Emerging Church leader Brian McLaren: The Atonement is only a “facet” of the Gospel

In an interview posted on his website following his sharp criticism of “postmodern” churches, Emerging Church movement leader, Brian McLaren, made some rather unorthodox statements about the biblical Gospel. Below is an excerpt from the interview:

(Q): Hold on. That bothered me too. You [McLaren] wrote, “Which reminds us that none of us has a complete grasp of the gospel…. It's very dangerous to assume you've perfectly contained the gospel in your little formula.” I think with all the other change going on, one thing we’ve got to hold firm on is the gospel.

(A): What do you mean when you say “the gospel?"

(Q): You know, justification by grace through faith in the finished atoning work of Christ on the cross.

(A): Are you sure that’s the gospel?

(Q): Of course. Aren’t you?

(A): I’m sure that’s a facet of the gospel, and it’s the facet that modern evangelical protestants have assumed is the whole gospel, the heart of the gospel. But what’s the point of that gospel?

(Q): What do you mean? I guess it’s so that people can spend eternity with God in heaven in an intimate personal relationship as opposed to … the alternative. You don’t seem to agree.

(A): Well, for Jesus, the gospel seemed to have something to do with the kingdom of God.

(Q): Which is the kingdom of heaven, which is going to heaven after you die.

(A): Are you sure about that?

(Q): Aren’t you?

(A): This is exactly the point I was trying to make in the article. Many of us are sure we’re “postmodern” now with our candles and hipness and so on, but we haven’t asked some important and hard questions – not about postmodernity, but about modernity and the degree to which our theology and understanding of the gospel have been distorted or narrowed or made “gospel lite” by modernity.

(Q): If you were intending to make me feel better, you’re not succeeding.

(A): Well, I hope you’ll at least think about this. And search the Scriptures, you know, to see if there’s any validity to the question I’m raising.

McLaren whether intentionally or not minimizes the atonement by referring to it as a mere “facet” of an uncertain gospel, a gospel that according to him, “none of us has a complete grasp of.” Yet he is content to criticize others for being “gospel lite.” Seems rather absurd to criticize others for being “gospel lite” while advancing an uncertain gospel. I Corinthians 15:1-4 clearly defines the biblical Gospel. If, however, one employs McLaren’s logic then one must conclude that Paul was “gospel lite,” right?

Focus on the Family website yanks Glenn Beck interview

WorldNet Daily reports that Focus on the Family’s interview with conservative talk radio and TV host, Glenn Beck, was recently yanked from the ministry’s CitizenLink website because they received many complaints that the ministry made it appear that Beck was Christian when he is actually an active Mormon.

The WorldNet Daily piece stated,

Karla Dial, the freelance reporter who did the interview for Focus, even says in the prologue, "These days, Beck is hoping to spread a more eternal sort of gospel through his new book, The Christmas Sweater." Those comments, among others, drew the criticism of several Christian apologists, who argue that Beck's gospel and the evangelical gospel are not the same.

Focus on the Family, however, did make this statement after yanking the Beck interview from their website,

"You are correct to note that Mr. Beck is a member of the Mormon church, and that we did not make mention of this fact in our interview with him," the receptionist said. "We do recognize the deep theological difference between evangelical theology and Mormon theology, and it would have been prudent for us at least to have pointed out these differences. Because of the confusion, we have removed the interview from CitizenLink."

Beck made this statement on his website:

The Christmas Sweater is a story about the idea of Christmas as a time for redemption and atonement. Whatever your beliefs about my religion, the concept of religious tolerance is too important to be sacrificed in response to pressure from special interest groups, especially when it means bowing to censorship. I'm humbled and grateful that hundreds of thousands of people from different faiths have read the book and have appreciated its uplifting message for themselves. At a time when the world is so full of fear, despair, and divisions, it is my hope that all of those who believe in a loving and peaceful God would stand together on the universal message of hope and forgiveness. -glenn

It’s disappointing that Focus on the Family had to be pressured before giving a prepared statement –that Mormonism is not compatible with biblical Christianity– to a receptionist to read to those who called with complaints, but at least they did do the right thing.

