November 23, 2011
November 22, 2011
OH NO! Not Butterball!
WND Exclusive
IMAM, BASEBALL AND APPLE PIE
Has your Thanksgiving turkey been sacrificed to idols?
Surprise! America's favorite meal may be secretly dedicated to Allah
By Drew Zahn
© 2011 WND
As you sit down with your family on Thanksgiving and consider offering a prayer of gratitude, be aware the turkey at the center of the table may have already been "blessed" – in the name of Allah.
Customer service representatives from Butterball, one of America's most popular Turkey brands, confirmed to WND that the company's whole turkeys are – without being labeled as such – slaughtered according to Islamic "halal" standards.
"Halal slaughter involves cutting the trachea, the esophagus and the jugular vein and letting the blood drain out while saying, 'Bismillah allahu akbar' – 'in the name of Allah the greatest,'" explains Pamela Geller, author of "Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance." "Many people refuse to eat it on religious grounds. Many Christians, Hindus or Sikhs and Jews find it offensive to eat meat slaughtered according to Islamic ritual."
She continues on her blog, Atlas Shrugs, "I don't want to eat halal. Not a bite – and yet this is being shoved down the throats of Americans without their knowledge."
What can you do? Read "Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance."
Multiple phone representatives at Butterball confirmed the turkeys are slaughtered according to halal standards, and one named Tracy (she declined to give her last name) further confirmed the words of Islamic dedication are spoken over the birds. None, however, could explain exactly how the slaughters are performed.
"I don't actually work in the processing plant," Tracy explained.
As WND reported earlier this year, however, Butterball isn't the only company that may be serving halal meats to unaware customers.
Pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries in Bonney Lake, Wash., has been sounding the the alarm for Christians to be aware of what he calls the "backdoor Shariah" now nibbling its way across the fruited plain.
Muslims join many Jews and some Christians in avoiding the consumption of certain animals such as pigs and birds of prey, but those of the Islamic faith also have their meat blessed in the name of their god, Allah.
"From the Christian standpoint, Allah would be an idol," Biltz told WND.
In a sermon that he posted online, Biltz explained, "You could be eating beef, chicken, etc., offered up to Allah and not even know it. I can just imagine at a Passover Seder the caterer unbeknownst to anyone is serving halal meat! It could be on your pizza without you knowing it, or at your favorite restaurant. People don't realize they could be eating meat sacrificed to idols!"
Has your Thanksgiving turkey been sacrificed to idols? CLICK to read more
IMAM, BASEBALL AND APPLE PIE
Has your Thanksgiving turkey been sacrificed to idols?
Surprise! America's favorite meal may be secretly dedicated to Allah
By Drew Zahn
© 2011 WND
As you sit down with your family on Thanksgiving and consider offering a prayer of gratitude, be aware the turkey at the center of the table may have already been "blessed" – in the name of Allah.
Customer service representatives from Butterball, one of America's most popular Turkey brands, confirmed to WND that the company's whole turkeys are – without being labeled as such – slaughtered according to Islamic "halal" standards.
"Halal slaughter involves cutting the trachea, the esophagus and the jugular vein and letting the blood drain out while saying, 'Bismillah allahu akbar' – 'in the name of Allah the greatest,'" explains Pamela Geller, author of "Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance." "Many people refuse to eat it on religious grounds. Many Christians, Hindus or Sikhs and Jews find it offensive to eat meat slaughtered according to Islamic ritual."
She continues on her blog, Atlas Shrugs, "I don't want to eat halal. Not a bite – and yet this is being shoved down the throats of Americans without their knowledge."
What can you do? Read "Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance."
Multiple phone representatives at Butterball confirmed the turkeys are slaughtered according to halal standards, and one named Tracy (she declined to give her last name) further confirmed the words of Islamic dedication are spoken over the birds. None, however, could explain exactly how the slaughters are performed.
"I don't actually work in the processing plant," Tracy explained.
As WND reported earlier this year, however, Butterball isn't the only company that may be serving halal meats to unaware customers.
Pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries in Bonney Lake, Wash., has been sounding the the alarm for Christians to be aware of what he calls the "backdoor Shariah" now nibbling its way across the fruited plain.
Muslims join many Jews and some Christians in avoiding the consumption of certain animals such as pigs and birds of prey, but those of the Islamic faith also have their meat blessed in the name of their god, Allah.
"From the Christian standpoint, Allah would be an idol," Biltz told WND.
In a sermon that he posted online, Biltz explained, "You could be eating beef, chicken, etc., offered up to Allah and not even know it. I can just imagine at a Passover Seder the caterer unbeknownst to anyone is serving halal meat! It could be on your pizza without you knowing it, or at your favorite restaurant. People don't realize they could be eating meat sacrificed to idols!"
