From Dr. Albert Mohler
Meeting in San Jose, California, the Presbyterian Church USA, the liberal branch of American Presbyterianism, moved to approve homosexual clergy on June 27, 2008 -- a date that may well mark a final blow against biblical orthodoxy in that denomination.
The PCUSA has debated sexuality issues for decades now, with activists for homosexual ordination pressing their case until they finally got their way at the denomination's General Assembly. In that historic meeting, the General Assembly actually approved several proposals.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Heresy Among Evangelicals Who Have Abandoned Christ To Lead Others Astray
From World Watch Daily By Bill Wilson, KIN Senior Analyst
WASH—Jun 27—KIN-- Beware of those who claim they are Christians and believe there are other ways to eternal life. If one says he is a Christian and yet he also says that there are other ways to eternal life, he is not a Christian, even though he thinks he is. Thanks to many preachers, presidents, presidential candidates and other public figures that say there are many ways to eternal life and also claim Christianity; the American public is seemingly confused and deceived. A Pew Research Poll of some 35,000 people indicated that 57 percent of American evangelicals believe many religions can lead to eternal life.
President George Bush, for example, won two elections with heavy favor from evangelical Christians. Bush, who claims to be a Christian, has said that Christians and Muslims worship the same god and that there are other ways to heaven.
WASH—Jun 27—KIN-- Beware of those who claim they are Christians and believe there are other ways to eternal life. If one says he is a Christian and yet he also says that there are other ways to eternal life, he is not a Christian, even though he thinks he is. Thanks to many preachers, presidents, presidential candidates and other public figures that say there are many ways to eternal life and also claim Christianity; the American public is seemingly confused and deceived. A Pew Research Poll of some 35,000 people indicated that 57 percent of American evangelicals believe many religions can lead to eternal life.
President George Bush, for example, won two elections with heavy favor from evangelical Christians. Bush, who claims to be a Christian, has said that Christians and Muslims worship the same god and that there are other ways to heaven.
Wanted: New Church Home
From Pulpit Magazine: What do I look for when choosing a new church home?
We’ve all heard that the choice and purchase of a home is one of the most significant decisions a person will ever make. In this temporal world that may be true. However, choosing where you and your children will learn the things of God and serve the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal ramifications.
Every week at Grace to You we receive letters from people asking us to recommend a good church in their area. Those requests indicate three types of people wanting to make a wise choice in selecting a church home: those who have moved or will be moving, new believers wanting to choose a good church, and those whose current church has departed from biblical principles. Such circumstances force us to consider what’s really important in a church.
Read the rest here. See related article from Pulpit magazine: When to Leave Your Church
We’ve all heard that the choice and purchase of a home is one of the most significant decisions a person will ever make. In this temporal world that may be true. However, choosing where you and your children will learn the things of God and serve the Lord Jesus Christ has eternal ramifications.
Every week at Grace to You we receive letters from people asking us to recommend a good church in their area. Those requests indicate three types of people wanting to make a wise choice in selecting a church home: those who have moved or will be moving, new believers wanting to choose a good church, and those whose current church has departed from biblical principles. Such circumstances force us to consider what’s really important in a church.
Read the rest here. See related article from Pulpit magazine: When to Leave Your Church
US Takes Steps to Prepare for Potential Nuclear Attack
From Voice of America by Deborah Tate Capitol Hill 26 June 2008
The United States has begun preparing for the possibility that a terrorist could detonate a nuclear device in a major American city. U.S. officials appeared before a Senate panel Thursday to discuss the effort. VOA's Deborah Tate reports from Capitol Hill.
The Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee heard sobering testimony about the impact of a nuclear attack on the United States.Senator Joe Lieberman, who calls himself an independent Democrat, is committee chairman:"A nuclear attack on our homeland would be sudden and swift. It would be devastating and deadly. Failure to develop and test a comprehensive plan for dealing with the aftermath would only magnify its impact," he noted.
Editor's note: Get prepared at Survival Mall.com
UK's One World Week Inter-Faith Initiative
From Ekklesia:
One World Week (OWW), the development education charity, is broadening the scope of its traditional development education work with church communities to other faiths with a new three-year DfID-funded project, "Exploring Ubuntu – One World Week Across Faiths".
This England-wide project aims to focus initially on Muslim communities and black and minority ethnic groups, drawing on shared concerns of many religions that relate to believers' responsibilities to poor people and for the environment.
OWW will support people with new ways of planning together "international development awareness-raising activities" (called "OWW Ubuntu events"), within their own faith community and beyond.
Editor's note: Note the remarkable similiarity between One World Week, The New Monasticism, Red Letter Christians and Rick Warren's PEACE Plan.
One World Week (OWW), the development education charity, is broadening the scope of its traditional development education work with church communities to other faiths with a new three-year DfID-funded project, "Exploring Ubuntu – One World Week Across Faiths".
This England-wide project aims to focus initially on Muslim communities and black and minority ethnic groups, drawing on shared concerns of many religions that relate to believers' responsibilities to poor people and for the environment.
OWW will support people with new ways of planning together "international development awareness-raising activities" (called "OWW Ubuntu events"), within their own faith community and beyond.
Editor's note: Note the remarkable similiarity between One World Week, The New Monasticism, Red Letter Christians and Rick Warren's PEACE Plan.
Pope and Leader of Orthodox Christians Appeal for Christian Unity
By Jeremy Reynalds Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
VATICAN CITY (ANS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I renewed their appeals for Christian unity on Sunday during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
According to an Associated Press (AP) story, Benedict led the ceremony alongside the leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians, and expressed what he called the “common hope of seeing the day of unity draw near.”
The AP said that while acknowledging significant differences, Benedict has made healing the 1,000-year-old rift with the Orthodox a priority of his papacy.
VATICAN CITY (ANS) -- Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I renewed their appeals for Christian unity on Sunday during a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.
According to an Associated Press (AP) story, Benedict led the ceremony alongside the leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians, and expressed what he called the “common hope of seeing the day of unity draw near.”
The AP said that while acknowledging significant differences, Benedict has made healing the 1,000-year-old rift with the Orthodox a priority of his papacy.
Undersea Volcanoes Melting Polar Ice?
Arctic ice melt may be due to undersea volcanoes by Thomas Lifson
The Arctic ice that is supposedly melting, stranding those cuddly looking polar bears, just might be affected by a wave of volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor under the Arctic ice cap. AFP reports on the recently-documented volcanoes, but oddly makes no mention of the possible effect on apocalyptic predictions of global warming.
See related article: Exclusive: No ice at the North Pole
The Arctic ice that is supposedly melting, stranding those cuddly looking polar bears, just might be affected by a wave of volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor under the Arctic ice cap. AFP reports on the recently-documented volcanoes, but oddly makes no mention of the possible effect on apocalyptic predictions of global warming.
See related article: Exclusive: No ice at the North Pole
Iran Taking Aim At Israel
Report: Iran preparing to fire missiles at Dimona
British Times quotes defense sources as saying Tehran has moved ballistic missiles into launch positions following reported large-scale IAF exercise. Former Mossad chief says Israel has only one year to stop Iran from developing nuclear bomb
Iran sets up 31 martial districts, prepares 320,000 graves for war dead
Iran has divided the country up into 31 military sectors as part of its stepped up preparations for war, DEBKAfile’s Iranian sources report. Sunday, June 29, Brig. Gen. Mir-Faisal Baqerzadeh, head of the Iranian Army’s Foundation for the Remembrance of the Holy Defense and MIAs, said the 320,000 graves were to be dug for enemy forces in case of an attack on Iranian territory.
“We don’t wish the families of enemy soldiers to experience what Americans had to go through in the aftermath of the Vietnam War,” said Baqerzadeh.
British Times quotes defense sources as saying Tehran has moved ballistic missiles into launch positions following reported large-scale IAF exercise. Former Mossad chief says Israel has only one year to stop Iran from developing nuclear bomb
Iran sets up 31 martial districts, prepares 320,000 graves for war dead
Iran has divided the country up into 31 military sectors as part of its stepped up preparations for war, DEBKAfile’s Iranian sources report. Sunday, June 29, Brig. Gen. Mir-Faisal Baqerzadeh, head of the Iranian Army’s Foundation for the Remembrance of the Holy Defense and MIAs, said the 320,000 graves were to be dug for enemy forces in case of an attack on Iranian territory.
“We don’t wish the families of enemy soldiers to experience what Americans had to go through in the aftermath of the Vietnam War,” said Baqerzadeh.
Temple Institute Displays Priestly Garments
From Prophecy In The News
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem have revealed that the production of 120 priestly garments to be used in the administration of the Third Temple is now in full swing. The Temple Institute began production of the priestly garments in March of this year. Their production follows the recent completion of the Golden Crown of the High Priest in November of last year, and the blue ephod of the High Priest in 2005.
It also closely follows the relocation of the Golden Menorah to the Temple Mount steps, which I was privileged to view during my recent trip to Israel. The garments of the priests are being created using special flax imported from India. The flax is then spun onto larger spindles in Israel, after which it is woven into priestly garments according to the manner prescribed in the Torah.
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem have revealed that the production of 120 priestly garments to be used in the administration of the Third Temple is now in full swing. The Temple Institute began production of the priestly garments in March of this year. Their production follows the recent completion of the Golden Crown of the High Priest in November of last year, and the blue ephod of the High Priest in 2005.
It also closely follows the relocation of the Golden Menorah to the Temple Mount steps, which I was privileged to view during my recent trip to Israel. The garments of the priests are being created using special flax imported from India. The flax is then spun onto larger spindles in Israel, after which it is woven into priestly garments according to the manner prescribed in the Torah.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Study: Evangelicals Shunning Cornerstone of the Faith
From Christian Research Network
The Christian Examiner reports:
NEW YORK, Calif. — Evangelical Christians—whose central doctrine centers on Jesus as the only way to salvation—are increasingly abandoning the cornerstones of the faith to embrace broader, more inclusive interpretations.
