Pastor Ken,

Have you thought to question whether the emergent leaders, now on scene, are perhaps Trojan Horse insurgents for the Roman Catholic Church against historical, Protestant evangelicalism?

Brother Pastor

Hi Brother,

Indeed, I have. My view is that they are working for the same source, Satan, from which the Roman Catholic apostasy originates; even if they don’t know it consciously, which I personally doubt they do.

They were sharp, however, to level their propaganda and contemplative spirituality over these years to attack Sola Scriptura.

And as you can see in Tony Jones And Ken Silva Agree! now that they know they have toppled that central pillar in the mainstream evangelical community they know it has no defense left against their heresies.

Good to hear from you, and I sincerely wish I had better news.

Blessings,

Ken

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Are you familiar with the New Perspective on Paul? In Richard Foster and Contemplative Mysticism: A Powerful Ecumenical Bond you referenced the website Bible Study Notes which had an article under the “Categories” section titled Pauline Gospel. When reading articles on a new site, it is hard to tell if they support NPP or are just using it as a reference to aberrant teaching. This “heresy” scares me because they use terms that seem right and many people sit under this type of teaching for years before they discover that it is a “different gospel”.

Gary Gilley is at our church as a visiting pastor 11-1-08 and to be honest I have a hard time with addressing this issue on a lay level to people that are under this teaching and unaware because it sounds SO much like the “solas”. It isn’t always what they are saying, but rather, what they neglect to tell about their teaching. A huge teacher of this is Les Feldick. Many homes are doing his bible studies on video and SO much of what he teaches is right on.

After attending one of these for over one year AND enjoying them, we finally heard him say that the NT believers do not have to repent. That was something for Israel. His “mantra” is Grace+Nothing. He also adheres to the Gap Theory. I get confused with the 2 different gospels and the 2 different kingdoms. Any updates and forthright information would be a blessing to me!!!

Thank you,

AM Reader

You’re welcome, the Lord be praised I’m here to offer what I can. I’m not really all that familiar with Les Feldick but what I have seen has not impressed me as one who could be considered a solid teacher of the Bible. So adding what you say he teaches I would recommend we steer clear of him in favor of someone like Dr. John MacArthur. I quite agree it’s always best to be very careful.

AM and its sister outreach Christian Research Netdoesn’t necessarily endorse everything we may link to for informational purposes so that’s all the more reason to be careful. The site youy mention appears to be connected with David Cloud of Way of Life so it would likely be fundamentalist and therefore against NPP; but these crazy days you just never know.

And as far as the New Perspective on Paul (NPP) itself I’ll begin by quoting The Master’s Seminary: “It’s an insidious heresy that on the surface might look like it has some sense of scholastic splendor but, once you poke through the veneer, it’s nothing more and nothing less than theological poison” (Online source). Much has been said and written about NPP as we see from The Paul Page: Dedicated to the New Perspective of Paul, which you’ll has pieces both for and against so be aware. 

However, there really hasn’t been a lot written at what refer to as “a lay level.” Dr. Gary Gilley has done a series which is pretty accessible for the average Christian and I’ll place the link below. I did mention the heresy of NPP briefly in “Reclaiming Paul?” Sorry; More Like Reimagining Paul. NPP is truly a rottern root which gives the postliberal cult of the Emergent Church more food for their reimagined inclusive “gospel” of social reform. 

Of course we’re not surprised as all that N.T. Wright, before whom they bow as one of their most revered Golden Buddhas, is also one of the main teachers of this heresy. And wouldn’t you know, NPP is yet another attack on the vicarious penal substitutionary atonement. As funding allows I hope to be writing more on this because NPP’s been in seminaries for years, which means many pastors today adhere to it and/or are even teaching this fantasy of works-righteousness to unsuspecting churches.

And you are quite correct, as with all cultic teachings, they are changing the meanings of words. Following are a few good sources which you will find helpful in addressing the revisionist history and heresy of NPP:

WILLIAM BARRICK: BIBLICAL TESTIMONY MORE AUTHORITATIVE THAN NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL

F. DAVID FARNELL: BASIC DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL

JACK HUGHES: ALL BRANCHES OF NEW PERSPECTIVE ON PAUL RELY ON THE SAME ROOT

Dr. Gary Gilley, The New Perspective on Paul

Phil Johnson, A Defense of the Old Perspective on Paul

Chris Arnzen, Iron Sharpens Iron radio program, J. Ligon Duncan III: “The New Perspective on Paul”

Monergism.com, New Perspective on Paul

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“Do you know anything about P4CM and Blair Wingo?”

