OK - so I am not an alarmist, nor am I one to jump in when then masses encircle someone for a feeding frenzy.
However I just viewed this video of Oprah and her new friend Eckhart Tolle. This is stunning. A person who at one time apparently had a faith in Jesus Christ, has now fallen into new-age apostasy. The thing that is very disconcerting about this situation is the influence that Oprah has over millions of women... she is guiding them right into a deceptive doctrine. What gives this piece of independent journalism credibility is that the piece does not make accusations, but simply shows Oprah speaking from her own mouth this new age rubbish.
Sure, rich famous people get into weird stuff. Tom Cruise comes to mind. But this is somehow different. To me this seems like a direct fulfillment of what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy:
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy..." 1 Tim 4:1-2
If there ever were a 'doctrine of demons', this would qualify. "God is a feeling", God is who we make Him out to be", "You are the light of the world...". I would almost wonder if Oprah could be the anti-Christ, if the bible were not pretty clear that he will be a man. Maybe she's the false prophet.
It is interesting that Oprah has also aligned with Marianne Williamson, founder of the Peace Alliance, a group that is campaigning to form a cabinet level "Department of Peace" in the US government. Sounds to me like what Paul talked about in 1 Thess:
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.
1 Thess 5:1-3
Ladies, I am talking to you here... are you an Oprah fan? I understand, she has done a lot of good things. She has really connected with women all over the world. But this is a warning. Don't let your desire to feel good with an "Oprah fix" a few times a week take precedence over your good judgment. Don't allow Oprah to define your doctrine. Take heed to what Paul wrote:
For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Tim 3:6-7
Don't take my word for it - check out the video for yourself - CLICK HERE
Oprah is very direct onher 'new beliefs', she says she is "a Christian who believes that there is more than one way to God". An "open minded Christian".
Jesus said:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6
I hate to tell you lady, but you are disagreeing on a fundamental point with the only person who ever arose from the dead.
Pastor Clay
Of all the issues in the church (and there are many), perhaps the one that has been the most persnickety has been finding the balance between legalism and liberalism. Good Christian people trying to figure out "what should I do, and shouldn't I do".
Many well-meaning Christians have fallen into what I call "liberalism" in the church... taking on a perspective that "God has saved me, He loves me, He has forgiven me: Therefore, I can do the things I want to do, and God has already forgiven me!"
The problem with this perspective is that when we sin, we are placing ourselves back into the slavery that Jesus Christ released us from with His death. Paul wrote:
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Rom 6:15-16 NKJV
After the Emancipation Proclamation, some slaves did not know that they were legally free. Their masters never told them, or told them it was a lie. So even though they had been made free men, many remained slaves. That is what happens to the Christian who goes back to sin, whether through ignorance, or willing choice. And sin always brings consequences, so many Christians live their lives in a continual state of upheaval and problems because they keep going back to their old master.
Sometimes the pendulum falls on the legalism side. It might look something like this...
- The bible says I should live holy.
- There are many things written in the bible that are clear I should not do.
- If I don't do those things, it pleases God.
- Some things the bible is not clear on, just to be safe I shouldn't do those either. I should stay as far away from sin as possible. Better safe than sorry.
- Just to make sure I don't forget anything, I should make a list.
- This list really works for me, I should share it with ____ (fill in the blank, my friends, my church, the people that I pastor).
- We are doing well living by these rules, God must be very pleased!
- There are some who are not really trying, or don't think it is very important to follow these rules. Don't they want to please God? They must not care as much about pleasing God as we do.
- Then they really are not as spiritual or as close to God as we are.
... and the party goes on - the single becomes a group, which becomes a church, which becomes a network, then a denomination... just add a few generations and 'poof', you have a whole swath of the church enslaved in legalism.
Legalism can take many forms...
- Imposing extra rules of conduct.
- Specifying the only authorized version of the English Bible.
- Forbidding certain kinds of entertainment.
- Keeping the Sabbath.
- Adhering slavishly to the opinions of a certain teacher or sect.
- Having to give a certain percentage of money at church to be deemed spiritual.
- Outlawing certain musical instruments.
- Setting down particular clothing and/or grooming requirements.
- Embracing certain political views.
- Demanding one method of schooling over another.
The outcome of this progression is never a spiritually mature fellowship, but a prideful fellowship. In Col 2 v18 Paul writes...
Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind...
