Jul AUG OCT 4 2001 2002 2003 23 captures 4 Aug 02 - 2 May 14

Close Help

TRANSFORMATION

Jewel (van der Merwe) Grewe

Since 1988 we have been researching the trends coming into the church in the guise of "revival". As various streams gained momentum, the full force of the river managed to sweep even some of the most cautious into its current. At the same time the advent of the Internet gave a tremendous impetus to those desiring to spread revival "fire" with many claims of blessing and glory.

While not everyone made pilgrimages to Toronto or Brownsville, etc., the effects were felt way beyond those borders. There has been a transformation indeed. Some may even call it a "paradigm shift" in the churches.

Recently we received a tragic letter from an old friend who poignantly cries out:

It seems to me being filled or slain in the spirit has become the object and focus of todays ministry instead of preaching the word of God and allowing the signs to follow as confirmation of what has been spoken. . . . . In all honesty we just don't know where else to fellowship as locally there is a dearth of mature ministry and most of the local churches have embraced Toronto to one degree or another as being a "new move" of the Holy Spirit

.
I feel very strongly about attending church regularly and being in fellowship but don't know when last I heard a real word based sermon and honestly don't know of a single mature minister anymore who I feel is a Father figure and to
whom I could turn for wise counsel. There are a lot of lovely people in ministry but when it comes to doctrine everything is "wishy washy" it seems.

I don't know, I may have overstated things a little and am rather old fashioned but that is how we currently feel and we know a number of other folk who share our concerns. I increasingly see the need to get more and more into the Word. . . . .

We hear more and more of this kind of heart-cry here at Discernment Ministries. Other ministries witness the same. If this revival was to have been so life-changing, why are people who were involved in it so disillusioned?

Some of the answers may be found in what is being referred to as "revival" today. In the last few years there were two videos filmed by George Otis, Jr. (Transformations I & II) These videos were to portray revivals in six different parts of the world. These videos sold quickly and were very successful. In fact, it has been purported that fifty million people have viewed these videos. Christians believed what they saw on the videos and set out to duplicate the principles and practices.

Cali, Columbia. The pastor prayed against powers and authorities in heavenly places. The pastor was shot. His wife and others carried on praying. A drug baron was arrested – the video shows people now enthusiastic and full of joy. Revival=gets rid of drugs syndicate

Almolonga, Guatamala. Through prayer and fasting the victory is being won over the powers of darkness. Almolonga has become the cleanest and most prosperous city in the land. A city full of churches. Agriculture has progressed. The vegetable harvest are bountiful.

Revival=grows large carrots

Kiambu, Kenya. The devil held sway there. After spiritual mapping the power of the practicing witch was broken. The video shows a prayer-walk, taking the area around the city. The crime rate goes down.

Revival=gets rid of witches

Hemet, California. Because of spiritual mapping the intercessors found that there were many religious sects in the area and also was the methafetamine capital of the West Coast. After prayer the atmosphere changed. Religious sects left the city, crime rates dropped, church attendance rose and producers of drugs decreased drastically.

Revival=gets rid of drugs

Northeast Quebec, Canada. The video describes a legend in which an old Eskimo miraculously catches a seal which he sacrifices as a sign that the community wants to follow Jesus. By means of spiritual mapping, the situation was made clear to the intercessors who were then able to claim the victory in heavenly places. Now the people have no need for alcohol, few suicides and the women can walk safely in the streets. Revival=alcohol abuse down

Uganda. According to the video the country has changed. After years of dictatorship and aids, an elderly man and his pastor began to pray seriously. An evangelist was led to Kampala and after a medicine man died, heaven opened. Thus was opened a Miracle Centre to seat 10,000 and 600 new sister churches. Many healed from aids. The question, "Why has God shown His power so mightily in this area? The answer is, "He was invited".

Revival=War/Aids ceases

There are some important things to note about these "revivals".

