Jesus Answered Questions with Questions [podcast]
“AVOID FOOLISH QUESTIONS”
Could it be that one way to “avoid foolish questions” is to ask questions when questioned?
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition REJECT; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.” Titus 3:9-11
All questions that come to us are not evil and yet, as we see with Jesus’ religious enemies, some questions do come from evil hearts with ungodly motives.
“For we are not as many, which corrupt (twist, adulterate) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 2:17
Jesus used the art of asking questions and so should you. This will revolutionize the way you interact with others, if done correctly. And, this should never be used from a heart that is not pure in the eyes of God. The disciple must beware of the evil that lurks within his own heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18, etc.).
“Asking questions was central to Jesus’ life and teachings.”
One commentator notes:
“How many times did Jesus ask questions?
In the Gospels Jesus asks many more questions than he answers. To be precise, Jesus asks 307 questions. He is asked 183 of which he only answers three. Asking questions was central to Jesus‘ life and teachings.”
The Big Question is … What’s behind the question?
WHERE is the questioner seeking to lead this conversation?
We should pray for discernment to know whether there is evil intent or the noble desire for answers behind the questions asked of us.
Questioners with evil hearts ask questions in order to get themselves off the hook or deny what the Bible plainly states. This some do to distance themselves from the conviction of conscience the truth is causing them. And if you buy the package, if you take the bait, they will suck you in and devour you.
Beware of the enemy’s tactics.
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices (schemes, tactics).” 2 Corinthians 2:11
“Jesus frequently asked the Pharisees questions. He challenged them. Most of the time He answered questions with questions! He called them out! Which angered them greatly. Jesus was skilled in the art of asking questions! I could learn much from a study of questions Jesus asked.” Karen Cochran
ALWAYS GIVE GOD’S ANSWER AND NO OTHER (1 Peter 3:15): Beware that when God’s Word is spoken, those who love darkness rather than light, those who are unrepentant will divert from the Word by asking you questions off of the WORD itself in order to divert the conviction from their unrepentant hearts (John 3:19-21). STAY with the Word – whether they like it or not (Isaiah 55:11). You owe no man an answer other than to give them what God says – what the LORD stated in His unchanging Word (Mark 13:31). Jesus tells us that such men as will not hear His Word, are “NOT of God.” And, that if they were “OF GOD” they’d be humbly, astutely looking for and hearing HIS Word (John 8:47). Memorizing the words of Jesus recorded in John 8:47 will put your discernment miles ahead. I underlined the key words:
“He that is OF GOD heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are NOT OF GOD.” John 8:47
When you give rebels the answer of GOD from HIS WORD, they will attack you – the mere messenger. They are not there to learn. They’ve made up their minds and are sticking with their rebellion. Always remember, their issue is with the LORD and not with you.
You see, unrepentant men do not like the answer God gives to their questions. They are looking only to justify sin, not repent and confess it as the LORD requires. So their questions are aimed at finding a way to justify their sin – to justify their refusal to truly repent, lay down their lives in this fleeting world, and follow Jesus for real. That’s the crux of the matter.
Isn’t that exactly what the pharisees (false teachers/religionists) did to Jesus?
“Let GOD be true and EVERY man a liar.” Romans 3:4
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
Give God’s answer and no other. You owe no one an answer to anything else, except what God says about it. Refuse to allow rebels to lead you around by the nose with their deflections and questions.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15
JESUS ANSWERS QUESTIONS WITH QUESTIONS
Getting a taste of how Jesus dealt with evil hearted religious folks is going to greatly develop your ability to navigate the hate-filled attacks against Christ and you by truth-haters. This will help you as you earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints in the original Gospel recorded on the pages of Holy Scripture (Jude 3-4).
Jesus questioned His questioners and so should you! You serve the LORD Jesus and are not obligated to answer every question that comes your way. Sometimes, you have to stay in control in these situations. I say this specifically referring to converstions you will have with rebels. They have nothing good in their hearts and in many cases, have no heart for the truth, just like the religious frauds of Christ’s day.
Personally, I’ve seldom seen so much evil as when I refuse to answer questions from those who seek to misdirect the conversation away from the Word of God. Often detractors use mere human reasoning, or anything to manipulate and twist and get the emphasis off of what the Word itself clearly states (Mark 7:6-9). This is a tactic they use in order to promulgate their false belief, justifies their sin, and that contradicts Holy Scripture. Such was the case in this recent attack and conversation – Preacher Viciously Attacked for Speaking the Truth! [podcast]
Jesus is THE BOSS and He’s Your Boss! Follow Your Boss. Follow the Example of Your Boss! We learn from our Boss by beholding what He did. And, our Boss, the KING of all kings, asked questions to questioners.
Our Lord was skilled at asking precise questions that drove to the heart of a situation, centering everything on HIS kingdom and never acquiescing to the sinful whims and manipulations of unrepentant men.
Some of Christ’s most profound questions came as a response to those who were questioning Jesus. The following is a list of some of the questions Jesus used in questioning His questioners. This is not an exhaustive list of every question Jesus ever asked and is on record in the Bible. In order to help the reader, I’ve underlined and hi-lighted the words which indicate questions for the reader to capture the essence of how our LORD answered questions with questions. I’ve included also the questions Jesus asked His own disciples. Some of these questions are noble and most (from His enemies) are hostile. As you will see, those questions from Christ’s enemies are obviously inherently evil. I’ve highlighted with yellow where the LORD specifically cites them for such, calling to the reader’s attention the heart motives of those asking the questions. Jesus interrupted their attempted deflections, cover-ups. He called them out on it. Here’s the interaction:
- Matthew 9:14-15 – 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them (a question), Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
- Matthew 15:1-3 – 1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
- Matthew 15:33-34 33 – 33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? 34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
- Matthew 17:24-26 – 24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
- Matthew 21:16 – And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
- Matthew 26:6-10 – 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
- Mark 2:5-11 – 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. 6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? 8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? 9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
- Mark 4:10,13 – 10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. .. 13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
- Mark 4:38,40 – And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? … 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
- Mark 7:17-18 – 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also?Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him;
- Mark 10:2-3 – And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?
- Notice in this exchange below how Jesus is, as always, in charge, in control and therefore answers the questions of these hypocrites with questions and puts them to work – because He knew the hypocrisy of their hearts and what was behind their foolish questions.
Mark 12:14-17 – And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny (Jesus puts them to work), that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.
