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Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Recently we heard the story of a Christian man who escaped out of his country where he had been beaten and tortured for the cause of Christ.

But when he came to America something different happened to him. He experienced the emotional pain of being misunderstood, gossiped about and treated badly by those with whom he had come to fellowship.

Amazingly, when he shared these stories with others he said that he would much have preferred the physical abuse to the verbal and nonverbal abuse.

Why is this story significant? Would people rather endure physical pain than undergo emotional suffering? In many cases, yes.

Group Operations

Much of the subtle power of the new movements, theologies and agendas of neoevangelicalism relies upon this basic fact of human nature. The leaders of these movements have been well-trained in the arts of human manipulation.

The social scientists and psychologists have researched this aspect of the human personality for decades. They developed tools with which to manipulate behavior that rely upon the fear of rejection, ostracization, alienation, ridicule, and scorn. They conducted experiments which told them that humans would engage in behaviors to avoid these types of stressful situations. They discovered that humans would compromise their beliefs and values and activities just to fit into a pressure-filled group situation. The nature of man is such that he would rather "go with the flow" than risk suffering rejection.

The scientists learned that people would want to fit in, to be accepted, to feel normal, and to adapt to a group. And that this group could then hold sway over people, exercising a power over them, causing them to make changes in their life.

The business psychologists incorporated a philosophy of change into these methods. They learned that if people came to believe that every aspect of life is in a state of constant fluctuation and inconstancy, they are easier to manipulate in groups.

The Truth:

Brothers and sisters, have you felt the terrible weight of rejection, mocking, and alienation from these neoevangelicals? Don't be discouraged or dismayed. The Scriptures contain many verses of encouragement on this point.

"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God." (Isaiah 50:10)

"Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.…
I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth: and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?" (Isaiah 51:7, 12-13)

"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?…
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." (Psalm 118:6, 8)

"But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." (Galatians 6:6:4)

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you false, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12)

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.… For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1: 7-8, 12-13)

"How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 18-21)

"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come." (Revelation 2:25)

Last week Newsweek magazine featured the "15 People Who Make America Great" and included in this list was Pastor Rick Warren of purpose-driven fame. He was called "The Innovator" and lauded for his work, "Mobilizing Christians worldwide to heal the sick and feed the hungry."

In this article there is a remarkable statement by Warren: "Reformations always start with the peasants; they don't start with the elites." [bold added]

Is this statement historically accurate? Not really. Most historians, unless they are attempting to whitewash history, describe revolutions by peasants as having been orchestrated by certain leaders with an agenda. There are very few examples in history of a truly grassroots initiated movement.

Notice Warren's use of the word "reformation" rather than "revolution." That is probably a more acceptable term to use publicly. However, George Barna, one of the men whose statistics Warren likes to quote, more openly calls the church transformation movement a "revolution." In page 11 of his recently-published book Revolution (Tyndale House, 2005) Barna defines terms:

"Webster, not one to succumb to societal pressure to exaggerate, defines a revolution as 'an overthrow or repudiation and thorough replacement of as established government or political system by the people governed.' It adds that a revolution may also be a 'radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure.'

"Webster is aptly describing the transformation occurring in American spirituality today. Millions of devout followers of Jesus Christ are repudiating tepid systems and practices of the Christian faith and introducing a wholesale shift in how faith is understood, integrated, and influencing the world. Because human beings become what they believe, and practicing what they believe is the swiftest and surest means of generating lasting change, this revolution of faith is the most significant transition you or I will experience during our lifetime." (p. 11)

The terminology is important because the following words and phrases are used interchangeably to describe the same phenomena in the modern evangelical movement:

Reformation
Restoration
Revolution
New Reformation
New Apostolic Reformation
Transition
Transformation
Second Reformation
Renewal

The next logical question becomes -- Is this purpose-driven global P.E.A.C.E. movement (Warren's "Second Reformation") a grassroots phenomena? Is it truly a laity-driven global program? Absolutely not!

LEADERSHIP TRAINING and MARKETING tactics alone would destroy this myth. Why would a movement that is a supposedly a spontaneous grassroots laity "reformation" need a propaganda campaign to launch it?

For the past 30-40 years, there has been a massive undertaking to train evangelical pastors and leaders through various entities (such as Leadership Network) and parachurch organizations to become "change agents" for "transformation." This leadership training, even though often done in the guise of "servant leader" (to make it more palatable), utilizes corporate business and marketing models.

For example, leaders are trained to develop a company "vision" and then, by using sophisticated group marketing techniques, persuade the "customers" (people in the pews) to "buy into" this vision. This approach is top-down, not laity-initiated.

In a recent Ministry ToolBox mailing to pastors, Rick Warren wrote about "How to communicate your vision." This message suggests utilizing various techniques that pastors can use to get their parishioners to buy into their vision. To get this "vision" effectively communicated, Warren suggests that pastors employ the following marketing techniques:

1. Warren tells pastors to be a "personal example" of their ministry and holds Lee Iacocca's slick corporate advertising campaign as an example of a leader who got everyone to buy his product.

2. Warren suggests that pastors employ verbal slogans and uses FDR's political methods as an example. Note in the quotation below that the Saddleback slogan "every member's a minister" makes it seem as though this is laity-driven. However, Warren's following points demonstrate that this really means "every member who has bought the leadership's visions can become a 'minister' to implement it."

