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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:29:49 GMT -5
***This is very long, but worth the effort. A comprehensive study on the infiltration of witchcraft and occultism into modern 'Christianity' to bring forth the Kingdom of Antichrist! A must read! Watchman***
REBUILDING THE TOWER OF BABEL:
THE DARK SIDE OF THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH
By
Mac Dominick Introduction
Long ago in a land far, far away, the Great Hunter stood in awe as the sun fractured the eastern horizon of the plains of Shinar and ignited the predawn sky into a myriad of color. The shimmering rays of light that exploded from the sky and danced across the colossal structure gave him a profound sense of pride and great accomplishment as few have ever felt. The instructions had been explicit, the plans had been executed perfectly to the minutest detail, and now the magnificent tower that would serve as catalyst to the culture and technology of the not-too-distant past was becoming a reality.
The structure was not simply a work of stone and mortar, but also represented something esoterically spiritual and deeply religious. This religion, the Ancient Wisdom, contained beliefs and doctrines of the “Old Ones” and the ingredients for the restoration of an earlier age washed away in the annihilating waters of the judgment of God. Now the Great Hunter was on the very precipice of proving that a united, motivated, and esoterically empowered human race could accomplish anything—even if such an accomplishment was diametrically opposed to the plan of God for humanity. With these intoxicating thoughts flowing through his consciousness, Nimrod basked in the warmth of the sun and the pure euphoria of personal achievement. However, this very day God Himself would not only thwart his ambitious plans of a world empire, but also deny the immanent appearance of a single, universal religion that would accompany any such political aspirations.
The construction would stop, and the lofty dreams of Nimrod would be shattered. But even with his subsequent death and dismemberment (Jewish scholars teach that Nimrod was executed by Noah’s righteous son, Shem, his body cut into 14 pieces, and the pieces subsequently distributed to his followers as an acute warning of rebellion.), the esoteric religion would live on. With the help of Nimrod’s widow and her illegitimate son (Semiramis and Tammuz), the Ancient Wisdom would be carefully preserved in the Babylonian Mystery Religions. (1) As the followers of Nimrod scattered across the face of the earth, the Ancient Mysteries accompanied them from Egypt, to China, and to even to the Americas. With the passing of time, the Ancient Wisdom came to be guarded by the “elite wise persons” of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Pergamos, and Rome. It later found a home in Eastern Religions, the Jewish Kabalah, and Western Gnosticism. (2)
THE LEGACY OF THE TOWER OF BABEL
After the turn of the Third Century AD, the power of the Church of Rome began to rise, and this directly developed into a schism among the keepers of the Mysteries. When Constantine moved to legalize Christianity, the Roman Church embraced many of the doctrines of the Babylonian Mystery Religions. As a result, the Church of Rome adopted the worship of the mother and child, infant baptism, confession to a priest, and many other practices of the Babylonian Mysteries. The Church did not embrace the occult aspects of the Mystery Religions, but these remained with the Mystery Schools of the East, Kabalists, and Gnostics until the time of the crusades. However, the purely occult side of the Ancient Wisdom surfaced publicly in Western Europe with the rise of the Merovingian Dynasty and the legends of “Parcival and the Quest for the Holy Grail”. The subsequent schism within the “mystery schools” of “white and black magick” exploded into a major conflict when the Knights Templar (The Order of the Temple) returned from the crusades as the wealthiest men on earth.
The Knights Templar and the Prieure’ de Sion (The Order of Zion) became the cultural elite that fully embraced the dark, most occult aspects of the Ancient Mysteries. This put them on a collision course with the Church of Rome and her allies. The Prieure’ de Sion went underground and became an elite “secret society,” while the members of the Knights Templar were viciously attacked by Catholic puppet, King Philippe IV of France, and Pope Clement V.
On October 13th, 1307, Philippe ordered the arrest of all Knights Templar. However, the prior evening, an unknown number of Knights Templar sailed from France with a reported eighteen galleys loaded with the legendary Templar Treasure. (3) At least a portion of the Templars sailed to Scotland, and organizing with the Scots Guard, Rosicrucians, Invisible College, and Royal Society (all occult groups) formed the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. (4) The Freemasons appropriated the Templars as antecedents, as well as authorizing custody of their arcane secrets. (5) As a result, the Scottish Rite is “magically oriented, emphasizes a sacred social and political hierarchy, a divine order, and an underlying cosmic plan.” (6) This is the very essence of the Ancient Mysteries of Nimrod.
From this sequence of historical events, one who is acquainted with the Word of God, and particularly Bible prophecy, can logically conclude the following:
1) Nimrod sought to restore the pre-flood system by a world government, led by a priest-king, empowered directly by Lucifer.
2) When God spoiled Nimrod’s plan, Lucifer’s strategy was altered to set up a system of false religions that would hold in store these powerful Ancient Mysteries until the time that he (Lucifer) could succeed in establishing such a kingdom.
3) These Mysteries have been guarded since that time by a select, elite group. There have been periods of history that publicly accepted the darker (occult) side of the mysteries and periods when the occult has been suppressed.
4) The Bible records that a future world kingdom will arise led by the Beast (Antichrist), who will declare himself as the Christ. This world kingdom will be accompanied by a one-world church until such time that it is no more useful to the Beast. The Beast will also declare himself to be the Messiah of the Jews and rightful heir to the throne of David.
5) The Beast will reveal the secrets of the Ancient Mysteries that have been so faithfully guarded by his servants for millennia as proof of his position to fully establish his kingdom.
The process of the inevitable demise of the human race that will culminate at Armageddon began with Nimrod and the construction of the Tower of Babel. The Ancient Mystery Religions were in direct opposition to the worship the God of the Bible, Nimrod was the servant of Lucifer, and the Tower of Babel was the symbol of defiance against the plan of God for the human race. As a result of these facts, even the vaguest reference to the Tower of Babel as a positive image for any honorable undertaking was absolutely unthinkable for the four millennia since construction was abandoned.
This perception began to change in the 1980s when the image of the Tower of Babel began to appear on promotional material for the European Union. This, of course, should come as no surprise to the biblically astute individual who understands the total ramifications of modern political globalism. For the EU is, if nothing else, the embodiment of the Luciferic philosophies that will pave the road to Armageddon.
RICK WARREN’S 40 DAYS OF COMMUNITY
However, there are very recent positive references to the Tower of Babel that can be put in no other terms than “completely inexplicable.” Furthermore, these references did not originate from a Luciferic, globalistic, secular source, but from the pulpit of a “conservative” Baptist church. Without doubt, many sermons have been preached from the pulpits of Bible-believing churches that that have characterized the Tower of Babel as an example of rebellion against God and the object of His judgment. However, on October 30-31, 2004, the pulpit of Saddleback Community Church (Southern Baptist Convention) in south Orange County, California, was in all likelihood the first ecclesiastical location in history from which the Tower of Babel would be presented as an example of what individual members of the Church could accomplish when functioning in concert. In addition, many of the additional 700 churches chosen to pilot the “40 Days of Community” at the same time may have used this positive promotion of the Tower of Babel (This author has received notification of at least one other church that used this very illustration).
The pastor of Saddleback Community Church, Dr. Rick Warren, was in the midst of his latest 40-day campaign, “40 Days of Community.” The “40 Days of Community” program is a 6-week emphasis on building “community” within the Church, and Dr. Warren’s example of the Tower of Babel was given at the conclusion of the 4th week. In essence, Dr. Warren related that the Tower of Babel was a perfect example of what could be accomplished when men and women work together to reach a common goal. He stated that the construction crew of the “Tower of Babel” worked so well as a group that God had to intervene to separate them. The context of this characterization and comparison of the events that occurred on the Plain of Shinar so long ago with that which can be accomplished by the members of the “Body of Christ” unified by the bond of the Holy Spirit should make the blood of a true child of God run ice cold. How could Dr. Warren violate the context of Scripture to the extreme that would result in such a comparison? Does he not realize the rebellious source of empowerment of those who built the tower? Does he not understand the historical and prophetic significance that stems from the events at Babel? Does he discount the power of the Holy Spirit working within the child of God in order to accomplish God’s purposes? Does he dismiss the Scripture that states that God’s strength is made perfect in man’s weakness? Why would a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ glorify one of the most renowned examples of rebellion against God in all of history? Is this a warning of deeper issues with the “40 Days of Community” program? Could this illustration possibly be a signal to undisclosed observers that there is more to “40 Days of Community” than meets the eye?
OCCULT GLORIFICATION OF THE GROUP
The basic concepts of Warren’s “40 Days of Community” are all based upon the formation and functioning of small groups within the church and the theme that “we are better together.” While there is no doubt that the Word of God teaches unity among believers, the concepts and terminology used in the 40 Days of Community campaign raises many red warning flags. However, these “red flags” become more like screaming sirens when one realizes the permeation of the “group-think” mentality held by occult, pagan, and earth-based religions that originated at the Tower of Babel.
The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, wrote of the Tower of Babel from a unique perspective. Josephus stated that after the Flood, God commanded mankind to disperse across the face of the earth and populate the entire globe. In lieu of following the commands of God, mankind followed the leadership of Nimrod. Nimrod and his followers realized that they were in direct defiance to the commandments of God, and they chose to build a tower that would “reach to heaven” to provide a way of escape the wrath of God in the event of another flood. They all worked together to insure the survival of the species. They functioned as a group in order to preserve the group. (7)
Once these men were dispersed across the face of the planet, this “group-think” philosophy then permeated occult thought from this point in history forward. It has been seen throughout history and in modern occult, “new-age,” and neo-pagan thought. Group-think philosophies are readily perceptible in modern theosophical writings, earth-based nature religions, eastern religion, goddess worship, Luciferic organizations, and now (thanks to Dr. Warren) the evangelical church.
LUCERFERIC PHILOSOPHIES IN THE CHURCH
Unfortunately, many Christians are being duped into following a Luciferic agenda because they have no real concept of the beliefs and methods of occult and esoteric religions, and are so detached from the leading of God’s Holy Spirit that they have no sense whatsoever of discernment of that which is truly good and that which is truly evil. In other words, this generation of evangelicals is ripe for deception. The deceptive agenda is cleverly disguised a “new way of doing church,” “building community” among the body of believers, and a host of other systems and programs.
The average Christian (whether conservative, evangelical, or fundamentalist) has very little knowledge of the true workings of the occult world. This, of course, is not surprising, for those who “name the name of Jesus Christ” naturally, as a matter of course, avoid religious discussions with those who would participate in occult practices. Not only that, but the workings of the “forces of darkness” are generally perceived as evil, macabre rituals that are too terrifying for the average individual (Christian or not) to comprehend, much less cerebrally reconcile on any logical level. Furthermore, the perception of an individual involved in occult practices is one of placing that individual on a lunatic fringe of society. However, not only are these perceptions grossly inaccurate, but there exists a distinct, lurking danger associated with this lack of knowledge—for if “evil” were always readily identifiable as evil—very few would be enticed into its clutches. Therefore, the strategy of Lucifer is not always that of the grotesque or macabre; but as the Word of God warns, he appears as an “angel of light.”
It is within this context that one must evaluate the recent events within Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christianity. For the latest movements in the construction of the outcome-based, New Paradigm Church share some very eerie and very disconcerting similarities to the dark forces of the occult, and it is these very similarities this manuscript will seek to address. In essence, it will further examine these occult concepts and establish how modern evangelicals who claim to be “building the Kingdom of God” are, in reality, rebuilding the Tower of Babel.
END NOTES
1. Hislop, Alexander. The Two Babylons, Loizeaux Bros. Pub., 1916, p.
20.
2. Kah, Gary. En Route to Global Occupation, Huntington House, 1991,
p. 94.
3. Baigent & Leigh. The Temple and the Lodge, Arcade Pub., 1989, p. 53.
4. IBID. p. 155.
5. Baigent, Lincoln & Leigh. Holy Blood, Holy Grail, Dell Pub., 1982, p. 65.
6. IBID. p. 197.
7. Flavius Josephus. The Antiquities of the Jews, Book I, Chapter IV.
Copyright © 2004 Cutting Edge Ministries. All rights reserved. This article and its contents are protected under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. Copying and pasting this article, in whole or in part, into e-mails or as attachments to e-mails or posting it on the Internet is strictly prohibited and may subject the offender to civil liability and severe criminal penalties (Title 17, United States Code, section 501 and 506).
Copying and distributing this article in violation of the above notice is also a violation of God's moral law.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:30:07 GMT -5
THE DARK SIDE OF THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH
Chater 1
The Angel of Light The members of every past generation embraced the notion that their time was the pivotal point in human history, and to varying degrees, each one has been correct in this assessment. This concept applies not only to secular society and humanity in general, but also to specific segments of the world’s population; and the present world population is no exception to this mentality. In the context of this manuscript, the world’s occult and Christian populations are both acutely cognizant of the fact of humanity’s position poised at the climax of the current “age” and are endowed with a distinct sense of revolutionary, imminent change.
As a prime example, in a 1989 speech to the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, Dr. Jean Houston was explicitly dogmatic that this very generation will determine whether the human race will grow to a new, heightened level of consciousness or annihilate itself. In this speech she stated:
“All cultures thought their culture was ‘it.’ They were wrong, this is ‘it’—this time in history…the great ‘time of either/or’…Everything is in place to make the leap, the jump phenomenon…We are living the passion of the loaded time…when what you and I do will profoundly make a difference.” (1)
Dr. Houston went on to speak of a “whole system transition to a planetary society.” Her definition of a planetary society is quite simple: a planetary society is based on an interdependent, centralized social democracy that encompasses an entire human race whose collective consciousness will expand to the point that each individual realizes that he or she is, in fact, “god.” This very mindset and mantra spans the course of paganism, Wicca, New Age, and other earth-based religions that comprise a major segment of what is deemed the “occult world.”
On the other end of the spectrum, the members of the Church are convinced that this indeed is, a critical, pivotal moment in human history. Those who are Dispensational in their theology and hold to a literal interpretation of Scripture believe that the “end of the age” that will consummate with the Rapture of the Church, the Kingdom of Antichrist, and the subsequent Second Coming is very close. In addition, the events seen as the obvious fulfillment of Bible Prophecy that began in 1948 with the establishment of Israel as a nation continue to occur.
Imbedded into this theological framework is also the realization that the Church of Jesus Christ is facing a major shift away from the “Old Time Religion” of its fathers and grandfathers. This shift is not a minor adjustment, but rather, a major change that threatens to alter the face of Christianity forever. Tragically, if this shift continues unchecked, the subsequent change will create a new “hybrid Christianity” that will bear little resemblance to the “faith of our fathers” or the Church as described in the New Testament. This new hybrid is instead birthing a “false Christianity” that will lead its adherents to a pseudo-faith that will result in their missing the Rapture, believing “a lie,” (2) and falling into the arms of Antichrist as gently as the falling the petals of an autumn rose.
John MacArthur very astutely described this shift in his book, Reckless Faith when he stated:
· There has been a shift in Evangelical consensus
· This shift is short on doctrine and long on experience
· Thinking is deemed less important than feeling
· Love of sound doctrine has disappeared
· Add a dose of mysticism and you have the recipe for unmitigated spiritual disaster. (3)
The shift MacArthur describes is the exact course traversed by those involved in what has come to be termed the “Church Growth Movement” (CGM). The methodology of this movement among Christian Evangelicals and Fundamentalists materialized in the second half of the Twentieth Century, and was championed by Fuller Theological Seminary. The manifestation of the movement is now seen in the seeker-sensitive mega-churches mushrooming into existence all over the nation.
The “poster child” of the CGM, Dr. Rick Warren of Saddleback Community Church, has proclaimed that the church is in the midst of a culture-changing revolution; (4) and those involved in his specific programs are the revolutionary leaders that will initiate a “paradigm shift” that will swell throughout all of Christendom. However, upon close examination of these programs---“40 Days of Purpose” and “40 Days of Community”—as well as Dr. Warren’s books—The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose-Driven Life-- not only does one start to question their doctrinal position but also the subtle introduction of occult philosophies and terminologies into an arena that outwardly touts the fulfillment of “The Great Commission” as its sole outcome.
In order to thoroughly assess this entire situation, an understanding must be reached on the Luciferic methodologies and teachings of the occult world. Once such an understanding is achieved, then a fair appraisal can be made of the programs that drive the Church Growth Movement.
IN THE BEGINNING
Lucifer’s first appearance in the Word of God is found in the account of the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Due to the familiarity of the text, many read this passage without giving much thought to all of the ramifications associated with the actual sequence of events of that eternally fateful day. However, when one considers the details of the conversation recorded in Scripture and its results, a few conclusions become quite obvious:
· If the theories of evolution were actually true, Eve would never have bought into the lie, “Ye shalt not surely die.” The obvious reason for this conclusion is the simple fact that Eve, to this point in her life, never witnessed anyone or anything die. Even in the case of “Theistic Evolution,” Eve would have witnessed death as a natural course of life. However, since the biblical facts reveal that Evolution (Theistic or otherwise) is false, Eve herself had been created but a relatively short time in an environment that was not yet under the curse of sin. Therefore, in her innocent state, she never witnessed death of any kind, she never planned to die; and subsequently, in her innocent state, Eve believed the lies of Lucifer when he contradicted the consequences of disobedience as outlined by God.
· Lucifer only succeeded in deceptively luring Eve by making the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and its forbidden fruit appear as something to be desired. He played the ultimate game of deception—transforming the very object that would lead Eve to her own death to deceptively appear as something enticingly and irresistibly desirable.
