Nov 2008
The United Bible Societies and Rome
Nov/20/08 21:08 Filed in: Roman Catholicism
Updated and enlarged November 20, 2008 (first published via the FBIS on February 6, 2006; this article replaces “Bible Societies and Rome” which was first published in Sept. 17, 1996, and “The United Bible Societies and Rome,” which was first published in September 18, 1997) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
Nearly 80 percent of the world’s Bibles are distributed through the United Bible Societies, an international umbrella organization that was formed in 1946 and that presently coordinates the work of most of the world’s Bible societies. As of 2004, there were 142 member societies participating in the United Bible Societies, including the British & Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible Society, and the Canadian Bible Society. In 2003 the member societies of the UBS distributed more than 430 million Bibles, New Testaments, and Scripture portions, including 21.4 million Bibles and 14.4 million New Testaments. As of 2001, the United Bible Societies were involved in translation work in 672 different languages.
THE STRANGE HISTORY OF THE BIBLE SOCIETIES
Consider the strange history of the first Bible Society, which was formed in 1804 in England and named the British & Foreign Bible Society (BFBS). It was established on March 7, 1804, at London Tavern (The History of Christianity, Lion Publishing, 1977, p. 558). The BFBS, which was a founding member of the UBS in 1946, was deeply leavened with heresy from the beginning. Consider a few well-documented facts regarding this group’s early history:
The British & Foreign Bible Society cooperated with Roman Catholic priests from its earliest days. “Roman Catholics also enjoyed the support of the BFBS. Soon after its founding, the BFBS sent funds to Bishop Michael Wittmann [Roman Catholic] of Regensburg. When the Bavarian priest, Johannes Gossner, prepared a German translation of the New Testament, he too was supported by the BFBS. The main Catholic agent of the BFBS was, however, Leander van Ess, a priest and professor of [Catholic] theology at Marburg” (Lions’ History of Christianity, p. 558). We should note that the American Bible Society also invited Roman Catholic leaders to participate in its founding in 1816. This was reported in “The Bible Societies,” Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jan.-Mar., 1979, pp. 13-14.
The BFBS also invited Unitarian participation in its early days. Most of the readers of this study will know that Unitarians, while claiming to be Christian, have no right to be called such. They deny the very Triune God of the Scriptures, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They scoff at Christ’s full Deity, vehemently denying that our Lord was very God and very Man. They also deny the infallibility of Holy Scripture, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, etc. How, then, can they possibly be considered Christians? And yet, the British & Foreign Bible Society brought these heretics into its membership upon its founding at the turn of the 19th century.
This shameful history is given briefly from firsthand accounts and historical documents quoted from the files of the Trinitarian Bible Society in London. “When the constitution of the British and Foreign Bible Society was first formulated, it was understandably not foreseen that the question of Unitarianism would have much relevance to the society’s work. Before long, however, UNITARIANS GAINED SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE UPON THE AFFAIRS OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE, WHERE SOME AUXILIARY SOCIETIES WERE RUN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY PERSONS OF UNITARIAN BELIEFS” (Andrew Brown, The Word of God Among All Nations, p. 12).
It was the failure to secure a provision in the society’s constitution to remove the Unitarian heretics which led to the formation of a separate organization, the Trinitarian Bible Society. “The Trinitarian Bible Society was founded in 1831 after a period of controversy among supporters of the British and Foreign Bible Society regarding the constitution and policy of that Society. Deep concern was expressed over the lack of a Scriptural doctrinal basis sufficiently explicit to ensure that ‘Unitarians’ denying the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ could not be admitted to membership or hold office in the Society. A motion recommending the adoption of such a basis was the subject of a prolonged and heated debate in Exeter Hall in the Strand, London, at the Annual Meeting. THE MOTION WAS REJECTED BY A LARGE MAJORITY ... When it became clear that there was no prospect of bringing this about [the changing of the BFBS’s unscriptural policies], the ‘Provisional Committee’ convened a meeting to establish a Bible Society on Scriptural principles” (Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, No. 475, April-June, 1981, p. 3). Thus the Trinitarian Bible Society’s birth in 1831 was a testimony to the apostasy of the British & Foreign Bible Society, a founding member of the United Bible Societies.
The BFBS did not even allow public prayer or Bible quotations in its meetings! The history of the British and Foreign Bible Society becomes even stranger. One compromise leads to another, as the Bible so solemnly warns. “There arose a question over the desirability of offering up prayer to God at meetings of the society, concerning which there was no provision in the society’s constitution. Lack of such provision would perhaps not have led to serious disagreement were it not for the simultaneous problem about Unitarians. There was a feeling that public prayer to God, offered in the name of Christ, was being avoided for fear of giving offence to Unitarian members. ... It was to be expected that, with these emotive issues occupying the minds of many people, the Anniversary Meeting would run into stormy weather. The meeting took place on Wednesday, May 4th, 1831, at the newly built Exeter Hall in the Strand. ... On this occasion the annual report included a recommendation that oral prayer should not be introduced at meetings of the society, but made no explicit reference to the problem about Unitarians. ... At the conclusion of the seconder’s speech, a degree of excitement seemed to pervade the Meeting ... J.E. Gordon immediately advanced from the northern end of the platform, and took his place on the right of the chair, amidst loud and continued applause. Several minutes passed before order was restored, and then Gordon spoke: ‘If, instead of thus clapping your hands, you would lift up your hands to the throne of grace, I must take the liberty of saying, you would perform an act more becoming a Christian Society. ... The first portion which I seek to establish is, that the British and Foreign Bible Society is preeminently a religious and Christian Institution, and that no person rejecting the doctrine of the triune Jehovah. ...’ -- interrupted by thunders of applause, which lasted several minutes, BUT WHICH WERE IMMEDIATELY REPLIED TO BY MOST DETERMINED HISSING FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE MEETING. When order was restored, Gordon resumed his speech: ‘... That no person rejecting the doctrine of the triune Jehovah can be considered a member of a Christian institution. Thirdly, that in conformity with this principle, the expression denominations of Christians in the Ninth General Law of the Society, be distinctly understood to include such denominations of Christians only as profess their belief in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.’ He went on to say that he would not at present raise the question of opening meetings with prayer, as this would be an utter waste of time if the proposition about non-Trinitarians was not at first accepted. When he sought to justify his arguments by quoting from Scripture, HE WAS MET BY REPEATED INTERRUPTIONS AND HECKLING FROM PART OF THE AUDIENCE. THE CHAIRMAN, LORD BEXLEY, SIDED WITH THE INTERRUPTERS AND RESTRAINED GORDON FROM CITING SCRIPTURE, ON THE GROUNDS THAT TO COMMENT ON THE SCRIPTURE WAS ‘TO GO AGAINST THE PRINCIPLE OF THE INSTITUTION.’ A general uproar ensued which the Rev. William Howels vainly tried to calm ... Gordon was seconded by the Rev. George Washington Philips ... Amid scenes of wild disorder, one speaker after another failed to make themselves heard. ... AT THE END OF THE MEETING, WHICH LASTED FIVE AND A HALF HOURS, GORDON’S PROPOSALS WERE VOTED ON BY A SHOW OF HANDS, AND REJECTED BY A MAJORITY ESTIMATED AT 6 TO 1 (Brown, The Word of God Among All Nations, pp. 12-16, quoting The Record, May 5th, 1831).
THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES AND ROME
Today the United Bible Societies are fully committed to an unholy ecumenism. Hundreds of examples could be given to illustrate this. The UBS is “in effect the Bible society wing of the World Council of Churches” (Andrew Brown, The Word of God Among All Nations, p. 124). It matters not that the major Protestant denominations today are filled with theological modernism. It matters not that the Roman Catholic Church preaches a false gospel that leads multitudes to Hell. It matters not that Roman Catholicism is filled with all sorts of doctrinal error. The UBS intends to “serve all churches” no matter what they believe and no matter what the Word of God says about separation from error!
The UBS ecumenical program is fueled by its policy of not asking doctrinal questions. This was outlined in a booklet published by the American Bible Society in 1970: “Referring to the interdenominational character of the Bible societies, the article states that ‘their sole concern is to recruit every believer, WHATEVER HIS PRIVATE CREED MAY BE,’ to join in the urgent task of proclaiming the Gospel in every tongue. ... The Societies ‘endeavor to serve the whole Church of Christ IRRESPECTIVE OF denominational divisions and CREEDAL [DOCTRINAL] DISTINCTIONS’” (Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jan.-Mar. 1979, pp. 13-14). The Bible Societies have thus acknowledged that they are unconcerned about doctrinal beliefs. How strange it is that those who publish the Bible are unconcerned about its teachings!
CONSIDER SOME EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES’ RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In most countries, you will find the Bible societies in the very center of any ecumenical adventure, especially in national councils and interdenominational fellowships. The following examples could be greatly multiplied:
(1) “[The American Bible Society meeting was] one of the most widely representative Christian gatherings in the U.S.A., or possibly in the entire world, and included a Roman Catholic archbishop as speaker and one panel had a Seventh-day Adventist. There were representatives from 46 different denominations, including Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and even a Christian Scientist” (Plains Baptist Challenger, Sept. 1982).
(2) Consider the example of Michael Ramsey. Ramsey, former Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a president of the United Bible Societies as well as one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches. Ramsey denied the Virgin Birth of Christ, and said, “Heaven is not a place for Christians only. ... I expect to see many present day atheists there” (Daily Mail, London, Feb. 10, 1961). Ramsey was a leader in the back-to-Rome movement in the Church of England. In 1966, Ramsey made a visit to the Pope in an effort to rebuild bridges to Rome. Apart from Ramsey’s predecessor, Geoffrey Fisher, no Archbishop of Canterbury had called on a Pope since 1397, long before Henry VIII broke with Rome. Ramsey addressed the Pope as, “Your Holiness, dear brother in Christ,” and said, “It is only as the world sees us Christians growing visibly in unity that it will accept through us the divine message of peace.” Pope Paul described the meeting as a rebuilding of “a bridge that for centuries had lain fallen between the Church of Rome and Canterbury; a bridge of respect, of esteem and charity.” The two men sealed the symbolic reconciliation of the denominations by a “kiss of peace”—actually an embrace. The Anglican bishops and clergy of Canterbury’s retinue bowed to kiss the Pope’s ring (Don Stanton, Mystery Babylon, Secunderabad: Maranatha Revival Crusade, April 1981). The following year, 1967, Ramsey visited the United States. At a service in Little Rock, Arkansas, he mentioned his meeting with the Pope and described it in this way: “The Pope and I walked arm in arm out in St. Peter’s Basilica and there we bowed and dedicated ourselves in a common dedication, the task of unifying the church. We did not mean we were going to unify the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church only, but we meant we were going to unify all Christendom and all the churches of the world. By unifying them, we did not mean just establishing diplomatic recognition among denominations, but we were going to unify all of them into one church. That is the task that is before us today, to unify all Christendom into the Holy Catholic Church” (quoted by M.L. Moser, Jr., Ecumenicalism under the Spotlight, Challenge Press, pp. 22-23). Ramsey’s unscriptural ecumenical activities illustrate the things that are happening in the United Bible Societies.
(3) “The work of joint Bible translation and distribution between Protestants and Catholics was encouraged by the Driebergen conference of Bible societies in June 1964, which was attended also by Roman Catholics. The chief recommendations of the conference were: to prepare a ‘common text’ of the Bible in the original languages, acceptable to all Churches, including Roman Catholics; and to explore the possibility of preparing a ‘common translation’ in certain languages, which could be used by Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. It was further recommended that the Bible societies should consider translating and publishing the Apocrypha when Churches specifically requested it” (Andrew Brown, The Word of God among All Nations, p. 122).
(4) “One result of Vatican II was the setting up in 1966 of the Vatican Office for Common Bible Work ... An example of the new spirit of co-operation was soon found, in the revision of the Bible in Swahili. It was reported in 1966 that the Roman Catholic Tanganyika Episcopal Conference had reached agreement with the British and Foreign Bible Society on the use of the text of the Union Version of 1952, with the understanding that the Apocrypha would be included as well as selected notes and comments from the Jerusalem Bible [a Roman Catholic Version]. ... The BFBS thus again abandoned its former policy of excluding the Apocrypha, and notes and comments” (The Bible Translator, United Bible Societies, April 1966; The Word of God among All Nations, pp. 123-124).
(5) The American Bible Societies’ Today’s English Version, which was published in 1966, gained almost immediate acceptance by the Roman Catholic Church. “The best-selling Bible translation in history has been cleared for use by Catholics as well as Protestants. ... The translation has received the official approval or imprimatur, of Cardinal Richard Cushing, the Catholic archbishop of Boston. It was Cardinal Cushing who earlier gave an imprimatur to the Protestant-sponsored Revised Standard Version. Protestant and Catholic scholars in recent years have reached substantial agreement on the translation of the Bible into English, and CARDINAL CUSHING’S EXPERT CONSULTANTS DID NOT SEEK A SINGLE CHANGE IN THE TEXT OF THE TEV BEFORE APPROVING IT FOR CATHOLIC USE” (Louis Cassels, United Press International).
(6) “In 1969 another development took place, with the formation of the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate. The object of this organization was to co-ordinate the Bible translation work of Catholic scholars and facilitate their co-operation with the United Bible Societies” (Brown, The Word of God among All Nations, p. 124).
(7) “The Secretary of the Italian Bible Society reported that in 1975 Pope Paul VI distributed during his personal audiences 300,000 copies of the Epistle of James, specially prepared by the United Bible Societies and the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate” (Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jul.-Sep. 1978, pp. 6-8).
(8) It was in 1976 that the complete “common language” New Testament was published in Italian as a joint project of the United Bible Societies and a Catholic group with explicit Vatican approval.
(9) 1977 witnessed a Europe-wide Bible society conference attended by officials representing Catholic and Orthodox churches: “Delegates from the whole of Europe met at the Ludwigshafen conference to discuss the future of the United Bible Societies. Monsignor Ablondi, Bishop of Livorno, Professor Tavares of the Catholic University of Lisbon, and representatives of the Greek Serbian and Rumanian Orthodox Churches, were present as full members of the assembly” (The Biblical Apostolate, VIII/2/78; quoted in Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jul.-Sep. 1978, pp. 6-8).
(10) In 1979, the head of the American Bible Society’s translation department, Eugene Nida, said the burgeoning participation of Roman Catholics in its work was a “very important development” (Calvary Contender, Sept. 1, 1992). Also in 1979, United Bible Societies leaders attending a Catholic conference in Mexico pledged closer cooperation with Rome: “The [Catholic] Third General Conference of the Latin American Episcopacy took place at Puebla, in Mexico, and was opened by Pope John Paul II. At the conference, representatives of the United Bible Societies participated in an ecumenical religious service, and also provided a Bible information stand and closely co-operated with the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate. Regarding this co-operation, we are told: ‘It signifies an official recognition of the services being offered by the UBS and announces the beginning of a new era and A NEW SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION at the service of God’s Word”(Word-Event, United Bible Societies, No. 36, p. 27).
(11) By 1981, over 500,000 copies of the Good News Bible, with the Apocryphal Books added, had been published and distributed by the American Bible Society (Foundation, Jul.-Aug. 1981).
(12) 1986 was a high water mark in relations between the UBS and Rome. That was the year the UBS presented a copy of the new Italian interconfessional Bible to the Pope: “The Italian Bible Society recently presented Pope John Paul II with a copy of a new Italian interconfessional Bible in a ceremony at the Vatican. Italian President Francesco Cossaga has also received a copy in the presidential palace. Both Protestants and Catholics co-operated in translating the new Bible, which is the result of 7 years’ work. It has been published jointly by the Italian Bible Society and a Salesian publishing firm. ... The presentation of the Bible to Pope John Paul II was made by Luca Bertalot, the young grandson of the Italian Bible Society’s general secretary Revd Dr. Renzo Bertalot. United Bible Societies was represented by consultant to the UBS, Revd Dr Laton E. Holmgren. Addressing the Pope, Dr. Holmgren said, ‘For the first time in four centuries the Bible is a bond of unity rather than a source of division. Despite differences of tradition, dedicated people are producing more and more common Bibles which are being used in scores of lands and languages.’ Pope John Paul replied, ‘Accept the warmest expression of my grateful appreciation for the result of your efforts. The task which you have undertaken is an important moment of collaboration. I ardently desire that it should not pass in vain, but that it truly produce a fertile rediscovery of our common base of origin. In returning to it, the entire Church cannot fail to benefit in rejuvenation, mutual cohesion and effective testimony to the world. I invoke the Lord’s blessing upon all of you and upon your work.’ The edition presented to the Pope carries the imprimatur (official Catholic approval) of the Bishop of Turin. ... Also present at the Vatican ceremony was Bishop Alberto Ablondi of Livorno, Italy, who is a member of the United Bible Societies General Committee and president of the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate. Members of the Bible translation team attended with him (“Pope Receives New Bible,” Word in Action, British and Foreign Bible Society, Spring 1986, No. 49, p. 4).
(13) In the May 1996 issue of the American Bible Society Record, a biographical sketch appears of “Father” Robert J. Robbins, vice chairman of the ABS church relations and volunteer activities committees. The Record says that Robbins, a Catholic priest, “helps guide the American Bible Society in working with its vital network of church supporters and volunteers.” The article continues, “An ABS Board member since 1991, Father Robbins also serves on the Committee on Trustees and on the Finance/Administration and Executive committees.” In December 2000, the American Bible Society mailed a letter written by Robbins to Roman Catholics in which Robbins urged fellow Catholics to support the ABS as a response to Pope John Paul II’s plea for “all baptized persons to participate in mission activity through the precious offering of prayers and suffering and with material aid.”
(14) The UBS-Rome connection was further demonstrated during the Pope’s 1996 visit to the United States. The following is from the American Bible Society’s 1996-97 Catalog of Scripture Resources: “When Pope John Paul II visited the United States last autumn, ABS was on hand to help celebrate. Over half a million specially produced commemorative editions of the Gospel of John in the Contemporary English Version were distributed at local churches and various sites where the Pope conducted Mass ... As the highlight of the Bible Society’s celebration, ABS President Dr. Eugene Habecker PRESENTED THE POPE WITH A WHITE, LEATHER-BOUND CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION BIBLE and a commemorative Gospel of John at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York. The Contemporary English Version is now the translation used in the Lectionary for Masses with Children. An upcoming CEV BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS AND APOCRYPHA IN TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC ORDER is scheduled for publication in the spring of 1997” (American Bible Society’s 1996-97 Catalog of Scripture Resources, p. 13).
(15) By 1997, 174 of the UBS translation projects were joint endeavors with the Roman Catholic Church.
(16) In February 1999, the National Bible Society of Ireland published a Bible study by Catholic priest Pat Collins entitled Seeking with … the Father.
(17) In early June 1999, the translators of the new interconfessional Polish Bible were presented to Pope John Paul II at a special ecumenical service in Drohiczyn, Poland. On May 31, 1999, the Pope mentioned the new translation while speaking at the 46th Eucharistic Congress in Wroclaw, Poland. He praised the ecumenical spirit of the Bible societies and said that once Christians are committed to the path of ecumenism there is no turning back.
(18) In December 2000, the Austrian Bible Society co-produced a six-hour radio program entitled Long Night with the Bible, which featured Roman Catholic priest Wolfgang Schwartz, Jewish rabbi Chaim Eisenberg, and Lutheran Michael Bunker.
(19) In 2001, the Houston, Texas, office of the American Bible Society honored Catholic Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, at a Leadership Awards Luncheon.
(20) In 2002 Pope John Paul II received 70 representatives of the United Bible Societies and Bible Societies of Europe and the Middle East and commended them for their ecumenical approach to Bible translation. “Commenting on the occasion, David Bedford, the UBS Head of Global Development, said that the Papal audience -- and the Pope’s affirmation of the Bible Societies’ mission -- had touched him deeply” (TBS Quarterly Record, Jan.-Mar. 2003).
(21) In July 2002 the United Bible Societies opened a joint exhibition in Rome with the Vatican Library, which traced the history of the printed Bible and its impact on culture and people. The grand opening was attended by Monsignor Raffaele Farina, Director of the Vatican Library, and UBS General Secretary Fergus Macdonald. One thing that was missing from this exhibit, of course, was the documentation of Rome’s vicious inquisition and her millennia-long attempt to keep the Bible out of the hands of the common people.
(22) In April 2005, a representative from the United Bible Societies participated in the funeral for Pope John Paul II and in the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI. The following is from the UBS web site for May 6, 2005: “Dr. Valdo Bertalot, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Italy (BSI), represented both the national Bible Society and the global UBS fellowship at the funeral of Pope John Paul II on April 9 and at the inaugural mass of Pope Benedict XVI on April 24. He also took part the following day in Pope Benedict’s first audience, for foreign and non-Catholic guests. ‘I had the opportunity to greet the Pope personally on behalf of UBS and BSI,’ said Dr. Bertalot, ‘offering him BSI’s latest ecumenical literary translation of the Gospel of Mark as an example of the UBS service to the churches.’ Mr. Wigglesworth said Dr. Bertalot’s presence at the events was ‘EVIDENCE OF THE STANDING OF THE UBS IN THE EYES OF THE VATICAN, and a consequence of all the work that he -- and his father before him -- have done to establish close ties with the Vatican on behalf of UBS.’”
(23) In April 2008 the American Bible Society printed a special edition of the Gospel of Luke for distribution at papal masses during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. The booklet featured a picture of the pope on the cover (“American Bible Society Welcomes Pope,” Assist News Service, April 15, 2008).
(24) At the Vatican on October 7, 2008, delegates from the American Bible Society presented Pope Benedict XVI with a special Polyglot Bible. The 3,200-page Bible was created “in honor of the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Catholic Bishops,” which is currently in session at the Vatican (“American Bible Society,” Christian Post, Oct. 7, 2008). Consisting of the Bible’s text in five languages--Hebrew, Greek, Latin, English, and Spanish--the Polyglot Bible bears the seals of the Vatican and the American Bible Society. Dennis Dickerson, chairman of the board of trustees of the ABS, said, “It is with great pleasure and happiness we return to the Bible again and again to deepen our understanding of the Word of God and rekindle our love for it.” In fact, they don’t love the Bible at all, or they would cease to disobey it by affiliating with and blessing those who have exalted their own false tradition to the same level of authority as God’s Word (Romans 16:17-18). Further, if they loved the Bible they would cease to pervert it through discredited Egyptian manuscripts and the fearfully unfaithful translation methodology of dynamic equivalency. (See “Dynamic Equivalency: Its Influence and Error” at the Way of Life web site.)
CONSIDER SOME EXAMPLES OF ROMAN CATHOLICS WHO HAVE HELD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WITHIN THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES:
In the 1970s a Catholic woman named Maria Teresa Porcile Santiso was employed full time by the United Bible Societies as directress of ecumenical affairs in the regional centre of Mexico (Word-Event, No. 36, p. 6).
Monsignor Alberto Ablondi, Catholic bishop of Livorno, Italy, was “simultaneously a member of the General Committee and European Regional Executive Committee of the United Bible Societies, thus playing a part in the formulation and review of the UBS general policy” (Quarterly Report, Trinitarian Bible Society, Oct.-Dec. 1985, p. 24).
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Roman Catholic archbishop of Onitsha, Nigeria, was a vice-president of the United Bible Societies.
Cardinal Carlo Martini, retired Archbishop of Milan, was one of the editors of the United Bible Societies Greek New Testament (beginning in 1967 with the second edition) until his retirement in 2002.
CONCLUSION
There are 142 different Bible societies associated with the United Bible Societies and all of these societies are tied together organizationally as well as spiritually. To support any one of the Bible societies is to participated in the apostasy that has permeated the UBS.
Yes, I realize there are some born again people working with the Bible societies. Revelation 17-18 describes the apostate one world religion and one world government of the last hours of the church age. The picture is that of total apostasy and wickedness, and yet the Bible says some true people of God are involved in these movements because God’s call is “Come out of her, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues”(Rev. 18:4).
Consider three simple lessons from this passage. First, there are some truly saved people in the End Times movement of apostasy. Second, God calls from heaven to those who are saved, exhorting them to separate from the apostasy. Third, those who ignore this call are partakers of the sins of the apostasy and will be judged.
The Bible warns in other places, as well, that if we affiliate with those who are apostate and disobedient we will be partaker of their evil deeds.
“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 8-11).
The decision is clear. The pressures of family, tradition, security, fear of the unpopularity of a separated position, and many other things are brought to bear against the Christian who desires to be faithful to God in an apostate day. God is calling from heaven and requiring a complete separation of His people from apostasy. Whom will we fear--God, or man? To whose voice will we hearken--heaven’s or the world’s?
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Nearly 80 percent of the world’s Bibles are distributed through the United Bible Societies, an international umbrella organization that was formed in 1946 and that presently coordinates the work of most of the world’s Bible societies. As of 2004, there were 142 member societies participating in the United Bible Societies, including the British & Foreign Bible Society, the American Bible Society, and the Canadian Bible Society. In 2003 the member societies of the UBS distributed more than 430 million Bibles, New Testaments, and Scripture portions, including 21.4 million Bibles and 14.4 million New Testaments. As of 2001, the United Bible Societies were involved in translation work in 672 different languages.
THE STRANGE HISTORY OF THE BIBLE SOCIETIES
Consider the strange history of the first Bible Society, which was formed in 1804 in England and named the British & Foreign Bible Society (BFBS). It was established on March 7, 1804, at London Tavern (The History of Christianity, Lion Publishing, 1977, p. 558). The BFBS, which was a founding member of the UBS in 1946, was deeply leavened with heresy from the beginning. Consider a few well-documented facts regarding this group’s early history:
The British & Foreign Bible Society cooperated with Roman Catholic priests from its earliest days. “Roman Catholics also enjoyed the support of the BFBS. Soon after its founding, the BFBS sent funds to Bishop Michael Wittmann [Roman Catholic] of Regensburg. When the Bavarian priest, Johannes Gossner, prepared a German translation of the New Testament, he too was supported by the BFBS. The main Catholic agent of the BFBS was, however, Leander van Ess, a priest and professor of [Catholic] theology at Marburg” (Lions’ History of Christianity, p. 558). We should note that the American Bible Society also invited Roman Catholic leaders to participate in its founding in 1816. This was reported in “The Bible Societies,” Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jan.-Mar., 1979, pp. 13-14.
The BFBS also invited Unitarian participation in its early days. Most of the readers of this study will know that Unitarians, while claiming to be Christian, have no right to be called such. They deny the very Triune God of the Scriptures, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They scoff at Christ’s full Deity, vehemently denying that our Lord was very God and very Man. They also deny the infallibility of Holy Scripture, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, etc. How, then, can they possibly be considered Christians? And yet, the British & Foreign Bible Society brought these heretics into its membership upon its founding at the turn of the 19th century.
This shameful history is given briefly from firsthand accounts and historical documents quoted from the files of the Trinitarian Bible Society in London. “When the constitution of the British and Foreign Bible Society was first formulated, it was understandably not foreseen that the question of Unitarianism would have much relevance to the society’s work. Before long, however, UNITARIANS GAINED SUBSTANTIAL INFLUENCE UPON THE AFFAIRS OF THE BIBLE SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE, WHERE SOME AUXILIARY SOCIETIES WERE RUN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY PERSONS OF UNITARIAN BELIEFS” (Andrew Brown, The Word of God Among All Nations, p. 12).
It was the failure to secure a provision in the society’s constitution to remove the Unitarian heretics which led to the formation of a separate organization, the Trinitarian Bible Society. “The Trinitarian Bible Society was founded in 1831 after a period of controversy among supporters of the British and Foreign Bible Society regarding the constitution and policy of that Society. Deep concern was expressed over the lack of a Scriptural doctrinal basis sufficiently explicit to ensure that ‘Unitarians’ denying the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ could not be admitted to membership or hold office in the Society. A motion recommending the adoption of such a basis was the subject of a prolonged and heated debate in Exeter Hall in the Strand, London, at the Annual Meeting. THE MOTION WAS REJECTED BY A LARGE MAJORITY ... When it became clear that there was no prospect of bringing this about [the changing of the BFBS’s unscriptural policies], the ‘Provisional Committee’ convened a meeting to establish a Bible Society on Scriptural principles” (Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, No. 475, April-June, 1981, p. 3). Thus the Trinitarian Bible Society’s birth in 1831 was a testimony to the apostasy of the British & Foreign Bible Society, a founding member of the United Bible Societies.
The BFBS did not even allow public prayer or Bible quotations in its meetings! The history of the British and Foreign Bible Society becomes even stranger. One compromise leads to another, as the Bible so solemnly warns. “There arose a question over the desirability of offering up prayer to God at meetings of the society, concerning which there was no provision in the society’s constitution. Lack of such provision would perhaps not have led to serious disagreement were it not for the simultaneous problem about Unitarians. There was a feeling that public prayer to God, offered in the name of Christ, was being avoided for fear of giving offence to Unitarian members. ... It was to be expected that, with these emotive issues occupying the minds of many people, the Anniversary Meeting would run into stormy weather. The meeting took place on Wednesday, May 4th, 1831, at the newly built Exeter Hall in the Strand. ... On this occasion the annual report included a recommendation that oral prayer should not be introduced at meetings of the society, but made no explicit reference to the problem about Unitarians. ... At the conclusion of the seconder’s speech, a degree of excitement seemed to pervade the Meeting ... J.E. Gordon immediately advanced from the northern end of the platform, and took his place on the right of the chair, amidst loud and continued applause. Several minutes passed before order was restored, and then Gordon spoke: ‘If, instead of thus clapping your hands, you would lift up your hands to the throne of grace, I must take the liberty of saying, you would perform an act more becoming a Christian Society. ... The first portion which I seek to establish is, that the British and Foreign Bible Society is preeminently a religious and Christian Institution, and that no person rejecting the doctrine of the triune Jehovah. ...’ -- interrupted by thunders of applause, which lasted several minutes, BUT WHICH WERE IMMEDIATELY REPLIED TO BY MOST DETERMINED HISSING FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE MEETING. When order was restored, Gordon resumed his speech: ‘... That no person rejecting the doctrine of the triune Jehovah can be considered a member of a Christian institution. Thirdly, that in conformity with this principle, the expression denominations of Christians in the Ninth General Law of the Society, be distinctly understood to include such denominations of Christians only as profess their belief in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.’ He went on to say that he would not at present raise the question of opening meetings with prayer, as this would be an utter waste of time if the proposition about non-Trinitarians was not at first accepted. When he sought to justify his arguments by quoting from Scripture, HE WAS MET BY REPEATED INTERRUPTIONS AND HECKLING FROM PART OF THE AUDIENCE. THE CHAIRMAN, LORD BEXLEY, SIDED WITH THE INTERRUPTERS AND RESTRAINED GORDON FROM CITING SCRIPTURE, ON THE GROUNDS THAT TO COMMENT ON THE SCRIPTURE WAS ‘TO GO AGAINST THE PRINCIPLE OF THE INSTITUTION.’ A general uproar ensued which the Rev. William Howels vainly tried to calm ... Gordon was seconded by the Rev. George Washington Philips ... Amid scenes of wild disorder, one speaker after another failed to make themselves heard. ... AT THE END OF THE MEETING, WHICH LASTED FIVE AND A HALF HOURS, GORDON’S PROPOSALS WERE VOTED ON BY A SHOW OF HANDS, AND REJECTED BY A MAJORITY ESTIMATED AT 6 TO 1 (Brown, The Word of God Among All Nations, pp. 12-16, quoting The Record, May 5th, 1831).
THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES AND ROME
Today the United Bible Societies are fully committed to an unholy ecumenism. Hundreds of examples could be given to illustrate this. The UBS is “in effect the Bible society wing of the World Council of Churches” (Andrew Brown, The Word of God Among All Nations, p. 124). It matters not that the major Protestant denominations today are filled with theological modernism. It matters not that the Roman Catholic Church preaches a false gospel that leads multitudes to Hell. It matters not that Roman Catholicism is filled with all sorts of doctrinal error. The UBS intends to “serve all churches” no matter what they believe and no matter what the Word of God says about separation from error!
The UBS ecumenical program is fueled by its policy of not asking doctrinal questions. This was outlined in a booklet published by the American Bible Society in 1970: “Referring to the interdenominational character of the Bible societies, the article states that ‘their sole concern is to recruit every believer, WHATEVER HIS PRIVATE CREED MAY BE,’ to join in the urgent task of proclaiming the Gospel in every tongue. ... The Societies ‘endeavor to serve the whole Church of Christ IRRESPECTIVE OF denominational divisions and CREEDAL [DOCTRINAL] DISTINCTIONS’” (Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jan.-Mar. 1979, pp. 13-14). The Bible Societies have thus acknowledged that they are unconcerned about doctrinal beliefs. How strange it is that those who publish the Bible are unconcerned about its teachings!
CONSIDER SOME EXAMPLES OF THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES’ RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In most countries, you will find the Bible societies in the very center of any ecumenical adventure, especially in national councils and interdenominational fellowships. The following examples could be greatly multiplied:
(1) “[The American Bible Society meeting was] one of the most widely representative Christian gatherings in the U.S.A., or possibly in the entire world, and included a Roman Catholic archbishop as speaker and one panel had a Seventh-day Adventist. There were representatives from 46 different denominations, including Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and even a Christian Scientist” (Plains Baptist Challenger, Sept. 1982).
(2) Consider the example of Michael Ramsey. Ramsey, former Archbishop of Canterbury. He was a president of the United Bible Societies as well as one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches. Ramsey denied the Virgin Birth of Christ, and said, “Heaven is not a place for Christians only. ... I expect to see many present day atheists there” (Daily Mail, London, Feb. 10, 1961). Ramsey was a leader in the back-to-Rome movement in the Church of England. In 1966, Ramsey made a visit to the Pope in an effort to rebuild bridges to Rome. Apart from Ramsey’s predecessor, Geoffrey Fisher, no Archbishop of Canterbury had called on a Pope since 1397, long before Henry VIII broke with Rome. Ramsey addressed the Pope as, “Your Holiness, dear brother in Christ,” and said, “It is only as the world sees us Christians growing visibly in unity that it will accept through us the divine message of peace.” Pope Paul described the meeting as a rebuilding of “a bridge that for centuries had lain fallen between the Church of Rome and Canterbury; a bridge of respect, of esteem and charity.” The two men sealed the symbolic reconciliation of the denominations by a “kiss of peace”—actually an embrace. The Anglican bishops and clergy of Canterbury’s retinue bowed to kiss the Pope’s ring (Don Stanton, Mystery Babylon, Secunderabad: Maranatha Revival Crusade, April 1981). The following year, 1967, Ramsey visited the United States. At a service in Little Rock, Arkansas, he mentioned his meeting with the Pope and described it in this way: “The Pope and I walked arm in arm out in St. Peter’s Basilica and there we bowed and dedicated ourselves in a common dedication, the task of unifying the church. We did not mean we were going to unify the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church only, but we meant we were going to unify all Christendom and all the churches of the world. By unifying them, we did not mean just establishing diplomatic recognition among denominations, but we were going to unify all of them into one church. That is the task that is before us today, to unify all Christendom into the Holy Catholic Church” (quoted by M.L. Moser, Jr., Ecumenicalism under the Spotlight, Challenge Press, pp. 22-23). Ramsey’s unscriptural ecumenical activities illustrate the things that are happening in the United Bible Societies.
(3) “The work of joint Bible translation and distribution between Protestants and Catholics was encouraged by the Driebergen conference of Bible societies in June 1964, which was attended also by Roman Catholics. The chief recommendations of the conference were: to prepare a ‘common text’ of the Bible in the original languages, acceptable to all Churches, including Roman Catholics; and to explore the possibility of preparing a ‘common translation’ in certain languages, which could be used by Protestants and Roman Catholics alike. It was further recommended that the Bible societies should consider translating and publishing the Apocrypha when Churches specifically requested it” (Andrew Brown, The Word of God among All Nations, p. 122).
(4) “One result of Vatican II was the setting up in 1966 of the Vatican Office for Common Bible Work ... An example of the new spirit of co-operation was soon found, in the revision of the Bible in Swahili. It was reported in 1966 that the Roman Catholic Tanganyika Episcopal Conference had reached agreement with the British and Foreign Bible Society on the use of the text of the Union Version of 1952, with the understanding that the Apocrypha would be included as well as selected notes and comments from the Jerusalem Bible [a Roman Catholic Version]. ... The BFBS thus again abandoned its former policy of excluding the Apocrypha, and notes and comments” (The Bible Translator, United Bible Societies, April 1966; The Word of God among All Nations, pp. 123-124).
(5) The American Bible Societies’ Today’s English Version, which was published in 1966, gained almost immediate acceptance by the Roman Catholic Church. “The best-selling Bible translation in history has been cleared for use by Catholics as well as Protestants. ... The translation has received the official approval or imprimatur, of Cardinal Richard Cushing, the Catholic archbishop of Boston. It was Cardinal Cushing who earlier gave an imprimatur to the Protestant-sponsored Revised Standard Version. Protestant and Catholic scholars in recent years have reached substantial agreement on the translation of the Bible into English, and CARDINAL CUSHING’S EXPERT CONSULTANTS DID NOT SEEK A SINGLE CHANGE IN THE TEXT OF THE TEV BEFORE APPROVING IT FOR CATHOLIC USE” (Louis Cassels, United Press International).
(6) “In 1969 another development took place, with the formation of the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate. The object of this organization was to co-ordinate the Bible translation work of Catholic scholars and facilitate their co-operation with the United Bible Societies” (Brown, The Word of God among All Nations, p. 124).
(7) “The Secretary of the Italian Bible Society reported that in 1975 Pope Paul VI distributed during his personal audiences 300,000 copies of the Epistle of James, specially prepared by the United Bible Societies and the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate” (Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jul.-Sep. 1978, pp. 6-8).
(8) It was in 1976 that the complete “common language” New Testament was published in Italian as a joint project of the United Bible Societies and a Catholic group with explicit Vatican approval.
(9) 1977 witnessed a Europe-wide Bible society conference attended by officials representing Catholic and Orthodox churches: “Delegates from the whole of Europe met at the Ludwigshafen conference to discuss the future of the United Bible Societies. Monsignor Ablondi, Bishop of Livorno, Professor Tavares of the Catholic University of Lisbon, and representatives of the Greek Serbian and Rumanian Orthodox Churches, were present as full members of the assembly” (The Biblical Apostolate, VIII/2/78; quoted in Trinitarian Bible Society Quarterly Record, Jul.-Sep. 1978, pp. 6-8).
(10) In 1979, the head of the American Bible Society’s translation department, Eugene Nida, said the burgeoning participation of Roman Catholics in its work was a “very important development” (Calvary Contender, Sept. 1, 1992). Also in 1979, United Bible Societies leaders attending a Catholic conference in Mexico pledged closer cooperation with Rome: “The [Catholic] Third General Conference of the Latin American Episcopacy took place at Puebla, in Mexico, and was opened by Pope John Paul II. At the conference, representatives of the United Bible Societies participated in an ecumenical religious service, and also provided a Bible information stand and closely co-operated with the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate. Regarding this co-operation, we are told: ‘It signifies an official recognition of the services being offered by the UBS and announces the beginning of a new era and A NEW SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION at the service of God’s Word”(Word-Event, United Bible Societies, No. 36, p. 27).
(11) By 1981, over 500,000 copies of the Good News Bible, with the Apocryphal Books added, had been published and distributed by the American Bible Society (Foundation, Jul.-Aug. 1981).
(12) 1986 was a high water mark in relations between the UBS and Rome. That was the year the UBS presented a copy of the new Italian interconfessional Bible to the Pope: “The Italian Bible Society recently presented Pope John Paul II with a copy of a new Italian interconfessional Bible in a ceremony at the Vatican. Italian President Francesco Cossaga has also received a copy in the presidential palace. Both Protestants and Catholics co-operated in translating the new Bible, which is the result of 7 years’ work. It has been published jointly by the Italian Bible Society and a Salesian publishing firm. ... The presentation of the Bible to Pope John Paul II was made by Luca Bertalot, the young grandson of the Italian Bible Society’s general secretary Revd Dr. Renzo Bertalot. United Bible Societies was represented by consultant to the UBS, Revd Dr Laton E. Holmgren. Addressing the Pope, Dr. Holmgren said, ‘For the first time in four centuries the Bible is a bond of unity rather than a source of division. Despite differences of tradition, dedicated people are producing more and more common Bibles which are being used in scores of lands and languages.’ Pope John Paul replied, ‘Accept the warmest expression of my grateful appreciation for the result of your efforts. The task which you have undertaken is an important moment of collaboration. I ardently desire that it should not pass in vain, but that it truly produce a fertile rediscovery of our common base of origin. In returning to it, the entire Church cannot fail to benefit in rejuvenation, mutual cohesion and effective testimony to the world. I invoke the Lord’s blessing upon all of you and upon your work.’ The edition presented to the Pope carries the imprimatur (official Catholic approval) of the Bishop of Turin. ... Also present at the Vatican ceremony was Bishop Alberto Ablondi of Livorno, Italy, who is a member of the United Bible Societies General Committee and president of the World Catholic Federation for the Biblical Apostolate. Members of the Bible translation team attended with him (“Pope Receives New Bible,” Word in Action, British and Foreign Bible Society, Spring 1986, No. 49, p. 4).
(13) In the May 1996 issue of the American Bible Society Record, a biographical sketch appears of “Father” Robert J. Robbins, vice chairman of the ABS church relations and volunteer activities committees. The Record says that Robbins, a Catholic priest, “helps guide the American Bible Society in working with its vital network of church supporters and volunteers.” The article continues, “An ABS Board member since 1991, Father Robbins also serves on the Committee on Trustees and on the Finance/Administration and Executive committees.” In December 2000, the American Bible Society mailed a letter written by Robbins to Roman Catholics in which Robbins urged fellow Catholics to support the ABS as a response to Pope John Paul II’s plea for “all baptized persons to participate in mission activity through the precious offering of prayers and suffering and with material aid.”
(14) The UBS-Rome connection was further demonstrated during the Pope’s 1996 visit to the United States. The following is from the American Bible Society’s 1996-97 Catalog of Scripture Resources: “When Pope John Paul II visited the United States last autumn, ABS was on hand to help celebrate. Over half a million specially produced commemorative editions of the Gospel of John in the Contemporary English Version were distributed at local churches and various sites where the Pope conducted Mass ... As the highlight of the Bible Society’s celebration, ABS President Dr. Eugene Habecker PRESENTED THE POPE WITH A WHITE, LEATHER-BOUND CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION BIBLE and a commemorative Gospel of John at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York. The Contemporary English Version is now the translation used in the Lectionary for Masses with Children. An upcoming CEV BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS AND APOCRYPHA IN TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC ORDER is scheduled for publication in the spring of 1997” (American Bible Society’s 1996-97 Catalog of Scripture Resources, p. 13).
(15) By 1997, 174 of the UBS translation projects were joint endeavors with the Roman Catholic Church.
(16) In February 1999, the National Bible Society of Ireland published a Bible study by Catholic priest Pat Collins entitled Seeking with … the Father.
(17) In early June 1999, the translators of the new interconfessional Polish Bible were presented to Pope John Paul II at a special ecumenical service in Drohiczyn, Poland. On May 31, 1999, the Pope mentioned the new translation while speaking at the 46th Eucharistic Congress in Wroclaw, Poland. He praised the ecumenical spirit of the Bible societies and said that once Christians are committed to the path of ecumenism there is no turning back.
(18) In December 2000, the Austrian Bible Society co-produced a six-hour radio program entitled Long Night with the Bible, which featured Roman Catholic priest Wolfgang Schwartz, Jewish rabbi Chaim Eisenberg, and Lutheran Michael Bunker.
(19) In 2001, the Houston, Texas, office of the American Bible Society honored Catholic Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, at a Leadership Awards Luncheon.
(20) In 2002 Pope John Paul II received 70 representatives of the United Bible Societies and Bible Societies of Europe and the Middle East and commended them for their ecumenical approach to Bible translation. “Commenting on the occasion, David Bedford, the UBS Head of Global Development, said that the Papal audience -- and the Pope’s affirmation of the Bible Societies’ mission -- had touched him deeply” (TBS Quarterly Record, Jan.-Mar. 2003).
(21) In July 2002 the United Bible Societies opened a joint exhibition in Rome with the Vatican Library, which traced the history of the printed Bible and its impact on culture and people. The grand opening was attended by Monsignor Raffaele Farina, Director of the Vatican Library, and UBS General Secretary Fergus Macdonald. One thing that was missing from this exhibit, of course, was the documentation of Rome’s vicious inquisition and her millennia-long attempt to keep the Bible out of the hands of the common people.
(22) In April 2005, a representative from the United Bible Societies participated in the funeral for Pope John Paul II and in the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI. The following is from the UBS web site for May 6, 2005: “Dr. Valdo Bertalot, General Secretary of the Bible Society in Italy (BSI), represented both the national Bible Society and the global UBS fellowship at the funeral of Pope John Paul II on April 9 and at the inaugural mass of Pope Benedict XVI on April 24. He also took part the following day in Pope Benedict’s first audience, for foreign and non-Catholic guests. ‘I had the opportunity to greet the Pope personally on behalf of UBS and BSI,’ said Dr. Bertalot, ‘offering him BSI’s latest ecumenical literary translation of the Gospel of Mark as an example of the UBS service to the churches.’ Mr. Wigglesworth said Dr. Bertalot’s presence at the events was ‘EVIDENCE OF THE STANDING OF THE UBS IN THE EYES OF THE VATICAN, and a consequence of all the work that he -- and his father before him -- have done to establish close ties with the Vatican on behalf of UBS.’”
(23) In April 2008 the American Bible Society printed a special edition of the Gospel of Luke for distribution at papal masses during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. The booklet featured a picture of the pope on the cover (“American Bible Society Welcomes Pope,” Assist News Service, April 15, 2008).
(24) At the Vatican on October 7, 2008, delegates from the American Bible Society presented Pope Benedict XVI with a special Polyglot Bible. The 3,200-page Bible was created “in honor of the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Catholic Bishops,” which is currently in session at the Vatican (“American Bible Society,” Christian Post, Oct. 7, 2008). Consisting of the Bible’s text in five languages--Hebrew, Greek, Latin, English, and Spanish--the Polyglot Bible bears the seals of the Vatican and the American Bible Society. Dennis Dickerson, chairman of the board of trustees of the ABS, said, “It is with great pleasure and happiness we return to the Bible again and again to deepen our understanding of the Word of God and rekindle our love for it.” In fact, they don’t love the Bible at all, or they would cease to disobey it by affiliating with and blessing those who have exalted their own false tradition to the same level of authority as God’s Word (Romans 16:17-18). Further, if they loved the Bible they would cease to pervert it through discredited Egyptian manuscripts and the fearfully unfaithful translation methodology of dynamic equivalency. (See “Dynamic Equivalency: Its Influence and Error” at the Way of Life web site.)
CONSIDER SOME EXAMPLES OF ROMAN CATHOLICS WHO HAVE HELD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WITHIN THE UNITED BIBLE SOCIETIES:
In the 1970s a Catholic woman named Maria Teresa Porcile Santiso was employed full time by the United Bible Societies as directress of ecumenical affairs in the regional centre of Mexico (Word-Event, No. 36, p. 6).
Monsignor Alberto Ablondi, Catholic bishop of Livorno, Italy, was “simultaneously a member of the General Committee and European Regional Executive Committee of the United Bible Societies, thus playing a part in the formulation and review of the UBS general policy” (Quarterly Report, Trinitarian Bible Society, Oct.-Dec. 1985, p. 24).
Cardinal Francis Arinze, Roman Catholic archbishop of Onitsha, Nigeria, was a vice-president of the United Bible Societies.
Cardinal Carlo Martini, retired Archbishop of Milan, was one of the editors of the United Bible Societies Greek New Testament (beginning in 1967 with the second edition) until his retirement in 2002.
CONCLUSION
There are 142 different Bible societies associated with the United Bible Societies and all of these societies are tied together organizationally as well as spiritually. To support any one of the Bible societies is to participated in the apostasy that has permeated the UBS.
Yes, I realize there are some born again people working with the Bible societies. Revelation 17-18 describes the apostate one world religion and one world government of the last hours of the church age. The picture is that of total apostasy and wickedness, and yet the Bible says some true people of God are involved in these movements because God’s call is “Come out of her, MY PEOPLE, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues”(Rev. 18:4).
Consider three simple lessons from this passage. First, there are some truly saved people in the End Times movement of apostasy. Second, God calls from heaven to those who are saved, exhorting them to separate from the apostasy. Third, those who ignore this call are partakers of the sins of the apostasy and will be judged.
The Bible warns in other places, as well, that if we affiliate with those who are apostate and disobedient we will be partaker of their evil deeds.
“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 8-11).
The decision is clear. The pressures of family, tradition, security, fear of the unpopularity of a separated position, and many other things are brought to bear against the Christian who desires to be faithful to God in an apostate day. God is calling from heaven and requiring a complete separation of His people from apostasy. Whom will we fear--God, or man? To whose voice will we hearken--heaven’s or the world’s?
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Praying For the Nations
Nov/18/08 22:08 Filed in: Government
PRAYING FOR THE NATION
November 18, 2008 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
Paul says that praying for the government should be of the highest priority. It should be “first of all.” Prayer is one of the most important things in the Christian life and can accomplish more than political action. As J.B. Buffington wisely observed, “The answer is not in the White House but in God’s house.” Through the power of prayer, Bible-believing churches can have an influence far beyond their numbers. This is why we need to establish the habit of daily private intercessory prayer. Paul spoke of “my prayers” (Rom. 1:9). This is also why we should pray corporately. It is a very sad and telling fact that many churches no longer have a serious weekly prayer meeting, and those that do find that it is scantily attended.
The passage gives two reasons why God’s people need to pray for their governments.
First, we need to pray so that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:2).
Observe that we are not to pray for peace so that we can pursue our own selfish aims. We are to pray for peace so that we might be rich toward God’s business rather than toward our own. Too often God’s people turn aside from godliness during times of peace and prosperity; they seek their own will and pleasure ahead of God’s. Look at America and Canada. Most churches are fat and worldly and lukewarm about God’s work; they are entertaining and mollifying the saints rather than challenging them to put Christ first. Look at the older saints. The tendency is to settle down, to seek security and comfort, while being half-hearted about obeying God and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Observe that we are to live in “all godliness.” Too often the churches that are living in times of peace and prosperity are characterized by worldliness rather than purity. Observe, too, that we are to live “honestly.” This is in contrast to every form of dishonesty, to stealing, crooked business practices, borrowing and not repaying, slacking off on the job, and such.
Second, we need to pray so that the gospel might be preached to all men (1 Tim. 2:3-6).
The Lord Jesus commanded that the gospel be preached to every person (Mark 16:15), and in 1 Timothy 2 we see why, because God wants all men to be saved. This work of world evangelism is called the “great commission,” because it is so emphasized in the New Testament (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8). This work is carried out more effectively in conditions of peace. Some say that what North American churches need is persecution, and there is some truth to that, but at the same time persecution hinders the free preaching of the gospel. Consider China. The governmental persecution there against the public preaching of the gospel and the free gathering of non-registered churches and the totalitarian control of the media, including the internet, means that a large percentage of the people haven’t heard the gospel. The same is true for Muslim nations such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Consider the example of Nepal. Prior to the 1990s, it was illegal to preach the gospel in Nepal and as a result the number of churches was very small and the vast majority of the people knew nothing of the gospel. In the early 1990s there was a change in the constitution and governmental persecution ceased. Since then, the number of churches has increased dramatically and multitudes have heard the gospel that otherwise would not have under the previous conditions.
God would not have exhorted us to pray for kings and those in authority if He did not intend to answer those prayers. Through the power of prayer we have the privilege of making a dramatic difference in this present world.
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
November 18, 2008 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
Paul says that praying for the government should be of the highest priority. It should be “first of all.” Prayer is one of the most important things in the Christian life and can accomplish more than political action. As J.B. Buffington wisely observed, “The answer is not in the White House but in God’s house.” Through the power of prayer, Bible-believing churches can have an influence far beyond their numbers. This is why we need to establish the habit of daily private intercessory prayer. Paul spoke of “my prayers” (Rom. 1:9). This is also why we should pray corporately. It is a very sad and telling fact that many churches no longer have a serious weekly prayer meeting, and those that do find that it is scantily attended.
The passage gives two reasons why God’s people need to pray for their governments.
First, we need to pray so that we might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Tim. 2:2).
Observe that we are not to pray for peace so that we can pursue our own selfish aims. We are to pray for peace so that we might be rich toward God’s business rather than toward our own. Too often God’s people turn aside from godliness during times of peace and prosperity; they seek their own will and pleasure ahead of God’s. Look at America and Canada. Most churches are fat and worldly and lukewarm about God’s work; they are entertaining and mollifying the saints rather than challenging them to put Christ first. Look at the older saints. The tendency is to settle down, to seek security and comfort, while being half-hearted about obeying God and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Observe that we are to live in “all godliness.” Too often the churches that are living in times of peace and prosperity are characterized by worldliness rather than purity. Observe, too, that we are to live “honestly.” This is in contrast to every form of dishonesty, to stealing, crooked business practices, borrowing and not repaying, slacking off on the job, and such.
Second, we need to pray so that the gospel might be preached to all men (1 Tim. 2:3-6).
The Lord Jesus commanded that the gospel be preached to every person (Mark 16:15), and in 1 Timothy 2 we see why, because God wants all men to be saved. This work of world evangelism is called the “great commission,” because it is so emphasized in the New Testament (Mat. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8). This work is carried out more effectively in conditions of peace. Some say that what North American churches need is persecution, and there is some truth to that, but at the same time persecution hinders the free preaching of the gospel. Consider China. The governmental persecution there against the public preaching of the gospel and the free gathering of non-registered churches and the totalitarian control of the media, including the internet, means that a large percentage of the people haven’t heard the gospel. The same is true for Muslim nations such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Consider the example of Nepal. Prior to the 1990s, it was illegal to preach the gospel in Nepal and as a result the number of churches was very small and the vast majority of the people knew nothing of the gospel. In the early 1990s there was a change in the constitution and governmental persecution ceased. Since then, the number of churches has increased dramatically and multitudes have heard the gospel that otherwise would not have under the previous conditions.
God would not have exhorted us to pray for kings and those in authority if He did not intend to answer those prayers. Through the power of prayer we have the privilege of making a dramatic difference in this present world.
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
Amy Grant No Preachy Church Lady
Nov/15/08 11:42 Filed in: Apostasy
Amy Grant, one of the most popular and influential contemporary Christian singers with more than 30 million albums sold, is on her 20th anniversary tour. She has five children from two marriages (she divorced her first husband in 1999), and the interviewer asked, "Now that you're the mom of a couple of young adults, how has your spiritual advice or practices changed?" Grant replied, "I find I say less the older I get. ... Mostly, I try to be encouraging. Life is the greatest teacher. At this point, it's not going to be mom's words. ... I heard Bruce Springsteen once say, 'Great enlightenment is always preceded by -------- up.' I don't talk that way, but it was a quote. It's life. The things in heaven and things on earth are so articulated by Bruce and God. That's the way I've raised my kids. I'm not preachy Church Lady" ("Faith, Family, Music," Houston Chronicle, Nov. 8, 2008, p. F1). This is a dangerous and wrong-headed mixture of truth and error. While it is true that life is a teacher and there are times when sympathizing is more helpful than moralizing, it is also true that God has called parents to teach their children and that responsibility doesn't cease when they are older. The apostle Paul instructed the aged women to "teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children" (Titus 2:3-4). Contemporary Christian musicians often express their dislike for preaching. (See "CCM against Preaching," http://www.wayoflife.org). This is a powerful warning to strong Biblicist churches. It is not only the sensual rhythm that is the danger with CCM, it also the unscriptural message and the charismatic-ecumenical associations. When fundamentalist churches bring CCM into their midst, they are associating with people who are their avowed enemies and who will undermine a strong Bible-believing position. Observe, too, that Grant quotes from a filthy-mouthed rock and roller, which reminds us that there is no separation between contemporary Christian music and secular rock. Amy Grant follows her emotions and personal philosophy and pop psychology more than the unchanging Word of God, and that is typical of Contemporary Christian Music. In March 1999, Grant filed for divorce from her husband of 16 years, Gary Chapman, citing "irreconcilable differences." Although she claims that she did not commit adultery, Grant began dating country singer Vince Gill even before her divorce was finalized, and she admits that she had a close emotional relationship with him for a long time. In an interview with CCM Magazine, Chapman testified that Amy came to him in late 1994 and said: "I don't love you anymore You're the biggest mistake I've ever made. ... I've given my heart to another man" (CCM Magazine, January 2000, p. 36). It was not until three years later that Gill divorced his wife. Chapman said that Amy's relationship with Gill was the primary cause of the divorce.
Lessons From Hebrews 13: Obeying Church Rulers
Nov/12/08 22:25 Filed in: Church
LESSONS FROM HEBREWS 13: OBEYING CHURCH RULERS
November 12, 2008 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Hebrews 13:7
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
1. Two times in this chapter the writer of Hebrews admonishes his readers to heed their spiritual rulers. Two obligations are given: remember them (v. 7) and obey them (v. 17).
To remember one’s elders means to remember that one has spiritual leaders and therefore that one has an obligation to them. It means to “know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord” (1 Th. 5:12). It means to support them properly (1 Tim. 5:17-18). It means to think about them so as to be an encouragement to them.
To obey them is to submit to their teaching and follow their example. “Christians must submit to be instructed by their ministers, and not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn from them; and, when they find that ministerial instructions are agreeable to the written word, they must obey them” (Matthew Henry).
Obedience to pastoral authority is something that is enjoined upon every believer and it must be performed as an act of the will. The Spirit of God says, “Submit yourselves.” Obedience to human rulers is always a difficult matter for a sinner, even a saved one, because he is rebellious and stubborn by nature. Furthermore, elders are far from perfect. One is always tempted to think, “Who is that man to tell me what to do! He is no better than I am; he isn’t so very perfect himself; I know that he has made mistakes. Anyway, I have the Spirit of God just as he does.” Obedience even to the most respectable human authority, therefore, is an act of self sacrifice. Submit yourselves. It is an act of the will. I submit to those that God has put over me as unto the Lord and not merely as unto a man. That is how a wife can submit herself to her husband. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). She doesn’t surrender her will to a man only; she surrenders it to the Lord through that man. Obedience to pastoral authority is a serious matter and cannot be ignored without consequences. Pastors are one of God’s gifts to churches (Eph. 4:11-12). Many professing Christians have the idea that they don’t need pastors and elders, that God is their ruler and they don’t need men, but this philosophy flies in the face of Hebrews 13. Every believer should ask himself, “Who has the rule over me spirituality under God?” because two times in Hebrews 13 we are told how to relate to those who “rule over you.” It is certain that pastoral authority has been abused at times, but that is no reason to discard or discount it altogether. Every kind of authority has been abused in this sinful world, but that does not mean that we are free to ignore it. Churches should be governed by a combination of pastor-elder and people rule. This is what we see in Acts 6. The elders gave the standards for the deacons, the people selected them, and the elders ordained them (Acts 6:3-6). This is a model of a church properly and scripturally governed.
Obedience to pastoral authority is not absolute, of course. Bible believers do not blindly follow their spiritual leaders. Pastors are not popes. God’s people are to follow their leaders as they follow Christ and as they follow the Word of God. We see in Hebrews 13:7 that “the word of God” is the absolute standard and as long as the leaders are speaking the Word of God, they should be obeyed. “They are not to make laws of their own, but to interpret the laws of God; nor is their interpretation to be immediately received without examination, but the people must search the scriptures, and so far as the instructions of their minister are according to that rule they ought to receive them” (Matthew Henry).
Pastors have real authority but it is not a lordly authority; it is a shepherd’s authority. “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). We see this in Hebrews 13:17, where the ruler’s role is described in terms of watching for the souls of the believers. See also Mk. 10:42-45; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 1:24; 3 Jn. 9-10. The pastor’s job is to watch over the spiritual. He watches for men’s souls. In contrast, some pastors have attempted to lord it over every aspect of people’s lives, interfering with their every decision, forbidding them to do things that are not forbidden in Scripture, and putting obligations upon them that go beyond the bounds of Scripture. “It is for your own good that they do this [‘for they watch for your souls’], and you should, therefore, submit to these arrangements. And this shows, also, the true principle on which authority should be exercised in a church. It should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people; and all the arrangements should be with that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe, but should be such as will really promote salvation” (Barnes).
2. Even though the book of Hebrews is not written to a particular church, as most of Paul’s epistles were, we see that the church is never out of sight. In Hebrews 10:25 we are reminded of the importance of the assembly and in chapter 13 we are reminded of the necessity of obeying church leaders. From the very beginning of this dispensation God’s people have been taught to organize themselves into New Testament assemblies. Christ said He would build His church (Mat. 16:18). From the day of Pentecost, the church has been the focal point of God’s people (Acts 2:41-42). The apostles established the first churches and left this as the pattern for the rest of the age (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). It is the church that is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Much of the New Testament is written directly to individual churches.
3. The two broad standards for church leaders are given in Hebrews 13:7, which reminds us again that God’s people are not to blindly follow men but are to submit to those who give clear evidence of a divine call and who are scripturally qualified and are living what they preach.
They are sound in doctrine and practice (“who have spoken unto you the word of God,” Heb. 13:7). This refers to their teaching. They are men described in Titus 1:9 -- “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
They have strong faith and a good manner of life (“whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” Heb. 13:7). This standard is described in detail in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Godly living is a necessary qualification for pastors and elders because the character of the church depends upon it. God’s people are exhorted to follow the faith and example of their leaders. If the pastors’ lives are not right the people will not have the proper example to follow and God’s work on earth will be seriously hindered. Therefore, pastors must have the right kind of personal testimony and family life. How often in this age have pastors failed to maintain the biblical teaching and practice and how often and grievously God’s work has suffered as a result!
