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A good friend of mine recently emailed me and posed this question about Joel Rosenberg speaking at the Break Forth Canada Conference that is being held January 29-31, 2010 in Edmonton, Alberta: “If Rosenberg can wake thousands up at this conference, wouldn’t that be a good thing?” It’s a good question, but in order to answer that question, we need to ask ourselves a couple of other really important questions:

First, is this a “Christian Conference?” I am not convinced that it is from the research that I have done on both Break Forth Canada and their line up of false teachers. If both Christian doctrine and false doctrine are being taught at an event that’s being advertised as a “Christian Conference,” then let’s be honest-it’s not really a “Christian Conference” is it? Rosenberg has advertised Break Forth on his blog as a “Powerful Christian Conference” and has encouraged his readers to “sign-up” and to “join us” for an “amazing weekend.” As they say at NASA-Houston, we have a problem. Rosenberg clearly does not understand the magnitude of what’s happening with false teaching in the church today from the language on his blog. He is uniting with false teachers (join us) and encouraging others (sign-up) for an “amazing weekend.”

(Click Here To Read Joel’s Blog Posted November 5, 2009)

In Romans 16:17-18, Paul writes, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” In Titus 3:10, Paul writes, “Warn a divisive person once and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” And in Ephesians 5:11, Paul writes, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

So in light of the Scriptures, I have some more questions: How is Rosenberg speaking at Break Forth marking and avoiding false teachers? How is Rosenberg speaking at Break Forth having nothing to do with false teachers? And how is Rosenberg speaking at Break Forth not fellowshipping with false teachers? Let’s be honest, He certainly won’t be exposing them at the conference from the language on his blog.

And even if these false teachers were not false teachers, but rather “brothers” in the Lord, the Scriptures are still clear. In 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Paul writes, “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” In 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15, Paul writes, “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”

I have to agree with this excerpt from a recent Lighthouse Trails Research Project article: “Even though Rosenberg’s rationale sounds credible on the surface and even though his message is valid, unless he specifically identifies and challenges what these other speakers are saying, he in essence gives credence by sharing a platform with them because his respectability will be implanted in the minds of the attendees. It is logical that because Rosenberg is respected and trusted, the others will be too because in people’s minds you don’t have heretics and proclaimers of the Gospel on the same bill in a non-debate scenario. In essence, it is the opposite of guilt by association; it is validity by association.”

The Lighthouse Trails Research Project article continues:

“As the New Spirituality becomes more widespread and acceptable, we’ll be seeing in the future many more of these dichotomies: the defenders of the faith sharing platforms with those who seek to radically change and alter the very Gospel these defenders are seeking to uphold. This is not the example that the Old Testament prophets or the New Testament disciples set. Most of them stood alone and often died alone because they would not compromise under any circumstances. Regarding those who teach or promote heresy, the apostle Paul writes strong words: “A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject” (Titus 3:10). According to Rosenberg’s rationale, it is OK for him to share a platform with false teachers because his message is so important. But doesn’t his desire to get his message out override the Scripture in Titus 3:10 (and other Scriptures as well)? We must strongly disagree with this reasoning. The end does not always justify the means, and in this case, the end is highly questionable. While Rosenberg says he is attending Break Forth to “defend Israel,” does he not realize that by giving credence to Emergent/New Spirituality speakers, he is abetting the emerging philosophy that sees NO prophetic importance in Israel? A flood of Christian leaders are turning their backs on Israel, directly or indirectly, merely by promoting the Emerging/Contemplative/New Spirituality. Mr. Rosenberg, defend Israel, yes, by all means, but first defend the Gospel.”

Other Related Articles

Lighthouse Trails Response To Joel Rosenberg Speaking At Break Forth
Joel Rosenberg’s Public Statement (Scroll To The Bottom of Page)
Lighthouse Trails Response To Joel Rosenberg’s Public Statement
Discerning The Break Forth Canada Conference (Great Adventure Ministries)
Take Heed-The Apostasy Bug Is About To Break Forth
False Teaching To Break Forth At Break Forth
What Other People Have To Say About Break Forth
Another Break Forth Response
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          Order The Truth War, Faith Undone & Out of India

         
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Order The Truth War by John MacArthur: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, Faith Undone by Roger Oakland: The Emerging Church-A New Reformation or an End-Time Deception & Out of India by Caryl Matrisciana: A True Story about the New Age Movement directly from Amazon.com by clicking on the book images below.

