The New Enlightenment Pt. 3

Acts 19:18-20 ~ "And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

One of the most dynamic aspects of the New Consciousness is the partnerships that have been developed to proliferate ideas and the enlightenment’s agendas. As stated in The New Enlightenment Pt. 1, New Ageism is currently being taught amongst secular corporations under the guise of worker productivity training, schools under the guise of literacy training and efficient learning techniques and in formal education venues under the guise of transcendental meditation and personal performance and confidence building.

Even health clubs have joined the fray by instituting programs such as Yoga, hypnotism and self-centering. There are NBA coaches such as Phil Jackson aka "The Zen Master", who are known for their practices of Zen Buddhism, which teaches that Zen is the way to the Buddha, which is the way to the mind which is the way to the "nature" (spiritual nature) which is the way to god because all is god. (Say What?)

Hollywood further promotes the New Enlightenment. One of it’s most famous and celebrated series ever in history was "Star Wars" by George Lucas, who admittedly introduced Yoda as a good "Zen Master" in order to draw contrasts between good and evil forces. ("Rolling Stone July 24th 1980 pg. 37) Still other stars such as John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and reportedly even Will Smith are avid Scientologists, who believe in the preeminence of the mind, Pantheism (all is God) and many metaphysical constructs clearly taught within the new enlightenment.

The food industry has joined the move with new, appealing, energy and conscience enhancing foods and drinks such as "Vitamin Water" which offers drink mixtures, some named after many of the 43 elements of the bodhipakkhiyā dhammā (Pali Dhamma) or Qualities Conducive or Related To Enlightenment as found within Buddhism. Even medicines for sexual dysfunction have been given names and variations of names based on eastern religions and constructs. For example Viagra is a variation of the term Viraga (also Buddhism) which means absence of desire. Viraga is one of the six special elements of enlightenment found within the Pali Canon’s Netti discourse.

As stated one of the most prolific examples of this new strategy is the partnership between New York Times Best Selling Author Eckhart Tolle and Oprah Winfrey’s O Web Network. It is reported that there have been over 27 Million downloads of Tolle’s Monday night e-web-cast seminars on the O-Web Network which proliferates the message the book "A New Earth" which is a newly repackaged version of spiritual bondage, eclecticism, mysticism, new ageism, Hinduism, and the new enlightenment in general. Modern history has not witnessed such a wholesale interest in mysticism and non-church spirituality as we are seeing through this book "A New Earth" and Oprah’s Web Network.

The problem is in part because the stage and venue of Oprah Winfrey is large and very popular. This unfortunately, has led to a validation by many of today’s top Christian leaders such a Bishop T.D. Jakes and gospel singers such as Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and of course the Winan Family who have been friends and associates with Oprah before she became famous.

The result is that many Christians trying to find comfort, direction and inspiration have unknowingly been duped and baptized into these mystical teachings unknowingly, some without even questioning the content or spiritual outcomes of following occultism.

So that you that are spiritual can get an idea of just how insidious many of these teachings are, I have decided to summarize some of the more disturbing lessons from Eckhart Tolle’s best seller, "A New Earth."

First, Some History:

According to The Christian Research Institute Mr. Tolle suffered from a rather disturbing childhood in which there was abuse, neglect and a host of experiences unbefitting for a child to suffer. It was during that time at approximately ages 7 to 10 that he began to experience depression and feelings of suicide. In the midst of that despair, reportedly, he suddenly became aware of his interconnectedness with the universe. This feeling of "oneness" with creation eventually led him to begin receiving certain information or "wisdom" regarding life’s circumstances and situations. This cosmic knowledge and teaching has followed him and shaped his work even until today.

Initially, I wondered why Mr. Tolle’s book was simply, "A New Earth" instead of "a new heaven and a new Earth" but it didn’t take long to find the answer:

• "Collective human consciousness and life on our planet are intrinsically connected. "A new heaven" is an emergence of a transformed state of human consciousness, and "a new earth" is a reflection in the physical realm. Since human life and human consciousness are intrinsically one with the life of the planet, as the old consciousness dissolves, there are bound to be synchronistic geographic and climatic natural upheavals in many parts of the planet, some of which we’re already witnessing now." Pg. 23

According to Mr. Tolle we may blame all of the natural tragedies such as hurricaines, global warming, typhoons, earthquakes, volcanoes and other upheaveals on him and Oprah for stirring the human consciousness. I am left to wonder what will happen before the universal consciousness is fully reached. Besides his utter confusion and desire for deification, the concept that jumps out here is Pantheism or "oneness" with all existence, which is an underlying staple of the entire book. In this case human life and human consciousness as "one with the life of the planet" This is further affirmed:

• "...the divine life essence, the one indwelling consciousness or spirit of every creature, every life form, recognize it as one with their own essence and so love it as themselves." Pg. 4
• "Any life form in any realm-mineral, vegetable, animal, or human-can be said to undergo "enlightenment." Pg. 3

Mr. Tolle borrows labels from Hinduism such as "ego" to indicate the "unawakened" individual self (Pg. 7) and "collective Ego" to indicate institutions such as the church or governments in which there is order. Here is what can only be amounted to as a prophecy against "collective ego":

• "We are witnessing not only an unprecedented influx of consciousness at this time but also an entrenchment and intensification of the ego. Some religious institutions will be open to the new consciousness; others will harden their doctrinal positions and become part of all those other manmade structures through which the collective ego will defend itself and "fight back" " Pg. 19
• "But ego is destined to dissolve, and all of its ossified structures, whether they be religious or other institutions, corporations, or governments, will disintegrate from within, no matter how deeply entrenched they appear to be. The most rigid structures, the most impervious to change will collapse first. Pg. 19
• "A significant portion of the earth’s population will soon recognize, if they haven’t already done so, that humanity is now faced with a stark choice: evolve or die." Pg. 21

• "We are coming to the end of not only mythologies but also of ideologies and belief systems." Pg. 21

The book itself is a treasure-trove of mysticism and convoluted thoughts. One only need open and read any paragraph and a host of problems are presented. The amazing thing is that he sees clearly what is happening and defines it openly.

• "In Hindu teachings (and sometimes in Buddhism also), this transformation is called enlightenment. In the teachings of Jesus, it is salvation, and in Buddhism, it is the end of suffering. Liberation and awakening are other terms used to describe this transformation." Pg. 13
• "Partially as a result of spiritual teachings that have arisen outside the established religions, but also due to the influx of the ancient eastern wisdom teachings, a growing number of followers of traditional religions are able to let go of identification with form, dogma, and rigid belief systems and discover the original depth that is hidden within their own spiritual tradition at the same time as they discover the depth within themselves. They realize that how spiritual you are has nothing to do with what you believe but everything to do with your state of consciousness." Pg. 18

• "All religions are equally false and equally true, depending on how you use them." Pg. 70

One of the more troublesome issues with Mr. Tolle’s book is his complete and wholesale redefinition of scripture and especially the teachings of Jesus.