That’s the findings of a new poll released June 24 by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Its study of 35,000 Americans found that 57 percent of evangelicals now believe there are many paths that lead to eternal life, a belief that is being popularized by talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, who is prominently promoting the work of noted New Age author and speaker Eckhart Tolle.
“Americans seem to be fashioning their own beliefs on many of these things because it doesn’t seem to correspond to the official teachings that they’re getting from their own church,” Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, said in a news release.
The Christian Examiner reports:
NEW YORK, Calif. — Evangelical Christians—whose central doctrine centers on Jesus as the only way to salvation—are increasingly abandoning the cornerstones of the faith to embrace broader, more inclusive interpretations.
That’s the findings of a new poll released June 24 by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. Its study of 35,000 Americans found that 57 percent of evangelicals now believe there are many paths that lead to eternal life, a belief that is being popularized by talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, who is prominently promoting the work of noted New Age author and speaker Eckhart Tolle.
“Americans seem to be fashioning their own beliefs on many of these things because it doesn’t seem to correspond to the official teachings that they’re getting from their own church,” Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, said in a news release.
Martian soil 'could support life'
From The BBC:
Martian soil appears to contain sufficient nutrients to support life - or, at least, asparagus - Nasa scientists believe.
Preliminary analysis by the $420m (£210m) Phoenix Mars Lander mission on the planet's soil found it to be much more alkaline than expected. Scientists working on the spacecraft project said they were "flabbergasted" by the discovery.
See related articles: NASA: Water Found On Mars , MARS MISSION: The Search for Life , Russian Muslims and Jews Admit Alien Existence , What Does the Vatican Know About Extraterrestial Life? , Prepping The World For Alien Disclosure? , Vatican Astronomer: Aliens May Not Need Redemption , Vatican: Space Aliens Might Actually Exist
Martian soil appears to contain sufficient nutrients to support life - or, at least, asparagus - Nasa scientists believe.
Preliminary analysis by the $420m (£210m) Phoenix Mars Lander mission on the planet's soil found it to be much more alkaline than expected. Scientists working on the spacecraft project said they were "flabbergasted" by the discovery.
See related articles: NASA: Water Found On Mars , MARS MISSION: The Search for Life , Russian Muslims and Jews Admit Alien Existence , What Does the Vatican Know About Extraterrestial Life? , Prepping The World For Alien Disclosure? , Vatican Astronomer: Aliens May Not Need Redemption , Vatican: Space Aliens Might Actually Exist
Looming Disaster: U.S. Bee Population Threatens Fruit Supply
Un-busy bees a disaster for almost everyone by Carolyn Lochhead, SF Chronicle Washington Bureau:
Honeybees mysteriously began to abandon their colonies in 2006, destroying about a third of U.S. hives. The rate of decline is accelerating, reaching 36 percent last winter.
"How would our federal government respond if 1 out of every 3 cows was dying?" Maryann Frazier, a bee expert at the University of Pennsylvania, asked during testimony to the House subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.
Fruits, nuts, seeds and many vegetables are the foundation of California's $34 billion agricultural industry, the nation's largest, and the basis of a healthy human diet. About a third of human food requires pollination. The plants cannot grow without it.
Honeybees mysteriously began to abandon their colonies in 2006, destroying about a third of U.S. hives. The rate of decline is accelerating, reaching 36 percent last winter.
"How would our federal government respond if 1 out of every 3 cows was dying?" Maryann Frazier, a bee expert at the University of Pennsylvania, asked during testimony to the House subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture.
Fruits, nuts, seeds and many vegetables are the foundation of California's $34 billion agricultural industry, the nation's largest, and the basis of a healthy human diet. About a third of human food requires pollination. The plants cannot grow without it.
Exclusive: No ice at the North Pole
Polar scientists reveal dramatic new evidence of climate change by Steve Connor, Science Editor, The Independent:
See related articles: WARNING: The Coming Solar Storm , Astrophysicist Says Global Warming Related To Sun , Anti-Global Warming Petition , Climate Change Project Is Not SBC’s , Being Green In The SBC , SBC: Biblical Duty To Stop Climate Change? , U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming , Global Warming Caused By the Sun, Climate Change Causes Rise in Tide of Ecumenism , Great Global Warming Swindle , Global Warming or Global Governance , Green Lies and Amazing Truths , The Seeds of the Global Warming Police State? , Climate Change: Stand Against False Gospel , WHY ARE AMERICANS IGNORANT OF 'AGENDA 21'?
It seems unthinkable, but for the first time in human history, ice is on course to disappear entirely from the North Pole this year.
The disappearance of the Arctic sea ice, making it possible to reach the Pole sailing in a boat through open water, would be one of the most dramatic – and worrying – examples of the impact of global warming on the planet. Scientists say the ice at 90 degrees north may well have melted away by thesummer.
See related articles: WARNING: The Coming Solar Storm , Astrophysicist Says Global Warming Related To Sun , Anti-Global Warming Petition , Climate Change Project Is Not SBC’s , Being Green In The SBC , SBC: Biblical Duty To Stop Climate Change? , U.S. Senate Report: Over 400 Prominent Scientists Disputed Man-Made Global Warming , Global Warming Caused By the Sun, Climate Change Causes Rise in Tide of Ecumenism , Great Global Warming Swindle , Global Warming or Global Governance , Green Lies and Amazing Truths , The Seeds of the Global Warming Police State? , Climate Change: Stand Against False Gospel , WHY ARE AMERICANS IGNORANT OF 'AGENDA 21'?
A Mystical Picture of Protestant & Catholic Convergence
The Charlotte News Observer reports on the pursuit of ancient Roman Catholic monasticism & mysticism by modern day Protestants.
See related articles: Evangelical Christians Combine Contemplative Mysticism with Catholic Eucharist , Roman Catholicism Spawned the Current Apostasy in Evangelicalism , Why Evangelicals are Returning to Rome , The Slippery Slope of Spiritual Formation , James Emery White's Purpose Driven Mysticism , The Two Witnesses Emerging: Saddleback & Willowcreek.
See all articles regarding the intersection of the Purpose Driven and the Emergent, articles on Evangelical Monasticism here and the classical forms of mysticism here.
Like the knights of old, Christian monks — berobed and chanting — have come to symbolize the Middle Ages (476-1453). These Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox men gathered in separate communities, renounced worldly goods and devoted their disciplined lives to a set of daily prayers.Listen to Ken Silva Discuss Contemplative Spirituality with New York's Iron Sharpens Iron Radio and hear how this movement is attempting to reverse the Reformation's call for Sola Scriptura.
Monks are still with us, but their ancient ways are no longer restricted to monasteries — or to Catholics and Orthodox Christians. In three new books, a trio of North Carolina authors — all Protestant — say these medieval traditions still have the power to rescue Christians who, in these multi-tasking times, often seem too busy to stop, get quiet and listen to God.
See related articles: Evangelical Christians Combine Contemplative Mysticism with Catholic Eucharist , Roman Catholicism Spawned the Current Apostasy in Evangelicalism , Why Evangelicals are Returning to Rome , The Slippery Slope of Spiritual Formation , James Emery White's Purpose Driven Mysticism , The Two Witnesses Emerging: Saddleback & Willowcreek.
See all articles regarding the intersection of the Purpose Driven and the Emergent, articles on Evangelical Monasticism here and the classical forms of mysticism here.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Saddleback & SoulForce: Rick Warren's Half Lie?
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender activist group SoulForce released a statement regarding their multiple visits to megachurches, including Southern Baptist Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback church. The statement indicated the following:
Rick Warren postures himself as if he is philosophically opposed to the visit, but it's Sunday and the church doors will be open to all who enter. And if that was truly the case, Rick Warren's comment may have a leg to stand on.
However, Rick Warren's alibi regarding his absence that weekend fails as a smokescreen. The SoulForce press release reveals the prior planning and coordination that was done months in advance with the megachurches, including Saddleback:
No, Pastor Warren, you may not have been present for the SoulForce event, but it is obvious you left out a few key facts that paint an entirely different picture of your real intent. With the skill of a politician, Warren successfully threads the needle of half-truths regarding the SoulForce visit.
Truly, this duplicity in Warren's actions reveal the character of his personality, and not the character of Christ whom he claims to represent.
Once again, Watcher's Lamp asks this question of Southern Baptist Pastor Rick Warren:
See related articles:Rick Warren Washes His Hands of SoulForce But Saddleback Sets The Table , Rick Warren: Playing Both Sides of the Gay Agenda , Saddleback Set To Entertain Gay Activists , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren
As previously reported by Watcher's Lamp, Rick Warren responded to the Soulforce event at the Get Religion blog:On Father's Day 2008, a group of LGBT and straight-ally families attended services at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. The next day, a smaller group of about 8 families met with pastors and other staff of the
influential mega-church for lunch and an earnest conversation about faith, family, and the status of LGBT people in the church.
We did not invite this group and I will not be meeting with them. They invited
themselves to draw attention to their cross country publicity stunt. My staff has already told them that neither my wife nor I will meet with them for any discussion or debate. This weekend, both Kay and I are receiving awards from two different universities so we’ll be out of town! Also, it’s Father’s Day and I’m spending the holiday with my children and grandchildren, as are all my staff.
Rick Warren postures himself as if he is philosophically opposed to the visit, but it's Sunday and the church doors will be open to all who enter. And if that was truly the case, Rick Warren's comment may have a leg to stand on.
However, Rick Warren's alibi regarding his absence that weekend fails as a smokescreen. The SoulForce press release reveals the prior planning and coordination that was done months in advance with the megachurches, including Saddleback:
Bob Bednar of Saddleback participated in the SoulForce event:In December 2007, organizers of the project -- which is called The American Family Outing -- invited the leaders of six mega-churches to match families from their congregations with LGBT and straight-ally families for a meal and
conversation.
