Category Archives: doctrine
Understanding church and kingdom: violence cometh
The kingdom of God is suffering violence, but its not from without, its from within. A trifecta sickness of false teachings, idolatrous practices and deadly, but alluring voices are systematically pushing and luring us closer and closer to the edge of a pit with no bottom. Fear of the tricks of the false prophets has caused us to mollify them with silence.
Misconceptions about the church and the kingdom of God have colored and influenced the contemporary church to the point to where it is barely recognizable as representative of God. We are living in the age of an out of control church reminiscent of a wild jackass. A spiritual run-a-way bride. But beloved please know that such things should not be mentioned once among the people of God.
These misconceptions —which in reality are false doctrines— have pierced the body to its core and are wreaking havoc on our outward witness and out inward compass.
People of God, look at what has been spawned among us:
In recent years, especially during the Earl Paulk sex abuse saga, we heard about “kingdom relationships”. Said kingdom relationships centered around the idea that in the “kingdom” leaders such as Paulk were entitled to sex from whomever they chose. Somehow “kingdom relationships” transcended the moral boundaries of scripture. But in reality it was nothing more than a church harem for a deluded sexual addict with a big church title. Last week, Atlanta’s WSB-TV made the connection between Paulk and Long and the sexual ideology both seemed to incorporate into their religious empires.
Ole Anthony of the Trinity Foundation, a watchdog organization which monitors clergymen like Long, says the late Bishop Earl Paulk mentored Long as a young pastor.
When WSB Radio asked Anthony about Long and the three lawsuits filed by three former members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, said he was shocked.
“But his mentor was Earl Paulk,” said Anthony.
Paulk, who died last year, was an evangelical mega church leader accused of having sex with many women in his congregation including his brother’s wife and his own granddaughter.
Anthony compared Long’s “Spiritual Sons” program in which his three young accusers were members with Paulk’s “Kingdom Relationships,” saying both were really designed to sexually gratify the clergymen.
We’ve also heard of “kingdom principles” from a number of megachurch and junior megachurch leaders. Perhaps those in the prosperity movement have capitalized the most on these principles which generally can be traced to the lust for mammon. The rather unseemly practice of throwing money at the altar or at the feet of a preacher while he is speaking emanates from the idea that when you hear what you believe to be a “good word” you pay the speaker. The act has been attributed to Word of Faith heretic Leroy Thompson of the “money cometh” fame. The practice is eerily similar to men throwing money at strippers in a club, especially when she performs titillating lewd acts.
As we noted in our previous post, people are attaching the word “kingdom” to their doctrines of devils and effectively deceiving many people who are marginally in the faith. I might also add that it is being attached to the music of devils and achieving equally disastrous effects. Everyone wants to cash in.
Also, the idea that a particular church or denomination is the only right organization has truly hindered the work of the kingdom. I grew up in a denomination (COGIC) that taught merely going inside a Baptist church was a sin. We could only fellowship with other COGIC churches and the only way we could go into a church of another denomination was if we went to accompany the Pastor. Out of that belief was the idea that if you left COGIC, you were backslidden. It didn’t matter if you were saved, you’d left “the greatest church in the world”, therefore you could not possibly remain saved. This idea is still prevalent (although somewhat subdued) in that denomination’s mindset. This is a pride that is not from God.
While some organizations most certainly embrace doctrinal error, the idea that one church (physical building, association) was the only true church is a fallacy within itself. And while I cite COGIC, I’m certain other dogmatic organizations have some of the same beliefs at varying degrees.
A radical return to holiness
I wrote sometime ago that we desperately needed a radical return to holiness. But I soon realized that such a return to holiness cannot occur without first a radical return to the Word of the Lord. Above all, his word is our source document for life. We cannot even begin to understand holiness if we do not return —now and fervently— to his Word.
If the church is ever to mirror the glory of the Kingdom —and it will— we must find the will to purge the wicked thing from among us. It doesn’t matter if that wicked thing takes the form of a person or a passion, it must go. And we must re-inaugurate God as King and Christ as Lord.
A history lesson should help us get the passion and the will to do what must be done in this hour. Reputations must be laid aside and the each of us must see ourselves as needed volunteers in the restoration of the glory of God.
Consider the passion of one Phinehas, recorded in Numbers 25:
And behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
And those who died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned My wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for My sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in My jealousy. Therefore say: `Behold, I give unto him My covenant of peace.
