Charismatic Chaos

The charismatic movement has made an impact on the church unparalleled in history. But one legacy of the movement is confusion and mushy thinking. In Charismatic Chaos, John MacArthur calls for biblical evaluation and analyzes the doctrinal differences between charismatics and non-charismatics in the light of Scripture.

 

"My principal concern," writes MacArthur, "is to call the church to a firm commitment to the purity and authority of the Scriptures, and thereby to strengthen the unity of the true church." To tough questions that seem to divide, Charismatic Chaos provides tougher answers that strive to unite. This book tackles such questions as:

Is experience a valid test of truth?
Does God still give revelation?
Prophets, fanatics, or heretics?
Does God still heal?
What should we think of the Signs and Wonders movement?
Does the Bible promise health and wealth?

This Book can be purchased at Christianbook.com

PuBlisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: 1993
ISBN: 0310575729
ISBN-13: 9780310575726

Contending for the Faith

From the cover: “Recent years have seen an explosion of independent ministries claiming apostolic and prophetic offices. These new apostles and prophets are claiming the Church must come under their authority and direction in order to fulfill her end-time purpose. New doctrines and practices are being introduced into the Body at an alarming rate.

This book examines the claims and doctrines of the new apostles and prophets in the light of Biblical revelation and offers a response for the discerning Christian. “ Recommended Reading. One of the best new books on the subject.

 

“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ…These are wandering starts for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Jude 3,4,12

This Book can be purchased Here: Amazon.com
 

Keith Gibson has served in Christian ministry for more than 27 years. He is the founding pastor of Word of Life Community Church. He also serves as the Kansas City Director for the Apologetics Resource Center. He and his wife Doreen have been married over 26 years and have five children.

Title: Wandering Stars
Publisher: Solid Ground Christian Books
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 978-159925-317-4 

 

See Other Reviews of this Book:

Gary Gilley’s Book Review

MM Outreach Book Review of Wandering Stars - Newsletter order information http://mmoutreachinc.com/nv/nv102ad-inc.html

Psycho Heresy - Revised & Expanded

Amazon

Almost everywhere one turns in the church one sees psychology. The psychologizing of Christianity has reached epidemic proportions. We see it everywhere in the church, from psychologized sermons to psychologized persons. However, the psychologizing of the church is neither biblically nor scientifically justifiable. Beneath all the biblical reasons why Christians should not pursue psychotherapy and its underlying psychologies is this one fact.

The use of psychotherapy and its underlying psychologies denies the sufficiency of Scripture for the issues of life normally taken to a psychotherapist. This book demonstrates the fact that psychological explanations about life and psychological solutions to life's problems are questionable at best, detrimental at worst, and spiritual counterfeits at least.

About the Author

Martin Bobgan holds four university degrees, including a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Colorado and heads PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries. Deidre Bobgan holds an M.A. degree in English from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. They have coauthored hundreds of articles and twenty books.

 

 

This book can be ordered from Amazon (See Link:

http://www.amazon.com/PsychoHeresy-Martin-Bobgan/dp/0941717232/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372836719&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Psycho+Heresy

 

 

Posted by: Sherry DuBois

The Suicide of American Christianity

 

American Christianity is dying a slow death at its own hands. Instead of positively affecting the secular culture, we are being infected by it under the guise of being "seeker-friendly" and "loving." Soon, the church may be an exact mirror of the culture that seeks to destroy us.

With a lack of strong, principled leaders, and with followers who want their ears tickled instead of being challenged to pursue righteousness, American Christianity is writing its own epitaph as it slowly dies. Unless we reverse course by embracing the complete, absolute truth of God's Word and stop trying to redefine God in our selfish human image, only a remnant will remain from a once-powerful church.

Do we have the courage to challenge our leaders and ourselves to reject secular culture and its influences? Or will we continue to die a slow death at our own hands as we continue to inhale the cancer of secular humanism? Time is running out.

