From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible assumes that the truths revealed therein form a coherent entity of mutually reinforcing beliefs and practices. Particular support for this stance is found in Acts 20:27 where Paul boldly confesses to a body of Church leaders “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Note especially the words ‘whole counsel.’ These words assume that the body of teaching he gave could be viewed as one indivisible entity.

In Philippians 2:6-11, particular doctrines such as Christ’s Deity, his humanity, death, resurrection and glorification are portrayed side by side. A similar collection of truths is presented in Ephesians 1:3-14. Together, these passages reveal what Paul meant when he used the term, “I ... declare to you the whole counsel of God.” In Revelation 22:18-19 any addition or reduction to “the words of prophecy” are viewed as being a serious enough sin to warrant “plagues” and a loss of eternal blessings. Returning to the Torah (instruction) of Moses, one finds in Deuteronomy 4.2 the warning “You shall not add to the word that I command you, neither shall you diminish anything from it that you may keep the commandments of the Lord God, which I command you.”

God expects His truths, as revealed in Scripture, to be obeyed in their entirety. However, a failure to grasp ‘the interlocking nature of Biblical truth’ leads to God’s commands becoming impossible to obey. Failure to see how the different teachings of Scripture cohere together results in a seriously diminished capacity to live out those teachings amidst the pressures of daily life.

Another witness to this concept is Psalm 119:6 where the author says “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect for all your commandments.” Once again, all of the commandments of God are seen as representing one entirety. Most crucially of all, Jesus, in His use of the word ‘leaven’ in Matthew 13:3 and 16.6-12 demonstrated that both truth (represented by ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’) and error (represented by ‘the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees’) tended to have wide- ranging effects, influencing the whole of a person's life. Equally crucial in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissioned his Disciples to “teach all Nations...to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

The words ‘all things’ do presuppose ‘the interlocking nature of Biblical teaching.’ Especially clear is Mark 12:18-27, where amidst fierce controversy, Jesus rebuked the proud Sadducees for not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God. In their case, a failure to properly understand just one small passage had led them into the colossal error of denying the resurrection of the dead. They had completely lost their way about ‘the things of God’ (1 Corinthians 2:11) because they had failed to correctly comprehend God’s announcement to Moses in Exodus 3:6. This reads, “I am the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

In particular, they failed to see that God was speaking in the present rather than the past tense. Truly, out of tiny mistakes much error can grow. The tragedy today is that, in their handling of Scripture, the mistakes made by many Modern Theologians are often far worse than the minuscule slip committed by the Sadducees who were so firmly rebuked by Jesus. Although the actual term ‘interlocking nature of Biblical doctrine’ is not present in God’s Word, it is as a concept clearly assumed and taught by all of the authors of Scripture. If this were not the case then both the actions and words of these contributors would be meaningless. 

APOSTASY REVEALED

A MUST READ FOR EVERY BELIEVER: A NEW SPIRITUAL BOOK: "APOSTASY REVEALED"

The author is Nicholas A. Stivers, Treble Heart Books, 2003, 213 pages of exciting exhortations for believers that will change their lives. Nicholas writes that these works are dedicated to all the true followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who was is and will always be our only Salvation. To Him belong all the power, glory, honor and dominion, here now and ever after. To all who have died on account of Him, to all of you who will die on account of Him, to all who suffer for His namesake, may you receive your reward in full measure, Amen. Content: 1) To All Who Call Themselves Christian 2) Hear All Gentile Nations 3) Are You Saved? 4) Master Are You There? 5) The Appointed Ones 6) Those in the World And Those Of Whom The World Is Not Worthy 7) Revelation And Testimony 8) His Sovereign Government 9) Seek Not to Offend And Be Not Offended 10) Out Of Seven Churches 11) Apostasy Revealed 12) And Signs to Accompany Them 13) Another Witness Speaks 14) Drink and be Nourished. Eat and be Satisfied! 15) Love Your Neighbor and Your Brother 16) Ask and He Will Answer You 17) Witness to the Nations. Check out the special offer for free tape of your choice. http://nicholasscrolls.cephasministry.com/order.html

Cultural causes, arising from the cultural values and norms of the society in which a Christian happens to live. 1 John 2:15-17 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is consumer materialism, which places a high value upon personal satisfaction.

Economic causes, arising from the market forces of supply and demand. Deuteronomy 32:15-18 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the huge amount of affluence provoking a forgetful attitude toward spiritual matters.

Social causes, arising from peer pressure, the influence of leaders and the relationships within a group. John 12:42-43 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the psychological pressure Pastors place upon their congregations for them to receive some ‘strange’ teaching or experience.

Structural causes, arising from large organizational and institutional, government or non-government structures. Jeremiah 7:4 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the rigid hierarchical system found in many major denominations. (This because they provide a larger scope for abuse by concentrating too much power in the hands of too few people.)

Political causes, arising from the distribution of power and factional conflicts within a structure or small social group. 1 Kings 12:26-31 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the influence of pressure groups campaigning for change often pushing the Church in a non-biblical direction.

