Category: New Age

Spiritual Disorientation in the Church?

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jun 5, 2019 | Entertainment, gender confusion, Government, Liberalism, New Age, Podcast | 0 |

It is quite enough that the Christian Church faces a world increasingly confusing and hostile toward God and His Word. That is a significant enough battle for a church that is focused and standing on the Word of God. But when the church becomes confused about what is right and wrong according to God this battle becomes all the more difficult. Mike and David look at some news stories that show rampant confusion infiltrating some churches including one liberal church adding a “Psychic” to its staff and another teaching that God’s gender is “neutral”, and a pastor at a Christian College commencement praying and asking God to come against fossil fuels and “straight white men”.

Seeking Signs, Wonders and Miracles

by Stand Up For The Truth | May 20, 2019 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Benny Hinn, Christianity, Dominionism, False Teaching, Gospel, Leadership, New Age, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Podcast, Prosperity Gospel, Witchcraft, Word Faith Movement | 2 |

In Matthew 12:38, the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus for “another sign” not long after he had healed the sick and a demon-possessed man who was also blind. Jesus responded:”An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign but none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah”That “sign” was when Jesus would rise from the grave to prove His deity and God’s power over sin and death.Many Christians and churches today are continually seeking more signs and wonders. Let’s be clear: some are sincere believers in Christ, but their continual need for additional signs and miracles testifies to the weakness of their faith in the completed work of Jesus on the cross. We look at a critique from The Gospel Coalition regarding Bethel Church in Redding, California and its leaders Bill and and Beni Johnson, and we discuss the pitfalls of this charismatic movement.In our first segment we visit with author David Richardson to discuss content in his book Transparent – about how our deeply held assumptions can deceive us and hinder us in our walk with God.

The Allure and Danger of Freemasonry

by Stand Up For The Truth | May 14, 2019 | American History, Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Cults, Dominionism, False Teaching, Globalism, Humanism, New Age, One world religion, Podcast, Satanism | 0 |

Everyone wants to feel like they belong to something special, connecting with other people in some meaningful way. Christians find it Christian fellowship; the world finds it in social media or sports. Some are seduced by “secret societies” or Gnosticism, thinking they can acquire hidden knowledge and understanding for the select few.This morning we take a peak behind the veil of perhaps the greatest “secret society” in the world: Freemasonry. It is a movement shrouded in secrecy and mystery and many believe it is a portal to worshiping a false god or even Satan himself.Carl Teichrib, author of “Game of Gods” discussing the coming one world religion, joins us this morning to take a closer look at Freemasonry. Can you be a true Christian and a Freemason at the same time? Was our nation founded by Masons and do they still influence policy and direction today? And what is the goal and purpose of this most secret of societies?

Redefining God: Paganism and Progressive Christianity

by Stand Up For The Truth | Apr 10, 2019 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Creation, Cults, Culture & Morality, Environmentalism, False Prophet, False Teaching, Globalism, Humanism, Liberalism, New Age, Podcast | 0 |

There is only one true God, but that has never stopped people from trying to redefine Him or find other gods to worship. Today, humanity seems bent on identifying a god that will suit their passions and beliefs rather than surrendering to the living God who created us and sustains us. He sent His Son to save us from our sin and the eternal damnation we deserve. We begin today tackling the contradictions and unbiblical worldviews of progressive Christians – in their own words. They say there are many ways to God and “to experience the sacredness and oneness of life.” In reality, the world is not searching for the God of truth because they really want to justify their self worship and life enhancement. And there’s a very fine line between progressivism and paganism. Carl Teichrib is an author and researcher who has studied the New Age Movement as well as the coming one world religion and government the Bible warns about. He joins us to discuss his latest book “Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Enchantment.”

What Happened to My Church?

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jan 16, 2019 | Abortion, Apologetics, Beliefs, Christian Church, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, False Prophet, False Teaching, gender confusion, LGBTQ, Liberalism, New Age, New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), Podcast, Progressive Christianity, Prosperity Gospel | 0 |

Many Christians in America are asking that question these days as we see a growing number of churches change. The Gospel of reconciliation being replaced with consumerism and our “best life now”; moves of the Holy Spirit being replaced with emotional manipulation through loud music and fog machines; and churches that look more and more like the world Jesus told us would hate us and that we should hate.

But the changes introduced into American Christianity have been so subtle that many people do not even notice them until one day we suddenly feel like a stranger and alien in the very church we attended for years.

Jan Markell of Olive Tree Views and Understanding the Times Radio joins us to talk about the growing concerns of serious Christians about what they see happening in many of our churches these days.