Of course God is not in the business anymore of ordering us to kill those who sin. That price of death was satisfactorily paid in full by Christ on the cross (that’s what propitiation means).
But we still have an obligation and a mandate to restrict, restrain and remove sin and those who refuse to repent from our midst. This is an act of discipline which protects the integrity of the body as well as protects us from opportunistic spiritual infections.
Phinehas’ radical passion to honor the will of God infused the blessing of God to his legacy. Too many of us see the abominations being loosed in the body, we know that it is against the word of the Lord, but we stand on the sidelines fearful. I will tell you why. Our thinking is not in snyc with God’s. A great majority of the universal church is locked into a carnal processing mindset. The case of Bishop Long has exposed that in many places.
But we need a radical return to honoring the will of God by adhering to the Word of God. That’s what Phinehas did. Take special note that he didnt steal away into prayer and fasting. He acted. There is a time to pray and there is a time to act. Now, is the time to act and restore order in the house of God so that it may accurately reflect the glorious kingdom of God.
Bishop Long’s revelations are not the only ones which will arise. Others are in the pipeline. And there will be many more opportunities for us to speak up and stop what we know dishonors God and his kingdom. The only other alternative is for us to continue this insane game of musical church chairs.
Knowing the will of God
Why am I here?
Where should I fit in?
What do I do with my life?
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? If you have, then you’re no different from millions of other Christians who have sought to understand the meaning of their lives. Many people it seems, want to know the “will of God”, but it slips by them like a silent whisper. Have you looked at other people wondering how they could be so secure in doing kingdom work? If you have, wonder no longer because behind the “secret” of their security is a solid goal and a purpose they have come to understand, accept, and practice. Its called the will of God. Think of God’s will, not as a secret, but as hidden treasure. As hidden treasure, he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
What is God’s “Will”?
I heard someone say “God’s will is God’s word”. I agree with that. You can be sure that if you are doing something or supporting something the Word of God has deemed sin or unacceptable to God, then it is not his will. Conversely, just because something is difficult (even beyond your capabilities) doesn’t mean it is not the will of God. I would add to that God is his will and his word (John 1:1-3). The primary source for discovering God’s will for your life, is in the pages of God’s word. Its in the lines and between the lines. Its both what is said as well as what is not said. Again, he has placed it there for you to earnestly seek out. The treasure you seek is not just information, but rather the One who holds the information. Please understand that because it is treasure, there exists a degree of difficulty (including the time factor) in finding it. No one finds treasure laying about in the open.
We know from Romans 12:2 that whatever the will of God is, it is good and perfect and pleasing. So we don’t have to be afraid of it. We also know from Jeremiah 29:11 that God has predetermined a strategy to bring you to an “expected end” (his expectation, not ours).
The word will is translated from the Greek “thelema” which means “to will”. This doesn’t signify some demand, but an expression of pleasure towards the object of God’s pleasure (you). Thelema was used by biblical writers to designate what God Himself does of his own good pleasure and what he had ordained out of his sovereignty. In short, what God has planned for you is because he wants it.
So does God has a plan for your life? Absolutely. When I say plan I mean something he created you uniquely to do and because of that He will likewise equip you to complete that task. His plan for you will ultimately accomplish two major purposes:
(1) bring another person into reconciliation with God resulting in glory and praise for God;
(2) bring glory and praise to God resulting in another person being reconciled to God
This seems to be what Solomon surmises in Ecclesiastes 12:13. “…here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”
Within those two broad intents lie the plan that God has for you. It is not filled with specifics for a reason.
It is God’s desire that we all know His will for us. If a Christian misses God’s will its like missing a turn on a lonely highway and being lost on an unfamiliar detour. So knowing God’s will is very important. As a matter of fact if you don’t discover it, you will live your (Christian) life unfulfilled, unhappy and unfruitful. Knowing and living in his will for you will dramatically set you apart from those who meander aimlessly through church life.
I was teaching a discipleship class once and I asked for a show of hands from all those who knew what God had specifically called them to accomplish. Out of approximately 30 odd people, only 4-5 people raised their hands. When I asked those few to share their specific calling, the numbers got even smaller. The answers were more or less general in nature.
It suggested to me that a vast majority of the rank and file church attendees are clueless as to the meaning of the lives. They come to church, participate in church activities (perhaps faithfully) but inside are deeply dissatisfied without understanding the reason for their dissatisfaction. Consequently when you are not 100% convinced of God’s will for your life, you will always be in flux and susceptible to deception that appeals to answering that question with temporary solutions.