As far as Blair Wingo; I had not heard of her, but here is what I have found. She is a “missionary/slam poet,” the urban roots style would remind one of Gil Scott-Heron. And by the info on her link on God Tube and on this profile link Wingo is also a model and an actress.

There doesn’t seem to be any website for as such for Passion for Christ Movement (P4CM) as yet, though Wingo does speak of www.p4cm.com, which then circles back to YouTube here.

The article below, from which the quote is taken, would have me believe that this is intentional on the part of P4CM because the piece is focused on God Tube—where they also have a link—being used as a ministry marketing tool:

Local ministries are signing on too. Pastor Justin Cox, 30, of Los Angeles’ Passion for Christ Movement, said GodTube has helped his congregation reach an audience well beyond the 60 people who regularly come to his services, where he preaches against what he sees as harmful images of blacks portrayed in hip-hop music. “I have to address Tupac before I can even get in there and address Jesus Christ,” he said.

Cox’s group scored a hit with a video of a slam poetry sermon given by actress and model Blair Wingo. With nearly 30,000 views, Wingo’s lyrical performance is now one of GodTube’s most-viewed clips and has elicited fan mail from China, Australia and Europe. (Online source)

From what I can see so far concerning this “Passion for Christ Movement,” though not necessarily an endorsement on my part, I am pleased to tell you that it does actually appear P4CM may indeed be a legit Christian outreach geared most specifically to the black and urban community.

This at least so far as evidenced by Blair Wingo’s “Allow Me to Re-Introduce the Christ”…

This video of an insightful interview outside of the BET Awards…

And this additional performance piece from Wingo entitled “You Lost Another One”…

I pray this helps.

For Christ’s honor I labor,

Ken Silva, pastor-teacher

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Can you please send me more evidence about whether T. D. Jakes denies the Biblical doctrine of the Trinity? Can you show me where he has clearly misstated what the Trinity truly is? What is T. D. Jakes’ doctrinal background?

Yes, I certainly can:

KEEPING YOU APPRISED OF: T.D. JAKES ON THE TRINITY

And just click on his name for the link to my archive about T.D. Jakes.

You also asked: “Can you show me where he has clearly misstated what the Trinity truly is?” In answering let me point out that I have been in the field of Comparative Religion, apologetics and counter-cult evangelism for 20 years now. The reason I mention this is to tell you that unfortunately it’s not common when someone who teaches false doctrine concerning the Trinity does so “clearly.”

However, you will be able to see Jakes’ position in T.D. JAKES ON THE TRINITY (JOT) referenced above. Now let me also answer your other question: “What is T. D. Jakes’ doctrinal background?” as I show you what Jakes has said about the Trinity. First, I have written and specifically asked Jakes for his view on the Trinity:

LETTER TO DR. T.D.JAKES ASKING FOR HIS DEFINITIVE VIEW ON THE HOLY TRINITY

He chose to refuse to answer and in fact I received no response from his people at all. In JOT I do point out that his ordination is through a church which is Oneness Pentecostal. In a Christianity Today article Jakes says he “became Pentecostal 26 years ago at a Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church, where I was later ordained a Bishop.”

And as I also said in JOT: “I was unable to locate a website for this church but from years of personal research and study I can tell you that almost invariably when we see the word Apostolic in the name of a church it is Oneness Pentecostal.” Jakes has never specifically denied that he is Oneness Pentecostal (OP).

The fact is that OP flatly denies the doctrine of the Trinity which is:

Within the nature of the one true and living God there are three co-equal and co-eternal Persons (cognizant egos) existing simultaneously; The whole undivided essence of God belongs equally to each of the three Persons; God the Father; God the Son—Who is Christ Jesus of Nazareth—and God the Holy Spirit. And these three Persons are that one God.

