Posts Tagged ‘Jim Wallis’

Yesterday, we posted an article titled “Calvary Chapel Breached” by journalist Jim Fletcher. The article focused on a Calvary Chapel church (North Coast) in California and its invitation of a Palestinian man named Sami Awad. Fletcher’s article showed the implications of this invitation by Calvary Chapel and how this indicates the further move toward apostasy in the church today. One of the signs of a church becoming emergent is the changing views regarding Israel’s role in Bible prophecy. We have documented for years the growing hostility toward Israel by emergent figures. Our follow up today is going to focus on another person who will be at the Discipleship and Training event at North Coast Calvary Chape on May 10th – Lynne Hybels  (wife of Willow Creek, Bill Hybels) - and the implications of her being there.

First of all, back in 2006, Chuck Smith, the founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, made a clear and concise statement that Calvary Chapel would not tolerate churches within their “fellowship” that promoted the emerging church or contemplative spirituality. While Chuck Smith’s own son was ousted for his emergent views, other Calvary Chapel pastors have been allowed to remain in the movement even when they were promoting emerging/contemplative views or people. What North Coast Calvary Chapel is doing is a case in point.

To bring Lynne Hybels into a Calvary Chapel event is making a huge statement by Calvary Chapel. Hybels is very connected to the Marxist- leaning, liberal machine of Jim Wallis’ SoJourners. She is a regular writer for SoJourners magazine and shows her affinity with Wallis in the things she writes. Therefore, we are going to post an article that was written ( by someone within the Calvary Chapel movement) a few years ago, which shows the clear direction of SoJourners (and thus Lynne Hybels). This is not guilt by loose association but rather guilt by promotion or proxy. And make no mistake about it, Jim Wallis and SoJourners are NOT for Israel or the Jews. It is an anti-Christ spirit that reigns in the world today. As Warren B. Smith has pointed out in his book, False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care?, the “new” spirituality leaders believe the “era of the single Savior is over.”

“Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis’ Revolutionary Anti-Christian “Gospel” (and Will Christian Leaders Stand with Wallis?) ”

By M. Danielsen Guest Commentary

Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners magazine, is one of the top “change agents” today, and the timing of his surge in popularity should not be ignored, considering 1) the ideology of our current administration,  2) the advance of liberal theology via the emerging church and church growth movements, and 3) the current state of apostasy the church finds itself in today. Are all these connected? Through this man, they are indeed.

Unbiblical trends in the church tend to snowball, producing even worse trends: each heretical book or teaching that comes along seems to lead to a worse one; the Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:13 that in the last days, “evil men and seducers [imposters] shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived,” suggesting a progressive pattern of deception.

For those who remember the old “Dragnet” TV show, allow me to “reinvent” Joe Friday: “The story you are about to hear is true. None of the names have been changed – and the only thing I’m interested in protecting is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Worth noting, Jim Wallis will be one of the keynote speakers at Lifest this July. (Lifest is a large “Christian” music fest in Oshkosh, Wisconsin every summer. 70,000 attendees are expected over the course of the  weekend.)

For nearly forty years, Jim Wallis has expressed himself through an organization called “Sojourners.” He was raised in an evangelical family in Detroit, and attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, but his radical political views made it impossible for him to finish there. [i]

At that time, he also founded an anti-capitalist magazine called, The Post-American, in which he called for the redistribution of wealthand an economy managed by the government. He also experimented for a season with communal living in search of a utopian lifestyle.

In 1972, he moved his work to Washington DC and renamed it Sojourners. He wasn’t just against the Vietnam war, he rejoiced in America’s defeat there showing his leftist sympathies by publicly criticizing the Vietnamese and Hmong refugees who fled that communist regime (we called them “boat people” back then), by claiming they were leaving to support their consumer habit in other lands … that being greedy capitalists made it just too hard to live under a dictatorship.[ii] In remembering the terrible suffering that the boat people endured, what uncompassionate sentiments by Wallis.

Wallis also supported the Sandinista Communists in their attempt to take over Nicaragua in the 80s, actively participating in resistance against the American military – AND working side by side in this cause with none other than Jeremiah Wright, the radical anti-American Chicago preacher who was our president’s pastor for twenty years.

In addition, Wallis supported the FMLN, a communist terror group from El Salvador itching to spread their Marxist revolution throughout South America.[iii] Men have been called “traitors” for much less than what Wallis has stood for.

In 1983, the organization, Accuracy in Media published a lengthy book on the far left policies of Wallis and his organization, documenting 53 political positions of Sojourners on such issues as Israel’s right to exist, terrorism, socialism, capitalism, human rights, etc. In all 53 position statements, it was found that Sojourners’ views were completely in line with the views of hard-line Soviets.

Joan Harris, who did the reporting on this, observed, “Sojourners never criticizes a Marxist state. The US and the West are the only violators of human rights to them because they are capitalist. Marxists, by Sojourners’ own definition, cannot violate human rights.” Wallis calls himself a “Progressive” – but keep in mind that “progressive” is as far left as you can go politically without actually taking a right turn in the process.[iv]

Wallis believes that Castro’s Cuba, Chavez’s Venezuela, and Ortega’s Nicaragua are the Marxist paradises the US should emulate. It is not extreme at all to say, that one of his goals is to see the end of the US as we have known it — “Post-Americanism” finally realized. So, after being arrested by the US government 22 times in forty years, where has he soft-landed? As spiritual advisor to President Obama.[v] Now, with the help of our own government, he hopes to turn mere ideology into policy. He is a living, breathing advocate for total government control, complete socialism, or “totalitarian socialism.”

Wallis has known Obama for over twenty years, and during the “Reverend Wright” damage control days, he was right there advising Obama on how to spin it, helping him draft many “faith based initiatives,” to make the far left appear to have some form of religion, to sell the church the idea that here is a spiritual alternative to the now defunct Religious Right, which Wallis eulogizes endlessly in his book.

In light of all this, one must ask the question, why is this man speaking at a Christian festival aimed primarily at our youth, and with a highly popular figure from the evangelical camp, namely Luis Palau?

In their own words, Sojourners’ mission statement is this: “[F]ounded in 1971, our mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church and the world.”

What is this social justice that is supposed to transform our churches and our youth in particularly? The dictionary defines social justice as, “The equitable distribution of advantages, assets, and benefits among all members of a society.” Important to note, this is also the definition for “social-ism”: a  government-controlled economy and the redistribution of wealth.

Many are under the impression that social justiceis simply caring for the disadvantaged. And who among us who claims to know the Lord would ever be against reaching out to the poor and alleviating suffering? A healthy church will naturally care for “the least of these.” But “progressives” as Wallis take any collective sense of moral responsibility we may have for the disadvantaged and redefines and manipulates it to an entirely different agenda.

Keep this in mind when you watch the extreme changes going on in our country today – Wallis’ social justice turns all the political hot button issues of the day into moral issues with a divine, biblical mandate. Everything from the economy, jobs and education, to health care, global warming, race issues and immigration – now carries with it the moral imperative of fairness, equity, and validity.

