Wouldn’t it be great if there really was a “herescope” which could be brought into your local Christian Bookstore? You could walk around and hold up the device; point it at a book or DVD, and if they contained heretical teaching, the herescope would beep beep beep. Actually, that would not be so great.
What IS great is when a Christian has spiritual discernment. This is God’s will for His children. When we are born again, we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit. He is part of the Triune Godhead. Imagine – the Holy Spirit actually lives inside of believers! Then why do so many who claim to be born again, have no clue that something is false or evil? I don’t know the answer to that question.
Buying my son a Bible
Today, hubby and I went to our local Christian bookstore. I believe that if the Lord had not calmed me down, there was a good chance that I would have been physically removed from the store.
A worker (I believe she was the manager) attempted to help me pick out the right Bible for my son. She immediately suggested an NIV Bible. I told her that we didn’t use the NIV, and asked her if she had ever compared the verbiage in the NiV to the NASB or the NKJV or the KJV. She said that she knew it was a bit different, but that this Bible had cross references to other versions. I was thinking “Why not just buy another version?” But I didn’t say that to her.
Then she began to talk about Catholic Bibles. I looked at her and said “Why would I buy a Catholic Bible?” She gave me the deer in the headlights look. I told her that I was a Jewish Christian – another deer in the headlights look, and she said “Oh, that’s nice.” At that point hubby and I just walked around the store. I had chosen a beautiful KJV Bible with the Crown of Thorns embossed into the leather cover.
At the cash register
We were standing in line to pay and I noticed that on the counter was a large glossy poster with several pastors and Bible teachers on it. The woman began to rave about all of the pastors. I saw Charles Stanley among the pictures, and I said that I always loved Dr. Stanley. The manager began to name the pastors pictured and she raved over all of them. She said “And look – Andy Stanley.”
I told her that recently Andy Stanley had preached that we need to get away from the Bible and from saying “The Bible says.” At this point the woman glared at me. She said (with many customers listening) “I have NEVER heard Andy Stanley say such a thing!” I told her that he really did and that she could go to Youtube to hear it for herself. We paid for the Bible and then walked around the store.
We passed these as we walked:
“The Message” – Bible translation by Eugene Peterson (New Age Mystic)
“The Shack” by William P. Young (New Age Mystic)
“Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young (Mystical)
“Jesus Always” by Sarah Young (Mystical)
“Whispers of Hope” (devotional by Beth Moore who recently came out for abortion)
Rick Warren (A whole section devoted to this man’s heresies) Books on returning to Rome and Warren’s “Pope.”
Turning over tables
I chuckled to myself that if I began to overturn some tables, they would probably have called the police. At the same time I thought “Jesus would have these tables flying in all directions!” But of course, I didn’t want to spend the afternoon in a jail cell, so I left the tables alone. And after all – I wasn’t in a Church. But somehow I do not think that would have mattered to Jesus. He would have been angry at the devil’s lies scattered among the sound teaching.
A Genuine Believer
I overheard a man speaking with a lady about the “Alleluias” a singing group which I had been part of for a short time. When they were finished talking, I asked the man when he sang in the group. Hubby and I began to chat with this man. We could both see the love of Jesus shining from him.
In the course of the conversation, I told “Rick” that I was a Christian Jew. Well, you should have seen his face – he got so excited! He said “You are a fulfilled Jew!” He was smiling and obviously so happy. He said to my husband “You really found yourself a special one!” I thought that was so sweet. I love getting this reaction from a fellow Christian – instead of the deer in the headlights look!
I gave Rick the web address of my Word Press and he said he would like to read some of my writings. Since 1983, when I was saved, anyone who found out that I grew up Jewish and was born again, and would get excited about that – well, they turned out to be deeply committed to the Lord and had a love for Israel too. I can’t tell you how much it means to me when people are happy that I am a Messianic Jew!
Brethren – Really pray for discernment
The evil one is doing everything in his power to confuse Christians and get them mixed up in mystical practices like Contemplative prayer. He is also trying to get Christians to return to Rome. He is telling them that it’s time we were reunited. To that I say NO NO NO! We have nothing in common with the Catholic Church! They are a works based cult. We know that the Lord saves us by His Grace through faith – not by works. There are many lovely born again people who (for whatever reason) have stayed in the Catholic Church. They will be with us in heaven. But the institution of Catholicism is NOT Christianity.
Ask the Lord for the gift of discernment! Check everything against the Word of God. No matter who says something, if it goes against God’s Holy Word – it is wrong and you should not believe it. God loves giving His children good gifts – so ask!!
Merry Christmas, brethren. I pray that you have a joyous time with your families, celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord for sending us Your only begotten Son so that we could be reconciled to You!
MARANATHA
My Highest Honor and Privilege Geri has Been To Serve as a Pastor Friend-In-Yeshua To You and Timothy…and To Have Talked With You and Prayed With You and For You. You Both Are In My Prayers Always……Merry Christmas!!! Thanks For Another Great Article!!!
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Reblogged this on 1 Way 2 Yahweh.
Christian Bookstores are DEFINITELY a sea of sharks. There are Many awesome resources you can find in them. However, they do seem to put nonsensical heretical products out front and center.
Bibles, there are no perfect translations!
The Message = a badly told paraphrase aimed at mind numbing readers. Avoid it as it’s totally useless.