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This is a hard blog for me to write and let me clearly state that this isn’t just about Joel Rosenberg. This blog is about all Christian leaders who are participating in the Break Forth Canada Conference January 29-31, 2010 and other similar conferences who are justifying sharing the pulpit with false teachers and who are promoting these conferences on their websites and blogs as “Christian Conferences.”

I first heard Joel Rosenberg at Jan Markell’s “Understanding The Times” conference at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota a few years ago. Since that time I have followed Joel’s ministry closely and have read some of his books including Dead Heat, Epicenter and Inside The Revolution. I have also posted many of his books and blogs on our website as well as creating a link to the Joshua Fund which Great Adventure Ministries contributes to on a monthly basis. I have greatly appreciated Joel, his ministry and his discernment on current events as they relate to Bible prophecy-particularly pertaining to the defense of Israel in the last days.

However, I need to be very honest and say that I have had some concerns regarding his ministry over the past couple of years. First, he seems to be very “Pro Republican” as a Christian in his support of the George W. Bush administration and most recently senator John McCain. Both are for dividing Israel. This has been surprising to me given his stance on Israel and specifically his clear stance in support of not dividing Israel.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I am a conservative Christian, but I would never vote for or support any candidate that is in favor of dividing Israel. Let’s be honest. If McCain and Palin would have come out and stated that they were “Pro Abortion” the day before the election, many conservative Christians would not have voted for them. Shouldn’t the same be true of candidates in favor of dividing Israel? Both are equally important and both are commands from the Lord not to do.

Secondly, on November 5, 2009 Joel posted a blog in regards to him speaking at the Break Forth Canada Conference January 29-31, 2010. I am dumbfounded as to why he would share the pulpit with false teachers that are promoting the false teachings of the New Age and New Age Spirituality. And even if he is going there as an invited guest just to defend Israel, but does not agree with the conference hosts or speakers (which in light of the Scriptures I don’t agree with anyway), why in the world is he still promoting this conference positively on his blog? I don’t get it.

The Bible clearly says that we are to mark and avoid false teachers, not fellowship with them-especially those who call themselves brothers and sisters in the Lord, but in reality are wolves in sheep’s clothing. In Romans 16:17-18, Paul writes, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (compare to Philippians 3:17-19).”

I don’t know every speaker at the Break Forth Canada Conference, but I have done a considerable amount of research on a couple of them such as universalist William P. Young who authored “The Shack” and new ager Leonard Sweet. I do not consider either one of these men as “brothers” in the Lord. They are clearly false teachers. Other speakers at this conference also have strong leanings towards one of the most dangerous movements in the church today, The Emergent Church Movement, which is attacking the very heart of orthodox Christianity.

By Joel speaking at this conference, not only is he going against what God has commanded him not to do in His Word, but I believe he will be sending a confusing message to the lost, to new Christians and to mature Christians alike regarding what true Christianity really is-even if his motive is pure in defending Israel.

For the sake of the Gospel, I have personally written to Joel asking him to withdraw from speaking at this conference and encouraged him to do his homework on false teaching that is alive and well in many parts of the Christian church today. Just as important as it is to defend Israel in the last days, it’s even more important to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Both will play vital roles in future Bible prophecy.

These are perilous times Christian leaders. Let us awaken before it’s too late.

