The Law of the Angels

This is a book which exhibits an incongruence between the title and what the book actually talks about.  The title “The Law of The Angels” sounds rather mystical and interesting but, once you get into the book, there is very little written about angels.  The one reference I find to the title is on page 41 where, as the author is speaking about the different expressions of love, she injects the statement “This is angel law. This is the way the angels live.”  After this brief reference to angels, there is not much more on the subject of angels.  I have seen in certain blogs that some are saying that this book was re-titled upon reprinting and given the title “Love: The Law of The Angels.”  However, the 1979 edition I was able to obtain is simply titled “The Law of The Angels.”

It appears that the thesis of this book is to give the reader a broad overview of the subject of love and how love is to operate in the lives of Christians.  Then, upon giving a protracted and tedious definition of what love is supposed to be in the life of the Christian, the more subtle and actual core emphasis of the book comes out. 

Gwen Shaw in her book The Law of The Angels portrays love as a more feminine attribute than masculine and thus Shaw puts forth the thesis that the Christian women of the world are spiritually superior to the Christian men of the world. And, because women are more spiritually sensitive than men, then by function women can be used by God to express His love to the world more than can be accomplished through “insensitive men.”

I realized that I needed to activate my theological radar defense shield (discernment of spirits) when on page VII of the Introduction we see Shaw say “I wish I could say that my own love is perfect, or that I myself had attained unto the high degree of perfection which you will find in the pages of this book.  These are truths that God has made known to me.” This type of posturing is something that I have become quite wary of lately.  As you will see shortly, Shaw’s statements were born out of false humility.

Before we get into the “love” part of the book, I do want to point out what I believe is another area of problematic theology in Shaw’s book.  It has to do with why Jesus was crucified and what was accomplished in the crucifixion.  On page 14 we see Shaw state “You see, the Law of Moses will never point anyone to the cross.  You know what the Law of Moses did?  It crucified Jesus.  Do you know that it was on the authority of the Law of Moses that the Jews crucified Jesus?”  One might ask why I see this as problematic.  It is troublesome because traditional and orthodox theology teaches us that the Law of Moses had the function of making mankind aware of his sin.  Then, we see that Jesus came to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses by offering Himself upon the Cross as a sacrifice for our sin.  And, it was Roman Soldiers who actually crucified Jesus by the insistence of the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees. I see this theological awkwardness as a product of Shaw’s hurried attempt to get straight to her main thesis of her book which appears to be the desire of God to express His love toward mankind, rather than judgment.

One other area to make note of before we get to the main thesis is that of the belief of the eternal existence of man’s spirit or what is known as the “pre-existence and transmigration of souls.” We see this on page 68 where Shaw states “Way back there in antiquity, in the origin of time, far beyond your known history or ability to recall, you were in the plan of God.  You are an eternal living spirit.  Your body is loaned to you for only a season of sojourn on Earth.  As an eternal being, you are without beginning or ending.  And back there, hidden in the midst of a million forgotten eons of time we stood in His glory, being part of His spirit, fashioned even then in His likeness, as He planned for us.  There He created us male and female.”

The above theology is extremely troublesome.  So, according to Shaw, “we always existed”, “we are part of God”, but yet God created us.  So, is God creating “part of Himself” or, what is going on here?

As troublesome as the already mentioned items are, the real “bombshell” of The Law of The Angels happens on page 111.  After having “put men in their place” on pages 72 and 73, we read on page 111 what Shaw is really trying to get the reader to believe.  On page 111, Shaw has been describing a vision she had of Eve praying and asking God to forgive her for her sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden.  Eve is described as being very distraught and in much aguish before God.  Then, we see Shaw state “I saw how through the centuries, even after her transition (whatever that means), she had wept and cried to God the Father to be merciful to her sons and daughters.  She had interceded for our release and had been permitted to see that her prayers had not been in vain, her intercession had accomplished its goal and she had prayed through.  God is going to begin to show His glory to Eve’s children.  We have finished drinking the cup of our iniquity, our day of redemption is here now.  That is the reason God is using us handmaidens.  Somehow God is going to allow us to make up for our mother’s failure.  We not only want to bless and help our brothers return to the lost paradise, we want to return ourselves.  Oh, God help us!  Brothers, help us!  We need you and you need us!  We went out together and we must return together!…As women travail and intercede, they will be used by the Lord to restore all that has been lost through the fall.” 

So, there you have it.  God is going to use women to restore mankind to Himself.  But, what about the accomplished work of Jesus on the Cross?  Is it not complete?  Didn’t Jesus, through His sufferings and crucifixion restore all?  What was left undone?  What can woman do that has not been accomplished through and by the crucifixion?  If you think these questions are unfounded then, go on to page 115 and see Shaw state “I believe the Blood of Jesus is going to become more powerful in the end time.  More powerful than in the day it poured from His veins…”

If all of this is not a problem for you then, I must direct your attention to the most theologically explosive part of the entire book.  On pages 165 and 166 we see Shaw state “This feminine aspect of the eternal God is the El-Shaddai, the mother-nature of God.  It is in the realm that the Shekinah is revealed and does its high office work.  You will remember us mentioning in chapter 13 that God had created Adam male and female.  If God created man male and female, it was because bisexuality somehow belongs to His own nature.  The fact has been recognized by early rabbinic commentators that this is true.  One even concluded that God had made Adam androgynous, and later separated him into Adam and Eve.  Lantero states that it is recognized that while individuals belong to one sex or the other, we are all androgynous in the sense of having both male and female hormones, as well as potential character traits traditionally associated with both sexes.  This beautiful aspect of the mother nature of God is one which we need to meditate upon more. Why is it that the Glory of God,  His Shekinah, seems to be resting in greater magnitude on the daughters of Eve in this generation? This is very evident, not only in one country but in all the nations where I have worked for God, and especially where women have been permitted by their male elders to let God’s glory be borne witness of through their freedom to speak.  The women are the great intercessors, the fasters, the praisers, prophetesses, missionaries, healers, and they are fast becoming the deepest of teachers.” 

Finally, in reference to the above excerpt, on page 67, we see Shaw describe that when God first created Adam, that he was created with a womb, which God subsequently took out of Adam and used it to create Eve. 

The theology presented in Shaw’s book is simply shocking.  Gwen Shaw, in no uncertain terms, portrays Adam as having been created as an androgynous hermaphrodite.  She even says so in her book.  This depiction simply leaves one speechless.

Such theology by Gwen Shaw opens the door wide open for Satan to flood in with a horde of demonic spirits.  Shaw has theologically emasculated Christian men.  Shaw sets Christian women on a higher plane of greater power and importance than Christian men.  This is a Satanic doctrine.

This book is available through Amazon.com.

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Are Christians destined to take over the world before Jesus returns?  Is there a requirement found in the scripture that Christians must take over the world before Jesus can return?  Or, has Jesus already returned and now, in a corporate sense He manifests Himself in the lives of all believers in the Earth and all Christians are now commissioned to take over the Earth?  Will there be a rapture?

The above questions are being asked within the rank and file of the Body of Christ and you may be very surprised to learn some of the answers to these questions.  Some of the sacred and age old theological beliefs of the church are now being redefined by some in the Body of Christ.  For more than a couple of decades now, we have witnessed an emphasis within certain camps of the Body of Christ on what has evolved to now be known as “Dominion Eschatology”.

