The Berean Library

Lifeway Under Fire for Removing The Blind Side

Really?  Can you imagine the backlash then if they were to remove all the false teaching on their shelves, too?

What this criticism is unraveling are the complaints from the liberal Christian sector, like this, who think they know best and speak for all Christian consumers, including the ones who do not want to be friends with this world (James 4:4) or promote false gospels (Gal 1:6-9).

I say, “Yay to the Lord,”  for Lifeway’s decision!  ”It’s a good start!  Now, let’s keep it comin’!  There’s a lot more work to be done! ”

Christian bookstores, including Lifeway, are businesses filled with an inkling of inventory of sound teaching but loaded with idolatrous, blasphemous, counterfeit false gospels.  You will find emergent, ecumenical, seeker-sensitive, liberal, humanistic, socialistic, prosperity, motivational, mystic, pagan, signs and wonders, new prophets with new revelation, AND MORE, in the forms of books, memorabilia, and yes, movies!  But!  I love to visit my local Christian bookstore and exercise the discernment the Lord is providing to me through His Word and Holy Spirit.  So thankful that I no longer find myself in a sea of unknown when I walk in.  Plus, I like to pick up a nice framed picture or trinket for the house, from time to time.

I have seen the DVD and was very disappointed after hearing what “a great, new Christian movie” The Blind Side, with Sandra Bullock, was when it was first released.  This from fellow believers.  Then seeing its weak, watered-down, warm and fuzzy, you-can-be-a-success-in-life teaching about the gospel faith was a bummer, not to mention the blaspheming.  If our family buys a DVD, like this one and there is blaspheming in it, in the garbage it goes with kids understanding why!

These kind of movies are packaged as a ‘Christian’ story.  And when a Christian bookstore sells it, well, there ya go!  Credibility and agreement of ‘Christian’ in an instant!  These shows remind me of false teachers with their charismatic, show-business personalities and misguided Christian vocabulary and ideology promoting false teaching.  Because that is what these kind of movies do.  Made by either secular or Christian film producers, it doesn’t matter!  They just add fuel to the false teaching fire as they are made to pander to as large an audience as possible, just like wolves in sheep’s clothing do.

The True Gospel was no where to be found in this movie.  Misplaced Christian terminology is not Christianity, but is in fact down right dangerous!  Be as discerning of movies that claim Christianity as much as of pastors, teachers, books, blogs, seminars, conferences, contemporary Christian music artists, Christian DJ’s, etc.

It seems as though our family has seen a run of new Christian movies that are selling this bill of goods that the gospel promises success, health and wealth and every other kind of personal agenda.  It makes my skin crawl when I hear people misuse the verse, Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” as a motivational, postive-thinking, “I-can-have-all-my-dreams-come-true,” kind of Disney deception.

That is not the exegetical meaning of Paul’s message to the Philippians.  Paul’s context is about suffering and withstanding all things, by God’s grace and strength in saving faith for the gospel.  This would be true for all believers who are persevered for every good work for the gospel to the glory of the Lord (Eph 2:10).  Paul did not write this to inspire us to win a football game, master other athletic goals, or whatever desire one has to achieve or accomplish for their own status, reputation, bank account, etc.  It certainly is not at all what the Bible is about, but what this movie teaches.  Le’t be careful to accurately handle the truth of God’s Word (2 Tim 2:15).  Let’s not incorrectly attribute strength in Christ to God-given natural, human abilities.  Now, if being a star athlete has something to do with a true believer’s work for the gospel, for every good work prepared for them, then yes.

I don’t know for sure, but it’s worth a consideration since the movie is based on a true life story.  It may have been somewhat edited for Hollywood, as is almost always the case for box office interest, and so forth, by the money making entertainment industry of the world.  So much so that it may have actually done the true story an injustice, tampering with the heart of the story of the Lord’s will in this family’s life.  Hopefully, the True Gospel is living in this family’s life.  However, I did not get that impression from the movie.

I do know that Christians want their entertainment.  Just put it to the Phil 4:8-9 test to see if it passes for partaking.  Or, if your a parent like I am, to examine whether it is suitable for including your children without putting them into a shark’s tank.  To make sure we’re not setting them before a foolish, parental example to catch-learn from us what is or is not condoned.  This would be the case if submitting to the authority, sufficiency and supremacy of Scripture were absent.

The Philippians 4:8-9 Guide:

“(8) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (9) The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Now, the many other false teaching authors in Christian bookstores, including Lifeway, is a whole ‘nother topic and the more weightier issue for the church than fussing over this store’s decision about removing this movie.   I think it is good that a Christian bookstore did remove it if they tether the right doctrine to why they did it!   This lays the ground work for being faithfully consistent in potentially following through with the rest of the junk in there, leaving only the sound doctrine teaching.  But will that ever happen?  Not as long as the roaming lion of lies is unleashed and the love of money exists.  Not as long as that is present and the Lord wants us to grow in all discernment in this time.  And He does.

Keep on being a good Berean (Acts 17:11); growing in love, real knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ (Phil 1:9-10); testing everything, holding onto that which is good and abstaining from every form of evil (1 Thess 5:21-22)… including movies you find in your local Christian bookstore.

