Dispensationalism Debunked

To all my Dispensational brothers and sisters who have been conditioned to believe fairy tale interpretations and the lies of the Devil:

"In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever." Daniel 2:44

I hate to break it to you, but this has already been fulfilled! (Mark 1:14-15)

If you are going to insist that the 70th week of Daniel has not yet been fulfilled and is still future, then please go read Daniel 9:24-27 and ask yourself these questions:

• In which week did Messiah's multi-year ministry take place?
• In which week did Messiah die for our sins?

If you are the least bit honest with the text, you will admit that the only place for those events is in the 70th week. Daniel's 70 weeks have already been fulfilled! There is no debate here.
https://bereansdesk.blogspot.com/2023/02/lsb-pre-trib-proof-text-agenda-exposed.html

According to Jesus, those who are 'taken' are taken in judgment (paralambano [used by Luke]) and death (airo [used by Matthew]). Those who are 'left' are pardoned/forgiven (apheimi). When the disciples asked, "Where?", Jesus said, "Where the bodies are, there the vultures gather."
There is no "rapture"!

There is no "rapture" in 1 Corinthians 15! The entire chapter has to do with the resurrection.
There is no "rapture" in 1 Thessalonians 4! Verses 13-18 (ripped out of context) sound like they support the "Rapture," but the entire book has to do with the resurrection.

"The Greek 'tereo...ek' in Revelation 3:10 means The Rapture."

Oh, really??? So how to you explain the use of 'tereo...ek' in John 17:15? "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to [take them out of the world] from the evil one." Hmm... Eisegete much?

re: Revelation 3:10
This promise was already fulfilled literally and verbatim! Learn your history!!! Philadelphia escaped the persecutions of Trajan because it was subject to earthquakes and the Emperor was afraid to go there. This was the secondary cause, as God's promise was the primary cause.

Are you aware that, according to Scripture, there are three (3) different "great tribulation" mentioned in Scripture? The context surrounding each lets you know they are in no way related (unless you're a Dispensationalist who quotes Scripture like a Jehovah's Witness).

• The one mentioned in the synoptic Gospels had to do with the destruction of Jerusalem and was fulfilled in AD 70!
• The one mentioned concerning Thyatira was fulfilled between the years of 538 and 1798 when the saints and the Scriptures were nearly wiped out by the antichrist beast Popes. Saints were tortured and tens of millions were killed during the Dark Ages and Inquisition, by command of the Popes.
• The last one is not dealing with unbelieving Jews, but concerns believers "from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues." This tribulation accords with the 5th seal. 6:11 says they were given white robes; 7:13-14 says they were clothed in white robes. Also fulfilled.

"The time of Jacob's Distress" (Jer. 30:7) is not your imaginary "7-year Great Tribulation"!

Learn to read!!!

Start reading in chapter 25 and continue reading through 31. The context is unmistakable. It is talking about the 70-year Babylonian captivity!
70 years vs. "7 Years"!

A Quick Reference for Those Too Lazy to Read:

• Jeremiah 25:11-12
• Jeremiah 29:10
• Jeremiah 29:28
• Jeremiah 29:31
• Jeremiah 30:1-9

Do not be a stubborn mule clinging to your bankrupt theology. Conform to the truth of the Word of God! Choose obedience over disobedience and rebellion.

In AD 538, Vigilius ascended the papal chair. Exactly 1260 years later (a day for a year; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6), in AD 1798, Napolean Bonaparte's General Berthier abolished the papal government. This was the "fatal wound" mentioned in Revelation, which was "healed" in 1929.

The "forehead/right hand" terminology occurs 3 times in the Old Testament. The "mark on their right hand or on their forehead" corresponds to what you believe and how you behave. It is not—nor will it ever be—a "microchip" or "tattoo"! It is reverence (thoughts) and obedience (actions).

Answer me this:
When Jesus returns, He will judge sin and death. How can sin and death possibly exist in the Millennial Kingdom? Only blood-bought saints will be there. Explain how there is a revolt at the end. Apparently Jesus' blood is insufficient to save from sin.

