We would appreciate your prayers as Ingrid is now in the hospital and there is a good chance the baby may be delivered today. More at Slice of Laodicea.

 Apprising Ministries with more detail.

If you’ve wondered what the concern is about Mark Driscoll then the following from a Baptist Press story will give you more information than we wish you needed:

During the sermon, which was entitled “Sex, a Study of the Good Bits from Song of Solomon,” Driscoll interpreted Song of Solomon 2:3 as referring to oral sex and then said, “Men, I am glad to report to you that oral sex is biblical…. The wife performing oral sex on the husband is biblical. God’s men said, Amen. Ladies, your husbands appreciate oral sex. They do. So, serve them, love them well. It’s biblical. Right here. We have a verse. ‘The fruit of her husband is sweet to her taste and she delights to be beneath him.’”

Driscoll went on to tell an anecdote about a wife who he said won her husband to Christ by performing oral sex on him. Driscoll said he told her that giving him oral sex would be following the admonition of Scripture. A transcript of the sermon quotes Driscoll saying he told her, “1 Peter 3 says if your husband is an unbeliever to serve him with deeds of kindness,” referring to oral sex. Verses 1 and 2 of that chapter, however, tell wives it is their “pure and reverent” conduct that will win their unbelieving husbands.

In response to the idea that the Song of Solomon is an allegory about the relationship between Jesus and the Church, Driscoll said: “If so, it is weird, because Jesus keeps making out with me and touching me in inappropriate places. It’s bizarre, Jesus has his hand up my shirt. That doesn’t help the interpretation in any way. Now I’m gay … or highly troubled … or both.”

Lyons set up his website CRN.Info in order to criticize this one, which was created by Ingrid Schlueter. Below he gives clear evidence that these self-appointed Watchers of alleged “ODM” watchdog blogs are certainly no better than those they continually mock and belittle:

56. Chris L Says:
July 1st, 2009 at 4:03 pm

Paul – Phil got the context of my comment right – Ingrid, Bin Laden & the abortionist-shooter all operate from the same frame of reference in terms of their willingness to use violence (in word or deed) to accomplish the ends their “god” directs them to…

From Touchstone Magazine:

Gene Robinson, an openly homosexual man living openly with a partner, whose 2003 consecration as bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire created a backlash among traditional believers within the U.S., church, told Ecumenical News International he does not believe the new Anglican grouping has long-term viability.

“A church that does not ordain women or openly gay people – I don’t see a future for that,”…

See also: POPULAR EMERGING CHURCH WEBSITE THE OOZE SLITHERS OUT OF THE GLBTQ-AFFIRMING CLOSET

OXYMORONIC ‘HOMOSEXUAL CHRISTIANS’ FOCUS OF BARNA REPORT

MAINSTREAM EVANGELICALISM NOW ON THE RAPID SLIDE TO APOSTASY

Steve Lumbley of Apostasy Watch is dead-on-target with his commentary here concerning the way our culture, and often the Christian community, so often erects idols out of celebrities such as the late Michael Jackson:

The beatification had begun. A maudlin media mush-fest was in full swing. Worshipful crowds were gathering all over the country to wallow in grief stricken adulation for their fallen idol. Michael Jackson’s body had barely enough time to assume room temperature when the internet rumors began to appear on the Christian blogs and websites… Someone who knew someone who knew someone reported that gospel recording artists Sandra and Andrae Crouch had prayed with Michael to receive Jesus shortly before he died…

Singers, actors, politicians, celebrities, all our idols go to heaven. It doesn’t matter how they lived their lives. They can lie and steal. They can commit adultery and fornication. They can live debauched lives of drunkenness, drug addiction and revelry. They can reject the God of the bible and promote damnable lies as the truth all the while engaging in good deeds designed to make you think they are really deep down ‘good’ persons. In the end none of that matters.

They are our substitute saviors…

See also: Michael Jackson, Jesus, and Purpose Driven Myth

Christianity Today says in this piece online:

Two of the world’s most prominent pastor-theologians on justification—and what difference it makes… John Piper and N.T. Wright, compiled by Trevin Wax

In this story from One News Now we’re informed:

A black evangelical Christian pastor and former NFL linebacker says there was “absolutely no truth in anything” President Obama said in his speech to homosexuals in the East Room of the White House Monday. President Obama promised LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) supporters Monday at a White House “gay pride” celebration that he “will continue to be an ally and a champion” for their agenda, once again vowing he will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.
 