For those who question this new global village moral imperative, their Christianity is called into question. This “new morality” is radically changing our country and has been for some time via organizations like ACORN.

You may be asking, what does this have to do with the church? That’s an easy question to answer: social justice presents a social gospel, but is this social gospel THE Gospel of Jesus Christ and of the Bible?

The roots of the social gospel go back to the 19^th and 20^th centuries. That was when many Protestant denominations took on liberal theology, which includes the post-millennial view that Jesus cannot return until mankind has brought justice to the earth by ridding itself of all social evils. At that time, slavery, temperance, women’s rights, child labor, and equity for the working who were caught in the industrial revolution’s 12-hour work days were the new causes of the liberal churches.

Wallis believes he was born in the wrong century and says so in his book, The Great Awakening. He says he is longing for those early days of social justice awareness, or ‘Great Awakenings’ as they were called – and puts them on par with true Holy Spirit-led revivals;  hence the name of his book, The Great Awakening - an “awakening” he is calling for today.

The Berean Call, in their article “The Shameful Social Gospel,” warns of a gospel that is being tinkered with by some who call themselves evangelicals but in reality are ashamed of the true gospel, presenting one to the world that is more palatable, political, and ecumenical.

Heretic Emergent leader Brian McLaren says this: “I think our future will require us to join humbly and charitably with people of other faiths – Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and secularists in pursuit of peace, environmental stewardship and justice for all people, things that matter greatly to the heart of God.” The Berean Call article says this: “No, what matters to the heart of God is that all should come to repentance and believe the true Gospel.”[vi]

Rick Warren took the social gospel to new levels, by hobnobbing with world leaders and presenting his global PEACE plan to mobilize churches to address poverty and disease at the same time he was telling Christians not to bother thinking about biblical prophecy or Christ’s return.

Wallis has also found a kindred spirit in Willow Creek. Pastor Bill Hybels’ wife Lynne is a regular contributor to Sojourners magazine, clearly resonating with the magazine’s goal. No surprise – Willow Creek offers classes on social justice, (at least one of those classes used Wallis’ book, The Great Awakening) . With over 13,000 Willow Creek Association member churches throughout the world, look at the potential influence Jim Wallis could have on the church if even half of them choose to emulate Willow Creek in their growing emphasis on the social gospel?

There is a movie coming out soon titled, With God on Our Side. Radio host Jan Markell explains that “it is aimed at changing the end-time views of evangelicals and the theology that says the Jews are God’s chosen people and have a divine right to the land.” The producer of this film announces that there is “a biblical alternative for Christians who want to love and support Israel – a “new” theology that doesn’t favor one people group over another but instead promotes peace and reconciliation for both Jew and Palestinian” instead of endless Middle East violence.

The only problem with that pie-in-the-sky thinking is that the Palestinian leadership does not WANT peace with Israel. They want a one-state solution; they want the destruction of Israel. The film’s message to evangelicals is that the US’ old pro-Israel foreign policy was based on end-time theology and has created great suffering among the Palestinians. But today’s more socially aware and compassionate Christians will reject that old policy and realize that the Palestinians are the victim group most in need of Christian compassion. Wallis, McLaren, and Tony Campolo are promoting the film. This film is merely another propaganda vehicle for the “progressive” social gospel indoctrination and an unbiblical spin on the clear teachings about Israel presented throughout the Scriptures.

Marxism is nothing new to this old world. What Wallis is promoting is nothing new either. But let’s take the wood, hay, and stubble of Wallis’ dry old social justice gospel and throw some last days fuel on it: like the Emergent church’s mix of Catholicism and liberal Protestantism; add Rick Warren’s global PEACE plan, and Willow Creek’s annual Leadership Summits featuring speakers like Bono, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair and Rick Warren, and before long things are burning out of control. Throw in the fact that the forward to Wallis’ book is written by Jimmy Carter, an anti-Israel leftist who is presently part of a group called The Elders (a group of 12 men and women from around the world – including Mandela and Desmond Tutu); other endorsers are Bill Hybels, Bono, and Brian McLaren (who is on the Sojourners’ board of directors and a regular contributor on its blog).  A picture of a last days apostate false church comes into focus.

Let’s look at some recent quotes by Jim Wallis on key biblical issues.

On being born again:

Jesus proclaimed, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand … He is saying that a whole new order is about to enter history, and if you want to be a part of it, you will need a change so fundamental that the Gospel of John would later refer to it as a “new birth.” Being born again was not meant to be a private religious experience that is hard to communicate … but rather the prerequisite for joining a new and very public movement – the Jesus and kingdom of God movement.”[vii] 

 On Israel:

The completely one-sided support for Israel from conservative evangelicals rests on 2 things: one, a very dubious interpretation (and I’m being generous here) of biblical prophecy … in which the modern state of Israel is still equated with the Old Testament notion of “God’s Chosen People,” and a complete  denial of the existence of Palestinian Christians.[viii]

On Gay Rights:

Abomination is a pretty strong word…there is a debate and questions over the meaning of the word abomination. [ix] (Referring to Leviticus 18:22)  

On the Kingdom:

The kingdom of God, which Jesus came to inaugurate, is meant to create an alternate reality in this world, and ultimately to transform the kingdoms of this world.[x]

On Repentance:

We are all familiar with the famous pop culture image of a street evangelist holding up a sign reading, “Repent, for the end is near!” But repentance is…often misunderstood. This week, one could imagine a group of pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams holding up a sign on Wall Street for the titans of the financial industry to see, reading, “Repent, or the end could be near again….let’s have some sermons on the repentance of Wall Street.”[xi]  

Sojourners On Bible Prophecy:

It’s all too easy to make fun of the extreme examples of prophecy belief that we encounter on bumper stickers and best-seller lists. When people talk breathlessly of the dangers of Universal Product Codes and automated teller machines as signs of the impending Tribulation, giggles and head shaking are hard to repress … when we ridicule apocalyptic interpretations of bar codes and the European Common Market, we are … properly rejecting an interpretive method that (suggests a) correspondence between biblical events and symbols, and our own lives. Ought Revelation to be included within the family of Christian texts, or should it be thrown on the fire of apocalyptic excesses?[xii]

On the Imminent Return of Jesus:

Wallis does not talk about our blessed hope (Christ’s return). But then, this “progressive” emerging “gospel” does not offer any genuine hope nor a chance for a personal biblical relationship with God. With so much of the church ignoring and often even embracing this, the church is abdicating its responsibility regarding truth. Period.