If you believe in a magical "rapture," a "7-year great tribulation," and a "1000-year millennial kingdom," you are extremely delusional and biblically illiterate. Stop following proof text  methodology, eisegesis (a reading into Scripture that which is not there), and the twisting of Scripture, and start paying attention to context. You've been lied to!!!

If you are not mad at those people who lied to you for years, but you are mad at me for proving they lied to you, you are a special kind of dumb.

Abuse at Grace Community Church

This story is not the least bit surprising:
https://christianitytoday.com/news/2023/february/grace-community-church-elder-biblical-counseling-abuse.html
https://christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/december/when-restoration-hurts-christian-counseling-abuse.html
https://julieroys.com/macarthur-shamed-excommunicated-mother-take-back-child-abuser/

The more I see and hear coming out of John MacArthur's Grace Community Church, the least surprised I am and the more I realize just how much they do not know how to "love justice, do mercy, and walk humbly." One person on Twitter wrote, "I don't care how good your doctrine is, if your character is trash you are not fit to be a pastor." This is absolutely true. However, considering that the apostle Paul identified "sound doctrine" as your behaviour, your conduct (Titus 2:1-10), and not a set of "beliefs," if your character is trash it is because your theology is trash and you have no sound doctrine to begin with. (To say nothing of the fact that the "pastor" is not supposed to exist in the first place and has to be eisegeted into the Scriptures.) Look at the lives of Martin Luther and John Calvin for evidence of this. These men were the way they were because of their theology.

I am convinced of two things.

1. Many of the men who guide the large denominational affiliations (like synods) and other large evangelical organizations are money-driven, power-hungry, self-serving, and crooked.
    
2. Many of the insiders who have been witnesses to #1 are convinced that the church is better off if nobody knows just how wicked the men who are driving the bus (or train) actually are.

Yes, John MacArthur is guilty of narcissism and bullying, being full of ego and full of pride, believing his own press, but his right hand trigger man, Phil Johnson, is far worse. I have read and listened to Phil Johnson multitudes of times to know that this is the kind of character (or lack thereof) that he possesses. Any time he cannot answer, debate, or refute someone's questions or concerns, he lashes out with rank IMAX-level projection, slander, ad hominem, name calling, and character assassination attempts. He is incapable of having a serious, mature, respectful, intelligent, rational, honest conversation, being unable to argue the main point or even provide a reasonable refutation or an intelligent counter-argument, because he is just an egotistical narcissistic bully. He is a modern-day Pharisee with a "How dare you try to rebuke or correct me?" attitude. His blind idol-worshipping gaslighted cult followers are no better, jumping on the band wagon and carrying out the same ungodly un-Christ-like trolling behaviour.

Apart from the more obvious reasons—having a perversion, a distortion of biblical Christianity and/or rejection of the historic teachings of the Christian Church—Grace Community Church is starting to look and sound more like the most dangerous kinds of cults, where the men can do no wrong and the women and children are supposed to suck it up, knuckle under, and just submit to the abuse. "Top leaders at the church became defensive, he said, and wanted to protect MacArthur." This is the oldest tell tale sign of a cult and a cult following; wanting to protect the "leader" at all costs.

I have respected John MacArthur and Phil Johnson, but the more I listen to the words coming out of their mouth, observe their attitudes and behaviours, and what I see and hear coming out of their arena, the less respect I have for them. Apart from their positions being entirely unbiblical, the two of them have repeatedly shown themselves to be disqualified from modern-day ministry. I am certain that if we really dig, we will find all sorts of abuse committed by the "elders" of Grace Community Church. Narcissism and bullying tend to go hand in hand, and Phil Johnson has these in spades.

The scrubbing of Hohn Cho from all their websites, trying to whitewash the situation, exposes the depth of their depravity and the wickedness of their hearts. This is not godly Christ-like behaviour. This kind of behaviour has Phil Johnson's name written all over it. The fact John MacArthur said, "Forget it," when prompted by Hohn Cho to do the right thing speaks volumes as to his ego and pride. That the elders would tell him to walk back his conclusions or resign demonstrates that they are not interested in obeying the teachings of Jesus. Humble themselves and admit error? God forbid! John MacArthur's the Evangelical Pope, don't ya know?

"Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17

Holding to an almalgamated Calvinistic and Dispensational bankrupt system of theology, Grace Community Church's counsel is anything but "biblical, charitable, supportive, and liberating," as they attempted to claim in a statement made this year, and the "church's history and congregation are a testimony." Beware the teacher bearing verses! Rather than deal with issues legitimately, they attempt to gaslight and abuse the victims into submission. How come they do not sit down with the abuser and quote a bunch of verses to them? Why do they not teach biblical separation, as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 7, in order to protect the victims and get the abuser the help they need in order to be reconciled as Paul also mentions?

These people do not actually know King Jesus. They have a bunch of head knowledge, yes, but nothing lived out practically in their lives. They have sought to become "wise and intelligent" concerning the Scriptures but have become grand fools instead, ignoring the very words that would make them wise. They are not obedient to the words of Jesus, imitating His character and conduct. They talk the talk but refuse to walk the walk. A man who knows the Bible is no match for a man who lives it! Everybody wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to walk the narrow road.

None of this is written to condemn them, but to expose them so that they and their gaslighted followers who worship them as idols may be convicted and repent. It is less likely that the "leaders" of Grace Community Church do so, as ego and pride produce narcissism, which leads to bullying because these individuals do not want to give up their power, position, popularity, or pay check. But maybe, just maybe, some of the members and followers of these people will see them for who and what they really are, be convicted of the Word of God and repent of their own behaviour in gaslighting and trolling others who have called out and exposed these "leaders."

This goes for the entire Pat-on-the-Back Club surrounding MacArthur, such as Justin Peters, Todd Friel, Chris Rosebrough, J. D. Hall, etc. Abuse has been exposed related to each of these men (especially the latter two), disqualifying them from any sort of ministry. But do you think any of these men will relinquish their ministry? Not on your life! They are full of ego, pride, and narcissism. Any people reading this and calling themselves "Christians" should examine their own lives. Are you walking humbly with God? Are you imitating Jesus by living out sound doctrine? If not, then it is time you repent and make some changes to your life. How can you expect to be a light to this world, to be salt to this world, if the world cannot tell that you have been with Jesus?

First Peter 4:8 says that "love covers a multitude of sins," but this does not mean sweeping them under the carpet, ignoring them, and pretending they do not exist. Love is willing to forgive wrongdoings, but doing the right things needs to be sought earnestly. Repentance needs to take place. But perhaps, like many Dispensationalists, John MacArthur and Grace Community Church believe that repentance is not actually required for anything. These people need to step down. When you hear MacArthur's teachings and then look at his own conduct, he is a raging hypocrite. Hohn Cho is more qualified to be in these unbiblical positions than individuals like John MacArthur and Phil Johnson. Cho actually understands Scripture, biblical principles, and wants to obey the Word.

There is so much more I could say about this (and other issues), but I think this is sufficient. Any genuine Christian who dwells in God's Word daily and reads this case (or others) can easily see the problems and the abuse dished out by the "elders" of Grace Community Church. Bill Shannon especially with his misquoting and misapplying Scripture, twisting it to blame, gaslight, and shame the victim. All of these are demonstrative evidences of why our model of "church" should not exist in the first place (nothing like it existed during the first three centuries of the early Christians) and why all issues are presented before the entire congregation and dealt with as a whole. If Grace Community Church and its "leaders" had a clue about biblical principles, they would know all of this.

Grace Community Church, its "leaders," and especially its people (and anyone who follows or associates with them) need our prayers. They need strong faithful people to speak into their lives. If the "elders" refuse to listen, they should be forced out. We all know how they will respond, though, because they are indeed a cult, no different from any other cult out there. May the Lord have mercy on their disobedience, rebellion, and unrepentance.

