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(See also A Spasm of Evangelical Hypocrisy.)
Dear Friends,
Thursday, I sent the
following e-mail out to Brannon Howse, radio host of "Worldview
Matters," host of a weekly television program, and president of
Worldview Weekend. My e-mail was in response to an article Brannon
published and also a radio interview he did with Dr. Erwin Lutzer. That
article and a description of the program are below my e-mail. Both Lutzer
and Howse seem to have taken a strong, biblical stand against those
evangelicals joining with Mormons in spiritual and religious activities
and alliances. I only qualify that assessment with a "seem"
because I did not hear the program in question. However, Brannon has close
connections with the grossly ecumenical ministry American Family
Association--a Worldview Weekend affiliate--and other ecumenical
evangelicals. Dr. Lutzer is a signer of the Manhattan Declaration. Perhaps Brannon
did not know Dr. Lutzer is a MD signer. He must know how
ecumenically corrupt the AFA is, at least when it comes to the Roman
Catholic Church.
When Dr. Lutzer signed the
MD, I wrote to him. Now, in light of the biblical rebuke and warning
Brannon has delivered against Mormonism and to those Christians who yoke
with Mormons, I thought this would be a good time to write and challenge
him to be consistent with regard to Romanism and evangelical spiritual
fornication with Roman Catholics. I hope Brannon will see that
it would be sheer hypocrisy and disobedience not to apply to Romanism the
standard which he has set forth regarding Mormonism. Of course, many
evangelical personalities who do not hesitate to inveigh against the
wicked false teachings of Mormonism are strangely silent on Romanism or,
at best, next to silent. When I say, "next to silent," I am
thinking of a few who will not expose and condemn the history, claims, and
heresy of popery but have spoken out against certain of the political
policies of Rome.
I suppose there are many
reasons for that, including that Mormons only make up about 1.5% of the
population of America and a good percentage of that population is
concentrated in several western states. And we ought not to forget the
papal church is that "whore that sitteth upon many waters" about
whom the Scriptures declare, "the inhabitants of the earth have been
made drunk with the wine of her fornication" and by whose
"sorceries were all nations deceived."
Time will tell what will
come of my e-mail to Brannon Howse. We will hope for the best. We know he
is a very influential man.
Sincerely,
Ralph Ovadal
----- Original Message -----
From: Pilgrims Covenant Church
To: info@worldviewweekend.com
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 11:11 AM
Subject: "Following Glenn Beck's Divine Destiny or God's
Word"
Dear Brannon,
I have read with appreciation your article
"Following Glenn Beck's Divine Destiny or God's Word." But of
course, what you wrote must also be applied to the Roman Catholic
Church and evangelicals who join with Roman Catholics in ministry
endeavors, worship, and prayer or, for that matter, even evangelical
pro-family political organizations which self-identify as Christian and
yet accept Roman Catholics as being followers of Christ. We could mention,
by way of example, the American Family Association which openly holds
Roman Catholicism to be Christianity and encourages evangelicals and
Romanists to yoke together as Christians. Other examples would be those
evangelicals, such as Dr. Albert Mohler, who have signed the Manhattan
Declaration or, for that matter, MD signer Erwin Lutzer who was recently
on your radio program warning Christians and Christian pastors that they
must not compromise the gospel and yoke spiritually with unbelievers.
Clearly, the Roman Catholic Church also
preaches another gospel and another Jesus, by another spirit--in fact
doing so much longer than the Mormon church and with much more success. Idolatry
and blasphemy are openly practiced, taught, and promoted by Rome's
priests, from the pope on down. Just the Romish mass alone with its gross
blasphemy against the deity, blood, and righteousness of our Lord
Jesus Christ is enough to prove that without a shadow of a doubt.
Nevertheless, most evangelicals still freely "bear
with" the pope and his church (2 Cor. 11:4). Few Christian pastors,
teachers, and leaders are willing to openly, plainly, systematically
expose and condemn the heathenish, devilish doctrines and dogmas of
Rome.
This brings me to ask, Do you hold the
Roman Catholic pope, at the very least, to be against Christ and
"accursed" on account of his false gospel of sacramental
salvation? Do you hold the Roman Catholic Church to be no Christian
church at all, but the devil's counterfeit?
Do you believe that the call to biblical
separation, which you wrote of with regard to Mormonism, must
also apply to Romanism? What I mean is, do you believe true Christians are
commanded by God to separate not just from ministries and events which are
Roman Catholic but also from all evangelical events, ministries, and
organizations having a spiritual or religious nature which
include Roman Catholic participants? If so, I hope you will make a
call for those evangelical ministries and organizations to
reform their ways, for the glory of the Lord and the good of His church.
