Red Letter Christians: Neo-Marxism in the Church?

I have spoken about this a few years ago HERE, HERE, and more recently I address “Christian Pragmatism” HERE…in a book called ‘Mere Christianity’ by C S Lewis. In that book, Lewis says that soon enough being a Christian would mean just to be a good person and not necessarily holding to biblical truths…Now if once we allow people to start spiritualising and refining, or as they might say ‘deepening’, the sense of the word Christian, it too will speedily become a useless word. I wondered at how this would start, this newly defined Christianity. From what I have seen it is pragmatism that has paved ‘a’ road — and I say a say ‘a’ road because I believe that this road is one of many roads – to an all inclusive self authentic spiritual life.

And don’t think that this is not a political Christianity…During the latter part of the nineteenth century virtually all cardinal doctrines of the faith were challenged or denied by the growing liberalism (derived mostly from German Rationalism and Higher Criticism) which was threatening the evangelical  church. From the Godhead to the necessity for salvation to the existence of hell to the atonement to the inspiration of Scripture to the meaning of the gospel, every doctrine held precious by the evangelical community was gutted of biblical meaning and infused with ideas fitting the times.

Gary E. Gilley rightly says…

But the contention of conservative believers has always been that life emerges from sound doctrine; right living is never formed in a truth vacuum.  Joel Beeke had it right when he wrote, “Doctrine must produce life, and life must adorn doctrine.”

[…]These men (McLaren and Bell) see no vital connection between what we believe and how we live, between orthodoxy and orthopraxy.  Having accepted this disconnect they move on to elevate orthopraxy to the exclusion of orthodoxy.  Right beliefs are simply superfluous.  How we live is all that matters.  Pragmatism reigns. [source]

It seems that many people are being challenged by the Red Letter Christians, as predicted. But where does this lead? These value voters have re-directed the more controversial conservative biblical values and have taken the safer road toward more contemporary issues like social in-justice and environmental issues; that is to say they have broadened their views toward the global village. In broadening their path do they run the risk of not even finding the narrow gate – maybe the path has become less recognizable because the signposts have changed altogether and are pointing to different things? (Matt 7:17)

So it seems that a stronghold in the post-modern Church is “Christian Marxism” and those who are leading the naive Church are finding a political voice like never before… 

Some who believe this way practice a form of neo-Marxism and others would call it "Christian Marxism" — an oxymoron if there ever was one. They note that the early church shared everything (socialism).  A close cousin to this is "liberation theology.  "Those who are high profile in this movement include Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo, Brian McLaren and his Emergent bunch, and the National Council of Churches.

Red-letter Christians join the chorus of those who believe in a utopia with no wanting or war. Yes, that will come someday, but not the way they think. This could come as a shock to them just because they have little to no regard for other parts of the Bible. They have almost created a new meaning for the term "biblical illiteracy." 

It is also tragic that these folks are frequently called "the evangelical Left." They don’t have even 1% of evangelical theology in a single bone in their body. They cherry- pick the verses they like, almost exclusively the red letters of Jesus.

Also on a sad note, the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is promoting a Leftist conference featuring Jim Wallis October 21. This was announced in their "NAE Update" received today, October 5, by e-mail. Tooley’s more Mainline Protestant Institute for Religion and Democracy takes a more righteous stand against Leftist causes than does the NAE.

To better understand deception issues, visit our Web site and the category of "Spiritual Deception." 

Read Jan’s take on this subject in an article called – Red Letter Christians: Neo-Marxism in the Church?

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Post-modernism, Religion, Theology, discernment

Biblical Prophecy – it’s cyclical…

I have been learning from Jacob Prasch of Moriel Ministries for over ten years now. The one thing that I’m forever grateful is for the teaching on Midrash and its applications. You can see cyclical biblical patterns and glean from them and see that they foreshadow what will happen before Christ comes again.

The first time I ever went to see Jacob Prasch speak I was introduced to this and I was absolutely floored! I basically had a light bulb moment right there sitting in this old inner city Church of about 20 or so people. Now, whenever I read my bible I completely understand that it is truly the living word even for us today.  Understanding patterns and typology has opened a whole new dimension for me and the depth of this is quite staggering.

Jacob Prasch points out that if you want to know what happens in the ‘last days’ Church then read what happened to the first Church outlined in the New Testament. He also said that certain biblical prophecy has been fulfilled yet it recapitulates towards the ultimate fulfillment. Using this type of methodology you can actually be a preterist and a futurist at the same time.

The article that I read today deals with the topic of Christ before His first coming which actually shows us what to expect and how to recognise the signs of His second coming…

One of the repeated teachings at Moriel is that prophecy is not so much about the fulfillment of specific events at a specific pre-set date and time as much as it is really patterns which repeat themselves, growing ever stronger until their last, ultimate fulfillment. That is why a lot of what we understand about Christ’s Second Coming is foreshadowed – a pattern – revealed during His First Coming. Learning as much as we can about His First Coming teaches a great deal about how things will ultimately take place at His Second Coming. And I have a very strong suspicion that we are seeing some of these things taking place right now. The religious authorities of the day knew Scripture so well that without hesitation they answered the Magis’ question about the Messiah, but like many today, they were completely blind to actually seeing it take place. Moriel Archive » Blog Archive » Witnessing History Repeat Itself

Filed under: Apostasy, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, History, Israel, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Theology, discernment

Is Israel God’s unfinished business?

Not sure if you know this, but Calvin L Smith has his own personal blog and has been busily putting together many posts on the subject that interests him at the moment. That interest is about Israel and her prophetic role for today. He also does an excellent job in discussing the New Supersessionists in his book which you can find HERE.

Anyway, he has written quite a few posts on this often heated debate regarding Israel and is just itching for some feedback!

In this particular post he starts with the historical Church and her reaction to 2nd century Judaism…

The Church’s reaction to anti-Christian Judaism in the second century caused it to emphasise some aspects of the canonical narrative at the expense of others. In short, the New Testament was elevated and the Old Testament relegated. Naturally, this demotion of the Jewish Scriptures also downgraded the theological importance of Israel, which features so prominently in the Old Testament. Soulen refers to this relegation of Israel as “structural supercessionism” (supercessionism, also known as replacement theology, is the theological position which argues that the Church has superceded Israel as the people of God). Soulen also identifies other forms of supercessionism (economic and punitive) in his book.