Ken Hutcherson, senior pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Washington state, says it is “a shame” that the president is “supporting what destroys the family.” “There’s absolutely no truth in anything he said, from beginning to the end,” says Pastor Hutcherson. “There is no such thing as [a] biblical stance for homosexuality, if you use the Bible. If you want to use any other denomination, feel free — but where I stand is…biblical; it is marriage between one man [and] one woman, and that is the relationship, heterosexual, that is ordained, blessed, and called by God.”…

In this Hutcherson is absolutely correct according to the Creator Himself Who stood here on His Own planet and said in no uncertain terms:

“Have you not read that He who created them [Jesus; see-John 1:1-3] from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6, NASB)

As Dr. Walter Martin used to quip, “What exactly is there to discuss; if you believe what the Bible says?”

See also: POPULAR EMERGING CHURCH WEBSITE THE OOZE SLITHERS OUT OF THE GLBTQ-AFFIRMING CLOSET

Emergent-See Po-Motivators For Emerging Christains

As you’ll see in this recent Baptist Press story referenced below, DefCon is not the only voice raised against the questionable language and interpretation of Scripture employed by Mark Driscoll:

One of America’s largest Christian radio networks interrupted one of its programs in mid-show because it featured the controversial Seattle, Wash., pastor Mark Driscoll.

The Bott Radio Network then cancelled another interview with Driscoll that had been scheduled…

From Purpose Driven.com of Rick Warren we have this piece by David Pack who is:

is a Grammy winning recording artist, producer, and music director. A member of Saddleback Church, he works with Rick Warren on special projects, including the PEACE Plan and AIDS & Worship Conferences.

In the article Pack describes how he brought all his “friends” together, which also included the late Michael Jackson. Pack then concludes:

If there’s anything that gives me peace during this moment of loss, it’s knowing that one of the greatest artists of our time is now moon-walking along the gold paved roads of heaven, where streets have no name, with a broad smile on his face, and a band of angels welcoming him home. Michael, my friend, rest in heavenly peace.

But now this becomes an excellent example of the danger posed when evangelicals are now thinking with their subjective “feelings,” where one just “knows” because you believe something with “all your heart.” When the truth is, his sentimental feelings aside, Pack knows nothing of the sort concerning Michael Jackson.

Sadly, Jackson’s often outlandish and frequently bizarre behavior gave zero appearance of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. For a different perspective than that of the Purpose Driven Pack see Mikaeel (Michael) Jackson: A Sobering Reminder.

There, as well as here, and here, and in this post Purpose-Driven Connection: Michael Jackson Loved Jesus with All His Heart from Slice of Laodicea today, you’ll see pretty credible evidence that Jackson had indeed converted to the false world religion of Islam with their phony god Allah; which is not the one true and living God of the Bible, but actually demons impersonating Him.

This all means, putting our personal feelings aside because they mean nothing in spiritual matters, according to Luke 16:19-31 it’s highly doubtful there’s any smiling moon-walking with any band of angels going on. 

HT: Lighthouse Trails Research

My friend Brett Beasely, pastor of Second Baptist Church, West Frankfort, IL made me aware of his upcoming conference August 20-22, which will feature another friend of mine Randall Easter, as well as Jonathan Sims, and Jeff Noblitt, Senior Pastor-Teacher of Grace Life Church of the Shoals. Most of you know that Noblitt is also Founder and President of Anchored in Truth Ministries, which puts on the very popular True Church Conference each year.

Having a heart from the Lord as I do to encourage those struggling in ministry right now, with apostasy spreading as quickly as an Oklahoma wildfire throughout the visible church and the added burden of this difficult economy, pastor Brett Beasely reminds you:

Striving to be truly Biblical in your church, family, or personal Christian life can sometimes be a very lonely place. The prevailing religious culture of our day remains entrenched in easy believism, the traditions of men, and market driven strategies. The world we live in is saturated with sin and temptation. When you desire truth and practice Biblical principles you are often met with opposition, misrepresentation, and scorn. We want you to know you are not alone!

