Letting Them Have It (Part VIII)

Well, it seems that no one wanted to take me up on my previous request for help. No worries. I can't say that I blame you. I didn't feel like investing a whole bunch of time into investigating where things are at with the false teaching of emerging/emergent leaders now (as mentioned I did this about a decade ago when they first emerged), so why should I expect you to want to do it. I still have an opportunity a responsibility though to tell whoever will listen about the false teachers, preachers, storytellers, activists (insert whatever hip trendy title these false teachers are using today) in the emerging/emergent church movement. So, what am I to do? Well, I thought I would call in the big guns, so I called up my good friend (I wish), John Piper, and asked him what he thought about the emerging/emergent church. This was what he said

You will notice in that video, Dr. Piper names a false teacher in the emerging/emergent camp, one who if I had to answer the question concerning who is responsible for starting this false teaching movement, I would have to name him: Brian McLaren. But while McLaren may be responsible for starting this heretical movement, there is another person who has been far more influential in spreading the false teaching of this movement, and his name is Rob Bell. I called up another good friend, John MacArthur (again, I wish), and asked him if he could say a few words about Rob Bell. Never to be a man of few words, Pastor John, in his typical pull-no-punches sort of way, had a lot to say about Bell, summarized well in these three blog posts.

Rob Bell: A Brother to Embrace or a Wolf To Avoid?

Rob Bell's Unbelief in His Own Words

Bell's Inferno

If you are still not convinced about how destructive and unbiblical the emerging/emergent church movement and its proponents (Brian McLaren, Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball, Leonard Sweet, Spencer Burke, etc.) are, I would point you to two excellent evaluation/critiques in book form (if you live anywhere near me, if you ask nice, I would gladly lend you either one or both).

Why We're Not Emergent

Becoming Conversant

And with that, I will bring my series on false teachers to a close. By no means does that mean that I am barring myself from writing future posts concerning false teachers, for as long as there are false teachers, as a pastor of God's people, I am responsible to expose false teachers and warn the saints concerning such. So while John MacArthur said this in reference to one specific false teacher, I wish to heed his call, and echo his sentiments in regards to all the false teachers I have let have it in this series:

"My earnest prayer is for [their] repentance. But I am even more deeply and urgently concerned for the many untaught and undiscerning people who are being led astray by [their] toxic teaching (Jude 22-23). It is time for faithful shepherds to speak up and warn the flock of the deadly peril posed by false teaching."

Letting Them Have It (Part VII)

Well, it was quite some time ago that I started this series on false teachers, and as you may or may not have noticed it sort of petered out lately. This was not due to a lack of false teachers to let have it, for in this day and age of split-second media delivery (i.e. the internet), false teachers are legion, and are causing destruction to the saints at an alarming pace. Rather, the slow down in posts on false teachers has occurred because of research I have been doing on a specific strain of false teachers that I wanted to move on to, namely those of the emergent/emerging church movement. I think for the most part there are really two primary lines of false teachers which are parading as Christian. As you will remember, the point of these points has not been to out false religions (i.e. Mormonism, Jehovah Witness, etc.), but to expose those who claim to be in the church, but preach a false gospel. Let me remind those of you just tuning in on this series (especially if you think it mean and nasty of me to call people false teachers), before you suggest that I should not judge "Christian" teachers, that I cannot listen to you on this matter for God's Word is more than clear that we can, should, must judge those who claim to be Christian, yet preach a gospel not in line with the biblical gospel (Check it out for yourself 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, 2 Timothy 3:1-5,  Titus 1:10-11).

So getting back to why this series has been slowing down. As mentioned, I decided some time ago to move from letting prosperity gospel teachers have it to letting emergent/emerging teachers have it, but what I was reminded of when I began to research the sources of such teachings was that it is very frustrating dealing with this line of false teachers, primarily because of their core doctrine (i.e. That truth is to some degree relative, and thus there is no real sole authority for doctrine). I have already spent hours and hours and hours in the past reading books on the subject and studying the writings of the teachers of this false doctrine when it first began emerging (pun intended), and to be honest with you, I just don't have it in me to devote a lot of time to this again.

