Seventh-Day Adventists

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CULT?

Degrees of Deception

 by Dale Brown

In essentials unity, in opinions liberty, in all things charity

Many scholars disagree on how to classify the Seventh-day Adventists with regards to their doctrinal peculiarities. Though they do not appear on the surface to attack the essential doctrines of the Christian faith as do the more obvious non-Christian cults like the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, Unitarians, Christian Science, etc., who reject the Trinity or redefine who Jesus is, they do however hold to a number of theological views that are, to say the least, legalistic and questionable. In talking to Adventists today one might find a variety of different views. Some continue to be hardcore followers of their founder Ellen G. White, whom they claim had the "Spirit of Prophecy", almost to the degree that Mormons follow their prophet Joseph Smith. Their study materials are full of Whites commentary, much of which she plagiarized from earlier writers, yet claiming she got it as revelation from God. Their 1994 "Clear Word Bible" by Jack J. Blanco (former dean of Southern Adventist University, near Chattanooga, Tennessee) has added (and deleted) numerous words to the original text in order to support Adventist doctrines.  It is a clear picture of Adventist theology.  It is published by an Adventist publisher.   Other followers, though recognizing White as the founder of their denomination, are eager to go forward in effort to fit in with mainline Christian views. Some of their doctrinal issues that continue to cause many to stumble are: the Seventh-day Sabbath, the doctrine of soul sleep, the final and utter destruction of the wicked, the "Spirit of Prophecy", and their dietary laws.

Adventism is an offshoot of a movement that polarized around William Miller, and others, who back in the 1840s, with the help of the Jewish calendar and mathematical wizardry, felt they had nailed down the exact time of the return of Christ. Then came the "Great Disappointment of 1844" when all involved scrambled to readjust their Bible notes. Apparently they had ignored the words of Christ when he remarked to his disciples, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son but the Father alone." Because of some of this embarrassing history it is common for Adventists to hold public last-days and prophecy lectures for the sake of proselytizing while concealing their identity.

While most Christians worship on Sunday in celebration of when Christ rose from the dead, the Adventists hang on to a legalistic Saturday doctrine as the proper Sabbath and tend toward Old Testament dietary laws. Apostle Paul writing to the Colossians said, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ." Then, in his epistle to the Romans, he addresses both dietary rules and the Sabbath as well, "One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only." "One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord . . ." While there is certainly nothing wrong with desiring a healthy diet, to make it part of ones religion flies in the face of New Testament teaching. "For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." Jesus was certainly not a vegetarian, he ate the Passover lamb. In the spirit of love however Paul wrote, "All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles."

Ain’t no Hell Below Ya

In their 1957 volume entitled Questions on Doctrine, Adventists reject the doctrine of eternal judgment, "Because in our thinking, it would detract from the attributes of love as seen in the character of God, and postulates the concept of a wrath which is never appeased." The Bible clearly teaches that there is a conscience existence of torment for the ungodly where there will be "weeping and gnashing of teeth" which is called "the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels." Jesus taught that the ungodly "will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." To reject this is to reject the teaching of Christ.
Like Jehovah’s Witnesses who came from common roots, Adventists also teach that Jesus is Michael the archangel. This attacks the deity of Christ making Jesus a created being rather than the creator as the Bible teaches. The Bible clearly teaches us not to worship angels, which creates another problem for the Adventists.

Some of the other questionable Adventist doctrines are more peripheral, such as their idea that after death we enter a time of soul sleep, or a state of unconsciousness until the final judgment. This stems from their idea that Jesus work was not complete and one’s salvation is not secure until after what they call an "investigative judgment." This does not harmonize with Jesus words when He told the man on the cross next to him, "Truly I say to you. Today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Apostle Paul wrote, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better." This does not seem to be a picture of someone going to sleep. Though it is true that death is sometimes referred to as sleep as a grammatical metaphor it is dishonest to build a doctrine around what was clearly meant to be a figure of speech. When Jesus said, "Let the dead bury their dead," we have little doubt what He was talking about. Yet, when He said that Lazarus was asleep, his followers misunderstood Him until he finally said, "Lazarus is dead." Context is very important.
Without studying the history and early teaching of Ellen G. White these debates might appear to be pointless and fill the cup of the contentious as those "blind guides" whom Jesus said, "who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel."

When Danny Shelton, founder of Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN), coauthored the book "Ten Commandments Twice Removed" with Shelley Quinn we are left wondering if he ever reads much of the New Testament. The intent is obviously to coerce us back under the law of Sabbath keeping, which has apparently not helped his sanctification process much. After his divorce of wife Linda, then a much younger wife Brandy, we are left wondering what he thinks of the Old Testament which claims God hates divorce. Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to address folks like the Adventists.

Though it is true the Bible records Paul meeting with Jews on the Sabbath many times this in no way detracts from the reason Christians gather on Sunday for worship. To win Jews Paul appealed to Jewish tradition to the point of even having Timothy circumcised (which flies in the face of the gospel of grace), but he also held meetings on the first day of the week as can be seen in Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2. This tradition has carried on to the present day. It is often blamed on the Catholic church or Constantine however it is clear that it was a common custom long before either of these two were of any influence in the world.

Justin Martyr (A.D. 110-165)

Regarding the day of worship for early Christians Justin wrote in his first apology, “And on the day call Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits...”. “But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on that same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after the Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you for your consideration.” (Mark 15:42-16:2)

Paul wrote much in defense of our liberties of grace and in fact rather mocked those who were trying to pressure gentiles back under the Law of Moses. He rebuked Peter in Galatians 2:11-16, and went on to write, “You foolish Galatians...did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:1-3)

As Christians our hope is in the promise given to Abraham some 430 years before Moses. And the Law of Moses does not invalidate this promise. The Law, as Paul writes was a tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. We are heirs of the promise given to Abraham not Moses. Notice there is no mention of Sabbath worship until the Book of Exodus.
http://youtu.be/NRTpU1_YGQk

The Clear Word Bible, Jude 1:9 (shown here) makes Jesus out to be a created being Michael (see also 1 Thess. 4:16, Rev.10:1,5;9, 12:7).  The Clear Word takes great liberties from Genesis to Revelation in order to promote Ellen G. White's views of Christ which are very similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses in their Arian heresy.

"The Great Controversy"
by E.G. White

Originally published in 1858 the Great Controversy claimed to be a revelation from God to E.G. White revealing the battle between God and Satan throughout the ages.  It has been revised several times but much of it is a history of the reformation with special attention given to the problems with the Roman Catholic Church.  The usual doctrines of White are clearly seen and critics abound for good reason.

http://dale-apologetica.blogspot.com/2017/04/sabbath-and-circumcision.html

Baha'i Faith & the spirit of antichrist

BAHAI FAITH by Dale Brown

The Bahai concept of religious unity and international government, is closely linked to the many other religious groups involved in the ecumenical movement, and at times associated with the "New Age" movement. They are highly evangelistic in promoting their views. Bahaism began in Persia, as an offshoot of Islam, with Mirza Ali Muhammed (1819-1850). In 1844 he announced that he was the Bab (the Gate) who would be the forerunner of the "Promised One" who would be a manifestation of God. After his death, one of his followers, Baha'u'llah (the glory of Allah), came to believe that he was this "Promised One".

Baha'u'llah claimed himself to be another manifestation of Christ and the fulfillment of the prophecy by Jesus in John 14:16-17 in which there was to come a SPIRIT or Comforter which would be with us forever. Baha'u'llah however died in 1892 at the age of 75 and is no longer with us.  Muslims make similar claims about Muhammad therefore we have a problem.