- By Jesus telling these men that they did err, were in error, because they didn’t know the “scriptures, neither the power of God” which comes from proper relationship with Him, He was in part directing them to get into the Word where the answers are found. Mark 12:18, 20-24 – Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, … 20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. 21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. 22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. 24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
- Luke 2:48-49 – And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist (knew) ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
- Luke 6:1-3 – And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? 3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
- Luke 10:25-26 – And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
- Luke 10:29,36 – But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? … 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
- Luke 12:41-43 – Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
- Luke 18:18-19 – And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
- As Jesus “taught the people … and preached the gospel”…. wicked religionists hurled questions with evil intent, questioning Christ’s authority. As His custom was, Jesus answered them with a question.
Luke 20:1-4 – And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, 2 And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? 3 And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: 4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
- John 8:3-10 – And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. (notice Jesus’ response to their question here – He didn’t answer it verbally but with this action) But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?“
Support | STORE | Podcasts | The Return of Christ | Satanic Serpents and Hedges | Deliverance | Devils | Holy Ghost Baptism | Off the Chain | 100’s of Christ-centered, Scripture-rich podcasts for your edification in Christ.
Apostasy
The Audacity of Defending the New Versions
The Promise of Divine Condemnation
for all who Dare Add to Or
Take Away from His Word
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (including the lake of fire).” Revelation 22:18-19
If you defend the new versions by attempting to detract from the King James Bible, please answer these simple questions:
4 SILENCING VERSES AND QUESTIONS – Here are the 5 verses I compare with people. There is rarely an argument when a King James and a new version are laid open and compared side by side. Watch this:
Matthew 17:21
(KJB) “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.“
(NIV) (whole verse omitted)
Removed in new versions because Satan didn’t want God’s people to know how to cast him out. And you agree with this?
Acts 8:37
(KJB) “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
(NIV) Removed in new versions because Satan didn’t want God’s people to know that water baptism doesn’t save anyone. One must first repent and believe on the LORD Jesus to be saved. Satan tries to confuse the salvation issue but “God …. is not the author of confusion.” (1 Corinthians 14:33)
Romans 8:1
(KJB) “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
(NIV) “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
What’s missing? Half the verse is missing which is in the original Greek. Verses chopped in half because Satan wants believers to believe his ‘once saved always saved’ lie. And this is okay with you?
Colossians 1:14
(KJB) “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
(NIV) “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“
“Through his BLOOD” removed because the LORD Jesus is Satan’s enemy. And you side with Satan who’s removing Christ’s very blood from redemption and forgiveness of sins? Are you saying the LORD is a liar by agreeing that there is redemption outside of Christ’s blood? (Hebrews 9:22)
1 John 5:7-8
(KJB) “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. {8} And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.“
(NIV) “For there are three that testify: {8} the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.“
This is the clearest verse in the Bible on the triune nature of God. It’s all but removed from the new versions or neutered to mean nothing because Satan didn’t want God’s people to understand the nature of the Godhead. And you agree with Christ’s enemy on this?
Saints, never argue this topic, just show them. Write these verses above on a sticky and put them in your Bible. Memorize and cross-reference these references so you can be ready always to give an answer (1 Peter. 3:15). If someone can’t see the hand of the enemy here it’s due to their walking in darkness. This is why some don’t fear God and can’t see Christ’s truth and value it. Darkness due to sin is the root reason a person could crassly dismiss this diabolical travesty. You can’t argue someone into the truth. They must choose to repent – otherwise you will be talking to a brick wall of antichrist unbelief.
So Let’s Review:
Let’s see… How can you possibly justify “the blood” being removed from Colossians 1:14? How about the fact that the new versions chopped Romans 8:1 in half? That okay? Not with God (Revelation 22:18-19). How about the butchering of 1 John 5:7? You okay with the fact that Matthew 17:21 has been removed?
ANY person who has the ignorance and audacity to go so far as to defend the new per-versions of the “Bible,” is utterly in need of repentance.
Do the new versions not come from the same manuscripts as did the Jehovah’s Witness corrupted “bible”?
If you are reading a new version, you have a Vatican Bible. So sorry if this offends you friend …. it’s the undeniable historical fact. God bless us to know the LORD and to have His discernment lest we unknowingly walk in darkness.
“The Alexandrian minds believe the Bible is not perfect and can be improved by their great scholarship, but this is actually a spiritual illness of Egypt (Ex. 15:26). This terrible spiritual illness is called A.I.D.S. (Alexandrian Idiots Degrading Scripture). The Antiochan mentality believes the Bible is perfect and cannot be improved. God promised to preserve His inspired word (Ps. 12:6-7; Jer. 32:36) and the humble mind of the common man simply believes God (1 Thess. 2:13). Faith is simply believing what God says (Isa. 66:2; Acts 27:25; Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 11:1-6). THE ALEXANDRIAN CULT is ALL people who REJECT the FACT of the KJB being “THE” FINAL AUTHORITY; which means there is only “ONE” OBJECTIVE STANDARD OF TRUTH, NOT many! Because these people are afraid of there being an absolute TRUTH that will judge them. That means no loopholes, only conviction. This cult is people who use and support the new modern PERversions of the (b)ible (NIV, NASV, NKJV, TNIV,… ESV, and all others etc…)! THE ALEXANDRIAN CULT is anyone that doesn’t believe that the KJB is Inherent, Inerrant, Infallible, PERFECT, INSPIRED WORD OF GOD WITHOUT “ERRORS”! Brian Sirois
THE CREED OF THE ALEXANDRIAN CULT: (by Brian Sirois)
1. There is NO FINAL AUTHORITY but God.
2. Since God is a SPIRIT, there is NO FINAL AUTHORITY that can be seen, heard, read, felt or handled. …
3. Since all books are MATERIAL, there is NO BOOK ON THIS EARTH THAT IS THE FINAL AND ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY on what is right and what is wrong; what constitutes TRUTH and what constitutes ERROR.
4. There WAS a series of writings one time which, IF they had all been put into a BOOK as soon as they were written the first time, WOULD HAVE constituted an infallible and final authority by which to judge truth and error.
5. However, this series of writings was LOST, and the God Who inspired them was UNABLE TO PRESERVE THEIR CONTENT through Bible-believing Christians at Antioch (Syria), where the first Bible teachers were (Acts 13:1), and where the first missionary trip originated (Acts 13:1-6), and where the word “CHRISTIAN” originated (Acts 11:26).