"Being there showed me in a powerful way exactly how brave my LGBT team members were to go into that kind of atmosphere and insist that church leaders recognize their pain and start to see it as their own pain, too," said Bednar.A sympathetic and politically correct statement from a public square Christian that reflects the dialogue of compromise instead of the call for new life in Christ as bought by His blood.
"As a straight ally, it was inspiring to work alongside them. But the experience
also showed me how far we have to go," Bednar concluded.
No, Pastor Warren, you may not have been present for the SoulForce event, but it is obvious you left out a few key facts that paint an entirely different picture of your real intent. With the skill of a politician, Warren successfully threads the needle of half-truths regarding the SoulForce visit.
Truly, this duplicity in Warren's actions reveal the character of his personality, and not the character of Christ whom he claims to represent.
Once again, Watcher's Lamp asks this question of Southern Baptist Pastor Rick Warren:
You may be out of town this weekend, but as former CEO’s have found out the hard way. . .you are still responsible for what goes on at your Church,
whether you are physically present or not.
Providing that as an excuse, Pastor Warren, seems out of character for such a man who travels in global circles.
You’re certainly going out of your way to make this group feel welcome.
Will you or your staff present the scandal of The Cross during this two day event?
See related articles:Rick Warren Washes His Hands of SoulForce But Saddleback Sets The Table , Rick Warren: Playing Both Sides of the Gay Agenda , Saddleback Set To Entertain Gay Activists , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren
Christ, The Cause of Division
From Mike Ratliff of Possessing the Treasure
One of the first accusations that comes forth from the apologists for the Purpose Driven paradigm in response to any attempt to show the unbiblical nature of it is that we are being divisive. They insist on unity at all costs regardless of the fact that the doctrinal stances held within the Church Growth movement do not line up with biblical orthodoxy. If we are to be obedient to the commands from scripture to be in the world, but not part of it, we cannot attempt to be unified with those who are not obedient to them.See related articles: Satan's Greatest Weapon: Disunity? , Rick Warren's Inquisition , Unity In The Teaching of Apostolic Truth Yields Godly Love , The Prophets Against Purpose Driven Division , More Purpose Driven Division , Dealing With Purpose Driven Resisters , More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
Ken Silva Discuss Contemplative Spirituality with New York's Iron Sharpens Iron Radio
Ken Silva Discusses Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism on Iron Sharpens Iron with Chris Arnzen
Pastor-teacher Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries joins host Chris Arnzen of the Iron Sharpens Iron radio program. The topic is the influx Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism into the evangelical camp under the guise of Spiritual Formation through the growing influence of The Cult of Guru Richard Foster who is a Quaker mystic.
You can listen to and download the program program here.
Pastor-teacher Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries joins host Chris Arnzen of the Iron Sharpens Iron radio program. The topic is the influx Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism into the evangelical camp under the guise of Spiritual Formation through the growing influence of The Cult of Guru Richard Foster who is a Quaker mystic.
You can listen to and download the program program here.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The National Founders' Conference: The Remnant Within The Southern Baptist Convention
From The National Founders' Conference “Dangers in Reforming a Church” presented by Dr. Andrew Davis
See related article Purpose Driven Reformation Dafamation
The immense danger of not reforming the local church is utmost danger. We are out of step with Jesus Christ, who is always rebuking us, correcting us, changing us. Jesus will come and in judgment remove the lampstand from its place. Martin Luther, “The whole life of the believer should be one of repentance.” When the church stops reforming, it is saying that it no longer needs to repent.Visit Founders' Ministries and see what the Biblical Southern Baptist faith looked like before the emergent, consumer driven, seeker-sensitive and the purpose driven pollution seeped into the SBC.
We are used to hearing Christ’s word of repentance and rebuke; we yearn for it because of the wretchedness of indwelling sin. I long for the day to be free at last from the struggle and battle against sin. But I have found that non-Christian church members are not used to that call for repentance–they think that is something you do once and for all time and that is it.
See related article Purpose Driven Reformation Dafamation
The Prophets Against Purpose Driven Division
Isaiah 66
5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word:"Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sakehave said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy'; but it is they who shall be put to shame.
Jeremiah 23
1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD...4I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 10:21
21For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
Jeremiah 25:34
34"Wail, you shepherds, and cry out, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
3 John 1
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So 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.
More Purpose Driven Division , Dealing With Purpose Driven Resisters , More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word:"Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sakehave said, 'Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy'; but it is they who shall be put to shame.
Jeremiah 23
1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD...4I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 10:21
21For the shepherds are stupid and do not inquire of the LORD; therefore they have not prospered, and all their flock is scattered.
Jeremiah 25:34
34"Wail, you shepherds, and cry out, and roll in ashes, you lords of the flock, for the days of your slaughter and dispersion have come, and you shall fall like a choice vessel.
3 John 1
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So 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.
More Purpose Driven Division , Dealing With Purpose Driven Resisters , More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
"Unprecedented" Lightning Storm Ignites 800+ Fires in Ca
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — More than 840 wildfires sparked by an "unprecedented" lightning storm are burning across Northern California, alarming the governor and requiring the help of firefighters from Nevada and Oregon.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he was told late Sunday evening that the state had 520 fires, and he found it "quite shocking" that by Monday morning the number had risen above 700. (Photo credit: NASA)
India Calls For Global Crises Center , Royal Bank of Scotland Says Prepare For Global Economic Crash , FOOD: The Global Crisis Deepens ... Days of Disaster Continue , ABC NEWS: Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts , 2008: The Year of Global Food Crisis , Days of Disaster Update , Climate Change & La Nina Don't Explain Record Breaking Tornado Season , Days of Disaster Continue
More Purpose Driven Division
Lighthouse Trails Research shares two reader comments regarding their Purpose Driven Division experiences...
Comment # 1
The hardest thing is now sitting in church when there is a nugget of truth, and realizing that it's not enough. I felt this Sunday while we were singing about Satan being vanquished and Jesus being King that I was in a room full of wonderful people who were just as I had been a few months earlier, a room full of people following our pastors right wherever Rick Warren or Dallas Willard prescribe.
I cried, I prayed for their eyes to be opened. I prayed for my pastors. We have to decide if we will stay and try to educate, or if our children will be at risk if we do stay. We love those people, you know. We really do. They have been our family for several years, and we're not church hoppers, we're loyal. Well, first off we have to be loyal to the King, and so now we wait on the Lord to see what He would have us to do. My heart is broken.
Comment #2
I went to a church for 4 years where they were starting to infiltrate with The Purpose Drivin Church methods - we went to Saddleback on 3 different occasions to conferences. ...As time wore on, my Dad and I were getting quite skeptical of this Purpose Driven idea....we believed that as Christians, our purpose is to spread the Gospel - not growing your church into a mega-chapel where money flows, and what not.
So, yes, as Christians, we do have a purpose - and our purpose should be getting out the good news of Jesus Christ - not what Rick Warren or any of his followers are exuding.As we looked back, upon our practical excommunication from our old church, we see that it was run very much like that of Jim Jones and the Jonestown /Guyana Tragedy....from the late 70s. It was quite bizarre - the similarities.
See related articles: Dealing With Purpose Driven Resisters , More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
Comment # 1
The hardest thing is now sitting in church when there is a nugget of truth, and realizing that it's not enough. I felt this Sunday while we were singing about Satan being vanquished and Jesus being King that I was in a room full of wonderful people who were just as I had been a few months earlier, a room full of people following our pastors right wherever Rick Warren or Dallas Willard prescribe.
I cried, I prayed for their eyes to be opened. I prayed for my pastors. We have to decide if we will stay and try to educate, or if our children will be at risk if we do stay. We love those people, you know. We really do. They have been our family for several years, and we're not church hoppers, we're loyal. Well, first off we have to be loyal to the King, and so now we wait on the Lord to see what He would have us to do. My heart is broken.
Comment #2
I went to a church for 4 years where they were starting to infiltrate with The Purpose Drivin Church methods - we went to Saddleback on 3 different occasions to conferences. ...As time wore on, my Dad and I were getting quite skeptical of this Purpose Driven idea....we believed that as Christians, our purpose is to spread the Gospel - not growing your church into a mega-chapel where money flows, and what not.
So, yes, as Christians, we do have a purpose - and our purpose should be getting out the good news of Jesus Christ - not what Rick Warren or any of his followers are exuding.As we looked back, upon our practical excommunication from our old church, we see that it was run very much like that of Jim Jones and the Jonestown /Guyana Tragedy....from the late 70s. It was quite bizarre - the similarities.
See related articles: Dealing With Purpose Driven Resisters , More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Purpose Driven Reformation Defamation
def·a·ma·tion /ËŒdÉ›fəˈmeɪʃən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[def-uh-mey-shuhn] –noun the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny
Apprising Ministries points out that amazingly people who are supposed to hold to Reformed Protestant theology like Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren have apparently become convinced that the Reformation is over and apostate Roman Catholicism is an acceptable expression of the Christian faith.
A huge part of how this arrogant imprudence has been spreading into evangelicalism itself is through neopagan Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism masquerading as Spiritual Formation. Here we introduce you to Henri Nouwen one of its leading Gurus.
Editor's note: For the "pastors" who buy Warren's sermons-in-a-can, beware...a church member may research the names you drop in these messages from Warren and hold you accountable for using such reckless endorsements... because you trusted the "Purpose Driven" Label. Do yourself & the congregation a favor...stop squandering their offerings and get back to the Bible.
Apprising Ministries points out that amazingly people who are supposed to hold to Reformed Protestant theology like Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren have apparently become convinced that the Reformation is over and apostate Roman Catholicism is an acceptable expression of the Christian faith.
A huge part of how this arrogant imprudence has been spreading into evangelicalism itself is through neopagan Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism masquerading as Spiritual Formation. Here we introduce you to Henri Nouwen one of its leading Gurus.
