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)And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (Deuteronomy 28:1,2)
Western Civilization emerged in history with a dualistic worldview in opposition to the non-duality of the Eastern worldview. Orthodox, historic Chrisitianty is the highest ethical standard known to mankind. The one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Triune God, sent his only Son to walk the face of the earth, and to teach us how to live right. We crucified him.
The dualistic worldview discerns between life and death, truth and falsehood, light and dark, good and evil, obedience and rebellion, Christ and anti-christ, love and power, social stability and social instability, heaven and hell, theism and atheism, liberty and enslavement, justice and tyranny, male and female, even and odd, and so forth, and so on.
Duality is a fundamental reality of temporal life, that is, the observed difference between life and death, between good and evil, between truth and falsehood, and between justice and tyranny.
Duality is quintessential to temporal life, and it is woven into the very fabric of the English language. Add an "O" to GOD and the word is G O O D. (God is a spirit [John 4:24], infinit [Job 11:7], eternal [Psalm 90:2], and unchangeable [James 1:17] in his Being [Exodus 3:14], Wisdom [Psalm 147:5], Power [Revelation 4:8], Holiness [Revelation 15:4], Justice [Deuteronomy 32:4], Goodness, and Truth [Exodus 34:6,7]. [The answer to question number four, The Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Assembly of Divines]). Reverese the letters of LIVE and the word is E V I L. (Proverbs 8:35,36.) Drop the second "E" in BELIEVE and the words are BE LIVE. (John 14:18,19) Reverse the letters of FLESH and the word is S E L F (Jeremiah 9:23,24), and so forth, and so on.For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;
Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. (Deuteronomy 11:22,23)
See the annotation Deuteronomy 11:22-32 in The Reformation Study Bible.It follows, and it bears remembering, that to be godless is to be both self-destructive and destructive (Proverbs 11:5; Psalm 34:21; Psalm 37:9,10; Proverbs 8:35,36; Proverbs 3:7,8; 1 John 3:14; 1 John 3:16, and so forth).
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day. (Deuteronomy 8:10-11)
And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish. (Deuteronomy 8:19)
To prevent a revolt to false gods, we are forbidden to worship the true God in such a way and manner as the false gods were worshiped in, and are commanded to observe the instituted ordinances of worship that we may adhere to the proper object of worship . . . . [Thus] they [pagan methods, practices, places, customs, etc.] must be destroyed . . . so the varying names of them might be buried in oblivion. -- Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Deuteronomy 12:2-4
He that knows nothing will believe anything. -- Thomas Fuller (1608-1661)
Dealing with cults/occultists is an imperative because the individual can not glorify, love, and serve the Triune God unless he possess his own soul. Society has sever laws against kidnapping -- the stealing of souls warrants the severest of punishment. (1)
Notice that creating and spreading false religion is the ultimate form of brainwashing, with the most horrific consequences. Witness September 11, 2001.
False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. -- J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
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. (2) -- Frank Peretti, This Present Darkness
*Calvin, John (1509-1564), Covenant Enforced: Sermons on Deuteronomy 27 and 28
http://entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/2212_47e.htm
*Calvin, John (1509-1564), Harmony of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Available in CALVIN'S COMMENTARIES, 22 volumes. A Christian classic.
"I know of no man since the Apostles' days whom I value and honor more than Calvin, and whose judgment in all things, one with another, I more esteem and come nearer to." -- Richard Baxter (1615-1691)
"Of all commentators I believe Calvin to be the most candid. . . . He was no trimmer and pruner of texts. He gave their meaning as far as he knew it." -- C.H. Spurgeon
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
Monergism: Commentaries
From Mongergism.com search "commentaries."
http://www.monergism.com
*Calvin, John (1509-1564), Sermons on Deuteronomy, 2 volumes. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Sermons on Deuteronomy by John Calvin
http://www.reformed.com/publications/johncalvinsabbath1of2.php
Covenant Enforced: Sermons on Deuteronomy 27 and 28, John Calvin
http://entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/2212_47e.htm
*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
*Peretti, Frank, This Present Darkness, ISBN: 0891073906 9780891073901. Didactic fiction.
"Ashton is just a small town. But when a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor begin to compare notes, they suddenly find themselves fighting a hideous New Age plot to subjugate the townspeople and, eventually, the entire planet. In this fast-moving thriller, Frank Peretti illustrates the power of demonic forces and the greater power of prayer as a weapon against them." -- CBD
The Pagan/Occult Revival and the rise in Violent/Destructive Crime can be suppressed by the preaching of the Gospel, and by Godly leadership in family, church, and State, leadership by those in covenant relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, covenant heads. The State must administer justice by the punishment of individuals and organizations who violate first God's Law, The Ten Commandments, and then man's secular law. Man's law, as it stands today, has corrupted God's law for the purpose of taking the property and liberty of the citizen as Frederic Bastiat clearly articulates in his 19th century work THE LAW.The difference between God's law and man's law? God enforces his law. Man's law is corrupted, and he is unable to enforce his own law.
The administration of justice in the legal system depends upon being true and faithful 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, when it is based upon God's Law as revealed in THE HOLY BIBLE, then it both represses and suppresses evil, and protects the innocent from suffering 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 and corruption of the Legal Sector and the Court System for the purpose of taking the property and the liberty of the individual.
Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God. When the Lord your God cuts off from before you the nations which you go to dispossess, and you displace them and dwell in their land, take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise. You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:28-32)
And he [Moses] said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)
Departure of the State from the Law of God is analogous to non-duality, polytheism, pluralism, syncretism, toleration, values clarification, situation ethics, diversity and inclusion, antichrist, erastianism, heresy, secular humanism, disestablishmentarianism, ecumenism, egalitarianism, lawlessness, leniency, permissiveness, temporization, invasiveness, loss of liberty, bondage, declension of society, and self-destruction of individuals and society. (See: Frederick Bastiat, The Law, C. Gregg Singer, A Theological Interpretation of American History, 1994, and Pseudo-Christian Movements: A Selection of Works.
Deuteronomy 17 is the classic passage in defense of Samuel Rutherford's (1600-1661), LEX, REX, OR THE LAW AND THE PRINCE, 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)
*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
Brooks, Pat, The Return of the Puritans, 5th edition, ISBN: 0932050042 9780932050045.
"Pat Brooks' classic on Christianity vs. socialism in mortal combat points the way back from degeneracy to divine favor for the U.S."
Shows the Masonic connection in the origins of the Illuminati, CRF, and the Red world government movement.