NIV is a dynamic equivalence translation. Not a very good one yet not totally bad. The 1984 version is the one I would use if I had to. Many kosher congregations/denominations do still use it. I’m not a fan of the NIV at all though. Where I think the NIV goes wrong is it’s more a interpenetration then a translation.
NLT is an easy reader bible not unlike the NIV. It’s certainly an upgrade to the of living bible. It’s more or less between a dynamic and a paraphrase. If I were stranded on a desert island with only the NLT, I guess I would use it.. Otherwise I hardly reference it.
HCSB this is and odd duck. It’s both a word for word and dynamic translation. It leans heavily to the SBC and is actually not a bad translation.
NKJV is between the old KJV and the HCSB mostly a word for word.
NASB is a word for word literal. It’s not an easy read and very wooden, yet I think it captures the original languages very well
The KJV is a word for word leaning on the Textus Receptus. The translators knew Latin more then Greek and many words were direct Latin usage. The only use I have for the KJV is when using my books, it is a good key to the Strongs. However my computerized Word Search Bibles replaced that. Thou oh KJV have been replacedeth!
I prefer the NASB as my go to English translation, but I do prefer original languages. That said other than the Message all the other translations I listed in no way alter any core doctrinal orthodox Christian belief.
Beth (no)Moore. An example of why women should NOT be spiritual leaders. i’m not saying women should not minister and lead by example. But when the weaker vessel assumes a role she was not designed for. Then problems arise. There are many examples through history of women leading men, in government, and even warfare. They were quite effective and by rights great leaders. What I’m saying is they should never assume spiritual leadership over the Body (church).
If you eliminate Beth Moore, Sarah Young and Joyce Meyer from Christian bookstores, business will suffer as they appear to sell the lions share of revenue. Not to mention the plethora of male false teachers books there.
I blame MEN for this all. The last 50 years we men have failed to lead our family as God ordained. We are a dying breed of spiritual leaders and have yoked our women to fulfill the role. We much rather submit to sporting events then to Christ. If only we Men love the Lord more than anything, our women will be loved like they deserve and wont find a need to read Beth Moore and the likes.
2 Timothy 3:6-7 (NASB)
6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NASB)
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Men let us repent!
Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Tablet——– Mensaje original ——–De: Absolute Truth from the Word of God Fecha: 12/22/2016 1:40 AM (GMT-04:00) A: delarosa52j@gmail.com Asunto: [New post] Christian Bookstores are Spiritual Mine Fields: Better Pray For Discernment
Geri Ungurean posted: ”
Wouldn’t it be great if there really was a “herescope” which could be brought into your local Christian Bookstore? You could walk around and hold up the device; point it at a book or DVD, and if they contained heretical teaching, the herescope would “
God bless. Interesting piece. Please continue.
Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Tablet——– Mensaje original ——–De: Absolute Truth from the Word of God Fecha: 12/22/2016 1:40 AM (GMT-04:00) A: delarosa52j@gmail.com Asunto: [New post] Christian Bookstores are Spiritual Mine Fields: Better Pray For Discernment
Geri Ungurean posted: ”
Wouldn’t it be great if there really was a “herescope” which could be brought into your local Christian Bookstore? You could walk around and hold up the device; point it at a book or DVD, and if they contained heretical teaching, the herescope would “
I have not been to a “Christian” book store in ages. In fact, I wonder if they still have them in CT. I’ve browsed the “spiritual” section in Books a Million and it’s almost ALL trash. I always want to rip of the sigh that says “spiritual.” I got HAMMERED the other day for trying to explain why Catholicism was not Christianity. (I really call it a cult) Get points in everything as usual Geri.
If someone tells me they’re not religious but spiritual, I ask them what that means and I NEVER get an answer that doesn’t sound totally New Age. I will NOT give up and I will continue to speak out in FB. Geri, have you read “A Woman Rides the Beast,” by David Hunt? You’d LOVE it. Let me know if you pick up a copy.
Keep on fighting the good fight.
We only have one “Christian” book store. It is a large chain…you would easily recognize the name! It has plenty of heretical books, with teachings of evil-type meditation, spirits, etc.
I have been Very careful with my Bible purchases. Especially when I heard a Bible study leader read from the Living “translation.” It used damn, bitch, etc. And, no, the “hitch” was Not a female dog. My sad complaint is also about the KJV, NKJV, Holden, Bibles. These use the made-up word, “Palestine,” instead of Israel. I have to cover it up and write in “Israel” every where. Many of the versions really change the meanings of many biblical passages/messages. And, I won’t even begin on the “Message” Bible!
I have avoided christian bookstores, well, forever, when I saw all the self help books, repackaged psychology and such, with a few Bible verses,,I was done.
WE ARE ALL LEARNING THE TRUTH WHEN WE READ THE HOLY BIBLE. THIS IS THE KJV, THE BIBLE I GREW UP WITH AND WAS TAUGHT FROM. WHEN YOU READ OTHERS WORDS, YOU HAVE TO CHECK THEIR IDEAS AGAINST THE BIBLE. JUST READ THE HOLY BIBLE, TO BEGIN WITH, AND YOU ARE NOT FED UNTRUTHS.
Oh how I love Born again Jews! They have great zeal! An ancient people of God that seem so strong in the Lord. I’m in awe of their boldness. Their foundations are like corner stones. They neither drift to the right or the left but are fixed on the straight path. They are great trees fed by the water of The Word, producing much fruit!. I thank God for you! Love David