Worth Repeating - Sexual Abuse In the Church - Warn, Report, Resist

Acts 20:29-32 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1 Peter 5:8-9a Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith...

Due to the recent events involving the pastor and popular IFB youth conference speaker, Kenny Baldwin, I thought this particular article was worth repeating. This article relates to an extensive expose that was done by the Star-Telegram of Fort Worth, Texas in 2018. That expose is more pertinent than ever at this point. My own thoughts are on the subject of what you can do, and what are the proper responses to these situations.

Excerpt:

We have been lectured, warned, rebuked, and admonished about gossip for so long that it is intimidating to cross that boundary and actually speak up. I know. I also believe that this has been done on purpose by some men in order to squelch any accountability and to avoid having to address unpleasant situations. The church (not just IFB) has made it hard to do the right thing in these cases with its strong and uncompromising definitions of "gossip." But, when someone is behaving in a suspicious or even obviously ungodly manner in this area, it is necessary to speak up.

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Sometimes You Get What You Want

 

Psalm 27:13-14 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Sometimes we want things that are not good for us. One of the sad, strange things of this life is to see someone who is so desperate for something that they cannot take "no" for an answer, and so God allows them to have the thing they think they must have. But, it turns out to be something troubling or disappointing. 

A lot of us have learned this general fact of life the hard way, perhaps even when we were children. One of my earliest memories of this happening to me is from when I was about 6 or 7 years old. I went to TG&Y dime store with my grandparents to get ice cream. As I recall, I told them that I could eat an ice cream cone with two scoops of ice cream on it (I think they were generous scoops), and they ordered me one against their better judgment. I know something went wrong. I don't remember if I dropped it or made myself sick or had to give it to my grandpa to finish, but my grandparents gave me my coveted ice cream "double dip" cone and it didn't turn out the way I expected. I guarantee you that they pointed this fact of life out to me, because they were good that way.

The world is full of voices telling us we need this or that to be happy, content, fulfilled, etc. It is easy to fall into this way of thinking about things that we especially desire. But, it becomes more dangerous when we convince ourselves, for whatever reason, that something is "God's will" for us.

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A Word of Warning - Beware of AI Generated Patterns

I ran across this video talking about the problem with AI produced crochet patterns. I thought it would be good to share the information so that you all can beware of wasting time and money on things that won't work or that are actually impossible. This very likely applies to other patterns that may be showing up online - knitting, embroidery, sewing, etc. Be cautious and check things out carefully before you buy or use time and resources on these things. If you are unsure about a specific pattern, ask for advice from someone who is knowledgeable about the thing you are wanting to do.

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The Duggar Disaster: Was the Reality Show Ever A Good Idea?

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

1 Corinthians 5:11-13 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 

Well, the time has come to address this subject yet again. Aside from the post about not blaming wives for their husband's sin, I have frankly been avoiding it for some time because it is simply so unsavory. But, since I had written about it before and warned readers not to defend the Duggars or put them on a pedestal, it seems like it is time to bring it up again in light of Josh's conviction for possessing and downloading CSAM (child sexual abuse material). 

My emotions are mixed. I am sad and disgusted. Sad for the family members who had to learn in a court setting about what Josh had actually done all those years ago to his sisters, and what he has been doing recently. Disgusted with Jim Bob for lying under oath in court during the pre-trial evidential hearing - lying about what happened to his daughters in order to cover for his son, thus showing the world how much he truly values his girls. Disgusted for the way some of the family behaved. Disgusted especially for how Josh's defense team was given reign to pull all kinds of tricks to try to get him off on a mistrial or exonerated without ever addressing the fact that the material was on his hard drive in a place where he had the skills and knowledge to access it. 

I was also revolted and sickened at the enormity of his crime, the horror beyond words of what had happened to those children, and that Josh was to all appearances finding enjoyment in this. Also sickened that his parents, in their statement, disassociated him from these crimes and gave only distanced sorrow to "all children" who are victims of CSAM. The children he was watching are real, mostly living people, not a generalized nebulous group.

I'm also a little hopeful. I hope that more of the Duggar kids will break loose through this and that all would learn to follow the Lord Himself and to be doers of the word of God instead of following Jim Bob and doing and believing Jim Bob's word. Again, I'm sad they had to learn all these horrible things in this public way, and that they had to learn that their dad/father-in-law is a liar in such a public manner, but maybe the Lord knows that is the only way some of them would have ever learned it and (hopefully) separated from the ungodliness. And also, I deeply hope that more of them will have the guts and determination to keep Josh away from their own children always and in every way.