Lighthouse Trails Response To Joel Rosenberg Speaking At Break Forth
Joel Rosenberg’s Public Statement (Scroll To The Bottom of Page)
Lighthouse Trails Response To Joel Rosenberg’s Public Statement
More Questions About Break Forth Canada (Great Adventure Ministries)
Take Heed-The Apostasy Bug Is About To Break Forth
False Teaching To Break Forth At Break Forth
What Other People Have To Say About Break Forth
Another Break Forth Response

A Note To Our Readers: Great Adventure Ministries is prayerfully considering whether or not to continue to promote Joel Rosenberg, but please let me clear: Great Adventure Ministries is not throwing Joel under the bus. Instead, we are praying for him and while we don’t personally know Joel or his heart, we have personally witnessed the fruit of the ministry that the Lord has called him to do and consider him a brother in the Lord. However, his decision to speak at Break Forth has serious implications. Great Adventure Ministries will act accordingly based on his final decision to speak or not.

Pastor Adam Gislason
Great Adventure Ministries
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          Order The Truth War, Faith Undone & Out of India

         
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. (I Corinthians 10:21)

[T]he Cross still stands … But this in on one condition, and one only: that it expand itself to the dimensions of a New Age, and cease to present itself to us as primarily (or even exclusively) the sign of a victory over sin. (p. 219-220).

I believe that the Messiah whom we await, whom we all without any doubt await, is the universal Christ; that is to say, the Christ of evolution (p. 95).

What I am proposing to do is to narrow that gap between pantheism and Christianity by bringing out what one might call the Christian soul of Pantheism of the pantheist aspect of Christianity (p. 56).

Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. Isaiah 5:1-2

The Bible teaches that man has an inherently rebellious and ungodly nature (which is evident), and his ways are naturally self-centered and evil in the sight of God. The Bible teaches that God is not indifferent to us. The sacrifice of Christ for the ungodly to reconcile us to God reveals the Lord’s love toward Man.

This explains why Christianity must be steadfast on these issues. If a belief system does not teach the preaching of the Cross, then it is not “the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18). If other ways are correct, “then Christ is dead in vain,” rendering His shed blood unnecessary and immaterial (Galatians 2:21).

Because of this conflict, we can safely assume that Christendom is the most formidable obstacle to the New Age, standing like a bulwark against this tidal wave of meditation teachers and practical mystics. But, incredibly … many of the most successful practical mystics are appearing from within Christendom itself. Ironically, instead of stemming the momentum of New Age spirituality, it is our own churches that may very well be the decisive catalysts to propel this movement into prominence. (chapter 1, ATOD)

Order The Truth War by John MacArthur: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, Faith Undone by Roger Oakland: The Emerging Church-A New Reformation or an End-Time Deception & Out of India by Caryl Matrisciana: A True Story about the New Age Movement directly from Amazon.com by clicking on the book images below.

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“Why then has this people, Jerusalem, Turned away in continual apostasy? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.”
(Jeremiah 8:5, NASB)

As could be agreed upon by most believers, Christians have the right, even the duty, to evaluate and hold accountable to Holy Scripture professing evangelical Christians who, for reason of their manifest beliefs and behaviors, appear to be departing from the faith.[1] Jude told his readers to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). To shirk this responsibility means that believers are being disobedient to the faith once for all delivered. To all Christians the Spirit gives His anointing which places upon them the responsibility to discern the “spirit of truth” from the “spirit of error” (1 John 4:6; 2:20-21, 27). To the congregation at Rome Paul wrote:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Romans 16:17-18; Compare Philippians 3:17-19.)

This same apostle also warned the elders at Ephesus:

“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31)

In one context, Paul even named the false teachers! (2 Timothy 2:17; Compare 1 Timothy 1:18-20.)

Thus, in fidelity to the apostolic injunctions, in an open forum known as Herescope, we attempt to differentiate truth from error. We do so because mainstream Christian publishers and churches–not wanting to become overly controversial and therefore risk the loss of membership and/or sales revenue–ignore issues that we, for the integrity of God’s truth as revealed in Holy Scripture, are compelled to engage. In past generations, the pan-evangelical movement exposed and faced down the errors presented by Christian-like cults without, but has, for whatever reason, been quite unwilling to expose equally destructive heresies within. As John MacArthur noted fifteen tears ago, an undiscerning spirit amongst evangelicals has bred and is breeding “reckless faith.”[2]

