Marsha West
The Religious Right unites with Religious Renegades, Part 3
By Marsha West
There's an old saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," meaning that people who believe they are doing good often end up doing evil. It's the law of unintended consequences. Unfortunately this is what has happened to some — not all — religious conservative organizations. I know of altruistic Christian activists, both conservative and liberal, who believe they are doing God's work, but in their effort to "right wrongs" they have utterly failed to honor God's command to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. " (Jude 1:3)
What does Jude mean? Simply that true followers of Jesus Christ are first and foremost to share Christ with the lost. Yet many so-called Christians are not evangelizing the lost for fear of being perceived as trying to "push their religion on others." They detest being thought of as intolerant, thus they remain silent. News flash: The Gospel of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be offensive to those who are lost! It's a whole lot easier to say "Jesus loves you" than "take up your cross and follow Him."
Some prominent Christian Right (CR) leaders that head up ginormous organizations are so busy fighting the culture war that they've forgotten what's most important — Truth! Jesus said: "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
The CR (unrepentantly) unites with pretty much anyone who is likeminded politically. Sadly this includes a slew of false teachers, cultists, and Social Justice Christians (SJC) a.k.a. Progressive Evangelicals. SJCs are chiefly liberals whose main goal is to dismantle historical, orthodox Christianity and usher in a "new kind of Christianity." In the name of social justice, SJC leaders stealthly steer undiscerning believers into a left-wing collectivized utopia!
SJC is beyond of the scope of this article so I'll move on.
PRAGMATISM = COMPROMISE
Many in the CR leadership are uniting with evil doers (God's word, not mine). They have climbed aboard the SS Pragmatism and are proceeding full speed ahead into shark infested waters. Uniting with evil doers serves two specific purposes. It helps get the message out and provides an additional source of revenue. And let's face it. When the money stops rolling in organizations are forced to close their doors. So these additional funds, regardless of the source, keep the message alive and the group afloat.
Before I move to my next point I need to stress that it is my belief that Christians should try to influence public policy. How? By casting their vote, serving in local government, forming and joining special interest groups, writing letters to the Editor, giving financial support, and participating in lawful demonstrations. Anti-abortion activists are a good example of Christians trying to influence public policy. Pro-lifers have formed groups comprised mostly of Christians that engage in politics because it is the only means they have to end abortion. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it will happen because of the dogged determination of political action groups.
For obvious reasons Christians should never relinquish control of the government to godless secular humanists and "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29)! On the other hand, Christ never commanded His followers to build a theocracy!
Isn't the NAR's attempting to do this?
A SUBTLE SHIFT
P. J. Miller urges visitors to Sola Dei Gloria to read an essay by Rachel Tabachnic titled Lions In the Pews. "This is an extremely interesting article," says Miller, "one I would suggest reading in its entirety. You may not agree with all of it, (the author touches on the rapture and a few other points which many believers differ over, theologically) but sitting that aside, the information concerning the subtle shift many Churches are making into Dominionist/Dominionism theology is excellent reading for those interested in the goals these people have set and are pursuing: That includes the NAR..." (Bold added by P. J.)
The following is an excerpt from Tabachnic's article with bold by P. J.:
But this strand has emerged from Pentecostal and Charismatic backgrounds and has been nearly invisible to both the mainstream press and progressive writers. Like other Dominionists the New Apostolics are culture warriors and have specific stated goals for overtaking all spheres of American society and government as seen in the video above.
Also, like other dominionist groups they actually invest much of their efforts in fighting the traditional institutionalized church.
However, they differ from most other Dominionist groups in their embrace of the outpouring of gifts of the holy spirit, or manifestations, like being slain in the spirit, Holy Laughter, and other states of altered consciousness that are a part of their very experiential worship style.
The New Apostolic Reformation is also much more focused on the expulsion of demons as the process for healing, social reform, or even raising people from the dead. They have a unique and extensive lingo that is dedicated to the description of the expulsion of territorial demons including terms like ground level spiritual warfare, occult level spiritual warfare, and strategic level spiritual warfare.
While Pentecostal churches have always celebrated a restoration of the church, this has been tempered with Rapture theology. As churches embrace this Apostolic revolution they are moving away from the traditions of Assemblies of God and other denominations and are adopting a view of the end time that includes the triumph and perfection of the church as opposed to escaping in the Rapture from an evil world descending into the apocalypse.
They see the imminent end times as a time of great glory for the restored true Apostolic church greater than the one of New Testament times, and a time when the foot soldiers of this church will be imparted with supernatural powers.
