Transformation

From Mona: ("Education" in the UK) At long last worms have turned. Only 900 went to a brand-new state of the art secondary school (1500 places) costing us £24m.

Sorry - I put "school". This building is a learning centre. It has no teachers. It has progress leaders. This has not come from the parents. All this nonsense is top-down, the LEA trying to be up to date.

So we now have headlines every week of national reading failure. 40% of people thinking to become teachers (sorry - facilitators) cannot pass the entrance requirement of basic literacy and numeracy. And at long last parents have rejected this nonsense. The new school has big classrooms, big enough for 4 classes, so that learning can move from one focus to another. Rooms have retractable walls! Instead of an education department, the borough has a dept "for children and family services". "Half of the available 180 places are unfilled each year."

But ever since I came here in 1994, the LEA has hungered to be fashionable, and has been bottom of the league tables proudly modern. And the elected councilors just nod their heads. The current councilors says that my view s "solipsistic". I had to look it up - it means out of step with current thinking, and I AM. And proud of it.

But the politicians had the power and how our council "is understood to be tied to pay back £157m over 25 years. Nationwide, these new buildings will cost each household £14,800.

Fox in charge of henhouse? Worse - lunatics in charge of the asylum.

Added Comment: Mona, you may be “out of step,” but you are exactly right! A fancy building doth not a good education make! How much longer will it take for the education elite to realize that reading is the foundation for every other thing that must take place in a child’s life to make him a successful student and contributing member of society? I know it is so frustrating for you because you have a reading program that educators could use in a heartbeat that would turn these non-readers completely around. We see the very same thing in our country. Meanwhile we are going deeper in debt and increasing our per-pupil spending without seeing any positive results. Donna G.

From George Cancilla: [RE: Ravi Zacharias and the National Day of Prayer Debacle] "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:5-6). Never mind that we would want to invoke the name of Jesus when we pray. How can any Christian reconcile a national day of prayer with these verses? "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10). Of course God’s will is to have all things in Christ. The chief objective of prayer is to bring us into cooperation with the Father so that we are harmonious with Him. We must be careful to not think we can gang up on God to have our agenda honored. If our agenda is not harmonious with His, then our agenda has to go.

From Mona: In Britain the Optimum Population Trust sets the optimum as 20-30 million. I have long thought 20-40 m. 50m to me is the absolute maximum, long-term for tolerable living, but we zoom past 60m.

The indigenous white population is shrinking, average family size 1.7, whereas the immigrants are younger, not dying off, and larger families, av. 7 children. This rapid population switch is accelerated by 300,000 emigrating in despair. Asians bring in a wife from the sub-continent. From 2000 to 2006 births to foreign mothers increased from 20% to 25% - in only six years!

Add to that Islam and you have quite a problem. Frankly I am terrified.

(And I think this will happen in America eventually, the overcrowding, spread of Islam...)

From Michael: I’m terrified of the same thing in the US. ... You can not violate the laws of nature indefinitely, and the particular law I refer to is the right of association and the other is one man enslaving another to feed off of him. But that is far different than how many the earth can support or that population will continue to grow exponentially.

Let us focus on the real problems and not make up those that have proven not to exist.

From Kim N. Stager: [How to "Conquer the 7 Spheres"--Transforming nations & build the Kingdom of God] This notion of "spheres" is also used extensively in "The Truth Project" DVD series. Another example of how TTP is not biblical, but dominionist, kingdom now, etc. May ministries such as yours speak the Truth in love that whosoever will might be Saved and that professing believers might not be deceived. Praise God!

From George Cancilla: [What is "Rethinking"?] It seems that many people are not coming to grips with the seriousness of the entire church growth movement that has run the gamut from Purpose Driven to Emergent.
Jesus said, "I will build My Church", so we know that this Church is not built by man nor organized by man. Man is not the author or the creator of it. The Church that Jesus is building is "from above." It is something that originates in the Spirit and by the Spirit.

