Where Are We... and Where Do We Need to Be? | thebereancall.org

Where Are We... and Where Do We Need to Be?

September 8, 2023
T. A. McMahon

More about our Annual Conference: https://www.thebereancall.org/conference

Watch the Conference Live or Later:

T. A. McMahon is president and executive director of The Berean Call ministry, editor-in-chief and contributing writer for The Berean Call newsletter, co-author of The Seduction of Christianity, America: The Sorcerer’s New Apprentice, Understand the Times, and author of Showtime for the Sheep? and Temporal Delusion.Holder of a master’s degree in communications, he has researched and written numerous documentaries and scripted several feature films. His writing/producing for Christian videos includes The Cult Explosion; The God Makers; The New Age: Pathway to Paradise?; The Evolution Conspiracy; A Woman Rides the Beast; Israel, Islam & Armageddon; and Psychology and the Church.

The Berean Call’s website: www.thebereancall.org

Videos will also be posted on these platforms:

Join us on Social Media:

Transcript:

Well, I want to get into this right away, because starting with Monday, this was my first attempt at getting the message the Lord wanted me to give you. Then there was test #2, try #3, try #4, try #5, and here we are. And it’s an awesome responsibility. I mean, look, I believe every word that Pastor Mike gave us. It’s got to be that way! Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.

Yet, we get anxious! How am I going to summarize what you guys have heard? I mean, some of you already told me you got brain cramps from information overload! Okay? Which is fine, because we’re going to repeat all of the talks in a week! They’re going to be all on video and so on, so you’ll be able to process them in a slower way, and spread them out.

But, having said all that, here it comes: 

“Where Are We, and Where Do We Need To Be?" 

You know, to answer those questions in brief, we need to be where the Word of God wants us to be and know how we are to get there...and to go on from there, which is why we have these conferences.

Scripture tells us that we need to be like the children of Issachar, which were “…men that had understanding of the times, and knew what Israel ought to do.”

That’s 1 Chronicles:12:32.

So, what do the Scriptures tell us about the times?

First John:2:18: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,” it also tells usthat even now there are many antichrists. The term “antichrist”—that’s really an interesting word. It has different meanings. It refers to an individual who will rule the world at the time of the return of Jesus. He will oppose Jesus and His teachings. There’s also a use of the term “Antichrist” which emphasizes him as a replacement for Jesus Christ rather than the one who is in obvious opposition. (Sometimes it’s spelled with an “e” rather than an “i.” In other words, “antechrist.”)

That shouldn't surprise us. Second  Corinthians 11:14 states: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

I believe that the “replacement” aspect relates to his deceiving and seducing the world and building his kingdom. Even during his time of playing the good guy, which he does during the first three-and-a-half years of the great tribulation, those who become believers in Jesus Christ are not cut any slack by the "good guy."

They are hotly persecuted, many being martyred.

Yet well before that takes place, biblical Christianity has been increasing as “odd man out” among the religious beliefs of the world.

Christianity is the most oppressed and persecuted "religion" throughout the world today.

Jesus, who was hated without a cause (John:15:25) declared, "If the world hate me…” Oh, sorry, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hatedyou."

Again, Jesus said, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you" (1 John:3:13).

We are seeing that manifest today in our courts, our legislatures, our schools, enforced by police (by the way), our different government agencies, and throughout liberal agendas: the gay agenda, abortion propaganda programs—and that's taking place even before the "man of lawlessness" gets his program rolling.

As I was praying about how to go about concluding this conference, it was a struggle to know how to go about it, especially in view of all the information that came through our speakers. (And by the way, these are all my buddies. I have the privilege and the responsibility to get all the speakers here. And, like I said, these are my friends. So I know who I’m bringing here for you guys.)

Well, the verse from 1 Chronicles:12:32 kept coming to mind: "The children of Issachar, they were men that had understanding of the times, and knew what Israel ought to do."