Emergent Church leader says homosexuality can be biblical lifestyle

In a recent WorldNet Daily story, Tony Jones, national coordinator for Emergent Village has decided that homosexual relationships are biblically valid. On his New Christians blog discussing the same-sex issue, Jones said, "I now believe that GLBTQ can live lives in accord with biblical Christianity (as least as much as any of us can!), and that their monogamy can and should be sanctioned and blessed by church and state." As shocking as this story may be it should not be that surprising since Brian McLaren, another leader in the Emerging/Emergent church movement said a few years ago in a Christianity Today blog that Christian leaders should take a five year moratorium to decide whether or not homosexuality is immoral.

Watchman Fellowship Places part of its Research Library at a Kansas City, MO Seminary

Baptist Press recently published an interesting story about Watchman Fellowship placing part of its collection of original source material from various cults at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City for use in theological education. James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship, said in the piece, “Our goal is to equip the body of Christ for discernment and evangelism, to educate the community to the dangers of religious cults and to evangelize those lost in cultic deception."

Presbyterian Church in Wisconsin doubles as Islamic prayer center

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Faith Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Wisconsin has agreed to allow area Muslims to use the church’s building to conduct 2 of the 5 daily Islamic prayers. Faith Presbyterian Church pastor, Rev. Deb. Bergeson-Graham said of her church’s decision, "I think we're doing this, not because of what they believe, but because of what we believe. It's what Christ would have us do." Obviously, Rev. Bergeson-Graham views her church’s action as virtuous, but it would be interesting to see if Rev. Bergeson-Graham and her church view Christians who evangelize Muslims as "intolerant." Shockingly it appears that a Protestant church is validating Islam.

Archaeologists find oldest Hebrew text

In another fascinating story involving biblical archaeology, Reuters reports that Hebrew University archaeologists have uncovered the oldest Hebrew text ever found.

The HU archaeologists said the ancient Hebrew document found at a site known as the Elah Fortress or Khirbet Qeiyafa near the location where David slew Goliath “was written some 3,000 years ago, predating the Dead Sea Scrolls by 1,000 years.”

Archaeologists may have found King Solomon’s mines

Critics of the Bible often attack its historical credibility because little archaeological evidence has been obtained to substantiate the famous Old Testament kings, David and Solomon. Now, however, archaeological research funded in part by the National Geographic Society's Committee for Research and Exploration has found what they believe are the mines from which King Solomon produced the copper used to build the First Temple in Jerusalem. The mines are located in a region south of the Dead Sea in Jordan’s Faynan district, which is the geographic area in the Old Testament known as the Kingdom of Edom.

According to CNN, “carbon dating placed copper production at Khirbat en-Nahas (Arabic for 'Ruins of copper") in the 10th century -- in line with the biblical narrative of Solomon's rule.” The leader of the study, Thomas Levy, of the University of California San Diego noted that

“…this research represents a confluence between the archaeological and scientific data and the Bible…. Now ... we have evidence that complex societies were indeed active in 10th and 9th centuries BCE and that brings us back to the debate about the historicity of the Hebrew Bible narratives related to this period”

Newsweek has a story on this fascinating news as does National Geographic News.

In another interesting story, in 2007 Muslim workers at the Jerusalem Temple Mount found artifacts dating back to the first Temple period – 8^th to 6^th centuries BCE. These two fascinating findings alone present a great deal of archaeological evidence linked to Solomon.

Famous atheist says aliens originated life on earth?

In Ben Stein’s movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, famous atheist Richard Dawkins stated that he believes life on earth may have originated from Extra Terrestrials:

One might think that Dawkins’ argument would come from someone holding to a unique version of Intelligent Design. Dawkins, however, actually opposes Intelligent Design in favor of naturalistic Evolution. Dawkins’ ID argument, which we’ll call ETID (Extra Terrestrial Intelligent Design) is an attempt to explain the origin of life apart from God, but of course it does not account for the origin of Dawkins’ ET’s. It seems absurd for a guy to suggest ETID and simultaneously say theists are irrational.

