Dear friends,
India has come to the U.K. The following news item below this commentary note is from the BBC News on Wednesday 23, August 2006. If you have ever been to India you will know that the temples there can be very large; very, very large. But this new temple, here in the United Kingdom, is the biggest one in Europe.
Britain has become so open to religious diversity that its own post-Christian population has accepted everything from multi-million dollar Hindu temples to U.K. borm and bred Islamic jihadists to hundreds of cultic and abusive religious groups. Freedom of religion mixed with foreign belief systems transforming society have transformed Britain into a melting pot of religious diversity. Even "Christin-Yoga", the ultimate oxymoron, has become a bright new ornament on the face of a compromised Christianity. Christian-Yoga is just the fruit of Hindu evangelism into Western churches. Hinduism in Britain is here to stay.
Read what one of the founders of this new temple in the West Midlands has to say:
"One of the founders, Dr K Somasundara Rajah, said he remembered the idea from the mid-1970s...He said: "We used to have the use of another temple but then the congregation got bigger and in 1974 some of our group thought we should get our own temple. We said we should build a replica of the Tarupati Temple in South India."
This "temple is one of the most sacred sites in the Hindu world and has a distinctive architecture that has been followed in the West Midlands."
"The group spent more than two decades trying to get funding and finding a suitable site for the replica."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5276562.stm
Stating these things is not a matter of trying to belittle people and take away a persons individual right to worship as their conscience dictates, but it is a sober reminder that the British culture is being converted and quickly transformed into all manner of spirituality. The Biblical gospel of Jesus Christ is no longer a desire for most British folks and as a result, the multi-faithism of Britain is changing the nation itself.
Many liberal preachers and teachers, as well as the general population, have neglected and outright reject the Biblical gospel and Biblical truth. The inter-faith acceptance and worship of anything and everything has become the norm. Now...chaos is following. This, is exactly what is happening in the U.K. This is the fruit of national apostasy as the once Bible preaching Britain has now become an Inter-faith melting pot of liberal ecumenism and the worship of everything.
The following article is illustrative of the changing of the gaurd. That is, casting off the Biblical injuntion to guard "the faith which was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3-4) and embracing Eastern mystical religions that are changing our times and cultural and erasing once and for all a nations Biblical worldview.
~~~~~~~~~~
Opening For Biggest Hindu Temple
Wednesday, 23 August 2006, 00:13 GMT 01:13 UK
In pictures: Tividale temple
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5272882.stm
The largest Hindu temple in Europe is opening in the West Midlands with a five-day religious festival.
From Wednesday priests are to perform a number of rituals to sanctify the £6.5m Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple of the UK in Tividale.
During five days more than 10,000 devotees are expected to visit the site, with most due at the weekend.
The temple's design is based on one of the holiest sites in the Hindu world, the Tirupati-Tirumala Temple in India.
Scores of sculptors and artisans from India have worked on the intricate carvings that cover the walls, ceilings, pillars and roof of the temple.
This is the fulfilment of a long cherished dream,
Dr VP Narayan Rao, Trustees chairman
Temple rose from small idea
Bimal Kishna Das, the secretary of the National Council of Hindu Temples (UK), said: "This is great news for the Hindu British community.
"The opening of this great temple will be a wonderful addition to the multi-religious society of Britain, especially in the West Midlands."
Read Entire Article...
Related Articles:
Opening for biggest Hindu temple
The largest Hindu temple in Europe is opening in the West Midlands with a five-day religious festival.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5276644.stm
Temple rose from small beginnings
More than 30 years ago a group of Hindu worshippers had an ambitious plan to build a giant temple in their part of the West Midlands.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/5276562.stm
In pictures: Tividale's temple
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5272882.stm
English tests 'threaten worship'
For the team behind what will be one of Europe's largest Hindu temples there is a new addition to the long list of daily tasks - fighting government immigration policy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4717679.stm
Thursday, August 31, 2006
In the Name Of Purpose - Sacrificing Truth On The Altar Of Unity" - NEW Book by Tamara Hartzell
News Source:
The following excerpt is a book recommendation from the Deception in the Church e-Newsletter - Vol.16, Issue 6
The feature in this newsletter is actually an online book. It is called "In the Name Of Purpose - Sacrificing Truth On The Altar Of Unity" by Tamara Hartzell, 8/06. This excellent book is about Rick Warren and his message of purpose which is "neutralizing Christinity". You can also download the entire book in PDF format here.
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." ~ Jeremiah 6:16 ~
"Today's Christianity may be having a lot of fun in its new way of thinking and behaving, but this isn't a game. Eternal souls are at stake, and the departure from the faith is real. Jesus Christ is being presented as a way of relativism rather than as the way and the truth, and the faith is being presented as an ever-changing method or experience that can be inserted into any faith." (In the Name of Purpose, p. 385)
Simply being a Christian does not automatically immunize us from deception. Scripture's numerous warnings are meant to be heeded. If Christians couldn't be deceived, then the Holy Spirit would be wrong about those who will "depart from the faith" (see 1 Timothy 4:1). Sadly, this departure from the faith will be so great that the Lord Jesus Christ asks us to consider whether He will actually find faith on the earth when He returns (see Luke 18:8). Since Christians today are trading in th truth of the faith for interfaith unity and are falling for the false gospel of the (New Age) New Spirituality that says all religions are equally valid paths to God, it's no wonder the Lord Jesus Christ asked this. The universal religion with its spiritual transformation is not coming; it is here. The Angel of light's kingdom is gathering together "all men of peace" from "every world religion" "as the embodiment of the emerging Kingdom of God on earth."
* In this emerging interfaith kingdom there is: "One Truth," yet many theologies; "One God," yet many paths; "One Church," yet many expressions; and "One Divine Life," yet many 'little Christs.' Despite its deceived claims that its message hasn't changed, today's Christianity is embracing the teachings of the counterfeit kingdom. As a result, it is being steadily transitioned away from Jesus Christ, the Rock of Offence, to the universal "Christ" who broadly accepts people within all religions/faiths. Its purposeful pursuit of unity with the world truly is uniting today's Christianity with the world. "The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in a universal Christ that will satisfy all ... In the end, it is hoped that the Christian will become a better Christian and each Hindu a better Hindu." —Jesuit theologian Father Jacques Dupuis, at the 2003 interfaith congress "The Future of God"*
"The Christ has no religious barriers in His consciousness. It matters not to Him of what faith a man may call himself." —Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul* "I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions." —Rick Warren*
"He ['the Christ'] inaugurated the new era and ... the new world religion began to take form. The word 'religion' concerns relationship ..." —Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul*
"I have known many people who believe in the Messiah of Jesus, regardless of what religion they are, because they believe in him. It's about a relationship, not a religion." —Rick Warren*
"The day is dawning when all religions win [sic] be regarded as emanating from one great spiritual source; all will be seen as unitedly providing the one root out of which the universal world religion will inevitably emerge. Then there will be neither Christian nor heathen, neither Jew nor Gentile, but simply one great body of believers, gathered out of all the current religions." —Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul*
"I thought, you know where people are moving in they probably need new houses of worships, temples, and synagogues, and churches, and stuff like that." —Rick Warren*
"The church is bigger than any organization in the world. Then you add in Muslims, you add in Hindus, you add in all the different religions, and you use those houses of worship as distribution centers, not just for spiritual care but health care." —Rick Warren*
"I could take you today to a million villages ... they got a church. Or they got a synagogue. They got something. They got a house of worship. The church is the biggest organization in the world.... And I came up with a thing called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. When Jesus sent the disciples out, he said, 'When you go into a village, you find the man of peace.' Now this person doesn't have to be a Christian.... You find the person of peace, and then you begin to do the P.E.A.C.E. Plan ... Now why am I telling this to you? Because we're going public with it this next year in 2006.... And I believe it will change the world." —Rick Warren*
Yes, change is the order of the day.
Truth becomes the sacrifice:
when absolutism is out, and relativism is in;
when obedience is out, and pragmatism is in;
when teaching is out, and dialogue is in;
when thus saith the Lord is out, and consensus of opinion is in;
when using Scripture to judge right and wrong is out, and unity with tolerance at all costs is in;
when the narrow way is out, and the broad way is in.
While Christians have slumbered, the new way of thinking and acting has been built up underneath the old, leaving the old to crumble virtually without notice. It used to be that faithfulness to God turned the world upside down. Now faithfulness to the world is turning Christianity upside down.
For more information, In the Name of Purpose: Sacrificing Truth on the Altar of Unity is presented on this site as a free e-book. Presenting numerous quotes, this book documents the unscriptural path of the Purpose-Driven Paradigm, which is culminating in Rick Warren's interfaith P.E.A.C.E. Plan (set to publicly launch this Fall 2006). Among others, the book includes quotes from Rick Warren, Ken Blanchard, William Easum and Thomas Bandy, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Neale Donald Walsch, Alice Bailey and her spirit guide Djwhal Khul, as well as quotes from Scripture, A.W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Warren Smith, Ray Yungen, Chuck Baldwin, Paul Proctor, etc. If you are led to help pass on the information contained, this e-book may be linked to as well as freely distributed (without alteration). Click here to open the e-book in a PDF file. (The file is 2.19 MB and can take from one to several minutes or more to open depending on your connection speed. Also, if you happen to get "page not found," click on your browser's "refresh" button. This seems to take care of it.)
The following excerpt is a book recommendation from the Deception in the Church e-Newsletter - Vol.16, Issue 6
The feature in this newsletter is actually an online book. It is called "In the Name Of Purpose - Sacrificing Truth On The Altar Of Unity" by Tamara Hartzell, 8/06. This excellent book is about Rick Warren and his message of purpose which is "neutralizing Christinity". You can also download the entire book in PDF format here.
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." ~ Jeremiah 6:16 ~
"Today's Christianity may be having a lot of fun in its new way of thinking and behaving, but this isn't a game. Eternal souls are at stake, and the departure from the faith is real. Jesus Christ is being presented as a way of relativism rather than as the way and the truth, and the faith is being presented as an ever-changing method or experience that can be inserted into any faith." (In the Name of Purpose, p. 385)
Simply being a Christian does not automatically immunize us from deception. Scripture's numerous warnings are meant to be heeded. If Christians couldn't be deceived, then the Holy Spirit would be wrong about those who will "depart from the faith" (see 1 Timothy 4:1). Sadly, this departure from the faith will be so great that the Lord Jesus Christ asks us to consider whether He will actually find faith on the earth when He returns (see Luke 18:8). Since Christians today are trading in th truth of the faith for interfaith unity and are falling for the false gospel of the (New Age) New Spirituality that says all religions are equally valid paths to God, it's no wonder the Lord Jesus Christ asked this. The universal religion with its spiritual transformation is not coming; it is here. The Angel of light's kingdom is gathering together "all men of peace" from "every world religion" "as the embodiment of the emerging Kingdom of God on earth."
* In this emerging interfaith kingdom there is: "One Truth," yet many theologies; "One God," yet many paths; "One Church," yet many expressions; and "One Divine Life," yet many 'little Christs.' Despite its deceived claims that its message hasn't changed, today's Christianity is embracing the teachings of the counterfeit kingdom. As a result, it is being steadily transitioned away from Jesus Christ, the Rock of Offence, to the universal "Christ" who broadly accepts people within all religions/faiths. Its purposeful pursuit of unity with the world truly is uniting today's Christianity with the world. "The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in a universal Christ that will satisfy all ... In the end, it is hoped that the Christian will become a better Christian and each Hindu a better Hindu." —Jesuit theologian Father Jacques Dupuis, at the 2003 interfaith congress "The Future of God"*
"The Christ has no religious barriers in His consciousness. It matters not to Him of what faith a man may call himself." —Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul* "I happen to know people who are followers of Christ in other religions." —Rick Warren*
"He ['the Christ'] inaugurated the new era and ... the new world religion began to take form. The word 'religion' concerns relationship ..." —Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul*
"I have known many people who believe in the Messiah of Jesus, regardless of what religion they are, because they believe in him. It's about a relationship, not a religion." —Rick Warren*
"The day is dawning when all religions win [sic] be regarded as emanating from one great spiritual source; all will be seen as unitedly providing the one root out of which the universal world religion will inevitably emerge. Then there will be neither Christian nor heathen, neither Jew nor Gentile, but simply one great body of believers, gathered out of all the current religions." —Alice Bailey & Djwhal Khul*
"I thought, you know where people are moving in they probably need new houses of worships, temples, and synagogues, and churches, and stuff like that." —Rick Warren*
"The church is bigger than any organization in the world. Then you add in Muslims, you add in Hindus, you add in all the different religions, and you use those houses of worship as distribution centers, not just for spiritual care but health care." —Rick Warren*
"I could take you today to a million villages ... they got a church. Or they got a synagogue. They got something. They got a house of worship. The church is the biggest organization in the world.... And I came up with a thing called the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. When Jesus sent the disciples out, he said, 'When you go into a village, you find the man of peace.' Now this person doesn't have to be a Christian.... You find the person of peace, and then you begin to do the P.E.A.C.E. Plan ... Now why am I telling this to you? Because we're going public with it this next year in 2006.... And I believe it will change the world." —Rick Warren*
Yes, change is the order of the day.
Truth becomes the sacrifice:
when absolutism is out, and relativism is in;
when obedience is out, and pragmatism is in;
when teaching is out, and dialogue is in;
when thus saith the Lord is out, and consensus of opinion is in;
when using Scripture to judge right and wrong is out, and unity with tolerance at all costs is in;
when the narrow way is out, and the broad way is in.
While Christians have slumbered, the new way of thinking and acting has been built up underneath the old, leaving the old to crumble virtually without notice. It used to be that faithfulness to God turned the world upside down. Now faithfulness to the world is turning Christianity upside down.
For more information, In the Name of Purpose: Sacrificing Truth on the Altar of Unity is presented on this site as a free e-book. Presenting numerous quotes, this book documents the unscriptural path of the Purpose-Driven Paradigm, which is culminating in Rick Warren's interfaith P.E.A.C.E. Plan (set to publicly launch this Fall 2006). Among others, the book includes quotes from Rick Warren, Ken Blanchard, William Easum and Thomas Bandy, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Neale Donald Walsch, Alice Bailey and her spirit guide Djwhal Khul, as well as quotes from Scripture, A.W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Warren Smith, Ray Yungen, Chuck Baldwin, Paul Proctor, etc. If you are led to help pass on the information contained, this e-book may be linked to as well as freely distributed (without alteration). Click here to open the e-book in a PDF file. (The file is 2.19 MB and can take from one to several minutes or more to open depending on your connection speed. Also, if you happen to get "page not found," click on your browser's "refresh" button. This seems to take care of it.)
Friday, August 25, 2006
Zondervan and the 2007 National Pastor's Convention - Pulling Out All the Stops
Dear friends,
We continue to post various discernment articles on the Emergent Issue because so many ministries think it is a good thing.
