Worldviews
The Newsletter of the Apologetics Resource Center
July 2005

Welcome to Our World
A little over five years ago, Clete Hux and I (Craig Branch) were laboring with Watchman Fellowship, a counter-cult ministry, Steve Cowan was pastoring a small church and teaching philosophy in Arkansas, Jason Dollar was finishing at Southeastern Bible College and entering Beeson Divinity School, and Keith Gibson was (and still is) pastoring a church in Kansas City. God’s directed mission began to take root in me to come alongside His Church to integrate a wholistic ministry of apologetics. Why? Because the Church, in general (there are exceptions), was becoming ingrown, stagnant, and even slowly conformed to the world instead of radically engaging the world as salt and light bearers of truth.

Christian pollster George Barna called it the “frog in the kettle syndrome.” The postmodern, relativistic, new age, materialistic, self-centered pulses had built into a tidal wave and continues to gain momentum. A withdrawing Church, losing its saltiness, was becoming irrelevant. People still looked for meaning and spirituality, so cults, the new age, and perverted Christian churches continue to grow.

The Scriptures are very specific about these areas. Read the prophetic exhortations and warnings in 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 3:1-9; 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 4:1-11. But as prophetic voices are heard, the Church is responding, albeit slowly. Do you think I’m exaggerating? Take the pulse. Are you sharing your faith? How many people have you significantly shared your faith with in the past couple of years? How about your church? How many new adult professions of faith have you averaged over the past ten years? What about children? Are they staying committed to the Lord after high school? What percentage of your church is involved in Sunday School, small group discipleship and in active outreach ministries in or outside your church? How many are we sending into missions? How many even know how to share their faith and answer the common objections or barriers to belief?

Visit our website and click on the page “Why ARC?” and read the reality of Barna’s research on the church and culture. We need to update these figures. A new alarming figure via Barna indicates that “more people use Christian media than attend church.” Barna notes that some “people are using Christian media to provide elements of ministry that are not adequately provided to them by their local church...for others these form a significant part of their faith experience.” This is very disturbing because much of Christian media is shallow, and some even heretical (see following articles). And it reflects a shallow, convenience-driven, “fit-it-in-my-corroded-schedule” mentality.

Only 7% of Americans are evangelical, believing in salvation by grace and faith alone, the inerrancy of the Bible, Christ’s sinless life, that Satan exists, we have a personal responsibility to share our faith, and that God is an all-knowing, all-powerful deity who created the universe and still rules!

Another poll just released is entitled, “Americans Seek Religious Connection to God Without Religion.” Religious book sales grew 17% in 2004 ($3.8 billion) at the same time “Americans with no organized religious affiliation doubled over the last decade, 16% more (47 million).” The poll’s conclusion is that people are seeking a connection to God in a personal experience “unhindered by dogma, creed, or ritual.”

While conservative churches are showing mild growth (often transfers), mainline church’s figures are revealing. For example, the Presbyterian Church USA lost 46,658 members in 2004, 45 fewer congregations, 2400 fewer elders, 1600 fewer baptisms. Their membership was 4,200,000 in 1983. In 2004, it was 2,362,136. And finally (for now) the research shows that living a comfortable and satisfying life ranked significantly highest among Americans as the most important goal.

What About the Media?
Most Christians are very critical of the liberal bias and agenda of most of the media (myself included). Gary Palmer, Director of the Alabama Policy Institute (Dobson) issued a “viewpoints” titled “How Media Has Lost Public Trust” with survey data indicating the public’s confidence in newspapers and TV has declined from 54% in 1989 to 28% in 2005.
The conservative Weekly Standard published an article this month on the liberal press’s coverage of the activity of “intelligent design” proponents as “the latest faith based assault on science and rationality.”

But even if this bias is as pronounced as we believe, part of the fault lies at the feet of the Church. Rather than understand and engage in the issues intelligently, the Church, for the most part, has retreated from the process. We are called to intentionally enter into the process--even going into those professions ourselves and insisting on balanced, professional representation.

