Contents

Combined Interactive Contents for The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal
http://www.lettermen2.com/combtoc.html

General Works on Pseudo-christian Movements

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Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:1-10)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9,10)

Transformed by the Beholding of Christ
The very beholding of Christ is a transforming sight. The Spirit that makes us new creatures, and stirs us up to behold this Saviour, causes it to be a transforming beholding. If we look upon him with the eye of faith, it will make us like Christ; for the gospel is a mirror, and such a mirror, that when we a look into it, and see ourselves interested in it, we are changed from glory to glory. (2 Corinthians 3:18) A man cannot look upon the love of God and of Christ in the gospel, but it will change him to be like God and Christ. For how can we see Christ, and God in Christ, but we shall see how God hates sin, and this will transform us to hate it as God doth, who hated it so that it could not be expiated but with the blood of Christ, God man. So, seeing the holiness of God in it, it will transform us to be holy. When we see the love of God in the gospel, and the love of Christ giving himself for us, this will transform us to love God. When we see the humility and obedience of Christ, when we look on Christ as God's chosen servant in all this, and as our surety and head, it transforms us to the like humility and obedience. Those that find not their dispositions in some comfortable measure wrought to this blessed transformation, they have not yet those eyes that the Holy Ghost requireth here. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul delighteth. (Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 12:18) -- Richard Sibbes (1577-1635)

No men in the world want help like them that want the Gospel. A man may want liberty, and yet be happy, as Joseph was; a man may want peace, and yet be happy, as David was; a man may want children, and yet be blessed, as Job was; a man may want plenty, and yet be full of comfort, as Micaiah [an alternate name for Micah] was; but he that wants the Gospel, wants every thing that should do him good. A throne without the Gospel is but the devil's dungeon. Wealth without the Gospel is fuel for hell. Advancement without the Gospel is but a going high to have the greater fall.
Austin refused to delight in Cicero's HORTENSIUS, because there was not in it the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is all, and in all; [Colossians 3:11b], and where he is wanting there can be no good. -- John Owen (1616-1683)

The Treasury of David, Psalm 1, C.H. Spurgeon
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1,2)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps001.php

Prevented from coming to the true God by the slowness of their spiritual apprehension, men cannot fail to wander in vanities of their own; and it is the knowledge of the true God which dispels these, as the sun disperses the darkness. All have naturally a something of religion born with them, but owing to the blindness and stupidity, as well as the weakness of our minds, the apprehension which we conceive of God is immediately depraved. Religion is thus the beginning of all superstitions, not in its own nature, but through the darkness which has settled down upon the minds of men, and which prevents them from distinguishing between idols and the true God. -- John Calvin commenting on Psalm 97:7 and context

The entrance of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119:130)
"I know of no part of the Holy Scriptures," remarks that eminent man, Jonathan Edwards, "where the nature and evidences of true and sincere godliness are so fully and largely insisted on and delineated as in Psalm 119. The Psalmist declares his design in the first verses of the Psalm, keeps his eye on it all along, and pursues it to the end. The excellency of holiness is represented as the immediate object of a spiritual taste and delight. God's law -- that grand expression and emanation of the holiness of God's nature and prescription of holiness to the creature -- is all along represented as the great object of the love, the complacence, and the rejoicing of the gracious nature, which prizes God's commands above gold, yea, the finest gold, [Psalm 19:10] and to which they are sweeter than honey and the honey-comb. [Psalm 19:10]" -- Jonathan Edwards on the Religious Affections, part 3 section 3, found in Jonathan Edwards commenting on Psalm 119 in the footnote to Calvin's Commentary on Psalms, Psalm 119:176

See the Theological Notes: "God Reigns: Divine Sovereignty," at Daniel 4:34 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "True Knowledge of God," at Jeremiah 9:24 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Question 4, Westminster Shorter Catechism With Proof Texts
Q. 4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit,[7] infinite,[8] eternal,[9] and unchangeable,[10] in his being,[11] wisdom,[12] power,[13] holiness,[14] justice,[15] goodness,[16] and truth.[17]
Scripture proofs:
[7] Deuteronomy 4:15-19. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. Luke 24:39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. John 1:18. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 4:24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Acts 17:29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
[8] 1 Kings 8:27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded? Psalm 139:7-10. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 145:3. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 147:5. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. Jeremiah 23:24. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. Romans 11:33-36. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
[9] Deuteronomy 33:27. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. Psalm 90:2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 102:12,24-27. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations. . . . I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. Revelation 1:4,8. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne. . . . I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
[10] Psalm 33:11. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Malachi 3:6. For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Hebrews 1:12. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews 6:17-18. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Hebrews 13:8. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. James 1:17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
[11] Exodus 3:14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. Psalm 115:2-3. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 1 Timothy 1:17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15-16. Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
[12] Psalm 104:24. O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Romans 11:33-34. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Hebrews 4:13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 1 John 3:20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[13] Genesis 17:1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Psalm 62:11. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Jeremiah 32:17. Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: Matthew 19:26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Revelation 1:8. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
[14] Hebrews 1:13. But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 1 Peter 1:15-16. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 John 3:3,5. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. . . . And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Revelation 15:4. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
[15] Genesis 18:25. That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Exodus 34:6-7. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Psalm 96:13. Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. Romans 3:5,26. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man). . . . To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
[16] Psalm 103:5. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 107:8. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Matthew 19:7. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? Romans 2:4. Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
[17] Exodus 34:6. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. Psalm 86:15. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 117:2. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. Hebrews 6:18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. -- Westminster Shorter Catechism With Proof Texts

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13,14)

Faithful people have always been in a marked minority. Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth! (Psalm 12:1), cried David. Note how those two characteristics are conjoined, for piety and faithfulness are inseparable. Compare good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:23). So, too, Solomon exclaimed, A faithful man -- who can find? (Proverbs 20:6). Why is this? Because it is the part of fallen human nature to take the line of least resistance and choose the path easiest to the flesh. -- Arthur Pink (1886-1952), Faithfulness

This, therefore, is the only means of retaining, as well as restoring pure doctrine -- to place Christ before the view such as he is with all his blessings, that his excellency may be truly perceived. -- John Calvin commenting on Colossians 1:12-17

Encouragement from John Calvin for persons who, to some degree, find it necessary to stand alone in order to be obediently to God's calling.

Here Jeremiah confesses that he had departed from the people; but he did so, because he could not have otherwise obeyed God . . . . On account of thy hand; that is, because I attended to what thou [God] hast commanded, nor had I any other object but to obey thee. Hence, On account of thine hand, because I regarded thee and wished wholly to submit to thy will, I sat apart . . . . We see that there is a rule here prescribed to us by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Jeremiah. To refute then the calumnies of those who object to us our separation, this very passage [Jeremiah 15:17] is sufficient. -- John Calvin commenting on Jeremiah 15:17 and context

We are an illiterate nation incapable of understanding great truth. -- C. Gregg Singer (1910-1999)

He that knows nothing will believe anything. -- Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)

At the bottom, all non-Christian systems demand autonomy for man, thereby seeking to dethrone God. -- Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987)

If God does not exist, everything is permitted. -- Fyodor Dostoevski (1821-1881)

It is the duty of God's servants to warn men of their danger, to point out that the way of rebellion against God leads to certain destruction and to call upon them to throw down the weapons of their revolt and flee from the wrath to come.
It is their duty to teach men that they must turn from their idols and serve the living God, otherwise they will eternally perish.
It is their duty to rebuke wickedness wherever it be found and to declare that the wages of sin is death.
This will not make for their popularity, for it will condemn and irritate the wicked, and such plain speaking will seriously annoy them. Those who expose hypocrites, resist tyrants, oppose the wicked, are ever viewed by them as troublemakers. But as Christ declared, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matthew 5:11, 12). -- Arthur Pink (1886-1952), The Life of Elijah

All these "isms" contradict God who created the individual/family prior to the "community!" (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:7,18-25) They claim the community has priority over what god said/did. But "City," or "community" came later, Genesis 4:17. Collectivists dispute with God! That's why they're wrong! These "isms" are at heart, heresies against God and what he did! Secularism has masked this contradiction from the masses, characterizing it as merely an alternative idea! BUT the controversy between the collective and the individual all reduces to what God said, and did! The Humanist wants his views heard -- even as he would muzzle God! -- Dick Knodel

Whatever we hear, read, and experience exclusively, we begin to believe is true. Likewise, whatever we become accustomed to we tend to become fond of, even bad companions and bad associations.

That which we become familiar with we grow fond of. Familiarity breeds fondness and acceptance. Yet tradition is often not Truth.

Cultural literacy is the ability to "read" or make sense of what is happening in our contemporary situation. -- Melvin Tinker, That Hideous Strength: How the West was Lost: The Cancer of Cultural Marxism in the Church and the World, and the Gospel of Change, p. 115

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

It is by the mixture of counterfeit religion with true, not discerned and distinguished, that the devil has had his greatest advantage against the cause and kingdom of Christ. It is by this means, principally, that he has prevailed against all revivings of religion, since the first founding of the Christian church. . . . By this, Satan prevailed against the reformation, began by Luther, Zwinglius, etc., to put a stop to its progress, and bring it into disgrace, ten times more than by all those bloody and cruel persecutions of the church of Rome. By this, principally, has he prevailed against revivals of religion in our nation. By this he prevailed against New England, to quench the love and spoil the joy of her espousals, about a hundred years ago. And I think, I have had opportunity enough to see plainly, that by this the devil has prevailed against the late great revival of religion in New England, so happy and promising in its beginning. -- Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), in the Preface to The Religious Affections

Deuteronomy 13 and Matthew Henry's Commentary.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Beware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy, but not just. Such a God is an idol of your own. -- J.C. Ryle

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
"Ideas have consequences."

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:18,19)

See the Theological Notes: "The Unpardonable Sin," at Mark 3:29 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Hell," at Mark 9:43 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (2 John 9)

Then, when he had expatiated somewhat more fully, and had more copiously illustrated the benefits of its presence [harmony -- compiler], and the ruinous effects of its absence upon a state, Pilus, one of the company present at the discussion, struck in and demanded that the question should be more thoroughly sifted, and that the subject of justice should be freely discussed for the sake of ascertaining what truth there was in the maxim which was then becoming daily more current, that "the republic cannot be governed without injustice." Scipio expressed his willingness to have this maxim discussed and sifted, and gave it as his opinion that it was baseless, and that no progress could be made in discussing the republic unless it was established, not only that this maxim, that "the republic cannot be governed without injustice," was false, but also that the truth is, that it cannot be governed without the most absolute justice. And the discussion of this question, being deferred till the next day, is carried on in the third book with great animation. For Pilus himself undertook to defend the position that the republic cannot be governed without injustice, at the same time being at special pains to clear himself of any real participation in that opinion. He advocated with great keenness the cause of injustice against justice, and endeavored by plausible reasons and examples to demonstrate that the former is beneficial, the latter useless, to the republic. Then, at the request of the company, Lælius attempted to defend justice, and strained every nerve to prove that nothing is so hurtful to a state as injustice; and that without justice a republic can neither be governed, nor even continue to exist.
When this question has been handled to the satisfaction of the company, Scipio reverts to the original thread of discourse, and repeats with commendation his own brief definition of a republic, that it is the weal of the people. "The people" he defines as being not every assemblage or mob, but an assemblage associated by a common acknowledgment of law, and by a community of interests. Then he shows the use of definition in debate; and from these definitions of his own he gathers that a republic, or "weal of the people," then exists only when it is well and justly governed, whether by a monarch, or an aristocracy, or by the whole people. But when the monarch is unjust, or, as the Greeks say, a tyrant; or the aristocrats are unjust, and form a faction; or the people themselves are unjust, and become, as Scipio for want of a better name calls them, themselves the tyrant, then the republic is not only blemished (as had been proved the day before), but by legitimate deduction from those definitions, it altogether ceases to be. . . .
Tully [Cicero -- compiler], himself, too, speaking not in the person of Scipio or any one else, but uttering his own sentiments, uses the following language in the beginning of the fifth book, after quoting a line from the poet Ennius, in which he said, "Rome's severe morality and her citizens are her safeguard." "This verse," says Cicero, "seems to me to have all the sententious truthfulness of an oracle. For neither would the citizens have availed without the morality of the community, nor would the morality of the commons without outstanding men have availed either to establish or so long to maintain in vigor so grand a republic with so wide and just an empire. Accordingly, before our day, the hereditary usages formed our foremost men, and they on their part retained the usages and institutions of their fathers. But our age, receiving the republic as a chef-d'oeuvre of another age which has already begun to grow old, has not merely neglected to restore the colors of the original, but has not even been at the pains to preserve so much as the general outline and most outstanding features. For what survives of that primitive morality which the poet called Rome's safeguard? It is so obsolete and forgotten, that, far from practicing it, one does not even know it. And of the citizens what shall I say? Morality has perished through poverty of great men; a poverty for which we must not only assign a reason, but for the guilt of which we must answer as criminals charged with a capital crime. For it is through our vices, and not by any mishap, that we retain only the name of a republic, and have long since lost the reality. . . ."
For I mean in its own place to show that -- according to the definitions in which Cicero himself, using Scipio as his mouthpiece, briefly propounded what a republic is, and what a people is, and according to many testimonies, both of his own lips and of those who took part in that same debate -- Rome never was a republic, because true justice had never a place in it. But accepting the more feasible definitions of a republic, I grant there was a republic of a certain kind, and certainly much better administered by the more ancient Romans than by their modern representatives. But the fact is, true justice has no existence save in that republic whose founder and ruler is Christ, if at least any choose to call this a republic; and indeed we cannot deny that it is the people's weal.
But if perchance this name, which has become familiar in other connections, be considered alien to our common parlance, we may at all events say that in this city is true justice; the city of which Holy Scripture says, "Glorious things are said of thee, O city of God." -- Augustine in The City of God, Book 2, Chapter 21, Cicero's Opinion of the Roman Republic

Overall, the current research [2009] revealed that only 9 percent of all American adults have a biblical worldview. Among the sixty subgroups of respondents that the survey explored was one defined by those who said they have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is important in their life today, and that they are certain that they will go to Heaven after they die only because they confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their savior. Labeled 'born again Christians,' the study discovered that they were twice as likely as the average adult to possess a biblical worldview. However, that meant that even among born again Christians, less than one out of every five (19 percent), had such an outlook on life.
The same questions were asked of respondents in national surveys by Barna in 1995, 2000 and 2005. The results indicate that the percentage of adults with a biblical worldview, as defined above, has remained unchanged for more than a decade. The numbers show that 7 percent had such a worldview in 1995, compared to 10 percent in 2000, 11 percent in 2005, and 9 percent now [2009]. Even among born again adults, the statistics have remained flat: 18 percent in 1995, 22 percent in 2000, 21 percent in 2005, and 19 percent today. -- "Barna Survey Examines Changes in Worldview Among Christians Over the Past 13 Years," March 6, 2009.
That means, hypothetically, applying this statistic for purposes of general illustration, that if a born again individual with a Biblical worldview sits down in the middle of an Evangelical congregation, then the four persons seated around him, left, right, front, back, statistically do not have a Biblical worldview, which raises doubts that they really have a changed life, and are really true to Christ.
The truth hurts! But these facts need to be known, especially by the new believer, who can be so buffeted about initially by the Adversary, and who can be so susceptible to discouragement.
See also:

"Barna Lists the 12 Most Significant Religious Findings"

"A Biblical Worldview has a Radical Effect on a Person's Life," December 1, 2003

"What People Experience in Church," and

Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affection.

And may I remind you, and I would remind you of this for all times throughout your lives, that in the Western church there are only three basic theologies. There is Thomism (which held sway in the Roman church officially from the Council of Trent to Vatican II) . . . Lutheranism . . . and, thirdly, Calvinism. These are the three theologies which have dominated Western thought. . . .
I would remind you that all other theological systems are, to a lesser or greater extent, negation either of Thomism within the Roman Catholic system, or they are a negation of Lutheranism, or they are, to a lesser or greater extent, a negation of Calvinism. . . .
When enemies of Christianity unleash their attacks on Christianity, if they attack the Roman Catholic system, they always direct their heaviest guns against Thomas Aquinas. This is not an idle gesture. For if they can topple Thomas Aquinas, then the rest of the Roman Catholic structure will fall, because it depends upon Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was a great thinker, no question about it, and had a systematic approach to his position. So if they can destroy him, they can destroy the rest of it.
"But within Protestantism, I would remind you, that the heaviest attacks against the Church always come against Calvinism. Now there is a reason for that, the same reason, in general, which I mentioned in regard to Thomas Aquinas. If the enemies of faith can destroy Calvinism, then those theologies which are, to a greater or lesser extent, negations of Calvinism, will fall under their own weight. Which is to say, that in Calvinism all these other theologies find their resting place, even though they may deny major aspects of the Calvinistic position, they still are supported by it, even though they will not admit it. . . . When they attack Calvinism they are attacking the citadel of the whole Protestant position, even as when they are attacking the Roman Catholic position, they are aiming their heaviest artillery at the fortress known as Thomistic Theology. -- C. Gregg Singer in his address Calvinism and the Reformation

Hope is the measure of true Christianity, which is through and through other-worldly. Pseudo-Christianity always looks chiefly at this world. Popular Christianity is entirely this-worldly and is not interested in the other world. But true Christianity has its eye mainly on the world which is to come . . . This is not our world. I am a stranger here, heaven is my home . . . Such is the Christian position, such is the Christian attitude. The world will call it escapism. Let it call it what it chooses; its language but reminds us of its blindness and darkness. -- Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Romans -- The Perseverance of the Saints

So many times people in the pew and the pulpit say, well how did all this get started? How did psychology descend to its present level? . . . How did political science produce our political thought, produce the dictatorships which are engulfing the modern world? Why are we in the economic mess in which we are today? Why is sociology such a jumble of immorality? Why is education as it is today? Why is art so meaningless? . . . Why is modern music an affront to the modern ears as well as to the mind and ear of God? . . . Why are all these things!? . . .
I would suggest to you that if you will follow this course with thought and care, you will finally come to see the answer to the questions which haunt us today in Western society. -- Singer, C. Gregg (1910-1999), in the Apologetics series of 24 lectures using FROM RATIONALISM TO IRRATIONALITY: THE DECLINE OF THE WESTERN MIND FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE PRESENT (1979) as the text, and delivered in Decatur, Georgia, beginning November, 1979.
Apologetics: #01: Classical and Medieval Thought #1
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Apologetics, 56 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=2250511453

See the Theological Notes: "The Fall" at Genesis 3:6 in The Reformation Study Bible.
But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Genesis 3:3-7)
Matthew Henry commenting on Genesis 3:6-13
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/genesis/3.html
John Gill commenting on Genesis 3:7
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/genesis-3-7.html

See the Theological Notes: "The Law of God," at Exodus 20:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "God is Light: Divine Holiness and Justice" at Leviticus 11:44 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Prophets" at Deuteronomy 18:18 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Demons" at Deuteronomy 32:17 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Honest Speech, Oaths, and Vows," at Nehemiah 5:12 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "General Revelation," at Psalm 19:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. -- The Holy One of Israel (Exodus 20:3)

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them. (Deuteronomy 11:16)

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. (Joshua 24:20)

See the Theological Notes: "One and Three: The Trinity," at Isaiah 44:6 in The Reformation Study Bible.

The Treasury of David, Psalm 89, C.H. Spurgeon
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. (Psalm 89:3,4)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps089.php

Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, in so much that he abhorred his own inheritance.
And he gave them into the hands of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. (Psalm 106:40-42)

The Treasury of David, Psalm 106, commentary by C.H. Spurgeon
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt. (v. 7)
Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. (v. 8)
And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them.(v. 10)
They soon forgat his works. (v. 13)
And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. (v. 15)
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. (v. 19)
Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. (v. 20)
They forgat God their saviour. (v. 21)
Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them. (v. 29)
Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed. (v. 30)
And that was counted unto him for righteousness unto all generations for evermore. (v. 31)
They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them. (v. 34)
But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.(v. 35)
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils. (v. 37)
Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions. (v. 39)
Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, in so much that he abhorred his own inheritance. (v. 40)
And he gave them into the hands of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. (v. 41)
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand. (v. 42)
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. (v. 43)
Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry. (v. 44)
And he remembered for them his covenant. (v. 45)
Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. (v. 47)
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. (v. 48)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps106.php

See the Theological Notes: "Syncretism and Idolatry," at Hosea 2:13 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God," at Romans 1:29 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:7,10)

If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. (He feared that while the tribes went up every year to the temple, the old love to one another would revive, and seeing the palace of the house of David in its magnificence, they might feel regret for having revolted from their ancient line of kings: Jeroboam therefore felt that the temple worship endangered his position. He was a man of a crafty mind, like Ahithophel, and had no fear of God before his eyes, and therefore he resolved to set up a new religion. God's honour was nothing to him. Worldly policy and other base motives have often been the reasons for founding false systems of religion.)
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (Men naturally love ease, and prefer a religion which involves little trouble and inconvenience, hence Jeroboam craftily appealed to this degrading propensity of human nature; but how disgraceful it was on the part of Israel that under such a pretext they should forsake the living God and bow before the image of a bullock. May we never leave the good old paths of truth for the sake of honour, position, gain, or ease. Let us cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart.)
And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. (At both ends of the land, so that none might have far to travel.)
And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. (The true priests were faithful and hence he must needs set up others. This speaks well for the Levites. If all other men become idolaters, God's ministers must not).
And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense. (He dared to take upon himself the priesthood, to change the ordained seasons for worship, to set up a rival altar, and to adore God under a symbolic form. All this was detestable in the sight of God. It is to be feared that in our day many are guilty of Jeroboam's sin, for they invent rites and ceremonies of their own, and forsake the Lord, who is a Spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. O for grace to be faithful to the World of God in all points.), (1 Kings 12:27-33) -- C.H. Spurgeon in Spurgeon's Devotional Bible

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. (This was bravely spoken. The prophet feared not the wrath of the king or of the crowds around him. Messengers of God must not fear the faces of men.), (1 Kings 13:1-3) -- Spurgeon's Devotional Bible

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:21)

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:12)

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:25-26)
This clause ought to be carefully noticed; for we here learn that we ought to shun as a deadly poison whatever cannot be enjoyed without offending God; for the pleasures of sin he calls all the allurements of the world which draw us away from God and our calling. But the comforts of our earthly life, which we are allowed by pure conscience, and God's permission to enjoy, are not included here. Let us then ever remember that we ought to know and understand what God allows us. There are indeed some things in themselves lawful, but the use of which is prohibited to us, owing to circumstances as to time, place, or other things. Hence as to all the blessings connected with the present life, what is ever to be regarded is, that they should be to us helps and aids to follow God and not hindrances. And he calls these pleasures of sin temporary or for a time, because they soon vanish away together with life itself.
"In opposition to these he sets the reproach of Christ, which all the godly ought willingly to undergo. For those whom God has chosen, he has also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his own son; not that he exercises them all by the same kind of reproaches or by the same cross, but that they are all to be so minded as not to decline to undertake the cross in common with Christ. Let every one then bear in mind, that as he is called to this fellowship he is to throw off all hindrances. Nor must we omit to say, that he reckons among the reproaches of Christ all the ignominious trials which the faithful have had to endure from the beginning of the world; for as they were the member of the same body, so they had nothing different from what we have. As all sorrows are indeed the rewards of sin, so they are also the fruits of the curse pronounced on the first man: but whatever wrongs we endure from the ungodly on account of Christ, these he regards as his own. Hence Paul gloried that he made up what was wanting as to the sufferings of Christ. Were we rightly to consider this, it would not be so grievous and bitter for us to suffer for Christ.
"He also explains more fully what he means in this clause by the reproach of Christ, by what he has previously declared when he said, that Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. He could not have otherwise avowed himself as one of God's people, except he had made himself a companion to his own nation in their miseries. Since, then, this is the end, let us not separate ourselves from the body of the Church: whatever we suffer, let us know that it is consecrated on account of the head. So on the other hand he calls those things the treasures of Egypt, which no one can otherwise possess than by renouncing and forsaking the Church. For he had respect unto the recompense of the reward, or for he looked to the remuneration. He proves by the description he gives, that the magnanimity of Moses' mind was owing to faith; for he had his eyes fixed on the promise of God. For he could not have hoped that it would be better for him to be with the people of Israel than with the Egyptians, had he not trusted in the promise and in nothing else.
By faith he forsook Egypt, etc.
This may be said of his first as well as of his second departure, that is, when he brought out the people with him. He then indeed left Egypt when he fled from the house of Pharaoh. Add to this, that his going out is recorded by the Apostle before he mentions the celebration of the Passover. He seems then to speak of the flight of Moses; nor is what he adds, that he feared not the wrath of the king, any objection to this, though Moses himself relates that he was constrained to do so by fear. For if we look at the beginning of his course he did not fear, that is, when he avowed himself to be the avenger of his people. However, when I consider all the circumstances, I am inclined to regard this as his second departure; for it was then that he bravely disregarded the fierce wrath of the king, being armed with such power by God's Spirit, that he often of his own accord defied the fury of that wild beast. It was doubtless an instance of the wonderful strength of faith, that he brought out a multitude untrained for war and burdened with many encumbrances, and yet hoped that a way would be opened to him by God's hand through innumerable difficulties. He saw a most powerful king in a furious rage, and he knew that he would not cease till he had tried his utmost. But as he knew that God had commanded him to depart, he committed the event to him, nor did he doubt but that he would in dug time restrain all the assaults of the Egyptians.
As seeing him who is invisible. Nay, but he had seen God in the midst of the burning bush: this then seems to have been said improperly, and not very suitable to the present subject. I indeed allow, that Moses was strengthened in his faith by that vision, before he took in hand the glorious work of delivering the people; but I do not admit that it was such a view of God, as divested him of his bodily senses, and transferred him beyond the trials of this world. God at that time only showed him a certain symbol of his presence; but he was far from seeing God as he is. Now, the Apostle means, that Moses so endured, as though he was taken up to heaven, and had God only before his eyes; and as though he had nothing to do with men, was not exposed to the perils of this world and had no contests with Pharaoh. And yet, it is certain, that he was surrounded with so many difficulties, that he could not but think sometimes that God was far away from him, or at least, that the obstinacy of the king, furnished as it was with so many means of resistance, would at length overcome him. In short, God appeared to Moses in such a way, as still to leave room for faith; and Moses, when beset by terrors on every side, turned all his thoughts to God. He was indeed assisted to do this, by the vision which we have mentioned; but yet he saw more in God than what that symbol intimated: for he understood his power, and that absorbed all his fears and dangers. Relying on God's promise, he felt assured that the people, though then oppressed by the tyranny of the Egyptians, were already, as it were, the lords of the promised land.
We hence learn, that the true character of faith is to set God always before our eyes; secondly, that faith beholds higher and more hidden things in God than what our senses can perceive; and thirdly, that a view of God alone is sufficient to strengthen our weakness, so that we may become firmer than rocks to withstand all the assaults of Satan. It hence follows, that the weaker and the less resolute any one is, the less faith he has. -- John Calvin commenting on Hebrew 11:25-27

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.
Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem. (Joshua 24: 22-24)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:16)

And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:14b)

The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God.
They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God" at Romans 1:29 and the note at Psalm 14:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Cornelius Van Til makes the theologically valid point that "irrationality in the mind of man, that is, insanity, must be the result of a deflection of man from the source of absolute rationality," God, and consequently "all men have merited insanity because of their departure from God." [Or, not until man repents is he truly sane. -- compiler]. Eternal punishment is "the abyss of irrationalism," and what we call rational or normative experience is a gift of God's common grace. No man is worthy of it." -- Frederick Leahy

See the Theological Notes: "Church Discipline and Excommunication," at Matthew 18:15 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Legalism," at Matthew 23:4 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Antinomianism," at 1 John 3:7 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22)

True worship is due only to One who by reason of His infinite perfections deserves our supreme love, honor, and trust. Angels are the highest order of creatures, yet we are forbidden to worship them. (Deuteronomy 17:3). It is the lack of this knowledge that has caused unbelievers to idolize creatures. For wherever they found any virtue or excellency in the creature, presently they adored and worshipped it. -- William Gurnall (1617-1679)

All three flawed expressions of spirituality [Traditionalism, Legalism, and Superstition -- compiler], have similar results: they enslave people to an unproductive and unsatisfying way of living; they cause them to live in fear a great deal of the time; and they focus attention on their own ability to provide for their safety and well-being rather than nurturing trust in the living God, in whom alone human beings can find life. -- Ravi Zacharias, from The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes us Through the Events of our Lives, p. 190

See the Theological Notes: "The Church," at Ephesians 2:19 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Definite Redemption," at John 10:15 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "The Apostles," at Acts 1:26 in The Reformation Study Bible.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14,15)

The wicked often masquerade as righteous. Their destructive plans, if broadly known, would be sure to meet with resistance from their victims. Indeed, Satan transforms himself into an angel of light in order to deceive the very elect. (2 Corinthians 11:14,15). The soul is the most precious item in creation. Certainly a plan to destroy one's soul must be cloaked in the utmost deceit and hypocrisy. We know of nothing worse than a bad "Christian."

Conflict of will with man is bad enough. It can lead to death. Conflict of will with God is catastrophic.
God is Truth, absolute and unchanging. Thus Truth is associated with eternity, and also life immortal.
Conflict of will with God leads to the Second Death, spiritual death, eternal separation from the thrice holy God of Absolute Truth and Eternal Life.

Soul-violence begins when one individual tries to usurping authority over another, to control and possess them. The means of control may be either outward or occult: possessiveness, deceit, repression or suppression of the truth, soul-stealing, attempts to take authority over another politically or by mental malpractice, denial of freedom, indebtedness, whoredom, espousal without love, and so forth. Abuse of the soul quenches the Holy Spirit.
If either side is immovable, then death is the result of the conflict of will. How are conflicts of will resolved? By submission to the absolute truth of God's word. These observations bear a strain of the Gospel.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:11)

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18)

For what is a man profited if he may gain the whole world, but of his life suffer loss? or what shall a man give as an exchange for his life? -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:26, YLTHB)

There is no counsel, nor prudence, nor strength against the Lord." (Proverbs 21:30)
Unless the blessing of God be present, from which alone we may expect a prosperous issue, all that we attempt will necessarily perish. Since, then, God declares that he is at perpetual war with the unmeasured audacity of men; anything we undertake without his approval will end miserably, even though all creatures above and beneath should earnestly offer us their assistance. -- John Calvin commenting on Genesis 11:7

Take heed of pride, which will make you dote upon your own conceits, and cause you to slight the weightiest reasons that are brought by others, for your conviction. And if once you have espoused an error, it will engage all your wit, and zeal, and diligence to maintain it; it will make you uncharitable; and furious against all that cross you in your way; and so make you either persecutors (if you stand on the higher ground), or sect leaders, or church dividers, and turbulent and censorious, if you are on the lower ground. There is very great reason in Paul's advice for the choice of a bishop, 1 Tim. iii. 6 [1 Timothy 3:6], "Not a novice; lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. . . ." -- Richard Baxter (1615-1691)

Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:25-31) See the annotation in The Reformation Study Bible.

Calvin's Commentaries: Jeremiah 5:30-31
He then adds, And my people have wished it to be so. The common people, no doubt, exculpated themselves, as they do at this day, who hold forth this excuse as their shield, 'O, we are not learned, we have never been in school, and what can we do but to follow our bishops?' Thus, then, at this day, the lower orders, the multitude, seek to cast off every blame from themselves. But the Prophet says here, that the people loved to have things so. And, doubtless, we shall find that to be ever true which is said in Deuteronomy 13:3, that when false prophets come, it is for the purpose of trying God's people, whether they from the heart love God. It is then his object to try our religion, whenever he gives loose reins to impostors and false prophets: for every one who truly loves God will be preserved by his Spirit from being led away by such deceivers. When, therefore, ignorant men are deluded, it is certain that they are justly punished for their neglect and contempt of God, because they have not been sufficiently attentive to his service; yea, because they have wished for impostors, according to what has been also often said by the monks, "The world wishes to be deceived, let it be deceived in the name of the devil." These impostors have become so shameless, as to boast that they are the ministers of Satan to deceive men. However, that common saying has been found true; for the world is never deceived except with its own consent, and willingly; for those who are the most ignorant close their eyes against clear light, and shun God as much as they can, and seek to hide themselves in darkness, according to what Christ says,
Whosoever committeth sin hateth the light. (John 3:20)
The Prophet adds in the last place, And what will ye do at last, or at the end of it? Some omit the pronoun h, he; and others apply it to the false prophets and the priests; but the Prophet, I have no doubt, refers to Jerusalem, What will ye do at the end of it? For we know that as Jerusalem had been founded by God's hand, and while it had him as its protector and guardian, it was safe; but this was a false confidence, when they despised God and gloried in their wickedness. What, then, he says, will ye do at the end of it? as though he had said, "You deceive yourselves, if you think that this city will be perpetual; for its overthrow is nigh at hand: what then will ye do, when the city itself shall be destroyed, except that you shall be all destroyed together with it?
Prayer
Grant, Almighty God, that since we have been hitherto extremely deaf to thy many exhortations, and also to those threatenings by which thou hast sharply stimulated us to repentance, -- O grant, that this perverseness may not always remain in us, but that we may at length submit to thee, not only for a short time, but continually, so that we may to the end devote ourselves wholly to thee, and thus glorify thy name, that we may at last become partakers of that glory, which has been procured for us by the blood of thy only -- begotten Son. -- Amen -- John Calvin commenting on Jeremiah 5:30-31

Calvin's Commentaries: Jeremiah 14:15-16
It is certain that except the world winningly sought falsehoods, the power of the devil to deceive would not be so great. When men therefore are led astray by impostures, it happens through their own fault, inasmuch as they are more ready to embrace vanity than to submit to God and his word. [No one is ever deceived except by his own will. -- compiler]. And we must remember that saying of Paul, that all the reprobate are blinded and given up to a reprobate mind, because they willfully seek falsehood, and will not obey the truth. (Romans 1:28). And on this account God declares that he tries the hearts of men, whenever false prophets come abroad; for every one who really fears God shall by no means be led away by the deceits of Satan and of impostors. Hence, whenever men are too credulous and readily embrace deceptions, it is certain that their hypocrisy is thus justly punished by God. And it was well known to the Prophet, that the Jews ever wished for such prophets as soothed their ears and promised them an abundant harvest and a fruitful vintage. (Micah 2:11). As then they had itching ears, a liberty was justly given to Satan to deluge the whole land with falsehood; and so indeed it happened. There is then no wonder that the Lord was so severe in chastising the people; for they had not been deceived except through their own fault. The same thing happens at this day. Though we are touched with pity when we see the ministers of Satan prevail in deceiving the common people: yet we must remember that a reward is rendered by heaven for the impiety of men, who either extinguish or smother the light of God as much as they can, and seek to plunge into darkness. -- John Calvin commenting on Jeremiah 14:15-16

Calvin's Commentaries: Micah 2:11
In short, Micah intimates that the Israelites rejected all sound doctrine, for they sought nothing but flatteries, and wished to be cherished in their vices; yea, they desired to be deceived by false adulation to their own ruin. It hence appears that they were not the people they wished to be deemed, that is, the people of God: for the first condition in God's covenant was, -- that he should rule among his people. Inasmuch then as these men would not endure to be governed by Divine power, and wished to have full and unbridled liberty, it was the same as though they had banished God far from them. Hence, by this proof, the Prophet shows that they had wholly departed from God, and had no intercourse with him. If there be then any man walking in the spirit, let him, he says, keep far from the truth; for he will not otherwise be borne by this people. -- How so? Because they will not have honest and faithful teachers. What is then to be done? Let flatterers come, and promise them plenty of wine and strong drink, and they will be their best teachers, and be received with great applause: in short, the suitable teachers of that people were the ungodly; the people could no longer bear the true Prophets; their desire was to have flatterers who were indulgent to all their corruptions.
Prayer.
Grant, Almighty God, that since we cannot otherwise really profit by thy word, than by having all our thoughts and affections subjected to thee, and offered to thee as a sacrifice, -- O grant, that we may suffer thee, by the sound of thy word, so to pierce through everything within us, that being dead in ourselves, we may live to thee, and never suffer flatteries to become our ruin but that we may, on the contrary, patiently endure reproofs, however bitter they may be, only let them serve to us as medicine, by which our inward vices may be cleansed, until at length being thoroughly cleansed and formed into new creatures, we may, by a pious and holy life, really glorify thy name, and be received into that celestial glory, which has been purchased for us by the blood of thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. -- John Calvin commenting on Micah 2:11

Heresy is a gross and dangerous error, voluntarily held and factiously maintained by some person or persons within the visible church, in opposition to some chief or substantial truth or truths grounded upon and drawn from the holy Scripture by necessary consequence. -- George Gillespie

Pseudo-Christian movements and hypocrisy within the church evidence and reinforce the Majesty and Lordship of the True and Living God -- even the wicked must feign obedience to Him. The wicked must masquerade as righteous.

G.K. Chesterton summed up well this sorry state of affairs by declaring, "The modern world is full of old Christian virtues gone mad." This statement reveals how man, duped by this enemy, misapplies and misappropriates the virtues of God and Christianity to mask his evil. The bottom line, according to Proverbs 12:10b, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. -- Rusty Lee Thomas

Three of the most influential pseudo-Christian movements in the West are Roman Catholicism, Arminianism, and Pentecostalism. -- John W. Robbins

The doctrine of God's sovereignty repudiates the heresy of salvation by works. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12). The way which "seems right" and which ends in "death," eternal death, is salvation by human effort and merit.
The belief in salvation by works is one that is common to human nature. . . . Many preachers are saying, God is willing to do His part, if you will do yours, is a wretched and excuseless denial of the Gospel of His grace. To declare that God helps those who help themselves is to repudiate one of the most precious truths taught in the Bible! The Bible alone, teaches that God helps those who are unable to help themselves, who have tried again and again only to fail. To say that the sinner's salvation turns upon the action of his own will is another form of the God-dishonoring dogma of salvation by human efforts. In the final analysis, any movement of the will is a work: it is something from me, something which I do.
But the doctrine of God's sovereignty lays the axe at the root of this evil tree by declaring, it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16). Does someone say, Such a doctrine will drive sinners to despair! The reply is Be it so; it is just such despair, that the writer longs to see prevail. It is not until the sinner despairs of any help from himself, that he will ever fall into the arms of sovereign mercy. But if once the Holy Spirit convicts him that there is no help in himself, then he will recognize that he is lost, and will cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" And such a cry will be heard!
If the author may be allowed to bear personal witness, he has found during the course of his ministry that, the sermons he has preached on human depravity, the sinner's helplessness to do anything himself, and the salvation of the soul turning upon the sovereign mercy of God have been those most owned and blessed in the salvation of the lost.
We repeat, then, a sense of utter helplessness is the first prerequisite to any sound conversion. There is no salvation for any soul until it looks away from itself, looks to something, yes, to Someone, outside of itself! -- A.W. Pink in The Sovereignty of God

Regrettably the most powerful, the most pervasive false systems in our culture, are overlooked by many anti-cult ministries.
The denial of God by the Socinian, Pelagian, Arminian, Antinomian, Erastian, Prelatic, Atheistic, non-dualistic, egalitarian, pluralistic, polytheistic, tolerant, morally relativistic, Secular Humanistic State is the leading obstacle to the coming Kingdom of Christ and to covenant economy. If the God-ordained institution of the State would punish wrongdoers, then the pseudo-Christian and anti-Christian cults would be repressed and suppressed, they would neither exert their destabilizing influence on society, nor would they oppress and destroy the innocent with impunity.
The venerated Roman Catholic Institution (the Reformers, including Luther and Calvin, considered the Pope to be the Antichrist), continues to standby in ruthless opposition to the progress of Western Civilization under the Protestant and Covenanted Reformations.
Freemasonry, including its many splinter associations, had its origins in 17th century Scotland, an apparently reaction to The Covenanted Reformation of Scotland, the highest attainment of Christianity in history, and has a pervasive grip on major Protestant institutions, and the workplace. See THE ORIGINS OF FREEMASONRY: SCOTLAND'S CENTURY, 1590-1710.
Christianity is the highest ethical standard known to mankind. Yet all the cults deny Christ's Crown and Covenant, and therefore, are in a conflict of will with the absolute justice of the Christian ethic and, consequently, they are destructive of society and individuals. As can be seen by a discerned look at the Gospel message of salvation, conflict of will leads to death. Christ took away the sin of the world, and gave the elect life eternal.

Selfishness and pride will blind even the gifted and learned to the truth. Lust for power and the will to play God will blind us to the truth. Intense nationalistic pride, political bent, alienation during secular schooling, or personal ambitions blind us to the "evident connection between Absolute Truth, sovereign authority, holiness, life, loving obedience, moral behavior, sanctification, justice, freedom (political, economic, and individual), social stability, and real progress. . . ." -- Preface to Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal

To the world -- that is to unbelieving unregenerate men -- who dislike and despise genuine Christianity, and genuine Christians, of whom it is quite possible some may be now hearing me, I have to say, Behold your character, and reflect on your danger. You have a heart-dislike of truly good men; and if it does not break out in reproach and injury, it is the effect of the restraining influences of the circumstances in which you are placed. If you dislike genuine Christianity and genuine Christians, it is because you dislike Christ; and if you dislike Christ, it is because you dislike God, being "enemies by evil works"; and if you dislike God and Christ, it is because you do not know them aright, being "alienated from them through the ignorance that is in you"; and if you do not know them aright, it is because you will not receive the knowledge of God and Christ, "not liking" to receive nor "to retain the knowledge of God," though clearly stated and abundantly confirmed. Your ill-will and its consequences are no proper cause of shame to Christians, but they are a very proper cause of shame to yourselves. How do good men, how do angels, wonder at you? -- how does the devil, whom you serve, despise you? What must the end be, if you remain in your present state -- if you persist in your present course? -- John Brown (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858), Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, III:398

The Pagan/Occult Revival and the rise in Violent/Destructive Crime can be stopped by the punishment of individuals and organizations who violate first God's Law, The Ten Commandments, and then man's law. But man has corrupted law to take the liberty and property of his neighbors as Frederic Bastiat has so beautifully articulated in his 19th century work THE LAW.
The difference between God's laws and man's laws? God perfectly enforces his laws. Man is unable to perfectly enforce his laws.
The administration of justice in the legal system depends upon being true to the Trinitarian God who has taught mankind the difference between right and wrong in The Holy Bible.
Punishment does not change the heart of depraved man. Only God can change the heart. However, punishment changes behavior, and, if it is based upon God's Law as revealed in The Holy Bible, both represses and suppresses evil, and protects the innocent who suffer at the hands of the wrongdoer.
The State was divinely ordained to punish wrongdoers. There is an evident correlation between the decline of historic, orthodox, Reformed Christianity and the politicization, the secularizing, and the corruption of the Legal Sector and the Court System for the purpose of taking the property and the liberty of the individual. Departure of the State from the Law of God is analogous to non-duality, polytheism, heresy, syncretism, toleration, temporization, invasiveness, bondage, loss of liberty, declension, and destruction. (See Frederick Bastiat, The Law and C. Gregg Singer, A Theological Interpretation of American History).

Heresies have the purpose of proving what is true. The charges then are, among others: Pseudo-christianity, Religiosity covering moral corruption (Christianity is the highest ethical standard known to mankind), Denial of the inspiration and infallibility of scripture, Irrationality, Radicalism, Mysticism, Will-worship [anti-regulativism], Arminianism, Antinomianism, Legalism, Religious pluralism and tolerationism [anti-establishmentarianism], A refusal to recognize lawful civil government as the ordinance of God, Syncretism, Pelagianism, False gospels, Unholy Alliance, 'Restorationist' Christianity, Anti-paedobaptism, Perfectionism, Societal escapism, Pietism, Denial of the perpetual obligation of social covenanting, Schism, Sectarianism, Independency, Brownism, Erastianism, Separation, Socialism, Communism, Familism, Carnality and flesh pleasing, Condoning carnal knowledge outside of marriage, Effeminacy, the effeminate, Pacifism, Cowardice, Hypocrisy, Machiavellianism, Priestcraft, pharisaism, soul-stealing, Occultism, Soul-violence, and so forth, and so on.

Trusting in men instead of trusting in God results in incompetence and corruption
The unregenerate, the skeptic, regardless of their level in society, look to men for their livelihood and well-being, instead of trusting in God to prepare a table before me in the face of mine enemies, to care for them and to satisfy their needs throughout life, a lesson that King David learned and expressed in Psalm 23:5,6. They are blind to spiritual values and swallowed up by needs of the flesh.
The skeptic, who can not trust God, is more worried about loosing his job than he is worried about job duties, responsibilities, and performance. This inevitably leads to incompetence and corruption in the workplace.
This obsessive preoccupation with job security, whether conscious or sub-conscious, also applies to elected officials, from top to bottom, who make demands on subordinates to not "rock the boat," to not jeopardize their popularity with the electorate, leading to the observation that "all bureaucracies are incompetent and corrupt."
The "savvy" Washington bureaucrat is "hog-tied" because he is more interested in "covering his butt," not jeopardizing his easy, secure, well-paying, lifetime "career" with retirement and benefits, than in carrying out his responsibilities, especially regulatory or enforcement duties (i.e. the Securities and Exchange Commission). The net effect is paralysis in the workplace. Friday evening rush hour in Washington, DC is said to be the most sluggish of any city in the country.
Calvin unfolds Scripture on this fact of the incompetence and corruption of the unregenerate, the blind, in their fearful pursuit of fleshly needs. See his commentary on: Proverbs 1:7, Genesis 4:7, Genesis 25:29-34, Hebrews 2:14,15, and Matthew 16:26.

In the mid-70's (probably about April 6, 1976), I viewed a unforgettable Merv Griffin show. The studio audience was emptied, and a panel of experts in criminal science, psychiatry, clinical psychology, theology, and so forth, interviewed a contract killer, a Mafia hit-man, named "Joey," Max Kurschner, with 38 kills. He was later convicted on minor charges including tax fraud. See: KILLER: AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A MAFIA HIT MAN (1973), a New York Times bestseller. (On November 2013 Reelin'In The Years Productions said the program was among the two thirds that did not survive in official archives. "Joey" was interviewed on other programs at the time.)
Near the end of the show one panel member asked "Joey" why he had killed 38 men, and why he had continued to kill. He answered, without hesitation, that it was because taking another man's life gave him a personal sense of great glory.
Lesson learned: A personal sense of great glory is not exclusively a sign of goodness, but, instead can be a sign of horrible wrongdoing. Some individuals associate glory with God alone. And they associate personal glory exclusively with acts of goodness. But, in fact, a sense of glory may be a most dangerous temptation to any of us. There is glory in righteousness, and then there is glory in iniquity.
Therefore, unregenerate leadership (churchmen, politicians, lawyers, educators, physicians, business leaders, etc.), "working the crowd" will blindly lead the crowd [our nation], directly into the jaws of Hell. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. (Proverbs 8:35,36)
"Diversity and inclusion," along with injustice, IS toleration, and toleration has been the death knell of ANY and ALL societies, present and past.
The highest ethical standard known to mankind is historic, orthodox, reformed Christianity. What have you been standing for?
Glory in Iniquity, the Temptation of Vainglory
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#glryinqty

The depravity of man is at once the most empirically verifiable reality, but at the same time the most intellectually resisted fact. (Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21b; Ecclesiastes 9:3b; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 3:3-5) -- Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990). See John Calvin's Commentary on Isaiah Chapter 33 [Isaiah 33:1-66].

Some things God says about false teachers:

1. They are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15-16)
2. They are practicers of lawlessness. (Matthew 7:22-23)
3. They are hypocrites. (Matthew 15:7-9)
4. They are thieves. (John 10:1)
5. They are slaves of their own appetites. (Romans 16:18)
6. They are men of flesh. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
7. They are peddlers of the word of Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:17)
8. They are accursed. (Galatians 1:6-8)
9. They are tricksters and schemers. (Ephesians 4:14)
10. They are deluders. (Ephesians 4:14)
11. They are deceivers. (Colossians 2:8)
12. They are defrauders. (Colossians 2:18-19)
13. They are teachers of strange doctrine. (1 Timothy 1:3)
14. They are blasphemers, and have been handed over to Satan. (1 Timothy 1:19-20)
15. They are teachers of myth. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
16. They are paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
17. They are liars. (1 Timothy 4:1-3) s
18. They are conceited and understand nothing. (1 Timothy 6:3-4)
19. They have gone astray. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
20. They are evil men, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)
21. They are empty talkers, after sordid gain. (Titus 1:10-11)
22. They turn away from the truth. (Titus 1:13-14)
23. They are false prophets, false teachers, greedy exploiters. (2 Peter 2:1-4)
24. They are stains and blemishes, greedy, loving of wages of unrighteousness. (2 Peter 2:13-15)
25. They are slaves of corruption. (2 Peter 2:19-20)
26. They are ungodly. (Jude 4)
27. They are rebellious people. (Isaiah 30:9) -- Eddie Harper

A. Crimes against God: religious offenses (punishable by the death penalty)
[Surprisingly covetousness and theft do not appear specifically in the following listings. Yet the 10th of the Decalogue summarizes the previous nine. -- compiler]

1. Idolatry
2. Infant sacrifice
3. Witchcraft, divination and spiritualism
4. Blasphemy (taking the name of the Lord in vain)
5. False prophecy
6. Sabbath-breaking
7. Defiance of the authority of God's law

B. Crimes against man: civil offenses (also punishable by the death penalty)

1. Homicide [this would include abortion, infanticide, physician assisted suicide, some "iatrogenic" deaths, killing the elderly, genocide, and so forth -- compiler]
2. Assault and battery against one's own parents
3. Sodomy or homosexuality
4. Adultery
5. Fornication by the daughter of a priest
6. Rape out-of-doors
7. Incest (see the article for degrees of relatedness)
8. Cursing of one's mother or father
9. Consistent disobedience and willfulness of a young man toward his parents
10. Kidnapping for the purpose of selling into slavery
11. Malicious prosecution and perjury in a charge of murder -- G.L. Archer, "Crimes and Punishments," in The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, volume 1, pp. 1030-1036

John Ankerberg and John Weldon have written over 70 books on pseudo-Christian movements. In the 80s it was said that there were over 600 books exposing corruption in America. (An advanced search in Worldcat.org on November 14, 2017, using the key word "political corruption," resulted in "about 107,953" records.

Experts of every kind are in the perfect position to exploit you. -- from the Contents of Freakonomics: A Rogue Economists Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

You only have one life, it will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last. -- C.T. Studd
Make your life count for eternity.
Give up your small ambitions and follow Christ! -- Peter Hammond

Is this not one of the magnificent promises?
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. (Psalm 125:3,4)
"Their heavenly Father, it is true, loves them most tenderly, but he will have them awakened by the cross . . . . The reason is added why God will not suffer the wicked always to triumph over the righteous -- namely, lest the just, overcome by temptation, abandon themselves wholly to sinning, a reason which ought to be carefully marked. Hence we gather that God, from his willingness to bear with our weakness, moderates our adversities. Although, then, we may not possess in ourselves a sufficient amount of fortitude and constancy to enable us to persevere in our duty for a single moment, yet let this sentiment be present to our minds, That God will take care that, broken as we may be by afflictions, we shall not forsake his service. -- John Calvin commenting on Psalm 125:3 and context

There are thousands of people who have had some form of emotional experience that they refer to as conversion but who have never been truly converted to Christ. Christ demands a change in the way you live -- and if your life does not conform to your experience, then you have every reason to doubt your experience. -- Billy Graham (1918-2018), Peace With God, p. 135

The Christ is the only One truly called. . . . The flesh has always struggled against Him, as we see when we survey the history of God's people. The struggle was especially acute at Golgotha. -- S.G. De Graaf in Promise and Deliverance

Adams, Jay E. (1929-2020), A Call to Discernment: Distinguishing Truth from Error in Today's Church, ISBN: 0890815887 9780890815885, 139 pages.
"The contemporary church lacks discernment. Christians attempt to sort out life from a conglomerate of 'misinformation, disinformation, distortion, and truth.' The Bible calls you to develop discernment, as opposed to the mentality which views discernment as synonymous with self-righteous heresy-hunting. Presents a plan for readers to grow in discernment. 'Discernment thrives in an atmosphere of absolutes, among people whose minds have been molded to think antithetically.' How can you develop biblical discernment? Here's both the what-to and the how-to." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)

Alexander, Archibald (1772-1851), Future Punishment; or, The Universalist Refuted.
Unitarian Universalists.

Alexander, Archibald B.D. (Browning Drysdale, 1855-1931), Theories of the Will in the History of Philosophy.

Alleine, Joseph (1634-1668), A Sure Guide to Heaven or An Alarm to the Unconverted, ISBN: 0851510817 9780851510811. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"The book that is a must read by all people who claim themselves to be genuinely converted or born again. Read this book and you'll be benefited from detail exhortation given in this book with regards to the subject of true conversion and the unconverted." -- Reader's Comment

Almy, Gary, and Carol Tharp Almy, with Jerry Jenkins, Addicted to Recovery: Exposing the False Gospel of Psychotherapy: Escaping the Trap of Victim Mentality, ISBN: 1565071859 9781565071858.
"The Almys are medical doctors who have written a polemic against the pop psychologies that have recently swept into the church. Through a series of detailed case studies, they portray the dynamics operative in therapeutically-induced false memories, the healing of memories, multiple personality disorder, unmet love needs, and codependency." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)

*Ames, William (d. 1633), The Saint's Security Against Seducing Spirits, or an Anointing From the Holy One, the best teaching, delivered in a sermon on I John 2:20 [1 John 2:20], at Paul's before the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commonality of the City of London, upon the fifth of November, 1651, Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

Anderson, John, Against Occasional Hearing on Proverbs 19:27, a sermon. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #19.
http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/8/18/john-andersons-sermon-against-occasional-hearing-on-proverbs-1927

Ankerberg, John, and John Weldon, The Coming Darkness, ISBN: 1565070232 9781565070233.

Ankerberg, John, and John Weldon, Cult Watch: What you Need to Know About Spiritual Deception, ISBN: 0890818517 9780890818510.
"Provides historical background and vital facts on the major beliefs of modern religious movements in question and answer format." -- GCB

Ankerberg, John, The Facts on False Teaching in the Church, ISBN: 0890817146 9780890817148.
"If you are concerned about the new philosophies and psychologies that are infiltrating today's churches, THE FACTS ON FALSE TEACHING IN THE CHURCH is an invaluable resource to help you judge which teachings are biblical and which are not." -- Publisher

*Ashe, Simeon (d. 1662), The Church Sinking, Saved by Christ: Set out in a Sermon Preached [Isaiah 63:5], Before the Right Honourable the House of Lords, in the Abby-Church at Westminster, on Wednesday, Febr. 26. 1644, Being the day of the Monthly Publike Fast [Isaiah 63:5]. Isaiah 63:5 at BibleGateway. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

*Augustine, Saint (Aurelius Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 AD), On the Trinity (c. 391, De Trinitata), ISBN: 0511020287 9780511020285. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Revised and annotated, with an introductory essay by W.G.T. Shedd. Shedd states that 'this particular treatise is perhaps as pregnant and suggestive as any that Augustine, or any other theologian, ever composed. The doctrine of the Trinity is the most immense of all the doctrines of religion. It is foundational theology. Christianity, in the last analysis, is Trinitarian . . . The Trinity is the constitutive idea of the evangelical theology, and the formative idea of the evangelical experience . . . Mysterious as it is, the Trinity of Divine Revelation is the doctrine that holds in it all the hope of man; for it holds within it the infinite pity of the Incarnation and the infinite mercy of the Redemption." -- Publisher

Barger, Eric, From Rock To Rock: The Music of the Darkness Exposed, ISBN: 0910311617 9780910311618.
"Eric Barger, for twenty years involved in the Rock music industry, offers solid, Biblical counsel for parents and teens wondering what to do about Rock music. Includes the first Music Rating System classifying 1500 groups and artists." -- Publisher

Barna, George, The Barna Report 1992-93: America Renews its Search for God.
"Barna's WHAT AMERICANS BELIEVE captures a snapshot of American Christianity in 1991. This totally-new election-year edition updates the picture! . . . Vital information is easy to grasp with key charts and graphs (more detailed tables appear in the appendix), and easy to apply practical action steps." -- CBD

*Barna, George, What Americans Believe: An Annual Survey of Values and Religious Views in the United States, ISBN: 0830715053 9780830715053.
"Our society is changing in ways that have dramatic implications for the future of morality, ethics, and the Christian church. Three quarters of young adults in this country believe there is no absolute truth -- a major change from older generations which tend to believe in absolute truth. WHAT AMERICANS BELIEVE gives a clear, up-to-the-minute picture of the mores, beliefs, and religious attitudes of Americans. It is based on an annual survey conducted by the Barna Research Group and covers 65 questions about values, life-style, and religious beliefs." A tool to reshape ministerial strategies.
Barna Research
http://www.barna.org/

Barron, Bruce, The Health and Wealth Gospel: What's Going on Today in a Movement That has Shaped the Faith of Millions? ISBN: 0877843279 9780877843276.
"Barron probes the teachings of prominent preachers like Charles Capps, Kenneth Hagin, and Kenneth Copeland. Can we have whatever we ask from God? Can we see a 100-fold return on our Kingdom investment? Is sickness a sign of a lack of faith? These and other claims are examined fully and fairly." -- GCB

Baxter, Richard (1615-1691), The Causes and Danger of Slighting Christ and His Gospel: or Eternal Salvation Made Light of by Multitudes . . . Written by . . . Richard Baxter. Abridged by Benjamin Fawcett, M.A. The third edition Shrewsbury, 1776.

*Bickersteth, Edward, The Trinity: The Classic Study of Biblical Trinitarianism, ISBN: 0825423945 9780825423949. A Christian classic.
"A must for gaining a grasp of the doctrine of the Trinity." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)
Bickersteth, The Trinity by E.H. Bickersteth
http://archive.org/details/TheTrinityByEHBickersteth

Bowker, John, Jesus and the Pharisees, ISBN: 0521200555 9780521200554.
"Briefly annotated translations of passages from Josephus, the Mishnah, Tosefta, and the Talmuds, shedding light on the Pharisees and their conflict with Jesus Christ. Of value to the student of the New Testament. For some of the materials included in this volume, there is no other standard English version available." -- Cyril J. Barber

Breese, Dave, Satan's Ten Most Believable Lies, ISBN: 0802476759 9780802476753.

*Brown, John (of Haddington, 1722-1787), The Absurdity and Perfidy of all Authoritative Toleration of Gross Heresy, Blasphemy, Idolatry, Popery, in Britain. In two letters to a friend in which the doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith [1646] relative to Toleration of a False Religion, and the power of the civil magistrate about sacred matters; and the nature, origin, ends and obligation of the National Covenant and Solemn League are candidly represented and defended, 1797. Alternate title: A COMPEND OF THE LETTERS OF THE REV. JOHN BROWN, LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN HADDINGTON: ON AUTHORITATIVE TOLERATION OF GROSS HERESY, BLASPHEMY, IDOLATRY, POPERY IN BRITAIN, AND ON NATIONAL COVENANTING; IN WHICH THE DOCTRINE OF THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH . . . AND OF THE NATIONAL COVENANT AND SOLEMN LEAGUE ARE CANDIDLY REPRESENTED AND DEFENDED, 1797, and "REFORMATION ATTAINMENTS VERSUS BACKSLIDING RELIGIOUS PROFESSORS," appears to be an excerpt. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #7, #25, #26.
The Absurdity and Perfidy of all Authoritative Toleration of Gross Heresy, Blasphemy, Idolatry, Popery, in Britain
http://archive.org/details/absurdityperfidy00brow
"Reformation Attainments Versus Backsliding Religious Professors (excerpt from THE ABSURDITY AND PERFIDY OF ALL AUTHORITATIVE TOLERATION . . .
"Here Brown deals with three major Reformation attainments (anti-tolerationism, establishmentarianism and the obligations of lawful covenants as they biblically bind posterity), that Satan has always been especially concerned to overthrow -- in every major demonic move to open the floodgates of lawlessness, anarchy and misrule. Fletcher, in the preface to the 1797 edition, relates this truth as it comes to bear on various religious professors, stating, 'Papists were enemies to our covenants because they were a standard lifted up against their system of abominable idolatries. Episcopalians were enemies to them, because they were a standard lifted up against their anti-scriptural church-officers and inventions of men in the worship of God. Some Presbyterians are enemies to them in our day through ignorance of their nature and ends; and others through fear of being too strictly bound to their duty.' (cited in Johnston, Treasury of the Scottish Covenant, p. 486)
"A History of Heresy
"It is also interesting to note the long list of backsliders and heretics that often oppose one or more of these points. 'The ancient Donatists, a sect of Arian separatists, who appeared about the beginning of the 4th century, seem to have been among the first who held out these opinions to the Christian world. Feeling the weight of the arm of power for their schismatical practices, by way of reprisal, they stripped the magistrate of all power in religion; -- maintaining that he had no more power about religious matters than any private person, and refusing him the right of suppressing the propagators of doctrines different from those professed by the Church, or the observers of a different form of worship. From them the German Anabaptists adopted the same views. Then the Socinians (i.e. an early form of Scripture-denying liberals -- RB), and remonstrant Arminians, whenever the magistrate ceased to patronize their cause. The English Independents during the time of the Long Parliament were the zealous supporters of the same opinions. In their rage for liberty of conscience, they formed the strongest opposition in the Westminster Assembly which the Presbyterians had to encounter. Through their influence that venerable body was much embarrassed (hindered -- RB), in their proceeding; and by their means (in collusion with that "Judas of the Covenant," Cromwell -- RB), certain passages of the Confession of Faith never obtained the ratification of the English Parliament. The English Dissenters of the present age are generally in the same views, especially the Socinians, the Arians, and the Quakers, who have most to dread from the Laws of the Land against their blasphemies. And who knows not that the high reputation of Mr. Locke as a Philosopher . . . has given these opinions such an air of respectability, that many youth in the Universities have been thereby inclined to embrace them?' (Preface, pp. vi-vii).
"The Covenantal Hammer Smashing the Idols of our day
"In our day the tree of toleration (and the anti-Scriptural principles which logically grow out of it), has spread its branches in ways that could have never been envisioned by those that took the first steps away from biblical and covenanted uniformity. What Brown is fighting against here is an error so foundational that when left unchecked it permeates all of society, cutting out the foundational roots that are necessary for all national Reformations. And if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Ps. 11:3 [Psalm 11:3]). Furthermore, as the preface notes 'liberty of conscience and of opinion' are 'the great idols of the day.' Here Brown takes out his covenantal hammer and smashes these idols with an inconoclastic zeal worthy of our earlier Reformed forefathers. This book is especially useful in answering the persistent fear and questions that always arise when these old Reformed views are discussed: that is, the questions dealing with religious persecution. Brown spends much time in clearing the Westminster Divines of such false charges, while also setting these controversial Reformed teachings on a thoroughly biblical foundation.
"Westminster's View of the 'Everlasting' Solemn League and Covenant
"Interestingly, in the section defending the continuing obligation of the National and Solemn League and Covenant, we also note that the Westminster Assembly considered the Solemn League and Covenant an 'everlasting covenant.' Brown cites the following as proof, 'That the body of the English nation also swore the Solemn League and Covenant, is manifest. The Westminster Assembly and English Parliament, affirm, 'The honourable house of Parliament, the Assembly of Divines, the renowned city of London, and multitudes of other persons of all ranks and quality in this nation, and the whole body of Scotland, have all sworn it, rejoicing at the oath so graciously seconded from heaven. God will, doubtless, stand by all those, who with singleness of heart shall now enter into an everlasting covenant with the Lord.' (p. 161, emphasis added). The footnote tells us that the words Brown was quoting were taken from 'Exhortation to take the Covenant, February, 1644.'
"Our Modern Day Malignants
"Brown also includes a helpful section on a point some modern day malignants are once again attempting to use to overthrow the biblical attainments of the Covenanted Reformation. This section shows that 'the intrinsic obligation of promises, oaths, vows, and covenants which constitutes their very essence or essential form, is totally and manifestly distinct from the obligation of the law of God in many respects.' (p. 120)
"Brown's Dying Testimony to his Children
"Finally, we cite a portion of Brown's dying testimony to his children given in the introduction (p. xix). Such testimonies, from notable Christian leaders, often contain singularly pertinent charges to their hearers. (For another notable example of this see James Renwick's dying testimony, as he was about to be martyred for his adherence to the Solemn League and Covenant, when he recounts what was later to become most of the terms of communion in Covenanted Presbyterian churches. This testimony can be found in Thompson's A CLOUD OF WITNESSES FOR THE ROYAL PREROGATIVES OF JESUS CHRIST BEING THE LAST SPEECHES AND TESTIMONIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FOR THE TRUTH IN SCOTLAND SINCE . . . 1680. Here are Brown's dying words to his children: 'Adhere constantly, cordially and honestly to the Covenanted Principles of the Church of Scotland, and to that Testimony which hath been lifted up for them. I fear a generation is rising up which will endeavour silently,' (O how prophetic!), 'to let slip these matters, as if they were ashamed to hold them fast, or even to speak of them' (as with many "reformed" publishers and preachers today, who dare not touch the topics Brown deals with in this book -- RB). 'May the Lord forbid that any of you should ever enter into this confederacy against Jesus Christ and his cause! This from a dying father and minister, and a witness for Christ' (Signed) 'John Brown'."
"Do you Have What it Takes?
"If you have the courage to compare the original Reformed faith with that which is often promoted under its name today (and in many ways the old Reformed faith bears little resemblance to the 'new light' Reformers and innovators of our day), then this is an ideal book to obtain and study." -- Reg Barrow
Following are three works related to THE ABSURDITY AND PERFIDY OF ALL AUTHORITATIVE TOLERATION OF GROSS HERESY, BLASPHEMY, IDOLATRY, POPERY, IN BRITAIN by John Brown of Wamphray.
1. Barrow, Reg, Calvin, Covenanting, Close Communion and the Coming Reformation, 1996, a book review of ALEXANDER AND RUFUS . . . by John Anderson, 1862. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Shows how Calvin practiced covenanting and close communion and how the biblical view of these ordinances is intended to purify the individual, church and nation. Refutes the Popish, Independent and paedocommunion heresies -- as well as all views of open communion (so common in our day). Also argues that Arminians, anti-paedobaptists, anti-regulativists, and all those who openly violate the law of God (and are unrepentant), should be barred from the Lord's table -- as a corrective measure ordained of God for their recovery. Also demonstrates that those that would not swear to uphold the Geneva Confession (or 'human constitution,' as it was agreeable to the Word of God), of 1536 in Calvin's day were to be excommunicated and exiled from Geneva. This is Reformation History Notes number two." -- Reg Barrow
Calvin, Covenanting and Close Communion
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CalvinCC.htm
2. Price, Greg L., Terms of Communion: Covenants and Covenanting, a series of 7 audio cassettes [audio file]. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Explains and defends the fourth term of communion, which is 'That public, social covenanting is an ordinance of God, obligatory on churches and nations under the New Testament; that the National Covenant and the Solemn League are an exemplification of this divine institution; and that these Deeds are of continued obligation upon the moral person; and in consistency with this, that the Renovation of these Covenants at Auchensaugh, Scotland, 1712 was agreeable to the word of God.' Includes the studies offered separately on the National Covenant (2 tapes), the Solemn League and Covenant (1 tape), the Auchensaugh Renovation (2 tapes), as well as two introductory lectures (only available in this set), on the biblical principles related to the ordinance of covenanting, the descending obligation of lawful covenants, objections against covenanting, etc. Roberts, in his REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CATECHISM, catches the spirit of this tape set in the following question and answer:
"Q. May we not indulge the hope, that, in the goodness of our covenant God, and by the promised outpouring of his Holy Spirit, 'the kingdoms of the world' at large, and the British empire in particular, will dedicate themselves to God in a covenant not to be forgotten -- animated by the example of our covenant fathers exhibited in these memorable deeds?
"A. Yes. We have the most cheering grounds for this blessed hope; for it is written, that the nations at large in the spirit of devoted loyalty, shall cry -- 'Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten': and it cannot be well doubted, that the death-cry of the martyred Guthrie has been heard on high, and shall be verified -- 'The covenants, the covenants, shall yet be Scotland's (and the world's -- RB), reviving.' (p. 151)
"A thoroughly amazing set of tapes -- among our best!" -- Publisher
3. Cunningham, John (1819-1893), The Ordinance of Covenanting, 1843. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #3, #27.
"This book is considered by many as the classic work on covenanting. 'The theology of Covenanting is here unfolded with a richness of scriptural research and a maturity of intellectual strength which would have made the grey eye of Peden glisten with delight. The treatise is a valuable addition to that solid theological literature of which the Reformed Presbyterian Church has produced repeated and enduring specimens, and stamps Mr. Cunningham as a distinguished disciple of the thoughtful and scriptural school of Mason and the Symingtons' (Presbyterian Review (1844), as cited by Johnston, Treasury of the Scottish Covenant).
"The author himself notes that 'prayer and the offering of praise are universally admitted to be duties of religion. The Scriptures announce a place among these for the exercise of solemn Covenanting . . . What the word of God unfolds concerning it, is addressed to the most resolute consideration of all, and is capable of engaging the most extensive and prolonged investigation. And yet, though none have found this subject, like all God's judgments, else than a great deep, still in meditating upon it, the ignorant have been brought to true knowledge, and the wise have increased in wisdom. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14). Mutual federal engagements, concerning things religious and civil, whether entered into merely by simple promise, or confirmed by the solemn oath, have been made from the highest antiquity to the present. The hostility to some such engagements, and also the proud disregard for their obligation, which have been evinced by some in all ages, demand a most careful examination into their nature and design . . . Furnished with the key of Scripture, approaching the subject, we are enabled to open the mysteries in which ignorance and prejudice had shut it up; and equipped with the armour of light shooting forth its heavenly radiance, in safety to ourselves we assail the darkness thrown around it, and behold the instant flight of the spirits of error which that darkness contains. Standing alone in beauteous attractions descended from heaven upon it, this service beckons us to approach it, and engages to connect extensive good with a proper attention to its claims. The observance, under various phases, is described in Scripture as an undisputed and indisputable reality.'
"In this book Cunningham exhaustively covers the subject of covenanting in over 400 pages. He deals with the manner, duty and nature of covenanting (including personal and social covenanting), the obligation covenanting confers, how covenanting is provided for in the everlasting covenant, how it is adapted to the moral constitution of man and how it is according to the purposes of God. Numerous Divine examples are cited from Scripture and covenanting is shown to be one of the great privileges of the Christian life.
"An interesting chapter covers 'Covenanting Enforced By the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals;' which touches on circumcision, baptism, the Sabbath, the Priesthood, the new heart and the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this book demonstrates how God's approbation rested upon Covenanters in former ages, how covenanting is predicted in prophecy, how it is recommended by the practice of the New Testament Church and at what seasons it is appropriate. The appendices touch on the relationship of covenanting to immoral and unscriptural civil governments, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the British constitution and the apostasy of the Revolution settlement.
"Additionally, Cunningham acknowledges that the true church is 'bound by the obligations of the Church of God is past times' and is still obligated to pay what it has vowed to the Lord in those magnificent attainments of the Second Reformation (the epitome of these attainments being embodied in the Solemn League and Covenant and the Westminster Standards).
"If you are interested in the ordinance of covenanting this is the most extensive treatment you will find in one book. It is a gold mine of Scriptural references and should be read at least once by everyone who calls upon the name of Christ." -- Publisher
"David Steele dedicated this work [NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE -- compiler], to John Cunningham (1819-1893), author of THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING." -- Publisher
The Ordinance of Covenanting
http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/6/29/ordinance-of-covenanting

*Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate. Alternate title: THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL, AND UNSPEAKABLENESS OF THE LOSS THEREOF: WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT: FIRST PREACHED AT PINNERS HALL, AND NOW ENLARGED, AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"In the 1660s, Charles II, King of England, asked John Owen (1616-1683), why he went to hear the preaching of an uneducated tinker. [John Bunyan -- compiler]. Looking the King in the eye, Owen answered, 'May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker's ability for preaching, I would willingly relinquish all my learning'." -- Andrew Thomson, John Owen, Prince of Puritans
Owen would not have been surprised to learn that Bunyan's most influential work, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, would be translated into more languages over the next 400 years than any book except the Bible.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft
Pilgrim's Page: A John Bunyan Archive
This is the complete set of THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN, George Offor edition, reprinted by The Banner of Truth. It is free online, and is downloadable in the following formats: HTML, RTF, TEXT, and PDF.
http://www.chapellibrary.org/literature/bunyan/
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN is also available at Project Gutenberg.

Burks, Ron, and Vicki Burks, Damaged Disciples: Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement, ISBN: 0310576113 9780310576112.
"Authors found themselves trapped in a branch of the charismatic movement (led by Derek Price, Bob Mumford, Charles Simpson, and Don Basham), that made them virtual prisoners. This book is the account of that time and the release from that view." -- GCB

Bussell, Harold, Unholy Devotion: Why Cults Lure Christians, ISBN: 0310372518 9780310372516.
"The spiritual truths imparted through this book strengthened my understanding of Christianity in a way that has had a monumental and long-lasting impact upon my life. Even through the loss of both of my children during the past two years, my faith is still sustained when I re-read passages from it. Dr. Bussell is a committed Christian who understands God's grace and helps others understand it as well." -- Reader's Comment

Cali, C.R., The Doctrine of Balaam: A Polemic Against the Secular Pro-life Establishment, and an exhortation with encouragement to the persecuted bride of Christ to resist the temptation of fellowship with darkness; nor yoke themselves with the course of this world; nor whore themselves out to the prince of the power of the air, who is full of the accusation Did God really say?; and to flee seeking carnal goals and pragmatic means of compromise towards them rather than obedience to the word of God and trust in His sovereign control and care through providence, responding rightly with our Lord as He rebuked the enemy of God with, Thus, says the Lord, as it relates in particular to the Christian response to the murder of preborn children, ISBN: 9781732233225 1732233225.

*Calvin, John (1509-1564), Calvin's Commentary on Isaiah, 4 books, published in 2 volumes in CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES (vols. 7, 8). Spine title: CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES, VOLUME VII: ISAIAH 1-32; CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES, VOLUME VIII: ISAIAH 33-66. A Christian classic.
Several factors combine to make CALVIN'S COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH particularly significant.