6. So, God chose to ALMOST preserve them through Gnostics and philosophers from Alexandria, Egypt, even though God called HIS SON OUT of Egypt (Mat. 2), JACOB OUT of Egypt (Gen. 49), ISRAEL OUT of Egypt (Exod. 15), and JOSEPH’S BONES OUT of Egypt (Exod. 13).
7. So, there are two streams of Bibles: the most accurate – though, of course, there is NO FINAL, ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY FOR DETERMINING TRUTH AND ERROR: it is a matter of “preference” – are the Egyptian translations from Alexandria, Egypt, which are “almost the originals,” although NOT QUITE.
8. The most INACCURATE TRANSLATIONS were those that brought about the GERMAN REFORMATION (Luther, Zwingli, Boehler, Zinzendorf, Spener, etc.) and the worldwide MISSIONARY MOVEMENT of the English speaking people: the Bible that Sunday, Torrey, Moody, Finney, Spurgeon, Whitfield, Wesley, and Chapman used.
9. But we can “tolerate” these if those who believe in them will tolerate US. After all, since THERE IS NO ABSOLUTE AND FINAL AUTHORITY THAT ANYONE CAN READ, TEACH, PREACH, OR HANDLE, the whole thing is a matter of “PREFERENCE.” You may prefer what you prefer, and we will prefer what WE prefer: let us live in peace, and if we cannot agree on anything or everything, let us all agree on one thing: THERE IS NO FINAL, ABSOLUTE, WRITTEN AUTHORITY OF GOD ANYWHERE ON THIS EARTH.
That is the creed of the Alexandrian Cult.^^^ Brian S.
“KJB Only-ist” OR Honest Bible Student?
Most who read the KJB only do so out of conviction based on personal comparison and not out of preference or to belong to a certain group. Antagonists attempt to ridicule those Bible believers who have discernment and conviction and therefore read the KJB. Mock on.
People have become so delusional that they mock those who see the obvious, major doctrinal differences in the versions and read the KJB only. This alone demonstrates the impact of the new versions. In other words, just because you see the corruptions in the new versions and so read the real English Bible, you are mocked. Rejoice.
Since they have no other leg to stand on, some unrepentant defenders of the new versions want to try to demonize those who can see clearly enough to see that the new versions are corrupt.
To see the purity of the KJB and the corruptions of the new versions is simply being an astute, honest student of the LORD…. whereby the enemy and his works are discerned. That makes you Christ’s disciple not a “KJB onlyist.” Let’s just talk the truth instead of trying to classify people who see these things.
The unfathomable audacity of those who defend the corrupt new versions is mind boggling until you realize that it’s a spiritual matter. They are walking in darkness, blinded by “the god of this world” who is Satan himself, the author of those new versions they defend (2 Corinthians 4:4). I’m speaking of those who still defend the new versions after being clearly shown that 1) It’s okay to remove the very “blood” of Jesus from salvation (Col. 1:14), to 2) remove the clearest verse in God’s Word testifying to His triune nature (1 John 5:7), 3) to say that it’s just important to be in Christ once and no need to continue in the spirit and not the flesh (Rom. 8:1), and 4) that fasting and prayer are not important even though Jesus says they are (Matt. 17:21).
COMMON EXCUSE FROM SKEPTICS:
QUESTION RECEIVED:
“Most KJB Only Christians appear to be legalistic. Explain?”
REPLY:
Hi David. Some of those who use the new versions are rabid fanatics about them and appear legalistic also. In the opinion of many, some of the new version readers simply are what Jude calls lascivious – they like fables – stories, fairytales (Jude 3-4). Many KJB-only folk are simply God-fearing, have looked into this matter, and therefore have His discernment to see the hand of the enemy in the new versions …. which is more than obvious. Those who insist upon the King James Bible and have no respect for the perversion counterfeits only appear to be legalistic due to the lack of understanding of those who would surmise such and due to Satan’s impressions upon their own darkened minds. A simple comparison of verses between the KJB and the new versions leaves no question of the diabolical origins of the new versions … nothing else needed except a truly repentant heart for God …..
The fact that there are significant doctrinal differences in the King James Bible and the new versions is what’s at question. The scapegoat of some is to try to stereotype those who have a bit of discernment and therefore see these differences. Of course, many have not looked into the matter enough to see the blaring differences. This is something one should do before weighing in on this important matter. | Compare This!
EXCUSE:
“Oh but the Bible was originally written in Greek and Hebrew.”
REPLY:
Yes and God has kept His Word to translate it into our language (Ps. 12:6-7). The idea that God somehow dropped the ball after the original manuscripts borders on a blasphemous indictment against the Almighty and seems to make excuse for us to live any way we wish since the insinuation is that we really don’t have His pure Word. Nonsense. If such were the case that makes Jesus’ words null and void when He said “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”(Matthew 4:4) And “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:4) After all, how are we supposed to live according to “every word of God” if we really don’t have God’s pure Word? Did the LORD lie to us when He promised to “preserve” His Word to us? (Psalms 12:6-7) Will you call the LORD a liar? The devil himself has done a number on many. There was only the need for one English Bible and that was complete in the KJB. The new versions are a greed-driven, money-making scam and those peddling their poisonous wares have duped many and made a fortune doing so. Was this not foretold? – “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (secretly) shall bring (slip) in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And MANY shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:1-3)
SOME SPOUT:
“Well the KJB wasn’t the first English Bible:
REPLY:
True. There were 6 English versions leading up to the 7th (which means completion), the KJB. This fulfills Psalms 12:6-7 which states “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. 7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” …… “tried” and “purified” (perfected) how many times? – “seven times.”
ANOTHER ERRONEOUS IDEA:
“But you have to learn Hebrew and Greek and have a Greek and Hebrew Bible.”
REPLY:
I have a Greek Interlinear Bible. Yet we have God’s Word in our own language and Jesus says that the divine Person of the Holy Spirit is our teacher, not the original language. See John 14:26; 16:13; 1 John 2:20, 27.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“But my child can’t learn the KJB.”
REPLY:
Hi. I taught my son the KJB from birth and he had no problem at all understanding it because of the Holy Spirit and the self-interpretive nature of the King James Bible. Memorize and believe Psalms 119:105 and Isaiah 55:11. Gail Riplinger’s book titled “In Awe of Thy Word” is a masterpiece on this topic and much more.
SMOKESCREENS:
To cover for your favorite little fairy tale “bible,” you cast doubt on the preserved word of God by pretending to correct it? Where is the fear of God in your heart?
Wescott and Hort
If you are reading a fake “bible” ….
