CHIP INGRAM'S ALLIANCES INCLUDE APOSTATES BILLY & FRANKLIN GRAHAM, NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE PSYCHOLOGISTS, EMERGENTS & CONTEMPLATIVES

THE GOD DESPISING MIXTURE OF THERAPEUTIC PSYCHOLOGY, ECUMENISM, UNIVERSALISM, NEW AGE AFTERLIFE HERESY, SPRINKLED WITH CHRISTIANESE:

Recently we documented the evidence for 

the Grahams' apostasy at:

http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2013/03/billy-franklin-graham-popular-but.html.

This old video proves Billy Graham's universalism in an interview with Robert Schuller. It clearly exemplifies Graham's public apostasy which spans decades. Nevertheless, Ingram sees no problem holding hands in joint ministry endeavors with Billy and Franklin Graham.

                                     

    Now we will show that the "winsome" Chip Ingram of the "Silicon Valley", California, has maintained associations with compromised Christians, such as the Grahams, (e.g. at the Cove, http://www.thecove.org/), despite their Catholic connections, universalism, "wider mercy salvation", treating Mormonism as mainstream Christianity, awards to "word of faith" heretics, youth rock concerts, and ecumenism. Add to that Ingram's drinking deeply of the cesspool of the world of pagan psychology focusing on NDE, or "near death experiences" as proof (among 6 extra-biblical, unbiblical proofs) of the existence of an afterlife besides the Bible. Add again, his unbiblical, mythical, faulty and heretical demonology which populates this world and the next. Add again the association with Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, John Ortberg and other emerging heretics.

    Perhaps Ingram, in his rush to be "all things to all people" got sidetracked and his ego inflated by the "performance metrics" (rising income, to name one) of his ministries' successes in the last few years, which has mistakenly convinced him that he must be doing something right with his sycophant undiscerning followers/donors. The business metrics may look encouraging, but what about the metrics of "real evidences of salvations/sanctifications/spiritual growth"? Ingram claims that pastors and church leaders can't seem to define these, allegedly providing such definition, but he never offers a biblical definition, other than marketing his use of worldly business models and systems to fill a "need" that he's convinced you of by nothing more than slick salesmanship.

    We previously commented on the integration of secular, worldly business practices into churches at:

http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2013/05/global-leadership-summit-2013.html, in which we said:

    "It needs to be said that churches should not be run like businesses. When churches are run like corporations, pastors, elders and deacons lose whatever humility they once had and become manipulative dictatorial leaders and/or task masters, and discard their roles as shepherds, ministers, caring advisers, and equal members of the body of Christ, under the authority of God. Frequently, and in their sinful arrogance and independent spirit, the result is a complete failure to teach from the Bible, disciple believers, and warn and/or correct the congregation in a loving way about apostates, heretics, false teachers, false prophets, and the twisting of Scripture. Instead, they themselves become the focus of worship, the primary and final arbiters of truth, doctrine, and practice on their own authority. Members are ridiculed for wanting to hear Bible based expository preaching on the pretense that it just makes people fat and lazy, unwilling to work for the common good of the church. Adopting a business-like structure in church creates a hierarchy of authority, a "chain of command", leads to abuse, contributes to gnosticism, fosters elitism, belittles the congregation as a working class, values performance over grace, diverts from the God-given guidance of Scripture and focuses on implementing the vision cast by leaders, requires the congregation to subject themselves to unbiblical self-appointed change agents, drives the congregation away from the true gospel of grace towards a social gospel of works, creates a socialist, collectivist, community organizational structure that denies or suppresses individualism, individual thought, and individual effort. Compliance and compliant church members fit into this unbiblical business community, and consequently, individualistic personalities are routinely discarded and booted out if they "don't get with the program".

    

    Let's begin and lay out the evidence, which, by the way, is very much hidden deep in a mountain of glowing, positive accolades from many sources and carefully crafted public persona imagery, couched in an aura of professionalism. This is all man-centeredness to the maximum, with a baptism in self-centeredness for his followers.

    What we are dealing with here is much more sinister than simply a common integrationist methodology of mixing the Word of God with psychology producing psychoheresy. No, Ingram is careful to frequently give a disclaimer that what he offers is not just psychology alone. No, he claims his solutions are biblical and often quotes from the Bible. Nevertheless, the habits, addictions, symptoms, conditions and dysfunctional behaviorisms that he addresses are described as such, in psychological terms, never as sins and/or sinful, where the patient/counselee is the victim of past hurts and wounds. The latter approach of being personally responsible for sins would alienate much of his audience who would have to take the blame themselves for their state of mind and soul.

    What Ingram offers is just another age-old form of gnosticism, with man's wisdom pre-eminent, for a price. It's what you don't get in this package tied so neatly with a fancy ribbon, namely the Holy Spirit's role and work in the believer!

    Chip Ingram is the president of Walk Thru the Bible, having replaced its founder Bruce Wilkinson, the latter being the author of the heretical/mystical book, "The Prayer of Jabez". Ingram is the author of "The Invisible War", a book about demons, reviewed by Gary Gilley here: http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/4-christian-living/178-the-invisible-war-by-chip-ingram.

