Category: Progressive Christianity

Who is Influencing Whom?

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 7, 2018 | Abortion, Beliefs, Brian McLaren, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, False Teaching, Gospel, LGBTQ, Podcast, Progressive Christianity, Prosperity Gospel | 0 |

The Church should be full of salt, preserving culture, providing flavor, and being a positive influence in secular society. Instead, by any measurable standard, immorality is increasing and secular culture is infiltrating and influencing the church in part by creating division and deceiving many. Whether out of ignorance, fear, or heartfelt but compassion, more congregants as well as church leaders are embracing secular principles and beliefs in the hopes of attracting the world.

Today, Mike and David look at several news stories addressing this subject, including the ongoing controversy at Willow Creek Church as it prepares for its Global Leadership Summit. We also discuss a survey revealing the majority of Christians think God wants them to prosper financially, and the author of ‘The Shack’ claims unbelievers can still be saved even after they die.

Denying God’s Word & Science to Promote Chaos

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 2, 2018 | Abortion, Beliefs, Christianity, Culture & Morality, Discrimination, False Teaching, gender confusion, Government, LGBTQ, Liberalism, Podcast, Politics and Faith, Progressive Christianity | 0 |

One definition of insanity you sometimes hear is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. But another definition could be “a refusal to accept reality.” No matter what facts or truth is presented, the person refuses to accept them and continues to insist he is right even despite irrefutable evidence. This seems to define radical liberalism in our nation.

The evidence supporting life is clear in God’s Word and true science with each passing year proves life begins much earlier than previously thought. And on the issue of “gender dysphoria,” science continues to confirm the truth given to us in God’s Word: gender is assigned at conception and there is nothing man can do to change that.

No amount of truth seems sufficient for far left liberals bent on enforcing their agenda of godlessness. Today we look at a few more stories about radical views and arguments disconnected from truth and reality. We check in with Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Council.

Abusing the Word of God for Political Gain

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 1, 2018 | Abortion, Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, Entertainment, False Teaching, Government, Hollywood, LGBTQ, Liberalism, Podcast, Progressive Christianity, SocialMedia, transgenderism | 0 |

It’s always stunning when Liberals use the Word of God to promote their anti-biblical stances; especially when they are the ones that usually fight tooth and nail against the government creating laws based on scripture. But hypocrisy knows no boundaries and this morning we look at quoted from Elizabeth Warren and Senator Cory Booker, abusing the scriptures to promote a pro-abortion agenda. yes, that’s the same Cory Booker that Willow Creek elevated as a next great “Christian” leader at its leadership Summit just a few years back.

And not to be outdone in abusing scripture, Red Letter Christians have once again shown their true colors of hypocrisy, claiming to be “pro-life,” but refusing to condemn abortion as sin and murder.

In our first segment this morning, Mike and Crash check in with Tina Griffin, Counter-Culture Mom, to discuss ways to protect our children from the dangers of Hollywood, video games and the internet.

No Topic Off Limits! Our Listeners Ask The Best Questions

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 27, 2018 | Christian Church, Culture & Morality, Humanism, Jim Wallis, Mike's Thoughts, Podcast, Progressive Christianity, Social Justice | 1 |

Our favorite podcast is every Friday when listeners to Stand Up for the Truth ask questions or share their comments. Send yours in early in order to get in line for next week’s show!

Why does God allow suffering and evil in this world?
What if God really gave us the desires of our hearts?
It’s so easy to give advice and godly counsel rather than follow that same advice!
Do we have it too good (are Christians spoiled) here in America?
Are ‘Social Justice Christians’ worshiping self or the world above God?
Have you ever heard of “Faith, Hope, and Cancer” seminars?
How were Michael and Lisa Gungor able to live a “Christian” lie for years?
How sad that Christian conservatives were called judgmental, bigoted, and unloving years ago when trying to warn the church about progressive apostates such as the Gungors.
Showing grace to young people: any of us who are older could have been deceived IF we had lived in these times when confusion, indoctrination, lies, leftism, evolution, and humanism reigns.
I’ve heard the word “dominionism” used in both negative and positive contexts; which is it?
Does John mean in 1 John 3 that our ongoing sin can still condemn us?