1. Man is not able to bring about "revival" by use of a technique. Spiritual mapping, confessions for the sins of the forefathers and strategic spiritual warfare are all unbiblical teachings.
2. God can not be manipulated. He is sovereign. He is not influenced by methods men has devised. Snake healers and charmers have long tried to sell their wares to an unsuspecting public.
3. These six "revivals" all brought social change. What about a spiritual change in the hearts and lives of the people?
4. Let us note what is lacking in the two videos:
1. The Bible, God’s Word, is not read or preached from. Do we not bring the Gospel by the preaching of the Word?
2. The words: sin, death, the cross are not mentioned. Is this not the reason Jesus came? Paul was determined to preach: "Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
3. The terms: "Born-again" "sanctification by the Holy Spirit" are not mentioned.

There is obviously some other leaven in what is being defined "revival". Have you wondered about the lack of teaching on the cross, the blood of Christ and the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit?

Two historic revivals were mentioned in Video II. Social issues were not the problem, but spiritual! In the Hebrides in Scotland and in Wales, there was a deep conviction of sin. After hearing the WORD, people cried out to God in desperation for mercy!

As we look at today’s "revival" very closely, we observe that the attention is centered on methods. George Otis, Jr. who produced the videos has also written books in which the methods are discussed. In the book: Informed Intercession with the subtitle, Change Your Community by Spiritual Mapping, there are seventy-five new theological ideas. Many of these ideas come from George Otis’s involvement in America Moral Government Theology.

What is: Moral Government Theology?

A theological error that maintains that God is not immutable but changes His mind, that He does not exercise sovereign control over earthly matters, that He does not know all future events - particularly the free-will choices of individuals, etc.. It denies that the atonement pays for our sins, denies Jesus substitutionary death, and denies the imputed righteousness of Christ to the believer. It asserts that people are capable of keeping the whole Law of God and that there is no depravity of human nature.

Question: Could this possible be the rivulet that formed the brook that carried the streams rapidly into the raging river called "revival"?

Praise God there are discerning Christians who are awake and know the Word of God and are able to "rightly divide the Word of truth." Many wonderful materials are available for further research on the subject. My questions regarding why sin, the blood of Christ and the Cross were no longer emphasized were quickly answered.

The lack of true repentance. This is one of the noticeable defining aspects of the "revival". George Otis denies the notion of the sinful nature of man. He says, "Because all human peoples belong to God initially by right of fatherhood, Satan has no automatic control over them. Unless individuals give themselves over to the rulership of Satan willingly, they will remain under the tender influence of the Holy Spirit." (The Last of the Giants: Lifting the Veil on Islam and the End Time, 1991)

According to Otis we have no sinful nature and we only sin by deliberate choice and afterwards by force of habit. Small wonder that he sees no need for Christ’s atonement on the cross to forgive our sins and to make provision for a new nature to all lost sinners who turn to Him for salvation. All that is needed in the Otis Paradigm is spiritual warfare to liberate societies from the oppressive influence of territorial spirits. Then people will turn to God in great numbers. The inherent sinful nature doesn’t need to be addressed because they do not have one! They were only deceived by an external spiritual force (a territorial demonic stronghold) to sin. Remove this stronghold, and society will be free to embrace Christianity.

What is so frightening is that he poses to be evangelical himself and give the impression that he is a fundamental Christian. Yet he denies the foundation of Christianity by not basing his prayer guidelines on the victory gained by Jesus Christ on the cross. The knowledge of sin is not related to the conviction of the Holy Spirit but to a complex process of spiritual mapping. In this way, the spiritual awakening and destiny of communities and nations is placed squarely in the hands of men. Professor J.S. Malan of South Africa has this abstract on his website on his article on George Otis and his Fallacious Teachings:

Confronted with increased opposition, the producer of the two Transformations videos tries to conceal his grave theological errors but does not abandon them. In association with people like C. Peter Wagner, Chuck Pierce, Ted Haggard and Cindy Jacobs, George Otis of the Sentinel Group relentlessly pursues the grand cause of the post-denominational Apostolic Reformation aimed at unifying and controlling the entire Christian Church. This is a misapprehended method to defeat Satan, promote revival, establish the kingdom of God and transform societies everywhere.