This outpouring of powers will allow them to crush evil with a "rod of iron" and deliver a purified church to Jesus when he returns.
Seeing as pro-family leaders Tony Perkins, Don Wildmon, Janet Porter and Mat Staver have united with the NAR one can't help but wonder if they share their end times beliefs. It's a legitimate question to ask.
PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT
Methodist holiness preacher Charles Parham is considered the founder of modern Pentecostalism. Parham broke with the Methodist church and started his own ministry. In 1901Agnes Ozman began to speak in "tongues" when hands were laid on her. Parham believed that speaking in tongues was both a sign of Spirit baptism and also the signal of the end of the age. Parham also linked the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with a latter-day Pentecost.
"What began on a corner at the turn of the twentieth century is now barreling down Main Street. What was once known as the Pentecostal movement has now splintered into numerous diverse, yet overlapping movements: Pentecostal, Charismatic, Vineyard, Word-Faith, and Holy Laughter." [1]
Add to the list Latter Rain Restorationism/ International House of Prayer (IHOP)/Third Wave/Deliverance/ Soaking in the Spirit/ and the aforementioned Dominionists/ Seven Mountains/Elijah Revolution/Kingdom Now/Joel's Army/Manifest Sons of God and most recently the NAR. I've only scratched the surface!
Bud Press of Christian Research Service lamented:
The Prophetic Movement is a dark, evil wasteland teeming with false apostles, false prophets, hyper-heretics, false healers, and greedy, money-hungry con men and women, all of whom are overshadowed by Satan and his demonic forces.
There's plenty of blame to go around for the unholy mess the Church has become. Liberals, liars, and loons have infiltrated her. To paraphrase my pastor's teaching (from my notes), believers have been misled by well-spoken, self-promoting, self-serving, charismatic leaders who emphasize power gifts but put little emphasis on preaching the gospel. These men and women think nothing of exploiting God's people for their own gain.
Jesus gave us fair warning:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Mat 7:15-17)
While we're on the subject of ravening wolves, some false teachers deny the divinity of Jesus Christ...
There was no bodily resurrection...
The Bible was written by men, not by Divine inspiration. It's a book of myths and fables, full of contradictions, open to interpretation, holds hidden meanings that only the "enlightened" can know...
Seriously?
Wolves teach that God loves, doesn't judge, so all humans go to heaven.
Triniterianism is out...
No vicarious Atonement...
The virgin birth? Don't make me laugh!...
As for sodomy? No sin there!...
Fornication and cohabitation? What's the big deal?...
Abortion? It's my choice!...
Wait a minute! A Christian can choose to murder a baby?
Really?
I could go on, but hopefully the point is made. The postmodern Church will only tolerate a small "g" god who simply rolls his/her eyes at sin and say, "Boys will be boys."
Over 20 years ago the late Dr. Walter Martin took on liberalism in the Church:
Let me tell you something that I have learned; I know the liberals. I know them well; I was one of them. And they are the most dangerous, insidious, and all-pervading cult that's loose in the United States right at this moment...
And this theological flea infestation is ruining the lifeblood of the Church, which is evangelism. And, you think these are very strong statements; I intend to back them up in — if necessary — excruciating details. For any person who does not know that today in the United States, and in denominational structures world-around, we are in an accelerating apostasy does not know — I repeat — does not know what's going on...
We have, for more than one hundred years, been under sustained attack in the United States; in our theological seminaries, church related schools, and our churches. A sustained attack by people, who have the form of godliness, and work within the structure of the Church and have — wherever they have been permitted the opportunity — diluted the Gospel and destroyed the Faith.
They occupy today the chairs in our major theological seminaries; the rulership of our major denominational structures — they maintain boldly and boastfully — "This[is] the Church!" But it's not the Church if it denies the power of the Gospel... [2]
LYING SIGNS & WONDERS
The NAR travels the globe allegedly performing miraculous healings, raising the dead back to life and breaking down "demonic strongholds." They have visions as clear as a movie screen... give future prophecies...experience visitations from Jesus, angels, and Aimee Simple McPherson. As an extra added bonus they get "revelation knowledge" directly from God and have the unmitigated arrogance to say, "The Spirit of God spoke to me..." but there's no way to verify whose voice they hear! According to Isaiah 8:20, "[I]f they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them."
With all the powers these wolves possess, I presume some of them can walk on water.
