Religion is a curious and fascinating thing.

I haven't done a study on the number of religions that exist in the world: main line religions, their various branches, sects, cults, and spin offs, but the vastness has to be mind boggling, all claiming to be the truth, lead to the truth, or be a variant of the truth. Without a doubt, we are a very religious people. Our seeking after truth, and god, is endless.

This persistent search for god and truth ends up being one of the classical proofs for the real God’s existence. C. S. Lewis said it something like this; desire is prophetic of its own fulfillment. Man has always desired a god from the very beginning, as far as we can determine, and man has always been curious about the afterlife, the before-life, and the in-between life; he wants to know where he came from, where he is going, and why he is here; and looks for the answers in the sun, the moon, the sea, idols, and anywhere else he might find an answer. Where did this desire come from? Do we desire things that do not exist? Lewis asked, if we were creatures from another planet, who had no knowledge or need of water and food, as we know it, would we get hungry or thirsty? The answer is, no! How can we desire something that does not exist? We get thirsty because water exists to satisfy our thirst. We get hungry because food exists to satisfy that desire.  We seek after “god,” the “un-knowable,” because of an innate thirst and hunger for answers that reach beyond the human experience. Our desire is a kind of prophesying that a satisfaction of that desire exists, even if we are not overtly conscious of its reality. We cannot have a desire without a corresponding potential fulfillment of that desire. The simple conclusion is; if men have always been in search of God by all their various methods, proper reasoning should conclude that, God exists. We may not have found God, just like a man in the desert may not find water, even though he desperately desires it, but his thirst convinces him that it exists. A mirage is a false prophecy, a forgery of something he knows exists, a trick of the mind that draws the believer along on a worthless journey, and possible death.

Christians believe that in the beginning we were a different kind of being, spiritually united with God, having an intimate relationship and knowledge of their maker, and that through sin that relationship was terminated, but the desire or longing was left intact. And, since we Christians are now different creatures than what we were, having been “born-again,” it is necessary for us to foster a renewed relationship with God, and to again, know Him personally. Without that restored relationship man searches in vain to find the true God, and turns to trees, sky, rocks, money, sex, even demons, believing them to be God, and to satisfy his desire. Although the methods and objects change it is the same desire; the same thirst, that prods men to look for satisfaction. As a consequence we have all the wide variations of religion and the never-ending search for the truth about God and this thing that drives us.

Religion can be likened to taking all the fake gems of the world and putting them in a big fish bowl along with one authentic precious gem and then trying to pick out the real one. It would be impossible, unless you had knowledge of gems, help from someone who knows gems, or inside information on what to look for. This is exactly what we Christians claim to have, inside information and help, from the true God Himself, the One who created the desire in the first place. This knowledge, and the answer to the riddle of religion, is not esoteric knowledge, given to only a few, this is knowledge that has been given to the whole world, and is simply a matter of accepting it and believing it, it is not a mirage.

True Christians do-not have to extract this knowledge from the world, nor do they have to go into a trance, or contemplate, speculate, and meditate, or empty themselves, or traverse a labyrinth, or recite a mantra, or decode ancient text, or practice Lectio Divina as a way to spawn communion with the Almighty. God Himself has made it very easy, just believe His Word, His Son, who is the final declaration of God and His will. In fact, God has made it so easy and obvious that it has become incomprehensible and ignored, when viewed along side of all the manmade beauty. A precious uncut gem, a diamond in-the-rough, is rejected for the glitter of cut glass.

Religion Can Not Satisfy Our Desires

Although we are a religious people most find that there is an unsatisfied craving for God, and experience isolation from God, even of those who worship Him, even of His own people, and the ones called by His name, Israelites, and Christians. This is something well worth taking note of, this lack of satisfaction, seeing that there are so many that have made so much of their linage, and have assumed so much, and presumed with absolute assurance that their religion will deliver them at the appointed time. A mirage of water will not satisfy your thirst, it only drives us further and intensifies our desire to be quenched. If we fail to see the significance of this we may very well perish in our deception. The deception I am speaking of is well documented in the Bible and we are warned to not allow ourselves to be tricked. Jews and Christians alike place much trust in the fact that they worship the true God, and this fact is justified by their pointing to an exclusiveness described in the Bible. But, nonetheless, the Bible is replete with stories of rejection by God when, to their surprise, they were found to be no different from all the other attempts of the pagans to fathom the deep waters of God, and ended up chasing an illusion, a mirage.

WARNING: Deceptions Ahead

For Christians, at this crucial time in history, we dare not ignore the numerous Bible warnings, that most of mankind will find that they have actually been in a league with the Devil. When Christ speaks of those who say, “Lord, Lord . . . ” Mat. 7:21, He is speaking of Christians. When He speaks of those, who are in the “broad” way he is addressing those who think they are in the right way, the “narrow” way, Mat. 7:14. When we are told to examine ourselves, 2 Cor. 13:5, it is to the Christian that it is spoken. These of whom we speak were all deceived.

How can we know if we are among the deceived, the rejected? Jude 11 speaks of these deceived ones when he says, “Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.” Those who heard these words from Jude may have been offended, and considered him rude, cutting, and unloving, but they were, and are, words that differentiate the true from the false, and words that need to be heard.

So, how does religion deceive, and how do we become undeceived? The simple remedy for becoming undeceived is to displace error with truth.

Let’s start at the beginning by examining what Jude calls, “ . . . the way of Cain.”

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. Jude 1:5

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. Jude 1:11

Exposing Error

Is it possible to make a general statement defining or differentiating this deception? I think if there is such a statement it would have to include the concept that the deception comes about due to a wrong or misunderstood definition of spirituality; confusing spirituality with mysticism, worldly gain, or leadership ability.

Cain’s way to God

First, we know that there are all kinds of ways to be religious, but God is very specific about what pleases Him and what makes followers acceptable. We can be religious and have great devotion, and appreciate the worship of others, and pray, and sing, and do mighty works, and at the same time be totally lost, while believing we are pleasing God. This is not spirituality. Secondly, we need to understand what is meant by “the way of Cain,” this is not spirituality. This understanding will give us light, as to where we are, where we might be, and on what road. The “Word of God” is sharp and able to divide asunder bone from marrow, and to distinguish between what is of the spirit and what is of the soul. Christians have much difficulty in this area, so understanding is crucial. And thirdly, it is nearly impossible for the common Christian to make the distinction between beauty, intelligence, the ascetic (characterized by the practice of severe self-discipline) and what is truly spiritual. They think there is an interrelationship between them, which would be a relationship between the world and God. In their minds they simply cannot imagine that these are two totally separate realms; two different countries, with two different kings, two different loyalties, and two different lives. Typically, When a person becomes a Christian all the burdens of the old life are hauled over into the new life and cleaned up some, and that is all. All their aspirations of making something of their “self,” dreams of success, fame and fortune, are all shaken out a bit, to remove some dirt, then repackaged and brought into the Church under the guise of now being Christian. There was no death, only a slight fainting spell or feeling of remorse. Now they’re Christians, trying to salvage something useful from that old life, like Achan, they bury and hide something that God has dedicated to destruction; it is hard to leave that life totally behind. The drive they had, and the enthusiasm to do something in the world, is now only redirected; now they will build something for God. Maybe they will build God a church, or save some souls for Him. This is what we see in most of the modern Churches today. All their activity is like cleaning up a harlot and her children for a Sunday Service, and today the Church is full of her offspring. This is the makings of religion, this is the “way of Cain,” and this is what is nearly impossible for “Christians” to comprehend.

We don’t give Cain enough credit, we only remember that Cain killed his brother. Cain was no mere pagan, he was a devout man, and a sensitive man, and a craftsman, he had an altar, and he gave the Lord his best. I would bet that Cain’s produce was the best there was, and that his altar out shined Abel’s, and that he was meticulous in every way in his approach to God, and God rejected him. He worshiped God, then he killed his brother.

Christianity Today

Christianity today, as presented and practiced, is largely constituted and dominated by this sense of outward aesthetics and inward ascetics. In other words, when we picture or conceive of the “church” it is primarily projected as architecture, rituals, music, adornment, lighting, tone, atmosphere, vestments, and how all of this is choreographed for the maximum “spiritual” effect. All of this confuses men who initially went in search of the truth, but end up glorifying the deceptions of men. The Bible commands these men to be able to discern the things that differ, to be able to make a distinction between what is right and what is wrong, and good and evil. Christians have now accepted, without question or discernment, a presentation that is a false picture of the truth, and of what the Scriptures try to teach. This is all of the soul and it is the mark of Satan, and is what Jude calls, the way of Cain. I cannot deny that there are an intensity and emotion in worldly worship, which in many cases have translated into great organizations with resolve, dedication, commitment, and infectious influence. Great high thoughts and desires mark their devotion, but there is not a genuine long term character change. And, religion, as a whole, has this one thing in common, that repeated and changing appeals to the flesh must be maintained to insure the same quality of its adherents. With this attitude it is but a small step to a lethal dose of tolerance, contending that other religions, who appear to be just as devout and sincere in their own worship, should not be interfered with, that “truth” is not exclusive to Christianity and Christ, that some goodness and truth can be found in any of the other religions. Without a doubt, this is fatal.

Religion, in the checkered history of man, has had its highs and lows, but it is the same thing that causes both, we must remember that Cain worshiped God, then he killed his brother, and was rejected by the Lord.

Are you beginning to see how Satan has deceived us through religion, how the leaven has permeated the whole loaf? Religion is a mockery of the Truth, with all of it silliness and sadness, but don’t be deceived, the Bible says that God is not mocked.

