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Dear Partners In Ministry,
This summer has sped by in a blur! I hurt my knee in Israel
in April at Caesaria Philippi in the “Gates of Hell” cave
there (see Mt. 16:18). I then reinjured it at the start of
Summer resulting in my using a cane and knee brace for several
weeks.Thank you for praying, and please continue as I am
told it will be months longer before I have fully returned
to normal.
I am amazed though, at the work that has beem accomplished
in spite of this by the grace of God working through His
Body! The entire 78 foot roof to the porch of the auditorium
was repaired. A large dumpster was provided to empty out
the building that we want to turn into a recording studio
and a Bobcat bulldozer was provided to clear off the remains
of one of our buildings that caught fire and burned to
the ground. Various other needed repairs were accomplished
thanks to our Christian friends and partners in ministry.
Please don’t mistake
God’s provision in these things as meaning we have no need of your financial
support!
As many who are reading this know, we have launched our new
website www.contender.org. It is configured better with
a much more user friendly navigation system utilizing the
unique “floating” navigation bar that allows you to “go
anywhere from anywhere” on the site. We are still adding to this but we
already have one huge improvement in that our radio program “Perspective
Underground” is back up on the Web! We have archived programs as well as
the current one! This should help in syndication down the road as it will be
easier for new stations to partner with us.We will be soon offering the option
for people to use PayPal to partner financially with us on a regular and easier
basis.That process should be completed as you read this letter.
This Summer also saw me travel to Springfield, Missouri
to address Dr. David Allen Lewis’ Eschatology Club
and I was honored to do so. They meet in a beautiful chapel
facility adjoining the campus of Central Bible College. I
spoke on Islam and also the amazing prophecies concerning water affecting the
Dead Sea and the Aravah which I personally witnessed in the process of being
fulfilled while in Israel. These are found in Ezekiel 47:1-12, Isaiah 35:1-8
and Zechariah 14:8. I will write about this later.
I was also pleased to speak on the scriptural commands
behind apologetics and on Islam at the start of the seminars
sessions on apologetics called “Transcending
Evidence” at Faith Academy in Rockford. The class was well attended and
there was very good feedback from it.
Israeli Author, Avi Lipkin aka Victor Mordechai, arrived
directly from New York City and addressed our Monday night
interdenominational discussion group. He spoke on Islam
and the current situation in Israel and was here during
the recent war in Lebanon.We also had a Muslim, who said
he works for the FBI, show up on 9-11 at our Monday night
meeting. He had one of his two wives, who was from Malaysia,
with him. He debated and dialogued with the class for two hours. He was a Rockford
born person of German extraction, spoke fluent Arabic and had travelled to Egypt
to further his Islamic studies.Interestingly, He was raised a Lutheran as I was!
ON CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
I was once interviewed on a radio program that was being hosted by Don Manzullo,
who is currently congressman of the 16th Illinois District. I later was one of
the co-hosts on his radio program Contact Illinois. Don and I were already quite
familiar with each other at the time of the interview as he used to date my sister
when he was younger and I would see him at our house.
This maybe helps to explain what transpired. He had read an article in Moody
Monthly and was quoting from it but wouldn’t let me see what he was reading
from.The funny thing was I had read the article the day before. He read where
the expert being interviewed was saying that it was alright to relax and take
a deep breath and focus before prayer. The article said that some people found
it helpful to raise their hands with palms up signifying offering God all your
cares and then returning them palms down signifying that you had released them
to God.
Don asked me what I thought? I said I had no problem with it and to have a problem
would be legalistic. He disagreed and said that it was too close to what he had
practiced in TM when he was younger. I asked him if he was willing to say that
Lamaz deep breathing and focusing techniques were also wrong for the women who
have successfully used them to give birth? He said he wasn’t. I let him
know I knew it was Dr. Walter Martin who was quoted in the article.
Don and I went on to minister together many times on the radio on his radio program
and later on ours. I consider him a dear brother in the Lord and a good friend.We
just disagreed at that moment over a practice that bore a superficial resemblance
to a pagan prayer practice.
It is NOT just a resemblance but an actuality that is the problem with much of
the current fad of contemplative prayer that is sweeping the Evangelical church
at the moment!
