding, CA), Jonathan Welton (founder of the Welton Academy Supernatural Bible School), Ray Hughs (author of Sound of Heaven Symphony of Earth), Dan McCollum (Co-founder of the Bethel School of the Prophets and Founder of the activate school of prophecy), Cal Pierce (director of Healing Room Ministries Spokane, WA), Larry Randolph (author of the books User Friendly Prophecy, Spirit Talk and The Coming Shift), David Van Koevering (Quantum Physicist & Inventor), and Beni Johnson (Wife of Bill Johnson and author of Experiencing the Heavenly Realm: Keys to Accessing Supernatural Experiences) The forward for “The Physics of Heaven” is written by Kris Vallatton (Prophet and senior leader at Bethel Church in Redding, CA). There is also a chapter by the late Bob Jones (who was a self admitted sexual abuser).

The authors say in the preface that this is not a theological book, but then go on to state their clear purpose to “share what we have discovered so you can go on your journey of discovery with God into the realms of sound, light, energy, vibrations, and quantum physics.” That is clearly a theological goal. Their poor eschatology is also on display in that they teach that the world will get better and better until the reign of Christ is inaugurated by our dominion of it. The Bible is clear that the end times will become worse as in the days of Noah, not better (according to Jesus).

This book also teaches that “the veil between the earthly realm and the heavenly realm is thinner than ever (kindle location 190).” They describe how they believe that Jesus is about to release a sound from heaven that will allow us to exceed the works that Jesus did. Furthermore, this book teaches that “bringing heaven to earth is our mandate (kindle location 228).” It is often written “the Lord told me” or “I feel like the Lord has told me.” These types of statements detract greatly from the sufficiency of scripture, and make their personal revelations from God greater or at least tantamount to God's all-sufficient revealed word as found in the canon of scripture.

One of the writers explains a vision they had in which they observed God the father at the beginning of time and witnesses him creating. In the vision they heard him say, “let there be light.” I don’t think it is necessary to explain how preposterous this vision is. The vision that is explained is that she saw God the Father before the universe was created! There is not one biblical vision even remotely close to this one...this is a whopper!

There are furthermore incredible Dominionism and Kingdom Now theological perspectives clearly espoused. Dominionism is the aberrant theological view that God has relinquished dominion of this world to the devil, and we as his church should take back dominion from him. Is the Logos, the word that holds all things together, Christ himself, available that we could have his nature? Absolutely Not! But this book espouses this very idea. The Apostle Peter is described in this book as carrying the “Let there be light” Spirit of God within him. This book is a prime example that not just anyone should be allowed to exegete and explain scripture (James 3:1). “The Physics of Heaven” claims quite clearly that the New Age has “uncovered truths” that the church has somehow missed or lost and should seek to retrieve them.

Another astounding quote from the book is “whenever you see a counterfeit, it means a real exists...a lie just proves the existence of a truth...I decided to examine the New Age thought and practice for anything “precious” that might be “extracted” from the worthless (kindle location 366).” She wrote this to justify her syncretism with New Age teaching and truths. The author here admits her own syncretism. Moreover this book is produced and endorsed by Bethel. Chapters were written by Bethel leaders and approved as a Bethel resource. Bethel cannot claim anymore that they are not dabbling in the New Age, since their leadership is promoting and engaging in it themselves. There are a large amount of passages that indicate that God is giving a new revelation which also detracts from the sufficiency of scripture. God’s revelation is closed. Nothing can be added to or taken away from divine revelation.

Bob Jones describes in his chapter that God is preparing us for a “Second Pentecost” that will bring us into harmony with God, but Jesus has already brought us into harmony with God through his vicarious atoning death on the cross! He explains that God is also giving people the power of “blank checks” and “holy confiscation” for a great transfer of wealth. He says that we have not received the fullness of Pentecost. Jones ridiculously says that when God breathes on you it smell like apples. Really, I’m not joking that is in the book! He further espouses that there are positive vibrations in us and when we vibrate that we are opening a portal to heaven. Bob Jones further says that we are being prepared to receive the “priesthood of Melchizedek.” Sorry Bob, but that priesthood only belongs to one person, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 5, 6:20, 7)! He explains further that these vibrations can change DNA to have a genetic structure in harmony with God.

Back Cover of "The Physics of Heaven"

Bill Johnson’s chapter says that “no revival has even made it a priority to leave a spiritual inheritance to the next generation (kindle location 540).” However, he is only looking at so called charismatic revivals whereas all the real revivals of history have carried on a missions flame for generations. Furthermore Johnson teaches that there are “unclaimed mantles” when he says, there are anointings, mantles, revelations, and mysteries that have lain unclaimed, literally where they were left, because the generation that walked in them never passed them on (kindle location 545).” What Johnson is saying here is that there are secrets and mysteries that we have missed in our faith which sounds an awful lot like Gnosticism. Gnosticism was an early Christian heresy that was an overemphasis on secret knowledge in respect to faith. And furthermore, this is why we have the Bible, so that we do not miss anything. We have everything we need in the scriptures. They are sufficient and in them God has communicated everything necessary for faith and life, worship and service. Johnson later on in this chapter describes that Christians must “unlock” mysteries of God. This chapter describes a dangerous precedent that God would give us “extra-biblical revelations” and that we should be searching for them. Johnson also intimates that God would never “make people sick” I guess he ignores the passages of scripture where God does send pestilence, sickness, disease, death, and the like. I guess he must have a hard time with the book of 1st and 2nd Kings where God smote many of the wicked kings of Israel, or for that matter the whole Old Testament and many parts of the New Testament (e.g. Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11 Blindness to Saul Acts 9:1-9 Elymas the Magician Acts 13:9-12).

In other passages the authors connect healing power with the emission of “powerful pulsing magnetic fields” and that this in some way indicates that we must tune in to those frequencies. In that same section they talk about how shamans, psychics, faith healers, and Hawaiian kahunas, etc. during times when they heal people become one with the earth’s geoelectric micropulsations. These healing practitioners are Animistic in origin and clearly demonic. Those types of healers clearly use the power of the devil and we should avoid such practices not dabble in them.

Jonathan Welton’s chapter again denotes the importance of proper exegesis, because he doesn't do any. He begins his chapter with a scripture from 1st John 2:27 in which he claims it teaches that we should not ignore counterfeit gods. According to Welton, we should not be afraid of counterfeits because “whenever there is real, there is sure to be a counterfeit (kindle location 662).” What he is missing is that this passage in 1st John is actually warning people about false teaching and anti-christs. The Apostle John is warning them to “abide in Christ” as Jesus himself exhorted and prayed for us in John 17. In other words do NOT seek after other gods or counterfeits, but abide or stay in Christ. This passage of scripture actually teaches against what he is proposing. This is not about looking at counterfeits so you can know how to recognize the real! Even his own analogy breaks down. How do bank tellers spot a counterfeit? By handling the real thing enough that when a counterfeit is handled they can spot it immediately. Further on in the chapter he says that “if there is a counterfeit, there is an authentic that we need to find and reclaim (kindle location 679).” This is so dangerous. Basically, he is saying go search in all religions for the truth because if there is falsehood then there must be truth somewhere hidden in there. He claims the “counterfeit miracles prove that there are real miracles available to the church (kindle location 679).”

Further on in that same chapter Welton says something so blasphemous I need to highlight it in this review. ““Are psychics and New Agee’s operating in real power?” The answer is yes, but they have climbed in as trespassers. They have not accessed the spirit realm through Jesus (kindle location 726).” The Bible thoroughly forbids New Age, Occult, Mystic, Animistic, and Sprit World engagement! And to say that we could access the spirit world through New Age practice and just do it in Jesus name is a serious deviation from Christian Orthodoxy and practice. To take it one step further Welton writes that, “New Age has Counterfeited, such as having a spirit guide, trances, meditation, auras, power objects, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and more. These actually belong to the church, but they have been stolen and cleverly repackaged (kindle location 759).” This is so far out of bounds. Furthermore, it is impossible to claim that spirit guides, trances, meditation, auras, power objects, clairvoyance, and clairaudience practices ever belonged at anytime to Christianity! This claim is completely afield. Not just afield, but Welton is not playing in the same stadium. I would dare say, we are not even playing the same game. This is undeniably an un-Christian message (Lev. 19:26; 31, Lev. 20:6, Deut. 18:10-13, 1 Chron. 10:13, Gal. 5:19-20, Acts 19:18-19, 1 Jn. 4:1).

Ellyn Davis in the next chapter asks, “could it be that God has given us other ways to sense the unseen and unheard (kindle location 886)?” My answer to her is if we needed it God would have told us. But rather He has not explained to us how to tap into the unseen and unheard in his word, but rather quite clearly forbidden such practices. She makes a case for crystals and essential oils usage when she describes that they have vibrations. Crystals have for a long time been associated with the Occult and New Age practice. I would say the usage of crystals for such New Age purposes are off limits for those who claim Jesus as Lord! She further described how she believes that the Holy Spirit has given her pieces of the puzzle to the sounds of heaven. Again these are incredible fabrications that arrogantly seek to prop her up as some sort of “super-Christian.” But are these claims legitimate? Moreover is this subterfuge even a necessarily a Christian claim? Where is this in Christian tradition or the scriptures that we should seek the “sounds of heaven?” Nowhere. I feel the need here now to make a short list of things that should be considered off limits for Christians. Off limits Occult activities include fortunetelling, crystal ball gazing, numerology, or seeing psychics, tarot cards, Ouija boards, automatic writing, seances, mediums, spiritism, Astrology, horoscopes, I Ching, hypnotism, Transcendental Meditation, or Far Eastern Meditation, crystals, Witchcraft, Satanism, Voodoo, channeling, reincarnation, astral projection, ESP, New Age Movement, and any form of necromancy.

Ray Hughes continues the atrocious handling of theology when he says that “we have been given the creative ability to release the sound of God (Kindle Location 955).” This is so off base it is hard to know even where he is getting this beside his own imagination. I can think of no biblical basis for this theological statement. And it is a theological statement because it makes a claim about God that He is a God who has given us the creative ability to release His sounds. Any statement about the nature or activity of God is a theological statement. So their claim that this is not a theological book is false. The whole book presumes to explain God’s nature and ways. Hughes further says, “with every revival, there has been a release of new music or new sound. Whether the music releases revival, or whether the revival releases the music varies from generation to generation. However, the sound changes as God’s people respond to what God is doing and saying (kindle location 982).” The preposterous claim that sound or music “releases” revival is especially appalling. Revival, or true historical biblical revival is a sovereign act and impetus of God, not of any music or sound that releases it. There is not one biblical precedence for this view. (See Blog There’s Gonna Be a Revival in This Land). The Christology of Hughs, and subsequently Bethel, is seen in his words, “we bring to life the full meaning of Emmanuel—Christ with us, Christ revealed in us (kindle location 1037).” Do we bring life to the full meaning of Immanuel Christ with us? No, Jesus is Immanuel “God with us.” We add nothing to his nature, or work. We are only witnesses to and recipients of his salvation, vicarious death, and victorious resurrection! We only take part by receiving Him in faith. This goes in the direction of the “little gods” or “little christs” theology. Which is taught in the New Apostolic Reformation. Christ is truly revealed in us, but we dot NOT bring to life the full meaning of Emmanuel! He himself is the eternal incarnate word of God, and we give no meaning to his incarnation.

Dan McCollum talks about the “God Vibration” and makes his erroneous claim, “God’s voice and the sound of angels can also be heard and experienced by man. A whole new realm of encounter awaits those who possess three simple qualities: expectancy, intentionality, and intimacy (kindle location 1162).” Is there a secret realm that awaits man where we can hear the audible voice of God and sound of Angels? No, that is never promised to us as Christians. God never promises that we will hear his audible voice. If we want to hear God’s voice then we should read his word. If we want to hear it audibly then we should read it out loud. Likewise, God never promises Angel encounters as a result of our expectancy, intentionality, or intimacy. This is extra-Biblical teaching, and is perilous for us as Christians. He closes his chapter by saying, “Intimacy is the incubator of increased encounters from the supernatural realm (kindle location 1175).” This sounds wonderful that God would bless intimacy like this, but can he link that to any biblical precedence? This I am afraid could lead to a works salvation. Paul wrote, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him (Colossians 2:6).” How have we received Jesus? By grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), that is how we must continue to walk in Him. This type of teaching is a slippery slope. One where we slide back into a works gospel like the Galatians had. They were again trying to “do” something to keep their salvation and to attain their own sanctification. Jesus through the Holy Spirit is the justifier and sanctifier of the brethren. This teaching is perilous because it could lead people into a gospel of works.

Cal Pierce in his chapter describes angelic encounters. He first describes an angelic encounter he had with the “energy angel” who prophesied to him about the current “energy crisis.” He described how the angel went back to his hotel room with him. The angel spoke about how if we continue to draw resources from the planet they will run out, but if we draw resources from “above" they will never pollute the planet and never run out. Pierce said that the angel told him about a “water car” and then disappeared. The angel soon returned with a scroll in his hand and on it were the blueprints for a car powered by water. The angel said he was an engineer and said he could show Pierce how it worked through the power of water and light. The angel then said that he had been “walking with” Pierce for thirty years. Pierce told the angel that he was amazed by seeing an angel. The angel replied that he was amazed too, because he had been trying to get Pierce’s attention for thirty years. This is so outlandish it is hard for me to believe that I have to write a real serious and circumspect critique. It was hard not to laugh as I read these absurd claims. The reason that I feel like I need to write this critique is because “The Physics of Heaven” has received an enormous amount of praise on internet platforms where books are sold, and only very few negative reviews. Pierce goes on to described an encounter with a man who “God had taken to heaven and shown how to produce four dimensional objects with sound (kindle location 1224).” This man claimed that he had used sound to project a miniature house into existence. Pierce went on to elaborate on what the “energy angel” revealed to him, “He said that because God spoke His creative will, man can also speak words that create (kindle location 1231).” Is this true in any sense? No! Our words do not create! Only the sovereign creator God has the power to create anything “ex-nihilo” (out of nothing). This is an outworking of the “little gods” theology that describes that everything that God is, we are too, and have the same capabilities within us. Pierce further argues that angels obey the command of the word of the Lord and in the same way they obey and enact our word and bring them to fruition. He closes his chapter with the idea that, “Angels are around you to activate the revelation of the truth that you speak out into its creative form (kindle location 1245).” All in all, Pierce claims that he encountered the “energy angel” who gave him plans to build a water powered car, encountered a man who went to heaven and God showed him how to create little houses with sound, and as a result teaches that angels help “activate” our words when we speak the truths that we speak! Again this is so far off the mark that I believe that Pierce is not in the same ballpark. Moreover, I believe he is not even playing on the same team. As stated before these authors are not playing the same game as the Christian church of antiquity.

Larry Randolph in his chapter says that the, “spiritual discoveries of the New Age movement could be likened to the time in the Old Testament when the Philistines stole the Ark of the Covenant from Israel. In both cases, then and now, that which belongs to the church fell into the hands of unbelievers. So, in order to posture ourselves for the next move of God, like King David, we must take back what is ours. Certain dynamics such as synesthesia, quantum physics, and “vibrations” are God-stuff, and we must not be afraid to seize what belongs to the Creator of all things (kindle location 1358).” This is apostasy! Here Randolph takes a historical narrative passage of Scripture, that is not meant to be prescriptive but rather descriptive of historical events, and makes them have spiritual meanings that they do not have. Randolph here does some pretty creative exegetical calisthenics. There is no way that the Philistines stealing the Ark of the covenant has a parallel to the New Age “stealing” practices from Christianity that we must steal back. This is absolute hermeneutical rubbish!

This book continues in this vein until it mercifully comes to an end. This is just a small sampling of the preposterous and erroneous teaching found in this book. I highly discourage you from reading “The Physics of Heaven.” I wanted to bring your attention again to two points. This book is obviously false teaching of the most flagrant manner, and second it is inextricably linked to Bethel Church, Bill Johnson, and the New Apostolic Reformation. It has chapters written by all the senior leaders of Bethel, and approved by and sold in the Bethel internet store. People cannot say anymore that there is no false teaching at Bethel. This book is hard evidence that the teaching and beliefs of the main senior leadership at Bethel are aberrant. If you must read “The Physics of Heaven” please know that there is egregious biblical, theological, and even scientific errors on almost every single page. Keep your heresy radar on full alert as you read! Our hope is not found in any mysteries of sound, light, energy, vibrations, Quantum Physics, angelic experiences, or other New Age chicanery, but rather in Christ and Christ alone is our great and everlasting hope.

DID JESUS DO HIS MIRACLES AS GOD?

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 21:16:00 +0000

I have been busy lately with the question of Christ's nature. I want to take a moment to deal with a very hot topic right now on the nature of Christ. This important theological question is usually expressed like this, "Did Jesus do His miracles as God?" The overwhelming answer to that question is YES! Jesus did EVERYTHING as God, because He is eternally God. That means He has done, did, and will do everything as God. During His time on earth; from the point of His incarnation, He did things as a man and as God concurrently. That is the meaning of his indivisible nature. He cannot not be God and He cannot not be man. He is both. Of course, He was limited in his manhood. For instance, He could not be everywhere at one time (Omnipresence) and seemed to be limited in his knowledge (Omniscience), which are both characteristics of God. So, He certainly limited himself because of His manhood. But those limits did not mean He had "laid aside His divinity," or was in some other form rather than God, but rather He remained God as the Chalcedon Fathers defined "Truly God and Truly Man...acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably;"

This theological perspective is often called the "Kenosis Theory" (from the greek word in Phil. 2:7 "κενόω" which is pronounced ken-o’-o). This view was promoted by Word of Faith teachers such as Kenneth Copeland, and Kenneth Hagin. These Word of Faith, and now New Apostolic Reformation leaders posit that Jesus laid aside his divinity and did all his miracles as a man in complete reliance on His Father. A very strong argument against this view is the Immutability of God (i.e. that God does not change). According to this deeply Christian theology, God cannot change. Therefore, Jesus the son of God, cannot change. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)." He is eternally God, and thus cannot be anything other than God, not even for a moment (i.e. He cannot stop being God). So either Jesus did everything as God or He did nothing as God. In other words either Jesus was, is, and ever will be God, or He is nothing and only was a man for 33 years and nothing more. However we know that this cannot be, for we know that the Universal Church of Jesus Christ has always worshipped him as the eternal second person of the Godhead, and to say anything otherwise is to stand outside of Orthodox Christian Theology.

Thankfully, the Australia Gospel Coalition Article, and a new movie from Transition Studios

called "American Gospel: Christ Alone" have brought our attention to, among other things, Bethel Church in Redding, CA and their Pastor and Apostle Bill Johnson. These recent resources have brought the Evangelical world to the awareness of Bethel and Bill Johnson. The Article from Gospel Coalition and this new movie featuring many well known and respected names in the evangelical movement, such as Nabeel Qureshi, Trevin Wax, Mark Dever, Matt Chandler, Justin Peters, Ray Comfort, Kevin DeYoung, Jackie Hill-Perry, J.D. Greear, Southeastern Theological Seminary, John MaCarthur, Westminster Seminary (California), Michael Horton, Bryan Chapell, Paul Washer, Costi Hinn (Benny Hinn’s Nephew), Anthony Wood (Author of Defining Deception), and Chris Rosebrough (Fighting for the Faith) are brilliant and so well done. They present the deep truths of the gospel and troubling theology found in these movements. As a result of all these pastors, theologians, and many Evangelical leaders bringing awareness to the precarious theological tendencies in the New Apostolic Reformation, much attention has been given to this movement, and especially the more recent event "Awakening Australia" at which Bill Johnson spoke and reiterated his tenuous "Kenosis Theology" that Kenneth Copeland most notoriously espoused. I am so glad that the Evangelical movement, in these new offerings, has finally awakened to this incredibly dangerous movement called the New Apostolic Reformation. The NAR was originally made famous by Apostle and leader of the movement C. Peter Wagner.

In his talk at the Awakening Australia Event, Johnson reiterated his perilous view of Jesus that He did not do His miracles as God...CHECK OUT VIDEO BELOW AND NOTICE that Bill Johnson does NOT teach the same Christ of the Bible, The Early Church Fathers, or Orthodox Christianity. For more on Johnson's Christology check out my book "Divergent Theology" The text to Johnson's talk is added below...

Here are Bill Johnson remarks from the video below. He was speaking at "Awakening Australia" I will let his words speak for themselves. He seems to clearly be teaching that Jesus did NOT do His miracles as God. What do you think?

"I realize that Jesus is eternally God and I am not. But He obeyed the Father to illustrate for us what could be accomplished by any human being that was forgiven of sin and was empowered by the Holy Spirit. If Jesus did his miracles as God I am still impressed, but I am a spectator. But when I discover what Jesus said in John 5 and John 8; He said, “The Son of Man can do nothing of Himself.” Does this make sense to you? He actually emptied Himself so completely that he could no longer function and do the things that he was assigned to do. This is huge. If he did his miracles as God, I stand back and applaud, but the Old Testament demonstrated the miracles of God. In the New Testament we find out that miracles that take place when one yielded person (Jesus) surrenders to the heart of the Father and only does what He does, and says what He is saying. Jesus modeled a new lifestyle. One that I may spend my entire life mimicking, and never fully express, But I have no right to change my assignment. I don’t have the right to change what I was born to do. The fact that I try, and fail at prophesying, or praying for the sick, raising the dead, or whatever it might be gives me no right to change the assignment. He was very clear, heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, cleanse lepers (scattered Applause)."

I know this is a Christmas Carol, but it has such a good application to Christology. Charles Wesley seemed to have a wonderfully deep and strong Christology. Hark the Herald Angels Sing can point us to the true Glory of the Newborn King.

Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled" Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With angelic hosts proclaim: "Christ is born in Bethlehem" Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Christ by highest Heav'n adored Christ the everlasting Lord! Late in time behold Him come Offspring of a Virgin's womb Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity Pleased as man with man to dwell Jesus, our Emmanuel Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings Ris'n with healing in His wings Mild He lays His glory by Born that man no more may die Born to raise the sons of earth Born to give them second birth Hark! the herald angels sing: "Glory to the newborn King!"