    Ingram was the senior pastor of Santa Cruz Bible Church, http://santacruzbible.org/, a large non-denominational church located in Santa Cruz, California, where he and Dan Kimball served on staff together for over twelve years (see page 265 of Dan Kimball's book, "The Emerging Church"). Kimball is at Vintage Faith Church now:

http://www.vintagechurch.org/about/leadership/dank, also in Santa Cruz, and has a blog http://dankimball.com/. 

    See also the following Apprising posts on Kimball, who associated with Ingram for twelve years in ministry:

http://apprising.org/2010/11/20/dan-kimball-on-the-record/.

http://apprising.org/2010/11/12/apprising-ministries-on-dan-kimball/.

http://apprising.org/2010/11/19/emerging-church-leader-dan-kimball-on-discernment-ministries/.

http://apprising.org/2011/12/07/dan-kimball-of-the-emerging-church-to-speak-for-rick-warren/.

http://apprising.org/2010/11/20/dan-kimball-on-the-record/.

http://apprising.org/2011/01/01/dan-kimball-of-the-emerging-church-and-lectio-divina/.

http://apprising.org/2008/08/25/is-emergent-church-pastor-dan-kimball-really-a-conservative-evangelical/.

http://apprising.org/2010/02/19/curious-associations-ed-stetzer-dan-kimball-and-tim-keller-missionshift/.

http://apprising.org/2008/07/15/dan-kimball-an-effete-christianity-is-nothing-to-be-gay-about/.

http://apprising.org/2007/04/14/dan-kimball-and-the-emergent-church-seeking-hard-to-make-homosexual-sin-not-sin/.

http://apprising.org/2007/08/09/emergent-church-does-dan-kimball-preach-a-perverted-gospel/.

http://apprising.org/2008/01/11/dan-kimball-reformed/.

http://apprising.org/2007/08/06/dan-kimball-they-like-jesus-but-not-the-church/.

Lighthouse Trails has articles about Kimball's promotion of contemplative mystical practices:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/dankimball.htm.

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/stevemuseemerging.pdf. (Review of Kimball's book by Steve Muse).

http://www.hadleyrobinson.com/Doc/Leaders/DanKimball/DanKimball.htm.

    Ingram is one of six contributors to Kimball's book, including Howard Hendricks (Center for Christian Leadership), Brian McLaren (founding pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church, and emergent heretic), Sally Morgenthaler (president of Sacramentis.com), Mark Oestreicher (president and publisher of Youth Specialties, www.youthspecialties.com), and Rick Warren (senior pastor and Purpose Driven Pope of Saddleback Church www.saddleback.com).

    Ingram comments on page 223 of Kimball's book cited above: "Dan's thoughts on discipleship are not limited in their application to the emerging church. The (ancient) disciplines are needed everywhere and can form a rich arena for followers of Jesus from all generations." This is a direct comment on Kimball's chapter 19, "Spiritual Formation: Becoming a Vintage Christian", sub-paragraph titled "Restoring the ancient disciplines (Catholic contemplative mystical practices) to create vintage Christians".

    Ingram is currently senior pastor at Venture Christian Church http://www.venturechristian.org/about/pastors/, with links of course to his other websites, among which is "Living on the Edge" http://livingontheedge.org/, which introduces the follower to a law based methodology mixed with psychology, as in http://livingontheedge.org/series/gods-boundaries-for-abundant-living/daily-radio. Ingram's "core values" are the "R12 and BIO" programs:

http://livingontheedge.org/about-us/core-values, indoctrinations into legalism, works and a type of "purpose driven" service similar to Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life", where the gullible are led to believe that bible study, learning and wisdom should take a back seat to "kingdom building". "BIO" is a step further into a regimen of "spiritual disciplines" (also known as "spiritual formation"); for example this excerpt:

"BIO is a simple framework of spiritual disciplines that, when practiced regularly, builds healthy, sustainable spiritual growth for life. A BIO believer is committed to living out their faith daily before God, in community and on mission."

Contrast this with what the Bible has to say about justification and sanctification. There is nothing that can be added to, or should be added to, the completed work of Jesus Christ:

Romans 3:20-" Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." 

Romans 3:24-"being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"

Romans 3:28-"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law."

Romans 4:2-"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God."

1 Corinthians 6:11-"But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God"

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWBqxgjH0BM. (Ingrams Early Life)

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCBmfKW82ZA. (Self Admitted Billy Graham Influence)

See: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=61413184690. (The Grahams & Company)

See:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7PWze9faq8. (Pastors Need to Be Brutally Honest/Quotes Peter Drucker, Rick Warren's mentor)

Liberty University talk:

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KDIf3YIYvw (Life After Death)
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIm2uRBYc2o. (Belief in God of the Bible)

Ingram's "R12-True Spirituality" offered in conjunction with "12 Conference" with Saddleback Church of Rick Warren. Other speakers were John Ortberg, Catholic contemplative mysticism proponent, and Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Association,
(see: http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/4-christian-living/716-the-life-youve-always-wanted-spiritual-disciplines-for-ordinary-people-by-john-ortberg-grand-rapids-zondervan--2002-269-pp-hard-1899-, and http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/ortberg.html, and http://www.alittleleaven.com/2010/07/john-ortberg-and-dallas-willard-teach-a-false-gospel.html, and
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/johnortberg.htm).

