What do people mean when they refer to “the moving of the Spirit?” The so-called “moving” often occurs during singing, altar activity, or demonstrative preaching. It manifests as powerfully stimulated emotions. People weep, dance, shout, wave their hands excitedly, run, faint, and in Pentecostal or Charismatic meetings glossolalia may occur. It is not common anymore to say the “Spirit moved” when people become convicted and pray for a long period in an altar

In Seeker-sensitive and similar church meetings the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit) only “moves” when the “worship band” is playing. As people become excited during fast music the Holy Spirit is thought to be moving. It is very similar to what one might witness at a secular music concert or some other emotionally provocative event. The Holy Spirit is also deemed to be moving during slow music as people sway trancelike with raised hands. In most cases, the Holy Spirit is believed to have arrived and departed with the ebb and surge of people’s emotions.

Thus, the Holy Spirit appears to manifest at the beck and call and of people’s emotional systems. Savvy pastors, evangelists, and “worship leaders” skilled in manipulating people’s emotions are thought to have a special anointing that brings on a “move of the Spirit.” Certain “worship bands” are regarded likewise. As such they are in high demand. Continue reading

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” – Romans 13:11

The Greek word for “high time” is hōra, which means; a definite time or season, the twelfth hour or end of the day immediately before darkness. Of course, it is an unnatural response to awaken when darkness comes, but rather to sleep. However, in the spiritual sense, when darkness according to eschatology arrives, we must be awake.

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8

Therefore, let us consider what is occurring today with our eyes open and minds alert. A recent Barna poll discovered that 90% of political liberals have never read the Bible. Is it any surprise that that sector cannot discern between good and evil? I say to every true Christian, stop appealing to the sense of justice in liberal politicians and other godless influential people in our nation. They have no concept of justice. Instead, they believe justice is persecuting individuals that are just. Stop appealing to their common sense. They discarded that as a hindrance to political “correctness” long ago.

Cease attempting to embarrass liberals concerning their imbecilic and moronic statements. They are “unembarassable,” having no sense of propriety by which shame can be provoked. Why attempt to make them consider reason and logic when they embrace unreasonable and illogical as twin strengths of their “integrity?”

There is no purpose in appealing to their sense of fairness since they insist that their evil works are righteous. Thus, they howl as if egregiously wronged when exposed by the law or standard of common decency. They believe that outrage is proper against expressions of goodness, godliness, and common decency. But when people are outraged at child molestation, infanticide, gender perversion, or other scurrilous behavior, they screech that such outrage is hatred that should be punishable by every means possible. Continue reading

(The modern Christian’s obsessive love affair with music.)

Remember this old song? The chorus begins with:

“Let us have a little talk with Jesus,
Let us tell Him all about our troubles.”

The song goes on to mention a “prayer wheel.” A prayer wheel is a Buddhist originated instrument with mantras written on it. The writer of the song, Cleavant Derricks, likely did not know that fact. In the early part of the last century some Christians, including Billy Graham, openly used prayer wheels.[i]Apparently, according to a recent discovery of the Liesborn Prayer Wheel, the use of a prayer wheel in Christianity goes back to the 12thcentury. It has been defined as a map of “the soul’s journey to God” or “a Christian way of life,” a “meditation aid” and “a study guide.”[ii]I advise against spinning a prayer wheel to “have a little talk with Jesus.”

However, millions of people, including me, have sung that song with gusto not realizing that, although it was entertaining, it did not contain solid doctrine. In fact, if we consider all the troubles or the seriousness of our trials, we may need much more than a “little talk with Jesus” to “make it right.” We should know that God’s word instructs us to pray to God, not to Jesus—but we pray in Jesus’ name. It is also a fact that Jesus is not “a friend that guides us day and night,” but the Holy Spirit is our guide.

The song represents what is wrong with so-called Gospel music, and Christian music in general. Please do not misunderstand me. There are some godly singers and songwriters in Christian music and I’m personally acquainted with a few of them. But merely because a song is appealing, well sung, and stirs our emotions does not make it sound doctrine. As it is with preaching and teaching, it takes a genuine relationship with God to write songs with substance. Reading an old hymnbook often makes me weep at the richness of line after line saturated with meaning.

I often hear Christian songs that are not only void of any helpful substance, but are pollinated with heresy. Some Contemporary Christian Music could be sung in a nightclub, or a New Age church. Amy Grant, dubbed the “Queen of Contemporary Christian Music,” once said that the best Christian songs were “god/girlfriend” songs, i.e., songs that could be sung to God or your girlfriend. No thanks! Continue reading