Stairs of Torture

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 25 Oct 2018 20:59:00 +0000

We have terrible steps in our house. They have sharp edges. They are too short for my size 13 foot, They are jagged, and they often hurt my feet. I have so many times walked down them and hurt my arches, toes, the balls of my foot or otherwise really bruised them. So much so that I finally got tired of it. So, I purchased soft cushy carpet step covers. They are brilliant! So soft and cushy they make my feet rejoice. I want to just stand on the steps now, and enjoy the comfort! After only a day of having these new carpet covers, I tried to go up the steps. As I took my first step I was remembering and preparing myself for the pain of walking up the old steps, as if there were no carpets there. I got myself ready and almost cringed as I began to walk up the stairs. My muscle memory got the best of my body, but as soon as my foot hit the stairs, I felt the new carpets! It was a feeling of relief, joy, and happiness that hit me. My body immediately relaxed. Suddenly, I felt like my feet were delivered from the incessant torture that they received every time I would walk up and down the steps for the past three years. I thought immediately of our new life in Christ. We sometimes come back to the same situations of life that we had experienced before Christ. Often in those moments I have thought, "oh no! here it comes again, the pain, the sin, the hurt, the torture of our everyday life apart from Christ!" And we even sometimes physically cringe and prepare ourselves for the onslaught of whatever condemnation is coming our way, like I did when I tried to go up the stairs. Romans 8:1 says, "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We are free from the cringeworthy life that we knew before Christ, sort of like the cringing, and pain of my stairs. Are you preparing yourself around every corner for the condemnation of the world, like I was preparing myself for with our torturous stairs? You can be free from all condemnation through faith in Christ! If you have not decided for Christ, then don’t wait! Choose to be free of the cringeworthy condemnation of this world. Place your faith in Christ choose freedom! Christian, If you are in Christ, stop cringing like there is some condemnation coming, prepare for the blessings of life in Christ. Act like you are a son or daughter of God, and adopted into his family! You are not longer cursed, but eternally blessed in Christ!

Sometimes we Christians are preparing ourselves for a condemnation and a curse, and Jesus says, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?…Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more (John 8:10).” Jesus does not condemn us because he was found to be a curse for us. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us…Galatians 3:13). He was condemned in our place so that he can in return say, “Neither do I condemn you.” Are you like me preparing for pain, torture, and condemnation. Or are you expecting blessing, freedom, and justification because that is your position in Christ! This was a freeing realization, an epiphany that I walk around as a Christian expecting condemnation even though I am free from all condemnation. Not only am I free from condemnation, but I am a recipient of his glorious eternal blessing, which is the exact opposite of condemnation. How can I walk around as if I am about to receive a foot beating like I got every time I walked up and down my stairs. I recently watched the new movie “Tortured for

Christ” the story of Richard Wurmbrand who spent many years in Communist prisons. His feet were so badly beaten that he could no longer walk regularly for the rest of his life. I remember vividly when he visited my Bible school and sat on the stage in his wheelchair because he could no longer walk on his own because his feet were so badly beaten all those years. He said that although the prison had taken his physical freedom away he had never felt more free. In his book “Tortured for Christ" he wrote, “I have found truly jubilant Christians only in the Bible, in the Underground Church and in prison.” He had found the freedom that Christ had won for him on the cross and had no longer let himself be bound by the constraints of this world, Oh, Lord let us taste of the same wine that these men of faith tasted. Let us walk up the stairs of freedom and blessing. Lord we will no longer walk up the step of torture and condemnation! For you have set us free, and, “if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed (John 8:36)."

Theology of Work Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 11 Oct 2018 11:23:00 +0000

Theology of Work

I just started a class called the Theology of Work. As I was wrapping my head around the concept of Work and how God views work and how we view God according to work, I came up with a

Before and after the Garden (Michelangelo Sistine)

"flow of consciousness" note. I wrote this after a discussion with a good friend, and I thought these ideas were worth sharing. Adam and Eve in the Garden received the first command and it is the command of work to name the animals and to rule and have dominion of Creation. This is often called the "Creation Mandate." It was a freeing, life giving, partnership with God in the ruling, ordering, and reign of creation. However, after the fall our work was cursed “man will toil by the sweat of his brow” and the woman will "bring forth children in pain in childbirth."

God then sent them out of the garden, and from then on God cursed the ground with thistles and

thorns. Work was no longer a blessing but a curse, and men had to struggle and strive to earn which

"Expulsion from Eden" (Doré)

was the exact opposite of what they had from God previously in the garden. God gave them of every fruit of the trees in the Garden. We see this in the scripture “the wages of sin is death” we earn death through the work of our hand after the fall. So, after the fall, work was no longer a wonderful life giving command from God but rather a curse that brought toil, sweat, striving and difficulty. We see this in such scripture as “if a man does not work he cannot eat.” In this we see that laziness is tied to the curse. It is also tied to our need for sustenance. Our sustenance through food is tied to the curse. What are we now sustained by? Our own toil and effort. We cannot ever really rest. We must keep working to live. We have rests in between, but the commonality between all humans is that we have to work for our sustenance.

Work certainly has hints of the blessing, but also, we sense and see the reality of the curse. We have to work for everything. In this, God sets up our readiness to receive the gospel. God in the gospel has made up for what we lack. He has made up for what we could not, and never will attain in all our striving. We always fall short in our striving which we find in our work. Certainly we achieve things in our work-a-day world. We finish projects, build beautiful structures, help patients, produce beautiful art, and design amazing technology, but our work always falls short. Our work is limited, flawed, never enough. Especially as it pertains to righteousness. We will never be able to do enough to even tip the scales in our direction. The standard for salvation, or to be able to stand before a holy God, would be sinless perfection. Moreover, we would have to be actively completely righteous as Christ was in His active obedience to the Father. But alas, we fall woefully short in our striving. The work of Christ, on the other hand, is plenty. Not just enough, but more than enough.

That is how the writer of Hebrews talks about entering the rest of God. In creation, even God, the creator, worked for six days and on the seventh day he rested. That is why he commanded the seventh day for rest. The writer of Hebrews describes “entering his rest” and that Jesus is our rest. Jesus also describes that he is the “Lord of the Sabbath.” This is fitting. He is not just Lord of the day, but he is also Lord of the rest found on that day. The Sabbath was created so that we could find rest from our constant doing. That complete and final rest was never to be fully found on that day. That day was created for rest so we will one day look to where our true rest comes from. We never find true rest in the 7th day of rest, because the next day we are all back at it again. And the cycle continues. The Sabbath was created for us to build a longing for the true Sabbath. And that true Sabbath is not a day, but rather a person, the creator of days, Jesus Christ himself is the true Sabbath. In Christ we see that he has accomplished our final rest, and "It is Finished” was his cry.

The gospel is the final rest for man. The good news is Christ's cross. When we look at Christ and his work on the cross, upon which he worked on our behalf, to please a God which we could not have pleased, we find rest from our toil. He has pleased a God we could not have pleased, and accomplished a work which we could not have accomplished even if we had had an eternity to do so. God said how pleased he was with his Son, when he said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” We find our true and final rest in him, because God was finally pleased and propitiated with the work of Christ on the Cross. D.A. Carson wrote in his book Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, "In pagan propitiation, a human being offers a propitiatory sacrifice to make a god propitious. In Christian propitiation, God the Father sets forth Jesus as the propitiation to make himself propitious; God is both the subject and the object of propitiation. God is the one who provides the sacrifice precisely as a way of turning aside his own wrath. God the Father is thus the propitiator and the propitiated, and God the Son is the propitiation." (see source at end of post).

He has provided an answer to the work that cursed us in the Fall, and by his grace we have and will enter our rest in him. On that day, we must work and toil no more. He will at long last be our final rest!

From D. A. Carson,

Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus

Quoted By R.C. Sproul in The Work of Christ

R.C. Sproul

Kindle Position 1611

Why “Signs and Wonders” should NOT Make Me Happy

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 13:49:00 +0000

Why "Signs and Wonders" Should NOT Make ME Happy

There is a new move in Evangelicalism toward a “Signs and Wonders” orientation. The signs and wonders movement claims to be evangelical, Bible believing, and Christian. They place much hope and emphasis on experiences with signs and wonders. The embracing of the signs and wonders movement is most starkly seen in the widespread Evangelical acceptance of Bethel Church, and its leader Bill Johnson by much of the evangelical world. Although there is a large group of theologians and Evangelical leaders that are critical of the “signs and wonders” movement there is also a large group that have taken on the movement as a truly biblically orthodox movement.

I would like to share with you why we should not seek signs and wonders, and why any sign or wonder should not make me happy. There are many leaders in this movement, including Bill Johnson[1]that teach that without some sign or wonder that a full proclamation of the gospel has not happened. This belief that the gospel can only be truly proclaimed with signs an wonders, or else it is insufficient as a true gospel proclamation could not be biblical, because of Jesus words that I will share and exegete at the end of this post. But first let me show you what is meant in this movement by signs and wonders.

In the “signs and wonders” movement there is a great pursuit of “miracles” or “signs and wonders” as they are called in the New Apostolic Reformation and the Third Wave Movement. There is a heavy emphasis on these miracles which include healings, speaking in tongues, prophecy, words of knowledge, visions, dreams, being “Slain in the Spirit,” being “in the Spirit.” By which they mean an out of body experience where your spirit has traveled into the spirit realm. There is a pursuit of seemingly occult like practices including practices in the relatively new movements which practice things like “glory clouds” of God’s presence filled with “gold dust,” angel feathers falling, gems appearing, conjuring angel orbs, fire tunnels (in which they employ Kundalini methods), spirit travel, out-of-body experiences, and “healings.” They also practice portal travel (where people claim they can go through portals to other places physically, which is obviously a New Age / Occult practice), extra-biblical revelation. Often a prophet or Apostle will give a “New Revelation.” They try to practice raising the dead, also charismatic praying in tongues, soaking, new wine movement, drunken glory, visualization, laughter (Toronto Blessing), and animal sounds while filled with the Spirit. I do not condemn tongues if done orderly as the Bible explains in 1st Corinthians 14:26-40.

The many practices that the NAR employs when “Slain in the Spirit” are never mentioned in the Bible. Some other NAR practices are contemplative or meditative, where they teach emptying the mind or repeating one word from the Bible, which is not a historical Christian meditative practice. Meditation for the Christian is filling our minds with Scripture. Some of these practices include chanting and soaking, which are taught in Bethel school’s SOZO ministry. The movement practices contemplative prayers, soaking prayers, labyrinths, the “silence,” centering prayers, breath prayers and what they call the “prophetic act of waking up angels.”

One of the most beloved shows of NAR leaders and its adherents is the show “Its Supernatural” with Sid Roth which he deals with topics such as angel worship/visitation, portal travel, heaven tourism, eavesdropping on conversations between the Trinity, the Bible Code controversy, teleportation, “downloading the mysteries of money,” seeing the invisible spirit world, language/worship of heaven, dream interpretation, and blood moon prophecy. Most recently the translator of The Passion Translation Brian Simmons appeared on the show “Its Supernatural.” He said he had a vision of Jesus in the “Library of Heaven” in which Jesus said he would give him the 22nd book of John to translate, not now but later. Here is the full interview.

Simmons begins to describe his vision at the 17 minute mark. This emphasis on the supernatural and “signs and wonders” displays patterns in the NAR and Third Wave movement of ministry where they exhibit a boundaryless engagement with supernatural realms.

To paraphrase the practices of the modern signs and wonders movement, they practice laughter, falling, shaking, prophecy (Psychic Clairvoyance), portal travel, extra-biblical revelation, raising the dead, tongues, soaking or centering prayer, new wine movement, drunken glory, visualization, laughter, animal sounds while “Spirit-filled,” conjuring angel orbs, fire tunnels, spirit travel or out-of-body experiences, angel worship, heaven tourism, teleportation, dream interpretation, and healings. NAR churches also claim that gold dust, oil, glory clouds, angel feathers, and gems have appeared on people.

First, let us be clear that these signs and wonders are not biblical at all. Moreover, they mirror some sort of occult practice, and not biblical signs and wonders that are seen in the New Testament. The list of things practiced in the signs and wonders movement are wholly unbiblical, terrifying, weird, and even a little creepy. Beyond all that they put the emphasis in the wrong place. Jesus is clear in Luke 10:17-20 we should rejoice in our salvation rather than that spirits are subject to us. We should be more grateful for our salvation than signs and wonders. We should rejoice that our names are written in Heaven. How do our names get written in Heaven? How are our names inscribed in the eternal book of life? What is salvation? I would like to describe what salvation actually is so that it becomes quite easy to rejoice in it.

We were dead in our trespasses and sins you were made alive in Christ. That is the supreme Miracle (Ephesians 2).
We were rebels against God (Romans 13:2; Romans 8:7 Romans 5).
We were unable to help ourselves or receive God’s grace which is sometimes in theology referred to as “Effectual Calling” (Phil 2:13; John 6:44; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 1:3; Matt 22:14; Ephesians 1:4-5).
To be saved we must be and were born again. Which is being born from of the water and the Spirit a supernatural birth from above (John 3).
We were made children of God and were not born of Human will, but born of God (John 1:12-13 Colossians 3:12-13).
God’s kindness led us to repentance (Romans 2:4).
He took the blinders off our eyes to be able to see and receive Christ (2 Cor. 3:12-16; John 12:40; Acts 26:18; Eph 1:18).
God offered Jesus as the propitiation of our sins. Those same sins that we could have never received forgiveness for outside of Christ (Rom 3:25).
He crushed the head of the serpent the devil by “destroying the works of the enemy” (1 John 3:8).
He was cursed on our behalf “cursed is everything that is hung from a tree” (Galatians 3:13).
God seated us with Christ in the heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6).
He was raised for our salvation and culmination as one who will one day received a glorious body like unto his (1 Corinthians 15).
He gave us freedom from the effects of the fall (Romans 8:2).
God presented Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sins so that we could have peace with God (Romans 3:25-26).
We were adopted into God’s family before the foundations of the earth (Ephesians 1:4).
We have been raise with Christ (Colossians 3:1).

This is just a very short list of what God has done for us in Christ by saving us. As you can clearly see salvation that God has accomplished for us in Christ is way more supernatural than any other act. God has made dead men rise to live with Jesus, and called sinners to repentance.

Jesus describes in Luke 10:17-20 What our posture towards signs and wonders should be. Miracles should not be nearly as important as salvation, and the supernatural nature of what happens when God quickens the hearts of men to salvation.

“(17) The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" (18) And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. (19) Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (20) Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””

Our joy should be in the Lord and his magnificent power to raise the hearts of men and women to respond to God. He has written our names in heaven, he has given us every blessing in the heavenliness, he has raised us up with Christ, and we are co-heirs with Christ. We should not be happy or have joy about Pseudo-miracles, or pretend miracles, or for that matter, even real miracles. As Christ said, we should rather rejoice in the Savior that the miracles point to.

The word that Luke attributes to Christ’s words and we translate as “written” in heaven is Grapho (γράφω). This word means enrolled, written, inscribed, carved or to engrave something permanently. This word that Jesus uses describes also the eternality of our union with Him and how that salvation will be of an eternal nature, because our names will be forever engraved in the book of life in heaven. When you trusted Christ your name was engraved on the eternal granite of the throne room of heaven.

The word that Jesus uses for rejoice is Chairo (χαίρω) It means to be cheerful, calmly happy, well-off, to be well, be glad, joyful, or rejoice. Where is the joy in our salvation? Are you glad and better off as a result of your being made a son or daughter of God? Many in this movement would rejoice that someone is “healed,” or that some strange miracle happened, and barely mention salvation found in Christ. The movement also stirs up a craving and desire for more of the same, but Jesus says here quite plainly do not rejoice that demons are subject to you, but that your names are “engraved" in heaven. Of course we should be glad of the authority that we have in Christ over the principalities and powers of the unseen world. By the way that authority is only given to us by God through salvation and His good grace, not through our own effort. I am not saying that we cannot be glad for our authority over principalities and powers, but that gladness should be dwarfed in comparison to the gladness we feel at our salvation. So let us rejoice and be glad that, in Christ, our names are eternally and irreversibly engraved on the granite halls of the throne room of heaven! We can be truly glad, happy, and rejoice that we get to call on His name and that He has saved our souls. We look to the heavens and our help comes from the Lord. He saves your soul, so rejoice!

[1]Johnson wrote in His book “When Heaven Invades Earth a Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles,” on page 126 “Without miracles there can never be a full revelation of Jesus.” and on page 127 he wrote, “Miracles provide the grace for repentance.” And further he says, “Here the apostle Paul demonstrates how the Gentiles were brought into obedience through the power of the Spirit of God, expressed in signs and wonders. This was what he considered as fully preaching the gospel. It wasn’t a complete message without a demonstration of the power of God. It’s how God says amen to His own declared word!”

WHAT ROLE DOES EXPERIENCE PLAY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 10:31:00 +0000

I have had many conversations lately with friends, family, and other acquaintances that have been wonderful and wonderfully eye-opening to the affects of Relativism that are present in our culture, even in the Christian culture. Relativism is the doctrine that truth is not absolute, but rather relative to situations, culture or ones feelings. This is especially seen or understood on a deeper level in relation to a person’s experiences. I have heard this perspective so often lately that I would like to address the role that experience plays or should play in our Christian lives. I have had many conversations recently with people on Christian experience. For my purposes I will summarize the contents of people’s remarks for their anonymity. It is no secret that I have published a book that is theologically critical of a new movement called the New Apostolic Reformation. It is called "Divergent Theology." Many (but not all) of the conversations that I have had recently about experience were couched in this topic.

The conversations usually go something like this. I call into question the theological foundations of the New Apostolic Reformation, a movement that I believe has left Theological Christian Orthodoxy. The person that I am talking with then defends the movement, leaders, Teachers, Prophets, or Apostles who have precarious or clearly theologically inaccurate teachings. I return numerous examples of these precarious and inaccurate teachings, “from the horses mouth” so to speak. The person usually tries for a while to say that the teacher did not mean what we all understand him to mean, or that I have not understood him properly, or that the Bible actually does teach what the teacher said. There are a few back and forth interactions where I try to show the person how Christian Orthodoxy does not agree. Using the Bible, the Christian Creeds, and even logic to connect the dots is usually not enough for the person to say wait a minute maybe this does fall outside Theological Christian Orthodoxy. The discussion usually breaks down to “Well, I have had a good experience with these teachers, leaders, or at these churches."

Here are a few examples of responses that I have received over the last few months. Again, these responses have been changed for anonymity of the people and places, but these are all the types of responses that I have received from people after “proving” that this movement’s theology, teaching, and practice are not Christian.

"My family, and I have been blessed by the ministry of ___________ . I can only share my experience as a believer."

"I just have a another point of view and understanding than you. My personal testimony is different than yours."

"In my eyes, this doesn't lead anywhere, where fruit can develop. It's not encouraging, but only produces anger and separation. I think the devil rejoices more about us using good and sound doctrine than Jesus does."

"I can't argue theologically, I’m not a theologian. I just count on my experience.”

“I only look into my heart and see what God is showing me there. My experiences are as valid as yours, so what can we do about this difference?”

“I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. ______________ Church does lots of good stuff too."

"I come to different conclusions. I understand their teaching differently than you do and I can tolerate some mistakes. For me those mistakes are very minor."

“It's not for me to judge. Even when ____________ Church gets it all wrong and all their motives and teaching are absolutely false.”

"Even when they are a little off, what I see is acceptable and encourages my walk with God.”

"When you call a whole movement unchristian you are creating disunity, and disunity is the ultimate wrong.”

“Your questioning of ____________ is very Pharisaical and not how the kingdom of God operates"

These are just a few of the ways people respond when the theological foundations of the New Apostolic Reformation are brought into question. A telltale sign of a cult like atmosphere is an inappropriate loyalty to its leaders. I have definitely seen this in the last several months since the release of my book, which calls into question the biblical authenticity of the teaching of the leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation. I have heard in the last months an unquestioning loyalty to leaders in this movement. I have also seen in these conversations that dissent and discussion of a “negative” or questioning nature are highly discouraged. These are all signs of a cult-like behavior. Another sign of cult-like culture is and overemphasis on great religious experiences.

One thing that comes up again and again with those affected by ___________ Church is “experience.” Experience is a key aspect of our faith, but it is not the key driver. Something is not confirmed as authentic or true because we had a great experience with it. The Bible is pretty clear that false prophets will be able to do miracles that create an environment where people will feel like they are experiencing God. But they will be experiencing a faux, or pseudo-christianity. Jesus clearly describes that these false or pseudo-teachers are not known by Jesus. Jesus even called them "wolves in sheeps clothing.” (Matthew 7:15-23) Let us think about that for a moment. What would wolves dressed up as sheep do. They would stealthily come in among a flock unbeknownst to the flock for the purpose of destroying, devouring, and ravaging the flock. What do wolves do in relation to sheep? They kill and eat them. Sheep are helpless to defend themselves against wolves. They rely on the shepherd, and His warnings, and guidance to keep such dangers away. Thus Jesus, The Good Shepherd, warns against such ravenous wolves.

Matthew Henry commenting on this passage of scripture says, "take heed of those who pretend to revelation, And admit them not without sufficient proof, Lest that one absurdity being admitted, a thousand follow.” So the wolf that is admitted with one Theological absurdity will be admitted with a thousand more absurdities to follow. Matthew Henry also comments further about the Wolves, "We have need to be very cautious, because their pretenses are very fair and plausible, and such as will deceive us, if we be not upon our guard. They come in sheep's clothing, In the habits of prophets...They pretend to be sheep, and outwardly appear so innocent, harmless, meek, useful, And all that is good, as to be excelled by none; they feign themselves to be just men, and for the sake of their clothing are admitted among the sheep, which gives them an opportunity of doing them a mischief ere they are aware. They and their errors are gilded with the specious pretenses of sanctity and devotion. Satan (also) turns himself into an angel of light,"

Because of my book and my critique of the New Apostolic Reformation, I have in the past years or so, been labeled and even personally called unloving, legalistic, unwise, unspiritual, a negative person, unbiblical, and even Pharisaical. I was recently told that I am not operating in how the kingdom of God operates by calling out falsehood. I responded by asking the person about the Apostles correcting errors? What about the Church fathers? I asked if Paul was not operating in kingdom values when he rebuked, Peter to his face, or the Judaizers, or Philetus and Hymenaus? What about the condemnation of the heretics of history for example, Gnosticism, Arianism, Pelagianism, or any other early heresies? Were those Apostles, and Church Fathers not operating or acting with Kingdom values? I would posit that correct or Orthodox theology is one of the most integral parts of Kingdom operation. The Apostles, and the early church fathers work in correcting errors has been one of the most integral aspects of Kingdom work in Church History!