On The Holy Spirit’s Roll In The Earth:

• "This is why these three "en-lightened" life forms have played such an important part in the evolution of human consciousness since ancient times; why, for example, the jewel in the lotus flower is a central symbol of Buddhism and a white bird, the dove, signifies the Holy Spirit in Christianity. THEY have been preparing the ground for a profound shift in planetary consciousness that is destined to take place in the human species. This is the spiritual awakening that we are beginning to witness now." Pg. 5

Now, notice in Tolle’s world view the Holy Spirit is working in tandem with Buddhism’s lotus flower the and "crystal" of Hinduism to prepare humanity for a great spiritual awakening. If that wasn’t bad enough he also redefines terms, especially biblical terms, and especially the teachings of Jesus and biblical doctrines. The following are examples:

Redefinition of Sin:

• "According to Christian teachings, the normal collective state of humanity is one of "original sin". Sin is a word that has been greatly misunderstood and misinterpreted. Literally translated from the Greek in which the New Testament was written, sin means to miss the mark, as an archer who misses the target, so to sin means to miss the point of human existence. It means to live unskillfully, blindly, and thus to suffer and cause suffering." Pg. 9

• "This results in a total unawareness of my connectedness with the whole, my intrinsic oneness with every "other" as well as with the source. This forgetfulness is original sin, suffering, delusion. Pg. 22
  

Redefinition Of Heaven:

• "We need to understand here that heaven is not a location but refers to an inner realm of consciousness. This is the esoteric meaning of the word, and this is also the meaning in the teachings of Jesus." Pg. 23

Redefinition Of Humanity's Relationship With God:

• "I am the way the truth and the life." These words uttered by Jesus are one of the most powerful and direct pointers to the Truth, if understood correctly. If misinterpreted however they become a great obstacle. Jesus speaks of the innermost I Am, the essence identity of every man and woman, every life form in fact." Pg. 71

As if that weren’t enough:

• "He (Jesus) speaks of the life that you are. Some Christian mystics have called it the Christ within; Buddhists call it you Buddha nature; for Hindus it’s Atman, the indwelling of God. When you are in touch with that dimension within yourself-and being in touch with it is your natural state, not some miraculous achievement- all your actions and relationships will reflect the oneness with all life that you sense deep within. This is love. Laws commandments, rules and regulations are necessary for those who are cut off from who they are, the Truth within." Pg. 71-72
  
  
• "A new heaven and a new earth are arising within you at this moment, and if they are not arising at this moment they are no more than a thought n your head and therefore not rising at all. What did Jesus tell his disciples?" Heaven is right here in the midst of you." pg. 309-309

Reinterpretation Of Scripture Especially The Meek Inheriting The Earth:

• "...the meek are the egoless. They are those who have awakened to their essential true nature as consciousness and recognize that essence in all "others" all life-forms. They live in a surrendered state and so feel their oneness with the whole and the Source. They embody the awakened consciousness that is changing all aspects of life on our planet, including nature because life on earth is inseparable from the human consciousness that perceives and interacts with it. This is the sense in which the meek will inherit the earth.
  A new species is arising on the planet. It is arising now, and you are it!" Pg. 309

On the atrocities of Christianity towards the world especially during medieval times Mr. Tolle says the following:

• "The truth was considered more important than human life. And what was the Truth? A story you had to believe in; which means a bundle of thoughts." Pg. 70
  

In teaching on "the peace of God that surpasses all understanding" Mr Tolle sums up his observations as such:

• "You realize your true identity as consciousness itself, rather than what consciousness had identified with. That’s the peace of God. The ultimate truth of who you are is not I am this or I am that, but I Am." pg. 57

Mr. Tolle clearly teaches relativism. There is No right and certainly no wrong. In this instance he redefines covetousness as just "consciousness" (ego). He says that it is neither right or wrong.

• "Is it wrong then to be proud of one’s possessions or to feel resentful toward people who have more than you? Not at all." pg. 41

Mr. Tolle's declaration of the self existence of man is clear. He reverberates Exodus 3 where God described himself as "I AM" which is the ultimate statement of self-existence. Just in case one would doubt it he says it even more clearly regarding "truth":

• The truth is inseparable from who you are. Yes, you are the Truth. If you look elsewhere, you will be deceived every time. The very being that you are is truth." Pg. 71

In Tolle’s world the addict, rapist, child abuser and the dedicated, God fearing, law abiding citizen are all morally equal to the truth. There is no commendation or reward for doing the right thing other than becoming "enlightened". Over 27 Million individuals have partaken of this doctrine of devils to some degree.

2 Tim. 4:3-4 ~ " For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables."

The scripture in the beginning of this segment Acts 19: 18-19, is telling. After devils had been cast out in Ephesus, and miracles done among God’s people. People were able to more clearly hear and understand the voice of God. The "many of them that believed" came and "confessed their deeds".

Some interpret this scripture to be regarding only them who beforehand did not know Christ and were coming to saving faith. This is an incorrect interpretation. Although, there may have been individuals who did originally come to Jesus this verse focused on those who already had a conviction of salvation but were "bound" with the wrong practices. The word "believed" or Pisteuo – deals with one who has had a moral conviction and has cone to believe and yield in trust to…

I began to wonder how many Christians had misplaced their trust, placing it in Oprah or Tolle or someone else? How many had picked up some habits and materials that yet bind s their hears and keeps them away from the full experience of blessing in Jesus?

Them that "believed" turned in 50,000 pieces of silver, which is roughly the equivalent of $1,600,000. Being bound is easy, being free comes with a price. Thankfully Jesus has paid it all.

You think this is confined to Oprah and Eckhart Tolle? I've got news for ya. In Pt. 4 we will discover how these same teachings have infiltrated many of our top U.S. corporations through the guise of performance and workplace teaching and training. We’ll show how these same concepts have infiltrated our school systems through literacy education training and seeks to destroy our families through redefining truth and family values.

Blessed!

Additional Resources Regarding Eckhart Tolle:

Paradise Still Lost

by the Christian Research Institute

Additional Resources Regarding The New Enlightenment:

When Skeptics Ask

By Norm Geisler & Ron Brooks

Additional Information:

Read more!

The New Enlightenment Pt.2

Verse 1:
If you just grasp your mind,
then you ought to be able to speak it with your mouth,
it's yours, it's yours...
Verse 2:
If you can just meditate on it,
and then you've got to focus and concentrate on it.
And then you've got to wait on it,
you've got to wait...
Clark Sisters Name It Claim It ~1982

This was one of the most popular songs during the 80’s. I remember many days listening to it, playing the music and hearing it sung in many congregations. Although I understand the aim of the song, to encourage believers to pursue God and all the he has for you; little did I know that the method was unbiblical. The thoughts proliferated through this song would lay the foundation for many churches that would go on to call themselves Word Of Faith and would also inadvertently open many doors for those who taught "Get what you want and need from the Lord by any means necessary"

Now I want to stop for a minute and reaffirm that I LOVE the Clark Sisters and the body of work that they have traditionally produced and do not intend to make them the poster child(ren) for this sort of practice. I only point out how easily these techniques have infiltrated the camp of the righteous and saturated the children of God with the wrong message, inclinations and even practices.