· Lucifer also appealed to Eve’s ego by offering the elevation of her status to that of a “god” when he stated, “thou shall be as gods.” Eve only knew one God, God the ruler and Creator of all things. To be as God, rule as God, and know what God knew was the “golden carrot” that lured Eve into sin.
Once these conclusions are considered, further reflection on these very aspects of the conversation that transpired in the Garden of Eden so many years ago reveals the very foundation of Luciferic thought as the antithesis to the Word of God. That foundation rests on these three cornerstones:
· Acceptance of the theory of Evolution as a fact
· A strategy of deception that promotes evil as good.
· A philosophy of monistic pantheism
EVOLUTION AND OCCULT THOUGHT
Very few people are aware of the events that led to the presentation of Charles Darwin’s theories on origins to Great Britain’s 19th Century scientific community. Darwin was aided in his research by his very close friend, Charles Lyell. Lyell stood by the reluctant Darwin for more than twenty years of painstaking research in the development of his theories. Additionally, Darwin was not a seeker of fame and notoriety. As a matter of fact, he was very hesitant to bring his work into the public forum of the intellectual community. (5)
However, the day arrived that Darwin was forced to publicly present his theories or else not only be upstaged by another, but witness the loss of all of his efforts. In 1855, Darwin received a copy of a paper written by Alfred Russell Wallace that detailed the same theories that he himself painstakingly developed over the course of 20 years. Darwin then immediately, at Lyell’s urging, began writing his infamous work, The Origin of Species. Both Darwin and Russell, however, were seeking the missing key component—the mechanism by which one species could effectively change into another. (The problem with the absence of such a mechanism is obvious, for there is absolutely no evidence [scientific or otherwise] that provides any proof that one species has or ever will evolve into another species.)
Three years after sending his paper on origins to Darwin, Wallace became very ill while living on the island of Ternate. In the violent throes of a debilitating fever, a vision of the missing mechanism came to him in a “moment’s revelation.” Wallace then sent that mechanism, The Survival of the Fittest, to Darwin. The Ternate Paper contained “in complete form, what is today known as the Darwinian Theory of Evolution…” (6) In reality, the circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Darwin plagiarized many of the key concepts of the infamous Origin if Species from Wallace’s work. However, since Wallace was closer to New Guinea than to London when the presentation time arrived, the concepts presented to the Linnean Society in July of 1858 became known as the Darwin/Wallace Theory.
That, of course, is not the entire story. Alfred Russell Wallace not only received the “vision” of The Survival of the Fittest to complete the evolutionary lie of Lucifer while delirious with fever, but Wallace harbored a much darker side. During his early life, Wallace traveled to the Amazon and befriended Indians who shared with him their “black arts.” Wallace then began to dabble in Spiritism, and he was openly ridiculed for his membership in the Society for Psychical Research. The extreme level that he became involved in the occult resulted in his virtual expulsion from Britain’s intellectual community, not to mention the removal of his name from the Darwinian theories
In the case of his Ternate Paper, the method of scientific discovery utilized by Wallace went beyond the unorthodox into the realm of the metaphysical. As a matter of fact, revelations such as his are not uncommon in the realm of the “occult sciences” and, from a biblical perspective; this experience can be accurately placed into the category of demonic communication methodology. (The Koran was communicated to the illiterate Mohammed in the midst of similar convulsions.)
The point here, however, is a specific demonic connection to the public presentation and proliferation of evolutionary theories into mainstream society. Additionally, few realize that the men of the 19th Century who shaped the evolutionary and socialistic philosophies destined to permeate the future of mainstream society had little in common, and most were not formerly educated as scientists. Charles Darwin had a degree in theology, Charles Lyell was a lawyer, Thomas Huxley had a dubious degree in medicine, Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Herbert Spencer had no formal education, and Hegel and Marx had degrees in philosophy. There was, however, one thing that each of these men shared—a hatred of God and biblical Christianity.
Based on all of the above, there should be no surprise in learning that occult philosophies and pagan religions operate from a baseline of evolutionary thought. These evolutionary principles within the occult world are actually based on another lie that Lucifer told Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Ye shalt be as gods…” New Agers, witches, and adherents to other earth-based religions believe that man is divine and simply needs to discover or develop the god or goddess within. In addition, New Age practitioners such as Jean Houston teach that man is still evolving to a new evolutionary level---from homo sapiens to homo noeticus; and the concept of homo noeticus, the god-man, is actively promoted by organizations such as the Institute of Noetic Sciences, led by former NASA astronaut, Ed Mitchell.
Therefore, the Theory of Evolution did not only originate within an occult framework, but is absolutely the key in understanding occult philosophies. For if one fails to realize that occultists believe the universe evolved from a primary energy source which it deems as “god,” “the force,” or “the mother goddess”---no understanding of occult philosophy will ever be reached. In addition, the occult world holds to the notion that this “energy” or “force” indwells everyone and everything. This all-indwelling force is termed immanence. Immanence is one of the foundational principles of the occult world, and this indwelling force is seen by occultists as the evolutionary impetus that has implemented the cosmic changes that will eventually lead to the emergence of homo noeticus—the god-man.
PROMOTION OF EVIL UNDER THE GUISE OF GOOD
There are very few that can imagine a more noble cause than that of serving humanity in order to solve all of the earth’s woes. Throughout history, organizations have been formed to promote world peace, feed the hungry, heal the sick, and house the homeless. While many of these organizations and individuals are motivated by honorable motives and many work very hard to achieve their goals; there are many that are not as they appear on the surface—for what better method to camouflage evil than with good works?
LUCIS TRUST
While many organizations implement this methodology, there exists no better example of this cloaking device than its expert manipulation by the Lucis Trust. Lucis Trust was originally founded in 1922 by theosophists Alice and Foster Bailey as the Lucifer Publishing Company. The name was later changed from Lucifer to Lucis Publishing (for reasons which may occur to you), and was used primarily as the publishing house for Alice Bailey’s occult writings. Since that time, Lucis Trust has become a registered NGO of the United Nations with five divisions: The New Group of World Servers, The Arcane School, Lucis Productions, Triangles, and World Goodwill. According to its own promotional literature, the purposes of the Lucis Trust are as follows:
The world activities of the Lucis Trust are dedicated to the establishment of right human relations. They promote the education of the human mind towards recognition and practice of the spiritual principles and values upon which a stable and interdependent world society may be based.
The Lucis Trust is nonpolitical and nonsectarian. It sponsors no special creed or dogma. The motivating impulse is love of God, expressed through love of humanity and service of the human race. A new and better way of life for all people everywhere in the world can become a reality in our time. Practical techniques in operation today can be learned and applied to the fulfillment of the divine plan for humanity. (7)
Who can argue with the goals of right human relations, a better way of life for all people everywhere, fulfillment of the divine plan for humanity, and with the impulse the love of God? Things look even better if one reads more of the same brochure that describes Word Goodwill and Triangles:
Triangles was founded in 1937 to stimulate the growth of right human relations by uniting like-minded men and women of goodwill in a spiritual service...World Goodwill was established in 1932. The overall purpose of World Goodwill is the establishment of right human relations through the practical application of the principle of goodwill. (8)
However, a closer inspection of the Lucis Trust literature reveals the deeply occult nature of this organization:
Lucis Productions produces radio and video programs based on the principles of the Ageless Wisdom. Radio programs include
such topics as meditation, the next world order, spiritual values, and death and dying…The world has a spiritual destiny. Behind evolution there is an abiding purpose, we can call the Plan of God. All who respond to spiritual need can, in their own way and within their own environment, cooperate in fulfilling the divine Plan… (emphasis added) (9)
These quotations taken from the same Lucis Trust brochure begin to reveal the true nature of this organization. The italicized words in the excerpt above are keys to understanding exactly what is intended by the author of this brochure:
· Ageless Wisdom—The Ageless Wisdom referenced here is the equivalent to the “Ancient Mysteries” in the Mystery Religions that began at the Tower of Babel. This “wisdom” or these “mysteries” contain the information communicated to the adepts by a hierarchical group of spiritual beings. It further is communicated by four methods: automatic writing, transcendental meditation, hypnosis, and drugs. These spiritual beings are none other than the fallen angels or demons who inhabit the spiritual realm.
Alice Bailey, the founder of the Lucis Trust was the successor to H.P. Blavatsky and Annie Besant. Blavatsky wrote The Secret Doctrine, the book that served as Adolf Hitler’s “bible” in his attempt to establish a “new world order.” The Secret Doctrine was written by Blavatsky via “automatic writing” under the direction of a hierarchical master just as Bailey’s writings were dictated to her by a “master of wisdom.”
· Spiritual Destiny—This is not the destiny of those who are saved as established in the Word of God, but rather an occult interpretation of a coming “spiritual kingdom of God on earth” that the Bible describes as the kingdom of Antichrist.
· Evolution—as stated previously, the theories of evolution are critical to the occult plan.
· The Plan—“The Plan” is the blueprint for building a new world order as communicated to Blavatsky and Bailey by the demonic Masters of Wisdom.
The revelation of the dark side of the Lucis Trust does not end with this. The initial quotation from the Lucis Trust brochure conveys more than strikes the casual reader when it states, “They promote the education of the human mind towards recognition and practice of the spiritual principles and values upon which a stable and interdependent world society may be based.” When these words are read by the discerning individual, the following questions beg to be asked:
· How would this group educate the human mind?
· What are the spiritual principles to be recognized and practiced?
· Whose values should be recognized and practiced?
· What is the definition of an “interdependent world society?”
The answers to these questions are made manifest when one considers the following excerpt from the World Goodwill Newsletter:
“This is a time of preparation not only for a new civilisation and culture in a new world order, but also for the coming of a new spiritual dispensation.
Humanity is not following an uncharted course. There is a divine Plan in the Cosmos of which we are a part. At the end of an age human resources and established institutions seem inadequate to meet world needs and problems. At such a time the advent of a Teacher, a spiritual leader or Avatar, is anticipated and invoked by the masses of humanity in all parts of the world.
Today the reappearance of the World Teacher, the Christ, is expected by millions, not only by those of Christian faith but by those of every faith who expect the Avatar under other names -- the Lord Maitreya, Krishna, Messiah, Imam Mahdi and the Bodhisattva…The coming world Teacher will be mainly concerned, not with the result of past error and inadequacy, but with the requirements of a new world order and with the reorganisation of the social structure.”(10)
Literature from The New Group of World Servers within World Goodwill provides even more answers:
“The New Group of World Servers are not however, a band of impractical mystics… They know exactly what they seek to do; they are discovering and bridging together the men and women of goodwill all over the world…'I'hey will conform to and accept the situation in which they find themselves. but will (in that situation and under that government or religious order) work for goodwill, for the breaking down of barriers, and for world peace…they will cultivate the spirit of co-operation, utilizing every opportunity to emphasize the brotherhood of nations, the unity of faith, and economic interdependence.
These are the broad generalities governing the conduct of people of goodwill co-operating in and with the work being done by the New Group of World Servers. The can be regarded as the embodiment of the emerging kingdom of God on earth, but it should be remembered that this kingdom is not a Christian kingdom…or an earthly government. It is a grouping of all those who belonging as they do to every world religion and every nation and race and type of political party are free from the spirit of hatred and separativeness…” (11)
Finally, even if individuals or organizations speak of prayer, the discerning individual must examine exactly what a prayer entails. This is the case with the prayer promoted by Lucis Trust, The Great Invocation:
The Great Invocation is a world prayer translated into over fifty languages and dialects, and is used by all triangle members. It expresses certain central truths which all people innately and normally accept; that there exists a basic intelligence to whom we give the name of God. That there is a divine Evolutionary Plan in the universe- The motivating power of which is love, that a great individuality called by Christians the Christ-the World Teacher-came to Earth and embodied that love so that we could understand that love and intelligence are effects of the purpose, the will and the Plan of God. Many religions believe in a World Teacher, knowing him under such names as The Lord Maitreya, the Imam Mahdi, and the Messiah, The truth that only through humanity itself can the divine Plan work out. (12)
The quotations listed above are the very essence of the Luciferic plan for whole system transition to a planetary society that Lucis Trust calls a “new world order.” This plan is captured in the answers to the questions posed a few paragraphs back:
· How would this group educate the human mind?
By deception.
· What are the spiritual principles to be recognized and practiced?
Those on which all of humanity can agree, and around which all can unite.
· Whose values should be recognized and practiced?
Only those who advocate tolerance and “nonseparativeness.”
· What is the definition of an “interdependent world society?”
A one-world government ruled by “The Christ.”
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:33:13 GMT -5
THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN ACCOMPLISHING THE GOALS OF THE LUCIS TRUST
The answers to the questions reveal that this so-called “Plan of God” are not consistent with the plan of the true God of the Bible. This “plan,” is a strategy to bring peace on the Earth with the revelation of the coming “World Teacher, or the “Christ.” One must understand that the term “Christ” is not a reference to one single person, but to the individual who holds the office of the Christ. Additionally, the occultist believes that many have held the office of the Christ, and Jesus of Nazareth is readily acknowledged by occult sources as one who held this very office. However, by their estimation, he was but one of many so-called “christs” that include the likes of the Lord Maitreya, Krishna, Buddha, Quetzalcoatl, and the Imam Madhi.
In other words, this world teacher heralded by Lucis Trust (as well as other occult religions, individuals, and organizations) is not the returning Jesus Christ who will appear with His saints at the “Second Coming” in fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. Antithetically, a more than cursory reading of the description of the Great Invocation and the information from the New Group of World Servers reveals that this world teacher is none other than Antichrist himself, and that many who call themselves “Christian” will embrace the false christ as the true Messiah.
This is the true essence of the Luciferic plan to defeat God, and those “Evangelicals” who are willing to forsake expository doctrinal preaching and the other biblical commands for the structure of the local church as outlined in I Timothy and II Timothy for a new “seeker friendly,” purpose-driven, or outcome-based approach to ministry are playing right into the hands of the deceptive plan of the false messiah. As stated by Alice Bailey in her major occultic work, Externalization of the Hierarchy:
“The Christian Church in its many branches can serve as a John the Baptist, as ‘a voice crying in the wilderness,’ as a nucleus through which world illumination may be accomplished.” (13)
How could this be true, and how could those who call themselves “Evangelical” or “Fundamentalist” in reality even accept, much less promote, a Luciferic agenda? There is but one answer to this question: Those who name the Name of Jesus Christ are not immune to deception, and any of this number who do not hold their leaders accountable to the Word of God---or---those who do not know the teachings of the Word of God well enough to hold their leaders accountable—are suspect to the same snare as the children of Hamlin who followed the Pied Piper. For the Bible is very explicit in its teachings that false teachers will infiltrate the Church and will lead the undiscerning astray. This pattern of apostasy is seen from the Church’s earliest days, and the battle to defend the Faith against false teachers is nothing new.
For those older readers of this manuscript who recall the great “Ecumenical Movement” of the 1960s and the mass exodus from mainline Protestant churches, many Bible-believing “Defenders of the Faith” in that period were convinced that the Ecumenical Movement was in fact the “Great End-time Apostasy” described in Scripture (14). However, when one closely scrutinizes all of the evidence without emotional intervention, the truth of the matter is that the Protestant denominations as a whole were never in complete conformity to the Word of God. Even the most orthodox embraced aspects of Catholicism, and were never pure in their complicity to Scripture.
However, the great warriors of the Faith from the 1930s to the 1970s who defended the Truth and separated from the doctrinal impurity of those who allowed Modernism into their churches, seminaries, and other agencies sought to establish churches of scriptural purity. Tragically, these very churches now face the onslaught of the “Church of the New Paradigm” that threatens to drive the children and grandchildren of formerly stalwart defenders of the Faith to a position of compromise and ultimate apostasy.
This apostasy will not manifest itself by an attack on the great fundamental doctrines of the Faith as did Modernism. As a matter of fact, even the very leaders of the “church revolution” ostensibly hold to doctrinal positions that even Charles H. Spurgeon would have approved. However, the subtle infusions of “theistic evolution,” mysticism, occult terminologies, globalism, behavioral sciences, outcome-based processes, and veiled doctrinal irregularities threaten to destroy the very foundations of the Faith to the point that the “Evangelical” church will implode and collapse upon itself for lack of a solid foundation.
The overwhelming danger of the current assault on Fundamental Christianity is simply the subtlety of the assault. While many may contend this coincidental, a similar plan has manifested itself on the political side of one-world globalism with the goal of establishing another facet of the so-called “new world order.” This plan, known as piecemeal functionalism, was proposed by Richard Gardner in the April 1973 issue of Foreign Affairs Magazine, the magazine of the Council for Foreign Relations:
“In short, the ‘house of world order’ will have to be built from the bottom up rather than from the top down...an end run around national sovereignty, eroding it piece by piece, will accomplish much more than the old-fashioned frontal assault…” (15)
This same strategy has now been purloined to instigate a “church revolution.” That is not to say that the leaders of this revolution are intentionally forsaking conformity to the Word of God, but the facts certainly compel one to seriously question not only their motives, but even their spiritual disposition.
Going back to John MacArthur’s assessment of the current situation, the addition of mysticism to doctrinally deprived, seeker sensitive, purpose-driven, outcome-based church growth strategy is the final step toward a major spiritual disaster or broad-based shift. Furthermore, a close scrutiny the CGM and particularly the “purpose-driven” model reveals an infusion of “creeping occultism” embedded within these programs.