Publisher: WestBow Press
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 1449750249
ISBN-13: 9781449750244

This Book can be purchased at Christianbook.com ( See Link:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=750244&event=AAI
 

A Christian Worldview

Anthony Selvaggio has written an interesting book on the modern-day effects of worldliness on the Christian. He does not just address outward behavior but speaks to the internal working worldliness has upon the heart. This I found unique. The short description in the foreword of the book I think sums it up best when he says: “While external behavior practices do matter, the real battle to avoid worldliness occurs internally, in our hearts and minds. While we have been consumed with external matters, worldliness has gained a foothold in our thought processes. Satan has been very successful in getting us to think like the world. This book is an effort to counter Satan’s attack on our minds. It’s a counterinsurgency aimed at thwarting the evil intentions of our adversary.”

The book outlines 7 toxic ideas and then addresses these concerns with scripture. The chapters I found most helpful and interesting were those that dealt with Consumerism and new Technology and it’s effect on our culture, the Christian and the church. Those who would most benefit from this book would be those 35 and under. He does a thorough examination of the 7 ideas he presents and how these ideas are opposite to a Christian worldview and explains why these toxic ideas are non-christian. A good short read.

Anthony T Selvaggio currently serves as a visiting professor of Biblical Studies at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA and is also Theologian in Residence at the Rochester Reformed Presbyterian Church in Rochester NY.

Publisher: P & R Publishing
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 1596381965
ISBN-13: 9781596381964

I received my copy from PFO Ministries. To order visit their website.
P.O. Box 26062 • Saint Louis, MO 63136-0062

Another Book Review of this book can be seen at : Ligonier Ministrieshttp://www.ligonier.org/blog/7-toxic-ideas-polluting-your-mind/

New Evangelicalism

New Evangelicalism and the Purpose Driven 

and Emergent Movement

In this book you will discover and learn that there has been an intentional departure from believing the Bible is Inerrant and trustworthy, and has plunged the church of the 21st century down the treacherous slippery slope of accommodation and compromise. Paul Smith carefully documents the sobering truth in this book.

Some of the questions that will be answered are:
Are there clear historical markers that identify this paradigm shift?

Why have so many evangelicals identified themselves as “new evangelicals”?

What is the relationship between Fuller Seminary, the Purpose Driven Church, and the Emergent Church Movement?

How is the Emergent Church push for globalization harmonizing with the new world order in these prophetic last days?

Paul Smith answers these questions with case studies and documentation of the events that lead up to where we are now. The author shows the progression of ideas that were birthed in aberrant church beliefs and it’s historical origin. Smith writes that New evangelicals learned about the word “dialectic” from Karl Barth and neo-orthodoxy, and is today used by Emergent churchmen. This decline was only possible when the inerrancy of the Bible, it’s absolute truth was no longer believed by church and influential seminary leaders.

 

 

We must not forget that the church rests on the twin sufficiency of : the inerrant word of God - the Bible and the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. We must stand firm always on these truths. Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Proverbs 30:5 and 2 Timothy 3:16,17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Publisher: Calvary Publishing
ISBN-10: 1597519774
ISBN-13: 978-1597519779

You can also order this book from: Olive Tree Ministries: www.olivetreeviews.org

See a review by Gary Gilley:  http://www.svchapel.org/resources/book-reviews/6-church-history/727-new-evangelicalism-by-paul-smith-costa-mesa-calvary-publishing-2011-215-pp-paper-1200

Twilight's Last Gleaming

Economic chaos, immorality, cultural decay, terrorism and global upheaval have convinced many that we are living in the twilight days of America. Dr. Robert Jeffress agrees, but he is quick to add a note of hope and challenge to be salt and light as God‘s children in this world. Twilight’s Last Gleaming makes the case that although we cannot prevent America’s eventual demise, we can delay it…and make a difference for eternity at the same time.

“So that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as light in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Phil 2:15,16

　

Publisher: Worthy Publishing
ISBN: 1936034581
ISBN-13: 9781936034581

Church History Essentials

Stephen J. Nichols is more than a storyteller. He is truly a teacher, presenting a winning apologia for the necessity of church history and the importance of the Reformation for today. The Reformation deals with difficult questions of unity, ecumenism, and pluralism, and---despite its playful tone---it considers these issues in the spirit of the Reformation. Accordingly, The Reformation also contains an appendix of source documents, including excerpts from the Ninety-Five Theses and significant confessions and catechisms.