Individual causes, arising from personal psychology; they include the particular attitudes, beliefs, intellectual capacity, emotional disposition and behavioural proclivities belonging to an individual. Personal free will and choice also directly influence whether apostasy will be the end result. James 1:6b-7 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the belief that God is irrelevant to everyday life. (This limits His authority to a narrow area of religious life.)

Technological causes, arising from scientific and technological developments; they include the Theory of Evolution and the rise of Communication Technology, either of which can serve to disseminate heretical ideas. The ‘engraving tool’ used to make the Golden Calf in Exodus 32:1-4 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the Theory of Evolution’s role in sewing doubt concerning God’s creation of the Universe. (Although included as a cause of apostasy, technology is in reality a morally neutral tool used either to honour or dishonour God.)

Traditional causes, arising from custom, traditional practice and historical or religious experience. Mark 7:5-8 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the degree of anti-Semitism found to be present in some of the older and more established denominations.

Spiritual causes, arising from either satanic activity or divine judgment; this particular spiritual cause may be apparent in any of the above listed causes. Romans 1:24-28 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the influence of New Age Pagan beliefs and practices imparted through the ministry of the late John Wimber, (1934-1997).

These spiritual causes can in turn be sub-divided into: -

Demonic Causes, arising from Satan or his demons. The ‘strong delusion’ mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the influence left behind by the Toronto Experience, which in its brief heyday had acted as an ‘initiation’ into various and more subtle demonic deceptions.

Divine Causes, arising from God’s determination to judge apostate people and those groups to which they belong. Revelation 18:1-23 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the way God used the media to expose the significant amount of paedophilia amongst Roman Catholic Priests.

However, two types of divine judgment may occur (either co-currently or sequentially). These are: -

Passive judgment – here, the Holy Spirit departs from apostate settings, leaving the participants to their own or the devil’s devices; they are given over to a ‘retributive hardening of heart.’ (The truth, which at one time, may have been upheld has now been rejected and any spiritual understanding lost.) Genesis 6:3 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the growing madness displayed by certain ‘Health and Prosperity Teachers.’

Active judgment – where God steps in to forcibly remove evil, using either natural or supernatural means; Genesis 7 represents one Biblical example; a common cause of apostasy in the contemporary Western Church is the self-destruction of the People’s Temple in South America during 1978, which represented the removal of a cruel false prophet.

The presence of structural causes underlying the [ APOSTASY ] would explain why in hierarchical organizations (including the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches) the level of apostasy increases the higher one scales the organizational ladder. This feature was also noticeable in Pentecostal bodies like Elim and the Assemblies of God. Hence, at a congregational level only some representatives of a church are apostate, at the local and regional levels most were apostate, but at the National and International levels almost all are apostate. In part, this situation arises because people are promoted above their level of competence. (One example is Dr George Carey, who made a fine Parish Priest but an ineffective Archbishop of Canterbury.)

Also, a hierarchy tends to promote those whose skills are politically rather than spiritually based. High position within an organization offers temptations, which are simply not available at the lower levels. One example has been the temptation to retreat from reality into a religious fantasy world. However, an important explanation as to why apostasy increases with organizational position lies with the STAKEHOLDER MOTIVE (A stakeholder is a person who has a large investment in the organization, in other words has a stake in it), which states that a personal stake within an organization increases in relation to the position held within that organization.

At the highest levels, leaders and church bureaucrats can be as ruthless as the High Priests of the Jerusalem Temple, (who were willing to arrange the torture and death of Jesus in order to maintain their lucrative religious system.) In short, personal stake within an organization can become so great that the organization (or tradition it represents) becomes a personal idol. As a direct consequence, evil means can be employed to defend what are stubbornly regarded as noble ends. The STAKEHOLDER MOTIVE also explains why servants of Christ are rarely the same following promotion. They have acquired a stake in a corrupt system and their whole personal identity has become dependent upon it. (An instance of this was Billy Graham whom, having begun as a simple Gospel Preacher, became a roving ‘Ambassador’ for the Ecumenical Movement, once he had become famous.)

For leaders in this position, life without their religious system or tradition becomes unimaginable. In order to remain socially respectable they compromise any true ministry they may once have had. What may have originally been a true work of God now dies the death of a hundred compromises. The STAKEHOLDER MOTIVE drives once godly leaders into an unholy alliance with other Church leaders (who may never have been regenerate in the first place.) Such alliances lead to a withdrawal of divine blessings and an increased vulnerability to deception. Those leaders dominated by the STAKEHOLDER MOTIVE often become belligerent when their unholy alliances are challenged. (The writer himself was, at times, the recipient of such belligerence. In more than one case he noticed these alliances often arose from a mixture of personal ambition, expediency and loneliness.)

All of the nine above causes have interacted to produce the present level of apostasy inside both the Western Church and in other churches throughout the world. Exactly why this level of apostasy has been reached inside churches based in widely different cultures and historical traditions would require a degree of rigorous theoretical analysis, lying beyond the scope of this article. However, [an] analysis has provided a useful overview on how apostasy takes place – and a framework in understanding the [ APOSTASY ].

