The Real Roots of the Emergent Church

October 6, 2012

Emergent/Emerging Church Roots

Of the over 250 posts on this blog, to my knowledge, I have put up only one other video of this length .

During the past couple of years, I have seen the growing popularity of many of the people mentioned in this documentary. Not unlike the days when the great Apostle Paul sat in a prison cell and “watched” the church attacked from within and without (2 Timothy), today we have so many assaults on the Word of God that it is difficult to keep up with them all. What I know is that these guys are dangerous. I have kept up with a few of them the past couple of years and their popularity is growing. Their teachings are accepted by many.  It is the reason I felt compelled to post this video.

These people and those like them remind me of the wolves mentioned in the following verses:

Matthew 7:15
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Luke 10:3
“Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

Acts 20:29
“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;”

It is very important to know the Word of God.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” – 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Chris Reimers


HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL II

September 10, 2012

Two years ago, I put together a post entitled “HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL.”  It hit my top ten posts last year and has done so again this year.  I guess I should probably update that post a bit.

In that first post,  I gave a brief history of what this time of year means to Israel.  Yom Kippur, the “Day of Atonement,” is perhaps the most important holiday of the Jewish year.

Second, I shared a few reasons why I didn’t think it was a very happy new year in Israel.

Third, I shared a little about the future of Israel.

I will not go back over what I covered in “HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL.”  If it is not in “Top Posts” at the right, click on the four words preceding this sentence and you will see how I covered these three items two years ago.

“The custom on Rosh Hashanah is to tell everyone you see “L’shana Tova.” That means “have a good new year.” Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on September 16, 2012 and lasts until nightfall on September 18, 2012. It is followed by the fast of Yom Kippur and the holiday of Sukkot. This entire period is called the ‘High Holiday’ season.”

So what are the headlines out of Israel in 2012 as Israel prepares to celebrate?

Hezbollah aiming 60-70 thousand rockets at Israel

Intelligence committee chairman: Israel doesn’t believe Obama and ‘neither do the Iranians’ 

Can Israel still surprise Iran?

Muslim Brotherhood official shuns Israelis at international conference

Peres Warns That ‘Time is Limited’ On Tackling Iran by Non-Military Means

Romney: ‘Iran is Greatest Threat’

Disappointing Israel, Clinton says US won’t set deadlines for Iran

The headlines of the last two days go on and on.  If you want to read any of these articles, just click on the one you would like to read.  I could have pasted 30 more.

At the end of “HAPPY NEW YEAR ISRAEL” I asked, “What will happen after the war that’s coming?”

“I’ll save my opinion on that for an upcoming post” was my response in 2010.  That “upcoming post” never appeared.

I now think that Israel will expand its territory after the coming war.  This, of course, doesn’t mean the end of the world’s problems.  I think the great tribulation of Matthew 24 will begin soon after the war.  What does “soon” mean?  You won’t pin me down on that one.  A day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day in God’s timetable.

And what about America?

The Bible says that those who bless Israel will be blessed.

Are we blessing Israel?  I leave that question to you.

And while you ponder that question,  I will wish Israel “L’shana Tova.”

Chris Reimers


The Jesus Film

September 9, 2012

If you haven’t heard of the Jesus film, now you have.   It is a full 2-hour classic movie and is offered in 1,145 languages.  You can go HERE, see some of the many languages it’s shown and heard in, and scroll down and watch it in English.  It is particularly good for those who have never heard God’s Word or for those who need review (Don’t we all?)  These folks at The Jesus Film Project have taken the admonition to “Go into all the world” seriously.    They have done a great job. In many places around the world, this has been an introduction to the Gospel message.

Chris Reimers


God Was Angry

September 7, 2012

This video was made over 2 1/2 years ago.  J.R. Church was a wonderful Bible teacher.  He is no longer with us, but I have no question as to his eternal dwellings.

Israel is currently having closed meetings among their highest leaders.  It is obvious that Mr. Obama plans on not helping Israel defend itself.  Israel finds itself in a difficult position.  America is in a dangerous situation because our leaders are not blessing Israel.

J.R. says in this video, “You don’t poke God in the eye and get away with it.”

I have one of the two books that J.R. mentions.  It is called “As America Has Done To Israel” by John P. McTernan.

Have you heard of the hurricane named he Great New England Hurricane of 1938?  “Its effect on the Northeast coast is still visible to this day.  It hit Long Island New York with such force that it registered on seismographs from New York to Alaska.”(1)  It would be classified as a category 5 hurricane before making landfall as a category 3.