[…]My own position focuses on and traces the Jewish people as a biblical theology theme, rather than the land. As such, this focus on people not land permits me, theoretically at least, to entertain the possibility of exchanging some land for peace. [source]

I have been over to his site to comment that is waiting for approval, but I have to ask him…

So, I am wondering if you [Calvin] think that the current gathering of Jews into Israel the land is not currently fulfilling biblical prophecy? Or are they being gathered in unbelief ready to be judged because of their unbelief?

The way I see it, they have been returning to their promised land for a purpose, not because they deserve it. Perhaps that purpose is to drive them back to Mosaic Judaism which in turn will teach them about the fulfilment found only in their Messiah Jesus. The judgement of their unbelief is outlined in Zech 13:

Zec 13:7  "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
Zec 13:8  In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive.
Zec 13:9  And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’"

On a side note in verse 7 the ESV says that God will turn His hand against the little ones… yet in other translations it says "upon" a big difference depending on how you read it.

Anyway, I think that the Hand of God is "upon" these little ones, perhaps referring to those who are the true Israel, the remnant.

Not sure?

After the fire and persecution/judgement it does say that they will call upon God’s name and they will be His people and He will be their God.

This is when All Israel will be saved, right?

I can’t wait for him to answer and perhaps then I can try and understand the prophetic time table more!

Have your own say, and make sure you read his post to find exactly where Calvin is coming from. Here’s his post called: Consulation Paper: A Christian View of Israel

Cheers

Vee

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

Luke 21:24 – Has it REALLY been fulfilled???

Calvin Smith has a new, personal blog! You can find it HERE. It is one that you simply must go and check out and blogroll!!!I will be adding his blog to my blogroll.

I know Calvin personally, and he is probably one of the most intelligent people I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work with. He has this knack of being able to ask the big questions for great discussion without it becoming a slanging match – especially when it comes to the topic of Israel, Palestine, Christian Zionism and Supersessionism.

When he argues a point he doesn’t use polemical and polarised views which is very important for theological and eschatological discussion. He really is open to Constructive debate about many issues.

The post I am linking to is about the well known verse found in Luke:

Luk 21:24  They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

He has a simple question to ask you…

All I am asking is this: can Bible-believing Christians say with certainty Luke 21:24 has been fulfilled and we are indeed in the last times?

Go over to his post called “Beware an overly dogmatic interpretation of Luke 21:24”, give it a read and some careful consideration and see if you agree or disagree with him. I dare you!!!

One thing for sure, it will challenge you!

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, History, Islam, Israel, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

About Radio Free Church

I have had quite a few search requests to my blog about “Radio Free Church” lately. So, I just wanted to make a post about where you can find “Radio Free Church” which has an abundance of good biblical teaching from well known scholars.

Here is a little bit about the outreach…

Radio Free Church is an online resource for listening and viewing the exposition of God’s Word on demand anywhere in the world

Speakers
Speakers include David Hocking, Jacob Prasch, Roger Oakland, Bill Koenig, Rick Oliver, Dave Hunt, John Higgins, and many others. We want to take advantage of the available technology and reach the world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

We’re in the Last Days
The time is fast approaching where true believers may be forced underground to avoid persecution; nations will attempt to restrict the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, but “The Word of God is not bound.”—2 Timothy 2:9.

Ears to Hear
Radio Free Church  is for all that have ears to hear, and that love the Truth. We believe the day of the Lord will come in this generation. Therefore, we are inspired to cry out for the Truth. God’s Word is truth. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”—John 17:17
As in the days past, just proceeding judgement and in this day the Lords coming there are those who would cry out. We cry out for the truth.
Jeremiah cried out to his generation, “And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.” —Jeremiah 4:2
“But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.” —Jeremiah 7:28
“And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.” —Jeremiah 9:3

If that has piqued your interest then go to “Radio Free Church”. I certainly enjoy it.

In fact I have just finished watching John Higgins speak about Daniel chapter 9. He speaks about Israel and her Diaspora and why that actually happened. I will give you a hint… Israel broke two very important commandments. It’s quite an in depth study and one has to know the bible pretty well to be able to follow that particular sermon. Other sermons are not so in depth but are edifying to say the least.

One of my favourites in particular is by Jacob Prasch called “The book of Ruth”… in fact I love that book! If you are a gentile believer, listening to this sermon will give you a special insight [midrash] as to what this particular book really says to the Church today. Love that one!!!

Anyway… I have to go, Oliver, my grandson is getting sick of being in his jolly jumper and he needs some TLC!

Filed under: Christianity, Church History, Israel, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Prophecy, Theology, discernment

The salt has lost its saltiness…

An interesting article written by Danny Isom about the Church and how it has changed having lost its way and has fallen away from truth straight into apostasy…

“Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first…” (1 Th. 2:3)

Statistically speaking there is currently no discernible difference on almost any moral issue between those who claim the label “Christian” and those who don’t. The divorce rate is the same, the abortion rate is the same, attitudes about homosexuality are no longer hugely different, and on and on and on. I know there are individual exceptions here and there – I’m speaking, however, about the overall picture. I believe we’ve reached the point where the church is no longer the salt of the earth as described in Matthew 5:13.

Now I’ve said all of this, believe it or not, in order to provide the framework for a greater observation having to do with the arrival of the Antichrist. [source]

After reading the article and reflecting on what you see is happening in society — including what books now grace Christian book stores –  do you think that the Church has become less salty?

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Gnosticism, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Polls, Prophecy, RENOVARE, Religion, Spiritual Formation, Theology, discernment

Heresy – a dirty word today…

Interesting article about heresy..