　

"Professor Stephen Nichols is already well-known for his remarkable ability to make history live and sing. This new work is no exception and will simply enhance his well-deserved reputation. It is a scintillating helicopter tour of the amazing men---and wonderful women---of the Reformation. Here conviction joins with courage, holiness with humor, in a wonderful medley of Christian heroes and heroines. You will find reading this book a pleasure and a challenge-from beginning to end. But take note of this church history health warning---these pages may prove addictive!"

--Dr. Sinclair B. Ferguson, First Presbyterian Church of Columbia (SC)  Stephen J. Nichols is a professor at Lancaster Bible College and Graduate School. He earned a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary. He has written six books, most recently

Publisher: Crossway Books & Bibles
ISBN: 1581348290
ISBN-13: 9781581348293

Tim Challies review:
I love church history. I consider it absolutely tragic that so few contemporary Christians have any real sense of their heritage. They know a little bit of New Testament history, can list hundreds of today's best and worst teachers, but know almost nothing of the 2000 years between.

The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World is one of a long line of books authored by Stephen Nichols, professor at Lancaster Bible College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Nichols is a prolific author who seems to be releasing books with impressive regularity. To this point all of his books have centered on church history. He has written several works on Jonathan Edwards, one each on Martin Luther and Gresham Machen, and one providing a guided tour of classic Christian writing. This new title "goes behind the scenes and uncovers the human side of the larger-than-life Reformers through user-friendly narrative stories on the Reformation."
Read more:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3UU7JD7UGRUUG/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=1581348290&nodeID=283155&store=books

Psychology and the Church



For nearly two thousand years prior to the rise of modern psychiatry and psychotherapy, the church has ministered to believers experiencing mental, emotional, and behavioral problems by using the teachings of the Scriptures and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Contemporary Christianity’s embrace of psychology raises an important question: Was there an insufficiency on the part of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit during those two millennia that made it necessary for the church to turn to modern psychotherapy in order to more effectively address a Christian’s problems of living?

Crucial answers to that question will be the focus of this program, as we consider the influence of psychological counseling upon the church. In the history of contemporary Christendom, no secular enterprise has had such a profound influence on Christianity as has psychological counseling. The critical questions raised by these developments is: Have they been helpful or harmful to the body of Christ? T.A. McMahon, co-author of The Seduction of Christianity, is your host for this ground-breaking documentary. Featuring perspectives and insights of both Christian and secular experts including Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Tana Dineen and Dave Hunt, this powerful presentation exposes the roots—and results—of Christianity’s embrace of the beliefs of Freud, Jung, Rogers, Maslow and others.

 

PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries
Ministry Website: www.psychoheresy-aware.org
 

Thinking Christians Stand Firm in the Faith

Your Mind Matters

This book was refreshing, thoughtful and will stir your passion for God and His word. It will bring clarity and sense in how we are to use our minds as Christians in all phases of our life and witness. John Stott examines 6 areas in which the mind is absolutely necessary in: Christian living, worship, Faith, holiness, Christian guidance and Christian Evangelism.

In speaking of our evangelistic effort, the author addresses the need for the Christian witness that appeals to the whole person; to the heart, mind and will of a person, with the whole gospel; Christ incarnation, crucified, risen, reigning, coming again and more. It is upon these crucial areas, and appealing to the whole person that conviction and true lasting Faith is built. He gives examples from the Bible how this was done by Jesus, the Apostles and disciples.

Publisher's Description :

"Knowledge is indispensable to Christian life and service," writes John Stott. "If we do not use the mind which God has given us, we condemn ourselves to spiritual superficiality." While Christians have had a long heritage of rigorous scholarship and careful thinking, some circles still view the intellect with suspicion or even as contradictory to Christian faith. And many non-Christians are quick to label Christians as anti-intellectual and obscurantist. But this need not be so. In this classic introduction to Christian thinking, John Stott makes a forceful appeal for Christian discipleship that engages the mind as well as the heart.

Copyright © 2007
Publisher Inter-Varsity Press
ISBN 0830834087

Read/Reviewed October 2010

Christ-Centered Ministry

Christ-Centered Ministry  Versus   Problem-Centered Counseling

True knowledge and wisdom comes from God’s word the Bible, and gives us this precious promise in 1 Peter 1:3 “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” Since God is providing us “with everything pertaining to life and godliness,” then why are so many seduced into embracing the blending of psychology with Christianity?