"Church" is simply that which Jesus is building upon the foundation of Himself. It consists of those to whom God has chosen to reveal His Son. This revelation of who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us is the key. Without this firm foundation we cannot know, understand or experience being part of the Church. Our religious head knowledge is of virtually no significance, or the repeating of the so-called "Sinner's Prayer" means nothing apart from the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Church is not built upon the individual Peter, but upon those to whom God has revealed Himself through the Holy Spirit. ... Those structures not built upon the Foundation of Jesus Christ will fall of their own accord (I Corinthians 3:12-17; Matthew 7:24-27).

In the last days the Spirit of Antichrist will dominate and rule the world system, attempting to blot out the true Church. Outwardly speaking it appears to be succeeding. However, the Church that Jesus is building cannot be overcome by the gates of hell.

From George Cancilla: [Christian leaders betray Christ for world peace] The death of Christianity will not be the result of everyone rejecting the Gospel, but the result of everyone accepting a watered-down version of it. An easy Gospel begets easy disciples.

Without the true Christ, evangelism does not give anyone salvation. It will only give them the false assurance of salvation. The Church is supposed to make disciples for Christ, not record decisions for Christ.

If we see fellowship as the reason for our existence as Christians then we will never be satisfied. We cannot know one another according to the flesh and find contentment. We cannot properly discern the Body until we establish communion with its Head. Life is given and received as we stand with one another in relationship to Christ.

From Jeff Wallace: In that article on Rethinking Culture I saw this reference to the "Mountains" of society that Peter Wagner is referring to.
"Note the spheres of influence of each of these "Cultural Icons" -- media, politics, faith, science, business, technology. This is nothing but a version of the neo-Kuyperian "spheres" -- or what C. Peter Wagner refers to now as the "mountains" of society. In fact, there is a graphic image of the "spheres" in orange to the left of the "rethink..." statements here.

C. Peter Wagner, one of Rick Warren's mentors, and head of what he calls "The New Apostolic Reformation" in evangelicaldom, is now focusing the majority of his attentions these days on building the kingdom of God on earth via these "mountains." It brings to mind the prophetic scripture in Isaiah the second chapter that deals with the last days and it speaks specifically about these kinds of mountains that will be brought down. God will judge them.

From Jeff: [RE: Thou Shalt Not Kill, except in a popular video game at church: "Across the country, hundreds of ministers and pastors desperate to reach young congregants have drawn concern and criticism through their use of an unusual recruiting tool: the immersive and violent video game Halo.... Those buying it must be 17 years old, given it is rated M.... But that has not prevented leaders at churches and youth centers across Protestant denominations, including evangelical churches that have cautioned against violent entertainment, from holding heavily attended Halo nights and stocking their centers with multiple game consoles....

I recently heard Vernon McGee on this Scripture in Genesis where Jacob has run away from home, God, and family. He comes to a place and declares it a dreadful place. McGee said over the years he had done probably 25 new church dedications where he used that scripture often and started out declaring the new church a "dreadful place". He said then he spent the rest of the sermon trying to win the folks back to him, explaining that he meant it was dreadful to the "Sinner" to come into the presence of God. And that this House of God should be indeed just that, dreadful for the sinner, but yet a place where the sinner could meet God. This fearful, respectful, and awed approach to the God our Creator, and our Eternal Judge, is striking in its comparison to the "Show Time" approach today of many churches.

Genesis 28:17
And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

Richard Kirby: Here's a letter to the editor or my local paper. I was inspired while reading your latest.

How do you like the postmodern world? How do you like the world that antichristian secularism has created? Do you like creating your own reality? Do you think you’re up to the task? Do you like the mystical mishmash that has rushed in to fill the vacuum you created by “refusing to have God in your thoughts”? Do you enjoy the liberating rush you get from casting off the outmoded restraints of Biblical morality?

It’s exciting isn’t it—watching the world morph into a brave new global utopia, where everyone does what’s right in his/her own eyes, where no one need bother with pesky Truth? Our popular culture, which mocks God and encourages licentiousness, is exciting, to be sure. And it has such a hold on us that even our brave new churches have to crank up the amps and water down the Gospel in order to fill the pews with sheep more sentimental than sensible, more sensual than saintly.