Instead OP says:

God is one Person Who revealed Himself in three different modes (i.e. manifestations or roles). In the Old Testament God revealed Himself as Father; in Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament He reveals Himself as Son, and in this Church age this one Person as God is revealing Himself as the Holy Spirit. These are not three different Persons, but rather, one Person Who is acting in three different ways.

Now here is how the Belief Statement from The Potter’s House where T.D. Jakes is pastor currently and clearly reflects his OP view of God:

God–There is one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Online source)

That is classic OP language. If Jakes believed in the Trinity as I accurately outlined above, as well as in my letter to him, then he would simply say so; but he doesn’t. I pray this helps.

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Pastor Ken,

I am curious of your opinion on these so called “debates” that Christians feel they must get into with blatant, rebellious, mockers of God. I understand presenting them the truth as Paul did on Mars Hill, but Paul came at their invite because they had heard what he said in the past and wanted to hear more:

17 So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present.

18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were 1conversing with him. Some were saying, “What would this idle babbler wish to say?” Others, “He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming?”

Paul didn’t say, “Let’s meet up on Mars Hill so I can debate you on the issue of “my God is bigger than your god” or “God verses No God”. It just seems like the way we handle this today, is to fall into Satan’s trap that the Gospel is just one of “many” truths and we fall into giving lies equal footing with the word of God. We debate the Gospel, but we don’t proclaim it, as we are commanded. It also seems to show a lack of belief in the fact that it is God who changes the stony hearts of men (and not our clever arguments).

In Christ,

AM Reader

Hello,

In answer to your question; yes, this would be a bit of a controversial thing to do especially for the reason you mention: engaging “blatant, rebellious, mockers of God.” Although this kind of thing was very common in the 1800’s even with those who were Calvinists and believed in the doctrines of grace. As a matter of fact a man who influenced me quite a bit, Dr. Walter Martin, was known to have these kinds of debates.

The idea of this kind of apologetic is kind of based on 1 Corinthians 9:19 – For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. As in if someone is academic, then be academic. Make sense?

Also Jesus Himself is on record “arguing” as in debate – One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer,… (Mark 12:28). The real problem is people like Rick Warren ought not to do this kind of thing.

In the case of Dr. Alister McGrath we have a man who is a trained academic and a very good apologist in the area of science. Being that he is “professor of historical theology at Oxford University…and microbiologist, Christian and author of several books rebutting atheism.”

Sadly, many who try and do this kind of thing – such as Ray Comfort and especially Kirk Cameron – are just not trained for it and are way out of their league. Which is where “the way we handle this today, is to fall into Satan’s trap that the Gospel is just one of ‘many’ truths and we fall into giving lies equal footing with the word of God. We debate the Gospel, but we don’t proclaim it, as we are commanded.”

So in our generation there needs to be a better balance between – but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15) and what you say below concerning the actual result of so many of these so-called debates: “It also seems to show a lack of belief in the fact that it is God who changes the stony hearts of men (and not our clever arguments).”

I pray this helps a bit.

Blessings in Christ,

Ken Silva, pastor-teacher

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The information below has now been corroborated from multiple sources and I share this letter with the permission of its author:

Dear CRN:

I think there are a few other aspects to this virgilicious scandal. I am entirely sick of the LCMS (I left them because of their heresies, in accordance with Romans 16:17) and just want to be done with them. However, I feel that many people are being deceived and need to know the truth–that is why I write. It might give credibility to mention that I am a student at CUW.

“The virgilicious scandal here at Concordia has not surprised me. Many at CUW have repeatedly shown that they do not understand the seriousness of sin; they do not understand the Law. I would like to start with a quote from the Beacon (written by Tyler Williams),

‘The video is intrinsically harmless. While it is not exactly the kind of thing we would show our donors and perspective students, the video is an illustration of how students who are serious about worship can have fun.’

Yet, the Apostle Paul writes, ‘But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints (Ephesians 5:3, ESV).’

And, ‘Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:4, ESV).

Nowhere does the Beacon’s article mention that the video contained numerous sexual innuendos. The phrase ‘cense me, cense me’ and the female students performing sexually suggestive dances (including clawing at ‘Virge’ while all are sprawled on the floor) make strong reference to sexual immorality.