So much for my feelings on the subject - for whatever they are worth.

To begin with, it seemed like a good idea to revisit the issue of whether the reality show was ever a good idea for a Christian family in the first place. I have made additions and rewritten parts of this article.

What About the Duggars?
What the Reality Show Ever A Good Idea?

Excerpts from Spurgeon's "Final Manifesto" - On the Word of God

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

From C.H. Spurgeon's Final Manifesto given to his students April 1891.

It is sadly common among ministers to add a word or subtract a word from the passage, or in some way debase the language of sacred writ...Our reverence for the Great Author of Scripture should forbid all mauling of His Words...

No alteration of Scripture can by any possibility be an improvement...Today it is still the self-same mighty Word of God that it was in the hands of our Lord Jesus...

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Sin Will Take Your Farther

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 

Romans 6:6-8 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 

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L. M. Montgomery - Delightful or Dangerous?

Over the last few years I have done fresh research and rewritten this article. It does not make me happy to have to address this as I have enjoyed L. M. Montgomery's Anne books very much in the past. But, what we like or love should always be subject to the word of God and truth, so no one and nothing is above examination.

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Lucy Maud Montgomery is perhaps best known for her classic Anne of Green Gables series. While these stories have generally been accepted as sweet and decent reading for children (girls in particular) there are some serious questions that arise about this author's life and the things that she presents in her stories.

Many people who were not familiar with the books before, were exposed to the Anne of Green Gables story as it gained renewed popularity in the U.S.A. and Canada through the mini-series on T.V. in the 1980s. More recently Anne with An E on Netflix has gotten its share of attention, partly because of its heavy-handed high-jacking of an old classic to turn it into a propaganda vehicle for political correctness, especially the LGBT agenda. (This was a wide departure from Montgomery's own writings and should not be held against her personally.) The books themselves have also been embraced by the homeschool community in general which generated a lot of interest. Also, in the 1990s Road to Avonlea, a program which aired on the Disney Channel, was loosely based on a number of Montgomery's novels, including Chronicles of Avonlea and The Story Girl books; and Emily of New Moon was aired in Canada and based on her books by the same name.

Having been given my grandmother's set of the Anne books as a girl, I grew up with them and they were among my favorite childhood stories. However, as I grew older and came upon some further knowledge of the author, I realized that there were problems. It does not make me happy to have to address this, but all things must be examined by the scripture, even our favorite sources of "entertainment."

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

It was in the late 1980s that my mom and I began to collect some of the other books by L. M. Montgomery. These were books that my grandma and my mom had never read. Some of the things in them bothered me as I knew that they were very contrary to scripture. Because of this I eventually began to examine and reconsider the Anne books as well, and the Lord brought some disturbing things to my attention.

Continue Reading.

Harden not Your Heart

Hebrews 4:6-10 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus [Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Harden not Your Heart

There is a time, I know not when,
A place, I know not where,
Which marks the destiny of men
To heaven or despair.

There is a line by us not seen
Which crosses every path,
The hidden boundary between
God’s patience and His wrath.

Continue Reading.

Evening Song - Have You Counted the Cost?

Romans 1:20-32 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

 Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Note: This song mentions exhausting the love you God. Yon can't exhaust the love of God (Romans 8). But it is possible to sin away the day of grace and reject God's truth repeatedly to the point where He gives one over to a reprobate mind.

There’s a line that is drawn by rejecting the Lord,

Where the call of His Spirit is lost,

And you hurry along with the pleasure-mad throng—

Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

Refrain:

Have you counted the cost if your soul should be lost,

Though you gain the whole world for your own?

Even now it may be that the line you have crossed—

Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

You may barter your hope of eternity’s morn

For a moment of joy at the most,

For the glitter of sin and the things it will win—

Have you counted, have you counted the cost?

While the door of His mercy is open to you,

Ere the depth of His love you exhaust,

Won’t you come and be healed, won’t you whisper, “I yield—

I have counted, I have counted the cost.”

Benjamin Franklin (Updated article)

Careless exalting of the “founding fathers” of the United States has become a real problem among U.S. believers. In their misguided zeal to “restore America to its Christian foundation” there has been a tendency to justify the wicked and overlook serious sin in the men both past and present. I say “misguided zeal” because there is a strong tendency to imagine that we should go back to something in the past that would be better than what we have now. This is forgetting that history repeatedly shows us that nations rise and fall by a given pattern and, once past a certain point they never return to their former “glory” or power. It is also ignoring that some of these men fit altogether too well in what Romans chapter one says. Romans 1:28-32  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

Here is one example of a less-than-great “founding father.” (This article was updated this year.)