• Isaiah's brilliant clarity, his timeless message for our day, the beautiful praise language, and his detailed prophesy of the coming Messiah, make the book inherently of special worth,
• "Isaiah served God in the role of covenant prosecutor [along with numerous other Old Testament prophets -- compiler]. His message consists of charges, condemnation, and judgments as he declares God's curse on Israel, Judah, and the nations. . . ." -- Reformation Study Bible, p. 1021,
• Augustine's comments on Isaiah are scattered through all his writings but, to our knowledge, he never commented on the entire book,
• C. Gregg Singer mentions that Calvin knew Augustine's writing well and quoted Augustine frequently, therefore it could be expected that Calvin would include Augustine's thought on Isaiah,
• There are relatively few commentaries on Chronicles (primarily a history of the kingship of David and his successors), from Reformed writers,
• Calvin never lectured on Chronicles,
• Therefore, CALVIN'S COMMENTARY ON ISAIAH covers not only Isaiah's prophesy, but also some of the best thought of Augustine on Isaiah, and the shared history of Chronicles, which all bear on corporate faithfulness and sanctification.

I have a study ready for public -- well, not ready for publication, but hopefully someday, on Calvin's use of Augustine. [apparently never published -- compiler]. There are at least 400 references to Augustine in John Calvin. Anybody who says that Calvin got his theology of the top of his head knows no Calvin. Calvin knew Augustine probably better than anybody else, including Luther. Calvin went back to all the Early Western Fathers. I would say that next to Augustine, his theology is based upon Bernard of Clairvaux and Anselm, and he had a higher respect for Saint Thomas Aquinas than many people are willing to admit. But he is in the Western theological tradition.
Charles Hodge, in his SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY of three volumes, very often refers to Calvinism as Augustinianism, and you can see why. . . . [Charles Hodge], declares that you might as well call Calvinism revived and revitalized Augustinianism.

*Calvin, John (1509-1564), The Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes, ISBN: 0664220207 9780664220204. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. A Christian classic.
"Edited by John McNeill and translated by Ford Lewis Battles, this is the definitive English language edition of one of the monumental works of the Christian church." -- Publisher
"Still considered by many to be the finest explanation and defense of the Protestant Reformation available.
"The work is divided into four books: I. The Knowledge of God the Creator, II. The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, III. The Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ, IV. The External Means or Helps by Which God Allures us Into Fellowship With Christ and Keeps us in it. . . . THE INSTITUTES is praised by the secular philosopher, Will Durant, as one of the ten books that shook the world." -- GCB
Calvin spent a lifetime writing and perfecting INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION. His "Prefatory Address" makes it clear that he intended the work to be a defense of Christianity to the King of France.
Therefore, plainly stated, one of the most influential works ever published in the English language is a defense of Christianity to leaders of State.
Prefatory Address to His Most Christian Majesty, The Most Mighty and Illustrious Monarch, Francis, King of the French, His Sovereign, John Calvin. Available in THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
"Indeed, this consideration makes a true king: to recognize himself a minister of God in governing his kingdom. Now, that king, who in ruling over his realm does not serve God's glory, exercises not kingly rule but brigandage. [Footnote: 'Nec iam regnum ille sed latrocinium exercet.' An echo of Augustine's famous phrase: 'When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms [['regna']] but a vast banditry [[magna latocinia]]?' City of God, IV. iv (MPL [[Migne, J.P., 'Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina']], 41. 115; tr. NPNF [['A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers,' second series]], II. 66)]. Furthermore, he is deceived who looks for enduring prosperity in his kingdom when it is not ruled by God's scepter, that is, his Holy Word; for the heavenly oracle that proclaims that where prophecy fails the people are scattered [Prov. 29:18 (Proverbs 29:18)], cannot lie." (Battles translation)
"The characteristic of a true sovereign is, to acknowledge that, in the administration of his kingdom, he is a minister of God. He who does not make his reign subservient to the divine glory, acts the part not of a king, but a robber. He, moreover, deceives himself who anticipates long prosperity to any kingdom which is not ruled by the sceptre of God, that is, by his divine word. For the heavenly oracle is infallible which has declared, that where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18), (Beveridge translation)."
See the entire Prefatory Address, Beveridge translation. Considered to be one of the greatest prefaces ever written.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.ii.viii.html
"The doctrines of covenant liberty were rediscovered in the Reformation. John Calvin went further than anyone else in defining liberty and what Christians need to do to maintain it. Includes bibliographies."
It is recommended that INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION be used for daily devotions and it may be used in combination with Ford Lewis Battles and John Walchenbach, AN ANALYSIS OF THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION OF JOHN CALVIN, and with CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES.
Calvin's Commentaries at BibleStudyGuide.org
http://www.biblestudyguide.org/comment/calvin/comm_index.htm
Calvin's Commentaries, complete
From the Calvin Translation Society edition.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/commentaries.i.html
One Hundred Aphorisms, Containing, Within a Narrow Compass, the Substance and Order of the Four Books of The Institutes of the Christian Religion
http://www.lettermen2.com/pringle.html
Contents and Chapter Sections for Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559 (McNeill/Battles)
http://www.lettermen2.com/icrcont.html
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion; A New Translation by Henry Beveridge (1845), Volume 1
http://archive.org/details/instituteschrist01calvuoft
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion; A New Translation by Henry Beveridge (1845), Volume 2
http://archive.org/details/institutesofreli02calvuoft
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Beveridge translation
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.iii.vii.html
Monergism: Commentaries
From Mongergism.com search "commentaries."
http://www.monergism.com

Calvin, John (1509-1564), Vows: And how Everyone Rashly Taking Them has Miserably Entangled Himself, in INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION (translated by Henry Beveridge), 4.13.1-21.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.vi.xiv.html

Carl, Frank, and Joan H. Robie, Courting the King of Terrors: Is Satan Having the Last Laugh? ISBN: 0914984187 9780914984184.
"Why are so many people turning to mental, spiritual, and physical suicide? This book gives an answer. Its purpose is two-fold: to sound the trumpet of concern about sins creeping into the church, and to offer practical help and hope in working with those who have fallen prey to Satan's lies." -- GCB

Case, Thomas (1598-1682), Spiritual Whoredom, Discovered in a Sermon Preached Before the Honorable House of Commons Assembled in Parliament Upon a Solemn day of Humiliation, May 26, 1647. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

Christensen, Merton A., Franklin on the Hemphill Trial: Deism vs. Presbyterianism Orthodoxy, WMQ [William and Mary Quarterly -- compiler], 10 (1953): 422-40.

Christenson, Evelyn, Battling the Prince of Darkness: Rescuing Captives From Satan's Kingdom, ISBN: 0896932516 9780896932517.
"When you study Evelyn Christenson's new book you'll learn about the recent explosion of Satanic activity, and about the Prince of the Kingdom of Darkness. But this book isn't just about problems, it's about the one and only solution -- The Lord Jesus Christ. And it's about evangelism -- the very best strategy for defeating Satan." -- Publisher
Ideal for group study.

Christian Research Institute, CRI Resource Catalog (San Juan Capistrano, CA [Christian Research Institute International, Post Office Box 500, San Juan Capistrano 92693]: Christian Research Institute International, 1992).
"A collection of books, pamphlets, tracts, and cassette [audio file], tapes providing information on cults, the occult, Christian aberrations, apologetics, and the New Age movement available from the Christian Research Institute."

*Clark, Gordon H. (1902-1985), God's Hammer: The Bible and its Critics, ISBN: 0940931885 9780940931886.
"Today two areas of Christian doctrine are in the forefront for discussion by academicians in colleges and universities and by people in the pews: Christology and bibliology. The one has to do with the Word of God written -- which is the Bible, and the other the Word of God Incarnate -- which is Jesus Christ. . . .
"In this volume the learned pen of this twentieth-century giant is used to explain and defend the doctrine of an inerrant Scripture. Dr. Clark's insights are informed by Scripture. He is the quintessential man of that Holy Book, the Bible. . . . He has the rare gift of being a consummate logician. He uses the law of contradiction with telling effect. He knows and employs all of the laws of logic, and he can detect an error in any syllogism which defies those laws. He is relentless in his pursuit of truth, and he brilliantly demonstrates the logical fallacies of those who denigrate Scripture, or who by the use of hermeneutical casuistry undermine the Word of God and make it seem to say what it does not.
"In is signally unfortunate that those who oppose the view that the Bible is without error are not acquainted with or have not come to terms with the writings of this fearless expositor. . . ." -- Harold Lindsell, from the Foreword to God's Hammer
"The twentieth century may be a pivotal period in human history, for the doctrines of justification through faith alone and truth through the Bible alone came under such a severe and sustained attack. That attack, which has been countered by only a few of the professed tens of millions of Christians in America, has come primarily from within the church itself. It indicated that the wolves are within the sheepfold, and in many cases, are actually posing as shepherds. . . .
The focus of this book is not on archaeology or history, but on the philosophical attacks which have been leveled against the idea of divine revelation, the adequacy of human language, the notion of literal truth, and the trustworthiness of human logic. . . .
"Here those critics are answered, and with devastating effect. The Bible is infallible, logic is indispensable, language is adequate, and God, being omnipotent, is able to reveal truth to men. Equally at home in secular philosophy and theology and Christian theology and philosophy, Dr. Clark hammers God's critics with the tools of Scripture and logic. When he is through, the critics are flattened, their voices silenced. Dr. Clark, emulating Christ's methods of dealing with his critics and defending the truth, achieves the same effect, which is the effect that all defenders of the Christian faith should aim to achieve: 'And no one was able to answer him a word'." -- John W. Robbins, March 1995, from the Introduction to God's Hammer
"This collection of essays on the inspiration, authority, and infallibility of the Bible is one of the best volumes on the subject available today. In the sixteenth century, sola Scriptura was the rallying cry of the Reformers; but it is rarely heard today. In the twentieth century the Bible was subjected to relentless attack by those who wish to erect another authority -- the state, the clergy, tradition, or a professional elite. It is at those anti-Christian subversives that Clark directs his devastating defense of the Bible." -- Publisher
"The starting point of Christianity, the doctrine on which all other doctrines depend, is 'The Bible alone is the Word of God written, and therefore inerrant in the autographs.' Over the centuries the opponents of Christianity, with Satanic shrewdness, have concentrated their attacks on the truthfulness and completeness of the Bible. In the twentieth century the attack is not so much in the fields of history and archaeology as in philosophy. Clark's brilliant defense of the complete truthfulness of the Bible is captured in this collection of eleven major essays." -- The Trinity Foundation

Clark, Gordon H. (1902-1985), Thales to Dewey: A History of Philosophy (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation), ISBN: 0940931826 9780940931824.
"This is the best one volume history of philosophy in English. It is clearly written, and it accurately explains the views of the major figures in the history of philosophy for the beginning student. It may be studied with profit by teachers, parents, and students. Contents include: Greek Philosophy, The Presocratics, The Milesians, Heraclitus, The Pythagoreans, Parmenides, The Pluralists, Zeno, The Sophists, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, The Hellenistic Age, The Middle Ages, The Patristic Period, The Dark Ages, The Scholastic Period, Modern Philosophy, Seventeenth Century Rationalism, British Empiricism, Immanuel Kant, G.W.F. Hegel, and Contemporary Irrationalism." -- John W. Robbins
Includes bibliography and index.

Clark, Gordon H. (1902-1985), Three Types of Religious Philosophy, ISBN: 0940931214 9780940931213.
"Dr. Clark carefully and clearly examines rationalism, empiricism, and dogmatism -- and for good measure includes a chapter on modern philosophy and theology: irrationalism. He answers the question, 'How should Christianity be defended'?" -- GCB

Countess, Robert H., Open Theism and its Alternative Closed Theism.

Dabney, Robert Lewis (1820-1898), Broad Churchism, ISBN: 0851513506 9780851513508. Alternate title: DISCUSSIONS OF ROBERT LEWIS DABNEY. "Transcribed from a sermon preached before the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, Huntsville, Alabama, 18 May 1871." Available in DISCUSSIONS: EVANGELICAL AND THEOLOGICAL, 2 volumes. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #23.
"Warfield called Dabney 'the most conspicuous figure and the leading theological guide of the Southern Presbyterian Church, the most prolific theological writer that Church has as yet produced.' These three volumes of articles and essays vindicate Warfield's statement. 'This is not a book to be read and returned to the library shelf,' states the well known Baptist minister Al Martin, 'rather, as I have found to my own profit, it ought to be read, digested, and kept close at hand as a guide, companion and constant prod to us.' Dr. Archibald Alexander called Dabney, 'the best teacher of theology in the United States, if not the world.' Freundt notes, 'Dabney championed the doctrines of Calvinism and applied them consistently and practically to the great issues of his times'." -- Publisher
Broad Churchism, R.L. Dabney
http://www.westminsterconfession.org/the-church/broad-churchism.php
Discussions of Robert Lewis Dabney Vol. 1: Evangelical and Theological.
http://archive.org/details/DiscussionsOfRobertLewisDabneyVol.1EvangelicalAndTheological

Dabney, Robert L. (1820-1898), Caution Against Anti-Christian Science: a Sermon on Colossians, II. 8 [Colossians 2:8]: Preached in the Synod of Virginia, October 20, 1871.

Dabney, Robert Lewis (1820-1898), The Sensualistic Philosophy of the Nineteenth Century Considered, ISBN: 0941075354 9780941075350.
Contains a biographical Sketch of R.L. Dabney.

Dabney, Robert L. (1820-1898), Spurious Religious Excitements. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #21.

Decker, J. Edward, J. Edward Decker Papers, (1978 Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Manuscript Collection).
J. Edward Decker Papers
http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/1449006
J. Edward Decker papers, 1978-1992
Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department (USU_COLL MSS 210).
An online listing of contents.
http://digital.lib.usu.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/Ead&CISOPTR=417

DeGroat, Chuck, Richard J. Mouw, and Jim Denison, When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse, ISBN: 0369366190 9780369366191 0369365666 9780369365668
"Why does narcissism seem to thrive in our churches? We've seen the news stories and heard the rumors. Maybe we ourselves have been hurt by a narcissistic church leader. It's easy to throw the term around and diagnose others from afar. But what is narcissism, really? And how does it infiltrate the church? Chuck DeGroat has been counseling pastors with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, as well as those wounded by narcissistic leaders and systems, for over twenty years. He knows firsthand the devastation narcissism leaves in its wake and how insidious and painful it is. In WHEN NARCISSISM COMES TO CHURCH, DeGroat takes a close look at narcissism, not only in ministry leaders but also in church systems. He offers compassion and hope for those affected by its destructive power and imparts wise counsel for churches looking to heal from its systemic effects. DeGroat also offers hope for narcissists themselves -- not by any shortcut, but by the long, slow road of genuine recovery, possible only through repentance and trust in the humble gospel of Jesus." -- Publisher

DeYoung, Donald B., Astronomy and the Bible: Questions and Answers, ISBN: 080106225X 9780801062254. Alternate title: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON "ASTRONOMY AND THE BIBLE.

Downes, Stephen, Stephen Downes Guide to the Logical Fallacies.
"Stephen Downes, an information architect with a background in philosophy, created this site with the aim of identifying, indexing, and describing 'all known logical fallacies.' A logical fallacy can be defined as an error in reasoning in which a conclusion appears to follow from a set of premises but in reality does not. Downes groups the fallacies into thirteen categories, such as Fallacies of Distraction, Inductive Fallacies, and Syllogistic Errors. Each fallacy (over 50 in all), is described with its name, definition, examples of how it might be used in an argument, and how the argument can be proven fallacious. The How to Use this Guide section of the site provides a helpful introduction, and a robust bibliography offers possibilities for further study of logic. In addition, users may register at the site (no fee), to gain access to discussion boards on the topic. The author notes that his Guide "is intended to help you in your own thinking, not to help you demolish someone else's argument." Regardless of how a reader uses the information, however, the site remains an interesting and fun investigation of how logical arguments are constructed." "Lists all known logical fallacies, with definitions, examples, and the steps needed to prove that the fallacy is committed. Site also includes links to logic references and resources."
Stephen's Guide to Logical Fallacies
http://www.fallacies.ca/welcome.htm

*Edwards, Jonathan (1703-1758), The Religious Affections. Alternate title: A TREATISE CONCERNING RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS, IN THREE PARTS; PART I. CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE AFFECTIONS, AND THEIR IMPORTANCE IN RELIGION. PART II. SHEWING WHAT ARE NO CERTAIN SIGNS THAT RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS ARE GRACIOUS, OR THAT THEY ARE NOT. PART III. SHEWING WHAT ARE DISTINGUISHING SIGNS OF TRULY GRACIOUS AND HOLY AFFECTIONS. BY JONATHAN EDWARDS, A.M. AND PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN NORTHAMPTON. [TWELVE LINES OF SCRIPTURE TEXTS], ISBN: 0851514855 9780851514857. A Christian classic. RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS is volume two of THE WORKS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS, 26 volumes, ISBN: 0300022824 9780300022827 0300060599 9780300060591. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #21.
Edwards "sets forth 12 distinguishing signs of truly gracious and holy affections: (1) [those] truly spiritual affections which arise from spiritual, supernatural, Divine influences on the heart; (2) those affections grounded in the intrinsic excellence of Divine things, without relating to our self-interest; (3) those primarily founded on the loveliness of the moral excellency of Divine things. . . ." -- William Young
"This treatise soberly, thoroughly, and scripturally covers hypocrisy within the Christian church. We recommend it to everyone in full-time Christian service, and to anyone who may be discouraged by hypocrisy among professing Christians.
"It is by the mixture of counterfeit religion with true, not discerned and distinguished, that the devil has had his greatest advantage against the cause and kingdom of Christ. [for Edward's work on the positive side of the revival in New England see THE DISTINGUISHING MARKS OF A WORK OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, APPLIED TO THAT UNCOMMON OPERATION THAT HAS LATELY APPEARED ON THE MINDS OF MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN NEW-ENGLAND -- compiler]. It is by this means, principally, that he has prevailed against all revivings of religion, since the first founding of the Christian church. . . . By this, Satan prevailed against the reformation, began by Luther. Zwinglius, etc., to put a stop to its progress, and bring it into disgrace, ten times more than by all those bloody and cruel persecutions of the church of Rome. By this, principally, has he prevailed against revivals of religion in our nation. By this he prevailed against New England, to quench the love and spoil the joy of her espousals, about a hundred years ago. And I think, I have had opportunity enough to see plainly, that by this the devil has prevailed against the late great revival of religion in New England, so happy and promising in its beginning." -- Jonathan Edwards, in the Preface to The Religious Affections
A Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections, Edwards
http://archive.org/details/treatiseconcern00edwa
Religious Affections, Jonathan Edwards
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/affections.i.html?highlight=religious,affections#highlight
This work also appears full view in Google Books.

Edwards, Thomas (1599-1647), Antapologia, or, A Full Answer to the Apologeticall Narration of Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Nye, Mr. Sympson, Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Bridge, Members of the Assembly of Divines: Wherein is Handled Many of the Controversies of These Times . . . Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #24.

Edwards, Thomas (1599-1647), Gangraena, or, A Catalogue and Discovery of Many of the Errours, Heresies, Blasphemies and Pernicious Practices of the Sectaries of This Time, Vented and Acted in England in These Four Last Years, 1646, 3 volumes in 1. Alternate title: THE FIRST AND SECOND PART OF GANGRAENA . . . and THE THIRD PART OF GANGRAENA: OR A NEW AND HIGHER DISCOVERY OF THE ERRORS, HERESIES, BLASPHEMIES AND INSOLENT PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECTARIES OF THESE TIMES; WITH SOME ANIMADVERSIONS BY WAY OF CONFUTATION UPON MANY OF THE ERRORS AND HERESIES NAMED, 1646. Available (all 3 parts), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available (all 3 parts), on Reformation Bookshelf CD #24.

*Enroth, Ronald, The gay Church, ISBN: 080281543X 9780802815439.

*Enroth, Ronald, The Lure of Cults and New Religions: Why They Attract and What we can do, ISBN: 0877849943 9780877849940.
"First published in 1979, this work probes the power and idiosyncrasies of cultic figures and exposes the inadequacies of their theologies. It also describes the methods of intimidation used by the different organizations and why they are able to enforce conformity on the part of their adherents. This important work should be placed in the hands of all college freshmen, while also being in every church library." -- Cyril J. Barber

Flavel, John (1628-1691), A Warning Against Backsliding, False Worship and False Teachers. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN FLAVEL), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #27.
"Exposes the subtlety of false worship and false teachers and counsels all Christians to remove themselves from under ministries that practice such things. Promotes family religion and house gatherings in times of great declension and apostasy (such as ours)." -- Publisher

Foster, K. Neil, The Discerning Christian: How the Believer Detects Truth From Error in the Midst of Today's Religious Confusion, ISBN: 0875093124 9780875093123.

*Foxe, John (1516-1587), and Thomas Freeman (prefatory material), John Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Actes and Monuments of Matters Most Speciall and Memorable (unabridged). Alternate title: THE UNABRIDGED ACTS AND MONUMENTS ONLINE or TAMO (HRI Online Publications, Sheffield, 2011). A Christian classic. Available from: http://www.johnfoxe.org. Implemented by the Humanities Research Institute, University of Sheffield, England, and published by HRI Online Publications, Sheffield, 2011, Version 2.0, ISBN: 9780954260864.
"You can browse and compare the unabridged texts of the four editions of this massive work published in John Foxe's lifetime (1563, 1570, 1576, 1583). Each edition changed significantly as Foxe sought to incorporate new material, answer his critics, and adjust its polemical force to the needs of the moment. . . .
"TAMO is both an instrument of scholarship and a tool for anyone who wants to explore this remarkable work, a milestone in the history of the English printed book and a signal achievement of its printer, John Day."
John Foxe's Book of Martyrs. Actes and Monuments of Matters Most Speciall and Memorable, ISBN: 0197262252 9780197262252.
"This CD-ROM combines readable and printable images of 2,200 pages of text and woodcut engravings from the 1583 edition, the last for which Foxe was personally responsible."
Other editions: Acts and Monuments or Foxe's Book of Martyrs, 1554, 1843-49 edition, 8 volumes. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
" 'No book ever inflicted a wound so deep and incurable on the Romish system of superstition and bloody persecution . . . it was placed in . . . all churches and chapels throughout the kingdom, by order of Queen Elizabeth.' (Smith, Select Memoirs, p. 245). Contains much information not found in any of the liberally edited and severely shortened editions of this classic work which are in print today. Covering martyrs from the early church through to Foxe's day, it was one of the most influential books of the sixteenth century! It overflows with faith building testimony of the power of God to overcome the most cruel and barbarous acts of human depravity and demonic cruelty. 6890 pages. A very rare set, now back in print after 150 years!" -- Publisher
"After the Bible itself, no book so profoundly influenced early Protestant sentiment as the BOOK OF MARTYRS. Even in our time it is still a living force. It is more than a record of persecution. It is an arsenal of controversy, a storehouse of romance, as well as a source of edification." -- James Miller Dodds, English Prose
"When one recollects that until the appearance of the PILGRIM'S PROGRESS the common people had almost no other reading matter except the BIBLE and FOX'S BOOK OF MARTYRS, we can understand the deep impression that this book produced; and how it served to mold the national character. Those who could read for themselves learned the full details of all the atrocities performed on the Protestant reformers; the illiterate could see the rude illustrations of the various instruments of torture, the rack, the gridiron, the boiling oil, and then the holy ones breathing out their souls amid the flames. Take a people just awakening to a new intellectual and religious life; let several generations of them, from childhood to old age, pore over such a book, and its stories become traditions as individual and almost as potent as songs and customs on a nation's life." -- Douglas Campbell, The Puritan in Holland, England, and America
"If we divest the book of its accidental character of feud between churches, it yet stands, in the first years of Elizabeth's reign, a monument that marks the growing strength of a desire for spiritual freedom, defiance of those forms that seek to stifle conscience and fetter thought." -- Henry Morley, English Writers
"John Foxe was a prince among believers. He had his printing press on a cart, and had often to print at night, moving his press before dawn to escape capture and burning at the stake. He never faltered in his purpose to leave a voluminous written witness to the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to keep His saints in love and peace." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)
Text Encoding Initiative (TEI), John Foxe's Book of Martyrs Variorum Edition Online
http://www.tei-c.org/Activities/Projects/jo01.xml

Fraser, James (of Brea, 1639-1698), The Lawfulness and Duty of Separation From Corrupt Ministers and Churches Explained and Vindicated, 1744. Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #27.
"This is one of the most comprehensive treatises dealing with the lawfulness and duty of separation. It does not shy away from the hard biblical questions, but rather meets them head on. Fraser covers all the major biblical reasons for separation, both in general and in particular. Some of these Scriptural reasons for separation include (examples in parentheses are selected to fit our contemporary situation in accord with the general headings found in the book -- though a number of these specific errors are also dealt with in the book itself): 1. Heresy, or error in doctrine (e.g. Arminianism, Pelagianism, Romanism, the denial of the regulative principle of worship, antinomianism, legalism, etc.); 2. Idolatry in public worship (e.g. singing hymns of human composition, paedocommunion and open communion, the use of musical instruments, women speaking or preaching, anti-paedobaptism, Charismatic [or anabaptistic], folly and excesses, malignancy [anti-covenanting], etc.); 3. Tyranny in government (e.g. Popery, Prelacy, Independency, etc.); 4. Sinful terms of communion (e.g. any terms which deny or ignore the attainments of the Covenanted Reformation or in any way contravene Scripture); 5. Tolerationism (e.g. refusing to discipline the scandalous, open communion and countenancing false ministers or false governments or false doctrine, etc.). Many other areas are also dealt with, not the least of which include a strong testimony against the Prelatical Priest George Whitefield (who, as the preface notes, is 'a person leavened with gross errors, enthusiastic delusions, etc.'). In the publisher's original reasons for publication we read, 'In this book the case and nature of schism and separation is cleared, and the true scriptural terms of church-communion, and grounds of separation from corrupt churches and ministers, carrying on backsliding courses from the Covenanted Reformation principles . . . are clearly handled, and the same proven to be just and warrantable grounds of separation, and many useful cases of conscience concerning separation; and what are just and warrantable grounds of separation and what are not, are solidly, learnedly, and accurately discussed and resolved, and the case of separation clearly stated, handled and determined; and separation from corrupt ministers and churches is fully vindicated; and the true Scripture marks of time-servers and hirelings, who should be separated from, are given from the Word of God.' Calvin, Knox, Rutherford, Gillespie, Durham, Owen (who repented of his Independency and embraced Presbyterianism just before he died), and a host of other notable Reformers are cited throughout. Occasional hearing and occasional communion are also exposed and rebuked from Scripture. Appended to the book is, 'The Reasons agreed upon by the Reformers of the Church of Scotland, For which the Book of Common Prayer, urged upon Scotland, Anno 1637 was refused. As also the Reasons agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, for laying aside the English Book of Common Prayer. Together with Mr. George Graham's Renunciation and Abjuration of Episcopacy.' This is an almost flawless photocopy of this exceedingly rare and valuable book. (which was obtained at great expense from the Bodleian Library [Oxford University], in England). It is one of the major Reformed classics concerning the topics that it addresses and it answers many common questions which Christians raise today regarding church affiliation. It is also a much needed landmark of Reformation testimony against the white devils of Independency and sectarianism and the black devils of Popery and Prelacy -- which can be seen to be covering the land once again -- contrary to the teaching of the Word of God and the attainments fought (and died), for during the Second Reformation." -- Publisher

Ganz, Richard, and William Edgar, Sold out: How the Evangelical Church is Abandoning God for Self-fulfillment, a Warning, ISBN: 0969469004 9780969469001.
"Takes on the faulty world-views of Western culture, and the destructive influence of error on individuals, churches, and society. Sets out the hope of the Bible for rebuilding." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)

Gelet, James, Eric Holmberg, Jerry Johnson, and the Apologetics Group, The Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis, DVD (Draper, VA: The Apologetics Group, 2006), ISBN: 1573411507 9781573411509.
"Just why are Baptists properly considered Christians, but Mormons are not? Or why is the Jehovah's Witness religion classified as an anti-Christian cult, while Presbyterians, Wesleyans and Pentecostals are simply seen as denominations within the Christian faith? With the explosion of different sects that claim to honor and follow Jesus, how does one differentiate between true Biblical Christianity and an aberrant religious movement? Just what are the marks of a cult? . . . The video gives clear guidelines on how to distinguish truth from error in principle as well as carefully documented instructions on the particular errors of prominent cults." -- Publisher

Gerstner, John H., Teachings of Christian Science, ISBN: 0801037174 9780801037177.

Gerstner, John H., The Theology of the Major Sects.

*Gillespie, Patrick (1617-1675), Rulers Sins: The Causes of National Judgments, or a Sermon Preached at the Fast, Upon the 26th Day of December, Prov. XIV. 34; 2 Kings XVII. 22,23; Ezek. XIX. 14, or a Sermon Preached at the Fast, Upon the 26th Day of December 1650. [Proverbs 14:34; 2 Kings 17:22,23; Ezekiel 19:14] Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal. (2 Kings 23:26).
"For these in public places of trust and power, that should bear down sin, are they not rather ringleaders in sin?" -- Patrick Gillespie
Rulers Sins: The Causes of National Judgments
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gillespie/gillespie_patrick_rulers_sins_causes_of_judgment.html

*Gilpin, Richard (1625-1700), Daemonologia Sacra: A Treatise on Satan's Temptations, 587 pages. Alternate title: BIBLICAL DEMONOLOGY and GILPIN ON TEMPTATIONS, ISBN: 0865240930. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"The final part consists of Gilpin's careful analysis of Satan's temptation of Christ in Matthew 4. Gilpin points out the various tactics used by Satan against Christ, and shows that these are the very tactics that Satan still uses today against Christians. One temptation he notes in particular is the temptation to doubt God's goodness due to unfavourable providences. When we encounter a bad situation in our lives, we are tempted to distrust God. If we fall into this temptation, instead of trusting the Lord to work things out, we can be led to try to remedy the situation by our own means (apart from God), and thereby easily fall into a sinful course. 'Satan is not discouraged easily, nor doth he always desist upon the first repulse, but frequently renews the assault, when he is strongly and resolutely resisted'." (p. 90) -- Publisher
"Originally published in 1677 and now reissued under the new title BIBLICAL DEMONOLOGY, this collection of sermons ably explores Satan's person and work. It is of particular value for Gilpin's analysis of the way Satan tempts the saints. A rare and edifying study." -- Cyril J. Barber

Gregory, William L.S. (W.L.S.G.), The Trial of Antichrist, Otherwise, The Man of Sin, for High Treason Against the Son of God, 1830. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #17.
"The Pope is charged with High Treason against the King of Heaven, for usurping his Supremacy, dignified Titles, Power, etc. The indictment goes as far back as the year 606, when he first was acknowledged as the Universal Bishop, and some of the principal circumstances recorded in History from that time to the present are brought forward to support the charge. The form of a State Trial is almost if not altogether constantly attended to, and such legal phrases used, as to keep up the idea of a Court of Justice." -- Preface
The Trial of Antichrist
http://archive.org/details/trialofantichris00gregiala

Grey, Zachary, George Fox, and George Whitefield, Quaker and Methodist Compared. In an Abstract of George Fox's Journal. With a Copy of his Last Will and Testament, and the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield's Journals; With Historical Notes.

Groothuis, Douglas, Deceived by the Light, ISBN: 1565073010 9781565073012.
"Doug Groothuis a well-respected expert on new religious movements, takes us to the teaching of Scripture for some surprising answers about death, near-death experiences, and what comes after death." -- Publisher
"This book begins with an evaluation of the claims of Bettie Eadie's account of her supposed near-death experience (NDE), explores the concept of the NDE, and evaluates the idea logically, evidentially, and theologically. I argue that there is little reason to support Eadie's NDE, given the lack of evidence (she refused to release medical records, etc.), and the internal incoherence of her account. It doesn't ring true to medical facts. Moreover, her worldview is an unstable compound of Mormonism, New Age thought, and a bit of Christian terminology. I critique the work of Raymond Moody, Kenneth Ring, and other NDE researchers. I also address the sticky question of hellish or "near-hell" experiences. I conclude after argumentation that the biblical account of the afterlife is true and rational. Jesus Christ, who tasted death and rose from the grave, is the only one in the position to reveal the realities of life after death." -- Douglas Groothuis, April 3, 2000

Groothuis, Douglas, The Soul in Cyberspace, ISBN: 1579102298 9781579102296.
"This book evaluates the emerging technologies of cyberspace in relation to their effects on our society and souls, and deals especially with the potential pitfall of becoming informationally rich but spiritually deprived." -- Publisher
"A philosophical/theological assessment of cyberspace. This book was first published by Baker Books in 1997. It was the first and remains the only philosophical and theological critique of cyberspace technologies written from an evangelical Christian perspective. Besides the Scriptures themselves, I am quite influenced by the writings of Neal Postman and Jacques Ellul. I am neither Luddite nor a digitopian, but a cultural critic of the form and nature of cyberspace.
"I have presented material from the book at a Wheaton College seminar and for the Board of Prison Fellowship as well as teaching from the book in ethics courses at Denver Seminary, where I am Associate Professor of Philosophy.
"Here are the chapter titles:
Introduction: Cyberspace and the Trouble with our Souls
1. The Postmodern Soul in Cyberspace
2. Disembodied Existence in a Digital World
3. The Book, the Screen, and the Soul
4. Hypertext Realities and Effects
5. The Fate of Truth in Cyberspace
6. Cybersex: Eroticism Without Bodies
7. Technoshamanism: Digital Deities
8. Exploring Virtual Community
9. Virtual Community: Trust, Deception, and Infection
10. Online Christianity Conclusion: Eloquent Realities." -- Douglas Groothuis, July 15, 2000

Hackett, David A., Allied Forces. Supreme Headquarters. Psychological Warfare Division. Intelligence Team., The Buchenwald Report, ISBN: 0813317770 9780813317779 0813333636 9780813333632 0827604998 9780827604995.
Extreme evil may be an excellent negative guide to correct theology, the righteousness which is of God, redemption, and immortality.
"After their liberation in April 1945, the inmates of Buchenwald told their stories to a special team of U.S. Army intelligence officers. One of the most important and unique documents of the Holocaust, this priceless eyewitness account was nearly lost forever and appears here in published form and in English for the first time." -- Publisher

*Henry, Carl F.H., Twilight of a Great Civilization: The Drift Toward Neo-paganism, ISBN: 0891074910 9780891074915.
"A half-generation ago the pagans were still largely threatening at the gates of Western culture; now the barbarians are plunging into . . . the mainstream. As they seek to reverse the inherited intellectual and moral heritage of the Bible . . . [we are], engaged as never before in a rival conflict for the mind, the conscience, the will, the spirit, the very selfhood of contemporary man." -- Carl F.H. Henry
"Carl Henry is a noted professor and theologian, founder of Christianity Today, and author of a host of books.
"TWILIGHT OF A GREAT CIVILIZATION is a penetrating critique, by a distinguished Christian leader, of the moral and intellectual disintegration sweeping our culture. But more than this, it is a book of promise and possibilities -- a ringing affirmation of the power of the Gospel to transform hearts and minds, and to leave a lasting impact on our age. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)

Hexham, Irving, Karla Poewe, New Religions as Global Cultures: Making the Human Sacred, ISBN: 0813325072 9780813325071 0813325080 9780813325088. Alternate title: NEW RELIGIONS AS GLOBAL CULTURES: THE SACRALIZATION OF THE HUMAN.
"An ambitious book written for the general audience, particularly college students . . . The author's thesis is that various new religions should be understood in a global context . . . The first chapter . . . paints a miserable picture of evangelicals as unscholarly, uninformed and reactionary -- a picture that fits some . . . The authors' overall method . . . vacillates between attempting a non judgmental description . . . and giving a critical analysis . . . Their long discussion of shamanism never explores the possibility that some shamans may be demonized . . ." -- Reader's Comment

Hexham, Irving, Karla Poewe, and J.I. Packer, Understanding Cults and New Religions.
"This book is designed to help Christian laymen, pastors, youth workers, and students understand cults from a social, psychological, and religious perspective. . . ." -- GCB

Howitt, William (1792-1879), A Popular History of Priestcraft in all Ages and Nations, e-book.
"Two Evil Principles: Kingcraft and Priestcraft; Paganism; Mythology of the Assyrians and Syrians; Establishment of Monkery (monks); Popish Arrogance and Atrocities; Jesuits and Inquisitors; English Church; Ministerial Plan of Irish Church Reform; Clerical Incomes; Evils of the system of Church Patronage; Retrospect view of the Effects of Priestcraft."

IMP, The Pagan Invasion Series (Jeremiah Films).
"Each stereo VHS tape is about 48 minutes long. Almost a video encyclopedia of information on the New Age cult strangeness of our day. The narrators of the tapes look into the history and current practices concerning the subject of each tape." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 1: Halloween: Trick or Treat
IMP, Volume 2: Invasion of the Godmen
"Look into the growing god-consciousness movement. Incredible film footage from mystical India highlights the shocking exposé." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 3: Meditation: Pathway to Deception?
IMP, Volume 4: The East Seduces the West
"God power within movement, oneness with nature, reincarnation, self-realization, past life regression, hypnosis, inner guides, visualization and more." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 5: Dawning of a New Age
"The New World Order and warning signs to watch out for."
IMP, Volume 6: Evolution: Hoax of the Century?
IMP, Volume 7: Evolution: From Physics to Metaphysics
IMP, Volume 8: Preview of the Antichrist
IMP, Volume 9: Secrets of Mind Control
"Many think they are beyond or above having their mind controlled by someone else. The massive social and political movements of our century suggest otherwise. Tape also shows actual footage of mind control therapies." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 10: The Latter Day EMPIRE
"Who was Joseph Smith? Who are the Latter Day Saints? Has this group, relatively small in numbers, infiltrated city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies like the FBI and CIA? What kind of money is behind these groups? An eye opening look into the hidden secrets of the Mormons." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 11: Joseph Smith's Temple of Doom
"Takes us behind the closed doors of the Mormon Temple where we discover a host of bizarre and mysterious teachings involving magic clothing, baptism for the dead, multiple wives, blood oaths, blood atonement, spirit babies, celestial sex, secret rituals and occultic practices." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 12: Religions vs. Christianity
"A dramatic comparison of the living relationship found in the person of Jesus Christ, with the dead religions of dead men. Key world religions are analyzed in light of historical and archaeological evidence, claims of religious leaders and founders, and their ancient writings." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 13: Doorways to Satan
"We are almost in the 21st century yet modern man is increasingly involved in old religions. Obsessed with occult mysteries, sadistic violence, and evil. Its everywhere: Movies, books, music, video games and comics. Most disturbing of all is the unveiled rise of Satanism. Tape takes a close look at much of what is going on in this area." -- GCB
Jeremiah Films
http://www.jeremiahfilms.com/products/Pagan-Invasion-Classic
Witness Inc. and Jeremiah Films Video Tapes, DVD.
http://www.witnessiync.com/ordering_materials.html

Kah, Gary, and Rick Blanchette (editor), The New World Religion, ISBN: 0967009804 9780967009803.
"The New Age movement is a complicated mass of false religious systems dating back to the Tower of Babel. Gary takes them as a whole and shows the reader exactly where this system is headed. From the religious and social implications to the political and environmental, Gary's research shows us that we are closer to anti-Christian upheaval in the name of peace than we ever thought.
"What's most interesting is the Catholic tie in. Gary proves that Catholicism has, right now, the inside track to being the official religious arm of the U.N. He also does a great job in documenting the Catholic/New Age relationship." -- Reader's Comment

Kraemer, Hendrik, Religion and the Christian Faith.
Includes bibliographic footnotes.

Langberg, Diane, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church, ISBN: 9781587434389 1587434385 9781587435133 1587435136.
"An internationally recognized counselor offers Christian leaders a clinical and theological framework for understanding how power operates, the effects of the abuse of power, and how power can be redeemed and restored to its proper God-given place in human relationships and institutions." -- Publisher

*Leahy, Frederick S., Satan Cast out: A Study in Biblical Demonology, ISBN: 0851512348.
"It is often said that wherever there is a rejection of faith in the living God a corresponding upsurge of the demonic will eventually appear. That is true not only in the pages of the Bible and in the annals of Christian missions; it has also become a striking feature of the life in our materialistic, post-Christian society. . . . Full of sane exposition and wise counsel, his work has been widely appreciated since its first publication in 1975." -- Publisher
"Probably one of the best, most Scriptural books written today on the subject of demonology." -- Presbyterian Journal

Lewis, James R., The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements, ISBN: 0195149866 9780195149869.

Lewis, James R., Scientology, ISBN: 9780195331493 0195331494.

Lindsell, Harold, The New Paganism, ISBN: 0060652721 9780060652722. Alternate title: The Triumph of the new Pagan Weltanschauung.
"Cogently and urgently, Lindsell documents his belief that Christians must work from a clear understanding of the pagan nature of our culture and society. He argues for the restoration of Christian humanism and God-centered values." -- GCB

Lindsell, Harold, The World, the Flesh, and the Devil, ISBN: 0913686042 9780913686041.

*Luther, Martin (1483-1546), Commentary on Galatians, English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, ISBN: 0825431247. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I prefer this book of Martin Luther's (except the Bible), before all the books I have ever seen, as most fit for a wounded soul." -- John Bunyan
"This is a great, historic work, and is beyond criticism on account of its great usefulness. As a comment its accuracy might be questioned; but for emphatic utterances and clear statements of the great doctrine of the Epistle it remains altogether by itself, and must be judged per se." -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
"The reissue of a famous series of lectures delivered at Wittenberg University in 1553." -- Cyril J. Barber
Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
http://archive.org/details/cu31924029294133
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, That He might deliver us from the present evil world. (Galatians 1:4 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther2.html
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther1.html

MacArthur, John, Avoiding Spiritual Counterfeiters (1 Timothy 1:3-11; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 2:14-19), ISBN: 0802453759 9780802453754.

MacArthur, John, Our Sufficiency in Christ, ISBN: 1581340133 9781581340136.
"True or false: Scripture, prayer, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the other spiritual resources Christians have aren't enough to meet people's real needs. 'False!' says MacArthur. But far too many Christians don't understand the truth about their spiritual sufficiency, and are all too ready to embellish the Gospel with mysticism, humanism, secularization, and plain old bad doctrine. MacArthur calls believers back to a renewed appreciation of what it means to be complete in Christ." -- CBD
Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

MacArthur, John F., The Vanishing Conscience: Drawing the Line in a No-fault, Guilt-free World, ISBN: 0849936780 9780849936784.
"In this compelling book, John MacArthur challenges us to confront society's flight from moral responsibility. With sound biblical doctrine, Dr. MacArthur shows how and why sin must be dealt with if we are to live lives that please God. With clarity and insight, he provides biblical solutions for attaining a personal holiness that can move us from living a life of blame and denial to one of true peace and freedom. -- Reader's Comment
"In THE VANISHING CONSCIENCE, MacArthur addresses, from a biblical perspective, the issues of self-esteem, personal guilt, and individual responsibility. How does modern psychology's obsession with personal forgiveness, high self-esteem, and the love of self stand in the light of Holy Scripture? What became of the little word sin with all of its grave implications, ramifications, and negative connotations? In an age of self-absolution, it would appear that Jesus Christ suffered and died in vain, for, if we are to believe the modern self-proclaimed and self-ordained prophets of the "feel good" philosophy, we are to forgive, each his or her own, transgressions and iniquities by blaming our environment, our genetic predisposition, our parents, our teachers, our political leaders, our role models, anything or anyone but our individual selves.
"THE VANISHING CONSCIENCE is an extraordinarily germane work in that MacArthur not only elucidates the church's adoption and endorsement of this secular abomination as well as the inherent dangers of this heretical philosophy, but does so in such a manner that the reader is made knowledgeable of that which a just God demands of His children. Of far greater importance than self-esteem is our relationship to a God who will hold you and I accountable for each act, thought, word, and deed.
"On that Great and Terrible Day, conscience may be either a dear friend or a damning foe, but it will not claim neutrality. Self-esteem, that placebo of modern psychology, will not be a factor." -- Reader's Comment

MacGregor, Lori, Coping With Cults: Practical Insight for Concerned Christians, ISBN: 0890819408 9780890819401.
"The author was a Jehovah's Witness for 15 years, so she understands cults and the way they think." -- GCB

MacGregor, Lori, What you Need to Know About Jehovah's Witness, ISBN: 0890819440 9780890819449.
"Effective teaching about the contradictory beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses in light of Scripture will help you reach them for Christ." -- Reader's Comment

*Machiavelli, Niccolò (1469-1527), The Prince, ISBN: 0192833979 9780192833976.
This famous analysis of statesmanship and power, lauded by the world system and read by practically all politicians, will give insight to those who may still not understand power politics in Washington. But to fully understand the current situation in the Federal government even the discerning person must work in a Federal office or within the corporate limits of the District of Columbia for at least a year. A secular author.
The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli
http://books.mirror.org/gb.machiavelli.html

Mack, Wayne A., Where are you in Relation to God? 18 pages.
"Shows the diverse ways people express their hostility and alienation from God. Then shows how God in Jesus Christ reconciles people to himself. Closes with a call and challenge: 'Are you looking to Jesus Christ alone for salvation? Have you been reconciled and are you enjoying fellowship and communion with God? Well, if not, I challenge you to consider your condition, for you are still in a state of alienation from God. You are alienated from God by your sinful attitudes and by your sinful activities, and God is angry with you. come to God. Confess your sins. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved'." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)

Mains, David, Healing The Dysfunctional Church Family: When Destructive Family Patterns Infiltrate the Body of Christ, ISBN: 1560431636 9781560431633.
"Wouldn't you like to be part of a perfect church family? Who wouldn't?! Unfortunately, no church is flawless. Mains discusses eight destructive family patterns (including blaming, competition and comparison, perfectionism, and conditional love), that can arise in the church family. He challenges you to confront dysfunctions and make your church a place where people are loved, forgiven, helped, and given hope for the future. Includes small-group discussion questions. . . ." -- CBD

Martin, Paul R., Dispelling the Myths: The Psychological Consequences of Cultic Involvement, Christian Research Journal, Winter/Spring 1989 (San Juan Capistrano, CA: Christian Research Institute International).
Dispels six myths and gives seven steps to recovery for those who have been taken in by a cult. Includes bibliographic footnotes.

Moberg, David O., Wholistic Christianity, ISBN: 0871789329 9780871789327 0871789310 9780871789310.

*Nelson, Stanley (director), Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006), a documentary DVD, ISBN: 1415731527 9781415731529.
"Stanley Nelson's [the director], riveting and often unsettling documentary on the history of the People's Temple from Jim Jones's roots as a rising preacher on the gospel rival circuit to the events that lead to that horrible day is a must see.
"There are a several strong factors that separate this documentary from any other dealing with Jonestown incident. Nelson has tracked down a large amount of amazing archival super 8 footage shot for promotional purposes by members of People's Temple themselves. This footage helps craft an understanding of the seduction behind the ideas and opportunities Jim Jones presented to his followers that would see them travel with him from Indiana to California and finally to Guyana.
"JONESTOWN: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PEOPLE'S TEMPLE is a pitch perfect portrait of the Jonestown experience that sheds light on the much of the cult's mystery through interviews with survivors and former People's Temple members. By addressing Jones's early life and his surprisingly groundbreaking work in the African American communities in regards to race relations and equality you can't help connecting with the idealism behind the People's Temple's philosophy. Exploring the racial aspect of the People's Temple with its staggering 80 percent black congregation Nelson brings into play issues of poverty and class key to understanding Jim Jones's messiah-like cult persona in reference to an often ignored and struggling community.
"Even weaving together an eerie soundtrack of songs sung by the People's Temple Choir and using heartbreaking never before seen letters and documentation made by the members right up until their deaths, Nelson never over dramatizes or relies on sentimentality in this documentary and in doing so paints a world that stays with you long after the lights go up." -- a blogger
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762111/

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm (1844-1900), Walter Kaufmann (translator), Beyond Good and Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future, ISBN: 0585110875 9780585110875.
Non-dualism was a basic tenet of the philosophy of Nietzsche. See: The Non-duality of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother: A Profile.
"Represents Nietzsche's attempt to sum up his philosophy. In nine parts the book is designed to give the reader a comprehensive idea of Nietzche's thought and style. With an inclusive index of subjects and persons." -- Publisher

*North, Gary, Unholy Spirits: Occultism and New Age Humanism, ISBN: 0930462025 9780930462024.
"According to this in-depth analysis by renowned historian and author Dr. Gary North, the New Age movement is indeed a serious threat and its adherents are no laughing matter. By tracing the historical and theological roots of modern occultic practices, Dr. North paints a frightening portrait of just exactly what we are up against. It's not a pretty sight. Fortunately though, UNHOLY SPIRITS is not simply another 'doom and gloom' forecast. He offers parents, teachers, pastors, and other committed Christians practical steps of action to nullify and ultimately eliminate the effects of the New Age infiltration into our homes, our schools, our communities, and our nation." -- Publisher
A revision of his earlier work NONE DARE CALL IT WITCHCRAFT, published in 1974. Includes bibliographic footnotes, index, and Scripture index.
Institute for Christian Economics Freebooks.com
http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/

*Owen, John (1616-1683), Hebrews, 7 volume set, volumes 17-23 of Owen's WORKS (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1999). Alternate title: EXPOSITION OF HEBREWS and AN EXPOSITION OF THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

• Volume 17 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516122 9780851516127.
  
• Volume 18 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516130 9780851516134.
  
• Volume 19 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516149 9780851516141.
  
• Volume 20 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516157 9780851516158.
  
• Volume 21 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516165 9780851516165.
  
• Volume 22 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516173 9780851516172.
  
• Volume 23 of Owen's Works: Exposition of Hebrews, ISBN: 0851516181 9780851516189.

Paul, John (1777-1848), A Refutation of Arianism: or, A Defence of the Plenary Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, the Supreme Deity of the Son and Holy Ghost, the Atonement, 1828. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #15.
Arianism: "the main heresy denying the divinity of Christ, originating with the Alexandrian priest Arius (c. 250 -- c. 336)." Hence the suffix "arianism."

*Peretti, Frank, God's Way or My Way? an audio file.
Two very popular messages delivered by Frank Peretti, the author of THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, and broadcast on "Focus on the Family."

*Pike, Samuel (1717-1773), and Samuel Hayward (1718-1757), Discovering Why the Spirit is Grieved. In RELIGIOUS CASES OF CONSCIENCE ANSWERED IN AN EVANGELICAL MANNER . . . TO WHICH IS ADDED THE SPIRITUAL COMPANION; OR, THE PROFESSING CHRISTIAN TRIED AT THE BAR OF GOD'S WORD; AND CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY MAN, 1866.
Discovering Why the Spirit is Grieved
http://www.westminsterconfession.org/godly-living/discovering-why-the-spirit-is-grieved.php

*Pike, Samuel (1717-1773), and Samuel Hayward (1718-1757), Distinguishing Faith and Feelings. In RELIGIOUS CASES OF CONSCIENCE ANSWERED IN AN EVANGELICAL MANNER . . . TO WHICH IS ADDED THE SPIRITUAL COMPANION; OR, THE PROFESSING CHRISTIAN TRIED AT THE BAR OF GOD'S WORD; AND CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY MAN, 1866.
Distinguishing Faith and Feelings
http://www.westminsterconfession.org/godly-living/distinguishing-faith-and-feelings.php

*Pink, Arthur W. (1886-1952), The Sovereignty of God, ISBN: 0801068649 9780801068645. A Christian classic. Available (the original, unrevised, unabridged text), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Be sure to read the original, unrevised, unabridged edition, not the Banner of Truth edition (see the Marc Carpenter article below).
"Present-day conditions call loudly for a new examination and new presentation of God's omnipotence, God's sufficiency, God's sovereignty. From every pulpit in the land it needs to be thundered forth that God still lives, that God still observes, that God still reigns." -- Arthur W. Pink
"This is the best contemporary book explaining the foundations of Calvinism and God's sovereignty (as revealed in Scripture). It is like a key that, by God's grace, opens the door of understanding to some of the most blessed truths in Scripture. From the myriad of testimonies that we have heard concerning how God has used this book, we think that we can safely say that this is also the best book to pass on to those that you want to introduce to Calvinism." -- Publisher
The Banner of Truth edition removed three chapters, "The Sovereignty of God and Reprobation," "God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility," and "Difficulties and Objections." It also removes four appendices that "deal with the false distinction between decretive and permissive will, the foreordaining of the Fall, and treatments of John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2 to show that there is not a universal love or propitiation. . . ."
The Sovereignty of God, by A.W. Pink
The complete text available in either Word (.doc) format, or Rich Text Format (.rtf)
http://w3.goodnews.net/~maxward/sov.html
The Banner of Truth versus Calvinism, Marc D. Carpenter, an article.
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/147a-TheBannerTruthvsCalvinism.pdf

Potter, Ellis, Three Theories of Everything, ISBN: 9780983276852 0983276854.
"I heard this author speak at a L'Abri lecture in Melbourne about six years ago. A former Zen Buddhist monk, Ellis Potter is uniquely qualified to explain and critique Buddhism from a Christian perspective. . . .
"THREE THEORIES OF EVERYTHING is short and engaging, and though it deals with some quite esoteric questions, it does so in simple language that anyone can understand. Potter divides all worldview into three -- unitarian/monist, dualist, and Trinitarian." -- Reader's Comment

Price, Greg L., The Preface and Bibliography to the Rare Bound Photocopy: The Duty and Perpetual Obligation of Social Covenanting. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available in THE DUTY AND PERPETUAL OBLIGATION OF SOCIAL COVENANTING.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Pref&Bib.htm

Pride, Bill, Flirting With The Devil, ISBN: 0891074945 9780891074946.
"The author shows how Satan's message preached to Adam and Eve in the Garden has affected the church today. Chapters include: No Fault Sin; I'm in With the In-Crowd; Hot Crossed Roles, etc. He concludes by pointing Christians to the solutions, so that they can again become the most dynamic force in our culture. Pride is an M.I.T. grad with two degrees from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis." -- GCB

Pyron, Bernard, The Great Rebellion, ISBN: 0961502401 9780961502409.
"This book takes a close look at the years 1962-1985. The author examines, in light of the Bible, the popular culture of that era. He explores the look of the new culture that grew from the counter-cultures of the sixties. He also notes the ways the church has been involved in compromise." -- GCB

Reel to Real Ministries, Hells Bells: The Dangers of Rock 'n' Roll, 2 DVD set (c. 183 min.).
"A shocking exposé of the message and medium that has mesmerized whole generations. This is an incredibly intense biblical look at one of the major forces in our culture today. 'When modes of music change, the fundamental laws of the state change with them,' stated Plato. The degenerate communist dictator Vladimir Lenin noted the potential power for evil in music, when he said, 'One quick way to destroy a society is through its music.' Moreover, for Christians, music is an extremely important expression of faith and worship, as we note that God has providentially positioned the Psalter (His divinely inspired song-book), right in the center of the Bible. But it is clear that music can be a sanctifying or seducing power. Satan has made full use of his musical prowess through rock and its promoters and this video unmasks the devil's spiritual power as the driving force behind rock and roll. Contrasting the message of rock with the Word of God, rock's seductive nature is laid bare in these instructive videos, thus providing a clear warning to those who are still entangled in its demonic clutches. First-hand experience coupled with several years of research has produced this exhaustive analysis and these videos have now been seen by millions. It is considered the definitive work on Rock music from a Christian perspective. One drawback that we should warn you about is that these videos contain some pictures of an effeminate, long-haired man (the Roman Catholic 'Jesus'), who is clearly supposed to be the Lord Jesus Christ. We note this violation of the second commandment so that you do not purchase these videos unaware of this fact. The videos are also quite explicit and are not suitable for younger children; parental discretion is strongly advised. We leave you with a telling quote from the study guide, 'A lot of people want to say' It's just music, I'm not paying attention to the words . . .' This is a total cop-out, the scriptures practically scream at us that we are to have NO fellowship with evil . . . Consider the following parable: A man is married to a woman named Mary and Mary has dedicated her life to fighting pollution. The man comes home one day and says, 'Mary, I've got the greatest new album; you won't believe how hot the guitarist is! One thing though, the words kind of stink so don't pay any attention to them.' As the CD plays Mary hears lyrics advocating the rape of the environment and even making fun of her by name for her anti-pollution efforts. She walks over and picks up the cover and it's got a picture of the group sticking her face into an oil slick! In Mary's mind (and really anybody else's), who does the man love more, Mary or his music? So Jesus must ask of a person who says he loves Him but listens to songs that mock him, tell lies, or extol the very sins that nailed Him to the cross." -- Publisher
American Portrait Films
We now offer (2002) over 30 Christian creation science videos, young earth creationism videos, creation science videos, and videos on other creationist topics as well as 100 other thought provoking pro life, pro family videos.
http://www.americanportraitfilms.com/

Reel to Real Ministries, Hell's Bells 2: The Power and Spirit of Popular Music, 2 DVD set (c. 370), (R2R Ministries, 2004).

Reid, John, Truth no Enemy to Peace. Animadversions on the Rev. Mr. Fletcher's Defence of his Scripture-loyalist, 1799. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #25.

*Reisman, Judith A., Eunice V. Ray (editor), and Alfred Moreschi (illustrator), Kinsey: Crimes and Consequences the Red Queen and the Grand Scheme, ISBN: 0966662415 9780966662412.
"Dr. Judith Reisman's new book, KINSEY: CRIMES AND CONSEQUENCES THE RED QUEEN AND THE GRAND SCHEME, presents sinister material on the man who seduced America.
"The 1960s' sexual revolution was based on the most elaborate and carefully crafted scientific fraud of this century, writes author Judith Reisman. Early sexologist Alfred C. Kinsey, with his two famous reports just 50 years ago, seemingly legitimized both profligacy and deviancy, and thus established 'the sexual license he [personally] espoused.' SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE HUMAN MALE (1948) and its female equivalent (1953) kicked off no-fault divorce, the wife-swapping era, the gay rights movement, classroom sex education, sex 'therapy' as a growth industry, explicit imagery in the media and entertainment industry, and an avalanche of pornography and obscenity.
"Although Kinsey was a sexual revolutionary, Dr. Reisman contends, he was falsely portrayed by Indiana University where he worked, and the Rockefeller Foundation which funded him, 'as just a normal American guy/husband/family man who simply "discovered" the "really" that most American men commonly engaged in sexually aberrant and outlaw behaviour.' Kinsey's 'research' alleged that 10 percent of American males were homosexual, that all of us were bisexual, that children were sexual from birth, and could engage in sexual activity with adults without harm, plus a whole broad spectrum of things taught today in our schools and practiced today in courts of law as fact and as true . . . It was fraud then, it is fraud now, and it revolutionized this nation and turned us into Kinsey's [psychological] clones.
"His 'Grand Scheme' was to eliminate normal families in favour of selective breeding predicated upon racial and sexual eugenics, she charges, and his 'scientific conclusions' were concocted to advance it. The reference is to the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland who wanted the sentence (beheading) carried out first and the verdict pronounced afterwards.
"Disturbing information about Kinsey's work and private life has been accumulating since his death in 1956 at age 62. (The official cause was pneumonia due to overwork, but his extensive homosexual and sadomasochistic activities were likely contributors). Dr. Reisman revealed much of it in 1990, for example, in KINSEY, SEX AND FRAUD. Even last year's resolutely non-condemnatory biography by fellow Indiana University scholar James H. Jones, ALFRED C. KINSEY: A PUBLIC/PRIVATE LIFE (Norton), is replete with gruesomely shocking details.
"KINSEY: CRIME AND CONSEQUENCES cannot be described as non-condemnatory. Its central figure, Dr. Reisman asserts, 'fits the classic definition of a sexual psychopath.' Had the public known that he 'and his male population were sexually abnormal, the popular use of their data to change [our] law, education and public policy would have come to a screeching halt.' He was able, however, to blackmail into silence associates who knew about 'his extensive use of deviants, his large prison population or, worse, his active child molesters.'
"Still, she thinks his 'findings' should have roused suspicion. 'When I first read Kinsey's research, I thought this man is not reporting on America -- he's reporting on himself and then projecting that onto the nation. Kinsey prostituted his own wife Clara . . . into acts of sodomy with fellow "researchers," which Kinsey filmed. He seduced his own students at Indiana University -- male, not female students. He devised sexual activities with his "co-workers," who then became his co-authors. He [personally] engaged in violent sadistic activity, in which he harmed himself terribly . . . and appears to have died, frankly, as a result of the trauma to his body.'
"But his famed reports were carefully phrased to obscure the fact that words like 'contacts,' 'partners' and 'sex play' could signify grown men sodomizing children. He was also both racist and cautious about his colleagues, avoiding Jews, blacks and moral traditionalists. Dr. Reisman quotes Kinsey co-author Wardell Pomeroy (KINSEY AND THE INSTITUTE FOR SEX RESEARCH, Harper & Row, 1972), on his hiring technique: 'As usual . . . we took his sexual history first . . . [Then] Kinsey put down his pen and said, "I don't think you want to work for us." "But I do," the researcher insisted. "Well," Kinsey observed, "you have just said that premarital intercourse might lead to later difficulties in marriage, that extramarital relations would break up a marriage, that homosexuality is abnormal, and intercourse with animals is ludicrous. Apparently you have all the answers. . . . Why do you want to do research'?"
"Biographer Jones describes Kinsey as 'one of the scholarly eugenicists of pre-WWII' who favoured mass sterilization for the lower classes and selective breeding for the 'better classes.' Moreover, Judith Reisman emphasizes, the Rockefeller Foundation was early interested in population control and in using the media to popularize it. The Reece Committee, investigating U.S. tax-exempt foundations in 1953-54, concluded that this 'plutocratic control' was accomplished by 'funding the "right" university research by the "right" researchers, then by funding mass media dissemination of the "right" science data to the public.' Kinsey's numbers made him a perfect fit for anyone eager to alter what he would call human 'breeding patterns.'
"Dr. Reisman, a specialist in content analysis studies of written and visual media, lost many family members in the Holocaust. In that context she raises further sinister questions about Kinsey's data. For instance, who was the 'lone pedophile,' the 'elderly gentleman' cited by Kinsey for his sexual molestation of 800 children? Who were 'The Children of Table 34' and what became of them? How did Kinsey's 'technically trained' observers gain access to the claimed 1,800 American children for illegal genital experiments? 'To this day,' she observes, 'the Kinsey Institute and Indiana University have repeatedly . . . refused to reveal any names of the subjects or the experimenters.' Nor has any one of these children ever come forward, although the institute seems an excellent target for lawsuits.
"Even in the destitute 1930s, at the cited rate of a dollar a day, she doubts that children as young as three months were obtainable in such numbers around Bloomington, Indiana. She suggests an ominous but credible alternative: a collaborative link between Kinsey and Nazi Germany, then a police state where such 'experimentation' could easily be conducted 'as part of an ongoing collegial, cross-cultural, multinational, "fact-finding" research project.' She cites significant links, such as one George Sylvester Viereck, who worked for the German embassy in Washington, D.C., in those years, setting up Nazi front groups, and who is known to have been a Kinsey correspondent. Furthermore, the Rockefeller Foundation was simultaneously funding eugenics projects in Berlin.
"Kinsey consistently kept secret his hypotheses and the basic facts upon which his conclusions rested, Dr. Reisman charges. 'Neither Kinsey nor any of his team can rightly be termed "scientists." Their methodology was not scientific, for it was neither able to be replicated nor validated. Their data was anonymous, forced, secretly altered at will, and fraudulent. With the aid of the elite academic world and institutions and the support of public funds and the social planning foundations, Kinsey and his associates, who served as his own private male harem, conducted thousands of sexual interviews to present a false view of American sexual behaviours.'
"Amazingly, however, use of Kinsey data as authoritative has never been seriously challenged -- until now. It must not continue, Dr. Reisman declares: 'There [must] be a full and open public investigation into Kinsey's fraudulent data and its impact upon lawmakers, the military, the church, the press, the academic world, the family and all our institutions'." -- Kevin E. Abrams, co-author of The Pink Swastika: Homosexuality In The Nazi Party

Reisman, Judith A., Sexual Sabotage: How one mad Scientist Unleashed a Plague of Corruption and Contagion on America, ISBN: 9781935071853 1935071858.
"Alfred Kinsey's statistics on American sexual behavior was greatly skewed towards unusual sexual practices. Subsequent researchers at the Kinsey Institute have claimed that they have cleaned up the data, and found the same incidence rates. It is not possible to clean up data that was drawn from a sample that was not representative of the American people as a whole. The psychologist Abraham Maslow pointed out that Kinsey's data suffered from volunteer bias. And eminent statisticians pointed out that his statistics were invalid.
"Reisman points out that if sex outside of marriage had really been as common as Kinsey claimed, there would have been much more abortion, divorce, children born out of wedlock, and sexually transmitted diseases in the 1940s than there actually was.
"Kinsey's books did much to weaken the laws against sex outside of marriage, because it did not seem reasonable to outlaw behavior that was commonplace. Reisman documents how the American Law Institute Model Penal Code was substantially changed by the Kinsey reports. The ALI MPC frequently quoted Kinsey as a reference when reducing or eliminating penalties for sex crimes. Kinsey's assertion that children desire sex has lead to efforts to lower the age of consent. Marriage was originally a contract designed to enforce sexual exclusivity, to provide for the care of children, and to prevent women from being abandoned. Kinsey's promotion of hedonism has weakened the institution of marriage, to the detriment of women and children.
"Judith Reisman is a voice in the wilderness, repeatedly drawing attention to one of the biggest crimes of the 20th century. Alfred Kinsey lied about the sex lives of the American people, in particular, about the Greatest Generation, the people who carried America through the Great Depression and World War II. Kinsey claimed that sex outside of marriage was common, when, in fact, it was unusual. Kinsey caused the children of the greatest generation to believe that their parents were hypocrites, who preached traditional sexual morality, but practiced sexual immorality." -- Reader's Comment

Ridenour, Fritz, So What's the Difference? ISBN: 0830707212 9780830707218.
"A very helpful and handy guide to the real points of difference between Biblical Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Unitarianism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and Mormonism." -- GCB
"With more than 800,000 copies in print since it was first published in 1967, SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? now appears in this updated and enlarged edition.
"Fritz Ridenour is one of America's bestselling authors. He has written more than a dozen books which have sold millions of copies. He has written this book for adults as well as for youth to answer their questions about Christianity." -- Publisher

*Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Ecclesiastical Megalomania: The Economic and Political Thought of the Roman Catholic Church (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation), ISBN: 0940931753 9780940931756.
"This book is a detailed examination of the official statements of the Vatican on economic and political matters. It demonstrates the collectivism and totalitarianism of the Roman Catholic Church-State. It is the only such book written by a Christian in the twentieth century.
"This book explores the conflict between Roman Catholic social thought and human freedom, relying on official pronouncements from the Vatican to show that the political and economic theory of the Roman Church-State justifies feudalism, corporativism [corporatism -- compiler], liberation theology, the welfare state, and fascism.
"Dr. John W. Robbins attended Grove City College (A.B. 1969), and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. 1970, Ph.D. 1973). He has served as chief of staff for a Member of Congress [Ron Paul of Texas -- compiler], editor of The Freeman magazine, Economist for The Heritage Foundation, and Professor of Political Philosophy in The Freedom School." -- Publisher
Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, John Owen, Thomas Manton, The Westminster Assembly, James Renwick, Archibald Mason, Christopher Ness, Francis Turretin, The Reformed Presbytery, David Steel, James R. Willson, Alexander M'Leod, William L. Roberts, James Aiken Wylie, Andrew Wilet, Henry Wilkinson, James Wylie, Patrick Fairbairn, James Aiken, Andrew Wilet, Alexander Hislop, Francis Nigel Lee, Arthur W. Pink, and so forth, and so on, have all believed and argued in print that the seated Pope is the Antichrist of the Bible.
The Roman Church-State is "the world's oldest, largest, most powerful and most influential politico-ecclesiastical institution" and it "may also be the world's wealthiest." The Roman Catholic Institution is the ultimate "negative guide to the positive," the reformers ultimate "opposite guide to political and economic reform."

*Robbins, John (1949-2008), Freedom and Capitalism: Essays on Christian Politics and Economics, ISBN: 1891777157 9781891777158.
See, in particularly, the Foreword.
"The relationship between Christianity, freedom, and capitalism has been a subject of scholarly study for centuries. In this volume, John Robbins argues that political and economic freedom are the results of Biblical Christianity. Political freedom and capitalism arose in Northwestern Europe and North America after the Christian Reformation of the 16th century, and they are unique in world history. The nations and peoples that heard and accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the Reformers quickly became free and prosperous on a scale previously unimaginable. Some historians and economists have denied any causal connection between Christianity, freedom, and capitalism, but they are able to deny this connection only by ignoring clear philosophical, economic, legal, sociological, and historical evidence demonstrating that Christianity is the source of capitalism.
"Dr. John W. Robbins attended Grove City College (A.B. 1969), and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. 1970, Ph.D. 1973). He has served as chief of staff for a Member of Congress, editor of The Freeman magazine, Economist for The Heritage Foundation, and Professor of Political Philosophy in The Freedom School." -- Publisher
Table of Contents: Foreword | Politics | The Founder of Western Civilization | The Sine Qua Non of Enduring Freedom | Some Problems with Natural Law | The Political Philosophy of the Founding Fathers | The Bible and the Draft | The Messianic Character of American Foreign Policy | Truth and Foreign Policy | Compassionate Fascism | Conservatism: An Autopsy | Rightwing Radical Chic | The Reconstructionist Assault on Freedom | Roman Catholic Totalitarianism | The Relation of Church and State (Charles Hodge) | Abortion, the Christian, and the State | The Ethics and Economics of Health Care | The Chickens' Homecoming (John Whitehead) | The Coming Caesars (John Whitehead) | Rebuilding American Freedom in the Twenty-first Century | The Religious Wars of the Twenty-First Century | Economics: The Failure of Secular Economics | The Promise of Christian Economics | Teaching Economics from the Bible | The Neo-Evangelical Assault on Capitalism | The Reformed Assault on Capitalism | The Roman Catholic Assault on Capitalism | How Romanism Ruined America | Not Yours to Give (Edward Ellis) | Money, Freedom, and the Bible | The Case Against Indexation | Is Christianity Tied to Any Political or Economic System? | Ecology: The Abolition of Man | Scripture Index | Index | The Crisis of Our Time | Intellectual Ammunition

*Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Without a Prayer: Ayn Rand and the Close of her System, 382 pages, ISBN: 0940931745 9780940931749.
"WITHOUT A PRAYER has been praised by U.S. Representative Ron Paul ("A brilliantly insightful analysis of Ayn Rand's influential philosophy"); Edmund Opitz of the Foundation for Economic Education ("A well-structured argument is a work of art; to follow this one is an exhilarating experience"); D. James Kennedy ("This is a powerful book -- a book of strong reasoning, sound apologetics, passionate persuasion, and brilliant logic"); and Jay E. Adams ("His chapters on epistemology and on values are worth the price of the book"). Dr. Robbins discusses not only the philosophy of Ayn Rand, but also criticizes the principal books of her disciples." -- The Trinity Foundation

Rockstad, Ernest B., The Healing of the Mind (Andover, KS: Faith and Life Publications). Available in The Mind: Satan's Base of Operations (2 Cor. 11:3), [2 Corinthians 11:3], 4 audio cassettes [audio file].
A booklet explaining how to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2). Filled with references to Scripture.

Roebuck, Julian B., and Marcus L. Hickson, The Southern Redneck: A Phenomenalogical Class Study, ISBN: 0275908860 9780275908867 0275917967 9780275917968.
Not pejorative. Includes extensive bibliography.
"The Redneck's chief problem remains false consciousness." -- Julian Roebuck

*Rogers, Richard (1550?-1618), Judges, ISBN: 0851513778.
Richard Rogers was a contemporary of William Perkins (1558-1602).
"This for the Puritan period is THE work upon Judges. It is thoroughly plain and eminently practical. . . ." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"It [the book of JUDGES -- compiler], provides a dramatic illustration of the effect of apostasy upon every aspect of life. The root cause of Israel's decline was that the covenant relationship with the Lord, with its requirement of absolute and loyal obedience to His commands, was broken. This led to disintegration in the political, religious, social, and family spheres and to a sharp increase in immorality. THE BOOK OF JUDGES serves as a reminder that a nation cannot live on its past glories. The author of JUDGES was, of course, a preacher to his own generation, but his message has a permanent and universal application, and may be summed up in the words of Proverbs 14:34:

Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin in a reproach to any people. [Proverbs 14:34 ]

Russell, Jeffrey Burton, A History of Witchcraft: Sorcery, Heretics, Pagan, ISBN: 9780500286340 0500286345.
A comprehensive work.
"Drawing comparisons between modern sorcery and that of the ancient world, the authors show how the European witch craze in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries developed out of a combination of ancient sorcery and medieval Christian heresy, paganism, folklore, scholastic theology, and inquisitorial trials. Whether the diabolical witchcraft for which men and women went to the stake ever existed is open to question. What matters more is that it was believed to exist by intellectuals and peasants alike. 110 illustrations." -- Publisher

*Scheneman, Mark A., The Identification of Models of Ministry for Clergy and Congregations to Confront the Destructive Cults (The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, D.Min. thesis, 1983).
"This project undertook the task of identifying and suggesting models of ministry which clergy and congregations might find appropriate and helpful in dealing with destructive cults. . . . It was argued that destructive cults ought to be confronted on moral and procedural grounds, rather than for theological considerations." -- Dissertation Abstracts

*Shepard, Thomas (1605-1649), The Sincere Convert and the Sound Believer. Alternate title: THE SINCERE CONVERT: DISCOVERING THE SMALL NUMBER OF TRUE BELEEVERS AND THE GREAT DIFFICULTY OF SAVING-CONVERSION, ISBN: 1877611328. A Christian classic. Available (THE WORKS OF THOMAS SHEPARD, volume 3 only), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
The sub-title continues: "Wherein is excellently and plainly opened these choyce and divine principles: viz: 1. That there is a God, and this God is most glorious, 2. that God made man in a blessed estate, 3. mans misery by his fall, 4. Christ the onely redeemer by price, 5. that few are saved and that with difficulty, 6. that mans perdition is of himself."
"Lovers of Puritan literature will welcome the reprinting of these two classics. Also includes about 200 pages on the life of Shepard." -- GCB
"He scatters pearls and diamonds with both hands." -- C.H. Spurgeon
The Sincere Convert, Discovering the Paucity of True Believers (1643)
http://archive.org/details/sincereconvertd00shepgoog

*Singer, C. Gregg (1910-1999), The Apologetics lecture series using FROM RATIONALISM TO IRRATIONALITY: THE DECLINE OF THE WESTERN MIND FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE PRESENT (1979) as the text, and delivered in Decatur, Georgia, beginning November, 1979, 17 MP3 files.
"So many times people in the pew and the pulpit say, well how did all this get started? How did psychology descend to its present level? . . . How did political science produce our political thought, produce the dictatorships which are engulfing the modern world? Why are we in the economic mess in which we are today? Why is sociology such a jumble of immorality? Why is education as it is today? Why is art so meaningless? . . . Why is modern music an affront to the modern ears as well as to the mind and ear of God? . . . Why are all these things!? . . .
"I would suggest to you that if you will follow this course with thought and care, you will finally come to see the answer to the questions which haunt us today in Western society." -- C. Gregg Singer, from this cited lecture series
Apologetics lecture series C. Gregg Singer
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=2250511453

Singer, C. Gregg (1910-1999), On the Doctrine of Human Rights, a series of messages [digital files].
"Every futile attempt to create rights which do not exist results in the lose of rights which do exist. The modern theory of political rights has no philosophic or theological foundation. It rests upon human democratic assumptions concerning the nature of man, which conception has absolutely no foundation in the political, or the social, or the religious philosophy which produced it." -- C. Gregg Singer commenting on "human rights" in general, and the right to abortion in particular, in his lecture Apologetics: #01: Classical and Medieval Thought #1, the first in a series of 24 lectures entitled "Apologetics" delivered in November 1979 in Decatur, Georgia, which follow his book FROM RATIONALISM TO IRRATIONALITY: THE DECLINE OF THE WESTERN MIND FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE PRESENT (1979).
For more from Singer on the doctrine of human rights see also:

Apologetics #06: Irrationalism and Theistic Rationalism #2

Apologetics #07: Irrationalism and Theistic Rationalism

Apologetics #12: The Impact of Darwin and Social Darwinism #1

Church History #05: The Early Church #4

Great Moments in Presbyterian History #8: What the Bible has to say About the Nature of Government
"Human rights emerge from human duty and from no other place. And beginning with Locke and Jefferson they removed them from their Biblical foundation. . . .
"What are our real rights? We have the right to life because God created us in his image. . . .
"Our duties to God are the source of our rights. And any other concept of human rights will inevitably, by their very nature, destroy that which they seek to protect. Man was created to glorify God, and in his glorification of God he receives his rights because they are the product, they spring from his duty."