For more information about the dangers of Contemplative Spirituality see our Contemplative Emerging Church Deception Blog
Anyone Christian [or non-Christian] who has done research in the fields of the cults and the occult, especially Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, will see the connection of how Emergent Leaders are bringing Eastern mysticism [called Contemplative Spirituality] into the church. Many undiscerning leaders do not even have a clue they are doing it. They do not know their Bibles well enough to recognize the error in contemplative spirituality.
It is sad but true - the undiscerning, ignorant, and those who are perhaps willfully deceiving are taking many undiscerning Christians for a big ride. If the next generation of church-goers is apostate and inducing mystical states of consciousness, no one is to blame but the "Leaders" of today who have deceived the youth into thinking they have a "deeper form of Christian spirituality". It is being purposefully driven into the hearts and mind of youth in many countries.
U.K. history is now repeting itself in the U.S.A. Look at the fruit of liberalism in the U.K. and you will have a glimpse of what churches in the U.S.A., very soon, will be experiencing... a whole smorgasboard of deception, division, and underdeveloped undiscerning Christians who are meeting in homes because churches have betrayed their confidence. This is how iot is in the U.K. and it is worse than mosty folks in the U.S.A. can even imagine - even Pastors.
Read on folks and see what the 2007 National Pastor's Convention is going to be like. It now seems that anything goes except sound Biblical teaching for Christian Leaders. What ever happened to teaching through 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and declaring the whole counsel of God to the flock of God. When Pastors lie down and get eaten by wolves, the sheep become food for every wild beast!
We think it is a worthwhile task to investigate what is really going on in some of these large leadership conferences and who is speaking at them. The following article below reveals how undiscerning the 2007 National Pastor's Convention leadership team has been in choosing its speakers.
~ Chris Lawson at SRN
(Jude 3 still applies today)
~~~~~
Following News Source:
Coming From the Lighthouse Newsletter - August 25, 2006
Lighthouse Trails Research Project
Zondervan and the 2007 National Pastor's Convention - Pulling Out All the Stops
The 2007 National Pastors Convention (presented by Zondervan publishers) carries a heavy-weight line up of speakers. From Ruth Haley Barton to Brian McLaren, next year's convention will not be lacking in New Age sympathizing, meditation promoting speakers. John Burke, president of Emerging Leadership Initiative, was recently a speaker at the Ancient-Wisdom Conference, and says this of the church of the future:
What do a Buddhist, a biker couple, a gay-rights activist, a transient, a high-tech engineer, a Muslim, a twenty-something single mom, a Jew, a couple living together, and an atheist all have in common? They are the future church in America! Most of them are in their twenties or thirties and became followers of Christ in the past five years. Many are now leading others in our church.
Emergent leaders Dan Kimball, Mark Driscoll, and Doug Paggit are on the speakers list as are other emerging/contemplative promoting authors such as Robert Webber (Ancient-Future Worship), Lauren Winner (Girl Meets God), and Gary Thomas (Sacred Pathways). Of Eugene Peterson, Stuart Briscoe and Phyllis Tickle, Zondervan says:
Meet this year's sages! These wise, experienced ministry leaders will be onsite and readily available to meet with you and your team by appointment. They're coming to answer your hard questions regarding real-life ministry issues and in turn give insight into what has helped them run the race well for so many years.
Unfortunately, the answers that this long line of speakers at the 2007 convention will be offering, will point participants to a spirituality that shuffles off the gospel message of Jesus Christ and introduces a sensual, demonic belief system that will bring much harm and damage. We hope you will be able to convince your pastor and other church leaders that this is not an event they should attend.
For more information see Lighthouse Trails Research Project:
Research on the National Pastors Convention
We continue to post various discernment articles on the Emergent Issue because so many ministries think it is a good thing.
For more information about the dangers of Contemplative Spirituality see our Contemplative Emerging Church Deception Blog
Anyone Christian [or non-Christian] who has done research in the fields of the cults and the occult, especially Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, will see the connection of how Emergent Leaders are bringing Eastern mysticism [called Contemplative Spirituality] into the church. Many undiscerning leaders do not even have a clue they are doing it. They do not know their Bibles well enough to recognize the error in contemplative spirituality.
It is sad but true - the undiscerning, ignorant, and those who are perhaps willfully deceiving are taking many undiscerning Christians for a big ride. If the next generation of church-goers is apostate and inducing mystical states of consciousness, no one is to blame but the "Leaders" of today who have deceived the youth into thinking they have a "deeper form of Christian spirituality". It is being purposefully driven into the hearts and mind of youth in many countries.
U.K. history is now repeting itself in the U.S.A. Look at the fruit of liberalism in the U.K. and you will have a glimpse of what churches in the U.S.A., very soon, will be experiencing... a whole smorgasboard of deception, division, and underdeveloped undiscerning Christians who are meeting in homes because churches have betrayed their confidence. This is how iot is in the U.K. and it is worse than mosty folks in the U.S.A. can even imagine - even Pastors.
Read on folks and see what the 2007 National Pastor's Convention is going to be like. It now seems that anything goes except sound Biblical teaching for Christian Leaders. What ever happened to teaching through 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and declaring the whole counsel of God to the flock of God. When Pastors lie down and get eaten by wolves, the sheep become food for every wild beast!
We think it is a worthwhile task to investigate what is really going on in some of these large leadership conferences and who is speaking at them. The following article below reveals how undiscerning the 2007 National Pastor's Convention leadership team has been in choosing its speakers.
~ Chris Lawson at SRN
(Jude 3 still applies today)
~~~~~
Following News Source:
Coming From the Lighthouse Newsletter - August 25, 2006
Lighthouse Trails Research Project
Zondervan and the 2007 National Pastor's Convention - Pulling Out All the Stops
The 2007 National Pastors Convention (presented by Zondervan publishers) carries a heavy-weight line up of speakers. From Ruth Haley Barton to Brian McLaren, next year's convention will not be lacking in New Age sympathizing, meditation promoting speakers. John Burke, president of Emerging Leadership Initiative, was recently a speaker at the Ancient-Wisdom Conference, and says this of the church of the future:
What do a Buddhist, a biker couple, a gay-rights activist, a transient, a high-tech engineer, a Muslim, a twenty-something single mom, a Jew, a couple living together, and an atheist all have in common? They are the future church in America! Most of them are in their twenties or thirties and became followers of Christ in the past five years. Many are now leading others in our church.
Emergent leaders Dan Kimball, Mark Driscoll, and Doug Paggit are on the speakers list as are other emerging/contemplative promoting authors such as Robert Webber (Ancient-Future Worship), Lauren Winner (Girl Meets God), and Gary Thomas (Sacred Pathways). Of Eugene Peterson, Stuart Briscoe and Phyllis Tickle, Zondervan says:
Meet this year's sages! These wise, experienced ministry leaders will be onsite and readily available to meet with you and your team by appointment. They're coming to answer your hard questions regarding real-life ministry issues and in turn give insight into what has helped them run the race well for so many years.
Unfortunately, the answers that this long line of speakers at the 2007 convention will be offering, will point participants to a spirituality that shuffles off the gospel message of Jesus Christ and introduces a sensual, demonic belief system that will bring much harm and damage. We hope you will be able to convince your pastor and other church leaders that this is not an event they should attend.
For more information see Lighthouse Trails Research Project:
Research on the National Pastors Convention
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Islam: The Challenge to the Church - Seminar at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh
Hi Everyone,
I just received this info from a friend and thought it might be a good seminar to attend. Just the topic alone is something that many Christians need to be aware of.
~ Chris Lawson
~~~~~~
Just to let you know that Charlotte Chapel, 204 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AZ is hosting Patrick Sookhdeo of the Barnabas Fund on Saturday 9th September 2006 from 10.00a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
TOPIC: Islam - The Challenge to the Church
The notice in the newsletter says:
Patrick Sookhdeo is an expert in the subject, and will lead a seminar in the Chapel Lounge.
All are invited to attend.
Admission is free but an offering will be taken for the work of the Barnabas Fund.
For those of you who are not familiar with the Barnabas fund - their focus is the persecuted Christian Believers.
More info from their web site: www.barnabasfund.org
Please could you help us in making this event known as widely as possible even if you are not able to attend yourself.
~~~~~~
I just received this info from a friend and thought it might be a good seminar to attend. Just the topic alone is something that many Christians need to be aware of.
~ Chris Lawson
~~~~~~
Just to let you know that Charlotte Chapel, 204 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AZ is hosting Patrick Sookhdeo of the Barnabas Fund on Saturday 9th September 2006 from 10.00a.m. to 1.00 p.m.
TOPIC: Islam - The Challenge to the Church
The notice in the newsletter says:
Patrick Sookhdeo is an expert in the subject, and will lead a seminar in the Chapel Lounge.
All are invited to attend.
Admission is free but an offering will be taken for the work of the Barnabas Fund.
For those of you who are not familiar with the Barnabas fund - their focus is the persecuted Christian Believers.
More info from their web site: www.barnabasfund.org
Please could you help us in making this event known as widely as possible even if you are not able to attend yourself.
~~~~~~
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The Bible Is Out, Homosexuality Is In
THE BIBLE IS OUT, HOMOSEXUALITY IS IN
Source: K-House eNews For The Week Of August 22, 2006
(PrintArticle)
Hard working, decent teachers and administrators across America do exist, and do a superb job educating our children. Many are Christians, who care both about scholastics as well as the moral education of their students. Some do wonders. On the other hand, liberal politics and the goals of "secular" humanism have been steadily forced on multitudes of American school children. It is a culture war tied to a spiritual war, and the liberal side rejects America's Judeo-Christian heritage while embracing politically-accepted immorality. Consider some recent stories from around the country:
California
The California Assembly is to vote on Thursday on the "Bias Free Curriculum Act", which would make it illegal for public school teachers to say anything negative (or perceived as negative) against homosexuality and its variants. Public schools would not be allowed to portray gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) people in anything but a positive way. Governor Schwarzenegger would have definitely vetoed the bill if it contained language requiring public school textbooks to promote the "role and contributions" of GLBT in contemporary society, so that provision was removed from the bill. But, if it passes, the "Bias Free" act will deny public school teachers the freedom to deal honestly with GLBT issues. They will instead be forced to feed children the politically correct but medically and morally incorrect message that homosexuality is healthy, normal, and inborn.
South Carolina
For several years, students in Hanover County, South Carolina have learned about the Bible in school, in classes paid for by local churches. The classes were not required, but had become quite popular, with hundreds of students attending. The ACLU, however, began to complain that the classes were too religious - teaching the Bible as literal history, rather than teaching it as literature. In response, the classes were tailored to avoid "separation of church and state" problems. Then, though, critics found the program's Achilles' heel; too many of those teaching the Bible classes were not state certified. The school had to end its relationship with the Executive Committee of the Bible, the church-supported group that provided the classes. Students may take religion classes from the local community college instead.
Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland will add a few subjects to its sex education curriculum. Proper condom use and "gay topics" will be added to the material offered to 8th and 10th grade students. The new material was approved in November 2004, but was challenged by conservative groups. To settle the lawsuit, school officials agreed to rewrite the new changes with two conservatives on the 15-member committee, but the revamped changes will most likely be passed. The principle behind the new material is that people "have the right to accept, acknowledge, and live in accordance with their sexual orientation, be they heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian."It would appear that the Bible is out and homosexuality is in. Thus the worldview war continues.
Related Links:
• Conservatives Launch Final Assault on 'Gay Education' Bill - CNS News
• Schools Shifting Bible Classes - Wilmington Star
• Revised Sex-Ed Curriculum to be Unveiled - Washington Blade (Gay-Activist Publication)
• Pre-Schoolers in UK Must be Taught About Gay Lifestyle - LifeSite
Source: K-House eNews For The Week Of August 22, 2006
(PrintArticle)
Hard working, decent teachers and administrators across America do exist, and do a superb job educating our children. Many are Christians, who care both about scholastics as well as the moral education of their students. Some do wonders. On the other hand, liberal politics and the goals of "secular" humanism have been steadily forced on multitudes of American school children. It is a culture war tied to a spiritual war, and the liberal side rejects America's Judeo-Christian heritage while embracing politically-accepted immorality. Consider some recent stories from around the country:
California
The California Assembly is to vote on Thursday on the "Bias Free Curriculum Act", which would make it illegal for public school teachers to say anything negative (or perceived as negative) against homosexuality and its variants. Public schools would not be allowed to portray gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) people in anything but a positive way. Governor Schwarzenegger would have definitely vetoed the bill if it contained language requiring public school textbooks to promote the "role and contributions" of GLBT in contemporary society, so that provision was removed from the bill. But, if it passes, the "Bias Free" act will deny public school teachers the freedom to deal honestly with GLBT issues. They will instead be forced to feed children the politically correct but medically and morally incorrect message that homosexuality is healthy, normal, and inborn.
South Carolina
For several years, students in Hanover County, South Carolina have learned about the Bible in school, in classes paid for by local churches. The classes were not required, but had become quite popular, with hundreds of students attending. The ACLU, however, began to complain that the classes were too religious - teaching the Bible as literal history, rather than teaching it as literature. In response, the classes were tailored to avoid "separation of church and state" problems. Then, though, critics found the program's Achilles' heel; too many of those teaching the Bible classes were not state certified. The school had to end its relationship with the Executive Committee of the Bible, the church-supported group that provided the classes. Students may take religion classes from the local community college instead.
Maryland
Montgomery County, Maryland will add a few subjects to its sex education curriculum. Proper condom use and "gay topics" will be added to the material offered to 8th and 10th grade students. The new material was approved in November 2004, but was challenged by conservative groups. To settle the lawsuit, school officials agreed to rewrite the new changes with two conservatives on the 15-member committee, but the revamped changes will most likely be passed. The principle behind the new material is that people "have the right to accept, acknowledge, and live in accordance with their sexual orientation, be they heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian."It would appear that the Bible is out and homosexuality is in. Thus the worldview war continues.
Related Links:
• Conservatives Launch Final Assault on 'Gay Education' Bill - CNS News
• Schools Shifting Bible Classes - Wilmington Star
• Revised Sex-Ed Curriculum to be Unveiled - Washington Blade (Gay-Activist Publication)
• Pre-Schoolers in UK Must be Taught About Gay Lifestyle - LifeSite
Ambiguous NEW AGE Terms Used by Church Growth Leaders
The following is a very interesting document and something very important to recognize.
~Chris at SRN
www.spiritual-research-network.com
- - - - -
Ambiguous NEW AGE Terms Used by Church Growth Leaders
What do these terms really mean?
You decide!
Source: http://www.discernment-ministries.org/NEWAGETerms.htm
at Discernment-Ministries Inc.
http://www.discernment-ministries.org/
~Chris at SRN
www.spiritual-research-network.com
- - - - -
Ambiguous NEW AGE Terms Used by Church Growth Leaders
What do these terms really mean?
You decide!