"Let me suggest that you develop particular slogans that apply to your ministry…. The power of a slogan is very important. People do not remember speeches, and they do not remember sermons. They remember phrases. You need to have phrases that sum up succinctly in a few words what you’re trying to do so people can grab onto it.…

"Here at Saddleback we have dozens of these slogans: 'Every member’s a minister.' That’s a little four-word statement that summarizes what we believe about lay ministry. 'Pastors are the administers, the people are the ministers.…'"

3. Using another politician as an example, Ronald Reagan who is called "The Great Communicator," Warren advocates the use of analogy or metaphor, suggesting that this is what Jesus accomplished by using his parables.

In actuality, analogy and metaphor in the marketing world work by subtly manipulating people's senses. In the corporate world, analogy and metaphor serve as cloaks for hiding the real purpose of the company "vision." Why not be straight-out? Why not be open, honest, and verbally precise about the vision? After all, the vision statements are supposed to communicate realistic goals and plans…. Unless, of course, the vision is unbiblical, controversial or purposefully imprecise.

4. Further underscoring this semantic deception, Warren proposes using symbolism to communicate the pastor's vision: "Symbolism reaches people on an emotional level rather than on an intellectual level. Phrases and logos and things like that are very important." Why is necessary to reach people on an emotional level rather than an intellectual level? Because marketing experts know that people are more easily manipulated at this level. Warren wrote in The Purpose-Driven Church (Zondervan, 1995) that

“It is my deep conviction that anybody can be won to Christ if you discover the key to his or her heart… It may take some time to identify it. But the most likely place to start is with the person’s felt needs.” (p. 219)

5. Finally, Warren recommends a schmoozing, flattering style of personal contact which sounds more like the behavior of an Amway salesman than a pastor--

"Get one-on-one with key people, the people who give legitimacy to your ministry. Get alone with them. Share the vision with them. Let them catch it from you at a breakfast or a lunch or a dinner or something like that. Then they’ll be your key supporters. People are usually down on what they’re not up on."

The logical question then arises -- Is this a grassroots, laity-driven "reformation" that started with the peasants? Or are these the slick marketing tactics of a leadership-driven movement?

The Truth:

Jesus didn't use parables as a method of marketing. He didn't need to "market" the Gospel message. This suggestion is not only absurd, but also biblically inaccurate.

"These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father." (John 16:8)

Matthew Henry's Commentary explains,

"He had spoken to them in proverbs, which are wise and instructive sayings, but figurative and general. Now, He would speak to them plainly, i.e., with freedom. When the Spirit was poured out, the apostles attained a much greater knowledge of divine things than they had before. They were led into the mystery of those things of which they had previously a confused idea; and what the Spirit showed them, Christ is said here to have shown then, for as the Father speaks by the Son, so the Son by the Spirit."

More on this topic tomorrow, Lord willing…

In last week's Newsweek feature "15 People Who Make America Great," Pastor Rick Warren was featured for his work "Mobilizing Christians worldwide to heal the sick and feed the hungry." Warren said that

"Reformation always start with the peasants; they don't start with the elites."

He is also quoted as saying of the church that

"It's universal distribution…. There's a church in every village in the world… the potential sits there like a sleeping giant."

The global P.E.A.C.E. church is preparing to serve as an army -- "troops of caring volunteers" who "can be deployed to communities in need with the push of a button" according to this article. A recent Fortune magazine article about Rick Warren's global plan, stated:

"About all he knows for sure is that the project will be driven by local pastors who will get help from churches in the developed world. 'The church has a distribution point in every community,' he says, 'and we have a massive army of volunteers that neither business nor government has.'"

It is clear from this statement that this is NOT a laity-driven movement. It is a top-down strategy which relies upon local pastors to be army recruiters to enlist "volunteers" to implement Rick Warren's plan.

This is interesting because of the rising philanthropic connection to all of this activity. There is a new face to philanthropy which is also working to channel the soldiers in this army into specific directions. This plan is not laity-driven at all, but rather top-down and outcome-based.

In the new philanthropic world, foundations do not give money unless charities can demonstrate they they have produced measurable results. This mentality came out of the work that Peter Drucker did in the latter part of his life, focusing his energies on the "private" or "social sector." He advocated the use of corporate-style measurements and evaluations as a strategy for charities, churches and private agencies to adopt.

The chief vehicle to export Drucker's ideals to the evangelical church was via Bob Buford's Leadership Network. Leadership Network has trained thousands of pastors in the Drucker model. And Drucker's influence also shows up in the purpose-driven life and church model of Rick Warren -- an obvious result of their long mentoring relationship. A 6/29/06 HalfTime mailing from Greg Murtha of Halftime (an initiative of Bob Buford's Leadership Network) provides an example of how the new philanthropy is measurement-oriented and performance-based:

"In most social sector endeavors the measure of results, both quantitatively and qualitatively, is either non-existent or vague. This can leave you with no way to measure your impact.

"You left business to plug into this new work, so that you could make an impact. You might have left a ton of money on the table in the process and you need to know that you are making at least an equivalent amount of impact in your new work. Without good measurement you feel somewhat like a ship lost at sea and it puts you under pressure to aggressively increase your impact in your new work. Neither feeling lost nor overcompensating to increase impact is healthy.

"Taking your understanding of measuring impact and applying it to this new situation can bless both you and the organization you are working within. We recommend that you help your new team to define clear outcomes that you can measure success by. You will need to creatively combine the qualitative factors so crucial to the social sector with quantitative measurements that you and your organizations financial donors need to know. One outstanding tool designed specifically to help non-profit organizations in this area is the Drucker Self Assessment tool. Click here to order copies for your team to use." [all emphases added]

More complete information about the ramifications of this performance-based system can be found in the monograph, The Pied Pipers of Purpose, particularly in chapters 5 and 6.

