Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7/15-16)
Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD. (Proverbs 20:10).
The discussion continues regarding Mike Winger's defense against accusations about his teaching from Doctrinal Watchdog and Tim Hurd (BTWN) regarding Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton (Bethel Church Redding) and his comments about John MacArthur.
Mike Winger has made some excellent videos refuting Calvinism and I do appreciate his efforts to seek to portray others in a positive light. However, for the sake of the gospel, false teachers should not be tolerated or endorsed on any level, even though they may teach some truth. (2 Corinthians 11:20).
Mike Winger: "I do disagree with him (John MacArthur) on first Corinthians and speaking in tongues and several other things, but that doesn't mean I'm trashing him. That's obnoxious and I don't think John MacArthur would think that... I greatly love and respect John MacArthur and I love the ministry he's done, and he's been a stalwart champion for the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I think he's a good teacher, a great teacher. I love John MacArthur, 'but he's Calvinist Mike', I know, but I still love him and I love a lot of Calvinist teachers and that's my opinion of them.."
I agree with Faith on Fire (below) that there are inconsistencies in Mike Winger's teaching that he needs to address. Mike Winger seems to have some kind of double standard; on one hand, he teaches against Calvinism, and on the other hand, he strongly endorses John MacArthur. (Psalm 119:113). John MacArthur is a false teacher on many levels and he teaches a false gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4). Apart from the humongous error of Calvinism, MacArthur denies the blood of Jesus Christ and he says that it will be safe to take the mark of the beast. (Revelation 14:11). Such a wolf cannot be a "good/great teacher" and "a stalwart champion for the gospel of Jesus Christ". Any well-meaning endorsement of false teachers carries with it the unacceptable risk of causing believers to stumble by throwing them to ferocious wolves in sheep's clothing. (Matthew 7:15). This is acutely demonstrated by the experience of Alana L on the link below.
Mike Winger Defends John MacArthur: Beware of Calvinism, Joel Osteen and Unwise Endorsements
Faith on Fire: "Mike Winger defended himself against accusations from BTWN Guy and Doctrinal Watchdog (Active) channels and clarifies his view of John MacArthur and Calvinism. This video is a warning to pastors and Christian influencers on social media to be careful who you endorse. Also, see what amazing lengths Mike Winger goes to in order to avoid the dubious discernment channels from taking Joel Osteen quotes and attributing them to Mike Winger's beliefs. We also see a clip from Leighton Flowers Soteriology 101 interview with Alana L on being saved out of Calvinism after 15 years of being a 5 point Calvinist and the role John MacArthur played in her early indoctrination."
In this video Daniel Long and Steve Kozar explain why they have created their new YouTube channel The Wartburg Castle. Long and Kozar are "Confessional Lutherans" or "Conservative Lutherans" which they differentiate from liberal Lutheranism as practiced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
I would describe Long and Kozar's agenda of discouraging criticism against Lutherism as Machiavellian. (Genesis 3:1). Kozar's dominant personality comes to the fore throughout this video and he frequently interrupts Long. He explains that they don't want to get into super detailed issues about doctrine or church history and the differences between denominations, but that they are setting doctrinal issues aside. Kozar and Long apparently want to "discuss Lutheranism" without discussing Lutheranism! Kozar suggests that those of us who differ should "respectfully disagree", and he asserts from the outset that severe censure against Lutheranism on their platform is unwanted and unacceptable. In effect their aim is to do what many false teachers do, they introduce heresy through the back door without clarifying their core doctrines. In order to "respectfully disagree", I would have to imply that there are only minor differences of opinion between bible believing Christians and Lutherans. In fact, Lutheranism undermines the very doctrine of salvation itself. (2 Corinthians 11:4). It is not possible to "respectfully disagree" when the bible gives such stark warnings against false teachers. (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Long and Kozar follow the bad example of their mentor Chris Rosebrough. Kozar: "Everything we do has got a huge stamp of Chris Rosebrough's ideas on it".According to Kozar, Rosebrough's initial idea was to critique false NAR teachers without revealing his Lutheran beliefs because he knew it would be controversial. It doesn't seem to have occurred to either Long or Kozar that Rosebrough's tactic of obscuring his Lutheran beliefs is deceptive. Why would anyone with sound theology want to obscure their beliefs? Rosebough has labelled false teacher Michael Brown "the apostle of obfuscation", but this label might just as easily be applied to himself. Rosebrough's deception was painfully encountered by Laura (End Time Apostasy) in 2017. Laura had listened to Rosebrough's teaching for nine years without realizing that he was a Lutheran! Her appeal to Rosebrough and his wife was subsequently ignored. Laura makes some very good points in the following video and is obviously very upset. *Proviso: I am not in agreement with Laura's view of OSAS (once saved always saved).