EMBRACING PANTHEISM
Not only did Lucifer lie to Eve when he told her “ye shall not surely die,” but he also lied when he said, “ye shall be as gods.” The basic premise of pantheism is the godhood of not only man, but everything else as well. The addition of monism rounds out the modern “westernized” version of immanence: God is everything and “in everything.” While this concept was foreign to the American mind for almost a century, its arrival in the 1960s initiated changes that would not only permeate, but profoundly influence Western culture. As a matter of fact, the whole of Western culture is relatively new to Eastern religious concepts.
For more than 1200 years, the Roman Catholic Church dominated the culture of Western Europe to the extent that very few individuals possessed any inkling of Eastern Religions. However, when the Church of Rome decided to claim the Holy Land for its own property, an unexpected side effect included the introduction of Eastern Mysticism into the Western psyche. This dubious infusion of occult knowledge was transmitted by knights returning from the Crusades.
The Roman Church reacted to this affront to its dominance by attempting to force the mystics underground or exterminate them entirely. However, in spite of Rome’s best efforts, mysticism and occultism triumphed to the degree that launched the occult knowledge manifested in the Renaissance. As a result, along with the Renaissance came the widespread study of Eastern Religions and the occult.
However, with the Protestant Reformation, an alliance of sorts between the Church of Rome and her wayward protestant offspring confined these studies and philosophies to the intellectual and scientific community or other fringe elements such as “secret societies.” The intimate knowledge of the occult would remain, as a general rule, suppressed until the 1960s. In this decade of radical change, the British rock group, The Beatles, introduced the “flower generation” to Maharaja Maharish Yogi. This began a new infusion of Eastern mysticism into Western society that mushroomed into the New Age Movement of the late 1970s. As a result, Eastern thought now permeates many facets of western culture, and the principles of pantheism are far and away more prevalent in everyday Western culture than many realize.
While the infusion of monistic pantheism into the broad-based culture is quite disturbing, the introduction of these principles into the Church is far more devastating. In spite of the obvious, Dr. Rick Warren, in his best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, makes the statement: “The Bible says, ‘He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.’” (16) However, does the Bible actually make this statement? The truth is that the particular Bible quoted by Dr. Warren does, in fact, make this exact statement. (Dr. Warren seemingly resorts to multiple translations to prove his points.) This particular statement is made based on Ephesians 4:6 in the New Century Version:
“He rules everything and is everywhere and in everything.” (17)
However, a comparison to the King James Version produces quite an anomaly. The KJV renders the same passage:
“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,
and in you all.” (18)
The last phrase in this verse is not rendered “in you all” because the Apostle Paul was from southern Tarsus (as those in the southern U.S. would use the phrase “you all”). The text is rendered “in you all” because the Apostle is relating the Biblical principle that the Holy Spirit of God indwells every believer—for the book of Ephesians was written to believers who were members of the Church at Ephesus—not to the world as a whole. Thus the phrase “in you all” does not state that God is “in everything,” but does state the fundamental doctrine of the Scripture that declares that God Himself indwells every believer.
The truth is that God is not “in everything.” As the Creator, God is “above all” and therefore possesses power over all of His creation. Mankind also witnesses the power and the might of the Creator by observing the creation. But God does not indwell every atomic fiber of the universe, nor is He some mystical energy force that makes up all of His created works. He is over the creation, He holds His creation together, but He does not inhabit the creation. God only indwells the believer—who as a result, becomes the “temple of the Living God.”
Therefore, the principle of the immanence in all creation is not a biblical principle but rather, a monistic or pantheistic principle. Conclusively, the New Century Version cannot be trusted, and neither can Dr. Warren be trusted. Intentional or unintentional, the concept of immanence is but one aspect by which Dr. Warren is subtly and deceptively injecting monistic or pantheistic principles into the Church and accelerating the “creeping occultism” of the New Paradigm Church.
CONCLUSION
The strategy of Lucifer in his war against God is multifaceted. He does use the grotesque and the macabre to influence those whose minds and consciousnesses are seared to the point that they are sold out to an extreme position. He also uses possession, mental oppression, immorality, and criminal activity to initiate the fall of many. In all of these cases, Lucifer successfully presents evil (even extreme evil) as good. Even in the case of “church people,” Lucifer appears the Bible states, “as an angel of light.” As so succinctly stated by Warren Smith in his book, Deceived on Purpose,
“The Bible is clear that the truth cannot be mixed with
untruth or half-truth when bringing people to the Lord.
That’s how people end up spiritually deceived.” (19)
The primary weapon in Lucifer’s arsenal is that of deception, and deception will be the ultimate downfall of those within the New Paradigm Church who attempt fulfill the “Great Commission” by “rebuilding the Tower of Babel.”
Endnotes
(1) Houston, Jean. “Whole System Transition and the Move to a Planetary
Society”, Audio Tape of speech given to The Association of Supervision
and Curriculum Development, 1989.
(2) II Thessalonians 2:11
(3) MacArthur, John. Reckless Faith, Crossway Books, 1994, pp.154-155.
(4) Warren, Rick. “The State of the Church,” DVD, Saddleback Community
Church, October 2004.
(5) Taylor, Ian. In the Minds of Men: Darwin and the New World Order, TFE Publishing, Minneapolis, MN, 1991, pp.77-79,130-132.
(6) Ibid. p.78.
(7) Lucis Trust promotional brochure. Lucis Publishing, New York, 1996.
(8) Ibid.
(9) Ibid.
(10) World Goodwill Newsletter, “The Purpose of World Goodwill,” Lucis Trust, New York, 1998.
(11) The New Group of World Servers. Promotional Brochure, World
Goodwill, New York.
(12) Ibid.
(13) Bailey, Alice. The Externalization of the Hierarchy, Lucis Trust, New
York, 1932, p.510.
(14) II Timothy 3:1-5.
(15) Gardner, Richard. “The Hard Road to World Order”, Foreign Affairs,
April 1974.
(16) Warren, Rick. The Purpose-Driven Life, Zondervan Publishing, Grand
Rapids, MI, 2002, p.88.
(17) Ephesians 4:6 KJV
(18) Ephesians 4:6 New Century Version. Ft. Worth, Texas: Worthy
Publishing, 1987.
(19) Smith, Warren. Deceived on Purpose, Conscience Press, Ravenna,
Ohio, 2004, p.162.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:33:29 GMT -5
Chapter 2
Witchcraft in the Church?
There are many events in life that appear a complete paradox, but even the slightest whisper of witchcraft imbedded in a “Christian” assembly immediately results in outcries of disbelief, denial, or even abject horror. This is due to the fact that the perceptions of the Church (as well as broad-based concepts of witchcraft across the general population) will not allow any mental accommodation of a logical synthesis of witchcraft and true Christianity. Additionally, the vast majority of Christians would not recognize witchcraft even if it actually did exist within their local assemblies.
However, as stated in Chapter 1, from the early days of the Church, the New Testament reveals that false teachers successfully made clandestine infiltrations of local Christian assemblies; and if the early Church could be deceived by Gnosticism and other forms of occult beliefs-- what makes the modern Church immune from such deception as witchcraft? Taking into consideration the widespread ignorance and general misconceptions regarding witchcraft, a detailed discussion of witchcraft must be addressed as prerequisite to any examination of occult infusions into local assemblies.
ORIGINS OF WITCHCRAFT
The unorganized nature of witchcraft necessitates that the most reliable estimates of the numbers of participating individuals originate from surveys taken by organizations within “the craft.” However reliable these statistics may or may not be, there is no doubt of the explosive growth the last two decades of the numbers of individuals involved in pagan rituals, occult practices, witchcraft in general, and Wicca in particular. One such poll taken in July of 1999 by Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) reported the number of witches and pagans in the United States as approximately 768,400. This survey also reported 65% of pagan adherents as between the ages of 18 and 39 years and 71% female. (1) In spite of the burgeoning popularity of witchcraft, there is much debate and confusion not only concerning its origins, but also as to the particular belief system of that which denotes a true witch.
The Bible defines a witch as an individual who utilizes sorcery to manipulate events, contact the dead, or fraternize with “familiar spirits.” (Familiar spirits are known in New Age circles today as “Spirit Guides.”) As the afore-mentioned survey indicated, today’s modern witches are a segment of the broader demographic generally classified as “pagan” or “neo-pagan.” In the current postmodern society, pagans and neo-pagans are generally viewed as benign, “tree-hugging,” hippie-type nature lovers. However, a thorough study of pagan and occult religious practices from the past not only reveals widespread demonic and satanic influence, but also the permeation of satanic “black magick” in ancient witchcraft itself.
Conversely, neo-pagans insist that that the word pagan (a term derived from the concept of a country dweller or a back woods “hick”) was a derogatory term coined by the medieval Church of Rome to further denigrate not only those who rebelled against its ecclesiastical hierarchy but also as a means of the further suppression of women. While this concept may well be based on a measure of truth, any attempt by the neo-pagan community to appropriate the concepts of Catholicism used by the church to advance its own agenda does not constitute any conclusive proof of an absence of demonic activity within paganism or witchcraft. In essence, any such contention is either a naïve misconception or a thinly veiled untruth.
In conjunction with this line of reasoning, most modern witches consider witchcraft a pantheistic or polytheistic nature religion ostensibly based on older pagan religions. Neo-pagans attempt to retain the basic aspects of ancient paganism while discarding the elements of these religions that they deem as no longer plausible. In other words, most modern witches and other neo-pagans have developed a homogenized, sanitized, politically correct version of the ancient religions that formerly incorporated such practices as animal or human sacrifice, bestiality, ceremonial castration, cannibalism, and sanctified prostitution that were demanded by the Goddess and her consort in years past.
The key to understanding modern witchcraft is to grasp the concept of the Mother Goddess. Once this aspect is incorporated in the equation, the modern witch is clearly seen as one who is involved in a fertility nature religion where all of nature is seen as divine, and “Mother Earth” or “Gaia” is a living, breathing entity who must be worshipped. As revealed by Johanna Michaelson in the book, Like Lambs to the Slaughter:
“Some Witches trace their traditions to the myths of the ancient Greeks and Romans; others, to the Egyptians, Sumerians, the Norse gods of the Vikings, or to the ancient Celts. Still others cheerfully blend any number of traditions and sources together, including bits and pieces from modern science fiction and fantasy (Star Trek and Tolkien's Ring Trilogy are among the most popular), to create their own unique interpretation and set of rituals.” (2)
Margot Adler, professed witch and feminist, in her book Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and other Pagans in America Today, quotes Dallas witch, Morgan McFarland:
"I see myself as monotheistic in believing in the Goddess, Creatrix, the Female
Principle, but at the same time acknowledging that other gods and goddesses do exist through her as manifestations of her, facets of the whole." (3)
There are many dangers in the pursuit of this holistic, neo-pagan goddess worship. In the first place, the basic world view of the neo-pagan, as seen in the quotation by Morgan MacFarland, is the type of pantheism termed as panentheism—(this aspect will be discussed later in this chapter, but MacFarland incorrectly calls this monotheism.) This world view will not only lead one to a deeper rejection of the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, but also to acceptance of the “doctrines of devils” proclaimed by the spirit guides accessed within goddess worship.
Even more ominous is the attraction of the overtly satanic or “dark side” of these philosophies. While any embracing of pantheism without future repentance will condemn the adherent to an eternity in hell, embracing the “dark side” of occult philosophy will in all probability prove deadly not only to the adherent but also too many with whom these individuals come in contact. Examples of such individuals who sold out to the “dark side” (other than Darth Vader) include rocket scientist Jack Parsons (who claimed to be Antichrist), Aleister Crowley (in his time, known as the most evil man in the world), Albert Pike, Adolph Hitler, and the infamous Charles Manson.
EVOLUTION OF THE MODERN WITCH
The lines of argument are then set. If a neo-pagan in the Wicca religion claims no relationship to Lucifer, insists there is no real Devil, and believes in the Mother Goddess—is this individual a witch or not? Furthermore, were those who claimed to be witches in the past cast in this same mold, or did they actually profess to worship Lucifer? The truth of the matter is easily discovered. The religion of witchcraft has progressed from its former position of evil spells, attacks utilizing paranormal forces, animal sacrifice, human sacrifice, and even the worship of Lucifer to a kinder, gentler, civilized, politically correct witchcraft—just as mainline, liberal Protestantism has been molded by the modern culture. A study of this evolution of witchcraft is very enlightening.
The modern consensus of a witch was cast in 1484 with the publication of Hammer of the Witches, written by two Dominican monks who were members of the Inquisition. According to this publication, witchcraft was a heresy conspiring to overthrow the Church of Rome and establish the Kingdom of Satan on Earth. “By their own confessions, they (witches) flew on demonic horses or broom-sticks, they feasted, danced and copulated with each other, with their familiar spirits, and sometimes the devil himself…witches made a formal pact with the devil.” (4)
This perception of witchcraft made its way to the New World and was succinctly recorded by eyewitnesses to the “Salem Witchcraft Trials” in New England in 1692. In a nutshell, the trial testimonies reveal several facts:
· Many who were tried, convicted and executed for the crime of witchcraft were innocent victims.
· However, the evidence reveals that all were certainly not innocent, and there is indisputable evidence of crimes to the extent of murder that involved the manipulation of paranormal forces.
· The confession of William Barker in the Salem trials claimed there were 307 witches scattered throughout New England, and they were involved in a plot to replace Christianity in the New World with Devil Worship. (5)
The witchcraft of Salem and pre-Colonial Europe does not, however, ring true with the modern, sanitized, 21st Century version of witchcraft popularly and publicly displayed as Wicca. Wiccans generally point back to the 1940s and Gerald Gardner for their brand of witchcraft; and they claim this to be the true, ancient witchcraft of all ages. Actually, Gardner began studying and writing on witchcraft rituals of ancient times and pulled bits and pieces of that which he discovered to formulate what many today call Wicca. (6) Most Wiccans, however, are completely unaware of the fact that many of Gardner’s rituals were actually written by none other than the notorious “black magick” Satanist, Aleister Crowley after Gardner became an initiate in Crowley’s Ordo Templi Orientis. (7)
Paradoxically, the great majority of Wiccans will insist that they do not believe in Satan or a Devil as such, but they worship the Mother Goddess as revealed in nature. Most hold to a “Star Wars” style of religion that dictates oneness, interconnection, immanence, and community as the aspects of the goddess (This will be discussed in detail later). (8) Since they (and everything else) are one with, and manifestations of the goddess, they attempt to go inside themselves, and discover the goddess within-- and thus reach their full human potential.
In somewhat of another contradiction, most Wiccans assert that the consort of the goddess is the mythical god, Pan. (Most pagan and neo-pagan religions worship or acknowledge the existence of many gods as manifestations of the goddess.) Pan is revealed in folk lure as the horned half-man, half goat; or even is portrayed as the satyr—the upper torso of a man with the lower body of a horse. Pan is the god of the underworld, the lord of the forest, or the “god of the hunt.” The description of Pan equates to Osiris in the Egyptian Mysteries, Bacchus in the Babylonian Mysteries, Baal of Old Testament fame, and can be traced directly to Nimrod, who the Bible describes as “a mighty hunter against the Lord,” (9) and the builder of the Tower of Babel. David Livingstone records:
“In medieval times, the devil was known as the Goat of Mendes…According to (the Egyptian Mysteries and documented by ed.) Plutarch, after Set dismembered Osiris’ body, his penis was never found, and Isis made a gold replica of it and buried it at Mendes, where there was a temple to the goat god. Plutarch noted that the most beautiful women were selected to lie with the divine Goat of Mendes.” (10)
Most interestingly, Mendes is the Egyptian name for both Pan and for a goat. Therefore, when a modern witch admits the recognition of Pan as consort to the Goddess, this is an admission (whether realized or not) of the satanic origins of a religion that paradoxically and emphatically denies the existence of Lucifer.
When taken to its logical conclusions, one must reasonably question the correlation between the Mother Goddess and Lucifer. If the Mother Goddess has Pan as her consort, is Pan not just another manifestation of Lucifer himself? Furthermore, if Pan is just a manifestation of the Goddess, does that not also make the Goddess the embodiment of Lucifer himself?
Where then did the worship of the Mother Goddess originate? The Bible records in the Old Testament the worship of Ashteroth, Astarte, Isis, the “Queen of Heaven,” and other female variations of goddess worship. The reality is that modern witchcraft had its origins at the Tower of Babel, and the infusion of the worship of mother goddess and the “mother and child cults” evidenced throughout world religions for the last 4500 years were conceived in the Babylonian Mysteries that originated with the widow of Nimrod, Semiramis and the “son of the widow,” Tammuz.
