* * * Many evangelical churches offer a Halloween alternative. Instead of scaring children with skeletons and ghosts and goblins, children can walk through church-sponsored "Judgment Houses" or "Hell Houses" where the message is essentially, "are you going to make the right choice or end up in hell?" * … Continue reading Judgement House and Hell House: Youth Evangelism “Halloween” Outreach Ideas
Author: Julie Anne
Doug Wilson Shares Sex Advice to Married Couples When Distance Separates Them
* * * Last year, an excerpt of Doug Wilson's book, Fidelity, went viral because of the graphic words chosen to describe the roles of men and women in the sexual union in marriage. In a recent blog post, Wilson attempts to answer more sex-related questions. * * … Continue reading Doug Wilson Shares Sex Advice to Married Couples When Distance Separates Them
When Sharing Concerns or Asking Pastors Questions Leads to Spiritual Abuse
* * * Questioning authority or raising concerns can be the litmus test to see if your pastor is spiritually abusive or not. * * * * * * Oh boy, is this a biggie. I was really moved when this topic come… Continue reading When Sharing Concerns or Asking Pastors Questions Leads to Spiritual Abuse
Rainey’s 11 Rules of Marriage
* * * "11 Rules of Marriage You Won't Learn in School" an excerpt from Dennis and Barbara Rainey's book, Preparing for Marriage Devotions for Couples, is discussed. * * * Familylife.com recently published an article including, 11 Rules of Marriage You Won't Learn in School, which was… Continue reading Rainey’s 11 Rules of Marriage
When Your Pastor Speaks Humility, but Shows Pride Instead
* * * Spiritual abusers are often self-absorbed, preaching humility, but exhibiting pride. Pastors who draw attention to themselves and their accomplishments and self-importance are not servant leaders. * * * Being familiar with a pastor's personality and charm can sometimes conceal warning signs which might seem… Continue reading When Your Pastor Speaks Humility, but Shows Pride Instead
Learn to Discern: Doctrinal Statements and Spiritual Authority
* * * We can learn a lot about the spiritual health of a church and how they function by reading their church governance bylaws and doctrinal statements of faith. * * * There were many people, after my lawsuit became very public, who went to my… Continue reading Learn to Discern: Doctrinal Statements and Spiritual Authority
Question for Tony Miano: Did Joni Preach?
* * * Tony Miano, author of Should She Preach?, attended John MacArthur's Strange Fire conference at Grace Community Church, along with Pastor Chuck O'Neal (suing pastor who had minister's license revoked and currently in discipline), Phil Johnson, Dr. Steve Lawson, all of whom contributed to Miano's book. * … Continue reading Question for Tony Miano: Did Joni Preach?
Strange Fire Conference: John MacArthur, “Reformed Theology is not a Haven for False Teachers”
* * * I apologize in advance for the length of this post. Please read the Facebook status slowly and let it sink in, would you? * * * H/T to Meaghan Varela, my dear friend (aka the other Woman of Mass Destruction) and former defendant in… Continue reading Strange Fire Conference: John MacArthur, “Reformed Theology is not a Haven for False Teachers”
Reconstruction and Homeschool Movements: Stay-at-Home Mothers and Adult Daughters
* * * Reconstructionists and leaders in the Homeschool Movement have been very vocal about the role of women as "keepers at home." Is this completely Biblical? * * * This article is the third article related to Reconstructionism, the Homeschool Movement, and women. The first article, Homeschooled… Continue reading Reconstruction and Homeschool Movements: Stay-at-Home Mothers and Adult Daughters
Are Daughters the Biggest Threat to the Christian Patriarchy Movement and Reconstructionism?
* * * It is my belief that Christian leaders in the Reconstructionist and Homeschool Movements view their adult daughters as the biggest threat to their agenda in furthering their ideologies. In this video trailer of The Return of the Daughters, you can hear the urgency of this movement, the fear-mongering blaming the feminists as… Continue reading Are Daughters the Biggest Threat to the Christian Patriarchy Movement and Reconstructionism?
Homeschooled Adult Daughters Held Captive at Home, Prevented from Getting College Education
* * * In an effort to "raise up a child in the way they should go," some Christian homeschool parents are essentially kidnapping their daughters, only teaching "homemaking" skills, even denying and preventing them from getting a college education. * * * There are too many… Continue reading Homeschooled Adult Daughters Held Captive at Home, Prevented from Getting College Education
Wife Undermines Her Husband’s Authority in Front of Children, He Disciplines Her
* * * The Christian community has done a very poor job of treating women with respect. Some husbands have resorted to treating their wives as objects and even practice "domestic discipline" or wife spanking. This is wrong. * * * Men treating women/wives as objects they… Continue reading Wife Undermines Her Husband’s Authority in Front of Children, He Disciplines Her
Twitter Add-a-Word-Ruin-a-Christian-Book Bandwagon and Christian Unity
Scores of people tweeted the hashtag #AddaWordRuinaChristianBook Bandwagon and had fun tweeting modified Christian book titles, entirely changing the intent of the title, and making it Twitter's #1 US trend.
God’s Design for the Family: Has the Godly-Designed Family Image Become an Idol?
* * * While it's clear that a healthy marriage and family is important, have churches and Christian organizations put too much emphasis on God's design for the family and made this image an idol? * * * Focus on the Family raises money for new project… Continue reading God’s Design for the Family: Has the Godly-Designed Family Image Become an Idol?
Christianity and Emotions: When One Person’s Emotions Trump Another’s
* * * Is there a biblical precedent for how we handle our feelings? Must we put aside negative feelings when others want to only focus on positive feelings? * * * "I learned to my astonishment that God, whose 'impassibility' I thought meant that he… Continue reading Christianity and Emotions: When One Person’s Emotions Trump Another’s
Pastor Chuck Smith, Founder of Calvary Chapel Churches, Dead at 86
* * * Alex Grenier, son of Calvary Chapel Visalia Pastor Bob Grenier shares his thoughts on the passing of Calvary Chapel founder, Chuck Smith * * * Update and Disclaimer: I've been getting some push back because of publishing this article the same day in… Continue reading Pastor Chuck Smith, Founder of Calvary Chapel Churches, Dead at 86
Harvest Bible Chapel Files Complaint Against Blogger Paul Dohse, Resulting in Loss of YouTube Privileges
* * * In a concerted attempt to control others, someone from Harvest Bible Chapel (HBC) filed official complaint with YouTube against blogger Paul Dohse's YouTube account, resulting in blogger's loss of YouTube privileges. * * * * * * I received an… Continue reading Harvest Bible Chapel Files Complaint Against Blogger Paul Dohse, Resulting in Loss of YouTube Privileges
What Does a Sheikh and a Homeschool Leader and Pastor Have in Common?
* * * * * * Just how close is the homeschool fundamental version of Patriarchy to Islam? I think it's pretty darn close. Check this out. Remember this from Christian Homeschool Leader and Pastor Kevin Swanson? * * * * … Continue reading What Does a Sheikh and a Homeschool Leader and Pastor Have in Common?
What’s the Real Message?
* * * This picture was posted on my friend's Facebook wall and showed up in my news feed. Her comment is at the top of the photo. She lives in Massachusetts and these were scattered along the shoreline. What kind of message is being sent about Christianity by this? Update:… Continue reading What’s the Real Message?
Finding Refuge from Religion: Forever
* * * Many people who have been hurt by religion want to escape from it. We'll take a look at an organization that is offering a refuge from religion, Recovering from Religion. Is this the answer? * * * * * … Continue reading Finding Refuge from Religion: Forever
Spiritual Sounding Board 