An outcome-based system is never local, nor is it grassroots. Rather, it is the implementation of a plan or "vision" selected by leaders. Much of this system relies upon site-based management techniques which relegate insignificant decision-making roles to lower-level peons while reserving powerful decision-making rights to the upper echelons.

The new philanthropy uses a more aggressive strategy of requiring that charities, private entities and agencies meet their prescribed outcomes. The inordinate focus on measurement is one way to determine whether a charity is meeting the performance goal set by the foundation who is donating the money. An article on Monday, July 3, 2006 in the Wall Street Journal (page B1), "Strings Attached: Along With Their Big Bucks, Rich Donors Want to Give Charities Their Two Cents," by Christopher Conkey states:

“Increasingly, though, wealthy donors are opting for a more hands-on approach, giving money on the condition that the charity take their management advice, too. In many cases, fledging nonprofits , in exchange for new funding, agree to let benefactors overhaul their business models, make personnel changes and install financial controls.”

Big money has always pulled strings. But the new system of measuring "success" guarantees that this cannot possibly be a grassroots "reformation" that starts with the "peasants," as Warren asserts. Rather, the peasants are like marionette puppets, dancing to the global tune.

The Truth:

"And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

"But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve." (Luke 22:25-26)

"Central to Rick Warren's strategy is the involvement of the local church. Pastor Warren understands that the solution to Africa's plight rests in bottom-up rather than top-down change. Accordingly, Warren calls for the local church to channel and export expertise to African communities to help them set up and operate clinics, businesses, churches, and schools."

The local church is going to be used as a "delivery system" for worldwide social, political, economic, religious and marketplace transformation. This delivery system will function much like a multi-level networking organization. As in any other pyramid operation it is hierarchical, operating from the top and filtering down through grassroots agencies. This is the cellular structure of the New Apostolic Reformation.

Rick Warren is organizing one of the world’s largest volunteer “armies” of “one billion foot soldiers” to implement his global P.E.A.C.E. Plan. In an article on the topic entitled "The Church -- the greatest force on earth" dated Dec. 19, 2005, Warren explained the logistics of how and why the church would be the perfect vehicle. In a section subtitled "The Church provides for the widest distribution," Warren explains:

"The Church is everywhere in the world. There are villages that have little else, but they do have a church. You could visit millions of villages around the world that don't have a school, a clinic, a hospital, a fire department or a post office. They don't have any businesses. But they do have a church. The Church is more widely spread -- more widely distributed -- than any business franchise in the world."

Professor Johan Malan from South Africa, commented on this ambitious plan:

"Warren bases his ambitious plan on the capacity of the Christian church to change the world. He says: 'I personally believe that the terrible problems of Africa are not solvable by governments. I believe that only the church can solve them, because only the church has the most distribution channels in the world. There are churches in villages where you don’t have schools or clinics or hospitals. We also have the biggest army. We’ve got a billion foot soldiers and we have the promise of the power of God. We have the biblical mandate and the command of God and we have the moral authority to do it.'

"… How…does Rick get to the figure of one billion foot soldiers that are available for mobilisation to advance the Christian cause in Africa and the rest of the world? Who are they and what are their real convictions and objectives?"

This use of the church as a global distribution agency is particularly interesting in light of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Rwanda, the nation in Africa which is the first "purpose-driven nation," is also noted for having "one of the best MDG achievement records on the continent." However, a key facet to the implementation of the MGDs across the earth is a new definition of decentralization which means that local governments bypass state and national authorities to work with a global entity. In other words, the top-down control is now shifting to a global operation.

A revealing "Interview with Carol Welch, US Coordinator for the Millennium Campaign, UN Habitat, World Urban Forum 3" is posted on-line, which sheds more light on how this operation will work. Welch stated:

"The Millennium Campaign where I work and where Eveline [Herfkens] works in a UN initiative to promote the Millennium Development Goals. We primarily work with citizen based movements like churches and United Nations associations and groups. Youth organizations like the scouts are quite active in some countries and now also increasingly as you see here more local authorities like mayors and heads of regional government and things like that. Uh, in their efforts to hold their own governments accountable to the Millennium Development Goals most of the policy changes that need to happen to meet the goals will happen at a national level but our premise is that the national level actions doesn’t happen unless citizens at the grassroots get involved if you want to see change."

The "ONE Campaign: To Make Poverty History," which Rick Warren has endorsed, links directly to the international effort to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. The fact is that many evangelical mission groups are now connected to this agenda. Mission Frontiers, a missionary publication which has been on the cutting edge of reinventing Christianity for the past several decades -- particularly dominionism -- published an article in July/August 2005 by Darrell Dorr entitles "Who Cares about the Millennium Development Goals?" Dorr explained the overall context in which churches and mission groups can work to implement these Goals:

"…[T]he UN and others are appealing to non-governmental organizations or 'civil society organizations' (CSOs) -- which include mission structures -- to not remain aloof from the MDGs, but to take their place as necessary partners in dialogue and development, even if only through vigorous critiques. For example, the Millennium Project 'how-to' plan of January 2005 notes, 'Within countries, CSOs can contribute to MDG-based poverty reduction strategies in at least four ways: publicly advocating for pressing development concerns, helping design strategies to meet each target, working with governments to implement scaled-up investment programs, and monitoring and evaluating efforts to achieve the Goals. Internationally, CSOs can also mobilize and build public awareness around the Goals, share best practices and technical expertise with governments, and deliver services directly."