Editor's note: For the "pastors" who buy Warren's sermons-in-a-can, beware...a church member may research the names you drop in these messages from Warren and hold you accountable for using such reckless endorsements... because you trusted the "Purpose Driven" Label. Do yourself & the congregation a favor...stop squandering their offerings and get back to the Bible.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
NASA: Water Found On Mars
The Telegraph By Richard Gray, Science Correspondent
Water has been uncovered for the first time on Mars, raising hopes that the Red Planet may be capable of sustaining life.
Nasa scientists have revealed that the Phoenix Mars Lander has sent back the first definitive proof that there is water ice hidden beneath the surface of the alien rust-coloured planet.
After twenty days of scratching its way through the Martian top soil, the spacecraft uncovered a bright white layer just two inches below the surface.
See related articles: MARS MISSION: The Search for Life , :Russian Muslims and Jews Admit Alien Existence , What Does the Vatican Know About Extraterrestial Life? , Prepping The World For Alien Disclosure? , Vatican Astronomer: Aliens May Not Need Redemption , Vatican: Space Aliens Might Actually Exist
Water has been uncovered for the first time on Mars, raising hopes that the Red Planet may be capable of sustaining life.
Nasa scientists have revealed that the Phoenix Mars Lander has sent back the first definitive proof that there is water ice hidden beneath the surface of the alien rust-coloured planet.
After twenty days of scratching its way through the Martian top soil, the spacecraft uncovered a bright white layer just two inches below the surface.
See related articles: MARS MISSION: The Search for Life , :Russian Muslims and Jews Admit Alien Existence , What Does the Vatican Know About Extraterrestial Life? , Prepping The World For Alien Disclosure? , Vatican Astronomer: Aliens May Not Need Redemption , Vatican: Space Aliens Might Actually Exist
Friday, June 20, 2008
Pastors Should Tremble
Do pastors understand their terrible responsiblity before God? Based on how a great majority of the pastors in America run their churches, I must conclude, no. I literally hate the things that the false teachers and foolish pastors of the day do in God’s name. It makes me angry because they aren’t just glorying in shameful things, they are doing it in the name of ministry and “relevance.”
As one who has dedicated my life to full time ministry, I do fear the responsiblity. I do know that pastors will face a greater judgement, and there is a sense in which it is terrifying. Yet I know that faithfulness is possible, or God would not require it of us. Understanding the responsibility should simply drive us to our knees in prayer– drive us to God in utter dependence...
HT: Christian Research Network
As one who has dedicated my life to full time ministry, I do fear the responsiblity. I do know that pastors will face a greater judgement, and there is a sense in which it is terrifying. Yet I know that faithfulness is possible, or God would not require it of us. Understanding the responsibility should simply drive us to our knees in prayer– drive us to God in utter dependence...
HT: Christian Research Network
Dealing With Purpose Driven Resisters
From Christian Research Newtwork
Part 3 of this series, “Small Groups and the Dialectic Process,” triggered a stream of letters from troubled Christians around the world. They had watched as the focus of their churches shifted from Bible-based teaching to purpose-driven experiences. Many had sensed something wrong but couldn’t define the problem. Some wondered how God’s guidance fit into this tightly controlled man-made system.
They had asked questions, but no one could calm their concern. They had tried to warn their pastor and friends but had been rebuffed. Some were even told to find another church. All shared the pain of rejection. The following letter from Pat Johnson illustrates the struggle faced by those who cannot, with a clear conscience, go along with a church that embraces the world’s transformative marketing and management methods...
More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
Part 3 of this series, “Small Groups and the Dialectic Process,” triggered a stream of letters from troubled Christians around the world. They had watched as the focus of their churches shifted from Bible-based teaching to purpose-driven experiences. Many had sensed something wrong but couldn’t define the problem. Some wondered how God’s guidance fit into this tightly controlled man-made system.
They had asked questions, but no one could calm their concern. They had tried to warn their pastor and friends but had been rebuffed. Some were even told to find another church. All shared the pain of rejection. The following letter from Pat Johnson illustrates the struggle faced by those who cannot, with a clear conscience, go along with a church that embraces the world’s transformative marketing and management methods...
More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren , The Commencement Season
Rick Warren, Facism & The Family
Brad A. Greenberg of the Jewish Journal comments on Jeff Sharlet’s new book, The Family, the incredibly influential organization behind the National Prayer Breakfast. Greenberg notes the following:
Sharlet describes the organization’s theology as built upon Jesus the strongman and revolutionary, not the savior and street preacher. What seems to trouble him most is how this organization and its friends, which include many members of Congress and foreign leaders, often those with less than stellar human-rights records, combine religion with capitalism, fundamentalism with power...
That dream survives today. Not just in the political ambitions of Christian Right politicians, currently an embattled species, but even more so in the seemingly sanguine lifestyle fundamentalism preached by mega-pastors... Rick Warren, author of the mammoth-selling Purpose-Driven Life—and, as of April 2008, the official sponsor of Rwanda, which under his guidance has submitted to soul surgery on a national scale to become the world’s first “Purpose Driven Nation,” embracing Warren’s amiably-phrased mixture of obedience theology and Bible-based capitalism as an antidote to godlessness, whether that comes in form of genocide or socialism. Warren, despite his mild-mannered demeanor – or maybe because of it – doesn’t make distinctions. Either you’re with God, or you’re against Him.
Sharlet describes the organization’s theology as built upon Jesus the strongman and revolutionary, not the savior and street preacher. What seems to trouble him most is how this organization and its friends, which include many members of Congress and foreign leaders, often those with less than stellar human-rights records, combine religion with capitalism, fundamentalism with power...
...Doug Coe listed other men who had changed the world through the strength of the covenants they had forged with their “brothers”: “Look at Hitler,” he said. “Lenin, Ho Chi Minh, bin Laden.” The Family possessed a weapon those leaders lacked: the “total Jesus” of a brotherhood in Christ.
Hitler gets positive treatment by The Family’s leaders throughout the book; not praise for his atrocities but admiration for his ability to mobilize the masses. Sick indeed but not without precedent in American Christianity...
...Human problems, Buchman declared, require “a God-controlled democracy, or perhaps I should say a theocracy.” Just as good, he added, would be a “God-controlled Fascist dictatorship.”
Greenberg describes his surprise when Sharlet links the facist-fond "right-wing nuts" of the past to the present day Christian Right:That dream survives today. Not just in the political ambitions of Christian Right politicians, currently an embattled species, but even more so in the seemingly sanguine lifestyle fundamentalism preached by mega-pastors... Rick Warren, author of the mammoth-selling Purpose-Driven Life—and, as of April 2008, the official sponsor of Rwanda, which under his guidance has submitted to soul surgery on a national scale to become the world’s first “Purpose Driven Nation,” embracing Warren’s amiably-phrased mixture of obedience theology and Bible-based capitalism as an antidote to godlessness, whether that comes in form of genocide or socialism. Warren, despite his mild-mannered demeanor – or maybe because of it – doesn’t make distinctions. Either you’re with God, or you’re against Him.
The irony is that the agenda of this new lifestyle evangelicalism is more far-reaching than that of the traditional Christian Right: the Christian Right wanted a seat at the table; lifestyle evangelicalism wants to build the table. It wants to set the very terms in which we imagine what’s possible, and to that end it dispenses with terms that might scare off liberals. It’s big tent fundamentalism – everybody in.
But both men—and the new evangelicalism as a movement—continue to preach the merger of 
Christianity and capitalism pioneered three quarters of a century ago. On the surface, it’s self-help; scratch, and it’s revealed as a profoundly conservative ideology that conflates church and state, scripture and currency, faith and finance. There’s a sense in which Buchman’s vision of “God-controlled supernationalism” thrives today more surely than it ever did in the 1930s, a period of radical economic upheaval. Only, today we call it globalism...
...Certainly, I can agree with Sharlet that governments don’t work well when they are handed over to a dictator who claims to be doing the work of God; yes, God can use humans to further his kingdom on Earth, but humans have a mortal inclination to abusing power. King Henry VIII is an easy and clear example, as are a number of the popes of the Middle Ages. But this a critical—some would say cynical—way to look at Warren’s humanitarian efforts in Africa.
Editor's note: Jeff Sharlet nests his comments within the greater scope of his book which examines the clout of the American religious elite and political fundamentalism in the public square. This blog does not endorse political fundamentalism, rather Biblical fundamentalism.
See more on Warren's "cosmo- communitarian" PEACE plan and Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren
Thursday, June 19, 2008
India Calls For Global Crises Center
India calls for establishing global institute to handle global crises
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Xinhua) -- India urged Asian countries here Sunday to work together to push for the establishment of a global institute to handle rising global challenges.
The worldwide crisis is rising significantly, but nothing happened at the global institutional level, said Yashwant Sinha, former Indian foreign minister as the 17th World Economic Forum on East Asian (WEF on East Asia) opened here.
Asian countries should work together immediately to make sure a global institution responding to the global crisis be established, he said.
The 17th WEF on East Asia began at Shangri-La Hotel and some 300 delegations from business, politics, and the media circles of over 25 countries gathered here to discuss Asia's response to the mounting
KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Xinhua) -- India urged Asian countries here Sunday to work together to push for the establishment of a global institute to handle rising global challenges.
The worldwide crisis is rising significantly, but nothing happened at the global institutional level, said Yashwant Sinha, former Indian foreign minister as the 17th World Economic Forum on East Asian (WEF on East Asia) opened here.
Asian countries should work together immediately to make sure a global institution responding to the global crisis be established, he said.
The 17th WEF on East Asia began at Shangri-La Hotel and some 300 delegations from business, politics, and the media circles of over 25 countries gathered here to discuss Asia's response to the mounting
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Royal Bank of Scotland Says Prepare For Global Economic Crash
RBS issues global stock and credit crash alert
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor
The Royal Bank of Scotland has advised clients to brace for a full-fledged crash in global stock and credit markets over the next three months as inflation paralyses the major central banks.
