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A bit of a hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:40:00 +0000

Our family is in the midst of moving, so I haven't had the chance to update this blog much. Lord willing, there will be new content coming next month. Until then, I'll let the pre-scheduled posts continue to roll as we also roll out. God bless, and see you again soon!

For those homeschool mom's out there

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Sun, 12 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

(HT: Facebook)

Want a Free Seminary Education?

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:35:00 +0000

One of the worst blights besmirching American pulpits is the online degree. With that in mind, biblically sound institutions indeed post free resources featuring theological heavy-weights who love the Lord. Thus, many Christian leaders lacking the ability to attend a quality seminary scour the web for the good, hoping to gain the knowledge they need for daily ministry.

Maybe that describes you, and perhaps you missed something really good. No, it's not an e-ordination, but it will build your ability in and love for the Bible. Seminary professor Nathan Busenitz announced the launch of this goldmine of online training that is indeed free:

Earlier this month, The Master’s Seminary launched its Theological Resource Center (TRC) — an online hub for ministry-training resources. Because many pastors around the world will never be able to attend seminary in the United States, the TRC extends the resources of TMS and its partner ministries to those who cannot come to us. The website is designed for both personal edification and for use in a group settings.

The featured resource on the site is a growing library of video lectures taught by the TMS faculty. These lectures can be watched, free-of-charge, by anyone with an internet connection. The site currently contains seven full courses, consisting of 162 individual lectures. Over the next few months, the library will grow to include over 20 courses, offering hundreds of hours of seminary-level lecture content. When complete, this online video library will cover a wide range of topics including Bible Survey, Grammar and Exegesis, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, and Biblical Counseling.

Additionally, the TRC is designed to help visitors easily find additional resources from the seminary’s partner ministries: The Masters’ College, Grace Community Church, the Shepherds’ Conference, and Grace to You. Everything from sermon transcripts to chapel messages to conference audio to journal articles is easy to locate and utilize.

So take a few minutes to poke around the new site. Bookmark it now; and come back often to access new lectures as they become available.

25 Free Debates Featuring James White

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:35:00 +0000

TurretinFan posted the following to the glory of God. I second his call for support to Alpha and Omega Ministries if you find these helpful and can do so.

I was reluctant to post this list, because I'm concerned that people who might otherwise support Dr. White's ministry by buying copies of the debates will just watch them for free. However, I trust that people who would support Dr. White's ministry by buying his debates will consider doing so in some other way, since his ministry is reliant on support of Christians who support what he's doing.
Moreover, keep in mind that the debates below represent less than a quarter of the debates Dr. White has done. (see here for a list of debates you can get at store.aomin.org - that list may need to be updated at some point)

David Bernard vs. James White, "Are Tongues Necessary?" (informal radio debate on WMCA radio in New York, circa August 18, 2003)
(mp3) (Audio-only on Youtube part 1/5)(part 2/5)(part 3/5)(part 4/5)(part 5/5)

Jack Moorman vs. James White, "Should we Exclusively Use the King James Bible?" (television debate on Revelation TV, February 2, 2011)
(Youtube)

Jalal Abualrub vs. James White, "Is Jesus Christ God?" (March 2008)
(Youtube - Part 1)(Youtube - Part 2)

Nadir Ahmed vs. James White, "Can We Trust What the New Testament Tells Us about Jesus and the Gospel?" (March 21, 2008)
(Youtube)

Ehteshaam Gulam vs. James White, "Jesus: A Prophet of Allah or Divine Son of God?" (June 21, 2010)
(Youtube)

Robert Fastiggi vs. James White, "The Doctrine of Mary Debate"
(Youtube - part 1)(part 2)(part 3)(part 4)(part 5)(part 6)(part 7)(part 8)(part 9)

Robert Fastiggi vs. James White, "Indulgences Debate"
(Youtube)

Abdullah al Andalusi vs. James White, "The Big Trinity Debate"
(Youtube - part 1)(part 2)(part 3)

Abdullah al Andalusi vs. James White, "Does the Trinity Equal Polytheism?" (The "Unbelievable" radio show on Premier Christian Radio)
(Youtube - video)

Robert Fastiggi vs. James White, "Papal Infallibility Debate"
(Youtube)

James White vs. Adnan Rashid, "Did Jesus & Mohammed preach the same thing?" (Trinity College)
(Youtube - Part 1)(Youtube - Part 2)

James White vs. Adnan Rashid "Bible or the Qur'an?" (UCD, Ireland)
(Youtube - Part 1) (Youtube - Part 2)

NT Wright vs. James White "St. Paul and Justification" (Unbelievable Radio)
(Youtube)

James White vs Shabir Ally - Did Jesus Claim Deity? (2012)
(Youtube)

Shabir Ally vs James White - "Is the Bible the inspired Word Of God"
(Youtube)

James White vs. Robert Sungenis "Predestination Debate 2010"
(part 1)(part 2)(part 3)(part 4)(part 5)(part 6)(part 7)(part 8)(part 9)(part 10)(part 11)

James White vs. Robert Sungenis "Purgatory Debate 2010"
(part 1)(part 2)