Decline of American Culture #06: Decline in the 1830's: Philosophical Revolution in Political Thought

Singer, C. Gregg (1910-1999), The Unholy Alliance: The Definitive History of the National Council of Churches and its Leftist Policies -- From 1908 to the Present, 384 pages, ISBN: 0870003275 9780870003271.
"This book is not calculated to win friends among adherents to the National Council of Churches. It provides convincing evidence of the tremendous gap that has developed between the NCC and its critics and demonstrates the NCC's inability to achieve its objectives." -- Cyril J. Barber
Unholy Alliance: The Definitive History of the National Council of Churches and Its Leftist Policies -- From 1908 to the Present
Freebooks online e-text.
http://freebooks.entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/39be_47e.htm

*Singer, Margaret Thaler, and Janja Lalich, Cults in our Midst, ISBN: 0787900516 9780787900519.
Said to be one of the best secular refutation of cults and cult psychology.
"The country's leading authority on cults, Margaret Thaler Singer, calls on her nearly fifty years of expertise to write the definitive book on cults. Written with author and former cult member Janja Lalich, Singer's first book is a shocking exposé that reveals what cults are and how they work. CULTS IN OUR MIDST offers vital information on how to help people escape cult entrapments and recover from the experience. This compelling book debunks commonly held myths and answers perplexing questions about cults. CULTS IN OUR MIDST is filled with practical strategies and suggestions for understanding the cult phenomenon and helping the cult members break free." -- Publisher

Sire, James, Scripture Twisting: 20 Ways the Cults Misread the Bible, ISBN: 0877846111 9780877846116.
"James Sire has isolated twenty separate kinds of reading errors which are characteristically made by cultists as they interpret the Bible. He covers the full range from simple misquotation to complex argumentation. Sire also handles twisted translation, overspecification, virtue by association, ignoring the context, and others. It's a book to help us all become better readers of the Scriptures. . . ." -- Hank Hanegraaff

Spiritual Counterfeits Project (Berkeley, CA [Spiritual Counterfeits Project, P.O. Box 2418, Berkeley 94702]: Spiritual Counterfeits Project).
Spiritual Counterfeits Project
http://www.scp-inc.org/

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon.
A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, September 9, 1888, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 2043.
"This is the way in which you should use this plea. Say, 'My God, I am utterly unworthy, and I own it; but, I beseech thee, hear me for the honour of thy dear Son. By his agony and bloody sweat, by his cross and passion, by his precious death and burial, I beseech thee hear me! O Lord, let the blood of thine Only-begotten prevail with thee! Canst thou put aside his groans, his tears, his death, when they speak on my behalf?' If you can thus come to pleading terms with God upon this ground, you must and will prevail. Jesus must be heard in heaven. The voice of his blood is eloquent with God. If you plead the atoning sacrifice, you must overcome through the blood of the Lamb." -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), Jesus Christ Himself. (Ephesians 2:20) A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, December 9, 1877, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 1388.
"Beyond all argument or miracle, Jesus Christ Himself is the proof of His own Gospel. And as He is the proof of it, so, Beloved, He is the marrow and essence of it. When the Apostle Paul meant that the Gospel was preached, He said, Christ is preached, for the Gospel is Christ Himself! If you want to know what Jesus taught, know Him! He is the incarnation of that Truth of God which by Him and in
Him is revealed to the sons of men. Did He not, Himself say, I am the way, the truth, and the life?
"You have not to take down innumerable books, nor to pore over mysterious sentences of double meaning in order to know what our great Teacher has revealed. You have but to turn and gaze upon His countenance, behold His actions and note His spirit and you know His teaching. He lived what He taught. If we wish to know Him, we may hear His gentle voice saying, Come and see. Study His wounds and you understand His innermost philosophy. To know Him and the power of His Resurrection is the highest degree of spiritual learning. He is the end of the Law and the soul of the Gospel -- and when we have preached His Word to the fullest, we may close by saying, Now, of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum -- we have an High Priest who is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the heavens." -- C.H. Spurgeon
http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols22-24/chs1388.pdf

Stavely, William, An Appeal to Light, or, The Tenets of Deists Examined and Disapproved: And the Authority of the Holy Scriptures Asserted and Vindicated. Alternate title: APPEAL TO LIGHT: REPLY TO THOMAS PAINE'S AGE OF REASON.

Stratford, Lauren, and Johanna Michaelsen (foreword), Satan's Underground: The Extraordinary Story of one Woman's Escape, ISBN: 0882898760 9780882898766.
"Readers from coast to coast will be shocked and disturbed by the story told here. But most of all, they will come to care deeply for the many thousands of innocent children who are faced with unspeakable horrors at the hands of modern day satanists." -- Reader's Comment

Tinker, Melvin, That Hideous Strength: How the West was Lost: The Cancer of Cultural Marxism in the Church and the World, and the Gospel of Change, ISBN: 9781783972401 1783972408.
"Tinker borrows from the story of Babel in Genesis 11 and C.S. Lewis' book THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH to make the case that the church today is involved in a spiritual battle of monumental proportion. The culprit is what Tinker calls 'cultural Marxism,' which he says is seeking a 'redefining and reconfiguring of reality.' (p. 62)
"Many Christians today are dismissing the notion of a 'culture war,' apparently because they don't want the reputation of being people who are always looking for a fight, but through numerous examples, Tinker shows that a concentrated effort is afoot that is seeking to erect a new Babel through higher education, media, sitcoms, indoctrination of children, social media and advertising. Too many Christians, in a desire to 'shun controversy' and maintain an 'easy-going manner' (p. 109), are shirking their responsibility to stand for truth, and the results will be catastrophic.
"As Lewis says: 'Emphasize only the natural fit between the Gospel and the spirit of the age and we will have an easy, comfortable gospel that is closer to our age then to the Gospel.' (101). Tinker says, 'those in the past who have made the greatest impact for the cause of truth have also been those who have engaged with the culture, exposing and refuting it and being willing to pay the price in terms of attracting the culture's reproach.' (104)" -- Reader's Comment

*Turretin, Francis (1623-1687), Institutes of Elenctic Theology, Vols. 1, 2, and 3, ISBN: 0875524516 9780875524511 0875524524 9780875524528.
Turretin was the renowned teacher of the Academy in Geneva and successor to Calvin, Beza, and Diodati.
These three volumes "mark the arrival of the first complete edition of the INSTITUTES OF ELENCTIC THEOLOGY to be published in the English language. Heartily recommended by James Montgomery Boice, Sinclair B. Ferguson, John H. Gerstner, Leon Morris, and others. Theologians, pastors, and students will welcome this treatise, which first develops and then contrast Reformed doctrines with Roman Catholic, Arminian, and Socinian views. . . ." -- Publisher
Francis Turretin, excerpts
http://www.apuritansmind.com/FrancisTurretin/francisturretin.htm

*Wilberforce, William (1759-1833), Real Christianity. Alternate title: A PRACTICAL VIEW OF THE PREVAILING RELIGIOUS SYSTEM OF PROFESSED CHRISTIANS IN THE HIGHER AND MIDDLE CLASSES IN THIS COUNTRY, CONTRASTED WITH REAL CHRISTIANITY. PUBLISHED IN 1797 BY WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, ESQ. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE COUNTY OF YORK, ISBN: 157748584X.
"Wilberforce (1759-1833), was a member of the English Parliament for 45 years, a politician by calling, but a Christian in his faith and practice.
"He was a prime mover in the abolition of slavery in England. This book was printed in 1797, and has gone through many printings since, in English and five other languages.
"The book is highly abridged, being originally 450 pages. . . . The main thrust of the book is on practical Christianity. . . . Wilberforce teaches the importance of a God-centered life. Any life that is not centered on our Creator is not life at all, but such persons are dead while living (1 Timothy 5:6) . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)

*Wilson, Howard A., Invasion From the East, ISBN: 0806616717 9780806616711.
"Evaluates the impact of Eastern religions on Western society and culture. Voices justifiable concern over the spiritual barrenness that has made America vulnerable to such inroads. Sobering." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Wolterstorff, Nicholas, Justice: Rights and Wrongs, ISBN: 9780691129679 0691129673 9780691146300 0691146306.
"This book is an attempt to speak up for the wronged of the world. . . . My speaking up for the wrong of the world takes the form, in this book, of doing what I can to undermine those frameworks of conviction that prevent us from acknowledging that the other comes before us bearing a claim on us, and of offering an alternative framework, one that opens up to such acknowledgements." -- the author, p. ix
"Nicholas Wolterstorff discusses what it is to have a right, and he locates rights in the respect due the worth of the rights-holder. After contending that socially-conferred rights require the existence of natural rights, he argues that no secular account of natural human rights is successful; he offers instead a theistic account.
"Wolterstorff prefaces his systematic account of justice as grounded in rights with an exploration of the common claim that rights-talk is inherently individualistic and possessive. He demonstrates that the idea of natural rights originated neither in the Enlightenment nor in the individualistic philosophy of the late Middle Ages, but was already employed by the canon lawyers of the twelfth century. He traces our intuitions about rights and justice back even further, to Hebrew and Christian scriptures. After extensively discussing justice in the Old Testament and the New, he goes on to show why ancient Greek and Roman philosophy could not serve as a framework for a theory of rights." -- Publisher

Wright, R.K. McGregor, No Place for Sovereignty: What's Wrong With Freewill Theism, 1996, ISBN: 0830818812 9780830818815.

*Wurmbrand, Richard, Marx and Satan, ISBN: 0891073795 9780891073796.
"While Communism portrays itself as a noble endeavor for the good of mankind, and claims an Atheistic view, Wurmbrand exposes its true roots, revealing that Karl Marx and the fathers of the modern Communist/Socialist movements were inspired by the powers of darkness.
"By examining the confessions, writings, and poetry of Marx and his followers, the author demonstrates how the 'prince of darkness' gave these men the 'sword' by which they have terrorized the nations. Wurmbrand proves that this movement is not simply the work of greedy men, hungry for wealth and power, but is 'after the working of Satan' with the intent of destroying mankind. . . .
"The late Reverend Richard Wurmbrand spent 14 years as a prisoner of the Communist government in Rumania, where he was persecuted for his faith in Jesus Christ. His experience led him to spend further years researching Karl Marx and the Communist doctrines he developed. While Communism portrays itself as a noble endeavor for the good of mankind, and claims an Atheistic view, Wurmbrand exposes its true roots, revealing that Karl Marx and the fathers of the modern Communist/Socialist movements were inspired by the powers of darkness." -- Publisher

Yang, Michael B., Reconsidering Ayn Rand, ISBN: 1579212182 9781579212186 1579212557 9781579212551.
"Dr. Michael Yang was an ardent Objectivist when he was a student at The Johns Hopkins University, but at Harvard Medical School he became a Christian. RECONSIDERING AYN RAND is a semi-auto-biographical account of how and why he changed his mind -- or rather, how and why God changed it for him. This book is one of the best books written by a Christian on Rand's philosophy of Objectivism." -- The Trinity Foundation

*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), and Vince Vitale, Jesus Among Secular Gods: The Countercultural Claims of Christ, ISBN: 9781455569168 145556916X.
"The rise of these secular gods presents the most serious challenge to the absolute claims of Christ since the founding of Christianity itself. The Christian worldview has not only been devalued and dismissed by modern culture, but its believers are openly ridiculed as irrelevant. In JESUS AMONG SECULAR GODS, Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale challenge the popular 'isms' of the day, skillfully pointing out the fallacies in their claims and presenting compelling evidence for revealed absolute truth as found in Jesus. This book is fresh, insightful, and important, and faces head on today's most urgent challenges to Christian faith. It will help seekers to explore the claims of Christ and will provide Christians with the knowledge to articulate why they believe that Jesus stands tall above all other gods." -- Publisher

*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), Why Jesus? Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass Marketed Spirituality, ISBN: 1455508608 9781455508600.
"Ravi Zacharias is a very gifted communicator. Whether he is discussing literature, philosophy, religion, or everything in between -- he makes it interesting, engaging, and thought provoking. In this book he tackles the search for meaning in the West and in the East and how that ultimately all searches are empty if they do not lead to truth. He gives a very solid case for how all truth is God's truth and that the ultimate truth that we all long for leads us to the person and work of the historical Jesus revealed in the Bible and the accounts of His life, death, resurrection, ascension and future return.
"In chapter one after a scintillating discussing of movie making agendas in the East and the West he writes, 'Why are we always beguiled by something foreign? In the West, Eastern mysticism is 'in' -- chants, sounds, and practices with foreign words have made an appeal of culture -- shifting proportions -- while in the East, where these very same techniques have been tried for centuries, many are disillusioned and seeking solace somewhere else. Before me the entertainment elite of the East gave their full attention to a talk on 'Why Jesus Is the Ultimate,' while in the West, entertainers are looking toward the East for their answers.'
"In the first half to about seventy percent of the way into the book Ravi tackles what he calls 'Western' thought -- a hybrid of western and eastern thought blended into one. He takes the time to demonstrate how eastern thought has penetrated the west, and how western thought has penetrated the east. He cogently and brilliantly synthesizes how this has taken place through the medium of television, philosophy, religion, and irreligion and highlights old and modern voices alike. Zacharias weaves the themes of induction, seduction, deduction, and reduction among these differing mediums of communication resulting in a 'New Spirituality.'
"Ravi makes so many excellent observations with reference to the 'New Spirituality' that it would make for a very long review were I to recount the excellencies of his presentation. On the postmodern influences of the likes of Michael Foucault and Jacques Derrida on 'Westernism' he writes about the authority of the 'New Spirituality' in this fashion by way of a modern tale:
" 'In the beginning, God. God spoke. But that was a long time ago. We wanted certainty -- now. For this, only Reason and Rationalism would do. But that was not enough. We wanted to 'test.' So we went into the senses and found the empirical. But that's not what we meant by testing. We really meant 'feeling.' So we found a way to generate feeling into the picture. Truth was framed into a scene. But the scene was left open to interpretation. Scenes are not absolute. So the story was told as an art form. But the reader still didn't like it, because he was not the author. So he read the story while he sat in a reconstructed and deconstructed cubicle to make of the story whatever he wished. But what does one do with the long reach of the empirical? The best way was to find a blend between the empirical and the satirical and end up with God again. The only difference was that God could not be the storyteller. We still needed God. So we became God.'
"Ravi talks about Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, and various other 'isms' and demonstrates how people in the East like Deepak Chopra, and people in the West like Oprah Winfrey have developed syncretistic systems of thought that have blended eastern and western thinking and religion. One interesting example of this mixing is when he quotes Elizabeth Lesser when she writes of the difference between the 'Old Spirituality' and the 'New Spirituality'.":
'AUTHORITY: In the 'old' spirituality authority is held by the church; in the 'new' spirituality the individual worshiper has authority to determine what is best for him or her.
'SPIRITUALITY: In the old spirituality God and the way to worship have already been defined and the worshiper just follows the rules; in the new spirituality the worshiper defines spirituality for him -- or herself.
'THE PATH TO GOD: In the old spirituality there is only one way to God, all else is wrong; in the new spirituality there are unlimited paths or combinations of paths one can follow . . . you can string a necklace all your own making.
'SACRED: In the old spirituality parts of yourself are considered evil (the body, ego, emotions), and must be denied, transcended, or sublimated; in the new spirituality anything goes.
'TRUTH: In the old spirituality truth is knowable and constant. Leading to the same answers at every stage of life; in the new spirituality you never quite arrive at the truth as it is constantly changing to accommodate your growth.'
"Zacharias responds to Lesser in this manner, 'With the safety net she has provided for determining truth, who can ever fall?' "The evangelist from the Old Spirituality pleaded with his audiences to 'invite Jesus into your heart;' the New Spirituality tell you to invite yourself into your heart.
"Ravi spends the rest of the book answering the following questions: Why Jesus? What difference does it make what you believe? Is truth really even knowable? Could it be that postmodern spirituality is really the expression of a universal hunger rather than an answer to anything? What are the deep-seated questions that drive the quest for spirituality? Why is it that in the West we seem to have discarded the message of Christ, while in the East they have begun to realize that he is the one they are looking for?
"Ultimately all worldviews and religions need to examine their beliefs and views and answer these three unavoidable questions: 1) How do they handle the question of exclusivity as it relates to their own belief? 2) What is the ultimate source of their authority for belief and behavior? And 3) How relevant is what they believe to the common experience and what difference does it make?
"According to Zacharias correspondence to facts and systematic coherence are the test for any worldview. In constructing a good worldview they must consist of the following eight components:
'A good worldview must have a strong basis in fact. This point alone has a two-edged reality: First, can the assertion being made be tested against reality? And second, is the assertion clearly false? If one assertion in the system is clearly false or cannot be tested against reality, there is a failure to meet the test of truth.
'A good worldview must have a high degree of coherence or internal consistency.
'A good worldview must give a reasonable and logical explanation for the various undeniable realities that we sense all around us.
'A good worldview will avoid the two extremes of either being too complex or too simplistic.
'A good worldview is not explained by just one line of evidence.
'A good worldview must explain contrary worldviews without compromising its own essential beliefs.
'A good worldview cannot argue just on the basis of private experience, but must have some objective standard of measurements.
'A good worldview must justifiably explain the essential nature of good and evil, since those two alternatives are principal characteristics differentiating human beings from all other entities or quantities.'
"Two thousand years ago when Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4 on the Sabbath day in the Synagogue, and stood up and read, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed be to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then he rolled back the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began saying to them, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
"Ravi comments on this passage and concludes in this manner, 'This is the message of freedom for those in bondage, a message that will open the eyes of our darkened spirituality to the bright light of his grace, that will convince a Church to live the love of God by taking care of the poor and taking up the cause of the oppressed, that assures us there is an end of time where eternity awaits, and that all who long for his presence will live in the fulfillment of their faith to the grand consummation of seeing the Ultimate One, face-to-face. . . . It is in him [Jesus] that we find it all.'
"Zacharias meticulously and clearly shows in this book the miserable failure of the 'New Spirituality' to deliver on any of these eight components that make up for a coherent and compelling worldview. On the other hand, in a very captivating manner he demonstrates how all of the best thinking of the west and east when brought together converge in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth -- and the worldview known throughout the world as 'Christianity.'
"I highly recommend this book because it makes a compelling case for the cogency of Christianity, and helps you to understand where eastern and western thought have large 'holes' that can only be filled with the water of life by the same Jesus who said that in Him we will never thirst again -- spiritually." -- Reader's Comment
"For over thirty-five years, Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world in great halls and universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and numerous universities internationally. He is listed as a Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford university. He has appeared on CNN and other international broadcasts. The author of several books for adults and children, he powerfully mixes biblical teaching and Christian apologetics. His most recent works include WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST, a memoir; THE GRAND WEAVER, an exploration of God's intention in both the ordinary and the startling elements of life; and THE END OF REASON, a rebuttal of the claims of the so-called New Atheists. His weekly radio program, 'Let My People Think,' is broadcast on 1,692 stations worldwide, and his weekday program, 'Just Thinking,' is on 412. He is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional offices in Canada, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Zacharias and his wife, Margie, have three grown children and reside in Atlanta." -- Publisher

Zwingli, Ulrich (1484-1531), Samuel Macauley Jackson, and Clarence Nevin Heller, Commentary on True and False Religion, ISBN: 0939464004 9780939464005.

See also: The incarnation of our lord (the deity of the lord jesus christ), The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), The root cause of criminal acts of extreme depravity, Theodicy, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), The free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, the covenant of eternal salvation, The all-sufficiency of christ, Hope, Book-length presentations of the free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, Other works on the gospel, the means of grace, Absolute truth and relativism, Epistemology of theology, the theory of knowledge, The holy bible, Systematic theology, Calvinism, The covenant of redemption, Submission, The covenant faithfulness of god, Background, foundation, and history of the covenanted reformation of scotland, An introduction to the covenanted reformation, Covenant theology and the ordinance of covenanting, The covenanted reformation of scotland, Biography of covenanters, Spiritual discernment, Lutheranism, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Hard-case witnessing, Apologetics, Creeds, confessions and catechisms, Biblical counseling, Peer counseling, peer evangelism, one-on-one evangelism, Small group evangelism, Questions and answers, Biblical counsel by subject, Blasphemy, Comfort and encouragement, Power, Authority, Power religion, Hypocrisy, Churches that abuse, Unfaithful reformed ministries, False gospels, Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, Spiritual discernment, Ethics, Commitment, surrender, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, Seduction, Self-destruction, Suicide, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Secret societies, ungodly alliances, voluntary alliances, Oaths, ensnaring vows, promises, and covenants, bonds with the ungodly, Mind control, Rebellion and lawlessness: wickedness, demonic possession, substance abuse, abnormal behavior, insanity, mental illness, mental retardation, Signs of a destructive cult, Pride, ambition, self-aggrandizement, arrogance, ego, Abuse, Leniency, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Spiritual warfare, Appendix c: psychology and psychiatry, The decline of american society, irrationality, the decline of western thought, Male role and responsibility, gender equality, suffrage, reproductive rights, and the decline of american society, and so forth, and so.
TCRB5: 1814

Related Weblinks

Apologetics Index: Apologetics Research Resources on Religious Cults, Sects, Movements, Doctrines, Etc.
http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/index.html

Aspects of Biblical Theology in Relation to Philosophy
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Christian View of Philosophy
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=628022101

Beware of Men, Trinity Review, July 1999, John W. Robbins (1949-2008)
http://trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=136

The Christian Answer to Problems of Philosophy
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Christian View of Philosophy
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=790220101

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry
https://carm.org/

The Christian and Politics #06: The Effects of Deism and Democracy on our Christian Heritage
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, The Christian and Politics
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12705183120

Churches That Abuse
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr7ch.html#ctabs

The Contemporary Christian Approach to the Meaning of Philosophy
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, The Christian View of History
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72202214819

Coping With Conflict and Controversy, a sermon by Peter Hammond
"We are living in a time of character assassination. It is vital that we understand this tactic in history and from a Biblical perspective.
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26)
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=111191440146739

The Dangerous Dark Side of a Shared Belief System, Rick Thomas
"The dangerous dark side of these communities is when the benefits, e.g., finding approval, become more crucial to you than whatever the group believes. The temptation is to compromise what you believe because the benefits of connecting with a relational community are more vital."
https://rickthomas.net/the-dangerous-dark-side-of-a-shared-belief-system/

The Decline of Modern Philosophy
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Christian View of Philosophy
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7202144553

Destructive Heresies in Today's Church, a sermon by Gil Rugh on 2 Peter 2:1
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=102104172433

est, Warner Erhard, The Forum, Landmark Education, Large Group Awareness Training, Lifespring
http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/l30.html (broken link)

Existentialism
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=34018&tocid=0

Functional Illiteracy
"Functional illiteracy is a term used to describe reading and writing skills that are inadequate 'to manage daily living and employment tasks that require reading skills beyond a basic level.' Functional illiteracy is contrasted with illiteracy in the strict sense, meaning the inability to read or write simple sentences in any language. . . .
"Links with poverty and crime
"In developed countries, the level of functional literacy of an individual is proportional to his/her income level and risk of committing crime. For example, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics in the United States:

Over 60 percent of adults in the U.S. Prison System read at or below the fourth grade level

85 percent of U.S. juvenile inmates are functionally illiterate.

Adult inmates who received educational services while in prison had a 16 percent chance of returning to prison, as opposed to 70 percent for those who received no instruction. [this statistic not in citation given -- compiler]

43 percent of adults at the lowest level of literacy lived below the poverty line, as opposed to 4 percent of those with the highest levels of literacy.

Two thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare.

Three out of four individuals who receive food stamps read on the two lowest levels of literacy.

16 to 19 year old girls at the poverty level and below, with below average skills, are 6 times more likely to have out-of-wedlock children than their reading counterparts. . . .

Hegel and Marx
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, 56 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=9150393828

Intrinsic Conflict That the Early Church Faced With Classical Culture
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Christian View of Philosophy
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=62802205833

Jonestown Conspiracies Revisited, Christopher Knight-Griffin
A rigorously researched paper documented with 90 footnotes and bibliography. From THE JONESTOWN REPORT, OCTOBER 2008, VOLUME 10.
http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/JonestownReport/Volume10/KnightGriffin1.htm

Modern Neo-paganism and the Occult: A Guide to Alternative Religions and Their Opponents (Vers. 2.0). Alternate title: A Listing of Anti-cult Groups)
http://slvrsplsh.freeservers.com/pagan101/page18.html

Necessary Ingredients for a Sound Approach to Problems in Philosophy
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Christian View of Philosophy
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7202144452

The Orange Papers, by Secret Agent Orange
One man's analysis of Alcoholics Anonymous, an online book.
A comprehensive and excellent resources.
http://www.orange-papers.org/

Rationalism to Irrationality
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, 49 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12160371146

A Redneck Resolution Against Self-destruction
http://www.lettermen2.com/redneck.html

The Religious Movements Page at The University of Virginia
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/

A Resolution to Combat Mind Control With Truth
http://www.lettermen2.com/mindc.html

Scientology
http://www.apologeticsindex.org/585-scientology

Spiritual Abuse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_abuse

Stockholm Syndrome
"Stockholm syndrome has been defined as a condition in which hostages develop a psychological alliance with their captors during captivity." -- Wikipedia article
This psychological term has been criticized in the academic world. However, we suggest that it offers a secular explanation for why children, youth in public education, college students, susceptible females, and young adults 'taken in by cults and non-Christian systems,' Jihadists, Antifa, Black Lives Matter, Radical "Progressives," Marxist front organizations, and socialist/communist Democrats, and so forth, and so on, are overcome by the evil worldview of those who control them (Psalm 125:3,4).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome

The Temptation of Eve (part 1 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
The Satanic Worldview, as a secondary point, is exegeted from Genesis 3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720081817191

The Temptation of Eve (part 2 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72008182576

Toleration: The Cut-throat of True Religion, by the Reformed Presbytery
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/ToleratT.htm

Toxic Theology
"185 deadly errors exposed -- John Brown of Haddington's list of errors in modern English."
http://www.crownofchrist.net/toxic.html

*Understanding the Spirit of the Age, [audio file], Ravi Zacharias
"We know what our modern culture looks like. But do we know why? What beliefs and ideas caused such troubling results?"
https://www.rzim.org/listen/just-thinking/understanding-the-spirit-of-the-age-part-1-of-4

The Unholy Alliance
"Down through the centuries, much of Christendom has become a synthesis of humanism and Biblical semantics -- an unholy alliance," states Dan S., author of this paper, and web curator for the Miles J. Stanford website.
The paper demonstrates that even an anti-Calvinist, anti-Covenantalist, dispensationalist can articulate the unholy alliance of Pelagianism, Roman Catholicism, Semi-Pelagianism, Anglicanism/Episcopal, Arminianism, Methodism, Renaissance/Enlightenment, Wesleyan/Holiness Movement, Deism/Unitarianism, Pentacostalism, Transcendentalism, Charismatic Movement, Modernism/Liberalism, Third Wave Movement, Postmodernism/Humanism, New Age "Christianity," New World Order, and One World Church
http://withchrist.org/unholy.htm

Works of C. Gregg Singer
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr3ch.html#cgsinger

Heresy and Apostasy

---

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

He now subjoins the punishment of such as should creep in under the name of a prophet to draw away the people into rebellion. . . . those who are the authors of apostasy, and so who pluck up religion by the roots. . . . no pardon could be granted to such impious contempt, since God had abundantly proved the glory of His Godhead by the miracle of their redemption, and had manifested His will in the Law. . . .
Thus, whilst their severity is preposterous who defend superstitions with the sword, so also in a well constituted polity, profane men are by no means to be tolerated, by whom religion is subverted. . . .
What insolence is this! As to their denial that the truth of God stands in need of such support, it is very true; but what is the meaning of this madness, in imposing a law upon God, that He should not make use of the obedience of magistrates in this respect? And what avails it to question about the necessity of this, since so it pleases God? God might, indeed, do without the assistance of the sword in defending religion; but such is not His will. And what wonder if God should command magistrates to be the avengers of His glory, when He neither wills nor suffers that thefts, fornications, and drunkenness should be exempt from punishment. . . . Finally, the magistracy, if its own authority be assailed, shall take severe vengeance upon that contempt; and shall it suffer the profanation of God's holy name to be unavenged? What can be more monstrous! But it is superfluous to contend by argument, when God has once pronounced what is His will, for we must needs abide by His inviolable decree. . . .
Nor was it causelessly that Paul, when he enjoins prayers to be made for kings and other worldly rulers, added the reason that under them we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:2.) Christ, indeed as He is meek, would also, I confess, have us to be imitators of His gentleness, but that does not prevent pious magistrates from providing for the tranquillity and safety of the Church by their defense of godliness; since to neglect this part of their duty, would be the greatest perfidy and cruelty. And assuredly nothing can be more base than, when we see wretched souls drawn away to eternal destruction by reason of the impunity conceded to impious, wicked, and perverse impostors, to count the salvation of those souls for nothing. . . ." -- John Calvin commenting on Deuteronomy 13:5 and context

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:11-13)

The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God.
They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God" at Romans 1:29 and the note at Psalm 14:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:14)

See the Theological Notes: "Syncretism and Idolatry," at Hosea 2:13 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Let us be on our guard against false doctrine. Unsound faith will never be the mother of really sound practice, and in these latter days, departures from the faith abound. See then that your loins be girded about with truth, and be very jealous of receiving anything which cannot be proved by the Bible.
Do not think for a moment that false doctrine will meet you face to face, saying, "I am false doctrine, and I want to come into your heart." Satan does not go to work in that way. He dresses up false doctrine like Jezebel -- he paints her face and attires her hair, and tries to make her like truth. Do not think that those who preach error will never preach anything that is true. Error would do little harm if that was the case. No! Error will come before you mingled with much that is sound and scriptural. -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

Bishop J.C. Ryle's Eight Symptoms of False Teaching
1. There is an undeniable zeal in some teachers of error -- their 'earnestness' makes many people think they must be right.
2. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge -- many think that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe to listen to.
3. There is a general tendency to completely free and independent thinking today -- many like to prove their independence of judgment by believing the newest ideas, which are nothing but novelties.
4. There is a wide-spread desire to appear kind, loving, and open-minded -- many seem half-ashamed to say that anybody can be wrong or is a false teacher.
5. There is always a portion of half-truth taught by modern false teachers -- they are always using scriptural words and phrases, but with unscriptural meaning.
6. There is a public craving for a more sensational and entertaining worship -- people are impatient with the more inward and invisible work of God within the hearts of men.
7. There is a superficial readiness all around to believe anyone who talks cleverly, lovingly and earnestly, forgetting that Satan often masquerades himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
8. There is a wide-spread ignorance among professing Christians -- every heretic who speaks well is surely believed, and anyone who doubts him is called narrow-minded and unloving. -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

The works of John Calvin (1509-1564), are considered to be the most far-reaching, and the most complete refutation, of Roman Catholic heresy.
Perform a Google Advanced Search of "site or domain:" biblestudyguide.org/comment/calvin/ for "all these words:" Papist, to find Calvin's comments on Papist error in his commentaries (242 hits on 7/21/2020).
See also: C. Gregg Singer (1910-1999), "Calvinism: The Summit of Reformation Theology" in John Calvin: His Roots and Fruits.

See the Theological Notes: "Church Discipline and Excommunication," at Matthew 18:15 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13,14)

It is in many places a lost labor to seek for Christianity among Christians, and the degeneracy seems to be increasing every day. -- John Owen (1616-1683)

See the Theological Notes: "Legalism," at Matthew 23:4 in The Reformation Study Bible.

They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. (Jonah 2:8)

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:18,19)

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
(2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

I am showing you the interaction between philosophy . . . and theology, that when you hold to a weak theology, you inevitably produce a weak political thought, a weak social thought, a weak economic thought, a weak educational philosophy, and so on. -- C. Gregg Singer in Apologetics #07: Irrationalism and Theistic Rationalism
Declension within the Church inevitably leads to the decline and fall of society.

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
"Ideas have consequences."

Beware the mystery of iniquity creeping in, when men substitute their own standards for those of God. . . . -- John Sinclair
1 John 5:21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Here you had need be exceeding cautelous [cautious], and circumspect, (1.) Because it is a creeping thing which works in itself by plausible pretences and insinuations, 2 Peter 2:1; Ephesians 4:14; Colossians 2:23. In which respect [mystery] is written in the whore's forehead, Revelation 17:5. For as Dr. Usher well observes, "The Roman apostasy stole into the church disguised, and by degrees." It is a mystery of iniquity (saith the apostle) and a working mystery, 2 Thessalonians 2:7. Iniquitas, sed mystica, pietatis, et fidelitatis nomine palliata; i.e. iniquity, but a mystical iniquity, because palliated and cloaked under the name and pretence of piety and fidelity. Idolatrous practices have a shew of wisdom, Colossians 2:23 (i.e. saith Davenant in loco [on the place]) "They are more modest than to pretend an immediate revelation of the Spirit:" Yet lest their placets [votes of assent or sanction] and inventions should want a pretext of Divine wisdom, they are wont to say, that their doctrines and traditions are not indeed consigned to writing by the apostles, but delivered by lively voice, according to that, We speak wisdom among them that are perfect: And by the name of this wisdom, every one calls his own fictions. Saith Irenæus, lib. 3. cap. 3. "Thus sometimes under the pretext of wisdom, order, decency, apostolical traditions, antiquity, the power of the church, &c. it steals upon men insensibly, especially being so advantaged by the proneness of corrupt nature to it." To this purpose it is observable, that Babylon, the mother of harlots, is said, Revelation 17:4 to give the wine of her fornication in a golden cup. Wine in itself is temptingly pleasant, but more so when presented in a golden cup; the brims whereof are sugared and sweetened to make it the more grateful. Therefore, little children, I mean you simple, plain, credulous souls, apt to be taken with fine glittering things, look to yourselves; (2.) Because nothing more provokes and inflames the fiery wrath of the Lord, who is a jealous God, than this doth; it makes his anger come up in his face, as that expression is, Ezekiel 38:18 and kindles consuming wrath, Ezekiel 43:7,8,9. Upon this account the blessed God complains, after the manner of men, as if his heart were broken, Ezekiel 6:9. I am [broken] with their whorish heart, and with their [eyes] which go a whoring after their idols. If it be but an unchaste glance upon an idol, it goes to the very heart of God: When he seeth his people yielding to the temptations of it, he shrieks, as it were, and cries out, Oh! do not this abominable thing that I hate: Oh! if there be in you the hearts of children, do not that which doth, as it were, break the heart of your father. -- John Flavel (1627-1691)

It is very plain that he who modifies the teachings of the Word of God in the smallest particular at the dictation of any man-made opinion has already deserted the Christian ground, and is already, in principle, a heretic. The very essence of heresy is that the modes of thought and tenets originating elsewhere than in the Scriptures of God are given decisive weight when they clash with the teachings of God. -- Benjamin B. Warfield, as cited by John W. Robbins, Scripture Twisting in the Seminaries, p. vii

Non-creedal churches, which includes many independent churches, tend to become heretical in three steps. First, they are superflous. Second, they become liberal. And, third, they become heretical. See: Church History #12: Pelagius and his Theology, Dr. C. Gregg Singer.

The doctrine of the blood of the Lamb prevents or scatters error. I do not think that by reasoning we often confute error to any practical purpose. We may confute it rhetorically and doctrinally, but men still stick to it. But the doctrine of the precious blood, when it once gets into the heart, drives error out of it, and sets up the throne of truth. You cannot be clinging to an atoning sacrifice, and still delight in modern heresies. Those who deny inspiration are sure to get rid of the vicarious atonement, because it will not allow their errors. Let us go on proclaiming the doctrine of the great sacrifice, and this will kill the vipers of heresy. Let us uplift the cross, and never mind what other people say. Perhaps we have taken too much notice of them already. Let the dogs bark, it is their nature to. Go on preaching Christ crucified. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ! -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

What is the heresy of Rome, but the addition of something to the perfect merits of Jesus Christ -- the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification? And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor. -- C.H. Spurgeon, in the sermon "A Defense of Calvinism"

In the final analysis, all modern ills, spiritual and temporal, are traceable to our continuing departure from the principles of the Second Reformation. . . . In particular, I am convinced that the Lord will not bless a church at peace with his enemies. Our departure from truth has led to our undernourished condition as a church; truth, as Thornwell argued, is the only food that the soul can digest.
It does no good to blame society or the church for our deficiencies before the Lord because Christ holds men, not churches and states, accountable. In the words of Hugh Miller, "Churches, however false and detestable, are never to be summoned to the bar of judgment. . . . To Christ, as his head and king, must every man render an account."
The great heresy of our times is that all men are children of God. Those within the church have lost their identity as a people of God, united in spirit and purpose. We have adopted the half-truths of our fathers for which Judah faced punishment: Because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after which their fathers have walked. (Amos 2:4b). Nevertheless, Christ loves his church, and he will see to it that his bride is prepared (Ephesians 5:27), for the great banquet. Base on the history of God's people, the needed corrections will result from either prayer or persecution, leading the people to renew their covenant promises. Let us pray that God's kingdom come, and let us covenant to fulfill our obligations to be his people. When persecution comes, let us pray that we would stand as firm as did the Scottish Covenanters. When covenanting comes, let us praise the Lord, for only in him will we stand firm. Let us ever strive to make it possible for our children to utter one of James Nisbet's praises, "O my soul! Bless and praise the Lord that I was born in a land where the glad tidings of the everlasting gospel are published and pressed with so much purity and plainness." This should be our prayer, Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." (Psalm 80:3) -- Edwin Nisbet Moore from the conclusion to Our Covenant Heritage: The Covenanters' Struggle for Unity in Truth

Pride is the highway to utter apostasy. . . . Mark those that are proud in any town, or any company of professors of piety; and if any infection of heresy or infidelity come into that place, these are the men that will soonest catch it. . . . -- Richard Baxter (1615-1691)

If God does not exist, everything is permitted. -- Fyodor Dostoevski (1821-1881)

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.
1. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error: their earnestness makes many think they must be right.
2. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge: many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides.
3. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days: many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties.
4. There is a wide-spread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded: many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.
5. There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers: they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense.
6. There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work.
7. There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan often masquerades himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
8. There is a wide-spread gullibility among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man.
All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing person to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, Do not be carried away! -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), in Warnings to the Churches, "Divers and Strange Doctrines," pp. 76,77

From the beginning of time the greatest errors have sprung from the idolatrous idea that man could be as God [Genesis 3:6] . . . and that all subsequent error in and out of the church is simply different levels of this same error, from outright heresy to simple inconsistencies within Christianity. -- John Hendryx

Armstrong, Lebbeus, et al., Sermons and Addresses on Secret Societies: Fourteen Pamphlets in one Volume, 1882.
"Contents: Armstrong, L., Masonry a work of darkness | Dow, D., Sermon on secret societies | M'Nary, W.P., Sermon on masonry | Cross, R.T., Sermon on secretism | Williams, J., Sermon on masonry | Blanchard, J., Grand lodge masonry | Blanchard, J., Freemasonry a fourfold conspiracy | George, H.H., The relation of the christian church to secret societies | Carson, J.G., Address delivered at the ohio state anti-secrecy convention | Drury, M.S., Secrecy in its relations to the family, the state, and the Church | Armstrong, R., Thirteen reasons why a christian should not be a freemason | Spectator, Freemasonry contrary to the christian religion | Post, A.L., Are masonic oaths binding on the initiate."

Associated Reformed Presbytery (Reformed Presbytery in Scotland), The Constitution of the Associate-Reformed Synod in America Considered, Disowned, and Testifyed Against, as Inconsistent With the Reformation-constitution of Britain and Ireland.
The Constitution of the Associate Reformed Synod in America Considered, Disowned and Testifyed Against
http://www.truecovenanter.com/reformedpresbyterian/reformed_presbytery_testimony_against_ars_constitution.html?doc_banner_show=false

*Augustine, Saint (Aurelius Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 AD), and Philip Schaff, The Writings Against the Manichians and Against the Donatists (Augustine on the Civil Magistrate), ISBN: 156563098X 9781565630987.
http://www.ccel.org/s/schaff/ecf/npnf104/htm/i.htm

Baillie, Robert (1599-1662), Anabaptism, The True Fountain of Independency, Antinomy, Brownisme, Familisme, and the Most of the Other Errors, Which for the Time do Trouble the Church of England, Unsealed: Also the Questions of Paedobaptisme and Dipping Handled From Scripture: In a Second Part of the Disswasive From the Errors of the Time, 1647. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"The title continues: 'Also the Questions of Paedobaptisme and Dipping Handled from Scripture. In a Second Part of the Dissuasive from the Errors of the Time.' Shows the origin, progress and changing character of the Anabaptist's heresies -- many which still afflict the body of Christ in our day (even in so-called 'Reformed' circles). A fine defense of the biblical view of baptism is also given, including many answers to Anabaptist (Baptist) objections on this point. A staggering array of 'testimonies' (i.e. quotations), are marshalled by Baillie -- both in refuting and setting forth the pernicious Anabaptist teachings. Baillie was one of the Scottish Commissioners sent to the Westminster Assembly. His international perspective and insight (concerning the ecclesiastical and civil battles for the Protestant cause of his day), makes for an interesting backdrop to this title -- not often encountered among most authors dealing with these topics." -- Publisher

Baillie, Robert (1599-1662), The Canterburians Self-Conviction: or an Evident Demonstration of the Avowed Arminianisme, Poperie, and Tyrannie of That Faction, by Their Owne Confessions; With a Postscript to the Personat Jesuite Lysimachus Nicanor, a Prime Canterburian. . . . 1641, third edition. Alternate title: LADENSIUM [AUTOKATAKRISIS]. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #19. Also available in Robert Baillie, THE LIFE OF WILLIAM, NOW LORD ARCH-BISHOP OF CANTERBURY, EXAMINED.
"Baillie was one of the Scottish commissioners to the Westminster Assembly. An exceedingly rare item, this book was written as the storms of the religious wars between the Puritans and the Prelates were beginning to blow. These were days when nations adopted overtly religious presuppositions and books such as this became international defenses of gospel principles against the ecclesiastical (and political), forces of Antichrist -- and his generation of vipers.
"After rehearsing some of the major incidents of Prelatical persecution against the saints of the most high God, and calling to the English for support of the Covenanted cause of Christ, Baillie gives this stirring summary of his motives in writing this book, 'behold I here first upon all hazard do break my pitcher, do hold out my Lamp, and blow my trumpet before the Commissioners of the whole Kingdom, offering to convince that prevalent faction by their own mouth, of Arminianism, Popery, and Tyranny.'
"These were brave and zealous words, for in that day such speech could eventuate in your death.
"This is not only a historically relevant item, but also a fine defense against the prevailing heresies of the flesh (heresy being a work of the flesh, cf. Galatians 5:19-20). The two predominant heresies addressed by Baillie in this book still cover much of the professing Christian world today; these being:
(1) false, man-centered views of salvation (Arminianism and Pelagianism) and
(2) false man-centered views of worship (Liturgical innovationism: either high church or Charismatic).
" 'Baillie fought hard against Arminianism' noted Johnston (TREASURY OF THE SCOTTISH COVENANT, p. 310); making this book especially valuable for today! This is the third edition of 128 pages, plus a 28-page postscript." -- Publisher

Baillie, Robert (1599-1662), A Dissuasive From the Errours of the Time: Wherein the Tenets of the Principall Sects, Especially of the Independents, are Drawn Together in one map, for the Most Part in the Words of Their own Authours, and Their Maine Principles are Examined by the Touch-stone of the Holy Scriptures. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Chapter titles include: The origin and progress of the Brownists; The doctrine of the Brownists; The origin and progress of the Independents, and of their carriage in New England; The carriage of the Independents in Holland; The carriage of the Independents at London; An enumeration of the common tenets of the Independents; It is unjust scrupulosity to require satisfaction of the true grace of every Church member; Concerning the right of prophesying; Whether the power of ecclesiastical jurisdiction belongs to the people, or to the Presbytery?; Independency is contrary to God's Word; The thousand years of Christ, his visible reign upon Earth, is against Scripture (contra Premillennialism -- RB)." -- Publisher

*Bobgan, Martin, and Deidre Bobgan, Psycho-heresy: The Seduction of Christianity by Psychoanalysis, ISBN: 0941717003.
"Some people will say the Bobgans are hitting too hard -- naming names and all that -- but I don't think so. Whenever someone writes for the Christian public he sets forth his views to the scrutiny of others, but if others think that what he says is dangerous to the church, they, like Paul (who names names, too), have an obligation to say so. The chapter 'Amalgamania' is the best. Indeed it should be enlarged and made into an entire book." -- Jay Adams
"Psychology is an anti-biblical religious system not a science. The church has bought the system, rather than building counseling from the Bible. Labels and categories matter, because they either describe things truly or falsely, e.g., the myth of mental illness. Psychotherapy is quackery, with very little documentable success. 'Although some disciplines in the broad field of psychological study have contributed some information about people, much of the information that has filtered down into popular literature and into the psychological office is spurious. The most seductively dangerous area of psychology is that part which seeks to explain why people are the way they are and how they change.' Includes critiques of evangelicals who 'amalgamate' psychology and Christianity: Richard Dobbins, H. Norman Wright, Larry Crabb, Paul Tournier, M. Scott Peck, H. Newton Maloney, Charles Solomon, and others." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)
"In the 'Amalgamania' chapter (5), the authors use 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, the separation between light and darkness, between Christ and Belial, between believers and unbelievers, to point out the unbiblical practice of mixing Bible and psychology, with the palm going to the latter. Note the many 'How to' books being produced, the fact that they do not have the Bible as the sole rule of faith and practice. It is the Bible plus something else that will solve your problems. Just as teens think that the wisdom of their parents is pass‚, so the writers of today's books in effect regard the Bible's teaching in the same way. To hear the psychologists is to find that they think that the Bible is not adequate for this present age . . . . Find a church 'counselor' who sticks strictly to God's Word, and you will know that you have seen a rare bird indeed. . . . The truth of the matter is that the Christian counselor who determines by the grace of God to know and use the Scriptures in his counseling is the only one who can ever have a solid basis for what he says and does. (p. 203). Read the Puritan sermons, for instance. They expounded the Word fully, and then they gave application after application to everyday life to show that every situation was covered by the Scriptures." -- Jay P. Green Sr.
"Analyzes attempts to integrate psychology with the Bible, exposes fallacies of psychological counseling, examines four commonly held myths about psychology, and encourages a return to sound Biblical foundations for Christian living. Praised by Jay Adams, Ed Payne, et al." -- GCB
Psychoheresy Awareness Ministries
http://www.pamweb.org/

*Bradford, John (1510-1555), John Bradford's Confutation of Four Romish Doctrines. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #15.
John Bradford's Confutation of Four Romish Doctrines
http://www.truecovenanter.com/anti_papacy/bradford_confutation_of_rome.html

Brown, Harold O.J., Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church, ISBN: 1565633652 9781565633650.
"Dr. Brown is currently with the Reformed Theological Seminary Resident Faculty, in Charlotte NC. Heresies is a comprehensive history book as well as a copious treatise of various heresies since the first century A.D. This would explain its renaming for the current editions.
"Dr. Brown brings this to us in a logical, well written, chronological narrative. It is easy reading, chock full of interesting details and bibliography/footnoting par excellence. He discusses the early persecutions and shows that even some heretics were genuine martyrs. Most importantly to the layman, he explains clearly the ramifications of any particular heresy. He does not stop with an explanation of why it is wrong, but discusses thoroughly the logical implications, conclusions, even actions to which this variant belief brings the heretic." -- Reader's Comment

*Brown, John (of Haddington, 1722-1787), The Absurdity and Perfidy of all Authoritative Toleration of Gross Heresy, Blasphemy, Idolatry, Popery, in Britain. In two letters to a friend in which the doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith [1646] relative to Toleration of a False Religion, and the power of the civil magistrate about sacred matters; and the nature, origin, ends and obligation of the National Covenant and Solemn League are candidly represented and defended, 1797. Alternate title: A COMPEND OF THE LETTERS OF THE REV. JOHN BROWN, LATE MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN HADDINGTON: ON AUTHORITATIVE TOLERATION OF GROSS HERESY, BLASPHEMY, IDOLATRY, POPERY IN BRITAIN, AND ON NATIONAL COVENANTING; IN WHICH THE DOCTRINE OF THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH . . . AND OF THE NATIONAL COVENANT AND SOLEMN LEAGUE ARE CANDIDLY REPRESENTED AND DEFENDED, 1797, and "REFORMATION ATTAINMENTS VERSUS BACKSLIDING RELIGIOUS PROFESSORS," appears to be an excerpt. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #7, #25, #26.
The Absurdity and Perfidy of all Authoritative Toleration of Gross Heresy, Blasphemy, Idolatry, Popery, in Britain
http://archive.org/details/absurdityperfidy00brow
"Reformation Attainments Versus Backsliding Religious Professors (excerpt from THE ABSURDITY AND PERFIDY OF ALL AUTHORITATIVE TOLERATION . . .
"Here Brown deals with three major Reformation attainments (anti-tolerationism, establishmentarianism and the obligations of lawful covenants as they biblically bind posterity), that Satan has always been especially concerned to overthrow -- in every major demonic move to open the floodgates of lawlessness, anarchy and misrule. Fletcher, in the preface to the 1797 edition, relates this truth as it comes to bear on various religious professors, stating, 'Papists were enemies to our covenants because they were a standard lifted up against their system of abominable idolatries. Episcopalians were enemies to them, because they were a standard lifted up against their anti-scriptural church-officers and inventions of men in the worship of God. Some Presbyterians are enemies to them in our day through ignorance of their nature and ends; and others through fear of being too strictly bound to their duty.' (cited in Johnston, Treasury of the Scottish Covenant, p. 486)
"A History of Heresy
"It is also interesting to note the long list of backsliders and heretics that often oppose one or more of these points. 'The ancient Donatists, a sect of Arian separatists, who appeared about the beginning of the 4th century, seem to have been among the first who held out these opinions to the Christian world. Feeling the weight of the arm of power for their schismatical practices, by way of reprisal, they stripped the magistrate of all power in religion; -- maintaining that he had no more power about religious matters than any private person, and refusing him the right of suppressing the propagators of doctrines different from those professed by the Church, or the observers of a different form of worship. From them the German Anabaptists adopted the same views. Then the Socinians (i.e. an early form of Scripture-denying liberals -- RB), and remonstrant Arminians, whenever the magistrate ceased to patronize their cause. The English Independents during the time of the Long Parliament were the zealous supporters of the same opinions. In their rage for liberty of conscience, they formed the strongest opposition in the Westminster Assembly which the Presbyterians had to encounter. Through their influence that venerable body was much embarrassed (hindered -- RB), in their proceeding; and by their means (in collusion with that "Judas of the Covenant," Cromwell -- RB), certain passages of the Confession of Faith never obtained the ratification of the English Parliament. The English Dissenters of the present age are generally in the same views, especially the Socinians, the Arians, and the Quakers, who have most to dread from the Laws of the Land against their blasphemies. And who knows not that the high reputation of Mr. Locke as a Philosopher . . . has given these opinions such an air of respectability, that many youth in the Universities have been thereby inclined to embrace them?' (Preface, pp. vi-vii).
"The Covenantal Hammer Smashing the Idols of our day
"In our day the tree of toleration (and the anti-Scriptural principles which logically grow out of it), has spread its branches in ways that could have never been envisioned by those that took the first steps away from biblical and covenanted uniformity. What Brown is fighting against here is an error so foundational that when left unchecked it permeates all of society, cutting out the foundational roots that are necessary for all national Reformations. And if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Ps. 11:3 [Psalm 11:3]). Furthermore, as the preface notes 'liberty of conscience and of opinion' are 'the great idols of the day.' Here Brown takes out his covenantal hammer and smashes these idols with an inconoclastic zeal worthy of our earlier Reformed forefathers. This book is especially useful in answering the persistent fear and questions that always arise when these old Reformed views are discussed: that is, the questions dealing with religious persecution. Brown spends much time in clearing the Westminster Divines of such false charges, while also setting these controversial Reformed teachings on a thoroughly biblical foundation.
"Westminster's View of the 'Everlasting' Solemn League and Covenant
"Interestingly, in the section defending the continuing obligation of the National and Solemn League and Covenant, we also note that the Westminster Assembly considered the Solemn League and Covenant an 'everlasting covenant.' Brown cites the following as proof, 'That the body of the English nation also swore the Solemn League and Covenant, is manifest. The Westminster Assembly and English Parliament, affirm, 'The honourable house of Parliament, the Assembly of Divines, the renowned city of London, and multitudes of other persons of all ranks and quality in this nation, and the whole body of Scotland, have all sworn it, rejoicing at the oath so graciously seconded from heaven. God will, doubtless, stand by all those, who with singleness of heart shall now enter into an everlasting covenant with the Lord.' (p. 161, emphasis added). The footnote tells us that the words Brown was quoting were taken from 'Exhortation to take the Covenant, February, 1644.'
"Our Modern Day Malignants
"Brown also includes a helpful section on a point some modern day malignants are once again attempting to use to overthrow the biblical attainments of the Covenanted Reformation. This section shows that 'the intrinsic obligation of promises, oaths, vows, and covenants which constitutes their very essence or essential form, is totally and manifestly distinct from the obligation of the law of God in many respects.' (p. 120)
"Brown's Dying Testimony to his Children
"Finally, we cite a portion of Brown's dying testimony to his children given in the introduction (p. xix). Such testimonies, from notable Christian leaders, often contain singularly pertinent charges to their hearers. (For another notable example of this see James Renwick's dying testimony, as he was about to be martyred for his adherence to the Solemn League and Covenant, when he recounts what was later to become most of the terms of communion in Covenanted Presbyterian churches. This testimony can be found in Thompson's A CLOUD OF WITNESSES FOR THE ROYAL PREROGATIVES OF JESUS CHRIST BEING THE LAST SPEECHES AND TESTIMONIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FOR THE TRUTH IN SCOTLAND SINCE . . . 1680. Here are Brown's dying words to his children: 'Adhere constantly, cordially and honestly to the Covenanted Principles of the Church of Scotland, and to that Testimony which hath been lifted up for them. I fear a generation is rising up which will endeavour silently,' (O how prophetic!), 'to let slip these matters, as if they were ashamed to hold them fast, or even to speak of them' (as with many "reformed" publishers and preachers today, who dare not touch the topics Brown deals with in this book -- RB). 'May the Lord forbid that any of you should ever enter into this confederacy against Jesus Christ and his cause! This from a dying father and minister, and a witness for Christ' (Signed) 'John Brown'."
"Do you Have What it Takes?
"If you have the courage to compare the original Reformed faith with that which is often promoted under its name today (and in many ways the old Reformed faith bears little resemblance to the 'new light' Reformers and innovators of our day), then this is an ideal book to obtain and study." -- Reg Barrow
Following are three works related to THE ABSURDITY AND PERFIDY OF ALL AUTHORITATIVE TOLERATION OF GROSS HERESY, BLASPHEMY, IDOLATRY, POPERY, IN BRITAIN by John Brown of Wamphray.
1. Barrow, Reg, Calvin, Covenanting, Close Communion and the Coming Reformation, 1996, a book review of ALEXANDER AND RUFUS . . . by John Anderson, 1862. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Shows how Calvin practiced covenanting and close communion and how the biblical view of these ordinances is intended to purify the individual, church and nation. Refutes the Popish, Independent and paedocommunion heresies -- as well as all views of open communion (so common in our day). Also argues that Arminians, anti-paedobaptists, anti-regulativists, and all those who openly violate the law of God (and are unrepentant), should be barred from the Lord's table -- as a corrective measure ordained of God for their recovery. Also demonstrates that those that would not swear to uphold the Geneva Confession (or 'human constitution,' as it was agreeable to the Word of God), of 1536 in Calvin's day were to be excommunicated and exiled from Geneva. This is Reformation History Notes number two." -- Reg Barrow
Calvin, Covenanting and Close Communion
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CalvinCC.htm
2. Price, Greg L., Terms of Communion: Covenants and Covenanting, a series of 7 audio cassettes [audio file]. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Explains and defends the fourth term of communion, which is 'That public, social covenanting is an ordinance of God, obligatory on churches and nations under the New Testament; that the National Covenant and the Solemn League are an exemplification of this divine institution; and that these Deeds are of continued obligation upon the moral person; and in consistency with this, that the Renovation of these Covenants at Auchensaugh, Scotland, 1712 was agreeable to the word of God.' Includes the studies offered separately on the National Covenant (2 tapes), the Solemn League and Covenant (1 tape), the Auchensaugh Renovation (2 tapes), as well as two introductory lectures (only available in this set), on the biblical principles related to the ordinance of covenanting, the descending obligation of lawful covenants, objections against covenanting, etc. Roberts, in his REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CATECHISM, catches the spirit of this tape set in the following question and answer:
"Q. May we not indulge the hope, that, in the goodness of our covenant God, and by the promised outpouring of his Holy Spirit, 'the kingdoms of the world' at large, and the British empire in particular, will dedicate themselves to God in a covenant not to be forgotten -- animated by the example of our covenant fathers exhibited in these memorable deeds?
"A. Yes. We have the most cheering grounds for this blessed hope; for it is written, that the nations at large in the spirit of devoted loyalty, shall cry -- 'Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten': and it cannot be well doubted, that the death-cry of the martyred Guthrie has been heard on high, and shall be verified -- 'The covenants, the covenants, shall yet be Scotland's (and the world's -- RB), reviving.' (p. 151)
"A thoroughly amazing set of tapes -- among our best!" -- Publisher
3. Cunningham, John (1819-1893), The Ordinance of Covenanting, 1843. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #3, #27.
"This book is considered by many as the classic work on covenanting. 'The theology of Covenanting is here unfolded with a richness of scriptural research and a maturity of intellectual strength which would have made the grey eye of Peden glisten with delight. The treatise is a valuable addition to that solid theological literature of which the Reformed Presbyterian Church has produced repeated and enduring specimens, and stamps Mr. Cunningham as a distinguished disciple of the thoughtful and scriptural school of Mason and the Symingtons' (Presbyterian Review (1844), as cited by Johnston, Treasury of the Scottish Covenant).
"The author himself notes that 'prayer and the offering of praise are universally admitted to be duties of religion. The Scriptures announce a place among these for the exercise of solemn Covenanting . . . What the word of God unfolds concerning it, is addressed to the most resolute consideration of all, and is capable of engaging the most extensive and prolonged investigation. And yet, though none have found this subject, like all God's judgments, else than a great deep, still in meditating upon it, the ignorant have been brought to true knowledge, and the wise have increased in wisdom. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14). Mutual federal engagements, concerning things religious and civil, whether entered into merely by simple promise, or confirmed by the solemn oath, have been made from the highest antiquity to the present. The hostility to some such engagements, and also the proud disregard for their obligation, which have been evinced by some in all ages, demand a most careful examination into their nature and design . . . Furnished with the key of Scripture, approaching the subject, we are enabled to open the mysteries in which ignorance and prejudice had shut it up; and equipped with the armour of light shooting forth its heavenly radiance, in safety to ourselves we assail the darkness thrown around it, and behold the instant flight of the spirits of error which that darkness contains. Standing alone in beauteous attractions descended from heaven upon it, this service beckons us to approach it, and engages to connect extensive good with a proper attention to its claims. The observance, under various phases, is described in Scripture as an undisputed and indisputable reality.'
"In this book Cunningham exhaustively covers the subject of covenanting in over 400 pages. He deals with the manner, duty and nature of covenanting (including personal and social covenanting), the obligation covenanting confers, how covenanting is provided for in the everlasting covenant, how it is adapted to the moral constitution of man and how it is according to the purposes of God. Numerous Divine examples are cited from Scripture and covenanting is shown to be one of the great privileges of the Christian life.
"An interesting chapter covers 'Covenanting Enforced By the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals;' which touches on circumcision, baptism, the Sabbath, the Priesthood, the new heart and the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this book demonstrates how God's approbation rested upon Covenanters in former ages, how covenanting is predicted in prophecy, how it is recommended by the practice of the New Testament Church and at what seasons it is appropriate. The appendices touch on the relationship of covenanting to immoral and unscriptural civil governments, the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, the British constitution and the apostasy of the Revolution settlement.
"Additionally, Cunningham acknowledges that the true church is 'bound by the obligations of the Church of God is past times' and is still obligated to pay what it has vowed to the Lord in those magnificent attainments of the Second Reformation (the epitome of these attainments being embodied in the Solemn League and Covenant and the Westminster Standards).
"If you are interested in the ordinance of covenanting this is the most extensive treatment you will find in one book. It is a gold mine of Scriptural references and should be read at least once by everyone who calls upon the name of Christ." -- Publisher
"David Steele dedicated this work [NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE -- compiler], to John Cunningham (1819-1893), author of THE ORDINANCE OF COVENANTING." -- Publisher
The Ordinance of Covenanting
http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/6/29/ordinance-of-covenanting

*Burgess, Anthony (d. 1664?), Rome's Cruelty and Apostasy: Declared in a Sermon Preached on the Fifth of November, 1644, Before the Honourable House of Commons. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

*Burgess, Anthony (d. 1664?), Vindiciae Legis: or, A Vindication of the Moral Law and the Covenants, From the Errors of Papists, Arminians, Socinians, and More Especially, Antinomians (1646). Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
" 'A nonconformist clergyman,' Burgess 'was a member of the [Westminster] Assembly of Divines. Ejected at the Restoration . . . his works are much valued and have become very scarce' (Darling, Cyclopedia Bibliographica, p. 439). This book contains 30 lectures preached at London 'against the antinomian errors of the times.' It is the second edition corrected and augmented. Burgess says that he wrote to 'maintain the dignitie and use of the Morall Law against late errors about it.' Taking on all the errorists listed in the subtitle Burgess also notes that he has 'endeavoured to give the Law its due, and the Gospel its due, remembering that of Luther . . . He that knoweth how to distinguish between Law and Gospel, let him give thanks to God, and know he is a Divine' [i.e. a scholar of Scripture -- RB].
"An exceedingly rare item that sells for over $300 a copy on the rare book market. This book should be read by everyone in the Protestant Reformed church (or anyone who must deal with them), as it demolishes their (i.e. Protestant Reformed), errors concerning covenants -- especially in regard to their denial (and disregard for the biblical, 'Westminster' view), of the covenant of works. Some of its 62 chapter heads include: 'What a man cannot do by the power of nature;' 'Whether there are any antecedaneous works upon the heart before grace;' 'What does this Image [of God in man -- RB], consist;' 'Whether God did enter into a covenant with Adam;' 'How God can be said to covenant, or enter into a promise with man;' What Law this delivered in Mount Sinai is, and what kind of laws there are, and why it's called the Moral Law;' Whether this Law repeated by Moses, be the same with the law of nature implanted in us;' 'Why God gave the Moral Law;' Whether the Law be an instrument of sanctification;' 'Whether the Law be a covenant of grace;' Wherein the Law and Gospel do oppose or differ from each other; under which is handled the false differences between the Law and Gospel made by Anabaptists, Papists, and Antinomians;' 'Whether the Law command faith;' 'How Christ is the end of the Law.' Indexed." -- Publisher

Calvin, John (1509-1564), A Sermon on the Duty of Civil Rulers to Enforce and Defend the True Religion and True Godliness in their Realms by drawing out the sword against all Heretics and others who trouble the Church, and by strictly punishing whoredom, drunkenness, dancing, stage plays, &c., John Calvin. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
A sermon on 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
http://www.truecovenanter.com/calvin/calvin_12_on_Timothy.html

Cameron, John (1579?-1625), An Examination of Those Plausible Appearances Which Seem Most to Commend the Romish Church and to Prejudice the Reformed. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Mr. Cameron successfully demonstrates that 'all those allegations 1) of the Magnificence, 2) Unity, 3) Antiquity, 4) Stability, 5) Continuation, 6) Succession, 7) The substance of truth, 8) The holiness pretended to be in the Church of Rome, are but frivolous pretenses, devised to hinder an exquisite and solid enquiry of the truth'." -- Publisher

Cameron, John (1579?-1625), and John Verneuil (translator), A Tract of the Sovereign Judge of Controversies in Matters of Religion. By John Cameron Minister of the Word of God, and Divinity Professour in the Academie of Montauban. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

Cawdrey, Daniel (1588-1664), Diatribe Triplex, or, A Threefold Exercitation: Concerning 1. Superstition, 2. Will-worship, 3. Christmas Festivall, With the Reverend and Learned Dr. Hammond. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

*Davidheiser, Bolton, Evolution and the Christian Faith.
"This spiritually converted biologist and geneticist wields a mean whip on the back of all evolutionists, whether atheistic or theistic. He has plaited his whip from the statements of the evolutionists themselves, both the oldest and the newest. Having been one of them, he is able to tear holes in their methods and in their conclusions." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)

Dent, Arthur (1706?), The Ruin of Rome, or An Exposition Upon the Whole Revelation. Wherein is plainly shewed and proved, that the Popish religion, together with all the power and authority of Rome, shall ebb and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an utter overthrow even in this life, before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of Papists, Seminary Priests, Jesuits, and all that cursed rabble, 1607. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

*Dickson, David (1583-1663), and Robert Wodrow (1679-1734), Truth's Victory Over Error: A Commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith, 296 pages, ISBN: 0851519490 9780851519494. Alternate title: TRUTH'S VICTORY OVER ERROR: OR, THE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, STATED AND VINDICATED . . . BY THE LATE . . . DAVID DICKSON . . . TO THIS EDITION IS PREFIXED, A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE, BY . . . ROBERT WODROW . . . KILMARNOCK, 'THE TRUE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, STATED AND VINDICATED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING HERESIES, VIZ, ARIANS, ARMINIANS, ANABAPTISTS, ANTINOMIANS, BROWNISTS, DONATISTS, EPICURIANS, EUTYCHIANS, ERASTIANS, FAMILISTS, JESUITS, INDEPENDENTS, LIBERTINES, MANICHEANS, PELAGIANS, PAPISTS, QUAKERS, SOCINIANS, SABELLIANS, SCEPTICS, VANINIANS, ETC. THE WHOLE BEING A COMMENTARY ON ALL THE CHAPTERS OF THE (Westminster -- RB), CONFESSION OF FAITH, BY WAY OF QUESTION AND ANSWER: IN WHICH, THE SAVING TRUTHS OF OUR HOLY RELIGION ARE CONFIRMED AND ESTABLISHED; AND THE DANGEROUS ERRORS AND OPINIONS OF ITS ADVERSARIES DETECTED AND CONFUTED . . . TO THIS EDITION IS PREFIXED, A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE AUTHOR'S LIFE, BY THE LATE MR. ROBERT WODROW . . .' " Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"One of the best commentaries on the Westminster Confession of Faith. This item is part of the elder's reading/training list in the Puritan Reformed Church (the church of the Covenanted Reformation)." -- Publisher
Dickson, David, Truth's Victory Over Error
http://www.truecovenanter.com/dickson/truthsvictory.html
Of Justification, from David Dickson's TRUTH'S VICTORY OVER ERROR
http://www.truecovenanter.com/dickson/truthsvictory11.html
Dickson, David (1583-1663), and Robert Wodrow (1679-1734, Short Account of the Reverend Mr. David Dickson), Truth's Victory Over Error, or, the True Principles of the Christian Religion, Stated and Vindicated Against the Following Heresies, viz. Arians . . . Vaninians, &c. The whole being a commentary on all the chapters of the Confession of Faith, by way of question and answer: in which, the saving truths of our holy religion are confirmed and established; and the dangerous errors and opinions of its adversaries detected and confuted, 1764.
Bound with the author's: TRUE CHRISTIAN LOVE.
https://archive.org/details/truthove00dick

Edwards, Thomas (1599-1647), Gangraena, or, A Catalogue and Discovery of Many of the Errours, Heresies, Blasphemies and Pernicious Practices of the Sectaries of This Time, Vented and Acted in England in These Four Last Years, 1646, 3 volumes in 1. Alternate title: THE FIRST AND SECOND PART OF GANGRAENA . . . and THE THIRD PART OF GANGRAENA: OR A NEW AND HIGHER DISCOVERY OF THE ERRORS, HERESIES, BLASPHEMIES AND INSOLENT PROCEEDINGS OF THE SECTARIES OF THESE TIMES; WITH SOME ANIMADVERSIONS BY WAY OF CONFUTATION UPON MANY OF THE ERRORS AND HERESIES NAMED, 1646. Available (all 3 parts), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available (all 3 parts), on Reformation Bookshelf CD #24.

*Fannin, Kerby F., While Men Slept: A Biblical and Historical Account of the New Universal Christianity, 2nd edition, ISBN: 0944835023 9780944835029 0944835015 9780944835012.
"This very informative book deserves the very highest recommendation." -- Jay Green, Sr., editor of The Interlinear Greek Hebrew Bible, September 19, 2002
"This book was written to help shed light on many things that have been performed in secret, under the cover of darkness, which has been behind the developing new universal Christianity. The work is presented believing that if one can see the unfolding of historically documented events in the light of the Word of God, he will, perhaps, be able to discern truth from error. . . .
"It is the goal of this book to humbly present the factual evidence to help the reader to get to know some of the people and the underlying agenda that led up to the modern process of redefining Christianity. The focus of this book is toward understanding more about the 'who and why' of those that have been working for centuries to lay the foundations of a new universal Christianity." -- Publisher
"While learning that God reveals Himself to us through nature, it took me [Kerby Fannin] many years to discover that the truth I had been searching for in nature is but a shadow of the real truth, that being the spiritual things of God. Having given me the gift of reason, it was God, through His Holy Spirit, who brought me to search for truth. I soon found that truth did not lie in my reason, which was the filter through which I interpreted the things that I observed in nature. Instead, I found that the truth I was searching for could only be found in God who, through His Word, created all of nature, including my reason.
"In my search, it soon became evident to me that God is Truth. [John 14:6] Through the work of my reason and my faith, I accepted that there is one true God. I eventually came to my present understanding that the Word of God is the revelation of God to man. It then became clear to me that the one true God revealed Himself through His Word by His will through the inspiration of His prophets and apostles as recorded in the Scriptures, which were supernaturally preserved. The Word of God was also revealed by the manifestation of God Himself, known as Jesus." -- The Author

Fergusson, James (1621-1667), Refutation of the Errors of Toleration, Independency, Erastianism, and Separation, 1692. Alternate title: A BRIEF REFUTATION OF THE ERRORS OF TOLLERATION, ERASTIANISM, INDEPENDENCY AND SEPARATION. DELIVERED IN SOME SERMONS FROM I JOH. 4. I [1 John 4:1]. PREACH'D IN THE YEAR 1652. TO WHICH ARE ADDED FOUR SERMONS PREACH'D ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (1692).
http://archive.org/details/briefrefutationo00ferg
See: Johannes G. Vos, THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF THE SEPARATED LIFE: A STUDY OF BASIC PRINCIPLES.

Ferreiro, Alberto (editor), Jeffrey Burton Russell (editor), The Devil, Heresy and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages: Essays in Honor of Jeffrey B. Russell, ISBN: 9004106103 9789004106109.

George, Henry H., The Relation of the Christian Church to Secret Societies. Available in SERMONS AND ADDRESSES ON SECRET SOCIETIES: FOURTEEN PAMPHLETS IN ONE VOLUME.

Gillespie, George (1613-1648), George Gillespie Refutes Roger Williams, the Donatists and Sectarianism. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available in GILLESPIE'S WHOLESOME SEVERITY RECONCILED WITH CHRISTIAN LIBERTY.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/GilRefWil.htm

*Gillespie, George (1613-1648), Heresies Defined and the Necessity of Heresies Explained, by George Gillespie, Scottish Commissioner to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, ISBN: 0921148313 9780921148319. Available in MISCELLANY QUESTIONS found in THE WORKS OF GEORGE GILLESPIE on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Heresy is a gross and dangerous error, voluntarily held and factiously maintained by some person or persons within the visible church, in opposition to some chief or substantial truth or truths grounded upon and drawn from the holy Scripture by necessary consequence." -- George Gillespie
Heresies Defined and the Necessity of Heresies Explained
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gillespie/ggilles09.html

Gillespie, George (1613-1648), Male Audis, or An Answer to Mr. Coleman his Malle Dicis: Wherein the Repugnancy of his Erastian Doctrine to the Word of God, to the Solemne League and Covenant, and to the Ordinances of Parliament: Also his Contradictions, tergiversations, heterodoxies, calumnies, and perverting of testimonies, are made more apparent then formerly. Together with some animadversions upon Master Hussey his Plea for Christian magistracy: shewing, that in divers of the afore mentioned particulars he hath miscarried as much, and in some particulars more then Mr. Coleman, 1646.