Now some of you may be asking at this point “what is he talking about?”  If you are that person, then you need to read this post most of all.  Let’s begin by looking at an article found in the October 2009 edition of Charisma Magazine.  On page 20 you will see an article entitled “Last Days Fever” and as part of this debate there is an inset of two views of the rapture found on pages 22 and 23.  Pay attention to page 23 and C Peter Wagner’s article entitled “The Case For Dominion”.  In this article we see Wagner state “I now regard my former pre-tribulationism and pre-millennialism as escapist eschatology”.  Next, he says “My favorite term is dominion eschatology.  Why? Because Jesus did not give His great commission in vain”.  And finally, Wagner states “We are aggressively retaking dominion, and the rate at which this is happening will soon become exponential”. 

So, what is Wagner talking about?  C Peter Wagner and his ministry is a vanguard for what is known as the Dominion Movement.  This movement and its theology has gone by several names over the last couple of decades.  If you have heard the terms “Kingdom Now”, “Kingdom Dominion” or “7-Mountain Doctrine” they are all one in the same.  You will note that by his own statements, on the issue of the rapture, Wagner does not hold to the orthodox position of the church.

To put it in street, what the Dominionsts are saying is that Christians are supposed to be about the business of taking over the world, and once this has been accomplished, then Jesus can return, and note the emphasis on “can”.  Still not convinced that this theology is all that developed?  I invite you to take a look at the posting titled “Dominionism and the Rise of Christian Imperialism” by Sarah Leslie.  This article can be found at http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/05/sarah-leslie/dominionism.htm.  In this article, you will see a quite comprehensive description of the development of the Dominion Movement and the theology associated with this movement.  I don’t quite agree with all  that you will find on this particular website but, this overview of Dominionism is too thorough to ignore. And, it proves rather quickly that Dominionism is not a secret.  

Still not convinced?  Perhaps you are thinking, this group is on the “fringe” of Christianity, plus the writer quotes some dubious sources.  OK, fair enough.  Let me ask you then, have you heard of President Clinton?  Of course you have.  Well, he had a high-ranking advisor named Sidney Blumenthal.  Mr Blumenthal has a son named Max Blumenthal.  And, Max Blumenthal has written a book titled “Republican Gomorrah”.  This book has become a media sensation and has been critiqued extensively in the national media. Simply go to You Tube and type in “Republican Gomorrah” and see for yourself. 

In his book, Blumenthal pulls no punches in his all out attack on the Republican Party for what he describes as the hypocrisy of the many Republican leaders who have fallen into various sex scandals.  To be “fair and balanced”, some of Blumenthal’s criticism is justified.  In saying that, mind you, I am certainly not overlooking all of the Democrat sex scandals.  But, that is not the focus of my article.  What I want to point you to is that also in his book, Blumenthal has the dual thesis of chronicling what he perceives as a rising movement within Christianity to vicariously “take over the world” through the Republican Party. 

In his book, Blumenthal comes as close as any secular writer or reporter I have seen, to “connecting all the dots”.  Let’s talk plainly here.  If you are a Jew, a Muslim or an atheist and you hear certain Christian leaders talk of “taking control of the governments of the world” then, don’t you think you are going to get their attention?  I can assure you, they are listening. One thesis in Blumenthal’s book is that he believes there is an underlying design, on the part of the Christian Right, to take control of the government.  I see two theses in Blumenthal’s book.  He himself indicates as much in an interview on “Morning Joe” which can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqeqRf9czAY or, type in “Morning Joe – Max Blumenthal – Has The GOP Been Driven Outside The Mainstream”. 

What I am saying to all my Christian brethren out there is that the secular media has connected the dots of Dominion Eschatology.  If you are an adherent to this particular theology, and you think all of this strategy to “take over the world” is a “well kept secret” then, think again.  You cannot ignore the reality I am laying out in this post.  I was just listening to a news program the other day and a leading liberal news commentator stated that Max Blumenthal’s book is quickly becoming a primary source of information for those wanting to know about the strategy of the “Radical Christian Right” and its designs on influencing government.  I am telling Christian leaders out there, if you ignore such a thing as this, then you are shirking your responsibility to be “in the know” about developments concerning the Body of Christ.

You can go to Amazon.com and type in “Republican Gomorrah” and then go to the book review link and see for yourself the “firestorm” of debate going on between liberals and conservatives over this book. I can tell you, if the Dominionists continue to push this doctrine and move ahead with their attempts to implement these goals, things are going to get very ugly, very quickly.

Did Jesus say He needed Christians to be in control of all systems of society in order for Him to return?  I don’t read anywhere in the Bible where Jesus says that.  Let’s look at Luke 4:6 where, after showing Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, Satan tempts Jesus when he says “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish”.  It is serious theological error to assume by this verse that Satan is actually in control of the Kingdoms of this World.  This was a falsehood spoken by Satan and Jesus knew it.  How do we know this?  Look at Daniel 2:20-21 “Daniel answered and said: Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness,  And light dwells with Him”.   Next, look at Daniel 4:17 “This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men”. 

So, after reading the above scriptures, it is clear that God is in control of the systems and governments of the world.  Understanding this, could it be possible that Satan today, is using the same trickery and temptation with certain religious leaders to get them to think that the kingdoms of the world are “up for grabs” and thus he is using the thought of being in control of these governments as a temptation once again.

Let me talk plainly.  I see that the Dominionists have gotten way off base theologically.  They are more worried about taking over the world rather than “winning the world for Christ”.  They are more worried about being an “Apostle” rather than preaching the Gospel of Christ.  These certain leaders have fallen for the very temptation that Satan tried to tempt Jesus with in the wilderness.  These certain leaders are being tempted with power, wealth, glamour, prestige and control.  It is very dangerous and it is bringing undue and intense criticism against the Body of Christ. 

Pastors and Christian leaders had better “get up to speed” on this.  This theology has made substantial inroads into the Body of Christ. Dominionism was even “in play” in the recent Presidential election.  And, I might add, it is one of the reasons the Republicans lost.

As Christians, we must remember the words of Jesus as found in John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…”

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Who is shaping the future of America?  What is the future of America?  Do people even care anymore?  Or, are Americans more interested in who will win the next American Idol competition more than what type of world we are heading towards?

It seems almost as if it has become “uncool” to even think and have an opinion anymore.  Our society has become so lethargic and indifferent to certain realities that one could say that America is suffering from “reality avoidance”.

I remember years ago sitting in Economics class while in undergraduate school.  I distinctly remember learning about what is called “diseconomies of scale”.  It is a very interesting and very real thing that can happen to a large corporation.  And, I believe it can also happen to the Body of Christ.  It could be coined a “spiritual diseconomies of scale”.

First, let’s look at what is known as diseconomies of scale in regards to an industry functioning within our capitalist economy.  Let’s imagine a large corporation that has 100,000 employees here in the U.S.  With an organization of this size it is extremely important to keep track of what everyone is doing in order to prevent duplication and even outright competition between the various and different departments of such organization.  When such a breakdown does occur, that is, duplication of effort and competition among departments, it is called diseconomies of scale.  And, if the diseconomies of scale becomes pervasive enough, it can ruin the organization. 

One of the by-products of diseconomies of scale, that is described in Wikipedia, is called “isolation of decision makers from the results of their decisions”.  I encourage the reader, at this point, to refer to the Wikipedia article as it is very good at explaining all of this. 

To expand upon the term, as found in Wikipedia, I will say that what we are seeing today is “isolation of those who are making bad decisions from the consequences of their bad decisions”.  In street, the people who are making a mess of things are not having to deal with the mess they are creating.  Or, even worse, some decision makers don’t have a clue as to the unintended effect of their decisions.  Let’s take a closer look.