James White vs. Robert Sungenis "Papal Infallibility Debate"
(Youtube)

James White vs. Robert Sungenis "Is the Roman Mass a Propitiatory Sacrifice"
(Youtube)

James White vs. Robert Sungenis "Assumption Debate 2010"
(part 1)(part 2)(part 3)(part 4)(part 5)(part 6)(part 7)(part 8)(part 9)(part 10)(part 11)

Dr. James White - Two Different Views on Hell Debated (Unbelievable Radio Program)
(Youtube)

James White vs Zakir Hussain "Is Muhammed Prophesied in the Bible?"
(Youtube)

James White vs. Sami Zaatari "Was Jesus Crucified?"
(Youtube)

Dr. Anthony Buzzard vs Dr. James White "Is Jesus God?"
(part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

Daniel Peterson/William Hamblin vs. James White (Mormonism topic)
(Youtube Playlist)

May the Fourth be with You

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Sat, 04 May 2013 23:26:00 +0000

Star Wars according to a 3-year-old:

Improv Everywhere lightens the deary subway dwellers:

Infanticide: Undercover Video Reveals Inhumanity in Abortion Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:59:00 +0000

In light of the current Gosnell trial, the question again arises as to the rights of a baby who survives an abortion. Should the baby receive intensive care, should it be set aside so it can expire, or should it's life be terminated by the abortionist?

Gosnell faces charges for allegedly choosing the latter action. However, the law currently demands protection of all children born in the United States, including those slipping through the abortionist's hands. Can we abortion clinics, often guilty of gendercide, to do better than Gosnell in upholding the law?

According to one investigative reporter, no. On her site (caution: graphic content), Live Action founder Lila Rose explains that "Gosnell is not alone. [These videos] document the blatantly inhuman and barbaric acts of abortionists leaving crying babies to die, or even killing the newborns themselves."

Indeed, which makes sense. Regardless of the law, those seeking an abortion are seeking to erase their "mistakes," not looking for another error resulting in a live fetus. As such, when testifying before a board of inquiry, Planned Parenthood representative and lobbyist Alisa LaPolt Snow gave her tacit approval to those abortion doctors violating the federal Born-Alive Infants Protection Act.

In this undercover video, Washington, D.C. abortion doctor Cesare Santangelo allays the fears of his potential customer by stating he will allow no child will survive the abortion process... even those who are born alive.

If you can stomach it, more undercover video is available on the website at http://www.liveaction.org/inhuman/. While you are there, feel free to sign the petition and subscribe to their distribution lists.

Those considering an abortion should seek out counsel from the countless health clinics that does not profit from the procedure: one that can provide free services to young mothers, impoverished families, and those in need of hope and love.

The Top 70 Hymns You Should Know

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:48:00 +0000

Dr. Paul Plew serves as the Director of Choral Activities and chairs the impressive music department at The Master's College. He also leads worship at Santa Clarita Baptist Church. His ability is outstripped only by his love for God, and he recommends the following songs for us.

If you find a song you don't know or would like to know more about its history, search it on Cyber Hymnal.

The Top 70 Hymns You Should Know

*Indicates Top 20 (in no particular order)

From the 2005 BIB363 Worship TMC class syllabus

*Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
*Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
*O Worship the King
*Immortal, Invisible
*A Mighty Fortress is Our God
*The God of Abraham Praise
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
*O God, Our Help in Ages Past
This is My Father’s World
I Sing the Mighty Power of God
*All Creatures of Our God and King
*O For a Thousand Tongues
Jesus the Very Thought of Thee
*May Jesus Christ Be Praised
*Fairest Lord Jesus
Our Great Savior
*All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Join All the Glorious Names
Of the Father’s Love Begotten
All Glory, Laud and Honor
What Wondrous Love is This
*O Sacred Head Now Wounded
*When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness
*And Can It Be?
*O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Jesus Lives, and So Shall I
Rejoice, the Lord is King
Jesus Shall Reign
Crown Him With Many Crowns
*Holy, Holy, Holy
Praise ye the Triune God
Come Thou Almighty King
O Word of God Incarnate
How Firm a Foundation
*The Church’s One Foundation
Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
I Love Thy Kingdom Lord
We Are God’s People
Rise Up, O Church of God
Lift High the Cross
Be Still, My Soul
My Jesus, I Love Thee
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
*Be Thou My Vision
May the Mind of Christ My Savior
My Faith Has Found a Resting Place
I Know Whom I Have Believed
*Jesus, Priceless Treasure
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Take Time to be Holy
A Charge to Keep I Have
Jesus Lover of My Soul
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Soldiers of Christ, Arise
Am I a Soldier of the Cross?
Lead On, O King Eternal
I am His, and He is Mine
Like a River Glorious
When I Can Read My Title Clear
For All the Saints
Now Thank We All Our God
For the Beauty of the Earth
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
God of Our Fathers
Brethren, We Have Met to Worship
If You Will Only Let God Guide You

Someone reversed an abortion?

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:13:00 +0000

That's the story WorldMag reported on April 19. "Cynthia's Choice" began with the abortion regime RU-486, but ended with a healthy child. Head over and read the incredible story.