I have sought for some years to find a theological dialogue where a serious methodological discussion is taking place about how to draw some line between faith and unfaith, between orthodoxy and heresy. But almost everywhere that I have asked about the subject I have found that the very thought of inquiring about the possibility of heresy has itself become marked off as the prevailing archheresy. The archheresiarch is the one who hints that some distinction might be needed between truth and falsehood, right and wrong.

In other words, the only heresy recognized in much of liberal Protestantism is the heresy of believing in the possibility of heresy. This is not only a matter of observation — it is a declaration proudly made by many, who declare the categories of heresy and orthodoxy to be both out of date and out of style.

In the history of Christian theology, the word heresy has been most properly applied to what the church has recognized as false and unbiblical teachings concerning the doctrines most closely related to Christ and the Trinity. The word heresy should properly be reserved for teachings that directly reject what the Bible reveals and the Church has confessed concerning the person and work of Christ and the reality and integrity of the Trinity. There are any number of false teachings and erroneous doctrines, but the term heresy should be restricted to those most central to the Gospel itself. [source]

Filed under: Apostasy, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Gnosticism, New-Age, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment, mysticism

The Anglican Church and the Social Gospel…

Another thing I read today is about the Anglican Church and the Social Gospel. I have written much about the “Social Gospel” and the possible ramifications. Mike from Mikescape found a great article that shows that there is a division happening within the Anglican Church! Division is something that is not to be taken lightly, but this division shows real hope! Check out Mike’s post and read what is happening within the Anglican Church!

Theologically, the Social Gospel leaders were overwhelmingly post-millennialist. That is because they believed the Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort. Social Gospel leaders were predominantly associated with the liberal wing of the Progressive Movement and most were theologically liberal. [source]

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

Emergent" or "Emerging"? Is there a difference?

Just came across this article about the negligible differences between “Emergent” and ‘”Emerging”…

Jones and Pagitt have also clearly crossed the line from biblical to New Age type teachings. Thus, when a church, such as RockHarbor Church, says they are not emergent, they mean they do not agree with some of the more extreme views such as McLaren’s view on salvation. But these churches will often readily say, "We are an emerging church." They say that means they are merely being relevant to the culture so they can reach the post-modern generation.

On the outside, it can sometimes appear that these "emerging churches" are just as orthodox as any other Bible-believing church. Online doctrinal statements and many sermons will sound no different from a Bible-based church. But more often than not when the outer layers are peeled back from these "emerging churches," a mystical-based, kingdom-now, panentheistic view of "God" is revealed. And this, dear friend, is no different from the view of "God" that the Emergent leaders (McLaren, Jones, Pagitt, etc) hold to as well. And this is why we say emergent and emerging are in fact kindred spirits–and they are going in the same direction, even if at times, it appears they are on different paths. Quote taken from – Emergent" or "Emerging"? Makes No Difference – Going in the Same Direction – Away from Truth toward Deception

Seriously, the more I learn about these type of Churches and if the above is true, the more I realise that they are about to be engaging in universalism. Which to me strikes me as a great way to bring every religion together under one big happy One World Religion thing!

If you are not sure what Universalism is all about and if you are not sure if it is biblical visit HERE.

Here are a few bible verses that speak directly opposite to Universalism…

• "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. ¹⁴"For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it," (Matt. 7:13-14).
• "For many are called, but few are chosen," (Matt. 22:14).
• "And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem. ²³And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, ²⁴"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ²⁵"Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ ²⁶"Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets’; ²⁷and He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers,’" (Luke 13:22-27).
• "And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; ²⁸for the Lord will execute His word upon the earth, thoroughly and quickly," (Rom. 9:27).

At the very least we should be awake during the times in which we live. We should be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Mat 10:16  "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

After all… to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Filed under: Apostasy, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Gnosticism, New-Age, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Religion, Spiritual Formation, Theology, discernment, mysticism

The Male/Female god…

Gnosticism is finding itself back into the visible Church, any discerning person would agree. A little research from Kim at DiscernIt has discovered that the goddess is alive and well. Carla has also done quite a bit of research into the book “The Shack” also. That book depicts God as a woman — which is in no way biblical but most definitely derived from Gnostic teachings such as the Nag Hammadi scriptures which takes this whole concept of God being a woman one step further. It states that God is both male and female…

Again, his disciples said: "Tell us clearly how they came down from the invisibilities, from the immortal to the world that dies?"
The perfect Savior said: "Son of Man consented with Sophia, his consort, and revealed a great androgynous light. His male name is designated ‘Savior, Begetter of All Things’. His female name is designated ‘All-Begettress Sophia’. Some call her ‘Pistis’. [source]

With the growing interest in this book and with its depiction of God as female coupled with the ongoing call to the Vatican to see Mary as the co-redeemer of mankind, are we about to enter a time when the Church is wilfully embracing Gnostic teachings? Can you see that the visible Church is being primed to accept a God who will eventually become both male and female and perhaps even exhibit androgynous qualities?

There’s a Cathedral in LA called “The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels” where there is a very androgynous Mary! This Cathedral is probably one of the most New Age things I have ever seen! HERE is an in-depth article written by Jackie Alnor about this very topic.

I personally know of pastors who are endorsing this book!

But it doesn’t stop there. According to the Nag Hammadi there has always been a Goddess and she will arise again…

The discovery and assimilation of early heterodox Christian scriptures (such as the Nag Hammadi library) will also facilitate the revival of goddess figures within a new Gnostic Christian mythos. Goddesses such as Barbelo and Sophia, demigoddesses like Eve-Zoe and Norea, and heroines such as Mary Magdalene are emerging from exile and are awaiting reincorporation into Christian scriptures and liturgy. Things have never looked so good for a recovery of our polytheistic heritage and of our beautiful and mighty goddesses of old.

One even feels that Christ, the incarnate paradigm of the Fullness, who assured us that in his Father’s house there are many divinities would be pleased by the coming of a new polytheism. [source]

If you want to know more about this Cathedral and what the artwork means go to this LINK. Just check out the bronze doors and the different images of Mary and other symbols from all over the world! The other thing that I felt noteworthy is that there is artwork dedicated to Teresa of Avila. As you probably know, she is well respected among emergent’s and Catholics alike for her teachings on contemplative prayer of which Father Thomas Keating says…In Christian spirituality, the unfolding of the stages of prayer described by St. Teresa of Avila in the Interior Castle may be the fruit of the kundalini energy arising under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Kundalini may also be an active ingredient in the Dark Nights of St. John of the Cross. [source]

Much more could be posted about the infiltration of the Occult into the visible Church which is disguising itself as liberal post-modern and progressive Christianity, but you get the picture.