Obviously, this article makes it quite clear that this not a laity-driven movement. But it is important to read on. There is another agenda at work here, too -- one which has everything to do with dominionism:

"In addition, mission structures can utilize the MDG processes to clarify their distinctive perspectives on the roots and fruits of international development. The Millennium Project report observes, 'The Goals constitute a minimum set of objectives that the global community has agreed to. In several country contexts, they can provide the basis for more ambitious national objectives. Strategies to achieve them may also require a broader set of inputs than specified by the MDG targets and indicators…. (emphasis mine). For example, the MDGs lean heavily on the vital prerequisite of 'good governance' in developing societies. Don't evangelical mission structures have much to say about where good governance originates and what it looks like -- and where personal and social transformation originate and what expressions they can be expected to take?… Frontier mission sows the seeds of far-reaching transformation, not merely incremental development.

During September 12-15 the Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies [EFMA, ed.], the Association of Evangelical Relief and Development Organizations, and the International Society of Frontier Missiology are conducting joint deliberations in Denver on 'Synergistic Kingdom Advance Among the Least and the Lost.'" (pp. 14-15) [bold emphases added]

The suggestion that mission groups might sow the "seeds of far-reaching transformation," particularly in a publication that first launched the mission dominionism movement, is especially disquieting. Mission Frontiers is inextricably interconnected with the New Apostolic Reformation, and in fact has served as the vanguard intellectual organ of this movement for decades.

The question must be asked: What possible unity is there with the dominionist "Synergistic Kingdom Advance" agenda and the UN Millennium Development Goals?

The Truth:

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 21-23)

The following material was researched and compiled by Bud Press, Director of the Christian Research Service, www.christianresearchservice.com, 7/9/06. This is must reading!

THE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE INDUSTRY
Deception in the Databases

About three years ago, Christian Research Service (hereinafter CRS) began what turned out to be a large-scale, time-consuming project to research, document, and inform the Christian bookstore industry about the non-Christian authors and materials that had infiltrated both walk-in and online Christian bookstores worldwide.

What began as a small handful of authors, eventually developed into a MASTER LIST, which has now expanded to approximately 15 pages of documentation (now in PDF). Every author and book contained on the list is from an online or walk-in Christian bookstore--or both. Not one author or book has been compiled from a secular bookstore.

As proof, one online Christian bookstore, Books for Christians, is a one-stop shopping mega-center for the New Age Movement, Spirit Guides, Channeling, ESP, Tarot Cards, Witchcraft, Zen Buddhism, Lesbian Studies, homosexuality, yoga, Buddhism, Shamanism, and more.

Then, there is Christianbook.com, "the online home of Christian Book Distributors," whose "basic goals and principles" are to "offer customers the very best in Christian products at the best prices and with the best service around" (Company Profile).

But along with "the very best in Christian products," Christianbook.com advertises and promotes the very best in non-Christian products, such as:

Mormonism
False Prophet/False Teacher
More False Prophets/False Teachers
Contemplative Prayer/Spirituality
Gnosticism
Feminism and Kabbalah
New Age Movement
Homosexuality ("Openly homosexual Rev. Peter J. Gomes, the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University, also insists on reinterpreting the Sodom and Gomorrah story. In The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Heart and Mind, which argues for Christianity’s acceptance of homosexuality, Gomes says that even Jesus 'was under the impression that Sodom was destroyed because it lacked hospitality.'" Refer to "Sodom's solemn warning," AFA Journal, Nov/Dec 2003).
You Can Do! (includes yoga video)
Advanced Yoga, DVD
10 Minute Solution DVD (includes yoga)
Ultimate Senior Fitness Collection DVD (includes yoga)
The Firm: Power Yoga, DVD
Yoga for Christians
Mindful Moments for Stressful Days (includes information on yoga, aromatherapy, and feng shui)
Aromatherapy Massage from Head to Toe
Upanisads, Translated (Hindu scriptures)
The Rig Veda (Sanskrit hymns)
Encyclopedia of Buddhism
Shamanism

Indeed, it's enough to make one's skin crawl.

Over the years, CRS has contacted and provided documented information to Books for Christians and Christianbook.com, as well as major distributors, publishers, presidents and representatives, owners, managers, and employees of other major online and walk-in Christian bookstores worldwide. Officials within the Christian Booksellers Association and National Religious Broadcasters were also contacted and provided with the information.

Most were polite and complementary, and gave assurances that major changes would take place. However, while changes have taken place, the MASTER LIST continues to grow, with additional names and books added on a regular basis.

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

Because of the research and documentation that has been made available to the Christian bookstore industry and to the body of Christ, CRS has been asked numerous times, Are there any online Christian bookstores that CRS recommends? The answer is No. This is due to the fact that once-removed authors and their materials have a way of returning to haunt the online bookstores and their databases. Therefore, CRS does not and cannot recommend any online Christian bookstore, or the expensive "Affiliate Program" that many of them offer.

He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9).

For example, once they were informed, most of the major online Christian bookstores wasted no time in removing certain authors and books from their websites, but allowed other like-minded authors and books to remain. Of course, an author's popularity and sales contributes to the "bottom line" and survival of a bookstore--even at the sacrifice of solid Biblical teachings and the welfare of Christians and those sincerely searching for the real Jesus Christ.

