All Posts in Category "Articles"

An HTML version of Robert Govett’s classic study on The Twofoldness of Divine Truth, showing that biblical truth often has two sides which are not contradictory but complementary.

June 13, 2014 Arminianism, Calvinism, Robert Govett, Twofoldness of Divine Truth

An evaluation of a claim by Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes that the local churches did not follow the principles in Matthew 18 in their dealings with Harvest House Publishers, John Ankerberg, and John Weldon.

January 1, 2011 hypocrisy, Matthew 18, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes

Seven points that contradict a defense published by Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes of Harvest House’s history of filing lawsuits against fellow Christians.

January 1, 2011 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, Harvest House, hypocrisy, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes

An examination of whether the historic Christian creeds or the Bible should be the ultimate yardstick of truth in light of criticism from Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes.

January 1, 2010 authority, Bible, creeds, hypocrisy, Norman Geisler, orthodoxy, Ron Rhodes

While it is common (and not wrong) to refer to the Three of the Divine Trinity as three “persons,” the term persons is problematic because it can lead to misunderstanding. This article examines whether Norman Geisler was justified in criticizing a statement of faith in the journal Affirmation & Critique because it did not explicitly use the word persons in its definition of the Trinity.

January 1, 2010 coexistence, coinherence, Norman Geisler, persons, Ron Rhodes, Trinity, tritheism, Triune God

In a single paragraph in which Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes errantly accused Witness Lee and the local churches of teaching the heresy of patripassianism, they misattributed and misrepresented three quotes.

January 1, 2010 Christian Research Journal, coexistence, coinherence, Elliot Miller, Norman Geisler, patripassianism, perichoresis, Ron Rhodes, standards of scholarship

This article refutes the false accusation of Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes that the local churches teach patripassianism. It shows their error in asserting that affirming the involvement of the Father in the Son’s work is equivalent to of patripassianism and presents both the biblical record and a number of respected scholars that support the principle of the co-working of the Father and the Son (see also Scholars Who Affirm the Working Together of the Three of the Divine Trinity).

January 1, 2010 co-working, coinherence, impassibility, Norman Geisler, patripassianism, Ron Rhodes, Trinity, Triune God, two natures of Christ

Excerpts from respected scholars who affirm that the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all work together and that the work of any of the Three involves the other Two.

January 1, 2010 co-working, coinherence, perichoresis, scholars, Trinity, Triune God

Second Corinthians 3:17 says plainly, “And the Lord is the Spirit.” Many respected scholars recognize that “the Lord” in this verse refers to our Lord Jesus Christ. However, Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes argue otherwise. This article shows their error. (See also Scholars and Bible Teachers Who Affirm That the Lord is the Spirit).

January 1, 2010 1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Christ and the Spirit, identification, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes, Trinity, Triune God

Isaiah 9:6 is a prophecy concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who through incarnation is the Child born to us, yet the mighty God, and the Son given to us who is called “Eternal Father.” Witness Lee affirmed the perspicuous meaning of this verse based on the principle of coinherence, that is, the mutual indwelling of the Divine Trinity. For this, Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes wrongly accused Witness Lee of heresy. This article shows their error.

January 1, 2010 coinherence, identification, Isaiah 9:6, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes, the Son and the Father

A list of excerpts from respected scholars who affirm that 2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 15:45, and other verses identify the Lord Jesus Christ with the Spirit.

January 1, 2010 1 Corinthians 15:45, 2 Corinthians 3:17, affirmation, Christ and the Spirit, Norman Geisler, Open Letter, Ron Rhodes, scholars

Norman Geisler criticized an article by Ron Kangas in which the latter said, “God is infinite, and man is finite, yet in Christ the two became one.” In his criticism Geisler both misrepresents what Ron Kangas said and deviates from the biblical revelation of both the Person of Christ and of the Divine Trinity.

January 1, 2010 God becoming man, incarnation, mingling, Norman Geisler, Person of Christ, Ron Rhodes, two natures of Christ

A list of excerpts from respected scholars who affirm the biblical revelation that God became incarnated in Christ, joining the infinite God with finite man.