Lighthouse Research writes about the father/mother God…

The novel The Shack portrays God as being a woman. However, Jesus consistently called God, "Father." When His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus taught them to address God as "Our Father which art in Heaven…" And when God Almighty became incarnate as a human being, God became a man — not a woman.
The Bible warns us not to add to Scripture or take away from it. Yet, today’s so-called "gender neutral Bibles" both add to new words and notions to Scripture and take away from Scripture. They remove references that are clearly male, and they add statements that imply a "father/mother" God. Do the publishers simply ignore Scriptures such as these:
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." (Proverbs 30:5-6)

[…]Goddess worship is most apparent among "neo-pagans." However, it is also common in universities and nursing schools. It is promoted by the media and is a component of New Age feminism. It has infiltrated main-line denominational churches, and its influence can be felt throughout our society.Click here to read this entire article. [source]

We should ask ourselves…what does the bible say about God? Isn’t He Father? Here’s just a few verses that explains that He is indeed Father and that is how He has chosen to show Himself to us…

Psa 68:5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, [Is] God in His holy habitation.

Psa 89:26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You [are] my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’

Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Mal 2:10 Have we not all one Father? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously with one another By profaning the covenant of the fathers?

Jhn 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared [Him].

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Gnosticism, New-Age, Occult, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment, mysticism

More Books and Things…: Matthew 24 – to the church or Israel?

Interesting topic over at Carla’s blog…

Do you think that the Olivet Discourse was given primarily to the church or Israel? Do you think when Jesus is talking about the temple He is talking symbolically about believers or…the temple? I’ve heard some very confusing interpretations about this thing lately. If you are one of those who assume that the disciples represent the Church in Matthew 24, you may want to rethink that after reading this article…Read more at – More Books and Things…: Matthew 24 – to the church or Israel?

Related:

Rapture Problems Answered

Filed under: Apostasy, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Globalism, Gnosticism, Israel, Middle East, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

The New Calvinism – 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now

I found this today. It’s about the 10 top ideas that are changing the world right now. Number 3 is the New Calvinism…

Calvinism is back, and not just musically. John Calvin’s 16th century reply to medieval Catholicism’s buy-your-way-out-of-purgatory excesses is Evangelicalism’s latest success story, complete with an utterly sovereign and micromanaging deity, sinful and puny humanity, and the combination’s logical consequence, predestination: the belief that before time’s dawn, God decided whom he would save (or not), unaffected by any subsequent human action or decision.Read more at – 3. The New Calvinism – 10 Ideas Changing the World Right Now – TIME

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Church History, History, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment

Calvin Smith … The Church and Israel

Calvin Smith who released a new book recently called “The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism: Resources for Christians” has written a few blog posts to address some issues on the topic of Israel the Church and the new supercessionism. Below is the first part of the blog posts, these posts can be found under the category “The Church and Israel”…

Have you noticed how the favourite maxim (nay, mantra) of some of those who espouse supercessionism and reject the view the Jews and Israel somehow retain a special role as God’s chosen people claim such a view is racist? Do a bit of research and dig a little and you’ll see it is a favourite ploy by the new supercessionists. In these New Testament times – they say – the time of the new covenant, God shows no favouritism. Therefore, any view that singles out the Jews as God’s chosen people is a racist theology. Thus they claim “God is not a racist.” [source]

The title of this particular post is a clever one, “God is no longer a racist”. Does that imply that He once was? Check out Calvin’s post to see where he is coming from!

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, History, Israel, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

Mary, Mary… quite contrary

1Co 15:55-57 O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

You may remember that I posted about the Messages of Mary around the world and in that post there was a video that explains this phenomena. Someone had commented on that post had said the following…JESUS died for our sins but the honour of final victory over satan was given to MARY. This goes against what scripture teaches but is not at odds with the Catholic Church and her traditions…In 1922 AD Virgin Mary proclaimed co-redeemer with Jesus by Pope Benedict XV. The comment section of that post has a few extra links that you can visit as well as some quotes from Cardinals, and noted Theologians who address this issue of Mariology…

Father Georges Cottier, theologian of the Papal Household, delivered this address during a world videoconference on "Mariology from Vatican Council II Until Today," held Wednesday by the Vatican Congregation for the Clergy (www.clerus.org).

Recently there has been some more news from the Vatican regarding Mary and her being co-redeemer for mankind…

Is Mary the ‘Coredemptrix’ of humanity?

by Francis X. Rocca
Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY — When Pope Benedict XVI told a crowd in St. Peter’s Square in April that the Virgin Mary "silently followed her son Jesus to Calvary, taking part with great suffering in his sacrifice, thus cooperating in the mystery of redemption and becoming mother of all believers," most listeners probably heard nothing remarkable in the statement.

After all, devotion to Mary is a pervasive element of the Catholic faith, and one of the features that most clearly distinguishes it from Protestantism.

Yet for one group of devotees, Benedict’s statement was a milestone — a sign that he had moved one step closer to granting their wish for a new dogma on Mary’s contribution to human salvation.

At least 7 million Catholics from more than 170 countries, including hundreds of bishops and cardinals, have reportedly signed petitions urging the pope to proclaim Mary "the Spiritual Mother of All Humanity, the coredemptrix with Jesus the redeemer, mediatrix of all graces with Jesus the one mediator, and advocate with Jesus Christ on behalf of the human race."

In other words, the Virgin Mary — though always subordinate to and dependent on the will of Christ — plays an active, unique and irreplaceable role in helping her son deliver mankind from sin and death.

[…]According to Mark Miravalle, a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, the new dogma would mean the "climax of the `Age of Mary’," a period that began in 1830 with apparitions of the Virgin in France, and witnessed papal proclamations of her Immaculate Conception (1854) and bodily Assumption into heaven (1950).