Chipping Away At The Foundation Of The Christian Church

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 26, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christian Church, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Discrimination, Education, Emergent Church, Globalism, Government, Liberalism, Persecution, Podcast, Politics and Faith, Progressive Christianity, Religious Freedom | 2 |

The church established by Jesus Christ through the apostles will never be defeated. That church is comprised of committed believers and disciples around the world. But what we have come to call “church” here in America—a place of worship rather than the people who worship—is coming under a variety of attacks from various sources.

Satan is using institutions like media, public education and government to bully and pressure the church into compliance or silence. And he is also using our own personal pride to appeal to our flesh to get us to believe that what we think or feel is on a par with what God says in His Word.

John Loeffler of Steel on Steel Radio has been a Watchman on the Wall for several decades, warning Christians about the direct and subtle attacks of the enemy against the church. John joins us to day to look at the growing division in our nation and church, and how we can guard our heart and thought process against this deception.

Silencing Bible-Believing Christians

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jul 25, 2018 | Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Discrimination, Entertainment, Government, Hollywood, LGBTQ, Media Bias, Progressive Christianity, Religious Freedom, SocialMedia | 0 |

One of the easiest ways to get someone mad at you these days is to proclaim something like “I believe the Bible is the Word of God and Jesus is the truth.” The reaction you receive will vary from a look of pity because you are “ignorant” to an angry or defensive response because they see you as a narrow-minded, homophobic bigot. And while American Christians still enjoy religious freedoms for the most part, many around the world do not. Make no mistake: the left is out to strip you of those freedoms any way they can; and they will stop at nothing until you are badgered, bullied or intimidated into silence.

This morning we look at how social media and the legal system is trying to silence Christians.

In our first segment, Mike and David talk with Attorney and professor, Mark Maxwell, a Christian in the entertainment industry who has written a new book that questions the effectiveness and morality of networking for success.

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.

Great Comments and Questions From Our Listeners

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jun 29, 2018 | Abortion, Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Discrimination, Education, False Teaching, Government, Islam, Liberalism, Podcast, Politics and Faith, Progressive Christianity, Religious Freedom | 0 |

The political rhetoric in our nation is reaching a dangerous level based on recent comments from Peter Fonda, Robert DiNiro, Maxine Waters, and so many others. Disagreement has spilled over into hatred, and many wonder if the lack of civil discourse will escalate even further when President Trump nominates another Supreme Court Justice in the coming weeks.

Culture has been divided for decades, but when the church starts dividing over political issues, conflict and confusion will rule the day. Other topics that our listeners want to discuss today include:

Can a person support abortion and still be a ‘true’ Christian?
Andy Stanley’s comments on the Old Testament.
Is Trump dividing the nation or did it start under the Obama admin?
Distinguishing Biblical Christianity from Islam.
Parents concerned about comprehensive sex-education being rolled out in public schools
Has Liberalism captured the pulpits in American Churches?
Shouldn’t Nancy Pelosi be excommunicated from the Catholic Church according to its teachings?
What are your thoughts on people joining home churches?
Why is the modern church seem to be all about grace with little thought of holiness or submission to God?

Culture Collapse: the Dismantling of Truth & Church

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jun 21, 2018 | Brian McLaren, Christianity, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, False Teaching, Homosexual Agenda, Israel, LGBTQ, Media Bias, Podcast, President Trump, Progressive Christianity, Seeker Friendly | 0 |

When God is abandoned, truth ignored, and moral relativism accepted, any culture or society suffers as a result. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s happening in America. There are many factors involved including the falling away from traditional religion and the past silence of Christians, but what we are seeing today is open rebellion against God as Creator and Jesus Christ as Lord.

