New Survey Shows Widespread Confusion On Basic Theology Among US Evangelicals

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Breaking News Updates – September 16, 2020

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New Survey Shows Widespread Confusion On Basic Theology Among US Evangelicals
Just when the church needs to be clear and bold about our triune God, the Scriptures, sin, and salvation, many evangelicals are evidently being influenced more by this cultural drift than by the Word of God.

 

Ligonier Ministries, along with LifeWay Research, has released its biennial State of Theology survey, which aims to “take the theological temperature of the United States to help Christians better understand today’s culture and equip the church for discipleship”.
The survey explores the religious and cultural beliefs of U.S. adults regarding the nature of God, authority of the Bible, salvation, or Christian political engagement, among many others.
They conducted the study every two years since 2014, and for this year edition they surveyed a representative sample of 3,002 US adults, from March 10 to 18, 2020.
Among those surveyed, 630 declared themselves professing evangelicals. According to the survey, although they “tend to express great concern for the gospel, trends in our findings reveal that many evangelicals also express erroneous views that mirror the broader U.S. population”.

God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit

When asked about the doctrine of God, evangelical respondents were nearly unanimous in affirming that God is a perfect being (97%); that God is a Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (96%); and that God cares about our day-to-day decisions (87%).
However, when it comes to whether God accepts worship from all religions, evangelicals are more divided, with 42% agreeing with it and 49% answering “no”.
Regarding Jesus, two-thirds of evangelicals (65%) affirmed the statement that “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God”, while 30% do not believe that Jesus is God but instead think he is simply a “great teacher”, which is “very concerning” for the authors of the survey.
For the questions about the Holy Spirit, 46% of evangelicals pointed out that “the Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being”, while 78% do not think the Spirit can instruct someone to do something that goes against Scripture.
94% evangelicals agreed that the Bible has authority
When it comes to the Bible, 98% of evangelicals believed that the biblical accounts of Jesus’ resurrection are “completely accurate”, and 91% affirmed that the Bible is “100% accurate in all that it teaches”.
Although 94% agreed that the Bible has authority to instruct in us in what to do, 18% of evangelical respondents also believe the Bible “contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true”.
The doctrine of salvation
According to the survey, “only a minority of U.S. Evangelicals (38%) agree with the biblical doctrine that God chose the people he would save before he created the world, showing that the influence of Arminian theology remains strong in American evangelical churches”.
Furthermore, it “shows a decline in the number of professing evangelicals who have an accurate understanding of the Holy Spirit’s work in salvation, with only 57% affirming that the Holy Spirit gives a spiritual new birth or new life before a person has faith in Jesus Christ”.
Related to the doctrine of salvation, the survey revealed that “84% of evangelicals surveyed believed that God counts a person as righteous not because of one’s works but only because of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and 46% affirmed that everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature”.
Evangelicals in politics
This is a presidential election year in the US, and “evangelicals express strong support for the freedom of Christians to join the debate”, the authors of the study underlined.
Only 16% of evangelicals said that “Christians should be silent on issues of politics”. This is down from 39 percent in 2016, ahead of Trump’s election.
“Widespread confusion about the Bible and the reality of who God is”
According to Chris Larson, president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, “the 2020 State of Theology survey uncovers widespread confusion in the United States about the Bible’s teaching and the reality of who God is”.
“Many have observed the drift among Americans toward relativism, and this survey helps to quantify how this nation is abandoning objective truth altogether”, he added.
Larson warned that “sadly, just when the church needs to be clear and bold about our triune God, the Scriptures, sin, and salvation, many evangelicals are evidently being influenced more by this cultural drift than by the Word of God”.
However, “Christians have an opportunity to bring light and comfort to our troubled times by pointing to Jesus Christ and the authority and sufficiency of the Bible”.
“These survey results reveal that there is much work to do. Let us pray for an awakening to our holy God and to what He has revealed about Himself and how we are to live in this world”, he concluded.
Originally published at Evangelical Focus – reposted with permission.

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This article is a referendum on Biblical illiteracy, and now false doctrine formerly espoused by only the cults is boldly accepted within Orthodox Christianity.  For instance, I hope you noted that the reference to the Holy Spirit as “a force” is classic Jehovah Witness heresy.  I also hope you noted that believing that “the Father created Jesus Christ, and then Jesus created everything else” is also from the cults, namely Arianism, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and many more.  Jesus Christ IS Everlasting God, and One with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is Eternal God, Lord of All, and was never created Himself.  AMEN & AMEN.  Maranatha, Pastor Steve  <><

 

 

Mormonism: The Devil Made Me Do It

Reformation Charlotte

by Chris Cole

In the Bible, the temptation that Satan made to Adam and Eve is quoted in Genesis 3:5: “God knows that, when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” This doesn’t mean “knowing” in the sense of “recognizing,” but rather in the sense of “determining.” Satan tells the first couple that disobeying God will liberate them from the control of God, so that they can determine good and evil for themselves, apart from the standards of God.

That temptation is a lie (John 8:44). There is no autonomy from God, not even for Satan himself (Job 1:6-12). It should be obvious that Satan cannot give what he himself does not have.

In Mormonism, there is a doctrine that says that Jesus and Satan were brothers in their preexistence. The Father put a challenge to them to carry out His plan of salvation. Satan offered, instead, a plan of universal salvation. The LDS website explains it this way (references are to Mormon scriptures): “It was in this setting that Satan made an unwelcome and arrogant proposal to change Heavenly Father’s plan so that it provided universal salvation for everyone (see Moses 4:1). Before we discuss how he claimed to accomplish this, it is important to note that Satan is referred to in these verses as ‘the father of all lies’ (Moses 4:4). On another occasion he is called ‘a liar from the beginning’ (D&C 93:25). We would be absurdly naïve to assume that Satan was telling the truth when he made this exaggerated claim of universal salvation.”

According to Mormonism, how is the individual supposed to make the right choice between the Father’s plan of salvation and Satan’s? Their answer is found in Doctrine and Covenants 9:8: “Behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”

Do you see any parallels there? While the biblical God commands us to believe on the basis of His word alone, the Mormon God says that each person will be able to decide on the basis of a subjective feeling. Go back to Genesis 3:5 above. Is that not the same thing that Satan offered, falsely, to Adam and Eve?

While Mormons claim that their doctrine is the rejection of Satan’s lies, that doctrine is the same as Satan’s lies, as recorded in the Bible.

The only hope for the Mormon is to repudiate his autonomous determination of what is right or wrong and to submit to the infallible declaration of truth by the triune God of the Bible.

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The Muslim Jesus Versus The Biblical Jesus

Muslim Jesus Vs Biblical Jesus
Twenty Scriptural Reasons Why They Are Not the Same Person
A Compilation and Comparison by James Sundquist

1. The Islamic Jesus was created and not eternal

The similitude of Jesus before Allah is that of Adam: he created him from dust, then said to him, “Be”: and he was. – Koran: Sura 3:59

The Biblical Jesus is from Eternity

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.”– Micah 5:2

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” — John 8:58

“In the beginning was the Word” – John 1:1

2. The Islamic Jesus is a created human

“He created him (Jesus) from dust, then said to him: “Be”.”– Koran: Sura 3.59

The Biblical Jesus Created everything that is

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” – John 1:3

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” – Colossians 1:16-17.

