“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”

The Book of Judges, in my opinion, is the saddest book of the Bible.  It show what happens to a nation when they lose their way. The book illustrates that every path, is not the right path, just because we call ourselves Followers of God or Christ. There are many imagined ways to God, but only one path is the right path. These are days of darkness and not light; days of confusion and not understanding. We are reliving the Book of Judges, following our own imaginations of what God requires, and missing the mark by a million miles.

Brian McLaren is leading the charge into this new eclectic Christian wonderland. With every book and video, or speaking engagement, more boldness is shown, and more people are mesmerized, with the thoughts of having their own “form” of the Christian religion.  By following Brian’s heresy they are cutting wide avenues into the un-saving grace of liberal theology, a land of no return, for most, who venture there.

Tim Challies has read Brian’s new book and given a telling review of what is to be found there. If you are so inclined to purchase Brian’s book, at least see what others have to say.  In this age of “everyone doing what is right in his own eyes,” be very cautious of where you trod, dangers lurk in places you would never expect to find it, and many are swept away by the Serpent’s tongue, and pen.

Follow the link below to read Tim’s review.

http://www.challies.com/archives/book-reviews/a-new-kind-of-christianity.php

Steve Blackwell

oug Pagitt’s New Book: A Christianity Worth Believing – NOT Worth Believing!
by Ezra McGill
Free-lance writer

In his book, A Christianity Worth Believing, emergent leader Doug Pagitt presents a theology that is worth exposing, because it is neither biblical nor Christian. This is the unfortunate power of media-savvy emergent leaders–errant theology is couched in Christian terms, and the undiscerning are drawn in.

As others have noted, Doug Pagitt undoubtedly cares about his flock, the homeless, coffee farmers in Guatemala, and the environment. Yet, if the emergent movement could be summed up in one phrase, perhaps it is this: “Tiny men shaking tiny fists at the biblical God.”
The Bible tells us, “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.(Psalm 2: 2-4)

The author of A Christianity Worth Believing vigorously disputes the authority of Sola Scriptura–the Word of God. He writes, “The inerrancy debate is based on the belief that the Bible is the word of God, that the Bible is true because God made it and gave it to us as a guide to truth. But that’s not what the Bible says” (p. 65).

He further explains, “This is how it works. We are characters in the stories we hear. The living Bible invites us to step into the stories, not as observers, but as participants in the faith that is alive and well and still being created” (p.67).

That’s right. The author believes Christianity is still in the process of being created. Obviously, this theology that is being created is in total opposition to biblical Truth. Like the author of The Shack, Pagitt categorically denies the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ.

He states, “the early evangelists recognized they could help the Jesus story make sense if Jesus was seen as someone who was chosen to appease the wrath of God–hence, the ‘anointed one’ who could do what no one else could do” (p. 181).

So, minus our Savior, how does this emergent leader view receiving forgiveness for sins? Before we get to this, let us understand that he spends a good deal of time making the artificial distinction between Christians’ alleged Greco-Roman understanding of God (Pagitt sees this as a distant God), and the Old Testament Hebrew God (always present, understanding, and intimate).

Incredibly, the author presents the Old Testament as his “proof” that there has always been accessible forgiveness for sin. He notes that his wife was raised in a Jewish family, and she “tells [the congregation] each year that the Jews would celebrate the Day of Atonement by gathering lint from their pockets, every little corner of them. She invites us to do the same. Then we write confessions on pieces of paper or pick up leaves to represent each sin and walk to the edge of a stream. As we drop our leaves and papers into the stream, we read from the Psalms” (pp.163-164).

Psalm 103:11-13 is then read to Pagitt’s congregation: “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”

Following this, he writes, his wife, “reminds us that just as the water carries our words away, God takes our sins from us. As far as can be, sin is removed, taken, gone. Yes, sin exists, and when we find it, we should get rid of it” (p. 164).

But what defines “sin” if the Bible is not really the authoritative Word of God? If Christ is not Savior? Pagitt never really gives a satisfactory answer to this.

“Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment”(Lamentations 2:14). Pagitt assures us he understands this new theology can be upsetting. “This can come as a shock to those Christians who are so used to hearing that Jesus is the solution to sin that they assume that the remedy started with the death of Jesus. The Jewish Tradition tells us otherwise” (p. 163).

A Christianity Worth Believing is the presentation of a distorted version of our faith. It is the tepid celebration of a powerless, false “christ.” It is textbook emergent heresy. Those reading this book who do know and love Christ may feel disgust, disbelief, even scorn. Well and good. But may we also be very afraid for those who are exposed to such teaching.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

One gets the sense that Doug Pagitt seems compelled to deny the Truth–he simply cannot see it. He is the angry blind man striking out with his cane. He swings, he slashes; he jabs and stabs. Unfortunately, that sharpened cane has poked out many an eye.
And seems poised to pierce many, many more.

“And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?’” (Luke 6:39)

Related Information:

More on Doug Pagitt’s spirituality, click here.

When They Say There’s No Blood Atonement

The Process of Reimagining by Roger Oakland

EMERGENT MANIFESTO: Emerging Church Comes Out of the Closet

The following is an excerpt of a free downloadable book by Alan Bunning called simply The Church. I pray that your anger will be put aside long enough to read the complete book.

It is time for TRUTH.

Steve Blackwell

The Church

by Alan Bunning

s.4 Religious Holy Days
Of particular importance to many institutional “churches” are their religious holidays. Most of them observe special religious ceremonies according to a liturgical calendar such as Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter. In honor of these religious holidays, they roll out additional decorations, candles, incense, cantatas, and programs. During these religious seasons, the “pastors” often prepare special sermons each week leading up to the climax Sunday which focuses exclusively on the special holy day. When other cultural holidays such as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, etc. are added to the preaching cycle, more than a third of the Sunday sermons are already spoken for. Do you honestly think Jesus really cares? Of course, none of these holidays were ever celebrated by the early Church. In Scripture, the observance of any type of special day was a matter of personal freedom in the Lord. “Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to eating and drinking, or in respect of a festival, new moon, or Sabbath day.” (Col. 2:16). There was never any kind of proscribed liturgical calendar that was imposed upon the Church, for the observance of holidays was left to the individual. “One regards one day above another, another regards every day the same.” (Rom. 14:5). Why did the later so-called “church councils” seek to enforce standardized religious days upon their members, when the Scripture considers it to be an element of personal freedom? Jesus did not keep the Sabbath the way the Pharisees wanted and they concluded that He wasn’t from God (John 9:16)! Would you conclude that a brother is in error because he does not share your view of holidays?

s.4.1.2 Celebrating Eostre
Most institutional “churches” today consider Easter to be the most important religious holiday of the liturgical year. The early Church, however, never celebrated Easter which was an ancient pagan fertility ritual celebrated during the first full moon after the vernal equinox. The name “Easter” comes from Eostre (or Ostara) the Saxon goddess of spring and is synonymous with Astarte the Phoenician goddess of the moon. This goddess is also loosely connected to the worship of Asherah poles and Ishtar the Babylonian goddess of fertility. Some of the practices associated with this pagan holiday include:
Tradition
Date
Origination
Colored eggs
2000s BC
The ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greece, and Romans used colored eggs during their pagan spring festivals as symbols of rebirth and fertility.
Easter bunny
2000s BC
The Easter bunny (or Easter hare) was an ancient symbol of fertility because of its abundant reproduction cycle.
Hot cross buns
1500s BC
Sacred buns were offered to goddess Astarte by Cecrops the founder of Athens.
Egg hunts
1500s AD
Children in Germany were told that if they were good, the Easter bunny would sneak into their house while they were asleep and lay colored eggs for them to find in the morning.
Should a Christian knowingly be engaging in these pagan practices? Again notice that these practices were steeped in pagan idolatry long before the institutional “churches” attempted to Christianize them. Many evangelical “churches” now readily admit that “Easter” is indeed the name of a pagan goddess and instead use names like “Resurrection Day”, yet their members continue to partake in the same pagan practices.