-Karla Tadler

The Harbinger ~ The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future by Jonathan Cahn (Bad Fruit)

Dr. Gary Gilley’s Review

Brannon Howse’s Review on Worldview Weekend here, here and here

Pastor Larry DeBruyn’s Review

David James’ Review

Dr. Jimmy DeYoung Moderates a Conversation between David James and Jonathan Cahn.  Points of Concern in The Harbinger from David James’ Review are Discussed such as Replacement Theology (America as “New Israel”), Correct Hermeneutics, Spiritualizing Scripture, Correct Biblical Patterns Application, Signs, New Prophecy/New Revelation, etc., etc.

Thomas Ice’s Review

Apprising Ministries’ Review here and here

TA McMahon’s Review

Berit Kjos’ Review

 

Have Heart ~Bridging the Gulf Between Heaven and Earth by Steve and Sarah Berger (Bad Fruit)

Biblical Resources:

Herescope’s Review, by Pastor Larry DeBruyn

Marcia Montenegro’s Review:  “Have Caution with Have Heart“

Euphemisms for The Lord’s Name: To Use or Not to Use? That is the Question… for Christians

My sisters in Christ, Dr. John MacArthur is preparing to finish a three-part series, at Grace Community Church.  One of the titles in the series being “Modern Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.”  I have not heard the first two parts of the series, yet, but can imagine false teaching/teachers have a lot to contribute somewhere in this teaching.  As usual, I am looking forward to diving into this study!  Along with that, Dr. MacArthur’s title above brought to mind a peripheral issue I have given lots of thought to, already.  I’ve been writing this post in my head, so to speak, for at least a year.  Euphemisms for the Lord’s name ~to use or not to use?  That is the question… for Christians.

Certainly, there are many kinds of  words that unleash and express anger, wrath, malice, slander, abuse and false witness (Col 3:8-9) that are clearly sinful and contrary to “putting on the new self” in Christ.  Harsh, vulgar, hate-filled language that believers are called to “put off” in Eph 4, 5 and Col 3, for example.

In Eph 5:4, “and there must be no filthiness, and silly talk, or course jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

And Eph 4:29, “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only that which is good for edification.”

Filthy, crude language, has one variation or another to weaken its unwholesomeness.  They’re called euphemisms, or minced oaths.  However, we know what the undiluted versions are, regardless.  And in some cases, so do our kids.  Now, there’s a thought!  Not only is it a command from the Lord to clean up our verbs, nouns and adjectives as part of putting on the new self; for He is holy and He calls us to be holy, first and foremost (Lev 19:2; 1 Pt 1:16; James 4:4).  But also because our kids are listening and learning from us, more than anyone else, how to be or not be pleasing to the Lord.

So, is it good advice, as is often the case, to use euphemisms instead of the literal word(s)?

The watered-down versions aren’t really much better than the fully concentrated ones.  They are still course, unwholesome, disrespectful and breed aggressiveness. How many of us honestly want our children saying things like:  ”What the heck?”  or “Where’s my frickin’ gym shoes?”  or “Our God is so stinkin’ awesome!”  Not that I want to set us up as examples that could possibly be perfect in the here and now. Christ is our perfect example.  Only, let’s persevere, by God’s grace, to not be examples of unrepentant hypocrisy.  As in, “Do as I say, not as I do (or say).”  Striving to be parent-teachers and models of such perseverance in Christ; of godly sorrow, a repentance without regret, which leads to salvation (2 Cor 7:9-11).

Some may be responding to this as being too serious and sober about slang.  Allow me to press further to the slang usage of God’s holy name which is a monumental and delicate issue to Him, in the top 3 of The 10 Commandments!  If it is to Him, then it is to His people as well.

Thus, this question:  Are euphemisms, or minced oaths, of God’s name any more wholesome, or OK for us to employ, because their sharp edge of blatant blasphemy has been dulled? In regards to euphemisms where do we draw the line?  This is a provocative question, to say the least.  I am not aware of this topic ever being openly addressed in the church.  I think it is profitable for us to give their origins our consideration.

For instance,  ”Oh my gosh,” is the euphemism for the blasphemous, “Oh my G**!”  Gosh is not God’s name, of course, like we see in the biblical sampling in the picture above, but that is where we got this word, in 1757.  Other euphemisms for “God” are “golly,” “goodness,” and “gad” all equally on the same plane.  Euphemisms for “Jesus” and “Jesus Christ,” include “gee,” “jeez,”  ”cheese-n-rice” or “Jiminy Cricket,” which was made popular by The Wizard of Oz and Walt Disney’s Pinocchio.  “Sacré bleu,”one meaning being “God’s blood,” is used by Lumière in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and in Disney’s Aristocats.  (Warning-extreme caution–do not click the next link if you don’t wish to inform yourself of the vast variations.  Just skip over it.  Then again you may be saying some of these and not realizing that what you are saying is from the Lord’s name and/or attributes.  That is why I am providing this next research link.  Again, warning, it will be offensive.) These are just some examples among the many minced oaths of God’s holy name.

The LORD God is holy.  This is one of His attributes.  It is how we address, recognize, adore and cry out to our God.  It should  not be used to describe a cow, mackerel, crap, smoke, molé, etc.  Robin, of the Dynamic Duo, made the “Holy ——, Batman!”  interjections popular in the 60′s with a lingering influence to our day, no doubt!  Then there’s the minced oaths of God’s name blended with minced oaths of profanity.  It all makes me cringe to say the least!