Note: I am so grateful for the research of others, among them FOUNDATION: Workgroup "Back to the Bible"; Professor Malan, of South Africa and Greg Robertson’s excellent articles on the Internet, etc. in helping to put a piece of the puzzle in place. How we all need to be awake today and willing to hear the truth!

* * * * * * * *

SPIRITUAL WARFARE
AND
TERRITORIAL SPIRITS

Japie Grobler

The current idea that man is going to be in charge through Spiritual Warfare is becoming all the more popular and is gaining ground, even in the more orthodox churches. Christians will take over cities, countries and even nations for Jesus. Prayer networks, Marches for Jesus, Twenty-Four Hour prayer vigils and Seven-day long prayer chains are strongly motivated and organized by and through actions like Peter Wagner’s World Prayer Center (WPC) in Colorado, U.S.A. and Bennie Mostert’s Network for United Prayer in SA (NUPSA) are becoming almost everyday activities. Strongholds have to be and are being identified and Spiritual Mapping becomes essential so that "Strongmen" can be bound. "Gatekeepers" are appointed that can open and shut gates through prayer, even guard the gates over areas, cities and even countries.

The Prayer of Jabez and the Transformations video are both adding fuel to an distorted idea that exalts man and not God. Man must prepare God’s Kingdom on earth so that Jesus Christ can come again. This is not the message of the Bible! Jesus wondered whether He would find faith on earth when He returns (Luke 18:8).

Paul writes in 1 Cor. 1:18-31 that the message of the cross is foolishness to the world. This unchangeable central message of the Bible puts the emphasis on God, that He is on the throne and in control, and humbles man to the necessary position of self denial. This message is never going to be popular. Satan knew it in the garden of Eden when he tempted man with the idea of becoming like God and still does so today – a message strongly preached by the Word of Faith Movement, for instance. And man enticed by the idea remains guilty of Romans 1:25 of worshiping the creature (himself) rather than the Creator.

In close association with this idea we have the ever increasing craze of deliverance. People, even Christians must be delivered from all kinds of problems, sins, bindings, generation curses and even demons.

What does the Bible teach about things like binding and loosing, deliverance, generation curses, demon possession, gatekeepers, spiritual mapping and strongholds?

The Great Commission:

It is clear from Scripture that we are to evangelize the world with the Bible as our sole guide for faith and practice. It requires us to adhere to the content of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19) and the nature and authority that Jesus gave to the Church and as passed on by the apostles. Is it not strange then that nowhere in Scripture could practices like those referred to above be found? Like with all cults we once again have to look carefully at Scripture to see how well-known ministers in all sincerity misinterpret the Word of God to lend support to their views which influence Christians to such a great extent.

Spiritual Warfare:

Nowhere in Scripture can these words be found. How do the proponents of this idea then arrive at this concept?

One of their favorite Scriptures is Ephesians 6:10-18 regarding putting on the armor of God.

When the important points in these verses are considered in its context as well as that of other Scriptures, then we find that:

1. There is no mention of a war in which the believer must attack Satan and his demonic forces. The opposite is rather true. Our fight is a defensive one, not an offensive one. The distinction is made by the type of sword in verse 17. It is not the heavy sword used by the Roman soldiers when they attacked, but the short dagger-type sword they used in defense and close combat.
2. After having put on the full armor then the believer has to subject himself to God in prayer (v.18) so that he may be prepared to "make known the mystery of the gospel." Note that prayer is not part of the armor – it is appealing to God for strength, endurance and faith. It seems clear then that true spiritual warfare is fought by preaching the Gospel.

An excellent example is found in Acts 17. Paul is in the city of Athens on Mars hill among an abundance of idolatry. Imagine this: In the shadows of the temples of the head god Zeus and his consort, Diana goddess of lust, Mars, Jupiter and many others he stands in the Areopagus and preaches the Gospel. He had all the opportunities in the world to bind strongmen, spiritually map out the city and identify and name demonic forces over areas, organize Jesus marches and prayer vigils, wage spiritual warfare, appoint gatekeepers, identify and exorcise demons, cleanse areas and claim them for Jesus, but what did he do? He defended the Gospel and reasoned in the synagogues and in public with unbelievers with the result that ". . .some men believed, joining themselves to him, among whom also were both Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them."