WE'RE STILL WAITING, RICK
In 1988 "super-prophet" Rick Joyner shared his "vision" concerning the coming "revolution" in the Church:
"What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. The vision was given in order to begin to awaken those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity. The dismantling of organizations and disbanding of some works will be a positive and exhilarating experience for the Lord's faithful servants. A great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles will be raised up with the spirit of Phineas; it will be said of the apostles soon to be anointed that they have turned an upside down world right side up. Nations will tremble at the mention of their name." [3]
Have I missed something? I can't think of a single nation that trembles at the name of Rick Joyner or the other so-called apostles and prophets. Joyner's alleged prophecy came to him over two decades ago. He claimed that the "soon to be" anointed would turn an upside world right side up. Well, what's the hold up? With the way things are going in this country, I'm eager for the "great company" to turn things right side up, aren't you?
A CALL TO DISCERNMENT
Admittedly there are some CR leaders that want to build a theocracy as do Dominionists, but many in the CR do not. The CR leadership unfamiliar with the NAR's global goals is leading those involved in fighting the culture war into shark infested waters. They must "take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them (evil men)." (Deut. 12:30) In other words, listen up — and abandon ship!
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:13, 14)
Part 1 ... Part 2
RECOMMENDED READING
For a more thorough understanding of the NAR, go to "Recommended Reading" in Part 1 & Part 2
The Prophet Movement: An Evil and Adulterous Generation — Christian Research Service website
Alexander Campbell Looks Beyond the Dominionists' Seven Mountains — By David Brumley
Apostles and Prophets and the Foundation of the Church: Biblical Exegesis that Proves that Only the New Testament Apostles are Authoritative — By Critical Issues Commentary
Former IHOP Member Explains Why IHOP (International House of Prayer) Is A Cult — Sola Sisters website, posted by Christine Pack
VIEW VIDEOS:
The Religious Right's Modern Day Spartan Army — Tony Perkins of FRC talks with NAR "Apostle" Rick Joyner
America Needs Godly Leaders — Tony Perkins of FRC talks with Word of Faith preacher James Robison
Mat Staver invites you to TheCall Sacramento — Mat Staver, President of Liberty Council
LISTEN TO INTEVIEWS:
Ingrid Schlueter's interview with Sarah Leslie of Discernment Ministries
Jan Markell's interview with Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries
NOTES:
© Marsha West
June 30, 2011
There's an old saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," meaning that people who believe they are doing good often end up doing evil. It's the law of unintended consequences. Unfortunately this is what has happened to some — not all — religious conservative organizations. I know of altruistic Christian activists, both conservative and liberal, who believe they are doing God's work, but in their effort to "right wrongs" they have utterly failed to honor God's command to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. " (Jude 1:3)
What does Jude mean? Simply that true followers of Jesus Christ are first and foremost to share Christ with the lost. Yet many so-called Christians are not evangelizing the lost for fear of being perceived as trying to "push their religion on others." They detest being thought of as intolerant, thus they remain silent. News flash: The Gospel of Jesus Christ always has been and always will be offensive to those who are lost! It's a whole lot easier to say "Jesus loves you" than "take up your cross and follow Him."
Some prominent Christian Right (CR) leaders that head up ginormous organizations are so busy fighting the culture war that they've forgotten what's most important — Truth! Jesus said: "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
The CR (unrepentantly) unites with pretty much anyone who is likeminded politically. Sadly this includes a slew of false teachers, cultists, and Social Justice Christians (SJC) a.k.a. Progressive Evangelicals. SJCs are chiefly liberals whose main goal is to dismantle historical, orthodox Christianity and usher in a "new kind of Christianity." In the name of social justice, SJC leaders stealthly steer undiscerning believers into a left-wing collectivized utopia!
SJC is beyond of the scope of this article so I'll move on.
PRAGMATISM = COMPROMISE
Many in the CR leadership are uniting with evil doers (God's word, not mine). They have climbed aboard the SS Pragmatism and are proceeding full speed ahead into shark infested waters. Uniting with evil doers serves two specific purposes. It helps get the message out and provides an additional source of revenue. And let's face it. When the money stops rolling in organizations are forced to close their doors. So these additional funds, regardless of the source, keep the message alive and the group afloat.
Before I move to my next point I need to stress that it is my belief that Christians should try to influence public policy. How? By casting their vote, serving in local government, forming and joining special interest groups, writing letters to the Editor, giving financial support, and participating in lawful demonstrations. Anti-abortion activists are a good example of Christians trying to influence public policy. Pro-lifers have formed groups comprised mostly of Christians that engage in politics because it is the only means they have to end abortion. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it will happen because of the dogged determination of political action groups.
