Recovering the Church's Moral Vision

The Unformed Conscience of Evangelicalism - Recovering the Church’s Moral Vision

In this book the Author takes an in-depth look at the state of Evangelicalism and Christianity as a whole on the subject of Moral and Ethical Issues within the Church. He handles the most avoided topics of vice and virtue, and sets out to discover why the evangelical conscious is mostly unformed and suggest we need improvement on responsible moral, ethical and doctrinal thinking.

The Author J. Daryl Charles cites that the Church has moved from a biblical model of Christian teaching to a Therapeutic model. He mentions modern psychology’s infusion into the Church as contributing to the breakdown of moral and ethical standards that have long been held by the Christian Church.

In each chapter several words, such as Freedom, justice, etc. are examined in the light of Scripture and their meanings. He stresses the need for a good foundation of doctrine and a knowledge of Christian theology is needed in the Christian’s life to counteract error. This book was enjoyable to read and thought provoking.

InterVarsity Press - http://www.ivpress.com/

Author J. Daryl Charles

ISBN - 0-8308-2691

 Reading / Review Date: February 23, 2007

Copyright © 2002

Spellbound

Spellbound - Marcia Montenegro



Amazon.com  



Due to the increase amount of TV programs with occult themes and content that may be influencing your kids such as Medium, Ghost Whisperer, and Heroes, etc, and a broad selection of other programs with paranormal themes in primetime TV, as well as teen books, video games, fantasy games and movies, this book will be a valuable resource for Christian parents. This book also covers celebrity psychics that claim to be Christians.



In discussing these popular shows the author writes that these programs have the ability to influence your children’s worldview and religious beliefs. This author gives a biblical evaluation of occult practices and themes from today’s most popular TV programs, teen books and video games your children or their friends may be watching. At the end of each chapter is a list of questions you can discuss with your kids to help improve their discernment skills.

Marcia Montenegro is a former professional astrologer and was involved in paranormal New Age practices.  She was compelled by the intense love of Jesus to give up occult practices and turn to him as her Lord and Savior.  She understands the appeal and dangers of the paranormal and now lectures around the country and on radio. Her ministry website is:  Christian Answers for the new age.

Copyright © 2006
Published by Cook Communications Ministries - www.CookMinistries.com/LifeJourney

Author: Marcia Montenegro - website: CANA

ISBN: 10: 0-7814-4360-1

　

Fool's Gold ? : Discerning Truth in an Age of Error

 Discerning Truth in an Age of Error - Test all Things

Grace to You 　

 

In an age of open-mindedness, many believers accept too much, using little discernment resulting in confusion. False teaching and trends need to be evaluated for their soundness. 1 Thess 5:21, 1 John 4:1.

This book is a collection of essays from various authors that encourage the reader to have a miner’s discrimination and fortitude applied to discerning truth from error. Returning to the authority of Scripture is stressed, which is much needed today. Sound biblical teaching is in short supply and this book was a refreshing find.

Detecting a spiritual counterfeit requires discipline. Titus 1:9 says; “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”

Each chapter of this book addresses a different subject on trends and false teaching. Part Two titled: Practicing discernment in your local bookstore was one of the most helpful sections of the book. An evaluation of four popular best-selling books are biblically discerned by the writers with Scripture. The concluding chapter gives practical and biblical instruction on applying discernment by the sufficiency of Scripture. God’s Word is an anchor in our faith, and it provides instruction on how to evaluate and test - every spiritual message we receive and discern between trends, traditions and truth. This book will equip you with a solid foundation for which to exercise the practice of biblical discernment.

Some of the authors who contributed individual chapters in this book are: Nathan Busenitz, Phil Johnson, Daniel Gillespie, Rick Holland, Carey Hardy, Kurt Gebhards, Dan Dumas.

John MacArthur is pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California and president of The Master’s College and Seminary. He is the author and editor of many books. John MacArthur can be heard on “Grace to You” radio program which broadcasts daily across the country on nearly 300 stations.

Grace to you website-  www.gty.org

Copyright © 2005 by the Shepherd’s Fellowship

Published by Crossway Books - www.crossway.com

ISBN- 1-58134-726-X

Can be ordered from Grace to You  resource page

Reading / Review Date: February 2007

　

Who are you to Judge?