The early Church, in contrast, celebrated the Passover in remembrance of Christ’s death. This is not just as matter of semantics for the Greek word “paska” #3957 in Scripture refers to the Jewish Passover, not Easter. While Jesus was celebrating the Passover with His disciples, He commanded them: “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19). As Jews, the disciples were no longer to celebrate the Passover in remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt, for now they were to celebrate it in remembrance of Jesus, the pure and spotless lamb who was slain on the exact day of the Passover, for now we are saved by His blood and the wrath of God “passes over” us. Jesus lifted up the Afikomen and said “this is My body” (Matt. 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, 1Cor. 11:24) and He lifted up the Cup of Redemption and said “this is My blood” (Matt. 26:27-28, Mark 14:23-24, Luke 22:20, 1Cor. 11:25) – both of which are elements of the Passover ceremony holding special significance. “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you declare the death of the Lord until He comes.” (1Cor. 11:26). History records that the Jews and Gentiles alike in the early Church faithfully celebrated the Christian Passover each year with the bread and the wine as the Scripture commands. “For Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed, therefore let us keep the Feast.” (1Cor. 5:7-8).

So how did some “churches” later become deceived into celebrating the pagan holiday of Easter instead of the Passover? As it turns out, the Romans did not like it that the Passover sometimes fell in the middle of the week, so they began to hold their celebration on the following Sunday instead. The Church in Asia, however, continued to celebrate the Passover on the exact day as was passed on to them by the apostles John and Philip. This created a dispute and in 190 AD the so-called “bishop” of Rome attempted to excommunicate Polycrates of Ephesus and all of the Church leaders in Asia for following the apostolic tradition. These “heretics” were referred to as the “Quartodecimans” which comes from Latin meaning “fourteen” because the Passover is always celebrated on Nisan 14. Later, Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD which decided that Easter should be celebrated throughout the Church, which was set as the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after the vernal equinox. They even added a rule that if the Passover just happened to fall on Easter Sunday, Easter must be postponed until the following Sunday. Unfortunately the disagreement over the date wasn’t the only problem, for the Roman “church” was not really celebrating the Passover anyway, but had distanced themselves from it completely in their festivities.

Scripture:

• “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Jesus Christ, quoted by Luke, c. 60 AD)

• “For Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed, therefore let us keep the Feast.” (Paul of Tarsus, Corinthians, Book I, c. 55 AD)

Early Church:

• “For Anicetus could not persuade Polycarp to forego the observance [of Passover] inasmuch as these things had always been observed by John the disciple of our Lord, and by other apostles with whom he had been conversant.” (Irenaeus, Lost Writings, c. 180 AD)
• “These all kept the Passover on the fourteenth day, in accordance with the Gospel, without ever deviating from it, but following the rule of faith.” (Polycrates, Epistle to Victor, c. 190 AD)
• “Again, he who considers that ‘Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us’ and that it is his duty to keep the feast by eating of the flesh of the Word, never ceases to keep the paschal feast; for the Pascha means ‘Passover’, and he is ever striving in all his thoughts, words, and deeds, to pass over from the things of this life to God, and is hastening towards the city of God.” (Origen, De Principiis, Book VII, c. 248 AD)
• “Following their example up to the present time all the bishops of Asia – as themselves also receiving the rule from an unimpeachable authority, to wit, the evangelist John, who leaned on the Lord’s breast, and drank in instructions spiritual without doubt – were in the way of celebrating the Passover feast, without question, every year, whenever the fourteenth day of the moon had come, and the lamb was sacrificed by the Jews after the equinox was past.” (Anatolius, The Pascal Canon, c. 283 AD)

Institutional “church”:

• “If any one celebrates the Passover along with the Jews, or receives the emblems of their feast, he is a partaker with those that killed the Lord and His apostles.” (attributed to Ignatius, Epistle to Philippians, c. 350 AD)
• “It is therefore your duty, brethren, who are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, to observe the days of Easter exactly, with all care, after the vernal equinox….But no longer be concerned about keeping the feast with the Jews, for we now have no communion with them.” (Apostolic Constitutions, Book II, c. 390 AD)

In defiance to the Jesus’ instructions (Matt. 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20), the “church” in Rome no longer celebrated the Passover, and what they did celebrate was not on the Passover anyway. Instead of partaking of the bread and wine in the context of a meal, they substituted a wafer cracker and a thimble of grape juice and divorced them completely from their meanings in the Passover ceremony (calling it “mass” or “communion”). In order to distance themselves from the Jews, they no longer celebrated the Lord’s death in the Passover (1Cor. 11:26), but instead began to celebrate Easter as more of a generic resurrection holiday, inclusive of the pagan traditions as well. The Romans in particular had always celebrated the vernal equinox as the death and resurrection of Attis who was supposedly born of the virgin fertility goddess Cybele. Thus, when their pagan holiday coincided with Easter, the pagans often quarreled with the Christians about which deity was really the imitation of the other. Indeed, the pagan groups today are still more than happy to set the Christians straight about the origins of their practices, for they have always been in favor of returning to the “true meaning of Easter”.

s.4.1.3 We Don’t Really Mean It
Up until now, many Christians have been completely unaware that they have been perpetuating pagan practices in their holiday celebrations each year. This is not to pass judgment on them, for many have done this in ignorance with honorable intentions. But what will you do now? Again, there is not necessarily one right course of action for there are several valid possibilities discussed below. But unfortunately, even after learning these things, some have chosen to harden their hearts and persist in their pagan practices. They continue to celebrate these syncretistic pagan holidays because they don’t feel like they are doing anything wrong. They say, “We are not worshipping these things. We don’t take these pagan meanings seriously.” And now you know why Israel had trouble tearing down the Asherah poles (Deut. 12:2-3, 1Ki. 3:3, 15:14, 22:42-43, 2Ki. 12:2-3, 14:4, 15:4, 15:35)! “But while these people worshipped the Lord, they also served their idols, both their children and children’s children – as their fathers did, so they do to this day.” (2Ki. 17:41). If these things are really not idols to you, then let’s see how willing you would be to give them up. Unfortunately, some would never give up their warm family traditions passed down to them by mom and dad, even though they are blatantly pagan in origin, without anything to do with Jesus. How they love their special raisin cakes (Hos. 3:1). They teach their children worship songs about an omnipotent pagan deity who brings them gifts during the night and then with a straight face say they are not involved in any pagan practices. They lie to the children about this false god and then they celebrate all the traditions associated with this false god. Think about it, if Christmas and Easter solely had something to do with the gospel of Christ, do you think the world would really be this interested in them? Of course, there would be nothing intrinsically wrong with giving gifts in July, or bringing a tree into your house in October, but what message does it send when Christians only observe these pagan practices in conjunction with a pagan holiday? Do you find a need to give gifts or decorate a tree during the rest of the year, or only when there is a pagan holiday? If these things were truly Christian, then why not do them everyday [s.4.4]? Of all of the topics in this book, this issue tends to be disproportionately controversial in particular, as many Christians are simply unwilling to give up their sacred pagan traditions for the sake of the truth alone.

He also stated, with regard to this topic: “I don’t know if you’re aware, but that’s a huge debate that’s going on in theology right now within the evangelical community.” That debate, to which Young refers, is the new theology (or as we call it the new spirituality) that is entering Christianity through contemplative and emerging figures such as Brennan Manning, Brian McLaren, and Marcus Borg.

This “huge debate” states that a loving Father would never send His Son to a violent death on behalf of the sins of others. And while they do not deny that Jesus did physically die on a Cross, they insist that His death was not to be a substitutionary act wherein He was punished for our sins. Rather, they say, He was killed by man, not for man. And he was a perfect model of sacrificial servanthood. As Episcopal new spirituality author, Alan Jones, states, “Jesus’ sacrifice was to appease an angry God. Penal substitution was the name of this vile doctrine” (Reimagining Christianity, p. 168).