The story of Don and me illustrates that something as personal as prayer can
be a source of friction and debate among real brothers in Christ. This is because
we are talking about where we communicate with our Saviour and it involves the
subjective as well as the objective realm. Jesus was asked how we should pray
and it is important to heed His words as they shed light on all the commentary
that is being offered today and from the past. This is especially true about
what has been done and said in the dark ages by religious, and not necessarily
saved or born again,”Romanist monks!
"When you pray, you are not to
be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and
on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly
I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when
you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray
to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees
what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are
praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles
do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many
words.” —Jesus in Mt 6:5-7
“Now it came to pass,
as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that
one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his
disciples. So He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom
come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give
us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For
we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not
lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one." —Jesus
in Lk 11:1-4
There are some things that jump out of these Scriptures.
Prayer involves your mind and not the blanking out of your
mind. It is cognitive and, therefore, involves propositional
linguistic communication!
The only possible exception to this is when someone speaks
mysteries in tongues and their mind is not fruitful. 1Corinthians
14:14 says: “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,
but my mind is unfruitful.”
Prayer is NOT suppose to involve vain repetitions, as the
heathens do, nor is it to be a source of public approval.
If ANYONE tells you otherwise they are NOT being true to
God’s word and His Christ!
The Cultic Persecution Complex
When the Muslim man attended one of our discussion classes
he said something that was very familiar to me.He said
that it was predicted in their scriptures that they would
be “ the scum of the earth.” It reminded me
of the same sort of things I have encountered in other
false religions and cults. At the risk of sounding like
psycho babble I will call it “The Cultic Persecution
Complex.” The Mormons like to think of themselves
as a persecuted minority and draw upon the murder (they
call it martyrdom) of their first leader Joseph Smith Jr.
to prove it and up until recently included a curse on the
United States of America for that murder in their temple
rituals. The Jehovah’s Witness like to refer to themselves
as the faithful “little flock” that has remained
faithful to God in the midst of apostate “Christendom”.
There are more examples that could be drawn upon but these
are sufficient to make the point.
Satan has been called the great imitator as he wants to
be like God (see Isaiah 14). He appears as an “angel
of light” (see 2Co 11:14). This means Satan’s
leader may appear as righteous when he is anything but righteous
or representing godliness. Satan seeks to misdirect the sympathies
of their cult followers to cause them to focus on personalities
both of leadership and the “poor put upon followers” rather
than doctrinal truth. This ad hominem approach to dialogue
is evil and has been used by despots like religious cult
leaders throughout history.
The fact is that all leaders have a sin nature and, therefore,
clay feet. This should be covered by love as “love
covers a multitude of transgressions.” Financial foibles
and sexual sin is forgivable but a denial of the docrines
of Christ is not and must be resisted at all costs! If that
doctrine of salvation is lost we lose the very means of forgiving
all of those other sins. (Of course that may not be seen
as a loss to those who do not recognize the seriousness of
those sins).
What I am talking about is leadership that preys upon the
goodwill and sympathy of those they wish to manipulate with
the idea that they are the “poor persecuted ones” who
are therefore christlike. They fraudulently take unto themselves
the mantle of Jesus’ words in Mt 24:9* "Then they
will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you
will be hated by all nations because of My name.”
This ploy is obvious in that any legitimate criticism of
the cult leadership can be blunted or recast as persecution.
It is also useful for the purpose of engendering “group
think and cohesiveness” to engender a sense of destiny
and martyrdom in the whole cult or group. This is something
that all people have to be aware of when dealing with issues
of doctrine. The cults and false leaders will always try
to redirect the issue into one of individual men and personalities
instead of dwelling on the merits of truth or doctrine that
is being criticized. Mohammed cannot be used in a cartoon
since his followers are devoted to his person. The riots
we have witnessed are proof of this even if this is denied
by them. Joseph Smith is always portrayed as a humble man
in spite of his ungodly false doctrines and his blatantly
self serving personal conduct.He undoubtedly came across
as a humble servant of God to those whom he deceived. Some
were predisposed to want to believe his message for their
own perceived personal gain.
The same could be said of most cult leaders and those who
want to take over our churches with false doctrine and personality
cults. We must be on our guard against such things! Eze 34:8-10
says: "As I live," declares the Lord GOD, surely
because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become
food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd,
and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather
the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; therefore,
you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord
GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand
My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep.
So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I
will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will
not be food for them."