Equating biblical care of the downtrodden with the welfare state is rapidly changing the face of the evangelical church. This “pseudo-Christian” morality-based religion for the last days is infiltrating every corner of American society, and the church seems to have either lost the will to identify and counteract its influence or perhaps feels so guilty about it’s mega-excesses that it is operating out of a sense of works rather than repentance and grace. Wallis’ book is the most preachy, shaming, finger-pointing rant I have ever read; and this would make sense – in the absence of Christ’s righteousness and dwelling in a person’s life, all that’s left is self-righteousness, which of course utterly lacks the sweet savor of having a relationship with Jesus Christ where one knows he or she is saved through faith by His amazing grace and that not of his or her own works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I believe this is a preview of an even deeper, more pervasive apostasy, a marriage of religion and politics that will ultimately come together under the dictatorial reign of Antichrist, who “causeth all, both small and great,  rich and poor, free and slave to receive his mark” (Revelation 13:16). Is this the playing field Wallis and others are working toward? If so, then this is deception of the highest caliber, and believers should find this extremely sobering in light of the lateness of the hour.

In closing, social reformers deceptively blur the lines between two kingdoms, seeking to turn houses of worship into distribution centers for their causes. What they ignore is that all the ills of society are symptoms – the root cause is sin. They reject the cure for sin through the cross of Christ and instead treat symptoms – but in removing the Cross, they are conveniently free to affirm anyone’s beliefs, and the result is a broad-road, all-inclusive global social justice revolution. I call this the Theory of Revolution. It has been taking place right under the church’s nose for a number of years now, and it’s becoming clearer by the day who is aligning themselves with whom, and what kind of agenda is being promoted. 

Wallis says in his book that the majority of his audience is under thirty and half of those are under 25. He speaks frequently at major secular universities and now even at conservative Christian colleges. This is how it was done back in the 60s when Wallis was young; today’s liberal thinkers got their worldview from the counterculture agendas of America’s universities. But lest you think Wallis himself is just another counterculture hippie type out there on the fringes of the establishment – note this picture taken at the “World Economic Forum.” This is the annual invitation-only event in Davos Switzerland that brings together the world’s most influential politicians and economists as they work to bring the world under a global authority.

Consider also, that Sojourners’ receives a portion of its considerable funding from the Open Society Institute, this is billionaire leftist George Soros’ organization.

In 2007, the National Association of Evangelicals hosted a dinner gathering called, “A Global Leaders Forum.” The keynote: Ban Ki Moon, current head of the UN. What is he doing at the NAE event? Wallis himself says of the event, that some Christians today might say he had dinner with the Antichrist that night. He also stated: “Last night, the supposed Antichrist was listening to gospel music, speaking of his own faith, quoting scripture, celebrating a new alliance with “the evangelical church” on the critical issues of poverty and global warming, and bringing the conservative Christian crowd to its feet in smiling agreement with the UN secretary’s agenda. Indeed, leader after Christian leader insisted this was a biblical agenda.” [xiii] 

To those who have ears to hear, please consider these things and press forward to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints!  In this late hour, now is not the time to compromise but rather to so love truth in our innermost being that nothing matters except to make sure we are on the side of truth.

May the Lord direct and guide us, as believers, in all matters of faith, earnestly seeking His mind and heart in all things as laid out in His Word.

Notes:

[i] http://www.keywiki.org/index.php/Jim_Wallis

[ii] http://web.archive.org/web/20070712204445/http://www.traditionalvalues.org/pdf_files/jim_wallis.pdf

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.

[v]Frontpage Magazine, March 17, 2009. http://web.archive.org/web/20100330012848/http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=34385

[vi] ”The Shameful Social Gospel:  http://www.thebereancall.org/node/7062

[vii] Jim Wallis,  The Great Awakening, p. 60.

[viii] Jim Wallis, “Politics Pushes Uneven Policies”, September 17, 2007

[ix] As heard on Moody Christian Radio Network, in Chicago, Feb.19, 2008, when asked about government sanctions on civil unions for gays. www. americansfortruth.com

[x]  The Great Awakening, p. 56

[xi] Read that, “capitalism” – ed. – Wall St. “Repent,” by Jim Wallis, April 29, 2010

[xii] Wes Howard-Brook, “Apocalypse Soon?” Sojourners, January 1999

[xiii] “Dinner with the Antichrist” by Jim Wallis; http://web.archive.org/web/20111120112230/http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2007/10/dinner-with-the-antichrist-by.html

See also:

“An Evangelical Manifesto” Released – Many Signers Contemplative Proponents (Signed by Jim Wallis and a conglomeration of evangelical leaders such as Kay Arthur, Max Lucado, Erwin Lutzer, John Ortberg, J.P. Moreland – the point being, another example of co-mingling that is blurring the lines.)

Obama appoints “faith-based” advisory council

Christian Leaders Remain Silent on Warning of Apostasy in the Church – Attempt to Discredit Contenders of the Faith

Today is the UN World Day of Social Justice. With that in mind, check out the essay, “Social Justice: All for One, And Theft for All,” which outlines two parallel lines in the modern development of social justice – Jesuit and Marxist. 

By Carl Teichrib
Forcing Change

Author’s Note: Volumes could be written on the different historical and philosophical applications of “social justice,” and we could easily find ourselves lost in a tangled maze of ideologies and nuances. Hence, this article seeks to examine the core element of social justice as a recent social-economical-political movement: An emotional appeal to Collectivism. . . .

A boiling, seething emotion rose from my chest into my throat. An avalanche of angry words tumbled from my small mouth. My indignation could not be quenched. A final declaration sounded with thick certainty.

“When I’m older, I’m going to do something about this.”

How old was I? Ten: maybe younger? But I had seen enough to know. Gross injustices had been observed.

I well remember the bitter experience. Me, a sensible farm boy – and my grandparents, owners of a small fabric shop in a sleepy prairie town – had traveled to the claustrophobic city of Winnipeg. The purpose: to visit textile outlets and make purchases of cloth. After two days of warehouses and shop floors, I knew this was the end of the world. Working conditions were deplorable: Too little sunshine, poorly chosen paint colors, smelly old merchantmen.

“Here’s some candy, kid.” It tasted stale.

At one critical point Grandma had to shush me. Didn’t she know? Didn’t anybody care? The lone Pepsi machine we had passed in the darkened hall wore a sign of prophetic importance: “Out of Order.” And I was dying of thirst. Click here to continue reading.

LTRP Note: We first posted the following commentary in June 2010. We felt it was timely to post it again for those who have forgotten about it or for those who have not yet read it.

By M. Danielsen Guest Commentary

Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners magazine, is one of the top “change agents” today, and the timing of his surge in popularity should not be ignored, considering 1) the ideology of our current administration,  2) the advance of liberal theology via the emerging church and church growth movements, and 3) the current state of apostasy the church finds itself in today. Are all these connected? Through this man, they are indeed.

Unbiblical trends in the church tend to snowball, producing even worse trends: each heretical book or teaching that comes along seems to lead to a worse one; the Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:13 that in the last days, “evil men and seducers [imposters] shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived,” suggesting a progressive pattern of deception.