As a result of this almost two year process of uncovering the theological fallacies of the New Apostolic Reformation and subsequent pushback, I have witnessed what I might call a “Theology of Experience” which is actually the “fallacy of relativism.” The fallacy of relativism is, alone that people have been blessed by something isn’t proof, or even evidence of its authenticity. I know of hundreds of people who have been “destroyed” by this movement. Who’s experience counts? Those who have been blessed, or those who’s faith has been destroyed? The argument of authenticity because of blessing doesn’t even hold up to its own logic. If a movement’s authenticity were based on positive experiences, than everyone who walked through the doors must be blessed. There must be a blessing for everyone who comes into contact with this movement. But that’s not the case.

We ought to be very careful to not make experience your ultimate authority. I will give an example, Mormons will give a free Book of Mormon to anyone who visits the Mormon temple. I wanted to get a copy, so I went to the Mormon temple in Oakland, CA. It is a beautiful structure in the Oakland hills. I had a great experience there. The people I interacted with there were lovely, kind, caring, compassionate, helpful, and very passionate for their truth. But they are not Christian. And their theology does not line up with Scripture! Scripture is a Christian’s authority not our experience. I am currently reading a book called “Why the Reformation Still Matters” which addresses the topic of experience.

“During the Reformation the main alternative to revelation was tradition. Today we perhaps suffer from a deficiency of tradition rather than a surfeit of it! What has replaced tradition as the rival to revelation is experience.”

(Kindle location 830)

The writers go on further to describe how experience is the new “god of the age,”

“We have seen a dramatic loss of authority in the modern world. Now preference and experience are everything. Ethical issues are decided on the basis of the personal stories that elicit most sympathy. Individual dilemmas are determined on the basis of a person’s feelings. Any sense that right and wrong may be rooted in metaphysics (the way things are) or in divine revelation has been replaced by subjectivity...So the Bible always trumps experience. That does not mean we must ignore experience. Experience will often give rise to questions we bring to Scripture. But Christ still reigns through his Word, read and preached. So we need to work hard to ensure that our lives and our life together are ruled not by tradition or experience, but by Christ through his Word.”

(Kindle location 835-840)

Some of the questions that arose for me out of these discussions with people were, what would it take to denounce something as false teaching? Or Wolf in Sheep’s clothing? The answers I received were nothing short of appalling for me. Because of the answers I got I have deepened my recent calling to theology and to make it one of my ministry’s main aspects. This is why we study and should know theology, because we love and want a relationship with the “Theos” that we study. Theology is all about knowing and explaining the eternal God in a correct manner, any other goals in theology are secondary to this.

In my many "experience" discussions lately the argument often then turns to relationships, and how relationships are not so cut and dry, not so black and white. I have also been accused of being too black and white in this two year journey. I would pushback a little on the view that when faith becomes relational there will be no more black and white. Of course there is still right and wrong black and white in relationships. I love my wife, and am in relationship with her. if I was unfaithful to her that would be a breech of our relationship and very clearly wrong. Relationships are definitely messy, but that doesn’t mean there is not black and white right or wrongs anymore in those relationships, and especially not in our relationship with the Lord. The relationship that we have with the Lord is that we repent and believe in him by faith, and he makes us children of God. Those are things that must take place. Those are black and white things. There are a few things that must happen for us to have a relationship with God. Jesus can’t just be your homeboy, it doesn’t work like that.

The Bible says , “as you have received Jesus as Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6) this means the same way we walk with God is the same way we received him, namely by faith. We received him by faith, and we walk with him also by faith (Hebrews 11). Even though we can have a deep and intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we don’t set the terms of that relationship, and neither does our experience, He does, and thankfully He has made a way to access Him through Jesus Christ. Our experience of God is not on our terms, we can and only are able to experience God on the terms he has set for us in His word through faith and reliance on Jesus Christ.

In one of these conversations someone asked me, "What if I only had my Christian experience and did not have the Bible?" My response was, "we would not have a Christian experience without the Bible, so aren’t we glad God made sure that we do! Because if we did not have the scriptures then we could not know who Jesus is." Or at least we could not be sure who he is. And we would not have a pure and loving relationship with Jesus Christ unless we had the scripture. We could not know him. This was seen clearly in one of the battles that the Reformers fought during the Reformation namely “Sola Scriptura.” Which means that in the scriptures alone can we find a relationship and peace with God.

The Apostles received special revelation during their time to record the scriptures, and we are not privileged to that type of revelation or experience of God speaking anymore. The closing of the canon of scripture is the final and authoritative revelation of God. This is also a very difficult angle for me that the New Apostolic Reformation takes, and it is a step too far. Everywhere you turn in this movement every other leader has some “new revelation.” Does God speak today? YES and he does it through the word of God and the leading of The Holy Spirit, not through new revelation from Apostles. People today want to hear God speak to them, sure! Read the Bible. And if you want God to speak audibly, then read it out loud. You could even have God speak to more than one person at a time when you read it corporately as 1 Timothy 4:13 says, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of scripture."

I have heard also in this last couple years a differentiation between Jesus the Word and God’s Word (The Bible). However, they are one and the same. When we want to know Jesus we should know his word and when we get to know his word we get to know Jesus. Jesus and His Word the Scriptures are inseparable . “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Furthermore, Jesus said not one iota or dot from the law (written word) will pass away until all is fulfilled in Him (Matthew 5:17-20). He is himself the Word of God, thus He is the fulfillment and actual manifestation of God. And the word is Him in written form. We don’t worship the Bible for sure, but the Word is Christ and Christ is the word, when you read it you read of and about Him. If you want to "Know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering, becoming like Him in His death, and so somehow to attain from the resurrection from the dead," (Philippians 3:10-11) then find Him in God's Word the Bible. The Bible is the one stalwart Christian "experience" throughout the ages.

Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Another great tool that has helped me understand and balance my Christian experience in a helpful and healthy way is the Weslyian Quadrilateral. As seen in the graphic below the single foundation of our faith is the scripture in which, as said before, we know who Jesus is and how we can respond to him by faith. A stepping stone to the scripture is Christian tradition. We can look to the creeds and councils of antiquity for help on understanding the challenging theological concepts such as the Trinity and the Hypostatic Union of Christ. The liturgies of history also are faith strengthening as we delve into them to draw us to Christ. Hymns, songs and spiritual songs are also faith strengthening in our habits of worship. Tradition can be helpful if we do not make it more of a crutch than it was meant to be. Reason is something that we should not ignore, but also not put too much stock in as our own reason and logic can let us down. But it can be helpful especially in seeking to understand the deeper mysteries of faith. Finally, Wesley puts experience as the last and final building block of his quadrilateral. It is not the most important, but also not unimportant. We do however not build on it as a foundation, but rather allow it to supplement, and complement our faith. If something that we have heard, seen, experienced or otherwise witnessed in regards to faith, and how we are made right with God, stands in direct opposition to scripture, it is to be summarily rejected. We can also take the councils of the church fathers for instance if anything teaches subtly or outright against the trinity or Hypostatic Union of Christ, then we can reject it because we stand on the tradition and accepted teachings of Christendom. The error that is becoming tendential is to turn the Quadrilateral upside down and make our experience the foundation of our faith. I have witnessed in the current Christian landscape that people tend to let their experience confirm or validate the scripture. When in reality we should let the scripture be our foundation and validation of everything else. My experience is not authoritative. My experience doesn’t validate the scripture; the scripture validates my experience. I want to be faithful to embrace the ways that God has revealed in His word how He does work. In so doing, I embrace the certainty and the mystery of His ways.

Let us with fresh faith and vigilance commit ourselves with great zeal to the word of God, and let our Christian experience support the words written there not the other way around.

I always like to add stuff, at the end of my blogs as a response in worship either music, art, or some other thing that encourages your walk with Christ. I was listening to this while I was writing this blog. Put it on blast and read along as these guys rap more about how Supreme Jesus is!

Is God's Love Reckless?

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 16:49:00 +0000

Is God’s Love Reckless?

There’s a new song out written by Cory Asbury and produced by Bethel music it’s called “Reckless Love.” This song has won many awards this year and has been number one on the Christian and Gospel Billboard chart and even high on the

secular charts. Many have thrown their hat in the ring with critique of its message including John Piper, Relevant Magazine, etc. This song is so popular in fact, we could say that it is the “How He Loves” of 2018 (which was written by John Mark McMillan and covered by David Crowder).

The lyrics of the chorus of “Reckless Love” are...

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

So I want to throw my hat in the ring also to ask the question if God’s love is indeed Reckless? Or if He is reckless or if maybe the expression of His love is reckless? I was brought to this topic because we sang this song on Sunday at church. I thought immediately to myself that, “God’s love is NOT reckless!” I became quickly distracted and could not sing the rest of the song because I was so disturbed in my spirit that we might think or sing that God’s love was reckless.

To avoid any confusion of terms we need to define the word reckless. I will define it like the artist Cory Asbury defined it so that I am consistent with his intentions and meaning. He defines reckless as “He (God) is utterly unconcerned with the consequences of His actions in regards to His own safety, comfort, and well-being.” He has defined it in this way, but what does the first language English speaker think when they hear the term reckless. My thoughts went to a more precise definition like that given by the Oxford dictionary. Oxford defines reckless as, “Heedless of danger or the consequences of one's actions; rash or impetuous.” All you need is a good thesaurus to gain a broader understanding of the word. Some synonyms are without caution, rash, careless, thoughtless, inattentive, hasty, impetuous, or impulsive,

First of all we need to be fair to artists. Artistic license should be granted to those who are writing music, poems, and or otherwise using art to describe a seemingly indescribably awesome God. I want to grant Asbury grace in that, however that does not let him and other artists off the hook for not describing the nature, character, and works of God in precise, and accurate ways. I know also that artists choose words and ideas sometimes, as Asbury said he has here, to shock us on purpose. I also want to give leeway for those instances. But the more I thought about this the more I cannot get over the usage of this word in description of what God’s love is like.

Asbury clearly states that he is not saying that God is reckless. However, that is a reckless thing to say...that God does reckless stuff, but His character is not reckless. That is like saying that as a father I am not reckless but I do reckless stuff with my kids. Doing reckless things with or for my kids would make me a reckless father. Asbury cannot have it both ways. Put a different way, maybe we say God sometimes acts without wisdom, but his character is wise. It doesn't compute. God only acts as defined by his character and he cannot change his character to act in an unwise way. For instance, it would be correct to say, God is wise and thus all his actions are wise. In the same way God is not reckless in his character, thus he cannot act recklessly or do seemingly reckless things. They may seem reckless to us but they are not reckless and should not be characterized as such. He cannot act recklessly either in the the doing or carrying out of his loving actions.

Looking at the definition again, we cannot say any part of God’s nature is rash, careless, thoughtless, inattentive, hasty, impetuous, or impulsive but that is the definition of reckless. He is none of those things, thus He cannot act in that way. He is rather the exact opposite of all those things. God is thoughtful, attentive, long suffering, patient, calm, circumspect, considerate, thoughtful, and wise. And those things of his character do not change, “I the Lord change not, therefore you oh sons of Jacob are not destroyed.” (Malachi 3:6) The triune God has eternally exercised his love, even before we were created. The triune God has exercised love from before time because He is love (1 John 4:8). God’s love is expressed in several dimensions, benevolence, grace, mercy, and persistence. Persistence may be what Asbury is really trying to get at. God is often described in the New Testament as withholding judgement and continuing to extend his love and grace over long periods of time. His persistence, patience and long suffering is also on display over and over again with Israel in the Old Testament. One of the most popular verses that display Gods persistence and patience is found in 1 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬). He is persistent in that He is persistently giving man chances over and over again to respond in repentance to His offer of love and grace.

Furthermore, God’s love is not reckless but meticulously, precisely planned, and carefully coordinated within the eternal Trinity. We see this clearly in the first chapters of the Bible, that His plan was actually an eternal plan. Right after Adam fell God said, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."”‭‭(Genesis‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭ESV). This verse has long been understood at a prophetic statement referring to what Jesus would do on the cross. Is the cross an ultimate statement of God’s love? Yes it is the ultimate statement of every part of His character. The cross makes it possible for man to receive God’s love and grace. It is the expression and propitiation of his justice, righteousness, perfection, holiness and every other part of His character. The cross was planned by the Trinity from long before the fall, the fall was no surprise to God. He didn’t react and say, “well then I better come up with a pretty reckless plan to win them back!” In a video of the song “Reckless Love” (seen below) Asbury explains some thoughts that led to the song... “He (God) doesn’t wonder what he will gain or loose by putting himself on the line. He simply puts himself out there in the off chance that you and I might look back at him and give him that love in return.” The extension of the love of God is not a mishap or an “off chance.” This paints God as a being that just hopes against hope that we will love Him too. According to this God risks giving love for the “off chance” that you will return love.

God is not leaving his love to chance, or bending the laws of nature like the reckless superhero Ironman blowing everything up in his way to save the love interest of that particular Ironman sequel film. His love is not extended so that He could possibly have the chance to be with us like we are the center of the universe. He is extending his love and grace continually because He is love and grace (1 John 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:11), and we would only find true love and grace in Him. He isn’t bending over backwards so that He can be with us, but rather He has made it possible that we can be with Him! Peter confirms this idea in 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” (‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬).

The devil is actually the reckless character in the spiritual realm. He comes to “steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)." And he, “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)." We could say that God didn’t care about the “consequences of the actions of his love.” But that is also misleading. Did Jesus know of the consequences of His looming death on the cross? And the separation and sin-bearing that He would experience? Of course, and He even asked for God to remove the cup of wrath! And His soul was agonizing to the point of death! He knew and embraced the consequences, and cared deeply about them. But Jesus went through it because it was the will of the Father. And He loves the Father that’s why He follows through on His Father's will. Jesus said, “But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” John 14:31)

I would like to gently lead us, and maybe even Asbury and the whole Bethel worship team, that has often put man in the center of the worship universe, to a fuller more accurate picture of the character of the love of God. I hope this post at least gets us thinking of the Bethel leanings toward Pelagianism (see video below), and a God that only sent his Son to the cross because He thought we were that valuable. Pelagianism is the teaching that people are not born into sin, and that "people are good and mean to do good even if they are not saved." (Quote from Eric Johnson Pastor at Bethel)

Of course this is flat out wrong and condemned in Pelagianism at the Councils of Carthage and Ephesus! I beg you to consider the source of your worship songs and the theology that stands behind certain worship movements. Because theology affects and influences liturgy and vice versa. That is why I wrote “Divergent Theology” to expose these terribly unorthodox theological leanings. I have spent much time in that book dealing with the theology, teaching, and practice of Bethel and the New Apostolic Reformation.

In closing, I would like to say that using this verbiage in reference to the love of God most likely will mislead people as to the true character of God. I fear it could confuse people, make man more important than he is and make God less worthy than He is. When I believe that God is in reckless pursuit of me, then I elevate my worth over and against God’s infinite worth. When He is Reckless in pursuit of me, He actually becomes Feckless and the concept of his Recklessness backfires. This concept, I fear, turns God into hopeless romantic with no backbone, and the result is a Feckless God. The truth is, that God extends His love because He is love, not because we are so desirous to Him. We sinners are utterly undesirable to a holy God. But because He is the center of the universe, and it would be a terribly unloving thing to keep himself to himself, He extends His love to us because He is love. And it is all “to the praise of His glory.” So let’s be thoughtful as we sing “Reckless Love” and all other worship songs because liturgy affects, forms, and informs our theology. And we definitely want to believe the right stuff about God. Right?

Thoughts for Reflection on Good Friday

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 09:52:00 +0000

Most Kings when it is time for them to die come to some sort of process where they talk to their successor, son, or one taking over power to give them the crown. Sometimes Kings died on the battlefield, but if not they usually have a noble death, where they are surrounded by family and the King that will be coronated at his death. Jesus death was nothing like a kingly death.

Read John 19 it describes the events of Jesus death on a cross

On the cross...

1. Jesus Experienced Physical Suffering

1. Before Jesus had to even go through his day of torture and crucifixion he stayed up all through the night praying and the Bible says he sweat drops of blood. Bleeding through your sweat glands is A real physical condition called Hematidrosis.
2. He was struck with 40 lashes (minus 1) with a cat of nine tails. With balls wrapped up in leather, and glass, and metal, and small bones to do the most damage to people’s flesh.
3. The Roman soldiers pulled His beard, spit on Him, beat Him with rods, punched Him (While Blindfolded) in the face and asked to prophecy who hit Him.
4. They wrapped together a crown of thorns and pressed it into his head to mock him.
5. He was made to carry his own cross.
6. He was crucified at Golgotha. The details of crucifixion are...He was nailed and probably bound so that you had to press upward with your legs and pull with your arms to even breathe. People usually died of asphyxiation when crucified. We get our English word excruciating (someone who has “excruciating pain”) from the word crucifixion. Crucifixion only existed as corporal Roman punishment for the few years preceding and following Jesus life. It is known to this day as one of the most cruel forms of capital punishment known in human history.

2. Jesus Also Experienced Emotional Suffering

Look at the passage where Jesus was in the garden of gethsemane He was so troubled that his emotional state affected his physical state when he sweat drops of blood. We can see clearly emotional torment from the things that he said on the cross. He had to make arrangements for John to take care of Mary his mother, and His Father in heaven turned His back on His son when he "became sin." Jesus said, "Father why have you forsaken me."

3. Jesus aAlso Experienced Spiritual Suffering

Read Isaiah 53:3-12 which is a prophetic explanation of what Jesus would go through in the future. It is AWESOME!!! The cup of God’s wrath was poured out on Christ. That was the suffering for the sins of the whole world. Think about if Jesus had to spiritually suffer for only our worst sins. He not only suffered spiritually for our worst sins, but ALL our sins.

One of the eyewitnesses a Roman Centurion saw the “way in which he died”, and proclaimed “truly this was the son of God.” This would have been an incredible proclamation for a Roman, because a Roman would have believed that Caesar was the son of God. This is not only a proclamation of Jesus as God, but that Caesar was NOT! Here are a few questions for you this Good Friday for your reflection.

1. When you read about the details of the Crucifixion what do you feel? Love, Mercy, Grace, Hope, Sadness, Fear, Wonder, Thankfulness?

2. What is your response to the fact that, “He bore your sins in his body on the cross?”

3. What is your response that the Romans wrote above his cross, “The King of the Jews?”

Pray and thank God that he has sent His Son for us in our place.

“Dear Lord Jesus, Thanks you so much for your sacrifice in my place. Thank you that you suffered in my place that I could be free, forgiven, and be called a child of God. Jesus, you are so wonderful. I thank you so much for your cross. I fall down before your cross so that you would give me forgiveness and freedom from all my sins past, present, and future. Thank you for your grace, and that you died for me, even though I did not deserve it or earn it. You died for me while I was still a sinner. THANK YOU!!!”

Here is a wonderful song by Matt Papa to illustrate the Wondrous Mystery that happened for you and for me on the cross.

THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD: WHY GOD'S UNCHANGING NATURE MATTERS

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 07:50:00 +0000

The Immutability of God:
Why God’s Unchanging Nature Matters

By: Richard P Moore

Kandern, Germany January, 2018

Maybe it is because I have been feeling the onset of a midlife crisis, and that things are so rapidly changing around me and I cannot keep up with stuff like I used to anymore, that I want to address the never changing nature of God. Maybe it is because so many artists lately have covered the subject of the immutability of God (see videos below). Maybe it is because I feel myself changing so much. Even since beginning of this writing this I have changed. That is the nature of being human. We change! From the moment we are born, we are changing. Sometimes for better sometimes for worse. I have been intrigued by the immutability of God probably mostly because I sense the change and tumultuous upheaval in my life and even soul and spirit. Recently I have felt my spiritual life changing for the worse. I sense my heart being drawn to the lusts of the flesh more and more. Comfort breeds complacency and complacency breeds comfort. I am feeling spiritually complacent. That is why I would like to address the immutability of God. I want to break my heart of this spiritual upheaval in my life, and whenever I have focused on the character, essence, and person of God I have shaken myself of the trappings and the sin that so easily entangle. That is my hope in contemplating with fresh eyes on the nature of a good and immutable God.

God is immutable. That means that he is unchanging. Put another way God’s nature, essence, and character are all constant. His nature is unchanging. Nothing about Him has ever changed. From eternity past to eternity future He will never change. The Westminster confession describes the immutability of God in this way:

"There is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection, a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will, for his own glory; most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withall most just and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.”[1]

This makes the nature of God quite clear but let us unpack that a little. He is infinite; never beginning and never ending in that perfect state. He is uncaused therefore, he needs no one. This is seen in his own descriptions of himself like that instance when Moses asks God what his name is. He said, “I am that I am.” This is often referred to in theological terms as “Aseity” which is a term derived from Latin “As” which means "from" and “se” which means “self.” Aseity is the property by which a being exists in and of itself, from itself, or exists as of and from itself. The bottom line here is that God is self-sufficient. However it is not like we define self-sufficiency. A baby is not self-sufficient and an adult is. We are not talking about the self-sufficiency of adulthood, but rather God is of himself and exists outside the necessity or dependence on anything or anyone. This word also means that God contains within Himself the cause of Himself, is the first cause, or rather is simply uncaused. He is the uncaused cause. God is absolutely independent and self-existent.

The Westminster confession also describes an immutable God that is “working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and most righteous will.” This is so comforting to me right now. I am in such upheaval spiritually with change and insecurity, but the Lord, the unchanging God in heaven, is working all these things according to the counsel of His own righteous will. Sometimes, I have to keep that truth right in front of me so that I do not become discouraged and lose heart. The pain, hurt, disease, suffering that we see so often around us He is working and turning to his righteous will! What a hope! What a relief in those most trying of times. God is most at work in the most difficult of times, and even turning your situation of suffering to His righteous immutable purposes (Romans 8:28). Moreover, overwhelming evidence of God’s immutability or unchanging nature are described in the following verses:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

James 1:17 ESV

We live in a world of shifting shadows. Not just personally, but in our whole existence there is so much that changes and the shadows of this world are deceptive. We many times are confused by all that changes in our lives and worlds. But this verse explains that there is not any variation due to change with God. Not one shifting shadow has been cast by Him because of the setting sun in the afternoon sky. It does not matter where the sun hangs in the sky, he changes not! Not just that he does not change due to circumstance, but more than that His giving nature is tied in this verse to his immutability! He gives good gifts and thus is the most unchanging benevolent being in all the universe!