Euphemisms for the Lord’s name or attributes, by definition, try to accomplish not being offensive.  They are supposed to be the opposite of a blaspheme, but really are not as we just saw.  Further, there are these “my —-” statements that should be considered as well.  ”My word!”  No, it’s not ours, its His.  Or “Oh my stars!” Again, they’re not our stars, they’re His.

Most Christians don’t really think twice about using the watered-down versions of blasphemy since they are such a part of our contemporary language and culture, even in the church.  In fact, it is in the Christian community that we get the impression we are to use them!  Little Johnny’s mother corrects him saying, “Use ‘Oh my gosh!’ instead of ‘Oh my G**!”‘  However, if we research their origins, place that information under the lense of Scripture and pray about it, which is what I want to encourage, not divide over, we may no longer mindlessly use such phrases, desiring to remove them from our vocabularies, altogether.

Our depravity, fallen sin nature, surely is the cause when we’re inclined to respond with interjections like “my” statements and unholy euphemisms of God’s name (watered-down blasphemy).  The only thing we can rightly claim are “filthy rags” (Isa 64:6).  ”My filthy rags, my wretchedness” is spot on.  My challenge to us, is to try using something else like “Man-o-man,” “Boy-o-boy” or  ”Wow!”  If you start out with “Oh,” it more than likely will not end well.  It will feel unnatural to just leave it at “Oh.”  I promise, if you go with “Oh,” you’re going to say one of the popular euphemisms for God’s name out of sheer habit, “Oh my gosh, golly, gad or goodness” is going to slip right out.

Bottom line:  What is pleasing to the Lord?  Is the use of unbiblical euphemisms, sacrilegious mutations, of God’s name OK with our Holy God?  Does using these man-made euphemisms set us a part somehow from the world’s unwatered-down, hard-core versions?  Or is not using these choice words that are derived from blasphemy one way to please the Lord and be holy as He has called His people to be?   I would submit that it’s a learned habit that believers would be blessed to break, to the glory and blessing of the Lord and His holiness, with our hearts turned to Him; not in vain, shallow appearance.

In conclusion, all our words have origins that they are derived from, Greek, Latin, French, etc., which gives them their meanings.   Since it is “God” that such euphemisms, or minced oaths, are derived from it is clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, without question.  Based on their origins and commands of God in His Word, these irreverent euphemisms are blasphemous at the maximum and at the minimum.  So much so, that one may actually say His holy, biblical name in vain.  Yikes!  If a professing Christian is using the actual name(s) of the Lord, disrespectfully, or without meaning, go and examine your faith (2 Cor 13:5).

Trying to Learn What is Pleasing to the Lord in All Respects (Eph 5:10; Col 1:10),

-Karla Tadler

Rome Sweet Rome ~Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott and Kimberly Hahn (Bad Fruit)

   Biblical Resources:

Simply, providential that I caught Mike Gendron’s, “Remembering the Reformation,” from last Sunday, Oct 31, 2011, in my Facebook newsfeed this week.  Meanwhile, Dr. Gilley just published, today, two, new book reviews that are astounding examples of what Mike Gendron was highlighting just days earlier in his message.  Mr. Gendron and his wife attend  Grace Life Church of Dallas.

For another example, besides the authors of this book, take ecumenical, evangelical Chuck Colson, of Break Point Christian Radio.  He wrote The Body, in 1994, to heighten the cause of infusing the Catholic religion into the church of believers, by referring to Catholics as “our brothers and sisters in Christ,” etc.  He was a main proponent for the ecumenical Manhattan Declaration, in 2009, which continues to promote unity between evangelicals and Catholics by utilizing moral and social issues as the catalyst, not the Gospel.  I am thankful Dr. John MacArthur was not one of its signatories, an uncompromising stance for what is true and loving.  A godly example that needs to be forefront when believers are faced with decisions whether or not to become interfaith.

Evangelicals are dangerously heading back to Rome.  Brethren, be sober and take heed of this apostasaical movement that is ramping up in recent days!  It rejects the “narrow path” of the True Gospel of faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone, according to the Scriptures alone, all to the glory of God alone.  This popular false movement, partnered by the Emergent Church Movement (ECM), is one part of the “wide path” that leads to destruction; back to the man-made, self-righteous, idolatrous traditions of Babylon.

Dr. Gary Gilley’s Review

Mike Gendron’s Message on God’s Providential Reformation-The Five Solas

Born Fundamentalist Born Again Catholic by David B. Currie (Bad Fruit)

Biblical Resources:

Simply, providential that I caught Mike Gendron’s, “Remembering the Reformation,” from last Sunday, Oct 31, 2011, in my Facebook newsfeed this week.  Meanwhile, Dr. Gilley just published, today, two, new book reviews that are astounding examples of what Mr. Gendron was highlighting just days earlier in his message.  Mr. Gendron and his wife attend  Grace Life Church of Dallas.

For another example, besides the author of this book, take ecumenical evangelical Chuck Colson, of Break Point Christian Radio.  He wrote The Body, in 1994, to heighten the cause of infusing the Catholic religion into the church of believers, by referring to Catholics as “our brothers and sisters in Christ,” etc.  He was a main proponent for the ecumenical Manhattan Declaration, in 2009, which continues to promote unity between evangelicals and Catholics by utilizing moral and social issues as the catalyst, not the Gospel.  I am thankful Dr. John MacArthur was not one of its signatories, an uncompromising stance for what is true and loving.  A godly example that needs to be forefront when believers are faced with decisions whether or not to become interfaith.