As a nation, the United States is facing what I believe to be an impending and devastating diseconomies of scale.  In particular, this problem is occurring in the area of interpretation of law, and the writing of law.  And, the church in America is setting directly in the crosshairs of the negative and unintended (or, in some cases intended) consequences of bad law.  But, it’s not just the church.  In reality, our society as a whole will have to deal with these consequences.  Let’s look at some current and pending examples.

In Massachusetts we see the debate going on about the rights of transgendered persons to have unrestricted access to either Men’s or Women’s restrooms, depending on which gender they have “chosen” to be.  This is impossible to interpret now, and it will be impossible to interpret in the courts once the lawsuits start coming in.  On a practical note, one of the reasons that cities and towns are even open to such a law is because the idea of building, retrofitting and paying for a “third” class of restroom at all public locations is prohibitive.  So, we see cities and towns falling back on the legal system for a way out, but, it will be even worse in the end.  It would be an “unenforceable” law.  Here’s an example.  Let’s say it’s 10:00 p.m. at a highway rest area stop and a young mother of 25 years of age who weighs maybe 120 lbs and her young daughter who is 4 years old start walking toward the Women’s public restroom.   Then, upon making their way to the restroom, the mother notices a large masculine appearing person who is let’s say 6’3” tall and weighs around 230 lbs.  And, this person is, as they say in bodybuilding, “ripped”.  But, upon noticing the hesitation of the mother to go any further toward the Women’s restroom, the person says to the mother “Oh, it’s OK, I’m transgendered”.  At that point, what is the young mother to do?  Would she say “prove it”? 

One can clearly see by the above scenario that such a “law” will be unenforceable.  Let’s look at another example of an unenforceable and un-interpretable law.  The pending Hate Crime law before congress which is designed to give protection to and special rights to the homosexual community.  Let’s say a Pastor of a large urban Baptist church preaches a sermon that includes a discussion of homosexuality and same-sex marriage in his discourse.  And, in the course of his message, this particular Pastor states that, according to his interpretation of the Bible, he believes that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are sinful and that anyone practicing such behavior will go to Hell.  This is his religious belief.  But, then, a gay person who happens to be sitting in his audience takes a CD of the message to the downtown police station and asks that the Pastor be arrested for “Hate Speech”.  Could such a thing happen?

Here is the complexity and what I see as a “political diseconomies of scale”.   The Hate Crime law, at this point, is un-interpretable and unenforceable.  Because, in order to arrest the Pastor for violating the “rights” of the homosexual, the police will, in turn, have to deny the Pastor his freedoms of speech and religion.  So, which is our society going to choose?  We are getting ready to see a legal environment in which the rights and freedoms of some groups are going to be taken away so that a different group can be free from what they perceive as public expression that they believe violates their rights.

So, we now see that the lawmakers (congress) who are promoting and passing such laws are fitting into the category that we see in the definition of characteristics of “diseconomies of scale”.  In other words, some of the very congressmen and congresswomen that are passing such laws will be “isolated from the consequences of their bad decision making”.  Isolation of decision makers from the consequences of their bad decisions.

It doesn’t stop here.  There is still one developing factor that will dwarf all that we have looked at thus far.  The issue I am referring to is Sharia Law.  This is the body of law that is practiced by Islamic countries.  You may be saying, “Well, what does that have to do with us here in the U.S.?”  Before we get to that point, let’s look at the concept of law and government for a moment.

I remember sitting in an undergraduate class called Federal, State and Local Government.  The professor of this course was a seasoned veteran who had taught for decades.  He was a classic liberal and he and I had an amicable professor/student relationship.  I remember it well, one day in class when a fellow student (the kind of student who thought he was the teacher rather than a student) made the statement “imagine a Presidential election in which the vote count margin came down to just a one vote difference between the two candidates and the winner wins by just one vote!  Imagine what that would do for democracy!”  Then, I’ll never forget the professor’s response (and, this was some 26 or 27 years ago) as the professor said “that really might not be such a good thing”.  And then, the professor went on to explain why he saw it as problematic, as if almost to prophetically describe what we all witnessed in 2000. 

It was this same professor who taught that one of the hallmarks of a government, one of the most legitimizing factors of a government, is to set a body of law and then set a framework to interpret and enforce such law.  So, we now see today, a serious and slowly developing effort on the part of Muslims to set up the practice and enforcement of Sharia Law within our society.  So, what happens when a Muslim and a non-Muslim are involved in a legal dispute over something and both sides are using two different bodies of law to interpret what has transpired and how the matter should be judged?  Which side will carry the most weight? Which carries more legal weight, Constitutional Law or Sharia Law? 

Perhaps, seeing the problem as described above, we could set up yet another 3rd body of law and a 3rd party of law making and law enforcement to weigh out the matter and find the “common ground” between the two other bodies of law? Or, if that doesn’t work, maybe set up a 4th group to try and “work it out”.                       

But, it doesn’t stop here.  Did you see in the news where just recently, the Hizb ut-Tahrir held a “conference” in a Hilton Hotel just outside of Chicago.  The theme of the conference was “The Fall of Capitalism and The Rise of Islam”.  It is reported that several Arab States as well as Russia do not allow this group to operate within their borders.  But, the U.S., in the name of freedom of speech and religion, will allow it.  This represents more political diseconomies of scale.  In other words, this extreme, radical religious group that wants to overthrow the U.S. system of government has every right to express themselves.  It is their “right” to do so.  To put it in street “it is their right to promote and organize as a group and overthrow the very government that “gives them the right to do so”.  Then, the rights and freedoms of expression that used to exist under the old government will no longer exist.  This is exactly the scenario that is developing right before our very eyes.  It is already happening to a serious degree in England, France and Holland. 

So, the Christian church is caught in the crossfire of all this and the rights of the church are slowly slipping away in our society.  The respect that the church once enjoyed in the U.S. is no more.   We, as Christians, must give up our religious freedoms in the name of diversity.  We, as Christians, must give up our freedoms in order that those who want an entirely different body of law and government can have what they want.   Things are getting very interesting.  Perhaps, as a society, we are entering into a period of which the old Chinese proverb could apply.  “May you live in interesting times.”  I think with all the “pushing and shoving” between the different groups within our society, it is naïve to think that things are not going to get interesting.   

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We read in John 17:21 where Jesus prays to the Father “…that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I, in You…”. 

Then, in the preceding verse of 17:20 we see that Jesus was clearly talking about the believers of that present day and all future Christians.  This is very important.  Jesus specifically denotes that He was praying about, and praying for, those who had believed on Him and had accepted Him as Savior of their souls.  Jesus was not talking about those of other, non-Christian religions.  Jesus was not a schizophrenic.

Jesus made it very clear that He and He alone is the Son of God and that He and He alone is the only way to get to Heaven.  Jesus says exactly this in John 14:6.  So, having established Himself as the Savior of mankind, and as the only way to get to Heaven, then, it would be completely inconsistent with His message to all of a sudden suggest that others, who did not (or, in the future would not) believe that He was the Savior, were somehow now included in this prayer to the Father that all believers and non-believers would somehow dwell in unity.  Such an interpretation is just plain crazy. 

