Saturday, April 28, 2007

Another week of moving . . . last week we moved my sister . . . this week we moved my mother. I never want to move another thing again for YEARS to come.

Why is it that so many of us seem to accumulate so many things? Even when I think I've cleared out my house, I still have boxes and boxes of stuff I just can't seem to part with--it's never-ending.

I think there must be a spiritual lesson in all of this, but I'm just too tired to ponder it. When we finished tonight (after a 12 hour day), we just couldn't seem to stop laughing at everything. This can be a bit problematic when you're standing in line with 50 other people waiting for ice cream. My brother-in-law just pretended he wasn't with us.

If I ever see another brown box or storage room again in my life it will be too soon.

On a lighter note, another chapter of The Kingdom of the Occult made it to the publisher this week and another one's almost ready to go . . . only nine left. I should be posting a bit more this week, now that the relocation of thousands of boxes is behind me, and the U-Haul truck is parked safely back in the parking lot.

Goodnight for now. :)

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Walter Martin :

Be Bold!

"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20

The apostle Paul is saying here that courage—boldness—should be a perpetual way of life...always. The word boldness doesn’t mean what we think it means today. Boldness isn’t intellectual or physical arrogance. Boldness isn’t snobbery; the “I know something you don’t know, you poor thing,” attitude. Do you know some Christians actually talk that way to people in the cults? By the time they get finished with them, the people are humiliated. They don’t even want to talk anymore, they’re so hurt.

We forget sometimes that people are not our enemies. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual rulers of the darkness of this age. (Ephesians 6:12) That’s the war—that’s the battle—not the people. They’re just pawns in the chess game of satanic conception.

Boldness should be a way of life. It is putting on the whole armor of God and standing against the methods of the Devil. If we resist him, he will flee. But we’ve got to resist. We’ve got to stand up and be counted.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Breaking News

Dr. Thomas Ice has written a book review for the National Liberty Journal:


Hank Hanegraaff Calls Tim LaHaye a Racist and a Blasphemer
by Thomas Ice

In his new book entitled The Apocalypse Code, [i]
Hank Hanegraaff, host of the Bible Answer Man radio broadcast, selects Tim LaHaye as his prime target in his sub-Christian attack on Tim LaHaye and other Bible prophecy advocates. Strangely, Hanegraaff is known for often quoting the famous maxim: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” [ii] So where is the liberty and charity in practice that he advocates in theory? Charity and liberty towards those he disagrees with is totally absent in Hanegraaff’s new book. It is one thing to disagree with another Christian (Hanegraaff and any other Christian has a right to voice their disagreement with other Christians), but to call his fellow brother in Christ a racist[iii] and a blasphemer [iv] because he advocates a different view of Bible prophecy goes well beyond the pale.


Hanegraaff contends that his book is about “Exegetical Eschatology to underscore that above all else I am deeply committed to a proper method of biblical interpretation rather than to any particular model of eschatology.” [v] If that is his goal then he has fallen far short of the mark! Hanegraaff’s proposed interpretative approaches, if implemented, would send the church back to the Dark Ages hermeneutically. The great majority of the book is a rant against dispensationalism in general and Tim LaHaye in particular. There is precious little actual exegesis, if any at all, to support his preterist-idealist eschatology, however, there are great quantities of some of the most vicious invective against LaHaye and many other Bible prophecy teachers that I have ever read in print.

This book is not only filled with factual error throughout, but teaches that most Bible prophecy has already been fulfilled (a preterist viewpoint), Nero was the beast of Revelation (i.e., the antichrist), and the tribulation has already happened. Hanegraaff is certainly no lover of Israel since he teaches that God divorced Israel (he needs to read the end of Hosea) and married the church, supports the pro-Palestinian claims against Israel, and even accuses Israel of the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Hanegraaff embraces and argues for replacement theology and many other viewpoints that are detrimental to sound Bible study and interpretation. Not surprisingly, I do not recommend this book, unless one is looking for an example of how not to study the Bible for all its worth.