May I recommend an important book for Christians, Quoting God, edited by Claire Badaracco? An endorsement by evangelical Michael Cromartie of the Ethics & Public Policy Center in Washington reads, “There is rarely any news today, whether national or international, that is not freighted with a religious component or a religious underpinning. The scholars and journalists in this volume know the importance religion plays in almost every dimension of life. Covering a wide array of topics, the essays in this book make a unique contribution on a subject much discussed but little understood. It will be a valuable resource.”

Next month’s Worldviews will contain a review of two more important books recommended to you--Cash Values: Money and the Erosion of Meaning in Today’s Society by Craig Gay, and Why the Rest Hates the West by Meic Pearce.

Why Joel Osteen?
In our last Worldviews, I wrote a section titled “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” featuring a number of Word-Faith heretics including the latest wonder kid, Joel Osteen.
Joel Osteen continues to be in the news. The feature stories tell about the opening of his new church location at the former Houston Rocket basketball team’s Compaq Center. Lakewood Church has the largest attendance in the U.S., averaging 32,500. The new church seats 16,000 so there are to be three services. They spent $90 million in renovations and additions, including waterfalls, an orchestra pit that raises and lowers. Just think of how many ministries that could have launched or supported.

Osteen’s first Norman Vincent Peale type positive thinking book, Your Best Life Now, made #1 on the New York Times best-seller list. Osteen lives in a $2 million home in Houston’s fashionable district. Osteen’s service is available on 95% of television stations and their annual TV budget is $20 million.

Why am I writing about this? Several reasons. We receive inquiries because of the heavy publicity and because people watch him or are reading his book; because this is an example of a direction of the Church and the state of culture that the lead article spoke about; we need to separate the “wheat from the chaff” of Osteen’s message and recover a true, vital relationship with Christ, understanding our true calling.

Doug LeBlanc received Osteen’s book in Christianity Today relating that Osteen does avoid “some of the harder edges of prosperity theology” like Kenneth Copeland but does promote “some of prosperity theology’s favorite notions” such as “changing your life with the power of spoken words.” He goes on to note that to live without prosperity “dishonors God...even acts of mercy are not string-free expressions of God’s grace, but faith building down-payments in a ‘you can’t outgive God’ account.”

Ask for our Joel Osteen packet and share the knowledge with friends.

Negative Confessions
Tax investigations are underway now on the ministry of Benny Hinn and of another televangelist, Morris Cerullo. Hinn who has many examples of healing from his crusades cannot document any of them as accurate. Hinn is making $1.325 million annually. His wife is listed as a “pastor’s assistant at $166,000 per year his daughter and son-in-law are listed as receiving $155,000 annually.

Now the IRS is investigating Hinn for possible inurement (someone getting substantial financial benefit from the organization). Plus, Hinn’s salary is not near the peer level of preachers. In addition, Hinn’s operation involves no membership so it is wrong to list it as a church.

Morris Cerullo president of Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, has been indicted by the Federal Grand Jury for three counts of filing false tax returns from 1998-2000. The indictment states he under reported $290,000 in 1998, and $110,000 in 1999, and $150,000 for 2000. Cerullo too is a major word-faith heretic.

Take Action
A friend of our ministry, James Kieferdorf of Dallas, sent us copies of correspondence he had between himself and David Cerullo (son of Morris Cerullo), president of the cable channel, the Inspiration Network. The so-called Christian programming network was carrying a regular program called “Armor of God.” This program is produced by the Church of God International (COGI), a pseudo-Christian cult offshoot of the old Worldwide Church of God, then led by Herbert W. Armstrong. The COGI was founded by Garner Ted Armstrong until he was caught in the adulterous affair.

Kieferdorf remembered the episode we had with a popular local radio program and its national parent company. Crawford Broadcasting, who ran two Armstrong splinter cults programs as well as a host of word-faith programming.

