Seeking Jesus? Don't seek him here: IHOP Onething

[Travis]

Here is the Main line up listed at on their website for Onething 2015, a "Christian" conference directed toward young adults:

Mike Bickle

• Director, International House of Prayer

Mike Bickle is the director of the International House of Prayer, an evangelical missions organization based on 24/7 prayer with worship. He is also the founder of International House of Prayer University, which includes full-time ministry, music, media, and missions schools.

Reinhard Bonnke

• International Evangelist, Christ for all Nations

Reinhard Bonnke is known as one of the most powerful evangelists of all time. Hundreds of thousands of people attend his gospel crusades in Africa; in the last ten years, over 53 million people have committed their lives to Jesus in his meetings. Miracles and signs and wonders of all kinds follow Reinhard's preaching. Reinhard has a passion to equip believers to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and to faithfully proclaim the Word of God in power to win people to Jesus. We asked Reinhard to speak at Onething on what the Holy Spirit is saying to young adults in this critical hour of history.

Francis Chan

• Author of Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Erasing Hell
• Internationally-known Speaker
• Founder, Eternity Bible College
• Founding Pastor, Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, CA

Originally from Hong Kong, Francis Chan is an internationally-known speaker and the best-selling author of Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Erasing Hell. He was the founding pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California, and is the founder of Eternity Bible College. He serves on the board of directors of Children’s Hunger Fund and World Impact, is the host of the Basic DVD series (Who Is God & We Are Church), and has also written children’s books. In his teaching, Francis, who experienced much tragedy and loss in his childhood, calls the Church to really know the God of the Bible and to live for Him with all their hearts. He lives in Northern California with his wife, Lisa, and their five children.

Allen Hood

• Associate Director, International House of Prayer
• President, International House of Prayer University

Allen Hood (MDiv, Asbury Theological Seminary) serves as the associate director of the International House of Prayer of Kansas City. He is deeply committed to promoting the establishment of unceasing corporate worship and intercession in every tribe, tongue, and nation. His highest call as an intercessory missionary and a leader in the prayer movement is to intercede for the fullness of God to be released in the Church worldwide and to labor for the strengthening of the global prayer and missions movement.

Misty Edwards

• Senior Leader and Worship Leader, International House of Prayer

Misty Edwards helped start the International House of Prayer in 1999 and has been a worship leader and songwriter here ever since. She serves on the senior leadership team and gives oversight to all our worship leaders, musicians, and singers who serve in the prayer room.

Amanda Cook

• Worship Leader, Bethel Music

Amanda Cook (formerly Amanda Falk) is an award-winning singer-songwriter and worship leader from Medicine Hat, Canada. She is part of the Bethel Music family and ministers as a worship leader and artist in the US and internationally. Amanda has written many anthemic worship songs including "You Make Me Brave," "Closer," "I Will Exalt," and "Shepherd."

Steffany Gretzinger

• Worship Leader, Bethel Music

Steffany Frizzell Gretzinger grew up in a musical home and has been involved in worship ministry since she was a child. She carries a powerful prophetic voice and pursues the Lord with raw passion, faith, and confidence in His presence.


There are many warnings given by a number of ministries out there about most of the regulars on this list:

Mike Bickle (New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Dominionism Heresies) and IHOP (Cult) :
A Generation Adrift (Part 1) | thebereancall.org
A Generation Adrift (Part 2) | thebereancall.org
International House of Prayer|Dangers|Worship and Prayer Ministry
Sola Sisters: Former IHOP Member Explains Why IHOP (International House of Prayer) Is A Cult
International House of Prayer IHOP – 12 Testimonies of Truth | Truth in Reality
Reinhard Bonnke (Word Faith and Prosperity Gospel Heresies):
Associates with Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, Benny Hinn and other heretics
Reinhard Bonnke - Unbiblical Teachings And Actions
Misty Edwards
there are some dark aspects to misty edwards, thanx for the links on IHOP-I too considered attending there! However, some of her songs are very deeply rooted in the word, and have touched me greatly- should I delete them? I dont want to be brainwashed! · Unedited Questions
Worldview Weekend’s Commentary on IHOP | slaveofjesuschristdotme
The Demonic Worship Of IHOP - Empowered By Christ
Diary: The Over-Sexualization of Christ and The Heretical Bridal Paradigm | 828 Ministries
Amanda Cook and Steffany Gretzinger (Bethel in Redding, CA / Jesus Culture)
Pointing to Christ: The Dangerous Teachings of the Jesus Culture Movement
Heresy Alert!!! Bill Johnson, Jesus Culture and Bethel Church | Shepherd/Guardian
Seven major concerns about Bethel Church… | Disrupting Culture