(HT: My loving wife)

From page two of the article:

Christian’s story has a good ending, but many others don’t. Nearly 200,000 pregnancies in the United States less than nine weeks along ended in medical abortions in 2008, the last year for which data is available. Few women realize the RU-486 process can be reversed once begun.

Delgado hopes to change that. His clinic set up a website last September, AbortionPillReversal.com, with a hotline to give women information on the progesterone treatment and connect them to local doctors willing to give the shots.

How to stop the Harlem Shake in your church (Wretched)

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

12 Terms for How Christians Participate with Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:19:00 +0000

What does it mean to be one with Christ? I recommend this helpful chart that Andy Naselli posted to help us understand.

This strange fire poses a danger to your home

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 07:30:00 +0000

The sons of Aaron…offered strange fire before the LORD…and fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.
—Leviticus 10:1–2

In case you've missed the buzz, the announced 2013 Truth Matters Bible Conference has been stirring the hornet's nest.

John MacArthur contended for years against the charismatic chaos erupting in Evangelical circles. Now, prior to the release of his new updated book on the subject, Strange Fire, his church will host a conference by the same name that exposes the present dangers of the movement.

Obviously controversial, this challenging conference will call us to consider whether our worship finds its grounding in Scripture, or in the experiences and traditions of men. MacArthur anticipates criticism by answering whether his questioning something that benefits others is a loving act:

Here's the release:

The Lord calls His people to honor Him, to treat Him as holy. Leviticus 10 pictures the consequences of not doing so—of offering to Him strange fire.

For the last hundred years, the charismatic movement has been offering a strange fire of sorts to the third Person of the Godhead—the Holy Spirit. And evangelical churches have chosen to be silent or indifferent on the matter. This hasn’t served the church or the Spirit of the church with honor.

So what should be our response?

Strange Fire is a conference that will set forth what the Bible really says about the Holy Spirit, and how that squares with the charismatic movement. Through keynote speakers and seminars, the conference will expose the dangers of offering strange fire—and what the church can do about it.

The questions about and controversies surrounding the charismatic movement are more than theoretical. Your view of the Holy Spirit influences your relationship with God, your personal holiness, and your commitment to the church and evangelism. And He calls for our worthy worship of Himself.

We want you to join us for Strange Fire. It really is for everyone—especially if you’re working through these issues with a friend, your family, or your church. Space is limited, register today.

Strange Fire is a Truth Matters conference, sponsored by Grace to You.

The conference will be held at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California.

Early-bird rate of $79 ($129 per household) is good through April 30, 2013.

Register Now

Speakers:

John MacArthur

John is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and the Bible teacher for Grace to You. John has written dozens of bestselling books, including The MacArthur Study Bible, The Gospel According to Jesus, and The MacArthur New Testament Commentary series. He is also the president of The Master’s College and Seminary. John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren.

R.C. Sproul

Dr. R.C. Sproul is founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando, Florida, and can be heard daily on the radio broadcast "Renewing Your Mind." He is co-pastor at Saint Andrews Chapel, as well as president of Reformation Bible College and Ligonier Academy. Dr. Sproul has written more than 50 books, including The Holiness of God, Loved by God, Chosen by God, and Grace Unknown, and he has authored scores of magazine articles for evangelical publications. In addition, he has taught at numerous colleges and seminaries. He and his wife, Vesta, have two children.

Conrad Mbewe

Conrad Mbewe has been the pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, Africa, since 1987. He is a frequent conference speaker throughout Africa and around the world. He has written Maintaining Sexual Purity and Foundations for the Flock, and contributed to a number of other books, including Dear Timothy: Letters on Pastoral Ministry. He is also the editor of Reformation Zambia magazine, and he writes a column for a Zambian national weekly newspaper as well as his own blog, called A Letter from Kabwata. Conrad and his wife, Felistas, have six children.

Steve Lawson

Dr. Steven J. Lawson is the senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. He is the author of numerous books, including Pillars of Grace, Foundations of Grace, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, and The Expository Genius of John Calvin. He is a teaching fellow with Ligonier Ministries and a visiting professor at the Ligonier Academy, The Master’s Seminary, and Samara Theological Seminary in Russia. Steve and his wife, Anne, have three sons and a daughter.

Phil Johnson

Phil is the executive director of Grace to You. He has been closely associated with John MacArthur since 1981 and edits most of John’s major books. Phil also maintains several popular websites, including The Spurgeon Archive, The Hall of Church History, and the Pyromaniacs blog. He is an ordained elder and pastor at Grace Community Church. Phil and his wife, Darlene, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

Nathan Busenitz

Nathan serves on the pastoral staff at Grace Community Church and teaches historical theology at The Master’s Seminary. He has written or edited a number of books, including Living a Life of Hope, Reasons We Believe, and Men of the Word. He is also a regular contributor to Pulpit Magazine and the Cripplegate blog. Nathan and his wife, Beth, have four young children.