3. The Islamic Jesus is not the Lamb of God who was slain

“That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of May, the Messenger of Allah.’ But they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them… for of surety they killed him not” – Koran: Surah 4.157

The Biblical Jesus is the Lamb of God
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” – John 1:29

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” – Revelation 5:12

4. The Islamic Jesus was never crucified and therefore was not resurrected

“but they killed him [Jesus] not, nor crucified him, but it appeared so to them the resemblance of Jesus was put over another man (and they killed that man)… For surely; they killed him not… But Allah raised him up (with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And Allah is Ever All Powerful, All Wise” – [Koran 4:157-158]

The Biblical Jesus which (by his death and resurrection) saved his people from their sins

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” – John 11:25

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

“And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.” – I Corinthians 15:14

5. The Islamic Jesus sent Mohammed as another Comforter (not the Holy Spirit)

“And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the apostle of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me, and giving Glad Tidings of an Apostle to come after me, whose name shall be Ahmad.” But when he came to them with Clear Signs, they said, “This is evident sorcery!” – Koran 61:6

The Biblical Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (Comforter) which came at Pentecost 50 days later NOT five hundred years later (Mohammed)

“But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost” – John 14:26

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” – John 15:26

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” – John 16:7

6. Islam teaches Salvation is found only in the Five Pillars of Islam

“Salvation can only be found in the Five Pillars of Shahada (Testifying of God’s Oneness), Salat (Prayer), Saum (Fasting), Zakat (Charity), and Hajj (Pilgrimage).” – KORAN 5:116

The Biblical Jesus Teaches Salvation is found in none other than himself

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” – Romans 10:9

“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” – Acts 16:31

7. The Islamic Jesus is an involuntary Slave to Allah

“I will then say what the Pious Slave Jesus the son of Mary said…” (Hadith: Narrated by Ibn Abbas 5.117-118).
“Jesus..although he is just one of Allah’s slaves.” (Hadith: Narrated Nafi, 007.063.209).
“You’d better go to Jesus, Allah’s slave” – (Hadith: Narrated Anas, 009.093.532, Volume 9, Book 93, Number 507.)

Biblical Jesus made himself a voluntary servant

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2: 6-8

8. The Islamic Jesus is simply another prophet
“Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them” – KORAN 2:136, 2:84

The Biblical Jesus has a name that is above all names

“[Jesus is] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” – Ephesians 1:21

9. The Islamic Jesus is not the Divine Son of God

Islamic Jesus is NOT the Son of God (and they teach whoever believes this will be thrown into the fire)

“Then the sects differed [i.e. the Christians about Jesus], so woe unto the disbelievers [those who gave false witness by saying that Jesus is the son of Allah] from the Meeting of a great Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection, when they will be thrown in the blazing Fire)” [KORAN19:34-38]

“That they ascribe a son (or offspring or children) to the Most Gracious (Allah). But it is not suitable for (the Majesty of) the Most Gracious (Allah) that He should beget a son (or offspring or children). There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave” – Koran 19:88-93

“Glory be to Him: (far exalted is He) above having a son.” – KORAN 4:171

Biblical Jesus who is the Word Made Flesh is the Son of God

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16

“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven [the voice of the One God], which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” – Luke 3:22

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”– 1st John 5:9-10

10. The Islamic Jesus can not be worshiped

“And behold, Allah will say–O Jesus Son of Mary, did you say to men, worship me and my mother as gods beside Allah? He will reply–Glory to you, I could never say what I had not right [to say]” – KORAN 5:116

“Christ the son of Mary was no more than a messenger: many were the messengers that passed away before him” – KORAN 5:75

Biblical Jesus is commanded to be worshiped (by both men and angels)

“For the Father [the One True God] judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.” – John 5:22-23

“And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:11

“And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” – Hebrews 1:6

11. The Islamic Jesus is not fit to be an Intercessor

“They will go to Jesus who will say, ‘I am not fit for this undertaking, but you’d better go to Muhammad whose sins of the past and future had been forgiven (by allah)” – Hadith Volume 9, Book 93, Number 507.

Biblical Jesus is the ONLY mediator between God and Man

(Jesus is alone the sinless Lamb of God. How could a Mohammed a sinner be more fit than Jesus?)

“For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” – I Timothy 2:5

“Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” – Hebrews 7:25

12. The Islamic Jesus will judge by the Law of the Quran and not by the Gospel (Fateh-ul Bari page 304 and 305 vol 7)

Biblical Jesus will judge by both the Old and New Testament (Gospel)
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law (Torah), till all be fulfilled.” – Matthew 5:18

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” – John 12:48

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” – Romans 2:16

13. The Islamic Jesus will return and help annihilate the Jews

“When the Muslims will fall in lines to offer prayers, Christ son of Mary (PBUH) shall descend from heaven before their eyes. He will lead the prayers. When the prayers are over he will say to the people: “Clear the way between me and this enemy of God.” God will give victory to the Muslims over the hosts of Dajjal. The Muslims will inflict dire punishment upon the enemy. Even the trees and stones will cry out, “O Abdullah, O Abdul Rahman, O Muslim, come, here is a Jew behind me, kill him.” In this way God will cause the Jews to be annihilated and Muslims shall be the victors.” – (Mustadrak Hakim – A brief version of this tradition has been recorded in Muslim. Hafiz Ibn Hajar in Fath-ul-Bari Vol. VI, p. 450 declares this tradition to be authentic.)

The Biblical Jesus will return and save the Jews from annihilation

Romans 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Romans 11:25-28 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

Zechariah 14:2-3 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

14. The Islamic Jesus Returns in yellow garments
“Jesus (peace be upon him). He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognize him: a man of medium height, reddish fair, wearing two light yellow garments” – (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 37, Number 4310)

The Biblical Jesus returns arrayed in white light

“And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” Matthew 17:2

“And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Mark 9:3

“And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment [was] white [and] glistering.” – Luke 9:29

15. Islamic Jesus lands in Damascus, Syria

“Most Muslims believe that Jesus descent from heaven will be accomplished by resting his hands on the wings of two angels. He will descend onto the white minaret, situated in the eastern part of Damascus. He will invite the whole world to be Muslim including Christians and Jews.” – (Mawdudi, A.A, Finality of Prophethood, pp. 58-61), and (Vol 18, Hadith No. 814)

Biblical Jesus descends and lands on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem

“And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east” – Zechariah 14:4

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11

16. Islamic Jesus returns on the wings of two angels

(Mawdudi, A.A, Finality of Prophethood, pp. 58-61).

Biblical Jesus is accompanied by the armies of heaven

“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints” – Jude 1:14

“… and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” – Zechariah 14:5

“And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses…” – Revelation 19:14

17. The Islamic Jesus destroys Antichrist with his lance at Mount Afiq (near City of Fiq, Syria)

“Christ (PBUH) will advance with the Muslims for fighting against Dajjal (Antichrist). The enemy will retreat before the powerful assault of Christ son of Mary, and Dajjal will run away towards Israel by way of the slope of Afiq (Reference to Tradition No. 21). Christ (PBUH) will pursue Dajjal and destroy him on the airfield of Lydda (Traditions No. 10-14- 15). A great slaughter of the Jews will ensue and every one of them will be annihilated. The nation of Jews will be exterminated (Traditions No. 9-15-21). At the proclamation of truth by Christ, the Christian religion will become extinct (Traditions No. 1-2-4-6).”

Biblical Jesus destroys Antichrist with his breath at his return to the Mount of Olives

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming” – 2 Thessalonians 2:8

18. The Islamic Jesus which returns will not be pierced

“They killed him not nor crucified him” – Koran: Surah 4.157
.
The Biblical Jesus was pierced for our transgressions

“They shall look upon me whom they have pierced..” – .Zechariah 12:10

19. The Islamic Jesus will marry a woman and have children

“He (Jesus) will live for forty years during which he will marry, have children, and perform Hajj (pilgrimage).” — (Wali ad-Din, Miskat Al-Masabih, (tr. James Robson), Vol.II, p.1159; Sahih Muslim, Vol.1, p.92).

The Biblical Jesus will marry his Bride (the Christian Church) at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready.” – Revelation. 19:7

20. The Islamic Jesus will die forty years after his return

“He (Jesus) will perish all religions except Islam. He (Jesus) will destroy the Antichrist and will live on the earth for forty years and then he will die.” – (Sunan Abu Dawud Book 37, Number 4310).

“After his death, he will be buried beside the grave of the Prophet Muhammad” – (Wali ad-Din, Miskat Al-Masabih, (tr. James Robson), Vol.II, p.1159; Sahih Muslim, Vol.1, p.92).