Source: http://www.discernment-ministries.org/NEWAGETerms.htm
at Discernment-Ministries Inc.
http://www.discernment-ministries.org/
Friday, August 18, 2006
Press Release: "Maitreya Has Come and Will Save the World"
News Source: http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/08/press_release_m.php
Press Release: "Maitreya Has Come and Will Save the World"
SLICE OF LAODICEA - By INGRID SCHLUETER - August 18, 2006
- I received a press release this morning from an occult organization called Share International. I interviewed its founder, Benjamin Creme several years ago. (Something I would never do again.) This group has been promising the return of the world teacher, Maitreya, for many years. I hadn't received anything from this group for some time so the press release surprised me. I want to quote it verbatim. As apostate evangelical leaders are now linking hands with men like Bill Gates and Bono to save the world from AIDS, poverty and illiteracy, we need to be aware that this is exactly what the promised Maitreya and his masters of wisdom are said to be doing, by the occultists themselves. Please read this carefully. Here is the last paragraph of the press release, after the opening paragraphs that describe the signs and wonders now happening, including the tree gushing water from a tree in San Antonio that has been reported around the world this week.
August 15, 2006
"...All major religions are expecting a divine messenger, albeit under different names, says Creme, and Maitreya has come in fulfillment of the prophecies of each. He has come earlier than anticipated by many religious groups because of the urgency of the times, in order to offer his counsel to a world in crisis. His priorities are simple: food, shelter, health care and education for everyone as guaranteed rights. His advice to humanity is just as simple. "Share and save the world." When the plight of the poor and starving millions is alleviated than the recovery of the environment will become the first priority." (Emphasis added.)The false christ will come promoting practical social welfare. That's it. Help for all who need it. This false christ has many "John the Baptist" style promoters who have come before to soften up the world. All pastors and teachers who deny Christ either openly or by their refusal to preach Him crucified for sinners have a part in preparing the way. The New Agers and occultists believe the "christ", the Maitreya is already here. And he comes with great concern for the poor and the suffering. My message to you today is, don't believe it. Stand fast in the faith and pray for discernment because the hour is late. The Fox news special called "Can Rick Warren Save the World?" will be on Sunday night. He was on the Charlie Rose Show last night and Fox News Daybreak yesterday. I have never seen anything like it.
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/08/press_release_m.php
Press Release: "Maitreya Has Come and Will Save the World"
SLICE OF LAODICEA - By INGRID SCHLUETER - August 18, 2006
- I received a press release this morning from an occult organization called Share International. I interviewed its founder, Benjamin Creme several years ago. (Something I would never do again.) This group has been promising the return of the world teacher, Maitreya, for many years. I hadn't received anything from this group for some time so the press release surprised me. I want to quote it verbatim. As apostate evangelical leaders are now linking hands with men like Bill Gates and Bono to save the world from AIDS, poverty and illiteracy, we need to be aware that this is exactly what the promised Maitreya and his masters of wisdom are said to be doing, by the occultists themselves. Please read this carefully. Here is the last paragraph of the press release, after the opening paragraphs that describe the signs and wonders now happening, including the tree gushing water from a tree in San Antonio that has been reported around the world this week.
August 15, 2006
"...All major religions are expecting a divine messenger, albeit under different names, says Creme, and Maitreya has come in fulfillment of the prophecies of each. He has come earlier than anticipated by many religious groups because of the urgency of the times, in order to offer his counsel to a world in crisis. His priorities are simple: food, shelter, health care and education for everyone as guaranteed rights. His advice to humanity is just as simple. "Share and save the world." When the plight of the poor and starving millions is alleviated than the recovery of the environment will become the first priority." (Emphasis added.)The false christ will come promoting practical social welfare. That's it. Help for all who need it. This false christ has many "John the Baptist" style promoters who have come before to soften up the world. All pastors and teachers who deny Christ either openly or by their refusal to preach Him crucified for sinners have a part in preparing the way. The New Agers and occultists believe the "christ", the Maitreya is already here. And he comes with great concern for the poor and the suffering. My message to you today is, don't believe it. Stand fast in the faith and pray for discernment because the hour is late. The Fox news special called "Can Rick Warren Save the World?" will be on Sunday night. He was on the Charlie Rose Show last night and Fox News Daybreak yesterday. I have never seen anything like it.
http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/archives/2006/08/press_release_m.php
Thursday, August 17, 2006
40 Percent of World of Warcraft Players Addicted
Dear friends, if you do not yet know about WORLD OF WARCRAFT, it is an occult fantasy game.
"World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. World of Warcraft is a "Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" which allows thousands of players to interact within the same world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory" [ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/beginners/index.html ].
Also on the official WORLD OF WARCRAFT website, one can find these words...
"What is an MMORPG?
MMORPG is an acronym for "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game". In an MMORPG, thousands of players exist in the same game world at the same time. Visit the "General F.A.Q." section of the site to find out more
What is World of Warcraft?
As a massively multiplayer online game, World of Warcraft enables thousands of players to come together online and battle against the world and each other. Players from across the globe can leave the real world behind and undertake grand quests and heroic exploits in a land of fantastic adventure." http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/beginners/index.html
The WORLD OF WARCRAFT is an occult role playing game. As such, WORLD OF WARCRAFT teaches people all about the world of the occult and how to utilize the tools of the occult. This game has the potential to influence people to partake in the real world of the occult.
All who are interested in and partaking in the WORLD OF WARCRAFT would do well to heed the WARNINGS FROM SCRIPTURE against all forms of occultism. Why? Because God knows that when people open the door to the world of the occult, all manner of demonic influence will come through!!!
Deuteronomy 18:9-13 (Detestable Practices )
"9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [a] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God."
We have also found the following article very interesting as far as ADDICTION TO WORLD OF WARCRAFT !
Let the Player Beware!!!
~ Chris Lawson
Spiritual Research Network
www.spiritual-research-network.com
~~~~~
Expert: 40 Percent of World of Warcraft Players Addicted
TOM'S GUIDE PUBLISHING
- Rob Wright - August 8, 2006
- mmORPGs And Game Addiction
If you're suffering from dry eyes, headaches, back aches, erratic sleep patterns, it may be more than just your average hangover: according to Dr. Maressa Orzack, you could be suffering from video and computer game addiction. A clinical psychologist, Orzack is founder and coordinator of Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital in Newton, Mass., and is also an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Computer Addiction Services is one of the few outpatient clinics in the U.S. that provides specific treatment for game addiction.
While many people dispute the notion, Orzack believes that game addiction is a true mental disorder. As a result, she has worked with numerous gamers over the years to help them break the hold that games have on them.
Having treated all types of addictions for more than 15 years, Orzack says there's little difference between drug use, excessive gambling and heavy game playing. And with millions of gamers hooked on mega-popular massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs), she believes the problem is growing rapidly. In fact, Orzack says as much as 40 percent of World of Warcraft players are addicted to the game. TwitchGuru talks with Orzack to find out more about the issue of game addiction, and the effects of games like World of Warcraft.
RW: When did you first begin to feel that video game addiction was a real problem?
Dr. Orzack: Well, 11 years ago, when I first started looking into this issue, ...
Read Entire Article...
http://www.twitchguru.com/2006/08/08/world_of_warcraft_players_addicted/
"World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. World of Warcraft is a "Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game" which allows thousands of players to interact within the same world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory" [ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/beginners/index.html ].
Also on the official WORLD OF WARCRAFT website, one can find these words...
"What is an MMORPG?
MMORPG is an acronym for "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game". In an MMORPG, thousands of players exist in the same game world at the same time. Visit the "General F.A.Q." section of the site to find out more
What is World of Warcraft?
As a massively multiplayer online game, World of Warcraft enables thousands of players to come together online and battle against the world and each other. Players from across the globe can leave the real world behind and undertake grand quests and heroic exploits in a land of fantastic adventure." http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/beginners/index.html
The WORLD OF WARCRAFT is an occult role playing game. As such, WORLD OF WARCRAFT teaches people all about the world of the occult and how to utilize the tools of the occult. This game has the potential to influence people to partake in the real world of the occult.
All who are interested in and partaking in the WORLD OF WARCRAFT would do well to heed the WARNINGS FROM SCRIPTURE against all forms of occultism. Why? Because God knows that when people open the door to the world of the occult, all manner of demonic influence will come through!!!
Deuteronomy 18:9-13 (Detestable Practices )
"9 When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. 10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in [a] the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God."
We have also found the following article very interesting as far as ADDICTION TO WORLD OF WARCRAFT !
Let the Player Beware!!!
~ Chris Lawson
Spiritual Research Network
www.spiritual-research-network.com
~~~~~
Expert: 40 Percent of World of Warcraft Players Addicted
TOM'S GUIDE PUBLISHING
- Rob Wright - August 8, 2006
- mmORPGs And Game Addiction
If you're suffering from dry eyes, headaches, back aches, erratic sleep patterns, it may be more than just your average hangover: according to Dr. Maressa Orzack, you could be suffering from video and computer game addiction. A clinical psychologist, Orzack is founder and coordinator of Computer Addiction Services at McLean Hospital in Newton, Mass., and is also an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Computer Addiction Services is one of the few outpatient clinics in the U.S. that provides specific treatment for game addiction.
While many people dispute the notion, Orzack believes that game addiction is a true mental disorder. As a result, she has worked with numerous gamers over the years to help them break the hold that games have on them.
Having treated all types of addictions for more than 15 years, Orzack says there's little difference between drug use, excessive gambling and heavy game playing. And with millions of gamers hooked on mega-popular massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs), she believes the problem is growing rapidly. In fact, Orzack says as much as 40 percent of World of Warcraft players are addicted to the game. TwitchGuru talks with Orzack to find out more about the issue of game addiction, and the effects of games like World of Warcraft.
RW: When did you first begin to feel that video game addiction was a real problem?
Dr. Orzack: Well, 11 years ago, when I first started looking into this issue, ...
Read Entire Article...
http://www.twitchguru.com/2006/08/08/world_of_warcraft_players_addicted/
COMMENTARY Fox News: "Can Rick Warren Save the World?"
The following commentary is from Deborah Dombrowski at Lighthouse Trails Research Project.
For more info on Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Movement you may use the small E-blogger search engine at the top left page of this Blog, or visit Lighthouse Trails Research Project's Rick Warren pages.
~ Chris Lawson at SRN
~~~~~
COMMENTARY Fox News: "Can Rick Warren Save the World?"
Every week I receive a copy of Rick Warren's e-newsletter that goes out to pastors and other church and ministry leaders around the world. And every week, I watch as this newsletter endorses, promotes, and exalts the names of people, books and organizations whose spirituality opposes biblical Christianity. In essence, this newsletter is like a slap in the face to those who, in years and centuries gone by, have died defending the true faith and the gospel message of Jesus Christ and did not compromise even unto their deaths.
In this week's newsletter, Rick Warren quotes Henri Nouwen, who, at the end of his life, said he was uncomfortable with those who say Jesus is the only way to salvation and that he wanted to help people find their own path to God. Nouwen is mentioned in nearly a dozen other newsletters by Rick Warren, and in one newsletter, Warren says his wife Kay loves the Nouwen book In the Name of Jesus, which has a chapter on contemplative prayer. In one week's newsletter, Warren devoted most of the issue to the emerging church, even posting a response to criticism by Emergent Leaders Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke and Tony Jones. McLaren is favorably quoted or mentioned in about seven other issues. Organizations like The Ooze (promoting the emerging church, contemplative and New Age spirituality) is recommended in three issues. Spencer Burke, director of The Ooze, affirms his contemplative sympathies when he says:
I stopped reading from the approved evangelical reading list and began to distance myself from the evangelical agenda. I discovered new authors and new voices at the bookstore- Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and St. Teresa of Avila. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. Contemplative spirituality seemed to open up a whole new way for me to understand and experience God. I was deeply moved by works like The Cloud of Unknowing, The Dark Night of the Soul and the Early Writings of the Desert Fathers."
The majority of Rick Warren's newsletters have at least one contemplative or emerging quote, endorsement or recommendation. Some of these weekly promotions include Youth Specialties, Leonard Sweet, Thomas Merton, Ken Blanchard, Laurie Beth Jones, Jim Wallis, and the list goes on and on. Basically, Rick Warren believes that contemplative/emerging spirituality is great and will lead many people closer to God!
This Sunday night, Fox news will be presenting a program called, "Can Rick Warren Change the World?" One Fox headline for this show said, "Can Rick Warren Save the World?" As church leaders and secular leaders alike have found themselves in awe of this man's Purpose Driven paradigm, I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, have been in awe too. But my amazement isn't over Rick Warren's plans to save the world; no, my amazement is over Christian leaders and their blindness to what is really taking place. They have been overtaken and lured by a seductive spirituality that calls itself Purpose Driven, emerging church, seeker-friendly and a number of other names but has its origin in the Garden of Eden when the serpent said, You will be like God.
Alice Bailey, the theosophist who coined the term New Age, said that the age of enlightenment (when everyone realizes they have divinity and are united with each other and creation) will not come to the earth around the Christian church but rather through it. When a New Age sympathizer like Leonard Sweet (author of Quantum Spirituality) can talk about global connectedness and God in all in one book then do an audio series with "America's pastor" just a few years later, and no one blinks an eye, then maybe Alice Bailey (who was instructed by her spirit guide)was right.
The Lord will preserve those who are His, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church, but the Bible also says that a great falling away will take place before the return of Christ, and if possible, even the elect will be deceived. May we, as believers, by the grace and strength of God, cling to that old rugged Cross that is offered so freely to those who call upon the name of the Lord. And may we stand boldly, as our brothers and sisters of past times did, defending the one message that can save.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11
Deborah Dombrowski - Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Lighthouse Trails Research Project
Please feel free to distribute this commentary.
For books that expose contemplative spirituality and the emerging church,
see Lighthouse Trails Publishing.
For more info on Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Movement you may use the small E-blogger search engine at the top left page of this Blog, or visit Lighthouse Trails Research Project's Rick Warren pages.
~ Chris Lawson at SRN
~~~~~
COMMENTARY Fox News: "Can Rick Warren Save the World?"
Every week I receive a copy of Rick Warren's e-newsletter that goes out to pastors and other church and ministry leaders around the world. And every week, I watch as this newsletter endorses, promotes, and exalts the names of people, books and organizations whose spirituality opposes biblical Christianity. In essence, this newsletter is like a slap in the face to those who, in years and centuries gone by, have died defending the true faith and the gospel message of Jesus Christ and did not compromise even unto their deaths.
In this week's newsletter, Rick Warren quotes Henri Nouwen, who, at the end of his life, said he was uncomfortable with those who say Jesus is the only way to salvation and that he wanted to help people find their own path to God. Nouwen is mentioned in nearly a dozen other newsletters by Rick Warren, and in one newsletter, Warren says his wife Kay loves the Nouwen book In the Name of Jesus, which has a chapter on contemplative prayer. In one week's newsletter, Warren devoted most of the issue to the emerging church, even posting a response to criticism by Emergent Leaders Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt, Spencer Burke and Tony Jones. McLaren is favorably quoted or mentioned in about seven other issues. Organizations like The Ooze (promoting the emerging church, contemplative and New Age spirituality) is recommended in three issues. Spencer Burke, director of The Ooze, affirms his contemplative sympathies when he says:
I stopped reading from the approved evangelical reading list and began to distance myself from the evangelical agenda. I discovered new authors and new voices at the bookstore- Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and St. Teresa of Avila. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. Contemplative spirituality seemed to open up a whole new way for me to understand and experience God. I was deeply moved by works like The Cloud of Unknowing, The Dark Night of the Soul and the Early Writings of the Desert Fathers."