Two things spoke to my heart: We need to have an understanding of what is taking place spiritually in the church, and in particular, recognizing that the church is drifting away from obeying Jesus, who is the head of the church.

That drift has brought on the apostasy, which is the departing from the faith (2 Thessalonians:2:3). In Matthew 24 Jesus revealed to His disciples that which would take place at His return.

The apostasy would include overwhelming deceptions, false Christs, false prophets, and false signs and wonders. However, there's another Scripture that I believe speaks even more directly to the buildup of the apostasy.

Let’s turn to Revelation, if you will, to chapter 2 verse 1. And what we’re gonna do is read to verse 4. Revelation chapter 2, again:

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walked in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.”

Sounds good to me...but then comes a "nevertheless."

“Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2, I read verses 1-4.

"Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."

You know, we offer a book titled, Christianity and Antichristianity in Their Final Conflict. It's an amazing book. It was written 120 years ago, and it reads as though the author wrote it last week.In it, the author, Samuel Andrews, states that the apostasy...the apostasy has its roots in the church slipping away from its "first love."

And that departure (apostasia)seems to me to be the slipping away from loving the person of Jesus...the head of the church.

I agree with Mr. Andrews. His understanding came about through a very straight approach to the Scriptures, something every born-again believer can do. He read the scriptures that deal with what will take place at the time of Jesus’s return, our Lord and Savior, and observed those things that were being taught and manifested in his day.

He describes the most influential people of his time, many of whom were philosophers such as Kant, Spinoza, Engels, Kierkegaard. All of them antichrists, held antichrist beliefs. 

Emerson and Thoreau (you may be more familiar with those names), they were perhaps the most popular. They were Transcendentalists who believed and taught there is a divine spirit in nature and in every living soul.

They championed the lie (which we’re gonna talk about) which is human deification, which started in the Garden of Eden with Eve, and will be promoted in the kingdom of the Antichrist: where "that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, and that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." (That’s the lie!) That’s 2 Thessalonians:2:3-4.

Well, Andrews died well before the psychological counseling movement we know today took hold of our society, but he was fully aware of where it started and where it was headed.

I got saved in the 1970s and I've had close to a half century of learning much about what Dave Hunt called Satan's most effective and destructive device in his assault on the body of Christ.

It's called “psychological counseling,” also known as psychotherapy.

It also reveals what's at the heart of the problems affecting believers and non-believers alike today. As you will see, it's not terribly complex.

In fact, for most—it's been hidden in plain sight, which may be why it's been so incredibly effective.

I want to take you through a history, which, given the older age of our audience–and I speak at conferences, and the age group keeps getting older and older and older, which is not only heartbreaking, but it’s what the Lord has put on my heart. You know, I mean, I love apologetics. It’s good, but what’s joyful is teaching young children. That’s where…well, you guys have seen some of the things that I’ve done. But I’m mentioning that because there are some younger people here, but they’re going to be surprised, maybe even shocked, at what I’m about to tell them. 

But first let me mention my credentials related to the subject of counseling. It brings me back to when Dave Hunt first encouraged me to speak.

He had just finished speaking and he stayed around to introduce me. He said, "Tom's going to speak next, and there are two things you need to be aware. First, you need to be a Berean. Whatever he says, you need to check it out with the Word of God. Secondly, Tom grew up in an insane asylum.”

And then he walked off.

Well, the reaction was mixed. Some laughed and others were not sure he was kidding. (By the way, Dave had the greatest sense of humor. I just love thinking about him! And I miss him so terribly. But, you know, if we know the Lord, we’re going to be with him.) 

So I said, "Yes, Mr. Hunt is correct. You need to be a Berean no matter who's preaching or teaching. And yes, I did grow up in a mental institution."

After a slight pause, I added, "However...however, my father was a psychiatrist and a director of a large mental hospital in the midwest. We lived on the grounds of the institution.”

You know, I like to think that that helped people to become more receptive to what I've written and spoken about the mental health community and the practice of psychotherapy or psychological counseling.