Unfortunately, many have forgotten the spiritual mandate to seek, focus and concentrate on God and HIS Word and nothing else:

• Mt. 6:33 ~ "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
• Lk. 12:30-31 ~ "For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

The new consciousness has duped many believers into the practice of focusing in on what you want in an occultic, religious fervor. I have heard preached messages saying,

• "God can’t give you what you want if you don’t define it, or have a picture of it."

Still others have preached,

• "If you want a man, not just any man will do. Tell God the height, color, skin tone…let God know what you want."

Many of you have heard similar, and have heard what you thought were scriptural admonitions to follow and pursue your hearts desires. This is the danger of the new consciousness. It is based on self, and selfish desires (no matter how noble) The new enlightenment encourages individuals to find

• "your truth" and "your God consciousness."

In the new consciousness self desires and personal pursuits replace the pursuit of God and the primacy of HIS will. God is turned to be a force, presence, or enlightenment found "inside of you". Personal achievements somehow are validations of the approval of God. Therefore, the more members, material, and recognition one can amass, the more approval that God has set on an individual, church or even community. In essence, materialism and both human and individual accomplishment becomes the standard whereby others know you’ve arrived or been successful.

Connectedness and ecumenism ultimately means acceptance of all truth and integration of what is Holy with that which is unholy. The object is to confuse, distort and subjectivize truth, and to create a "my truth/your truth" mentality. The result is a dangerous and intoxicating mixture of self-will, erroneous dogma, blind passion and illegible and indiscernible boundaries in which consciousness, feelings and emotives become god, master and director of individual purpose and place.

As stated previously the new enlightenment specifically implores religious eclecticism which tends to use methods of any or all religious systems and beliefs in order to achieve the overarching goal or goals set forth. Primarily rooted in Eastern mysticism, teachers of the new consciousness use thoughts and philosophies that are based on self cognition, identifiable religious and humanistic philosophies such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrians, and various mind cult philosophies. There is a further potpourri of resurrected metaphysical constructs and demonic world mythologies that God has long since rejected over the course of human history that drive the new consciousness.

One of the most startling elements of this cauldron of damnation, is it’s current validation through institutions of higher educational and corporate venues seeking to enhance the diversity of the educational curriculum and productivity of the workforce. Not to paint a broad brush, but one needs only look at many college curriculums called transcendental meditation, metaphysics and advanced mind science to see the blossoming and burgeoning field of mysticism and mind dynamics in operation within the system of higher education. Simultaneously, one only need look at many of the top Fortune 500 companies to see programs such as Imagine 21, Lifespring and other mind occult and metaphysical philosophies in action with sometimes full endorsement of corporate leadership.

This murky mixture of religion and secularism has nurtured the new consciousness and given rise to a resurgence of "repackaged bondage" suitable to subdue the 21st Century mind. This bondage promotes many methods to achieve the higher consciousness, but there is one method in particular that is consistent to a varying degree in many of these teachings and encouragement in both secular, new age and religious efforts. That is the concept of visualization or meditation as a method to achieve human or spiritual potential, goals or success.

As noted in the Clark Sister’s Song:

Verse 1:

If you just grasp your mind,

then you ought to be able to speak it with your mouth,

it's yours, it's yours...

"Grasp it in your mind"..."speak it with your mouth". These are elements of visualization, meditation and pronunciation, which are common metaphysical techniques and which are often used in tandem and combination to produce the desired physical and metaphysical effects.

Verse 2:

If you can just meditate on it,

and then you've got to focus and concentrate on it.

And then you've got to wait on it,

you've got to wait...

Meditation, "focus" and "concentration" or "visualization", then waiting for a manifestation are the encouragements. Once again these techniques are straight of the mysticism handbook and (hypothetically) can open doors spiritually that individuals are not instructed or ready to open.

• John 10:7-10 ~ "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Pastor Burnett, doesn’t the bible encourage us to meditate? How can you say that I’ve somehow yielded to mysticism? This is what I’ve been taught ever since I’ve been saved.

I will close this segment by saying YES the bible clearly teaches meditation in the following manner:

• Meditation was to be on good things: Phil. 4:8 ~ "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." "Think" here is a Greek word logizomai which literally means to consider, take into account or meditate on. The key here is that meditation was to be on "thing’ in relatinship to God, not man or self-desires.
• Meditation was to be on The righteousness of God in relationship to you: Mt. 6:33-34 ~ "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." "Thought" here is a Greek word "merimnao" which literally means concern to promote one’s interest.
• Meditation was to be upon the Lord himself : Ps. 63:6 ~ "When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."
• Meditation was to be upon HIS Word or HIS Law: Ps. 1:2 ~ "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
  Joshua 1:8 ~ "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

As we note the bible version of "meditate on it" does not include meditation on self, self will, fleshly desires and or material things.

Many have conversely asked, how can God give you anything that you haven’t defined in your mind?

I want to suggest that defining things or knowing what you want is not the issue. The issue is a preoccupation or a spiritual manipulation of reality or natural circumstances. Once again, those are metaphysical practices. To pray, visualize and receive in your subconscious until you can physically almost touch, feel and smell it is an ungodly practice and exactly what the new enlightenment teaches.

Pastor Burnett, the bible teaches us that we should have a "vision". How can we have a vision without visualization?

The bible teaches in Prov. 29:18 – "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

But let’s take a more introspect look at this verse. First of all in context "vision" or "chazown" deals with having a divine revelation or direction towards the Will Of God. The word "perish" simply means to be made naked or exposed.

Putting this all together, we see that the "vision" we are supposed to obtain is one of and from God himself as he has provided direction by his word into HIS will and has nothing to do with "visualization" or focus on what we desire.

In Part 3, I will discuss this and the fallacies of Eckhart Tolle, one of the nations leading "new enlightenment" teachers who teaches that you (the individual) are God and the concept of sin is misunderstood and must be retaught to the world. Mr. Tolle in conjunction with (My Princess) Oprah Winfrey has managed to receive over 27 Million downloads of his teachings on the web. His books are also at the TOP of the New York Times Best Sellers lists and there is seemingly a greater fascination with his convoluted and demonic teachings than anything we’ve witnessed in modern times.

For the average reader this may be challenging, but a challenge that could revolutionize your life.

Deut. 18:9-14 – "When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do."

Blessed!

Read more!

The New Enlightenment Pt. 1

There is an emergence of a new enlightenment or new consciousness evangelizing both secular and religious society and seeking to alter and or remove the message of Jesus in particular from every fact of daily life. At the very least this new enlightenment seeks to place all religions on equal level by borrowing bits and pieces from each one, creating a new spirituality that supposedly transcends thoughts, material and being. Further, this enlightenment has no boundaries and will use every means possible to promote itself and proliferate its message.

Often called the New Age movement by many within Christian circles, these teachings are eclectic (inclusive of many brands of religious and secular thought) and humanistic in nature. The adherents are unrestrained by current religious and doctrinal teachings and are especially rejecting of Christian truths which are often criticized as divisive, weak and ineffective dogma’s.


This new consciousness appeals to the masses and is marketed through corporate productivity and personal improvement seminars, popular books and book clubs, (Alas, my dear beautiful Oprah Winfrey-Ooh how forsaken I feel!) and for credibility’s sake, implores the use of educational terms such as cognitive science (CS) or cognitive science religion (CSR), modern psychology and scientific psychological mapping.