Has your Thanksgiving turkey been sacrificed to idols? CLICK to read more
November 15, 2011
Brian McLaren: 12 Step Groups May Help Us Escape Bible
by My Word Like Fire
In his book, A New Kind of Christianity, Emergent leader Brian McLaren attacks Biblical understanding, and tries to revise both God and the Bible. In his chapter on reinterpreting God’s Word, he notes, “Even for those of us on this quest, breaking out of centuries-old habits won’t be easy…”[1]
In the same paragraph, McLaren makes an interesting statement. “No wonder those of us who want and need to change our approach may need to form twelve-step groups to deprogram our thinking.”[2] (Bold Mine)
Wait a minute. 12 Steps groups to help people reject the Bible as the literal Word of God?
Is this shocking? Hardly. McLaren knows this has already happened–and is continuing to happen–through both Christian and cultural acceptance of 12 Step spirituality. Unlike numerous Bible-believing pastors who allow 12 Step groups to meet in their churches, the Emergent leaders are clearly aware of what AA and other 12 Step groups have brought about.
McLaren wrote the foreword to A Heretic’s Guide To Eternity. In this book, Emergent authors Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor write, “As Phyllis Tickle [another Emergent leader] has noted, the development of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) probably did as much as other, more celebrated events to undermine our concept of religion. Emerging in the late 1930s, AA made it acceptable to talk about a generic God–a ‘higher power.’”[3] (Bold mine)
Burke and Taylor further note what has resulted from this: “Consequently, a generation of people began speaking about God in new ways not previously sanctioned by the consensual illusion–and traditional religious perspectives began to change as a result.”[4] (Bold mine)
Due to acceptance of the chameleon nature of AA’s “higher power,” our culture has been put at ease with custom-made gods and even with blended belief systems. Undeniably, Biblical Christianity has been greatly weakened.
This has always been the objective of the spiritual forces that created AA.[5] (Ephesians 6:12)
Yes, but what about the people helped by Alcoholics Anonymous? We should be grateful for the estimated five percent of alcoholics who do gain sobriety through AA. Yet, in terms of alcoholism, this success is in public relations and publicity rather than treatment effectiveness. Herein lies a real tragedy, because most believe only AA can help. Many who have quit drinking in another manner have been called “dry drunks” (not really sober) by AA members. This can be extremely hurtful.
AA’s teachings can also be terrifying. There are Christians in AA who fear to leave because they believe they will relapse unless AA and the 12 Steps are involved. And so, out of fear, they disobey Scripture, or rationalize reasons for remaining. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Galatians 1: 6-9, Amos 3:3) For others, AA has become an idol. For these people, it is more important to defend AA than to acknowledge what the Scriptures command.
In his book, The Sober Alcoholic, Irving Peter Gellman observes, “A member who suggests that AA is not as effective as maintained, and who implies that some improvement might be made, will be censured when broaching these ideas. The AA program is deemed infallible, whereas other methods are deemed less than perfect.”[6] (Bold mine.)
Like many in the Emergent and Contemplative movements, many–perhaps most– in AA who call Christ their “higher power” do not worship the Biblical Christ at all. This is not intended to offend those in 12 Step spirituality who do worship the God of the Bible, but true Christians desperately need to understand this. The 12 Steps are not our friend. Truly, Emergent, Contemplative and 12 Step spirituality are blending. Homospirituality grows daily as a religious force, and may ultimately merge with the other three systems.
As others have pointed out, wherever one finds the Emergent movement, there will also be found Contemplative Spirituality. Perhaps this will also be said of 12 Step spirituality in the near future. AA’s eleventh step states: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out.”
Considering that AA’s Step Three allows the addict to make up, customize, or borrow any “god” that holds appeal, the act of opening oneself further through Step Eleven meditation can have very real spiritual consequences.
The contemplative roots of AA can be traced back to Frank Buchman and the Oxford Group.[7] Today these roots are being watered by many meditative and contemplative advocates.[8]
Brian McLaren calls himself a “contemplative/reflexive.”[9] While we must continue to expose the apostasy of Emergents such as McLaren, Spencer Burke, and Phyllis Tickle, it is time we listen to their unintended warning about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
~For more info CLICK HERE~
Endnotes:
1. Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity, pg.85-86
2. Ibid., pg. 86
3. Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor, A Heretics Guide To Eternity, pg. 34-35, foreword by Brian McClaren.
4. Ibid.
5. Seances, Spirits, and 12 Steps: http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/seances-spirits-and-12-steps/
6. Irving Peter Gellman, The Sober Alcoholic
7. Alcoholics Anonymous and Contemplative Spirituality: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1196
8. 12 Step Outreach: http://cp12stepoutreach.org/ 11th Step Meditation Newsletter http://www.11thstepmeditation.org/11th_step_meetings/overview.htm
9. Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity, pg.226.