Gillespie, George (1613-1648), Nihil Respondes: or, A Discovery of the Extream Unsatisfactorinesse of Master Colemans Peece, Published Last Weeke Under the Title of A Brotherly Examination Re-examined: Wherein, his self-contradictions: his yeelding of some things, and not answering to other things objected against him: his abusing of Scripture: his errors in divinity: his abusing of the Parliament, and indangering their authority: his abusing of the Assembly: his calumnies, and namely against the Church of Scotland, and against my selfe: the repugnancy of his doctrine to the Solemne League and Covenant, are plainly demonstrated, 1645.

Gillespie, George (1613-1648), The Testimony of a Dying Minister of Jesus Christ Against the Sinful and Scandalous Associations With Men of Corrupt Religion and no Religion. Available [THE WORKS OF GEORGE GILLESPIE], on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Gillespie, George, Dying Testimony Against Unlawful Associations
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gillespie/ggilles-ua.html

Gillespie, George (1613-1648), Truth and Heresy: On Being Steadfast in the Truth. Available in A TREATISE OF MISCELLANY QUESTIONS BY GEORGE GILLESPIE. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/TruthHer.htm

Gouge, William (1578-1653), A Recovery From Apostacy set out in a Sermon Preached in Stepny Church near London at the receiving of a penitent renegado into the church, Oct 21, 1638. Available (THE WORKS OF WILLIAM GOUGE) on the Puritan Hard Drive.

Guthrie, James (1612?-1661), A Testimony to the Truth of Jesus Christ: or To the Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government of the Kirk of Scotland, and to the Nationall Covenant of Scotland, and to the Solemn League and Covenant of the Three Nations, England, Scotland, and Ireland, and to the work of uniformity in religion, and against the errors, heresies, blasphemies, and diverse practises of the times; especially against that vast toleration now on foot in these nations: by sundry ministers of the gospel in the Provinces of Perth and Fife.
Notes: "Some considerations contributing unto the discoverie of the dangers that threaten religion, and the work of reformation in the Church of Scotland."

Knox, John (1505-1572), Against Apostasy and Indifference. Alternate title: AN EPISTLE TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW CASTLE AND BERWICK, 1558. In John Knox and David Laing, Works of John Knox. Available (WORKS OF JOHN KNOX), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #19.
"Formerly titled AN EPISTLE TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW CASTLE AND BERWICK, 1558, one subheading reads; 'John Knox to the Inhabitants of Newcastle and Berwick, and Unto All Others, Who Sometime in the Realm of England Professed Christ Jesus, and Now Be Returned to the Bondage of Idolatry, Wishes True and Earnest Repentance By the Power and Operation of That Same Spirit Who Called From Death Jesus, the Only Pastor of Our Souls.' Written to stem the tide of backsliding and compromise during the dark days of Mary's reign in England, Knox sends a pastoral exhortation of repentance to those who had reverted to idolatrous worship. Grieving, he says that he was 'wounded almost to death' over these developments. Nevertheless he remained faithful to his readers, directing them to consider the great reward awaiting those who persevere and noting 'how horrible are the torments which the slaves of Satan (I mean idolaters, and such as for fear refuse the known truth), shall suffer with the Devil, and with his angels, without end.' Herein we see the serious nature of idolatry and of turning away from truth once attained." -- Publisher

Lewis, James R., The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements, ISBN: 0195149866 9780195149869.

*Lyford, William (1598-1653), The Plain Mans Senses Exercised to Discern Both Good and Evill: Or, A Discovery of the Errors, Heresies and Blasphemies of These Times, and the toleration of them as they are collected and testified against by the ministers of London, in their testimony to the truth of Jesus Christ, 1657. Alternate title: TESTIMONY TO THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST AND OUR SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT
This is a detailed refutation of Anabaptist error.
Sundry Ministers of London, Testimony to the Truth of Jesus Christ and our Solemn League and Covenant
http://archive.org/details/plainmanssensese00lyfo
Sundry Ministers of London, Testimony to the Truth of Jesus Christ and our Solemn League and Covenant, 1647
http://www.truecovenanter.com/anti_toleration/testimony_truth.html

Mall, Thomas (b. 1629 or 30), The Axe at the Root of Professors Miscarriages. In a Plain Detection of, and a Wholesome Caveat Against the Miscarriages Opposite to Faith in God. By Thomas Mall, Minister of the Gospel.

Manton, Thomas (1620-1677), What Kind of Perfection is Attainable. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #5, #21. Manton, Thomas, Sanctification, Perfection and Scripture, an audio file. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

McMaster (M'Master), Gilbert (1778-1854), Isaac Watts's Heresies on the Trinity and Person of Jesus Christ Exposed, (1852). Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"M'Master writes,

Whatever obscurity, from the ambiguity of his language and other causes, may hang over his views, the following facts admit of no doubt -- that is -- that Dr. W. was an anti-trinitarian, and that the distinct divine Personality of the Son of God, as equal with the Father, had no place in his acknowledged creed. The labours of his life, in which he manifested more than his usual mental vigour, were in direct opposition to the orthodox faith on this whole subject . . . He ventured to tell his Maker that the doctrine of three real persons in the Godhead, is a strange and perplexing notion, which we cannot receive; and which is not even inferable from the whole contents of the Book of God! . . . What upon this fundamental subject were the views of Dr. W.? Certainly not those of Christianity. They might be those of a slightly modified Arianism, but not less gross or erroneous than those of the Alexandrian presbyter. The scheme of both was really a form of the old Oriental Gnosticism. The superangelic spirit of Arius (sic) and Watts was but an aeon of the Gnostics. The scheme of W. may be Gnosticism, but Christianity it is not. We understand his scheme as did Bradbury, Doddridge, Edwards, and, perhaps, as every one understands him who has attentively read his works. Why then be specially reproached for understanding what they understood, and for saying what they said? That these vagaries of the Dr. were neither the fruits of youthful indiscretion, nor of the infirmities of advanced years, he assures us himself. In the preface to his USEFUL QUESTIONS, he certifies his readers that "These papers are the product of that part of his life, when his powers of mind and body were in full vigour." That he abandoned them at a late period of his life, it would be grateful to be assured of, but of the fact no evidence has been given. The well meant attempt of Mr. Toplady to prove it, it is well known, was a failure. And his permission of the continuance of the orthodox phraseology of his poetry will not do it. The Dr's. correspondence with Mr. Martin Tomkins, an anti-trinitarian, will explain why he did not alter, as he wished to do, the sentiments of his religious poetry. The language of poetry is no certain index of the principles of the poet. The modern Transcendentalist is often poetic in his theology, and in an evangelical strain he can take the language of Rutherford, and Owen, and Edwards, and talk of a close walk with God, and of intimate communion with him. The pantheism of transcendentalists allows them thus to speak a very spiritual language: while they may mean no more than their exposure to a July sun or a December frost, to a gentle shower or a storm of hail. The poetry of fancy will not do away the heresy of prose. This brings to mind a remarkable coincidence. Bardesanes of Edessa, of the second century, and Watts of Southampton; of the eighteenth century, were both distinguished for their advocacy of error, and both were poets, and are the only poets, as far as recollected, who attempted an imitation of the book of Psalms, each in a book of 150 hymns. If history is to be credited, the Gnostic, as a poet, was not inferior to him of Southampton.

Mede, Joseph (1586-1638), and William Twisse (1577-1646), The Apostasy of the Latter Times: in Which, According to Divine Prediction, the World Should Wonder After the Beast the Mystery of Iniquity Should so Farre Prevaile Over the Mystery of Godlinesse, Whorish Babylon Over the Virgin-Church of Christ, as that the visible glory of the true church should be much clouded the true unstained Christian faith corrupted the purity of true worship polluted, or, The gentiles theology of dæmons i.e. inferiour divine powers, supposed to be mediatours between God and man: revived in the latter times amongst Christians in worshipping of angels, deifying and invocating of saints, adoring and templing of reliques, bowing downe to images, worshipping of crosses, & c: all which together with a true discovery of the nature, originall, progresse, of the great, fatall and solemn apostisy are cleared: delivered in publique some years since upon I Tim. 4. 1,2,3 [1 Timothy 4:1,2,3], 1641. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #13.

*Owen, John (1616-1683), True and False Religion, ISBN: 0851510620 9780851510620. A Christian classic.
"Contains many and detailed arguments against the Church of Rome during Owen's day, its teachings, and practices. Owen was answering those in his day who wanted to return to Rome. Still applicable for our day of ecumenism."

Parliament, England, Ordinances of Parliament in Second-reformation England Concerning Blasphemy and Heresy
http://www.truecovenanter.com/official/1646_and_1648_acts_of_parliament_england_re_heresy.html?doc_banner_show=false

Price, Greg L., Covenanter Terms of Communion 1 of 19: The Word of God 1/2, MP3 files. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1210510584

Price, Greg L., The Reformed Confessions, Heresy, Schism and the Faithful Remnant. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #6.

Price, Greg L., Terms of Communion: The Westminster Standards, 5 MP3 files. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Explains and defends the second term of communion, which is 'That the whole doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith [1646 -- compiler], and the Catechisms, Larger and Shorter, are agreeable unto, and founded upon the Scriptures.' Price not only explains why we need creeds and confession (answering the question: Isn't the Scripture sufficient?), but he shows how everyone has a creed and how such statements of faith are actually inescapable -- for as soon as one says what he believes the Bible means, he has (by definition), put forth his creed ('credo' in Latin means 'to believe'). There is no neutrality! He also gives a summary of the WESTMINSTER STANDARDS and the history of this august assembly, demonstrating why these standards are agreeable to the word of God. After showing how faithful creeds and confessions (i.e. human testimony), have brought untold blessings to the church he gives a history of the Westminster Assembly (setting the context for the study of the STANDARDS themselves). The doctrines contained in the confessional standards are then summarized. Price also exposes and rebukes much false teaching and false practice (contrary to the STANDARDS), using the specific names associated with each heresy refuted. The following doctrines are covered: sola Scripture (refuting popery, neo-orthodoxy, liberalism and the charismatics), the Doctrine of God (refuting Unitarianism, Oneness theology [Modalism, Sabellianism], and tritheism), God's decrees and predestination (refuting Arminianism, fatalism [Islam]), Creation (refuting Evolutionism, Pantheism and New Age and Eastern mysticism), the covenant of works, Providence (against 'luck' and 'accidents'), the Fall of Man (refuting Arminianism and Pelagianism), the Covenant of Grace (refuting dispensationalism), Christ our mediator (refuting Arianism [JW's], Apollinarianism, Nestorianism, Eutychianism [which led to the transubstantiation and consubstantiation heresies], the free offer of the gospel, Effectual Calling (contra Arminianism), Justification by Faith alone through Christ alone (contra Rome and the Arminians), Sanctification and good works (condemning antinomianism and legalism), Assurance of Faith, Perseverance of the Saints, the Law of God, Christian liberty (against pretended liberty of conscience and the imposition of legalistic standards outside of the law of God), worship (against the anti-regulativists and promoters of will-worship), the Regulative Principle (condemning Arminianism in worship), the Sabbath (taking the high Scottish view), lawful oaths and vows (condemning covenant breaking [churches and nations included], perjury, etc.), the Civil Magistrate (against pluralism, false toleration, Erastianism, and for biblical establishments), marriage, the church (contra popery, prelacy and independency [all of which are forms of sectarianism]), and the resurrection and general judgement." -- Publisher
Covenanter Terms of Communion 1 of 19: The Word of God 1/2
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1210510584

Reed, Kevin, Religious Dissemblers and Theological Liars. Available in LIBRARY OF PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE PUBLICATIONS AND PROTESTANT HERITAGE PRESS CD-ROM LIBRARY.
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/relliars.htm

Reformed Presbytery (Scotland), A Serious Examination, and Impartial Survey, 1754. Alternate title: A SERIOUS EXAMINATION AND IMPARTIAL SURVEY OF A PRINT: DESIGNED, THE TRUE STATE &C. BY A PRETENDED PRESBYTERY AT EDINBURGH: WHEREIN THE NEW SCHEME OF DOCTRINE ANENT THE EXTENT OF CHRIST'S DEATH, ADVANCED IN THAT PRINT, IS TRIED AT THE SCRIPTURE-BAR, AND FOUND DISAGREEABLE THERETO, AND TO THE AUTHORIZED STANDARD OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND IN HER PUREST TIMES, AND CONTAINING A DISCOVERY OF THE FALSEHOODS AND CALUMNIES IN THEIR NARRATION. TOGETHER WITH A VINDICATION OF THE PRESBYTERY'S CONDUCT AND PRINCIPLES RELATIVE TO THE SUBJECT OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR PROTESTING BRETHERN.

Rushdoony, R.J. (1916-2001), The Atheism of the Early Church, ISBN: 1879998181 9781879998186. Available through Exodus Books.
"Early Christians were called 'heretics' and 'atheists' when they denied the gods of Rome, in particular the divinity of the emperor and the statism he embodied in his personality cult. These Christians knew that Jesus Christ, not the state, was their Lord and that this faith required a different kind of relationship to the state than it demanded. Because Jesus Christ was their acknowledged Sovereign, they consciously denied such esteem to all other claimants. Today the church must take a similar stand before the modern state." -- Publisher

*Rutherford, Samuel (1600-1661), A Free Disputation Against Pretended Liberty of Conscience, 1649. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #9, #25, and #26.
"Rutherford's FREE DISPUTATION, though scarce, is still one of his most important works with maybe only a few copies of the actual book left in existence. Though Rutherford is affectionately remembered in our day for his LETTERS, or for laying the foundations of constitutional government (against the divine right of kings), in his unsurpassed LEX, REX his FREE DISPUTATION should not be overlooked for it contains the same searing insights as LEX, REX. In fact, this book should probably be known as Rutherford's 'politically incorrect' companion volume to LEX, REX. A sort of sequel aimed at driving pluralists and antinomians insane. Written against 'the Belgick Arminians, Socinians, and other Authors contending for lawless liberty, or licentious Tolerations of Sects and Heresies,' Rutherford explains the undiluted Biblical solution to moral relativism, especially as it is expressed in ecclesiastical and civil pluralism! (Corporate pluralism being a violation of the first commandment and an affront to the holy God of Scripture). He also deals with conscience, toleration, penology (punishment), and the judicial laws, as related to both the civil and ecclesiastical realms. Excellent sections are also included which address questions related to determining the fundamentals of religion, how covenants bind us, the perpetual obligation of social covenants (with direct application to the Solemn League and Covenant and the covenant-breaking of Cromwell and his sectarian supporters), whether the punishing of seducing teachers be persecution of conscience, and much more. Walker adds these comments and context regarding Rutherford's FREE DISPUTATION, 'The principle of toleration was beginning to be broached in England, and in a modified shape to find acceptance there. Samuel Rutherford was alarmed, or rather, I should say, he was horrified, for he neither feared the face of man or argument. He rushed to the rescue of the good old view . . . It is not so easy to find a theoretical ground for toleration; and Rutherford has many plausible things to say against it. With the most perfect confidence, he argues that it is alike against Scripture and common sense that you should have two religions side by side. It is outrageous ecclesiastically, it is sinful civilly. He does not, however, take what I call the essentially persecuting ground. He does not hold that the magistrate is to punish religion as religion. Nay, he strongly maintains that the civil magistrate never aims at the conscience. The magistrate, he urges, does not send anyone, whether a heretic (who is a soul murderer -- RB), or a murderer, to the scaffold with the idea of producing conversion or other spiritual result, but to strengthen the foundations of civil order. But if he gives so much power to the king, he is no lover of despotism withal: the king himself must be under law. To vindicate this great doctrine is the object of another book, the celebrated LEX, REX; of which it has been said by one competent to judge, that it first clearly developed the constitutionalism which all men now accept.' (Theology and Theologians . . . pp. 11-12). In our day Francis Schaeffer, and numerous others, have critiqued many of the problems found in modern society, but most have spent little time developing explicitly Biblical solutions especially regarding the theoretical foundations that Rutherford addresses here. Rutherford's FREE DISPUTATION provides a detailed blueprint for laying the foundations that must be laid before any lasting, God-honoring solutions will be found. Furthermore, Rutherford and his writings were the enemies of all governments not covenanted with Christ. This book will give you a very clear picture as to why 'the beast' (civil and ecclesiastical), has reserved his special hatred for such teaching. As Samuel Wylie noted 'the dispute, then, will not turn upon the point whether religion should be civilly established . . . but it is concerning what religion ought to be civilly established and protected, -- whether the religion of Jesus alone should be countenanced by civil authority, or every blasphemous, heretical, and idolatrous abomination which the subtle malignity of the old serpent and a heart deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, can frame and devise, should be put on an equal footing therewith." -- The two Sons of oil; or, The Faithful Witness for Magistracy and Ministry Upon a Scriptural Basis. Can our generation swallow Rutherford's hard, anti-pluralistic, Covenanter medicine, poured forth from the bottle of the first commandment, without choking on their carnal dreams of a free and righteous society divorced from God (and His absolute claims upon everyone and everything)? Not without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit -- that is for sure! In summary, this book answers all the hardest questions theonomists (and their wisest and best opponents), have been asking for the last 20-30 years (and these answers are much more in depth than any we have seen in the last couple of millennia. [less about a century to account for the apostles]). As the reader will discover, Rutherford was a wealthy man when it came to wisdom (and much advanced theologically), and those who take the time to gaze into the King's treasure house, as exhibited in this book, will find that they are greatly rewarded. Furthermore, because of its uncompromising stand upon the Word of God, this book is sure to be unpopular among a wicked and adulterous generation. However, on the other hand, it is sure to be popular among the covenanted servants of King Jesus! This is one of the best books (in the top five anyway), for advanced study of the Christian faith. We have now obtained an easy-to-read, amazingly clear copy of this very rare, old treasure. Great price too, considering that a copy of the 1649 edition, containing this quality of print, would likely cost upwards of $1000 on the rare book market -- though it is unlikely you would ever see a copy for sale!" -- Publisher
A Brotherly and Free Epistle to the Patrons and Friends of Pretended Liberty of Conscience, Samuel Rutherford
http://www.truecovenanter.com/anti_toleration/rutherfurd_epistle_against_pretendedlibertyofconscience.html
Brutus, Junius, The Covenant Between God and Kings, from A DEFENSE OF LIBERTY
http://www.constitution.org/vct/vindiciae1a.htm

*Ryle, J.C. (1816-1900), The Fallibility of Ministers. Available in WARNINGS TO THE CHURCHES, ISBN: 0851510434 9780851510439. Available in KNOTS UNTIED: BEING PLAIN STATEMENTS ON DISPUTED POINTS IN RELIGION FROM THE STANDPOINT OF AN EVANGELICAL CHURCHMAN.
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/reviews/journal.asp?ID=113a.html

*Ryle, J.C. (1816-1900), Warnings to the Churches, ISBN: 0851510434 9780851510439.
"I see this tendency to lean on man everywhere. I know no branch of the Protestant Church of Christ which does not require to be cautioned upon the point. It is a snare, for example, to the English Episcopalian to make idols of Bishop Pearson and 'the Judicious Hooker.' It is a snare to the Scotch Presbyterian to pin his faith on John Knox, the Covenanters, and Dr. Chalmers. It is a snare to the Methodists in our day to worship the memory of John Wesley. It is a snare to the Independent to see no fault in any opinion of Owen and Dodderidge. It is a snare to the Baptist to exaggerate the wisdom of Gill and Fuller and Robert Hall. All these are snares, and into these snares how many fall!
"Infallibility is not to be found in the early fathers, but in the Bible.
"What are the best of ministers but men -- dust, ashes, and clay -- men of like passions with ourselves, men exposed to temptations, men liable to weaknesses and infirmities?
"It is amazing to observe how vast a man's intellectual attainments may be, and yet how little he may know of the grace of God.
"We have no right to expect anything but the pure Gospel of Christ, unmixed and unadulterated -- the same Gospel that was taught by the Apostles -- to do good to the souls of men.
"Peace without truth is a false peace; it is the very peace of the devil. Unity without the Gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of Hell.
"False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism.
"It was controversy that won the battle of Protestant Reformation.
"Three things there are which men never ought to trifle with -- a little poison, a little false doctrine, and a little sin.
"A church may have good forms and regularly ordained ministers, and the sacraments properly administered, but a church will not see conversion of souls going on under its pulpits when this doctrine [Justification by Faith -- compiler], is not plainly preached.
"Once let a man get wrong about justification, and he will bid a long farewell to comfort, to peace, to lively hope, to anything like assurance in his Christianity. An error here is a worm at the root.
"An ignorant laity will always be the bane of a church.
"True Gospel in the pulpit, true Gospel in every Religious Society we support, true Gospel in the books we read, true Gospel in the friends we keep company with -- let this be our aim, and never let us be ashamed to let men see that it is so.
Let the meekness of St. Peter in taking a reproof be as much our example as the boldness of St. Paul in reproving." -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), "The Fallibility of Ministers," in Warnings to the Churches, pp. 93-121.
Pharisees and Sadducees, J.C. Ryle
https://gracegems.org/23/Ryle_pharisees_and_sadducees.htm

Steele, David (1803-1887), et al., Apostasy in the RPCNA: David Steele Debates James McLeod Willson. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #23.

*Steele, David (1803-1887), The Two Witnesses: Their Cause, Number, Character, Furniture and Special Work, 1859. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #14.
"This is a great companion volume to Steele's NOTES ON THE APOCALYPSE. Here Steele zeros in on and works primarily from the text of Revelation 11:13, I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophecy. Steele deals with Testimony-bearing, Antichrist, Popery, The beasts of revelation, The mark of the beast, 666, The image of the beast, Civil and ecclesiastical apostasy, Reformation, Covenanting, Heresy, Schism, Terms of communion, Slavery, Sectarianism, Mormonism, Independency, Freemasonry, History, Worship, Idolatry, Britain, The united states, Canada, Mystical babylon, The last days, The ultimate victory of the church, and a host of other subjects!
"As is usually the case with Steele, he makes the doctrines of Scripture eminently practical. For example, note how the faithful witnesses are continually called to testify against open opposition to the Lord's Covenanted Zion and the attainments of biblical Reformation in (the faith which was once delivered unto the saints); and against whom this testimony is directed:

'These witnesses are called and commissioned to testify especially against Antichrist -- a false christ, and therefore an opposing christ. But Christ is to be considered either personally or mystically; either abstractly in his personal rights and prerogatives, or in the concrete, in the rights and immunities of his church. There is this prejudice, too prevalent, against Christians testifying against Christians! This we are often told, is contrary to the law of charity. We have not so learned Christ. They are not all Israel which are of Israel. Much of the business of these two prophets is to oppose prophets -- to prophesy against the shepherds, Ezekiel 34:2. Moses with his miracles must confront the magicians with their enchantments, Exodus 8:19. Elijah must confront the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:25. Paul must counteract false apostles, 2 Corinthians 11:13. In short, the direct object of these witnesses' testimony is apostate christendom -- those who depart from the faith, 1 Timothy 4:1 -- who have gone out from fellowship and renounced the doctrines of the apostolic church, 1 John 2:19. Their special work is to testify against error and its propagators and abettors, together with ungodliness, the natural fruit of error, rather than against pagans.' -- The Two Witnesses, p. 14
'These two witnesses have always testified -- not formally against pagans or infidels as such; but -- against apostate Christians, as comprising an organized and complex system of opposition to the Lord and his Anointed. And just here, the witnesses have detected the secret of Antichrist's successful enterprise among the human family . . .' Many false prophets are gone out into the world. . . this is a deceiver and an Antichrist, (2 John 7). The combination is ostensibly on the side and in the interest of Christ, and the elements of which Antichrist is composed were obviously professing Christians, They went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1 John 2:19). Here is the apostasy, and so the witnesses are fully borne out in asserting that Antichrist is a great Christian apostasy! To trace the origin and development, in the organization and modifications of this enemy of all righteousness, is the special work of Christ's witnesses.' -- (The Two Witnesses, pp. 17-18)

Strong, William, A Voice From Heaven Calling the People of God to a Perfect Separation From Mystical Babylon.

Sundry Ministers of London, A Testimony to the Truth of Jesus Christ, And to our Solemn League and Covenant; As Also Against the Errours, Heresies and Blasphemies of These Times, and the Toleration of Them. Wherein is Inserted a Catalogue of Divers of the Said Errours &c. All of them being collected out of their authors own books alleadged in the margin, and laid down in their own words; except one that was maintained in a dispute in Oxford, December 11, 1646, and six or seven which were asserted before a Committee of the Honourable House of Commons in the Star-Chamber, and reported to the House, Sept. 12, 1643. Subscribed by the Ministers of Christ Within the Province of London, December 14 &c., 1647.
http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/8/18/a-testimony-to-the-truth-of-jesus-christ
Sundry Ministers of London, Testimony to the Truth of Jesus Christ and our Solemn League and Covenant
http://www.truecovenanter.com/anti_toleration/testimony_truth.html

Swanson, Kevin, Apostate -- The men who Destroyed the Christian West, ISBN: 9780985365158 0985365153.
"Whatever happened to Western civilization? Somehow, Christians have lost ground in every cultural area of leadership and influence in Europe and America since 1700. This is an indubitable fact. The remaining Christians search for an explanation. They want to know how it happened. This is the story of the decline and fall of Western civilization. It is the story of uncommonly powerful men, unfathomably evil men and apostates. Reader beware! This book faces head-on the spiritual forces that leveled a full-out attack on the Christian faith in the Western world. On the one hand, it is a story of demonic possession, insanity, suicide, mass-murder, adultery, homosexuality, cultural and social revolutions, and unbridled, maniacal apostasy. It is the story of apostasy on a massive scale. But it is also a story of hope and victory for the last men standing in the ashes of Western civilization. It will be a testimony to the inevitable triumph of Jesus Christ over the great men of renown who picked the wrong fight in the history of the West." -- Publisher
"In APOSTATE, Kevin Swanson covers not only philosophers such as Rene Descartes and John Locke but also those who put the philosophers ideas in motion. It took men of the world such as Richard Wagner and John Lennon in the music industry, and Mark Twain and John Steinbeck with their impact in the literary field to take the ideas from the philosophers and put those ideas into the hands of the people. The Average Joe is not going to pick up Rousseau's writings, but he will listen to a song by Lennon. The general populace follows along with the popular and 'relevant' ideas of the day. What they don't know, is that those ideas are actually old ideas that have been working into the culture for several hundred years. Kevin Swanson's has a biblically rooted worldview and throughout the book, although he openly acknowledges the 'nephilim [A biblical race of giants or demigod "tyrants" Genesis 6:4]' who brought Western Civilizations down, he also openly acknowledges God's providence even through the decline of the Western World. Apostate was thoroughly researched and is extremely well written. I highly recommend this book." -- Reader's Comment
"Homeschooled himself in the 1960s and 70s, Kevin Swanson and his wife, Brenda, are now homeschooling their five children. Kevin has 43 years of experience in the homeschooling movement and serves as the director of Generations With Vision a ministry he founded to strengthen homeschool families. Kevin's passion is to strengthen and encourage the homeschooling movement all over the world, and to cast a vision for generations to come. For the last 4 years Kevin has hosted a daily radio program, Generations Radio, the world's largest homeschooling and biblical worldview program that reaches families across the US and in over 100 countries. Kevin has also served as the executive director of Christian Home Educators of Colorado for the last nine years. He has authored several popular books for homeschoolers, including APOSTATE, UPGRADE: 10 SECRETS TO THE BEST EDUCATION FOR YOUR CHILD, THE SECOND MAYFLOWER, THE FAMILY BIBLE STUDY GUIDE SERIES, and others." -- Publisher
"This might be a crude comparison to make, but Swanson's book is basically the Calvinist equivalent of Pat Buchanan's THE DEATH OF THE WEST [see also Calvinist C. Gregg Singer's FROM RATIONALISM TO IRRATIONALITY: THE DECLINE OF THE WESTERN MIND FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE PRESENT]. Whereas the trajectory of Buchanan's book is more political in nature and focuses more on demography, Swanson's writings are far more theological in nature and focus on the toxic philosophies of unbelieving humanists." -- Reader's Comment

Wilson, David, A Modest Apology for the Conduct of Seceders: In Refusing to Join in Christian Communion With Sectarians, Latitudinarians, etc., who Have Departed From the Purity of the Reformation Once Attained to in These Kingdoms. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #27.
"An exceedingly rare work published in 1773. Sets forth a strong case for separation from all bodies that are backslidden from the work of covenanted reformation, as it was attained during the days of the Westminster Assembly, and as set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith [1646 -- compiler], and its related documents (regarding the government, worship, doctrine and discipline of Christ's church). Denounces the 'detestable indifference or neutrality' of not maintaining covenant obligations, which bind all reformers, 'to endeavour the extirpation of all superstition, heresy, schism, and whatsoever should be found contrary to sound doctrine.' Also proves that there is no liberty or love that is contrary to God's Word. Maintains Christian charity throughout by distinguishing between loving the persons in error, and taking part with, or encouraging them in their sinful confederacies or actions. A great work on the subjects of purity, faithfulness and separation. It is in keeping with the sentiments expressed in the Reformed Presbytery's ACT, DECLARATION AND TESTIMONY which states: 'The first cry against the presbytery and its members was 'schism, schismatics.' This charge was promptly and publicly met and refuted, by showing from the Scriptures, that schism 'is in the body,' 1 Cor. 12:26 [1 Corinthians 12:26]; and from the approved writings of our covenanting fathers, that 'sometimes to avoid schism, we must separate.' Our worthy ancestors knew better than to adopt the vocabulary of papal Rome. Besides, 'the majority making defection are the real separatists.' -- Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661)" -- Publisher

See also: The incarnation of our lord (the deity of the lord jesus christ), The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Christian scholarship, Absolute truth and relativism, Epistemology of theology, the theory of knowledge, Spiritual discernment, The counter-reformation, Popery, Antichrist, False gospels, Toleration, liberty of conscience, pluralism, "religious freedom," and neutrality, Leniency, Reform of the church, The covenanted reformation of scotland, Unfaithful reformed ministries, Heresy and apostasy, Pseudo-christian movements: a selection of works, Blasphemy, Arminianism, Antinomianism, Pentecostal movement, assembly of god, positive confession and positive mental attitude (pma), word of faith, Appendix c: psychology and psychiatry, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, and so forth, and so on.
TCRB5: 1235, 1236, 1577

Related Weblinks

Arminianism: The Heresy Plaguing the Modern Church of the 21st Century. What is it and Where did it Come From?
http://www.apuritansmind.com/Arminianism/Arminianism.htm

The Christian and Politics #04: Enemies of our Christian Heritage #1
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, The Christian and Politics
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12705182945

Forensic Science and the Antichrist
"In these days of ever-growing heresies, apostasies and rampant unbelief by professing Christians, the battle rages on several fronts. This ministry is especially dedicated to defending classic Reformation truths, not the least of which is the unanimous declaration of the Protestant Reformers that the Antichrist prophesied by Holy Writ was presently in their midst, reigning in the visible Church of God, II Thess. 2:4 [2 Thessalonians 2:4], under the guise of the Pope of Rome. One does not need to search secret tunnels under Oxford and Cambridge to discover this historic fact. This potent Protestant truth is manifest for all to see. Simply by reading the creeds of the Reformation, available on the Internet, in libraries and bookstores, it quickly becomes apparent that, in their days, no Protestant worthy of the name believed anything less."
http://www.iconbusters.com/iconbusters/science.htm

Ordinances of Parliament in Second-reformation England Concerning Blasphemy and Heresy
http://www.truecovenanter.com/official/1646_and_1648_acts_of_parliament_england_re_heresy.html?doc_banner_show=false

Straight Gate Ministry
"Strait Gate Ministries is the only organization formed for the specific purpose of correcting the scriptural New Testament heresy that fires the Judaized Christians, the War Enablers . . . We are not out to destroy evangelicalism, but we want to steer it to its roots in the early church of the Apostle Paul, as Christ himself taught it. Most of our advisors are recovering Judaized Christians. We have written and documented most errors of the Judaized Christian Study Bibles (Scofield)."
http://www.straitgateministry.org

The Temptation of Eve (part 1 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
The Satanic Worldview, as a secondary point, is exegeted from Genesis 3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720081817191

The Temptation of Eve (part 2 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72008182576

Warning Signs of Destructive Cults
http://www.lettermen2.com/warncult.html

Why is the Antichrist Necessary?
"There is an evil permeating professing non-Roman Catholic Christianity in the English-speaking world. This evil has been increasing for the past two hundred years and shows no signs of abating. What was once viewed the standard orthodox Protestant position regarding the prophetic interpretation of the Scriptures has today been nearly extinguished by those calling themselves Protestant, Reformed, Puritan, and Evangelical. The Historical-Continuous School of prophetic interpretation has been replaced by the Futurist, Preterist and Idealist schools. Simply stated, the Historical school has viewed the Revelation as the ongoing, continuous history of the Lord's Elect Church from the days of the Apostle John through the centuries comprising the rise, reign and rule of the Antichrist and his false church, even until the Second Coming of Christ in Judgment. We are then given a glimpse into what is to occur after the Judgments of Christ, when eternity is opened up to us. All but the Historical school place the Antichrist outside the Church, whereas the Historical school recognizes the Antichrist in the midst of the professing, visible Christian Church. This is no small disagreement. One must be right, the other wrong. Because the issue of the Antichrist is prophetic, those in leadership holding teaching and/or pastoring offices and who prophesy erroneously, no matter how sincere, are prophesying falsely. Thus, they are false prophets. False prophets are liars. Liars are not written in the Lamb's book of life, nor are they admitted into New Jerusalem to partake of the tree of life should they continue in their lies. Instead, their end is the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone. (Revelation 21:8, 27; Revelation 22:15)"
http://www.iconbusters.com/iconbusters/docs/why/why.htm

False Gospels

---

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:
Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:1-10)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9,10)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all. (1 Timothy 2:5,6a)

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:11-13)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

See the Theological Notes: "Justification and Merit," at Galatians 3:11 in The Reformation Study Bible.

There will be many in the Lake of Fire who commenced life with good intentions, honest resolutions and exalted ideals -- those who were just in their dealings, fair in their transactions, and charitable in all their ways; men who prided themselves in their integrity, but who sought to justify themselves before God by their own righteousness; men who were moral, merciful, and magnanimous, but who never saw themselves as guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners needing a Saviour. (Matthew 7:22-23) -- Arthur Pink (1886-1952), Another Gospel

See the Theological Notes: "Church Discipline and Excommunication," at Matthew 18:15 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Legalism," at Matthew 23:4 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Baptism," at Romans 6:3 in The Reformation Study Bible.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3)

This, therefore, is the only means of retaining, as well as restoring pure doctrine -- to place Christ before the view, such as he is with all his blessings, that his excellency may be truly perceived. -- John Calvin commenting on Colossians 1:12-17

Five Gospel Warnings
1. Substitute anything for Christ, and the Gospel is totally spoiled!
2. Add anything to Christ, and the Gospel ceases to be a pure Gospel!
3. Put anything between a person and Christ, and that person will neglect Christ for that very thing!
4. Spoil the proportions of Christ's Gospel, and you spoil its effectiveness!
5. Evangelical religion must be the Gospel, the whole Gospel and nothing but the Gospel! -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:12)

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. (Colossians 2:18,19)

What is the heresy of Rome, but the addition of something to the perfect merits of Jesus Christ -- the bringing in of the works of the flesh, to assist in our justification? And what is the heresy of Arminianism but the addition of something to the work of the Redeemer? Every heresy, if brought to the touchstone, will discover itself here. I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the gospel, if we do not preach justification by faith, without works; nor unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah; nor do I think we can preach the gospel, unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend a gospel which lets saints fall away after they are called, and suffers the children of God to be burned in the fires of damnation after having once believed in Jesus. Such a gospel I abhor. -- Charles Spurgeon in A Defense of Calvinism

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. (Psalm 3:8)

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16,17)

I. The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments, and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
II. By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God Himself speaking therein; and acts differently upon that which each particular passage thereof contains; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which is to come. But the principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. -- The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), Chapter XIV, "Of Saving Faith"

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

Many divines say that Christ did something when he died that enabled God to be just, and yet the Justifier of the ungodly. What that something is they do not tell us. They believe in an atonement made for everybody; but then, their atonement is just this. They believe that Judas was atoned for just as much as Peter; they believe that the damned in hell were as much an object of Jesus Christ's satisfaction as the saved in heaven; and though they do not say it in proper words, yet they must mean it, for it is a fair inference, that in the case of multitudes, Christ died in vain, for he died for them all, they say; and yet so ineffectual was his dying for them, that though he died for them they are damned afterwards. Now, such an atonement I despise -- I reject it. -- C.H. Spurgeon, a sermon in 1858 at Royal Surrey Gardens on Isaiah 53:10 entitled The Death of Christ.

We deny that all mankind are the object of that love of God which moved him to send his Son to die; God having made some for the day of evil (Proverbs 16:4); hated them before they were born (Romans 9:11,13); before of old ordained them to condemnation (Jude 4); being fitted to destruction (Romans 9:22); made to be taken and destroyed (2 Peter 2:12); appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9); to go to their own place (Acts 1:25) . . . reprobation . . . [is] the issue of hatred, or a purpose of rejection (Romans 9:11-13). -- John Owen (1616-1683)

Yea, Judas' master, the devil himself, one far enough from justifying faith, yet he assents to the truth of the word. He goes against his conscience when he denies them. When he tempted Christ he did not dispute against the Scripture, but from the Scripture, drawing his arrows out of this quiver (Matthew 4:6). And at another time, he makes as full a confession of Christ, for the matter, as Peter himself did (Matthew 8:29, compared with Matthew 16:17). Assent to the truth of the word is but an act of the understanding, which reprobates and evils may exercise. But justifying faith is a compounded habit, and has its seat both in the understanding and will. Therefore it is called a believing with the heart (Romans 10:10); yea, a believing with all the heart. (Acts 8:37). Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. It takes in all the powers of the soul. There is a double object in the promise, one proper to the understand, to move that; another proper to the will, to excite and work on that. As the promise is true, so it calls for an act of assent from the understanding; and as it is good as well as true, so it calls for an act of the will to embrace and receive it. Therefore, he which only notionally knows the promise, and speculatively assent to the truth of it, without clinging to it, and embracing of it, does not believe savingly, and can have no more benefit from the promise, than nourishment from the food he sees and acknowledges to be wholesome, but eats none of. -- William Gurnall (1617-1679)

The gospel of Satan is not a system of revolutionary principles, nor yet a program of anarchy. It does not promote strife and war, but aims at peace and unity. It seeks not to set the mother against her daughter nor the father against his son, but fosters the fraternal, spirit whereby the human race is regarded as one great "brotherhood". It does not seek to drag down the natural man, but to improve and uplift him. It advocates education and cultivation and appeals to "the best that is within us". It aims to make this world such a congenial and comfortable habitat that Christ's absence from it will not be felt and God will not be needed. It endeavors to occupy man so much with this world that he has no time or inclination to think of the world to come. It propagates the principles of self-sacrifice, charity and benevolence, and teaches us to live for the good of others, and to be kind to all. It appeals strongly to the carnal mind and is popular with the masses, because it ignores the solemn facts that by nature man is a fallen creature, alienated from the life of God, and dead in trespasses and sins, and that his only hope lies in being born again. -- A.W. Pink in Another Gospel

One of the most popular beliefs of the day is that God loves everybody. . . . So widely has this dogma been proclaimed, and so comforting is it to the heart which is at enmity with God we have little hope of convincing many of their error. . . . To tell the Christ-rejector that God loves him is to cauterize his conscience as well as to afford him a sense of security in his sins. The fact is, the love of God is a truth for the saints only, and to present it to the enemies of God is to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. -- A.W. Pink

The doctrine of God's sovereignty repudiates the heresy of salvation by works. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (Proverbs 14:12). The way which "seems right" and which ends in "death," eternal death, is salvation by human effort and merit.
The belief in salvation by works is one that is common to human nature. . . . Many preachers are saying, God is willing to do His part, if you will do yours, is a wretched and excuseless denial of the Gospel of His grace. To declare that God helps those who help themselves is to repudiate one of the most precious truths taught in the Bible! The Bible alone, teaches that God helps those who are unable to help themselves, who have tried again and again only to fail. To say that the sinner's salvation turns upon the action of his own will is another form of the God-dishonoring dogma of salvation by human efforts. In the final analysis, any movement of the will is a work: it is something from me, something which I do.
But the doctrine of God's sovereignty lays the axe at the root of this evil tree by declaring, it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy (Romans 9:16). Does someone say, Such a doctrine will drive sinners to despair! The reply is Be it so; it is just such despair, that the writer longs to see prevail. It is not until the sinner despairs of any help from himself, that he will ever fall into the arms of sovereign mercy. But if once the Holy Spirit convicts him that there is no help in himself, then he will recognize that he is lost, and will cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" And such a cry will be heard!
If the author may be allowed to bear personal witness, he has found during the course of his ministry that, the sermons he has preached on human depravity, the sinner's helplessness to do anything himself, and the salvation of the soul turning upon the sovereign mercy of God have been those most owned and blessed in the salvation of the lost.
We repeat, then, a sense of utter helplessness is the first prerequisite to any sound conversion. There is no salvation for any soul until it looks away from itself, looks to something, yes, to Someone, outside of itself! -- A.W. Pink in The Sovereignty of God

Brethren, if we are to win great victories we must have greater courage. Some of you hardly dare speak about the blood of Christ in any but the most godly company; and scarcely there. You are very retiring. You love yourselves too much to get into trouble through your religion. Surely you cannot be of that noble band that love not their own lives unto the death! Many dare not hold the old doctrine nowadays because they would be thought narrow and bigoted, and this would be too galling. They call us old fools. It is very likely we are; but we are not ashamed to be fools for Christ's sake, and the truth's sake. We believe in the blood of the Lamb, despite the discoveries of science. We shall never give up the doctrine of atoning sacrifice to please modern culture. What little reputation we have is as dear to us as another man's character is to him; but we will cheerfully let it go in this struggle for the central truth of revelation. It will be sweet to be forgotten and lost sight of, or to be vilified and abused, if the old faith in the substitutionary sacrifice can be kept alive. This much we are resolved on, we will be true to our convictions concerning the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus; for if we give up this, what is there left? God will not do anything by us if we are false to the cross. He uses the men who spare not their reputations when these are called for in defence of truth. Oh to be at a white heat! Oh to flame with zeal for Jesus! O my brethren, hold you to the old faith, and say, "As for the respect of men, I can readily forfeit it; but as for the truth of God, that I can never give up." This is the day for men to be men; for, alas! the most are soft, molluscous creatures. Now we need backbones as well as heads. To believe the truth concerning the Lamb of God, and truly to believe it, this is the essential of an overcoming life. Oh for courage, constancy, fixedness, self-denial, willingness to be made nothing of for Christ! God give us to be faithful witnesses to the blood of the Lamb in the midst of this ungodly world! -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

When the church preaches the Gospel as the power of God, as spiritual dynamic that can operate in men and change them, it is THEN that she deals with the social problem; not when she is talking about the social problem, and giving statistics and making moral appeals. That is a waste of time, and we must reject it as a temptation from the devil! I do not hesitate to say so. The devil is perfectly satisfied as long as the church is just reading, Sunday by Sunday, little moral essays, trying to give a little moral uplift, and making an appeal to people to be decent. I am certain that at such times the devil rejoices, because he knows that his kingdom will not be affected. -- Martyn Lloyd-Jones in Ephesians -- Darkness and Light

Whenever leaders [fathers, pastors, businessmen, elected officials -- compiler], lose sight of the Gospel, then they lead us into hypocrisy, Pharisaism, and legalism. -- Phil Smuland

If I could show you a picture of a starving Christian, I would. But the starvation is not physical, it is invisible: the starvation of the spirit, of the soul: the starvation caused by the failure of the churches and their leaders in the United States to feed their sheep the Gospel. Not since the Middle Ages has there been such a spiritual famine in the West.
It is not that the sheep aren't being fed; they are -- junk food, scraps, husks, and poison.
For the past century ordinary American Christians have been betrayed by the treason of the clergy and the churches, by men who have defected from the truth, by men who do not teach the truth because there is no truth in them. -- John W. Robbins

There is no doubt that evangelicalism today is in a state of perplexity and unsettlement. In such matters as the practice of evangelism, the teaching of holiness, the building up of local church life, the pastor's dealing with souls and the exercise of discipline, there is evidence of widespread dissatisfaction with things as they are and or equally widespread uncertainty as to the road ahead. This is a complex phenomenon, to which many factors have contributed; but, if we go to the root of the matter, we shall find that these perplexities are all ultimately due to our having lost our grip on the biblical gospel. Without realizing it, we have during the past century bartered that gospel for a substitute product which, though it looks similar enough in points of detail, is as a whole a decidedly different thing. Hence our troubles; for the substitute product does not answer the ends for which the authentic gospel has in past days proved itself so mighty. Why?
We would suggest that the reason lies in its own character and content. It fails to make men God-centered in their thoughts and God-fearing in their hearts because this is not primarily what it is trying to do. One way of stating the difference between it and the old gospel is to say that it is too exclusively concerned to be 'helpful' to man -- to bring peace, comfort, happiness, satisfaction -- and too little concerned to glorify God. The old gospel was "helpful," too -- more so, indeed, than is the new -- but (so to speak), incidentally, for its first concern was always to give glory to God. It was always and essentially a proclamation of divine sovereignty in mercy and judgment, a summons to bow down and worship the mighty Lord on whom man depends for all good, both in nature and in grace. Its center of reference was unambiguously God. But in the new gospel the center of reference is man. This is just to say that the old gospel was religious in a way that the new gospel is not. Whereas the chief aim of the old was to teach people to worship God, the concern of the new seems limited to making them feel better. The subject of the old gospel was God and his ways with men; the subject of the new is man and the help God gives him. There is a world of difference. The whole perspective and emphasis of gospel preaching has changed.
From this change of interest has sprung a change of content, for the new gospel has in effect reformulated the biblical message in the supposed interests of 'helpfulness'. Accordingly, the themes of man's natural inability to believe, of God's free election being the ultimate cause of salvation, and of Christ dying specifically for his sheep are not preached. These doctrines, it would be said, are not 'helpful'; they would drive sinners to despair, by suggesting to them that it is not in their own power to be saved through Christ. (The possibility that such despair might be salutary is not considered: it is taken for granted that it cannot be, because it is so shattering to our self-esteem). However this may be (and we shall say more about it later), the result of these omissions is that part of the biblical gospel is now preached as if it were the whole of that gospel; and a half-truth masquerading as the whole truth becomes a complete untruth. Thus, we appeal to men as if they all had the ability to receive Christ at any time; we speak of his redeeming work as if he had make it possible for us to save ourselves by believing; we speak of God's love as if it were no more than a general willingness to receive any who will turn and trust; and we depict the Father and the Son, not as sovereignly active in drawing sinners to themselves, but as waiting in quiet impotence 'at the door of our hearts' for us to let them in.
It is undeniable that this is how we preach; perhaps this is what we really believe. But it needs to be said with emphasis that this set of twisted half-truths is something other than the biblical gospel. The Bible is against us when we preach in this way; and the fact that such preaching has become almost standard practice among us only shows how urgent it is that we should review this matter. To recover the old, authentic, biblical gospel, and to bring our preaching and practice back into line with it, is perhaps our most pressing present need. And it is at this point that Owen's treatise on redemption can give us help. -- J.I. Packer in the Introduction to The Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

True Gospel in the pulpit, true Gospel in every Religious Society we support, true Gospel in the books we read, true Gospel in the friends we keep company with -- let this be our aim, and never let us be ashamed to let men see that it is so.
Let the meekness of St. Peter in taking a reproof be as much our example as the boldness of St. Paul in reproving." -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), "The Fallibility of Ministers," in Warnings to the Churches, pp. 93-121.

Conflict of will with man is bad enough. It can lead to death. Conflict of will with God is catastrophic.
God is Truth, absolute and unchanging. Thus Truth is associated with eternity, and also life immortal.
Conflict of will with God leads to the Second Death, spiritual death, eternal separation from the thrice holy God of Absolute Truth and Eternal Life.

Soul-violence begins when one individual tries to usurping authority over another, to control and possess them. The means of control may be either outward or occult: possessiveness, deceit, repression or suppression of the truth, soul stealing, attempts to take authority over another politically or by mental malpractice, denial of freedom, indebtedness, whoredom, and so forth. Abuse of the soul quenches the Holy Spirit.
If either side is immovable, then death is the result of the conflict of will. How are conflicts of will resolved? By submission to the absolute truth of God's word. These observations bear a strain of the Gospel.

The media are buzzing with news about Mel Gibson's new movie, The Passion of the Christ, which opened today, Ash Wednesday [February 25, 2004], in the Roman Church-State calendar. Showing in 2800 theaters nationwide, the movie is expected to recoup its production costs in 5 days, due to the enormous numbers of "evangelicals" who are buying tickets.
The important questions are not, as most commentators seem to think, Is the movie historically accurate, or Biblically accurate, or anti-Semitic. Of course it is neither historically nor Biblically accurate, despite what leading "evangelicals" have said. The movie is informed by Gibson's traditional Romanism, which is radically unbiblical and historically inaccurate. Rome also has a long and undeniable tradition of anti-Semitism, which makes many suspicious about Gibson's movie.
The important question is, rather, Why are millions of "evangelicals" flocking to see a Romanist movie? The answer is one that no one wants to hear: So-called evangelicals are Romanists at heart.
In the crucial debates over salvation five centuries ago, the difference between Rome and the Reformers was not merely grace versus works, but, at a more profound level, imputed righteousness versus infused grace.
The Reformers (and the Bible), said that sinners are saved only by the imputation of Christ's perfect righteousness to their legal accounts. Sinners had broken the law of God, and their just punishment could be averted only by someone taking the punishment they deserved and fulfilling all God's Law perfectly as their Substitute and Representative -- their Mediator. So Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and died an innocent death for his people. His righteousness is imputed to believers, and they are saved.
The Romanists said that sinners are saved by grace infused into their hearts through the sacraments. This doctrine of infused grace, with its focus on the interior life and experience of the sinner (who actually ate the physical body and drank the physical blood of Christ in the Mass), gave birth to all sorts of bizarre "spirituality" during the Middle Ages: mysticism, monasticism, asceticism, masochism, and sacramentalism.
The Reformation recovered and preached the Biblical doctrine of salvation by the extrinsic righteousness of Christ imputed to believers through belief alone. But even during the Reformation, many who were outside the Roman Church adopted its subjectivist view of salvation by religious experience.
Luther himself never repudiated the Romanist superstition of eating the physical body and drinking the physical blood of Christ in the Lord's Supper. The German Enthusiasts and Pietists, the Dutch Arminians, and even some of the English Puritans became quasi-Romanist in their focus on "experimental religion" and religious experience. The Wesleyans in England and America made religious experience central to their new doctrine, and John Wesley vehemently attacked the Biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone.
All of these groups ignored or repudiated "extrinsic justification," that is, justification by a righteousness wholly outside the sinner and imputed to him by an act of God. The whole theology of religious revivalism in "evangelical" circles is Romanist at its heart. They now see this Romanist movie as a tool and opportunity for revival -- the greatest, one of them has said, in 2000 years.
Louis Bouyer, a convert to Romanism who became a Roman priest, pointed out the rediscovery of Romanism in "Protestant" Revivalism nearly 50 years ago.
In his 1955 book, THE SPIRIT AND FORMS OF PROTESTANTISM, Bouyer wrote:

"The Protestant Revival. . . recalls the best and most authentic elements of the Catholic tradition. . . . For we see in every Protestant country Christians who owed their religion to the movement we have called, in general, Revivalism, attain a more or less complete rediscovery of Catholicisim."

In the 19th and 20th centuries, "evangelicals" used new terms to describe the plan of salvation -- terms not found in Scripture: "personal encounter with Christ," "personal relationship with Christ," "let Jesus into your heart," "put Christ on the throne of your heart." Both "evangelicals" and the Neo-orthodox adopted and taught the Medieval religion of religious experience. All of them rejected the Biblical doctrine of justification by an extrinsic righteousness imputed only through belief of the Gospel.
And that is why we now see millions of "evangelicals" flocking to theaters to watch an R-rated Romanist film: They seek a religious experience, and this movie -- a high-tech version of a Medieval Passion Play -- will give them an overwhelming religious experience, and they think that is Christianity." -- John Robbins, The Trinity Foundation, February 25, 2004

Fully understanding the Doctrine of Justification can redeem a relationship broken by sexual sin.
It is a clear understanding of the Doctrine of Justification that enables us to repair broken relationships, both with God and with man. Repentance and forgiveness bridges the gap between man and God. It enables man and wife to reconcile their broken relationships, and to live together in harmony. It enables individuals to repair relationships broken by sin and to live and work together in unity in society.
If the reader would be interested in a full discussion of current error in the Doctrine of Justification, as well as the doctrine in its wholeness, we recommend the following books:

1. THE CURRENT JUSTIFICATION CONTROVERSY, by O. Palmer Robertson
2. A COMPANION TO THE CURRENT JUSTIFICATION CONTROVERSY, by John W. Robbins
3. NOT REFORMED AT ALL: MEDIEVALISM IN 'REFORMED' CHURCHES, by John Robbins and Sean Gerety
4. THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD: WESTMINSTER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN PHILADELPHIA, by Mark W. Karlberg

For basic background on the doctrine of justification:

1. THE EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, by Horatius Bonar
2. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE, by Charles Hodge
3. WHAT IS SAVING FAITH? by Gordon H. Clark. -- John Robbins

Abrahams, Israel, Studies in Pharisaism and the Gospels, ISBN: 1592448240 9781592448241.
"First published in two volumes in 1917 and 1924. Now available in one volume. Long regarded as a pioneer work that revolutionized an understanding of the character and development of Pharisaism." -- Cyril J. Barber

Barna, George, The Barna Report 1992-93: America Renews its Search for God.
"Barna's WHAT AMERICANS BELIEVE captures a snapshot of American Christianity in 1991. This totally-new election-year edition updates the picture! . . . Vital information is easy to grasp with key charts and graphs (more detailed tables appear in the appendix), and easy to apply practical action steps." -- CBD

Barna, George, Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators, ISBN: 0849936039 9780849936036.
"In this book, veteran pollster George Barna provides an overview of the trends and conditions of spirituality in America -- including beliefs, institutional connections, donations, corporate religious activity, and private spirituality." -- Publisher

*Barna, George, What Americans Believe: An Annual Survey of Values and Religious Views in the United States, ISBN: 0830715053 9780830715053.
"Our society is changing in ways that have dramatic implications for the future of morality, ethics, and the Christian church. Three quarters of young adults in this country believe there is no absolute truth -- a major change from older generations which tend to believe in absolute truth. WHAT AMERICANS BELIEVE gives a clear, up-to-the-minute picture of the mores, beliefs, and religious attitudes of Americans. It is based on an annual survey conducted by the Barna Research Group and covers 65 questions about values, life-style, and religious beliefs." A tool to reshape ministerial strategies.

Barna, George, and Mark Hatch, Boiling Point: It Only Takes one Degree: Monitoring Cultural Shifts in the 21st Century, ISBN: 0830726500 9780830726509 0830726519 9780830726516.

Barron, Bruce, The Health and Wealth Gospel: What's Going on Today in a Movement That has Shaped the Faith of Millions? ISBN: 0877843279 9780877843276.
"Barron probes the teachings of prominent preachers like Charles Capps, Kenneth Hagin, and Kenneth Copeland. Can we have whatever we ask from God? Can we see a 100-fold return on our Kingdom investment? Is sickness a sign of a lack of faith? These and other claims are examined fully and fairly." -- GCB

Baxter, Richard (1615-1691), The Causes and Danger of Slighting Christ and His Gospel: or Eternal Salvation Made Light of by Multitudes . . . Written by . . . Richard Baxter. Abridged by Benjamin Fawcett, M.A. The third edition Shrewsbury, 1776.

*Bonar, Horatius (1808-1889), The Everlasting Righteousness, or How Shall man be Just With God? A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language.
"First published in 1874, THE EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, may be the best book on the doctrine of justification by faith alone ever written.
"Since the seventeenth century, the church's adherence to the central doctrine of the Christian faith has been weakening; in the twentieth century it has all but disappeared. But to those who remain faithful -- to those who are called of God -- justification by faith alone is the best news there could ever be: that Christ died for our sins, and we shall live forever because of Christ's righteousness.
"Justification by faith alone -- the 'principal hinge of religion,' according to John Calvin, the 'doctrine by which the church stands or falls,' according to Martin Luther -- is salvation. Without it, all hope is lost; with it, Heaven gained. Bonar's discussion is without equal in the English language." -- John W. Robbins
The Everlasting Righteousness, Horatius Bonar
http://books.google.com/books?id=nQMDAAAAQAAJ&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

Boston, Thomas (1676-1732), The Evil and Danger of Halting Betwixt two Opinions. In THE COMPLETE WORKS OF THE REVEREND THOMAS BOSTON, VOLUMES 1-12. (9:245-63). Available (THE WORKS OF THOMAS BOSTON), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available (THE WORKS OF THOMAS BOSTON), on Reformation Bookshelf CD #5.

*Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate. Alternate title: THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL, AND UNSPEAKABLENESS OF THE LOSS THEREOF: WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT: FIRST PREACHED AT PINNERS HALL, AND NOW ENLARGED, AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"In the 1660s, Charles II, King of England, asked John Owen (1616-1683), why he went to hear the preaching of an uneducated tinker. [John Bunyan -- compiler]. Looking the King in the eye, Owen answered, 'May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker's ability for preaching, I would willingly relinquish all my learning'." -- Andrew Thomson, John Owen, Prince of Puritans
Owen would not have been surprised to learn that Bunyan's most influential work, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, would be translated into more languages over the next 400 years than any book except the Bible.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft
Pilgrim's Page: A John Bunyan Archive
This is the complete set of THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN, George Offor edition, reprinted by The Banner of Truth. It is free online, and is downloadable in the following formats: HTML, RTF, TEXT, and PDF.
http://www.chapellibrary.org/literature/bunyan/
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN is also available at Project Gutenberg.

*Chantry, Walter J. (1938-present), Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic? ISBN: 0851510272 9780851510279.

*Clark, Gordon H. (1902-1985), Today's Evangelism: Counterfeit or Genuine? ISBN: 0940931281 9780940931282.
"Clark compares the methods and messages of today's evangelists with Scripture, and finds that Christianity is on the wane because the Gospel has been distorted or lost. This is an extremely useful and enlightening book." -- John W. Robbins
"According to Dr. Clark, true evangelism aims for truth rather than counting heads. 'The message, the teaching, the doctrine of the evangelist is what separates genuine Christian evangelism from counterfeit evangelism . . . Evangelism is the exposition of the Scripture. God will do the regenerating'." -- Robert Duvall

Coleman, James M., Psychology of the Social Redemption, 1919.

Countess, Robert H., Dumbing Down the Gospel: Jesus, Pharisees, Talmud, Edersheim, and Mark 7:1ff.

Cunha, Stephen M., The Emperor has no Clothes: Dr. Richard B. Gaffin Jr.'s Doctrine of Justification, (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, November, 2011), ISBN: 1891777327 9781891777325.
From the conclusion:

Justification is by faith alone! True, it is not by a faith that is alone. Only the kind of faith that evidences itself as true faith through the production of good works in the kind of faith that justifies. Good works play a purely evidential or demonstrative role with respect to justification. The Bible teaches this and, for this reason, all of the Reformers taught this. Heinrich Bullinger, another Reformer of prodigious stature and tremendous influence, is fairly representative of all the Reformers when he says, "For although true faith is not without good works, yet doth it justify without good works, by itself alone."(1) Amen!
Lest anyone attempt to gloss Bullinger's words with a shade of meaning foreign to his intent, it is to be observed that, in the same sermon, only a few sentences later, the great Reformer approvingly cites the following comments on the third chapter of Romans made by the Ante-Nicene writer Origen:

Paul saith that the justification of faith alone is sufficient for a man; so that every one that doth believe only is justified, although no works are once wrought by him. Now if we require an example, where any was ever justified by faith alone without good works; that thief, I suppose, is example good enough, who, being crucified with Christ, did cry from the cross, "Lord Jesus, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." In the writings of the evangelists there is mention made of no good work which he in his life did; and yet, because of this his faith only, Jesus said unto him: "Verily I say unto thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise." Therefore this thief was through faith justified without the works of the law. For after this request and prayer of his the Lord made no inquisition what his works were all his life long; neither did he look what works he would do after this faith and believing; but did immediately, upon his confession, both justify, and take him as a companion to go with him to paradise.(2)
1. Henry Bullinger, The Decades of Henry Bullinger, Volume 1 (Reformation Heritage Books, 2004), 339 (Decade 3, Sermon 9). 2. The Decades of Henry Bullinger, Volume 1, 339-340 (Decade 3, Sermon 9).

This is good news! Thanks be to God!

Dewart, Debbie, and Jay Adams (preface), A way That Seems Right: John Bradshaw's False Gospel.
"John Bradshaw is the public television guru of the recovery movement (dysfunctional families, inner child, adult child). He eclectically combines various popular psychologies with the language of New Age spirituality. Dewart examines Bradshaw's system in depth, comparing his teachings with the Scripture." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)

*Dickson, David (1583-1663), Of God's Eternal Decree. Available in TRUTH'S VICTORY OVER ERROR: A COMMENTARY ON THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH, ISBN: 0851519490 9780851519494. Available (THE WORKS OF DAVID DICKSON), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"This book is not merely of historical interest; it is also of considerable value now because many of the errors refuted within its pages have surfaced again in the 21st century church under new guises. Christians today can learn a great deal from the faithful witness of former generations who experienced 'truth's victory over error.' TRUTH'S VICTORY OVER ERROR contains David Dickson's lectures on the Westminster Confession of Faith, delivered to the divinity students of Edinburgh University in the early 1650s. Here then is a commentary written just a few brief years after the Westminster Divines drew up their famous Confession of 1647 [sic] by one of their senior contemporaries. Dickson's comments reveal the burning issues of the day and supply fascinating insight into the robust theology of the Scottish Puritans. In the Introduction to the book, Robert Wodrow writes that the author 'as it were, breaks the truths of our Confession small, and prepares them for the meanest capacities.' Here, then, is a useful aid for Christians who want to study and understand the doctrines of the Confession itself. Dickson was concerned to explain the truth and refute error. Not content merely to establish the Confession's articles from Scripture, he also 'guards against the gangrene and poison of contrary errors, with judgment and perspicuity' (Wodrow). Like all true evangelicals, Dickson saw the vital need of expressing the Bible's teaching in both negative and positive propositions." -- Publisher
Truth's Victory Over Error, Chapter III, "Of God's Eternal Decrees"
http://www.truecovenanter.com/dickson/truthsvictory03.html

Downes, Stephen, Stephen Downes Guide to the Logical Fallacies.
"Stephen Downes, an information architect with a background in philosophy, created this site with the aim of identifying, indexing, and describing 'all known logical fallacies.' A logical fallacy can be defined as an error in reasoning in which a conclusion appears to follow from a set of premises but in reality does not. Downes groups the fallacies into thirteen categories, such as Fallacies of Distraction, Inductive Fallacies, and Syllogistic Errors. Each fallacy (over 50 in all), is described with its name, definition, examples of how it might be used in an argument, and how the argument can be proven fallacious. The How to Use this Guide section of the site provides a helpful introduction, and a robust bibliography offers possibilities for further study of logic. In addition, users may register at the site (no fee), to gain access to discussion boards on the topic. The author notes that his Guide "is intended to help you in your own thinking, not to help you demolish someone else's argument." Regardless of how a reader uses the information, however, the site remains an interesting and fun investigation of how logical arguments are constructed." "Lists all known logical fallacies, with definitions, examples, and the steps needed to prove that the fallacy is committed. Site also includes links to logic references and resources."
Stephen's Guide to Logical Fallacies
http://www.fallacies.ca/welcome.htm

*Elliott, Paul M., Christianity and Neo-Liberalism: The Spiritual Crisis in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and Beyond (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation; October, 2005), ISBN: 0940931680 9780940931688.
"Paul M. Elliott, a former Ruling Elder in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, carefully traces the origin of the spiritual crisis in the OPC and similar denominations to the pernicious teaching of Westminster Theological Seminary. That teaching is that God is unknowable, that Scripture is contradictory, and that salvation is by faith-plus-works. Elliott provides copious quotations from faculty members, from the Westminster Theological Journal, and from pastors in OPC congregations to document his analysis. This book is must reading for all Presbyterians.
"Elliott's book is a massive documentation of Liberalism at Westminster Seminary (Philadelphia) and in the OPC on the doctrines of Scripture, God, salvation, and hermeneutics. Officers of the OPC should not even begin to think, 'We are the children of Machen,' for if they were, they would do the deeds of Machen." -- The Trinity Foundation
" 'The Marks of Neo-liberalism' is taken from chapter 2 of . . . CHRISTIANITY AND NEO-LIBERALISM: THE SPIRITUAL CRISIS IN THE ORTHODOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND BEYOND.
"In this chapter Mr. Elliot lists the marks of Neo-liberalism -- they are the principles of the Liberalism that Machen opposed -- and shows how the OPC displays those marks, even while claiming that 'there's no one here but us Reformed folks.'
The Marks of Neo-liberalism, Paul M. Elliott
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=219
"I would like to recommend Paul Elliot's new book, CHRISTIANITY AND NEO-LIBERALISM. This is a book that everyone who loves Jesus Christ, loves the truth, and loves the Gospel must read.
"It is a riveting and horrifying story. Elliot explains in great detail how the enemies of the faith have been able to surreptitiously supplant the true Gospel with a clever fraud and, more importantly, how they were able to succeed in the OPC. The track Elliot outlines in the OPC is mirrored in many respects in the PCA as well. Further, the politics involved and how these enemies of Christ have positioned themselves in places of power and influence over the years and their success in neutralizing their opposition is a lesson all of us need to learn, but I'm afraid few of us have. The incredible gullibility and complacency of countless churchmen recounted in this book is frightening. The comparison to Machen's CHRISTIANITY AND LIBERALISM is more than fitting. I would argue Elliot's book is considerably better on a number of counts. His account of the Kinnaird affair alone is worth the price of the book. Yet, there is so much I haven't even considered, like the "hermeneutic of trust" which has supplanted the Reformed hermeneutic yin many circles is an eye-opener. This is simply an amazing book." -- Sean Gerety
Contents:
Part One: Liberalism and Neo-liberalism: A Little Leaven; The Marks of Neo-liberalism.
Part Two: Historical Background: Those Who Ignore the Errors of History; Embracing the Principles of the Auburn Affirmation.
Part Three: The Growth of Neo-liberalism: The Shepherd Controversy: Entry of Another Gospel; Richard Gaffin's New Perspective on Paul; The Kinnaird Case and its Aftermath; The Hermeneutic of Trust: Prescription for Doctrinal Anarchy; How Did It Happen?
Part Four: How Shall We Respond?: The Biblical Imperative.
Appendices: The Auburn Affirmation; Kinnaird Memorandum; Proposed (Rejected) Overture to the 2004 OPC General Assembly; Scripture Index; Index.

Ellul, Jacques (1912-1994), Jesus and Marx: From Gospel to Ideology, ISBN: 0802802974 9780802802972.

Ellul, Jacques (1912-1994), The Subversion of Christianity, ISBN: 0802800491 9780802800497.
"What we today call Christianity, says Ellul, is actually far removed from the revelation of God. The church has perverted and reinterpreted Scripture over the years in order to mitigate the scandal of the Gospel. Yet Ellul remains hopeful, for the Holy Spirit continues to move in the world." -- Publisher

Engelsma, David J., The Binding of God, Trinity Review, January 2002.
A book review of THE BINDING OF GOD: CALVIN'S ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF COVENANT THEOLOGY, Peter A. Lillback. Baker and Paternoster, 2001, 331 pages.
"The Board of Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia has just announced . . . [April 2005], that Dr. Peter Lillback has been chosen as the Seminary's new president."
From the author's concluding paragraph, "The scholarship of THE BINDING OF GOD is flawed. The doctrine is heretical. Nevertheless, it is an important work because it makes two things plain: (1) a conditional covenant of grace and works implies justification by faith and works; and (2) the apostasy at the highest levels of reputedly conservative Presbyterianism."

Erskine, Ralph (1685-1752), and James Fisher, Faith no Fancy, or, A Treatise of Mental Images: Discovering the Vain Philosophy and Vile Divinity of a Late Pamphlet Intitled "Mr. Robe's Fourth Letter to Mr. Fisher," and Shewing that an imaginary idea of Christ as man (when supposed to belong to saving faith, whether in its act or object), imports nothing but ignorance, atheism, idolatry, great falsehood, and gross delusion: with an appendix, relating to part of the late writings of the Rev. Messrs. Willison and Currie, especially touching some points of gospel doctrine injured by their defence of the act of assembly, 1722, &c.: together with a sermon, titled, The true Christ no new Christ: and some other extracts from the same author, 1747.

Fisher, James, Edwards, Whitefield, the True Nature of Revival and the 'Old Time' Charismatics, 1742. Alternate title: A REVIEW OF THE PREFACE TO A NARRATIVE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY WORK AT KILSYTH. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #23. "Originally titled 'A Review of the Preface to a Narrative of the Extraordinary Work at Kilsyth. . .' this book exposes the deficiencies of shallow revivalism and warns against what today would be called charismatic excesses. It contrasts these weaknesses with the true nature and fruit of salvation (from a Reformed perspective), and specifically deals with some of the less than Scriptural antics of the George Whitefield ('a Priest of the Church of England, who refuses to be reformed,' Fisher notes), and those Presbyterians that would hear him (occasional hearing). Some of Jonathan Edwards' revival methods also warrant rebuke in this piece. At one point Fisher writes that Edwards' defense of these works uses 'exactly the language of Quakers, a branch of that hellish scheme, calculated for enervating and overthrowing the divine authority of the Word, as it is the only foundation of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.' (p. 19). He also notes 'that Edwards wants to set aside the Word, as the only rule, at least, in judging and trying this work' (i.e. the 'revivals' at Kilsyth and Cambuslang). The work also exposes the defective nature of 'revivals' that deal with only personal reformation, leaving off any thought of (or actively burying), the more public concerns that have been prominent in past reformation. Fisher writes, 'But can any of the promoters of this work allege for themselves, that they are making the least essay towards public Reformation, as it has been owned and professed in these lands? Nay, as shall afterwards be made appear, they are doing what they can to obliterate the memory of Scotland's Covenanted Reformation, and to raze all concern there . . . out of the minds of the people.' (p. 26). In short, the defective nature of these past 'revivals,' are shown to 'overthrow the very foundation of faith, and all practical godliness and to establish mere enthusiasm and strong delusion, in the room of true religion, revealed and required in the Word.' This work is also useful in evaluating the 'laughing revival' (or 'Toronto blessing'), of our day." -- Publisher

Flavel, John (1630-1691), The Touchstone of Sincerity; or, Trial of True and False Religion (1840).
http://archive.org/details/touchstoneofsinc00flav

Gerstner, John H., Teachings of Christian Science, ISBN: 0801037174 9780801037177.

