Coronavirus Prophets Exposed?

During the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Michael L. Brown, radio host and apologist for the charismatic movement, said, "As many of you know, I believe in prophetic ministry today, recognizing from the NT that every word must be tested. Some well-known charismatic prophets have spoken of a major change (or, shift) concerning the virus by mid-April, by the end of Passover season."

You barely have to test this "prophecy" to see it's vague nonsense. Things could get better or worse, and these guys would say, "See? A major shift!"

This is called a "shotgun prophecy." Take a shot at a month or season, scatter some unspecific terms, and whatever happens, your prophecy was just broad enough, it's going to hit something you can take credit for.

The COVID-19 outbreak exposed every modern-day prophet and faith-healer as a fraud. Bethel Church in Redding, CA, who claims to heal the sick, told their faith healers to stay away from local hospitals.

In January, Sid Roth had twenty of the most high-dollar prophets on his show Supernatural to give their predictions for 2020. Guess how many predicted corona? Zero!

Shawn Bolz had to postpone his prophecy tour. Shouldn't he have been able to warn us this was coming and scheduled his tour for after the pandemic?

Do not be taken by these snake oil salesmen. Jesus said, "Beware false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). In 1 John 4:1, we are told, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world," when we understand the text.

Does God Love You More Than He Loves His Commandments?

From the man who brought you teaching like this: "For the Bible tells me so, and this is where our trouble began." And teaching like this: "Thou shalt not obey the ten commandments because those aren't your commandments."

Andy Stanley is back! And this time... is just like the other times. In a recent sermon, Stanley said, "God loves you more than He loves His commandments."

Except Psalm 138:2 says God has exalted above all things His name and His word (oops!). It is an act of love that God condescended Himself and gave us His commandments. Deuteronomy 4:8 says, "What great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous" as the Law of God?

His Law is a revelation of His holy character. Romans 7:12 says, "So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." But we broke God's Law. And through His Law we realize we deserve judgment for our sin. So God sent His Son, Jesus, who kept the Law and died in our place. By faith we are forgiven, and His law is written on our hearts that we may keep it (see Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Jeremiah 31:31-34).

In John 14, Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments... If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (v.15, 23). Those who love God love His Law. Those who diminish His Law and teach others to do the same, Jesus said they're in big trouble.

Stanley also understands this, for in the same sermon, he said: "When religious leaders used the law of God to manipulate people made in the image of God, Jesus was quick to remind them they were on the wrong side of God."

And Andy Stanley should be really concerned about that, when we understand the text!

What Does the Bible Say About Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality?

Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality are two social justice philosophies often paired together and abbreviated CRT/I. Critical race theory divides people up into various racial groups and examines who has privilege and who doesn't. It's in bed with intersectionality, examining who experiences more discrimination at intersecting points in their identity.

Here's how it works: if a woman is black and identifies as a lesbian, she has three intersecting points of discrimination: being a woman, who is black, and a lesbian. So she is more oppressed than, say, a white straight man, whom these philosophies are meant to shame. Seeing the world through these critical lenses is called being "woke."

What does the Bible say about this? Colossians 2:8 says, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

Those trying to subject the church to these philosophies are "puffed up with conceit," with "an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction" (1 Timothy 6:4-5). That's all you will ever see concerning critical race theory and intersectionality. They are meant to divide.

In Romans, we're told to watch out for those who cause divisions and deceive the hearts of the naive. 1 Corinthians 1:10 says let there be no divisions among you, but be united in the same mind and the same judgment in Christ, when we understand the Christ.

What is the Seeker Sensitive Movement or a Seeker Driven Church?

The seeker-sensitive or seeker-driven movement is an evangelism strategy following the idea that everyone is searching for something and what they are really seeking is God. So a church, in an effort to be "all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:22), will arrange their Sunday gathering to cater to the interests of seekers.

They might incorporate pop culture, give away prizes, offer special programs, or follow certain data to attract the most people.

There's just one eentsy, weentsy, no, make that gigantic flaw to this approach. Romans 3:11 says, "No one seeks for God." Yup, this seeker doesn't exist.

What these unconverted persons come to church seeking are the gifts, but not the Giver. They might want peace, justice, health and wealth, they might even be looking for religion. But they don't actually want God. Not the Jesus of the Bible, nor His word. "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Church is for believers to worship God. It's not for unbelievers who don't seek God. Share the gospel with them, sure. But they aren't the church until they're born again.

But what about being "all things to all people"? This simply meant that Paul was mindful and considerate of others so he might share the gospel with them. It doesn't mean he sang pop songs, coordinated dancers, and made sure everyone had the right amount of melanin.

Earlier Paul said, "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 1:23). That's not very seeker sensitive, when we understand the text.