The Biblical Jesus is alive forevermore

“But because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” – Hebrews 7:24

“I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”– Revelation 1:18

Conclusion:

There you have it. Here are two different versions of Jesus Christ. One Islamic and one which is Biblical. Clearly the Islamic Scriptures [Koran, Hadiths, and Traditions] and the Bible are not describing the same Jesus. So the question remains does this make any difference? Well clearly it does. Jesus Christ himself said that many would come in his name, claiming to be Christ and would DECEIVE many (Matthew 24:24 and Mark 13:22). The Apostle Paul is so severe in his warning that in Galatians he records that if any man preach a different Gospel (another Jesus) which he said is really is NO gospel at all, let him be eternally damned. (Gal 1:6-9) The Apostle John says that whoever denies Christ (as God’s son) is an antichrist. God is not an author of confusion. The Islamic Jesus is an imaginary Jesus. The Biblical Jesus is truly the Son of God, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), through whom the Father made all things [Ephesians 3:9]. Any other Jesus is the Prince of Darkness. So, I invite you to choose today whom you will follow. If the Islamic Jesus is not the true Jesus then all of your religion is in vain. If the Biblical Jesus is the Christ, then trust in him and serve him only. For you can not serve two masters! AMEN! AMEN!

Muslim friend, do you know the One True God and Jesus who he sent?

Despite what many people in the world may believe today, the fact remains that there is only one true God, the Creator of the universe. We did not come from evolution, but we were created by the True and Living God, and we were put here to serve Him. In the beginning, when God made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, He then declared that it was very good. Everything was perfect, and there were no sorrow, no suffering, and no death, but then something happened. Man sinned against God, and because of sin, death passed upon all mankind. The very reason why the world is in such a mess today, is all because of sin! It was sin that brought the curse upon us, and sin has separated us from God.

Is there any hope for mankind?
When God created man, He already knew that man would sin against Him, and that sin would bring destruction, but God had a plan. Down through the ages God showed His people time and time again that He would send a redeemer. One who could reconcile God and man. One who could bridge the gulf that sin had put between us, and God. The prophet Isaiah said that this savior would be “despised and rejected,” and that God would place on Him the iniquity of us all. The prophet Isaiah also told how that God would make this savior’s soul an offering for sin (read Isaiah chapter 53). The prophet Micah told how that the redeemer would come from Bethlehem, and that His goings forth “have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2). So we see, the prophets said that He would come from Bethlehem, and that His goings forth have been from eternity, and that His soul would be made as an offering for sin, so who could this be?

The Promised One
Friend there is good news for us today, because God has already sent this redeemer! Jesus Christ is that redeemer that God Almighty promised He would send! He was born in the town of Bethlehem, and he died for the sins of the world just as the prophets had said a long time ago. Jesus said in John 17:3, “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Do you know God? Do you know Jesus? Who is Jesus Christ? As we have already seen, the prophet Micah said that His “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting,” which means that He is from eternity. The bible says (speaking of Christ) in Proverbs 8:22-36 – “The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”

Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He was there with God, when all things were created, for God said “Let US make man in OUR image” (Genesis 1:26). The prophet Isaiah spoke of Christ in this manner: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

God the Father is the one true God who no man has seen, nor can see with mortal eyes. He is above all. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, who proceeded forth from the Father, and came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost! He has revealed the Father to us, because He is the very image of the Father. It was by Christ, that all things were created, thus all creation should honor Him even as the Father, because He is Emmanuel, God with us. You see Jesus is Divine, because he is the Son of God. Christ is the only begotten Son, and he had to partake in the Father’s nature. The reason Christ is sometimes called “God” in the Bible is because as a Son he shares in his Father’s nature, essence and glory. God can be a proper name, a title or refer to the nature of God. Jesus isn’t The God [the Father], he is the Son of God, he is called the “Mighty God” and he has the fulness of the Godhead in him.

He is the only one who could pay the debt for our sins! Mohammed could not have accomplished this! No Pope, priest, or preacher could have either, but only Jesus. He is the only way. Both the Pope and Mohammed are the same as thieves and robbers, because they never came by faith in Christ. If you do not enter by faith in Christ, then you will not enter at all.

John 3:36 – “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Dear friend, there is only one way to be saved from the wrath that is to come, and that way of escape is by faith in the Son of God. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Will you believe upon Jesus, the Lamb of God that was slain for the sins of the world, or will you reject Him and die in your sins?

Witches Outnumber Presbyterians in the US; Wicca, Paganism Growing ‘Astronomically’

When the United States of America gradually left the Judeo Christian ethic and the model of the Biblical family, a vacuum was left for Satan to enter.  ….and enter he did!  Going back to “innocuous” sitcoms such as Bewitched and I Dream Of Jeannie, the groundwork was already laid to dupe the masses and prime the pump for real Satanic deception.  Baby Boomers remember groups like the Eagles (they sang Hotel California which expounds on Satan worshipper Anton Lavey), Black Oak Arkansas, Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult (their song Don’t Fear The Reaper encouraged young people to commit suicide) to name a few.

Hosea 8:7  “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”

Pray for this rebellious and sin sick nation  ~  Pastor Steve  <><

Witches Outnumber Presbyterians in the US; Wicca, Paganism Growing ‘Astronomically’
November 16 2018

The population of self-identified witches has risen dramatically in the United States in recent decades, as interest in astrology and witchcraft practices have become increasingly mainstream.
While data is sparse, Quartz noted, the practice of witchcraft has grown significantly in recent decades; those who identify as witches has risen concurrently with the rise of the “witch aesthetic.”
“While the U.S. government doesn’t regularly collect detailed religious data, because of concerns that it may violate the separation of church and state, several organizations have tried to fill the data gap,” Quartz reported.
“From 1990 to 2008, Trinity College in Connecticut ran three large, detailed religion surveys. Those have shown that Wicca grew tremendously over this period. From an estimated 8,000 Wiccans in 1990, they found there were about 340,000 practitioners in 2008. They also estimated there were around 340,000 Pagans in 2008.”
Pew Research Center studied the issue in 2014, discovering that 0.4 percent of Americans, approximately 1 to 1.5 million people, identify as Wicca or Pagan, meaning their communities continue to experience significant growth.
The rapid rise is not a surprise to some given philosophical and spiritual trends in culture.
“It makes sense that witchcraft and the occult would rise as society becomes increasingly postmodern. The rejection of Christianity has left a void that people, as inherently spiritual beings, will seek to fill,” said author Julie Roys, formerly of Moody Radio, in comments emailed to The Christian Post Tuesday.
“Plus, Wicca has effectively repackaged witchcraft for millennial consumption. No longer is witchcraft and paganism satanic and demonic,” she said, “it’s a ‘pre-Christian tradition’ that promotes ‘free thought’ and ‘understanding of earth and nature.’”
Yet such repackaging is deceptive, Roys added, “but one that a generation with little or no biblical understanding is prone to accept.”
“It’s tragic, and a reminder of how badly we need a spiritual revival in this country, and also that ‘our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world,’” she said, referencing Ephesians 6, which explains spiritual warfare.
Similarly, radio host and author Carmen LaBerge noted on Twitter that the figures are striking in that witches outnumber certain Christian denominations.
“As mainline Protestantism continues its devolution, the U.S. witch population is rising astronomically. There may now be more Americans who identify as practicing witches, 1.5 mil, than there are members of mainline Presbyterianism (PCUSA) 1.4 mil,” she said Tuesday.
Reported by: ChristianPost.com
By Prophecy in the News|November 16th, 2018|Tags: Bible Prophecy, Christian News, Paganism, Prophecy News, rejection of Christianity, Wicca, Witchcraft, Witches

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Something Wiccan This Way Comes: Why Is The Occult On The Rise?

News Image

By John Stonestreet/Breakpoint.org December 17, 2018

Netflix’s most talked-about new show this fall is “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” The “Sabrina” of the title is Sabrina Spellman, a half-witch/half-mortal who is about to celebrate her sixteenth birthday. On that day, which is, not coincidentally, October 31, she is expected to undergo what the show calls a “dark baptism,” in which she would pledge loyalty to Satan.

Now before you are tempted to say “Okay, it’s just another stupid TV show,” consider this: According to recent reports, occult ideas and practices are booming in the United States, and not just outside the church.

A recent Pew Research study found that a large and growing percentage of Americans believe in reincarnation, astrology, psychics, and the presence of spirits in nature.