 Another useful tool in understanding is the Apostasy Spiral. Briefly, the Apostasy Spiral is a simple model tracing the downward progress from, ‘Comparative Faithfulness’ through to ‘Terminal Apostasy.’ It shows that Apostasy is a definite process, consisting of the following distinct stages: -

Stage One: Comparative Faithfulness: - being faithful to Jesus and His teaching, where it is both understood and obeyed. Error may be present, but is due mainly to genuine ignorance or a misunderstanding of some minor doctrine. It is not stubbornly held error. A teachable attitude and a desire to learn is present, alongside the character fruit mentioned in Galatians 5: 22-23. A biblical example of this condition is given in Hebrews 11:4f.

Stage Two: Equivocal Faithfulness: - being double minded and uncertain over whether to follow Jesus and His Word. Some degree of faith is present but so are serious reservations. Particular sins may be indulged and scripture is obeyed only when it is judged to be personally acceptable. However, some degree of ‘good fruit’ is evidenced in such a person, because no complete abandonment of core Christian teaching has yet taken place. The main result of this condition is often a general ineffectiveness in Christian living. Often the result of divided spiritual loyalties; this condition can still be cured through simple repentance. A Biblical example of this condition is given in 1 Kings 18:21.

Stage Three: Proto-Apostasy: - displaying many of the attitudes and behaviour patterns of apostasy, without being a full apostate. There is no open repudiation of biblical belief, embracing of error or enjoyment of a blatantly immoral lifestyle. Considerable ‘lip-service’ may still be paid to the truth and great (even zealous) interest taken in religious matters. However, inwardly the heart has become unresponsive to the Spirit of God and there is an increasingly stubborn refusal to accept correction or to listen to other viewpoints. At this stage the fruit of the Spirit has begun to wither and the works of the flesh begin to become more manifest. However, unlike a full-blown apostate a proto-apostate has retained the capacity to be troubled by sin. The point of no return has not yet reached. Nevertheless, a ‘Redemptive Chastisement’ will be needed to bring such a person out of this condition. A Biblical example is given in Isaiah 29:13-14.

Stage Four: Serious (also known as ‘Overt’ or ‘Full-Blown’ Apostasy: - an open and complete forsaking of Jesus Christ and those core teachings of Scripture necessary for personal salvation. Bible passages, which were once clearly understood and accepted are now rejected, ignored or explained away. A defiant stance is taken toward the truth. In contrast to their ‘Proto-Apostate’ counterpart a ‘full-blown Apostate’ is often most comfortable living a sinful lifestyle. They show their true nature by either casually ‘lapsing into the world’ or by militantly embracing some form of deception. The ‘works of the flesh’ become dominant, although divine judgment may take some time to show itself. Any return to God becomes impossible, although a limited understanding of spiritual matters may remain. People in this condition begin to experience a ‘retributive hardening’ of heart. A biblical example of this condition is given in Isaiah 6:9-12.

Stage Five: Terminal Apostasy: - the final stage whereby the Holy Spirit abandons the Apostate to his or her own devices – leaving them open to demonic influences. Such people experienced a definite to a retributive hardening of heart, the results of which are now becoming evident. Terminal apostates often lose any grasp of what is right or wrong; they go from bad to worse, becoming ever more deceived and destructive. By definition there is no remedy for this condition; those suffering from it are already under divine judgment and their eternal doom is inevitable. A Biblical example of this condition is given in Jude 8-16.

Present within this Spiral are Apostasy Accelerators and De-accelerators Delayers). The former represent any personal sin or external temptation, which accelerates the process of apostasy. The latter represents any personality trait or external restraint, which delays or slows down the process of Apostasy. The rapid escalation of apostasy in the Western Church strongly suggests that the Accelerators are exercising a lot more influence than the De-accelerators.

Also in operation are Apostasy Triggers, which represent unresolved and willfully indulged sins, which begin (or trigger) the whole process of apostasy. By acting as ‘entry points’ for satanic activity, these sins allow people to become vulnerable to spiritual deception and any ungodly pressures emanating from the outside world. One particularly common trigger is divided spiritual loyalties, (a loyalty split between Jesus and a personal idol.) It is present when an attempt is made to follow God, alongside something else, which is often opposed to God. This has been such a prevalent problem throughout Gentile Christianity that it is greater attention in the next section.

This section will look at some of the mistakes frequently occurring in the area of belief and practice. These are as follows: -

1) Errors of content are errors, which are plainly incorrect in their core teachings. A straightforward contradiction is seen to exist between the error in question and the teaching of Scripture. A case in point was the Sadducees whose error in denying the resurrection of the dead was mentioned in the previous section. Usually, if this type of error covers a major doctrine, those with a moderate knowledge of God’s Word should be able to spot it. This explains why Cults like the Unification Church carry little credibility within the Church - their falsehoods are just too obvious. Nevertheless, those Church leaders who find themselves in financial straits or are anxious to increase the size and influence of their movement may link up with any organization (whether cult-like or not) able to ‘keep them afloat.’ One example has been Promise Keepers willingness to include the Mormons.