The goals of this new consciousness are noteworthy:

To help humanity achieve it’s potential
To help individuals reach their goals
To help individuals live a better life
To help individuals create more meaningful relationships
To create better workplace environments
To accentuate and focus on the positives and positive thoughts
To help unite humanity in a common cause against hunger, poverty, illiteracy and civil and social injustices.

The problem is not so much the goal, but the method used and encouraged to achieve the end. I am afraid that if we are not careful, our desire to relieve the burdens of the world will only lead to a greater and deeper frustration and ultimately judgement from God.

In order to achieve success new age apostles whether knowingly or unknowingly are generally following the orders of Paul Kurtz and the Humanist Manifesto 2000 in one form or another. As I stated in "The Legacy Of Atheism’s Queen" The objectives and mission statement of the Council For Secular Humanism are as follows:

"…The wider platform for human progress as part of a New Enlightenment needs, I submit, to advocate secularism in the above three senses:
(1) the separation of religion from the state;
(2) the humanization of values that satisfy the deeper interests and needs of human beings; and
(3) the decline of religious practice, entailing the growth of the Human City in place of the City of God."

As you may note, the emphasis is on values, education and the removal of God or religion in general from society. There are several ways that this is being achieved.

• Remove God and any inference to religion from our schools (X)
• Removed God and any inference to him from our courts (X) *
• Remove God and any inference to him from our currency (X)
• Replace all values with humanistic values (X)
• Eliminate biblical morality (X)
• Establish a new morality based on human reasoning, understanding and benefits (X)
• Redefine family values and civil rights by promoting homosexuals and lesbian marriages (X)
• Retrain the mind to believe that all spiritual inclinations are only an extension of biological functions (X)
• Remove God, specifically Jesus, from our hearts (__)
  * = excludes humanistic religion
  I left # 7 blank on purpose, because you may be the last part of the plan still yet standing.

Rev. 13:18 ~ "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."

God has been removed from the schools as an uninvited guest, now we have rampant behavioral problems, guns, violence and gross underperformance in far too many places. "In God We Trust" is now being imprinted on the side of currency in effort to move any reference to HIS being. It is obvious, we are witnessing the effort to remove God from society in general. We must admit that the secularists have been successful and that the popular tide is against God.

This is regardless of how many hurricanes we experience, earthquakes we witness, uncontrollable fires that occur and droughts that we experience. Unfortunately, terrorist attacks and wars are short-lived inconveniences that cause us to pause and reflect on ourselves and God briefly and then recommit to strengthen the goals of humanity and double our sins.


Rev. 16:8-11 ~ "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."

In all of this there is one thing that we must note. Man, being the spiritual vessel that he is, has a desire to replace what is lost after asking God to exit. Cognitive science religion (CSR) has declared that man’s brain is "hard-wired and psychologically prepared to believe in God" and further "pass on religious ideas to others in the form of religions and rituals" (The Christian Research Journal Vol 31 No. 2, "Does Religion Originate In The Brain" pg.36 Paul Copan) Whether or not this is true, The whole subject is a bain of conflict for the humanist and materialist.

As stated, lofty goals can be set, but there must be a vehicle in place to help one achieve. So although the humanist believes that he/she is in total control of their futures and destiny, according to their own approved brand of current studies, there must be a path or pattern whereby one can compensate for any perceived spiritual deficiencies and also achieve their goals and supposedly take back control of their own lives.

If this sounds like it’s above your head, don’t be intimidated AT ALL. One thing we are sure of is that it’s nothing new:

Eccl. 1:9 ~ "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

From the late night security guard to the televangelist, everyone is talking about laws, keys, and steps to success and personal fulfillment. From Russell Simmons "Do You" outlining 12 Laws to success to












Rhonda Byrne’s "The Secret" explaining and promoting the understanding of the overarching Universal Law Of Attraction to











Eckhart Tolle’s "A New Earth" and "The Power Of Now", which is repackaged Hinduism and mysticism for a western audience, there is a preoccupation and obsession with laws and principles to help you achieve your success.








To keep up with the trend, there is currently a whole host of "Christian potential" books on the market. Some of the titles are

"Reposition Yourself: Living Life Without Limits" by my man Bishop T.D Jakes,











"Birthing Your Dreams" 2004 Paula White,














"Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential" 2004 and "Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day" 2007 along with the study guide to help you "Live At Your Full Potential" by Pastor Joel Osteen











Then there was Bishop Thomas Weeks III,"Even As Your Soul Prospers: Realize Your Purpose Release Your Blessings."2004,

and his former spouse Juanita Bynum’s "Matters Of The Heart: Stop Trying To Fix The Old. Let God Give You Something New." 2002











Last but certainly not least, there’s Dollar Creflo’s "Total Life Prosperity: 14 Practical Steps To Receiving God’s Full Blessing" 1999 and my all time personal favorite title "8 Steps To Create The Life You Want" 2008,






Amazingly most of these writings are designed to do one or all of the following:

• To help raise higher thoughts and conscious awareness
• To help increase spiritual focus
• To help clear the focus on actual desires
• To help eliminate the "noise" of life or center ones self
• To help increase your God given or natural abilities and potentials
• To help bring you out of fear and into faith
• To help increase you personal and material wealth
• To help improve you physical health and wellbeing

Although various authors implore various methods the goals are generally the same or very similar as those I’ve outlined. To be specific, what we are experiencing is a resurgence of religious eclecticism, Eastern mysticism and metaphysical thought systems.

For the Christian the message has become about appealing to the masses and seeker sensitivity. This is to our utter shame. The reason that mysticism and the new enlightenment have become so appealing is due to the church's lack of consistency of both message and living. The message of sin and repentance has now become a message of "brokeness" and "psychological and spiritual healing". The encouragement to free ourselves from negative thoughts is requires that we relieve ourselves of critical thinking capacities toward leadership and replacing good stewardship and accountability with degrees of personality, sensationalism, association and assimilation.

Our desire to not offend and to win mass appeal, has led to the dysfunctionalisms that we observe in many of our churches and experience through many of our ministries. During a recent battle for the culture of our school system CLICK HERE, I exposed a particular evasive teaching that "stirred up" many individuals in our city.

During the heat of the battle I was contacted by a "spaghetti-backed" pastor telling me that he didn't want to be "professionally associated" with me because of my stance against allowing occultism in the schools system was overbearing. After pondering the issue and checking as to what may have been this persons motivation, there were quite a few discoveries made. One of the most significant ones was that he (the pastor) about a year prior, had lost a church because he had an affair with the secretary... CHURCH secretary!

Now, that's beyond belief...A defrocked, adulterous Pastor didn't want to be "professionally associated" with me because he thought I might make "him look bad" or " taint his image"....Shockingly, he was right...His image was certainly not the image of God and I would have adequately tainted his image of flesh with righteousness and holiness.

Little does the average apostate know that the reason the new enlightenment is tricking and attracting so many is because of what we live, not so much as what we say, but what we live or in all too many cases DON'T live.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Blessed!

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Is This An Angel Of The Lords Presence?

Lights In The Sky Over China ~ Could This Be An Angel Of The Lord?