Contemplative proponent Brennan Manning, quoting Catholic mystic William Shannon, says: “[T]he god who exacts the last drop of blood from his Son so that his just anger, evoked by sin, may be appeased . . . does not exist” (Above All, pp. 58-59). Mystic Marcus Borg has this exact same view. He is opposes the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement and sees the Cross as merely a metaphor for transformation in the mystical sense. 1 Brian McLaren shares this view (and indeed resonates with Borg) when he says that hell and the Cross are “false advertising for God.” 2

The Shack, still at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list, is being heralded as one of the best Christian books ever. But as Lighthouse Trails and other concerned ministries have reported in a number of documented articles, The Shack is not a Christian book, and it should not be packaged, presented, and promoted as such.

While many who have read The Shack, tout that it has changed their lives, what these people do not understand is that the book appeals to people’s senses; thus, the book is sensual. And because it makes people feel good, they assume (wrongly) that it must be from God. But The Shack is appealing to the carnal man and not the spiritual, and as the Bible warns, there is a “wisdom [that] descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3: 15).

For more information on the denial of substitutionary atonement by Christian mystics, click here.

This article or excerpt was posted on March 19, 2009@ 4:33 am .

From: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com

Steve Blackwell

Rick Warren’s New Magazine Promotes the New Global Spirituality

When Lighthouse Trails reported in November of 2006 that New Age leader Marianne Williamson came to Rick Warren’s defense regarding his strategy to bring about global peace, tying it in with global meditation, it became clear to some that it was just a matter of time before Rick Warren came out of the “new spirituality” closet. That day is much closer now with the launching of the premier edition of his new magazine, the Purpose Driven Connection.

After subscribing online to the magazine, Lighthouse Trails received the first issue less than 24 hours later by U.S. mail. While the customer service and delivery was remarkable, the content of the magazine is troubling.

The 144 glossy page, high quality magazine has been put together by a professional team of editors, marketing engineers, and design directors and will be issued four times a year at a cost of $29.99 annually or $10 an issue. Rick Warren is the Editor-in-Chief, and is also one of the main writers. On a first run through, one thing becomes quickly apparent – this is a promotional project for Rick Warren and his Purpose Driven Movement. Aside from articles written by him and about him, as well as the mention of his name in numerous spots, there are 18 photos of Rick Warren throughout the publication.

But a pricey magazine filled with the chief editor’s name and picture does not constitute serious concern. What does, however, is the material within its cover. The magazine reads like a Robert Schuller, Norman Vincent Peale, and Peter Drucker book all rolled into one with articles written by contemplative proponents Mark Batterson, Max Lucado, Bill Hybels, and Lee Strobel.

An emphasis in the magazine is “connection.” In the “Editor’s Letter,” Rick Warren says: “YOU WERE CREATED FOR CONNECTIONS…. Life is all about connecting. A disconnected life is merely existing” (p.2-3). Warren promises that the Purpose Driven Connection will give the “power” and the tools for this connection. “Power flows through connections…. When you’re a member of the Purpose Driven Connection, we’ll help you develop the four kinds of relationships you need in order to grow: mentors, models, partners, and friends” (p. 3).

In addition to the magazine, an online community, a Personal Spiritual Health Assessment, and Small Group Study Guides, Warren plans on offering PDC Courses, Summits, Retreats, Coaches, Weekends, and more. With so many venues being offered to members, it is a fair question to ask what resources and influences will be used to provide all this training.

Those who have tracked Rick Warren over the past several years, using biblical discernment, know there have been New Age implications in his teachings and his persuasions. Warren Smith, in his book Deceived on Purpose, laid out many of these implications and Warren’s tie to New Age sympathizer Robert Schuller. In the premier issue of Purpose Driven Connection, Warren has once again brought in New Age influences, which are given as tools to build Purpose Driven connections.

In a section of the magazine called “The Scene,” one page is devoted to popular “Christian” books. Warren has included books that have contemplative and or emerging slants, such as Brennan Manning’s Ragamuffin Gospel, as well as listing The Shack as a “notable best-selling Christian” book (no disclaimer or warning provided, which gives the indication to readers that this is a good trustworthy book, and yet within its pages is the message of the Black Madonna, that God is in all things.

Even more troubling, on that same page of Purpose Driven Connection is a book titled Led by Faith written by Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculee Ilibagaza with a foreword written by Rick Warren. Ilibagaza’s story is a most incredible and heart rending story of her survival, hiding in a cramped bathroom with a group of other women during the Rwandan genocide. But Ilibagaza’s message is one that resonates with New Age leader Wayne Dyer, who has vigorously promoted Ilibagaza. Her books are published by Dyer’s publisher, one of the largest and most prolific New Age publishers today, Hay House. It is Dyer who said that A Course in Miracles would be the way to bring peace to the world. In Ilibagaza’s first book, Left to Tell, she acknowledges Dyer’s influence in her life.

This Lighthouse Trails report is not intended to bring criticism against a woman who suffered so much in Rwanda. It is rather to show that America’s most popular evangelical pastor, who few Christian leaders have dared to challenge on his beliefs and actions, is moving swiftly toward a global spirituality that will ultimately reject the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Purpose Driven Connection is a step toward this reality.

Immaculee Ilibagaza, a Catholic, has also written a book about Mary apparitions called Our Lady of Kibeho. On Ilibagaza’s website, it reads:

“After the genocide, and two decades of rigorous investigation, Our Lady of Kibeho became the first and only Vatican-approved Marian (that is, related to the Virgin Mary) site in all of Africa. But the story still remains largely unknown. Now, Immaculee Ilibagaza plans to change all that. She made many pilgrimages to Kibeho both before and after the holocaust, personally witnessed true miracles, and spoke with a number of the visionaries themselves.”

Some may feel that for Rick Warren to write the foreword (and promote in his magazine) to a book that has a story of such incredible suffering, releases him from any obligation. But in light of Rick Warren’s major influence on millions of people and given the fact he claims to be a Bible believing Christian, he is obligated indeed. To promote a book and author, in the name of Christianity, that points to Wayne Dyer (author of Living the Wisdom of the Tao and Real Magic) and Mary apparitions is misleading and unruly.

On the back page of the Purpose Driven Connection sits a full page promotion for an organization called Hands on Network, which is now part of the Points of Light Institute. The promotional reads: “It is Through People That Change Happens in the World. Take action. Be the change.” The “Be the Change” theme is prevalent in the global spirituality efforts. As we have previously reported, Rick Warren is on the “Leadership Council” of a liberal organization, Service Nation (Be the Change, Inc, which is working toward mandatory volunteer service for Americans. The motto of Service Nation, “Be the Change,” is taken from Hindu guru, Mahatma Gandhi and a motto that both Rick Warren and President Barack Obama would agree upon. Incidentally, in the middle section of Purpose Driven Connection is a full page photo of Rick Warren and President Barack Obama, along with a five page interview Warren did with Obama, which states that Obama’s “Christian beliefs … “influence his views on faith, abortion, freedom, and evil” (p. 74).

What is most tragic about the Purpose Driven Connection is that Rick Warren presents stories of those who have truly suffered in one form or another (persecution, natural disaster, poverty, etc), but he is using these stories to further his plans for a Purpose Driven world and has left much of truth behind, offering a false spirituality in its place. It is equally disturbing, that in a world where so many have either rejected Jesus Christ or not heard about him at all, in what could perhaps be the 11th hour before the return of Christ, a man who claims to be a Christian and who many say is the major representative for evangelical Christians goes virtually unchallenged by Christian leaders and the majority of Christian pastors and professors. The question must be asked, is Rick Warren hiding behind the sufferings of the world in order to masquerade his plans of a new universal reformation that will include all religious persuasions and will offer the world a “gospel” that offends no one, yet for that very reason can save no one?

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(1 Timothy 4:1-3)

The definition of coalition:

1. An organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty.
2. The state of being combined into one body.
3. The union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts.