In his book, A New Kind of Christianity, Emergent leader Brian McLaren attacks Biblical understanding, and tries to revise both God and the Bible. In his chapter on reinterpreting God’s Word, he notes, “Even for those of us on this quest, breaking out of centuries-old habits won’t be easy…”[1]
In the same paragraph, McLaren makes an interesting statement. “No wonder those of us who want and need to change our approach may need to form twelve-step groups to deprogram our thinking.”[2] (Bold Mine)
Wait a minute. 12 Steps groups to help people reject the Bible as the literal Word of God?
Is this shocking? Hardly. McLaren knows this has already happened–and is continuing to happen–through both Christian and cultural acceptance of 12 Step spirituality. Unlike numerous Bible-believing pastors who allow 12 Step groups to meet in their churches, the Emergent leaders are clearly aware of what AA and other 12 Step groups have brought about.
McLaren wrote the foreword to A Heretic’s Guide To Eternity. In this book, Emergent authors Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor write, “As Phyllis Tickle [another Emergent leader] has noted, the development of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) probably did as much as other, more celebrated events to undermine our concept of religion. Emerging in the late 1930s, AA made it acceptable to talk about a generic God–a ‘higher power.’”[3] (Bold mine)
Burke and Taylor further note what has resulted from this: “Consequently, a generation of people began speaking about God in new ways not previously sanctioned by the consensual illusion–and traditional religious perspectives began to change as a result.”[4] (Bold mine)
Due to acceptance of the chameleon nature of AA’s “higher power,” our culture has been put at ease with custom-made gods and even with blended belief systems. Undeniably, Biblical Christianity has been greatly weakened.
This has always been the objective of the spiritual forces that created AA.[5] (Ephesians 6:12)
Yes, but what about the people helped by Alcoholics Anonymous? We should be grateful for the estimated five percent of alcoholics who do gain sobriety through AA. Yet, in terms of alcoholism, this success is in public relations and publicity rather than treatment effectiveness. Herein lies a real tragedy, because most believe only AA can help. Many who have quit drinking in another manner have been called “dry drunks” (not really sober) by AA members. This can be extremely hurtful.
AA’s teachings can also be terrifying. There are Christians in AA who fear to leave because they believe they will relapse unless AA and the 12 Steps are involved. And so, out of fear, they disobey Scripture, or rationalize reasons for remaining. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Galatians 1: 6-9, Amos 3:3) For others, AA has become an idol. For these people, it is more important to defend AA than to acknowledge what the Scriptures command.
In his book, The Sober Alcoholic, Irving Peter Gellman observes, “A member who suggests that AA is not as effective as maintained, and who implies that some improvement might be made, will be censured when broaching these ideas. The AA program is deemed infallible, whereas other methods are deemed less than perfect.”[6] (Bold mine.)
Like many in the Emergent and Contemplative movements, many–perhaps most– in AA who call Christ their “higher power” do not worship the Biblical Christ at all. This is not intended to offend those in 12 Step spirituality who do worship the God of the Bible, but true Christians desperately need to understand this. The 12 Steps are not our friend. Truly, Emergent, Contemplative and 12 Step spirituality are blending. Homospirituality grows daily as a religious force, and may ultimately merge with the other three systems.
As others have pointed out, wherever one finds the Emergent movement, there will also be found Contemplative Spirituality. Perhaps this will also be said of 12 Step spirituality in the near future. AA’s eleventh step states: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out.”
Considering that AA’s Step Three allows the addict to make up, customize, or borrow any “god” that holds appeal, the act of opening oneself further through Step Eleven meditation can have very real spiritual consequences.
The contemplative roots of AA can be traced back to Frank Buchman and the Oxford Group.[7] Today these roots are being watered by many meditative and contemplative advocates.[8]
Brian McLaren calls himself a “contemplative/reflexive.”[9] While we must continue to expose the apostasy of Emergents such as McLaren, Spencer Burke, and Phyllis Tickle, it is time we listen to their unintended warning about the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
~For more info CLICK HERE~
Endnotes:
1. Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity, pg.85-86
2. Ibid., pg. 86
3. Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor, A Heretics Guide To Eternity, pg. 34-35, foreword by Brian McClaren.
4. Ibid.
5. Seances, Spirits, and 12 Steps: http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/seances-spirits-and-12-steps/
6. Irving Peter Gellman, The Sober Alcoholic
7. Alcoholics Anonymous and Contemplative Spirituality: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1196
8. 12 Step Outreach: http://cp12stepoutreach.org/ 11th Step Meditation Newsletter http://www.11thstepmeditation.org/11th_step_meetings/overview.htm
9. Brian McLaren, A New Kind of Christianity, pg.226.
November 9, 2011
Teen Mania - How Truly "Christian" is it?
by Judie
The definition of Mania according to Webster is - excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specifically : the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm.
