Month: January 2013

WAYNE GRUDEM’S GNOSTIC PNEUMATOLOGY IDENTIFIES HIM AS A FALSE TEACHER

    Wayne Grudem spoke at the European Leadership Forum in 2010 where he addressed the Christian youth of Europe on the Holy Spirit, concentrating on Ephesians 5:18.  For someone who has written numerous books and his own “Systematic Theology”, it was extremely disappointing to see and hear this poor analysis of the roles and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. His presentation, of course, is from a continuationist point of view, meaning that he believes that the (apostolic) gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today, similar to the charismatic/pentecostal belief systems. Although he is adored as the “go to guy” of his gnostic reformed followers, he has roots in the hyper-charismatic Vineyard Church and actually was the in-house theologian and apologist for its founder John Wimber, a promoter of the John G. Lake “healing rooms” and all sorts of heresies.
    Now, in this address, he teaches the need for “constant re-fillings of the Holy Spirit”, the constant need to “pray to the Holy Spirit” (without reference to Jesus Christ), that some people speak in “tongues” like he does in his “private prayer language”, and to expect modern day prophecies. This is gnosticism!
    The manner of presentation was very problematic. All through this “lecture”, he was in a rather hilarious, almost flippant, irreverent spirit for some unknown reason. He referred many times, not to Scripture, but to his own personal feelings about the presence of the Spirit, and speculations about the Spirit’s personality. His use of “I think” statements was pervasive, dominating almost every point, even stating he thinks of the Spirit “at the level of feelings or spiritual perceptions”.
    He neglected at least two important points. He never said that the Holy Spirit could refuse to listen to a believer who has awareness of unconfessed sin. He never once mentioned the role of the Holy Spirit to “convict of righteousness and sin” in leading people to salvation and/or the correction of believers. His primary focus was how a believer should work at the various ways he “thinks” are the ways of getting re-filled with the Holy Spirit, other than living more like Christ, the absence of which was glaring and inexcusable for a man of this stature and reknown.
    Grudem took questions, but never once was he asked about his involvement in the Vineyard church and that church’s gross excesses in “worship”, his association with John Wimber, and/or his “personal prayer language”.
    Rather, Grudem presented a very mechanistic approach to getting more of the Holy Spirit.
    Although Grudem is otherwise orthodox, his constant and repeated defaulting to an allowance for apostolic gifts of the Holy Spirit in the modern church (including mixed authoritative/faulty prophecies) opens all those who take him seriously up to nothing less than the possibility of “adding to Scripture” in an heretical way. For this reason, he should not be your “go to guy”, but avoided as a false teacher, i.e., one who sees nothing wrong with the canon of Scripture being fluid, flexible, amendable, and subject to myriad interpretations.
    Grudem, for these reasons, has created tremendous confusion and a boost to the ecumenical spirit in the Christian world, whether he is aware of this or not. In truth, the Christian, in defense, must by necessity, default to “sola Scriptura” and reject his confused meanderings based on mystical, personal feelings.
    Below is the video of the “lecture”:

Wayne Grudem on why he believes his “Systematic Theology” is superior to the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit when the believer studies the Bible alone. Grudem, if you let him, will be your gnostic spirit guide:

References:
Grudem’s stint at the EFCA’s (Evangelical Free Church of America) Trinity International University (a/k/a Trinity Evangelical Divinity School):
Beard’s http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/efca.htm: specifically this paragraph:

“Is God speaking through prophets today? Yes, say TIU faculty members Wayne
Grudem and Don Carson, but not with the same “authority” as in the Old and New
Testaments!:

Wayne Grudem: Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology
— Argues that NT apostles were the functional equivalents of OT prophets, and
were in authority over NT prophets. Therefore, Grudem considers NT non-apostolic
prophecy less authoritative than both OT prophecy and NT apostolic prophecy, in
that it consists primarily of “impressions” which God gives the individual.
Since the individual may misunderstand or misinterpret these impressions, this
NT prophecy is open to error and is not required to meet the 100% accuracy
demand of the OT (Dt. 3:1-5; 18:20-22). Thus, the view that underlies much of
the thinking about prophecy in the Vineyard
Movement (in fact, Grudem has claimed Vineyard preaches the true gospel of
Christ), and now at TIU, is that “today’s ‘prophecies’ are usually imperfect and
not trustworthy” (The Gift of Prophecy, pp. 100ff); by
this means, Grudem can and does argue that “prophecy” occurs today without the
necessity of proving any miraculous element.”