Famous atheist Richard Dawkins supports ad for Agnosticism?

Famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, is supporting a London advertising campaign promoting atheism. One would think an atheist would not see much value in evangelizing others to atheism, but evidently Dawkins and the British Humanist Association (BHA) think otherwise.

According to MSNBC, the BHA has raised $113,000 for the ad campaign with Dawkins donating $9,000. The ad appearing on the side of London buses says the following:

“There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”

Atheism, however, does not use the word “probably” in reference to the existence of God. Interestingly, Dawkins in Ben Stein’s recent movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, said that he is 99% sure God does not exist:

Evidently Dawkins, the BHA and author of the ad, Ariane Sherine, are not actually atheists, but are agnostics. Or perhaps they are hedging their bets as evidently 21% of atheists did who expressed a belief in God in a recent Pew poll. Interestingly, Dawkins admitted that he “wasn’t wild” about using the word “probably,” but apparently he wasn’t too bothered by it because he supports an agnostic message to promote atheism. Apparently in Dawkins’ world this slogan “will make people think - and thinking is anathema to religion.”

Sherine said, "Atheists believe this is the only life we have, and we should enjoy it." Evidently enjoying life entails accepting that God “probably” does not exist. Oh happy day! …..probably……for agnostics…ur uh, atheists that is….oh you probably know what I mean!

Appeals court rules that Mormon Church is outside of the Protestant Christian faith . . . . .

In a remarkable decision an appellate court ruled that the Mormon Church is outside of the Protestant faith. The decision came in a divorce decree contempt case by the Arkansas Court of Appeals on October 8. According to an October 9 Arkansas Democrat Gazette piece,

“Joel Mark Rownak and Lisa Monette Rownak agreed in their 2005 divorce to raise their children ‘in the Protestant faith.’ The decree bars them from promoting another religion without the other’s consent. In May 2007, Benton County Circuit Judge John R. Scott found Joel Rownak in contempt of that decree based on evidence that Rownak had ‘candidly acknowledged’ promoting the Mormon faith to his sons.”

Interestingly, Mr. Rownak, who is a Mormon testified that the Mormon faith is outside of the Protestant faith. The court, based on Mr. Rownak’s testimony and “evidence to that effect from the [Mormon] church’s Web site” ruled that the Mormon faith was indeed outside of the Protestant faith and therefore found Mr. Rownak in contempt of the divorce decree.

The significance of this ruling of course is that both an active Mormon (Mr. Rownak) and an appellate court both agree that Mormonism is not a Protestant church. The other significant aspect of this ruling is that the court has made a ruling on a theological matter. While the ruling was technically on a divorce decree contempt case, the grounds for the decision were theological.

Mormon Church to build Temples in Kansas City, Philadelphia and 3 other cities

The International Herald Tribune reports that the LDS Church plans to build Temples in 5 cities including Kansas City and Philadelphia. The article points out the historic significance of a LDS Temple in the Kansas City-area:

“A Kansas City-area temple should hold great significance for Mormons. In the 1830s church founder Joseph Smith led an early Mormon migration to Independence, Missouri, and declared the area would be the center of Zion and the New Jerusalem. Now a Kansas City suburb, many Mormons also believe the area was the original site of the Garden of Eden.”

The significance of the Temple in Mormonism, however, is much deeper than just the historic significance of a Kansas City-area Temple. Temples are important in Mormonism because of the belief and practice of proxy ordinances for the dead that happen in the Temple ceremony. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, said, “The greatest responsibility in this world that God has laid upon us is to seek after our dead” (History of the Church, 6:313). One important proxy rite that takes place in the Mormon Temple is Baptism for the Dead whereby Mormons believe that via proxy baptism they can grant the deceased a second chance to believe the Mormon Gospel also known as the Restored Gospel or the Law of Eternal Progression.

Cult leader Tony Alamo interviewed by Julie Bandares on Fox News. . . . .