This video was supposed to be a ‘joke.’ Yet, we just read how Paul tells us that this kind of joking is out of place for believers. Nor are we to give the appearance of sexual immorality. I have repeatedly pointed this out to students here, with no response.

Obviously, everyone now knows that the video was a parody of ‘Fergilicous.’ How can even making a parody of such a song (with its blatant sexual immorality) be reconciled with ‘For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret (Ephesians 5:12, ESV)?’

Again, this is not surprising. To some faculty, and many students, within the Theology department sex is something to joke about. Throughout my time here, I have been appalled at how many times certain Theology faculty members make sexual jokes—in class. It is also pretty clear that no one is telling the students that such talk is not fitting for God’s people (let alone future pastors) as this has been rampant among students.

Not only this, but some pre-sem students have what can only be classified as pornographic images hanging on the walls in their room (such as SI’s swimsuit calendars). One wonders why CUW would allow any of their on campus students to put such things on campus property. Walk through any of the men’s dorms on campus and you will see that anyone can see these abominations posted in numerous rooms.

I would like to make two final points. While the Beacon article admitted that the video was public before CRN got it, it makes it sound like this was a surprising phenomenon.

‘Wollenberg’s MySpace page is private, but the video on his page—which was linked from Facebook—still was, despite his intentions, publicly available.’

I don’t know how his MySpace page could be considered private. I received a link to the video on MySpace, and viewed it with no difficulty, from a friend. This friend is not a member of the LCMS. Nor is he a student at CUW. In fact, he does not even live in the state of Wisconsin. In light of that, I don’t think that page was really ‘private.’ The quote in the Beacon is deceptive at best, and I do not understand how any could be surprised that something posted online became public.

Finally, ‘Virge’ states in the Beacon, ‘I’m not quite sure that [they have] the authority to judge anyone…If Concordia will be judged, so will everyone else.’

‘Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright (Proverbs 20:11, ESV).’

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Hello,

I wonder if you can help me because I have been in search for some answers for quite some time. I’ve been attending a church in Tulsa, Ok for several years and have recently become very concerned even though some of the teaching is awesome….I feel like some things that are taught are deceptive and not of God.

I was wondering if you might have any information on Church On The Move or Willie George. If so, I would love any confirmation as to whether what I’ve been thinking the Lord has been trying to get thru to me is in fact the Lord.

COTM is a large church (I believe around 15,000 members) and even though Willie George is a great teacher, I do believe that he’s headed in the wrong direction in a lot of areas. However, he’s a great supporter of Israel and very in-depth teacher (which we love)…but, I’ve started having serious concerns about many other things within the church and the teaching.

I’m really starting to believe that the Lord doesn’t want us to support it any longer. I’ve been praying for confirmation and that He would open our eyes to the truth and to what He would have us do. I am also praying that Willie George will see the error in his ways and turn the church around in the right direction to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many blessings in our Lord,
Puzzled

While I had yet to hear anything about Willie George and Church On The Move (COTM) specifically I did do some quick preliminary research which immediately raised concerns for me. Being in this line of discernment work for many years there are certain indicators which things that are off track will usually exhibit.

A good example would be What to Expect from COTM where the first thing we are told is: “Church on the Move is a dynamic local body that offers relevant teaching and amazing music as part of every service, but there is also a host of friendly faces ready to make visitors feel right at home.”

And then we move on a little further to what’s called “the close” in sales when they tell us that COTM has:

Located in the main lobby, the Guest Services Desk is the place to get your questions answered. Our worship guides also provide information on upcoming events and ways to get involved. Complimentary coffee is yours to enjoy at the Starbucks stations before heading into service.

This would be very consistent with the typical seeker sensitive megachurches I often come across. Can you see here that all of this is quite appealing to the flesh but truthfully it sounds more like I’d be going to the theatre or a concert event than to worship God Almighty through Christ by the Holy Spirit. So instead of the Lord being our feature here rather it is our “relevant teaching and amazing music” which appeals to the flesh that is the showcase.

I personally would also venture that this could explain where you feel are getting a prompt concerning “things that are taught [which] are deceptive” from God the Holy Spirit that this compromise grieves Him. The whole site over-all looks to me as if it is just begging people to “like us” as opposed to saying come worship the Creator of us.

