Pope Video: Rejects 1st Commandment & Lays Foundation for One World Religion

In what can only be described as a flagrant rejection of the 1st Commandment, The Pope Video, a project produced by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network claims that people of all religions and beliefs are children of God.

You shall have no other gods before me.
— Exodus 20:3
You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
— Isaiah 43:10-11
What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
— 1 Corinthians 10:19-20

Ken Copeland: Whatever Your Faith Can Believe You Can Have it in 2016

Ken Copeland, in his New Year's Eve service for 2016 claimed that God told him that whatever your faith can believe for, you can have it in 2016.

No Joke!

This is a fulfillment of the Apostle Paul's prophecy in 2 Timothy: 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
— 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

"Prophet" Bushiri FAKES a Miracle With Adobe After Effects

In one the most blantant and shameful examples of a sham miracle that we've ever seen, so-called "prophet" Shepherd Bushiri has put together a video that his ministry claims documents an appearance of angels at a recent church service. But, one needs only watch the video to see that what appeared are cheesy postproduction special effects and not real angels.

See for yourself.

One thing is certain Shepherd Bushiri is not a prophet of the Living God. He is a false prophet and greedy charlatan. He will have to explain all this nonsense to Jesus Christ on the day of judgement if he does not repent. 

“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–12)

"Prophets" Declare 2016 The Year of the Re: Slipstream Crossover Excel Tide Turning Year that...

Want to know what is going to happen in 2016 but are nervous about visiting a palm reader or psychic? No worries, the "Christian" equivalent to psychics and fortune tellers a.k.a. false prophets have been chiming in and telling the world what the Holy Spirit is telling them will be going down in 2016.

Thus far we can say that 2016 will be The Year of the Re: slipstream crossover excel tide turning acceleration in which God reintroduces Himself as El Shaddai as well as the year great tribulation starts and the anti-christ appears.

Does this information help you know what to expect in the coming year? We didn't think so.

Either God, the Holy Spirit is no longer capable of lucid communication or none of these so-called prophets are actually hearing from God.

But let's break this all down and see if it helps clear things up.

1. Charisma Magazine declared 2016 the year of the Re:

2. Lana Vawswer declared that the Holy Spirit told her that 2016 is the year of the slipstream.

3. Steven Furtick of Elevation Church claims that the word God gave him for 2016 is crossover

4. Keith Craft claims that the word God gave him for 2016 is excel [insert Microsoft Office and spreadsheet jokes here]. 

5. Cindy Jacobs claims that God has told the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders that 2016 is the year the tide turns.

6. Robert Hotchkin of the Prophetic Holy Orders Network Information Exchange Syndicate claims that God told him that 2016 is the year that God reintroduces himself as El Shaddai.

7. Jim Bakker and his guests have predicted that the Great Tribulation will begin in March of 2016 and the Anti-Christ will walk on the world's stage in 2016.

8. Joel Osteen says that the word God gave him for 2016 is Accelerate.

9. John Kilpatrick says that this is the Year of the Wind.

10. Dr. Paul Dhinakaran says that this is the Year of Edification and Equipping.

11. Jerry Savelle says 2016 is The Year of The Great Breaking Loose.

12. Dr. Jerry Brandt says 2016 is The Year of Manifestation.

13. The "Apostle" John Arcovio says the Lord clearly told him to Beware of Elymas for 2016.

14. The "Prophet" Brian Carn says 2016 is the year to Get the Anointing to Increase.

 15. Wayne Sutton says 2016 is the year to Awaken in Spirit and Change Your Name. 

16. "Apostle Prophet" Elizabeth Elijah Nikomia says (under the trusty anointing of Ruach Ha Kodesh) that Devastation is Coming! Devastation is Here!

17. Ken Malone (who ministers with a prophetic, seer anointing which enables him to identify, activate and release redemptive gifts in individuals, churches and cities) says this is the Year of the KAIROS OPPORTUNITY and Open Doors.

18. Doug Addison (who is a prophetic forerunner!) has a Prophetic Forecast for 2016... but you have to pay for it. You can get the paperback, the PDF or the Kindle version. Doug says it'll help you "get into sync with heaven for 2016." 

 

“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)

100% Yoga + 100% Jesus = Really Bad Math!