Col 2:18 NKJV
In other words the outcome of legalism is a false sense of humility covering up what is really a puffed up mind. It might be hard to see how trying to strictly adhere to rules of conduct could bring a Christian to this place, but when we strip away the facade of the rules what we find is something that is truly stunning...
A refusal to accept God's plan for reconciliation of man to God, and instead seeking to institute our own plan for holiness and righteousness. That is, in essence, what legalism is. We are seeking to become holy apart from God.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER???
For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:3-5 NKJV
The answer is not in a rule, or a set of rules, or a principle. The answer is in a person - the Person of Jesus Christ.
Join us Sunday morning, March 30th, as we explore this topic of legalism.
Pastor Clay
If you were to seek out the most precious and expensive treasures of the world, what would you list include? The Hope Diamond? The contents of King Tut's tomb? What if I told you that the worlds most precious treasure is something that is available to every human being? Hard to believe?
It's true, the valuable treasure in the world is - you guessed it - LIFE! Life is a precious thing, without it, well, there would be no life!
But life itself goes deeper than just having a pulse. Truly having life means having a life worth living. Having meaning, purpose, peace, joy, and most of all - HOPE. There are many who live, but do not have life.
They search, they look, they try everything that comes across their path to see if it might "be the thing". Surely there must be something in this world that can bring me the life that I so desire.
There is.
Join us Easter Sunday, as we learn the true meaning of life.
Pastor Clay
(If you have come for the March 13 Calvary Connection article, it's the next article down!)
This is old news, but somehow I have just ran across it...
Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, and one of the most influential men over the last 30 years (due to the number of "Willow Creek spin-offs" started in communities all over America) has come to a conclusion... "Programs do not help people grow spiritually". Really.
Now, I am not WC-basher, nor do I have the right to judge another man's work (Rom 14:4). Yet as I look at the things that come out of WC and it's spawns, it strikes me that the emphasis is always on "how can we retain our people, and grow". Fine objectives for a business. But should they be the objectives in the church? (it is interesting what Time magazine wrote about him...read here)
Apparently WC has discovered, after 30 years and millions of dollars, that their programs might grow a church, but they do not help people grow into a closer relationship with God. Programs do not help people move to true spiritual maturity.
Not to sound like a broken record, but that is exactly what Calvary Chapel has held to for the past 30 years. We believe that the Word of God, ignited by the Holy Spirit of God, is what moves people from being "spiritual babes" to "mature saints". We encourage our people to spend time each and every day with God, reading His word, conversing with Him in prayer and meditation.
My friend, new can be really cool. But new is not always 'better'. Truth, I recon, is best!
What will be the outcome of WC's revelation? Only time will tell. I do believe that the public pronouncement and the decision to change shows that WC's leadership are not shallow hucksters trying to 'make big church', but that they really do want to do what's best for the Kingdom of God, and the people of God.
I doubt Bill will ask my opinion, but in case he were to inadvertently stumble across my blog, my advice would be...
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Tim 4:2-5 NKJV
Read the Christianity Today article here...
Pastor Clay
Since we returned from Georgia, I have been hit full force it seems like with the reality of life here on planet USA.
First, just the hustle and bustle of life here... schedules, deadlines, events, broken pipes in the house, our dryer even had a huge "arc & spark" moment!
Two young college girls gunned down within a few days of each other. Then my friend has a book thrust upon his young innocent son by his high school english teacher (read about it here). Then we get to watch the mudslinging of American presidential politics, then seeing "Mr Clean" Elliott Spitzer's life meltdown in a very public way.
It's enough to make one want to go back to a semi-developing world where things are simpler.
But then, God didn't place me in that place. He placed me here. So, man-up, get with the program, and press on towards what God has for me... right here!
I can say this, going away then coming back, presses in a new sense of what is important in life. Let's just list them...
God
Family
Others
You know, that list applies wherever you are, in any situation, in any country, at any time. Sure, some places have more distractions than others. Big deal. Our job is to cut through the distractions, and press on towards the high call of Christ.
That even applies to our spiritual lives. In other words, we can get distracted in a spiritual sense in a way that can obscure the things that are really important in our lives. We can become so focused on spiritual matters, that we miss the fact that an entire world around us is hurting and in desperate need of Christ.
We can worry and obsess about our own needs and wants, and miss the guy sitting in the back of the church who is detoxing and needs prayer and a miraculous touch from Jesus to be delivered. Peter said to the lame man outside the temple... "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6 NKJV)
We can get so busy making our yard look perfect for this season, and blow off a Men's Breakfast where men are coming together and bonding, building relationships (OK, that was a little promotion!).