Maybe we need to look closer at the definition to try and get an understanding of what is going on in the minds of those involved. Could it be that it really is the “union of diverse things.” So much is being said about unity these day; look at those giving the invocation at the inauguration of Obama. The whole pot is getting stirred up together, why, no one will be able to tell the difference, and really I am beginning to think that no one really even cares. Yet, all these preachers will come away preaching the Gospel, and maybe shaking their foot because of something they stepped in. Seriously, I think you have to be spiritually numb not to pick up on this one. Are we suppose to take them serious?

Let the Mark Driscoll supporters come, and I know they will, just don’t step on the carpet.

I also find it amusing that Mark is the only one in the line-up that is not smiling, could this be a “tell?”

Steve Blackwell

What could be better for the miracle industry than to have a respected magazine do a spread endorsing miracles and extra Biblical experiences. The following Link to Market Watch ,which is a part of the Wall Street Journal digital network, ran this article by Share International about the return of Maitreya, the World Teacher, with miracles.  “British futurist Benjamin Creme, foremost spokesperson for this message, has for 30 years been preparing the way for Maitreya’s emergence. He is the author of 12 books, translated into numerous languages, and editor of Share International magazine. Maitreya, the World Teacher, has not come alone, but with a group of wise Teachers who have long guided humanity from behind the scenes.”

This would not be a cause for alarm if it weren’t directed toward Christians. Christians have long known that the world possessed many unusual deities and forms of devil worship. But with the advent of “Emerging,” “Mega,” and the general apostasy of the Protestant Church the flood gates to the sanctuary have been opened wide, and every foul and unclean bird is seen as a harmless canary.

I have said several times in past post that the intent of my articles is not to convert the world to my position, or to even turn apostate Christianity to repentance, but to simply warn those who have been given the ability to hear and to see, and provide needed light for the next few steps.

Multitudes are being led to their doom by the craftiness of flimflam men dressed in pretty clothes with pretty words, having hearts filled with darkness. These men know you are hungry and thirsty but they don’t offer you food or water, only promises. They know that you are wandering from shore to shore in search of food and drink, but the food they give will kill, and the water they hold out to you is polluted and stinks of the pit it came from.

The Bible states that God would, in the last days, send a strong delusion “that they should believe the lie.” That day has arrived and the general Christian population is rapidly becoming deluded.  Today real Christianity appears so bland next to the exhibitionism of the modern church and the slick marketing of tabloid Christianity, and throw into that mix the latest guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, God’s direction to “be ye holy even as I am Holy” seems kind of boring.

Just as Jesus’ life and appearance had no slick marketing appeal and there was no great desire stirred by His simple life, so the true Church today is overlooked in favor of the extravagant and conspicuous behavior going on at every level of the organized church.  Granted, some will say that Jesus had a great following, but where were they on the day of His execution? There were many then, as there are now, who love a good show, and hang around for the fish and the loaves, but the Church, on the day of its execution will be few in number, compared to the vast “following” it boast of now.

There is a truth to all that exist now, and there is a truth as to the true nature of the Church, and can only be known to those who have sold out to It. Truth does not lay on top of the ground like so much trash, it has to be mined and every ounce hidden as a precious treasure, a commodity purchased with your whole life. Solomon instructs us to “buy the truth, and sell it not.” Today we have bought the “lie” and at a bargain price, but in the end we will find that it was only fools gold, and worthless.

There is an alternate plan to holding onto the truth, and here it is. Ignore everything you have ever heard about who Jesus was and is. Stop what you are doing and make a list of what it is that makes you feel good, the things that get you high on life, and go after them, at any cost, and as fast as you can, because, you see, you only have one chance to enjoy life, so get all you can, ………………………………….THEN IT IS OVER.

Steve Blackwell

Blessings,

Steve Blackwell

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I hesitate to share the thoughts I have about the book, “The Shack”, for many reasons. I know that I am a loser, a nobody, and I don’t claim to be some great Bible scholar. I don’t see myself better that those I may disagree with, but do see the need to share my heart. I hope by sharing it that I don’t offend anyone, or affect our relationship.  I feel like one of those mole things that sticks its head out of the hole at Chuck E. Cheese that you hit with the hammer.  I will stick my head out to get hit, if it can help others.   It seems few are willing to say anything negative anymore about almost anything “Christian” unless it is something they have already come out of.
Romans 14 teaches us not to “dialogue” about differences, but to let “each man be persuaded in his own mind.”  So it is not my heart to get you to my point of view or to win an argument, but to just remind us all to go back to the simplicity of the Scriptures.

Over the last 3 years as many are re-examining truth, and looking everywhere for it, there is an incredible openness to almost anything that is different from the norm. I too have gone this route in search for answers, only to find myself given to depression, confusion, and even more questions that don’t bring Christ-likeness in me and others. While on this search I read many different kinds of Christian books, and I found my life to be summed up with one word- DEFEAT!  Things that I had not struggled with for nearly 20 years crept back into my life, while I was devouring many “got to read” books.  As I look back at my years at Kent, I see many mistakes that were made, and much immaturity; however, after 3 years, and many rabbit trails later, I find myself in the last 7 months or so given to the Word of God anew.

As I have studied and sought the Father’s heart over the last 7 months, I cannot seem to get away from many of the truths that I believed in during the Kent days.  I am not talking about the outward, religious “Charity” influence, or imbalances on evangelism, but the simple gospel of “forsake all”,” fear God”, and “few there be that find it”.  To sum up what is being renewed in me, here are some things that I am seeing again, and am walking in:
1. Life is short, and we are going to have to stand before a Holy God and give an account for our lives.
2. Satan is real, and deception is everywhere. We must be careful because we could be lead astray and end up lost.
3. I see now, as clear as ever, that Satan has twisted the Gospel message of repentance AND Faith, to just Faith – a “Faith” that doesn’t call one to forsake all and turn from sin.
4. The message of “enduring unto the end” is waning more and more.
5. The truth of the Scriptures tells us to “continue in the faith“, and that we must “through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22); and,  if we don’t, we will be separated from the Father forever.  This is being diluted not only among my friends, but the majority of believers in this nation.
6. The fact that Jesus said, “Few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14) is rarely ever shared, and thus the view of what it means to know Jesus is being watered down.
7. I see an over-emphasis on “God is love”, to the point of only showing one side of the coin. And the “love” spoken about is a sugar daddy, enabling type of love.  This false representation is found in cute little sayings like, “God hates the sin, and loves the sinner”,  a saying that comes from Ghandi by the way.
8. I see lots of Psychology laced throughout many Christian writings which sounds true, but just isn’t founded in the Scriptures.
9. A love that doesn’t warn of judgment to come, in a way that produces the fear of God.
10. Separation from the world is ridiculed, and holiness and obedience are called legalism.
11. The message of victory over sin (in this life) is just not emphasized, and that failure to have victory over sin means “a certain fearful judgment to come.”
12.  The message of “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12” is absent, or has been replaced by unbiblical statements like, “God loves you unconditionally, no matter what you do… you can never be lost.”
13. The paradigm shifting message in “Ten shekels and a shirt” has been forgotten.

I’ve seen many Christians move toward modern-day, Neo-Christian thoughts.

Such as:  (my definitions)

Christian Post- Modernism- I.E. – We really can’t know with any certainty what the Bible means, but can only have our interpretations, which can be wrong.  Thus, we must re-examine everything from scratch and be willing to, if need be, not believe in the virgin birth  (for an example of this, see Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell)
Christian Universalism – Those in other religions can know Jesus without even understanding that they know Him. Souls can “know” God outside of Christ.

Ultimate Reconciliation (U.R.)- All men will eventually be with the Father, and the Lake of fire is not a place that torments men forever.