In fact, six in ten Americans accept at least one or more of these beliefs. Shockingly, that number is just as high among self-identified Christians. Even agnostics–over half, in fact–have adopted occult ideas, along with the overwhelming majority of those who call themselves “spiritual, but not religious.”

The occult is becoming mainstream in this country. At least part of the reason why is how easy, user-friendly, and infinitely customizable the chaotic buffet of beliefs borrowed from Eastern pantheistic faiths and pre-Christian religions is these days. There’s no church or creed or set of rules. You can pick and choose whatever you like. It’s spirituality meets consumerism. And you are the god.

Still, there’s also an increase of more rigorous disciples of the mystical–those who really identify and practice religions like Wicca.

According to new research by Trinity College in Connecticut, Wicca is one of the fastest-growing religions in the country. Between 1990 and 2008, it saw a forty-fold increase in the number of adherents. One-and-a-half million Americans now identify as either Wiccan or Pagan.

The Web publication Quartzy appropriately described modern witchcraft as “the perfect religion for liberal millennials…” Wiccans emphasize “free thought and will of the individual,” encouraging “learning and understanding of the earth and nature,” as well as tolerance and the ideals of feminism. It even comes with a cool hashtag: #WitchesofInstagram.

In other words, for most of its adherents, Wicca functions as a spiritual patina on progressive politics, not really a source of supernatural powers. You won’t find these witches stirring cauldrons or riding broomsticks, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing darker going on.

As C. S. Lewis wrote in the preface to “The Screwtape Letters,” there are two equal and opposite errors we can fall into concerning devils and demons. One is to disbelieve in or disregard their existence, a posture far too common in the western world. The other is to have an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.

This upsurge of occult beliefs and religions in this country, though often political and consumeristic, is still a sign that forces of darkness are at work. For one thing, all false faiths lead people–including people within the church–away from Christ, and that has eternal consequences.

For Christians, there are more immediate consequences. The Scriptures are clear: Satan is a defeated foe, put to open shame by the resurrection of Christ. But make no mistake, he’s still an active foe, roaming about “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

From Acts 19, we learn that the defeated forces of the enemy pose a very real and even sometimes physical threat. Those who don’t take that threat seriously may end up like Sceva’s seven sons: bleeding, naked, and running for their lives.

Not every plastic lawn vampire or self-proclaimed “witch” is a manifestation of spiritual evil; but the rise of occult beliefs, especially within the church, is–making the old call to “renounce the devil and all his works” even more relevant today than ever.

Originally published at Breakpoint.org – reposted with permission.

Read more at http://prophecynewswatch.com/article.cfm?recent_news_id=2823#mmxExZAFojOJBVE2.99

 

Pray For Revival In America!

Pulpit & Pen: THEOLOGY ~ POLEMICS ~ DISCERNMENT

Pulpit & Pen

Key the following link for the latest edition from the Pulpit & Pen blogsite

THEOLOGY   ~   POLEMICS   ~   DISCERNMENT:

https://pulpitandpen.org/

This discernment blog goes into great depth, addressing the plethora and varieties of apostasy that are encroaching the church today.  How does one counter falsehoods?  By becoming steeped in the scriptures and being aware of false prophets and wolves in sheepskin.  A thorough knowledge of the Word, and Godly wisdom, are the proper tools used to counter heresy.  In Christ, Pastor Steve  <><

Thought For The Day:

16 Signs of a False Prophet

This is a very good list of the characteristics of false prophets.  If you are like me, as you read this, you will be thinking of  well known “celebrity preachers” in the public eye, as well as false teachers you personally experienced yourself.  This is also great material to pass on to young believers, lest they are beguiled!  Notice how it is entirely based on the scriptures,  Blessings, Pastor Steve  <><

16 Signs of a False Prophet/Teacher
What does the Bible say about false prophets/teachers?
by Mark Ballenger

Bible false prophet teacher signs

What does the Bible say about false prophets and teachers? Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”
Whenever Jesus tells us to “beware,” he means this in the most literal sense. As Christians we must be on guard, for wolves dress in sheep clothing, trying to masquerade as innocent pastors but in reality are dangerous false prophets and teachers. Wolves are cunning, they prey on sheep rather than on other wolves, and therefore Christians must know how to detect a dangerous leader, for they will not be obvious, especially if you are an accepting person.
1 John 4:1-3 tells us that anyone who does not confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh from God is a false prophet. This sign of a false prophet is the most obvious. But again, as Jesus warned us, false prophets are crafty and they won’t always reveal themselves this easily. This is why 1 John 4:1 tells us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
So here are 16 signs of a false prophet and teacher.

 

1. Many false prophets/teachers are gifted communicators but poor expositors.
The requirement of an elder (pastor) is not gifted communication but the ability to teach the word of God accurately. If someone is pretending to be a good teacher of the Bible when in actually they are simply a gifted orator who uses Christian ideas in their talks, which are presented as sermons, this person is a false teacher/prophet.
Twisting a passage of Scripture to mean something other than its intended meaning is the defining mark of a false prophet or teacher. But because they are cunning, they mask this deception with brilliant communication style.
(1 Timothy 3:2)

2. False prophets/teachers love large crowds rather than deep growth.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to preach to a lot of people. This is a good desire if the motivation is to help many know God more through your preaching. However, a false prophet/teacher loves large groups of people rather than “loving people.” Individuals are a nuisance. They love crowds for the sake of being admired and praised.
(John 12:18-19)

3. False prophets/teachers hate being rebuked and disciplined.
You can always know how authentic someone’s faith really is when they get corrected and disciplined. False teachers/prophets love to be seen as the leader, model, and the one doing the rebuking. But their faith is not genuine if they cannot receive corrections because all Christians will at times be in need of loving discipline by others.
(Matthew 15:12-14)

4. A false teacher/prophet loves money.
The mark of a true prophet or Bible teacher is not a hatred of money or a vow of poverty. But most false prophets/teachers love money and use the gospel for personal gain.
(2 Corinthians 2:17, Titus 1:7, 1 Timothy 3:3)

5. False prophets/teachers hide problems in their family life.
One of the qualifications for being an elder/pastor is that you manager your own household well. This does not mean, however, there will never be problems in a qualified pastor’s home. Sometimes he can lead well while his family is following poorly.
However, when his poor leadership (which he does not repent of) is the cause of ongoing problems, this is when he is disqualified. A false prophet/teacher knows this, and so they hide the problems in their family. When a good pastor has family issues, he will seek the help of others, overcoming his fear of people judging him.
(1 Timothy 3:4)

6. A false prophet/teacher is often accompanied by a spiritually immature spouse.
Having an immature spouse does not mean you are a false teacher/prophet. And being a false teacher/prophet does not automatically mean your spouse is also a problem. Typically, however, people with similar character and values flock together (which is also why false prophets/teachers have bad marriages since both have bad character).
(1 Timothy 3:11)

7. A false prophet/teacher will be adored by his followers but despised by many “outsiders”.
If everyone hates you, it probably means you are a cruel person who advances your own agenda at the cost of others. If everyone loves you, it probably means you fear telling people the truth and want the approval of man more than God’s approval.
A good teacher, however, will be loved by some and despised by others. He will have a good reputation with outsiders. A false prophet will have a bad reputation with people who are not his followers. He will create an “us verse them” mentality in his church (cult). Those who don’t support him will be blacklisted by him and his followers. A true Christian leader desires his local church to be united with other local churches and leaders for the sake of supporting the universal church and being a witness to the world through Christian unity.
(1 Timothy 3:7, John 17:20-21)

8. Pride fuels false prophets/teachers.
Satan was brought down by his own pride. So many times pastors start out with good intentions, but over the years their own pride corrupts them. They may not have started out as a false leader in the church, which makes it difficult for people who have been around them along time when suddenly they realize this person has changed. The mark of maturity is humility, and only mature Christians should seek to be leaders in the church. A false prophet/teacher is not motivated by love for God and people but by pride and the desire for self-exaltation like Satan.
(1 Timothy 3:6)

9. A false prophet/teacher knows the Bible just enough to twist it towards their own ends.
A false Bible teacher will know some doctrines, but they will not love doctrine. They will know some Bible, but they will not love reading it. They will preach passionately but not live for Christ passionately. They will have an appearance of godliness, but they will lack real power in applying God’s word for his glory.
(2 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 4:16)

10. A false prophet/teacher avoids strong elders.
A pastor who picks elders rather than a pastor picked by elders is a red flag. Certainly there are times for church-planters to pick elders to start a church, but even these elections should not be his sole decision. A good pastor will seek strong elders before seeking large numbers of congregants. A good pastor is eager to empower elders and be submissive to them.