This is a sad, tragic legacy to those who, when presented with the facts, continue to openly and defiantly advertise, promote, and sell books written by the false prophets and false teachers of our day. They follow the tune of a different drummer, and boldly resist the clear-cut commands and warnings of Scripture:

If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

And people scratch their heads, shrug their shoulders, and wonder if God is executing righteous judgement upon the Christian bookstore industry, by allowing it to self-destruct within its own self-absorbed world of compromise.

He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day (John 12:48).

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).

This is what happens when Christians compromise the faith, and open the doors of their Christian bookstores to the heretics, false prophets, cultists, occultists, lesbians, and homosexuals.

Christian bookstores are frequented by individuals from all walks of life--every race, religion, creed, and color--all of whom Jesus Christ suffered and died for. With a mission-field at their doorsteps, Christian bookstores have a wonderful opportunity to be light in the midst of darkness; truth in the midst of deception; and love and compassion in the midst of violence and hatred.

But when was the last time you walked into a Christian bookstore and had an employee ask if you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? When was the last time an employee demonstrated more concern about your spiritual welfare than selling a book, an item of jewelry, a statue of "Jesus" holding a lamb, or the latest album from a heavy metal/hard rock band?

Where is the real emphasis? The appearance of the bookstore? Marketing? Sales and service? Bottom line? Or, is the emphasis on Jesus Christ, the truth of His word, and defending the faith? While many would be quick to say, Jesus Christ, the ongoing trend seems to place emphasis on everything except Jesus Christ.

For example, the International Christian Retail Show 2006 is billed as the "largest Christian retail event of the year," and is scheduled to be held on July 9-13 in Denver, Colorado. The ICRS 2006 is promoted by the Christian Booksellers Association, and will include Training and Workshops for the estimated "thousands of aspiring professional Christian retailers and hundreds of leading suppliers" expected to attend (Ibid.).

But after a close look at the ICRS 2006 Training and Workshop page, apparently, not one Training session or Workshop is devoted to:

* teaching Christian bookstore owners, managers, and employees the importance of putting books and materials to the Biblical test, and not compromising God's holy word under any circumstances;

* encouraging those within the Christian bookstore industry not to compromise the faith by catering to authors and books that promote non-Christian beliefs and religions;

* to deny authors, books, and materials that are in opposition to God's word from entering their stores;

* apologetics, cult-evangelism, guarding the spiritual welfare of the believer, and defending the faith;

* witnessing to the lost, and gaining discernment through the study of God's word;

* placing emphasis on the salvation of the lost, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, repentance, Bible study, and that there is a real hell and eternal separation from God.

Despite the fact that the Christian bookstore industry has seen its better days, it is slowly but surely dying. Much of the emphasis seems to be on motivating bookstore owners to produce more sales through new and improved/sure-fire marketing techniques. In other words, the survival of the industry and the overall "bottom line" (the financial aspect) is foremost.

But instead of putting a band-aid on a deadly wound, Christians' within the Christian bookstore industry need to return to their first love, Jesus Christ, Who said:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine,
you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit,
for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned (John 15:4-6).

Returning to Christ, repenting, and following His teachings and commands of Scripture is the true "bottom line," because the time will come when every Christian will kneel before Jesus Christ, and give an account of what he or she did as a Christian:

But the real "bottom line" is this:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences (2 Corinthians 5:10-11).

Every Christian will kneel before Jesus Christ, and give an account of what they did as a Christian. This will not be the time for excuses, and placing blame on others. We can fool each other, but we can't fool God.

But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you (Galatians 2:4-5).

There is a counterfeit Jesus, counterfeit gospel, counterfeit spirit, and savage wolves roaming the shelves and databases of the Christian bookstore industry (2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Galatians 1:6-9; Acts 20:27-31). But the good news is that Christians serve the Almighty God, and we don't have to yield in subjection to them, not for one hour, one minute, or even one second.

For further information, articles, letters, and news releases concerning the Christian bookstore industry, go to Christian Research Service's "Christian Bookstores?" page at http://tinyurl.com/o668g .

Researched & Compiled by:
Bud Press, Director
Christian Research Service
www.christianresearchservice.com
Jude 3

We couldn't have said it better ourselves. Don't miss this insightful analysis of Rick Warren's upcoming trip to North Korea.

Who's Using Whom For What In North Korea? by Paul Proctor
http://www.newswithviews.com/PaulProctor/proctor96.htm

Rick Warren began his famous book The Purpose-Driven Life (Zondervan, 2002) by stating his philosophy that

"The Bible is clear that God considers 40 days a spiritually significant time period. Whenever God wanted to prepare someone for his purposes, he took 40 days:… "(p. 9)

It is therefore significant that Warren's most recent trip to the far east is patterned after the 40-day model. A June 27 BeliefNet article by Sarah Price Brown, "Rick Warren to Preach in Communist North Korea," explained:

"Warren, author of the bestselling book, "The Purpose-Driven Life," said he would make the trip as part of a nearly 40-day journey to meet with the leaders of 13 foreign countries.

"'I want to ask you to pray for me,' Warren told about 5,000 worshippers at his Saddleback Church on Sunday (June 25). He said he would be embarking on a 'grueling' tour, meeting with presidents, business leaders and pastors in countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Rwanda and South Korea, where he would preach at the world's largest church.

