GodThoughtsWired! Archives: May 2007

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Questions & Answers 3, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?

Questions & Answers 3, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?
Brad Reiches
May 30 2007 09:00PM

CHANGE THE WORLD MONTH ENDS TODAY!

For those of you who joined me this month in the inaugural, "Change the World Month," THANK YOU! Please take your change down to the bank TODAY, and send me that check or money order in the envelope I provided for you. Upon receipt of your "investment," I will send you a signed copy of our latest book, The Bible Says, Volume 1. Thanks again, and look for name in the July edition of the GodThoughts Partner's Monthly Newsletter.

Thursday, May 31, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Questions & Answers"

Regarding Last Week's Series: "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?"

For those of you who are relatively new to the GodThoughtsWired! ministry, I would like to share a very brief testimony. Twenty-Seven years ago I sensed a strong impression from God that my primary "annointing" and "calling" would be to "Evangelize the Church." As you might imagine, at the time that seemed quite odd. "Evangelize the Church?" Why would the "Church" need "evangelism?" "Is it not those who DON'T KNOW CHRIST that need to be evangelized?"

"Our main mission field in America today is within the church."

-John MacArthur, Hard To Believe, 2003

As it turned out, I wouldn't come to understand, until years later, that the Bible clearly teaches that in the last days "churches" will be filled with people who truly think they are Christians....but our not (see Matthew 7:21-23; 13:24-30; 36-43). As an example of the need for "evangelism within the church," consider the following response to last week's series:

"First of all Mormons...or the Mormons I know at least, do not believe in a
different God, they believe in all the stuff Christians do."

This heartbreaking ignorance is surely a reflection of the times in which we live. I won't take much time here (if you are truly interested in studying this subject, simply e-mail me a request for the Word document, "Is Mormonism a Cult," and I will e-mail it to you, free of charge), however, here is a brief response:

Here are four basic heresies’ about God (taken from my article: Mormonism...A Cult?):

-Mormons teach that God the Father has a body of flesh and bone as tangible as man's. Of course, the Bible teaches that, "God is Spirit" (John 4:24).

-Mormons teach that God evolved from mortal man. Of course, the Bible teaches that God has always been God (John 8:58).

-Mormons teach polytheism, the belief in the existence of more than one God. Of course, the Bible teaches that there is only 1 God (Deut. 6:4).

-Mormons teach that every male Mormon is striving to become a god himself. Of course, the Bible clearly distinguishes between the Creator, and the creation (Genesis 1:26-27).

Not to mention the fact that the "god" of Mormonism is a "mistake prone, error-ridden god" who can't make up his mind what he believes! (it is well-documented that literally thousands of errors have been found in the Book of Mormon over the years, and as a result, countless changes have been subsequently made). Indeed, the Book of Mormon is a grand example of the biblical warning,

"Do not add to His words or He will reprove you

and you will be proved a liar."

Proverbs 30:6

The mormon prophet, Joseph Smith has been "proven a liar" over and over again, and, yet, I still receive e-mails from sincere church-goers that truly believe that mormons are the same as Bible-believing Christians...They are not. Apparently, the voice I heard nearly thirty years ago really was from the King of Kings, "I have called you to "Evangelize the Church." And pastor Chuck Baldwin, in his article entitled, "Christians No Different from the World," agrees,

"George Barna's research suggests that the real mission field

may not be in heathen lands across the seas but in America's

churches right here at home!"

-June 2, 2005

Hmmm...

TRIVIA QUESTION FROM YESTERDAY: Where in the Bible do you find an entire chapter devoted to "judging others within the church?"

Answer: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. Beware the "so-called brother." OUCH!

For further study on this issue, please click on, IS IT RIGHT? To Judge, To Expose Error, & To Call Names?
Also for further study:

1. Biblical examples in the church where names were literally used.

-2 Timothy 2:14-20.

-2 Timothy 4:10-15.

-2 Timothy 1:15.

-1 Corinthians, chapter 5: 1-13.

-Acts 5:1-5.

CHANGE THE WORLD MONTH ENDS TODAY!

For those of you who joined me this month in the inaugural, "Change the World Month," THANK YOU! Please take your change down to the bank TODAY, and send me that check or money order in the envelope provided. Upon receipt of your "investment," I will send you a signed copy of our latest book, The Bible Says, Volume 1. Thanks again, and look for your name in the July edition of the GodThoughts Partner's Monthly Newsletter.

GodThoughtsWired! will return on Monday!

Questions & Answers 2, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?

Questions & Answers 2, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?
Brad Reiches
May 30 2007 12:32AM

I want to thank the many of you who prayed for me and encouraged me throughout last week. I deeply, DEEPLY appreciate those of you who are interceding for me in these volatile, spiritual times. There were some sincere concerns that were expressed that I would like to address.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Questions & Answers"

Regarding Last Week's Series: "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?"

One sincere subscriber wrote,

"Once again your messages are always insightful and I always find them to be
true...however there is no reason to have a specific name in your e-mails...