Trying to build a church without strong elders is like building a house on a weak foundation. It’s like starting construction before getting your loan approved. A New Testament Church must be elder led, where everyone, including the pastors and other elders are held accountable to the group of elders. A false prophet knows this but avoids other strong leaders because he wants all the control and hates being corrected. He sets up figurehead “yes men” as elders to have an appearance of a New Testament church but in actuality he alone is still able to keep control. He surrounds himself with weak leaders who will struggle to discipline him (which is also why a false prophet/teacher often puts family in leadership).
(1 Timothy 1:5, Acts 14:23)

11. A false teacher/prophet will have a life that looks nothing like his sermons.
A false teacher/prophet primarily errs in preaching the word of God accurately. But another significant mark of an unfit pastor is one whose life contradicts the content of their own sermons. It’s possible to fake your faith for an hour in the pulpit. But it’s impossible to fake your faith throughout your whole week. Faith is expressed through your deeds. A false prophet will have a life full of evil deeds, hidden from the public of course. Don’t expect a false prophet/teacher to open up his home life to his church. There are too many secrets there for that.(Matthew 5:19-20, 1 Timothy 4:12)

12. A false prophet/teacher often points to their past “ministry successes.”
Again, many pastors turn into a false prophet/teacher over a period of time. Just because God did good through someone in the past does not mean they are for sure a true pastor pleasing to the Lord. God is so powerful, he can bring about converts and develop true Christians even through false teachers/prophets (Philippians 1:15-18).
Overtime, however, the fruitfulness usually fades, and thus they typically talk about the glory days of the past and remind people often of their past “successes” in ministry.
(Matthew 7:22-23)

13. A false prophet/teacher will often preach the same message over and over again.
John Stott said, “Every heresy is due to an overemphasis upon some truth, without allowing other truths to qualify and balance it.” By zeroing in on one doctrine, they often misrepresent other doctrines. A false teacher/preacher also steers clear of expository preaching because he wants to avoid parts of Scripture that do not advance his personal agenda or that he feels personally convicted by. Many false preachers try to preach through books of the Bible, but they reveal their falseness through turning every passage into a sermon about what they want to say rather than what the point of that specific passage actually is.
(2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 6:7)

14. A false prophet/teacher will surround himself with weak willed people.
A wolf maybe evil, but he is not stupid. False pastors love power, therefore they try to fill their churches with people who are easy to manipulate and control. If you are an “easy going person,” a false prophet/teacher will butter you up with titles, compliments, promises of promotions, and through confiding in you as a friend. But don’t be mistaken, this is all about getting control over you.

15. A false teacher/prophet seeks to “please God” in return for “blessings” and “success.”
A false teacher/prophet is often very religious. They might fast often, pray long public prayers, and perhaps have never even taken a drink of alcohol in their life. While doing such pious acts can be great benefits for any pastor, a false pastor does these things as a way of appeasing God. A false pastor makes sacrifices because he thinks God will bless him with power, ministry success, financial gain, or a bigger following (Acts 8:18).
A false prophet/teacher seeks to “glorify God” so he can be successful in ministry (followed by a lot of people for his ego) rather than seeking to be successful in ministry for the glory of God. If a false prophet/teacher like this does achieve some “success,” you will know he is false because he will take the credit for the success, sometimes blatantly but always in the heart. He will give himself credit because he believes that through his religious acts God has blessed him and his ministry.
(1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, Acts 8:18-23)

16. False prophets/teachers are led by their desire to be worshiped.
So what does the Bible say about false teachers, prophets, and pastors? Ultimately a false church leader is just that – false. The theme of their life will be deception, hiding, and lies. They distort the word of God in preaching and they distort the example of Christ in their behavior. They tell people what their itching ears want to hear so that they will receive from the people what they want in return – power, fame, finances, and other worldly pursuits.
In short, a false prophet/teacher does what he does because he desires to be worshiped by people rather than lead the people in worshiping God. He does not want to serve God. He pretends to serve God so people will serve and worship him.
(2 Timothy 4:1-5)

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Article From Mark Ballenger  ApplyGodsWord.com.

Kingdom Of The Cults ~ Walter Martin

Below are about twelve hours of lessons exposing the lies of all of the major cults.  The instructor is Walter Martin, who has unparalleled expertise in the false belief systems of these manmade religions.  Included are teachings on the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons (LDS), Zen Buddhism, Freemasonry, Eastern Mysticism, Hare Krishna, Universalism, the Church of Scientology and many others.  If you become well versed with the facts, you can become a marvelous witness of God’s truth.

The Mormons ~ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ~ The godmakers

The theology of the Mormons is one of the most profound pack of lies ever concocted by Lucifer.  It is out of the pit of Hell and it smells like smoke.   There is absolutely nothing in this belief system whatsoever that resonates with orthodox Christianity.  The following are teachings from John MacArthur, Charles Haddon Spurgeon and an ex Mormon RICHARD PACKHAM, on this cult.

In The Name Of Jesus, Pastor Steve

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Spurgeon Thursday – On Mormonism

LDS Defined
What shall we say of Mormonism, the haggard superstition of the West? (Nov 5, 1854)

LDS and Polygamy
Then what will ye choose? Shall it be Mahometanism? Will ye choose that, with all its fables, its wickedness and libiditiousness? I will not tell you of it. Nor will I mention the accursed imposture of the West that has lately arisen. We will not allow Polygamy, while there are men to be found who love the social circle, and cannot see it invaded. We would not wish, when God hath given to man one wife, that he should drag in twenty, as the companions of that one. We cannot prefer Mormonism; we will not, and we shall not. (May 27, 1855)

The 1855 Plague of Locusts

A little while ago some of us were fretting about this Mormonism, and we said, “It will never be broken up.” Some stupid fellows in America began to kill the poor Mormonites, and so carve them into saints, which was the very way to establish them. Christians trembled, and said, “What can this be? We shall have Sodom over again.”    

But did you read the Times newspaper of Thursday last? You will there see a wonderful instance of how God can scatter the clouds and make them dust of his feet. He has caused to come out of the ground, near Salt Lake, at Utah, thousands of crickets, and all kinds of noxious insects, that devour the crops; creatures that have not been seen in Utah before, with swarms of locusts, have made their appearance; and the people, being so far from civilized nations, cannot of course carry much corn across the desert, so that they will be condemned to starve or else separate and break up. It seems to all appearance that the whole settlement of the Mormonites must entirely be broken up, and that by an army of caterpillars, crickets, and locusts. (Aug 19, 1855)

A Transparent Delusion
Take again the increase of Mormonism. What has been its strength? Simply this—the assertion of power from heaven. That claim is made, and the people believe it, and now they have missionaries in almost every country of the habitable globe, and the book of Mormon is translated into many languages. Though there never could be a delusion more transparent, or a counterfeit less skillful, and more lying upon the very surface, yet this simple pretension to power has been the means of carrying power with it. (Apr 27, 1856)

Victorian Universalism
That seems to me to be the right spirit, but where do you find it now-a-days? The modern spirit mutters, ‘We are all right, every one of us.’ He who says, ‘yes,’ is right, and he who says, ‘no,’ is also right! You hear a man talk with mawkish sentimentality which he calls Christian charity. ‘Well, I am of opinion that if a man is a Muslim, or a Catholic, or a Mormon, or a Dissenter—if he is sincere—he is all right.’ They do not quite include devil worshippers, thugs and cannibals yet—but if things go on they will accept them into the happy family of the Broad Church. Such is the talk and cant of this present age, but I bear my witness that there is no truth in it and I call upon every child of God to protest against it and, like Moses, to declare that he can have no complicity with such a confederacy! (July 28, 1872)