For as many as 30 minutes before the tragic and horrific earthquake in Sichuan, China; what is known as "Earthquake Lights" appeared in the sky. The video shows the notable discolorations in the sky at about the 10 minute mark before the quake. It has also been confirmed that similar lights have been observed before earthquakes in Peru and Japan over the years. Scientists liken the phenomeon to the Aurora Borealis or some form of electromagnetic or radio wave interference, or maybe some sort of "Earth Plasma" discharged just in advance of a quake into the atmosphere.

The question I pose is simple...Is this an angel of the Lord's presence? Is there any scriptural support for or against the notion that the Spirit of the Lord appears visably before tragedy of any sort? I'll be posting some pretty heavy material on my more regular subjects in future posts but I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this one and other issues regarding the judgement of the Lord. For those of you that are hard pressed to believe in miracles you may want to read my study on Antisupernaturalism, Historical Critical Methodology & Miracles before you answer.

Blessed!

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The Emergence Of The Homosexual Rite

Happy Mother’s Day with much peace and love to all of the women that make life and everyday special for all of us who depend upon your love and stability in the midst of this raging tempest and storm we call life. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you!

New-New-New! Antisupernaturalism, Historical Critical Method & Miracles Pt. 1 & 2 is now at Dunamis2. This is a must read for the Bible student looking for the foundation of most new age and humanist philosophical beliefs.

Let no mother think that when she gave birth to a baby boy that somehow she gave birth to a girl or that when she gave birth to a baby girl that somehow she gave birth to a boy. Even in the day of hermaphrodite and cross-gender sensationalism, that has not happened.

Psalms 58:3 ~ "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies."

These are the days of mind twisters, gender benders and ridiculous and absurd propositions that have gripped our postmodern culture complete with a resurgence of far eastern mysticism, philosophical practice and metaphysical thought.

As time has progressed our culture has been bombarded with assertions, presuppositions, and anti-Christ dogma that has created a chasm between traditional and historic interpretations of Biblical texts and modern day psychological, social, and new age agendas. It would seem that there is an increased desire to boldly, shamelessly and euphorically confess sins and in many cases even blaspheme and condemn God with complete forethought or premeditation.

One such example is the recent confession and supposed "enlightenment" of a former Episcopal Priest, Bob Semes, who proudly says that he "escaped from religion". Mr. Seems formed the Jefferson Center, a secular humanist/ atheist organization, in 2004 after publicly denying his faith and confessing his homosexuality. Although the Episcopal Church has openly embraced homosexuality this former priest went on to deny Christianity in general as a delusional pursuit of the mind:

"Most of my adult life has been spent following an illusion, and now I firmly believe I have managed to shake off most of those formative forces that have shaped so much of my life," he said. "I have come to slowly understand and to believe that the idea of the God of the Judeo-Christian tradition has been and is manufactured by human beings in their own image existing only to enable their daily life to be bearable."

I believe this was a shock to them who were married, buried and baptized by this guy over his 25 to 30 years of ministerial service. (well, except the ones buried…I suppose at the time, they couldn’t be shocked. Y’u-know what I mean) What about those who were counciled by him…by the way I failed to mention that at least on one occasion, one of his members tried to kill him after a counciling session…that could have been a sign that something was wrong…of course he blamed that on the failed system of Christianity to transform lives…

So get this, the SODOMITE becomes intoxicated with his sins, lives a secret life and in some cases a life of denial, gets disillusioned, leaves God and the church, blames God and tacks on (because they live such a raggedy personal life) that there is no God. So, in short, it's all the peoples fault for making him/her believe in God in the first place, and making their lives uncomfortable and miserable???? What Is That?

Have you noticed how personal and individual responsibility is totally out of the picture? There is no assessment of self, self-will, flesh or sin at all…the reasons for either "being" or "not being" are on the shoulders of everyone else.

This sort of worldview gives strength to and helps bolster an underlying belief that the homosexual's human genome was homosexual as opposed to heterosexual. (i.e.: I was born this way!) The question I ask all of the anti-God thinkers, and homosexuals, "Is homosexuality a defect or is it the norm? Is the homosexual genome sequence (if there is such a thing) a product of natural selection or a mutation?"

Since most homosexuals want us to believe that homosexuality is normal and just another diversity of mankind, like skin color, eyes and hair etc., I suppose the next step is that when scientific knowledge allows us to "grow" and manufacture 100% of our children outside of the womb (like in The Matrix), natural selection will finally deliver both heterosexual and homosexual genes so that our species can survive without any social or psychological problems stemming from sexuality or sexual morality….Then, what about the child molestation genome? Wouldn’t we have to make an allowance for that too…Then what about the sexual pervert and rapist genome??? And on, and on, and on…THIS IS ABSURD!

Prov. 14:12 ~ "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Equally disturbing is an anonymous, currently practicing, homosexual, Catholic Priest in his 50s who said this in response to questions about the Bible and homosexuality,

"This is a complex questions, and certainly not simplistic as some fundamentalists would try to have us believe. One such preacher quoted the gospel to a gay young man, "If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off." The New Testament also tells women to be quiet in church and to cover their heads! Ridiculous to literally apply what was said in a totally different culture 2000 years ago to the modern world. What is said is against abusive or manipulative or demeaning others. Certainly the Bible speaks against "unnatural" acts. Spilling of a man’s "seed" was seen as unnatural – of course this was well before the human ovum was discovered. Didn’t science once believe that masturbation could send you blind?! The value behind what is in the Bible remains true – our sexuality is for others, not just for our own hedonistic pleasure. There is more to life than hedonistic pleasure – more to life than being doped out and dancing with a chair or treating another person as a sexual object. Homosexuality is not yet understood by the sciences. The Bible must be read in that light, trying to see the values that lie beneath it – values that are worthwhile"

As you can see, this currently practicing Priest (Somewhere in the US) who has also been excommunicated by the Pope (when he does decide to reveal himself) has twisted all the issues; combining the sin of homosexuality with the polemic of order in the Corinthian Church. He also notes that "our sexuality is not "just" for our hedonistic pleasure" Whether he believes that homosexuality is hedonistic pleasure or not he doesn’t address. He just goes on to make a value statement depending upon future science and not God for the final answer. In other words his god becomes science and the philosophies of men. His god becomes silent and no greater than material and what we can see with our eyes.

What Does the Bible Really Teach Regarding The Issue Of Homosexuality?

I Cor. 6:9 ~ "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,"

Please Go to Homosexuality & The New Testament at our Dunamis2 site for the rest of this story. You don't want to miss this.

Blessed!

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Parlor Tricks & Magic

How Do You Like This Moving Design?

Acts 8: 14-24 ~ "14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me."

This scripture was recorded by Luke approximately 50- 57 AD in Samaria, an arising "hot spot" for spirituality. The gospel had spread from Jerusalem, and the Power of the Holy Ghost was falling every where the word was being preached and received. A magician named Simon aka Simon Magus began to follow the church by examining the demeanor of the Apostles and hearing the message. This man was himself beforehand gaining in popularity but hadn’t quite found his niche or reached his stride of fame. Now seemed to be his time to expand and flex his muscle.