*Gurnall, William (1617-1679), and John Charles Ryle (contributor), The Christian in Complete Armor: A Treatise of the Saint's war Against the Devil, complete and unabridged, ISBN: 0851511961 9780851511962. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"Peerless and priceless; every line full of wisdom." -- C.H. Spurgeon
"If I might read only one book beside the Bible, I would choose THE CHRISTIAN IN COMPLETE ARMOUR." -- John Newton
Also praised by John Flavel and Richard Baxter.
Said to be among the 10 greatest Christian books.
"A beautiful feature in Gurnall's book is its richness in pithy, pointed, and epigrammatical sayings. You will often find in a line and a half some great truth, put so concisely, and yet so fully, that you really marvel how so much thought could be got into so few words.
"Solid scriptural theology, like that contained in these pages, should be valued and studied in the church. Books in which Scripture is reverently regarded as the only rule of faith and practice -- books in which Christ and the Holy Ghost have their rightful office -- books in which justification, and sanctification, and regeneration, and faith, and grace, and holiness are clearly, distinctly, and accurately delineated and exhibited -- these are the only books which do real good. Few things need reviving more than a taste for such books as these among readers." -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
The Christian in Complete Armour, William Gurnall
http://www.ccel.org/g/gurnall/armour/home.htm
The Christian in Complete Armour
http://archive.org/details/christianincomp00unkngoog
Quotes From The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall
http://www.puritansermons.com/reformed/gurnquot.htm

Karlberg, Mark W., The Changing of the Guard: Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, 2001), ISBN: 0940931583 9780940931589.
"A critical discussion of Westminster Seminary's anti-Reformational and unbiblical teaching on the Doctrine of Justification."
The Changing of the Guard, Mark W. Karlberg
http://trinityfoundation.org/reviews/last.asp

Knox, John (1505-1572), Against Apostasy and Indifference. Alternate title: AN EPISTLE TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW CASTLE AND BERWICK, 1558. In John Knox and David Laing, Works of John Knox. Available (WORKS OF JOHN KNOX), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #19.
"Formerly titled AN EPISTLE TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW CASTLE AND BERWICK, 1558, one subheading reads; 'John Knox to the Inhabitants of Newcastle and Berwick, and Unto All Others, Who Sometime in the Realm of England Professed Christ Jesus, and Now Be Returned to the Bondage of Idolatry, Wishes True and Earnest Repentance By the Power and Operation of That Same Spirit Who Called From Death Jesus, the Only Pastor of Our Souls.' Written to stem the tide of backsliding and compromise during the dark days of Mary's reign in England, Knox sends a pastoral exhortation of repentance to those who had reverted to idolatrous worship. Grieving, he says that he was 'wounded almost to death' over these developments. Nevertheless he remained faithful to his readers, directing them to consider the great reward awaiting those who persevere and noting 'how horrible are the torments which the slaves of Satan (I mean idolaters, and such as for fear refuse the known truth), shall suffer with the Devil, and with his angels, without end.' Herein we see the serious nature of idolatry and of turning away from truth once attained." -- Publisher

*Knox, John (1505-1572), What to do When There is no Faithful Church in Your Area. Alternate title: A LETTER OF WHOLESOME COUNSEL, ADDRESSED TO HIS BRETHREN IN SCOTLAND, 1556. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN KNOX), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #1.
"Formerly titled A LETTER OF WHOLESOME COUNSEL, ADDRESSED TO HIS BRETHREN IN SCOTLAND, 1556. Given the lack of truly Reformed churches in many areas, this letter, full of practical advice, should be a welcome addition to the libraries of those seeking to remain ecclesiastically faithful to the Lord. As God continues to pour out his Spirit (by revealing the doctrines of grace, purity of worship, Presbyterian polity and discipline, Christian education of youth, family worship, the principles of courtship, covenanting [personal, ecclesiastical and national], separation from corrupt and idolatrous communions, male headship, adherence to the WCF [1646 -- compiler], and other faithful confessions, etc.), this letter will provide a useful bridge for those separated geographically from faithful fellowship, until new, duly constituted churches can be formed." -- Publisher

*Luther, Martin (1483-1546), Commentary on Galatians, English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, ISBN: 0825431247. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I prefer this book of Martin Luther's (except the Bible), before all the books I have ever seen, as most fit for a wounded soul." -- John Bunyan
"This is a great, historic work, and is beyond criticism on account of its great usefulness. As a comment its accuracy might be questioned; but for emphatic utterances and clear statements of the great doctrine of the Epistle it remains altogether by itself, and must be judged per se." -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
"The reissue of a famous series of lectures delivered at Wittenberg University in 1553." -- Cyril J. Barber
Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
http://archive.org/details/cu31924029294133
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, That He might deliver us from the present evil world. (Galatians 1:4 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther2.html
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther1.html

MacArthur, John F., Jr., Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World, ISBN: 0891077294 9780891077299 1856840808 9781856840804.
Includes: Appendix 1: Spurgeon and the Down-grade Controversy.
"[At the end of the Puritan age], by some means or other, first the ministers, then the Churches, got on 'the down grade,' and in some cases, the descent was rapid, and in all, very disastrous. In proportion as the ministers seceded from the old Puritan godliness of life, and the old Calvinistic form of doctrine, they commonly became less earnest and less simple in their preaching, more speculative and less spiritual in the matter of their discourses, and dwelt more on the moral teachings of the New Testament, than on the great central truths of revelation. Natural theology frequently took the place which the great truths of the gospel ought to have held, and the sermons became more and more Christless. Corresponding results in the character and life, first of the preachers and then of the people, were only too plainly apparent." -- Robert Shindler, "The Down Grade," The Sword and the Trowel (March 1887), p. 122
http://www.spurgeon.org/downgrd.php

McConnell, R., A Different Gospel: Biblical and Historical Insights Into the Word of Faith Movement, ISBN: 1565631323 9781565631328.
"A comprehensive analysis of the historical background and doctrinal errors of the Word-Faith teachers including Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Fred Price, and others. McConnell also gives conclusive evidence of the doctrinal and literal connection between Hagin and E.W. Kenyon." -- Publisher
"Every Christian should read this book in order to be aware of the dangerous implications of the widespread and cultic Word of Faith movement preaching what is popularly known as 'Name It and Claim It' theology. A Different Gospel is a bold and revealing examination of the biblical and historical basis of this movement. This new and revised edition is complete with a foreword by Hank Hanegraaff, author of CHRISTIANITY IN CRISIS, and a new afterword by D.R. McConnell.
"The author knows the movement first-hand and has a heart for those snared by it. He is also an academically trained observer who has based this work on careful historical and biblical analysis. McConnell warns of the movement's cultic nature in its doctrine of healing and its understanding of the atonement and demonstrates how far the movement's doctrine of prosperity is from Scripture's true teaching." -- Publisher
"My summary above is a brief review of people named and judged, in writing, by the Apostle Paul for one reason or another. Why didn't Paul just read his Bible and not judge anyone else? A Different Gospel is one of the most important treatments of the Faith Movement, as it is written by a charismatic graduate of Oral Roberts University. . . .
"The single most damaging fact shown by this book is that the 'Father of the Faith Movement,' namely self-proclaimed prophet Kenneth Hagin, plagiarized the writings of no less than three ministers (including E.W. Kenyon), throughout his own ministry. When he was caught and confronted, Hagin blamed God for it. Since Hagin and others were long ago confronted individually and by groups, it is certainly proper to go and 'Tell it to the church.' For Hagin fans, I'll make it simple: plagiarism is theft; saying that God made you do it unwittingly is lying. This is the root of the fruit.
"Speaking of the fruit, if healings validate the spirit behind a ministry, then those in the Faith Movement should feel well at home in a Christian Science reading room. This is a fitting observation, because McConnell discovered that Kenyon has direct educational, doctrinal, and testimonial links to the metaphysical cults (Christian Science, New Thought, etc.). Thus, Hagin has plagiarized and popularized, via Kenyon, key Christian Science ideas unknowingly. These ideas have become so entrenched in modern charismatic thought (although they are not inherently charismatic in nature), it is difficult to get adherents to see the forest through the trees.
"Other people, including but not limited to Gordon Fee, Walter Martin, Michael Horton, Curtis Crenshaw, Richard Abanes, James White, Chuck Smith, Michael Moriarty, John MacArthur, Joni Eareckson Tada, Ron Rhodes, and Elliot Miller have written and spoken against the spiritual dangers of the Faith Movement and its teachers. Rest assured, the Apostle Paul would be proud. But I'm also sure that the followers of Philetus viewed the Apostle Paul with the same measure of contempt that most of the one-star reviewers feel toward the brave people listed above." -- Reader's Comment

Miller, Samuel (1769-1850), The Gospel in HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD: SERMONS AND ADDRESSES BY SAMUEL MILLER. Available (LIBRARY OF PRESBYTERIAN HERITAGE PUBLICATIONS AND PROTESTANT HERITAGE PRESS CD-ROM LIBRARY), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"The book opens with strong declarations about the first principles of Christianity. Miller explains the substitutionary atonement in "Christ Our Righteousness." He shows the necessity of "Being on the Lord's Side." Perceptive readers will note the depth of these statements, respecting the nature of the gospel, in contrast to the shallow evangelistic messages of the present day. In two missionary sermons, Miller illustrates how Christ, through the gospel, will conquer the world. There are additional sermons on "The Difficulties and Temptations which Attend the Preaching of the Gospel in Great Cities" and "The Importance of Gospel Truth." -- Publisher

Olsson, Eva, The Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo in the Light of the Gospel.
Includes bibliography.
The Non-duality of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother: A Profile
http://www.lettermen2.com/syncret.html

*Owen, John (1616-1683), Apostasy From the Gospel, ISBN: 0851516092 9780851516097. A Christian classic. Alternate title: THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY FROM THE GOSPEL. Available in SIN AND GRACE, volume 7 of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN.
"Few subjects have received less attention from contemporary Christian writers than that of apostasy. The idea that professing Christians may prove not to be true Christians is, in many respects, too serious a prospect for our facile age. But, for John Owen, such avoidance of the issue was itself a pressing reason for writing on it at length and in great depth of spiritual analysis. His exposition is a masterpieces of penetration and discernment. . . .
"Some will find its pages deeply soul-searching; others will be struck by the clarity of Owen's insight; all will find a work which wounds in order to heal." -- Publisher

*Owen, John (1616-1683), The Death of Christ, volume 10 of WORKS, ISBN: 0851510647 9780851510644. Alternate title: SALUS ELECTORUM, SANGUIS JESU: OR THE DEATH OF DEATH IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST. BEING A TREATISE OF THE REDEMPTION AND RECONCILIATION THAT IS IN THE BLOOD OF CHRIST; WHEREIN THE WHOLE CONTROVERSY ABOUT UNIVERSAL REDEMPTION IS FULLY DISCUSSED: IN FOUR PARTS; . . . BY JOHN OWEN, D.D. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #20.
"Greatest Biblical apologetic on the specific and limited nature of the atoning work of Christ in print. Contains discussions on Arminianism, the death of death in the death of Christ, Divine justice, and also discusses, in detail, many views of the atonement that certain men and groups held (and still hold)." -- Publisher
"THE DEATH OF DEATH IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST is a polemical work, designed to show, among other things, that the doctrine of universal redemption is unscriptural and destructive of the gospel. . . . Those who see no need for doctrinal exactness and have no time for theological debates which show up divisions between so-called Evangelicals may well regret its reappearance. Some may find the very sound of Owen's thesis so shocking that they will refuse to read his book at all. . . . But . . . there are signs today of a new upsurge of interest in the theology of the Bible: a new readiness to test traditions, to search the Scriptures and to think through the faith. It is to those who share this readiness that Owen's treatise is now offered, in the belief that it will help us in one of the most urgent tasks facing evangelical Christendom today -- the recovery of the Gospel.
"It is safe to say that no comparable exposition of the work of redemption as planned and executed by the Triune Jehovah has ever been done since Owen published his in 1684. None has been needed.
"Owen's interpretation of the texts . . . is sure; his power of theological construction is superb; nothing that needs discussing is omitted, and . . . no arguments for or against his position have been used since his day which he has not himself noted and dealt with. . . . Owen's work is a constructive, broad-based biblical analysis of the heart of the gospel, and must be taken seriously as such. . . Nobody has a right to dismiss the doctrine of the limitedness . . . of the atonement as a monstrosity of Calvinistic logic until he has refuted Owen's proof that it is part of the uniform biblical presentation of redemption, clearly taught in plain text after plain text. And nobody has done that yet." -- J.I. Packer, from the Introduction
"Packer's well balanced definition of Calvinism in the introduction to that volume [John Owen's THE DEATH OF DEATH IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST], is by far the best we have seen in 42 years of intensive reading." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/owen/deathofdeath
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ: Being a Treatise of the Redemption and Reconciliation That is in the Blood of Christ; Wherein the whole controversy about universal redemption is fully discussed: In four parts (1792)
http://archive.org/details/deathofdeathinde00owen
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, including J.I. Packer's Introduction by John Owen
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/packer_intro.html
The Death of Death in the Death of Christ: Redemption and Reconciliation That is in the Blood of Christ (Limited Atonement), 1 of 33, [audio file]
An audio file reading by Still Waters Revival Books from THE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN. Currently (October 2018), there are 77 readings of John Owen by SWRB and Reformed Baptist of Holland (Michigan), (Thomas Sullivan), at SermonAudio.com available for listening online, downloading as MP3 files, [audio file], and listening on iPhone, mobile phones, and MPE players.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=47081639571

*Owen, John (1616-1683), The Gospel Defended, ISBN: 9780851511290 0851511295. A Christian classic.
"Contains chapters on: the mystery of the Gospel, the death of Christ, Justification, and an examination of Socinianism."

*Owen, John (1616-1683), Sin and Grace, ISBN: 9780851511276 0851511279. A Christian classic. Alternate title: A TREATISE OF THE DOMINION OF SIN AND GRACE. . . . BY THE LATE PIOUS AND LEARNED MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, JOHN OWEN, D.D.
"Contains: Nature and causes of apostasy from the Gospel, duty of being spiritually minded, treatise on the dominion of Sin, and Grace."

*Powlison, David (1949-2019), God's Love: Better Than Unconditional, ISBN: 0875526861 9780875526867.
"Has anyone tried to comfort you with God's 'unconditional' love for you? Sounds kinda bland and remote doesn't it? It even sounds permissive. Well, there is a reason for your lackluster response to God's love being 'unconditional.' The truth is that God's love is radically more active and passionate.
"David Powlison demolishes the milk-toast mindset of mere 'unconditional love,' and presents God's love in all of its splendor and vibrancy. He gives many descriptive examples from the Bible of how God's love is dynamic, active, sacrificial, redeeming, thrilling . . .
"If you aren't enraptured and absorbed by the love of God, then do yourself a favor and get this booklet. It's power packed. It's dynamite." -- Reader's Comment

Rhodes, Ron, The Counterfeit Christ of the New Age Movement, ISBN: 0801077575 9780801077579.

Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), A Companion to the Current Justification Controversy (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, 2003), ISBN: 0940931648 9780940931640.
Contents:
1. The Roots and Fruits of the Shepherd Controversy: Neo-orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, The New Perspective on Paul, Reconstructionism, Biblical Theology, Gaffin and Bavinck, Vantilianism, The Kinnaird Case, The Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church; by John W. Robbins
2. The Sanders/ Dunn "Fork in the Road" in the Current Controversy over the Pauline Doctrine of Justification by Faith; by Robert L. Reymond
3. Some Reasons for Dissenting from the Majority Report; by Philip E. Hughes
4. Letter of Concern; by 45 theologians
5. Reason and Specifications Supporting the Action of the Board of Trustees in Removing Professor Shepherd; by the Executive Committee of the Board of Westminster Theological Seminary
6. A Resolution to the Eleventh General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America; by O. Palmer Robertson
Index, Scripture Index, The Crisis of Our Time. Intellectual Ammunition
A Companion to the Current Justification Controversy, Trinity Review
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/ammo/closeup.asp?ID=81

Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Slavery Christianity: Paul's Letter to Philemon, an article (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, November, 2005), ISBN: 1891777173 9781891777172.
"Slavery. Racism. Rebellion. Civil disobedience. The problems are as pressing today as they were 1900 years ago when the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a slave-owner, Philemon, about his runaway slave -- and the runaway slave carried Paul's letter back to his legal owner.
"What did the letter say? Did Paul -- does Christianity -- approve of slavery? Does Christianity condone slavery? Or does the Gospel abolish slavery and establish freedom wherever it is believed? Jesus said, If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31,32)
"Paul's letter to Philemon is a masterpiece of divinely inspired political philosophy. It provides the basis for the non-violent abolition of slavery wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ is preached and believed.
"Dr. John W. Robbins holds the Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from The Johns Hopkins University. His most recent book is FREEDOM AND CAPITALISM: ESSAYS ON CHRISTIAN POLITICS AND ECONOMICS." -- Publisher

Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), What is the Gospel?
"Today, however, there is a great deal of confusion about what the Gospel is, and what an evangelical is, just as there is confusion about what a Christian is. Because of this confusion, many people are called evangelicals who do not believe the Gospel. It might be best to begin to sort out this confusion by spelling out some of the popular religious ideas that are not the Gospel." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)
Counterfeit gospels are enumerated. Translations: German.
Counterfeit Gospels, a tract by John W. Robbins
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract03.html

Robbins, John W., and Gordon H. Clark, Against the Churches: The Trinity Review, 1989-1998, ISBN: 0940931613 9780940931619.

Robbins, John W., Thomas W. Juodaitis, and The Trinity Foundation, For the King: The Trinity Review, 1999-2008.

*Robbins, John (1949-2008), and Sean Gerety, Not Reformed at all: Medievalism in 'Reformed' Churches (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation, 2004), ISBN: 0940931664 9780940931664.
"NOT REFORMED AT ALL is an analysis of and rejoinder to Douglas Wilson's book, 'REFORMED' IS NOT ENOUGH: RECOVERING THE OBJECTIVITY OF THE COVENANT.
"Wilson's book is a manifesto of the theological movement sometimes called Neolegalism, hypercovenantalism, the Moscow-Monroe Axis, Federal Vision, and the Auburn Avenue Theology. That movement, an attack on the Biblical Covenant of Grace and a repudiation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has gained currency in nominally Reformed churches.
"Contents: Foreword, 1. The Revolution was, 2. Theological Sophistry, 3. The Matrix, 4. Dodging the Charge of Heresy, 5. Tradition, 6. The 'Objectivity' of the Covenant, 7. What is a Christian?, 8. Westminster Versus Wilson, 9. The New Birth, 10. The Arch-heresy of Individualism, 11. Justification not by Faith Alone, 12. The Biblical Covenant of Grace, 13. Wilson's Counterfeit Covenant, 14. The Church Tangible and Intangible, 15. Church Unity, 16. Conclusion, Index, Scripture Index, The Crisis of our Time, Intellectual Ammunition"

*Ryle, J.C. (1816-1900), The Fallibility of Ministers. Available in WARNINGS TO THE CHURCHES, ISBN: 0851510434 9780851510439. Available in KNOTS UNTIED: BEING PLAIN STATEMENTS ON DISPUTED POINTS IN RELIGION FROM THE STANDPOINT OF AN EVANGELICAL CHURCHMAN.
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/reviews/journal.asp?ID=113a.html

*Ryle, J.C. (1816-1900), Warnings to the Churches, ISBN: 0851510434 9780851510439.
"I see this tendency to lean on man everywhere. I know no branch of the Protestant Church of Christ which does not require to be cautioned upon the point. It is a snare, for example, to the English Episcopalian to make idols of Bishop Pearson and 'the Judicious Hooker.' It is a snare to the Scotch Presbyterian to pin his faith on John Knox, the Covenanters, and Dr. Chalmers. It is a snare to the Methodists in our day to worship the memory of John Wesley. It is a snare to the Independent to see no fault in any opinion of Owen and Dodderidge. It is a snare to the Baptist to exaggerate the wisdom of Gill and Fuller and Robert Hall. All these are snares, and into these snares how many fall!
"Infallibility is not to be found in the early fathers, but in the Bible.
"What are the best of ministers but men -- dust, ashes, and clay -- men of like passions with ourselves, men exposed to temptations, men liable to weaknesses and infirmities?
"It is amazing to observe how vast a man's intellectual attainments may be, and yet how little he may know of the grace of God.
"We have no right to expect anything but the pure Gospel of Christ, unmixed and unadulterated -- the same Gospel that was taught by the Apostles -- to do good to the souls of men.
"Peace without truth is a false peace; it is the very peace of the devil. Unity without the Gospel is a worthless unity; it is the very unity of Hell.
"False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism.
"It was controversy that won the battle of Protestant Reformation.
"Three things there are which men never ought to trifle with -- a little poison, a little false doctrine, and a little sin.
"A church may have good forms and regularly ordained ministers, and the sacraments properly administered, but a church will not see conversion of souls going on under its pulpits when this doctrine [Justification by Faith], is not plainly preached.
"Once let a man get wrong about justification, and he will bid a long farewell to comfort, to peace, to lively hope, to anything like assurance in his Christianity. An error here is a worm at the root.
"An ignorant laity will always be the bane of a church.
"True Gospel in the pulpit, true Gospel in every Religious Society we support, true Gospel in the books we read, true Gospel in the friends we keep company with -- let this be our aim, and never let us be ashamed to let men see that it is so.
"Let the meekness of St. Peter in taking a reproof be as much our example as the boldness of St. Paul in reproving." -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), "The Fallibility of Ministers" in Warnings to the Churches, pp. 93-121
The Fallibility of Ministers, by J.C. Ryle
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=182
Pharisees and Sadducees, J.C. Ryle
https://gracegems.org/23/Ryle_pharisees_and_sadducees.htm

Schlabach, Theron F., Gospel Versus Gospel.

Scott, C. Anderson, Romanism and the Gospel.
"Scott is highly critical of Catholicism." -- GCB

Sharlet, Jeff, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, 454 papers, ISBN: 9780060559793 0060559799.
It is surprising that approximately 50 reviews from among the 190 on Amazon.com (June, 2011), did not use the term Neo-evangelical. So THE FAMILY is bound to be an eye-opener to Evangelicals within the church who were not aware of the influence of the largely parachurch activity documented here.
Very briefly "a Neo-evangelical is an Evangelical who wants to combine liberal political policies with Evangelical Christianity." It is popular because "it seems to combine an evangelical redemptive idea with the radical social activity that you want to carry out. It is political, social, and economic liberalism of an anti-biblical type, and it is largely carried out on a personal pietism, with political objective radicalism. . . . The New Evangelicals proclaim themselves to be Evangelicals, but they are not. Without mentioning names, the leaders of the movement are slowly but surely, in their own thinking, eroding Christian theology. They are watering down evangelical theology. . . ." -- C. Gregg Singer, Mount Olive Tape Library series of lectures
"If Jesus had adopted the philosophy of THE FAMILY, then he would have worked with Herod, and taken Pontius Pilate to lunch. And, when Satan tempted Christ by offering him raw political power, Jesus would have jumped at the chance because, as Doug Coe says, 'we work with power where we can [and] build new power where we can't'." -- Reader's Comment
"THE FAMILY is the best book available on the Christian right precisely because it unpacks the ways in which the people often described as such are neither Christian nor right. I don't mean that in the bumper sticker sense -- I don't buy (and Sharlet does not suggest), that this elite group of religiously motivated power players are not real Christians because of their political interests (even if the group itself sometimes prefers not to use the word). Rather, he makes the case that such easy categorization does not do justice to, or sufficiently warn against, their actual influence and reach. The story we are often told -- that there are 'fundamentalists' and 'evangelicals' who are easily understood because they are somehow separate from the world the rest of us live in, hidden in mega churches making mega plans -- is not found in this book. Instead, like a carpet expert explaining the patterns in an intricately woven Persian rug, Sharlet shows us how strands of fundamentalism have been woven into the fabric of the nation's history.
"As a journalist, I know and have worked with Jeff Sharlet, but then everyone who writes about religion does or should. His work is particularly popular among writers who cover religion because he tells a story that many wish they were allowed to tell. The history recounted in THE FAMILY is one most media outlets deem too complex for the average reader. (What in the world does union busting have to do with religion? A lot, in fact). Sharlet does not regard complexity as something to be avoided, however, and his true talent is in finding just the right key for unlocking it. He frames keen-eyed analysis and impeccable research within a gripping narrative that lets readers with even a passing interest in the ways religion has influenced American life and politics understand it in a nuanced way.
"In an election season in which religion again and again rears its head, this book is particularly relevant. Yet its importance will not fade any time soon. THE FAMILY is a hundred year history that shows how we got to this strange place where candidates are forced to damn or defend pastors and everyone must genuflect to the idea that God is a part of the political process. The use of the word 'secret' in the subtitle might imply to some that Sharlet is describing a hidden reality. After reading the book, signs of the Family's influence will be obvious to anyone with eyes to see." -- Peter Manseau
"They insist they are just a group of friends, yet they funnel millions of dollars through tax-free corporations. They claim to disdain politics, but Congressmen of both parties describe them as the most influential religious organization in Washington. They say they are not Christians, but simply believers.
"Behind the scenes at every National Prayer Breakfast since 1953 has been the Family, an elite network dedicated to a religion of power for the powerful. Their goal is 'Jesus plus nothing.' Their method is back-room diplomacy. THE FAMILY is the startling story of how their faith -- part free-market fundamentalism, part imperial ambition -- has come to be interwoven with the affairs of nations around the world.
"Jeff Sharlet is a visiting research scholar at New York University's Center for Religion and Media. He is a contributing editor for Harper's and Rolling Stone, the co-author, with Peter Manseau, of KILLING THE BUDDHA, and the editor of TheRevealer.org. He lives in Brooklyn, New York." -- Publisher
Sharlet followed this work with C STREET: THE FUNDAMENTALIST THREAT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY (2010).
"This book is an excellent companion to the work of Sarah Diamond [ROADS TO DOMINION: RIGHT-WING MOVEMENTS AND POLITICAL POWER IN THE UNITED STATES (1995) -- compiler], in understanding the evolution of the U.S. Right, together with Russ Baker's monumental new FAMILY OF SECRETS: THE BUSH DYNASTY, THE POWERFUL FORCES THAT PUT IT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, AND WHAT THEIR INFLUENCE MEANS FOR AMERICA [2008]. It goes beyond simple cabal-rhetoric to explain how structural economic interests meet with specific political interests to have deep effects on domestic and global politics. Too often we hear these sorts of relations dismissed with the catchall 'conspiracy theory,' while mixed in with truly ridiculous moon landing rhetoric in a baby-with-bathwater manner. The author ties The Family's religious rhetoric into very real political and economic concerns in Cold War West Germany, and does so with a convincing use of documentary evidence. The economic connections are clearly revealed behind the religious mystification. . . .
Baker's book "is much more a book about U.S. institutions than about one family. It does use the Bush family and its ties to the oil industry and the CIA to illuminate these connections in a way that will leave even the most well-read readers of CIA history astonished that this material has not been more widely reported. This is a book with earth-shattering new material on the JFK Assassination and Watergate. You will not believe what you read here about direct contacts between H.W. Bush and Oswald's #1 CIA handler, the Dallas White Russian George de Mohrenschildt. Same with the new stuff on Watergate, that completely undermines the traditional Dean-Woodward narrative. And Baker is not one who can be lightly dismissed with the words conspiracy theory. He is as credentialed as anyone in U.S. journalism today, having written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Esquire, and having served as an editor for The Columbia Journalism Review. . . ." -- Reader's Comment

Smith, Timothy L., George Whitefield and Wesleyan Perfectionism
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:wesley.nnu.edu/theojrnl/19-07.htm+george+whitefield+publishing+company&hl=en

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon.
A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, September 9, 1888, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 2043.
"This is the way in which you should use this plea. Say, 'My God, I am utterly unworthy, and I own it; but, I beseech thee, hear me for the honour of thy dear Son. By his agony and bloody sweat, by his cross and passion, by his precious death and burial, I beseech thee hear me! O Lord, let the blood of thine Only-begotten prevail with thee! Canst thou put aside his groans, his tears, his death, when they speak on my behalf?' If you can thus come to pleading terms with God upon this ground, you must and will prevail. Jesus must be heard in heaven. The voice of his blood is eloquent with God. If you plead the atoning sacrifice, you must overcome through the blood of the Lamb." -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), Jesus Only, a sermon. Delivered on Lord's Day morning, April 3, 1870, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 924.
Sermon text: And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. (Matthew 17:8)
"We, on the other hand say, blessing the name of the Lord that we can say it, that there abides with us our Lord Jesus. At this day He is with us, and will be with us even to the end of the world! Christ's existence is not a fact confined to antiquity or to remote distance. By His Spirit He is actually in His Church. We have seen Him, though not with eyes. We have heard Him, though not with ears. We have grasped Him, though not with hands. And we feed upon His flesh, which is meat, indeed, and His blood, which is drink, indeed. We have with us at this very day Jesus our Friend, to Whom we make known our secrets, and who bears all our sorrows.
"We have Jesus our interpreting Instructor, who still reveals His secrets to us, and leads us into the mind and name of God. We have Jesus still with us to supply us with strength, and in His power we are still mighty. We confess His reigning Sovereignty in the Church, and we receive His all-sufficient succor. The Church is not decapitated, her Head abides in vital union with her -- Jesus is no myth to us -- whatever He may be to others. He is no departed shade, He is no heroic personification -- in very deed there is a Christ, and though others see Him not, and even we with these eyes see Him not, yet in Him believing we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
"Oh, I trust it will never be so with us, that as we go about our life work our religion shall melt into fiction and become nothing but mere sentiment, nothing but thought, and dream, and vision. But may our religion be a matter of FACT, a walking with the living and abiding Savior. Though Moses may be gone, and Elijah may be gone, yet Jesus Christ abides with us and in us, and we in Him, and so shall it be forever more." -- C.H. Spurgeon, p. 641
http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols16-18/chs924.pdf

Strong, William (d. 1654), and Theophilus Gale (1628-1678), A Discourse of the two Covenants Wherein the Nature, Differences, and Effects of the Covenant of Works and of Grace are Distinctly, Rationally, Spiritually and Practically Discussed: Together With a Considerable Quantity of Practical Cases Dependent Thereon / by William Strong, 1678.

*Tucker, Ruth A., Another Gospel: Alternative Religions and the New Age Movement, ISBN: 0310404401 9780310404408.
"A comprehensive survey of all the major alternative religions in the United States, including the new groups since the 1960s.
"Crystals, shamans, guided imagery, healing meditation -- why have these New Age ideas been so eagerly accepted by so many North Americans? Why were Mormonism, Christian Science, and Baha'i so warmly welcomed earlier? Ruth A. Tucker's ANOTHER GOSPEL: ALTERNATIVE RELIGIONS AND THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT explains how these and other alternative religious movements appear to meet people's needs. Tucker's overview illumines the personalities whose alleged revelations spawned historical heresies in all the major cults in the United States. She highlights important controversies within each movement as it aims for religious respectability. Her visits to cult centers and interviews with key members and scholars yield fascinating details, such as why Mormons prohibit hot drinks and how Charles Fillmore, Unity Church founder, rewrote Psalm 23: 'The Lord is my banker; my credit is good . . .' ANOTHER GOSPEL pinpoints how the doctrines and practices of a dozen contemporary groups, as well as the New Age Movement, deviate from orthodox Christianity. It shows how to reach out to cult members. For example, 'It's a myth that Jehovah's Witnesses know their Bible well, are argumentative, and never leave their religion.' Appendices describe lesser-known cults (Swedenborgianism, Rosicrucianism, etc.), and provide, where available, cults' statements of belief.
"Ruth A. Tucker (Ph.D. Northern Illinois University), has taught alternative religions at both the graduate and the undergraduate levels, most recently as Visiting Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. She has written several books, including FROM JERUSALEM TO IRIAN JAYA, GUARDIANS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION, and DAUGHTERS OF THE CHURCH (with Walter L. Liefield)." -- Publisher

Various, Denominations Comparison, an e-book, ISBN: 9781596365391 1596365390.
"The bestselling DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON e-book contains a side-by-side comparison of what 12 Christian denominations believe about God, the Trinity, Jesus, and other spiritual issues. This easy-to-read e-book summarizes the beliefs of the different denominations on key topics and includes a 'Family Tree of Denominations' which reveals the roots of today's denominations.
"DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON includes a look at: Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anabaptist, Congregational, Baptist, Presbyterian, Churches of Christ, Adventist, and Pentecostal churches. Each denomination believes in the deity of Christ and the importance of Scripture, so how are the groups different? The DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON shows what denominations have in common as well as where they differ. The DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON e-book compares 12 denominations on 11 different topics, such as: When it was founded and by whom; The number of adherents in 2000; How Scripture is viewed; Who God is; Who Jesus is; How individuals are saved; What happens after death; The definition of the Church; How each looks at the Sacraments; Other practices and beliefs; and The major divisions and trends today.
"THE DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON e-book is an excellent source for pastors and teachers who want to present denominational beliefs in a concise and focused manner. The full color e-book organizes the denominations comparisons in the order in which they came to be, first covering the six liturgical denominations followed by the six non-liturgical denominations.
The Liturgical Churches compared are: Catholic; Orthodox; Lutheran (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America; The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; Anglican (Episcopal Church; Reformed Episcopal Church); Presbyterian (The Presbyterian Church (USA) or PCUSA; The Presbyterian Church in America or PCA; Methodist Churches (United Methodists Church); African Methodist Episcopal; and Free Methodists.
The Non-Liturgical Churches compared are: Anabaptist (The Mennonite Church; Church of the Brethren; Amish); Congregational (United Church of Christ: The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, The Conservative Congregational Christian Conference); Baptist (Southern Baptists, American Baptists, National Baptists); Churches of Christ (Christian Church, Disciples of Christ); Adventist (Seventh-Day Adventist Church, SDA, 7th Day Adventist); and Pentecostal Churches (Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ)
"In addition to the side-side comparison of the 12 Christian denominations, the DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON e-book contains a list of 42 'Helpful Words to Know' for studying denominational differences. This list defines words such as: Anabaptist, apocrypha, canon, Eucharist, incarnate, pope, predestination, and puritan.
"The DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON e-book also contains several helpful references, such as: Official web sites for major denominations; General online references; and Other web sites for the major traditions.
"DENOMINATIONS COMPARISON also contains a short summary on the following Christian groups, their founders, size, and denominational ties (if applicable): Calvary Chapel; Christian and Missionary Alliance; Church of God; Church of the Nazarene; Evangelical Covenant Church; Evangelical Free Church of America; International Church of the Foursquare Gospel; Salvation Army; and Vineyard Ministries International"

Vincent, Thomas (1634-1678), Your Hearts Have Gone A-whoring From Him! a sermon. Available (MP3) [audio file] on the Puritan Hard Drive.

Walker, Andrew (editor), Betraying the Gospel, ISBN: 0917851471 9780917851476.
Introduction by Billy Graham.

Warfield, B.B. (1851-1921), Christless Christianity.

Waters, Guy Prentiss, Justification and the new Perspectives on Paul: A Review and Response, ISBN: 0875526497 9780875526492.
"Among the reasons for writing this book, Waters, in the Preface, writes,

'I want to illustrate the ways in which the New Perspectives on Paul deviate from the doctrines set forth in the WESTMINSTER STANDARDS. I also want to show how Reformed theology surpasses the New Perspectives on Paul in explaining Paul's statements regarding the law, the righteousness of God, justification, and a host of other topics and doctrines.'

'All expressions of Christianity are on the path to one of two destinations, Rome or Geneva. What the New Perspectives on Paul offer us is decidedly not 'Genevan.' It seems that there are elements active in the Reformed churches that wish to lead the church into a sacramental religion, all in the name of being 'more Reformed.' If we examine their arguments carefully, we see that what they are really and increasingly saying is that Luther and Calvin were mistaken, and that Trent was right. May God give us grace that we may not squander the rich theological heritage bequeathed to us by the Reformers, historic British Calvinism, and American Presbyterianism. May we model, in spirit and teaching, that 'pattern of teaching' preserved so faithfully by our forefathers.' -- quoted by Guy Waters
Federal Vision, David Engelsma
A book review of THE FEDERAL VISION, Steve Wilkins and Duane Garner, editors. Monroe, Louisiana: Athanasius Press, 2004.
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/latest.php

Wilberforce, William (1759-1833), A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians, in the Higher and Middle Classes, Contrasted With Real Christianity (1820), and Flavel, John (1630-1691), Touchstone of Sincerity, or Trial of True and False Religion.
http://archive.org/details/practicalviewofp00wil

Wishart, George (1513-1546), The Distinguishing Characters of True Christianity: and The Great Causes of all Corruptions of it. A Sermon, Preached in the High Church of Edinburgh, Before His Majesty's High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, at the Opening of the Assembly the 11th Day of May 1749. By George Wishart, M.A. one of the Ministers of Edinburgh.

*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), Why Jesus? Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass Marketed Spirituality, ISBN: 1455508608 9781455508600.
"Ravi Zacharias is a very gifted communicator. Whether he is discussing literature, philosophy, religion, or everything in between -- he makes it interesting, engaging, and thought provoking. In this book he tackles the search for meaning in the West and in the East and how that ultimately all searches are empty if they do not lead to truth. He gives a very solid case for how all truth is God's truth and that the ultimate truth that we all long for leads us to the person and work of the historical Jesus revealed in the Bible and the accounts of His life, death, resurrection, ascension and future return.
"In chapter one after a scintillating discussing of movie making agendas in the East and the West he writes, 'Why are we always beguiled by something foreign? In the West, Eastern mysticism is 'in' -- chants, sounds, and practices with foreign words have made an appeal of culture -- shifting proportions -- while in the East, where these very same techniques have been tried for centuries, many are disillusioned and seeking solace somewhere else. Before me the entertainment elite of the East gave their full attention to a talk on 'Why Jesus Is the Ultimate,' while in the West, entertainers are looking toward the East for their answers.'
"In the first half to about seventy percent of the way into the book Ravi tackles what he calls 'Western' thought -- a hybrid of western and eastern thought blended into one. He takes the time to demonstrate how eastern thought has penetrated the west, and how western thought has penetrated the east. He cogently and brilliantly synthesizes how this has taken place through the medium of television, philosophy, religion, and irreligion and highlights old and modern voices alike. Zacharias weaves the themes of induction, seduction, deduction, and reduction among these differing mediums of communication resulting in a 'New Spirituality.'
"Ravi makes so many excellent observations with reference to the 'New Spirituality' that it would make for a very long review were I to recount the excellencies of his presentation. On the postmodern influences of the likes of Michael Foucault and Jacques Derrida on 'Westernism' he writes about the authority of the 'New Spirituality' in this fashion by way of a modern tale:
" 'In the beginning, God. God spoke. But that was a long time ago. We wanted certainty -- now. For this, only Reason and Rationalism would do. But that was not enough. We wanted to 'test.' So we went into the senses and found the empirical. But that's not what we meant by testing. We really meant 'feeling.' So we found a way to generate feeling into the picture. Truth was framed into a scene. But the scene was left open to interpretation. Scenes are not absolute. So the story was told as an art form. But the reader still didn't like it, because he was not the author. So he read the story while he sat in a reconstructed and deconstructed cubicle to make of the story whatever he wished. But what does one do with the long reach of the empirical? The best way was to find a blend between the empirical and the satirical and end up with God again. The only difference was that God could not be the storyteller. We still needed God. So we became God.'
"Ravi talks about Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, and various other 'isms' and demonstrates how people in the East like Deepak Chopra, and people in the West like Oprah Winfrey have developed syncretistic systems of thought that have blended eastern and western thinking and religion. One interesting example of this mixing is when he quotes Elizabeth Lesser when she writes of the difference between the 'Old Spirituality' and the 'New Spirituality'.":
'AUTHORITY: In the 'old' spirituality authority is held by the church; in the 'new' spirituality the individual worshiper has authority to determine what is best for him or her.
'SPIRITUALITY: In the old spirituality God and the way to worship have already been defined and the worshiper just follows the rules; in the new spirituality the worshiper defines spirituality for him -- or herself.
'THE PATH TO GOD: In the old spirituality there is only one way to God, all else is wrong; in the new spirituality there are unlimited paths or combinations of paths one can follow . . . you can string a necklace all your own making.
'SACRED: In the old spirituality parts of yourself are considered evil (the body, ego, emotions), and must be denied, transcended, or sublimated; in the new spirituality anything goes.
'TRUTH: In the old spirituality truth is knowable and constant. Leading to the same answers at every stage of life; in the new spirituality you never quite arrive at the truth as it is constantly changing to accommodate your growth.'
"Zacharias responds to Lesser in this manner, 'With the safety net she has provided for determining truth, who can ever fall?' "The evangelist from the Old Spirituality pleaded with his audiences to 'invite Jesus into your heart;' the New Spirituality tell you to invite yourself into your heart.
"Ravi spends the rest of the book answering the following questions: Why Jesus? What difference does it make what you believe? Is truth really even knowable? Could it be that postmodern spirituality is really the expression of a universal hunger rather than an answer to anything? What are the deep-seated questions that drive the quest for spirituality? Why is it that in the West we seem to have discarded the message of Christ, while in the East they have begun to realize that he is the one they are looking for?
"Ultimately all worldviews and religions need to examine their beliefs and views and answer these three unavoidable questions: 1) How do they handle the question of exclusivity as it relates to their own belief? 2) What is the ultimate source of their authority for belief and behavior? And 3) How relevant is what they believe to the common experience and what difference does it make?
"According to Zacharias correspondence to facts and systematic coherence are the test for any worldview. In constructing a good worldview they must consist of the following eight components:
'A good worldview must have a strong basis in fact. This point alone has a two-edged reality: First, can the assertion being made be tested against reality? And second, is the assertion clearly false? If one assertion in the system is clearly false or cannot be tested against reality, there is a failure to meet the test of truth.
'A good worldview must have a high degree of coherence or internal consistency.
'A good worldview must give a reasonable and logical explanation for the various undeniable realities that we sense all around us.
'A good worldview will avoid the two extremes of either being too complex or too simplistic.
'A good worldview is not explained by just one line of evidence.
'A good worldview must explain contrary worldviews without compromising its own essential beliefs.
'A good worldview cannot argue just on the basis of private experience, but must have some objective standard of measurements.
'A good worldview must justifiably explain the essential nature of good and evil, since those two alternatives are principal characteristics differentiating human beings from all other entities or quantities.'
"Two thousand years ago when Jesus quoted the prophet Isaiah in Luke 4 on the Sabbath day in the Synagogue, and stood up and read, The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed be to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then he rolled back the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began saying to them, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
"Ravi comments on this passage and concludes in this manner, 'This is the message of freedom for those in bondage, a message that will open the eyes of our darkened spirituality to the bright light of his grace, that will convince a Church to live the love of God by taking care of the poor and taking up the cause of the oppressed, that assures us there is an end of time where eternity awaits, and that all who long for his presence will live in the fulfillment of their faith to the grand consummation of seeing the Ultimate One, face-to-face. . . . It is in him [Jesus] that we find it all.'
"Zacharias meticulously and clearly shows in this book the miserable failure of the 'New Spirituality' to deliver on any of these eight components that make up for a coherent and compelling worldview. On the other hand, in a very captivating manner he demonstrates how all of the best thinking of the west and east when brought together converge in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth -- and the worldview known throughout the world as 'Christianity.'
"I highly recommend this book because it makes a compelling case for the cogency of Christianity, and helps you to understand where eastern and western thought have large 'holes' that can only be filled with the water of life by the same Jesus who said that in Him we will never thirst again -- spiritually." -- Reader's Comment
"For over thirty-five years, Ravi Zacharias has spoken all over the world in great halls and universities, notably Harvard, Princeton, and numerous universities internationally. He is listed as a Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford university. He has appeared on CNN and other international broadcasts. The author of several books for adults and children, he powerfully mixes biblical teaching and Christian apologetics. His most recent works include WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST, a memoir; THE GRAND WEAVER, an exploration of God's intention in both the ordinary and the startling elements of life; and THE END OF REASON, a rebuttal of the claims of the so-called New Atheists. His weekly radio program, 'Let My People Think,' is broadcast on 1,692 stations worldwide, and his weekday program, 'Just Thinking,' is on 412. He is founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with additional offices in Canada, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Zacharias and his wife, Margie, have three grown children and reside in Atlanta." -- Publisher

See also: The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The teaching of our lord jesus christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, What is the gospel? The free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, the covenant of eternal salvation, Book-length presentations of the free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, Absolute truth and relativism, Epistemology of theology, the theory of knowledge, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Repentance the key to salvation and change, Justifying faith, Forgiveness, Sanctification, Evangelism, Recovery of the true, god-centered gospel, Testimonies, Hard-case witnessing, Reconciliation of relationships, Toleration, liberty of conscience, pluralism, "religious freedom," and neutrality, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Spiritual discernment, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, The counter-reformation, The new age, hinduism, and sikhism, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, The local church, Church leadership, Reform of the church, Priestcraft, Secret societies, ungodly alliances, voluntary associations, Oaths, ensnaring vows, promises, and covenants, bonds with the ungodly, Unfaithful reformed ministries, Churches that abuse, Leadership, Power, Authority, The counter-reformation, and so forth, and so on.

Related Weblinks

Chopra's Manufactured Jesus, an interview with Ravi Zacharias
"He's been presented as a counter-cultural hippie, a rebellious zealot, a compassionate carpenter and the central figure of the world's most popular religion. But who is Jesus of Nazareth really? In his book, THE THIRD JESUS, author Deepak Chopra uses Scripture to reveal the message of Jesus not as one of repentance and salvation through faith in Him, but one of god-consciousness that every person can achieve on their own. Is Chopra correct? Join us for a fascinating program as we investigate Chopra's claims about Jesus with Ravi Zacharias."
https://www.christianbook.com/chopras-manufactured-jesus-ravi-zacharias/9781612561509/pd/1072BD?event=ESRCG

A Collection of Tracts by John W. Robbins

Counterfeit Gospels, a tract by John W. Robbins
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract03.html
Are You Catholic? a tract by John W. Robbins
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract01.html
Four Great Certainties
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract02.html
God's Plan to Save His People
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract04.html
What Is Christian Philosophy?
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract06.html
Civilization and the Protestant Reformation
http://trinityfoundation.org/ammo/tract_view.asp?ID=tract05.html

Destructive Heresies in Today's Church, a sermon by Gil Rugh on 2 Peter 2:1
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=102104172433

Fallacy Files
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/

Forgotten Principles of the Reformation, John W. Robbins, an article.
"These also are principles of the Reformation, largely forgotten among those who call themselves Reformed. We ought to remember and defend the solas, [Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria -- compiler], but we ought also to remember and defend the equally Biblical principles of logical consistency, Scripture alone, the right of private judgment, and separation of church and state."
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=202

George Whitefield and Wesleyan Perfectionism, Timothy L. Smith
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:wesley.nnu.edu/theojrnl/19-07.htm+george+whitefield+publishing+company&hl=en

Good Works (FGB #199)
Do you Think you Have any Good Works? Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892) | Works, Grace, and Salvation, Lloyd-Jones, D.M. (1899-1981) | The Scriptures and Good Works, Pink, A.W. (1886-1952) | Good Works and the Justified, Bonar, Horatius (1808-1889) | Saving Faith and Good Works, Erskine, Ebenezer (1680-1754) | Zealous of Good Works, Manton, Thomas (1620-1677) | The Necessity of Maintaining Good Works, Erskine, Ebenezer (1680-1754) | The Best way to Provoke Good Works, Bunyan, John (1628-1688) | Judgment and the Saints' Reward, Bunyan, John (1628-1688)
https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/gworfg/good-works

Heresies Defined and the Necessity of Heresies Explained, by George Gillespie, Scottish Commissioner to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster
"Heresy is a gross and dangerous error, voluntarily held and factiously maintained by some person or persons within the visible church, in opposition to some chief or substantial truth or truths grounded upon and drawn from the holy Scripture by necessary consequence." -- George Gillespie
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gillespie/ggilles09.html

Iain Murray on Whitefield and Wesley
"This article first appeared in the 1960 edition of Whitefield's Journals, published by The Banner of Truth Trust. Here Iain Murray discusses the historical background that led to George Whitefield's famous letter to John Wesley."
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/wesley/murray.php

Justifying Faith
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#justfaith

A Letter From George Whitefield to the Rev. Mr. John Wesley in Answer to Mr. Wesley's Sermon Entitled "Free Grace." Available in GEORGE WHITEFIELD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE GREAT EVANGELIST OF THE 18TH CENTURY REVIVAL, 2 volumes, ISBN: 0851510264 9780851510262 085151300X 9780851513003.
Arnold Dallimore explains in detail how Wesley's possibly contrived difference with Whitefield over "sinless perfection" had the effect of carving out a 'spiritual empire' for John Wesley and of bringing him to pre-eminence.
See also "Iain Murray on Whitefield and Wesley."
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/wesley.php

The Moral Foundation of Love
http://talkingethics.50megs.com/index.html

The Orange Papers, by Secret Agent Orange
One man's analysis of Alcoholics Anonymous, an online book.
A comprehensive and excellent resources.
http://www.orange-papers.org/

Presbyterianism in the 20th Century
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of the American Presbyterian Church, 42 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12160371916

Pseudo-Christian Movements: A Selection of Works
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html

The Reformation Day Declaration
Refutes modern day corruptions of The Gospel within the Reformed Church. "Electronic signatures" may be added.
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/state_declaration.php

The Religious Movements Page at The University of Virginia
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/

Theological Tensions of the 19th Century: Old School -- New School
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, History of the American Presbyterian Church, 34 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1216037188

Toleration: The Cut-throat of True Religion, by the Reformed Presbytery
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/ToleratT.htm

Trinity Foundation "Horror Files"
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/horror_file.php

Sorcery

---

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Samuel 15:23a)

The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:28)

See the Theological Notes: "Demons," at Deuteronomy 32:17 in The Reformation Study Bible.

The secret things belong to the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

The recalcitrance and sorcery of Pharaoh
Then Pharaoh also called. The impiety of the tyrant, which had before lain hid in the recesses of his heart, now breaks forth . . . his iniquity urged him onwards into desperate madness . . . as the wicked trust that they may do anything with impunity, unless God should openly appear from heaven to prohibit them; but, because inflexible perversity altogether has possession of their hearts, they do not hesitate to resist the manifest power of God. Thus the wickedness of Pharaoh blinded his eyes, that, seeing the light, he saw it not; but, though convinced, still he sought for darkness to hide the sight of the light from him. . . . This is an example of great use, and well worthy to be noted; by which we are, first of all, taught, that the wicked, whatever disposition to be taught they may assume, still remain inwardly rebellious and stubborn; and, moreover, that they are not only inclined to error, but are eagerly borne towards it with all their heart. This vice is not always conspicuous in every individual; but when God brings His light nearer to them, it is easily detected, and betrays itself. . . . As soon as the truth shines forth, they demonstrate their love for the impostures by which they perish, and their delight in falsehoods. Assuredly (as Paul says) they have (2 Thessalonians 2:10.) Are we surprised at Pharaoh calling for the magicians, in order to repel from himself his sense of God's power? As if there were not many at this time, who hire for themselves certain impious brawlers, by whose fascinating and fair words they may become besotted in their errors. . . . in order to appropriate God's glory . . . . enchantment . . . . sorceries . . . . This severe and terrible vengeance upon Pharaoh ought to inspire us with terror, lest, in our hatred of truth, we should seek after deceptions. For this is intolerable profaneness, if designedly we desire to pervert the distinction between truth and falsehood. Therefore it is not to be wondered at, if God plunges into the deepest darkness of error, those who shut their eyes against the light presented to them; and if He hands those over to be the disciples of Satan, who refuse to listen to Him as their master. -- John Calvin commenting on Exodus 7:11 and context

The Treasury of David, Psalm 25, C.H. Spurgeon
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach His way.
All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. (Psalm 25:9,10)
The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (Psalm 25:14)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps025.php

But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:28)

Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 9:55b)

In your patience posses ye your souls. (Luke 21:19) -- The Lord Jesus Christ John Gill commenting on Luke 21:19

There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)

THE NEW NAVE'S TOPICAL BIBLE, "Sorcery," divination by an alleged assistance of evil spirits. Forbidden, Leviticus 19:26-28,31; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Denounced, Isaiah 8:19; Malachi 3:5. Practiced: by the Egyptians, Isaiah 19:3,11,12; by the magicians, Exodus 7:11,22; Exodus 8:7,18; by Balaam, Numbers 22:6; Numbers 23:23, with Numbers 22; 23; by Jezebel, 2 Kings 9:22; by the Ninevites, Nahum 3:4,5; by the Babylonians, Isaiah 47:9-13; Ezekiel 21:21,22; Daniel 2:2,10,27; by Belshazzar, Daniel 5:7,15; by Simon Magus, Acts 8:9,11; by Elymas, Acts 13:8; by the young girl at Philippi, Acts 16:16; by vagabond Jews, Acts 19:13; by sons of Sceva, Acts 19:14,15; by astrologers, Jeremiah 10:2; Micah 3:6,7; by false prophets, Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 27:9; Jeremiah 29:8,9; Ezekiel 13:6-9; Ezekiel 22:28; Matthew 24:24. To cease, Ezekiel 12:23,24; Ezekiel 13:23; Micah 5:12. Messages of, false, Ezekiel 21:29; Zechariah Zechariah 10:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Diviners shall be confounded, Micah 3:7. Belongs to the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:20. Wickedness of, 1 Samuel 15:23. Vainness of, Isaiah 44:25. Punishment for, Exodus 22:18; Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 13:5. Divining by familiar spirits, Leviticus 20:27; 1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3; Isaiah 29:4; by entrails, Ezekiel 21:21; by images, 2 Kings 23:24; Ezekiel 21:21; by rods, Hosea 4:12. Saul consulted the Witch of Endor, 1 Samuel 28:7-25. Books of, destroyed, Acts 19:19. See: Charmers and Charming; Clairvoyance; Necromancy. -- The New Nave's Topical Bible

The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God.
They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God" at Romans 1:29, and the note at Psalm 14:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

Cornelius Van Til makes the theologically valid point that "irrationality in the mind of man, that is, insanity, must be the result of a deflection of man from the source of absolute rationality," God, and consequently "all men have merited insanity because of their departure from God." [Or, not until man repents is he truly sane. -- compiler]. Eternal punishment is "the abyss of irrationalism," and what we call rational or normative experience is a gift of God's common grace. No man is worthy of it." -- Frederick Leahy

The real value of an object is that which one who knows its worth will give for it. He who made the soul, knew its worth, and gave His life for it. -- Arthur Jackson

See the Theological Notes: "Miracles," at 1 Kings 17:22 in The Reformation Study Bible.

We affirm that sorcery leads to the dissolution, sometimes very suddenly, of families. Sorcery may be a leading causes of separation and divorce today. See Isaiah 47.

Christ's commandments are his Father's commandments. He must, then, be displeased with those who break them; He must be pleased with those who observe them, and observe them because they love him who gives them. This, then, is the privilege of him who loves Christ, and shows that he loves Christ, by keeping his commandments.
And is not this, my brethren, a privilege of a very high order? To be an object of the esteem and love of good and wise men -- to have our characters and actions the objects of their approbation, and our persons of their complacent affection, and our happiness of their sincere and ardent wishes, -- is a privilege far more valuable than any amount of worldly wealth or sensuous enjoyment. But what is the concentrated esteem and affection of all holy creatures, human and angelic, in the highest degree they are capable of entertaining them, in comparison of the privileges here promised by our Lord to those who love and obey him: to be approved of -- to be loved -- to be delighted in, by HIM, who is infinite in loveliness and in love -- in holiness and benignity-- in power and wisdom! Think on his infinite, eternal, immutable grandeur and grace! think on his disposition and his power to bless the objects of his approbation and complacency! His power is omnipotence; "his kingdom ruleth over all." Think on his unsearchable wisdom, in choosing what is to make the objects of his love happy, and the means of putting them in possession of these objects! -- none of his kind designs can either be misdirected or miscarry; and, in fine, think of the intensity of the affection, which corresponds with the perfections of Him who cherishes it; and to give us some distant conception of which, the sacred writers (under the guidance of that Spirit who knows what is in God, as the spirit of a man knows what is in him -- who searches the deep things of God, -- the -- to all the other being -- unsearchable riches of his grace -- in kindness towards his people), exhaust all the stores of imagery supplied by the nearest and dearest relations of created beings. Think that, as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so does the Father rejoice over him who loves and obeys the Son; and that, as a father pitieth his children, and spares his own Son who serves him, so He pities and spares him who loves and obey Him and his Son. Hear Him proclaiming to the lover of his Son, Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the fruit of her womb? ye, she may forget, yet will I not forget thee. (1 Corinthians 2:10; Isaiah 62:5; Psalm 103:13; Malachi 3:17; Isaiah 49:15). Surely to be thus loved by the Father is a privilege indeed.
But this is not all. The Saviour adds, And I will love him. 'I will love him who, having my commandments, loves me, and who, loving me, keeps my commandments.' Everything that has been said about the Father's love of complacency being the natural, necessary, result of enlightened influential love to Christ, and of the greatness of this privilege, is equally applicable to the love of the Son as a divine person. But our Lord plainly speaks of himself as the man Christ Jesus -- the mediator between God and man. It is as if he had said, 'Such love on your part will delight my heart, and call forth sentiments of the most complacential approval. Your kindness will not be met with coldness or indifference; I love them that love me. In your love to me, and obedience to me, I see the end of my mediation gained, in the glory of my Father, and your salvation. When you love and obey me, you glorify me, and the Father is glorified in the Son. Loving me, you love Him; obeying me, you obey Him. It was for this I laboured, and suffered, and died; and when I see you loving and obeying me, I see of the travail of my soul, and am satisfied. The pleasure of the Lord prospers in my hand. When ye keep my commandments from love to me, ye continue in my love, and my joy is fulfilled in you'. What a privilege to be the object of the complacent regard of him, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who has all power in heaven and in earth to give eternal life to all who love and obey him: who -- himself a man -- knows what is necessary to make man happy; who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, having been in all things tempted like as we are; and who retains, on the throne of universal government, that power to sympathise, which he learned by the things which he suffered. (Colossians 2:3; Matthew 28:18; Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; 5:8). What is the disapprobation of the world, if we have his approval? what their cold contempt, or cruel persecution, if we have his sympathy? what their hatred, if we have his love? -- John Brown (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858), commenting on John 14:21-24 in Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord Jesus Christ, III:174-176

*Ames, William (d. 1633), The Saint's Security Against Seducing Spirits, or an Anointing From the Holy One, the best teaching, delivered in a sermon on 1 John 2:20, at Paul's before the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commonality of the City of London, upon the fifth of November, 1651, Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.

Anderson, Peter, Satan's Snare: The Influence of the Occult, ISBN: 0852342454 9780852342459.
"The author provides valuable information on many occult practices and their insidious influences on people's thinking. Includes a helpful chapter on counseling." -- GCB

Balodis, Jacquie, Soul Stealing: An Overview of Satanic and Black Witchcraft Ritual Abuse and Brainwashing, 1988.
This book has been discredited by one expert on cult/occult crime because of alleged known practices of the author after writing the book.
Apparently the author removed it from the market. It is not in WorldCat/OCLC.
Notice that creating and spreading false religion is the ultimate form of brain washing with the most horrific consequences.
Instead see: *Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft

Baxter, Richard (1615-1691), The Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits. Fully Evinced by the Unquestionable Histories of Apparitions, Operations, Witchcrafts, Voices, etc. Proving the Immortality of Souls, the Malice and Misery of the Devils and the Damned, and the Blessedness of the Justified. Written for the conviction of Sadduces and Infidels. By Richard Baxter, 1691, ISBN: 9781150756948 1150756942.
"This, as it is among the quaintest and most curious, is also the rarest of Baxter's writings." -- Alexander B. Grosart
Baxter, The Certainty of the Worlds of Spirits, and Consequently, of the Immortality of Souls . . . of the Malice and Misery of the Devils, and the Damned. And of the Blessedness of the Justified: Fully Evinced by Unquestionable Histories of Apparitions, Operations, Witchcrafts, Voices, &c., 1691
http://archive.org/details/certaintyofworld00baxt
See also: Baxter, Richard (1615-1691), and Cotton Mather (1663-1728), The Certainty of the World of Spirits Fully Evinced, 3rd edition, to which was added Cotton Mather, THE WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD.
Mather, Cotton (1663-1728), The Wonders of the Invisible World, (singly).
Mather, Cotton, and Increase Mather, The Wonders of the Invisible World: Being an Account of the Tryals of Several Witches Lately (1862)
http://archive.org/details/wondersinvisibl01mathgoog

*Bonar, Horatius (1808-1889), The Everlasting Righteousness, or How Shall man be Just With God? A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language.
"First published in 1874, THE EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, may be the best book on the doctrine of justification by faith alone ever written.
"Since the seventeenth century, the church's adherence to the central doctrine of the Christian faith has been weakening; in the twentieth century it has all but disappeared. But to those who remain faithful -- to those who are called of God -- justification by faith alone is the best news there could ever be: that Christ died for our sins, and we shall live forever because of Christ's righteousness.
"Justification by faith alone -- the 'principal hinge of religion,' according to John Calvin, the 'doctrine by which the church stands or falls,' according to Martin Luther -- is salvation. Without it, all hope is lost; with it, Heaven gained. Bonar's discussion is without equal in the English language." -- John W. Robbins
The Everlasting Righteousness, Horatius Bonar
http://books.google.com/books?id=nQMDAAAAQAAJ&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

Bromley, David G., Diana G. Cutchin, and John G. Melton (editor), Satanism: An Annotated Bibliography, ISBN: 0815300379 9780815300373.

Bufford, Rodger, K., Counseling and the Demonic, ISBN: 0849905990 9780849905995. Includes bibliography.
"This work reflects careful thought, detailed examination of the Scriptures, a familiarity with the increasing professional literature in the field, and personal counseling experience." -- GCB
"Throughout human history, the question of demonic influence has been a controversial one. It continues to be so now, when there are two widely held views. According to the first view, demons are everywhere. Those who believe this are preoccupied with demons and with efforts to appease, avoid, or escape them. The second view discounts demons, looking on them as irrelevant, at best, or even nonexistent. Both these views are mistaken. Unfortunately, reality is both less comfortable and more complex than either outlook permits." -- Reader's Comment
"This book on counseling and the demonic by Dr. Rodger Bufford is part of the notable Resources for Christian Counseling series, a series which seeks to combine the best insights from psychology with strict adherence to biblical truth." -- Publisher

Carl, Frank, and Joan H. Robie, Courting the King of Terrors: Is Satan Having the Last Laugh? ISBN: 0914984187 9780914984184.
"Why are so many people turning to mental, spiritual, and physical suicide? This book gives an answer. Its purpose is two-fold: to sound the trumpet of concern about sins creeping into the church, and to offer practical help and hope in working with those who have fallen prey to Satan's lies." -- GCB

Ferreiro, Alberto (editor), Jeffrey Burton Russell (editor), The Devil, Heresy and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages: Essays in Honor of Jeffrey B. Russell, ISBN: 9004106103 9789004106109.

Free the Masons Ministries, Perfect Love and Perfect Trust (Issaqua, WA: Free The Masons Ministry, 1991).
A tract about how to witnessing to witches.
Saints Alive in Jesus
http://www.saintsalive.com/
With one Accord
http://www.withoneaccord.org/

*Gross, Edward N., Miracles, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare, ISBN: 0801038359 9780801038358.
"Encouraged by GCB to publish this book, Baker Book House has given us a sound and reliable study on such questions as: Are miracles for today? Does anyone have the gifts of healing today? Is tongue speaking an evidence of Spirit-baptism? Can believers be demon-possessed? While everyone may not agree on Dr. Gross' conclusions, this book is, nevertheless, one of the most readable, comprehensive, and thoughtful studies on these subjects of vital concern to Christians today." -- GCB

Klassen, Margreta, Soul Stealing, Abuse of Intimate Power: A Narrative Memoir, ISBN: 1439262365 9781439262368.
"Dr. Margreta Klassen, a nationally known psychotherapist with expertise in sexual trauma, has written a vitally important book that is both informative and healing as well as soul stirring and thought provoking. Survivors of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse will find hope and a path to recovery in reading this comprehensive work. Highly recommended." -- Dr. Larry Lachman, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Monterey, California
"The author has captured the child's point of view." -- Ralph Potter, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Harvard Divinity School

*Leahy, Frederick S., Satan Cast out: A Study in Biblical Demonology, ISBN: 0851512348.
"It is often said that wherever there is a rejection of faith in the living God a corresponding upsurge of the demonic will eventually appear. That is true not only in the pages of the Bible and in the annals of Christian missions; it has also become a striking feature of the life in our materialistic, post-Christian society. . . . Full of sane exposition and wise counsel, his work has been widely appreciated since its first publication in 1975." -- Publisher
"Probably one of the best, most Scriptural books written today on the subject of demonology." -- Presbyterian Journal

*Luther, Martin (1483-1546), Commentary on Galatians, English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, ISBN: 0825431247. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I prefer this book of Martin Luther's (except the Bible), before all the books I have ever seen, as most fit for a wounded soul." -- John Bunyan
"This is a great, historic work, and is beyond criticism on account of its great usefulness. As a comment its accuracy might be questioned; but for emphatic utterances and clear statements of the great doctrine of the Epistle it remains altogether by itself, and must be judged per se." -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
"The reissue of a famous series of lectures delivered at Wittenberg University in 1553." -- Cyril J. Barber
Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
http://archive.org/details/cu31924029294133
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, That He might deliver us from the present evil world. (Galatians 1:4 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther2.html
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther1.html

Mather, Cotton (1663-1728), Wonders of the Invisible World / by Cotton Mather: Together With Notes and Explanations by Samuel P. Fowler, ISBN: 1584774622 9781584774624.
Wonders of the Invisible World, Cotton Mather, 1693
http://www.constitution.org/primarysources/wonders.html

Mather, Cotton (1663-1728), and Richard Mather (1596-1669), Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions a Faithful Account of Many Wonderful and Surprising Things, that have befallen several bewitched and possessed persons in New-England, particularly, a narrative of the marvellous trouble and relief, experienced by a pious family in Boston, very lately and sadly molested with evil spirits: whereunto is added, a discourse delivered unto a congregation in Boston, on the occasion of that illustrious providence: as also, a discourse delivered unto the same congregation, on the occasion of an horrible self-murder committed in the town: with an appendix, in vindication of a chapter in a late book of remarkable providences, from the calumnies of a Quaker at Pensilvania / written by Cotton Mather . . . and recommended by the ministers of Boston and Charleston, 1697.
Cotton Mather, Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions, 1689
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASA_MATH.HTM

*Michaelsen, Johanna, The Beautiful Side of Evil, ISBN: 0890813221 9780890813225.
"The last 15 years have witnessed an unprecedented explosion of interest in psychic phenomena. Johanna Michaelsen shares an extraordinary story about how she became a personal assistant to a psychic surgeon and witnessed miraculous healings, yet realized the true occultic source behind THE BEAUTIFUL SIDE OF EVIL. Over 235,000 sold!" -- Publisher
"I read this book years ago and never forgot it! I was so inspired by Johanna's courage. The truth about what can happen when one gets involved in the occult without knowledge of the consequences. I have recommended this book to people since then. Truly amazing testimony of the Power of Good vs. Evil!" -- Reader's Comment
A significant work in spiritual discernment. Includes bibliography.

*Montgomery, John W., Principalities and Powers: The World of the Occult, ISBN: 087123470X 9780871234704.
"Few men possess the personal resources Montgomery has at his disposal. Having studied in Europe, he has amassed a vast library on all aspects of the history and doctrines of demonism and the occult. Here is an able synthesis that makes available to contemporary students an analysis of the many forms of Satanism. Every well informed person should read this book." -- Cyril J. Barber

*North, Gary, Unholy Spirits: Occultism and New Age Humanism, ISBN: 0930462025 9780930462024.
"According to this in-depth analysis by renowned historian and author Dr. Gary North, the New Age movement is indeed a serious threat and its adherents are no laughing matter. By tracing the historical and theological roots of modern occultic practices, Dr. North paints a frightening portrait of just exactly what we are up against. It's not a pretty sight. Fortunately though, UNHOLY SPIRITS is not simply another 'doom and gloom' forecast. He offers parents, teachers, pastors, and other committed Christians practical steps of action to nullify and ultimately eliminate the effects of the New Age infiltration into our homes, our schools, our communities, and our nation." -- Publisher
A revision of his earlier work NONE DARE CALL IT WITCHCRAFT, published in 1974. Includes bibliographic footnotes, index, and Scripture index.
Institute for Christian Economics Freebooks.com
http://www.garynorth.com/freebooks/

Passantino, Bob, and Gretchen Passantino, Witch Hunt, ISBN: 0840731299 9780840731296.
We affirm that sorcery leads to the dissolution, sometimes very suddenly, of families. Sorcery may be one of the leading causes of separation and divorce today. See Isaiah 47.

Powlison, David (1949-2019), Demons and Deliverance in the Evangelical Church, 5 sound cassettes [audio file].

*Powlison, David (1949-2019), Power Encounters: Reclaiming Spiritual Warfare, ISBN: 0801071380 9780801071386. Alternate title: RECLAIMING SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
"Examines and critiques the distinctive ideas and practices of current 'demon deliverance' ministries. Much current thinking and practice misunderstand how Jesus fought the devil's stratagems, failing to distinguish between the devil's hand in sin and the devil's hand in suffering (Jesus' exorcisms dealt with the latter exclusively). By demonizing sin, current 'deliverance' practices misunderstand human nature, the devil, God, and the ways grace changes us. The Bible teaches ways of thinking and ministering that effectively fight the evil one, and case studies unpack the positive vision." -- David Powlison (1949-2019)
"In our increasingly pagan culture Christians are being engulfed by a flood of the New Age, the occult, and a fascination with demons. Into this explosive climate the deliverance ministries have burst with mega bestsellers and sensational accounts that show how we can all cast out demons.
David Powlison challenges this movement as being more occult than it realizes. The Kingdom of God is about power and we do battle with very real enemies. But Powlison provides a strategy for a more biblical and more effective way to fight." -- Publisher
"Powlison (Ivy League Ph.D., ex-missionary, full-time counselor), has thought deeply about his subject and he makes an unanswerable case. His critique is compassionate, balanced, and generous. Honestly, this is the most important book I have read all year." -- Reader's Comment

Powlison, David (1949-2019), Various Audio Cassette Tapes [audio file] on Counseling Subjects in the (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation), for example:

Inner Healing and Visualization, N9112s
"Where do these subjects belong in today's biblical counseling program?"

Demons, Deliverance and Counselor, N9212s
"Helping the counseled confront these problems with a Biblical approach."

Don't Fail to get at the Idols, N8923

Inner Healing and Visualization #1, N9112

Inner Healing and Visualization #2, N9113

Demons and Deliverance (part 1 of 2), N9686

Demons and Deliverance (part 2 of 2), N9687

Demons, Deliverance and Counselor #1, N9212

Demons, Deliverance and Counselor #2, N9219

Critiquing Modern Integrationists, N9228

Critiquing and Converting Integrationists, N9304

Converting Psychologied Counselees, N9325

Counseling and Nature of Righteousness #1, N9511

Counseling and Nature of Righteousness #2, N9512

New Trends -- Or Enduring Truth? N9911

Faiths' Psychology and Psychological Faiths, N9962

Are You Using the Bible Biblically? N0003
National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (NANC) Library
http://www.nanc.org/Resources/NANC-Library

Pride, Bill, Flirting With the Devil, ISBN: 0891074945 9780891074946.
"The author shows how Satan's message preached to Adam and Eve in the Garden has affected the church today. Chapters include: No Fault Sin; I'm in With the In-Crowd; Hot Crossed Roles, etc. He concludes by pointing Christians to the solutions, so that they can again become the most dynamic force in our culture. Pride is an M.I.T. grad with two degrees from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis." -- GCB

Russell, Jeffrey Burton, A History of Witchcraft: Sorcery, Heretics, Pagan, ISBN: 9780500286340 0500286345.
A comprehensive work.
"Drawing comparisons between modern sorcery and that of the ancient world, the authors show how the European witch craze in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries developed out of a combination of ancient sorcery and medieval Christian heresy, paganism, folklore, scholastic theology, and inquisitorial trials. Whether the diabolical witchcraft for which men and women went to the stake ever existed is open to question. What matters more is that it was believed to exist by intellectuals and peasants alike. 110 illustrations." -- Publisher

Russell, Jeffrey Burton, Mephistopheles: The Devil in the Modern World, ISBN: 0801497183 9780801497186.
"A very thorough, well-written examination of how Satan and evil have been viewed since the Reformation. Russell takes a historian's stance to examine a subject both controversial and mystifying at best. No stone is left unturned as he looks at how the devil is viewed by church officials, common folk, and intelligentsia, and how these views are reflected in the artwork and pop-culture of those times. This work manages at once to be intellectual and an easy read, thorough and engrossing. A must for anyone fascinated by the forces that have shaped Christian thought." -- Reader's Comment

Seabolt, Dorothy, Occult Abuse of Youth: A Guide to Protecting Children.

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon.
A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, September 9, 1888, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 2043.
"This is the way in which you should use this plea. Say, 'My God, I am utterly unworthy, and I own it; but, I beseech thee, hear me for the honour of thy dear Son. By his agony and bloody sweat, by his cross and passion, by his precious death and burial, I beseech thee hear me! O Lord, let the blood of thine Only-begotten prevail with thee! Canst thou put aside his groans, his tears, his death, when they speak on my behalf?' If you can thus come to pleading terms with God upon this ground, you must and will prevail. Jesus must be heard in heaven. The voice of his blood is eloquent with God. If you plead the atoning sacrifice, you must overcome through the blood of the Lamb." -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

See also: The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The occult, spiritism, witchcraft, Satan, the adversary, satanism, Spiritual discernment, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, Gratuitous sex, The new age, Women and the new age, Mind control, Brainwashing, The local church, Church leadership, Reform of the church, Priestcraft, Secret societies, ungodly alliances, voluntary associations, Oaths, ensnaring vows, promises, and covenants, bonds with the ungodly, Unfaithful reformed ministries, Churches that abuse, Leadership, Power, Authority, The counter-reformation, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Intimidation and coercion (Uris Library at Cornell University has a large collection on witchcraft and freemasonry), and so forth and so on.
TCRB5: 2229-2230

Related Weblinks

The Examination and Confession of Ann Foster at Salem Village, 1692
http://longman.awl.com/history/primarysource_2_6.htm

The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson in the Court at Newton, 1637
http://personal.pitnet.net/primarysources/hutchinson.html

Pseudo-Christian Movements: A Selection of Works
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html

Rebellion and Lawlessness: Wickedness, Demonic Possession, Substance Abuse, Abnormal Behavior, Insanity, Mental Illness, Mental Retardation
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#rlinsane

A Resolution to Combat Mind Control With Truth
http://www.lettermen2.com/mindc.html

Salem Witch Trials
http://cti.itc.virginia.edu/~jkh8x/soc257/nrms/salem.html

Salem Witch Trials: Other Primary Sources
http://www.ogram.org/17thc/primarysources.shtml

Something Cool, Tierney Sutton
" 'Something Cool' (2002) quickly rose to #1 on the Jazz radio charts and includes favorites like 'Rt. 66' and 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead' -- always treated with masterful creativity."
Tierney Sutton heads up Vocal Studies in the Jazz Department of the University of Southern California (USC).
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/recs/radio/krex/-/album/B00006J9T0/ref=pd_krex_dp_a/002-9068142-8187204

Transcripts of the Salem Witch Trials, 1692
http://www.universitylake.org/salem.html

Witchcraft in Salem Village
Supported by the Electronic Text Center, Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, Special Collections Department, and the Geospatial and Statistical Data Center at the University of Virginia in conjunction with the Boston Public Library, Danvers Archival Center, Peabody and Essex Museum, Massachusetts Archives, and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/

With one Accord
http://www.withoneaccord.org/

Soul-violence

---

The real value of an object is that which one who knows its worth will give for it. He who made the soul, knew its worth, and gave His life for it. -- Arthur Jackson

The Treasury of David, Psalm 143, C.H. Spurgeon
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. (Psalm 143:3,4,5a)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps143.php

In your patience posses ye your souls. (Luke 21:19) -- The Lord Jesus Christ John Gill commenting on Luke 21:19

For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
Saying, God hath forsaken him; persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. (Psalm 71:10,11)

Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:25-31). See the annotation in The Reformation Study Bible.

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

See the Theological Notes: "Body and Soul, Male and Female," at Genesis 2:7 in The Reformation Study Bible.

The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God.
They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God" at Romans 1:29 and the note at Psalm 14:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Conflict of will with man is bad enough. It can lead to death. Conflict of will with God is catastrophic.
God is Truth, absolute and unchanging. Thus Truth is associated with eternity, and also life immortal.
Conflict of will with God leads to the Second Death, spiritual death, eternal separation from the thrice holy God of Absolute Truth and Eternal Life.

The loss of the soul is the heaviest loss that can befall a man. The worst and most painful of diseases -- the most distressing bankruptcy of fortune -- the most disastrous shipwrecks -- are a mere scratch of a pin compared to the loss of a soul.
All other losses are bearable, or but for a short time, but the loss of the soul is for evermore. It is to lose God, and Christ, and heaven, and glory, and happiness, to all eternity. It is to be cast away forever, helpless and hopeless in hell! -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

Soul-violence begins when one individual tries to usurping authority over another, to control and possess them. The means of control may be either outward or occult: possessiveness, deceit, repression or suppression of the truth, soul stealing, attempts to take authority over another politically or by mental malpractice, denial of freedom, indebtedness, whoredom, and so forth. Abuse of the soul quenches the Holy Spirit.
If either side is immovable, then death is the result of the conflict of will. How are conflicts of will resolved? By submission to the absolute truth of God's word. These observations bear a strain of the Gospel.