(v.34, Green’s Literal Translation) The answer therefore, lies in ""[submit[ting] yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). It is not achieved through all kinds of unbiblical human efforts. The battle has been completely fought and won on the cross. It is through this that, "Giving praise to the Father who has given us a part in the heritage of the saints in light; Who has made us free from the power of evil and given us a place in the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Col. 1:12-13, Bible in Basic English, BBE. Emphasis mine). It is clear from this that God delivered those in Christ from the power of darkness and translated them into His kingdom of light and the darkness can not have any hold over them. If we still have to battle the devil and his foes then God did not complete His work of redemption on the cross. We are to do what God says in His word: "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil." (Eph. 4:23-27). It is, therefore, a matter of renewal of the mind (Rom. 12:22), willful decisions that have to be made, not being delivered from this or that binding.

To connect Daniel 10:13 to Ephesians 6:12 and conclude that we are to actively wage war against spiritual powers, ie., demonic forces is to use Scripture completely out of its context. A strong warning comes from Jude 9: "But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’"

Spiritual Mapping:

The promoters of spiritual warfare make it clear that proper spiritual warfare cannot be fought unless spiritual mapping is introduced and applied. What is this, you may ask? This unbiblical technique is supposed to enable Christians to take areas, cities and even countries for God. How is this done? First of all the name of the strongman has to be known! To achieve this the secular and religious history of an area, city or country has to be researched to ascertain and determine the identity or identities of the ruling spirits over such areas. Once you know this, Dick Bernal tells us, then you apply a four step method to take a city etc., for God.

1. Call for prayer and fasting;
2. Identify the spirit or principality;
3. Determine its geographical location; and
4. Call him/it by name.

(Storming Hell’s Brazen Gates through Militant, Violent, Prevailing Prayer, Jubilee Christian Center, p. 55)

How simple. To ride your area of drug abuse by teenager, just map out the area, identify the strongman through this technique and bind him and your area is free of drug abuse. Bind the strongman of lust and prostitution stops, etc. etc. This concept merely highlights the grave error in theology off those who support this view. Earl Paulk in his book Held in the Heavens: "Christ in us must take dominion over the earth. . . the next move of God cannot occur until Christ in us takes dominion."

This concept has its roots in the incorrect interpretation of Matthew 12:27 and Mark 3:27 dealing with the binding of the strongman and Matthew 16:19 and 18:18 referring to the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Let us briefly deal with the binding of the strongman. The context is found in the preceding verses. Jesus heals a man who was deaf and dumb and in the process exorcises an evil spirit. The Pharisees questioned His technique but Jesus stated that He drove the devil out by the Spirit of God. If he had done it through Beelzebub, then the kingdom of evil would have been divided among itself, which would have rendered it weak and almost powerless, eventually leading to its downfall. Jesus referred to His overcoming of the Devil in the wilderness when He was tempted. This is where He resisted him and weakened him. Jesus, therefore, bound the strongman. If believers consider themselves as having special power over spiritual entities because they hold the keys of the kingdom then they err in very much the same way the Roman Catholic Church errs when they see the Pope as the one holding these keys. Believers open or close heaven to unbelievers by preaching the Gospel or not preaching the Gospel. It is the Gospel that calls people to repentance, not spiritual mapping, identifying strongholds and binding strongmen!

Demonic Possession:

Sins do not originate with demonic influences, but in the hearts/minds of man.

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Gen. 6:5.

It is time we place the responsibility where it ought to be – with man himself. He must take responsibility for his sins and not look for a way out. That he needs to be delivered from this or that binding or even have a demon of alcohol, lust, lying, anger, or whatever driven out – whatever happened to: If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36.

If we continue to seek release from the sins of the flesh through other means than the cross, then we reject the completed work of Christ on the cross – He bore ALL our sins in His body (I Pet. 2:24). Christ’s words, It is finished were then spoken in vain.

