Mormonism Is A Cult
Recently, Rev. Robert Jeffrees has taken a lot of heat for his statement that Mormonism is a cult. His comments were made in an interview after introducing Gov. Rick Perry at a Value Voters Summit. On Fox News, Jeffrees was asked if he would like to take that statement back. He said, “No”, and explained why with precision. He said that many Mormon people are very moral and responsible people, but that their doctrine makes them a ‘theological’ cult. When asked if Mormons were Christians he gave another precise answer. He said there are many Baptists, and other members of other orthodox churches that are not Christians. Whether you are Baptist or Mormon does not make you a Christian, but rather, your relationship with Jesus Christ and what you believe about him.
Those on Fox News either did not understand what was meant by a ‘theologoical’ cult, or they felt compelled not to go there for reasons unknown. Jeffrees is right to call it a theological cult for many reasons, the number one reason being what they believe about Jesus Christ. They do not believe that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, and they do not believe in God as a trinity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, three aspects of the one God. Rather, they believe that Jesus was one of God’s sons, and that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three different gods that are in agreement with each other. Additionally, they believe that Satan is another one of God’s sons, literally, the brother of Jesus.
Mormonism is also a universal religion because they believe no one goes to Hell. No one goes to Hell because they believe there is no Hell. At death, mankind goes to one of three levels of Heaven.
“… Mormons have three levels of heaven in which to sort out the human populace. The first level is called “Telestial Glory.” This first level accepts anybody—no religion—no morals—you go to the first floor. The second level is called “Terrestrial Glory.” This level is for those who are religious or morally good, but they are non-Mormon. Non-Mormon nice guys—you go to the second floor. Finally, the third level is called “Celestial Glory.” This level is reserved exclusively for those Mormons in good standing with Joseph Smith. They get the top floor—penthouse view.” (“Shadow Forces: A Short History of the Fallen”, pages 212-213)
There is much more that can be said about the unorthodox, non-fundamental doctrines of the Church of Latter Day Saints, but how does this affect politics? Mormons, Catholics, and Protestants may not go to church together, but they do go to the voting polls together to vote against immoral laws like abortion and same-sex marriage. Romney should be rejected, I believe, on the way he would lead the country if elected. He is simply too liberal for my conservative vote (I haven’t settled on anyone yet). His Mormonism is secondary. I have to wonder why he would accept this doctrine over orthodox Christianity.
My biggest concern is that ignorance of what ‘theological cult’ means might rally more support to Mormonism and put pressure on the orthodox Christians to accept them as “Christian”. Our churches have already blended in and merged with culture more than we should. I cannot judge individual members of the Mormon Church about their Christianity, i.e. how do they personally see Jesus Christ. I suspect there are Mormon members who do not understand the theology of their doctrine, just as there are Baptists and Catholics that don’t understand their church’s theology. I can tell you that as Christians we should know what the Word of God says and educate others about the fundamentals of orthodox Christianity—that is, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
Do you see a pattern?
Take six minutes to watch this:
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
Patriot Millionaires and Warren Buffett
Solomon wrote it in Ecclesiastes; there is nothing new under the sun. This was my first thought when I heard about Warren Buffett and this organization called Patriot Millionaires complaining that they, and others with their kind of wealth, should pay more in taxes. It seems there is nothing new about this illness. Frederick Bastiat, a French economist living in France in the mid-1800’s, was surrounded by these socialist yahoos when he wrote, "The Law has been perverted by the influence of two...causes: stupid greed and false philanthropy."
It is this false philanthropy that has caused these men to believe as they do. They have quite a few choices if they truly want to pay more in taxes. They could refuse to take any of the tax loopholes that they or the corporations are allowed. They could refuse to deduct legal deductions that the government provides. They could just write a big check to the United States Treasury Department. I’m sure the government would cash the check.
It is one thing to turn off your alarm systems and open your door and invite thieves to plunder your house. It is quite another thing to go through your neighborhood and do the same to your neighbor. Bastiat, in his book “The Law” goes on to write, "See if the Law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime." Bastiat called this “legal plunder”. He wrote, "All these plans as a whole--with their common aim of legal plunder--constitute socialism."