[i] Hank Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code: Find Out What the Bible Really Says About The End Times and Why It Matters Today (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007), 300 pages.
[ii] Hank Hanegraaff and Sigmund Brouwer, The Last Disciple (Wheaton: Tyndale, 2004), p. 395.
[iii] Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code, pp. xx–xxiii.
[iv] Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code, pp. 189, 225.
[v] Hanegraaff, The Apocalypse Code, p. 2.

Reprinted with permission, The National Liberty Journal, May 2007 edition

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Here's the link I promised to the Evangelical Feminism program on Jan Markell's Understanding the Times. Scroll down to April 14, Hour 2.

http://www.olivetreeviews.org/radio/mp3/


Also, for those of you who missed a fascinating program on Mormonism (guest-- yours truly) you can still hear it. Just click on the March 10 link:


http://www.crosstalkamerica.com/shows/2007/03/



And last but not least, checkout two enlightening articles on Christian Worldview Network:

Evil at the Altar of God
by Walter Martin

Sheraton Hotel Welcomes Gay/Lesbian S & M Contest
by Jill Martin Rische

http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/

Sunday, April 15, 2007

I'm running a bit behind on blog things at the moment . . . but should be posting even more riveting commentary in the very near future.

I had a great opportunity to be a guest on Jan Markell's Understanding the Times radio program* on Saturday, along with Dwayna Litz. The hot topic was Evangelical Feminism--guaranteed to raise a few blood pressure numbers nationwide--since Jan is now on the Sirius Satellite Network. We should have a link up early this week.

I'm seriously considering a new type of blog (in addition to this one) called Blog Talk Radio. It sounds like fun, especially since YOU can call in live! That's right, every single one of you dying to give me a piece of your mind (which I'm sure you'll miss) will have the chance to do it.

I sincerely hope some supporters show up as well!

I will update you on this . . . should be coming in the next couple of weeks. If you like the idea--let me know.




*http://www.olivetreeviews.org/about.shtml Minneapolis AM980 KKMS

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Greg Johnson posted an apology a while back (see March 24 blog entry), so for those of you who missed it in the Comments section . . .

Jill,

Let me apologize for the spelling errors in my reply and for the offences I've caused you. Because of my admiration of Craig Hazen I was quick to offer a reply to your blog about him. My words should have been more tempered and I should not have contrasted you against your father. I apologize to you and I am sorry. I ask for your forgiveness.

God Bless,

Rev. Gregory Johnson
Standing Together, President


My thoughts: I accept and appreciate your apology, Greg, but there is quite a bit missing from it. We can talk about this privately, though.

As to the spelling apology--it is unnecessary, since I'm not offended by spelling errors (who would be?)--I simply noted them as verbatim in order to avoid multiple emails from people analyzing my spelling. If you took that as a criticism, Greg, I apologize.


That said, my experiences after writing this article on Craig Hazen were interesting in many ways, not the least of which were the behind the scenes tactics used by some "Christian leaders." It doesn't surprise me, but it certainly speaks to character.

The last time I checked, we lived in America where freedom of speech is guaranteed . . . .

Stay tuned for my analysis of the prayer and endorsement.





Tuesday, April 10, 2007

What a crazy, busy week so far--and it's only Tuesday! I can't wait until I get a few more chapters off to the publishers . . . .

I will be commenting a bit more on the Hazen team responses in the next day or so. Two posts I found interesting talked about my "emotional" approach to this subject (amusing) and the claim that I have "no case" against Hazen (can you spell p-r-e-s-u-p-p-o-s-i-t-i-o-n)?

Humorous comments--but lightweight.

The focus of this discussion should be on Craig Hazen's actions, so I will be discussing both his prayer and his endorsement of Mormon doctrine in detail.

Should be interesting . . . .


My niece, Amber, sent me another great email I had to share with you. Perspective is everything.


This is by a young African pastor--found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his faith:

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach all I know and work until He comes.