Excerpts from Grace Fellowship Church’s review of Grudem at:
http://www.gfcto.com/articles/theological-issues/grudems-view-of-nt-prophecy, specifically:

“A CONFESSEDLY NOVEL VIEW:

In the preface to his first book Grudem writes:

‘I found that a detailed
study of the biblical text led me to a definition of New Testament prophecy
which was somewhat different from the teachings of many within the charismatic
movement, but also different from the views of those, especially within Reformed
and Dispensationalist circles, who have expressed objections to or skepticism
about claims to prophecy found in charismatic groups today. But even though I
do not agree fully with either group, I hope that in my somewhat new definition
of the nature of Christian prophecy both pro-charismatics and anti-charismatics
may be able to find a “middle ground” with a considerable potential for
reconciling their current differences.[1]‘
“For someone to suggest a new definition of a biblical truth after hundreds of
years of church history have elapsed is rather bold to say the least. Is it
warranted? Let’s take a look.”
“GRUDEM STATES HIS POSITION:
In his first major summary statement, Grudem concludes:”
‘…Paul thought of
prophecy at Corinth as something different than the prophecy we see, for
instance, in Revelation or in many parts of the OT. There, a divine authority
of actual words is claimed by or on behalf of the prophets. But the prophecy we
find in 1 Corinthians is more like the phenomena we saw in extra-Biblical Jewish
literature: it is based on some type of supernatural “revelation,” but that
revelation only gives it a kind of divine authority of general content. The
prophet could err, could misinterpret, and could be questioned or challenged at
any point. He had a minor kind of “divine” authority, but it certainly was not
absolute.[2]‘”
“Again, he says:”
‘…I am asking those in the cessationist camp to give serious thought to the
possibility that prophecy in ordinary New Testament churches was not equal to
Scripture in authority, but was simply a very human – and sometimes partially
mistaken – report of something the Holy Spirit brought to someone’s mind.[3]‘”
“Another key element in Grudem’s position is the assertion that in the NT, the
counterpart of the OT prophets are the apostles, and not the NT prophets. He
states:”
‘…those who are viewed
as divinely authoritative messengers in the NT are most often called not
“prophets” but “apostles.” This is significant for our investigation because if
the NT apostles are frequently
seen as the counterparts to the OT prophets, then NT prophets might often be something
quite different.[4]‘

“If this position is accepted, then changes must be made in the thinking of both
cessationist and charismatic non-cessationist believers. The charismatics
would need to stop using a “Thus says the Lord” introduction to their
prophesying, since, according to Grudem, this kind of “authority of words”
prophecy is limited to the OT prophets and NT apostles. A more humble, “I feel
the Lord has shown me…”, would be more appropriate to the status of NT
prophets.”
“On the other hand, the cessationists would now be free to
accept the ongoing, less authoritative nature of NT prophecy without feeling
that the finality and supremacy of the NT scriptures are being threatened.”

“SOME OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.
 “Be very wary of anyone who seeks to persuade the church of a “new”
definition of some aspect of biblical teaching, especially one that claims to
have been lost by the church for some 1800 years. To put it mildly, it borders
on theological arrogance. Yet, it is the novel that often receives recognition
in academic circles and theological publications.”
2.
 “Don’t be cowed by a person’s academic credentials. He
may be a professor at a highly esteemed seminary and have the support of a
numbered of degreed colleagues and know his Greek and Hebrew, but if what he
says does not fit the plain teaching of scripture, we must not be afraid to
flatly reject it.”

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CONSIDERS INCLUDING GAY MEMBERS

URGENT: From Americans for Truth About Homosexuality: “Urge Boy Scouts Not To Capitulate on Homosexuality” here: http://americansfortruth.com/2013/01/29/aftah-tells-parents-churches-to-urge-boy-scouts-not-to-capitulate-on-homosexuality/.

Contact the Boy Scouts NOW, at these numbers: TAKE ACTION: Call the Boy Scouts of America and urge them NOT to change their policy against openly homosexual Scoutmasters and Scouts: call 972-580-2400 to vote in their “poll” (also: -2401, -2405, -2239, -2443, -2280 or -2199). Also, call for the resignation of CEOs Jim Turley and Randall Stephenson from the Scout Executive Board. 


1) This decision is not yet final – parents, sponsoring churches and concerned citizens should lobby the Scouts NOW prior to their Board Meeting next week. TAKE ACTION: urge the BSA NOT to sacrifice the safety and moral well-being of boys to the demands of “gay” activists and a few corporate bigwigs threatening to withhold grants. Lines are jammed, but contact the BSA at 972-580-2000 or 972-580-2597; or use their Contact Page. E-mail: PR@scouting.org. Find your local Scout Council nationwide HERE, or use the BSA’s locator by zip code.
2) This proposed capitulation would snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
3) This proposal opens the door to the sexual- and spiritual corruption of boys.
4) AFTAH reiterates its call on the Boy Scouts of America to release ALL of its files on predatory abuse in the Scouts – be it by adult homosexual Scoutmasters or “boy-on-boy” predations.
5) This pro-homosexual capitulation teaches boys the WRONG lesson: that upholding moral truth is less important than bowing to politically correct trends that dishonor God. 
6) This BSA’s capitulation is the result of a combination of Big Gay Inc.’s hardball tactics and Big Corporate’s “political extortion.”
7) The proposed surrender only emboldens LGBT activists to further pressure the BSA.
8) Lastly, Americans must recognize that Corporate America has become a powerful force for anti-Christian sexual immorality, in the guise of “diversity.”




