ROB BELL SAYS CHRISTIAN BELIEFS ABOUT HELL ARE "MISGUIDED AND TOXIC"

Please refer to our prior post from February 1, 2013 titled: "Universalism and Universalists".
    Christian News reported on Rob Bell's soon to be released "teen" version of his book "Love Wins", but that it will be filled with the same universalist heresies and twistings of Scripture as the "adult" version. See the article here: http://christiannews.net/2013/02/25/rob-bell-to-teach-teens-that-christian-beliefs-about-hell-are-misguided-and-toxic/. This should be sufficient warning to stay away from Bell. The promo video is below:

CANADIAN SUPREME COURT ON "HATE SPEECH" AND CHRISTIAN RIGHTS TO FREE SPEECH

Christian News has reported here http://christiannews.net/2013/02/28/canadian-supreme-court-rules-biblical-speech-opposing-homosexual-behavior-is-a-hate-crime/, on the Canadian Supreme Court's decision on "hate speech" in reference to a Mr. Whatcott who was brought to court by a local human rights commission for distributing flyers against homosexuality that were found to be offensive in that they described the depravity of this lifestyle. This video is a summary by a local attorney:

LGBT "CHRISTIAN" TRIO CALLED "MICAH'S RULE"

Micah's Rule www.micahsrule.com, is a contemporary "Christian" trio which is comprised of a gay man, lesbian, and transgender, as reported by the Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/17/micahs-rule-gay-transgender-band-breaks-barriers-in-christian-music_n_2702925.html, among many other sources. They only lack repentance as evidenced by their membership in Wilmington, North Carolina's St. Jude Metropolitan Community Church. Their music is a mix of Southern gospel, classic country, blues and a medley of 1960s peace songs, all with a "Christian" message.

GRANDMA TAKES BIDEN'S GUARANTEED ADVICE AND TRIES OUT AN ASSORTMENT OF SHOTGUNS

If grandmother can use an assortment of shotguns, then anyone of legal age and a clear background check can certainly exercise his/her constitutional right and buy a shotgun and/or weapon of choice, while one still has a choice, although it might not fit Joe Biden's concept of self protection. Just for the record, Joe Biden's advice was illegal, careless, irresponsible, and dangerous, even in his own state of Delaware. Secondly, Biden surrounds himself with secret service agents who carry automatic assault type weapons with 50 round clips. In this video it is for fun on a shooting range. In other cases, it might be self defense against intruders, thieves, and rapists of the civilian kind or the fascist kind. Best be prepared.

Here's a different more realistic perspective:

BOB WOODWARD THREATENED BY WHITE HOUSE EMAIL: "YOU WILL REGRET THIS"

Senior reporter Bob Woodward whose career goes back to the Nixon era and Watergate, has been threatened in an email by Gene Sperling of the White House. The text of the email includes the veiled threat "You will regret this"

Rush Limbaugh sees down the road where he claims Woodward will be done in by an Obamacare death panel sometime in the future for his daring to expose the facts about the sequester.

WILLOWDALE CHAPEL ADVISED BY TIM KELLER; SOCIAL GOSPEL BROUGHT TO CULTURE BY MERGING PURPOSE DRIVEN, DOMINIONISM & FASCIST COLLECTIVISM

    Revelation 3:17-"Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' --- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked ---."

    Willowdale Chapel http://www.willowdalechapel.org, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (the mushroom capitol of the world) has been pastored in recent years by Greg Lafferty, a former teacher at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church of California. A very large percentage of Willowdale's congregation is comprised of former, but mostly present Catholics who supplement their Mass going with emergent entertainment. This non-denominational church also regularly offers the heretical Catholic sympathizing and charismatic "Alpha Course" of Nicky Gumbel's doing.
    Here in this video is Lafferty giving the opening prayer for the House of Repesentatives, followed by a commendation of Lafferty by Joseph Pitts, representative from Pennsylvania and member of the Willowdale Chapel:

Naturally, in accordance with the "Purpose Driven" methodologies of Warren, Lafferty has grown this church in membership to where even the expansion of the facilities over recent years has become inadequate to the grandiose plans he and his church have.
    Plans for more expansion were recently unveiled in print and on their website, after meeting with Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian of New York City www.redeemer.com for wisdom, and presented to the world with the title of "Shine Like Stars". This is estimated to cost $6.5 million, which is no problem for the well connected and affluent population of this area of Chester County, PA, and includes the following:

• Complete our facility, expanding our worship center and creating new ministry space for children.
• Retire our debt, freeing up over $200,000 a year to be invested in ministry.
• Go multi-site, taking our church to new locations.
• Create an agency to network existing organizations and incubate new enterprises for the common good of our culture. 