The majority of Rick Warren's newsletters have at least one contemplative or emerging quote, endorsement or recommendation. Some of these weekly promotions include Youth Specialties, Leonard Sweet, Thomas Merton, Ken Blanchard, Laurie Beth Jones, Jim Wallis, and the list goes on and on. Basically, Rick Warren believes that contemplative/emerging spirituality is great and will lead many people closer to God!
This Sunday night, Fox news will be presenting a program called, "Can Rick Warren Change the World?" One Fox headline for this show said, "Can Rick Warren Save the World?" As church leaders and secular leaders alike have found themselves in awe of this man's Purpose Driven paradigm, I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, have been in awe too. But my amazement isn't over Rick Warren's plans to save the world; no, my amazement is over Christian leaders and their blindness to what is really taking place. They have been overtaken and lured by a seductive spirituality that calls itself Purpose Driven, emerging church, seeker-friendly and a number of other names but has its origin in the Garden of Eden when the serpent said, You will be like God.
Alice Bailey, the theosophist who coined the term New Age, said that the age of enlightenment (when everyone realizes they have divinity and are united with each other and creation) will not come to the earth around the Christian church but rather through it. When a New Age sympathizer like Leonard Sweet (author of Quantum Spirituality) can talk about global connectedness and God in all in one book then do an audio series with "America's pastor" just a few years later, and no one blinks an eye, then maybe Alice Bailey (who was instructed by her spirit guide)was right.
The Lord will preserve those who are His, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church, but the Bible also says that a great falling away will take place before the return of Christ, and if possible, even the elect will be deceived. May we, as believers, by the grace and strength of God, cling to that old rugged Cross that is offered so freely to those who call upon the name of the Lord. And may we stand boldly, as our brothers and sisters of past times did, defending the one message that can save.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11
Deborah Dombrowski - Lighthouse Trails Publishing
Lighthouse Trails Research Project
Please feel free to distribute this commentary.
For books that expose contemplative spirituality and the emerging church,
see Lighthouse Trails Publishing.
Monday, August 14, 2006
SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today's Kids
Dear friends,the following book by Marcia Montenegro is a much needed book in our day and age. Kids everywhere seem to be investigating and getting involved in occult practices. Playing with the paranormal is not a game. Deadly influences can result - on children and adults alike.
~ Chris at SRN
www.spiritual-research-network.com
~~~~~~~~~
The following is from Marcia Montenegro's Website:
CANA - Christian Answers for the New Age
BOOK BY MARCIA MONTENEGRO NOW AVAILABLE:
SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today's Kids
(Cook, 2006)~ Forward by Norman Geisler
Have you ever wished there was a book on the occult written from a Christian viewpoint, with suggestions on how to talk about this to your kids or teens? Well, such a book now exists, SpellBound: The Paranormal Seduction of Today's Kids.
This book is for:
Parents
Sunday School teachers
Pastors
Youth Pastors
Youth Leaders and workers
Schoolteachers Grandparents
…And anyone who would like to know how to recognize the occult in our culture, as well as a solid biblical view of and response to the occult.
Marcia Montenegro was asked by Cook to write this book as a guide for parents and other interested adults. The book covers what exactly the occult is, how it's being packaged and marketed in our culture, and how to talk to children and teens about the occult. It can now be pre-ordered on some book sites.
The book's information comes from Marcia's many years of participation in New Age, Eastern, and occult beliefs; her practice as a professional astrologer for 8 of those years, including teaching astrology; extensive reading and research of New Age and occult materials; and experiences and contacts she had in the New Age/occult community for over 15 years.
Additionally, since becoming a Christian, Marcia's knowledge in these areas has been supplemented by her contacts, reading, and research through her ministry, CANA/Christian Answers for the New Age. Since 1994, she has written on these topics for Christian periodicals, has been interviewed on radio shows and for publications, and has lectured on these areas around the country.
To find out more and about this book and to purchase it, visit any of these sites:
Amazon (can be pre-ordered): http://tinyurl.com/kdqz4
Cook: http://tinyurl.com/fj5sn
Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/escjy
Friday, August 11, 2006
Steven Curtis Chapman Performs at Roman Catholic Forum
Dear friends,
Several hundred years ago, there were a whole handful of reformers who were burnded alive just a short distance from my house - here in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I wonder if the popular Christians musicians of today have any idea just what the Roman Catholic Church is all about. Rome never changes and those who believe in Biblical justfication are still condemned by the Roman Catholic Church. If we were not in the 21st century we too would be burned at the stake. Who knows, maybe we will be?
The question is, who is Steven Curtis Chapman in favor of, the Biblical Jesus and Bibilcal salvation, or the Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholic salvation?
You can't have both and call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ. Only Biblical salvation will get a person to heaven!
~ SRN
~~~~~~
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN PERFORMS AT ROMAN CATHOLIC FORUM
(Friday Church News Notes, August 11, 2006, www.wayoflife.org)
- Contemporary Christian musician Stephen Curtis Chapman performed on August 6 at the Roman Catholic youth Fest in Cleveland, Ohio. The Fest, which is in its sixth year, featured a Catholic Mass performed by Bishop Anthony Pilla and the practice of auricular confession to priests.
In an interview before his performance, Chapman said that it is a good thing that the Catholic Church is showing a greater openness to contemporary Christian music.
He said young people tune out preaching but they will listen to music ("Catholics by the Thousands Rock to Christian Tunes," Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 07, 2006).
In typical CCM fashion, Chapman, by his actions, proves that he cares nothing about sound doctrine and repudiates the practice of biblical separation from error (e.g., Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Tim. 3:5).
Several hundred years ago, there were a whole handful of reformers who were burnded alive just a short distance from my house - here in Edinburgh, Scotland.
I wonder if the popular Christians musicians of today have any idea just what the Roman Catholic Church is all about. Rome never changes and those who believe in Biblical justfication are still condemned by the Roman Catholic Church. If we were not in the 21st century we too would be burned at the stake. Who knows, maybe we will be?
The question is, who is Steven Curtis Chapman in favor of, the Biblical Jesus and Bibilcal salvation, or the Roman Catholic Church and Roman Catholic salvation?
You can't have both and call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ. Only Biblical salvation will get a person to heaven!
~ SRN
~~~~~~
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN PERFORMS AT ROMAN CATHOLIC FORUM
(Friday Church News Notes, August 11, 2006, www.wayoflife.org)
- Contemporary Christian musician Stephen Curtis Chapman performed on August 6 at the Roman Catholic youth Fest in Cleveland, Ohio. The Fest, which is in its sixth year, featured a Catholic Mass performed by Bishop Anthony Pilla and the practice of auricular confession to priests.
In an interview before his performance, Chapman said that it is a good thing that the Catholic Church is showing a greater openness to contemporary Christian music.
He said young people tune out preaching but they will listen to music ("Catholics by the Thousands Rock to Christian Tunes," Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 07, 2006).
In typical CCM fashion, Chapman, by his actions, proves that he cares nothing about sound doctrine and repudiates the practice of biblical separation from error (e.g., Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Tim. 3:5).
HUGH ROSS AND THE REASONS TO BELIEVE ORGANIZATION DENY THE BIBLE'S CREATION ACCOUNT
Dear friends,
The article below about Hugh Ross is very disturbing. I will write here a few practical comments before listing the article.
If we look at the creation account in Scripture - as well as the great flood in Noah's time [judgment on rebellious mankind], and we teach our children that these did not happen the way the Word of God says they did, our children will begin to deny the Word of God as being the Word of God. They will also dis-believe many more things in the Bible if we teach them to reject the basics.
We are not against science but on a basic and very practical notE - it would be a good idea for 'scientists' to better consider how God wants little children to understand the basics of the Creation account and the basics of the Biblical flood account. Scientificizing the Creation account to the point of rejecting Biblical truth is what is causing multitudes of 'kids' to simply reject the Bible.
Many kids would rather go along with the evolutionists because they see so many of their parents believing in evolution. Why? Because Pastors have taught it to the parents and the parents pass it on to their children. And...they get the evolution lie and the "Noah's ark is a myth" lie at school too.
If we teach our children things contrary to what God's Word says, or make it so scientific that we ruin our children's simple - childlike faith - than are we not hanging millstones around the necks of our children and ruining their trust in God from page 1,2 and 3 of the Bible?
As a Christian dad, I take the Bible at face value and I teach my kids what the Bible says, not what I want it to say. Furthermore, I understand that Satan wants to destroy all children and their precious faith in Jesus. It seems to me that one of the most devilish things in the world to tell children that the flood didn't happen and that God didn't create the heavens and the earth like the Bible says. Kids these days have enough trouble without parents undermining the Bible from page 1,2 and 3. As I recall it was the devil who challenged God's command and said to Eve, "Has God indeed said...?" (Gen 3:1). If we cannot simply believe the Bible on page 1,2 and 3, then why do we believe the rest of it?
Teaching God's Word to our kids really hits home when the 'scientists' who are Christians are telling us things contrary to the basic text of Scripture.
Parents...it is safer to teach your kids what the Bible says at face value than to try to explain away what it says by fine sounding scientific arguments.
~ SRN
~~~~~~
HUGH ROSS AND THE REASONS TO BELIEVE ORGANIZATION DENY THE BIBLE'S CREATION ACCOUNT
(Friday Church News Notes, August 11, 2006, www.wayoflife.org - The following is an excerpt from...
"A Question of Age," May 4, 2006, Institute for Creation Research:
"Dr. Larry Vardiman of ICR and Dr. Jason Lisle of AiG [Answers in Genesis] shared opinions on and evidence for the age of the earth with Dr. Hugh Ross and Dr. Fazale Rana of Reasons to Believe on April 29, 2006 in Fullerton, California. The tone of the conference was cordial throughout the day, but it was obvious that the primary topic of discussion was to be the reliability of a literal interpretation of the Bible. Ross and Rana stated many times that they 'take the Bible seriously and consistently,' but they believe it should not be read literally. Vardiman charged Ross with approaching the Bible with a preconceived scientific model and trying to fit Scripture into this model. Ross denied this allegation, but the audience had numerous opportunities to observe this approach being applied in his explanations. One of the more disturbing misuses of Scripture by Reasons to Believe was their attempt to deny that the death of animals is a result of sin. Rana argued that animals are not really alive according to the Biblical definition of life. Therefore, there is no difficulty with the multitudes of fossils being formed over millions of years before man was created. Of course all the Biblical genealogies are also considered to be inaccurate. Ross also denied the global Flood described in Genesis and even claimed that a Creation account superior to Genesis 1:1-2:3 can be found in Psalm 104. It is a violation of conventionally accepted rules of hermeneutics to use poetic passages to interpret prior narrative passages. Lisle repeatedly appealed to Ross and Rana that God's Word should be read in the most straightforward, literal manner possible recognizing that there are poetic and allegorical passages which need special consideration. However, the response by Ross and Rana was one of profound disregard for such a simplistic belief in God's revelation. It was evident to many in the audience that the old-earth position, expounded by Ross and Rana, gives little regard to God's Word and is built primarily on the theories of man. IT SEEMS EVIDENT THAT ROSS AND RANA NOT ONLY DO NOT TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY BUT, ALTHOUGH THEY CLAIM TO DO SO, THEY ALSO DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY."
The article below about Hugh Ross is very disturbing. I will write here a few practical comments before listing the article.
If we look at the creation account in Scripture - as well as the great flood in Noah's time [judgment on rebellious mankind], and we teach our children that these did not happen the way the Word of God says they did, our children will begin to deny the Word of God as being the Word of God. They will also dis-believe many more things in the Bible if we teach them to reject the basics.
We are not against science but on a basic and very practical notE - it would be a good idea for 'scientists' to better consider how God wants little children to understand the basics of the Creation account and the basics of the Biblical flood account. Scientificizing the Creation account to the point of rejecting Biblical truth is what is causing multitudes of 'kids' to simply reject the Bible.
Many kids would rather go along with the evolutionists because they see so many of their parents believing in evolution. Why? Because Pastors have taught it to the parents and the parents pass it on to their children. And...they get the evolution lie and the "Noah's ark is a myth" lie at school too.
If we teach our children things contrary to what God's Word says, or make it so scientific that we ruin our children's simple - childlike faith - than are we not hanging millstones around the necks of our children and ruining their trust in God from page 1,2 and 3 of the Bible?
As a Christian dad, I take the Bible at face value and I teach my kids what the Bible says, not what I want it to say. Furthermore, I understand that Satan wants to destroy all children and their precious faith in Jesus. It seems to me that one of the most devilish things in the world to tell children that the flood didn't happen and that God didn't create the heavens and the earth like the Bible says. Kids these days have enough trouble without parents undermining the Bible from page 1,2 and 3. As I recall it was the devil who challenged God's command and said to Eve, "Has God indeed said...?" (Gen 3:1). If we cannot simply believe the Bible on page 1,2 and 3, then why do we believe the rest of it?
Teaching God's Word to our kids really hits home when the 'scientists' who are Christians are telling us things contrary to the basic text of Scripture.
Parents...it is safer to teach your kids what the Bible says at face value than to try to explain away what it says by fine sounding scientific arguments.
~ SRN
~~~~~~
HUGH ROSS AND THE REASONS TO BELIEVE ORGANIZATION DENY THE BIBLE'S CREATION ACCOUNT
(Friday Church News Notes, August 11, 2006, www.wayoflife.org - The following is an excerpt from...
"A Question of Age," May 4, 2006, Institute for Creation Research:
"Dr. Larry Vardiman of ICR and Dr. Jason Lisle of AiG [Answers in Genesis] shared opinions on and evidence for the age of the earth with Dr. Hugh Ross and Dr. Fazale Rana of Reasons to Believe on April 29, 2006 in Fullerton, California. The tone of the conference was cordial throughout the day, but it was obvious that the primary topic of discussion was to be the reliability of a literal interpretation of the Bible. Ross and Rana stated many times that they 'take the Bible seriously and consistently,' but they believe it should not be read literally. Vardiman charged Ross with approaching the Bible with a preconceived scientific model and trying to fit Scripture into this model. Ross denied this allegation, but the audience had numerous opportunities to observe this approach being applied in his explanations. One of the more disturbing misuses of Scripture by Reasons to Believe was their attempt to deny that the death of animals is a result of sin. Rana argued that animals are not really alive according to the Biblical definition of life. Therefore, there is no difficulty with the multitudes of fossils being formed over millions of years before man was created. Of course all the Biblical genealogies are also considered to be inaccurate. Ross also denied the global Flood described in Genesis and even claimed that a Creation account superior to Genesis 1:1-2:3 can be found in Psalm 104. It is a violation of conventionally accepted rules of hermeneutics to use poetic passages to interpret prior narrative passages. Lisle repeatedly appealed to Ross and Rana that God's Word should be read in the most straightforward, literal manner possible recognizing that there are poetic and allegorical passages which need special consideration. However, the response by Ross and Rana was one of profound disregard for such a simplistic belief in God's revelation. It was evident to many in the audience that the old-earth position, expounded by Ross and Rana, gives little regard to God's Word and is built primarily on the theories of man. IT SEEMS EVIDENT THAT ROSS AND RANA NOT ONLY DO NOT TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY BUT, ALTHOUGH THEY CLAIM TO DO SO, THEY ALSO DO NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY."