2 Wicked Ungodly men – Wescott and Hort – participated in the corrupting of those manuscripts from which those new “bibles” come.
Without the slightest apology to anyone, I, with hundreds of thousands of Christ’s disciples today, have no respect for the NIV, NASB, ESV, or any other Wescott and Hort perversion of Satan that charlatans have sought to pawn off on the gullible. If you read a new version of the Bible, consider this:
***WOULD YOU read a “bible” by men who said this concerning the Scriptures?:
“I reject the word infallibility of Holy Scriptures overwhelmingly.” (Westcott, The Life and Letters of Brook Foss Westcott, Vol. I, p.207).
“Our Bible as well as our Faith is a mere compromise.” (Westcott, On the Canon of the New Testament, p. vii).
“Evangelicals seem to me perverted. . .There are, I fear, still more serious differences between us on the subject of authority, especially the authority of the Bible.” (Hort, The Life and Letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort, Vol. I, p.400)
“Dr. Wilbur Pickering writes that, Hort did not hold to a high view of inspiration.” (The Identity of the New Testament Text, p.212)
Perhaps this is why both the RV (which Westcott and Hort helped to translate) and the American edition of it, the ASV, translated 2nd Timothy 3:16 as, “Every scripture inspired of God” instead of “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (KJB).
If you are reading a new version “bible” it came directly from the work of these wicked, unsaved men.
ALL new “bible” versions come from the corrupted manuscripts which were perverted by these two evil men, Wescott and Hort.
To realize through simple, personal comparison that the new versions are perverted and the KJB is God’s pure Word is not arrogance. It’s actually arrogance to READ the very significant differences, to see the removal and twisting of cardinal divine truth and then try to defend it.
Don’t Like Talking About This? Why Not?
—-IS THERE NOT A CAUSE? My big QUESTION is how in the world can a true follower of Christ not stand and condemn these perversions???? Forget how pure the King James Bible is or is not …. these new per-versions are nothing less than diabolically inspired. I am amazed at how some subtly attempt to cast doubt on the real Bible and simultaneously defend the new versions of the Bible. It’s certainly not the divine Person of the Holy Spirit inspiring someone to cast doubt on His Word (KJB) and defend satanic corruptions. Shannon Cook notes: “They have bought into this lie: “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen 3:1) And this one: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be [like] the most High.” (Isaiah 14:14) Wanting to be gods themselves, therefore ignorant of the salvation unto Christ alone.”
Satan is still doing the same thing and using “Christians” to help his cause. Find out here why so many remnant believers are trashing their new versions for the real Bible.
Shannon Cook aptly exposes the work of Satan:
“John 1:14 tells us “And the Word (capital letter W) was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Now, remove words, (modern translations) and the serpent attempts to remove the very deity of Jesus Christ. HELLO!
“How does a man live not on bread alone, but by [every word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4), when devils, through modern translations and versions are working overtime to blind and bind the bride of Christ, through these modern (per)versions?
Perhaps the main reason many members of the body of Christ have not a love for the truth is because so much has been removed?
And they know not the truth because they don’t study to show themselves approved unto God.
How is it that the bride shall live by [every word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of God when they’ve embraced doctrines of devils? (1 Timothy 4:1)” Shannon Cook
Note:
God’s Word is “quick (alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” … “For the word of God is quick (alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Satan’s little plastic butter knives (NIV, NASB, ESV, etc.) are fairytale, mythical stories basically …. neutered of divine potency …. why do you think that the witches, warlocks and all satanists hate the KJB? Is that a clue as to who the father/author of the new versions is?
This is a fascinating topic. Are There Significant Differences in the Bible Versions?
Personally, I don’t want to waste time on folks that are going to argue to defend the very work of Satan and then try to turn it around on those who believe God kept His Word to preserve His Word (Psalms 12-6-7). If after being shown the clear and large, significant differences in the version and still arguing to defend them, I am done … with folk like that. Those who defend the work of Satan obviously belong to him. Of these religiously cloaked devils, Jesus says “Ye are of your father the devil.” (John 8:44)
Speaking to the religious leaders of His day and our day, Jesus says:
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44
Shannon Cook notes:
“The KJB is the inerrant Word of God. God preserves His Word. Psalms 12:6,7; Deuteronomy 4:1,2; Proverbs 30:5,6; Mark 13:31; Revelation 22:18,19. Man however, and modern “translations” are fallible. We believe that the writers of the KJB (not version) were in fact carried along by the Holy Ghost.
We’re also inspired to believe this way. No righteousness of ours, but of the Christ.
Look at the Bible boom just within the last few decades. Amazing! Just in time for the end of the age. The deception age that we’ve been warned about!” Shannon Cook
This is a fascinating topic. Are There Significant Differences in the Bible Versions? << This is SafeGuardYourSoul’s main page on Bible Versions.
Lineage of the Modern Corrupt Versions
The Message “Bible” Exposed | Bible Versions Category
Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out weekly for the edification of the body of Christ.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast] | Bible Agnostics Exposed | How to Spot a Fake Bible [podcast] | WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE KJB? [podcast] | New American Standard Version “Bible” NASV Catastrophe Exposed | The Audacity of Defending the New Versions | Do We Have God’s Word or Do You Need to Know the Original Languages? [podcast] | Bible Versions Category |
Abiding
The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!
The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!
The reason God gave His only begotten Son was to clear you of all your sin in His regeneration, to bring you into His eternal family for fellowship with Him.
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 17:21
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3
When God clears a man at the moment of salvation or thereafter, so should we! When any man truly repents there will be definite fruit to prove it. When one obeys sound biblical doctrine the result will always be that he will bring forth fruit to demonstrate he truly repented, and is cleared by the LORD and must be cleared by us. After the fornicator in the church of Corinth repented, he was cleared and the LORD, through Paul, instructed the believers in that assembly to forgive, clear, and love him.
“So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
Remember this from the prodigal son parable our LORD taught us?
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance … 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7, 10
When someone returns to the LORD from sin, regardless of their past, with or without Christ, there is great celebration in Heaven and should be also among the saints of Christ on the earth.
A fresh reading of Luke 15 is highly recommended where Jesus gives us 3 parables to teach the restorative love of God!
WATCH THIS: When we repent we openly renounce and are clear…. God is good.
Godly Sorrow brings the blessings of God and a clearing of past sin.