I hate to even say it in fear that some will say, “That’s just Jason being the old Jason.”  I hate to sound like some stuck- in- the- mud Baptist preacher. However, these are serious false teachings with major eternal implications.  Having watched my own brother (who is the one responsible for leading me to Christ) go through these doctrines on his road to totally denying the existence of Jesus and the Scriptures, I see the dangers of this more than ever. I have seen what it has produced in his life! These thought patterns are dangerous to the mind, and they are leading many sincere people down a path of questioning Scripture – in essence saying, “Hath God said?” while using human reasoning when interpreting Scripture and not the Holy Spirit.

As I have read many of the books being recommended over the last 3 years with an open mind, I have only seen negative fruit in myself and those who read them.  The Lord has been near me for a long season now, and it started with a renewed fear of God- something I NEVER RECEIVED FROM ANY OF THESE BOOKS. Yes, they are written well and make good points, but they only point out the problem, without offering real solutions. When they do give solutions, they are rooted in Psychology and human reasoning, not founded on the Word of God. These type of books tap into emotions; and, simple-minded believers, once in an emotional state, can be swallowed up by any teaching that comes at them.

Now in regards to the book The Shack.

I have spent 35 to 40 hours studying, researching, and watching many interviews with the author Paul Young.  May God have mercy on me if anything in this article is inaccurate, or in a spirit that is not from Jesus.  The research here is the best I can do with a wife, 4 kids, and a job.  If light comes to me that is different later on, I will gladly stick my foot in my mouth .  I will not judge Paul Young, his motives, or assume anything about him.

Please understand that I am not saying anything negative about the man who wrote this book, Paul Young.  He seems to be kind, humble, and in many ways a gifted man.

First I would like to commend Young for attempting to tackle the tough task of answering the many questions that we all have about human suffering. He also addresses many other good points on the New Covenant, religiosity, and other misrepresentations of God. The picture of the shack reminds me of Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and how we hide behind the walls we build so as to not get hurt again.  It is a compelling story and gripping. Young was obviously burned by some false representation of Christianity, along with many of us, and his attempt to comfort the millions in this state is admirable. I especially like the over all theme of the book. Relationship over dead religion. The most redeemable part of the book is the emphasis of God being near, and one in whom you can have “face to face” fellowship with.  This is important in light of hundreds of years of a false God misrepresented to people from religious leaders.  Many of us have felt God afar off because of this, and this book does a good job showing His desire to have intimate relationship with us.  I admit that this could be helpful to those of us coming out of this “far off angry God” mindset.

Nevertheless I have concerns with the other side of God not being fairly represented in this book.  Most if not all of the encounters that people had with God in the scriptures included a great fear and trembling, and in almost every case the person fell on their face and worshiped God when they realized how powerful and Holy He was.  They said “woe is me” I’m unclean” “what would you have me to do?” or were so terrified and in awe that they didn’t say anything. Maybe this is the reason that the book is so received among the world.  Many don’t want to face God as the Judge. And just because “in the past” this judge side was over emphasized, to a fault of not presenting God as Love, doesn’t now mean we totally forsake it.  God is Love, and God is one to be feared.  Both need to be in the portrait we paint or we are in danger of falsely presenting to the world only one side of our Holy God.

A further example of this is Young’s blog on his website where he transcribes what seems to be a conversation with God since the book was written. It resemble to much a a therapy session with Dr. Phil than with a encounter with a Holy God.

I have some concerns with the book being vague in some areas.  I would like to make it clear that I understand the book is only fictional, and that many “heresy hunters” tear it apart with bad spirits by taking fictional parts of the book and misapplying them.  I don’t even have a great problem with much of the things that others are griping about; and, in some cases would agree with Young on things that he is being blasted about. The story is intriguing, interesting, and I can relate to much of it.

So just to make sure you know my heart much of the book was good.

However, you cannot write a book attempting to answer questions about suffering, God’s love, the new covenant, and many other topics, then include your theology, and then say that others can’t criticize it because “it’s not a theology book (Young).” – especially when the theology in the book can be interpreted as a paradigm shift away from the historic Christian Faith.

My biggest concern isn’t actually of the book itself, but the overall background of Paul Young’s beliefs, and the acceptance of the book by the world. It concerns me that the vagueness of the book has let so many read it, and not see the full Gospel.

While I can read it and not find fault with much, because I am able to look past stuff and give Young the benefit of the doubt, I fear that others from false religions can do the same.

This is a very important point. The editor admits that the book was written during a time when Paul Young was believing U.R. (Ultimate Reconciliation); but the editor and publisher then says that he has since shown Young differently.  Still, the overall content of the book was originated from someone seeing God from a U.R. perspective at the time it was written. Maybe this is why this book is making such a craze.  Millions have simply never viewed God from a U.R. perspective.  So they think it is some new, more pure understanding of the Father’s love.

Furthermore, on this point, suppose that an author wrote a book while believing that Jesus was only a man, but then changed beliefs later on. Then certain parts of that book were taken out, but the general view was left intact. Would the insights of a book written from his original perspective be accurate?

Just for clarification, I am not saying that Young is a dyed- in- the- wool U.R. AND I AM NOT SAYING THAT THE BOOK COMES RIGHT OUT AND TEACHES U.R.

But, he seems to get very close with his verbiage; for sure, he used to be to some extent.   Some will say, “So what is the problem with that?”  Well, I don’t have time in this email to share exhaustively, but it should raise grave concerns to anyone taking serious the entirety of Scripture.  So even if Young does not believe in U.R. any more (for sake of argument),  he surely doesn’t speak about the judgment side of the Father – hardly at all, and in some ways, he may even undermine it.  What I am trying to say is, anyone who reads any of the gospels for just a few chapters will see Jesus talking about  judgment, hell, condemnation,  the wrath of God, etc., in reference to those who do not walk in His Love.  I don’t think anyone will argue that The Shack, with its main character’s many conversations with God, only mentions hell even 1/100th as much as the Bible.

Suppose that 99% of the conversations involved God talking about hell with the main character.  Surely many would cry, “Imbalanced!” and, “Where is the other side, showing God’s love? “And, they would be right! It seems the new perceptions of God portrayed in this book flow from someone that doesn’t seem to warn of a literal Hell but 1% of the time (if that). So the question is, are any of Young’s new perceptions true? Jesus spoke more on this subject of hell that just about any other?   This U.R. view is a dangerous view, for it undermines the fear of God, which is “the Everlasting Gospel” (Rev 14). I fear for all of us in these last days, that we might swallow a false Gospel that takes away one whole side of God.

Remember, heresy is a “truth out of balance” or a strong opinion of one side of an issue.
I understand that many of us are coming out of legalism and a false understanding of who the Father is. We want to experience His true love; but, is this imbalance the solution! God is love, and because of that He spent much time in His Word warning us of the Judgment to come.

Here are some quotes from the book, with just a few obvious verses below each where I have concerns.  Remember, it is not the emotional stories in the book that are the problem; it is the vagueness, laced throughout it, that are concerning.  Again there are some good insights in the book, yet at key points in the conversations the vagueness enters in.

I do not seek to win an argument or desire to have a debate.   I do not judge anyone who finds the book a blessing.  I just want to be faithful to Jesus and share my concerns about the book.    If you don’t agree, let us endeavor to preserve our peace.

One last thing before I share some excerpts.  It is important to remember that there is a DANGER  in creating a God, “after our likeness” and then calling it Jesus.  We must look to His revealed Word, and derive from it how God is.  Many could care less about the scriptures so they recreate a god to fit there existing morality. My plea is to go back to the God of the scriptures. And then conform our lives to it, and not the other way around.

The following quotes from the book will be in purple.

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God: “I am neither male nor female, even though both genders are derived from my nature.”  Pg 93
Although God describes Himself from time to time in different pictures, I.E. “a hen” -  He never “appears” as a female!  God always comes to us as “a male”, and is always manifested to man in the masculine.  Maybe this female manifestation is why Oprah so likes this book?   Jesus came to declare that God was a father. (John 1:18)  Yet Paul Young states in an interview on YouTube that to only show God in the masculine would be “inadequate.” So, is Paul Young saying that Jesus’ declaration of God was inadequate?   Jesus never declared the motherhood, or the feminine side of God.  It is simply unscriptural to say that God is not masculine, but neutral!  This appears to just be a dissecting of some Greek words with a pre-conceived agenda.