American Family Association’s Bryan Fischer explodes over this issue:



Wall Street Journal report:


SPIRITUAL STATE OF AMERICA-WORSE THAN EVER

The Destructive Careless Ease of Fools
By John Henderson

Proverbs 1:22-31 – “How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?  If only you will respond to my rebuke, then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will make my words known to you.  However, because I called but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention, because you neglected all my advice, and did not comply with my rebuke, so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you, I will mock when what you dread comes, when what you dread comes like a whirlwind, and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm, when distressing trouble comes on you.  Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me. Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the Lord, they did not comply with my advice, they spurned all my rebuke. Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel. For the waywardness of the  simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.  But the one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm.” (NET Bible)

Where to begin!  Where to begin!  These eleven verses summarize the conditions of our religious and secular culture in ways that I find disturbing because of their clarity and precision.  The frustrations of trying to get just regular people to stop and listen then turn seriously to the Lord in prayer and supplication feels like one is standing in a dense forest shouting to the trees that a massive fire is approaching with gale force.  They will just stand there and be consumed in the fire.

The world is plunging deeper and deeper into its sin and lostness mainly because the church is largely lulled into apathy by the same delusions that grip the lost souls.  When the modern emergent movement stepped up and declared that the church was no longer viable in reaching beyond its borders,it was right in one sense but they offered wrong and fatal solutions.  We bought into postmodern thinking and became victims ourselves rather than emissaries of God’s truth.  We believed our methods were not working when we weren’t even using them in the first place.  We had already laid aside the gospel tools that always won souls for the more flimsy but shinier ideas of carnal advancements; and what would still work, if only they were used, was left to rust.

We forgot that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and went after the allurements of the world’s wisdom, somehow thinking God needed something different than the “old fashioned” gospel message.  We became simpletons and fools in our own “wisdom” and thought that somehow God would come over to our way of thinking.  The Bible became irrelevant, even unneeded [it had a lot of “errors in it, you know, because Professor I-know-best said so and who were we to question such prestige and knowledge].  Our message shifted from “thus saith the Lord” to “thus saith the sages of New Age Postmodernism.”

We can easily find just about anything going on in church buildings and environments except intercessory praying and learning the Word of God.  No longer can we really say with the Psalmist, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.”  We ask for prayers for our lost loved ones but we are nearer to joining them in Hell soon enough than they are of becoming born again.  How many of our lost loved ones, if they were honest and frank, would tell us that they are convicted of their sins from watching how we live?

You can turn on just about any news program and see astounding foolishness that challenges sanity itself.  The examples are abundant.  You may sit there half-asleep and with your brain in neutral and hear such outlandish pronouncements from government and religious “leaders”, supplemented by equally bizarre statements of commentators, that you shake your head to throw off the bombardment of “stuff” that makes no sense at all.  I often remark aloud that the inmates have the keys to the insane asylums and the sane are locked behind the bars.

In the United States and the entire world, we have picked up speed towards divine judgment, if for only two reasons (but actually more): wanton abortion and the embracing of homosexuality in every way possible.  God will not be mocked by this travesty much longer.  Sodom and Gomorra will look like a wiener cook-out by comparison when sudden destruction hits. Pompous officials and arrogant clergy may smirk, strut, and gloat for now, reveling in their self-indulgence, but it will end much sooner than they expect.  Their kind learned that the hard way in times gone by and, today, they have learned nothing at all from history.

I have received messages many times from people who say they feel so isolated in the church that they just do not know where to turn.  What they once knew and could always expect has suddenly been booted from their congregations and they have often been obliged to also go away.  Once-vibrant churches where filled pews and balconies at least three times a week heard the clear message of life are struggling to just hold itself together.  For them, there is more space than needed for the people now and the finances are draining away.  Their messages are so watered down and compromised that a spiritual soul can hardly hear truth at all that lifts and encourages the heart in Christian service.   

This is happening to entire denominations in some instances with no promise of rebounding if things remain as they are.  That which once sent forth clear messages of life filled with Biblical truth now exudes empty substitutes of sham gospel messages.  The Word has been replaced by any “ole” word.  The authority of the Scriptures is set aside for the vain philosophies and useless opinions of godless men and women.

Where does the faithful child of God go from here?  Our answer is only in the Scriptures.  God has made promises that He will not break and no man can nullify.  One of those promises is that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He asks that we faint not but keep looking for His return.  He is coming again just as surely as He has said He would.  It is more certain than the rising and setting of the sun or the rising and falling of the tide.  Jesus will come again right on schedule—God’s schedule.

Psalm 56:11 – “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”

Psalm 118:6 – “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”

Dr. Gran’pa
(John Henderson)
[NOTICE:  ANYTHING I write over this signature may be copied or shared with others

and is deemed as published material unless otherwise stated herein] 

“PASTOR-IN-CHIEF” TITLE BLASPHEMOUS; ONLY GOD IS WORTHY OF THAT TITLE!