Cult leader, Tony Alamo, of the Tony Alamo Christian Ministries (formerly Alamo Christian Foundation) has been in the news quite a bit lately. In fact, he was just arrested this week. Like fellow cult leader, Warren Jeffs, of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), Alamo’s arrest is allegedly related to charges of sexual misconduct with minors.

Captured in this must see YouTube video, Julie Banderas of the Fox News Channel did a great job interviewing Alamo:

Alamo is notorious for among other things having kept his wife “on ice” for quite a while after her death in 1982. Interestingly, according to the Washington Times, Bill Clinton alludes to this incident about Alamo in his auto-biography, My Life:

“A couple of years later, he got involved with a younger woman. Lo and behold, God spoke to him again and told him Susan wasn't coming back after all, so he took her out of the glass box and buried her."

Cults expert, James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship, gives this brief synopsis of Alamo’s beliefs in his recently published book, The Concise Guide to Today’s Religions and Spirituality:

“Tony Alamo, leader of this group, has been imprisoned by authorities for alleged illegal activities. Teaches traditional Christianity is dead. Former followers have reported deplorable living conditions, mind control, and slave labor. Operates Music Square Church in TN, Holiness Tabernacle in Dyer, AR, and End Times Book is the publishing arm.”

Church of England to apologize to Charles Darwin . . . . . . .

The UK Telegraph reported on September 14 that the Church of England will offer an apology to Charles Darwin for their rejection of Darwinian Evolution. Of course this is not too surprising given that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has stated that Christian doctrine, specifically the doctrine of the Trinity, is offensive to Muslims, Islamic Sharia Law should be instituted in England, Creationism should not be taught in schools and that homosexuality is comparable to marriage. Given the compromise shown by the leadership of the church it is not surprising that there is a rift in the denomination.

According to the Telegraph, the statement from the Church of England will read,

“Charles Darwin: 200 years from your birth, the Church of England owes you an apology for misunderstanding you and, by getting our first reaction wrong, encouraging others to misunderstand you still. We try to practise the old virtues of 'faith seeking understanding' and hope that makes some amends.”

In addition to the apology to Darwin, the Church of England launched a website to promote Darwin’s views.

Evidently the leadership of the Church of England values political correctness more than doctrinal fidelity.

3rd Jewish Temple planned - furnishings, clothing, sacrificial lambs in place

A group of well-funded orthodox rabbis of The Temple Institute are already making plans to rebuild a third temple in Jerusalem right now. Many of the furnishings, the priestly garments, and sacrificial lambs are already in place – recreated to exact biblical specifications. For the first time in almost 2000 years, in 2008 they actually practiced slaughtering a lamb exactly as they planned to do once the temple is rebuilt. The Temple Institute says this about their purpose and the current Temple furnishings:

“The Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the Biblical commandment to build the Holy Temple of G-d on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem…. Our long-term goal is to do all in our limited power to bring about the building of the Holy Temple in our time…. The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which G-d commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our headquarters in Jerusalem. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple.”

The Temple Institute has posted in its website gallery of pictures of many of the furnishings including:

• the Ark of the Covenant
• the copper laver
• the Golden Crown of the High Priest

Israel National News reported on April 6, 2008

“The Jerusalem Magistrate's court ruled Friday that the Jewish Temple movement may, under state law, slaughter a sheep on Sunday as a “general rehearsal” for the renewal of the Pesach (Passover) sacrifice. The judge even called the effort "proper," but organizers have been summoned to appear at 1 PM in the District Court after an animal rights groups filed another last-minute suit.”

The Temple Institute says this of the sacrifice rehearsal:

“(2008) This year, for the first time in nearly two thousand years, the Temple Institute [reports that]... a one year old, flawless lamb was ritually prepared, slaughtered and tended to according to halachah (Jewish law), and the specific instructions concerning how such an offering would be made at the Holy Temple.”

As you can imagine, the Temple Institute is considered very controversial and their plans are upsetting to many Muslims who fear that the mosque at the Dome of the Rock is in danger. And news of the third Temple is very exciting to Jews and to Evangelicals!