That's all a side note though, and anyone who is curious and discerning will find lots of information available on those common to IHOP/NAR scene listed above. But why is Francis Chan on this list, again? Back in 2013 he spoke at IHOP's one thing conference as well, and publicly endorsed and affirmed Mike Bickle as minister of Jesus Christ. Now he is back again. Why is Chan associating with these men and women, and leading those who listen to him (Chan) into the apostasy that IHOP and NAR are so steeped in? He has had enough time to learn what they are all about and to receive warning from others about these groups. But, this is just a little info to wet your appetite.

More later......

 

[Travis]

The Social Gospel, Yesterday and Today

Feb 22 2012

The Social Gospel, Yesterday and Today [Excerpt]

Some of the most popular Christian leaders and authors stress the social agenda. Francis Chan, in his wildly popular book Crazy Love, wants Christians to live as simply as possible in order to give more toward the alleviation of “suffering in the world and change the reputation of His bride in America.”[25] I think one of the reasons Chan’s book has been received with such enthusiasm is that he is not telling people anything that our culture is not already saying. When Bill Gates and Warren Buffett pledged much of their vast fortunes toward the same agenda, the world applauded, just as it has for Chan. Chan is concerned about the reputation of the church in America, and not without reason. However, the true church doing the true work of God (calling people to Christ) will never win the world’s approval. Our message is offensive (1 Cor:1:18-25) and once the world catches on to that we are far more likely to be vilified and persecuted than we are to be cheered – as Jesus promised (Matt:5:11-12). We should find it a source of concern, not a reason for rejoicing, when the world likes us, as Christianity Today in its lead article in August 2011 affirmed it did.

A similar voice is David Platt’s and his book Radical . Platt offers better balance than Chan but still propagates a two-tiered gospel composed of the true gospel of redemption and the social gospel. While Platt is careful to elevate the true gospel, the social gospel of feeding the hungry and giving to the poor is the primary focus of the book and accounts for its popularity.[26] He writes, “As we meet needs on earth, we are proclaiming a gospel that transforms lives for eternity.”[27] The author does not advocate the social agenda as opposed to true evangelism, as mentioned above, but he does say that caring for the poor is evidence of salvation. As a matter of fact “rich people who neglect the poor are not the people of God.”[28] However, when we turn to the New Testament, we find that, while Christians are to be loving and generous to all people, they are never told to attempt to remedy the consequences of the sin of unbelieving humanity through social action. Instead, they are instructed to meet the needs of brothers and sisters in Christ, something Platt admits in a footnote (p. 225). In fact, the church is never commissioned to rectify injustices by dealing with the symptoms of sins but to “radically” uproot sin itself through the gospel.

Well respected evangelical leader Timothy Keller offers a similar message. In his book The Reason for God , which offers many helpful insights, Keller nevertheless promotes the two-tiered gospel. Drawing from N.T. Wright and the “missional” understanding of Christianity, Keller infuses a social dimension into his gospel definition. Keller’s gospel is more than the good news that Christ has come to reconcile us to God; it is also solving the world’s problems of injustice, poverty and healing the troubles of this earth. He quotes N. T. Wright, not Scripture, to support his view: “The message of the resurrection is that this world matters! That the injustices and pains of this present world must now be addressed with the news that healing, justice and love have won… If Jesus Christ is truly risen from the dead, Christianity becomes good news for the whole world… Easter means that in a world where injustice, violence and degradation are endemic, God is not prepared to tolerate such things – and that we will work and plan, with all the energy of God, to implement victory of Jesus over them all.”[29]