“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what CLEARING OF YOURSELVES, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be CLEAR in this matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:11
Example: Remember how the fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5 was turned over to Satan and then repented and God cleared Him? Read 2 Corinthians 2 for the “CLEARING.” In this verse above, Paul is addressing this very issue and the sorrow, diligent obedience, and consequent “CLEARING” the Corinthian saints experienced. First they allowed the fornicator to function in their midst whereas Paul had to come in and instruct them to turn the transgressor over to Satan (1 Corinthians 5). Then, as a result, the backslider repented.
“He says, what clearing of yourselves. This does not mean that they tried to justify or excuse themselves, but rather that by taking resolute action, they tried to clear themselves of any further guilt or blame in the matter. Their change in attitude led to this change in action. What indignation may refer to their attitude toward the sinner because of the reproach he brought on the name of Christ. But more probably it refers to their attitude toward themselves for ever having allowed such a thing to go on for so long without taking action on it. Paul then adds: In all things you ‘ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.’ Of course, we are not to understand by this that they were never to blame, but simply that they had done everything they could to take the proper action and to act as they should have acted in the first place.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Clearing of yourselves – From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin. Indignation – That ye had not immediately corrected the offender. Fear – Of God’s displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod. Vehement desire – To see me again. Zeal – For the glory of God, and the soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge – Ye took a kind of holy revenge upon yourselves, being scarce able to forgive yourselves. In all things ye – As a church. Have approved yourselves to be pure – That is, free from blame, since ye received my letter.” John Wesley
“In all things, etc. – In the whole of your conduct in this affair since ye have received my letter, ye have approved yourselves to be clear, ἁγνους; not only to be clear of contumacy and obstinate persistence in your former conduct, but to have done all in the compass of your power to rectify the abuses which had crept in among you. The Corinthians were not clear, i.e. innocent or void of blame in the fact, but they were clear of all blame in their endeavors to remove the evil.” Adam Clarke
The Corinthian saints repented, obeyed God by turning the unrepentant sinner in their midst over to Satan, and were then forgiven and cleared of their sin of allowing the un-repentant fornicator to remain in their company (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2 and 7).
Today, is the LORD showing you something in your life that you must turn back over to Satan where it came from – to rid your heart, your life of a sin?
Interestingly, this 2 Corinthians 7 chapter begins with this:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
When we simply agree with the LORD, His Word, and turn to Him afresh and away from what He calls sin, confessing it to Him for what it is, He will immediately forgive us and promises to grant us a clearing, a clear conscience.
“Now the end (chief purpose) of the commandment (written Word) is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” 1 Timothy 1:5
The LORD made it clear that He intends for His children to be possessed with a clear conscience which is a gift He alone provided through the perfect sacrifice of His only begotten Son.
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14
“A disciplined conscience is a man’s best friend. It may not be his most amiable, but it is his most faithful monitor.” Austin Phelps
Have you ever had a past sin nag you for many years after you committed and even confessed and were forgiven for it?
WHEN we DO what is right, then and only then do we have the bless-ed confirmation of a clear conscience. AND, doing what’s right begins with re-turning, turning afresh to our LORD and confessing all sin.
“God is greater than our heart”
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” 1 John 3:18-21
In fellowshipping with other men who serve our LORD, I’ve often heard them say how that sins they committed in the past still bother them in a hindering way. Yet, we know that God knows all these things and “is greater than our heart” and provided a complete salvation through the blood of His only begotten Son!
“WHEN HE HAD BY HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:3
Even though 90% of today’s pastors prove themselves to be false by never mentioning this, we must never ever lose sight of the truth that God is “Holy, holy, holy” and He commands us to “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Revelation 4:8).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Are we presently allowing sin in our own lives, including keeping company with someone who claims to be Christ’s and yet is living in sin? Are you in need of doing an inventory check on your current friends – namely those who name Jesus as their Savior? Read this unchanging divine truth and note the many specific sins listed here:
“I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
When we truly repent and obey the counsel, the Word of God, only then will we be cleared in conscience and before God and His people. True repentance always, without exception, brings forth a changed life – a life set apart to the LORD (Matthew 3:7-10; Luke 19:1-10).
The fact that our LORD is correcting us today clearly proves how much He loves us. When the LORD points out our sin, it’s because He loves us, He wants us to repent, to return to Him, agree with Him, and depart from that sin. This is all so He can clear us!
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19
Refreshing Always Follows Fresh Repentance
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Read 1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 2 and 7.
Yes, we’ve all been hurt by others and we have also hurt others, right? Let’s take accountability for our own evil and watch what God does. Blaming others without taking the blame due to us is a deep, endless ditch.
This morning I prayed “LORD, if I have angered or hurt someone, anyone, please let it be revealed so that amends can be made, in Jesus’ name, amen Father.”
In this passage below, our LORD is addressing being easily angered as well as making amends when we intentionally or unintentionally have harmed another.
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly…” Matthew 5:22-25
PRAYER: My Father in Heaven, I come to You now on the sole basis of the holy name and blood of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Here and now I ask You LORD to convict, grant repentance, and complete clearing of any and all sin in my life. Please sanctify my life dear LORD. LORD Jesus thank You for dying on that cross, shedding Your precious blood for all my sins. Please bless me with a oneness with You and the Father and a clear conscience. Be glorified in my life dear LORD. I love You LORD Jesus. Amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | Bible/Word of God | Gifts | Prophetic or Pathetic? | Christology | Final Divine Authority | The Cross Life | Knowing God
Apostasy
Richard Foster Exposed
Wait, WHAT, WHO are Christ’s disciples to celebrate?
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14
A Biblically based commentary on current issues that impact you
Richard Foster—Celebration of Deception
by Bob DeWaay
Christianity Today ran a glowing cover story about Evangelicalism’s recent embrace of medieval Roman Catholic mysticism entitled The Future lies in the Past.1 The article traced the beginning of the movement as follows: “The movement seems to have exploded in a 24-month period in 1977-1978, which saw the publication of Richard Foster’s bestselling Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth and Robert Webber’s Common Roots: A Call to Evangelical Maturity.”2
The article views Foster as one who continues to guide the movement: “From Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and living practicing monks and nuns, they [those going back to Roman Catholic mysticism] must learn both the strengths and the limits of the historical ascetic disciplines.”3 So Foster was instrumental in starting a movement that is still growing 30-plus years later.
