Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Further Into The Deep

I am not one to chase after controversial topics, but evidently controversial topics somehow seem to find me. I've been told, in love, by friends, that I am a controversy magnet, and to a certain extent, all who are willing to stand for truth are just that.
For the past few hours I've been taking out my aggression on a squishy ball my wife bought me for my birthday, the source of which was an article a friend e-mailed to me this morning. Just when I think I've heard it all, just when I start to believe there isn't much more that could be done to twist scripture in this present age, that hope is dashed to pieces by the crushing weight of yet another masterpiece of pseudo-intellectual flatulence stinking up the spiritual aether. (If not for my blood boiling, and my heart thudding in my ears, I probably could have worded the previous sentence better.)
A new book has just hit the stores, a book that will shake the very foundation of all you believe, because it summarizes that Jesus did not come to die for our sins, He did not shed his blood that we might be redeemed, no, Christ died for mankind's negative self image. It's not the sin, it's the self-esteem friends, so you can take all those books on theology, all those writings on holiness, all the doctrine on the saving and redeeming blood of Jesus, and throw them out the window.
I usually go out of my way not to name names, but in this case I will make an exception. The book is called Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, by none other than Robert Schuller.
At first I didn't know how to react, anger and sadness were dueling for control of my heart, until they finally agreed on a truce and all I was left with was a nauseous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Just when you think it can't get any worse, the innocents are dragged further into the deep, further away from the truth and the light, further away from repentance, further away from Jesus.
Evidently for the past two thousand years, every follower of Christ has missed the boat, at least in Mr. Schuller's estimation, and both John the Baptist, and Paul, were uninspired fools since one said he was not worthy of loosing Christ's sandal strap, and the other considered himself chief among sinners. Both had such low self-esteem, such a negative self-image, that they never learned to love themselves, and always leaned on the grace and mercy they obtained through Christ, rather than on their own strengths.
So, who needs repentance, who needs the blood of Jesus to wash away their sins anymore? Just look in the mirror, crooked grin and all, and say, 'it's all me, I am overflowing with self-esteem and positivity, and I can do all things through me, since I strengthen myself.'
This is a travesty, my heart aches, and my soul is burdened, as I realize there is no limit to deception. Why bother calling ourselves Christians anymore, when all we do is spew line upon line from the New Age manual? What is a Christian absent of Christ? Exactly my point.
When men start to use the Bible only as a prop, never actually opening it reading it or believing it, the outcome is tragically predictable, a form of godliness, a purely human morality, absent the power, the presence or the glory of God.
John 15:5-6, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them up and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit."
In light of this, and other new wrinkles in the Christian world, upon my return from Ohio this weekend, I will begin posting a series of teaching entitled "The Jesus I Know", at regular intervals. I take the time, and share my heart not because I believe a lone voice such as mine will cause this nation to repent, my self-image is not that inflated, but rather that it be a witness and a testimony against the prevalent deception in the church one day, as we all stand before the throne of judgment, to receive our just recompense. May you continually walk in the light, and keep yourselves from the shadows, for hungry and merciless doctrines lurk there, awaiting their next victim.

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing that we will see more Senate probes, TV evangelists denying Jesus as Messiah, and books dismissing man's sin nature.

You're going to need more squishy balls.....and a bigger thesaurus. :o)

God Bless,
Jeff

Anonymous said...

Dear Brother Michael,
In 2003 the Lord in His mercy showed both my husband and myself that we had been walking in deception and idolatry. Most of my 30+ years were walked out in such a state. We
having, by God's awesome mercy and grace, had the veil torn away and our eyes opened and having fully repented, we watch fervently over our souls before allowing any false doctrine into our hearts, where it might take root. Our salvation depends upon it and we treat it as such.
We can count on one hand the men whom God has showed us thus far that we can, I am sure there are more out there, we just don't know of them yet.
You are one of them.
Still, even knowing that you are one of God's elect, we compare what you teach with the Word. Never again do I want to find myself walking in darkness because I neglected to search out the Word myself or listen to the Holy Spirit.
As the years, months and days pass, God will continue to seperate the sheep from the goats and the difference between the two will become clearer. I grieve for those who will not listen to sound doctrine because believing the lie is more conveinent or satisfing to the flesh. We must continually pray and ask Father to give up a true love for HIS truth. 2Th2:10 speaks of those who perish do so because they love not the truth that will save them.
I thank you for your walk before the Lord, because I know that you have long realized that those who are called to teach will be judged more harshly, and knowing this you speak the Word in love and with the fear of the Lord.
Thank you for watching over those of us that the Lord leads to your door ( or blog) and feeding us the pure Word, not some feel good doctrine that will send us straight to hell. May the Lord continue to bless you and strengthen you and give you wisdom and knowledge of Him and His Word, as well as continued boldness.