Variations and cults derived from goddess worship and the Mystery Religions even influenced Judaism. The Jews influenced by the occult when they developed an “oral mystical interpretation” of the Old Testament known as the Kabalah:
“Although falsely claiming to date from some time prior to the Flood, the system of the Kabalah represented the appropriation of foreign doctrines into Judaism adopted by the Jews in the great ancient city of Babylon, when they were held there in captivity in the early part of the sixth century, BC.” (11)
The Kabalah is among the direct ancestors of Gnosticism, and with the advances of the Moors into Europe in the Ninth Century, magical and mystical cults fleeing into southern Europe brought with them a Gnostic dualism that directly led to the worship of Lucifer. (12) According to David Livingstone:
“They worshipped Lucifer, regarding the material world as his work, and holding that by indulging in carnal pleasures they were accommodating their Demon-Creator. It was said that a black cat figured in their ceremonies as an object of worship…at their nocturnal orgies, sacrifices of children were made and their blood used for making the Eucharistic bread of the sect.” (13)
WHITE MAGICK VS. BLACK MAGICK
Thus witchcraft, with its origin at the Tower of Babel has evolved from the open worship of Lucifer to the modern sanitized version of the craft—Wicca. However, like a ghoulish, haunting spectre, the underlying issue in Wicca and other “white magick” neo-pagan belief systems is the question of the imbedded worship of Lucifer himself lurking under the white-washed façade of the Mother Goddess. The late Anton LaVey, founder and self appointed high priest of the Church of Satan in San Francisco, had a very dogmatic view of this question. In his book, The Satanic Witch, he stated:
“Any girl or woman (LaVey contended that a witch can only be female. –ed.) who claims to practice only ‘Wicca’ or ‘white magick’ is either kidding herself or has much to learn.” (14)
In support of this contention, this author received a personal email containing the following statement:
“Many witches do not even believe in a Satan of any sort. Personally –Satan is
my lord and father - I fall into the satanic witch camp!!!! We are for
the emancipation of the entire human race from the plunderings of a
murdering jewish god---- whom does not exist as such but is merely mass
hysteria of the fearful xtians (sic) perpetuating their own reality and
prophecies on their own humanity and world. It is the actions of and
teachings of xtianity (sic) which hinders the worlds increased development.
This will soon end.
All will awaken to the light within soon!!!!” (15)
In the light of history and the above statements, this author must agree (as painful as that may be) with the contention of LaVey. The deceptive nature of Lucifer himself is evidenced in the very fact that those individuals who believe they are seeking the goddess within are outwardly, and in reality, serving the “god of this world”---Lucifer himself.
THE MOTHER GODDESS AND THE CHURCH
Now that a baseline has been established as to the position of modern witchcraft, the question must be addressed as to its infusion into the Church. As this subject is addressed, several prerequisites and disclaimers must be stated:
· When addressing the Church, this manuscript is only addressing those who profess salvation by faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ---not those in the Modernist camp who carry only a façade of Christianity.
· All discussions exclude Roman Catholicism, which in and of itself is a bastion of white magick paganism.
· This author is not necessarily accusing any individual or individuals of involvement in practicing witchcraft unless otherwise directly stated.
· The intention of this discussion is to call into question those who either knowingly or unknowingly are interjecting the terminologies and doctrines of devils into the psyche of those who not only profess Christianity but also those who are being evangelized.
· This chapter will specifically discuss aspects of goddess worship infiltrating the Church. Other occult influences such as New Age and Theosophy will be discussed in later chapters.
Now that witchcraft itself has been addressed, the relationship of witchcraft to the Goddess Religion must be closely scrutinized. Again, Margot Adler supplies the basic information necessary to comprehend the relationship of the witch to the Mother Goddess:
“Witches consider themselves priests and priestesses of an ancient European
shamanistic nature religion that worships a goddess who is related to the
Mother Goddess in her 3 aspects of maiden, mother, and crone. Many also
worship a god related to the ancient horned lord of the animals, the god of
the hunt, the god of death, and the lord of the forests.” (16)
This description undeniably is a mirror image of modern sanitized witchcraft as has been described in this manuscript— a pantheistic nature religion ostensibly based on older pagan religions. Starhawk (a professing witch), in her book, The Spiral Dance, clearly states the 3 core principles of Goddess Religion:
· Immanence—All human beings are each a manifestation of the living earth.
· Interconnection—All are linked to the cosmos as part of one living organism.
· Community—The primary focus is not on the individual, but the group. (17)
Immanence and Interconnection will be discussed over the course of the balance of this chapter. However, the entire next chapter will be devoted to a discussion of “Community.”
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:35:44 GMT -5
WITCHCRAFT, IMMANENCE, PANTHEISM, & PANENTHEISM The preceding chapter discussed the infusion of pantheistic philosophies into the Church. The discussion centered on the contention by Dr. Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, “God is everywhere and in everything.” To reiterate the diagnosis reached in Chapter 1, while Dr. Warren’s statement is not conducive to sound biblical doctrine, it does reflect a form of pantheism. In way of review, pantheistic philosophy teaches that “all is god.” This is the doctrine of the strict pantheist. For example, the strict pantheist may state when drinking a glass of milk that “god” is drinking “god” from a glass container that is also “god.” For this individual believes that one object is just as much “god” as the other, whether inanimate or living. However, the teaching of witchcraft is not as the strict pantheist, for witchcraft teaches of a transcendent Mother Goddess who exists above all as the guiding energy force of the universe. Furthermore, this teaching contends that all things—whether living or inanimate—are manifestations of the Mother Goddess and are indwelled by the Mother Goddess. Such a belief system is closer to a form of pantheism known as panentheism. Laurie Cabot, the “”Official Witch of the State of Massachusetts,” confirms this in her book, Power of the Witch: “…witches believe in their oneness with the source of all life, the Great Mother, and their position as co-creators of the universe.” (18) Panentheism simply states that there exists a transcendent god (or goddess, or energy force) that rules above everything and indwells everything. Panentheism basically exaggerates strict pantheism to the point that there is recognition of a force that transcends above all of creation. In other words, panentheism allows for a deity that is more “god” than is anything else in the universe, though the balance of the universe is a manifestation of and is indwelled by this same “force” known as “god.” In addition, most pagan religions teach that individual adepts can ascend to the point to becoming “wholly one” with “the force” or the Mother Goddess. As a further example, God (the true God) is transcendent and omnipresent, but He is not thoroughly immanent. God is Holy. God transcends above all of His creation. Furthermore, He is omnipresent—He is always present, but in a transcendent fashion. However, He does not indwell all of His creation. God is immanent only in the sense that He indwells those and only those who accept by faith the blood sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that all of creation manifests (or reveals) the glory, majesty, and power of the Creator, but the Bible does not teach the panentheistic principle that God is transcendent over, and indwells all of His creation. Goddess Religion differs from the worship of the true God in that the Mother Goddess, while truly transcendent, also is completely immanent within all of nature. All of which makes the translation of Ephesians 4:6 in the New Century Version of the New Testament quoted by Dr. Warren more the doctrine of witchcraft than that of the strict pantheist or true Christianity. All that differs from witchcraft and the New Century’s rendering of “He rules everything and is everywhere and in everything” is the gender. If the “He” were changed to “She” the result would be a perfect description of the transcendent Mother Goddess. The current situation in the Purpose-Driven Church Movement is quite a paradox. Would Charles Spurgeon (to choose a name of a famous Baptist preacher completely at random) ever have dreamed that a conservative Baptist preacher would list Immanence as God’s presence “in everything?” Would Starhawk, who believes that all individuals are manifestations of the Mother Goddess, ever have imagined that a conservative Southern Baptist preacher would imply the same of the God of the Bible? (For if God is “in” everything as the New Century Version and Dr. Warren state, is not all of mankind inclusive in “everything?”) Could anyone have foreseen this scenario? For most biblically grounded, true Christians--- not in their most vivid nightmares would they have imagined such a departure from the Word of God that would open the door to the teachings of witchcraft in the Church. INTERCONNECTION Whether an individual involved in “the occult” or witchcraft is a strict pantheist or a panentheist, there are many common denominators in these belief systems. One such major component is the belief in interconnection. Starhawk defined the witches view of interconnection with the statement, “We are all linked to the cosmos as part of one living organism.” (19) As stated earlier, the individual involved in witchcraft will state that all things, animate and inanimate, are manifestations of the Mother Goddess, the life-force of the universe. As a panentheist, the witch believes that all is controlled and directed by the goddess, rather than left to chance. That fact, however, does not preclude those involved in witchcraft from evolutionary theories. Simply stated, their view of evolution is a variation of theistic evolution, as they believe the Mother Goddess, though in and of herself a product of evolution, controls the direction of the perceived evolutionary impetus. As a matter of fact, the entire basis of the occult view of interconnection is based in the misplaced concept of a primordial “Big Bang.” Once one considers the logical course of the Big Bang, however illogical the entire theory may be, the concept of interconnection is a reasonable conclusion. The process in this line of thinking would proceed from the idea that according to the Big Bang, the entire universe was formed from one very small, very dense mass of matter. Now if everything, and theoretically everyone, was ancestrally united and contained in this very small mass (most contend it was about the size of a period on this page), then all of mankind and everything else in the universe originated from this common, if not extremely ancient ancestor. If this indeed were the case, every individual would have a physiological and even a psychological interconnection to everyone and everything else. Taking this concept to the next level, such a belief system logically concludes that all the knowledge of the universe lies dormant within each individual, and the only issue that remains for mankind is to access that knowledge. The belief in the Mother Goddess simply takes the theory of the Big Bang and states that the goddess is the very life-force that evolved from the Big Bang, and controls all of nature by manifesting herself in all of nature. As a result, all is one, all is interconnected, all is a manifestation of the Mother Goddess, all is worthy of worship, and by the way—all is still evolving. The strict pantheist will have basically the same concept of the evolution of man as does the panentheist, but the strict pantheistic view does not allow for a transcendent figure such as the Mother Goddess. The strict pantheist will simply take the view that “if all the knowledge of the universe is contained within me, then I am God. However, I alone am not God, but everything else in the universe is also God, and the impersonal evolutionary impetus will eventually bring all mankind to the next level of evolution, homo noeticus. At this the final stage of evolution for humankind, all mankind will not only realize they are God but will also possess ‘God-like’ powers.” INTERCONNECTION & GLOBALISM Based on this discussion, there is absolutely no surprise that many of the leaders of the movements in the Twentieth Century that promoted (or still promote) the mythical and sometimes ostracized New World Order were well-known occultists. A complete list would be impossible to compile, but some of the more recognizable names include: · Aleister Crowley, organizer of the OTO and known as the most evil man on earth · H.G. Wells, author of The Time Machine and War of the Worlds · Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World · Alice Bailey, leader of the Theosophical Society and founder of the Lucis Trust · Adolf Hitler, attempted to implement an occult New World Order the hard way · L. Ron Hubbard, author of Dianetics and founder of Scientology · Marilyn Ferguson, author of The Aquarian Conspiracy · Willis Harman, author of Global Mind Change and Insight to the New Age · Ervin Lazlo, author of The Systems View of the World: A Holistic Vision for Our Time · Maurice Strong, Former Senior UN advisor and organizer of the 1992 Earth Summit · Jean Houston, Expert in Human Potential and Hillary Clinton’s personal medium All of the individuals in this list made great contributions toward a whole system transition to a planetary society. Such a society would replace Judeo-Christian values with pre-Christian pagan values, establish a world government, establish a one-world religion, and install a world ruler. So what’s wrong with such a world system? Once again retracing the steps of mankind to the Tower of Babel, God Himself separated men by changing their languages and thus instituting the nation state. The efforts of men over the course of history to build a world empire have always been accompanied with a false religion and rebellion against God. Perfect examples of these world empires include the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Greek Empire, and the Roman Empire. With each of these empires came a false religious system that incorporated the occult principles still evidenced in the world today. Furthermore, the Bible very clearly teaches that one more world empire is in the future of humanity. This final world empire will mark the end of this very age, and will be ruled by none other than Antichrist himself--- the man whose kingdom will suffer its ultimate defeat at the hands of Jesus Himself at His Second Coming. In addition, Antichrist will become a priest-king, presiding not only over a global kingdom but also an occult one world religion. The key to the establishment of this New World Order is interconnection. As so succinctly stated by occultist, Dr. Jean Houston: “Making a difference has never been more critical in a world in which so much can go right or go disastrously wrong. We are the ones who have the most profound task in human history--the task of deciding whether we grow or die. We have an opportunity to play a role in the greatest transition drama the world has seen. In order to do this we must become able to access depths of body, of mind and spirit that we may have forgotten we had….The present emerging ecology of minds and psyches, our availability to each other, our ability to dream each other's dreams and experience each other's biographies is part of the interpenetrating wave of the current time, psyche, and memory. We are being rescaled to planetary proportions, as we become resonant and intimate with our own depths. (emphasis added –ed.) We glimpse in this new century the coming of a planetary society which heralds the end of ancient enmities and the birth of new ways of using our common humanity and its various cultures. In fact, we will need a gathering of the potentials of the whole human race and the particular genius of every culture if we are going to survive our time.” (20) In other words, if the human race is to survive and continue to evolve to the next level of evolution, it must access the goddess within each individual and interconnect through each other’s dreams, psyches, and memories in order to solidify the reality of a new global society. Thus interconnection is the very essence of globalism---a planetary society based on occult principles and ultimately the worship of Lucifer. The Bible expressly states, “…and they worshipped the Dragon who gave power to the Beast.”(21) The “Beast” is Lucifer’s servant, Antichrist (who will be possessed by Lucifer himself), and who will lead the consummate act of rebellion toward Almighty God. Therefore, any reference to the New World Order is intrinsically if not overtly linked to modern witchcraft and the worship of the Mother Goddess. Just as Starhawk stated that the principle of interconnection signifies the connection of the entire human race to one another as well as to the cosmos as a major tenant of goddess worship, it is also the underlying impetus toward a New World Order and the ultimate reign of Antichrist. RICK WARREN’S WORLD CLASS CHRISTIAN Chapter 38 of Dr. Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose-Driven Life, is titled “How to Become a World Class Christian.” The chapter is based on fulfilling the “Great Commission”—Christ’s directive to go into all the world and preach the Gospel. The author of this manuscript is in full agreement with this premise, and furthermore, agrees with Dr. Warren that the Church has failed miserably in following this commandment. Every Christian should not only have a burden for lost individuals world-wide, but each individual believer should be fulfilling this commission in any manner that the Lord has given the capacity to perform its fulfillment. However, there are some very disturbing aspects of Dr. Warren’s appeal to “go into all the world.” These concerns are outlined as follows: · As a prerequisite, in Chapter 36 of The Purpose-Driven Life, Dr. Warren relayed to his readers and those using the book as a devotional study guide that Jesus told His disciples not to worry about His return to the earth, but to concentrate on their mission (i.e. The Great Commission). He further discouraged the study of Bible Prophecy by taking the words of Jesus out of context when Dr. Warren stated, “If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your commission, not figuring out Bible prophecy.” (22) In light of the discussions here, there are several issues with Dr. Warren’s statements that must be addressed as prerequisites to the overall conclusion: 1. A full one third of the Bible is prophetic Scripture. Are Christians to tear these pages out of the Bible? This author’s Bible states, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished to all good works.” (23) In Dr. Warren’s view, should the phrase “except those that pertain to Bible prophecy” be added to this verse? 2. The Bible is the only holy book of the world’s major religions that dares to predict the future. Furthermore, not only does it dare to predict---it does so with 100% accuracy. By this fact alone, the study of Bible prophecy proves to the student of the Word of God that God is indeed the one true God. To discount Bible prophecy is to discount both the omniscience and omnipotence of God. 3. Most significantly in reference to this particular study, an ignorance of Bible prophecy results in an ignorance of the dangers of globalism, the so-called New World Order, and the overt moves toward a One-World Religion. The bottom line is that an individual cannot recognize error if that same individual is ignorant of the truth. Concerns over terminologies and marketing tactics that are consistent with the terminologies and teachings of witchcraft or goddess worship will go unnoticed when one has no grasp on the truth of the “whole counsel of God.” This exact scenario would clearly be the case as one considers other aspects of The Purpose-Driven Life: · The second subheading used in Chapter 38, “How to Become a World Class Christian” is Shift from local thinking to global thinking. This cute little catch phrase is very much akin to the popular slogan of the radical environmentalists, “Act Locally, Think Globally” and tends to frame the thought process of Dr. Warren’s “World Class Christian” along these same lines. · The next sentence states, “God is a global God.” Of course God is a global God. God is an omnipresent, omnipotent God. However, without proper instruction in Bible prophecy and recognition of the dangers of globalistic programs, individuals, and organizations; this statement has the potential of leading the novice to support programs such as the Earth Summit, The Earth Charter, Man and the Biosphere, The Baca Ranch, etc.----just because “God is a Global God.” · Dr. Warren then states that “much of the world already thinks globally.” Yes, especially those are working for a one world government, a one world religion, and those who ascribe to a neo-pagan pantheistic world view. Are Christians to join with these groups? As dangerous as these statements are, a few sentences later Dr. Warren boasts, “We are more connected than we realize.” (23) Now it is absolutely true that genuine Christians are interconnected to one another as members of the “Body of Christ” through the bond of the Holy Spirit of God. However, it was not in this context that Dr. Warren made this statement. He stated this after speaking of world trade and the number of countries in which your clothes were manufactured. Occultist Jean Houston, in her 1989 speech, Whole System Transition: The Move to a Planetary Society, made exactly the same analogy when explaining that all individuals are interconnected “world beings.” Dr. Jean Houston worships the Mother Goddess. Dr. Jean Houston ascribes to the aspects of the goddess outlined by Starhawk: Immanence, Interconnection, and Community. This manuscript has detailed that modern witchcraft perceives itself as the religion of the Mother Goddess. Dr. Houston would have no issues identifying with modern witchcraft or Wicca, but what about a “conservative” Baptist preacher? What would be the motive of a preacher who introduces witchcraft into the Church? Would such an individual have issues identifying with witchcraft? One would certainly hope such an individual would have many issues with such identification; but yet this manuscript has previously exhibited that Dr. Warren’s book has promoted an occult form of immanence, and now he touts interconnection. Surely, this must be completely coincidental—or is it? Lest any misunderstand, this author is not accusing Dr. Warren of practicing or knowingly promoting witchcraft in the church. However, as coincidences (if they are indeed coincidences) continue to pile up, one must certainly question the true direction (as well as the source) of the methods and teachings of Dr. Warren and the thousands of other pastors pursuing the growth and success of the “Purpose-Driven Church.” While a final assessment cannot be made at this juncture, one must conclude that serious problems exist in a religious movement that overtly claims to be fulfilling the Great Commission while in reality is rebuilding the Tower of Babel. Return to Table of Content ENDNOTES 1. www.cog.org/cogpollfinal.html2. Michaelson, Johanna. Like Lambs to the Slaughter, Harvest House, Eugene, OR, 1989, Appendix: “The Beliefs of Witches.” 3. Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and other Pagans in America Today, rev. ed., Boston, Beacon Press, 1986, p.viii. 4. Livingstone. The Dying God, Writer’s Club Press, New York, 2002, p.289. 5. Lavenda, Peter. Sinister Forces, TrineDay, Walterville, OR, 2005, p.29. 6. Skarrit, Kelly. “Wicca: Modern Day Witchcraft,” Community Voice, 5.19.05, p.10. 7. Lavenda. p.305. 8. Starhawk. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess, (2nd Edition), Harper and Row, San Francisco, 1989, pgs.10-11. 9. Genesis 10:8-9. 10. Livingstone. p.291. 11. Ibid. p.3. 12. Ibid. p.287. 13. Ibid. 14. LaVey, Anton. The Satanic Witch, Feral House, Los Angeles, CA, 1970, p.8. 15. Personal Email. Received Monday, May 01, 2000 7:28 PM. 16. Adler. pgs.10-11. 17. Starhawk. 18. Cabot, Laurie & Cowan, Tom. Power of the Witch, Delta, New York, 1989, pgs.10,11, 20. 20. Starhawk. 19. Houston, Jean. Jean Houston Website, “I invite you to attend a Special Preview of the 2006 Mystery School: The Mystery of Making a Difference,” www.jeanhouston.org. 20. Revelation 13:4. 21. Warren, Rick. The Purpose-Driven Life, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI, 2002, p.286. 22. II Timothy 3:16. 23. Warren. p.300.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:36:08 GMT -5
Chapter 3
The Religious Essence of Community
Dr. Rick Warren’s assessment of those who attempted to construct the Tower of Babel (see Introduction) was absolutely correct. Those individuals were highly motivated to accomplish an impossible task that could only be achieved if they transformed their individual energies into a cohesive unit whereby individuals functioned in complete concert. However, Dr. Warren failed to note the fact that the circumstances described in Genesis 11 indicate that this cohesive unit was empowered by a supernatural force that was in direct opposition to God’s desired direction for mankind. Additionally, the building of the Tower of Babel became the basis of what was to become the Babylonian Empire---a world kingdom---the exact opposite of the political direction ordained by God.