For obvious reasons Christians should never relinquish control of the government to godless secular humanists and "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29)! On the other hand, Christ never commanded His followers to build a theocracy!
Isn't the NAR's attempting to do this?
A SUBTLE SHIFT
P. J. Miller urges visitors to Sola Dei Gloria to read an essay by Rachel Tabachnic titled Lions In the Pews. "This is an extremely interesting article," says Miller, "one I would suggest reading in its entirety. You may not agree with all of it, (the author touches on the rapture and a few other points which many believers differ over, theologically) but sitting that aside, the information concerning the subtle shift many Churches are making into Dominionist/Dominionism theology is excellent reading for those interested in the goals these people have set and are pursuing: That includes the NAR..." (Bold added by P. J.)
The following is an excerpt from Tabachnic's article with bold by P. J.:
But this strand has emerged from Pentecostal and Charismatic backgrounds and has been nearly invisible to both the mainstream press and progressive writers. Like other Dominionists the New Apostolics are culture warriors and have specific stated goals for overtaking all spheres of American society and government as seen in the video above.
Also, like other dominionist groups they actually invest much of their efforts in fighting the traditional institutionalized church.
However, they differ from most other Dominionist groups in their embrace of the outpouring of gifts of the holy spirit, or manifestations, like being slain in the spirit, Holy Laughter, and other states of altered consciousness that are a part of their very experiential worship style.
The New Apostolic Reformation is also much more focused on the expulsion of demons as the process for healing, social reform, or even raising people from the dead. They have a unique and extensive lingo that is dedicated to the description of the expulsion of territorial demons including terms like ground level spiritual warfare, occult level spiritual warfare, and strategic level spiritual warfare.
While Pentecostal churches have always celebrated a restoration of the church, this has been tempered with Rapture theology. As churches embrace this Apostolic revolution they are moving away from the traditions of Assemblies of God and other denominations and are adopting a view of the end time that includes the triumph and perfection of the church as opposed to escaping in the Rapture from an evil world descending into the apocalypse.
They see the imminent end times as a time of great glory for the restored true Apostolic church greater than the one of New Testament times, and a time when the foot soldiers of this church will be imparted with supernatural powers.
This outpouring of powers will allow them to crush evil with a "rod of iron" and deliver a purified church to Jesus when he returns.
Seeing as pro-family leaders Tony Perkins, Don Wildmon, Janet Porter and Mat Staver have united with the NAR one can't help but wonder if they share their end times beliefs. It's a legitimate question to ask.
PENTECOSTAL MOVEMENT
Methodist holiness preacher Charles Parham is considered the founder of modern Pentecostalism. Parham broke with the Methodist church and started his own ministry. In 1901Agnes Ozman began to speak in "tongues" when hands were laid on her. Parham believed that speaking in tongues was both a sign of Spirit baptism and also the signal of the end of the age. Parham also linked the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with a latter-day Pentecost.
"What began on a corner at the turn of the twentieth century is now barreling down Main Street. What was once known as the Pentecostal movement has now splintered into numerous diverse, yet overlapping movements: Pentecostal, Charismatic, Vineyard, Word-Faith, and Holy Laughter." [1]
Add to the list Latter Rain Restorationism/ International House of Prayer (IHOP)/Third Wave/Deliverance/ Soaking in the Spirit/ and the aforementioned Dominionists/ Seven Mountains/Elijah Revolution/Kingdom Now/Joel's Army/Manifest Sons of God and most recently the NAR. I've only scratched the surface!
Bud Press of Christian Research Service lamented:
The Prophetic Movement is a dark, evil wasteland teeming with false apostles, false prophets, hyper-heretics, false healers, and greedy, money-hungry con men and women, all of whom are overshadowed by Satan and his demonic forces.
There's plenty of blame to go around for the unholy mess the Church has become. Liberals, liars, and loons have infiltrated her. To paraphrase my pastor's teaching (from my notes), believers have been misled by well-spoken, self-promoting, self-serving, charismatic leaders who emphasize power gifts but put little emphasis on preaching the gospel. These men and women think nothing of exploiting God's people for their own gain.
Jesus gave us fair warning:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Mat 7:15-17)
While we're on the subject of ravening wolves, some false teachers deny the divinity of Jesus Christ...
There was no bodily resurrection...
The Bible was written by men, not by Divine inspiration. It's a book of myths and fables, full of contradictions, open to interpretation, holds hidden meanings that only the "enlightened" can know...
Seriously?
Wolves teach that God loves, doesn't judge, so all humans go to heaven.