After observing the Apostles, Peter and John, Simon was so excited about the potential of his new found spiritual resource that he decided to take the short route in obtaining what he thought was sure to bring him fame, prosperity, wealth and popularity. He was convinced that this was his "season of Passover" and he surely heard "chi-ching money coming"…being short on patience and long on ambition he decided to offer money for "the gift of God"

He was met by the Spirit of God through the Apostles, dis-fellowshipped from the early church, and ultimately embarrassed, without admitting that his heart wasn’t right.

Was Simon so tricked that he tricked and deceived himself into believing that he was in fellowship with Christ? Was he so self-centered that he did not have the ability to accurately judge his own actions?

Although the evidence is spotty it has been reported throughout history that Simon Magus did ultimately achieve the fame that he was looking for. It is reported that he was one of the first teachers of Gnosticism and Gnostic concepts that would make entry into the culture during the Second Century after the Apostles began to transition from earth to Heaven.

These philosophies were non-Christian, and heavily promoted fame, material wealth, a mythic (non-material) Jesus and no resurrection from the dead. Gnostics also taught an "enlightenment" (knowledge based) salvation and a creation brought to pass by an evil god called Demiurge. There was no code of Gnosticism, no Gnostic church or rules of living other than the message of self-promotion.

Slight Of Hand- David Blaine Ain't got Nuthin'on This!

It is reported that Simon Magus became so popular in Samaria that he converted almost the entire city to himself. According to Justin Martyr (A Christian Apologist) in AD 160, Simon tricked so many people that they begin to call him "holy god" and even had a statue erected on the Tiber River between the 2 common bridges that were used for traffic. Iraneus in AD 180 reported that Simon had married a prostitute named Helena and claimed that he had created her by his very thoughts.

It was further reported by Justin Martyr in 160AD that Simon’s disciple "Meander The Heretic" was "possessed by devils" claiming that he had received the "primary power" and had been sent forth from the presence of "invisible beings" to be the savior and deliverer of men.

Tertullian AD 210, later reported that it was "Saturnius" a disciple of Meander the Heretic, that claimed and taught that "man was made by angels".

And The People Followed The Parlor Trick

I was speaking to a friend one day and we were discussing a certain pastor who had taken advantage of his followers by scheming to get "mo-money", sleeping around (men and women) and flirting with whomever he could. The person told me that one day he saw his pastor in an inappropriate situation with a particular female member of his church, but immediately his mind told him that he DID NOT see what he thought he saw. The pastor "played off" his actions as if they were normal.

Later, after leaving that church, he came under conviction because he felt that he had wasted far too much time serving in a ministry that was immoral and dysfunctional at it's leadership. Unfortunately, while he was there however, he wrote what he saw off as nothing.

He Wrote it off as nothing.

I wondered did this Pastor use the same sort of slight of hand that Simon Magus used to gain his following?…So much so that the people would call him "holy god" and build a statue to him while living. Slight of hand so much that in many cases today, people still call him PASTOR, MINISTER, PROPHET, EVANGELIST and even APOSTLE, ARCH-APOSTLE, ARCH-BISHOP, ARCH-PROPHET, and the list goes on...

Then it occurred to me that Simon Magus is one of the most popular ministers in the church today. These are the type of things that he does:

Simon Magus has babies on his wife outside of marriage, with a "barely legal" church member, presents them (at least one baby) and a girlfriend with a lame excuse to the church, appears during fund raising campaigns on TBN (That's Television) like nothing ever happened and continues to book appointments in subsidizing the $300,000 annual income that helps pay for and buy more Bentleys and Multi-Million Dollar homes.

Simon Magus fights for marriage during the power conferences, instigates

a fight a few days later, appears on TV in support of her husband (accused) abuser, and then files for divorce the next day, shows up at Priestess Oprah's ranch as a "The New face Of Domestic Violence"

Simon Magus molests church members for over 20 years, paddles and spanks adult women, and collects offering from some of the largest
churches in the country and then when the "cat's out of the bag" says that he was never REALLY a part of any organization. That's a real "trick"

Simon Magus rapes, fondles and inappropriately touches young adult and adopted members of his family, (while sleep-walking) proclaims his innocence and gets sentenced to 25 years in prison. (Justice served)

Simon Magus has illicit affairs, appears on TBN as one of the best and brightest upcoming mega-ministers in the country, but when he's confronted with his sins initially refuses but reluctantly resigns from ministry and assumes that everything will just be OK after a while.

Simon Magus appears on TBN (Which has Become The Popular Meeting Place) claiming that he had AIDS and was suffering from anal hemorrhages, professing that he
has been healed by God, but refused and failed to denounce the homosexual lifestyle that facilitated his problems. This simply opens the door for other with his same problems to continue in their sins as well.

Simon Magus creates the largest child prostitution ring ever in US history from pulpits across America, defiling an estimated 800 children over 20 years of ministry transporting children given to him willingly by their parents (unknowingly) to OTHER MINISTERS and perverts willing to pay for services…but then after being released on parole takes flight, on a forged passport, is captured and in 3 months develops terminal skin cancer that kills him in jail in less than a year.

It Must Be Parlor Tricks & Magic

Simon Magus was so influential, that taking his show on the road was the easiest thing to do. No matter what he did or said, he had defenders, apologists and entourages at his every beck and call and money and material gain was astounding.

The End Of Tricks

It was reported by Arnobius in AD 305 that Apostle Peter’s last encounter with Simon Magus was said to have concluded with a powerful and miraculous event in which God exacted his judgement. Simon Magus supposedly visited Rome to try to convert Christians to his belief. He specifically targeted Peter in effort to try to put him to shame. Arnobius reported that when Simon targeted Peter, "God then targeted him". Arnobius reported that at the mouth of Peter, Simon’s lavish BENTLEY (OOPS) I mean his chariot was blown away and destroyed at "the name of Christ", "throwing Simon into the air and depositing him headfirst to the earth laying him in the street dead with noticeably broken legs."

The master of making things appear differently than what they really were couldn't make God change from judgement against ungodliness. By the mid second century Origen AD 248 would write that there were probably no more than 30 followers of Simon Magus' apostasy and that the only reason he was remembered in the earth was because TRUE Christians told about how God brought judgement upon Simon after Luke recorded the initial incident in scripture mid first century.

Ironically, Simon Magus Got every bit of the Fame he sought so desperately.

Revelation 2:14-17 ~ But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

By the way, that design at the beginning of this blog ISN'T really moving at all. It must be some sort of "trick".

Blessed!

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The New Anti-Christ Advocates

Click Here For The Historical Facts Of The Resurrected Jesus

1 John 2:19 ~ "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

Normally I reserved this space to take a slightly different approach in discussing the condition of the church. My more Bible study oriented material can be found at The Dunamis Word 2. With that said however, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do a little teaching on the Resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, because it and the complete Biblical record are under more scrutiny and flat out attacks today than seemingly ever before.

