Is it just me, or are discernment ministries getting raked over the coals? And is it deserved? Early last summer I stepped back from my daily blogging and posting activities. Not by choice, but medical necessity. Eight months and three surgeries later, I’ve been slowly dipping a toe back in, Continue Reading
Discernment
“Should we take our kids to see ‘The Star’ film?”
I recently received a letter from a woman whose church’s children’s ministry was wondering if the new Christmas film, “The Star,” is worth seeing. There are no reviews yet, but there is a considerable amount of promotion. What most see when Googling this movie is a Shrek-like retelling of “the Continue Reading
Bethel Church Believes a Different Gospel
Bethel Church’s senior pastor is “Super Apostle” Bill Johnson, which is a big red flag right there. In a recent blog post, Pastor Gabriel Hughes dealt with an exposé on Bethel Church written by journalist Molly Hensley-Clancy. Hughes thought Hensley-Clancy’s piece was excellent “but the story lacks an important consideration, which Continue Reading
Leaving the NAR Church: Ben’s Story
“When I arrived in October 2008, the Meridian Vineyard was a nice and fun place to be. Very loving, lots of contemporary worship. This was also when I first heard about Bethel Church out of Redding, California. I started getting a gut check in my spirit almost immediately.” – Ben Continue Reading
Wm. Paul Young Teaches New Age Lie About Separation on TBN
For those who haven’t yet heard, “The Shack” author, William Paul Young, is from a New Age/New Spirituality persuasion (like Oprah); likewise, Young rejects the Penal Substitutionary Atonement (that Jesus took the penalty for our sins on the cross). So with this in mind, it’s rather odd that he uses the term Continue Reading
Our Top 7 rules for commenting
Hey! Where did those comments go? When it comes to our comments policy, I’ve always believed that Christians should be able to glorify Christ with their words and actions, without me imposing rules. That hasn’t happened, in spite of our updated Comments Rules of Conduct Policy. And so I have Continue Reading
“I can’t find a solid church”
I recently received an email that has become a common heart cry for those hungry sheep who are not being fed a solid diet of pure milk and meat of Scripture: “I am finding it difficult to find a congregation in my area that is not filled with compromise. I Continue Reading
“My church practices the ‘Sinner’s Prayer'”
Several readers have asked us, “What should I do if I am attending a church that practices the Sinner’s Prayer?” If you’ve ever been to an evangelical church service or ministry outreach, you know the drill: Head down, no looking around, just you and God, sappy background music, and just Continue Reading
Leaving the NAR Church: Elaine’s story
“We operated in automatic writing and speaking, and spoke in tongues without interpretation. The pastor also would take the teenagers on “treasure hunts”. They would pray, receive “clues” in visions and other ways “the spirit” would tell them, then go out into the city and find their targets.” -Elaine I Continue Reading
The felt-needs gospel is no Gospel at all
Have you ever fallen for a feel-good gospel that ministers to your ache for feeling special, or longing for admiration from a god who dances over you and thinks you’re the apple of his eye? What about sermon messages or books that help you look deeply into your past pains, Continue Reading