4. Pastors watch for the souls of the brethren and must give account for them (Heb. 13:17). Pastors are given watchcare over the Lord’s flock and they have the responsibility to present it back to Him in good shape. The flock is not their own; it is loaned to them for safekeeping. If they do not feed the sheep properly and do not protect them from the wolves and do not go after the wayward they will be judged by the Great Shepherd. The pastor will give account for his teaching, for his pastoring, for his example, for his decisions, for everything. Therefore James says, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jam. 3:1).
5. Believers must give account for how they relate to their church leaders (Heb. 13:17). The Bible indicates that it is “unprofitable” for brethren to be a grief to their pastors (apart from a clear scriptural basis, of course, which might require them to resist false teaching or sinful living) because of their rebellion or stubbornness or laziness or carnality. Unless the pastor is teaching or living contrary to the Word of God in such a manner that I must resist him in order to be faithful to Christ, he should have joy from my life and service in the church. He should be encouraged at how I love and heed the Word of God, at how I am growing in Christ, at how I am diligently serving the Lord, at how I am supporting the cause of Christ with my finances, at my faithfulness, at my zeal, at my compassion, at my holiness.
It is good for every believer to ask himself, “What kind of account would the pastor give of me if he were to stand before Christ this very day? What can I change so that the pastor has more joy when he gives this account?”
See also the following articles:
“The Pastor’s Authority and the Church Member’s Responsibility” - http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/pastoral.htm
“Unquestioning Loyalty to Pastoral Leadership the Mark of a Cult” - http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/unquestioningloyalty.htm
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
November 12, 2008 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” Hebrews 13:7
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
1. Two times in this chapter the writer of Hebrews admonishes his readers to heed their spiritual rulers. Two obligations are given: remember them (v. 7) and obey them (v. 17).
To remember one’s elders means to remember that one has spiritual leaders and therefore that one has an obligation to them. It means to “know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord” (1 Th. 5:12). It means to support them properly (1 Tim. 5:17-18). It means to think about them so as to be an encouragement to them.
To obey them is to submit to their teaching and follow their example. “Christians must submit to be instructed by their ministers, and not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn from them; and, when they find that ministerial instructions are agreeable to the written word, they must obey them” (Matthew Henry).
Obedience to pastoral authority is something that is enjoined upon every believer and it must be performed as an act of the will. The Spirit of God says, “Submit yourselves.” Obedience to human rulers is always a difficult matter for a sinner, even a saved one, because he is rebellious and stubborn by nature. Furthermore, elders are far from perfect. One is always tempted to think, “Who is that man to tell me what to do! He is no better than I am; he isn’t so very perfect himself; I know that he has made mistakes. Anyway, I have the Spirit of God just as he does.” Obedience even to the most respectable human authority, therefore, is an act of self sacrifice. Submit yourselves. It is an act of the will. I submit to those that God has put over me as unto the Lord and not merely as unto a man. That is how a wife can submit herself to her husband. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). She doesn’t surrender her will to a man only; she surrenders it to the Lord through that man. Obedience to pastoral authority is a serious matter and cannot be ignored without consequences. Pastors are one of God’s gifts to churches (Eph. 4:11-12). Many professing Christians have the idea that they don’t need pastors and elders, that God is their ruler and they don’t need men, but this philosophy flies in the face of Hebrews 13. Every believer should ask himself, “Who has the rule over me spirituality under God?” because two times in Hebrews 13 we are told how to relate to those who “rule over you.” It is certain that pastoral authority has been abused at times, but that is no reason to discard or discount it altogether. Every kind of authority has been abused in this sinful world, but that does not mean that we are free to ignore it. Churches should be governed by a combination of pastor-elder and people rule. This is what we see in Acts 6. The elders gave the standards for the deacons, the people selected them, and the elders ordained them (Acts 6:3-6). This is a model of a church properly and scripturally governed.
Obedience to pastoral authority is not absolute, of course. Bible believers do not blindly follow their spiritual leaders. Pastors are not popes. God’s people are to follow their leaders as they follow Christ and as they follow the Word of God. We see in Hebrews 13:7 that “the word of God” is the absolute standard and as long as the leaders are speaking the Word of God, they should be obeyed. “They are not to make laws of their own, but to interpret the laws of God; nor is their interpretation to be immediately received without examination, but the people must search the scriptures, and so far as the instructions of their minister are according to that rule they ought to receive them” (Matthew Henry).
Pastors have real authority but it is not a lordly authority; it is a shepherd’s authority. “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Pet. 5:3). We see this in Hebrews 13:17, where the ruler’s role is described in terms of watching for the souls of the believers. See also Mk. 10:42-45; 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 1:24; 3 Jn. 9-10. The pastor’s job is to watch over the spiritual. He watches for men’s souls. In contrast, some pastors have attempted to lord it over every aspect of people’s lives, interfering with their every decision, forbidding them to do things that are not forbidden in Scripture, and putting obligations upon them that go beyond the bounds of Scripture. “It is for your own good that they do this [‘for they watch for your souls’], and you should, therefore, submit to these arrangements. And this shows, also, the true principle on which authority should be exercised in a church. It should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people; and all the arrangements should be with that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe, but should be such as will really promote salvation” (Barnes).
2. Even though the book of Hebrews is not written to a particular church, as most of Paul’s epistles were, we see that the church is never out of sight. In Hebrews 10:25 we are reminded of the importance of the assembly and in chapter 13 we are reminded of the necessity of obeying church leaders. From the very beginning of this dispensation God’s people have been taught to organize themselves into New Testament assemblies. Christ said He would build His church (Mat. 16:18). From the day of Pentecost, the church has been the focal point of God’s people (Acts 2:41-42). The apostles established the first churches and left this as the pattern for the rest of the age (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). It is the church that is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15). Much of the New Testament is written directly to individual churches.
3. The two broad standards for church leaders are given in Hebrews 13:7, which reminds us again that God’s people are not to blindly follow men but are to submit to those who give clear evidence of a divine call and who are scripturally qualified and are living what they preach.
They are sound in doctrine and practice (“who have spoken unto you the word of God,” Heb. 13:7). This refers to their teaching. They are men described in Titus 1:9 -- “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
They have strong faith and a good manner of life (“whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” Heb. 13:7). This standard is described in detail in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Godly living is a necessary qualification for pastors and elders because the character of the church depends upon it. God’s people are exhorted to follow the faith and example of their leaders. If the pastors’ lives are not right the people will not have the proper example to follow and God’s work on earth will be seriously hindered. Therefore, pastors must have the right kind of personal testimony and family life. How often in this age have pastors failed to maintain the biblical teaching and practice and how often and grievously God’s work has suffered as a result!
4. Pastors watch for the souls of the brethren and must give account for them (Heb. 13:17). Pastors are given watchcare over the Lord’s flock and they have the responsibility to present it back to Him in good shape. The flock is not their own; it is loaned to them for safekeeping. If they do not feed the sheep properly and do not protect them from the wolves and do not go after the wayward they will be judged by the Great Shepherd. The pastor will give account for his teaching, for his pastoring, for his example, for his decisions, for everything. Therefore James says, “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (Jam. 3:1).
5. Believers must give account for how they relate to their church leaders (Heb. 13:17). The Bible indicates that it is “unprofitable” for brethren to be a grief to their pastors (apart from a clear scriptural basis, of course, which might require them to resist false teaching or sinful living) because of their rebellion or stubbornness or laziness or carnality. Unless the pastor is teaching or living contrary to the Word of God in such a manner that I must resist him in order to be faithful to Christ, he should have joy from my life and service in the church. He should be encouraged at how I love and heed the Word of God, at how I am growing in Christ, at how I am diligently serving the Lord, at how I am supporting the cause of Christ with my finances, at my faithfulness, at my zeal, at my compassion, at my holiness.
It is good for every believer to ask himself, “What kind of account would the pastor give of me if he were to stand before Christ this very day? What can I change so that the pastor has more joy when he gives this account?”
See also the following articles:
“The Pastor’s Authority and the Church Member’s Responsibility” - http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/pastoral.htm
“Unquestioning Loyalty to Pastoral Leadership the Mark of a Cult” - http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/unquestioningloyalty.htm
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
Neglected Church Discipline
Nov/10/08 22:15 Filed in: Church
NEGLECTED CHURCH DISCIPLINE
Republished November 10, 2008 (first published December 28, 1997) (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following is one chapter of the book New Testament Church Discipline by the late James W. Crumpton. Dr. Crumpton was the pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi, and president of Maranatha Baptist Mission. Though we don't agree with every jot and tittle of it, this book on church discipline is one of the best we have ever seen, and we are thankful for his permission to put it at our web site. The chapter titles include the following: Constructive Church Discipline, Personal Church Discipline, Corrective Church Discipline, Punitive Church Discipline, and Foot Washing: Church Ordinance or Church Discipline? The book can be viewed on the web at the Way of Life Literature site under Church section of the End Times Apostasy Online Database.
NEGLECTED CHURCH DISCIPLINE
By Pastor James Crumpton
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and write raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and him with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:14-22).
In our other chapters, we have looked at church discipline from several viewpoints: Constructive, Personal, Corrective, Punitive, and Local. Now in this chapter we want to consider how church discipline has and is being neglected and some of the tragic results.
Our Scripture passage gives not only the command of our Lord that we exercise church discipline, but also the trend of the churches to neglect it during the time since our Saviour returned to the right hand of the Father after His death, burial, and resurrection.
There is not much true love -- God's kind of love -- known and practiced today. There is not a lot of sentimental selfishness that is passed off as love. I might illustrate what I am talking about by referring to the pastors who "cut corners" and compromise when it comes to preaching the whole counsel of God (and that would include church discipline). They claim to love their people and cannot press for these points that reprove and rebuke. But the truth is that they so love themselves they fear the criticism which Satan would foster against them, if they were true to the teachings of our Lord, if they really loved their people, they would teach them and lead them to practice what our Lord taught. Certainly, He loves the people and knows what is best and a necessity for all. It is never right to do wrong to make an opportunity to do right, and love -- real love -- true love -- always constrains us to do right.
The loss of respect by many unsaved people for the churches goes right back to the spineless position, sentimental selfishness, unscriptural promotion, and numbers racket that exists in some of our churches today.
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14).
The word "angel" means messenger or pastor. So, the letter is addressed to the pastor, and the message is for him and for his flock. It is the church at Laodicea. Laodicea means "the rights of the people" or "the rule of the people." In other words, it means "democracy." Could any other term more aptly set forth the condition of the present-day church affairs? It is the mistaken idea that the voice of the people is the voice of God; the age of anarchy is almost upon us. Someone has said that we once fought a war to save the world for democracy, but that the day will come when we will have to fight to save the world from democracy.
The Bible nowhere teaches that the New Testament Churches are democracies; it does teach that they are theocracies. Baptists have been as guilty, if not more guilty, than other groups in this matter. What is a theocracy? It is government by the immediate direction of God; yes, it is government by priests, servants, and kings as representatives of God. Who are the priests, servants, and kings in the New Testament church? Every believer is a priest, servant, and king. Therefore every individual member is under obligation to find God's will in the policies, and methods followed in His church. And then when the church votes, there will never be divisions. He will not lead two people in the same congregation two different ways on the same subject. We have no right to vote and do as we please. We do have the right to vote and do as He pleases. So, New Testament churches are theocracies operated on democratic principles. He is the one "to run" the church as He speaks through us: His priest, servants, and kings! Most churches are far more concerned now about what will please the people than they are about what He wants. It is characteristic of the church that neglects discipline as ordained by our Lord.
The remainder of the verse states that this message comes to the Laodiceans from "the Amen," "the faithful and true witness," "the beginning of the creation of God." When our Lord is spoken of as "the Adam," It means that He is the truth. He could be the truth without uttering a word, but the expression, "the faithful and true witness" means that He is not only the truth but that He faithfully proclaims, manifests, and makes known the truth to us. What He says will be exactly true because He is in Himself absolute truth, and there is nothing beyond Him in all the realm of truth. He is the faithful and true witness of God. When He speaks there is no exaggeration and no minimizing. When It says that He is "the beginning of the creation of God," it is referring to His deity. The Lord Jesus is God, and thus He speaks to this church at Laodicea.
"I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).
The meaning of hot is seen in Romans 12:11, where the same Greek word is used -- fervent (burning) in spirit. The word translated cold is used in Matthew 10:42, "a cup of cold water" and "as cold waters to a thirsty soul... " (Proverbs 25:25). The church at Laodicea was neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm. Some would lead us to believe the hot means the saved, the cold means the lost, and the lukewarm means the saved who are out of fellowship. Such an interpretation is not acceptable. The hot and the cold could both be applied to the saved who were doing something for Him. Some burning hot in His service -- some doing little things that will also be rewarded -- as those giving a cup of cold water in His Name. Certain things are good whether hot or cold -- tea for example -- but nothing that is lukewarm is good to the taste. This church was neither hot nor cold -- nothing was good -- it was a church filled with unsaved members. The Lord spoke of it as such a disgusting situation that He was about to spue (vomit) them out of His mouth.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, ands increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see" (Revelation 3:17-18).
These people had no consciousness of any need. They considered themselves rich. We see the same all around us today; churches so often measure themselves by the size of their offerings, membership, and buildings. And many of them from that materialistic viewpoint have need of nothing. But Jesus said that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Jesus said that they were miserable; it means pitiable. His heart was moved in pity toward them; He had no congratulations to offer them. When He said that they were poor, He meant that from His standpoint they were possessing nothing worth having. Then He used the word "blind" to describe them; it is the word "nearsighted" which most accurately expresses the thought -- lacking in vision, lacking light, devoid of the sense of the far distances, confined within narrow limits. Then again, He says that they are naked; yes, they were nude, stripped of the clothing of glory and beauty that ought to adorn the church as the Bride of Christ. They were lost people who needed to be clothed in the garment of His imputed righteousness.
The Lord Jesus counsels them to get "gold tried in the fire," "white raiment," and to "anoint thine eyes with eyesalve." "The gold tried in the fire" would make them rich; it is divine righteousness -- that which is imputed to helpless sinners when they receive our Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. The "white raiment" would give them clothing; this is referring to practical righteousness. It is the bride's trousseau, that she may be properly clothed; yea, it is practical righteousness produced in the life of the saint by the Holy Spirit, when the individual surrenders to Him. The "eyesalve" for the eyes is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. John in the second chapter of his first epistle tells us what is ours through this anointing. Let us read verses 20 and 27, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).
Here our Lord makes it clear that these stinging words of rebuke from Him come because He loves them. He then challenges them to repent. And that is Christ's last word to the churches -- "repent." Today the way so many leaders talk you would think that His last word is "go," evangelize. But it is not! Evangelism comes as a result of revival. Revival comes when men repent. So, to get to the bottom of our troubles, we need repentance. He said "go" before His ascension. The churches were not going now; so, this time His Word is "repent."
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
Here our Lord stands outside the local church seeking entrance. Think of it -- Jesus shut out of a church which claims to be His. What a tragedy! But after all, the church which "cuts out," ignores, and refuses to practice some sections of His Word that displeases the members is shutting Christ out. We cannot refuse His Word and have Him!
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:21-22).
Our Lord certainly knows that many local churches as such in these last days will never open the door to Him. Yet, some are so stupid as to teach that the whole world will be converted. And when He is not even wanted in so many churches! Yet, our Lord does plead with any and every individual who will heed. He also mentions the special reward for those who do heed and who overcome.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS REBELLION AGAINST GOD'S AUTHORITY
The fact that man is sinfully depraved makes him rebellious against authority. And the Word makes it clear that this rebellion will wax more and more evident as we approach the second coming of Christ. Today we see as never before rebellion against authority in the home, school, government, and churches. Is there any wonder so many fight against the Bible as being verbally inspired? They desire to excuse themselves from accepting the authority of the Word.
Yes, the Laodicean age is upon us. There is much talk that illustrates it: "The majority is right" -- "The people don't like it" -- "The voice of the people is the voice of God" -- "You should not preach like that; people won't like it" -- "I believe in going along with the boys" -- "Everybody does it; it must be all right."
In neglecting the Word of God and its teachings concerning church discipline, we are simply showing how we are rebelling against God's authority. We prefer our ways and will to God's Way and Will. The natural man is that way, but God expects us to be different because He saved us. He expects us to submit to His authority. Could it be that the big trouble today is the same as it was at Laodicea -- church members who need to be saved?
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE LEADS TO BOASTING IN THE FLESH
The church at Laodicea was actually boasting that she had no needs. These folk felt that they "had arrived." Churches with big buildings, offerings, and memberships often do the same and class folk as "of brand," and "fanatical" who emphasize the need of not compromising the Word, living a separated life, and walking in the Spirit.
Paul said, in the second verse of the fifth chapter of First Corinthians, that the church at Corinth was all puffed up. Look at the verse, "And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you." They were boasting of how liberal they were in having a man in the church guilty of this gross sin of fornication or adultery. You see, they did not want to be accused of being narrow-minded; so, they boasted (and surely such boasting was in the flesh) that they permitted such a man to retain his membership with them. Does it not remind us of such boasting today?
Could you imagine one in the leadership of the Holy Spirit boasting that his or her church condoned immorality? But the Laodiceans believe that what pleases the people is right; they believe the voice of the people is the voice of God. Their own will is their authority, not the Word of God. They follow their own desires and defy those who would in any way cross them.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE CONDONES IMMORALITY
As Paul wrote to the brethren at the church of Corinth, he reminded them that to neglect dealing with the case of immorality in their midst would affect the whole congregation. He put it this way, "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Surely as members of the same local church of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are our brother's keeper. And not to do something to help our brother who has gone into gross sin that needs to be dealt with by the church makes us guilty before God.
To ignore sin that should be dealt with in our local congregations is to condone it. Today many people remain in good standing in their churches even though they are drunkards, harlots, murderers, adulterers, adulteresses, gamblers, dope addicts, etc. We know that there are unsaved people who will always be critical of the churches, but they certainly have a right to be so, when churches so operate as to condone immorality.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE EVENTUALLY OMITS THE GOSPEL
Practically all churches who neglect the practice of church discipline do so because it displeases the people. It is so clear how the erroneous idea of the churches of Jesus Christ being democracies instead of theocracies leads to the doing of what human nature likes instead of what God commands.
The average church begins by saying that she is opposed to drinking, adultery, gambling, etc., but that she can not, or will not, go so far as to take any action against it. You know, it is like being against a rattlesnake coming into your house, but certainly not being so drastic as to put it out should it come in anyway. THIS SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE GROWS LIKE CREEPING PARALYSIS. AND BEFORE ONE REALIZES IT, THE CHURCHES SPEAK OUT SO WEAKLY AGAINST ANY SIN THAT IT CAN BARELY BE HEARD, AND CERTAINLY THEY WOULD NEVER TAKE ACTION OF ANY KIND. THEY JUST SIT TRYING TO BE PLEASING TO EVERYBODY UTTERING A FEW PIOUS MEANINGLESS PLATITUDES.
And, of course, when the churches get to this point, they cannot afford to preach the Gospel, telling people that they are hopelessly lost unless they get born again and washed in the blood of Christ. They are already so filled with unregenerate members that the voice of the people, which they suppose is the voice of God, would not allow such preaching or teaching. It would be all right to brag on buildings, offerings, membership, etc., but to preach on Hell, Sin, or Regeneration would be unthinkable. They need nothing, in their estimation, not even the Gospel!
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE LEAVES CHURCHES NO MORE THAN SOCIAL CLUBS
When a church is what Christ teaches her to be, she is as attractive as a very beautiful woman, but wrong doing is as out of place in her presence as immorality is with a real lady! But today because of rebellion against God's authority, holy living, and an uncompromising stand for right and against wrong, the average church is no more than a social club. In fact with the eating programs, athletic programs, and forms of amusement programs you would think that most of them ARE social clubs. If an Elijah, Moses, Amos, Paul, John the Baptist, or our Lord Jesus Christ should come to preach in the average church today, they would declare them fools and fanatics who were so crude that they should not be permitted to speak in polite (?) society. You can join the average church today, and then, never attend, never give, and do everything to destroy that church's influence for 40 years and still be in good standing. The average social club is not that lenient. What a shame and a tragedy for a church of the Lord Jesus Christ to command less respect than a social club, all because of an effort to appease the sinful flesh.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE CAUSES A LOSS OF SPIRITUAL VALUES
The church at Laodicea was thinking altogether in terms of the materialistic: money, buildings, crowds, popularity, etc. They had no place for the message of salvation and finding of God's Will for Christian lives. Today we see the same things. Some are more concerned to have a good report at the close of the year than to reach the lost, build up the saved, and walk with Him. Some are more concerned to build fine buildings than to send out missionaries, claiming that they will send out missionaries after they get well fixed at home. Do you suppose they ever realize that it may be to late then? Most of them forget about missionaries when they get their fine buildings. They feel like the people at Laodicea -- they are in need of nothing.
Oh, how temporal and materialistic churches can become. How easy it is for spiritual values to be lost in the debris of the desires of the flesh. How they find themselves trying to appeal to and please the material man who knows not Christ. Yet from this standpoint Christ was a perfect failure, and so will these churches be when they follow His steps.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE MAKES CHURCH MEMBERSHIP MEAN LITTLE IF ANYTHING
How many members of the average church could die and it would make no difference, as far as the work of our Lord is concerned? Can one honestly say that his or her church membership really means something, if the church would have to close her doors if all the members were like that individual? Church membership reports are the highest ever in our nation and so is crime. Does being a church member really mean something today, or is it a sort of badge of respectability or even a "cover-up?"
If churches respected the authority of Christ and His Word instead of rebelling against them, it would be a different matter. Church membership would then mean something. I had rather be a member of a church of Jesus Christ than any other organization on earth. But many prize membership in lodges, clubs, and societies above that of membership in a church. They prove it by the small place they give the church in their lives. And this all goes back to our churches neglecting to do what our Lord Jesus taught them. What a price has been paid to please people! How foolish to believe that the voice of the people is the voice of God!
CONCLUSIONS
1. The churches as a whole are doomed because they are listening to and will continue to listen to the voice of people as though it were the voice of God. Jesus made it clear such would be the case.
2. New Testament churches are theocracies and not democracies.
3. Churches cannot please unregenerate men, if they follow their Christ.
4. Many preachers today find where their churches want them to go and follow along instead of finding out where Christ wants them to go and teaching and leading them in His way.
5. Most churches had rather be popular with men than popular with Christ.
6. The measure of greatness by most local churches today is money, members, and buildings, not devoted faithful servants of God.
7. The historical Christ and His message are just as unpopular today as when He lived here on earth some 1900 years ago.
8. The supreme need now is for saints who will follow Christ regardless!
The previous is one chapter of the book New Testament Church Discipline by the late Pastor James W. Crumpton of Westside Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi.
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
Republished November 10, 2008 (first published December 28, 1997) (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following is one chapter of the book New Testament Church Discipline by the late James W. Crumpton. Dr. Crumpton was the pastor of Westside Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi, and president of Maranatha Baptist Mission. Though we don't agree with every jot and tittle of it, this book on church discipline is one of the best we have ever seen, and we are thankful for his permission to put it at our web site. The chapter titles include the following: Constructive Church Discipline, Personal Church Discipline, Corrective Church Discipline, Punitive Church Discipline, and Foot Washing: Church Ordinance or Church Discipline? The book can be viewed on the web at the Way of Life Literature site under Church section of the End Times Apostasy Online Database.
NEGLECTED CHURCH DISCIPLINE
By Pastor James Crumpton
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and write raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and him with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:14-22).
In our other chapters, we have looked at church discipline from several viewpoints: Constructive, Personal, Corrective, Punitive, and Local. Now in this chapter we want to consider how church discipline has and is being neglected and some of the tragic results.
Our Scripture passage gives not only the command of our Lord that we exercise church discipline, but also the trend of the churches to neglect it during the time since our Saviour returned to the right hand of the Father after His death, burial, and resurrection.
There is not much true love -- God's kind of love -- known and practiced today. There is not a lot of sentimental selfishness that is passed off as love. I might illustrate what I am talking about by referring to the pastors who "cut corners" and compromise when it comes to preaching the whole counsel of God (and that would include church discipline). They claim to love their people and cannot press for these points that reprove and rebuke. But the truth is that they so love themselves they fear the criticism which Satan would foster against them, if they were true to the teachings of our Lord, if they really loved their people, they would teach them and lead them to practice what our Lord taught. Certainly, He loves the people and knows what is best and a necessity for all. It is never right to do wrong to make an opportunity to do right, and love -- real love -- true love -- always constrains us to do right.
The loss of respect by many unsaved people for the churches goes right back to the spineless position, sentimental selfishness, unscriptural promotion, and numbers racket that exists in some of our churches today.
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14).
The word "angel" means messenger or pastor. So, the letter is addressed to the pastor, and the message is for him and for his flock. It is the church at Laodicea. Laodicea means "the rights of the people" or "the rule of the people." In other words, it means "democracy." Could any other term more aptly set forth the condition of the present-day church affairs? It is the mistaken idea that the voice of the people is the voice of God; the age of anarchy is almost upon us. Someone has said that we once fought a war to save the world for democracy, but that the day will come when we will have to fight to save the world from democracy.
The Bible nowhere teaches that the New Testament Churches are democracies; it does teach that they are theocracies. Baptists have been as guilty, if not more guilty, than other groups in this matter. What is a theocracy? It is government by the immediate direction of God; yes, it is government by priests, servants, and kings as representatives of God. Who are the priests, servants, and kings in the New Testament church? Every believer is a priest, servant, and king. Therefore every individual member is under obligation to find God's will in the policies, and methods followed in His church. And then when the church votes, there will never be divisions. He will not lead two people in the same congregation two different ways on the same subject. We have no right to vote and do as we please. We do have the right to vote and do as He pleases. So, New Testament churches are theocracies operated on democratic principles. He is the one "to run" the church as He speaks through us: His priest, servants, and kings! Most churches are far more concerned now about what will please the people than they are about what He wants. It is characteristic of the church that neglects discipline as ordained by our Lord.
The remainder of the verse states that this message comes to the Laodiceans from "the Amen," "the faithful and true witness," "the beginning of the creation of God." When our Lord is spoken of as "the Adam," It means that He is the truth. He could be the truth without uttering a word, but the expression, "the faithful and true witness" means that He is not only the truth but that He faithfully proclaims, manifests, and makes known the truth to us. What He says will be exactly true because He is in Himself absolute truth, and there is nothing beyond Him in all the realm of truth. He is the faithful and true witness of God. When He speaks there is no exaggeration and no minimizing. When It says that He is "the beginning of the creation of God," it is referring to His deity. The Lord Jesus is God, and thus He speaks to this church at Laodicea.
"I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).
The meaning of hot is seen in Romans 12:11, where the same Greek word is used -- fervent (burning) in spirit. The word translated cold is used in Matthew 10:42, "a cup of cold water" and "as cold waters to a thirsty soul... " (Proverbs 25:25). The church at Laodicea was neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm. Some would lead us to believe the hot means the saved, the cold means the lost, and the lukewarm means the saved who are out of fellowship. Such an interpretation is not acceptable. The hot and the cold could both be applied to the saved who were doing something for Him. Some burning hot in His service -- some doing little things that will also be rewarded -- as those giving a cup of cold water in His Name. Certain things are good whether hot or cold -- tea for example -- but nothing that is lukewarm is good to the taste. This church was neither hot nor cold -- nothing was good -- it was a church filled with unsaved members. The Lord spoke of it as such a disgusting situation that He was about to spue (vomit) them out of His mouth.
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, ands increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see" (Revelation 3:17-18).
These people had no consciousness of any need. They considered themselves rich. We see the same all around us today; churches so often measure themselves by the size of their offerings, membership, and buildings. And many of them from that materialistic viewpoint have need of nothing. But Jesus said that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Jesus said that they were miserable; it means pitiable. His heart was moved in pity toward them; He had no congratulations to offer them. When He said that they were poor, He meant that from His standpoint they were possessing nothing worth having. Then He used the word "blind" to describe them; it is the word "nearsighted" which most accurately expresses the thought -- lacking in vision, lacking light, devoid of the sense of the far distances, confined within narrow limits. Then again, He says that they are naked; yes, they were nude, stripped of the clothing of glory and beauty that ought to adorn the church as the Bride of Christ. They were lost people who needed to be clothed in the garment of His imputed righteousness.
The Lord Jesus counsels them to get "gold tried in the fire," "white raiment," and to "anoint thine eyes with eyesalve." "The gold tried in the fire" would make them rich; it is divine righteousness -- that which is imputed to helpless sinners when they receive our Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. The "white raiment" would give them clothing; this is referring to practical righteousness. It is the bride's trousseau, that she may be properly clothed; yea, it is practical righteousness produced in the life of the saint by the Holy Spirit, when the individual surrenders to Him. The "eyesalve" for the eyes is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. John in the second chapter of his first epistle tells us what is ours through this anointing. Let us read verses 20 and 27, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).
Here our Lord makes it clear that these stinging words of rebuke from Him come because He loves them. He then challenges them to repent. And that is Christ's last word to the churches -- "repent." Today the way so many leaders talk you would think that His last word is "go," evangelize. But it is not! Evangelism comes as a result of revival. Revival comes when men repent. So, to get to the bottom of our troubles, we need repentance. He said "go" before His ascension. The churches were not going now; so, this time His Word is "repent."
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
Here our Lord stands outside the local church seeking entrance. Think of it -- Jesus shut out of a church which claims to be His. What a tragedy! But after all, the church which "cuts out," ignores, and refuses to practice some sections of His Word that displeases the members is shutting Christ out. We cannot refuse His Word and have Him!
"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:21-22).
Our Lord certainly knows that many local churches as such in these last days will never open the door to Him. Yet, some are so stupid as to teach that the whole world will be converted. And when He is not even wanted in so many churches! Yet, our Lord does plead with any and every individual who will heed. He also mentions the special reward for those who do heed and who overcome.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS REBELLION AGAINST GOD'S AUTHORITY
The fact that man is sinfully depraved makes him rebellious against authority. And the Word makes it clear that this rebellion will wax more and more evident as we approach the second coming of Christ. Today we see as never before rebellion against authority in the home, school, government, and churches. Is there any wonder so many fight against the Bible as being verbally inspired? They desire to excuse themselves from accepting the authority of the Word.
Yes, the Laodicean age is upon us. There is much talk that illustrates it: "The majority is right" -- "The people don't like it" -- "The voice of the people is the voice of God" -- "You should not preach like that; people won't like it" -- "I believe in going along with the boys" -- "Everybody does it; it must be all right."
In neglecting the Word of God and its teachings concerning church discipline, we are simply showing how we are rebelling against God's authority. We prefer our ways and will to God's Way and Will. The natural man is that way, but God expects us to be different because He saved us. He expects us to submit to His authority. Could it be that the big trouble today is the same as it was at Laodicea -- church members who need to be saved?
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE LEADS TO BOASTING IN THE FLESH
The church at Laodicea was actually boasting that she had no needs. These folk felt that they "had arrived." Churches with big buildings, offerings, and memberships often do the same and class folk as "of brand," and "fanatical" who emphasize the need of not compromising the Word, living a separated life, and walking in the Spirit.