"And then, he told the crowd, 'I've received another invitation.' Warren said North Korea would allow him to preach in a stadium seating 15,000, but that he could preach in a larger venue if he could fill the seats." [emphasis added]

Reporting on his trip, the Christian Post said yesterday, in an article by Lillian Kwon entitled "Rick Warren Kicks Off Purpose Driven Conference in South Korea," that:

"In his first lecture, 'Raise a Purpose Driven Church, at this week's conference at Yoido, Warren emphasized that a church must become purpose-driven to grow healthy. He further explained four phases for a revival to occur – personal revival, relational revival, revival with a purpose and structural revival. Among those, many churches get stuck at the third phase – revival with a purpose – and therefore cannot grow."

"There are five biblical mandates Warren extracted from the Bible. They include service, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and training. The Church does not only serve as a place for worshipping and building friendships, but it exists to change the world, Warren continued. He said that only churches that experience revival with a purpose can accomplish structural revival and thus grow to be healthy churches." [emphases added]

What is this structural revival that Rick Warren is talking about?

Structural revival is connected with the New Apostolic Reformation/2nd Reformation agenda. Structural revival may be interchangeably used with the phrase structural reformation and structural transformation. It has to do with the transformation of church structures into a globally networked, hierarchical, apostolic entity -- a cellular structure based on apostles who are positioned in authority over regions of the world and areas (spheres) of influence.

Structural revival also has to do with the concept of transforming nations, the dominionist ideal that the kindgom of God must be built on earth. Rick Warren's statement that the church "exists to change the world" fits into this context.

Ron & Barbara McGatlin of OpenHeaven.com write more openly than any other of the self-proclaimed apostles about what will be involved in building the kingdom of God on earth. Although they have some public differences with C. Peter Wagner and his crowd they continue to promote him and his NAR. They are notable for preaching a particularly virulent form of dominionism. In their IRN News Digest of 08-27-05, they cover the topic of Revival/Reformation. In an article by David Orton, "The New Reformation - Its Spirit & Structure, Part 2" he explains that "the crux of the current reformation" must be:

"The spiritual unveiling of Christ as Priest triggered revolutionary structural reformation, likewise the revelation of Christ as King. Christ revealed as Priest cut off the human priesthood at the knees, and so the revelation of Christ as King will cut off the human kingship at the neck." [emphasis added]

The International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is a dominionist-oriented organization which works closely with many marketplace transformation initiatives. The ICCC "Market Calling" newsletter (June 2004, page 4) stated:

"Can a nation be changed? Absolutely! This is the task for which we have been commissioned by the Lord Himself: to disciple all nations. (Matthew 28:18-20) Changing nations involves the same dynamics required to transform a person: a change of heart that translates into structural transformation." [emphasis added]

Rick Warren's highly-touted 40-day trip is apparently launching a new phase of his ministry -- a structural revival -- one that is dominionist in its impact. It is beyond the scope of this discernment blog to investigate how this pertains to his foray into global politics, particularly the visit to North Korea. But by patterning his trip after the previous global diplomacy junkets of Billy Graham, Rick Warren is clearly attempting to set himself up as a global man of "peace." And his scary dominionist agenda, of which the media seems oblivious, is far removed from traditional biblical Christianity.

The Truth:

"Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity." (Isaiah 40:21-23)

The previous Herescope post cited Ron McGatlin of OpenHeaven.com, another apostolic leader who has been working on a more openly virulent form of dominionism. Ron McGatlin links to C. Peter Wagner and other New Apostolic Reformation leaders on his website, although there are some differences of opinion about how to tweak things.

In the OpenHeaven.com Digest of June 6, 2006, Ron McGatlin wrote a startling article entitled "More Than Reformation" in which he articulates how this movement is a "restoration" is "beyond reformation" and a "major shift" which will begin with the "purification of the people and eventually the planet."

What does McGatlin mean by "purification"? He begins by explaining that this "purification" will return the earth to a pre-Fall condition:

"It begins with the purification of the 'ekklesia,' the called-out assembly of the people of God. It is a return to the fullness of the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven, as it was before the fall of Adam. It is a shift from the thousands of years of man ruling the world by the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It is the return to the ruling by Christ the King through the Holy Spirit from the tree of life. It is the beginning of the end of the man-focused church age and the beginning of the age of the kingdom of God. The shift from church to kingdom requires a major cleansing of the land before the new 'City of God' can be fully established.

"The completion of this shift may take thousands of years or a few centuries or only decades. Yet, it is the plan and purpose of God and has now come into view and will come to pass. The glory of God will cover the earth and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The kingdom of God shall reign on earth and the will of God will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The mature Sons of God will rule and reign with Him and the now groaning creation will rejoice in the salvation of our God." [emphases added]

This is pure Manifest Sons of God/Latter Rain/Joel's Army heretical doctrine, which is being applied to the concept of a New Apostolic/Second Reformation.

McGatlin continues with a stunning description of the "purification" that must take place:

"Those who will not come and will not be purified will not enter the holy city of God, the New Jerusalem. There will be no place found for those who come another way by another god or a religion. The people who name the name of Jesus and claim His blood bought salvation as a covering for their continued walking in the lust of the eyes and the pride of life will have no part in the New-Jerusalem lifestyle in the kingdom age. Eventually billions of people across the earth must be purified or removed that the earth may be purified for the kingdom of God to fully reign on earth as it is in heaven. The glory of God shall fill the whole earth." [emphases added]

Of course, in the New Apostolic Paradigm, it is necessary for so-called prophets and apostles to be set up in a hierarchical position of governance. McGatlin describes their role in this "purification":

"Now in the re-establishment of the kingdom of God on earth the powerful ministry of humble apostles is again being sent forth to do the work of massive change. … Powerful, humble apostles are required to bring forth the return to the foundations of the kingdom of God concept." [emphasis added]

McGatlin then explains that the old Bible must be "washed away" and replaces by a new "word," which presumably these self-anointed, self-appointed apostles will claim to have from God.