Sadly, that's never been the case. No, it hasn’t drawn people to some of the views that Dave and I have taught about.

But in any case, I take a backseat to no one when it comes to compassion–compassion for those subjected to mental and emotional problems.

And that involves mental health practitioners as well, a career that is highly vulnerable to alcoholism, suicides, divorces, depression, sex abuse, and various anxiety disorders.

Many of my relatives worked in psychiatric-related positions, so I know the field quite well experientially. Certainly up-close and personal.

The late 1970s could go down in the history of Christianity as the worst seduction and deception it has experienced to date. There's no doubt that it was a fulfillment of prophecy.

Turn to 2 Timothy 3.

It begins, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”

Sound serious? Obviously, it's something the Lord wants us to know. Like the men of Issachar, we are being warned about the times that are to come.

What about them? Well, they're going to take place—when? In the last days. Anyone here think these may or may not be the last days?

If not, check it out: 1 John:2:18: "Little children, it is the last time: and ye have heard that antichrist shall come, and even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time." 

Now for…and you guys know, I’m going to tell you some things you know and some things you may not know. So just track with me, please. 

Well, for those—what about those who are claiming a worldwide religion is coming soon, in which Christians are going to take over and turn the world to righteousness in order for Jesus to return? In other words, “He’s being held in the heavenlies.” They need to revisit this prophecy.

It's characterized as what? "Perilous times."

That’s the perilous…or what is the perilous issue? Love. Love. How could that be a bad thing?

Well, it's not love itself, however, it's how it's directed.

The love of money, for example, is not a good thing. It’s not a good thing. Right? It's the root of all evil, the Scripture tells us. So, love becomes perilous in this case when men direct it at themselves.

Check it out: Doesn't the "love" chapter—1 Corinthians:13:5—declare that love “seeketh not its own?”

Now, before we read on as to the perilous consequences of self-love, let's look at how Christians "understood" this Bible verse, big time, and how it came about.

They looked to a philosopher, who, by the way, lived at the time of Samuel Andrews. His name was Friedrich Nietzsche. He's known for the "God is dead" antichrist philosophy. Yet it was his belief that Christians don't love themselves enough that pastors swallowed.

That idea greatly influenced philosopher and humanist psychologist Eric Fromm. One of Fromm's books was Ye Shall Be as Gods.

In his book, Man for Himself, he justified the idea we all hate ourselves and we need to learn to love ourselves. Fromm said that's what Jesus taught when He said, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”

Incredibly, many pastors bought Fromm's interpretation even though…I mean, I’m laughing, but I’m crying!–even though he named his book after Satan's lie to Eve: Ye Shall Be as Gods.

Fromm's theology began, as most seductions do, in small doses and influences, all of them somewhat subtle and appearing to make sense.

In the mid-20th century psychologists began writing about love, and in particular the value of self-love.

Abraham Maslow, in the 1940s, included self-esteem near the top of his “hierarchy of needs.” Evangelicals took note.

Norman Vincent Peale and psychiatrist Smiley Blanton early in the 1950s established the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry.

CAPS, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (I’ll quote from them a little later), took root at the same time.

What began as a trickle turned into a flood from the 1970s through the 1980s. To move ahead regarding psychologist Fromm's influence, here are two books by two of the most popular and influential Christians at the time.

Psychologist James Dobson released his book, How to Build Self-Esteem in Your Child: Hide or Seek. 

Robert Schuller’s book, Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, was sent out gratis to 250,000 pastors.

Toward the end of the 1980s, the American Association of Christian Counselors, an organization that strongly advocates the integration of psychology and the Bible, had its beginning.

Not too long afterwards it boasted on its masthead: “Nearly 50,000 Members and Growing Stronger Every Day.”

Now, this age group, you guys lived through this. All the things that I’ll be pointing out, I should have a huge “Amen corner” here, but not in the corner—sanctuary here. 