32% of British Muslims say it’s acceptable to kill in the name of Islam. . . . .

On July 27 the UK Mail reported on the Islam on Campus survey by researchers of the Centre for Social Cohesion. The survey consisted of 1,400 students, 600 of them Muslims, at 12 universities with influential Islamic societies.

According to the survey:

• 32% justified killing in the name of religion if the religion was under attack

• 60% of students active in Islamic societies said killing in the name of religion can be justified

• 4% thought killing to promote religion was permissible

• 33% of Muslim students polled supported the introduction of a worldwide Caliphate based on Sharia law

• 58% of active members of campus Islamic Societies supported the idea of a worldwide Caliphate based on Islamic Sharia Law

The author of the report, Hannah Stuart, said: “These findings are deeply alarming. Students in higher education are the future leaders of their communities, yet significant numbers of them appear to hold beliefs which contravene liberal, democratic values. These results are deeply embarrassing for those who have said that there is no extremism in British universities.” Stuart also noted that government authorities should be wary about treating university Islamic societies as representative because their members appeared to be more extreme than other Muslim students.

Interestingly, on August 21 the UK Telegraph reported that the British intelligence service, MI5, leaked the results of a study done by its behavioral science unit. According to the Telegraph, MI5’s general conclusion from its study is two-fold:

1. The most pressing threat to the UK is Islamic extremists.
2. It is impossible to profile a “typical” British terrorist.

According to the Telegraph, MI5 also found these specific aspects of British terrorists:

• Diverse collection of individuals, fitting no single demographic profile, nor do they all follow a typical pathway to violent extremism.

• They are mostly British nationals, not illegal immigrants, and most are religious novices. Those over 30 are just as likely to have a wife and children as to be loners with no ties, the research shows.

• They were no more likely to have mental illness and come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

• While most are male, women are often aware of their husband's and sons activities but do nothing to stop them.

• Most over-30s have steady relationships and children, challenging the idea that terrorists are young men driven by sexual frustration and lured to ‘martyrdom’ by the promise of beautiful virgins waiting for them in paradise.

Interestingly, MI5 concluded that the most pressing British threat is Islamic extremists and the Centre for Social Cohesion found that British college students were alarmingly more extreme in their views than previously thought.

2,100-year-old wall around Jerusalem discovered

A fascinating archaeological discovery was made in Jerusalem recently! Israeli archaeologists unearthed a Jerusalem perimeter wall dating back to 70 AD. Apparently this is the wall that the Romans went through when they sacked Israel and destroyed the Temple. The 10.5 foot tall wall is one mile larger in circumference than the present wall around Jerusalem’s old city.

Full story: Jerusalem dig uncovers 2,100-year-old city wall

Bill Maher says his ultimate message is ignorance……

Evidently comedian Bill Maher is proclaiming himself the standard bearer and evangelist for ignorance. Maher appeared on the August 19 Larry King Live show to promote his new movie, Religulous, due out in October. In a stunning display of absurdity Maher stated his “ultimate message,”

“And, you know, that is my ultimate message. Unless a god told you personally what happens when you die, it all came from another person with no more mental powers than you have, and you don't know. So just man up and say, ‘I don't know.’”

For Maher to proudly advance a message of ignorance while being notorious for calling religious people stupid is breathtakingly irrational and leads me to wonder if he thinks at all before he speaks. Furthermore, it seems to me that an agnostic should be more of a spectator than an evangelist, but I digress.

Amidst his crusade of advancing ignorance, Maher has come to this conclusion:

“if the universe begins at a certain point, what was before the universe? Nothing…..we can't contemplate that, because nothing is something. See, there may be answers. I'm not saying that there isn't something out there. I'm not strictly an atheist. An atheist is certain there's no god.” (emphasis added)

This is rich. An evangelistic agnostic says, “nothing is something.” Wouldn’t the implication of this convoluted idea be that something is nothing? Again I digress! I’ll get back on point now. Seriously, with statements like this it is hard to believe that Maher has given any serious thought to the issues he so routinely and viciously attacks. If Maher is the left’s agent for intellectually assaulting Christianity then Christianity is clearly not in any danger.