*Calvin, John (1509-1564), Sermons on Deuteronomy, 2 volumes. A Christian classic. Available on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Sermons on Deuteronomy by John Calvin
http://www.reformed.com/publications/johncalvinsabbath1of2.php
Covenant Enforced: Sermons on Deuteronomy 27 and 28, John Calvin
http://entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/2212_47e.htm
Hammond, Peter, The Biblical Answer to the Education Crisis, an address on Deuteronomy 6:1-9
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1231365421
*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/
*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 (THE WORKS OF JOHN OWEN, William Goold edition). 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
*Singer, C. Gregg (1910-1999), A Theological Interpretation of American History, 1994, 354 pages (Greenville, SC: A Press, 1994, 1981, 1975, 1974, 1964), ISBN: 0875524265 9780875524269. A Christian classic.
This book portrays "the influence of theology and the changing doctrines in the life of the church on the pattern of American political, constitutional, social and economic development.
"The author shows that the decline of constitutional government in this country is the result of the departure from historical Christian faith and the resulting rise of alien political philosophies. Particularly does he emphasize the intimate relationship between theological liberalism on the one hand and political, social, and economic liberalism on the other. This theological liberalism has been a major agent in the decline of the Constitution in the political life of the people and in the appearance of a highly centralized government." -- Publisher
"There is between the democratic philosophy and theological liberalism a basic affinity which has placed them in the same camp in many major political struggles.
"This condition exists because theological liberalism shares the basic postulates of the democratic philosophy. . . .
"Theological liberalism at heart has been a continuing protest against Calvinism, particularly against its insistence on the Sovereignty of God and the Total Depravity of the race. These two Biblical doctrines have often proved to be a stumbling block to theologians within the church as well as to the unbelieving world.
"The result of theological liberalism has been the movement away from constitutionalism and away from liberty, and a movement toward collectivistic society and totalitarian regime." -- C. Gregg Singer, A Theological Interpretation of American History, p. 290
See also: John Knox, the Scottish Covenanters, and the Westminster Assembly (tape 3 of 5) [audio file], in a series of addresses History Notes on Presbyterianism, Reformation, and Theology by Dr. C. Gregg Singer on SermonAudio.com
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12607114250
Dr. C. Gregg Singer at SermonAudio.com (161 messages), [audio file]
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&Keyword=Dr.^C.^Gregg^Singer
Spurgeon, C.H., The Blood of the Lamb, the Conquering Weapon, a sermon.
"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
*Zacharias, Ravi K. (1946-2020), Can man Live Without God? ISBN: 0849911737 9780849911736.
" 'Apart from God, chaos is the norm; with God, the hungers of the mind and heart find their fulfillment.' So writes Ravi Zacharias in this brilliant and compelling apologetic defense of the Christian faith -- the likes of which we haven't seen since C.S. Lewis. With forceful logic, insightful illustrations, and passionate conviction, he shows how affirming the reality of God' existence matters urgently in our everyday lives.
"According to Zacharias, who has debated the issue of God's existence in such settings a Harvard and Princeton Universities, how you answer the question of God' existence will have a profound effect on the way you live your life. It can impact your relationship with others, your commitment to integrity, your attitude toward morality, your perception of truth, and your sense of meaning in life -- it can mean the difference between living a life filled with hope or despair. . . ." -- Publisher
CAN MAN LIVE WITHOUT GOD has sold more copies than any other book by Ravi Zacharias. He has said that it is the book "which touched my life more than anything else." His other works include A SHATTERED VISAGE: THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM, JESUS AMONG OTHER GODS: THE ABSOLUTE CLAIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE, Martin, Walter R. and Ravi K. Zacharias, THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE MAJOR CULT SYSTEMS IN THE PRESENT CHRISTIAN ERA, CRIES OF THE HEART, and DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
"In summary, this is a book to read, whether you are a Christian, Moslem, Jew, or atheist, or any other adherent to a belief system. Ravi is a masterful philosopher, an unmatched apologist, a sympathetic and easy-to-understand author, and a humble man. This is definitely one of the classics in its field." -- Reader's Comment
*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), Has Christianity Failed you? ISBN: 9780310269557 0310269555.
Ravi Zacharias considers this to be his most important book.
"HAS CHRISTIANITY FAILED YOU? is for you, if you have struggled to understand what exactly it is you believe. Acclaimed apologist Ravi Zacharias explores the hard questions about what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. In his landmark new book, he addresses the struggle he hears from both skeptics and Christians: Has Christianity failed us? And can irrefutable charges be brought against it by skeptics and disappointed believers alike?
"In 2006, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) held an open forum at the Fox Theater in Atlanta to address the subject: 'Has Christianity Failed you?' Tickets were sold for the event and -- to the complete surprise of everyone -- the event was sold out with a capacity crowd of over 5,000. People lined up offering to buy tickets from folks in line for higher prices. Before the event, an RZIM cameraman walked the streets and asked people if they had rejected the faith they held at one time. One answered that, because of a Christian's rejection of his gay lifestyle he had done just that. Another answered that she had left her faith because she had fallen into adultery and could never live it down in the church. Others had their own reasons. Some said it was just intellectually untenable in an age of reason. They chose to come to the event to judge if there were adequate answers. It is estimated that for every one person who writes a letter or attends an event, there are one thousand who agree. If the Atlanta crowd was any indication, the question is real and troubling. Why is it that many live with silent doubt, many leaving the 'evangelical fold' for something else? Is there something wrong with the message, the communicator, the hearer . . . or is it all three? It's time to ask the hard questions of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and why it seems as though God has made it so hard to continue believing. In fact, the son of a prominent U.S. Senator phoned me with that very question. 'Why has God made it so hard to believe in Him?' Such skepticism is not just representative of the hostile; it also represents many honest questioners. This book attempts to lay out the response to those within as well as those outside the Christian faith, so as to understand what it is we believe, and why it is so hard to do so. More to the point: Why it is actually so hard to deny God and still make sense out of life? In the end the answers should be both felt and real, with the added truth that God is nearer than you think. He desires that we sense Him very near to us, and not distant. But closeness comes at a cost just as any relationship of love and commitment does.
"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
*Has Christianity Failed You? [audio file], Ravi Zacharias (2019/07/20)
https://www.rzim.org/listen/let-my-people-think/has-christianity-failed-you-part-1
*Has Christianity Failed You? an interview of Ravi Zacharias with Danielle DuRant
"There are an awful lot of Christians walking around these days who are disappointed with their faith. They've been hurt by the church or other believers and it's affected their walk with God."
Includes rare, frank, and wise commentary on the institution of marriage.
https://www.rzim.org/read/just-thinking-magazine/has-christianity-failed-you
*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message, 195 pages, ISBN: 084991437X 9780849914379.
"In his most important work to date, apologetics scholar and popular speaker Ravi Zacharias shows how the blueprint for life and death itself is found in a true understanding of Jesus. With a simple yet penetrating style, Zacharias uses rich illustrations to celebrate the power of Jesus Christ to transform lives. JESUS AMONG OTHER GODS contrasts the truth of Jesus with founders of Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism, strengthening believers and compelling them to share their faith with our post-modern world.
