Brandon Barthrop

Brandon Barthrop: Proceeding From Bad To Worse

'Apostolic Pirate' captaining a sinking ship

by Bud Press, Director

Christian Research Service

www.christianresearchservice.com

January 19, 2010

Give a false teacher an inch of approval and he'll take a mile of advantage.

Such is the case with Brandon Barthrop, self-proclaimed "judge, king, apostle, prophet, teacher, evangelist, pastor," and founder of Red Letter Ministries ("History & Testimony," http://www.redlettermin.com/history.html ).

Barthrop's strange behavior and statements on YouTube have garnered laughter and cheers from his followers, and righteous indignation from discerning Christians.

How funny is it?

While some may find Brandon Barthrop humorous, what seems comical on the outside may be deadly on the inside. As a major player within the "huffing the Holy Ghost" movement, one of Barthrop's specialties is twisting Scripture out of context to suit his brand of religion; another is shocking his audience and mocking Jesus Christ.

In his YouTube video titled, RLM Prophecies for 2010, Barthrop informs the viewer to expect great things for this year. At 1:04 into the video, Barthrop says the Rhema word of God will be sown globally, then states, "and it will not be the gospel of salvation..." And, at 1:54, Barthrop states that, "When you are saved you get the same gift that Jesus got when he was born again at age 30..." ( http://tinyurl.com/ygmb5zd ).

One need not be a Bible theologian to discern how far Barthrop has strayed from Biblical truth. His teachings aren't new at all, nor are they super-duper "revelations" from God. They are, however, birthed in the bowels of hell and re-hashed Word of Faith heresies (Matthew 24:14; Romans 1:16).

And, speaking of “birthed in the bowels of hell,” the teaching that Jesus was “born again” is one of the most DEPRAVED, DESPICABLE, and DAMNABLE teachings that has vomited from mouths of the hyper-Charismatic movement! This PUTRID, REPULSIVE teaching was made popular by hyper- heretical Charismatics such as E.W. Kenyon, Joyce Meyer, Paul Crouch, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Fred Price, Creflo Dollar, Charles Capps, and Benny Hinn.

To say that Jesus was "born again" is to say that Jesus sinned. However, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus never sinned:

For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH (1 Peter 2:21-22, emp, theirs).

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin (1 John 3:4-5, emp. added).

Shock-mock, Barthrop style

In 2 Timothy 3:12-13, the Apostle Paul warned that, Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Evil men and women, impostors, and proceeding from bad to worse fits Brandon Barthrop's so-called "ministry" like a glove. In fact, it seems as if he thrives on hyper-heretical hysteria, in that he takes an established heresy, kicks it up a notch, then uses shocking behavior and mocking language to raise eyebrows and ridicule our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

To add insult to injury, in a Youtube video appropriately named, Wolves Den, Barthrop is seen with his wife, Penny, and three other individuals. At 3:17 into the video, Barthrop states that, "I'm not going to heaven, I am heaven!" Seconds later, the woman on the far-left states, "I'm not freaking God, I am God!" ( http://www.youtube.com/user/Jahlove297#p/u/1/iTXTOig2y30 ). Both statements include the usual drunken-like laughter.

Towards the end of the video (at 8:48), Barthrop and his fellow wolves can be seen and heard howling like wolves. Moments later, Barthrop growls in what he claims to be the "spirit of sasquatch" ("Bigfoot").

More shock-mock, Barthrop style

On the homepage of Barthrop's website is advertised a new line of "Breaker Clothing" (see menu at http://www.redlettermin.com , which takes the viewer to the "Breaker Clothing Company" website). There, a line of "Hardcore Street Fashion In The Glory" tee-shirts are advertised and promoted. While most of the fashions are unfashionable for Christian wear, the depictions on the tee-shirts reflect Barthrop's corrupt spirituality, along with the spiritually deceptive underbelly of Red Letter Ministries.

"I Heart [Love] Tokin' the Ghost," "Stigmata Pentagram," and "Jesus Glory Bong" ("Jesus" huffing a water pipe), are but a few of the shameful fashions offered. Prices range from $12.99 to $21.99 each.

But one tee-shirt in particular stands out among the rest, and demonstrates how from bad to worse Barthrop has proceeded, that being "The Apostolic Birdie T-Shirt," which carries a depiction of "Jesus Christ" delivering a middle finger to all onlookers (go to http://breakerclothing.com and scroll down).

The tee-shirt goes hand-in-hand with Barthrop's The Apostolic Birdie! video at http://tinyurl.com/BBsBlasphemy ). Note Barthrop's outrageous behavior, then listen to the sound of an animal growling at the end. Yet, he claims to be a "Christian".

Again, what seems comical on the outside may be deadly on the inside.