Religion: God’s Enemy

Religion can be the greatest enemy of God, because it is Satan’s greatest deception. Whether it worships in all the beauty of an outward show, like Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, or Robert Schuller, Doug Padgett, or any number of Mega Church performers, or in the inner sanctum of the soul, like the desert fathers, it makes no difference, it is all the same deception. Aren’t we all aware by now how sublime thoughts of philosophy, poetry, music, art, and the stage go hand-in-hand with moral degeneracy and perversion? How very close to the truth all of this seems to come, but, ultimately reveals its roots in deception.

Mastering The Medium

Mysticism (vague or ill-defined religious or spiritual belief, especially as associated with a belief in the occult) is a great theme today and what wonderful inroads to the soul can be made by someone who is a master of the medium. But, it may all be false and of no value at all. It just ends up being an exercise of the flesh to satisfy a false desire and to produce happy humans. Satan loves to put on a production, and to deliver to Christians a facsimile or replica, a virtual Heaven on earth, and to keep them coming back for more. Cain took the bait and lost out on everything. Isn’t the Bible clear that God’s way is not like man’s way. God’s way is totally different than man’s way, yet everything we see in religion looks very much like something man would make, and the way he would make it, from the materials of earth, and if it is made of earthly stuff then it is earthly, not spiritual. Why is this so hard to see? Men are duped by skillful men who are themselves duped by the Devil. They are duped and defrauded by cheats and liars, making merchandise of men’s souls.

The Voice Of The Resurrected Ones

Those who have tasted of the sweet waters of this world and been brought to death’s door by the affliction of it’s poison can more likely see how all this is related, and being played out in the organized Church, and they understand the linage and the brotherhood of those involved. What we see as the wondrous elements of the arts: music, drama, literature, all created to arouse and stir, are the exact same elements in the explosive nature of contempt, hatred, depression, and murder. They are all the same, only on different stages with different actors, and at different times, but all crafted to stimulate the soul to move in the way of Cain: a little better music, a new program, new faces, new makeup, and new ways to worship. Wrap it up and present it to men, and tell them that God approves it as authentic and real, and the deal can be signed, sealed and delivered, without so much as a ripple being made. But, where has it gotten us, rejected. All this beauty and culture, although it may be preferred to the ugly and boring, as seen by the world, is no clue as to what and who is spiritual and knows God! Many of these individuals give the perception of being able to see deeper than most. They may be worldly wise and have an intuitive sense of what is around them or of what needs to be done. Through the use of the occult they may even be able to communicate with unseen forces. The way of Cain is complicated and very dangerous and draws the unwary out into deep waters where they are ruined mentally, morally, and physically. Jude was right, Woe, indeed.

Knowledge Of The Holy

How was Cain to know what God required? How did Abel come to know what would please God? What kind of knowledge was required to understand and to know God’s will? To answer these questions is to understand the difference between Cain and Abel, and the difference between “going” to Church, and “being” the Church, and the difference between presumption and faith, which is ultimately the difference between salvation and condemnation.

Abel’s knowledge of the Holy was a gift from God, not any different than today. It is impossible to know the un-knowable, unless it is revealed by the One knowing. Cain had much knowledge and was a believer, but it was in his “self” that he believed, as did Balaam and Korah (they will be discussed in another article). These three examples are for us today. They were believers in “self” and their religion was “self” worship. They had great faith in their abilities, their gifts, their potential, their destiny, and presumed a relationship with God which always allowed a freedom to exercise the unholy and still call upon His name. It was all an illusion, a shell game, slight of hand, a deception. They made assumptions about the world, as they knew it, and about God as they knew Him, that were entirely false.

Both Cain and Abel claimed to know God, but Cain was rejected.

Presumption And Ignorance: Friends Unto Death

The sin of presumption has a death sentence attached to it because assuming you’re a Christian is not the same as having faith in God. All three of the Characters mentioned by Jude in chapter four, Cain, Balaam, and Korah assumed something about God and their religion that wasn’t true, and presumed upon a liberty that did not exist. We may present our beliefs with the beauty of Cain, the religiosity of Balaam, or the bravado of Korah, and be technically correct, and eloquently on cue, and end up in Hell. All the things that these gentlemen said or done may have been true and correct and receive great applaud, from their fans, creating large followings, with the end result, REJECTION, because they allowed themselves to be deceived.

Presumption and ignorance are deadly enemies of the believer, and are the foundation stones of all deception, and nearly all that has come to be called the Church. Those who presume too much, as Korah, and those who ignorantly followed him were all destroyed.

The Bible does not command you to try and find someone you like, who you feel is telling the truth, and then follow him. You are commanded to “know” the truth, for yourself, and to prove it by the only test you have been given, obedience, then you are to enter into fellowship with those who have done the same. The “Church” is then, for the sake of purity, to cast out those who rebel and cause division, like Korah, and to get rid of the Balaam’s and their soulish worship of greed, and not to tolerate Cain and his vanity and pride, but to separate itself unto God.

These men and their progeny have diseased minds and hearts, much like a mentally ill person who believes a preposterous lie and cannot be convinced otherwise. You cannot reason with them, nor show proofs or documentation. To try and reason with them is useless and frustrating, and at a point even cruel. What these diseased people need, is not reasoning or apologetics, but a physician; they need to be healed.

As an end, and a positive conclusion, I want Psalm 107 to have the final word.

Ps 107:1-43

NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say this — those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them;

he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest

that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;

in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there. He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles

made them wander in a trackless waste. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.

The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths. Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.

Doctrines of Deception: Is Rome Teaching the Truth?

Keith Green, who was saved along with his wife Melody, during the Jesus Movement of the 70’s, did more than just write great songs, he wrote the “Catholic Chronicles.” Keith, like so many others, was ill-advised to the idea of Catholics being un-saved, and accepted them as just another denomination of Christianity, and was taught to call them “brothers.” During Keith’s study be read something that floored him. According to his wife his awakening began like this,

“One day, Keith was reading a book about the Catholic Church. He came flying into the Kitchen looking very upset. "Mel, can you imagine this? Catholics are really devoted to Jesus – right? They build big churches, with beautiful statures and everything. But this book claims that some of them don't realize they can really know Jesus. Imagine – loving Jesus, but having no assurance of heaven."

Melody continues, “Keith read more books about Catholic doctrine, and as he did he started to feel that he should write something about it. He prayed for a long time – and got counsel from other Christian leaders. But the counsel was divided… Keith was torn, but in the end he believed the Lord wanted him to go ahead and write something. When Keith launched into the series he called "The Catholic Chronicles", he wrote a forward to clarify what he was trying to accomplish: “I want to make it completely understood that neither I nor anyone else at Last Days Ministries have anything at all personally against Catholics. We know of many loving, committed and sincere believers among their ranks. In fact, there are quite a few who receive our newsletter, even a priest in New England who corresponds regularly (and if you're reading this now – I love you!). – Keith Green”

In those “Chronicles” Keith presents a factual, balanced exposé of Catholic doctrine. For Keith, knowing the truth was the only thing that mattered. Many believe that it was that “truth” that cost him his life; I am personally not in that camp, and have no facts to cause me to believe otherwise. Nevertheless, religious persuasion can elicit strong, and sometimes, deadly responses from those being exposed, e.g. the Prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles, especially if those being uncovered have a history of such actions. In Keith's case the evidence seems to be clear that it was an instance of bad judgment, on Keith’s or the pilot’s part, in overloading a small plane.

Keith’s pursuit of truth and the message it brought forth resonates with the spirit of the Reformers. When the Holy Spirit touches our ears and eyes, our lips cannot be stilled, and Keith was no exception; what a great platform God provided him, if even for a short time, and his message of truth continues to this day.

Believers, like Keith, find themselves submersed in a world of mixture, and the ability to discern truth from error is the exclusive work of the Holy Spirit. Without an intense desire to know the truth, above all things, we are doomed to remain in a false sense of believing that we are doing the Lord’s will, by acts of charity, homeschooling our kids, smiling politely, reading Christian authors, or attending meetings in a religious building. When the desire for truth is rooted deep within our hearts, then God dispatches His Holy Spirit with shocking and humbling news that our imagined view of truth is greatly flawed. This is why we need to be always examining ourselves, to make sure that we are in the “truth,” and not in some gray area of cheap easy believism, or a stagnated holding pattern of self-assurance.

Let’s take a look at some of the things that jolted Keith into the stark reality of knowing the truth. A sampling of each chronicle is given. Click on the link to go and read the complete exposé.

• CHRONICLE I: THE HOLY EUCHARIST–EATING THE FLESH OF DEITY

One might wonder why, in a Scriptural expose of the doctrines of the Catholic Church, I would choose this subject The Roman Interpretation of the Lord's Supper (more commonly known as "Communion") for the first of the "Catholic Chronicles". Most Protestants (today, Protestants are considered to be members of any church or church-group outside the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches) would expect me to deal with what they might consider the more obvious departures from biblical foundation such as the worship of and prayers to the Virgin Mary, the infallibility of the pope, purgatory and prayers for the dead, the history of the torture and burning of accused "heretics" and such like that and no doubt in future installments we shall look in-depth at each of these.

But for this first article I believe that we should get right to the root, before we begin exploring the branches of Roman Doctrine and practice. And any Catholic who has even a small knowledge of his church knows that the central focus of each gathering (known as the "mass") is the Holy Eucharist.

THE EUCHARIST

The word "Eucharist" is a Greek word that means "thanksgiving". In the gospel accounts of the Last Supper, Jesus is described as "giving thanks" before breaking the bread (Luke 22:19), and so this word became a proper name for the Lord's Supper in the early Catholic Church. Today, it is more commonly associated with the elements in communion, especially the host or "wafer", although the ceremony itself is still called "The Holy Eucharist".

Now, you might be wondering why I'm taking so much time and effort to explain something as harmless as the ceremony known around the world as communion. If you've ever been to church at all, (Protestant or Catholic), you've probably taken part in a communion service. So why make all this fuss about bread and wine? Why? Because that's where the similarity between evangelical communion services and the Roman Catholic Mass ends, at the bread and the wine!