If you wonder about Eileen's character, feel free to read this:
https://religionnews.com/2023/02/16/grace-community-church-let-her-down-now-she-is-standing-in-the-gap-for-women/

Gaslighted Trolls

A Litmus Test for Idolatry:
The people (preachers, "scholars" ["experts"], theologians) whom you cannot stand others even remotely or fairly critiquing are your idols. The way that gaslighted followers passionately defend their various false teachers and cult leaders is extremely heartbreaking.

Gaslighted followers do not like when you question the establishment (organized religious institutions), and least of all their "leaders." They would rather believe their particular dogma utilizing random isolated verses of Scripture mashed together to create some man-made doctrine than to actually believe Jesus, the Scriptures, and/or the early Christians.

When you call out the cowardly "leaders" of the establishment (such as John MacArthur, Phil Johnson, Justin Peters, Todd Friel, James White, Chris Rosebrough, J. D. Hall, etc.), two things are inevitably going to occur:

1. the "leaders," because the truth is not on their side, and they are incapable of having a serious, mature, respectful, intelligent, rational, honest conversation, being unable to argue the main point or even provide a reasonable refutation or an intelligent counter-argument, will resort to denial, deflection, projection, manipulation, smearing, gaslighting, jamming, framing, slander, ad hominem, name calling, character assassination, intimidation, bullying, and the use of fallacious arguments that have no basis in reality; and
    
2. the gaslighted followers of these false teachers and cult leaders, because the truth is not on their side either, and they are equally incapable of having a serious, mature, respectful, intelligent, rational, honest conversation, being unable to argue the main point or even provide a reasonable refutation or an intelligent counter-argument, will start trolling you, engaging in the same denial, deflection, projection, manipulation, smearing, gaslighting, jamming, framing, slander, ad hominem, name calling, character assassination, intimidation, bullying, and the use of fallacious arguments that have no basis in reality.

This tells you everything you need to know about them and their theology. These people are quick to bare false witness against someone they do not like and unrighteously defend people they do like. That is a sign of having zero (0) integrity and a sign of being a terrible human being. One person on Twitter wrote, "I don't care how good your doctrine is, if your character is trash you are not fit to be a pastor." This is true. However, considering that the apostle Paul identified "sound doctrine" as your behaviour, your conduct (Titus 2:1-10), and not a set of "beliefs," if your character is trash it is because your theology is trash and you have no sound doctrine to begin with. All you have to do is look to Martin Luther and John Calvin for evidence of this. These men were the way they were because of their theology.

Most Christians do not know how to debate. Regardless, you cannot debate most Christians (or anybody, really) out of their belief system. More often than not it is too ingrained in them and they are too competitive to objectively evaluate their world view or system of theology. In most cases, they are also unwilling to do so. If they come up against an argument they cannot answer, they will never admit it to their opponent because they have given place to pride. "I've fought too hard to defend this, I can't recant now."

Most Christians only saturate themselves with those preachers and authors who reinforce their already existing presuppositions, preconceived ideas, and biases. I cannot imagine how so many Christians go through their entire lives without ever thinking they could be wrong about what they believe. Regardless of how I was raised, what I was taught, or what I might presently believe, I am always praying that God conform me to His Word. A mature student, a Berean at heart who studies to rightly divide the word of truth, studies the opposition's viewpoint in order to understand it fully and correctly and to represent it accurately. If you are not willing to study an opponent's position (or any subject) deeply and thoroughly, and represent it honestly, then you have no right attempting to speak on or against it with your blind ignorant subjective opinions. Either learn everything you can about it so you can speak accurately, or shut up!

"It is a small and narrow mind that is afraid to change; it is a sign of greatness that one is prepared to admit at times that one has been mistaken, and that therefore you have had to change your position." ―David Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Most Christians are emotionally charged and cannot be objective in discussions about their denomination and/or system of theology. This is especially true of those who have made a living by, and developed their identity around, a particular set of beliefs. Because admitting they were mistaken will most likely cost them their reputation, their "friends," their ministry connections, etc., they are overcome with pride. They are more likely to double down in their error than to confess and recant of it.