For those who remember the old “Dragnet” TV show, allow me to “reinvent” Joe Friday: “The story you are about to hear is true. None of the names have been changed – and the only thing I’m interested in protecting is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Worth noting, Jim Wallis will be one of the keynote speakers at Lifest this July [2010]. (Lifest is a large “Christian” music fest in Oshkosh, Wisconsin every summer. 70,000 attendees are expected over the course of the  weekend.)

For nearly forty years, Jim Wallis has expressed himself through an organization called “Sojourners.” He was raised in an evangelical family in Detroit, and attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, but his radical political views made it impossible for him to finish there. [i]

At that time, he also founded an anti-capitalist magazine called, The Post-American, in which he called for the redistribution of wealthand an economy managed by the government. He also experimented for a season with communal living in search of a utopian lifestyle.

In 1972, he moved his work to Washington DC and renamed it Sojourners. He wasn’t just against the Vietnam war, he rejoiced in America’s defeat there showing his leftist sympathies by publicly criticizing the Vietnamese and Hmong refugees who fled that communist regime (we called them “boat people” back then), by claiming they were leaving to support their consumer habit in other lands … that being greedy capitalists made it just too hard to live under a dictatorship.[ii] In remembering the terrible suffering that the boat people endured, what uncompassionate sentiments by Wallis.

Wallis also supported the Sandinista Communists in their attempt to take over Nicaragua in the 80s, actively participating in resistance against the American military – AND working side by side in this cause with none other than Jeremiah Wright, the radical anti-American Chicago preacher who was our president’s pastor for twenty years.

In addition, Wallis supported the FMLN, a communist terror group from El Salvador itching to spread their Marxist revolution throughout South America.[iii] Men have been called “traitors” for much less than what Wallis has stood for.

In 1983, the organization, Accuracy in Media published a lengthy book on the far left policies of Wallis and his organization, documenting 53 political positions of Sojourners on such issues as Israel’s right to exist, terrorism, socialism, capitalism, human rights, etc. In all 53 position statements, it was found that Sojourners’ views were completely in line with the views of hard-line Soviets.

Joan Harris, who did the reporting on this, observed, “Sojourners never criticizes a Marxist state. The US and the West are the only violators of human rights to them because they are capitalist. Marxists, by Sojourners’ own definition, cannot violate human rights.” Wallis calls himself a “Progressive” – but keep in mind that “progressive” is as far left as you can go politically without actually taking a right turn in the process.[iv]

Wallis believes that Castro’s Cuba, Chavez’s Venezuela, and Ortega’s Nicaragua are the Marxist paradises the US should emulate. It is not extreme at all to say, that one of his goals is to see the end of the US as we have known it — “Post-Americanism” finally realized. So, after being arrested by the US government 22 times in forty years, where has he soft-landed? As spiritual advisor to President Obama.[v] Now, with the help of our own government, he hopes to turn mere ideology into policy. He is a living, breathing advocate for total government control, complete socialism, or “totalitarian socialism.”

Wallis has known Obama for over twenty years, and during the “Reverend Wright” damage control days, he was right there advising Obama on how to spin it, helping him draft many “faith based initiatives,” to make the far left appear to have some form of religion, to sell the church the idea that here is a spiritual alternative to the now defunct Religious Right, which Wallis eulogizes endlessly in his book.

In light of all this, one must ask the question, why is this man [Jim Wallis] speaking at a Christian festival aimed primarily at our youth, and with a highly popular figure from the evangelical camp, namely Luis Palau?

In their own words, Sojourners’ mission statement is this: “[F]ounded in 1971, our mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, inspiring hope and building a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church and the world.”

What is this social justice that is supposed to transform our churches and our youth in particularly? The dictionary defines social justice as, “The equitable distribution of advantages, assets, and benefits among all members of a society.” Important to note, this is also the definition for “social-ism”: a  government-controlled economy and the redistribution of wealth.

Many are under the impression that social justice is simply caring for the disadvantaged. And who among us who claims to know the Lord would ever be against reaching out to the poor and alleviating suffering? A healthy church will naturally care for “the least of these.” But “progressives” as Wallis take any collective sense of moral responsibility we may have for the disadvantaged and redefines and manipulates it to an entirely different agenda.

Keep this in mind when you watch the extreme changes going on in our country today – Wallis’ social justice turns all the political hot button issues of the day into moral issues with a divine, biblical mandate. Everything from the economy, jobs and education, to health care, global warming, race issues and immigration – now carries with it the moral imperative of fairness, equity, and validity.

For those who question this new global village moral imperative, their Christianity is called into question. This “new morality” is radically changing our country and has been for some time via organizations like ACORN.

You may be asking, what does this have to do with the church? That’s an easy question to answer: social justice presents a social gospel, but is this social gospel THE Gospel of Jesus Christ and of the Bible?

The roots of the social gospel go back to the 19^th and 20^th centuries. That was when many Protestant denominations took on liberal theology, which includes the post-millennial view that Jesus cannot return until mankind has brought justice to the earth by ridding itself of all social evils. At that time, slavery, temperance, women’s rights, child labor, and equity for the working who were caught in the industrial revolution’s 12-hour work days were the new causes of the liberal churches.

Wallis believes he was born in the wrong century and says so in his book, The Great Awakening. He says he is longing for those early days of social justice awareness, or ‘Great Awakenings’ as they were called – and puts them on par with true Holy Spirit-led revivals;  hence the name of his book, The Great Awakening - an “awakening” he is calling for today.

In an article written by The Berean Call, “The Shameful Social Gospel,” it warns of a gospel that is being tinkered with by some who call themselves evangelicals but in reality are ashamed of the true gospel, presenting one to the world that is more palatable, political, and ecumenical.

Emergent leader Brian McLaren says this: “I think our future will require us to join humbly and charitably with people of other faiths – Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, and secularists in pursuit of peace, environmental stewardship and justice for all people, things that matter greatly to the heart of God.” The Berean Call article says this: “No, what matters to the heart of God is that all should come to repentance and believe the true Gospel.”[vi]

Rick Warren took the social gospel to new levels, by hobnobbing with world leaders and presenting his global PEACE plan to mobilize churches to address poverty and disease at the same time he was telling Christians not to bother thinking about biblical prophecy or Christ’s return.

Wallis has also found a kindred spirit in Willow Creek. Pastor Bill Hybels’ wife Lynne is a regular contributor to Sojourners magazine, clearly resonating with the magazine’s goal. No surprise – Willow Creek offers classes on social justice, (at least one of those classes used Wallis’ book, The Great Awakening) . With over 13,000 Willow Creek Association member churches throughout the world, look at the potential influence Jim Wallis could have on the church if even half of them choose to emulate Willow Creek in their growing emphasis on the social gospel?

There is a movie coming out soon titled, With God on Our Side. Radio host Jan Markell explains that “it is aimed at changing the end-time views of evangelicals and the theology that says the Jews are God’s chosen people and have a divine right to the land.” The producer of this film announces that there is “a biblical alternative for Christians who want to love and support Israel – a “new” theology that doesn’t favor one people group over another but instead promotes peace and reconciliation for both Jew and Palestinian” instead of endless Middle East violence.