"Ravi Zacharias is president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Born in India and Cambridge educated, he has lectured in several of the world's most prominent universities, as well as in more than fifty countries. He is author of several books, including CAN MAN LIVE WITHOUT GOD, CRIES OF THE HEART and DELIVER US FROM EVIL. He and his wife, Margie, are the parents of three children." -- Publisher
Faith Under Fire: Jesus Among Other Gods, part 1 of 4
"Who is Jesus? Why is He the answer? This week on Let My People Think, Ravi Zacharias examines the four fundamental questions we all ask at some point in our lives and the events in his life that ultimately led him to Jesus."
https://www.rzim.org/listen/just-thinking/faith-under-fire-part-1-of-4
Faith Under Fire: Jesus Among Other Gods, part 2 of 4
https://www.rzim.org/listen/just-thinking/faith-under-fire-part-2-of-4
Faith Under Fire: Jesus Among Other Gods, part 3 of 4
https://www.rzim.org/listen/just-thinking/faith-under-fire-part-3-of-4
Faith Under Fire: Jesus Among Other Gods, part 4 of 4
https://www.rzim.org/listen/just-thinking/faith-under-fire-part-4-of-4
Zacharias, Ravi K. (1946-2020), The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and Mind, ISBN: 9780310454038 0310454034.
"Jesus Christ alone answers our deepest questions. We all have doubts that challenge our faith. We wonder whether the Bible still matters, or whether God is truly as loving and personal as we hope. In his first ever devotional, THE LOGIC OF GOD, apologist Ravi Zacharias offers 52 readings that explain how and why Christianity, the Bible, and God are still relevant, vital, and life-changing for us today. To all our dilemmas Ravi says, 'I am convinced that Jesus Christ alone uniquely answers the deepest questions of our hearts and minds.' With a remarkable grasp of biblical facts and a deep understanding of the questions that trouble our hearts, Ravi tackles the most difficult topics with ease and understanding. But THE LOGIC OF GOD is more than intellectual; it is also personal, offering thoughtful wisdom on: -- when Jesus draws especially near you. -- the deep ray of hope found in God's Word. -- how God transforms disappointments. -- why prayer matters. -- how genuine peace is possible. -- making sense of suffering. Ravi makes profound biblical truth easy to understand. And if your life is busy, this book is designed for you! It addresses 52 topics that you can read over the course of one year or slowly digest at your own pace. Each entry includes a Scripture, questions for reflection, and some practical application steps. When you're struggling with questions and doubts, confused, curious, or just want a clearer way to express your faith THE LOGIC OF GOD has answers that satisfy the heart and the mind." -- Publisher
*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), The Real Face of Atheism. Alternate title: A SHATTERED VISAGE, THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM, 0801099382 9780801099380.
"The author presents a concise apologetic showing the glaring contradictions in this bankrupt worldview. He contrasts the emptiness of atheism with the hope and fulfillment of Christianity, illustrating that atheism is a house divided against itself, destined for collapse. He has lectured in over 40 countries." -- GCB
"With a new introduction and revisions throughout, THE REAL FACE OF ATHEISM is the perfect text for pastors, students, and thinking laypeople who want to improve their apologetic skill and reach out to non-believers." -- Publisher
Zacharias, Ravi K. (1946-2020), and Scott Sawyer, Walking From East to West: God in the Shadows, ISBN: 0310259150 9780310259152.
"Born in India in 1946, Ravi's life was filled with uncertainty and lack of purpose. Today he travels around the world speaking to governments, Ivy League universities, and on the radio. His message is that of certainty and hope in Christ. Firmly believing that the Christian faith is grounded in absolute truth, he has written/co-written over twenty books as he shares through philosophy, apologetics, and theology. How did he make this transformation? WALKING FROM EAST TO WEST; GOD IN THE SHADOWS is his story. He writes of his family background, what it meant to be Indian, how he ended up in Canada, met the woman who became his wife and mother of their three children, and how God brought him into ministry." -- 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
*Zacharias, Ravi K. (1946-2020), and Vince Vitale, Why Suffering?: Finding Meaning and Comfort When Life Doesn't Make Sense, ISBN: 9781455549702 1455549703.
"Why would a loving and powerful God allow so much pain and suffering? In WHY SUFFERING? Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale carefully walk you through a variety of responses that considered together provide a clear, comprehensive, and convincing answer. Responses like: Where there is the possibility of love, there has to be the reality of freedom, and therefore the possibility of pain. Wishing God had made a different world is to wish yourself out of existence. The cross is the key to a compelling and rational explanation for trusting in God in the face of suffering. In comparison with other world religions, the Christian response is highly distinctive. The reality of evil only makes sense in light of the reality of divine goodness. Relational knowledge about God takes the argument beyond reason to the presence of God amidst suffering. God's decision to allow temporal suffering is understandable when viewed from an eternal perspective. Divine goodness shows how to conquer not in spite of, but even through suffering. Here is a book written with great respect for the complexity of the issue, recognizing that some who read it will be in the trenches of deep suffering themselves and others questioning the very existence of a loving God. WHY SUFFERING? provides an answer to the problem of pain and suffering with emotional sensitivity and intellectual integrity." -- Publisher
Ravi Talks About his Book: Why Suffering?
"The Captain of our Salvation, made perfect, made complete, through suffering -- if our Lord himself had to go through that, as he endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of God -- that's why I think there is a key word which James Stewart uses, which I expand upon here, 'He conquered not in spite of the Darkness, fear of evil, he conquered through it' and I believe it is the same in your life and mine. We may not like it, but we conquer through the pain and through the suffering." -- Ravi Zacharias in "Ravi Talks About his Book Why Suffering"
A Theological Interpretation of American History
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#stiahis
The Web Edition of Biblical Counsel: Resources for Renewal
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrhome.html
*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), "Apologetics and the Modern Mind." A video series.
Ravi Zacharias Ministries
http://www.rzim.org
Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), The Christian Privilege, a series of five audio files [audio file].
"Do you think your life is random, or do you believe that you are unique, having been designed by a loving God?
"Why do we turn away from God when we have a better alternative? Instead, we can enjoy a rich connection with Him in the fullness of our humanity.
"Why are we here on earth? Is there some higher purpose that we might not have guessed? Our purpose on earth is completely intertwined with the One who created us.
"What is the goal of your life? Where do you expect to be 20 years from now? These are hard questions, but important ones for those who want to finish life well.