To say that Jesus was praying this prayer for the unity of anybody and everybody, regardless of what they believe, is simply an attempt to take away words that Jesus actually said, and in turn, attempt to “put into Jesus’ mouth” words that He never said.  Jesus was praying for the Father to bless those who had believed on Him.  If you don’t believe in Jesus, then these words of blessing are not for you.  You can torture the scripture, you can philosophize “until the cows come home” but it won’t change the fact and reality.  In order to receive eternal life and experience the good things of God to come, one must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

If you are a believer in Jesus, then His emphasis on unity directly and without question apply to you.  It is God’s desire that all believers dwell in unity.  This starts with the local church body of believers.  Show me a church that has even the slightest degree of unity within its walls and I’ll show you a church with some power.  Show me a church where the congregation is of one purpose and of one mind and I’ll show you a church where you can see the miracle power of God!

Unfortunately, we see some ministers, particularly some of those of national prominence, who have imposed it upon themselves to launch out on a quest to bring unity in the world.  They are going about speaking to this group and that group talking about a philosophy of love and acceptance that does not have Jesus Christ at the center.  There is talk of “finding the common ground” and “meeting in the middle” and “focusing on the issues we agree about” and on and on.   All of this sounds good, if you are a politician seeking to win votes in the next election.  But, if you are a true Christian, such talk and philosophy is all very contrary to the actual words of Jesus. 

When it comes to Jesus, His deity, His blood sacrifice for sin, His exclusive status as Savior of mankind, there is no compromise and there certainly is no “middle ground”.  Look at it this way, Jesus said that He is the only way to Heaven, so, where is the point of “middle ground” or “common ground” on this issue.  What “part” of Jesus being the only way to Heaven is the Christian supposed to “give up” to get to the “middle”.  It cannot be done.  So, all this talk about the “family of man” and the “Dawning of the age of Aquarius” and the “Dawn of a new age” and all that, these are in essence Satanic counterfeits to the true unity of believers that Jesus prayed about. 

How can true Christians be yoked in any way whatsoever with another religion that denies that Jesus is the Christ?  For the Christian to compromise on this issue, is for that particular Christian to relinquish his or her very salvation. 

It is becoming increasingly clear that the world is growing ever so hostile, even violent toward Christianity.  We hear all this talk about equality, rights, dignity, self-worth, self-esteem, human dignity, human rights, freedom, freedom of religion, freedom to vote, freedom of self-determination etc.  All of this is promoted for anyone and everyone except the Christian.  Let a conservative Christian give his or her opinion in the national news media and watch how the very news company employees themselves go after that Christian and cut him to shreds.   

My friend, the media industry has set a tone that has gotten to the point to where it is OK to discriminate against a Christian simply because that person is a Christian.  It is open season on Christians and Christianity.  We are entering into a period in history the likes of which the world hasn’t seen since the Ancient Roman Empire.  It is a perplexing quandary how the leaders are talking about all these “rights” but at the same time, blatantly discriminate against Christians. 

Getting back to the concept of unity.  Today’s Christian needs to be extremely cautious when they see a Christian leader launch out on his own initiative to attempt to bring unity among the world’s religions.  It cannot be done.  Who is going to compromise their position?  The Muslims?  The Hindus?  The Mormons?  The Jehovah’s Witnesses?  The Baha’i? The Black Hebrew Christians?  The Messianic Jews?  The Oneness or Jesus Name Christians?  The Dominionists?  The Christian Evolutionists?  The Atheists?  The Church of Satan? Which one of these groups is going to compromise their position to “make the other group happy?” None.

The reality is that none of these groups are going to give one single inch.  For the true Christian to even think for one second that such an idea has any possible chance of working is naïve at best, and jeopardizes that particular Christian’s eternal destiny at worst. 

The deity, sovereignty, majesty, holiness, rank, and position in Heaven that Jesus holds is not up for negotiation.  For any man, even a national Christian leader, to think that he has the authority to negotiate the person and position of Jesus to the world, is most treacherous.  The world has to accept Jesus as He is, not as the world would like Him to be.  The world must come to God on God’s terms, not the other way around.

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I remember years ago, sitting in an undergraduate class on Recent European History.  The professor of this particular class was extremely confident and he came from the Brooklyn, New York area.  This man was very sure of what he was saying he had a very powerful mind.  And, he was rabidly anti-Christian.  He hated Christians, hated Jesus, hated God and hated the Bible.  He would taunt and mock Christians, Christianity, the Bible and anyone who hinted that they might be sympathetic to Christianity, let alone an actual Christian.  He was no one to “mess around with” unless you were ready for a fight.  It was a real wake-up call for me. I got a “C” out of the class.

Next, in my academic and scholastic experience, I remember a graduate school course I took while attending West Virginia University.  The course was called Advanced Policy Analysis.  It was a three hour night class and I’ll never forget the first night of the class as the professor stood up and made the declaration “There are two ways to view and interpret the economy and economics.  One is from a market/capitalist point of view and the other is from a Marxist/Leninist point of view.  I want you to know that I prefer the Marxist/Leninist point of view”.  Needless to say, at that point, there was a little smoke in the atmosphere and a palpable tension in the air.  I immediately thought, “I am so out of this class”.  But, after sitting through that first class and “getting a feel for this guy”, I thought “I can make this work”, even though I was diametrically opposed to the views of this professor.  I ended up taking two or three courses from him and I remember getting an “A” in one of them.

So, why all of this sharing about my personal academic experience, seemingly “out of the blue”?  The reason being, I want the reader to know that I have some experience in academia and higher education and, more importantly, I have experience in dealing with those whose are strongly opposed to my beliefs and my point of view.  I am somewhat qualified to write this post.  You will see the necessity of such an introduction as we get into this.

So, the other day, I was shown a CNN news article dated May 15, 2009 and written by John Blake.  The title of the news article was “Former Fundamentalist ‘Debunks’ Bible”.  Needless to say, this got my attention.  In this article, we read about a professor named Bart D Ehrman who is a professor of New Testament Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   Ehrman has written many books and his most recent work is titled “Jesus, Interrupted”. In no uncertain terms, this book is anti-Christian and it portrays the Bible as essentially, a false work and not worthy of developing and formulating a system of faith and moral belief out of its writings.  So, one might ask “As a serious Christian, why would you read such a book?” I read the book first, because I couldn’t stand “not knowing” first hand what this guy was saying.  Then, secondly, when I was in the military, we were taught, at that time, that one of the best ways to deal with an enemy, is to learn and know as much about your enemy as you possibly can.  And, to put it in “street”, as a Pastor, you simply need to know what’s going on.

Upon reading “Jesus, Interrupted”, one cannot help but notice that Ehrman seems to be very determined to let the reader know that he is a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary.  Indeed, Ehrman mentions “Princeton” 8 times in the 3 ½ page preface of the book.  Perhaps, this is OK.  One must be aware however, that Princeton is an “Ivy League School” and there is a well-known and very historical sense of intellectual elitism that goes along with “Princeton” and the “Ivy League”.   Ehrman is playing on this status. Big time.

In his book, Ehrman talks of how, early in his life, he was an evangelical Christian.  Something which he now seems ashamed of and, seems to profusely apologize for in his book.   He makes it very clear that he no longer considers himself an evangelical and portrays evangelicals as “narrow-minded bigots”.

Let’s take a look at some of the things Ehrman says in his book.  On page number 1, of chapter 1, Ehrman is talking about the Bible and he says “…it is also the most thoroughly misunderstood, especially by the lay-reading public”.  Here, as in the preface, Ehrman sets himself apart as an intellectual elite who is one of the few qualified people in this world to read and interpret the Bible.

