A blog by Amy Spreeman
“Now these [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
Millions of young people around the world are being told that they can soon supernaturally receive the hovering mantle of evangelism from the late Billy Graham, and that this opportunity will be theirs on February 23. Please hear me, Christian, there is no “mantle” from any person dead or alive that we are to activate or receive.
Read MoreChurch libraries are a great source for free Christian reads, and those nice librarians rarely charge late fees. Notice I didn't say "great Christian reads;" I said "free." Unfortunately many church libraries contain some of the worst fiction in Christendom.
Read MoreThe controversy over Bill Hybels’ behavior during his reign at Willow Creek Church and his Global Leadership Summit is apparently worse than anyone could have imagined. New allegations of sexual misconduct against Hybels came to light this past Sunday, prompting his successor at Willow Creek to step down and more than 100 Global Leadership Summit site host churches to cancel.
Read MoreMamma always says, "You can't always judge a book by its cover." That goes for judging a church by its website, too. Momma didn't say it, but it's true.
In other words, when looking for a "safe" church, you can't always go by statements of faith on websites.
Read MoreI share this out of concern for the hundreds of thousands following popular teacher Dr. David Jeremiah, who has reportedly has joined other prominent leaders (Max Lucado, Mark Batterson, Lysa TerKeurst, Jennie Allen, Lee Strobel, Ann Voskamp, Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Roma Downey, Dr. Jack Graham, etc.), in promoting and endorsing the “Jesus Calling” franchise, written by Sarah Young.
Read MoreThe Advent of Christ's first coming is an integral part of the Gospel. But many parents who are desperate for a family-friendly film might not realize the implications of embedding a different Gospel into their children's' impressionable noggins than what God's Word tells us. Are the producers using Christ to entertain us, or are they truly telling us why He came?
The problem with these types of stories is that children do not have discernment to know truth from fantasy. Images from movies stay with children for a long time, whether true or not.
Read More“Just start making sounds and you will begin to speak through the Holy Ghost.” So I did. At first it seemed I was just making nonsense, but I definitely felt something take over and I started loudly speaking with whatever was going through me. Looking back now, I realize that something more sinister had an effect on me at that moment, and I had opened myself up to spiritual things that didn’t line up with scripture." - Max
Like many NAR victims, Max experienced something demonic. Unfortunately, his story gets worse.
Max's story is among several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies I've received since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. Each is as painful to read and share as the next.
Read More“When I arrived in October 2008, the Meridian Vineyard was a nice and fun place to be. Very loving, lots of contemporary worship. This was also when I first heard about Bethel Church out of Redding, California. I started getting a gut check in my spirit almost immediately.” – Ben
Ben wrote to me recently to share how he had escaped the NAR movement. Here is his story in his own words:
Read MoreI have received several additional “Leaving the NAR” testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement. In this series, I’ve been taking readers beyond the textbook What is the New Apostolic Reformation Movement explanation, into the personal experiences from those who have been there, and what happened when God opened their eyes to the truth.
Not all continuists are embracing this movement. (See, What is Continuationism?) Anthony is one of a few Pentecostal Christians who experienced NAR teachings and has been warning others about the NAR. And while I am not in that camp myself, I am encouraged that he is speaking out.
Read MoreAn upcoming 10-day online event promises to make you a better you. It's called the Self-Acceptance Summit, and I've seen several Christians promote it. The event is put on by a group called "Sounds True." (Are you tempted to add the words, But Isn't? I know I am.)
While Jesus tells us to deny self, pick up our crosses and follow Him, these spiritual leaders are doing the opposite: teaching hearers to worship self.
Read MoreMany churches are bringing a practice called SOZO into their ministry, at the peril of damaging the sheep and possibly shipwrecking their faith. SOZO Prayer is a technique based on psychology and used by so-called “inner healing ministries” sweeping churches today.
This psycho-spiritual deliverance and inner healing methodology is designed to exorcise demons from Christians. Not that a Christian can be possessed by demons, but that is one of many apostate teachings from the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR.
Read More"The pastor travels internationally and has connections with several NAR leaders in several nations. He would name drop famous leaders in the NAR as if he were good friends with them, when the truth was he had only met a few or had done a conference or meeting with them. is a member of the ICAL (International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders) and has been in meetings with some well know NAR leadership." - Grant
I have received several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement.
Read More"The Spirit (who authored Scripture) never, ever, uses “fire” in a metaphorical sense describing passion/excitement/commitment/fervor etc. The only metaphorical usages related to emotions are of anger and wrath. That’s amazingly interesting, given the constant usage of the term in Charismatic circles...
Read More"We operated in automatic writing and speaking, and spoke in tongues without interpretation. The pastor also would take the teenagers on "treasure hunts". They would pray, receive "clues" in visions and other ways "the spirit" would tell them, then go out into the city and find their targets." -Elaine
I have received several additional "Leaving the NAR" testimonies since I wrapped up the series earlier this summer. These stories are precious to me, and serve as a painful reminder that there is hope for the dear deceived ones caught up in this insidious movement.
Read MoreHave you heard the new name NAR proponents have come up with for their movement? Yes, the new New Apostolic Reformation (a term coined by the late C. Peter Wagner), is now hoping to go by "INC."
Read MoreHave you ever fallen for a feel-good gospel that ministers to your ache for feeling special, or longing for admiration from a god who dances over you and thinks you're the apple of his eye? What about sermon messages or books that help you look deeply into your past pains, or prayers that ask God for visions of His dream for your future?
Unfortunately, many churches, conferences and Christian program materials are designed to meet the felt needs of the sheep, ultimately focusing on themselves rather than a risen Savior, or using Him as a means to an end...
Read MoreDo you consider yourself a Progressive Christian? If so, you probably will bristle to hear this, but you are part of an incredibly dangerous movement: Postmodernity. Quite frankly, Postmodernity is the yeast that has taken the Church away from the truth and toward a more tolerant, sin-affirming direction that is muddied with mushy theology.
Progressive Christianity is based on three wicked practices: Scoffing (to debase those who believe the Bible is true), Subversion (to undo traditional doctrine), and Rebellion (against God's Word as truth).
Read MorePastor David Jeremiah recently worked with JesusCalling.com to produce a podcast titled, Keeping Hope In A Darkened World. In addition to promoting his new book, the pastor also promoted Sarah Young, the author of the Jesus Calling books, studies, devotionals, calendars, and coloring book. The transcript of the interview regarding his admiration for the multi-million dollar Jesus Calling empire is as follows:
Read MoreA wide swath of pastoral and church leadership will soon hear how to lead their churches not through following Christ and biblical principles, but from worldly, non-Christian leadership authors, social justice organizations, and corporate gurus from Facebook and Google. When we call these leaders non-Christian, let's be honest and call them "enemies of the Gospel," which God's Word says they are. (Luke 11:23 and James 4:4)
Read MoreHas your church "turned Orange?" If your children's ministry leaders have suddenly put your children's discipleship in the hands of Andy Stanley's Orange Strategy, you're going to want to investigate what this program is - and more importantly what it is NOT.
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“Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)
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