Is this what this group is promoting to teens?
MSNBC aired an expose' recently on the movement (I refuse to refer to it as a ministry) called 'Teen Mania', AKA, 'Acquire the Fire". Ron Luce, who is also a promoter of 'The Call's' Lou Engle, heads up this organization.
After watching the documentary I was so sickened by the display of this so-called Christian "training" that I thought it necessary to make people aware of what's really going on with this group. I know they've been around for awhile and had certainly heard of them, but I had no idea that this kind of treatment of teens was taking place within their ranks.
One disturbing fact among many, is that...according to the documentary, the cost to attend this school, and suffer the kind of abuse they provide, is a whooping $8,000! WOW, can you say chaaaa ching! Hmmm, I wonder what Jesus charged the disciples for the intense training they received during the years they spent in His "school"?
The documentary also stated that the teens are strongly persuaded to volunteer, under unpleasant conditions I might add, to fund-raise for 8-10
hours a day during part of their stay there. I have to say, that it's amazing to me that parents who are fully aware of what goes on actually PAY to send their young people to a place like this. A place where they are guilt-ed into a "system of works" instead of being taught to trust in Christ and His work on the Cross ALONE for their salvation and sanctification. Take note of some of the remarks made in the video and I think you'll plainly see why I make that comment.
In any event, my overall thoughts after watching the documentary are - WHY does the church continue to support and promote groups like this? What on earth does putting people through such RIDICULOUS tasks while demeaning and disrespecting them have to do with biblical Christianity? Did Jesus train and disciple the 12 this way? Hardly!
I mean, think about it, can you even remotely picture Peter, John, or any of the other 12 eating cat food and rolling down a hill in other people's vomit to "try" and improve their relationship with the Lord and others? How completely ludicrous is that? Yet, that's exactly what this sadly misguided group is teaching teens about what it means to serve and follow Christ. They are teaching them to "try" to improve themselves by trusting in their own "good works" instead of trusting the Lord to work His righteousness in them. What a seriously GROSS misrepresentation of God's grace and WHO the Lord truly is, not to mention HOW He really does work in our lives. My heart really goes out to those who've been exposed to and misled by groups such as this, and I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit is sorely grieved with the thoroughly WRONG concept of God that these vulnerable teens are being erroneously given.
WHEN will the church wake up and DO something about the many abuses and false teachings that take place under these spiritually bankrupt, inept leaders? How lukewarm and BLIND has the church become that they can truly no longer SEE what is happening right before their very eyes? Do most even care to see anymore? Definitely food for thought.
Okay, enough ranting. I realize we're living in the last days and as scripture says, false teachers will abound and "things will continue to grow worse and worse", but at times what I see going on in the church just gets TOO frustrating and upsetting and I have to let off some steam. Be that as it may, however, I guess all that's left to say is...God please help us to continue on the straight and narrow and to always stay true to your Word; and please put an end soon to this utter foolishness that takes place in your Name under the guise of biblical Christianity.
I've posted the video below to show some of what the teens are subjected to in the group's "ESOAL training". At the end there are other videos you can view as well if you'd like to gather more information, and/or do further research on the movement. In addition, if you google 'Teen Mania' you'll also find some Blogs that include testimonies of those who attended this school.
In closing, I'd like to include a special note to those who may be reading this that were victims of spiritual and mental abuse while attending Teen Mania - I pray that God will heal your heart and mind and that you will come to hear the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that the Lord will send you true leaders and shepherds who will uplift and encourage you...those who will genuinely care for your soul. Know that the Lord has NOT given up on you and that He loves you more than you can imagine. Lastly, please don't ever let what others do, no matter what label they choose to wear, cause you to give up on HIM! God bless.
Judie <><
The definition of Mania according to Webster is - excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specifically : the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm.
Is this what this group is promoting to teens?
MSNBC aired an expose' recently on the movement (I refuse to refer to it as a ministry) called 'Teen Mania', AKA, 'Acquire the Fire". Ron Luce, who is also a promoter of 'The Call's' Lou Engle, heads up this organization.
After watching the documentary I was so sickened by the display of this so-called Christian "training" that I thought it necessary to make people aware of what's really going on with this group. I know they've been around for awhile and had certainly heard of them, but I had no idea that this kind of treatment of teens was taking place within their ranks.
One disturbing fact among many, is that...according to the documentary, the cost to attend this school, and suffer the kind of abuse they provide, is a whooping $8,000! WOW, can you say chaaaa ching! Hmmm, I wonder what Jesus charged the disciples for the intense training they received during the years they spent in His "school"?