Next, on page 4, of chapter 1, Ehrman teaches about the “Historical-Critical” method of Bible interpretation verses the “Devotional” method of Bible interpretation.  He makes it very, very clear that he utilizes the Historical-Critical method of interpretation and implies that the Devotional method of interpretation is for “misguided and uneducated” people.

So, now let’s get to the “nuts and bolts” of it all.  On pages 5 and 6, of chapter 1, Ehrman states that “The Bible is filled with discrepancies, many of them irreconcilable contradictions” and he states “The conquest of the Promised Land is probably based on legend” and “It is hard to know whether Moses ever existed and what, exactly, the historical Jesus taught”.

Part of Ehrman’s reasoning and critique evolve out of the thesis that “if there are contradictions in the Bible, particularly in the Four Gospels, about a particular story or event, then, by the Historical-Critical interpretive method, the reader must conclude that the story or event never happened”.  In other words, if different people are describing what they saw or heard during an event, and, if there are differences in how they are describing the story or event, then maybe it didn’t happen at all.  So, what Ehrman has essentially done, is to point to a supposed plethora of supposed contradictions in the Bible and say, because of these “contradictions” the Bible cannot be taken as an accurate record of historical fact.

Here is the short-coming of Ehrman’s method of analysis and interpretation.  The “historical” example that “screams” to be used at this point is the JFK assassination.  So very well do many of us remember that day.  I know that I was sitting in class at school as the Principal’s voice came over the intercom at school and announced “The President has been shot in Dallas”.  And, then, the world changed.

Let’s look briefly at the Kennedy assassination.  There are a myriad of conspiracy theories swirling around this historical event.  Some examples are “It would have been impossible for Lee Harvey Oswald to have gotten off the multiple shots required, in the few seconds that evolved, and to have been that accurate from such a distance”.  Next, there is the grassy knoll.  Several people who were there that day talked of seeing another gunman on the grassy knoll.  But, the experts say that a shot at such close range would have done much more damage.  But, others argue that a lighter caliber gun could have been used.  And, also at the grassy knoll, were the supposed policeman that “came out of nowhere and then disappeared” after the shooting.  And, then, there was the woman who was picked up as she was hitch-hiking around the New Orleans area a few weeks before and told the driver of the car that gave her a ride “They’re going to kill the President in Dallas”.

So, we are left with more questions than answers when it comes to the Kennedy assassination.  Who were “They” that this mystery woman was talking about? And, it does seem that it would be a lot to expect a lone gunman to accomplish at the distance and few seconds of time that Oswald supposedly was able to do.  And, what about the several eye-witnesses to things going on at the grassy knoll?  Indeed, it is a mystery.

My point is this.  We have many, many people who gave many, many varying and different and “contradictory” accounts of the Kennedy assassination.  There was even a formal governmental investigation of the event and still no solid conclusion and much disagreement among the legal and governmental experts.  So, no conclusion on exactly how and why the Kennedy assassination occurred.  So, according to Ehrman and his view and perspective of the Historical-Critical approach, we would have to conclude that because there are “irreconcilable contradictions” surrounding the Kennedy assassination that, we perhaps have to conclude that “it didn’t happen”.  Maybe, everyone simply had a “visionary imagination” about all of it, and Kennedy has been hidden away somewhere all these years for some mysterious reason.  You may say, that’s absurd.  Well, read Ehrman’s book.  This is exactly how Ehrman goes about “interpreting” the Bible.

Another example I would love to “get into” to make my point, but for the lack of time I will only touch upon is the Princess Diana auto accident.  What of the mysterious white Fiat or Peugeot that may have “cut them off” in the tunnel that fatal evening?  And, what about auto accidents in general.  How many different interpretations and contradictions of who did what.   I think you understand the weakness of Ehrman’s broad-brush approach with the Historical-Critical method of Biblical interpretation.

Furthermore, on any given day, on any major news event, you can click on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and the BBC and read stories about the same news event, but, get varying and differing views of what happened and why and how.  Does this mean it didn’t happen?

OK, let’s get back to the book.  On page 16, of chapter 1, Ehrman’s challenges (in an almost taunting fashion) the authenticity of the Bible as he says “If God wanted us to have His words, why didn’t He preserve His words”.  Next, on page 32, of chapter 2, Ehrman writes about the reference of King Herod and the slaughtering of the children as found in the Book of Matthew.  Ehrman says of Matthew that this was “…a detail made up by Matthew in order to make some kind of theological point?”  Next, there is what I see as the most stunning and jaw-dropping arrogance exhibited by Ehrman found on pages 104-107, in chapter 4, in the section sub-titled “The Authors of The Gospels”.  Here Ehrman discusses who may have written the Bible.  Ehrman begins to paint with a very broad brush and indicates that all of the disciples were illiterate.  Then Ehrman makes a most stupefying, condescendingly, super-arrogant inference as he says, on page 105, “Jesus himself was highly exceptional, in that he could evidently read (Luke 4:16-20), but there is nothing to indicate that he could write”.

The magnitude of such a statement leads me to believe that, somewhere along the way, Ehrman was offended concerning Christianity.  And, he apparently has taken it so personally that he subsequently has made it his mission in life to “destroy” Christianity.  Somewhere along the way, there was an offense.

Next, one can get an idea of Ehrman’s doctrine (or, absence of doctrine) on forgiveness of sin as you see on page 172, of chapter 5, where Ehrman says “We have no historical record that can prove why, from God’s point of view, Jesus died”.

Next, Ehrman comes up short again on page 225, of chapter 7, where he summarizes that most Christians, in other parts of the world, particularly outside of the Southern U.S., don’t adhere to a belief that a person has to necessarily believe in the Bible in order to be a Christian.  In other words, Ehrman is telling us that one can be a Christian, while at the same time, believe that the Bible is a bogus forgery.  This would be an oxymoron.

Here Ehrman misses it completely.  Here Ehrman exhibits an underdeveloped sense of the Christian world view.  Here, Ehrman exhibits underexposure to Christianity in other parts of the world.  Remember, Ehrman “dropped out of the race” long time ago.  Ehrman needs to visit the Christian churches in places like Iganga, Uganda and the slums of Nairobi (where I have ministered) and ask the Christians there if they believe in the Bible.  Oh, but wait!  That’s right, how could I forget, the African Christians didn’t graduate from Princeton.  How could I have overlooked such a thing!

You know, to be honest with you, Ehrman presents, in an analogous way, as a thwarted athlete.  As a person who loved the game of football as a young boy, played at the junior-varsity level, but then never made it to the next level due to a combination of small-stature and lack of skill.  But now, Ehrman offers up critique of the game as if he is a veteran, all-pro quarterback who “hawks” 10 Super Bowl rings.  And, he feels like he needs to apologize to the rest of us because of “how good he is”.  But, at the same time he enjoys telling all the rest of us why we are not qualified to play the game.  Hubris?

Finally, on page 283, the last page of the book, on the 1st line, we see Ehrman “lay down his hand” as he says “Furthermore, even those of us who do not believe in the Bible can still learn from it”.