    John MacArthur recalls how the Democratic Party platform re-inserted a reference to God AFTER endorsing abortion and gay rights, and how that was blasphemous. Likewise, it is blasphemous for Andy Stanley to assign the title of “Pastor-in-Chief” to Obama and for Obama to accept it. WHY? Because God is our “Pastor-in-Chief” and He alone!
    He also explains why the growth of immorality in American culture, politics and government is reason enough for Christians and churches to step up and speak up against the evil WHEN IMMORALITY INVADES POLITICS:

Democratic Party and Homosexuality:

“When God Abandons a Nation” by John MacArthur, focusing on Romans 1:18-32:

“Abortion and the Campaign for Immorality” by MacArthur:

“Homosexuality and the Campaign for Immorality” by MacArthur:



“Thinking Biblically About Homosexuality” by MacArthur, in which MacArthur characterizes the gay lifestyle as PERVERSE:

PERVERTER-IN-CHIEF GIVES IMMORAL SUPPORT TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LGBT EQUALITY

BREAKING NEWS: 
See the video message below from Barack Obama encouraging the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, right on the heels of the inauguration and the impetus provided by Andy Stanley and assorted gay-affirming clergy of ill repute. Obama himself has certainly been handed an immoral “mandate” of sorts, reflected in the  perverse twisting of “homosexual love” as somehow equivalent to the Bible’s description of love between a man and a woman in marriage. This qualifies Obama as
  “PERVERTER IN CHIEF”
Which Christian pastor is now bold enough to publicly revoke the title of 
                                 “PASTOR-IN-CHIEF” and replace it with the 
“PERVERTER-IN-CHIEF”?
Obama is undeserving of the former because he is clearly promoting the evils of LGBT rights and abortion, placing him squarely off limits to Christians, our children, our churches, and schools, and as a threat to the social order. Otherwise, we have lost all moral influence in the world as a nation. In righteousness, DEMAND that Andy Stanley of Northpoint Community Church http://www.northpoint.org/, (contact form) revoke the title he conferred on this president on Inauguration Day. 
Andy Stanley has a wishy washy biblically uncertain stance on homosexuality so it is no wonder he would glorify the anointed one with a title he doesn’t deserve. This is documented at:
Erin Benzinger’s “Do Not Be Surprised” website here: http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2012/05/andy-stanleys-microcosm-of-church.html, and 
Ken Silva’s “Apprising” website here: http://apprising.org/2012/05/05/homosexuality-megachurches-and-andy-stanley/, 
and demonstrated in the picture, where he shows “three males” (divorced husband with gay partner and former wife with new new husband) in his postmodern, emerging, perverse concept of the “extended” family wherein any arrangement is possible, even among “Christians”.
 ATLANTA, Jan. 25 — President Barack Obama issued a video statement airing today before 3,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates assembled for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s 25th National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change.
The conference, being held this week in Atlanta, is the country’s largest gathering of LGBT rights advocates who are strategizing and organizing for the critical year ahead in the areas of politics, racial and economic justice, marriage equality, faith, family, and more. Obama’s special message comes on the heels of his historic inaugural address this week in which he said, “Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law — for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.” In the video released today, President Obama said, “I’ve always said that the change we need in this country — real change — doesn’t come from Washington, it comes from folks like you. Change has always come from ordinary Americans who sit in or stand up or marched to demand it. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been a partner at the forefront of that movement for 40 years. … With your help, we will continue the journey to perfect our union. The work will be hard, the road will be long, but I’m more confident than ever that we will reach a better future as long as Americans like you keep reaching for justice — and all of us keep marching together.” Watch the president’s entire message:
Video from: http://www.thetaskforce.org/press/releases/pr_potus_012513:

    Americans For Truth Against Homosexuality has written about the conference occurring January 23-27, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia here: http://americansfortruth.com/2013/01/25/breaking-obama-champions-gay-task-force-creating-change-conference-which-promotes-sadomasochism-multi-partner-unions/.
The link to the entire article is also here:
BREAKING: Obama Champions Gay Task Force’s ‘Creating Change’ Conference – Which Promotes ‘Kinky Sex’ (Sadomasochism), Multi-Partner Unions and Gender Confusion–Event Funded by Southwest Airlines, Office Depot, AARP and Wells Fargo.
    This is the same city where Home Depot is headquarted and which also has a documented history of participating in gay parades there and in other major cities, as has been reported by the American Family Association. http://action.afa.net/item.aspx?id=2147496231. See the history at this link.
    Home Depot has continuously denied participating despite photos of Home Depot parade floats and tables set up at these parades at which they distribute memorabilia, cups, and aprons to parents and children. AFA requests that you boycott Home Depot and sign the boycott pledge at the link above.