Paul said, in the second verse of the fifth chapter of First Corinthians, that the church at Corinth was all puffed up. Look at the verse, "And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you." They were boasting of how liberal they were in having a man in the church guilty of this gross sin of fornication or adultery. You see, they did not want to be accused of being narrow-minded; so, they boasted (and surely such boasting was in the flesh) that they permitted such a man to retain his membership with them. Does it not remind us of such boasting today?
Could you imagine one in the leadership of the Holy Spirit boasting that his or her church condoned immorality? But the Laodiceans believe that what pleases the people is right; they believe the voice of the people is the voice of God. Their own will is their authority, not the Word of God. They follow their own desires and defy those who would in any way cross them.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE CONDONES IMMORALITY
As Paul wrote to the brethren at the church of Corinth, he reminded them that to neglect dealing with the case of immorality in their midst would affect the whole congregation. He put it this way, "Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). Surely as members of the same local church of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are our brother's keeper. And not to do something to help our brother who has gone into gross sin that needs to be dealt with by the church makes us guilty before God.
To ignore sin that should be dealt with in our local congregations is to condone it. Today many people remain in good standing in their churches even though they are drunkards, harlots, murderers, adulterers, adulteresses, gamblers, dope addicts, etc. We know that there are unsaved people who will always be critical of the churches, but they certainly have a right to be so, when churches so operate as to condone immorality.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE EVENTUALLY OMITS THE GOSPEL
Practically all churches who neglect the practice of church discipline do so because it displeases the people. It is so clear how the erroneous idea of the churches of Jesus Christ being democracies instead of theocracies leads to the doing of what human nature likes instead of what God commands.
The average church begins by saying that she is opposed to drinking, adultery, gambling, etc., but that she can not, or will not, go so far as to take any action against it. You know, it is like being against a rattlesnake coming into your house, but certainly not being so drastic as to put it out should it come in anyway. THIS SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE GROWS LIKE CREEPING PARALYSIS. AND BEFORE ONE REALIZES IT, THE CHURCHES SPEAK OUT SO WEAKLY AGAINST ANY SIN THAT IT CAN BARELY BE HEARD, AND CERTAINLY THEY WOULD NEVER TAKE ACTION OF ANY KIND. THEY JUST SIT TRYING TO BE PLEASING TO EVERYBODY UTTERING A FEW PIOUS MEANINGLESS PLATITUDES.
And, of course, when the churches get to this point, they cannot afford to preach the Gospel, telling people that they are hopelessly lost unless they get born again and washed in the blood of Christ. They are already so filled with unregenerate members that the voice of the people, which they suppose is the voice of God, would not allow such preaching or teaching. It would be all right to brag on buildings, offerings, membership, etc., but to preach on Hell, Sin, or Regeneration would be unthinkable. They need nothing, in their estimation, not even the Gospel!
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE LEAVES CHURCHES NO MORE THAN SOCIAL CLUBS
When a church is what Christ teaches her to be, she is as attractive as a very beautiful woman, but wrong doing is as out of place in her presence as immorality is with a real lady! But today because of rebellion against God's authority, holy living, and an uncompromising stand for right and against wrong, the average church is no more than a social club. In fact with the eating programs, athletic programs, and forms of amusement programs you would think that most of them ARE social clubs. If an Elijah, Moses, Amos, Paul, John the Baptist, or our Lord Jesus Christ should come to preach in the average church today, they would declare them fools and fanatics who were so crude that they should not be permitted to speak in polite (?) society. You can join the average church today, and then, never attend, never give, and do everything to destroy that church's influence for 40 years and still be in good standing. The average social club is not that lenient. What a shame and a tragedy for a church of the Lord Jesus Christ to command less respect than a social club, all because of an effort to appease the sinful flesh.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE CAUSES A LOSS OF SPIRITUAL VALUES
The church at Laodicea was thinking altogether in terms of the materialistic: money, buildings, crowds, popularity, etc. They had no place for the message of salvation and finding of God's Will for Christian lives. Today we see the same things. Some are more concerned to have a good report at the close of the year than to reach the lost, build up the saved, and walk with Him. Some are more concerned to build fine buildings than to send out missionaries, claiming that they will send out missionaries after they get well fixed at home. Do you suppose they ever realize that it may be to late then? Most of them forget about missionaries when they get their fine buildings. They feel like the people at Laodicea -- they are in need of nothing.
Oh, how temporal and materialistic churches can become. How easy it is for spiritual values to be lost in the debris of the desires of the flesh. How they find themselves trying to appeal to and please the material man who knows not Christ. Yet from this standpoint Christ was a perfect failure, and so will these churches be when they follow His steps.
NEGLECT OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE MAKES CHURCH MEMBERSHIP MEAN LITTLE IF ANYTHING
How many members of the average church could die and it would make no difference, as far as the work of our Lord is concerned? Can one honestly say that his or her church membership really means something, if the church would have to close her doors if all the members were like that individual? Church membership reports are the highest ever in our nation and so is crime. Does being a church member really mean something today, or is it a sort of badge of respectability or even a "cover-up?"
If churches respected the authority of Christ and His Word instead of rebelling against them, it would be a different matter. Church membership would then mean something. I had rather be a member of a church of Jesus Christ than any other organization on earth. But many prize membership in lodges, clubs, and societies above that of membership in a church. They prove it by the small place they give the church in their lives. And this all goes back to our churches neglecting to do what our Lord Jesus taught them. What a price has been paid to please people! How foolish to believe that the voice of the people is the voice of God!
CONCLUSIONS
1. The churches as a whole are doomed because they are listening to and will continue to listen to the voice of people as though it were the voice of God. Jesus made it clear such would be the case.
2. New Testament churches are theocracies and not democracies.
3. Churches cannot please unregenerate men, if they follow their Christ.
4. Many preachers today find where their churches want them to go and follow along instead of finding out where Christ wants them to go and teaching and leading them in His way.
5. Most churches had rather be popular with men than popular with Christ.
6. The measure of greatness by most local churches today is money, members, and buildings, not devoted faithful servants of God.
7. The historical Christ and His message are just as unpopular today as when He lived here on earth some 1900 years ago.
8. The supreme need now is for saints who will follow Christ regardless!
The previous is one chapter of the book New Testament Church Discipline by the late Pastor James W. Crumpton of Westside Baptist Church, Natchez, Mississippi.
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
Beware of the Doctrine that Miracles Produce Faith
Nov/06/08 20:01 Filed in: Charismatic Movement | Warning
BEWARE OF THE DOCTRINE THAT MIRACLES PRODUCE FAITH
Updated November 6, 2008 (first published September 19, 2006) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The Pentecostal-Charismatic movement holds to the premise that signs and wonders produce faith. John Wimber, former leader of the Vineyard churches, taught this. His books Power Evangelism and Power Healing are predicated upon this idea:
“Clearly the early Christians had an openness to the power of the Spirit, which resulted in signs and wonders and church growth. If we want to be like the early church, we too need to open to the Holy Spirit’s power” (Wimber, Power Evangelism, p. 31).
Wimber said, “Once you’ve healed a person, it’s very easy to lead them to Christ.” He promoted this false doctrine in the controversial course taught at Fuller Theological Seminary in the early 1980s, called “MC510, Signs, Wonders, and Church Growth.” Wimber claimed that evangelism, to be most effective, must be accompanied by miracles.
The idea that miracles produce faith is contrary to the teaching of the Bible.
FIRST, THIS FALSE DOCTRINE IGNORES THE EXAMPLE OF SCRIPTURE.
Most of those who saw God’s miracles upon Egypt and during the wilderness wanderings did not believe (Heb. 3:7-12). Most who witnessed Jesus Christ’s incomparable miracles did not believe (John 6:66). By the day of Pentecost, there were only 120 disciples in the upper room. Where were the thousands who had witnessed Christ’s miracles firsthand?
SECOND, THIS FALSE DOCTRINE CONFUSES THE PURPOSE OF THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST AND THE APOSTLES.
Christ’s miracles were not a pattern for believers to follow throughout the church age but were the signs of His Messiahship.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Heb. 2:3-4).
“If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him” (John 10:37-38).
Likewise, the miracles performed by the apostles were signs of their apostleship.
“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. 12:12).
The signs and wonders recorded in the book of Acts were done by the apostles (Acts 2:43; 3:6-8; 4:33; 5:12, 15; 9:40-41; 19:12; 28:3-5, 7-9). If any “ordinary” believer (meaning one who is not an apostle) could perform these miraculous wonders indiscriminately, the sign of an apostle would be rendered ineffective. If you tell me that you are meeting me at the airport and that I will recognize you because you will be wearing a red hat, the sign of the red hat would be destroyed if everyone in the airport wore the same hat.
When Dorcas died in Joppa, the believers there could not raise her from the dead. It was only when Peter the apostle came to Joppa from Lydda that Dorcas was raised up (Acts 9:36-43). It was the sign of an apostle.
THIRD, THIS FALSE DOCTRINE DENIES THE SUPREMACY OF AND PROPER SOURCE OF FAITH.
Faith does not come from miracles but from the Word of God itself.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17).
Miracles can draw people’s attention, but miracles cannot give people faith. Faith only comes by hearing and believing God’s Word.
FOURTH, THIS FALSE DOCTRINE DENIES THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE BIBLE AND OF THE MIRACLES RECORDED THEREIN:
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:29-31).
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Since the Bible is able to make the man of God perfect, it is obvious that it is sufficient for faith and practice and that visions and voices and miracles are unnecessary. “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1 Cor. 13:10).
FIFTH, THIS FALSE DOCTRINE DENIES THE PLAIN STATEMENTS OF SCRIPTURE ABOUT MIRACLES:
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Matt. 12:39).
“And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:30-31).
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. WE HAVE ALSO A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:16-21).
These Bible passages destroy the doctrine that miracles produce faith and that Christians today must demonstrate apostolic signs and wonders. The apostle Peter experienced miracles far beyond anything imagined by today’s Charismatics, yet he did not exalt miracles; he exalted the Scriptures. He said the Bible is a more sure word than the most amazing religious experience.
The gospel does not have to be perpetually authenticated by signs and wonders. It is solidly established upon the greatest sign ever accomplished, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who do not believe this sign as recorded in the Holy Scriptures will not believe any sign they see with their own eyes. That is what the Bible tells us.
[This article is excerpted from the book THE PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC MOVEMENTS: THE HISTORY AND THE ERROR. I have been examining and re-examining the Pentecostal-Charismatic movements for more than three decades since I was led to Christ by a Pentecostal in 1973 and began to seek God’s will about tongues-speaking and the miraculous gifts of the early churches. I have built a large library of materials on this subject and have interviewed Pentecostals and Charismatics and attended their churches in many parts of the world. I have also attended large Charismatic conferences with press credentials. I have approached these studies with an open mind in the sense of having a commitment only to the truth and not to anyone’s tradition. I am a member of an independent Baptist church but Baptist doctrine and practice is not my authority; the Bible is. Each fresh evaluation of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement has brought an increased conviction that it is unscriptural and dangerous. This book begins with my own experience with the Pentecostal movement. The next section deals with the history of the Pentecostal movement, beginning with a survey of miraculous signs from the second to the 18th centuries. We then examine the movements in the 19th century that led up to the creation of Pentecostalism and the outbreak of “tongues-speaking” at Charles Parham’s Bible school in Topeka, Kansas, in 1901, and at William Seymour’s Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles in 1906. We examine some of the major Pentecostal denominations, the Latter Rain Covenent, the major Pentecostal healing evangelists, the Sharon Schools and the New Order of the Latter Rain, the Manifest Sons of God, the Word-Faith movement and its key leaders, the Charismatic Movement, the Roman Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the Pentecostal Prophets, the Third Wave, and the recent Pentecostal scandals. We conclude the historical section with a look at the Laughing Revival. In the last section of the book we deal with the theological errors of the Pentecostal-Charismatic movements (exalting experience over Scripture, emphasis on the miraculous, Messianic and apostolic miracles can be reproduced, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the baptism of fire, exalting the Holy Spirit, tongues speaking is for today, sinless perfectionism, healing is guaranteed in the atonement, spirit slaying, spirit drunkenness, visions of Jesus, trips to heaven, women preachers, and ecumenism). The final section of the book answers the question: “Why are people deluded by Pentecostal-Charismatic error?” David and Tami Lee, former Pentecostals, after reviewing a section of the book said: “Very well done! We pray God will use it to open the eyes of many and to help keep many of His children out of such deception.” And Mary Keating, also a former Charismatic, said, “The book is excellent and I have no doubt whatever that the Lord is going to use it in a mighty way. Amen!!” 317 pages. $9.95. Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143]
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
Should We Use Fleeces Today?
Nov/05/08 21:49 Filed in: Biblical Exhortations
SHOULD WE USE FLEECES TODAY?
Republished November 5, 2008 (first published April 18, 2005) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
“And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, AS THOU HAST SAID, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.” Judges 6:36-40
God had commanded Gideon to save Israel from the hand of the Midianites” (Jud. 6:14). When Gideon doubted this divine call, he asked God for two signs of confirmation. In the first, Gideon asked God to make a dry fleece of wool damp while the earth around it stayed dry. In the second, Gideon asked for the fleece of wool to remain dry while the earth around it became wet.
While God graciously answered Gideon’s “fleeces,” there are reasons to believe it is dangerous to follow this pattern today in determining God’s will:
1. This is the only place in the Bible that we read about “throwing out a fleece” to test God’s will, and it is in the book of Judges in the midst of apostasy and spiritual weakness and confusion. Many strange things are recorded in Judges, but that does not mean that we should follow all of them. Consider, for example, the foolish vow of Jephthah (Jud. 11:30-31).
2. God had already spoken plainly to Gideon (Jud. 6:14), and he should have proceeded by faith. It is God’s will that we live by faith in His Word and not by signs.
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Mat. 12:39).
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:29).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:1, 6).
3. God has not promised to answer “fleeces,” and the devil can imitate them.
God answered Gideon’s fleece, but the Bible nowhere promises that God will answer other people’s fleeces.
Before I was saved I threw out some fleeces, but the answer was confusing, at best. For example, in the late summer of 1973 I was riding in my automobile with the Christian man who led me to Christ a couple of days later. I had studied Christian Science, Hinduism, and other religions, and I did not know what to believe, the Bible or something else. So as I was driving along in my automobile I prayed, “God, I am confused; I seek your help. If the Bible is true, let there be a bird on the second telephone pole after we go around the next curve in the road, and if the Bible is not true let there not be a bird.” Well, there was no bird, but that did not prove that the Bible is false!
Consider the case of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He was a Roman Catholic priest who rejected creation, the fall, the God of the Bible, and the Jesus of the Bible. He developed a theory of evolution whereby mankind is evolving toward perfection in a cosmic “christ.” But a few days before his death in 1955 he prayed, “If in my life I haven’t been wrong, I beg God to allow me to die on Eastern Sunday” (“Pierre Teilhard,” Wikipedia). Sure enough, he died on April 10, which was Easter Sunday. What does that prove? Nothing whatsoever!
Fleeces are not sure, but the Word of God is sure (2 Pet. 1:19-21; John 20:29-31).
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:29-31).
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:19-21).
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal in this particular aspect of our ministry is not devotional but is TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE: go to the web site and sign up or change addresses there: http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6). Some of these articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 22nd year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://www.wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail). We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but for those who are, OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org ]
Republished November 5, 2008 (first published April 18, 2005) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
“And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, AS THOU HAST SAID, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.” Judges 6:36-40
God had commanded Gideon to save Israel from the hand of the Midianites” (Jud. 6:14). When Gideon doubted this divine call, he asked God for two signs of confirmation. In the first, Gideon asked God to make a dry fleece of wool damp while the earth around it stayed dry. In the second, Gideon asked for the fleece of wool to remain dry while the earth around it became wet.
While God graciously answered Gideon’s “fleeces,” there are reasons to believe it is dangerous to follow this pattern today in determining God’s will:
1. This is the only place in the Bible that we read about “throwing out a fleece” to test God’s will, and it is in the book of Judges in the midst of apostasy and spiritual weakness and confusion. Many strange things are recorded in Judges, but that does not mean that we should follow all of them. Consider, for example, the foolish vow of Jephthah (Jud. 11:30-31).
2. God had already spoken plainly to Gideon (Jud. 6:14), and he should have proceeded by faith. It is God’s will that we live by faith in His Word and not by signs.
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas” (Mat. 12:39).
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:29).
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:1, 6).
3. God has not promised to answer “fleeces,” and the devil can imitate them.
God answered Gideon’s fleece, but the Bible nowhere promises that God will answer other people’s fleeces.
Before I was saved I threw out some fleeces, but the answer was confusing, at best. For example, in the late summer of 1973 I was riding in my automobile with the Christian man who led me to Christ a couple of days later. I had studied Christian Science, Hinduism, and other religions, and I did not know what to believe, the Bible or something else. So as I was driving along in my automobile I prayed, “God, I am confused; I seek your help. If the Bible is true, let there be a bird on the second telephone pole after we go around the next curve in the road, and if the Bible is not true let there not be a bird.” Well, there was no bird, but that did not prove that the Bible is false!
Consider the case of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. He was a Roman Catholic priest who rejected creation, the fall, the God of the Bible, and the Jesus of the Bible. He developed a theory of evolution whereby mankind is evolving toward perfection in a cosmic “christ.” But a few days before his death in 1955 he prayed, “If in my life I haven’t been wrong, I beg God to allow me to die on Eastern Sunday” (“Pierre Teilhard,” Wikipedia). Sure enough, he died on April 10, which was Easter Sunday. What does that prove? Nothing whatsoever!
Fleeces are not sure, but the Word of God is sure (2 Pet. 1:19-21; John 20:29-31).
“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:29-31).
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:19-21).
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal in this particular aspect of our ministry is not devotional but is TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. To SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE: go to the web site and sign up or change addresses there: http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6). Some of these articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 22nd year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://www.wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail). We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but for those who are, OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org ]
Proper Discipline of the Child
Nov/04/08 22:06 Filed in: Family
PROPER DISCIPLINE OF THE CHILD
November 4, 2008 (Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following is by Dr. Terry Coomer. God has given Brother Coomer some special wisdom about the building a godly Christian life and family. He is the Pastor of Elwood Bible Baptist Church and the Director of For the Love of the Family Ministries. He holds Family Conferences in local churches. He may be contacted at For Love of the Family Ministries, P.O. Box 535, Elwood, IN 46036, 765-552-1973, tlcoomer@juno.com.
This is one part of a multiple part message. See Coomer’s web site for other parts -- www.fortheloveofthefamily.com.
_________________
PROPER DISCIPLINE OF THE CHILD
By Terry Coomer
Proverbs 23:13-14 -- “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.”
We now move into a different section from where we have been, as we now move into the proper discipline of the child. I firmly believe that both parts are important, but I believe the first part is extremely important. The first part was our spiritual relationship and conveying our spiritual relationship with God to our children. Part of the training is the correct, godly, and Biblical discipline of our children.
The book of Proverbs mentions proper discipline five times. It is interesting to me that the book of Proverbs mentions communicating our spiritual relationship to the child twenty-five times. Many Christians have different ideas about the discipline of our children. We live in a very undisciplined society. The lack of discipline and spiritual communication is sending our society into major problems.
One of the areas that this lack of discipline shows up is in the peer influence of our children and allowing our children to make their own choices. What is happening today is the culture we are living in is rearing our children instead of the parents. The culture and peer influence rears our children because in many instances the parents are not there to rear them. Listen to me very carefully, if you desire to rear spiritual children, you have to make a decision in your life to be the main influence in your children's lives. Three of the most corrupting influences upon our children today are television, music, and friends. Do not be deceived folks; the devil wants the culture to rear our children. Do not underestimate the power of these influences. Many children will listen to their peers before they will listen to you, if you allow it to be that way. Again, you must make a decision to be the most important influence in the children's lives.
The Lord has blessed us with two wonderful daughters, Teresa and Jennifer, who have been trained by their parents to have a heart to serve God. They have been taught by their parents not to allow the influence of their peers to lead them into sin. Both daughters are preparing to serve the Lord on the mission field. At the time of this writing one has graduated from Bible College and married a godly young man. The other is in her second year of Bible College and will spend her summer on a foreign field because of her desire to see others come to know Christ as Savior. They are not interested in what the world has to offer. Why? Because they were taught and trained from the time they were small children that what God wants is more important than friends and peer influences.
My wife and I made a decision as young parents that my wife would stay home and become the most important influence in their lives (Titus 2:3-5). Their mother home schooled both of our daughters. They were not academic misfits. In fact, one of the girls scored in the top three percent in the country on the English portion of the ACT test. We heard all the talk about lack of socialization. Folks, those of you who know our daughters know they are not social morons. We made sure their socialization was godly. We made sure to guard their training and influences. Why did we do that? We know that the Bible tells us that Satan wants to destroy their lives.
1 Peter 5:8-9 -- "Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
As a Christian parent, you better understand these verses. I can hear someone say, "I bet their home was like a prison, they never had any fun." In fact, quite the contrary is true. Our children had a great time growing up. They learned to have the right kind of fun from their parents. Their mother taught them to enjoy proper music, not music that appeals to the flesh. She taught them to be godly young ladies as the Bible instructs in Titus 2. She taught them to dress as a godly young lady should. She taught them to cook, and we both taught them to be hard workers.
They were taught to do their best for God in whatever they did (1 Corinthians 10:31). My wife, Kim, was a huge godly influence in their lives because she committed herself to be there and to be the most important influence in their lives. Kim worked very hard and prayed much for their lives.
Parents today start out by allowing their children to make their own decisions. I have observed parents interacting with their children like this: The parent lays out the small child's clothes and the child says, "I do not want to wear that!" The parent says, "Honey, I am sorry I did not know you did not want to wear that. You do not have to wear that." The child and parent continue this dialogue throughout the child's life in almost every instance. Most parents do this today.
What happens is that the child grows up making his own choices, and when he gets to be eighteen he will not listen to a word you say because you have taught him from the time he was a little child not to listen to you. You have now opened his life up to be reared by his culture. His friends will be the most important influence in his life, fueled by television and music of the culture. He will become a spiritually undisciplined person who is lead by his emotions rather than by the Word of God. Unfortunately, most Christians fall into this category today and do not have a clue why their children have turned out the way they have. YOU MUST DETERMINE TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
However, you have to be a spiritual person to see the truth in what I am talking about here. I can again hear someone say, "I bet his girls do not have any friends." On the contrary they both became spiritual leaders in Bible College and have like-minded friends who desire to live for God. You see folks; we trained them to have a spiritual disciplined life as a child and protected their influences for God as small children and teens so that as they matured they would be able to make godly choices. Why, because they saw their parents make godly, disciplined choices.
A fifteen-year old is not mature enough to make choices on a life's mate and does not need to be put in situations where he or she might be tempted to do so. Parents, do not be stupid.
We very seldom allowed our children to spend a night away from home unless we really knew the spiritual life of the family they were with. We certainly would not allow them to spend the night with the unsaved or carnal Christians, which included extended members of our family.
We also told our daughters as they were growing up that there was no reason for them to consider dating. They had plenty of time when they went to college to start considering young men. They were also instructed as to what they needed to be looking for in young men who could possibly be their life's mate. Teenagers are not mature enough to make decisions that are as serious as this. They also should not be put in relationships and situations that would encourage them to be involved in the lusts of the flesh at an age where they need to concentrate on their relationship with God not the opposite sex. Most parents make serious errors here and believe their children will lack in social skills if they are not allowed to date. In fact, what happens is the parents are allowing the culture to rear their children and heartbreak can come out of social peer pressure (Galatians 6:7).
We were not going to be bullied or begged to make stupid spiritual decisions in light of 1 Peter 5:8-9. Again, we are to live disciplined lives, not weak, emotional, feeling-lead lives. Our decisions are to be made based on the Word of God not on a whim of feelings.
We communicated to our children as they were growing up that Jesus wants to reproduce His character in their lives and the devil wants to reproduce his character in them. To a Christian who has a relationship with the Lord, living for Christ and walking with Him is more important than whether or not he is a good ballplayer. Folks, I know the influence that peers have on your lives in sports, as I was a former professional baseball pitcher. The Christian life is a disciplined spiritual life. If you do not understand this principle, you will fail in the task of rearing your children to love and serve the Lord. The culture will rear your child if you allow it to do so and bring heartbreak to you and your home.
So, why do I have to take this position on a disciplined Christian life?
Psalm 51:5 -- "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me."
Psalm 58:3 -- "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies."
A child is a sinner at birth. You never have to teach a child to do wrong. They will do so automatically. You have to teach them to do right. The will of the child must be dealt with while it is weak. The child must understand that he or she cannot live by their lusts alone.
Parents, discipline is a strong form of love that gives the child security. The child has to learn self-control.
Proverbs 13:24 -- "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chastenth him betimes."
The word here "betimes" means "early" in his life. Proper discipline of the child must start early. Babies have a will and they start to exercise it early. From the time they are babies we must let the children know they cannot have their own way. The Bible tells us to discipline early.
Proverbs 19:18 -- "Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying."
Did you notice the phrase "while there is still hope?" There will come a time for the spiritually ignorant or disobedient parent that there is no hope.
Proverbs 22:15 -- "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child: but the rod of correction shall drive it from him."
In these two verses there is a prominent word, "rod." My understanding is the Hebrew word for rod is a branch or a stick or a staff. It is like the rod of a shepherd. The rod was a symbol of authority in the hands of a ruler. Basically folks, this deals with spanking and using an object to spank. On this Biblical basis, I never used my hand to discipline our children. I used a paddle as a symbol of authority. Parents we are to discipline early and the Bible tells us to discipline consistently and correctly. Obviously, we do not spank for every infraction. Sometimes there is verbal correction.
Let me give you a very important rule: A child should never be told more than once. If you are not careful here the child will develop a pattern with you. How far can we go before the parent will get this done?
A child must understand that parental authority is God's authority. Someone says, "Pastor, are you saying I should spank my child?" They will think I do not love them."
Proverbs 3:12 -- "For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth: even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
The proper correction shows you love your child.
Let me give you another pattern to look for. As soon as you say, "I am going to spank you," the child says, "I am sorry." The child is not really sorry; he is a con artist! You need to make sure he knows and understands what is expected of him.
Another important rule is never discipline a child for failure to understand. Again, here some children can be con artists in this area.
Something that is very important is that we should discipline for attitude. When a child says "No" to you or makes a face, etc., proper discipline is in order. In this battle of the wills you may have to spank more than once. Remember I said spank not hit, slap, yell, cuss, pull their hair, get them on the floor and beat them, chase them around the house with a belt, or scream at them. God has given us the perfect place to spank. It has no bones that will break and has been provided by the Lord for the "rod of correction."
Parents who yell and scream all the time are only building a rebel. The child will hear you yell and scream and ignore you, and when he grows up he will never listen to a thing you tell him. I have talked to many parents who have disciplined in this manner and they firmly believe they are a disciplinarian. "You know, Pastor, my kids got it when they back-talked me; I hit them right in the mouth. I yelled and they listened." Sure they did, right up until the day they got out of your house. Now they live the way they want which does not include living for God. You did not train them, you browbeat them! They longed to get away from you.
Listen carefully, proper discipline of the child requires not disciplining in anger. When our children disobeyed, we calmly went into the bedroom and talked with them about their disobedience and spanked them on the area God has provided. We always told our children that we were displeased with their behavior and God was displeased. We then told them we loved them and wanted them to grow up to have good character and to be obedient to the Lord. We also told them that Jesus loved them and wanted them to have good character. We always hugged them and made sure they knew we loved them and that the discipline was for their own good.
Quite frankly, we really never had to spank either child after the fourth grade. We broke their will early. I will talk about this matter of breaking the will further in the next message.
I have talked to many criminals in jail. I always ask them a question: “Did your parents spank you when you were growing up?" The answer is surprising in many instances, but it is something for us to think about. Almost always, they will answer, “Dad or mom (they usually do not call them that) beat me when I needed it," or something similar. They always seem to have a smile on their face when they talk about it. Then I ask, "How did they spank you?" I get something like, "He chased me with the belt or he got me down and whomped me," etc. They never talk about a Biblical, godly form of discipline. Most people do not understand what proper discipline is.
Parents, I can hear someone say, "I will never spank my child!" Then you may be affecting that child's salvation.
Proverbs 23:13-14 -- "Withold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell."
Parents, this is a will matter. Remember, I said parental authority is God's authority. If a child will not submit to his parents, he will never submit to God. When we did spank our children, we did not allow them to scream, yell, or excessively cry. If they did, we spanked them until their wills were submissive. This may take several times. Many people in our culture now say spanking is child abuse. I agree there are people out there who do abuse their children. The lie of the devil and the greatest form of child abuse that has ever been put upon a society is putting children on drugs for their behavior. Many public school children are now on drugs for what has been called Attention Deficit Disorder.
I would agree that there is a great Attention Deficit Disorder in our society and it is on the part of the parents, not the children. Many of the children in our society are being put on drugs because the parents are not home and when they are home, they are too tired to give the child any attention. The child is banished to the back of the house, put in front of a television, or a video game. When discipline is brought forth it is in the form of yelling, screaming, hitting etc. The parent does not have the time or the energy to do any real parenting as God has commanded. Therefore, we put drugs in our children because we do not have time to deal with them. This is one of the great sins of our society and many Christians have bought into it.
The sadness is we have multitudes of children who will grow up never learning to obey as God has intended them to and they will always have an excuse for their poor behavior. The culture has given them a reason to be a rebel and to be disobedient. Their parents are off the hook because they have a child with a problem. Do I believe there are children with real mental problems out there? Yes there are but the percentage is very few. What we are experiencing now is a society that is extremely undisciplined and is dependent upon drugs for behavior rather than the Word of God.
Parent's let me finish this message with this important thought. I believe proper discipline of the child is important. I really do not believe it is as important as the first section we looked at. Your relationship to God and developing Junior's relationship to God is your most important task in rearing spiritual children. Listen carefully, if you have a spiritual relationship with God you will understand the importance of proper discipline and will seek God's will in the matter.
Folks, I can tell a lot about a person's relationship with God by the godly discipline in their life or the lack of spiritual discipline in their life. I can tell a lot about the spirituality of a church by looking at the Pastor's children and family. As a Pastor it is my responsibility before God to have a godly family, or I cannot teach anyone else what God's word says on the matter. It is my responsibility to develop in my wife and children a passion for the Lord. My testimony before God is important in this matter. This is an area where we cannot fool anyone. The Bible makes it plain it will come back to get us if we are not obedient to God in this matter. Something I have learned is this takes hard work. We cannot be lazy and slothful in this matter of spiritual training, which I believe is the most important matter we have outside of our salvation and our children's salvation.
________________
This article is by Dr. Terry Coomer. God has given Brother Coomer some special wisdom about the building a godly Christian life and family. He is the Pastor of Elwood Bible Baptist Church and the Director of For the Love of the Family Ministries. He holds Family Conferences in local churches. He may be contacted at For Love of the Family Ministries, P.O. Box 535, Elwood, IN 46036, 765-552-1973, tlcoomer@juno.com.