The documentary also stated that the teens are strongly persuaded to volunteer, under unpleasant conditions I might add, to fund-raise for 8-10
hours a day during part of their stay there. I have to say, that it's amazing to me that parents who are fully aware of what goes on actually PAY to send their young people to a place like this. A place where they are guilt-ed into a "system of works" instead of being taught to trust in Christ and His work on the Cross ALONE for their salvation and sanctification. Take note of some of the remarks made in the video and I think you'll plainly see why I make that comment.
In any event, my overall thoughts after watching the documentary are - WHY does the church continue to support and promote groups like this? What on earth does putting people through such RIDICULOUS tasks while demeaning and disrespecting them have to do with biblical Christianity? Did Jesus train and disciple the 12 this way? Hardly!
I mean, think about it, can you even remotely picture Peter, John, or any of the other 12 eating cat food and rolling down a hill in other people's vomit to "try" and improve their relationship with the Lord and others? How completely ludicrous is that? Yet, that's exactly what this sadly misguided group is teaching teens about what it means to serve and follow Christ. They are teaching them to "try" to improve themselves by trusting in their own "good works" instead of trusting the Lord to work His righteousness in them. What a seriously GROSS misrepresentation of God's grace and WHO the Lord truly is, not to mention HOW He really does work in our lives. My heart really goes out to those who've been exposed to and misled by groups such as this, and I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit is sorely grieved with the thoroughly WRONG concept of God that these vulnerable teens are being erroneously given.
WHEN will the church wake up and DO something about the many abuses and false teachings that take place under these spiritually bankrupt, inept leaders? How lukewarm and BLIND has the church become that they can truly no longer SEE what is happening right before their very eyes? Do most even care to see anymore? Definitely food for thought.
Okay, enough ranting. I realize we're living in the last days and as scripture says, false teachers will abound and "things will continue to grow worse and worse", but at times what I see going on in the church just gets TOO frustrating and upsetting and I have to let off some steam. Be that as it may, however, I guess all that's left to say is...God please help us to continue on the straight and narrow and to always stay true to your Word; and please put an end soon to this utter foolishness that takes place in your Name under the guise of biblical Christianity.
I've posted the video below to show some of what the teens are subjected to in the group's "ESOAL training". At the end there are other videos you can view as well if you'd like to gather more information, and/or do further research on the movement. In addition, if you google 'Teen Mania' you'll also find some Blogs that include testimonies of those who attended this school.
In closing, I'd like to include a special note to those who may be reading this that were victims of spiritual and mental abuse while attending Teen Mania - I pray that God will heal your heart and mind and that you will come to hear the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that the Lord will send you true leaders and shepherds who will uplift and encourage you...those who will genuinely care for your soul. Know that the Lord has NOT given up on you and that He loves you more than you can imagine. Lastly, please don't ever let what others do, no matter what label they choose to wear, cause you to give up on HIM! God bless.
Judie <><
November 1, 2011
Latter Rain: The Spawning of Apostasy
LTRP Note: The following article by Kevin Reeves describes the background of much of the Word-Faith, River movement, Latter Rain, IHOP, Joel’s Army, Apostles and Prophets movement, etc. taking place today. Todd Bentley, Rick Joyner, John Wimber, and many others have risen out of the 1940s Latter Rain movement. Followers believe that the Latter Rain “revival” is the latter rain referred to in such Scriptures as Jeremiah 3:3, Joel 2:23, and Hosea 6:3. These movements have now intersected with the contemplative prayer movement; now combined with Purpose Driven, the emerging church, Willow Creek, etc. a powerful mystical body is merging as an apostate, end-time church.
“The Headwaters of the River”
by Kevin Reeves
In February of 1948 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, a community of believers met to seek God for His power. A power did manifest. Miracles were reported, and Christians from all over set out on a pilgrimage to get this power. The Latter Rain movement emerged full-blown, evidencing supposed signs and wonders, prophetic utterances, and impartations via the laying on of hands. The movement was also marked with a spirit of elitism, false prophecies, and an inbred authority structure based upon the new “word of the Lord.” When the Christian community was faced with the decision between solid biblical teaching and awe-inspiring miracles, many swung their legs over the fence of indecision and jumped with both feet into one of the first major 20th century tributaries of the “River.” The reasoning went that a new thing, based on the prophecy in Isaiah 43:18-19, had sprung up. All concerns about doctrine or practice could be dealt with sometime down the road, if at all. The pendulum had swung from the Word to experience as the final arbiter.
What many do not realize is that two issues factored heavily into this revival. The first is that a 1946 book written by Franklin Hall, called Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer,1 was read and promoted by the revival’s leaders. The other is that one of the foremost prophets of the era, William Branham, had imparted his ministry power through the laying on of hands to some of those involved in this revival. His teachings were a strong determining factor in the Saskatchewan revival’s course.