“"For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Malachi 3:6 ESV

The prophet Malachi also describes God’s immutability. His thus saith the Lord is “I do not change” but He goes on to describe the outcome of His own immutability. Which is that the children of Jacob are not consumed. Herein, God ties his immutability to his eternal justice. He is a long-suffering and gracious God, thus He has shown kindness to a thousand generations of those that fear him. He will also display His justice to those who do not fear Him, and that justice has been exhibited throughout biblical history.

“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

Numbers 23:19 ESV

God’s immutability is seen here as contrary to the attributes of man. His immutability is not Anthropomorphic. He is not a man. Thus, He cannot lie or change His mind. His promises are then also immutable. They stand like an immovable rock. Like Martin Luther once said, “The mercy of God is like the immovable Heavens that firmly stay above us. Under this roof, we are safe wherever we are.” The mercy of God is one promise to those who have placed faith in Him, but His mercy is also an attribute of His immutable nature that is not conditional. He is merciful in all His dealings because He is merciful. It is not the action and extension of mercy that makes Him merciful, but because He is merciful, He thus extends mercy.

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;”

Titus 1:1-3 ESV

This passage shows us the unchanging nature of the truthfulness of God. Again, He does not become truthful because He told the truth a few times. It is His character thus He must tell the truth for He is truth. Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” He speaks the truth in His word, because He is truth. He is not like man who has a “eureka!” moment when we finally find the answer or the truth. He needs no eureka moment to find the answer. He is tho one constantly giving the eureka moments to us, because He is the eureka we are looking for.

“For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 6:16-20 ESV

His immutability also makes Him the greatest being of the universe. This is seen in the covenants that he made with man. A covenant is made against a power or being greater than the one making the covenant so that the promise can be held out against the one making the covenant. This idea can be found in a court of law. A person giving testimony will swear to, “tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.“ After agreeing to tell the truth that person is “under oath.” What do we swear against when we are “under oath?” We promise against something greater than us, namely God. Since there is nothing greater than Himself and His immutability He cannot swear to anything greater, so He swears against the “unchangeable character of His purpose.” The writer of Hebrews then points out that God has sworn in a covenant to us against the two unchanging things, He Himself, and the unchanging character of His purpose. Accordingly, Jesus has gone into the Holy place to effectuate the terms of the covenant. In so doing Jesus also confirmed His immutability as a priest forever in the order of the eternal line of priesthood seen in the archetype of Melchizedek.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

Furthermore, the writer of Hebrews confirms Jesus as that eternal priest that He had previously mentioned. Jesus is proven here and throughout Hebrews to be God, and the same immutable God that has been described throughout Scripture. He is the second person of the Triune Godhead and so He must also have the same qualities and characteristics of the immutable God. Thus, we can throw ourselves onto his great mercy and grace because He is the immutable God that we have come to know and trust who has made a way to Himself through His effectual sacrifice. This verse is a direct claim to deity, for only God is immutable and so this points to Christ as that same immutable God revealed in the scriptures. The immutability of God means that God will follow through with judgment. It also means God will follow through with His promise of salvation. We can know and be sure that God’s certain judgment fell on His Son, Jesus Christ, and thus by faith in Him, men are saved from their sins and from God’s unchanging wrath.

What about the passages of scripture where it appears that God "changes his mind" or “repents?” I would offer a few arguments as to why God does not change His mind or ways as we understand change or repentance.

1. The evidence is overwhelming that God is immutable and does not “change His mind“ or “repent” according to our understanding. There are only a few instances where God appears to be described as changing His mind or described as repenting. I tend to think that those instances are where the writers of scripture are trying to put into the best language that they have to describe what is happening in God’s dealings with man.

2. The second explanation that I can give is that God is being described in those passages of scripture in Anthropomorphisms. That means that the writers are describing God in terms of what man would do or using the language of man to describe God. I would argue that those passages do not mean that God repents as in what we understand repent to mean in turning from an evil action, or something that we believed to be wrong, but only that the writers are using anthropomorphic language to describe God.

3. And thirdly, some of these “changes of mind” like Adam’s relationship to God, Ninevah, or Moses “changing God’s mind” in relation to destroying Israel are changes in the orientation or that standing between God and man. God never changes, but we do and so these apparent “changes of mind” occur when man changes or His relationship and repentance toward God change, and that can appear to be God changing His ways or mind.

I would like to address some of the characteristics of God’s immutability.

1. He is eternal. Time does not apply to Him. He was before time began. We might ask how old is God? That question is not adequate. He is not older than aeons ago, and no younger than yesterday. He simply is not restricted by the confines of time as we calculate it. He was, He is, and He will be. also God is timeless he does not grow or develop. There are no variations in His character due to change. As James writes, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17) Shadows change due to the position of the sun in relation to the thing casting the shadow during the day. If the sun is high in the noon sky the shadows are not very long. in the late evening right before the setting of the sun the shadows are long. Shadows are shifty and changing. James uses that analogy as a contrast to the character of God. God does not shift like shadows! There is no variation in his character, being, essence, nature, or work according to the shifting sands of time, or the shadows of the day. He is simply outside time. Although he is outside time and not bound by its constraints, he is conscious and aware of our time and is sovereign within human history. He not only knows what is happening in human history, but orchestrates it as a conductor of a symphony that stands outside the symphony. The conductor instructs the symphony while not playing a single note of an instrument. He conducts the whole thing without being constrained by playing a single instrument. God is not only aware that certain events occur, but is sovereignly working those events of all of human history to His glorious plan. He does not get taken by surprise. He has no contingency plan when something does not go His way.

2. He never changes and this remains the same as he has eternally existed

3. He is not like us. We are fickle and change consistently

4. His character, will, nature, and essence stay the same

5. Christ’s character also stays the same although he was not man before, He was always the eternal son. When He took on flesh that did not change His character or his personhood in any way as the second person of the trinity the eternal son was, always is, and will always be the eternal son.

6. The Holy Spirit also has eternally existed and His character never changes. He works as the Ruhach (Hebrew for Spirit or life force) of God from eternity past into eternity future.

7. God the father has also eternally existed and his character stays consistent throughout all eternity.

8. He exhibits certain traits simultaneously with the same fervor and zeal unchangeably, eternally, and equally. He exhibits sovereignty, pureness and holiness, love and grace, wrath and mercy, glory, supremacy, magnificence, transcendence, authority, excellence and faithfulness.

He is all seeing: He sees all movements and activity of the universe and He controls it all at the same time, never losing sight of one single activity of man or one microscopic detail of the movements that take place in the universe at any given time. It is all under his all seeing caring, and all powerful eye.

He is all knowing (omniscient): Jesus said that not a sparrow can fall to the ground without the Father’s will (Matt 10:29), and even the hairs of the disciples heads are numbered (verse 30), and before Him no creature is hidden (Hebrews 4:13).Everything is completely transparent before God. He knows all truth completely even those things we have not yet discovered, because He built them into all creation as the great architect. He knows all the possibilities even when they are infinite; for He is infinitely possible. His knowledge is never taxed by our infinite list of impossibilities.

He is all powerful (omnipotent): This means that God is able to do all things which are proper. He is known as El Shaddai. God almighty as He was know to Abraham. God overcomes insurmountable problems with ease as Jeremiah 32:17 says, “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” And in Matthew 19:26 “but with God all things are possible.” His power is expressed in scripture over nature, as creator, as controller of the course of history, and the omnipotence to change man’s nature through salvation. God’s power is also never frustrated. The psalmist writes, “Our God is in the heavens, He does whatever he pleases.” (115:3) There are limits to His power however. He cannot do anything that we as humans can imagine. He shall only do things that are in line with the objects of his power. He cannot do absurd, illogical, or contradictory things. Like things against His creative order, against His own holiness, or undoing history, etc.

He is all present (omnipresent): He is present everywhere all at the same time. However that does not mean that He is like some sort of divine superman darting here and there in creation to give us access to himself across all of his creation, he simply is present and accessible across the whole of creation at all times.

9. God‘s extension of grace then must also be immutable. Charles Spurgeon said it this way,

"I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called."

In Conclusion, it seems rather apparent from insurmountable scriptural evidence that God is immutable. Why does that matter? I would like to give a few reasons in conclusion why the immutability of God matters. First, the immutability of God means that fellowship with God, how man is made right with God, being able to trust in His word, living by faith as a Christian, are fundamentally the same realities and truths for us today as they were for Old and New Testament believers. Since God has not changed, how man is made right with Him also remains the same throughout the ages. We do not have to guess or uncover some mystic secrets, we are made right with God by faith as Hebrews 11 and the great men and women of the faith have showed us for generations. Amidst all the uncertainties of our current day and age. Political, cultural, social, and economic unrest, we can know and worship the eternal God by faith, as the saints have done for all time. Amongst all the tumult in this world God has stayed the same, and how we approach Him has stayed constant throughout the ages.

Second, God’s immutability means that the things He says must also be true. This means that His word must have the same qualities of His immutable character. What does that mean? We can trust that His word is true, it is accurate, and we can take it as the eternal message that He wanted to deliver to man. A common trend in preaching and teaching is to sort of soften the word of God to make it more palatable for the everyday person. While that is all good, it overlooks the fact that God’s word is never out of date, never old-fashioned, or irrelevant. What is written is what we can know that God wanted said to man through the writers of the Old and New Testaments. Thus, we do not need to make it more palatable or relevant. We need to strive to make it understandable, but we don’t need to make it more relevant. It is already relevant, as it has been for ages.

Third, I appreciate the immutability of God as an assurance to me as a Christian that God will do what He says He will do. In regards to salvation He says He will save me and “remember my sins no more.” That is of utmost importance to the Christian. He is constant in uncertain times. His promises of His presence and help are of highest importance in the life of the everyday Christian. We are called children of God, a priesthood forever, co-heirs with Christ, and the unchanging Jesus calls us friends. These positions of our salvation cannot change. What a comfort. The God of the universe calls us sons and daughters and that cannot change because He cannot change!

Fourth, God’s immutability is a great comfort to the Christian in our deepest times of trouble. We can be assured that He hears us and at any time that we call on Him He is there to comfort us. One of my favorite psalms is 34:17-18 which says, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” What a promise! I am particularly glad for this promise that God is near to me in the valley of the shadow of death! It is there that the good shepherd's rod and staff protect me. That is what is so unique to Christianity. We grow more toward maturity in the hardship than we do in times of success and prosperity. I have learned more in the valley of the shadow of death about deepened faith and spiritual maturity than I have ever learned in the green pastures (Psalm 23). God is most true in our most trying times of life. These truths altogether about the unchanging nature of God can carry us in our deepest and darkest times. I am so glad for an immutable God aren’t you?

The following is a spoken word piece that is a powerful declaration of God’s immutability.

The Damsel and the Villain from Desiring God on Vimeo.

In the beginning there was the Hero, And the Hero was the Father, And the Hero was the Spirit, And the Hero was the Son, And if this hurts your head already, Welcome to the kingdom.

Immutable, inscrutable, infinitely Glad-hearted, triune perfection His ancient love reverberated off each Member with no hint of dissension, Perfect in unity, Perfect in diversity, Holy Trinity.

[1] Williamson, G. I. 2004. The Westminster Confession of Faith for Study Classes. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Pub. Page 23

DOES SATAN CAUSE ILLNESS, DISEASE, & DISABILITY?

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 09:07:00 +0000

Does Satan Cause Illness, Disease, &, Disability?

Is Satan the cause, the initiator, the deliverer, the source of illness, disease, sickness, and disability? Short answer NO! Long answer, complicated theology. Lately, I have been surrounded by this theological perspective that Satan is the cause of illness, disease, and disability. Our daughter Ana has Down syndrome. Recently, Simone (my wife) had someone tell her that our daughter’s Down syndrome was from Satan. This perspective is incredibly inaccurate, not to mention how pastorally insensitive and hurtful it is to say. But I’m not going to let anyone say it to me anymore because it is terribly biblically mistaken.

Discussions are happening almost consistently around me lately about sickness, disability, and illness, and I hear often this perspective that people believe that Satan is the source of sickness. I cannot think of one single biblical instance where Satan was the sole cause and initiator of some kind of illness, sickness, or disability outside of God's sovereign plan. As a matter of fact, I can only think of three separate instances where Satan was even the one who "gave" an illness in Job’s case, Paul’s thorn in the flesh (messenger of Satan), and Luke 13 a woman who had been crippled for 18 years by Satan. However, in these cases God allowed those situations to test both Job and Paul, and in Luke 13 the devil was obviously subject to Jesus authority. From these instances we see that God actually is the initiator. God says, “have you considered my servant Job” when Satan had not even mentioned Job. In Paul’s case God had also expressed complete control and sovereignty over Paul’s thorn to prove to Paul that, “my grace is sufficient for you.” and the keep him from "becoming conceited." However, to say or believe that Satan is the source or initiator of sickness is just not true. Satan is very real and active no doubt, but he is NOT sovereign in or over illness, disease, and disability. God clearly holds complete sovereignty over all things including sickness, and even those rare occasions where he allows the devil to torment people through possession, which is different than sickness, He is still in complete control. As we see in Jesus, he comes to earth to show that the kingdom of God is coming, and Satan is losing his grip on this world.

The roots of this view are undoubtedly from the Word of Faith movement that says that Christ took our sickness and illness on himself on the cross. This view that Satan is the cause of sickness is just a natural out working of the Word of Faith Theology. The Word of Faith view is profoundly flawed and so no wonder this view developed into such a troubling theology. I would like to propose a few perspectives on sickness, illness, and disability.

It is incredibly inaccurate to say that God never causes sickness, illness, and disability
It is also incredibly inaccurate to say that He only allows sickness, illness, and disability
It is also unbiblical to say that Jesus paid for your health on the cross. If he had then Christians would not get sick, or die.
It is rather biblical to say that, God in his infinite sovereign wisdom sometimes allows, causes, and even plans sickness, illness, and disability for our good and his ultimate glory.
God in his infinite sovereign wisdom also works many and varied difficulties to his holy and perfect ends. He often works evil for good (Romans 8:28).
His ultimate goals for us are salvation and holiness. Health, if given are only secondary blessings.

These theologies furthermore are part of a new movement called the New Apostolic Reformation I have written a book recently on the subject called “Divergent Theology” I would like to add a section of that book that speaks to this issue here...

In my time in California, (as a youth pastor) I was reintroduced to what is now being called the “Third Wave Movement” or the “New Apostolic Reformation.” From my previous study of the WOF, it became apparent how these newer movements are a development of that same deeply flawed teaching. During our time in California, my wife shared her testimony in a women’s Bible study. She shared about our journey with our daughter who has Down Syndrome, and during that particular time, a seizure disorder. My wife during her testimony shared our struggle with Ana during the time of her devastating seizures. She had something called Infantile Spasms, which is a seizure disorder that only occurs in infancy, and can be very devastating. After sharing her heart in this testimony, a woman approached her and gave her a CD of teaching by Bill Johnson from Bethel Church in Redding, California. The sermon went something like this: “God is good; cancer is bad; Satan is bad; thus, Satan is the source of cancer.” While I cannot find that particular sermon in their sermon archives, this is how I remember what he said. He equated cancer with the work of the devil and never a work of, or allowed by God.[1] This would be no surprise if you have any knowledge of the Word of Faith Movement. Bill Johnson was quoted in an interview as saying, “You can only give away what you have. Can God give away sickness? No, He’s not sick. You can’t give cancer if you don’t have it.”[2]

This is extraordinarily inaccurate. Of course, God can give away sickness, plague, pestilence, disability, or any other ailment He wishes. He gave leprosy, killed 14,700 people in Korah’s rebellion by a plague (Numbers 16), killed Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1–11), He sent instantaneous blindness to Saul (Acts 9:1–9), Elymas the magician (Acts 13:9–12), and the Syrian army that came against Elisha (2 Kings 6:16-22). He struck Zechariah the priest dumb until his son John the Baptist was born for his unbelief (Luke 1:20). He struck the firstborn dead when the Angel of the Lord passed over Egypt (Exodus 12). He allowed Job, who was a righteous man, to be struck by boils from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet (Job 2). God smote the evil kings of Israel, and even on occasion freed them of their terrible judgements. The Lord struck Jeroboam King of Israel and he died (2 Chronicles 13:20). God struck King Jehoram with an incurable bowel disease. After two years, he became disemboweled because of the disease and he died in agony (2 Chronicles 21:18- 19). God did that to Him! God likewise afflicted king Azariah with leprosy until the day he died (2 Chronicles 26:20–21). These are just a few Old and New Testament instances of how God allowed or even pronounced illnesses and occasionally even death. When Johnson says, God can’t give away sickness, he is woefully incorrect. One may say that this is the age of grace and God would never behave like this anymore. However, judgement of illness and even death are parsed out like this in the New Testament often. As the word of God says, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O Children of Jacob, are not consumed.”[3] And elsewhere it is written, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”[4] Johnson also taught in that same interview:

No. Two thousand years ago, Jesus made a purchase. He does not decide not to heal people today. The decision two thousand years ago was to heal. Either the payment was sufficient for all sin or no sin. Either the payment was sufficient for all sickness or no sickness ... The brushstroke of God’s redemption was to wipe out the root of sin, the root of illness and the root of poverty.[5]

This did not surprise me, but it did once again bring back into my purview how widespread the Word of Faith Movement had become. Johnson is correct that Jesus sacrifice was truly sufficient for all sins. That must be true; if there was one sin not atoned for, then no sins are atoned for. If there is even one sin for which Jesus did not die, there would be no salvation for anyone. The second cannot be true. Christ’s sacrifice was not sufficient for all sickness, because if one sickness is not healed, then He did not die for all sickness. All men die, many from illnesses of one sort or another. Christians still get sick and still die. The Bible nowhere says unambiguously that Jesus died to heal all sickness, it is just not there. If even one single person is not healed, in this line of reasoning, then the atonement is lacking.

People could certainly become discouraged in the Christian life if they don’t experience healing for some illness or disability if people held to this teaching. It can cause needless depression and despair. But there is something more at stake than discouragement here. When healing doesn’t happen, people might stop seeing themselves as the problem. They might stop thinking that the lack is with them. What I have witnessed happen with individuals involved in these movements, is that they will begin to think that the lack is with the Word of God. That it isn’t real or true, and even worse, that Christ’s atonement is also insufficient.

If this was not erroneous and implausible enough, it gets worse. The deficiency of God not healing is not on God’s end but rather on our end. Bill Johnson writes on his blog:

How can God choose not to heal someone when He already purchased their healing? Was His blood enough for all sin, or just certain sins? Were the stripes He bore only for certain illnesses, or certain seasons of time? When He bore stripes in His body, He made a payment for our miracle. He already decided to heal. You can’t decide not to buy something after you’ve already bought it. There are no deficiencies on His end — neither the covenant is deficient, nor His compassion or promises. All lack is on our end of the equation.[6]

Healing is up to God, not up to us. Healing is the sovereign prerogative of God. Many healings that we would have thought should have taken place in the Bible do not. 2nd Corinthians 12:1-10 describes Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Most commentators believe it was some problem with his eyes. Job was physically afflicted by the devil at God’s permission. Timothy had “frequent illness.” Jesus did not heal everyone (Mark 6:1-6). One thing Jesus never did was to produce a miracle without faith (Mark 6:2-3), and He did not produce a “sign from heaven” upon request (Mark 8:11-13), or a miracle that contradicted God’s plan (Mark 15:29-32).

Other examples of God’s sovereignty are the Apostles. They were killed ruthlessly. In other words, God did not deliver them from suffering and death, but rather at his sovereign command, He permitted their suffering under His gracious hand. Jesus gave us a command to invite those suffering under the weight of disease and disability into our homes for feasts, but doesn’t command us in that same passage to heal those we invite. His hope in the command is rather that we show kindness, and hospitality to those who are suffering (Luke 14:12-14). God, speaking to Moses, displays his ultimate sovereignty over illness and disability when the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?””[7]

Another example, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, in the Old Testament was injured in an accident and crippled. David took it upon himself after Jonathan’s death to show kindness to the house of Jonathan and invited Mephibosheth into his home to eat at his table for the rest of his life (2 Samuel 4 & 9). Leviticus displays to us that taking care of the disabled, and those who are suffering, has something to do with our reverence for God, “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”[8] In other words, if there is no reverence for God then one might not care for those suffering under disabilities. If, on the other hand, there is a fear and reverence for the Lord, then there will be a care for people who are suffering under these disabilities. Healing, suffering, and diseases are more about God and his sovereign plan than about our hope for immediate healing.

God, in the Old Testament, often wielded sickness, ailments, disease, disability, even plagues to His sovereign ends. The rebellion of Korah in the Old Testament, as previously mentioned, is a prime example. God killed with a plague 14,700 people in one day as a judgement on rebellion (Numbers 16). God often used these circumstances as judgement on people for wickedness. However, He also allowed these situations for His glory, for instance, Naaman in the Old Testament. It says that the Lord had given victory to Syria because of Naaman and he was a mighty man of valor. He had the favor of God, but he also had leprosy. Naaman sought healing from Elisha, and God gave healing, inasmuch as He had allowed the leprosy to begin with. John 9 is the most stunning instance of God’s sovereignty over disability and illness. The Disciples see a man born blind and ask Jesus “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus responds to them, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”[9] God had allowed the blindness in this man that he would one day encounter Jesus, and the works of God would be put on display in and through him.

Additionally, those born with disabilities are woven together in their mother’s womb by the all-powerful hand of a good and loving God. Psalm 139 describes a God who “knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” Everyone, everywhere from Adam to the present who has ever been born have been God’s wonderful needlework. He has formed each and every person uniquely in our own individual ways. In the same vein Paul describes that the body of Christ needs weaker members. 1st Corinthians 12:12–27 says, “the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indespensable,”[10] which shows us that we need those who are frail to make the body of Christ whole. Without the weaker parts of the body of Christ the church is not complete. Healing, health, birth, life, death, suffering, sickness, and disease are all given or permitted according to the prerogative of an almighty supreme God, not according to our sufficiency or deficiency.