ANDY STANLEY ASSIGNS TITLE OF “PASTOR IN CHIEF” TO OBAMA AT WASHINGTON CATHEDRAL

    Andy Stanley, son of well known pastor Charles Stanley, both Southern Baptists, has been so impressed with Obama’s involvement with the Newtown, Connecticut school tragedy that he thinks Obama should be crowned with the title “Pastor in Chief”. This, despite the preaching and teaching of the “separation of church and state” for decades within the Southern Baptist Convention. And this, apparently, was the thrust of his man-centered, so-called “sermonette”, as reported by the Washington Examiner at:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/pre-inauguration-sermon-tells-obama-hes-pastor-in-chief/article/2519242#.UQBUmSofz1P. So much for honoring God in His house.
    No photos or videos were allowed inside the Washington Cathedral, the nation’s seat of absolute heresy, apostasy and ecumenism, i.e., as long as we’re on the subject of “absolutism” that the anointed one showed distaste for in his inaugural speech.
    It does bring back to memory certain themes throughout history, mostly outside the U.S., of the “divine right of kings”, the Holy Roman Emperor, the King and Queen of England and the Anglican Church, the Emperor Hirohito of Japan, and assorted Popes who crossed the line between church and state so as to “leverage their power”, as Stanley would have Obama do too. He couldn’t have been clearer.
    What other titles could we expect to be conferred by the same traitorous pastors we have idolized in our mega-churches, the ones who are now unashamedly tripping over themselves before the feet of the most high elected one, and waiting earnestly for his commands and directives. Should we dress him up in clerical finery and surround him with a throne too?
    And then to add to the circus atmosphere,  we now have the cussing, beer drinking mega-church pastor Mark Driscoll of Seattle, Washington now tweeting something to the effect that Obama doesn’t know God or the Bible he swore his oath of office on, being severely criticized by a bunch of apostate gay-affirming ecumenist pastors condemning Driscoll for the most impardonable sin of all, “judging” another “Christian”.
    The Christian churches have surely become the laughing stock of a pagan culture. These are the church “leaders” that are the pupils of Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Peter Drucker and the Leadership Network, who “throw Christians under the bus” when we don’t get with their program or vision, who require us to sign membership covenants, 25 page constitutions, confessions, pledges, and oaths, and assign all power, authority and leverage to themselves. It is only logical that they would see a benefit in forming church/state alliances European style. The little people are only there to carry their heavy loads. So you can almost hear them saying to you next, if they haven’t already, “shut up, follow us and do the work we gave you to do” (for the cause of Christ they add). Not what the Reformers had in mind for sure!

UPDATED: REVIEW OF OBAMA’S COLLECTIVIST INAUGURAL ADDRESS

 OBAMA SMASHES “ABSOLUTISM” AS YOU WOULD FIND IN THE BIBLE, THE U.S. FOUNDING DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ALL THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. NOW, BECAUSE HE SAYS SO, THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY ABSOLUTES, EXCEPT THOSE THAT HE DICTATES.
Obama’s second inaugural address was filled with trite, time-worn boilerplate language that had a sort of mystical fairyland tone, reminiscent of the movie, “The Wizard of Oz”. Now re-elected, Obama gets to pull all the levers of power and authority behind the curtain of speeches crafted not by him personally, but by his speech writers and handlers. Lets take a closer look at what was said and wasn’t said.
    In this speech given January 21, 2013, he seems to lay all the proper patriotic underpinnings, as have other presidents before him. But then things begin to get more focused, homing in on his decidedly “collectivist” mindset that he wishes we would all adopt, in the phrase “that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action”, and “we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people” (as in Hitler’s reference to “Volk”). Right away, he would have us believe that “collectivism” is somehow substantially different from fascism and communism, which it isn’t. He’s taking us for the fools, which many of us clearly are. So then, we are prepared to swallow the rest without an ounce of discernment.
    We believe that he means, of course, subject to his personal narcissistic/egocentric will and globalist agenda as that of the United Nations. The sovereignty of the USA, plus the many and varied real enemies that threaten that sovereignty, is never mentioned, nor is the fact that the freedoms of individuals and individual families in the traditional sense make up the backbone of a strong people.
    How dare he mentions “prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class” when in the sentence just prior, he talks about a “shrinking few” (the wealthy) and a “growing many barely making it”, which is none other than the legacy of his own middle class destroying, fear inspiring, confiscatory tax strategies. He goes on by stating: “our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American”. The marketplace rewards individuals who produce goods and services that buyers demand. No amount of effort and determination should be rewarded unless the market decides it has a usefulness, and then the market itself does the rewarding in the form of profits, but certainly not the nation’s government. His twisted theories of equal outcome, equal pay, and rewards, only for trying are totalitarian in philosophy. Not every person can “find independence and pride in their work”, nor can it be legislated or guaranteed to be so, provided we are free to work where we choose.
    Obama also deliberately and hypocritically forgot to tell us about the millions of aborted male and female babies that his supporters at Planned Parenthood (who get tax dollars) carefully mask from public scrutiny when he talks of the little girl, who just by chance wasn’t aborted by her desperate, ill equipped mother, but because she was birthed in the Obama era enjoys equality of success, treatment, and rights only when we are “true to our creed”, i.e., whatever he decides are our new replacements for the “outworn” (or wornout) socialist programs that were tried and failed and then tried and failed repeatedlyas in Europe.  He should have learned to keep his hands off free enterprise by now. No, he’ll just keep on trying with more programs under new cutting edge terminology (like Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s), failing over and over.
    Then, he dares to say he now wants to reduce the cost of healthcare (after the fact) when he forced Obamacare, and other associated mandates on all of us, which is increasing the size of the deficit daily.
    No, Mr. Obama, we don’t believe “freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few”, but under your administration you have made life in America less free and less happy for all just because you thought you could level the playing field by confiscating from the so-called wealthy and middle classes and redistribute to the poor, using Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Food Stamps and the myriad of other entitlement programs based on discriminatory criteria, racial groups, gender, etc. and “fatherless” homes, which have indeed sapped our initiative, created a class of takers, and destroyed families.
    Obama believes that “our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity”. It therefore follows that we should not be overly concerned about the $16 trillion or more in national debt that the succeeding generations will inherit along with all those benefits that we are accruing for them.
    Obama is more concerned about how we will “preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God” than the fetuses daily aborted by the thousands also “commanded to our care by God”, but who are killed inside and outside the womb for convenience sake and the evil invention of the so-called “right to decide” which is clearly “not of God” but of Satan.
    Obama states “America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe” except when he thinks, for instance, that the rights of the Palestinians take precedence over the survival of Israel, even when Israel is being constantly attacked by Palestinian terrorists.
    The thumbs up nod and boost of equal treatment of gays under law is hoped for in this speech, but although we are created equal by God, he also made us male and female with separate and unique functions for procreation and complementarian, not egalitarian reasons. When we change the functions of male and female and still insist it is love, instead of calling it what it is, a perverted and unnatural lust for the same sex, the love that is committed to “one another” cannot be equal to that expressed in monogamous male/female marriage, for God so made it that way.
    Yes, Mr. Obama, “we cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate”, but we are not mistaken, or temporarily blinded by the fiery glow which surrounds your countenance, when you willingly and knowingly employ your Chicago-style thugs, union worker mobs, czars, brown shirts, sycophants, and media outlets to destroy your opposition. We are just not inclined to be amenable to your advice when you and the Democratic Party employ all the methods you decry in this speech.
    If you are interested in principle and reasoned debate, you’ll issue executive orders at once calling off the attack dogs, the LGBTQ attacks on Christians, Christian businesses, and Christian ministries that are not to your liking or who defy your at will directives.
    You will also, because you are obviously principled, allow Americans to buy weapons as is their consitutional right, you will protect all the freedoms the Constitution protects, you will allow religious freedom of expression, assembly and worship, you will protect the rights of the unborn, you will protect traditional marriage being between one man and one woman, and lastly, you will not overstep your consitutional powers and authority by bypassing the Congress which are the representatives of the will of the people, the nation you state is your primary interest. Hope you will obey the will of the nation as you have again sworn to uphold and protect.