Here's a video from an organization called Holy Yoga:

These are clearly some sincere and thoughtful woman who believe they're much closer to God because of this yoga class; these are not wackos trying to trick people out of their money (like too many of the exhibits here at the Museum). However, if the actual content of what is said in this video is carefully examined, it portrays a mystical, feelings-based version of Christianity that cannot co-exist with the Bible. These woman believe the Bible is insufficient, even though they would never actually say it. God gave us His Holy Word, he did not give us His "holy yoga."  

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
— Galatians 1: 8

Here is an article (with links to more articles) from fellow-pirate @Aspree on this topic.

Pastor Tells People to Say "F-You" to Each Other

In this ridiculous and desperate attention-getting stunt, "pastor" A. R. Vernon tries to be clever and funny, but he ends up being offensive and counter-productive...

Abstain from all appearance of evil.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:22
If anyone considers himself religious and does yet not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
— James 1:26


Ken Copeland: God Gave Us Private Jets Because You Can't Talk to God in Coach

Ken Copeland and Jesse Duplantis, on the December 29th, 2015 broadcast of the Believers Voice of Victory claimed that God gave them their private jets because you can't talk to God in commercial airliners. In other words, they claim that they have important conversations with God which would otherwise be impossible if they were flying coach.

Think we're just making that up? Think again. Watch the video below.

HT: Pulpit and Pen

Bill Hybels Proves He's Not Qualified To Be A Pastor

The book of 2nd Timothy is a Pastoral Epistle. That means it written to help define and elaborate on the qualifications and duties of the Pastoral Office. In that epistle The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul makes it painstakingly clear that a pastor must rightly handle the word of truth (scripture):

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

This same qualification is reiterated in the Book of Titus, another Pastoral Epistle:

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9)

Not only are pastors required by God to rightly handle God's Word, God also commands pastors to preach the word regardless of whether it is popular for him to do so:

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:1–4)

Recently, Bill Hybels, the Vision-Casting Leader of Willow Creek recently proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he does not meet the Biblical qualifications for being a pastor. Here's what Hybels said:

Someone needs to send Bill Hybels a Bible because he obviously has never read it (which not only explains why this idea is "beyond him" it also proves he's not even qualified to be a pastor). If Hybels had actually studied God's Word he'd know that it says:

“As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.” (1 Corinthians 14:33–35)

“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” (1 Timothy 2:11–14)

Jacobs Claimed 2015 Was the Year of the Turn Around

We've gone back and checked what Cindy Jacobs claimed God was revealing for 2015 and now we're really confused. As it turns out, back in 2015 Jacobs claimed that God told her that 2015 was the year of the Turn Around. But now she is claiming that God is saying that 2016 is the year Tide is Turning

But if God turned everything around in 2015 and then is going to turn the tide in 2016 doesn't that mean that 2016 is the the year God is going to smite you and take everything away from you?

One-Size-Fits-All 2016 "Prophecy"

Apparently New Year's "prophecies" now come in One-Size-Fits-All. So-called prophetess Cindy Jacobs recently announced that 2016 will be the Year the Tide Turns. She assures every single person watching her video that 2016 will be the year the tide turns in their favor.

So, quick get everyone you know to watch this video so that 2016 will be the year the tide turns!

If you believe that then we have bridge we'd like to sell you in Brooklyn.

Battle of the Crazy Gigantic Extreme Christmas Spectacles!!

Which of these church productions is the most massively spectacular? The most magnificent, colossal and gargantuan? The most unbelievably extreme, bodacious and over-the-top?? 

But more importantly, do these über expensive spectacles help the church fulfill the Great Commission or are they signs of the decadence and corruption of Evangelicalism?

 

Here's a heartwarming Christmas story: At John Hagee's Mega-Church they expect members to tithe regularly; however, they realize that some people are poor, unemployed or just "down on their luck," so the non-tithers are required to go listen to Pastor Hagee sing and play the saxophone at Christmas and pretend they enjoyed it. This will compensate for their inability to tithe for one year...

 

Closing thoughts: it's obvious there are a lot of talented, hard-working volunteers putting in a tremendous effort in these productions; they are to be commended for that. But, in the desire to get people to show up and then "make a decision" for Jesus, these productions take so much time and energy from a church body it seems possible that very little time is left for actual Bible study and discipleship. Just something to think about.  

"Prophetess" Lana Vawser Declares 2016 The Year of the Slipstream

It's not even Christmas yet and some of the so-called "prophets", like Lana Vawswer, are already claiming to receive prophetic revelations for the the coming year.

