Coming Out Of The Closet
Since this very well could be the end times because of the signs its interesting to see so many in Christianity coming out of the closet concerning Harry Potter and the new age spirituality.
Ive noticed because of popular trends in the culture (which many undiscerning Christian seem to follow) pastors and leaders don't even hide the fact they want to popularize something God forbids and condemns in His Word.
Popular trends in the culture can make a lot of money for the big church machines man has created.
Are we saving souls and leading others to the Lord?
My Bible states in the end times there will be a great falling away.
Not great revival.
"Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being assembled to meet him ... Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion [in the original greek: apostasy - 'great falling away'] comes first, and the lawless [one] is revealed, the son of perdition..." 2Thess 2:1,3
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils..." 1Timothy 4:1
I do believe that is what is happening here right now. You will either believe these verses or not.
Its your choice.
On the Harry Potter topic I really don't see what Christians don't get.
The Harry Potter books specifically are about children going to a school to learn witchcraft.
So children who love Harry naturally want to imitate what Harry does.
Which is learn and hone skills using witchcraft.
Does God's Word in any verse, way, shape or form allow or promote witchcraft?
Does Gods Word state that witchcraft is ok if its used for good or moral purposes?
This is a very black and white issue.
Lets look at some James Emery White comments from his blog at Crosswalk.com.
"My reading list, of course, is not meant to endorse the content of the books, but to recommend the importance of reading the books." end quote-
link-http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/JWhite/11548000/
To me this is double speak which is a popular trend among many pastor's today.
I don't need to watch a porno book or watch a porno movie to know its bad for you.
I don't need to read Harry Potter to be able to speak to the public about witchcraft.
Yes I suppose we could find something moral in about anything the end justifies the means.
If your marriage is on the rocks and your sex life is on the fritz why not get your wife to buy some Fredrick's of Hollywood clothing or watch a adult movie. (Folks this is being promoted in the Christian community).
I'm sorry but if you cant see the beauty in your wife without dressing her up like a tramp I really feel for you.
But prayer can solve this issue not Fredrick's of Hollywood.
The same goes for Harry Potter.
One commenter compared James Emery Whites approach similar to that of Paul's approach to the Athenians.
I don't think this is a viable comparison.
You can be aware of whats going on in your culture without having to be immersed in it by literature and ritual practice.
Do I have to actually have to perform a spell (or attempt it) to witness to a wiccan and let them know the danger of this practice?
Of course not I just turn to Gods Word and show them where it is wrong.
Of course even though they will probably not to relate to Gods Word I can show them in Gods Word where Jesus died on the cross for them and wants to deliver them and spend eternity in heaven with them..
I don't have to read Harry Potter to be able to relate to them.
Now you have a choice.
Folks like Ken Copeland and Benny Hinn have been exposed time and time again but people still send them money.
You have a choice and will be held accountable for your choices.
Not by me but by God Himself.
Of course one day James Emery White and Rick Warren will have to give account directly to Jesus for all their actions and things they promoted.
So will I.
Many of the leaders and pastors in this new form of Christianity are no longer even trying to hide what they promote.
You cannot state you hold firm to the core doctrines of Christianity and then turn around and promote the occult and new age.
That makes a person double minded.
James 1:8 "A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
Meaning a person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can't make up his mind about anything.
Can we even be sure these new brand of preachers believe in the core doctrines of the Bible?
Time will tell.
Again many of these leaders are coming out of the closet.
Tim Wirth
posted by Tim Wirth | 10:25 AM
3 Comments:
Sorry, but your words here actually go to show how much you SHOULD read Harry Potter, at least if you're going to talk about the books. You apparently seek to be an effective commentator on society, but then make a fool of yourself by your displayed ignorance.
Everyone who seeks to be a cultural voice should know what they are talking about (regardless of topic) before spouting off about it. This is why we SHOULD read atheist books, study homosexual's reasonings, know the claims of Islam, and be familiar with the current culture.
If you're going to speak to people about something, you need to know about that something. That doesn't mean you have to watch porn, but it does mean you have to study about porn, its effects, and production if you're going to speak about porn on anything more than a surface level. You don't have to be an ex-drug addict to speak deeply about the harm of drugs, but you had better know what you're talking about if you want to be taken seriously.
What is witchcraft today? How do you speak to a Wiccan? What does a Wiccan believe? What does a real spell involve? What sort of things can a spell do?
All these things are something you're going to have to find out if you want to be able to publicly engage witchcraft. Yes, you already know witchcraft is wrong, but that's not enough if you seek to publicly engage witches.
Yes, you already know Harry Potter deals with learning "witchcraft", but if you intend to speak to someone about exactly HOW Harry Potter teaches harmful things, you'll need to have actually read Harry Potter. You display an ignorance of both witchcraft and HP when you speak of them, and you will ruin your witness to people because you sound like an idiot.
If you ever actually studied witchcraft or HP, you would know that the two have only the vaguest of connections. They both "cast spells" and that is it. You obviously know nothing about what real witchcraft is if you think Harry Potter has much of anything to do with real witchcraft.
I was saved from witchcraft. I had a demonic familiar who taught me spells. I cast them, and they were effective. I levitated at times and could levitate objects at times. I've participated in raising the dead. (it was actually a demon animating a dead person's body)
That was to give you an assurance of my authority on the subject when I say that claiming Harry Potter promotes witchcraft is like saying watching Bugs Bunny cartoons promotes dropping anvils on people.
You've managed to discredit your witness to people by being ignorant of what you speak.
I've said this in hopes that you will either stop smearing the witness of other Christians who are engaging the world's culture, or would make your own witness strong by learning about what you speak.
Gage M.
Just for the record I have an ex sister in law who is wiccan and there are many covens around here and in Ohio.
As for speaking to a wiccan.
Well it would probably be best to know if the wiccan was Gardenian or follow some other form.
I do know that Harry Potter does not teach witchcraft as a religion.
Does that make dabbling in it any less harmful?
I know quite a bit about witchcraft so Im not quite a total idiot.
I also know that wiccans have many different followings and it also varies from East Coast to West Coast.
So if I dont know how to engage that individuals belief's (which are widely varied) are you saying I need to know about all the quirks to be able to share Jesus with them?
Who is really ignorant here?
Do I need to know all about Folk Magic in order to wittness to a wiccan or someone who practices the occult?
I'm not interested in engaging the culture on their terms but sharing Jesus with a lost and dying world and sharing information about the end times with Christians.
But hey thanks for your kind comments
Peace
Tim
PS Gage- I guess Im really amazed that someone who was supposably delivered out of witchcraft would endorse or recomend reading Harry Potter for any reason.
I guess that is really sad.
What about your witness?
Tim
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