Baha'u'llah's son, Abdul Baha, brought the new religion to the United States in 1912 and built a $2.5 temple in Wilmette, Illinois. Their world headquarters is in Haifa, Israel.

In Bahaism the Biblical and historical version of Christianity is modified. Christ is robbed of his incarnate deity by placing him on the same level as the other religious teachers. He is also accorded a position inferior to that granted to Baha'u'llah. Bahais do not believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ, the inerrancy of the Bible, eternal punishment, a literal Hell, the blood atonement of the cross, nor Satan and his demons whom Jesus dealt with through out his ministry. Yet, they claim that Baha'u'llah taught the same things as the Bible. Jesus' true believers have to deal with the Devil and resist his demons. (Mark 16:17-18)

The Bible tells us the true Comforter, or Holy Spirit, came to us at the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21) and gave POWER to the believers and supernatural gifts as a witness for God's kingdom.
Bahaism is a prime example of Jesus' words in Matthew 24:11, when he spoke of the end of this present age. "And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many." Then concerning the Bahais plea for world peace they avoid apostle Paul's warning of the true visitation of the Day of the Lord. "While they are saying, 'Peace and safety!' then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1 Thess. 5:3)
Apostle Paul wrote these extremely strong words concerning those who would follow after a false gospel, "But even though we or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8&9).
The Bible says in John 3:36, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Therefore, it is necessary that we repent of any false gospel and turn away from any sin or deception, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the true Holy Spirit. Jesus said that otherwise we shall die in our sins and be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death or Hell. (Acts 2:38, Rev. 20:15, 21:8)

SIKHS & Gurus

S I K H S, Gurus
and
J E S U S

by Dale Brown

The Sikh religion which started over five hundred years ago in the Punjab region of northern India has been a lightning rod up to the present day. Like Buddha and other Hindu reformers, their religious revelations have gotten them in trouble with Muslims, by promoting women as equals to men, and with Hindus for not submitting to the authority of Hindu priests.

While Europe was going through the reformation with the likes of Calvin and Luther, India was struggling with a reformation of its own. What started as a movement of Hindu dissenters should be commended for its revolutionary belief in one God (Sat Nam, "True Name"), and the denouncing of the caste system and idol worship. Guru Nanak (1469-1539) the first of the ten gurus from which comes the Adi Granth (sacred writings of the Sikhs), said: "To worship an image, to make a pilgrimage to a shrine, to remain in a desert, and yet have the mind impure is all in vain; to be saved, worship on the Truth."  The Adi Granth is considered the word of God similar to Christianity in which the Bible is considered the word of God, however in Christianity the word of God became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ.

Influenced by the Sufi mystics and a reformed Hindu sect called Bhakti, the peaceful followers of Nanak were transformed by years of persecution at the hands of Muslims, and Hindu Brahmins who sport their tilak (mark of the upper-caste) on their forehead. Guru Arjan Dev who compiled the collection of writings of the Granth was killed by Janangir, the Mughal Emperor in typical Muslim fashion. Burning sand was poured over his head while he was forced to sit on a hot iron plate. He was finally drowned in the River Ravi after he had been dipped in scalding hot water.

This inflamed the once peaceful Sikhs into a militant force that rallied around the event of their religion’s first martyr. A history of violent conflict between the Sikhs and Mughal authority followed. A radical brotherhood with a distinctive code of conduct and dress was formed through the teaching of the tenth and last guru, Gobind Singh during his thirty-three year rein. This was in part a reaction to what had happen to his father who on threat of death by Mughal governor Aurangzeb and in captivity in 1675 made the bold statement, "The Prophet of Mecca who founded your Religion could not impose one religion on the world, so how can you? It is not God’s will." He was quickly beheaded after witnessing the public torture and murder of three of his closest friends.

One might see a hint of Christian influence in the actions taken by Gobind Singh when in March 30, 1699 he baptized five Sikhs of different castes to form the brotherhood of the Khalsa, or "pure ones." He then had them in turn baptize him, thus throwing insult in the face of the historically powerful Brahmin caste doctrine of social control which worked in cahoots with the Muslim leaders. When Gobind died of a wound to the chest from an assassin’s knife the decision was made that there would be no more gurus, the Granth would be the embodiment of a living guru. A democratic style government had developed with the literature of the previous gurus as their guide. Sikh principles of fighting against injustice has lead them into many conflicts with India’s feudal lords.

The surname Singh ("lion") of Indian Sikhs sheds light on their history of macho prowess. Conflict between the Sikh empire and the more recent Indian government was seen clearly splashed across the headlines 1984 when the Indian army torched the Sikh’s revered shrine, the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Sikh bodyguards soon inflamed the situation by assassinating Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

One brand of Sikhism was made popular in the U.S. by Yogi Bhajan who, in the name of "sacred science," taught kundalini yoga to his followers. The Hindu practice of yoga literally means to "yoke" to the universal self.
By holding to the doctrine of karma and rebirth (reincarnation) the Sikha reject the Jewish and Christian doctrine of resurrection, heaven and hell. The Hindu concept is that one can be freed from the wheel of rebirth (samsara) only by religious devotion. The Bible teaches says however, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment" (Heb. 9:27).
　
Jesus had much to say about truth

He said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31 & 32). He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; and no one comes to the Father but through Me" (Jn. 14:6). He also said, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you. (Jn. 16:13&14).

As S. Radhakrishnan wrote, "Gurus are human and not divine."
Jesus, however, was born of the virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, was the Son of God. He was able to prove His divinity by raising from the dead after a terrible death on the cross.
　
The Sikhs, by Patwant Singh, Doubleday 1999
The Sacred Writings of the Sikhs, George Allen & Unwin Ltd 1960
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itbu6EumpdI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLWvyrgcGA
http://sikhsangat.org/2015/brutality-of-isis-is-the-copy-of-what-mughals-did-with-sikhs-of-punjab/

Dominion Mandate - ABOVE RUBIES

Nancy Campbell’s Dominion Mandate
Review by Dale Brown

ABOVE RUBIES magazine is a publication dedicated to family and social issues, which is circulated among the home school crowd. It is loaded with testimonials pertaining to everything from home schooling to nursing infants. Many of the concerns that are addressed are legitimate concerns. However, writer and editor Nancy Campbell makes some unbiblical leaps in some of her conclusions. In the #71 issue Nancy Campbell’s article The Family Charge claims that the Garden of Eden was a prototype for all homes to come, therefore "God wants Eden homes to be spread across the world. He wants us to take dominion over all deception and evil and spread God’s love, truth, joy and salvation across the earth." This all sounds well and good. It is where she goes with it that is a problem. She then quotes the problematic Finis Dake’s bible commentary on Psalm 127:3-5, "Each child will in the process of time be a defense, support and propagation of the eternal reproduction of man and fulfillment of the plan of God for man. The more arrows one has, the more enemies he will slay, the more powerful will he be in the earth. The more children born and saved to help God administer the affairs of the eternal plan for man, the more reward God will have." She then says "It is an undisputed fact that the people who obey God’s mandate to be fruitful and multiply are the people who will subdue and take dominion. Before dominion comes multiplication. It is an eternal law. If we as God’s people want to multiply God’s ways across the world, we must first be fruitful! Currently, the Islamic people are outnumbering western civilizations seven to one! They are on their way to taking dominion, unless we wake up!"