TRANSUBSTANTIATION

That 18-letter word above is a complete theological statement. . . and the name of a doctrine, out of which springs the most astounding set of beliefs and practices that has ever been taught in the name of religion. Very, very few people know what the Catholic Church actually believes and teaches concerning this subject. and I am convinced that even fewer Catholics realize themselves what they are taking part in. From earliest childhood, "This is the body of Christ" is all they've ever heard when the priest gingerly placed the wafer on their tongue. And as they grew up it was so natural and part of normal religious life, that their minds never even questioned the fact that Jesus Christ, Himself, was actually in their mouth!

It might be hard for you to believe, but that's exactly, literally, what "transubstantiation" means the Roman Catholic Church teaches their flocks that the bread and the wine used in the Mass actually, physically, turn into the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ after the priest blesses it during the liturgy (ceremony). Although this in itself might shock you, it is really only the beginning. For the implications and practical conclusions of this doctrine are absolutely mind-boggling.

(other chapter headings)

EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY

THE COUNCIL OF TRENT

THE WORSHIP OF THE HOST

WHEN DID THIS TEACHING BEGIN?

HOW ROME VIEWS THE BIBLE

CATHOLIC PROOF-TEXTS EXPLAINED

TRUE PAGAN ORIGINS

SO WHY DO THEY TEACH IT?

• CHRONICLE II: THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS–JESUS DIES AGAIN

In Chronicle I, we thoroughly examined the doctrine of transubstantiation its history, practice, and real meaning. But we have waited for this second article to answer the question: Why? Why must there be present in the Mass the literal body and blood of Jesus? What purpose does it serve?

The answer is found in these startling words: "The sacrifice of the Mass is the same sacrifice of the cross, for there is the same priest, the same victim, and the same offering." ("The Roman Catholic Sacrifice of the Mass" by Bartholomew F. Brewer, Ph.D.)

And in the words of Pope Pius IV…

"I profess likewise that in the mass there is offered to God a true, proper, and propitiatory (conciliatory, to soothe the anger of, to win or regain the goodwill of, to appease, placate or make friendly, to reconcile – Webster's New World Dictionary and Harper's Bible Dictionary.) sacrifice for the living and the dead." (From the fifth article of the creed of Pope Pius IV.)

That is the incredible truth! The Roman Catholic Church believes and teaches that in every Mass, in every church, throughout the world (estimated at up to 200,000 Masses a day) that Jesus Christ is being offered up again, physically, as a sacrifice for sin (benefiting not only those alive, but the dead as well!) ("It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" Heb. 9:27.) Every Roman Mass is a re-creation of Jesus' death for the sins of the world. Not a symbolic re-creation! But a literal, actual offering of the flesh and blood of the Lord to make daily atonement for all the sins that have been daily committed since Jesus was crucified almost 2,000 years ago ("The Catholic Home Instruction Book", #3, P. 90.).

That's why the elements must become physically Jesus' body and blood, so that they can be once again offered for sin:

"The Holy Eucharist is the perpetual continuation of this act of sacrifice and surrender of our Lord. When the Lord's Supper is celebrated, Christ again presents Himself in His act of total surrender to the Father in death." ("The Spirit of Jesus" pp.89-90, Imprimatur: John Joseph Cardinal Carberry, Archbishop of St. Louis.)

"He offers Himself continually to the Father, in the same eternal act of offering that began on the cross and will never cease." ("Sons of God in Christ" Book 4, P. 117.)

"The Mass is identical to Calvary it is a sacrifice for sin it must be perpetuated to take away sin." (For Them Also, pp.289-299.)

The catechism of the Council of Trent required all pastors to explain that not only did the elements of the Mass contain flesh, bones and nerves as a part of Christ, "But also a WHOLE CHRIST". (Encyclopedia of Religions, Vol. 2, p.77.) Thus it is referred to as "the sacrifice of the Mass" and as "a renewal of the sacrifice of the cross"! ("A Catholic Word List" p. 45.)

THE COUNCIL OF TRENT ON "THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS"

BUT IS THIS THE BELIEF OF ROME TODAY?

BUT WHY "THE SACRIFICE" OF THE MASS?

BUT JESUS SAID "IT IS FINISHED!"

BACK TO THE BOOK

JESUS THE ONLY PRIEST

BUT ISN'T ROME CHANGING?

PAUL'S EXTREME WARNING

CONCLUSION: THE DEFINITION OF A "CULT"

• CHRONICLE III: SALVATION ACCORDING TO ROME

". . . the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 6:23)

How blessed it is to know Jesus! His love, His mercy, His righteousness, His forgiveness! He has promised to "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Mic. 7:19) and to separate us from our sins "as far as the east is from the west!" (Ps. 103:12).

This is the good news! (That's the literal meaning of the word "gospel" good news!) That is what the true church of our God has the privilege of proclaiming … "liberty to the captives"! (Lk. 4:18).

The reason I begin this article on the Roman Catholic view of salvation with such rejoicing in my Saviour, is because I have just finished reading a mountain of official (Roman) church literature on the subject, and I can honestly say, I have never had such joy in my heart of hearts about the finished work of Christ. As I scoured each page and read of penance, confession, venial and mortal sins, indulgences, purgatory, etc., I then had the infinite pleasure of searching the Scriptures to see what they had to say on these fundamental Catholic doctrines.

Oh what relief my soul found in the Scriptures! What holy joy! What clarity of light I saw, as the simple brilliance of God's mercy shown into my mind. If there is anything more beautiful than God's love and patience with man, it has never been revealed to mortals!

All this to say that I am bogged down with the information I have accumulated, and I will probably have to cover it all in this, Chronicle III, briefly touching on each subject, while always coming back to the main question: "According to Rome, how can a man or woman be saved from the consequences of his sinful nature and actions, and how can they gain assurance that they are in a right standing before God?"

If the future permits, I will come back in another installment and cover some of these subjects (particularly, purgatory and indulgences) in far greater depth and detail. It is our desire to see people find the true salvation that Jesus died for therefore, we must deal with that great (and most important) subject wholly, before taking the time to supply other necessary (and most revealing) subject matter.

THE CATHOLIC TEACHING ON SIN

MORTAL AND VENIAL SINS

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

CONFESSION

THE PRIEST'S ROLE

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT

CAN A PRIEST FORGIVE SINS?

PENANCE

PENANCE AS A SYSTEM OF WORKS

PENANCE VERSUS REPENTANCE

THE BIBLICAL TEACHING ON GOOD WORKS

SALVATION BY GRACE

ASSURANCE OF SALVATION

CONCLUSION

• CHRONICLE IV: WHAT DID VATICAN II REALLY CHANGE?

The Roman Catholic Church is very proud of two distinct things: 1) that it has never changed, and 2) that it has changed very much! I realize that number 2 seems to contradict number 1, but anyone who has studied church history even briefly, will be able to grasp what I'm trying to say.

First, Rome is very emphatic about making clear these unalterable facts:

A. That she is the original and only church founded by Jesus Christ upon the earth.

B. That her head, the pope, has the authority handed down from the "first pope," Simon Peter, through "apostolic succession," (1) to sit in the place of Jesus as the undisputed leader of all true Christians on earth.

C. That her traditions and interpretations of scripture are the only basis for forming the rules and guidelines that Christians everywhere should live by.

D. And that her dogmas and doctrines, although they can be clarified, enlarged, or restated for the sake of changing times, can never, ever be abolished, contradicted, or altered. They are quite literally, "Canon Law."

On the other hand, modern Roman Catholics are immensely pleased with the reforms and evolution they have seen in their Church, especially since the cataclysmic "Second Vatican Council" (more commonly know as "Vatican II"). They point to how much has been done to open the way for "all Christians everywhere to finally come together!" This, of course, does seem very exciting, especially since Rome has been largely on the defensive since the Reformation. Starting with the Council of Trent in 1546, there has been one papal decree after another, which has completely make it impossible (even forbidden) for Catholics to have any "fellowship" with Protestants.

Ah, but "time heals all wounds" they say, and like everything else, the giant chasm between Protestant and catholic now seems with the passing of centuries, to appear like just a "little misunderstanding." And Vatican II, which included such sweeping reforms as allowing Mass to be said in the common local language, and no longer forbidding Catholics to read a Protestant Bible, or attend a Protestant church service, seemed to make the differences between Rome and the rest of the fragmented Christian world look very petty.

As you probably might guess, I do not believe this to be the case. In fact, in my research and studies I have only found the opposite to be true, Yes indeed, the Catholic Church is changing! It has probably never changed so much in all its history as during the past generation, but it has not changed one, single, solitary doctrine! Each and every point of dogma that has alarmed evangelical theologians for the past 400 years remains the same, exactly as written, and in full force!

But because of all the changed garments, all the reformed liturgies and ceremonies, and the resulting freedom of worship, Catholics everywhere (as well as many Protestants) have mistakenly believed that something substantial has really changed! But this is not a surprise, it has happened before many times in history. When you change the key, the instruments, or the rhythm of a song, almost everyone will believe you have a new song. Only those who listen carefully to the lyrics, or who know their music well, will realize that yes, the style is different, but the song is the same!

The whole thing seems so sad to me, when I realize how very few there are among Catholics (and Protestants) who really know what Roman Catholicism teaches. It is truly shocking! And what's even more alarming, is the potential for the devil to pull the wool over people's eyes because of their ignorance.

I have received many letters from Catholics in response to the first three Chronicles, which have basically said this: "The Catholic Church has really changed! why not use the current beliefs and teachings that are a result of Vatican II?" Believe me, in each of my articles, I was doing just that! I would be a fool to be refuting doctrines and teaching that are no longer being used. But because Catholic worship is based so much on ritual, ceremony, and symbolic outward forms, the average Catholic believes with all his heart that when he sees these surface things altered, that his church has really changed! You have only to look at the documents of Vatican II to see that this is not the case.