Psychologist Dr. James Dobson was arguably the most influential evangelical of the ’80s and ’90s. There were thoughts of running him for president, as some of you may remember. When challenged regarding some of his teachings (I’m talking about Dr. Dobson), that some of his teachings were at odds with Scripture, which Dave and I did when we met with him personally, his response was, and has often been, "Well, I'm not a theologian." (You’re going to hear what that claim comes down to.)

No one was more persuasive than Dr. Dobson in promoting self-esteem and its related selfisms: self-love, self-image, self-worth, self-belief, self-assurance, self-regard, and as Dave Hunt liked to add, self-ad- nauseum.

[audience laughs]

Okay, here are just a couple of quotes from Dr. Dobson:

“In a real sense, the health of an entire society depends on the ease with which the individual members gain personal acceptance. Thus, whenever the keys to self-esteem are seemingly out of reach for a large percentage of the people, as in 20th-century America, then widespread mental illness, neuroticism, hatred, alcoholism, drug abuse, violence, and social disorder will certainly occur.”

Doctor Dobson made that up. There's absolutely no evidence to support that. The opposite is the reality!

Here's another quote:

“If I could write a prescription for the women of the world, it would provide each one of them with a healthy dose of self-esteem and personal worth (taken three times a day until the symptoms disappear). I have no doubt that this is their greatest need.”

When he claims that he is not a theologian, it would also seem that he has not read (or believed) what follows verse 2 of 2 Timothy:3:2. All the verses immediately following contain "perilous" consequences of loving one's self. That’s what it clearly says!  

Christian psychology exploded on the scene in the 1980s. However, there's nothing–I repeat, there is nothing Christian about it.

Let’s hear it from the so-called Christian psychologists themselves. This is a quote from a paper presented at the Western Association of Christians for Psychological Studies: 

"We are often asked if we are ‘Christian psychologists' and find it difficult to answer since we don't know what the question implies. We are Christians who are psychologists, but at the present time there is no acceptable Christian psychology that is markedly different from non-Christian psychology. 

“It is difficult to imply that we function in a manner that is fundamentally distinct from our non-Christian colleagues...as yet there is not an acceptable theory, mode of research, or treatment methodology that is distinctly Christian." 

Yet Dr. Dobson maintains, “Christian psychology is a worthy profession for a young believer, provided his faith is strong enough to withstand the humanistic concepts to which he will be exposed.” 

I’m going to get into that more and more. 

You see, folks, what I'm presenting here are bits and pieces of what we–that being The Berean Call, authors Dave Hunt, T. A. McMahon, Dr. Martin Bobgan and his wife Deidre, and some others who have diligently researched the pseudoscience of psychological counseling and found it not only wanting, but in many cases criminal. Criminal. 

Sadly, the evangelical church has succumbed to nearly every seductive device the Adversary has dished out, all in support of his major strategy: to destroy the effectiveness of God’s Word in the church, as well as in the world. 

Let me repeat that: to destroy the effectiveness of God’s Word in the church, as well as in the world. 

Here are some additional bits and pieces.

As you hear what I have written elsewhere, I pray that you will take to heart Isaiah:8:20 and a saying that a good friend of mine who is now home with the Lord shared with me. 

And…well, Isaiah:8:20: “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

And then the saying: Christ supplemented is Christ supplanted, which I have staring at me every day from across my office desk. We supplement Him, we have supplanted Him. 

Here's a question: Why does the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, put this in a “last days perilous times shall come” prophetic context?

Hasn’t self been a huge problem for mankind ever since the fall of humanity in the Garden? Of course.

But until the introduction of psychology 115 years ago, it was called a science, it was promoted as a science. Until the rise of modern psychological counseling, a preoccupation with “self” was viewed throughout history as simply–what? It’s called “selfishness.” 

Never, prior to modern psychotherapy, has self been promoted as the salvation for humanity’s mental, emotional, and behavioral wellbeing.

What follows in the rest of 2 Timothy:3:2-5 can certainly be traced back to a preoccupation with self as perilous.