"A very nasty period is soon to be upon us - be prepared," said Bob Janjuah, the bank's credit strategist. A report by the bank's research team warns that the S&P 500 index of Wall Street equities is likely to fall by more than 300 points to around 1050 by September as "all the chickens come home to roost" from the excesses of the global boom, with contagion spreading across Europe and emerging markets.
See Morgan Stanley warns of catastrophe
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, International Business Editor
The Royal Bank of Scotland has advised clients to brace for a full-fledged crash in global stock and credit markets over the next three months as inflation paralyses the major central banks.
"A very nasty period is soon to be upon us - be prepared," said Bob Janjuah, the bank's credit strategist. A report by the bank's research team warns that the S&P 500 index of Wall Street equities is likely to fall by more than 300 points to around 1050 by September as "all the chickens come home to roost" from the excesses of the global boom, with contagion spreading across Europe and emerging markets.
See Morgan Stanley warns of catastrophe
Doomsday Under Debate
The world's largest particle collider is designed to do its job largely under the surface - and that under-the-surface status also applies to much of the progress in the legal case challenging whether the collider should actually be allowed to do its job.
Take today's seven-minute-long conference in Hawaii's U.S. District Court, for example: The meeting set up the schedule for a federal trial, due to begin a year from today, on a suit seeking to hold up operations at Europe's Large Hadron Collider while officials answer claims that the machine could create world-gobbling black holes or other monsters.
The suit's plaintiffs, Luis Sancho and Walter Wagner, hope to get the court to agree to their claims at yet another hearing expected to take place this summer. The defendants, representing the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies, hope to get the suit dismissed.
See related article: Quest For The God Particle
Editor's note: Biblical prophecy tells of a different result for the earth...however, this experiment may very well end up causing an unintended result that may have a significant, negative impact on the earth or society.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Damning indictment of the market-driven churches
Dr. Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel visited Ireland and spoke on issues concerning the church today. This video is the third part of a four part series on the damning indictment of the market-driven churches that are so popular today. This third video is an introduction to the church in the age of entertainment. Dr. Gilley contends that the church has sold out to our culture so that the influences of the culture have become the influences in the church. The most significant forces pressing against the church are entertainment, market driven philosophies and psychology. These three are largely absent from the Bible, yet are startlingly prevalent in evangelical churches. The leaders and issues he concentrates on most are Rick Warren and his book The Purpose Driven Church, Bill Hybels and Lee Strobel. In the fourth part of this series, Dr. Gilley will explain what the Emerging Church is and how it is dangerous to the Evangelical community.www.svchapel.org
See more of Pastor Gilley here Indictment of Market-Driven Churches
See more of Pastor Gilley here Indictment of Market-Driven Churches
Monday, June 16, 2008
FOOD: The Global Crisis Deepens ...
The Sunday Herald SPECIAL REPORT: By Kate Smith
THE LIST of countries on the brink of disaster because of the global food crisis is growing by the week. Terrorism and security experts predict widespread social and political unrest and violent conflict in the second and third world.
Last week the United Nations' World Food Programme announced it is to provide US$1.2 billion (£600 million) in additional food aid in the 62 countries hit hardest by the food and fuel crisis.
THE LIST of countries on the brink of disaster because of the global food crisis is growing by the week. Terrorism and security experts predict widespread social and political unrest and violent conflict in the second and third world.
Last week the United Nations' World Food Programme announced it is to provide US$1.2 billion (£600 million) in additional food aid in the 62 countries hit hardest by the food and fuel crisis.
RICK WARREN SAYS “GREAT SPIRITUAL AWAKENING” COMING
From Apprising Ministries
"...The latest PD Encyclical from Warren in “Ministry Toolbox” at his Pastors.com , The five stages of renewal in the local church, gives us the following prophecy: “A great spiritual awakening is on the horizon.”
"...in Rick Warren Reversing the Reformation, that Warren—in complete contradistinction to “what the church believed” in the Protestant Reformation—includes the apostate Roman Catholic Church in “the body of Christ” of which he is speaking above. And not only does Warren include apostate Roman Catholicism but as you can see in the AM piece Rick Warren and Jesus he also includes apostate mainline denominations long ago killed by what Southern Baptist Bible scholar Dr. Walter Martin (1928-1989) called The Cult of Liberal Theology.
See related article: The Pope and the Papacy and Rick Warren
"...The latest PD Encyclical from Warren in “Ministry Toolbox” at his Pastors.com , The five stages of renewal in the local church, gives us the following prophecy: “A great spiritual awakening is on the horizon.”
"...in Rick Warren Reversing the Reformation, that Warren—in complete contradistinction to “what the church believed” in the Protestant Reformation—includes the apostate Roman Catholic Church in “the body of Christ” of which he is speaking above. And not only does Warren include apostate Roman Catholicism but as you can see in the AM piece Rick Warren and Jesus he also includes apostate mainline denominations long ago killed by what Southern Baptist Bible scholar Dr. Walter Martin (1928-1989) called The Cult of Liberal Theology.
See related article: The Pope and the Papacy and Rick Warren
Days of Disaster Continue
7.2 Japan Quake Leaves At Least 6 Dead
(AP) A magnitude 7.2 earthquake ripped across the mountains and rice fields of northern Japan on Saturday, killing at least six people as it sheared off hillsides, jolted buildings and shook nuclear power plants. At least 11 people were missing.
Million flee south Chinese floods
Flooding in southern China has killed at least 55 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes, the government says. Torrential downpours have affected nine provinces, China's civil affairs ministry says. More rain is expected in the coming days, forecasters warn.
Thousands flee rising rivers
Jeff Zogg, a National Weather Service hydrologist in Davenport said he was "amazed" by the enormity of the flood in Cedar Rapids and elsewhere in the Midwest. "Usually if you break a record, you only do it by an inch or two."
Wildfires burn across Northern California
Several wildfires burned across Northern California on Sunday, even as those closest to the Bay Area were winding down and residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains were allowed to return home.
(AP) A magnitude 7.2 earthquake ripped across the mountains and rice fields of northern Japan on Saturday, killing at least six people as it sheared off hillsides, jolted buildings and shook nuclear power plants. At least 11 people were missing.
Million flee south Chinese floods
Flooding in southern China has killed at least 55 people and forced more than one million to flee their homes, the government says. Torrential downpours have affected nine provinces, China's civil affairs ministry says. More rain is expected in the coming days, forecasters warn.
Thousands flee rising rivers
Jeff Zogg, a National Weather Service hydrologist in Davenport said he was "amazed" by the enormity of the flood in Cedar Rapids and elsewhere in the Midwest. "Usually if you break a record, you only do it by an inch or two."
Wildfires burn across Northern California
Several wildfires burned across Northern California on Sunday, even as those closest to the Bay Area were winding down and residents in the Santa Cruz Mountains were allowed to return home.
Friday, June 13, 2008
The Commencement Season
The Commencement Season Originally posted Friday, May 25, 2007
Families across the country will celebrate their children's graduations from high school and college. As a father of a graduating senior, I look back and am amazed at where the time has gone, and how fast it goes. My daughter has attended school under the threat of the Beltway Sniper, suffered through the loss of a close, teen-aged friend to suicide, and watched her high school community grieve the loss of a former graduate in the Virginia Tech tragedy.
She also has watched her SBC church transition to the seeker sensitive model. She watched how men surround and protect their pastors, out of fierce political loyalty, void of Biblical authority. She watched her father plead for doctrinal purity. She watched her family struggle to recover from the public shame of her father being removed as a Sunday School teacher. She watched her family leave the very church she was baptised in 7 years earlier.
When my daughter looks back on these disturbing memories, she will also see the Hand of God in each situation. His grace and mercy. His truth and love. His power and might.My daughter can testify to the reality and power of Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word, and as demonstrated by His indwelling Holy Spirit. She also knows when someone is pretending the do the same. She knows how smoke and mirrors can be used to create the illusion of God's power and presence.
Why would any pastor spend what precious little time there is on anything but teaching the whole counsel of God to fight the very real giants that threaten our children and our churches?
Joel 2:28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
See related articles: More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor
Families across the country will celebrate their children's graduations from high school and college. As a father of a graduating senior, I look back and am amazed at where the time has gone, and how fast it goes. My daughter has attended school under the threat of the Beltway Sniper, suffered through the loss of a close, teen-aged friend to suicide, and watched her high school community grieve the loss of a former graduate in the Virginia Tech tragedy.
She also has watched her SBC church transition to the seeker sensitive model. She watched how men surround and protect their pastors, out of fierce political loyalty, void of Biblical authority. She watched her father plead for doctrinal purity. She watched her family struggle to recover from the public shame of her father being removed as a Sunday School teacher. She watched her family leave the very church she was baptised in 7 years earlier.
When my daughter looks back on these disturbing memories, she will also see the Hand of God in each situation. His grace and mercy. His truth and love. His power and might.My daughter can testify to the reality and power of Jesus Christ as revealed in His Word, and as demonstrated by His indwelling Holy Spirit. She also knows when someone is pretending the do the same. She knows how smoke and mirrors can be used to create the illusion of God's power and presence.
Why would any pastor spend what precious little time there is on anything but teaching the whole counsel of God to fight the very real giants that threaten our children and our churches?
Joel 2:28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
See related articles: More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor , Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor
ABC NEWS: Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts
Weather of Biblical Proportions Sets Off Debate Among Theologians and Scientists
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES June 12, 2008—
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES June 12, 2008—
In the beginning, God created heaven and Earth, and he saw that it was good. So begins the Book of Genesis, the dramatic opener of the Old Testament.
But things went downhill from there.
God's wrath seems at work these days, as the heavens and Earth have unleashed earthquakes in China, a cyclone in Burma, killer tornadoes and record floods across the U.S. and even a plague of locusts (cicadas) in New England.
In Cedar Rapids, Iowa today, floodwaters forced the evacuation of a downtown hospital after residents of more than 3,000 homes fled for higher ground. A railroad bridge collapsed, and 100 city blocks were underwater.