The ideas your are promoting I perfectly agree with...judging Rick Warren I do not.
Judge and be Judged. If you truly think he has lost his way.. take it up
with him, not everyone else behind his back...that's gossiping."

This subscriber brings up three legitimate concerns: a) Naming names, b) Judging others, and c) Gossip.

Yesterday we took a look at the issue of "naming names." (I appreciated the immediate response of one subcriber who responded, "I am all for 'naming names'...how in the heck will people know where the error is other wise...it is absolutely necessary. And you are correct, yes, 100% biblical!!"). By the way, have you taken the opportunity to study the biblical examples at the bottom of this page, yet?

CONCERN #2: Judging Others?

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God

as a workman who does not need to be ashamed,

accurately handling the truth. But avoid worldly

and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

and their talk will spread like gangrene.

Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus."

2 Timothy 2:15-17(bold mine)

So, is this an example of of Paul "judging" Hymenaeus and Philetus? Is he in error here? Is he guilty of Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged?"

And how 'bout,

"Make every effort to come to me soon;
for Demas, having loved this present world
has deserted me...Alexander the coppersmith
did me much harm; the Lord will repay him
according to his deeds. Be on guard against him
yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching."
2 Timothy 4:10-15

Is the apostle Paul guilty of "judging" Alexander here? How about "gossip?" The answers are "no," and "no" ((for an in-depth discussion on the true definitions of "gossip," pleas click on GOSSIP)).
The Bible verse, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged?" (Matt. 7: 1) is often wrongly applied, and even more often misunderstood. The context of this passage (verses 1-5) reveals that Jesus is referring to hypocritical judgment. While He condemns hypocricy, "Why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye" (Matthew 7:3), the context actually affirms "righteous judgement." "First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (7:5, bold mine).

Ironically, Matthew, chapter 7 is all about "judging" false prophets. How can we know who they are unless we judge them by the Word of God?*

"Do not judge according to appearance,
but judge with righteous judgement."
John 7:24

And just what is "righteous judgement?" It is judgement based upon, and in light of the Word of God (and, by the way, all of us will ultimately be judged by God's word so, the more help we can give to each other in this area, the better).

"Do not despise prophetic utterances, but examine
everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good."
I Thessalonians 5:21

TRIVIA QUESTION: Where in the Bible do you find an entire chapter devoted to "judging others within the church?"

*We are never to "judge" others in the sense of condemnation, or "ultimate judgement" (see James 4:11-12). However, we are to "judge all things" in the sense of "examination" or "critique in light of the Bible."

For further study on this issue, please click on, IS IT RIGHT? To Judge, To Expose Error, & To Call Names?
Also for further study:

1. Biblical examples in the church where names were literally used.

-2 Timothy 2:14-20.

-2 Timothy 4:10-15.

-2 Timothy 1:15.

-1 Corinthians, chapter 5: 1-13.

-Acts 5:1-5.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Questions & Answers 1, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?

Questions & Answers 1, from the series, "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?
Brad Reiches
May 28 2007 11:06PM

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Questions & Answers 1"

Regarding Last Week's Series: "Will the Real Rick Warren Please Stand Up?"

One sincere subscriber wrote,

"Once again your messages are always insightful and I always find them to be
true...however there is no reason to have a specific name in your e-mails...

This subscriber brings up three legitimate concerns: a) Naming names, b) Judging others, and c) Gossip.

So let's take a look at scripture and find out what we come up with.

CONCERN #1: Naming Names?

The Bible says,

"Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness

but instead even expose them."

Ephesians 5:11(bold mine)

expose: original Greek, Elencho, meaning to "refute, convict, reprove." Literally, "to cross-examine." Public documents require public "exposure." Thus, the appropriateness of last week's series (see below for biblical examples of "naming names).

DID YOU KNOW THAT JESUS HIMSELF REBUKES CHURCHES AND SENIOR PASTORS WHO TOLERATE UNBIBLICAL TEACHING?

In Revelation, chapter two, the church of Pergamum was harshly reproved because they tolerated "doctrinal error" and did not "expose" and "repent" of it (Rev. 2:14,15). It is never right to tolerate false teachers! They are to be tried by the Word of God, and exposed. The Bible further states,

"Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances

contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. "

Romans 16:17

Indeed, the Bible clearly teaches us to be ON THE LOOKOUT for false teachings and "expose them," and "turn away from them!"
Paul warned the Galatians,

"I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him (Jesus)...
for a different gospel...there are some...who want to distort
the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven,
should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached
to you, he is to be accursed!...If any man is preaching to you a
gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"
Galatians 1:6-9

Lest there be any doubt, the Bible is saying here that if I, or Rick Warren, or ANYBODY teaches ANYTHING different from what the Bible says (even if his teaching used to be right on!), expose it, and turn away from it. Indeed, multitudes today are preaching a "different gospel." And, INCREDIBLY! one such "gospel" says that "we are supposed to cooperate with them in evangelism and Christian work."