Evangelicals are dangerously heading back to Rome.  Brethren, be sober and take heed of this apostasaical movement that is ramping up in recent days!  It rejects the “narrow path” of the True Gospel of faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone, according to the Scriptures alone, all to the glory of God alone.  This popular false movement, partnered by the Emergent Church Movement (ECM), is one part of the “wide path” that leads to destruction; back to the man-made, self-righteous, idolatrous traditions of Babylon.

 Dr. Gary Gilley’s Review

Mike Gendron’s Message on God’s Providential Reformation-The Five Solas

Redeeming Halloween ~Celebrating Without Selling Out by Kim Wier and Pam McCune (Bad Fruit)

No matter how un-Halloween Christian parents have tried to make All Hallows’ Eve for their little ones, like I did before growing in biblical discernment, sound doctrine and believing a book from called, “Redeeming Halloween ~Celebrating Without Selling Out,” by Kim Wier and Pam McCune.  It just ain’t gonna happen.   I had been against having anything to do with Halloween once I had become a believer.  The bar was set for me.  Then, I heard an interview in the early 1990′s on WFCJ Christian Radio.  A former Wiccan, Satanist and Occultist that had become a Christian exposed the dangers of Halloween, especially toward animals and children, on that program.  Such disclosures included animal sacrifices, praying to Satan over trick or treaters and abducting children in order to execute their wicked rituals.  After hearing that information from a former member of such groups, more than ever, I did not want to introduce my kids, whenever I had kids of my own, to the scary streets of October 31st!  I did not want to subject them to, or flirt with, the ramped, wicked practices and influences of Halloween night!

Surprisingly, this book lowered that bar and drove my kids and I back into the Halloween scene, trying to Christianize it, or “redeem” it as the title suggests.  Like many Christian parents, I struggled with what to do with this holiday once we had children, with all the pressures of the culture, family members and such who do celebrate it.  I understand that.  As a Christian mother of 5, I have been there, right in the middle of all the pressures.

This book was the ironic catalyst for “selling out” to Halloween.  Giving into the pressures to do so but with a ‘Christian’ angle and endorsement authored by these two women, who write with lots of Christian terminology.  That is exactly what rationalized the idea for me of celebrating Halloween as “OK.”  This work is endorsed by Focus on the Family and found in, none other than, a Christian bookstore, which added even more “OK’s” behind the first “OK” as far as I was concerned.  Though this book does contain some truths through Scripture quotation, I will attempt to review only problems with the teachings in this book. There are many.  Not all will be noted here, but enough to sound a concerning alarm along with sharing some of my thoughts about Halloween.

Wow!  Right off was this.  It starts off sounding biblical, then makes a small error with just one word that leads to gross error in deduction.

“It is clear from the Word of God that redemption is God’s primary work (right).  Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, every act of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (right –Triune God) has centered on the task of redeeming (still right –pointing to Christ) something (wrong-O –people not things) lost (right)… The blood of Christ has the power to redeem all worthless things (things?? –wrong again, it’s people who are eternal, fallen with a sin nature and need redemption, not things), whether that’s Halloween (What!!??)...” (pp.17-18, parentheses mine)

Let’s check in with 1 Jn 1:7, “… the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.”  Not cleanses things.  His holy, sinless sacrifice cleanses those who repent with godly sorrow and trust Christ.  Who confess their sins, turn from them and turn to Christ as Savior and Lord.  Can things do that?  Can Halloween?  Or better yet, does Christ want to redeem Halloween?  No, but this is the start of this book to get the reader to believe that Halloween can be redeemed and the Lord Jesus is going to do it and/or we are going to do it for Him because Halloween needs to be put back into Christianity.

~Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…”

As suggested in this book, tested and disagreed with here:  Before one goes trick or treating, turn on lights in and outside your house to make it the brightest house on the block, lighting it up with luminaries and crosses, etc., (pp. 33-35).  Or have the best candy bars in the neighborhood (p. 69).  Or pray for protection before you go out to trick or treat (p. 61).  Kids still see with their little eyes the horrific scenes and characters and hear with their little ears the scary sounds and scripts–”Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.  Oh be careful little ears what you hear.  For the Father up above is…”  Or carve a pumpkin into a jack o’ lantern with a devotional (pp. 40-43) and/or use the Irish fable of Stingy Jack, which they think very highly of by claiming it as effective and equal an illustration as the parables of Christ (pp. 38-39).   It doesn’t matter.  We are still exposing our children to the darkness, doctrines and practices of demons, dangerously and disobediently, being contrary to the Word of God, if we take our children out to participate in Halloween night.

There is absolutely no equivocation that there are all kinds of demonic influences, techniques and characters which find themselves at home with Halloween.  Americans dive into the boiling cauldron of new horror films being released.  Rentals or pre-pay selections of  old ones, like Halloween, The Exorcist and Frankenstein, etc., sore!  Scary haunted houses are open for business. Portrayals of witches, crystal balls, spells and potions, bloodiness and zombies, ghouls and gore, Feddie Cruger, Dracula, Satan and on and on and on are everywhere.