Todd Friel

Todd studied to be a pastor only to discover he was not actually saved. Presently he is the host of the syndicated daily radio program, Wretched Radio. Todd is also the host of Wretched TV, available in 80 million American households. Todd has produced the following DVDs or audio lessons: Drive-By Theology, Drive-By Church History, Drive-By Marriage and Parenting, What Hath Darwin Wrought?, On the Shoulders of Giants, Herman Who?, It’s Not Greek to Me, Drive-By Pneumatology, Drive-By Discernment, Terrified, and Decisions Decisions. Todd has one wife, three kids, and a dog.

If this sounds like a conference worth attending, and I believe it is, head over to the registration page to secure your spot today.

Heaven Won't be Boring

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Admit it: you've wondered, but have been too afraid to ask. Clouds and harps and endlessly pew-sitting... what does the Bible really say about heaven?

Randy Alcorn answers this question over at Ligonier.

Related Post: "What Heaven is Like"

From where does my help come?

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:32:00 +0000

The Domain of Truth completed its week-long series on biblical counseling and the Christian's concern of psychology. I recommend it, especially if you are unfamiliar with the differences between "Christian counseling" and the more biblical brand, or if you trust life's problems to the hands of a certified psychologist or psychiatrist.

Book Reviews:

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. - Psalm 121:1–8

FF: The Magic Clerk

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Why Jesus Culture, Bethel Church, and Bethel's School of Supernatural Ministry are Spiritually Dangerous (Part 3 of 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

(Part 1 | Part 2)

The first two posts of this series form an important foundation: we must rely on the truth the Holy Spirit revealed to us through His Word, lest we grow arrogant and embrace bold deception in the name of God. If we lean on our own understanding of how God operates, we will fall. If we grow unsatisfied with the Bible and seek words and visions, we invite spiritual destruction.

Indeed, the light of Proverbs 30:6 dispels our confusion:

Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

In total, we said we must avoid Bethel because it is spiritually dangerous, and we said there are two reasons for that. The first reason we examined in length last week, that it promotes false doctrine, and we looked at the heretical teachings streaming from the pulpit to computers and MP3 players near you. If you have not read at least that post, please do so now, because we now turn to the second of these reasons.

Second, Bethel Church is spiritually dangerous because it promotes false signs and wonders.

When Bill Johnson endorsed Todd Bentley back in 2011, he might not have known a few things regarding Bentley's methodology. Perhaps he did not know that Bentley's prophesies proved false, that he abused people onstage, or that his claims of healing were fraudulent. Johnson probably could not have predicted that Bentley would instruct Christians to stop sharing the gospel with unbelievers.

Yet, as we saw last week, signs and wonders mark an important part of Johnson's Bethel's ministry, as well, being part of the church's belief that it has to take spiritual dominion over the world in Christ's name. Unfortunately, that means that we see the same kind of false miracles at Bethel that we saw in Lakeland.

For instance, one of the more spectacular claims is that Bethel worshipers literally bask in the glory-cloud of God (and literally means literally). Their claim is that God, being so pleased with their worship, fills the auditorium with His shekhinah glory-cloud. Bethel even published a video where Bill Johnson explains the phenomena of God's glory descending upon their worship events.

If you are not familiar with the past manifestations of God's glory, it's the fire that held back Pharoah's army while God parted the Red Sea. This was the cloud with its thundering on Mt. Sinai that struck fear into the hearts of all of the people. It filled the mountain at our Lord's transfiguration, causing His disciples to fall on their faces as dead men. Such an occurrence would seem to render my previous post invalid! With its cause of holy terror in mind, we have this "manifestation:"

One word comes to mind: disappointing.

You may witness this glorious confetti if you attend Bethel while its music ministry, Jesus Culture, leads worship. By far, most people know Bethel through Jesus Culture. As mentioned previously, the band entertained 65,000 students at the Georgia Dome during Louie Giglio's Passion 2013 conference back in January, alongside of respected teacher John Piper. Bill Johnson is also sending or "releasing" Banning Liebscher and Jesus Culture to Sacramento to plant a church there. As we saw last week, they see themselves as a movement caught up in taking dominion of culture worldwide, and their brand of Christianity is spreading.

Its vision includes letting people know about God and Heaven. For instance, Kim Walker-Smith, head singer of Jesus Culture, shares her visions of Jesus in the video below.

In case you don't want to watch the full ten minutes, John Chester gives the best summary of the video below:

She sees “Jesus” who has stretch Armstrong like super powers and uses them to show her that he... loves her "this much". Then she has another vision where she not only sees Jesus, she also sees the father who reaches into his chest and tears a piece of his heart out Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom style. She also canoodles with her vision of Christ and both the father and son of her visions apparently have the habit of bursting into maniacal laughter.

Is it fair to call this experience false? Indeed, each and every instance in Scripture where a saint encounters God or the glorified Christ causes fear and dread. In Revelation 1, John saw a powerful Christ with terrible eyes, and John fell to his feet like a dead man. On the other hand, Smith describes a cartoon character who borders on a personality disorder. While we are incapable of judging her genuineness and should not try, we can say with confidence that she did not encounter the true Christ or God of the Bible.