The Need for Vatican II

The Charismatic Movement

The Things That Vatican II Did Not Change

A Scholar Looks at Vatican II

Conclusion

Was Chuck Colson a Christian?

I don't know. You might ask, "is Billy Graham a Christian?" Again I don't know; but they are both alike in many ways, especially with their embracing of the Vatican. What we do know is that Chuck held to a Christianity that is fashionable today, and very much political and ecumenical. As normal average Christians we would probably find it hard to go one-on-one with a man of Chuck's talents and intellect, and his skill in debating. But, privately, we should be able to draw certain conclusions, if we know and believe our Bible. I, like Moriel Ministries, find it hard to explain how such a person, as Chuck Colson, or Billy Graham for that matter, can discount plain Biblical teaching, and historical evidence, concerning The Roman religion of Catholicism, and come away calling them brothers in Christ. For me, it is incomprehensible.

Moriel Carol helps to bring the issue into perspective. For anyone seeking truth the article becomes important in combating the flagrant errors being propagated in nearly every religious building across this nation, by men who are lifted up as ones to whom respect is due. There has never been a more crucial time when discernment is needed.

Steve Blackwell

IndyWatchman

Part one

The Latent Evil of the Vatican

My brother was a strong, and to all appearances, a healthy man. At the age of 53 he died, unexpectedly. He had had warnings: a mild heart attack six months earlier and the death of our father at age 59. Dan, my brother, allowed himself to get over weight, and he knew that smoking was a problem. He was not a Christian, although at every opportunity the Gospel was presented to him. Many times I had asked him, “Dan, what if you died today? Don’t wait!” His answer was always the same, “Steve, I’m not going to die;” then he would chuckle a little, and forget everything that was said.

My Uncle was a lean hardworking Kentuckian, and meticulous to a fault. Laboring hard at his work for 65 years, and then retiring. Although a terrible cough appeared as a warning, he never realized that cancer was about to claim his life.

Asleep to these life threatening diseases, my Uncle and my brother never took seriously the warnings, till it was too late; they slept in a peace that was imaginary.

In a similar manner we are consumed with living life, and lulled to sleep with the passiveness of an inherited and settled peace, freedom, and liberty, ignoring clear and present warnings, which threaten our very existence.

There is a disease within our bosom; a cancer quietly working within, and in the midst of overwhelming warnings and alarms we profess, along with my brother, “I’m not going to die,” and, “why such negativity?”

What is this latent malignancy? It is Popery; it is the absolute monarchy of the Roman Catholic Church; it is a foreign government living within the borders of America, controlling an army of soldiers having no loyalty to our way of life under the Constitution of these United States of America; it is the Vatican, with all of its poised and composed hatred towards freedom and liberty, that Americans take for granted; it is an enemy, practicing its art of deception and secrecy under the protection of the very benevolence it seeks to destroy.

Are these bold words; words that are foreign to virgin ears and blinded eyes; words indicting a nation steeped in the ignorance of a foe who is even now fashioning chains for all Americans – including Catholics who relish a freedom not sanctioned by their leaders – who believe their freedom and liberty cannot be lost; who think their borders impregnable and their sovereignty secure.

I have yet to meet a Catholic who acknowledges truthfully the gross facts that surround their religion, or who is aware of their leaders secret agenda. Nearly all Roman Catholics own Bibles, but few of them are read, and none of its words believed as written; only those words approved by the pope are accounted as true. Catholics are spoon fed priestly interpretations and traditions that over-ride Almighty God Himself, and very often are direct contradictions to the inspired, God breathed Holy Scriptures. The protestant Bible is on the forbidden book list of the Vatican, along with many other books that foster freedom and liberty. Why are Catholic priests so loath to Protestantism? It is because the facts that are held back from a billion blinded souls open up a gateway to independence and autonomy, which the Vatican diametrically opposes, and spells out an end to their tyrannical rule. Ignorance and poverty are the fuel that drives their kingdom and the metal from which our shackles are wrought. Once the Vatican deems itself sufficiently enabled, it will rise up and crush freedom and liberty in the “Land of the Free.”

Do you believe that these are words of intolerance? or words of a bigot? or that I am just a Catholic basher? It is not true; I have no vendetta or axe to grind; I have many friends and relatives that I love, who are caught in the Catholic web.

Once confronted with the truth, it cannot be denied. John Wycliffe could not deny it, Martin Luther could not deny it, John Calvin could not deny it, and the blood of 50,000,000 Protestant martyrs could not deny the truth of what Holy Scriptures reveal, and the truth that withstood the onslaught of the “peaceful” Roman Catholic Church. When the truth of what the Holy Bible says is turned loose, the world shakes and is turned upside down. Once light enters a room, darkness must flee; and once the Reformation got a foothold, the Dark Ages of Roman Catholic ignorance ended. What is more precious to me than even friendship is light and truth; and this truth has been held captive for far too long in this country.

There are many questions that need to be asked.

What are the facts? Are American Protestants Ignorant? What is the source of this ignorance? Why would anyone want to destroy freedom and liberty? When did this all happen? What is the prognosis of America? What can we do? Where do we start? Why, in a Protestant nation, are our options for electing the next President, a Catholic, a Mormon, or a Muslim?

There are many very good reasons for Americans to question Catholics, but very few will have any answers, and the ones that do, will only be the rehearsed answers of the Vatican. But, what does history say, and what does the Bible say. The answers to these and other questions will amaze you. The Vatican has not changed in its choice of objectives, only its strategy and tactics have changed. The Vatican is the same today as it has always been, and that is to enslave the whole world.

In the following couple articles we will look at history and Scripture to see the truth of what, and who, the Church of Rome is.

Have you figured it out yet?

None of these guys are Christian, yet they are influencing, to a very, very, large degree, what is used today, by Christians, to advise and counsel the flock of God, and these are just a small sampling, there are others.

Christian Counseling or Pastoral Counseling is a very busy industry today, and nearly all “Churches” have in-house psychiatrist or counselors; the pastor has been bumped to “spiritual” problems only. 99 out of 100 Christians, if surveyed, would agree that “Christian Counseling” is right and proper. Christians have been conditioned to believe that the wisdom of non-Christian men, most who are openly hostile toward Christianity and some, who dabble in the occult, is necessary to understand the complex makeup of the mind and to solve its problems.

Why does Christian Psychology even exist? Where did it come from? And who ultimately benefits from its use? These are a few of the questions that need to be asked.

From the severe lack of known Christian writers exposing the Christian Counseling business, and from the packed book shelves marketing psychological help, you would think that James Dobson and Gary Smalley have had the last word in this controversy; not so; the Bible will, as always, have the last and final word on this, and every other issue concerning man upon the earth. And, just to set the record straight, there are authors who have written books and articles on this subject, but because of the popularity of “Christian Psychology” they have not received the exposure like those who speak and appeal to the selfishness of the flesh; they deal directly with the real problem and solution: the sinfulness of man and the goodness and mercy of God. Please take time to read the free books by Martin and Deidre Bobgan, which can be downloaded at http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/. Also, if you want more information you can purchase Jim Owen’s book, Christian Psychology's War on God's Word: The Victimization of the Believer, at Amazon.com.

Setting the Stage

"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…" 2 Thessalonians 2:3

For 1900 years the Christian community has lived without Psychology, but now, in the last 100 years, at the end of the age, it seems we just can’t do without it. Dysfunctional families by droves are flocking to psychologist and counselors for “help.”

The key phrase here is “the end of the age.” To those who understand the Bible there are desperate forces at work preparing the stage for the last scene. There are many threads that weave the apostasy or “falling away,” mentioned in Scriptures, which is predominant in the times we are living in right now. The Bible calls the vehicle that transports this apostasy a “strong delusion,” sent by God Himself, (2 Thess. 2:11), to those who refuse to believe His written word; they have instead chosen to believe a lie.

This “strong delusion” is a curse, which is at work in every area of the world and the Church; it reaches into every area of belief and practice. Starting out like a small incidental, seemingly inconsequential, virus infecting the body, or a piece of yeast leavening a loaf of dough, this deceit/delusion infiltrates and corrupts, and continues its dark work till all hope of recovery is extinguished, (Mat. 16:5-12, 1 Cor. 5:6, Gal. 5:7-9).

This “strong delusion” has been with us for a long time, working slowly, but steadily, in all areas of the Church and world; a little compromise here; a little compromise there; and the visible Church has morphed into something which is barely recognizable in Scripture. Christian psychology is only one thread of this deceptive web which has successfully captured and glossed over the truth of God’s word, and brings famine to the land of plenty, a famine of truth, (Eph. 4:22, Jude 1:23, Isa 5:13,14, Ezek 5:16,17, Amos 8:11,12).

There has never been a time like the time we are living in, when all the Prophets are tying up loose ends. One major prophecy was fulfilled in 1948 that set off a timer to fulfill all remaining prophesies.

"Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?

Shall the Earth be made to give birth in one day?

Or shall a nation be born at once?

For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children."

(Note: This prophecy was fulfilled in one day - on May 14, 1948)

(Isaiah 66:8)   

 "He will set up a banner for the nations,

  and will assemble the outcasts of Israel,

  and gather together the dispersed of Judah

   from the four corners of the Earth."  

(Not just Babylon …)

(Isaiah 11:12)

  "Thus says the Lord God:

   ' Surely I will take the children of Israel

   from among the nations,

   wherever they have gone,

   and will gather them from every side

   and bring them into their own Land."