Kieferdorf documented the anti-Trinitarian and legalisms of the COGI and enlisted the help of many ministries, Christians, and continued to press the issue with Cerullo as well as the National Religious Broadcasters.

Finally the pressure may be prevailing as the Inspiration Network might drop the cult programming. Does your “Christian” radio carry “Armor of God” or “Born to Win” featuring ex-Armstrong preacher Ron Dart? If so, contact your station manager and get your pastor and other pastors, as well as Christian friends to voice their objections. These “Christian” radio programs must realize their responsibility or else they are truly only commercial stations trying to market a broad “Christian” target community.

Cults
Cults are often called “the unpaid bills of the church.” Why? Three reasons: (1) The church is generally not committed to disciplining their members in sound doctrine and members are anemic, vulnerable, and looking for some spiritual vitality. (2) The church is ingrown and not taking seriously the Great Commission. (3) Even stronger churches that do take evangelism seriously still do not focus on cults as a huge mission field. This goes for other religions like Islam as well. For example, less than 5% of the entire Christian missionary force combined is focused on Islam, yet it is the 2nd largest religion both in the U.S and around the world.

Be encouraged – When Christians intentionally commit to meeting with Mormon missionaries (or members) and/or Jehovah’s Witnesses, things will happen, both in the Christian and the cult member. Jesus tells us that some sow and others reap and that we both enter into the harvest together.

For example, two single girls and a guy in our church heard our message and began to meet with Mormon missionaries. We gave them materials and some coaching. The Christians’ hearts and minds became involved and it was a truly rewarding experience. They continued to meet for months, sometimes with serious discussions, other times more socially. The Christians enlisted concerted prayer support as well.

Well, our God of mercy and encouragement is moving. The Christians received an e-mail from one of the missionaries who said he is leaving the LDS church, that there are too many irreconcilable problems there. Pray with us now that Patrick will not only fully leave but will come to the real Jesus. We are offering him all kinds of support. If everyone reading this would commit to do the same, I guarantee it will make a huge difference in the Kingdom, including your life and faith as well. We will help!

Mormon News
With the LDS (Latter Day Saints) church experiencing measurable declines (like many Christian churches), their church is changing its strategy in the door-to-door missionary approach. According to their annual report, the number of missionaries fell down from 61,638 in 2002 to 51,067 in 2004. New converts dropped from 321,385 in 1996 to 241,239 in 2004.

Formerly, the missionaries memorized a structured 6 lesson series, containing 676 pages. Now they will study and learn the doctrines and principles (230 pages) and will then create and present five individualized lessons for each prospect. This could make it easier as we can now better direct the discussion since it is more relational rather than wrote. Order our back issue of Areopagus Journal, “The Cult Next Door” on Mormonism for a very effective understanding and evangelistic method to Mormons (and not just missionaries – neighbors and friends too).

Beware (Be Aware)
There is a new book out, A Different Jesus? by Mormon professor Robert Millet from BYU. Millet is also head of interfaith relations. The book is published by a Christian publisher – Eerdmans. Millet has been dialoguing with a group of Christian theologians and apologists, including Dr. Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Seminary, who has recently made naïve and outrageous public statements regarding Mormons and Christian counter-cult apologists.

We have not received our copy yet to review it but Eerdmans posted an interview on their site that is very disturbing. In it Millet expresses concern that “brothers and sisters” in other Christian denominations understand that the LDS share the same core doctrines on Jesus and His work and we need to be “at least accurate in the things we disagree about.”
He says that “it is very important to set the record straight and that people of all religious persuasions be properly understood and properly respected.”

But he proceeds to be inaccurate in comparing our doctrines and also in representing how the LDS church views us. We stress that Millet does not speak officially (authoritatively) for their church. This is a public relations play and shame on Richard Mouw for not truly understanding actual LDS doctrine, to discern the deceptive double-speak of Robert Millet.