Donations reach $570,000:

Downline Ministries Discipleship Training:
http://downlineministries.com/.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CIngUd68rM.

Nouthetic Counselors Talk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDIYy4hchFk.

Founder of the gnostic "Prime Movers" for the very best, intelligent, successful Christians only:
http://primemoversonline.com/our-process/our-content/.
http://primemoversonline.com/who-we-are/leadership/.

Life After Death Heretical Theology:
http://livingontheedge.org/why-i-believe-02-in-life-after-death.pdf.

Dr. Kenneth Ring, NDE "near death experience" psychologist and one of Ingram's sources for proofs of the Afterlife:

http://kenring.org/.
http://kenring.org/about.html.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Ring.
http://web.archive.org/web/20080126043348/http://www.near-death.com/experiences/experts04.html.
http://iands.org/about-iands/history.html.
http://iands.org/about-iands/history/the-founding-of-iands-raymond-moody.html.

Kenneth Ring, psychologist on the left and Michael Sabom, cardiologist on the right, with two other original founders of "International Association of Near Death Studies, http://iands.org:

Faulty, heretical and unbiblical demonology of Ingram described by Gary Gilley here:
http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/4-christian-living/178-the-invisible-war-by-chip-ingram.

"HAIL SATAN" SCREAMED BY PRO-ABORTION CROWD AT AUSTIN, TEXAS CAPITOL BUILDING AGAINST ABORTION BILL

Pro-Abortion Activists Hired By Planned Parenthood 

on Craigs List Yell “Hail Satan!” As Pro-Lifers Sing ‘Amazing Grace’

See: http://beginningandend.com/pro-abortion-activists-in-texas-yell-hail-satan-as-pro-lifers-sing-amazing-grace/:

THE "FATHER WOUND" PSYCHOHERESY OF JOHN ELDREDGE'S BOOKS "WILD AT HEART" & "WAKING THE DEAD"

PSYCHOHERESY GONE WILD IN THE CHURCHES: JOHN ELDREDGE TO THE RESCUE OF EMASCULATED CHURCH MEN; ANOTHER GOSPEL PREACHED AND SWALLOWED HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER. MASCULINE CIVILITY MALIGNED AS EVIL!

    In keeping with the ongoing purpose driven saturation campaign and resultant rampant integration of counseling, psychotherapy, behavior modification, and other mind remediation and therapeutic methodologies into the churches, we would like to focus in on one particular "Christian author" of some popularity.
    He is John Eldredge, of http://ransomedheart.com/, and "The Father Effect" http://www.theperfectfather.org/, and YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/TheFatherEffect, former self-described "flaming pagan", known more recently for his books "Wild at Heart" and "Waking the Dead" among others of similar heretical nature and twisted theology born of his man-centered, carnal and wild imagination, bathed in psychobabble.
    See Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Eldredge, excerpt which conveniently omits his testimony of drug use, arrests, etc when young, but is declared in the Todd Friel audios below.

"Eldredge describes himself, "I’m 51. I live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. My wife Stasi and I have three sons. My graduate degree is in counseling. Professionally, I’m a writer and a speaker. I don’t pastor. I’m not a preacher. I don’t have a church that I lead." ^[1]

While living in Los Angeles Eldredge was looking for a "worldview." After exploring other religions, Eastern mysticism, Lao-Tzu, 
(see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lao-Tzu: excerpt: "The story of Laozi has taken on strong religious overtones since the Han dynasty. As Daoism took root, Laozi was recognized as a god. Belief in the revelation of the Dao from the divine Laozi resulted in the formation of the Way of the Celestial Master, the first organized religious Daoist sect. In later mature Daoist tradition, Laozi came to be seen as a personification of Dao. He is said to have undergone numerous "transformations", or taken on various guises in various incarnations throughout history to initiate the faithful in the Way."),
 and New Age spirituality, he discovered the writings of Francis Schaeffer, whom he calls one of the best philosophers of the 20th century. Through Schaeffer, Eldredge came to Christ and later to the church. He eventually got a master's degree in counseling and practiced in Colorado Springs before working for Focus on the Family.

John received his undergraduate degree in theater from California Polytechnic University (Pomona) and his MA in biblical counseling from Colorado Christian University under the direction of Dr. Larry Crabb (a very well known psychoheretic; see Martin Bobgan's article "Larry Crabb: "Dr. Doublespeak?" http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/crabb12_4.html, and his e-book on Crabb "Larry Crabb's Gospel" at http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/e-books/LCG-ebk.pdf), and Dr. Dan Allender. 
As per J. Beard's article about Crabb at http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/crabb/crabb.htm,
"Crabb believes that the best counseling model is one in which "truth" from both the Bible and the "spoils" from secular psychology are "integrated" into a combined counseling model."
Prior to joining Focus on the Family in 1988, John served for five years on the staff of Sierra Madre Congregational Church in Southern California.