2) Errors of emphasis are more subtle errors, which emphasize particular Biblical truths at the expense of other balancing Biblical truths. A case in point were the Pharisees, who so over-emphasized visible obedience to Mosaic Law that they failed to see that it was “what comes out of a man that defiles him.” (Mark 7:20 ~ see also verses 1-22) They focused upon outward deeds at the expense of inner attitudes. This type of error may be more difficult to spot because, like the Pharisees, a person may be absolutely correct concerning some of the basic doctrines. After all, the Pharisees correctly believed in One God and the resurrection of the dead. Often the problem is not in what is said, but rather in what has been left unsaid. Truly, silence has hidden many a mistake. One example has been the widespread silence regarding the doctrine of eternal Hell; this omission has served to bolster the status quo whereby leaders who do not believe this doctrine can continue unchallenged in their position.

3) Errors of foundation are still yet further errors, which arise when an individual or group’s spiritual life has never been fully based upon the Scriptures. The very foundation underpinning belief and practice is incorrect. A case in point seems to be 1 John 2:18-19 where various ‘antichrists...gone out from us because they were not of us.’ John’s strong language, along with their decision to leave the Church, which had provided the safe guidance of direct apostolic authority, seems to indicate that these ‘antichrists’ had never allowed their lives to be rooted in truth. With them, it wasn’t so much a case of good people going wrong; but rather of bad people never being right, because they had always lacked a real relationship with God. Nevertheless, errors of foundation may be very difficult to spot; this is because, within the Church, rotten foundations are often hidden behind a polished veneer of pseudo-scriptural piety, giving the appearance of truth. Moreover, this appearance of truth may be so taken for granted that no one is aware of any underlying problem. Usually, it takes a series of traumatic setbacks within peoples lives (or the life of the organization) to expose the rotten foundations hidden behind that polished veneer.

Another complication is that people may be trying to build their lives, not on one but two foundations; one being ‘the rock’ of Scripture, the other being ‘the sand’ of some bogus tradition, philosophy or experience. In reality, what they are trying to do is to “serve two masters,” (Matthew 6:24). This can breed many tensions and although it is not a position, which can be sustained in the long run, over the short to mid-term, this building upon two foundations may obscure the fact that a group or individuals life is not properly rooted in Scriptural truths alone. Only when a major collapse into deception occurs is this shown to be the case. A final point worth noting is that this type of error often leads to the two previously described errors, (1 &2). Consequently, all three of errors can be found in the same situation.

Where serious errors of emphasis and content keep recurring, as has been the case with Pentecostalism it may well be advisable to ask, ‘Has there been any error in the underlying spiritual foundation?’ With regard to both Calvinism and Pentecostalism the answer is a resounding ‘yes!’ The former movement was based upon the Platonic Renaissance Humanism of John Calvin, whilst the latter had its origins in the Voodoo Paganism of the 1905 Azusa Street revival. Regarding both it would be as well to adopt the dismissive attitude, which says, “a plague on both your houses.” The effect both have made on people’s lives has been very ugly indeed - with a gloomy depression on the one hand and a manic emotionalism on the other.

Anglicanism too is a movement with questionable spiritual foundations. It originated in the adulterous desires of a tyrannical King who wished to divorce his wife for reasons of political expediency. It is hardly surprising that a movement, which began in physical adultery, has continued in spiritual adultery. The present morally degenerate condition of the Anglican Church within England speaks for itself. It is yet another example of a movement going wrong because it was never right in the first place. The Anglican Church has always tended to represent the work of men rather than the work of God.

Beyond the above underlying basic errors, another common cause of apostasy is ‘one tracking.’ This is defined as a form of spiritual ‘tunnel vision’ wherein people approach Divine revelation focused upon only one thing. Particular clusters of Biblical teaching are pinpointed at the expense of others. This can often lead to errors of emphasis. However, on occasion ‘one tracking’ can result in such an extreme exaggeration of certain portions of Divine revelation that it leads to errors of content. One reason why corporate fellowship is so important is that it can modify this tendency to ‘one track’ on certain aspects of truth.

 Not to be forgotten in this review of [ the apostasy ] Christianity is the fact that a fiend (the Devil) is at work. As well as playing upon the vagaries of sinful human nature he can work through cultural, economic, social, structural, individual, political and traditional influences and exploit them for his own twisted ends.

Moreover, during the last several years his deceptions have become increasingly subtle – so subtle in fact that one almost feels nostalgic for the dear old days of the Toronto Blessing, (a phenomenon obviously wrong to anyone endowed with a modicum of common sense, a quality noticeably absent from most Church leaders!)

In contrast to the corny antics of Toronto, the latest wave of deception is so subtle that even doctrinally sound believers have been severely tempted by it, (including the author of this article.) In essence, this wave of deception represents a demonic regurgitation of the ‘culture before Christ’ error, which played a major part in destroying the ability of the German Churches to resist Adolf Hitler, (1889-1945).

It represents the insidious temptation to MAKE THE DEFENSE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION A GREATER PRIORITY THAN DAILY OBEDIENCE TO JESUS CHRIST. It is the old problem of divided loyalties again - only this time the alternative focus is the values, freedoms and affluent lifestyles associated with Western civilization.

