Apprising Ministries:Sproul, Jr. Condemns “Discernment Blogs”
from Apprising.org
“Apparently because Apprising Ministries is a blog with a substantial readership and which often addresses discernment issues, then I’m but some guru running “an attack site.” Hmm, but isn’t R.C. Sproul, Jr. on the attack here himself? This is a real part of the problem. On one hand Seeker Driven prophet-pastor Steven Furtick will complain about haters criticizing him, but then turn around and attack them in a video called Hey Haters.
Has R.C. Sproul, Jr. considered why someone like Furtick is being criticized? Well, since he brought up Word Faith prosperity heretic Joel Osteen, is Sproul. Jr. aware that Steven Furtick Calls Joel Osteen A Great Man Of God? Are we really supposed to just ignore that Now Joel Osteen Says Mormonism Itself Is Christian? Or how about when we see that ER2 was largely about giving T.D. Jakes, another WF mogul, a doctrinal pass?
Do we just remain silent as James MacDonald implies that in some private discussions Jakes has told him he’s moving away from WF prosperity preaching? Yet I just showed you in T.D. Jakes Is Not A Word Faith Prosperity Preacher? that in March, after ER2, Jakes did his usual shilling for the WF haven of the Trinity Broadcasting Network. This isn’t TBN but you can watch Jakes with his Prosperity Gospel; Sow A Seed, God Will Bless You.
That was just a couple of weeks before he came to ER2. And we’re supposed to say nothing when Steven Furtick has T.D. Jakes into his evangelical megachurch to speak at his revival and then literally gushes when he tells us T.D. Jakes Is My Favorite Preacher In The World? Maybe we should address celebrity-bullies using their large forums and having their same old buddies into each of their conferences in order to equate their critics with Nazis.
How a blog post about that; or is it just safer shooting fish in a barrel while addressing anonymous bloggers…”
If false teachers can have a platform on which to speak, why can’t those who disagree with them have a platform on which to disagree? The false teacher will say anything to condition people to keep their mouths shut–even call them Satan’s helpers out to destroy the church if they dare criticize them (a form of brainwashing). While constant questioning or criticizing can be unhealthy for the church if it concerns petty, insignifcant differences and/or slanderous matters, those who love Jesus Christ have been called to be Bereans. What does Sproul have to say about the noble Bereans who examined everything Paul said to see if it were true? What does he say about Paul correcting Peter in front of them all (the congregation) when Peter was wrong? Gossip and exposing false teachings that are detrimental to the essentials of the Christian faith are two different things–but that’s not what many leaders in the church today want you to believe. I’ve personally witnessed how the book of James (or other passages concerning gossip or slander) is being used by pastors to tell their congregations they have no right to criticize them (question what they’re teaching). It’s one strategic technique that people better wake up to–and fast!
It is unfortunate that for the most part todays leading men of the reformed faith will not publicly name the names of the false teachers. I am not sure why this is the case but if the leaders of the faith fail the church in this area then the church is much more vunerable to the packs of wolves in sheep skins. How many wolves have actually been named by those entrusted to do so? May God grant leading men like RC Jr the wisdom and courage to do so.
Paul:
Having left the Christian Reformed denomination because of the heretical teachings being endorsed by so many of its pastors and teachers in related Christian schools (Calvin College for one), part of the answer could be because certain leaders in the Reformed faith are part of the problem. Others who still hold to the “old story” seem to be in their own little worlds. Either they just aren’t paying attention to what is happening within so many churches–or, if they are well aware, they won’t stick their necks out–for whatever reason. Complacency, lack of discipline and lack of discernment in the churches and in some Christian schools– both on the part of those in authoratative positions and the typical lay person (i.e. parents), is aiding in the advancement of false teachings. Hitler’s Cross, by Dr. Erwin Lutzer of Moody Bible Church in Chicago, IL is an excellent book to read as it mirrors what is happening today in the church.