To some, it isn't enough to hurl verbal insults to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Proceeding from bad to worse includes imprinted insults advertised under a "Christian" banner.

Lasting impression

Take a serious look at this tee-shirt ( http://tinyurl.com/y8nhbwq ). Try to imagine how the unsaved would view it. Perhaps their first-thoughts would be of a cruel, arrogant, and sarcastic "Christ"--unworthy of praise and worship. Perhaps, in their own minds, the tee-shirt's depiction would justify their own reason(s) for not trusting in the real Jesus Christ, and contribute to their mocking Him and falling deeper into sin.

Indeed, first impressions mean a lot, even inked impressions on tee-shirts. A first impression could develop into a lasting impression. Is it any wonder why Scripture commands the believer to test all things and avoid every form of evil? (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

The Breaker Clothing Company's "vision" is to "bring creative and fun designs that will bless the world and make it a happier place filled with the laughter of Jesus" ( http://breakerclothing.com/about.html ).

Laughter? No. Blessings? No. There is no humor or blessings from a counterfeit "Jesus".

Shock-mockers defined

Brandon Barthrop and his band of blasphemous shock-mockers refer to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit with words and behavior that brings dishonor to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. They misinterpret and twist God's written word to suit themselves, and tickle the ears of their followers. To them, God is no more than a cool, spaced-out dude who huffs a water pipe, flips a middle finger, and lifts a mug of suds.

Shock-mockers spew a false gospel, worship a counterfeit "Christ," shipwreck the faith of the gullible and innocent, and drive the unsaved further into sin and further away from the real Jesus Christ.

Shock-mockers mimic each other, promote each other, and feed off of each other's folly. They compete with each other to see who can come up with the most outlandish blasphemy and behavior. Their actions, while tragic, are a natural consequence to rebelling against God, and a logical conclusion to a movement gone wild.

No doubt that cults such as Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses use the "huffing the Holy Ghost" movement to "prove" that Christians are a bunch of idiots. In many ways, the movement is equally, if not more dangerous than the cults, because it is spewed from the mouths of people who claim to be true Christians:

I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:29-30).

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul warned that danger lurked in the form of charlatans--make-believe Christians--who would infiltrate the church, introduce false teachings, and persuade others to follow them and promote their damnable teachings.

And only God knows how many cults have been formed by people who, at first, claimed to be "Christian," but turned their backs on Jesus Christ to preach "another gospel" and serve a false "Jesus" (Galatians chapter 1; 2 Corinthians chapter 11).

Jesus clearly said: My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand (John 10:27-28).

Those who claim to be "Christian," but have been drawn away from the real Jesus to the counterfeit, would do well to repent, renounce, and run to the open arms of the One Who loves them the most.

Movement in a bottle

While Brandon Barthrop and his pack of howling wolves can claim to be anything they want, what they are promoting isn’t true Christianity. It is, in fact, a movement where "anything goes," and so far away from Christianity it cannot be seen by the Hubble telescope!

It is a movement that spits in the face of Jesus Christ.

It is one thing to be a non-believer and keep your thoughts about your disbelief to yourself (you will be judged by God accordingly). It is another thing to claim to be Christian, but mock Jesus Christ publicly, actively campaign against Him and those who love Him, and ridicule Christians for defending the faith.

Brandon Barthrop, the self-proclaimed "Apostolic Pirate" is, in reality, an apostate, who has proceeded from bad to worse. He is captaining a sinking ship, with a cluttered cargo of carnival side-shows, featuring an array of bizarre, self-serving hyper-heretics. The damage they cause to individuals, families, and the cause of Christ is beyond words. They present a clear and present danger to the spiritual, mental, and physical welfare of the believer, as well as those searching for the real Jesus Christ.

Overall, the "huffing the Holy Ghost" movement is a miniature ship in a bottle, and was destined to sink before it set sail. Barthrop and his shipmates are confined to the bottle. When the ship sinks, and it will, Barthrop's shipmates will go down with him.

Closing comments...

Throughout the pages of God's written word, we see men and women who loved God with all their hearts and souls. They stood in awe of His majesty, and experienced His unfailing faithfulness and loving kindness. They saw Jesus, worshipped Him, and died praising His name.

To the true believer, the mention of Jesus' name brings reverence, humility, and respect. The thought of Jesus suffering and dying on the cross for our sins brings tears of repentance, praise, and worship. Knowing that Jesus will return, and that we will be with Him forever, brings joy, peace, and comfort.

Hallowed be Your name (Matthew 6:9-10).

God is loving, merciful, and patient. But the day will come when He will shut the mouths of the shock-mockers and blasphemers, and judge them with swift vengeance:

For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures (Romans 1:21-23).

He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; he who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished (Proverbs 17:5).

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts." These are the ones

who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life (Jude 1:17-21).

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, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (Romans 1:28-32).