Monday, August 07, 2006
"Blasphemizing" The Bible by Sandy Simpson
Dear friends,
Sandy Simpson has done his homework well on this Deception in the Church article. Sandy is a missionary in the Hawaiian islands and has written volumes of discernment literature. This recent article is very important for all missionaries and Pastors - and all Christians put together.
As a missionary myself, I find it utterly grievous that people are doing what Sandy has exposed here in this article - changing the name of the Living God in Scripture, YHWH, to the names of 'foreign gods' in new Bible translations. This is downright wicked! It is simply unbelievable how far people are going these days to try to make the Bible user friendly.
Don't buy into the trap of changing the name of God just to suit personal or religious fancy.
~Chris
~~~~~
"Blasphemizing" The Bible
by Sandy Simpson,
Apologetics Coordination Team,
7/26/06 UPDATED 8/3/06 IN RED!
UPDATED 8/4/06 IN BLUE!
INTRODUCTION
Okay. I realize that "blasphemizing" is not a proper English word. But it is the only way I could express what has been happening in recent years with regard to the translation of the Bible into many languages around the world, substituting the names of "supreme being" gods from many cultures in place of the name of God, YHWH.
In my research into the World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People (WCGIP) events or the movement which Richard Twiss has termed the "First Nations" movement, I began to realize that a number of Bible translation societies, some of which endorse the WCGIP events, have begun to substitute other gods names for YHWH, the I AM in Bibles all over the world.
Endorsers of the 3rd WCGIP Event were as follows:
AD 2000 & Beyond Movement
American Bible Society
Canadian Bible Society
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
First Nations Alliance Churches (C&MA) Canada
Global Harvest Ministry
International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC)
Lutheran Association of Missionaries & Pilots
Mission America
Sacred Assembly - Canada
World Vision Canada
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Youth for Christ - Canada (http://www.chazm.com/wcgip)
Twiss is touted for having "worked with International Bible Society [and] Promise Keepers...[and] is a consultant on racial reconciliation for Promise Keepers." (Joseph Epes Brown, The Sacred Pipe. Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (University of Oklahoma Press, 1989), 7,45). (Native American Gospel? Q&A - Berean Call - January, 1998, http://a-voice.org/discern/native.htm)
All this to show that many Bible societies are following the same agenda as the WCGIP and the New Apostolic Reformation which is headed by C. Peter Wagner of the International Coalition of Apostles, Global Harvest Ministries and Mission America.
IN A NUTSHELL ...
Read Entire Article...
Sandy Simpson has done his homework well on this Deception in the Church article. Sandy is a missionary in the Hawaiian islands and has written volumes of discernment literature. This recent article is very important for all missionaries and Pastors - and all Christians put together.
As a missionary myself, I find it utterly grievous that people are doing what Sandy has exposed here in this article - changing the name of the Living God in Scripture, YHWH, to the names of 'foreign gods' in new Bible translations. This is downright wicked! It is simply unbelievable how far people are going these days to try to make the Bible user friendly.
Don't buy into the trap of changing the name of God just to suit personal or religious fancy.
~Chris
~~~~~
"Blasphemizing" The Bible
by Sandy Simpson,
Apologetics Coordination Team,
7/26/06 UPDATED 8/3/06 IN RED!
UPDATED 8/4/06 IN BLUE!
INTRODUCTION
Okay. I realize that "blasphemizing" is not a proper English word. But it is the only way I could express what has been happening in recent years with regard to the translation of the Bible into many languages around the world, substituting the names of "supreme being" gods from many cultures in place of the name of God, YHWH.
In my research into the World Christian Gathering on Indigenous People (WCGIP) events or the movement which Richard Twiss has termed the "First Nations" movement, I began to realize that a number of Bible translation societies, some of which endorse the WCGIP events, have begun to substitute other gods names for YHWH, the I AM in Bibles all over the world.
Endorsers of the 3rd WCGIP Event were as follows:
AD 2000 & Beyond Movement
American Bible Society
Canadian Bible Society
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
First Nations Alliance Churches (C&MA) Canada
Global Harvest Ministry
International Reconciliation Coalition (IRC)
Lutheran Association of Missionaries & Pilots
Mission America
Sacred Assembly - Canada
World Vision Canada
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Youth for Christ - Canada (http://www.chazm.com/wcgip)
Twiss is touted for having "worked with International Bible Society [and] Promise Keepers...[and] is a consultant on racial reconciliation for Promise Keepers." (Joseph Epes Brown, The Sacred Pipe. Black Elk's Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (University of Oklahoma Press, 1989), 7,45). (Native American Gospel? Q&A - Berean Call - January, 1998, http://a-voice.org/discern/native.htm)
All this to show that many Bible societies are following the same agenda as the WCGIP and the New Apostolic Reformation which is headed by C. Peter Wagner of the International Coalition of Apostles, Global Harvest Ministries and Mission America.
IN A NUTSHELL ...
Read Entire Article...
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
'Psalm in a bog' linked to Israel's current war
Psalms 83:1
O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
'Psalm in a bog' linked to Israel's current war
Some say Scripture find in Ireland has meaning with present conflict
WORLDNETDAILY - By Joe Kovacs - July 26, 2006
- The "miraculous" find of ancient psalms in an Irish bog has some wondering if there's any special modern relevance, since the discovery dealt with the enemies of Israel attempting to destroy the nation.
A construction worker in Ireland came across the ancient 20-page book dated to the years 800-1000 A.D. while driving his backhoe's shovel into the mud last week. Experts say it's impossible to say how the manuscript ended up there, but speculate it may have been lost in transit or dumped after a raid some 1,000 to 1,200 years ago.
The National Museum of Ireland issued a statement saying, "In discovery terms, this Irish equivalent to the Dead Sea Scrolls is being hailed by the museum's experts as the greatest find ever from a European bog."
"It is not so much the fragments themselves, but what they represent, that is of such staggering importance," said the museum's director, Pat Wallace. "In my wildest hopes, I could only have dreamed of a discovery as fragile and rare as this. It testifies to the incredible richness of the Early Christian civilization of this island and to the greatness of ancient Ireland."
Read Entire Article...
O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
'Psalm in a bog' linked to Israel's current war
Some say Scripture find in Ireland has meaning with present conflict
WORLDNETDAILY - By Joe Kovacs - July 26, 2006
- The "miraculous" find of ancient psalms in an Irish bog has some wondering if there's any special modern relevance, since the discovery dealt with the enemies of Israel attempting to destroy the nation.
A construction worker in Ireland came across the ancient 20-page book dated to the years 800-1000 A.D. while driving his backhoe's shovel into the mud last week. Experts say it's impossible to say how the manuscript ended up there, but speculate it may have been lost in transit or dumped after a raid some 1,000 to 1,200 years ago.
The National Museum of Ireland issued a statement saying, "In discovery terms, this Irish equivalent to the Dead Sea Scrolls is being hailed by the museum's experts as the greatest find ever from a European bog."
"It is not so much the fragments themselves, but what they represent, that is of such staggering importance," said the museum's director, Pat Wallace. "In my wildest hopes, I could only have dreamed of a discovery as fragile and rare as this. It testifies to the incredible richness of the Early Christian civilization of this island and to the greatness of ancient Ireland."
Read Entire Article...
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Blasphemous SMITTY Rap Video on the Purpose Driven website
Regarding our previous two posts on the SMITTY video that was shown at the Purpose Driven Conference, people may be asking "...did the Purpose Driven Conference really show a blasphemous SMITTY Rap Video?"
The answer is a sad Y E S !
Click here to see it being promoted on the Purpose Driven website on the...
2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference + Festival Post-Conference Information website page
~~~~~
"Filled With The Spirit
Did you miss out on the opening music video at this year's conference? Do you see it but have a burning desire to see it again? Do you want to share it with a friend? Click the link below and watch or share to your heart's content."
~~~~~
Again we ask WHY?
If the Purpose Driven level of spirituality continues down the road like this, no doubt it will drive many people's faith into the ground.
Does God expect His children to walk in holiness, not carnality? Yes He does!
Paul writing to the believers at Corinth states,
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:1 )
~SRN
The answer is a sad Y E S !
Click here to see it being promoted on the Purpose Driven website on the...
2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference + Festival Post-Conference Information website page
~~~~~
"Filled With The Spirit
Did you miss out on the opening music video at this year's conference? Do you see it but have a burning desire to see it again? Do you want to share it with a friend? Click the link below and watch or share to your heart's content."
~~~~~
Again we ask WHY?
If the Purpose Driven level of spirituality continues down the road like this, no doubt it will drive many people's faith into the ground.
Does God expect His children to walk in holiness, not carnality? Yes He does!
Paul writing to the believers at Corinth states,
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14- 7:1 )
~SRN
Purpose-Driven Rapper Crosses the Line to Blasphemy
Friends, we too have watched the Purpose Driven Rap Video - and like many others who are utterly appauled that Rick Warren would go to this end to promote his Purpose Driven program, we wonder why? Simply WHY? This video is not only carnal, it dishonors the name of God.
Watch the Minus Media Rap Video for Rick Warren's 2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference
Below are a few comments on the subject from Ingrid Schlueter at Slice of Laodicea [news and commentary on the contemporary church]
~~~~~~~~~~~
Purpose-Driven Rapper Crosses the Line to Blasphemy
By Ingrid Schlueter
Reverence in church is in short supply these days. Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas is featuring a Laugh the Night Away event and they're selling tickets to the community. The church of Jesus Christ is no longer interested in all night prayer meetings. All night laugh-ins, however, are big. On Sunday mornings things are little better. The idea of God's awe and transcendence or the idea that our God is a consuming fire, (that's the Bible speaking, not me) is a pretty outdated concept now. Evangelical churches don't have chancels or sanctuaries any longer, they have stages and auditoriums. Rather than worship being viewed as a command performance for one consumer, the Lord of Hosts, worship is now about the adoration of our own bellies, our own preferences and our own adulation. Perhaps this explains a short, three minute rap video that was produced by Minus Media for Rick Warren's 2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference. Watching it, it is evident that we have entered a new zone in sacrilege within evangelicalism. We are now openly featuring blasphemous mockery in Christ's name and the church is so blinded by disobedience and idolatry that Christians are posting this rap video on their web logs to share with friends. We should be on our faces.
The sneering, mocking expressions and tones of voice in this video have to be witnessed to be understood for what they are. By his speech and manner, the rapper takes the name of the Holy Son of God in vain, but the video contains something more. ...
Read more at Slice of Laodicea...
Watch the Minus Media Rap Video for Rick Warren's 2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference
Below are a few comments on the subject from Ingrid Schlueter at Slice of Laodicea [news and commentary on the contemporary church]
~~~~~~~~~~~
Purpose-Driven Rapper Crosses the Line to Blasphemy
By Ingrid Schlueter
Reverence in church is in short supply these days. Southcrest Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas is featuring a Laugh the Night Away event and they're selling tickets to the community. The church of Jesus Christ is no longer interested in all night prayer meetings. All night laugh-ins, however, are big. On Sunday mornings things are little better. The idea of God's awe and transcendence or the idea that our God is a consuming fire, (that's the Bible speaking, not me) is a pretty outdated concept now. Evangelical churches don't have chancels or sanctuaries any longer, they have stages and auditoriums. Rather than worship being viewed as a command performance for one consumer, the Lord of Hosts, worship is now about the adoration of our own bellies, our own preferences and our own adulation. Perhaps this explains a short, three minute rap video that was produced by Minus Media for Rick Warren's 2006 Purpose Driven Worship Conference. Watching it, it is evident that we have entered a new zone in sacrilege within evangelicalism. We are now openly featuring blasphemous mockery in Christ's name and the church is so blinded by disobedience and idolatry that Christians are posting this rap video on their web logs to share with friends. We should be on our faces.
The sneering, mocking expressions and tones of voice in this video have to be witnessed to be understood for what they are. By his speech and manner, the rapper takes the name of the Holy Son of God in vain, but the video contains something more. ...
Read more at Slice of Laodicea...
Roger Oakland's letter to Paul Crouch regarding TBN promoting Roman Catholic dogma
Roger Oakland's letter to Paul Crouch regarding TBN promoting Roman Catholic dogma
July 5, 2006
Paul Crouch, PresidentTrinity Broadcasting NetworkTBN Headquarters2442 Michelle DriveTustin, CA 92780
Dear Paul,
I am writing this letter is to ask you to respond to some concerns that I have regarding the direction your Trinity Broadcasting Network is headed. Although you claim you are promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is factual evidence that your organization is becoming a tool of the Roman Catholic Church and you are promoting another gospel that leads to another Christ.
Several years ago, while visiting your facility on Bear Street in Costa Mesa, I noticed a picture of you and your son Matt shaking hands with Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. I also noticed at this time that you had a statue of the Queen of Heaven (“Mary”) wearing her crown and holding baby Jesus, displayed in clear view on the second floor.
Since that time, I noticed that some of your programming and your practices indicate you are either not aware or not concerned about the false teachings promoted by the Roman Catholic Church. Such practices are not only confusing to the millions of Christians who look to you for leadership, they are also spiritually lethal in that you have the potential to mislead people into believing they are Christians when, according to the Scriptures they are not.
Read entire letter [includes many of the books listed in TBN's bookstore]...
July 5, 2006
Paul Crouch, PresidentTrinity Broadcasting NetworkTBN Headquarters2442 Michelle DriveTustin, CA 92780
Dear Paul,
I am writing this letter is to ask you to respond to some concerns that I have regarding the direction your Trinity Broadcasting Network is headed. Although you claim you are promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is factual evidence that your organization is becoming a tool of the Roman Catholic Church and you are promoting another gospel that leads to another Christ.
Several years ago, while visiting your facility on Bear Street in Costa Mesa, I noticed a picture of you and your son Matt shaking hands with Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. I also noticed at this time that you had a statue of the Queen of Heaven (“Mary”) wearing her crown and holding baby Jesus, displayed in clear view on the second floor.
Since that time, I noticed that some of your programming and your practices indicate you are either not aware or not concerned about the false teachings promoted by the Roman Catholic Church. Such practices are not only confusing to the millions of Christians who look to you for leadership, they are also spiritually lethal in that you have the potential to mislead people into believing they are Christians when, according to the Scriptures they are not.
Read entire letter [includes many of the books listed in TBN's bookstore]...