Christianbook.com

 Who are you to Judge? - Erwin Lutzer

This is a book about Discernment. It is every Christian’s responsibility to discern truth from error. Hebrews 5:14 tells us that we must have our senses trained to discern good and evil. It is common in some churches today that doctrine is seen as an enemy of ’unity’. But is this really the truth?

Today, Truth has become subjective and disconnected from Facts, so in matters of religion and morality, truth becomes; whatever a person says it is. Evil is denied and truth is whatever happens to work, this reflects the relativism of our day. The Christian should be concerned with what God has already revealed in His word, not with our preferences or popular opinion. Our responsibility as members of the church is to distinguish biblical Christianity apart from counterfeit spirituality and the world’s values.

Erwin Lutzer covers the most well-known verses on Judging that are mistakenly use wrongly. Christian doctrines today are seen as too divisive, too narrow, and not nice enough. A good knowledge of biblical doctrine is what helps us determine not only truth from error, but also how to determine false teachings. This book is helpful and valuable, and will build you up in the truth.

Erwin Lutzer has been Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 29 years. He is also a featured speaker on Moody Broadcast Network daily radio broadcast, “Running to Win” and is the author of many Christian books.

Copyright © 2002

Published by Moody Publishers - http://www.moodypublishers.com/

Author: Erwin Lutzer

ISBN: 080240906-7

Christianbook.com

Reading / Review Date: January 2007 

The Truth About Tolerance

The Truth about Tolerance - Brad Stetson and Joseph G. Conti

What this book offers is a comprehensive evaluation of tolerance in our society and then gives a Christian view how truth and tolerance is determined from a biblical perspective. The authors survey the social and political characteristics of tolerance, and then give the reader the biblical definition with practical ways for the Christian to apply genuine tolerance.

These authors examine pluralism and secular liberalism’s affect on the Christian and on the Church as a whole. They get to the root source of popular culture’s definition of tolerance and unity and help the reader understand the importance of the issues at stake.

Copyright © 2005

Published by InterVarsity Press

Author: Brad Stetson and Joseph G. Conti

ISBN: 0-8308-2787-0

Can be ordered from - Christianbooks.com

Reading / Review Date: January 28, 2007

A Good Reference Book

Compact Dictionary of Doctrinal Words - Terry L. Miethe

A  helpful reference dictionary to have in your home library.  There are over 550 theological concepts briefly explained.

This book is especially useful for personal Bible study or research of words and their doctrinal meaning. An excellent resource to own.

Bethany House Publishers

Author - Terry L. Miethe

ISBN - 0-87123-678-8

Christianbook.com  

Copyright © 1988

Reading / Review Date: 2006

Redefining truth and morality

The New Tolerance - by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler

This is an excellent book on the ‘New Tolerance’, a cultural movement that is aggressively being promoted in news programs and in print today. The author communicates clearly what is happening, and how Christians can be prepared with a biblical response.

Believers in Christ need to read this book and be aware of the current effects of this movement upon your children’s education, the workplace, marriage & family life, and even your Church, and Pastor’s that either promote it or will protect you from it. Entertainment and media is a most powerful source of indoctrination for the ‘New Tolerance.”

Josh McDowell and Hostetler explain what “Tolerance” means in today’s postmodern culture, this he writes, is vastly different from the dictionary’s definition, and he also write how the ‘new tolerance’ veers from the biblical instruction of tolerance written about in the Bible. The authors clarify the various definitions, and give a thorough description, as well as include in the book a helpful overview comparison chart.

The ‘New Tolerance’ seeks ‘approval’ and ‘acceptance’ of behaviors that were once biblically consider to be sin. A person who accepts the new tolerance believes---his behavior or lifestyle represents (who the person is), therefore, to name any sort of behavior as a Sin is considered intolerant.

The authors explain the increased acceptance of the new tolerance is consistent with the loss of “Ethical theism” in our culture. Ethical theism is the belief that: right and wrong are absolute and unchangeable, communicated to people from God through the Bible. God’s instructions are replaced, and knowledge and human accomplishments are elevated to a position of new moral standards and truth.

This book will help you to understand the new tolerance and equip you to counter it’s effects on you faith, your family and your church.
 