Later Keller makes clear what he means: “The purpose of Jesus’ coming is to put the whole world right, to renew and restore the creation, not to escape it. It is not just to bring personal forgiveness and peace, but also justice and shalom to the world… The work of the Spirit of God is not only to save souls but also to care and cultivate the face of the earth, the material world.”[30] Scripture knows nothing of such a gospel message. Nowhere in the New Testament will you find such a commission given to the people of God. You will, however, find a similar message in the Emergent church, N.T. Wright’s New Perspective on Paul and those reviving the old “social gospel” agenda.​

The Social Gospel, Yesterday and Today - Part 1
The Social Gospel, Yesterday and Today - Part 2

Hebrews 13
2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.​

We should not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, believers, unbelievers alike. But, this is never a substitute for preaching the whole council of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The world hates the gospel. If the gospel you preach is a comfortable one, one that the world is not offended by, perhaps you should question who's gospel you are preaching.

Francis Chan has leaned towards the social gospel for a long time. Now, seeing him associate himself with apostates like Mike Bickle and crew, and those connected to Bethel Church in Redding, California, who also lean towards a very social gospel, among other things, it really makes one wonder.

Be weary of Francis Chan.

Blessings,

Travis

 

[Travis]

Some may ask, what is the social gospel? Good Question:

GotQuestions.Org
Question: "What is the social gospel?"

Answer: The phrase “social gospel” is usually used to describe a Protestant Christian intellectual movement that came to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Those who adhered to a social gospel sought to apply Christian ethics to social problems such as poverty, slums, poor nutrition and education, alcoholism, crime, and war. These things were emphasized while the doctrines of sin, salvation, heaven and hell, and the future kingdom of God were downplayed. Theologically, the social gospel leaders were overwhelmingly postmillennialist, asserting that Christ’s Second Coming could not happen until humankind rid itself of social evils by human effort.

For a Christian perspective on the idea of a social gospel, we need to look to Jesus, who lived in one of history’s most corrupt societies. Jesus never issued any call for political change, not even by peaceful means. He did not come to earth to be a political or social reformer. The gospel Jesus preached did not have to do with social reform or social justice or political change. Rather than attempt to change governments and institutions, which are made up of people, Jesus came to change people's hearts and point them to God's kingdom. He preached the saving power of the gospel and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, Jesus showed deep compassion for the poor, the sick, the dispossessed, and the outcasts of society. He healed them, but before taking care of their physical or emotional needs, He first took care of their spiritual needs. He was most concerned about the state of their souls and preached the gospel of repentance from sin through Him so they understood that their eternal destiny was far more important than their circumstances here on earth. Several of His parables conveyed this truth, including Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19–31). The rich man, who had every possible social advantage, spent eternity in hell while Lazarus, the poorest of the poor with dire social needs, was comforted in heaven.

Social justice is based on the concepts of human rights and equality. The Bible supports social justice with regard to the plight of the poor and the afflicted, orphans and widows, and people unable to support themselves. The nation of Israel was commanded by God to care for the less fortunate in society. Jesus told us to care for those who are hungry and thirsty, who are sick or in prison, the outcasts of society (Matthew 25:34–40).

Jesus reflected God’s sense of justice by bringing the gospel message to the lower rungs of society. The wealthy also need to hear the gospel message, but it is noteworthy that the well-to-do, the upstanding and respected members of society are less likely to see their utter spiritual bankruptcy before God and embrace the message of the gospel. Christians are under a personal obligation to love their neighbours as they love themselves (Matthew 22:39). We have a responsibility to be good stewards of our own wealth because all wealth comes from and belongs to God. Christians should take a God-centered approach to social justice, not a man-centered approach. We see Christ Jesus as our Savior. When He returns, He will restore justice. In the meantime, Christians are to express God’s love and justice by showing kindness in practical ways to those less fortunate.