The only problem with that pie-in-the-sky thinking is that the Palestinian leadership does not WANT peace with Israel. They want a one-state solution; they want the destruction of Israel. The film’s message to evangelicals is that the US’ old pro-Israel foreign policy was based on end-time theology and has created great suffering among the Palestinians. But today’s more socially aware and compassionate Christians will reject that old policy and realize that the Palestinians are the victim group most in need of Christian compassion. Wallis, McLaren, and Tony Campolo are promoting the film. This film is merely another propaganda vehicle for the “progressive” social gospel indoctrination and an unbiblical spin on the clear teachings about Israel presented throughout the Scriptures.

Marxism is nothing new to this old world. What Wallis is promoting is nothing new either. But let’s take the wood, hay, and stubble of Wallis’ dry old social justice gospel and throw some last days fuel on it: like the Emergent church’s mix of Catholicism and liberal Protestantism; add Rick Warren’s global PEACE plan, and Willow Creek’s annual Leadership Summits featuring speakers like Bono, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Tony Blair and Rick Warren, and before long things are burning out of control. Throw in the fact that the forward to Wallis’ book is written by Jimmy Carter, an anti-Israel leftist who is presently part of a group called The Elders (a group of 12 men and women from around the world – including Mandela and Desmond Tutu); other endorsers are Bill Hybels, Bono, and Brian McLaren (who is on the Sojourners’ board of directors and a regular contributor on its blog).  A picture of a last days apostate false church comes into focus.

Let’s look at some recent quotes by Jim Wallis on key biblical issues.

On being born again:

Jesus proclaimed, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand … He is saying that a whole new order is about to enter history, and if you want to be a part of it, you will need a change so fundamental that the Gospel of John would later refer to it as a “new birth.” Being born again was not meant to be a private religious experience that is hard to communicate … but rather the prerequisite for joining a new and very public movement – the Jesus and kingdom of God movement.”[vii]

On Israel:

The completely one-sided support for Israel from conservative evangelicals rests on 2 things: one, a very dubious interpretation (and I’m being generous here) of biblical prophecy … in which the modern state of Israel is still equated with the Old Testament notion of “God’s Chosen People,” and a complete  denial of the existence of Palestinian Christians.[viii]

On Gay Rights:

Abomination is a pretty strong word…there is a debate and questions over the meaning of the word abomination. [ix] (Referring to Leviticus 18:22)

On the Kingdom:

The kingdom of God, which Jesus came to inaugurate, is meant to create an alternate reality in this world, and ultimately to transform the kingdoms of this world.[x]

On Repentance:

We are all familiar with the famous pop culture image of a street evangelist holding up a sign reading, “Repent, for the end is near!” But repentance is…often misunderstood. This week, one could imagine a group of pastors, priests, rabbis, and imams holding up a sign on Wall Street for the titans of the financial industry to see, reading, “Repent, or the end could be near again….let’s have some sermons on the repentance of Wall Street.”[xi]

Sojourners On Bible Prophecy:

It’s all too easy to make fun of the extreme examples of prophecy belief that we encounter on bumper stickers and best-seller lists. When people talk breathlessly of the dangers of Universal Product Codes and automated teller machines as signs of the impending Tribulation, giggles and head shaking are hard to repress … when we ridicule apocalyptic interpretations of bar codes and the European Common Market, we are … properly rejecting an interpretive method that (suggests a) correspondence between biblical events and symbols, and our own lives. Ought Revelation to be included within the family of Christian texts, or should it be thrown on the fire of apocalyptic excesses?[xii]

On the Imminent Return of Jesus:

Wallis does not talk about our blessed hope (Christ’s return). But then, this “progressive” emerging “gospel” does not offer any genuine hope nor a chance for a personal biblical relationship with God. With so much of the church ignoring and often even embracing this, the church is abdicating its responsibility regarding truth. Period.

Equating biblical care of the downtrodden with the welfare state is rapidly changing the face of the evangelical church. This “pseudo-Christian” morality-based religion for the last days is infiltrating every corner of American society, and the church seems to have either lost the will to identify and counteract its influence or perhaps feels so guilty about it’s mega-excesses that it is operating out of a sense of works rather than repentance and grace. Wallis’ book is the most preachy, shaming, finger-pointing rant I have ever read; and this would make sense – in the absence of Christ’s righteousness and dwelling in a person’s life, all that’s left is self-righteousness, which of course utterly lacks the sweet savor of having a relationship with Jesus Christ where one knows he or she is saved through faith by His amazing grace and that not of his or her own works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I believe this is a preview of an even deeper, more pervasive apostasy, a marriage of religion and politics that will ultimately come together under the dictatorial reign of Antichrist, who “causeth all, both small and great,  rich and poor, free and slave to receive his mark” (Revelation 13:16). Is this the playing field Wallis and others are working toward? If so, then this is deception of the highest caliber, and believers should find this extremely sobering in light of the lateness of the hour.

In closing, social reformers deceptively blur the lines between two kingdoms, seeking to turn houses of worship into distribution centers for their causes. What they ignore is that all the ills of society are symptoms – the root cause is sin. They reject the cure for sin through the cross of Christ and instead treat symptoms – but in removing the Cross, they are conveniently free to affirm anyone’s beliefs, and the result is a broad-road, all-inclusive global social justice revolution. I call this the Theory of Revolution. It has been taking place right under the church’s nose for a number of years now, and it’s becoming clearer by the day who is aligning themselves with whom, and what kind of agenda is being promoted.

Wallis says in his book that the majority of his audience is under thirty and half of those are under 25. He speaks frequently at major secular universities and now even at conservative Christian colleges. This is how it was done back in the 60s when Wallis was young; today’s liberal thinkers got their worldview from the counterculture agendas of America’s universities. But lest you think Wallis himself is just another counterculture hippie type out there on the fringes of the establishment – note this picture taken at the “World Economic Forum.” This is the annual invitation-only event in Davos Switzerland that brings together the world’s most influential politicians and economists as they work to bring the world under a global authority.

Consider also, that Sojourners’ receives a portion of its considerable funding from the Open Society Institute, this is billionaire leftist George Soros’ organization.

In 2007, the National Association of Evangelicals hosted a dinner gathering called, “A Global Leaders Forum.” The keynote: Ban Ki Moon, current head of the UN. What is he doing at the NAE event? Wallis himself says of the event, that some Christians today might say he had dinner with the Antichrist that night. He also stated: “Last night, the supposed Antichrist was listening to gospel music, speaking of his own faith, quoting scripture, celebrating a new alliance with “the evangelical church” on the critical issues of poverty and global warming, and bringing the conservative Christian crowd to its feet in smiling agreement with the UN secretary’s agenda. Indeed, leader after Christian leader insisted this was a biblical agenda.” [xiii]

To those who have ears to hear, please consider these things and press forward to contend for the faithonce delivered to the saints!  In this late hour, now is not the time to compromise but rather to so love truthin our innermost being that nothing matters except to make sure we are on the side of truth.