The Franklin Hall book is a strong call to return the church to a pattern of fasting and prayer. While the premise of fasting is itself biblical, the book strangely asserted that without the discipline of fasting, prayer goes unanswered. As proof, Hall even cites the answered prayer received by pagans offering supplications to their false gods. In his excellent analysis of Dominion doctrine and practice, Vengeance Is Ours: The Church in Dominion, noted Christian researcher Al Dager astutely observes:
If we analyze Hall’s claims, we must come to the conclusion that those who pray to demons will have their prayers answered if they fast, but Christians will not have their prayers answered if they don’t fast. At the least, it seems, they would be hindered greatly.2
In another of Hall’s books, he wrote that the church would eventually produce an elite group of overcomers with the power to defy the laws of gravity, to walk upside down, and even attain to present immortality. He also spoke of a shining gold dust appearing on the skin of believers. Interesting that reports of this kind of phenomena have been circulating in River churches–even though at least one chemically-analyzed “gold dust” sample proved to be nothing more than children’s plastic glitter.3
William Branham, called by some in today’s prophetic ministries the greatest prophet to have ever lived, had also drunk deeply of Hall’s teachings, including Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer. Emerging into the late 1940s spotlight with a reputation for accurate words of knowledge and miraculous healing power, Branham astounded the multitudes. It was said he could tell a person he’d never before met what conversations the person had and the situation which he was facing, and he could speak restoration to a chronically diseased part of the body and heal it. He made it known that he was a prophet of the Lord, and his preaching drew the crowds. But what those same crowds didn’t generally hear were some of his other pet doctrines.
Branham taught that Satan had sex with Eve in the Garden of Eden, and Cain was the result of that union. He taught that he himself was the seventh angel of the book of Revelation, that he was Elijah the prophet, and that a belief in the Trinity was of the devil. But as long as he kept these beliefs under his hat and continued to wow the mob, the invitations to speak at churches worldwide kept pouring in.
His life certainly appeared marked by the miraculous. And Branham had no hesitation to say so. His testimony included a halo around him at his birth, and an actual photo of him in later life shows what appears to be a ring of light around his head while he stands at the pulpit preaching. It’s what his followers have sometimes called The Pillar of Fire. This strange phenomenon supposedly happened in grander manifestation on June 11, 1933 as Branham was baptizing converts in the Ohio River near Jefferson, Indiana. Hearing a voice tell him to look up, Branham beheld a mysterious, star-like light in the sky, which rapidly descended until it rested just above him. Some in the crowd of 4,000 fell in worship, others ran in terror. The voice commissioned Branham, telling him that as John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah, so Branham would be the forerunner of Christ’s second coming.
On February 28, 1963 a few miles from Tucson, Arizona, an immense, bright ring of cloud appeared in the clear sky. Branham claimed he was caught up into its midst where it turned out to be “seven mighty angels” who had appeared to give him yet another divine commission; this time he was to make known to the church the mystery of the seven seals of the book of Revelation.4
Taken at face value, this means that the incomplete church had waited two thousand years for Branham to appear on the scene.
A presence made itself known around Branham throughout his life. He had been followed since childhood by a spiritual being that, when Branham reached manhood, manifested as a young man with long hair and flowing robes. Stepping out from a ball of brilliant light, this being commissioned him to go out and heal the afflicted and said that he would know of diseases present that affected an individual by vibrations in his left hand. Branham also claimed to have been given another spiritual gift–he would know what was in the hearts of men.5
Killed by injuries received in an automobile collision in 1965, Branham has physically faded from the scene, but his legacy of incredible tales, supernatural signs, and prophetic anointing lives on. He has a following to this day.
Branham’s tradition of sensing the anointing in one’s hands is something that continues as well. Many of those within the old Latter Rain ranks, and in the Faith Movement that followed, claim heat or vibrations in their hands which they believe indicates the presence of God for healing…. While Branham and Latter Rain proponents claimed allegiance to God’s inerrant Word, their practices and peculiar doctrines denied it. Here are some of the basic beliefs they do adhere to:
* A great, end-times army will arise and take authority over the earth, putting Satan and his minions under their feet.
*The last days remnant of the true church (meaning those adhering to the Latter Rain doctrine) are the elite.
* Specific desirable anointings can be imparted from person to person by the laying on of hands.
* The church needs to experience restoration of all the gifts and revelation knowledge of who we really are in order to walk in fullness of power and finally be complete.
* Modern apostles and prophets must be set up in the church and the elect must submit to them.
* Restoration of the five-fold ministry of Ephesians 4:11 must take place for that authority structure to be erected.
* The church must come into complete physical unity.
* The rapture of believers is a myth, spawned by Satan to corral the church into a retreat mentality.
Some Latter Rain adherents no longer wait with yearning for the redemption of our bodies at the Second Coming. Now, in place of the rapture, they teach to expect Christ to come in us, instead of for us.
