Jesus a Prophet of Chrislam?

 

By Ken Silva pastor-teacher

on June 1, 2011

For at least the past six years now online apologetics and discernment ministries like Lighthouse Trails Research, as well as here at Apprising Ministries, have warning about the growing infestation within evangelicalism of critical thinking skills-numbing corrupt Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism (CSM), such as that taught by Living Spiritual Teacher and Quaker mystic Richard Foster along with his spiritual twin and Southern Baptist minister Dallas Willard.

You may remember that none other than Emergent Church guru Brian McLaren told you they were “key mentors” of the Emerging Church.[1] So what did you think these mentors were teaching the leaders within the sinfully ecumenical neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church, who have now gone on to develop a quasi-universalism in their new version of Progressive Christian theology under their spiritual circus “big tent” Emergence Christianity?

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Open Letter To Evangelical and Protestant Pastors Worldwide Now is the Day to Turn Back to God’s Word

RE: Open Letter To Evangelical and Protestant Pastors Worldwide

Now is the Day to Turn Back to God’s Word

From: Roger Oakland, Understand The Times

The following letter is to all Bible-believing pastors throughout the world who have been or are being influenced by current trends that are attacking the Word of God through the postmodern humanistic mystical belief system. I have witnessed this deception firsthand on a worldwide basis but am most familiar with what has been happening in the two fellowships I have been part of for the past thirty years – one in Canada and one based in southern California.

It is with a heavy heart I write this open letter to those who consider themselves evangelical or Protestant pastors. While my desire is to do this respectfully and with the love of the Lord, I am compelled with a strong sense of responsibility to write this warning.

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John Piper’s Interview with Rick Warren at Saddleback Reappears

By Ken Silva pastor-teacher on May 27, 2011

Apprising Ministries has pointed out that a part of our labor in the Lord is our documenting of the painfully obvious New Downgrade going on within mainstream evangelicalism; not unlike The Downgrade Controversy Charles Spurgeon dealt with many years ago, which should be more and more obvious, at least for those blessed by God with eyes that see.

You should know that the root of this growing apostasy roughly begins with the charismatic revival circa 1960 as it later spreads through the Jesus People/Movement in the early 1970′s and out into various mainline denominations as well as into what became the Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission.[1]

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Rejoicing in the Lord

By Arthur W Pink

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). How many there are today who make an entirely wrong use of this Divine exhortation. Let any servant of God faithfully trace out the inward experiences of a Christian, let him describe the painful discoveries of “the plague of his own heart” (1 Kings 8:38), and his daily conflict with his corruptions and the corresponding effect this produces in the dampening of his spirits. Let him point out how well-suited to his case is the humiliating lament of Romans 7:24, and the light-hearted and empty-headed religionists of the day will promptly (we do not say “quote,” but) hurl at his head these words—“rejoice in the Lord always.” Those who thus misuse our text suppose that its happy strains condemn all gloominess in a Christian, and that it goes to show that one who is groaning is living far below his privileges. Continue reading

Differences between Semi-Pelagianism and Arminian Beliefs

by John Hendryx

[Semi-Pelagianism]
While not denying the necessity of Grace for salvation, Semi-Pelagianism maintains that the first steps towards the Christian life are ordinarily taken by the human will and that Grace supervened only later.

[Arminianism]
In contrast to semi-pelagianism, Arminianism teaches that the first steps of grace are taken by God. This teaching derives from the Remonstrance of 1610, a codification of the teachings of Jacob Arminius (1559-1609). Here are the 3rd and 4th articles of five to show how close it actually approaches traditional Calvinism, but still leaves man with a small island of righteousness, as it affirms that, unregenerate man can think spiritual thoughts, perceive the beauty and excellency of Christ, create affections for Him and thus turn in faith to Him, apart from the quickening of the Holy Spirit. They affirm that God’s grace is always resistible, therefore, when one believes, it is not grace which makes one to differ from another person, but naturally produced faith:

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The Bible and the Book of Mormon

Rapture prediction: the effect on Christian Faith

Grant Swart

What follows here is another perspective on the possible effects, of giving heed to individuals like Harold Camping, could have on the perception of unbelievers regarding the Christian faith.

In South Africa, an advocate of Camping’s thinking, a certain Johannes Coetzee, received much radio and media coverage, in the days prior to 21 May 2011. In a society wherein a large majority of people are suffering from the devastating effects of the economic low and the falling away from true Faith, due to the ecumenical, secular and pagan beliefs of the majority of local society and government, the added result of Johannes Coetzee’s false predictions, has yet to be determined.