The irony about this particular CIC regarding Foster’s 1978 book is that in 1978 I myself was living in a Christian community committed to practicing much of what he promotes in Celebration of Discipline (even though we had not learned it from him directly). So I am not criticizing a practice about which I know nothing (or one in which I have no experience). I am criticizing a practice I foolishly allowed to deceive me for a significant portion of my early Christian life. When it comes to being deceived by mysticism, I have had abundant involvement. The only way I escaped it was through discovering and adopting the Reformation principle of sola scriptura.
In this article I will show that Foster’s “journey inward” is unbiblical and dangerous. I will show that most of the spiritual disciplines that he calls “means of grace” are no means of grace at all—but a means of putting oneself under spiritual deception.
The Journey Inward
The Bible nowhere describes an inward journey to explore the realm of the spirit. God chose to reveal the truth about spiritual reality through His ordained, Spirit-inspired, biblical writers. What is spiritual and not revealed by God is of the occult and, therefore, forbidden. We have discussed this in many articles and have produced DVD seminars on the topic. But the concept of sola scriptura is totally lost on mystics such as Richard Foster. They, like the enthusiasts that Calvin and Luther warned against, believe they can gain valid and useful knowledge of spiritual things through direct, personal inspiration.
Foster describes the idea of the disciplines that are the topic of his book: “The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life call us to move beyond surface living into the depths. They invite us to explore the inner caverns of the spiritual realm.”4 So Foster has conceptually repudiated sola scriptura on page one to replace it with a journey inward to explore the realm of spirits. Something must have been seriously amiss in evangelicalism already in 1978 to render this book a bestseller! It ought to have been repudiated on the spot. In a footnote to that statement Foster writes, “In one form or another all of the devotional masters have affirmed the necessity of the Disciplines” (Foster: 1). The devotional “masters,” by the way, are mostly Roman Catholics who never were committed to the principle of sola scriptura. It is not surprising that they looked for spirituality through experimentation. But as an “inner light” Quaker, Foster never was committed to sola scriptura either.
Forgetting that the Bible forbids divination, Foster explains what he is after:
[W]e must be willing to go down into the recreating silences, into the inner world of contemplation. In their writings, all of the masters of meditation strive to awaken us to the fact that the universe is much larger than we know, that there are vast unexplored inner regions that are just as real as the physical world we know so well. . . . They call us to the adventure, to be pioneers in this frontier of the Spirit. (Foster: 13)
Realizing that his readers would likely take this as an endorsement of Eastern religions, he makes a disclaimer that it is not Transcendental Meditation (TM) or something of that ilk: “Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to empty the mind in order to fill it” (Foster: 15). But what Foster wishes us to fill our minds with are personal revelations from the spirit realm that we naively are to think are the voice of God. This sort of meditation is not meditating on what God has said, but uses a technique to explore the spirit world. In other words, it is divination.
What we learn about the spirit realm either is revealed by God (once for all in Scripture) or gleaned by man-made techniques. That distinction is the difference between Christianity and paganism. Only Bible believers know what God has said about Himself and what He wishes to reveal about the unseen spirit world. Foster’s material continues to be popular because we live in an age where being spiritual pioneers on a journey into the unseen realm of the spirits is the essence of popular piety. It is the spirituality of secular talk shows.
To fully understand the degree of Foster’s deception, he even calls these techniques to the inner journey “means of grace”: “They [the Disciplines] are God’s means of grace” (Foster: 6). As with all who teach spiritual disciplines, there are no boundaries to these false “means.” For example, consider this recommended practice: “After you have gained some proficiency in centering down, add a five- to ten-minute meditation on some aspect of the creation. Choose something in the created order: tree, plant, bird, leaf, cloud, and each day ponder it carefully and prayerfully” (Foster 25). This after he had just taught breathing exercises (a means of “centering down”). Then he makes a startling claim: “We should not bypass this means of God’s grace” (Foster: 25). And there we have it: meditating of a leaf can be a means of grace!
Foster’s journey inward is to discover a spirit world that is available for any who search for it: “How then do we come to believe in a world of the spirit? Is it by blind faith? Not at all. The inner reality of the spiritual world is available to all who are willing to search for it” (Foster: 18). He claims that this spiritual search is analogous to scientific experimentation. Never mind that every pagan culture that has existed has believed in the “spiritual world.”
Spirituality of the Imagination
The Bible does not have anything good so say about the imagination. For example: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the Lord'” (Jeremiah 23:16). A search of the KJV for “imagination” yields 14 verses, and in each case it is a bad thing. According to the Bible, the imagination is where people go when they do not want to listen to God.
However, for Foster the imagination is central: “The inner world of meditation is most easily entered through the door of the imagination. We fail today to appreciate its tremendous power. The imagination is stronger than conceptual thought and stronger than the will” (Foster: 22). Some of the authorities he cites on this point are C. G. Jung, Ignatius of Loyola, and Morton Kelsey. Jung is famous for his concept of the collective unconscious, and Kelsey was an Episcopal priest committed to Jungian principles. Kelsey wrote many books promoting mysticism. The advice Foster gleans from these teachers is that we must learn to think in images and take our dreams to be a possible doorway into the spirit world. Foster claims that dreams are something we already have and can help us develop the use of the imagination. He says, “Keeping a journal of our dreams is a way of taking them seriously” (Foster: 23).
There is, Foster warns, a danger to this process: “At the same time [that we ask for dreams to be God speaking to us], it is wise to pray a prayer of protection, since to open ourselves to spiritual influence can be dangerous as well as profitable” (Foster: 23). I would say that is asking God to protect us as we use various techniques to go where He does not want us to go (into the world of the spirits to gain information). The danger he warns of is far greater than Foster imagines. Those who take the journey inward will be deceived—every time! We are not equipped to gain spiritual information from that realm. That is why God speaks to us through His ordained mediators (the inspired Biblical writers); otherwise we would be fishing in the dark in a medium we are not suited for.
Foster teaches his readers to use their imaginations to experience Biblical stories with the five physical senses. Here is what he claims will happen:
As you enter the story, not as a passive observer but as an active participant, remember that since Jesus lives in the Eternal Now and is not bound by time, this event in the past is a living present-tense experience for Him. Hence, you can actually encounter the living Christ in the event, be addressed by His voice and be touched by His healing power. It can be more than an exercise of the imagination; it can be a genuine confrontation. Jesus Christ will actually come to you. (Foster: 26)
Showing that Foster’s ideas are still influential in our day, Greg Boyd cites some of Foster’s words here to support what he calls “cataphatic prayer” which uses the imagination and images as a means to contact God and gain spiritual information.5 Those who endorse this practice assume they are not being deceived by spirits, but I cannot see on what grounds.
