….ANTAGONIZ….

Do not read this article if you think there is hope. Certainly not in this most recent update by Todd’s handlers. While finally identifying Todd as an unrepentant practicing adulterer, they manage to call for the church to give him a second, third and fourth chance as a promising minister. Claiming themselves to be wise, they have seemingly become fools! Todd defiantly resists walking out “covenant  love” with his own wife,  refuses to be a caring father to his own children, and his complete unwillingness to keep his own zipper closed up from another woman  surely qualifies him  for the “worse than an infidel” award. Yet, we are told to remain open to him ministering to the church about the life changing power of Jesus Christ through supernatural activity of the Holy Spirit. I may be dumb but I ain’t plumb dumb!

Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to be announcing “ex-communication” instead of repeatedly speaking about “restoration” based upon “Perpetual Consecration.” This is stinkin’ laughable. Did these same handlers counsel the Catholic hierarchy concerning their pedafile priests? Ugh!!!!!!!! Read this excerpt from pjmiller over at Sola Dei Gloria so you can join in the moral outrage[rgh].

Here are the facts:

• Todd has yet to enter into a clear system of accountability with the leaders he identified that would be involved in such a process. Todd has visited Rick Joyner in Fort Mills, South Carolina, and indicated early on in September that he would be moving there soon to become a part of the community there and to receive counseling from Rick Joyner, Jack Deere, Bill Johnson and others that Rick might feel to bring alongside. Todd is in regular contact with Rick Joyner and has agreed together with Rick that he will move to Fort Mills during the first few months of 2009.

• Having spoken with Todd in recent days, he is resolute in his intentions to divorce Shonnah, and in his mind, the restoration he is seeking is one which would not include reconciliation with his wife. Todd admits to being 100% responsible for the divorce.

• It also needs to be clarified that Shonnah has in no way initiated this divorce and has no present intention to do so at any time in the future. She is understandably hurt by Todd’s infidelity, but is not asking or pressing for a divorce. The legal separation from Shonnah was initiated completely by Todd and he has not seen her or the children since the last week in July. To our knowledge, Todd’s relationship with the female staff-member, who was a former intern and also, at his initiative, a live-in nanny in his house for over a year, is still ongoing. We believe that there are currently no biblical grounds for Todd to leave his wife and children. While it has been maintained that no physical contact happened between Todd and the former female intern until after he filed for legal separation from Shonnah, in the Boards’ eyes, the nature of the present relationship between Todd and his former staff member is that of adultery.

http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2008/11/29/update-from-fresh-fire-ministries-concerning-todd-bentley/

In the recent book An Emergent Manifesto of Hope, put together by co-editors Doug Pagitt and Tony Jones, we are told by Samir Selmanovic of the Emergent Church:

God’s table is welcoming all who seek, and if any religion is to win, may it be the one that produces people who are the most loving, the most humble, the most Christlike. Whatever the meaning of “salvation” and “judgement,” we Christians are going to be saved by grace, like everyone else, and judged by our works, like everyone else… For most critics of such open Christianity, the problem with inclusiveness is that it allows for truth to be found in other religions. To emerging Christians, that problem is sweet… Moreover, if non-Christians can know our God, then we want to benefit from their contribution to our faith. (195,196)

Read entire article at Apprising ministry…… http://apprising.org/

http://apprising.org/2008/11/samir-selmanovic-god-is-father-of-all-religion/

Prepare to breathe some “Spirit inspired imprecations!” [rgh]

 By Drew Zahn
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

Tony Jones

One of the key leaders of today’s most cutting-edge church movement has opened an Internet discussion on the issue of same-sex marriage with the bold proclamation that he believes “gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual and queer” individuals can and should live out their sexuality in – and blessed by – the Christian church.

“I now believe that GLBTQ can live lives in accord with biblical Christianity (as least as much as any of us can!),” writes author and church leader Tony Jones, “and that their monogamy can and should be sanctioned and blessed by church and state.”

  Read the full article:    http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?pageId=81765

A Leadership Survey Report by Helen Lee | posted 11/07/2008 08:06AM

Research shows that pastors’ views of the gospel and mission are changing. But should we celebrate or repent? Leadership Journal conducted a survey in May 2008 asking nearly 700 evangelical pastors how their perceptions of the gospel and mission currently compare with their understanding a decade ago. The results clearly indicate that pastors’ attitudes and beliefs are shifting. But should we celebrate or repent?