According to the Bible, believers in the last days are not, in triumph, going to make the nations fall at their feet (Matthew 24:9). And as for the need for restoration of revelation knowledge in order to be complete–we’ve always been complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:10). We have always had all the authority (Matthew 28:18; Titus 2:11-15), gifts, and revelation knowledge needed to live righteous before Him and be witnesses of Christ before a lost world (II Peter 1:3)…. The God of the Bible is big enough to carry on the work of the Spirit’s empowering throughout world history. He doesn’t need to create it over and over, as Latter Rain doctrine insists. The canon of Scripture is forever closed. Prophets, by their pronouncements, add to the Bible. This was their purpose before the complete written testimony was set down. There is nothing lacking in the scriptural record. Today’s supposed prophets add to the Bible. While they vehemently deny this, a quick glance at their words from the Lord is enough evidence to stop them cold.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (II Timothy 4:3-4)
(excerpt from The Other Side of the River, pp. 171-176)
Notes:
1. Franklin Hall, Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer, 1946.
2. Albert James Dager, Vengeance is Ours (Redmond, WA: Sword Publishers, 1990). p. 51.
3. Mary Owen, “Oregon church says gold dust, feathers fell during meetings” (Charisma magazine, September 2000, http://www. charisma mag.com /display.php?id=517, accessed 02/07); also see “There’s Gold in Them Thar Teeth” by Mike Oppenheimer, http://www.letusreason.org/Pent5.htm, accessed 02/07.
4. Mike Oppenheimer, “The Teachings of ‘the Prophet’ William Branham” (Let Us Reason ministries, http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain4.htm, accessed on 01/07).
5. Ibid. For photos, history and detailed information on William Branham, see http://www.biblebelievers.org.
“The Headwaters of the River”
by Kevin Reeves
In February of 1948 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, a community of believers met to seek God for His power. A power did manifest. Miracles were reported, and Christians from all over set out on a pilgrimage to get this power. The Latter Rain movement emerged full-blown, evidencing supposed signs and wonders, prophetic utterances, and impartations via the laying on of hands. The movement was also marked with a spirit of elitism, false prophecies, and an inbred authority structure based upon the new “word of the Lord.” When the Christian community was faced with the decision between solid biblical teaching and awe-inspiring miracles, many swung their legs over the fence of indecision and jumped with both feet into one of the first major 20th century tributaries of the “River.” The reasoning went that a new thing, based on the prophecy in Isaiah 43:18-19, had sprung up. All concerns about doctrine or practice could be dealt with sometime down the road, if at all. The pendulum had swung from the Word to experience as the final arbiter.
What many do not realize is that two issues factored heavily into this revival. The first is that a 1946 book written by Franklin Hall, called Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer,1 was read and promoted by the revival’s leaders. The other is that one of the foremost prophets of the era, William Branham, had imparted his ministry power through the laying on of hands to some of those involved in this revival. His teachings were a strong determining factor in the Saskatchewan revival’s course.
The Franklin Hall book is a strong call to return the church to a pattern of fasting and prayer. While the premise of fasting is itself biblical, the book strangely asserted that without the discipline of fasting, prayer goes unanswered. As proof, Hall even cites the answered prayer received by pagans offering supplications to their false gods. In his excellent analysis of Dominion doctrine and practice, Vengeance Is Ours: The Church in Dominion, noted Christian researcher Al Dager astutely observes:
If we analyze Hall’s claims, we must come to the conclusion that those who pray to demons will have their prayers answered if they fast, but Christians will not have their prayers answered if they don’t fast. At the least, it seems, they would be hindered greatly.2
In another of Hall’s books, he wrote that the church would eventually produce an elite group of overcomers with the power to defy the laws of gravity, to walk upside down, and even attain to present immortality. He also spoke of a shining gold dust appearing on the skin of believers. Interesting that reports of this kind of phenomena have been circulating in River churches–even though at least one chemically-analyzed “gold dust” sample proved to be nothing more than children’s plastic glitter.3
William Branham, called by some in today’s prophetic ministries the greatest prophet to have ever lived, had also drunk deeply of Hall’s teachings, including Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer. Emerging into the late 1940s spotlight with a reputation for accurate words of knowledge and miraculous healing power, Branham astounded the multitudes. It was said he could tell a person he’d never before met what conversations the person had and the situation which he was facing, and he could speak restoration to a chronically diseased part of the body and heal it. He made it known that he was a prophet of the Lord, and his preaching drew the crowds. But what those same crowds didn’t generally hear were some of his other pet doctrines.
Branham taught that Satan had sex with Eve in the Garden of Eden, and Cain was the result of that union. He taught that he himself was the seventh angel of the book of Revelation, that he was Elijah the prophet, and that a belief in the Trinity was of the devil. But as long as he kept these beliefs under his hat and continued to wow the mob, the invitations to speak at churches worldwide kept pouring in.