Scientology
Scientology is more than a cult. It is a multi-faceted, mind controlling abusive, sometimes illegal, cult bent on taking control of the world. It is in the news repeatedly because of Tom Cruise’s zealous actions. Fortunately, there are too many skeletons, documents (“scripture”), history, and victims around for the press to miss.

Fox News reports that Cruise’s new fiancé (his third attempt at marriage since being a Scientologist – yet they say it “always works”?), Katie Holmes is now appearing “more zombie-like than ever.” The story reports that previously Holmes “who was a sweet, thoughtful, articulate [and Catholic] young woman, now comes across like a zombie.”
Holmes has a Scientology “keeper” who accompanies her everywhere with a remote control communication device always going – even to the bathroom. The keeper, a high ranking Scientologist, even answers questions from interviewers. One reporter asked Holmes to describe her feelings for Cruise and the keeper interrupted and answered, “She adores him.”

Holmes calls her keeper her “best friend.” but has known her only six weeks. Also, the twelve year old daughter, Isabella, whom Cruise adopted with Nicole Kidman, is now taking Scientology courses. This is interesting as one of the reasons for Kidman’s divorce was to keep Scientology away from the children.

For an intense and revealing series of articles I’ve written on the history, beliefs, practices, and dangers of this deadly religion go to the front page of our website at www.arcapologetics.org and look for the articles along the bottom of the left sidebar.

Jehovah’s Witnesses
That other pesky cult that comes to your door needs to be engaged as well. Here in the U.S. Jehovah’s Witnesses are more successful at conversions than Mormons. Eternal damnation awaits them but that is hard to conceptualize for us or we would be knocking on their doors.

But there is another consequence of JW doctrine that is highly visible and understandable. Occasionally, but far too infrequently, the press picks up on this horror. That doctrine is the forbidding of taking blood transfusions.

Several recent news stories are currently focusing on a 14-year-old girl in Canada with bone cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The oncologist says she must have a blood transfusion to replace red blood cells and the British Columbia Supreme Court agreed.
However, she and her family are active JWs. When questioned by the reporter she responded, “I don’t want it. It’s based on God’s word. He told us to abstain from blood and we need to obey His commandments.”

These are controversial issues legally. She is a minor but her parents agree with her. But can the courts overrule her and her parents wishes medically, especially in cases where it’s life-threatening?

The real solution is to get to her (and all JWs) and demonstrate that the Watchtower Society (the leadership of the JWs) is wrong and are false teachers. It’s been done before. Too many have tragically and needlessly died and will continue to do so!
Order our current issue of the Areopagus Journal, which focuses on Jehovah’s Witnesses and learn how to “be all things to all people so that by all means we can save some.” Order easily online at www.arcapologetics.org.

New Age Occultism
Many of our newer readers of Worldviews may not be aware of the huge upsurge of acceptance and participation of new age occult practices and belief in the last 20 years in America. These range from belief in reincarnation (now at 30%), paganism, witchcraft, goth, to many alternative “medical” techniques and yoga (12%).

Astrology – A story on James Dobson’s “Family News In Focus” website noted that, “More than 30% of Americans believe in astrology…and 43% of those are under 30. Yet too many of these are also professing Christians! Really? Why? Well, here is an example.

Wal-Mart, owned by a well-known Christian family with Christian values, has opened an exclusive line of Zodiac Barbie dolls (www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id-3287844). The ad reads, “Express your zodiac sign with this collectible Barbie doll. Inspired by the 12 signs of the zodiac, Barbie doll personifies the mystical and personalized appeal of your astrological sign.”

This is a perfect picture of the “harmonic convergence” of money and marketing values, demonic beachheads with the young, and the anemia of a Christian worldview (as well as the strategic and serious need for active apologetics in the Church).

Take Action – Send letters and e-mails, and make calls to the Wal-Mart head of marketing or even the Walton family, expressing your dismay. As you will see later in this newsletter, this can make a real difference. Letters should be sent by mail to: Wal-Mart USA, LLC, 7000 Marina Blvd, Brisbane, CA 94005 or you can visit their webpage where they have an online feedback forum at walmart.com. Pray with us for a victory in this area. Also request your free packet on astrology at the end of the newsletter.