Forefather Curses:

Part of the spiritual warfare then and bindings is that we are told these could be the result of one or more of our parents or grandparents having been witches, freemasons – or that they delved in the occult. Therefore, we have to research our past and actively break these curses and confess them. After all the Ten Commandments state: . . . for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me…." (Ex. 20:5). The history of the kings of Israel and Judah serve as an excellent example. Those kings who upheld idolatry were punished, but those kings (sons of kings before them) who destroyed the idols and repented, found favor in God’s eyes and they were blessed. Ezekiel 18 also refutes this delusion.

What better example than that of the blind man in John 9:13:

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."

This man’s infirmity was not because of sin. Jesus did not drive out a devil of blindness or release him from one or other binding!

Gatekeepers:

So-called gatekeepers form an integral part of this concept. The gatekeeper’s purpose is to stand guard over areas, cities and even countries. Through active spiritual warfare they close gates over their territories to the identified strongmen and evil spirits to prevent them from entering. Thereby they protect the area from evil. They also pray down the working of the Holy Spirit for specific purposes – i.e. they allow the good to enter. A prayer by Bill Hamon serves as a perfect example:

Father, as a father of the prophetic, we release supernatural signs and wonders and apostolic miracles. We open the Eastern Gate, and let the King of Glory come in! Come in! Come in! Come in! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Halleluia! Yeah! Wow! All right.!" (www.banner.org)

The duties of these gatekeepers are:

1. Intercessors – pulling down strongholds by spirit-filled prayer, which includes musicians,
2. Apostolic provision – bringing wealth stored up for kingdom work,
3. Prophetic proclamation – announcing God’s purposes,
4. Warriors – soldiers with a warrior’s heart (spiritual warfare),
5. Apostolic leaders – bring forth divine doctrine and government. (www.banner.org)

This concept has its origin in the twisting of scriptures in the OT that refer to the elders and others who sat at the gates of the cities to deliberate over important matters as well as the gatekeepers of the Temple. The texts referring to "keys of David" and the gatekeeper of the sheepfold (John 10) are also misapplied by proponents of this concept in an effort to support their teachings.

Let us not loose sight of the connection of this concept with the occult. Witches call on the female guardians or spirits of the east, north, west and south to guard these portals when they draw their magic circle at meetings of their covens. This stems from Buddhism – in drawings of a mandala, there are gatekeepers at the four corners who stand guard over areas.

Editor’s Note: The above was excerpted from an article by Japie Grobler in his newsletter entitled SENTINEL, published in South Africa. VOL. 9. No.2. (Used with Permission). The following article I have had in my files for many years and do not know the author of the article. However, it has been helpful many times and I take the liberty of sharing it with you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Binding and Loosing

Steven M. Fettke

The popular idea of binding and loosing comes mainly from Matthew 16:13-19. This theory says that a believer is capable of binding the devil and loosing the Holy Spirit. As one carefully examines the passage, however, there emerge two closely related views as to its proper interpretation: (1) "(the) authority to admit or to refuse admittance into the Church on the basis of people’s response to the gospel. . . . (it) refers to declaring the terms of forgiveness in the Gospel." (Gundry, Robert H. A Survey of the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1970) e.g. Peter says to Simon the Sorcerer (in effect) that he is still "bound" in his sin; he has not been "loosed"; therefore, he is not yet saved (Acts 8:13-23). This view is faithful to the text in Matthew because the Church is built on those truly saved by confessing Christ as the Messiah in true repentance. (2) "A Jew would have understood these terms to mean ‘prohibit’ and ‘permit’, as the rabbis used them of enforcing or relaxing their laws. As the disciples were to be the Messiah’s representatives on earth, there was a need for some relationship between what was allowed or prohibited on earth and what was allowed or prohibited in heaven. " (Guthrie, Donald. Jesus the Messiah. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982.) e.g. One of the first questions with which the early Church had to deal was whether or not a gentile convert was "bound" to the Law to be circumcised before he could be saved, or "loosed" from the Law, salvation requiring only faith in Christ, the son of the living God. This view is also faithful to the text in Matthew because Jesus is concerned about the right view of His Messiahship, an absolute necessity in salvation (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9, 10; I John 4:1-3). Binding and loosing have to do with correct doctrine.