Copyright © 1998
The New Tolerance by Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc  http://tyndale.com/00_Home/index.php

ISBN: 0-8423-7088-9

This book can be purchased at: Christianbook.com


Reading / Review Date: December 2006

The New Tolerance - Josh McDowell

SEE VIDEO HERE: http://youtu.be/54sLOA3FKZE

 

 

Marketing Madness

The Marketing of Evil - By David KuPelian

If you are wondering why America is changing so rapidly, then this is the book for you. Why are Millions of people today accept ideas and behaviors that would of horrified all past generations? The Author David Kupelian explains through his research and observation of cultural trends, how he sees evil being marketed to an undiscerning public. He demonstrates perfectly how various campaigns are at the root source. People are abandoning moral and traditional values at lightening speed, and are bowing to marketing gurus that pitch the latest trends for whatever agenda is the hot topic.

Kupelian brings to light how popular culture is dictating the moral climate of our nation and how this is affecting the Church and God‘s people. He writes how an aggressive promotion of ‘Tolerance’ is being used to advance approval of many trends in American life and shows how a shift in people’s mindset and thinking in our culture is happening as a result. Once you have read this book your eyes will be opened to what is happening.

This book was descriptive, sometimes overly so. Chapter 1 was eye-opening on Homosexuality and the uses of marketing in all forms of media, showing an effort to sway public support. This book really give beneficial information and will help Christians to make wise choices on some of today’s most pressing issues. Recommended Reading.

David Kupelian is the managing editor of WorldNetDaily.com one of the world’s largest independent news Web sites. In addition, Kupelian is a widely read online columnist of one of the world’s largest independent news Web sites.

Copyright © 2005

WND Books Cumberland House Publishing: http://wndbooks.wnd.com/

 ISBN: 1-58182-459-9

The book can be purchased at: Christianbook.com

Reading / Review Date: December 14, 2006 

A Good Biblical Defense

The Truth Behind Ghosts, Medium’s & Psychic Phenomena - Ron Rhodes






Christianbook.com

 

 In this excellent book by author Ron Rhodes, he gives an exceptional biblical refutation and defense and gives biblical reasons why Christians and non-Christians alike should be highly discerning of what Psychics are promoting and teaching people to believe from their books and TV appearances.

A few of the questions addressed in this book are: Do ghosts in any shape or form exist?  Why is there a rise in psychic phenomena today?  What do psychics believe about God, Jesus, and salvation?  What is Satan’s role with the paranormal? How can parents protect their family from the psychic trend? These questions and more are answered.

The Occult and psychic phenomena have always been forbidden from the Bible, (Deut. 18:10-13), yet today we are seeing an absolute acceleration of interest in psychics, ghosts, the supernatural, and the Paranormal.  In the author’s observation of these trends Rhodes refers to “The 1960’s brought a massive invasion of Eastern Philosophy into the West…this openness to Eastern Religions was largely a reaction against traditional western values,”

What Psychics are promoting, Ron Rhodes warns, is ‘Another Gospel’ and is not in accord to the teachings in Scripture. In the book a few popular Psyichics are featured. You may have seen these Psychic’s books in Christian book sections of popular bookstores and other retailers, that is because some psychics say they are Christian, but what they believe is far from Christian theology and what is taught in the Bible. 

 Ron Rhodes is president of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries, and is heard on nationwide radio. He is well-known as a writer and researcher of Christian articles and travels extensively as a  Conference Speaker and Lecturer and is the author of many Christian books.  He holds a Th.M. and Th.D degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Ron Rhodes is well known for his work in Apologetic Ministry. Visit  - Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministry website at: http://www.ronrhodes.org/Ministry.html

Copyright © 2006

Published by Harvest House Publishers - http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/  

Author: Ron Rhodes

ISBN: 13: 978-0-7369-1907-4

Can be order from: Christianbook.com

Review Date: February 2007  

Christianizing Yoga



Buy book from Berean Call

Yoga and the Body of Christ: What Position Should Christians Hold?

Many Christians are ignoring yoga’s spiritual roots in Hinduism and eastern religions. This book goes into the deeper spiritual issues for the Christian to make an informed decision on this subject.

