Category Archives: heterodoxy
Navigating religious and philosophical terminology
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. (Prov 23:7)
In my opinion, Proverbs 23:7 is almost always taken out of context to serve our own self interests or perhaps to explain something about someone else that may or may not necessarily be true. If the statement is to be contextually understood, the latter portion of it must be included as there is no period after “he” but a colon. This simply means what follows the first part proves and explains it. In this case, the point is more about hypocrisy than destiny or character. Taken out of context, the meaning can travel to Jupiter and back.
My point? Getting an understanding of things is very important if we are to rightly divide the word of truth not only for the edification of each other but to an unbelieving world we are called to witness to. Notwithstanding the Spirit of God giving what to say “on the spot”, we should avail ourselves to further study. The false prophets of our day are smart and glib of tongue. That’s a potent factor in deception.
The power of words, the meaning of words
There’s a growing lexicon of terms related to understanding or explaining religious concepts out there. This can be attributed to in part to the conflict over truth. Some terms describe false concepts which are popping up in churches everywhere. Others describe biblical perspectives which are embedded essentials of our faith. Then too, some may help to explain some of the perspectives that are espoused on this blog from time to time by non-believers who object to our biblical conclusions about homosexual conduct.
I decided to make a post highlighting the most prominent of them. Most have the “ism” and “ology” subtext. Hopefully, as you hear these terms being dropped here and there in your studies you will have a working man’s knowledge of what they mean and its applicability. While I believe etymology is important in most cases, we have to be careful that etymology doesn’t eclipse other factors associated with a particular word because there are many. Primarily, their placement in scripture (or their inference in scripture) along with the Holy Spirit’s “illumination” is important. But even that has a check and balance. No meaning claimed to be derived from the Holy Spirit’s leading can conflict with other scripture particularly when the meaning is clear. The Word of God is one complete and harmonious system of doctrine. Thus, etymology is not an end all, but rather an appropriate starting point.
I’ve also linked scripture references for your consideration. If you know of any additional ones, please drop it in the comment section (with a working man’s definition) and I’ll add it.
antinominanism – taken from Greek: anti nomos “against the law”. In this case it is against God’s laws regarding sexual conduct, the promotion of lawlessness in the church. A belief which manifests in several different forms but mainly exalts one’s personal experience or ” the spirit” over scripture. Psalms 19:7-9
Determinism – a philosophical doctrine which holds that every state of affairs, including every human event, act, and decision is the inevitable consequence of a previous event or series of events. Philippians 2:13
heterodoxy – any doctrine at variance with an official or orthodox position. Not to be used as a weapon against credible revelation, but as a deterrent against false teachings which have no root in established biblical doctrines.
perfectionism – the idea that once one has been saved, it is impossible or inadmissable to commit sin or sins. 1 John 1:6-10
existentialism – A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness of individual human experience in hostile or indifferent environments. It regards human existence as unexplainable and thus allows for one to claim human sovreignty; the “little god” teaching. Eccl 12:12-14
epistemology – the study of how we know what we know
justification – the legal act where God declares the sinner to be innocent of his or her sins. Its not that the sinner is actually sinless, but that he is “declared” sinless. Justification is granted by God alone and only by faith. Romans 5:1
fallibilism – a philosophical doctrine that all claims of knowledge could, in principle, be mistaken. Colossians 2:2-3
fatalism - a philosophical doctrine holding that all events are predetermined in advance for all time and human beings are powerless to change them 2 Kings 20:1-6
Nihilism – a radical doctrine that advocates destruction of the social system for its own good; annihilate Psalms 24:1
probability – part philosophical, part theoretical teaching that a random sampling process will result in all outcomes equally likely to happen solely based on chance. Romans 8:28-30
solipsism- a philosophical teaching that the self is all that you know to exist Jeremiah 17:7-9; Colossians 2:8
apologetics – defense of the Christian faith or its biblical doctrines from external enemies 1 Peter 3:15
polemics – defense of the Christian faith or its biblical doctrines from internal enemies. 2 Cor 11:13-15; Jude 3
theology – the study of the nature of God
christology – the study of and proper understanding of Jesus Christ as revealed in scripture 2 Pet 3:18
monergism – the doctrine that the Holy Spirit is the only efficient agent in an individual’s “new birth”. Monergism (Gkmono ergon “the work of one”) holds that the human will possesses no desire to holiness until it is born again, thus there is no pre-existing cooperation in regeneration.”
fundamentalism – a belief that every word in the Bible should be interpreted as literal truth. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
monogenes – a belief which suggests derivation, creation, origination of Christ. Rev 1:8
diaprax – the belief that Christian unity should and can be achieved without doctrinal consensus. Amos 3:3-7; 1 John 5:7-8
orthodoxy – can be applied across the spectrum of beliefs. In terms of Christian faith, it is adherence to a right set of beliefs as outlined in scripture.
orthopraxy – places emphasis on right conduct, both ethical and spiritual but not necessarily in opposition to faith and grace.
eschatology – The study of end times. A doctrine concerning the ultimate or final destiny of humanity and the earth including Christ’s second advent and God’s final judgment. 2 Peter 3:7-10
In the shadows of secularism?