These are absolute indicators that the power source behind this construction project was none other than Lucifer himself, and this or any subsequent attempt for the formation of a world government or a world religion is also in direct defiance of God. This defiance was illustrated by the world kingdoms explicitly portrayed in the book of Daniel, and this and other Bible prophecies are very clear that the next world government and world religion will be under the jurisdiction of Antichrist himself. Thus, any support of globalist philosophies or programs (political or religious) must be perceived as the promotion and endorsement of the cause of Lucifer.
In spite of all of this, Dr. Warren used this event as an illustration in his series, “40 Days of Community” as what can be accomplished when men and women work together “in community.” Furthermore, Dr. Warren uses this same “community concept” to make the point that Christians must work together as a group to fulfill God’s purposes for their lives. He has gone so far as to state, “You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life by yourself…you need a group.” (1) However, such tampering with the context of the Word of God in an attempt to make a point also opens the door to intrusions by deceptive Luciferic philosophies upon the sacred text of Scripture. As was revealed in the previous chapter, witchcraft is one such philosophy.
The three cornerstones of the pyramidal foundation of witchcraft and the worship of the Mother Goddess were outlined in the previous chapter. As detailed in Chapter 2, Starhawk (a professing witch), in her book, The Spiral Dance, clearly states the 3 core principles of Goddess Religion:
· Immanence—All human beings are each a manifestation of the living earth.
· Interconnection—All are linked to the cosmos as part of one living organism.
· Community—The primary focus is not on the individual, but the group. (2)
Two of those three cornerstones, Interconnection and Immanence, were not only discussed at length, but the correlation to the teachings in 40 day programs and the book, The Purpose-Driven Life was also explicitly detailed. The final cornerstone of Goddess worship is that of Community. This entire chapter has been designated to discuss the religious aspects of this principle found extensively in pagan religions because its insidious roots have spread far beyond the realm of the Mother Goddess and witchcraft into other occult philosophies such as Theosophy and broad-based “New Age” teachings. Now, with the efforts of Dr. Warren and his mentor, Peter Drucker (Dr. Drucker’s contribution will be discussed in Chapter 4), this same concept of community will permeate the “pop culture” of the “churched” evangelical population.
Therefore, what is the essence of the concept of “community?” Do the principles of “community” parallel the teachings of the Word of God, or do these principles correlate more with occult philosophies of paganism? Is the concept of “community” as taught by Starhawk also a biblical concept? Is the concept of “community” equivalent to Christian fellowship? How is this related to the infusion of occult “groupthink” philosophies on modern western society? Basically, what is the truth?
THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THE BOND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
In order to ascertain “the truth,” one must resort to the source of all truth---the inspired and inerrant Word of God. The foundation of Christian fellowship and unity is found in the book of Ephesians. Ephesians outlines the concept of the “Church Universal,” and the truth concerning the “Body of Christ.” This book reveals the “mystery of the Church,” relating that Gentiles have been granted access to God through the blood of Jesus Christ, and such access was previously reserved exclusively for Israel. Ephesians then builds the analogy of the church as both the “Body of Christ” and as a vital component in the “Temple of the Living God.” These principles are summarized in Ephesians 1:22-23 and Ephesians 2:19-22:
“… and hath put all things under His feet, and gave unto Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.” (3)
“…Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together grow unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (4)
These passages complete the analogy of both a “living body” and a perfectly constructed “building.” The “living body” is made up the whole of true Christianity that includes every true blood-washed child of God—Jew and Gentile-- who has been born again into the “family of God.” The perfectly constructed building described in the book of Ephesians includes not only the “New Testament Saints” who are members of the afore-mentioned “living body,” but also those Old Testament saints who looked forward to the perfect sacrifice that would cleanse them post mortem from all the sin that the sacrificial blood of bulls and goats merely covered from the eyes of a Holy God. Thus it is this “body” and “building” that make as one those who were before Christ separated as Jew and Gentile; but through the shedding of His blood and the power of His resurrection are, and will be, united as one into the household of God. Additionally, those individual members of the body also are, in and of themselves, a “Temple of the Living God” by the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
COMMUNITY CONCEPTS: BIBLICAL-- OR SOMETHING ELSE?
Thus there is indeed a deep spiritual bond that unites those of like faith into fellowship with the Father and each other via the death and resurrection of the Son and the witness of the indwelling Holy Spirit. However, does this correlate to the concept of “community” as presented by the “40 Days of Community” and The Purpose-Driven Life? In order to answer this question, one must closely examine exactly that which the book of Ephesians is teaching.
Is Ephesians teaching that Christians are to foster relationships with other Christians for empowerment or protection? Is the Scripture teaching that since all Christians are integral units in the structure of the Temple of God and the components of the Body of Christ, do they individually lack some secret ingredient for spiritual growth unless they work as a group? Is this Scripture teaching that Christians are to build relationships to bind themselves together to conquer fear, gain strength for daily tasks, face life’s trials and issues, and fulfill God’s purposes for their lives? Would such an emphasis on relationships, bonding, and interdependence be equated more with the doctrines taught in the book of Ephesians or the concepts of group therapy? Yet, Dr. Warren, in his “40 Days of Community” states the following:
“You cannot be what God wants you to be by yourself…You cannot fulfill
God’s purposes by yourself…God’s answer to fear is ‘community’… ‘40
Days of Community’ is all about building relationships.” (5)
Granted, there are biblical principles that teach Christians to “bear one another’s burdens,” uphold each other in prayer, confess our faults one to another, and other interactions between individuals that will aid them to persevere in their Christian walk. One must also not forget that the child of God is commanded to assemble together with other believers as a member of a local church. However, to state that one cannot be what God wants by himself or herself is not only ludicrous, but blatantly unscriptural. This extra-biblical path continued in the “40 Days of Community” when Dr. Warren stated,
“We do not grow (spiritually) by just sitting and listening to the Bible, but by doing, sharing, ministry, fellowship…”(6)
With this statement, Dr. Warren minimizes the importance of the preaching and teaching of the Word of God by subordinating it to interpersonal relationships. This tactic is diametrically opposed to the Word of God that proclaims:
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us
which are saved it is the power of God.” (7)
Based on just this one text, how can any “man of God” that claims the proclamation of “God’s message” subordinate the “power of God” to interpersonal relationships—even if these relationships are based upon fellowship among Christians
If any doubt remained as to the absence of a biblical foundation in the “40 Days of Community,” the afore-mentioned statement alone should assuage the doubts of even the most accommodating soul. One also must bear in mind that the context in which this statement was made was not in reference to membership in a local church, or even regular attendance in the services of a local assembly. Rather, Dr Warren made this statement in reference to participation in a “small group” –the basic building block of the “meta-church” and the very core philosophy of the Church Growth Movement.
Dear friends, in spite of Dr. Warren’s contentions, the moving of the Holy Spirit on hearts through the study of the Word of God is the primary method God implements for spiritual growth. If the Church were to adopt Dr. Warren’s methodology as the governing foundational principles, the members of the Body of Christ would be ruled by human volition and counsel rather than the direction of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Christian relationships, small groups of friends, and family members can assist to validate, reinforce, and even expound the Word of God---but the Holy Spirit works in the heart through His living Word effecting the change of a life. As the author of Hebrews penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:
“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”(8)
Therefore, any learned individual regurgitating these same community concepts must be questioned as to the source of such a philosophy. For the philosophy behind such concepts stem from sources other than the Word of God. The sixty million dollar questions then are as follows: What philosophy forms the basis of these and similar statements? Where did the idea of building community originate? What is the true basis and rationale for a “40 Days of Community” program? As will be hereafter illustrated, the possibilities are frightening.
COMMUNITY—FINAL CORNERSTONE IN THE FOUNDATION OF GODDESS WORSHIP
As previously stated, the three core principles of the Mother Goddess and modern witchcraft are Immanence, Interconnection, and Community. (9) All three of these principles go hand–in–hand and fully correlate to each other. For if the Mother Goddess is immanent, then everything and everyone is interconnected through her, and all of life makes up a holistic, interdependent community. If this were truly the case, any sexual, ethical, racial, philosophical, or religious divisions of any genre violate the laws of nature and displease the Mother Goddess.
The philosophy then of witchcraft and the worship of the Goddess clearly promotes an interdependent community of all humanity:
“Guided by ancient wisdom and present inspiration, we will come together and experience conscious community and the healing of our relations with each other and the world… Experience our connections…to the Earth and all Creation.” (10)
Since the time of the Tower of Babel, fallen man has exercised his desire to access this ancient wisdom by coming together as a human community. This foundational philosophy of Goddess Worship then manifested itself in the Mystery Religions of Babylon, and progressed into the teachings of Kabbalism and Gnosticism. This is illustrated in the statement by Tim Wallace-Murphy in his book, Cracking the Symbol Code when he stated,
“The Templars (the Knights Templar of National Treasure fame –ed.), being Gnostic initiates, did not concern themselves with the salvation of individual souls, but were mainly concerned with the spiritual and material transformation of entire communities and nations.” (11)
Those readers who are familiar with this author’s first book, Outcome-Based Religion: Purpose, Apostasy, and the New Paradigm Church, may well understand the gravity of this statement. For the “Father of the Church Growth Movement,” Donald McGavaran—professor at Dr. Rick Warren’s alma mater, Fuller Theological Seminary, and praised by Dr. Warren-- developed what he called the Homogenous Unit Principle (HUP). The HUP de-emphasized individual salvation and emphasized the simultaneous Christian conversion of entire communities. Thus, based on the information conveyed by Mr. Wallace-Murphy, the Father of the Church Growth Movement aligned his views of conversion more with the Gnosticism of the Knights Templar than the teachings of the New Testament.
Dr. McGavaran took his philosophies of church growth to Fuller, and there instilled his group-think philosophies that would lay the foundation for the principles of Goddess Worship and Gnosticism to gain a subliminal foothold within “Evangelical Christianity.” These philosophies are now mass-marketed by Dr. Warren and the other Fuller graduates within the CGM who base their methodologies on these principles.
As in the theory behind the Dr. McGavaran’s Homogenous Unit Principle, the primary emphasis of “community” in the religion of the Mother Goddess involves the de-emphasis of the individual and the elevation and exultation of the group. This group-think concept is the also the basis of all evolutionary thought and radical environmentalism—species survival supersedes individual rights.
This concept is blatantly illustrated with the “Declaration of Interdependence” presented at the 1992 Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro:
“This we resolve… At this turning point in our relationship with Earth, we work for an evolution: from dominance to partnership; from fragmentation to connection; from insecurity, to interdependence.” (12)
To make matters worse, The Declaration of Interdependence in 1992 was actually the second such document by the same title. The first Declaration of Interdependence appeared in 1975 when Henry Steele Commager authored a U.N. declaration by that title. It was signed on July 4th, 1976 in Philadelphia and was funded by the Ford Foundation. Over 160 members of Congress signed this declaration. The wording of this Declaration of Interdependence was very interesting:
“…we must join with others to bring forth a new world order.... Narrow notions
of national sovereignty must not be permitted to curtail that obligation….To establish a new world order of compassion, peace, justice and security, it is essential that mankind free itself from the limitations of national prejudice, and acknowledge that the forces that unite it are incomparably deeper than those that divide it, that all people are part of one global community, dependent on one body of resources, bound together by the ties of a common humanity and associated in a common adventure on the planet Earth.” (13)
Congresswoman Marjorie Holt of Maryland refused to sign the Declaration, saying:
"It calls for the surrender of our national sovereignty to international organizations. It declares that our economy should be regulated by international authorities. It proposes that we enter a 'new world order' that would redistribute the wealth created by the American people." (14)
Though Congresswoman Holt was absolutely correct in her assessment of the Declaration of Interdependence from a political perspective, the two overwhelming dangers behind this document are exactly those of the second Declaration of Interdependence:
· These documents promote the pantheistic or panentheistic world view of the Goddess religion creeping into the traditional Judeo-Christian values system of western society. This revived values system not only has resulted in a profound influence on secular society; but thanks to Dr. McGavaran and his followers—the influence of pagan values on the pop culture of “churched” Evangelicals has been overwhelming.
· This group-think model of “community” is laying the foundation for the ultimate global rebellion against God-- “new world order” and the rise of Antichrist himself.