Instead of preaching the gospel to the lost and casting out the devil, Nancy’s great commission is to go ye therefore and make babies. Both Jesus & Apostle Paul had no wives therefore they both failed the dominion mandate. God told Jeremiah the prophet, "You shall not take a wife for yourself nor have sons or daughters born in this place" (Jere. 16:2). The 144,000 believers in Revelation 14:4 were a chaste lot never defiled by women as well. She seems to being saying that converting Muslims to Christ is out of the question, we must out breed them. Never mind the fact that even Christian children are born into sin and need to be born again. We were thrown out of the garden of Eden because of our fallen state. We therefore cannot recreate Eden no matter how hard we try.

She never addresses God’s blessing to eunuchs, "For thus says the Lord, ‘To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, to them I will give in My house and within My walls a memorial, and a name better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which will not be cut off’" Isa. 56:4&5). Jesus said that there are those who have been made eunuchs for the sake of the gospel (Matt. 19:12). This certainly flies in the face of the "outbreed em" method of evangelism.

Christian Science - Mary Baker Eddy

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Is it Christian or Scientific?
by Dale Brown

It has been said about Christian Science that like grape nuts, it is neither grapes nor nuts. However the name appeals to many that may think a Christian heritage linked to Science might possibly be the best of both worlds. Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), founded her religion based on what she claimed are the scientific laws of God which she published in her book Science and Health with Keys to the Scriptures in 1875. Much of her inspiration came from a spiritual healer named Phineas P. Quimby whose ideas she freely plagiarized. She incorporated her church in 1879. Much of the church’s teaching focuses on healing with the help of church practitioners who teach mind over matter and illusion. Christian Science falls within the mind science family of American born religions. Like the Unity School of Christianity and others in this category, Christian language is used but one will find with a bit of investigation that many of the definitions have been changed. Though the Bible is often quoted, like many cults, it is interpreted through the looking glass of the newly inspired religious book, in this case Science and Health. Christian Science attacks nearly every cardinal doctrine of the historical Christian faith and in many cases even logic in general. The following quotes from Science and Health make for a clear illustration.

"Again, God, or good, never made man capable of sin. It is the opposite of good — that is, evil — which seems to make man capable of wrong-doing. Evil is a false belief. God is not its author. The supposititious parent of evil is a lie."

The Bible clearly teaches that man is capable of sin, and it was for this reason that Christ died on the cross, to atone for our sin.

Mary Baker Eddy claimed, "If sin, sickness, and death were understood as nothingness, they would disappear."
The logic here is, if you can think beyond the illusion of sin you would not only have no sin or sickness, but believe it or not, you would never die. The problem however is that no Christian Scientist has escaped death yet. Apparently, if the Jews had been able to understand the Holocaust as "nothingness" they would not have perished. This is clear deception. The Bible never denies the existence of sin or pain. Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation. . ." Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned" (Rom. 5:12). John the apostle wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn. 1:8) Sin is such a reality that John goes on to write, "If we confess our sins, He (Christ) is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9). We are not to ignore sin but to confess it as a reality in need of redemption.

Christian Science rejects the blood atonement of Christ.
"The material blood of Jesus was no more efficacious to cleanse from sin when it was shed upon ‘the accursed tree,’ than when it was flowing in his veins as he went daily about his Father’s business."Apparently Christians everywhere who take of the communion cup have been lead astray, that is, until Mary Baker Eddy came along.

Attacking the deity of Christ Mrs. Eddy claimed Jesus was not God on page 473 of Science and Health and claimed that "Jesus is the human man, and Christ is the divine idea. . ."The Bible never calls Christ "the divine idea." When Jesus asked Peter who he thought He was, Peter said simply, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16).

In the Holy Name of Science?

"His [Jesus’] mission was to reveal the Science of celestial being, to prove what God is and what He does for man." "His proof of Christianity was no form or system of religion and worship, but Christian Science, working out the harmony of Life and Love." "He laid the axe of Science at the root of material knowledge…"

Mary got an idea!

"The Virgin-mother conceived this idea of God, and gave to her ideal the name of Jesus — that is, Joshua, or Savior. The illumination of Mary’s spiritual sense put to silence material law and its order of generation, and brought forth her child by the revelation of Truth, demonstrating God as the Father of men."
This implies that it was Mary’s will rather God’s that brought about the virgin birth.

An answer to the question "What is man?" on page 475 of Science and Health we read "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements." Remember that the next time you look in the mirror. You don’t exist. This is the insanity of Christian Science.

Under the title of "fruitage" Christian Science publishes many testimonies of claims of miraculous healings as a result of this so-called science. Though it is possible that some people are helped by way of psychosomatics it is also likely that the healing could come as a counterfeit means of deception as did the miracles of sorcerers in the Bible. For every true miracle of God there is also a counterfeit. Apostle Paul references the Exodus story where Moses is challenged by the magicians of Pharaoh’s court.

Christian Science dismisses all evil and the devil as "error" mythology and superstition which can be disposed of through attaining the Christ mind. Jesus however cast out demons who had personalities and He clearly identified the devil as a spiritual person (Mark 5:1-20)

The Science and Health glossary - A metaphysical interpretation of Bible terms:
Death is "an illusion." [Remind yourself that while attending a funeral]
"Matter has no life, hence it has no real existence." [The next time the Christian Scientist sits on a tack, or smashes their thumb with a hammer they should be reminded that the tack and hammer had "no real existence."]
Hell is "mortal belief; error, lust …sin, sickness, death." The Bible however says hell is the lake of fire and destination of sinners who reject Jesus Christ.
Holy Ghost is [you guessed it] Divine Science. The Bible however teaches that the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) is the third member of the Godhead.
Mary Baker Eddy was obviously a false prophet.

"Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many." Jesus Christ (Matt. 24:11)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgLmCOv0Ots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLWvyrgcGA

Quietism of Guyon & Fenelon,

QUIETISM Examined by Dale Brown

A doctrine known as QUIETISM that raised havoc in Europe in the 17th century and spoken out against by men such as John Wesley has been revived and praised as a superior revelation through the publications of both Gene Edwards and Rick Joyner. "For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it." (Heb. 2:1) The American Quakers were greatly influenced by this movement.

Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) was a French mystic and author of writings dealing largely with QUIETISM. Confined by the government (1688) to a convent because of her heretical opinions and her correspondence with Miguel de Molinos, she was released through efforts of Madame de Maintenon, Louis XIV’s wife, and found an ally in Archbishop Fenelon. Francois Fenelon, who became her disciple, defended her in a famous controversy with Bosssuet. She was later condemned and imprisoned (1695-1702) in the Bastille. Her collected works appeared in 40 volumes.
Molinism, or QUIETISM, developed within the Roman Catholic Church in Spain and spread especially to France through Madame Guyon. She preached her doctrines to members of the French aristocracy, winning a convert and friend in Madame de Maintenon.