The purpose of the “Encouraged to Endure Conference,” is to strengthen and challenge Christians from all walks of life: the church leader facing opposition at every turn, the lay person starving to be part of a healthy church, the spouse desiring a Biblecentered home, the student openly living a Christcentered life. Please consider attending the conference; we want to be a blessing to you. Together we will encourage one another to continue on in the sufficiency of the Word of God and the power of God’s glorious Gospel.

You can find out all about Encouraged To Endure Conference as well as all the information needed to attend this special conference by clicking here.

The best place for a Christian to be is at the Cross, before the Saviour, in complete agreement with God that without His saving Grace he or she would be on their way to Hell, and without His sustaining Grace he or she would lose all ability or desire for His godliness. In fact, Christians are in a great deal of trouble when they think otherwise. Yes, we are commanded to obey God and to seek His Holiness, but we are completely unable to obey Him in the Spirit; neither are we able to seek His Holiness unless He first gives us the Grace to do these things. In fact, if we try to do either in our own abilities, we will fail miserably and find ourselves in an impossible situation of trying to attain favor with God by our own efforts in our own ability. This is a form of legalism, which leads only to frustration and disillusionment.

(click here to read this post)

Columnist Martha West continues with her expose of spiritually bankrupt liberal theology:

When I was a liberal I loved mocking the Bible.  I’d get giddy arguing with conservatives over Bible stories that to me were ludicrous.  One example is the biblical account of Moses parting the Red Sea to help the Israelites escape Pharaoh’s pursuing army.  Boy did I scoff at that one! 

I categorized Christians who bought into the miraculous signs and wonders in the Bible as “unenlightened twits.”… As I mentioned earlier (part 1) liberals prefer the term “progressive Christian” (PC) but a horse by any other name is still a horse… 

This short post is a necessary follow up to “The Way Of The Monk” At Tim Keller’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church.

A look in this post at how the Emerging/ent/ence Church has an incorrect seeker-sensitive soteriology (doctrine of salvation)—one that’s actually backward—and in effect is a works-righteous system.

I doubt if any professing Christian who is a genuine child of God has not come to that sobering and often devastating realization in which God has taken His hand away just enough so that decisions are made and actions are taken apart from His wise counsel. The consequences of our going it alone are humbling to say the least. God tests us in these circumstances to show us what is really in our hearts. We are placed in circumstances in which the wise and Christian thing to do would be to seek God’s face and move only as He leads, but if we are honest we must confess that in these circumstances our self-righteousness comes to the fore or we operate from pride or instead of mortifying our sin, we indulge our flesh. These are not marks of the unregenerate my brethren, but of the children of God. I am convinced that God uses these things to show us what we are really made of and, therefore, we are humbled and become more usable in the Kingdom.

(click here to read this post)

P.J. Miller with links to a couple of pieces worth checking out concerning George Barna and the Barna Institute tumbling ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’.

More detail now at Apprising Ministries.

An article here at Surph’s Side was brought to the attention of CRN. Why would a Presbyterian Church wish to expose their flock to the Counter Reformation spirituality of The Way of the Monk, which is the opposite of the Reformed principle of Sola Scriptura:

Do you long for the great theology in your head to be more real to your heart? Come discover age-old methods of contemplative prayer and worship that can help you encounter Christ in a more intimate, experiential way. In this hands-on workshop, you will experience the ancient art of chanting the Psalms (they were meant to be sung!), embark on a practice of authentic Christian meditation, discover how a simple, time-honored tool can help unleash the prayer warrior in you, learn what a typical monastic day is like and how you can make your own, private retreat at a monastery, and much more!

Seeking God: The Way Of The Monk DVD, which we assume formed the basis of what Susan Castillo–who continues “to embrace her ‘inner monk’”–teaches in this regard was produced as an:

examination of the strange life of the Benedictine monks at New Mexico’s Monastery of Christ in the Desert, presents the traditional chants, seasonal rituals,…

If so, CRN thinks former monk Martin Luther knew a bit more about these kinds of ascetic practices than Keller and his teacher Castillo. Luther said:

Idolatry is all manner of seeming holiness and worshipping, let these counterfeit spiritualities shine outwardly as glorious and fair as they may; in a word, all manner of devotion in those that we would serve God without Christ the Mediator, his Word and command. In popedom it was held a work of the greatest sanctity for the monks to sit in their cells and meditate of God, [solitude] and of his wonderful works; to be kindled with zeal, kneeling on their knees, praying, and having their imaginary contemplations of celestial objects, with such supposed devotion, that they wept for joy. In these their conceits, they banished all desires and thoughts of women, and what else is temporal and evanescent. They seemed to meditate only of God, and of his wonderful works.