[…]

At least one non-Catholic participant in that dialogue says such fears were well-founded.

"Anglicans require that any dogma be provable from Scripture," said the Rev. William Franklin, academic fellow at the Anglican Centre in Rome and a visiting professor at the Vatican’s Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Anglican ecumenists are still struggling to reconcile their beliefs with the papal dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, Franklin said. "Making a new Marian dogma would complicate the journey toward full communion between our two churches," he said.

Proponents of the dogma insist that it would actually promote ecumenism by dispelling any ambiguities about Catholic doctrine.

Is this in any way biblical?

Here is an interesting article by James G. McCarthy that analyses Catholic Tradition against scripture. This article addresses the question of the verse found in Genesis about the seed and who will crush the head of satan…

Some Catholic scholars point to Genesis 3:15 in support of the Church’s teaching of Mary as the co-redeemer. In many Roman Catholic versions of the Bible, such as the Douay Rheims, the standard Roman Catholic English Bible until the middle of the twentieth century, God’s curse upon Satan reads:

I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: she shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel. – - Genesis 3:15 (Douay Rheims)

Based on this verse, many statues and paintings of Mary show her crushing a serpent under her foot–a graphic representation of her role as co-redeemer. This imagery is also found in Catholic documents:

Hence, just as Christ, the Mediator between God and man, assumed human nature, blotted the handwriting of the decree that stood against us, and fastened it triumphantly to the cross, so the most holy Virgin, united with him by a most intimate and indissoluble bond, was, with him and through him, eternally at enmity with the evil serpent, and most completely triumphed over him, and thus crushed his head with her immaculate foot. – - Ineffabilis Deus

This imagery, however, is based upon a faulty translation of Genesis 3:15 from the Latin texts of the Vulgate Bible, the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church since the fourth century. Until recently, the Latin Vulgate served as the base text for all Roman Catholic translations, including the English Douay Rheims Bible.

In the Hebrew text, the original language of the Old Testament, the subject of Genesis 3:15 is masculine, not feminine. Therefore, rather than reading "she shall crush thy head" (Genesis 3:15, Douay Rheims), the verse should be translated "He shall bruise you on the head" (Genesis 3:15, NASB). The verse is prophetically speaking of Christ’s victory over Satan, not Mary’s.

Though recent Roman Catholic translations have corrected the error, Roman Catholic theology remains the same.

I suspect that as more people are searching for an experienced based faith and therefore wait for signs and wonders, and those who are not grounded in scripture as their measuring tool will soon want to hear messages from this Mary who is appearing all around the world. Her messages will be accepted by millions and will not be questioned.

In the following quote is a link to something written by Jin Simmons. In Jim’s article he writes about some very well known ancient pagan mother/son worship. He also talks about the St Malachi prophecy, I heard about this some twenty years ago or so. It has been speculated that the last Pope will be named Peter!

Here is part II of The coming world religion, by Jim Simmons. This is really astute teaching. It traces Mystery Babylon from Babylon to the Catholic Church and it shows how Mary worship is tied into ancient pagan worship. It also suggests from the non biblical St Malachi prophecy that the next Pope will be the last Pope and that he will reign during the tribulation. That is my understanding of this prophecy as well. Simmons also suggests that the next Pope will be the False Prophet. I think that is a very high probability. [source]

So, I guess we just wait and see how connected the world’s religions get and we wait to see if indeed the last elected Pope will be renamed Peter in latin Petros Romanos meaning Peter of Rome. If this happens all I can say is … Marantha!

Related:

• Mary apparitions may be the deception that unifies world religions into becoming the Harlot of Revelation

• The Goddess called Mary

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christianity, Church History, Ecumenicalism, Gnosticism, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, The Strange, Theology, discernment

Pragmatism – the self authentic way of living

Firstly let me state that faith and works go hand in hand. They are not divorced from one another. Let me make that point clear…

Jas 2:22-26  You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"–and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

There is a move today within Christendom that is redefining what it means to be Christian. I first read about this around 15 years ago in a book called ‘Mere Christianity’ by C S Lewis. In that book, Lewis says that soon enough being a Christian would mean just to be a good person and not necessarily holding to biblical truths…Now if once we allow people to start spiritualising and refining, or as they might say ‘deepening’, the sense of the word Christian, it too will speedily become a useless word. I wondered at how this would start, this newly defined Christianity. From what I have seen it is pragmatism that has paved ‘a’ road — and I say a say ‘a’ road because I believe that this road is one of many roads – to an all inclusive self authentic spiritual life.

Pragmatism becomes a form of religion itself…

If there is a common religion to be found within the Western world it surely is pragmatism – the religion of “what works?”  Pragmatism has no cathedrals; it follows no liturgy, hires no pastors and cannot be found in any listing of denominations, yet it is woven into the very fabric of the Western church.  Whether we are talking about mainline, Pentecostal, Fundamentalist, Emergent or Orthodox, it does not take much observation to realize that pragmatism is interlaced throughout each tradition.  To attempt to remove pragmatism is to pull a thread which could very well unravel the whole structure of Christianity and church life as we know it today, yet to pull on that thread we must.

Few people have extensive understanding of philosophy but it doesn’t take a philosopher to recognize that the prevailing attitude today, an attitude which has invaded the church, is to “settle for what works” and not be overly concerned about truth.  After all, postmoderns believe that we can never be certain of truth anyway; therefore pragmatism will have to do. But when we exchange truth for what works or, better, what we think works, we have elevated our thoughts above God’s.  Or as Gordon Clark warns, “Since God is truth, a contempt for truth is equally a contempt for God.” [source]

I really like the point that Gary E Gilley makes when he writes…But when we exchange truth for what works or, better, what we think works, we have elevated our thoughts above God’s.  Or as Gordon Clark warns, “Since God is truth, a contempt for truth is equally a contempt for God.”