Maher further displayed absurdity with this one,

“It's just the ultimate hustle. It's just ‘pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.’ You know, why can't they, I always ask -- I asked Jesus at Holy Land, ‘Why can't God just defeat the devil and get rid of evil?’ You know, and it's the same reason the comic-book character can't get rid of his nemesis. Then there's no story. If God gets rid of the devil -- and he could, he's all powerful -- well, then there's no fear. There's no reason to come to church. There's no reason to pass the plate. We're all out of a job. You know, it's got to go on.”

If he thinks religion is a “hustle” why is he on Larry King Live promoting his movie about religion? If it weren’t for religion Maher would be out of a very lucrative job. So who’s really hustling who?

Maher went on to make this statement that I was glad to see,

“I was impressed with how hard it is to make a movie, and it altered my thinking about ever wanting to make another one.”

Hopefully, Maher will forever remain true to his altered thinking.

If you would like to see the interview or read the transcript:

CNN Video

CNN Transcript

EXCLUSIVE: Tim LaHaye clarifies his Washington Times quote on Mitt Romney

On July 29 the Washington Times ran a piece on the Evangelical response to Mitt Romney possibly becoming John McCain’s running mate. One Evangelical leader quoted in the piece was Dr. Tim LaHaye, co-author of the famous Left Behind novels. The paper attributed this quote to LaHaye,

“We [Evangelicals] aren't against Mormonism, but Romney is not a thoroughgoing evangelical and his flip-flopping on issues is understandable in a liberal state like Massachusetts, but our people won't understand that."

Read the full article here: Evanglicals warn against Romney on ticket

Concerned that the quote could be misconstrued –specifically with regard to whether or not Romney is Evangelical– LaHaye thought it best to clarify his position. In a phone interview with Watchman Fellowship on August 1, he succinctly clarified his position with this statement,

“I think Romney’s strong family values are commendable, but in my view, if he were the Vice Presidential nominee he would not inspire the enthusiastic support of Evangelicals behind McCain. And it is on that basis that I do not recommend Romney as a running mate for John McCain. That said I do not oppose Romney because of his religion, but because of his inability to light the enthusiasm of thousands of Evangelical Pastors to urge their members to become registered, informed, and out to vote on Election Day, the way he could if he were an Evangelical.”

Clearly, Dr. LaHaye does not believe nor did he intend to convey the notion that either Mitt Romney or Mormonism is Evangelical.

21% of Atheists believe in God

According to a recent Pew report, not only do 21% of Atheists believe in God, but 6% of Atheists believe God is personal. Perhaps this segment of the Atheist community is hedging their bets so to speak. The graphic to the right gives you Pew's breakdown on the issue of the concept of God. You can also click on the graphic to see the complete report.

Southern Gospel Singer Denounces the Trinity and Deity of Christ

Southern gospel singer, Joel Hemphill, 8-time Dove Award winner and '07 Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee is the center of controversy due to his views on the Trinity and the deity of Christ. He has drawn criticism from Dr. Robert Sumner of The Biblical Evangelist, James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries, Dr. Rick Watson of Columbia Evangelical Seminary and James Kieferdorf who is the original whistleblower on this story.

Hemphill says God gave him a message in 1986. Below is a comparison of a statement from the message and Hemphill's subsequent statements. Notice the contradiction.

God’s Message to Hemphill

“God said, '...I am the Lord God of the Mighty Hosts, the great King, soon coming back in majesty as the Bridegroom to receive a bride that has made herself ready,’ and He wanted to be presented in that manner.” (http://www.thehemphills.com/messagefromgod.html)

Hemphill’s Statements

• “the doctrine of the Trinity is Biblically naked.....” (http://www.trumpetcallbooks.com/trinity_truth.html)
• “Jesus is not... the second person of a triune God, a pre-existent being...” (http://www.trumpetcallbooks.com/trinity_truth.html)
• “Does Jesus have a God? Yes....” (http://www.trumpetcallbooks.com/Jesus_God.html)
• “Jesus is not God Himself in human flesh......” (http://www.trumpetcallbooks.com/emmanuel.html)

Evidently Hemphill does not adhere to the1986 message because it refers to Jesus' divinity. Jesus is the Bridegroom of the bride (the Church) and is the One who is coming back in majesty. Not only are Hemphill’s views contrary to historic biblical Christianity, but his statements contradict his own information.