We can come to expect entertainment from our church, and miss the fact that the purpose of the church is...
- Evangelism: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matt 28:19-20 NKJV
- Growth: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Eph 4:11-14 NKJV
- Fellowship: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42 NKJV)
That is where our church desires to be... focused on the things that God says we should be focused on! And in doing so, we encourage the church - the congregation - all who attend - to ENGAGE in that process!
HOW???
- Come and be a part. Sure, come to church... but be a part of something. not because we need your help, but because you will be CONNECTED to the body when you are an active participant!
- Give. People have a misconception that "the church wants your money". Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is this: God blesses those who give to His work. We need to learn this simple truth. Ask anyone who regularly gives. You will find that God provides all of their needs, and many of their wants. Ask anyone who does NOT give, you will find that they are always running short.
- Grow. Our church has a veritable plethora of ways to grow: Bible teaching every Sunday and Wednesday, Men's studies, Women's studies, Foundations classes, Parenting classes... if you are not growing here, then you are not taking advantage of all that we have to offer!
- Reach out. We have an Everyday Evangelism class starting in a few weeks. If you are not comfortable sharing your faith (which is not a sin!), register for the class. What better blessing can you be to others than to share the greatest news in the world with them!
So, where are you at? What is happening in your life? Are you distracted by all the 'fluff & stuff" of life? Perhaps it is time to focus in... what are my priorities? Am I investing my time and energy into those priorities? Only you can answer that question!
Till the world hears...
Pastor Clay
We left Tbilisi at 5:10 am, and landed in Wilmington last night at 7 pm. Back in the states. It seems surreal. Back into the orderly... smooth streets, hot showers, convenience stores on every block, tidy suburban homes, 800 channels, instant information. Did I mention hot showers? All that we have come to expect as our 'existence' in the US.
The first thing we wanted to do (aside from a hot shower...) was some American food. OK, what I mean is some ethnic food, but made in America. We go to On The Border and get fajitas... and I immediately notice how much food comes.
The culture dichotomy between the US and the Republic of Georgia is immediately noticeable. We have, well, MUCH. They have so little. What we consider normal is completely abnormal for them. When you think about it, it's pretty abnormal for most.
I think that they most noticeable thing for me is that we in the US have so much, we expect so much, that a week or so with little is a really good thing. When I am around the people in Georgia, I sense that the most important thing to them are their relationships. Family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, God. And whatever they have, they freely share with their guests. I just love that about the Georgian people!
Our trip was wonderful. The travel was uneventful, if long (its about 24 hours total travel each way). The DTS school had a new cadre of students, some Georgian, some Russian, some from Azerbaijan. Some of the students from our last trip there are now on staff (Jenny, Diana, Ira), and it was really cool seeing them. The teaching went really well, and we got some really nice letters and cards from the students that told us how they had been changed by the teaching of the word of God... awesome!
One of the nights was Azerbaijan night, and we got to enjoy Azerbaijan food and dance! Azer, one of the staff, is from Baku, a large city on the Caspian Sea (thats him in the too-cool garb. his wife, Anya, from Moskow, is in white). He told us about the history of Azerbaijan, how it used to be a Christian (legend has it Bartholomew brought the gospel to the country),but now is mostly Muslim. Christians are persecuted there. And yet Azer has a heart for his people and wants to see as many as possible come to Christ. I am going to stay in touch with Azer and see what God does!
We also got the chance to visit the family of Maia, one of the students. Maia lives about 1.5 hours drive from Tbilisi, in a small village. 
Her family was so honored that we came to visit, they put out a spread of food fit for a king. Literally, you could not see the table fro all the food! In Georgia, when guests come, you honor them with the best that you have. Her brother and wife came, cousins from the village came, it was wonderful! They are some of the sweetest people I have ever been around!
What was the highlight? There were many, but I will list two: - Worshiping with the students. Their worship just seems... sweet, humble, heartfelt. It was beauty to be there as they opened their hearts to the Lord
- Watching their faces as the truth of God's word illuminated their hearts. I detected a sense of wonder as the word opened up the truth of God to them. Wonder of who God is. Wonder that He would know them and love them. Wonder that they are His.
Wonder is a word that I think will be on my heart for a while. I will miss the people of Georgia.
PS - If you would like to hear more about our trip, and what God is doing in Tbilisi, we will give a talking about the trip on Wednesday night, March 12th, 7 pm.
If you would like to look at some pictures from our trip, CLICK HERE.
Pastor Clay