Much of the church-age religious doctrines must be washed away and replaced with the word of the kingdom that cannot be received in a heart-soil filled with the religious rocks and hardened soil of previous convictions. The faithful church member that adheres to their religious doctrines cannot receive the word of the kingdom and grow it to fruition. The soil of the heart must be cleared and healed for the kingdom seed to grow. This level of significant and sometimes traumatic change requires the gifting of the apostles to see first and bring forth revelation that is not yet visible to others. The foundational changes are first in the apostles and then passes to the prophets, shepherds, evangelists, and teachers. This is not a superiority; it is only an area of gifting for service." [emphases added]

These quotations speak of an incredible evil. They are never, ever to be mistaken for the pure Word of God or true Christianity! If you are reading this column and flirting with the doctrines of dominionism, we plead with you to flee this heresy. For the end conclusion of dominionism, which has just been explained in this candid description by Ron McGatlin, is brutal and horrific.

These words approximate the sinister "selection process" (i.e., "purification") described by Barbara Marx Hubbard and other Theosophical New Age leaders. The only difference is that McGatlin doesn't use the word "evolution." He uses the term "progressive reformation" instead. Hubbard has stated in her book The Revelation (Nataraj Publishing, 1995) that:

"After the selection process, you will be born to the next stage of evolution. There will be a New Heaven, a New Earth, a new body and a new consciousness for all who survive." (p. 261)

"By your acts you shall judged as to whether you can evolve, or must be 'cast into the lake of fire,' which is the second death.' (p. 254)

The Truth:

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." (1 Corinthians 15:50)

"But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." (2 Peter 3:7)

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness." ( 2 Peter 3:17)

In a recent article in Christianity Today (7/10/06) entitled "The Lure of Theocracy," Philip Yancey discussed a few fundamental differences between Christianity and Islam, and noted Islam's theocratic culture. At the conclusion of his brief article he posed an interesting warning:

"Hearing firsthand about Islamic culture increased my understanding, but it also made me nervous about my own society. The very things we resist in Islam, some Christians find tempting. We, too, seek political power and a legal code that reflects revealed morality. We, too, share a concern about raising our children in a climate of moral decadence. We, too, tend to see others (including Muslims) as a stereotyped community, rather than as individuals. Will we turn toward our own version of the harsh fundamentalism sweeping Islam today?" [emphasis added]

Despite this analytical and astute observation, Christianity Today and other evangelical media seem oblivious to the new forms of extremism coming out of the New Apostolic Reformation. Regardless of the many possible reasons for avoiding exposing the fanatic fringes of neoevangelicalism, there is no excuse for ignoring the rapid increase of militant rhetoric.

Yesterday's Herescope post is a chilling example of this very point. Today's post contains a few more examples.

Chuck Pierce:
In 2001 Chuck Pierce announced a "seven-year war season" for the church. He recently wrote,

"We are now in the 5th year of this seven-year season.… We have two more years of intense conflict with old cycles….

"The next Hebrew year that we will enter in October 2006 will be the Year of the SWORD. Violent worship must become even more violent. We, a people of God, will take the earth by force. Violent worship overcomes violence in the natural because the atmosphere around us changes. The Dichotomy of GOOD and EVIL will be defined in a new way over the next several months.

"Heaven and Earth are aligning. New councils of rulership are being formed in the earth. These councils are developing strategies to bring in the Harvest. These councils will know how to decree a thing and watch it happen. That is why decrees about the transfer of wealth are so important. …" [emphases in original]

Rick Joyner:
Rick Joyner recently (6/27/06) wrote "The Warrior Nation--The New Sound of The Church," in which he said that "the sound of the trumpet is now being heard, and the gathering of the last-day army is now taking place." He describes believers as "freedom fighters," and of the church he states:

"…as the church begins to take on this resolve, they will start to be thought of more as military bases, and they will begin to take on the characteristics of military bases for training, equipping, and deploying effective spiritual forces. In time, the church will actually be organized more as a military force with an army, navy, air force, etc. These, too, will all learn to function together in harmony, protecting one another and helping each other exploit opportunities. Like these, we will begin to organize more around function and purpose, than the doctrinal emphases that now often characterize movements and groups within the church." [emphasis added]

Note the disparagement of doctrine in that last sentence. Continuing on this theme, Joyner then describes the "Transition" of the church:

"Leaders are starting to gather around common purpose and function, rather than just doctrinal emphases. As this happens, doctrines that once seemed to conflict with each other will begin to be seen as complementary. For those who keep the higher purpose of the Kingdom in their hearts and motives, this transition will be easy." [emphasis added]

And in a more ominous note, Joyner adds, "For others, it will not be quite as easy, but it will be done.…"

Jill Austin:
Jill Austin of Master Potter Ministries, one of the female leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation, is sponsoring a conference in San Diego on August 2-5 called "Sword of the Lord" conference. For traditionally-minded Christians who think of the two-edged sword of Hebrews 4:12, this conference is not about the Word of God. Rather, this conference is described as "a governmental call to holy war." The conference promotion claims that Jesus is:

"releasing a living SWORD… to mobilize and activate the troops of the Lord to move not only inside but outside the walls of the church into every arena of life.