This is very important because such a thought can warp our minds to think of God the Father, as a woman also.  Young goes on to set up a straw man argument on page 91-92 by stating that if God revealed Himself to Mack as a male, this would just be “reinforcing your stereotypes” Is it a stereotype to believe that God is masculine? And if so, is it a stereotype based on scripture?  YES!   Young’s statement isn’t fair;.  Now if some one’s stereotype is that God is far off, and is a mean dad who is only there to take away your fun, then yes, that stereotype needs taken away.  But, it is simply wrong to have a female manifested as the father. However I do not judge his heart in trying to show “Mack” a different perspective since Mack had problems with his father.  It is just concerning since others reading the book can put it into there false concepts about a feminine God.

At best it would have been wise to just have a male appear to Mack because it really wasn’t necessary.
I Corinthians 11:7 “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.”

Hebrews 1:3a “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person,” This a statement describing the Incarnate Word, Jesus!

Man was made in the image of God the Father; then woman was made.  Let us not get away from the simplicity of scripture by getting caught up in translating some Hebrew word and running with it.  For a further explanation of this, read about the word Young uses at the bottom of this email.

This reminds me of Romans 1:23 “And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.”

I clearly understand that this book is just fiction; however, it wouldn’t be right for me to write a fictional book about 2 homosexuals, and say its ok to be gay!   Later, when someone says that’s wrong, I then say “its just fiction.”

C.S. Lewis says that “the whole universe is feminine before God. God gives and the universe receives. Even in sex, the male gives and the woman receives. What justification do we have to declare that the Biblical writers and 2000 years of church history are wrong in preferring the masculine image to the female image to represent God? Any religion that puts the feminine at the heart of the universe rather than the masculine would result in a religion very different from historic Christianity.” This is important. (See C.S. Lewis – ‘Priestesses in the Church’ in God in the Dock.

I also understand that other Christian books use allegory like Narnia.  However, there is a difference.  In Narnia, the book never says that Jesus is the lion, it is something you spiritualize out of the story, like Lord of the Rings, or even the Matrix.  But The Shack is really not an allegory, but a fictional story, trying to show what God is like.   Young claims he chose character aspects of God derived supposedly from scripture.  In the process, a major misrepresentation is espoused…I.E. that God is as feminine as He is masculine.  This is not found anywhere in scripture, only by breaking Hebrew root words down and interpreting them different from the majority of Hebrew experts.  Is this the way we want to get out theology now?  Breaking a Hebrew root word down, and somehow extrapolating from that that God is not masculine - especially when there are hundreds of verses that would say He is masculine!

As already mentioned above on Young’s blog he transcribes what seems to be a conversation with God since the book was written. He refers to God as he and she at different times in the talk.  So it seems that this is not just a fictional part of a book but the way a prays as well. Since this is not a section of a book, but a recent talk he seems to have had with God.

Nevertheless I was able to spit this bone out and keep reading and was blessed to some extent.

But as I read on I noticed…

God: “I don’t need to punish people for sin.  Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside.  It’s not my purpose to punish it; it’s my joy to cure it.”  Pg 120

Though he takes no delight in it, is not God actively involved in the punishment of sin? Doesn’t he need to if we are not turning from our sins?
Hebrews 10:29
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Psalm 149:7
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people
Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Again maybe this is why the book is being so well received.  Maybe we want to hear of a God that doesn’t punish us for our sins.

Mack: “Are there any who you are not especially fond of?”
In the context of this question from Mack, Papa answers that “every being ever created” “Nope, I haven’t been able to find any.  Guess that’s jes’ the way I is.”   Papa goes on to say in the context of every being that she is mad about “the mess my kids have made and in the mess they’re in. Pg 118/119

We are his creation, but only those who have received Jesus are born again, and become sons of God.  Remember Jesus called the religious of his day John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil,” and again 1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

So is it right to say that there are not any people in the world that God is “not fond of“?

Psalm 11:5
The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.
Psalm 5:5
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: you  hate all workers of iniquity.
Romans 9:13
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
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justice will never take place because of love.

Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing.   I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Hosea 2:19

“I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.”
Psalm 9:17
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”

Revelation 8:3

“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

God listened to the prayers of the saints and then sent justice. The Justice, flowing from Gods love.”

Revelation 20:14

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Is this not Justice?

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God: “I’m not a bully, not some self-centered demanding little Deity insisting on my own way.”  Pg 126

This is a unfair straw man statement.  And though I would never describe God as such, this statement is just wrong.

Just look at 1 of many verses where he demands from us, and if we don’t obey, there is punishment.

Psalm 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Matthew 21:44
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

If God doesn’t demand His will be done then why did Satan get kicked out of heaven”

In Isaiah 14 Satan repeatedly said “I will” and was then thrust our of it.

Ultimately, our obedience must flow from our love for Him, but to say that he doesn’t insist on His own way is just disturbing.

_______________________________________________________________

God: “I’ve never taken control of your choices or forced you to do anything. To force my will on you,” Jesus replied, “is exactly what love does not do” we are submitted to you in the same way” Pg 145

What Verse would teach that God is submitted to us?

I realize that the book isn’t giving any scripture reference but should such a bold statement be founded in the scriptures.

_______________________________________________________________

God: “Son, this is not about shaming you.  I don’t do humiliation, or guilt, or condemnation.  They don’t produce one speck of wholeness or righteousness, and that is why they were nailed into Jesus on the cross.“  Pg 223

1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

What is the opposite of a good conscience?  A guilty conscience!  Is not guilt from God? Yes!  A reprobate mind feels no guilt because the conscience has been seared.

1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

“I don’t do …condemnation” Pg 223

John 3:18

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

If I, as a believer walk after the flesh, there is condemnation.  But the God of this book “Papa” says
“I don’t do …condemnation” – is this not disturbing to say the least?

Here are more points that can be derived from the book, even though they may not always be word for word quotes.

The God portray in the shack is “Goodness” but has little“Severity”.  Therefore it is a misrepresentation of who He is.

Romans 11: 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”

“In Jesus I forgave all humans of their sin against me, but only some choose relationship.” p
Even though the scriptures teach that “All” can find forgiveness (its available), the forgiveness doesn’t come until there is repentance.

I realize that Mack is told to turn several times, yet it is usually a turn to that is emphasized, and not both a turn from and a turn to. 1 Thess 1:9 “you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true” God;

What I mean by this is that the scriptures list many specific sins for a reason, and not just inward ones.  This is import so that conviction comes, and the fear of God comes to the lost soul properly.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Forgiveness means that the person is released from there debt.  The debt is Eternal Separation from God.  This could be the U.R. coming out in the book again.  Has the Father released all men of the debt of sin, if so then all me will be saved (witch is what U.R. teaches.)

The portrait of Jesus is not balanced in this book.  Young seems to forget the other side of Jesus.

Revelation 2:21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

Does the Jesus in the “Shack” resemble at all the Jesus of the Bible portrait in Revelation 19: 12 “His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.“

“Does that mean that “asked Mack” that all roads will lead to you?” “Not at all,” Smiled Jesus…most roads don’t lead anywhere”
Is this true? Do “most roads don’t lead anywhere”?

Matthew 7:13
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
take out cursing part

God is limited by His love and cannot practice justice.

The Bible declares that God’s love and His justice are two sides of the same coin, both equally part of the personality and the character of God. (Isaiah 61:8; Hosea 2:19).

There is not a hierarchical structure in the Godhead, just a circle of unity.        (p120-122)

1 Corinthians 11:3 “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.“
The Bible says that Jesus submitted to the will of the Father “in that He Feared”

(Heb5:7-9) 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 -Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Jesus will deliver all things to the Father in the end.