This book reveals the origins, and the history of the psycho-therapy movement, and it’s impact on the church, and the errors that are found in problem-centered counseling which is regularly used and encouraged in churches today. The Authors explain the difference in Christ-centered Ministry and how it differs with problem-centered counseling. The Biblical counseling movement is a concept of integration of worldly psychological systems and theories which are being used by professing Christians, church counselors, and pastors today and while ignoring what the Bible tells us about such things. The Apostle Paul warned believers in Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

Much of the counseling/discipleship approach today - is a one up, one down method. Counseling involves 2 or more people conversing about problems with one being the so-called expert (Counselor - one up) who is expected to provide answers and solutions for the one in need (Counselee - one down) through a form of Talk Therapy). The goal becomes solving the problem rather than Spiritual Growth. The person or (counselee) becomes the center of attention and the problem more important than Biblical instruction found from the Scriptures and learning to keeping our focus on Christ.

Christ-centered Ministry relies on the work of the Holy Spirit in a Believers life. The Bible informs us that; problems of living are an opportunity for Spiritual Growth, growing in sanctification by denying Self. It also helps us recognize that God uses our sufferings and temptations to purify and mature us. Believers need to learn to come to Christ in their time of need, because only in Christ will they find His will for their lives and His way in each situation.

The Authors; Martin and Deidre Bobgan state in conclusion of chapter 3: “Every problem or trial is meant to conform us to the Image of Christ.

 

 

The Bobgans purpose in this Book is based on the preaching and teaching of the Word. This means the emphasis is on Christ and His work in the Believer through the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Body of Christ to the glory of God. This book is written to encourage those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and God’s Word to Stand Firm in the Faith and don’t compromise. Paul exhorted that your faith should not stand on the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:4,5

Martin Bobgan holds four college degrees, including a doctorate from the University of Colorado, and is president of PsychoHeresy Awareness Ministries. Deidre Bobgan holds an M.A. in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. They have coauthored numerous books and articles.

 

 

Copyright © 2004 Martin and Deidre Bobgan

Publisher EastGate Publishers

ISBN 0-941717-19-4

Read/Reviewed March 2006/2011

A helpful Resource on Spiritual Abuse

Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse - Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church

Some churches uses their spiritual authority to control and dominate others. This book is a valuable work on the subject. The Authors do a good job at giving the marks of false spiritual leadership and their impact on an individual and/or a congregation. This is a good resource to have.

Spiritual abuse seems to be on the rise and more pervasive these days. Performance-based Christianity and legalism is often replacing the gift of Salvation in Christ and many are not experiencing the grace that is clearly taught in the Bible. Matt 23:13 the author notes that the ones being rejected from “enter in” are not rebellious God-rejecters, but are the ones that are responding to God---and go to church, but when they get there, “they come under a false-basis of authority, heavy weights of legalistic, load-carrying, and external performance,”…they get a form of godliness void of power 2 Tim. 3:5. The author also shows how scriptures on submission are taken out of context and twisted.

No one needs to be in a cult to suffer under spiritual abuse. If you are a new believer or a longtime Christian follower of Christ, remember that God’s Word the bible will encourage you to stand firm in the faith and not be put into bondage - Galatians 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted and to bring peace and rest and hope for our souls in Him.  Recommended Read.

Copyright © 2005
Publisher Bethany House
ISBN: 0764201379

Reading/Review date: September 2010

A Different Gospel

The ''name it, claim it'' theology of the Word Faith Movement is presented as biblical---but is it? In this compelling book,

McConnell documents the historical link between faith theology and New Thought metaphysics.

He then analyzes faith theology's doctrines of healing and prosperity as well as its understanding of the atonement of Christ to show how they deviate from biblical teaching.

Copyright 1988/1995

Publisher:  Hendrickson Publishers ISBN: 1565631323 Read/Reviewed: 4/2001

A Theological Look at Emergent and Emerging

Why We're Not Emergent

One of the benefits in reading this book was the authors took the time to quote large portions of this movement’s leaders such as (Rob Bell, Dan Kimball, Tony Jones, Spencer Burke, Brian McLaren, and several others) and their writings to fully explain what emergent/emerging is, in this way, it gives the reader a more balanced and fair look at the movement being critiqued by DeYoung and Kluck.