     Also included in this release are three documents in pdf which show the basis and philosophy behind such a large project. They are: 

"Constellation White Paper" http://www.willowdalechapel.org/_files/live/Constellation_White_Paper_41.pdf.

"Collective Impact" http://www.willowdalechapel.org/_files/live/1_Collective_Impact.pdf.

"Shine Like Stars Philippians Study" http://www.willowdalechapel.org/_files/live/Shine_Like_Stars-Philippians_Study.pdf.

    The star-filled "Constellation Vision" includes creating a non-profit organization called "Longwood Ventures", a type of centralized social services hub, as an extension of a social gospel. The main features of both revolve around "collectivist" (fascist) and "dominionist" ideologies, which include a "seven mountains mandate" derived from the New Apostolic Reformation. Quotes: "Thus we dream of a multi-church, multi-organizational movement!" and "The objective is to enlist, network, and move organizations toward the vision of collective impact, and, ultimately, community shalom." The word "shalom" is Jewish meaning peace/properity, and as used here hints at a Messianic Hebraic influence. 

These are the main themes included therein:

Two dynamics characterize this vision: 

1) A movement rather than an institutional dynamic.

2) A multi-church rather than a mega-church dynamic.

Three areas of impact are targeted in this vision:

1) Individuals

2) Systems

3) Culture

Strategy:

1) Identify the “channels” of culture that we want to impact and articulate a vision for each.

We have identified at least seven sectors of our culture that we believe are central to creating a 

thriving community. 

 Church  Arts

 Family  Business

 Education  Government

 Social Sector

2) Convene organizations within each channel of culture and/or create new ones to serve the 

common good.

3) Unleash the power of network.

“Collective Impact,” an article published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review

Launch Steps and Tactics:

1) Enlist like-minded church partners.

2) Convene a board of directors.

3) Create Longwood Ventures. This non-profit will: 

    a) Align to the vision.

    b) Convene partners and create the network “glue”.

    c) Incubate new organizations and accelerate existing ones.

    d) Serve as thought-partner and trainer.

    e) Provide services and empowerment.

    f)  Raise investment capital.

    g) Hire an Executive Director.

    The "Constellation Vision" ends with a quote from Richard Mouw, president of the ultra-liberal apostate Fuller Theological Seminary. Clearly, Lafferty and Willowdale's leadership identify with Mouw's ideas as well:
"Richard Mouw, one of the great theologians of common grace, wrote:
'For those who do not feel called to cultural abstinence, it is important to consider the notion of common grace ministries….We should not just stand back and watch for signs that God is restraining sin in the world, or hope that we might witness acts of civic righteousness popping up here and there. We ought to look for ways God can use us to restrain the power of sin in the larger human community, and to perform our own works of civic good….Abraham Kuyper referred to the Christian obligation ‘to continually expand the dominance of nobler and purer ideals in civil society by the courageous action of its members in every area of life'.
See Apprising.org's posts about Mouw, who is a Catholic synpathizer and endorser:
http://apprising.org/2008/12/02/dr-richard-mouw-evangelical-ecumenism/.
http://apprising.org/2008/12/02/dr-richard-mouw-fuller-theological-seminary-so-proud-of-rob-bell/, in which Mouw praises and supports the universalist emerging pastor Rob Bell.
http://apprising.org/2008/12/02/dr-richard-mouw-mormon-apologist-trusting-the-jesus-of-the-bible/, in which Mouw supports and approves of a Mormon apologist.
http://apprising.org/2012/11/19/fuller-theological-seminary-and-inerrancy-of-scripture/, which describes Fuller's drift toward apostasy.

    There are several Vimeo videos where Lafferty is shown meeting with Tim Keller for his bits of wisdom:

https://vimeo.com/58992671.

https://vimeo.com/58182466.

https://vimeo.com/55049118.

https://vimeo.com/55050749.

    Keller has roots in Kennett Square, a Catholic and Quaker area, where "Jesus is not the only way". We can see him promoting Catholic and Quaker mysticism, and recommending the Quaker mystic Richard Foster among a host of Catholic mystics in this YouTube video/audio. Keller, Lafferty, and Willowdale are of like minds.