As one Calvary Chapel pastor said while facing down a false prophet, "When miracles are emphasized, Jesus is denied." Unfortunately, as we saw, the Bible fades into obscurity as the church promotes false and heretical teachings. As the drift from the gospel and Word of God continues, the teachings coming out of Bethel Church will only become more bizarre and heretical. Here are a few examples:

Magical Elements: We already looked at the so-called "glory cloud" and its related "gold" dust appearing during worship services. According to Revival Lifestyle, the gold not only comes to a rest on hands and shirts: it also fills cavities in worshiper's teeth. Diamonds appear in the homes of Bethel church members.
Tattoo Readings: In addition to "normal" prophetic words, those who attended Bethel's "Power and Love Conference" in February received readings based on their tattoos and piercings. Doug Addison can interpret the hidden messages on your body and even train you to do the same. You don't even have to fly to where he is; for the reasonable fee of $150, he can tickle your ears over the phone for thirty minutes.
Dead Energy: With Bill Johnson's tacit endorsement, BSSM students followed John Crowder's lead (of the "toking the ghost," "Jehovah-juana" paganism) in "sucking up the anointing" of dead people. As Fawcett notes, Johnson will begin his own holy relic museum to restore the lost anointing of "God's generals" to the present church. Just as Roman Catholics believe that the belongings of late saints can earn gain someone divine assistance and even miracles, Bethel seems intent on calling Christians to the mysticism of object worship.
Healing Tones: Speaking of object worship, Beni Johnson, Bill's wife, published the theory that love and 528 Hz tuning forks provide healing, neither of which are biblical or scientific, but New Age to the core. In the same post, she likens the sexually promiscuous song "Love Shack" by the B52's to God's call for us to love one another, and one commenter claims that God also uses that song to heal. As the prophet Huey Lewis would say, that's the power of love.
Angel Rousing: You've heard of guardian angels, but if you have not prayed for a revival angel, you're missing out. Beni Johnson also engages in the "prophetic act" of blowing shofars and yelling "WAKEY WAKEY" to arose sleeping angels who can provide the church with more experiences.

Sadly, just as Kim Walker-Smith expressed, ensnared Christians can live only for the next experience. Their experience is, in fact, a dearth of Scripture creating a void of true encounters with the Spirit in the text. They need something, anything, to reassure their troubled hearts; they plan special events like "glory raves" so they can soak up more experiences. The past excitement of the rapids now leave them wanting the solid rock of the Word, and hopefully they can find it on the riverbank rather than over the edge of the waterfall.

Those coming for healing experience the same want. Despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary, Bethel's fire tunnels and healing rooms leave people with their eyeglasses, hernias, and original woes. Jesus Culture events drag the paralyzed from wheelchairs and leave them in pain and distress. When the glory cloud dissipates, so do the altered states, and bewildered believers face cold reality. Just like it was with the Lakeland revival, stories of healing evaporate as soon as the fog machines power down. They are false miracles, signs of deficient Christianity, and no wonder.

Dear reader, please note this. It matters that Bethel preaches a Christ different from Scripture. It matters when tens of thousands of teens download Jesus Culture music and then embrace false doctrine and experiences. It matters when the Johnsons, the worship leaders of Jesus Culture, and the students of BSSM claim supernatural anointing if they are wrong about it. It matters, and we fail in Christian love for one another to not point it out, for it could possibly keep a brother or sister from stumbling.

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. (Romans 16:17-18)

FF: John MacArthur Admits He's the Devil!

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

This shocking admission confirms the angst of so many.

FF: You Forgot the Blueberries

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Teaching little ones to cook can be so much fun:

Have you heard da word on Fal$e Teacher$?

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:30:00 +0000

One rapper's gutsy video captured the attention of the Christian webs. "Fal$e Teacher$" dares to name names in an attempt to warn fellow believers of the proponents of the prosperity gospel; the dollar signs being an appropriate commentary in itself.

Among those Shai Linne targets are Joel Osteen, T. D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, Fred Price, Kenneth Copeland, Robert Tilton, Eddie Long, Juanita Bynum, Paul Crouch... you know, the TBN crew.

Linne raps:

"Don't be deceived by this funny biz, if you come to Jesus for money, then he's not your God, money is! Jesus is not a means to an end, the Gospel is He came to redeem us from sin, and that is the message forever I yell! If you're living your best life now you're heading for hell!"

My,my, Shai, this is good. Seven-minute video on why Shai Linne wrote and raps "FAL$E TEACHER$". dsr.gd/12vZgGx
— John Piper (@JohnPiper) April 7, 2013

(HT: CP)

Here's the song, and below is a seven minute video explaining why:

Just walk the aisle and pray this prayer #thingspeterneversaid

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:56:00 +0000

Wretched posted a meme befitting the "Last Call for Altar Calls" post:

NoCo90: Last Call for Altar Calls

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:54:00 +0000

Abused to no end in worship services, should the altar call fall by the wayside? Do they harm or help?

4/10/13 Update:

Wretched posted a meme befitting this post:

Why Jesus Culture, Bethel Church, and Bethel's School of Supernatural Ministry are Spiritually Dangerous (Part 2 of 3)

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

(Part 1 | Part 3)

In the previous post, I argued that doctrine is not only unavoidable, the Holy Spirit wants us to grow in our knowledge of biblical doctrine. Even so, I understand the many Christians who, burned by those intellectuals whose convictions were buried in seminary, believe avoiding deep theological study is the best salve for the injured soul. They believe that you can feed only your intellect or your spirit, seeking a moving experience that is not necessarily meaningful, and missing the fact that God created both in union.