To some extent, this problem represents a defensive psychological reaction to the terrorist outrages of September 11th 2001. However, there exists a very real element of spiritual seduction. Moreover, this temptation is so enticing that even loyal believers are at serious risk of being gradually and imperceptibly lured into an idolatrous devotion to their own culture – despite the fact that it is already under divine judgment.

Perhaps it is case of people not appreciating something until they are on the verge of losing it. Even mature believers will need to exercise a great deal of vigilance in order to avoid falling into the trap of cultural idolatry. Should they fail in this, the result could well be a highly unpleasant, militantly aggressive, and even xenophobic expression of Christianity. In these unsettled times, regenerate believers must take great care not to allow the devil to sideline them into a form of religious Fascism, (an authoritarian bigotry marked by a tendency to hate those of a different racial and cultural grouping.) However, should they go ahead and adopt such a bigoted attitude, they will inevitably convey the impression that all Bible-believing Christians are bigoted, racist fanatics not deserving to be left at liberty; they will have given the New World Order a good excuse to persecute them.

Very cunningly, Satan appears to be following a two-pronged strategy to subvert Gentile Christianity. By using a two-pronged approach, he diverts: -

1) Most of the visible, institutional church ‘leftwards’ into a doctrinally loose, ecumenical spirituality, whose main concern is to establish a New World Order – which in due time will turn out to be the order of anti-Christ.

2) Most of the hidden, remnant church ‘rightwards’ into either a passive isolationism or a harshly intolerant and divisive sectarianism whose main concern is to establish a comforting sense of personal identity – which in due time will turn out to be another form of paranoid Fascism.

Through their mutual antagonism, both extremes reinforce one another and legitimise their existence in the same way Nazism and Communism did during the 1930s. Furthermore, both represent Satan’s attempt to replace the Gospel with his own substitute. He isn’t really bothered whether he diverts individual Christians (or their churches) ‘leftwards’ or ‘rightwards;’ he simply wants them to be diverted from following the Lord Jesus Christ.

Once this has happened they become vulnerable to further deception and are unable to bear the ‘character fruit,’ which arouses interest in the Gospel. A diverted Christian becomes a deceived Christian and in time a deceived Christian can become a highly destructive Christian. This is because they are in the flesh and can only produce ‘the works of the flesh,’ (Galatians 5:19-21). Not surprisingly, Proverbs 4:27a exhorts its readers to avoid turning “to the right hand or to the left.”

 The tendency to remain in an organization increases in relation to the height of the position held or the longer the association with the religious organization. This is because those in higher positions or having longer association have made a major personal (and perhaps financial) investment in that organization.. Evidence for this law is seen in the disastrous pontificate of Pope Pius XII (1939-1958). He was very much a man born and bred into the Roman Catholic system.

Most religious leaders are far more concerned with preserving the unity within their organization, than with safeguarding the teachings that organization is supposed to represent. Evidence for this law is seen in the way many Evangelical and Pentecostal leaders endorsed the Toronto Experience in 1994-1995 in spite of its very dubious origins.

Most leaders will only promote those who are the most pliable and easily led. This is done in order to safeguard the leaders’ own position and the precious unity of the organization. Preservation of the status-quo, is everything and a situation develops wherein ‘like promotes like.’ This perpetuating cycle results in the steady and relentless corruption of the religious organization itself. Evidence for this law is seen in the continued failure of leaders from all denominations to tackle serious issues such as the presence of false teaching.

Most religious leaders will display a fawning subservience to powerful political figures just as long as they (or their religious group) are promised positions of power and influence. They will also craftily ignore any misdeeds committed by these political figures unless they become an embarrassment. Evidence for this law is seen in the relationship, which existed between the popular preacher Billy Graham and President Nixon, (1968-1974), which became tainted by the Watergate Scandal.

When serious trouble takes place within a religious organization the first question most leaders ask themselves is, “How Can I safeguard my position?” rather than, “How can I remain loyal to the original doctrines I am paid to defend?” Evidence for this law is seen in the way most local and national churches in the world over reacted to the Toronto Experience during 1994-1997. (It was very much a case of loud self-aggrandizement, followed by a quiet “let’s forget it and put it behind us” attitude. There was no significant degree of repentance.)

When serious trouble takes place within a religious organization most leaders put self-survival before the needs of those they are supposed to serve. Evidence for this law is seen in the way English Church leaders allowed vulnerable people to be damaged by the waves of spiritual deception, which engulfed much of the Church during the mid and late 1990s.

When serious trouble takes place within a religious organization most leaders look for scapegoats in order to deflect attention away from their own failings. These scapegoats are either

- Internal scapegoats – those belonging to the religious organization in question, (usually dissenters or someone ‘whose face doesn’t fit.’)

- External scapegoats – those outside the religious organization (usually belonging to a widely disliked minority e.g. members of another faith)

Evidence for this law is seen in the way those who resisted the Toronto Deception were blamed for ‘quenching the Spirit.’ A favourite external scapegoat is the Jews, in those countries where anti-Semitism is acceptable.