Everything is so new, so fresh; we’re reinventing ourselves, reinventing Christ, reinventing reality. God, if she/he exists, wants us all to be happy, right? Really, though, we’re all gods, aren’t we?

But this adventurous optimism has omitted a crucial fact (can we still speak of facts?) —this is a fallen world inhabited by malicious spirits, self-centered, sinful mortals, and thousands of would-be tyrants. Every attempt to create heaven on earth has quickly devolved into hell on earth. This Age of Aquarius, this New World Order, will be a hideous nightmare for all but those dream-makers who will rule our every thought and action.

When the inexorable fruit of postmodern pride is ripe, you’ll see that Reality is spelled with an uppercase R. Your little-r reality was always a mere illusion. What remains are God and Satan, Christ and Antichrist, and you who must choose in between.

From Kim: [RE: The Secret: A New Era for Humankind] Again, thank you for the update on the growing apostasy in the world and Christendom. It is amazing how pagan even America is becoming. And the professing Christian church in America a la Rick Warren, et al. As the apostate teachers in Christendom are becoming more and more clearly pagan day by day. For as this article reveals paganism, so does it reveal much of Christendom, even evangelical Christendom, to be pagan. For they have deceived God into a lie, and the lie into god. And so Satan is becoming bolder and bolder by the day, and so his minions. What a shame!
May God continue to bless you and your ministry. And the ministries of God all around the world. We need to be a praying people more and more each day as the coming deception waxes worse. But we can fear not. For greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. God is Absolute Sovereign. And He is lovingly gracious and merciful. Praise Him all ye people of the earth. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

From Jeff Wallace: Berit, the article by Joseph Farah discussing his concerns over Warren's trip to Syria and Warrens subsequent response is absolutely shocking. I guess, given all else that Mr. Warren has done, written, stated, and lined himself up with, this should not be shocking. But having said that, that he admits to being both a member of the CFR and Oxford Analytica to me is the same as saying, he openly admits he is a key part of the whole "elitist world system" to move the world toward globalization and univeralism in all its many aspects (including religion). We know the CFR is a who's who of globalist, radical left wingers, anti American pro UN, pro one world elitist types, top to bottom. We also know that Oxford University and so many of its graduates have been key players in the one world movement. One would think that, upon these confessions Warren has made in this article(s) alone, his congregation would hit the exits of Saddleback as fast as their legs would take them and never look back. Now of course they can still pray their former Pastor (we all should) but I cannot imagine in any way shape or form how a Christian could be comfortable sitting under this man given his own admissions.

Now one could add to that his apparent worldview that Syria is not persecuting Christians and his view that they are not anti Jewish and not a host terrorist organizations. I have noticed over time, that most universal religion advocates and one world government advocates seem to have one thing in common. Of course we know they are anti Christian to the core, but I have noted that they seem to be anti Jewish as well and to a man seem to want to embrace Islam. Now here we see Rick Warren doing exactly that (being a tool of both embracing Islam and subsequently a tool againt Israel) in that he is giving an extreme Islamist terrorist state a venue to appear to be what they clearly are not (meaning he helped Syria to appear to be not against Jews and Christians and not involved with terrorist). This could not be further from the truth if one tried, and it helps the one world movement and clearly hurts Israel and Christianity.

I put below, by the way, three statements off the Oxford Analytica website, to me, that make it very clear they are all about globalism, start to finish. Of course alot of your readership already knew that from the well known history of Rhodes Scholars that have made their way into world (transformational) leadership for decades now. http://www.oxan.com/about/

Oxford Analytica is an international, independent consulting firm drawing on a network of over 1,000 senior faculty members at Oxford and other major universities and research institutions around the world.

Vision
To draw on the scholarship of Oxford and other major universities and research institutions around the world to provide business and government leaders with timely and authoritative analysis of world developments.
Mission
To become the world standard for global strategic analysis of geopolitical, macroeconomic and social developments.