"Do you need God? There's never been a better day to find Him, especially since He wants to be found." -- Publisher
https://www.christianbook.com/the-christian-privilege-ravi-zacharias/pd/DA21164-CP?event=ESRCG
*Zacharias, Ravi (1946-2020), Four Stages of a Nation in Decline, an address
"How did God's chosen people end up as a nation in exile? What are the consequences for a nation that strays from God? Could the United States be headed down the same path? Ravi Zacharias explores the lessons what we can learn from the nation of Israel."
http://rzim.org/let-my-people-think-broadcasts/four-stages-of-a-nation-in-decline/"
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)At the bottom, all non-Christian systems demand autonomy for man, thereby seeking to dethrone God. -- Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987)
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.
Trying to define a satanic group is about as easy as "nailing jello to a post," the dabbling and mixing is so pervasive. But regardless of the setting in which the practice of satanic tenets is found the end result is the same -- destruction of everything and everybody they gain control over.
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.
Freemasonry is the largest and most widely established fraternal order in the world. The masons' guilds were originally restricted to stonecutters, but with the completion of the building of the cathedrals in the 17th century, and especially in England during the Reformation, they admitted as members men of wealth or social status. The guilds thus became societies devoted to general ideals, such as fraternity, equality, and peace, and their meetings became social rather than business occasions. Four or more such guilds, called lodges, united in London on June 24, 1717, to form a grand lodge for London and Westminster, which, within six years, became the Grand Lodge of England. This body is the mother grand lodge of Freemasons in the world, and from it all recognized grand lodges have been derived. The Grand Lodge of All England was formed at York in 1725, that of Ireland at least by June of the same year, and of Scotland, in 1736. The York body came under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge at London later in the century.
As a result of the patronage of the order by members of the nobility, the rising British mercantile class looked upon Freemasonry as an adjunct to social success, and the order became popular. The Masonic ideals of religious toleration and the basic equality of all people were in keeping with the growing spirit of liberalism during the 18th century. One of the basic tenets of the Masonic orders throughout the English-speaking world has been that religion is the concern solely of the individual. -- Encarta Multimedia EncyclopediaIs leadership to blame for our problems?
Lack of individual responsibility (Individual Responsibility for Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification) has a lot to do with the problems of individuals and nation today. (1 Samuel 12:13-15) Sometimes the truth hurts. We humans, with our fuzzy understanding of the Doctrine of the Sovereignty of God (The Sovereignty of God) and The Doctrine of Man (Human Nature, Total Depravity) tend to shift blame (Scapegoating and Blameshifting) to leadership. Blinded to the broader perspective we tend to blame our leaders for our problems. We think the enemies of society are elected officials, civil servants, judges, lawyers, and business CEOs. Or we blame church leaders in the visible church who are not true to Christ. After all they repress and suppress the Truth and are instrumental in maintaining a famine of spiritual knowledge. We blame anyone who has usurped power and who is rebellious and idolatrous.
Viewed from a broader perspective, in the Old Testament our Heavenly Father entered into a covenant with us (The Ten Commandments: The Moral Law), (Covenant Theology and the Ordinance of Covenanting). And in the New Testament He has redeemed us by adopting us back into His family on the basis of the finished life and work of Christ (Book-length Presentations of the Free Offer of The Gospel Message of Salvation and the Life to Come: The Means of Grace). But when we as individuals turn our backs on Christ, when we fall into idolatry, then one of the ways He punishes us is to give us leaders like ourselves, who are rebellious and idolatrous. Notice He gives us exacting what we deserve. He gives us exactly what we have willed for ourselves by the lives we live (Psalm 106:40-43; 1 Samuel 12:14,15). Notice also that He is simply being faithful to his covenant with us (The Covenant Faithfulness of God).
It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of individual members of society that restrains evil. In other words, in the final analysis it is individual hearts filled with the Holy Spirit that determines the leadership of a nation. We are redeemed and saved by our absolute sovereign God in his covenant faithfulness with us. The consequence is righteous leadership and a renewed and stabilized nation. Our prayer should be Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved (Psalm 80:3), (A Theological Interpretation of American History)The magistracy is ordained by God
The Lord has not only testified that the office of magistrate is approved by and acceptable to him, but he also sets out its dignity with the most honorable titles and marvelously commends it to us. To mention a few: Since those who serve as magistrate are called "gods" [Ex. 22:8; Ps. 82:1,6], [Exodus 22:8; Psalm 82:1,6], let no one think that their being so-called is of slight importance. For it signifies that they have a mandate from God, have been invested with divine authority, and are wholly God's representatives, in a manner, acting as his vicegerents. This is no subtlety of mine, but Christ's explanation. "If Scripture," he says, "called them gods to whom the word of God came." [John 13:35]. What is this, except that God has entrusted to them the business of serving him in their office, and (as Moses and Jehoshaphat said to the judges whom they appointed in every city of Judah) of exercising judgment not for Man but for God [Deut. 1:16-17; II Chron. 19:6]? [Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 2 Chronicles 19:6]. To the same purpose is what God's wisdom affirms through Solomon's mouth, that it is his doing "that kings reign, and counselors decree what is just, that princes exercise dominion, and all benevolent judges of the earth" [Prov. 8:14-16], [Proverbs 8:14-16]. This amounts to the same thing as to say: it has not come about by human perversity that the authority over all things on earth is in the hands of kings and other rulers, but by divine providence and holy ordinance. For God was pleased so to rule the affairs of men, inasmuch as he is present with them and also presides over the making of laws and the exercising of equity in courts of justice. Paul also plainly teaches this when he lists "ruling" among God's gifts [Rom. 12:8, KJV or RV], [Romans 12:8], which, variously distributed according to the diversity of grace, ought to be used by Christ's servants for the upbuilding of the church. For even though Paul is there speaking specifically of a council of sober men, who were appointed in the primitive church to preside over the ordering of public discipline (which office is called in the letter to the Corinthians, "government" [I Cor. 12:28]), [1 Corinthians 12:28], yet because we see the civil power serving the same end, there is no doubt that he commends to us every kind of just rule.
But Paul speaks much more clearly when he undertakes a just discussion of this matter. For he states both that power is an ordinance of God [Rom. 13:2], [Romans 13:21], and that there are no powers except those ordained by God [Rom. 13:1]. [Romans 13:1] Further, that princes are ministers of God, for those doing good unto praise; for those doing evil, avengers unto wrath [Rom. 13:3-4], [Romans 13:3,4]. To this may be added the examples of holy men, of whom some possessed kingdoms, as David, Josiah, and Hezekiah; other, lordships, as Joseph and Daniel; other, civil rule among a free people, as Moses, Joshua, and the judges. The Lord has declared his approval of their offices. Accordingly, no one ought to doubt that civil authority is a calling, not only holy and lawful before God, but also the most sacred and by far the most honorable of all callings in the whole life of mortal men. -- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Ford Lewis Battles translation), IV:20:4
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
*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
*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
Lachman, Gary, Politics and the Occult: The Left, the Right, and the Radically Unseen, ISBN: 9780835608572 0835608573.