In what could only be described as prophetic diarrhea, Lana has published what she mistakenly believes are words from the Lord for 2016. Below is just a sample:

As I have pressed into the heart of the Lord for the next year, 2016, I felt He showed me one of the themes He wanted to focus on this year.

I kept hearing the words over and over "The year of the slipstream". 

SLIPSTREAM: "the airstream generating reduced air pressure and forward suction directly behind a rapidly moving vehicle."  (www.dictionary.com)

INVITATION INTO THE SLIPSTREAM

2015 has been a year of intense pressure, intense stretching, intense opposition and contending. I believe in 2016 there is an invitation into a divine 'slipstream'. The wind of the Spirit moving in great acceleration but the Lord calling us to a 'positioning' of greater rest. It seems completely opposite and 'illogical' in the natural, but many things the Lord is going to ask His people to do or not do in 2016 will be a great surprise, but MORE is going to come out of divine rest in whatever form that looks like for you (physical, emotional/mental healing, release of striving, settled heart in His nature and ways etc) in 2016.

I felt the Lord say that 2016 would be a year THE GREATEST demonstration of DIVINE REST of heart, mind, soul and body for many, but also THE GREATEST demonstration of ACCELERATION that they have ever seen. 

A place of shaking off the shackles of driving and seeing Him break off and bring deeper healing to any parts of the soul that would cause a 'pushing forward'.

For the rest of Lana's incoherent "prophetic" ramblings for 2016 Click Here

“that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6)

What Would Jesus Brew? Serve Beer to Attract Young People!

Because some people need a good, solid reason to attend church...

This is an article from NPR about churches that are serving beer to attract people to church. This topic is similar to the previous Museum of Idolatry post, (the "tattoo church"): sometimes it looks pretty desperate when churches try so hard to be "relevant."  

Photo credit: Corey Grunewald Facebook.com/coreygrunewaldphotography

Photo credit: Corey Grunewald Facebook.com/coreygrunewaldphotography

This is not a post against the responsible consumption of alcohol; we have the freedom in Christ to drink (but not to engage in drunkenness). This is about the worship service becoming much, much less than a worship service. When a church adds beer (or anything else) to attract new people, it's really hard for the central focus of our faith to remain so. But there are some notable efforts being made to use the craft-brew phenomena as a way to start a dialogue with non-believers. For example, here's a very interesting group called "The Bible and Beer Consortium" that holds meetings apart from the worship service to discuss the Christian faith. Here's another group called "What Would Jesus Brew?" And here's a good, short article addressing these "beer/church" issues and the NPR article; and here's one more.

There's a difference between a gathering to exchange ideas, listen to speakers and socialize, and an actual worship service. When churches remove all of the sacred elements from the worship service in the name of attracting new people, they end up hurting the very people they are called to serve.

Ultimately, it isn't a good idea to depend on beer (or any other worldly, cultural thing) to bring people closer to God-we've been given Word and Sacrament by God Himself. Praise be to God!

Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, as you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
— 1 Peter 2:1-5



Get A Tattoo Onstage During The Sermon!!

Because nobody can listen to a regular sermon anymore...

So, let's think about this for a minute:

The God who created the entire universe from nothing, who was born to a virgin, lived an amazing life full of miracles, teachings and healings, then willingly gave His life on the cross to pay for the sins of all the world, then rose victoriously from the dead... all of that is not good enough to get people's attention? 

But if someone get's a tattoo onstage during the sermon-that's gonna make the Gospel message a lot better? If only we would have known this before! 

“I didn’t want to repent of my sins, but now that some lady got a tattoo during a sermon, I believe. Plus, it’s easier to pay attention to a sermon while being completely distracted. ”

— Said Nobody Ever

Closing thoughts: If pastors continue this downward spiral, where will it end up? If we say that "people are different nowadays" and "we need a gimmick to get people to church these days" aren't we just setting ourselves up for even more ridiculous and embarrassing stunts? And if a person comes to church only because they were attracted to the spectacle that made it "new" and "relevant," what kind of person are we attracting, and why are they really showing up? 

Hillsong's "Sleazy Silent Night!"

The following video is wrong on so many levels. 

Aesthetically, it's just weird, confusing and embarrassing. 

Hillsong Music Director: "Hey everybody, I've got a great idea! Let's take the beloved and peaceful Christmas hymn 'Silent Night' and turn it into a loud, obnoxious, roaring twenties style, Las Vegas big-band production! You know, kinda like Christmas in a whorehouse! What'ya think?!"

