Christ First Forum

The New Pharisaical Bullies - By Jan Markell - www.olivetreeviews.org

I have been called a lot of things but never a "bully" and never a "Pharisee." But since I am referenced in a sad new book, The New Pharisaism: How Spiritual Bullies Attack the Church," I felt I needed to respond to this pathetic attempt to call good ministries and leaders Pharisees just because they are contending for the faith in an apostate climate.

About a decade ago a new kind of ministry came along as a a result of rising apostasy and false teaching. They were branded as "discernment ministries" and that is probably pretty accurate. Olive Tree Ministries started out with a pro-Israel slant as well as being an end-time watcher. Today we also find ourselves trying to defend the faith and encouraging discernment in the church (Luke 12:56; Proverbs 2:3).

What discernment ministries are trying to do is take a stand against those who have hijacked evangelicalism in the last 30 years. For starters, that would include the "seeker-sensitive" movement that often dumbs down preaching, Emergent heresy, the mystical movement (so-called Christian Yoga, contemplative prayer, etc.), the new Mary for Protestants movement, the emphasis by evangelicals on fictitious man-made global warming, Muslim-Christian dialogue, and more.

Those of us being chastised by the author of this new book, Bill Slabaugh, take the warning in Ezekiel 33:6 very seriously! ''But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand.''

This book suggests that several national organizations, Web sites, newsletters, and radio broadcasts -- including "Understanding the Times" radio -- have turned their sights on the church and have attacked Christian leaders and other faithful believers. This so-called new "Pharisaism" demonstrates that very unbiblical practices are being introduced into some churches in America as a part of the apostasy of the last days. The author of the book and other critics suggest that we "bullies" have used this phenomenon for our own selfish gain and self-promoting agenda.

What financial gain is there in standing for truth, naming names of false teachers, and losing a ton of financial contributors because we have touched their sacred cow?

There is a cost in contending, and it can be in dollars and cents. It can sink a ministry or stunt its growth.

I have to ask, "Since when did contending for the faith (Jude 3) become bullying?!"

Those of us accused are simply believers who cherish the true Word of God. We would like to hear about God and the Bible with no additives and preservatives. We want to avoid the latest fads in the contemporary church that are entertainment-oriented and that try to keep up with the pop culture. We are not interested in church-growth efforts. But when we question the church's infatuation with the spirit of the age, we are called some pretty abysmal names.

A few of the faith contenders Slabaugh singled out are Dave Hunt of Berean Call, Ray Yungen, Crosstalk Radio, Southwest Radio Church, Apprising Ministries, and Olive Tree Ministries.

Christian broadcaster Todd Wilkin says, "Just as politicians and pundits play the race card or the gender card, the Pharisee card is used to discredit someone by implying that he is narrow, rigid, and unloving. Most often these days, the Pharisee card is played to portray a fellow Christian as a 'doctrinal purist,' resistant to change, and therefore, unconcerned for the lost."

Quite the contrary: We are just asking that the gospel preached to the lost be pure.

Wilkin goes on to say, "Jesus called Christians who demanded doctrinal purity 'disciples,' not 'Pharisees.' "

This ministry will continue speaking the inconvenient truth which will continue to get us labeled as unloving bullies and Pharisaical for years to come. I offer no apologies. How tragic that it is discernment ministries today that are seen as troublemakers and dividers when they are standing up for a true gospel and solid doctrine.

The time is short. Telling the truth is more important than popularity contests right now. The Bible speaks of escalating apostasy in the last days so I ask a few more of you to join the ranks of contenders for the faith.

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Yes, those of us who try to present the true gospel, and all of it, are often chastized by many of these emergent groups, new age, etc. Persecution is coming within the ranks of the "so called church" - well, they need to read scripture, and we need to pray for them. I try not to argue over different points of scripture that could be interpreted differently from what I believe, but I believe in what the writer said in that we HAVE to contend for the faith, as set forth in Jude. By that, I mean if someone presents "another gospel" as Paul cited, we are to speak out against it. If they come in with false doctrinal beliefs, we are to speak out about it - WITHOUT APOLOGY. (I guess that's why I don't like the word "apologetics", it makes us sound like we're apologizing for the gospel). lol. Seriously, let's keep contending for the faith, and realizing how blessed we are to be the "remnant" of the true Church. Keep looking up - we're getting there, day by day.

Yes, those of us who try to present the true gospel, and all of it, are often chastized by many of these emergent groups, new age, etc. Persecution is coming within the ranks of the "so called church" - well, they need to read scripture, and we need to pray for them. I try not to argue over different points of scripture that could be interpreted differently from what I believe, but I believe in what the writer said in that we HAVE to contend for the faith, as set forth in Jude. By that, I mean if someone presents "another gospel" as Paul cited, we are to speak out against it. If they come in with false doctrinal beliefs, we are to speak out about it - WITHOUT APOLOGY. (I guess that's why I don't like the word "apologetics", it makes us sound like we're apologizing for the gospel). lol. Seriously, let's keep contending for the faith, and realizing how blessed we are to be the "remnant" of the true Church. Keep looking up - we're getting there, day by day.

Amen and Amen! Let them call me what ever they want because I too fall into this category!

Well troy about this Pharisee stuff is one reason me and Anna almost quit every Christian Forum. This is what is called bully around with other members. We don’t like it when others come to bully or fight. I once was going to open up a Christian forum. But perhaps in fear all sites create havoc and Pharisees and those whom oppose God and want to bully and fight. The last site we went to do you know who the biggest bully was? The Pastor who owns the site was the one. RP one of our members has been trying to debate with this pastor. RP is seeing for himself this guy is a bully. He took away mine and Anna’s freedom of speech. He took away our edit buttons. He changed my password. He did not ban but he may have as well since I can't get back. I and Anna were talking about quitting all forums. Danny C from that other site told us of this place. Danny C only posted a couple here. But He is the one who told us of this place. If not for CFF we would have given up. I don't want harsh debates. We can disagree on things but if we do let us do it peacefully.

Thank God for Danny C....

My husband and I disagree sometimes, but I still love him...

I just state my facts,and let it be...Ha!

And pray: Lord, help my husband to love me as You love the Church and died for it....

Sometimes, when we pray, God changes US instead of THEM....

Glad Robbie and you decided to join one more forum,and God lead you here...