I know that there are some out there that think the bigger the Church the more God must be working! The smaller Churches struggling with numbers are often thought to be working outside of the plan of God. After all, with all the paraphernalia out there in regards to Church growth, these small Churches are simply not following the plan. You have to ask yourself, is it mans plan or God’s?

But as Mike for Mikescape points out, actions must be consistent with what God has revealed…

But, those actions that I take are and must be predicated firmly upon what God has revealed as being right and good.

In other words, my first consideration is, “is this right?” Results, at this point, do not even begin to factor into the equation. Completely aside from results, the question needs to be squarely faced, is what I’m considering true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy, as God defines it? [source]

In Gary E Gilley’s article he speaks about the relationship between the romanticist and the postmodern…

Postmoderns, including those found within the church, would feel quite at home with Romanticism, since postmodern thinking is similar.  It should therefore be carefully noted where Romanticism led evangelicals during the 1800s – straight to theological liberalism. During the latter part of the nineteenth century virtually all cardinal doctrines of the faith were challenged or denied by the growing liberalism (derived mostly from German Rationalism and Higher Criticism) which was threatening the evangelical  church. From the Godhead to the necessity for salvation to the existence of hell to the atonement to the inspiration of Scripture to the meaning of the gospel, every doctrine held precious by the evangelical community was gutted of biblical meaning and infused with ideas fitting the times.

That is exactly what is happening now. These very same doctrinal challenges are coming from various corners of the Church today. In fact Gilley’s article discusses McLaren and Bell, both of which are leaders in the postmodern emergent Church that challenges orthodoxy and doctrine. McLaren and Bell have affectively separated orthodoxy from orthopraxy and in doing so, orthodoxy is not even really discussed at all because it is exclusive and more than a little divisive. Orthopraxy on the other hand can be all inclusive and if it is all inclusive it becomes a very self authentic way of living. 

Gary E. Gilley rightly says…

But the contention of conservative believers has always been that life emerges from sound doctrine; right living is never formed in a truth vacuum.  Joel Beeke had it right when he wrote, “Doctrine must produce life, and life must adorn doctrine.”

[…]These men (McLaren and Bell) see no vital connection between what we believe and how we live, between orthodoxy and orthopraxy.  Having accepted this disconnect they move on to elevate orthopraxy to the exclusion of orthodoxy.  Right beliefs are simply superfluous.  How we live is all that matters.  Pragmatism reigns.

Right now I am pondering on the terms of being‘self authentic’ in this pluralistic society and the ‘authentic Christian’… the one who holds to the fundamentals of biblical faith. Is there a difference?

In being self authentic, what is it that is being elevated? In being an authentic Christian what is the foundation? I think that these are important questions. Others have noticed this too…

Indeed, the abdication of biblical faith is one of the hallmarks of our age – whether you prefer to call it postmodern, hypermodern, or post-postmodern.  Yet, once the faith is severed from biblical authority, Christianity becomes essentially plastic; a malleable and changeable belief system that just begs for transformation into some other shape and substance.

The situation is complicated further by the embrace of an “openness” that is not open to authentic biblical Christianity.  “Tolerance” becomes a code-word for avoiding truth and “openness” means never having to make a judgment about truth at all. [source]

I always remember the words of a dear friend of mine, she said that she now defines herself as a ‘Bible believing Christian’. Yet there are those who interpret the bible in many different ways. How are we to interpret the bible? How are we to rightly divide the word of truth?

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

This same friend was also clear in that we allow scripture to interpret scripture. The bible is to be taken as a whole, the whole council of God is given to us through His Word. Some Christians say that the words that Jesus said should take precedence over the rest of the bible. These Christians are called the ‘Red Letter Christians’. But doesn’t the whole bible testify about Him?

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. (Matthew 5:17-18 ESV)

A blog that I have come across has a post called “The Problem with Red Letter Christianity” written by Mitch Lewis addresses the issues of “Red Letter Christianity” which he finds problematic…

In some ways, red-letter Christianity reminds me of a modern day Marcionism, in broad strokes if not in the details. In the 2d century, Marcion objected to the Old Testament’s God of wrath, whom Marcion believed should be discarded in favor of Jesus’ God of love. Marcion offered the church a canon with edited versions of the Gospel of Luke and a selection of Paul’s letters, but no Old Testament at all. Only those passages that supported Marcion’s theology were included. In the same way, red-letter Christianity has selected as authoritative only those aspects of God’s revelation that suit its theological opinions. The ancient church rejected Marcion’s views as heretical; this contemporary view should also give us pause. [source]

Gary E. Gilley acknowledges that through the lens of pragmatism a better way of life may be found in many other religious teachings (see my post where I discuss the ‘Golden Rule’ and biblical unity).

So he begs the question about the definition of ‘life’ itself. The conclusion Gilley comes to is biblically authoritative…

Presumably, if Bell or McLaren found a better “way to live,” they would dump Christianity and adopt that better way.  This might explain why Bell was an official participant at the Seeds of Compassion conference in April, 2008 with Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Sikh leaders, and featuring “His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”[…]

“Is the way of Jesus still the best possible way to life?”  It depends on how you define “life.”  Biblically there is no question – “Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  When Scripture speaks of spiritual life it is speaking of unity with God and, therefore, when Jesus says that “no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6) He is telling us that true spiritual life is the opposite of spiritual death, which is separation from God.  Life means being brought into a saving relationship with God.

That is the big question isn’t it. What is an authentic life in Christ?

Related:

• The New "How To" Christianity
• Now Ready For Prime Time Players

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Gnosticism, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

A little more about Supercessionism and that book…

Today, Calvin Smith responds. His response has taught me something: in our own little worlds we discuss issues in isolation and then when we dialogue and come together, we find that there are some areas where we are completely missing the perspective of the other side. For example, Smith will say below, “Surely Derek recognizes the epistle to the Hebrews (likely written to a Jewish Christian audience looking back nostalgically at the levitical cultus) demonstrates how Christ is superior in every way to the old sacrificial system (thus rendering Torah observation in toto impossible).” He does not understand where I am coming from at all and thinks I will agree with him about this point. This example illustrates the very reason we need to be in dialogue.