As such, some of today's most popular teachers and preachers proceed with that foundation; books and sermons promising bigger and better experiences create many celebrity pastors. However, upon this foundation a house of theology must reside, inside which a Christians find a spiritually environment that is not up to biblical code. We will see this with our case in point --- Bill Johnson --- as we examine what doctrinal convictions nail his theological structure together.

First, Bethel Church is spiritually dangerous because it promotes false doctrine.

A. Bethel promotes a false dichotomy between mind and spirit.
Bill Johnson capitalizes on the fallacious concept that Christians should not think deep thoughts. On page 80 of "When Heaven Invades Earth: A Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles," he writes "But to follow Him [Christ], we must be willing to follow off the map—to go beyond what we know." His words do not mean to trust God when trials confuse us; he advocates less scriptural understanding in light of spiritual experiences. Bob DeWaay, in his review of the book, points this out as well:

Johnson claims, “For decades the Church has been guilty of creating doctrine to justify their lack of power. . .”... He resorts to an often misused passage that promotes his anti-scholastic bias: “A powerless Word is the letter not the Spirit. And we all know, ‘The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life’” (Johnson: 116). This twisting of Paul’s meaning in 2 Corinthians 3:6 has a long history of use to promote subjectivism and mysticism. The false implication is that studying the Bible will kill you spiritually. The context shows that Paul was speaking of the letters written on stone (verse 3), meaning the Decalogue. Paul explains how the law “kills” in Romans 7:5, 6. It kills because of our sinful passions that it exposes, not because it is studied for what it means. ...

Johnson warns, “The Church has all too often lived according to an intellectual approach to the Scriptures, void of the Holy Spirit’s influence.” This false dilemma (i.e., either intellect or Spirit) fools his readers into thinking that if they attend hyped up meetings such as Johnson promotes, the Spirit is at work; whereas if they were to carefully study God’s once-for-all revealed Word they would be stuck in a “powerless” situation (Johnson: 76).

It is fair to say that true Christianity, at least in Johnson's mind, does not involve exegesis of the biblical text: wrestling with word definitions and sentence syntax to arrive at the Author's meaning. Instead, it is a radical commitment the subjective, internal experience that has no communicable qualities. Antithetical to God's own revelation, it ignores that Jesus' own words that we examined last time continue to call us to a deeper knowledge of Scripture. The New Testament Apostles, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, likewise call us to grow in our knowledge of God's Word.

Pause here and consider Peter. As he nears the end of his life, reminisces on his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration as an evidence of the reality of his message (2 Pt 1:16-18). However, he then says that "we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention" (v. 19). He continues, "knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (vv. 19-20). The Apostle Peter turns away from the experience back to the revelation of the Holy Spirit in Scripture.

Why does Peter focus on the weight of Scripture over that of experience? He does so because the Holy Spirit wants to prepare us: for "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" (2:1). After devoting the chapter to false teachers, the Spirit in Peter calls us back to the revealed Word: "I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles" (3:1-2). He concludes by warning that the ignorant and unstable twist the Scripture (v. 16), and commands us to "take care" and to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (v. 17-18). As such, the Book of 2 Peter advocates the same method to deal with false teachers as our Lord utilized when dealing with Satan's twisting of Scripture: through knowing and properly applying the Bible.

However, based on his understanding of 2 Corinthians 3:6, Johnson sets all of this aside and warns that studying the Bible can kill you spiritually. Again, genuine Christians applaud the desire to avoid the avarice of academia and to seek God without condition. Yet, he fails to purge self-righteousness from worship, for this dichotomy between the mind and the spirit advocates a more ruggedly individualistic Christianity, one delivered multiple thousands of times through extra-biblical revelations from God (compare to Jude 1:3). He misses that Paul warned of becoming puffed up "without reason," without intellectually engaging the things of God, of expanding oneself with the leaven of visions and angels and toppling the faith of others by going on about it (Col 2:18).

Thus, this teaching can only guarantee swift destruction, just as Peter predicted. As the mind opens to possibilities unknown, and the sword of the Spirit falls from the believer's armor (Eph 6:17), spiritual deception strikes. We will become like Eliphaz who, after counseling Job with a personal revelation from a spirit (Job 4:12-12), found that he spoken deceitful words and kindled the Lord's anger (42:7). Our minds must be sober and fortified with the Word of God if we are to avoid our enemy (cf. 1 Pt 5:8).

For no other reason than this, the Bill Johnson's ministry is spiritually dangerous to himself and to others. Correcting this understanding would alone bring real healing to Bethel, what we all want to see. However, this false dichotomy between the purity of spirit and the "evil" of the intellect gives way to other false teachings, as we will see.

As such, this acidic heresy erodes other doctrines that serve the support structure of the Christian faith.

B. Bethel promotes a false apostolic authority.
Doctrine is unavoidable, even in an anti-intellectual environment, and something else must increase while the Bible decreases. There must be some way for Christians to grow in their knowledge of the things of God, something solid upon which to build their faith. As such, Bethel answers that need with false apostles and prophets.