There are not two wills of God, but there are two aspects of his will.
One is a general will for all people.
For example, it is God’s will that all people be saved. (2 Peter 3:9) It is God’s desire that we are blessed and in good health (1 John 3:3). God has called us unto holiness, not uncleaness (1 Thess 4:7).
Most become satisfied with these generalities. They are good, but beyond that is something specifically, that God has determined you should accomplish. Like Solomon, building the first temple or like Paul taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Or like Mary bearing and delivering the Christ. Remember Moses was chosen to tell Pharoah, “let my people go!”. What about Jesus who was born to die for the sins of the world?
Now, what about you? Do you know his will for you? If you know it, are you passionately working it out for God’s glory?
How gay christians really view Jesus
Another must see and hear to believe it video courtesy of homosexual christian clerics.
Have you been under the impression that gay christians love, revere, worship, honor, serve, obey and follow the Jesus of the Bible? If you have, you couldn’t have been more wrong. In fact I would say that the “Jesus” they speak of is but an idol of their own imagination, crafted by the dark recesses of their minds. The Christ, who came expressly to die and deliver us from the penalty and curse of sin is mocked and demeaned by those who call themselves by his name.
After watching this video (a little over 10 minutes) of a gaggle of clergy from the Metropolitan Community Church (a homosexual christian denomination), it reminded me of Bill Clinton’s 1998 defense statement when he said “It depends on what the meaning of is, is.”
Listen to these gay christian “theologians” discuss what believing in Jesus means to them. Or rather what believing in Jesus doesn’t mean to them.
The panel sets the stage by defining their brand of religion as more akin to Jesus because everything is always in flux. There are no absolutes and there are no imaginative boundaries for followers of Christ. In their logic, man is smart enough —and has a high self worth— without the bible to determine what is right and good for us.
I pulled out a few of the more stunning statements for your review. Keep in mind these are people who are demanding to be accepted as equals (brothers and sisters in Christ).
The Rev. Durrell Watkins (the church’s senior pastor) refers to Jesus as some type of voodoo doll he has purchased.
“I as a progressive Christian have set my heart on Jesus so yes I believe in Jesus…and that means that Jesus for me is a symbol and a figure that I am constantly working with, exploring, playing with and so how that impacts me, how that influences my life is going to change over time. But because I have set my heart on Jesus Ive made Jesus a primary symbol to work with…”
A symbol to play with? Professing themselves wise, they have become fools.
Rev. Nikki Bailey sees Jesus dying for the sins of humanity is something akin to a humorous fairy tale.
“I would say that belief in Jesus would be belief in all the questions and all of the seeking and all of the possibility that Jesus represents. I would agree with Durrell not necessarily believing about Jesus all of the things or I was taught in the tradition I was raised in, not necessarily that Jesus died for my sins., which is fine if that’s where you are… (all laugh) But for me it would be believing that all the things that Jesus represented through his life and all of the questions that arrive from that and all of the commitments that I need to make to justice and peace and loving my neighbor is a part of what that belief is.”
I was wrong. From there it gets progressively worse. The gay christian ministers go on to reject the significance of the death of Christ because they possess a “high anthropology”. Thus, they have no need for Jesus to save them although, as the man says, they do have high regard for Jesus.
I’ve said it before and it bears repeating. The theology of the homosexual christian movement is diametrically opposed to literally every fundamental teaching of our faith. This is the very nature of satan who wraps himself in an angelic facade and presents himself as one who is focused on love and peace.
More on MCC ministers and their perverted view of Jesus:
Wanted: A radical return to holiness
The June 7th episode of TBN featured a rare moment of sound biblical teaching from Milwaukee based Bishop Darrell Hines in an interview with Mark Chironna. Not rare for Hines, rare for TBN.
Thankfully, this was devoid of the gratuitous set ups that are usually the custom of stale TBN interviews. Chironna gave Hines liberty to express what was “burning in his heart” at that time. And what followed was 99.9% lean meat. It was clear that Hines was speaking truth because there were no perfunctory “clap right here” moments for the audience. Either the audience wasn’t accustomed to such strong meat or they were so enraptured they didn’t do the usual studio audience happy shout and dance at the “blessing and miracle” speeches.
