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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

WAYNE GRUDEM'S GNOSTIC PNEUMATOLOGY IDENTIFIES HIM AS A FALSE TEACHER

    Wayne Grudem spoke at the European Leadership Forum in 2010 where he addressed the Christian youth of Europe on the Holy Spirit, concentrating on Ephesians 5:18.  For someone who has written numerous books and his own "Systematic Theology", it was extremely disappointing to see and hear this poor analysis of the roles and work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. His presentation, of course, is from a continuationist point of view, meaning that he believes that the (apostolic) gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today, similar to the charismatic/pentecostal belief systems. Although he is adored as the "go to guy" of his gnostic reformed followers, he has roots in the hyper-charismatic Vineyard Church and actually was the in-house theologian and apologist for its founder John Wimber, a promoter of the John G. Lake "healing rooms" and all sorts of heresies.
    Now, in this address, he teaches the need for "constant re-fillings of the Holy Spirit", the constant need to "pray to the Holy Spirit" (without reference to Jesus Christ), that some people speak in "tongues" like he does in his "private prayer language", and to expect modern day prophecies. This is gnosticism!
    The manner of presentation was very problematic. All through this "lecture", he was in a rather hilarious, almost flippant, irreverent spirit for some unknown reason. He referred many times, not to Scripture, but to his own personal feelings about the presence of the Spirit, and speculations about the Spirit's personality. His use of "I think" statements was pervasive, dominating almost every point, even stating he thinks of the Spirit "at the level of feelings or spiritual perceptions".
    He neglected at least two important points. He never said that the Holy Spirit could refuse to listen to a believer who has awareness of unconfessed sin. He never once mentioned the role of the Holy Spirit to "convict of righteousness and sin" in leading people to salvation and/or the correction of believers. His primary focus was how a believer should work at the various ways he "thinks" are the ways of getting re-filled with the Holy Spirit, other than living more like Christ, the absence of which was glaring and inexcusable for a man of this stature and reknown.
    Grudem took questions, but never once was he asked about his involvement in the Vineyard church and that church's gross excesses in "worship", his association with John Wimber, and/or his "personal prayer language".
    Rather, Grudem presented a very mechanistic approach to getting more of the Holy Spirit.
    Although Grudem is otherwise orthodox, his constant and repeated defaulting to an allowance for apostolic gifts of the Holy Spirit in the modern church (including mixed authoritative/faulty prophecies) opens all those who take him seriously up to nothing less than the possibility of "adding to Scripture" in an heretical way. For this reason, he should not be your "go to guy", but avoided as a false teacher, i.e., one who sees nothing wrong with the canon of Scripture being fluid, flexible, amendable, and subject to myriad interpretations.
    Grudem, for these reasons, has created tremendous confusion and a boost to the ecumenical spirit in the Christian world, whether he is aware of this or not. In truth, the Christian, in defense, must by necessity, default to "sola Scriptura" and reject his confused meanderings based on mystical, personal feelings.
    Below is the video of the "lecture":

Wayne Grudem on why he believes his "Systematic Theology" is superior to the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit when the believer studies the Bible alone. Grudem, if you let him, will be your gnostic spirit guide:

References:
Grudem's stint at the EFCA's (Evangelical Free Church of America) Trinity International University (a/k/a Trinity Evangelical Divinity School):
Beard's http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/efca.htm: specifically this paragraph:

"Is God speaking through prophets today? Yes, say TIU faculty members Wayne Grudem and Don Carson, but not with the same "authority" as in the Old and New Testaments!:
Wayne Grudem: Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology -- Argues that NT apostles were the functional equivalents of OT prophets, and were in authority over NT prophets. Therefore, Grudem considers NT non-apostolic prophecy less authoritative than both OT prophecy and NT apostolic prophecy, in that it consists primarily of "impressions" which God gives the individual. Since the individual may misunderstand or misinterpret these impressions, this NT prophecy is open to error and is not required to meet the 100% accuracy demand of the OT (Dt. 3:1-5; 18:20-22). Thus, the view that underlies much of the thinking about prophecy in the Vineyard Movement (in fact, Grudem has claimed Vineyard preaches the true gospel of Christ), and now at TIU, is that "today's 'prophecies' are usually imperfect and not trustworthy" (The Gift of Prophecy, pp. 100ff); by this means, Grudem can and does argue that "prophecy" occurs today without the necessity of proving any miraculous element."
Excerpts from Grace Fellowship Church's review of Grudem at:
http://www.gfcto.com/articles/theological-issues/grudems-view-of-nt-prophecy, specifically:

"A CONFESSEDLY NOVEL VIEW:

In the preface to his first book Grudem writes:

'I found that a detailed study of the biblical text led me to a definition of New Testament prophecy which was somewhat different from the teachings of many within the charismatic movement, but also different from the views of those, especially within Reformed and Dispensationalist circles, who have expressed objections to or skepticism about claims to prophecy found in charismatic groups today. But even though I do not agree fully with either group, I hope that in my somewhat new definition of the nature of Christian prophecy both pro-charismatics and anti-charismatics may be able to find a “middle ground” with a considerable potential for reconciling their current differences.[1]'
"For someone to suggest a new definition of a biblical truth after hundreds of years of church history have elapsed is rather bold to say the least. Is it warranted? Let’s take a look."
"GRUDEM STATES HIS POSITION:
In his first major summary statement, Grudem concludes:"
'...Paul thought of prophecy at Corinth as something different than the prophecy we see, for instance, in Revelation or in many parts of the OT. There, a divine authority of actual words is claimed by or on behalf of the prophets. But the prophecy we find in 1 Corinthians is more like the phenomena we saw in extra-Biblical Jewish literature: it is based on some type of supernatural “revelation,” but that revelation only gives it a kind of divine authority of general content. The prophet could err, could misinterpret, and could be questioned or challenged at any point. He had a minor kind of “divine” authority, but it certainly was not absolute.[2]'"
"Again, he says:"
'...I am asking those in the cessationist camp to give serious thought to the possibility that prophecy in ordinary New Testament churches was not equal to Scripture in authority, but was simply a very human - and sometimes partially mistaken - report of something the Holy Spirit brought to someone’s mind.[3]'"
"Another key element in Grudem’s position is the assertion that in the NT, the counterpart of the OT prophets are the apostles, and not the NT prophets. He states:"
'...those who are viewed as divinely authoritative messengers in the NT are most often called not “prophets” but “apostles.” This is significant for our investigation because if the NT apostles are frequently seen as the counterparts to the OT prophets, then NT prophets might often be something quite different.[4]'
"If this position is accepted, then changes must be made in the thinking of both cessationist and charismatic non-cessationist believers. The charismatics would need to stop using a “Thus says the Lord” introduction to their prophesying, since, according to Grudem, this kind of “authority of words” prophecy is limited to the OT prophets and NT apostles. A more humble, “I feel the Lord has shown me...”, would be more appropriate to the status of NT prophets."
"On the other hand, the cessationists would now be free to accept the ongoing, less authoritative nature of NT prophecy without feeling that the finality and supremacy of the NT scriptures are being threatened."

"SOME OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS:
1.
 "Be very wary of anyone who seeks to persuade the church of a “new” definition of some aspect of biblical teaching, especially one that claims to have been lost by the church for some 1800 years. To put it mildly, it borders on theological arrogance. Yet, it is the novel that often receives recognition in academic circles and theological publications."
2.
 "Don’t be cowed by a person’s academic credentials. He may be a professor at a highly esteemed seminary and have the support of a numbered of degreed colleagues and know his Greek and Hebrew, but if what he says does not fit the plain teaching of scripture, we must not be afraid to flatly reject it."





BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CONSIDERS INCLUDING GAY MEMBERS

URGENT: From Americans for Truth About Homosexuality: "Urge Boy Scouts Not To Capitulate on Homosexuality" here: http://americansfortruth.com/2013/01/29/aftah-tells-parents-churches-to-urge-boy-scouts-not-to-capitulate-on-homosexuality/.

Contact the Boy Scouts NOW, at these numbers: TAKE ACTION: Call the Boy Scouts of America and urge them NOT to change their policy against openly homosexual Scoutmasters and Scouts: call 972-580-2400 to vote in their “poll” (also: -2401, -2405, -2239, -2443, -2280 or -2199). Also, call for the resignation of CEOs Jim Turley and Randall Stephenson from the Scout Executive Board. 

1) This decision is not yet final – parents, sponsoring churches and concerned citizens should lobby the Scouts NOW prior to their Board Meeting next week. TAKE ACTION: urge the BSA NOT to sacrifice the safety and moral well-being of boys to the demands of “gay” activists and a few corporate bigwigs threatening to withhold grants. Lines are jammed, but contact the BSA at 972-580-2000 or 972-580-2597; or use their Contact Page. E-mail: PR@scouting.org. Find your local Scout Council nationwide HERE, or use the BSA’s locator by zip code.
2) This proposed capitulation would snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory.
3) This proposal opens the door to the sexual- and spiritual corruption of boys.
4) AFTAH reiterates its call on the Boy Scouts of America to release ALL of its files on predatory abuse in the Scouts – be it by adult homosexual Scoutmasters or “boy-on-boy” predations.
5) This pro-homosexual capitulation teaches boys the WRONG lesson: that upholding moral truth is less important than bowing to politically correct trends that dishonor God. 
6) This BSA’s capitulation is the result of a combination of Big Gay Inc.’s hardball tactics and Big Corporate’s “political extortion.”
7) The proposed surrender only emboldens LGBT activists to further pressure the BSA.
8) Lastly, Americans must recognize that Corporate America has become a powerful force for anti-Christian sexual immorality, in the guise of “diversity.”



American Family Association's Bryan Fischer explodes over this issue:

Wall Street Journal report:

SPIRITUAL STATE OF AMERICA-WORSE THAN EVER


The Destructive Careless Ease of Fools
By John Henderson
Proverbs 1:22-31 - “How long will you simpletons love naiveté? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?  If only you will respond to my rebuke, then I will pour out my thoughts to you and I will make my words known to you.  However, because I called but you refused to listen, because I stretched out my hand but no one paid attention, because you neglected all my advice, and did not comply with my rebuke, so I myself will laugh when disaster strikes you, I will mock when what you dread comes, when what you dread comes like a whirlwind, and disaster strikes you like a devastating storm, when distressing trouble comes on you.  Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek me, but they will not find me. Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the Lord, they did not comply with my advice, they spurned all my rebuke. Therefore they will eat from the fruit of their way, and they will be stuffed full of their own counsel. For the waywardness of the  simpletons will kill them, and the careless ease of fools will destroy them.  But the one who listens to me will live in security, and will be at ease from the dread of harm.” (NET Bible)
Where to begin!  Where to begin!  These eleven verses summarize the conditions of our religious and secular culture in ways that I find disturbing because of their clarity and precision.  The frustrations of trying to get just regular people to stop and listen then turn seriously to the Lord in prayer and supplication feels like one is standing in a dense forest shouting to the trees that a massive fire is approaching with gale force.  They will just stand there and be consumed in the fire.
The world is plunging deeper and deeper into its sin and lostness mainly because the church is largely lulled into apathy by the same delusions that grip the lost souls.  When the modern emergent movement stepped up and declared that the church was no longer viable in reaching beyond its borders,it was right in one sense but they offered wrong and fatal solutions.  We bought into postmodern thinking and became victims ourselves rather than emissaries of God’s truth.  We believed our methods were not working when we weren’t even using them in the first place.  We had already laid aside the gospel tools that always won souls for the more flimsy but shinier ideas of carnal advancements; and what would still work, if only they were used, was left to rust.
We forgot that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and went after the allurements of the world’s wisdom, somehow thinking God needed something different than the “old fashioned” gospel message.  We became simpletons and fools in our own “wisdom” and thought that somehow God would come over to our way of thinking.  The Bible became irrelevant, even unneeded [it had a lot of “errors in it, you know, because Professor I-know-best said so and who were we to question such prestige and knowledge].  Our message shifted from “thus saith the Lord” to “thus saith the sages of New Age Postmodernism.”
We can easily find just about anything going on in church buildings and environments except intercessory praying and learning the Word of God.  No longer can we really say with the Psalmist, “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against Thee.”  We ask for prayers for our lost loved ones but we are nearer to joining them in Hell soon enough than they are of becoming born again.  How many of our lost loved ones, if they were honest and frank, would tell us that they are convicted of their sins from watching how we live?
You can turn on just about any news program and see astounding foolishness that challenges sanity itself.  The examples are abundant.  You may sit there half-asleep and with your brain in neutral and hear such outlandish pronouncements from government and religious “leaders”, supplemented by equally bizarre statements of commentators, that you shake your head to throw off the bombardment of “stuff” that makes no sense at all.  I often remark aloud that the inmates have the keys to the insane asylums and the sane are locked behind the bars.
In the United States and the entire world, we have picked up speed towards divine judgment, if for only two reasons (but actually more): wanton abortion and the embracing of homosexuality in every way possible.  God will not be mocked by this travesty much longer.  Sodom and Gomorra will look like a wiener cook-out by comparison when sudden destruction hits. Pompous officials and arrogant clergy may smirk, strut, and gloat for now, reveling in their self-indulgence, but it will end much sooner than they expect.  Their kind learned that the hard way in times gone by and, today, they have learned nothing at all from history.
I have received messages many times from people who say they feel so isolated in the church that they just do not know where to turn.  What they once knew and could always expect has suddenly been booted from their congregations and they have often been obliged to also go away.  Once-vibrant churches where filled pews and balconies at least three times a week heard the clear message of life are struggling to just hold itself together.  For them, there is more space than needed for the people now and the finances are draining away.  Their messages are so watered down and compromised that a spiritual soul can hardly hear truth at all that lifts and encourages the heart in Christian service.   
This is happening to entire denominations in some instances with no promise of rebounding if things remain as they are.  That which once sent forth clear messages of life filled with Biblical truth now exudes empty substitutes of sham gospel messages.  The Word has been replaced by any “ole” word.  The authority of the Scriptures is set aside for the vain philosophies and useless opinions of godless men and women.
Where does the faithful child of God go from here?  Our answer is only in the Scriptures.  God has made promises that He will not break and no man can nullify.  One of those promises is that He will never leave us or forsake us.  He asks that we faint not but keep looking for His return.  He is coming again just as surely as He has said He would.  It is more certain than the rising and setting of the sun or the rising and falling of the tide.  Jesus will come again right on schedule—God’s schedule.
Psalm 56:11 - “In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”
Psalm 118:6 – “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?”

Dr. Gran'pa
(John Henderson)
[NOTICE:  ANYTHING I write over this signature may be copied or shared with others
and is deemed as published material unless otherwise stated herein] 

UPDATES: HOBBY LOBBY & OBAMACARE MANDATE




ANTI ABORTION MARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C.-JANUARY 25, 2013


SOUTH CAROLINA SHERIFF WILL NOT ENFORCE UNCONSTITUTIONAL GUN LAWS