Rachele

Michael Boldea Jr. said...

Hey Jeff,
Never did figure out what the plural of thesaurus was. Thesauri, thesauruses,are for people who didn't pay attention in English class. That was funny though, you should have been a comedian..Oh wait..nevermind.
Levity is good my friend, it keeps you sane. God bless, and thanks for the laugh.
Mike

Anonymous said...

"What is a Christian absent of Christ?" Just like Xmas; it becomes Xtian. :-(

Michael Boldea Jr. said...

Dear Rachelle,
I have no words. Thank you, I am humbled.

Anonymous said...

Yes. Everyone should visit
http://www.rethinkconference.com
to see the incredible list of people who apparently have no qualms about being associated with Robert Schuller - who has been thoroughly New Age for as long as I can remember.

Michael, your previous post about the blanket and our unfathomable value to God is the answer to this self-esteem craze. Thank you for that message - I needed it.

Anonymous said...

Praise Jesus!!

i will be looking forward to your articles!! Let me assure you brother Michael you are not alone. There are others who believe and speak like you. Oh, how i wish there were more.

bro rich

Anonymous said...

I relate to your testimony, Rachele. Michael, I once attended a church where the pastor preached that a person who couldn't get victory over their anger and aggression was suffering from low self-esteem!!! I said "I think they are struggling with sin". Yes, I said that three letter word!!!

Anonymous said...

Amen brother......I'll be here all week. :o)
God Bless,
Jeff

P.S. My wife yells at the TV also; especially when the Colts are loosing. I think we need to hide the remotes. She doesn't speak Romanglish, but she does speak in tongues when they fumble the ball. More levity. :o)

deannaslater said...

Micheal I wanted to burn this guy at the stake two years ago when I seen him being interviewed with his Father on Larry King Live, they are both so pathetically deceived by the enemy and its the enemy I hate with a passion, he has so easily been given access to a very large following , so wide is the road and narrow is the way to destruction, and it will be those will that say but Lord I did this in your name and that in your name, lets truly Pray that they see there error and repent,that the truth of the Holy Spirit will bring them deliverance, its our duty as Christian walking in the light, when you see your brother in sin pray for him, I am a sinner also saved by grace, lets make a stand against the one who has come to kill steal and destroy every soul that seeks the truth, I will be interceding that this book will not sell!!! as a matter of fact right now with all of you who will stand in agreement with me I raise up a standard against the enemy and call this book totally invisible, unavailable to every human being, let it be noted in heaven, that we wiped away this book by faith from all the bookshelves of the world,In Jesus Name. Amen

Anonymous said...

Greetings and blessings Michael, thank you for this forum and your postings. Chip Brogden has a good article on his site called the gift of Holy hatred. Here is a clip from it - But holy hatred is as much of a gift as holy love. Until and unless we have a holy hatred of ignorance then we will always be deceived. Until and unless we have a holy hatred of sin then we will always be in bondage to it. Until and unless we have a holy hatred of hypocrisy then we will never be genuine. Until and unless we have a holy hatred of our own way then we will never surrender our way over to God. Until and unless we have a holy hatred for evil then we will never overcome it with good. In your life you will always love something and hate something else. The question is whether or not you will love what God loves and hate what God hates, or whether you will love what God hates and hate what God loves.
Blessings to you all

Pam said...

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus turn your children's eyes away from this book...Further more we curse this work may it dry up and wither on it's vine never to yield any fruit, instead turn those that would hold it in their hands to truth..Open their eyes to know you.

amen

Pam
worshipwords.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael,

I did a search on Mr.Schuller, and found some quotes from him. Of which perhaps it would not be wise of me to post here lest you utterly destroy the squishy ball your wife bought you for your birthday.


This so called Christian self help stuff is an abominationm its all about me me me.

God Bless You Michael,

Kevin P

kprz1337@aol.com

Ruthabi said...