 ('Nations' plural … this is not their return from Babylon)

(Ezekiel 37:21)  

"And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel,

and say, ‘O mountains of Israel,

hear the Word of the LORD …’"

"But you, O mountains of Israel,

 you shall shoot forth your branches

 and yield your fruit to My people Israel,

 for they are about to come . . ."

"For I will take you (the children of Israel) from among the nations,

gather you out of all countries,

and bring you into your own Land."

   (Ezekiel 36:1, 8, 24)

     "Thus says the Lord GOD:

      ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, (plural … not Babylon)

       wherever they have gone,

       and will gather them from every side

       and bring them into their own Land;’"

      (Ezekiel 37:21)

Try to find in the history book where Israel became a nation

The year 1948 AD, "There it is!!!  . . .  May 14, 1948!

"When you see all these things, know that it is near — at the doors!"

       (Matt 24:33 NKJ)

 "And what I say to you, I say to all 'Watch!'"

     (Mark 13:37 NKJ)

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it [or he] is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

       (Matthew 24:32-34)

I was born in 1948, the same year that Israel became a nation, 64 years ago, and I believe time is very short if we assume that a generation is “three score and ten” (Ps. 90:10)  or 70 years, and even if it isn’t , time is still short. All of the prophesies in the Bible are important because God has put them there for a couple of reasons: 1. To prove His existence. If only one prophesy fails then the whole structure falls to the ground, because God would not be sovereign as He has said. 2. Prophesy exist for the benefit of His children. Prophecy provides a timeline of future events, and foretells the season in which the Lord will return. The prophesies of Israel’s return to their homeland are important because we can now watch the news and know God is truthful, and that He is sitting on the throne, and that time is running out.

Where Did Christian Psychology Come From?

The stage is set and the prophetic clock is running, and because of that, we can understand better why the recent profusion of “Christian psychology” has arisen and why it should be avoided.

Why would Christians go to the world for understanding, unless they felt that the Bible was lacking or unable to supply answers to the questions concerning their human psyche? Christian psychology is just more proof of the lack of faith and belief of those who claim to be devoted followers of Jesus. When the Bible stops being the standard against which all our life  and all our decisions are measured, then we can expect, not only the Church’s justification for using the principals of Freud, Jung, Rogers, Adler, Pavlov, and of course Dr. Phil, and many others; but we can expect the supplementing of Biblical wisdom in every area, which we see conspicuously displayed in the new aberrant departure from orthodox evangelical beliefs: the growing ecumenism of traditional Christianity with Islam and cults, a focus on church growth rather than preaching the Gospel, the re-birth and wide spread acceptance of liberal theology,  the melding of Protestantism with Catholicism, and a re-directed emphasis to “Focus on the Family” instead of focusing on God.

The move toward self-improvement, self-esteem, self-discovery, possibility thinking, self-image, self-worth, and self-actualization is in effect the creating of a massive ego-centric image to replace a critical lack of faith in the power of God to solve problems. This building up of the ego is really a “Trojan Horse” of evil to slip in under the radar of our consciousness and destroy everything Christian; to prepare the world for the Antichrist and Satan’s grand push to overthrow the Kingdom of Almighty God.

The following chart illustrates the roots of Christian Psychology. www.necip.org.uk.  

The Main Schools of Psychological Therapy

Within each school are various approaches to therapy. Many of the approaches have actually developed across several worldviews but for our purposes we will restrict them to single categories.

“Each of the above schools relies on theories about the world and humanity that try to explain things like how people work and why they go wrong. Each theory is coming from a different perspective, relying on different ways of knowing what is true (such as observation and rationality) and having different underlying assumptions. Christians have an additional way of knowing – biblical revelation. Some of the assumptions made by these schools of psychotherapy are shared by Christians, while others appear to be in conflict with biblical revelation. We therefore need to examine each theory in turn to see to what extent it can be reconciled with – or contribute to – a Christian understanding of the world,” (Emphasis added).

Last revised 3 April 2003

Primer © NeCIP 2003

www.necip.org.uk

Ironically, the “The Main Schools of Psychological Therapy” chart above, developed by Christians, acknowledges secular psychology as the roots of the Christian psychology tree!  All the different schools of thought, used by Christian Psychologists and Pastors, have their origin in the world, from these roots, of which we are repeatedly warned to steer clear of.

If these are the roots, then what can we expect from the branches and fruit? If the roots are all hostile to Christianity, what are the chances of producing good fruit, according to Jesus? It is now becoming very clear that the fruit is rotten, regardless that the “Christian” psychologist hangs a cross on his wall or writes bestselling books.

 “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit; neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”

Matthew 7:17-18

So, where did Christian psychology come from? It came from the world, and the world belongs to the Devil, so it follows that Christian Psychology came from the Devil.

This really is not rocket science! What we end up with is open rebellion against God. These Christian men may not believe they are in rebellion, but the Bible says they are.

Who Ultimately Benefits From Christian Psychology?

Steve Rabey in a Christianity Today Magazine article, entitled “Hurting Helpers” dated September 16, 1996 stated,

“Popularizers, such as authors James Dobson, Tim LaHaye, and Larry Crabb convinced a whole generation of evangelicals that God cared about their psyches as well as their souls, opened the door for a marriage between theology and therapeutic thought. Today, Christian counseling is an expanding segment of America’s $200 billion mental-health industry. It has provided urgently needed help to many believers for whom the traditions, rituals, and comforts of the church have been found inadequate in counteracting the stresses, anxieties, and isolation of modern life.”

Wherever there is an entrepreneurial spirit men will capitalize on the benefits of a niche market, and Christian Counseling is no different. To say that money doesn’t drive this market today is not true. I am not convinced that all of these men were after monetary gain, but where the potential for profits exist there will be the potential for evil, whether it be in book sales, speaking engagements, popularity and influence, manipulation and control, or bilking and cheating, the potential exist.

Psychotherapy has created a whole subculture of “victims.” These therapists have escalated the problem rather than solve it. There is a flight from Biblical virtues such as faith and trust in God, personal responsibility, moral accountability, and the serving of others, to the anti-virtue of “selfishness.” All of this benefits the industry and not Christians who need a confrontation with the Truth. The Bible truthfully portrays man as a monster of iniquity and not a victim of circumstances. The Bible tells us to deny ourselves, not love ourselves. The goals of happiness have become the goals of self-satisfaction; and that is the new religion of the 21^st century, instead of bringing glory to God through a life of self-sacrifice and self-denial. A victim can be exploited, and many victims can make one wealthy. A firm foundation of truth creates strong men and women who cannot be exploited. Jesus did not die on the cross because he found something within us worth dying for; we were not loveable little creatures with inherent value. We are not creatures worthy of salvation, but monsters of iniquity, worthy of Hell.

 But let us not forget that Satan and his swarm of demons are the creators and crusaders of all the dysfunctionality we see and experience in the world outside of Eden. Whenever anything is mixed with Scripture it is Satan who ultimately benefits. A good question to ask is this, “What would you do if you were God?”  To self-actualize is the goal of Satan; it is also the goal of psychology, Christian or otherwise. To self-actualize is to become like God. To, “Be all that you can be,” sounds like a worthy goal, but it is the goal of Satan. The goal of Satan in this world is to recruit an army of likeminded souls to help him achieve his goal. Is Satan so deluded as to think he can defeat and become as God, that he can actually “self-actualize”?  In like manner, does man actually believe that he can self-actualize? Does Satan or man actually think they can exist without God? The obvious answer is YES they does; they are that deluded. All of the delusionary tactics of self-actualization only benefit Satan in his goal of displacing God through a coup d’état.

Conclusion

Regardless of the opposition to these facts, the teachings of these men have crept into the body of Christ. Well-meaning and knowledgeable Christians when faced with a personal or family dilemma will ignore the clear teaching of the Bible and turn to those spreading the lies of Godless men because of fear and unbelief. Christian psychologist and counselors who disseminate these doctrines, as “schools of thought,” can only be classified as willfully ignorant of the Bible’s teaching, and lack faith in the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God who commands His children to bring all their cares to Him, and Him alone. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34). The meaning of these verses is “that we are to commit our whole cause to him. If we suffer heavy trials; if we lose our friends, health, or property; if we have arduous and responsible duties to perform; if we feel that we have no strength, and are in danger of being crushed by what is laid upon us, we may go and cast all upon the Lord; that is, we may look to him for grace and strength, and feel assured that he will enable us to sustain all that is laid upon us. The relief in the case will be as real, and as full of consolation, as if he took the burden and bore it himself. He will enable us to bear with ease what we supposed we could never have done; and the burden which he lays upon us will be light.” (Matthew 11:30.) (Taken from Barnes Notes on the Bible)

What are generally considered emotional and psychological problems are really spiritual and theological in nature. When our soul is troubled it will manifest itself through the flesh; and unless we are firmly established in faith and trust in God we will seek out help from the world or from Christians purporting to understand the psyche as pioneered by these atheists. They understand nothing! Put ten of them in a room with a problem child and they will destroy each other with their wisdom; at the very least they will come up with ten different answers.

Galatians 6:7

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Hosea 10:13

"But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies–trusting in your great might, believing that strength could make you safe.”

John 16:33, Jesus told His disciples,

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Part two

The Historical Aim of the Papacy

In the last article we looked at the latent evil that has surrounded us by not heeding the warnings of past generations and the alarms of the present times. These warnings signal a disease that is gaining more strength as we speak and has already crippled a once healthy body. Anyone can make claims and then run off into obscurity or hide behind theories, so facts and documentation are important. The enemy, in this case the Roman Church, has spoken loudly about their intentions, both in the past and in the present. Although they have re-written and veiled their present goals and agendas in the “religious-speak” of the day, i.e. the new 1997 “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” as a means of continuing their radical worldview under the guise of humility and tolerance. Their own words and history, both past and present, will pull away the mask and reveal, The Historical Aim of the Papacy.