This is one part of a multiple part message. See Coomer’s web site for other parts -- www.fortheloveofthefamily.com.
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
The New Age in Health Care
Nov/03/08 22:14 Filed in: New Age Movement
THE NEW AGE IN HEALTH CARE
Enlarged November 3, 2008 (first published June 11, 2008) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following is excerpted from the August 2008 edition of THE NEW AGE TOWER OF BABEL by David Cloud. This book is available from Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, www.wayoflife.org (online catalog), fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail).
To the original article published June 11, 2008 (which dealt with Reiki, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy), we have added Humors, Hypnotism, Visualization, Meditation, Reflexology, Iridology, Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Macrobiotics, Rolfing, Chiropractic, Applied Kinesiology, Neuro-Emotional Techniques, Touch for Life, and Behavioral Kinesiology.
____________________________
A study done by XE "Health Care" \b XE "Healing" David XE "Holistic Medicine" Eisenberg of Beth Israel Hospital in 1990 found that Americans were spending $14 billion a year on alternative health care, including New Age practices such as meditation, touch therapy (including Reiki), positive confession, guided imagery, polarity therapy, aromatherapy, sound therapy, gemstone healing, magnetic therapy, spiritual healing, biofeedback, reflexology, iridology, urotherapy, homeopathy, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), hypnosis, and acupuncture.
That figure has grown dramatically since then. According to a report in the U.S. News & World Report for January 21, 2008, alternative medicine has gone “mainstream.”
In 1992 only 2% of U.S. medical schools offered courses in alternative medicines, but by 2004 that figure had risen to 67% (“More Medical Schools Teaching Spirituality in Medicine,” Lighthouse Trails newsletter, March 4, 2008).
The famous Mayo Clinic XE "Mayo Clinic" has a section at its web site on “complementary and alternative medicine,” dealing with touch therapy, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, cupping, biofeedback, and hypnosis.
Dr. Christina Puchalski XE "Puchalski, Christina" , founder of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the George Washington School of Medicine XE "George Washington School of Medicine" , was the recipient of the John Templeton XE "Templeton, John" Spirituality and Medicine Award in 1996.
A friend who read a pre-publication edition of this book observed, “If you go into any health food store it is like going into a New Age chapel.”
The New Age has indeed invaded the field of health care.
SOME POPULAR ALTERNATIVE CARE PRACTICES
REIKI
A study on alternative medicine in the January 2008 report in U.S. News & World Report focused on the rapid growth of Reiki XE "Reiki" \b (pronounced ray-key). The report says the number of Reiki practitioners worldwide is in the millions, with half million in the United States and over a million in Germany.
Reiki is an occultic practice that allegedly channels “universal healing energy” for human benefit such as relaxation and physical healing. The word “reiki” is Japanese for “spiritually guided life force energy.”
It was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui XE "Usui, Mikao" . During a 21 day program of fasting, meditation, chanting, and other pagan contemplative practices he allegedly experienced “the great Reiki energy XE "Transference" entering” into him and found that he could use the energy to heal others. It came in the form of a light that moved toward him and entered the middle of his forehead (Mohan Makkar, The New Reiki Magic, p. 5). Usui allegedly began to heal with his touch and to initiate others into the “energy.” Reiki was established in Hawaii in the 1930s and from there spread to North America. The American International Reiki Association was formed in 1982.
The International Center for Reiki Training says:
“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. ... Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect.”
That sounds harmless enough, doesn’t it?
Reiki has three levels or degrees of initiation, the third level being the master level. The degrees are called “attunements” whereby the student is brought into harmony with the reiki energy and taught how to channel it. The initiations are thought to create channels for the flow of Reiki. Paula Horan says, “Through this channel Reiki then flows in through the top of the student’s head, down through the body and out through the hands” (Abundance through Reiki, p. 18).
Reiki masters initiate people into the various levels.
Reiki is transferred or initiated by the laying on of hands. The Reiki manual is subtitled “The healing touch. XE "Transference" ” The Reiki practitioner places his hands on the same spot of the body for three minutes at a time, and the energy is supposed to be mystically drawn out by the recipient. Horan says, “... if I lay my hands on you to do a treatment, your body will naturally draw the appropriate amounts of energy it needs, and to the proper places” (p. 20).
Reiki is largely Hindu XE "Hinduism" in its philosophy. It is described as “an energy incomprehensible to the intellect which flows through everything, transforming all realms of life ... Reiki is oneness” (Horan, Abundance Through Reiki, p. 10).
Reiki is founded on the Hindu concept that God is everything and man is part of God. One Reiki Master says that “Reiki will eventually guide you to the experience that you yourself are Reiki or Universal Life Force Energy. ... you and I are that same Universal Life Force Energy” (Abundance Through Reiki, pp. 9, 23).
Reiki is thought to open the chakras of the “astral body,” which is a Hindu doctrine.
Paula Horan said that her Reiki teacher gave her a new name, Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. He said to her, “I am giving you the name Laxmi, because in this lifetime, you will fulfill all of your desires” (p. 152).
The recipients of Reiki describe it as a powerful sense of warmth and security, “a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you.” It is not only supposed to provide healing but also to initiate the recipient into higher levels of spiritual transformation. The International Reiki Center says that “many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.” This is the mystical approach that bypasses thinking with an experiential connection with God or the “higher power.”
Reiki involves not only “life energy” but also spirit guides. The International Reiki Center web site says:
“Occasionally witnessing miracles. Feeling the wonder of God s love XE "Love" pass through you and into another. SENSING THE PRESENCE OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS, feeling their touch, knowing they work with you. Being raised into ever greater levels of joy and peace by simply placing your hands on another. Watching your life grow and develop as your continual immersion in Reiki transforms your attitudes, values and beliefs. Sensing that because of your commitment to help others, BEINGS OF LIGHT ARE FOCUSING THEIR LOVE AND HEALING ON YOU AND CAREFULLY GUIDING YOU ON YOUR SPIRITUAL PATH. This is the promise of a developing Reiki practice. ... THERE ARE HIGHER SOURCES OF HELP YOU CAN CALL ON. ANGELS, BEINGS OF LIGHT AND REIKI SPIRIT GUIDES as well as your own enlightened self are available to help you. ... There must be congruence, an alignment within you in order for the Higher Power in the form of Reiki to flow through you in a powerful way and in order for THE ANGELS, REIKI SPIRIT GUIDES AND OTHER SPIRITUAL BEINGS TO WORK WITH YOU.”
The Reiki practitioner is taught to get in tune with these spirit guides, to pray to them, and to yield to their control.
“Try the following prayer: ‘Guide me and heal me so that I can be of greater service to others.’ By sincerely saying a prayer such as this each day, your heart will open and a path will be created to receive the help of higher spiritual beings. They will guide you in your Reiki practice and in the development of your life purpose.”
Reiki is even said to open up “psychic communication centers”:
“During the Reiki attunement process, the avenue that is opened within the body to allow Reiki to flow through also opens up the psychic communication centers. This is why MANY REIKI PRACTITIONERS REPORT HAVING VERBALIZED CHANNELED COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE SPIRIT WORLD XE "Spirit Guides" ” (Phylameana Desy, The Everything Reiki Book, 2004, p. 144).
The Reiki Journal suggests that message therapy is an excellent tool for spreading Reiki.
Lighthouse Trails observes:
“If US News & World Report is correct in their assessment that Reiki, Yoga, and other types of healing practices are now mainstream, then Reiki is here to stay. One can only wonder if Reiki is going to become as popular in Christian circles as Yoga now has. If it does, then as with contemplative spirituality, the spiritual lives of countless people will be jeopardized and the Gospel of Jesus Christ seriously compromised.”
AYURVEDA
Ayurveda XE "Ayurveda" \b is a Hindu occultic folk healing system that claims to be four to five thousand years old. It is used by millions of people in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Fiji, and elsewhere in the East and has been growing rapidly in the West since the 1970s. New Age teacher Deepak Chopra XE "Chopra, Deepak" has helped popularize it. After meeting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (the Transcendental Meditation guru), Chopra founded the American Association for Ayurvedic Medicine in 1985 and later became the director of the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center for Stress Management.
Chopra’s 1989 book Quantum Healing promoted Hindu concepts, and his book Perfect Health (1991) was “the first widely read book on Ayurveda” (Wikipedia). His 1993 book Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, which quotes “ancient Indian rishis” and claims that man does not have to experience aging, went into the stratosphere of book sales after it was recommended by Oprah Winfrey. In one day 130,000 copies moved off the shelves.
Chopra says that Ayurveda not only holds the key to personal healing but to planetary rejuvination, as well:
“Ayurveda is the science of life and it has a very basic, simple kind of approach, which is that we are part of the universe and the universe is intelligent and the human body is part of the cosmic body, and the human mind is part of the cosmic mind, and the atom and the universe are exactly the same thing but with different form, and the more we are in touch with this deeper reality, from where everything comes, the more we will be able to heal ourselves and at the same time heal our planet” (interview with Veronica Hay, InTouch magazine, http://www.intouchmag.com/chopra.html).
In India, Ayurveda is a recognized medical health system governed under the Central Council of Indian Medicine. Practitioners undergo five and a half years of training to earn the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, and higher degrees are available.
Ayruvedia means knowledge of life and it is said to be “a science of life that deals with the problems of longevity, and suggests a safe, gentle, and effective way to rid diseases afflicting our health” (Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, 2006, p. xix).
It claims to have been handed down from Brahma XE "Hinduism" to other gods and obtained through meditation by an ancient Hindu sage named Bharadvaja and then passed along to other gurus (p. xxiii).
“It is said that they received their training of Ayurveda through direct cognition during meditation. That is, the knowledge of the use of the various methods of healing, prevention, longevity, and surgery came through Divine revelation” (p. 3).
It is one of the Hindu Vedic religious systems and is intimately associated with yoga. It was once a part of Jyotish veda, which refers to astrology. Jyoti means light.
It is based on the concept that all existence is part of God and man is divine and can achieve union with God through meditation and other practices. The objective of Ayurveda is to bring man into a divine wholeness in all areas of his life, physical, life purpose, relationships, and spirituality.
“According to Vedic philosophy life is Divine and the goal of life is to realize our inner Divine nature. AYURVEDICALLY SPEAKING THE MORE A PERSON REALIZES THEIR DIVINE NATURE THE HEALTHIER THEY ARE XE "Divinity of Man" . Thus it is the responsibility of the Ayurvedic doctor to inspire or help awaken the patient to their own inner Divine nature. ... When patients are taught they have this Divinity within themselves, they feel a connection to life and God (however each patient defines God). ... Having someone recognize one’s inner Divinity and self-healing abilities develops confidence. Experiencing positive results from self-healing and spiritual development further generates confidence, health, mental peace, and Divinity” (pp. 8, 11).
According to Ayurveda, life is composed of five essential elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. These are not elements in the chemical sense but are “states of matter” (Aghora II: Kundalini, p. 31).
The five elements combine to form three types of human constitutions called doshas XE "Doshas" : Vayu (or Vata), Pitta, and Kapha. Vayu is a combination of ether and air. Pitta combines fire and water. Kapha combines water and earth. Each dosha is thought to control a part of the body’s function. Vayu controls movement and basic body processes such as breathing and circulation; Pitta, hormones and the digestive system; Kapha, strength, immunity, and growth.
An imbalanced dosha is believed to interrupt the natural flow of prana, or vital energy.
The practice of Ayurveda in a nutshell is composed of identifying the patient’s dosha, determining how it is out of balance, and bringing it into harmony through various tools such as diet, massage, enema, yoga, etc.
Each type of dosha individual is thought to have certain personality traits when they are in proper balance. Healthy Vayu types, for example, are adaptable and cheerful, but if they have excess Vayu they will possibly be very thin, have dry skin or bone problems, talk fast, become easily tired, forgetful, worried, fearful, or nervous (p. 18). Balanced Kapha types are loyal and calm, but when Kapha is excessive they tend toward being overweight, having bronchitis, being lethargic, too attached, and sentimental.
It is obvious that to ascribe such a wide range of problems to an unbalanced “dosha,” which is mythical and cannot be detected in any measurable sense, leaves the field wide open to runaway quackery.
Cancer in the blood is supposed to indicate excess Pitta; Osteoporosis, too much Vayu in the bones. Muscular Dystrophy is a Kapha problem (p. 20).
Types of disorder pertaining to the dosha are thought to evidence in the stool. Hard stools indicate a Vayu disorder “from the dryness caused by gas.” Soft or liquid stools reflect a Pitta excess heat. Moderate stools indicate Kapha (p. 19).
In fact, having lived in Asia for two decades, I would say that liquid stools indicate something more along the lines of an intestinal bug!
The Ayurvedic doctor must also learn to handle ojas XE "Ojas" or life sap. You have to be really careful with this stuff, because it “pervades every part of the body” (p. 21). Ojas is depleted by excessive sex, drugs, talking, loud music, insufficient rest, and high technology. Signs are “fear, worry, sensory organ pain, poor complexion, cheerlessness, roughness, emaciation, immune system disorders, and easily contracting diseases.”
Ayurveda teaches that as the body has its three doshas, the mind has three gunas XE "Gunas" . These are sattwa, rajas, and tamas. The Ayurvedic doctor tries to determine what type of mind the patient has, understanding that an individual might have a combination of gunas.
The Ayurvedic doctor wants to get everything working harmoniously, the gunas all aligned for mental health and the doshas purring along for physical well-being and the ojas flowing nicely.
This is just the very beginning of the mysteries of Ayurveda. A skilled practitioner must learn how to deal with the five different divisions of each of the doshas, the twenty gunas, the seven dhatus and three malas, the seven chakras, and the 72,000 nadis, and that is just for starters.
Ayurvedic remedies include herbology, nutrition, enema, sun bathing, exercise, bloodletting, fasting, exposure to wind, baths, inducing sweating, inducing vomiting, snuff therapy, inhaling powder or smoke, exercise, oil message, herb plasters, relaxation, sleep, yoga, mantras, acupuncture, surgery, aromatherapy, sound therapy, color, gem and ash therapy, astrology, psychology, architectural harmony, yagya (ceremonies soliciting the aid of Hindu gods), ethics, and spiritual counseling.
There is a lengthy chapter in The Ayurveda Encyclopedia on Yoga XE "Yoga" . XE "Meditation" Yoga means union and it is the practice of meditation with the objective of manipulating the chakras in order to achieve union between the individual and God or the higher Self.
The Hindu chakras XE "Chakras" are occultic centers of psychic energy and consciousness in the “astral body” XE "Astral Body" or “subtle body.” They are “perceptible only to the enlightened mind.” There are supposed to be seven chakras, running from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They are the Muladhara (at the base of the spine, the place of kundalini), the Svadhishthana (in the pubic area), the Manipura (at the naval), the Anahata (near the heart), the Vishuddha (in the throat), the Ajna (in the center of the forehead, the Third Eye), and the Sahasrara (at the top of the head).
The chakras are symbolized in Hindu art by the lotus blossom XE "Lotus" , each chakra having a different number of petals. The Sahasrara, being the place of perfect enlightenment and union with God, is depicted as the “thousand-petaled lotus.”
The chakras are supposed to be connected by sushumna, “a spiritual tube within the spine.”
The prana, or life force or life energy or life breath, flows through the nadis, which are the ethereal nerves of the astral body. There are thought to be from 72,000 to 350,000 nadis channels. The nadis supposedly meet and connect with one another in the chakras.
Yoga seeks to direct the prana through the channels of the nadis up through the sushumna to the sahasrara and thus achieve Self-Realization or union with the divine.
Consider some statements from The Ayurveda Encyclopedia about yoga:
“Spiritually, yoga means the union of the red spirit force at the base of the spine with the white spirit force at the crown of the head; the union of the sun-spirit at the navel with the moon-spirit at the head; and the union of the small self with the Divine eternal Self” (pp. 297, 298). [What is called “white spirit” and “red spirit” here is called Shiva and Shakti in other Hindu writings.]
“The first five chakras have nadis that extend to the various organs or sense and action. The sixth chakra relates to higher mental or spiritual activity. Beyond the sixth chakra one enters the realm of the ‘non-describable’ and begins to merely ‘be’ in the state of unbounded eternity or Brahman. This is the goal of life--Brahman or Self-Realization. ... So we see that prana cleanses the nadis, and in turn the chakras. As they are cleansed, one’s spiritual life-force is allowed to flow higher, developing or utilizing the benefits of the higher chakras. As one is able to live with their higher chakras opened, life becomes more peaceful, graceful, and Divine” (p. 328).
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia explains that one can encounter internal voices through yogic mediation, and the practitioner is instructed to listen to the voices and follow their counsel.
“Just as with all spiritual experiences that are out of the norm of supposed societal acceptance, the hearing of inner sounds or voices (nada) has generally been associated with mental illness. Spiritual counseling reassures a person that their experiences and feelings are spiritual--not abnormal. Understanding nada helps persons feel comfortable when hearing any inner sounds. ... If a sound is heard, listen to it. If many sounds exist, listen to those in the right ear. The first sound heard is to be followed. Then, the next sound heard is also to be followed” (p. 343).
I have never read a more effective formula for demon possession!
Kundalini XE "Kundalini" \b is mentioned many times in The Ayurveda Encyclopedia in connection with yoga. Consider this statement:
“Like a double-tongued snake, kundalini (the essential life force) has two mouths: internal and external. One mouth is stuck in the internal sushumna (a spiritual tube, running up the spine) that leads to Self-Realization. The other mouth is open to the external passage. ... When through the grace of a Guru, the kundalini is awakened, it may appear as a flash of lightning. Once awakened, the kundalini gradually rises up the sushumna. It cleanses karmic sludge out of the spine and the chakras, just as a hot iron rod cleanses the dirt from a hookah pipe tube. Persons may have experienced quivering, shaking movements of the body, or suspension of breath during meditation. This is the experience of the kundalini shakti cleansing the inner tube and chakras” (p. 362).
Kundalini is a Hindu concept that there is powerful form of psychic energy at the base of the spine that can be “awakened.” It is described as a coiled serpent and is called “serpent power” and is depicted in Hindu art as a hooded cobra. It is supposed to be located in the first of the seven “chakras” or power centers in the body. If the kundalini is awakened through such things as yogic mediation, tantric practices (e.g., fire worship, goddess worship, and tantric rites), intensive chanting and dancing, and the laying on of hands, it can be encouraged to move up the spinal column, piercing the chakras, eventually reaching the seventh chakra at the top of the head, resulting in spiritual insight and power through “union with the Divine.”
Kundalini is called the female Shakti, which is considered the ego or self identity, and the objective of the practice is to unite her with the god Shiva and thus unite the individual into the whole of the divine which is considered the real Self. “The purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to reunite Shiva and Shakti, to create the eternal form of Shiva, Sadashiva” (Robert Svoboda, Aghora II: Kundalini, p. 69).
Kundalini is often worshipped in the form of a goddess. She is called “the Great Mother Goddess Kundalini” (Aghora II, p. 13). Hindu guru Vimalananda encountered Kundalini as a goddess of crematory XE "Cremation" fire and death. “When Kundalini awakened for him, she took the form of the Tantric goddess Smashan Tara, the goddess of the burning grounds who enables one to cross over from the reality of life to the reality of death” (p. 21).
Kundalini is occultic. Biblically speaking, it is pure devil worship, because the serpent is Satan and the worship of anything other than the one true and living God is idolatry and thus devil worship (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20).
It is not surprising that Kundalini has resulted in many demonic manifestations and its own practitioners issue many warnings about its danger.
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia says, “Those who awaken their kundalini without a guru can lose their direction in life ... they can become confused or mentally imbalanced ... more harm than good can arise” (p. 336). Kundalini pratictioner R. Venu Gopalan says that “wrong awakening” of Kundalini is “a very dangerous situation” that can “really hamper a person’s life” and “can cause havoc” (Soul Searchers: The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini, p. 269). He says, “Sadhaka who tries to awaken the Kundalini in haste can cause himself some irreparable damage including psychic difficulties” (p. 262). He says that it can even cause “cancer or other dreaded diseases” (p. 263).
The book Aghora II: Kundalini warns many times that “indiscriminate awakening of the Kundalini is very dangerous” (p. 61). It says, “Once aroused and unboxed Kundalini is not ‘derousable’; the genie will not fit back into the bottle. ‘After the awakening the devotee lives always at the mercy of Kundalini,’ says Pandit Gopi Krishna ... Those who ride Kundalini without knowing their destination risk losing their way” (p. 20). Kundalini practitioner Krishna had terrifying experiences and a near death crisis. In fact, the book says “some die of shock when Kundalini is awakened, and others become severely ill” (p. 61).
Kundalini is likened to a toddler grasping a live wire (p. 58). It is said to create sensations of heat and cold, tingling, electric current, inner sounds, inner voices, compulsive movements, loss of memory, a sense of an inner eye, drowsiness, and pain.
The Inner Explorations web site tells of a man who, while dabbling in the activation of kundalini, experienced touches by invisible hands and animals that would attach themselves to him or bite him or lick his face (http://www.innerexplorations.com/ewtext/ke.htm).
Philip St. Romain XE "St. Romain, Philip" , a Roman Catholic substance abuse counselor and contemplative retreat master, wrote the book Kundalini Energy and Christian Spirituality (1990). He believes that Catholic contemplative practices put one in touch with kundalini, which is “a natural evolutionary energy inherent in every human being.” He began to have strange experiences through centering prayer, which involves emptying the mind and centering down into oneself. He said that after he had “centered down” into silence that gold lights would appear and swirl in his mind, forming themselves into captivating patterns. “Wise sayings” popped into his mind as if he were “receiving messages from another.” He felt prickly sensations that would continue for days.
If you play with fire, don’t be surprised if you get burned. The Bible warns the believer to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), which means to be in control of one’s mind at all times, to be spiritually alert and on guard against spiritual deception. This is impossible if one tries to empty his mind and meditate on his inner being. Furthermore, the Bible says that “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9), and if we look far enough into ourselves we will find darkness and not light. The Bible says that Christ lives in the believer, but it never instructs us to pray to him inside of ourselves or to search for Him there.
To participate in practices that are contrary to God’s Word, is called presumption, and God does not bless those who do such things. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
Returning to Ayurveda, it is important to understand that its Color Therapy XE "Color Therapy" and Gem Therapy XE "Gem Therapy" are associated with astrology.
“In the Vedic texts on astrology XE "Astrology" (Jyotish) and XE "Architectural Harmony" architecture (Vastu Shastra), the colors are another name for different deities. ...
“Jyotish is the Vedic astrological system of which Ayurveda was once a part. This astrological system notes that gems are related to the various planets and produce a balancing effect to counter specific diseases. ... The color or vibration of the gems affects the human body. ... In the Ayurvedic tradition these stones are used to balance the three doshas and to heal specific diseases” (The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, pp. 372, 375).
It is very clear that we are not dealing here with something biblical or with innocent “science”!
In the section on Vedic Astrology, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia says:
“Jyotish means inner light. THIS SCIENCE HELPS REVEAL ONE’S INNER DIVINE LIGHT. Ayurveda and Jyotish were once a part of the same science, but later developed into two separate forms of healing. ... By looking at the planets, the 12 houses and their relationship in the astrology chart, one can determine health tendencies, planetary causes of disease, dharma, necessities for spiritual relationships, and tools for one’s spiritual path” (p. 655).
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia also recommends Architectural Harmony as part of the whole life balance of health.
“The focus of this book has been on healing prevention, and rejuvenation through Ayurvedic balance. This balance is achieved by living in accordance with nature’s laws. ... The Vedic science of architecture, Vastu Shastra, integrates the sciences of Ayurveda and Jyotish by providing the link between humans and the astrological influences. Vastu considers the magnetic fields of the earth, the influences of the planets and other heavenly bodies essential elements when designing commercial or residential buildings, temples, and even towns, villages, and cities. IT IS BELIEVED THAT ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURES ARE ALIVE, influenced by natural laws, just as the health of humans is influenced by nature. ...
“For example, in Hindu religion, the deity of the sun is said to ride on a chariot pulled by seven horses or deities. They are called the seven rays of the sun. It is important to have these rays enter eastern windows for health reasons. ... Yet these seven deities also happen to be called the seven visible colors of the spectrum ...
“Since the focus of Ayurveda is holistic (i.e., all-inclusive), it is useful to consider harmonizing or balancing the external influences involving architectural structures. ...
“Persons living or working in a Vastu-built structure experience the enhancement of health, general well being, and prosperity” (pp. 658, 659).
Ayurvedic Music Therapy XE "Music Therapy" , too, is associated with mystical union with God.
“From the earliest days in India, music was another form of attaining spiritual union ... The musical path towards Self-Realization was one lacking intellectual analysis or discussion. Merely by playing music, one would gradually merge with the eternal Divinity” (p. 367).
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia reports that musicians in the West are blending classical Indian music (which is associated with seeking union with God) with jazz and other sounds to create New Age music XE "Music, New Age" XE "New Age Music" \t "See Music, New Age" .
Healing Mantras XE "Mantra" also play a role in Ayurveda. They are said to “help balance prana, tejas, and ojas” and “strengthen the five elements” (The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, pp. 362, 364). Both the doctor and the patient use mantras during an Ayurvedic session, since “they empower all actions on a subtle level, infusing the cosmic life force into the healing process” (p. 363).
It is claimed that “Ayurvedic physicians can recognize an illness in the making before it creates more serious imbalance in the body” (p. 6).
If this were true, their patients would never get sick, never have a disease, and never die because they would always be able to catch the problem before it even had a physical manifestation.
My friends, beware. Ayurveda is pagan from beginning to end! There is no effective way to separate any true medical help it might offer from the idolatrous religious package. The best thing for the believer to do is leave Ayurveda completely alone.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy XE "Homeopathy" \b is also associated with occultic principles. (We would note that the terms “homeopathy” and “naturopathy” are sometimes used interchangeably, but we are using them according to their official meanings.) It claims not only to be able to provide physical healing but also to “transform and improve a person’s emotional and mental state” (Dana Ullman, Homeopathy A-Z, p. 5).
As we will see, homeopathy is the treatment of illnesses with occultic water.
Homeopaths usually criticize the practice of traditional medicine and the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Dana Ullman XE "Ullman, Dana" , for example, accuses doctors of medical child abuse for prescribing drugs to children (Elaine Lewis, “An Interview with Dana Ullman: Treating Children with Homeopathic Medicines,” April 2005, http://www.hpathy.com/interviews/danaullman2.asp). While it is true that modern medicine is not infallible and can be wrongly used and abused, it is also true that it has provided mankind with wonderful remedies that did not exist even a few decades ago. The invention of vaccines and antibiotics alone has resulted in a tremendous increase in the quality of life in modern society. Through the practice of modern medicine, people routinely survive diseases and wounds that would have killed them 50 years ago. The negative attitude toward modern medicine that runs rampant throughout the holistic health care field is foolish.
Homeopathy was developed in the 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann XE "Hahnemann, Samuel" (1755-1843). His book Organon of the Art of Healing remains the foundational text in the field. At the 1960 Montreux International Congress on Homeopathy, the 160th anniversary of the Organon was celebrated. The congress said, “The Organon is for the homeopath what the Bible is for the Christian.”
David L. Brown observes that Hahnemann was “drawn like a magnet to occult ideas” (“New Age Medicine: Homeopathy,” Logos Resource Pages). He rejected the Christ of the Bible, identified with Eastern religions, and took Confucius as his model. One biographer says, “The reverence for Eastern thought was not just Hahnemann’s personal hobby, but rather the fundamental philosophy behind the preparation of homeopathic remedies” (Samuel Pfeifer, Healing at Any Price, 1988, p. 68). He was a follower of Emanuel Swedenborg, who taught his followers to enter an alternative state of consciousness in order to commune with spirits. Hahnemann called the occultic practices of Franz Mesmer “a marvelous, priceless gift of God” by which “the vital energy of the healthy mesmerizer endowed with this power [can be brought] into another person dynamically” (Organon of Medicine, 6th edition, pp. 309, 311). Hahnemann held to the panentheism view that God is in all things.
At the heart of homeopathy is the Hindu concept that there is a vital force or life energy that permeates all things (Keith Souter, Homeopathy: Heart and Soul, p. 19). Homeopathic remedies are thought to “act upon the Vital Force to restore balance within the body.”
David Brown says: “If you know New Age and occult philosophy you will recognize that what is in focus here is pantheism, that is, the belief that divinity or life force is inseparable from and immanent in everything. Leading homeopath Herbert Robert put it this way, relating homeopathy’s vital force to a pantheistic deity in his Art of Cure by Homeopathy. He said the ‘vital force’ of homeopathy was part of ‘the moving Energy, the activating Power of the universe,’ as being ‘passed on in all forms and degrees of living creatures,’ and as permeating the universe. Daisie and Michael Radner see the connection between homeopathy and occult energy fields. ‘Like Chinese medicine, homeopathy posits an energy field or vital force. Disease is a disorder of the body’s energy field, and the way to cure it is to manipulate that field. The energy field of the medicine stimulates that body’s own fluid to induce healing.’”
Homeopathic remedies are so highly diluted that they are nothing more than water. The dilutions are done according to the “Centesimal scale” of 1:100. 1C (or CH1) refers to one part of an original tincture of some substance mixed in 100 parts of water. One part of that super diluted mixture becomes the next “tincture.” At 3C “the mother tincture will be diluted to one in a million” and at 6C “the dilution will be one in a billion” (Homeopathy: Heart and Soul, p. 23). Homeopathic doctor Keith Souter admits that a 12C solution is “unlikely to have even a single molecule of the original compound left.” Yet he recommends 30C or 200C potencies (p. 26)!
Dr. H.J. Bopp of Switzerland, who has studied homeopathy carefully, says: “Any patient receiving a homeopathic treatment at CH30 should be under no illusions as to its composition. There is no longer any of the named material substance in his pill or liquid whatsoever.”
Homeopathic practice claims that the diluted solution is effective because it has undergone a process known as dynamization or potentialization, which makes it possible to contact and retain a hidden power in the liquid. Keith Souter calls potentialization “one of the bedrocks of homeopathy” (p. 19). Hahnemann “believed that spiritual reality was more important than material reality” and “came to regard the ‘spiritual essence’ of a drug a smore important than its physical substance” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 99). Hahnemann “insisted that not only the diluted medicine but the actual process of diluting a medicine--the shaking and mixing--imparted healing powe to the substance. ... The vial containing the medicine had to be struck against a leather pad a number of times, so that the drug could be ‘dynamized’ and act’ spiritually upon the vital forces’ of the body” (pp. 100, 102).
Homeopathic practitioner Andrew Weil says:
“Homeopaths use remedies containing no drug materials, yet they believe in the existence and therapeutic power of some other aspect of the drug--of its idea, if you will, or its ghost or spirit. Truly HOMEOPATHY IS SPIRITUAL MEDICINE consistent with its founder’s views on the relative importance of spiritual verses material reality” (Health and Healing, 1988, p. 37).
The book The Science and the Art of Homeopathy by J.T. Kent says: “In the universe, everything has its own atmosphere. Each human being also possesses his atmosphere or his aura ... it occupies a very important place in homeopathic studies” (p. 108). Kent says the homoeopath must learn to see “with the eyes of the spirit” (p. 120).