Mike Drop (oh yeah!)
And, last of all, though much more might be said, what happiness this brings to a man to know that he is a child of God. I remember, some 22 years ago, being waited upon by a Mormon who wanted to convince me of the Divine mission of Joseph Smith. And after hearing some of his talk, I said, ‘Sir, would you kindly tell me what you have to offer me and how I am to get it? I will listen to you if you will let me tell you afterwards what I have to offer you and the way to it.’ I heard him with a great deal of patience. He listened to me not quite so patiently, but when I had done he saluted me thus, ‘If what you say is true, you ought to be the happiest man in the world!’ To which I replied, ‘Sir, you are correct. I ought to be and, more, I am!’ And so I left him. (Sep 21 1875)

A Disclaimer
One of the most modern pretenders to inspiration is the Book of Mormon. I could not blame you should you laugh outright while I read aloud a page from that conglomeration. (April 25, 1891)

Charles H. Spurgeon

 

TO THOSE WHO ARE INVESTIGATING “MORMONISM”

By RICHARD PACKHAM
Revisions as of June 15, 2011

If you are investigating Mormonism (the “Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” or “LDS Church”), you are probably studying it in private meetings in your home with missionaries from that church. Here are some of the key things that they are probably telling you:

Mormonism began in 1820 when a teen-aged boy in western New York named Joseph Smith was spurred by a Christian revival where he lived to pray to God for guidance as to which church was true. In answer to his prayers he was visited by God the Father and God the Son, two separate beings, who told him to join no church because all the churches at that time were false, and that he, Joseph, would bring forth the true church. This event is called “The First Vision.”

In 1823 Joseph had another heavenly visitation, in which an angel named Moroni told him of a sacred history written by ancient Hebrews in America, engraved in an Egyptian dialect on tablets of gold and buried in a nearby hill. Joseph was told it was the history of the ancient peoples of America, and that Joseph would be the instrument for bringing this record to the knowledge of the world. Joseph obtained these gold plates from the angel in 1827, and translated them into English by the spirit of God and the use of a sacred instrument accompanying the plates called the “Urim and Thummim.” The translation was published in 1830 as The Book of Mormon, now revered by Mormons as scripture, along with the Bible.

The Book of Mormon is a religious and secular history of the inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere from about 2200 BC to about 421 AD. It tells the reader that three groups of immigrants settled the uninhabited Americas. They were led by God from their original homes in the Near East to America. The first group came from the Tower of Babel, about 2200 BC, and two other groups came from Jerusalem just before the Babylonian Captivity, about 600 BC. They had prophets of God who had been inspired with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is thus preserved in their history, the Book of Mormon. Many of the descendants of these immigrants were Christians, even before Christ was born in Palestine, but many were unbelievers. Believers and unbelievers fought many wars, the last of which left only degenerate unbelievers as survivors, who are the ancestors of the American Indians. The most important event during this long history was the visit of Jesus Christ to America, after his crucifixion, when he ministered to (and converted) all the inhabitants.

Joseph Smith was directed by revelation from God to reestablish (“restore”) the true church, which he did in 1830. He was visited several times by heavenly messengers, who ordained him to the true priesthood. He continued to have revelations from God to guide the church and to give more knowledge of the Gospel. Many of these revelations are published in the Doctrine and Covenants, accepted by Mormons as scripture, along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith and his followers were continually persecuted for their religious beliefs, and driven from New York State to Ohio, then to Missouri, then to Illinois, where Joseph Smith was murdered in 1844 by a mob, a martyr to his beliefs. The church was then led by Brigham Young, Joseph’s successor, to Utah, where the Mormons settled successfully.

The LDS church is led today by the successors of Joseph Smith. The present president of the church is a “prophet, seer and revelator” just as Joseph Smith was, and guides the members of the church through revelations and guidance from God.

The modern LDS church is the only true church, as restored by God through Joseph Smith. Other churches, derived from the early Christian church, are in apostasy because their leaders corrupted the scriptures, changed the ordinances of the original church, and often led corrupt lives, thus losing their authority.

The most reliable way to determine whether the Book of Mormon is true, and whether the Mormon church is “the only true church” is by sincerely asking God in prayer.

By accepting baptism into the LDS church you take the first step necessary toward your salvation and your ultimate entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven (the “Celestial Kingdom”).

WHAT THE MISSIONARIES WILL NOT TELL YOU
Until recently, the missionaries were required to present Mormonism in six “discussions”, which were a series of memorized sales talks. They are now encouraged simply to “follow the spirit” in their presentations. The basic message and approach, however, is still essentially the same. A thorough, thoughtful and balanced discussion of each of the six “official” lessons as the missionaries formerly presented them to investigators is at http://www.lds4u.com (archived), together with the techniques and strategies which the missionaries are instructed to use. (The actual texts of the discussions were also on this site at one time, but the Mormon church threatened the webmaster with a lawsuit, and he removed them; click on “next” at each window to read a summary and commentary.)
Here is a summary of important facts about the Mormon church, its doctrine, and its history that the missionaries will probably not tell you. We are not suggesting that they are intentionally deceiving you –most of the young Mormons serving missions for the church are not well educated in the history of the church or in modern critical studies of the church. They probably do not know all the facts themselves. They have been trained, however, to give investigators “milk before meat,” that is, to postpone revealing anything at all that might make an investigator hesitant, even if it is true. But you should be aware of these facts before you commit yourself.
Each of the following facts has been substantiated by thorough historical scholarship. And this list is by no means exhaustive! For links to articles substantiating each of these points, CLICK on the word NOTES following the item.
The “First Vision” story in the form presented to you was unknown until 1838, eighteen years after its alleged occurrence and almost ten years after Smith had begun his missionary efforts. The oldest (but quite different) version of the vision is in Smith’s own handwriting, dating from about 1832 (still at least eleven years afterwards), and says that only one personage, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. It also mentions nothing about a revival. It also contradicts the later account as to whether Smith had already decided that no church was true. Still a third version of this event is recorded as a recollection in Smith’s diary, fifteen years after the alleged vision, where one unidentified “personage” appeared, then another, with a message implying that neither was the Son. They were accompanied by many “angels,” which are not mentioned in the official version you have been told about. Which version is correct, if any? Why was this event, now said by the church to be so important, unknown for so long? NOTES

Careful study of the religious history of the locale where Smith lived in 1820 casts doubt on whether there actually was such an extensive revival that year as Smith and his family later described as associated with the “First Vision.” The revivals in 1817 and 1824 better fit what Smith described later. NOTES

In 1828, eight years after he supposedly had been told by God himself to join no church, Smith applied for membership in a local Methodist church. Other members of his family had joined the Presbyterians. NOTES

Contemporaries of Smith consistently described him as something of a confidence man, whose chief source of income was hiring out to local farmers to help them find buried treasure by the use of folk magic and “seer stones.” Smith was actually tried in 1826 on a charge of moneydigging. NOTES It is interesting that none of his critics seemed to be aware of his claim to have been visited by God in 1820, even though in his 1838 account he claimed that he had suffered “great persecution” for telling people of his vision.