January 1, 2010 affirmation, God becoming man, incarnation, Person of Christ, scholars, two natures of Christ

The Twofoldness of Divine Truth is a classic study by the British Bible teacher Robert Govett. Norman Geisler misattributed the principle Govett articulated, calling in “[Witness] Lee’s mysterious doctrine” and wrongly claimed that it contradicts a philosophical principle called “the law of noncontradiction.” This article sketches the scope of his error and links to both Govett’s original booklet and a more detailed examination of the application of Govett’s teaching in an Affirmation & Critique article by Ron Kangas.

January 1, 2010 Norman Geisler, Robert Govett, Twofoldness of Divine Truth

In an article in the journal Affirmation & Critique Ron Kangas applies the principle set forth in Robert Govett’s The Twofoldness of Divine Truth to central truths in the Bible. These truths include salvation, Christ indwelling the believers and being at the right hand of God, Christ being both the only begotten and the firstborn Son, Christ having a body of flesh and bones yet also being the life-giving Spirit to indwell His believers, God being immutable yet processed and consummated in His economy, etc.

January 1, 2010 Robert Govett, Twofoldness of Divine Truth

In an attempt to scandalize fellow believers, Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes strung together a series of quote fragments in a way that completely misrepresented Witness Lee’s biblical critique of the deviations from the biblical patternof the system of organized Christianity that has developed over the centuries. This article examines the true nature and content of that critique as well as the attitude of Witness Lee and the local churches toward fellow believers in Christ.

January 1, 2010 Christianity, denominations, division, false witness, Matthew 13, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes

This article exposes the way Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes used a dishonest and hypocritical apologetic method to attack Witness Lee’s biblically-based criticisms of the Roman Catholic Church.

January 1, 2010 Babylon, Catholicism, Matthew 13, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes

Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes castigated Witness Lee for criticizing the Roman Catholic Church when they and apologists with whom they associate have made similar and even more severe statements concerning it.

January 1, 2010 ATRI, Catholicism, Harvest House, hypocrisy, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes

A list of biblical critiques of scholars and Bible teachers whose teachings parallel Witness Lee’s expositions concerning the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32; the parable of the woman, the leaven, and the fine flour in Matthew 13:33-35; the identity of Thyatira and Jezebel in Revelation 2:18-29; and the prophetic identity of Babylon the Great in chapters 16 through 18 of Revelation. At the end of the list are biographical sketches of the authors cited.

January 1, 2010 Christianity, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes, scholars

An evaluation of the accusation that the local churches are “litigious.” That accusation was based on false claims of legal threats with respect to Christian Research Institute, James Bjornstad and Regal Books, Salem Kirban, Jerram Barrs and InterVarsity Press, and Moody Press. The local churches’ application of an appropriate standard for considering legal action is evident also in dealings with Jesus People USA and Geisler and Rhodes themselves. While Geisler and Rhodes condemn the local churches for their appeals to the courts, they do not criticize those who have borne false witness against us and have, in fact, joined with them in propagating falsehoods.

January 1, 2010 Christian Research Institute, CRI, false witness, litigiousness, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes, SCP, Spiritual Counterfeits Project, The God-Men, The Mindbenders

Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes repeated a falsehood that is accepted as axiomatic among some countercult apologists, namely, that the local churches drove SCP into bankruptcy. From source documents this article looks at the actual causes and motivating factors behind SCP’s bankruptcy declaration.

January 1, 2010 false witness, Neil Duddy, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes, SCP, Spiritual Counterfeits Project, The God-Men

An examination of how Norman Geisler and Ron Rhodes misrepresented the subject and scope of the libel lawsuit over the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, the content of that book, and of the court’s decision in the case.

January 1, 2010 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, false witness, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, libel, litigation, Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes

In various venues Harvest House President Robert Hawkins and authors John Ankerberg and John Weldon have misled the public regarding the local churches and facts surrounding the litigation over the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions.

October 23, 2006 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, public statement, Robert Hawkins

Harvest House and its authors John Ankerberg and John Weldon sought to make the local churches repulsive in the eyes of the Christian public using out-of-context quotation and misrepresenting our Scripture-based rejection of unbiblical teachings, practices and institutions as a rejection of fellow believers and of the faith. In doing so, they pervert Witness Lee’s plea for recovery to the biblical standards of life, service, and testimony among Christians.