Consider the claim on the website of Bethel's School of Supernatural Ministry, which begins, "The academic instruction at BSSM is unique because it is taught by apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers...". In case you may think that they refer to the exposition of Scripture by professors and theologians, the statement continues: "...not by professors or theologians."

Again, this must come from a desire to cut oneself off from dead orthodoxy. However, in the process, they also cast aside Spirit-filled theologians able to prompt them to worship God in both spirit and truth; they cast aside biblical teaching. A theologian is someone who studies theology, which is defined by Theopedia as "the rational study and understanding of the nature of God and doctrines of the Christian faith based on the God's revelation of Himself, chiefly found in the Bible."

Perhaps you are wondering if BSSM really does not like to have their students learn from those who study the Bible to understand the God they worship and what the Bible teaches. Perhaps that stretches the meaning of the words here. However, according to the website, the "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers" conducting the academics at the school includes "many powerful guest speakers throughout the year," as well as the "staff members" conducting the "primary teaching." In other words, the staff and guests are the inspired ones leading the students, not "professors or theologians."

Again, if the letter kills, then why train people to be able in the written Word? While students will still somehow "receive a great deal of historic commentary and insight into the scriptures, they are also immersed in a revelatory culture where the Holy Spirit becomes the chief instructor and tour guide." Students applying for the School of Supernatural Ministry should expect to hear a mix of the Apostles Paul, Peter, and Bill; they should expect to receive the correct and "uplifting" commentary from their "inspired" teachers and will learn to accept subjective feelings and experiences as the Holy Spirit's revelation to them.

Perhaps the title "Apostle Bill" is reading too much into the situation. Do people really consider Pastor Bill Johnson a holy apostle? The evidence points to that fact.

First, C. Peter Wagner, presiding over the International Coalition of Apostles, included Bill Johnson as one of the three "apostles" onstage who were to affirm the ministry of Todd Bentley, and even asked Bentley to recognize Johnson as his apostolic authority (see the 4:30 mark of this video). Second, Johnson himself, as the first three minutes of this video records, claims to have led his church through a difficult time with nightly, direct revelations from God (how many pastors long for that!). Third, Johnson is a frequent voice at the "Voice of the Apostles" Conference. Fourth, Bill Johnson redefines the word apostle from its the biblical definition to one that happens to befit his station as a pastor with significant influence. Fifth, the DVD curriculum from BSSM offers claims to contain the "apostolic and prophetic voice" of Bill Johnson.

Johnson indeed uses his podium at Bethel with an authority that rivals the New Testament apostles, then. However, even if we assume Johnson is sincere in his beliefs (and God has not called us to the business of examining sincerity), how can he be an apostle and reject the first and greatest commandment? If he, as a doctrinal commitment, rejects the importance of the mind in worship, then he cannot love God with all of his mind.

Again, we have seen enough to stay away from the ministry at Bethel. However, are these the only things that makes it dangerous? No - it teaches yet more false doctrine, and as we will see next week, it promotes false signs and wonders . Let us just examine two more points of doctrine before we stop.

C. Bethel promotes a false doctrine of man's dominion mandate.
As a visible personality in the heretical New Apostolic Reformation, Johnson also promotes false teaching such as dominionist theology, the idea that Christ awaits Christians to bring in His kingdom and rule. The clearest declaration comes via Bethel's own website: "Bethel Church is a congregation rooted in the love of God and dedicated to worldwide transformation through revival. It is our goal for God's love to be manifest in signs, wonders and miracles as well as practical demonstrations of care and affection." As such, it appears that Bethel is promoting more of a spiritual dominionism rather than a physical one at this time, but dominionistic nonetheless.

Bethel's Jesus Culture exists with the same mandate, as they state on their Facebook page and website: "Jesus Culture Music exists to ignite revival in the nations of the earth. ... We long for Jesus to be exalted in the nations and for His manifest presence to invade this world." While this longing exists in the hearts of all true Christians, remember that this theology teaches that the end comes through the hands of revivalists with a special anointing, not through Christ's own return.

This dangerous commitment turns our eyes from Jesus and sets them on the world. Johnson even chastises Christians for looking forward to the Lord's appearing. In the previously mentioned interview, DeWaay notes,

Johnson’s over-realized eschatology sees the sensibilities of many Christians, informed as they are from the Bible, to be a problem that will stop revival: “The second greatest reason for revival’s end [behind quenching the spirit interpreted as any questioning of bizarre manifestations] is when the Church begins to look for the return of the Lord instead of pursuing a greater breakthrough in the Great Commission (Johnson: 161). ... Longing for the Lord’s return is discouraged. Eschatology of the soon return of Christ is replaced with eschatology of dominion, kingdom now, that sees the concept “maranatha” as a threat to revival.

The teaching is that we can either bring in or halt worldwide revival, not the Second Coming. As Brannon Howse notes, Johnson and Jesus Culture believe they must raise up the generation of revivalists who will bring Jesus to earth. They believe they can put death under their feet and roll back the curse. Why look for some future rule of Christ when we can bring it in ourselves?