In July 2000, John left Focus on the Family to launch Ransomed Heart Ministries, a ministry devoted to furthering Christian spiritual life. A sought-after speaker, John travels extensively in the U.S. and abroad. John, his wife, Stasi, and their three sons live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.",

    The self-glorified unregenerate nature of Eldredge is evidenced by the prideful, condescending, unmitigated gall of replacing scriptural truths with anecdotal fairy tales, secular songs, alleged personal divine revelation to him (see: another of his books, "Walking with God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really." sold at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785206965?ie=UTF8&tag=denbur-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0785206965.), which promotes "conversational intimacy" with God,and secular movie based explanations for his beliefs, with the psychoheretical approach of redefining the sin nature as an inheritance from our "wounded fathers". As if that is not enough, he mischaracterizes God and God's nature, salvation, and other fundamental Christian beliefs for the alleged purpose of helping men be more manly in a feminized culture.
    We have had personal experience with a church that claims it is traditional, conservative, and biblically based, but somehow justifies the incorporation of Eldredge's materials for the consumption by its young men. This is being done with the full approval of the leadership, and their position is adamant and defiant, in the face of and despite the overwhelming evidence that proves they are wrong and negligent for allowing this false teaching to enter their church and exposing their young men to it.
    We will present below all the evidence we have discovered to date which proves that many condemn Eldredge's writings as heretical, apostate, and anti-biblical. We also condemn this man's writings and pray that those who are so blinded and deceived will have the scales removed from their eyes and see the truth.

    As an introduction let's take a look at two promo videos for the "Wild at Heart Boot Camp":

Consider the following reviews of Eldredge's works and decide for yourself if this man's materials should be avoided. We believe that you should avoid them for yourself and for any church ministry programs.

Todd Friel of Wretched Radio has 8 serious but humorous audio critiques (4 for each) of "Wild at Heart" and "Waking the Dead". They should be listened to in sequence:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3-EFXObuD0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3esgFvR5PjU.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ElI1z5ysqM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svhC8ZgRaX4.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11oFBxCAKn4.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLm3RBMwdhU.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVmqB9Ygdq8.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICD2n11r3Gs.

David Cloud of Way of Life article: "BEWARE OF JOHN ELDREDGE AND RANSOMED HEART MINISTRIES" at: http://www.wayoflife.org/database/eldredge.html

Puritan Board lists a whole host of negative critiques of Eldridge's works:
http://www.puritanboard.com/f90/wild-heart-captivating-john-eldredge-65492/.

Daryl Wingerd of Christian Communicators Worldwide critique is excellent:
http://www.ccwtoday.org/article_view.asp?article_id=105.

Stuart Brogden of Forgotten Word Ministries:
http://www.forgottenword.org/wildheart.html.

Byron Borger of Hearts and Minds has a critique that is most thorough and recalls Eldredge's mystical roots as well:
http://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/reviews/john_eldredges_wild_at_heart_a/.

Midwest Outreach has its very good report specifically pages 3-7 and 14-15 of their newsletter:
http://www.midwestoutreach.org/Pdf%20Journals/2003/03sum.pdf.

Orrel Steinkamp of Let Us Reason Ministries has an article titled: "Braveheart vs. Mister Rogers: John Eldredge’s Walk on the Wild Side":
http://www.letusreason.org/BookR14.htm.

Jim Harmon of Psychoheresy Awareness Ministries is also excellent:
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/wahbkrev.html.

Greg Donner's Thoughts article: http://gregdonner.org/thoughts/thoughts7.html, which states:
"Let me start by saying that I do agree with Mr. Eldredge in what I believe is the basic point he tries to make in his book: that men need to be responsible, accountable people—not cowards—who need to stand up for what they believe. However, the approach and methods that Eldredge uses are neither balanced nor scripturally sound, resulting in a book both inaccurate and disturbing in its content." And: "Frankly, I detest this book because what John Eldredge teaches is unbiblical—extrapolating and twisting Scripture out of context—but also because there is a flagrant stereotyping of what masculinity is, as well as an attitude of pride and superiority in his book which I find disturbing."

Gary Gilley of Southern View Chapel presents a damning review and excellent in depth two part analysis of Wild at Heart:
http://svchapel.org/resources/articles/22-contemporary-issues/540-wild-at-heart-part-1.
http://svchapel.org/resources/articles/22-contemporary-issues/541-wild-at-heart-part-2.

Randy Brandt review:
http://www.randybrandt.net/contend/books.php?id=bWild.

Christianity Today review:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/november/34.84.html.

Surph's Side Blog post: 

"Wild At Heart": the false god of John Eldredge and his integrationism"

http://surphside.blogspot.com/2013/02/wild-at-heart-false-god-of-john.html.