Rather than being part of the solution to our nation’s growing immorality, American Christianity has been part of the problem! Rather than being separate from the pattern of this world, too many professing believers have conformed to culture and then end up justifying their actions. Many have failed to build a solid foundation on Truth and the end result is compromise or deception. Is the true Gospel preached and understood in your local church or are essential elements missing in action? This is the heart of the issue.

Today we’re blessed to have Eric Barger of Take a Stand ministries back on the program. He is one of many authors that are included in a brand new book, Deceivers: Exposing Evil Seducers & Their Last Days Deception.

We cover much so much ground today as we catch up with Eric. From the Emergent Church and men (wolves) whose teachings we should avoid, to the sugary sweet preaching we often hear in many American churches today, we discuss the importance of context, doctrine, and the lack of depth in the evangelical church today. We touch on the unprecedented level of media bias and hatred toward President Trump, the LGBTQ agenda advancing full speed ahead, and how well-meaning Christians have practically embraced false teachings.

A Church of Compromise, Not Courage

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jun 7, 2018 | Abortion, Beliefs, Chrislam, Christianity, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, False Teaching, Government, Islam, Persecution, Podcast, Progressive Christianity | 0 |

This morning, Mike and David cover a couple of stories pointing to continuing compromise of the Gospel and word of God in a growing number of churches under the guise of “love.” We look at a United Methodist Church hosting Muslims for a Ramadan Dinner for Muslims, and a gathering of pastors and church leaders trying to figure out how homosexuality fits into biblical Christianity.

In our first segment, we check in with Julaine Appling of Wisconsin Family Council to see what is happening on the pro-life and pro-family front in Madison and around the state. We look at new research from Barna that discusses the views of Americans concerning the direction of our nation including 77% of people surveyed who say we are heading in the wrong direction morally and culturally.

Questions and Comments from the Email Bag!

by Stand Up For The Truth | Jun 1, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Chrislam, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Education, Evangelism, Islam, Jim Wallis, Liberalism, Podcast, Progressive Christianity, Social Justice | 1 |

Thank you so much for keeping us busy! On Fridays, we read your comments and answer your questions from the week, always reminding you to prayerfully check everything you hear with the perfect, eternal Word of the living God.

Some of the topics we discuss this week include:
Liberal theology and prosperity preaching infiltrating the church, ignorance about Islam in America, Christian college students struggling with liberal, secular professors, the latest apostasy of Jim Wallis and Sojourners, does implementing church security mean we don’t trust the sovereignty of God?, pastors that avoid teaching from the Old Testament, our interview with Tony Gurule of ratio Christi Ministries on Sharia Law, a listener from England concerned about political correctness and the growing Muslim population
the conundrum within the Southern Baptist Convention.

Selective Social Justice

by Stand Up For The Truth | May 31, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Chrislam, Christianity, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, Evangelism, False Teaching, Gospel, Islam, Liberalism, Podcast, Progressive Christianity, Religious Freedom, sex, Social Justice, World Events | 0 |

The outcry against sex trafficking is growing and rightly so, and more awareness must be raised on this issue. These tragic stories need to be reported on as every year, tens of thousands of young girls and boys are being kidnapped and conditioned for sex slavery, prostitution, or pornography. Who could possibly get in trouble for exposing sex trafficking? Apparently, a person who exposes radical Islam over in England is guilty – for standing outside a courthouse reporting on it. In our final segment we will discuss the story of conservative activist Tommy Robinson who has been imprisoned for his campaign to expose sex trafficking in England, often being run by Muslims there.

First up, we check in with Pastor Randy White to discuss Satan, Job, and ‘Heavenly councils’ as spoken of in God’s Word. You might be surprised to hear who is still a part of these councils and what he is up to these days. Pastor White also warns us about the growing ecumenical movement that threatens to water down the gospel of salvation.