George: I believe there are many professing Christians who are trying to be faithful to Christ, but who unwittingly seek security from worldly leadership--whether it be theological or political/secular. All of the discouraging things that Cuddy delineates in his "Robbing Hood" article are probably part of God's plan to show us that the only REAL security we can have is Jesus Christ.

From Linda K.: I have been reading with interest your articles about the social gospel.

I am currently reading a book called “Lest Innocent Blood Be Shed: The Story of Le Chambon and How Goodness Happened There”, by Philip Hallie. It is an ethical look at what the people of Le Chambon did during WW2 – hiding and caring for Jewish families and their children.

In the beginning of the book the author gives an interesting historical explanation of how the Pastor of this village, André Trocmé, came to live the Christian faith he professed. He was going to college in the US and was even a tutor to Rockefeller Jr.’s children. His opinion of the American Church was far from glowing. The word he used was WORLDLY. He was greatly put off by the “social gospel” (his words) being promoted in this country just prior to WW2. I was fascinated to see how obvious this was to a foreign Pastor – to the point that he could not remain in this country, though he had a scholarship and a good job with the Rockefeller family. He was repulsed. Interesting too that he was associated with the Rockefellers.

Nothing new under the sun…just better technology to spread the lies.

Though he is remembered for what could be considered a “social cause” his reasons for doing what he did were Biblical. In fact he believed in living Jesus’ words spoken on the Sermon On the Mount – he and his parish asked, “What would Jesus do” and acted accordingly. Esteeming others better than themselves.

The title of the book is deceiving. After watching a video of interviews with Le Chambon residents 50 years later, many of them were uncomfortable with being called “good”. They did what had to be done. They never second-guessed their actions or motives.

From Cassandra: So may I discern from your article that you condemn the Apostle Peter, and the original Saints along with the Holy Spirit that indwelled them? Ah yes, and also the Lord that blessed their efforts as spoken of in verse 47 even though held all things in common?

Methinks thou has confused your economics and the politics of Babylon with the doctrine of Christ. It just won't fly. The politics and economies of Babylon will not mix with Godly attitudes and living. They are as oil and water. For one is the law of the jungle. Survival of the fittest. A doctrine for animals not children of the Most High God. A doctrine of devils. That is the world's way. Not Christ's as taught in the Holy Bible.

I strongly urge you to repent, sister. Pay close attention to verses 44 & 45.

Acts 2:38-46. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

From Jeff Wallace: I agree 100% with your article on Real Conspiracies. I have actually read quite extensively on this subject myself over several decades and I can tell you, for me the evidence for what this article speaks to, is overwhelming. There are people that study this subject that are not Christians and they see it strictly as a money and power trip. I suspect it is that indeed and a lot more, but most likely it is the movement that will culminate into the world system, the Anti Christ will take over.

From Terry Gabrich: Give the American people sports, popcorn, and naked women; they won't care where the future of the country is headed. Just as long as they get their daily fix of entertainment and "Sex and the City."

From Kim: (Sarah Leslie's Dominionism) Another great article. Well written and fairly comprehensive, in brief, of the apostatizing professing Christian church. Of their co-optation in this world. A confirmation of what I and many others have been seeing. We all need true fellowship in the Spirit. What a shame!

From L: Aside from the disaster and tragedy of using Chad Allen to play Nate Saint, the thing that really has me upset the most is the fact that this movie (of course) does NOT name Jesus or proclaim the gospel at all! It sounds like it is a 'brotherhood of man/kumbaya group hug/world peace and love' message, not the taking of the gospel of salvation to the lost.

I read the books by E. Elliot during college and they very much impacted and influenced me as a believer towards abandon to the cause of Christ and His glory. I will not see this movie because I know it will be a discouragement to not see the name of Christ and the gospel lifted up and proclaimed.

I want to just keep my precious memories of the books I read (Through Gates of Splendor and Shadow of the Almighty).

The occult is becoming so blatantly flaunted that one has to wonder will some christians finally wake up and see what is really going on? How can they not see it when a so-called evangelical christian so arrogantly flaunts his occult practice of Yoga?