When serious trouble takes place within a religious organization the moral cowardice of most leaders ensures they will look for an ‘internal’ rather than an ‘external’ scapegoat, unless the latter is widely disliked by the surrounding society. The more vulnerable a scapegoat is to victimization the more likely it is to be targeted! Evidence for this law is readily seen in the way in which teenage girls and mentally disturbed women were accused of witchcraft during the Salem trials of the 1690s.

A striking relationship often exists between a high degree of diplomatic skill and a low level of moral courage. This means that diplomats are usually the worst people to confront any major error because, by temperament and training, they prefer to ‘smooth things over.’ Evidence for this law is seen in the failure of (the diplomatic) Pope Pius XII to respond effectively to Nazism.

An inverse relationship often exists between a high degree of pastoral skill and a low level of spiritual discernment. This is because Pastors are so involved in meeting the varied needs of their ‘flock’ that they simply cannot gain the objective stance required to confront doctrinal error. Evidence for this law is seen in such caring ‘Saints’ as Mother Theresa of Calcutta (whose own faith tended to be of a highly superstitious nature).

When leaders cease to believe in the original mission of the organization they represent, most will cling onto office rather than resign. This is because they have acquired a major stake in the organization (even though they no longer believe in its mission). They are guilty of the sin of hypocrisy. Evidence for this law is seen in the way successive ‘doubting Bishops’ within the Church of England (such as Bishop Barnes of Birmingham) never resigned their positions even though their publications meant they no longer adhered to important doctrinal tenets.

When leaders cease to believe in the original mission of the organization they represent, they often tolerate or participate in various forms of morally (or spiritually) corrupt behaviour. They may also pursue their own private mission (or favourite cause) to the detriment of the original mission. Evidence for this law is seen in Dr Rowan Williams’ association with the Druid movement in Wales and in his pursuit of an ‘Interfaith’ Agenda, (2002).

When leaders cease to believe in the original mission of the organization they represent they have nullified their own authority and need no longer be obeyed by those under their charge. (Such people are now morally free to separate and form groups, which do attempt to fulfill that mission). Evidence for this law is seen in the separation of Protestantism from the Roman Catholic Church, during the sixteenth century.

Those leaders who direct and organism terrorist groups tend to fall into the following categories: -

1. The Calculating Terrorist – who uses terrorism as a means to gain some form of personal power

2. The Criminal Terrorist – who wants psychological justification for criminal activities

3. The Defensive Terrorist – who reacts to some actual or perceived threat

4. The Fanatical Terrorist – who is passionately devoted to a cause

5. The ‘Gamester’ Terrorist - who enjoys killing people and regards terrorism as a game – these people often possess an exceptionally high degree of self-esteem, with an equally excessive vanity.

It is possible for one terrorist leader to combine elements from all of the above characteristics. However, usually one or two characteristics take precedence over the others. Evidence for this law is seen in the different types of terrorist groups operating in the Middle East since the 1960s.

Any reasonably able and successful terrorist leader may be looked upon as a deliverer to large numbers of people, so long as there is the required level of desperation. Support may be particularly strong amongst those holding deeply felt political or religious convictions. Evidence for this law is seen in the rise of Adolph Hitler from 1928 until his final consolidation of power in August 1934.

Any terrorist organization will succeed in accomplishing its aims only if they are realistic and enjoy widespread support even when opposed by an enemy. The terrorist organization must also present a positive alternative to either an oppressive regime or a situation of chaos. Evidence for this law is seen in the way the Viet Minh defeated the French during the 1954 Indo-China Campaign.

Any large (and apparently successful) terrorist organization, making unrealistic demands, will inadvertently create alternative centres of power, bent on destroying or undermining it. In addition, by creating a climate of fear, the terrorist organization will only reinforce existing centres of power, already hostile to its cause. Evidence for this law is seen in the way Adolph Hitler’s victories allowed Winston Churchill to become Prime Minister of Britain in May 1940.

Any large (and apparently successful) terrorist organization, making unrealistic demands, will provoke the formation of a coalition, which will muster together sufficient power to destroy it. Evidence for this law is seen in the way revolutionary France provoked the formation of successive anti-French coalitions, from 1793 until 1815.

Any large (and apparently successful) terrorist organization making unrealistic demands will commit acts of mass destruction. These will produce long-term consequences, opposite to those originally intended. Evidence for this law is seen in the way Adolph Hitler’s wish to destroy the Jews led to the foundation of the State of Israel in May 1948.

Any attempted negotiation with a terrorist organization making unrealistic demands, will only lead to an increase in its violent activities. This is because its leaders (especially the ‘Criminal’ or ‘Gamester’ types) will view such attempts as a sign of weakness. Evidence for this law is seen in January 1987 when Terry Waite was seized as a hostage whilst negotiating with Lebanese terrorist groups, (he was released in late 1991.)

LAWS RELATING TO RELIGIOUS TYRANNY

(A DICTATORIAL, CRUEL RULE BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS)

 When religious leaders persistently refuse to make an important decision, they usually end up making the wrong decision. Refusal to make a decision ends in being a decision in itself. Such weak leadership can prepare the ground for a religious tyranny. Evidence for this law is seen in the way indecisive leadership by many local church leaders paved the way for their congregations to be infected by the Toronto Experience.