Sick Rap Worship Video for Rick Warren's 2006 Worship Conference
SICK RAP WORSHIP VIDEO FOR RICK WARREN'S 2006 WORSHIP CONFERENCE
Source:
Friday Church News Notes, July 14, 2006, www.wayoflife.org
- A rap video prepared for Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Worship Conference 2006 is one of the sickest things I have ever seen, and I have been researching the spiritually sick world of CCM for many years. It is by a rapper named Smitty and is mis-titled "Filled with the Spirit." It features a heavy sensual rap beat with the following lyrics: "Ohhhhhh, I'm filled with the Spirit; come gather round so all ya'll can hear it. Ohhhhh, I feel so amazing; can't stop the music; got my hands raising. Ohhhh, I feel this divinity; stronger than Samson; it is the Trinity. Calm me down I need the tranquility; Satan try to stop me; you got to be kiddin'
me. ... Uuhhhhh, now break it down ya'll; uuhhhhh, now break it down ya'll; uuhhhh, uuhhhhh, now break it down, now break it down, Old Testament style. Do the burning bush, do the burning bush, now everybody in the crowd do the burning bush. ... The walls of Jericho, the walls of Jericho, make the booty drop like the walls of Jericho [the rapper turns around and shakes his backside to the camera]..."
Not only do the lyrics turn the things of Christ and life's most serious issues into pure silliness and even descend into moral filthiness (e.g., rap dancing to the burning bush and shaking your booty to the falling of the walls of Jericho), but the way the words are sung are downright blasphemous. You have to see the video and hear the voices to understand just how sick and blasphemous this thing is, but I am not going to give out the link because I don't want young people, especially, to be influenced by this vile thing.
Ingrid Schlueter of "Crosstalk Radio Talk Show" on VCY America Radio Network makes the following observation: "The sneering, mocking expressions and tones of voice in this video have to be witnessed to be understood for what they are. By his speech and manner, the rapper takes the name of the Holy Son of God in vain, but the video contains something more. There is hatred here, hatred for who God is according to the Scriptures. The spirit of this video, ironically shown at a so-called worship conference, is anti-Christ. You cannot know the Lord of glory, the living Word of God and speak of Him in this manner. ... The monstrous treatment of the name of God under the guise of worship is evidence of the hearts behind the video. The grimace when the rapper says, ewwww, I feel this divinity... is manifestly evil. The name of the Lord, by whose mercy we live and breathe and have our being, is to be revered above all earthly names.
Anyone who can listen to the spirit of mockery and ridicule in this video and not feel a holy anger needs to return to the Bible and learn who God really is" ("Purpose-Driven Rapper Crosses the Line to Blasphemy"). We agree with that assessment totally. The next time someone tries to convince you that the Southern Baptist Convention is "conservative" remember that you will find every worldly thing in the SBC. Worldly Christianity is not "conservative" Christianity.
Read PDF File with photos...
Source:
Friday Church News Notes, July 14, 2006, www.wayoflife.org
- A rap video prepared for Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Worship Conference 2006 is one of the sickest things I have ever seen, and I have been researching the spiritually sick world of CCM for many years. It is by a rapper named Smitty and is mis-titled "Filled with the Spirit." It features a heavy sensual rap beat with the following lyrics: "Ohhhhhh, I'm filled with the Spirit; come gather round so all ya'll can hear it. Ohhhhh, I feel so amazing; can't stop the music; got my hands raising. Ohhhh, I feel this divinity; stronger than Samson; it is the Trinity. Calm me down I need the tranquility; Satan try to stop me; you got to be kiddin'
me. ... Uuhhhhh, now break it down ya'll; uuhhhhh, now break it down ya'll; uuhhhh, uuhhhhh, now break it down, now break it down, Old Testament style. Do the burning bush, do the burning bush, now everybody in the crowd do the burning bush. ... The walls of Jericho, the walls of Jericho, make the booty drop like the walls of Jericho [the rapper turns around and shakes his backside to the camera]..."
Not only do the lyrics turn the things of Christ and life's most serious issues into pure silliness and even descend into moral filthiness (e.g., rap dancing to the burning bush and shaking your booty to the falling of the walls of Jericho), but the way the words are sung are downright blasphemous. You have to see the video and hear the voices to understand just how sick and blasphemous this thing is, but I am not going to give out the link because I don't want young people, especially, to be influenced by this vile thing.
Ingrid Schlueter of "Crosstalk Radio Talk Show" on VCY America Radio Network makes the following observation: "The sneering, mocking expressions and tones of voice in this video have to be witnessed to be understood for what they are. By his speech and manner, the rapper takes the name of the Holy Son of God in vain, but the video contains something more. There is hatred here, hatred for who God is according to the Scriptures. The spirit of this video, ironically shown at a so-called worship conference, is anti-Christ. You cannot know the Lord of glory, the living Word of God and speak of Him in this manner. ... The monstrous treatment of the name of God under the guise of worship is evidence of the hearts behind the video. The grimace when the rapper says, ewwww, I feel this divinity... is manifestly evil. The name of the Lord, by whose mercy we live and breathe and have our being, is to be revered above all earthly names.
Anyone who can listen to the spirit of mockery and ridicule in this video and not feel a holy anger needs to return to the Bible and learn who God really is" ("Purpose-Driven Rapper Crosses the Line to Blasphemy"). We agree with that assessment totally. The next time someone tries to convince you that the Southern Baptist Convention is "conservative" remember that you will find every worldly thing in the SBC. Worldly Christianity is not "conservative" Christianity.
Read PDF File with photos...
Monday, July 24, 2006
Rome Peace Conference
Rome Peace Conference
LIGHT FOR THE LAST DAYS - July 21, 2006
- I wrote in the Omega Files in 2002 p 97: "European Union leaders have declared they stand 'ready to contribute fully to peace-building' and support an international peace conference, jointly hosted by the EU, the US, the UN, and Russia, to discuss with the Israelis and the Palestinians security, political and economic issues in the Middle East. Both Prime Minister Sharon and Shimon Peres have expressed interest in Rome being the venue. Sharon said: "We have excellent relations with Rome and my personal relations with Prime Minister Berlusconi are great."
Berlusconi also has good relations with the Palestinians, as Italy has proposed a 'Marshall Plan' to help revive the Palestinian economy. Rome mayor Walter Veltroni offered the Eternal city as a possible location for the talks, saying, "If a peace conference for the Middle East is held, then Rome would be the ideal venue."From the point of view of biblical prophecy it is highly likely that some kind of peace deal will emerge involving Rome and the European Union acting as mediators. Whether that involves the characters in power at the time of writing this remains to be seen, but in many ways we see the stage being set for a peace treaty, which will tie in with the prophecies of the Bible.
It is interesting that the Oslo Accords broke down exactly seven years after the signing ceremony in Washington. Instead of a final peace ceremony, the world's TV screens were filled with images of Israeli soldiers fighting with Palestinians on the Temple Mount, as the Al Aqsa Intifada began. Oslo was a kind of dry run of the final peace treaty, which is coming, which will end up seven years later with the armies of the world gathering at Armageddon!Watch this space.
Tony Pearce
LIGHT FOR THE LAST DAYS - July 21, 2006
- I wrote in the Omega Files in 2002 p 97: "European Union leaders have declared they stand 'ready to contribute fully to peace-building' and support an international peace conference, jointly hosted by the EU, the US, the UN, and Russia, to discuss with the Israelis and the Palestinians security, political and economic issues in the Middle East. Both Prime Minister Sharon and Shimon Peres have expressed interest in Rome being the venue. Sharon said: "We have excellent relations with Rome and my personal relations with Prime Minister Berlusconi are great."
Berlusconi also has good relations with the Palestinians, as Italy has proposed a 'Marshall Plan' to help revive the Palestinian economy. Rome mayor Walter Veltroni offered the Eternal city as a possible location for the talks, saying, "If a peace conference for the Middle East is held, then Rome would be the ideal venue."From the point of view of biblical prophecy it is highly likely that some kind of peace deal will emerge involving Rome and the European Union acting as mediators. Whether that involves the characters in power at the time of writing this remains to be seen, but in many ways we see the stage being set for a peace treaty, which will tie in with the prophecies of the Bible.
It is interesting that the Oslo Accords broke down exactly seven years after the signing ceremony in Washington. Instead of a final peace ceremony, the world's TV screens were filled with images of Israeli soldiers fighting with Palestinians on the Temple Mount, as the Al Aqsa Intifada began. Oslo was a kind of dry run of the final peace treaty, which is coming, which will end up seven years later with the armies of the world gathering at Armageddon!Watch this space.
Tony Pearce
Friday, July 21, 2006
SRN Website - IT issues being resolved
Dear friends,
if you have been to the Spiritual Research Network Website today, July 21, you will notice many photos missing. We have had some techical issues and will be back up to normal as soon as possible.
Thanks for your patience,
~Chris Lawson at SRN
if you have been to the Spiritual Research Network Website today, July 21, you will notice many photos missing. We have had some techical issues and will be back up to normal as soon as possible.
Thanks for your patience,
~Chris Lawson at SRN
Aspen Revisited -- Philanthropy & Ideas
The following is a very interestin article that was posteed on the HERESCOPE BLOG. There is certainly much more going on with Neo-Evangelicals than meets the eye. I wonder if the people in Rick Warren's Church know about all this?
~Chris at SRN
~~~~~~~~~~~
Aspen Revisited -- Philanthropy & Ideas
Source: HERESCOPE - posted by Discernment Research Group - July 21, 2006
- Neoevangelical leaders are fraternizing in the highest echelons of intellectual and global political societies these days. Last year this Aspen Ideas Festival became known among evangelicals because Saddleback pastor Rick Warren was invited to attend.
Bob Buford of the Leadership Network, who has been closely connected with both Peter Drucker (the management guru) and Rick Warren, wrote of his recent trip to Aspen, Colorado to hobnob with the global elites. Keep in mind as you read Buford's description, that this is the man who has trained an entire generation of Christian pastors and leaders in the Drucker 3-legged stool of Society model:
"As some of you know, Linda and I set aside six weeks each year in Aspen.…
"Under the direction of Walter Isaacson, The Aspen Institute is doing a remarkable job of being bipartisan and essentially creating a civil, new center in American political thought. The Aspen Ideas Festival is the most remarkable buffet of current big thinkers. Almost 200 speakers are offered across the period of a week, with sessions running from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. – more than anyone could conceivably consume. Just on the luminary side, one could hear two U.S. Supreme Court justices (Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen Breyer), the last two and the current secretaries of state ( Colin Powell , Madeleine Albright, and Condoleezza Rice ). In economics, there was Alan Greenspan and Larry Summers, the just deposed president of Harvard, who had been Bill Clinton’s secretary of the treasury, along with a batch of very savvy investment bankers and money people. Walter Isaacson is working hard to spice this mix with current evangelical Christian religious superstars – Rick Warren last year and T.D. Jakes and Ted Haggard, head of the National Association of Evangelicals, this year." [emphasis added]
Bob Buford mentions in his letter that he also attended another seminar, the Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy:
"A couple of days after the Ideas Festival, I attended an Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy. It was small and cozy by comparison with the massive Ideas Festival and the philanthropists came from Columbia, Costa Rica, London, and around the United States. One of my favorite, but seldom seen friends, the peripatetic Mort Meyerson, was one of a small group of twenty. He’s a prophet and genuine wise man. So I got to look at things from his perspective as well as my own. The first evening gathering featured an intimate reception and Q&A with Bill Gates, Sr. Of all the speakers I heard, he somehow was the most impressive…." [emphasis added]
To read more about these Aspen events see the following urls:
http://tinyurl.com/jgspthttp://tinyurl.com/n39hx
http://www.aspendailynews.com/archive_14921 [must sign up to read]
http://tinyurl.com/et4nf
The Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy [http://tinyurl.com/hs5cn] is described as:
"Donors seeking to bring about lasting social change through philanthropy must be creative and strategic. More than ever before, donors have an opportunity to play the role of catalyst, harnessing the power of individuals, governments, businesses and civil society to work together to address the world’s most pressing problems.
"The Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program and the Global Philanthropy Forum of the World Affairs Council of Northern California have designed The Aspen Institute/Global Philanthropy Forum Seminar for International Donors, a Seminar for both new and experienced philanthropists using philanthropy as a tool for social change. The Seminar invites the participation of philanthropists engaged in or hoping to become engaged in international philanthropy. Philanthropists who have committed significantly to international causes and are looking to achieve strategic impact are encouraged to participate. Participants will explore the roots of social change, through classical readings as well as candid, informal dialogue with leaders and peers." [emphases added]
For more information on the Global Philanthropy Forum which co-sponsored this Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy, see:
http://www.philanthropyforum.org/about/advisory.htm
http://www.philanthropyforum.org/conference/2006/2006archive.htm
http://tinyurl.com/fngdz
A list of Aspens Ideas Festivals Presenters [ http://tinyurl.com/emaoj] included evangelical notables such as Jim Collins, Ted Haggard, T.D. Jakes, Richard Land and Jim Wallis. This is a prominent list of wealthy elites, education reform experts, corporate leaders, political leaders. Reporting cynically on several of the evangelical keynote speakers was Ross Douthat on a theatlantic.com blog, entitled "God, Kitsch, and Crisis," which gives a peek into the evangelical speeches:
"This morning I dropped in on two discussions - a panel on American evangelicals with Richard Land, Ted Haggard, Peter Gomes, and Jim Wallis, and a smaller, irresistibly-titled presentation on "Kitsch and the Crisis of the West," by the Dutch thinker Rob Riemen. If you follow debates over religion and politics, there weren't that many surprises to be found at the evangelical jaw-jaw. Wallis argued (as he has for years) that Christians should worry more about poverty than about abortion; Land and Haggard advanced the usual evangelical "there's more to us than most secular elites think" line, while pointing out that they do care about poverty, thank you very much; Gomes was Gomesish (that is, charming, erudite, and faintly slippery); everybody agreed that the Da Vinci Code is hokum . . . and a good time was had by all, except the fellow sitting near me who said afterward that he wanted to throw something at the panelists. (I don't think there are many evangelicals, or evangelical-sympathizers, among the festival-goers.) And it's a little wearying how the same old chestnuts get trotted out year after year in the religion-and-politics debate, whether it's Land referencing (doubtless for the thousandth time) the Washington Post reporter who called evangelicals "poor, uneducated, and easily led" about fifteen years ago, or Wallis unburdening himself of the well-worn and rather dubious line that if you're an unborn child, you should stay in the womb, because religious conservatives won't care about you when you're out." [emphasis added]
For further reading on the significance of the Aspen Institute, see an important historical paper by Judy McLemore posted at http://www.discernment-ministries.org/TheAspenPaper.pdf .
The Truth:
Rick Warren and neoevangelical leaders are working on "advancing" a global kingdom for Christ and are aggressively and rapidly moving forward in the arenas of philanthropy. Philanthropy has historically been a useful vehicle to transform societies, leveraging change via funding mechanisms and machinations of social change. The apostles and prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation have been predicting a great outpouring of wealth to assist them in their kingdom-building endeavors. This report on the two Aspen seminars sheds considerable light on how neoevangelical leaders are being groomed to fit into the international global order scheme.
"Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/07/aspen-revisited-philanthropy-ideas.html
~Chris at SRN
~~~~~~~~~~~
Aspen Revisited -- Philanthropy & Ideas
Source: HERESCOPE - posted by Discernment Research Group - July 21, 2006
- Neoevangelical leaders are fraternizing in the highest echelons of intellectual and global political societies these days. Last year this Aspen Ideas Festival became known among evangelicals because Saddleback pastor Rick Warren was invited to attend.
Bob Buford of the Leadership Network, who has been closely connected with both Peter Drucker (the management guru) and Rick Warren, wrote of his recent trip to Aspen, Colorado to hobnob with the global elites. Keep in mind as you read Buford's description, that this is the man who has trained an entire generation of Christian pastors and leaders in the Drucker 3-legged stool of Society model:
"As some of you know, Linda and I set aside six weeks each year in Aspen.…
"Under the direction of Walter Isaacson, The Aspen Institute is doing a remarkable job of being bipartisan and essentially creating a civil, new center in American political thought. The Aspen Ideas Festival is the most remarkable buffet of current big thinkers. Almost 200 speakers are offered across the period of a week, with sessions running from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. – more than anyone could conceivably consume. Just on the luminary side, one could hear two U.S. Supreme Court justices (Sandra Day O’Connor and Stephen Breyer), the last two and the current secretaries of state ( Colin Powell , Madeleine Albright, and Condoleezza Rice ). In economics, there was Alan Greenspan and Larry Summers, the just deposed president of Harvard, who had been Bill Clinton’s secretary of the treasury, along with a batch of very savvy investment bankers and money people. Walter Isaacson is working hard to spice this mix with current evangelical Christian religious superstars – Rick Warren last year and T.D. Jakes and Ted Haggard, head of the National Association of Evangelicals, this year." [emphasis added]
Bob Buford mentions in his letter that he also attended another seminar, the Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy:
"A couple of days after the Ideas Festival, I attended an Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy. It was small and cozy by comparison with the massive Ideas Festival and the philanthropists came from Columbia, Costa Rica, London, and around the United States. One of my favorite, but seldom seen friends, the peripatetic Mort Meyerson, was one of a small group of twenty. He’s a prophet and genuine wise man. So I got to look at things from his perspective as well as my own. The first evening gathering featured an intimate reception and Q&A with Bill Gates, Sr. Of all the speakers I heard, he somehow was the most impressive…." [emphasis added]
To read more about these Aspen events see the following urls:
http://tinyurl.com/jgspthttp://tinyurl.com/n39hx
http://www.aspendailynews.com/archive_14921 [must sign up to read]
http://tinyurl.com/et4nf
The Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy [http://tinyurl.com/hs5cn] is described as:
"Donors seeking to bring about lasting social change through philanthropy must be creative and strategic. More than ever before, donors have an opportunity to play the role of catalyst, harnessing the power of individuals, governments, businesses and civil society to work together to address the world’s most pressing problems.
"The Aspen Institute Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Program and the Global Philanthropy Forum of the World Affairs Council of Northern California have designed The Aspen Institute/Global Philanthropy Forum Seminar for International Donors, a Seminar for both new and experienced philanthropists using philanthropy as a tool for social change. The Seminar invites the participation of philanthropists engaged in or hoping to become engaged in international philanthropy. Philanthropists who have committed significantly to international causes and are looking to achieve strategic impact are encouraged to participate. Participants will explore the roots of social change, through classical readings as well as candid, informal dialogue with leaders and peers." [emphases added]
For more information on the Global Philanthropy Forum which co-sponsored this Aspen Institute Seminar on International Philanthropy, see:
http://www.philanthropyforum.org/about/advisory.htm
http://www.philanthropyforum.org/conference/2006/2006archive.htm
http://tinyurl.com/fngdz
A list of Aspens Ideas Festivals Presenters [ http://tinyurl.com/emaoj] included evangelical notables such as Jim Collins, Ted Haggard, T.D. Jakes, Richard Land and Jim Wallis. This is a prominent list of wealthy elites, education reform experts, corporate leaders, political leaders. Reporting cynically on several of the evangelical keynote speakers was Ross Douthat on a theatlantic.com blog, entitled "God, Kitsch, and Crisis," which gives a peek into the evangelical speeches:
"This morning I dropped in on two discussions - a panel on American evangelicals with Richard Land, Ted Haggard, Peter Gomes, and Jim Wallis, and a smaller, irresistibly-titled presentation on "Kitsch and the Crisis of the West," by the Dutch thinker Rob Riemen. If you follow debates over religion and politics, there weren't that many surprises to be found at the evangelical jaw-jaw. Wallis argued (as he has for years) that Christians should worry more about poverty than about abortion; Land and Haggard advanced the usual evangelical "there's more to us than most secular elites think" line, while pointing out that they do care about poverty, thank you very much; Gomes was Gomesish (that is, charming, erudite, and faintly slippery); everybody agreed that the Da Vinci Code is hokum . . . and a good time was had by all, except the fellow sitting near me who said afterward that he wanted to throw something at the panelists. (I don't think there are many evangelicals, or evangelical-sympathizers, among the festival-goers.) And it's a little wearying how the same old chestnuts get trotted out year after year in the religion-and-politics debate, whether it's Land referencing (doubtless for the thousandth time) the Washington Post reporter who called evangelicals "poor, uneducated, and easily led" about fifteen years ago, or Wallis unburdening himself of the well-worn and rather dubious line that if you're an unborn child, you should stay in the womb, because religious conservatives won't care about you when you're out." [emphasis added]
For further reading on the significance of the Aspen Institute, see an important historical paper by Judy McLemore posted at http://www.discernment-ministries.org/TheAspenPaper.pdf .
The Truth:
Rick Warren and neoevangelical leaders are working on "advancing" a global kingdom for Christ and are aggressively and rapidly moving forward in the arenas of philanthropy. Philanthropy has historically been a useful vehicle to transform societies, leveraging change via funding mechanisms and machinations of social change. The apostles and prophets of the New Apostolic Reformation have been predicting a great outpouring of wealth to assist them in their kingdom-building endeavors. This report on the two Aspen seminars sheds considerable light on how neoevangelical leaders are being groomed to fit into the international global order scheme.
"Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." (Ecclesiastes 4:6)
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/07/aspen-revisited-philanthropy-ideas.html
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Contemplative Prayer?
Contemplative prayer stuff is dangerous folks.
I caution everyone to stay away from making the mind 'passive' during prayer. God never intends us to go into neutral when we pray but to make our requests known to Him based on His word, etc.
There is a huge ...MASSIVE...amount of stuff from many different good discernment ministries that is exposing contemplative - centering prayer. Basically the centering prayer 'method' comes from the East and has been integrated into "Christianity" by contemplatives such as Thomas Merton, Bede Griffiths, etc.
Here is our SRN page on Contemplative and the dangers contemplative stuff gets into.
Richard Foster is por-contemplative according to his book Celebration of Discipline. Here is a Richard Foster archive at Lighthouse Trails Research Project
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/researchtopics.htm#F
Do A POWER SEARCH here!
Emerging Church Discernment POWER Search
...and here you can fire away and see the mass of stuff about the dangers of the Contemplative Spirituality approach.
Contemplative Spirituality Discernment Research Archives
Apprising Ministries Contemplative Spirituality Archive
Christian Research Service Contemplative Archive
Critical Issues Commentary Archive
Eastern Regional Watch Archive
Kjos Ministries ArchiveLet Us Reason Archive
Lighthouse Trails Research Project Archive
One Truth Ministries
Spiritual Research Network Contemplative Archive
Understand The Times Archive
We have many books in our research library that have to do with mysticism, Buddhism, Hindu prayer techniques, etc. And I also have Richard Fosters book [s]. When I match up his "method" for getting in touch with the "Divine", it parallels Eastern religious techniques to a scary degree.
We encourage people to stick with the basics of reading the Word and praying as we have always done...and always been blessed by God in doing so. No need to go out on the fringe with so many others who seek an experience before seeking the Word and knowing THE WORD... through His Word.
The Bible on Prayer: “Let nothing hinder thee from praying always” (Eccl.18:22); “Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk. 21:36); “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12); “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18); “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2); “I desire therefore that men should pray in every place, lifting holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8); “Pray without ceasing” (5:17).
Pray on folks and "Test all things, hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from every appearance of evil" (1 Thess.5:21).
~SRN
I caution everyone to stay away from making the mind 'passive' during prayer. God never intends us to go into neutral when we pray but to make our requests known to Him based on His word, etc.
There is a huge ...MASSIVE...amount of stuff from many different good discernment ministries that is exposing contemplative - centering prayer. Basically the centering prayer 'method' comes from the East and has been integrated into "Christianity" by contemplatives such as Thomas Merton, Bede Griffiths, etc.
Here is our SRN page on Contemplative and the dangers contemplative stuff gets into.
Richard Foster is por-contemplative according to his book Celebration of Discipline. Here is a Richard Foster archive at Lighthouse Trails Research Project
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/researchtopics.htm#F
Do A POWER SEARCH here!
Emerging Church Discernment POWER Search
...and here you can fire away and see the mass of stuff about the dangers of the Contemplative Spirituality approach.
Contemplative Spirituality Discernment Research Archives
Apprising Ministries Contemplative Spirituality Archive
Christian Research Service Contemplative Archive
Critical Issues Commentary Archive
Eastern Regional Watch Archive
Kjos Ministries ArchiveLet Us Reason Archive
Lighthouse Trails Research Project Archive
One Truth Ministries
Spiritual Research Network Contemplative Archive
Understand The Times Archive
We have many books in our research library that have to do with mysticism, Buddhism, Hindu prayer techniques, etc. And I also have Richard Fosters book [s]. When I match up his "method" for getting in touch with the "Divine", it parallels Eastern religious techniques to a scary degree.
We encourage people to stick with the basics of reading the Word and praying as we have always done...and always been blessed by God in doing so. No need to go out on the fringe with so many others who seek an experience before seeking the Word and knowing THE WORD... through His Word.
The Bible on Prayer: “Let nothing hinder thee from praying always” (Eccl.18:22); “Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Lk. 21:36); “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12); “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18); “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2); “I desire therefore that men should pray in every place, lifting holy hands” (1 Tim. 2:8); “Pray without ceasing” (5:17).
Pray on folks and "Test all things, hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from every appearance of evil" (1 Thess.5:21).
~SRN
World Methodists to sign up to Lutheran-Catholic Agreement
World Methodists to sign up to Lutheran-Catholic Agreement
~~~~~~
The statement below, after my opening remarks and before my conclusion, was posted on the Ecumenical News International E-Update.
As I read the statement below I think about the Wesley brothers that traveled on horse and foot preaching the Gospel and singing hyms to the Almighty God of the universe. If only they knew how bad things would get in Methodism they would have cried their eyes out.
I recently traveled through the Yorkshire Dales in England, ... back in the middle of nowhere... where these men and many others led people to Jesus Christ by preaching the Gospel of Biblical justification. In opposition to ROME and the HERESIES that she has produced through the centuries, Biblical justification stands as the center of true Biblical, Gospel salvation.
It is a crying shame that the power of satanic blindness has fallen across the brows and eyes of "Methodism", something that started out with the truths of Scripture, and has now almost completely become an apostate ecumenical delusion in most quarters. This ought not to be so! Read the statement from ENI...
~~~~~
World Methodists to sign up to Lutheran-Catholic agreement
Ecumenical News International News Highlights, 19 July 2006
Geneva (ENI).
A global gathering of Methodist churches is set to sign up to a groundbreaking agreement between Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the doctrine of justification, a key doctrinal question at the time of the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
"This was one of the issues that created the split that formed
the Protestant church," said
the Rev. George H. Freeman, general secretary of the World Methodist Council. He was peaking in advance of the World Methodist Conference in Seoul. [575 words, ENI-06-0577]
~~~~~~~~~
What would the Wesley's and the reformers of the 16th century Reformation think if they read this today? These people who are making these ecumenical decisions know exactly what they are rejecting. If they really stood for the truth of Scripture they would not be joining hands with Rome. But they are rejecting Scriputre. In doing so they are rejecting the God of Scripture.
All servants, friends and ministers of the Biblical Jesus, Biblical justification, and balanced Biblical truth...we must adhere to the Word of God lest we too drift away in the flood of apostasy.
As time goes on we will continue to see more of the very large, international, mainline Christian denominations signing up with the Roman Catholic Church. This is no secret, it is mass apostasy. This is simply one more proof that the great apostasy is blooming bigger and stronger and more powerful than most people would have ever considered.
No wonder the Apostle John was undone when he saw the vision of the woman dressed in scarlet riding the beast. The Roman Catholic church has been recognized throughout the centuries as the Great whore of Babylyon. Today, more than ever, she, Rome, is gainging momentum with un precedented effectiveness. The Roman Catholic Church is absorbing 21st century protestantism as 21st century protestantism continues to apostasize.
How is this happening? Infiltration! Divide and Conquer! False teachers creeping in unawares! The numbing of Christians! Apathy, dullness, compromise, carelessness! The ultimate oxymoron - "Unsaved Christian Ministers"! Counterfeit converts! False teachers! Ecumenism! Dialogue without truth! UNity around a lie! Lack of Biblical teaching on the BASICS of salvation! Dumbing down the Gospel! Feel good Christianity that loves experience instead of truth! Ecumenical Jihad! And of course...Eucharistic adoration that undermines the cross, the Person of Christ, the Holiness of God, Biblical justification, etc.
Think on this, Roman Catholic and "Protestants" joining arms and trampling the the truths of Biblical justification under foot; forgetting all the men and women who shed their own blood to stand up for the Bible and what justification really means. And most of all, forsaking their LORD who died so that sinners might be J U S T I F I E D - delcared 100% totally righteous before All Holy God. THIS TRUTH IS CONSIDERED TO BE BLASPHEMY TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND IS STILL UNDER THE ANATHEMAS PRONOUNDED AT THE COUNCIL OF TRENT - WHICH ROME UPHOLDS TODAY AND STILL APPLIES TO ALL TRUE "PROTESTANTS". ...And we could also say, according to Rome, every single person who believes in Biblical justification but would prefer not to call themselves "Protestants".
Folks, the day to "nail your colors to the mast" is here. Will it be Rome or the Bible for you? If you do not understand the Scriptures as well as the dangers of Rome, you will succumb to the apostate flood! Rome never changes! Choose this day whom you will serve...the Biblical Jesus or worldly ecumenism. I encourage you to spend one hour comparing your Bible to the doctrines of Rome, you will be shocked at what you find! Here is a suggested website in favor of Biblical justification http://www.pro-gospel.org/ .
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jude 3-4
~Chris at SRN
~~~~~~
The statement below, after my opening remarks and before my conclusion, was posted on the Ecumenical News International E-Update.