It is a welcome wind of truth that blows into Canada.The Lord is good.Continue on in the very ones blood that was spilt for us,Jesus.MY husband and I have recently left a fellowship that was falling into ' the new way '.It is very good to see different ones following the way of the cross.Blessings Michael keep standing strong

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael, I have followed your teaching for a couple of years now, and am truly grateful for it. Many times I feel as you described in this entry, but also a feeling of panic. I live in a small European country, attend a tiny struggling church, and see the gradual watering down of the gospel, so that even the pastors are decieved. I feel quite helpless as I'm only a woman. I do my best, (I believe I have a teaching gift)but struggle with responses to it that I'm too judgemental, and that I concentrate too much on the message of the Cross. I can also feel the effect of the 'self image' 'doctrine'. 2 days ago i presented the Gospel to an abused lady,(she asked me to!) who though she'd been in the church a while, had never heard it! She was not happy to hear it and her struggle was evident. Her response was along the lines of Schuller and that she considered herself a Christian 'in her way', yet she couldn't understand where Jesus came into the picture. New Age thought permeates the society and church here. I have a question for you. I know you do not name names, but because our church is so small, our pastor (who is worn out)is thinking of doing the 40 days programme (Purpose Driven). I am very uneasy, having read it. He says it's ideal for attracting non Christians. I think it's exactly the most dangerous for them, fishing under false pretences and giving them false security.What do you think? Our church is in danger of closing. There is no strong leadership yet my husband and I feel it is not time to leave. He has only recently 'come alive ' in his faith, for which I praise God constantly. It's been hard being alone. I'm so afraid that I'm not loving enough, and also struggle with my role as a woman. Yet noone else seems aware of what's happening.
I'm not sure how to do this, habve never written like this before. Hope you get this message. yours sincerely...
Yours sincerely

Elm Street Chapel said...

Jeff,
Good one I almost spit out my coffee! Or should I say:Jamocha, cafe, cafe noir, cappuccino, decaf, demitasse, dishwater, espresso, ink*, java*, mocha*, mud*, perk*?

Rachelle,
Rarely have I read a more sincere, heart touching response. I too am humble.

Michael,
I had a squishy ball once. You know they can break, mine did, white powder everywhere. I think I was watching The Anti-Christ show, starring Robert Schuller. It's filmed in a mountain of glass. With an indoor water fall. Or it was, years and years, and years ago. He was always so hokey I couldn't even listen to him. I think back then Schuller himself was deceived (as he would occasionally mention God in a good light), but I'm glad he came out. It is so much easier to tell what team you’re on when you state what you actually believe. It is absolutely unbelievable what can be swallowed if you want to.

I wish that there would have been a mini-cam recording of Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal.
1 Kings 18:26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
It would have made one of the funniest videos of all time. I do believe that our Father himself saw the humor, He is chuckling at Schuller even now, but that’s no so good.
L,J,P&HG
Dave

Elm Street Chapel said...

Michael,

The consistency of what the Spirit of God is saying and revealing to His servants day after day never ceases to amaze me. We truly do serve a perfect God who is in control (regardless of what the majority of the population says or thinks).

As a confirmation to what you wrote regarding the branches being cut off and burned, the Lord showed us this at church this past Sunday.

The Lord asked "What good is a tree if it has no leaves (fruit) and its branches are cut off?" The answer the Lord gave was "Only to be burned."

May God give us the confidence to do all that He has asked of us, that we would indeed bare good fruit and that our lives we be holy and acceptable unto our Lord. May we pray for the wisdom and understanding that is needed to carry out all that He requires of us.

By the way...it is thesauri or thesauruses, so you are doubly correct. Or would that be correct twice?

God bless,
Ryan

Mary said...

brother Mike, Coming from generations of Lutheran church-goers, I know that Oct. 31, 2007 marked the 490th anniv. of the Great Reformation started by Martin Luther. It was on Oct. 31, 1517 that he nailed his 95 thesis to the church door at Wittenburg. I'd been alerted by the Holy Spirit to watch the marking of this significant 490 year Biblical cycle, and what ensues in the Body of Christ. Perhaps this book coming out at this time on a "new" reformation actually has somewhat of a silver lining hidden in it. Satan is a counterfeit, and could it be that we should watch more closely at what God is doing in reforming His TRUE church? Just a thought. Blessings, Mary

Anonymous said...

Hi Michael and fellow believers (all my family now): It's really sad. I think we are at the point where "even the elect" are getting deceived and corrupted. All this talk of becoming better and feeling better about yourself is so unbiblical for God did not call us to feel comfortable in our sin or become better at it (for the bible says the heart of man is exceedingly wicked). Man outside of Christ can not produce good and good is not self esteem in God's eyes its holiness for only God is good. Yap the separation is now becoming evident. The sheep's clothing is wearing out to reveal the wolves but only to those who are watching and praying. On a more exciting note, I believe in similar manner, we will begin to see the true brothers and sisters and walk in the power of the Lords might. The line has been drawn. Let's examine our hearts and beliefs to see where we lie, whom we truly believe in.