"Gary Lachman has carved himself a niche as popular historian of counter-culture. In his TURN OFF YOUR MIND, a critical view of Sixties counter-culture, he was not afraid to remind us of the dark and even silly side of the Age of Aquarius. His general stance is liberal, steering a fine line between genuine sympathy for the search for meaning in the irrational and an urbane anxiety about where the irrational may lead once it leaves the commune and enters the wider culture.
"In his books, Lachman has placed counter cultural thinking in a much wider historical context. We can now see it as a more normal response to the world than we have assumed. He has, with perhaps only very occasional slips into credulity, set the gold standard for sympathetic yet critical rational description of these cultures. And he has brought the conclusions of a wide range of more academic investigators and thinkers to a much wider audience.
"POLITICS AND THE OCCULT looks at those who believe in 'occult' forces at work in society and who then seek to act on society in accordance with them. Lachman has decided wisely not to look into secret societies. There are many other interesting books on such societies and on the mythology of secret government. We recommend David V. Barrett's fair minded (perhaps excessively so) A BRIEF HISTORY OF SECRET SOCIETIES which we reviewed in Oracle magazine earlier this year (2008).
"Some very serious academic historians have been looking into the history of the occult as a cultural phenomenon in recent years, notably the incomparable Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke. They have been uncovering more and more about specific groups at nodal points of history and society who have held occult views. Awareness of these movements has been limited by one great truth of history -- the winners write it. The pragmatic and materialist view of history, indeed of existence as a whole, is always the winner because it works. . . .
"With occultists there is rarely a proven connection between one set of occult interventions and another. This either looks like the same phenomenon of resistance to the prevailing current repeating itself in a parody of the 'eternal return' or history degenerates into one of those stories where every occult intervention is linked to its predecessor until the whole process becomes a conspiracy theory in which the 'Hidden Masters' can be traced back to the dawn of time." -- Reader's Comment
*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/
*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
Antinomianism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#antinomianism
Arminianism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#antinomianism
Atheism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2chb.html#atheism
Bible Magistracy Turns Back the Wrath of God
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#bmagistracy
Blasphemy
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2chb.html#blasphem
Conspiracy, Corruption, Organized Crime
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#conacor
Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification (part 1)
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html
Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification (part 2)
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chb.html
The Counter-reformation
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#counterref
The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#dlmagstrs
The Doctrine of Man (Human Nature, Total Depravity)
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2cha.html#domhntd
Epistemology of Theology, The Theory of Knowledge
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#epist
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:
"According to BeginToRead.com: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.
"The National Center for Education Statistics provides more detail. Literacy is broken down into three parameters: prose, document, and quantitative literacy. Each parameter has four levels: below basic, basic, intermediate, and proficient. For prose literacy, for example, a below basic level of literacy means that a person can look at a short piece of text to get a small piece of uncomplicated information, while a person who is below basic in quantitative literacy would be able to do simple addition. In the US, 14 percent of the adult population is at the 'below basic' level for prose literacy; 12 percent are at the 'below basic' level for document literacy; and 22 percent are at that level for quantitative literacy. Only 13 percent of the population is proficient in these three areas -- able to compare viewpoints in two editorials; interpret a table about blood pressure, age, and physical activity; or compute and compare the cost per ounce of food items."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. . . .
Hi-tech Polygraphy as a Means of Broadscale Reform
http://www.lettermen2.com/polytech.html
Islam, Muslim/Moslim (Muhammadanism/Mohammadanism)
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#islamoha
Liberalism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#liberal
Machievellianism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#machiav
The Mediatorial Reign of Christ and the Crown Rights of Christ
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#mediatorialreign
The Non-duality of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother: A Profile
http://www.lettermen2.com/syncret.html
Pseudo-Christian Movements: A Selection of Works
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#pcmove
The Question of the One and the Many
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#onemany
The Religion of Secular Humanism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#shumanism
Secret Societies and Ungodly Alliances
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#ssaua
The Sovereignty of God
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr1cha.html#tsogod
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/
State Sovereignty and Corporate Immunity
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#immunity
Statism (Hellenic Thought), Institutionalism and Corporatism
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#shtic
A Theological Interpretation of American History
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9chc.html#stiahis
Toleration, Liberty of Conscience, Pluralism, "Religious Freedom," and Neutrality
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html#toleration
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
The basic tenet of the destructive cults is to destroy any individual or organization which they can not control.The temptation of the Devil is expressed metaphysically by the tenet "You can be God," epistemologically by the tenet "You can know all things," and ethically by the tenet "You can make your own laws." -- Robert Morley
In terms of personal relationships, generally cultists betray themselves by the following:
1. Invasiveness (temporization, infiltration) -- they intrude into stable society that is of good will where there is relative peace and established order. Cults must be invasive because alone they are self-destructive,
Adapted from Cult Awareness Network materials: (4)
2. Returning evil for good,
3. Without conscience hating the "objects of their love,"
4. Destroying individuals/organizations they can not control, and
5. Self-destructiveness and destructiveness. Whatever a cult gains control of they destroy. And because they are self-destructive, ultimately they destroy themselves by their own godlessness. (3)JEZEBEL [ISABEL]. The name probably means chaste as does the common European name Agnes -- quite inappropriate. Her story extends from 1 Kings 16 to 2 Kings 11.
- There is undue influence from group leadership and evidence of attempts at mind control.
- There is charismatic leadership, even a younger person who claims special knowledge, and is given special power and privileges in the group.
- Deception pervades the group's activities. They claim to be one thing and are obviously something else. They present odd or inconsistent stories about what they do as a group, where they've been.
- The group exults in exclusivity, elitism, and euphoria. Again, the group is guarded or vague about activities and purposes. Participants seem concerned about power and exhibit odd euphoric states -- which can be results of, or separate from, drug-induced 'highs.'
- Alienation is encouraged by the group. Far beyond the normal teenage drive for independence, participants in these cult-like groups estrange themselves from family, old friends, and society.
- There may be signs of exploitation in the group. A member may suggest he or she "owes" the group something, such as money or a favor.
1. Jezebel's family origin. This remarkable evil woman was derived from a Phoenician clan which she truly represented. This family happens to constitute one of the earliest confluences of Biblical history with the written classical history of Greece -- if one may suppose that such were Josephus' sources. Though called "king of the Zidonians," Ethbaal (1 Kings 16:31), her father was king of all Phoenicia. By assassination of his predecessor he had established his reign at the age of thirty-six. His reign lasted thirty-two years. His dynasty included a great-grandson, Pygmalion, who, at the time of his death ninety-four years after Ethbaal's accession, brought the reign of the dynasty to an end. (See: ARAB.)