The essence of quietism is that perfection lies in the complete passivity of the soul before God and the absorption of the individual in the divine love to the point of annihilation not only of will but of all effort or desire for effort. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church claims that she taught complete indifference, even to eternal salvation, and that in contemplation all distinct ideas should be repulsed, even of the attributes of God and the mysteries of the life of Christ. Molinos talked about an entire cessation of self-consciousness, and Madame Guyon maintained that she could not sin, for sin was self, and she had rid herself of self. That places her above Apostle Paul who confessed of his struggle with his carnal nature in his letter to the Romans. (Rom. 7:14-25) Apostle John tells us that, "If we say we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." Then he goes on to tell us that if we do sin, we have a Advocate (Jesus) whom to confess our sins. (1 Jn. 1:10)

In her book "Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ." she states, "Remember, you must never blame man for anything. No matter what happens, it was neither man nor circumstances that brought it. You must accept everything (except, of course your own sinfulness) as having come from your Lord."
This line of reasoning is misleading and clearly unbiblical. Jesus blamed the Pharisees for leading people astray and confronted them publicly. Paul placed the blame on false prophets for doctrinal impurity. To suggest that everything is from God is to ignore Satan’s affect on our lives. This attitude of passivity would make us of no effect in this war against Satan and his messengers. Jude wrote, "I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3)
Madame Guyon’s method of "silent prayer" or non-verbal prayer, is problematic in that it contradicts the Biblical guideline. Jesus said "Ask and it shall be given...", whoever says to this mountain...", "And whatever you ask in my name...". In James’s epistle we are told, "You do not have because you do not ask," "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God...". Even salvation is qualified in terms of confession, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." (Rom. 10:9 )

In an article published in "The Morning Star" by Rick Joyner, Guyon promotes what she calls "abandonment". To accomplish abandonment one must "begin by refusing every personal desire that comes to you as soon as it arises, no matter how good that personal desire is, and no matter how helpful it might appear! Abandonment must reach a point where you stand in complete indifference to yourself." This is pure nonsense. God did not create us as zombies. God has given man all of creation to enjoy. Though we are to keep God’s will foremost in our mind, He has given us free will (and all of the emotions that come with it) to be creative and to enjoy life. In one place Jesus said, "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full." (Jn 16:24) Solomon, the same man who condemned the vanities of this world, also wrote, "There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen, that it is from the hand of God." (Ecc. 2:24)

Quietism serves well those who have an authoritarian agenda and/or wish to neutralize any critical thinking among their parishioners and peers.

Quran Confirms the Bible?

GOD SO LOVED MUSLIMS
THAT HE GAVE THEM JESUS
by Dale Brown

Though most Muslims would agree that Jesus (Isa) was a prophet sent from God (Allah), it is sad that many of them have not been able to benefit from His teaching and what He has done for them.

What is unknown to many is that the Quran speaks favorably of the Bible in many places. In support of the Old Testament the Quran states the following.

Indeed, We gave the Children of the Book, the Judgment, and Prophethood, and We provided them with good things and We preferred them above all beings.
We gave them clear signs of the Command: (Surah 45:15, 16a/16,17a). Surely We sent down the Torah (the five books of Moses or the Old Testament), wherein is guidance and light; thereby the Prophets who had surrendered themselves gave judgment for those of Jewry, as did the masters and the rabbis, following such portion of God’s Book as they were given to keep and were witnesses to. So fear not men, but fear you Me; and sell not My signs for a little price. Whoso judges not according to what God has sent down - they are the unbelievers (Surah 5:47).

QURAN CONFIRMS NEW TESTAMENT?

And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus son of Mary, confirming the Torah before him; and We gave to him the Gospel (the New Testament), wherein is guidance and light, and confirming the Torah before it, as a guidance and an admonition unto the godfearing.
So let the People of the Gospel judge according to what God has sent down therein. Whosoever judges not according to what God has sent down - they are the ungodly (Surah 5:49-51)

Most Muslims claim that the Bible that we have today has been corrupted and it is not as it was originally given. By taking this stand they are obviously unaware of the ancient manuscripts of both Old and New Testament Scripture that are still on hand. The Dead Sea Scrolls, found in the caves of Qumran, show that the text of the Old Testament has been reliably passed on to us. Some of the New Testament manuscripts that are available to us today are the John Ryland Manuscript, the Bodmer Papyrus, the Chester Beatty Papyri, the Codex Sinaiticus, Codex Alexandrinus, etc., all of which date back to the first five centuries. So we have proof of the Scriptural content before Islam arrived on the scene. And, because the Bible is the oldest revelation of Scripture, it would do us well to give heed to what it says. Jesus himself said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:34). Jesus never indicated even once that the Old Testament Scripture contained any error. In fact, he taught directly from them and said that the things that were happening during his ministry were taking place that the Scripture of the prophets be fulfilled (Lk. 24:27, Matt. 26:56).

If this were not enough, there are letters of church fathers who were taught directly by those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus.

The fact that Jesus himself did not write the New Testament is sometimes used as argument against the Scripture. In a court of law this would actually help to validate the events rather than to disprove them. Jesus Himself said, “If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true. . .the very works that I do, bear witness of Me” (Jn. 5:31-36). The harmony of the synoptic gospel writers gives us not only eye witness accounts of the “works” (miracles etc.) of Jesus but also the historical events surrounding the man Himself. When Jesus prayed for the whole Church, apart from the apostles, as those who should “believe on Me through their word” (Jn. 17:20), he assumed permanent availability of that word, as though He was anticipating an apostolic New Testament record.

Then, there is the argument from Surah 19:37, that all of the Christian sects are divided. That is really not a problem for anyone who truly believes in the words of Jesus because he himself said that many would say that they were Christians who in actual reality were not (Matt. 7:21-23). Many who claim to represent Islam are not good examples of that faith either, thus we have many factions within Islam (Sunnites, Shi’ites, Ahmdiyan, Sufis etc.).

Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are wolves” (Matt. 7:15). The Bible says that we should beware of false gospels, false Christs and even false Jesus’ (Gal. 1:9, 2 Cor. 11:4, Matt. 24:24).
Many of the apparent divisions of Christianity are external and trivial, while the elementary teaching concerning Christ are basically uniform. Christians are merely humans who express their faith in Jesus according to their experience, their education and maturity.

To become a Muslim one must recite the standard Islamic confession affirming that there is only one God and that Mohammed is his prophet. A person is either a believer in God and his prophet Mohammed or he is an unbeliever. One is obligated to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime to the shrine of Kaaba where many kiss the black stone that once represented the moon god of the ancient Quraish tribe. The crescent moon is still found on mosques, and national flags of Islamic countries.

To be a Christian one must also believe in only one God but it is necessary for the person to be actually transformed by the power of God. This comes about when a person turns his life over to God by taking Christ as his own Savior. When someone acts in faith, in receiving Christ, God in turns, acts in giving new life, he is born again, spiritually.. Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3:3). Whatever may be said about the similarities between the Jesus of the Quran and the Jesus of the Bible, there are many striking differences. To the Quran, Jesus “was only the Messenger of God” (Surah 4:171).

To the Bible, Jesus is the only Savior and Lord who alone is “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16), worthy of our utmost devotion and praise (Rev. 5:11-14). The Son of the living God (Matt.16:16).

The same Jesus that was born of the virgin Mary (Surah 3:47, Luke 1:34&35), fulfilled the divine pattern laid down for us by Moses (Ex. 12:5). By this virgin birth, God was able to provide for us a lamb without the blemish of sin that all other men have. By laying down his life for all of mankind Jesus became the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. Isaiah the prophet foretold of this lamb over 600 years before He appeared (Isaiah 53).

This Jesus who healed the sick and cast out demons (jinn) was the same one whom the prophet and psalmist David said that God would not allow His Holy One to undergo decay (Psm. 16:10, Acts 2:27). Thus after shedding His blood on the cross, as was predicted, He was raised from the dead as proof of His resurrection power.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit of God would be left in His place as a comforter and teacher forever (John 14:16&26). On the day of Pentecost (also called Feast of the Harvest or Shavuot), while the second of the three major Jewish feasts was being celebrated (Exod. 23:14-16), God anointed those who believed in Jesus Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17&18) and because He is the same yesterday, today and forever, He still confirms His word through His servants today.