One of these demonic-looking characters, or more like a montage, is bound to show up at your door, or brush by you and your kids on the sidewalk, before the night of trick or treating is over.  All while one is attempting to provide an innocent and biblical experience, “we’re going to be different, shine our light and dress-up like Bible people”  for a good time of fun and candy collection for their little ‘King David’ and ‘Esther.’  Then there’s the decorated-to-the-nines Halloween house on the next street over that your little Johnny and Susie are completely taken by.  That house steals the show for them!  You find yourself dreading that house of horrors. That house that you were hoping to avoid, knowing in your heart, this is wrong.

Not to expound on Halloween’s Celtic and Druid origins invoking pagan practices to protect them from anticipated evil or wandering spirits, like Stingy Jack (where jack o’ lanterns come from), reeking havoc, or looking for a dwelling place, the night before All Saints Day.  That’s November first.  The calendar day that the Catholic religion replaced the Celtic Day of Harvest to remember the martyrs of the Catholic church.  And not to debate on where and how WICCA and Satanism fits in or its documented history of dark progression and crime over the decades, just in the States alone. But the point I wish to drive is this undeniable fact.  Halloween has been and continues to be filled with and symbolized by sorcery/magic and witchcraft/divination, more than ever!

The bottom line:  God calls His people to be holy like Him; set apart from the wickedness of the world (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Pt 1:16; James 4:4).  Believers are not to have anything to do with sorcery (magic), witchcraft (divination) or necromancy (consulting mediums, spiritists for communicating with the dead) (Lv 19:26; Dt. 18:9-14; Isa 8:19; Gal 5:20; Rev  21:8).  Such things are “detestable” to the LORD.  They are ”evil” and “provoke the LORD to anger” as Manasseh did (2 Ch 33:6).

There’s just no way around it.  Halloween is a dark holiday filled with fear inducers.  There are many people who work hard with their time, businesses and resources to make it and keep it as such. One of the authors shard the experience of “her first werewolf” (pp.73-74).  I remember my first werewolf, too.  Only mine was a ‘real’ one at a haunted house, not one in a movie like hers (which is almost just as scary).  I was about 4 or 5 years old.  It scared the living the day lights out of me!  That memory lingered, along with all the other wicked, evil experiences of Halloween for several years, triggering nightmares, contributing to fear of the dark and being home alone throughout my childhood and into early adulthood.  She offers the idea of a Fear-Not Halloween Party for children on pp.  73-82.  But would there really be a need for this if Christian parents kept their children out of the scary and fearful traditions of Halloween in the first place?  The exact thing they are encouraging believers to do– go trick or treating!

Please, allow me to petition Christians of the faith to continue to remember and PRAY often for our brothers and sisters and their families who are, today,

being persecuted and martyred for Christ, in the world.  When possible, get involved in supporting them via your church missionary efforts and/or through ministries for persecuted and martyred believers and missionaries.  Not by having Halloween-based parties, trick or treating and games as this book suggests.

These authors take a strong stand for All Hallows’ Eve and the Catholic religion with its official November 1st mark on the calendar to recognize and remember the Catholic All Saints’ Day.  They claim the Catholic church is “the Christian church.”  Thus, Halloween was a Christian holiday and needs to be taken back as such, “redeemed.”

“…the Christian church reserved the day before the religious festival (Samhain: pagan festival of death) as a sacred time.  October 31st was then set aside as an evening of preparation called, “All Hallow ‘een,” or “the eve of the holy ones” (p. 15).

“We hope to inspire you to take back the celebration that rightly belongs to the people of God and restore the purpose for which it was establish.  It is actually quite simple, and as we have discovered, it is also fun and spiritually rewarding… It will be a holy day” (p 19).

“We are all part of the universal church– no matter the denominational label” (p. 15). (parenthesis mine)

It is unquestionable that compromising for Halloween and promoting the Catholic religion as “the Christian church” is exactly what this book is trying to accomplish.  Is it any wonder that it is not Catholics who take issue with celebrating All Hallows Eve?  That’s because it is a Catholic holiday.  The eve, time of preparation, for All Saints Day.  Have you ever seen a Catholic object to Halloween?  Of course not.  I can recall, as one who was raised in a strict Catholic upbringing, deciding the favorite between Santa and trick or treating was a tough call.

Halloween is not a traditional Christian holiday of the true church.  It never was nor is intended to be.  And to compare it to Christmas, or the jack o’ lantern to the Christmas tree, as this particular writer from CARM did, is way off the mark because the two intentions and meanings of these holidays’ celebrations have nothing in common for remnant believers, today.  They are incomparable.  They are polar opposites.  Therefore, it should not be attempted by Christians to integrate, or “redeem,” it in order to participate and celebrate it somehow in a Christian way as this book wrongly teaches.  That’s just simply not biblical. Further, comfortableness, as mentioned in the above link by CARM, as a way to sort through practicing Halloween or not, is not the way to measure, discern or judge.  Comfortableness is a feeling and is deceiving.  Better idea.  Be like a good Berean, instead (Acts 17:11).