Exposing Radical Liberalism to the Light

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 14, 2018 | Abortion, Beliefs, Biblical Social Justice, Christianity, Church Leadership, Contextualization, Culture & Morality, Emergent Church, Israel, Leadership, Liberalism, Podcast | 0 |

Radical Liberalism will reveal its own hypocrisy and contradictions when it is exposed to the light of truth and logic. Ultimately it shows its true agenda and colors when viewed objectively and exposed to rational thought. This is particularly true of liberalism when it attempts to thinly veil itself with the Word of God. In one case we cover today, a Religious studies professor says God approves of abortion because Jesus wants us to have an “abundant life.” Then, a Canadian conundrum: a woman who was a victim of rape is conflicted because she supports the LGBTQ but an abuse shelter made her share a room with a man pretending to be a woman.

First up today, we welcome back Pastor Gary Gilley (check out his articles at Think on These Things ministries) to look at sanctification in the life of the disciple of Jesus Christ and the delicate balance of Christians working with the Holy Spirit in this process. Gilly also tackles concerns of a “Christocentric view” of the Bible that claims every single verse of the Bible is about Jesus. Are there pitfalls for the believer in this view?

Churches Built on Shifting Sands

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 13, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, False Teaching, Leadership, Liberalism, Podcast, Prophecy | 1 |

In our final segment today, Mike and David look at Willow Creek Church’s implosion based on the sexual harassment allegations against former pastor Bill Hybels. Last week, the entire Board of Elders, along with the new pastoral leadership team resigned, admitting they failed in their investigation on the allegations against Hybels. The question now is does this moral failure and implosion discredit Willow Creek’s global Leadership Summit and the Willow Creek Association, which was supposed to build leaders in the church? We discuss WHY the Willow Creek fallout matters and what can true Christians learn from it.

First, today’s guest is Pastor Randy White. We discuss how to respond in an increasingly caustic, divisive culture, including interacting on social media. We also discuss good and bad daily devotionals and why we should not recommend any devotional instead of God’s Word. We also discuss some interesting Bible facts you may not have known are in God’s Word.

Pastors: Stop Imitating and Embracing the World

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 9, 2018 | Apologetics, Christian Church, Christianity, Church Leadership, Discrimination, Emergent Church, Evangelism, False Teaching, Hebrew Roots, Leaders, Podcast, Psychology, Replacement Theology | 2 |

Today Mike and David discuss a provocative and compelling article by Shane Idleman that challenges pastors to stop imitating the world and return to the fundamentals of being a pastor: Teaching the complete Word of God, challenging the flock assigned to them to grow in holiness, and to quit worrying about offending members of their church. Idelman makes an interesting observation in his article: that at a time when “unity” is the buzz word in many churches perhaps it is time for a little separation to divide true born-again believers from the goats.

In our first segment, Mike and David talk with a Messianic Jew who has committed his life to reaching Jews with the truth and gospel of Jesus Christ. We will discuss why most Jews reject Jesus as messiah and how we can share the truth of the gospel with them.

Refuting the Deceptions of Islam

by Stand Up For The Truth | Aug 8, 2018 | Apologetics, Beliefs, Christianity, Church Leadership, Culture & Morality, Evangelism, False Teaching, Islam, Israel, Liberalism, Podcast | 0 |

Human nature is such that if a lie is repeated often enough people will believe it if they are not grounded in the truth of God and His Word. We have witnessed this in the areas of abortion and acceptance of homosexuality within our culture and even in many professing Christian churches. A vast majority of Americans used to oppose these issues, but now over time many people – even Christians – have caved to culture and generally accept both practices.

The same appears to be happening with Islam. Deceivers and those they have deceived keep repeating lies about Islam and an increasing number of Americans jumped on board. Even in the Christian Church an increasing number of pastors and church members think Islam is an “Abrahamic faith” and that Muslims and Christians worship the same god. But the Quran and other Islamic “holy books” contradict these ideas. And certainly, anyone familiar with the Bible knows that Allah of the Quran is clearly not the God of the Bible.

What other deceptions about Islam are people accepting today as truth? Elijah Abraham, a former Muslim and now born-again believer joins us to discuss the issues. Elijah travels around the world equipping and teaching pastors about Islam and how to reach Muslims with the true gospel of Jesus Christ.