*** There are various ways Christians respond to Halloween. What is a balanced response? *** I have a hunch that Halloween can bring up some legalistic triggers for people, so I wanted to make sure to give an opportunity to discuss it. Kathi shared this on the SSB Facebook page: Guilt… Continue reading Christians and Halloween: What’s a Christian to do?
Category: Disturbing Trends
A Personal Story: Spiritual Abuse through Word of Faith Teachings during Tragic Infant Loss
*** Loura Lawrence shares her personal story of infant loss and spiritual abuse through Word of Faith occult-like teachings *** October is the month designated for pregnancy and infant loss awareness, so this story is timely. Last week, I received a personal story of infant loss and spiritual abuse. Imagine combining the tragic loss of a… Continue reading A Personal Story: Spiritual Abuse through Word of Faith Teachings during Tragic Infant Loss
Soul Tied: Harmful Spiritual Conclusions about Sex Abuse, Purity Culture, and Sex Abuse Victims
*** Christian leaders put their spiritual spin on sexual abuse and premarital sex and devalue young women in the process. *** The church has sometimes done a poor job on handling sex abuse and premarital sex and I was reminded once again this week. But let me back up and give other examples of how… Continue reading Soul Tied: Harmful Spiritual Conclusions about Sex Abuse, Purity Culture, and Sex Abuse Victims
Who is @Rhology? What are #pulpiteers? How Do They Function?
*** Alan Maricle aka @Rhology defends and imitates J.D. Hall's (aka @pulpitandpen) bad behavior on Twitter. *** Admin note: I'm going to take the easy route here and jump into a situation to discuss it without giving a lot of background. However, if you want to know the background of this story, please visit Wartburg Watch… Continue reading Who is @Rhology? What are #pulpiteers? How Do They Function?
Desiring God and Daddies Dating…Their Daughters’ Boyfriends? Is John Piper Promoting Patriarchy?
Are Desiring God & John Piper shifting to "Biblical Patriarchy" over complementarianism, following Gregg Harris', Bill Gothard's, Scott Brown's, Doug Phillips' and Doug Wilson's courtship model? by Cindy Kunsman The champions of patriarchy worked hard last week, busy on the front lines by saving the world through their insight and wisdom. On June 11,… Continue reading Desiring God and Daddies Dating…Their Daughters’ Boyfriends? Is John Piper Promoting Patriarchy?
Spiritual Abuse: Interview with Doug Bursch
*** *** Yesterday I did an interview with Doug Bursch from Seattle's KGNW radio station. Doug describes himself in his bio as "a speaker, writer, pastor, teacher and evangelist." We spoke about spiritual abuse, healthy and unhealthy churches. I've done quite a few interviews since the lawsuit, but this one is my new favorite. If… Continue reading Spiritual Abuse: Interview with Doug Bursch
Godly sex is not for enjoyment, but for having children! Orgasms are demonic? What’s next in Christiandom?
*** Christiandom seems to be making a mess out of something beautiful God intended for married couples to enjoy. Sex is only for procreation? Orgasms are demonic? *** There's a whole book in the Bible that seems to describe a mutually pleasurable experience of sex between husband and wife: ** As the apple tree among… Continue reading Godly sex is not for enjoyment, but for having children! Orgasms are demonic? What’s next in Christiandom?
The Christian Patriarchy Movement’s Dark Secret of Wife Spanking
* * * As Doug Phillips and his Vision Forum ministry is sinking, stories of abuse among Christian Patriarchy are surfacing: domestic violence, wife spanking, etc, among other well-known circles such as RC Sproul Jr., etc. * * * Warning: this is a heavy and disturbing article.… Continue reading The Christian Patriarchy Movement’s Dark Secret of Wife Spanking
Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill Bellevue Campus to Host University Classes in Fall of 2014
* * * Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll to partner with Corban University and Western Seminary and host university classes at the Mars Hill Bellevue church campus. * * * It seems an important Mars Hill/Mark Driscoll development may have slipped through the cracks while the world… Continue reading Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill Bellevue Campus to Host University Classes in Fall of 2014
Judgement House and Hell House: Youth Evangelism “Halloween” Outreach Ideas
* * * 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
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
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?
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?
Can our Faith and Love Co-Exist with Extremism?
* * * Having been spoon-fed by my former pastor a form of extremism, or rigid, legalistic, black/white rules and practices, I have pressed myself to re-evaluate those rules and ideas and measure them with scripture using my own eyes and discernment. What freedom! The following article is by Brenda, a… Continue reading Can our Faith and Love Co-Exist with Extremism?
Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
* * * But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blpasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a… Continue reading Beaverton Grace Bible Church and Pastor Chuck O’Neal – A Year after They Lost the Defamation Lawsuit
Church Job Description: Vision Casting?
* * * Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. Jeremiah 23:16 * * * Covenant Life Church (CLC) in… Continue reading Church Job Description: Vision Casting?
Indoctrinating Your Children with Doctrine
* * * Someone sent me a link to this book for children. The book was just recently published - just over a month ago - April 2013. Here is the book description from Amazon: Come along on a journey with Mitchell, as he recalls his nightmare for his mother. Mitchell… Continue reading Indoctrinating Your Children with Doctrine
What is Real Christian Love? Is This it?
* * * There was such great discussion in the last article, My Twitter Conversation with a Pastor about Doctrine and Truth. Thanks to all who participated. The comments continue to come in. In the comments of that post, I mentioned how those who evangelize (ie, door-to-door or street evangelism) sometimes say the… Continue reading What is Real Christian Love? Is This it?
Spiritual Sounding Board 