The Swiss Journal of Homeopathy says that the homeopathic cure has an occultic mind of its own. It “knows just where to locate the originating cause of the disorder and the method of getting to it” and “neither the patient nor the doctor has as much wisdom or knowledge” (No. 2, 1961, p. 56). This is exactly what is said for Reiki “energy.”
Many homeopaths use radionic pendulums XE "Pendulum" (to detect and analyze human “energy fields” and to occulticly “douse XE "Dousing" ” for answers to questions) and astrology XE "Astrology" in their diagnosis. They also communicate with spiritualists in their search for cures. Dr. Bopp interviewed a woman who prior to her conversion to Christ had worked in a homeopathic laboratory of high standing in France. She said that when she was interviewed for the job she was asked for her astrological sign and queried as to whether she was a medium XE "Spiritualism" . When she passed the interview and was hired, she learned the secret of the inner working of the laboratory, that they researched new treatments by questioning spirits during séances! This woman renounced homeopathy after she was converted.
What about homeopathic healings? They could either be demonic or psychosomatic. Dr. G. Kuschinsky, who wrote a basic course in pharmacology in German, said, “Homeopathic substances may be admitted in the realm of suggestion, seeing that they possess neither main nor secondary effect.”
Dr. Bopp concludes with this warning:
“It would be naive to expect a clear response, a telling disclosure from doctors or chemists who give homeopathic treatment. There are to be sure some honourable and conscientious ones seeking to utilize a homeopathy detached from its obscure practices. Yet THE OCCULT INFLUENCE, BY NATURE HIDDEN, DISGUISED, OFTEN DISSIMULATED BEHIND A PARASCIENTIFIC THEORY, DOES NOT DISAPPEAR AND DOES NOT HAPPEN TO BE RENDERED HARMLESS BY THE MERE FACT OF A SUPERFICIAL APPROACH CONTENTING ITSELF SIMPLY WITH DENYING ITS EXISTENCE.
“HOMEOPATHY IS DANGEROUS! It is quite contrary to the teaching of the Word of God. It willingly favours healing through substances made dynamic, that is to say, charged with occult forces. Homeopathic treatment is the fruit of a philosophy and religion that are at the same time Hinduistic, pantheistic and esoteric.
“The occult influence in homeopathy is transmitted to the individual, bringing him consciously or unconsciously under demonic influence. ... It is significant frequently to find nervous depression in families using homeopathic treatments” (Homeopathy Examined, translated from French by Marvyn Kilgore, 1984).
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology XE "Reflexology" , which is also called zone therapy, is the technique of “applying pressure to specific reflex points to stimulate the body’s own healing powers.” It is based on the concept that different parts of the foot correspond to and are somehow connected to various parts of the body. By massaging the foot (or hand) the practitioner can allegedly detect problems and help maintain physical and psychological health.
It is a very popular practice, with millions of people using it each year.
While some reflexologists are basically foot massagers and only claim to stimulate relaxation and reduce stress, most go far beyond this. TreatYourFeet.com says reflexology “creates a physiological change in the body by naturally improving your circulation” and claims that it is “an effective technique for regaining better health.” The book “Feet Don’t Lie” says that “feet are a reflection of inner health,” promises that the client will “live a healthier, happier life,” and even claims that the feet can predict the future -- “where you are going is recorded in your soles.” Body Reflexology claims to be able to reverse the aging process.
Many reflexologists work on the occultic principle that the body has an energy field that can be manipulated. They call it “life force.” William Fitzgerald XE "Fitzgerald, William" , who invented modern reflexology in 1913, called it “bioelectric energy.” He believed that ten vertical zones of this energy called meridians run through the body, and by rubbing one part of the foot the practitioner can supposedly manipulate the organs and bones and tissues in that particular zone. Mildred Carter says, “By massaging reflexes ... you send a healing force to all parts of the body by opening up closed electrical lines that have shut off the universal life force” (Body Reflexology: Healing at Your Fingertips, p. 7). She also says that reflexology is “the healing miracle of the new age we are entering” (p. 8).
Many reflexologists use the New Age technique of visualization. The Holistic Health Handbook instructs the practitioner to “visualize yourself as being a channel for healing energy that flows through your hands” (p. 184). Eunice Ingham, a disciple of Fitzgerald, describes reflexology as “opening the blocked meridians and channeling the healing power through visualization” (Stories the Feet Have Told Thru Reflexology, p. 29).
It is obvious that reflexology is based on occultic principles and should be avoided by God’s people.
IRIDOLOGY
Iridology XE "Iridology" is the practice of examining the iris of the eye to diagnose an individual’s state of health, both psychological and physical. Similar to reflexology, iridology claims that each part of iris represents a corresponding area in the body.
Iridologists commonly diagnose “imbalances” which they treat with vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements (“Iridology: What Can the Eyes Really Tell,” http://your-doctor.com/patient_info/alternative_remedies/various_therapy/fraud_topics/bogus_tests_tx/iridology.html).
In controlled experiments iridologists have performed statistically no better than chance in determining the presence of disease (Stephen Barrett, “Iridology Is Nonsense,” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/iridology.html)>
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture XE "Acupuncture" is the placement of needles at various points in the body to block pain and bring healing.
Its popularity has exploded in the West since the visit of President Richard Nixon to China XE "China" in 1972.
It is based on the Eastern philosophy that there are pathways in the body that facilitate the flow of occultic energy called chi XE "Chi" or qi (pronounced chee). A disharmonious flow causes physical and psychological ailments and the flow can be manipulated and harmonized through various practices, such as yoga, acupuncture, qigong, and reiki. The energy flows through the body along pathways calls meridians. There are fourteen primary channels that are (allegedly) manipulated with acupuncture (Jeffrey Singer, “Acupuncture: A Brief Introduction,” http://www.acupuncture.com/education/theory/acuintro.htm). The acupuncture points are supposed locations where the meridians come to the surface of the skin.
It is also based on the occultic concepts of yin and yang, which are the two opposite forces of the Qi energy. If the yin XE "Yin and Yang" and yang are out of balance, ill health results, and they must be brought into balance through the various occultic techniques.
There are said to be between 360 and 2,000 acupuncture points.
Acupuncture diagnosis is often done by examining the tongue and teeth, listening to the breath, smelling body odor, inquiring about fever, perspiration, appetite, defecation and urination, pain and sleep, and feeling the body for “palpation” in the mystical “ashi” points.
Other forms of acupuncture are ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE (the use of weak electrical impulses to stimulate the needles), AURICULOTHERAPY or AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE (performing acupuncture on the ear), ACUPRESSURE XE "Acupressure" (applying pressure to the meridian energy points), MOXIBUSTION (applying heat to acupuncture points), and CUPPING (stimulating the points by suction).
Though some modern practitioners in the West are trying to divorce acupuncture from its occultic origins, it is not possible. It is occultic and mystical rather than medical. Felix Mann, first president of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, admitted, “The traditional acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots a drunkard sees in front of his eyes” (Acupuncture: The Ancient Chinese Art of Healing, p. 14).
Harriet Hall, a family doctor who analyzed the research into acupuncture, concluded: “Acupuncture studies have shown that it makes no difference where you put the needles. Or whether you use needles or just pretend to use needles (as long as the subject believes you used them). Many acupuncture researchers are doing what I call Tooth Fairy science: measuring how much money is left under the pillow without bothering to ask if the Tooth Fairy is real” (Stephen Barrett, “Be Wary of Acupuncture, Qigong, and ‘Chinese Medicine,’” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/acu.html).
CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic XE "Chiropractic" \b is hugely popular. There are about 70,000 licensed practitioners in America alone, and several million people are treated annually.
Most patients who visit for the first time do so for lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Chiropractic was developed in the late 19th century by Daniel D. Palmer XE "Palmer, Daniel" (1845-1913), an occultist who attended spiritualist meetings. He practiced magnetic healing and admitted that chiropractic was an outgrowth of this. At a coroner’s inquiry in 1905, Palmer refused to take the oath “so help me God,” protesting, “I don’t want any help from God” (“Osteopathy and Chiropractice,” Nov. 11, 2004, http://quackfiles.blogspot.com/2004/11/osteopathy-and-chiropractic-little.html).
A foundational doctrine of classic chiropractic is “vertebral subluxation.” This refers to “a myriad of signs and symptoms thought to occur as a result of a misaligned or dysfunctional spinal segment” (Wikipedia). It is not something that can be seen or measured, which is in contrast to the medical definition of spinal subluxation as “a gross misalignment of a joint that can be objectively measured.”
“The chiropractic vertebral subluxation complex has been a source of controversy and confusion since its inception in 1895 with critics both inside and outside the profession due to its metaphysical origins and claims of far reaching effects” (Wikipedia).
Palmer’s son, Bartlett XE "Palmer, Bartlett" (1882-1961), who was also involved in the occult, was responsible for popularizing chiropractic and establishing it as an acceptable medical practice. He believed that the relief of subluxations was a cure for basically all disease (“Chiropractic,” Citizendium). He was opposed to vaccination and rejected the germ doctrine of infectious disease, which is foundational to modern medicine and which has been so beneficial to mankind.
Palmer, who rejected the teaching of the Bible, believed that an intelligent natural healing energy called Innate XE "Innate" flows through the body and is connected to the “Universal Intelligence” or “Great Spirit” that permeates the universe. This is based on the pagan doctrine that God is in everything, and that man is separated from God because of sin. Palmer’s Innate is comparable to the Taoist chi XE "Chi" . He believed that Innate flows through the nervous system and can be blocked. Chiropractic, which means “done by hand,” manipulates or adjusts the spine to remove the blockages and enable the body to maintain its innate healing ability.
Chiropractic has branched into many occultic practices in recent decades. Chiropractor George Goodheart invented Applied Kinesiology. Bernard Jensen XE "Jensen, Bernard" invented Iridology XE "Iridology" . Scott Walker invented Neuro Emotional Technique. John Thie invented Touch for Health. John Diamond developed Behavioral Kinesiology.
The Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs describes why it is such a short step from chiropractic to all sorts of occultic mysticism:
“It is important to understand the logical connection between chiropractic, the potential for dabbling in the psychic world, and muscle testing. Classic chiropractic theory easily lends itself to the acceptance of a psychic realm as related to health. ... That Goodheart might have used psychic means to develop his system of applied kinesiology would not be surprising. Furthermore, although elements of the chiropractic profession are scientifically oriented and practiced responsibly, chiropractic itself often rejects the safeguards of the scientific method; historically, it has opposed medical science and rejected any findings disproving its theories. Chiropractic, for example, was founded upon a false theory of subluxations being the cause of all disease, and its early concept of the ‘Innate’ is difficult to distinguish from psychic energy in general.”
Some chiropractors themselves warn about this New Age infiltration. Writing for the Institute for Chiropractic Ethics Phillip Lawrence wrote:
“In my 20 years of practice I have painfully observed my beloved profession heading steadily toward eastern mysticism, new age, and occult philosophies and practices. I feel saddened and angered that our grand and distinguished science of healing is rapidly becoming bastardized with these quasi-science modalities. When patients tell me they’ve been to other chiropractors that have read their auras, told them to sit under pyramids, advised them to have psychic readings, or have said that their problems are the result of bad karma, I feel both disgust and anger at the sheer buffoonery of such advice. ... Crystals! Acupuncture! Yoga! Damp spleens! Visualization techniques! What’s next? A séance communicating with D.D. Palmer? The reason the medical profession has such esteem in patients’ minds is that at least they draw the line somewhere. Where is our line?” (http://www.chiroethics.com/archives/what_is_next.html).
There is no evidence for the theory of subluxations, and chiropractic diagnosis and remedy is infamously subjective.
“One committee against health fraud sent a healthy four-year-old girl to five different chiropractors for a physical checkup. One claimed the child’s shoulder blades were ‘out of place’ and that she had ‘pinched nerves to her stomach and gallbladder.’ Another said that the child’s pelvis was ‘twisted.’ A third said that one hip was ‘elevated’ above the other and that spinal misalignments might cause her headaches, digestive problems, nervousness, and other disorders in the future. Another predicted that if her ‘shorter left leg’ were not treated she would have a problem in childbirth. The fifth found hip and neck problems and adjusted them without bothering to ask permission” (Ankerberg and Weldon, Can You Trust Your Doctor, p. 234).
The problem of chiropractic dependency seems to be great. I have personally known of many people who visit their chiropracticioner regularly for adjustments. Dr. Andrew Weil says:
“Chiropractors are quite successful in making patients dependent on them. I have never heard of a patient being told he or she has a normal spine on a first visit to one of these practitioners. There are always subluxations. Must patients are told they must come in for regular manipulation to make the adjustment ‘hold.’ The tendency of chiropractors [is] to seduce patients into long and costly therapy” (Can You Trust Your Doctor, p. 235).
There are several types of chiropractors today. The article on “Chiropractic” in the Citizendium divides them into four categories: Traditional Straights deal with subluxation and promote a broad scepticism toward childhood vaccination, pharmacology, and medical care. Objective Straights also focus on correcting subluxations, but they encourage their patients to consult medical physicans when necessary. Mixers use more diverse diagnostic and treatment approaches, including naturopathic remedies and physical therapy devices. Reform chiropractors integrate their practice into contemporary medicine and do not subscribe to the Palmer philosophy or the subluxation theory.
Thus, not all chiropractors are involved in the occultic theories and practices. Some merely use physical adjustments and massage to remedy neuromusculoskeletal ailments rather than dealing at an occultic “innate” level, and they do not condemn modern medicine.
MACROBIOTICS
Macrobiotics XE "Macrobiotics" is a largely vegetarian XE "Vegetarianism" diet (some fish is allowed) that incorporates occultic principles of eastern mysticism. Its practitioners admit that it is not just a diet but “a philosophy of dynamic living.” The Bible-believer will want to know exactly what that philosophy is and whether it is in accordance with God’s Word.
The term “macrobiotic” means “big life” or “the way of longevity.”
It was brought to Europe in the early 20th century by George Ohsawa XE "Ohsawa, George" , a Japanese philosopher, and to America in the 1950s by students of Ohsawa, the most prominent of whom was Michio Kushi XE "Kushi, Michio" . Many of the first customers and owners of alternative food stores were students of macrobiotics (“Health Food: Macrobiotic Brown Rice,” Natural Museum of American History, http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object.cfm?key=35&objkey=97).
The diet itself focuses on eating whole cereal grains, such as brown rice, as staples (50-60%), supplemented with vegetables (25-30%), beans and legumes (5-10%), and miso soup (5%). It avoids the use of highly processed or refined foods (“Macrobiotic Diet,” Wikipedia).
It is not merely a dietary plan, though. Its “core teaching” is “that God, nature, the Universe and all aspects of creation are simply, One” (Verne Varona, “A Guide to the Macrobiotic Principles,” http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/articles/principles.htm).
“Briefly put, it’s an idiosyncratic version of the ancient concept of yin and yang. According to oriental philosophy yin and yang are opposing yet complimentary forces which are presumed to exist throughout all elements of the universe. It’s necessary to maintain a balance and harmony between yin and yang XE "Yin and Yang" ... Everything is assigned yin and yang qualities. In dietary counseling and practice, these designations are used to explain how a supposed imbalance in the diet results in a health disorder. The imbalance isn’t explained nutritionally, understand. It is explained philosophically” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 107).
For example, the macrobiotic diet typically avoids tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, spinich, beets, avacodos, sugar, coffee, honey, chocolate, commercial milk, cheese, hot spices, fruit, cream, yogurt -- because these are allegedly “extreme yin.” On the other hand, poultry, meat, eggs, and other things are avoided because they are “extreme yang.”
In the Old Testament, God’s people freely ate fruit, milk, and honey (Numbers 13:23-27), caring not a whit about their supposed “yin” qualities. God Himself described the Promised Land as a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8).
There is no support for the yin/yang concept in Scripture. It is a lie of the devil and brings people into an occultic bondage. Macrobiotics is intimately associated with earth worship, self-worship, pantheism, monism, reincarnation, and many other gross and very dangerous spiritual errors.
The macrobiotic practitioner finds himself caught up in a whirlpool of legalism in regard to eating. He is told not only what to eat and what not to eat, but also when to eat it (e.g, wild plants and fresh greens in spring and round vegetables and root vegetables in winter), how many times a day to eat it, how to cook it (e.g., over a flame rather than by electricity or microwave, using only cast iron, stainless steel or clay cookware), and how to prepare it according to the time of year (e.g., steaming in spring and summer). Composition of dishes and choices of foods are adjusted according to season, climate, sex, age, and many other things. The conscientious macrobiotic practitioner is even instructed as to how he must eat his food (chewing each bite from 50 to 100 times).
Macrobiotics doesn’t stop there. It instructs the practitioner to take short baths or showers with warm or cool water, to wear only cotton clothing, to avoid metallic jewelry, to use products made only from natural ingredients, to avoid computer use, etc. etc.
The macrobiotic practitioners on the Internet claim to be free, but it is a very strange sort of freedom!
Mishio Kushi, a leading macrobiotics practitioner, says:
“We lead our life in a simple modest way, eating macrobiotically and develop a spirit of gratitude to everyone and everything. This way, it becomes easy to attain the order of the infinite universe which is our life itself--eternal and everlasting” (Kushi Institute literature and promotional materials, quoted from The Hidden Agenda, p. 108).
This is obviously a pagan philosophy that is contrary to Scripture. Observe that he is thankful to “everything” but not to the Almighty Creator God, and he believes that everlasting life is gained by a macrobiotics lifestyle rather than through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a false gospel, and the child of God should have nothing to do with it.
Macrobiotic counselors diagnose their patients through iridology and other bogus methods.
Dr. David Sneed describes a woman named Bonlyn Walls who began delving into macrobiotics after visits to a New Age food store. She says, “For one thing, I was looking for a low-sugar diet. And I liked vegetables and fruits and whole grain foods” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 103). There is nothing wrong with these foods, of course, but the problem is that she was gradually drawn into occultic idolatry. She says:
“Looking back, that diet became an idol to me. I ate macrobiotically to save myself from disease and an uncaring environment, to avoid modern fast-paced consciousness, and from a deeply spiritual connection to the earth, to my food, and to my own existence” (p. 104).
By God’s grace she came to understand the error of macrobiotics and turned away from it. In retrospect she says, “That diet was a very real snare to me.”
Sneed describes another woman who went “completely nutty” over macrobiotics, not allowing anyone to come near her while she was eating, throwing away all clothing made of non-cotton fibers, walking on stones, not answering the phone. “She had shut herself off from the real world, in a little room of anger and fear and magical thinking” (p. 31).
The Journal of the American Medical Association and the AMA Council on Foods and Nutrition have issued warnings that strict followers of macrobiotics are in “great danger” of malnutrition (Wikipedia). “Scientific studies in the United States and Europe have shown that a strict traditional macrobiotic diet can lead to a variety of nutritional deficiencies, especially in protein, amino acids, calcium, iron, zinc, and ascorbic acid. These deficiencies can result in drastic weight loss, anemia, scurvy, and hypocalcemia. In children, a strict macrobiotic diet can cause stunted growth, protein and calorie malnutrition, and bone age retardation” (Alternative Medicine Encyclopedia).
1 Timothy 4:4 says, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.”
NATUROPATHY
Naturopathy XE "Naturopathy" in the United States was developed by Benedict Lust XE "Lust, Benedict" , who founded the American School of Naturopathy in 1902. It is built on the following three basic principles:
“(1) The body has a natural drive to maintain equilibrium--symptoms of disease are only indications that the body is striving to heal itself. (2) The root of all disease is the accumulation of waste products and toxins due to poor life-style habits. (3) The body contains both the wisdom and the power to heal itself--provided one does what enhances rather than what interferes with this power” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 109).
All three of these principles are half truths, and half truths can be whole lies. While it is true that the body has a natural drive to maintain equilibrium, it is not true that all symptoms of disease are indicative of the body trying to heal itself. While the accumulation of wastes and toxins due to poor life-style habits is the root of some disease, it is definitely not the root of all disease. And to say that the body has “the wisdom and the power to heal itself” is only partially true, because there are dramatic limits to the body’s healing power, regardless of what diet you eat or how you live.
Dr. David Sneed says:
“A naturopath believes in a world of physical toxins in which most people are poisoning themselves through what they eat. Foods filled with addictives, high in sugar, and low in fiber are the culprits, they say. Now, as a physician, I’m certainly interested in seeing a person achieve a low fat, high fiber diet. ... What is not proven is the importance naturopaths place on various toxins, both those which occur naturally within the body and those that come from such external sources as pesticides and chemicals” (p. 109).
Homeopathy, acupuncture, and “oriental medicine” are among the set of core subjects taught at naturopathic schools. Oriental medicine refers to the belief in the occultic chi energy that allegedly flows through the meridians of the body and the balancing of yin and yang.
Many naturopaths are involved with other New Age practices such as mind control, reflexology, biofeedback, meditation, and yoga, and are “reluctant to support vaccination treatments, even for the routine prevention of such things as measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussus” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 111).
ROLFING
The official name for this procedure is Structural Integration XE "Structural Integration" \t "See Rolfing" , and an estimated one million people have received the treatment.
The popular name Rolfing XE "Rolfing" comes from its inventor, Ida Rolf XE "Rolf, Ida" (1896-1979). She was a student of osteopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, and yoga.
Rolfing is a type of deep massage therapy that is advertised as a treatment to ease pain and chronic stress and improve performance in professional and daily activities. At its heart, though, is the belief in an occultic energy field.
Rolf described the practice as an attempt to “realign the random body into an orderly, balanced ENERGY SYSTEM that can operate in the field of gravity” (Positive Living and Health, 1990, p. 325), and, “Rolfers organize the body that the gravity field can reinforce the body’s ENERGY FIELD” (Rolf Institute, Boulder, Colorado, 1971). This refers to the eastern occultic energy field.
Dr. David Sneed says that Rolf “reported changes in her subjects’ ‘energy bodies,’ which were confirmed by an ‘aura reader’” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 85).
Rolfing also holds to the unproven idea of muscular “armoring,” which is said to consist of esoteric barriers that are built up against one’s physical and psychic wounds in life (p. 86). Rolfing supposedly releases memories and emotions and melts the “armoring.”
APPLIED KINESIOLOGY
Applied Kinesiology XE "Applied Kinesiology" XE "Kinesiology" \t "See Applied Kinesiology" (AK) is the “alternative medical” practice of using manual muscle-strength testing to diagnose physical health. (It should not be confused with “kinesiology” or biomechanics, which is the scientific study of human movement.) It is based on the premise that every illness is accompanied by a weakness in a corresponding muscle.
It was invented in 1964 by chiropractor George Goodheart XE "Goodheart, George" (d. 2008) and is one of the most popular chiropractic techniques in the United States, with 43% of chiropractors employing it in 1998.
“Goodheart combined the occultic philosophy of early chiropractic theory concerning the body’s supposed Innate Intelligence with ancient Eastern practices designed to regulate supposed mystical life energies within the body. ... Applied kinesiology is thus a blending of the theory and/or practice of chiropractic and ancient Chinese Taoism. ... various occultic and spiritistic books ... employ [muscle testing] toward that end ... That applied kinesiology is used in occult practice is not surprising given the fact that Goodheart himself is a psychic who developed his system by psychic methods” (John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Can You Trust Your Doctor? p. 167).
Goodheart associated Applied Kinesiology with the flow of chi XE "Chi" energy along the occultic meridians. The AK book Infections: A Lifetime of Health for Your Child suggests that the Applied Kinesiology practitioner can find the reason for infection by evaluating and correcting “the energy patterns within the body.”
The most common Applied Kinesiology test is the Delta, whereby the patient resists as the practitioner exerts downward force on the arm (“Applied Kinesiology,” Wikipedia). Other tests include assessing the patient’s gait and pressing “trigger points” to analyze supposed muscle weakness,
The “tests” are entirely subjective and their interpretation depends solely upon the particular practitioner. There are no absolute standards that can be applied.
The practice involves New Age hocus pocus and visualization XE "Visualization" . In “therapy localization,” for example, the practitioner places a hand over an area suspected to be in need of therapeutic attention and “the fingertip is hypothesized to focus the mind on the relevant area,” which allegedly results in a change in muscle response (Wikipedia). “The hand is thought to become a sort of psychic ‘conduit,’ able to locate the point of impaired function, allowing the practitioner to successfully ‘treat’ the symptom. Some practitioners claim that they use their hands to ‘sense’ various energy imbalances in different organs, much in the manner used by practitioners of psychic healing” (Encyclopedia of New Age Belief).
AK is also used to test the emotional responses to situations by performing muscle testing while the patient visualizes various situations (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Applied_Kinesiology.asp).
Nutritional deficiencies are detected by placing various items on the patient’s tongue or placing the items in his hand or touching them to various parts of the body, and then re-testing for muscle strength. “If the muscle tests ‘stronger,’ the substance supposedly can remedy problems in the corresponding body parts. Testing is also claimed to indicate which nutrients are deficient. If a weak muscle becomes stronger after a nutrient (or a food high in the nutrient) is chewed, that supposedly indicates ‘a deficiency normally associated with that muscle’” (Stephen Barrett, “Applied Kinesiology,” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html).
Applied Kinesiology even claims to be able to detect problems before they arise, which leads to a regime of preventive checkups. “In this case patients are encouraged to have a general diagnostic checkup, even when they feel fine. ... Proper treatment is then applied before the underlying ‘problem’ has a chance to manifest outward illness” (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs).
Once diagnosis is made, the prescription typically involves massage, chiropractic “adjustments,” and often overpriced vitamins, susupplements, and homeopathic remedies.
Research has proven Applied Kinesiology to be bogus.
“A few researchers have investigated kinesiology muscle-testing procedures in controlled clinical studies. The results showed that applied kinesiology was not an accurate diagnostic tool, and that muscle response was not any more useful than random guessing. In fact, one study found that experienced kinesiologists made very different assessments regarding nutrient status for the same patients” (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Applied_Kinesiology.asp).
NEURO-EMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES
Neuro-Emotional Techniques (NET) XE "Neuro Emotional Techniques" was developed in the 1980s by Scott Walker XE "Walker, Scott" , a chiropractor XE "Chiropractic" . It is adapted from Applied Kinesiology and is based on the same pagan principle that the body’s occultic energy or chi must be kept in balance.
NET focuses on the emotions. It claims that negative emotions can create “locks” and imbalances in the nervous system called a Neuro-Emotional Complex (NEC). The NEC can also, allegedly, manifest as a spinal subluxation or an imbalance in an acupuncture meridian. This, in turn, causes ill health.
NET claims that the locks and imbalances can be tested through muscle testing, body reflex points, and semantic reactions.
The patient is instructed to think of an issue that is upsetting and is then tested.
The diagnosis and prescription are purely subjective, of course.
NET is said to be able to diagnose problems and feelings, access the subconscious, discover early traumas, and act as a biofeedback loop, to teach people what they are feeling (http://healing.about.com/od/net/a/net_jgazley_2.htm).
TOUCH FOR HEALTH
Touch for Health XE "Touch for Health" was developed by chiropractor John Thie XE "Thie, John" . It is a form of Applied Kinesiology but it moves even more deeply into the realm of the psychic. Thie claims that the life energy can be regulated and manipulated by mental power alone. This is the New Age practice of visualization. “In fact, you do not even have to make contact with the body. You can simply follow the meridians in your mind’s eye, through concentration, and produce much the same effect” (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs).
Thie believes that “we are all one with the universe” (“Touch for Health: An Interview with John Thie,” Science of Mind, Sept.1977).
BEHAVIORAL KINESIOLOGY
Behavioral Kinesiology XE "Behavioral Kinesiology" , which was developed by a chiropractor named John Diamond XE "Diamond, John" , takes Applied Kinesiology to its highest occultic level.
Diamond says that “Life Energy” is the “source of our physical and mental well-being” and is the same as the Chinese chi. The thymus gland, which is a lymphoid gland located beneath the breastbone at heart level, is said to be the “seat of the Life Energy” and “monitors and regulates energy flow in the meridian system.”
According to BK, muscle testing can be used for basically anything in one’s life, testing what type of music to listen to, what color to paint one’s house, what foods to eat and which vitamins to take.
BK claims that life energy is depleted by things such as shaking one’s head, frowning, looking at a depiction of a cross, synthetic or refined foods, sunglasses, the musical note C, hats, cold showers, microwaves, perfume, even artificial light. “According to BK ... most things in our modern technological world are conspiring against us, depleting our ‘life energy’” (Encyclopedia of New Age Belief). Further, people with depleted energy can deplete others by being in their presence or even by appearing on television!
If BK is true, it would mean that the individual should spend much of his life testing things in order to be sure that his life energy is in proper order and scrupulously avoiding any and everything that might be destructive to his energy field. I wonder now many people have become paranoid psychotics through such a philosophy!
CONCLUDING WARNING
We are forbidden to adopt the ways of the heathen (Jeremiah 10:2). Things associated with idolatry and pagan darkness are demonic, and the Bible forbids us to participate with such things (1 Corinthians 10:19-21). The Word of God warns, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).
Delving into secret or occultic realms is forbidden. This is the very essence of divination and wizardry. See Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
As for diet, there is no biblical diet XE "Diet" that is required for God’s people today as there was in the Old Testament. Paul warned that vegetarianism XE "Vegetarianism" as a legalistic practice is a doctrine of devils, and he taught that all things are good to eat if received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:1-5). For the Christian, diet is a matter of health and personal preference, not a matter of Bible doctrine.
We should beware of an overemphasis on diet. It can become idolatrous. The Bible teaches us to put our focus on the spiritual rather than the physical. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
We don’t live in paradise. We live in a cursed world and a body of death (Rom. 8:22-23; 7:24). Life is short at best, and no matter what kind of diet you adopt you will plenty of problems and sicknesses and will eventually die.
The Bible says we should die to self and live for Christ and for His gospel’s sake (Mark 8:35). Christ’s Great Commission instructs us to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mat. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8). Finicky eaters are a nuisance rather than a help in this work. My wife and I have lived in South Asia for nearly two decades, and I thank the Lord that we have not had to worry about maintaining some sort of strict diet.
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The previous study is excerpted from the August 2008 edition of THE NEW AGE TOWER OF BABEL by David Cloud. This book is available from Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, www.wayoflife.org (online catalog), fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail).
[Distributed by Way of Life Literature's Fundamental Baptist Information Service, an e-mail listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY IS NOT DEVOTIONAL BUT IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR. This material is sent only to those who personally subscribe to the list. If somehow you have subscribed unintentionally, following are the instructions for removal. The Fundamental Baptist Information Service mailing list is automated. To SUBSCRIBE or to UNSUBSCRIBE or to CHANGE ADDRESSES or to RE-SUBSCRIBE UNDER A NEW ADDRESS, go to http://www.wayoflife.org/fbis/subscribe.html. If you have any trouble with this, please let us know. And please be patient with us. We do not ignore any unsubscribe request, but we cannot always get to your request immediately as each person involved with maintaining the Way of Life web site does this only on a very part time basis and is busy with many other major activities, such as pastoring and missionary work. We take up a quarterly offering to fund this ministry, and those who use the materials are expected to participate (Galatians 6:6) if they can. Some of the articles are from O Timothy magazine, which is in its 25th year of publication. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://wayoflife.org/catalog/catalog.htm Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061. 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org. We do not solicit funds from those who do not agree with our preaching and who are not helped by these publications, but from those who are. OFFERINGS can be made at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/offering.html. PAYPAL offerings can be made to https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=dcloud%40wayoflife.org]
Enlarged November 3, 2008 (first published June 11, 2008) (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) -
The following is excerpted from the August 2008 edition of THE NEW AGE TOWER OF BABEL by David Cloud. This book is available from Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, www.wayoflife.org (online catalog), fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail).