Failure to expose false prophets and false teachings, is a failure to follow the examples of Christ, Peter, Paul, and the true prophets of Old; and a failure to adhere to the adament teachings of scripture.

For further study on this issue, please click on, IS IT RIGHT? To Judge, To Expose Error, & To Call Names?
Also for further study:

1. Biblical examples in the church where names were literally used.

-2 Timothy 2:14-20.

-2 Timothy 4:10-15.

-2 Timothy 1:15.

-1 Corinthians, chapter 5: 1-13.

-Acts 5:1-5.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

PLEASE, PLEASE READ! Will the Real Rick Warren...Please Stand Up! CONCLUSION

PLEASE, PLEASE READ! Will the Real Rick Warren...Please Stand Up! CONCLUSION
Brad Reiches
May 24 2007 11:39PM

This GTWired! series is a response to the scriptural admonishon to examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good...examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so...Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God..." (1 Thessalonians 5:21; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1).

Friday, May 25, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Will the Real Rick Warren...Please Stand Up!"

CONCLUSION

"Unity comes from purpose, not from anything else..."

-Rick Warren

This quotation represents the hallmark of Warren's ministry. While many debate whether or not he said this or that. Or, whether or not he really meant what he said. Or, he didn't say what he really meant. Or, what he said wasn't really what he meant. One thing is undeniable, today's Rick Warren is wholeheartedly, and absolutely committed to the unity that comes from mutually agreed upon purposes.

THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF UNITY THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES.

Let it be known that millions upon millions are going to hell because of their mutually agreed upon unity of purpose to deny Jesus Christ. The unity that Jesus prayed for in John 17 was clearly and undeniably rooted in truth. The "unity" that Warren and many others are preaching and pursuing is a unity which requires the compromise of the truth.

"Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?

I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members

in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.

They will be divided, father against son and son against father,

mother against daughter and daughter against mother..."

Luke 12:51-53

And, no, this is not out of context.

ANYONE SEEKING EXTERNAL PEACE ON THE EARTH AHEAD OF ETERNAL SALVATION IS DOING PRECISELY THE OPPOSITE OF JESUS CHRIST (see John 6:27-29).

Jesus said, Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34).* What is the "sword" that Jesus brings? It is the "sword of the Spirit" (see Ephesians 6:10-18). What is the "sword of the Spirit?" It is the Bible, the word of God. What is the Bible? The Bible is the truth. And what does truth do? It divides. It brings division between truth and error, right and wrong, righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness.

"A chorus of ecumenical voices keep harping the unity tune.

What they are saying is, 'Christians of all doctrinal shades

and beliefs must come together in one visible, organization,

regardless...Unite, unite!

Such teaching is false, reckless and dangerous. Truth alone

must determine our alignments. Truth comes before unity.

Unity without truth is hazardous. Our Lord's prayer in John 17

must be read in its full context. Look at verse 17: 'Sanctify

them in the truth; Thy word is truth.' Only those sanctified

through the Word can be one in Christ. To teach otherwise

is to betray the gospel."

-Charles Spurgeon, The Essence of Separation

The sacrifice of truth upon the alter of unity is one of the great tactics of the "angel of light" in this twenty-first century.

*For further study on this topic click on, Truth, Unity & Compromise

Will the Real Rick Warren...Please Stand Up! 3

Will the Real Rick Warren...Please Stand Up! 3
Brad Reiches
May 24 2007 12:01AM

Thursday, May 25, 2007
GodThoughtsWired!

"Will the Real Rick Warren...Please Stand Up!"

"Kay and I, and our Saddleback team, have committed to spending

the rest of our lives sharing the message of Purpose and the strategy

of the PEACE Plan with every corner of the world..."

-Rick Warren, click on Article

What is the PEACE Plan that Warren says he and his wife and team are committed to spending the rest of their lives sharing? Warren explains,

In the PEACE Plan the P stands for partnering with congregations.

You have to start locally...There are a lot of places in the world where

the only structure is religion...Find the man of peace...Who is the man

of peace? He's influential and he's open. He doesn't have to be a Christian.

Find a non-Christian who's influential and open - a Muslim or an atheist...

Partner with other houses of worship...Then you add in Muslims,

you add in Hindus, you add in all the different religions and you use

those houses of worship...Unity comes from purpose, not from anything else..."

click on Newsweek; Christianity Today; TIME Global Health Summit (bold mine)

So then, if my understanding is correct (and BELIEVE ME!, I hope that my understanding is wrong), Warren is committed to spending the rest of his life "partnering" with anyone of any religion, as long as they unified in the purpose of the Peace Plan?

"Do not be bound together with unbelievers;

for what partnership have righteousness with lawlessness,

or what fellowship has light with darkness...?"

2 Corinthians 6:14ff

In his recent book, Third Millennium Teens, George Barna reveals the following, HORRIFYING fact:

"63% of church-going, supposedly Christian teens said

they believed 'Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Jews and

all other people pray to the same God, even though they

use different names for their God."

Hmmm...