Easter is more about the easter bunny than the supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Christmas is more about presents from santa than celebrating the supernatural arrival of the Messiah
Thanksgiving seems to be more about what’s for dinner than giving honor to God.
Are we slowly but surely losing our foundations? Some churches have begun competing with halloween by holding “hallelujah nights”. One pastor said “the kids need something to keep their attention”.
Just a few holiday examples, but is it a sign of what’s to come? Many Christian churches incorporate the more secular components of the holidays or “Holy Days” in order to appeal to people who arent religious. However, some believe that this is only helping to hasten the time when our faith will be a footnote of a period of intolerance and exclusion.
Just this week, the American Religious Identification Survey released their findings which revealed continuing declines of people who self identify as “Christian” or “evangelical” while those who claim no religion at all and those who embrace pagan religion, have risen. Pentecostal religion grew by 3.5 percent.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told a UK paper that Christianity is at risk of being sidelined in England’s increasingly secular society. Charisma Magazine reported Blair ”said he agreed with church leaders that Christianity is in danger of being viewed as a “personal eccentricity” rather than a significant influence on the nation.”
In short, Christianity is in danger of becoming a something akin to women who still like to wear their hair big like in the 80s.
True and given, God has a remnant that “hasnt bowed the knee to Baal” and his word will never fail. But what of this organization called the Christian church? Is it destined to be swallowed by a one world system?
In an earlier report, we looked at how the harlot church is developing right alongside the true church and at some points threatning to overshadow it. Many false ideologies are slowly merging with biblical concepts and creating a new thought stream throughout the church. Like the holidays mentioned, these concepts sound good, feel good and even look good on paper, but where is it leading us? In recent years, we’ve experienced surges of extentialism, humanism, hybrid ecumenicalism, extreme pacifism, universalism and diaprax. That’s just to name a few. Some of them are old heresies with new names. Though there are many questions, what’s clear is that we’ve got much to contend for as well as against.
Jude rebukes "filthy dreamers"
Jude heightened the awareness of a doctrine of sensuality in verse 18,19. According to him, they dreamed “filthy dreams”.
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Its important to note that the reason their doctrines are sensual, is because they themselves are sensual, walking (this is their pattern of living) in lust. When blasting the pharisees in Luke 6, Jesus told them that the abundance of the hearts flowed out of their mouths. We know the pharisees were full of wickedness and hypocrisy. Likewise, false teachers are full of what comes from their mouths. Some conceal it until they get into places of wider influence, but make no mistake it is in them. That’s why its necessary to listen with spiritual ears and check with berean eyes and be ready to rebuke words and ideology “preached” in church that do not find a home in the Word of God.
Apparently, the people Jude wrote to weren’t doing that.
Let me also explain sensuality in the context Jude used it. Sensuality is the devotedness to the gratification of the bodily appetites; free indulgence in carnal or sensual pleasures; luxuriousness; voluptuousness; lewdness. Sensuality isn’t exclusively about sex, but is a major manifestion of lust. Look very hard and see if you can find anything about that which is Godly. If you can’t, you know why.
The epistle of Jude is striking in its context perhaps because it so straightforward and blunt about false teachers. The urgent letter isn’t what he intended to write. Jude intended to write more fully about salvation to an unknown group of readers, but when he became aware of the false teachers who had slithered in among the flock, he wrote a forceful letter commanding the church to fight back with passion.
It is striking too because although these men were clearly leaders in some capacity in the church (albeit through deception) Jude never addresses them as “brothers in error” or “anointed men of God” or fellow believers. He portrays them as sinister personalities with an agenda diametrically opposed to the spiritual health of the church and the will of God. Its a clear lesson to us not to ignore the false teachers of our day and to call them what they really are.
The errant theology of these false teachers was characterized by three main issues:
1. The focus of their teaching wasn’t Jesus, but sexuality and sensuality.
Jude compares these false teachers to the men of Sodom and Gomorrah who went after “strange flesh”. There can be no mistaking that homosexuality is always branded as unnatural in the Bible. When you look at the wider context of the condemnation, you will see that its not cultural, its spiritual.