The resurrection of Jesus is arguably the most debated and discussed topic in history. In fact, the resurrection is the centerpiece of Christianity. Without it, Jesus becomes nothing more than a man and in fact the most deceitful man that ever lived on the face of the Earth. Paul too understood this and said to the Corinthian church in about AD55:

I Cor. 15:17-19 ~ "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

For those who don’t already know, there is a new round of form and textual criticism has been levied against the church through books and publications from individuals and educators such as Microbiologist Richard Dawkins who in his book 'The God Delusion' claims supremacy of manking and materialism over God because, in his world, God does not exist. Therefore, according to Dawkins, the Bible is little more than a collection of pious fictions and is irrelevent to the plight of mankind. Dawkins is at odds with all religion but especially the Christian religion and dogma.

Richard Carrier who in his book ‘The Empty Tomb’ argues that "the earliest Christians probably believed Jesus had received a new body in the resurrection, and that stories of his old body disappearing from its tomb were developed later." He also argues it is less likely but still possible the original body of Jesus was misplaced or stolen.
There are others such as reported atheist Robert Price who is the Chair Of Theological Studies at Johnnie Coleman Theological Seminary, and Fellow of the Jesus Seminar. Has also, in books, such as ‘The Incredible Shrinking Son of Man’, ‘Deconstructing Jesus’ and ‘Beyond Born Again: On Putting Away Childish Things,’ has consistently challenged Biblical literalism and has argued for a more skeptical and humanistic approach to Christianity. He has also helped popularize the Gnostic tradition and has questioned the idea of a historical Jesus. Among atheists and agnostics his books and publications are very popular.

There continues to be a growing list of other atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and so called free-thinkers, promoting a continued rise in ant-Christ and anti-Biblical sentiments.

Even some "supposedly" Christian scholars such as fundamentalist Bart D. Ehrman who is currently a confirmed and "happy agnostic" and the author of 'Misquoting Jesus' (Click Here For A Summary Critique) and 'Orthodox Corruption Of Scripture' , have gone off the deep end into fantasy and sensationalism. Ehrman is also the Religious Studies Professor at UNC Chapel Hill. Professor Ehrman has concentrated on various aspects of Walter Bauer's thesis that Christianity was always diversified or at odds with itself. Ehrman is often considered a pioneer in connecting the history of the early church to textual variants within biblical manuscripts and in coining such terms as "Proto-orthodox Christianity." Professor Ehrman recently received much press and accolades from atheists with claims that the bible is unreliable and full of as many as 200,000 material errors called variants. What he fails to admit is that his number represents less than 5% of the Biblical text and most of the variants that he claims are a result of spelling and translation errors. Beyond that the rest of the supposed variants primarily deal with changes that had to be made to clarify meaning of the text, such as changing pronouns like "he and they" to proper nouns like "Jesus and The Disciples". In short when all things are considered there is no change in any essential doctrine that the Bible sets forth and certainly no change in any mainline Christian beliefs.

Then finally there are the near religiously insane such as Fr. John Dominic Crossan Co- founder of the Jesus Seminar who maintains the Gospels were never intended to be taken literally by their authors and the Body of Jesus was probably eaten by dogs ('Search For Jesus' ABC June 26th 2000) and possibly even drug through the streets.

These men and others have rejected the faith, claiming that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, and that the scriptures are erroneous and contradictory, and because of their weakness, continue to postulate ridiculous fantasies with no basis in actual events, facts, or history.

The aim of the enemy through them is to create doubt against the clear and overwhelming evidence for the historicity of the Jesus of the Bible and the resurrection account which confirms that only Jesus has power over life, death and sin.

II Timothy 4:4 ~ "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables"

It is interesting to note that these men have done this because of the foolishness of their hearts. It is crucial that the Christian is able to know not only what he or she believes, but also why he or she believes it.

Romans 1:21~ "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened"

Because of the danger of abundant error, ignorance can not be an excuse for the serious follower of Jesus. I have written The Historical Fact Of The Resurrected Jesus In this article I will set forth some of the primary reasons why we as Christians can rest assured that our savior lives and that he rose on the third day as he said he would some 2000 years ago. The anti-Christ advocate looses EVERY battle and looses the war. I read the end of the book.

Heb. 10:35 ~ "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward."

Blessed!

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Naked & Ashamed

In recent months I have received a number of emails questioning a particular allegation of sexual abuse that is probably one of the worse cases that I have heard about in association with my church, the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. Memphis, TN.

Please be assured that I knew NONE of the individuals or the story until it broke and was made public.

The case involves the former Pastor Sherman Allen of The Shiloh Institutional Church Of God In Christ and former member 32 year old Davina Kelley who is one of a number of women claiming sexual assalt, rape and abuse at the hands of Pastor Allen. The whole story came to light when Ms. Kelly filed a lawsuit against, Pastor Allen, The Church Of God In Christ of Memphis, TN. And certain unnamed persons of the Church Of God In Christ.

You may view the complete story which has been well documented by the Dallas Times Observer. In summary, the story alleges that the former Pastor of the Shiloh, Sherman Allen, who enjoyed relationship and fellowship with many of the more prominent Ministers and Bishops within the Church Of God In Christ, was on a sexual rampage for at least 20 years. During this same time Pastor Allen is said to have sexually and physically abused at least 20 women, by inappropriately touching them, paddling, raping and even sodomizing them and is accused of causing the miscarriage of at least one married woman.

Note Of Special Interest: Pastor Allen and his congregation came from a spiritist foundation and supposedly joined the Church Of God In Christ some 20 years ago. He has since produced what he calls "evidence" that he was NEVER a part of the Church Of God In Christ nor consequently subject to its rules and regulations. One is left questioning whether he really felt that way or whether this is a trick that he somehow hopes helps his argument against his alleged criminal activities.

The questions I have received revolve around administrative procedure as it pertains to pastors and certain leaders questioning whether The Church Of God In Christ could have been more aggressive in handling the original complaint which was proportedly known and heard among certain Bishops and leaders.

Although I love my church, this is not meant to be a Church Of God In Christ apologetic. Comments across the spectrum are welcome as we place the added dimensions on this case and others that will soon arise. I will save my judgement on all issues until the end of this blog, and in a future writing I will deal more extensively with clergy sexual abuse that according to current statistics is rising every year throught every denomination and organized church. However, I felt that it is in the publics best interest to disclose certain procedural information in order to assist public understanding of the process of pastoral and church discipline within the church.

Under Article VIII – Church Discipline, there are 4 processes and options for trials specified within the Church Of God In Christ Constitution. Although I will only deal with the first two, the categories outlined are as follows:

• Trial Of The Local Church
• Trials Of Local Pastors
• Trials Of Jurisdictional Officers
• Trial Of All Bishops

Section A: The Trial Of The Local Church

The offences for which a CHURCH may be tried are:

• Persistently violating the provisions of the Charter, Constitution and Rules, Laws and regulations of the COGIC, or it’s Articles of Faith.
• Sustaining or supporting a Pastor who teaches or practices doctrines contrary or repugnant to the Articles Of Faith of the COGIC.
• Sanctioning immoral practices of members and failing or refusing to take steps as prescribed by the Constitution and By-laws of the church for trial of members charged with the commission of the foregoing offences.

Any member believing that any of the enumerated offences have taken place may file charges against the church.