Encouraging Words:
Though we continue with or without human encouragement it
is always good to receive a Barnabas (son of encouragement)
type letter. The following letters have come our way this
summer but mostly in September 2006:
Dear Mount Carmel,
I am a regular listener to the radio program; "Perspective
Underground". I have been familiar with Mt. Carmel Outreach
and Kevin Johnson since one of their early seminars at Grace
United Methodist Church. In my early twenties I had nearly
converted to Mormonism, but was not comfortable with some
of their beliefs I had learned. Because I had become a Christian
a year later I had always wanted to know how to better witness
to the people I knew in Mormonism, or those who are thinking
about becoming a Mormon. I started attending Kevin Johnson's
monday night class at 1st Free church, asked many questions
in class, often utilized available materials, and asked Kevin
many more questions on Mormonism and reaching out to other
cults whom I may encounter.
Along the way I have been able to know better about what
I believe as a Christian and why it is true. The most important
part in my experience with this ministry is being able to
get sound one on one christian counseling about some deep
issues to which I have come across in my life.
—Robert S.
Dear Kevin,
As you are aware, I have strong opinions regarding The Word
Of God.Based on years of study, I know that a solid grounding
in the foundational doctrines of the Bible is ESSENTIAL
to continue to be a strong Believer in Christ Jesus, The
Messiah of YHWH.
You must lead others into a personal relationship with The
God of The Bible.
Listening to your radio program, among other things, is one
of the reasons that I know The Truth today, and I want to
add my voice in letting you know that attending Mt. Carmel
Outreach has meant a lot to me also.
You’re a likeable guy, with an ability to be compassionate,
or to be direct in confronting error, if necessary, without
losing sight of the fact that it is the love of God for that
person that inspires you to confront.People can see, feel,
and recognize that in you as you speak.
. . .[you are] qualified, in knowledge, in attitude, in truth,
in experience, in the Spirit, and in heart –to do exactly
what you do i.e. Apologetics and the teaching of sound doctrine.
This job takes expertise, and a huge knowledge base, both
in overview of the plan of God, and many fine details.
-Titus 1:9 says “Holding fast the faithful word as
hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both
to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” KJV
Titus 2:1 “Speak thou the things, which become sound
doctrine.”
Second John 9 says – “Whosoever transgresseth,
and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the
Father and the Son.”
One might also mention Eph 4:14,15 about every wind of doctrine...And
both of the Epistles of Timothy!
Just Be encouraged in what you are doing my friend…Keep
doing it! –The job that you are doing is IMPORTANT!
Thank you, In His Service, Steve M.
Hi MCO!
Tough Love! God Bless You! Thank you for all you do to help
keep us informed. The ministry you have is tough, telling
the truth about God’s Word takes great courage in most
cases, but you are Blessed to do it! Love In Christ, D.C.
Dear Kevin,
“. . . I tune into your program on Saturday (s) quite
frequently, and appreciate the clarity of the word you bring.
The interviews are enlightening and helpful as well. Its
great to get the voices of truth sounding loudly throughout
the land. May the Lord bless you Kevin, and keep up the good
work.
Sincerely Yours,
Don Lyon
(Senior Pastor of Faith Center Church in Rockford, IL which
owns WFEN FM 88.3 in Rockford and 103 FM in Madison,Wisconsin
radio network -editors. note)
We want to thank all of our partners in prayer, hands on
pragmatic help and financial support! We really need the
individual partners more than ever. Jesus told us in Matthew
10:41: "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet
shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous
man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous
man's reward.” We do not “give to get” but
we are reminded that if we give it will return to us. Chuck
Missler has said we shouild give where we see God’s
hand has been in something. We can point to many such events
in the life of this ministry.
In fact I am working on a devotional book about those things
tentatively called “Noticing God —Stories of
Supernatural Intervention and Providence” When I get
done with those stories that come from our direct experiences
in ministry and our family, I intend on continuing the series
with stories from other Christians. If you have such a story
you know about or would like to have included write it down
and send it to me either through regular or E-mail. My e-mail
is www.Kevin@contender.org or contender@aol.com.
Please let your friends and family know about this project
and ask them to send me their stories of how God has done
something supernatural in their lives. It can be something
skeptics would scoff at as this is meant for the those who
presuppositionally believe in God.