Paganism Moving Mainstream
These news shorts are not designed to merely be of interest, but rather are a reflection of the need of the Church to become informed and active in our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and culture.

A recent story (6/26) in The Nation commented on a new young follower of witchcraft, and reflected “It is the latest craze among teenagers not only in the U.S. and Europe but also in Barbados. Jason is just one of the growing number of youngsters who has rejected Christianity and is embracing witchcraft as a way of life.”

A Catholic priest who was interviewed remarked, “The Church has failed if young people see Christianity as a tyrannical religion and are turning to witchcraft for answers. I think Christians need to get out there and listen to people. We need to get into schools, colleges, and any other place where it exists, hear the problems of the young and find out what leads them into witchcraft.”

On the same day (5/31) two news stories ironically appeared. The Indianapolis Star reported that a Superior Court Judge ruled last year in a divorce proceeding that the 9-year-old son of the divorcing couple would not be allowed to participate in Wiccan activities since he was in Catholic school. The parents are Witches.

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union has taken the case on appeal. The group argues that the parents constitutional rights have been violated and the judge’s ruling that witchcraft is a “non-mainstream religious belief” is vague. The parents also sees this as a “golden PR moment” to see witchcraft as a non-mainstream religion in America. Indianapolis is the home of the annual Pagan Pride Day, founded in 1998, which is now spreading to other cities.

The second related story was on MSNBC.com, reporting that the U.S. Supreme Court allied with the “Bush administration, liberal activists, and conservative religious groups, agreeing that state prisons must accommodate the beliefs of Witches, Satanists, and other followers of non-mainstream religions.”

This case, somewhat different from the other cases cited, deals with religious accommodation and the Establishment Clause, but curiously includes Satanism, which has illegal practices. During the oral arguments, Justice O’Connor posed pertinent questions concerning religions that espouse drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana as rituals and accommodating them.

The overall effect is that it provides one more step in cultural acceptance of these “nontraditional” religious, beliefs, and practices as mainstream.

Transcendental Mediation (TM)
Because of the growing implementation of the leadership of TM’s strategy in the U.S. and globally, coupled with efforts in some of the medical community to embrace meditation techniques, I was going to report on it here. But the story is too large for the space limitations in this issue. Look for it next month.

The Kabbalah
Tom Cruise isn’t the only Hollywood victim of demonic deception. Movie stars make attractive targets for the deceiver as they have such a disproportionate influence on a spiritually hungry but naïve and self-centered public.

Hollywood’s number one religion is not Scientology (although its growing). It is the new age cult of Judaism – the Kabbalah. From Madonna to Demi Moore and Aston Kutcher to Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and Paris Hilton, the Kabbalah craze has become a multi-million-dollar empire with 40 branches around the world.

This form of the Kabbalah began in 1971 with Philip Berg who began to introduce a mystical ancient wisdom interpretation on Judaism to the masses. Before this, it was restricted to elite ultra conservative Jewish scholars.

Orthodox rabbi scholars claim that Berg’s occult version has nothing to do with the actual Kabbalah knowledge. In reality it is a matter of degree. All new age orientations are occultic in nature, some are just more overt than others. Request our info packet on the Kabbalah.

Letters
Dear ARC,
Thank you for your prompt response to my concerns. I’m a really slow reader but look forward to receiving the 22 back issues for future reference.
I appreciate you addressing the need for more “meat and potatoes” in the Christian community. Enid, OK

Dear ARC,
I left Birmingham just over four years ago and am currently in Terre Haute, Indiana, working for the newspaper here but about to jump into full-time ministry with Jesusfreak.com. Best wishes to you and your ministry. I know it has certainly been a blessing and a great resource to me over the years.
Terre Haute, IN

Order Back Issues of Areopagus Journal!
Back issues are only $4.00 each. Or buy all 23 for $75.00 plus $5 shipping!

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