Tyrannical religious leaders usually attempt to isolate themselves from all but their most trusted followers. They can even withdraw from the society of their own families. Evidence for this law is seen in the example of Diotrephes in 2 John 9-11, who banned even an Apostle from preaching.

When religious leaders are not accountable to anyone but themselves they often become dictators. Their tyrannical sway is worsened by alleged contacts with God or the supernatural realm. Evidence for this law is seen in Cult leaders like the Rev. Sun Yung Moon.

A religious tyrant cannot bear contradiction or even the mildest questioning to their authority. Evidence for this law is seen in the anathemas hurled by successive Popes against their many enemies.

Where religious tyranny exists an inquisition also arises. Evidence for this law is seen the Spanish Inquisition.

In the long term tyrants eventually lose contact with reality and believe solely in their own propaganda. Evidence for this law is seen in the Italian Dictator, Mussolini.

Tyranny stifles adaptability and long-term survival. Personal initiative is discouraged. Evidence for this law is seen (in 1991) in the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

All religion ends in tyranny unless restrained by a counterbalancing power. Evidence for this law is seen in the rise of the Medieval Papacy, whose power was only reduced when a large number of European Rulers turned against it during the Reformation.

When a charismatic leader dies, bureaucrats take over the running of the religious organization. Dominated by political and worldly considerations, these bureaucrats ensure the survival of the organization, but often at the expense of accomplishing its original aims. Evidence for this law is seen in the subsequent history of the Franciscan Movement, following the death of Saint Francis in 1226; an order, which once exalted poverty, now became very wealthy.

A religious tyranny is the worst of all tyrannies (because it seeks to destroy people’s lives in the next world as well as this.) It discredits the truth by committing crimes ‘in the name of God.’ Evidence for this law is seen in the frequent threats of damnation made by the medieval Papacy against its perceived or actual foes.

 In the long term most leaders and members of a religious organization will ultimately reject or ignore its original teaching, (like the Sanhedrin who refused to heed the many prophecies confirming that Jesus was indeed the long awaited Messiah.) However, the minority who remain true must then form a sufficiently coherent group if the original teaching is to be safely transmitted to future generations. Evidence for this law is seen in the rejection Jesus endured throughout most of His ministry, resulting in His death, after which a ‘coherent minority’ carried on with the preaching of the Gospel, (Jesus’ own original teaching).

Those who call for repentance (or who make a stand against apostasy) will be labeled as divisive. They will be blamed for the problems created by faithless leaders. Seen as a threat to unity they will become useful ‘internal scapegoats’ in the event of serious trouble. Evidence for this law is seen in the ill treatment Jeremiah and other prophets suffered in Ancient Israel.

A persistent failure to repent leaves only ‘redemptive chastisement’ or ‘retributive hardening.’ Evidence for this law is seen in the way a whale swallowed the rebellious prophet Jonah (as a redemptive chastisement) to humble him, (Jonah 1:15). In contrast, Pharaoh experienced a retributive hardening of heart, (Exodus 7:13).

The greater the investment in error the more savage the attack against those wishing to challenge that error, (due to the influence of the ‘Stakeholder Effect.’) Evidence for this law is seen in the hostile attack made against the ministry of Jesus, by religious leaders in Ancient Judaism.

Most members of a religious organization will ignore and ‘cover up’ the sins of an apparently successful leader for as long as possible; the result being the perpetuation of serious abuses. Evidence for this law is seen in the child abuse scandals within the Roman Catholic Church of America during the 1990s.

Most members of a religious organization will prefer to obey even highly corrupt leaders rather than to faithfully propagate the organization original teaching. Evidence for this law is seen in the popularity enjoyed by false prophets like William Branham during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Most members of a religious organization will be willing to discipline a corrupt leader only when he/she becomes a public embarrassment. Even when such disciplinary measures are taken they may not be proportionate to the original offense. Evidence for this law is seen in the negligent way in which leaders in the Free Church of Scotland were alleged to have handled the possible sexual misconduct of one of their members during the 1990s.

Most members of a religious organization will view as traitors those who expose the malpractices of a leader. Evidence for this law is seen in the response of the Jehovah Witnesses in America to allegations of sexual abuse. The result was a series of ugly lawsuits.

Those who expose the malpractices of a leader will usually be coerced into leaving that religious organization. Evidence for this law is seen in the experiences of former Jehovah Witnesses who exposed the sexual abuses in some American Jehovah Witness Assemblies. The result was a great deal of litigation.

Most members belonging to a religious organization prefer to follow even the silliest of fads rather than true doctrines, as long as it makes them ‘feel good’ or it appeals to some area of sin in their lives. Evidence for this law is seen in the belief (popular in Pentecostal circles during the late 1990s) that God was providing gold fillings to restore the teeth of some of His people.

LAWS RELATING TO ERROR, HERESY AND SPIRITUAL DECEPTION

 Error, heresy and spiritual deception are three inevitable results of apostasy. This is because; when people turn from the truth they are more willing to believe in a lie. Evidence for this law is seen in the presence of many heresies throughout church history.