"We're just kind of at God's mercy right now, so hopefully people that never prayed before this, it might be a good time to start," Linn County Sheriff Don Zeller said this week as record floods hit the Midwest. "We're going to need a lot of prayers and people are going to need a lot of patience and understanding."
Editor's Note: If ABC NEWS can read the signs of the times, perhaps the Southern Baptist Convention will read the handwriting on the wall.
See related articles Climate Change & La Nina Don't Explain Record Breaking Tornado Season
Days of Disaster Update , Days of Disaster Continue
Ohio Casts The Next Stone
Library shuts out Christians -- and everybody else by Jeff Johnson - OneNewsNow
An Ohio county public library has closed its meeting rooms to the public rather than allow them to be used by a Christian group.
George and Cathy Vandergriff wanted to host a Crown Financial Ministries "Financial Freedom" workshop in a public meeting room at the Clermont County, Ohio, public library. Tim Chandler, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), says the couple was told that, because the class would be quoting from the Bible, they could not hold it at the library.
"The Supreme Court said, more than 25 years ago, that once you've opened up meeting space, you can't exclude anyone just because they're engaging in religious speech. And, here we are, we're still fighting this battle," Chandler contends.
An Ohio county public library has closed its meeting rooms to the public rather than allow them to be used by a Christian group.
George and Cathy Vandergriff wanted to host a Crown Financial Ministries "Financial Freedom" workshop in a public meeting room at the Clermont County, Ohio, public library. Tim Chandler, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), says the couple was told that, because the class would be quoting from the Bible, they could not hold it at the library.
"The Supreme Court said, more than 25 years ago, that once you've opened up meeting space, you can't exclude anyone just because they're engaging in religious speech. And, here we are, we're still fighting this battle," Chandler contends.
Colorado Casts The Next Stone
Biblical message now criminalized By Bob Unruh @ WorldNetDaily
Penalties created for those who criticize homosexuality outside church walls
A new Colorado law is helping homosexual activists achieve their goal of forcing Christians to teach biblical condemnation of homosexuality only behind the closed doors of their sanctuaries.
The as-yet untested state law promotes sexual identity "perception" to the level of skin color under state discrimination laws.
Some opponents are calling it a "bona fide censorship law," and top analysts for Focus on the Family, the Christian publishing and broadcast powerhouse, are expressing concern over the "mischief" they expect to follow the signing by Gov. Bill Ritter.
Penalties created for those who criticize homosexuality outside church walls
A new Colorado law is helping homosexual activists achieve their goal of forcing Christians to teach biblical condemnation of homosexuality only behind the closed doors of their sanctuaries.
The as-yet untested state law promotes sexual identity "perception" to the level of skin color under state discrimination laws.
Some opponents are calling it a "bona fide censorship law," and top analysts for Focus on the Family, the Christian publishing and broadcast powerhouse, are expressing concern over the "mischief" they expect to follow the signing by Gov. Bill Ritter.
More Collateral Damage From A Purpose Driven Pastor
Mike Ratliff of Possessing the Treasure shares his personal Purpose Driven Transition account:
"...I was very surprised that our Pastor was at every meeting. He guided us into everything. He would not allow us to change anything without his input. The main thing that changed in the Constitution was the addition of our Purpose Statement. The more I thought about that the more I began to become very uneasy with all of this focus on “churchy” things when what we should have been concerned about was the preaching of the Word and the discipling of our people. It was as if those things were unimportant.
Over the next year or so our Pastor became increasingly hard to understand in his sermons. He kept talking about his vision for the Church. Late in 2005 he began preaching through Nehemiah. He kept focusing on Nehemiah dealing with troublemakers, et cetera. It was about this time that I came to know Ingrid and Ken at the old Slice of Laodicia blog. Ken shared a great deal in his posts about the Purpose Driven Church model and what really went on during a transition. It was as if he was describing exactly what was going on in our church. A few weeks later our Pastor gave me a book to read. It was Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Church. I almost fell down."
See related article: Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor
"...I was very surprised that our Pastor was at every meeting. He guided us into everything. He would not allow us to change anything without his input. The main thing that changed in the Constitution was the addition of our Purpose Statement. The more I thought about that the more I began to become very uneasy with all of this focus on “churchy” things when what we should have been concerned about was the preaching of the Word and the discipling of our people. It was as if those things were unimportant.
Over the next year or so our Pastor became increasingly hard to understand in his sermons. He kept talking about his vision for the Church. Late in 2005 he began preaching through Nehemiah. He kept focusing on Nehemiah dealing with troublemakers, et cetera. It was about this time that I came to know Ingrid and Ken at the old Slice of Laodicia blog. Ken shared a great deal in his posts about the Purpose Driven Church model and what really went on during a transition. It was as if he was describing exactly what was going on in our church. A few weeks later our Pastor gave me a book to read. It was Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Church. I almost fell down."
See related article: Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor , Dismembered By A Purpose Driven Pastor
Rick Warren Washes His Hands of SoulForce But Saddleback Sets The Table
The Get Religion.weblog has been featuring the story behind the story about Newsweek's "one-sided" reporting on Soulforce's visit to Rick Warren's Saddleback Church. The author, Mark Stricherz writes:
Stricherz also challenged Miller's quote that claimed Rick Warren invited Soulforce to Saddleback. The article drew the response of Southern Baptist Pastor Rick Warren himself...What makes Miller’s story unique, however, is not its one sidedness. It’s the presentation of reality from only one interest group on that side: SoulForce.
(You) were correct in assuming Newsweek quoted a Soul Force press release headline that was 100% false. We did not invite this group and I will not be meeting with them. They invited themselves to draw attention to their cross country publicity stunt.
My staff has already told them that neither my wife nor I will meet with them for any discussion or debate. This weekend, both Kay and I are receiving awards from two different universities so we’ll be out of town! Also, it’s Father’s Day and I’m spending the holiday with my children and grandchildren, as are all my staff.
Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
Well, that certainly sounds like America's Pastor is setting the record straight. However, Watcher's Lamp has a follow up for Pastor Warren:
Dear Pastor Warren,
Are you not ultimately responsible for the activities of Saddleback Church? For Soulforce to attend a service at Saddleback is their choice. . .as it is for any individual in America.
However, setting the table for a sit-down meal for dialogue on Monday is now outside the realm of attending church on Sunday.
From Proud Parenting.com: Gay dads celebrate Father’s Day with Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life”
This Father’s Day, a group of LGBT ( ed. note Lesbian Gay BisexualTransgender) and straight-ally families will spend their holiday in a way that is both extraordinary and profoundly commonplace: they will attend services at Saddleback Church, the mega-church founded by Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life.
The following day, the families will join leaders from Saddleback Church for
a private meal and conversation.
You may be out of town this weekend, but as former CEO’s have found out the hard way. . .you are still responsible for what goes on at your Church, whether you are physically present or not.
Providing that as an excuse, Pastor Warren, seems out of character for such a man who travels in global circles.
You’re certainly going out of your way to make this group feel welcome. Will you or your staff present the scandal of The Cross during this two day event?
See related article: Rick Warren: Playing Both Sides of the Gay Agenda , Saddleback Set To Entertain Gay Activists , Christian Leader Pays For Speaking Out Against Rick Warren
2008: The Year of Global Food Crisis
By Kate Smith and Rob Edwards
IT IS the new face of hunger. A perfect storm of food scarcity, global warming, rocketing oil prices and the world population explosion is plunging humanity into the biggest crisis of the 21st century by pushing up food prices and spreading hunger and poverty from rural areas into cities. Millions more of the world’s most vulnerable people are facing starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices spiral> ever upwards.
And for the first time in history, say experts, the impact is spreading from the developing to the developed world. More than 73 million people in 78 countries that depend on food handouts from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are facing reduced rations this year. The increasing scarcity of food is the biggest crisis looming for the world’’, according to WFP officials.
At the same time, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned that rising prices have triggered a food crisis in 36 countries, all of which will need extra help. The threat of malnutrition is the world’s forgotten problem’’, says the World Bank as it demands urgent action.
IT IS the new face of hunger. A perfect storm of food scarcity, global warming, rocketing oil prices and the world population explosion is plunging humanity into the biggest crisis of the 21st century by pushing up food prices and spreading hunger and poverty from rural areas into cities. Millions more of the world’s most vulnerable people are facing starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices spiral> ever upwards.
And for the first time in history, say experts, the impact is spreading from the developing to the developed world. More than 73 million people in 78 countries that depend on food handouts from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) are facing reduced rations this year. The increasing scarcity of food is the biggest crisis looming for the world’’, according to WFP officials.
At the same time, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation has warned that rising prices have triggered a food crisis in 36 countries, all of which will need extra help. The threat of malnutrition is the world’s forgotten problem’’, says the World Bank as it demands urgent action.
Days of Disaster Update
Seven earthquakes shake northern Israel within two days
Israel's Geophysical Institute stated that the tremors, which were felt by many northern residents, had a magnitude of 3.8 and 3.9 on the Richter Scale. Their epicenter was in southern Lebanon. Friday's tremors came a day after five quakes jolted Lebanon in the space of three hours. Two of the quakes had a magnitude of over 4, and were felt in parts of northern Israel, especially in Kiryat Shmona.
Scientists warn of New Zealand volcano eruption
Vulcanologists are warning tourists and other visitors that a shallow quake close to White Island today means they should stay away from the island this weekend.
More Volcanic Activity in Indonesia, Italy and Chile
An increase in activity was reported at Mt Etna volcano on Monday evening. Eruptions continue at Chaitén volcano in Chile. Soputan volcano in Indonesia erupted at 10 am (local time) on 6th June.
Flooding Hits Historic 500-Year Levels in Iowa
The National Weather Service called flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a "historic hydrologic event" Thursday as the swollen river poured over its banks at 500-year flood levels, forcing the evacuation of nearly 4,000 homes.
Kan. residents assess damage after deadly twisters
The twister tore a path of destruction six blocks wide through the town of 1,400 people about 140 miles west of Kansas City on Wednesday night. It left one woman dead, reduced houses and businesses to rubble, and snapped utility poles and trees.