The glaring short-coming of Ehrman’s analysis is that he thinks he can get us all to believe he can intellectually dismiss the person of Jesus Christ and at the same time totally ignore the “Father” and the “Holy Spirit” that Jesus spoke frequently about.  We read in several passages in the four gospels that Jesus was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and “led by the Holy Spirit”.  We read in several passages in the four gospels where Jesus speaks of His Father in Heaven.  So my point is, if Ehrman is going to be so bold as to inform us that Jesus didn’t exist, then, to be “intellectually honest” in his analysis, Ehrman also has the burden to explain away the “Father of Jesus” and the “Holy Spirit”.  Ehrman does not and cannot do it.  Ehrman is being less than scholarly in his appraoch to Bible interpretation.  Ehrman is a spiritually blind man attempting to lead other spiritually blind men and they will all fall into a ditch.   Perhaps, Ehrman could have been so bold as to have titled his book “God Interrupted”? 

Years ago, when I was meditating on Christianity and how I have seen certain professors and even a few so-called preachers seek to de-authenticate the Bible, I had a vision.  Here is how it went:  I saw a chamber in Hell, it was sort of like a cave.  The chamber was dimly lit with a pulsating type light that is emitted from flames.  And, in this chamber there were approximately 20 or 30 demons that appeared to be assembled as if in a classroom.  Then, they brought out a man who apparently had been either a Pastor or a Professor in his life on Earth.  The conditions in this chamber were miserable.  Then, this man was asked (forced) to begin teaching, the group of demons that were assembled, on the subject of why he did not believe in the existence of God. So, the professor began his discourse and at first the demons seemed interested.  Looking at them, they almost exhibited a type of sadness that they were there and an extreme anxiety that their fate had been sealed.  They at first, appeared to respect what the professor was saying but, in short order, their sadness turned into mockery and extremely sarcastic laughter and taunting of the professor.  They were asking him questions during his discourse such as “Why did you believe us?” and “Why would any fool believe there is no God” and “Why do you think we are here?” and “Why do you think you are here?”  Then, these demonic spirits became very violent, almost as if sharks in a feeding frenzy as they began screaming at the professor and calling him filthy names.  At the same time, the light began to go out in the chamber, at which time, the demons began attacking the professor beating him and biting him in the dark.  Then, the vision changed.  The chamber was once again set up and the same scenario unfolded with the same man.  Then, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that this cycle would continue for this man for eternity.

So, if Ehrman wants to talk about visions and imaginations (as he does in his book), then this is one I had years ago.  Perhaps, he would find it interesting.

In closing, I really admire the gracefulness and maturity exhibited in the response of Bishop William H Willimon in the CNN news article.  Bishop Willimon is quoted as saying that he doesn’t like the “breathless tone” of Ehrman’s work.  And, “He keeps presenting this stuff as if this is wonderful new knowledge that has been kept from you backward lay people and this is the stuff your preachers don’t’ have the guts to tell, and I have.  There’s a touch of arrogance in it”.

You know, I couldn’t agree more with Bishop Willimon.

A point of note.  The CNN news article also points out that Ehrman is a frequent contributor to the Biblical documentaries shown on the History Channel and the Discovery Channel.  Remember, a few posts back I expressed my extreme frustration with these documentaries.  Now I know why!

In closing, I will quote what one of my church members had to say upon reading the CNN news story.  He said of Ehrman “What a wasted career, what a wasted life”.

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The following is a word of prophecy as given to Pastor Connie during her personal prayer time in the early hours of May 09, 2009:

Go tell my people by My loving kindness I have drawn them and by My faithfulness I will preserve them.  Speak kindly to My people for they are confused because of the many voices.  I will not cut My people off because of the shepherds who have drawn them to desert places. Woo them back to Me.  I will put a wooing spirit upon you to gather My sheep.  The longing of My heart will be heard in your voice.  All their confusion will be lifted as you speak.  For I will enlighten the eyes of My people to see truth and to know truth in the inward parts.  No longer will My people go hungry while the shepherds feed themselves as they gorge themselves on the delicacies of My house, while not caring for the orphan and the widow.  No longer will the shepherds hold My people in captivity.

For I will come down and in My anger scatter the shepherds who scatter My people.  They will not walk in unity with one another while strengthening each other’s agenda.  But they will be torn from each other one by one.  Watch and see if I will not do it.  For I love my people, My purchased inheritance.  I love them with an everlasting love. 

I will arise as a man out of My sleep when the thief has broken through to steal what does not belong to him.  This is My house that he has broken into. I will not continue to sleep while he steals that which belongs to Me.  I will arise in great abandonment and fury and destroy the thief.  Then I will take what is in his bag and put it back where I have placed it.

So in the days ahead be vigilant. Do not be slack or slothful. Be alert. Be ready to receive what I have stored up for the armor bearers who have gone out before Me.  You are My armor bearer.  I will fight and have already begun to fight for that which belongs to Me.  These crazy shepherds believe the sheep belong to them to do with them what they desire.

Stand firm in your convictions. Do not be swayed and in right time you will come and possess your possession.  It is at the door.  Open the door.

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Over the years, we have often heard the phrase “don’t mix religion and politics” or “religion and politics don’t mix”.  However, when one really takes a serious and analytical look at the world, it is quickly realized that few suggestions could be any more untrue or unrealistic.

Regardless of what one may like to think, politics and religion are very much intertwined.  A review of the history of major political decisions in the past shows that such decisions are inextricably linked to a tapestry of politics and religion.  One such example was President John Kennedy’s campaign visit to West Virginia in 1960.   West Virginia was perceived as a non-Catholic Southern State and therefore a litmus test for Kennedy’s campaign.  Then, there are the socio-political environments in other countries such as India, Israel and Iran where one could say that “religion is politics”.  Imagine a political candidate in New Delhi or Tehran or Jerusalem trying to appeal to the voting public by saying that he or she didn’t believe that religion should play a role in public policy.     

Closer to home, here in the United States, we saw during our most recent presidential election, how religion played a major role in all things political.  It had to do with the choice of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin for the number two spot on the Republican ticket.  This choice had politics and religion written all over it.  And, I might add, the miscalculation on the part of Senator John McCain could not have been more serious.  But, we can look back and see that during the 2000 primaries how Senator McCain also, at that time, miscalculated the fury of the Religious Right when he made the derogatory statements about two prominent, national religious leaders.  One could interpret McCain’s pick of Governor Palin as an attempt to make amends and correction for those past misjudgments about the Religious Right and, also a more current attempt to throw together a loose coalition of factions within his own party.  It didn’t work.  And, again during the most recent election, there were two national religious leaders involved in McCain’s campaign early on as we saw how their endorsements were first accepted but later rejected by McCain.  The election was lost right there.  An utter fiasco on the part of McCain’s advisors.  We will take a closer look at this factor in a moment.

So, now we see a report on the CNN Internet news service about Senator McCain’s daughter addressing a recent gathering of the Log Cabin Republicans.  In this report dated April 19, 2009, we see where Meghan McCain says that “a war is brewing within the Republican Party”.  Indeed, she could not be more accurate.  This rift, between the Religious Right and the Liberal Wing of the Republican Party  actually began right after the Republican’s defeat in the 1992 Presidential election.  You could read the editorials and commentaries, at that time, as Republican leaders began to blame each other for the defeat, and some began blaming the Religious Right.

But, what we are seeing now is an exponential acceleration of this “war within the Republican Party”.  First, let’s take a look at the group Meghan McCain was speaking to – The Log Cabin Republicans.  There are a lot of Republicans that don’t know anything about this group, if fact, many don’t even know they exist, let alone the history of the formulation of this group and specifically why they call themselves the “Log Cabin Republicans”.  Suffice to say, part of the formulizing of this group evolves out of the historical interpretation (based on certain letters and comments of correspondence between Lincoln and a personal friend) of former President Abraham Lincoln and what some believe to have been his sexual orientation.  Indeed, I can guarantee you that upon reading these words just now, some Christian Republicans are dumbfounded, even angry with me for even writing them.  But, herein is exactly where part of the problem lies with the Religious Right.   Here me loud and clear, you cannot ignore and pretend that certain realities don’t exist.  The Log Cabin Republicans are one of those realities.  By this exhortation am I implying that I approve of this group?  Absolutely not.  Am I implying that because this group exists, that we should somehow seek to accommodate them and their wishes?  Absolutely not. 