The Future of Christianity in America

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jan 2, 2019 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christian Church, Christian Growth, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Evangelism, False Teaching, Globalism, Government, Moral Relativism, New Age, Persecution, Podcast, Politics and Faith, Prophecy, Prosperity Gospel, Religious Freedom | 0 |

2019 will bring powerful and unique challenges and opportunities for the Christian Church in America. Satan’s battle against the Church will intensify as he acquires more and more allies to join him in his plan to neutralize the Church by making it look more like the secular culture it is supposed to resist and oppose.

We start this new year by looking at the prophetic signs of 2018 that might be pointing to the return of the Lord, along with the increased persecution of true believers around the world. Is this persecution a preview of the life coming for true believers in America?

A New Age Invasion into Christianity

by Stand Up For The Truth | Dec 27, 2018 | Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Discrimination, Emergent Church, False Teaching, Humanism, New Age, Persecution, Podcast, Progressive Christianity | 0 |

When we do not hide God’s Word in our heart and think on it regularly it is easy for false teachings and dangerous movements to find a place in our minds and hearts. Things that might sound good are actually dangerous beliefs that can lead us away from God and His Word, leading to all sorts of problems. While it is a broad term, “New Age” Philosophy is one of these dangerous belief systems, and we see it subtly infiltrating the hearts and minds of a growing number of professing Christians. James Walker of Watchman.org joins us to discuss the subtle dangers of New Age Philosophies.

In our final segments, Mike and Crash look at some news items that should grab our attention including China’s new way of identifying and arresting bible-believing Christians and Amazon’s embracing of Orwellian style surveillance systems cleverly cloaked as “security and convenience” for its customers.

The Real Cause Behind the Crisis at Willow Creek

by Stand Up For The Truth | Sep 20, 2018 | Artificial Intelligence, Beliefs, Christianity, Cults, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, False Teaching, Globalism, Humanism, New Age, Podcast, Transhumanism, Universalism, Worldview | 1 |

When you are suffering from the flu, feverish with a soar throat and body aches, are these symptoms the cause of the flu or are they the effects of the flu? They are of course the effects of a virus (the true cause) that has invaded your body leading to physical illness and mild suffering. When you treat the cause you get to the root of the problem; but treating effects will not lead to a cure.

Why bring this up? It’s a key to understanding the latest crisis at Willow Creek Church. The sexual assault scandal involving former Pastor Bill Hybels and several women has led to the Elder Board announcing their resignation. A consulting team has been brought in for damage control and a reorganization plan—you know just like secular businesses and corporations do when facing an internal or PR crisis. But is the sexual scandal the cause of Willow Creek’s crisis or the effects? The fallout is an effect – and in segment 2 we will address the true cause.

In the first segment, Mike and David talk with Carl Teichrib about his upcoming book, “Game of Gods” where he did boots on the ground’ research at Burning Man festival. Carl documents the strange, popular movement combining earth worship, pagan rituals, anarchy and spiritual oneness—all under the guise of “radical tolerance.” And while it might be easy to dismiss what you will hear by calling 80,000 followers goofy nuts, could it be part of Satan’s master plan for the world to worship Anti-Christ?

A Confused Generation Wandering From God

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 24, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Education, Entertainment, False Teaching, Leadership, New Age, Podcast, Progressive Christianity, Social Justice, Steven Furtick, Universalism | 0 |

The statistics are clear and frightening: Between 70-80% of young professing Christians walk away from their Christian upbringing as they enter College. There are certainly many factors that play into this sad situation: Public Education; a media sold out to humanism and godlessness; Hollywood and an entertainment industry appealing to sex and violence. So what can we as committed Christians do about it?

This morning we continue our look at the sad story of Michael and Lisa Gungor, once rising stars in Christian music until Michael renounced his belief in God and the Bible. They were living a lie. They admitted many times they felt they couldn’t even read God’s word anymore. Lisa says that one of the reasons they strayed into doubt and unbelief was they were afraid to ask questions at church and admit their doubts.

Dave Wager of Silver Birch Ranch and Nicolet Bible Institute has been a teacher for more than 35 years and he shares his thoughts as to how we can reach young people and address their questions.

A Biblical Look At Spiritual Warfare

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jun 4, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Dominionism, Evangelism, False Teaching, Gospel, New Age, Podcast, Spiritual Warfare | 0 |

A few years ago I received a phone call from someone asking for prayer because he thought Satan was really attacking him. When I asked what was going on he told me his boss was threatening to fire him because he had received three speeding tickets while driving one of the company’s trucks. I lovingly told him it was not Satan attacking him, but rather his own careless decisions that were leading to problems.