And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

Friday, April 06, 2007

It's been a while since I had a chance to post something from my father. This is one of my favorites:

Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?” "They have taken my Lord away,” she said, "and I don't know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman,” he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, "Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
John 20:11‑16 NIV


Nothing can be proven outside the testimony of witnesses or your own eyewitness experience. You and I were not there when Jesus Christ came out of the tomb, but other people saw him alive with infallible proof.


One of the greatest psychological proofs of the Resurrection is this: the same people who ran like scared rabbits when they took Jesus captive and brought him up for trial—these same people, three days later, took a 180 degree turn. They suddenly chose to risk exactly the same death their Master had experienced. Psychologically, that’s incredible, unless something happened.

If you believe every effect has a cause, what was the cause of the effect—the change in those disciples? We’re not talking theology now, just plain old horse sense. What could have changed them from cowards to conquerors? There is only one thing that accounts for it: They saw him alive! When they saw him alive after they knew he was dead, they knew he had been placed in the tomb, and they knew there was a watch on the tomb to prevent anyone from stealing the body—when they saw this, then they knew the Gospel was 100% true and they were willing to die for it. And they did.

You don’t die for a crazy Jewish carpenter whose body was stuffed in some ignominious Palestinian graveyard; you wouldn’t and I wouldn’t, and those boys were smart Jewish boys and they weren’t going to, either. Something changed them, and it was the fact that Jesus presented himself to them.

Eyewitness testimony.

One of the greatest of them all was John 20. Eyewitness testimony shook the foundations of all of their thinking. When Jesus appeared to them and they touched his wounds, they knew immediately he had to be the Son of God because he was alive with infallible proof.

What is infallible proof? Science says that if there is any such thing as infallible proof, it is the repetition of the same experiment. Jesus rose from the dead and Mary Magdalene encountered him—experiment one. The women encountered him—experiment two. The disciples encountered him—experiment three. The Apostles encountered him—experiment four. Five hundred people saw him after the Resurrection—experiment five.

Each one of these is the repetition of the same experiment. They all encountered the same phenomenon. What was it? He was alive! That’s what changed the history of the world.



Happy Easter!

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

I'm taking a break from the hot debate of the last few days to share something I think is wonderful. Many of you know my good friend, Dwayna Litz. She is an amazing woman--responsible for pioneering multiple street ministries in Venice Beach, CA, Boulder, CO and now New York, NY. Dwayna has been a great source of encouragement to me; her love for Jesus made me rethink my love for Him.

I always knew she could sing . . . but I'd never had the chance to actually hear her.

Today, Kevin and I dropped a Dwayna Litz CD into our computer and sat there--stunned--as this incredible voice filled our home.

I thought I'd share the two songs we heard with you. . . the second one, Prayin' You Back Home is one that Dwayna wrote (and I love it). I've been singing these all day.

https://waltermartin.com/listening_library/Give_Me_Jesus.ram

https://waltermartin.com/listening_library/Prayin_You_Back_Home.ram


If you' d like to find out more about Dwayna, check out her blog:
http://lightingtheway.blogspot.com/


One more thing . . . I'd sincerely like to thank everyone who stopped by my blog in recent weeks. Blog hits are now into the thousands, and it's great to know people care. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to stop by Walter Martin Ministries. We appreciate each and every one of you.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

I think it is important for people to have a place where they can express their disagreement as well as draw encouragement from others who agree with them. I would like to have a forum where people can agree to disagree agreeably--and so far it has worked fairly well (give or take a few comments).

I know that any debate will produce heat, and this is a good thing as long as everyone can take the heat without getting angry or hurt. I've been willing to let negative posts against me stand, but I cannot allow attacks against others here--and that includes attacks against people with whom I disagree.

After reviewing today's comments, Kevin and I think it would be a good idea to let things calm down a bit, so we've decided to disable comments for a few days. Your posts are still here--but for right now we're not showing them.

If anyone needs to discuss this or anything else with me, you can reach me at jill@waltermartin.com.