Those we think of today as "being redneck" are an extreme example of a problem systemic to the human race, a "blunder of the flesh" -- "withholding love to control others."
It may surprise, or even shock, readers to learn that the term "redneck," associated today with the American South and southern culture, is said to have originated from the Scotch-Irish immigrants to America.
"Many words commonly used in America today have their origins in our Celtic roots. . . . . their origins are distinctly Scottish and Ulster-Scottish (Scots-Irish), and date to the mass immigration of Scottish Lowland and Ulster Presbyterians to America during the 1700's. . . .
"The origins of this term [redneck -- compiler] are Scottish and refer to supporters of the National Covenant and The Solemn League and Covenant, or 'Covenanters,' largely Lowland Presbyterians, many of whom would flee Scotland for Ulster (Northern Ireland) during persecutions by the British Crown.
"The Covenanters of 1638 and 1641 signed the documents that stated that Scotland desired the Presbyterian form of church government, and would not accept the Church of England as its official state church. Many Covenanters signed in their own blood and wore red pieces of cloth around their necks as distinctive insignia; hence the term 'red neck,' which became slang for a Scottish dissenter. One Scottish immigrant, interviewed by the author, remembered a Presbyterian minister, one Dr. Coulter, in Glasgow in the 1940's wearing a red clerical collar -- is this symbolic of the 'rednecks?'
"Since many Ulster-Scottish settlers in America (especially the South) were Presbyterian, the term was applied to them, and then, later, their Southern descendants. One of the earliest examples of its use comes from 1830, when an author noted that 'red-neck' was a 'name bestowed upon the Presbyterians.' It makes you wonder if the originators of the ever-present 'redneck' joke are aware of the term's origins?" (accessed 1/5/2014, http://www.electricscotland.com/history/world/scottish_hillbillies.htm)

I am differentiating mean Calvinism from "cage stage" Calvinism. If you're not familiar with that phrase, "cage stage" refers to those who are new to Calvinism and so zealous/passionate about their new knowledge they ought to be locked in a cage for a while until they settle down lest they hurt somebody. A lot of people emerge from the cage stage. The mean Calvinists I'm referring to are the ones who've been Calvinist long enough to have outgrown the cage stage. Also, I'm of the opinion that most people who are new subscribers to any theology tend to go through similar cage stages. I've met plenty of social justice cage-stagers and anti-social justice cage-stagers, "progressive evangelicalism" cage-stagers, etc. You probably have too. In fact, some of the meanest people I've known in church life and online have been angry about my Calvinism. . . . -- User Comment on social media

It might be argued, generally, that all of life is a conflict between the opposites of truth and falsehood, light and darkness, love and hate, freedom and bondage, fair and foul, stability and destruction, life and death, eternity and temporal time, and so on, with many subtle variations. Careful observation will show that everywhere love is withheld to control others -- in the family, among children, among adults, in Midwestern society, in the urban centers of the East and West, in government, in business, and so forth, and so on. So, as painful as the facts are, it might be concluded that we all are "rednecks."
Furthermore, mankind's blunder extends vertically to his relationship with the Triune God, the God of our fathers, the source of all wisdom, understanding, truth, and life. Withhold love from God and one is left without wisdom, blinded, in darkness, in bondage, and without hope. That is the redneck dilemma. It is also the dilemma of the unregenerate man.

*Acton, John E. (1834-1902), Essays on Freedom and Power, ISBN: 0844600008.
Essays such as, "The History of Freedom in Christianity," "The Protestant Theory of Persecution," and so forth.
Includes bibliography.
It should be noted that The Acton Institute has come under the control of the Roman Catholic Institution.
"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority." -- John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton (1834-1902), in a letter to Mandell Creighton, April 5, 1887, quoted by Gertrude Himmelfarb in Acton, Essays on Freedom and Power, pp. 335-36 (1972)
The History of Freedom and Other Essays, John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, John Neville Figgis, Reginald Vere Laurence
http://books.google.com/books?id=iOB6zeQ-rRwC&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

Acton, John E. (1834-1902), History of Freedom and Other Essays, ISBN: 0836901355 9780548101537 0548101531.
"Perhaps better known for the famous quote of how 'power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' This work by Lord Acton is an excellent example of Europe's finest late 19th century political/historical intellectual. Acton's assertions are often dated due to the age within which he lived, but his perceptive views are worth investigating. Unfortunately Acton never wrote a single full volume of history. All that we have from Acton are compilations of his lectures, essays, and smaller works. The above such title being an example. The most interesting essay for American readers is Acton's essay on the American Revolution. A well read novice will be able to understand Acton's thesis, though his language can be somewhat difficult at times. The most fascinating aspect of this essay is Acton's assertion that America will degenerate into a 'barbarous' nation unless America's black population is segregated to another country. Acton did not live long enough to see America's burgeoning civil rights movements, and was obliged to see America from the standpoint of post-Reconstruction America. The only reason I graded this work short of '10' is due to the language. Besides being fluent in five languages, Acton was an awe inspiring intellectual, and sometimes his prose reflects his intellectualism, thereby sacrificing some readability." -- John R. Grace

*Anderson, James N.D., Morality, Law and Grace, ISBN: 0877845468 9780877845461.
"Faces the pressing problems of the present day and provides perceptive counsel and sane solutions to the moral confusion of our contemporary society. Also underscores the relevancy of the Christian message, the uniqueness of its ethic, and the richness of its liberty. An admirable blending of scientific logic, legal expertise, and Biblical knowledge." -- Cyril J. Barber

Balodis, Jacquie, Soul Stealing: An Overview of Satanic and Black Witchcraft Ritual Abuse and Brainwashing, 1988.
This book has been discredited by one expert on cult/occult crime because of alleged known practices of the author after writing the book.
Apparently the author removed it from the market. It is not in WorldCat/OCLC.
Notice that creating and spreading false religion is the ultimate form of brain washing with the most horrific consequences.
Instead see: *Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft

Bussell, Harold, Unholy Devotion: Why Cults Lure Christians, ISBN: 0310372518 9780310372516.
"The spiritual truths imparted through this book strengthened my understanding of Christianity in a way that has had a monumental and long-lasting impact upon my life. Even through the loss of both of my children during the past two years, my faith is still sustained when I re-read passages from it. Dr. Bussell is a committed Christian who understands God's grace and helps others understand it as well." -- Reader's Comment

*Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate. Alternate title: THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL, AND UNSPEAKABLENESS OF THE LOSS THEREOF: WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT: FIRST PREACHED AT PINNERS HALL, AND NOW ENLARGED, AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"In the 1660s, Charles II, King of England, asked John Owen (1616-1683), why he went to hear the preaching of an uneducated tinker. [John Bunyan -- compiler]. Looking the King in the eye, Owen answered, 'May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker's ability for preaching, I would willingly relinquish all my learning'." -- Andrew Thomson, John Owen, Prince of Puritans
Owen would not have been surprised to learn that Bunyan's most influential work, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, would be translated into more languages over the next 400 years than any book except the Bible.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft
Pilgrim's Page: A John Bunyan Archive
This is the complete set of THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN, George Offor edition, reprinted by The Banner of Truth. It is free online, and is downloadable in the following formats: HTML, RTF, TEXT, and PDF.
http://www.chapellibrary.org/literature/bunyan/
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN is also available at Project Gutenberg.

*Bunyan, John (1628-1688), The Holy war Made by Shaddai Upon Diabolus for the Regaining of the Metropolis of the World: or, The Losing and Taking Again of the Town of Mansoul, ISBN: 1840300264 9781840300260. A Christian classic. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I have read this novel before, and it is as good as PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. John Bunyan shows how Satan constantly tries to keep our souls, and uses all of the tricks in the book to try to keep our souls. This book is for Christians and non-Christians alike, the same is true with THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. John Bunyan knows how to keep you entertained and thinking about what kind of shape your spirit is in. This book is a true masterpiece and is the best book about Spiritual Warfare that I have read so far." -- Reader's Comment
"Bunyan's second and most loved work after Pilgrim's Progress. Also allegorical, this work tells the story of mankind's redemption by comparing it to a besieged city." -- Publisher
"Forget Frank Peretti! Bunyan's allegory on spiritual warfare is absolutely profound. The old tinker of Bedford knew whereof he spoke. The chronicles of Mansoul and the great battle for its mind, heart and spirit make difficult reading to be sure, but you will be rewarded for your perseverance a hundredfold!
"BONUS: Bunyan uses real army stratagems and tactics in his descriptions of the symbolic battles. He is believed to have picked up these details while a soldier in Cromwell's New Model Army." -- Reader's Comment
Pilgrim's Page: A John Bunyan Archive
This is the complete set of THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN, George Offor edition, reprinted by The Banner of Truth. It is free online, and is downloadable in the following formats: HTML, RTF, TEXT, and PDF.
http://www.chapellibrary.org/literature/bunyan/
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN is also available at Project Gutenberg.

*Enroth, Ronald, The Lure of Cults and New Religions: Why They Attract and What we can do, ISBN: 0877849943 9780877849940.
"First published in 1979, this work probes the power and idiosyncrasies of cultic figures and exposes the inadequacies of their theologies. It also describes the methods of intimidation used by the different organizations and why they are able to enforce conformity on the part of their adherents. This important work should be placed in the hands of all college freshmen, while also being in every church library." -- Cyril J. Barber

Gelet, James, Eric Holmberg, Jerry Johnson, and the Apologetics Group, The Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis, DVD, ISBN: 1573411507 9781573411509.
"Just why are Baptists properly considered Christians, but Mormons are not? Or why is the Jehovah's Witness religion classified as an anti-Christian cult, while Presbyterians, Wesleyans and Pentecostals are simply seen as denominations within the Christian faith? With the explosion of different sects that claim to honor and follow Jesus, how does one differentiate between true Biblical Christianity and an aberrant religious movement? Just what are the marks of a cult? . . . The video gives clear guidelines on how to distinguish truth from error in principle as well as carefully documented instructions on the particular errors of prominent cults." -- Publisher

*Hassan, Steven, Combating Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery From Destructive Cults, ISBN: 0892814225 9780892814220.
A secular author, apparently.
Recognize the signs of destructive organizations and protect yourself from psychological manipulation.
"Remarkably useful and important. I heartily recommend this book to anyone affected by the cult experience. Hassan's work will be valuable to health professionals, clergy, attorneys, and all those involved with cults, their members, and the families whose lives they touch." -- Louis Jolyon West, M.D., Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine.
Chapter 4, "Understanding Mind Control," explains how to recognize mind control activities.
Includes bibliography, bibliographical footnotes, index, and an appendix of resource organizations.
Recommended as a valuable reference work.
An Understanding of Cult Mind Control
http://www.shassan.com/

Hassan, Steven, Releasing The Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves, ISBN: 0967068800 9780967068800.
"Help People to Recover from Abusive Relationships and Cults! My second book, RELEASING THE BONDS: EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, is the culmination of over twenty-five years of first-hand experience. I became interested in the issue of cults after being rescued by my family from the Moonies in 1976. I had dropped out of college and was indoctrinated to believe that Sun Myung Moon was the Messiah and that Armageddon was about to take place.
"Once liberated, I have gone on to spend twenty-three years working full-time in the area of cult mind control. I am a licensed mental health counselor with a Master's degree in counseling psychology from Cambridge College. I have helped thousands of people who have been hurt by cult groups and destructive relationships. I have appeared as an expert on television shows such as 60 Minutes, Nightline, Dateline, Oprah Winfrey, Larry King Live and have been appeared in innumerable publications and media.
"This book describes in detail my Strategic Interaction Approach. It involves a family-centered, goal-oriented communications method that systematically neutralizes phobias and empowers people to think independently. The book was written especially for concerned family and friends, mental health professionals, clergy and for anyone who wants to understand how intelligent, educated people can become dependent, obedient slaves." -- Steven Hassan
"Cults are rapidly spreading around the globe like viruses -- changing constantly, adapting easily to new cultures, destroying hundreds of thousands of lives each year, by radically altering people's identities through mind control, brainwashing, hypnosis, and less subtle mind control techniques. What compels bright, energetic and idealistic people of all ages to give up their individuality, their freedom of mind, and oftentimes their jobs, wealth, and families to become a slave to a self-proclaimed master? Why do well-educated, highly intelligent people even offer their lives in mass suicides for what appear to be 'nutty' beliefs? Once enslaved, how can victims of cults regain their freedom and begin to think for themselves again?
"In his new book, RELEASING THE BONDS: Empowering People to Think for Themselves, one of the world's foremost authorities on cult mind control, Steven Hassan, reveals the astonishingly effective behavior, information, thought and emotion control techniques (B.I.T.E.), at the root of all cult powers. With dozens of examples from real-life cases, Hassan presents a new, more refined, non-coercive, and totally legal Strategic Interaction Approach (S.I.A.), to freeing oneself from the terrible grip of life-threatening cults, enabling cult victims to think independently again.
"Hassan's revolutionary Strategic Interaction Approach replaces crude deprogramming and kidnapping rescue attempts with an in-depth process of evaluating the situation;interacting with dual identities;communication strategies for phone calls, letter writing and visits;understanding and utilizing cult beliefs and tactics; techniques to reality-test and promote freedom of mind;planning and instituting effective interventions.
"The extent to which cults have invaded the social infrastructures is a truly staggering phenomenon in the modern world. RELEASING THE BONDS: Empowering People to Think for Themselves by Steven Hassan is a profoundly insightful probe into a vast, expanding secret world in our everyday midst, offering hope for those lost in misery and freedom of mind for those who have the courage to overcome their fears." -- Publisher

*Johnston, Jerry, with Bill Stern, The Edge of Evil: The Rise of Satanism in North America, ISBN: 0849906687 9780849906688.
"Amid the hoopla and shock of occult mysteries and Jerry Johnston's trans-continental investigation he ferrets out the truth. The intoxication of satanic power, the mind-warping of Satan's new children isn't easy reading, but it is must reading for every parent, educator, and teenager desiring to be protected. . . . Jerry Johnston's profound impact on young people and their parents has been acclaimed by educators, clergy, mayors, media personalities, politicians, and President Reagan coast-to-coast. . . . Johnston is considered an expert on youth culture and trends. . . ." -- Publisher

*Leahy, Frederick S., Satan Cast out: A Study in Biblical Demonology, ISBN: 0851512348.
"It is often said that wherever there is a rejection of faith in the living God a corresponding upsurge of the demonic will eventually appear. That is true not only in the pages of the Bible and in the annals of Christian missions; it has also become a striking feature of the life in our materialistic, post-Christian society. . . . Full of sane exposition and wise counsel, his work has been widely appreciated since its first publication in 1975." -- Publisher
"Probably one of the best, most Scriptural books written today on the subject of demonology." -- Presbyterian Journal

*Luther, Martin (1483-1546), Commentary on Galatians, English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, ISBN: 0825431247. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I prefer this book of Martin Luther's (except the Bible), before all the books I have ever seen, as most fit for a wounded soul." -- John Bunyan
"This is a great, historic work, and is beyond criticism on account of its great usefulness. As a comment its accuracy might be questioned; but for emphatic utterances and clear statements of the great doctrine of the Epistle it remains altogether by itself, and must be judged per se." -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
"The reissue of a famous series of lectures delivered at Wittenberg University in 1553." -- Cyril J. Barber
Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
http://archive.org/details/cu31924029294133
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, That He might deliver us from the present evil world. (Galatians 1:4 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther2.html
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther1.html

Martin, Grant, Counseling in Cases of Family Violence and Abuse (Resources in Christian Counseling Series, Vol. 6), ISBN: 0849905877 9780849905872.

Martin, Paul R., Dispelling the Myths: The Psychological Consequences of Cultic Involvement, Christian Research Journal, Winter/Spring 1989 (San Juan Capistrano, CA: Christian Research Institute International).
Dispels six myths and gives seven steps to recovery for those who have been taken in by a cult. Includes bibliographic footnotes.

McKenney, Tom, and Jim Shaw, The Deadly Deception: Freemasonry Exposed, ISBN: 0910311544 9780910311540 0910311528 9780910311526.
"This is an impossible book for a Mason to dismiss, since it was written by one of their own, who reached the very pinnacle of prestige and power and then, like Paul, counted it all as 'dung' next to the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:8), It is also a testimony which will bless any Christian's heart!" -- Ed Decker
"Not one in 10,000 Masons understands what Masonry is really about. . . . Find out how Christians get into Masonry and why they must get out." -- Publisher
Excellent for witnessing to Masons.

Peters, David B., A Betrayal of Innocence: What Everyone Should Know About Child Sexual Abuse, ISBN: 0849905028 9780849905025.
"Covers what abuse is, the signs and effects it can have, what to do once abuse is discovered, how to question a child, precautionary measures every parent should take, whom to trust, whom not to trust, and how to overcome emotional trauma and live a happy life."

Roebuck, Julian B., and Marcus L. Hickson, The Southern Redneck: A Phenomenalogical Class Study, ISBN: 0275908860 9780275908867 0275917967 9780275917968.
Not pejorative. Includes extensive bibliography.
"The Redneck's chief problem remains false consciousness." -- Julian Roebuck

Schlesinger, Benjamin, Sexual Abuse of Children: A Resource Guide and Annotated Bibliography, ISBN: 0802064817 9780802064813.
"An informative guide to the literature covering all aspects of sexual molestation -- including profiles of parents and siblings." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon.
A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, September 9, 1888, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 2043.
"This is the way in which you should use this plea. Say, 'My God, I am utterly unworthy, and I own it; but, I beseech thee, hear me for the honour of thy dear Son. By his agony and bloody sweat, by his cross and passion, by his precious death and burial, I beseech thee hear me! O Lord, let the blood of thine Only-begotten prevail with thee! Canst thou put aside his groans, his tears, his death, when they speak on my behalf?' If you can thus come to pleading terms with God upon this ground, you must and will prevail. Jesus must be heard in heaven. The voice of his blood is eloquent with God. If you plead the atoning sacrifice, you must overcome through the blood of the Lamb." -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

Weldon, John, and Clifford Wilson, Occult Shock and Psychic Forces, ISBN: 0937931098 9780937931097.

See also: The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The theology of freedom, Freedom: a gift of the grace of god, Political and economic freedom, Freedom with responsibility to god, Spiritual discernment, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Pseudo-christian movements: a selection of works, Mind control, Signs of a destructive cult, Pride, ambition, self-aggrandizement, arrogance, ego, Abuse, Child abuse, Spiritual warfare, Churches that abuse, and so forth, and so on.
TCRB5: 360

Related Weblinks

The Treasury of David, Psalm 71, C.H. Spurgeon
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (Psalm 71:20)
http://archive.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps071.php

Priestcraft, Pharisaism, Soul-stealing

---

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all. (1 Timothy 2:5,6a)

The Christ is the only One truly called. . . . The flesh has always struggled against Him, as we see when we survey the history of God's people. The struggle was especially acute at Golgotha. -- S.G. De Graaf in Promise and Deliverance

A religious doctrine involves practical consequences so important, and its effects upon individual and social life are so infallible and so profound, that it can never be contemplated with indifference by the mass of society, and much less by their rulers. We pray you to observe, amongst other things, that the stronger the feeling of dependence to which religion reduces the individual, the more she invests him, on the other hand, with a lofty independence. All religion is freedom. By introducing us into the service of one master, she emancipates us from the dominion of all others. If she does not altogether do away with dependencies of another order, she transforms them from absolute into relative ones. We still belong to society, we are perhaps linked to it by closer ties than before; but it is in a mediate manner, for man cannot serve two masters. It is this independence which exasperates the rulers of this world, and indeed, for the most part, all those who do not share in it. It is this sacred retreat of liberty which they would invade -- this freedom, of which they would deprive us; as if the numerous sacrifices which from time to time liberty has made for the common weal were insufficient, as if it were not enough, or rather as if it were nothing, for us to have devoted all our bodily powers and all our worldly goods to the service of society, so long as this offering is not completed by the sacrifice of the soul. It is spiritual domination, dominion over the soul, of which despotism, whether of princes or of the people, is especially desirous. Thus, when a tyrant has bereft a nation of all its liberties, until throughout the realm his will has become law, his ambition having nothing else wherewith to satiate its appetite, directs itself against religion. Thenceforward, having subjugated the bodies of men, he directs his attacks against their souls. It is because he cannot but be sensible that dominion over souls -- what do you say? -- over one single soul, is as much superior to that over bodies, as the soul itself is superior to its envelope of clay. He cannot endure the humiliation of knowing that there is a sphere in which the most obscure man, by the force of sympathy alone, wields a greater power than his own. A deep-rooted and bitter feeling of envy takes possession of him; he can enjoy no more repose, until moral force shall have yielded to the pressure of physical force -- until the second Mordecai shall have bowed down to this second Haman -- until the soul, by dethroning itself, shall have delivered him from this odious rivalry. And should he encounter in this enterprise an unlooked-for resistance, his impatience becomes fury, and he destroys those whom he cannot subdue. This has been the origin of many religious persecutions, and it discloses the secret motives of those atrocities by which some have been distinguished.
It does not follow, however, that all the evils with which the world has been inundated in the name of religion, are to be referred to this cause alone. They have originated in that preeminently just idea, that religion gives the true signification of every man, and of the whole of society; that there is nothing more deeply seated in us, nothing which more decisively determines what we are; and that to declare what we believe, is at the same time, and as a matter of necessity, to declare what we wish to be. The influence of a lordly spirit apart, it is not astonishing that the social power has everywhere, more or less, attempted to regulate the faith of the citizens and the instructions of the priesthood. Nor is it surprising that the priesthood, in aid of the state, have themselves attempted to dictate in a matter of this importance. For the suppression of this evil, the assistance of ages has been necessary, and this has not proved sufficient; the veto of public opinion has been also needed. Perhaps in certain countries something further has been required -- the progress of religious indifference. But nowhere is the fire extinguished, because nowhere is man changed; he will never witness unmoved, the energetic manifestation of religious principle; he may be indulgent to philosophical religions, or to religious philosophy, which penetrates not to the very sources of will and of action; but he will be, with his own full knowledge and consent, severe upon genuine faith. And why? because man possessing genuine faith, rises to his highest elevation; an elevation to which it is necessary that others should rise also, not indeed to rule over him (for this is impossible), but to treat with him, and to be at peace together. This is the true position and individuality of each renewed man, and everything is put in requisition to annul, subdue, and modify it.
We dwell no longer upon these different attempts, but return to the principle. We find that in the judgment of the community, the religious conviction of a man moulds his character, estimates his worth, and foretells his life. It is the invisible source of many efforts, and often of much violence. Well, then, we infer [sic] unhesitatingly, that the faith of a member of society cannot remain either a mystery or a matter of doubt to those who surround him. If, as we have sought to establish a former part of this work, the spiritual unity of society, its reality in the elevated sense of that word, depends on the mutual interchange of sentiments; and if that individual only can be said to belong to the community, with whose character she is acquainted, it must be especially in the sphere of religious convictions that this truth is apparent; we may even go further, and say, that although we might keep our sentiments on other subjects to ourselves, those that we entertain respecting religion could not be concealed. For our religious convictions imbue us so thoroughly and practically, that society knows not what she possesses in us, except as she knows what we are with respect to God.
This fact is more conspicuous, we admit, with reference to the Christian religion than to any other. In comparison with it, all other systems of faith are superficial; and we may remark in passing, that this is the reason why Christianity has drawn upon itself, and even excited among its followers, more intolerance than any other religion. The experimental character of its doctrines, coming in contact with the diverse passions of the human heart, has enkindled in the midst of society an active and devouring flame; and its profession has occasioned a host of outrages and calamities. Christianity is radical in the highest degree; radical in morals. It uproots one life, it implants another. Of all religions, it alone is in direct hostility with human nature in its fallen condition, as it is also the only religion which coincides with that same nature in all that sin has not polluted; at once the most human, and the least human of all systems; appearing to grant us everything, and to refuse us everything, but, in reality, granting everything to humanity, and refusing everything to sin. No religion consequently so effectually reforms the moral being; in such a manner, that the complexion of our life and conduct depends on whether we are or are not Christians, and upon what sort of Christians we are.
We should find it impracticable to attempt to distinguish between the doctrines of Christianity and its morals; between what is called its natural and universal morality, and its peculiar and arbitrary doctrines. Christian doctrine is morality -- Christian morality; to wish to distinguish between the two is to desire to divide a stream from its source. Christian doctrine is no sooner received than it regulates the conduct; the character of God becomes a model for man; what God is, man ought to be; and inasmuch as God in the Scriptures is invested with attributes which belong not to human nature, so also man, by means of the Gospel, is invested with a character which nature had not impressed upon him; it makes him a new man in every sense of the term: a man peculiar and extraordinary in the eyes of nature, but in every case a man, who, by the judgment of that very nature, is approved and esteemed. To declare our opinion upon Christian doctrine avails much; it is in fact to profess certain principle of conduct, and to attach ourselves to one or another system of morality; it is to reveal our inward man, to publish the operations of conscience; it is to give the standard of our judgments, and the rule of our actions.
We do well to avow it: whenever we revert to the considerations which most forcibly recommend a duty, we revert to the greatest difficulties in the way of its accomplishment; indeed, in most cases, to point out the motive, is to recognize the difficulty. In the present case, for example, nothing can render candour more difficult than that which enforces its obligation. It is just because such a religious doctrine, of necessity involves such a principle of morality, and such a rule of conduct; it is precisely because it is a disclosure of inward man, that so many persons are averse to declare to what doctrine they adhere. And it is sometimes because their opinion condemns them, sometimes because it elevates them, not so much in itself as in the characteristics and practical consequences with which public opinion has invested it. It is painful to excite repugnance or aversion, and it is sometimes still more painful to excite expectations which we feel but too conscious we cannot fulfill. If it were not so, why should we make a secret of our religious opinions, when we are at no pains to conceal any other? Why, when we are open and unreserved upon all the rest, should we not allow free expression to our thoughts upon this, the noblest of subjects? Why should communications of this nature be so generally regarded as the acme of candour and the pledge of intimacy? Why is there no real union, no true communion of soul, until both parties have expressed what they think, and above all, what they feel upon invisible and infinite subjects? Why do beings long united by the closest ties of affection, as soon as spiritual communion is formed between them, discover with surprise, that up to that period they had really never known, understood, or loved each other? -- that, as Montaigne expresses it, there was wanting to their friendship 'a certain inexplicable, yet essential power, the mediatrix of that union;' or that (as is really the fact), 'God is the true medium of true friendship?' All such instance go to confirm the truth of what we have said. A great effect supposes a powerful force -- a powerful force is employed only against a formidable resistance, and a formidable resistance has no place but in opposition to an urgent necessity. Here the necessity is a moral one -- it is a duty; an evident, and urgent, but a painful duty; for the consequences, even limiting them to their narrowest range, and considering none but those which are developed in the bosom of private relations, these consequences are, it must be confessed, of a startling character.
Nevertheless, if regarded only in the light of morality and natural reason, this candour, which appears so difficult and dangerous, would be found to possess real advantages, whilst reserve would have none but what are false and deceptive. Candour would break the ice which dissimulation thickens and consolidates from day to day; it would procure a more lasting peace; it would put the seal to confidence and friendship. You dread a storm: any storm would be preferable to the dead calm in which you live, -- a calm without peace and without security; for since no one can suppose that you are altogether destitute of religious prepossessions, that you have not some inward conviction to disclose, it will become a matter either of dread or of desire that you should disclose it. This very feeling of anxiety will be an evil in your social relations; if your connexions are desirous of it, when you are averse to making it, their importunity will disturb your peace; on the contrary, if they are averse to its manifestation, when you yourself desire it, they will avoid your company; there will of necessity be in your social relations something painful, constrained, and, in the end, insupportable. If they neither desire nor fear it, it must be because they are not acquainted with your character, and have no desire to become so, because they are not solicitous about your most important interests -- in other words, because they do not love you. And as between a mind occupied with spiritual things and one that is not, there is a wide gulf fixed, as true intimacy between two persons so different is altogether impossible, it is the duty of the more serious of the two, to sound the mind of his friend by disclosing his own, to provide a declaration by declaring himself. Every connexion founded upon a voluntary and designedly prolonged misunderstanding, every factitious union between minds pursuing directly opposite courses, is contrary to human dignity. . . . -- Alexander Vinet (1797-1847), and Charles Theodore Jones (translator), An Essay on the Profession of Personal Religious Conviction, pp. 73-81, and Vinet on Freedom

The loss of the soul is the heaviest loss that can befall a man. The worst and most painful of diseases -- the most distressing bankruptcy of fortune -- the most disastrous shipwrecks -- are a mere scratch of a pin compared to the loss of a soul.
All other losses are bearable, or but for a short time, but the loss of the soul is for evermore. It is to lose God, and Christ, and heaven, and glory, and happiness, to all eternity. It is to be cast away forever, helpless and hopeless in hell! -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

The loss of the soul is the heaviest loss that can befall a man. The worst and most painful of diseases -- the most distressing bankruptcy of fortune -- the most disastrous shipwrecks -- are a mere scratch of a pin compared to the loss of a soul.
All other losses are bearable, or but for a short time, but the loss of the soul is for evermore. It is to lose God, and Christ, and heaven, and glory, and happiness, to all eternity. It is to be cast away forever, helpless and hopeless in hell! -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

How much evangelical religion is completely unreal? You will sometimes see men professing great affection for the pure 'gospel,' while they are practically inflicting on it the greatest injury. They will talk loudly of soundness in the faith, and have a keen nose for heresy. They will run eagerly after popular preachers, and applaud Protestant speakers at public meetings to the very echo. They are familiar with all the phrases of evangelical religion, and can converse fluently about its leading doctrines. To see their faces at public meetings, or in church, you would think them eminently godly. To hear them talk you would suppose their lives were bound up in religious societies, the Record or Rock newspapers, and Exeter Hall. And yet these people in private will sometimes do things of which even some heathens would be ashamed. They are neither truthful, nor straightforward, nor honest, nor manly, nor just, nor good-tempered, nor unselfish, nor merciful, nor humble, nor kind! And is such Christianity as this real? It is not. It is a miserable imposture, a base cheat and caricature. -- J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, pp. 50-51

Charles Spurgeon on the apostasy in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland in 1870
In the same establishment may be found believers in nearly every dogma of the Popish creed, who nevertheless have declared their faith in articles which are distinctly Calvinistic; and now last, and, to our minds, most sorrowful of all, it comes out that there are men to be found among Caledonia's once sternly truthful sons who can occupy the pulpits and the manses of an orthodox Presbyterian church, and yet oppose her ancient confession of faith. Our complaint is in each case, not that the men changed their views, and threw up their former creeds, but that having done so they did not at once quit the office of minister to the community whose faith they could no longer uphold; their fault is not that they differed, but that, differing, they sought an office of which the prime necessity is agreement. All the elements of the lowest kind of knavery meet in the evil which we now denounce. Treachery is never more treacherous than when it leads a man to stab at a doctrine which he has solemnly engaged to uphold, and for the maintenance of which he receives a livelihood. The office of minister would never wittingly be entrusted by any community to a person who would use it for the overthrow of the principles upon which the community was founded. Such conduct would be suicidal. A sincere belief of the church's creed was avowedly or by implication a part of the qualification which helped the preacher to his stipend, and when that qualification ceases the most vital point of the compact between him and his church is infringed, and he is bound in honor to relinquish an office which he can no longer honestly fulfill. -- Charles Spurgeon, "Ministers Sailing Under False Colours," Sword and Trowel, February 1870, quoted by John W. Robbins, February 10, 2006

Members are taught "my duty is to obey my elder, regardless of whether he is right or wrong, and God will reward my obedience to his duly authorized servant." Anyone who believes that nonsense has become a Roman Catholic in his view of church authority and is treating his pastor like a pope. -- John Reisinger

The elders became conscious of nothing but the "authority invested in their holy office," and they neglected to develop the gifts and graces in God's people.
The sheep are in total subjection to the elder because they believe that he is "responsible to God for their soul," and their duty is to obey his directives without question. It is because the sheep believe that Roman rubbish that the "amazing thing" spoken of in Jeremiah can happen, and is happening, in our own day. -- John Reisinger

A bad man in a bad system is an untouchable pope simply because he is protected by the system. -- John Reisinger

When elders become obsessed with the submission of the flock, they have a view dangerously close to the autocracy of Rome. -- Walter Chantry

Beating the sheep into subjection with the supposed 'duly authorized office of eldership' and sending them home bleeding and wounded. This is just a form of Romanism. -- Walter Chantry

Demands to "kiss the pope's ring in submission" are demands to submit to the influence and control of another man. This is worship of a man, idolatry, a violation of the First Commandment.

If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. (He feared that while the tribes went up every year to the temple, the old love to one another would revive, and seeing the palace of the house of David in its magnificence, they might feel regret for having revolted from their ancient line of kings: Jeroboam therefore felt that the temple worship endangered his position. He was a man of a crafty mind, like Ahithophel, and had no fear of God before his eyes, and therefore he resolved to set up a new religion. God's honour was nothing to him. Worldly policy and other base motives have often been the reasons for founding false systems of religion.)
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (Men naturally love ease, and prefer a religion which involves little trouble and inconvenience, hence Jeroboam craftily appealed to this degrading propensity of human nature; but how disgraceful it was on the part of Israel that under such a pretext they should forsake the living God and bow before the image of a bullock. May we never leave the good old paths of truth for the sake of honour, position, gain, or ease. Let us cleave unto the Lord with purpose of heart.)
And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. (At both ends of the land, so that none might have far to travel.)
And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi. (The true priests were faithful and hence he must needs set up others. This speaks well for the Levites. If all other men become idolaters, God's ministers must not).
And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense. (He dared to take upon himself the priesthood, to change the ordained sesons for worship, to set up a rival altar, and to adore God under a symbolic form. All this was detestable in the sight of God. It is to be feared that in our day many are guilty of Jeroboam's sin, for they invent rites and ceremonies of their own, and forsake the Lord, who is a Spirit, and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. O for grace to be faithful to the World of God in all points.), (1 Kings 12:27-33) -- Spurgeon's Devotional Bible

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee.
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. (This was bravely spoken. The prophet feared not the wrath of the king or of the crowds around him. Messengers of God must not fear the faces of men.), (1 Kings 13:1-3) -- Spurgeon's Devotional Bible

See the Theological Notes: "Legalism," at Matthew 23:4 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Brethren, if we are to win great victories we must have greater courage. Some of you hardly dare speak about the blood of Christ in any but the most godly company; and scarcely there. You are very retiring. You love yourselves too much to get into trouble through your religion. Surely you cannot be of that noble band that love not their own lives unto the death! Many dare not hold the old doctrine nowadays because they would be thought narrow and bigoted, and this would be too galling. They call us old fools. It is very likely we are; but we are not ashamed to be fools for Christ's sake, and the truth's sake. We believe in the blood of the Lamb, despite the discoveries of science. We shall never give up the doctrine of atoning sacrifice to please modern culture. What little reputation we have is as dear to us as another man's character is to him; but we will cheerfully let it go in this struggle for the central truth of revelation. It will be sweet to be forgotten and lost sight of, or to be vilified and abused, if the old faith in the substitutionary sacrifice can be kept alive. This much we are resolved on, we will be true to our convictions concerning the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus; for if we give up this, what is there left?
God will not do anything by us if we are false to the cross. He uses the men who spare not their reputations when these are called for in defence of truth. Oh to be at a white heat! Oh to flame with zeal for Jesus! O my brethren, hold you to the old faith, and say, "As for the respect of men, I can readily forfeit it; but as for the truth of God, that I can never give up." This is the day for men to be men; for, alas! the most are soft, molluscous creatures. Now we need backbones as well as heads. To believe the truth concerning the Lamb of God, and truly to believe it, this is the essential of an overcoming life. Oh for courage, constancy, fixedness, self-denial, willingness to be made nothing of for Christ! God give us to be faithful witnesses to the blood of the Lamb in the midst of this ungodly world! -- C.H. Spurgeon, in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

Anonymous, The Behaviour of the Clergy, as Well as Their Traditions, Destructive of Religion, or, A Succinct History of Priestcraft, Throughout all Ages, 1731.

Anonymous, Priestcraft Exposed.
"Notes: A poem, in two columns."

Anonymous, Priestcraft Exposed. And Primitive Christianity Defended.
Format: Journal, magazine: Periodical: English

Balodis, Jacquie, Soul Stealing: An Overview of Satanic and Black Witchcraft Ritual Abuse and Brainwashing, 1988.
This book has been discredited by one expert on cult/occult crime because of alleged known practices of the author after writing the book.
Apparently the author removed it from the market. It is not in WorldCat/OCLC.
Notice that creating and spreading false religion is the ultimate form of brain washing with the most horrific consequences.
Instead see: *Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft

*Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate. Alternate title: THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL, AND UNSPEAKABLENESS OF THE LOSS THEREOF: WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT: FIRST PREACHED AT PINNERS HALL, AND NOW ENLARGED, AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available (THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"In the 1660s, Charles II, King of England, asked John Owen (1616-1683), why he went to hear the preaching of an uneducated tinker. [John Bunyan -- compiler]. Looking the King in the eye, Owen answered, 'May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker's ability for preaching, I would willingly relinquish all my learning'." -- Andrew Thomson, John Owen, Prince of Puritans
Owen would not have been surprised to learn that Bunyan's most influential work, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, would be translated into more languages over the next 400 years than any book except the Bible.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft
Pilgrim's Page: A John Bunyan Archive
This is the complete set of THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN, George Offor edition, reprinted by The Banner of Truth. It is free online, and is downloadable in the following formats: HTML, RTF, TEXT, and PDF.
http://www.chapellibrary.org/literature/bunyan/
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN is also available at Project Gutenberg.

Dell, William (d. 1664), The Tryal of Spirits Both in Teachers and Hearers Wherein is Held Forth the Clear Discovery and Certain Downfal of the Carnal and anti-Christian Clergie of These Nations, 1653.

Dennis, John (1657-1734), The Danger of Priestcraft to Religion and Government: With Some Politick Reasons for Toleration, occasion'd by a discourse of Mr. Sacheverel's intitul'd The Political Union &c., lately printed at Oxford: in a letter to a new-elected member of Parliament, 1702.

Douglas, James, The System of Methodism Further Exposed; And the wiles of priestcraft investigated: being a refutation of the calumnies contained in the pamphlet of the Rev. Mr. Farrar, entitled "The condemner of Methodism condemned"; with a further development of the plans adopted by the Wesleyan preachers to enslave their followers, and establish a system of universal tyranny and priestly dominion, 1814.

Howitt, William (1792-1879), A Popular History of Priestcraft in all Ages and Nations, e-book.
"Two Evil Principles: Kingcraft and Priestcraft; Paganism; Mythology of the Assyrians and Syrians; Establishment of Monkery (monks); Popish Arrogance and Atrocities; Jesuits and Inquisitors; English Church; Ministerial Plan of Irish Church Reform; Clerical Incomes; Evils of the system of Church Patronage; Retrospect view of the Effects of Priestcraft."

Jamieson, W.F., The Clergy a Source of Danger to the American Republic, 1873, ISBN: 0524009945 9780524009949.

Kraut, Ogden, The Four Crafts: Doctorcraft, Lawyercraft, Priestcraft, Kingcraft.
The Mormon doctrine of the priestcraft.

*Lilburne, John (1614-1657), Bridgewater House Library, Regall Tyrannie Discovered: or, A Discourse, Shewing That all Lawfull (Approbational) Instituted Power by God Amongst men, is by Common Agreement, and Mutual Consent: . . . In which is also punctually declared, the tyrannie of the kings of England, from the dayes of William the invader and robber, and tyrant, alias the Conqueror, to this present King Charles, . . . : Out of which is drawn a discourse, occasioned by the tyrannie and injustice inflicted by the Lords, upon that stout-faithful-lover of his country, and constant sufferer for the liberties thereof, Lieut. Col. John Lilburn, now prisoner in the Tower, 1647.

*Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Ecclesiastical Megalomania: The Economic and Political Thought of the Roman Catholic Church (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation), ISBN: 0940931753 9780940931756.
"This book is a detailed examination of the official statements of the Vatican on economic and political matters. It demonstrates the collectivism and totalitarianism of the Roman Catholic Church-State. It is the only such book written by a Christian in the twentieth century.
"This book explores the conflict between Roman Catholic social thought and human freedom, relying on official pronouncements from the Vatican to show that the political and economic theory of the Roman Church-State justifies feudalism, corporativism [corporatism -- compiler], liberation theology, the welfare state, and fascism.
"Dr. John W. Robbins attended Grove City College (A.B. 1969), and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. 1970, Ph.D. 1973). He has served as chief of staff for a Member of Congress [Ron Paul of Texas -- compiler], editor of The Freeman magazine, Economist for The Heritage Foundation, and Professor of Political Philosophy in The Freedom School." -- Publisher

Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. -- John Emerich Edward Dalberg, Lord Acton (1834-1902), in a letter to Mandell Creighton, April 5, 1887, quoted by Gertrude Himmelfarb in Acton, Essays on Freedom and Power, pp. 335-36 (1972)

The object of the Inquisition [was] not to combat sin -- for the sin was not judged by it unless accompanied by [theological] error. Nor even to put down error. For it punished untimely and unseemly remarks the same as blasphemy. Only unity. This became an outward, fictitious, hypocritical unity. The gravest sin was pardoned, but it was death to deny the donation of Constantine. [The Donation of Constantine was a document forged in the eighth century in which the Roman Emperor Constantine willed the Western Roman Empire to the Pope. The Roman Church taught that the Donation was genuine, and the legal basis for the pope's civil authority, for centuries. -- JR]. So men learnt that outward submission must be given. All this [was] to promote authority more than faith. When ideas were punished more severely than actions -- for all this time the Church was softening the criminal law, and saving men from the consequences of crime: -- and the Donation was put on a level with God's own law -- men understood that authority went before sincerity.

I cannot accept your canon that we are to judge Pope and King unlike other men, with a favourable presumption that they did no wrong. If there is any presumption it is the other way, against holders of power, increasing as the power increases. Historic responsibility has to make up for the want of legal responsibility. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority: still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority. There is no worse heresy than that the office sanctifies the holder of it. . . . For many years my view of Catholic controversy has been governed by the following chain of reasoning: 1. A crime does not become a good deed by being committed for the good of a church. 2. The theorist who approves the act is no better than the culprit who commits it. 3. The divine or historian who defends the theorist incurs the same blame. . . . To commit murder is the mark of a moment, exceptional. To defend it is constant, and shows a more perverted conscience.

The story is much more abominable than we all believed. . . . S.B. [St. Bartholomew's], is the greatest crime of modern times. It was committed on principles professed by Rome. It was approved, sanctioned, and praised by the papacy. The Holy See went out of its way to signify to the world, by permanent and solemn acts, how entirely it admired a king who slaughtered his subjects treacherously, because they were Protestants. To proclaim forever that because a man is a Protestant it is a pious deed to cut his throat in the night. . . .

A man is not honest who accepts all the Papal decisions in questions of morality, for they have often been distinctly immoral; or who approves the conduct of the Popes in engrossing power, for it was stained with perfidy and falsehood; or who is ready to alter his convictions at their command, for his conscience is guided by no principle.

The papacy contrived murder and massacre on the largest and also on the most cruel and inhuman scale. They were not only wholesale assassins but they made the principle of assassination a law of the Christian Church and a condition of salvation. . . . [The Papacy], is the fiend skulking behind the Crucifix.

Scales, William, Priestcraft Exposed From its Foundation: or, Religious Freedom Defended: In Nine Chapters.

Sloan, James, Priestcraft Unmasked, or, The Whore of Rome, Alias Mystery Babylon the Great: The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth, that hath made all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, stripped of her gay and fascinating [sic] attire, and shown in her genuine form, which is that of a filthy painted harlot, 1829.

Sparks, Q.S., Priestcraft Exposed: False Religion Unmasked . . .

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon.
A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon delivered on Lord's-day morning, September 9, 1888, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, Sermon no. 2043.
"This is the way in which you should use this plea. Say, 'My God, I am utterly unworthy, and I own it; but, I beseech thee, hear me for the honour of thy dear Son. By his agony and bloody sweat, by his cross and passion, by his precious death and burial, I beseech thee hear me! O Lord, let the blood of thine Only-begotten prevail with thee! Canst thou put aside his groans, his tears, his death, when they speak on my behalf?' If you can thus come to pleading terms with God upon this ground, you must and will prevail. Jesus must be heard in heaven. The voice of his blood is eloquent with God. If you plead the atoning sacrifice, you must overcome through the blood of the Lamb." -- C.H. Spurgeon in a sermon, The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon

W.R., Methodism Priestcraft Exposed, or, Who is the Devil in the Pulpit? 20 pages.

See also: The incarnation of our lord (the deity of the lord jesus christ), The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Power, Authority, Power religion, Glory in iniquity, the temptation of vainglory, Tyranny,Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Unfaithful reformed ministries, Effeminacy, the effeminate, Secret societies, ungodly alliances, voluntary associations, Reform of the church, Spiritual bondage, Churches that abuse, Abuse, Popery, The counter-reformation, Antichrist, Machiavellianism, Mind control, intimidation, and coercion, False gospels, Spiritual discernment, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, The local church, Sorcery, Soul-violence, Conspiracy, corruption, organized crime, Arminianism, Antinomianism, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, and so forth, and so on.

Related Weblinks

Hi-tech Polygraphy as a Means of Broadscale Reform
http://www.lettermen2.com/polytech.html

Rebellion and Lawlessness: Wickedness, Demonic Possession, Substance Abuse, Abnormal Behavior, Insanity, Mental Illness, Mental Retardation
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#rlinsane

Spiritual Abuse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritual_abuse

The Temptation of Eve (part 1 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
The Satanic Worldview, as a secondary point, is exegeted from Genesis 3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720081817191

The Temptation of Eve (part 2 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72008182576

Warning Signs of Destructive Cults
http://www.lettermen2.com/warncult.html

Machiavellianism

---

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

The Christ is the only One truly called. . . . The flesh has always struggled against Him, as we see when we survey the history of God's people. The struggle was especially acute at Golgotha. -- S.G. De Graaf in Promise and Deliverance

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

History witnesses to the falsehood of Machiavelli's philosophy of attaining and holding power.
Machiavelli advocated the following:

1. "Concentration of power in the hands of a single man (The Discourses, First Book, Chapter IX)
2. "The murdering of rivals (The Discourses, Third Book, Chapter III)
3. "The use of cunning and deceit, stating that they will serve a man better than force to rise to great fortune (The Discourses, Second Book, Chapter XIII)
4. "The use of accusations and calumnies (the malicious uttering of false charges or misrepresentations calculated to damage another's reputation), (The Discourses, First Book, Chapter VIII)
5. "He declares there is no surer or less objectionable way of repressing a contender than to stop them from gaining the good will of those around them. (The Discourses, First Book, Chapter LII)
6. "Machiavelli says that religion should be accepted and used for the purposes of the state and that it is wise for a leader to make show of observing religion, even when he is obliged in reality to disregard it. (The Discourses, First Book, Chapters XIII and XIV)

I Chapter XVIII of The Prince Machiavelli states,

It is not, therefore, necessary for a prince to have all the above-named qualities, but it is very necessary to seem to have them. I would even be bold to say that to possess them and always to observe them is dangerous, but to appear to possess them is useful. Thus it is well to seem merciful, faithful, humane, sincere, religious, and also to be so; but you must have the mind so disposed that when it is needful to be otherwise you may be able to change to the opposite qualities.

The first impression that one gets of a ruler and of his brains is from seeing the men he has about him. -- Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)

It is misleading to describe the thinker Machiavelli as a patriot. He is a patriot of a particular kind: he is more concerned with the salvation of his fatherland than with the salvation of his soul. His patriotism therefore presupposes a comprehensive reflection regarding the status of the fatherland on the one hand and of the soul on the other. This comprehensive reflection, and not his patriotism, established his fame and made him the teacher of many men in all countries. The substance of his thought is not Florentine, or even Italian, but universal. It concerns, and it is meant to concern, all thinking men regardless of time and place. . . .
Patriotism, as Machiavelli understood it is collective selfishness. The indifference to the distinction between right and wrong which springs from devotion to one's country is less repulsive than the indifference to the distinction which springs from exclusive preoccupation with one's own ease or glory. . . . Love of one's own is inferior to love of what is both one's own and good. To justify Machiavelli's terrible counsels by having recourse to his patriotism, means to see the virtues of that patriotism while being blind to that which is higher than patriotism, or to that which both hallows and limits patriotism. In referring to Machiavelli's patriotism one does not dispose of a mere semblance of evil; one merely obscures something truly evil. . . .
Machiavelli seems merely to attempt to show that the Biblical teaching contradicts experience or contradicts itself. He does not refer to the possibility that human assertions regarding God and divine things are necessarily self-contradictory nor does he consider that limitations of experience as he understood experience. . . .
According to Machiavelli, Biblical religion and pagan religion have this in common, that they are both of merely human origin. . . .
Machiavelli was not the first man to assert that religion is both untrue and salutary. Religion is a part of virtue or is a virtue. . . . Religion is indeed indispensable for the well-being of a republic but not for that of a principality ruled by a prince of outstanding virtue. . . .
Machiavelli may be said to foreshadow the extreme form of "enlightened despotism." In his usage, a virtuous prince is not so much a prince possessing moral virtue as a prince of strong mind and will who prudently uses his moral virtue and vice according to the requirements of the situation. A virtuous prince in this sense cannot be religious. In other words, a prince need not be religious and ought not to be religious, but it is most important for him to appear to be religious. -- Leo Strauss

Machiavelli advocated firm autocratic rule in THE PRINCE, because in his view 'only the dictatorial regime of the "ideal" prince could push along the cycle of political history; only the exercise of ruthlessness could improve the cycle. . . .' Machiavelli's THE PRINCE -- destined to become a handbook of political practice used by heads of state as remote in time as Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler -- stands in sharp contrast to the checks and balances tradition encouraged by the Reformation.
The Reformers were not romantic about man. With their strong emphasis on The Fall, they understood that since every person is indeed a sinner there is a need for checks and balances, especially on people in power. -- Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984)

When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms (regna) but a vast banditry (magna latocinia)? -- Augustine in City of God, IV. iv (MPL [Migne, J.P., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina], 41. 115; tr. NPNF [A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series], II. 66).

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 3:12)

Then, when he had expatiated somewhat more fully, and had more copiously illustrated the benefits of its presence [harmony -- compiler], and the ruinous effects of its absence upon a state, Pilus, one of the company present at the discussion, struck in and demanded that the question should be more thoroughly sifted, and that the subject of justice should be freely discussed for the sake of ascertaining what truth there was in the maxim which was then becoming daily more current, that "the republic cannot be governed without injustice." Scipio expressed his willingness to have this maxim discussed and sifted, and gave it as his opinion that it was baseless, and that no progress could be made in discussing the republic unless it was established, not only that this maxim, that "the republic cannot be governed without injustice," was false, but also that the truth is, that it cannot be governed without the most absolute justice. And the discussion of this question, being deferred till the next day, is carried on in the third book with great animation. For Pilus himself undertook to defend the position that the republic cannot be governed without injustice, at the same time being at special pains to clear himself of any real participation in that opinion. He advocated with great keenness the cause of injustice against justice, and endeavored by plausible reasons and examples to demonstrate that the former is beneficial, the latter useless, to the republic. Then, at the request of the company, Lælius attempted to defend justice, and strained every nerve to prove that nothing is so hurtful to a state as injustice; and that without justice a republic can neither be governed, nor even continue to exist.
When this question has been handled to the satisfaction of the company, Scipio reverts to the original thread of discourse, and repeats with commendation his own brief definition of a republic, that it is the weal of the people. "The people" he defines as being not every assemblage or mob, but an assemblage associated by a common acknowledgment of law, and by a community of interests. Then he shows the use of definition in debate; and from these definitions of his own he gathers that a republic, or "weal of the people," then exists only when it is well and justly governed, whether by a monarch, or an aristocracy, or by the whole people. But when the monarch is unjust, or, as the Greeks say, a tyrant; or the aristocrats are unjust, and form a faction; or the people themselves are unjust, and become, as Scipio for want of a better name calls them, themselves the tyrant, then the republic is not only blemished (as had been proved the day before), but by legitimate deduction from those definitions, it altogether ceases to be.
Tully [Cicero -- compiler], himself, too, speaking not in the person of Scipio or any one else, but uttering his own sentiments, uses the following language in the beginning of the fifth book, after quoting a line from the poet Ennius, in which he said, "Rome's severe morality and her citizens are her safeguard." "This verse," says Cicero, "seems to me to have all the sententious truthfulness of an oracle. For neither would the citizens have availed without the morality of the community, nor would the morality of the commons without outstanding men have availed either to establish or so long to maintain in vigor so grand a republic with so wide and just an empire. Accordingly, before our day, the hereditary usages formed our foremost men, and they on their part retained the usages and institutions of their fathers. But our age, receiving the republic as a chef-d'oeuvre of another age which has already begun to grow old, has not merely neglected to restore the colors of the original, but has not even been at the pains to preserve so much as the general outline and most outstanding features. For what survives of that primitive morality which the poet called Rome's safeguard? It is so obsolete and forgotten, that, far from practicing it, one does not even know it. And of the citizens what shall I say? Morality has perished through poverty of great men; a poverty for which we must not only assign a reason, but for the guilt of which we must answer as criminals charged with a capital crime. For it is through our vices, and not by any mishap, that we retain only the name of a republic, and have long since lost the reality. . . ."
For I mean in its own place to show that -- according to the definitions in which Cicero himself, using Scipio as his mouthpiece, briefly propounded what a republic is, and what a people is, and according to many testimonies, both of his own lips and of those who took part in that same debate -- Rome never was a republic, because true justice had never a place in it. But accepting the more feasible definitions of a republic, I grant there was a republic of a certain kind, and certainly much better administered by the more ancient Romans than by their modern representatives. But the fact is, true justice has no existence save in that republic whose founder and ruler is Christ, if at least any choose to call this a republic; and indeed we cannot deny that it is the people's weal.
But if perchance this name, which has become familiar in other connections, be considered alien to our common parlance, we may at all events say that in this city is true justice; the city of which Holy Scripture says, "Glorious things are said of thee, O city of God." -- Augustine in The City of God, Book 2, Chapter 21, Cicero's Opinion of the Roman Republic

We are saddened that this listing is necessary. Unfortunately, as the decline of American society accelerates Machiavellianism can be recognized everywhere, in The White House, in Congress, in boardrooms and businesses, in academia, in doctor's offices, in the Media, and regrettably in the local church. See the listing "Unfaithful Reformed Ministries" below.

It is said that every politician in Washington has a copy of Machiavelli's THE PRINCE on his bedstand. We think America would be a different country if the book on the bedstand were Rutherford's, LEX, REX (Latin for "law is king.")

When a political adversary takes the strongest character traits of his opponent and then flips it, libels the opponent by falsely witnessing to them having exactly the opposite trait, then that is "reversal." Of course, it is an attempt at character assassination, Machiavellian, neopagan debauchery. Reversal is the first line of attack of the underling demoniacs in Washington who "trash" the opposition to their liberal, progressive, self-serving agendas. (Psalm 2:1-12)

Q. One of the first times we met I noticed a book on your table: THE PRINCE by Machiavelli. What have you learned about power in 10 years of WikiLeaks?
A. My conclusion is that most power structures are deeply incompetent, staffed by people who don't really believe in their institutions, and that most power is the projection of the perception of power. And the more secretively it works, the more incompetent it is, because secrecy breeds incompetence, while openness breeds competence, because one can see and can compare actions and see which one is more competent. To keep up these appearances, institutional heads or political heads such as presidents spend most of the time trying to walk in front of the train and pretending that it is following them, but the direction is set by the tracks and by the engine of the train. Understanding that means that small and committed organizations can outmaneuver these institutional dinosaurs, like the State Department, the NSA or the CIA. -- Julian Assange

*Bastiat, Frederic (1801-1850), The Law. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language.
"Full of truths that are not merely relevant, but are absolutely vital to our future." -- Dick Armey
"If ever there was a concise and powerful argument for defending Liberty and the Law against every social engineer, this has to be it (only 75 pages!). Bastiat is a master of words and the analogy. Every lover of freedom who wishes to get a nutshell understanding of why Liberty and Law matters ought to read this book. . . ." -- Reader's Comment
The Law, by Frederic Bastiat (Part 1 of 10)
"The law perverted! And the police powers of the state perverted along with it! The law, I say, not only turned from its proper purpose but made to follow an entirely contrary purpose! The law become the weapon of every kind of greed! Instead of checking crime, the law itself guilty of the evils it is supposed to punish! " -- Frederic Bastiat, from the Introduction
The Law, Frederic Bastiat
http://archive.org/details/law00fredguat

*Baxter, Richard (1615-1691), William Lamont (editor), A Holy Commonwealth, ISBN: 0521405807.
"A HOLY COMMONWEALTH is Richard Baxter's invisible masterpiece." -- William Lamont
"Written in 1659 by the Puritan minister (1615-1691), who publicly repudiated the work in 1670, this modern edition of a controversial text represents a candid confession as to why a conservative Puritan fought for Parliament in the Civil War and gave his support to the Cromwells." -- Publisher
Contains 380 theses on government with commentary when available. These 380 aphorisms are valuable casuistry in support of Christian magistracy.
Baxter's repudiation of the work is also included. It is interesting to note that he never repudiated the first part of the book, which lays the foundation for Christian Magistracy. It was only the second part that was repudiated by, as Lamont says, his public persona which was Arminian.
Apparently, in Richard Baxter we have an example of the Armenian being unable to stand publicly for Covenanted Reformation, yet his private persona wrote A HOLY COMMONWEALTH, and his unpublished papers show that he continued to recommend the work to associates after his public repudiation.
A Holy Commonwealth: or, Political Aphorisms, Opening the True Principles of Government: For the Healing of the Mistakes, and Resolving the Doubts, That Most Endanger England at This Time (1659)
http://archive.org/details/holywealth00baxt

*Brutus, Junius (attributed to Philippe Duplessis-Mornay [1549-1623] and sometimes to Hubert Languet [1518-1581]), A Defense of Liberty Against Tyrants, ISBN: 0921148453. Alternate title: VINDICIAE, CONTRA TYRANNOS: OR, CONCERNING THE LEGITIMATE POWER OF A PRINCE OVER THE PEOPLE, AND OF THE PEOPLE OVER A PRINCE, Hubert Languet (author) [also attributed to Stephanus Junius Brutus a pseudonym for Philippe Duplessis-Mornay], George Garnett (editor), ISBN: 0521342090 9780521342094. This [ISBN: 0921148453] is a reprint of a 1689 edition of this work, which was originally written in 1579. A Christian classic. Available [ISBN: 0921148453] on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available [ISBN: 0921148453] on Reformation Bookshelf CD #26.
"Piety commands that the law and church of God be maintained. Justice requires that tyrants and destroyers of the commonwealth be compelled to reason. Charity challenges the right of relieving and restoring the oppressed. Those who make no account of these things do as much as in them lies to drive piety, justice, and charity out of this world, that they may never more be heard of." -- Junius Brutus
"John Adams held this book to be one of the most influential books in America on the eve of the Revolution. This 'defense' manual will help equip you for the battle." -- Publisher
"This book was even more influential than Thomas Payne's COMMON SENSE, in molding the American mind and preparing it for the war for independence. Much of our Declaration of Independence reflects its wisdom and thought. Written by a French Huguenot to give Biblical and civil justification for fighting against a government that was illegally killing it own people during the religious wars on France between the 1540s and late 1700. A must reading for those who want to understand religious and political history of Europe, or want to better understand the Biblical justification sought by our own founding fathers in their fight for independence. A must read!" -- Reader's Comment
Vidiciae Contra Tyrannos: A Defense of Liberty Against Tyrants, by Junius Brutus, attributed to Philippe Duplessis-Mornay [1549-1623]
http://www.constitution.org/vct/vindiciae.htm
Brutus, Junius, The Covenant Between God and Kings, from A DEFENSE OF LIBERTY
http://www.constitution.org/vct/vindiciae1a.htm

*Frederick II, King of Prussia, Frederick of Prussia Anti-Machiavel, ISBN: 0821405594 9780821405598. Alternate title: THE REFUTATION OF MACHIAVELLI'S PRINCE OR, ANTI-MACHIAVEL.
"This delightful and hard to find book, translated with only minor variations, does include the 2nd chapter from Voltaire, as it was missing from the original manuscript. Frederick is threatened, it would seem, by the writings of THE PRINCE in the hands of mere political overachievers. He is constantly referring to the difference in the beliefs of Kings and 'would be' princes. Frederick picks Machiavelli's writing apart line by line and deserves a second read with THE PRINCE close at hand. An integral link to the real Frederick of Prussia." -- Reader's Comment
Frederick the Great's ANTI-MACHIAVEL
http://www.geocities.com/danielmacryan/antimac.html

*Machiavelli, Niccolò (1469-1527), The Prince, ISBN: 0192833979 9780192833976.
This famous analysis of statesmanship and power, lauded by the world system and read by practically all politicians, will give insight to those who may still not understand power politics in Washington. But to fully understand the current situation in the Federal government even the discerning person must work in a Federal office or within the corporate limits of the District of Columbia for at least a year. A secular author.
The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli
http://books.mirror.org/gb.machiavelli.html

*Marshall, Walter (1628-1680), The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union With Christ, ISBN: 189277724X. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
The Reformation Heritage Books edition is a reprint of the 1954 edition set by Oliphants and includes an introduction by Joel R. Beeke. Also includes the author's famous sermon on "The Doctrine of Justification Opened and Applied."
See the WorldCat record for various foreign language editions.
Other editions:
Marshall, Walter, The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification, ISBN: 1597520543 9781597520546.
"This is by far the best book on the doctrine of Sanctification in print. It was originally written in the 17th century, but has been put into modern English with this edition. This book will help you better understand the Gospel and its power not only for our Justification, but our Sanctification as well." -- Reader's Comment
Marshall, Walter, The Gospel-Mystery of Sanctification, ISBN: 1589600630 9781589600638.
"Here you will read the most closely reasoned defense of scriptural sanctification to be found anywhere. . . . Fourteen directions are given to the reader, all perfected with the aim of explaining to sincere souls what sanctification is, what it is not, and how to attain a holy walk before God. . . ." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)
Marshall, Walter, The Gospel-mystery of Sanctification, Opened, in Sundry Practical Directions: Suited Especially to the Case of Those who Labor Under the Guilt and Power of Indwelling Sin. To Which is Added a Sermon on Justification (1859)
http://archive.org/details/gospelmysteryofs02mars

Phillips, Kevin, American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush, ISBN: 0670032646 9780670032648.
"Paraphrasing a passage from Machiavelli's THE PRINCE, Kevin Phillips writes, 'a ruler can ignore the mob and devote himself to the interests of the ruling class, gulling the inert majority who constitute the ruled.' He then says, 'Borgia references aside, 21st-century American readers of THE PRINCE may feel that they have stumbled on a thinly disguised Bush White House political memo.' These pointed words would sting regardless of who uttered them, but coming from Phillips, a former Republican strategist, they have an added piquancy. In AMERICAN DYNASTY: ARISTOCRACY, FORTUNE, AND THE POLITICS OF DECEIT IN THE HOUSE OF BUSH, Phillips traces the rise of the Bush family from investment banking elites to political power brokers, using their Ivy League network, vast wealth, and questionable political maneuvering to obtain the White House and consequently, shake the foundation of constitutional American democracy. Citing the Bush family mainstays of finance, energy (oil), the military industrial complex, and national security and intelligence (the CIA), Phillips uses copious examples to show the dangerous alliance between the Bushes' business interests (huge corporations such as Enron and Haliburton), and the formation of national policy. No other family, Phillips says, that has fulfilled its presidential aspirations has been so involved in the ascendancy of the arms industry and of the 21st-century American imperium -- often at the expense of regional and world peace and for their personal gain.
"It is hard to tell what offends Phillips the most: the Bushes' systematic deceit and secrecy, their shady business dealings, their cronyism, or their family philosophy that privileges the very wealthy and utterly dismisses all the rest. It is clearly all of these things combined. But at the top of Phillips' list is the dynastic nature of their family power, for it is that concentration of power and influence that strikes at the heart of our democracy. Past administrations have transgressed, albeit not so egregiously, and other political families have had dynastic ambitions. But none have succeeded as thoroughly as the Bushes. Jefferson and Madison would be horrified, and according to Phillips, we should be too." -- Silvana Tropea
"About the author, a former White House strategist, he is a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times and NPR and writes for Harper's and Time. His books include New York Times bestsellers, THE POLITICS OF RICH AND POOR and WEALTH AND DEMOCRACY." -- Publisher

*Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Ecclesiastical Megalomania: The Economic and Political Thought of the Roman Catholic Church (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation), ISBN: 0940931753 9780940931756.
"This book is a detailed examination of the official statements of the Vatican on economic and political matters. It demonstrates the collectivism and totalitarianism of the Roman Catholic Church-State. It is the only such book written by a Christian in the twentieth century.
"This book explores the conflict between Roman Catholic social thought and human freedom, relying on official pronouncements from the Vatican to show that the political and economic theory of the Roman Church-State justifies feudalism, corporativism [corporatism -- compiler], liberation theology, the welfare state, and fascism.
"Dr. John W. Robbins attended Grove City College (A.B. 1969), and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. 1970, Ph.D. 1973). He has served as chief of staff for a Member of Congress [Ron Paul of Texas -- compiler], editor of The Freeman magazine, Economist for The Heritage Foundation, and Professor of Political Philosophy in The Freedom School." -- Publisher
Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, John Owen, Thomas Manton, The Westminster Assembly, James Renwick, Archibald Mason, Christopher Ness, Francis Turretin, The Reformed Presbytery, David Steel, James R. Willson, Alexander M'Leod, William L. Roberts, James Aiken Wylie, Andrew Wilet, Henry Wilkinson, James Wylie, Patrick Fairbairn, James Aiken, Andrew Wilet, Alexander Hislop, Francis Nigel Lee, Arthur W. Pink, and so forth, and so on, have all believed and argued in print that the seated Pope is the Antichrist of the Bible.
The Roman Church-State is "the world's oldest, largest, most powerful and most influential politico-ecclesiastical institution" and it "may also be the world's wealthiest." The Roman Catholic Institution is the ultimate "negative guide to the positive," the reformers ultimate "opposite guide to political and economic reform."

*Rutherford, Samuel (1600-1661), A Free Disputation Against Pretended Liberty of Conscience, 1649. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #9, #25, and #26.
"Rutherford's FREE DISPUTATION, though scarce, is still one of his most important works with maybe only a few copies of the actual book left in existence. Though Rutherford is affectionately remembered in our day for his LETTERS, or for laying the foundations of constitutional government (against the divine right of kings), in his unsurpassed LEX, REX his FREE DISPUTATION should not be overlooked for it contains the same searing insights as LEX, REX. In fact, this book should probably be known as Rutherford's 'politically incorrect' companion volume to LEX, REX. A sort of sequel aimed at driving pluralists and antinomians insane. Written against 'the Belgick Arminians, Socinians, and other Authors contending for lawless liberty, or licentious Tolerations of Sects and Heresies,' Rutherford explains the undiluted Biblical solution to moral relativism, especially as it is expressed in ecclesiastical and civil pluralism! (Corporate pluralism being a violation of the first commandment and an affront to the holy God of Scripture). He also deals with conscience, toleration, penology (punishment), and the judicial laws, as related to both the civil and ecclesiastical realms. Excellent sections are also included which address questions related to determining the fundamentals of religion, how covenants bind us, the perpetual obligation of social covenants (with direct application to the Solemn League and Covenant and the covenant-breaking of Cromwell and his sectarian supporters), whether the punishing of seducing teachers be persecution of conscience, and much more. Walker adds these comments and context regarding Rutherford's FREE DISPUTATION, 'The principle of toleration was beginning to be broached in England, and in a modified shape to find acceptance there. Samuel Rutherford was alarmed, or rather, I should say, he was horrified, for he neither feared the face of man or argument. He rushed to the rescue of the good old view . . . It is not so easy to find a theoretical ground for toleration; and Rutherford has many plausible things to say against it. With the most perfect confidence, he argues that it is alike against Scripture and common sense that you should have two religions side by side. It is outrageous ecclesiastically, it is sinful civilly. He does not, however, take what I call the essentially persecuting ground. He does not hold that the magistrate is to punish religion as religion. Nay, he strongly maintains that the civil magistrate never aims at the conscience. The magistrate, he urges, does not send anyone, whether a heretic (who is a soul murderer -- RB), or a murderer, to the scaffold with the idea of producing conversion or other spiritual result, but to strengthen the foundations of civil order. But if he gives so much power to the king, he is no lover of despotism withal: the king himself must be under law. To vindicate this great doctrine is the object of another book, the celebrated LEX, REX; of which it has been said by one competent to judge, that it first clearly developed the constitutionalism which all men now accept.' (Theology and Theologians . . . pp. 11-12). In our day Francis Schaeffer, and numerous others, have critiqued many of the problems found in modern society, but most have spent little time developing explicitly Biblical solutions especially regarding the theoretical foundations that Rutherford addresses here. Rutherford's FREE DISPUTATION provides a detailed blueprint for laying the foundations that must be laid before any lasting, God-honoring solutions will be found. Furthermore, Rutherford and his writings were the enemies of all governments not covenanted with Christ. This book will give you a very clear picture as to why 'the beast' (civil and ecclesiastical), has reserved his special hatred for such teaching. As Samuel Wylie noted 'the dispute, then, will not turn upon the point whether religion should be civilly established . . . but it is concerning what religion ought to be civilly established and protected, -- whether the religion of Jesus alone should be countenanced by civil authority, or every blasphemous, heretical, and idolatrous abomination which the subtle malignity of the old serpent and a heart deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, can frame and devise, should be put on an equal footing therewith." -- The two Sons of oil; or, The Faithful Witness for Magistracy and Ministry Upon a Scriptural Basis. Can our generation swallow Rutherford's hard, anti-pluralistic, Covenanter medicine, poured forth from the bottle of the first commandment, without choking on their carnal dreams of a free and righteous society divorced from God (and His absolute claims upon everyone and everything)? Not without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit -- that is for sure! In summary, this book answers all the hardest questions theonomists (and their wisest and best opponents), have been asking for the last 20-30 years (and these answers are much more in depth than any we have seen in the last couple of millennia. [less about a century to account for the apostles]). As the reader will discover, Rutherford was a wealthy man when it came to wisdom (and much advanced theologically), and those who take the time to gaze into the King's treasure house, as exhibited in this book, will find that they are greatly rewarded. Furthermore, because of its uncompromising stand upon the Word of God, this book is sure to be unpopular among a wicked and adulterous generation. However, on the other hand, it is sure to be popular among the covenanted servants of King Jesus! This is one of the best books (in the top five anyway), for advanced study of the Christian faith. We have now obtained an easy-to-read, amazingly clear copy of this very rare, old treasure. Great price too, considering that a copy of the 1649 edition, containing this quality of print, would likely cost upwards of $1000 on the rare book market -- though it is unlikely you would ever see a copy for sale!" -- Publisher
A Brotherly and Free Epistle to the Patrons and Friends of Pretended Liberty of Conscience, Samuel Rutherford
http://www.truecovenanter.com/anti_toleration/rutherfurd_epistle_against_pretendedlibertyofconscience.html
Brutus, Junius, The Covenant Between God and Kings, from A DEFENSE OF LIBERTY
http://www.constitution.org/vct/vindiciae1a.htm

*Rutherford, Samuel (1600-1661), Lex, rex, or The law and the Prince, ISBN: 0873779517. Alternate title: A TREATISE OF CIVIL POLICY: BEING A RESOLUTION OF FORTY THREE QUESTIONS CONCERNING PREROGATIVE, RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE, IN REFERENCE TO THE SUPREME PRINCE AND THE PEOPLE. / BY SAMUEL RUTHERFORD PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY OF ST ANDREWS IN SCOTLAND. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #10, #25.
" 'Lex, rex' is Latin for 'law is king.'
"LEX, REX is 'the great political text of the Covenanters.' (Johnston citing Innes in Treasury of the Scottish Covenant, p. 305). 'Rutherford was the first to formulate the great constitutional principle Lex est Rex -- the law is King . . . much of the doctrine has become the constitutional inheritance of all countries in modern times.'
"Gilmour writes [in SAMUEL RUTHERFORD], 'that, as regards religious fervour, scholastic subtlety of intellect, and intensity of ecclesiastical conviction, Samuel Rutherford is the most distinctively representative Scotsman in the first half of the seventeenth century'." -- Publisher
"Without a doubt one of the greatest books on political philosophy ever written. Rutherford here has penned a great Christian charter of liberty against all forms of civil tyranny -- vindicating the Scriptural duty to resist tyrants as an act of loyalty to God." -- Publisher
"That resistance to lawful authority -- even when that authority so called has, in point of fact, set at nought 'all law' -- is in no instance to be vindicated, will be held by those only who are the devotees of arbitrary power and passive obedience. The principles of Mr. Rutherford's LEX, REX, however obnoxious they may be to such men, are substantially the principles on which all government is founded, and without which the civil magistrate would become a curse rather than a blessing to a country. They are the very principles which lie at the basis of the British Constitution, and by whose tenure the House of Brunswick does at this very moment hold possession of the throne of these realms." -- Rev. Robert Burns, D.D., in his "Preliminary Dissertation" to Wodrow's Church History
Additional sources of text related to LEX REX are as follows:
"Though Rutherford is affectionately remembered in our day for his LETTERS, or for laying the foundations of constitutional government (against the divine right of kings), in his unsurpassed LEX, REX, his FREE DISPUTATION should not be overlooked, for it contains the same searing insights as LEX, REX. In fact, this book [A FREE DISPUTATION AGAINST PRETENDED LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE -- compiler] should probably be known as Rutherford's 'politically incorrect' companion volume to LEX, REX. It is a sort of sequel aimed at driving pluralists and antinomians insane. Written against 'the Belgick Arminians, Socinians, and other Authors contending for lawless liberty, or licentious Tolerations of Sects and Heresies,' Rutherford explains the undiluted Biblical solution to moral relativism, especially as it is expressed in ecclesiastical and civil pluralism! (Corporate pluralism being a violation of the first commandment, and an affront to the holy God of Scripture)." -- Publisher
A HIND LET LOOSE by Alexander Shields is sometimes referred to as 'Lex, Rex, Volume Two.'
A Hind let Loose; or An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland. . . . by Mr. Alexander Shields, Minister of the Gospel, in St. Andrews
http://www.truecovenanter.com/shields/
A Hind let Loose; or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland, for the Interest of Christ
"This book sets forth the Crown rights of King Jesus, against all usurpers in both church and state, giving a history of some of faithful sufferings endured by the elect, in maintaining this truth." -- Publisher
http://archive.org/details/hindletlooseorhi00shie
"This [THE DUE RIGHT OF PRESBYTERIES OR A PEACEABLE PLEA FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND -- compiler], could be considered the LEX, REX of church government -- another exceedingly rare masterpiece of Presbyterianism! Characterized by Walker as sweeping 'over a wider field than most'." -- Publisher
Rutherford, Samuel (1600-1661), Lex, rex: The law and the Prince, a Dispute for the Just Prerogative of King and People (1843)
http://archive.org/details/lexrexlawandpri00ruthgoog
Lex, rex, or The law and the Prince, Samuel Rutherford
"Rutherford is to be praised for his teaching that the king is subject to the law of God. The Bible has nothing but condemnation for those who frame mischief by a law and declares rhetorically, Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee? (Psalm 94:20). Deuteronomy 17 is the classic passage in defense of LEX, REX, wherein the king is charged to read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 17:19)." -- Publisher
http://www.constitution.org/sr/lexrex.htm
Lex, rex: the law and the Prince, a Dispute for the Just Prerogative of King and People, containing the reasons and causes of the defensive wars of the kingdom of Scotland, and of their expedition for the ayd and help of their brethren of England. In which a full answer is given to a seditious pamphlet, intituled, Sacro-sancta regum majestas, penned by J. Maxwell. By S. Rutherford. [Followed by], De jure regni apud Scotos; a dialogue, tr. by R. Macfarlan (repr. from the ed. of 1799).
http://books.google.com/books?id=jtYDAAAAQAAJ&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html
Brutus, Junius, The Covenant Between God and Kings, from A DEFENSE OF LIBERTY
http://www.constitution.org/vct/vindiciae1a.htm

Strauss, Leo, The Thoughts on Machiavelli, ISBN: 0226777022 9780226777023.
"Towering achievement: One of the best and most important books of the 20th century. . . . Strauss traces the beginnings of modernity to a conscious design of Machiavelli's to overthrow all previous authority in favor of 'new modes and orders.' In other words, according to Strauss, the world we live in is not only not the result of impersonal, inevitable 'progress,' it was made possible by one man who knew exactly what he was doing.
"Through a detailed analysis of Machiavelli's books, Strauss shows how . . . important features of modern thought . . . [are] either directly traceable to Machiavelli, or else depends on a foundation he built. More importantly, Strauss outlines the differences between Machiavellism and what Machiavelli sought to replace -- thereby making possible a (qualified) return to the superior understanding of pre-Machiavellian philosophy.
"Such a return becomes more necessary every day, as the contradictions and prodigious errors of modern thought continue to erode civilization. Strauss . . . has shown that return is possible -- and this book is an indispensable guide for how to get there." -- Reader's Comment
"It is misleading to describe the thinker Machiavelli as a patriot. He is a patriot of a particular kind: he is more concerned with the salvation of his fatherland than with the salvation of his soul. His patriotism therefore presupposes a comprehensive reflection regarding the status of the fatherland on the one hand and of the soul on the other. This comprehensive reflection, and not his patriotism, established his fame and made him the teacher of many men in all countries. The substance of his thought is not Florentine, or even Italian, but universal. It concerns, and it is meant to concern, all thinking men regardless of time and place. . . .
"Patriotism, as Machiavelli understood it is collective selfishness. The indifference to the distinction between right and wrong which springs from devotion to one's country is less repulsive than the indifference to the distinction which springs from exclusive preoccupation with one's own ease or glory. . . . Love of one's own is inferior to love of what is both one's own and good. To justify Machiavelli's terrible counsels by having recourse to his patriotism, means to see the virtues of that patriotism while being blind to that which is higher than patriotism, or to that which both hallows and limits patriotism. In referring to Machiavelli's patriotism one does not dispose of a mere semblance of evil; one merely obscures something truly evil. . . .
"Machiavelli seems merely to attempt to show that the Biblical teaching contradicts experience or contradicts itself. He does not refer to the possibility that human assertions regarding God and divine things are necessarily self-contradictory nor does he consider that limitations of experience as he understood experience. . . .
"According to Machiavelli, Biblical religion and pagan religion have this in common, that they are both of merely human origin. . . .
"Machiavelli was not the first man to assert that religion is both untrue and salutary. Religion is a part of virtue or is a virtue. . . . Religion is indeed indispensable for the well-being of a republic but not for that of a principality ruled by a prince of outstanding virtue. . . .
"Machiavelli may be said to foreshadow the extreme form of 'enlightened despotism.' In his usage, a virtuous prince is not so much a prince possessing moral virtue as a prince of strong mind and will who prudently uses his moral virtue and vice according to the requirements of the situation. A virtuous prince in this sense cannot be religious. In other words, a prince need not be religious and ought not to be religious, but it is most important for him to appear to be religious." -- Leo Strauss

See also: The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The counter-reformation, Popery, False gospels, Heresy and apostasy, Spiritual discernment, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, Conspiracy, corruption, organized crime, Friendly fascism, The free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, the covenant of eternal salvation, Book-length presentations of the free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Ethics, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Reform of the church, Unfaithful reformed ministries, A theological interpretation of american history, Corporate faithfulness and sanctification, Conspiracy, corruption, organized crime, Politics, Tyranny, Oaths, ensnaring vows, promises, and covenants, bonds with the ungodly, Justifying faith, Forgiveness, Sanctification, Petitions, Referendums, Politics, and so forth, and so on.