US Midwest flooding forces evacuations, shutdowns
DES MOINES, Iowa, June 12 (Reuters) - Flooding rivers across Iowa forced residents to evacuate, closed businesses, wrecked stores and shut down highways and barge traffic, authorities said on Thursday.Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said storm and water damage to infrastructure will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as dozens of bridges have been damaged or destroyed. Nine rivers were at or near record levels, he said. More rain has been forecast for the coming days.
Israel's Geophysical Institute stated that the tremors, which were felt by many northern residents, had a magnitude of 3.8 and 3.9 on the Richter Scale. Their epicenter was in southern Lebanon. Friday's tremors came a day after five quakes jolted Lebanon in the space of three hours. Two of the quakes had a magnitude of over 4, and were felt in parts of northern Israel, especially in Kiryat Shmona.
Scientists warn of New Zealand volcano eruption
Vulcanologists are warning tourists and other visitors that a shallow quake close to White Island today means they should stay away from the island this weekend.
More Volcanic Activity in Indonesia, Italy and Chile
An increase in activity was reported at Mt Etna volcano on Monday evening. Eruptions continue at Chaitén volcano in Chile. Soputan volcano in Indonesia erupted at 10 am (local time) on 6th June.
Flooding Hits Historic 500-Year Levels in Iowa
The National Weather Service called flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a "historic hydrologic event" Thursday as the swollen river poured over its banks at 500-year flood levels, forcing the evacuation of nearly 4,000 homes.
Kan. residents assess damage after deadly twisters
The twister tore a path of destruction six blocks wide through the town of 1,400 people about 140 miles west of Kansas City on Wednesday night. It left one woman dead, reduced houses and businesses to rubble, and snapped utility poles and trees.
US Midwest flooding forces evacuations, shutdowns
DES MOINES, Iowa, June 12 (Reuters) - Flooding rivers across Iowa forced residents to evacuate, closed businesses, wrecked stores and shut down highways and barge traffic, authorities said on Thursday.Iowa Gov. Chet Culver said storm and water damage to infrastructure will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as dozens of bridges have been damaged or destroyed. Nine rivers were at or near record levels, he said. More rain has been forecast for the coming days.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Climate Change & La Nina Don't Explain Record Breaking Tornado Season
We're In Record Tornado Territory By Jennifer Zeppelin, CBS4 Meteorologist
The most recent tornado outbreak has pushed our yearly total of tornadoes into record territory. The 10-year annual trend is 1,270 tornadoes per year; so far this year there has been a total of 1,577 tornadoes reported. The record yearly total occurred in 2004, with a total of 1,717 tornadoes.
Meteorologists Can't Explain Exactly Why So Many Are Forming
"...Right now we're on track to break all previous counts through the end of the year," said warning meteorologist Greg Carbin at the Storm Prediction Center earlier this month.
Global warming cannot really explain what is happening, Carbin said. While higher temperatures could increase the number of thunderstorms, which are needed to trigger tornadoes, they also would tend to push the storm systems too far north to form some twisters, he said.
La Nina, the cooling of parts of the Central Pacific that is the flip side El Nino, was a factor in the increased activity earlier this year -- especially in February, a record month for tornado activity -- but it can't explain what is happening now, according to Carbin.
Editor's note: NASA has long held that the sun, the earth's weakened magnetic field and the weather are interrelated.
In WARNING: The Coming Solar Storm this blog to a look at what NASA has learned about this relationship magnetic relationship between the sun and the earth...
Another NASA website describes the sun's impact on the earth's climate:Everyone is familiar with changes in the weather on Earth. But "weather" also occurs in space. Just as it drives weather on Earth, the Sun is responsible for disturbances in our space environment.
See how NASA is not embarrassed to state the relationship between solar activity and the impact on our climate? J. W. King of the Appleton Laboratory, England penned this 1974 citation, Weather and the Earth's magnetic field in the Nature Journal:
A comparison of meteorological pressures and the strength of the geomagnetic field suggests a possible controlling influence of the field on the longitudinal variation of the average pressure in the troposphere at high latitudes. If so, changes which occur in the pattern of 'permanent' depressions in the troposphere as the magnetic field varies (for example, as the non-dipole component of the field drifts westwards) may be accompanied by climatic changes.The UK's Guardian makes this reference in 2002:
There is a growing body of evidence that the sun's highly charged particles batter the upper atmosphere so hard that some of the assault filters down into the atmosphere around us, influencing the wind, atmospheric pressure and temperature. (ed. note: layman terms-"weather")
Collateral Damage of the Purpose Driven Pastor
My eight year old son's Sunday School class ended 10 minutes before the class that I taught ended. He would quietly open the door, find a seat and listen and wait for his father. The room of adults loved rubbing his head and hugging on him. My son and and I would then meet up with my wife and 13 year old daughter to attend service. This went on for about 2 years.
Then one day my son asked, "Daddy, why aren't you teaching Sunday School? Did you do something wrong?" I assured him I did not do anything wrong, and that I was taking a break from teaching.
A few weeks later, my son asked, "Daddy, aren't we going to church today?" A few months later, my son asked, "Daddy, aren't we going to go to church anymore? Can we go back, please?"
I did not tell my son that:
- the pastor had lied, manipulated, and breached confidentiality (a civil offense under the Commonwealth of Virginia)
- I was removed as a Sunday School teacher for refusing to back down from my originally confidential and discreet position on the Purpose Driven program.
- I was no longer welcome to attend Sunday School at this church.
- the pastor refused to respond in writing for my removal which occurred without a vote by the congregation that originally voted to install me as a teacher and a deacon
- the pastor told my Sunday School class I was removed for challenging his authority
- the deacons claimed I was removed temporarily for an investigation they did not conduct
- the pastor's refusal to allow the congregation to hear the either side of the complaint
- my fellow deacons cutoff the mediation process with a mediator from the state convention
- my fellow deacons sent me a letter stating that they see no evidence of pastoral misconduct or theological issues with Purpose Driven.
No, I did not tell my son these things, but he knew something bad happened because he saw it on the faces of my wife and daughter.
It may be hard to prove in a court of law that Rick Warren owns vicarious liability for the social and emotional harm that was done to my family.
But Warren and his pastor network will have their ultimate Day in Court with The Judge of The Ages.
This is my family's story, and you can read my appeal to the men referred to in this post here.
Does Rick Warren have any moral, ethical, social, legal or biblical responsibility for the consequential harm that his program generates? Does the Southern Baptist Convention share this responsibility as well since Rick Warren is a Southern Baptist minister?
See the rest of the story at Purpose Driven Away From Immanuel Baptist Church .
See related article: Dismembered By Purpose Driven Pastors , SBC President Not Interested In the Victims of Purpose Driven
Then one day my son asked, "Daddy, why aren't you teaching Sunday School? Did you do something wrong?" I assured him I did not do anything wrong, and that I was taking a break from teaching.
A few weeks later, my son asked, "Daddy, aren't we going to church today?" A few months later, my son asked, "Daddy, aren't we going to go to church anymore? Can we go back, please?"
I did not tell my son that:
- the pastor had lied, manipulated, and breached confidentiality (a civil offense under the Commonwealth of Virginia)
- I was removed as a Sunday School teacher for refusing to back down from my originally confidential and discreet position on the Purpose Driven program.
- I was no longer welcome to attend Sunday School at this church.
- the pastor refused to respond in writing for my removal which occurred without a vote by the congregation that originally voted to install me as a teacher and a deacon
- the pastor told my Sunday School class I was removed for challenging his authority
- the deacons claimed I was removed temporarily for an investigation they did not conduct
- the pastor's refusal to allow the congregation to hear the either side of the complaint
- my fellow deacons cutoff the mediation process with a mediator from the state convention
- my fellow deacons sent me a letter stating that they see no evidence of pastoral misconduct or theological issues with Purpose Driven.
No, I did not tell my son these things, but he knew something bad happened because he saw it on the faces of my wife and daughter.
It may be hard to prove in a court of law that Rick Warren owns vicarious liability for the social and emotional harm that was done to my family.
But Warren and his pastor network will have their ultimate Day in Court with The Judge of The Ages.
This is my family's story, and you can read my appeal to the men referred to in this post here.
Does Rick Warren have any moral, ethical, social, legal or biblical responsibility for the consequential harm that his program generates? Does the Southern Baptist Convention share this responsibility as well since Rick Warren is a Southern Baptist minister?
See the rest of the story at Purpose Driven Away From Immanuel Baptist Church .
See related article: Dismembered By Purpose Driven Pastors , SBC President Not Interested In the Victims of Purpose Driven
KEN SILVA: THE BLOODIED GROUND UPON WHICH I STAND CONCERNING RICK WARREN
From Pastor-Teacher Ken Silva
Now because of the public posturing beginning to surround the meeting Warren recently had with his critics, to which I was invited, I just want to state with crystalline clarity where I personally stand here at Apprising Ministries.
So hear me when I state that I remain firmly opposed to what Rick Warren is doing, until at the very least, he publicly repents of his sin against the Body of Christ and the blood of our Lord’s martyred Reformers noted above.
And like Luther I also will have zero to do with milquetoast “middle of the road” men:
The negotiation about doctrinal agreement displeases me altogether, for this is utterly impossible unless the pope has his papacy abolished. Therefore avoid and flee those who seek the middle of the road. Think of me after I am dead and such middle-of-the-road men arise, for nothing good will come of it. There can be no compromise. (What Luther Says, II: 1019)
See related articles:
Two Witnesses Appear at Saddleback , Extreme Theology at The Mike Corley Show ,
Bob DeWaay on Iron Sharpens Iron Radio , Sundquist Responds To Warren's Invitation , Crosstalk Examines Warren's PEACE Coalition
Now because of the public posturing beginning to surround the meeting Warren recently had with his critics, to which I was invited, I just want to state with crystalline clarity where I personally stand here at Apprising Ministries.