Susan Bertalotto at http://evangelists.wordpress.com/2008/10/13/the-apostasy-of-casey-treat/, excerpt:
"Then in 2004, I again attended CFC while visiting friends. That particular Sunday, after the worship service, Casey Treat drove up the middle aisle on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. He was advertising and promoting the Wednesday night men’s group that he taught. The reason for the Harley? Treat was demonstrating his “wild at heart” proclivities. He informed the men in the congregation that the book “Wild At Heart” by John Eldredge was being used in the men’s group. I just laughed; have you ever heard of that book? “Wild At Heart” is an emotional, beat-on-the-chest publication that describes how a man can be what he is meant to be. Oops, how a man can be what he is meant to be IN GOD. Eldredge had to add that or else Christians wouldn’t be suckered into buying it. I had checked into that book in 2002 when someone had asked me about it. You can look up parts of the book onamazon.com. On pages 3 and 4, the basic premise of the whole book is stated: (paraphrased) “Adam was created in the wilderness, outside of the Garden of Eden; Eve was created IN the Garden. Because Adam was created in the wilderness and placed in the Garden, he didn’t really belong there and wanted to get out the whole time he was in communion with God.” I kid you not! Read it for yourself. Since when does Adam want to get OUT of the Garden? The reason he left is because of SIN. Not because he wanted to be “wild at heart”. The whole premise is laughable if it wasn’t so sad. So Casey Treat bought the whole story – hook, line, and sinker. And he is teaching and encouraging the men in his church to buy into a lie also. Where is his discernment? Why is he not protecting the flock from wolves such as John Eldredge and Scott Peck?

Charisma Magazine: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/online-exclusives/248-people-events/1404-pastor-is-blasted-after-bill-clinton-visits-california-church, excerpt:
"A member of Imago Dei church, which he describes as charismatic, Eldredge said he was deeply influenced by the teachings of Jack Hayford, former senior pastor of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, Calif. "From pastor Hayford I learned the dynamics of healing, counseling, deliverance and discipleship--to see God's people truly set free," 
We have posted previously about Jack Hayford here:
http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2013/02/jack-hayfords-involvement-in.html,
in which we pointed out Hayford's promotion of the Hebraic Messianic movement at his "King's University", his affiliation with the New Apostolic Reformation of C. Peter Wagner, John Wimber's Vineyard Church and Paul Crouch of TBN Broadcasting.
We said: "In these videos of an interview with Hayford, pioneer of the mega-church movement, mention is made of his song "Majesty", a dominionist, Kingdom-now worship song, reflective of his dominionist theology, which meshes with the "Christian Zionism" of John Hagee and the charismaticism, mysticism, and Zionism of the Messianic/Hebraic Roots movement. We also get to hear about his demonology and other beliefs which descends from Aimee Semple McPherson.

Example of Eldredge's influence on the undiscerning Mennonite brethren:

"Man Day" "Affirms Godly Masculinity, Service To Others" 

Organizers have hosted growing men’s event for six years. See: http://www.usmb.org/man-day-affirms-godly-masculinity-service-to-others. Quote: "Kroeker and other Man Day organizers—Kenyon Gerbrandt, Jason Klassen, Brian Banz, Mike Yutzy, Eric Flaming, Jeff Husted, Toby Kennedy and Brent Lang—take cues from John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart. “Aggression is part of the masculine design; we are hardwired for it,” writes Eldredge. Accordingly, Man Day activities include a mechanical bull, an extensive paintball course, college basketball on the big screen and a shooting range that offers a “120-gun buffet.” An annual highlight is the Great Pond Race in which salvaged cars are raced around a five-acre pond “until they smoke and die,” then set on fire or blown up. Food served throughout the event includes grilled steak, deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos, a crawfish boil and an infamous “bacon bomb.” For some, the day becomes a worship experience." (??? Really?) 

Scott Peterson of Churchlandia responds and condemns the above in his article:

"Godly Masculinity is Not Destruction & Aggression":

http://www.churchlandia.com/godly-masculinity-is-not-destruction-aggression/, 

Excerpt quoted:

"This event seems to reflect an entirely worldly and pagan festival of ritualistic destruction merely for the sake of reveling in such destruction. Such activities bear no likeness to the kingdom Jesus has established.  If aggression seems so natural to men it is not because it is God’s design but because we are complicit in the overwhelming narrative of aggression that runs through a damaged and groaning creation.  We are aggressive and seek destruction because we take pleasure in the fallen nature of this world. When we look to the consummation of God’s kingdom we discover that it will be free of all of this imagery.  It is a kingdom of hope and life; a kingdom of renewal and peace.  Most importantly, it is a kingdom for which we are called to be vanguards.  We are to be ambassadors of Christ’s kingdom and we are called to show this broken humanity that another world is possible and in fact is already among them."

    Still unconvinced about the need to reject and avoid Eldredge and his works? 
    Consider this last video of John Eldredge speaking at Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, that we call "It's All About Heart, Not The Mind" when being a Christian. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcu3b-xyOtI.