Then there is the slick professional .com wesite of Pastor Willie George which is a cause for concern. This “Oneighty” kind of stuff with these supposed “leadership tools” and talk about how “we need to reach the future before it reaches us” is also not a good indication of proper focus for true ministry in Christ either.

You may believe me when I say that we are up to our eyeballs with this same wrong approach to the Christian faith in the Southern Baptist Convention. And then in “About Willie George Ministries” we read: “Willie George is a man sent from God to families.” This shouldn’t be any earth-shaking news; if he is a pastor then his local church would have families within it.

And generally when we see this kind of blatant sales pitch extolling the “virtues” of a man then we’re looking at a ministry that is only destined to go off the rails if it isn’t already:

Family relationships, leadership training, and spiritual development have been the key thrusts in Pastor George’s 31 years of ministry. He is a dynamic speaker, author, pastor, and teacher. Because of his keen awareness of Bible prophecy, Pastor George believes that these are the Last Days and that ministry to the whole family is vital to the gathering in of the final harvest of souls.

This last sentence is a big red flag as well. The fact is that have been living in “the last days” since Christ ascended back into Heaven e.g. 1 John 2:18 – Little children, it is the last time. So exactly when wasn’t “ministry to the whole family” of vital importance to pastors?

Sadly evangelicalism has been invaded by CEO-type business leaders who are now running churches just the same way as one would a business. Nice idea in the physical would because these pragmatic man-oriented (works of the flesh) absolutely work in bringing other people through the doors of a church. The trouble is that God’s Church is not a flesh-originated work; it is a Supernatural work that must be done in His Power and His way.

What I have seen here would all be in line with what I have written about in Mediocre Christianity and Pick Your Sword of the Spirit Back Up! I do pray this helps give you a different perspective to pray about in this situation. And speaking of which, we do covet your prayers for me to be available here at AM to answer questions like this. In closing, let me also encourage you that you are not alone in seeing these kinds of things subtly slithering into our local churches.

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Attention To Prayer And The Ministry Of The Word

Let me say right at the outset that if you are not interested in the critcal work that I am doing here at Apprising Ministries for the Body of Christ right now at this critical time in history then save yourself some frustration and just skip right on over this piece. My advice to you is don’t even bother to read it because I guarantee that it will only make you angry because what follows is nothing at all like the squalid pap passing for the Christian faith you would be used to hearing from too many apologists today.

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” (Matthew 11:12)

In the Book of Acts we see those same Twelve men (aka the Apostles) as in the opening text–minus Judas Iscariot and replaced by Matthias–being confronted by a difficult problem. This particular situation, however important the need, was interfering with the calling and desire which God had placed in their hearts that they preach the Word of God and for them to teach the Lord’s people. As it is written: Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart (Psalm 37:4, KJV).

So now here’s the historic text of canonical Scripture as to how God wanted the situation handled:

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the Word of God in order to wait on tables.”

“Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word.” (Acts 6:1-4)

Well after delighting myself in the Lord, my calling and the desire of my heart is to do the same as the men above. And not only that but Christ has given me a local church of but five people to pastor, the personal website of AM, and as well as another in Slice of Laodicea to help oversee. So as you should be able to see it isn’t as if I don’t have the forums to preach and teach the Word of God already. Not only that but I have long ago demonstrated my ability to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Yet amazingly, because I receive virtually no funding, now the bulk of my time each day is spent in the “tutoring center” (special education) of the local secular high school with kids who have no interest whatsoever in learning.

In addition because of tons of money-grubbing charlatans which are regularly paraded before us on TBN, and the many so well-conditioned by seeker sensitive Christianity-Lite, there are lots of people who will quickly say, “O but if it’s God’s will for you to be in the ministry fulltime then He’ll make the way through His people.” Really? What planet have you just arrived from? Obviously the Lord works through His people, but let me ask a question of the smug self-satisfied “Christian” who feels this way. What do you suppose happens to men like me when God’s people are disobedient, and/or self-centered, and/or in a spiritual coma concerning the very real danger that emerging Hollow Men like Emergent Guru Brian McLaren present to His entire Church?