So, here is where I ask for your help. First, I am going to ask for you to watch two videos and share your thoughts with me on what the poster boy for this movement  (Rob Bell) says, or does not say (hint, hint). Feel free also to share thoughts on other emerging/emergent teachers, preferably with quotes or links to your sources. I will then compile those thoughts and report them in a subsequent post (if there is enough of a response, seeing as some may comment on the blog, facebook, twitter, or should you prefer, even by email (I will only use initials for those who choose to share, not full names). In other words, I am basically going to let y'all let the emergent/emerging teachers have it. Second, I am going to provide a post naming the primary movers and shakes in the emerging/emergent church, then list several books and websites for you to investigate if you are still not convinced that emerging/emergent teachers are false teachers. So have fun and play nice, and thanks in advance for your help.

Letting Them Have It (Part VI)

Yesterday I preached a sermon on Mark 11:20-25, a text which records these words of Jesus to His disciples:

“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him." (Mark 11:22-23 ESV).

This is a wonderful text about faith in God, and what it is all about, but sadly it has become a breeding ground for many, many false teachers.“What do you want”, they say, “a new car, a bigger house, a better figure, better health, a bigger bank account, a better job, a happier family, a healed relative, more friends, or maybe even a mountain to be taken up and thrown into the sea? What do you want? Have faith, then name it and claim it.” And when you don’t get whatever it is you asked for, do you know why that is? “You didn’t have enough faith. Try again, and this time have more faith.”

There is a serious problem with this false teaching, for it is divorced from the meaning of Jesus’ words. It is an abhorrent doctrine devoid of truth, devised by ripping this verse from its context so they can make it say what they want it to say. They say nothing about the fact that what we are to have faith in is the sovereign will of God (Mark 14:36). They say nothing about the fact that we are to pray for the revealed will of God (John 15:7) They say nothing about the fact that what is done is done by the power of God, not by our own power (notice that in Mark 11:22 it says "it will be done FOR him," not by him). They say nothing about the fact that our faith is only as strong as the object of our faith (Romans 4:20-21).

No, instead, teachers like Joyce Meyers teach false doctrine like this...

Joyce Meyers: Our "words are containers for power," and we have "a storage bin, a storage locker in heaven that has a lot of stuff in it that needs to be claimed.”1

Me: "How do we claim that stuff, Joyce?"

Joyce Meyers: "When you give you get a receipt in heaven, and so when you have a need you go before god and you say, “Here god, here’s my receipt. I’m cashing in my receipt.”2

Me: "So what kind of needs are you talking about here, Joyce?"

Joyce Meyers: "god wants you to drive a nice car and have a nice wardrobe. He wants you to have a nice home and have good promotions. He wants you to have a good social life. He wants you to have all the best that the world has to offer."3

Well, I do not think I need to say much more, except to say that because of such teaching, Christians must let Joyce Meyers have it. Her teaching is in total opposition to the gospel, and she is thus in total opposition to God. Do not listen to Joyce Meyers. Do not buy Joyce Meyers' books. Do not be fooled by her false teaching.

Letting Them Have It (Part V)

Well, a series on false teachers wouldn't be complete with out letting T.D. Jakes have it. And given the recent escapades at ER2, and the willingness of its facilitators to link arms with Jakes, and affirm him as a brother in the Lord, this post is necessary, for T.D. Jakes is no brother of mine, nor should he be yours, if you are a Christ follower. Why, you ask? Well, for two reasons.

First, T.D. Jakes is clearly a preacher of the prosperity gospel. Yes, I know that the facilitators of the ER made it look like Jakes was an orthodox Christian, but do not be fooled, for regardless of what he said he believes, he does not preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. And as the Apostle Paul says, because Jakes preaches another gospel rather than the gospel of Jesus Christ, he is to be accursed (i.e. that he would face divine judgement; see Galatians 1:8-9). And I assure you, Jakes qualifies to be accursed. Just listen to some of the filth which he spews from his mouth (warning: if you love the gospel of Jesus Christ, be prepared to hate what you see in this video).

So, he tells us to "reach in and receive (fill in the blank with whatever you want)." And he tell us to "snatch (fill in the blank with whatever you want)." And then he tells us that the way we get (fill in the blank with whatever you want) is by giving to his ministry.

Now as if this is not bad enough (because it is), there is something else which qualifies Jakes as a false teacher, namely, that he is a modalist. What is a modalist? Well, it is someone who does not believe in the Trinity. It is someone who believes that God only manifests himself as one person of the Trinity at a time. So, if God appears as Jesus, then he is not at the same time the Father and the Spirit. And if he appears as God the Father, then he is not at the same time the Son and the Spirit. So basically, Jakes believes and teaches that God is one being who appears in different modes, a teaching which is clearly contrary to God's Word. 

Just as an aside, there is someone else who needs to be outed that does not believe in the Trinity, someone who has been hailed all over the media as a Christian. His name is Youcef Nadarkhani, and by his own admission he is not a Christian, for he boldly states that he does not believe in the Trinity.

It has been reported that Nadarkhani has been arrested and possibly faces the death penalty because of his faith. But his faith is not in the God of the Bible, and he does not preach the biblical gospel (here is more info about the false gospel Nadarkhani preaches). So we should not speak of him as a perspective martyr, nor should we refer to him as a part of the persecuted church. He is not a part of the body of Christ, for He does not trust in the God of the Bible. Should we argue for his freedom to practice and preach whatever  religion he chooses? Yes. Should we try to influence the Iranian government not to kill him because of his false religion? Definitely. Should we pray for his release? Of course. But should we refer to him as a brother in Christ? Absolutely not. 

Letting Them Have It (Part IV)

Well, in a series on false teaching, and specifically regarding preachers of the prosperity gospel, there is really no other place to start then with Joel Osteen. Yes, I know that I did a post on Robert Schuller, a prosperity gospel preacher, already, but to be honest, Schuller really is not much of an influence in this arena any more, a fact clearly demonstrated by the family scandal and eventual bankruptcy of the  ministry which led to the recent loss of the famed Crystal Cathedral. But as for Joel Osteen, well that is another story. A poll conducted by Barna Research (check it out for yourself) reported that 5% of people questioned, list Joel Osteen as one of the most influential Christian leaders of our day. Only the pope, the president and Billy Graham got higher ranking than Osteen (which is a sad fact to consider for another post) , something which should cause the hair on the back of the neck of any committed Christian to stand straight up.

So, what is there to say about Joel Osteen, except that I wish he would stop smiling ... it is creeping me out. But seriously, who could not love Joel Osteen's positive attitude? Who could not want to have their best life now? Who wouldn't want every day to be like Friday? Who wouldn't want to be guaranteed health and wealth if they follow Jesus? Well, sadly, far more people than you or I can imagine. And that is exactly the problem with Osteen, for he appears to care about people, and he claims he wants what is best for them, but clearly he does not. He cares nothing about lost souls condemned to hell, for he never says anything about Hell. He sees no necessity to mourn over sin, so he never mentions sin or repentance. He is more concerned about a person's physical temporal life then with their eternal spiritual life; and he believes that happiness is a Christian's highest goal, rather than suffering. Just consider a few quotes from Osteen, and think about what his message is all about:

"If you develop an image of success--health, abundance, joy, peace, happiness--nothing on earth will be able to hold those things from you." 

"Get your thinking positive and he will bring your desires to pass. He regards you as a strong courageous successful person" 

"Friend, there is a miracle in your mouth." 

"All of us are born for earthly greatness. You were born to win. God wants you to live in abundance. You were born to be a champion."

Now let's consider a few quotes from the One whose name Joel claims to be working for, and see how they match up:

"If anyone wants to come with me he must deny himself, take up His cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23) 

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it."(Mark 8:35)

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 5:10)

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Now that last quote of Jesus, well, that reveals the primary problem with Joel Osteen, and his teaching, and reveals why he is not only a false teacher, but a false convert. As Joel Osteen himself claims, I am not the judge of any person's heart, but I can and must judge their words, and based on the testimony of Joel Osteen, he has labelled himself outside of the Christian faith, for he denies the essential truth that Jesus is the only way to the Father. If you do not believe me, look for yourself at the two videos below, then distance yourself as far away as you can from Osteen's church, his books, his tv programs, and while you are at it, distance yourself from Joel as well, the most recent false teacher outed here at One More Caw. Stay tuned for who we will let have it next.