When and if God chose to heal people it happened, and continues to happen in response to an effectual faith, in accordance with His great mercy and kindness. Johnson would have us believe if people are not healed that the, “lack is on our end of the equation.” If Christ purchased our atonement on the cross and our sins past, present, and future are forgiven then our healing ought to have also been accomplished immediately. Just as our full atonement is consummated upon repentance and faith, so also should our healing according to this logic. If we were to apply Johnson’s teaching fully, Christians who have placed their faith in Christ, should never get sick. In actuality, our full and complete healing will not be achieved until we receive our incorruptible bodies at the resurrection of the righteous.

The previous quotation from Johnson is to me a crass reminder of my own experiences of the control, the hurt, the pain, the guilt, and shame that this cult-like message from Bethel and Bill Johnson produces. The covenant is not deficient; all lack is on our end of the equation. If we took Johnson’s teaching at face value, our daughter is infused with a disease from Satan, and our faith is too weak to secure her healing. The lack is on our end of the equation, and that is why she is not healed. It was so offensive and hurtful to us as a family so many years ago, but our feelings are not the crux of the matter, the truth is. If this were true, as previously stated, then all believers, as soon as they put their trust in Christ, would immediately be free from illness, poverty, and death, because Christ bore our illness and poverty on the cross, just as He did our sins. If our sins are forgiven and are gone, so also should all our sickness, disease, torment, and poverty. In actuality, they are not done away with. The truth is, even the Christian will struggle under these until we receive our glorified bodies and death is finally done away with.[11]

The reality is that we die and death is the ultimate illness. About one-third of people who die daily die of some sort of illness. About two thirds of daily deaths are people who die naturally of old age (that number is almost 90% in industrialized countries). The only way that Johnson can get away with this disconcerting view is that he qualifies it with the phrase “all lack is on our end of the equation.” If we die of cancer as a Christian, the lack must have been on the cancer victim’s end. But that is precisely where the perspective breaks down. We all die at some point. Death is the ultimate disease, which takes this perplexing theology out of the realm of the logical and moves it into the realm of the absurd. This view certainly pours on the guilt, shame, and hurt when God does not heal despite deep faith and hopeful prayers. Surely God can and does heal us when we pray in faith,[12] but does God do it as a rule? Or is it connected to the forgiveness of our sin? Is healing bound up into the atonement of Christ? The other possibility is that of the historic orthodox view of Christianity. In Genesis 3, when sin entered the world, it affected everything. Death entered the world through one man’s disobedience as Romans 5:12, 19-21 shows us:

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned ... For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.[13]

We can see here that the obvious judgment on Adam’s race was death and decay, but on the other hand, by the one man’s obedience, many will be made righteous. No mention of the restoration of health, wealth, or prosperity, but rather in verse 21 a righteousness leading to eternal life. So yes, one day He will restore our lowly bodies at the resurrection of the righteous,[14] but until that day, the earth is “groaning with the birth pangs.”[15]

In conclusion, this view is perilous because it creates an inclusion to the cross of Christ that has not been historically accepted in any of the manifold views of the atonement. The only verse that could be used, as a proof text, is found in Isaiah 53:5, which says, “ ... and by His wounds we are healed.” The danger here is to build a whole theology from one isolated text. Take, for example, the passage in Mark 16:18 that says we will pick up serpents and drink deadly poison and not be hurt. We cannot build a whole theology and practice off of one proof text. Unfortunately, many churches do practice snake handling and drinking poison. Did Mark and Isaiah mean that we ought to practice these things? We should rather address the “whole counsel of God” when addressing puzzling passages of Scripture so as to clarify their meanings. The WOF, TWM, and NAR add the element of health, wealth, and prosperity into the atonement that has never before been hypothesized, and in so doing, expand the atonement to unbiblical boundaries.

A very good article on this subject is found at Desiring God called Ten Aspects of God's Sovereignty Over Suffering and Satan's Hand in it

I always like to close my blogs with a moment for worship. We can know God has our good in mind when we go through various trials because he is good. Be blessed by this song and sing with Shane and Shane "Though you slay me yet I will rejoice."

[1] “Bill Johnson – God is good, ALL the time,” YouTube video, 07:31, April 6, 2010, posted by “Whizzpopping,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SehJOzfj0Rg, accessed April 10, 2016

[2] “Bill Johnson: God Does Not Cause Illness and Never Chooses Not to Heal,” Do Not Be Surprised, accessed April 10, 2016, http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2013/08/bill- johnson-god-does-not-cause-illness.html

[3] Malachi 3:6 (ESV)

[4] Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

[5] “Bill Johnson: God Does Not Cause Illness and Never Chooses Not to Heal,” Do Not

Be Surprised, accessed April 10, 2016, http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2013/08/bill- johnson-god-does-not-cause-

[6] “Q&A,” Bill Johnson Bethel Sites, accessed April 20, 2016, http://bjm.org/qa/is-it-always-gods-will-to-heal-someone

[7] Exodus 4:11 (ESV)

[8] Leviticus 19:14 (ESV)

[9] John 9:1-3 (ESV)

[10] 1 Corinthians 12:22 (ESV)

[11] 1 Corinthians 15:12-58 (ESV)

[12] James 5:13-16 (ESV)

[13] Rom. 5:12, 19-21 (ESV)

[14] 1 Cor. 15:12-49 (ESV)

[15] Matt 24:8; Mark 13:8 (ESV)

WHO IS YOUR SCAPEGOAT

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 12:03:00 +0000

AGNUS DEI THE SCAPEGOAT (TISSOT)

When I played high school basketball our teammates had a funny phrase that we threw around in pressure situations during a game. We would ask sort of as a motivation, "you gonna be a hero or a goat?" What we were asking each other was, "are you able stop step up and make that crucial free throw, or make that game wining three pointer?" Of course we all wanted to be the hero. No one wants to be the goat! That figure of speech comes from the Old Testament when the priest would place their hands on the head of the scapegoat, recite the sins of the people out loud, and in so doing transferred the sins of the people to the scapegoat. Following the ceremony a person would lead the goat out into the wilderness. It is unclear what exactly happened there. Some believe the term "Azazel" was the name ascribed to the goat, or the place where the goat went into the wilderness, or maybe a demon, spirit, or a god that was allowed by YHWH to destroy the goat after he went into the wilderness.

Angus dei is the theological term for Christ as savior and or usually an image of Christ represented as the lamb of God. I want to propose that Jesus is our "Agnus Dei", and he is also our scapegoat as James Tissot has proposed in his painting. The concept exists quite deeply in this Old Testament practice as a part of the Day of Atonement. Jesus is our scapegoat, and he is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He also is the scapegoat that has our sins transmitted to him. He does not just take our sins away and throw them into the deepest ocean, they have been transmitted to him so that we can have full expiation. I would like to show how Jesus is a type of the scapegoat, but a much better version.

The Scape Goat was...

...Part of the sin offering on the day of atonement (Lev 16:5,7). On the other hand, Jesus was our sin offering on the day of his atonement (Rom 3:25; Heb 9:5,11-14).
...Chosen by casting lots (Lev 16:8). Likewise, Jesus was chosen before the foundation of the world by the council of the Holy Trinity to take away our sin (1 Pet 1:18-20; Rev 13:8; 1 Cor 2:7-10).
...Transferred the sins of Israel by the High Priest by confessing them with both hands upon its head (Lev 16:21). God transferred our sins to Jesus when we confess Him with our mouth by faith (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 4:22-24, Rom 10:9-10).
...Sent into the wilderness by the hands of a fit person (Lev 16:21,22). Jesus was similarly

THE SCAPEGOAT (WILLIAM HOLMAN HUNT)

driven into the wilderness by the Spirit for temptation, however, he actively obeyed. Whereas the scapegoat was sent in the wilderness to die, Jesus was sent into the wilderness to overcome temptation and engage in his active obedience. His active obedience is as necessary to our propitiation as his avoidance of sin.
...Unclean and communicated it to the high priest (Lev 16:24), and the man who led the scapegoat away (Lev 16:26). Whereas the scapegoat communicated uncleanness to the High Priest and the person who led him away, Jesus on the other hand communicates cleanness and righteousness through his perfect life and expiatory death (2 Cor 5:21).
...An obvious type of Christ (Isa 53:6, 11, 12). We can clearly see Jesus in the scapegoat practice. In Isaiah 53 we see that God laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was the once and for all final scapegoat never more to yearly lay hands on a goat to transmit the sins of the people, we have once and for all laid our hands on Jesus and God has transmitted our sins onto him. He has credited us with his righteousness by grace through faith so that we don't have to rely on the blood of sheep, goats, and bulls, "for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins (Heb 10:4)." Now we can rely on Christ's blood by faith.

So instead of us trying to be our own Goats anymore we have a savior who is the Scape Goat on our behalf so that we can play the hero in God's eyes. When he applies the work of Christ to our account God only sees Christ the hero of all of history, and our heroic victorious Lamb. He is the G.O.A.T. The Greatest Of All Time indeed! Praise the Lord!

PELAGIANISM AND THE GOSPEL GUARDING THE NEXT GENERATION BY LEARNING FROM HISTORY

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 15:05:00 +0000

Pelagianism and the Gospel:

Guarding the Next Generation

by Learning from History

By: R.P. Moore

Baden-Württemberg

July 24^th 2017

The Evangelical Christian landscape is often influenced by poor theology and sometimes even heretical approaches. Leaders, teachers, prophets, televangelists, and many other such evangelical leaders seek often to recycle and repackage past teachings and even maybe unknowingly. That is why learning from the past can guard a new generation from previous error. I often feel like the writer of Ecclesiastes when he says:

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later thingsyet to be among those who come after.[1]

There is nothing new under the sun and that is often how it is with poor theology in Church history. We repeat our poor views and understandings of the Scriptures. One of my major callings from God, as of late, is to try to lift up the truth of the Scriptures and Orthodox Christian teachings. I believe it is a new calling from God on my life in this current Christian panorama where Moral Relativism has even taken root in the Church.

A Plumb line is an instrument that has been used in construction since at least the times of Ancient Egypt and maybe even before that. It is an instrument that ensures that whatever is being constructed is plumb or vertical. A plumb line directs the user whether the thing being constructed is “right” or vertical. In construction, the plumb line is right and everything else needs to orient itself to that standard. This is a wonderful illustration for finding what is “plumb” in regards to moral and ethical orientation. As we approach the study of Orthodoxy the question should first arise, “What will be our moral and ethical “plumb line” or standard?” The Bible often uses the plumb line as imagery in measuring Israel to the thing that is God’s righteous standard, and those things that need to correct themselves to that standard. The term “plumb line” is used five separate times in the Old Testament, and all but one of those occurrences is it used in prophetic judgement. In Amos 7:6-9 God is meting out judgement on Israel and Amos begs God to relent in a series of judgements. Then the Lord shows Amos something. God shows him a vision of a wall built with a plumb line and the Lord has the plumb line in His hand. God says that he is setting a plumb line in the midst of the people. In so doing, he is bringing swift judgement. God’s plumb line here is he himself and his word. He then pronounces judgement on the places of Isaac and the house of Jeroboam for being out of plumb or out of line with God’s standard. They had moved away from meeting that righteous standard that God had raised up.

The only four other instances where “plumb line” is used in the Bible is in prophetic judgement in Isaiah 28:16-17; 2 Kings 21:10-15; Isaiah 34:8-12; and Zechariah 4 in which Zechariah has a vision of a golden lampstand and the Lord says that Zerubbabel has laid the foundation of this house and you shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. According to Matthew Henry:

Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of his undertaking, but before him they are all levelled; nothing it too hard for his grace to do...his hands shall also finish it; herein he is a type of Christ, who is both the author and the finisher of our faith; and his being the author of it is an assurance to us that he will be the finisher, for, as for God, his work is perfect; has he begun and shall he not make an end?[2]

Later on, Zechariah sees in his vision Zerubbabel holding the plumb line in his hand. He has laid the foundation with the plumb line and his hands shall also complete it. As Matthew Henry points out Zerubbabel is a type of Christ, and in a sense, comes to lay the foundation, and build the house of God. “Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”[3] He himself comes as did Zerubbabel holding the plumb line in his hands. He not only holds the plumb line, but he himself is the plumb line. He is plumb, and everything else is a lie. He is building God’s house upon the cornerstone of himself. Christ uses the standard of his plumb line, which is he himself and his word. The eternal Christ is truth incarnate! Everything He said, did, and continues to do, was and is totally, absolutely, and irrefutably true forever and always. He is, “God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten and not made; of the very same nature of the Father, by Whom all things came into being, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible.”^{^[4]}

In these passages, we see that God’s plumb line of righteousness reveals Israel’s failure. God also in these few passages promises to rebuild Israel and they will be built to God’s plumb righteous standard. As Christians, righteousness, justice, and Christ himself ought to define what plumb is. Christian Orthodoxy has sought to bring the Church back to plumb over the years through councils and creeds. These Orthodox teachings over the centuries have sought to bring Christ the true plumb into clearer definition.

When we look at orthodoxy once again, by looking to Christ as our plumb standard, it will center us in truth. We will not so easily be tossed around by every wave of doctrine, but rather we will have a steady anchor, namely Christ and his word. What is orthodoxy anyway? The word “orthodoxy” is derived from two Greek words meaning “right” and “honor.” Orthodoxy are those doctrines that honor God by characterizing him correctly. For example, when we build our theologies on the creeds, and statements of the early Church Councils, we can be sure that we have relied on a foundation that has stood the test of time. A rather important part of Christian Orthodoxy is that it claims that it is the only religion to be absolutely true, and to provide the only way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; John 3:36; 1 Timothy 2:5). Christian theological orthodoxy represents the message, identity, and mission of the Church throughout the millennia. It is the core of the gospel. It does not vary with the tides of change, the whims of philosophy, or the shifting shadows of time. The timelessness and unchanging substance of orthodoxy is similar to what James says about our eternal God, “with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17 ESV).” The constancy of orthodoxy just reflects the unchanging nature of God. The unity of Christian Orthodoxy is not about being right or being wrong. Orthodoxy enables Christians throughout the centuries to have a credible, consistent, and veracious witness to the gospel of the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

Christian Orthodoxy has given us the perspective and interpretation of the saints from thousands of years of Christian history. It is a solid framework for understanding the teachings of the Bible. Furthermore, it undergirds our faith as Christians. One might have a hard time understanding the gospel if not for our heritage of orthodox underpinnings. Why is orthodoxy so pertinent and imperative to Christianity? It is because the faith of individual Christians, and the teaching toward that faith is at stake. The diatribe of heresy and orthodoxy has frequently been used to create an atmosphere of intolerance, persecution, or hate. For that reason, many do not like to relate in such terminology and jargon. However, that cannot frighten us away from Orthodox Christianity, because the life and faith of Christianity hangs in the balance. When right doctrines and orthodox teachings are propagated, in a spirit of love, it means that the lives of individual Christians and churches are founded upon the proper fundament, namely the belief and faith in the right savior, Jesus of Nazareth, Lord of all creation.

An indication that Orthodox Christian theology is correct, and not just whim, or fancy, or even the reaction of a few angry theologians at major councils, is that heresy and these improper views of Christ persisted. These same theological heresies appear often in separate ages and totally diverse cultures throughout history. These errors and misrepresentations of the person and work of Christ resurface repeatedly from the early councils until about one thousand six hundred years after Christ. That does not mean however, that they stopped appearing after the Reformation, but rather they continue to resurface in different forms to this day. The reason the faithful councils clearly defined orthodoxy with their creeds and statements is because the message of Christ is the cornerstone to Christianity. Without a proper belief and knowledge of the person and work of Jesus, Christianity is relegated to the status of any other world religion which is based on works (i.e. trying to make ourselves right with God).

Orthodoxy can seem like an insurmountable problem for pastors, theologians and the average Christian. You may ask, why should it affect my everyday life? How does it affect my Christian walk? The fundamental way we live our Christian lives has been based on orthodoxy, whether we know it or not. Theological orthodoxy is not overwhelming. I want to propose rather that it is quite an easy chore. When we re-discover, and refer to the creeds and Ecumenical Councils of antiquity our minds become illuminated and orthodoxy becomes clear. Many assume or argue that Christian Orthodoxy is made up of an oppressively long list of doctrines used to suppress people. However, history confirms that Christian Orthodoxy is most often expressed in magnificent, concise, and beautifully penned short lists of beliefs that describe the Holy Trinity, salvation offered in Jesus Christ, his person, and the meaning of the eternal gospel. The true everlasting gospel of grace is powerful for transformation. On the other hand, the false gospel can and has been used as a weapon of destruction.

One of those Un-Orthodox teachings from Christendom that seems to continue to resurface is Pelagianism. Safeguarding a generation from theological error is a challenge that I have taken up. I remember studying Pelagianism in Bible college and seminary. I remember even saying to myself, “I don’t need to study this stuff. It is totally irrelevant in ministry.” I was a bit naïve. Now much older and wiser, I see the tenants of Pelagianism creeping into current theological and ministry thought. So many years later I see this teaching sneaking up in the evangelical landscape. I will not take much time in this paper to describe exactly where I see its effects, but rather describe what Pelagianism actually is and some of the dangerous implications for its implementation into our current theological and ministry thinking.

Pelagius was a monk (although there is some question about that) who lived from ca. 354 - (after) 418. Jerome says he was born in Ireland. These details are vague probably because of the vigorous stand that Augustine took against him, which essentially smeared him so much that the records of his existence became more and more infrequent. At the very least it is thought that he was born in Britain. He moved to Rome to teach, but upon the invasion of Alaric he fled from Italy to Carthage, North Africa.[5] Subsequently, Pelagius and Augustine because of their proximity to one another had quite a strong clash. It was almost a forgone conclusion that Pelagius intersected with the teaching of Augustine.[6]

Pelagianism has come to be known as the teaching that denies original sin, holds that justifying grace is not given freely, but according to merit, and the assertion that sinless perfection is possible for the Christian. I do understand what motivated Pelagius. He was an ascetic moralist who cared for people to live holy and decent lives. He was quite put out by the lives of Christians that he witnessed in Rome. He began to see at that time the emphasis on sovereignty and heaviness of the teaching of human depravity that seemed to work itself out in eliminating motivation to live a holy good life. I do appreciate his motivation for people to live a holy life and to look like Christ. However, his conclusions swung the pendulum to the improper polar extreme. In regards to human will he emphasized free will and that man is free from any corruption of the fall, that man’s spirit is individually created by God, and therefore individually free from any guilt. He held that man had Adam’s sin not imputed to him, but that his sin was rather only a bad example. So, Adam was not our “Federal Head,” but rather some sort of poor example.[7]

Furthermore, Pelagius rejected anything remotely resembling predestination as taught be Augustine.[8] For these many reasons Augustine took him on and pressed hard for him to be condemned as a heretic.[9] To be fair to Pelagius, ‘Pelagianism,’ as it is named, is a broader theological divergence which he could not have uniformly united under himself. What is today known as Pelagianism is too multifaceted and thorough of an aberration for Pelagius to have facilitated in his lifetime. Pelagianism has developed over the years to encompass way more than what he originally taught. His theological inspiration could not and would not have succeeded in his lifetime to unite and place, what we now know as Pelagianism, into one whole theological branch.

Despite the lack of unity under the banner of Pelagianism, Pelagius was however, the seed that planted these divergences into the theological conscience of the church. He is credited with all theological aberrations that falls under “Pelagianism” although he did not espouse all theological streams of “Pelagian” thought. It lasts to this day in modified and tailored views such as Semi-Pelagianism which can be seen in streams of modern holiness movements. A friend recently brought up the idea that is often presented in Evangelicalism that “God is a gentleman” as possibly a form of Semi-Pelagian thought. In saying that God is a gentleman people mean that God will not “force” you to believe in him or “coerce” someone that does not want God. This would seem at first glance to go against most Augustinian, reformed thought. The Carthaginian Council (418) and even maybe the Ephesian Council (431) also seem to countermand the idea of God as gentleman.[10] To clarify and sharpen focus, “The label ‘Pelagian’ is often loosely invoked to damn any doctrine felt to threaten the primacy of grace, faith and spiritual regeneration over human ability, good works and moral endeavour (emphasis mine).”[11] As you might clearly deduce from what has been explained of Pelagius’ view, a salvation by works likewise appears quite feasible.

In opposition to Pelagius, Augustine held that, “man since the fall is in a state of spiritual death, utterly disabled and opposite to all good,” and “his restoration to spiritual life was an act of God’s almighty power; and being an act of omnipotence was instantaneous, immediate, and irresistible.”[12] I am not going to argue further on the topic of infant baptism, but this was also a hot debate within the whole Pelagian controversy. I want to in this paper focus on the Soteriological[13] elements. I would like to take the main tenants of Pelagianism and address them biblically.

The first teaching that is accredited to Pelagius is the denial of original sin. In fairness, Pelagius did not deny that Adam sinned in the Garden, but rather he denied that man had inherited a sin nature from him. He said that man had no ‘imputed’ or ‘inherited’ sin from Adam. So, what is our biblical/theological answer to this position? It seems trivial to talk about Adam in the garden and what happened, but one major continual sign of the fall is the curse that man continues to live under as a result of that sin. Because of one man’s sin, God cursed them both. Adam and Eve’s curse included for Adam, “toil by the sweat of his brow.” In other words, man is cursed with the labor to bring forth fruit from the ground. And the descendants of Eve will have pain in childbirth. These things still exist today as a reminder that we are still under the curse of sin. We also see death is the result of breaking the command of God. God said, “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”[14] One of the other main scriptures that we refer to in understanding specifically what happened when Adam fell is found in Romans 5:12-21. It reads:

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all menbecause all sinned—for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (emphasis mine).[15]

I do not aim to exegete this passage thoroughly, but rather to point out a few phrases that point to sin nature that is inherited from Adam. Sin came into the world through one man, and for the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation. We also read further in the passage, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, and for as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners. These few phrases and others that I have highlighted in this passage clearly show that sin is an inheritance from Adam for man and confirmed “because all sinned.” This passage clearly verifies that we have a sin nature, not received when we commit our first sin, but rather is confirmed when we commit our first sin.