To be clear, I wish to only disagree with and discourage fellow Christians celebrating and participating in Halloween with the goal of attempting to restore it as a Christian holiday (which it never was).  Even more so, taking the children we have been entrusted with out on the streets while this dark event is taking place.  I do not at all mean that we should divide with those who do or disagree with churches having alternatives to offer their congregations.  In fact, local churches offering alternatives for families with children is exactly what I want to encourage!  And while that is going on, if there is a group of adults at one’s church who would like to minister to their community to “treat” families with the light of the True Gospel.  Then by all means, a resounding, “Yes!”  But keep the kiddos back at church with their wholesome activities and Christian fellowship.  There is the overall issue of biblical, parental responsibilities regarding spiritual and physical protection of our children that I am hoping to bring into consideration, while we are teaching and training them in the way they should go.

Brethren, we are encouraged from 1 Jn 5:4 to be an overcomer of the world and all its temptations and distractions that wage war against us and our souls, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.”  And that faith is the eternal gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23), which is joined with repentance (Acts 20:21).

-Karla Tadler

See Also “The Harry Potter Book Series by J. K. Rowling (Bad Fruit) ~With a Side Note on Halloween” 

The Harry Potter Book Series by J. K. Rowling (Bad Fruit) ~With a Side Note on Christians and Halloween

Biblical Resources:

As stated in the “Disclaimers and Copyright” page, this occult fantasy series, by J. K. Rowling, will be posted in The Berean Library® for access to the helpful book reviews which reveal the spiritual dangers of such material.  Marcia Montenegro, who offers these reviews (below), is a former professional astrologer, New Ager and practicing occultist.  You can read more about her background here.

Harry Potter is not typical merchandise sold in Christian bookstores, of course. Then again, there is at least one named  Logos Bookstore, in Oak Park, IL, that does!  The second point is that it finds itself on the shelves of many professing Christian homes and Christian schools, like Geneva Schools, for instance.  They have students, here and here, who named Harry Potter as their numero uno favorite book.

Jumping on the band wagon with the rest of the world for this highly acclaimed work, “the most popular series in the history of literature,” regardless of its remarkable details for demonic, occult techniques has astoundingly been the norm for the Christian community.  From what I have observed, I’m guessing its 75% for it.  Twenty-five percent against it.  Again, that’s just an educated guess.  Maybe, it is more like 90-10.  It appears what this author has to offer her audience has taken front seat, for many who claim the faith, over what the LORD has said in His Word.

As a side note, perhaps, there is a correlation that professing Christians who are fans of  Harry Potter are also those who participate in the dark, spooky, sinister holiday of Halloween without the bat of an eye (pun slightly intended).  I am not referring to those parents who have struggled with what to do with this holiday and their kids, with all the pressures of the culture, family members and such who do celebrate it.  I understand that.  As a Christian mother of 5, I have been there, right in the middle of all the pressures. 

Not to expound on Halloween’s Celtic origins invoking pagan practices to protect them from anticipated evil spirits reeking havoc the night before All Saints Day.  That’s November first.  The calendar day that the Catholic religion joined with the Celtic Day of Harvest to remember the martyrs of the Catholic church.  And not to debate on where and how WICCA and Satanism fits in or its documented history of dark progression and crime over the decades, just in the States alone. But the point I wish to drive is this undeniable fact.  Halloween has been and continues to be filled with and symbolized by sorcery/magic and witchcraft/divination, more than ever!

No matter how un-Halloween Christian parents have tried to make All-Hallows’ Eve for their little ones, like I did for a few years before growing in biblical discernment, sound doctrine and believing a book called, “Redeeming Halloween ~Celebrating Without Selling Out,” by Kim Wier and Pam McCune.  It’s just not going to happen.  I had been against having anything to do with Halloween once I had become a believer.  The bar was set for me.  Then, I had heard an interview in the early 1990′s on WFCJ Christian Radio.  A former Wiccan, Satanist and Occultist that had become a Christian exposed the dangers of Halloween,  especially toward animals and children, on that program.  Such disclosures included animal sacrifices, praying to Satan over trick or treaters and abducting children in order to execute their wicked rituals.  After hearing that information from a former member of such groups, turned fellow believer,  more than ever I did not want my kids, whenever I had kids of my own, to be out on the streets on Halloween night!  Ironically, this book lowered that bar and drove me and my kids back into the Halloween scene, trying to Christianize it.  This book was the ironic catalyst for “selling out” to Halloween, giving into the pressures of the world to do so with a rationalized ‘Christian’ angle authored by these two women, endorsed by Focus on the Family and found in, none other than, a Christian bookstore.

There is absolutely no equivocation that there are all kinds of demonic influences, techniques, and characters which find themselves at home with Halloween.  Americans dive into the boiling cauldron of new horror films being released.  Rentals or pre-pay selections of  old ones, like Halloween, The Exorcist and Frankenstein, etc., sore!  Scary haunted houses are open for business.  Portrayals of witches, crystal balls, spells and potions, bloodiness and zombies, ghouls and gore, Freddie Cruger, Dracula, Satan and on and on and on are everywhere.  

One of these demonic-looking characters, or more like a montage, is bound to show up at your door, or brush by you and your kids on the sidewalk, before the night of trick or treating is over.  All while one may be attempting to provide an innocent and biblical experience, “we’re going to be different, shine our light and dress-up like Bible people” for a good time of fun and candy collecting for their little ‘King David’ and ‘Esther.’  Then there’s the decorated-to-the-nines Halloween house on the next street over that your little Johnny and Susie are completely taken by.  That house steals the show for them!  You find yourself dreading that house of horrors. That house that you were hoping to avoid, knowing in your heart, this is wrong. 