Related Weblinks

Conservative Petitions
http://www.conservativepetitions.com/

Hi-tech Polygraphy as a Means of Broadscale Reform
http://www.lettermen2.com/polytech.html

Religious Test Clauses in Colonial and State Constitutions and Other Documents and Statements Supporting the Original Consensus That There Should be a Religious Test for Positions of Authority and Trust
http://www.lettermen2.com/agc001.html

Theft: Commentary and Cases of Conscience. A Listing Excerpted From The Institutes of Biblical Law by Rousas John Rushdoony, 1973 edition
http://www.lettermen2.com/theft.html

Treason and Impeachment
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#treason

Trinitarianism Verses Polytheism: Unresolved Questions of Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution
http://www.lettermen2.com/trinpoly.html

Mind Control, Intimidation, and Coercion

---

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. (Hosea 4:6,7)

We manipulate and control others by withholding information from them. (Hosea 4:6,7)

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6)

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
"Ideas have consequences."

On the contrary, he charges them with gross and voluntary ignorance, as if he had said that, by their madness, they brought down destruction on themselves. The meaning therefore is, that the people perished because they despised instruction . . . .
Hence we draw a useful doctrine; namely, that the source of all our calamities is, that we do not allow ourselves to be taught by the word of God, and this is what the Prophet chiefly intended that we should observe. . . .
So then it is a true statement, that the reason why the people endure such a variety of afflictions is, that they are ignorant of God, and will not allow themselves to be taught by him. -- John Calvin commenting on Isaiah 5:13

The whole of the prophecies of Isaiah are precious, and should be read by us constantly in private. -- C.H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon's Devotional Bible

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:44)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do: and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:8,9)

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8,9)

The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God.
They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God" at Romans 1:29 and the note at Psalm 14:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Cornelius Van Til makes the theologically valid point that "irrationality in the mind of man, that is, insanity, must be the result of a deflection of man from the source of absolute rationality," God, and consequently "all men have merited insanity because of their departure from God." [Or, not until man repents is he truly sane. -- compiler]. Eternal punishment is "the abyss of irrationalism," and what we call rational or normative experience is a gift of God's common grace. No man is worthy of it." -- Frederick Leahy

It's a con game: Eastern meditation, witchcraft, divination, Science of Mind, psychic healing, holistic education -- oh, the list goes on and on -- it's all the same thing, nothing but a ruse to take over people's minds and spirits, even their bodies. -- Frank Peretti

Journalism is the search for truth. . . . -- Lee Web

Anything we hear often enough, to the exclusion of everything else, we will begin to believe is true.

Mind control is deception taken to its extreme.

The Deceiver's strategy is to blind our eyes to truth, to repress and suppress truth, and to withhold knowledge. Knowing only part of the truth, instead of the whole truth, makes us vulnerable to deception, persuasion, manipulation, and entrapment. It is called mind control.

The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God.
They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God" at Romans 1:29 and the note Psalm 14:1 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Soul-violence begins when one individual tries to usurping authority over another, to control and possess them. The means of control may be either outward or occult: possessiveness, deceit, repression or suppression of the truth, soul stealing, attempts to take authority over another politically or by mental malpractice, denial of freedom, indebtedness, whoredom, and so forth. Abuse of the soul quenches the Holy Spirit.
If either side is immovable, then death is the result of the conflict of will. How are conflicts of will resolved? By submission to the absolute truth of God's word. These observations bear a strain of the Gospel.

Adams, Dan, The Child Influencers: Restoring the Lost art of Parenting, ISBN: 0962634905 9780962634901.
"Dan Adams does a great job focusing on the needs of our children and how we as parents can and should meet those needs. It is not the responsibility of the church, YMCA, day-care center, or public school to meet those needs. As parents, we need to take seriously the God-given responsibility we have been given and determine to be the main influence in our children's lives. The result of our efforts can either be rewards for a job well done, or grief from a rebellious child that was not properly guided. This book contains many insights on how to spend quantity time, not just quality time, with our children and gives many ideas on how to turn the TV set off and get our children to enjoy reading alone as well as reading together as a family, and build memories as a family that will be the root system that the child will need to withstand the "winds" later in life." -- Reader's Comment

Anderson, Peter, Satan's Snare: The Influence of the Occult, ISBN: 0852342454 9780852342459.
"The author provides valuable information on many occult practices and their insidious influences on people's thinking. Includes a helpful chapter on counseling." -- GCB

Beechick, Ruth, A Biblical Psychology of Learning: How Your Mind Works, ISBN: 0896360830.
"May be the finest book on the contemporary scene that explains the learning process, while allowing the Scriptures to judge the vast array of learning theories. The mode of learning the author presents and her discussion of creativity, higher thinking, and the spiritual developmental tasks are provocative. But her use of the Biblical concept of the heart marks the book with its uniqueness. It pries open a variety of areas with a new touch." -- Warren S. Benson

Boice, James Montgomery, Renewing Your Mind in a Mindless Age: Learning to Think and ACT Biblically, ISBN: 0825420717 9780825420719.

Bozell, L. Brent, III, and Brent H. Baker, And That's The Way It Is(n't): A Reference Guide to Media Bias, ISBN: 0962734802 9780962734809.
An exposé of the liberal anti-American, anti-Christian hold on the media. Reviewed by Loren Mitchel in Letter From Plymouth Rock, January 1991. David Burke, the President of CBS News, was formerly the Chief of Staff for Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA).

Burges, Cornelius (1589?-1665), The Second Sermon Preached to the House of Commons, April 30, 1645, Discovering the Vanity and Mischief of the Thoughts of an Heart Unwashed. Alternate title: THE VANITY AND MISCHIEF OF THE THOUGHTS OF THE HEART UNWASHED.

Eakman, B.K., Cloning of the American Mind: Eradicating Morality Through Education, ISBN: 1563841479 9781563841477.
"Mrs. Eakman's book is an excellent overview of various psychological schools of thought that have done more than almost any other discipline to adversely effect the modern age. As Mrs. Eakman points out, it is no accident that psychology and politics have come together in order to discover ways to manipulate attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors on a mass scale. While her book is meant to describe the ways in which psychological based curriculum, coupled with electronic data retrieval systems on the part of the State have created psychological profiling and attitude readjustment programs for all school-aged children, her book really out to be read as an exposé of more sinister agendas and programs undertaken by governments in this century. The most interesting sections of the book are the ones that connect the development of 19th century materialist atheistic psychologies and 20th century totalitarian politics: the career paths of Nazi and Soviet psychologists crossing with that of such influential Foundations as the Ford and Carnegie Foundations, together with psychological programs emerging out of the Intelligence community after the War, is particularly disturbing. Mrs. Eakman connects the dots, pointing out how a particular person started off in Intelligence, made his way into academia, only to find his way to the corporate world or the media. The only draw back of her book is the absence in many places of detailed footnotes and citing of sources. However, for anyone who has actually read Kurt Lewin or Frankfurt School luminaries, it isn't hard to believe her claims. Additionally, Mrs. Eakman sometimes confuses personages and history: when referring to Dr. Albert Hoffman, the Swiss chemist who developed LSD, she claims he later became a counterculture icon known as Albert 'Abbie' Hoffman -- almost suggesting that Abbie Hoffman of the Sixties and Dr. Albert Hoffman are one and the same. She is also out of her element when discussing philosophers and leading intellectuals. At one point she claims that in Bertrand Russell in his writings about 'a certain educator, Johann Fichte' -- not realizing that Fichte was a Neo-Kantian German philosopher of the earlier 19th century. There are other snafus like these here and there but these can be easily forgiven in light of her insightful analyses and heroic overview of 20th century psychology. To some, Mrs. Eakman's book may sound like 'wacky' conspiracy theories. However, there are a number of so-called mainstream books and publications that have made the same accusations that Mrs. Eakman does and have provided histories of psychological warfare. For the skeptical, try reading Christopher Simpson's book -- published by Oxford Press." -- Reader's Comment

Ellul, Jacque, Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes, ISBN: 0394718747 9780394718743.
"Jacques Ellul, famous French author describes the incredible process of propaganda. Totally relevant in today's mind numbing information processing society. Arguably one of the most informative and concise books written on the subject. If you ever wondered what is propaganda and why do you think like you do, this book may help explain some of the difficulties in modern man's inherent thinking. The fact that this comes from French soil and was written prior to the Ken Starr investigation makes it all the more compelling." -- Publisher

*Enroth, Ronald, The Lure of Cults and New Religions: Why They Attract and What we can do, ISBN: 0877849943 9780877849940.
"First published in 1979, this work probes the power and idiosyncrasies of cultic figures and exposes the inadequacies of their theologies. It also describes the methods of intimidation used by the different organizations and why they are able to enforce conformity on the part of their adherents. This important work should be placed in the hands of all college freshmen, while also being in every church library." -- Cyril J. Barber

Fergusson, James (1621-1667), Refutation of the Errors of Toleration, Independency, Erastianism, and Separation, 1692. Alternate title: A BRIEF REFUTATION OF THE ERRORS OF TOLLERATION, ERASTIANISM, INDEPENDENCY AND SEPARATION. DELIVERED IN SOME SERMONS FROM I JOH. 4. I [1 John 4:1]. PREACH'D IN THE YEAR 1652. TO WHICH ARE ADDED FOUR SERMONS PREACH'D ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS (1692). Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
http://archive.org/details/briefrefutationo00ferg
See also: THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF THE SEPARATED LIFE, Johannes G. Vos

*Fuller, Thomas (1608-1661), Good Thoughts in Bad Times, ISBN: 9780548089347 0548089345. A Christian classic.
Good Thoughts in Bad Times, and Other Papers (1863)
http://archive.org/details/goodthoughtsinba63full

Gelet, James, Eric Holmberg, Jerry Johnson, and the Apologetics Group, The Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis, DVD, ISBN: 1573411507 9781573411509.
"Just why are Baptists properly considered Christians, but Mormons are not? Or why is the Jehovah's Witness religion classified as an anti-Christian cult, while Presbyterians, Wesleyans and Pentecostals are simply seen as denominations within the Christian faith? With the explosion of different sects that claim to honor and follow Jesus, how does one differentiate between true Biblical Christianity and an aberrant religious movement? Just what are the marks of a cult? . . . The video gives clear guidelines on how to distinguish truth from error in principle as well as carefully documented instructions on the particular errors of prominent cults." -- Publisher

*Goodwin, Thomas (1600-1680), The Vanity of Thoughts: Let Patience Have its Perfect Work. Alternate title: LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK [WAY]. A Christian classic. Available in THE WORKS OF THOMAS GOODWIN. Available in CHRISTIAN LIFE CLASSICS, Jay P. Green, Sr. (editor, 1918-2008), (The Fifty Greatest Christian Classics, Vol. III. (Lafayette, IN [The Sovereign Grace Trust Fund, 1274 Meadowbrooke Drive, P.O. Box 4998, Lafayette 47905]: The Sovereign Grace Trust Fund, 1989).
Goodwin, Thomas, The Works of Thomas Goodwin
http://archive.org/details/worksofthomasgoo01good

Grant, George, The Family Under Siege: What the New Social Engineers Have in Mind for you and Your Children, ISBN: 1556613504 9781556613500.
"As many Christian families sense their values being undermined, Grant offers a fast-paced, well-researched look at some of the major powers at work -- groups like the ACLU, NEA, National Organization of Women -- to show how new social agendas of these groups are gaining control over the most sacred areas of life." -- Publisher

Haselden, Kyle, Morality and the Mass Media, ISBN: 0805461116.
"An important, revealing study of the effect of radio, TV, newspapers, and novels on the moral climate." -- Cyril J. Barber

*Hassan, Steven, Combating Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery From Destructive Cults, ISBN: 0892814225 9780892814220.
A secular author, apparently.
Recognize the signs of destructive organizations and protect yourself from psychological manipulation.
"Remarkably useful and important. I heartily recommend this book to anyone affected by the cult experience. Hassan's work will be valuable to health professionals, clergy, attorneys, and all those involved with cults, their members, and the families whose lives they touch." -- Louis Jolyon West, M.D., Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine.
Chapter 4, "Understanding Mind Control," explains how to recognize mind control activities.
Includes bibliography, bibliographical footnotes, index, and an appendix of resource organizations.
Recommended as a valuable reference work.
An Understanding of Cult Mind Control
http://www.shassan.com/

Hyde, Margaret O., Brainwashing and Other Forms of Mind Control, ISBN: 0070316392 9780070316393.

IMP, The Pagan Invasion Series (Jeremiah Films).
"Each stereo VHS tape is about 48 minutes long. Almost a video encyclopedia of information on the New Age cult strangeness of our day. The narrators of the tapes look into the history and current practices concerning the subject of each tape." -- GCB
IMP, Volume 9: Secrets of Mind Control
"Many think they are beyond or above having their mind controlled by someone else. The massive social and political movements of our century suggest otherwise. Tape also shows actual footage of mind control therapies." -- GCB
Jeremiah Films
http://www.jeremiahfilms.com/products/Pagan-Invasion-Classic
Witness Inc. and Jeremiah Films Video Tapes, DVD.
http://www.witnessiync.com/ordering_materials.html

Jantzen, Marjorie, and Richard L. Strauss, Leader's Guide for Group Study of Win the Battle for Your Mind by Richard L. Strauss, ISBN: 0896938034 9780896938038.
Strauss' work is listed below.

*Jones, E. Michael, Libido Dominandi: Sexual Liberation and Political Control, ISBN: 189031837X 9781890318376.
"Thus, a good man, though a slave, is free; but a wicked man, though a king, is a slave. For he serves, not one man alone, but, what is worse, as many masters as he has vices." -- St. Augustine, City of God
"Writing at the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire, St. Augustine both revolutionized and brought to a close antiquity's idea of freedom. A man was not a slave by nature or by law, as Aristotle claimed. His freedom was a function of his moral state. A man had as many masters as he had vices. This insight would provide the basis for the most sophisticated form of social control known to man.
"Fourteen hundred years later, a decadent French aristocrat turned that tradition on its head when he wrote that 'the freest of people are they who are most friendly to murder.' Like St. Augustine, the Marquis de Sade would agree that freedom was a function of morals. Unlike St. Augustine, Sade proposed a revolution in sexual morals to accompany the political revolution then taking place in France. LIBIDO DOMINANDI -- the term is taken from Book I of Augustine's CITY OF GOD -- is the definitive history of that sexual revolution, from 1773 to the present.
"Unlike the standard version of the sexual revolution, LIBIDO DOMINANDI shows how sexual liberation was from its inception a form of control. Those who wished to liberate man from the moral order needed to impose social controls as soon as they succeeded because liberated libido led inevitably to anarchy. Aldous Huxley wrote in his preface to the 1946 edition of BRAVE NEW WORLD that 'as political and economic freedom diminishes, sexual freedom tends compensatingly to increase.' This book is about the converse of that statement. It explains how the rhetoric of sexual freedom was used to engineer a system of covert political and social control. Over the course of the two-hundred-year span covered by this book, the development of technologies of communication, reproduction, and psychic control -- including psychotherapy, behaviorism, advertising, sensitivity training, pornography, and plain old blackmail -- allowed the Enlightenment and its heirs to turn Augustine's insight on its head and create masters out of men's vices. LIBIDO DOMINANDI is the story of how that happened." -- Publisher
"E. Michael Jones ['a Roman Catholic polemicist of the old-fashioned type, for whom no Roman prelate (at least before Vatican II) ever did wrong, and no Protestant ever did right. He writes with the vehemence of a pamphleteer in the time of the sixteenth-century French wars of religion.' -- Reader's Comment], is editor of Culture Wars Magazine, and author of many books, including THE SLAUGHTER OF CITIES: URBAN RENEWAL AS ETHNIC CLEANSING." -- Publisher

Knight-Griffin, Christopher, Jonestown Conspiracies Revisited
A rigorously researched paper documented with 90 footnotes and bibliography. From THE JONESTOWN REPORT, OCTOBER 2008, VOLUME 10.
http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/JonestownReport/Volume10/KnightGriffin1.htm

*Knox, David B., Not by Bread Alone, ISBN: 0851515657 9780851515656.
"The theme of this book is the absolute necessity of the Word of God to maintain spiritual health, happiness, and balance. To demonstrate this Knox shows that the Scriptures have words of guidance for us in such diverse matters of the present as money, abortion, punishment, race, women's liberation, sex, censorship, and much more. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7). From this text Knox shows us that there is a continuous battle for the mind between the absolutes of the Bible, and the lack of standards of public opinion. The bent of depraved human society is ever downward. The only cure for this is knowledge of the Bible, and God's providential care that such knowledge is effective in salting down the nation, the province, or the community where it is upheld." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)

Layton, Deborah, Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor's Story of Life and Death in the People's Temple, ISBN: 0385489838 9780385489836.
Seductive Poison: A Jonestown Survivor's Story of Life and Death in the People's Temple
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/11/19/jamestown-30-years-l.html

*Leahy, Frederick S., Satan Cast out: A Study in Biblical Demonology, ISBN: 0851512348.
"It is often said that wherever there is a rejection of faith in the living God a corresponding upsurge of the demonic will eventually appear. That is true not only in the pages of the Bible and in the annals of Christian missions; it has also become a striking feature of the life in our materialistic, post-Christian society. . . . Full of sane exposition and wise counsel, his work has been widely appreciated since its first publication in 1975." -- Publisher
"Probably one of the best, most Scriptural books written today on the subject of demonology." -- Presbyterian Journal

*Lichter, S. Robert, and Stanley Rothman, The Media Elite: America's New Power Brokers, ISBN: 0803893507 9780803893504.
The media is very powerful in molding the political attitudes and minds of the nation. The media has, in fact, reversed our thinking on many things.

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn (1899-1981), Conversion: Psychological and Spiritual.
"Deals with the efforts of modern psychology to 'explain away' the work of the Spirit of God." -- William J. Grier

*Luther, Martin (1483-1546), Commentary on Galatians, English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, ISBN: 0825431247. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I prefer this book of Martin Luther's (except the Bible), before all the books I have ever seen, as most fit for a wounded soul." -- John Bunyan
"This is a great, historic work, and is beyond criticism on account of its great usefulness. As a comment its accuracy might be questioned; but for emphatic utterances and clear statements of the great doctrine of the Epistle it remains altogether by itself, and must be judged per se." -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
"The reissue of a famous series of lectures delivered at Wittenberg University in 1553." -- Cyril J. Barber
Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
http://archive.org/details/cu31924029294133
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, That He might deliver us from the present evil world. (Galatians 1:4 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther2.html
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther1.html

Medved, Michael, Hollywood vs. America: Popular Culture and the war Against Traditional Values, ISBN: 0060924357 9780060924355.
"The author exposes the attacks by the motion picture industry, television, and music stars against the church and Christians. He expresses our frustrations. He not only suggests a way out for Hollywood, but also concrete suggestions for concerned citizens who want to protect themselves and their children." -- GCB

Medved, Michael and Diane Medved, Saving Childhood: Protecting our Children From the National Assault on Innocence, ISBN: 0060932244 9780060932244.
"SAVING CHILDHOOD offers parents and grandparents practical strategies to cope with a society that seems perversely determined to frighten and corrupt its young. Cultural critic and popular radio host Michael Medved and his wife, psychologist Diane Medved, argue that in a mistaken effort to curb problems plaguing its youth, our culture has changed from protecting childhood as a precious time of growth to hammering even the smallest youngsters with a grim, harsh, and menacing view of the world. The Medveds systematically present unassailable scientific evidence, moving anecdotes, and personal experiences of raising their three young children to explain the attack from four primary directions -- media, schools, peers, and even well-intentioned parents themselves.
"In a unique analysis, the Medveds define innocence not as ignorance but as the result of three components -- security, a sense of wonder, and optimism. They empower parents and all who care about childhood with concrete, easily accomplished means to fend off the assault, as well as advice for handling hurdles such as the Internet, television, peer pressure, and the plague of pessimism. SAVING CHILDHOOD enables us to restore and maintain for our children imagination, confidence, and hope for the future." -- Publisher

Miller, C. John (1928-1996), Biblical Principles of Meditation (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation).
Audio cassette CM302 [audio file].

Miller, C. John (1928-1996), Biblical Principles of Meditation (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation).
Audio cassette CM304 [audio file].

Murray, John (1898-1975), Let This Mind be in you (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation).
Audio cassette JM201 [audio file].

*Nelson, Stanley (director), Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006), a documentary DVD, ISBN: 1415731527 9781415731529.
"Stanley Nelson's [the director], riveting and often unsettling documentary on the history of the People's Temple from Jim Jones's roots as a rising preacher on the gospel rival circuit to the events that lead to that horrible day is a must see.
"There are a several strong factors that separate this documentary from any other dealing with Jonestown incident. Nelson has tracked down a large amount of amazing archival super 8 footage shot for promotional purposes by members of People's Temple themselves. This footage helps craft an understanding of the seduction behind the ideas and opportunities Jim Jones presented to his followers that would see them travel with him from Indiana to California and finally to Guyana.
"JONESTOWN: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF PEOPLE'S TEMPLE is a pitch perfect portrait of the Jonestown experience that sheds light on the much of the cult's mystery through interviews with survivors and former People's Temple members. By addressing Jones's early life and his surprisingly groundbreaking work in the African American communities in regards to race relations and equality you can't help connecting with the idealism behind the People's Temple's philosophy. Exploring the racial aspect of the People's Temple with its staggering 80 percent black congregation Nelson brings into play issues of poverty and class key to understanding Jim Jones's messiah-like cult persona in reference to an often ignored and struggling community.
"Even weaving together an eerie soundtrack of songs sung by the People's Temple Choir and using heartbreaking never before seen letters and documentation made by the members right up until their deaths, Nelson never over dramatizes or relies on sentimentality in this documentary and in doing so paints a world that stays with you long after the lights go up." -- a blogger
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0762111/

Phillips, Phil, Saturday Morning Mind Control, ISBN: 0840795815 9780840795816.
"Just a little harmless cartoon-watching? No, says Phillips. Today's cartoons and children's TV shows -- along with their spinoff toys, books, and movies -- endanger a child's developing social skills, motor coordination, and worldview. 'Mind control' is not far off the mark!
"Phillips (author of TURMOIL IN THE TOYBOX) examines what TV really teaches children and outlines what parents can do to minimize its influence." -- CBD

Proctor, William, The Gospel According to the New York Times: How the World's Most Powerful News Organization Shapes Your Mind and Values, ISBN: 0805423478 9780805423471.
"The New York Times is the nation's recognized newspaper of record. Through its unparalleled status as the nation's journalistic "bible," and the frequent replication of its views and articles in other media, the Times is literally on our doorstep every day. However, what is not known is that the Times, far from being "objective," is subtly promulgating its own comprehensive worldview and value system, which runs counter to the personal beliefs of many Americans. In THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES, author Bill Proctor exposes the Times' belief system unveiling the mechanism of 'Culture Creep,' which the Times uses to promote its views. . . .
"Bill Proctor is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and has worked as a reporter for the New York Daily News. He has written or co-authored more than 70 nonfiction books, including several national bestsellers. Leaders and celebrities he has interviewed or collaborated with include Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan, Billy Graham, Charles Colson, Art Linkletter, Willard Scott, Pat Boone, and George Gallup, Jr. Proctor is the author of the Broadman and Holman title THE RESURRECTION REPORT, and also two novels. He currently lives in Vero Beach, Florida." -- Publisher

*Reisman, Judith A. (editor), Edward W. Eichel (editor), John H. Court (editor), and J. Gordon Muir (editor), Kinsey, Sex, and Fraud: The Indoctrination of a People: An Investigation Into the Human Sexuality Research of Alfred C. Kinsey, Wardell B. Pomeroy, Clyde E. Martin, and Paul H. Gebhard, ISBN: 091031120X 9780910311205 156384057X 9781563840579.
"Alfred Kinsey is the father of the sexual revolution. He has almost single-handedly redefined for Western civilization the terms 'normal' and 'abnormal' in regard to sexual behavior. The authors of this book demonstrate that Kinsey's research was the most egregious example of scientific deception in this century. He openly promoted sex between children and adults, sex between humans and animals, and homosexuality. Kinsey's philosophy is being taught in sex and AIDS education classes across the nation. This book could put an end to that." -- GCB

Reisman, Judith A., Sexual Sabotage: How one mad Scientist Unleashed a Plague of Corruption and Contagion on America, ISBN: 9781935071853 1935071858.
"Alfred Kinsey's statistics on American sexual behavior was greatly skewed towards unusual sexual practices. Subsequent researchers at the Kinsey Institute have claimed that they have cleaned up the data, and found the same incidence rates. It is not possible to clean up data that was drawn from a sample that was not representative of the American people as a whole. The psychologist Abraham Maslow pointed out that Kinsey's data suffered from volunteer bias. And eminent statisticians pointed out that his statistics were invalid.
"Reisman points out that if sex outside of marriage had really been as common as Kinsey claimed, there would have been much more abortion, divorce, children born out of wedlock, and sexually transmitted diseases in the 1940s than there actually was.
"Kinsey's books did much to weaken the laws against sex outside of marriage, because it did not seem reasonable to outlaw behavior that was commonplace. Reisman documents how the American Law Institute Model Penal Code was substantially changed by the Kinsey reports. The ALI MPC frequently quoted Kinsey as a reference when reducing or eliminating penalties for sex crimes. Kinsey's assertion that children desire sex has lead to efforts to lower the age of consent. Marriage was originally a contract designed to enforce sexual exclusivity, to provide for the care of children, and to prevent women from being abandoned. Kinsey's promotion of hedonism has weakened the institution of marriage, to the detriment of women and children.
"Judith Reisman is a voice in the wilderness, repeatedly drawing attention to one of the biggest crimes of the 20th century. Alfred Kinsey lied about the sex lives of the American people, in particular, about the Greatest Generation, the people who carried America through the Great Depression and World War II. Kinsey claimed that sex outside of marriage was common, when, in fact, it was unusual. Kinsey caused the children of the greatest generation to believe that their parents were hypocrites, who preached traditional sexual morality, but practiced sexual immorality." -- Reader's Comment

Sandoz, Ellis, The Politics of Truth and Other Untimely Essays: The Crisis of Civic Consciousness, ISBN: 0826212131 9780826212139.
"THE POLITICS OF TRUTH AND OTHER UNTIMELY ESSAYS explores the historical and theoretical underpinnings of personal liberty and free government and provides a trenchant analysis of the crisis of civic consciousness endangering both of them today. The book addresses a range of issues in contemporary political philosophy and constitutional theory. These are seen to be all the more urgent in importance because of the surging aspirations for liberty in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet empire and the post-Cold War anomaly of crisis, malaise, and disarray in free government itself in America and in other bastions of modern democracy." -- Publisher

*Schwertley, Brian M., and Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States. Publications Committee, National Covenanting and Christ's Victory Over the Nations. Available at Reformed Online.
"This is the first book-length, scholarly exposition and defense of national covenanting since 1843. This comprehensive treatment includes the binding nature of covenants, covenant renewals under the godly kings of Israel, objections to covenanting answered, the unbiblical nature of the U.S. Constitution, the unscriptural alteration of the Westminster Confession of Faith in 1789, the necessity of the Old Testament moral law for a Christian nation and the biblical requirements for civil office. In the book, Rev. Schwertley not only sets forth the biblical case for social or national covenanting in a simple and organized manner but also critiques the modern pluralistic alternatives to the original Presbyterian teaching on this topic." -- Publisher
It was preceded by 'Social Covenanting,' a series of 31 sermons in MP3 format, given by the author starting in the summer of 2012.
Social Covenanting series of 31 sermons [audio files] by Brian Schwertley
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?seriesOnly=true&currSection=sermonstopic&sourceid=ccc&keyword=National+Covenanting&keyworddesc=National+Covenanting

Seiden, Martin H., Access to the American Mind: The Damaging Impact of the New Mass Media, ISBN: 0944007716 9780944007716.
A secular author.

Seiden, Martin H., Who Controls the Mass Media? Popular Myths and Economic Realities, ISBN: 0465091814 9780465091812.

*Singer, C. Gregg (1910-1999), From Rationalism to Irrationality: The Decline of the Western Mind From the Renaissance to the Present, ISBN: 0875524281 9780875524283 and a reprint of the P&R Publishing edition of 1979 (Wipf and Stock, 2006), 479 pp.
"Now, frankly students, this course is presented from obviously the Reformed Theology. I hold unabashedly, unashamedly to the whole of Reformed Theology as we find it specifically in the WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH and the LONGER and SHORTER CATECHISMS.
"At the same time I hold to a position in regard to Apologetics generally known as Presuppositionalism, and particularly that view held by Cornelius Van Til.
"This book is an attempt to enlarge and to broaden the scope of Van Til's own Apologetical system, and also his Epistemology. By that I mean, and I worked this book with him, so anything that I say is not to be construed as a criticism of Cornelius Van Til. I might add he wrote me a letter. He is delighted with this book. But what I did was to take his principles, both of Apologetics and of Epistemology, and apply them to all realms of modern thought.
"Dr. Van Til, for good and sufficient reason, sought to limit to the main stream of what we might call pure Philosophy, that is from Saint Thomas, well even before them, back to the Greeks, but particularly in the more modern period, from Saint Thomas Aquinas, William of Ockham (Occam), down through Descartes, the Rationalists, the Empiricists, down to Kant and Hegel, and of course Modern Philosophy and Modern Theology. Very seldom has he gone into what we might call the arena of Political Philosophy, or the arena of Social Thought, or the arena of Psychology and Psychiatry, the realm of Educational Philosophy, and into Art, Music, and so on, to the Fine Arts.
"This book is an attempt to apply his system, and show what happens when the Western mind has forsaken his principles, or the principles which he has espoused, and turned into its own way. And thus the book called FROM RATIONALISM TO IRRATIONALITY. The thesis being that the Rationalism inherent in Saint Thomas and the post-Thomists, and more particularly, and more openly, in the Philosophy of the Renaissance, and Descartes, and Spinosa, and Leibniz has, as it's gained momentum in the modern world, brought Western Culture to its knees. We are living, as I would think, in the death throws of the Western Cultures, the Western Civilization." -- Dr. C. Gregg Singer, in the introductory address to his course in Apologetics soon after FROM RATIONALISM TO IRRATIONALITY came off the press in 1979
Apologetics: #01: Classical and Medieval Thought #1
Dr. C. Gregg Singer, Apologetics, 56 min.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=2250511453
"Locke endeavored to set forth a political philosophy which would anchor his democratic political thought on what he felt were the firm foundations of his empiricism. However, his insistence that nature has bestowed upon mankind certain basic and inalienable rights was an assumption quite contrary to his empiricism. His denial of conscience as an innate possession or quality makes it impossible for men to know that they possess the rights of life, liberty, and property. The very concept of a human right is moral in nature and has its basis of authority in the human conscience. It is thus impossible for men to know through the senses that they have these cherished human rights. Granted that it was far from Locke's intention to undermine or destroy the traditional English concept of personal rights, his empiricism removed from his political thought the necessary foundations on which a government could be built for the protection of these rights. His empiricism supported neither the idea that men have such rights nor that they are inalienable. (p. 61)
"Underlying the secular and naturalistic assumptions of the thought of the Enlightenment was a related and equally serious problem. In their political and economic thought the leaders of this era were passionately devoted to the pursuit of freedom, and yet they seemed to be completely unaware of this incompatibility between their quest for freedom on the one hand and their reliance upon natural law on the other. How can an impersonal and deterministic concept of law produce and sustain a meaningful concept of freedom? Blindly convinced that there was no problem involved in the contradiction, the leaders of the Enlightenment pushed boldly ahead in the quest for political and economic liberty. However, their failure to recognize the issues involved in this quest led not only to the disaster of the French Revolution but to the growth of the totalitarian political and economic philosophies which first appeared in Hegel and Marx during the nineteenth century and reached their culmination in the totalitarianism of the twentieth century." (p. 73) -- quoted at the blog, Imago Veritatis: Post-modern Reformed Paleo-orthodoxy
Singer used this as textbook for his course in Apologetics. Epistemology is a recurring theme throughout the textbook and the course. The series of 24 addresses on Apologetics is available free online. See: "Apologetics" under:
Works of C. Gregg Singer
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr3ch.html#cgsinger

*Sowell, Thomas, Inside American Education: The Decline, the Deception, the Dogmas, ISBN: 0029303303 9780029303306.
"An indictment of the American educational system criticizes the fact that the system has discarded the traditional goals of transmitting knowledge and fostering cognitive skills in favor of building self-esteem and promoting social harmony. Our educational establishment -- a vast tax-supported empire existing quasi-independently within American society -- is morally and intellectually bankrupt, charges distinguished economist and social critic Thomas Sowell. And in this top-to-bottom tour of the mismanaged institutions, cynical leadership, and tendentious programs of American education, Sowell exposes the numerous 'deceptions and dogmas' that have concealed or sought to justify the steep and very dangerous decline in our educational standards and practices across the board. Among the more serious ills of American education are the technically sophisticated brainwashing techniques now being applied to children and teenagers in so-called 'affective education' programs; the special 'peace' and 'nuclear' education programs that actively promote 'politically correct' attitudes; the 'values clarification' and sex education curricula that portray parental and religious authority figures as agents of a repressive and unjust social and political orthodoxy; and the racial 'mini-establishments' created on college campuses by minority demagogues and complaisant administrators that enshrine a self-serving ideological double standard, thus betraying the real interests of minority students. Sowell's exhaustively researched investigation draws particular attention to the wide array of textbooks and other instructional materials, promoted with astonishing success by a multi-million dollar industry styling itself a 'secular humanist' movement, which fosters these ideas -- ideas that are not just anti-American, Sowell maintains, but essentially totalitarian in character. These sinister curricular developments, combined with often cowardly and irresponsible management more concerned about institutional image and ranking than with fiscal integrity or a commitment to educate our youth, will breed disaster unless immediate steps are taken to reform the entire educational system." -- Publisher

Steele, Richard (1629-1692), and Don Kistler, Remedy for Wandering Thoughts in the Worship of God. Alternate title: AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST DISTRACTIONS; OR, AN ENDEAVOUR TO SERVE THE CHURCH, IN THE DAILY CASE OF WANDERINGS IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD. ISBN: 0873779436. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"A much needed study for the present-day church." -- Lloyd T. Sprinkle

Stowell, Joseph M., The Dawn's Early Light, ISBN: 0802471714 9780802471710.
"Christianity is losing the battle for the Christian mind. Stowell exposes the fuzzy thinking, misconceptions, and lies we've learned to live with -- and often to love." -- GCB

*Strauss, Richard L., Win the Battle for Your Mind, ISBN: 0896930033 9780896930032.
"A Biblical and theological study of the place and importance of the mind in the life and spiritual growth of the Christian. Also exposes the social forces that, through appeals to the mind, seek to subvert the senses and conform believes to the world's standards and system of values." -- Cyril J. Barber
Jantzen, Marjorie, and Richard L. Strauss, Leader's Guide for Group Study of Win the Battle for Your Mind by Richard L. Strauss, ISBN: 0896938034 9780896938038.

Streatfeild, Dominic, Brainwash: The Secret History of Mind Control, ISBN: 9780312325725 031232572X.
"What would it take to turn you into a suicide bomber? How would you interrogate a member of Al Qaeda? With access to formerly classified documentation and interviews from the CIA, the U.S. Army, MI5, MI6, and the British Intelligence Corps, acclaimed journalist Dominic Streatfeild traces the history of the world's most secret psychological procedure. From the cold war to the height of today's war on terror, groups as dissimilar as armies, religious cults, and advertising agencies have been accused of brainwashing. But what does this mean? Is it possible to erase memories or to implant them artificially? Do heavy-metal records contain subliminal messages? Do religious cults brainwash recruits? What were the CIA and MI6 doing with LSD in the 1950s? How far have the world's militaries really gone? From the author of the definitive history of cocaine, BRAINWASH is required reading in an era of cutting-edge and often controversial interrogation practices. More than just an examination of the techniques used by the CIA, the KGB, and the Taliban, it is also a gripping, full history of the heated efforts to master the elusive, secret techniques of mind control.
"Includes information on amnesia, ARTICHOKE project, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), hypnosis, hallucinogens, interrogation, LSD, MKULTRA project, satanic ritual abuse, sensory deprivation, sleep, suicide, truth drugs, Unification Church, etc." -- Publisher

*Thompson-Iserbyt, Charlotte, The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America: A Chronological Paper Trail, ISBN: 0966707109 9780966707106.
"This book is the book to have. Every concerned parent in America should invest in a copy. It's the encyclopedia, in year date order, of just what has been going on in America in the public school system for years and years. It holds answers to many unanswered questions. Years of research at our fingertips and it's the size of a telephone book. It's the best inside look. It's honest, official documentation, undisputable evidence. If every parent were to read this, we could right a terrible wrong being done in public schools today. The fact she was once a Senior Policy Advisor for the U.S. Department of Education weighs a lot on the books credibility factor." -- Reader's Comment

*United States. National Commission on Excellence in Education, A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform: A Report to the Nation and the Secretary of Education, United States Department of Education by the National Commission on Excellence in Education.

Various, Father Cares: The Last of Jonestown.
"On November 18, 1978, 913 men, women, and children -- followers of cult leader Jim Jones -- died during a mass suicide and murder in Jonestown, Guyana. In the months preceding the tragedy, Jim Jones and his People's Temple followers recorded their thoughts, their problems and their aspirations. The hundreds of hours of audio tape form the basis of the NPR documentary Father Cares: The Last of Jonestown.
Includes an audio link to the NPR documentary in its entirety. Also includes a link to All Things Considered host Noah Adams talking with Deborah Layton, author of SEDUCTIVE POISON: A JONESTOWN SURVIVOR'S STORY OF LIFE AND DEATH IN THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE. She had escaped Jonestown several months before, and tried to alert authorities to the insanity and cruelty of life under the rule of Jim Jones.
NPR documentary "Father Cares: The Last of Jonestown"
http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/jonestown.html

Watson, David, The Hidden Battle, ISBN: 0877883432 9780877883432.
"Your mind is a battleground. David Watson shows you how to identify the enemy's nature, disguises, tactics, and weapons -- including the earmarks of a cult. Packed with concise help and practical illustrations, this book is a must for all Christians." -- GCB

*Weaver, Richard M., Ideas Have Consequences, ISBN: 9780226090061 022609006X.
"Originally published in 1948, at the height of post-World War II optimism and confidence in collective security, IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES uses 'words hard as cannonballs' to present an unsparing diagnosis of the ills of the modern age. Widely read and debated at the time of its first publication, the book is now seen as one of the foundational texts of the modern conservative movement. In its pages, Richard M. Weaver argues that the decline of Western civilization resulted from the rising acceptance of relativism over absolute reality. In spite of increased knowledge, this retreat from the realist intellectual tradition has weakened the Western capacity to reason, with catastrophic consequences for social order and individual rights. But Weaver also offers a realistic remedy. These difficulties are the product not of necessity but of intelligent choice. And, today, as decades ago, the remedy lies in the renewed acceptance of absolute reality and the recognition that ideas-like actions-have consequences. This expanded edition of the classic work contains a foreword by New Criterion editor Roger Kimball that offers insight into the rich intellectual and historical contexts of Weaver and his work and an afterword by Ted J. Smith III that relates the remarkable story of the book's writing and publication." -- Publisher
"Before THE CLOSING OF THE AMERICAN MIND, there was IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. Nearly two decades before Bloom, Richard M. Weaver rhetorician, Southern agrarian sage, and a founding father of the postwar conservative revival published this spirited disquisition on the Western intellectual tradition." -- Reader's Comment

*Woodbridge, John D. (editor), Renewing Your Mind in a Secular World, ISBN: 0802403840 9780802403841.
"The subtle attacks against authority, and in particular Biblical authority, have taken a toll. This book assess the issues and summons Christians to return to a distinctive life-style in which the Word of God is known and its truth applied to all areas of life. . . ." -- Cyril J. Barber

Woodbridge, John D. (editor), and D.A. Carson (editor), Scripture and Truth, ISBN: 0310437911 9780310437918.
"An extremely important book for our day. Contains articles by Wayne Grundem, Carson, Longenecker, Moses Silva, P. Hughes, Bromiley, W.R. Godfrey, Woodbridge and R.H. Balmer, R. Nicole, P. Helm, and J.I. Packer." -- GCB

See also: The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, Absolute truth and relativism, Epistemology of theology, the theory of knowledge, Healing of the mind, Mind control, intimidation, and coercion, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Mind control, intimidation, and coercion, The media, Public schools, public education, Theater, sports, and entertainment, Modern myths and fallacies, Politics, Appendix c: psychology and psychiatry, Spiritual discernment, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Sexual wholeness, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Corporate faithfulness and sanctification, Pornography, The environment, Conspiracy, corruption, organized crime, The counter-reformation, Systematic theology, Scripture memory systems, Books considered to be among the ten greatest in the english language, Christian classics short title list, The best books in this bibliography, Rebellion and lawlessness: wickedness, demonic possession, substance abuse, abnormal behavior, insanity, mental illness, mental retardation, Justice, god's final judgment, the great white throne judgment, the day of the lord, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Pseudo-christian movements: a selection of works, Ungodly alliance, secret societies, Voluntary association, Oaths, ensnaring vows, promises, and covenants, bonds with the ungodly, The free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, the covenant of eternal salvation, Book-length presentations of the free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, The words of christ, Bible promises, Words of christ appearing in the web edition of biblical counsel: resources for renewal, Modern myths and fallacies, The decline of american society, irrationality, the decline of western thought, Male role and responsibility, gender equality, suffrage, reproductive rights, and the decline of american society, Christian Liberty (John Ankerberg and John Weldon have written over 70 books on pseudo-Christian movements), Appendix c, psychology and psychiatry, Public schools, public education, Home schooling, Protecting your children from dangers, and so forth, and so on.

Related Weblinks

The Battle for the Mind in the News Media, [audio file], Frontline Fellowship
"Every day we are influenced by media. Whether through posters, billboards, social media, newspapers, TV, Twitter, Facebook, or a host of other media, which often gives us views instead of just news."
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-9tdbm-e4adc6

Bible Study Fellowship (International) a Closer Look, Virginia Donovan
"The dialectic process (thesis + antithesis = synthesis), is at work here. The formula for the dialectic is "a diverse group of people dialoging to consensus over social issues in a facilitated meeting." This method will brainwash participants to abdicate strict adherence to Scripture for the sake of their relationship to the group. In other words, Thesis (What the Bible says) + Antithesis (What BSF says) = Synthesis (Allegiance to BSF's interpretation of the Bible)."
http://watch.pair.com/bsf.html

The Commandments of Jesus, J.S. McConnell (1925)
http://www.wowzone.com/commandm.htm

Ecclesiastical Megalomania, a review by John W. Robbins in the May 1994 issue of Trinity Review
Excerpts transcribed from a taped lecture by David Chilton describing his experience in Theonomist/Reconstructionist churches.
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=184

Epistemology of Theology, The Theory of Knowledge
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#epist

The Law of a Sound Mind, Peter Masters
"By discarding the law of a sound mind (the protection provided by the reasoning faculty), Charismatics have rendered themselves highly gullible in the face of false teaching, exaggeration, and lies. They have become notably vulnerable to religious charlatans and rogues, as the 1987 crisis in American religious television (which is predominantly Charismatic), has demonstrated. Emotionalism is rampant among them, and because all are free to do whatever seems right in their own eyes, serious spiritual lawlessness is widespread. These things are the inevitable result of laying aside the objective standard of God's Word, the faculty of judgment, and the power of self-control, all of which are brought into play by the sound mind." -- Peter Masters
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/PDF/Review_272_masters.pdf

Project MKUltra
"Project MKUltra was the code name of a U.S. government covert research operation experimenting in the behavioral engineering of humans (mind control), through the CIA's Scientific Intelligence Division.
"Jonestown, the Guyana location of the Jim Jones cult and Peoples Temple mass suicide, was thought to be a test site for MKUltra medical and mind control experiments after the official end of the program. Congressman Leo Ryan, a known critic of the CIA, was murdered by Peoples Temple members after he personally visited Jonestown to investigate various reported irregularities.[85]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_MKULTRA

Psychology and Psychiatry
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappc.html

The Religious Movements Page at The University of Virginia
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/

A Resolution to Combat Mind Control With Truth
http://www.lettermen2.com/mindc.html

An Understanding of Cult Mind Control
http://www.shassan.com/

Words of Christ Appearing in The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappa.html

Seduction

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Pseudo-Christian Movements

---

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9,10)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1,2)

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:24)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:10)

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 9-11)

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many [that are] first shall be last; and the last [shall be] first. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28-30)

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:11-13)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:16)

Three of the most influential pseudo-Christian movements in the West are Roman Catholicism, Arminianism, and Pentecostalism. -- John W. Robbins

See the Theological Notes: "Syncretism and Idolatry," at Hosea 2:13 in The Reformation Study Bible.

Pseudo-Christian movements includes, among others: Arminianism, Antinomianism, Socinianism, Pelangianism, Pharisaism, Popery, Catholicism, Romanism, Jesuitism, Freemasonry, Syncretism, Pentecostalism, Ecumenism, Erastianism, Liberalism (Socinianism), Atheisim, Americanism, Humanism, Secularism, Statism (Hellenic Thought), Institutionalism, and Corporatism, Communism, Disestablishmentarianism, Independency, Patriotism, Democracy (as opposed to a Democatic Republic), prelacy, legalism, and mysticism, Psychoheresy, Totalitarianism, and so forth, and so on.

See the Theological Notes: "Mankind's Guilty Knowledge of God," at Romans 1:29 in The Reformation Study Bible.

See the Theological Notes: "Church Discipline and Excommunication," at Matthew 18:15 in The Reformation Study Bible.

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (1 John 7:7-11)

There is a great difference between nominal Christianity and real Christianity, and this is generally seen in the failure of the one and the continuance of the other. The truly righteous man shall hold on his way: he shall not go back, he shall not leap the hedges and wander to the right hand or the left, he shall not lie down in idleness, neither shall he faint and cease to go upon his journey; but he shall hold on his way. It will frequently be very difficult for him to do so, but he will have such resolution, such power of inward grace given him, that he will hold on his way with stern determination, as though he held on by his teeth, resolving never to let go. Perhaps he may not always travel with equal speed; it is not said that he shall hold on his pace, but he shall hold on his way. There are times when we run and are not weary, and another when we walk and are thankful that we do not faint; and there are periods when we are glad to go on all fours and creep upwards with pain; but still we prove that the righteous shall hold on his way. Under all difficulties the face of the man whom God has justified is steadfastly set towards Jerusalem, nor will he turn aside till his eyes shall see the King in his beauty. -- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), "The Final Perseverance of the Saints"

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1: 9-16)

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 33:5). See also: Psalm 45:7; Psalm 99:4; Jeremiah 9:24; Psalm 1:5; Psalm 7:6; Psalm 11:3; Psalm 119:142; Psalm 145:17; Psalm 36:6; Hebrews 1:9; Revelation 15:3, 4; Genesis 18:25; 2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 8:3; Job 34:12; Job 37:23. Genuine love does not ignore injustice or evil.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20). See also: Matthew 6:23 and John 3:19,20.

Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? (Jeremiah 5:25-31). See the annotation in The Reformation Study Bible.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

God speaks by the Church (the true Church we mean); but He speaks nothing by her but what He speaks in the Scriptures, which she does only ministerially declare to us; and therefore the authority of God and His law is above hers, who, though she publish, yet did not make it, but is herself subject to it. -- John Owen

Take heed of pride, which will make you dote upon your own conceits, and cause you to slight the weightiest reasons that are brought by others, for your conviction. And if once you have espoused an error, it will engage all your wit, and zeal, and diligence to maintain it; it will make you uncharitable; and furious against all that cross you in your way; and so make you either persecutors (if you stand on the higher ground), or sect leaders, or church dividers, and turbulent and censorious, if you are on the lower ground. There is very great reason in Paul's advice for the choice of a bishop, 1 Tim. iii. 6, [1 Timothy 3:6] "Not a novice; lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. . . . -- Richard Baxter (1615-1691)

By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares: but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware. -- John Flavel

Oh, it is to be feared that there are many that give themselves to lusts, and carnal pleasures, that so they may put a foggy mist between their conscience and themselves. Others dig into the world, labouring to become senseless, that so there may be an eclipse of this light by the interposition of the earth. Others run to damnable heresies, denying Scriptures, God, heaven, hell. . . . What are these but refuges of guilty consciences? We must distinguish between our carnal concupiscence, and conscience; between deluded imaginations, and conscience; between an erroneous and scrupulous conscience, and a well-grounded and truly informed conscience; and when we have done so, we must follow conscience as far as that follows the Word. -- Anthony Burgess

Pride is the highway to utter apostasy. . . . Mark those that are proud in any town, or any company of professors of piety; and if any infection of heresy or infidelity come into that place, these are the men that will soonest catch it. . . . -- Richard Baxter (1615-1691)

The devil is a great student in divinity. -- William Gurnall (1617-1679)

The Pagan/Occult Revival and the rise in Violent/Destructive Crime can be stopped by the punishment of individuals and organizations who violate God's Law and man's law.
Punishment does not change the heart of depraved man. Only God can change the heart. However, punishment changes behavior and represses and supresses evil.
The State was divinely ordained to punish wrongdoers. There is an evident correlation between the decline of historic, orthodox, Reformed Christianity and the corruption of the Secular State, including the politicization of Legal Sector, the Judicial System.

Prior to the Fall in the Garden of Eden man was in perfect relationship with God and with woman, a heavenly existence. After the Fall man's relationships with God and men were broken. The only way for man and wife, and family, and society to live together happily is to pursue holiness through Christ Jesus. See: The Everlasting Righteousness, or How Shall man be Just With God? Horatius Bonar.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13,14)

Albrecht, M., Spiritual Counterfeits (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation).
Audio cassette NA101 [audio file].

Ankerberg, John, and John Weldon, Cult Watch: What you Need to Know About Spiritual Deception, ISBN: 0890818517 9780890818510.
"Provides historical background and vital facts on the major beliefs of modern religious movements in question and answer format." -- GCB

Ankerberg, John, The Facts on False Teaching in the Church, ISBN: 0890817146 9780890817148.
"If you are concerned about the new philosophies and psychologies that are infiltrating today's churches, THE FACTS ON FALSE TEACHING IN THE CHURCH is an invaluable resource to help you judge which teachings are biblical and which are not." -- Publisher

*Bickersteth, Edward, The Trinity: The Classic Study of Biblical Trinitarianism, ISBN: 0825423945 9780825423949. A Christian classic.
"A must for gaining a grasp of the doctrine of the Trinity." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-2008)
Bickersteth, The Trinity by E.H. Bickersteth
http://archive.org/details/TheTrinityByEHBickersteth

*Brooks, Thomas (1608-1680), The Distinguishing Marks of False Teachers: An Extract From Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, ISBN: 1879737027 9781879737020. Available (PRECIOUS REMEDIES AGAINST SATAN'S DEVICES and THE WORKS OF THOMAS BROOKS), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
The Distinguishing Marks of False Teachers, Thomas Brooks
http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/revival/full.asp?ID=397

Brooks, Thomas (1608-1680), and Alexander Balloch Grosart, What a Hypocrite Cannot do. Alternate title: HOW FAR AN HYPOCRITE CANNOT GO. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #20.

Brown, Harold O.J., Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church, ISBN: 1565633652 9781565633650.
"Dr. Brown is currently with the Reformed Theological Seminary Resident Faculty, in Charlotte NC. Heresies is a comprehensive history book as well as a copious treatise of various heresies since the first century A.D. This would explain its renaming for the current editions.
"Dr. Brown brings this to us in a logical, well written, chronological narrative. It is easy reading, chock full of interesting details and bibliography/footnoting par excellence. He discusses the early persecutions and shows that even some heretics were genuine martyrs. Most importantly to the layman, he explains clearly the ramifications of any particular heresy. He does not stop with an explanation of why it is wrong, but discusses thoroughly the logical implications, conclusions, even actions to which this variant belief brings the heretic." -- Reader's Comment

Brown, Harold O.J., The Sensate Culture: Western Civilization Between Chaos and Transformation, ISBN: 0849913136 9780849913136.
"THE SENSATE CULTURE: WESTERN CIVILIZATION BETWEEN CHAOS AND TRANSFORMATION is a probing work grappling with the reasons so many moderns worship the sensuous, the material, the merely colossal -- but still feel empty and shallow. Building on the work of the late Pitirim Sorokin, Harold Brown finds the roots of cultural disintegration in the abandonment of the spiritual dimension. The author shows how most societies have descended from spiritual values to a period like our own, when materialism and sensuality rule. The result will be not just apostasy, but revolution, and the collapse of civilization. However, this need not be inevitable. The profound connections THE SENSATE CULTURE makes between Christianity and culture are accessible to every thoughtful person who takes seriously the crises faced by a world spinning out of control." -- Midwest Book Review

Burks, Ron, and Vicki Burks, Damaged Disciples: Casualties of Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement, ISBN: 0310576113 9780310576112.
"Authors found themselves trapped in a branch of the charismatic movement (led by Derek Price, Bob Mumford, Charles Simpson, and Don Basham), that made them virtual prisoners. This book is the account of that time and the release from that view." -- GCB

Canfield, Joseph, The Incredible Scofield and his Book. Available through Exodus Books.
"This is a powerful book. The material is well documented. Anyone who gets this book and reads it will find here some amazing things about a man whose book is well known, but whose life we believe concerning many of its most important features has been purposely concealed lest it be found to contradict his teachings. . . . Here is a book that dispensationalists as well as others will do well to read. It is powerful, so powerful we dare say, that if dispensationalists would read it carefully, perhaps half of them would turn from that system." -- Loraine Boettner
"This powerful and fully documented study exposes the questionable background and faulty theology of the man responsible for the popular SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE, which did much to promote the dispensational system. The story is disturbing in its historical account of the elusive personality canonized as a dispensational saint and calls into question the seriousness of his motives and scholarship." -- Publisher

*Enroth, Ronald M., Churches That Abuse: Help for Those Hurt by Legalism, Authoritarian Leadership, Manipulation, Excessive Discipline.
"What makes a church abusive? Usually it's not doctrinal deviation but intimidating behavior: legalism, authoritarian leadership, manipulation, and excessive discipline. Enroth names abusive groups, shows you how to recognize them, and lists 'red flags' that may indicate when a church is drifting into trouble. Most importantly, Enroth offers help to Christians who've been hurt by abusive churches." -- CBD
"Aggressive Christianity Missions Training Corps; The Assembly; Body of Christ Fellowship (Peacemakers); Boston Church of Christ; Christian Growth Ministries; Church of Bible Understanding; Church of Jesus Christ Forever; Church of Our First Love; Church of the Great Shepherd; Christian Growth Ministries; Community of Jesus; Emmaus Christian Fellowship; Faith Assembly; Faith Tabernacle; Fellowship of Christian Churches and Ministries; Great Commission International; Maranatha Christian Ministries; No-Name Fellowship/C-U (Champaign-Urbana), Ministries; River of Life/Truth Station; Set Free; Two-by-Two's; University Bible Fellowship; Victory Chapel (Potter's House); Vineyard; Word of God Community."

Enroth, Ronald M., Recovering From Churches That Abuse, ISBN: 0310398703 9780310398707 0310398770 9780310398776.
"The sequel to CHURCHES THAT ABUSE, this book deals more in-depth with the recovery process and its ups and downs. The author does not sugar-coat the toll that spiritual abuse takes on people. Instead, he gives accurate, compassionate, real-life stories which illustrate the recovery process. Anyone who has been harmed by a church or religious group would greatly benefit from this book. Mr. Enroth also shows that this type of abuse is not an easy, simple thing to recover from. Christians who have been given the pat answer 'forgive and forget' will find welcome relief and understanding here. This book will be helpful to Christians and non-Christians alike. Those who have suffered from similar experiences will find support in processing, expressing, and recovering from their ordeal. The author has provided an important service in courageously addressing this formerly forbidden subject." -- Reader's Comment

Gelet, James, Eric Holmberg, Jerry Johnson, and the Apologetics Group, The Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis, DVD, ISBN: 1573411507 9781573411509.
"Just why are Baptists properly considered Christians, but Mormons are not? Or why is the Jehovah's Witness religion classified as an anti-Christian cult, while Presbyterians, Wesleyans and Pentecostals are simply seen as denominations within the Christian faith? With the explosion of different sects that claim to honor and follow Jesus, how does one differentiate between true Biblical Christianity and an aberrant religious movement? Just what are the marks of a cult? . . . The video gives clear guidelines on how to distinguish truth from error in principle as well as carefully documented instructions on the particular errors of prominent cults." -- Publisher

*Hassan, Steven, Combating Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue and Recovery From Destructive Cults, ISBN: 0892814225 9780892814220.
A secular author, apparently.
Recognize the signs of destructive organizations and protect yourself from psychological manipulation.
"Remarkably useful and important. I heartily recommend this book to anyone affected by the cult experience. Hassan's work will be valuable to health professionals, clergy, attorneys, and all those involved with cults, their members, and the families whose lives they touch." -- Louis Jolyon West, M.D., Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine.
Chapter 4, "Understanding Mind Control," explains how to recognize mind control activities.
Includes bibliography, bibliographical footnotes, index, and an appendix of resource organizations.
Recommended as a valuable reference work.
An Understanding of Cult Mind Control
http://www.shassan.com/

*Johnson, David, and Jeff VanVonderen, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and Escaping Spiritual Manipulation and False Spiritual Authority Within the Church, ISBN: 0764201379 9780764201370.
"Manipulation, shaming, 'using' other people -- that's in the church, too. Spiritual abuse happens when authority figures use spiritual means to gratify their desires for importance, power, or intimacy. Because abusers use spiritual-sounding language, their followers are trapped in legalism, guilt performance, and begrudging service. Johnson and VanVonderen explain how to identify spiritual abuse, break the cycle of abusive spiritual dynamics, and encourage both abusers and victims to repent and recover." -- CBD
"In a breakthrough book first published in 1991, the authors address the dynamics in churches that can ensnare people in legalism, guilt, and begrudging service, keeping them from the grace and joy of God's kingdom. Written for both those who feel abused and those who may be causing it, THE SUBTLE POWER OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE shows how people get hooked into abusive systems, the impact of controlling leadership on a congregation, and how the abused believer can find rest and recovery.
"David Johnson has been the senior pastor at Church of the Open Door in Maple Grove, Minnesota, since 1980. During this time, the church has grown from a congregation of 160 to 3,000 people. A much sought-after speaker, he is a graduate of Bethel College and received his theological training at Bethel Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. His "Growing in Grace" radio broadcast is syndicated internationally. David and his family live in Minnesota.
"Jeff VanVonderen is an internationally known speaker on addictions and church and family wellness. He has worked as a counselor in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, as well as in the religious community, taught at the college level, and is the author of several books. He makes his home in California." -- Publisher
"The difference between churches that use manipulation and those that practice grace is like night and day. . . .
"VanVonderen and Johnson warn people who read the book not to use what they have learned as a weapon, but to take action only in the proper spirit. Of course, any time someone takes action in a church, real problems will become visible. My question in every case is: are those problems caused by those speaking out, or have they been there all along and are only now being exposed. . . ?
"It is fair, it is doctrinally solid, and it gives effective counsel. There is something beneficial for everyone. . . leader, wounded Christian, or loved ones of people in either group." -- Reader's Comment

*Luther, Martin (1483-1546), Commentary on Galatians, English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge, ISBN: 0825431247. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"I prefer this book of Martin Luther's (except the Bible), before all the books I have ever seen, as most fit for a wounded soul." -- John Bunyan
"This is a great, historic work, and is beyond criticism on account of its great usefulness. As a comment its accuracy might be questioned; but for emphatic utterances and clear statements of the great doctrine of the Epistle it remains altogether by itself, and must be judged per se." -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
"The reissue of a famous series of lectures delivered at Wittenberg University in 1553." -- Cyril J. Barber
Commentary on Galatians, Martin Luther
http://archive.org/details/cu31924029294133
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, That He might deliver us from the present evil world. (Galatians 1:4 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther2.html
Luther's Commentary on Galatians, Who hath bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1 excerpt), English translation by Erasmus Middleton, B.D., edited by John Prince Fallowes, M.A., Pembroke College, Cambridge
http://www.lettermen2.com/luther1.html

*Machen, J. Gresham, Christianity and Liberalism, ISBN: 0802811213.
"Machen's classic was written in the height of the battle for control over the Presbyterian Church USA (the most prominent of the "mainline denominations), and defines with brilliance the battle lines between liberal (so-called), Christianity and the orthodox faith. Moreover, it points out exactly what is at stake: the true faith, or a perverse shadow of that faith, a shadow based on subjectivism which elevates man's sovereignty over God's and ends in believing nothing at all.
"The one problem with this book (and it made good rhetorical sense at the time, but is somewhat misleading concerning the true nature of the struggle), is Machen's categories. Machen deals with theological conservatives and liberals (legitimate in terms of the Bible's own theological dichotomy between saved and lost), but misses the inescapable fact that there was a third faction at work (a fact which eventually resulted in his defrocking). That third faction was a great mushy evanjellyfish middle, a pietistic/mystical majority which was neither willing to accept the liberal position nor fight for the conservative one. As Machen rightly pointed out two years earlier in his address to incoming students at Princeton (and again, much later, in the last two years of the struggle), these were the Christians who said '"Peace, peace",' when there was no peace,' and elevated that 'peace' over truth. As in all other endeavors, 'peace at any price' resulted in defeat, and in the end, it was that great mushy middle which delivered the PCUSA to the left and off the cliff.
"But it wasn't them alone. To see the mistakes of the conservative side, I strongly recommend North's CROSSED FINGERS, the only definitive history of this fight.
"Yet at the end of the day, you must read Machen. This book is vital for Christians defending their churches and denominations against increasing liberal encroachment, and indeed more so by the day. A great read." -- Reader's Comment
"Still stands, after many years, as one of the strongest books ever written against liberalism. A complete and thorough critique." -- GCB

Olsson, Eva, The Philosophy of Sri Aurobindo in the Light of the Gospel.
Includes bibliography.
The Non-duality of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother: A Profile
http://www.lettermen2.com/syncret.html

*Pike, Samuel (1717-1773), and Samuel Hayward (1718-1757), Distinguishing Faith and Feelings. In RELIGIOUS CASES OF CONSCIENCE ANSWERED IN AN EVANGELICAL MANNER . . . TO WHICH IS ADDED THE SPIRITUAL COMPANION; OR, THE PROFESSING CHRISTIAN TRIED AT THE BAR OF GOD'S WORD; AND CHARACTER OF THE HAPPY MAN, 1866.
Distinguishing Faith and Feelings
http://www.westminsterconfession.org/godly-living/distinguishing-faith-and-feelings.php

*Powlison, David (1949-2019), God's Love: Better Than Unconditional, ISBN: 0875526861 9780875526867.
"Has anyone tried to comfort you with God's 'unconditional' love for you? Sounds kinda bland and remote doesn't it? It even sounds permissive. Well, there is a reason for your lackluster response to God's love being 'unconditional.' The truth is that God's love is radically more active and passionate.
"David Powlison demolishes the milk-toast mindset of mere 'unconditional love,' and presents God's love in all of its splendor and vibrancy. He gives many descriptive examples from the Bible of how God's love is dynamic, active, sacrificial, redeeming, thrilling . . .
"If you aren't enraptured and absorbed by the love of God, then do yourself a favor and get this booklet. It's power packed. It's dynamite." -- Reader's Comment

*Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Ecclesiastical Megalomania: The Economic and Political Thought of the Roman Catholic Church (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation), ISBN: 0940931753 9780940931756.
"This book is a detailed examination of the official statements of the Vatican on economic and political matters. It demonstrates the collectivism and totalitarianism of the Roman Catholic Church-State. It is the only such book written by a Christian in the twentieth century.
"This book explores the conflict between Roman Catholic social thought and human freedom, relying on official pronouncements from the Vatican to show that the political and economic theory of the Roman Church-State justifies feudalism, corporativism [corporatism -- compiler], liberation theology, the welfare state, and fascism.
"Dr. John W. Robbins attended Grove City College (A.B. 1969), and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. 1970, Ph.D. 1973). He has served as chief of staff for a Member of Congress [Ron Paul of Texas -- compiler], editor of The Freeman magazine, Economist for The Heritage Foundation, and Professor of Political Philosophy in The Freedom School." -- Publisher
Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, John Owen, Thomas Manton, The Westminster Assembly, James Renwick, Archibald Mason, Christopher Ness, Francis Turretin, The Reformed Presbytery, David Steel, James R. Willson, Alexander M'Leod, William L. Roberts, James Aiken Wylie, Andrew Wilet, Henry Wilkinson, James Wylie, Patrick Fairbairn, James Aiken, Andrew Wilet, Alexander Hislop, Francis Nigel Lee, Arthur W. Pink, and so forth, and so on, have all believed and argued in print that the seated Pope is the antichrist of the Bible.
The Roman Church-State is "the world's oldest, largest, most powerful and most influential politico-ecclesiastical institution" and it "may also be the world's wealthiest. "The Roman Catholic Institution is the ultimate "negative guide to the positive," the reformers ultimate "opposite guide to political and economic reform."

*Rushdoony, Rousas J. (1916-2001), Christianity and the State, ISBN: 9996717755. Available through Exodus Books.
"The need to return to a Biblical doctrine of civil government is evidenced by our century's worldwide drift into tyranny. Humanism invariably rushes in to fill the world's theological vacuums: the need of the hour is to restore a full-orbed, Biblical, theology of the state. This work sets forth that theology." -- GCB

See also: The incarnation of our lord (the deity of the lord jesus christ), The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), The attributes of god, Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), the doctrine of verbal inspiration, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, False gospels, General works, Leniency, Heresy and apostasy, Toleration, liberty of conscience, pluralism, "religious freedom," and neutrality, Spiritual discernment, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Secret societies and ungodly alliance, Conspiracy, corruption, organized crime, Ungodly alliance, secret societies, Voluntary associations, Oaths, ensnaring vows, promises, and covenants, bonds with the ungodly, The free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, the covenant of eternal salvation, Book-length presentations of the free offer of the gospel message of salvation and the life to come: the means of grace, Corporate faithfulness, Church and state, (John Ankerberg and John Weldon have written over 70 books on pseudo-Christian movements), and so forth, and so on.

Related Weblinks

Heresies Defined and the Necessity of Heresies Explained, by George Gillespie, Scottish Commissioner to the Assembly of Divines at Westminster
http://www.truecovenanter.com/gillespie/ggilles09.html

The Moral Foundation of Love
http://talkingethics.50megs.com/index.html

The Religious Movements Page at The University of Virginia
http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/

The Temptation of Eve (part 1 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
The Satanic Worldview, as a secondary point, is exegeted from Genesis 3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720081817191

The Temptation of Eve (part 2 of 2), a sermon on Genesis 3:1-6 by Brian Schwertley
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=72008182576

Words of Christ Appearing in The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappa.html

Statism (Hellenic Thought), Institutionalism, and Corporatism

---

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9,10)

The Christ is the only One truly called. . . . The flesh has always struggled against Him, as we see when we survey the history of God's people. The struggle was especially acute at Golgotha. -- S.G. De Graaf in Promise and Deliverance

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3)

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

The four "Servant Songs" of Isaiah are Isaiah 42:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Isaiah 50:4-11; and Isaiah 52:13 -- Isaiah 53:12. See the annotations in The Reformation Study Bible.

Our Triune God has ordained that the preeminent leader of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, the God Man, Our Righteousness. (John 1:1-18; Matthew 19:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Isaiah 49:7; Colossians 1:16-19; Colossians 2:9,10; Hebrews 12:1,2; Revelation 5:1-14; Revelation 19:11-15; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12, and so forth, and so on). Human leadership is also divinely ordained and tends to devolve to those who are most perfectly at one with Christ, and to those who also know the most Truth (the Apostle Paul, Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Puritan leaders, The Scots Worthies, and so forth, and so on).
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:28). See: (Matthew 19:28, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then his master said unto him, It is well done good servant and faithful, Thou hast been faithful in little, I will make thee ruler over much: enter into thy master's joy. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:21) (Matthew 25:21 1599 Geneva Bible)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:34). See: (Matthew 25:34, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he said unto him, Well, good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little thing, take thou authority over ten cities. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 19:17) (Luke 19:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Therefore I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:29) (Luke 22:29, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17). See: (Romans 8:17, 1599 Geneva Bible)
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3). See: (1 Corinthians 6:3, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). See: (Ephesians 2:6, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and corrections among the people:
To bind their kings in chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron,
That they may execute upon them the judgment that is written: this honor shall be to all his Saints. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 149:7-9) (Psalm 149:7-9, 1599 Geneva Bible)
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:12), (1 Timothy 2:12, 1599 Geneva Bible)
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:26). See: (Revelation 2:26, 1599 Geneva Bible)
To serve God is to reign. -- Seneca (4 BC -- 65 AD)

A society that ignores Absolute Truth (Life), will become a victim of Falsehood (Destruction and Death) -- will experience its choice. Selfishness may blind the mind to the obvious mechanism that simple logic should forewarns us of -- the inevitable consequence. We get exactly what we choose. Tragedy did not befall us on September 11, 2001. We have been choosing Falsehood in the nation for many years, and we got a graphic experience of what we have chosen.
Individuals can not avoid accountability for the actions of the Corporate Body of State. They (the One), must stand for Truth and Self-Denial, or the Corporate Body of State (the Many), will fall victim to Destruction and Death.