Hines spoke clearly about the message and meaning of holiness. In his exposition he explained that holiness is an identity and our personal responsibility to reflect holiness. His very direct message: the church has an identity crisis.
Interestingly enough, Hines said the catalyst prompting his search for the true biblical definition of holiness was seeing the much talked about —albeit shameful— Tonex interview by Lexi.
“I was watching television, this interview that was being done by this one Christian singer, gospel singer… and I won’t call his name, he had been to our church and had really blessed us but these were some years after, he was on television confessing to being a born again, homosexual believer in God, continue to pastor his church, God loves him and he loves God and we just have to accept him like that . And something happened to me Mark. I felt a real…sadness. There’s a whole generation of young people being influenced now by this music, but the lifestyle doesnt represent the music nor does the music and the lifestyle go together.”
That began an awesome exposition of holiness and the inherency of identity.
Bishop Hines understood and articulated what it at the root of the gross indecency (and the passive acceptance of it) of behavior: the church does not value holiness. I would even say the church has lost the true meaning and application of holiness. Thus, the problem with people like Tonex and the gay christian movement’s ideology he now champions, is an clear result of the church’s moving away from holiness.
Hines addressed a common fallacy used by some as a cloak to justify sin as well as the off track gospel music industry which is by and large is operating under the influence of religious homosexuals.
One of the more striking points he made is that love is God’s ability while holiness is his identity.
Hines said that he is encouraging pastors everywhere to return to preaching holiness. He’s probably seen enough of the tricks, gimmicks and hollow messages used to fill seats with false converts.
This is good, sound teaching that’s well worth your 15 minutes to watch, hear and heed. Yes, we really need a radical return to holiness.
Watch the full June 7 broadcast with Bishop Darrell Hines. The interview begins at 1:05.
False Prophets and Teachers are Murderers
by shofarsound
False teachers and prophets are spiritual murderers because they affect the well-being of a person’s eternal soul by leading him or her away from the Word of God. There are two dangerous false teachings: The Gospel of Inclusion and Pro-gay Theology. As 1 Timothy 4:1 would put it, they are doctrine of devils and people give heed to these seducing spirits every day. Ignatius in the 2nd century A.D. said, “I urge you…keep away from every strange plant, which is heresy. These people, while pretending to be trustworthy, mix Jesus Christ with poison…I am guarding you in advance because you are very dear to me and I foresee the snares of the devil (Letters to the Trallians 6-8).” Just think of it this way: Carlton Pearson and Yvette Flunder are among those who teach these types of heresies and they are guilty of Ezekiel 3:18. They do not act as true watchmen of God that warn the wicked of their iniquity. They make the unsaved believe that they are really saved. Any person who believes or follows such teaching runs the risk of eternal damnation and receiving the “second death” or separation from Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 21:8).
Just imagine a whole congregation that follows false teachings! If they believe the teaching until their death, never receive the full revelation of the lie, and never repent for believing the lie, they are spiritually dead. The false teacher has performed spiritual murder. The congregation is deceived into believing a lie and the result is eternal death.
First and foremost, saints of God should always follow the Word of God over their favorite icon preacher or teacher. Deuteronomy 13:1-4 says,
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him..”
Consider the following: Church folks often tell others that the prophet of the Lord told them that a check was coming in the mail because the Word said that their blessings would be pressed down, shaken together and running over. However, the prophet who told them that didn’t line up with the Word of God. They didn’t study. They didn’t receive a revelation from God. Instead, the word the prophet spoke was just some new wild revelation they received through their own flesh. The sad truth is that people eat this poison of unbiblical preaching and teaching, and will fight over what these false ministers have said as being the Truth. Unfortunately, they are unable to see the death of false teaching in the pot ( 2 Kings 4:40). They would rather eat death than the life-giving Word of God.
Regrettably, people follow the voice of there favorite preacher or teacher instead of the voice of God. Many saints today lack the discipline to search the scriptures for themselves. They fail to make sure the person they are listening to is telling them the truth. We must be like the Bereans in Berea. Acts 17:10-11 says, “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
The Bereans searched the scriptures. As great as Paul and Silas were, they didn’t just rely on their popular reputation. They made sure what they preached and taught lined up with the Word of God. Please saints, don’t fall for the seduction of false doctrine. It can literally kill you and you’ll suffer the second death as a result. Remember John 5:39 says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they which testify of me.” Search the scriptures for yourself! It is your eternal soul we’re talking about here. You only get one time around here on Earth. The scriptures don’t suggest karma or purgatory. Carlton Pearson may not believe in Hell but that doesn’t mean that Hell isn’t a reality. It is! And what can be worse than Hell itself? Being thrown into the Lake of Fire, tormented for eternity, and separated from Jesus Christ forever.