“Siegfried is a legendary hero in medieval German literature.  He killed a dragon and bathed in its blood, which made his body invulnerable.”(2)

Did you know that a nazi organization (The Bund) was spread across America with sixty-five chapters of and twenty-eight camps in 1938?  The largest camp was similar to Nuremberg (the heart of the Nazi movement in Germany and where the war crimes trials were held after the war), was located in Yaphank, New York, and was called Camp Siegfried.  It was a 45 acre compound located about 60 miles east of New York City on Long Island.

“The Bundists (who inhabited this camp) were serious Nazis who went so far as to begin a petition to amend the Constitution of the United States.  They wanted Jews excluded from all governmental functions.” (3)

“The Great Hurricane of 1938 went directly over Adolf Hitler Street (in Camp Siegfried).  This happened during the time the president of the United States turned his back on Czechoslovakia and the Jews.” (4)

The path of the storm was particularly unusual and may be seen here and here.

I hope our leaders decide to go back to supporting Israel.   If not, the results will be devastating.

Chris Reimers

(1) “As America has done to Israel,” John P. McTernan pg. 30

(2) Ibid pg. 38

(3) Ibid pg. 42

(4) Ibid pg. 46


ISRAEL IS NOT ALONE

September 3, 2012

In a recent article in Brietbart, John Bolton, former ambassador for the U.S. to the U.N. said that Israel is now alone.  He was, of course, talking in worldly terms.  You can read the article here.

I believe that Mr. Bolton is correct.  The current man in the White House will not support Israel and the tiny country’s options are diminishing.

There is something very important that must be taken into consideration when it comes to Israel’s safety.  God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  It is a covenant of promise about the land that Israel now possesses part of.  It doesn’t matter how many powerful weapons any nation brings to the table when God is in the mix.

Israel is not alone.  It will not be defeated.  This is not my opinion.  This is what I believe the Bible clearly teaches.

What do you think?

Chris Reimers


U.S. Debt and its Cause

August 30, 2012

I want to thank Barbara Anable for sending this to me.  Her comment was:  “As clear as it gets.  Please watch.  Non-partisan!  Truthfully frightening!”

I agree with Barbara’s assessment.  I have watched our national debt problem for  some time.  You may be asking, “How is Chris going to connect this to something Biblical?”  To this question, I would answer that: “You are quite perceptive.”

I will choose one verse:

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse.”

You can see the verse in context here.  God is speaking to Abram (“exalted father”) before he is named Abraham (“father of many”).  It is interesting that he had both of these names before he ever had children.

God has always blessed those who have blessed the Jews.  America was instrumental in Israel’s recent return as a nation.  We now have a government that supports Israel less than ever.  We are in trouble, as is the rest of the world.  There are two reasons for this.  We have not believed in the God of heaven and earth and we have not supported the Jews.  It is not surprising to me that we find ourselves in this situation.  Most don’t know the basic teachings in the Bible these days.

I have hope in spite of the situation.  I have read the end of the story (Rev. 20-22).

I don’t see America in Bible prophecy.  The prophecies are about Israel. What is happening today was explained long ago by the Hebrew prophets.  I am watching Bible prophecy unfold before my eyes. I know that the above verse is as true today as it was the day God spoke it to Abram.

I don’t think our debt problem will be solved.  I think we are living in the days that Jesus spoke of when He mentioned “birth pangs (NASB).”  This verse is Matthew 24:8.  The King James version calls it “the beginning of sorrows.”

No matter how it plays out, my hope is in Jesus.  Ephesians 2:8-9 states:

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Like the great Apostle:

38  “…I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38,39

Chris Reimers


The Hunger Games

August 20, 2012

My daughter thought I should watch the hunger games.  She wasn’t sure how I would react.  There was a bit of curiosity in me. When she bought the video, we sat down as a family to watch it.  My wife and I hadn’t seen it.

I understand that on Amazon Books The Hunger Games books have already outsold the spell-ridden Harry Potter series.  As there are more Harry Potter books, a statement can be made about the popularity of The Hunger Games.

One thing is obvious.  It is evident that the author knows about Agenda 21.  Agenda 21 is real. It is a United Nations’ plan that would set up the real world to look similar to the “world” in The Hunger Games.

It would be quite a surprise if the author didn’t know about Agenda 21.

The author’s intent is unclear.  I checked her background and there doesn’t appear to be any support of a one world government.  I must say the bios I’ve read are limited.

Either way the movie is a fable and I think the real Agenda 21 will never happen.

Those who are planning such a world don’t mind a movie like this.  Although the message of the movie seems to “speak” against crowding humans into cities separated by natural zones, the idea is there.

I think those in power love movies like this.  They love to think the world will be like “The Hunger Games” world some day.

The author depicts the cruelty of such an arrangement.

Is there hope for the future in the movie?  I would say not.  To be fair to the author, I have not read any of the books.  I have only seen the movie.

Our only hope is in Jesus Christ.  I don’t think Agenda 21 will ever happen because I think the second coming of our Lord will happen first.

Those who don’t believe in Him see a world like the one in The Hunger Games coming.  And if Jesus doesn’t come for quite awhile, Agenda 21 will be implemented.  It must give the unbeliever a hopeless feeling.

I do not think the real near future looks rosy.  We have gotten away from our Bibles and it has been and will be costly.  The Bible speaks about days of hunger.

I don’t know exactly how it will all pan out.  But Bible prophecy is the only place where real answers may be found.

I enjoyed spending the time with my family watching the movie.  Afterward, I enjoyed our conversation.

As I have stated, I don’t know the motivation of the author.  I think the movie makes some people very happy and others very sad.

In my case, it is evidence that we are living near the time of His advent.  But, I knew this before I watched the movie.

I am filled with hope.

Chris Reimers


2012 Olympic Ceremonies Occultic?

August 14, 2012

Do you think that the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies were strange?  Well, I do.  I had to shut off the closing ceremonies because it was so strange.  For those who think some sort of statement was made, I would say that I have to agree.  Whatever was being communicated was certainly not Christian.

The article I linked to in my previous post about the opening ceremonies was thought provoking.  I have found another article.  To be honest, I don’t know if the article is really critical of the closing ceremonies or attempting to promote what it pretends to unmask.  In either case, it is interesting.

We live in very strange times.  They are Godless times.  Read your Bibles.  Know His Word.  And the peace that passes all understanding will rule in your hearts today.

Chris Reimers


My “Choice” in 2012

July 23, 2012

With less than four months left before the election, I guess it’s time to state my opinion.  Anyone who reads this blog knows how I have to vote.  Do I think it is an important election?  All elections are important. Every Christian is responsible to know who to vote for not only in the highest office, but in the lowest as well.  What is happening to America is not only caused by incidents in the highest office in the land.  I lay the largest blame on our demise at the feet of the “Christian” church in America.   Most of us call ourselves “Christians,” don’t we?

I must digress a tad.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer visited America twice (Note your spell check and his name is spelled incorrectly in Word).  He was a leading German Christian several decades ago living in a time much like today.  The last time Mr. Bonhoeffer visited Americas was in 1939 for 26 days.  If you have never heard of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, I highly recommend the latest biography written by Eric Metaxas.  Mr. Bonhoeffer understood what was happening years before the tragedy of WWII.  America is headed down a road not untraveled.

Here is what Mr. Bonhoeffer wrote after hearing a famous, nationally known, American radio preacher before he left America on his final visit:

“The Americans speak so much about freedom in their sermons.  Freedom as a possession is a doubtful thing for a church; freedom must be won under the compulsion of a necessity.  Freedom for the church comes from the necessity of the Word of God.  Otherwise it becomes arbitrariness and ends in a great many new ties.  Whether the church in America is really ‘free,’ I doubt.  They are lonely Sundays over here.  Only the Word makes a true community.” (1)

On his first trip to America, Mr. Bonhoeffer arrived on Sept. 12. 1930.  He had come to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

“Bonhoeffer had no idea what he was walking into at Union, but the bloody battle royale between the liberals and fundamentalists was in full swing in 1930.”  (2)

My point is that the spiritual ruin causing all of our other national problems was underway long before 1930.

“(Harry Emerson) Fosdick had been the pastor at New York’s First Presbyterian Church when in 1922 he preached an infamous sermon titled ‘Shall the Fundamentalists Win?’  In it he had laid out a kind of Apostate’s Creed in which he expressed his serious doubts about…the virgin birth, the resurrection, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, miracles, and the Bible as the Word of God.”  (3)

By 1930, John D. Rockefeller had built Riverside Church very near Union Theological Seminary.   Mr. Rockefeller handpicked the pastor, of course.  It was Mr. Fosdick who was “the most famous liberal preacher in America.”  (4)

America was already in trouble in 1922.