Recent emails to the Herescope blog’s administrator have questioned the spirit with which its discernment ministry is conducted; specifically, that some writings are too critical and therefore unloving. As we proceed with further website posts, we shall consider this criticism. We desire to approach our ministry in a godly spirit and therefore consider that such criticism may reveal a spiritual blind spot. If and where valid, we will strive to take the issue raised into consideration. As he did to the Ephesians, Paul does admonish believers to speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

Interestingly, this admonition of the apostle follows on the heels of Paul’s stating his hope that the Ephesians would have matured to the point where they would no longer be “children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:14). Thus, one evidence of spiritual maturity involves the ability to differentiate spiritual truth–those beliefs and behaviors which accord with Holy Scripture–from spiritual error–those which do not agree with Holy Scripture. It is therefore understood that discernment must pursue the truth, but must do so in a spirit of love. At times, and given the fleshly nature that remains in every Christian (none of us is perfect), this can become a difficult balance to keep.

Yet on this point we note that though recent emails have accused Herescope of being un-loving, they do not accuse nor document that we are untruthful, that we lie. This of course, raises a tangential issue: can speaking of truth offend some persons to the degree that it will create in them an emotional impression that those who speak the truth do not love them?

On this point, we ought to remember that Proverbs inform us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6, NASB). We might also remember the instance when Jehoshaphat inquired of the king of Israel about where he could find a prophet of the Lord to make inquiry to. So the king of Israel informed Jehoshaphat: “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (1 Kings 22:8). On another occasion Ahab addressed Elijah: “Have you found me, O my enemy?” (1 Kings 21:20). It is evident that the kings perceived the messages of these prophets, Micaiah and Elijah, to be unloving. Of the latter’s encounter with Ahab, Anglican pastor J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) noted something that is as relevant today as it was in his day. He observed:

Alas, there are many like Ahab in the nineteenth century! They like a ministry which does not make them uncomfortable, and send them home ill at ease. How is it with you? Oh, believe me, he is the best friend who tells you the most truth! [3]

We would note that received communications have not challenged the truth of what has been posted on Herescope –the documented facts, biblical citations and theological arguments employed–but only personal impressions that blog articles have been unloving. In syllogistic fashion, this perception might be stated as follows:

This is the implication implied in the scriptural citations we have received, especially 1 John 4:20-21 which says: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”

Our response to this does not rest upon the truth of the NT passages that have been pointed out to us (John 17:23; 2 Timothy 2:14-16; James 4:11; 1 Peter 1:22; 4:7-8; 1 John 2:9, 11; 4:20-21; Jude 18-21). Agreed–we are to love genuine brothers and sisters in the Christian faith. But, like Jesus, we are forced to ask, especially in the days of apostasy in which we live, Who are our brothers? (See Matthew 12:48.) Any definition of brotherhood must rest upon NT passages that define “brotherhood” to include those individuals who evidence submission and fidelity to the beliefs and behavior of Holy Scripture, who together manifest that we’re members of the born-from-above family of God. In Christendom, there are professors and possessors, for Paul wrote that, “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (Romans 9:6). Ultimately, Jesus will separate the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:36-43). That is why what we engage in is a ministry of discernment, not judgment.

Nevertheless, let’s look at 1 John–the epistle that, with the exception of 1 John 4:1, we have been chided as being unfamiliar with–to see if it confirms the assumption that division and differences are invariably wrong, that discernment hinders the greater Christian community from aggregating itself into a single polymorphous “Kumbaya.”

We note John wrote his first letter to a hurting church that false teachers/antichrists had devastated with their false teachings. False teachers–professed Christians, who for reason of having subtly introduced destructive and divisive heresies into the body of Christ, revealed they were not Christian–had devastated the church to which John was writing at that time and place (By the way, where’s the “love” on the part of false teachers?). The naïve sheep did not know what had hit them, what had ruined the loving fellowship they had once enjoyed. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are very unloving and destructive. The biblical metaphor implies them to be the natural born killers. So John informed the remaining believers: “They” [i.e., the false teachers and their followers] “went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19). Discernment ministry is necessary to expose unbiblical beliefs and behaviors which destroy the blessedness enjoyed by the beloved. Discernment is necessary to expose those who, often contrary to their claim to be otherwise, are not “of us.” We note the division in the fellowship was instigated by those who pretended to be Christians but were not. So John added: “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you” (1 John 2:26).