Everybody Who Should Know Better at Hillsong: (silence)

But beyond the ridiculous nature of this one particular song/video there's the more serious problem that this "thing" claims to be the church...

Hillsong leads the way when it comes to "churches" featuring worldly, gigantic and expensive spectacles to attract a large audience. They are laughing all the way to the bank, too, as this global empire continues to gobble up followers around the world.

Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.
— 1 John 1: 15-16
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what it the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
— Romans 12: 1-2
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
— 1 Thessalonians 4: 3-5

Closing thoughts: For those of you who say "but this was a performance at a special concert event-this wasn't an actual worship service; you need to see this in it's proper context..." Here's a question; why would a "church" have an event/concert with moral guidelines that are different from the moral guidelines that govern a worship service? Why be "a little more like the world" to attract people to a spectacle (like this video) and then "re-adjust" things for a Sunday morning service? If this video is supposed to be sleazy on purpose to somehow try and teach a lesson, Hillsong doesn't mention it anywhere-and this is from their own YouTube channel. It seems that this is just a very obnoxious version of Silent Night to grab the attention of the crowd. Note: A few hours after we posted this video, it was "made private" by Hillsong; the video on this page now is a copy we put on Vimeo.

For more information, here's a link to Church Watch Central's Hillsong page.

As of January 14th, 2016, here is an important Follow Up Article!

 

"Star Wars" Pastor Defends and Promotes Cosmic Christmas Publicity Stunt

Here's the "Han Solo" pastor attempting to defend his church's publicity stunt/Star Wars obsession with obviously pre-planned, "sound-bite" style answers (and a winning smile!):

This video came from an web page dedicated to getting publicity-it's an online "press kit." Seriously. Here's the "publicity stunt" web page:

In this online press kit the pastor, Tim Lucas, says, "We believe we have the greatest story in the world, but the challenge is reaching people with that story. There are no rules that say church has to be dry and boring."

     So, the story of God coming to earth as a baby so that He can eventually die on the cross for our sins isn't enough. That would be dry and boring. But if we talk all about Star Wars and dress in costumes and replace Biblical characters with Star Wars characters that's so much better. The church's press kit says: "Rather than focus on the birth of Jesus on earth, Lucas will share the story from heaven's perspective, which includes a rogue emperor, evil rebellion, miraculous birth, and a cosmic war behind the stars. The idea stems from Lucas' own passion for Star Wars."  Yep. This pastor is really passionate about Star Wars.

Is this guy familiar with the term "idolatry?" Or at least "bizarre fascination with nostalgic childhood movie memories that cloud one's ability to fully embrace reality and rightly handle God's Word?"

Nothing Says "Desperation" Like Star Wars Church at Christmas!!

This pastor (who dressed up as Han Solo to preach on Sunday morning) has jumped whatever remains of the shark. Welcome to Christmas in the land of Evangelical Embarrassment. After church you can get your picture taken with the Storm Trooper "Magi:" 

Here's some more examples of "Star Wars at Church" from various places...

In the following episode of Fighting for the Faith, Chris Rosebrough does a partial analysis of a sermon from the "Han Solo" pastor-the sermon review starts at 00:11:46 into the show:


Supernatural Video Cage Fight!

Here's some more over-the-top, supernatural, "Signs and Wonders" videos; notice the similarities between them. This is the "Theology of Glory" taken to an extreme. While it's true we should represent Jesus in our behavior as best as we can, we are not supposed to be Jesus (duh!), or fool ourselves into thinking that the whole unsaved world is just waiting for us to show up and "manifest the glory of God."

Which one do you think "wins" the battle of videos? See the Curator's opinion below...

 

The winner: Todd White's video kicks sand in the face of all the other supernatural hype videos; watch at 1:15 when every cinematic trick in the book is utilized to emotionally manipulate the viewer and propagate the Dream Destiny Thingy:

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore, God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
— 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12


The Supernatural (Hype) Now!

Jesus did not come to die on the cross for our sins, apparently-He came to "activate us into the supernatural realm of signs and wonders" or something like that. One thing for sure: He would have needed a huge ego and a huge video budget to compete with this guy-Guillermo Maldonado. These larger-than-life, hyped-up promotional videos are becoming commonplace, and they succinctly present another Gospel altogether. "Get ready to receive your miracle today, and allow God to use you to demonstrate His power here and now! This is a reality you can experience in your life today. Join us as we see more of the supernatural now!" Yikes...

For false christ’s and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
— Matthew 24:24