1 Cor 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

“what happens if I change that ‘expectancy’ to an expectation- spoken or unspoken?  Suddenly, law has entered into our relationship.  You are now expected to perform in a ways that meets my expectations. Our living friendship rapidly deteriorates into a dead thing with rules and requirements….Honey, I’ve never placed an expectation on you or anyone else….because I have no expectation, you never disappoint me.”

This is where the psychology creeps in.  This sounds like a Therapy session on Dr. Phil.  What scriptures could possibly be used to teach this?

A simple meditation of Gods expectations found in scripture will yield dozens of verses that would go against this false teaching.  I understand that He will work these in us as we abide in Him, but to say that He doesn’t have any is wrong.

Romans 2:7 “To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:”
Romans 11: 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.”

Does this verse not teach us that God express’ us to “Continue in his goodness”.  Is this not a expectation that has a negative consequence if not walked in?

“I’ve never placed an expectation on you or anyone else“  Is this next verse not a expectation?
Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

Revelation 2:11″He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”  Does He not call us to overcome by His power.  Is this not a expectation for His sons?

The Shack lacks a message of repentance. I realize that God attempt to deal with Mack on many issue in his life, but the message of repentance is so watered down, and unclear.  The sessions with God are not ended with morning, and whaling, and repentance, but with “Lets get some dinner,” or “go for a walk.” as if to change the subject. The conversations seem to promise forgiveness regardless of repentance.

Mack’s Father for example lives a wicked life, and as far as the reader knows he never repents, and yet is in heaven. In fact Papa even says that she has “covered” the evil in the world with her “goodness” (p125). These conversations seem to me to resemble a therapy session filled with  Psychology instead of a encounter with a Holy God.  Just compare the conversations in the Shack with the message of scripture.
Papa speaking of the Murderer that Killed Mack’s daughter says that “he too is my son, I want to redeem him.”
Again how can the killer be Gods son since there is no signs of the killer repenting?  Just a quick look a 1 John will show this to be major false teaching.

While these are interpretations of what the book says, these interpretations go along with what the Author seems to believe, or at the time of writing the book seemed to have believed (publishers website Universalism, and U.R.) although Young may not call himself by these labels now.  I may not like labels either, but if something smells, looks and feels like a cat, then its a cat. If someone agrees with all 5 points of Calvinism and disagrees with 5 points of Agrarianism, is it fair for me to say that he at best is Calvinistic? My point is I fear that the VAGUENESS OF SOME OF THE BOOKS TEACHINGS is having more of an effect on the readers of the book than realized.

One last thought.  If we are living in the “Last Days” where much deception is to be everywhere, are we to believe that a book that is #1 on the New York Times best seller list, and a book that is endorsed by a Christ denying Oprah Winfrey, and that millions of people are in a craze about is from God?  Is this some End Times revival?  Is Kathy Lee Gifford, and many others, seeing aspects of God that Wesley, Tozer, Hudson Taylor, Oswald Chambers, Watchmen Nee, and other Holy men of God just missed for 1900 years?

Or, is this just par for the course in these last days? Another stage in the line of many little changes that slowly pull us away from knowing the Jesus of the scriptures?

Again my concerns are not with the book as much as the overall direction of Christianity in the nation. The book just seems to go along with that direction, that may be why it is so well received.

I learned that Young is going to have a movie made from the book.  My prayer is that if they do this, they would just change the things listed above, then it could be a very good movie. If not, this will be another influence that pulls people further down the road of away from the truths of knowing the Real Jesus.

The over all spirit of “The Shack” does not resemble that of Gods message to His children for the last days.  In some ways it resembles “New Age” books like “Conversations with God“.  Maybe this is why it is selling so well.  But would it sell as many books if its message was similar to that of

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

These are my thoughts, and I just ask you to take them to Jesus and pray about them

Grace and Peace

Jason Robinson

P.S.

Breakdown of the word El Shaddai showing it does not teach a feminine side of God, but that it just shows that God will nuture us as a mother with a breast feeds here child.

El Shaddai

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El Shaddai (Hebrew: ×ל שה×^TM‎) is one of the Judaic names of God. See El (god) and Names of God in Judaism. It is normally translated “God Almighty who is all sufficient”.

The term probably means “God of the Mountain,” referring to the Mesopotamian divine mountain.^[1] The term was one of the patriarchal names for the tribal god of the Mesopotamians^[1] In Exodus 6:3, El Shaddai is identified with Yahweh.^[1] The term appears chiefly in the Torah. This could also refer to the Israelite camp’s stay at Mount Sinai where God was with Moses on the mountain.

Shaddai was a late Bronze Age Amorite city on the banks of the Euphrates river, in northern Syria. The site of its ruin-mound is called Tell eth-Thadyen: “Thadyen” being the modern Arabic rendering of the original West Semitic “Shaddai”. It has been conjectured that El Shaddai was therefore the “god of Shaddai” and associated in tradition with Abraham, and the inclusion of the Abraham stories into the Hebrew Bible may have brought the northern name with them (see Documentary hypothesis).

In the vision of Balaam recorded in the Book of Numbers 24:4 and 16, the vision comes from Shaddai along with El. In the fragmentary inscriptions at Deir Alla, though Shaddai is not, or not fully present,[6] shaddayin appear, less figurations of Shaddai.[7] These have been tentatively identified with the Åedim of Deuteronomy 34:17 and Psalm 106:37-38,[8] who are Canaanite deities.

According to Exodus 6:2, 3, Shaddai is the name by which God was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The name Shaddai (Hebrew: שַ××”Ö·Ö¼×^TM) is used as a name of God later in the Book of Job.

In the Septuagint and other early translations Shaddai was translated with words meaning “Almighty”. The root word “shadad” (שהה) means “to overpower” or “to destroy”. This would give Shaddai the meaning of “destroyer” as one of the aspects of God. Thus it is essentially an epithet. Harriet Lutzky has presented evidence that Shaddai was an attribute of a Semitic goddess, linking the epithet with Hebrew Å¡ad “breast” as “the one of the Breast”, as Asherah at Ugarit is “the one of the Womb”.[9]

Another theory is that Shaddai is a derivation of a Semitic stem that appears in the Akkadian shadû (“mountain”) and shaddĒû or shaddû’a (“mountain-dweller”), one of the names of Amurru. This theory was popularized by W. F. Albright but was somewhat weakened when it was noticed that the doubling of the medial d is first documented only in the Neo-Assyrian period. However, the doubling in Hebrew might possibly be secondary. In this theory God is seen as inhabiting a mythical holy mountain, a concept not unknown in ancient West Asian mythology (see El), and also evident in the Syriac Christian writings of Ephrem the Syrian, who places Eden on an inaccessible mountaintop.

An alternative view proposed by Albright is that the name is connected to shadayim which means “breasts” in Hebrew. It may thus be connected to the notion of God’s fertility and blessings of the human race. In several instances it is connected with fruitfulness: “May God Almighty [El Shaddai] bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers…” (Gen. 28:3). “I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]: be fruitful and increase in number” (Gen. 35:11). “By the Almighty [El Shaddai] who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts [shadayim] and of the womb [racham]” (Gen. 49:25).

It is also given a Midrashic interpretation as an acronym standing for “Guardian of the Doors of Israel” (Hebrew: ש×וֹמֶר הְלָתוֹת ×^TMִשְׂרָ×ֶל). This acronym, which is commonly found as carvings or writings upon the mezuzah (a vessel which houses a scroll of parchment with Biblical text written on it) that is situated upon all the door frames in a home or establishment.