For the same reason, when you expose that these "leaders" have been guilty of proof text methodology, eisegesis, and twisting the Scriptures, rather than correct themselves and their erroneous beliefs, they will engage in the behaviour I described above, even going so far as to label you a "heretic," simply because their power, position, popularity, pay check, and especially their pride, are at risk. They will attack others in order to try and save face. Is that how they learned Christ Jesus?

Compared to their false religious systems, of course they would consider me a "heretic." When you believe a lie, of course the truth will appear "heretical" to you. When you are insane, of course sane people will appear "heretical" to you. If you are an agoraphobic mysophobe (germaphobe), of course everyone else not constantly paranoid of bacteria will seem out of their mind to you. When compared to the beliefs, practices, and traditions of the apostles and the early Christians, however, these "leaders" are the real heretics. Observe the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses; they believe complete and utter nonsense (Mormon's believe Jesus is Lucifer's spiritual brother), and yet every other mainstream or evangelical denomination is considered a cult to them.

These "leaders" do not know how to lose; they do not know how to lay their lives down; they do not know how to die. They have never been broken; they have never been crushed. They are dangerous. They will defend themselves and attack those who sleight them at the drop of a hat; and their gaslighted followers will attempt to defend them, too, trolling whoever called them out. They do not know what it means to be silent. They do not know how divinity reacts to pressure. They are unbroken, they do not know how to lose, they do not know how to die, they do not know how to be humble, and they are out there serving the kingdom of God with one hand and destroying God's people with the other hand. None of these "leaders" were ever in community long enough for the Lord to temper, adjust, break, or transform them. Some of them, when things got hot, they left, they ran away. This is not how we have learned Christ Jesus. These "leaders" are full of ego and full of pride, and when they are under pressure the flesh gets exposed. Some of them have believed their own press for too long.

I know how difficult it is to remain silent in the midst of false accusations and lies. I know how desperately we desire to defend ourselves and our name. I tend not to care what others think or say about me, but sometimes I fall into this trap. I find that when we give in to the temptation of reacting and defending ourselves, it is because we are out of step with the Spirit and not walking, or living, in a manner that we ought to be, a manner consistent with the teachings of the New Testament. Only when we are lead by the Spirit, when we are walking by the Spirit, are we able to resist the temptation to react and remain silent. If people want to bad mouth you, let them. If you are in the right, if the truth is on your side, it will prevail and God will avenge you.

Narcissism and bullying behaviour go hand in hand. Perceived personal power is the primary goal, whether they are self-aware of it or not. People are viewed as a means to gaining or keeping that power. A narcissist cannot handle anything or anyone that threatens that illusion. These kinds of bullies existed during Jesus' days (Pharisees, Sadducess, and Scribes), and they exist in our day (preachers, "scholars," and theologians). The people in the pulpit and the "elders" bully the members of the congregation to keep them in line and maintain the institution no matter what. Anyone who challenges these "leaders" is turned on and the gaslighted trolls start bullying them as well.

So many of our "leaders" are disqualified from ministry. Not only do they possess a character that is trash because of their theology, but several aspects of their theology were also labeled as heresy by the early Christians, having originated from the Gnostics.

Tell me, why do false teachers always have right hand men to pull the trigger for them and defend their godless behaviour?

• Martin Luther had Philip Melanchthon
• John Calvin had William Farel
• Dave Hunt had Thomas Ice
• John MacArthur has Phil Johnson
• James "Jacob" Prasch has David Lister

By the way, I am not saying that everything these "leaders" have to say is bad or wrong. But when they are called out on a particular attitude, behaviour, error, or heresy, their gaslighted followers should not be attempting to troll the righteous person calling them out. This exposes their own idolatry and sin and how blind and deceived they are, hanging on every word that drips from the lips of their "leaders." Carefully read through the New Testament and take note of all the passages addressing your attitude, behaviour, conduct, and idolatry of your "leaders." You have some repenting and apologizing to do.

I am sorry if you do not have the character, integrity, honor, or fortitude to be able to acknowledge your wrong doctrines and beliefs and to humbly conform them, and yourself, to biblical truth. That is a you problem. You are the one who will stand before God and give account. We are to conform ourselves entirely to Scripture; Scripture never conforms to us! It boggles my mind how so many Christians are afraid of admitting they could be or were wrong and of changing themselves. Pride truly is the grandest of all sins.