Free Will And Disobedience

So wait a miniute now because you can’t have it both ways. Right now we have the hugely Arminian bent within the Body of Christ which is currently holding sway and pushing hard for us to see that mankind has a “free will.” The Christian then, they also tell us, can then use this free will to choose to obey God or not to obey Him. Well, for now I’m not arguing with you here about whether this is true or not, but rather my point should become crystal clear. When the Lord’s Christian people of the New Testament begin acting just as the nation of Israel did in the Old Testament–and they are–selfishly keeping His blessings to themselves, then guess who it is who is going to go without funding? And after all, we all know that God is not going to force anyone to do something against their will.

However, it is also written of the Body of Christ:

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:5-8, KJV)

So what do you think happens during a time such as this one of rampant apostasy and self-centeredness in the Church when those whose gift is he that giveth decide it’s more important that he goes on a vacation because God “understands that I need time to rest.” He does? While people are dying and going to Hell as the Church sleeps on, are you sure the Lord is ok with you taking time off for yourself? What have you done for His cause lately? Where exactly do we find Jesus headed out for a two-thousand dollar “Christian” pleasure cruise? The Church of Jesus Christ is being attacked by savage Emergent wolves in sheep’s clothing and men like me are diligently working the equivalent of three fulltime jobs with little to no real support from my brethren and you say you need rest?

One quick example of what ministries like mine, and other brothers who are without forums such as this and who also pastor small congregations who cannot even come close to supporting them, go through. In faithfulness I am also speaking for these noble shepherds in little out of the way churches as well. Y’know maybe an overpaid megachurch pastor or two ought to think about what it’s like for those like me who are neglected missionaries to our own people. And yes, I do pray this will cut you to your heart. A brother writes to me on his own a while back all excited about finding that someone is “boldly standing for the Truth.” He’s even from my own fading denomination and he tells me that he’s going to commit to a certain amount of financial support every month. Many words of encouragement and a commitment to stand with us monetarily.

Not only that but he says I’m also going to recruit ten people to commit to supporting AM as well. Well, this encouragement was quite short-lived. Here’s what actually happened; he sent but one check himself, we’ve seen none of the ten and he has never given again without any explanation as to why. O but the hypocrites will publicly and loudly stand on their street corners to cry, “God, we don’t have pastors willing to stay true to the Bible and not sell out.” Again really; now maybe you can guess why that is. I’m not excusing these men who sell out, and more importantly God Himself most certainly isn’t pleased with them, but I can personally tell you why many of these “ministers” do take the broad road of compromise. I talk further about this in You Wanna Be A Soldier Of Christ Jesus? But as far as I’m concerned it’s to the end.

Stand Along With Those Of Us Already Sacrificing Ourselves

Somenone needs to have the guts to say it. The absolute truth is that right now the average Christian would rather whine about the “hirelings” in the pulpit and decry the lack of uncompromising men like myself than to reach in their pocketbooks and do something about it. Yet amazingly there are those who still accuse me of doing what I do for the money! Frankly they need to have their spiritual heads examined. It’s true though, and I even have one detractor, a self-styled “teacher of the Law” who gives every impression of being obsessed with me. This fool has even all but outrightly accused me of fabricating letters from readers in order to drum up support.

Right; I’m supposedly “bilking” people out of their money as I use a few pebbles and a slingshot in defending our Lord’s true Gospel from men like Warren and McLaren and Osteen who can literally buy and sell me. If I were in this for the money then I would also pull up alongside those following despicable deceiving spirits and their world-pleasing doctrines of demons. Men like Rick Warren and Brian McLaren and Rob Bell and Joel Osteen. Yeah, tell the people what they want to hear boys and watch the money roll in. Well, not me. As long as the Lord gives me breath I will go right on unashamedly preaching my message of love, funding or no funding.

“What,” some ask, “Love! I don’t think it’s possible for you to show more hatred in what you write!” Borrowing from the Apostle Paul, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1) My message is of love for my Master Who took a useless pile of human flesh, regenerated him and gave him the unspeakable privilege to be among those God wants as pastor-teachers at such a critical time in the Body of Christ. If my Lord chooses to sustain me you’ll not find me among the man-pleasing rabble currently infesting the pulpits of this land. Know the time in which you live or be swept into myriad deceptions which will only grow.