All of us have a right to our take on the state of the church today as we also have our right to express scripturally informed views pertaining to the same. May God’s truth win out as competing views play out in the blogosphere. Yet amidst it all, Jesus’ warning ought to be heeded:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:15-23, KJV)

Jesus’ words serve as a solemn warning to all who profess to know Him, including anyone and everyone in discernment ministry. Therefore, Paul tells us: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Again, the apostle instructs believers to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; See Ephesians 5:11.). Yet again, he states:

“If anyone advocates a different doctrine, and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

In light of these scriptural admonitions–and others abundantly extant in both testaments–Dr. Harry Ironside (1876-1951) observed:

Of late, the hue and cry has been against any and all negative teaching. But the brethren who assume this attitude forget that a large part of the New Testament, both of the teaching of our blessed Lord Himself and the writings of the apostles, is made up of this very character of ministry . . . [4]

He then went on to state:

Error is like leaven of which we read, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died. [5]

To genuine Christians love “does not,” indeed cannot, “rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Meanwhile, as the age unfolds and plays itself out, all of us ought to heed the question of Jesus:

Order The Truth War by John MacArthur: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, Faith Undone by Roger Oakland: The Emerging Church-A New Reformation or an End-Time Deception & Out of India by Caryl Matrisciana: A True Story about the New Age Movement directly from Amazon.com by clicking on the book images below.

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We live in an environment in which it is most difficult to stand for the faith.  Not only will those who attempt to be on the front lines of discernment face the guns of those in opposition, but they may be hit by “friendly fire” as well.  For example:  I recently wrote what I thought was a rather innocuous article expressing a high view of Scripture including a belief in its sufficiency.  I was nevertheless surprised to receive a quick e-mail rebuke by a pastor who also claimed to believe in the inerrancy, authority and sufficiency of the Bible and who ultimately accused me of taking what he called a “biblical charismatic” view.  When I inquired as to how that could be since I believe God speaks to us today only through Scripture and charismatics believe God speaks through means beyond the written Word, he did not reply.  I did not mean to imply to this pastor that I reject general revelation in which “the heavens are telling of the glory of God…” (Ps 19:1-6), but that specific, authoritative revelation for this church age is confined to the Old and New Testaments.  God is not adding new revelation or inspired texts to supplement the canon of Scripture.  I believe that such revelations are unnecessary today because God has promised that the Scriptures are “adequate [to] equip [us] for every good work” (2 Tim 3:17).  Our task is not to seek “fresh communication” from God, either in the form of prophecies or tongues (as most charismatics do) or through our inner feelings and hunches (as many non-charismatic evangelicals do), but to rely on the “sure word of prophecy” (2 Pet 1:19), the Holy Scriptures.  This understanding leads us to be followers of Christ who are “diligent to present  [our]selves approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:14).  Our assignment is not to search for secret communication from God but to observe and live out the things revealed by the Lord (Deut 29:29).  Truth emerges from the inspired text, and that text can be trusted to reveal God’s will in all matters “pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet 1:3).

But even at the risk of being misunderstood by those in our own camp, one of our privileges in light of this understanding of revelation is to examine all ideas, teachings and thoughts through the lens of Scripture.  The apostle Paul modeled this approach for us when he wrote, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5).  Since much, if not most, of the ideas, worldviews, and philosophies that we encounter in a fallen world would be in competition with truth, we are obligated to take all of these things and run them through the grid of Scripture.  Those ideas which make it through this biblical grid intact can be embraced, for by God’s grace mankind is enabled to end up on the right side of truth.  But those ideas that lack biblical foundation must be disposed of as “lofty thing[s] raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor 10:5).

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