In laying out the problems theologically, DeYoung and Kluck make 3 excellent observations in Chapter 1 - Is God Knowable?: 1) the authors state that Emergents question whether we can have any real accurate knowledge about God to begin with. They write emergent leaders are allowing the immensity of God to be swallow up His knowability, and say; “The first problem with the emergent view of journey is that it undermines the know ability of God (pg 35)    2). “With the emergent view of journey is that it suffers from an confusion of categories,” and also makes the well observed point, that “Emerging leaders equate uncertainty with humility. (excellent refutation by the authors is made on this emergent/emerging position). (pg.39)   3). “the third problem with the emergent view of journey is that it establishes doubt as the essence of faith.” (pg.49) Both emerging and emergent seem to have a lack of confidence in the Scriptures.

Our foundation as protestants since the reformation has always been on the Bible being foundational, from which is built upon first Christ (1 Cor. 3:11, and the apostles and prophets writings from the Bible, the non-repeatable foundation of the apostles and prophets that have been preserved for all times in Scripture. (the Bible) is the foundation for truth for the church. (pg.82)  This is what every Christian should, and what devoted followers of Christ do stand firm on.

 

 

The authors do an in-depth observation at who and what the emergent and emerging leaders are writing on blogs and putting in print in order to understand the movement. (pg 23). They have identified who the main emergent leaders are, and those who’s voices are highlighted as bringing forth what aligns with (some) of the views in the emerging conversation. If you can get through some of the heavy reading and philosophical bickering, this book could offer some key insight on what the emergent and emerging church actually is, and why there are many problems with it theologically. Keep standing firm on the truth revealed in Scripture.

Copyright © 2008

Publisher - Moody Publisher

ISBN: 10: 0-8024-5834-3

Reading Review Date: January 2010

Affirming and Important Reading

10 Lies about God: And the Truths That Shatter Deception

Purchased this book in October at our local Christian bookstore, and include it in the reviews here. We found this book to be excellent and important reading. It is one of the best books we’ve read this year, among some others. 

The book has ‘real’ answers for spiritual seekers, and for those who have questions about Christianity, or more importantly about God., and what the Bible teaches, and also what the Bible does not teach as well. Lutzer explores some answers that are given for God that reveal half-truths and deceptive beliefs. There is a lot of misconceptions and opinions about God, and how God deals with man. This book covers these questions.

Erwin Lutzer is an accomplished Author, Pastor and Bible teacher. He is biblical in his approach to the questions that most often come our way as Christians from unbelievers and people of other religions and faiths, and is well equipped to instruct, teach and give answers to the questions of people who do not believe in Christ as Savior of the world. The book is an exceptional volume that is an apologetic, as well as it is strengthening reading for the long-time or mature Christian.

The Author searches the deeper questions of our faith and aids the reader in being able to know the Savior, grow in discernment so you are able to stand firm in the faith, and equip your witness for Christ to be effective with well reasoned answers. (1 Peter 3:15). There is a study guide in the back, with questions that will assist the reader with questions for each chapter that will help you retain what you’ve read, and can also be useful as a helpful guide for churches and bible study groups.

Erwin W. Lutzer  has been Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago for over 30 years and has written numerous books. He is also featured speaker on Moody Network daily radio broadcast “Running to Win.” Running to win radio - http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/running-to-win/  and is the author of many Christian books.

Copyright © 2009 Erwin W. Lutzer

Publisher Kregel Books

ISBN - 978-0-8254-2945-3

Reading / Review Date: December 2009

Discerning the Prayer of Jabez

I Just want more Land

Bruce Wilkinson’s book “The Prayer of Jabez” hit the #1 best selling books in 2001 and captivated Christians everywhere. It was mass marketed in it’s success. Even years later, this little book is still being passed around and sold at church bookstores to a new generation that may have missed it’s exposure and the fad that hit the church starting years ago.

The author  examines the ‘Prayer of Jabez’ from the Scriptures used in the book (1 Chronicles 4:9,10) and gives it’s proper meaning, in context, and shows the discrepancy in Wilkinson’s interpretation of scripture, citing from his book. Gilley observes; that the Church is now experiencing the beginning of the fallout that came with the ‘abandonment of truth’ and instead have had a preference for experiences and success stories, and he warns the Church to return to thorough bible study and proper means of interpretation and rightly dividing the word.