Bastiat communicates exactly what I am trying to get across when he writes:
“You must observe that I am not contending against their right to invent social combinations, to propagate them, recommend them, or try them upon themselves, at their own expense and risk; but I do dispute their right to impose them upon us through the medium of the law, that is, by force and by public taxes.”
Indeed, there is nothing new under the sun.
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
Super Congress
It seems the battle has begun in earnest. First, when Nancy was speaker of the house, she suggested that we pass the health care bill to find out what was in it, and then they passed it. They could not get the cap and trade bill through as law, so they got most of it done through regulations and policy. They passed a finance reform bill that gave the Treasury Department, the President, and the Federal Reserve more power.
Then we had an election and a third of the house became labeled as ‘the tea party’. They took the opportunity of another debt limit increase to make a point. They made their point. Obama and the Dems had to work with them somewhat to get the deal done to raise the debt limit, but they added a little something—Super Congress. What do you bet that only the “good ole boys” of congress are invited into this super congress? By the way the President can be a tie breaker vote. Now we are going deeper into debt a little slower, but now there will be six people from the House and six people from the Senate making some major decisions. The news is making this out to be just another committee, but it is not. The Super Congress, when and if they can come to agreement, will present their plan to the rest of the House and Senate. There can be no debate—no modification, only an up or down vote. If their plan cannot be passed, then a pre-determined plan will be “triggered” and cuts will be made accordingly.
For many years now, I have watched as the government took on more and more power that was not theirs to have according to the highest law of the land, our Constitution. Then I watched as the President became more and more powerful with executive orders, the czars, all the regulation reforms—all unconstitutional. It seems more and more power is finding its way into fewer and fewer hands.
Caesar Augustus turned Rome’s republic into a dictatorship in just the same way. The republics laws were still officially in place, but ignored in practice. The Roman Senate became more and more inconsequential until one day they didn’t matter at all. It was a quiet takeover, just like what we see today. In the French Revolution, they began with many representatives. In just a few years they were down to Robespierre’s twelve man committee from 1793-to-1794. This was taken down to a five man Directorate from 1795-to-1799. Then there were three in a Consulate, to which Napoleon was the first Consul in 1799. In 1804 Napoleon was made emperor.
Do not believe for one moment that something similar can’t happen in America. The 2010 elections were successful in giving the true majority of people a voice in Washington. More and more people are becoming educated. They are learning history. They are noticing that those in charge do not have their interests at heart. Did you think that those in power, or those who have worked for years to have the power they have attained, would just sit there and let it happen? The answer is a resounding NO! They still have the power pieces and they will do everything they can to short circuit this movement, and they are just getting started.
Hopefully, 2010 was just a start for WE THE PEOPLE. Hopefully, we are just getting started. Let’s continue to clean house in Washington.
God’s will be done.
“Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God”. Benjamin Franklin
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
Spiritual Warfare
This short video brings more proof that what we are fighting is spiritual. Our government has done far more than forget its heritage, it has blasphemed it. Watch this video about the United States government burning Bibles!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErzxOz3Dzv8&feature=player_embedded#at=194
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
SECRETS
For the better part of this year our pastor has been covering the book of Revelations. I must say that his presentation of this book is the fairest I have ever heard from behind the pulpit. Our small group meets every week to go over what was presented the last Sunday. We are coming to the end of the book and are now discussing the various millennial views, i.e. Dispensational, Historic, Post, and Amillennial. Those that know me, know that I am more Historic Premillennial than anything else. But frankly, what difference does it make!
Deuteronomy 29:29 (ESV) says, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of the law.”
Amos 3: 14 (ESV) says, “The Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.”
I Thessalonians 5: 4 (ESV) says, “But you are not in darkness brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.”
Revelations 10: 7 (ESV) says, “But that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled just as he announced to his servants the prophets.”
The point of these scriptures is: First, there are things that we don’t know because we don’t need to know. Second; what we need to know has been revealed in God’s Word to us. Third; the second coming of Christ is not going to surprise the believer who has studied God’s Word. Fourth; God is in control. He will fulfill what he has planned.