You too can be cleansed from your sins and be filled with the Holy Spirit. If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved (Rom. 10:9). “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

If you are in need of a miracle in your life, Jesus is waiting to answer your prayer. He said, “whatever you ask in My name that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Jn. 14:13).

Ask God in the name of Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit that you may walk victoriously with God.

Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know! Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar (Prov. 30:4-6).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUKwXlZfDhY

http://www.muhammadtube.com/videos/2923/the-death-of-allah

Jesus never prayed toward the Kaaba

GAYS/QUEERS

GOD’S EYE ON THE
QUEER GUY
by Dale Brown

There are extreme views on the Gay question on several fronts. Because many in the gay community are pleasant people and many of our friends may be gay there is often a tendency to redefine terms of morality based on our prejudices. The Bible is quoted and misquoted to support our views.

The first reference to homosexuality is in the book of Genesis. Due to a land dispute Lot, Abraham’s nephew, had moved into the Jordan valley near what is now the Dead Sea, to the city of Sodom. It had a reputation of being a place full of exceeding wickedness and sinners against God. When some neighboring kings went to war against Sodom and Gomorrah Lot’s family was taken captive. Abraham mustered an army and rescued them. The king and priest of Salem came out and blessed Abraham, and the king of Sodom was grateful as well and offered to pay him. A few chapters later it is revealed to Abraham by God that Sodom and Gomorrah are about to be judged for their sins. Abraham, concerned for his relatives, reasons with God about Lot and his family. Two angels are sent to deliver the message of the pending doom and to rescue Lot’s family. "Sensual and unprincipled" men of Sodom surround Lot’s house and demand that the two foreigners come out so they can have sexual relations with them. Lot refuses to allow his guests to be mistreated and the Sodomites make threats of what they are going to do to him. Out of desperation Lot offers his daughters to them. When they persist with their aggression and try breaking down the door they are struck with blindness. When Lot tried explaining to his sons-in-law about getting out of town they refused to take him serious. Lot, his wife and two daughters were ushered out of town by the angels leaving everyone else behind. "Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground"(Gen.19:24&25).
From this story we get the term Sodomy. In Hebrew the word Sodom means to scorch and Gomorrah means a ruined heap.

JESUS NEVER ADDRESSED GAYS

It is true that Jesus never addressed homosexuality directly. He did however allude to God’s judgment on the city of Sodom in two places. Being a Jew he taught directly from the Law of Moses. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill"(Matt. 5:17). He in fact rebuked the religious leaders of his day on numerous occasions because they were misrepresenting the Law of Moses. His remarks regarding divorce clearly reflect the Biblical marriage tradition of male and female (Mk. 10:6-12).
How the Law looks at sexual sin is very clear. It is covered from nearly every angle in the eighteenth chapter of the book of Leviticus—everything from homosexuality to sex with animals—and reference to the fruit of these heathen practices are made in this way, "for the men of the land who have been before you have done all these abominations, and the land has become defiled." The spillover affect of sin on society is obvious. When the drunk driver kills an innocent person we all feel the consequences, emotionally and financially. Laws are written to bring some form of order. God’s laws are no different.

A NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE

The words of New Testament writers were just as clear. Several thousand years later the apostle Peter wrote, "He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter"(2 Pet. 2:6). Jude wrote, "Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them . . . indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example, in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire."

WHAT IS NATURAL?

Apostle Paul who was schooled under Gamaliel the high priest knew full well the history of the Jewish tradition. In his epistle to the Romans he spoke clearly of the principles of God’s judgment on idolatry and sensuality. "Professing to be wise, they became fools . . . Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.

GOD IS LOVE

It is clear that God loves gay people, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
The Law of Moses was given as a guide to point us to Christ who can deliver us of the bondage of sin. We all have different weaknesses. Some may be of a sexual nature, others may be to alcohol or drugs. The solution is the same. The blood of Christ. Is it loving to misrepresent the truth?
Paul wrote to the Corinthians a reminder of their past and how they should act as believers. "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, or idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of our God."

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isa. 40:8) 　
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x-iSrIvL6I　

Apologetics

APOLOGETICS

In modern English when one apologizes we normally think of being sorry for our actions. However, in biblical Greek, the word apologia has to do with making a defense for the truth, much like an attorney would do in court. Some of apostle Paul’s writings were such apologies.
"What I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting." Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 11:12).  He understood the various Jewish traditions of his day and often used their own theological arguments against them.  He also understood Roman law and used it to his advantage as well.  In Rome he went the extra mile and learned the customs of the people and even quoted from the Hymn to Zeus (Acts 17:28) which would not have been something he would have learned in rabbinic school as a Jew.

As church history passed and traditions developed many problems occurred and some became heresies that had to be confronted. There is nothing new under the sun and we have plenty of issues in our day as well.

"Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced (ridiculous as the expression may seem) more true than the truth itself.” ―Irenaeus (A.D. 120-202) a student of Polycarp in Smyrna who in turn was a disciple of the apostle John.

"The man, however, who would undertake their conversion, must posses an accurate knowledge of their systems or schemes of doctrine. For it is impossible for anyone to heal the sick, if he has no knowledge of the disease of the patients." — Irenæus

"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 3)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgLmCOv0Ots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-oykYUnq80

Mormon Negro

The MORMON NEGRO
BLESSED OR CURSED?
by Dale Brown

Prior to June 9, 1978 when Mormon president Spencer W. Kimball had a revelation that granted blacks the priesthood, they had a serious problem in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Unless you were of the chosen race "white and delightsome" like it’s founders, you were considered "loathsome" and cursed with "a skin of blackness"(1 Nephi 12:23). In fact the Book of Mormon teaches "cursed shall be the seed of him that mixeth with their seed; for they shall be cursed even with the same cursing"(2 Nephi 5:21-23). Mormon scripture claims that the virgin Mary was "exceedingly fair and white" (1 Nephi 11:13).

The church was founded during a time of much civil unrest in America. The debates over black slaves ultimately led to the war between the northern and southern states. There was much bigotry, some of which spilled over into the religious arena. The Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, the early literature and statements of the prophet Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon church, is riddled with racial bigotry.
Though the church has gone to great lengths to put on a new face and to do the politically right thing, it was nevertheless founded on principles that no prophet of God would stand for. Apostle Paul wrote that God is not a respecter of persons, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise" (Gal. 3:28&29). Philip had no problem with baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-38).

BLACKS ARE FROM THE SEED OF CAIN?

The LDS church teaches that blacks are from the cursed seed of Cain, yet there is no Biblical reference to Cain’s skin becoming black. Brigham Young continued with the bigotry after Smith’s death, "Shall I tell you the law of God in regard to the African race? If the white man who belongs to the chosen seed mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot, this will always be so" (Journal of Discourses, Vol. 10, p. 110). It comes as a surprise that the Bible records Moses marrying an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1). In fact, Miriam became leprous as a result of criticizing that union. This curse is said to have been passed down through Ham to the Canaanites and then to Pharaoh disqualifying him from the Priesthood (Pearl of Great Price) It is for this reason that blacks were not allowed into the priesthood until the 1978 revelation.

BLACKS CAN BECOME WHITE THROUGH MORMON REPENTANCE?