2. Marriage (1 Kings 16:31). Although marriage of Hebrews with the Canaanite peoples of the Levant was strictly forbidden by Mosaic law it was precisely her unlawful conjugal union with Ahab (q.v.) which rescued her name from the oblivion of most other ancients and secured for her a perpetual infamy wherever the Holy Scriptures are known.
3. Her anti-Jehovah acts. Scripture traces her husband's apostasy directly to her influence (1 Kings 6:30-34). His evils, said to be more than any of his predecessors' in office, are laid at her door. These were chiefly giving himself to Baal worship, with all its vile accompaniments, establishing a Baal cult center at Samaria, the national capital, and thereby leading the whole nation into apostasy. At her instigation (Ahab consenting), a systematic program aimed at extermination of all leadership of Jehovah worship in Israel was begun. Evidently the Lord's prophets were slaughtered by the hundreds (1 Kings 18:1-4). At the same time Baal prophets were given national prominence, a number even being housed and fed in precincts of the royal palace (1 Kings 18:17-19).
4. Contest with Elijah (1 Kings 18,19). It was in this climate of national tension that the prophet Elijah (q.v.) appeared as single public advocate of the ancestral faith. The striking events of Elijah's career -- the prophesied drought (2 Kings 17:1ff), his period of hiding and divine sustenance (2 Kings 17:2-24), the contest with the 850 prophets of Baal and his consort (2 Kings 18:1-40), breaking of the drought (2 Kings 18:41-46), and the flight to Sinai are all features of Elijah's personal contest with Jezebel.
5. Murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21:5-15 cf. 2 Kings 9:26). This incident which displays the worst side of Ahab's weak character shows his wife as a true daughter of a pagan court -- intrigue, treason, deception, public display of legality and virtue to cover subvert unrighteousness. The scrupulosity of apparent observance of legal (Mosaic law, for it was still official constitution), details, while perpetrating murder and theft, is a lesson in betrayal of public trust by official persons.
6. Prophecy of her violent death and extinction of her family (1 Kings 21:17-24). For fulfillment of this horrible prognostication read 1 Kings 22:29-40 (Ahab's end), and 2 Kings 9: 1-37 (Jezebel and her posterity). [See also: JEHOSHAPHAT; JEHORAM; AHAZIAH and ATHALIAH].
7. Her permanent baleful influences. Immediately, the Scripture states, she corrupted her husband (1 Kings 21:25,26), and through him the kingdom of Israel. Through her offspring, married to the leading scion of the house of David (viz. JEHOSHAPHAT; AHAZIAH; ATHALIAH), she came near to bringing the house of David to extinction (viz. also 2 Kings 8:25-27; 2 Kings 11:1-3; 2 Chronicles 21:5-7; 2 Chronicles 21:22: 2 Chronicles 10 -- 2 Chronicles 23:21). -- R.D. Culver, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, pp. 589,590
Breese, Dave, Leader's Guide for Know the Marks of Cults.
*Gelet, James, Eric Holmberg, Jerry Johnson, and Apologetics Group, The Marks of a Cult: A Biblical Analysis, DVD, ISBN: 1573411507 9781573411509.
"In today's religiously diverse and relativistic culture, labelling a group a cult may seem extreme to many people, not to mention rude. Even people who believe in absolute Truth and further believe that Jesus is the only way to eternal life can get confused about just what constitutes real Christianity. 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 or Wesleyans or 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?'
"Join us for a journey into the heart of Biblical revelation and the constant struggle of truth against lies, the apostolic faith against the 'doctrines of demons.'
"This documentary from ApologeticsGroup.com does more than simply point fingers. It explains in great detail the absolute essentials of the Faith, and just how and why Christians can properly and necessarily refer to certain sects as 'cults.' Not only a tool for recognizing and understanding false teaching -- and for reaching people held captive to it -- The Marks of a Cult is also a powerful apologetic on the need for Christians to become more rooted in the Biblical historic faith, with its creeds and confessions, and to be better prepared to give 'a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you'." (1 Peter 3:15) -- 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
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
Skolfied, Ellis H., Sunset of the Western Church.
"Raw and unvarnished, this book is about bare-knuckled spiritual warfare. This book contains pointed examples of heresies and of demonic invasion of the church." -- GCB
Hi-tech Polygraphy as a Means of Broadscale Reform (Preliminary DRAFT), (broken link)
http://www.lettermen2.com/polytech.html
Rebellion and Lawlessness: Insanity, Mental Illness, Wickedness, Demonic Possession, Substance Abuse, Abnormal Behavior, Mental Retardation
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2chb.html#rlinsane
A Redneck Resolution Against Self-Destruction
http://www.lettermen2.com/redneck.html
Scientology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology
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
And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. -- The Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:45)
The leading idea is, "Falsehood has laid such fast hold of, has taken such deep root in, your minds, -- you so firmly believe a lie, -- that truth, instead of being a recommendation to my statements, is the very thing which prevents you from receiving them." They had professed faith in him; but that was when they were in a mistake respecting his character. They had concluded that he was "the Messiah," understanding by that word a temporal deliverer. Viewing him in this false light, they were quite ready to be his followers; but no sooner had he told them the truth, that the liberty he came to bestow was a liberty of mind and heart, to be produced by the operation of his doctrine understood and believed, than they retracted their profession, -- they would not acknowledge him as the Messiah, -- they would not "continue in his word," -- they would not be "his disciples." Had he told them a lie, -- had he flattered their prejudices, -- had he promised to "restore the kingdom to Israel," in their sense of these terms, -- then they would have believed him, then they would have followed wherever he chose to lead. But because he told them the truth, that he was not a temporal deliverer, but a spiritual Saviour, -- "therefore," on that very ground, they disbelieved him, and were disposed not only to "go back, and walk no more with him," but even to wish and to plot his destruction. They thus showed that they not only had no appetite for truth, but a positive distaste for it, and proved their spiritual relationship to him who is a liar, who abides not in the truth, in whom there is no truth. So dangerous is it for the mind to get under the influence of error respecting the great fundamental principles of religion. It leads, in innumerable instances, to the mistaking of truth for falsehood, and falsehood for truth, -- and induces men to receive a doctrine for the very reason for which they out to reject it, and to reject a doctrine for the very reason for which they ought to receive it." -- John Brown (of Edinburgh, 1784-1858), Discourse and Sayings of Our Lord (II:62)
Warning Signs of Involvement
January 7 St. Winebald Day Blood rituals January 17 Satanic Revels Sexual rituals February 2 Satanic Revels Sexual rituals February 25 St. Walpurgis Day Blood rituals March 1 St. Eichatadt Blood rituals March 20 Equinox Feast Day Sexual rituals April 26-May 1 Grand Climax Blood rituals June 21 Solstice Feast Day Sexual rituals July 1 Demon Revels Blood rituals August 3 Satanic Revels Sexual rituals September 7 Marriage to the Beast Sexual rituals September 20 Midnight Host Blood rituals September 22 Equinox Feast Day Sexual rituals October 29 All Hallow Eve Blood rituals November 1 Halloween Sexual rituals December 22 Solstice Feast Day Sexual rituals December 24 High Grand Climax Blood rituals
As theological modernism swept through the Church over a century ago, in deference to the prevailing philosophical and scientific climate of the day, belief in the supernatural was regarded as an old, medieval relic. Modern churchmen were in the vanguard of those intellectuals who "laid" [apparently as in "laid-back" relaxed and easygoing -- compiler], the supernatural. Modern man, it was argued, could not be expected to believe in spirits in a world in which the wonders and triumphs of science increased almost daily. Philosophy, logic and psychiatry had all the answers. To ask twentieth-century man to accept Biblical dogmas was an insult to his intelligence. The bible must be "demythologized."