The effect of mental passivity is to increase vulnerability to deception. This is especially true if such passivity has been induced by meditative techniques, or is the result of adopting an unquestioning attitude toward those in religious leadership. Evidence for this law is seen in the way heresies like the ‘Faith Movement,’ frequently denigrate the human mind by claiming that the use of one’s reasoning faculty is symptomatic of a lack of belief!

In its early stages, a spiritual deception is always more exciting than the truth – at least to those to whom the deception is targeted. However, it may disturb the conscience of those who are open to God. Evidence for this law is seen in second century Montanism and the Kansas City Prophets of the early 1990s.

Women are usually the first, either to correctly detect any deception, or to succumb to it. The reactions of men (not those in positions of leadership) usually tend to be slower. Certain ladies provide evidence for this law at the time the Toronto Experience reached England, during the summer of 1994. (They were accused of ‘blaspheming the Holy Spirit’ by their apostate church leaders.)

To those deceived, the heresy followed appears truer than the truth itself. This is because their faithlessness to God has robbed them of all spiritual discernment. Evidence for this law is seen in those belonging to cults like the Unification Church.

Heretics only become influential in certain circumstances; usually when they enable people to feel comfortable in their sin and also when they ingratiate themselves under the patronage of apostate leaders. Without these pre-conditions they often become frustrated, lone cranks. The ministry of Rodney Howard Browne provides evidence for this law. His ‘laughing’ revival made his public humiliation of Pastors (who were struck dumb under his hypnosis) acceptable to large audiences. He also enjoyed the patronage of influential leaders like R. T. Kendall, the minister of Westminster Chapel from 1977 until 2002.

Those who persistently support a major heretical ministry, false teaching or practice will come under the influence of the evil spirits underlying those things. Evidence for this law is seen in the destructive behaviour of militant Anabaptist Movements during the early stages of the German Reformation, (1517-1546).

Heresy often expresses itself in immorality. However, it can hide its true nature behind a cloak of morality and a concern for world issues. However, immoral conduct has an innate knack of coming to the surface. Evidence for this law is seen in the way Liberal Theology has helped legitimize homosexual lifestyles.

Heresy represents a compromise between genuine Orthodoxy and the world. Thus it represents a means whereby Churches are assimilated into world. Evidence for this law is seen in the way Gnosticism encouraged Christians to follow the Pagan practices of the Roman Empire.

Those who refuse to even consider the issue of spiritual deception will be deceived themselves. This is because they have made themselves ignorant of the devil’s devices. Evidence for this law is seen in the way many Christians in the UK have been duped into running after every latest spiritual fad offered by the Charismatic Movement, from the 1970s onwards.

Unless preserved by divine mercy, those who study a major deception risk

- Succumbing to mental confusion and paranoia

- Reproducing that deception in their lives.

This means that deception should be studied in any depth only when there is a clear calling from God to do so, or one is left simply with no choice (e.g. the deception may be having a harmful effect upon family or friends). Evidence for this law is seen in some of the more extreme Christian ‘conspiracy theory’ web sites on the Internet, where paranoia is a problem.

Unless preserved by divine mercy, those who study the lives of major deceivers risk becoming like them - replicating the attitudes and behaviour of those they criticize. Evidence for this law is seen in the life of the sixteenth century reformer John Calvin, who himself adopted the harsh, authoritarian manner of the Roman Catholic Church he often criticized.

When Bible-based truth is not linked with love it becomes an excuse for either verbal or physical violence. (The same applies when divine holiness is not linked to love.) Evidence for this law is seen in the violent tone adopted in many doctrinal disputes throughout Church history – most notably the Trinitarian disputes of the Fourth and Fifth Centuries.

When love is not linked to Bible-based truth it becomes a mindless sentimentality, which all too readily excuses sin. Evidence for this law is seen in the Romantic Revivalism prevalent in many churches today, (2003).

God makes use of error, heresy and spiritual deception in order to

- Expose personal idols and inward motives. (Sincere repentance may follow in a few cases.)

- Guide his true people back to scripture to gain fresh insights from His word.

Through heresy, God’s people are forced to define their beliefs more carefully. Evidence for this law is seen in the way the Nicene Creed was hammered out (from 325-381 AD) in response to the Arian heresy.

[Ed-note: We changed their concept of "Fallen Gentile Christianity" to "Apostasy." Midrash is a Jewish teaching that states that Western minds cannot comprehend the Old Testament from the Hebrew perspective. Fallen Gentile Christianity is an attack on the New Testament.

Christianity in Webster's Dictionary is shown as "The religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred Scripture." Now can we truly say that Christianity will ever have fallen? I don't think so since Jesus said the following in Matthew 16:18 "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [Jesus Christ, the WORD] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

We do not agree with "The Midrash Creed" but are using some of their analyses because they are true. Just beware of that when you go to the website where this came from. We were notified that there has been a change affiliation. It is not Punchball Publications but Yes-Now Publications. End of note ]. Source from the UK : http://www.geocities.com/midrashcreed/