The author gives an account of yoga’s history and practices with compelling research and analysis of yoga. In some forms of yoga, (such as Hatha and Kundalini) occult dangers may befall those who practice it. The author cites; that with increased numbers of people practicing yoga and (eastern) meditation through ‘altered states; ‘self-realization’, and ‘spiritual awakening’, terrifying experiences are being reported. Every Christian should be informed of the true origins and effects of the practice of yoga

In this book by Dave Hunt, he challenges the scientific claims used to support the practices of yoga, giving in-depth details of it’s spiritual roots, it’s relationship to reincarnation, and also cites hidden abuses. Although yoga promises peace, healing and wholeness to those who practice it, in fact, it’s based on the worship of, and prepares participants for supernatural connection with) unholy spirits that manifest in dangerous ways. Dave Hunt is warning Christians to be discerning and instructs the reader that the spiritual deception behind Yoga is comparable to the seductive lie of the serpent’s promise to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:5.

Dave Hunt is a best-selling author and researcher and lecturer, whose works have been translated into more than 40 languages. Over 4 million copies of his books have been sold.  Dave Hunt also challenges listeners on the weekly radio program 'Search the Scriptures Daily' heard on over 350 stations nationwide. Visit the Ministry website "The Berean Call" at:  http://www.thebereancall.org/

Copyright © 2006

Published by the Berean Call -  by Author: Dave Hunt

ISBN: 1-928660-48-7

Reading / Review Date: October 19, 2006

Revolution

Christianbooks.com:

Revolution - George Barna

George Barna is not fuzzy about what he defines in the book ‘Revolution’. But after reading it, the question still stands--is this a biblically sound direction that believers should embrace? Although the author George Barna gives some essentials, it is still describing a redefined Christianity.

In summary, from the back cover, the book claims to examine the state of the church today and to document how and why a new brand of devout revolutionaries are abandoning and leaving the local church while attempting to become the Church that Christ commissioned.

But, you don’t fine statistical examples in the book about the many Christian believers who were asked to leave their church if they didn’t adhere to the ‘seeker-sensitive’ programs and changes taking place, or how may born again committed Christians were ostracized for verbalizing biblical and theological concerns with the model of church their churches were emulating due to the popularity of the Purpose-driven books and church growth programs. These changes coming into Churches continued to mutate into what is being called the Emergent Church movement.

At the end of the book, the author lists ‘Recommended resources for ‘Revolutionaries’ and the list reveals---Emergent Church leaders and Authors such as Brian McLaren and L.Sweet, and websites favorable to the Emergent Movement.

The purpose-driven movement and now the Emerging Movement have brought BIG changes into the majority of America’s Churches that not every Christian agrees with. Trying to discuss these concerns with a Pastor brought serious consequences for us and  some Christians mark them as troublemakers, and some were labeled as disrupting the unity of the body and they are forced to leave.

It seems to group all these committed Christians into a ‘Revolution’ with the same motives as those written about in his book, isn’t realistic or entirely right. A careful theological approach is needed in reading this book; it is too easy to get swept-up in the hype and emotional appeal of the message in the book, without carefully examining it to Scripture.

George Barna is well-known for being a Pollster and researcher in the evangelical church. He is founder and directing leader of the Barna Group. George Barna has written over 35 books.

Copyright © 2005  -  George Barna

Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

ISBN 13-978-1-4143-0758-9

The Marks of a Cult

The Marks of a Cult - David Breese

It seems that in our day, many forget what the Bible says about false prophets and false teachers in 2 Peter 2: 1-3   This book was released in 1998, and still serves very well as a excellent book for anyone who may be searching for answers as to what a cult is, and what the danger signs may be. The author’s writing is excellent in it’s description of a cult.

As an example, here is a quote from the book in chapter 1 entitled: Why cults prosper: “A Cult is a religious perversion. It is a belief and practice centered in false doctrine in the world of religion that calls for devotion to a religious ‘view’ or ‘leader’. It is an organized heresy. A cult may take many forms, but it is basically a religious movement that distorts or warps orthodox faith to the point where truth becomes perverted into a lie.”