May the Lord direct and guide us, as believers, in all matters of faith, earnestly seeking His mind and heart in all things as laid out in His Word.

Notes: [i] http://www.keywiki.org/index.php/Jim_Wallis

[ii] http://www.traditionalvalues.org/pdf_files/jim_wallis.pdf

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.

[v]Frontpage Magazine, March 17, 2009. http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=34385

[vi] “The Shameful Social Gospel,” TA McMahon. http://www.thebereancall.org/node/7062

[vii] Jim Wallis,  The Great Awakening, p. 60.

[viii] Jim Wallis, “Politics Pushes Uneven Policies”, September 17, 2007

[ix] As heard on Moody Christian Radio Network, in Chicago, Feb.19, 2008, when asked about government sanctions on civil unions for gays. www. americansfortruth.com

[x]  The Great Awakening, p. 56

[xi] Read that, “capitalism” – ed. – Wall St. “Repent,” by Jim Wallis, April 29, 2010

[xii] Wes Howard-Brook, “Apocalypse Soon?” Sojourners, January 1999

[xiii] “Dinner with the Antichrist” by Jim Wallis; http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2007/10/dinner-with-the-antichrist-by.html

See also:

“An Evangelical Manifesto” Released – Many Signers Contemplative Proponents (Signed by Jim Wallis and a conglomeration of evangelical leaders such as Kay Arthur, Max Lucado, Erwin Lutzer, John Ortberg, J.P. Moreland – the point being, another example of co-mingling that is blurring the lines.)

Obama appoints “faith-based” advisory council

In their December online issue, Christianity Today announced the magazine’s “new five-year teaching venture.” The announcement article, written by CTwriter and senior managing editor Mark Galli, begins:

Ongoing controversies over the nature of the Atonement (substitutionary or Christus Victor?), the historical Adam (creation or evolution?), the afterlife (heaven and hell or universalism?), the nature of the authority of Scripture (“inerrant” or “infallible” or “trustworthy”?)—among other debates . . . reveal how confused many Christians are about the basic truths of the faith, a confusion that will worsen if we don’t respond to two pressing realities.

CT’snew “Global Gospel Project” is their answer to helping Christians become less confused about these essential doctrinal issues. Galli says that the two pressing realities that are causing this confusion among Christians are 1. that we live in apost-Christian world, and 2. because of the Internet the average Christian has become confused because he has access to the beliefs of all other religions. Galli says that:

[W]ithout being grounded in the gospel, we simply cannot live it out for long . . . With this issue of Christianity Today, we embark afresh on such an enterprise. We are calling it the Global Gospel Project (GGP), resources for a full-orbed discipleship of heart, mind, soul, and strength.

He adds:

[N]early all catechisms have been written with one tradition or another in mind—Reformed or Baptist or Catholic and so on . . .  we also need discipleship resources that embrace a broad, centrist, and historic understanding of the faith, one that recognizes the gifts of our various traditions . . .

Lighthouse Trails has strong concerns about Christianity Today’s new 5 year teaching project. Having tracked CT for nearly a decade now, we know that the magazine has been a prolific supporter and platform for contemplative spirituality and the emerging church. So in truth, they actually helped create the problem – confusion among Christians in doctrinal matters – which they say was created by outside forces,  and now they are saying they have a solution to the problem. But the problem with that is they are part of the problem. While Galli’s article says that Christians are confused because of the world in which they live, the truth is Christians are confused because Christian leaders, pastors, professors, publishing houses, and magazines are all telling Christians that they need to get on board with the contemplative/emerging bandwagon. That is what is confusing Christians – other Christians teaching New Age/New Spirituality “doctrines” and saying these teachings are biblical . . . when they are not. So it’s a bit disconcerting having witnessed CT’s role in this slide into apostasy, and now, rather than admitting their role, they are blaming everything else and saying they have the solution. This is very troubling.

As we read Galli’s article on the CT website, our eyes couldn’t help seeing advertisements, book announcements, and article titles which further increase our concerns and remind us that CT is not going to be correcting or repenting from the direction they have been going in. One billboard splashes Brian McLaren’s name across it. A rotating window at the top of the page lets readers know about wooden urns they can purchase made by Trappist monks. A ”personalized cross” blessed by the monks is also available for free if one buys one of the urns (starting at just $225 apiece). The billboard links over to the Trappist monks website, The New Melleray Abbey, where many contemplative resources are available (They even have a “discernment” weekend retreat!).

We wonder just what resourcesMark Galli and CT have  in mind for the Global Gospel Project. This time last year (2010), we posted an article by Paul Proctor titled “Evangelical Church Hosts Interfaith Global Faith Forum for World’s Religions.” In that article, Proctor talks about the interfaith forum that included Mark Galli. In taking issue with this forum, Proctor stated:

The Christian Postreported recently that NorthWood Church in Keller, Texas, scheduled a Global Faith Forum for Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and atheists in hopes they would “listen to one another and even build friendships.” The report stated, “the forum isn’t a gathering of theologians to debate religions,” but instead, an “opportunity for people of multiple faiths to get to know one another, start conversations, and learn from each other.”

Yeah, try and find that in your Bible. I guess the Apostle Paul blew it. Just think what he could have learned from that infamous gathering of religious diversity on Mars Hill and all of the friends he might have made if he hadn’t been so intent on preaching Christ.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” – James 4:4

Well said, Mr. Proctor. Mark Galli says in this week’s CTarticle that we all need to “embrace a broad, centrist, and historic understanding of the faith, one that recognizes the gifts of our various traditions.” Does he mean Christian traditions? Buddhist traditions? Muslim traditions? Catholic traditions?  Emerging traditions? In 2008, The Berean Call brought up Mark Galli because of a special CT issue focusing on the Ancient-Future Church (another name for the emerging church). The Berean Call article states:

In introducing its February 2008 feature article with a cover-page declaration, “Lost Secrets of the Ancient Church: How evangelicals started looking backward to move forward,” CT senior managing editor Mark Galli writes:

“You might say a number of CT editors have a vested interest in this issue’s cover story. David Neff, Ted Olsen, Tim Morgan, and I have been doing the ancient-future thing for many years, at Episcopal and/or Anglican parishes. And if this were not enough immersion in the topic, in his spare time, David Neff heads up the Robert E. Webber Center for an Ancient Evangelical Future, founded by the father of the ancient-future movement.”

Acknowledging the magazine’s inherent (and historic) bias, Galli notes that “the ancient church has captivated the evangelical imagination for some time, [yet] it hasn’t been until recently that it’s become an accepted fixture of the evangelical landscape. And this is for the good.” That, of course, is Galli’s opinion and, sadly, a growing multitude of influential Christian leaders agree.