If you take a look at the period of time just prior to the official Protestant Reformation, which began with Martin Luther nailing his ninety-five theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church in 1517, then you will get a good sense of what the Catholic Church was after. Romanism has always been about excess; you see it in their doctrines, in their rituals, in their ecclesiastical structure, in their architecture, in their appetite for flesh, materialism, and fortune, and especially in their lust for power. Had it not been for the invention of the printing press, the feeble beginnings of this movement may have been crushed by the massive weight of this corpulent Harlot. Even her own children were embarrassed and complained of her degeneracy, obesity, and putrefaction. Most notable of these children was Desiderius Erasmus, who wrote the first published Greek New Testament, and the famed satire, “In Praise of Folly,” highlighting Rome’s foolishness, self-deception, and madness in pursuing superstition and corrupt practices. And, the most notable of her evil sons is the infamous Ignatius Loyola.

The Jesuit Society, or so-called "Society of Jesus", was founded by Ignatius Loyola, a Spanish knight born in 1491, eight years after the birth of Martin Luther. In point of time Loyola's life, which we will not have time to examine here in detail, ran parallel to Luther's, but we can say that in every respect he was the antithesis of Luther. Loyola was a religious fanatic of the Church of Rome and especially an enthusiastic devotee of the Virgin, and on witnessing the rapid spread of the Reformation, he conceived the idea of forming a society of spiritual knights for the purpose of combating it.

The aim of the Jesuits was to inspire and revive an enthusiasm for the Romanism of pre-Reformation times. They were the champions of Popery, selected for the task of counteracting the dawn of light, and of extinguishing it wherever it had burst into flame amongst the European nations, which Rome had for centuries kept immersed in the gloom of spiritual darkness and political bondage. For this reason they took St. Francis and the mediaeval saints as their models, and attempted to restore the authority of the mediaeval church which the Reformers had shattered. We can say that their cornerstone in this endeavour was the absolute surrender of free enquiry and free thought, and total and unquestioning obedience to the supreme ecclesiastical authority of Rome – concepts to which we shall refer later. Hector MacPherson says in his book The Jesuits in History that Loyola, in framing the Constitution of the new Order, "set himself to stop the emancipating process by making more rigorous the despotism of Rome". [Hector MacPherson: The Jesuits in History, London, 1914, p. 9.] Hence the Jesuits sought not only a return to the Romish errors of the Dark Ages, but also to reinforce these with greater rigour than ever.

The Jesuits and their Strategy to destroy Britain

---

Lecture at the Fourth EIPS Seminar
Professor Arthur Noble

The machinery that Rome has utilized in pursuing and fulfilling their goals of excess, have left a trail of death and destruction over a 1600 year period, and have been chronicled at every stage. There is no need to speculate or theorize on Rome’s desires, she is, as they say, “an open book.” But, nevertheless, Romanism is now, thanks to the blindness and lethargy of the masses, and to the Vatican’s counter-Reformation specialist, the Jesuits, now regarded by Protestants in a much better light than in former years.; even an open book must be picked up and read. The history of Rome’s advancement is being ignored, by design.

If we were to believe the claims of the Jesuits in their own writings, we would be deceived into thinking that their primary purpose was to follow the teaching and example of Jesus (as their name falsely implies), to preach the Gospel, to bring about the salvation of humanity, to perform charitable works, and so on; but we are reminded of the falsehood of such claims by the fact that in almost every language the term 'Jesuitical' came to imply deceit, duplicity, craftiness and cunning. Nearly every dictionary that Rome has not succeeded in influencing or censoring includes this second, but more accurate, definition of a Jesuit as 'one given to subtle casuistry'. How often has it been said of certain of our politicians: "He's a Jesuit!" meaning that they were the very antithesis of men who preach and practice godliness and truthfulness! The real aim of the Jesuits is stated in no uncertain terms by the German historian Griesinger in his book History of the Jesuits, and it is "to attain universal dominion for themselves". For this purpose, Griesinger says, they adopted the following methods:

First: to acquire the education of youth, especially the sons of the nobility, and this, on account of their talents and learning, they were most successful in doing. Second: to become the confessors of all persons in power and authority, which enabled them, from their profound knowledge of human passions and weaknesses, to obtain complete influence over these persons, and through them to direct all affairs of the State. Third: the acquirement of wealth, partly by trade […], and partly by inducing the superstitious to leave their properties to them at their death. By these means, although the individual Jesuit took the vow of poverty, the riches of the Society were enormous. Fourth: Their object was the complete destruction of Protestantism and extermination of all Protestants as being the most formidable opponents to their dominion. To attain this end they never ceased to urge Catholics and Catholic princes to wage war against Protestants, and to destroy them by fire, sword and wholesale massacres. In Protestant countries, where they had little influence, their plan was to adopt disguises, especially that of Protestant ministers, in order gradually to pervert the religion of the people and as far as possible direct the policy of the State. In the case of those kings or statesmen, whether Catholic or not, who were hostile to or stood in the way of their designs, they made use of two weapons to remove them from their paths, viz. calumny and assassination; that is to say, falsehood and murder, the special weapons and characteristics of the Prince of Evil. By no one else in the world was the art of calumniation practiced on such a colossal scale as well as artificial perversion. Where such arts as these failed them they had recourse to violence. [Griesinger: History of the Jesuits, London, 1903, pp. 46ff.]

The Jesuits and their Strategy to destroy Britain

---

Lecture at the Fourth EIPS Seminar
Professor Arthur Noble

There has never been a more corrupt or immoral institution than the Catholic Church. Rome has justified anything and everything to achieve it own goals. The defenders of the papacy argue that the “Church” has been slandered, and most Protestants today would agree. The question is, “Can we judge the Roman Church today by the abominations of yesterday?” Almost everyone is prepared to excuse the Vatican’s immorality and cruelty, as the result of the times in which they occurred, and argue that Rome has changed. Has Rome changed? Or is Rome lying? I think we will see that Rome is indeed, lying?

We have all lied, and do lie, on occasions, or on a regular basis, but regardless of the frequency it is always for selfish reasons, and according to the Bible it is a sin. Take our lies and raise them to the 100th power (¹⁰⁰LIE) and you will get an idea of the practice justified and sanctified by the Pope. While the Pope puts on the disguise of an Angel of Light and woos the populations of Protestant America, its military wing, i.e. the Jesuits, are waylaying its people with sophisticated methods of “casuistry,” “sophistry,” and “equivocation.” The Jesuits have given these terms a life of their own. For 1600 years the Roman Catholic Church has been perfecting the “lie,” after all their mentor is the father of lies, and to say that they have raised the lie to the 100th power may be an understatement. Their goal is to destabilize and destroy, and to render freedom and liberty powerless, and what they cannot destroy with the lie, they kill.

The fruits of Jesuit casuistry are well summed up by the eminent British historian Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), who declared: "Jesuitism has poisoned the wellsprings of truth in the whole world." [Quoted in L.H. Lehmann: The Secret of Catholic Power, New York, undated, p. 14.] Neither the word 'Jesuitism' nor the phenomenon itself, Carlyle tells us, has any prototype in Nature before the founding of the Jesuit Order. He goes on to say that Jesuitism and all that it represents constituted a new perversion in matters of truth and morals – that among all the evils that preceded it none was so subtle, so perfectly organised, so all-pervasive. He tells us that its great secret is that it corrupts, and therefore controls, truth and morals, not only among Roman Catholics, but also in the non-Roman Catholic population of a country and of the world at large. So says Carlyle in his inaugural address of 1886 on being installed as Rector of the University of Edinburgh.

The Jesuits and their Strategy to destroy Britain

---

Lecture at the Fourth EIPS Seminar
Professor Arthur Noble

Religious and political intrigue are what runs this world, and since all of mankind are endowed with a moral code as part of their humanity, craftiness is needed to bring those who waver between good and evil into the camp of evil. To avoid being an obvious and conspicuous liar, Rome has devised un-objectionable doctrines like, “Mental Reservation,” as legitimate justification for lying. In other words, when ever a Catholic deems it is in the best interest of the “Church” to equivocate, or just plain lie, then they do so in “good conscience,” knowing at worst it is only a venial sin and will not land them in Hell; lying is, and has always been, the “mother’s milk,” of the Roman Catholic Church; without lying Rome would have no leverage, because it would have no life; lying is its foundational principle. A simple comparison of their doctrines with the Book of Truth, the Bible, should be enough to convince anyone that the Roman Catholic Church is a demonic fabrication. The butchery that it has employed to maintain its hold on those who have been brought under its power, or on those who oppose it, is proof enough for any open-minded person, but if it isn’t, then consider this; the Vatican has been proven to forge any documents it needs to give itself credibility. Early in its history Rome needed legitimacy so they just manufactured the needed papers, i.e. the “False Decretals” or the “Pseudo-Isidorian Decretals,” produced in 845 A.D, which lead the ignorant to believe they were written by early popes. Roman bishops relied on these forgeries to establish their authority and corroborate their claims of papal infallibility; without these forgeries popes never could have legitimately claimed to be infallible. The “Catholic Encyclopedia” admits that these are forgeries. It says that the purpose of these forged documents were to enable the Church to be independent of secular power, and to prevent the laity from ruling the Church. In other words, they lied to increase the power of the Pope and the Catholic Church. Another famous forgery from the ninth century was “The Donation of Constantine.” It claimed that Emperor Constantine gave the western provinces of the Roman Empire to the Bishop of Rome. The Pope used it to claim authority in secular matters.

Besides these two complete forgeries, there are over a hundred instances where Rome forged additional material and added them to authentic documents, all geared to give the Pope more power. Some of this forged material countered the original, and came away saying the exact opposite.