As I read the statement below I think about the Wesley brothers that traveled on horse and foot preaching the Gospel and singing hyms to the Almighty God of the universe. If only they knew how bad things would get in Methodism they would have cried their eyes out.
I recently traveled through the Yorkshire Dales in England, ... back in the middle of nowhere... where these men and many others led people to Jesus Christ by preaching the Gospel of Biblical justification. In opposition to ROME and the HERESIES that she has produced through the centuries, Biblical justification stands as the center of true Biblical, Gospel salvation.
It is a crying shame that the power of satanic blindness has fallen across the brows and eyes of "Methodism", something that started out with the truths of Scripture, and has now almost completely become an apostate ecumenical delusion in most quarters. This ought not to be so! Read the statement from ENI...
~~~~~
World Methodists to sign up to Lutheran-Catholic agreement
Ecumenical News International News Highlights, 19 July 2006
Geneva (ENI).
A global gathering of Methodist churches is set to sign up to a groundbreaking agreement between Lutherans and Roman Catholics on the doctrine of justification, a key doctrinal question at the time of the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
"This was one of the issues that created the split that formed
the Protestant church," said
the Rev. George H. Freeman, general secretary of the World Methodist Council. He was peaking in advance of the World Methodist Conference in Seoul. [575 words, ENI-06-0577]
~~~~~~~~~
What would the Wesley's and the reformers of the 16th century Reformation think if they read this today? These people who are making these ecumenical decisions know exactly what they are rejecting. If they really stood for the truth of Scripture they would not be joining hands with Rome. But they are rejecting Scriputre. In doing so they are rejecting the God of Scripture.
All servants, friends and ministers of the Biblical Jesus, Biblical justification, and balanced Biblical truth...we must adhere to the Word of God lest we too drift away in the flood of apostasy.
As time goes on we will continue to see more of the very large, international, mainline Christian denominations signing up with the Roman Catholic Church. This is no secret, it is mass apostasy. This is simply one more proof that the great apostasy is blooming bigger and stronger and more powerful than most people would have ever considered.
No wonder the Apostle John was undone when he saw the vision of the woman dressed in scarlet riding the beast. The Roman Catholic church has been recognized throughout the centuries as the Great whore of Babylyon. Today, more than ever, she, Rome, is gainging momentum with un precedented effectiveness. The Roman Catholic Church is absorbing 21st century protestantism as 21st century protestantism continues to apostasize.
How is this happening? Infiltration! Divide and Conquer! False teachers creeping in unawares! The numbing of Christians! Apathy, dullness, compromise, carelessness! The ultimate oxymoron - "Unsaved Christian Ministers"! Counterfeit converts! False teachers! Ecumenism! Dialogue without truth! UNity around a lie! Lack of Biblical teaching on the BASICS of salvation! Dumbing down the Gospel! Feel good Christianity that loves experience instead of truth! Ecumenical Jihad! And of course...Eucharistic adoration that undermines the cross, the Person of Christ, the Holiness of God, Biblical justification, etc.
Think on this, Roman Catholic and "Protestants" joining arms and trampling the the truths of Biblical justification under foot; forgetting all the men and women who shed their own blood to stand up for the Bible and what justification really means. And most of all, forsaking their LORD who died so that sinners might be J U S T I F I E D - delcared 100% totally righteous before All Holy God. THIS TRUTH IS CONSIDERED TO BE BLASPHEMY TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AND IS STILL UNDER THE ANATHEMAS PRONOUNDED AT THE COUNCIL OF TRENT - WHICH ROME UPHOLDS TODAY AND STILL APPLIES TO ALL TRUE "PROTESTANTS". ...And we could also say, according to Rome, every single person who believes in Biblical justification but would prefer not to call themselves "Protestants".
Folks, the day to "nail your colors to the mast" is here. Will it be Rome or the Bible for you? If you do not understand the Scriptures as well as the dangers of Rome, you will succumb to the apostate flood! Rome never changes! Choose this day whom you will serve...the Biblical Jesus or worldly ecumenism. I encourage you to spend one hour comparing your Bible to the doctrines of Rome, you will be shocked at what you find! Here is a suggested website in favor of Biblical justification http://www.pro-gospel.org/ .
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."
Jude 3-4
~Chris at SRN
Monday, July 17, 2006
Rick Warren Shares Stage With Heretics - Rick Warren and the Hillsong 2006 Conference
Rick Warren Shares Stage With Heretics
Rick Warren and the Hillsong 2006 Conference
submitted by Bud Press, Christian Research Ministry
Rick Warren will be sharing the same format at the Hillsong 2006 Conference with the following Keynote Speakers. To find out more about these heretics, click on the links below their names.
Reinhard Bonnke (close friend to Benny Hinn and Word of Faith RHEMA teacher):
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/rbonnke.html
Bill Hybels
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/warrenandblanchard.htm
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/churchgrowth.html#bhybels
Jentezen Franklin (Trinity Broadcasting Network favorite):
http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/24.html
Rick Godwin:
http://www.ondoctrine.com/10godwin.htm
The fact that Warren has no problem sharing the stage with heretics proves, yet again, that he himself is a false teacher. Warren's stated mentors are themselves heretics:
Robert Schuller
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/word-faith.html#rschuller
C. Peter Wagner (head false apostle of the New Apostolic Reformation)
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/newapostolic.html
Rick Warren and the Hillsong 2006 Conference
submitted by Bud Press, Christian Research Ministry
Rick Warren will be sharing the same format at the Hillsong 2006 Conference with the following Keynote Speakers. To find out more about these heretics, click on the links below their names.
Reinhard Bonnke (close friend to Benny Hinn and Word of Faith RHEMA teacher):
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/rbonnke.html
Bill Hybels
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/warrenandblanchard.htm
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/churchgrowth.html#bhybels
Jentezen Franklin (Trinity Broadcasting Network favorite):
http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/24.html
Rick Godwin:
http://www.ondoctrine.com/10godwin.htm
The fact that Warren has no problem sharing the stage with heretics proves, yet again, that he himself is a false teacher. Warren's stated mentors are themselves heretics:
Robert Schuller
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/word-faith.html#rschuller
C. Peter Wagner (head false apostle of the New Apostolic Reformation)
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/newapostolic.html
The First Nations Movement - Deceiving The Nations!
Here is an excellent new discernment resource on The First Nations Movement - from Deception In The Church
Critical Missiological Issue!
The "Indigenous People's" (IPM) or "First Nations" movement is an unbiblical movement teaching heresies and doctrines of demons. It is being spread worldwide by YWAM, Don Richardson, John Dawson, Richard Twiss, Terry LeBlanc, Daniel Kikawa, Danny Lehmann and many other adherents.
The IPM is full of the false teachings of the Third Wave, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Word-Faith, Dominionism, Latter Rain and many other false theological systems. But it does have it's own distinctives that are driven by the works of Daniel Kikawa, Richard Twiss, and Don Richardson in particular. They are teaching Christians to “redeem” their cultures by worshipping their former gods, pretending they are YHWH.
Read Articles About the First Nations Movement at Deception In The Church
More False "First Nations" Teachings - On Genesis 11:1-9 (Babel) & Acts 17:18-34 (Mars Hill) by Sandy Simpson, 5/4/06
This article is written to expose another false teaching based on a misinterpretation of Scripture, namely the Genesis 11:1-9 account of the tower of Babel.
11 Reasons To Reject The Teachings Of The Indigenous People's Movement by Sandy Simpson, 3/4/06
When you mythologize religion and ignore the clear teachings of the Bible, as above, in order to make people feel better about themselves and their cultures, you are effectively preaching another gospel. Don't have time for this 24 page article? Try the shortened 16 page version here.
A Call To The Nations?
Unbiblical teachings by the organizers and participants of this conference including Richard Twiss, Daniel Kikawa, Aloha Ke Akua and YWAM
by Sandy Simpson, 4/28/05
Critical Missiological Issue!
The "Indigenous People's" (IPM) or "First Nations" movement is an unbiblical movement teaching heresies and doctrines of demons. It is being spread worldwide by YWAM, Don Richardson, John Dawson, Richard Twiss, Terry LeBlanc, Daniel Kikawa, Danny Lehmann and many other adherents.
The IPM is full of the false teachings of the Third Wave, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Word-Faith, Dominionism, Latter Rain and many other false theological systems. But it does have it's own distinctives that are driven by the works of Daniel Kikawa, Richard Twiss, and Don Richardson in particular. They are teaching Christians to “redeem” their cultures by worshipping their former gods, pretending they are YHWH.
Read Articles About the First Nations Movement at Deception In The Church
More False "First Nations" Teachings - On Genesis 11:1-9 (Babel) & Acts 17:18-34 (Mars Hill) by Sandy Simpson, 5/4/06
This article is written to expose another false teaching based on a misinterpretation of Scripture, namely the Genesis 11:1-9 account of the tower of Babel.
11 Reasons To Reject The Teachings Of The Indigenous People's Movement by Sandy Simpson, 3/4/06
When you mythologize religion and ignore the clear teachings of the Bible, as above, in order to make people feel better about themselves and their cultures, you are effectively preaching another gospel. Don't have time for this 24 page article? Try the shortened 16 page version here.
A Call To The Nations?
Unbiblical teachings by the organizers and participants of this conference including Richard Twiss, Daniel Kikawa, Aloha Ke Akua and YWAM
by Sandy Simpson, 4/28/05
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Freemasonry Alive And Well In 21st Century
Freemasonry alive and well in 21st century
REUTERS - By Jeremy Lovell - July 13, 2006 - LONDON
- Freemasonry is alive and well in the 21st century as people seek sanctuary from the tribulations of everyday life, a masonic historian said on Wednesday.
Steeped in history and surrounded by myth, the highly secretive society which some believe dates back to the Knights Templar, claims five million members worldwide spread from New Zealand to South Africa and the United States.
"A lot of people are finding in the 21st century that organised religion is not answering their needs, and for some people Freemasonry is that answer," Diane Clements, director of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry said.
"This is basically an 18th century organisation operating in the 21st century, but membership is healthy and fairly stable," she told Reuters on a tour of masonic headquarters in central London ahead of the opening of an exhibition about the building.
Modern Freemasonry with its plethora of arcane symbols and paraphernalia and secret rituals dates its origins back to 1717 when four groups or lodges met in the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St Pauls to form the Grand Lodge of England.
The first headquarters on the current site on Great Queen Street near Covent Garden in London opened in May 1776 and through the centuries Freemasonry has attracted membership and patronage from amongst the highest in the land -- including future kings."This is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world," Clements said. "From here Freemasonry spread across the world through trade and commerce."
"The three precepts of a Freemason are brotherly love, charity and honesty. People used to be invited to join. Now we get some walking in off the street," she added.
Clements said membership in England and Wales was about 250,000 people spread among some 9,000 lodges.
There are separate Grand Lodges in Scotland and Ireland and across the globe. There is no overarching body.
The current London headquarters -- a large Portland Stone building with few windows onto the street and a muscular presence -- was opened in 1933 to commemorate Freemasons who were killed in World War One.
Inside all is polished stone, echoing hallways, coloured glass, dark wooden panelling and vaulted rooms with little natural light.
"The world is a very pressured place. People work long hours. They feel this is a refuge from the outside world. They can come here, close the door and be calm," Clements said.
"To qualify to join you must be male, over 21 and believe in a supreme being -- any supreme being. This is not a religious organisation. You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, it doesn't matter," she added.
She rejected the description of Freemasonry as a secret society with tentacles on the levers of power worldwide, saying abuse of position was punishable by expulsion.But she did accept that different lodges might apply differing interpretations of the rules.
Read Article ...
REUTERS - By Jeremy Lovell - July 13, 2006 - LONDON
- Freemasonry is alive and well in the 21st century as people seek sanctuary from the tribulations of everyday life, a masonic historian said on Wednesday.
Steeped in history and surrounded by myth, the highly secretive society which some believe dates back to the Knights Templar, claims five million members worldwide spread from New Zealand to South Africa and the United States.
"A lot of people are finding in the 21st century that organised religion is not answering their needs, and for some people Freemasonry is that answer," Diane Clements, director of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry said.
"This is basically an 18th century organisation operating in the 21st century, but membership is healthy and fairly stable," she told Reuters on a tour of masonic headquarters in central London ahead of the opening of an exhibition about the building.
Modern Freemasonry with its plethora of arcane symbols and paraphernalia and secret rituals dates its origins back to 1717 when four groups or lodges met in the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in St Pauls to form the Grand Lodge of England.
The first headquarters on the current site on Great Queen Street near Covent Garden in London opened in May 1776 and through the centuries Freemasonry has attracted membership and patronage from amongst the highest in the land -- including future kings."This is the oldest Grand Lodge in the world," Clements said. "From here Freemasonry spread across the world through trade and commerce."
"The three precepts of a Freemason are brotherly love, charity and honesty. People used to be invited to join. Now we get some walking in off the street," she added.
Clements said membership in England and Wales was about 250,000 people spread among some 9,000 lodges.
There are separate Grand Lodges in Scotland and Ireland and across the globe. There is no overarching body.
The current London headquarters -- a large Portland Stone building with few windows onto the street and a muscular presence -- was opened in 1933 to commemorate Freemasons who were killed in World War One.
Inside all is polished stone, echoing hallways, coloured glass, dark wooden panelling and vaulted rooms with little natural light.
"The world is a very pressured place. People work long hours. They feel this is a refuge from the outside world. They can come here, close the door and be calm," Clements said.
"To qualify to join you must be male, over 21 and believe in a supreme being -- any supreme being. This is not a religious organisation. You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, it doesn't matter," she added.
She rejected the description of Freemasonry as a secret society with tentacles on the levers of power worldwide, saying abuse of position was punishable by expulsion.But she did accept that different lodges might apply differing interpretations of the rules.
Read Article ...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Bomb Attack on Bombay Trains Kills 147
Bomb attack on Bombay trains kills 147
BOMBAY, India - Eight bombs hit Bombay's commuter rail network during rush hour Tuesday evening, killing at least 147 people and wounding more than 400 in what authorities called a well-coordinated terrorist attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the bombings, which came in quick succession — a common tactic employed by Kashmiri militants. The blasts came hours after a series of grenade attacks by Islamic extremists killed eight people in the main city of India's part of Kashmir.
India's major cities were put on high alert. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened an emergency Cabinet meeting and said that "terrorists" were behind the attacks, which he called "shocking and cowardly attempts to spread a feeling of fear and terror among our citizens."
Read full article...
BOMBAY, India - Eight bombs hit Bombay's commuter rail network during rush hour Tuesday evening, killing at least 147 people and wounding more than 400 in what authorities called a well-coordinated terrorist attack.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the bombings, which came in quick succession — a common tactic employed by Kashmiri militants. The blasts came hours after a series of grenade attacks by Islamic extremists killed eight people in the main city of India's part of Kashmir.
India's major cities were put on high alert. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened an emergency Cabinet meeting and said that "terrorists" were behind the attacks, which he called "shocking and cowardly attempts to spread a feeling of fear and terror among our citizens."
Read full article...
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