Robert E. Webber, who died last year, is certainly the “father of the ancient-future movement,” and his many books have provided encouragement and content for leaders of Emerging Church fellowships. As a Wheaton College professor for three decades, he also played a significant part in influencing that evangelical institution’s capitulation to ecumenism, particularly its support of Roman Catholicism (see TBC 7/02, 6/02 by T.A. on ECT at Wheaton).

In a companion article this month, “Nurturing Mind and Soul,” Mark Galli, referring to the Global Gospel Project, writes: “For the next five years, we will take a more systematic and comprehensive approach to the task of forming believers in the faith.” He then tells readers that next month writers from Wheaton College and Fuller Seminary will contribute to the Global Gospel Project. Wheaton and Fuller are two of the more contemplative/emerging colleges on the scene today, but let’s take a brief look at the two contributors that CT has chosen for next month to “form believers in the faith.” You may be surprised.

Amy Black is assistant professor of politics at Wheaton College. This is interesting that CT has chosen a political professor for one of the first “resources” to help form believers in the faith. Ah, but perhaps, like in a good mystery novel, we have uncovered a possible motive for CT’s “five year plan.”  Amy Black was part of the political emerging “conversation” that helped many evangelical Christians to know who to vote for in the last presidential election (of course, we all know the results), along with people like Shane Claiborne (Jesus for President) and Jim Wallis (God’s Politics); by the way, Black is featured on Wallis’ website and is the author of Beyond Left and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics,  which was released several months before the last presidential election. And in fact CTplayed a role in the seemingly subtle political maneuvers that took place in 2008 especially. One must wonder if the Global Gospel Project should really be named “U.S. Re-Election Project,” but perhaps this is for another article.

The other contributor that CT has chosen for next month’s Global Gospel Project on how to form Christians is Fuller Seminary professor Veli Kärkkäinen. Kärkkäinen has a particular emphasis on interfaith dialogue. He is the author of Christology, a Global Introduction: an ecumenical, international, and contexual perspective.  Kärkkäinen also teaches a course called TH536 The Theology of Jurgen Moltmann. Kärkkäinen actually features Moltmann in many of his writings and is considered to be an expert on Moltmann. Anyone who has read Bob DeWaay’s book, The Emergent Church, knows the significant role that Moltmann played in the formation of the emerging church. Listen to what DeWaay uncovers about Moltmann and thus the emerging church:

In the 1960s, German theologian Jürgen Moltmann, to be rid of despair, created what he called “a theology of hope” based on the philosophy of Friedrich Hegel, an 18th and 19th century progenitor of German Idealism. The Hegelian synthesis denies absolutes, such as absolute truth or knowledge, and instead claims that everything evolves as incompatible ideas merge into something new and better. Two incompatible opposites, such as good and evil, combine and evolve into an improved third option that surpasses both. (The Emergent Church, DeWaay, ch. 1 (Also see Herescope’s article, “Emergence Toward Convergence,” for more on Moltmann)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1

Related Articles:

Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis’ Revolutionary Anti-Christian “Gospel” (and Will Christian Leaders Stand with Wallis?)

EMERGENT MANIFESTO: Emerging Church Comes Out of the Closet

By Mike Stanwood
Free lance writer and defender of the faith

Screen writer Kevin Miller is probably best known for co-writing the Ben Stein documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, a film that shows how those who believe in intelligent design are being ridiculed by the scientific community.

For his next project, Miller is about to take on another big topic in an upcoming documentary [1] called “Hellbound?” which is going into production this summer. Like Rob Bell, who has recently taken on hell with his controversial new book Love Wins, Miller will be exploring similar questions: “If God is our pure, all-loving Creator, can he really turn his back on sinners and allow them to suffer for eternity in hell? Where did this vision of hell come from? Is it possible we’ve got hell wrong? Or are recent challenges to the traditional view merely an attempt to avoid the inevitable?” [2]

He has already begun by attending a heavy metal concert in Copenhagen called Copenhell, a two-day festival inspired by music from the Abyss. This year’s big performers were Judas Priest and Korn, but Miller was also interested in finding out what was behind the hell-themed imagery in the music and artwork of other acts at this event. [3] (first clue: Satan?)

In the next stage of his Hellbound? production, some other names Miller will be turning to to aid him in his exploration are from the Pacific Northwest. These include William Paul Young, author of The Shack, philosopher Thomas Talbott, and Regent College professor John Stackhouse, Jr.

Also to be interviewed are three of Miller’s fellow writers at Clarion Journal of Spirituality & Justice, all of whom hold to some liberal, unorthodox beliefs. These colleagues are Anglican scholar and university professor Ron Dart, Arch Bishop Lazar Puhalo of All Saints of North America (Canadian Orthodox Monastery), and contemplative prayer/visualization teacher Brad Jersak,  author of Stricken by God?, a collection of essays on alternative atonement theories.

As Dart, Puhalo, and Jersak often appear together in filmed discussions [4], it is not surprising that they will all be part of Miller’s next film. If their ‘pre-interview’ for Hellbound? by Kevin Miller is any indication, Puhalo and Dart will be attempting to dismantle the biblical concept of hell. According to Archbishop Lazar Puhalo, hell is simply anger, malice, and the condition of our conscience [5], while Ron Dart believes that “a literal hell is a preposterous understanding of scripture.” [6]

Jersak’s beliefs on hell can be found in his recently written book on hell, judgment, and universalism called Her Gates Will Never Be Shut: Hell, Hope, and the New Jerusalem in which his “position seems to be that hopeful universalism is a good evangelical position.” [7]

As if the direction of Hellbound? isn’t already obvious, the participation of The Shack’s author William P. Young in this production may be an even stronger indication of where Miller intends to take his viewers. Besides adding to the buzz, Young’s theology may bring even more confusion to the topic. In the same interview where he denied the penal substitutionary atonement of Christ when he said “No. I don’t, I am not a penal substitution …reformation…point of view”, Young also recommended his listeners read Brad Jersak’s book about alternative atonement theories, Stricken by God? [8]

Also of note is another notorious film documentary, which screenwriter Kevin Miller has co-authored, [9] called With God On Our Side,  a movie aimed at naive evangelical audiences challenging support for Israel and Israel’s significance in Bible prophecy. The film featured Stephen Sizer who has defended Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad [10] and acclaimed Helen Thomas for saying that Jews need to “get out of Palestine” and go back to Poland. [11] This anti-Israel film was championed by Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo and Brian McLaren. [12]

In conclusion, it is apparent that at least some of Kevin Miller’s sources consistently appear to be those who have departed from (or never did in the first place) believing that God literally meant what He said in His inspired Word. Instead, these men make their own theories and turn the truth of God into fables (2 Timothy 4:4). However, “far from legend, myth, metaphor, or allegory, the Bible presents hell as a real place where wicked people suffer the wrath of God.” [13] With the recent popularity of Rob Bell’s book Love Wins and the subsequent shift towards universalism among youth, it is concerning that Miller’s Hellbound? production could prove to be a widely viewed film, which will no doubt add to the confusion. Given the facts, it’s not unreasonable to offer a more than strong word of caution about this upcoming film. Those seeking answers about their eternal destination could be sent in the wrong direction by listening to the voices in Hellbound?