Sources show Keller may not be the biblical "go to guy" for advice, whether for individual Christians or churches:
http://www.newcalvinist.com/tim-kellers-false-gospel/. Excellent expose of Keller's false gospel. A quote from this article sums it up:
"You will see that he is deeply ecumenical in approach and sympathetic to the Catholic cause. Indeed, his commitment to the Catholicism is so deep that Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York engages in mystical Catholic practices. He has such a low view of Scripture that he goes out of his way to promote the false doctrine of theistic evolution. He is so impressed with the idea of humanistic psychology that his church runs a fee charging counselling service that integrates psychological theories with Scripture. He is so taken with the ways of the world that he promotes a liberal political agenda. And the great tragedy of Tim Keller is that all this is done under the banner of Reformed Calvinism."
http://apprising.org/2013/01/04/new-calvinist-tim-keller-on-theistic-evolution-and-the-roman-catholic-church/.
http://www.newcalvinist.com/tim-kellers-false-gospel/kellers-theistic-evolution/.
http://www.donotbesurprised.com/2011/04/tim-keller-reformed-hero-or-cause-for.html.
From Teaching the Word":
"Tim Keller: Dangerously Influential": http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?columnid=5449&articleid=77005.
"Tim Keller's Gutless Gospel": http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/?columnid=5449&articleid=77008, in which Keller expresses his doubts about Jesus Christ to Mr. Bashir:

"Tim Keller's False Gospel: Changing Both the Method and the Message": http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/web/articleid/77007/columnid/5449/default.asp.
"Tim Keller's False Gospel: A 'Sandwich' Made Without the Bread of Life": http://www.teachingtheword.org/apps/articles/web/articleid/77100/columnid/5449/default.asp.
"Keller's Affinity With Rome": http://www.newcalvinist.com/kellers-affinity-with-rome/.
"Keller and the Mystics": http://www.newcalvinist.com/kellers-affinity-with-rome/keller-and-the-catholic-mystics/.
"Keller's Mysticism": http://www.newcalvinist.com/kellers-affinity-with-rome/kellers-mysticism/.

    But Lafferty and Willowdale's leadership have apparently learned a lot from Keller as well as Warren. Of course, all these emergents would claim a biblical mandate from Scripture. That may be so, but the implementation is not. They all seem to want to redeem the culture with good works, applying "salt and light" and/or present an attractive image to the unregenerate. Unfortunately, they will attempt to accomplish that goal through implementing a collectivist/fascist business model based on Peter Drucker's ideas for business (the three legged stool), and which is the foundation of Warren's "Purpose Driven" methods. 

    The second aim appears to be the establishment of God's kingdom on earth or at least preparing the way, allegedly to reign, but not to rule, falling just short of the seven "dominionist" aims of the New Apostolic Reformation which includes ruling the culture.
    Lost in all this is the one-on-one traditional biblical model of evangelism, as well as the important role of individuals in such. Now, the message is that the sum total of all individuals spreading the gospel cannot be as effective as the collectivist community inside a business model. This is explored at length by Chris Rosebrough of Fighting for the Faith (Pirate Radio) in this audio "Resistance is Futile. You Will Be Assimilated into The Community", among several others:

    An good example of Tim Keller's thoughts on all this is in this short video which again references Kuyper:

What, then, does all this evidence say about Willowdale Chapel and its direction?

    

ANOTHER CHURCH LEAVES SOVEREIGN GRACE MINISTRIES

A church in Corning, New York has posted a notice that it has decided to leave Sovereign Grace Ministries over their change in governmental polity. No mention of the pending child sex abuse lawsuit as a reason.
The posting is on the church website here: http://www.gracecorning.org/life-together/post/separating-from-sovereign-grace-ministries.

COY MATHIS 6 YEAR OLD WANTS TO BE "FIXED" INTO A GIRL

Parents sue school district so she can use the girls' bathroom:

IAN MORGAN CRON, NAZARENES & JESUIT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

Ian Morgan Cron http://www.iancron.com/, has been discovered recently by Lighthouse Trails Research and exposed for being the contemplative mystic he is: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?tag=ian-morgan-cron. This article refers to the ongoing increase in contemplative mysticism within the Nazarene denomination, whose leadership either denies it is happening, and/or minimizes it. See Manny Silva's work to expose all this at: http://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/, and Stand for Truth Ministries. This is a video of Cron's visit to Willow Creek church talking about his Catholic communion experience:

Interview with Cron about his mystical experiences, wherein he states "the future of the Church is silence":