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Benjamin Franklin is an iconic figure in American history. As one of the "Founding Father" of the United States as well as the publisher of Poor Richard's Almanac and a "man of science" in the amateur sense he created a rather expansive reputation for himself. But, is he worthy to be raised as a "hero"? Even more, should he be called a "Christian" as some have boldly proclaimed in recent times? The answer to these questions is an absolute "no." In fact, it is beyond my understanding how some people can claim these things for him when history is so unavoidably clear on the subject and so readily available in this day. Even in his own day his less-than-stellar reputation was generally known. He was neither a God-honoring hero nor a Christian. 

Here's why:

Continue reading here.

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Painting By Joseph Wright, 1782.

Tired of the Abuse and the Cover-ups

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

In December 2018 I posted the article "Warn, Report, Resist" on the subject of sexual abuse and cover ups in the church. If you haven't read it, please do.

I referenced Pastor Stacey Shiflett's video in that article as he dealt with the Cameron Giovanelli situation (see update on that case here). This more recent video by Brother Shiflett deals with the way too many have responded to this situation - justifying the wicked; covering for Giovanelli; attacking the victim and Calvary Baptist Church of Dundalk, Maryland; and denying the truth even when it was confirmed. [The video link will ask you to go to YouTube to view the video. This is because Brother Shiftlett has set up his account to prevent people from embedding his videos on their pages. I'm not sure why, but judging by the way he has been attacked, I can't blame him. Please click the "Watch this video on YouTube" link to see the video. Or click here.]

Please know that there are people in churches who are tired of the evil and are standing for the truth, and be willing to stand with them. This wickedness cannot be covered and denied if the Lord's church wants to maintain a good testimony, regardless of "denomination," but it starts by dealing with it on the local level in individual churches. As long as people esteem the approval of men and acceptance into certain circles more than they desire to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, this wickedness will increase and destroy lives and testimonies. People talk a good deal sometimes about being a voice for the voiceless in relationship to abortion. There is another area where we need to be doing this, and that is in regard to sexual abuse of minors within the church and spiritual or sexual abuse of adults by their leaders.

Matthew 18:6-7 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 

Worth Reading - Hidden Rainbow by Christmas Carol Kauffman

Hidden Rainbow

By Christmas Carol Kauffman

Rated: "Couldn't put it down."
Highly recommended.

Here is the true story of John and Anna Olesh, a Yugoslavian couple who unexpectedly became the owners of a New Testament. At that time the Bible was a forbidden book in those parts because the Roman Catholic Church had almost complete power religiously and through pulling strings politically. At that time the Roman Catholic Church was still forbidding their followers to read and study the scripture for themselves in places where they had strong control, claiming it to be dangerous for them.

Despite their fear, and the terror their family and neighbors felt on their behalf, the Oleshes were curious and eventually began to study and seek the truth, despite severe threats and even persecution by the local priest.

This story is an amazing eye-opener for those who are not aware of what life was like on a day to day basis under Roman Catholic domination. It gives a clear picture of the vice-like grip that the Roman traditions, clergy, and superstition had on people at that time in Europe. [If I remember correctly, World War I occurs during Oleshes' lives, just to give you a time frame.]

This book also encourages us to recognize what a treasure the word of God is and how very blessed we are to have our own copies without fear of punishment in the (relatively) free world most of us live in today. It is also an encouragement for truly Biblical missionary work.

The verse for this book might be: Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. 

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You can find this book used at various places online, or ask your local used book store to locate a copy for you.

Thoughts from the Past: Absalom – Marks of An Usurper

In reading 2 Samuel, I came to the notorious story of Absalom's conspiracy to take the throne from his father, David. This all starts in chapter 15 where we are given a description of his initial tactics and then verse 6 says, And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:6 A look at his methods might prove profitable to us today when there are so many who would usurp the Lord and the authorities He has set in place in the New Testament.

1. His first step was to make himself appear important - actually more important than he was. 2 Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. Beware of men and women who make themselves more important than they really are.  There are many "experts" these days who want us to think that they are essential to our understanding because they are very important people with a very important message.  Self-aggrandizing behavior is not the basis for real usefulness or respectability.  Doug Phillips, recent leader of the late Vision Forum, is a prime example of this.  He put himself often into the place of honor, when in reality he was making himself an alternate authority, usurping the authority of Jesus Christ and God's word.  Psalms 49:16-20 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Continue Reading.

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First published here July 2014.
(Artwork by John Steel?)