The procedures for such a trial are as follows:

• The original charge must be filed in the Office of the Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of which the church is a part, or with which it is affiliated.
• Copies thereof shall be filed with the Clerk or Secretary of the Local church.
• Copy thereof shall be filed in the office of the General Secretary.
• The Clerk of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction shall submit the charge to the Jurisdictional Bishop, who shall appoint an Investigating Cmte. of not less than three (3) nor more than five(5) members to examine the facts and ascertain whether there is reasonable grounds for having the church brought to trial.

The Investigating Cmte. shall report its findings and recommendations to the Jurisdictional Bishop. If the Investigating Cmte. determines that there is not merit to charge and recommends that the charge be dismissed, the Jurisdictional bishop shall thereupon dismiss the charge and send copies of the letter of order of dismissal to the principal parties.

If, however, the Investigating Cmte. finds and determines that the church should be tried, it shall submit its recommendations to the Jurisdictional Bishop, who shall appoint and ecclesiastical Council consisting of five (5) Pastors of the Jurisdiction to determine the merits of the complaint. Said council shall give written notice to all interested parties and to the General Secretary of the time and place of the hearing at least twenty (20) days prior to the time the Ecclesiastical council sets down cause for the trial.

The parties shall have the right to be represented by Counsel, who shall be members of the Church Of God In Christ, but said Counsel may be advised by non-members of the Church.

The majority decision of the Ecclesiastical Council shall be necessary to sustain the charges.

In the event the charges are not sustained, the complaint shall be dismissed. But if charges are sustained the Council shall render its judgement or decision as follows:

• It may order the church to be placed on Probation or
• It may order or recommend that the church be given an opportunity to repent of it’s evil ways and agree to conform to the government and faith of the church, recognize the Constitutional authorities of the Church, and specifically refrain from committing, in the future, any of the acts embraced in the charges; or
• It may order that the Church be reorganized; or
• It may order that the church be disorganized; or
• It may order that the Pastor be suspended or removed from office; or
• It may take such other orders or decisions as it may determine to be in the best interest of the COGIC.

The Jurisdictional Bishop shall execute the orders and decrees of the Ecclesiastical Council.

If and in the event a church is disorganized, its real property, real and personal, shall pass to the Trustees of the ecclesiastical Assembly and the officers of said church, or Trustees thereof, who have the legal right to convey title, shall execute a Deed of Conveyance wherein legal title to said property shall be vested in the Trustees of the ecclesiastical Assembly, in trust for the use and benefit of the members of the COGIC in the ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the church; but said Trustees shall not dispose of said property except by and with the written consent of the Jurisdictional Bishop and Trustees of the General Church.

Section B: Trials Of Pastors Of Local Churches

A Pastor may be tried for the commission of the following offences, to wit:

• Repeated failure to abide by the laws, rules and regulations of the COGIC;
• Misfeasances, malfeasance or nonfeasance in office
• Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude in a Court Of Law;
• Espousing doctrines repugnant to the Articles Of Faith of the COGIC;
• Personal misconduct;
• Misappropriation or misuse of funds of the Church;
• Conduct unbecoming of a Minister of the Gospel.

The procedure for the trial of a local Pastors shall be as follows:

When the MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COGIC have documented evidence that a Pastor of a local church has committed any or all of the offences enumerated herein above, they may file charges against such Pastor specifically setting out the acts and things complained of.

• The original charge must be filed in the Office of the Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of which the church and Pastor are a part of, or with which they are affiliated.
• Copies thereof shall be filed in the office of the General Secretary of the COGIC at its national Headquarters in Memphis, TN.
• The Clerk of the Assembly of said Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction shall submit the charges to the Jurisdictional Bishop, who shall appoint an Investigating Cmte. of not less than three (3) nor more than five(5) members to examine the facts and ascertain whether there is reasonable grounds for having the Pastor brought to trial.
• The Investigating Cmte. shall report its findings and recommendations to the Jurisdictional Bishop, and if it reports that the charges are without merit the trial shall be dismissed by the Jurisdictional Bishop, and notice of dismissal shall be sent to all interested parties including the General Secretary.

If the Investigating Cmte. finds and determines that the Pastor should be tried, it shall submit its recommendations to the Jurisdictional Bishop, who shall refer the case to the Elder’s Council of the respective ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and the Secretary of the Elders Council shall give written notices to all principal parties and a copy of said notices shall also be filed in the office of the General Secretary at the National Headquarters, Memphis, TN. And said notices shall given at least twenty (20) days prior to the time the Elder’s Council sets down cause for the trial.

The parties shall have the right to be represented by Counsel, who shall be members of the Church Of God In Christ, but said Counsel may be advised by non-members of the Church.

Decisions of the members of the Elders Council by a majority vote shall be necessary to sustain the charges and find the Pastor guilty of committing the alleged offenses.

In the event the charges are not sustained, the complaint shall be dismissed. But if the charges are sustained, it shall render its decision or enter a Decree as follows:

• It may order the Pastor be placed on Probation; or
• It may suspend the Pastor for a definite period of time; or
• It may remove him from office and declare the pulpit vacant; or
• It may render such other decisions or decrees as justice may demand or as it may determine to be in the best interest of the COGIC.

In the event a Pastor is dissatisfied with the decision or the decree of the Jurisdictional Elders Council, he may appeal to the General Council by filing notice of appeal within thirty (30) days from the final decision of the Elders Council of the respective Jurisdiction.

The General Council shall review the case and render its decision by majority vote of the delegates and members present and voting.

The Jurisdictional Bishop shall execute the orders and decrees of the General Council.

What Happened In This Case?

At least this much remains a mystery to me. Pastor Allen's accusers placed a case before his leadership in 1989 or 1990. The Bishop, Bishop J. Neaul Haynes (COGIC General Board Member). Bishop Haynes is reported to have walked out during a meeting in which the victims outlined their complete case and requested assistance as well as disciplinary action from the church. The Bishop is also proported to have responded by saying "old habits die hard" before making his exit from the meeting.

Before one jumps to conclusions it is worth noting the actual procedures for both Pastor's and Church Trials. By the rule, the Bishop has authority based upon the recommendation of the Council in a CHURCH TRIAL. No such authority exists in a PASTOR'S TRIAL.

QUESTIONS

Did he, Bishop Haynes, neglect his duty and responsibility by refusing to do anything?

According to proceedure, COULD he, Bishop Haynes, do anything at all?

Was the entire process, a CHURCH TRIAL or a PASTOR'S TRIAL?

Who are "The majority Members of the Church Of God In Christ" according to the Church trial regulation?

If it was a CHURCH TRIAL, where is the complaint from the local church on the Pastor's behavior?

At any rate, what has prohibited ANY complaintant from filing CRIMINAL charges for rape, molestation and physical abuse?

According to the WORD of God, should Bishop Haynes have acted more detrminately? If so, what SHOULD he have done?

Could the local church (Shiloh) have done something about this?...YES...Did the local church do anything?...NO!

Could there have been better resolution and handling of the alleged victims? Time will tell but my answer is YES!

Whatever influence I had is probably all but gone after this post. (LOL) However, If you pray for me I have some plans that I believe will help change things around.

Numbers 32:20-23

"And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out."

Revelation 2:4-5

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."

Blessed!

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