Other scriptures that detail our sin nature are Psalm 51:5, which shows that we are born into sin. Ephesians 2:2-3 states that we are by nature “children of wrath,” and “sons of disobedience.” Furthermore, the Bible speaks of humans as sinners from infancy. Genesis 8:21 says that the “intentions of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” The Proverbs also comments on the wicked intentions of the heart of children when he says, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child.” Folly is understood by the writer of Proverbs as sin, wickedness, disobedience, and the like. The red thread that flows throughout the scriptures is that man is sinful, not that when he sinned he became sinful, but rather his sin confirms the reality that he is already sinful, for what man has not sinned? Or in other words we sin because we are sinners, not we sin then become sinners. Sin belongs to the human condition because as seen before “Sin came into the world through one man.” Sin is a property of humanity, and in that same vain we can consider Ephesians 2:1-3:

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.[16]

As we see here, the situation is dire, in which Paul casts all men, when he says, “even as the rest.” We (before Christ) were dead in trespasses, and we were “sons of disobedience.” In that sinful nature, we were “children of wrath.” That was our position, nature, condition, and situation.

Isaiah also displays the state of our natures in describing us like sheep who have gone astray, “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”[17] It is obvious from the context here that the writer is talking about sin because he lays the iniquity of us all on Christ. Romans 3:10-18; 21 also describes in vivid detail what that sin nature looks like:

as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God[18]

It is clear to see from this passage Paul puts us all in the same situation no one is righteous, we all fall short of God’s glorious standard, and no one pleases God. The writer of Hebrews confirms this holy standard. When we have sinned once we are guilty of breaking the whole law. One might assume that we are just evil, vile, wicked people. It is not the case that we are as wicked as we could be, but that we are thoroughly affected by our sin nature. James, the brother of Jesus writes, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”[19] As James writes you might not have committed adultery, but you might have murdered, or committed some other sin. When you have committed one, then you are a lawbreaker, and thus a sinner. You are not necessarily as completely sinful (in deed) as you could be, but you are however, a comprehensive lawbreaker. Put this way, we are all thoroughly lost in our sin.

Jeremiah 17:9 also assumes original sin when he writes, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”[20] Most evangelical theologians confirm the theology of inherited sin. A good representative or cross-section of Evangelical Theology would be Wayne Grudem. He confirms the theology of original or inherited sin when he says that, “all members of the human race were represented by Adam in the time of testing in the Garden of Eden. As our representative, Adam sinned, and God counted us guilty as well as Adam.”[21] Grudem also bases his entire argument in Romans 5. He also displays how Romans 5 indicates that from Adam to Moses there was no law, nonetheless, people still died as a result of their sin. The fact that people from Adam to Moses died, demonstrates that God reckoned man guilty because of Adam’s sin.[22]

My wife brought the question to my attention, “We did not choose to sin, how can God apply Adam’s guilt to us?” at this point you might be also asking the same question. “Hey, wait that is not fair? Is God acting justly by crediting us with Adam’s guilt?” Firstly, none of us can claim in that question sinlessness. We have all confirmed that we are Adam’s children by following in his footsteps. These sins will stand as the sole case against us in the courtroom of his final judgment, apart from the intervention of a Holy God with a propitiatory sacrifice in our stead. We will all be judged individually, “according to his works.”[23] Although a weak argument some argue we would have also sinned had we been Adam. I do not like to try to help people’s sense of unfairness and justice with “should have, could have, would have.” But in all likelihood, we would have chosen Adam’s path also.

Grudem presents the most compelling argument against protests of unfairness for Adam being our Federal Head. He says, “if we think it is unfair for us to be represented by Adam, then we should also think it is unfair for us to be represented by Christ and to have his righteousness imputed to us by God.”[24] If it was unfair that Adam is our Federal Head, then it is by that same logic unfair for Christ to represent us on the cross. Is it fair for “him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”[25] We are by birthright credited with Adam’s sin, and we received his guilt, and Christ obeyed God flawlessly and God has credited us with Christ’s record of perfect righteousness. How is that fair? That is the somewhat upside down mercy and grace of God. We get what we do not deserve! When we reject Adam’s headship, in some sense it is also a rejection of Christ’s headship. Jesus represents us as the second Adam, if we reject the first Adam do we also reject the second Adam?

Because in Adam we are legally and effectively guilty we therefore need a legal and efficacious substitute that stands outside the legal imputation of that guilt. Thus, Christ is our second Adam. That second Adam must have been free from the corruption of that nature. We needed one that had no inherited sin nature. Man needs a reparation from one who stands outside and had no connections to Adam as Federal Head, and thus free from Adam’s curse of unrighteousness. These requirements are all met in Christ! His perfect life, his perfect obedience, his freedom from Adam’s imputed guilt, his penal substitutionary death, his victory over death, and current reign in heaven, all establish him as our perfect Federal Head by faith.

The next teaching that Pelagianism espouses is that justifying grace is not given freely, but according to merit. The very first scripture that comes to mind that soundly rebuts this idea is Titus 3:4-7. In it Paul writes:

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life (emphasis mine).[26]

This text is rather clear that justification, and regeneration, is a work of God not because of works (merit) done by us but rather a grace of God. Another classic text that speaks against human merit is Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (emphasis mine).”

Grudem comments on grace verses merit by saying:

Grace is clearly put in contrast to works or merit as the reason why God is willing to justify us. God did not have any obligation to impute our sin to Christ or to impute Christ’s righteousness to us; it is only because of his unmerited favor that he did this.[27]

The reformers (Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli) fought to bring to the forefront the “Five Solas” of the Reformation. They were Sola Scriptura; The Bible alone is our highest authority. Sola Fide; which means that we are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Sola Gratia; which means we are saved by the grace of God alone. Solus Christus; which means Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King. And lastly, Soli Deo Gloria; which means we live for the glory of God alone. One of the great Solas of the reformation is Sola Gratia in which the reformers sought to distinguish themselves from the Catholic Church of that time that taught we are justified by God’s grace plus some merit of our own. As Tullian Tchividjian explained in his book Jesus + Nothing = Everything that we cannot add merit or anything to our hopes of salvation. Throughout the book of Galatians Paul expounds on the idea that the law (i.e. works or merit) cannot justify us. He rather builds the case that we are justified completely by faith. At the beginning of his epistle to the Galatians he says that if anyone should preach another gospel than a gospel of justification by faith, then they are cursed. The gospel is a gospel of justification by faith through grace. This cannot be any clearer throughout the entirety of the New Testament.

The Pelagian error, Jesus plus our own merit, was carried on from Pelagius’ time until the Reformation. The Catholic church of the Reformation had interspersed Pelagius thought throughout its teaching and catechisms. This common theme compelled the reformers to react, namely the thought that we make ourselves fit to receive the grace of God in justification by growing in good works. Much of the book of Romans (especially 4 and 5) is a defense of justification by faith not by works. Likewise, Galatians is a treatise on the deficiency of the law to justify. Paul argues for the efficacy of the cross and faith to justify the sinner. James which is often used as a defense of works is rather the opposite. James is describing the outcome of an effectual faith. When man has no faith, he will not have works as a result. The question is what precedes what? James’ argument is that faith precedes works, but that works of righteousness must accompany faith, or it is not repentant faith at all. We must also not think that faith somehow earns favor with God. The Bible never allows for that. His favor and salvation is bestowed upon us out of his grace and goodness. The merit for our salvation lies squarely on the shoulders of the magnificent savior on the cross. He met every righteous requirement at Calvary, and faith is the means of which his merit is transmitted to us.

I asked myself at this point why faith? Why not some other attitude? Why would God only allow faith to be our means of justification before him. Grudem answers this masterfully:

It is apparently because faith is the one attitude of heart that is the exact opposite of depending on ourselves. When we come to Christ in faith we essentially say, “I give up! I will not depend on myself or my own good works any longer. I know that I can never make myself righteous before God. Therefore, Jesus, I trust you and depend on you completely to give me righteous standing before God.”[28]

That made perfect sense to me. The attitude of faith is the perfect answer to a salvation that cannot be earned. These Pelagian ideas creep up often in the church. I have, in my many years of ministry, seen this in evangelism. I would present Christ to people, and people would often respond with some sort of response like, “I am not ready.” I would ask, “why?” and they would respond with something like, “I need to clean my life up before I come to Jesus (or often Church).” This Pelagian thought is that somehow I must merit Christ’s offer of salvation. That is why I wanted to write this to correct those errors that we need to do something before we come to Christ. Either in cleaning ourselves up, or adding our own merit to his offer of salvation.

The other error I see is that of the emphasis on good works after turning to Christ. Colossians 2:6 says, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,” How have we received Jesus? By grace through faith! So why do we seek to please God by works? New movements that seek to take root in Evangelical Christianity place a heavy emphasis on works, and pleasing God through doing great things for him. The “signs and wonders” camp often leans toward a heavy emphasis on works. We are not saved by works so why should we seek to please God through them? There is an imbalance growing. We must not neglect one for the other, because as James clarifies “faith without works is dead,” but a healthy balance is necessary. When we start to seek to please God by works we have wandered away from the way in which we have received Christ Jesus.

The next Pelagian thought that I want to address is that sinless perfection is possible for the Christian. This is challenging to rebut because the New Testament only alludes to it in a few places. One of the easiest references to cite is 1 John 1:8-10

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.[29]

I believe that this passage speaks for the sin natures of the pre-converted and the converted. The reason that we can know this is from what we have previously established that the “all have sinned.” The pre-Christian is sinful that has been plainly established. The reason that we know that this passage is also talking about the converted is the context. In the previous verse, we read, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”[30] This is describing a person who has received forgiveness of sins and walks in the light of Christ. I have often heard it said recently that the roots of sin have been removed once we trusted Christ. Popular teacher and pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, CA, Bill Johnson has written such in his book When Heaven Invades Earth, “Doesn’t it seem strange that our whole Christian life should be focused on overcoming something that has already been defeated? Sin and its nature have been yanked out by the roots.”[31] This sounds suspiciously like he means we have no more sin nature. The question then arises, have we become sinlessly perfect? This idea that the roots of our sin nature was removed at our conversion is as old as Pelagius himself. But is that true? Can we become sinlessly perfect?

While I was in Bible college, a rather well known guest professor, while teaching on sanctification, said that he had not committed a sin of “commission” against God in thirty years. He later amended his statement. However, that stood out to me as a perfect example of the view that sinless perfection is possible. One thing that strikes me in this view is a certain elitism that there is a specific class of Christian that can achieve sinless perfection, over and against the carnal Christian that cannot. Similarly, two mistakes might also occur within the delusion that sinless perfection is possible. First, man overestimates his moral performance, and second, that man underestimates the standards of God’s law. For instance, the standards of the 10 commandments alone would be impossible to achieve perfectly in this life. Even loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself seems a far cry to obey constantly. Jesus point this out to the rich man who goes away sad. Jesus actually showed that the man who had obeyed the law from birth had not. In this instance Jesus with one question showed that the man had a greater love than God and it was money. Romans 7 is the quintessential counterpunch to any theological system that claims sinless perfection. Many would argue that Paul in Romans 7 is talking about his life before Christ. But one must do some impressive exegetical calisthenics to arrive at the place where Paul is not referring to himself in the present tense. I want to be clear, there is a tension in the New Testament in which the Christian now has the ability to live in consistent victory over sin. However, sinless perfection would be an impossibility in this life, as seen in the previous passages. The tension between me being a complete wretch of a worm and my sinless perfection is a challenging tension. I think we could all as evangelicals agree that this Pelagian thought that we could attain sinless perfection is a theological deviation and not in line with biblical Christianity.

The next Pelagius view is that man has free will and that man is free from any corruption of the fall, that man’s spirit is individually created by God, and therefore individually free from any guilt. It is not necessarily my purpose to examine free will vs. predestination, but rather to deal with guilt and man’s state before God. To this point, man’s guilt has been thoroughly established, in that we as Adam’s children stand guilty before a holy God. We are not individually free from any guilt, rather we are individually and corporately guilty before a holy and perfect God. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”[32] This classic passage of scripture clearly depicts the corporate and individual guilt and responsibility that man has before God.

In conclusion, I want to reiterate my purpose of challenging any current evangelical streams of thought that stand in opposition to salvation by grace, through faith, or that emboldens human ability, good works and moral endeavor in the achievement of spiritual regeneration. Man’s condition is sinful before God, and can only be justified by faith through the magnificent grace of God, and not through our own achievement. Man is hopeless to achieve salvation on his own. This is the glorious gospel. We have done everything worthy of eternal judgement and should receive the punishment that our sins deserve. However, Christ has done everything worthy of eternal praise and glory, lived the sinlessly perfect life in our stead, died a noble death, and was raised from death by the power of God. Through faith we are credited with his perfect record of righteousness, his righteousness is imputed to us and our sin is placed upon him. We do nothing, he does everything. We could not lift ourselves out of the pit of despair, so he took on our despair. My hope and prayer is that this paper will help you exalt, cherish, and maybe even receive Jesus by faith for the first time. He who is our substitute, “the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”[33]

[1] Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (ESV)

[2] Henry, Matthew. (2000). Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: Genesis to Revelation. U.S.: Hendrickson Pub. 1574

[3] Ephesians 2:20-22 (ESV)

^{^[4]} Schaff, Philip, and David S. Schaff, The Creeds of Christendom: With a History and Critical Notes (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983).
Kelly, J. N. D. Early Christian Creeds. (New York: D. McKay Co., 1972), 215-216.

[5] Erickson, Millard J. (1983). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. Print. 632-633.

[6] Ferguson, John. (1956). Pelagius. Cambridge: W. Heffer. Print. 40

[7] Erickson, Millard J. (1983). Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House. Print. 632.

[8] Ibid, 633.

[9] Pelagius and any followers of Pelagius’ teaching were condemned as heretics at the Council of Carthage (418) and later confirmed under pressure by Pope Zosimus. Furthermore, the council of Ephesus (431) condemned any who shared the views of Celestius, an associate and theological partner of Pelagius.

[10]

[11] Ferguson, Sinclair B., James Innell Packer, and David F. Wright. 2008. New Dictionary of Theology. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Academic. 499

[12] Hodge, C. (1997). Systematic theology (Vol. 2, pp. 711). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

[13] Soteriology is the study of salvation and all the elements and beliefs surrounding how man is saved

[14] Genesis 2:17 (ESV)

[15] Romans 5:12-21 (ESV)

[16] Ephesians 2:1-3 (ESV)

[17] Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)

[18] Romans 3:10-18; 23

[19] James 2:10-11

[20] Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)

[21] Grudem, Wayne A. 2000. Systematic Theology: an Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 495.

[22] Ibid, 494.

[23] Romans 2:6 (ESV).

[24] Grudem, Wayne A. 2000. Systematic Theology: an Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 495.

[25] 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV).

[26] Titus 3:4-7 (ESV)

[27] Grudem, Wayne A. 2000. Systematic Theology: an Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 729

[28] Ibid, 730.

[29] 1 John 1:8-10 (ESV)

[30] 1 John 1:7 (ESV)

[31] Johnson, Bill. When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles. Shippensburg, PA: Treasure House, 2003. Print. 110.

[32] Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)

[33] John 1:29 (ESV)

There’s Gonna be a Revival in This Land: The distinctive Marks of Revival in Biblical History

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 14:00:00 +0000

There’s Gonna be a Revival in This Land:

The distinctive Marks of Revival in Biblical History

By: R.P. Moore

Baden-Württemberg

July 3, 2017

“For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.”

Psalms 143:11

This Psalm has been one of my favorites for a very long time. But what is Revival? What are the distinctive markers for personal and corporate Revival? I want to take some time and look at the Biblical and historical revivals and draw some principles from those times that marked revival.

This question was brought back to my attention the other day. I was at an event where a wonderful choir sang a gospel song and the lyrics in the chorus were, “There’s gonna be a revival in this land.” It got my attention because it seemed like a command, and or request for a revival. The implication in the words was that revival is a foregone conclusion. It got me thinking. Is that true? Is revival a forgone conclusion for us? I have spent many years serving in the Southern Baptist denomination. I served in several SBC churches and every year in the fall those churches had “Revival.” It was often said the same as the song, “We are gonna have revival.” I always thought that was peculiar. I would ask really? Are we going to have a revival, or are we going to have an event where we invite a gospel choir, and an evangelist to preach? I thought often during those times, can we plan or initiate revival? Is that possible? I think the answer is no. We have our faithful part to play in seeking God and praying for revival as the psalmist does, but revival cannot be contrived or manufactured by man.

Revival is the sovereign activity of God whereby he renews his people individually and corporately in vigor, affecting both sincerity of belief and quality of behavior.[1] Revival furthermore refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of stagnation in the life of a believer. Revival is seen in love for God, the fear of God's holiness, a zeal for His Word and His church, a conviction of personal and corporate sin, humility, and desire for repentance and growth in sanctification. Revival invigorates and sometimes deepens a believer's faith, opening his or her eyes to the truth in a fresh way. For the believer in Christ, revival marks a new beginning of a life lived in obedience to God. Revival breaks power of the world, which blinds people to their need for God, and generates both the will and power to live in the world but not of the world. This more specifically defines revival, and it gets our thoughts going as to what revival is and how we can determine its distinct signature.

In the Early American Great Awakening God poured out His Spirit on Jonathan Edward’s Northampton congregation. In describing what happened in their church in 1734, observers said:

It pleased God...to display his free and sovereign mercy in the conversion of a great multitude of souls in a short space of time, turning them from a formal, cold, and careless profession of Christianity, to the lively exercise of every Christian grace, and the powerful practice of our holy religion.[2]

The Great Awakening is especially remarkable in the sense that sin and wrath were boldly preached as seen in Jonathan Edwards famous sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” These were not kumbaya meetings where love and peace were preached and people fell over in the euphoria of moment, but rather fell over in weeping and wailing with desperate signs of repentance.

I would like to take a brief sweeping look at the scriptures and the revivals that God granted in biblical history. Scripture reveals that there were several spiritual characteristics that preceded revival including repentance humility and obedience (corporate and private). The characteristics were God’s people longing for renewal in their lives (Ps 74:22; 80:1-19; 85:6), Revival required that God’s people repent (2Ch 7:14; 1Ki 8:46-50; 2Ch 6:26-27; Isa 64:1-7; Hos 5:15; Ac 3:19), God’s people experience a new awareness of sin (2Ki 22:11; Ps 32:3-5), God’s people were humbled or humbles themselves (Isa 57:15; Ps 149:4; Isa 66:2; Mic 6:6-8), and God’s people are revived through God’s initiative not their own initiative. It is a work of His sovereign plan and a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit (Isa 59:16; Jer 24:7; 33:6-9; Tit 3:5).[3]

It is clear throughout Scripture and Christian History that awakening and revival strike people personally in the supernatural sovereign plan and power of the Holy Spirit. The personal revival in scripture is described as the experience of inward change (Heb 8:10-12; Jer 31:33-34; Eze 11:19; Ac 2:42-47), People begin living obedient lives (Eze 11:20; Eph 4:1-3; 1Th 1:7-8), a tangible zeal for God’s work grows (Ezr 5:1-2; Hag 1:12-15), generosity in giving abounds (Ex 36:5; 1Ch 29:6-9; 2Ch 31:3-8; Ac 11:28-30), a true pleasure in worshipping God arises (Ezr 3:11; Isa 12:1-6), and there is a renewed joy in the LORD (Ac 13:49-52; Isa 35:1-10; Ac 8:5-8).[4] It is clear that a major theme of revival is regeneration of the carnal man. That is the Holy Spirit removing the spiritual blinders off of man’s eyes for them to see the brilliance of Jesus. He makes those who were dead in sin to regenerate and makes them alive in Christ. There is a sense also that we appeal to God for revival (Jer 17:14; Ps 51:7-12; 119:34-37). One thing that cannot be overlooked is the law. God’s law in scripture has initiated revival. One of my favorite biblical stories is “Good little King Josiah” who reformed Israel when he found the law in the temple as they were cleaning and renovating it. Josiah brought Israel back to the worship of YHWH as the one true God through the discovery of the law. People are revived from their spiritual stupor, when they discover that they fall well short of the perfect law, and realizing that their only hope is in the atonement of Christ they cast themselves on His mercy and salvation (Rom 3:23-25; 6:23). And as previously stated the fruit of salvation and revival is that God receives the praises and obedience of His people.

It is clear in the biblical record that revival is God’s work and is not a contrivance of man, or conjured up by emotional stimuli. Man’s emotions are a large part of revival but it is rather a reaction to the incredible grace and mercy of God. The stirring of affection for Christ are a large part of the reaction to revival, but are not the cause of or initiator of revival, but rather a supernatural work of God (Hos 6:2; Ps 80:3,7,17-19; Isa 32:14-17). There were a few revivals in the nation of Israel under Hezekiah and “Good Little King Josiah” where these kings drew the gaze away from idolatry to the worship of the one true God. A common theme in the Old Testament is idolatry. God’s jealousy for his people is seen in that he requires their sole devotion and worship and will not stand for idolatry. The Bible says that God is a jealous God. That is usually perceived as a negative emotion. But as in the case of marriage I would not be a loving husband if I was not jealous for my wife’s affections. If I were not jealous for my wife’s affections, I would not be taking our marriage vows seriously. So also with God. He is jealous for our affections. If God were not jealous for the affections of His people (His bride the Church and previously Israel), then He would not be serious about His covenant.

A stunning example of this jealousy is found in the Old Testament as the people of Israel are about to inhabit Canaan. The story begins as they are camped at Shittim in Numbers 25. Right there before Israel enters the Promised Land, the people of Israel “whored” themselves with the daughters of Moab and they began to worship Baal. It says, “Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor.” The text in Numbers clarifies that the worship of Baal and the daughters of Moab clearly had engaged together in the sin of Baal worship, which included deep sexual sin. God tells Moses to take all the offending chiefs of the people and hang them. A public punishment for a public sin. Matthew Henry Comments on how God metes out His justice by saying, “Ringleaders in sin ought to be made examples of justice.”[5] The people are weeping and wailing for repentance at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and the country is seeking to purge themselves from this evil. While this is happening apparently, there is a national crisis. It is not very clear, but some form of a plague breaks out killing 24,000 people.