It is not ruin we should seek, but repentance and true reformation.
But I hope you do not misunderstand my
questions. I believe the true Christian, who loves Christ Jesus, should
hate Romanism but love the poor Roman Catholic people living in the
bondage and darkness of popery. I hope that our church ministry efforts
reflect that love, even as our efforts to reprove the unfruitful
works of Romish darkness are motivated by it as well. In fact, it is
that love which prompts me to write you. "For in Jesus Christ
neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith
which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6).
Sincerely,
Pastor Ralph Ovadal
Pilgrims Covenant Church, Monroe, Wisconsin
http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=6439
Following
Glenn Beck's Divine Destiny or God's Word
By
Brannon S. Howse
Would
you approve or disapprove if some of America's evangelical pastors and
religious leaders announced they were going to show up at "Oprah's
Divine Destiny" meeting at the Kennedy Center for an evening that
would include uplifting music and nationally-known religious figures from
all faiths as they unite in prayer and recite historical speeches? Would
it concern you if you knew that on her radio program Oprah has taught the
book called A Course in Miracles written by Helen Schucman? This
book and the workbook include such quotes as:
"A
slain Christ has no meaning."
"The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
"Do not make the pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged
cross'."
"My salvation comes from me."
True
Bible-believing Christians would not approve of evangelical pastors and
leaders uniting with Oprah in a self-described, religious and spiritual
meeting. Why? Because most Biblically thinking Christians do not agree
with Oprah's liberal politics and they know that the truth of God's Word
and Oprah's pagan spirituality do not mix.
However,
many of these same Christians will have no problem when some of America's
evangelical pastors join radio personality and television host Glenn Beck
for a spiritual program, because unlike Oprah, they share Beck's
conservative, political views. To many it makes no matter that Beck is a self-described
Mormon because his political views trump his religious views and for this
reason many will justify taking part in "Glenn Becks Divine
Destiny" program at the Kennedy Center on August 27th.
The
Apostle Paul warns Christians against uniting with unbelievers in
spiritual endeavors in 2 Corinthians 6:14 where we read, "Be
ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness?" In verse 16 Paul declares that Christians must be
spiritually separate from non-believers. Remember Paul is talking about
being spiritually separate. "Glenn Beck's Divine Destiny"
program at the Kennedy Center on Friday evening August 27, 2010 has been
specifically described by organizers as "a unique spiritual
event."
While
I applaud and agree with many of Glenn Beck's conservative and
constitutional views, that does not give me or any other Bible-believing
Christian justification to compromise Biblical truth by spiritually
joining Beck in an event, that according this his own website,
will include an evening in which "nationally-known religious figures
from all faiths will unite…". The
website continues "The audience for
the event will be overwhelmingly made up of pastors, ministers and
clergy..." The event is also described as an evening "that will
help heal your soul." This event is clearly a spiritual event with
Glenn declaring on a video on his
website that the hymn Eternal Father
Strong to Save "is the message of 8/27". The problem
is that as a Mormon, Glenn's definition of God the Father is not the same
as that described by Jesus Christ Himself in the Bible. Glenn says,
"I have been reaching out to the biggest names in faith for the last
year…I have met with
the biggest leaders of faith in the country privately and I have asked
them to help me put differences aside and to reach out with one another so
we can remind people to get down on their knees for our brethren's shield
in our dangerous hour."
Christians
that want to be committed to Biblical truth cannot "put aside"
the cross and Gospel of Jesus Christ nor the supremacy of Scripture by
spiritually uniting with those that proclaim another Jesus, another gospel
and declare the cross foolishness.
Many
American Christians will allow their commitment to reclaiming the
country, reclaiming Congress, lowering taxes, and defeating the
progressives trump their commitment to the Biblical mandate declared in 2
Corinthians 6 as well as the mandate of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 which
commands Christians to expose every high and lofty thing lifted up against
the principles of the Lord.
American
Christians should not and cannot rate our success on whether or not we
return our country and culture to its Christian roots. Our success or
failure must be based on whether or not we have been faithful servants of
the one and only true God and have earnestly contended for the faith which
was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
We
appreciate the strong and courageous stands that Glenn has taken but
Christians must understand that Glenn is now, by his own choice, promoting
something that is not compatible with Biblical Christian doctrines. While
Christians can join Glenn in opposing tyranny, socialism, cultural
Marxism, and the like; we cannot join him spiritually. We can be
co-belligerents on many moral issues with non-Christians but we cannot
find common ground theologically, doctrinally, and spiritually. This is
not according to me, Brannon Howse, but according to the Word of God.