In closing, the Apostle Paul says it best in 2Thessalonians
2:13: “But we should always give thanks to God for
you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen
you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification
by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
Again, Thank You So Much!
Please Pray For These Concerns:
• We have had an estimate on the cost of turning the
building I mentioned before into a recording studio and it
is roughly $5,250.00 for the building materials and another
$5,000.00 for the additional recording equipment like special
microphones, hardware and software. We already have the 24
channel mixing board, G-4 Computer, studio amplifier, BOSE
speaker monitors and some microphones.Our vision is to help
young Christian Bands to be able to afford very needful recording.
We need volunteers to be able to put this plan into effect.
We have several people who have said that they would be willing
to help with construction. We could use as many of you as
can help!
My sons Ethan (16) and Caleb (20) and my twin nephews, Jordan
(17) and Josiah (17), have a band called “The Broken
Fall” who are just such a group. Caleb is the manager
and also in charge of sound engineering. They boldly proclaimed
themselves “Christian” on their designation in
a battle of the bands held by Rockford, Illinois’ Public
Library. Out of nine bands (some of whom were very pagan)
they came in second place and were awarded the “Best
Up and Coming Band” prize.Their cash award was presented
by the Mayor of Rockford. They then went on to come in first
place at Temple Baptist Church’s battle of four bands
winning the cash prize there. Caleb has agreed to engineer
for the musicians that would come here to record. This project
would also help me finish recording my album. You can check
out our music section at www.contender.org
• Pray that God’s will be done in the case of
a church that has had it recommended to them by a prominent
member to have me be a monitor of the orthodoxy and orthopraxis
of their progressive service. This service is established
to meet the needs of people who do not have the capacity
to relate to Church services as they have been conducted
up till now. As our policy is to not interfere or “butt-in” where
we are not invited, we are as usual, making ourselves available
at God’s discretion. We serve at the pleasure of the
King.
We Invite Your Involvement:
Listen to the weekly broadcast of “Perspective Underground” on
88.3 WFEN in Rockford, Il. and 103 FM in Madison, WI. Saturdays
at Noon! Topics Covered Are: Current Events From A Christian
Worldview, Biblical Prophecy, Apologetics and Cults, Christian
Morality and Government. Please let us know what guests you’d
like to see in person at our auditorium!
Attend our interdenominational Monday night discussion and
teaching class at 7:00 pm at First Evangelical Free Church
in Rockford, Illinois. We cover similar, if not the same,
topics as the radio program, and watch and listen to the
latest Christian video and audio tapes. We also keep abreast
of current media coverage of Christian concerns. Lively discussion
and question and answer is the norm. The class has been attended
widely across denominational lines. For ten years we have
been meeting downstairs in the board room.
Call us at 815-947-CULT if you are witnessing to a person
lost in a cult, false religion, the occult or if you have
any question or spiritual need relating to Christ. We will
try to help with information, prayer and bible based counsel.
Make use of our speakers bureau! Rev. Kevin Johnson, Joel
Griffith and Jim Korleski are available to come to your church
and fill the pulpit, teach Sunday School classes, speak to
youth groups, or do a special series of seminars on a wide
variety of topics including: Post-Modernism, Evolution Vs.Creation,
Israel and/or Post-Yavne Judaism, Using Your Gifts In The
Body of Christ, The Believer’s Position In Christ,
The Christian and Politics, Legalism, The Occult, Biblical
Prophecy and Modern Times, The Cults Overview, Following
The Example of The Apostles In Evangelization and Missions,
Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Islam. Please approach
those who are in authority in your church or organization
who are able to bring us in and urge them to do so!
Be a spiritual detective For M.C.O./I.C.A.!! You can help
MCO by sending us interesting bits of information in the
form of newsclips, articles, tapes and books that pertain
to prophetic developments, the cults and the occult. Also
call the media outlets (radio, TV, newspapers) and urge them
to use us as expert sources or evangelical spokesmen.
Urge your church’s missions board to join other churches
in their support of MCO!
Please continue to regularly support MCO in prayer and monthly
giving as the Lord leads! Notes of encouragement also mean
a lot!
We thank the Lord for each one of you!
Mount Carmel Outreach
All donations to The Institute For Christian
Apologetics are
tax-deductible, greatly needed and equally appreciated!
Make your checks out to:
The Institute For Christian Apologetics
Send them to P.O. Box 5761 Rockford, IL 61125
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