“A consistent theme emerging from the survey is the belief that previous descriptions of the gospel were incomplete. ‘We have emphasized that you pray a prayer and you’re saved, to our detriment,’ says Platt. Matthew 7 haunts me. To many the Lord will say, ‘I don’t know you.’ I want people to know the gospel fully, that the reality of what happens at the point of conversion is the beginning of a process in which we experience the fruit of Christ in us.”

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/fall/7.23.html

Interesting new book,  Quitting Church: Why the Faithful are Fleeing and What to Do about It  authored by religion editor Julia Duin as reflected in this extract from Al Mohler’s post today: “Church attendance figures are misleading and bloated when supplied by churches themselves.  Statistics often cited to comfort church leaders are based on overly optimistic and dated reports.  The more current and research-based numbers are scary.  The National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago estimates that church attendance has fallen from 41 percent of the population in 1971 to 31 percent in 2001.  At those rates of decline, no one will be attending church in 2031.”

Julia Duin states in her book: “My research suggested that people are simply not being pastored.  Often ministers are out of touch with what’s happening on the ground, as they are surrounded by a wall of secretaries and voice mail.  Congregants have to wait up to a month for an appointment, if they can get in at all.  Once-a-week home Bible study groups lack depth and theological know-how for help with the serious problems many of us face.  Many churches refer people to professional counseling that costs at least seventy-five dollars an hour. Those lucky enough to have a health plan that pays for counseling usually find the only counselors on approved HMO lists have no concept of a Christian worldview.”

Read complete article by Dr. mohler  @ http://www.albertmohler.com/

My wife and I were watching “Saving Private Ryan,” again last night and I thought this quote was one of the most redeeming moments in this fine flick. It certainly places “Veterans’ Day” in it’s proper perspective. [rgh]

General George C. Marshall: “I have here a very old letter, written to a Mrs. Bixby in Boston. ‘Dear Madam: I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Yours very sincerely and respectfully, Abraham Lincoln.’”

“We must pray that God would change President-Elect Obama’s mind and heart on issues of our crucial concern.  May God change his heart and open his eyes to see abortion as the murder of the innocent unborn, to see marriage as an institution to be defended, and to see a host of issues in a new light.  We must pray this from this day until the day he leaves office.  God is sovereign, after all.”

“Without doubt, we face hard days ahead.  Realistically, we must expect to be frustrated and disappointed.  We may find ourselves to be defeated and discouraged.  We must keep ever in mind that it is God who raises up nations and pulls them down, and who judges both nations and rulers.  We must not act or think as unbelievers, or as those who do not trust God.” 

[Read more →]

Living by “every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” just took on a whole new dimension per this recent post by Eric over at The Kowalker Journey. Justin Taylor’s words are deeply convicting. Thanks bro, I needed it. [rgh]

“No matter who you voted for–or whether you voted at all–it’s important to remember that, as President, Barack Obama will have God-given authority to govern us, and that we should view him as a servant of God (Rom. 13:1, 4) to whom we should be subject (Rom. 13:1, 5; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).”

• We are to pray for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
• We are to thank God for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
• We are to respect Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7).
• We are to honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17).

http://kowalkerjourney.com/2008/11/04/a-biblical-approach-towards-president-obama/

The November 4th “Ministry Report” takes on a topic that is more than relevant to the Kingdom of God. Are church leaders taking God’s people down the road to Syncretism? Syncretism consists of the attempt to reconcile contradictory beliefs while melding practices of diverse religions. You make the call and then leave a comment.  [rgh]

“For many evangelical churches, there’s a whole lot of gray when it comes to conversing about emerging ministry trends that many feel knock on the door of New Age ideology. For instance, Minneapolis pastor Doug Pagitt’s book Reimagining Spiritual Formation showcases a few of these trends, including yoga, energy workers, massage therapy and gifts of intuition and premonition.”

http://www.ministrytodaymag.com/display_cms.php?id=14025

[Read more →]

The writings and ministry of David Wilkerson were instrumental in my high voltage conversion. I owe a great debt of love to this giant in the faith. His radical obedience to the Savior, prophetic call of repentance and his unflinching stand for righteousness have born the fruit of Kingdom endeavor throughout the world. I really love the brother and am committed to giving him double honor for his faithfulness to character based ministry through convictional preaching. He has been on my blog roll http://www.worldchallenge.org/ since I started this feeble attempt to “antagoniz.” As demonstrated by this recent post on “Charisma online” forum, some view him as a more controversial figure. It’s a good read. [rgh]

http://forums.charismamag.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=3504