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels … And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25: 41, 45

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). And also:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door of the sheep.  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The way of escape from Hell is a free gift, offered to “whosoever believeth on Him” (Jesus Christ – John 3:16). But those who deny biblical truths such as Hell and atonement have taken that free gift and the sacrifice Christ made on the Cross and slammed it to the ground. In essence, they have rejected the free gift of salvation through Christ.

Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38)

Endnotes
[1] “Hellbound?” interview on Atlanta Live; ‘Expelled’ Writer Tackles One Hell of a Movie
HELLBOUND: Abbotsford filmmaker asks questions about hell, films documentary locally
[2] Hellbound? documentary to film throughout the Pacific Northwest this July
[3] Hellbound? to begin production at “Copenhell” this June; Hellbound to begin production at “Copenhell”
[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4c0MrIGEE
[5] Part 1: To Hell or not (unsegmented at canadianorthodoxbroadcasting.ca)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlPKo0IC54M
In this video, Archbishop Lazar Puhalo says hell is not a created fire pit but simply anger and malice and the condition of our conscience when we depart this world. Also in this video, Ron Dart, who does not have a literal way of reading the Bible, says that we need to transcend a literal way of understanding the Bible because literal interpretation leads to ridiculous consequences – and a literal hell is a preposterous understanding of scripture.
[6] Pt 2 To Hell or not to Hell
In this video, Archbishop Lazar Puhalo says that hell corrupts the concept of the nature and mercy of God, so we have to go to the early church beliefs to find the answer about what hell is. Ron Dart says that to rescue the church from literalism is to track back to the ancient wisdom of the church mothers and fathers.
[7] The Evangelical Universalist featuring Gregory MacDonald and Thomas Talbott: A Forum dedicated to Evangelical Universalists
Her Gates Will Never be Shut, by Bradley Jersak (Review); By Gregory MacDonald;
[8] Listen to the interview with The Shack author William Young on KAYP by Kendall Adams, pastor of the Burlington Baptist church, where Young denies the substitutionary atonement and recommends Stricken by God? by Brad Jersak; http://rock-life.com/files/shakcomp.mp3;
Transcript of Interview
[9]Trailer
[10] In 2007, Stephen Sizer defended Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during an Islamic Republic News Agency press conference in Tehran. See “A Goliath in the Church”
[11] Sizer acclaimed Helen Thomas for saying that Jews need to “get out of Palestine” and go back to Poland. See: Turning Churches Against Israel [12] See: Film Warning: With God on Our Side – Championed by Jim Wallis, Tony Campolo, Brian McLaren & Steve Haas (World Vision)
[13] The Truth About Hell

Out of House Article: For informational and research purposes only. To learn more about Willow Creek, read our article: “No Repentance from Willow Creek – Only a Mystical Paradigm Shift”

Lynn Hybels, wife of Willow Creek pastor and founder Bill Hybels is a regular writer for Jim Wallis’ SoJourners magazine. Wallis is also a “spiritual” advisor to Obama.

By Lynn Sweet
Chicago-Sun Times
(courtesy Ingrid Schlueter)

WASHINGTON–President Obama tapped Willow Creek Community Church’s Lynne Hybels for a spot on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Hybels, of Barrington, is married to Willow Creek senior pastor and founder Bill Hybels.Lynne Hybels, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Lynne Hybels is co-founder and Advocate for Global Engagement at the Willow Creek Community Church, a religious organization committed to maximizing individual life-transformation as well as encouraging effective leadership of local churches. For two decades, Mrs. Hybels has been involved in Willow Creek’s ministry partnerships in under-resourced communities in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. She has written inspirational books and articles focusing on global poverty, HIV/AIDS, and Israeli-Palestinian peace. Under her leadership, Willow Creek is establishing an Advisory Board on Middle East Engagement. Mrs. Hybels is currently a board member of the Africa Advisory Board at Willow Creek Community Church and recently served on the U.S. Board for World Vision. She holds a B.A. in Social Sciences from Bethel College. Click here to continue reading.

Related Information:

Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis’ Revolutionary Anti-Christian “Gospel” (and Will Christian Leaders Stand with Wallis?)

Jim Wallis Points to Lighthouse Trails – Defends Position of Sojourners

President Obama’s Christianity…

Jim Wallis and Other Emerging Leaders Tell Christians and Media – Stop Challenging Obama’s “Christian” Faith

* TOP ARTICLE IN THIS CATEGORY FOR 2010: 

1/Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis’ Revolutionary Anti-Christian “Gospel” (and Will Christian Leaders Stand with Wallis?) by M. Danielsen

2/Who Really Runs America and the Media? by Dr. Stan Monteith

3/Incremental Steps to Dictatorship by Teresa Morris

4/Uniting Religions for World Change: The G8 World Religions Summit by Carl Teichrib

5/“Spiritual Formation” (i.e., “40 Days of Reflection & Growth”) at Trevecca Nazarene University by Sandy Simpson

6/Take the Test: Are You a New Ager? by Mike Oppenheimer

7/What’s Wrong with a More Social Gospel? by Paul Proctor

8/Balaam, On Being Paid to Curse Israel by Bill Randles

9/John Piper Invites Leonard Sweet Co-Worker Rick Warren to Speak at Desiring God Conference by Ingrid Schlueter

This is the first posting of several covering our 2010 YEAR IN REVIEW. In this first posting, we are listing the top story from seven different categories. Other postings will show the top ten stories in each particular category. While we realize it is very difficult to read everything that comes from Lighthouse Trails, we hope you will look over our YEAR IN REVIEW postings to see what you may have missed in these important stories.

YEAR IN REVIEW: Top Story from Each Lighthouse Trails Category

Top Lighthouse Trails Story for 2010: Rick Warren’s “Apologetics” Weekend Should Apologize for Representing “Another Gospel”

Top Story by a Lighthouse Trails Author for 2010: God’s Word Shines Light Upon End Time Apostasy - Roger Oakland

Top Story by Another Ministry for 2010: Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis’ Revolutionary Anti-Christian “Gospel” (and Will Christian Leaders Stand with Wallis?) by M. Danielsen

Top Out-of-House News Story for 2010: Pittsburg Post-Gazette: “More people turning to spiritual [formation] directors”

Top Video/Audio Interview for 2010: CrossTalk on WorldNetDaily Article – Challenge to Dominionist Leaders – The Gospel Should Come First! Ingrid Schlueter/Sarah Leslie

Top Book Review for 2010: Hipster Christianity by Brett McCracken – When “Cool” Isn’t Cool and Is Ashamed of the Gospel (Reviewer: Lighthouse Trails Editors)

Top Letter to the Editor to LT for 2010: Letter to the Editor: The Affects of “Spiritual Formation” in a Christian Church