Why Do the Women Look and Sound Alike? - Some Signs that A Group May View Women Strangely

Have you ever been in a group of Christian women and noticed that they all look alike, sound alike, and maybe even think alike? Have you felt like you were the odd one out in the gathering, even though you may have been dressed conservatively yourself? A friend and I had this experience once in a very marked way when we went to an event sponsored by women in a "Biblical Patriarchy" "Family Inclusive" type church group. We were wearing dresses/skirts. We were dressed very conservatively by most standards and neither of us were "styled" heavily in any way. Neither of us have really short hair, nor was our hair really long at the time. But, I felt like we were almost weirdos among them. It was an odd feeling to me at the time. The only other women there who didn't fit in were some unsaved relatives of someone. They had super short hair, heavy make-up, pants, bright orange hair, etc. It seemed strange to be among the outsiders in this group.

What was this about? I had questions and thoughts.

Of course, I'd seen similar things before. The Mennonites, Branhamites (followers of William Marion Branham), Gothardites, various Pentacostals and Church of God, and others exhibit similar behaviors. It's hard not to notice their weirdness sometimes, even when you want to not notice and to be compassionate or kind.

But, what does it mean? What does it potentially show about the group's view of women?

Continue Reading.

Thoughts On Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle invented the most famous detective of all time - Sherlock Holmes. His skill as a writer is unquestionable. Sadly, that can't be said for his spiritual life. He was called the Apostle of Spiritualism and was heavily involved in the pursuit of supernatural things of a devilish type. I wrote this article some years ago and recently went over again. I don't believe I've shared it on the blog before, so today is the day.

Job 32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Apostle of Spiritualism
Somewhere in my teens I became very interested in the Sherlock Holmes stories. My brother and I read all that we could get our hands on and I even had a few books of my own. One day my dad bought two volumes by Arthur Conan Doyle for me at a yard sale because they had several Sherlock Holmes stories among the others. I read the Holmes stories, and then some of the other stories that were in the books. The other stories turned out to be quite enlightening, but not in the sense that I was expecting. I was rather surprised at the "fiendish female" ghost stories as well as a bizarre "romance" with a weird conclusion and other strange tales. I don't recall the names of the stories now, but the Lord used those books to really wake us up to the fact that Doyle was much more than slightly off...

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A Friendly Reminder About Halloween

Romans 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 

Just a friendly reminder about why Halloween is something that followers of Jesus Christ should not be doing.

Why We Don't Celebrate Halloween

Hard Questions: What would the Ephesian Believers Think of Halloween, Twilight and Harry Potter in Christian Homes?

Did You Meme That? - Blaming Grandparents for Bad Grandchildren

Today being grandparents' day, this meme seemed like a good topic to address. I hope this encourages someone.

"The test of a parent's Christianity is his children's children! It is not enough that my children walk in the ways of the Lord. The true test is where my grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to walk in God's ways."  - Nancy Campbell from Above Rubies Ministry

This quote probably sounds really convicting and/or inspiring to some people. But, the truth is that it is a lie. The reason is that it is in direct contradiction to the word of God.

People like to think that if they live just right and do everything just the way their teachers tell them God likes it, their descendants will turn out to be good, godly Christians. (Notice that it's the teachers that they listen to, not God's word.) The "christian" patriarchy movement has served up this lie in various ways by teaching parents and grandparents that they are personally responsible for the future, salvation, and Christianity of their children. This is a false teaching, perhaps we should even say heresy since it can directly affect the doctrine of salvation.

What does God actually say about this specific subject?

Continue Reading.

Worth Reading - Two Churches that Went Astray

Today I have decided to post a couple links to thought provoking items here for you to consider. I hope you find something that will be useful to you or to someone you know.

[Disclaimer on Bible versions of than the KJV and possibly some other content.]

Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 

Letter to the Editor: Southern Baptist Convention Leaders Taking SBC Far From Its Biblical Moorings

This short letter offers some telling observations about the Southern Baptist Convention and its decline from biblical truth.

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This article deals with some other issues of importance, but notice that some of the things this man points out can also be applied to other groups besides the one he is dealing with in the article. The abuse from the pulpit, greed for "spiritual gifts," and lording it over the flock of God is present in all denominations and independent groups. Beware.