The false teachers love dropping Jesus’ name when they talk. They master using it without ever obeying or submitting to his lordship. This is quite possible to do while intentionally leading people astray. It is a smoke and mirrors trick used by false teachers to ensare the spiritually young and those who dont have a grip on the scriptures. Did you notice he said they spoke “great swelling words”? That’s a slap at their deep sounding oratory skills. The name dropping and fancy talk is also a rallying beacon for the rebellious, seditious and God-haters embedded within the church. In other words, there are people in church who are just waiting for a false teacher to rise up and spout false doctrine which mirrors the wickedness in their own hearts. They will then declare how “anointed” this “man of God” is. If the “anointed man of God” is confronted about his false teaching, the cheerleader will quickly quote the “touch not mine anointed…” type scriptures to deflect the heat off the false teacher. We have seen this happen over and over on this blog. This is a good point to segue into the second characteristic.
2. Supporters engage in endless pursuits of worldly knowledge.
They attempt to explain scripture in an effort to (a) justify the words of the false teacher and (b) inject doubt and confusion into any attempt to uncover God’s truth. They are always learning and promoting (the ways of the world and culture) but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7). The best way to handle these types is to severely restrict their voices and influence in the church. The more they are allowed to have their say, the more confusing things will get and the truth will never be uncovered. That’s why we have to ban some “Christians” on our blog. They aren’t concerned with truth, that’s why they avoid talking directly about the Word of God. Endless hypothetical questions only foster confusion.
3. The final charateristic is idolatry.
They place a love of self and of people above devotion and obedience to Christ. This is a noble thing to do in the world’s eyes, but it works different in the Kingdom of God. In doing so they become men pleasers rather than God lovers. This is the major problem with “social justice ministry” platform advocated by so-called liberal Christians. The main thrust of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not good works, nor is it people power. The preaching of the cross is so that man will see his sinfulness, repent and be reconciled to God. Without a right relationship with God, good works are pointless. Atheists and muslims can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the prisons and fight AIDS. Does that mean they are right with God?
Please be aware of these devices and guard yourself from them. Gird up the loins of your mind and be sober. These false teachers are numerous and lusting for power and attention. But they can only get a foothold if you are not paying attention to what they are saying and doing. Like Jude, we should get angry enough to stop our business as usual attitude and speak out and call them out before they have lead people into hell.
And again I say: Beware false prophets
Sound like a broken record? Are you tired of hearing and reading about the rampant corruption in the church? Would you rather only want to know how you can “tap into” the blessings of God and be prosperous instead? Live your best life now? Don’t like hearing “negativity”? Do you get angry when someone exposes the unbiblical practices of your “man of God”?
If this is you, you are a foolish person. Maybe a foolish virgin, but nonetheless a fool. All around us —within and without— the church is under unprecedented attack from false prophets of every stripe. Instead of contending for the faith, most are groveling after false teachers who throw them shards of rotten food. So I speak to those who have an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying. Beware false teachers, evildoers and workers of iniquity planted in the church by their master, satan. Most can’t remain hidden long because their very nature will soon expose them. Hint: there is a reason Jesus called them “ravenous wolves”.
While reading about the major debacle caused by false prophet Todd Bentley in Florida, I saw this quote by prolific Christian theologian, teacher and author Derek Prince:
“The Bible gives us no liberty to tolerate the incursion of evil into the church.”
How true and apropros. While misguided Christians are buying into the “dont judge” and “only God can judge”, evil is barreling into the church virtually unopposed. But God never told us to stand by silently while evil we can see mounts our pulpits and perverts the word of the Lord. Why are we comfortable with the house of prayer being a den of thieves?
As astute as Prince was in the faith, even he had a serious bout with involvement in a false movement.
In 1968, Prince joined the Holy Spirit Teaching Mission (HSTM), which linked him to three other Charismatic Christian pastors living in Ft. Lauderdale: Don Basham, Bob Mumford, and Charles Simpson. The HSTM had been founded by businessman Eldon Purvis; but after the discovery of Purvis’s homosexuality, Prince and the others formed Christian Growth Ministries (CGM). In 1974, CGM sought to counter what were seen as excesses within the Charismatic movement by emphasising the authority of a few shepherds over their “sheep”. The group was joined by Ern Baxter, and the five men became known as the Fort Lauderdale Five Their ministry became known as the Shepherding Movement.