"And then shall they rejoice; for they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes; and many generations shall not pass away among them, save they shall be a white and delightsome people"(2 Nephi 30:6, 3 Nephi 2:15).
It is clear from the Bible that all believers are part of a royal priesthood regardless of their skin color.
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6).
The Mormon priesthood, both Aaronic and Melchizedek, are perversions of Old Testament offices that dealt with animal sacrifice. You will find no sacrificial altar in a modern Mormon temple. With Jesus being both our high priest and the lamb of God we have no need of temples nor further sacrifice. As Christians, our service consists of merely the sacrifice of our lips and offering of ourselves to him. Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit bought by His blood.

THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE  and THE EMBARRASSING TRUTH

Of the three extra-biblical books the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) call scripture the Pearl of Great Price is one of the most controversial.
It all started in 1835 at Kirtland, Ohio when Michael H. Chandler, an Irish immigrant, traveling with a wagonload of Egyptian mummies and artifacts sold a papyri (ancient paper made from reeds) to the budding church. Though prophet Joseph Smith had no knowledge of Egyptian hieroglyphics he soon came up with what his followers have come to believe to be a true translation of the material. Part of the Pearl is taken from three facsimiles of the papyri claiming to be Abraham’s own story while he was in Egypt written by his own hand. Unbeknown to Smith and most others during that time was the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, in Egypt, with it’s trilingual inscription, which soon became the key to unlocking the mysteries of the ancient Egyptian language. While the LDS church was making the "new revelation" claims of their new scripture scholars began to point out that in fact the facsimiles were actually common Egyptian funerary documents and the papyri could be dated around 100 B.C., some 2,000 years after the time of Abraham. It has been pointed out that it would also be rather unlikely for the Hebrew God to use a pagan papyri as a source for Judeo-Christian religious inspiration. It is clear Joseph Smith had no clue what he was looking at. An Egyptologist from the British Museum named I. E. S. Edwards, claimed that Smith’s Egyptian Alphabet and Grammar "reminds me of the writings of psychic practitioners which are sometimes sent to me."

The Mormons are not ones to be dissuaded however when it comes to problems in linguistic and archaeological proofs of their religion. Faith is all that matters. Never mind the facts, "the end justifies the means."

Had the claims been true the scholastic world would have begun boasting one of the most valuable finds recorded in modern history. However the case proved to be quite the opposite. Numerous Egyptologists have written statements of the fraudulent nature of the papyri. Among those in the list are Prof. Klaus Baer of Univ. of Chicago, Prof. Lutz and Lesko of U.C. Berkeley. In fact, lifelong Mormon and Egyptologist, Professor Dee Jay Nelson resigned from the church after he was given an opportunity to examine the papyri.
Jerald and Sandra Tanner have published a number of letters written by the late Mormon archaeologist Thomas Stewart Ferguson showing his disappointment at discovering the problems with Pearl’s credibility. He was more than disenchanted after spending more than twenty-five years of his life trying to prove the Mormon scriptures through anthropology. His work lead him to the same conclusion as the Egyptologists.
It is in the Pearl of Great Price where we find that God dwells in a place called Kolob in a world of contradictions. Chapter four of Abraham is where we see that Mormons are polytheists, however in Moses 2:1 we find a more Biblical monotheistic theology. Moses 5:10&11 is the basis for the idea that eating of the forbidden fruit in the garden was a blessing and not a curse as the Bible clearly teaches. One must forget the Genesis account of creation after reading Pearl for it teaches a preexistent state of creation in the heavenlies before it came about on earth (Moses 3:5).
The Pearl has been part of the churches justification for making blacks ineligible for the priesthood (Abraham 1:22-27) until the 1978 "new revelation" by the church president.
In Pearl, God’s name "Jehovah" (the transliteration of YHWH or ‘I AM’) is used (Abraham 2:8) though the name was not known to Abraham. It was not used until it was told to Moses much later in history (Exodus 6:3, 3:14). This, Joseph Smith did not know.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves." — Jesus Christ (Matt. 7:15)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgLmCOv0Ots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19EMjOLCIGo

Mormon LDS Cult?

M O R M O N I S M
CULT or CHRISTIAN
by Dale Brown

Have you ever wondered why there are no crosses on Mormon churches? Though the Latter Day Saints, as they are called, claim to be Christians, by doing so they deny the very foundation of their religion. In about 1830 their prophet Joseph Smith was praying in order that he might know which church to join. The Lord supposedly told him "that he must join none of them, for they were all wrong; and all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that their professors were all corrupt" (Joseph Smith 2:19).

Though this testimony is still printed in the Book of Mormon it is downplayed and a new less offensive and sanitized message is presented today by the polite young missionaries. They still however point to him as being a prophet and the one appointed by Jesus Christ to restore the "true" church.
Smith’s original claims were actually an attack on all of Christendom. Though modern day missionaries appear outwardly to be your friend, what they represent is still very much the enemy of the church of Jesus Christ as it is recorded in the Bible. Christian ministers "were mocked" in the secret LDS temple ceremonies as being a "hireling of Satan", until the 1990 revision. In Mormon Doctrine by Bruce R. McConkie (pp. 670) we read "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

WHAT IS IN THE SYMBOL?

Joseph Smith was advanced to Master Mason Degree of Freemasonry, March 15, 1842. That is why you find, in the Mormon temple ritual, many of the same tokens, signs, and horrible penalties (throat slit, heart and vitals torn out) for revealing temple secrets (as in Masonry). Some of these symbols are also found on their temple aprons and garments (magic underwear resembling old fashion long johns). The Freemasonry Deity who is ABADDON or Lucifer is represented by an obelisk or pole. Our first President, George Washington, was a Mason, thus his monument standing in Washington D.C. is a 555 foot obelisk. On many of the early LDS buildings and temples one can see occult symbols such as the all-seeing eye, the Masonic handshake, pentagrams, etc.
It is interesting to note that Mormons are quite concerned about the ordinance of water baptism yet when it comes to the ordinance of the communion table there is a little twist. Instead of taking bread and wine (or fruit of the vine) as was the Passover custom and the command of Jesus, they take bread and water. The wine is a symbol of Jesus’ blood that was shed on Calvary "and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"(Heb. 9:22). All false religions avoid or water down the teaching about the blood atonement. Satan and all of his demons fear the blood of Christ (Rev. 12:11).

The Bible tells us that the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor. 1:18).

Like many cults, they use Christian terminology, in fact for the sake of public relations they have modified both their history and their logo in order to down play "Mormon," "Latter-Day Saints," and to magnify the name JESUS CHRIST. The Mormon concept of God however is similar to Hinduism in that they are polytheistic, believing in many Gods. If that were not bad enough, they also believe they are going to become Gods.
The LDS book Pearl of Great Price contradicts the Bible by claiming there are many Gods who formed the earth (Abraham 4:1) while the Bible clearly states there is only one God? "Before Me there was no God formed and there will be none after me" (Isaiah 43:10, 44:6).
Satan also claimed that man could become like gods through eating the forbidden fruit. That brought a curse on man and got him driven from the garden of Eden. (Gen. 3:5-24) "Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies"(John. 8:44). The source of the lie that we can become Gods is the same today. The destination of those who endorse it will be the same — eternal judgment.
Jesus said we would know them by their fruit. No matter how nice the people may be, the fruit of Mormonism is based on false prophecies and lies about Jesus Christ and the Bible.
Though there has been a need for spiritual revival at different times throughout history the idea that the true church ceased to exist until Joseph Smith (or any other cult leader) came along is a faulty one. Jesus said, "Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it"(Matt. 16:18). As apostle Paul wrote, Jesus is the rock (1 Cor. 10:4), not Peter, the church, a prophet or some new revelation.
　
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.
(Isa 40:8)
　
　　
IF JOSEPH SMITH WAS A PROPHET,
WHY ALL THE CONTRADICTIONS?

The following is a brief comparison of the Bible and the three additional books the LDS Church considers scripture, The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

Why does his book of Mormon say that the Son of God was born at Jerusalem (Alma 7:10), instead of the Biblical Bethlehem? (Matt. 2:1) Bethlehem in Hebrew means literally the house of bread. Jesus is the bread of life. He could have been born no other place and fulfilled the prophecy of Mica 5:2.

Why has there never been found one single sword, bow, arrowhead, ax head or any other weapon on the hill Cumorah, where there supposedly was fought a battle of tens of thousands of Nephites and Lamanites? (Mormon 6:9-15) The Book of Mormon records swords of steel (1 Nephi. 4:9, 2 Nephi 5:15) however there was no metallurgical knowledge in pre-Columbian America for the working of iron or steel.

Why does the book of Mormon record horses, cows, oxen and asses in America between 600 B.C. and 421 A.D. (1 Nephi 18:25, Alma 18:9-10) when in reality it was the Europeans that brought them much later?
Why does the book of Mormon say that swine were useful for the food of man (Ether 9:18) when no religious Jew of that time period would have considered eating them?

Why is silk listed as being found in America when the silkworm moths that produce it had not yet been introduced from Asia? (1 Nephi 13:7, Alma 4:6)

Why has there never been found any of the coins listed in the book of Mormon? (Alma 11:4-20) The coins mentioned in the Bible are displayed in collections throughout the world.

Why does the Book of Mormon say that darkness would cover the earth for three days at Christ’s death on the cross (Helaman 14:20 & 27, 3 Nephi 8:3), when the Bible says three hours (Luke 23:44)?

Why does LDS writings say that Enoch lived 430 years (Moses 8:1, D&C 107:49), whereas the Bible says 365 years (Gen. 5:23)?

Why does the Doctrine and Covenants (Sec. 130:22) say, the Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s yet Jesus said, "God is Spirit..." (John 4:24) and then defining a spirit, He said, ". . . a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have."? (Luke 24:39)

Why does the Pearl of Great Price contradict the Bible by claiming there are many Gods who formed the earth (Abraham 4:1) when the Bible clearly states there is only one God? "Before Me there was no God formed and there will be none after me." (Isaiah 43:10, 44:6)

Why does the Mormon church spend thousands of dollars and countless hours doing genealogical research for the dead when the Bible tells us plainly to, ". . . instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith."? (1 Tim. 1:3&4)

Why does the Mormon Church no longer teach polygamy? Joseph Smith said that having many wives was "a new and an everlasting covenant; and if ye abide not that covenant, then ye are damned; for no one can reject this covenant and be permitted to enter into my glory" (D&C 132:4-6). The Bible however says that church elders, or overseers, must be "the husband of one wife" (1 Tim. 3:2, 12, Deu. 17:17).

Joseph Smith’s revelations were supposedly brought to him by an angel named Moroni, yet the Bible says, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8&9, 2 Cor. 11:3&4, 13-15)

The Bible tells us to despise not prophetic utterances, but to examine or prove everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good. (1 Thess. 5:20&21) Even Joseph Smith claimed that we should meet the opponents of the Church in public and private in effort to reason these things out.(D&C 71) By doing so it is clear that the LDS prophet was mistaken in many areas. According to the Bible, Joseph Smith is a false prophet and is not to be admired or feared (Deu. 18:22).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19EMjOLCIGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pny5QHiRO0w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgLmCOv0Ots

The Fatalistic Gospel

THE FATALISTIC GOSPEL
Is it really good news?
by Dale Brown

Christians often adopt the statement of Gamaliel as their creed when faced with theological positions that are difficult to sort out. His advice to the Jews was to not appose the Christians for "if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it" (Acts 5:38-39). Though Gamaliel’s advice is found in the Bible it is not Christian theology. Islam has grown to include nearly a fifth of the world’s population yet it is clearly a deceptive non-Christian cult, and it is not "coming to nought".

Since the beginning of time man has struggled with how to interpret pain and suffering. The extreme fatalistic view is that all is from God therefore embrace every painful experience that comes along.  Zeno the Stoic Greek philosopher who taught in Athens around 300 BC is recorded to have beaten his slave for stealing.  The slave replied, "But it was fate that I steal," to which Zeno replied, "And that I should beat you."

The modern Christian Science extreme is one of denial, that is, pain is only an allusion and if we ignore it it does not exist. The eastern religion view is that if we could meditate or pray the right mantra, one can reach nirvana bliss, and pain will no longer touch us. The Biblical view is that pain, suffering and death are a reality, yet are not the norm. They have been introduced by Adam’s sin into a perfect creation which now carries with it this blemish, which is referred to in Genesis as a curse. Added to this already fallen state, the law of Moses claims God rewards those who seek Him and that even more pain and suffering can be added to an already fallen creation by more sinning.

The gospel sheds some light on the subject yet we are still left grappling with the interpretation problem. A product of dispensational theology is that all of our rewards for following God and the gospel we will reap once we get to heaven. We often hear Christians who are going through cancer or some other painful situation in their life claiming it is some form of gift from God. Yet, these same people will be going to doctors and spending large sums of money and energy trying to get relief from this so called gift. Why does the Bible teach us to pray for the sick if it is a gift from God?

Jesus instructed us to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. It is clear there will be no sickness and pain in heaven. He also said He came that we might have life and have life more abundantly. To even quote some of these verses makes one a target of criticism by those who have seen the shortcomings of what some call the health and wealth gospel. We cannot deny however that the gospel is supposed to be good news and Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil." This suggests that sickness is not a gift from God at all but an affliction from the devil. His model prayer even tells us to pray for deliverance from evil or the "evil one." And, oh yes, the devil has a will as well. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy."

It is true Jesus said, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." Amidst our weakness, pain and suffering the God of mercy is always about his work of redemption and restoration, manifesting Himself to us. Apostle Paul talked of having a thorn in his flesh which he attributed to the devil, not a gift from God. He prayed that God would deliver him from this thorn yet God allowed it for the sake of keeping Paul’s pride in check. Strangely enough this was a manifestation of God’s mercy and love.

There is one sickness that none of us will be healed from. That is, our last one. However the Bible tells us that, "The last enemy that will be abolished is death."

YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN: Devilish or Divine

Experience the extraordinarily veiled world of demonology, cultism, & the supernatural through the author's eyes. His research done in over 20 years of ministry, from Alaska to Haiti, from London to Salt Lake. In an age of modern science & medicine, he struggles to come to a balanced grip with this controversial subject of which there are no real "how to" manuals available. This topic is one much avoided by most clergy though approximately one-third of the earthly ministry of Christ was focused on this very issue. Countless fluffy books have been written on angels, yet little attention has been given to the sometimes brilliant ones who have fallen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgLmCOv0Ots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLWvyrgcGA

Who is this Allah?

WHO IS THIS ALLAH? by Dale Brown

While Muslims are quick to point to the "illogical view of Christianity, that God became a man in the form of Jesus," there is little in the form of logic to support Islam and it’s prophet. The 114 suras (chapters) of the Qur’an are arranged in a disorderly fashion from the longest to shortest. The earlier suras are generally shorter thus giving us a mixed bag of history in reverse. The Medina material appearing first, then that accumulated at Mecca last.