"This is a governmental gathering of the troops. We're asking God for open heavens and visitations to give new marching orders and awaken destinies for such a time as this. Officers in the Lord's armies, come forth and legislate from the councils of God as Heaven invades earth.…"

"The Kingdom of God is taken with passionate violence - radical lovers of the Lord! The rumbling of the flaming chariots of fire and war horses are breaking through the heavens in this hour of war. The ancient angels of the most High God are advancing as the Lion of Judah roars! Come reignite your heart with fresh fire!" [emphases added]

Perhaps if Philip Yancey is concerned about the theocratic culture within Christianity, he should spend more time investigating, exposing and condemning the rapid rise in venomous doctrines and militant rhetoric coming out of the upper ranks of neoevangelicalism.

The Truth:

It is obvious from the quotations above that the only way to "transition" the church to this new "hour of war" -- whatever that may portend -- can only be accomplished by a restructuring of doctrine.

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;… For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;" (2 Timothy 3:14; 4:3a)

The most recent Discernment Ministries newsletter contains an article entitled "The Manipulations of Dominionism," which explains the paradigm shift to a "futuristic" worldview that has taken place in the neoevangelical church.* The newsletter begins:

"Dominionism is a form of futurism. Futurism is the belief that man can create his own future. This belief requires that man manipulate things in the present.

"For the past half century various groups of elite philosophers, scientists, sociologists, psychologists, economists, pastors, businessmen, and government leaders have met together and publicly discussed the future of planet Earth. All predicted dire scenarios for the future based on their calculations, speculations and political agendas. To solve this perceived crisis these leaders embarked upon a mind-boggling number of focus groups, councils, conventions, strategic planning sessions, and other futurist planning devices – all intended to reinvent, create, envision, or fashion a new future for mankind. The plans originating from each of these groups were remarkably similar. They were translated into a myriad of social policies, government programs, strategic plans, and vision statements.

"All of these future scenarios shared the common ideal that humans can forge consensus where none has existed, that harmony and unity will emerge if everyone 'collaborates' on these plans, and that only Christian fundamentalists stand in the way of creating a 21st Century Utopian Society. The goal, then, becomes one of identifying and targeting these fundamentalists for a 'global mind change.'"

The newsletter article details some key ways in which neoevangelical leaders have borrowed the rhetoric and techniques of the global futurists. This type of "futurism" is described by Wikipedia as "attempts to predict and analyze what might occur in the future of human history." However, there is more to it than that. A key concept in futurism is the idea that "alternative futures" can be shaped and that humans practicing "foresight" and "visioning" can create new futures -- both in a pragmatic and esoteric sense.

Researcher and author Marilyn Ferguson who publicly launched the modern Theosophical New Age movement onto the popular scene with her groundbreaking book The Aquarian Conspiracy: Personal and Social Transformation in the 1980s (J. P. Tarcher, Inc., 1980) wrote that there were "legions of conspirators" who have become "revolutionaries" to "change society." And quoting from "philosopher Beatrice Bruteau" in chapter 1, Ferguson wrote:

"We cannot wait for the world to turn,… for times to change that we might change with them, for the revolution to come and carry us around in its new course. We ourselves are the future. We are the revolution." (p. 24-26)

This futurist worldview is expressed by Ferguson in several key paragraphs:

"For the first time in history, humankind has come upon the control panel of change -- and understanding of how transformation occurs. We are living in the change of change, the time in which we can intentionally align ourselves with nature for rapid remaking of ourselves and our collapsing institutions.

"The paradigm of the Aquarian Conspiracy sees humankind embedded in nature. It promotes the autonomous individual in a decentralized society. It sees us as stewards of all our resources, inner and outer. It says that we are not victims, not pawns, not limited by conditions or conditioning. Heirs to evolutionary riches, we are capable of imagination, invention, and experiences we have only glimpsed.

"Human nature is neither good nor bad but open to continuous transformation and transcendence. It has only to discover itself. The new perspective respects the ecology of everything: birth, death, learning, health, family, work, science, spirituality, the arts, the community, relationships, politics." (p. 29)

Later in the same chapter Ferguson described a "1979 symposium on the future of humanity" which "said in its announcement:

'Our first great challenge is to create a consensus that fundamental change is possible -- to create a climate, a framework, which can integrally organize and coordinate the forces which are today striving for growth along seemingly separate paths. We will create an irresistibly vibrant vision, a new paradigm for constructive humanistic action…. Until we have created that master context, all talk of strategy is meaningless.'" (p. 40)

The Truth:

It is quite obvious that this mystical worldview of futurism is not biblical. Several foundational beliefs expressed in Ferguson's paragraphs quoted above teach the unbiblical concepts that:

1) man can override the sovereignty of God
2) man can create his own future/destiny
3) man can remake civilization on earth
4) man is basically good
5) man is "embedded in nature"
6) that man can evolve or transcend his current physical and spiritual limitations

Early Herescope blog posts from last September contain relevant historical information about meetings that took place between neoevangelical and Theosophical New Age futurist leaders back in the late 1970s. For nearly 30 years, these influential and respected neoevangelical leaders have been accepting the basic tenets of this futurism and openly cavorting with these Theosophical futurists.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8)

*This usage of the term futurism is not to be confused with a theological term "futurism" which has to do with an eschatological debate.

Neoevangelical leaders are fraternizing in the highest echelons of intellectual and global political societies these days. Last year this Aspen Ideas Festival became known among evangelicals