So hear me when I state that I remain firmly opposed to what Rick Warren is doing, until at the very least, he publicly repents of his sin against the Body of Christ and the blood of our Lord’s martyred Reformers noted above.
And like Luther I also will have zero to do with milquetoast “middle of the road” men:
The negotiation about doctrinal agreement displeases me altogether, for this is utterly impossible unless the pope has his papacy abolished. Therefore avoid and flee those who seek the middle of the road. Think of me after I am dead and such middle-of-the-road men arise, for nothing good will come of it. There can be no compromise. (What Luther Says, II: 1019)
See related articles:
Two Witnesses Appear at Saddleback , Extreme Theology at The Mike Corley Show ,
Bob DeWaay on Iron Sharpens Iron Radio , Sundquist Responds To Warren's Invitation , Crosstalk Examines Warren's PEACE Coalition
Days of Disaster Continue
Six killed by tornadoes ripping through US Midwest Swissinfo, Switzerland by Kay Henderson DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Tornadoes killed four people at a boy scout camp in Iowa and two others in Kansas late on Wednesday as more ...
30 Tornadoes rip through US Midwest Macedonia, Canada - 6 hours agoThe deadly twister was one of more than 30 that roared through four US Midwestern states on Wednesday. It hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa ...
Midwest Braces for More Flooding New York Times, United States - by CHRISTOPHER MAAG and JOHN HOLUSHA CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Sodden communities in the upper Midwest braced for more flooding on Wednesday as rising rivers ...
Sri Lanka Floods Leave 400,000 Homeless; GFA Calls for Prayer, Emergency Aid Gospel for Asia SRI LANKA (ANS) -- More than 400,000 people have been driven from their homes by unusually heavy monsoon floods on the island of Sri Lanka. The continuous, torrential rains have killed at least 20 people, left hundreds of homes destroyed and rendered thousands of others unlivable.
Fires fed by wind, heat continue to pummel Northern Calif.
San Diego Union Tribune by Don Thompson AP SACRAMENTO – Wind-driven wildfires raked Northern California for a second day Wednesday, including a raging forest fire that forced ...
Historic flooding batters Midwest
Thousands impacted, volunteers begin response efforts, more storms predicted
BY VICKI DESORMIER June 10, 2008
Nearly half a dozen people have died after rain in the Midwest caused flooding that turned streets into rivers and rivers into wild torrents that burst through dams and thundered over banks, destroying buildings and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes in the region.
Fatal Floods in Midwest, Wicked Heat in East ABC News - Jun 9, 2008Eight deaths were attributed to wicked wet weather in the Midwest, and three states were forced to declare disaster areas. Wisconsin Gov. ...
Wicked Weekend Storms Kill Ten People KHON2, HI - Jun 9, 2008In Michigan, at least six died as a result of the wicked weather, including two people out delivering newspapers. The storms also knocked out power to ...
See previous Days of Disaster Updates here.
30 Tornadoes rip through US Midwest Macedonia, Canada - 6 hours agoThe deadly twister was one of more than 30 that roared through four US Midwestern states on Wednesday. It hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa ...
Midwest Braces for More Flooding New York Times, United States - by CHRISTOPHER MAAG and JOHN HOLUSHA CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Sodden communities in the upper Midwest braced for more flooding on Wednesday as rising rivers ...
Sri Lanka Floods Leave 400,000 Homeless; GFA Calls for Prayer, Emergency Aid Gospel for Asia SRI LANKA (ANS) -- More than 400,000 people have been driven from their homes by unusually heavy monsoon floods on the island of Sri Lanka. The continuous, torrential rains have killed at least 20 people, left hundreds of homes destroyed and rendered thousands of others unlivable.
Fires fed by wind, heat continue to pummel Northern Calif.
San Diego Union Tribune by Don Thompson AP SACRAMENTO – Wind-driven wildfires raked Northern California for a second day Wednesday, including a raging forest fire that forced ...
Historic flooding batters Midwest
Thousands impacted, volunteers begin response efforts, more storms predicted
BY VICKI DESORMIER June 10, 2008
Nearly half a dozen people have died after rain in the Midwest caused flooding that turned streets into rivers and rivers into wild torrents that burst through dams and thundered over banks, destroying buildings and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of homes in the region.
Fatal Floods in Midwest, Wicked Heat in East ABC News - Jun 9, 2008Eight deaths were attributed to wicked wet weather in the Midwest, and three states were forced to declare disaster areas. Wisconsin Gov. ...
Wicked Weekend Storms Kill Ten People KHON2, HI - Jun 9, 2008In Michigan, at least six died as a result of the wicked weather, including two people out delivering newspapers. The storms also knocked out power to ...
See previous Days of Disaster Updates here.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Dismembered By Purpose Driven Pastors
From Christian Research Network: Spirit-Led or Purpose-Driven? Dealing with Resisters
Since Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren had the summit meeting with his critics what is pointed out by my friend Berit Kjos in this piece has been successfully swept under PDL rug:
Part 3 of this series, "Small Groups and the Dialectic Process," triggered a stream of letters from troubled Christians around the world. They had watched as the focus of their churches shifted from Bible-based teaching to purpose-driven experiences. Many had sensed something wrong but couldn't’ define the problem.
Some wondered how God’s guidance fit into this tightly controlled man-made system. They had asked questions, but no one could calm their concern. They had tried to warn their pastor and friends but had been rebuffed. Some were even told to find another church. All shared the pain of rejection… Vilifying and shaming "resisters" is nothing new…
2Chronicles 13:8
9 Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands?
Isaiah 5
12 Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute,and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD,Nor do they consider the work of His hands. 13Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge
Isaiah 9
16 For those who guide this people are leading them astray;And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.
Jeremiah 23
1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD...
...16Thus says the LORD of hosts,"Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you They are leading you into futility;They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD.
Ezekiel 13
6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, Thus says the LORD! But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, The LORD says, but I have not spoken. 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you, says the Lord GOD.
Matthew 7
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.
Matthew 20
25But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Romans 16
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all.
1 Corinthians 2
1 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.
2 Corinthians 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Colossians 2
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward,taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind
Galations 1
9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galations 3
3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
2 Corinthians 2
17For we are not like many, peddling the Word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God
2 Corinthians 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
3 John 1
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So 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.
1 Timothy 4
1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron
2 Timothy 4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
1 Peter 5
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
2 Peter 2
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you...
Listen to Purpose Driven Resisters on the Mike Corley Show.
Know the Signs of A Purpose Driven Transition In Your Church
See also:
A Popular Strategy For Church Growth Splits Congregants
Wall Street Journal on Purpose Driven Resisters Tells Just Part of the Story
The Unreported Plight of Purpose Driven Refugees
Rick Warren & Vision Casting
The Vision That Controls and Cuts People
How To Defend Your Personal Church Growth Vision
Satan's Greatest Weapon: Disunity?
95 Theses Against Purpose-Drivenism
True Unity Is Striving For The Faith Of The Gospel
Purpose Driven Deceit
DISCERNMENT OR CRITICISM
SPIRITUAL EUTHANASIA & PURPOSE DRIVEN
Blessed believer to blessed subtraction
Another 40 Days of Destruction and Division
An Address To a SBC Deacon Body Regarding The Purpose Driven Shift
Calvary Chapel and Purpose Driven
Signs of A Purpose Driven Transition In Your Church
Southern Baptist Founders Conference Says "No" to Seeker Sensitive
Calvary Chapel Churches Rejects Purpose Driven and Emerging Spirituality
69th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church Says "No" To Purpose Driven
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Resisters Fight the Seeker Sensitive-Purpose Driven
Since Purpose Driven Pope Rick Warren had the summit meeting with his critics what is pointed out by my friend Berit Kjos in this piece has been successfully swept under PDL rug:
Part 3 of this series, "Small Groups and the Dialectic Process," triggered a stream of letters from troubled Christians around the world. They had watched as the focus of their churches shifted from Bible-based teaching to purpose-driven experiences. Many had sensed something wrong but couldn't’ define the problem.
Some wondered how God’s guidance fit into this tightly controlled man-made system. They had asked questions, but no one could calm their concern. They had tried to warn their pastor and friends but had been rebuffed. Some were even told to find another church. All shared the pain of rejection… Vilifying and shaming "resisters" is nothing new…
2Chronicles 13:8
9 Have you not driven out the priests of the LORD, the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands?
Isaiah 5
12 Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute,and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the LORD,Nor do they consider the work of His hands. 13Therefore My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge
Isaiah 9
16 For those who guide this people are leading them astray;And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.
Jeremiah 23
1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD...
...16Thus says the LORD of hosts,"Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you They are leading you into futility;They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD.
Ezekiel 13
6 They have envisioned futility and false divination, saying, Thus says the LORD! But the LORD has not sent them; yet they hope that the word may be confirmed. 7 Have you not seen a futile vision, and have you not spoken false divination? You say, The LORD says, but I have not spoken. 8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you, says the Lord GOD.
Matthew 7
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.
Matthew 20
25But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Romans 16
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all.
1 Corinthians 2
1 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.
2 Corinthians 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Colossians 2
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward,taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind
Galations 1
9As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Galations 3
3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
2 Corinthians 2
17For we are not like many, peddling the Word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God
2 Corinthians 6
14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
3 John 1
9I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10So 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.
1 Timothy 4
1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron
2 Timothy 4
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
1 Peter 5
2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
2 Peter 2
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you...
Listen to Purpose Driven Resisters on the Mike Corley Show.
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True Unity Is Striving For The Faith Of The Gospel
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DISCERNMENT OR CRITICISM
SPIRITUAL EUTHANASIA & PURPOSE DRIVEN
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Calvary Chapel and Purpose Driven
Signs of A Purpose Driven Transition In Your Church
Southern Baptist Founders Conference Says "No" to Seeker Sensitive
Calvary Chapel Churches Rejects Purpose Driven and Emerging Spirituality
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