Invocation and Benediction given by Luis Leon, Cuban-American Episcopal “gay affirming” priest from Washington, D.C. in this video. He replaced Louis Giglio, a pastor from Atlanta, Georgia who was rejected because of a scriptural sermon he gave 15-20 years ago against homosexuality. This prayer of Leon’s was, of course, not received by God who in all His righteousness, cannot abide sin or any attempt to whitewash it:  




Here is the oath of office and the speech in excellent quality video:

    Below is the text of Obama’s speech as delivered:

Vice President Biden, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the
United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:
Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear
witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution. We affirm the promise of
our democracy. We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors
of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names. What makes
us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea,
articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the
meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us
that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been
self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His
people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny
of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob. They gave to us a
Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each
generation to keep safe our founding creed.
For more than two hundred years, we have.
Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we
learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could
survive half-slave and half-free. We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move
forward together.
Together, we determined that a modern economy requires
railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce; schools and colleges to
train our workers.
Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when
there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.
Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the
vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.
Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of
central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills
can be cured through government alone. Our celebration of initiative and
enterprise; our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, are
constants in our character.
But we have always understood that when times change, so must
we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new
challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires
collective action. For the American people can no more meet the demands of
today’s world by acting alone than American soldiers could have met the forces
of fascism or communism with muskets and militias. No single person can train
all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the
future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new
jobs and businesses to our shores. Now, more than ever, we must do these things
together, as one nation, and one people.
This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that
steeled our resolve and proved our resilience. A decade of war is now ending.
An economic recovery has begun. America’s possibilities are limitless, for we
possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and
drive; diversity and openness; an endless capacity for risk and a gift for
reinvention. My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will
seize it – so long as we seize it together.
For we, the people, understand that our country cannot
succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We
believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising
middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find
independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate
families from the brink of hardship. We are true to our creed when a little
girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to
succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is
equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.
We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the
needs of our time. We must harness new ideas and technology to remake our
government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens
with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, and reach higher. But
while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the
effort and determination of every single American. That is what this moment
requires. That is what will give real meaning to our creed.
We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a
basic measure of security and dignity. We must make the hard choices to reduce
the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But we reject the belief
that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this
country and investing in the generation that will build its future. For we
remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and
parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn. We do not believe
that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the
few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of
us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away
in a terrible storm. The commitments we make to each other – through Medicare,
and Medicaid, and Social Security – these things do not sap our initiative; they
strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of takers; they free us to take the
risks that make this country great.
We, the people, still believe that our obligations as
Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to
the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our
children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment
of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and
crippling drought, and more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable
energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist
this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the
technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its
promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national
treasure – our forests and waterways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That
is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what
will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.
We, the people, still believe that enduring security and
lasting peace do not require perpetual war. Our brave men and women in uniform,
tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage. Our
citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price
that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever
vigilant against those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who
won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of
friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.
We will defend our people and uphold our values through
strength of arms and rule of law. We will show the courage to try and resolve
our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are naïve about
the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and
fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the
globe; and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage
crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most
powerful nation. We will support democracy from Asia to Africa; from the
Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us
to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of hope
to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of
mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of
those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity;
human dignity and justice.
We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths
– that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still; just as
it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall; just as
it guided all those men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along
this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone; to hear a
King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom
of every soul on Earth.
It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those
pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers,
and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not
complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under
the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to
one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen
is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not
complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants
who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and
engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country.
Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit
to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are
cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.
That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these
rights, these values – of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – real
for every American. Being true to our founding documents does not require us to
agree on every contour of life; it does not mean we will all define liberty in
exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness. Progress
does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government
for all time – but it does require us to act in our time.
For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay.
We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for
politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate. We must act, knowing that
our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be
only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and
forty years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once
conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.
My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today,
like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and
country, not party or faction – and we must faithfully execute that pledge
during the duration of our service. But the words I spoke today are not so
different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or
an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we
all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.
They are the words of citizens, and they represent our
greatest hope.
You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s
course.
You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the
debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we
lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.
Let each of us now embrace, with solemn duty and awesome joy,
what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with
passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history, and carry into an
uncertain future that precious light of freedom.
Thank you, God Bless you, and may He forever bless these
United States of America.

