Some very illuminating comments from February 2009 by Richard Abanes are reprinted below. We note further that Abanes has also said, “The Body of Christ is finally beginning to pull the mask away from these ODMs to reveal their true nature,…” (Online source)

Well now, as one Jesus has sent as a pastor-teacher, I’d say that when a well known Christian apologist and author, whose pastor is the PDL Pope Rick Warren himself, makes a charge like this the Body of Christ really ought to ask him to specify which ones he’s, in fact, referring to:

But be careful to make sure you understand precisely my thoughts…I have a qualifier my statement. I said: “I am not convinced of the Christianity of SOME of these ODMs, based on their utter lack of love (not to mention the rest of the fruit of the spirit).”

First, note that I said “SOME” and I did not say precisely which ones.

Second, having said the above, I also recognize that I have no real measuring stick to judge with an certainty the difference between which ones are not saved and which ones are simply: 1) in deep, deep sin; 2) living at a tragic/frightening level of self-delusion; 3) literally suffering from some mental imbalance.

Third, it must be acknowledged that there is a point where, despite someone’s profession of faith, they are simply not saved — but I don’t know where that point is because: 1) I can’t see into their heart; and 2) All people are different w/ different external manifestations of sin.

So, in summation, I’m actually just voicing a very common idea that is quite general in nature — i.e., some of these ODMs might not truly be saved. But when it comes to specifics, I really have no idea which ones are saved and which ones are not saved.

This is a very dicey area: i.e., when is fruit so bad that it means we’re seeing an unbeliever, how evident must fruits of repentance be to others, how sinful can a true Christian be and still be a Christian, how does a true Christians respond to truth/correction, where t=is the line between deliberate sin and mental/emotional imbalance (and yes, I also believe SOME of these ODMs are imbalanced), how much does God tolerate from his children.

At MOST, I would merely be able to point to certain sinful actions, statements, and attitudes in which they’ve blatantly indulged with no remorse or hesitation and respond by saying, “I can’t see how a true Christian could do that.”

I do think that if all of these ODMs are indeed saved/regenerate, then I don’t think it would be too far off base to say that all of them, or at least most of them, are entrenched in a seriously carnal/sinful mindset that has deep psychological origins, which have caused them to express their so-called “ministry” via hate, anger, fear-mongering, bitterness, and false accusations — all under the guise of godliness, righteousness, discernment, and righteous indignation against their targets of choice.

It’s a problem for: 1) them; 2) those who trust them; and 3) those they attack. (Online source, February 22, 2009)

Richard Abanes

See also:

RICHARD ABANES: ALL, OR, MOST ONLINE DISCERNMENT MINISTRIES IN SERIOUS SINFUL MINDSET

RICHARD ABANES CALLS OUR WORK “DARK DEEDS”

RICHARD ABANES ON INGRID SCHLUETER AS “OUR MODERN-DAY JEZEBEL”

IS THERE A “CULT OF ONLINE DISCERNMENT MINISTRIES”?

RICHARD ABANES: A TRUTH PROBLEM INDEED

A PASTOR’S ASSESSMENT OF RICHARD ABANES

Richard Abanes: Professional Apologist or Ad hominem Attack Artist

Richard Abanes’s “Catch-Me-If-You-Can”(1) Copycat Research, Copyright Infringement, and Plagiarism