I would like to thank Calvin Smith for taking the time to respond and I do hope our dialogue will continue. Read the response here – Guest Blog: Calvin Smith Responds

Here’s a review of the book…

I have to say, it is encouraging to read British evangelicals supporting Israel. As a basic book for people learning the Biblical and theological reasons for Christians to support Israel, The Jews, Modern Israel, and the New Supercessionism is a far better primer than the oh-so-common sensationalist volumes out there. And for those who like to keep a small library of books on Christian views of Israel, this is certainly one to add to the collection.

The stated purpose for The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism is to provide an accessible refutation to supersessionism while avoiding an extreme Christian Zionist stance. The authors do substantiate the continuing role of Israel in New Testament theology, as in the lead essay by Andy Cheung, “Who is the ‘Israel’ of Romans 11:26?” They discuss at length the issues of Israel’s sovereignty over the divine land grant. It is good to find friends amongst the Christians of Britain in a time when there are too many there like Stephen Sizer who associate Jesus-faith with support of Muslim warmongering. [source]

Filed under: Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Hebrew, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

Worth posting…

In light of my last few posts, I think Jan Markell sums it up pretty well…

More of the Inconvenient Truth
By Jan Markell

No matter how you cut it, I am an outcast. To the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), I am a right-wing extremist. I am suspect because I am pro-life, pro-family, anti-illegal immigration, pro-U.S. sovereignty, study the end-times and thus might be part of the militia movement, and I trust returning war vets. Thankfully, DHS head, Janet Napolitano, gave a partial apology to the last mentioned.
But now I fall into another guilty category: I am a friend of Israel, also known as a Christian Zionist. Church of England priest Stephen Sizer has written another vitriolic book, this time titled, Zion’s Christian Soldiers. Suggesting we are like the Crusaders, Sizer warns that pro-Israel U.S. evangelicals have monstrously distorted the Middle East by aligning America with Israel. Sizer states, "In its worst forms, Christian Zionism uses the Bible to justify racial superiority, land expropriation, colonial settlements, the denial of international law, and the dehumanization of Arabs."

Unfortunately Sizer represents a more conservative wing of the Church of England and thus has a platform in places he should not.  One such platform is the radio program of the so-called "Bible Answerman" Hank Hanegraaff. Hank is adept in some areas of apologetics and has a radio audience in the millions. Christians who call his daily program remind him that he has revolutionized their spiritual life. I am not sure we want this kind of revolution as he echoes Sizer’s sentiments. Additionally, Hanegraaff is a Preterist, believing all end-time prophecy happened in 70 AD and Nero was the antichrist. That theology puts my brain in a pretzel as I don’t want to look at prophecy in a rear-view mirror!
Sizer suggests that the reason Britain and America have become the focus of so much hatred from the Islamic world is because these two nations perpetrate "the most influential and destructive movement among Christians today: Christian Zionism."  I wonder why this movement is ridiculed when there is a commandment in the Bible to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6)?
A previous book by Sizer is titled, Christian Zionism: Road Map to Armageddon. The mantra is the same: Friends of Israel will lead the world into total doom.

Who else is on this vitriolic bandwagon? None other than some Emergent Church leaders including Brian McLaren and his followers in the religious Left. In Jim Wallis’ April edition of Sojourners Magazine, McLaren states that Christians like me are "terrible," "deadly," and "distorted."  He likens my belief system to the racism of the 1950s and 1960s. McLaren is outraged that Israel might be a special nation to the Lord. Both McLaren and Jim Wallis are "advisors" to Barack Obama, who will likely throw Israel under the bus when he meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu next week. Keep this important meeting in prayer. Israeli intelligence admits, in writing, "Under Obama’s policies, we are irrelevant. We have become an obstacle." How will Bibi deal with this?

We can’t leave out Tony Campolo who says in his book Speaking My Mind that the good people who follow a ministry like mine are "rigid" and are "the real problem for the whole world." Those who look at the last days, which include a heavy emphasis on Israel, "are to blame for wars and a host of other evils." Campolo was one of Bill Clinton’s "advisors."  We are dealing with high profile people here, not obscure folks who can be easily marginalized and ignored.
Also among this critical legion includes a pastor in my hometown of Minneapolis. He is Pastor John Piper, lauded for his many books and mushrooming churches in this area. His sentiment is quite well known. He does not believe the Jews even deserve their land due to their unbelief. He states in a sermon from March 2004, "The promises made to Abraham, including the promise of the land, will be inherited as an everlasting gift only by true, spiritual Israel, not disobedient, unbelieving Israel. Being born Jewish does not make one an heir of the promise — neither the promise of the land nor any other promise."

Ezekiel makes this pretty clear in chapter 37: The Jews return to the land in unbelief and then God begins a spiritual work in their hearts. What is so complicated about that?

I’ll stand by Israel because our Messiah is Jewish, the writers of our blessed book called the Bible were Jewish, and "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22). The roots of Christianity are Jewish, thus the olive tree (Romans 9-10-11). Her critics are in the millions. Her friends are a tiny minority, scoffed at by the intellectuals and scolded by the religious Left and other liberals of all persuasion. I wish we did, indeed, have the power they claim we have.

If you find yourself in this tiny club, welcome aboard. Our crimes are praying for Israel, attending a "Bless Israel" rally now and then, spending our tourist dollars there, and educating the church that her roots come from the Jews. For this we are vilified. Yet at least 10% of my e-mail list will unsubscribe because I have touched their anointed one. I have a reputation for telling the inconvenient truth, but it is the truth.
So, I confess: I am a terrorist after all. I’m a right-wing extemist with no apologies. I’m a Christian Zionist capable of bringing on Armageddon and the end of the world. And I can’t make this stuff up. This is truly what many people believe today!