Letting Them Have It (Part III)

Well, I wasn't actually going to post today, but after coming across this video ins Al Mohler's twitter feed, I could not pass this up, as it is time to start "outing" some false teachers. And first on the list is someone many of my contemporaries will not have heard of, yet he is one of the most notorious false teachers of the prosperity gospel to have ever lived, as he has laboured diligently to demonstrate that he is operating within orthodox Christianity. His name is Robert Schuller and he is the founder of the famous Crystal Cathedral in California where he has preached his (NOT God's) message of self-esteem for 57 years. Schuller summarizes his message in this catchy, yet horribly wrong phrase used to deceive millions:

"If you can dream it, you can do it." 

Now, as I said, I did not plan to post today as I am busy working on Sunday's message, but when this came across my screen, it just made this post too easy to write. You see, there is no need to "out" Robert Schuller, for he "outs" himself in this sad but true video. See for yourself.

Well, there you have it folks, many have said that Schuller redefined the Christian message (like me, for example), and straight from his mouth to our ears, his reply is: 

"I had to." 

There is only one thing to do with men like this: "hand them over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."(1 Timothy 1:20). Consider yourself handed over, Mr. Schuller. Repent of your evil ways and cast yourself upon the mercy and grace of a holy, righteous God. Turn away from your sin and trust in Jesus, the suffering servant (Mark 10:45) who was "pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed"(Isaiah 53:5).

Letting Them Have It (Part II)

Well, as you may or may not know, starting a series on false teaching is not as easy as one might think. Not because there is not much to say (the number of posts in this series will be witness to that fact), but rather because it is difficult to know where to start and how much to say. The bottom line is that false teachings are legion in the year 2012, and false teachers abound, especially here in North America. And sadly, there is one false teaching which was born right here in our own backyard which is being exported to countries all over the globe. This false teaching is most commonly referred to as the prosperity gospel, but is also known as health and wealth teaching, the word-faith movement, or name-it-and-claim-it theology. This is an aberrant, abhorrent, abominable doctrine, completely devoid of any biblical merit whatsoever. It may be referred to as the prosperity gospel, but do not be fooled; it is no gospel at all. It robs the cross of the atonement, removes redemption  from salvation, and results in false followers of Jesus who were given promises from God that God never made. It is a deplorable doctrine, born in the very depths of hell. Thinking about the prosperity gospel puts a pit in stomach, makes my blood boil, and causes emotions in the inner core of my being that battle over whether to release themselves with tears or screams. In case you hadn't noticed how I feel about the prosperity gospel ... I HATE IT!!!

So what is it, and why am I so worked up about this horrible doctrine? Well, first of all, let's get to a quick definition, as this is not a complex false teaching. In its simplest form, the message of this false gospel is that God wants people to prosper physically and financially. In other words, its preachers tell their listeners that if they trust God that He will make them healthy and wealthy; that they will prosper financially and physically. So now on to why am I so concerned about it. Well, the simple answer is that it parades around as a Christian doctrine when it is anything but Christian. Oh, its proponents may say the name Jesus many times and talk about the love of God, but these people know little to nothing of Jesus, and what they do know is all wrong and has been misconstrued to feed their own desire for financial prosperity (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

It is difficult to know where to begin when refuting this false doctrine, as there is just so much that is wrong with it. So let's start with what Jesus taught about financial gain. Quite simply, He said that for the most part, it is not good. You see, as Jesus tells us, it is very difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 9:23), impossible even (Mark 9:25). Yes, He also says that what is impossible with man is possible with God (Mark 9:27), but the bottom line is that riches and financial prosperity hinder many from following Jesus (Mark 10:17-22). And as if this teaching from Jesus is not clear enough, when He was explaining what it means to follow Him, He said that it involved denying ourselves and taking up our crosses (Luke 9:23). It doesn't take a brilliant exegete to figure out that Jesus is not saying that if you follow Him you will be healthy and wealthy. Instead, what seems clear is that Jesus is saying that if you follow Him you will face persecution (John 15:20), tribulation (John 16:33) and suffering, just like He did (1 Peter 4:12-13). Doesn't sound much like the prosperity gospel to me.

Well, this post has already gotten long enough, so I am going to shut it down here. Not sure where I will go next, or even how much more I will say about the disgusting, despicable, deplorable doctrine of the prosperity gospel, but you can be sure that at some point I will "out" several of these false teachers. I am tempted to apologize for the tone of this post, but my convictions will not allow me to do so. This is a horrible false teaching which has been used to mislead unsuspecting listeners and abuse hurting human beings. I hate it, and apparently I am not the only one.