All seemed to be going well until modern man became difficult. In an age in which the tenets of humanism were more consistently applied that at any previous time, there occurred what is now termed the "occult explosion." The spiritual nature of man cannot be suppressed indefinitely, and frequently it will express itself in the most bizarre fashion accompanied with the strangest aberrations. Liberal churchmen suddenly found themselves out of fashion in a day when ouija boards, seances, witches' covens and exorcisms became quite common and stole the headlines in newspapers and periodicals. Embarrassed churchmen spoke unconvincingly in televised interviews. At the same time a number of their colleagues urged a return to exorcism in the old medieval style." -- Frederick S. Leahy in Satan Cast out, p. 136Youth are particularly vulnerable to cults. What begins as moral turpitude can grow into serious involvement in destructive cults.
Youth and self-styled Satanists are recruited into the cult by lures promising companionship, excitement or thrills, free sex, free drugs, money, power and recognition. These lures are intensively persuasive to a person from a dysfunctional family whose values conflict with the family or society. (22)
The public is alarmed by the thought of Satanism. Information on Satanism is repressed. "Nobody wants to acknowledge that so much Satanism is going on in so many locations. Because if it's true, we need to be alarmed . . ." (23). Arthur Lyons in THE SECOND COMING: SATANISM IN AMERICA, states that the United States has the fastest growing and most organized body of Satanists in the world.
See: "Denialism" below, under "Related Weblinks -- General."
The growing threat of black-magic-inspired killings has so alarmed some police forces that officers are receiving special instruction -- such as the eighty New York state police officers who attended a seminar on Satanism and the occult in 1989, in order to "respond to the growing incidence nationwide of cult related crimes and rituals." An initiative being taken up across the country. (24)
"There is still a lot of denial that it [satanic practice], exists, but that comes from ignorance, just not being able to recognize it." [emphasis added], said Robert Simandl, a youth officer with the Chicago Police Department, and a recognized expert in occult-related crime. (25)
Rest easy, worried Christian. The duel is not between the church and Satan, but between Christ and Satan. These are the champions of the two sides. Gather round and watch the all-wise God joust with His crafty opponent. You shall behold the Almighty smite off this Goliath's head with his own sword, and take this wicked knight in the trap of his own schemes. That faith which ascribes greatness and wisdom to God will shrink up Satan's challenge into a thing of nothing. Unbelief fears Satan as a lion; faith treads upon him as a worm. -- William Gurnall (1617-1679)
Glendale Police Department, Glendale, CA 91200, Occult Criminal Investigation. Available from the National Institute of Justice, Rockville, MD 20849.
"Sgt. Randall wrote this manual for his Police Department. The course is state accredited. He is a professing fundamentalist Christian. . . .
"Police officers must be aware that the Constitution's First Amendment gives people the freedom to worship God, plants, Satan, or any other symbol. Witchcraft, the Occult, and Satanism are sometimes considered to be synonymous. Individuals interested in deviant pagan and satanic practices are usually male, intelligent, creative, alienated from the family religion, and middle-class or upper-middle-class. They usually have a difficult time relating to peers, have low self-esteem, and may be underachievers. Early phases of involvement with deviant or satanic practices include stress with accompanying anxiety and fear and feelings of inadequacy or loss of control. Signs of active involvement include obsession with fantasy role-playing games, books on magic or witchcraft, the use of objects for spells or rituals, symbolic jewelry, drug abuse, unexplained paranoia or fear of the world, and extreme secrecy. Crime scenes may offer clues to involvement in the occult: mockery of Christian symbols; the use of stolen or vandalized Christian artifacts; unusual drawings; animal mutilations; skulls with or without candles; and rooms draped in black, white, or red. Glossary, drawings and explanations of symbols, list of ritualistic items that should be listed on a search warrant, and suggestions for investigating a ritualistic crime scene." -- Publisher
Gunderson, Ted, and the National Research Center on the Ritual and Occult Abuse of Children, America's Best Kept Secret: A Look at Modern day Satanism, DVD.
"Documentary designed as a teaching tool to examine the increase of devil worship in America today. Contains first-hand accounts and interviews." -- Publisher
Gunderson, Ted, and the National Research Center on the Ritual and Occult Abuse of Children, Ritual, Occult and Satanic Crime Investigation (Ted L. Gunderson and Associates, Inc., 2210 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 422, Santa Monica, CA 90403).
"This training film for police includes ritual and crime scene reenactments, interviews with victims, and discussions by experts." -- Publisher
Former FBI agent who now investigates cults and the occult. Very convinced that Satanists are committing crimes. Subscribes to the occult underground theory.
Appeared 10-25-88 -- Geraldo Rivera Special -- "Devil Worship, Exposing Satan's Underground" and 5-3-89 -- "Of Drugs, Death, and the Devil" Geraldo Rivera (Matamoros Killings)
*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
Lanning, Kenneth V., National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (U.S.), Behavorial Sciences Unit, Investigator's Guide to Allegations of "Ritual" Child Abuse.
1992 FBI Report -- Satanic Ritual Abuse, Kenneth V. Lanning, Supervisory Special Agent Behavioral Science Unit National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime
https://www.cultwatch.com/satanicabuse.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
*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
Lyons, Arthur, The Second Coming: Satanism in America, ISBN: 0396062520 9780396062523.
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 47:1-15.
Perkins, William (1558-1602), Satans Sophistrie Ansuuered by our Sauiour Christ and in Diuers Sermons Further Manifested, by That Worthy man Maister William Perkins; to Which is Added, a Comfort for the feeble minded, wherein is set downe the temptations of a Christian, 1604, Available (THE WORKS OF THAT FAMOUS AND WORTHY MINISTER OF CHRIST, MR. W. PERKINS), on the Puritan Hard Drive.