Sometimes we want to blame spiritual warfare for consequences to our own stupid decisions. But it is equally dangerous to underestimate the actual spiritual warfare the Bible warns us about which is the majority of modern Christians. Satan and warfare is real and God has much to say about it.

Elijah Abraham of Living oasis Ministries joins us to take a biblical look at spiritual warfare and our role in the battle as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Influence of Ann Voskamp

by Stand Up For The Truth | Feb 13, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Book Reviews, Christianity, Church Leadership, Emergent Church, Evangelism, Gospel, New Age, Podcast, Salvation | 0 |

Ann Voskamp is a New York Times best-selling author with a large following among Christians, particularly Christian women. Many have said her books about pain and brokenness have helped them connect in a deeper way with God.

But Voskamp is not without her critics. Some believe her writings promote unbiblical mysticism and emergent theology.

Pastor Mike Abendroth joins us this morning to discuss Voskamp’s books and influence, along with continuing our discussion from last month on challenges facing the Christian Church in America. Today we focus on the gospel that is often presented in churches these days. Is it the one, true gospel and consistent with God’s Word? Or a dangerous path away from God?

Your Comments & Questions

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jan 26, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Cults, Discrimination, Education, Evangelism, False Teaching, homosexuality, Islam, Liberalism, Listener Questions, New Age, Podcast, Prophecy, Prosperity Gospel, Religious Freedom, Word Faith Movement | 0 |

Good morning Christians…it’s Friday! OK, apologies to our more seasoned listeners who know that is a knockoff of the late Paul Harvey’s Friday radio greeting. But we really do love Fridays here at Stand Up For the Truth because we turn the show’s topics over to you. Your questions and comments are the focus and here are some of the things we’ll be discussing today:

Advice on starting a home church
Reconciling salvation by grace and the fruit of our works in the teachings of the Bible
“Little gods” theology espoused by many word faith preachers
The New Age promoted at your local YMCA
What to do when your boss asks you to stop reading your Bible during lunch hour bc some are offended
The Mark of the Beast in the book of Revelation; voluntary or forced?
Why do so few liberals speak up against Islam?
And an angry letter from a (Christian?) listener who says to “judge ye not” but claims there is a special place in hell for Christian conservatives who call out the sin of homosexuality and lesbianism.

Is Christian Persecution in America Just Around the Corner?

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 18, 2019 | American Church, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Discrimination, gender confusion, Globalism, Government, Islam, Persecution, Podcast, Religious Freedom | 0 |

Today we take another look at the state of Christianity in America and discuss the real hostility and discrimination against believers in Christ, as well as the possibility the gospel may soon be banned in our nation. We discuss the so-called Equality Act and its threat to Bible-believing Christians, and explain how the church itself has practically opened the door to welcome discrimination against God’s truth and the gospel. Why? Because we want to be loved by a world that hates Jesus and His Word.

Dismantling the Lies of the Enemy

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 17, 2019 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Creation, Education, Evangelism, False Teaching, Podcast, Public Schools, the Gospel, Worldview | 0 |

The only way to dismantle lies is to respectfully confront them with truth. We try doing this on our radio program when it comes to lies not only in our culture but sadly, within churches in America. Our guest is a professional ‘lie-debunker’ and travels around the world sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with people deceived by the clever deception of the enemy.

Today’s guest is Carl Kerby of Reasons for Hope Ministry! He’s back to talk about their video series titled “debunked” and the impact it is having in spreading the truth, love and grace of the gospel.

“…but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

The Epidemic of Loneliness

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 16, 2019 | Christianity, Culture & Morality, Depression, Gospel, Podcast, Psychology, Salvation, Sexuality | 0 |

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What Will the Church in America Look like in Ten Years?

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 15, 2019 | American Church, American History, Biblical Social Justice, Christian Church, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Evangelism, Israel, LGBTQ, Middle East, Podcast, transgenderism | 1 |

Pastor Carl Gallups joins Mike and David to discuss an article from the Christian Post speculating on what healthy American Churches will look like ten years from now. We start our discussion on this topic assuming we will not yet face open persecution for our Christian beliefs ten years from now. What kind of changes will we see in strong Christian churches in America?

Concerns About Calvinism, and More Questions & Comments

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 12, 2019 | Apologetics, Christianity, Evangelism, Gospel, Podcast, Theology | 0 |

Recently, we’ve received more listener questions on the 500 year old topic of Calvinism vs. Arminianism. Is this debate necessary and productive? Or is it becoming a source for self-righteous condemnation and hatred of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Is it important that we understand election, predestination and who is called before we can accept the gift God has given us through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Also mentioned: why not taxpayer-funding for adoption rather than abortion? Mark of the Beast, word of faith theology, when does worship become entertainment, biblical marriage, and the persecuted church.