CGM’s strong emphasis on submission was controversial. Lydia Prince herself disapproved, and as stories of abuses came out the movement was condemned by Pat Robertson>, Kathryn Kuhlman, and the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International. Lydia died in 1975, and when Prince later wanted to marry Ruth Baker, his fellow shepherds forbade him. However, they later gave permission, and Prince was remarried in1978. Derek later repented in public over being a member of this group.
Many people mislabel what is going on as “wheat and tare” situation (Matt 13:24-30). But its not so. The context of the wheat and tare is that they are indistinguishable spiritually to such a degree that only Jesus himself can accomplish the separation of the two without damaging the wheat. This is not the case with the well documented cases of false prophecy, immorality, and evil out in the open view of the church today. We are commanded to “try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). We test and try them not by our emotions, science, other spirits, traditions and creeds or church polity, but by sound biblical doctrine.
As Derek Prince stated, it is in this context we must oppose all people, spirits and practices in the church which are condemned by the scripture. Did I just say “people”? Yes, people. People who are controlled by anti-Christ spirits. Reference Revelation 2:18-23. By oppose I mean to restrict their influence and voices by any biblical allowances at our disposal.
Like the example set by Noah, this message must be preached without fail until the end comes. The hope of redemption is not in horizontal love, but in repentance and relationship with the living God through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is being set up to fall without challenge to the antichrist. Todd Bentley and the numerous false prophets we have noted here are more than enough evidence to this fact
God is not calling for us to establish rapture cults, nor are we to going into hiding to “save” ourselves. But like true salt and light, we should engage the culture and evil subcultures in the church with God’s Word, our sword. Until he returns let us not be weary in well doing, for we reap if we faint not. Even if it takes our very lives, I encourage you to cross the line of indecision and decide that you will not compromise the gospel and give sanctuary to demons and their destructive doctrines.
Related: The adultery of Todd Bentley
We are in a season of false teachers
The false teachers seem to be popping up everywhere, just like the violent ”pop-up storms” we have in Georgia which quickly do massive damage in selected areas.
On the heels of our post on “doctrines of devils”, take a moment to examine another searing example of the doctrines of devils being spewed from the pulpits of the contemporary church.
Feted as one of the world’s foremost theologians who teaches at the likes of Harvard and Oxford, Bishop Thomas Wright of England contends that heaven is not the final destination of the saved. And strangely reminiscent of Watchtower doctrine, Wright denies the rapture and the destruction of the earth. Wright’s teachings seem to question even the resurrection of the dead.
In a radical departure from traditional belief, Wright says that Christians are not ultimately destined for a spiritual place called heaven. He says that at the end of time as we know it, God will literally remake our physical bodies and return us to a newly restored planet.
“Heaven is important but it’s not our final destination,” he explained. “If you want to say that when someone dies they go to heaven, fine. But that’s only a temporary holding pattern that is life after death. And what I’m much more interested in, or the New Testament is much more interested in, is what I’ve called life after life after death.”
The major issue with people like Wright who perhaps unwittingly become pawns in the spread of the demon’s doctrine is that they take some scripture and skillfully mix it with speculation, worldly wisdom and postmodernist ideology. Its a deadly concoction because truth mixed with anything other than truth (God’s that is) becomes deadlier than an outright lie. It is beautiful, attractive deception.
The red flag that is it a “departure from traditional belief.” In this case, Wright false doctrine is a radical departure. That would equal seven red flags.
Wright’s motivation (as was mentioned by the pastor at Dead Theologians) is not to evoke a desire for holiness in people, obedience to the will of God, nor to uphold clear principles of righteousness, but to steer people away from what the Bible has said and confirmed concerning the faith once delivered to the saints.
If you are a minimal, casual bible reader, BEWARE you are the type that will be fooled, hoodwinked and bamboozled by the false teachers running around like demonic pacmen. I strongly urge you to pray first and ask God to give you a hunger and thirst for the living water and the bread of heaven. Then put action to your prayer and study God’s word to know HIM and who HE is. Only then will you live. Jesus said in John 6:63 “the words that I speak are spirit and life”. If you listen to and become influenced by the false teachers, you will become like the chaff which the winds drive away.
NOTE: I forgot to include the article from which the quote came from in the body of the post. There are a couple:
(1) ABC News (2)Time Magazine. I encourage you to read them also.
Sexual malfeasance and church leadership
I promised Sis greeky, that we would talk about this because it really is one of the huge reasons individuals leave churches in disgust.
Here’s what she wrote:
In advance, I ask your patience because of so many variables this might be somewhat lengthy. And too, this may involve more biblical principle rather that hard biblical evidence so keep that in mind. I think the scriptures allow for us to glean universal wisdom from the Word and then apply it in love to specific situations.