Triniterianism is out...
No vicarious Atonement...
The virgin birth? Don't make me laugh!...
As for sodomy? No sin there!...
Fornication and cohabitation? What's the big deal?...
Abortion? It's my choice!...
Wait a minute! A Christian can choose to murder a baby?
Really?
I could go on, but hopefully the point is made. The postmodern Church will only tolerate a small "g" god who simply rolls his/her eyes at sin and say, "Boys will be boys."
Over 20 years ago the late Dr. Walter Martin took on liberalism in the Church:
Let me tell you something that I have learned; I know the liberals. I know them well; I was one of them. And they are the most dangerous, insidious, and all-pervading cult that's loose in the United States right at this moment...
And this theological flea infestation is ruining the lifeblood of the Church, which is evangelism. And, you think these are very strong statements; I intend to back them up in — if necessary — excruciating details. For any person who does not know that today in the United States, and in denominational structures world-around, we are in an accelerating apostasy does not know — I repeat — does not know what's going on...
We have, for more than one hundred years, been under sustained attack in the United States; in our theological seminaries, church related schools, and our churches. A sustained attack by people, who have the form of godliness, and work within the structure of the Church and have — wherever they have been permitted the opportunity — diluted the Gospel and destroyed the Faith.
They occupy today the chairs in our major theological seminaries; the rulership of our major denominational structures — they maintain boldly and boastfully — "This[is] the Church!" But it's not the Church if it denies the power of the Gospel... [2]
LYING SIGNS & WONDERS
The NAR travels the globe allegedly performing miraculous healings, raising the dead back to life and breaking down "demonic strongholds." They have visions as clear as a movie screen... give future prophecies...experience visitations from Jesus, angels, and Aimee Simple McPherson. As an extra added bonus they get "revelation knowledge" directly from God and have the unmitigated arrogance to say, "The Spirit of God spoke to me..." but there's no way to verify whose voice they hear! According to Isaiah 8:20, "[I]f they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them."
With all the powers these wolves possess, I presume some of them can walk on water.
WE'RE STILL WAITING, RICK
In 1988 "super-prophet" Rick Joyner shared his "vision" concerning the coming "revolution" in the Church:
"What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. The vision was given in order to begin to awaken those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity. The dismantling of organizations and disbanding of some works will be a positive and exhilarating experience for the Lord's faithful servants. A great company of prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles will be raised up with the spirit of Phineas; it will be said of the apostles soon to be anointed that they have turned an upside down world right side up. Nations will tremble at the mention of their name." [3]
Have I missed something? I can't think of a single nation that trembles at the name of Rick Joyner or the other so-called apostles and prophets. Joyner's alleged prophecy came to him over two decades ago. He claimed that the "soon to be" anointed would turn an upside world right side up. Well, what's the hold up? With the way things are going in this country, I'm eager for the "great company" to turn things right side up, aren't you?
A CALL TO DISCERNMENT
Admittedly there are some CR leaders that want to build a theocracy as do Dominionists, but many in the CR do not. The CR leadership unfamiliar with the NAR's global goals is leading those involved in fighting the culture war into shark infested waters. They must "take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them (evil men)." (Deut. 12:30) In other words, listen up — and abandon ship!
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:13, 14)
Part 1 ... Part 2
RECOMMENDED READING
For a more thorough understanding of the NAR, go to "Recommended Reading" in Part 1 & Part 2
The Prophet Movement: An Evil and Adulterous Generation — Christian Research Service website
Alexander Campbell Looks Beyond the Dominionists' Seven Mountains — By David Brumley
Apostles and Prophets and the Foundation of the Church: Biblical Exegesis that Proves that Only the New Testament Apostles are Authoritative — By Critical Issues Commentary
Former IHOP Member Explains Why IHOP (International House of Prayer) Is A Cult — Sola Sisters website, posted by Christine Pack
VIEW VIDEOS:
The Religious Right's Modern Day Spartan Army — Tony Perkins of FRC talks with NAR "Apostle" Rick Joyner
America Needs Godly Leaders — Tony Perkins of FRC talks with Word of Faith preacher James Robison
Mat Staver invites you to TheCall Sacramento — Mat Staver, President of Liberty Council
LISTEN TO INTEVIEWS:
Ingrid Schlueter's interview with Sarah Leslie of Discernment Ministries
Jan Markell's interview with Mike Oppenheimer of Let Us Reason Ministries
NOTES:
[3] Rick Joyner. Restoration, May/June 1988, "The Harvest"
© Marsha West
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(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
