Church History

Episode 243

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Disciple Up # 243
Deconstructing Christianity – Nothing New
By Louie Marsh, 1-26-2022

Websites Used:

https://medium.com/backyard-theology/how-to-deconstruct-christianity-5a5bc498c86d

https://www.lffellowship.com/blog/2019/8/7/on-christian-deconstruction

https://churchleaders.com/news/413880-lecrae-deconstruction-isnt-a-bad-thing-if-it-leads-to-reconstruction.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_the_historical_Jesus

Introduction to this:

  • I heard about this so-called “deconstruction” movement just recently. I hadn’t known it was a big thing now days.
  • However, being old and having studied church history, both of which most deconstructionists can’t claim for themselves, I immediately recognized what was going on here.

A Little History:

 The idea of deconstructing your faith is anything but new. It’s been going on for centuries and has come in several waves. What we are seeing today is just the latest version of this.

Deconstructing the Deconstructionists:

https://medium.com/backyard-theology/how-to-deconstruct-christianity-5a5bc498c86d

The author is a self-described medium. That means he seeks to allow spirits to speak through him. Supposedly contacts the dead, etc.

What does the Bible say about mediums?  “31“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:31, ESV)

“19And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19, ESV)

“20idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:20–21, ESV)

“8But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”” (Revelation 21:8, ESV)

Keep this in mind as we go through this article.

Of course there are different Jesus’s running around the landscape. There always have been and always will be till the real one comes back again.

“3But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.” (2 Corinthians 11:3–4, ESV)

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Episode 241

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Disciple Up #241 Show Notes
The Non-Pagan Roots of Christmas
By Louie Marsh, 12-19-2018 (12-15-2021)

I’m re-presenting this episode for the following reasons. 1) It’s Christmas time! 2) Most people still cling to the wrong and disproved idea that Christmas is based on a pagan holiday. 3) I’m tired and want a break! Hope you enjoy! – Louie

Christmas wasn’t “borrowed” from a pagan holiday at all!

https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10-012-v

Gandhi Statue Torn Down

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/14/racist-gandhi-statue-removed-from-university-of-ghana

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Episode 238

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Disciple Up # 238
Future Church: Mega/Micro?
By Louie Marsh, 11-24-2021

Articles I’m pulling from:

https://churchleaders.com/news/410603-why-the-minichurch-is-the-latest-trend-in-american-religion.html

https://careynieuwhof.com/10-predictions-about-the-future-church-and-shifting-attendance-patterns/

https://www.rookiepreacher.com/future-church-10-predictions-for-the-next-10-years/

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Episode 228

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Disciple Up # 228
7 Letters For 7 Churches, Pt. 2
By Louie Marsh

Intro. Last week we did the first three and I shared a nice graph on the letters in the show notes. This week we’ll be finishing off the last four.

Next week – I might be focusing on what I preached on September 12th – Gender with a special focus on the end of the message which dealt with why we are thinking the way we are in this culture/

Gender & Sanity:

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/christschurchontheriver/02_reThink_-_Gender__Sanity.mp3

Last Four Letters:

 Website where I got what’s below from: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/end-times/what-do-the-7-churches-in-revelation-represent-summaries-and-explanations.html

  1. Thyatira. The Church that Follows False Prophets (Revelation 2:18-29)

Summary and Explanation: Thyatira was a wealthy commercial city. Jesus’ letter to Thyatira praises the church for having grown in faith and service (Revelation 2:19). The church’s downfall was its devotion to a false prophet that led some members to commit idolatry and immorality (Revelation 2:20). Although the false prophet remained unrepentant, Jesus affirms that the congregation can still repent by turning away from the prophet’s ways (Revelation 2:21-22).

The Lord reminds us in this revelation that He will repay each of us according to our deeds (Revelation 2:23). The payment for sin is death. Those who persevere in faith, however, will receive a share of Christ’s messianic authority over all nations and triumph over death (Revelation 2:26-28).

Significance Today: Just as some in Thyatira’s church were led astray by a false prophet, Christians today fall prey to cult leaders, occult practices, and other false teachings. To share in Christ’s victory, we are to avoid these “so-called deep secrets” of Satan (Revelation 2:24) and hold firm to Christ’s teachings.

  1. Sardis. The Church that is Spiritually Dead (Revelation 3:1-6)

Summary and Explanation: Sardis was a city that had endured two surprise attacks despite its fortifications. Our Lord faults the church in Sardis for maintaining an outward appearance of being “alive,” while actually being spiritually dead (Revelation 3:1). Alluding to the city’s history of prior surprise attacks, Jesus warns the congregation to “wake up” and repent, lest he “come like a thief” to bestow His judgment (Revelation 3:2-3).

Those in Sardis who heed Christ’s warning will be “dressed in white,” a symbol of purity and victory, and will be acknowledged in Heaven’s Book of Life (Revelation 3:5).

Significance Today: Today, Christians can fall into the trap that ensnared the church in Sardis if we merely go through the motions of practicing our faith without really feeding our spirit. We can avoid becoming “the living dead” by engaging in our faith through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.

  1. Philadelphia. The Church that Patiently Endured Despite Weaknesses (Revelation 3:7-13)

Summary and Explanation: Philadelphia was home to a synagogue community hostile to Christians. Christ praises the Philadelphians for remaining faithful in the face of trials despite their limited strength (Rev. 3:8).

Jesus does not reproach this congregation but condemns its persecutors. (Revelation 3:9). Christ promises that if Philadelphia’s congregants remain faithful to Him, He will protect them from the “hour of trial” and make them pillars in God’s heavenly temple (Revelation 3:10-12).