There’s just no way around it.  Halloween is a dark holiday filled with fear inducers.  There are many who work hard with their time, businesses and resources to make it and keep it as such.  Many of Halloween’s frightening experiences stuck with me throughout my childhood into early adulthood, producing nightmares, fear of the dark and fear of being home alone.  

Halloween is not a traditional Christian holiday of the true church.  It never was nor is intended to be.  And to compare it to Christmas, or the jack o’ lantern to the Christmas tree, as this particular writer from CARM did, is way off the mark because the two intentions of these holidays’ celebrations have nothing in common.  They are incomparable.  Therefore, it should not be attempted by Christians to integrate, or “redeem,” it in order to participate and celebrate it somehow in a Christian way as this book wrongly teaches.   That’s just simply not biblical.  Further, comfortableness, as mentioned in the above link by CARM, as a way to sort through practicing Halloween or not, is not the way to measure, discern or judge.  Comfortableness is a feeling and is deceiving.  Better idea.  Be like a good Berean, instead (Acts 17:11).           

To be clear, I wish to only disagree with and discourage fellow Christians celebrating and participating in Halloween with the goal of attempting to restore it as a Christian holiday (which it never was).  Even more so, taking our children out on the streets while this dark event is taking place.  I do not at all mean that we should divide with those who do or disagree with churches having alternatives to offer their congregations.  In fact, local churches offering alternatives is exactly what I want to encourage.  And while that is going on, if there is a group of adults at one’s church who would like to minister to their community to “treat” families with the light of the True Gospel.  Then by all means, a resounding, “Yes!”  But keep the kiddos back at church with their wholesome activities and Christian fellowship.  There is the issue of parental responsibilities regarding protection of our children that I am hoping to bring into consideration, while we are teaching and training them in the way they should go.

As Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness…”  Marcia Montenegro notes in her reviews that Harry Potter also does this by portraying the character Harry, who is a wizard and who becomes an avid liar and disobeys his parents, as good.

Not only are these Harry Potter books, and others like it that promote ever-increasingly popular occult teachings, dangerous to one’s spiritual perception and condition, by enticing and luring people, children and adults, into forbidden practice; therefore, away from truth (Jn 17:17).  But to engage in such entertainment, specifically, is a sin.  The latter being the greater issue and spiritual danger at hand that I would like to emphasize.  Each must make a decision for themselves, I understand.  But I am convinced, by God’s Word, that believers should be separated from Harry Potter and all its counterparts, like Halloween.

The bottom line:  God calls His people to be holy like Him; set apart from the wickedness of the world (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Pt 1:16; James 4:4).  Believers are not to have anything to do with sorcery (magic), witchcraft (divination) or necromancy (consulting mediums, spiritists for communicating with the dead) (Lv 19:26; Dt. 18:9-14; Isa 8:19; Gal 5:20; Rev  21:8).  Such things are “detestable” to the LORD.  They are ”evil” and “provoke the LORD to anger” as Manasseh did (2 Ch 33:6).

Brethren, we are encouraged from 1 Jn 5:4 to be an overcomer of the world and all its temptations and distractions that wage war against us and our souls, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.”  And that faith is the eternal gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23), which is joined with repentance (Acts 20:21).

Marcia Montenegro’s Reviews, From Christian Answers for the New Age (CANA):

1)  Harry Potter, Sorcery and Fantasy:  Book 1

2)  Harry Potter, A Journey to Power:  Books 2, 3, and 4 

3)  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:  Book 5    

4)  The Harry Potter Books:  Just Fantasy?    

Also recommended is Marcia’s book, Spellbound ~The Paranormal Seduction of Today’s Kids

The Final Quest by Rick Joyner (Bad Fruit)

Biblical Resources:

Let Us Reason’s Review

SO4J-TV & Video Productions False Visits to Heaven or Hell

See Also:  Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (Bad Fruit)

Excerpt:  ”As always, the problems with these stories is that they undermine the sufficiency and supremacy of Scripture while also being contrary to Scripture. One way this is so is the mere attempt to cite and write about such an ‘episode.’ In 2 Cor 12:1-10, Paul’s humble account was written in third person in obedience to God; to not brag or “be credited with more” while remaining controlled in the Spirit to not boast. Paul stated that even if he did boast he would not be a fool, for it really happened, as recorded in and for the Holy Spirit-inspired, authoritative writings of the Bible. Paul wrote of his experience that he “did not know if it was in the body or out of the body,” but that nonetheless, it assuredly happened, again as written in the Word of God. Later on, in the 2 Cor 12 passage, he was given a “thorn in the flesh” for further humbling purposes by the Lord, to keep him from “exalting” himself. The lesson from Paul’s thorn is that God’s grace is sufficient! We are to be content in our weaknesses and sufferings for Christ, which indicate that “Christ dwells in us.” For when we are weak then He is strong. Praise the Lord!

Not only was Paul’s overall humble description of his account to heaven true as found in the Bible, and therefore “not foolish,” but also that his visit was “inexpressible.” Meaning that it was not for this apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, who wrote 13, or possibly 14 books, of the 27 New Testament books, to be permitted to share it beyond a godly restraint. It was not to be revealed with detail or pridefulness.