    Well, that is just not biblical, but when your kids have gone to Westmont along with other children of emerging, contemplative and mystical personalities, using the mind just interferes with an experience with God. Lighthouse Trails Research added Westmont to its list of contemplative teaching schools in 2010, 
(see: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=5322).
This is the letter received by Lighthouse Trails which prompted their action: (Full Text):

 November 24th, 2010 |  Author: Lighthouse Trails Editors

LTRP Note: After confirming the information in this email, we have added Westmont College to the list of Christian schools that are going down the contemplative/emerging spirituality path. (Our list)

Dear Lighthouse Trails:

I have benefited from your Lighthouse Web site, especially in researching Spiritual Formation. Our _________ graduated from Westmont, where we were very involved via Parents Council. Under Gayle Beebe, the college began taking a different direction that has clearly alarmed us. Beebe has co-written a book with Richard Foster, who has spoken at chapel more than once, along with John Eldredge and Bill Hybels, who probably spoke because their children matriculated there.

(Beebe is also one of the evangelicals who signed a document in support of a Palestinian state, and is a signer of the evangelical green movement as well, documented in articles available on the internet.)

Now I also see that Houghton College is on your list, and I am sad. Shirley Mullen was an extremely popular and effective teacher and Dean, before becoming President of Houghton.

Below is [an article with ] the latest concerning Westmont. I have printed out the list of colleges and ministries from your site. Now you must add one more.

Sincerely, L.

Article about Westmont from Westmont College media relations department

Gift to Create Institute for Christianity, Culture at Westmont

Patty and Eff Martin also pledge to fund a Center for Spiritual Formation

By Scott Craig Trustee

Patty Martin and her husband, Eff, have made a significant pledge to Westmont College establish the Martin Family Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation.

Patty Martin

President Gayle Beebe announced the gift Oct. 25 at the college’s Board of Trustees meeting.

“The purpose of the Willard Center is preparing a new generation of Christian leaders to articulate the philosophical, theological and biblical rationale for developing an interactive relationship with Christ,” Martin said. “We hope the center will help create an undergraduate major and minor in Philosophy, Psychology and Spiritual Formation.”

“We’re thrilled with this gift and expect the new institute and center to make a significant impact on our students and help Westmont become a leader in the discipline of spiritual formation,” Beebe said. “Our Gaede Institute for the Liberal Arts has focused new attention on the value of a liberal arts education, and we expect the Martin Family Institute and the Willard Center to also draw leading scholars nationwide to its conferences and conversations.”

The couple will fund the institute and center over a three-year period, and a search for a qualified director to oversee the center begins soon. Dallas Willard, noted author and professor at USC for whom the center is named, will lead a discussion by the presidents of Westmont, Azusa Pacific University, Pepperdine University and Gordon College in January 2011 to promote coordination of spiritual formation programs.

The Willard Center will launch a visiting fellow program in spring 2012 and begin planning a conference to be held in 2013. Other activities will include offering retreats and providing training in spiritual mentoring.

Martin joined the Westmont Board of Trustees in 2005. She and her husband learned about the college through the students and alumni they met at their church.

“Westmont graduates impress me and my husband with their vibrant faith and Christ-like character,” Martin says.

She became acquainted with former presidents David Winter and Stan Gaede and met Beebe through the Renovare organization.

A certified spiritual director who teaches classes in spiritual formation at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Martin earned a bachelor’s degree at San Jose State University and master’s degrees in education and counseling psychology at Notre Dame de Namur University.

She and her husband, Eff, have been married for 35 years and have three grown children. Eff Martin is a retired investment banker.

— Scott Craig is the media relations manager for Westmont College.

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PSYCHOLOGY,12 STEPS & RELIGIOUS PLURALISM IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH INFECTING PROTESTANT EVANGELICANISM

An exceptionally vivid and thorough article from Christian Discernment titled:
"Medieval Theology Meets the New Age 
 Religious Pluralism in the Contemporary 
Roman Catholic Church"

http://www.christiandiscernment.com/Christian%20Discernment/CD%20PDF/Book%20pdf/24%20Medieval%20Theology%20Meets%20the%20New%20Age.pdf, discusses on pages 23 to 27 the