Unfortunately, some of simpler minds will react with the thought that by my simply mentioning that this group exists that I am somehow endorsing them, agree with them, and think everything is OK.  And, it is this type of reaction that has gotten the Religious Right in the “Catch 22” that it is in today.  They are there because of their unsophisticated and uninformed political analysis.  And, I am going to say very clearly that conservative Christians within the Religious Right have “painted themselves into a corner” by ignoring certain political realities.        

So, now we look out over the political landscape and see a wasteland of what once was called the Republican Party.  It is leaderless and there is no clear leader emerging on the horizon.  This is gravely serious for the Party.  The longer this state of existence continues, the weaker the Party becomes.

Let’s talk real politics for a moment.  OK, let’s just do it.  If a Christian is going to put his faith in a political party then, the first objective is for his party to win.  After all, if the political party cannot win seats and offices, then that political party will have very little power.  It will have little power to effect change in society and little power to write and pass legislation.  So, if you are going to put your faith in a political party, but that party is powerless to win elections and make change, then you would be putting your faith into something that will fail.  So, the solution will eventually evolve to the ultimate decision to “win at any cost”.  And, this is exactly where the Republican Party now finds itself.  This is a dilemma of the highest magnitude for the Bible believing Christian who is putting his trust in politics. 

Let me say it another way.  When I was in graduate school, a few of us who enjoyed discussing politics coined a phrase to describe the win at all cost attitude in politics.  We called it “power politics”.  In other words, we concluded that the ultimate goal of a politician and a political party is to win.  I mean, what good is anything if you don’t win?  So, if you’re going to get involved in the first place, you get involved to win – at any cost.  Forget what the Party stands for, forget social norms and morals, forget country and liberty, just be all things to all people and win the election, then the other stuff can sort itself out.  Such an attitude was called “power politics”.   Politics is about winning, not being nice or playing fair.  So, it is in this type of environment that Governor Sarah Palin enters into the national political spotlight.

I don’t believe any of us could have imagined the brutality we have seen exhibited by certain national media organizations toward this woman and even toward her young children.  It is unbelievable.  But, it is reality.   The viciousness and polarizing posture we have seen by some media organizations toward Governor Palin are a wake up call to Christians. 

What is alarming is that even though Governor Palin’s ticket lost, some media organizations continue to go after her with a “meat cleaver”.  It is clear to see that certain media organizations do not believe in the “loyal opposition” doctrine anymore.  It appears that some are bent on destroying the opposition.  This is very serious and it has been discussed as an eventuality in discussions I have been a part of in the past.  It is power politics.  You get in power and you stay in power. 

We all knew the pendulum of national politics was beginning to swing more and more extreme each way with each election cycle and that eventually it would end up swinging one way or another and – not come back. 

When looking at the selection of Governor Palin, it appears that choosing her was an attempt by the McCain brain-trust to satisfy the Religious Right.  And, to be fair, it did create quite a stir for a brief time period and it certainly galvanized support from the Religious Right.  Until, the Katie Couric interview.  Let’s face it, that interview was an election loser.  It is inconceivable that the McCain camp would allow the number two person on the ticket to be put in the same space alone, for two hours of unlimited interviewing, with a savvy, veteran, liberal reporter like Couric.  I mean, who made that decision?

To be fair to Governor Palin, she was tossed into the “political sea” long after the media sharks had arrived.  The liberal media smelled victory and they were not about to let a young, female Governor, with a Pentecostal background come along and ruin their chance of success.  These sharks were already in a feeding frenzy before Governor Palin ever entered into the water.  She had no chance.   McCain placed Palin in the direct line of crossfire from three fronts.  First from the Democrats and secondly, from the Liberal Wing of the Republican Party, and finally from the liberal media. 

So, now we see Meghan McCain telling the Republican Party that in order to succeed in future political contests, that the Republican Party must openly embrace the homosexual agenda.  You know what, from a purely political standpoint, she may be right.  By saying that, am I implying that I agree with doing that? No.  It’s just simply the political reality.  And, this is why serious Christians cannot put their faith and trust in politics.  As Christians, our hope and trust is to be put in Jesus Christ and Him alone. 

Also, on another front, we see a another group of Christians in the 7 Mountain Theology camp who are trying to “put Humpty Dumpty back together again” but, their efforts and agenda are very misguided and unscriptural.  By the recent election, and the ill-treatment of Governor Palin, they should know by now that the forces at work are far more powerful and complicated than most of us imagined.  Let me put it to you straight, the hour is very late, much too late for Christians to be putting their faith and trust in politics.  You are heading for miserable failure if you do.  Serious Christians would be wise not to spend their precious time, energy and money trying to resurrect the Republican Party.  You will never see the Republican Party to be what it was in 1980 under Ronald Reagan.  Not in 100 years will you see such a thing again.  From a theological standpoint it is folly to think that anyone living today will see it again.

I am saying to Christians that it is high time we cease placing our trust in politics and the systems of this world.  For to put your trust in politics is to put your trust in man.  Jesus said “My kingdom is not of this world”.  That being the reality, then what business does any Christian have trying to build such an earthly kingdom? Furthermore, even Spirit-filled Christians are very divided when it comes to politics.  I know many Spirit-filled Christians who voted in the past election.  Some voted for the Democratic ticket, while others voted for the Republican ticket.  So, who is hearing from God?  Some will respond by saying “but the stand of the Parties on the issues are clear”.  Oh really?  What about The Log Cabin Republicans and Meghan McCain?

So, you can see the peril of politics for the Christian.  Politics is a foundation made up of sand on the water’s edge.  Pity the Christian who has put his hope and trust there.    

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In the 2^nd Century there arose a cult called Montanism.  It was started by a “Prophet” called Montanus.  Early church historians tell us that Montanus, prior to becoming a Christian, was a Temple Priest of the Mother Goddess of Fertility who was called Cybele.   In the worship of Cybele, the followers would dance wildly to the point of convulsing.  Also, there would be very loud music and the followers would often fall into a “trance” like state. 

Even more bizarre, was that during the course of the wild, ecstatic type worship,  some of the male followers would publicly and ritualistically castrate themselves.  Then, subsequent to their castration, these same men would take on “female” identities and begin wearing women’s clothing.  So, it was out of this spiritual environment that Montanus evolved.

Upon becoming a Christian, Montanus began to prophesy.  When prophesying, it is recorded that Montanus would fall into a trance like state while speaking forth his prophecies.  This was called ecstatic prophecy by the early church historians.  Also, there was loud music and ecstatic type worship associated with these meetings. 

A very interesting part of the history of this movement involved two women named Prisca (or Priscilla) and Maximilla.  These two women are said to have left their husbands in order to “go and prophesy with Montanus”.  Later, it is recorded that Prisca claimed that Jesus would come to her at night and sleep by her side, but He would be in the form of a woman.  And, we thought there were problems with the book “The Shack”!