Coincidentally, Rick Warren, in his 40 Days of Community presentation declared:
“This is our Declaration of Interdependence—I need a group!” (15)
Now why would a conservative Southern Baptist preacher use the same terminology as those who are engaged in Goddess worship or political globalism? At the very least, one must question Dr. Warren’s wisdom in opening yet another door for criticism---On the other hand, it almost seems as if Dr. Warren is sending a message to those who understand exactly what the true Declaration of Interdependence documents signified when assigning this terminology to an intra-church campaign. If this is the case, Dr. Warren would be sending a signal of ulterior motives and workings behind a façade of conservative Christianity.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:46:48 GMT -5
COMMUNITY & THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT The New Age Movement grew out of the drug culture of “flower children” in the 1960s. This anti-establishment generation rebelled against many aspects of western society, and their search for an anti-establishment religion was rewarded when The Beatles introduced Eastern Religion into Western Thought. Additionally, through the use of mind-expanding drugs, a greater reality (or rather, a greater fantasy) was screaming the siren call for explanations other than that which traditional religion could give; and traditional western concepts of God and love were superseded with the messages transmitted by spiritual forces accessed on drug “trips.” As a result, Transcendental Meditation, self-realization, and yoga began to become established on a broad base, and the New Age Movement was born. In 1980, the New Age Movement received its own “Bible,” The Aquarian Conspiracy, authored by Marilyn Ferguson. It was in this major New Age treatise that Ms. Ferguson established the concept of “community” as a New Age philosophy. She actually defined the modern concept of community when she stated: “The discovery of our connection to all other men, women, and children joins us to another family. Indeed, seeing ourselves as a planetary family struggling to solve its problems, rather than as assorted people and nations assessing blame or exporting solutions could be the ultimate shift in perspective…We think of ourselves separate rather than part of the whole. This imprisons our affection to those few nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle to embrace all living creatures… ” (16) With this virtual definition of “community,” Ms. Ferguson incorporated the principle of interconnection as a vital component in the community-building process. It is this holistic world view that embraces pagan concepts thousands of years old and inserts them into the modern psyche. She then successfully integrated the life-blood of the sexual revolution and the sacred sex of Goddess worship with the concept of interconnection to produce the final formula for “community:” The worldwide quest for community typified by the networks of the Aquarian Conspiracy is an attempt to boost that attenuated power (the power of love and fraternity). To cohere. To kindle wider consciousness. When man reclaims this energy source, the sublimation of spiritual-sensual love…he will have once again discovered fire.” (17) Additionally, Ms. Ferguson ushered the pagan philosophies into the modern religious arena by appealing to the world’s religious leaders: “The crisis of our time are challenging the world religions to release a new spiritual force transcending religious, cultural, and national boundaries into a new consciousness of the human community.” (18) This statement brings the darkest secret for the “evangelical” quest for community into the bright light of day. The call for community internally will naturally evolve to a quest for community externally—“Today we promote a spirit of community in our own church, tomorrow we promote a spirit of community with all of mankind.” As a matter of fact, with Dr. Warren’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan, one can almost see this very concept on the horizon. In promoting the P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Dr Warren speaks of “waging peace.” Once again, the words of Marilyn Ferguson from The Aquarian Conspiracy echo with the very purpose-driven terminology behind Dr. Warren’s sales pitch: “If we reframe the problem—if we think of fostering community, health, innovation, purpose– we are already waging peace.” (19) Before the reader begins to speculate that this may indeed be a great plan for humanity, the principles of the Word of God must be closely examined: · The Bible teaches that there is no such thing as a “human community.” The Bible is very clear that two distinct groups of individuals reside on the planet: The saved and the lost. · Moreover, these two groups are not bound together by a common humanity. The Bible succinctly teaches that the saved are the “children of God,” (Romans 8:14-17), and the lost are “of your father, the Devil,” (John 8:44). · Any effort to establish community among these two groups in any religious cause is contrary to the teachings of the Word of God. In The Aquarian Conspiracy, Ms. Ferguson is promoting this human community via a one world religion under the Mother Goddess, but this author is in no fashion suggesting that “40 Days of Community” or Rick Warren’s P.E.A.C.E. Plan insinuates that Christians join in such an occult effort. However, the implementation of the New Age principles and terminology of the Aquarian Conspiracy in devotional books and intra-church campaigns is, at a minimum, subliminally preparing those in evangelical churches to embrace the methodology that will be used in building the one world religion and the one world government of Antichrist. The tragedy of the similarities of the Church Growth Movement and the New Age Movement are staggering. When one reads The Aquarian Conspiracy and then reads The Purpose-Driven Life by Dr. Rick Warren, it almost seems that The Purpose-Driven Life is nothing more than a “Christianized” version of The Aquarian Conspiracy. The concepts are similar or identical, the terminology is identical, the individuals quoted by Dr. Warren often held to the same or similar philosophies as those quoted by Marilyn Ferguson, and the three foundational principles of the Mother Goddess and modern witchcraft-–Immanence, Interconnectedness, and Community---are prominently evident in both works. To that end, in the fifth installment of “40 Days of Community,” Dr. Warren declared that as was the case with the construction crew at the Tower of Babel, “…together can do anything.” Once again, this statement was just as scripted by Marilyn Ferguson when she wrote: “As rich as we are—together we can do anything to heal our homeland, the Whole Earth.” (20) COMMUNITY AND THE OCCULT WORLD With the insertion in Ms. Ferguson’s quotation regarding the “Whole Earth,” the door is opened to the occult aspects of group-think philosophies. As was discussed in Chapter 1, the idea of the preservation of the “group” over individual rights is based in occult thought and manifested in evolutionary theories. When Darwinism was thrust upon the public psyche in the 1920s via the Scopes Trial, the group-think philosophy spread its tentacles into the world view of public perception. Over the last eighty years, the idea of “species survival” suddenly overshadowed concepts of the nation state, individual rights, and even individual salvation. This same philosophy has now infiltrated evangelicalism and fundamentalism with the rise of the “meta-church.” The meta-church concept was presented by another product of Fuller Theological Seminary, Carl George, author of The Coming Church Revolution. In this book, George presented a plan for building a super-church with the utilization of interdependent, interlocking, coalescing small groups. The concept of organization-building through such small groups is nothing new. As a matter of fact, in 1928 occultist H. G. Wells promoted such an organizational structure more than sixty years before Carl George penned his book: “The form of the conspiracy would not be a centralized organization but, rather, small groups of friends and coalitions of such groups.” (This statement by H.G. Wells was quoted by Marilyn Ferguson in The Aquarian Conspiracy.) (21) In addition to H.G. Wells and Marilyn Ferguson, The New Group of World Servers, a division of the Lucis Trust, chimes in with its own promotion of community through small groups: “…New age group work is, in reality, the outer manifestation of an inner and genuine spiritual condition… Buddha established his work in India through small group communities set up to be self-supporting and interdependent…Buddha saw this method as preparing for an eventual ‘world community’…We have become interdependent in so many areas of human life, but not yet properly interrelated . Yet there is a common denominator—relationship.” (22) This quotation says it all. The working of the group-think philosophy is indeed a sign of a spiritual condition—not Godly, but spiritual. Just as Buddha stressed small groups and interdependence to build a “world community,” the Lucis Trust realizes the success of such efforts is completely based on building relationships. Coincidentally (or not coincidentally), Dr. Warren stated, “Days of Community is all about relationships.” (23) After all, pragmatically speaking, if it worked for Buddha… The group concept not only worked for Buddha, but also for Alice Bailey—the poet laureate of sorts for the Theosophical Society as well as the co-founder of the Lucis Trust. The Theosophical Society is a dark occult organization founded by Madam H.P. Blavatsky in the 19th Century. Her book, The Secret Doctrine, provided the roadmap for Adolf Hitler in his bid for an occult world empire. Alice Bailey, the once-removed successor to Blavatsky, was a prolific author of countless books dictated to her under automatic writing by her “spirit guide,” Dwahl Kuhl. These books are used today by a division of the Lucis Trust, The Arcane School. The Arcane School supplies the writings of Alice Bailey as curriculum to those Freemasons chosen to advance into the occult hierarchy of that organization. Alice Bailey’s major doctrinal treatise is The Externalization of the Hierarchy. In this book, Bailey’s demonic spirit guide established a doctrinal base for both “community” and group-think philosophies. However, the entire philosophy can be summarized with the following statement: “This must be a group work of a new order, wherein individual activity is subordinated to the group objective and the decision of the group in conclave…it is the will of the group… which is the point of major importance…The final work of the Christ is to be framed in our identification to the whole.” (24) This quotation is doctrine from the very pit of Hell itself, and when Alice Bailey speaks of “the Christ,” she does not speak of Jesus. Mrs. Bailey is speaking of Antichrist himself! Yet, a conservative, Southern Baptist preacher who is deemed one of the two most influential preachers in America today states: “You cannot be what God wants you to be by yourself…You cannot fulfill God’s purposes for your life by yourself… I need a group!” (25) Is not Dr. Warren’s contention based on the same philosophical platform as that of the demonic spirit guide of Alice Bailey? Where is individual accountability to a Holy God? Where is the call to individual salvation? Here’s a news flash for those in the Church Growth Movement who would build a super church based on these group-think philosophies: · The Homogenous Unit Principle is based not on the Word of God, but the behavioral sciences of modern psychology. · The elevation of the group is a doctrine from Hell, and should not become the basis for church growth. · The Word of God is clear that those lost individuals who stand before the Great White Throne Judgment will be judged as individuals. The sins of the father will not be ascribed to the son, nor will any group judgment determine eternal destiny. · When a Christian stands before the Judgment Seat of Christ, he or she will stand there alone to receive or be denied reward. There will be no group therapy session to barter with Jesus for rewards or the lack thereof. Biblical examples of the folly of the purpose-driven philosophy of community are prolific. Some examples include: · God’s call of Jeremiah · God’s direction to Elijah alone in a cave by a “still small voice.” · Elijah’s time spent by the Brook Cherith · The conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch · The command to “go into your closet” to pray and commune with God · Even the example of Jesus, that He would go into the wilderness without the disciples to be alone with the Father The Bible is very clear that the Holy Spirit works in the heart of the individual who is attuned to His leading by hearing, studying, and meditating on His written Word. There is no group therapy session that can supersede the power and influence of the Almighty God as communicated through His inerrant Word.. BIBLE OR WITCHCRAFT? In conclusion, the religious essence of the concept of community is best summarized by the witch, Starhawk: “The Goddess Religion is lived in community. Its primary focus is not individual salvation or enlightenment or enrichment but the growth and transformation that comes through intimate interactions and common struggles.” (26) The only difference in Starhawk’s doctrine and teaching of “40 Days of Community” is the fact that the leaders of the 40 Days program contend that focusing on the group will result in individual salvation. However, one must seriously question even the validity of professions that result from methods that are steeped in New Age, occult, and even demonic methodologies. ENDNOTES 1. Warren, Rick. “40 Days of Community,” Saddleback Community Church, Audio Disc, September- November, 2004. 2. Starhawk. The Spiral Dance, Harper Publishing, San Francisco, 1979, p.22. 3. Ephesian 1:22-23. 4. Ephesians 2:19-22. 5. Warren. 6. Ibid. 7. I Corinthians 2:18. 8. Hebrews 4:12. 9. Starhawk. 10. “Where Wild Things Live: Men Embracing the Shadow and the Sacred,” The Rowe Camp—1995. 11. Wallace-Murphy, Tim. Cracking the Symbol Code, Watkins Publishing, London, 2005, p.138. 12. The Declaration of Interdependence. Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro, 1992. 13. Cuddy, D.L. A Chronological History of the New World Order, www.constitution.org/col/cuddy_nwo.htm. 14. Ibid. 15. Warren. 16. Ferguson, Marilyn. The Aquarian Conspiracy, J.P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles, CA., 1980, p.402. 17. Ibid. p.402. 18. Ibid. p.369. 19. Ibid. p.411. 20. Ibid. p. 406. 21. Wells, H.G. As quoted by Marilyn Ferguson, The Aquarian Conspiracy, p.213. 22. Bailey, Mary. A Learning Experience, Lucis Trust, New York, 1990, pp. 96-97. 23. Warren 24. Bailey, Alice. Externalization of the Hierarchy, Lucis Publishing, New York, 1957, pp. 324,413. 25. Warren. 26. Starhawk.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:48:17 GMT -5
Chapter 4 BUILDING HEAVEN ON EARTH
"Perhaps the most dangerous notion of all is the belief that given the proper amount of power and the ability to manipulate and manage, well-intentioned men can create heaven on earth." (1)
Barry Goldwater, With No Apologies
THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Since the time of the Tower of Babel, men have sought the establishment of an all-encompassing world government that would bind all of mankind into one interdependent human community. A very casual study of secular history is witness to this very fact, as world empires have risen and fallen riding the crest of the waves that swept across the massive sands of all of humanity. These world empires were exemplified in the Assyrian Empire, the Egyptian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Grecian Empire, and finally the Roman Empire. Additionally, there were other individuals who died trying to emulate the likes of the Pharaohs, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Alexander, and the Caesars. Their names are generally not connected to acts of great benevolence, but they do cover quite a few pages in the History of Civilization textbooks.
These names include such individuals as Napoleon Bonaparte, Genghis Khan, and Adolf Hitler. If history has not characterized these particular individuals in exactly the noblest manner, there was also the United Kingdom of Great Britain with “noble,” imperialistic tentacles that spread across the face of the earth well into the Twentieth Century. However, there is one factor that most tend to ignore when embarking on a study of world empires, and this very factor states that any human world government (whether benevolent or tyrannical) is in diametric opposition to the plan of God for mankind. Furthermore, those who study the Word of God recognize that the next world empire will be the most “evil” of all “evil empires,” ruled by Antichrist himself.
A careful reading of the account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 reveals the true purpose of the scattering of the citizens of Babel across the face of the earth. The Bible records that God scattered mankind in order to keep them from doing whatever they could imagine. Before questioning God’s motives in so adamantly suppressing freedom of expression, one must exercise the “first rule of biblical interpretation: “Always let Scripture interpret other Scripture.” For just two chapters earlier, in Genesis 8:21, God confirmed to Noah after the Flood, “…the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” Now if the imagination of the heart of man is innately evil as God states in Genesis 8, any one-world system comprised of all humanity will inevitably pool all of the evil resources that humanity can imagine to serve Lucifer---not God. Therefore, God scattered the inhabitants who dwelled on the Plains of Shinar by confusing their languages. This action by God also created the foundation of the nation-state—obviously God’s geo-political plan for the inhabitants of Planet Earth.
The second danger imposed by the “evil imagination” of mankind is that of a one-world religion. This is evidenced by the fact that each of the afore-mentioned world empires (as well as many other subsequent, less expansive kingdoms) also imposed a “state religion.” Additionally, the Bible teaches that the final world empire of Antichrist will also boast a single world religion—the worship of the “Dragon who gave power to the Beast.” (2) Therefore, if “well-intentioned men” as Barry Goldwater labeled them, are striving to build their “heaven on earth,” “New Atlantis,” or “New World Order;” these plans will by default not only be based on political aspirations that oppose the plan of God, but also must unite all religions into an all-encompassing worship of Lucifer himself.
GLOBAL COMMUNITY= KINGDOM OF ANTICHRIST
When one then “takes off his or her blinders” and views history from the perspective that current events are locked on a course that will indeed produce this Luciferic Kingdom, that individual will begin to see current political and religious events in an entirely different light. However, the opposite is also true. If one misinterprets or violates the context of Word of God to the extent of envisioning the current course of history to produce the “Kingdom of God,” then that individual may well fall into the trap of misinterpreting and/or supporting the very factors that will contribute to the prerequisite Luciferic Kingdom of Antichrist.
In way of clarification, the Millennial Kingdom of God ruled by none other than Jesus Christ will most assuredly become a reality. Jesus Himself will return to the earth with the redeemed saints and defeat Antichrist. He will also bind Lucifer in the “bottomless pit” for a period of 1000 literal years—thus the designation of “Millennial Kingdom.” This action will force the fall of the “New World Order,” and will then initiate the reign of Jesus on the earth in fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs of Israel and to His servant, David. Though the raptured and glorified Church will be very involved in this kingdom, the Millennial Kingdom will not be “built” until the Second Coming of Christ.
If then God’s judgment will fall upon the earth to the extent that two-thirds of the land mass of the planet will be devastated and the entire population of unbelieving mankind annihilated; (3) why should the saved of this present age even imagine that they can help God build His earthly kingdom? According to the Word of God, the earthly Kingdom of God will not appear until after the earth is devastated. Additionally, not only will God certainly not need any human help to build His earthly kingdom; but the construction will be well above and beyond human capabilities.
Therefore, the “Kingdom” terminology currently thrown around by high profile evangelicals is totally out of context with the teachings of the Word of God. Yes, all Christians are members of or “children of” the “Kingdom of Heaven,” but this is the kingdom of which Jesus spoke when He declared to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (4) Furthermore, when an individual is born again of the Holy Spirit of God, that individual does indeed become a part of, and in one respect increases the size of the “Kingdom of Heaven.” However, the saved of the earth in this present Age of Grace are in no way, shape, or form building an earthly “Kingdom of God” that will manifest itself as a geo-political entity, and to designate their actions as such is playing with fire. Distressingly, so many Christians have no clue as to exactly how hot the fire of Hell can become if one gets too close.
THE LONG WAR AGAINST GOD
In his book, The Long War Against God, Dr. Henry Morris laid out the plan of Lucifer to overthrow God. He further gave evidences that Lucifer truly believes he can defeat God, and he realizes his time is getting short. In agreement with this premise, as the “End of Days” draws closer, Lucifer is turning up the heat to reach his final objective. It is the fire generated from the heat of battle that will burn those who stray too far from the truth of the Word of God. Thus, to truly fight on the Lord’s side and “contend for the Faith” one must surely understand the goals and tactics of the enemy.
A study of history literally reveals that Luciferic forces have one major goal—the establishment of the Kingdom of Antichrist. The fruition of this goal, even now after some 4400 years of the strategic planning, has obviously not transpired overnight. This is clearly illustrated by the example of Western society, where the influence of Christianity for the first 1750 years from the establishment of the Church instilled attitudes and values among broad-based western society more consistent with the teachings of Scripture than pre-Christian pagan values. However, winds of change have been blowing for several centuries, and the subtle, strategic transition is gradually making itself manifest.
This manifest transition of a change in attitudes and values has not come to pass in a violent, catastrophic, ravaging, or societal-altering cataclysm. Rather, the changes have been instigated subtly, slowly, systematically, and intentionally. At the risk of excessive historical over-analysis, one must at a minimum examine the goals and aspirations of those involved directly with Luciferian forces to reach a thorough understanding of the desire not only for a new political paradigm, but also for a “new paradigm church” that will fall into the arms of Antichrist as gently as the falling petals of an autumn rose.
A NEW WORLD ORDER
Initially, one must understand that the call for this new political/religious paradigm known as the “New World Order” is based primarily on the ancient values of those who lived in the third generation after the Flood of Noah and their demonically instigated desire for a return to the ungodly civilization that existed prior to the Flood. As has been implied earlier in this manuscript, Nimrod honestly attempted to open the gate for demonic control of all of mankind; but even with Lucifer’s defeat at the Tower of Babel, world empires rose and flourished until the 5th Century AD.
Even prior to this point in history, the so-called great sages and wise men who embraced the occult mysteries began to prophecy of a “golden age” that would restore the earth to a state of paradise. These mysteries were then held in store by secret societies of occult initiates, Kabbalists, Gnostics or even “Gnostic Christians.” All of this secret knowledge was converted to definitive action in the 16th Century work of Sir Francis Bacon when he penned his allegory, The New Atlantis. Even more significantly, Bacon and his accomplices presented a step-by-step plan for the restoration of a state of paradise upon earth. (5)
Bacon enabled the theories behind The New Atlantis to be put into practical application with the colonization of the New World. It was within this climate that the struggle between those who would build a utopian heaven on earth and those who would found a nation based on the principles of the Word of God not only escalated to new heights, but made the United States of America the major battleground in the preservation of the truth.