October 23, 2006 Christianity, clergy-laity, denominations, division, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, hypocrisy, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, oneness of the believers, recovery, subjective experience of Christ

The local churches seek to return to the biblical standard concerning the subjective experience of Christ, the function of every member of the Body of Christ, and the practical testimony of the oneness of the Body of Christ. Harvest House, John Ankerberg, and John Weldon misrepresent Witness Lee’s biblically-based critique of organized Christianity on these three lines, even though they and their associates acknowledge the same deficiencies in Christendom today.

October 23, 2006 Christianity, denominations, division, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, hypocrisy, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, oneness of the believers

Harvest House feigns indignation over our criticism of organized Christianity, yet their own books contain very harsh statements criticizing evangelical Christianity, Christianity and the church generally, and the Roman Catholic Church specifically. They even attack prominent evangelicals such as Billy Graham.

October 23, 2006 Christianity, denominations, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, hypocrisy, John Ankerberg, John Weldon

The Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions by John Ankerberg and John Weldon (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1999) accuses the local churches of rejecting Christianity, implying that we reject fellow believers and the Christian faith.The authors and their publisher have never corrected this deceit despite extensive documentation provided to Harvest House proving the contrary.

October 23, 2006 Christianity, church ground, clergy-laity, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, hypocrisy, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, subjective experience of Christ

Harvest House has attempted to turn Christians against the local churches with a series of out-of-context quotations posted on its corporate website. This article contextualizes those quotes and exposes Harvest House’s unfaithfulness to the Bible and to the Lord’s church in misrepresenting the teaching of Witness Lee.

October 23, 2006 Christianity, church ground, clergy-laity, division, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, oneness of the believers, subjective experience of Christ

Harvest House publicly accused the local churches of being litigious. This article contrasts the history of the local churches’ appeals for relief from character defamation with Harvest House’s lawsuits against fellow Christians over financial disputes.

October 23, 2006 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, litigiousness, SCP, Spiritual Counterfeits Project, The God-Men, The Mindbenders

An introduction to a series of articles on how Harvest House misrepresented the local churches’ appeal for relief from libel and our objections to the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions.

October 23, 2006 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon

Harvest House attempted to recast the litigation over the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions as a theological dispute, but a reading of the libel complaint filed in The Local Church et al v. Harvest House et al shows this claim to be false.

October 23, 2006 Christianity Today, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon

John Ankerberg and his attorney Shelby Sharpe both claimed that the local churches registered no objections to “The Local Church” chapter. This article shows that their claims are false and misleading.

October 23, 2006 Christianity Today, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Fuller Theological Seminary, Harvest House, hypocrisy, John Ankerberg, John Weldon

On a syndicated radio broadcast Harvest House President Bob Hawkins, Jr., gave a distorted account of the history of the local churches’ protests over the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. This article contrasts the statements he made on the air with the actual facts.

October 23, 2006 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, History, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, letters of protest, Matthew 18

To mislead both the court and the public, Harvest House portrayed the nature of the definition of cult in the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions as purely theological in nature. This article shows the falsehood and duplicity of that claim.

October 23, 2006 cult accusation, ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon

A public statement concerning the decision to appeal the Court of Appeals decision which granted Harvest House, John Ankerberg, and John Weldon summary judgment in the libel action over the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions.

February 27, 2006 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, public statement

An examination of what the Bible says about how Christians should deal with disputes and under what circumstances an appeal to a secular court system may be justified.

December 5, 2005 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, lawsuits, litigation, Matthew 18

A press release concerning public postings on Harvest House’s corporate website libeling the local churches.

April 20, 2004 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, public statement

Ten irrefutable facts about the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions that show reckless disregard for the truth and malice on the part of both the authors and the publisher in including the local churches in the book.

April 20, 2004 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, litigation, public statement, publishing standards

Harvest House claimed to use “professional editorial standards” in the development and publishing of the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. This article shows the emptiness of those claims.

April 20, 2004 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, public statement, publishing standards

Harvest House claimed that its use of The Chicago Manual of Style discharged its responsibility to use “acceptable editorial standards” in publishing the Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. The Chicago Manual, however, focuses on stylistic and not substantive issues and cannot be used to justify shirking editorial norms in publishing a book that makes false and defamatory accusations.

April 20, 2004 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, public statement, publishing standards

A press release responding to a Harvest House statement on its corporate website following the District Court’s rejection of its summary judgment motion.

March 19, 2004 ECNR, Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions, First Amendment, Harvest House, John Ankerberg, John Weldon, public statement