Some have said that “music brings us together”, and this appears to be true. Calls for unity can be heard from many sectors of culture. Music bringing different people groups together is not only a secular idea, but it’s also becoming a reality in evangelical circles. Due to the popularity of worship bands and music in evangelical churches, the worship music industry is being used as a driving force for the evangelical church to join hands with the Vatican. Many Christian leaders are advocating for unity among denominations, but don’t define what they mean by unity. We have
Discernment
Alternative Religions / Apologetics / Discernment / etc.
Charismatic Worship – Heaven on Earth?
Charismatic Worship – Heaven on Earth? Charismatic churches teach that music/sound is used to not only praise God, but as a means of connecting to the supernatural and bringing heaven to earth, however scripture teaches that we are simply to sing praises to God with gratitude in our hearts. Corporate singing has evolved from churches singing songs that have depth of theology in lyrics to simplistic repetitive phrases built around amateur rock bands, lights and performance. While there are variations on this scale, even a casual observer will be able to notice a difference in corporate worship in many
Discernment
Charismatic Worship – Heaven on Earth?
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Alternative Religions / Daniel / Discernment / etc.
Universal Submission – A Woman Rides the Beast
#I620 Is the world domination of Islam in line with the Vatican and “Illuminiti” or at war with it? Revelation 17:1-3 KJV (1) … I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (2) With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (3) So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and
All / Bible / Discernment / etc.
Another Gospel?
Recently one prominent Emergent Church leader came out with a video proclaiming that Jesus death and resurrection was just a retelling of the many myths of dying and rising gods such as Mithras and Dionysus. Although many apologists have debunked this claim made popular by the Zeitgeist film, this popular leader still proclaimed it for the sake of being a universalist. At the end of his video, he proclaims that “we are the gospel”. This is gnosticism, the idea that we all have an inner-divine spirit. It’s played out in many movies, most blatantly in the Matrix trilogy. A
All / Discernment / Hebrews
Apostle, Prophet and Priest Spiritual Gifts
The word Apostle comes from the Greek ἀπόστολος apostolos. This means one who is sent out. There’s 2 ways this word is used in the New Testament. The first refers to the 12 apostles. The 12 apostles were directly chosen by Jesus and were the first to proclaim the Gospel after Jesus death and resurrection. This is the office of the apostle as the 12 apostles and Paul were to set up the early church. Mark 3:14 14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, Paul also
Discernment / Revelation
Laodecia and the Modern Church
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:15-17 (KJV) The letters to the seven churches are prophetic in nature as well as specific letters to churches in what we now call Turkey. The seven church
Bible / Discernment / General
Is Your Destiny Predetermined – Calvinsm vs Arminism
This subject depends on what is meant by “predetermined”. The Calvinist idea of “predestined” is based on their 5 points or TULIP acronym. Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin) Unconditional Election Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement) Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved) While there are some Calvinist speakers that I respect and even like what they say on certain issues, Calvinism paints a very unloving picture of God. In the Calvinist mindset, everybody is totally depraved and can’t even seek out God without God first calling
Discernment / General
Gnosticism in the Modern Church
Gnosticism comes from the Greek word “gnosis”. This is the Greek noun for knowledge. When “gnosis” is referred to in the English language, it is generally referred to regarding mysticism and the mystery religions. Within this religious idea, it means mystical enlightenment. Freemasonry is predicated on the idea of elevated knowledge. The gnostics believe that in a sense you can become your own god through this enlightenment. It emphasizes experience over the written word of the Bible or any other text. Many occult sects subscribe to this belief. Gnosticism is creeping back into popular Christianity with various trends that
Bible / Discernment / General
Are Traditions Important – Holidays
This would depend on what the tradition is and if it would be going against the Bible to follow the tradition in question. There are some traditions that a lot of Christians argue about that I would consider somewhat minor. One of these is worship style in church. There are many churches that get in major splits over style of music. Music style is a tradition. Our grandparents listened to the old hymns probably sung by the pastor with an organ playing the music. Most churches have a church member playing an acoustic guitar or possibly leading a band
Discernment
Recognizing False Teachers
With our post-modern mindset, there’s a big temptation to not look for false teaching or false prophets. There are a number of personalities, ministries, denominations and cults that fall into the “Christian” umbrella. In Christian circles, it’s politically incorrect to hold teachers in the pulpit accountable to preach the Bible. You can be sure that they’ll play the “Pharisee” card on you if you suggest that what they’re teaching is not in the Bible. As a Christian our primary focus is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but history shows us that there is a tendency to stray away from
Discernment / General
Why Does the Media Villify Christianity
The media is a world wide source of communication and information. Because of this, it is arguably Satan’s biggest tool that can be used for deception. During the 1960’s a cultural shift happened. While the nuclear family was promoted in the 1950’s in the post war era, the 1960’s brought on mind expanding drugs and free sex. During a very short period of time from the late 50’s to the late 60’s the music industry went from Elvis being thought of as the “devil” by conservative Christians to Black Sabbath and Jimi Hendrix being among the most popular draws.
Alternative Religions / Discernment
Rejecting Docterine vs Rejecting Brethren
The book of Jude exhorts us to contend for the faith. Jesus warns us of false Christ’s performing signs and wonders in Matthew 24. In 2 Peter 3, Peter warns us of scoffers specifically questioning Christ’s return and Noah’s flood. Paul warns us in 2 Tim 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Paul warns us to mark those causing divisions