I have always advocated (and at times demanded) responsible transparency in ministry. There definitely should be a balanced approach to dealing with leaders who are subjects of sexual immorality for years if they are truly men of integrity being falsely accused. Lets all agree that the scriptures which outline how to handle accusations against elders are indeed applicable and right.
Two scriptures we should consider here.
Just brief notes on these two passages. The first is about the spirit, not so much the letter of the law. Its characterized by self-reflective compassion. How that is applied seems to segue in the second passage. 1 Tim 5 acknowledges that elders may indeed bs “accused”, but it cannot be justified only by a “he say-she say” scenario. Or in these days we need to include “he-say-he say”. Further, if the accusations prove true, the church is to use open rebuke to suppress the progression of sin within the Body. In this case, you are authorized to preach fear, hell and damnation!
Restoration (of a leader who has sinned) ideally should include: disclosure, discipline and retraining. Restoration does not automatically mean a person should be put back in the position they once held in church. Restoration is primary a concern for the soul and not some manmade position. For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Maintaining image for the purpose of “damage control” is potentially detrimental to the person caught in the sin.
Disclosure means fully repenting in context to the circumstances of the sin. If sin was done openly, repentance should be open. If this was an issue where the sin was private (meaning only the individual was involved) then repentance should be to an appropriate source in confidence. Sometimes the Adam and Eve syndrome takes over and people start blaming other folks for their sins. If so, a spiritually mature person should evoke James 1:14-15 and apply it in order to obtain metanoia or true repentance.
Discipline means there should be some restrictive measures levied against the individual commensurate to the depth and impact of the sin. For instance, if a person got into an arguement in the open and cussed, the discipline required would not be the same if he or she were to molest a child. All sin is the same, but the effects of sins are different. Thus, dealing with it requires mature discernment and applicable biblical wisdom. Discipline is not about humiliating someone, but its intent is to humble them so restoration can take its proper course. Discipline is part of discipleship and is not only to be self administered, but should be accepted when administered by God or whomever he sanctions to carry it out in love.
Retraining means that there should be practical exercises required for the individual to complete before any level of restoration is declared. For instance, one might be required to pay back 100% of monies misused from a church funds. This isnt punitive but to (1) test the integrity and sincerity of the person, (2) to demonstrate real, observable restitution for the record and (3) to engage the person in an activity to teach them so that they learn from their error.
For the record, I do not believe in the practice of “sitting someone down” as a legitimate biblical response to sin in leadership. It has too many loopholes. Unless it is incorporated with the above it is useless.
But lets deal with the ones who aren’t innocent, havent been overtaken in fault. Let’s talk about the ones who are committing serial sins with no repentance and even resist efforts to rectify wrong situations. When a person has power, money and popularity, it severely complicates a biblical resolution. Remember Earl Paulk? Because of his status and position, not to mention cunning deception, he was able to carry on abominations for over 30 years. And because people were told “keep your mouth off the mand of gawd” it afforded Paulk the perfect cover to continue sexually molesting both children and adult women under his authority.
If it is a crime (sex with a minor) involved, the church should not conceal the matter. If it is a moral failure (adultery) the church should exercise its discretion again depending on the circumstances of the sin. For instance if the husband, girlfriend and wife had a fight in church in front of the members, why label it a “private matter”? Already it has damaged those who have witnessed it.
Let’s also consider that a bishop (positionally different than a pastor) according to 1 Tim 3:2, must be “blameless”. The “blameless” part takes effect after he accepts the office. People oftimes claim well they are human too meaning we have to allow for them to err. Well yes and no. The word blameless is taken from the greek anepileptos which means: not arrested, i.e. (by implication) inculpable — blameless, unrebukeable. Also note use of the word “must” which signifies there exists no parallel option to the requirement. In other words, the bishop must live above reproach. If they err, they are no longer qualified to hold the office and should be removed.
I believe that in keeping with integrity, any investigations of widely known acts of malfeasance should be available to members. It pains me for church folk to always accuse people of gossip when leaders reject properly informing people. Generally, there is suppression of the evidence and failure of “the board” to righteously deal with it. I still contend that the case of Bishop JD Husband is a textbook case example of this. I think the issues of information suppression and secrecy is not because of a concern that people would be harmed but because it could possibly affect the flow of money. Sad to say the contemporary church is in bed with money. Consequently, God’s word is relegated to a secondary reference tool.
If you feel like adding something to this, feel free. Its a tough, but much needed discussion in the church.