Christians must understand that the Jesus of the cults is not the Jesus of
the Bible.
Please
remember that I started the website www.keepglennbeck.com
to support Glenn when the radicals wanted his advertisers to stop
advertising in his program because at the time he was not promoting
spirituality but simply providing excellent information about what was
happening in the arena of civil government and law. However, Glenn has now
moved into an area where we must draw a clear line theologically,
doctrinally and spiritually.
I
have yet to see anything that would cause me to have a problem with the
8-28 event at the Lincoln Memorial because I have not seen that event
described as a "spiritual event" or a "uniting of all
faiths" for the purpose of "healing your soul." My concern
is really focused on the 8/27 event for the reasons I have articulated.
Some
misinformed Christians have e-mailed me Mark 9:38-41 to try and convince
me that partnering with Glenn Beck for a "unique spiritual
event" is acceptable Biblically even if Glenn Beck is not a
Christian, but indeed a Mormon by his own admission. Verse 40 says
"For he who is not against us is on our side." There is just one
big problem; the people emailing me this verse are taking this scripture
completely out of context. Mark 9 is not speaking of a non-Christian that
is doing something good but it is clearly speaking of a true follower of
Jesus Christ that was successful in casting out a demon.
If
you do not think it is Biblically acceptable for a Biblically committed
Christian to be united in a spiritual event with Oprah Winfrey then why is
it not also unacceptable to unite spiritually in the 8/27 event with Glenn
Beck or any other religious leaders that do not adhere to Biblical
orthodoxy? How much different are the religious beliefs of Oprah and the
beliefs of Mormons? Christian author Ed Decker who was a Mormon
for 20 years of his adult life and was a member of the Melchizedek
priesthood, a Temple Mormon and active in many church positions before
becoming a Christian has revealed to me such facts as:
- Mormons
believe the cross of Christ is foolishness and thus you will not find
a cross in or on top of a Mormon temple. Thus a Mormon could say
"Do not make the
pathetic error of 'clinging to the old rugged cross'."
- Mormons
believe the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross is not what saves and
thus Mormons will not use red wine or red juice for communion but they
use water. Thus a Mormon could say "A
slain Christ has no meaning."
- Mormons
believe that salvation is not found in placing your faith and trust in
Jesus Christ alone but in good works. Thus a Mormon could say "My
salvation comes from me."
- Mormons
believe that God is one of many Gods and that every good Mormon man
can become a God himself. This
belief is called the law of eternal progression and is best described
in this popular Mormon saying, "As man is, God once was, and as
God is, man may become." Thus a Mormon could say that "The
recognition of God is the recognition of yourself."
Do
these pastors and Christian leaders not understand that by appearing on
stage at this "unique spiritual event" they are sending the
message that Biblical Christianity and Mormonism (and any other unbiblical
worldview represented) can indeed find spiritual common ground? This is
not only a public relations victory for Mormonism but also for
universalism.
According
to the LDS General Authority and President of the Council of the Twelve,
Ezra Taft Benson, the LDS doctrine is that the living prophet is above
the scripture.[1]
I would humbly plead with those Christians taking part in this spiritual
event to not put their own personal desires and agenda above the
scripture.
Christians
e-mail me to tell me that Glenn Beck uses Christian terms and thus he must
be a Christian. Indeed Mormons, as well as New Agers, use many of the same
terms that Bible believing Christians use but their definitions of those
terms are in direct opposition to the Biblical definitions.
Christians
also e-mail me to tell me that they heard Glenn Beck give the gospel on
his television program one night. I watched that program and Glenn clearly
stated that he had called Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention
to have Land explain to Glenn the gospel message according to evangelicals
so Glenn could contrast it with the collective salvation of President
Obama. Glenn provided this contrast; he did not state that he had rejected
Mormonism for the truth of the Biblical gospel.
It
is not Biblically acceptable for Christians to join Oprah for "a unique
spiritual event" and it is equally not Biblical for Christians to
join Glenn Beck for "a unique
spiritual event." I do however urge all Christians to pray for Oprah
and Glenn that they may indeed come to know the Jesus Christ of the Bible
as their personal Lord and Savior. (John 14:6)
Millions
of Christian families are watching to see who will have the Biblical
discernment and courage to be obedient to God and His Word in which He has
clearly revealed His will for us concerning this matter. My heart grieves
for the teenagers, college students, and spiritually immature Christians
that will be confused and even led astray by this co-mingling of spiritual
worldviews.