CATHOLIC ROOTED SPIRITUAL FORMATION NOT FOR SEXUALLY ABUSED BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIANS

We recently recommended GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) http://netgrace.org/. In the resources area of this website we found an article that we disagree with. Here's why:
Andrew Schmutzer of Moody Bible Institute, has written for Biola University's "Institute of Spiritual Formation", specifically their "Journal of Spirtitual Formation and Soul Care". Biola is one of the most exteme proponents of contemplative mysticism and new age spiritual formation, as reported by Lighthouse Trails Research here: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1416.  Schmutzer's is a mystical article recommending such practices for the sexually abused at: http://netgrace.org/wp-content/uploads/Sexual-Abuse-and-Formation_Schmutzer-copy.pdf.
    We are warning Bible believing, Reformation adhering Christians to avoid any such program which maligns traditional "Western" Christianity as lacking the ability to heal the full person who has been sexually abused. See pages 77-83 of this article in particular, which alleges that Christianity has had a gross problem with sexuality in all forms, demonstrated in the quote:
   "Precisely where transformation and healing are needed in SA, one may encounter a minimization of the 'soma' as a suspicion of the 'flesh' and a practical denial of sexual impulses. When this occurs, it has 'left us with a disembodied theology and a great deal of shame.' Assessing spiritual transformation, for example, Dallas Willard has recently lamented that it often does not work because it 'does not involve the body in the process of transformation.' Willard quips, 'One of the ironies of spiritual formation is that every ‘spiritual’ discipline is or involves bodily behavior.' This disembodied theology remains one of the greatest hindrances to the healing of the sexually abused in Christian ministries".
    This mystical and unmeasurable theory claims that, based on the "Eastern" (Hindu/Buddhist/Taoist) new age philosophies and theologies of persons like Dallas Willard,

 the practices of spiritual formation, comprised of individual but mostly communal rituals, liturgies, and practices (unspecified), can heal the sexually abused where just "ordinary" Christian counseling, prayer and study in the word of God fails, because traditional Christianity ignores the "whole person".
    This is gnosticism pure and simple, which makes the claim to have found superior knowledge that only the select few highly educated have discovered and revealed to us, and which ordinary Christians are ill-equipped to understand.
    For Schmutzer to rely on the recommendations of Dallas Willard and people of similar beliefs is first a repudiation of the Reformation and the five solas, and is de facto, an alignment with the Catholic Church's many "anathemas" of the Inquisition. Secondly the practices of spiritual formation are doubly dangerous, because it purports to be a new found methodology of a cure for the sexually abused who should not be experimented with, and who also risk being spiritually abused by a system which has pagan, Catholic, and new age roots, without any disclaimers or warnings. Disclaimers and/or warnings would have been appropriate in view of the non-Christian roots of these practices (noticeably lacking in the article), with the added very real possibility that a participant would "bring down" and "connect with" a demon or demons who masquerade as the one true God. Thirdly, Scmutzer maligns the Western church's reliance on "grace", and implying that those who subscribe to grace rather than a methodology of works as found in spiritual formation would feel "hedged in" by such works. We would propose that true Bible believers would in fact not just feel so, but likewise condemn such practices not only because it is works added to grace, but also because it is non-Christian to the core.
    Schmutzer and his wife lead a "CHAI" (Courageous Healing of Abuse and Isolation) group at Wheaton Bible Church for the sexually abused: http://lifeatwheatonbiblechurch.com/2012/02/22/like-chai-its-catching-on/.
    References and research on Dallas Willard and his contemplative/mystical/new age associations:
From Lighthouse Trails Research:
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/dallaswillard.htm.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?tag=dallas-willard.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=5734.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=5058.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/withgod.htm.
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=3837.

Southern View Chapel by Gary Gilley:
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/4-christian-living/773-hearing-god-developing-a-conversational-relationship-with-god/.

Apprising.org:
http://apprising.org/2008/08/12/delusions-of-dallas-willard/.
http://apprising.org/2008/08/30/dallas-willard-an-emergent-conspirator/.
http://apprising.org/2010/02/07/is-dallas-willard-a-christian/.
http://apprising.org/2010/03/16/debunking-dallas-willard-and-being-worthy-to-be-saved/.
http://apprising.org/2008/04/26/the-spiritual-disciplines-of-dallas-willard-destroyed/.

Stand Up for the Truth:
http://standupforthetruth.com/2012/05/spiritual-formation-and-neo-gnosticism-lead-believers-down-shakey-path/.

This video of Dallas Willard promoting spiritual formation is self-explanatory. It demonstrates a gnosticism that is above and beyond the intelligence or discernment of "ordinary" of "Western" Christians. When you see or hear anything he proposes, don't be deceived, whether abused or not.