Taken from the article, James Boyett effectively states:

“What Harold Camping does, he gives people on the outside … it gives them ammunition to say ‘This man is a nut job; he’s a Christian. Christians are nut jobs. If you’re Christian, why should I listen to what you’re saying”

“My advice would be anytime you put too much faith in a fellow human, you’re going to be let down.”

“What Harold Camping said and what Harold Camping has taught is not the essence of Christianity.” Continue reading

Forbidden Lawsuits

John MacArthur – Grace to You

1 Corinthians 6:1-8


First Corinthians chapter 6, we’ll look at least the first eight verses of the chapter and get a running start on it. I’ve entitled the message simply “Forbidden Lawsuits.” You know, the Bible is a very practical book, and some of you maybe came this morning visiting us expecting to hear messages about God and Christ and messages in regard to the death of Jesus Christ or who He is or something like that, or maybe topical things; but what we’re doing this morning is just arriving at chapter 6 in 1 Corinthians and taking it as the Spirit of God has brought it to us. And the message this morning deals with lawsuits. Now, maybe you didn’t think the Bible got into practical things like suing other people; but it does; and it has a lot to say about it.

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Harold Camping & May 21 Judgment Day – Update!

By Ken Silva pastor-teacher on May 20, 2011

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

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Harold Camping prepares for Judgment Day

I was alerted earlier today to listen to a local radio talk about the infamous date 21 May 2011. The person who was interviewed was Johannes Coetzee on radio RSG. It grieves my heart to know there are actually people who believe this nonsensical rubbish. I believe every true Christian will by the Grace of God have discernment enough to shun this lie. There are sadly others who will blindly follow these False teachers. This led me to go back to Scripture and again it was made clear that Mat 24:36  “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. and also Mat 24:42  Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Praise God for His mercy on our poor wretched souls. Praise God for the only truth we have: the Scripture. Continue reading

The Problem of a Suffering Christian

Arthur W. Pink

A child of God oppressed, suffering sorely, often driven to his wit’s end..what a strange thing! A joint-heir with Christ financially embarrassed, poor in this world’s goods, wondering where his next meal is coming from..what an anomaly! An object of the Father’s everlasting love, and distinguishing favor tossed up and down upon a sea of trouble, with every apparent prospect of his frail barque capsizing..what a perplexity!

One who has been regenerated and is now indwelt by the Holy Spirit daily harassed by Satan, and frequently overcome by indwelling sin..what an enigma! Loved by the Father, redeemed by the Son, his body made the temple of the Holy Spirit, yet left in this world year after year to suffer affliction and persecution, to mourn and groan over innumerable failures, to encounter one trial after another, often to be placed in far less favorable circumstances than the wicked; to sigh and cry for relief, yet for sorrow and suffering to increase..what a mystery! What Christian has not felt the force of it, and been baffled by its inscrutability.
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Having the Head Affect the Heart

J.C. Ryle

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: John, volume 2, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1987], 182. {John 9:26-41}

When knowledge only sticks in a man’s head, and has no influence over his heart and life, it becomes a most perilous possession. And when, in addition to this, its possessor is self-conceited and self-satisfied, and imagines he knows everything, the result is one of the worst states of soul into which man can fall. There is far more hope about him who says, “I am a poor blind sinner and want God to teach me,” than about him who is ever saying, “I know it, I know it, I am not ignorant,” and yet cleaves to his sins. The sin of that man “remains.”

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Fearless Preparation for Trials

John MacArthur – Grace to You

“God has not given us a spirit of timidity [fear], but of power and love and discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7

The true follower of Christ has no reason to fear potential sufferings and trials.

Concerning frustration and fear at the 1992 Winter Olympics, speed skater Dan Jansen said, “What happened was I skated a race that I can only describe as tentative. I looked good. I didn’t slip. Yet something kept me from going flat out.” The favored Jansen, haunted by well-publicized failures to win medals in 1988 or 1992, finally overcame his fear and triumphed in 1994 in the 1,000-meter speed-skating event.

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“Ye shine as lights in the world.”

C H Spurgeon – Daily Devotion

“In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”
– Phi_2:15

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Ancient Labyrinths are Re-emerging

Prof Johan Malan

There is a sharp increase in the building and use of labyrinths in the West, which occurs in conjunction with the resurgence of other mystical practices such as Yoga and Eastern meditation. In the USA, more than 1000 labyrinths have been built in meditation garden settings, at retreat centres, churches, hospitals and prisons.

The popularity of labyrinths is also increasing in South Africa and many other countries.

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