We humans have taken God’s Word, with all good intentions, and have come up with various versions of how it will all be played out. I believe if we study God’s Word sincerely, if we study these various interpretations, if we keep our spirits connected to the Holy Spirit in prayer, i.e. if we are walking in the light not in the darkness, we will be very aware of what is happening if we are alive for those final days. Regardless of our “End-Time Theory”, regardless of when Jesus returns, today or a thousand years from today, our daily duty does not change:
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
LEFT BEHIND
My father in-law passed away March 6th, 2009. A few months later (October 2009) , while reflecting on this event I wrote the following:
“Life is paradoxical to the extreme;
It is long and short,
full and empty,
loving and hateful,
hopeful and dreadful,
bitter and sweet,
exciting and exhausting;
It makes or breaks,
Clarifies or stupefies,
satisfies or frustrates,
cheers or discourages,
glorifies or humiliates.
Life starts with faith and ends as fate.”
Scripture puts in more succinctly with an added declaration:
“…the Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away;
blessed be the name of the Lord”.
(Job 1:21b)
All of this came back to me when my mother passed away April 25th, 2011. All the good things listed above we enjoy because what God created was good (Genesis 1:32). All the bad things are present in life because of man’s fall (Genesis chapter 3). When my father-in-law died I was talking to an unbeliever who was offering condolences. I said, “The reason it is so hard for us to accept death is because it is not natural to us.” He looked at me in disbelief and replied, “Yes it is.” I know what he meant. Death is part of the natural process, at least in our present situation. What I meant was that when God first created things death was not a part of that. Death followed sin into the world. We were never meant to say goodbye by way of death. Many people become angry at God when they lose someone. Their anger is misplaced. Be angry with sin! For without it there would be no death.
In our pastor’s Easter message he tried to relate this life to eternity by giving us the analogy that life was like the first day of the year. He asked us to imagine a day where everything that could go wrong did go wrong and in the worst possible way. But the next 364 days of the year were really good. Each day felt like it couldn’t get any better, but the next day was better somehow. At the end of the year how would you think about that year? If you remember the first day at all it would seem like a very small thing. That is what the Christian has to look forward to:
“But it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
1 Corinthians 2: 9
As a Christian we can say:
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
I Corinthians 15:55
Because:
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5: 8
Frankly I am a bit jealous of my father-in-law and my mother. The struggle is over for them, now there is only the reward for eternity, they have overcome. When death takes a loved one we feel ‘left behind’. But when death comes to a believer, those believers left behind feel the loss, but carry the eternal hope that we are only a few steps behind them. For now though, we need to watch, occupy, and overcome.
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
JESUS IS COMING SOON
But is he coming May 21st 2011? That is what Harold Camping says. Maybe you have seen the billboards or heard the hype. Perhaps Christ is coming back on December 21st, 2012. That is what some believe. Whoever is following Camping now will probably focus on the Mayan pagan calendar when they wake up on May 22nd. What do these folks do with Matthew 24: 42-44:
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Anyone who has read enough of my work knows that I am Premillennial. I am not a fan of the pre-Tribulation Rapture, I believe it is a nineteenth century concoction that has caught on because of Western Christianity’s idolatry with comfort and prosperity. I prefer the Mid-Tribulation or Post Tribulation Theory (Historical Premillennialism). Not on a personal level mind you, I’m as much of a Western culture guy as the rest of us—I prefer comfort and prosperity. But looking at Scripture and history I have to go with one of the other two choices in my Premillennial world.
I do read a lot of Postmillennial material, not because I agree with their eschatology, but because I like their attitude. You see the Postmillennial folks think we will eventually win the kingdoms of the world over to a Bible-law type culture and Christ will return to accept our efforts and complete the process. They are not in a hurry. This could take hundreds of years—perhaps even thousands. But they are occupying their culture to work toward this end. They are acting like winners—that is they are playing like winners. They haven’t checked out of the world waiting for Christ to come and rescue them.