Joyce

HisLoveAbides said...

Shalom and Love to all in the Messiah.

One follower of Messiah wrote that: We need not marvel at any developments of horror.

Very soon Michael we will see YHWH rise up in Judgment. He will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.

A Terrible woe is upon the rebellious false shepherds. With a heart filled with infinite Love and Justice our Messiah spoke.......<"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.">

Every character must be fully developed. Every true sentiment of the heart must be revealed.

The Searcher and Discerner of all hearts; in Infinite Wisdom, is allowing the fruit of sin to come to maturity. He is gone on a long journey.Remember!And every man is left to do what is right in his own eyes. If he slays the crooked shepherd while he is delivering his wicked sermon from the pit of hell, then the listeners with itching ears will become very afraid and will not want to do what is in the evil heart because Elohim might visit him with swift justice;(right result; wrong reason) Remember Achan! and thus time in this sin cursed earth is lengthened. Be it far from any of us to delay His coming but to hasten it.

And thus the words of our Messiah.....<"Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.">

Shalom and Love in Yeshua Ha'Mashiach

Anonymous said...

Mary,
When you mentioned the 490 year period it reminded me of something I heard in one of Chuck Missler's courses; Learn the Bible in 24 hours (http://www.khouse.org). The title referred to 24 one hour segments that gave an overview of the Bible.

Matthew 18:21,22 says; “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

Chuck noticed that God dealt with the Jewish people in 4 - 490 year periods minus those years that Israel was in rebellion or in servitude.

1. Abraham to the Exodus
Promise (Gen 12:4) -75 years
Gal. 3:17 – 430 years
75 + 430 = 505
rebellion: Ishmael, (Gen 16:16;21:5) – 15 years

505 - 15 = 490 years

2. Exodus to the Temple
Begun: 1 Ki. 6 – 8 – 594 years
Completed: 1 Ki 6:38; - 7 years

594 + 7 = 601 years

Servitudes mentioned in Judges
Mesopotamia 3:8 – 8 years
Moabites 3:12-14 – 18 years
Canaanites 4:2,3 – 20 years
Midianites 6:1 – 7 years
Ammonites 10:7,8 – 18 years
Philistines 13:1 – 40 years

8 + 18 + 20 + 7 + 18 + 40 = 111

601 - 111 = 490 years

3. The Temple to the Edict of Artaxerxes
1 Ki 8:1-66 1005 B.C.
Neh. 2:1 445 B.C.
560 years
Babylonian Captivity – 70 years

560 - 70 = 490 years

4. Artaxerxes to the Second Coming
Artaxerxes to the 1st Advent
"The Sixty-Nine Weeks" – 483 years
[Church interval] ?
The Seventieth Week" 7 years

483 + 7 = 490 years


I tend to believe that the last 7 years mentioned in Daniel is split. Christ had a 3 ½ year ministry on the earth and then the sacrifices and oblations ceased; and the last 3 ½ years will be the Great Tribulation. Either way it still comes to 490 years for this last segment.

It's also interesting to note that the Jamestown settlement began in 1607 – 400 years ago. Like the Jews say: “Coincidence is not a kosher word.” Here we are at 400 years from the first settlement and 490 years from the start of the protestant reformation. Hmm....certainly makes you stand up and take notice.

God Bless,
Jeff

Anonymous said...

The New age sickens me. The Holy Spirit kept asking me " what about the Blood of Jesus " when I was reading Edgar Cayce years ago.
God knows our hearts and the ones who want to be decieved will be, becaues God will send them strong delusion.

Anonymous said...

The book that you mentioned, "Self-Esteem:The New Reformation" came out in 1982 according to what is listed on Amazon.com, so this heresy of Schuller's has been out there for a long time. But he's so NICE, and so POSITIVELY POSITIVE---what's not to like?? (I'm being facetious, okay.) He also has a book called "The Be Happy Attitudes" (instead of the Beattitudes, get it?!).

This still does not top the one about "No Bic Pens Allowed." That is the most outrageous embodiment of false prophet nonsense I have seen to this day.

Save your energy, Michael, there are too many "Church clowns" to keep up with and get outraged over.