Theologically, Montanists claimed to have a “fuller revelation” than that which was already given in scripture.  Montanists also believed that their prophecies superseded the doctrines of the Apostles. 

Eusebius, a historian of the early church, is said to have written when describing Montanus, that Montanus would “fall into a frenzy and convulsions” while supposedly prophesying.  This led some to believe that Montanus was actually possessed by a demonic spirit. 

When looking at the brief history of Montanism as described above, it sounds all too familiar doesn’t it?  I mean, if you consider the recent developments in the Body of Christ over the last couple of years, it seems that upon reading the history of  Montanism, you could be reading a description of our modern day followers of the “New Ecstatic Worship” and the “New Ecstatic Prophesy”.   

When watching the many You Tube clips of our modern ecstatic prophets and the modern ecstatic worship, one cannot help but draw the close comparison to what one reads about when researching Montanism.  I believe, seeing how it is so very close in comparison, that we are witnessing a revival of the ancient spirit of Montanism within the Body of Christ today.  And, this is very serious for the church. 

Some credit ancient Montanism with creating a strong backlash within the 2^nd Century church against the operation of the gifts of the spirit.  In some churches the operation of the gifts all but disappeared.  Such a reaction is the last thing the church needs today. 

I find the vulgarity exhibited by some of our modern day ecstatic prophets to be particularly damaging to the church.  Especially, this new thing going on where certain Pastors are comparing the anointing of the Holy Spirit to getting high on street drugs as these same Pastors “act out” as if they are smoking marijuana and injecting heroin as they are supposedly getting “high” on the Holy Spirit.  They are coining it “Tokin On the Ghost”.  If you don’t believe this, then simply go to You Tube and type in “ecstatic prophesy”.  See for yourself at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDOQyikIUdA and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itAUIaMM5zQ .

All of this is simply an abomination.  The Bible says that God stands in battle array against the proud.  I don’t know about you, but it seems to me that people should have a reverent fear of God while He is sitting on His throne in Heaven above, let alone if He becomes angry and decides to take an offensive and militaristic posture against someone.  I believe these ecstatic folks are testing God and they are getting ready to see “fire and smoke” for sure, but it is not going to be coming from a “drug pipe”.  Wait and see.  God will not be mocked.

Another significant issue we see concerning the ecstatics is that there seems to be an emasculation of males in this movement.  The men are not men.  They act like immature boys.  They are grossly underdeveloped spiritually and they are effeminate.  This leads me to believe that, in fact, the ancient Jezebellic spirits are at work today.  You see, Jezebel and her false prophets hated the true prophets of God.  And, we see in the Bible, that Jezebel sought to do what?  Jezebel sought to kill the true prophets of God. 

The same demonic spirits are at work today.  They cause the modern day ecstatics to work themselves up into trances and frenzies just like the false prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel.   And, just as some of the male followers of Cybele would publicly and ritualistically castrate themselves back then, I believe today we are seeing these same demonic influences as they attempt to “spiritually castrate” the male leadership of the present day church.

There is no escaping this comparison.  What we are witnessing today is so close to what we read about in church history.  I want to warn the Pastors of churches today.  You ignore all of this to your peril and the peril of your church.  Do not underestimate to size and scope of this movement.  It is large, and it is organized.  There are several different organizations throughout the country that are involved in this, with each group having its own area or facet of emphasis, but ultimately, they are being motivated by, and influenced by the same demonic influence. 

Again Pastors, you cannot simply look the other way and ignore this.  I urge you to educate yourself to what is transpiring within the Body of Christ.  Do this so you can be prepared to give a defense of the true gospel when the time comes.  May the Lord empower His true servants and prepare them for the days ahead.  Amen.

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It is time for Christians everywhere to take inventory of what is transpiring within the Body of Christ. You ignore current realities to your peril. The church today is in a state that could be compared to what we see and read about in I Samuel where we see the words “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation”.

What is of note about this time period is that Eli and his sons were individuals who were in positions of spiritual leadership but, there was no leading of the Holy Spirit. In other words, these individuals held their positions but functioned and operated in these positions in “name only”. They had the titles, but they had no real power. This describes much of the church today as we see many who have titles and name recognition, but no real spiritual power. They are like the army of Israel going out to fight against the Philistines while thinking that victory would be theirs just like in times past. However, this day would be different. God was going to judge Israel because of the dereliction of duty of the spiritual leadership.

The Ark of The Covenant was brought out into the battle as in times past; however, on this day there was no presence of the Holy Spirit to assist Israel in the battle. The battle was lost that day, many soldiers died and the Ark of The Covenant was captured. Also, during this battle, the two sons of Eli were killed. Upon hearing the news of all this, Eli falls backwards and breaks his neck and dies “for he was old and heavy”.

I believe this describes the state of the church today, “old (not spiritually current), and heavy (lazy and indifferent) to the things of God”. We read that the Lord was very angry with the sons of Eli. In the Bible we see the word of the Lord concerning Hophni and Phinehas and we read where the Bible says “Nevertheless they did not heed the voice of their father, because the Lord desired to kill them”.

I believe that there are those in ministry within the church today who, just like Eli and his sons, have grieved the Holy Spirit with their continued and unrelenting sinful behavior, to the point that the Lord is going to remove them. It will be the Lord and no man can stop Him. It will be judgment from above.

God has a standard. God has communicated His standard to us through His word. It is clear that ministers of the gospel are held to a high standard. God will not be mocked. The requirement that ministers live a life of holiness before the Lord cannot be negotiated away or relegated as unimportant by any man. And, if any man teaches doctrine that misleads the flock, then God will judge that man.

Lately, we have witnessed an almost “carnival type atmosphere” surrounding some so-called ministers of the gospel. These phonies go to no length to smear, trivialize and demean the Holy Name of God. They believe it is their responsibility to make God “common”. They communicate the gospel message with such crass vulgarity it is stunning. These preachers are even comparing the precious anointing of the Holy Spirit to the type of experience that is usually associated with what a demon-possessed drug user experiences when shooting up heroin. It is an abomination. God is not pleased at this sort of “cuteness” and He will judge these ministers. Wait and see.

Also, from the same group of ministers described above, we are witnessing a mocking of the experience of speaking in tongues. These phony ministers make vulgar, immature, rude, weird and ugly type sounds as they mimic the real and genuine act of speaking in tongues. They do this because they are not called to preach the gospel. These men are hirelings. They care nothing about the sheep. They care nothing about proper instruction or appropriate behavior. They are in rebellion. They are offending the spirit of grace and they are kindling the wrath of God against themselves. He will judge these mockers of the gospel. Wait and see.

These same imposters believe they have the authority to compromise the truth of the gospel to somehow make it relevant for today. In their attempt to “modernize” the gospel they handle the word of God violently. These men neither have the guts or character to preach the Bible as it is. They have to play act and make up silly stunts in their attempt to preach. They are underdeveloped spiritually. They are not led by the Holy Spirit but rather, they are led by the base attributes of their flesh nature. These men are what the Bible describes as “white-washed sepulchers”. And, their throats are open graves. Hell is opening wide to receive these men. God will judge them for misleading the people astray.

Next, we have ministers who have gone into the sin of homosexuality. They are practicing a lifestyle that is sinful and contrary to the word of God. They are leading people astray into a vast wasteland of failure and misery. These ministers are leading the people headlong into the flames of Hell. God will judge these ministers most severely of all.

If you examine the history of how God has dealt with the sin of homosexuality in the past, it is clear that He is getting ready to intervene in the goings on of the present day church. How can He not?
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