In the midst of this sort of national revival and crisis something quite appalling happens. A man named Zimri brings a Midianite Baal prostitute into the camp in the “sight of all the whole congregation of the people of Israel. While they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting.”[6] The people of Israel are repenting, killing the idolaters, and seeking God’s forgiveness. All of a sudden here comes a brash and arrogant idolater into the presence of God in the front of the Tent of Meeting, and he brings his prostitute with him. The text becomes unclear here at this point. The text explains that he took her into his tent to have sex. But it might have been much worse. Mark R. Talbot explains in his chapter in the book A God Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards why the text might be so obscure:

Ronald B. Allen speculates that this passage’s obscurity may been prompted by the fact that “the scribes of Scripture found (the actions described here) to be quite repellant and that the precise nature of the offense was,” consequently, “softened somewhat through time.” He suggests that we could understand verse 6 like this:

Then a certain Israelite man brought the Midianite woman to the Tent (of God) right before the eyes of Moses and the eyes of all the congregation of Israel; and they were sporting at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.

In other words, what this couple did was to “engage in a sexual embrace in the manner of Baal worship—right at the entrance of the holy Tent of God,” right in front of Moses. If Allen is right (and it is worth reading the whole of his commentary on vv.6-9 to assess his case), then the contempt shown by Zimri and Cozbi “for the holy things and the word of the Lord...is unimaginable” and Phinehas’s emotional reaction becomes even more intelligible.[7]

Whether these two were in front of the Tent of Meeting or not, the act was so egregious that Phinehas, the priest, the Grandson of Aaron, filled with “jealousy” of the LORD, picked up a spear, and thrust them both through with it (probably while having sex). Thus, the plague that had killed 24,000 people stopped. The LORD declared that Phinehas had turned back the wrath of God so that He did not consume the people of Israel. Therefore, God makes a promise to Phinehas, “I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.”[8]

Let me draw some parallels for you that you might already have noticed. Phinehas, out of jealous zeal for the holiness of the LORD and his hatred of idolatry accomplished three things. First, it established a covenant of peace. Second, it established for his lineage a perpetual priesthood, and thirdly, his act made atonement for the people. I want to point out that Christ has also accomplished all three of these things in his work on the cross. Initially, Christ also had zeal for the dwelling place of God like Phinehas, “zeal for your house will consume me,” was the prophecy that was remembered by the Apostles referring to when Christ drove out the evil moneychangers in the temple. Similarly to Phinehas, Jesus inaugurated a “covenant of peace” between God and man (Rom 5:1). Furthermore, Jesus established a perpetual priesthood just as the descendants of Phinehas also received. The writer if Hebrews says of Jesus, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”[9] This means that Jesus is the perpetual priest for mankind. In comparison to the one that was imperfect in Phinehas’ descendants because they died, but Christ lives forever as the perfect priest. Finally, as Phinehas made atonement for sins of Israel and stopped the plague, so also Christ having “offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”[10] Jesus has also made atonement for us and stopped the plague of sin.

At this point you might be asking what does this story have to do with revival? I would like to point out a few things. Initially, I would like to notice that Israel is experiencing a sort of revival. There is evidence of national repentance, a turning to God away from idolatry, an emotional response to God in that repentance, a humility before the LORD, and a public doing away with idolatry to return to the worship of the one true God. Amidst this story there comes a corruption of Israel turning to God. An apostasy of sorts, enters the camp to seek to affront the holiness of this turning to God. It was before the eyes of all the people. And one of those probably leading in this revival of repentance, Phinehas, filled with jealous zeal for the LORD cannot stand it. Full of jealousy for the worship of the one true God, Phinehas accosts the “whoring idolatry” and purges it from their midst. These stories are plenteous in the Old Testament and they have much application for us today. A jealousy for the holiness of God goes hand in hand with revival. A zeal for the Lord must accompany true revival like it did in this story.

The Old Testament describes other revivals like the cycle of the judges where idolatry is overthrown and the worship of the one true God is renewed. The old Testament is rife with renewal and reforms. We see reforms under Jacob. On the return to Bethel, Jacob ordered his entire household to put away their false gods and to wash and change their garments. They did it and Jacob built an altar to the true God. The false gods were then buried under an oak in Shechem (Gen. 35:1–4). Revival started when Samuel exhorted the people to put away their false gods and prepared their hearts to serve the only true God (1 Sam. 7:3–6). Moses led the Israelites often in renewal. One such occurrence is when complaining Israel saw the mighty hand of God in the parting of the Red Sea. On the safe passage, across to the other side of the sea, Moses led the people in a song of praise. (Exod. 14:31–15:21). Israel experienced revival under King David when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem for the first time (1 Chron. 15:25–28; 16:1–43; 29:10–25). On these two occasions, we see the important role that worship through song plays in the reform of the people back to the worship of God. Renewal often accompanies a spirit of praise. We see a wonderful reform and renewal at the dedication of the materials to be used in building the future temple (1 Chron. 29). There was renewal under King Asa. He removed the Sodomites and all false idols out of the land. He even deposed his own grandmother because of her idolatry (1 Kings 15:11–15). King Jehoshaphat led a revival when he ordered the cleansing of the temple and the sanctification of the Levitical priests (2 Chron. 19).[11]

One of the most dramatic reforms and renewals in Israel happened under Elijah’s leadership. This took place after the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:21–40). King Jehu led a large-scale reform later by exterminating all Baal worshipers and their temples (2 Kings 10:15–28). Jehoiada a godly high priest led the people in a covenant where he called Israel to forsake their idols to worship God (2 Kings 11:17–20) Under the leadership of Hezekiah like Jehoshaphat, Israel experienced revival when he cleansed the temple of God (2 Chron. 29–31). Even wicked kings led reforms. When wicked King Manasseh became converted, he led his people in a revival by ordering the destruction of all idols (2 Chron. 33:11–20). Again, we are reminded of “good little king Josiah.” As a young boy Josiah called the country back to God. Revival began when the Book of the Law was accidentally discovered during a temple cleanup event. The public reading of God’s Word had a profound effect upon both King Josiah and his people (2 Kings 22–23). Much later, after a remnant returns to Israel, Nehemiah and Ezra lead Israel to God. After Nehemiah had rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem, Ezra stood by its gates and publicly read and taught from God’s Word, causing a great revival (Neh. 13). Even the evil Ninevites experienced revival. Through Jonah’s preaching, they repented and experienced the deliverance from God’s devastating judgement (Jon. 3).[12]

As we continue into the New Testament we see our first revival taking place almost immediately with John the Baptist. John preached the imminent appearance of Israel’s Messiah, warning them to repent and submit to water baptism (Luke 3:2–18). His message was harsh indeed like Jesus’ message:

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”[13]

Of course, our LORD and savior led in many movements of renewal and conversion to faith. One such instance was the conversion of the sinful Samaritan woman. After her encounter with Jesus, she went home and her testimony prompted a revival in Samaria (John 4:28–42). Through Peter’s bold preaching of the gospel in early Acts, we read about the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). From there each Apostle spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. In Acts 8 we read of the strong preaching of Philip the evangelist concerning the kingdom of God and it produced another great revival in Samaria (Acts 8:5–12). Paul, the Apostle to the Greeks, saw one of the greatest revivals occur in Ephesus during his third missionary journey.

I do not aim to dissect every subsequent revival in history, but to allude to a few of the American revivals, of which I am most familiar. In so doing, I hope to glean a few principles. The Great Awakening (1734-1743), in which Jonathan Edwards and George Whitfield were very instrumental, saw God do amazing things in which hundreds of thousands came to Christ. The Second Great Awakening (1800-1840), which saw millions converted to faith in Christ, is another example of God pouring out his spirit to revive the church and people toward faith in Christ. These two are the prominent American revivals where we see millions coming to Christ and principles of revival can be clearly seen.

The first and foremost mark of a true revival is that there is usually acceptance of the gospel message at unprecedented levels. Secondly, we see in the Bible and in these Great Awakenings around the world a true repentance and faith in Christ. As seen in the Old Testament there is a demolition and destruction of idolatry. This is also seen in other revivals where people destroyed the things in their lives that drew them away from the worship of the one true God. Anything that pulled people away from God on the throne of their hearts was destroyed. Another marker of revival in the Bible and in history is sanctification of the people. In other words, the people that were swept up in revival became more holy and began to reflect Christ more and more. This is seen in movements like the early German pietistic movement. Revivals are usually precipitated by a focus on prayer and the result was a missions flame that ignited afterwards. Anyone that would claim that revival has broken out my first question is, “what kind of missions advance did/does it produce?” “Did/does it produce a gospel focused international missions movement?” If no missions movement was produced as a result, I would question the validity of such revival claims. Another mark of revival is a renewed focus on God’s word. Any claim on revival can only be confirmed if the focus lays squarely on the word of God rather than the experiential emotional elements of supposed revivals.

Other elements are the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit to take people to spiritual depth (salvation) that they could not have achieved on their own. Conviction of sin is another mark of revival so that sinners are despairing in themselves apart from Christ. Conviction of sin is seen clearly as in the preaching of Jonathan Edwards “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and the conviction, weeping, and wailing of repentance that followed. I dare say manifestations are a mark of revival, because even Edwards himself documented some extraordinary manifestations of people when they were under the conviction of the Holy Spirit towards repentance. But I would like to note that these manifestations recorded by Edwards and previous revivals were a manifestation that came on people who were under conviction of sin, which led to subsequent conversion. The “emotional disturbances” that the “Great Awakening” experienced were first conviction, second humiliation, which led to regeneration (conversion) of many. Manifestations that took place in authentic revivals were not for the euphoria of those experiencing the manifestations. It is not the Holy Spirit’s purpose to bring us under ecstasy, although wonderful sensations of comfort (He is the Comforter) and peace may be an outworking of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and consequent freedom from sin. His purposes are to lead us into all truth, and convict of sin and righteousness. That is not to say that emotions and affections should not be stirred up for Christ. Edwards himself wrote extensively about the Christian and affection.[14] He wrote about affection and emotion that, “true religion in great part, consists in holy affections.”[15] He defined affection not just as emotion either. He defined it as the whole of us, our values, desires, choices, wills, as well as feelings.

Although manifestations have been biblically and historically recorded in awakenings, they are in no way the central mark of revival. Furthermore, revival is not authenticated because of manifestations and or signs and wonders, but rather an astonishing number of people repenting and putting their faith in the message of the Gospel. The primary reason that signs and wonders (or manifestations) are not an authentication of revival is that they can be deceiving or from another source other than God (Acts 19; 21; Matt 7:15-23; Deut 13:1-5). Signs and wonders, just as in Jesus day were used to help people turn their eyes to the one performing the signs and wonders, namely Christ Jesus himself. Jesus and all miracles that occur in the Bible serve to point us to the miracle worker, and his gospel, not the miracles. Therefore, a revival movement or so called “revival leaders” that seek to validate themselves through manifestations and the experience thereof, and not the gospel, in my opinion are not genuine revivals.

In conclusion, The Bible leads us to understand reform, revival, awakening, renewal, and a turning to God as a thing that is needed often in history. God through His supreme plan initiates spiritual awakenings in His sovereign timing to call men to Himself. He works these moments by the supernatural power of His Spirit and glorious gospel. These historical revival movements in history, and biblical history, have called men everywhere to place their faith in the wonderful inexpressible gift of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. We therefore, ask you, oh LORD, to revive us again, “For the sake of your great name!”

[1] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

[2] Edwards, Jonathan, (first published in 1736). A Narrative of Surprising Conversions, Jonathan Edwards on Revival, Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2.

[3] Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Henry, Matthew. (2000). Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: Genesis to Revelation. U.S.: Hendrickson Pub. 226.

[6] Numbers 25:6 (ESV)

[7] Piper, John, and Justin Taylor. 2004. A God Entranced Vision of All Things: The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books. 221

[8] Numbers 25:12-13 (ESV)

[9] Hebrews 7:17 (ESV)

[10] Hebrews 10:12 (ESV)

[11] Willmington, H. L. (1987). Willmington’s book of Bible lists. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale. 292–294.

[12] Ibid, 292-294

[13] John 3:7-9 (ESV)

[14] Refer to Edwards work Edwards, Jonathan, James Parker, and Garrat Noel. (1768). A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections,: in Three Parts; Part I. Concerning the Nature of the Affections, and Their Importance in Religion. Part II. Shewing What Are No Certain Signs That Religious Affections Are Gracious, or That They Are Not. Part III. Shewing What Are Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections. New York: Boston printed: New-York; re-printed by J. Parker, for Garrat Noel, near the Merchant's Coffee-House.

[15] Ibid, 95

JESUS' TRANSFIGURATION

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 12:33:00 +0000

“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah"—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.” Luke‬ ‭9:28-36‬ ‭(ESV‬‬)

Raphael's The Transfiguration

Like was Jesus custom he had gone to the mountains to pray. Jesus had often sought the face of the Father. He lived what it meant to be in communion with the Father. Prayer and revelation go hand in hand God will make himself manifest to us if we make ourselves manifest to Him. By saying this I do not mean to diminish the revelation of the Word of God. I mean we often wait on God to reveal himself to us and don’t reveal ourselves to Him. Our relationship with God is a two way street. More precisely, I mean that God cannot mainfest himself outside of His word. However prayer goes hand in hand with the revelation of the Word of God. We have to manifest ourselves (i.e. show up) to God through the Word and prayer.

Jesus became dazzling white not by some trick or figment of imagination because Mark's Gospel records that he was whiter and brighter than any bleach could have made him. His brilliance shone from the inside out. He displayed the glory that he had from the beginning. "From the Father full of grace and truth."

Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Him of his departure, which was a subtle way to say they were talking about His death. First, Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets respectively. Both Moses and Elijah confirm here Jesus as the fulfilment of the law, and as the greatest prophet. He is the most excellent prophet and fulfillment of the law through wonderful and humble departure on the cross. They were most likely discussing with Jesus how his departure would fulfill the righteous requirements of the law. Moses presence at the transfiguration validated that. From Elijah's perspective Jesus death would also confirm the fulfillment of every Biblical prophecy. Jesus is God's prophetic utterance. Jesus Himself said the Law and the Prophets speak of Him

Being the middle of the night probably Peter James and John were heavy with sleep. Probably because of the Brilliance of Christ are they rudely awakened. Have you ever been rudely awakened? I always loved waking my dad up from a nap he would always wake up with the most surprised face and would always say "Huh What Huh? It was hilarious. In general we are pretty hilarious when woken up in th middle of the night. We are usually just not logical until we are fully awake. Just like Peter I'm also not the sharpest tool in the shed right when I'm woken up in the middle of the night. Peter is woken up and cannot believe what he is seeing And his thoughts are a little bit disoriented. He says they should build tents for all three of them. Even the text is kind of like "uh Peter didn't know what he was saying...it was waaaaayyyy to early in the morning!" poor guy he is just trying to in his own way honour Jesus, and it is hilarious.

God the father's shekina Glory overshadowed them in a cloud and they were afraid...this was the usual response from Biblical characters as they encountered the presence of God (Isaiah, Zechariah, shepherds (sore afraid), Adam and Eve in the garden). Why are (should) we sinners be afraid in the presence of a Holy God? Just for that very reason we sinners know that to be in the presence of a holy God would require one of us to die, and it's not going to be Him. Even though they had every right to be afraid Jesus says in the glory cloud "fear not!" And why mustn't we fear any longer? Jesus is the go between, the mediator, our great advocate before a holy God that is why we can boldly come before the throne of grace where we can find mercy in our time of need. Jesus our mediator intercedes for us in the glory cloud of God's holy presence and therefore we must not fear!

Out of the cloud God the Father speaks and says "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" And directly thereafter Jesus was there standing alone. All that was said was all that needed to be said. God needed no big long sermon or discourse. Jesus is His sermon to us! Jesus is the full embodiment of the Father's discourse that is why he says "listen to him." Jesus is confirmed as God's Son the chosen Messiah the prophet, priest, and King. God confirms that everything Jesus says is from me so listen to Him. You have heard the truth when you hear Jesus words and the implication is not just to listen to what he says, but to do what he says. How can we obey Jesus if we know not what he said? We must know what he has commanded and said before we can take any steps of obedience. Have you made it your life's ambition to know the voice of the Good Shepherd? It is never too late to start. Crack open your Bible and listen to His voice!

Most current "manifestations" of Gods presence in recent years seem to have not been quietly treasured, but rather loudly braggadociosly proclaimed from the hilltops. You might even find a YouTube clip or two of Glory clouds, gold dust, or other bizarre manifestations of "God's presence." What happened to a humble quiet experience of God's fearful presence like the Sons of Thunder experienced? It seems that it might have been hard for Peter, James, or John to hold a cell phone to record this awesome event, because they were probably on the ground facedown. Until Jesus put his hand on their shoulders and said "fear not" would they have dared to look. You certainly see their fear and homage after the fact in that they dared not speak of or spread any news of this holy encounter before it was recorded in the Gospels. Where is our reverence for our encounters with the Holy God? It seems to be lost on this generation. The Holy Spirit does His finest most historic work were prying eyes cannot see. In creation he hovered over the waters, in the incarnation the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and in regeneration he transforms the heart of the Christian. We on the other hand want to bring the Holy Spirit up on stage and parade Him around like a gimmick before an amused audience for our own entertainment and euphoria. In reality the Holy Spirit works in the quiet subtle moves of the heart to point us to Jesus. That is what is happening here in this Holy encounter in the cloud. The Holy Spirit was illuminating and glorifying Jesus. The Holy Spirit appeared through Jesus so brilliantly that the glory shown from inside out not outside in. The Holy Spirit was and is the spotlight shining on the glory of the One being illuminated. Do we seek the manifestation, or the one being manifested? Are we more interested in the feeling of the presence, or are we more obsessed with the One to whom the presence belongs? Do we worship the the Son the 'chosen one' and all that He says, or do we want some radical experience that we can post on YouTube? These men kept this experience quiet and did what the Father said they "listened to him."

Of course these men were transformed by this event just as Jesus was transfigured right before their very eyes. When we gaze upon Him we also are transformed. “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image (The Image of Jesus) from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When God removes the veil from our eyes he transforms us into the likeness of Christ. To be transformed We must...

1. behold him in His glory
2. receive him in his departure (death)
3. obey Him for his words.

Will you behold His glory, receive His departure (death), and obey His words?
Let Him rise up as Lord in your heart. This song from My Epic is really hitting me lately I hope it hits yo too

A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Tue, 30 May 2017 13:49:00 +0000

According to Matthew 12:22-32 some might assume that Jesus emphatically means that Satan cannot or will not give power to people to perform exorcisms of his own “house." When Jesus says, “A House divided against itself cannot stand,” does he mean that demonic work will never be initiated against other demons by the prince of demons?

Satan's House of Cards will topple

First, I would like to say that Satan, Lucifer, all other demonic forces, and our enemies house, will not stand in the end. Lucifer the angel of light is a defeated foe. He will be toppled like a house of cards. There is no power in his house that God does not grant. God is the ultimate power in the universe (Colossians 1:15-20), and Satan bows to His will (Job 1-2). Jesus says in those same words, "how can his house stand?” That is a good question. How can his house stand? The house of lies, evil, wickedness, and destruction cannot stand on the final day. His house will fall tumbling down before the judgement of the righteous judge (Revelation 12:7-10 1 Corinthians 15:24-26). Until that time when the Lord of heaven's armies destroys once and for all the works of the enemy (Revelation 20:10), we are given the authority over his power and forces in the mighty name of Jesus (Colossians 2:15; James 4:7-8).

Second, Satan certainly does work against himself. The question is, does he ever work to cast demons out of people? Jesus is certainly correct here when he intonates that Satan hopes to destroy people by possessing them, And does not cast himself out of people. He would rather continue possessing people. What do we know about Satan? He is deceptive, a liar, evil, and will do anything to make us take our eyes off of Christ (1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11 John 8:44). If he can use "Catholic exorcisms,” “demonology,” or any other such bizarre practices, he will do it. He will lie, deceive and otherwise seek to throw the church and its Saints into confusion by "accusing us before God day and night (Revelation 12:10)." He often succeeds in this task through confusing us with supernatural events.

Thirdly, as Jesus did this miracle of freeing this demonized man, Satan had done well at throwing the people into confusion. The people asked, "can this be the son of David?" The Pharisees seeing the power slowly slipping through their fingers, made a stunning accusation that Jesus was doing these works by Satan's power. Jesus returns accusation with accusation. “If I cast out demons by Beelzebub by whom do your sons cast them out?” In other words, exorcisms were a practice of the Pharisees and their sons. Were the Pharisees saved? Were their sons? Did they trust Jesus? Did they cast out demons in the name of Jesus even? The answer is probably "NO" to all these questions. Then how were they able to cast out demons? How are nonbelievers able to cast out demons? This is the difficulty in saying then that "signs and wonders” are confirmation that a movement is from God. That is why Jesus himself said, "do not believe me unless I do the works of the Father,” and "I only speak what the father has spoken.” What are the works of the Father? The word of God are His works. His gospel and repentance into new life are His works. Jesus did those works and spoke that truth from the Father during His earthly ministry.

How are people able to navigate in the supernatural and not be Christians? How are people, Catholics, Animists, Witches, and those in the Occult, able to perform seemingly miraculous exorcisms. How are supposed Christians able to perform such works, and as Jesus said be, "wolves in sheep's clothing?” How did these sons of the Pharisees cast out demons as Jesus says?

It is true that people are able to navigate in the supernatural by the power of the enemy. The Bible makes it plain that false prophets will be able to do wonders by another power that is not from God. Now whether or not they cast out demons by Beelzebub or some other power then becomes unclear because of Jesus words. But it is rather clear that these false prophets will navigate with "signs and wonders" through another power. We see this clearly throughout biblical history. Some have been able to exercise power over spirits and demons through other supernatural powers. Many false prophets did great wonders but did not work through the power of the God of Israel. One possibility is that these powers could just be a natural powers. This is certainly possible. We see powers like this at work in world religions that deny that there even is a supernatural world. In contrast there are many religions that embrace the supernatural and use that power to their advantage. The Occult for instance, embraces evil, wickedness, and anything that goes against Christianity. The Occult embraces the manipulation of supernatural powers, even though it is clear that Satan is manipulating those who practice such things. Other such occult religions are Animism, Wicca, Satanism, New Age, etc.