This second view seems best since it is absolutely necessary to the life of the Church to have sound Christian doctrine; however, it might be argued that the first view is similar to the second one in that one needs a proper doctrine of repentance and salvation to be truly saved. (See the great emphasis on "sound doctrine" in I Tim. 1:3; 4:2; Titus 1:9; 2:7, 10; I John 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:9; Eph. 4:14). (See also the New Century Bible Commentary on Matthew by David Hill, pg. 262, and The Interpreter’s Bible Commentary on Matthew, pg. 453)

Concerning the "binding" of Matthew 12:29, the context shows us that the principal question concerned the power in exorcism and not the person involved. Only the Spirit of God is stronger than the power of the evil one. If we encounter satanic forces then we should follow Michael’s model described in Jude 9, "The Lord rebuke you!" If there is any "binding" of evil power then we should ask One stronger, namely, the Lord, to rebuke and remove evil power.

Finally, the idea of a person "loosing" the Holy Spirit by his "prayer", confession, claim, declaration, etc., is, frankly, the very height of sinful pride. NO human being has any power over the Spirit of God by ANY stretch of the imagination. He is sent BY JESUS FROM the FATHER! (John 14:26; 15:26). The Godhead, ALONE, controls the activity of the Holy Spirit. If we want the Spirit to accomplish something we cannot, then we should humbly, sincerely, and politely ask the Father to send His Spirit to do the work.

In conclusion, the "binding" or "loosing" we do should involve that doctrine we preach or teach. When we are questioned by a parishioner, Sunday School member, convert, etc. as to whether or not he is "bound" to or "loosed" from the Word of God concerning his behavior, thoughts, attitude, or particular circumstances, then we can show him what is the correct doctrine in the Word. Before we accept any new thought or teaching we should CAREFULLY examine the Word of God as to its validity (II Tim. 3:16, 17). Let us carefully, prayerfully, thoughtfully, and faithfully exegete the Word of God (II Tim. 2:15).

* * * * * * * * * *

The following are a series of articles the Editor, Jewel Grewe recently wrote for the back of the church bulletin .

EAST MEETS WEST IN HUNTERDON COUNTY

The front page of our local paper, the Hunterdon Observer, April 6, 2002, announced the Adult Education Program of the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission is now offering twelve spiritually-orientated courses. The class topics include mind-reading, hypnotic powers, memory improvement, psychic readings, discovering past lives, methods of healing, ways to communicate with angels and spirit guides, and getting messages from deceased loved ones.  According to the newspaper, these classes have seen a sharp increase in enrollment since September 11th, due to a growing interest in things of a spiritual nature.

Unfortunately, these classes will not offer the spiritual guidance and reassurance they claim to promote.  Instead, they serve as doorways into the occult and dangerous deception.  From 'personal enrichment' to channeling, meditation, rebirthing, and consciousness-raising, these classes will not offer spirituality-seekers what they are desiring.  'Spirituality' is not defined as what is of the 'spirit' or 'psyche'.  The 'Jesus' these classes offer as a 'spirit guide' is not the Jesus of the Gospel and the Bible.  The spiritual guidance these classes offer is a very salient form of deception. 

Such false forms of spirituality are becoming mainstream.  With a congregation of 22 million viewers, Oprah Winfrey has become one of the most influential 'spiritual' leaders in America.  New Age gurus have become regulars on her show making the new brand of spirituality palatable to the mainstream.

More than ever, the Church has a tremendous responsibility to preach 'true' spirituality, which can only be found at the Cross and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The Bible serves as the sole source of truth, and only the Bible can serve as the source of love, joy, and peace the world is hungering for during these post-September 11th times. 