Foster prescribes a practice using one’s imagination that mimics astral projection to the degree that he actually includes a footnote disclaimer stating that it is not astral projection (Foster 28). It begins by telling his readers to imagine themselves going out into nature into a beautiful place (Boyd describes how he practices this, as well as its results6). After enjoying the sights and smells (in your imagination) these are the next steps:
In your imagination allow your spiritual body, shining with light, to rise out of your physical body. Look back so that you can see yourself lying in the grass and reassure your body that you will return momentarily. Imagine your spiritual self, alive and vibrant, rising up through the clouds and into the stratosphere. . . Go deeper and deeper into outer space until there is nothing except the warm presence of the eternal Creator. Rest in His presence. Listen quietly, anticipating the unanticipated. Note carefully any instruction given. With time and experience you will be able to distinguish readily between mere human thought that may bubble up to the conscious mind and the True Spirit which inwardly moves upon the heart. (Foster: 27, 28)
I must ask how one knows whether “True Spirit” is not a deceiving one? Mysticism’s fatal flaw is that it naively assumes that Christians having subjective religious experiences must therefore be having Christian experiences that are truly from God—even if the experiences were provoked through unbiblical practices similar to those used by pagans.
Mental Alchemy
Foster’s approach to prayer is laced with mysticism as well. He claims that prayer needs to be learned from people who have the right experiences and are “masters” who know what they are doing. Foster does not teach ordinary prayer, whereby we bring our needs and requests to the Lord and know that He hears us (because He promised that He does). Here is why he thinks such prayer fails:
Often people will pray and pray with all the faith in the world, but nothing happens. Naturally, they were not contacting the channel. We begin praying for others by first centering down and listening to the quiet thunder of the Lord of hosts. Attuning ourselves to divine breathings is spiritual work, but without it our praying is vain repetition (Mt. 6:7). Listening to the Lord is the first thing, the second thing, and the third thing necessary for successful intercession. (Foster: 34)
Of course this means we have to become mystics if we want to pray.
He teaches that we first must hear personal revelations from God, using meditation techniques such as he teaches, before we pray. He says: “The beginning point, then, in learning to pray for others is to listen for guidance . . . This inner “yes” is the divine authorization for you to pray for the person or situation” (Foster: 35). No! Foster is wrong! The only authorization we need to pray is the Biblical command to pray—not personal revelations.
For Foster, meditation (mystical style) is necessary but not sufficient. He also brings the imagination into the process: “As with meditation, the imagination is a powerful tool in the work of prayer” (Foster: 36). He credits Agnes Sanford7 for helping him see the value of using the imagination in praying. Foster writes, “Imagination opens the door to faith. If we can ‘see’ in our mind’s eye a shattered marriage whole or a sick person well, it is only a short step to believing it will be so” (Foster: 36). Sanford got her ideas from Theosophy, New Thought, Jung, and Emmet Fox. These ideas, echoed by Foster, come from the unbiblical “mind over matter” thinking of that era. That kind of thinking uses creative visualization to change reality or channel spiritual power. Foster suggests, “Imagine the light of Christ flowing through your hands and healing every emotional trauma and hurt feeling your child experienced that day” (Foster: 39).
In his 1985 book, The Seduction of Christianity, Dave Hunt labeled creative visualization such as what Foster promotes, “mental alchemy.”8 Hunt warned the church that Foster promoted such mental alchemy in Celebration of Discipline, and as we have shown, he, in fact, does. So how is it that 24 years after Hunt’s warning Foster is more popular than ever with Evangelicals? The answer is end times deception. Now, a huge movement that claims to be a reformation promoting Foster, Willard and their versions of mysticism does exist (i.e., The Emergent Church). Things have gotten so very much worse.
Spiritual Directors
Once mysticism and the supposed need to gain personal revelations from God are embraced, there arises a need for new “masters” who are better at navigating the spirit world. Pagan societies have always had such persons. They are called “shamans.” Eastern religion calls them “gurus.” Deceived Christians call them “spiritual directors.” Foster explains, “In the Middle Ages not even the greatest saints attempted the depths of the inward journey without the help of a spiritual director” (Foster: 159). The problem, according to Foster, is that the churches (in 1978) lacked “living masters”:
No doubt part of the surge of interest in Eastern meditation is because the churches have abrogated the field. How depressing for a university student, seeking to know the Christian teaching on meditation, to discover that there are so few living masters of contemplative prayer and that nearly all of the serious writings on the subject are seven or more centuries old. No wonder he or she turns to Zen, Yoga, or TM. (Foster: 14)
Foster’s dream has come true. Today people can even practice Yoga in a Christian church. We have Christian TM; it is called contemplative prayer. Yes, Eastern religion has come right into the church, and Foster has helped usher it in.
But what about “living masters” or spiritual directors? In 1972 Morton Kelsey lamented their lack: “Indeed I would suggest that everyone who is serious about relating to the spiritual realm find himself a spiritual director, if there were more men trained and experienced in this way.”9 That “problem” has been solved in a huge way. Evangelical theology schools are now offering masters degrees in “spiritual formation” in order to equip people to be “spiritual directors.” Here is what Biola University says about its program: “This degree is designed to equip men and women for the ministry of spiritual direction, discipleship, formation and soul care in the local church and for further academic training in spiritual formation.”10 Spiritual Directors International will help you find a spiritual director regardless of your religion.11 Richard Foster’s own Renovare, which purports to “encourage renewal in the Christian church,” has a list of spiritual direction programs.12
Foster explains the purpose of the spiritual director: “He is the means of God to open the path to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit” (Foster: 160). Apparently, in a full-blown rejection of sola scriptura where the Holy Spirit’s teaching is mediated to the church through the Biblical writers only, we need mediators for personal revelations beyond scripture.
Foster explains how spiritual directors lead: “He leads only by the force of his own personal holiness” (Foster: 160). In Roman Catholicism the Pope is called “his holiness” and in Tibetan Buddhism the Dalai Lama is called “his holiness” but now evangelicals are developing a class of people who evidently deserve the title. How exactly are we to judge when someone has gained “personal holiness” sufficient to be a spiritual director and mediate spirituality to others? Foster says, “Though the director has obviously advanced further into the inner depths, the two [master and disciple] are together learning and growing in the realm of the Spirit” (Foster: 160). Foster cites Roman Catholic mystic Thomas Merton about how this works: “The spiritual director was something of a ‘spiritual father who begot the perfect life in the soul of his disciple by his instructions first of all, but also by his prayer, his sanctity and his example. He was . . . a kind of ‘sacrament’ of the Lord’s presence in the ecclesiastical community” (Foster: 161).