Our situation is much worse today.  Look at the presidential candidates we have to choose from.  One we know very little about (the one in office) and the other one is a Mormon. Mormons have a developing Jesus. In fact, they believe that “As man is God once was. As God is, man may become.” (5)  Does that statement sound familiar?

“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall surely not die:  For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”  (6)

This is one of many reasons that Mormonism is considered a cult.

Romney was a Mormon Bishop. (7)  To get such a position, an oath of obedience to the latest Mormon Prophet running the Mormon Church is necessary.

At least we can say that we know Mr. Romney’s past.

When Mr. Obama’s “official” birth certificate was posted on the White House website, a brilliant 16 year old who, I’ve heard, has made alot of money because of an app he created, tore it to shreds as a fake.  One can see the video of him doing so here. (8)  If you think the young man lacks credibility, you can watch this. (9)  This video is less than 3 minutes (earphones may be needed) and features Mara Zebest, an Adobe expert.  I have heard extensive interviews with Mara and they are quite impressive.

Thus, here are our two choices:

  1.  A man who has no problem lying to us, and
  2.  A man who has had a high position in a cult

As a Christian, what should I do?

Psalm 32:12 states:

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”

So, as the t-shirt says: “My faith and my politics can not be separated.”

Before I go any farther, I would like to share an email with you that I received this week.  It is from a man who has been published in our local newspaper several times.  I think he makes some good points.  I have edited only a few things.  You are reading it as it was intended to be understood.

Dear Editor,

 With the great anticipated National election soon approaching, I would like to remind all readers some of the “accomplishments” this President has done during his term thus far.

 #1.

 He was able to convince some of the American public that his designed health care system was beneficial and that government control was needed. You are aware that there will be an increased health insurance fee for medical effectiveness research. Major insurers were already doing their own research, but according to the Obama administration, it lacked the credibility of government sponsored studies. So what if government  becomes judge and jury.

 #2.

 He expanded programs that increased the national debt to an unbelievable level and continues to do so. It now has increased almost 33% since he came into office. That is more than 27 times faster than during the rest of the nation’s history. One way of looking at this is; if you are driving at 65 MPH and a car passes you going 27 times faster, that car would be going 7,555 MPH!! It doesn’t matter that future generations will be saddled with the debt.

 #3.

 He showed allegiance when he bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, but never wore an American flag pin and folded his hands at waist level when the National Anthem was played.

 #4.

 He appointed White House cabinet posts to Cass Sunstein, Anita Dunn, Valarie Jarrett, Carol Browner and Van Jones. Even though Mao Tse Tung was a favorite of one, many admitted being avowed Socialists. And then there was:

 #5.

 Obama and his administration tried to shut down all oil drilling and exploration in the Gulf. Fortunately he was not as successful as he would have liked, but he did manage to curtail drilling and exploration by his permitorium cutting production to a loss of 375,000 barrels per day. I wonder if he realizes that Offshore drilling is vital to U.S. energy security and supports more than 242,000 jobs. By the way, food stamp recipients have increased over 35% and all unemployment has increased 24%, among minorities it has increased 25%. To make matters even worse, America approved an investment in Petrobas, helping Brazil to become one of the largest oil exporters in the world. We lend them money so that we can buy the oil they produce with the money we lend them. Wow, what a deal!! Mr. Obama spoke of the desire of the U.S. to secure even more oil from Brazil in the future after his talks with President Dilma Rouseff in Brasilia earlier in 2011. Are we right to wonder why Mr. Obama is happy that Brazil is doing what he won’t allow at home? Oh, and the pipeline that would increase jobs and oil refinery here in the U.S; the Keystone XL pipeline? Mr. Obama was against it until… Yep, you guessed it, election time in 2012! That pipeline would have delivered an estimated 500,000 to 700,000 barrels of oil per day! By allowing the industry to produce at capacity it could generate $44 billion in U.S.GDP, reduce by $15 million the amount we send to foreign governments and create 190,000 new jobs. It would help ensure a supply of energy that cannot be manipulated by hostile governments. What a President. What a catastrophe! And to think that he was able to do these things and more, even though he had absolutely no experience at anything except community organizing.  Speaking of community organizing, Obama has a long history of wanting to change social structure and behavior thru community organizing in Chicago. He has credited it by citing public housing being renovated, parks refurbished and city crime and drug problems curtailed. Ask anyone living in Chicago if any of this exists. Mr. Obama talks a lot but it is only blather. I hope this letter reminded you of another reason or two for not giving Obama your vote in November. We can no longer afford him.