People can also navigate in the supernatural in Jesus name, and NOT be followers of Christ. Acts 19 describes such a story. Seven sons of a high priest name Sceva adjured the name of Jesus upon people who were possessed by demons. And they were successful up to a point. Until one day they encountered a Demon who answered them, but did not recognize their authority, and gave them such a beating that it says the demonized man, "sent them out of the house bleeding and naked." Jesus himself describes the day of judgement where those who have cast out demons, healed people, and done mighty works in Jesus name will be condemned and rejected by Christ. How will they do that? Why would God allow false teachers to do that in Christ's name? I tend to think God loves deliverance no matter how it happens. Jesus came to, "seek and to save that which was lost.” I also believe that the gospel has a better chance to take hold of a delivered and free person because that person is free. Their eyes and ears are then maybe more open to the message of the gospel. I think of the demoniac. When Jesus delivered him he wanted immediately to go with Jesus. Jesus did not let him come with them. Why not? Because Jesus knew he would become an immediate evangelist. And he did. He went to his hometown and told everyone about what Jesus had done. However, we know that miracles do not make an immediate convert. I think of the ten lepers. Only one came back to thank Jesus! “Where are the other nine?" Jesus asked. He did that to point out that healing and even deliverance from demons is not tantamount to repentance and faith. It can be used to direct people's attention to Christ, but the words of the gospel of repentance are necessary for a second birth. The holy spirit can and is using all of these events to draw people to Christ.

Jesus goes on to say, “If the Spirit of God casts out demons then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” And what do we know about that kingdom? It is a kingdom of repentance! Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” Jesus goes on to describe the kingdom. One power must be overtaken for a new power to move in. So the devil has much control over this world, which is given and allowed him by the sovereign God. Even so his power is limited. In the heart of a Christian, Jesus has moved in after the strongman’s kingdom was overthrown. In so doing Jesus, "destroys the works of the devil." He is doing so and continues to do so, so that his kingdom of repentance and forgiveness of sins can take hold instead of the "strong man’s" evil kingdom. Jesus has come to plunder his house!

Jesus said, “When salt loses its saltiness it is no longer good for anything but to be trampled under foot by men.” The only way salt can lose its saltiness it's to be chemically altered by dilution or pollution. So either the church dilutes the message of the gospel and makes it about "signs and wonders” where the message of repentance and faith in the gospel is not presented, or we maintain the full message of the saltiness of the gospel. Salt that Jesus is referring to is the flavor and preservation of the true message of Christ. Do we seek to preserve the salty gospel or are we letting it be diluted? The other way that salt loses its saltiness chemically is by the introduction of a pollutant. I'm thinking of a pollutant as false teaching, false gospel, false message, or sin. In these words Jesus is asking us to keep the purity of the gospel message clear. The simple gospel must remain undiminished, unadulterated, and unpolluted in the face of the works of the devil. The gospel message stands the test of time, even in the face of confusing supernatural phenomena. Signs and wonders do not prove the work of Christ, but rather should only confirm the message of the gospel. When the gospel is not preached alongside “signs and wonders” we should be very suspicious that the power is from God, and that the salt has not lost its saltiness.

Is Pastoral Restoration Biblical? The Ashley Madison Controversy Exposes Deeper Issues

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 19:20:00 +0000

Pastoral restoration? With all the moral failures in ministry lately what's a path to restoration? To my knowledge, The Bible doesn't lay out a path for "pastoral restoration" per se. I could be corrected, but all the things I have read on pastoral restoration use biblical passages on general Christian restoration. Let me propose that is because we have made the pastoral ministry something it was not meant to be. Have you ever heard the phrase "called to the pastoral ministry". That is kind of a misnomer because the role of pastor/overseer/elder are filled by particular spiritual gifts, not this huge hierarchical position that we have turned it into. That is why the the scripture only lays out qualifications for those who practice their pastoral gifts. If a man falls into a "sexual sin" he is just no longer qualified because he is not "above reproach" anymore.

Let me ask you a question to clarify. If a person with the gift of evangelism is caught in an adulterous relationship, does that disqualify them from the spiritual gift of evangelism? No, of course not they have just fallen into sin and need to be restored, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
(Galatians 6:1-2 ESV)

Or put another way. What if another with the spiritual gift of helps and hospitality has been found to have abused their hospitality, and had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a guest? Are they disqualified from the spiritual gift of hospitality? No they still have the spiritual gift they just need to be restored in a "spirit of gentleness."

I believe that the problem is that we have elevated the "ministry" to a place where I believe the New Testament did not mean it to be elevated to. The New Testament writers talk about the pastoral giftings as "one among many" gifts that are equal to any other gift in the body. So, in our current structure, when a pastor falls into sin it is more egregious than when a person with the gift of hospitality falls into an inappropriate sexual relationship.

Also the modern pastor has more visibility than in the past. With the rise of the of the Internet with sermons online, and other organizations like the Gospel Coalition, Sovereign Grace Ministries, Acts 29, and pastoral conferences with thousands in attendance, and other such church planting and ministry training organizations, there has been this unbiblical and unhealthy move toward superstar attractional ministry leadership models. You can probably name your favorite pastor. Where do you know them from? Probably online. I am as guilty in supporting this as any other. How often have I watched a sermon from a talking head superstar pastor? How often have I read their books? How often have I visited their church or personal websites? This feeds the system. However, the New Testament had a completely different style of pastoral leadership. It was a bottom up, one of many, servant leadership type of shepherding ministry that was happy to be unknown outside of the congregation of which they were shepherds.

They (i.e. The Apostles) didn't train for years and years in seminaries separated from the local body they had come from. Only to return later to another Church that they had no previous contact to. Being devoid of any real practical experience besides a one year practicum/internship, in which they got to preach one time on a Sunday where almost the whole church was away on vacation. See my point? We have to radically rethink the pastoral ministry.

Besides all this. If the spiritual gifts are spread out in the congregation relatively equally, how many with the pastoral gifting would there be in a typical church. Probably in a church of 200 there might be up to 10% that's about 20 people or so with that gift. What are those men doing with their pastoral/teaching gifting? Probably sitting on their hands because the lead pastor has his "Kung-Fu grip" on the reigns of leadership. They probably aren't even aware they have a pastoral gifting. I bring this up because if there were 20 pastors of a church it would protect the church when one of the pastors fell. The church could carry on and the church would be able to "restore such a one (fallen pastor) with gentleness" without everything collapsing. But as is the current leadership structure, there is one pastor who has full and final authority. Elder and Deacon boards do nothing in practicality in those leadership structures. Actually they do something, everything the pastor tells them to do. This must change!

Let me be clear, I do not believe that a pastor caught in a extra-marital affair should just be kept in ministry after forgiving him, or one week later hired somewhere else. Or worse yet taking on a new Church Plant in a different city. What I am saying is that the whole system is unbalanced, and lends to a unbalanced pastoral ministry. We need a practical pastoral reformation, kind of like the great theologies that were won for us in the first reformation (i.e. "the priesthood of all believers."). That Priesthood of all believers needs not just to be believed, but practiced in our current congregations. In other words "every member a minister."

The current Ashley Madison controversy exposes many problems and we are all going to talk about the sexual aspects and what is wrong with pastors. We definitely need to bring those secrets out so that the Church can deal with it, and seek to be a righteous and pure bride once again. But I want to challenge us to think in Biblical paradigms, and not to leave the current hierarchical pastoral position untouched.

Pastor, please do not continue to usurp authority, but rather give it away. What I mean is in areas that the Bible does not prescribe for you to have authority over, please give your authority to other gifted men who are there already in your congregations. Train others to take your job and take your place. Its kind of like working yourself out of a job. In the end you and your church will be stronger and more protected as a result. Ultimately God is in control of His Church, and He will see that it is transformed from the top to bottom. Let us with renewed vigour make Jesus Lord, and ask our congregations to practice the priesthood of all believers along with us who are spiritually gifted as pastors, so that the body can be whole from the bottom on up. The most encouraging thing about Pastoral failure, or the Church being in upheaval is that Jesus still reigns! No matter how bleak things look he shall reign forevermore, and He can redeem, He can salvage, and mend all that was broken. My new favorite song is by The Silver Pages an old Hymn called "Jesus Shall Reign." I hope it encourages your heart that Jesus is the cornerstone of His church!

Superstar Preachers, Pastoral Moral Failure, and the State of the Evangelical Church

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 13:20:00 +0000

There has been a rash of moral failures in high profile pastors in the evangelical world in the past several years. I will not name any names, because I think that would be counterproductive, and not graceful to the families and men who are involved in these failures in ministry, envethough they had very public ministries and very public failures. In a quick count off the top of my head I counted more than ten pastors that I could think of off the top of my head in the last few years. What I would like to address is the current state of the American Pastor and church. What I do believe is that these failures in ministry are not about adultery, or pastoral abuse, or pornography, or alcoholism, although those things are very wrong with terrible consequences, but rather these are symptoms of much deeper issues that the church is facing and must face and come to terms with before we can move forward or ever be a righteous "city on a hill" once again. I want to first address personally what I faced in ministry, and secondly what the Church has taken on in leadership structures that I believe are unbiblical, and should change through the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit

The Current State of Pastoral Ministry

Pastoral ministry is challenging for many reasons, but most of all because you are seeking to lead people into a relationship with Christ. Because I want people to know Christ above all things, I will do whatever it takes unless it is plainly unbiblical, unethical, or immoral. But sometimes those lines can become a little blurred. This has been what I believe has happened to many pastors in my opinion over the last few years. The Slippery Slope starts with small decisions to not do the biblical, moral, or ethical thing. Let me explain.

Pastors do not decide one day that they are going to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from their churches. They decide that they will use their ministry credit card once and then twice for personal items. Pastors don't decide one day that they want to cheat on their wives with the secretary, they make one decision to have a "working lunch" with their personal assistant and then decide to have dinner with her a few months later. A pastor doesn't decide one day that he wants to topple a church with his power structure and have that church crumble under his failures. He decides to change the church bylaws to get "everyone on board with his leadership." A pastor doesn't want to be an alcoholic, but he gradually slides down that slippery slope because he comes home in the evening and wants to "take the edge off" when faced with the unbiblical model of a multi-site megachurch that he is the superstar of. These are the small compromises that I have seen and experienced in my years in ministry. Men In ministry must take measures to be "above reproach."

Let me give you a personal example of this. When we moved to California to become youth pastor we were required to register our car 90 days after the first day it was in California. Of course I waited a few days too long. When asked on the form when the first day the car was in California, I lied that it had been in California less than 90 days to avoid the penalty. I was so convicted that I returned to the DMV to tell them that I had lied and I was there to pay the penalty. The woman at the DMV was shocked that I would even want to return to make things right. She even said I should not worry about

it, but I insisted that lying is not acceptable for me as a Christian and if you let me get away with it now then on another occasion I might also lie. I had to pay a hefty fine, but that was a powerful lesson for me and through that and other lessons I was able to build honesty into my life and ministry. Later on I accidentally used my Church credit card for personal use. I realized it later, and immediately went to our church administrator to pay back what I had spent. Integrity means that what you say, do, and think are all consistent with each other. The slippery slope that we find ourselves on is sometimes very hard to discern in pastoral ministry. The word of God gives us clear parameters, and the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin and righteousness.

Pastor, some questions that might help you avoid these pitfalls are, do you have a living, humble, needy, celebratory, affectionate, meditative, worshipful, loving, and tender, communion with Christ? If not why not? Has the ministry become your identity in Christ? or is Christ alone still your identity? Or do you, as I did often say, "I am not an emotional person." Maybe you need to open your personality up to godly changes. Ask the Lord to make you a tender, emotionally connected person, like Jesus our master. Lord remove our hearts of stone and replace them with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26)!

The Current State of the Evangelical Church
I would like to address what I also see as systematic problems within the evangelical church in America. There is such a thing as an ungodly unbiblical model of church governance and I believe the evangelical church is flirting with those unbiblical models. Here are the problems we face...

1. We are attracted to the superstar preacher. If he is charismatic and funny and a great preacher we listen and good preachers gain a following quickly in our information rich culture.
2. We are not self feeders anymore. Christians have a hard time because of superstar evangelical preachers. We don't feed ourselves spiritually we look first to those leaders/pastors.
3. We have innovated ourselves to death. Megachurch structures, multi-site campus churches, and entertainment/superstar preacher driven ministries are the byproduct of our over-engineering of church ministry, and I believe are not biblical models and should die with the pastors who plant them.
4. We overlook serious moral character flaws or outright sin (i.e. the "cussing preacher") in pastoral leadership if they are charismatic and entertaining preachers
5. We have forgotten the mandate of leadership in 2 Timothy 2:2 especially in regards to empowering and multiplying new preachers and teachers. Instead those preachers hold on to their pulpits with Kung-Fu grip.
6. The entertainment mode of ministry has so enamored the church in America it is hard to imagine any other way for the average Joe who is not gifted so charismatically to be seen and understood as successful. The average Joe minister may be very successful at making disciples, multiplying leadership, and planting new churches, but he doesn't have 5,000 sermon views a week and so we discount him as unsuccessful. We need a new ministry scorecard.
7. We have forsaken personal holiness for a consumer driven brand of church. Look at the numbers on divorce, pornography usage, alcohol abuse, etc. and it becomes clear the church of Jesus Christ looks exactly like the world. How can we be a mirror of the gospel if in reality we only mirror the world. My brothers and sisters this should not be. Ephesians 5 describes how we should walk in holiness as the church...
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” (Eph.‬ ‭5:1-12‬)

I am so sad about this current trend in pastoral failure and so that is why I am writing to at least bring the topic up and investigate some solutions to systemic problems that I see. Most of all we can pray that God would bring us back to sole devotion to him, his word, and his glorious church and the proper government of that church. The hope that we always have even as fallen pastors is that the immense Grace of God extends even to us who have fallen in ministry. God is sovereign and even when we walk through the fire, even in our brokenness, and our failures, he is there and he will and can restore us. He may not restore us to ministry, but he will forgive and his grace knows no bounds. This however does not mean that we can treat his grace cheaply or take advantage of it. Thank God! That is the good news that is available to every man woman and child. It is also available to those of us who serve the Lord in professional ministry. He has taken our punishment and wrath upon himself that we might be credited with his perfect record of righteousness! Hallelujah!

Why Do We Sing? A Case for Christian Worship through Singing

noreply@blogger.com (richardpmoore) — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 21:11:00 +0000

Why do we sing? Why do Christians sing in worship? What is the point? Hardly any other group, or club, or community sings together. I have thought about this lately. I love singing honestly. I have mostly all my adult life loved singing to Jesus through worship. I have lately come across more and more men (and some women) who are a little reticent to sing. It is not their thing, and or they are like most men and don’t care for singing. It seems a case needs to be made for why we as Christians sing. I have thought of fourteen reasons why Christians should sing...

1. The Bible Commands Us to
In Colossians 3:16; and Ephesians 5:18-19 it is pretty clear that the new community of Christ sang and did it in obedience. The early Church sang as a rule, and these passages command us to sing together.

2. It Reminds of God's word
That same passage in Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” From this passage it is clear that the word of Christ dwelling richly includes admonishing, and singing. How do we let the word of Christ dwell in us richly? First teaching or admonishing and then second singing. Singing is a teaching tool. So as we sing through worship it reminds us of God’s word

3. It is Our Emotional Connection to God
First of all we are commanded to be emotionally connected to God. in Matthew 22:37 Jesus said, “You shall love the lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” No matter how we spin it love is an emotion. We do make decisions to love, but if you are not emotional about the object of your love, then I would say that love is lacking something integral to a healthy love. It is a total love, a full love, and what Jesus describes here is deeply emotional, and singing helps us stir our emotions.

4. It is a Way to Show Our Affection for Christ
In the same vein as being emotionally connected, we must foster and fan into flame the fire of affection for Christ. singing to anyone is an affectionate thing. That is why people have sang and written love songs for centuries. That is why we listen to love songs together with our wives, husbands, boyfriends, and girlfriends. We love to increase affection, but why when it comes to singing to the creator of the heavens and the earth we suddenly get tongue tied? This should not be. Loose your tongue and sing your affection for Christ! You can’t love Christ too much. You can’t think about him too much, or thank him too much, or depend upon him too much, or sing to him too much. All our righteousness, is in Christ and that should make us rejoice with affectionate singing.

5. Jesus Did
If Jesus sang then we should. He is our Lord and master. He is our Head worship Leader. You might ask, "wait, he is God what did he sing about?" Did he worship himself? No, he sang as an example to show us that singing is necessary in worship. Of course singing is not all of worship, but like Jesus, he didn't neglect it. Like a healthy diet if you only eat one thing too much, or never eat the healthy stuff you will not be healthy. We need a balanced diet in worship, and Jesus showed us how, he prayed, and he sang with the disciples. “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). The writer of Hebrews quotes scripture, and writes it as if it were Jesus speaking, "saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”” (Hebrews 2:12) In Romans Paul also writes as if Jesus were the one speaking in the scriptural quote, “For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.”” (Romans 15:8-9) So Jesus will and continues to lead worship by glorifying God’s name through singing.

Czigány The Singing Monk

6. Generations of Saints Before us Sang
If this is true we can join the throngs of saints who have gone before us. Augustine said, “The clouds of heaven thunder out throughout the world that God’s house is being built; and the frogs cry from the marsh, We alone are Christians. What testimonies do I bring forward? That of the Psalter. I bring forward what you sing as one deaf: open your ears; you sing this; you sing with me, and you agree not with me; your tongue sounds what mine does, and yet your heart disagrees with mine. Do you not sing this?” (Exposition of Psalm 96). Tertullian also said about the martyrdom of Perpetua, “Perpetua sang psalms, already treading under foot the head of the Egyptian;” (The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas, Schaff’s). Clement of Alexandria also noted the importance of singing, “But let amatory songs be banished far away, and let our songs be hymns to God. Let them praise, it is said, His name in the dance, and let them play to Him on the timbrel and psaltery. And what is the choir which plays? The Spirit will show you: Let His praise be in the congregation (church) of the saints; let them be joyful in their King. And again he adds, The Lord will take pleasure in His people. For temperate harmonies are to be admitted” (The Paedagogus, Book 2, ch.4). Eusebius summarizes Christian worship as "The singing of psalms and recitation of other such words as have been given us from God" (Church History X.iii.3). In Revelation John also has a vision of what will happen before the throne of God in heaven, "And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:8-9) Join the throngs of saints who have come before us and will follow us with singing.

7. It is a Test of Spirituality Maturity
People who sing often to Jesus show that they are mature Jesus loving Christians. Those who make excuses not to sing should question why they would make excuses to not worship the one absolutely worthy of being sung to. Jesus said, "He who is forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47), and so when we do not return love to Jesus in song, it shows the outside world that we think very little of Jesus. Do you love him? Then you will act like a crazy person singing love songs in the shower. Well now wouldn't that would be awkward at Church on Sunday?

8. The Church is One of the Only Places in Culture Where Communal Singing Takes Place
It is a great thing and community building to sing together. Have you ever been to a concert where everyone in the whole audience was singing together every word of the songs? There is an incredible community building component when we sing together. I remember seeing U2 at the Oakland Coliseum. When it came to the time for U2 to play their very popular song “Where the Streets Have No Name," we all shouted the lyrics together! It was exhilarating, it was community, it was the way church ought to be. The one place where regular communal singing takes place is in the church, and we should engage in it for our own sake, and for the sake of the communal experience in giving God glory together.

9. You Build up the Body of Christ with Encouragement Through Singing
In Ephesians 5:19 Paul writes, “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” In our worship through singing we "address one another" now what could that addressing do for us? It is a form of submission to each other's needs as that passage further points out “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21). So why would we as a body of Christ neglect something that is so important for "one another." So build each other up through singing.

10. It is a Missionary Act
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!” (Psalms 105:1-2). This passage in psalms shows us how singing is an opportunity to tell people of God's wondrous works, and it is making him known to an unbelieving world. Do you want to be a missionary and make Christ known? Then sing!

11. Singing is a Direct Attack on the Enemy
What does Satan hate more than anything? He hates God, and so it follows that he would hate anything that would give glory to God. Because Satan is ultimately a glory stealer. And so when we sing to God we give him glory, and steal it from Satan. Thus it follows that Satan hates worship through music. And it is also a direct attack on Satan's glory stealing attempts. It is very hard to sin while you are singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Satan would love to see you sin. And as a Christian, I have found it almost impossible to sin when I'm worshiping God through song. Every time in ministry where I have dealt with demonic, or enemy powers in some way, I have asked the rest of the body of Christ to sing, and pray.

12. Singing is Preparation for and Encouragement During Trials
What did Paul and Silas do during their imprisonment in Ephesus? They sang! “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25) Saints under persecution have sung during imprisonment, torture, and trials and have taken seriously the command to "rejoice in the Lord always.” Richard Wurmbrand the founder of the Voice of the Martyrs and imprisoned in Romanian prisons for 14 years said, "While in jail, we sang. Once the director of the prison entered our cell, furious. 'I was told that you sing subversive songs here. Let me hear one,' he commanded. We sang these moving words: 'O sacred Head now wounded, with grief and shame bowed down...' He listened to the end, then turned and left without saying a word. Later he became a brother in the faith" (Jesus Freaks page 290). The current president of Voice of the Martyrs Tom White recounts his experience in a Cuban prison, "I started singing...I was no longer conscious of the cold, only of Jesus...I had entered the highest level of warfare against the enemy--praise. Psalm 22:3 says that God inhabits our praises...He held my shaking body in His arms. (Jesus Freaks page 259) As the saints before us have done let us sing to prepare ourselves to joyfully endure suffering and trials in the service of Jesus.

13. It Glorifies God
How many times in the Scriptures are we commanded to sing "to him" or "unto him?” It is one of the most often commanded things throughout the Psalms, Prophets, and even on into the New Testament. It is seen as a one of the most normative act of worship in the New Community of Christ.

14. You Increase Your Joy
James is clear that singing can and will increase our joy. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” (James 5:13). Singing is clearly linked to our Christian cheer. So sing and increase your Joy in the Lord, or on the other hand don’t sing and you can stay in your sorrow. Never heard of 'Sorrow of the Lord?' That’s because it isn’t a thing.

Singing to the Lord is not something that we must resist, but rather submit to for our good and the glory of the Lord. A simple way to apply these truths is to sing joyfully. For instance don't skip the singing times in Sunday services, but go with gladness and focus on Jesus. Another idea is to use Spotify or Pandora as a tool to always fill your heart and mind with the songs of worship. Search for worship artists and create worship channels it's easy. Maybe these songs will soon come out of our mouths too at just the right moments. So Lord fill us with your Spirit that we would respond to you with great Joy in song. No matter how good of a singer you are, we can all sing and shout with a ragged voice because Jesus has saved us. He said, "It is Finished!" SO SING!