Jeffrey Anderson of the Weekly Standard also has a review titled: “Obama: Centralized Power is the Source of Freedom” here: http://www.weeklystandard.com/print/blogs/obama-centralized-power-source-freedom_697521.html.
From Investors.com (Investors Business Daily) a report titled: “Obama Inaugural Disguises Collectivism as Liberty” here: http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/012213-641531-obama-sells-socialism-lip-service-capitalism-inaugural.htm. 
From Yahoo (of all places) an article, dated January 26, 2012, after Obama’s annual State of the Union speech, by Mark Wise titled: “Barack Obama’s ‘Shared Responsibility’ Is Actually Dangerous Collectivism” here: http://news.yahoo.com/barack-obamas-shared-responsibility-actually-dangerous-collectivism-174300662.html.
Ben Shapiro, editor of Breitbart.com, was interviewed about the speech and stated that Obama hates the U.S. Constitution:

Here’s a video from G. Edward Griffin who discusses and explains collectivism: 

    We are very sorry that the church world has not dared to comment on Obama’s speech to date, as far as we can observe in our research. That is indicative of the massive extent of the church’s sellout.
    Instead of the few remnant churches of true biblical Christianity voicing outrage at Obama’s denigration of absolutism, they cower in fear of “politics” and are AWOL (Absent Without Leave) from the battlefield of ideas. They let the false gospels of Obama  and the emerging pastors like Stanley be promulgated to the masses, and in defeatism and fatalism return to the comfort of their sanctuaries letting God sort it all out instead, in the hope that the threat will subside. Later, they will want others to rescue them after its too late. Then they will hear others say: “That’s your problem!”.
    Only Wayne LaPierre of the NRA (National Rifle Association) understood the ramifications of Obama’s shot at absolutism and in boldness described the threat to weapon owners, but ultimately to all of us, if we let Obama dismantle our “absolutist” constitution. Naturally, he has since been berated and maligned by the Obama sycophants in the press, standing like a lone voice in the wilderness.

    

SGM HIDING BEHIND 1ST AMENDMENT? CONFIDENTIALITY OF COUNSELORS OVER WELFARE OF ABUSED CHILDREN?

Regarding the lawsuit against Sovereign Grace Ministries, et al, for alleged child abuse, Brent Detwiler raises an issue that will probably be addressed in court once the case goes to trial. To quote Detwiler at: http://www.brentdetwiler.com/brentdetwilercom/2013/1/19/the-first-amendment-or-the-welfare-of-children.html?printerFriendly=true.

“This class action lawsuit is not about the First Amendment or the confidentially of pastoral counseling.  It is about criminality.  There is every reason to believe heinous crimes have been committed and perverse criminals have been protected.  The Complaint references 10 victims, 11 juvenile or adult predators, a “pedophilic ring,” and the need for a pretrial “discovery…to ascertain the size of the class.” (i.e., find out how many other children have been sexually abused).” 
“In my opinion, it would be disgraceful for Sovereign Grace Ministries to hide behind the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights.  The rights of victims, not child molesters, should be protected!” 

CODE ORANGE BLASPHEMIES AT ELEVATION CHURCH

Here are examples of what Elevation Church, Charlotte, North Carolina (high tech area), “pastored” by Word of Faith promoter Steven Furtick, has to offer in the way of man-centered, man-pleasing, emergent worship below. The first was done for Christmas 2011 prior to the Code Orange “revivals” for 2012; the second was recently done as a promo for the upcoming 2013 Code Orange “revival” events for pastors/leaders only this time. Truly a night club/circus atmosphere that will make you more Christlike? Don’t think so. It used to be that prayer and fasting preceded revivals of the past, but that’s not “cutting edge” like this:

BOB DEWAAY ON BILL JOHNSON and SANDY SIMPSON ON THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION

At the Echo Zoe website are two articles from 2012 concerning Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Redding, California. The first contains a very good audio interview with Bob DeWaay:
http://www.echozoe.com/archives/2509. Part 1 of 2.
http://www.echozoe.com/archives/2519. Part 2 of 2.
Followed by two articles from Echo Zoe concerning the New Apostolic Reformation. The first and second both contain very good audio interviews with Sandy Simpson:
http://www.echozoe.com/archives/2494. Part 1 of 2.
http://www.echozoe.com/archives/2580. Part 2 of 2.