The author writes in his book; “In order to become successful, the church-growth gurus have convinced us that we must go easy on truth and heavy on things the consumer desires, such as self-fulfillment, entertainment, and prosperity. Yet God’s church is to be the Pillar and support of the truth (1Timothy 3:15), not the place where people are told what they want to hear. The conservative church is becoming increasingly hollowed out as it exchanges it’s biblical purpose for one that is market-suggested. Many local congregations still have the outward shell that allow them to resemble Christ’s church, but the substance is gone, and in time they will collapse spiritually.” (pg. 53) Gilley’s plea in this book is---a return to Scripture and reading and studying the bible. The book offers an excellent section on discernment, methods of interpretation, and how to study your Bible, giving several pages of examples which can be used in small group study. These helps were outstanding!

The author shows the lack of discernment on the part of the Christian, and gives the reasons why discernment is lacking. On pg 48): “The Prayer of Jabez is a thinly disguised version of the prosperity gospel. It is (perhaps unintentionally) designed to deceive those who may detect the folly of many false teachers, but do not have the biblical discernment to recognize the same untruths when it comes from a respected and unsuspected source.”

The knowledge gained from the reading of this book is not only beneficial in exposing the scriptural errors in ‘The Prayer of Jabez’ book but the lessons learned can also be applied to any best selling author or book of Today that needs to be examined and discerned biblically from the Bible.

Copyright © 2002

Publisher Xulon Press

ISBN-10: 1931232555

A Book on the Prophetic Movement

Why I Left the Prophetic Movement

The Author Andrew Strom tells of what he has seen occurring at a Conference in Kansas City and how he discerned it. He describes what he saw going on there was so disturbing, pagan and ungodly that he left the Prophetic Movement. Strom believes that the movement is dominated by a spirit of divination and fortune-telling, and believes that it is beyond reform.

We are not in agreement with some things in the book, such as Strom disparaging remarks about discernment ministries, who have warned the Church of these false teachings for years. But he does bring up some very important points and examines what is happening within the Prophetic Movement and appeals to Scripture. Strom gives a strong warning to those who have been “Touched” and who are involving themselves in the manifestations, visitations, and experiences that are occurring in recent revivals, and as to those claiming to be prophets such as : Todd Bentley, Patricia King, and others. Those involved need to renounce it, in Jesus Name, with your mouth, and then have nothing more to do with it!

There is a good section in the book on IHOP and the modern Prayer Movement and it’s “Bridal Paradigm” - the Romancing Jesus teachings that are promoted in popular Contemporary Christian Music of today, and how this distorts a Christian’s true understanding of Christ and God’s Holiness. Some are justifying their own beliefs in this teaching based on Mystics who are quoted and teach these beliefs and supporting it, they somehow believe that this makes it correct or that this ’Bridal/Romancing Jesus teaching is supported in the Bible when clearly these teachings are not in scripture. Strom plainly shows how these extra-biblical teachings can lead an unsuspecting listener to accept false teachings and can open a Christian up to unclean and deceitful spirits.

The chapter on why correcting false teachings is NOT a Matthew 18 matter, was especially helpful. One thing I didn’t like about the book was it’s critical references to heresy hunters, yet Strom’s own chapter on discernment is no different than what ‘heresy hunters’ and/or discernment ministries have been warning the Church about for years and have been solidly standing firm in the faith on the truth of God‘s word.

 

 

We bought this book in early June/2008, someone we know was involved with Todd Bentley’s ministry school and revival teachings and read some sections of this book to her. This helped the person to evaluate the teachings of this movement and reconsider their involvement, but for some, seldom is this truly possible so quickly, since the teachings, peer-pressure and fleshy appeal is so seductive. It is always advisable to continually pray for those who have gotten involved with these teachings.

Copyright © 2008 - Andrew Strom

Publisher - Revival School

ISBN: 13: 978-0-9799073-0-2

Reading/ Reviewed: July 14,2008

This little church went to Market

This little church went to Market

In an effort to draw sellout crowds, is the modern Church in danger of selling out? This is the question author and pastor Gary E. Gilley addresses in This Little Church Went to Market. This book is a call for the Church to return to it’s Biblical roots.