End Times Delusion
When it comes to end times deception, Foster is on the cutting edge of embracing it. Consider what he wrote: “In our day heaven and earth are on tiptoe waiting for the emerging of a Spirit-led, Spirit-intoxicated, Spirit-empowered people. . . . Individuals can be found here and there whose hearts burn with divine fire” (Foster: 150). Such inclinations have led to massive deception. They smack of the Latter Rain deception, now embodied in such false teachers as Rick Joyner and Mike Bickle. They are elitist. They are in line with the beliefs of the Emergent Church as well. He also says: “Our century has yet to see the breaking forth of the apostolic church of the Spirit” (Foster: 150). Now we have the New Apostolic Reformation claiming to be just that. Foster’s ideas now embody the massive apostasy and end times deception that characterize our age.
Foster’s teachings have taken the church as far away from the Reformation principle of sola scriptura as the Roman Catholic Church ever was. The only thing left is for them to bring us all the way back to Rome. Christianity Today praises Foster for pointing us in that direction.
In early 2008 I wrote a CIC article about how abandoning the principle of sola scriptura would lead evangelicals back to Rome.13 It was partly a response to the CT article praising mysticism. The response I received was rather unexpected. I was contacted by former evangelicals who had rejected sola scriptura and had gone back to Rome! They wanted to debate me about sola scriptura. Sadly, my point was proven. As a response to their misguided challenge our church hosted a seminar on sola scriptura, called Faith at Risk 4.14 In the seminar Gary Gilley and I defended the scriptures as the sole authority for the church.
The aforementioned CT article discusses a new monasticism, former evangelical leaders converting to Roman Catholicism, and mystical practices like lectio divina—and they call all of it a good and hopeful thing. Chris Armstrong, the author of the article, concluded, “That they [evangelicals] are receiving good guidance on this road from wise teachers [Foster and Willard] is reason to believe that Christ is guiding the process. And that they are meeting and learning from fellow Christians in the other two great confessions, Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox, is reason to rejoice in the power of love.”15
Who is left to defend the principles of the Reformation? One would think Reformed theologians are, but they aren’t doing their job. In the last CIC article we mentioned Reformed theologian Donald Whitney who wrote: “Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline has been the most popular book on the subject of the Spiritual Disciplines in the last half of the twentieth century. The great contribution of this work is the reminder that the Spiritual Disciplines, which many see as restrictive and binding, are actually means to spiritual freedom.”16 That from a teacher in a Reformed seminary?
If a book that teaches Christian TM, Christian astral projection and mental alchemy by means of the imagination is a “great contribution,” then something is seriously wrong here. The delusion is so widespread that I see no other explanation for it than the end time deception predicted by Paul: “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1Timothy 4:1). Another passage warns: “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” (2Timothy 4:3, 4).
That time now is here. We are accountable to God for what we believe and practice. Those who wish to persevere in the faith in this age of delusion must base their beliefs and practices only on the truths found in Scripture. Foster’s journey into the world of the spirits will deceive all who enter it.
Issue 112 – May / June 2009
End Notes
- Chris Armstrong, “The Future lies in the Past” in Christianity Today, February 2008.
- Ibid. 24.
- Ibid. 29.
- Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: Harper & Row, 1978) 1. All subsequent citations from this book will be bracketed within the text in this fashion: (Foster: 1).
- Greg Boyd, Seeing is Believing, (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004). Boyd cites Foster to prove that the Lord will actually come to us through our use of “imaginative meditation.” I deal with this issue more fully in CIC issue 83 July/August, 2003: HTTP://CICMINISTRY.ORG/COMMENTARY/ISSUE83.HTM
- Ibid. 111-125.
- I write about Sanford’s inner healing theories in CIC Issue 96: HTTP://CICMINISTRY.ORG/COMMENTARY/ISSUE96.HTM
- Dave Hunt and T. A. McMahon, The Seduction of Christianity (Eugene: Harvest House, 1985) 138.
- Morton Kelsey, Encounter With God, (Bethany Fellowship: Minneapolis, 1972) 179.
- http://www.biola.edu/spiritualformation/programs/ SEE PDF
- HTTP://WWW.SDIWORLD.ORG
- HTTP://WWW.RENOVARE.ORG/JOURNEY_TRAINING_DIRECTION.HTM
- CIC Issue 105; March/April 2008: HTTP://CICMINISTRY.ORG/COMMENTARY/ISSUE105.HTM
- Watch this seminar HERE
- Armstrong, Future
- DONALD S. WHITNEY, SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (COLORADO SPRINGS: NAVPRESS, 1991) 23.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | More on Assurance here | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Knowing God | The Cross Life | 100’s of Christ-centered Scripture-rich Podcasts | Christology = the Study of Christ
The Audacity of Defending the New Versions
“They that are Christ’s” [podcast]
The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!
Risen with Christ [podcast]
Richard Foster Exposed
Sinlessly Perfect? I Doubt it [podcast]
Living the Edification Lifestyle [video]
The True Temple of God [podcast]
GOD’S GRACE “IN THIS PRESENT WORLD” TITUS 2:12 [podcast]
Message from an Antichrist Refuted! Is Jesus Christ Divine? [podcast]
FAKE THEOLOGIAN DESTROYED: Is Learning Hebrew and Greek Necessary to Understand God’s Word?
The Book of 2 Peter Narrated [podcast]
“Be thou in the Fear of the LORD all the Day Long” [podcast]
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]
The Sensual Seduction and Solicitation of the Modern Church!
GOD’S GRACE “IN THIS PRESENT WORLD” TITUS 2:12 [podcast]
Richard Foster Exposed
White and Clean: Garments of the KING’s Bride [podcast]
WHY were 24,000 of God’s People Killed at Peor? [podcast]
BEWARE of the Wolf Defenders [podcast]
Biblical Deliverance Prescription-Wholeness in Christ [podcast]
The Gospel: What is It? [podcast]
Living with an Eternal Perspective [podcast]
What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]
Risen with Christ [podcast]
The True Temple of God [podcast]
The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!
The Audacity of Defending the New Versions
Sinlessly Perfect? I Doubt it [podcast]
The Audacity of Defending the New Versions
“They that are Christ’s” [podcast]
The LORD Desires to Completely CLEAR You!
America11 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
- Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
- Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
- Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved