CHRIS ROSEBROUGH VS ISAIAH SALVIDAR: GREAT WHITE THRONE OR BEMA SEAT?

Waiting in line on JUDGMENT day - What will you say? (youtube.com)

F4F | Isaiah Saldivar Is DEAD WRONG About Judgement Day (youtube.com)

Chris Rosebrough's omission of Isaiah Salvidar's obvious error in his short video about Judgement Day appears to be due to his skewed Lutheran eschatology. Salvidar is wrong from the get-go: believers will not be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement.  

Isaiah Saldivar:  "..tell me some of your stories of the miracles, the fire, the power evangelism, signs and wonders, meeting home to home, breaking bread, making disciples.. water baptizing, baptizing in the holy ghost.. tell me some of the demons you drove out.. lameness blindness and deafness.."  Obviously, I don't condemn all of those things, but Salvidar's emphasis on power, fire, casting out demons etc. is typical NAR rhetoric. Salvidar's appalling accusation is that if Christians do not perform extraordinary miracles then they do not know Jesus! Aren't many of those who perform what the ESV refers to as mighty works (dunamis) condemned by Jesus?  

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

What Salvidar is obviously ignorant of, and what Rosebrough fails to mention, is that the Great White Throne Judgement and the Bema Seat Judgement are two separate events. Believers will face the Bema Seat Judgment before the millennium and will subsequently reign with Christ for one thousand years. At the Bema Seat, believers will receive either reward or loss based on their work. The Great White Throne Judgement is reserved for unbelievers who will be judged according to "what they had done" and sentenced to eternal torment (the second death).

The Bema Seat Judgement

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 cf. Romans 14:10).

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.(Revelation 20:4-6).

The parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25 describes three distinct judgements.

The separation of sheep (believers) and goats (unbelievers)
The judgement of believers' works
The judgment of unbelievers' works 

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,f you did it to me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46).

The Great White Throne Judgement 

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth..
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:7-8,11-15).

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: UNQUALIFIED WOMEN (AND MEN) TEACHERS

F4F | Karena Carrasco In Unqualified Rebellion Against God (youtube.com)

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1).

Karena Carrasco head of Kidz City Daycare at Chooselife Church (Hobbs NM) is not only unqualified to teach, she is also scripturally unsound. I agree with Rosebrough that Carrasco's "sermon" on "divine power and influence" is utter nonsense. Carrasco: "When Jesus spent time with the Father there was always something different about His countenance.. To have His divine life you have to abide in the vine, that's where power is going to come from.. when you spend time with Him not just your insides change but your outside changes.."  Her justification for teaching this nonsense is the transfiguration of Jesus in Luke 9: 28-36.  

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16).

In the New Testament, the office of elder, overseer, and shepherd (pastor) refers to the same teaching office within the church. (Acts 20:28; Titus 1:5,9; 1 Peter 5:1–2; Ephesians 4:11). Although Carrasco has not set herself up as a "pastor" per se, teaching sermons to a mixed congregation is to assume the role specifically reserved for those holding the office of an overseer. The fact that the leaders of Chooselife Church have sanctioned Carrasco makes them culpable and puts them in direct rebellion against God.

Rosebrough's use of 1 Corinthians 14:34-38 is not the best passage to demonstrate his point. Most teachers explain these verses in terms of problems specific to the Corinthian Church which faced challenges relating to cultural norms, immorality, division, and the misuse of spiritual gifts. Since Paul acknowledged that women were "praying and prophesying" in 1 Corinthians 11:5, these verses cannot be taken outside their specific context without creating an internal contradiction within Paul's writings.

As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:34-38).

In his excellent series on Women in Ministry, Mike Winger refers to "the strict view" i.e. "the utter silence view" which does not allow a woman to speak in any public meeting whatsoever.1  The Greek word “σιγάω” (sigáo),  means “to be silent” or “to refrain from speaking”. An alternative view of sigáo has been suggested in contexts where refraining from certain types of speech is appropriate or required as against "silence" in the strictest sense. Winger quotes Professor Anthony Thiselton who was my professor at Nottingham University. 

Thiselton: "The speaking in question denotes the activity of sifting or weighing the words of prophets, especially by asking probing questions about the prophet's theology or even the prophet's lifestyle in public."

Meyer: "ἃ γράφω ὑμ.] (the things I write to you) refers to the whole section regarding the πνευματικοῖς. To refer it, as Billroth and Olshausen do, to the command that the women should keep silence, does not harmonize with the introduction εἴ τις … πνευματικός, and involves the awkwardness of only this intervening matter being thus confirmed with such solemnity, and the principal and far more important section not at al.."2  

The judging prophecy view   

Mike Winger points out that the context of 1 Corinthians 29ff concerns prophecy, and he makes the an interesting case for tying 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 back to verse 29 which is split into two parts - speaking and judging: Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. (1 Corinthians 14:29).  Winger reasons that when a question arises about whether a prophecy is true or false, the natural arbiters would be the overseers whose function is to uphold sound doctrine. This view therefore excludes women from judging prophecy.      

In contrast to 1 Corinthians 14:34-38, 1 Timothy 2:12-14 is transcultural and refers to the order of creation. These three verses present an irrefutable case against women elders/teachers. 

 

1 do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Timothy 2:12-14).

Some denominations seek to overcome the difficulty of people of any gender speaking inappropriately by conducting rigidly structured church services. However, this strategy is no fail-safe against Satan's determination to introduce false teaching into the church. Satan simply changes tactic and deceives leaders into promoting false teachings such as baptismal regeneration (Lutheran), limited atonement (Calvinism), skewed eschatology etc. 

 

The widespread apostasy we are witnessing in many churches today is off the scale, but I do not believe that we are living in the apostasy referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 which is directly linked to the man of lawlessness aka the Antichrist. When the Antichrist is revealed the rebellion/apostasy will be on an entirely different level. (Matthew 24:9-12; Revelation 13:7; 12:17).

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.. (2 Thessalonians 2:3).   

As Rosebrough points out, any church with a woman pastor/elder/teacher is in open rebellion against God. It seems reasonable to suppose that the rank apostasy occuring within many churches is a precursor to the rebellion of 2 Thessalonians 2:3. 

Many who hold the position of overseer are unfit by reason of their ungodly lives and their obvious incompetence as teachers. The scriptural qualifications are being openly flouted in favour of man centred teachings that accomodate itching ears. (2 Timothy 4:3).

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:1-7).

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16).

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).

1. 5 Views on “Women Keep Silent" (1 Cor 14:35-36): Women in Ministry part 11 (youtube.com)
2. 1 Corinthians 14 Meyer's NT Commentary (biblehub.com)

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: THE SINS OF MARTIN LUTHER DOWNPLAYED

The Sins of Martin Luther - Chris Rosebrough (youtube.com)

Chris Rosebrough has posted this video in response to the points made by Michael Brown regarding Martin Luther during a recent roundtable discussion between Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman: (1: 26) Roundtable: Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman - YouTube Rosebrough's response massively downplays Luther's antisemitism: "Luther lashed back in a way that went beyond what was necessary and crossed into the line of sinfulness.."

Although I regard Brown as a false prophet and someone who facilitates NAR false teachers and prophets, his observations about Martin Luther were far from irrelevant. The double standards or "differing weights" employed by Lutherans and Calvinists are nowhere more evident than their reverence of this wicked man. (Proverbs 20:10).   

In his earlier period, until about 1537, Luther sought to convert Jews to Protestant Christianity. However, when they failed to convert he became hostile towards them. In his 65,000-word antisemitic treatise On the Jews and Their Lies he referred to the Jews in the vilest terms imaginable and urged their persecution. His influence upon Hitler's Nazi Germany is beyond doubt.

Rollins: "Martin Luther and Adolf Hitler are inseparably linked with their extreme anti-Semitism and nationalism. It is impossible to assume that Luther did not have any influence on Hitler and his views, for it cannot be mere coincidence that Hitler’s anti-Jewish sentiment of the 1930s and 1940s mirrors that of Luther’s anti-Semitism of the 1500s."1 

Excerpts from "On the Jews and Their Lies"

I had made up my mind to write no more either about the Jews or against them. But since I learned that these miserable and accursed people do not cease to lure to themselves even us, that is, the Christians, I have published this little book, so that I might be found among those who opposed such poisonous activities of the Jews who warned the Christians to be on their guard against them. I would not have believed that a Christian could be duped by the Jews into taking their exile and wretchedness upon himself. However, the devil is the god of the world, and wherever God’s word is absent he has an easy task, not only with the weak but also with the strong. May God help us. Amen..

He did not call them Abraham’s children, but a “brood of vipers” [Matt. 3:7]. Oh, that was too insulting for the noble blood and race of Israel, and they declared, “He has a demon’ [Matt 11:18]. Our Lord also calls them a “brood of vipers”; furthermore, in John 8 [:39,44] he states: “If you were Abraham’s children ye would do what Abraham did.... You are of your father the devil. It was intolerable to them to hear that they were not Abraham’s but the devil’s children, nor can they bear to hear this today..

Therefore, the blind Jews are truly stupid fools...

Now just behold these miserable, blind, and senseless people ... their blindness and arrogance are as solid as an iron mountain.

Learn from this, dear Christian, what you are doing if you permit the blind Jews to mislead you. Then the saying will truly apply, “When a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit” [cf. Luke 6:39]. You cannot learn anything from them except how to misunderstand the divine commandments...

Therefore be on your guard against the Jews, knowing that wherever they have their synagogues, nothing is found but a den of devils in which sheer self-glory, conceit, lies, blasphemy, and defaming of God and men are practiced most maliciously and veheming his eyes on them.

Moreover, they are nothing but thieves and robbers who daily eat no morsel and wear no thread of clothing which they have not stolen and pilfered from us by means of their accursed usury. Thus, they live from day to day, together with wife and child, by theft and robbery, as arch thieves and robbers, in the most impenitent security.

However, they have not acquired a perfect mastery of the art of lying; they lie so clumsily and ineptly that anyone who is just a little observant can easily detect it. But for us Christians they stand as a terrifying example of God’s wrath.

If I had to refute all the other articles of the Jewish faith, I should be obliged to write against them as much and for as long a time as they have used for inventing their lies­­ that is, longer than two thousand years.

...Christ and his word can hardly be recognized because of the great vermin of human ordinances. However, let this suffice for the time being on their lies against doctrine or faith.

Did I not tell you earlier that a Jew is such a noble, precious jewel that God and all the angels dance when he farts?

Alas, it cannot be anything but the terrible wrath of God which permits anyone to sink into such abysmal, devilish, hellish, insane baseness, envy, and arrogance. If I were to avenge myself on the devil himself I should be unable to wish him such evil and misfortune as God’s wrath inflicts on the Jews, compelling them to lie and to blaspheme so monstrously, in violation of their own conscience. Anyway, they have their reward for constantly giving God the lie.

No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.

...but then eject them forever from this country. For, as we have heard, God’s anger with them is so intense that gentle mercy will only tend to make them worse and worse, while sharp mercy will reform them but little. Therefore, in any case, away with them!

Over and above that we let them get rich on our sweat and blood, while we remain poor and they such the marrow from our bones.

I brief, dear princes and lords, those of you who have Jews under your rule­­ if my counsel does not please your, find better advice, so that you and we all can be rid of the unbearable, devilish burden of the Jews, lest we become guilty sharers before God in the lies, blasphemy, the defamation, and the curses which the mad Jews indulge in so freely and wantonly against the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, this dear mother, all Christians, all authority, and ourselves. Do not grant them protection, safe-conduct, or communion with us.... With this faithful counsel and warning I wish to cleanse and exonerate my conscience.

Let the government deal with them in this respect, as I have suggested. But whether the government acts or not, let everyone at least be guided by his own conscience and form for himself a definition or image of a Jew.

However, we must avoid confirming them in their wanton lying, slandering, cursing, and defaming. Nor dare we make ourselves partners in their devilish ranting and raving by shielding and protecting them, by giving them food, drink, and shelter, or by other neighborly

Therefore, we Christians, in turn, are obliged not to tolerate their wanton and conscious blasphemy.

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death.

What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? Since they live among us, we dare not tolerate their conduct now that we are aware of their lying and reviling and blaspheming. If we do, we become sharers in their lies, cursing and blasphemy. Thus, we cannot extinguish the unquenchable fire of divine wrath, of which the prophets speak, nor can we convert the Jews. With prayer and the fear of God we must practice a sharp mercy to see whether we might save at least a few from the glowing flames. We dare not avenge ourselves. Vengeance a thousand times worse than we could wish them already has them by the throat. I shall give you my sincere advice:

First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians, and do not condone or knowingly tolerate such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of his Son and of his Christians. For whatever we tolerated in the past unknowingly ­ and I myself was unaware of it ­ will be pardoned by God. But if we, now that we are informed, were to protect and shield such a house for the Jews, existing right before our very nose, in which they lie about, blaspheme, curse, vilify, and defame Christ and us (as was heard above), it would be the same as if we were doing all this and even worse ourselves, as we very well know.

Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies. This will bring home to them that they are not masters in our country, as they boast, but that they are living in exile and in captivity, as they incessantly wail and lament about us before God.

Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them. (remainder omitted)

Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb. For they have justly forfeited the right to such an office by holding the poor Jews captive with the saying of Moses (Deuteronomy 17 [:10 ff.]) in which he commands them to obey their teachers on penalty of death, although Moses clearly adds: “what they teach you in accord with the law of the Lord.” Those villains ignore that. They wantonly employ the poor people’s obedience contrary to the law of the Lord and infuse them with this poison, cursing, and blasphemy. In the same way the pope also held us captive with the declaration in Matthew 16 {:18], “You are Peter,” etc., inducing us to believe all the lies and deceptions that issued from his devilish mind. He did not teach in accord with the word of God, and therefore he forfeited the right to teach.

Fifth, I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside, since they are not lords, officials, tradesmen, or the like. Let they stay at home. (...remainder omitted).

Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for safekeeping. The reason for such a measure is that, as said above, they have no other means of earning a livelihood than usury, and by it they have stolen and robbed from us all they possess. Such money should now be used in no other way than the following: Whenever a Jew is sincerely converted, he should be handed one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred florins, as personal circumstances may suggest. With this he could set himself up in some occupation for the support of his poor wife and children, and the maintenance of the old or feeble. For such evil gains are cursed if they are not put to use with God’s blessing in a good and worthy cause.

Seventh, I commend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow, as was imposed on the children of Adam (Gen 3[:19]}. For it is not fitting that they should let us accursed Goyim toil in the sweat of our faces while they, the holy people, idle away their time behind the stove, feasting and farting, and on top of all, boasting blasphemously of their lordship over the Christians by means of our sweat. No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.

But what will happen even if we do burn down the Jews’ synagogues and forbid them publicly to praise God, to pray, to teach, to utter God’s name? They will still keep doing it in secret. If we know that they are doing this in secret, it is the same as if they were doing it publicly. for our knowledge of their secret doings and our toleration of them implies that they are not secret after all and thus our conscience is encumbered with it before God.

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is:

First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulfur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire. That would demonstrate to God our serious resolve and be evidence to all the world that it was in ignorance that we tolerated such houses, in which the Jews have reviled God, our dear Creator and Father, and his Son most shamefully up till now but that we have now given them their due reward.

I wish and I ask that our rulers who have Jewish subjects exercise a sharp mercy toward these wretched people, as suggested above, to see whether this might not help (though it is doubtful). They must act like a good physician who, when gangrene has set in, proceeds without mercy to cut, saw, and burn flesh, veins, bone, and marrow. Such a procedure must also be followed in this instance. Burn down their synagogues, forbid all that I enumerated earlier, force them to work, and deal harshly with them, as Moses did in the wilderness, slaying three thousand lest the whole people perish. They surely do not know what they are doing; moreover, as people possessed, they do not wish to know it, hear it, or learn it. There it would be wrong to be merciful and confirm them in their conduct. If this does not help, we must drive them out like mad dogs, so that we do not become partakers of their abominable blasphemy and all their other vices and thus merit God’s wrath and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Now let everyone see to his. I am exonerated.
 
My essay, I hope, will furnish a Christian (who in any case has no desire to become a Jew) with enough material not only to defend himself against the blind, venomous Jews, but also to become the foe of the Jews’ malice, lying, and cursing, and to understand not only that their belief is false but that they are surely possessed by all devils. May Christ, our dear Lord, convert them mercifully and preserve us steadfastly and immovably in the knowledge of him, which is eternal life. Amen.2  

Rosebrough: "The Judaism of today and even the Judaism of the Medieval period is exactly the same false Judaism that the Pharisees had created, and was responsible primarily for the crucifixion of Christ. And so we recognize that unbelieving Jews today are not neutral as relates to Jesus Christ, instead, they are overt enemies of Christianity and the saving message that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the promise of the Old Testament, that he is the promised son of David, the promised Prophet that Moses prophesied about in Deuteronomy 18, and that we must listen to Him and that salvation is only in Him. Modern-day Jews oppose this gospel vehemently. Modern-day Judaism is an enemy of Christ and must be countered with sound reasoning as well as with love and temperance and respect."  Neither Luther nor Rosebrough have understood Romans 11, Zechariah 12 and other passages regarding the final salvation of the Jews. If Luther had been theologically sound he would not have dared savage them in such wicked terms! (Romans 11:18). Luther's diatribe against the Jews was eschatologically ignorant and was injected with hatred and theological error. Its source can only have been demonic.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29).

Luther and the Peasants Revolt 1524-25

I have addressed this subject in a previous post: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: STEVE KOZAR + DANIEL LONG: ILLEGITIMATE BAPTISM (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Beginning in 1524 and ending in its suppression in 1525, the Peasants' Revolt began as a result of abuses cited by the peasants by the government and the church. Luther is often credited with the role of encouraging the Peasants' Revolt. However, he maintained allegiance to the German Princes against the violence of the rebels. Luther openly condemned the peasants and called for their brutal suppression, arguably inciting the demise of more than 100,000 peasants and facilitating further oppression of the lower classes."(German: Wider die Mordischen und Reubischen Rotten der Bawren) Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants typifies Luther's reaction to the Peasants' War, and alludes to Luther's concern that he might be seen to be responsible for their rebellion." 

Tract Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants, published in May 1525 

Therefore, let everyone who can, smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly, remembering that nothing can be more poisonous, hurtful, or devilish than a rebel. It is just as when one must kill a mad dog; if you do not strike him, he will strike you, and a whole land with you.

To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration. Let there be no half measures! Crush them! Cut their throats! Transfix them. Leave no stone unturned! To kill a peasant is to destroy a mad dog! – If they say that I am very hard and merciless, mercy be damned. Let whoever can stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs”[Erlangen Vol 24"

I have killed all the farmers in their rebellion; all their blood is on my neck..

Luther was massively obese and weighed a hefty 150kg (23st 8lb) at his death in 1546 at the age of 63. Luther was a glutton and a drunkard, and by his own admission, he indulged himself to excess. Apparently, he drank up to two litres of fortified wine with every meal in addition to large quantities of beer.

Luther's first German translation of the scriptures omitted 25 books (i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (i.e., Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation. Luther referred to the Epistle of James as 'straw not worthy to be burned in my oven as tinder'. He referred to other books as 'Judaizing nonsense'.  

If Rosebrough is unable or unwilling to see that Luther was a vile person who was theologically ignorant and unqualified as a leader and teacher then he is in spiritual darkness. (Matthew 7:5).

1. "Luther and Hitler: A Linear Connection between Martin Luther and Adolf" by Daphne M. Olsen (rollins.edu)
2. Martin Luther - "The Jews & Their Lies" (jewishvirtuallibrary.org)

Further Links

On The Jews and Their Lies : Martin Luther : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
German Peasants' War - Wikipedia
'Slay the mad dogs': How Luther betrayed the peasants' revolt that he inspired (christiantoday.com)
Chris Rosebrough Calls Dr. Michael Brown - The Sins of Martin Luther (youtube.com)

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH''S STAGGERING SELF-CONTRADICTIONS! EZEKIEL 37-38

(54) F4F | A Biblical Perspective on Israel and Prophecy - YouTube

Chris Rosebrough's staggering self-contradictions! 

In the above video, Lutheran teacher and broadcaster Chris Rosebrough gives his take on Ezekiel 37-38 and Israel in bible prophecy. Rosebrough often asks what false teachers are talking about.. but we might ask him the same question.

Rosebrough (2023): "Ezekiel 37 is not a prophecy of the restoration of the nation-state of Israel.. This is a prophecy regarding the resurrection of the dead, not a resurrection of the nation-state of Israel in 1948. It is a misappropriation of the text to make it be anything other than that." (1:17 mark)

Rosebrough (2013): "The immediate fulfillment of this prophecy was not that the exiles were raised from the dead, but that the house of Israel was raised from the dead and brought out of exile into the land of Israel and was reestablished as a nation. ..This text is really a prophecy about God resurrecting the dead nation of Israel that ceased to exist as a nation because they were now in exile. That's what this is about. If you make it about something else.. then you are missing the whole point of the text.. (See note) (56) Louie Giglio Twists Ezekiel 37 at Passion 2013 - YouTube (11:00 mark)

Note: I have assumed that Rosebrough was not referring to 538 BC when the Jews in Babylon were allowed to return to the land of Judah due to Cyrus' decree. (Ezra 2:1-2). If this is what he was referring to then it is ill-founded. Ezekiel 37 identifies the land of Israel as a whole i.e. Judah and Ephraim (Ezekiel 37:15-29). Judah became the Persian province of Yehud Medinata following the return from Babylonian captivity. The Israeli Declaration of Independence, formally the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel (Hebrew: הכרזה על הקמת מדינת ישראל), was proclaimed on 14 May 1948. 

Rosebrough describes Jesus' stinging condemnation of the Oral Torah/Law as taught by the Pharisees from approximately 200 BC. The Oral Torah is given predominance by rabbinic Orthodox Jews of today making them guilty of adding to the statutes and ordinances given to Moses on Mount Sinai. (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Matthew 23:1-36). 

Rosebrough observed that the modern state of Israel is in rank rebellion and idolatry, and he drew attention to the Buddha statue at the "Supernova Sukkot Gathering", the site of the Hamas massacre on the 7th of October. The "Supernova Sukkot Gathering" is the open-air psychedelic trance music festival celebrating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot near the Re'im kibbutz. Videos show the chilling spectacle of young Israelis dancing to trance music under a giant Buddha statue and prayer flags. 1 

Rosebrough makes a distinction between the genetic descendants of Abraham and those who have the same faith as Abraham, i.e. Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ. (52:00 mark). He quotes from Romans 9: For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.. (Romans 9:6-8 cf. Galatians 3:27-29).

Rosebrough: "The genetic people of Israel who do not believe, who do not worship according to scripture and deny Jesus as the Messiah - they are not part of true Israel - at all. They may be genetically related to Israel, but true Israel are those who have the same faith as Abraham, the Yahwehists, not the Pharisaical Jews or the Hasidic Jews.."  (59:00 mark)  

Rosebrough acknowledges that true Israel was founded upon the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and he says that he rejects replacement theology (supersessionism). Nevertheless, he fails to acknowledge specific future promises concerning ethnic Israel ~ as such, he is a supersessionist by definition. Supersessionist theology is the belief that God does not have specific plans for the nation of Israel and that Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ have replaced ethnic Israel as the people of God.

Below are various promises given to ethnic Israel.

Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. (Romans 11:25).  

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! ..I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:11-12, 25-29 cf. Isaiah 59:20).  

"And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD. (Isaiah 59:20).

By "all Israel" Paul is referring to one-third of the Jewish people who will cry out to God in repentance during the great tribulation, the time known as "Jacobs Trouble" following the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel. (Matthew 24:21). Although they are in unbelief at the present time, a remnant of ethnic Jews will be grafted back into their own olive tree. (Romans 11:24). 

I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:7-8).

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isaiah 2:1-4 cf. Isaiah 11:59-62;  ).

Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of hosts is his name: “If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever.” Thus says the LORD: “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zechariah 12:10).

“And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:30-31).

..Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms. They shall not defile themselves anymore with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions. But I will save them from all the backslidings in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. “My servant David shall be king over them, and they shall all have one shepherd. They shall walk in my rules and be careful to obey my statutes. They shall dwell in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children’s children shall dwell there forever, and David my servant shall be their prince forever. I will make a covenant of peace with them. It shall be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will set them in their land and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My dwelling place shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forevermore.” (Ezekiel 37:21-28).

In my view, Ezekiel 38 is the eschatological battle at the end of the millennium cross-referenced in Revelation 20. The reason I hold this view is that Ezekiel 38 describes Israel dwelling securely. Many pre-tribulation rapture speculators claim that the Gog/Magog battle will happen in the near future. However, since it is highly unlikely that Israel will be at peace prior to the return of Jesus Christ this view is implausible. 

This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a tranquil people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— in order to seize the spoil and carry off the plunder, to turn a hand against the desolate places now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and possessions and who live at the center of the land.’ (Ezekiel 38:10-12).

When the thousand years are complete, Satan will be released from his prison, and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore. And they marched across the broad expanse of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. But fire came down from heaven and consumed them. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:7-10).

This is an appropriate time to point out that Lutheran theology is amillennial. 2 Problematically Lutheran theology is based on a non-literal interpretation of Revelation 20:1-7 regarding a literal thousand-year period following the second coming of Jesus Christ. The amillennial position views the millennium as “realized” i.e. the 1,000 years allegedly occurs during the church age. Amillennialists believe that the second advent of Jesus Christ will be followed by the last judgement and the eternal state. The amillennial view was established in the 5th century by Augustine of Hippo, and was the primary view of most of the reformers in the 16th century. It should be noted that the dominant view of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, including Irenaeus, Papias, Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Hippolytus was historic premillennialism. Historic premillennialism (known in the early church as chiliasm) is the literal futuristic view that the second coming of Jesus Christ will occur prior to the thousand-year reign subsequent to the great apostasy. 

A critical concern about Lutheran doctrine that has major implications regarding salvation by grace through faith is their belief in baptismal regeneration which is an unbiblical throwback to Roman Catholicism. (Ephesians 2:8). It was a very bad day when Chris Rosebrough became a Lutheran. False doctrines inevitably come back to bite us! They are even more egregious when they are propagated by those who claim to be "watchmen" who call out false teachers in the church! (Matthew 7:5).

1. Re'im music festival massacre - Wikipedia
2. The Augsburg Confession - Evangelical Lutheran Synod (els.org)

Further Links:

(68) About Replacement Theology: Romans 11:25-32 - YouTube

(66) Premillennialism Answering Amillennialism - Dr. Alan Kurschner - YouTube

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH'S CURIOUS UNDERSTANDING OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS (MATTHEW 25:1-13)

(34) F4F | Do You Have Enough Oil? - YouTube

Chris Rosebrough (Fighting for the Faith) is usually a pretty good expositor of the scriptures and is worth listening to, with the proviso that he is a Lutheran and apparently endorses the false Lutheran doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Furthermore, the Lutheran Confessions are amillenial which is a huge concern.

In the above video, Chris Rosebrough critiques a recent episode of the Jim Bakker Show (yuk) featuring Colonel James Durham: (34) Do You Have Enough Oil? | Colonel James Durham - YouTube  It is all well and good critiquing false teachers like Jim Bakker and his associates, but we need to offer a credible alternative. In this instance, I do have issues with Rosebrough's interpretation of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.     

I was pleased to hear Rosebrough state unapologetically that he is at odds with Calvinism (specifically Limited Atonement) based on 1 John 2:2, despite the fact that he has friends in the Calvinist camp. (12:00 mark)  

Without going into detail, the parables of Jesus are generally considered to be metaphorical stories or allegories. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 is a continuation of the Olivet discourse in the previous chapter when Jesus answers the disciples' question: ..when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? (Matthew 24:3). 

At that time (τότε) the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1). At that time (τότε = then, at that time). The parable of the virgins therefore continues the discussion in Matthew 24 i.e. the Parousia (τότε is repeated four times in Matthew 24: Matthew 24:10,21,23,30). 

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy (ἐνύσταξαν) and slept (ἐκάθευδον). (Matthew 25:5).

According to Rosebrough, "they all became drowsy and slept" refers to the "sleep" of physical death. Although "sleep" does refer to physical death a number of times in the New Testament, in this parable the two Greek verbs for "sleep" surely refer to apathy or indifference. Benson's definition is: "unwatchful, remiss and careless, lukewarm and indolent." {1}  

ἐνύσταξαν (enustaxan) 3573: to nod in sleep, to fall asleep: From a presumed derivative of neuo; to nod, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep; figuratively, to delay -- slumber. {2}

ἐκάθευδον (ekatheudon) 2518: to sleep: From kata and heudo (to sleep); to lie down to rest, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively) -- (be a-)sleep. {3} 

Another word for "sleep" in the New Testament is κοιμάομαι: sleep, fall asleep, die {4} κοιμάομαι is commonly used in the New Testament when referring to physical death (e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:18; John 11:11; Acts 13:36; Matthew 27:52).

According to the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31, after they die, unbelievers go to a place of torment and Christians are with Christ. (Philippians 1:22-23). In other words, once people physically die, they will know their ultimate fate. As such, neither group will be waiting for the bridegroom to return or asking questions about purchasing oil - it will be too late! It seems pretty clear that Jesus is speaking about those who are alive on the earth at the time of His Parousia.  

Cambridge Bible: "They that were foolish took their lamps] All watch for their Lord, but some only—'the wise'—with true intensity and with due provision for the watch. The foolish virgins have sufficient oil if the Lord come quickly; not sufficient for long and patient expectation. It is a rebuke to shallow religion that dies away when the excitement passes." {5}

   

The difficulty with Rosebrough's definition of foolish virgins as "everyone in the world". 

Can unbelievers (i.e. the wicked) be referred to as "virgins"? Is everyone in the world a "virgin", or are the foolish virgins backsliders?  I do question whether the parable of the ten virgins should be taken in isolation since all three parables in Matthew 25 are associated with the Olivet Discourse and appear to give us a fuller picture. 

For instance, the parable of the talents refers to "servants".

Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’
‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest.
Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:24:30).

The parable of the sheep and the goats.

Vincent's Word Studies: "Goats (ἐρίφια)Diminutive. Lit., kidlings. The sheep and goats are represented as having previously pastured together. Compare the parables of the Tares and the Net." {6}

Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41-46).

According to Rosebrough, the oil in the parable of the ten virgins is an allegory for faith based on Romans 3:24-30 and Romans 4:4-12. Some commentators say that oil represents faith, and others say that it represents the Holy Spirit. I do not take issue with Rosebrough on this point since no true believer can function without either faith or the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly, faithful believers who trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation will be saved. (Ephesians 2:8). Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Faith is not static. (2 Corinthians 10:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3). According to Paul our faith can be shipwrecked. (1 Timothy 1:19). There are definite warnings about falling away in the New Testament. (Matthew 24:10-11; 2 Peter 3:17). It appears that once saved always saved is refuted by this parable.

 

Bengel's Gnomen: "Matthew 25:3. Ἔλαιον, oil) i.e. except that with which the lamps were then burning: see latter part of Matthew 25:8. The lamp burning is faith; the lamp with oil beside is abundant faith.[1080]

[1080] Elsewhere he suggests another interpretation, viz.: “In a Burning Lamp there is Fire and Oil. By the Fire is here signified the supernatural, heavenly, fiery Spirit-power (Geisteskraft) which is bestowed upon the soul without its co-operation (ohne ihr Zuthun): see 2 Peter 1:3-4; and by the Oil, holy Assiduity (Fleiss) on the part of man: see 2 Peter 1:5. And of this, man should have not only enough for the exigencies of the present time, but also an abundant supply, see 2 Peter 1:8 [sc. “if these things be in you and abound”], for all future circumstances: so does the entrance to the Wedding-House become sure to him, and abundant besides, see 2 Peter 1:11 [sc. “an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly”]. The foolish virgins did not even remain resting only on their own unassisted nature: they too had something of grace and of the Spirit. Nowhere is it more clearly (deutlicher) written than here how far a soul can advance in good, and yet fall through (durchfallen): see Matthew 25:8—B. G. V. in loc." {7}

Ellicott: "..and the 'oil' is the divine grace, or more definitely, the gift of the Holy Spirit, without which the torch first burns dimly and then expires." {8}  

Cambridge Bible: "The oil seems to mean generally the perfection of the Christian life or preparedness for the Lord’s coming." {9}

1. Matthew 25 Benson Commentary (biblehub.com)
2. Strong's Greek: 3573. νυστάζω (nustazó) -- to nod in sleep, to fall asleep (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 2518. καθεύδω (katheudó) -- to sleep (biblehub.com)
4. Strong's Greek: 2837. κοιμάω (koimaó from NG2749) -- sleep, fall asleep, die (biblehub.com)
5. Matthew 25 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (biblehub.com)
6. Matthew 25 Vincent's Word Studies (biblehub.com)
7. Matthew 25 Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament (biblehub.com)
8. Matthew 25 Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers (biblehub.com)
9. Matthew 25 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (biblehub.com)

SHAME ON YOU CHRIS ROSEBROUGH / PHIL JOHNSON / JUSTIN PETERS RE JD HALL

(3) F4F | The Fall of JD Hall - YouTube

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11).

It is likely that a number of people in Sydney Montana are rejoicing and praising the Lord following the arrest of JD Hall on the 11th of May for DUI, and the later charges of domestic violence with a weapon and embezzlement. Hall is no longer listed as the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Sydney, Montana, and he has been removed from the staff of Protestia (originally Pulpit & Pen).

It is difficult to comprehend the attitude of Chris Rosebrough, Phil Johnson and Justin Peters during the above "discussion" dated 7th of July. This video appeared to me to be a blatant attempt to block others from publicly evaluating Hall's "ministry". The seriousness of the accusations against Hall does not warrant the accusation of "gloating" or "gossiping" against those who have ventured to express their views publicly. Does Justin Peters claim to know the intentions of the heart? (Hebrews 4:12). Someone who sets themselves up as a pastor with a public profile should be tested biblically and should be held accountable and publicly exposed. (1 John 4:1). It is pertinent to point out that the discussion is not limited exclusively to Rosebrough and his cronies, and that others do actually have the right to discuss and question Hall's "ministry", particularly in light of recent events. Isn't this precisely what these three "watchmen" do in cases that do not involve their own particular clique? Was Paul gossiping about the problem at Corinth? (1 Corinthians 5:1). The church should operate in an atmosphere of complete integrity and openness, especially when things go wrong. 

Our three "watchmen" described how they had implored and admonished Hall on multiple occasions privately regarding his "pugnacious" attitude. Phil Johnson compared Hall to the infamous pastor, J Frank Norris, who shot and killed an unarmed man in his office in 1927. {1}  Rosebrough, Johnson and Peters obviously recognized how dangerous Hall was, both spiritually and physically, and yet they decided to limit their actions to private admonitions!

In such a dire situation it would have been appropriate to put some sort of plan into place. Although the JD Hall situation did not fit the guidelines in Matthew 18, it would have been wise to set up a meeting and remonstrate with Hall as a group. After that, it would have been appropriate to approach Hall's church elders. I believe that this step would have been futile at that time, but at least it would have demonstrated their concerns. According to Micah Hershberger, Hall fired the elders of Fellowship Bible Church in 2014 as a result of their attempts to hold him accountable following the suicide of Braxton Caner. {2} It appears that during 2014, Fellowship Independent Church quickly degenerated into a church with an unhealthy pattern of leadership. In other words, Hall allegedly appointed yes-men as elders, and FBC was effectually transformed into an autocracy. As such, any attempt to hold Hall accountable would have been futile prior to recent events. 

The last step would have been for our three "watchmen" to warn the body of Christ publicly about Hall on their platforms instead of turning a blind eye and essentially propping him up. Paul did not hesitate to publicly call out Peter, his fellow apostle, when he was in error and in danger of damaging the body of Christ. (Galatians 2:11-14). It appears that different criteria apply to many discernment ministries where their own camp is concerned. Given Hall's aberrant behaviour and his alleged arsenal of weapons, it is clear that the concerns of Phil Johnson that Hall posed a life-threatening hazard to others was no exaggeration. How then can we explain his reticence to sound the alarm? (Ezekiel 33:6).

If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:16-17).

Justin Peters' dishonesty

   

Justin Peters: "For the last several years I have not publicly connected myself with Jordan, I have not promoted any of his teaching.." (23:00 mark) 

Justin Peters at Fellowship Bible Church Church 7th March 2021: Good morning. I hope everyone is doing well this morning. It is a joy to be with you, it truly is. I have been here once before and it's been a while, seven eight or so, nine years ago maybe, it's been quite a while, so it's a joy to be back. I appreciate so much Jordan's friendship and the kindness and support that he has shown me.." {3} 

To add to the reticence of these "watchmen" to publicly expose Hall as an extremely dangerous man, we are also faced with further difficulties regarding the dishonesty of Justin Peters. Peters' rightly exposes all kinds of dishonesty and lies amongst false teachers, but apparently the rules do not apply to him! We now have to try to make sense of his own dishonesty in falsely stating that he had not publicly connected with Hall for "several years". I have given Justin Peters the benefit of the doubt on previous occasions, particularly regarding the Doreen Virtue incident. It should have been clear to both Rosebrough and Peters that Doreen Virtue had no business seamlessly switching her New Age platform to a Christian "ministry", including detailed accounts of her dubious vision of Jesus, both online and in her book. {4} Rosebrough and Peters' managed to bring some correction to Doreen Virtue, but the whole mess could have been avoided if they had done their due diligence and acted wisely instead of making excuses for yet another Calvinist. 

We have heard nothing further from our three "watchmen" regarding Hall since their attempt to close down the discussion on the 7th of July. Does this mean that they will follow the pattern of other hirelings who choose to ignore troublesome issues hoping that they will go away? The sin of partiality is very serious, particularly for those claiming to operate discernment ministries. (Proverbs 24:23). This is especially relevant considering their wholesale condemnation of Word-Faith NAR prosperity teachers and other heretics. (James 3:1). If we can’t take the plank out of our own eye, then we have no chance of addressing the errors of others. (Matthew 7:5). 

But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31).

1. Lessons from the Megachurch Pastor Who Killed a Man (thegospelcoalition.org)
2. (1) The Jordan Hall Story - Corruption, Cover-Up & Abuse - YouTube
3. SermonAudio - Media Player
4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: DOREEN VIRTUE: BEYOND REPROOF (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

J.D. Hall Removed from Church for ‘Failure to Demonstrate Repentance’ (julieroys.com)

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH # PHIL JOHNSON # JUSTIN PETERS: THE FALL OF CULT LEADER JD HALL

(25) F4F | The Fall of JD Hall - YouTube

Chris Rosebrough, Phil Johnson and Justin Peters' recent discussion regarding the fall of their friend JD Hall completely failed to hit the mark. No doubt many who have observed JD Hall's ungodly methods and abusive behaviour over the years are relieved that he has gone ~ but if we say anything about it apparently we are gloating. Really? Gloating has nothing to do with it! 

Chris Rosebrough began by praising the elders of JD Hall's church (Fellowship Baptist Church, Sidney, Montana) because they have exercised church discipline. Rosebrough noted that such an occurrence is unusual in our time and that elders rarely initiate church discipline. The general pattern I have observed is that when a church leader is caught out publicly, or when the evidence against him is overwhelming, then, and only then, is church discipline initiated. JD Hall was caught red-handed by the police in May on DUI and weapons charges. Otherwise, I am convinced that no action by the leadership would have been taken. The statement from the FBC leadership refers to an "incident" that took place on Sunday the 5th of June 2022, but they have neglected to apprise the public of any details regarding this. {1} It is alleged that this further "incident" involving Hall on the 5th of June was a physical attack against his wife and ten-year-old daughter. The offense has been described by the Sidney Police Department MT as "Assault With Weapon.. Forces used: Knife/Cutting instrument" and "Strangulation of Partner or Family Member". {2} It appears that the leaders of FBC have attempted to cover up this dreadful incident and that they are not supporting Mrs Hall and her family as they claim! Evidently, Hall is also under investigation for “Theft Exceeding $10,000 By Embezzlement”. {3} 

JD Hall has gone unchecked for a number of years, leaving a trail of devastation behind him. He should have gone a long time ago, but he was not held accountable. In effect, the leaders of FBC had little choice but to enforce church discipline following recent events and they have nothing to be proud of. I believe that the leaders of FBC are culpable for allowing Hall to continue in his position for so long. 

JD Hall was a cult leader and a bully 

The discussion between Rosebrough, Johnson and Peters was all about JD Hall, his problems, his addiction to Xanax and how to "restore" him.  Apart from a quick reference to one of his more recent misdemeanors, nothing was said about the people/families Hall has damaged over the years, not least the suicide of Braxton Caner in 2014. Hall was accused of cyber-bullying Braxton Caner, the teenage son of pastor and Brewton-Parker College President Ergun Caner weeks before the youth committed suicide. Although Hall expressed regret, his behavioral problems were clearly ongoing. 

Around the same time as the suicide of Braxton Caner, Hall admitted that his overzealous quest to expose corruption in the Baptist church had devolved into an adversarial approach to problem-solving that was downright sinful, and he claimed that he was already in the process of changing his ways weeks before Braxton's suicide.

Hall was the voice of the Pulpit&Pen (later renamed Protestia). Last year, Hall was sued for libel after a story was published in the Montana Gazette about Adrian Jawort, a Native American activist. In that article, Hall referred to Jawort as a “transvestite Goth” and accused him of threatening a state senator.

As part of a settlement, Hall admitted that the story was fabricated and apologized, according to the Great Falls Tribune. (1 Corinthians 6:10). The libel suit was dismissed with the agreement Jawort will be able to make a claim of $250,000 against Hall, who is currently in bankruptcy.

Hall: “I apologize to Adrian Jawort.. The information I published about Adrian was false. Adrian did not threaten or harass Senator Butch Gillespie. I regret the error and sincerely apologize to Adrian for publishing it.” {4}

Hall's gutter press tactics against Servus Christi (Joshua Chavez) and his accusations of "human trafficking" were insupportable. {5} Hall renamed Chavez "Servus Diablos". He also referred to Chavez as "Servetus" which was a reference to Michael Servetus, the man who was murdered by John Calvin. {6} I viewed this as a veiled threat against Chavez. Chavez himself voiced concerns that there was a potential threat from Hall in January 2019. (1:14:00 mark) (26) Pulpit & Pen Founder Finally Critiques John MacArthur? - YouTube 

Hall reportedly bullied his own congregation to the degree that those who came into conflict with him even feared for their physical safety!

Garrett Mullett: "Never before JD Hall had I encountered attendees, members, or leaders of a church – past or present – afraid for their physical safety or that of their family after conflict with a pastor. Yet I have heard such concerns more than once with regards to Jordan and his church." {7}  

These are not the actions of a born-again Christian, much less a pastor! ..not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3).

Hall has stated that unless a person is in "covenant membership" with a local church then they are not a Christian! Our covenant is with Jesus Christ, it is not with bullies, liars and revilers masquerading as leaders. (1 John 2:4). Is it any wonder that true believers are leaving the churches en masse, even those churches claiming to have "sound doctrine"?

After so much damage and so many red flags, most of us would have learned a lesson, but Hall did not. He was left unchecked until his arrest in May. 

When the fruit of the spirit is so glaringly absent from the life of an individual, then we need to question whether he/she is in fact a saved believer. (Galatians 5:16-24). To refer to Hall as a "Christian" on the basis of doctrine alone is questionable. In my view, the term "Christian" cannot be applied to someone who claims to have faith but has no works. (James 2:14).  

Does JD Hall have sound doctrine?  

The Reformed (Calvinist) limitation of salvation (limited atonement) to the chosen few is a perverted doctrine. Jesus came to offer salvation to the whole world. (John 3:16; Matthew 11:28). Orthodoxy and orthopraxy are essential biblical requirements for believers and Hall has failed to demonstrate either of these. (Philippians 4:9). The Protestant tyrant John Calvin ran Geneva like a gulag from 1541 to 1564. Hall became Calvin's disciple indeed, but he has certainly not exhibited any evidence of being a disciple of Jesus Christ! He has made a mockery of the noble calling of a pastor. (1 Timothy 3:1-3).

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:7-9).

This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. (1 Timothy 3:1-3).

They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. (Titus 1:16).

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.. (Titus 3:10).

I like Chris Rosebrough and Justin Peters and I have learned a lot from some of their teachings. Having said that, I have major problems with Calvinism and also with some aspects of Lutheranism. The elephant in the room is their staunch support for false teacher John MacArthur who appears to be their "pope". 

Further Links

(29) The Jordan Hall Story - Corruption, Cover-Up & Abuse - YouTube
(Update #2) J.D. Hall Is Accused of Domestic Violence with a Weapon as well as Embezzlement. He Also Has Had A Lot of Guns. What Did the Church Know? | The Wartburg Watch 2022

1. Statement on the Disqualification of JD Hall - Protestia
2. Protestia Founder Jordan Hall Attacks Wife & Daughter | Servus Christi
3. Protestia Founder Jordan Hall Investigated For Embezzlement | Servus Christi
4. J.D. Hall, pastor and founder of Pulpit&Pen, admits fabricating story about trans activist (religionnews.com)
5. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: PULPIT AND PEN'S BIG SCOOP ON SERVUS CHRISTI: GUTTER PRESS TACTICS (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
6. Servus Christi's Life of Sin to Be Exposed on Monday (pulpitandpen.org)
7. Empowering JD Hall Hurts Good People and Worthy Causes (onthe.rocks)