 Sincerely,

 Joseph Burba

 I would like to thank Mr. Burba for his contribution.

As a Christian, there is the problem of Mr. Obama’s stand on abortion and homosexuality.  If the scales weren’t slanted greatly in favor of Mr. Romney before these issues, they become so.

It is going to be hard to vote in November.  However, it is my duty as a Christian to vote for the person who is the closest thing to a real Christian.  If our leader is separated from the God of the Bible, how can our nation be blessed?  Our leader is a reflection of the people.

The only man I felt comfortable voting for in the primary was Rick Santorum.  Yes, I threw my vote away.  I went to vote because of a local man I wanted to help make it past the primary.  He did, thankfully.

I will be voting for Mitt Romney in November.  It is not a vote I want to make but I have no choice.  I hope you vote.  I hope you check out the lesser candidates and choose those who best line up with Godly views.

God’s blessings…

Chris Reimers

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.  Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

—————————————————————

Notes:

(1)   “Bonhoeffer” by Eric Metaxas – pgs. 342-343.

(2)   Ibid. pg. 101

(3)   Ibid. pg. 102

(4)   Ibid. pg. 101

(5)   http://www.exmormon.org/mormon/mormon140.htm By the way, the Elder Marion G. Romney who is quoted as saying, “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become” is Mitt’s second cousin.

(6)   Genesis 3:4-5

(7)   http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/story/2012-03-28/mitt-romney-mormon-bishop/53836844/1

(8)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s9StxsFllY

(9)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv19avtHVcc


ISRAEL WILL SURVIVE

July 21, 2012

I rarely add to the words of Mr. Spurgeon.  Usually, I can add nothing more.  However, I live in a different time. Israel became a nation long after Mr. Spurgeon passed.  And I have studied the Assyrians and their king, Sennacherib.  You see, I did a report in college on the Old Testament book of Nahum.  Most of you know the story of Jonah and how he eventually got around to telling the Assyrians to repent.   AND THEY ACTUALLY REPENTED.  Sadly, Nahum came a bit later and recorded 4 major prophecies that had to do with the destruction of the Assyrian Empire.

So what does this have to do with the following piece by Mr. Spurgeon?  Israel was in trouble when Isaiah wrote the following verse inspired by God’s Holy Spirit.  Israel is in trouble today.  What did Israel do then?  Eventually, they trusted that God would save them.  What will happen to today’s Israel.  Read your Bible.  God will save them.  They will not be exterminated like so many wish.

A popular, current Christian best seller calls the Assyrians the “first terrorists.”  I don’t know if this is true, but I know that their armies were terrorists.  I can’t relate the details here as I’m eating my breakfast.

What does Mr. Spurgeon do with the words of Isaiah?  He does what he always does.  He attempts to relate it to our personal lives and our relationship with God.  I think he does an admirable work here.

Those who have read much of the Bible at all know that there are layers.  It is why we can read the same verse many times and get something new.  The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Bible.  What a wonderful privilege it is to have God’s Word in my hands.

Chris Reimers

“The daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.” Isa 37:22

Reassured by the Word of the Lord, the poor trembling citizens of Zion grew bold, and shook their heads at Sennacherib’s boastful threats. Strong faith enables the servants of God to look with calm contempt upon their most haughty foes. We know that our enemies are attempting impossibilities. They seek to destroy the eternal life, which cannot die while Jesus lives; to overthrow the citadel, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. They kick against the pricks to their own wounding, and rush upon the bosses of Jehovah’s buckler to their own hurt.

We know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? They roar and swell like waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame. When the Lord ariseth, they shall fly as chaff before the wind, and be consumed as crackling thorns. Their utter powerlessness to do damage to the cause of God and his truth, may make the weakest soldiers in Zion’s ranks laugh them to scorn.

Above all, we know that the Most High is with us, and when he dresses himself in arms, where are his enemies? If he cometh forth from his place, the potsherds of the earth will not long contend with their Maker. His rod of iron shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel, and their very remembrance shall perish from the earth. Away, then, all fears, the kingdom is safe in the King’s hands. Let us shout for joy, for the Lord reigneth, and his foes shall be as straw for the dunghill.

“As true as God’s own word is true;

Nor earth, nor hell, with all their crew,

Against us shall prevail.

A jest, and byword, are they grown;

God is with us, we are his own,

Our victory cannot fail.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

CR