This book which was released in 2002 is the 1^st book in a series. It addresses the Church Growth Movement and Seeker-Sensitive, purpose-driven church movement which has become popular. At that time, as even is today, the church that has bought into these movements has lost their way from the Biblical model and principles found in Scripture and needs to return to a healthy church which is built upon the essential Christian doctrines of the Faith. This author outlines the current church movements, their history, beliefs, and the infiltration of Psychology into America’s churches. A worldly market-driven philosophy is a key element in promoting this movement. Postmodernism has become an inevitable consequence as well. Polls have become the determiners of success and What works becomes a driving force, and Image becomes everything in drawing unbelievers into the church.

On (pg. 23) the author writes; “Growing churches are creating an atmosphere, an environment of fun. So fun has replaced holiness as the church’s goal. Having a good time has become the criterion of an excellent, growing church, since fun and entertainment is what consumers want. Yet Scripture references encouraging churches to become havens of fun are, as one may suspect, sadly lacking.”

The Author quotes John MacArthur’s observations “Many Christians have the misconception that to win the world to Christ we must first win the world’s favor. If we can get the world to like us, they will embrace our Savior. That is the philosophy behind the user-friendly church movement.”

This book gives the reader a better idea of how these movements came into being and also how our society and it’s placement of entertainment has been having upon the church and what kind of impact it is having upon our corporate worship.

Copyright © 2002 
Publisher Xulon Press

ISBN 1-591600-49-9

Stay Faithful in Deceptive Times

This Little Church Stayed Home: A Faithful Church in Deceptive Times  

Are you confused at all by what Modernism, Postmodernism, or Mysticism means? Do you still have unanswered questions about the “Seeker-Sensitive” church or the Emerging church, or about the Emergent Church Movement? Want a book that goes right to the facts that you can understand and be able to explain it to others? This book by Gary Gilley gives a brief historical background to these movements and what kind of impact they are having on today’s Church.

The author writes about the current trends and theological shifts that have taken place in the Evangelical Church in recent years. The author of this book asks the critical question; “If everything we need in life and godliness is found in the Knowledge of Christ, (1 Peter 1:3) why should the Church dabble around with anything else?

He warns that it is dangerous for Christians to close their Bibles. Pastor Gilley makes the convincing case that the Word of god is being displaced with substitutes such as; entertainment, drama, concerts, comic acts, etc. He also points out how many churches are using psychological therapies, which are distorting the biblical teaching of Salvation and Sanctification. The historical doctrines of the Christian Faith are being undermined.  He also covers the sometimes complex spectrum of Mysticism, and it’s theology. He wisely points out that the Emerging Church Movement is a form of classical, medieval Roman Catholic Mysticism dressed-up for Evangelicals. Gilley writes that some Christians by pursuing mystical experiences have opened themselves up to a pseudo-Christianity that has the appearance of spirituality but not the substance.

Copyright© 2006
Publisher: Evangelical Press
ISBN: 0 85234 603 4

Exposing Spiritual Abuse

Matthew 23 is a Good Overview

This book was very helpful. It’s unfortunate that more books are not written like this one to help Christians discern error. The writing was biblically balanced.

In an unhealthy church it is considered rebellion when decisions are questioned. Matthew 23 is referred to as giving example of where the Christians loyalty should be-- which is To Christ.

The author gives the traits of abusive leaders and unhealthy churches. He gives a list of 7 warning signs of spiritual abuse in a church:

1) Power Positioning
2) Unquestioned Authority
3) An atmosphere of secrecy
4) Elitist attitude
5) Performance emphasis
6) Fear motivation
7) Painful exit

Mike Fehlauer explains that many Christians have fallen into abusive situations within the church and he answers questions that maybe you’ve been wondering about, such as what is the role of the Pastor, what is a healthy church, when and how should I leave a church, what should I do if I recognize any of these unhealthy symptoms and more. He gives key scriptures and real life situations for why we should reject controlling and manipulative leaders, and also helps the reader by giving a foundation in which to build on to restore broken relationships and build trust.

There are a list of questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. One valuable point in the book is; when leaving a controlling church, it is impossible to leave correctly in the eyes of the abusive pastor. If you are suffering under the control of a manipulating leader, this book will help bring healing and will help you put things into a proper perspective.

Copyright© 2001

Publisher Charisma House

This book can be found at Amazon.com

　

Reading / Review Date: December 2006