The emergent church and other means of apostasy

Here's a pithy overview of much of what is wrong in the world of so called christianity today:

http://www.thepropheticscroll.org/home/warning.html

Is Dallas Willard a Universalist?

Check out this article by the SolaSisters:

http://solasisters.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-is-christian-universalist.html


Seems I am not alone in the Willard assessment stakes.....

Some apt words by Spurgeon.

Here are some rather apt words by Spurgeon. They fit the present state of much of "christendom" and the ever increasing lack of discernment and the gradual shifting away from truth and what should be our First Love in favour of error and mans doctrines....

"I have not much patience with a certain class of Christians nowadays who will hear anybody preach so long as they can say, “He is very clever, a fine preacher, a man of genius, a born orator.” Is cleverness to make false doctrine palatable? Why, sirs, to me the ability of a man who preaches error is my sorrow rather than my admiration.

I cannot endure false doctrine, however neatly it may be put before me. Would you have me eat poisoned meat because the dish is of the choicest ware? It makes me indignant when I hear another gospel put before the people with enticing words, by men who would fain make merchandise of souls; and I marvel at those who have soft words for such deceivers.

Warnings against False teachers-prophets. Not all that think, or claim to be, are saved.

Matthew 7:15-23

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Interaction with a Willard proponent

Two years ago the Lord brought my attention to some of the wayward false teachings that are making inroads into the church. I have had the opportunity to sit beneath this where a well meaning pastor chose (and continues to promote) a false teacher- Dallas Willard. But for the light God has graciously given me I may also have been seduced by these teachers. I am sure my encounter is one of many, occurring all around the world, as we head into an age of greater falling away.

The Lord jealously guards His Word. We should also: from those that seek to bring in doctrines other than those spelt out in His Word. These heresies aren't just "theological issues" as some have said but the difference between light and darkness. Does the devil introduce false doctrines that are harmless? He mascquerades as an angel of Light to deceive the elect- The Word says so. He is out to destroy us. When he deceived Adam and Eve, what was the result? Separation from the Tree of Life and death (spiritual first and then physical). False teachings are dangerous. 2 Peter 2:1 talks of "damnable heresies". "Damnable" means (in the Greek) "utterly destroying". Are these "theological issues" just that, or more important? The Lord seems to think the latter- He says so in the Word. They aren't just a debate subject we dance about whilst still actively continuing in them. 

My first email to my pastor was after a sit down discussion in which I questioned his loyalty to a man (namely Willard). During the discussion he remained "mum" on the subjects of Willard and his endorsement of a Christ denier (Nouwen) as well as the following: He recommends reading occultists (Evelyn Underhill- a member of the "Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn" and Loyola the father of the Jesuit order who's writings are referenced in books on shamanism) and he has a close ongoing working relationship with a self confessed New Ager- (Richard Foster). 
The Holy Spirit would not recommend or endorse occultists, those that deny that Jesus is the only way, or work with New Agers. The Holy Spirit would not allow the mark of approval of a goddess worshiper. Dallas Willard does all of these things and it isn't hard to see that it isn't the Spirit of God leading him but another spirit. 
I have pointed these things out to my pastor who never addresses or responds to these issues but continues to promote the man.

In this blog post I will show the emails I sent to my pastor David, followed by his responses and then a short comment at relevant points in the exchange.

The Kingdom of Heaven Parables and the spirit of error

The Lord says that in the last days there will be growing apostasy. False doctrines are currently rife in the evangelical church. They are not only listened too but promoted strongly. Heresies along with a faithless church has promoted an aberration Jesus has already described will come. The parables of the Kingdom of God that Jesus teaches highlights this. These aren't the popular "feel good" interpretations.

There is the parable of the mustard seed. It grows into a great tree. I've seen some great trees in my time but there aren't any great sized mustard trees- they are usually a bush, and at best, a smallish tree but certainly never anything substantial i.e.. what is described is an aberration from what was intended from the genetic material within the seed. This aberration then provides a home for the birds of the air that nest in its branches and under it. Jesus explains that the birds of the air represent Satan and his angels in other parables. So we have a church that grows from a minute beginning into something far larger than anything ever intended, that provides a home/resting place for the devil and his hordes (akin to the tares  being sown among the wheat). Not a very charming description but a true one. So yes, the devil is harbored, and takes refuge in the church.

In another parable He describes the Kingdom as a woman kneeding leaven in three measures of meal. Leaven is always a synonym for sin. So the church hides sin/falsehood in three loaves - a 'would be' offering to God.

What are some of these falsehoods and heresies? I will begin to add information to this post or outline some in subsequent posts, highlighting the current flavor, and describing the common themes amongst them all.

Hath God Said?

Beginnings.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

Ex 20:11 - For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day...

"Hath God said?"

This statement was used in the beginning to lure man away from what God has said, and its use continues to this day. Satan questions, denies and entices people away from the Truth. God has said what He did, the timeframe and the order. Satan questions this and says "no.... we have all this data that says this can't be true. The timeframe is wrong, as is the order . God never made man first and then a woman. Death never came after sin, but millenia prior."

Why do christians disbelieve their God? Why do they trust and put their faith in man and man's wisdom (which speak the lies of the serpent)?

Jer 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Is 2:22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of.

1 Corinthians 1:19-21  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

When man's word is esteemed above God's,  then God's Word must be twisted, allegorized or portions ignored to accommodate the alternative view.

Faith in God and His Word must come above and before the wisdom of men. 

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

To those that lack faith and question, ask God for faith. Keep leaning on Him, and not your own understanding.