The only persons who claimed to have actually seen the gold plates were eleven close friends of Smith (many of them related to each other). Their testimonies are printed in the front of every copy of the Book of Mormon. No disinterested third party was ever allowed to examine them. They were retrieved by the angel at some unrecorded point. Most of the witnesses later abandoned Smith and left his movement. Smith then called them “liars.” NOTES

Smith produced most of the “translation” not by reading the plates through the Urim and Thummim (described as a pair of sacred spectacles), but by gazing at the same “seer stone” he had used for treasure hunting. He would place the stone into his hat, and then cover his face with it. For much of the time he was dictating, the gold plates were not even present, but in a hiding place. NOTES

The detailed history and civilization described in the Book of Mormon does not correspond to anything found by archaeologists anywhere in the Americas. The Book of Mormon describes a civilization lasting for a thousand years, covering both North and South America, which was familiar with horses, elephants, cattle, sheep, wheat, barley, steel, wheeled vehicles, shipbuilding, sails, coins, and other elements of Old World culture. But no trace of any of these supposedly very common things has ever been found in the Americas of that period. Nor does the Book of Mormon mention many of the features of the civilizations which really did exist at that time in the Americas. The LDS church has spent millions of dollars over many years trying to prove through archaeological research that the Book of Mormon is an accurate historical record, but they have failed to produce any convincing pre-columbian archeological evidence supporting the Book of Mormon story. In addition, whereas the Book of Mormon presents the picture of a relatively homogeneous people, with a single language and communication between distant parts of the Americas, the pre-columbian history of the Americas shows the opposite: widely disparate racial types (almost entirely east Asian – definitely not Semitic, as proven by recent DNA studies), and many unrelated native languages, none of which are even remotely related to Hebrew or Egyptian. NOTES

The people of the Book of Mormon were supposedly devout Jews observing the Law of Moses, but in the Book of Mormon there is almost no trace of their observance of Mosaic law or even an accurate knowledge of it. NOTES

Although Joseph Smith said that God had pronounced the completed translation of the plates as published in 1830 “correct,” many changes have been made in later editions. Besides thousands of corrections of poor grammar and awkward wording in the 1830 edition, other changes have been made to reflect subsequent changes in some of the fundamental doctrine of the church. For example, an early change in wording modified the 1830 edition’s acceptance of the doctrine of the Trinity, thus allowing Smith to introduce his later doctrine of multiple gods. A more recent change (1981) replaced “white” with “pure,” apparently to reflect the change in the church’s stance on the “curse” of the black race. NOTES

Joseph Smith said that the Book of Mormon contained the “fulness of the gospel.” However, its teaching on many doctrinal subjects has been ignored or contradicted by the present LDS church, and many doctrines now said by the church to be essential are not even mentioned there. Examples are the church’s position on the nature of God, the Virgin Birth, the Trinity, polygamy, Hell, priesthood, secret organizations, the nature of Heaven and salvation, temples, proxy ordinances for the dead, and many other matters. NOTES

Many of the basic historical notions found in the Book of Mormon had appeared in print already in 1825, just two years before Smith began producing the Book of Mormon, in a book called View of the Hebrews, by Ethan Smith (no relation) and published just a few miles from where Joseph Smith lived. A careful study of this obscure book led one LDS church official (the historian B. H. Roberts, 1857-1933) to confess that the evidence tended to show that the Book of Mormon was not an ancient record, but concocted by Joseph Smith himself, based on ideas he had read in the earlier book. NOTES

Although Mormons claim that God is guiding the LDS church through its president (who has the title “prophet, seer and revelator”), the successive “prophets” have repeatedly either led the church into undertakings that were dismal failures or failed to see approaching disaster. To mention only a few: the Kirtland Bank, the United Order, the gathering of Zion to Missouri, the Zion’s Camp expedition, polygamy, the Deseret Alphabet NOTES. A recent example is the successful hoax perpetrated on the church by manuscript dealer Mark Hofmann in the 1980s. He succeeded in selling the church thousands of dollars worth of manuscripts which he had forged. The church and its “prophet, seer and revelator” accepted them as genuine historical documents. The church leaders learned the truth not from God, through revelation, but from non-Mormon experts and the police, after Hofmann was arrested for two murders he committed to cover up his hoax. This scandal was reported nationwide. NOTES

The secret temple ritual (the “endowment”) was introduced by Smith in May, 1842, just two months after he had been initiated into Freemasonry. The LDS temple ritual closely resembles the Masonic ritual of that day. NOTES Smith explained that the Masons had corrupted the ancient (God-given) ritual by changing it and removing parts of it, and that he was restoring it to its “pure” and “original” (and complete) form, as revealed to him by God. In the years since, the LDS church has made many fundamental changes in the “pure and original” ritual as “restored” by Smith, mostly by removing major parts of it. NOTES

Many doctrines which were once taught by the LDS church, and held to be fundamental, essential and “eternal”, have been abandoned. Whether we feel that the church was correct in abandoning them is not the point; rather, the point is that a church claiming to be the church of God takes one “everlasting” position at one time and the opposite position at another, all the time claiming to be proclaiming the word of God. Some examples are:

– The Adam-God doctrine (Adam is God the Father); NOTES
– the United Order (all property of church members is to be held in common, with title in the church);
– Plural Marriage (polygamy; a man must have more than one wife to attain the highest degree of heaven); NOTES
– the Curse of Cain (the black race is not entitled to hold God’s priesthood because it is cursed; this doctrine was not abandoned until 1978); NOTES
– Blood Atonement (some sins – apostasy, adultery, murder, interracial marriage – must be atoned for by the shedding of the sinner’s blood, preferably by someone appointed to do so by church authorities); NOTES

All of these doctrines were proclaimed by the reigning prophet to be the Word of God, “eternal,” “everlasting,” to govern the church “forevermore.” All have been abandoned by the present church.

Joseph Smith’s early revelations were collected and first published in 1833 in the Book of Commandments. God (as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants Sections 1 and 67) supposedly testified by revelation that the revelations as published were true and correct. Because the Book of Commandments did not receive wide distribution (most copies were destroyed by angry opponents of the Mormons in Missouri, where it was published), they were republished – with additional revelations – as the Doctrine and Covenants in 1835 in Kirtland, Ohio. However, many of the revelations as published in Kirtland differed fundamentally from their versions as originally given. The changes generally gave more power and authority to Smith, and justified changes he was making in church organization and theology. The question naturally arises as to why revelations which God had pronounced correct needed to be revised. NOTES

Joseph Smith claimed to have received the priesthood (the only valid priesthood recognized by God) directly from resurrected beings (angels): the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist and the Mechizedek (higher) Priesthood from Peter, James and John. However, the accounts of these visitations are contradictory and questionable. NOTES

Joseph Smith claimed to be a “translator” by the power of God. In addition to the Book of Mormon, he made several other “translations”:

– The Book of Abraham, from Egyptian papyrus scrolls which came into his possession in 1835. He stated that the scrolls were written by the biblical Abraham “by his own hand.” Smith’s translation is now accepted as scripture by the LDS church, as part of its Pearl of Great Price. Smith also produced an “Egyptian Grammar” based on his translation. Modern scholars of ancient Egyptian agree that the scrolls are common Egyptian funeral scrolls, entirely pagan in nature, having nothing to do with Abraham, and from a period 2000 years later than Abraham. The “Grammar” has been said by Egyptologists to prove that Smith had no notion of the Egyptian language. It is pure fantasy: he made it up. NOTES

– The “Inspired Revision” of the King James Bible. Smith was commanded by God to retranslate the Bible because the existing translations contained errors. He completed his translation in 1833, but the church still uses the King James Version. NOTES

– The “Kinderhook Plates,” a group of six metal plates with strange engraved characters, unearthed in 1843 near Kinderhook, Illinois, and examined by Smith, who began a “translation” of them. He never completed the translation, but he identified the plates as an “ancient record,” and translated enough to identify the author as a descendant of Pharaoh. Local farmers later confessed that they had manufactured, engraved and buried the plates themselves as a hoax. They had apparently copied the characters from a Chinese tea box. NOTES

Joseph Smith claimed to be a “prophet.” He frequently prophesied future events “by the power of God.” Many of these prophecies are recorded in the LDS scripture Doctrine and Covenants. Almost none have been fulfilled, and many cannot now be fulfilled because the deeds to be done by the persons named were never done and those persons are now dead. Many prophecies included dates for their fulfillment, and those dates are now long past, the events never having occurred. NOTES

Joseph Smith died not as a martyr, but in a gun battle in which he fired a number of shots. He was in jail at the time, under arrest for having ordered the destruction of a Nauvoo newspaper which dared to print an exposure (which was true) of his secret sexual liaisons. At that time he had announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States, set up a secret government, and secretly had himself crowned “King of the Kingdom of God.” NOTES

Since the founding of the church down to the present day the church leaders have not hesitated to lie, to falsify documents, to rewrite or suppress history, or to do whatever is necessary to protect the image of the church. Many Mormon historians have been excommunicated from the church for publishing their findings on the truth of Mormon history. NOTES

Trying to determine the truth by relying entirely on the feelings one gets after praying is not a reliable way to learn the truth. One can easily deceive oneself into “feeling” something that is really not true at all. The only reliable way to get to the truth is to examine verifiable facts. NOTES