Adiaphora
Adiaphora are matters not regarded as essential to faith, but nevertheless as permissible for Christians or allowed in the church. Kozar demonstrates his skewed mindset: "Don't park your car in the parking lot of the church because it doesn't say in the bible to have a parking lot at your church".Firstly, parking lots have nothing to do with the church service, and secondly, without an opportunity to park their cars, many people would not go to church. According to Kozar, vestments fall into the category of adiaphora because the bible doesn't say what a pastor should wear. In that case, any of us could turn up to church in vestments, but I don't think that would be seen as acceptable! Although Kozar claims that vestments are worn by the pastor in humility as a servant, the distinct impression given is that they elevate the pastor above the congregation. This impression is further compounded by the pastor speaking in the first person of God when he gives absolution. In fact, a biblical case can be made against vestments. Christians are instructed not to make distinctions amongst themselves or to make a show of outer appearance or adornment. (Matthew 23:5,8; 1 Peter 3:3-4; James 2:2). According to Protestant Reformer John Hooper, these requirements were vestiges of Judaism and Roman Catholicism, which had no biblical warrant for authentic Christians since they were not used in the early Christian church. {1}
Baptismal Regeneration?
Long's advice not to read our presuppositions into the text and to let the text speak for itself is sound advice, but sadly he does not apply it to himself. The scriptures confirm believers' baptism. A definite order of events is involved concerning salvation i.e. faith invariably precedes baptism.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19).
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:31).
..because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved . For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10).
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:35-38).
And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:41-42).
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6).
The defects of Conservative Lutheranism
Absolution from a confessor as if from God himself; infant baptism; baptismal regeneration; the doctrine of the Real Presence in the Eucharist aka the sacramental union or consubstantiation (i.e. the Body and Blood of Christ are "truly and substantially present in, with and under the forms" of consecrated bread and wine (the elements); vestments; over-emphasized liturgy. statues, amillennial eschatology. {2} The very foundation of the Christian faith is misrepresented by Conservative Lutheranism.The fundamental principle of justification by faith alone is violated by baptismal regeneration and infant baptism. Lutheranism is a different gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4). Furthermore, vestments and granting absolution in the first person is unbiblical and puts a false distinction between the pastor and his congregation. I have heard the Lutheran spin on all these questions, but no matter how much they equivocate, it is impossible to justify these practices. For anyone to grant absolution in the first person is blasphemy. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5).
Rosebrough defends the indefensible and condones idolatrous statues of Christ on the altar as "liturgical art".
The early church
When the church began in the first century Jesus' disciples met very simply in homes. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42,46;16:40).
When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (Acts 12:12).
So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. (Acts 16:40). To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: (Philemon 1:1-2)
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. (Romans 16:3-5).
Church buildings began to spring up in the middle of the third century during the reign of Constantine after Christianity was legalized. Prior to this time, the emphasis was never on buildings, the ecclesia were the people of God and believers met wherever they could. (Matthew 18:20). Roman Catholicism introduced adornments and embellishments.
Kozar: "If you’re burdened by not being a “good enough” Christian, even after many years of trying, Lutheranism might be the relief you’ve been looking for!" {3}
Kozar focuses on how charismatic teachers like Todd White put believers on a guilt trip and make them feel that they are "not good enough". As a former charismaticI agree with this assessment. My own experience in charismania was extremely debilitating. However, I cannot agree with Kozar that Lutheranism "might" bring relief. Lutherans and Calvinists have become quite good at mopping up Christians who have become disillusioned with charismania. However, neither of these options represents the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ is the answer! (John 8:31-36).
I watch Long's YouTube channel Long for Truth videos regularly. His videos are well presented and are a useful resourceinsofar asthey expose the false teaching and the dubious history of the Word-Faith/Pentecostal/NAR movement. Kozar's channel The Messed Up Church follows a similar agenda but his videos are chaotic and difficult to follow. As with Rosebrough, it is indefensible that both Long and Kozar obscure their core heretical Lutheran beliefs. As Laura points out, these men are heretics exposing other heretics.
Mike Winger posted this video last night and I want to show support for him. I regard Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton (Bethel Church Redding) as very dangerous false teachers. I thought that Mike was too soft on them in his original video, but I understand that he seeks to show grace to everyone. It is difficult to find the right balance, but I sometimes think that Mike could be tougher on false teachers. The Wingnut did not do his homework, but this is fairly typical of those suffering from blind devotion to John MacArthur.
Update
This apology from Tim has done a lot to put matters right and I do applaud him for his apology and humility. As far as I am aware, it is unknown for any of MacArthur's sycophants to redress their wrongdoings. I will never agree with Calvinism, but I have warmed to Tim somewhat. This video does address the weaknesses in Mike Winger's teaching in a much more balanced way.