Yet all these seeming holy actions of devotion, which the wit and wisdom of man holds to be angelical sanctity, are nothing else but works of the flesh. All manner of religion, where people serve God without his Word and command, is simply idolatry, and the more holy and spiritual such a religion seems, the more hurtful and venomous it is; for it leads people away from the faith of Christ, and makes them rely and depend upon their own strength, works, and righteousness. In like manner, all kinds of orders of monks, fasts, prayers, hairy shirts, the austerities of the Capuchins, who in popedome are held to be the most holy of all, are mere works of the flesh; for the monks hold they are holy, and shall be saved, not through Christ, whom they view as a severe and angry judge, but through the rules of their order. (Table Talk AD 1626)

Perhaps it’s finally time for some serious questions to be asked by leaders within the so-called Reformed Camp.

Despite the effort of the emergents to deflect the focus of Christianity from Christ and His Gospel to a man-made Jesus and his social gospel, the Word of God is still very clear that the promise to true believers is resurrection from the dead. Eternal life in Christ is our blessed hope, not the uniting of all religious beliefs into a front that will make this world a better place. No, we must go through each day and do all we do looking unto Jesus as the object of our faith and salvation.

(click here to read this post)

More on a steadily growing same-sex storm looming, being strengthened by the Emerging/ent/ence Church, which is right now just off the horizon of the mainstream evangelical community.

Over at The Crux blog of Midwest Christian Outreach Ron Henzel, Christian apologist and Senior Researcher at MCO, continues his look at the cardinal Christian doctrine of the vicarious penal substitutionary atonement of Christ on the Cross.

Henzel opened the series with Behold The Lamb and has continued with The Lamb That Was Slain and Losing Sight Of The Lamb. As he begins this very well-researched article Henzel reminds us why it is that something so clear as the vicarious atonement would eventually become lost in the shadows:

there is a darkness that no one alive today remembers. There was a time in European history when the light of ancient learning and culture from the glory days of Greece and Rome seemed all but extinguished. It seemed to be, as William Manchester (1922-2004) put it in the title of his bestselling book, A World Lit Only By Fire.

At least, that’s the way it has seemed to many who have looked back on it. Depending on which historian you read, however, actually identifying that period can be like trying to nail Jello to a wall. For a while virtually the entire medieval period—the Middle Ages, which may be roughly defined as the years ad 500 to 1500—was referred to as “the Dark Ages.”…

The beginning of the Middle Ages was not only a bad time for Roman culture, it was a bad time for the church… The atonement is the subject I have actually been dealing with up to this point, as you can see from my previous articles, and we have followed the history of this doctrine up to the beginning of the Middle Ages. But once we come to that point, it is as though we come to the edge of a cliff… (Online source)

You can read Henzel’s article in its entirely by clicking here.

This piece at 5pt. Salt brings to light another example of the dearth of discernment today found among many evangelical Christians:

With the recent death of ‘Michael’ Jackson, I’d like to remind all of the ‘Christian’ bloggers out there who are thanking him and speaking of the ‘joy’ that he brought to be cautious… One Christian blogger actually thanked Michael for ‘helping him becoming a Christian full-on’…

How sad, and revealing, when it turns out this Christian blogger just happens to be Rod White:

pastor for the Circle of Hope network in the Philadelphia Region. This page is not from “them” per se, just me. If you want to know more about all of us, check out www.circleofhope.net

Jesus did say that out of the mouth the heart speaks, and when you’re forming your world-view from pop music you’re bound to drift off the rails. As a pastor White can lead others with him.

As a warning for ministers struggling financially right now while laboring in various types of ministries for the Lord, it seems good make this information concerning Dennis Lee more readily available.