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Freedom of Speech, Globalism, History, Israel, Middle East, New World Order, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

5th of May – Tomorrow is the day…

Rom 11:17-18 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

Just a reminder about the book launch. May the 5th is the day a book called The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism will be released. I have blogged about it HERE. It promises to be a well researched and thorough book on a topic that really does define your understanding of the prophetic role Israel has yet to play. Supercessionism is basically “Replacement Theology” which seeks to interpret the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament now are superceded by the Church…

…supercessionism and replacement theology are particular interpretations of New Testament claims, viewing God’s relationship with Christians as being either the “replacement” or “completion” of the promise made to the Jews (or Israelites) and Jewish Proselytes. Biblical expressions of God’s relationships with people are known as covenants, so the contentious element of supersessionism is the idea that the New Covenant with the Christians and the Christian Church somehow “replaces” or “completes” the Mosaic Covenant (or Torah) with the Israelites and B’nei Noah. [source]

How the Jews see it…

From a Jewish perspective, the Torah was given to the Jewish people as an eternal covenant (for example Exo 31:16-17, Exo 12:14-15) and will never be replaced or added to (for example Deut 4:2, 13:1), and hence Judaism rejects supersessionism as contrary to the Hebrew Bible at best (see also Antinomianism) and antisemitic at worst. For Judaism and other critics, supersessionism is a theology of replacement, which substitutes the Christian church, consisting of Christians, for the Jewish and B’nei Noah people. Modern Jews are offended by the traditional Christian belief in supersessionism, and historians cite the belief as one of the roots of anti-semitism in western culture. [source]

Here is a site that has quite a bit of info on the topic of Supercessionism.

The book seeks to get past the unnecessary polemical approach which is often seen with such a topic in regards to Israel’s place today. Dr Calvin Smith says…So not only is the issue of Israel and supercessionism hotting up, it is also symptomatic of a wider ideological struggle currently taking place within Evangelicalism over how to respond to Islam. So you can see why this topic is a hotbed of debate and argument currently.

Anyway, this book looks like a balanced piece and one really worth reading to clear up some of the misconceptions that are currently weaving their way through the Christian Church!

Please Note:

I do not endorse the automatically generated section of this particular post.

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Hebrew, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Religion, Resources, Theology, discernment

Return Of The Nephilim: Chuck Missler 9/12

Num 13:33  And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

One of the most biblically concise explanations regarding the Nephilim.

Related:

• Gilgal Rephaim
• The Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs

Filed under: Aliens, Apostasy, Christianity, Church History, Hebrew, History, Judaism, Middle East, Nephilim, Philosophy & Religion, Prophecy, The Strange, The Watchers, Theology, UFOs, discernment

The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism

Well, here is the post that I promised you, it’s about a very important topic. The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessioism…

 

A large portion of the word of God in the Old Testament is being misinterpreted or deliberately avoided by those who have adopted the teaching that the Christian Church has replaced Israel and that the ancient promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David are now passé. However, Calvin L. Smith has edited a set of chapters in a new book that makes a vital contribution towards rectifying this imbalance in interpretation. May it spark a long-overdue discussion among Evangelical interpreters of all persuasions as well as one between Jewish people of the book and believers in the Christian Church. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Ph.D. Colman Mockler Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, President Emeritus, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Read more at – The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism – Home

Some of the endorsements can be found HERE. Below are just some of what well known scholars think about the book…

The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism provides thorough insights, both biblical and secular, into issues related to the present, past, and future status of ethnic Israel.  It is heartening that editor Calvin L. Smith along with an assortment of contributors has outlined many historic and current facets related to present-day Israel.  The availability and helpfulness of the book will strike a strong note in response to growing supercessionist influences regarding God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants.
Dr Robert L. Thomas
Professor of New Testament Language and Literature
The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California

A book of this quality, character and courage has been needed for decades! I want to congratulate Dr. Calvin Smith of King’s Evangelical Divinity School for engaging in this highly charged and controversial study focusing on God’s plan for the Jewish people, the nation of Israel and the Arab world.  I further applaud the project for taking the very critical next step of helping to provide a matrix for understanding the relationship between the Western Church and the Christian, Messianic and Muslim communities of the East.
Mitch Glaser, Ph.D.
President, Chosen People Ministries

If you are new to the word “Supercessionism”, Dr Calvin L. Smith explains what it means and the implications…

…Supercessionism (American spelling: supersessionism) is the theological view that God’s dealings with His chosen people Israel have now been superceded by a new people, the Church. Thus, supercessionism claims the promises originally intended for Israel are now given over to the Church, neither do the Jews any longer retain any special status as God’s chosen people.  Supercessionism is also known as replacement theology, or replacementism. For their part, some supercessionists/ replacementists eschew both these labels as pejorative, preferring instead terms like ‘fulfillment theology’ or ‘transference theology’. [source]

It is important to note that Dr Calvin L. Smith addresses the problem of Supercessionism in a biblical-systematic manner and because of that, this book is not an endorsement for extreme Christian Zionism. This is what he says about Christian Zionism…

…So again, the issues are complex and demand a sophisticated approach. Unfortunately, there is not much of that in the current debate, with a tendency among several of today’s vocal supercessionist writers to tar every Christian even mildly holding to the view God has not finished with Israel with a Christian Zionist brush.

…At the other end of the spectrum are some extreme Christian Zionists who take an “Israel right or wrong” stance, turning a blind eye to some things happening in that part of the world (especially the difficulties faced by some Christians there) and engaging in a form of Israel worship (or ‘Israelolatry’, if you like). In between are very many people who reject this idolising of Israel but are equally uncomfortable, in fact increasingly troubled with the extreme pro-Palestinianism and anti-Israelism exhibited by several more vocal Evangelical supercessionists. [source]

He speaks about the current tensions that surround Israel, Islam and Supercessionism…So not only is the issue of Israel and supercessionism hotting up, it is also symptomatic of a wider ideological struggle currently taking place within Evangelicalism over how to respond to Islam.

To read more of this most fascinating interview with Calvin Smith and to get an idea about where this book is actually coming from see HERE.

The release date for this book that seeks to get past the unnecessarily polemical approach is the 5th of May. It can be purchased HERE.

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Globalism, Hebrew, History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Resources, Theology, discernment , Biblical Systematic Theology, Christian Zionism, Israel, Middle East Politics, Palestine, politics, Replacement Theology, Supercessionism