Watchman Fellowship cited in Fox News Channel story on the theology of Oprah

Evangelical concerns about the theology of Oprah Winfrey was reported earlier yesterday on the Fox News Channel. Watchman Fellowship was cited and part of our video clip “The Gospel of Oprah” was aired in the report along with several other Christian ministries. To see the story click on the Fox News Video picture.

One Way or Many Ways? The Gospel According to Oprah

Watchman Fellowship has a video clip of Oprah Winfrey discussing Jesus and salvation on her TV show. To see the video clip click on the picture to the right.

Watchman Fellowship article on Oprah Winfrey: http://www.wfial.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=artNewAge.article_1

What's this? Now they claim a resurrection before Jesus

I read a recent piece on WorldNetDaily titled “What’s This? Now they claim a resurrection before Jesus.” From what I understand, similar stories also appeared in the Fort Worth Star Telegram and the Dallas Morning News.

According to a scholar who has studied the ancient relic mentioned in the story, the New Testament account of Christ’s resurrection is confirmed as a myth due to this particular relic and therefore will be a shocking challenge to Christian theology.

It's amazing to me that some scholars are so eager to reject the New Testament -in particular Christ and His claims- that they will base their conclusions on an incomplete relic. Since so much of New Testament history has been confirmed via archaeology it seems more logical to grant it the credibility it deserves. Furthermore, I don't see how it's logical to conclude that since there might have been another resurrection "story" that some how that makes the New Testament account untrue. It seems absurd to me.

Link to the article: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=68924

Dr. Gary Habermas of Liberty University has written a response to this titled, "'Gabriel's Vision' and the Resurrection of Jesus." You can read it here: http://www.garyhabermas.com/articles/gabrielsvision1/gabrielsvision.htm

President of Watchman Fellowship, James Walker, interviewed about polygamous cult, FLDS

Cult expert, James Walker, who is the President of Watchman Fellowship, recently was interviewed on Good Day on Dallas' FOX affiliate, KDFW-FOX 4 News. The 3-5 minute interview was on the polygamous group, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS). If you'd like to see the interview click on the picture.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormon Church - Fastest Growing Church Bodies in America and Canada

According to the National Council of Churches 2008 Yearbook of Churches report, Jehovah’s Witnesses, who rank 25th in size among U.S. churches, reported the largest increase in membership since the publication of the 2007 Yearbook: 2.25 percent, with 1,069,530 members. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grew 1.56 percent to 5,779,316 members. Other bodies in the top 25 churches that reported membership increases were the Southern Baptist Convention (0.22 percent, to 16,306,246 members), …the Roman Catholic Church (0.87 percent to 67,515,016 members) and the Assemblies of God (0.19 percent to 2,836,174 members).

Link to the report: http://www.ncccusa.org/news/080215yearbook1.html

Mormon Apologist Defends the Book of Mormon

This is a clip of a Mormon apologist speaking at an annual Mormon apologetics conference on the Book of Mormon. The clip is about 4 minutes long or so. The clip gives you a glimpse of how the LDS Church attempts to defend the Book of Mormon.

Salt Lake Tribune article, “Single word change in Book of Mormon speaks volumes”

The Book of Mormon has experienced over 4,000 changes since its publication in 1830. A recent change, however, has caused much controversy. In fact, the recent change is likely due to a controversy that has been raging for a few years now regarding the fact that DNA evidence contradicts LDS Church’s belief that Native Americans are of Jewish descent.

Link to the article: http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/28213

I highly recommend the DVD, “DNA vs. The Book of Mormon.” Click on the image to see a description of the DVD.