Peterson, Alan H., USCCCN National Crime Commission, USCCCN National Clearinghouse on Satanic Crime, The American Focus on Satanic Crime, 2 volumes, ISBN: 1877858005 9781877858000 1877858021 9781877858024.
*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], 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."
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
Ryle, J.C., Warning to the Churches. Alternate title: CHURCHES BEWARE!: 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 Warning to the Churches, pp. 93-121.
Pharisees and Sadducees, J.C. Ryle
https://gracegems.org/23/Ryle_pharisees_and_sadducees.htm
Zilliox, Larry, Jr., and Larry Kahaner, How to Investigate Destructive Cults and Underground Groups: An Investigator's Manual. Available from Kane Associates International, Inc, Box 2732, Alexandria, VA 22301.
Secular authors. Zilliox is a private investigator that trains New York City Police to investigate crimes of child abuse and other cult crimes.
"Annotation: This manual describes investigative techniques related to destructive cults and underground groups. The groups described in this manual are characterized by a highly charged devotion to a charismatic leader or symbol; they operate unethically or illegally using coercion, mind control, and other manipulative techniques.
"Both 'live-in' and 'live-away' cults are vertically organized; only the cult leader and a few advisers are cognizant of the full range of the group's activities and finances. Investigators can use the cult's own materials, particularly pamphlets, books, audio and videotapes, to find out its level of organization, exact name, address, phone number, affiliates, and philosophy; any accompanying photographs are also useful. An investigator can obtain information on the cult's financial situation from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), State tax records, motor vehicles records, county property records, and municipal records. An investigator needs to develop information on the charismatic leader including his given name, address, date of birth, social security number, and marital status. Research into the cult must also cover its recruitment techniques, victim profiles, and methods of indoctrination. Intensive investigation and infiltration techniques that can be employed against cults can involve mail and telephone contacts, personal infiltration, searches of garbage, debriefs of former members, car-to-car and foot surveillance, stakeouts, and report writing. An investigator may discover crimes committed by cult members including fraud, petty crimes, prostitution, drug-related offenses, and violent crimes. Other resources available to investigators include libraries, newspapers and magazines, databases, books, and sources available under the Freedom of Information Act. Special problems related to investigations of destructive occult and satanic groups are outlined. -- Publisher
Anti-Cult Organizations Listing
http://slvrsplsh.freeservers.com/pagan101/page18.html
Apologetics Index: Apologetics Research Resources on Religious Cults, Sects, Movements, Doctrines, Etc.
http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/index.html
Beware of Men, Trinity Review, July 1999, John W. Robbins (1949-2008)
http://trinityfoundation.org/journal.php?id=136
Biblical Test of Character for Candidates for Public Office and all Civil Servants
http://www.lettermen2.com/bibltest.html
Churches That Abuse
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr7ch.html#ctabs
City Bosses
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#ctybs
The Code of Virginia: Information to be filed by clandestine organization with State Corporation Commission
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter9/section18.2-421/
The Code of Virginia: Select Sexual Offences
Corporate Faithfulness and Sanctification
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr9cha.html
The Counter-reformation
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#counterref
Cult Awareness Network
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_Awareness_Network
Denialism
Denialism seems to be one answer to why the unregenerate make highly foolish spiritual and political decisions.
In extremely dangerous situations the skeptic has a tendency to fall into 'denialism.' Some individuals will also fall into
defense mechanisms which can result in absurd, extreme, reverse reactions.
"For example, military authorities are known to have trouble with reckless crew members unloading bomb ships and trucking bombs to aircraft and to magazines.
"This is highly dangerous work, because an unfused bomb can detonate if it sustains a sever jolt. For example, if a pallet of bombs is dropped into the hold of a ship, or if a bomb truck wrecks, then the remaining unfused bombs will explode by sympathetic detonation, doing massive destruction to the surrounding area which may be populated. The USS Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded at Manus Island during World War II. It took other bomb ships with it, and the destruction was massive.
"Yet crane operators, fully aware of the dangers involved, and aware of the need for extreme safety, react with 'denialism' and with 'defense mechanism,' extremely dangerous 'reverse reactions,' such as, carelessly letting pallets of bombs swing into walls of the ship. Bomb truck drivers sometimes deliberately speed and drive recklessly.
"It would appear that a 'Christ hating world (John 14:6) denies The Sovereign Grace of God (Isaiah 33:22) and Divine Providence in a similar way, and for similar reasons.
"Similarly, the world denies the existence of Satan, Satanism, and satanic ritual child abuse. It also denies the similarities between destructive cults, the Deep State, political corruption, and the basic tenets of Satanism."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denialism
The Fallibility of Ministers, by J.C. Ryle
http://www.trinityfoundation.org/reviews/journal.asp?ID=113a.html
Gratuitous Sex, a Cause of Violence
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2chb.html#gsacov
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Hi-tech Polygraphy as a Means of Broadscale Reform (Preliminary DRAFT), (broken link)
http://www.lettermen2.com/polytech.html
Investigator's Guide to Allegations of "Ritual" Child Abuse
ftp://ftp.vix.com/pub/free/Articles/rituals.fbi
Mind Control, Intimidation, and Coercion
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2chb.html#mindcic
The Non-duality of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother: A Profile
http://www.lettermen2.com/syncret.html
Pseudo-Christian Movements: A Selection of Works
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#pcmove
Rebellion and Lawlessness: Insanity, Mental Illness, Wickedness, Demonic Possession, Substance Abuse, Abnormal Behavior, Mental Retardation
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#rlinsane
A Redneck Resolution Against Self-destruction
http://www.lettermen2.com/redneck.html
Secret Societies and Ungodly Alliances
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#ssaua
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http://www.sexualoffenders.com/
Sorcery
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrr2chb.html#sorcery
Soul-violence
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#ssaua
Spiritual Counterfeits Project
http://www.scp-inc.org/
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
Totalism -- Group Dynamics
http://www.ex-cult.org/General/totalism-group-dynamics
Trinitarianism Verses Polytheism: Unresolved Questions of Article VI, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution
http://www.lettermen2.com/trinpoly.html
TruthFinder
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An Understanding of Cult Mind Control
http://www.shassan.com/
Unfaithful Reformed Ministries
http://www.lettermen2.com/bcrrappd.html#unfaith
ussearch.com
Sex offender search, State criminal search, Department of Corrections search.
http://www.ussearch.com/
Virginia State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/
Watchman Fellowship Index of Cults
http://www.watchman.org/indxmenu.htm
West Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry
http://www.statepolice.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx
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