Opinion and Commentary by Brannon S. Howse
In August of 2010 it was
Glenn Beck with whom Christians were uniting for his "Restoring Honor
Rally". I took a real beating from many Christians for stating that I
believe that Glenn Beck, as a Mormon, is proclaiming another Jesus and another
gospel and that this event would not help America but hurtAmerica.
Even after Beck released his book, Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life in
which he detailed his completely unbiblical worldview; Christians continued to
defend Beck stating that he is a good Christian that is teaching truth.
Now, as we approach August of 2011, many Christians are once again jumping on
what appears to be the next spiritual bandwagon; a prayer rally being hosted by
Governor Perry of Texas and other leaders.
The website of The Response,
says the reason for this rally is because: America is in the midst of
a historic crisis. We have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a
multitude of natural disasters. The youth of America are in grave peril
economically, socially, and, most of all, morally. There are threats emerging within
our nation and beyond our borders beyond our power to solve.
The reason the "youth of America are in grave peril
economically, socially, and most of all, morally", is because they are
in peril spiritually and I believe that giving credibility to and introducing
youth and adults to false teachers and their unbiblical spirituality is only
going to put people in danger of eternal, spiritual peril.
I do not believe this
event will aide in reclaiming the country, restoring liberty, or prosperity and
it certainly will not prompt God to bless America. I believe such an event will
actually hasten God'sjudgment on our nation.
The Response, as this event is being called, is being promoted as a time of
prayer and repentance. However, how can Christians and Christian leaders
gather together in a spiritual enterprise, a spiritual service, with
individuals that embrace a theology and doctrine that teaches a different Jesus
and a different gospel? I and thousands of pastors and theologians believe that
the Word of God reveals that the teaching of the New Apostolic Reformation, the
Word of Faith movement and the prosperity gospel is completely unbiblical.
Worldview Weekend has been
warning about the unbiblical aspect of the prosperity gospel for years. Here is alink to one of our DVDs we produced in which Dr. Ron Carlson was
warning of the unbiblical nature of the prosperity gospel.
Some would try and accuse
me of guilt by association. However, I do not believe those participating in The
Response, and other such projects, are guilty by association but guilty by
participation. I believe they are guilty of giving credibility to false
teachers by choosing to unite with false teachers. Ephesians 5:11 says, "And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." 2 Timothy 3:5
says "and from such people turn away."
Pastor James Robison, on his website, wrote
about "supernatural gatherings" and listed "those who attended
one or both Leadership Summits along with those who encouraged and assisted in
bringing about the gatherings." The list included men whose ministries I
have respected but also prosperity preachers I have refuted.
I fear the American church
is following in the steps of the "German Christians" that eliminated
their denominations and abandoned doctrinal purity in order to unite under the
Reich Bishop so they might save their country. Nationalism or ecumenical patriotism,
mysticism, and a lack of biblical discernment which leads to tolerance of false
teaching are growing in America.
In April of 2011, I wrote an article entitled,
"Christians That Partner with False Teachers and Think They are
Defending Liberty for the Sake of the Gospel are Compromising the Gospel for
the Sake of Liberty." I warned then, as I do now, that the mixing
of evangelicals with false prophets for the sake of the culture war is really
an offense to the Gospel. God is not dependent on us to violate Biblical
principles in order to be successful at restoring righteousness. How can we
restore righteousness through an unrighteous manner? How can we hope to restore
Biblical principles within government when we have willingly violated Biblical
principles within the church? The end does not justify the means.
God is watching and I
contend that our efforts are being thwarted by God as Divine judgment for
setting aside Scriptural warnings and uniting with false teachers in spiritual
enterprises intertwined with our Christian activism.
When Christians compromise
the gospel and unite with false teachers in spiritual and political
enterprises, regardless of the political outcome, we will have lost because we
gave credibility to false teachers and their false gospel. I believe this is
Satan's strategy. Satan has moved his false teachers into our camp as a
religious Trojan horse and Christian leaders have embraced the Trojan horse of
false teachers.