Significance Today: The message to Philadelphia shows us the blessings that come when we maintain our faith despite life’s tribulations. In fact, those who persevere despite weaknesses will stand strong as pillars in Heaven.

  1. Laodicea. The Church with a Lukewarm Faith (Revelation 3:14-22)

Summary and Explanation: Laodicea was a prosperous industrial and commercial center. Jesus’ letter to this church wastes no time denouncing the congregation for its lukewarm faith, threatening to “spit” the congregation out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16).

Christ scolds this church for allowing its economic prosperity to cause it spiritual bankruptcy and reveals that, despite its economic wealth, only He can provide spiritual wealth (Revelation 3:17-18). Those in Laodicea’s church who open the door to Christ will share in His Heavenly banquet and have the right to sit with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:20-21).

Significance Today: Like the church in Laodicea, it’s easy to become complacent in our faith during times of abundance. Christ warns us in this revelation that he will “spit out” lukewarm disciples. Instead, Jesus urges us to keep seeking the Lord’s face even after His hand has bestowed riches in our lives.

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Episode 227

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Disciple Up # 227
7 Letters to 7 Churches
By Louie Marsh, 9-8-2021

This is just about the only part of Revelation I will teach on. I’m not quite as bad as Martin Luther about this though.

He put both Revelation and the book of James into the appendix of his New Testament translation into German. He called the book of James, “a right strawy epistle.” And of Revelation he said that “Apostles ought not to write like that.”

I love the book of James and would not presume to tell an Apostle how to write. However, most of the book does leave me pretty cold. But not these 7 little letters.

False view of them as ages of church history. This was around when Luther lived because he accepted it, at least in part. When it really began, I don’t know.

Episode 216

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Disciple Up # 216
The State of the American Church & Me!
By Louie Marsh, 6-23-2021

“1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2“ ‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’” (Revelation 2:1–7, ESV)

I listened to a podcast today on Christianity Today website called, The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill, you can click the link below to check it out and can subscribe to this podcast on all the usual places.

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/who-killed-mars-hill-church-mark-driscoll-rise-fall.html

Necessity of judging (check out my sermon on Judging Like Jesus Judged if that bothers you: http://riverchurchparker.com/sermons/08-the-gospel-of-john-1-7-judge-like-jesus-judges/ ) our spiritual state.

  • My own growth and health
  • My family’s (if I have one)
  • My small group or ministry (if I have one)
  • My church’s health.

“1“Judge not, that you be not judged. 2For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. 6“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matthew 7:1–6, ESV)

“12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” (1 Peter 4:12–19, ESV)

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104

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Disciple Up #104
Is Easter Pagan?
By Louie Marsh, 4-17-2019

Webpages sited in the podcast:

https://christandpopculture.com/no-easter-isnt-pagan-either-a-very-d-list-saints-holiday-sequel-the-gritty-reboot/

 

https://jerome23.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/eostre-never-existed-why-easter-is-not-a-pagan-holiday/

http://www.koshabq.org/2012/03/09/celebrating-eostre/

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87

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Disciple Up #87 Show Notes

The Non-Pagan Roots of Christmas

By Louie Marsh, 12-19-2018

Everyday in the Spirit 

Christmas wasn’t “borrowed” from a pagan holiday at all!

https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10-012-v

Gandhi Statue Torn Down

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/14/racist-gandhi-statue-removed-from-university-of-ghana

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Episode 81

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Disciple Up #81
What has Political Involvement Done to the Church?
By Louie Marsh, 11-7-2018

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berrigan_Brothers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_Majority

The involvement in politics by the church as the church – ie as a group representing Jesus and His Gospel; has done near irreparable damage to both the church and the Gospel.

See this in non-Christians identifying Christians as people who are AGAINST – gays, abortion, porn, etc. We are known by what we are against and not what we are for. This is a disaster for any group or organization.

We are seen as hypocritical moral crusaders and this view has tarred nearly the entire church.

Specifically I believe our involvement has done several bad things to us.

  • Spurred the growth of Moralism – which is the enemy of the Gospel and one of the largest idols in the human heart.
  • Gotten us off course from preaching the Gospel and building the kingdom to trying to be saviors of our culture and country. This is not what the church is called to do and be in the New Testament.
  • Watered down the Gospel by our uniting with other religious groups who distort or deny the Gospel but agree with us on certain moral issues.

Imagine what the hundreds of million of dollars Christians gave to political causes could have done in the Kingdom if we had been wise enough to use them there.

Instead we’ve distorted Jesus and His Gospel and church and all for what?

FAILURE.

 The “Christian Right” has failed.

Example – what were the two big issues when all this started back in 1979 – Prayer in Public Schools and Abortion on demand. Both are still here.

In the meantime the Christian right fought homosexual rights and now we have homosexual marriage via the Supreme Court. Another sterling defeat by the so called Christian movement.

Politics is down stream from culture.

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Episode 73

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Disciple Up # 73
Watchman Nee & Sit, Walk, Stand
By Louie Marsh, 9-12-2018

His Life:

Biographies:

Watchman Nee, Suffer for China – https://goo.gl/RcwG8v

Against the Tide, the Story of Watchman Nee – https://goo.gl/uX2v2B

Avoid anything written by Witness Lee – disciple of Watchman Nee who went off the deep end and found the Local Church cult.

Recommended Watchman Nee Books:

Sit, Walk Stand – https://goo.gl/icbDw8

The Normal Christian Life – https://goo.gl/YGMHwZ

What Shall This Man Do? https://goo.gl/cNsBKB

Changed Into His Likeness https://goo.gl/hzkksa

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