By the 20th Century, occult forces world wide began to make bold initiatives. In her book, The Externalization of the Hierarchy, occultist Alice Bailey (via automatic writing) recorded the words of her spirit guide (demon) Djwahl Kuhl:
“1934 marks the beginning of the organizing of the men and women... the group work of a new order...(with) progress defined by service... the work of the Brotherhood ... the Forces of Light... (and) out of the spoliation of all existing culture and civilization, the new world order must be built." (6)
These same concepts were parroted by Fabian Socialist and noted author, HG Wells:
“The organization of this that I call the Open Conspiracy... which will ultimately supply teaching, coercive and directive public services to the whole world, is the immediate task before all rational people... a planned world-state is appearing at a thousand points.... a ‘collectivist one-world state’ or ‘new world order’ comprised of ‘socialist democracies’....nationalist individualism...is the world's disease…The manifest necessity for some collective world control to eliminate warfare and …necessity for a collective control of the economic and biological life of mankind, are aspects of one and the same process." I propose that this be accomplished through ‘universal law’ and propaganda (or education).” (7)
One realizes the danger involved when the leaders of the public education system chime into the occult scenario:
“The Progressive Education Association, organized by John Dewey (the infamous Father of Progressive Education), in 1947 addressed the teachers of the nation, calling for ‘the establishment of a genuine world order’… an order in which national sovereignty is subordinate to the world authority... an order in which 'world citizenship' thus assumes at last equal status with national citizenship.... As the old order is crumbling, and there is a new and free order struggling to be born… There is a fever of nationalism... (but) the nation-state is becoming less and less competent to perform its international political tasks.... These are some of the reasons pressing us to lead vigorously toward the true building of a new world order…” (8)
The essence of this sentiment aroused suspicion even in the Congress of the United States. On April 24, 1954, Rep. Usher Burdick, Republican of Nebraska related to Congress:
“Mr.Speaker, there can be no doubt that there now exists widespread understanding and agreement made between the agents of this Government and the United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization to build a world government, and to make the United States a part of it--regardless of our Constitution, laws, and traditions…This is to be done in the name of peace...but will result in the total destruction of our liberty. The agents representing the United States may not be deliberately trying to do this treasonable work, but the best that can be said for them is that they are dupes…” (9)
By the 1970s, things had grown progressively worse. Richard Gardner wrote in Foreign Affairs, the official publication of the Council on Foreign Relations:
“In short, the ‘house of world order’ will have to be built from the bottom up rather than from the top down...an end run around national sovereignty, eroding it piece by piece, will accomplish much more than the old-fashioned frontal assault…” (10)
In 1975, the United States Legislature: 32 Senators and 92 Representatives signed the “Declaration of Interdependence" discussed earlier in this manuscript. This document stated:
“…we must join with others to bring forth a new world order.... Narrow notions of national sovereignty must not be permitted to curtail that obligation.” (11)
Once the Clinton Administration controlled the Washington bureaucracy, a deteriorating situation became even more blatant. Under Secretary of State, Strobe Talbot, a member if the World Federalists, made this alarming statement:
“In the next century, nations as we know it will be obsolete; all states will recognize a single, global authority. Maybe national sovereignty wasn't such a great idea after all.” (12)
Even though statements such as those made by Talbot are in essence predicting the appearance of the kingdom of Antichrist, the phrase “new world order” is generally construed by the average American as a term used by right wing fanatics who live in a constant and overwhelming fog of incurable, and ultimately fatal paranoia. However, the facts prove quite to the contrary. The use of this terminology by the afore-mentioned particular individuals (in their own words) verifies that there truly exists an occultist hierarchy that is, in fact, endeavoring to build a utopian socialist society based on the antediluvian mysteries of Luciferic origin.
To accuse these individuals of deliberately practicing the religion of Satanism may well be somewhat extreme, but to identify their motivations as Luciferian inspiration is certainly anything but extreme. For the attacks on national sovereignty exhibited in the preceding quotations are, in reality, attacks on the plan of Almighty God. Even though all those who make such attacks may not overtly pledge allegiance to Lucifer, they are certainly promoting the Luciferian agenda---even if such promotion is done through ignorance.
COMMON VALUES: BUILDING BLOCKS OF GLOBALISM
As illustrated in Chapter 2, if evil always appeared as evil, the enticement to evil works would not be as easily “sold” to an unsuspecting population. However, if the plan of Lucifer was “sold” as a plan to develop a human community by establishing unity in diversity, how much more successful could this plan become? Furthermore, if one were aspire to create globalistic unity in diversity, what strategy would serve to unify those of diverse backgrounds, religions, and cultures?
The solution to this question is really quite simple (the implementation of the solution is not so simple, but the solution itself is very simple): seek common ground among the diverse and cultivate it. Once common ground is found, build upon this common ground with a system of common values, and thus establish unity. Once common values are established, those whose values are in opposition to the majority must be changed (or else).
The heart of the issue revolves around the fact that globalistic, one-world values are in direct conflict with those of not only the fundamental concepts of true Christianity, but also with the attitudes and values of those who made this country great. For example, the basic values of those that forged a nation in the “new world” from the wilderness were based on rugged individualism that exemplified the “pioneer spirit” of these individuals. In a similar fashion, the Christian faith is also based on individual salvation and an individual’s accountability to and relationship with Almighty God.
In contrast, the values of the “new paradigm” must emphasize the good of the group—not the individual, and it is this enshrinement of the group parroted by occult organizations and other globalists that has infiltrated the psyche of recent generations. It is this same group-think value system that has subtly steamrolled the Church of Jesus Christ, and most of its members do not even realize what has happened. There are those that are starting to ask the question, “How did this happen?” However, most have been duped into changing their attitudes to the point that they are at (or have plunged over) the precipice of embracing postmodern tolerance and dismissing the eternal truths of the Word of God.
While the move for a change in values is outwardly political, it will ultimately result in sweeping spiritual changes. The political aspect has been openly voiced on several fronts. The United Nations publication, Our Global Neighborhood, makes plea after plea for new values that stress the need create a new global ethic:
“The new world order must be organized around the notion of governance of diversity, not uniformity; governance of democracy, not dominion.... built on the foundation of an ascendancy of global neighborhood values over divisive nationalism...” (13)
Former Russian Premier, Mikhail Gorbachev, speaking as the founder of the radical environmental group, Green Cross, stated:
“Today humankind is facing a choice…we need to find a new paradigm …that can be based on the common values…developed over many centuries…the search for a new paradigm should be a search for synthesis, for what is common and unites people, countries, and nations, rather than what divides them.” (14)
Note that the “new paradigm” of which he speaks once again voices the Hegelian Dialectical process in exactly the same manner as voiced by HG Wells: the search for synthesis—the common ground that unites the group—and thus all of mankind. This again is the same plan as attempted by Nimrod—the plan that Almighty God rejected. Mankind, under the direct influence and direction of Lucifer is seeking to worship and serve the creature over the Creator by rebuilding the Tower of Babel-- the precious New World Order.
Other organizations are touting the same strategy. For example, the Earth Charter, directed by Dr. Stephen Rockefeller, states:
“…a statement of fundamental principles…clarifying humanities shared values and developing a new global ethic for a sustainable way of life.... Earth stands at a defining moment…dramatic rise in population…dominate pattern of production and consumption …degrading environment…. massive extinction of species... poverty …crime…violence...Fundamental changes in our attitudes, values, and ways of living…we recognize the urgent need for a shared vision of basic values that will provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world community…we affirm the following principles for sustainable development…” (15)
Once again, in the Earth Charter there appears the group-think values system. A values system that will diminish the importance of the individual, personal liberties, and personal accountability to an Almighty God—it is all about the group. The thesis of the Earth Charter is that humanity must change its values or face both destruction of the earth and extinction of the human species. As Wells stated, humanity must move forward into the Aquarian Age—the age when man realizes that he, in fact, is God.
At stake here is a major religious issue, for this movement is religious as well as a political. This fact is clearly evidenced on many fronts. As Our Global Neighborhood declares:
“We need a set of common, core values around which we can unite people, irrespective of their cultural, political, religious… backgrounds.” (16)(21)
However, if you are to unite mankind based on common religious values, what religion will the world embrace? World Goodwill, a division of Lucis Trust states:
“…Preparation by men and women of goodwill is needed to introduce new values for living, new standards of behavior, new attitudes...of non-separateness and cooperation leading to right human relations and a world at peace. The coming World Teacher will be mainly concerned with the requirements for a new world order… (17)
…The New Group of World Servers…can be regarded as the embodiment of the emerging Kingdom of God on earth, but it should be remembered that this kingdom is not a Christian kingdom or an earthly government” (18)
Lucis Trust and the New Group of World Servers are without question working in preparation for the coming of the world ruler—none other than Antichrist. Furthermore, their terminology should make any discerning Christian take note of all who openly have issued the call for the New World Order or those who are seeking to “build ‘the Kingdom of God.’” These are the individuals who are in zombie-like fashion marching to the drumbeat of Lucifer and preparing the earth for Antichrist himself.
Therefore, the efforts to build “heaven on earth” via a global community are working for a cause that will lead to the earthly Kingdom of Antichrist. For the Scripture is very clear that the “evil empire” will arise at the end of this current age, and it will be through this sequence of events that God will not only pour out His wrath upon sinful man, but He will again deal with Israel in order to secure the remnant that will be saved to inhabit the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:49:00 GMT -5
REPLACEMENT & KINGDOM THEOLOGY
Now that the reader understands the nature of the “fire” with which high profile evangelicals are playing, a determination must be made of not only how this “fire” started, but where it is spreading, and exactly what or who is fueling the flames. In review, and in a nutshell, the theological problems that result from a perversion of Scripture whereby error is compounded on error have their origin in the early centuries of the Church.
The early church faced the attacks of Lucifer on many fronts, and these attacks can be easily consigned to two categories—external and internal. The external attacks came from the likes of the Jewish authorities that crucified Christ and later the empirical rulers of the Roman Empire. Though there were many martyrs in the early Church, external persecution only fueled the flames of evangelism, and the Church continued to grow at a phenomenal rate.
The internal attacks, however, were far more damaging on a long term basis. These attacks came from those “Church Fathers” who embraced the heresies of Aryanism, Gnosticism, and Manichaeism to name just a few. It was the infiltration of these philosophies that prompted the authors of the New Testament under the direction of the Holy Spirit to sound the warning of false teachers who “crept in unawares.” Furthermore, it was in response to these blatant attacks on primarily the person and deity of Jesus Christ that initiated the call for the Council of Nicea. This council, called by Emperor Constantine, and subsequent councils became the primary vehicles in the formation of the Roman Catholic machine. It was this very institution that garnished the falling pieces of a crumbling empire to build an organization with a “form of godliness,” but was in reality as Jesus described the Pharisees of His time—“whited sepulchres full of dead mens’ bones.” (19)
It was the Roman Catholic Church that conceived the unbiblical notions of “Replacement Theology” and the Church as the earthly “Kingdom of God.” Though these are two distinct doctrines, they go hand-in-hand to form an eschatology that violates the contextual interpretation of the Word of God. Simply stated, the two teachings are as follows:
• Replacement Theology—This doctrine teaches that because the nation of Israel rejected and crucified Christ, God rejected Israel as His chosen people. Furthermore, not only has God now rejected Israel, the Church has replaced Israel as “God’s chosen people.” Subsequently, all Old Testament promises made to Israel have now been passed to the Church; and since God has rejected Israel, the Jewish people have become the dregs of society, lower life forms than human beings, and are to be punished for the actions of their forefathers’ rejection of Jesus as their Messiah.
• Kingdom of God—As a result of God’s rejection of Israel and the Church’s new inheritance of Old Testament promises, the prophesied “Kingdom” is now manifested in the Church. In other words, according to this teaching the 1000 year reign of Christ is not a literal prophecy but is only an allegory describing the Church. The Church then is the Kingdom of God on Earth, and will reign over the affairs of men as God’s representatives until Jesus returns to “make all things new.” The logical conclusion of this chain of reasoning dictates that in spite of all the flagrant evil witnessed in modern society, this is the Millennium.
These two doctrines have become more dangerous as the years have progressed. This is primarily due to the incomplete obedience of the reformers of the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation was godly in many of its aspects. However, the reformers failed to follow the doctrine of Scriptural Separation. They chose to attempt to reform the evil ways of the papacy rather than separate from it. They were forced into separation when the Roman Church excommunicated them, but that was never their intention. As a result, many of the erroneous doctrines of Catholicism filtered into the true Protestant churches—Lutheran and Presbyterian. (Baptists, Methodists, Anglicans, and Episcopalians though generally grouped into the Protestant genre, were not formed as a direct result of the Protestant Reformation.) Among the erroneous doctrines that transferred from Catholicism were Infant Baptism, Replacement Theology, and Post-Millennial Eschatology. The Presbyterian connection to Calvin’s Covenant Theology became the primary catalyst for doctrinal error to the modern Evangelical movement.
REFORMING FUNDAMENTALISM
The Twentieth Century began with great spiritual upheavals. The religious skepticism that began in the mid-Nineteenth Century in Great Britain grew to maturity in the late 1920s. With the uproar that resulted from the Scopes Monkey Trial, Skepticism moved up (or down, depending on your perspective) a notch to full-fledged Modernism. The Modernist (among other erroneous teachings) denied the Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the Blood Atonement of Christ’s vicarious death, and Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection from the tomb. Modernism quickly infiltrated the agencies and universities of the Mainline Protestant organizations, and as a result, the “Long War Against God” was elevated to new levels.
It was the backlash of these events that led to the coining of the term “Fundamentalist,” and Christian Fundamentalism became the safe harbor for those who not only stood for the doctrines that the Modernists denied, but were willing to militantly defend those doctrines and separate themselves from those who denied the Faith. The Fundamentalist movement in the United States followed the example Charles Spurgeon in Nineteenth Century Britain, and was led by the likes of Tozer, Schofield, Gordon, Ironside, Jones, Rice, McIntire, and Machen. These men carried the torch for the cause of Christ through tumultuous times, and only eternity will reveal the true fruits of their labors.
However, there were those who were offended by the “backwoods” style of the Fundamentalists, and led by a conservative Presbyterian minister, Dr. Harold Ockenga, a new movement was formed. Those who led this movement felt that the Fundamentalists failed to add a “social philosophy” with the message of salvation. They also accused Fundamentalists of delving too much into personalities that embraced error. These “New Evangelicals,” as they called themselves, approached modern issues from the perspective that scientific questions such as the “Flood,” the age of the earth, and creation should be left to the intellectuals (This, in essence, was an attack on the intellect of Fundamentalist leaders). Most significantly, however, was the contention that Christians should not separate from apostasy (as the Bible teaches), but rather, true Christians should infiltrate apostate churches and organizations to attempt conversion. The New Evangelicals formed their own seminary to promote their ideas, and the graduates of Fuller Theological Seminary are now the leaders in the “New Paradigm Church.”
The establishment of the New Evangelical philosophy was promoted on a global level by its first “poster-child,” Dr. Billy Graham, and the movement that began as a ripple within true Christianity began to slowly swell to the tidal wave it has become today. The movement today is led by the heir-apparent to Dr. Graham, Fuller Seminary graduate, Dr. Rick Warren. Dr. Warren himself stated that he is leading a “New Reformation” with his outcome-based approach to ministry, and he is absolutely correct. However, what he does not tell you is that this “New Reformation” began in 1948 when Harold Ockenga, Charles Fuller, and others who formed the National Association of Evangelicals conceived the “New Evangelical” philosophy in order to reform Fundamentalism.
BACK TO THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
At this point, one may ask, “So how does Rick Warren, the NAE, Billy Graham, and Replacement Theology correlate to globalism, “heaven on earth,” or building an interdependent human community?” That is an excellent question, and it deserves a good answer. The answer lies in the identification of the individual that served as the conduit between the promoters of a utopian society and the Evangelical Church—one Peter Drucker.
DRUCKER, SYSTEMS THEORY, & UTOPIA
Peter Drucker, the infamous business management guru who passed away in November of 2005, became very popular in Evangelical circles in the 1990s. Drucker’s claim to fame was staked to the rebuilding of the post-World War II Japanese economy; and his management system, Management by Objective, is an outcome-based system that emphasizes a syllogistic process to achieve a pre-determined outcome.
Peter Drucker’s interface with the Church came primarily from the efforts of Texas TV magnet, Bob Buford. Buford, the author of the best-selling book, Halftime, was president of the Peter Drucker Foundation, an organization that later became The Leadership Network. Through these organizations, Buford and Drucker worked with large mega-churches (including Saddleback Community Church and Rick Warren) to develop organizational structures to insure further growth and stability.