Let this be known as well; I want you to take up your Bibles and test me (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). In fact, as my little flock can attest I welcome it because when you are done I’ll still be standing. For it is also written: For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ. My appeal is only that you – “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment” (John 7:24). The fruit of my labor in Christ is right in line with men like Edwards and Whitefield and Spurgeon and Tozer and Martin. And this is the type of theology the popular new evangelicalism stands against.

And if you wish to support a real work of God then I ask you to make a commitment and begin to do so right now–today. You can do make donations HERE. For example if the support had been there I would have been able to go to Canada and teach willing pastors associated with the Atlantic Baptist Mission what Brian McLaren , the guest speaker at their upcoming convention, is actually all about. The time has come for the Body of Christ to begin to sacrifice along with those of us called into service to them and who labor as a spiritual military to protect them. Yes, if you are a genuine believer in Christ, you serve the King of kings, but your King is at war. And if you don’t wish to enter the fighting yourself then at least financially support those of us who are up to our necks in it.

Finally, a quick example of what could happen if someone really wanted to help in those of us laying down our lives in what Dr. John MacArthur calls “The Truth War.” Maybe instead of going out to eat one weekend a month you commit that money to a work such as this. I am hardly the only ministry going without as spiritually obtuse Christians are financially supporting wolves in sheep’s clothing. And as you sacrifice that one night of pleasure, thereby joining those of us do so every day, then why not also make the commitment to set aside that time to specifically pray for men like me who in the strength of the Lord would rather die than compromise no matter what it costs.

But let me tell you this because I am not too proud to say…it costs…

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18, KJV)

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Do you have any information about the ministry of Pastor Benny Perez of Pacesetters International? Would he be considered a part of the Emergent Church movement?

Answer:

Benny Perez is lead pastor of The Church at South Las Vegas. As of this writing his site www.pacesetters.org is down. But here is the link to his very high techie Emergent-looking Site www.bennyperez.org website. If you click on “Benny Perez: About Pastor Benny Perez” you will read that part of his “unique call to minister” is “community transformation.”

According to Charisma magazine (a most dubious source of Word Faith mumbo jumbo) he is “one of the top emergingvoices (sic) that will lead this generation.” Here is the above referenced Charisma article 30 Emerging Voices. There you’ll read:

Today’s emerging leaders aren’t afraid to push new buttons, sail into uncharted waters or blur the line between secular and sacred. Their faith has been shaped not only by the culture wars of the 1990s but also by reality TV, iPods and instant messaging. They are the first generation to use blogging as an evangelism tool in cyberspace. Today’s emerging leaders fully intend to reinvent church…

Although Perez would actually be more prone toward Pentecostal Word Faith excesses, all of the above are things also quite consistent with the neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church and his age also lends itself well to drift further into that area.

Another source tells us that Perez’:

passion for Jesus has made him a leading voice to this generation. Pacesetters International is one of the fastest growing worldwide ministries reaching thousands with the presence of God… His vision is to empower people to live at a higher level in God through the surrendering of their lives and pursuit of an intimate relationship with Jesus… Pastor Benny became a full-time evangelist with Pacesetters International in September 1998 after serving as youth pastor at Marysville First Assembly of God near Seattle for six years… His youth ministry model — turning youth groups into youth churches with radical worship,…

This next article is about Judah Smith the brother of “Wendy, who is married to the well-known charismatic Benny Perez.” This also shows more of the type of abberations he is aligned with. And sure enough Perez is also listed among ministers at the infamous Trinity Broadcasting Network.

The words “avoid at all costs” seem appropriate here! This “unique” minister instead gives all appearances of being just another of the 40-ish hirelings sent forth in Disneyland churches to declare a reimagined social gospel and the love of man. I would recommend following 2 Timothy 3:5 about men like Perez who have the appearance of godliness, but [are] denying its power. Avoid such people.

For Christ’s Honor,

Ken Silva, pastor-teacher

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In the short broadcast we also talked about the challenges of taking a stand for truth in a world where taking stands of any kind isn’ well received. I pray that it will be a blessing for you. You can listen to the Slicecast right here.

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