“One of the forgeries,” according to Peter De Rosa, a former Catholic priest, in “Vicars of Christ” (Dublin, Ireland: Poolbeg Press, 1988, 2000), “is a letter which was falsely attributed to Saint Ambrose. It said that if a person does not agree with the Holy See, then he or she is a heretic.  This is an example of how papal power was promoted by fraudulently claiming the authority of highly respected Early Fathers.”

The habitual and immoral history of Rome to lie is well documented, but are they still doing the same today? Has the Roman Catholic Church changed? If the Catholic Church destroys the foundation on which it is built, it will collapse. Lies, deception, intrigue, and cold blooded murder are the materials from which Popery is constructed, so the answer to the questions above are: Yes, they are still involved in the lies of the past, only in a more subtle way on the stage of the 21st Century; they have not changed. Has the leopard changed its spots?

Rome and Hitler: Case closed. Rome complicit in the Holocaust. 6,000,000 Jews murdered, 1941-1945.

Rome and the Ustashi: Case closed. Rome complicit in the brutal extermination of 75,000 Serbs 1941-1945.

Rome and Spain’s Stolen Babies: Case closed. Rome sanctioned the stealing of an estimated 300,000 newborns from their bewildered mothers, 1930-1980’s

Rome and the murder of new born babies of nuns: Case closed. Rome sanctioned the baptizing then suffocating of babies born to nuns by priest. Read Maria Monk’s “Awful Disclosures.”

Rome and pedophilia: “While pedophilia accusations from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, the United States, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Australia and Mexico — only to mention a few — have come in during recent months and years, the church has always attempted to downplay the reports. But now the sins of the church have rocked it to the point where it can no longer ignore the charges that it has acted as an enabler to these priestly sex offenders.” “In 1871, in Australia, a young nun, Mary Mackillop, stumbled upon a disturbing sight. She witnessed a pedophile priest molesting a boy. When she reported it to the Catholic hierarchy, they threw her out of the convent and excommunicated her.”

“Almost 140 years later, as an act of atonement, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed her as Australia's first saint on October 17, 2010.”

Read more at Suite101: The Roman Catholic Church: Pedophile Priests | Suite101.com http://diane-evans.suite101.com/the-roman-catholic-church–pedophile-priests-a347079#ixzz1qEcsv8EQ

This is just another way that Rome deceives the masses.

Rome and the War in Viet Nam: Case closed. A careful examination of the circumstances shows the cloven footprint of the Vatican, in the deaths of 58,000 Americans, 1,100,000 North Vietnamese, and 1,170,000 injuries, for the pursuit of Popish power. Read “Vietnam, Why Did We Go?” by Avro Manhattan.

These examples are just the filth that floats to the surface of a very stagnated sea of corruption. We have not yet gotten past the surface of the vast corruption of the “Church” our forefathers warned us not to tolerate, lest we become again ensnared in her clutches. We have not listened, and now, with the Harlot parading as an angel of light, we are once more drifting into darkness and death.

“And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home; She is now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner. So she seizes him and kisses him And with a brazen face she says to him: ”I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows. “Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you “I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt. “I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. “Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses. “For my husband is not at home, He has gone on a long journey, He has taken a bag of money with him, At the full moon he will come home.” With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life.” (Prov. 7 10-23)

NEXT: Part 3, We will look at the “Doctrines of Deception.; Is Rome Teaching the Truth?”

nu·ance/ˈn(y)o͞oˌäns/

• Noun: A subtle difference in or shade of meaning, expression, or sound.

• Verb: Give nuances to.

• Synonyms: shade – hue – tint – tinge – tincture – tone – shading

If there should be one thing that is apparent to any real Christian these days, that has even an elementary knowledge of God’s Holy Word, it should be that there has been a dangerous influx of “nuance” into the meaning of Scripture, flooding in from the new Evangelicalism. 

This has, in effect, become the age of “Nuance Theology,” and Rick Warren is leading the pack, along with Bill Hybels on the one side; Brian McLaren, Doug Paget, Rob Bell, and Tony Jones, on another side; C Peter Wagner, Cindy Jacobs, and Rick Joyner on another side; Paul Crouch, Kenneth Copeland, and Benny Hinn, on another side; Jim Wallis, Shane Claiborne, and Tony Campolo, on another side; Glenn Beck, and David Barton on another side; and many more sides could be added to the plethora of the innovators of “NUANCE THEOLOGY;” and all of these have one thing in common, their ability to capitalize on the famine of truth sweeping the globe.

New Evangelicals loudly declare that what they say is important and that they have the Bible to back their claims, and when challenged as to their exact meaning cry, “I have been misunderstood,” or some other ambiguous assertion, so that clarity is forever nuanced; possessing unlimited layers of detail, and meaning is the core of the new theology of nuance.

The Orange County Register ran a story about Rick Warren building bridges to Muslims, stating that,

“The Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest and one of America's most influential Christian leaders, has embarked on an effort to heal divisions between evangelical Christians and Muslims by partnering with Southern California mosques and proposing a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.”

It is well documented that Rick Warren loves to cherry pick scripture verses and uses many Bible translations to find just the right nuance of meaning to compliment the promotion of his ecumenical agenda. But, let’s hear what just one passage of the absolute, plain, black and white, Word of TRUTH says on the matter.

¹⁴ Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” ¹⁷ Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” ¹⁸ And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor. 6:14-1

It would seem that preachers, above all men, should speak with lucidity in light of the plainness of God’s Word. When we hear words come out of the mouth of such men it is not our normal tendency to read-between-the-lines; we are not inclined to believe that they are speaking out of both sides of their mouth; we do not assume that they are “lying.” Should sheep have to be able to understand the delicate nuances of these gifted tongues? Or, should we assume, as we do with politicians, that ambiguity is simply the double-speak of men with secret agendas, and that nuances are only clever lies to trick and deceive?

Dr. Ed Stetzer states in reference to the unfavorable article in The Orange County Register concerning Rick Warren that, “it is important to note that secular newspapers do not get the nuance we (as in schooled theologians) often use in evangelical Christianity.” This confuses me. If we can’t speak in understandable terms to a lost secular world, where does this put our mission to “go unto all the (secular) world and preach the Gospel”?

You should not have to guess at meanings when truth is proclaimed!! Truth is as easy to understand today as it was when it was first spoken by our Lord.

Leonard Ravenhill once said,

"One of these days some simple soul will pick up the book of God,
read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed."

Education, talent, knowledge, and showmanship, and I might add, not a small amount of pride and business management, has replaced what was once the domain of uncomplicated, and uneducated men, who turned the world upside down, by repeating the revelations of inspired words; nothing nuanced and nothing misunderstood.

Peter Drucker, a marketing guru, and a mentor of Rick Warren, has taught Rick well. One of the things Rick learned, and we should learn too, is that, "The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said." This is the art nuance, or in marketing terms, the selling of perceived value, which really is just deception; and this was the art of Satan, way back in the Garden; “Hath God really said. . . .” You see, Rick knows that the vast majority of people are not going to “hear what isn’t being said,” they naturally take words at face value, and thereby he slip his agenda under the radar of the average person.

Dr. Ed Stetzer, another Mega-Church advocate, admits that he too was caught off his guard by Rick’s “nuance” of words and meanings, and says in regards to the Orange County article, “However, due to the nature of the story, some mainstream news organizations and bloggers, without the constant anti-Warren agenda, were asking questions and wondering what was going on. I was.” So, Dr. Ed, and those who are not “anti-Warren” bloggers, (being distinguished from Watchmen who stay on their guard against these intrigues) asked Rick for clarification. (As a matter of fact these watchmen, for a very long time, have been asking Rick for clarification on nearly everything he says, which has only resulted in his back-peddling, statements of misinformation, defamation of “watchbloggers,” or statements of clarification denying what he supposedly said.) 

I want to conclude with the following post over at SOLA SISTERS, written by Christine Pack, that says succinctly what I have started to say with many more words. Please visit her web site for many great articles concerning the apostasy that has infiltrated the Church of these last days.

———————————————————————

Rick Warren Addresses Chrislam Controversy

by Christine Pack

The problem with Rick Warren's supposed clarification is that if you hold his statement up against his life's actions, they don't seem to add up. Now that Rick Warren has come out with his statement, I think we must take the statement at face value, but I think we can certainly ask questions. In some ways, it's almost like he's gone under oath and given his testimony. But since he has, we can now present the following Exhibits:

Exhibit A – Jim Hinch Did Attempt to Speak To Rick Warren
Jim Hinch, the writer of the original Orange County article in question, despite what Rick Warren claims, DID try to speak directly with Rick Warren but was told he was unavailable for comment:

RICK WARREN: "Those statements were made by a reporter, not by me. I did not say them … I do not believe them… I completely disagree with them … and no one even talked to me about that article!"

JIM HINCH: "I talked to sources both at Saddleback and in the Muslim community and all of them described the mutual outreach efforts and the attempt to find points of theological common ground. While reporting the story I asked to speak to Rick Warren but was told he was too busy for an interview."

In addition to this, Jim Hinch, the writer of the article that caused such a dust-up is just a regular guy: he's not a theologian, and to the best of my understanding, he's not even a Christian. and after having assessed the data in front of him and after reading the King's Way document, came to the conclusion that it was an interfaith document. The question should not be, "Did Jim Hinch lie?" (because he didn't) but rather, it should be this: Why wasn't the Christian gospel message so profoundly clear in the King's Way document that it was abundantly clear to the secular, on looking world (like Jim Hinch) that Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God?

Exhibit B – Presidential Inauguration
This exhibit includes the Presidential Inauguration, where Rick Warren gave a carefully worded interfaith prayer in which he gave one of the names of Jesus as "Issa." This is NOT one of Jesus' names. "Issa" is the Arabic name for the Jesus of the Qu'ran, and the Jesus in the Qu'ran is not the Jesus of the Bible, but "another Jesus" (2 Cor 11:4) who is not the Divine Son of God, nor the Savior who came to make atonement for sinners.