"The Role of Modern Psychology"-(excerpt below, with bold print ours for emphasis)
    Our overview of religious pluralism must not neglect the enormous contribution of modern psychology. (i.e., in a negative way) The past hundred years reveals numerous efforts of zealous atheists to "explain" all religious faith as emerging from a common psychological source. An entire volume could be written about the influential connections between psychology and pluralism. Here we can only scratch the surface with an overview of key figures. Nevertheless, the role of modern psychology can hardly be overstated.
     Vatican II does not hesitate to affirm a positive role for modern psychology, informing us that "recent psychological research explains human activity more profoundly" (than the Scripture!) Grounding its conclusion in the belief that faith and reason are two distinct orders of knowledge: "...this sacred Synod affirms the legitimate autonomy of human culture and especially of the sciences." Having basically divorced the study of man from the study of God, the Council informs readers that pastoral care must make "appropriate use" of the secular sciences, especially psychology and sociology, in addition to theological principles. The stage is officially set for the invasion of atheists who wish to suppress the truth about man's relationship and responsibility to God. 
    Psychologists such as Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Erich Fromm, William James, and Abraham Maslow have all attempted to lump the world religions into one convenient basket, proposing common human
origins. God is reduced to man's unconscious, projected as an external divine being. The increasingly popular 12-step movement, founded by enemies of Christianity, contributes heavily toward 
the merging of all religions in its vague "God-as-you-understand Him" deity that denies exclusive truth. This is religious pluralism! Popular author Scott Peck, who has written the bestselling The Road Less Traveled and several other prominent works, professes Christian faith but is well known for his endorsement of religious pluralism. Over the past one hundred years, psychology has indeed made a major contribution to the emergence and popularity of religious pluralism.
    Paul Knitter is one pluralist who openly cites modern psychology in support of his aberrant views. As he begins his chapter about the "common psychic origin" of all religions, here is what he says concerning such attitudes toward religion:
    "They all have to do with the assertion that religious faith has its genesis in the human psyche: all religions arise from (or as part of) a common psychological process within the individual, which can be examined and interpreted by the scientists of the psyche--modern psychologists and psychiatrists."
    Knitter proceeds to give his readers a detailed analysis of Carl Jung's role in the study of religion. He cites Jung's theory about archetypes of the human unconscious:
    "Their general contents, Jung tells us, have to do with light and darkness, death and rebirth, wholeness, sacrifice, and redemption. He saw such archetypes as the common seedbed of all religions.... The archetypes are common to all religions, but symbols and myths will be different, dependent on the varying cultural, historical contexts."
    Jung further asserts that:
    "The collective unconscious contains the whole spiritual heritage of mankind's evolution, born anew in the brain structure of every individual."
    Knitter notes that Jung proposed an "'imprint' of God within the unconscious" but as a "scientist" Jung refused to comment on whether an "Imprinter" existed in reality. We are faced here with the unbeliever's inescapable knowledge of God as outlined in Romans 1:18 (and following), thus the "imprint." Note carefully, however, that this claim to ignorance is one that presupposes atheism. When Jung insists that the existence of God cannot be known, he assumes that the God of Christian theism, who has clearly revealed Himself (Romans 1; Psalm 19) cannot exist.
     According to Jungian psychology, "revelation" is radically redefined. It is no longer God speaking to man, but rather God speaking within man. Note the perversion of Romans 1. Man is created in God's image, and God does in a sense reveal Himself within man's consciousness; there is an inescapable knowledge of God that the unbeliever suppresses due to his rebellion. However, it is nevertheless God, distinct from His creation, who is speaking to man. God is not created by man's unconscious!
     Jung's view of Jesus is particularly alarming. He is merely "an effective symbol of the self." Jung blatantly denies His unique claim to divinity, and Knitter approves:
    "Jesus is for Jung one of the best symbols of the Christ, but he is not the only one. Jung had a psychological explanation for the traditional Christian claim for the exclusive uniqueness of Jesus: from the early history of the church, Christians have held that Jesus is 'one and only' precisely because he is such an effective symbol; having been grasped and transformed by this symbol, they naturally attribute to it 'a universally binding truth--not of course by an act of judgment, but by the irrational fact of possession, which is far more effective.'"
    It was Jung, in fact, who was possessed--not by Jesus but by demonic powers that he openly credits for his ideas. The statement above dismisses the eyewitness accounts of the resurrection and the claim of Jesus Christ to be God in the flesh. Both Knitter and Jung conveniently suppress vast portions of the New Testament, hoping that "psychological explanations" will demand the merging of all religions.
    Abraham Maslow is another prominent modern psychologist who espouses religious pluralism. He openly admits his agenda of replacing religion with a "religion-surrogate" grounded in values derived from within man. The worship of God the Creator is replaced by the individual "peak-experience" focused on self. Maslow identifies the divine revelations of all religions (Christianity included!) with such "peak-experiences" rather than any actual communication from the God of the Bible. He concludes that all religions are fundamentally the same:
    "To the extent that all mystical or peak-experiences are the same in their essence and have always been the same, all religions are the same in their essence and have always been the same."
    Maslow advocates the application of his theories to public education. Indeed, this is already occurring through the teaching of psychology as a "science" unrelated to any specific religion. Actually, psychology is vitally related to a particular religion: atheism! 
    There is so much more to be studied in this arena. Sigmund Freud was a militant atheist who proposed an "explanation" of Christianity in terms of his ludicrous Oedipal theory. He lumped all religions together and rejected them in toto. William James, writing Varieties of Religious Experience, assumed that all religious experience is basically mysticism and can be explained as such. He neglected any adequate consideration of Christian theism. Erich Fromm demanded man's radical freedom from God. Albert Ellis declared religious faith a symptom of irrationality, or "mental illness."
    These systems have a common thread, merging all religious faiths, either to explain, embrace, or reject. But even when all religions are theoretically embraced, watch out! Christianity, with its claim to the exclusive truth of the gospel, is necessarily excluded. Religious inclusivism includes all except the one true faith."
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THREE MEN BEHEADED BY SYRIAN AL QAEDA REBELS WITH KITCHEN KNIVES