Related articles:
For the love of sound doctrine
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 1 Tim 4:3 NIV
[An elder] must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Titus 1:9 NIV
You must teach that which is in accord (in harmony with) sound doctrine. Titus 2:1
There is no way we can accurately ascertain the scope of God’s will and then live out the will of God without an balanced and consistent understanding of his word. That balanced and consistent understanding is given to us primarily through the teaching of sound doctrine. Sound doctrine accomplishes two things: (1) it guards against deception, and (2)it guides others into spiritually healthy men and women of God (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Paul instructed both Titus and Timothy to be careful not to change what he had taught them and to anticipate that some in the church would depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. And consequently, reject sound doctrine.
The word “sound” comes from the Greek word hugiaino translated as “hygiene” or “health.” This obviously has a medical aspect to it. So in short sound doctrine is healthy doctrine. The opposite of healthy its unhealthy. Thus, we can conclude that not everything which sounds good to the ear or feels good to the body, is healthy for the soul.
What we need today if we are to be effective and remain steadfast in the work of the Lord is a radical return to God’s word and the foundations that produce good, healthy fruit.
Doctrine has gotten a bad rap in the contemporary church. Its been compared to heartless dogma and legalism which restricts and controls people unnecessarily. The truth is that doctrine is simply a body of principles presented for acceptance or belief. But not all doctrine is good doctrine.
How do we convey sound doctrine?
The primary tool of conveying sound doctrine to others is through teaching because teaching is about the how and the why. Its instruction that must be given carefully and received with diligence. Thus, the best way for you to show me properly is to teach. Remember the old saying “If you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day. But if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime.” Its the same with sound doctrine. If you really want me to become a healthy, fruit-bearing follower of Christ, you will teach me sound principles. If you want to keep me locked into a unhealthy co-dependency on you do the opposite. And that’s exactly what false teachers do.
The word “teach” occurs twenty times in Matthew alone, and Jesus is called Teacher there about ten times. If we look at the whole NT, the two nouns for teaching or doctrine occur over fifty times, while the verb to teach occurs over ninety times. The word teacher appears at least fifty-eight times. Half a dozen other related words appear on another twenty occasions.
When Paul urges Titus to “refute” (this is what I consider polemics) those who oppose sound doctrine, we must take it seriously and do it. One tactic used by those who oppose balanced healthy teaching is the “mystery” approach. In essence, they claim no one can really know the truth, so we are responsible for finding and living our own truth. Judges 21:25 gives us insight on such a teaching: In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Dr. Bob Wright of Denver says this is a mockery of Christian maturity:
We do not need answers; we need to grow up and learn to accept the paradoxes of life! True Christian maturity is said to be measured by our commitment in the face of final paradox rather than by any kind of knowledge. People who want answers are just immature, that’s all.
Our faith is recognized by specialists in comparative religion as being by far the most intellectual religion of all; that the New Testament puts a heavy priority on the regeneration of the intellect that the Bible in both the Old Testament and the New makes it perfectly plain that the term heart means the seat of the intellect, or the mind as our capacity to reason; therefore all the problems we face are to be solved first by allowing the Bible to change our minds about the truth, and then by learning what God’s answer is to our problem, as God defines and explains both problem and answer.
The results are predestined to be successful and to infallibly meet the needs of the believer sooner or later. The Bible itself calls this process “making disciples,” and the primary method is said to be by something called teaching.
Sound doctrine and homosexuality
The teachings of homosexual affirming theology stands against much of the cornerstone tenets of our faith.
- Teaching that same gender sexual expression is normal opposes the creative nature of God (Col 1:16, Romans 1:25)
- Teaching that homosexuality is acceptable by God opposes the biblical definition and penalty of sin (Dan 9:5, 1 John 3:4)
- The teaching that Christ was ignorant of contemporary homosexual relationships, thus silent opposes the divinity of Jesus Christ specifically his omniscience. (John 8:58, Ps 33:13-15) (
- Teaching that homosexual have no need to repent opposes the authority and applicability of the Word of God. (Mt 4:4)
Homosexual affirming doctrine isn’t different from other unhealthy teachings, it is unhealthy teaching.