Exhibit C – Rick Warren Says It's His Desire To Work with Muslims, Jews…Not Evangelize Them
Rick Warren's has given on-the-record statements that he does not feel he needs to evangelize other faiths, but only wants to work together with them to better the community….
…..Jihad Turk, director of religious affairs at a mosque in California and also co-author of the King's Way document crafted by Saddleback Church, said of the agreed upon parameters for the interfaith document: "We agreed we wouldn't try to evangelize each other…….We'd witness to each other but it would be out of 'Love Thy Neighbor,' not focused on conversion."
….In 2006, Rick Warren gave an interfaith talk at a Jewish temple, before which he told the organizer of the event (Rabbi Wolfson) that his interest was in "helping all houses of worship, not in converting Jews."

As you look out into the eternal vastness of outer space and contemplate the unique and unusual idea of—truth–to come to any definitive conclusion as to the reality and materiality of truth can seem as far away as a distant Nebula and as concrete as a massive cloud of gas.

One primary area where truth is the main focus is philosophy, and it could be rightly stated that philosophy is the study and search for truth; which encompasses the quest for wisdom, through an understanding of existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. The word “philosophy” in the Greek means the love (philos) of wisdom (sophy). But, nowhere has the search for truth become more nebulous and lost in a cloud of gray matter, and showing a keen lack of love or wisdom, than in this philosophical search itself. Regardless of how earnestly or scientifically the search for truth is pursued it only becomes more and more elusive and distant. Simply stated; to talk about truth with a philosopher is to talk about endless controversies; because truth in the world can only be speculative and cannot be known conclusively and with certainty.

So, truth, being only speculative leaves man in a very vulnerable position. Who gets to define what is true, or what is real, or necessary? Philosophy becomes a form of currency and power. These esoteric and cryptic endeavors, are re-stated in workable terms and language, and then filtered down through the strata of societal machinery. This powerful medium of ideas is birthed in the minds of intelligent men, who ponder all the great questions of the world. Basically, what the man on the street comes to believe, about anything, has had its origin in the think-tanks of philosophers, and then passed on to the academic, to the artist, to the musician, to the general culture, and theology. Art, music, and literature, are the real vehicles of the philosopher’s message to the masses, of which the philosophers themselves could never reach. The general culture’s consumption of poetry, art, the novel, drama, cinema, and theology displays how effective an idea has become; and thus ideas are carried to the man-on-the-street. The philosopher’s dialectic becomes the presupposition or worldview of the status-quo in all its varied forms, who consciously or unconsciously build their life on the perceived trueness or falseness of those ideals. All of society moves in this flow, and so the world has moved from the beginning of time, and so it moves today. Mankind has been visualized as sheep, and in the last days, as sheep without a shepherd, looking for food; not knowing good from evil, and even preferring the latter to the former. What hope does the plain, poor, simple, common, humble, plebeian, proletarian working-class have in the search of anything even remotely resembling truth, when all of reality is the fabrication of men? Most men chose to go through life wearing rose tinted glasses, thus evading the discussion of truth.

All of this confusion should not lead us to despair, but is designed to lift our eyes upward. In the midst of the poverty of endless propositions and wild estimations glows the riches of God, Who in Truth, directs us to a different source of understanding. When! in all their intelligence, has one of these brilliant fellows put his finger on anything he could say with absolute assurance, “This is true”? Even in religious circles truth has been forsaken for the uniqueness of the individuals own “story.” After all that we have learned from the philosophers of their futile and failed efforts in pursuing objective truth, now at the end of the Church age, the “Emerging” church insist that all truth is, simultaneously, propositional and personal, and that personal truth is the higher of the two. But, what the church has done is to effectively shift the pursuit of truth back into the hands of the liberal theologians, who imagine they are philosophers. Philosophy has never been able to deliver a spec of absolute truth, but liberal Christians, who stand with one foot on the Bible and one in quicksand, with the utmost assurance, declare that their personal stories are “truth,” and takes precedence over the concrete propositional statements of the God breathed Bible. The whole of the Catholic Church, and it entire history is built on this premise, i.e. that we can create our own truth. This thinking comes from drawing the foregone conclusion that, there is truth, but that there is no objective way of knowing what it is, and that there is no “independent standard” of measuring it; therefore, either it can’t be known, or only a gifted few must be consulted. This life of paradox and confusion is life outside of Eden.

Many things we hear from these brilliant theologians have a ring of truth, but only lead to despair. When we need a cup of cool water a mirage simply will not do. As long as our eyes are on the shimmering sands up ahead, our hope is in the brilliance of “enlightened” men, whether philosophers, theologians, desert fathers, priest, popes, new age gurus, mystics, soothsayers, palm-readers, or your own personal spirit guide, who will lead us to a horrible death. The real sadness of this scenario is that life is within reach of everyone, and no one need die of thirst. The very fact that we thirst proves there is a satisfaction of that desire. The desire itself is prophetic of its own fulfillment. If we turn to a mirage instead of the true thing itself, it only means that we are self-deluded, and have come to prefer the mirage to the real thing. A good example is that in the place of true re-creation we are easily satisfied with entertainment.

There are really only two kinds of truth that we need: the truth of self, and the truth of God. When Jesus was walking along the road one day a blind man cried out and said, “Son of David, Son of David, heal me, please come and heal me; I want to see, please make me see.” Oh, how Jesus loved that blind man. Jesus touched his lips, and He touched the ground, then He touched his eyes, and the man turned around, and he could see, and he could see. Then there was a group of lepers, and they cried out, “Make me clean.” He looked at them, then drew them close, and said “be clean,” and they had new skin, they were whole again. Oh, how He loved them. I am that leper, and I am that blind man. I am no philosopher and no theologian and all I can say is that once I was blind and now I see; once I was corrupted but I have been cleansed. The blind man knew himself; the truth about his condition was more intense to him, than it was to all the other blind men who could see, and the truth of what he was, drove him to Jesus. The leper had his eyesight, and his eyesight made it plain that he was a dying man, and that a disease was slowly attacking his body and the sight of his decaying flesh brought truth in to focus. The truth, of who he had become, forced an act of desperation.

All of the things that plague us are the devises of the Almighty to bring our life in to focus, and to see ourselves as we truly are, and the desperateness of our situation. God’s way of bringing us truth is to first allow us to see ourselves as we truly are; blind, decaying, and lost. Without this truth any attempt at healing is futile. Even brilliant philosophers and theologians, unless brought to this point, will only continue a search for the one true gem of “truth” amongst ten million frauds.

Why does it always sound so hypocritical when Evangelicals bash Gays and so worldly when the other side embraces them? Could it be that they are both wrong!

In LGBT congregations the wrongness of the position is so apparent; they openly allow and advertise their sin. On the other hand, in the “Gay bashing” congregations, exposure by members mean repentance or censure.

The sin of homosexuality is sinful, simply and for no other reason, than the Bible says so. But, the reality is that there are homosexuals on both sides, but dealt with in different ways. The difference being that one side keeps their Gays in the closet, making this group appear more pure. And the other side, by openly flaunting their sin, wears this—forthrightness–as a cloak of honesty and righteousness.

The Evangelical’s unwritten rule of “don’t ask, don’t tell” has been a governing factor for many, many, years, and is nowhere questioned. Their assumed theory in this reasoning is, “what we don’t know can’t hurt us.” The business side of doing church has much to do with this approach. Organizational Christianity has no way of filtering out sin, because of its structure. When the “OPEN FOR BUSINESS” sign in hung out, any and all comers are welcome, and nobody really knows who they are sitting next to. If someone dares to speak out they are either directed to the church down the street or asked to straighten-up; but the preferred unspoken rule is to keep your activities to yourself. And, if homosexual sin is discovered, it is usually by accident, and not because of any real intimate family type relationship with the congregation, or a conviction of sin on the part of the sinner. The business managers, i.e. clergy, are isolated from their members and think that it is necessary only to preach to the crowd, and hopefully put a few under conviction, and not to get personally involved in the lives of the laity, except on a have-to basis.

On the other hand, the LGBT congregations come across as holier-than-thou because they are proud and parade their honesty and impartiality as a sign of Biblical righteousness. And, if they should be part of a peaceful protest, or confront their opposition with 1 Corinthians 13:1-4, spewing words of love and tolerance, then they win the acclaim of the world, being perceived as the more holy of the two. Is openness to depravity really the answer to modern Evangelicalism’s stalwart stance to old line legalism?

Modern brick-and-mortar Christianity, whether Left or Right, operating on modern business and marketing principles, is not what Jesus foresaw, and is at best, a dysfunctional family affair. This is not the Biblical model and cannot be found in Scriptures, anywhere. But, as in times past, from the very beginning of the Church, there are those who have discerned the problems on both sides of the aisle, and have chosen to separate themselves from both moderates and liberals.

Today many are finding true Ecclesia in small intimate gatherings of faithful believers; no advertising, no CEO’s, no 501c3 Government shackles, no programs; only trust in the promises of Jesus to do what He said He would do.

Can you believe in a hundred mothers, brothers, and sisters? Can you envision a living body, all contributing their gifts for the benefit of all the others, to the glory of God? all sharing their resources; all building on the strength of the others and the Holy Spirit, sharing in the development of the whole, dealing with sin at a family level, moving the whole body toward perfection. If you can then you are envisioning the Church as Jesus envisioned it; nothing fancy, no expensive buildings; just simple, humble, service to each other, to those looking for a way out of the deep dark woods; this is service to the Lord.

The Church as Jesus envisioned it is so far removed from what we see up and down Main Street that it seems impossible to achieve, but it is the only Church that exists. The Church of Jesus is not run by accountants, it is run by miracles, and only God can achieve it.

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127:1