I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. -- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864 (letter to Col. William F. Elkins), Ref: The Lincoln Encyclopedia, Archer H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)

"The business world is awash with money that makes good men do bad things."

*Augustine, Saint (Aurelius Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 AD), (author), Philip Schaff (editor), Marcus Dods (translator), St. Augustine's City of God and Christian Doctrine (A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church -- Volume 2), new edition, English, ISBN: 0802880991. Available (2 volumes, 1872 edition), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Augustine is said to be the greatest Christian thinker next to the Apostle Paul. Luther set the BIBLE and the CONFESSIONS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE above all other books.
"One of the classic texts of Western civilization [it explains the fall of Rome in terms of Scripture -- compiler]. . . . DE CIVITATE DEI is an important contribution of interest to students of theology, philosophy, ecclesiastical history, the history of political thought, and late antiquity." -- Publisher (from the Cambridge University Press edition)
"Calvin paraphrased Augustine about 400 times in THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
"St. Augustine's final sentence of THE CITY OF GOD is 'All things must be referred to the Glory of God.'
"When you see that, then you will see the key to the story, and you will see the key to history. . . .
"The classic exposition of history in terms of Scripture." -- C. Gregg Singer
"Augustine began writing THE CITY OF GOD at age 59 [shortly after the city of Rome had been sacked by the Goths in 410 A.D., much to the surprise, it is said, of both the Romans and the Goths -- compiler], and worked on it, off and on, for much of the next 14 years. The impetus for the beginning of this vast work (and its recurring focus), was the charge of Pagans (polytheists) that Christianity was responsible for the decay and demise of the Roman Empire. The charge put forward the claim that the prosperity and social stability of the state was dependent upon polytheistic worship. In response, Augustine arrays several lines of argument, rebutting the assumed 'goodness' of the Pagan state, as such, and detailing the ethical/moral and logical failings of Paganism. Augustine displays tremendous scholarship, employing the writings of Paganism's greatest historians and philosophers in his case against their religious claims. The result is a giant literary, philosophical, historical, theological and exegetical work. . . .
"Against the 'city', i.e., society, of many gods, there is but one alternate society, this Augustine calls The City of God, adopting the expression found in several of King David's psalms. Not only is the society of many gods the society of polytheists, it is also the 'city' of pantheists, atheistic materialists and philosophical Cynics. In the case of the Cynics and atheists, these false gods are the myriad gods of self, indeed, at least as many gods (selves) as there are believers in them. Thus there are two 'cities,' two loves, two ways to understand the big questions of existence, two destinations. Says Augustine:

"The one City began with the love of God; the other had its beginnings in the love of self." XIV:13.
"The city of man seeks the praise of men, whereas the height of glory for the other is to hear God in the witness of conscience. The one lifts up its head in its own boasting; the other says to God: Thou art my glory, thou liftest up my head. (Psalm 3:4). In the city of the world both the rulers themselves and the people they dominate are dominated by the lust for domination; whereas in the City of God all citizens serve one another in charity . . ." (XIV:28) -- Reader's Comment

Balke, Willem, and William Heynen (translator), Calvin and the Anabaptist Radicals, ISBN: 1579100732 9781579100735.
"Author Willem Balke wrote in the Introduction of this 1973 book (originally published in Dutch), 'It is evident . . . that a book on Calvin and the Radical Anabaptists fills a very definite need. There is a great deal of similarity between our own time and the sixteenth century. This gives our research a double significance: it serves not only to deepen our historical perspective concerning the relationship between the reformers and the Anabaptists but it also has great importance for understanding our own time.' (pgs. 8-9)
"He continues, 'Our research has been twofold, genetic and systematic. In the first section we will follow the biography of Calvin. We will inquire where Calvin came into contact with the Anabaptists, which Anabaptists he learned to know, and what he gleaned from their writings and other sources . . . In the second section we will review Calvin's view of the Anabaptists systematically. We will point out not only what separated Calvin from the Anabaptists, but also what united him to them. . . Our scope will be limited to that which separates Calvin from the Anabaptists and that which unites him to them . . . we will restrict ourselves to the image that Calvin had of these radicals of his day'." (pgs. 11-12) -- Willem Balke
"This is an excellent, scholarly, and very detailed study on a subject which is, not surprisingly, not well-represented in available books. While very far from being 'light summer reading,' this book will be of enormous interest and value to anyone seriously studying the early Reformation and the history of the Anabaptists." -- Reader's Comment

*Brown, John (of Wamphray, 1610-1679), Corporate Sanctification: Holding Fast the Attainments of Reformation. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #1. Available in OBSERVATIONS ON THE PUBLIC COVENANTS BETWIXT GOD AND THE CHURCH: A DISCOURSE.
"An overview of the Covenanter doctrine of reformation attainments by one of the great Covenanter theologians. Helpful in dispelling false charges of Anabaptism and perfectionism laid at the feet of faithful Covenanters by schismatics. John Brown was one of Samuel Rutherford's best students." -- Publisher
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/attain.htm

Dima, Nicholas, Journey to Freedom, ISBN: 0944273041 9780944273043.
"This book is Dima's autobiographical description of the effects of communism on a nation, a family, and an individual. His description will haunt you. Communism loses any pretension of benevolence when you see the child hungry and hear his mother crying. The grandfatherly veil drops when you look in the prisons and labor camps and see the life of the people beaten, starved, and murdered. . . . We highly recommend this book. It is beautifully written. Like the Holocaust, it teaches lessons we must never forget." -- Susan Alder

*Frederick II, King of Prussia, Frederick of Prussia Anti-Machiavel, ISBN: 0821405594 9780821405598. Alternate title: THE REFUTATION OF MACHIAVELLI'S PRINCE OR, ANTI-MACHIAVEL.
"This delightful and hard to find book, translated with only minor variations, does include the 2nd chapter from Voltaire, as it was missing from the original manuscript. Frederick is threatened, it would seem, by the writings of THE PRINCE in the hands of mere political overachievers. He is constantly referring to the difference in the beliefs of Kings and 'would be' princes. Frederick picks Machiavelli's writing apart line by line and deserves a second read with THE PRINCE close at hand. An integral link to the real Frederick of Prussia." -- Reader's Comment
Frederick the Great's ANTI-MACHIAVEL
http://www.geocities.com/danielmacryan/antimac.html

*Galbraith, James, The Predator State: How Conservatives Abandoned the Free Market and why Liberals Should too, ISBN: 141656683X 9781416566830.
"Shows how to break the spell that conservatives have cast over the minds of liberals (and everyone else), for many years." -- Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences (2001)
"The cult of the free market has dominated economic policy-talk since the Reagan revolution of nearly thirty years ago. Tax cuts and small government, monetarism, balanced budgets, deregulation, and free trade are the core elements of this dogma, a dogma so successful that even many liberals accept it. But a funny thing happened on the bridge to the twenty-first century. While liberals continue to bow before the free-market altar, conservatives in the style of George W. Bush have abandoned it altogether. That is why principled conservatives -- the Reagan true believers -- long ago abandoned Bush.
"Enter James K. Galbraith, the iconoclastic economist. In this riveting book, Galbraith first dissects the stale remains of Reaganism and shows how Bush and company had no choice except to dump them into the trash. He then explores the true nature of the Bush regime: a 'corporate republic,' bringing the methods and mentality of big business to public life; a coalition of lobbies, doing the bidding of clients in the oil, mining, military, pharmaceutical, agribusiness, insurance, and media industries; and a predator state, intent not on reducing government but rather on diverting public cash into private hands. In plain English, the Republican Party has been hijacked by political leaders who long since stopped caring if reality conformed to their message.
"Galbraith follows with an impertinent question: if conservatives no longer take free markets seriously, why should liberals? Why keep liberal thought in the straitjacket of pay-as-you-go, of assigning inflation control to the Federal Reserve, of attempting to 'make markets work'? Why not build a new economic policy based on what is really happening in this country?
"The real economy is not a free-market economy. It is a complex combination of private and public institutions, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, higher education, the housing finance system, and a vast federal research establishment. The real problems and challenges -- inequality, climate change, the infrastructure deficit, the subprime crisis, and the future of the dollar -- are problems that cannot be solved by incantations about the market. They will be solved only with planning, with standards and other policies that transcend and even transform markets.
"A timely, provocative work whose message will endure beyond this election season, THE PREDATOR STATE will appeal to the broad audience of thoughtful Americans who wish to understand the forces at work in our economy and culture and who seek to live in a nation that is both prosperous and progressive." -- Publisher
"James Galbraith has written an extremely challenging book. Although its principal target is conservative economics, it is no less critical of conventional liberalism. Galbraith correctly recognizes that today both approaches are intellectually bankrupt and incapable of addressing the nation's pressing economic problems. I hope The Predator State stimulates needed debate among both liberals and conservatives on the mistakes both sides have made that have gotten us to where we are now." -- Bruce Bartlett, author of Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy

*Machiavelli, Niccolò (1469-1527), The Prince, ISBN: 0192833979 9780192833976.
This famous analysis of statesmanship and power, lauded by the world system and read by practically all politicians, will give insight to those who may still not understand power politics in Washington. But to fully understand the current situation in the Federal government even the discerning person must work in a Federal office or within the corporate limits of the District of Columbia for at least a year. A secular author.
The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli
http://books.mirror.org/gb.machiavelli.html

*Mason, Archibald (d. 1831), Observations on the Public Covenants Betwixt God and the Church: A Discourse (1799). Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #27.
Contents: Observations on the public covenants betwixt God and the church / Archibald Mason -- Paleopresbyterianism vs. neopresbyterianism / Michael Wagner -- Permanence of covenant obligation -- The preface and bibliography to the rare bound photocopy: obligation of social covenanting -- The binding nature of national covenants with God -- The Solemn League and Covenant -- Guide for studying the Westminster Confession, in suggested order of reading -- Terms of ministerial and Christian communion in the Reformed Presbyterian Church -- Corporate sanctification: holding fast the attainments of Reformation / John Brown -- What is a moral person? How God views the church and the nations / David Scott, John Cunningham, and George Smeaton -- A hind let loose / Alexander Shields -- Of separation from corrupt churches -- Old landmarks -- confession and testimony.
What is a Moral Person? How God Views the Church and the Nations, David Scott, John Cunningham, and George Smeaton
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/moral.htm
Observations on the Public Covenants, Betwixt God and the Church, -- Archibald Mason (d. 1831)
http://archive.org/details/spiritualillumin00maso

*Owen, John (1616-1683), God's Presence With a People the Spring of Their Prosperity; With Their Special Interest in Abiding in Him. Alternate title: "GOD'S PRESENCE WITH A PEOPLE, THE SPRING OF THEIR PROSPERITY; WITH THEIR SPECIALL INTEREST IN ABIDING WITH HIM. A SERMON, PREACHED TO THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, AND IRELAND, AT WESTMINSTER, OCTOB. 30. 1656. A DAY OF SOLEMN HUMILIATION. BY JOHN OWEN, D.D. A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, IN THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL. PRINTED BY ORDER OF PARLIAMENT, 1656. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #25. Available in various editions of THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN. Available in THE COMPLETE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN, VOL. 8, SERMONS TO THE NATION, sermon 11.
http://johnowenquotes.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/johnowenvol-8.pdf
Owen preaches at length, 21 pages, on God's presence with a people, both individually and corporately, in a sermon on the text And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you, 2 Chronicles 15:2, delivered to Parliament October 30, 1656.
"The great concernment of any people or nation is, to know that all their prosperity is from the presence of God amongst them, and to attend to that which will give continuance thereunto. . . .
"There is a presence of God in respect of providential dispensations. . . . -- attended with peculiar love, favor, good-will, special care towards them with whom he is so present. So Abimelech observed that he was with Abraham, Genesis 21:22, God is with thee in all that thou doest, -- with thee to guide thee, bless thee, preserve thee, as we shall see afterward. So he promised to be with Joshua, I will be with thee, Joshua 1:5; and so he was with Gideon, The Lord is with thee, Judges 6:12, -- to bless him in his great undertaking; and so with Jeremiah, I am with thee, Jeremiah 15:20. This is fully expressed, Isaiah 43:1,2, I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. And this is the presence of God here intimated, -- his presence with the people as to special providential dispensations, as is manifest from the whole discourse of the prophet; and wherein this consists, shall be afterward at large declared. . . .
"There is an abiding with God in national administrations; -- this is a fruit of the other, in those who are called to them. And that this is principally here intended is evident from that use that Asa made of this information and exhortation of the prophet. He did not only look to his personal walking thereupon, but also immediately set upon the work of ordering the whole affairs of the kingdom so as God might be glorified thereby. How this may be effected, shall at large afterward be declared. What hath already been spoken may suffice for a foundation of that proposition which I shall this day insist upon; and it is this, --
"The presence of God with a people, in special providential dispensations for their good, depends on their obediential presence with him in national administrations to his glory: The Lord is with you, while ye be with him. . . .
"What is the rule and measure of God's continuance with his people in the covenant of grace? Plainly this, -- that he will never forsake them; and, on that account, will take care that they shall never forsake him, but abide with him forever. It is not whilst they do so and so, he will abide with them; and when they cease so to do, he will forsake them, as to his federal and covenant presence; -- there is not such a sandy foundation left us of our abiding with God in Christ. See the tenor of the covenant, Jeremiah 31:33; 32:38-40 [Jeremiah 32:38-40]. The sum is, that God will be with them, and take care that they always abide with him; and therefore hath he provided for all interveniences imaginable, that nothing shall violate this union. God lays his unchangeableness as the foundation of the covenant, Malachi 3:6, and he therein makes us unchangeable; -- not absolutely so, for we change every moment; but with respect to the terms and bounds of the covenant, he hath undertaken that we shall never leave him. The law of God's presence in respect of providential dispensations, and all special privileges attending it, is quite of another importance: it is purely conditional, as you may see in my text. The tenor of it is expressed to the height, 1 Samuel 2:30, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me forever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. Here is no alteration of counsel or purpose in God; but merely an explanation of the rule, law, and tenor of providential dispensations; -- no interpretation of the covenant of grace (Eli held not the priesthood by that covenant); but an explication of the tenor of a privilege given in special providence, Psalm 89:32,33. Hence is that variety of God's dealings with men mentioned in the Scripture; which yet are always righteous, according to one or other of these rules and laws. . . .
"I suppose I need not go for proof beyond the observation of the constant tenor of God's proceedings with his people of old. When did he not deal thus with them? What instance can be given of transgressing this rule? Is the whole story of the nation of the Jews any thing but the illustration of this proposition? Some ruled well, and sought the Lord; and the Lord was with them, and prospered them in all their ways; -- some fell from him, and walked according to their own imaginations; and the Lord cut them short on that account; -- yea, sometimes the same man, as Solomon, Asa, Uzziah, experienced both these states and conditions. Hath not the state of all nations, since they came into the power of men professing the knowledge of him, been the same? Look on the Roman empire; did it not flourish under the hand of men who ruled with God, and were faithful with the saints? Is not the present distraction of it, under the fury and cruelty of Turk and Pope, the issue of the violence, unrighteousness, idolatry, luxury, and persecution of ill governors? Doth not the demonstration of all God's people in the world -- the consideration whereof, in particular, might be insisted on as the ground and reason of the truth insisted on -- require that it should be thus Leviticus 26:1, and almost the whole book of Deuteronomy, are sermons on this text; and every verse, almost, in them would afford a new confirmation of the truth in hand. . . .
"The second use of this pillar was, to give them protection and defense in their ways; so Exodus 14:19,20,24. This protected them from the Egyptians; -- and from thence God troubled their enemies out of the pillar; that is, from his especial presence. This use of it is insisted on, Isaiah 4:5,6. The cloud, that was as smoke by day, and as fire by night, was also a shadow, a place of refuge, and a covert; in one word, a protection or a defense. And this is a second thing which is in God's special presence, -- he will protect or defend them with whom he is so present. He is their dwelling place, Psalm 90:1, then, when in this world they have none; their refuge in the time of trouble: so Isaiah 25:4, 26:1 [Isaiah 26:1], 31:4 [Isaiah 31:4]. Promises and instances to make this good abound; -- they are known to all; the time would fail me to insist upon them. I might go over all the causes, means, and ways of the fears, dangers, ruin of such a people, and show you how a defense is provided against them all. Are their fears from themselves, because of their folly, weakness, and division? or from pretended friends, because of their envy and desertion? or from open enemies, because of their power, cruelty, malice, and revenge? A defense is provided on every account. Heat, rain, tempests, storms, adversity, prosperity, -- all are provided against, where God is present, Isaiah 32:1,2.
"And if any people in the world have experience of this truth, we have it this day. Had not the Lord been with us, who had not destroyed us? Enemies, friends, abroad, at home, our own follies, -- all, any of them, had done the work, had not the Lord himself been with us. . . .
"That we may abide with God, this is indispensably required, -- that we may have peace with him in Jesus Christ. If we are never with him, we cannot abide with him; no man can abide where he never come. The acceptance of our persons lies at the bottom of the acceptance of our duties. As the special presence of God with any, is in and by Christ, and no otherwise, so is our abiding with God in and through him. God with us is the name of Christ: our being with God is in him who is our peace. Two cannot walk together, unless they be agreed, Amos 3:3.
"Now, because this is not to be expected from all the individuals of a nation, yet this thing is to be endeavored, -- that the rulers of it be such as have this interest. I do not divest of a share in government, those who have no share in Christ, if lawfully called thereunto; but I say, when God gives governors whom he intends to make a blessing unto a people, they shall be such as are blessed of him in Christ. And if ever the government of this nation, in this present constitution, -- suppose it the most exactly framed and balanced, in the several parts of it, for the furtherance of public good, -- be devolved into the hands of men not interested in God by Christ, though the constitution may be absolutely good, yet the government will not be blessed, and the nation will be ruined; for God and his glory will depart, Micah 5:5,6. It is Christ that is our peace, even in outward troubles. . . .
"This, then, I say, is pre-required, as a qualification of any person to the performance of this duty of abiding with God. It is the psalmist's advice, Psalm 2:11,12. Let this principle be always owned amongst you; by it honor Christ in the world. Give him the pre-eminence; it is the Father's will he should have it in all things. Expect not the presence of God, but upon this account. Bear testimony herein against the world of profane men, who despise these things. Seeing, then, it cannot be expected to have this qualification diffused universally, as yet, through the body of the people, let the rulers take care that they be not the cause of God's departure from us. . . ." -- John Owen
Owen, John (1616-1683), God's Presence With a People the Spring of Their Prosperity
http://www.reformedsermonarchives.com/owen11.htm

Pelikan, Jaroslav, Christianity and Classical Culture: The Metamorphosis of Natural Theology in the Christian Encounter With Hellenism, ISBN: 0300062559 9780300062557.
"Contents include: PART ONE: Natural Theology as Apologetics, 1) Classical Culture and Christian Theology, 2) Natural Theology as Apologetics, 3) The Language of Negation, 4) God and the Ways of Knowing, 5) The Many and the One, 6) The Universe as Cosmos, 7) Space, Time, and Deity, 8) The Image of God, 9) The Source of All Good, 10) From Tyche to Telos.
"PART TWO: Natural Theology as Presupposition, 11) Christian Theology and Classical Culture, 12) Natural Theology as Presupposition, 13) The Lexicon of Transcendence, 14) Faith as the Fulfillment of Reason, 15) The One and the Three, 16) Cosmos as Contingent Creation, 17) The Economy of Salvation, 18) The Metamorphosis of Human Nature, 19) The Worship Offered by Rational Creatures, 20) The Life of the Aeon to Come." -- Reader's Comment

Pinkerton, James P., What Comes Next: The end of big Government -- and the new Paradigm Ahead, ISBN: 0786861053 9780786861057.

*Reformed Presbytery of North America "Steelite" (David Steele [1803-1887], James Campbell, Thomas Sproull, James Fulton), A Short Vindication of our Covenanted Reformation, 2nd Edition, Revised, and Enlarged by a Committee of the Reformed Presbytery ("Circular" and "Review" prefixed), 1879, 50 pages. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Also available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #2 (also #1, #25, and #30).
"Until the church comes to terms with what is written in this book it will remain weak and divided. Covenant breakers will not prosper, as this rare item demonstrates from both Scripture and history. The power packed ordinance of covenanting (the National and Solemn League and Covenant in particular), was foundational to the Second Reformation and the work of the Westminster Assembly. 'By the National Covenant our fathers laid Popery prostrate. By the Solemn League and Covenant they were successful in resisting prelatic encroachments and civil tyranny. By it they were enabled to achieve the Second Reformation . . . They were setting up landmarks by which the location and limits of the city of God will be known at the dawn of the millennial day . . . How can they be said to go forth by the footsteps of the flock, who have declined from the attainments, renounced the covenants and contradicted the testimony of 'the cloud of witnesses. . . . All the schisms (separations) that disfigure the body mystical of Christ . . . are the legitimate consequences of the abandonment of reformation attainments, the violation of covenant engagements.' If you are interested in knowing how to recognize a faithful church (or state), when and why to separate from unfaithful institutions, who has held up the standard of Covenanted Reformation attainments and who has backslidden (and why), what it means to subscribe to the Westminster Confession (1646), (and why most that say they do so today do not have any idea of what that means), and much more concerning individual, family, church and civil, individual, family, church and civil duties, this is one of the best books you will ever lay your hands on. It chronicles 'some instances of worldly conformity and mark(s) some steps of defection from our 'covenanted unity and uniformity,' noting how 'it is necessary to take a retrospect of our history for many years; for we did not all at once reach our present condition of sinful ignorance and manifold apostasy.' Presbyterian and the Reformed churches lay under the heavy hand of God's judgement in our day, because of the very defections noted throughout this fine work. 'We heard (hear) from various quarters the cry, "maintain the truth, stand up for the principles of the Second Reformation"; and yet many of those who are the most loud in uttering this cry, appear desirous to bury in oblivion those imperishable national and ecclesiastical deeds, by which the church and kingdom of Scotland became 'married to the Lord.' Are we married to the Lord, or have we thrown off the covenants of our forefathers; are we the chaste bride of Christ, or a harlot who is found in the bedchambers of every devilish suitor (whether ecclesiastical or civil), who tempts us with the favors of this world? Let us cry out, as with 'the noble Marquis of Argyle, upon the scaffold,' when he said, 'God hath tied us by covenants to religion and reformation. These that were then unborn are yet engaged, and it passeth the power of all the magistrates under heaven to absolve them from the oath of God. They deceive themselves, and it may be, would deceive others, who think otherwise.' Not for the weak of heart." -- Publisher
A Short Vindication of our Covenanted Reformation, Reformed Presbytery
http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2016/4/26/a-short-vindication-of-our-covenanted-reformation

*Reformed Presbytery of North America "Steelite," David Steele (1803-1887), John Thorburn (1730?-1788), John Courtass (d. 1795), et al., Act, Declaration, and Testimony, for the Whole of the Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in, Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive. As, Also, Against all the Steps of Defection From Said Reformation, Whether in Former or Later Times, Since the Overthrow of that Glorious Work, Down to This Present day (1876), (Philadelphia, PA: Printed by Rue and Jones, 1876), a new edition of the Ploughlandhead Testimony of 1761, the subordinate standard of the original "Steelite" Reformed Presbytery that was constitutes in 1840. Available (the 1850 edition only) on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available (the 1850 edition only) on Reformation Bookshelf CD #1.
"And now, when time has proved that more recent Testimonies, Terms, and Covenants, have failed to preserve either unity or uniformity among those who framed them; it cannot be unseasonable to re-exhibit the original ACT, DECLARATION, AND TESTIMONY, which has been justly characterized as 'the most profoundly reasoned document ever emitted by the Reformed Presbyterian Church'." -- The Reformation Advocate Magazine, Vol. I, No. 8, December, 1875, page 267
"Upholds the original work of the Westminster Assembly and testifies to the abiding worth and truth formulated in the Westminster family of documents. Upholds and defends the Crown Rights of King Jesus in Church and State, denouncing those who would remove the crown from Christ's head by denying His right to rule (by His law), in both the civil and ecclesiastical spheres. Testifies to the received doctrine, government, worship, and discipline of the Church of Scotland in her purest (reforming) periods. Applies God's Word to the Church's corporate attainments 'with a judicial approbation of the earnest contendings and attainments of the faithful, and a strong and pointed judicial condemnation of error and the promoters thereof.' (The Contending Witness magazine, Dec. 17/93, p. 558). Shows the church's great historical victories (such as the National and Solemn League and Covenant, leading to the Westminster Assembly), and exposes her enemies actions (e.g. the Prelacy of Laud; the Independency, sectarianism, covenant breaking and ungodly toleration set forth by the likes of Cromwell [and the Independents that conspired with him]; the Erastianism and civil sectarianism of William of Orange, etc.). It is not likely that you will find a more consistent working out of the principles of Calvinism anywhere. Deals with the most important matters relating to the individual, the family, the church and the state. Sets forth a faithful historical testimony of God's dealings with men during some of the most important days of church history. A basic text that should be mastered by all Christians." -- Publisher
Act, Declaration, and Testimony (1876)
https://archive.org/details/actdeclarationte00refo
Act, Declaration and Testimony, 1761 (edition of 1876)
"Compared with the 1777 edition, Philadelphia. We hereby certify that this is a true edition of the ORIGINAL JUDICIAL TESTIMONY, emitted by the Reformed Presbytery at Ploughlandhead, Scotland, 1761; together with the Supplements adopted by the Reformed Presbytery at this date, June 2d, 1876. [Signed -- compiler] David Steele, James Campbell, Robert Clyde, Robert Alexander, Committee.
http://www.truecovenanter.com/

*Robbins, John W. (1949-2008), Ecclesiastical Megalomania: The Economic and Political Thought of the Roman Catholic Church (Unicoi, TN: The Trinity Foundation), ISBN: 0940931753 9780940931756.
"This book is a detailed examination of the official statements of the Vatican on economic and political matters. It demonstrates the collectivism and totalitarianism of the Roman Catholic Church-State. It is the only such book written by a Christian in the twentieth century.
"This book explores the conflict between Roman Catholic social thought and human freedom, relying on official pronouncements from the Vatican to show that the political and economic theory of the Roman Church-State justifies feudalism, corporativism [corporatism -- compiler], liberation theology, the welfare state, and fascism.
"Dr. John W. Robbins attended Grove City College (A.B. 1969), and The Johns Hopkins University (M.A. 1970, Ph.D. 1973). He has served as chief of staff for a Member of Congress [Ron Paul of Texas -- compiler], editor of The Freeman magazine, Economist for The Heritage Foundation, and Professor of Political Philosophy in The Freedom School." -- Publisher
Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Samuel Rutherford, John Owen, Thomas Manton, The Westminster Assembly, James Renwick, Archibald Mason, Christopher Ness, Francis Turretin, The Reformed Presbytery, David Steel, James R. Willson, Alexander M'Leod, William L. Roberts, James Aiken Wylie, Andrew Wilet, Henry Wilkinson, James Wylie, Patrick Fairbairn, James Aiken, Andrew Wilet, Alexander Hislop, Francis Nigel Lee, Arthur W. Pink, and so forth, and so on, have all believed and argued in print that the seated Pope is the antichrist of the Bible.
The Roman Church-State is "the world's oldest, largest, most powerful and most influential politico-ecclesiastical institution" and it "may also be the world's wealthiest." The Roman Catholic Institution is the ultimate "negative guide to the positive," the reformers ultimate "opposite guide to political and economic reform."

*Rushdoony, Rousas J. (1916-2001), Christianity and the State, ISBN: 9996717755. Available through Exodus Books.
"The need to return to a Biblical doctrine of civil government is evidenced by our century's worldwide drift into tyranny. Humanism invariably rushes in to fill the world's theological vacuums: the need of the hour is to restore a full-orbed, Biblical, theology of the state. This work sets forth that theology." -- GCB

*Scott, David, John Cunningham, and George Smeaton, What is a Moral Person? How God Views the Church and the Nations. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available in OBSERVATIONS ON THE PUBLIC COVENANTS BETWIXT GOD AND THE CHURCH: A DISCOURSE.
"A clear and concise summary of the biblical doctrine of the moral person (i.e. that God regards churches and nations as moral entities separate from the individual members of which they are comprised). No Christian can afford not to understand this vital teaching! In many ways this is a crux of the Covenanter position, underlying as it does the issues of separation from backslidden or anti-Christian civil and church governments, the binding nature of lawful Covenants on posterity, eschatology, etc." -- Publisher
What is a Moral Person? How God Views the Church and the Nations, David Scott, John Cunningham, and George Smeaton
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/moral.htm

*Spurgeon, C.H. (1834-1892), The one Foundation, a sermon.
Preaching on the text For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, 1879, Sermon 1494.
"As churches we are not legislators, but subjects; it is not for us to frame constitutions, invent offices, and decree rites and ceremonies, but we are to take everything out of the mouth of Christ, and to do what he bids us, as he bids us, and when he bids us. Parliaments and kings have no authority whatever in the church, but Christ alone rules therein. If any portion of a church be not based upon Christ it is a mere deforming addition to the plan of the great Architect, and mars the temple which God has built, and not man. What a blessed thing it is to feel that you belong to a church which has a rock under it, because it is constituted by Christ's authority. We feel safe in following an ordinance which is of his commanding, but we should tremble if we had only custom and human authority for it. . . .
"When sermons are preached without so much as the mention of Christ's name, it takes more than charity, it requires you to tell a lie to say 'That was a Christian sermon;' and if any people find their joy in a teaching which casts the Lord Jesus into the background, they are not his church, or else such teaching would be an abomination to them. . . .
"All the decrees of popes and councils, all the resolutions of assemblies, synods, presbyteries, and associations, and all the ordinances of men as individuals, however great they be, when they are all put together, if they at all differ from the law of Christ, are mere wind and waste paper, nay, worse, they are treasonable insults to the majesty of King Jesus. Those who build apart from the authority of Christ build off of the foundation, and their fabric will fall. There is no law and no authority in a true church but that of Christ himself; we who are his ministers are his servants and the servants of the church, and not lords or lawmakers. To his law a faithful church brings all things as to the sure test. As churches we are not legislators, but subjects; it is not for us to frame constitutions, invent offices, and decree rites and ceremonies, but we are to take everything out of the mouth of Christ, and to do what he bids us, as he bids us, and when he bids us. Parliaments and kings have no authority whatever in the church, but Christ alone rules therein.
"Let us put this, our first point, in a few sentences. It is not the union of men with men that makes a church if Jesus Christ be not the centre and the bond of the union. The best of men may come into bonds of amity, and they may form a league, or a federation, for good and useful purposes, but they are not a church unless Jesus Christ be the basis upon which they rest. He must be the ground and foundation of the hope of each and of all." -- C.H. Spurgeon
http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols25-27/chs1494.pdf

Willson, James Renwick (1780-1853), The Shaking of the Nations, Alias the Anti-Christian Empire Overthrown, 1809. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #29.
The Shaking of the Nations, Alias the Anti-Christian Empire Overthrown
http://www.covenanter.org/JRWillson/jamesrenwickwillson.htm

Wylie, Samuel B. (1773-1852), The Obligation of Covenants: A Discourse, Delivered, Monday, June 27, 1803, After the Dispensation of the Lord's Supper, in the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation, Glasgow. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
The Obligation of Covenants
http://www.covenanter.org/reformed/2015/8/18/samuel-b-wylies-sermon-on-the-obligation-of-covenants

*Wylie, Samuel B. (1773-1852), The two Sons of oil; or, The Faithful Witness for Magistracy and Ministry Upon a Scriptural Basis, 1850. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #13, #26.
"A Covenanter classic opening Revelation 11:3,4 and Zechariah 4:14. It has been hailed as the 'best presentation of the position of the Covenanter Church that has been written.' Noting that the 'time has been, when the whole body of Presbyterians, in Scotland, England, and Ireland, unanimously subscribed' to these principles, 'for civil and ecclesiastical reformation' and that thousands bled and died for the glorious covenanted cause of civil and ecclesiastical reformation; Wylie sets out to explain and defend 'that cause. Not because it is an ancient cause; not because many have sealed it with their blood; but, because,' as he says, 'I thought it the doctrine of the Bible, and the cause of Christ.' This book explains how to tell if a government (especially a civil government), is faithful to Christ and thus to be obeyed for conscience's sake. It also gives direction regarding when and how to resist (and disassociate), yourself from governments which get their power from 'the beast.' Moreover, this book gives clear testimony as to what the Bible requires of civil magistrates, noting 'that civil rulers should exercise their power in protecting and defending the religion of Jesus.' It also gives plain reasons why dissent from the government of the United States (and other covenant breaking nations), is the legitimate Scriptural pattern." -- Publisher
The two Sons of oil; or, The Faithful Witness for Magistracy and Ministry Upon a Scriptural Basis, Samuel B. Wylie
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/two-sons-of-oil.htm
The two Sons of oil, or, The Faithful Witness for Magistracy and Ministry Upon a Scriptural Basis (1850), Samuel Brown Wylie and James McLeod Willson
http://archive.org/details/twosonsofoilorfa00wylirich

See also: The incarnation of our lord (the deity of the lord jesus christ), The sovereignty of god, The doctrine of man (human nature, total depravity), Colossians, The all-sufficiency of christ, The sovereign grace of god: his everlasting mercy and lovingkindness, The inspiration and infallibility of scripture (the doctrine of revelation, the doctrine of plenary inspiration, the doctrine of divine inspiration, the doctrine of verbal inspiration, theopneustia, sufficiency of scripture), Absolute truth and relativism, Epistemology of theology, the theory of knowledge, Spiritual discernment, The religion of secular humanism: man as god, human autonomy, Sexual relationship, Spiritual adultery (spiritual whoredom/harlotry), Idolatry, syncretism, Sexual wholeness, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, Idolatry, False gospels, Heresy and apostasy, Antinomianism, Arminianism, Leniency, Toleration, liberty of conscience, pluralism, "religious freedom," and neutrality, Leniency, Machiavellianism, Conspiracy, corruption, organized crime, Friendly fascism, Pseudo-christian movements: a selection of works, Selection of covenant heads for positions of leadership, and so forth and so on.

Related Weblinks

Chapter 9 (part 1): "Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification"
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html

Chapter 9 (part 2): "Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification"
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chb.html

Ten Best Classics for Advanced Studies From Still Waters Revival Books
http://www.swrb.com/ten-best.htm

The Epic Battle Between Good and Evil, Power, Wealth, Sex, Washington, Government, Deep State, Shadow Government

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Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. (Psalm 52:1,3,7,8,9)

The enemies of Christ, Grace, and the eternal souls of the elect are the flesh, Satan, and the world system. (James 4:4; Acts 26:18)

Luther had the correct view of the devil. Luther said the devil is God's devil. That is, the devil is a creature; he is absolutely subject to the will of God, and there is no struggle going on between God and the devil. God uses the devil and demons to deceive persons and to accomplish his will. (1 Kings 22:20-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Job 1:1-22; Job 2:1-13)
We are not locked in a cosmic struggle of good against evil. That is a Manichaean . . . view of history and the world. God is in absolute control of everything, and that includes the devil. -- John Robbins (1948-2008), Thinking Biblically, p. 309

The wicked is a very coward, and is afraid of everything; of God, because He is his enemy; of Satan, because he is his tormentor; of God's creatures, because they, joined with their Maker, fight against him: of himself, because he bears about with him his own accuser and executioner. The godly man contrarily is afraid of nothing; not of God, because he knows Him his best friend, and will not hurt him; not of Satan, because he cannot hurt him; not of afflictions, because he knows they come from a loving God, and end in his good; not of the creatures, since "the very stones in the field are a league with Him;" [Job 5:23], not of himself, since his conscience is at peace. -- Joseph Hall (1574-1656)

"Malcom Muggeridge said that Solzhenitsyn told him that the greatest heartbreak of his life, even greater than his imprisonment in the Gulag, was when he was booed by the audience as he delivered the commencement address at Harvard University in 1978." -- Ravi Zacharias in his address Four Stages in the Decline of a Nation [audio file]
"The split in today's world is perceptible even to a hasty glance. Any of our contemporaries readily identifies two world powers, each of them already capable of destroying each other. However, the understanding of the split too often is limited to this political conception: the illusion according to which danger may be abolished through successful diplomatic negotiations or by achieving a balance of armed forces. The truth is that the split is both more profound and more alienating, that the rifts are more numerous than one can see at first glance. These deep manifold splits bear the danger of equally manifold disaster for all of us, in accordance with the ancient truth that a kingdom -- in this case, our Earth -- divided against itself cannot stand. -- Solzhenitsyn in his commencement address to Harvard University

The Gospel is the good news of God's love and salvation for humanity through Jesus Christ. On Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and security. How can we relate these two events? One way is to think of the "mechanism" of the Gospel, or how it works to bring us to God.
The Bible tells us that sin separates us from God and leads to death (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). But God, in his mercy and grace, sent his Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, taking our place and paying our penalty (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). By his death, Jesus defeated sin and death, and by his resurrection, he opened the way for us to have eternal life with God (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 3:16). This is the "mechanism" of the Gospel: substitutionary atonement.
On Memorial Day, we can see a reflection of this "mechanism" in the lives of those who have died for our country. They gave their lives so that we can enjoy the benefits of freedom and peace. They took our place and paid our price. They substituted themselves for us. Of course, this is not a perfect analogy, because no human sacrifice can compare to the sacrifice of Jesus, who was sinless and divine. But it can help us appreciate the cost and the value of what Jesus did for us.
So on Memorial Day, as we remember and honor those who have died for our country, let us also remember and honor the one who died for our souls. Let us thank God for his love and grace, and let us respond with faith and obedience. Let us live in a way that honors both our earthly and heavenly heroes. And let us share the Gospel with others, so that they too can experience the "mechanism" of God's salvation. -- Microsoft Edge browser, Artificial Intelligence composition, unedited, "The 'mechanism' of The Gospel illustrated on Memorial Day"

And only in Christian theism is love preexistent within the Trinity, which means that love precedes human life and becomes the absolute value for us. This absolute is ultimately found only in God, and in knowing and loving God we work our way through the struggles of pain, knowing of its ultimate connection to evil and its ultimate destruction by the One who is all-good and all-loving; who in fact has given us the very basis for the words good [God] and love [live] both in concept and in language. -- Ravi Zacharias

Most of the grand truths of God have to be learned by trouble; they must be burned into us with the hot iron of affliction, otherwise we shall not truly receive them. No man is competent to judge in matters of the kingdom, until first he has been tried; since there are many things to be learned in the depths which we can never know in the heights. We discover many secrets in the caverns of the ocean, which, though we had soared to heaven, we never could have known. He shall best meet the wants of God's people as a preacher who has had those wants himself; he shall best comfort God's Israel who has needed comfort; and he shall best preach salvation who has felt his own need of it. -- C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), "Salvation of the Lord," sermon No. 131, delivered May 10, 1857, at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:33)

Concerning the tree of knowledge of good and evil, we must hold, that it was prohibited to man, not because God would have him to stray like a sheep, without judgment and without choice; but that he might not seek to be wiser than became him, nor by trusting to his own understanding, cast off the yoke of God, and constitute himself an arbiter and judge of good and evil. His sin proceeded from an evil conscience; whence it follows, that a judgment had been given him, by which he might discriminate between virtues and vices. Nor could what Moses relates be otherwise true, namely, that he was created in the image of God; since the image of God comprises in itself the knowledge of him who is the chief good. Thoroughly insane, therefore, and monsters of men are the libertines, who pretend that we are restored to a state of innocence, when each is carried away by his own lust without judgment. We now understand what is meant by abstaining from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; namely, that Adam might not, in attempting one thing or another, rely upon his own prudence; but that, cleaving to God alone, he might become wise only by his obedience. Knowledge is here, therefore, taken disparagingly, in a bad sense, for that wretched experience which man, when he departed from the only fountain of perfect wisdom, began to acquire for himself. And this is the origin of freewill, that Adam wished to be independent, and dared to try what he was able to do. -- John Calvin commenting on Genesis 2:9 and context

My experiences as an apologist and minister has shown me that the real reason most people reject Christianity is not for lack of evidence. The proof from external sources regarding the truth of the biblical account is too overwhelming. No, the real issue is a moral one. -- R.C. Sproul

Perhaps Christ, who holds the solution of moral evil, is also the locus of solution for the abysmal mystery of natural evil. His enfleshment surely implies that materiality as such is not evil. His healings suggest that diseases are not necessarily the direct will of the Father. Since the Father is to unite all things in him [Christ] (Ephesians 1:10); since there is to be a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21:1); and since the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now (Romans 8:22), along with our groaning inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23) -- it is evident that through Christ, the harbingers of redemption from all evil (natural as well as moral), which may now be experienced, are one day to be complete, all things being put in subjection under him [Christ], that God may be everything to every one (1 Corinthians 15:27,28). -- The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, "evil"

God's revelation of Himself in history was an increasing revelation of His goodness. He made man in His image for fellowship with Himself. Even when Adam flouted Him in the Fall, God's loving interest continued; He showed His goodness by immediately taking steps to undo the disastrous effects of the Fall. His election of Israel as His people, the Exodus, the giving of the law, His many deliverances of Israel, the promise and preparation for the coming of the Messiah -- all these were evidences of God's goodness; as were the Incarnation, the atoning death of His Son, the resurrection, Pentecost.
The Scriptures make clear that history is not haphazard, but that God is working out a plan in history -- the consummation of all things in His Son Jesus Christ. In this plan, God's children have an important part (Ephesians 1). Someday His goodness will be acknowledged by all of His creation; and He will be all in all. -- The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, "good"

A stone was found in the Libyan desert with this inscription:

I, the Captain of a Legion of Rome, serving the desert of Libya, have learned and pondered this truth in life, there are two things to be sought, love and power, and nobody has both.

He is right, no human being ultimately has both in the absolute sense. But there is one who does, and that is God himself. Absolute power and absolute love coalescing in the Trinity in that Godhead where love, and truth and holiness coexist in their absolute sense. . . . -- Ravi Zacharias, in an address, Uncovering the new Spirituality (part 2)

As for you, ye devised against me evil -- God devised it for good, in order to do as at this day, to keep alive a numerous people. (Genesis 50:20, YLTHB)

The depravity of man is at once the most empirically verifiable reality, but at the same time the most intellectually resisted fact. (Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21b; Ecclesiastes 9:3b; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 3:3-5) -- Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990). See John Calvin's Commentary on Isaiah Chapter 33 [Isaiah 33:1-66].

The Lord liveth. (Jeremiah 12:16)
Then follows the common form of swearing, "Live does Jehovah." So the Scripture speaks everywhere; and by these words men do not merely testify that they swear by the life of God, but they also ascribe eternity to him, as though it was said, "God alone exists:" for no life is anywhere to be found but in God. Men, indeed, and brute animals, and even trees, are said to live; but in trees there is only vigor without the senses, in brutes the senses without reason and understanding; but in men the life is light; yet they live not by or of themselves, but they derive life from God, according to what we see on the earth, on which light shines; but we know that there is really no light where we dwell but what descends and is conveyed to us by the rays of the sun. In the same manner it may be said that life dwells in men, being conveyed to them by the hidden power of God. Nor do angels, properly speaking, live of themselves. We hence see the meaning of the words, "Live does Jehovah." The eternity of God is hereby set forth; he is also owned as the Judge of the world; and further, whatever he claims for himself, men thus testify that it is justly and by right his due." -- John Calvin commenting on Jeremiah 12:16 and context

The highest ethical standard known to mankind is historic, orthodox, reformed Christianity.

If God does not exist, everything is permitted. -- Fyodor Dostoevski (1821-1881)

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? -- The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:26)
Calvin unfolds Scripture on the fact of the incompetence and corruption of the unregenerate, the blind, in their fearful pursuit of fleshly needs. See his commentary on Proverbs 1:7, Genesis 4:7, Genesis 25:29-34, Hebrews 2:14,15, and Matthew 16:26.

When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms but a vast banditry. -- Augustine in City of God, IV. iv (MPL [Migne, J.P., Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina], 41. 115; tr. NPNF [A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, II. 66]

I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. -- U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864 (letter to Col. William F. Elkins) Ref: The Lincoln Encyclopedia, Archer H. Shaw (Macmillan, 1950, NY)

It is my firm conviction that a genuine spirit of repentance, infecting the climate of our Nation at all levels, can heal the wounds that presently afflict us. Reconciliation of the divisions and animosities that exist among our people can occur once there is a mutual acknowledgement of this need for contrition, which allows human compassion to grow.
There is hope for a land and a people who have the capacity to recognize their sins and their faults and turn from them. Repentance means precisely this -- to turn the other way. In so doing, we recognize that past events and present conditions cannot be rationalized or justified; rather, they must be repented of, so a whole new way can be sought. This is how individuals and how our land as a whole can seek authentic renewal and transformation. -- Senator Mark O. Hatfield, remarks offered on the floor of the U.S. Senate, December 20, 1973, as he introduced a Resolution calling for the observance of April 30, 1974, as a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer

It is impossible to understand the present Cancel Culture, BLM, Gender Confusion, Lock Down Lunacy, Masquerade Madness, Covid Cult, Salvation by Vaccination, Christphobia, Hollywood Degeneracy, Indoctrination Through Education, Mainstream Media, United Nations and European Union Pronouncements and Activities without understanding the Sabbatean roots of the New World Disorder. -- Peter Hammond

The language of the Psalmist amounts to a declaration that God would not save the world by means of an ordinary kind, but would come forth himself and show that he was the author of a salvation in every respect so singular. He reasonably infers that mercy of such a wonderful, and, to us, incomprehensible kind, should be celebrated by no ordinary measures of praise. This is brought out still more clearly in the verse which follows, where it is said that his salvation and righteousness are shown to the nations. What could have been less looked for than that light should have arisen upon these dark and benighted places, and that righteousness should have appeared in the habitations of desperate wickedness? -- John Calvin commenting on Psalm 98:1,2 and context

It would be easy to lose heart and become cynical. But No! There is One who sees all things, knows all things, and will ultimately triumph over all things. There is only one message that addresses the truth as the truth. The Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, came to this earth and was also the victim of hate. Lies sent him to the cross. Power overruled reality, as politics and religious demagogues once again made the lie seem noble. But the Lord who sees the beginning from the end amazingly conquered not in spite of the dark mystery of evil, rather, He conquered through it. James Stewart of Scotland, pointing to the cross, said it in the most powerful terms I have read. Commenting on the verse from Psalm 68:18, He led captivity captive, he said:

It is a glorious phrase -- He led captivity captive. The very triumphs of his foes, it means, he used for their defeat. He compelled their dark achievements to subserve his ends not theirs. They nailed him to a tree, not knowing that by that very act they were bringing the world to his feet. They gave him a cross, not guessing that he would make it a throne. They flung him outside the city gates to die, not knowing that in that very moment they were lifting up the gates of the universe, to let the king come in. They thought to root out his doctrines, not understanding that they were implanting imperishably in the hearts of men the very name they intended to destroy. They thought they had God with his back to the wall, pinned helpless and defeated: they did not know that it was God himself who had tracked them down. "He did not conquer in spite of the dark mystery of evil. He conquered through it." -- James Stewart (1635-1713)

The lie has a shelf life. The truth abides forever. God can even conquer through our perversion.
One more thing. I would be remiss if I left the guilt and darkness out there. That is the seduction of a fake righteousness. We all have to look at our own hearts and see the evil that is within each one of us. Only then can we find the answer from which all other answers flow. Some time ago, I was in Rumania. A sculptor had some of his works on display. One was a horrific, fierce-looking, long nail. When you picked it up, as rusty and jagged as the nail was, the head was polished and shiny. And when you looked at that polished head, you saw a reflection of yourself. It is sobering. Very sobering. . . . More than ever we need the Savior. Lord have mercy! -- Ravi Zacharias in a message, Is Paris Burning? November 18, 2015

*Achbar, Mark, and Jennifer Abbott (directors), The Corporation (2004), DVD encoded Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only), Zeitgeist Video DVD; April 5, 2005. Run Time: 145.
"This is an extraordinary film about the creation of the American corporation, its legal organizational model, its global economic dominance and its psychopathic tendencies, and its incredible ambition to influence every aspect of culture in its unrelenting pursuit of profit.
"The Corporation" was spawned from Joel Bakan's in depth book, THE CORPORATION: A PATHOLOGICAL PURSUIT OF PROFIT AND POWER (See annotation above). The film and book begins in the 18th century, in the establishment of the 14th Amendment. Initially the 14th Amendment was designed after the Civil War to give ex-slaves' legal rights, like any other citizen of the United States, but through a maze of legal precedents, the business corporation organization model was now deemed a 'legal person' with all the civil rights accorded to a citizen. This highly absurd precedent has paved the way for corporations to literally get away with murder, because a 'corporation' is not an individual that you can put in jail. In effect, a corporation has no moral or social obligations; their only obligation is the pursuit of profit. This film offers numerous examples of unethical practices resulting in death for many people, and because of their [corporations] status under the 14th Amendment, and endless legal loopholes, [they] have gotten away with terrible crimes against humanity and the environment with no more than a fine, a mere slap on the wrist.
"As the law treats corporations as 'persons,' Bakan thought it appropriate to put the various behaviors of these companies under psychological examination. What this psychological study illustrated is that corporations, as 'persons' behave and display the symptoms of the clinical psychopath. A psychopath typically does not have a social conscience, is guilt free after committing heinous acts, and will destroy anything or anybody that prevents them from attaining the object of their particular obsession -- in this case, the relentless pursuit of profit.
"This documentary took several years to produce with over 650 hours of footage directors, Jennifer Abbot and Mark Achbar, had to chisel down this amazing amount of material into a comprehensible film. What is most astounding is the range of people interviewed for this film, that argue from all sides of the 'corporation issue:' Ira Jackson, Ray Anderson - CEO of Interface, the world's largest carpet manufacturer; Noam Chomsky, Richard Grossman, Howard Zinn, Michael Moore, Milton Freidman, Noble Prize winning economist; Jeremy Rifkin, President, Foundation of Economic Trends; Dr. Robert Hare, Consultant to the FBI on psychopaths, and many more individuals from all sides of the debate.
"When Bakan wrote his book and then collaborated with Mark Achbar to produce this film, what they did not want was the film to appear as just some left-wing diatribe, attacking the corporations, but to illustrate to people how the corporation began, how they have evolved and what they could well turn into if the people do not become involved in the democratic process, ensuring our governments take back the reigns of power.
"After viewing this film, it becomes all too evident that these large corporations have too much power, whose mandate is not the common good of the people, and who will go to any lengths, legally and otherwise, in the pursuit of profit and the bottom line.
"I believe this is one of the best and most important documentary films to be made in many years. This work is an exposé of legal tyranny." (C. Middleton)
"An epic in length and breadth, this documentary aims at nothing less than a full-scale portrait of the most dominant institution on the planet Earth in our lifetime -- a phenomenon all the more remarkable, if not downright frightening, when you consider that the corporation as we know it has been around for only about 150 years. It used to be that corporations were, by definition, short-lived and finite in agenda. If a town needed a bridge built, a corporation was set up to finance and complete the project; when the bridge was an accomplished fact, the corporation ceased to be. Then came the 19th-century robber barons, and the courts were prevailed upon to define corporations not as get-the-job-done mechanisms but as persons under the 14th Amendment with full civil rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (i.e., power and profit) -- ad infinitum.
"The Corporation defines this endlessly mutating life-form in exhaustive detail, measuring the many ways it has not only come to dominate but to deform our reality. The movie [Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott] performs a running psychoanalysis of this entity with the characteristics of a prototypical psychopath: a callous unconcern for the feelings and safety of others, an incapacity to experience guilt, an ingrained habit of lying for profit, etc. We are swept away on a demented odyssey through an altered cosmos, in which artificial chemicals are created for profit and incidentally contribute to a cancer epidemic; in which the folks who brought us Agent Orange devise a milk-increasing drug for a world in which there is already a glut of milk; in which an American computer company leased its systems to the Nazis -- and serviced them on a monthly basis -- so that the Holocaust could go forward as an orderly process. . . ." -- Reader's Comment
The Corporation
Website for the documentary movie and DVD, "The Corporation."
http://www.thecorporation.com/
Computer Crime and Corporate Crime
http://www.lettermen2.com/ccrime.html

*Augustine, Saint (Aurelius Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 AD), (author), Philip Schaff (editor), Marcus Dods (translator), St. Augustine's City of God and Christian Doctrine (A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church -- Vol. 2), new edition, ISBN: 0802880991. Available (2 volumes, 1872 edition), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available (NICENE AND POST-NICENE FATHERS, THE WORKS OF AUGUSTINE) in The Amazing Christian Library.
Augustine is said to be the greatest Christian thinker next to the Apostle Paul. Luther set the BIBLE and the CONFESSIONS OF SAINT AUGUSTINE above all other books.
"One of the classic texts of Western civilization [it explains the fall of Rome in terms of Scripture -- compiler]. . . . DE CIVITATE DEI is an important contribution of interest to students of theology, philosophy, ecclesiastical history, the history of political thought, and late antiquity." -- Publisher (from the Cambridge University Press edition)
"Calvin paraphrased Augustine about 400 times in THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
"St. Augustine's final sentence of THE CITY OF GOD is 'All things must be referred to the Glory of God.'
"When you see that, then you will see the key to the story, and you will see the key to history. . . . The classic exposition of history in terms of Scripture." -- C. Gregg Singer
"Augustine began writing THE CITY OF GOD at age 59 [shortly after the city of Rome had been sacked by the Goths in 410 A.D., much to the surprise, it is said, of both the Romans and the Goths. -- compiler], and worked on it, off and on, for much of the next 14 years. The impetus for the beginning of this vast work (and its recurring focus), was the charge of Pagans (polytheists) that Christianity was responsible for the decay and demise of the Roman Empire. The charge put forward the claim that the prosperity and social stability of the state was dependent upon polytheistic worship. In response, Augustine arrays several lines of argument, rebutting the assumed 'goodness' of the Pagan state, as such, and detailing the ethical/moral and logical failings of Paganism. Augustine displays tremendous scholarship, employing the writings of Paganism's greatest historians and philosophers in his case against their religious claims. The result is a giant literary, philosophical, historical, theological and exegetical work. . . .
"Against the 'city', i.e., society, of many gods, there is but one alternate society, this Augustine calls The City of God, adopting the expression found in several of King David's psalms. Not only is the society of many gods the society of polytheists, it is also the 'city' of pantheists, atheistic materialists, and philosophical Cynics. In the case of the Cynics and atheists, these false gods are the myriad gods of self, indeed, at least as many gods (selves) as there are believers in them. Thus there are two 'cities,' two loves, two ways to understand the big questions of existence, two destinations. Says Augustine:

"The one City began with the love of God; the other had its beginnings in the love of self." XIV:13.
"The city of man seeks the praise of men, whereas the height of glory for the other is to hear God in the witness of conscience. The one lifts up its head in its own boasting; the other says to God: Thou art my glory, thou liftest up my head. (Psalm 3:4). In the city of the world both the rulers themselves and the people they dominate are dominated by the lust for domination; whereas in the City of God all citizens serve one another in charity . . ." (XIV:28) -- Reader's Comment

Bakan, Joel, The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power.
"Over the last 150 years the corporation has risen from relative obscurity to become the world's dominant economic institution. Eminent Canadian law professor and legal theorist Joel Bakan contends that today's corporation is a pathological institution, a dangerous possessor of the great power it wields over people and societies.
"In this revolutionary assessment of the history, character, and globalization of the modern business corporation, Bakan backs his premise with the following observations:

• The corporation's legally defined mandate is to pursue relentlessly and without exception its own economic self-interest, regardless of the harmful consequences it might cause to others.
• The corporation's unbridled self-interest victimizes individuals, society, and, when it goes awry, even shareholders and can cause corporations to self-destruct, as recent Wall Street scandals reveal.
• Governments have freed the corporation, despite its flawed character, from legal constraints through deregulation and granted it ever greater authority over society through privatization.

• 'No one would seriously suggest that individuals should regulate themselves, that laws against murder, assault, and theft are unnecessary because people are socially responsible. Yet oddly, we are asked to believe that corporate persons -- institutional psychopaths who lack any sense of moral conviction and who have the power and motivation to cause harm and devastation in the world -- should be left free to govern themselves.
• 'One premise of democracy is that, as citizens, all people are equal, at least within the political sphere. Everyone has one vote, regardless of his or her wealth or social position, and that means, in relation to corporations, that every citizen has an equal say about how these powerful entities must behave. Moving regulation of corporations from government to the market immunizes them to the effects of citizen's participation in the political process and leaves their control to an institution where one dollar -- not one person -- equals one vote.'

Barnes, Harry Elmer, et al., Perpetual war for Perpetual Peace: A Critical Examination of the Foreign Policy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and its Aftermath, 724 pages, ISBN: 0837121442 9780837121444.
"Classic revisionist study of how FDR maneuvered America, against the wishes of most of its citizens, into war against Germany and Japan, and how FDR's war policy ended in betrayal, disillusion and endless conflict. Establishes convincingly that U.S. participation in World War II was neither necessary, nor desirable, nor just. Edited by one of this century's most influential American scholars, this is a work in the front rank of American historical scholarship. Eleven concise, scintillating essays on every aspect of FDR's secret diplomatic and military warpath, by eight giants of revisionist scholarship, including H.E. Barnes, Charles C. Tansill, F.R. Sanborn, W.L. Neumann, G. Morgenstern, Percy L. Graves, Wm.H. Chamberlin, and G.A. Lundberg. A measured and relentless exposé of the calculated deceit by which FDR overturned America's traditional neutrality policy, provoked Pearl Harbor, and waged a brutal, pointless war that culminated in mass slaughter at Dresden and Hiroshima, and betrayal -- of America and the West -- at Yalta and Potsdam. These are incisive, unmistakably American perspectives on how the U.S. made a mockery of its own professed ideals during the 'Good War.' A virtual encyclopedia -- authoritative and comprehensive -- on the real causes and the actual results of America's entry into the Second World War. Indispensable as a history and a reference. Highly relevant for an understanding of how the United States came to its present-day policy of "New World Order" global military adventurism." -- Publisher
"If you complain about and want to know why GWB lied us into war, you'd better prepare yourself for the fact that this has been going on for 100 and perhaps over 140 years.
"For the real story on WWII (and beyond), you can't do better than this classic revisionist tome. I would also recommend THE REAL LINCOLN, and WILSON'S WAR if you want to get a more balanced view of some of our 'great' presidents and the unnecessary wars they embroiled us in -- all of which caused millions of deaths, huge federal deficits, aggrandized the central government and brought us into the Orwellian police state." -- Reader's Comment
"Harry Elmer Barnes was one of the most productive historians and social scientists of the 20th century. A bibliography of his books and monographs is about 50 pages and includes long tomes on various topics such as sociology, history, criminology, etc. His editing of PERPETUAL WAR FOR PERPETUAL PEACE shows Barnes' ability as both a historian and an editor of other men whose contributions to this book are well written and poignant.
"Barnes begins this book with an essay on the background of World War II by giving the reader a good summary of World War I and its aftermath. Barnes is clear that events before World War I were radically different than events during and after this war. He traces American policy from the end of World War I to World War II and beyond.
"Barnes' use of Percy Greaves' background to the attack on Pearl Harbor is effective. Greaves was an expert on what actually happened when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Greaves' account is no sanitized textbook report, but a carefully documented assessment that is basically unanswerable.
"The same could be said of Morgenstern's work mentioned in PERPETUAL WAR FOR PERPETUAL PEACE. Morgenstern's book PEARL HARBOR:THE STORY OF THE SECRET WAR is by far the best book written on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and when the 'experts' could not refute him, they resorted to smearing him.
"Charles Tansill's essay is well worth reading. In fact, Tansill's contribution to this book should be followed by a careful reading of his BACK DOOR TO WAR. Tansill had to resort to trickery to get the documents and sources for his BACK DOOR TO WAR.
"The essays in PERPETUAL WAR FOR PERPETUAL PEACE not only deal with the government's lying and manipulation to get Americans involved in a useless war, but the essays also indicate that the Americans got nothing out of the war. In fact, the only actual winners were the political leaders of Big Communism which expanded well into Eastern Europe and Asia. In fact, the phony "Cold War" was essentially the attempt to settle the accounts from World War II.
"Of particular interest is the essay on Orwellian trends. The government's use of war as a means to absorb unemployment by going to war and employing large numbers of people in war materials industries is instructive and should be read carefully. This essay makes clear that domestic problems and unemployment issues can resolved by long protracted wars with no clear winners or losers except for those who hold political power on both sides. This essay also shows how enemies and allies can change almost overnight.
"PERPETUAL WAR FOR PERPETUAL peace is a good start to learning a more comprehensive view on both the truth of the origins of World War II and the political and diplomatic trends thereafter. This book should be read by serious historians to correct the distortions in badly written textbooks and the phony presentations of politically correct teachers who are too timid to do any serious reading or thinking." -- Reader's Comment

*Bugliosi, Vincent, The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder, ISBN: 9780792756064 0792756061, 352 pages.
We receive what we deserve as citizens. Bugliosi's book offers hope in these ominous times, when practically all of our institutions, including the three branches of government, seem to be broken beyond repair. THE PROSECUTION OF GEORGE W. BUSH FOR MURDER demonstrates that one person can bring an unfaithful leader to trial in the courtroom of American public opinion, can call for justice, outside the reach of the politicized monopoly that our Court System has become, and without astronomical legal costs and delays -- by publishing a lawsuit.
We hope upright, law-abiding citizens will follow Bugliosi's example and will publish lawsuits calling for justice against unfaithful leaders in the courtroom of American public opinion.
Notice this book is actually a lawsuit. Vince Bugliosi explained in a broadcast interview that his intention is to present all the facts and arguments necessary to win a lawsuit against George W. Bush. He said it is his intention to make it possible for any County or State District Attorney, where a son or daughter has died in the Iraq war, to file a suite against George W. Bush. Furthermore, he is offering to act as a consultant or associate Prosecuting Attorney with any local District Attorney. There is no statute of limitations on murder.
"Famed Charles Manson prosecutor and three time #1 New York Times bestselling author Vincent Bugliosi has written the most powerful, explosive, and thought-provoking book of his storied career.
"In THE PROSECUTION OF GEORGE W. BUSH FOR MURDER, Bugliosi presents a tight, meticulously researched legal case that puts George W. Bush on trial in an American courtroom for the murder of nearly 4,000 American soldiers fighting the war in Iraq. Bugliosi sets forth the legal architecture and incontrovertible evidence that President Bush took this nation to war in Iraq under false pretenses -- a war that has not only caused the deaths of American soldiers but also over 100,000 innocent Iraqi men, women, and children; cost the United States over one trillion dollars thus far with no end in sight; and alienated many American allies in the Western world.
"As a prosecutor who is dedicated to seeking justice, Bugliosi, in his inimitable style, delivers a non-partisan argument, free from party lines and instead based upon hard facts and pure objectivity.
"A searing indictment of the President and his administration, THE PROSECUTION OF GEORGE W. BUSH FOR MURDER also outlines a legally credible pathway to holding our highest government officials accountable for their actions, thereby creating a framework for future occupants of the oval office.
"Vincent Bugliosi calls for the United States of America to return to the great nation it once was and can be again. He believes the first step to achieving this goal is to bring those responsible for the war in Iraq to justice.
"Vincent Bugliosi received his law degree in 1964. In his career at the L.A. County District Attorney's office, he successfully prosecuted 105 out of 106 felony jury trials, including 21 murder convictions without a single loss. His most famous trial, the Charles Manson case, became the basis of his classic, HELTER SKELTER, the biggest selling true-crime book in publishing history. Two of Bugliosi's other books -- AND THE SEA WILL TELL and OUTRAGE -- also reached #1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list. No other American true-crime writer has ever had more than one book that achieved this ranking. His latest book, RECLAIMING HISTORY: THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, has been heralded as 'epic' and 'a book for the ages.'
"Bugliosi has uncommonly attained success in two separate and distinct fields, as an author and a lawyer. His excellence as a trial lawyer is best captured in the judgment of his peers. 'Bugliosi is as good a prosecutor as there ever was,' Alan Dershowitz says. F. Lee Bailey calls Bugliosi 'the quintessential prosecutor.' 'There is only one Vince Bugliosi. He's the best,' says Robert Tanenbaum, for years the top homicide prosecutor in the Manhattan D.A.'s office. Most telling is the comment by Gerry Spence, who squared off against Bugliosi in a twenty-one-hour televised, scriptless 'docu-trial' of Lee Harvey Oswald, in which the original key witnesses to the Kennedy assassination testified and were cross-examined. After the Dallas jury returned a guilty verdict in Bugliosi's favor, Spence said, 'No other lawyer in America could have done what Vince did in this case.'
Bugliosi lives with his wife, Gail, in Los Angeles." -- Publisher

*Bunyan, John (1628-1688), and Robert Philip (1791-1858), The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate. Alternate title: THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUL, AND UNSPEAKABLENESS OF THE LOSS THEREOF: WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT: FIRST PREACHED AT PINNERS HALL, AND NOW ENLARGED, AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. A Christian classic. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
"In the 1660s, Charles II, King of England, asked John Owen (1616-1683), why he went to hear the preaching of an uneducated tinker. [John Bunyan -- compiler]. Looking the King in the eye, Owen answered, 'May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker's ability for preaching, I would willingly relinquish all my learning'." -- Andrew Thomson, John Owen, Prince of Puritans
Owen would not have been surprised to learn that Bunyan's most influential work, PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, would be translated into more languages over the next 400 years than any book except the Bible.
The Greatness of the Soul: and The Unspeakableness of the Loss Thereof; No way to Heaven but by Jesus Christ; The Strait Gate
http://archive.org/details/greatnessofsoulu00bunyuoft
Pilgrim's Page: A John Bunyan Archive
This is the complete set of THE WORKS OF JOHN BUNYAN, George Offor edition, the edition reprinted by The Banner of Truth. It is free online, and is downloadable in the following formats: HTML, RTF, TEXT, and PDF.
http://www.mountzion.org/bunyan.html

*Burges, Cornelius (1589?-1665), The First Sermon Preached to the Honorable House of Commons now Assembled in Parliament at Their Public Fast, Nov. 17, 1640. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available on Reformation Bookshelf CD #29.
"A beautifully clear facsimile copy of this amazing sermon (published by order of the British House of Commons in 1641), exhorting this Parliament to 'stand to the covenant' of God; by, 'endeavouring of a further Sanction of, and stronger Guard about our true Palladium, the true Religion, already established among us; in the perfecting of the Reformation of it; in the erecting, maintaining, protecting, and encouraging of an able, godly, faithful, zealous, profitable, Preaching Ministry, in every Parish Church and Chapel throughout England and Wales; in interceding to the Kings sacred Majesty for the setting up of a Faithful, Judicious, and Zealous Magistracy, where yet the same is wanting, to be ever at hand to back such a Ministry: without either of which, not only the power of Godliness will sooner degenerate into formality, and zeal into lukewarmness; but Popery, Arminianism, Socinianism, Profaneness, Apostasy, and Atheism itself will more and more crowd in upon us, and prevail against us, do You all You can be all other means.' Points out that where a godly ministry and magistracy are lacking, society degenerates into a godless mob, headed by one of the above named heresies -- as we have seen in our day. Presses national covenant renewal, from Jer. 50:5 [Jeremiah 50:5], and explains from scripture how and why this should take place. Cites many biblical examples of the great Scriptural blessing that has followed previous national covenanting; while making practical application to the situation of the day. This sermon foreshadows chapter 23, of the celebrated Westminster Confession of Faith [1646], on 'the Civil Magistrate,' and gives much insight into this watershed period of Christian political development. It is highly recommended for anyone even remotely interested in seeing their nation prosper politically and ecclesiastically. Furthermore, it will be a great help for anyone seeking to formulate a biblical doctrine explaining the four way relationship between: loving God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; Jesus Christ as mediator; the everlasting covenant (and covenanting); and the state, as set forth in Scripture. A very rare item. A Covenanter's delight! 70 pages." -- Publisher

*Burnham, James, Suicide of the West: An Essay on the Meaning and Destiny of Liberalism, ISBN: 0895268221 9780895268228.
"Through studious research into past civilizations, Burnham diagnoses the twentieth century and finds it afflicted with destructive, nay, 'suicidal' tendencies -- all of which emit from the 'Liberal syndrome' and its inherent applications. The book explores several important questions including: Why Liberalism clashes with Christianity and how Liberalism is a root cause of race riots and the rapid growth of crime.
"James Burnham has written a book about Liberalism for which the world has been aching. It is worth more to the West than the year's gross national product, more than all the planes and bombs . . ." -- William F. Buckley, Jr.

*Calvin, John (1509-1564), The Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes, ISBN: 0664220207 9780664220204. Considered to be among the ten greatest books in the English language. A Christian classic.
"Edited by John McNeill and translated by Ford Lewis Battles, this is the definitive English language edition of one of the monumental works of the Christian church." -- Publisher
"Still considered by many to be the finest explanation and defense of the Protestant Reformation available.
"The work is divided into four books: I. The Knowledge of God the Creator, II. The Knowledge of God the Redeemer in Christ, III. The Mode of Obtaining the Grace of Christ, IV. The External Means or Helps by Which God Allures us Into Fellowship With Christ and Keeps us in it. . . . THE INSTITUTES is praised by the secular philosopher, Will Durant, as one of the ten books that shook the world." -- GCB
Calvin spent a lifetime writing and perfecting INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION. His "Prefatory Address" makes it clear that he intended the work to be a defense of Christianity to the King of France.
Therefore, plainly stated, one of the most influential works ever published in the English language is a defense of Christianity to leaders of State.
Prefatory Address to His Most Christian Majesty, The Most Mighty and Illustrious Monarch, Francis, King of the French, His Sovereign, John Calvin. Available in THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
"Indeed, this consideration makes a true king: to recognize himself a minister of God in governing his kingdom. Now, that king, who in ruling over his realm does not serve God's glory, exercises not kingly rule but brigandage. [Footnote: 'Nec iam regnum ille sed latrocinium exercet.' An echo of Augustine's famous phrase: 'When justice is taken away, what are kingdoms [['regna']] but a vast banditry [[magna latocinia]]?' City of God, IV. iv (MPL [[Migne, J.P., 'Patrologiae cursus completus, series Latina']], 41. 115; tr. NPNF [['A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers,' second series]], II. 66)]. Furthermore, he is deceived who looks for enduring prosperity in his kingdom when it is not ruled by God's scepter, that is, his Holy Word; for the heavenly oracle that proclaims that where prophecy fails the people are scattered [Prov. 29:18 (Proverbs 29:18)], cannot lie." (Battles translation)
"The characteristic of a true sovereign is, to acknowledge that, in the administration of his kingdom, he is a minister of God. He who does not make his reign subservient to the divine glory, acts the part not of a king, but a robber. He, moreover, deceives himself who anticipates long prosperity to any kingdom which is not ruled by the sceptre of God, that is, by his divine word. For the heavenly oracle is infallible which has declared, that where there is no vision the people perish (Proverbs 29:18), (Beveridge translation)."
See the entire Prefatory Address, Beveridge translation. Considered to be one of the greatest prefaces ever written.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.ii.viii.html
"The doctrines of covenant liberty were rediscovered in the Reformation. John Calvin went further than anyone else in defining liberty and what Christians need to do to maintain it. Includes bibliographies."
It is recommended that INSTITUTES OF CHRISTIAN RELIGION be used for daily devotions and it may be used in combination with Ford Lewis Battles and John Walchenbach, AN ANALYSIS OF THE INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION OF JOHN CALVIN, and with CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES.
Calvin's Commentaries at BibleStudyGuide.org
http://www.biblestudyguide.org/comment/calvin/comm_index.htm
Calvin's Commentaries, complete
From the Calvin Translation Society edition.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/commentaries.i.html
One Hundred Aphorisms, Containing, Within a Narrow Compass, the Substance and Order of the Four Books of The Institutes of the Christian Religion
http://www.lettermen2.com/pringle.html
Contents and Chapter Sections for Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1559 (McNeill/Battles)
http://www.lettermen2.com/icrcont.html
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion; A New Translation by Henry Beveridge (1845), Volume 1
http://archive.org/details/instituteschrist01calvuoft
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion; A New Translation by Henry Beveridge (1845), Volume 2
http://archive.org/details/institutesofreli02calvuoft
Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Beveridge translation
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.iii.vii.html
Monergism: Commentaries
From Mongergism.com search "commentaries."
http://www.monergism.com

*Charnock, Stephen (1628-1680), The Existence and Attributes of God. A Christian classic. Available (THE WORKS OF STEPHEN CHARNOCK, VOL. 4: THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD), on the Puritan Hard Drive. Available in The Amazing Christian Library.
"When the essence and attributes of God are called into question, to whom else can we better go than to Stephen Charnock? . . . the study of God's attributes is not dry-as-dust theology, but is practical; that is, it leads to righteousness." -- Gordon H. Clark
Discourses Upon the Existence and Attributes of God (1853), Charnock and Symington,
http://archive.org/details/discoursesupone00symigoog
The Works of the Late Rev. Stephen Charnock (1815), volume 1 of 9.
http://archive.org/details/worksoflaterevst01char

*Domhoff, G. William, Who Rules America? Power and Politics, 4th edition, ISBN: 0767416376 9780767416375.
"Domhoff investigates where the power lies in America. He defines the three indicators of power, 'Who Benefits', 'Who Governs', and 'Who Wins' as the basis for determining who holds power. At the end of Chapter 1, Domhoff briefly summarizes the main points of the book: 'Using membership network analysis, this book attempts to show there is a corporate community (Chapter 2) that is the basis for a social upper class (Chapter 3). This intertwined corporate community and social upper class have developed a policy-planning network (Chapter 4) and an opinion-shaping network (Chapter 5) that give them the means to win a majority of seats in the electoral process (Chapter 6) and to shape the policies of interest to them within the federal government (Chapter 7)'.
"The arguments made here are very well researched, with quantitative analysis of how corporate leaders are linked with each other through their common elite socialization and self-interests, corporate directorship positions, foundation trustee status, policy planning groups, and government positions.
"Domhoff gives the subject of power an honest and insightful treatment. After reading this book, I can't imagine a more logical and convincing description of how the unequal distribution of power in America is maintained, and further consolidated. Given its $30 price tag for less than 300 page paperback, I'd check the library before buying this one. Still, highly recommended!" -- Reader's Comment "Professor Domhoff poses (and answers) these questions: