In a new ebook, subtitled How Spiritual Bullies Attack The Church,  Bill Slabaugh opines how apparently the church now faces “a  new level of intensity  when  it  comes  to spiritual abuse and  bullying.” Well, it seems Apprising Ministries is among “several  national  organizations, websites,  newsletters,  and  radio broadcasts” who “have turned their  sights  on  the  church  and  have  attacked  Christian leaders and other faithful believers.”

So Slabaugh, with his “over twenty-five years of  pastoral  experience, is set to ride to the rescue—for $12.95 a pop—informing us:

This New Pharisaism falsely claims that New Age, Eastern mystical, and occultic  practices are  being  introduced into most churches in America as part of the apostasy of the last days. This  inflammatory  and  divisive  material  has  made its way into local  churches  through  individuals  and small groups  of  bullies  who  have  used  it  for their own selfish gain and self-promoting agenda.

The weapons of their warfare consist of destructive written material and radio broadcasts which have no true scriptural basis.  They are self-appointed Pharisees who refer to themselves as: “watchmen,” “apprising ministries,” and “discerning ministries.”

These Pharisaical organizations and individuals include Ray Yungen, Dave Hunt and The Berean Call, Crosstalk America, Lighthouse Trails Research Project, Media
Spotlight, Southwest Radio Church, Apprising Ministries, and Understanding the Times. (Online source)

As we investigate this matter, and Slabaugh himself, further it would seem to be a good time for all of us to revisit the article Playing the Pharisee Card by Todd Wilken, host of the radio program Issues, Etc. Wilken begins:

I have been called a Pharisee more times than I can remember. It goes with the territory. I host a conservative Christian radio talk show. I publicly defend the teachings and practices of the historic Church. I also publicly point out false teaching and practices in the Church today. For these reasons alone, some believe that I deserve to be called a Pharisee.

But I’m not alone. Today, the label “Pharisee” is applied to many Christians just like me—perhaps you’re one of them. We are Christians who cherish God’s Word, the Church’s historic Creeds, confessions and practices. When we see the Church abandoning these things to follow the latest fads and entertainments, we lament. When we see the Gospel itself being left behind in the Church’s rush to mimic popular culture, we are grieved. And when we question the Church’s infatuation with the spirit of the age, we are labeled Pharisees. (Online source)

You can read this article by Todd Wilken in its entirety right here.