Mormonism includes many other unusual teachings which you will probably not be told about until you have been in the church for a long time. These teachings are not revealed to investigators or new converts because those people are not yet considered ready to have more than “milk” as doctrine. The Mormons also probably realize that if investigators knew of these unusual teachings they would not join the church. In addition to those mentioned elsewhere in this article, the following are noteworthy: NOTES

God was once a man like us.
God has a tangible body of flesh and bone.
God lives on a planet near the star Kolob.
God (“Heavenly Father”) has at least one wife, our “Mother in Heaven,” but she is so holy that we are not to discuss her nor pray to her.
Jesus was married.
We can become like God and rule over our own universe.
There are many gods, ruling over their own worlds.
Jesus and Satan (“Lucifer”) are brothers, and they are our brothers – we are all spirit children of Heavenly Father
Jesus Christ was conceived by God the Father by having sex with Mary, who was temporarily his wife.
We should not pray to Jesus, nor try to feel a personal relationship with him.
The “Lord” (“Jehovah”) in the Old Testament is the being named Jesus in the New Testament, but different from “God the Father” (“Elohim”).
In the highest degree of the celestial kingdom some men will have more than one wife.
Before coming to this earth we lived as spirits in a “pre-existence”, during which we were tested; our position in this life (whether born to Mormons or savages, or in America or Africa) is our reward or punishment for our obedience in that life.
Dark skin is a curse from God, the result of our sin, or the sin of our ancestors. If sufficiently righteous, a dark-skinned person will become light-skinned.
The Garden of Eden was in Missouri. All humanity before the Great Flood lived in the western hemisphere. The Ark transported Noah and the other survivors to the eastern hemisphere.
Not only will human beings be resurrected to eternal life, but also all animals – everything that has ever lived on earth – will be resurrected and dwell in heaven.
Christ will not return to earth in any year that has seen a rainbow.
Mormons should avoid traveling on water, since Satan rules the waters.
The sun receives its light from the star Kolob.
If a Gentile becomes Mormon, the Holy Ghost actually purges his Gentile blood and replaces it with Israelite blood.
A righteous Mormon will actually see the face of God in the Mormon temple.
You can identify a false angel by the color of his hair, or by offering to shake his hand.
YOUR LIFE AS A MORMON
If you should decide to become a member of the LDS church, you should be aware of what your life in the church will be like. Although you will find yourself warmly accepted by a lively community of healthy, active and generally supportive people, many of whom are very happy in Mormonism and could not imagine their lives without it, there is another side:
You will be continually reminded that to enter the highest degree of heaven (the “Celestial Kingdom”), you will have to go through the endowment ceremony in the temple and have your marriage to your Mormon spouse “sealed.” (If your spouse is not Mormon, or if you are not married, you cannot enter the highest degree of heaven.) To get permission to have these ceremonies performed in the temple, you must prove yourself to be a faithful and obedient member of the church and do everything commanded by the church authorities, from the Prophet down to the local level. You will have to undergo a personal “worthiness” interview with the local church authorities inquiring into your private life and your religious and social activities. NOTES

You will be expected to donate at least ten percent of your income to the church as tithing. Other donations will be expected as the need arises. You will never see an accounting of how this money is spent, or how much the church receives, or anything at all about its financial condition; the church keeps its finances secret, even from its members. NOTES

You will be expected to give up the use of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea. NOTES

You will be expected to fulfill any work assignment given to you. These assignments may be teaching, record keeping, janitorial work, cannery or farm work, helping in the Sunday nursery – any job that needs to be done. Each task you perform successfully will make you eligible for others, with more responsibility and more demands upon your time. The members who perform these jobs, even those involving sensitive pastoral counseling, receive no formal training whatsoever (there is no paid, trained clergy). You will be told that God has called you to your assignments. Many Mormons find much of their spare time taken up with church work, trying to fulfill the numerous assignments that have been given them.

You will be expected to be unquestioningly obedient to church authorities in whatever they might tell you to do. “Follow the Brethren” is the slogan, and it means to follow without doubt or question. Discussion of whether a decree from above is correct is discouraged. You will be expected to have faith that the leaders cannot possibly lead you astray. Even if they should tell you something which contradicts what a previous prophet may have said, you will be told “A living prophet takes precedence over a dead prophet.” NOTES

You will be able to “vote” on those who have been called to positions of authority over you, but the voting will be by the show of hands in a public meeting. Only one candidate for each office will be voted on (the one “called by God”). The voting is therefore almost always unanimous in favor of the candidate.

You will be advised not to read any material which is “not faith-promoting,” that is, which may be critical or questioning of the church or its leaders, or which might place the church or its leaders in an unfavorable light.

You will be advised not to associate with “apostates,” that is, former Mormons. (You will be asked in your “worthiness” interview about this.) NOTES

If you are unmarried, you will be encouraged to marry a good Mormon as soon as possible. When you do marry, in a wedding ceremony in the temple, your non-Mormon family members and friends will not be allowed to attend the ceremony, because only “worthy” Mormons are allowed to enter the temple.

If you are homosexual, you will be pressured to abandon this “evil” aspect of your nature. If you do not, you will probably not be fully accepted by other church members. If you do not remain celibate, you may be excommunicated. NOTES

If you are a male over 12 years of age and “worthy” (that is, if you are obedient, attend meetings, do not masturbate NOTES, etc.), you will be ordained to one of the levels of priesthood, and, if you continue to be faithful and obedient, you will gradually advance through the priesthood ranks. If you are female, you will receive the benefits of priesthood authority only indirectly, through your Mormon father or your Mormon husband. The role of the Mormon woman is to be a wife and mother and to obey and honor her priest husband (or father). NOTES

If you prove yourself to be faithful, hard working and obedient, you will eventually be considered worthy to “receive your endowment” in a Mormon temple. You will not be told in advance exactly what to expect in this lengthy ceremony, except that the details of the ritual are secret (Mormons prefer to say they are just “sacred,” but they treat them as though they are secret). As part of that ceremony you will be required to swear a number of oaths, the penalty for violation of which is no longer stated but until 1990 was death by various bloody methods, such as having your throat slit from ear to ear. You will be given the secret signs and passwords which are required to enter heaven. (Although most Mormons who have not received the endowment know very little about the ceremony, the entire liturgy is now available on the Internet to Mormon and non-Mormon alike.) After receiving the endowment you will be required to wear a special undergarment at all times. NOTES

If you should ever decide that you made a mistake in joining the church and then leave it, you will probably find (judging from the experiences of others who have done so) that many of your Mormon friends will abandon and shun you. If you are unable to convince your family members to leave the church with you, you will find that the church has broken up your family and your relationship with them may never recover. NOTES

Consider very carefully before you commit yourself, and remember that any doubts you may have now will likely only increase.
Examine carefully both sides of the Mormon story. Listen to the stories of those who have been through an unhappy Mormon experience, not just those Mormons who may speak glowingly of life in the church. NOTES
The Mormon missionaries are often charming and enthusiastic. They have an attractive story to tell. At first it sounds wonderful. But remember the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!” Be careful not to fall into the trap of believing something simply because you want it to be true. Mormons may tell you that those who criticize the church are lying, misquoting and distorting. If you examine the sources used by the critics, however, you will discover that most of their source material is from official or semi-official Mormon writings. You, too, should examine those sources.
Is Mormonism a “cult”? Many experts on religious cults see in Mormonism the same fundamental characteristics as cults which have entrapped the unsuspecting, even though most people think of “cults” only as small, unknown groups. Use a “cult checklist” to evaluate Mormonism, or any group, before you commit yourself. NOTES
To get more information about the other side of Mormonism, or to see the evidence supporting any of our statements about the church, feel free to contact us. Our only aim is to make sure that you hear both sides. We promise not to preach at you, but only to provide you with facts to balance the Mormon story. Click here for the names and e-mail addresses of people to contact. Click here to read personal stories of people who have left Mormonism.
For short video interviews with former Mormons (updated usually every week) see “I Am An Exmormon”.
For statements by many well-educated people who have left the church, see “Ex-Mo