You "leaders" of a corrupt and unbiblical establishment and your gaslighted troll followers can hate me and attack me all you want. I know your character (or lack thereof), and your blind followers imitate your godless behaviour. Even amidst your false interpretations and heresy, I choose to love you as I was commanded to do. You do realize that if your "doctrine" or theology does not change you on the inside and result in your exterior attitude, behaviour, and conduct changing, your "faith" is godless, useless, worthless, and in vain, right? I suggest you go back and re-read Jesus' words (especially the sermon on the mount) and pay extremely close attention to them. Then be obedient to them and put them into practice. May the favour of God rest upon you as you do so.

James and Jude

According to Jude 1:1, Jude (the author of the epistle) is the brother of James (the author of the epistle).

Are these the same Jude and James as found among Jesus' twelve disciples, later called apostles?

If so, why does Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 call Jude "the son of James"? [Tyndale's NT; RV; ASV; RSV; NASB; NIV; NKJV; NRSV; ESV; CSB; LSB] Only the Geneva and KJV call Jude "the brother of James."

James is identified as "the son of Alphaeus" (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13).

The only other person to be identified as "the son of Alphaeus" is Matthew/Levi (Mark 2:14).

Why are these two never identified as brothers?

If this Jude and James are the brothers of Jesus, then why is Joseph not listed as their father?

If Jesus' brothers did not initially believe (John 7:3-5), coming to persuade Him to "knock it off" (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21), as it were, then how could they possibly be listed as disciples in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16?

In Matthew 13:55-56, the people asked, "Is this not the carpenter's [Joseph] son? Is not His mother named Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us?" In Mark 6:3, it words it a little different: "Is this man not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? Are not His sisters here with us?" Would not Matthew's account infer that his earthly "father" was still alive?

Is the James mentioned in Acts 12:17, 15:13, and 21:18 the disciple of Jesus, James the Younger, or is it James the brother of Jesus? The Judas mentioned in Acts 15 would clearly not be the disciple of Jesus nor the brother of Jesus as his surname was Barsabas. Which Judas is the one mentioned in Acts 9?

While Jesus did have brothers named James and Jude, it would seem that the disciples named James and Jude are not His brothers. Matthew/Levi is never identified as Jesus' brother, but is identified as being "the son of Alphaeus" the same as James. Jude is identified as being "the son of James," according to the majority of Bible translations.

None of these three men—James, Jude, or Matthew/Levi—were sons of "Mary the wife of Cleophas." One site I visited claimed this James and Jude were both the brothers of Jesus, but that they were also the sons of Alphaeus or Cleophas and Mary. Where would they even get such an idea?

Christians really need to learn to study their Bibles more closely and clearly instead of engaging in collapsing context, proof text methodology, and eisegesis.

Checking Our "Heroes": John Calvin

So... You think you know about John Calvin, do you? I am amazed by the number of "Calvinists" (and other Reformed groups) who know absolutely diddly squat about their name sake. Let us learn some facts about this "hero" of the faith, shall we?

• Contrary to Calvin's position, the early Christians taught that the moral teachings of Jesus SURPASSED the moral teachings of the Old Testament. His teachings went to the core of the Law and tapped its true spiritual meaning. The 10 Commandments are for an earthly kingdom, but the teachings of the New Testament are for a heavenly kingdom. The early Church applied Jesus' teachings literally.
• Calvin and Luther resurrected some of the forgotten Augustinian theology. They both borrowed several of his teachings, including "holy war."
• Calvin wrote his systematic theology to ensure his interpretation of Scripture would dominate. Calvin's writings do not constitute the historic "institutes" of Christianity!
• Calvin's system undermined Jesus' message of the Kingdom.
• Calvin taught that instead of God's covenant being exclusively with one nation, it can now be with every nation. (No doubt this is what Americans believe about themselves.)
• According to Calvin, God's moral law is still the same law as that found in the Old Testament.
• The system Calvin set up was not historic Christianity, but essentially Christo-Judaism. Jesus' teachings about the Kingdom cannot be combined with any other kingdom.
• The most obvious things in Scripture are hidden from the "wise." The Reformation completely hid the Kingdom of God from the people.
• Calvin's commentaries muffled God's Word. He shaped Scripture to fit his theological system.
• Calvin had no hesitancy to explain away Jesus' words when they did not fit his system.
• Calvin often plagiarized Augustine.
• Calvin had Michael Servetus arrested and put to death for no other reason than holding an erroneous view of the Trinity. Calvin watched with satisfaction as Servetus was burned alive and writhed in pain.
• Calvin believed that executing some unrepentant heretics was justifiable.
• Calvin believed that the Eucharist provides an undoubted assurance of eternal life.
• Calvin believed it was acceptable to lambaste his opponents with vicious names.
• Calvin believed that some of the Old Testament capital offences should be enforced today.
• Calvin believed that Jewish people were impious, inauthentic, and lacked common sense.

These things sound like the sort of things that Saul would have done before his conversion. They certainly are not the sort of things that converted Paul would have engaged in. These are not the behaviours of a genuine Christian.

Checking Our "Heroes": Martin Luther

So... You think you know about Martin Luther, do you? I am amazed by the number of Lutherans who know absolutely diddly squat about their name sake. Let us learn some facts about this "hero" of the faith, shall we?

• Luther had pride in his own definitions and doctrines. he belittled anyone who disagreed with him, even arrogantly sneering at Scripture when it contradicted him.
• Luther murdered Jesus' spiritual brothers of his day.
• Luther is the father of Easy-believism.
• Luther saw people were rejecting his novel "gospel" (the atonement) and accepting the Gospel of Jesus (Mark 1:14-15), so he decided to squash the dissent through the State.
• Those whom Luther accused were not allowed to defend themselves or even have a hearing, such was Luther's fear of the biblical Gospel.
• Luther was so haughty that he added his own opinions directly onto the pages of God's Word.
• Luther placed Paul above Jesus, saying that the gospel of Jesus was contained in Paul's writings.
• Luther and Calvin resurrected some of the forgotten Augustinian theology. They both borrowed several of his teachings, including "holy war."
• Luther despised Jewish people, believing that they deserved persecution (theologically based, not racially based).
• Luther held to several shocking views about marriage and sex.
• Luther denied the canonicity of the books of Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation.
• Luther believed it was justified—and even divinely ordered—that civil disobedience be punished severely, as demonstrated in the Peasant's War.
• Luther believed that heretics should be put to death.
• Luther believed that writing in anger, using profanity, and shaming his enemies by name-calling was justified.
• Luther believed that all physical ailments were the work of Satan.
• Luther ridiculed and disparaged some of his opponents in the Reformation.
• The Bibles to come out of the Reformation mixed man's words and opinions with God's Word. "Study" Bibles are extremely dangerous! The Reformation completely hid the Kingdom of God from the people.
• The spirit driving Luther was not the Spirit of Christ! One needs only read his writings to see this. He frequently engaged in abuse, sarcasm, arrogance, violent tirades, heaping scorn and ridicule upon people. He viciously assailed friend and foe alike.
• At Luther's directive, the nobles killed up to 100,000 peasants who rose up against their ungodly treatment. Then he boasted that he had killed them. He claimed that God had told him to do so.
• Luther's murderous and hate-filled spirit was the result of his own teachings.
• Luther advised people to "sin boldly."

These things sound like the sort of things that Saul would have done before his conversion. They certainly are not the sort of things that converted Paul would have engaged in. These are not the behaviours of a genuine Christian.

Checking Our "Heroes": Augustine

So... You think you know about Augustine, do you? Augustine is both the father of the Roman Catholic Church and also the father of the Protestant Reformation. For some odd reason, despite his teachings being Roman Catholic through and through, Reformed groups (Lutherans, "Calvinists," Presbyterians, etc.) have blindly clung to Augustine and his teachings. Let us learn some facts about this "hero" of the faith, shall we?