We were attending a Fundamental Baptist church here in our city for a short while two years ago and soon discovered that they were teaching Shotokan Karate during the week at the church. Mostly children were taking it. They called it "Christian Karate". We, (myself, my husband and my sister) set up an appointment to talk with the young pastor of the church. Before we went we gave him an excellent article on the subject of Karate and so-called Christian Karate and how it is simply not possible to christianize the Martial Arts. The following Sunday the sermon was targeted at us in a way that was attacking us about our stand and then a few days later during our meeting with the pastor, we encountered strong resistance from him and an absolute refusal to see or understand the fact that Karate is not Christian nor can be used in any way that would bring honour to the Lord, let alone that it is occultism.

The spiritual attacks I underwent that week just prior to the meeting with the pastor were unbelievable. I have NEVER encountered anything like it in my entire Christian experience.

From Mike Pennington: I'm new to your site and I find much that I like about it. You obviously have a very high regard for Scripture and God's truth. My concern is that you seem to be very critical of any and everything that is big and successful in ministry. I.e. Rick Warren & Saddleback and John Maxwell.

You also seem to practice "secondary separation" a thought from various fundamental groups that if "person A" reads, appears with, is a friend with, or, heaven forbid, quotes from someone that we disagree with or believe is misled in some degree, then I must separate myself from "Person A" as well.

For instance, Adrian Rogers is as solid in theology and practice as anyone I know, yet he has been on the same program with both Rick Warren and John Maxwell. Do I reject Rogers because I don't agree with Warren or Maxwell on everything? I don't think so.

I would remind you that all truth is God's truth. (I'm sure you already believe that) Therefore if there are true principles about organization and management, then to implement them in the church may be wise and good. For instance I gained great insight recently from the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. Is all of it applicable? no. Am I worse off for reading a secular book? I don't think so. I am a Southern Baptist Director of Missions of an Association of 42 churches.

So many of the pastors I shepherd and help have difficulty from time to time over organizational and administrative issues. Learning leadership and organizational skills would help them greatly.

By the way, some are using your site as justification to resist anything new or different. I would remind you of something else you already know. The seven last words of the church are "We never did it that way before."

According to church growth studies, well over 80, maybe 90 percent of U.S. churches are plateaued or declining. They are stuck and resistant. They need some new life injected, yes, by the Holy Spirit of God, but some new ideas wouldn't hurt either. Einstein's oft quoted definition of insanity says, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results." Your grandma might have said, "If you do what ya always did, you gonna get what you always got."

The statistics are true of my association as well. Quite a few of my churches are vibrantly growing and reaching people. Others on the other hand are plateaued. But sometimes what we think are the old ways of God may only really be traditions and resistance to God or to change. Seems many have found a verse in the Bible that I can't find that says, "go ye therefore and be comfortable." By the way, I'm fundamental theologically. I, too reject a lot of the psychobabble out there. But I also believe we must realize we now live in a post-Christian culture that is more and more hostile to the gospel. Our message must never change, our methodology may need to be refocused.

From Trevor Burton: The information on your web site certainly challenges me my walk with the Lord. I live in the UK and go to a small Baptist Church. There is a campaign going on at the moment called "Make Poverty History," and it's being pushed very heavily. Everyone seems to have taken this on board and it is being "sold" from the platform with so much enthusiasm.I have questioned it, quoting as my basis, the judgment of God upon the world, and that our Great Commission to preach the gospel: Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19-20, and that God has not given us a mandate to make poverty history. Now many agencies, in my view, are treading a very dangerous line, and have formed alliances with secular agencies.I have seen articles (and our church put out a newssheet with one in) that take scripture references out of context to emphasise our compassion and justice towards the poor almost to the extent of adding this to the Word of God, using emotive language such as "When we see the level of deprivation (and we see plenty from the comfort zone of the lounge) can we shrug our shoulders and say the poor will always be with us? What did Jesus say?" And they quoted Matthew 7:

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