To the original article published June 11, 2008 (which dealt with Reiki, Ayurveda, and Homeopathy), we have added Humors, Hypnotism, Visualization, Meditation, Reflexology, Iridology, Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Macrobiotics, Rolfing, Chiropractic, Applied Kinesiology, Neuro-Emotional Techniques, Touch for Life, and Behavioral Kinesiology.
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A study done by XE "Health Care" \b XE "Healing" David XE "Holistic Medicine" Eisenberg of Beth Israel Hospital in 1990 found that Americans were spending $14 billion a year on alternative health care, including New Age practices such as meditation, touch therapy (including Reiki), positive confession, guided imagery, polarity therapy, aromatherapy, sound therapy, gemstone healing, magnetic therapy, spiritual healing, biofeedback, reflexology, iridology, urotherapy, homeopathy, emotional freedom techniques (EFT), hypnosis, and acupuncture.
That figure has grown dramatically since then. According to a report in the U.S. News & World Report for January 21, 2008, alternative medicine has gone “mainstream.”
In 1992 only 2% of U.S. medical schools offered courses in alternative medicines, but by 2004 that figure had risen to 67% (“More Medical Schools Teaching Spirituality in Medicine,” Lighthouse Trails newsletter, March 4, 2008).
The famous Mayo Clinic XE "Mayo Clinic" has a section at its web site on “complementary and alternative medicine,” dealing with touch therapy, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, cupping, biofeedback, and hypnosis.
Dr. Christina Puchalski XE "Puchalski, Christina" , founder of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the George Washington School of Medicine XE "George Washington School of Medicine" , was the recipient of the John Templeton XE "Templeton, John" Spirituality and Medicine Award in 1996.
A friend who read a pre-publication edition of this book observed, “If you go into any health food store it is like going into a New Age chapel.”
The New Age has indeed invaded the field of health care.
SOME POPULAR ALTERNATIVE CARE PRACTICES
REIKI
A study on alternative medicine in the January 2008 report in U.S. News & World Report focused on the rapid growth of Reiki XE "Reiki" \b (pronounced ray-key). The report says the number of Reiki practitioners worldwide is in the millions, with half million in the United States and over a million in Germany.
Reiki is an occultic practice that allegedly channels “universal healing energy” for human benefit such as relaxation and physical healing. The word “reiki” is Japanese for “spiritually guided life force energy.”
It was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui XE "Usui, Mikao" . During a 21 day program of fasting, meditation, chanting, and other pagan contemplative practices he allegedly experienced “the great Reiki energy XE "Transference" entering” into him and found that he could use the energy to heal others. It came in the form of a light that moved toward him and entered the middle of his forehead (Mohan Makkar, The New Reiki Magic, p. 5). Usui allegedly began to heal with his touch and to initiate others into the “energy.” Reiki was established in Hawaii in the 1930s and from there spread to North America. The American International Reiki Association was formed in 1982.
The International Center for Reiki Training says:
“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. ... Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect.”
That sounds harmless enough, doesn’t it?
Reiki has three levels or degrees of initiation, the third level being the master level. The degrees are called “attunements” whereby the student is brought into harmony with the reiki energy and taught how to channel it. The initiations are thought to create channels for the flow of Reiki. Paula Horan says, “Through this channel Reiki then flows in through the top of the student’s head, down through the body and out through the hands” (Abundance through Reiki, p. 18).
Reiki masters initiate people into the various levels.
Reiki is transferred or initiated by the laying on of hands. The Reiki manual is subtitled “The healing touch. XE "Transference" ” The Reiki practitioner places his hands on the same spot of the body for three minutes at a time, and the energy is supposed to be mystically drawn out by the recipient. Horan says, “... if I lay my hands on you to do a treatment, your body will naturally draw the appropriate amounts of energy it needs, and to the proper places” (p. 20).
Reiki is largely Hindu XE "Hinduism" in its philosophy. It is described as “an energy incomprehensible to the intellect which flows through everything, transforming all realms of life ... Reiki is oneness” (Horan, Abundance Through Reiki, p. 10).
Reiki is founded on the Hindu concept that God is everything and man is part of God. One Reiki Master says that “Reiki will eventually guide you to the experience that you yourself are Reiki or Universal Life Force Energy. ... you and I are that same Universal Life Force Energy” (Abundance Through Reiki, pp. 9, 23).
Reiki is thought to open the chakras of the “astral body,” which is a Hindu doctrine.
Paula Horan said that her Reiki teacher gave her a new name, Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. He said to her, “I am giving you the name Laxmi, because in this lifetime, you will fulfill all of your desires” (p. 152).
The recipients of Reiki describe it as a powerful sense of warmth and security, “a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you.” It is not only supposed to provide healing but also to initiate the recipient into higher levels of spiritual transformation. The International Reiki Center says that “many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.” This is the mystical approach that bypasses thinking with an experiential connection with God or the “higher power.”
Reiki involves not only “life energy” but also spirit guides. The International Reiki Center web site says:
“Occasionally witnessing miracles. Feeling the wonder of God s love XE "Love" pass through you and into another. SENSING THE PRESENCE OF SPIRITUAL BEINGS, feeling their touch, knowing they work with you. Being raised into ever greater levels of joy and peace by simply placing your hands on another. Watching your life grow and develop as your continual immersion in Reiki transforms your attitudes, values and beliefs. Sensing that because of your commitment to help others, BEINGS OF LIGHT ARE FOCUSING THEIR LOVE AND HEALING ON YOU AND CAREFULLY GUIDING YOU ON YOUR SPIRITUAL PATH. This is the promise of a developing Reiki practice. ... THERE ARE HIGHER SOURCES OF HELP YOU CAN CALL ON. ANGELS, BEINGS OF LIGHT AND REIKI SPIRIT GUIDES as well as your own enlightened self are available to help you. ... There must be congruence, an alignment within you in order for the Higher Power in the form of Reiki to flow through you in a powerful way and in order for THE ANGELS, REIKI SPIRIT GUIDES AND OTHER SPIRITUAL BEINGS TO WORK WITH YOU.”
The Reiki practitioner is taught to get in tune with these spirit guides, to pray to them, and to yield to their control.
“Try the following prayer: ‘Guide me and heal me so that I can be of greater service to others.’ By sincerely saying a prayer such as this each day, your heart will open and a path will be created to receive the help of higher spiritual beings. They will guide you in your Reiki practice and in the development of your life purpose.”
Reiki is even said to open up “psychic communication centers”:
“During the Reiki attunement process, the avenue that is opened within the body to allow Reiki to flow through also opens up the psychic communication centers. This is why MANY REIKI PRACTITIONERS REPORT HAVING VERBALIZED CHANNELED COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE SPIRIT WORLD XE "Spirit Guides" ” (Phylameana Desy, The Everything Reiki Book, 2004, p. 144).
The Reiki Journal suggests that message therapy is an excellent tool for spreading Reiki.
Lighthouse Trails observes:
“If US News & World Report is correct in their assessment that Reiki, Yoga, and other types of healing practices are now mainstream, then Reiki is here to stay. One can only wonder if Reiki is going to become as popular in Christian circles as Yoga now has. If it does, then as with contemplative spirituality, the spiritual lives of countless people will be jeopardized and the Gospel of Jesus Christ seriously compromised.”
AYURVEDA
Ayurveda XE "Ayurveda" \b is a Hindu occultic folk healing system that claims to be four to five thousand years old. It is used by millions of people in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Fiji, and elsewhere in the East and has been growing rapidly in the West since the 1970s. New Age teacher Deepak Chopra XE "Chopra, Deepak" has helped popularize it. After meeting Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (the Transcendental Meditation guru), Chopra founded the American Association for Ayurvedic Medicine in 1985 and later became the director of the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center for Stress Management.
Chopra’s 1989 book Quantum Healing promoted Hindu concepts, and his book Perfect Health (1991) was “the first widely read book on Ayurveda” (Wikipedia). His 1993 book Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, which quotes “ancient Indian rishis” and claims that man does not have to experience aging, went into the stratosphere of book sales after it was recommended by Oprah Winfrey. In one day 130,000 copies moved off the shelves.
Chopra says that Ayurveda not only holds the key to personal healing but to planetary rejuvination, as well:
“Ayurveda is the science of life and it has a very basic, simple kind of approach, which is that we are part of the universe and the universe is intelligent and the human body is part of the cosmic body, and the human mind is part of the cosmic mind, and the atom and the universe are exactly the same thing but with different form, and the more we are in touch with this deeper reality, from where everything comes, the more we will be able to heal ourselves and at the same time heal our planet” (interview with Veronica Hay, InTouch magazine, http://www.intouchmag.com/chopra.html).
In India, Ayurveda is a recognized medical health system governed under the Central Council of Indian Medicine. Practitioners undergo five and a half years of training to earn the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, and higher degrees are available.
Ayruvedia means knowledge of life and it is said to be “a science of life that deals with the problems of longevity, and suggests a safe, gentle, and effective way to rid diseases afflicting our health” (Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, 2006, p. xix).
It claims to have been handed down from Brahma XE "Hinduism" to other gods and obtained through meditation by an ancient Hindu sage named Bharadvaja and then passed along to other gurus (p. xxiii).
“It is said that they received their training of Ayurveda through direct cognition during meditation. That is, the knowledge of the use of the various methods of healing, prevention, longevity, and surgery came through Divine revelation” (p. 3).
It is one of the Hindu Vedic religious systems and is intimately associated with yoga. It was once a part of Jyotish veda, which refers to astrology. Jyoti means light.
It is based on the concept that all existence is part of God and man is divine and can achieve union with God through meditation and other practices. The objective of Ayurveda is to bring man into a divine wholeness in all areas of his life, physical, life purpose, relationships, and spirituality.
“According to Vedic philosophy life is Divine and the goal of life is to realize our inner Divine nature. AYURVEDICALLY SPEAKING THE MORE A PERSON REALIZES THEIR DIVINE NATURE THE HEALTHIER THEY ARE XE "Divinity of Man" . Thus it is the responsibility of the Ayurvedic doctor to inspire or help awaken the patient to their own inner Divine nature. ... When patients are taught they have this Divinity within themselves, they feel a connection to life and God (however each patient defines God). ... Having someone recognize one’s inner Divinity and self-healing abilities develops confidence. Experiencing positive results from self-healing and spiritual development further generates confidence, health, mental peace, and Divinity” (pp. 8, 11).
According to Ayurveda, life is composed of five essential elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. These are not elements in the chemical sense but are “states of matter” (Aghora II: Kundalini, p. 31).
The five elements combine to form three types of human constitutions called doshas XE "Doshas" : Vayu (or Vata), Pitta, and Kapha. Vayu is a combination of ether and air. Pitta combines fire and water. Kapha combines water and earth. Each dosha is thought to control a part of the body’s function. Vayu controls movement and basic body processes such as breathing and circulation; Pitta, hormones and the digestive system; Kapha, strength, immunity, and growth.
An imbalanced dosha is believed to interrupt the natural flow of prana, or vital energy.
The practice of Ayurveda in a nutshell is composed of identifying the patient’s dosha, determining how it is out of balance, and bringing it into harmony through various tools such as diet, massage, enema, yoga, etc.
Each type of dosha individual is thought to have certain personality traits when they are in proper balance. Healthy Vayu types, for example, are adaptable and cheerful, but if they have excess Vayu they will possibly be very thin, have dry skin or bone problems, talk fast, become easily tired, forgetful, worried, fearful, or nervous (p. 18). Balanced Kapha types are loyal and calm, but when Kapha is excessive they tend toward being overweight, having bronchitis, being lethargic, too attached, and sentimental.
It is obvious that to ascribe such a wide range of problems to an unbalanced “dosha,” which is mythical and cannot be detected in any measurable sense, leaves the field wide open to runaway quackery.
Cancer in the blood is supposed to indicate excess Pitta; Osteoporosis, too much Vayu in the bones. Muscular Dystrophy is a Kapha problem (p. 20).
Types of disorder pertaining to the dosha are thought to evidence in the stool. Hard stools indicate a Vayu disorder “from the dryness caused by gas.” Soft or liquid stools reflect a Pitta excess heat. Moderate stools indicate Kapha (p. 19).
In fact, having lived in Asia for two decades, I would say that liquid stools indicate something more along the lines of an intestinal bug!
The Ayurvedic doctor must also learn to handle ojas XE "Ojas" or life sap. You have to be really careful with this stuff, because it “pervades every part of the body” (p. 21). Ojas is depleted by excessive sex, drugs, talking, loud music, insufficient rest, and high technology. Signs are “fear, worry, sensory organ pain, poor complexion, cheerlessness, roughness, emaciation, immune system disorders, and easily contracting diseases.”
Ayurveda teaches that as the body has its three doshas, the mind has three gunas XE "Gunas" . These are sattwa, rajas, and tamas. The Ayurvedic doctor tries to determine what type of mind the patient has, understanding that an individual might have a combination of gunas.
The Ayurvedic doctor wants to get everything working harmoniously, the gunas all aligned for mental health and the doshas purring along for physical well-being and the ojas flowing nicely.
This is just the very beginning of the mysteries of Ayurveda. A skilled practitioner must learn how to deal with the five different divisions of each of the doshas, the twenty gunas, the seven dhatus and three malas, the seven chakras, and the 72,000 nadis, and that is just for starters.
Ayurvedic remedies include herbology, nutrition, enema, sun bathing, exercise, bloodletting, fasting, exposure to wind, baths, inducing sweating, inducing vomiting, snuff therapy, inhaling powder or smoke, exercise, oil message, herb plasters, relaxation, sleep, yoga, mantras, acupuncture, surgery, aromatherapy, sound therapy, color, gem and ash therapy, astrology, psychology, architectural harmony, yagya (ceremonies soliciting the aid of Hindu gods), ethics, and spiritual counseling.
There is a lengthy chapter in The Ayurveda Encyclopedia on Yoga XE "Yoga" . XE "Meditation" Yoga means union and it is the practice of meditation with the objective of manipulating the chakras in order to achieve union between the individual and God or the higher Self.
The Hindu chakras XE "Chakras" are occultic centers of psychic energy and consciousness in the “astral body” XE "Astral Body" or “subtle body.” They are “perceptible only to the enlightened mind.” There are supposed to be seven chakras, running from the base of the spine to the top of the head. They are the Muladhara (at the base of the spine, the place of kundalini), the Svadhishthana (in the pubic area), the Manipura (at the naval), the Anahata (near the heart), the Vishuddha (in the throat), the Ajna (in the center of the forehead, the Third Eye), and the Sahasrara (at the top of the head).
The chakras are symbolized in Hindu art by the lotus blossom XE "Lotus" , each chakra having a different number of petals. The Sahasrara, being the place of perfect enlightenment and union with God, is depicted as the “thousand-petaled lotus.”
The chakras are supposed to be connected by sushumna, “a spiritual tube within the spine.”
The prana, or life force or life energy or life breath, flows through the nadis, which are the ethereal nerves of the astral body. There are thought to be from 72,000 to 350,000 nadis channels. The nadis supposedly meet and connect with one another in the chakras.
Yoga seeks to direct the prana through the channels of the nadis up through the sushumna to the sahasrara and thus achieve Self-Realization or union with the divine.
Consider some statements from The Ayurveda Encyclopedia about yoga:
“Spiritually, yoga means the union of the red spirit force at the base of the spine with the white spirit force at the crown of the head; the union of the sun-spirit at the navel with the moon-spirit at the head; and the union of the small self with the Divine eternal Self” (pp. 297, 298). [What is called “white spirit” and “red spirit” here is called Shiva and Shakti in other Hindu writings.]
“The first five chakras have nadis that extend to the various organs or sense and action. The sixth chakra relates to higher mental or spiritual activity. Beyond the sixth chakra one enters the realm of the ‘non-describable’ and begins to merely ‘be’ in the state of unbounded eternity or Brahman. This is the goal of life--Brahman or Self-Realization. ... So we see that prana cleanses the nadis, and in turn the chakras. As they are cleansed, one’s spiritual life-force is allowed to flow higher, developing or utilizing the benefits of the higher chakras. As one is able to live with their higher chakras opened, life becomes more peaceful, graceful, and Divine” (p. 328).
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia explains that one can encounter internal voices through yogic mediation, and the practitioner is instructed to listen to the voices and follow their counsel.
“Just as with all spiritual experiences that are out of the norm of supposed societal acceptance, the hearing of inner sounds or voices (nada) has generally been associated with mental illness. Spiritual counseling reassures a person that their experiences and feelings are spiritual--not abnormal. Understanding nada helps persons feel comfortable when hearing any inner sounds. ... If a sound is heard, listen to it. If many sounds exist, listen to those in the right ear. The first sound heard is to be followed. Then, the next sound heard is also to be followed” (p. 343).
I have never read a more effective formula for demon possession!
Kundalini XE "Kundalini" \b is mentioned many times in The Ayurveda Encyclopedia in connection with yoga. Consider this statement:
“Like a double-tongued snake, kundalini (the essential life force) has two mouths: internal and external. One mouth is stuck in the internal sushumna (a spiritual tube, running up the spine) that leads to Self-Realization. The other mouth is open to the external passage. ... When through the grace of a Guru, the kundalini is awakened, it may appear as a flash of lightning. Once awakened, the kundalini gradually rises up the sushumna. It cleanses karmic sludge out of the spine and the chakras, just as a hot iron rod cleanses the dirt from a hookah pipe tube. Persons may have experienced quivering, shaking movements of the body, or suspension of breath during meditation. This is the experience of the kundalini shakti cleansing the inner tube and chakras” (p. 362).
Kundalini is a Hindu concept that there is powerful form of psychic energy at the base of the spine that can be “awakened.” It is described as a coiled serpent and is called “serpent power” and is depicted in Hindu art as a hooded cobra. It is supposed to be located in the first of the seven “chakras” or power centers in the body. If the kundalini is awakened through such things as yogic mediation, tantric practices (e.g., fire worship, goddess worship, and tantric rites), intensive chanting and dancing, and the laying on of hands, it can be encouraged to move up the spinal column, piercing the chakras, eventually reaching the seventh chakra at the top of the head, resulting in spiritual insight and power through “union with the Divine.”
Kundalini is called the female Shakti, which is considered the ego or self identity, and the objective of the practice is to unite her with the god Shiva and thus unite the individual into the whole of the divine which is considered the real Self. “The purpose of Kundalini Yoga is to reunite Shiva and Shakti, to create the eternal form of Shiva, Sadashiva” (Robert Svoboda, Aghora II: Kundalini, p. 69).
Kundalini is often worshipped in the form of a goddess. She is called “the Great Mother Goddess Kundalini” (Aghora II, p. 13). Hindu guru Vimalananda encountered Kundalini as a goddess of crematory XE "Cremation" fire and death. “When Kundalini awakened for him, she took the form of the Tantric goddess Smashan Tara, the goddess of the burning grounds who enables one to cross over from the reality of life to the reality of death” (p. 21).
Kundalini is occultic. Biblically speaking, it is pure devil worship, because the serpent is Satan and the worship of anything other than the one true and living God is idolatry and thus devil worship (Deuteronomy 32:17; 1 Corinthians 10:20).
It is not surprising that Kundalini has resulted in many demonic manifestations and its own practitioners issue many warnings about its danger.
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia says, “Those who awaken their kundalini without a guru can lose their direction in life ... they can become confused or mentally imbalanced ... more harm than good can arise” (p. 336). Kundalini pratictioner R. Venu Gopalan says that “wrong awakening” of Kundalini is “a very dangerous situation” that can “really hamper a person’s life” and “can cause havoc” (Soul Searchers: The Hidden Mysteries of Kundalini, p. 269). He says, “Sadhaka who tries to awaken the Kundalini in haste can cause himself some irreparable damage including psychic difficulties” (p. 262). He says that it can even cause “cancer or other dreaded diseases” (p. 263).
The book Aghora II: Kundalini warns many times that “indiscriminate awakening of the Kundalini is very dangerous” (p. 61). It says, “Once aroused and unboxed Kundalini is not ‘derousable’; the genie will not fit back into the bottle. ‘After the awakening the devotee lives always at the mercy of Kundalini,’ says Pandit Gopi Krishna ... Those who ride Kundalini without knowing their destination risk losing their way” (p. 20). Kundalini practitioner Krishna had terrifying experiences and a near death crisis. In fact, the book says “some die of shock when Kundalini is awakened, and others become severely ill” (p. 61).
Kundalini is likened to a toddler grasping a live wire (p. 58). It is said to create sensations of heat and cold, tingling, electric current, inner sounds, inner voices, compulsive movements, loss of memory, a sense of an inner eye, drowsiness, and pain.
The Inner Explorations web site tells of a man who, while dabbling in the activation of kundalini, experienced touches by invisible hands and animals that would attach themselves to him or bite him or lick his face (http://www.innerexplorations.com/ewtext/ke.htm).
Philip St. Romain XE "St. Romain, Philip" , a Roman Catholic substance abuse counselor and contemplative retreat master, wrote the book Kundalini Energy and Christian Spirituality (1990). He believes that Catholic contemplative practices put one in touch with kundalini, which is “a natural evolutionary energy inherent in every human being.” He began to have strange experiences through centering prayer, which involves emptying the mind and centering down into oneself. He said that after he had “centered down” into silence that gold lights would appear and swirl in his mind, forming themselves into captivating patterns. “Wise sayings” popped into his mind as if he were “receiving messages from another.” He felt prickly sensations that would continue for days.
If you play with fire, don’t be surprised if you get burned. The Bible warns the believer to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8), which means to be in control of one’s mind at all times, to be spiritually alert and on guard against spiritual deception. This is impossible if one tries to empty his mind and meditate on his inner being. Furthermore, the Bible says that “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jer. 17:9), and if we look far enough into ourselves we will find darkness and not light. The Bible says that Christ lives in the believer, but it never instructs us to pray to him inside of ourselves or to search for Him there.
To participate in practices that are contrary to God’s Word, is called presumption, and God does not bless those who do such things. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
Returning to Ayurveda, it is important to understand that its Color Therapy XE "Color Therapy" and Gem Therapy XE "Gem Therapy" are associated with astrology.
“In the Vedic texts on astrology XE "Astrology" (Jyotish) and XE "Architectural Harmony" architecture (Vastu Shastra), the colors are another name for different deities. ...
“Jyotish is the Vedic astrological system of which Ayurveda was once a part. This astrological system notes that gems are related to the various planets and produce a balancing effect to counter specific diseases. ... The color or vibration of the gems affects the human body. ... In the Ayurvedic tradition these stones are used to balance the three doshas and to heal specific diseases” (The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, pp. 372, 375).
It is very clear that we are not dealing here with something biblical or with innocent “science”!
In the section on Vedic Astrology, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia says:
“Jyotish means inner light. THIS SCIENCE HELPS REVEAL ONE’S INNER DIVINE LIGHT. Ayurveda and Jyotish were once a part of the same science, but later developed into two separate forms of healing. ... By looking at the planets, the 12 houses and their relationship in the astrology chart, one can determine health tendencies, planetary causes of disease, dharma, necessities for spiritual relationships, and tools for one’s spiritual path” (p. 655).
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia also recommends Architectural Harmony as part of the whole life balance of health.
“The focus of this book has been on healing prevention, and rejuvenation through Ayurvedic balance. This balance is achieved by living in accordance with nature’s laws. ... The Vedic science of architecture, Vastu Shastra, integrates the sciences of Ayurveda and Jyotish by providing the link between humans and the astrological influences. Vastu considers the magnetic fields of the earth, the influences of the planets and other heavenly bodies essential elements when designing commercial or residential buildings, temples, and even towns, villages, and cities. IT IS BELIEVED THAT ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURES ARE ALIVE, influenced by natural laws, just as the health of humans is influenced by nature. ...
“For example, in Hindu religion, the deity of the sun is said to ride on a chariot pulled by seven horses or deities. They are called the seven rays of the sun. It is important to have these rays enter eastern windows for health reasons. ... Yet these seven deities also happen to be called the seven visible colors of the spectrum ...
“Since the focus of Ayurveda is holistic (i.e., all-inclusive), it is useful to consider harmonizing or balancing the external influences involving architectural structures. ...
“Persons living or working in a Vastu-built structure experience the enhancement of health, general well being, and prosperity” (pp. 658, 659).
Ayurvedic Music Therapy XE "Music Therapy" , too, is associated with mystical union with God.
“From the earliest days in India, music was another form of attaining spiritual union ... The musical path towards Self-Realization was one lacking intellectual analysis or discussion. Merely by playing music, one would gradually merge with the eternal Divinity” (p. 367).
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia reports that musicians in the West are blending classical Indian music (which is associated with seeking union with God) with jazz and other sounds to create New Age music XE "Music, New Age" XE "New Age Music" \t "See Music, New Age" .
Healing Mantras XE "Mantra" also play a role in Ayurveda. They are said to “help balance prana, tejas, and ojas” and “strengthen the five elements” (The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, pp. 362, 364). Both the doctor and the patient use mantras during an Ayurvedic session, since “they empower all actions on a subtle level, infusing the cosmic life force into the healing process” (p. 363).
It is claimed that “Ayurvedic physicians can recognize an illness in the making before it creates more serious imbalance in the body” (p. 6).
If this were true, their patients would never get sick, never have a disease, and never die because they would always be able to catch the problem before it even had a physical manifestation.
My friends, beware. Ayurveda is pagan from beginning to end! There is no effective way to separate any true medical help it might offer from the idolatrous religious package. The best thing for the believer to do is leave Ayurveda completely alone.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy XE "Homeopathy" \b is also associated with occultic principles. (We would note that the terms “homeopathy” and “naturopathy” are sometimes used interchangeably, but we are using them according to their official meanings.) It claims not only to be able to provide physical healing but also to “transform and improve a person’s emotional and mental state” (Dana Ullman, Homeopathy A-Z, p. 5).
As we will see, homeopathy is the treatment of illnesses with occultic water.
Homeopaths usually criticize the practice of traditional medicine and the use of pharmaceutical drugs. Dana Ullman XE "Ullman, Dana" , for example, accuses doctors of medical child abuse for prescribing drugs to children (Elaine Lewis, “An Interview with Dana Ullman: Treating Children with Homeopathic Medicines,” April 2005, http://www.hpathy.com/interviews/danaullman2.asp). While it is true that modern medicine is not infallible and can be wrongly used and abused, it is also true that it has provided mankind with wonderful remedies that did not exist even a few decades ago. The invention of vaccines and antibiotics alone has resulted in a tremendous increase in the quality of life in modern society. Through the practice of modern medicine, people routinely survive diseases and wounds that would have killed them 50 years ago. The negative attitude toward modern medicine that runs rampant throughout the holistic health care field is foolish.
Homeopathy was developed in the 18th century by Samuel Hahnemann XE "Hahnemann, Samuel" (1755-1843). His book Organon of the Art of Healing remains the foundational text in the field. At the 1960 Montreux International Congress on Homeopathy, the 160th anniversary of the Organon was celebrated. The congress said, “The Organon is for the homeopath what the Bible is for the Christian.”
David L. Brown observes that Hahnemann was “drawn like a magnet to occult ideas” (“New Age Medicine: Homeopathy,” Logos Resource Pages). He rejected the Christ of the Bible, identified with Eastern religions, and took Confucius as his model. One biographer says, “The reverence for Eastern thought was not just Hahnemann’s personal hobby, but rather the fundamental philosophy behind the preparation of homeopathic remedies” (Samuel Pfeifer, Healing at Any Price, 1988, p. 68). He was a follower of Emanuel Swedenborg, who taught his followers to enter an alternative state of consciousness in order to commune with spirits. Hahnemann called the occultic practices of Franz Mesmer “a marvelous, priceless gift of God” by which “the vital energy of the healthy mesmerizer endowed with this power [can be brought] into another person dynamically” (Organon of Medicine, 6th edition, pp. 309, 311). Hahnemann held to the panentheism view that God is in all things.
At the heart of homeopathy is the Hindu concept that there is a vital force or life energy that permeates all things (Keith Souter, Homeopathy: Heart and Soul, p. 19). Homeopathic remedies are thought to “act upon the Vital Force to restore balance within the body.”
David Brown says: “If you know New Age and occult philosophy you will recognize that what is in focus here is pantheism, that is, the belief that divinity or life force is inseparable from and immanent in everything. Leading homeopath Herbert Robert put it this way, relating homeopathy’s vital force to a pantheistic deity in his Art of Cure by Homeopathy. He said the ‘vital force’ of homeopathy was part of ‘the moving Energy, the activating Power of the universe,’ as being ‘passed on in all forms and degrees of living creatures,’ and as permeating the universe. Daisie and Michael Radner see the connection between homeopathy and occult energy fields. ‘Like Chinese medicine, homeopathy posits an energy field or vital force. Disease is a disorder of the body’s energy field, and the way to cure it is to manipulate that field. The energy field of the medicine stimulates that body’s own fluid to induce healing.’”
Homeopathic remedies are so highly diluted that they are nothing more than water. The dilutions are done according to the “Centesimal scale” of 1:100. 1C (or CH1) refers to one part of an original tincture of some substance mixed in 100 parts of water. One part of that super diluted mixture becomes the next “tincture.” At 3C “the mother tincture will be diluted to one in a million” and at 6C “the dilution will be one in a billion” (Homeopathy: Heart and Soul, p. 23). Homeopathic doctor Keith Souter admits that a 12C solution is “unlikely to have even a single molecule of the original compound left.” Yet he recommends 30C or 200C potencies (p. 26)!
Dr. H.J. Bopp of Switzerland, who has studied homeopathy carefully, says: “Any patient receiving a homeopathic treatment at CH30 should be under no illusions as to its composition. There is no longer any of the named material substance in his pill or liquid whatsoever.”
Homeopathic practice claims that the diluted solution is effective because it has undergone a process known as dynamization or potentialization, which makes it possible to contact and retain a hidden power in the liquid. Keith Souter calls potentialization “one of the bedrocks of homeopathy” (p. 19). Hahnemann “believed that spiritual reality was more important than material reality” and “came to regard the ‘spiritual essence’ of a drug a smore important than its physical substance” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 99). Hahnemann “insisted that not only the diluted medicine but the actual process of diluting a medicine--the shaking and mixing--imparted healing powe to the substance. ... The vial containing the medicine had to be struck against a leather pad a number of times, so that the drug could be ‘dynamized’ and act’ spiritually upon the vital forces’ of the body” (pp. 100, 102).