However, this alone would not be a spiritually dangerous as the last item on our list.

D. Bethel promotes a false Christ.
We can't sugar-coat this one: Johnson presents a "Jesus" not found in the Bible, one who was not God while He was on earth. As the Crosswise blog notes, Johnson embraces the kenosis heresy, teaching that Jesus laid aside all divinity. DeWaay also notes,

Johnson says, “He performed miracles, wonders, and signs, as a man in right relationship to God . . . . not as God. If He performed miracles because He was God, then they would be unattainable for us” (Johnson: 29; emphasis and ellipses in original). Johnson’s theology requires that Christians do greater miracles than Jesus. If Jesus’ divinity had any influence on His mighty works, then we might think we could not do the same (and rightly so). So Johnson embraces what is often called the kenosis heresy—that Jesus laid aside His divine nature. He writes elsewhere: “He laid his divinity aside as He sought to fulfill the assignment given to Him by the Father . . .” (Johnson: 79).

If Jesus was God on earth, then His miracles proved that He was God. However, Johnson believes Jesus' miracles are not only replicable, but beatable by us. His August Facebook post reflects this narcissistic theology:

If Jesus Christ performed His earthly miracles as God, I stand amazed. But if He did them as a man dependent on God, I am compelled to follow His lead.

To sacrifice the deity of Christ to exalt one's view of self is heresy of the rankest form, yet he also does so on page 50 of The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind:

Jesus had no ability to heal the sick. He couldn’t cast out devils, and He had no ability to raise the dead. He said of Himself in John 5:19, "the Son can do nothing of Himself." He had set aside His divinity. ... He put self-imposed restrictions on Himself to show that us we could do it, too. Jesus so emptied Himself that He was incapable of doing what was required of Him by the Father – without the Father’s help. That is the nature of our call...

In other words, Jesus wasn't so special when He was on earth, for we can and should do His miracles, too. His theology has us doing ALL of them. In this video by a girl graduating from BSSM, she says Jesus told her to forgive a man of his sins so he could go to Heaven, and comments on the responsibility God gives us:

Johnson does not stop with Christ's miracles, for a "non-God Jesus" would have something in common with anyone born a human birth. Jesus would need salvation just like us, wouldn't He? In a sermon entitled "Jesus Is Our Model" that Johnson preached at Bethel church on December 20, 2009, he states that Jesus had to be born again [stating at 3:35 in this video]:

Did you know that Jesus was born again? I asked the first service and they said, "No." But I will show you that it's in the Bible. Jesus was born again. He had to be: He became sin.

In Hebrews 1, it says this, "For to which of the angels did he ever say, 'You are my son. Today I have begotten you'?" And Acts 13 explains that "God has fulfilled this for us, their children, in that he has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm, You are my Son, today I have begotten You. And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption." He was born through Mary the first time and through the Resurrection the second time. He was "born again."

At that moment, with the soft light of the Christmas tree testifying of a past witness, the mask slips, and we see the quintessential definition of anti-Christ (1 John 2:18-24).

Bill Johnson, as a supposed prophet and apostle of Christ, tells us to "go beyond what we know" and then preaches a false Christ. He warns avoid immersing ourselves in the teachings of the biblical prophets and apostles, and calls us to seek a Jesus who was not God and needed to be born again. He exhorts us to stop living in anticipation of Christ's return, but to instead turn our work and world to make it our own. In short, the ministry at Bethel asks us to turn our eyes away from what the Holy Spirit gave us and desire private experiences and interpretations through something he calls God.

Dear reader, do not believe Johnson. Do not place your hope in a false Christ. Parched souls seeking spiritual water from the well of Bill Johnson's gospel find nothing but darkness inside (cf. 2 Pt 2:17).

We will see what kind of fruit such false teaching manifests... next week.

Marks of a Good Pastor

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Whether you are searching for a church, or you want to pastor a church according to God's will, you need to note the distinguishing marks of a good shepherd. On the GTY Blog, John MacArthur posted a series to help us with just that.

You can hear the rest of “The Pastor as a Parent” here.

FF: Make it so, Elmo!

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

~~Captain Jean Luc Picard~~ Sir Patrick Stewart brings order to Sesame Street:

In case you were woefully ignorant of the Star Trek universe, Stewart played the captain of the twenty-fourth century star-ship, Enterprise. "Number One" was the character's affectionate title for his second-in-command, often accompanied with the command, "make it so." It's not as funny if it has to be explained, though. :)

You Should Watch "Genius"

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:47:00 +0000

Imagine with me: what does John Lennon of the Beatles have to do with your personal relationship with Christ? This movie is for every Christian in America.

What is the pastor's role in our lives?

noreply@blogger.com (Shaun Marksbury) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Historically, pastors exercised a special responsibility in the care of people's souls. In the past century, though, these leaders have increasingly trusted "trained" practitioners to deal with difficult issues within the Christian community such as depression and broken marriages. Yet, any spiritual person wielding the Word of God can pierce through these troubles and get to the heart of the matter.

Carey Hardy gave a helpful session at the 2013 Shepherds' Conference in this regard. Listen as he explains the core of biblical counseling: MP3 Download.