Do
not be shocked, pastors and Christian leaders, when your personal
appearance and endorsement of this spiritually pluralistic event increase
the already rising numbers of young people leaving evangelical churches to
join the Mormon Church. Neither be surprised, my friends, when discerning
Christians are leery of your future work because of your betrayal of clear
Biblical instruction on this very issue. I want your testimony and
credibility preserved and beg you to graciously cancel your participation
in this "spiritual event".
I
have received numerous e-mails from former Mormons who understand the
seriousness of this issue. Here is one such e-mail:
I
was a tenured professor at Brigham Young University from 1999-2008, a
dug-in Mormon for 30 years. Christ drew me and I went face down in
surrender to the Biblical Christ, now a strong Christian. As former Mormon
leaders, my husband and I have been speaking to Christians about Glenn
Beck for some time and are shocked at the resistance we hear from
Christians who don't seem to understand the gravity of this false and
slippery "christ" of Mormonism.
The
late Vance Havner was correct when he declared:
The devil is not fighting religion; he is too smart for that. He is
producing a counterfeit Christianity so much like the real one that good
Christians are afraid to speak out against it.
As
long ago as 1898, Abraham Kuyper warned in the Stone Lectures at
Princeton:
Do
not forget that the fundamental contrast has always been, is still and
always will be until the end; Christianity and Paganism, the idols and the
living God.
I
pray that America's Christians and pastors will understand that there is
an unbiblical and dangerous spiritual convergence taking place throughout
the nation and the world and today is the day to choose whether you will
uncompromisingly stand for the living God or give creditability to pagan
spirituality.
In
I Kings 18:20-21 Elijah declared to the Children of Israel, who were
seeking to follow God while also mixing their worship of God with pagan
spirituality, that they must choose to whom they would pledge their
allegiance. Elijah asked the Israelites "How long will you falter
between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow
him."
Yes,
I would like to see the progressives defeated and the original intent of
America's Founding Fathers restored, but that certainly will not happen if
the true Bride of Christ compromises on Biblical truth. This is no time to
be committed to pragmatism because the end does not justify the means. The
means simply declares our priorities and Whom we really serve.
Wednesday,
August 25th, 2010
Worldview Matters with
Brannon Howse
Original
Air Date was August 24th at 1pm CT: Brannon's guest is Dr. Erwin Lutzer;
author and Senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago. Topic One: Dr. Lutzer
joins Brannon to explain from the Bible why Christians and pastors cannot
spiritually unite with Glenn Beck at his "Glenn Beck's Divine
Destiny" event at the Kennedy Center on Friday night, August 27th. Dr.
Lutzer explains that the only way we can reclaim America is by not
compromising on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by making it the first
priority as described in I Corinthians 15:2. Dr. Lutzer explains
the message that is sent by uniting spiritually with unbelievers, be it by
intent or mistake, is saying that all religions are equal or can find
common unity in a spiritual enterprise or service is heresy and is
compromising the Gospel. Topic Two: The liberal group, People for the
American Way, has picked up on Brannon's articles and radio programs
disagreeing with members of the evangelical community that are uniting
with Glenn Beck for what Glenn calls a spiritual service. It is
interesting that even the liberal and unbelieving world is watching to see
if we are more committed to obeying and elevating the Gospel of Jesus
Christ than we are our own personal goals and objectives no matter how
good our intentions. Topic Three: Dr. Lutzer answers the question
"what if God has raised up Glenn Beck, should we not unit with him
and not object to what he is doing with this spiritual service?"
Topic Four: Rev. James Robison joins Glenn Beck on his radio program and
says "..when God told you that…the issue was not merely political
but it was spiritual, we needed a spiritual awakening, we needed a
revival, and you indicated--- actually this very same day you and I
talked, you heard from God very directly. And I want to say to you, thank
you for really seeking to help wake up a sleeping church that has been
manipulated and deceived by the principalities and powers and the realm of
darkness that you reference in the Overton Window…" Could it be
that Glenn is actually being used by principalities to deceive a sleeping
church with the false gospel and false Jesus of Mormonism and through the
promotion of pluralism and universalism? Perhaps Robison was not listening
but in this interview Beck says to Robison "James, I just want to
make this conversation very clear. You and I, we do not agree on theology
per se…". How can Robison claim that Glenn can lead a spiritual
revival when Beck has not only acknowledged that 80% of his life revolves
around the Mormon Temple but has told Robison in this very interview that
they do not agree theology? The "want to be cool, popular and
mainstream Christianity" of some of these evangelical leaders is
leading them to make very unbiblical statements and decisions and
compromise the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Topic Five: We take your calls.
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