His life certainly appeared marked by the miraculous. And Branham had no hesitation to say so. His testimony included a halo around him at his birth, and an actual photo of him in later life shows what appears to be a ring of light around his head while he stands at the pulpit preaching. It’s what his followers have sometimes called The Pillar of Fire. This strange phenomenon supposedly happened in grander manifestation on June 11, 1933 as Branham was baptizing converts in the Ohio River near Jefferson, Indiana. Hearing a voice tell him to look up, Branham beheld a mysterious, star-like light in the sky, which rapidly descended until it rested just above him. Some in the crowd of 4,000 fell in worship, others ran in terror. The voice commissioned Branham, telling him that as John the Baptist was the forerunner of the Messiah, so Branham would be the forerunner of Christ’s second coming.
On February 28, 1963 a few miles from Tucson, Arizona, an immense, bright ring of cloud appeared in the clear sky. Branham claimed he was caught up into its midst where it turned out to be “seven mighty angels” who had appeared to give him yet another divine commission; this time he was to make known to the church the mystery of the seven seals of the book of Revelation.4
Taken at face value, this means that the incomplete church had waited two thousand years for Branham to appear on the scene.
A presence made itself known around Branham throughout his life. He had been followed since childhood by a spiritual being that, when Branham reached manhood, manifested as a young man with long hair and flowing robes. Stepping out from a ball of brilliant light, this being commissioned him to go out and heal the afflicted and said that he would know of diseases present that affected an individual by vibrations in his left hand. Branham also claimed to have been given another spiritual gift–he would know what was in the hearts of men.5
Killed by injuries received in an automobile collision in 1965, Branham has physically faded from the scene, but his legacy of incredible tales, supernatural signs, and prophetic anointing lives on. He has a following to this day.
Branham’s tradition of sensing the anointing in one’s hands is something that continues as well. Many of those within the old Latter Rain ranks, and in the Faith Movement that followed, claim heat or vibrations in their hands which they believe indicates the presence of God for healing…. While Branham and Latter Rain proponents claimed allegiance to God’s inerrant Word, their practices and peculiar doctrines denied it. Here are some of the basic beliefs they do adhere to:
* A great, end-times army will arise and take authority over the earth, putting Satan and his minions under their feet.
*The last days remnant of the true church (meaning those adhering to the Latter Rain doctrine) are the elite.
* Specific desirable anointings can be imparted from person to person by the laying on of hands.
* The church needs to experience restoration of all the gifts and revelation knowledge of who we really are in order to walk in fullness of power and finally be complete.
* Modern apostles and prophets must be set up in the church and the elect must submit to them.
* Restoration of the five-fold ministry of Ephesians 4:11 must take place for that authority structure to be erected.
* The church must come into complete physical unity.
* The rapture of believers is a myth, spawned by Satan to corral the church into a retreat mentality.
Some Latter Rain adherents no longer wait with yearning for the redemption of our bodies at the Second Coming. Now, in place of the rapture, they teach to expect Christ to come in us, instead of for us.
According to the Bible, believers in the last days are not, in triumph, going to make the nations fall at their feet (Matthew 24:9). And as for the need for restoration of revelation knowledge in order to be complete–we’ve always been complete in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:10). We have always had all the authority (Matthew 28:18; Titus 2:11-15), gifts, and revelation knowledge needed to live righteous before Him and be witnesses of Christ before a lost world (II Peter 1:3)…. The God of the Bible is big enough to carry on the work of the Spirit’s empowering throughout world history. He doesn’t need to create it over and over, as Latter Rain doctrine insists. The canon of Scripture is forever closed. Prophets, by their pronouncements, add to the Bible. This was their purpose before the complete written testimony was set down. There is nothing lacking in the scriptural record. Today’s supposed prophets add to the Bible. While they vehemently deny this, a quick glance at their words from the Lord is enough evidence to stop them cold.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (II Timothy 4:3-4)
(excerpt from The Other Side of the River, pp. 171-176)
Notes:
1. Franklin Hall, Atomic Power with God Through Fasting and Prayer, 1946.
2. Albert James Dager, Vengeance is Ours (Redmond, WA: Sword Publishers, 1990). p. 51.
3. Mary Owen, “Oregon church says gold dust, feathers fell during meetings” (Charisma magazine, September 2000, http://www. charisma mag.com /display.php?id=517, accessed 02/07); also see “There’s Gold in Them Thar Teeth” by Mike Oppenheimer, http://www.letusreason.org/Pent5.htm, accessed 02/07.
4. Mike Oppenheimer, “The Teachings of ‘the Prophet’ William Branham” (Let Us Reason ministries, http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain4.htm, accessed on 01/07).
5. Ibid. For photos, history and detailed information on William Branham, see http://www.biblebelievers.org.
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