Regardless of your eschatology, this should be your attitude. Frankly, the most the world can do to you is kill you, and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Cor. 5:8)—so either way—you win! I quoted this in my very first blog, but it bears repeating:
“…the Bible teaches us that we should “occupy till I [Christ] come” (Luke 19:13). We are instructed to be “the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill... Let your light so shine before men” (Matthew 5:14 and 16). We are to be “the salt of the earth,” and Christ warns, “But if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13). That is exactly what is happening and will continue to happen unless the church stands up to be the salt of the earth. The postmillennialists want us to stand up for different reasons—to take over culture, politics, etc. They, too, complain about the premillennialist apathy. But the millennial theory is only indirectly responsible. The real responsibility falls on our tendency to be lazy.”
Robert E. Herndon Sr., Shadow Forces: A Short History of the Fallen, p.289-290
The second coming of Jesus Christ is akin to death in this way—we don’t know when it is coming. But we have been given some instructions on what to do in the meantime:
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV)
May God bless our efforts to do so in the coming years.
RULING RADICALS
While researching for a new book I’m working on, I went through the highlights I marked in the book “Rules for Radicals”, written by Saul Alinsky, who was the ‘Yoda’ of community organizers in the 1960’s. Of course President Obama got his start as a community organizer and Alinsky is one of his mentors. It should clue the reader in as to the character of Alinsky and the content of his book simply by observing who he dedicates the book to: “…the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom—Lucifer.”
No one can convince me that we are not in a spiritual battle, and that battle is not exclusive to church goers. The battle extends to every area of life; to politics, economics, law, and education. Everything that makes up a civilization is part of this spiritual battle.
There are about two and a half paragraphs in “Rules For Radicals” that I find very telling (Rules for Radicals, Vintage Books Edition, October 1989. p.13-14.). In those paragraphs Alinsky is describing “the world as it is”. He writes that:
laws are written for the lofty aim of “the common good” and then acted out in life on the basis of the common greed…things are done for the wrong reasons—afterwards, we dredge up the right reasons for justification. It is a world not of angels but of angles…where “reconciliation” means that when one side gets the power and the other side gets reconciled to it, then we have reconciliation; a world of religious institutions that have, in the main, come to support and justify the status quo so that today organized religion is materially solvent and spiritually bankrupt. We live with a Judeo-Christian ethic that has not only accommodated itself to but justified slavery, war, and every other ugly human exploitation…We live in a world where “good” is a value dependent on whether we want it…In the world as it is, the stream of events surges endlessly onward with death as the only terminus. One never reaches the horizon; it is always just beyond, ever beckoning onward; it is the pursuit of life itself. This is the world as it is.
First of all let me recognize this as an exquisite piece of writing. It indeed sums up the activity and condition of fallen man. Alinsky has a firm grasp of “the world as it is.” Considering who the book is dedicated to, I also hear the hiss of the serpent. Perhaps this section is so well written because of inspiration from the one who instigated the fall of man. Read in this context you can hear Satan bragging about the condition of the world under the tutelage of fallen man.
I did not include the last sentence in the above paragraph. He finishes this description of the world with these words ,“This is where we start.” Alinsky takes this fallen condition of man and proceeds to plan a little “human exploitation” of his own. He writes, ““The first step in community organization is community disorganization.”Like every revolutionary since the French Revolution the first order of business is chaos. “An organizer must stir up disagreement and discontent; provide a channel into which the people can angrily pour their frustrations.” Note that anger, an emotion that Christ compares with murder (Matthew 5:21), is the emotion sought for. Anger and hate are the most useful and worshiped emotions for the Satanist. Also, any order achieved after the chaos is arbitrary and temporary and simply leads to chaos again because “the solution of each problem inevitably creates a new one.”
The book is methodical about human motivation, reaction, and management of said motivation and reaction, a textbook for wolves in shepherd’s clothing leading the sheep to continuous chaos and destruction for a reconstruction that never occurs because the organizer must think about his own job protection.
The above is something to think about when we watch the news tonight. The chaos spans around the world, Egypt, Libya, Yeman, Wisconsin, etc. With spiritual entities such as Satan, and inspired men such as Alinsky, Osama bin Laden, and our own President Obama believing that chaos is a means to an end, it behooves us as Christian patriots to:
Watch (Matthew 24: 42 KJV)
Occupy (Luke 19: 13 KJV)
Overcome (Revelations 21: 7 KJV
We too need to get radical about what we believe.