• Augustine taught that there is an irreconcilable conflict between salvation based on grace and salvation conditioned on works or obedience. This stems from the False Dilemma fallacy, stating that it is either one or the other. It is not! These passages obliterate that heretical teaching once and for all: Matt. 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 22:12, 14; cf. Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:5-8; 11:19-22; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 10:1-12; Gal. 6:7-9; Eph. 5:3-8; Jude 1:3-5; et al.
• Augustine radically altered the doctrine originally taught by the Church, becoming the most influential teacher of all time. The list of doctrines and practices Augustine either initiated or gave his authority to is impressively long:
• Mary was born and lived her entire life without actual sin.
• All unbaptized infants are eternally damned.
• Sex within marriage is an inherently debased act.
• Taught the doctrine of "holy war."
• There is no forgiveness of sins outside the Catholic church.
• Some of the practices and teachings of the apostles no longer apply to Christians because they lived in a different era.
• There is a purgatorial fire.
• The dead can benefit from the sacrifice of the Eucharist.
• It is proper for a "Christian" state to persecute heretics.
• Augustine is the father of Western theology. Modern Westerners can usually follow Augustine's logic; but they cannot follow the logic of the pre-Nicene Christians.
• Augustine never mastered Greek, which is likely why he departed from early Christianity in so many areas—more than any other teacher of his time.
• Because Pelagius taught a no-nonsense message of repentance and holiness, Augustine responded with these teachings that went to the opposite extreme of Pelagius' disciple Celestius:
• Man is totally depraved; he cannot believe or have faith in God.
• Man can believe or have faith in God only if by grace they are given the faith or belief. Man has no free will.
• God arbitrarily chooses whom to give faith to and who to condemn.
• Before creation, God arbitrarily predestined who would be saved or condemned.
• The elect cannot lose their salvation; the damned cannot be saved.
• No one can know if they are of the elect. Some people God has given the gift of believing have not been given the gift of perseverance and will be lost.
• Salvation is totally of grace. Faith, obedience, perseverance are gifts from God.
• Augustine obliterated the original early Christian teachings of free will and man's involvement in salvation.
• Nicene theologians took the lead in the veneration of Mary. Augustine gave his support to the false teaching that Mary was a perpetual virgin and lived a sinless life. He even called those who disagreed "heretics." They also taught Mary was bodily assumed into Heaven and ruled as Queen of Heaven. Not one whit of protest came from the lips of the Nicene theologians.
• Augustine gutted the Sermon on the Mount, explaining away Jesus' teachings. The teachings had become meaningless. Nicene theologians exalted Jesus but did not hesitate to contradict His words. Christianity had become corrupted. Catholicism was born.
• Augustine believed that the purpose of marriage is procreation, and that lust during sex—even among married Christians—was wrong.
• Augustine believed that the use of contraception to prevent children was perverting the purpose of marriage, "committing adultery within marriage" and "turning the bed-chamber into a brothel."
• Augustine believed that if you are going to teach Scripture, you must have a knowledge of the natural world, mathematics, music, science, history, the liberal arts, and a mastery of dialectics (the science of disputation).
• Augustine believed that sacramental baptism produces regeneration and is necessary for the forgiveness of sins.
• Augustine believed it was permissible to use force against heretics.
• Augustine believed that the Lord's Supper (the Eucharist) was necessary for salvation.
• Augustine held to a dualistic view of the world, which was heavily influenced by non-Christian philosophy.
• Augustine believed that a person can fall from grace and lose their salvation.
• Augustine believed that Mary (mother of Jesus) was a perpetual virgin.
• Augustine believed in praying for the dead.
• Augustine believed infants were subject to eternal death unless baptized (baptismal regeneration).
• Genuine followers of Jesus do not leave the sick and elderly to die. They do not force others to sell their children in exchange for dog meat. And they do not retaliate against their oppressors and slaughter and plunder them.

Jesus did not say, "Study Me!" He said, "Follow Me!" Do not let your Christianity become Doctrianity.