Still another view is that “El Shaddai” is comprised of the Hebrew relative pronoun She (Shin plus vowel segol), or, as in this case, as Sha (Shin plus vowel patach followed by a dagesh, cf. A Beginner’s Handbook to Biblical Hebrew, John Marks and Virgil Roger, Nashville:Abingdon, 1978 “Relative Pronoun, p.60, par.45) The noun containing the dagesh is the Hebrew word Dai meaning “enough,sufficient, sufficiency” (cf. Ben Yehudah’s Pocket English-Hebrew/Hebrew-English,New York, NY:Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster Inc.,1964,p.44). This is the same word used in the Passover Haggadah, Dayeinu, “It would have been sufficient.” The song entitled Dayeinu celebrates the various miracles God performed while extricating the Hebrews from Egyptian servitude. It is understood as such by The Stone Edition of the Chumash (Torah) published by the Orthodox Jewish publisher Art Scroll, editors Rabbi Nosson Scherman/Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, Brooklyn, New York: Mesorah Publications,Ltd. 2nd edition, 1994, cf. Exodus 6:3 commentary p.319. The Talmud explains it this way, but says that “Shaddai” stands for “Mi she’Amar Dai L’olamo” – “He who said ‘Enough’ to His world.” When God was creating the world, He stopped the process at a certain point, holding back creation from reaching its full completion, and thus the name embodies God’s power to stop creation.

It is often paraphrased in English translations as “Almighty” although this is an interpretive element. The name then refers to the pre-Mosaic patriarchal understanding of deity as “God who is sufficient.” God is sufficient, that is, to supply all of one’s needs, and therefore by derivation “almighty”. It may also be understood as an allusion to the singularity of deity “El” as opposed to “Elohim” plural being sufficient or enough for the early patriarchs of Judaism. To this was latter added the Mosaic conception of YHWH as God who is sufficient in Himself,thatis,a self-determined eternal Being qua Being, for whom limited descriptive names cannot apply. This may have been the probable intent of “eyeh asher eyeh” which is by extension applied to YHWH (a likely anagram for the three states of Being past, present and future conjoined with the conjunctive letter vav), cf. Exodus 3:13-15.

This is a comment I received on a post: The Voice: A New Bible For The New Age, from a gentleman who is an advocate for the new Bible translation, “The Voice”. I might add that the link for Houston Farris goes back to Ecclesia Houston home of Chris Seay, Emerging church leader, and Dave Capes, “The Voice” resident scholar.

He says,

Houston Farris

One of the things clearly left out of this blog report is the list of highly reputable scholars who are contributing to this as well.

No. McLaren is not a scholar. No. Chris Seay is not a scholar on the level of a seminary professor. And he doesn’t have to be. To name a couple of the scholars whom you may be able to find publications from: Dr. David Capes, a department head at Houston Baptist University and recent author of “Rediscovering Paul” which has be hailed by the Society of Biblical Literature as one of the most important books on Paul in the past decade and Dr. Sherri Klouda, former professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Each book of The Voice lists the scholars who are working alongside pastors, poets, musicians, etc to create a legitimate translation. This is not someone reading English and paraphrasing.

Before you cast it aside as just another thing from those emerging (we don’t use that word so much) heretics, check it out.

Grab yourself a copy. You can even download John for free at http://www.hearthevoice.com. Yes… FREE so that you don’t have to spend your hard-earned money on something that might be heresy… which it’s not. At least not as much as King James’. But… I digress.

Houston

Thanks for your feedback.

First off, your critique of my “blog report” is not accurate, it is not a report, just a simple warning, and the warning stands as written. As far as your “highly reputable scholars” are concerned that may very well be one of the reasons to beware. Not that scholarship is bad, in and of itself, but scholarship, degrees, or academic fame are no guarantee that corruption, even intentional corruption, has not occurred. After all, we know that Rick Warren is not above cherry picking verses at his leisure to manipulate his undiscerning flock.

My immediate take from reading “John” is that, to these men, understanding what God is saying is not as important as understanding their message in a certain way, that agrees with the particular bent of those “men” who are doing the re-writing. Also, having scholars who are influenced by artists is not good. It is kind of like a plastic surgeon who, at the mercy of the paying customer, changes their appearance, and only he knows that the truth lies hidden underneath the “artwork;” as the saying goes, “only their hairdresser knows for sure,” but to those lacking insight and understanding, the man on the street, it is the essence of pure beauty and truth. To reason that there is no harm done to the original and that it is essentially the same Bible or person, with only a cut here, a stretch there, a tuck somewhere else, an insertion where needed, and a deletion of unwanted excess, is a fantasy and a lie. Of course the plastic surgeon does this with the idea of getting rewarded, and it is easy to see how corruption or leaven sneaks in. Should we assume all purity of motive? Not if you know these characters.

You say that “Brian Mclaren and Chris Seay are not scholars,” but I say that they are the architects;  their fingerprints are all over this production? You say this is not important, and that they do not have to be scholars, and you are probably correct, if they hold the purse strings, or they are the final authority and the leaders of a growing organization. Most men and scholars salivate at such opportunities to market their fame. I’m not as concerned with scholarship as knowing who the scholars work for and their motivation. As I said, scholarship really means very little and may very well be one of the main problems. Scholars are men, and men have motives and agendas, and love rewards. The continual re-writing of the Bible over the centuries, especially the last century, in my opinion has done nothing but dirty the waters so that the understanding of Holy Scriptures is corrupted, way beyond what God originally intended, but this also is predicted in the very Book that is being corrupted. The Living Water these men profess to be providing has been contaminated by their scholarship.

You asked me to not cast “The Voice” aside as “ just another thing from those emerging heretics” before I “check it out.” It seems that everything that anyone has or says should be “checked out” before a judgment is made. Is this true? Can we make judgments based on past evidence? I have checked out the free Gospel of John and my warning stands firm. I never read the whole thing, it wasn’t necessary. I really wouldn’t have even needed to read any of it to pass a judgment. I hear this all the time, especially from the world, but increasingly from “Christians,” that unless we sample a particular thing that we can have no idea what it is about, and therefore cannot judge its worth. We are told by many that we should learn from experience that a thing is bad or can harm us, is this true? No, it is not true. That nonsense is the result of eating from the wrong tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, instead of the tree of Life. That kind of knowledge suggest that you can get close to a trash fire and not smell like smoke. Granted some things are easy to figure out, like judging a man who smells like marijuana and wearing a tee shirt with a picture of a marijuana leaf on it; the man can be safely judged to be a user. Other things are more difficult like the Catholic Priest or Minister who is a pedophile. But, most things can be discovered and even assumed with just a little knowledge, like those who are promoting this “New” version of Holy Scripture. You see we know Brian McLaren and Chris Seay through the things they have written, and the people they endorse, and the writings they applaud. This is why I warn people away from this new “translation.” I don’t know all about these men, but I know enough to know that they have an agenda that does not follow the truth. We make these kinds of judgments all the time. We judge who we want our children to play with, without ever knowing the other child well, or their parents. The whole world judged Hitler and Mussolini based on their knowledge of right and wrong and Christians need to judge those who profess to have this new knowledge that is not based on truth.

I admit that traditional Church is wrong, but doing church differently or rebelling against the established church system like a throwback to the sixties is no better. It does appeal to the flesh, but it is likewise wrong.

There is no question that we need to go back to an ancient model of what Church is, but it cannot stop with the desert fathers, rituals, liturgies, creeds, or Constantine, or a continual re-writing of the Bible, we must go all the way back to the foundation and do a lot of house cleaning. Jesus’ command was to go back and do our first works over again, unless He come and removes our candlestick. When we look at the mess the “Church” has gotten itself into I think it is fair to assume that He was not bluffing.

The answers to all our questions are not in the Institutional, Emerging, or Mega Church, or new translations of the Bible that have flesh appeal. All the answers lay buried under centuries of Babylonian religious refuse, that until removed, blocks the way for many who think they are on the road to the Celestial City.

The Voice Bible translation is just one more project of the religious hobbyist trying to produce something in his own image to make a name for himself.

Steve Blackwell

P.S. Your other scholar, Sherri Klouda, should have used some of her scholarship to not only translate the Old Testament into English but to obey the New Testament command not to take her brother into the pagan court system and mock the God she says she follows. Her feminist leanings are apparent, but it is nice to know that she has found work with The Voice. The more one looks into this venture the more sense it makes. All the players make a perfect team.