Featured The Way of the Master Moment episode The Church of Satan

I'm always looking for opportunities to do so effectively, and I get them.

Yes, but I don't do it WOTM style, because I don't think that is the way of Jesus.

You used the expression, "other false teachers," as the finish to a list of presumably similar things. I hope you understand that adherents to Wiccan religions and satanists are often not teachers. A false teacher is someone who makes it a point to spread their message. Most Wiccans and satanists I have encountered are not evangelizing. In fact, the real satanists are usually doing things in secret.

I do not think I have even spoken to a person who is a member of the Church of Satan - please note that it is an extremely specific group that was founded by Anton LaVey and is something quite a bit different than the self-styled satanism groups that I have encountered. The Church of Satan is more spectacle and hedonism than a spiritual reality and gets much more publicity than it deserves.

I agree with the sentiment, but there are many more people out there besides the tiny minority of Wiccans, Church of Satan members, and satanists. Minister to the people who come your way unless you are specifically sent to one of these fringe groups. People who participate in occult groups are usually seeking power over the persons, habits and situations they encounter in life. Living a Christian life in front of them that demonstrates the power and confident of the Spirit is much more effective than trying to engage in dialogue with them without knowledge of their worldview and the leading of the Spirit. If you do end up in a conversation about faith, it will likely turn to the issue of power, and the demonstration thereof. If you are not walking in the Spirit's power, you will simply confirm to them that the limited power they experience is superior to God's power. Entering into that kind of confrontation violates the command about "putting God to the test", so God may end up rescuing you for the sake of the other person and His name, but you have stiff sinned against God for your presumption.

I am not a Calvinist, but they are absolutely right when they quote John 6:44. Evangelism need to be done, mindful of the role and leading of the Spirit. We need to be like Jesus and do what we see the Father doing, working in close association with God instead of presuming to do our own thing with our own plans and tools. I came to that conclusion about 25 years ago (after about five years of door-to-door evangelism, tract distribution, and "open air" preaching). I have seen many more results and have heard back from people whom I had evangelized in years previous when I did not seen the commitment, who informed me that those few words of testimony and encouragement started them on a path where the Spirit brought them to a place of faith.

 

Very good. Amen!Smile

 

Well there is a group called "The Church of Satan." I didn't realize you were simply separating the sheep from the goats in your post.

I'll let friends and family who are in Methodist circles know they are in the "church of satan" and are no better than cultists.

Are you getting this miserable designation from WOTM (sic) broadcasts? Are they actually teaching that United Methodists are in league with satan, or is that simply your opinion?

 

All of them? You've checked out all of the United Methodists in your area - every church?

What is the nature of this "other gospel"? It would be great if you can provide evidence instead of making sweeping generalizations.

 

Since you acknowledge there are Baptists who are "liberal" (whatever that might mean), which apparently means they are teaching another gospel (please correct me if I am wrong), then you should include a bunch of Baptist denominations in your "church of satan" category so that our friends in other denominations don't think you are giving a pass to Baptists.

Is everyone who understands the gospel differently from you, John MacArthur, and WOTM (sic) in unwitting league with satan?

 

The Gospel Coalition Church Directory - Broomfield (Colo.) United Methodist Church

 

Words mean things.

Tell us about your local UMC pastor (Randy Jessen).