[Updated (10-27-11) with further admonishment to reject the tale in this book, and all others like it, as truth]  Beware of trusting anyone who is claiming to have new revelation of truth from God. God has authored a closed Canon of Scripture. The Bible is His complete, authoritative, binding, infallible, inerrant, divine, sufficient, supreme and plenary revelation. And since the time it was closed (Jude 3), the 66 books of the Bible is how God speaks to us and allows us to experience the study and knowledge of Him (Eph 5:15-17; Col 1:9, 2 Tim 2:15). We are to turn to His Word, look to Him and trust Him for all truth (Jn 17:17), not anyone or anything or any experience that is contrary to His Book. The last revelation of Christ was given by God to another apostle, John, in the book of Revelation.

Consider, also, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, from Luke 16:19-31, as another admonishment for Sola Scriptura, as well as what is not allowed by God. The rich man, who died and went to Hades, asked Abraham to send Lazarus, who died and went heaven, to warn the rich man’s family about how real the torment, God’s wrath, is and to repent. Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets (the Old Testament); let them hear them… If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets (another emphasis for Scripture, back-to-back), they will not be persuaded even if someone comes back from the dead.” (emphasis and parenthesis mine)

Further, after His resurrection from the dead, while on the road to Emmaus, Christ employed Sola Scriptura, not His experience, again with those who were being “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken…. Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (emphasis mine) Later their eyes were opened and they recognized Him while He was breaking and blessing the bread. Reflecting back while walking on the road with Jesus, they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:13-32) What a profound illustration is “hearts burning within us” when one is hearing God’s truth and yet not understanding it or accepting it.

Paul said to be “imitators of me,” in 1 Cor 4:16 and again in 1 Cor 11:1 because he, himself, is an imitator of Christ. May we carry out this command as well for Christ’s sake, in every area of our lives, by the grace and truth of God, for His glory.”

Heaven ~Close Encounters of the God Kind by Jesse Duplantis (Bad Fruit)

Biblical Resources:

SO4J-TV & Video Productions False Visits to Heaven or Hell

See Also:  Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo (Bad Fruit)

Excerpt:  ”As always, the problems with these stories is that they undermine the sufficiency and supremacy of Scripture while also being contrary to Scripture. One way this is so is the mere attempt to cite and write about such an ‘episode.’ In 2 Cor 12:1-10, Paul’s humble account was written in third person in obedience to God; to not brag or “be credited with more” while remaining controlled in the Spirit to not boast. Paul stated that even if he did boast he would not be a fool, for it really happened, as recorded in and for the Holy Spirit-inspired, authoritative writings of the Bible. Paul wrote of his experience that he “did not know if it was in the body or out of the body,” but that nonetheless, it assuredly happened, again as written in the Word of God. Later on, in the 2 Cor 12 passage, he was given a “thorn in the flesh” for further humbling purposes by the Lord, to keep him from “exalting” himself. The lesson from Paul’s thorn is that God’s grace is sufficient! We are to be content in our weaknesses and sufferings for Christ, which indicate that “Christ dwells in us.” For when we are weak then He is strong. Praise the Lord!

Not only was Paul’s overall humble description of his account to heaven true as found in the Bible, and therefore “not foolish,” but also that his visit was “inexpressible.” Meaning that it was not for this apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, who wrote 13, or possibly 14 books, of the 27 New Testament books, to be permitted to share it beyond a godly restraint. It was not to be revealed with detail or pridefulness.

[Updated (10-27-11) with further admonishment to reject the tale in this book, and all others like it, as truth]  Beware of trusting anyone who is claiming to have new revelation of truth from God. God has authored a closed Canon of Scripture. The Bible is His complete, authoritative, binding, infallible, inerrant, divine, sufficient, supreme and plenary revelation. And since the time it was closed (Jude 3), the 66 books of the Bible is how God speaks to us and allows us to experience the study and knowledge of Him (Eph 5:15-17; Col 1:9, 2 Tim 2:15). We are to turn to His Word, look to Him and trust Him for all truth (Jn 17:17), not anyone or anything or any experience that is contrary to His Book. The last revelation of Christ was given by God to another apostle, John, in the book of Revelation.

Consider, also, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, from Luke 16:19-31, as another admonishment for Sola Scriptura, as well as what is not allowed by God. The rich man, who died and went to Hades, asked Abraham to send Lazarus, who died and went heaven, to warn the rich man’s family about how real the torment, God’s wrath, is and to repent. Abraham replied, “They have Moses and the Prophets (the Old Testament); let them hear them… If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets (another emphasis for Scripture, back-to-back), they will not be persuaded even if someone comes back from the dead.” (emphasis and parenthesis mine)

Further, after His resurrection from the dead, while on the road to Emmaus, Christ employed Sola Scriptura, not His experience, again with those who were being “foolish” and “slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken…. Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (emphasis mine) Later their eyes were opened and they recognized Him while He was breaking and blessing the bread. Reflecting back while walking on the road with Jesus, they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:13-32) What a profound illustration is “hearts burning within us” when one is hearing God’s truth and yet not understanding it or accepting it.

Paul said to be “imitators of me,” in 1 Cor 4:16 and again in 1 Cor 11:1 because he, himself, is an imitator of Christ. May we carry out this command as well for Christ’s sake, in every area of our lives, by the grace and truth of God, for His glory.”