Drucker’s interest in these projects was very significant, as he spent the last half of his life working with churches and other nonprofit organizations to develop what he called “community” in order to “save society from despair.” (20) His concept of “community” is based on the complete collaboration of what he called the “the three pillars of society”—the State, the Corporation, and Non-profits. It would be, according to Drucker, the bonding of these three “pillars” that a world “community” could reasonably be formed. He called this model the “3-Legged Stool,” with the three pillars supporting the top of the concept—“Community.” According to Christianity Today, Drucker saw this “community” as did John Dewey: “a new form of society struggling to get out of its chrysalis.” Drucker, however, conceived this new societal breakout “with churches and nonprofits leading the way.” (21)
This model for world community is nothing new. It is the basic “systems approach” of the “new world order” that has been long parroted by occult and globalist sources for more than a century. In his 1973 book, With No Apologies, Barry Goldwater conveyed that the blatantly globalist Trilateral Commission sought to build their “heaven on earth” by seizing the “4 Corners of Power”—Political, Economic, Religious, and Educational. (22) By combining The Trilateralist “Educational” and “Religious” subsystems into “Non-profits,” one sees the identical structure as illustrated by Drucker’s “3-legged stool.” Even as early as the 19th Century, the infamous occultist, Alexandre Saint Yves d'Alveydre, spoke of the control of the “3 pillars of society:” religious, financial, and political to advance his theories of Synarchy, government by secret societies. (23) The pillars of St. Yves are the same as those of Drucker when you include religion as the dominant component of Drucker’s “Non-profits,” and they both equate to the plan of the Trilateral Commission.
Thus, no one should be too surprised that Drucker spent the last half of his life working to bring the non-profit leg into the fold—for until the 1970s, the growth of Christian Fundamentalism posed the greatest threat on earth to Drucker’s utopian community. For with the rapid growth of evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity in the US (as late as the early 1970s, Independent Baptist churches were the fastest growing churches in the world), utopian systems planners were tasked with the necessity of amalgamating this growing segment of society into the “system” because it had grown to large to be controlled any longer outside of the system. In a nutshell, the Bible-believing Christian Fundamentalists and Evangelical Christians were standing in the middle of the “yellow brick road,” Bible in hand, and blocking the route to Oz. Someone then needed to step forward and develop a plan to turn these rebels into allies that would joyously join Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion in skipping hand-in-hand down the “yellow brick road” to the fair utopia of Oz. The question was then, simply stated: “How could this be accomplished?”
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the Modernist denominations, though they were an integral part of the “system,” were in rapid decline. The “New Evangelicals” led by the NAE and their poster child, Dr. Billy Graham, had little or no influence on those in the swelling Fundamentalist camp. As a matter of fact, Dr. Graham and the NAE were openly scorned by the surging Independent Baptists, the American Council of Christian Churches, the International Council of Christian Churches, and other Fundamentalist groups. So how could a plan be developed to slow down and turn around these “fanatics?”
In 1973, the essence of the plan was laid out in Richard Gardner’s article in the magazine of the Council for Foreign Relations, Foreign Affairs. The article entitled “The Hard Road to World Order,” previously quoted in this chapter stated:
“In short, the ‘house of world order’ will have to be built from the bottom up rather than from the top down...an end run around national sovereignty, eroding it piece by piece, will accomplish much more than the old-fashioned frontal assault…”(24)
Though this particular quotation specifically mentioned national sovereignty as the perceived villain, the principle also applied to right wing Christian Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. In essence, such a plan would be one of infiltration and covert manipulation to first slow down and finally neutralize any resistance to a utopian globalist system by those who called themselves Bible-believing Christians. The infiltration (even if those who were the leaders were well-intentioned dupes and patsies) actually began with the philosophies of Ockenga, McGavaran, and Fuller Seminary. Its propaganda was published in Christianity Today and championed by Dr. Billy Graham. There are even some who contend that globalist covert operations were responsible for “Second Wave” of the Charismatic Movement of the late 1970s. (25) All of this was the operational process of Gardner’s proposal of “piecemeal functionalism” that would institute a “paradigm shift” in baby steps, piece-by piece, and bringing the water to such a slow boil that the frog would never know he was going to be served up like chopped liver.
By the 1990s change was in the air. The Charismatic Movement propelled the Assembles of God to replace the Fundamentalist Independent Baptists as the fastest growing churches in the world. However, the transition was not complete. Dr. Graham was getting old, and a new replacement needed to be found.
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Post by Watchman on Jul 1, 2006 16:49:20 GMT -5
40 DAYS OF PEACE, & THE GLOBAL P.E.A.C.E. PLAN Enter Dr. Rick Warren. Warren, a Fuller Seminary graduate and pastor of Saddleback Community Church, had become a close friend of Peter Drucker. He entertained Drucker in his home, and stated that he read everything Drucker had written. Drucker called Dr. Warren the “inventor of perpetual revival.” (26) With the publishing of The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose –Driven Life, Warren has become known as “America’s Pastor,” and has since become the heir apparent to the legacy of Dr. Billy Graham. His “community,” “Global Christian,” and “new paradigm” terminology echo not only the teachings of the utopian Drucker, but also occultist such as Alice Bailey and Marilyn Ferguson. Additionally, his “seeker-sensitive” approach to ministry fully incorporates the “third way” occult principle of knowledge without doctrine. (27) Much has been detailed in this manuscript of the philosophies and problems with The Purpose-Driven Life and Dr. Warren’s program of 40 Days of Community, but in the autumn of 2005, Saddleback Community Church kicked off Dr. Warren’s most ambitious program to date, 40 Days of Peace. The 40 Days of Peace program officially introduced Dr. Warren’s “P.E.A.C.E. Plan,” whereby churches all over the world would address what Warren calls the “five biggest problems” that face mankind: Spiritual Emptiness, Lack of Education, Poverty, Disease, and Lack of Effective Leadership. (28) It is not the intention of the author in this venue to present a point by point critique the P.E.A.C.E. Plan. As a matter of fact, as social programs go, this author is in agreement with and commends many of the methods and philosophies exercised within a plan that takes a new, logical, innovative approach in areas where governmental social programs have miserably failed in reducing poverty, illiteracy, and disease. (Frankly, the “leadership” issue is a completely different subject, and will be discussed at length in the next chapter.) However, from a religious perspective, there is also much of the underlying concept of this plan that is very distressing. The following is a brief analysis of these concerns: Is a program such as the P.E.A.C.E. plan really the mission of the Church? The fact of the matter is that Dr. Rick Warren is fulfilling the 1948 vision conceived by Dr. Harold Ockenga in his criticism of Fundamentalism. Dr. Ockenga felt that there should be a balance between preaching a Modernist social gospel and the strict adherence of Fundamentalists to concentrate primarily on the spiritual condition of the individual. Of the four core concepts of the “New Evangelism,” number 1 on the list is as follows: “New Evangelicals would address the social issues that Fundamentalists avoided. New Evangelicals would include with salvation a ‘social philosophy.’” (29) There is no question that the Church has lost focus of its primary mission. That mission is 2-fold: Evangelization and Edification. The Church is to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and train those individuals to live their lives in accordance to the principles of the Word of God. It is that simple. Dr. Rick Warren would agree with that statement, and would probably defend the P.E.A.C.E. Plan as a means to that end. However, there are two problems with such a contention. 1) Does the Holy Spirit of God speak to the hearts of individuals through the fulfillment of felt needs or through His Word? 2) Will the concentration of meeting felt needs make the preaching of the Word of God a secondary priority to jobs, houses, education, etc.? Now there is no question that great missionaries who won many to Christ were (or are) medical doctors, pilots, and school teachers. However, an entire program that concentrates on felt needs is more likely to end up as the ministry of Mother Teresa, who stated that in her ministry, there was no dealing with the spiritual condition of those who were Hindu or Buddhist; but rather, they concentrated on doing all they could to comfort and encourage them in their physical maladies. Also, it is not the contention of this author that Fundamentalists have always upheld the primary mission of the church. For in spite of the contentions of some high-profile Fundamentalists of the past, the mission of the Church has never been to fight Communism or promote patriotism. These issues along with others have been used as marketing methods to reach individuals; but more often than not, the marketing methods surpass the mission it seeks to accomplish. If the P.E.A.C.E. Plan would win the lost to Christ and then seek to meet the needs of those individuals, that portion of the plan would be completely biblical. However, the P.E.A.C.E. Plan as it has been presented is a cart-before-the–horse social program that emphasizes felt needs over the spiritual condition of lost souls. Will the implementation of such a plan utilizing dialectical small groups deter the saving work of the Holy Spirit? Chapter 13 of this author’s previous book, Outcome-based Religion: Purpose, Apostasy, and the New Paradigm Church dealt with the dialectical process of group dynamics that can potentially destroy the faith of those in “churches” whose foundation is based in small groups. Dr. Warren stated that the goal of the P.E.A.C.E. Plan is to build thousands of churches world-wide on the small group, metachurch plan. If this purpose-driven, outcome-based, systems-based philosophy is multiplied around the world through this P.E.A.C.E. Plan, it could be the most devastating blow to true Christianity ever witnessed. For this philosophy is a recipe for a disastrous paradigm shift away from the teachings of the cardinal doctrines of the Word of God to a new hybrid religion that may well meet the felt needs of those involved while condemning their souls for eternity. Will the execution of a global social program lead to the promotion of other globalist agendas? Unfortunately, this question has already been answered. The New York Times reported on February 8, 2006 that 86 evangelical Christian leaders decided to climb on the band wagon with radical environmentalists by joining the Evangelical Climate Initiative to fight Global Warming. Among the signers of this initiative were Rick Warren and Leith Anderson, two of the primary leaders of the Church Growth Movement. Not only does this align them with individuals such as Mikhail Gorbechev (quoted earlier in this chapter) whose religion is that of the worship of Gaia or Mother Earth, but this initiative is also funded by globalists organizations such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trust. (30) Let’s ask these “great Christian leaders” a few basic questions on biblical eschatology: Do you believe that the Millennium is a literal prophecy, and Jesus will reign over the earth? If you answer that question “yes,” how can you support an initiative whose basic premise is that man is going to destroy the earth and make it uninhabitable? Further, how can you align yourselves with those who believe that the earth is a living entity, a personification of the Mother Goddess, and use the “global environmental agenda” as an evangelization platform for a false pagan religion? What is your agenda behind joining a pagan, globalist initiative? Actually, even without receiving an answer to these questions, the die has been cast on these individuals. There must be deeper issues lurking behind the facade of outward “Christian” leadership. The essence of these issues can truly be discovered when one delves into the theology taught (or not taught) from the pulpits of the new paradigm churches. THE GLOBAL PEACE PLAN & THE KINGDOM OF GOD In the final installment of his 40 Days of Peace at Saddleback Church in November of 2005, Dr. Rick Warren gave the reasons why he and his followers are going to implement the Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan. He listed several reasons as to why they would take on such a bold plan, but his final point told the entire story. He stated this point as “The Inevitability of History.” Dr. Warren stated that while the P.E.A.C.E. Plan is a large undertaking, God has a bigger plan. God’s big plan is the Kingdom of God on earth, and the P.E.A.C.E. plan will become one more step toward fulfilling God’s ultimate goal. Now the very thesis of this chapter has been established to prove that Christians in this Age of Grace will not build the Kingdom of God on earth due to the fact that the Luciferic New World Order will be the next world kingdom. Furthermore, Bible prophecy is succinctly clear that this Kingdom of Antichrist will be based on deception. (See II Thessalonians 2) Therefore, the danger here is clearly illustrated by those “conservative Christians” who have joined hands with utopian social planners such as the late Peter Drucker to initiate this “new reformation” of “learning without doctrine.” To that end, one must realize that eschatology, the study of things to come, forms doctrines that make up a major segment of the Word of God. Bible eschatology (or prophecy) is critical to the Christian faith for three primary reasons: • A full one-third of Scripture is prophetic. • The Bible is the only sacred writing of the world’s major religions that not only dares to predict the future, but does so with 100% accuracy. • Therefore, it is by prophecy that God in His Word emphatically proves to man that He (God) alone is God. Yet, Dr. Rick Warren not only discourages the study of Bible prophecy, but in his final segment of 40 Days of Peace he declared that the study of prophecy is a waste of time. He claimed this to be the case because Matthew 24 teaches that when the Gospel of the Kingdom is preached in all the world, “the end shall come” and Jesus will set up His Kingdom. His point simply stressed to his followers that time spent studying prophecy is counter-productive when they could be out working on “Peace Programs” in their small groups. The problems with such philosophies are prolific (This subject was also briefly discussed in Chapter 2) : • Will the P.E.A.C.E. Plan aid God in getting this Gospel of the Kingdom to the entire world? • Are “we are in the business of building the Kingdom of God” as has been stated by Bob Buford, Leith Anderson (President, National Association of Evangelicals), and others? • What exactly is the Gospel of the Kingdom? • What is “the end” of which Jesus was speaking? • The Bible in the possession of this author states: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable…that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works.” (31) and does not add the disclaimer, “that is, all Scripture except for that which pertains to prophecy.” One would almost reason that Dr. Warren is concerned that his followers may learn some truth that contradicts his unscriptural position. Dear friends, Christians in this Age of Grace cannot help build the Kingdom of God on Earth by preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom or doing any other great works. Does not Dr. Warren understand that “The Gospel of the Kingdom” is not equivalent to the “Gospel of Grace?” The true Gospel preached today is the “good news” of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ by which He paid the price for mankind’s crimes against God and redeemed Adam’s lost race. Furthermore, all those who by grace through faith trust in His atoning blood through His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin will become the adopted sons of God to live with Him eternally in Heaven. This is the Gospel of Grace. On the other hand, The Gospel of the Kingdom is the “good news” that the Kingdom of God is very near, and those who repent of their sins and turn to the King of Kings will become citizens of His earthly Kingdom. John the Baptist, Jesus, and His apostles preached this gospel to the House of Israel while He was on earth. However, the Jews rejected the Gospel of the Kingdom, and it will not again be correctly preached until God once again deals with Israel during the Tribulation period—during the reign of Antichrist and the New World Order. Therefore, when Jesus spoke of the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom to the entire world before “the end,” He was making reference to the 144,000 saved Jews who will preach this gospel in the Tribulation Period---not to anyone in this Age of Grace. (32) In conclusion, that which is evidenced in the philosophies of the New Paradigm Church is the tragedy of faulty theology mixed with utopian systems concepts. In fairness, there are and have been many men of God who stand or stood in militant defense of the fundamentals of the Faith that embraced this same faulty eschatology, but these men never mixed this eschatology with occult utopian systems concepts. For when faulty eschatology marries utopian systems concepts, the new philosophies naturally and logically conceived of this union embrace the same “paradigm shift” of the occult world. This trail can only lead to two possible conclusions to the matter. Dr. Warren and the others involved are either willing participants in a sinister conspiracy, or they have been duped into championing the cause of the utopian social planners to build their illustrious “heaven on earth.” That is not to say that the intentions of most, including those of Dr. Warren himself, may not be honorable. Even Dr. Warren may rationalize the entire process by convincing himself of all those who could be saved in the process. However, in the final analysis, by following the current agenda of the Purpose-Driven, New Paradigm Church, there will be no construction of the Kingdom of God---only evangelical support and contribution to the rebuilding of the Tower of Babel. END NOTES 1. Goldwater, Barry. With No Apologies, William Morrow Publishing, 1979, p.280. 2. Revelation 13:12. 3. Revelation 8-9. 4. John 18:36. 5. Dawkins, Peter. Building Paradise, Francis Bacon Research Trust, Warwickshire, UK, 2001, p.62 6. Bailey, Alice. Externalization of the Hierarchy, Lucis Trust, New York, 1934. 7. Wells, HG. The New World Order, As quoted by Marilyn Ferguson, The Aquarian Conspiracy. 8. Dewey, John. Quotation from a speech to the American Education Fellowship, 1947. 9. Congressional Record. April 24, 1954. 10. Gardner, Richard. “The Hard Road to World Order”, Foreign Affairs, April 1974. 11. Commager, Henry Steele. “A Declaration of Interdependence”, Signed by 32 U.S. Senators and 92 Representatives. 12. Talbot, Strobe. “The Birth of the Global Nation”, Time Magazine, July 20,1992. 13. Our Global Neighborhood, the Basic Vision. United Nations Commission on Global Governance, p.46-47. 14. Gorbachev, Mikhail.“A Call for New Values”, Noetic Sciences Review, Autumn, 1995. 15. Earth Charter Benchmark Draft. www.earthcharter.org16. Our Global Neighborhood, the Basic Vision. p.9. 17. “The New Group of World Servers”. Pamphlet published by World Goodwill, Division of Lucis Trust, New York. 18. Ibid. 19. Matthew 23:27. 20. Stafford, Tim. “The Business of the Kingdom”, Christianity Today, 11/15/99. 21. Ibid, 22. Goldwater. 23. Caldwell, Joseph G. On Synarchy, www.foundationwebsite.org/ , July 27,2003. 24. Gardner. 25. This statement is based on an eyewitness account of an individual whose father, allegedly a member of an elite secret society, beginning in 1948 acted as the perpetrator and masqueraded as a Pentecostal minister in order to direct Pentecostals toward gobalist goals. This individual states that he was just one member of a team that infiltrated Pentecostalism for this purpose. This cannot be documented further than this eyewitness account, and must be construed accordingly. The individual involved was interviewed by this author in order to have first hand confirmation of this statement. 26. Stafford. 27. Ferguson, Marilyn. The Aquarian Conspiracy, J.P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles, CA., 1980, p.377. 28. Warren, Rick. 40 Days of PEACE, Audio of sermon, Saddleback Community Church, 10/-_/05. 29. Dollar, George. A History of Fundamentalism in America, Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, SC. 1973. p.204. 30. Goldstein, Laurie. “Evangelicals Join Global Warming Initiative,” New York Times, Feb. 8, 2006, www.nytimes.com. 31. II Timothy 3:16. 32. Matthew 24:14, Revelation 7:4-8.
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