Truth War Central

Lutheran Resistance Movement to the Purpose-Driven Take Over of the LCMS

The cancellation of the Issues Etc. radio program last week has literally been the talk of the LCMS for the past week and there are no signs that the controversy is going to subside any time soon. It appears that the move to cancel Issues Etc. was part of a larger plan that LCMS President Jerry Kieschnick has for transitioning the LCMS into a seeker-sensitive / purpose-driven denomination. One site in particular seems well connected within the synod and is now passing their insider information on to the public. The name of the site is Save the LCMS and any Lutherans concerned and alarmed by the creeping seeker-sensitive evangelicalism in the LCMS needs to read this site.

Click Here to visit "Save the LCMS"

Churches Urged to 'Exorcise' 'Macho' Leadership Model

The Christian Post is reporting that:

Reformed churches will challenge the gender leadership imbalance in church and society and seek new models at an international consultation.

This consultation started on the 29th of June and will be ending on the 4th of July. The purpose of which is to give women the ability to become ministers in the church.

Hmmm...have these folks ever read what scripture has to say on this issue? Apparently not.

1 Timothy 2:11-14 a woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

To read more click HERE

Church calls on 'Simpsons' to help reach teens

Can the Simpsons and the church of the most high God work together? Our researchers say no but apparently the Archbishop of Canterbury disagrees. In fact, an entire book entitled Mixing It Up With The Simpsons professes to have the potential to spread the word of God in a new and relevant way!

The volume, being sent to youth advisers around the country next week, suggests children could be challenged to resist temptation by adults laying out a plate of doughnuts - Homer's favourite food - with a "do not touch" sign.

This is truly a bizarre 'spiritual marraige' The Simpsons have been mocking Christianity for decades through the Ned Flanders character and now the church wants to partner with the Simpsons to help attract people to the church? This is odd to say the least.

To learn more about this strange parntership click HERE

Christian Groups Split Over Atonement Theories

Christianity Today is reporting on Christian group's in the UK that are splitting because of the growing debate over how to understand the atonement.

"The Word Alive committee, in good conscience, just didn't feel it would be appropriate, during that week, for Steve Chalke to be given a platform," said UCCF communications director Pod Bhogal. "Steve Chalke has made his dislike of penal substitution really, really clear, and … we didn't feel the nature of the atonement was one of those things you could agree to disagree over."

Chalke's theology first came into question in 2003 with the publication of his book The Lost Message of Jesus. In it, Chalke, the senior minister of Church.co.uk and founder of Oasis Trust and Faithworks, compared the prevailing Protestant view of the atonement to divine child abuse."

Click Here to Read the Rest of the Story

A Candid Look at Christian Publishing

Christianity Today has published an article that speaks candidly about the current Christian publishing market. The article is entitled "Looking for the Next Big Thing". This title pretty much sums it up.

Here are some other revealing quotes from the article:

In recent years, Christian publishing has enjoyed a string of Godzilla-sized hits—starting with the Left Behind series (with sales of more than 60 million copies), followed by The Prayer of Jabez (more than 9 million sold), and then The Purpose-Driven Life. While these books have been a boon to publishers and retailers, they skew the market, says Garrett.

"In the Christian market, everybody is looking for the next Purpose-Driven Life," she says.

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Scott Bolinder, executive vice president of Zondervan, wonders if Christian publishers have become dependent on blockbusters. "I think we've gotten used to what used to be anomalies being 'regular anomalies,' " Bolinder told CT. "As an industry, we've gotten too reliant on blockbusters—and we don't think that's a good thing."

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The pressure for blockbusters will likely increase.

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On Hyatt's list, 14 of the top 100 books from 2006 were Christian titles....Most of these books fall into the "Christian living" subcategory, says PW's Garrett. "Basically, it's Christian self-help," Garrett says, "and self-help is huge in the general market."(Emphasis Added)

With increasing pressure for publishers to find the next 'blockbuster' rather than publishing books with sound Biblical teaching, expect to see more Biblically skewed books like The Purpose Drive Life, The Prayer of Jabez & Your Best Life Now.

It is truly sad that money is winning out over fidelity to God's word.

Adventures in Isogesis

A Little Leaven is reporting on a new on-line Bible called the 'You Version'. This on-line Bible will give readers the opportunity to share with the world what Biblical passages 'mean to them' rather than discovering what the passage really means.

Isogesis is reading things into scripture. This is a key ingredient in any formula for self-deception. The primary question that leads to Isogesis is, "What does this verse mean to you." If you are ever in a Bible study where the leader asks this question politely correct that leader and let him know that this is the wrong question to be asking. The correct question is "What does this passage mean."

Click Here to Read It

Hindu appointed to run Christian religion studies

World Net Daily is reporting:

A college affiliated with a Christian denomination has appointed to head its religion department a practicing Hindu who believes that some forms of Christian ministry produce violence.

Click Here to Read the Story

What Does the Bible Mean to You?

Here is yet another great teaching video from Cross TV. The scene opens in a typical small group Bible Study.

McLaren Not Interested in Converting People to Christianity

The Associated Press is reporting that Emergent leader Brian McLaren is not interested in converting people to Christianity. Here is what the AP said:

The Reverend Brian McLaren says he believes that Jesus came "to proclaim the Kingdom of God, which is God's will being done on Earth."

McLaren says that's why congregations in the "emergent church" movement focus more on social action than trying to convert people to Christianity.

McLaren says that if people are "happy being Muslim, or Buddhist or Jewish or atheist," he doesn't think it's right to try to "shoe-horn them out of their religion" into Christianity. (online source)

It would appear that McLaren is no longer 'emerging' and the 'conversation' is over. McLaren has emerged. Not surprisingly, he's emerged into full blown liberalism and heresy.

Click Here to hear McClaren on this topic.

Transsexual United Methodist Minister Reappointed to Lead Baltimore Church

Today's Christian Newswire has a real enligtening story about a how United Methodist minister who had her gender surgically altered has just received a new pastoral assignment. Here is the first paragraph from the press release:

WASHINGTON, May 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- A United Methodist minister in Baltimore who underwent a surgical change of gender identity has been reappointed, it was announced at the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, meeting now in Washington, D.C. The former Rev. Ann Gordon, now known as Rev. Drew Phoenix, told the annual conference of a "spiritual transformation" since the sex change procedure.

Click Here to Read the Entire Press Release