David Breese writes it is impossible to define a cult except in contrast to the absolute standard of the teachings of Holy Scripture.” Each chapter gives a biblical sound definition of what a cult is. This book is an essential that Christians should know to inoculate themselves from false teaching. “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall way from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1)

© 1998

Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR

ISBN - 1-56507-818-7

Review Date: August 2006

Coping With The Cults

Coping with the Cults - Lorri MacGregor



MM Outreach order page



This book will help prepare you to identify a cult from a Christian perspective. You will also learn how scriptures are twisted, and misrepresented and will be able to give a biblical answer. There is an excellent appendix at the end of the book on various groups and what they think of Christ and a chapter on how to witness effectively to cults. We have found this book to be a valuable resource.

Lorri and Keith MacGregor have been in full-time ministry since 1979 and their experience is reflected in her writing as she gives answers to some of the most misunderstood aspects of the cults. If you are looking for an easy to read quick reference guide on cults, this small book will equip you to defend the gospel and expose false teaching. We highly recommend this book for bible study groups as well as for personal study. Please vist the website for information about the ministry and To order visit MM Outreach order page

Copyright © 1997

Published by MacGregor Ministries

Coping with the Cults - Practical Insight for Concerned Christians

Lorri MacGregor

Website: MM Outreach Inc.  http://mmoutreach.org/

ISBN - 1-895605-24-5

Review Date: July 2006

Scripture Twisting

Scripture Twisting -20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible by James W. Sire



How often have you encountered some bizarre doctrine only to be stunned to hear a Bible verse used to support it? How are they able to twist Scripture to mean something orthodox Christians never believed it to mean?   This book is a must read for every Christian. James W. Sire has given the Christian a most useful tool as to the “20 ways Cults misread the Bible“. You will see how cults twist and Misread the Scriptures. You will learn how to detect a counterfeit gospel, as well as how to read the Bible for yourself. This is a 177 page book that packs a lot of information into it’s pages.  

The book also covers several worldviews. James W. Sire has isolated twenty separate kinds of reading errors which are characteristically made by cultists as they interpret the Bible. He covers simple misquotation to complex argumentation and more. This book will help safeguard you and your family from deception. It was exceptionally helpful to me after discovering a loved one was drawn into an unbiblical belief system. This book should be in every Christian’s library, and should be given to every new Christian believer.  

James W. Sire holds a Ph.D in English from the University of Missouri, Columbia and is editor of InterVarsity Press.

Published by InterVarsity Press  http://www.ivpress.com/

Copyright © 1980

Scripture Twisting -20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible - James W. Sire

ISBN - 0-87784-611-1 holds a Ph.D in English from the University of Missouri, Columbia and is editor of InterVarsity Press.

Christianbook.com: Scripture Twisting

Review Date: June 2006

The Vanishing Word

The Vanishing Word - The Veneration of Visual Imagery in the Postmodern World - Arthur W. Hunt III  



 In our technologically advanced age the value of the written word is being lost. Arthur W. Hunt III reveals that we have entered a high-tech version of the Dark Ages, but he admits he is not the first to do so. He shows how the Judeo-Christian heritage is characteristically word-dependent, and contrasts this with Paganism, which typically has been image-dependent. The book shows how the Dark Ages of Europe illustrate what can happen when a culture lapses from the written word, and that image has supplanted the word, causing pagan forms to return.

The Bible calls Babylon “the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication” Revelation 17:1,2. Spiritually, Babylon is the relentless competitor of revealed religion and strives to change the truth of God into a lie, by idolizing the creature over the Creator (Romans 1:25). The term mystery Babylon is allegorical for the political religious systems of ancient Egypt, Canaan, Assyria, Greece, and Rome all of which bowed to the image.

The Author shows the reader examples of this by giving a historical account of how this is leading our present society into Idolatry and Paganism. The devaluation of the written word is leaving people defenseless against counterfeits and leaves them open for whatever trend comes along. This book takes a close examination of our media saturated culture.

This book is a clear warning that the church is being cut off from its word-based heritage. We are open to abuse by those who exploit the image but neglect the Word. Thoughtful readers will find this a challenging call to be critical about the images bombarding our senses and to affirm that “the Word is everything.”

© 2003
Published by Crossway Books   http://www.crossway.org/   
The Vanishing Word - Arthur W. Hunt III
ISBN 1-58134-404-X
Christianbook.com: The Vanishing Word

Review Date: June 2006