WARNING: 

GRAPHIC VIDEO OF BEHEADINGS 

BY OBAMA BACKED REBELS IN SYRIA:

THE SATURATION OF THE CHURCH WITH PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELORS MASKED WITH CHRISTIANESE AND LIP SERVICE FOR THE BIBLE

    Bob Kellemen is the Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition, http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/, the Founder and CEO of RPM Ministries, http://www.rpmministries.org/. For seventeen years he served as the founding Chairman of and Professor in the MA in Christian Counseling and Discipleship department at Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, MD. Bob has pastored three churches and equipped biblical counselors in each church. He is a teaching/leading elder at Cornerstone Community Church in Hobart, Indiana. Bob and his wife, Shirley (who is a kindergarten teacher), have been married for thirty-two years; they have two adult children, Josh and Marie, one daughter-in-law, Andi, and one granddaughter, Naomi. Dr. Kellemen is the author of nine books including Equipping Counselors for Your Church. 

    Bob Kellemen of RPM Ministries http://www.rpmministries.org/, promoted his book "Equipping Counselors For The Local Church" in this video in 2011, in which he describes his aim is to saturate the church with counselors. 
    However, this is an integrative approach nevertheless, i.e., mixing secular psychology with the Bible, which is an oxymoron and a slap in the face of God.
God hates mixtures of His Word with man's wisdom.
See: Jacob Prasch article at Moriel Ministries about mixtures that God hates:
http://www.moriel.org/articles/sermons/understanding_the_mixture.htm.
Quote from above:
"In an age where pop psychology is masquerading as biblical doctrine things can become very confusing. Today we hear so much about things being a mixture of truth and error, or carnal and spiritual, good and bad, or even godly and demonic. To make matters worse, we are too often being given mixed signals. Instead of giving a clear indication of what the signals actually mean so many of our pastors and once respected leaders are now telling us things like "the light is neither red nor green but amber" - leaving us suspended in a limbo not knowing whether to go or to stop. Arriving at a right doctrinal position and discerning things in a biblical manner in times like this has become more and more difficult for many sincere believers genuinely wanting to know the truth so as to do what is right. But in an increasingly complexed maze like this, the first and foremost question is to ask "What does God say about mixture in his word?" "

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 MKJV
(14) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what partnership does light have with darkness?
(15) And what agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?
(16) And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
(17) Therefore come out from among them and be separated, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing. And I will receive you
(18) and I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

Deuteronomy 22:9-11-Mixture Forbidden:
9 "You shall not sow your vineyard with different kinds of seed, lest the yield of the seed which you have sown and the fruit of your vineyard be defiled.
10 "You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.
11 "You shall not wear a garment of different sorts, such as wool and linen mixed together.

Three laws are given back to back that are so different, yet strangely identical. God is saying not to mix things.
Lev. 19:19 You are to keep My statutes. You shall not breed together two kinds of your cattle; you shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed, nor wear a garment upon you of two kinds of material mixed together.
In other words, God hates mixture, and wants us to avoid it even in insignificant ways. Why? Because little compromises always end up leading to worse compromises.
Does God really care if you plow with an ox and a donkey together? Yes, because they are quite literally unequally yoked. In the same way, God hates it when a believer yokes together with an unbeliever:
2Cor. 6:14-16 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?...
Does God really care when a garment is made of two materials? He seems to, especially considering that he wants us to be the same, cut from the same cloth. He hates it when people bless and curse with the same mouth.
James 3:9-10 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Does God really care about breeding two kinds of cattle? It would seem so, since He definitely hates it when people combine Christianity with paganism:
1Cor. 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
Is two kinds of seed being sown really that big of a deal? I don't know, but I do know that God hates it when people attempt to pursue Him and money simultaneously:
Matt. 6:24 "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
When you mix, you get corruption. Take for example when you mix hot and cold. What do you get? Lukewarm.
Rev. 3:15-16 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."
God wants our lives to be marked by holiness and oneness, not mixture.

Biblical Counseling Coalition is advertising the Nancy DeMoss "True Woman/Revive '13" conference this coming September 20-21, 2013 in Illinois at this link: http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/calendar/event/52710. 

See: http://www.truewoman.com/revive13/, which will appeal to and focus on women's "needs" and ministry goals. What kind of "help" will these women receive this time with the backing, influence and recommendation of Kellemen?

 This is the same Nancy DeMoss who taught the women in attendance at a recent True Woman conference to draw and pray inside "chalk circles"; see our post here: http://ratherexposethem.blogspot.com/2013/06/nancy-leigh-demoss-hearts-revived-but.html.

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Richard Bennett of Berean Beacon www.bereanbeacon.org, describes how the churches are filled with counseling using psychological methodologies mixed with secular business models and practices, modeled after the Catholic philosophy and theology of adding to the Bible with salvation by works based on the concept that the Word of God is "incomplete and/or inadequate" to demands of the modern era and the types of problems people encounter today: