Lighthouse Trails Research Newsletter Reports On Two Nazarene Universities

Lighthouse Trails Research publishes a monthly newsletter to alert readers to what is happening in the religious landscape today.  LTR serves as a discernment ministry and is known for their extensive research which includes many footnotes and corresponding links.

The February 2010 newsletter includes two articles regarding concerns taking place within the Nazarene denomination.  One article reports on the choice of speakers Northwest Nazarene University allows onto the campus, the other article reports on a Spiritual Formation event taking place at Trevecca Nazarene University.    You may access the two articles HERE.

Northwest Nazarene University – Dr. McDaniels

The following link will take you to a very interesting presentation given by guest speaker Dr. Jay McDaniel’s at NNU.  The date of this presentation goes back to the Fall of 2006.  It is yet another example of what has been going on in the Nazarene universities over the last decade or more.  Liberal, New Age, and syncretistic belief systems are given an undebated platform in which to promote their philosophies.  Is this where a portion of your tithe is going?  Are the people in the pews okay with paying the speakers fees for people to come in and present a different gospel to their young people?  Do the people in the pews see how this is having an untold influence on their young people?    Read Reformed Nazarene’s excellent write up about this event HERE.

When you finish with that, be SURE to read the President of NNU’s reply regarding the concern in having Dr. Jay McDaniel, and others like him, given a platform to present their philosophies to the students. 
Following the President of NNU’s reply is a rebuttal.  Click on this LINK to read.

Nazarene Social Justice and It’s Socialist Connections?

The radical liberal agenda has enjoyed success in secular schools and organizations for several decades, and to a mild degree in some of the liberal denominations from the turn of the last century.

It makes sense that the next stronghold to assault would be to infiltrate the ranks of the conservative Christian schools and conservative denominations.  But through what method?

Enter the Emergent Church Movement and its’ emphasis on “social justice”. Here’s the strategy: 

•  Re-package the primary mission of Jesus coming on the earth from being one of redemption of souls, to one of setting things right for the poor and marginalized in society.  Paint those (conservatives) who hold to a salvation message of personal repentance of sin, and faith and trust in Jesus as the only Way, Truth and Life , and re-cast them as Pharisee’s and mean-spirited fundamentalists who know nothing of compassion for the down and out. 
• Promote the emergent church as the first to discover compassion for others and care about societal ills.   Do this under the catch phrase of “bringing in the kingdom” and/or being “missional” .
•  Take a low view of scripture and introduce doubts as to its’ authority and reliability. 
• Focus mainly on the “good works” of Jesus, while  avoiding  unpleasant topics such as sin, its consequences, personal responsibility, and above all else stay away from the subject of hell.     

 

The following link will take you to an article from The Tulsa Beacon entitled The Wolves Are At the Door.  The article was posted in April 2009. 

In the article you will read the connection between the Industrial Areas Foundation  , of which Oklahoma First Church of the Nazarene is a supporter, and Saul Alinsky  , who was a Communist sympathizer and socialist , and the term “social justice”.  Here is a quote from the article:

“Saul Alinsky used the poor to further a radical agenda, while ostensibly helping them. Although the IAF has disavowed some of Alinsky’s more extreme views, they still use his methods and seek to work within unsuspecting Catholic and Protestant congregations, and among other constituencies, to further a decidedly liberal agenda. From our research, you won’t ever see IAF working with its protégés to encourage conservative principles in public policy.”

Also of interest would be this interview given by the Minister of Social Justice of Oklahoma First Church of the Nazarene to Sojourner’s Magazine, which is a magazine with a radical liberal/progressive Leftist (chrisitan) agenda whose founder, Jim Wallis has ties to the Communist Party. 

It is also of interest, that it is common to find a link to Sojourner’s at emergent nazarene blogs, such as this one and this one. 

The people in the pews in the Nazarene Church need to wake up and start asking questions and demand answers from their leadership.  The only way to turn the Nazarene denomination around from this liberal agenda is for those in the pews to gather together and pray, repent from straying off course, fast, and create a grass roots movement of those that care about Biblical integrity and Biblical foundations that have been under assault from the Left.  The Nazarenes need to ask the question of the following from Psalm 11.

If the foundations are destroyed,  what can the righteous do?   Psalm 11:3    

 

 

Get In Here Ministries Explains Emergent Techniques

Here is a lighthearted look at what looks and sounds similar to the liberal, watered-down emergent techniques that are presented to the younger generation today through books and seminars.   The video does a great job at capturing the emphases on relationship and community building as the new re-packaged gospel, to make Christianity attractive to  people today.   Don’t let the satirical jab at social justice get by you, which is all the rave today in emergent circles.

Sadly, there is truth in satire.

The Emergent Church: Undefining Christianity

The October 20, 2009 broadcast of Crosstalk is a re-broadcast of host Vic Eliason’s interview of Pastor Bob DeWaay’s recent book called:  The Emergent Church:  Undefining Christianity. 

 

You may listen to that broadcast HERE or download it onto your Ipod.

 

You may also contact Crosstalk and order CD copies at a minimal charge of the program.  I suggest that you order copies to hand out to others to educate them about the liberal roots of the emergent church movement.

 

Bob DeWaay’s book is an excellent resource for getting a firm grasp on emergent theology.  I suggest that you order several copies to hand out.

 

Concerned Nazarenes are trying to get the word out to others in the denomination about the destructive teachings of the Emergent Church Movement, and Spiritual Formation Movement.  Those who support these movements have attempted to deflect any criticism or concerns for these liberal teachings by telling congregants that Concerned Nazarenes are just being extreme and mean-spirited. 

 

Many of the emergent speakers that are talked about and revealed in the Crosstalk interview have been chapel speakers at several Nazarene schools, which gives their liberal teaching a level of endorsement to their captive student audience.

Sandy Church of the Nazarene – Standing Firm

How refreshing to see a Nazarene Church boldly standing firm on the Word of God and for equipping believers through a study of what is all but unheard of, or maligned in most (not all) Nazarene churches today, The Coming Judgement Day.   

 

What a blessing to see a church boldly state the following in their welcome message.

In these crazy times, you may want to know what you will NOT find in our services, too. So, you will not find incorporated into our services movie clips and dramas/skits aimed at entertainment rather than worship. You will not find loud music and music that closely resembles the sound of secular music. You won’t find stunts, acrobats, spoofs of TV series and other gimmicks that some churches use today. And you will never have to worry that the content of my sermons will be questionable for families with young children. We proudly proclaim the full gospel of Jesus Christ, both the popular and the not-so-popular parts. We are neither a purpose-driven church nor a Willow Creek Association church. And perhaps most importantly, Sandy Church of the Nazarene is NOT part of the Emerging Church movement.

 

Thank you Lord that there are some Nazarene shepherds who have not bent the knee to the Willow Creek market-driven programs, or given themselves over to the emerging  influx of liberalism and mystical contemplative prayer experiences, but are standing on the firm foundation of the authority of the Word of God and His whole counsel. 

 

May God bless Sandy Church of the Nazarene and may He enlarge their camp.

GO To Church and BE The Church

This past Sunday, while many churches in the Southwest Ohio Nazarene District were cancelling services in order to go out and do community service projects, wearing “Don’t Go to Church –  Be the Church” tee shirts with press coverage in tow, so as to gain community approval, my church had service.

 

This particular Sunday was given over to the Deaf Ministry to honor 20 years of outreach to the deaf community.  The worship, preaching, testimonies, and altar call, were all led by a deaf minister who is a member of the church.  The Deaf Ministry is not separate from the hearing church, but is incorporated into the whole life of the church through dedicated workers who interpret every week and minister to those who are marginalized in society and forgotten by most churches.  

 

I was moved as I watched men and women of all ages from the deaf community, some with additional handicaps, stand on the platform and sign the music for the hearing audience.  This Sunday, we had an interpreter telling us what was being said, not the other way around.  The deaf minister testified that at his other church, where he was on staff, he shared with the hearing pastor his passion for getting the gospel to the deaf community so that they too could know of forgiveness of sins and of God’s saving power through Jesus.  The hearing pastor told him that it wasn’t important to get the gospel to the deaf community because they would all be allowed in heaven without ever hearing the gospel.  He was shocked by such a view and left that church.  The deaf minister had/has a clear understanding of  the power of the gospel to change the hearts of men and women.  Deaf people are sinners too, in need of the saving grace of the Lord.  A repentant heart means a changed life, even for the deaf.  

 

As I watched all this, I thought that this was a clear picture of the works that we were to be engaged in to further the Kingdom of God.   Works that clearly and unapologetically present the gospel….not a gospel of fluff and grace, and easy believism,…..but a gospel that presents the bad news first, our need for salvation and then the good news of God’s mercy and grace.  I watched as the interpreters were recognized for 20 years of service.  No TV cameras or press coverage was there.  These were good works.   This was furthering the Kingdom of God.

 

I listened to the announcement about the last details coming together for the Family Life Ministry which is to open soon for unwed mothers.  A home which the church wants to use to  serve those who are unwed and expecting, so as to save the life of the child from abortion and to just as importantly present the gospel to an unwed mother so that the Holy Spirit would change her life.  This is a good work.  This is what the Kingdom of God is about, sharing the gospel, the bad news and the good news, so to change hearts, so that Jesus is served and Jesus is Lord.  Many people have been working for months to get this ministry ready, and many people are ready to work once the ministry is open.  This is the work we are to be engaged in for the good of the community.

 

I thought of the five bus routes, and dedicated bus workers,  who each week get up early to get on  buses and go out to some of the poorer areas around our community to pick up mostly kids, and a few adults,  to bring them to church and Sunday School to teach them the Word of God and to present the gospel.  Periodically, one of the bus kids comes forward in church for baptism testifying to the saving grace of Jesus Christ in their life.  Permission is secured first from their home and many times, other family members end up coming to church and staying because a dedicated bus worker picked up their child week after week to bring them to church.  This is a good work.  The gospel changes hearts, changes families, and changes communities.  This is the Kingdom of God.   

 

I thought back to this past summer, to the Vacation Bible School program in which five different satellite locations were also used to take the Word and work of God into the poorer commuities.  The church holds the larger VBS on its grounds, but there are workers who take VBS to other locations at the same time, so that kids in the poorer neighborhoods, can be given a Bible and hear a clear presentation of the gospel every night along with VBS activities.  I recall seeing some of the adult men share the gospel one on one with some of the adults who came to ask questions.  There is no glitz or glamour in this. No press coverage.  There is an element of danger from the gangs.  This a good work; this is the Kingdom of God being built to change hearts, to call people to repentance.

 

There are many more daily ongoing works that I could list, the Food Pantry, those who go door to door on Visitation night to present the gospel to those whose names were given by others for follow-up work,  funeral meals for grieving families, works for widows, etc.  All this is done weekly at the church.  All these works are done in conjunction with a clear presentation of the gospel, not in lieu of hearing the gospel. 

 

We don’t have to cancel church services to try to get the attention of a community to do a “social gospel”.  We understand that the gospel has the power to change lives and we use every opportunity to spread its message whenever we can, not with bait and switch techniques, or to follow after John Ortberg of Willow Creek’s fame, Faith In Action Sunday Program, that wants churches to shut their doors and call the TV stations.

 

We are not to seek after the world’s approval.  But this is exactly what is taking place with The Don’t Go To Church, Be The Church campaign.  Those who follow such a market-driven format seek the world’s approval.   Jesus warned us that the world would hate us because of the gospel.  He said that we would endure persecution because of it and some would lose their life.  That’s why I gave a couple of examples in my  previous article of Nazarene pastors being executed for presenting the gospel. 

To lead congregations into believing the Kingdom of God is about cancelling services and doing social services for a community, is an insult to the blood of these Nazarene pastors and their families and to those who are faithful to verbalize the message of the gospel to those in their community without compromise.      

 

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

       

Here’s A Novel Idea!

Here’s a novel idea…..
Don’t go to church on Sunday.  Be the church.
 
The gospel is being turned on its head.  No longer is the church the pillar and support of truth….it’s becoming re-packaged as a community support club that does good works.  Can I have a hug?
 
Somehow the verses that state that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word, are no longer valid with today’s warm-fuzzy theology.
 
So, some churches in the Southwest Ohio Nazarene District are participating in a Faith in Action event.  Which in reality, subverts the purpose of a church and casts a negative light on why BELIEVERS are supposed to assemble together. 
Since solid Bible teaching and exposition were tossed out years ago in favor of a  watered-down, inoffensive, seeker-friendly gospel, I guess it’s not much of a surprise.
 
Let’s examine this admonition again in 2 Timothy 4:2:
Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
  
Perhaps we can help Paul contextualize the gospel for today?
Weed and mulch!  Have rake ready in season and out of season.
Rake, weed, mulch, with all longsuffering and campaign
exposure (Don’t Go to Church tee shirts and press coverage).

  

Be sure to read the FAQ Sheet prepared by Mark Atherton of the SWO District.  He states that in #8.  Be sure to get press coverage!  It’s all about marketing the church, isn’t it?  Who needs the work of the Holy Spirit when you have newspaper coverage, and TV coverage?  No conviction of sins needed here…..all you need for your community is the transformational power of Weed B Gone!

 

Here is a sample campaign announcement by one of the participating churches, Beavercreek Church of the Nazarene.

 

There is nothing wrong with helping those in need.  In Acts, the focus was on helping those within the church who were in need.  They didn’t forsake the assembling together to go out into their communities to spruce up Ephesus so that they would be looked upon by the pagans in a more acceptable light.  Their greatest tool was the Gospel, and they paid dearly for being faithful to the Gospel.  Their commission was (and our commission today is) to go out and preach and teach the Gospel and allow the Holy Spirit to bring people unto a state of repentance for their sins.  THIS is the Kingdom of God, changed hearts, circumsized hearts, through the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts.   Nothing  transforms or impacts a community or a nation better than a complete and thorough understanding of the Gospel. 

 

Is it any wonder why some nations ban Bibles and execute or imprison those who would share its contents?  While the leadership of the Southwest Ohio District directs their churches to engage in a gospel of “good works”, others, who are faithful to the true Gospel and have a clear understanding of the Great Commission, are paying with their lives.   The SWO District has bought into a flawed (emergent) view of what radical Christianity is and what it means to build God’s Kingdom.

       

Emergent Heresy – A Warning

Crosstalk America radio program has done a very informative interview with Chris Rosebrough talking about the Emergent Church.  Click HERE to listen.

 

I suggest that you order CD copies to hand out to people.  Sometimes handing out CD’s to people who can listen in their car and don’t have time to read and do research, can be very effective in bringing people up to speed on what is at the heart of emergent ideologies. 

 

You may download this program onto your Ipod, and/or order CD’s directily from Crosstalk for a very small fee.  To order  by phone call: 1-800-729-9829  M-F   8am-5pm Central

This program aired on:  September 17, 2009

When Training Up Turns Into a Train Wreck

I  recently came upon a blog piece  from a former Nazarene pastor who left the Nazarene Church to assume the pastorate of a Unitarian Universalist Church. 

 

In his blog piece he states several reasons why he is leaving the Nazarene Church for a more liberal, Unitarian Universalist Church.   Of particular interest, take note of Reason #3:

3) I have come to see the Bible as many human-authored works, with its beautiful and horrible parts, rather than a divinely inspired mandate for life (which parts would I choose as patterns for my life? I certainly could not choose them all.). One cannot say both that God is love and that God once required the stoning of homosexuals and children who wouldn’t obey their parents. Our morals have evolved over time, and with them our concepts of who/what God is. This does not require outside intervention.

 

Now, be sure to read some of the comments, particularly, the comment from another Nazarene pastor, James Diggs.  Here is part of his response.

Point 3) I agree with you 100% about scripture! The scriptures are the work of human beings; and even if it is inspired by God it does not mean that it is “inerrant”. The Bible is NOT “the word of God”, Jesus Christ is the word of God, and he as he put it he came to make the written code “complete”. This implies that the written scripture is INCOMPLETE; it has limitations and is fallible.

 

This is what happens when the education institutions are given over to liberal professors.  The training up turns into a train wreck.  Students come out questioning their faith and questioning any trust in the Bible.   This is not to say that all theology professors are liberal.  It only takes a few to begin to dismantle the faith of some students, which later on, impacts the entire denomination. 

 

Just as Paul warned in Acts 20: 29-31

 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.   Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.   Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.