When a Christian tells you Alcoholics Anonymous has “Christian roots”

When it comes to A.A’.s alleged “Christian” roots, God’s people have been—to use a technical term—snookered.

Scripture is clear. We were never meant to be part of an all-gods religion. It is not “legalism” to point out that the Lord will absolutely not be seen as one higher power among many (Isaiah 42:8, Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17).

AA’s murky history can seem very confusing. Throughout his writing career, (now deceased) pro-A.A. author Dick B. presented AA’s origin as Christian. But Alcoholics Anonymous is like a pie. One can claim it is made with lemon meringue ingredients, but if tar, rat poison, and glass shards are also in the mix, was it ever really a lemon meringue pie? A little leaven… (1 Corinthians 5:6)

A.A.’s origin must include A.A. co-founders Bill Wilson’s and Dr. Bob Smith’s biblically forbidden …continue reading article…

Apostle Paul vs. New Apostolic Reformation

Another teaching moment from Famine in the Land FB page

100 Words (or less) and a Biblical Text: Matthew 18:1-35

The Earnest Layman notes, “Verses 21-35 are super important. They’re also gripping. If God has granted you the gifts of repentance and faith, there’s no room for you or me to be the wicked servant. None.”

Contemplative practice of Lectio Divina promoted by trusted sources

A reader recently downplayed the fact that The Bible Project founder Tim Mackie has taught Lectio Divina to Christians. Unfortunately, Lectio Divina often serves as the entrance to contemplative practices, and is still being introduced to believers by “trusted” sources.

Lighthouse Trails documents the most recent case of this in the article, Intervarsity Press Calls on Christians to Engage in Lectio Divina–Leading Them Down a Road of Peril, which you can read right here.

The Mainstreaming of Neo-Gnosticism in Evangelicalism

(Marsha West – Christian Research Network)  May the Lord have mercy upon us because we are only now beginning to pay the price of years of Bible studies that goes around the room asking: “What does this verse mean to you; what does it mean to your-self?” Ken Silva 

Christians are being exhorted to put their minds on hold through meditation and take a step into the supernatural realm. continue reading article…

Reasons why the Enneagram is deceptive

The Enneagram continues to spread. Not since The Shack has deception been accepted so enthusiastically in the the visible church. Please watch this nine minute video where ex-New Ager Melissa Dougherty lists three of her concerns about the Enneagram.

It is easy to see why it is spreading. People think it has to do with personality types, and of course high profile Christians such as Dave Ramsey, The Bible Project founders, and others are advocates. Please watch and send this video to one other Christian.

Review: “The Bible Project–Brilliant but Flawed” by Pastor Richard Sweatman

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; (Romans 3:25)

Excerpt from Pastor Sweatman’s article:

Tim Mackie explains earlier in the podcast (at about 35 minutes) that the idea of God killing Jesus instead of us or taking out his anger on Jesus instead of us is a distortion of the gospel. According to him that’s actually taking pagan notions of sacrifices made to gods such as Zeus and reading them into the story about Jesus. …continue reading article…

LA Times Op-Ed: Why America’s record godlessness is good news for the nation

Phil Zuckerman writes in the LA Times:

The secularization of U.S. society — the waning of religious faith, practice and affiliation — is continuing at a dramatic and historically unprecedented pace. While many may consider such a development as cause for concern, such a worry is not warranted. This increasing godlessness in America is actually a good thing, to be welcomed and embraced. Continue reading article…

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, (Romans 1:28)

Crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:3-5)

He was despised and forsaken of men,
A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
And like one from whom men hide their face
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.