Apostasy: Broken Lives and Shattered Faith Versus Those Who Resist

The closer we approach to the end of this age the more urgent it becomes to steadfastly resist the devil and his wiles and to earnestly contend for the faith.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 

The Cult Next Door - A Documentary on Bill Gothard and the Institute of Basic Life Principles

This is a short documentary on a very large subject. Having done some of my own research on this as well as reading things others have written, listening to the experiences of others (both positive and negative), and watching the Duggar's shows and also one or two video exposes, I feel that it is an important subject to address. Bill Gothard's teachings have wormed their way into Christendom in many areas and ways that many of us are not even aware of. People from almost every Christian denomination and cult have attended his seminars at some point and carried his teachings back with them, thus spreading ideologies and beliefs that appear biblical on the surface but most definitely are not.

Clear back in the 1970s my own dad rejected the teachings of Bill Gothard because of the fact that his brother who was living in gross sexual sin assisted in writing the early materials, but when he was exposed for his sin the book(s) was not pulled back and re-examined and rewritten. Bill Gothard chose to continue using material written with assistance from a man who was living in significant defeat in the very areas that Gothard was so interested in - sexual purity, character, authority, etc.

Furthermore, while there is nothing wrong with a single man doing some teaching on the family and marriage and raising children (the apostle Paul did), it is completely unbiblical for a single man to become an expert, a spiritual authority so highly esteemed, whose words are followed so religiously. In the position into which he has pushed himself with his claims to have the "perfect plan" for having a perfect godly family ("perfect plans" dependent upon a man's teaching are always a big red flag), he absolutely should have been the husband of one wife. Based on the exposure of his sexual harassment of young women who worked for him at his headquarters, we might wonder if he had entirely honorable motives in his choosing to never marry.

1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife...

Titus 1:6-7 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless...

Mr. Gothard is disqualified on more than one point here. He is not blameless, nor is he the husband of one wife.

The Cult Next Door (Official Short Film) from Youngman Films.
[I have no control over ads or suggested videos.]

For more information on this please visit:

RecoveringGrace.org

The Wartburg Watch: Category Bill Gothard

   Specifically: Bill Gothard's Umbrella of Protection

Book Review - Far from Rome, Near to God

"Young Lady Reading" by Mary Cassatt

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Here is a book review my husband wrote back before we were married and which I previously published on The Home Maker's Corner.

Those of us who have lived our lives under the ideal of freedom of thought and belief, may find it hard to understand the bondage that accompanies the belief system of the Roman Catholic Church. In modern times and in some places that church has conformed herself to the environment and so some people now think that it is changed and that there is more freedom and truth there than there once was. The reason for this is that the ways of a harlot church are to conform herself to people's expectations in order to deceive people into joining her. The scripture says, speaking of a strange woman in Proverbs 5:6,  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. This book shows that, though there is an outward appearance of freedom and liberty now in some ways, the bondage is still there. If some Catholics don't feel its power, or manage to escape it, it is either ignorance or because they are not fully subjected to her most dangerous doctrines.

Not long ago I talked to a lady who grew up in the Roman Catholic Church and in a community dominated by it in Massachusetts. She confirmed the power to bring people into bondage, even in the U.S. and in modern times. As a girl and young lady, she realized something was wrong and as soon as she could leave it, she did. She spoke of it as one would of a great escape. And indeed, it is.

Please don't be fooled into thinking that these things are no longer an issue or that it has changed. The fact that it appears to have changed while maintaining its power, core doctrines, and hierarchy only proves that there is great deception there. I really recommend this book for anyone who is in doubt of that.

Far From Rome, Near to God

Testimonies of Fifty Converted Roman Catholic Priests
Edited by Richard Bennette and Martin Buckingham

Rated: Useful - for distribution to people in Catholicism or ignorant of the bondage and futility of the Roman church. Encouraging for believers.

Guest post by Peter Stephens

...I have read part way through it, reading a little every night. It is encouraging to read the testimonies of salvation and it is interesting to meditate on the common threads of them. The men who were saved consistently started their pilgrimage by fearing God (or at least hell and purgatory) and doing the best they could to earn their salvation. Because of their R[oman] C[atholic] background they each decided that the “priest” was the ultimate example of holiness and good works (or at least their parents thought so). They each became trapped in the bondage of the RC system for many years but were never satisfied for they saw the hypocrisy of Catholicism. They all knew that their good works were not enough to save them from their sins. But by the grace of God they learned the fallacies of their ways. I am reminded of Matthew 7:7-8: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” And every one of the priests left the “church” of Rome.

Nobody is tricked into salvation. Nobody is surprised into being saved. Nobody has earned their salvation. Those who have been born again have sought the Lord and believed his Word and the finished and perfect sacrifice of our Jesus on the cross of Calvary. What a precious gift our Lord has given us!

This book may be purchased at Amazon. Or at this Christian book seller's page.
[These are not affiliate links.]