Homeopathic practitioner Andrew Weil says:
“Homeopaths use remedies containing no drug materials, yet they believe in the existence and therapeutic power of some other aspect of the drug--of its idea, if you will, or its ghost or spirit. Truly HOMEOPATHY IS SPIRITUAL MEDICINE consistent with its founder’s views on the relative importance of spiritual verses material reality” (Health and Healing, 1988, p. 37).
The book The Science and the Art of Homeopathy by J.T. Kent says: “In the universe, everything has its own atmosphere. Each human being also possesses his atmosphere or his aura ... it occupies a very important place in homeopathic studies” (p. 108). Kent says the homoeopath must learn to see “with the eyes of the spirit” (p. 120).
The Swiss Journal of Homeopathy says that the homeopathic cure has an occultic mind of its own. It “knows just where to locate the originating cause of the disorder and the method of getting to it” and “neither the patient nor the doctor has as much wisdom or knowledge” (No. 2, 1961, p. 56). This is exactly what is said for Reiki “energy.”
Many homeopaths use radionic pendulums XE "Pendulum" (to detect and analyze human “energy fields” and to occulticly “douse XE "Dousing" ” for answers to questions) and astrology XE "Astrology" in their diagnosis. They also communicate with spiritualists in their search for cures. Dr. Bopp interviewed a woman who prior to her conversion to Christ had worked in a homeopathic laboratory of high standing in France. She said that when she was interviewed for the job she was asked for her astrological sign and queried as to whether she was a medium XE "Spiritualism" . When she passed the interview and was hired, she learned the secret of the inner working of the laboratory, that they researched new treatments by questioning spirits during séances! This woman renounced homeopathy after she was converted.
What about homeopathic healings? They could either be demonic or psychosomatic. Dr. G. Kuschinsky, who wrote a basic course in pharmacology in German, said, “Homeopathic substances may be admitted in the realm of suggestion, seeing that they possess neither main nor secondary effect.”
Dr. Bopp concludes with this warning:
“It would be naive to expect a clear response, a telling disclosure from doctors or chemists who give homeopathic treatment. There are to be sure some honourable and conscientious ones seeking to utilize a homeopathy detached from its obscure practices. Yet THE OCCULT INFLUENCE, BY NATURE HIDDEN, DISGUISED, OFTEN DISSIMULATED BEHIND A PARASCIENTIFIC THEORY, DOES NOT DISAPPEAR AND DOES NOT HAPPEN TO BE RENDERED HARMLESS BY THE MERE FACT OF A SUPERFICIAL APPROACH CONTENTING ITSELF SIMPLY WITH DENYING ITS EXISTENCE.
“HOMEOPATHY IS DANGEROUS! It is quite contrary to the teaching of the Word of God. It willingly favours healing through substances made dynamic, that is to say, charged with occult forces. Homeopathic treatment is the fruit of a philosophy and religion that are at the same time Hinduistic, pantheistic and esoteric.
“The occult influence in homeopathy is transmitted to the individual, bringing him consciously or unconsciously under demonic influence. ... It is significant frequently to find nervous depression in families using homeopathic treatments” (Homeopathy Examined, translated from French by Marvyn Kilgore, 1984).
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology XE "Reflexology" , which is also called zone therapy, is the technique of “applying pressure to specific reflex points to stimulate the body’s own healing powers.” It is based on the concept that different parts of the foot correspond to and are somehow connected to various parts of the body. By massaging the foot (or hand) the practitioner can allegedly detect problems and help maintain physical and psychological health.
It is a very popular practice, with millions of people using it each year.
While some reflexologists are basically foot massagers and only claim to stimulate relaxation and reduce stress, most go far beyond this. TreatYourFeet.com says reflexology “creates a physiological change in the body by naturally improving your circulation” and claims that it is “an effective technique for regaining better health.” The book “Feet Don’t Lie” says that “feet are a reflection of inner health,” promises that the client will “live a healthier, happier life,” and even claims that the feet can predict the future -- “where you are going is recorded in your soles.” Body Reflexology claims to be able to reverse the aging process.
Many reflexologists work on the occultic principle that the body has an energy field that can be manipulated. They call it “life force.” William Fitzgerald XE "Fitzgerald, William" , who invented modern reflexology in 1913, called it “bioelectric energy.” He believed that ten vertical zones of this energy called meridians run through the body, and by rubbing one part of the foot the practitioner can supposedly manipulate the organs and bones and tissues in that particular zone. Mildred Carter says, “By massaging reflexes ... you send a healing force to all parts of the body by opening up closed electrical lines that have shut off the universal life force” (Body Reflexology: Healing at Your Fingertips, p. 7). She also says that reflexology is “the healing miracle of the new age we are entering” (p. 8).
Many reflexologists use the New Age technique of visualization. The Holistic Health Handbook instructs the practitioner to “visualize yourself as being a channel for healing energy that flows through your hands” (p. 184). Eunice Ingham, a disciple of Fitzgerald, describes reflexology as “opening the blocked meridians and channeling the healing power through visualization” (Stories the Feet Have Told Thru Reflexology, p. 29).
It is obvious that reflexology is based on occultic principles and should be avoided by God’s people.
IRIDOLOGY
Iridology XE "Iridology" is the practice of examining the iris of the eye to diagnose an individual’s state of health, both psychological and physical. Similar to reflexology, iridology claims that each part of iris represents a corresponding area in the body.
Iridologists commonly diagnose “imbalances” which they treat with vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements (“Iridology: What Can the Eyes Really Tell,” http://your-doctor.com/patient_info/alternative_remedies/various_therapy/fraud_topics/bogus_tests_tx/iridology.html).
In controlled experiments iridologists have performed statistically no better than chance in determining the presence of disease (Stephen Barrett, “Iridology Is Nonsense,” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/iridology.html)>
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture XE "Acupuncture" is the placement of needles at various points in the body to block pain and bring healing.
Its popularity has exploded in the West since the visit of President Richard Nixon to China XE "China" in 1972.
It is based on the Eastern philosophy that there are pathways in the body that facilitate the flow of occultic energy called chi XE "Chi" or qi (pronounced chee). A disharmonious flow causes physical and psychological ailments and the flow can be manipulated and harmonized through various practices, such as yoga, acupuncture, qigong, and reiki. The energy flows through the body along pathways calls meridians. There are fourteen primary channels that are (allegedly) manipulated with acupuncture (Jeffrey Singer, “Acupuncture: A Brief Introduction,” http://www.acupuncture.com/education/theory/acuintro.htm). The acupuncture points are supposed locations where the meridians come to the surface of the skin.
It is also based on the occultic concepts of yin and yang, which are the two opposite forces of the Qi energy. If the yin XE "Yin and Yang" and yang are out of balance, ill health results, and they must be brought into balance through the various occultic techniques.
There are said to be between 360 and 2,000 acupuncture points.
Acupuncture diagnosis is often done by examining the tongue and teeth, listening to the breath, smelling body odor, inquiring about fever, perspiration, appetite, defecation and urination, pain and sleep, and feeling the body for “palpation” in the mystical “ashi” points.
Other forms of acupuncture are ELECTRO-ACUPUNCTURE (the use of weak electrical impulses to stimulate the needles), AURICULOTHERAPY or AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE (performing acupuncture on the ear), ACUPRESSURE XE "Acupressure" (applying pressure to the meridian energy points), MOXIBUSTION (applying heat to acupuncture points), and CUPPING (stimulating the points by suction).
Though some modern practitioners in the West are trying to divorce acupuncture from its occultic origins, it is not possible. It is occultic and mystical rather than medical. Felix Mann, first president of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, admitted, “The traditional acupuncture points are no more real than the black spots a drunkard sees in front of his eyes” (Acupuncture: The Ancient Chinese Art of Healing, p. 14).
Harriet Hall, a family doctor who analyzed the research into acupuncture, concluded: “Acupuncture studies have shown that it makes no difference where you put the needles. Or whether you use needles or just pretend to use needles (as long as the subject believes you used them). Many acupuncture researchers are doing what I call Tooth Fairy science: measuring how much money is left under the pillow without bothering to ask if the Tooth Fairy is real” (Stephen Barrett, “Be Wary of Acupuncture, Qigong, and ‘Chinese Medicine,’” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/acu.html).
CHIROPRACTIC
Chiropractic XE "Chiropractic" \b is hugely popular. There are about 70,000 licensed practitioners in America alone, and several million people are treated annually.
Most patients who visit for the first time do so for lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
Chiropractic was developed in the late 19th century by Daniel D. Palmer XE "Palmer, Daniel" (1845-1913), an occultist who attended spiritualist meetings. He practiced magnetic healing and admitted that chiropractic was an outgrowth of this. At a coroner’s inquiry in 1905, Palmer refused to take the oath “so help me God,” protesting, “I don’t want any help from God” (“Osteopathy and Chiropractice,” Nov. 11, 2004, http://quackfiles.blogspot.com/2004/11/osteopathy-and-chiropractic-little.html).
A foundational doctrine of classic chiropractic is “vertebral subluxation.” This refers to “a myriad of signs and symptoms thought to occur as a result of a misaligned or dysfunctional spinal segment” (Wikipedia). It is not something that can be seen or measured, which is in contrast to the medical definition of spinal subluxation as “a gross misalignment of a joint that can be objectively measured.”
“The chiropractic vertebral subluxation complex has been a source of controversy and confusion since its inception in 1895 with critics both inside and outside the profession due to its metaphysical origins and claims of far reaching effects” (Wikipedia).
Palmer’s son, Bartlett XE "Palmer, Bartlett" (1882-1961), who was also involved in the occult, was responsible for popularizing chiropractic and establishing it as an acceptable medical practice. He believed that the relief of subluxations was a cure for basically all disease (“Chiropractic,” Citizendium). He was opposed to vaccination and rejected the germ doctrine of infectious disease, which is foundational to modern medicine and which has been so beneficial to mankind.
Palmer, who rejected the teaching of the Bible, believed that an intelligent natural healing energy called Innate XE "Innate" flows through the body and is connected to the “Universal Intelligence” or “Great Spirit” that permeates the universe. This is based on the pagan doctrine that God is in everything, and that man is separated from God because of sin. Palmer’s Innate is comparable to the Taoist chi XE "Chi" . He believed that Innate flows through the nervous system and can be blocked. Chiropractic, which means “done by hand,” manipulates or adjusts the spine to remove the blockages and enable the body to maintain its innate healing ability.
Chiropractic has branched into many occultic practices in recent decades. Chiropractor George Goodheart invented Applied Kinesiology. Bernard Jensen XE "Jensen, Bernard" invented Iridology XE "Iridology" . Scott Walker invented Neuro Emotional Technique. John Thie invented Touch for Health. John Diamond developed Behavioral Kinesiology.
The Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs describes why it is such a short step from chiropractic to all sorts of occultic mysticism:
“It is important to understand the logical connection between chiropractic, the potential for dabbling in the psychic world, and muscle testing. Classic chiropractic theory easily lends itself to the acceptance of a psychic realm as related to health. ... That Goodheart might have used psychic means to develop his system of applied kinesiology would not be surprising. Furthermore, although elements of the chiropractic profession are scientifically oriented and practiced responsibly, chiropractic itself often rejects the safeguards of the scientific method; historically, it has opposed medical science and rejected any findings disproving its theories. Chiropractic, for example, was founded upon a false theory of subluxations being the cause of all disease, and its early concept of the ‘Innate’ is difficult to distinguish from psychic energy in general.”
Some chiropractors themselves warn about this New Age infiltration. Writing for the Institute for Chiropractic Ethics Phillip Lawrence wrote:
“In my 20 years of practice I have painfully observed my beloved profession heading steadily toward eastern mysticism, new age, and occult philosophies and practices. I feel saddened and angered that our grand and distinguished science of healing is rapidly becoming bastardized with these quasi-science modalities. When patients tell me they’ve been to other chiropractors that have read their auras, told them to sit under pyramids, advised them to have psychic readings, or have said that their problems are the result of bad karma, I feel both disgust and anger at the sheer buffoonery of such advice. ... Crystals! Acupuncture! Yoga! Damp spleens! Visualization techniques! What’s next? A séance communicating with D.D. Palmer? The reason the medical profession has such esteem in patients’ minds is that at least they draw the line somewhere. Where is our line?” (http://www.chiroethics.com/archives/what_is_next.html).
There is no evidence for the theory of subluxations, and chiropractic diagnosis and remedy is infamously subjective.
“One committee against health fraud sent a healthy four-year-old girl to five different chiropractors for a physical checkup. One claimed the child’s shoulder blades were ‘out of place’ and that she had ‘pinched nerves to her stomach and gallbladder.’ Another said that the child’s pelvis was ‘twisted.’ A third said that one hip was ‘elevated’ above the other and that spinal misalignments might cause her headaches, digestive problems, nervousness, and other disorders in the future. Another predicted that if her ‘shorter left leg’ were not treated she would have a problem in childbirth. The fifth found hip and neck problems and adjusted them without bothering to ask permission” (Ankerberg and Weldon, Can You Trust Your Doctor, p. 234).
The problem of chiropractic dependency seems to be great. I have personally known of many people who visit their chiropracticioner regularly for adjustments. Dr. Andrew Weil says:
“Chiropractors are quite successful in making patients dependent on them. I have never heard of a patient being told he or she has a normal spine on a first visit to one of these practitioners. There are always subluxations. Must patients are told they must come in for regular manipulation to make the adjustment ‘hold.’ The tendency of chiropractors [is] to seduce patients into long and costly therapy” (Can You Trust Your Doctor, p. 235).
There are several types of chiropractors today. The article on “Chiropractic” in the Citizendium divides them into four categories: Traditional Straights deal with subluxation and promote a broad scepticism toward childhood vaccination, pharmacology, and medical care. Objective Straights also focus on correcting subluxations, but they encourage their patients to consult medical physicans when necessary. Mixers use more diverse diagnostic and treatment approaches, including naturopathic remedies and physical therapy devices. Reform chiropractors integrate their practice into contemporary medicine and do not subscribe to the Palmer philosophy or the subluxation theory.
Thus, not all chiropractors are involved in the occultic theories and practices. Some merely use physical adjustments and massage to remedy neuromusculoskeletal ailments rather than dealing at an occultic “innate” level, and they do not condemn modern medicine.
MACROBIOTICS
Macrobiotics XE "Macrobiotics" is a largely vegetarian XE "Vegetarianism" diet (some fish is allowed) that incorporates occultic principles of eastern mysticism. Its practitioners admit that it is not just a diet but “a philosophy of dynamic living.” The Bible-believer will want to know exactly what that philosophy is and whether it is in accordance with God’s Word.
The term “macrobiotic” means “big life” or “the way of longevity.”
It was brought to Europe in the early 20th century by George Ohsawa XE "Ohsawa, George" , a Japanese philosopher, and to America in the 1950s by students of Ohsawa, the most prominent of whom was Michio Kushi XE "Kushi, Michio" . Many of the first customers and owners of alternative food stores were students of macrobiotics (“Health Food: Macrobiotic Brown Rice,” Natural Museum of American History, http://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object.cfm?key=35&objkey=97).
The diet itself focuses on eating whole cereal grains, such as brown rice, as staples (50-60%), supplemented with vegetables (25-30%), beans and legumes (5-10%), and miso soup (5%). It avoids the use of highly processed or refined foods (“Macrobiotic Diet,” Wikipedia).
It is not merely a dietary plan, though. Its “core teaching” is “that God, nature, the Universe and all aspects of creation are simply, One” (Verne Varona, “A Guide to the Macrobiotic Principles,” http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/articles/principles.htm).
“Briefly put, it’s an idiosyncratic version of the ancient concept of yin and yang. According to oriental philosophy yin and yang are opposing yet complimentary forces which are presumed to exist throughout all elements of the universe. It’s necessary to maintain a balance and harmony between yin and yang XE "Yin and Yang" ... Everything is assigned yin and yang qualities. In dietary counseling and practice, these designations are used to explain how a supposed imbalance in the diet results in a health disorder. The imbalance isn’t explained nutritionally, understand. It is explained philosophically” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 107).
For example, the macrobiotic diet typically avoids tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, spinich, beets, avacodos, sugar, coffee, honey, chocolate, commercial milk, cheese, hot spices, fruit, cream, yogurt -- because these are allegedly “extreme yin.” On the other hand, poultry, meat, eggs, and other things are avoided because they are “extreme yang.”
In the Old Testament, God’s people freely ate fruit, milk, and honey (Numbers 13:23-27), caring not a whit about their supposed “yin” qualities. God Himself described the Promised Land as a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8).
There is no support for the yin/yang concept in Scripture. It is a lie of the devil and brings people into an occultic bondage. Macrobiotics is intimately associated with earth worship, self-worship, pantheism, monism, reincarnation, and many other gross and very dangerous spiritual errors.
The macrobiotic practitioner finds himself caught up in a whirlpool of legalism in regard to eating. He is told not only what to eat and what not to eat, but also when to eat it (e.g, wild plants and fresh greens in spring and round vegetables and root vegetables in winter), how many times a day to eat it, how to cook it (e.g., over a flame rather than by electricity or microwave, using only cast iron, stainless steel or clay cookware), and how to prepare it according to the time of year (e.g., steaming in spring and summer). Composition of dishes and choices of foods are adjusted according to season, climate, sex, age, and many other things. The conscientious macrobiotic practitioner is even instructed as to how he must eat his food (chewing each bite from 50 to 100 times).
Macrobiotics doesn’t stop there. It instructs the practitioner to take short baths or showers with warm or cool water, to wear only cotton clothing, to avoid metallic jewelry, to use products made only from natural ingredients, to avoid computer use, etc. etc.
The macrobiotic practitioners on the Internet claim to be free, but it is a very strange sort of freedom!
Mishio Kushi, a leading macrobiotics practitioner, says:
“We lead our life in a simple modest way, eating macrobiotically and develop a spirit of gratitude to everyone and everything. This way, it becomes easy to attain the order of the infinite universe which is our life itself--eternal and everlasting” (Kushi Institute literature and promotional materials, quoted from The Hidden Agenda, p. 108).
This is obviously a pagan philosophy that is contrary to Scripture. Observe that he is thankful to “everything” but not to the Almighty Creator God, and he believes that everlasting life is gained by a macrobiotics lifestyle rather than through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a false gospel, and the child of God should have nothing to do with it.
Macrobiotic counselors diagnose their patients through iridology and other bogus methods.
Dr. David Sneed describes a woman named Bonlyn Walls who began delving into macrobiotics after visits to a New Age food store. She says, “For one thing, I was looking for a low-sugar diet. And I liked vegetables and fruits and whole grain foods” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 103). There is nothing wrong with these foods, of course, but the problem is that she was gradually drawn into occultic idolatry. She says:
“Looking back, that diet became an idol to me. I ate macrobiotically to save myself from disease and an uncaring environment, to avoid modern fast-paced consciousness, and from a deeply spiritual connection to the earth, to my food, and to my own existence” (p. 104).
By God’s grace she came to understand the error of macrobiotics and turned away from it. In retrospect she says, “That diet was a very real snare to me.”
Sneed describes another woman who went “completely nutty” over macrobiotics, not allowing anyone to come near her while she was eating, throwing away all clothing made of non-cotton fibers, walking on stones, not answering the phone. “She had shut herself off from the real world, in a little room of anger and fear and magical thinking” (p. 31).
The Journal of the American Medical Association and the AMA Council on Foods and Nutrition have issued warnings that strict followers of macrobiotics are in “great danger” of malnutrition (Wikipedia). “Scientific studies in the United States and Europe have shown that a strict traditional macrobiotic diet can lead to a variety of nutritional deficiencies, especially in protein, amino acids, calcium, iron, zinc, and ascorbic acid. These deficiencies can result in drastic weight loss, anemia, scurvy, and hypocalcemia. In children, a strict macrobiotic diet can cause stunted growth, protein and calorie malnutrition, and bone age retardation” (Alternative Medicine Encyclopedia).
1 Timothy 4:4 says, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.”
NATUROPATHY
Naturopathy XE "Naturopathy" in the United States was developed by Benedict Lust XE "Lust, Benedict" , who founded the American School of Naturopathy in 1902. It is built on the following three basic principles:
“(1) The body has a natural drive to maintain equilibrium--symptoms of disease are only indications that the body is striving to heal itself. (2) The root of all disease is the accumulation of waste products and toxins due to poor life-style habits. (3) The body contains both the wisdom and the power to heal itself--provided one does what enhances rather than what interferes with this power” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 109).
All three of these principles are half truths, and half truths can be whole lies. While it is true that the body has a natural drive to maintain equilibrium, it is not true that all symptoms of disease are indicative of the body trying to heal itself. While the accumulation of wastes and toxins due to poor life-style habits is the root of some disease, it is definitely not the root of all disease. And to say that the body has “the wisdom and the power to heal itself” is only partially true, because there are dramatic limits to the body’s healing power, regardless of what diet you eat or how you live.
Dr. David Sneed says:
“A naturopath believes in a world of physical toxins in which most people are poisoning themselves through what they eat. Foods filled with addictives, high in sugar, and low in fiber are the culprits, they say. Now, as a physician, I’m certainly interested in seeing a person achieve a low fat, high fiber diet. ... What is not proven is the importance naturopaths place on various toxins, both those which occur naturally within the body and those that come from such external sources as pesticides and chemicals” (p. 109).
Homeopathy, acupuncture, and “oriental medicine” are among the set of core subjects taught at naturopathic schools. Oriental medicine refers to the belief in the occultic chi energy that allegedly flows through the meridians of the body and the balancing of yin and yang.
Many naturopaths are involved with other New Age practices such as mind control, reflexology, biofeedback, meditation, and yoga, and are “reluctant to support vaccination treatments, even for the routine prevention of such things as measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussus” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 111).
ROLFING
The official name for this procedure is Structural Integration XE "Structural Integration" \t "See Rolfing" , and an estimated one million people have received the treatment.
The popular name Rolfing XE "Rolfing" comes from its inventor, Ida Rolf XE "Rolf, Ida" (1896-1979). She was a student of osteopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, and yoga.
Rolfing is a type of deep massage therapy that is advertised as a treatment to ease pain and chronic stress and improve performance in professional and daily activities. At its heart, though, is the belief in an occultic energy field.
Rolf described the practice as an attempt to “realign the random body into an orderly, balanced ENERGY SYSTEM that can operate in the field of gravity” (Positive Living and Health, 1990, p. 325), and, “Rolfers organize the body that the gravity field can reinforce the body’s ENERGY FIELD” (Rolf Institute, Boulder, Colorado, 1971). This refers to the eastern occultic energy field.
Dr. David Sneed says that Rolf “reported changes in her subjects’ ‘energy bodies,’ which were confirmed by an ‘aura reader’” (The Hidden Agenda, p. 85).
Rolfing also holds to the unproven idea of muscular “armoring,” which is said to consist of esoteric barriers that are built up against one’s physical and psychic wounds in life (p. 86). Rolfing supposedly releases memories and emotions and melts the “armoring.”
APPLIED KINESIOLOGY
Applied Kinesiology XE "Applied Kinesiology" XE "Kinesiology" \t "See Applied Kinesiology" (AK) is the “alternative medical” practice of using manual muscle-strength testing to diagnose physical health. (It should not be confused with “kinesiology” or biomechanics, which is the scientific study of human movement.) It is based on the premise that every illness is accompanied by a weakness in a corresponding muscle.
It was invented in 1964 by chiropractor George Goodheart XE "Goodheart, George" (d. 2008) and is one of the most popular chiropractic techniques in the United States, with 43% of chiropractors employing it in 1998.
“Goodheart combined the occultic philosophy of early chiropractic theory concerning the body’s supposed Innate Intelligence with ancient Eastern practices designed to regulate supposed mystical life energies within the body. ... Applied kinesiology is thus a blending of the theory and/or practice of chiropractic and ancient Chinese Taoism. ... various occultic and spiritistic books ... employ [muscle testing] toward that end ... That applied kinesiology is used in occult practice is not surprising given the fact that Goodheart himself is a psychic who developed his system by psychic methods” (John Ankerberg and John Weldon, Can You Trust Your Doctor? p. 167).
Goodheart associated Applied Kinesiology with the flow of chi XE "Chi" energy along the occultic meridians. The AK book Infections: A Lifetime of Health for Your Child suggests that the Applied Kinesiology practitioner can find the reason for infection by evaluating and correcting “the energy patterns within the body.”
The most common Applied Kinesiology test is the Delta, whereby the patient resists as the practitioner exerts downward force on the arm (“Applied Kinesiology,” Wikipedia). Other tests include assessing the patient’s gait and pressing “trigger points” to analyze supposed muscle weakness,
The “tests” are entirely subjective and their interpretation depends solely upon the particular practitioner. There are no absolute standards that can be applied.
The practice involves New Age hocus pocus and visualization XE "Visualization" . In “therapy localization,” for example, the practitioner places a hand over an area suspected to be in need of therapeutic attention and “the fingertip is hypothesized to focus the mind on the relevant area,” which allegedly results in a change in muscle response (Wikipedia). “The hand is thought to become a sort of psychic ‘conduit,’ able to locate the point of impaired function, allowing the practitioner to successfully ‘treat’ the symptom. Some practitioners claim that they use their hands to ‘sense’ various energy imbalances in different organs, much in the manner used by practitioners of psychic healing” (Encyclopedia of New Age Belief).
AK is also used to test the emotional responses to situations by performing muscle testing while the patient visualizes various situations (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Applied_Kinesiology.asp).
Nutritional deficiencies are detected by placing various items on the patient’s tongue or placing the items in his hand or touching them to various parts of the body, and then re-testing for muscle strength. “If the muscle tests ‘stronger,’ the substance supposedly can remedy problems in the corresponding body parts. Testing is also claimed to indicate which nutrients are deficient. If a weak muscle becomes stronger after a nutrient (or a food high in the nutrient) is chewed, that supposedly indicates ‘a deficiency normally associated with that muscle’” (Stephen Barrett, “Applied Kinesiology,” http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/ak.html).
Applied Kinesiology even claims to be able to detect problems before they arise, which leads to a regime of preventive checkups. “In this case patients are encouraged to have a general diagnostic checkup, even when they feel fine. ... Proper treatment is then applied before the underlying ‘problem’ has a chance to manifest outward illness” (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs).
Once diagnosis is made, the prescription typically involves massage, chiropractic “adjustments,” and often overpriced vitamins, susupplements, and homeopathic remedies.
Research has proven Applied Kinesiology to be bogus.
“A few researchers have investigated kinesiology muscle-testing procedures in controlled clinical studies. The results showed that applied kinesiology was not an accurate diagnostic tool, and that muscle response was not any more useful than random guessing. In fact, one study found that experienced kinesiologists made very different assessments regarding nutrient status for the same patients” (http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Applied_Kinesiology.asp).
NEURO-EMOTIONAL TECHNIQUES
Neuro-Emotional Techniques (NET) XE "Neuro Emotional Techniques" was developed in the 1980s by Scott Walker XE "Walker, Scott" , a chiropractor XE "Chiropractic" . It is adapted from Applied Kinesiology and is based on the same pagan principle that the body’s occultic energy or chi must be kept in balance.
NET focuses on the emotions. It claims that negative emotions can create “locks” and imbalances in the nervous system called a Neuro-Emotional Complex (NEC). The NEC can also, allegedly, manifest as a spinal subluxation or an imbalance in an acupuncture meridian. This, in turn, causes ill health.
NET claims that the locks and imbalances can be tested through muscle testing, body reflex points, and semantic reactions.
The patient is instructed to think of an issue that is upsetting and is then tested.
The diagnosis and prescription are purely subjective, of course.
NET is said to be able to diagnose problems and feelings, access the subconscious, discover early traumas, and act as a biofeedback loop, to teach people what they are feeling (http://healing.about.com/od/net/a/net_jgazley_2.htm).
TOUCH FOR HEALTH
Touch for Health XE "Touch for Health" was developed by chiropractor John Thie XE "Thie, John" . It is a form of Applied Kinesiology but it moves even more deeply into the realm of the psychic. Thie claims that the life energy can be regulated and manipulated by mental power alone. This is the New Age practice of visualization. “In fact, you do not even have to make contact with the body. You can simply follow the meridians in your mind’s eye, through concentration, and produce much the same effect” (Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs).
Thie believes that “we are all one with the universe” (“Touch for Health: An Interview with John Thie,” Science of Mind, Sept.1977).
BEHAVIORAL KINESIOLOGY
Behavioral Kinesiology XE "Behavioral Kinesiology" , which was developed by a chiropractor named John Diamond XE "Diamond, John" , takes Applied Kinesiology to its highest occultic level.
Diamond says that “Life Energy” is the “source of our physical and mental well-being” and is the same as the Chinese chi. The thymus gland, which is a lymphoid gland located beneath the breastbone at heart level, is said to be the “seat of the Life Energy” and “monitors and regulates energy flow in the meridian system.”
According to BK, muscle testing can be used for basically anything in one’s life, testing what type of music to listen to, what color to paint one’s house, what foods to eat and which vitamins to take.
BK claims that life energy is depleted by things such as shaking one’s head, frowning, looking at a depiction of a cross, synthetic or refined foods, sunglasses, the musical note C, hats, cold showers, microwaves, perfume, even artificial light. “According to BK ... most things in our modern technological world are conspiring against us, depleting our ‘life energy’” (Encyclopedia of New Age Belief). Further, people with depleted energy can deplete others by being in their presence or even by appearing on television!
If BK is true, it would mean that the individual should spend much of his life testing things in order to be sure that his life energy is in proper order and scrupulously avoiding any and everything that might be destructive to his energy field. I wonder now many people have become paranoid psychotics through such a philosophy!
CONCLUDING WARNING
We are forbidden to adopt the ways of the heathen (Jeremiah 10:2). Things associated with idolatry and pagan darkness are demonic, and the Bible forbids us to participate with such things (1 Corinthians 10:19-21). The Word of God warns, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11).
Delving into secret or occultic realms is forbidden. This is the very essence of divination and wizardry. See Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
As for diet, there is no biblical diet XE "Diet" that is required for God’s people today as there was in the Old Testament. Paul warned that vegetarianism XE "Vegetarianism" as a legalistic practice is a doctrine of devils, and he taught that all things are good to eat if received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:1-5). For the Christian, diet is a matter of health and personal preference, not a matter of Bible doctrine.
We should beware of an overemphasis on diet. It can become idolatrous. The Bible teaches us to put our focus on the spiritual rather than the physical. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).
We don’t live in paradise. We live in a cursed world and a body of death (Rom. 8:22-23; 7:24). Life is short at best, and no matter what kind of diet you adopt you will plenty of problems and sicknesses and will eventually die.
The Bible says we should die to self and live for Christ and for His gospel’s sake (Mark 8:35). Christ’s Great Commission instructs us to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mat. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8). Finicky eaters are a nuisance rather than a help in this work. My wife and I have lived in South Asia for nearly two decades, and I thank the Lord that we have not had to worry about maintaining some sort of strict diet.
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The previous study is excerpted from the August 2008 edition of THE NEW AGE TOWER OF BABEL by David Cloud. This book is available from Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, www.wayoflife.org (online catalog), fbns@wayoflife.org (e-mail).
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