The Quran gives lipservice to the Bible and the "People of the Book" yet rejects nearly everything in the Bible as being unsubstantiated. It is claimed that God has preserved the complete Qur’an to this day, however He was unable to do the same for the Bible. There is one story of Jesus making a bird out of clay and breathing life into it appearing in Sura 5:110, which was plagiarized from the dubious Gnostic Gospel of Thomas. This presents a problem for Islam, which rejects the deity of Christ, for who can create life but God?

In a chapter of the Qur’an entitled "Mary" one can read about Jesus her son, we can also read a curious verse that calls Mary the sister of Aaron (Sura 19:28). Apparently the prophet or writer of the Qur’an got a bit confused regarding which Mary Allah was talking about. Mary, or Miriam, the sister of Aaron was the Old Testament character, not the mother of Christ.
Another wonder is, if Allah is all powerful, why it is so common among Muslims to believe in the superstitious belief that the glare of an "evil eye" can cast a curse. Even sophisticated Muslims of Saudi Arabia who have overcome the fears of radio and television are yet known to pin blue beads to their children for protection from the glare of someone’s evil eye.
Though circumcision is not taught in the Quran, the majority of Muslim men, following earlier Jewish tradition, are circumcised. In a most cruel and barbaric fashion women are circumcised as well in some countries.

A tract about polygamy in Islam distributed in many American mosques states that "Early Christians invented ideas that women were ‘full of sin’ and man was better off to ‘never marry’. Since this would be the end of mankind these same people compromised and said ‘marry only one.’" Yet, the Bible teaches no such thing. Many followers and supporters of Christ were godly women. The Muslim tract claims "that artificially created monogamy has become a factor in ruining the family structure, and the social, economic and political systems of the country." Mormonism is cited as an example of a "Christian" group that has supported polygamy, though they fail to point out that Mormonism is actually a heretical cult.
His Not So Divine Nature

The fatalistic nature of Islam is apparent in its view of victors in war. In the section entitled The Call to Jihad in the Qur’an published by Darussalam reads, "Similarly the Qur’an points out the well-known fact that the battle is by turns, (one) day (victory) is for you — (the other) day (victory) is for others — as Allah said: "If a wound (and killing) has touched you, be sure a similar wound (and killing) has touched the others. And so are the days (good and not so good), that We give to men by turns..." (Sura 3:140). So apparently Allah is for both sides. These would not be very encouraging words for most western soldiers. It’s one thing to say "you win some, you lose some" in a game of checkers, but if that is God’s attitude on your life, one might consider a different God.
Then, strangely enough, the Quran teaches some are predestined for hell, "And surely, We have created many of the jinn and mankind for hell"(Sura 7:179).

Muslim Paradise with Wine and Babes!

It is discouraged in Islam to drink wine, in heaven however there are rivers of wine for the faithful (Sura 47:15, 83:25). It is a wonder why it is called wine however because the Qur’an claims that this heavenly wine will cause no intoxication or hangovers (Sura 56:17-19). So what is the point in drinking it? In Islam it is not only a man’s world where he may have up to four wives, it is also a man’s heaven, where there will be many virgins and young boys to serve wine to the faithful. Some have suggested that Allah is more like a bartender at a brothel. The Mormons and Muslims are going to be in serious competition over these heavenly babes.

Can Allah not defend Himself?

The Quran clearly teaches, "And when the sacred months are passed, kill those who join other gods with God wherever ye shall find them; and seize them, besiege them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall convert, and observe prayer, and pay the obligatory alms, then let them go their way, for God is Gracious, Merciful" "Christians say, ‘The Messiah is a son of God.’ Such the sayings in their mouths! They resemble the saying of the Infidels of old! God do battle with them! How are they misguided. (Sura 9:5, 29-31 "IMMUNITY"). Apparently it is not enough that the infidels are going to hell, some Muslims feel they should hurry up the process of getting them there.

One way of doing battle with the "infidels," or tolerated minorities under Islam within it’s borders has been to levy poll-taxes (jizyah) "obligatory alms" against them. These taxes are then used to finance jihad and Islamic expansion. It is beneficial to protect some "covenant" dhimma people if they are offering to society something that Islam has use for.
If Allah is Akbar (Great) why do non-Muslim infidel soldiers from the west have to defend the Kuwaitis and Saudis from their Muslim neighbors? Maybe God should have a funeral for Allah, for it appears that he is dead.

Our Saudi Friends?

A version of the Qur’an endorsed by Sheikh ‘Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Humaid, Chief Justice of Saudi Arabia, was being distributed around the U.S. in the months before and after 9/11. It is translated by a former Professor at the Islamic University in Medinah, and former director at the University Hospital in Medina. It is most militant in it’s style and commentary. In a section entitled "The Call to Jihad" we read, "As it is now obvious, at first ‘the fighting’ was forbidden, then it was permitted and after that it was made obligatory – (1) against them who start ‘the fighting’ against you (Muslims)... (2) and against all those who worship others along with Allah... as mentioned in Sura 2, 3, 9... and other Sura (Chapters of the Quran). Allah made the fighting (Jihad) obligatory for the Muslims and gave importance to the subject-matter of Jihad in all the Sura which were revealed (at Al-Madinah) as in Allah’s Statement: ‘March forth whether you are light (being healthy, young and wealthy) or heavy (being ill, old and poor), and strive hard with your wealth and your lives in the Cause of Allah. This is better for you if you knew.’ (Sura 9:41) And He (Allah) said: ‘Jihad (holy fighting in Allah’s Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know."(Sura 2:216)

Traditionally in Islam thinking the world is divided into two categories, Dar al-Islam (the House of Islam) and Dar al-Harb (the House of War). The white sword on a field of Islamic green on the Saudi Arabian flag speaks loudly of the religions militant history. The national logo is two crossed swords and a date palm tree in that land where the Qur’an is the constitution.
Jesus said, ". . . an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think he is offering service to God." (Jn. 16:2)

Black is not Always Beautiful

The Interpretation of the Noble Qur’an endorsed by the Saudi Chief Justice might be a difficult pill for American blacks to swallow if they read it objectively. It’s describes judgment day in ethnic terms. "So on that Day no question will be asked of man or jinni as to his sin [because they have already been known from their faces either white (dwellers of Paradise — true believers of Islamic Monotheism) or black (dwellers of Hell — polytheists, disbelievers, criminals)]. The Mujrimun (polytheists, criminals, sinners) will be known by their marks (black faces), and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet."

Thinking that Christianity is a white man’s religion some Black Muslims have a twisted understanding of slavery in the Muslim world. Muslims in many countries have taken part in the slave trade. As a matter of fact, Saudi Arabia, the home of the Grand Mosque and Qa’ba of Mecca, continued slavery as a common practice until it was abolished in 1962. Though the African country of Mauritania, because of global political pressure, outlawed slavery in 1980, many Arab masters, still hold black slaves. It is not merely a sin of white Christian culture. Temptation to capitalize on the benefits of cheap labor is as broad as humanity itself. Even certain American Indian tribes were known to capture members of other clans. Human nature is not necessarily dictated by the color of our skin.

Mohammed’s Qur’an tells Muslims not to take Jews or Christians for friends (Surah 5:51) for Allah has turned Jews into apes and swine (Surah 5:60). This is surely not the attitude of the God of the Bible.

Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits." (Matt. 7:15-16)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgLmCOv0Ots
http://www.muhammadtube.com/videos/2923/the-death-of-allah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbT-1inFxZY