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."  Acts 4:12

* * * * * * * * * * * *

SPIRITUALITY

Following September 11^th, the airwaves have been vibrating with the pundits trying to determine the reason for the wanton slaughter of so many innocent victims. Following quickly on the heels of that shock, the Enron scandals took center stage. The eager drive for fortune had eroded the confidence of many investors who lost their life savings. Hardly recovering from that explosion, our nation was rocked once again by the horrific activities of priests within the Catholic Church who had perpetrated crimes upon children while the hierarchy moved them from parish to parish where they continued their deeds.

Daily we continue to hear of train derailments, earthquakes, wars and rumors of wars. Suffering is being experienced throughout the world. The land of Israel is being torn apart by the age-old conflict that seems to have no end in sight. Yet, in Israel bookstores are now including extensive New Age sections. The Jerusalem Post, March 25, 2002, "alternative music and healing festivals that barely drew several thousand participants a few years ago now routinely attract tens of thousands. . . Israeli New Age has gone mainstream." An Israeli New Age magazine estimates that there are 30,000 Israelis earning their living from New Age-related endeavors, while another 100,000 regard New Age as a major part of their lives.

Stand fast now in your spells and in your many sorceries…perhaps you will be able to profit…you are wearied with your many counsels. Let now the astrologers, those who prophesy by the stars, those who predict by the new moons, stand up and save you from what will come upon you…There is none to save you. Isa. 47:12-15

New Age Gurus are attempting to bring the "spiritual" tone for what the whole earth is experiencing. On Larry King Live, April 23, 2002, Deepak Chopra said that we are moving out of the first paradigm. He went on to explain that part of the first paradigm is that we are sinners. Being a sinner actually makes us feel guilty about our carnal desires! It brings about regression. He went on to explain that our religious system has to evolve with the time that we are now living in. The "new paradigm" has been a catch phrase for some years by those involved in the "new age".

What had been called "new age" is now being presented as "new gospel." These "new gospel" teachings are not new and have actually been around for centuries in one form or another.

The Bible tells us to not be ignorant of our adversary’s schemes and devices so that we will not fall prey to their deceptive traps (2 Corinthians 2:11).

We are going to see an increase in this new spirituality as we draw closer to the coming of the Lord. The war is intensifying. As never before put on the whole armor of God!

* * * * * * * *

A MANIFESTO

In 1933, thirty-four "world changers" gathered to draw up a "Manifesto" to which they signed their names. These men were representative of a large number who were forging a new philosophy out of the materials of the modern world.

As a result, many aspects of our society have been changed to fit in with this new worldview. Education has undergone a transformation preparing the new generation for the Society that was then envisioned. Humanist Manifesto I dealt with religion. The authors believed that there had to be radical changes in religious beliefs throughout the modern world. They felt that the doctrines and methods of the past had lost their significance and were powerless to solve the problem of human living in the Twentieth Century.

In a nutshell some of their beliefs are:

- The universe is self-existing and not created.

- Man is a part of nature and has evolved.

- The time has passed for theism and deism.

- The "old attitudes" involved in worship and prayer

should be replaced by a heightened sense of personal life.

They believe that the religious forms and ideas of our fathers are no longer adequate and that Man is alone responsible for the realization of the world of his dreams and he has within himself the power for its achievement.

After September 11, Neale Donald Walsch (author of Conversations with God book series, Moments of Grace: When God Touches Our lives Unexpectedly) wrote in From the Ashes: A Spiritual Response to The Attack on America:

"We must change ourselves. We must change the beliefs upon which our behaviors are based. We must create a different reality, build a new society. And we must do so not with political truths or with economic truths, and not with cultural truths or even the remembered truths of our ancestors – for the sins of the fathers are being visited upon the sons. We must do so with new spiritual truths. We must preach a new gospel, its healing message summarized in two sentences:

We are all one.

Ours is not a better way, ours is merely another way."

It is sad to observe that we have moved into a time of a new form of "spirituality" where man becomes the ultimate. That which has been tried and proven over the centuries is being discarded like a dirty garment. In the days ahead it will increasingly become less and less popular to say: "Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life".