It's Official: Biblical Christians Are Pharisees

From Apprising Ministries:

In a new ebook, subtitled How Spiritual Bullies Attack The Church, Bill Slabaugh opines how apparently the church now faces “a new level of intensity when it comes to spiritual abuse and bullying.” Well, it seems Apprising Ministries is among “several national organizations, websites, newsletters, and radio broadcasts” who “have turned their sights on the church and have attacked Christian leaders and other faithful believers.”

So Slabaugh, with his “over twenty-five years of pastoral experience, is set to ride to the rescue—for $12.95 a pop—informing us:

This New Pharisaism falsely claims that New Age, Eastern mystical, and occultic practices are being introduced into most churches in America as part of the apostasy of the last days. This inflammatory and divisive material has made its way into local churches through individuals and small groups of bullies who have used it for their own selfish gain and self-promoting agenda.

The weapons of their warfare consist of destructive written material and radio broadcasts which have no true scriptural basis. They are self-appointed Pharisees who refer to themselves as: “watchmen,” “apprising ministries,” and “discerning ministries.”

These Pharisaical organizations and individuals include Ray Yungen, Dave Hunt and The Berean Call, Crosstalk America, Lighthouse Trails Research Project, MediaSpotlight, Southwest Radio Church, Apprising Ministries, and Understanding the Times. (Online source)

As we investigate this matter, and Slabaugh himself, further it would seem to be a good time for all of us to revisit the article Playing the Pharisee Card by Todd Wilken, host of the radio program Issues, Etc. Wilken begins:

I have been called a Pharisee more times than I can remember. It goes with the territory. I host a conservative Christian radio talk show. I publicly defend the teachings and practices of the historic Church. I also publicly point out false teaching and practices in the Church today. For these reasons alone, some believe that I deserve to be called a Pharisee.

But I’m not alone. Today, the label “Pharisee” is applied to many Christians just like me—perhaps you’re one of them. We are Christians who cherish God’s Word, the Church’s historic Creeds, confessions and practices. When we see the Church abandoning these things to follow the latest fads and entertainments, we lament. When we see the Gospel itself being left behind in the Church’s rush to mimic popular culture, we are grieved. And when we question the Church’s infatuation with the spirit of the age, we are labeled Pharisees. (Online source)

You can read this article by Todd Wilken in its entirety right here.

See also, JAMES SUNDQUIST RESPONDS TO NEW PHARISAISM AND BILL SLABAUGH


Editor's note: First, a book is written. Conferences are booked. Then, the stones begin to fly.

See related: Growing Hostility Toward Biblical Christianity...from Evangelicals