RICK WARREN’S 2ND REFORMATION SYNCRETIZES WITH NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION’S DOMINIONISM

Rick Warren urges Christian youth to be like Hitler youth. The video ends with an endorsement by “The New Apostolic Reformation Team”. Fascism under the guise of a so-called “New Reformation” of works, action, deeds for the “life of the community”, by “deconstructing” the 1st Reformation of Martin Luther, et al, with its so-called outdated emphasis on doctrines and beliefs. However, the life of the individual is suppressed and submerged to the greater good of the community, Nazi style. You are the worker accountable to the leader (fuhrer). This is the new paradigm of doing church whether you like it or not.

OBAMA PROCLAMATION NARROWS FIRST AMENDMENT FROM “FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION” TO “FREEDOM OF WORSHIP”

The full text of this presidential proclamation dated January 16, 2013 is on the White House website, and copied below. Hence, all expressions of religion or religious beliefs outside a place of worship and within the course of everyday life and socialization are hereafter prohibited:

Presidential Proclamation-Religious Freedom Day

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY, 2013
– – – – – – –
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Foremost among the rights Americans hold sacred is the freedom to worship as we choose. Today, we celebrate one of our Nation’s first laws to protect that right — the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Written by Thomas Jefferson and guided through the Virginia legislature by James Madison, the Statute affirmed that “Almighty God hath created the mind free” and “all men shall be free to profess . . . their opinions in matters of religion.” Years later, our Founders looked to the Statute as a model when they enshrined the principle of religious liberty in the Bill of Rights.
Because of the protections guaranteed by our Constitution, each of us has the right to practice our faith openly and as we choose. As a free country, our story has been shaped by every language and enriched by every culture. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, Sikhs and non-believers. Our patchwork heritage is a strength we owe to our religious freedom.
Americans of every faith have molded the character of our Nation. They were pilgrims who sought refuge from persecution; pioneers who pursued brighter horizons; protesters who fought for abolition, women’s suffrage, and civil rights. Each generation has seen people of different faiths join together to advance peace, justice, and dignity for all.
Today, we also remember that religious liberty is not just an American right; it is a universal human right to be protected here at home and across the globe. This freedom is an essential part of human dignity, and without it our world cannot know lasting peace.
As we observe Religious Freedom Day, let us remember the legacy of faith and independence we have inherited, and let us honor it by forever upholding our right to exercise our beliefs free from prejudice or persecution.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 16, 2013, as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation of our Nation’s liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future generations at home and around the world.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA

ALPHA COURSE ACCEPTABLE AT SOVEREIGN GRACE CHURCH, MARLTON, NJ

Below are some videos which show that Sovereign Grace Church of Marlton, NJ has decided to offer the less than biblical, Catholic charismatic leaning Alpha Course of Nicky Gumbel. The real danger here is that the true gospel of Jesus Christ is lost over a free meal, and consensus discussion groups using the diaprax method of watering down Scripture based on feelings and personal unregenerate misinterpretations. A program like this which is a corrupt mixture of dumbed down Scripture, Catholic charismaticism and mysticism, and avoids offensive aspects of the sin filled life of humanity in a depraved state, may be a fun social time for nominal Christians, ex-Catholics, or so-called “seekers”, but does not rise to the level of an accurate presentation of the real gospel of Christ, or a valid, God ordained method for regeneration as articulated in the Bible. It is just another “feelings based” approach to “evangelization” by the emerging churches. What’s a little surprising is that a Sovereign Grace church, which is supposedly “reformed” in the neo-Calvinist sense, would see nothing wrong with it. Could it be the charismatic side of the SGM dualistic theology as per the continuationist, reformed charismatic, Wayne Grudem, i.e., the “go to guy” for this sort of thing? The appeal of course is to the cutting edge, higher level “yuppie” crowds who work in the big cities of Philadelphia and New York, but prefer the suburbs just east of the worst city for crime in the USA, Camden, NJ. No mention here of redeeming that city! A lot does get lost in those consensus building discussion groups, but no one should have the audacity to spoil the atmosphere by actually quoting Scripture!

SUMMARY OF AMENDED ABUSE LAWSUIT VS SGM

Here are the essentials of the yet untried complaint against Sovereign Grace Ministries, et al, below. No conclusions or judgments should be drawn at this time about the parties named therein.

Five pseudonymous plaintiffs are added to the original three.
  1. PAULA POE
  2. CARLA COE
  3. GRACE COE
  4. KAREN KOE
  5. KARL KOE 
The judge assigned to the case has been named: the Hon. Sharon V. Burrell.
Three institutional defendants are added to Sovereign Grace Ministries.
  1. Covenant Life Church, Inc.
  2. Covenant Life School, Inc.
  3. Sovereign Grace Church of Fairfax
Two individual defendants are added to existing eight.
  1. Mark Mullery
  2. Vince Hinders
A net total 28 charges are added (goes from 115 to 143).
Material issues added to the lawsuit:
  • The physical abuse of children
  • Sexual abuse occurred on church premises and at church events
  • Sexual predators were negligently hired as employees
  • PAULA POE repeatedly sexually assaulted by a pastor/teacher and children’s ministry worker
  • A pedophilia ring operated at Covenant Life Church and Covenant Life School
  • CARLA COE was repeatedly abused (not sexually) by Larry Tomczak and co-conspirators
  • KARL COE repeatedly sexually molested by the male son of a Church pastor.
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