“…covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Those quotes that I mentioned earlier, were they telling us to turn away from that? No, they were a solution to man’s mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. We were lied to about that. How do I know? Because I just compared it with what the Word of God says. 

All of this is related to the humanistic psychology of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow that has influenced so many Christian psychologists today. 

Another reason why much of this has taken place is because, well, within the last 60 years the church has been seduced and intimidated by myths and false claims. 

It is a strong delusion that psychology has unique insights into the nature of man and how he functions and why he does what he does. Specifically, the church has been convinced of two compelling myths.

Number 1: Psychological counseling is a scientific endeavor…

and…

Number 2: Counseling is for professionals only. 

Now, before I address those myths (lies!), you need to recognize what the basic mode of psychotherapy or psychological counseling is and how it functions. 

Please understand that I am not addressing all psychology. There are about fifty different fields of psychology. However, only a very few lend themselves to scientific scrutiny.

For example, my major in undergraduate school was industrial design. Research psychologists provided valuable scientific information in the area of visual perception. You go to an airport, you see the signing there, they didn’t just make that up as they went along, okay?

But such fields of psychology, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the dominant field, which is psychotherapy…also called clinical psychology or psychological counseling.

That is what I'm criticizing. That is the field of psychology that has entered the church, and, in my view and the others that I mentioned, in my view, it’s brought about untold destruction.

It is practiced primarily by licensed psychologists with PhDs, and psychiatrists with MD degrees, which I mentioned that’s what my dad was. In some states marriage and family counselors and psychiatric social workers with MAs, MA degrees, are licensed as counselors.

The basic mode of psychotherapy is conversation…dialogue…simply, talk. 

Psychological counseling has been referred to as “the talking cure” (although it hasn’t cured anybody).

A counselor engages the counselee in conversation. As one psychiatrist puts it: “In plain language, what do patient and psychotherapist do? They speak and listen to each other.” 

As the therapist listens to his client, he takes what is expressed and correlates the content to his favored psychological concepts, of which there are about 500. 

So, speaking and listening are fundamental to psychological counseling. 

Since all of us, I assume…no, I’m sorry, strike that. Since all of us know how to listen and speak, we are at least qualified to implement the fundamental mode of psychotherapy. 

But what about our ignorance of the scientific aspects of psychological counseling? Well…there are none! Psychotherapy is not now, and can never be a scientific endeavor.

Research psychologist, Dr. Gordon Allport, explains why: 

“The individual, whatever else he may be, is an internally consistent and unique organization of bodily and mental processes. But since he is unique, science finds him an embarrassment. 

“Science, it is said, deals only with broad, preferably universal, laws. . . .

individuality cannot be studied by science, but only by history, art, or biography.” 

Furthermore, the individual is made up of body, mind and spirit. Don’t we know that from Scripture? Body, mind, and spirit. Of those three components, only the body can be studied by science. 

What universal laws of science govern mind and spirit? 

What scientific instruments measure mind and spirit? 

In attempting to evaluate the scientific status of psychology, the American Psychological Association appointed Dr. Sigmund Koch to plan and direct a study which was subsidized by the National Science Foundation (by the way, no friend of biblical Christianity). 

Excuse me…this study involved 80 eminent scholars assessing the facts, theories, and methods of psychology. The results of this extensive endeavor were published in a seven-volume series entitled Psychology: A Study of a Science.

 Dr. Koch summed up the panel’s findings in these words: "I think by this time [it should be] utterly and finally clear that psychology [speaking about psychological counseling] cannot be a coherent science." 

Dr. Karl Popper, regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of science, after a thorough study of psychotherapy, came to this conclusion about the subjective nature of the psychological interpretations of behavior–he says, “...though posing as sciences, [they] had in fact more in common with primitive myths than with science; that they resembled astrology rather than astronomy.'' 

I can't remember, you know, so much of the…by the grace of God the Lord has me write, and so on, but sometimes I can’t remember where they are. Nevertheless, I'll put this out for you because I like it, and I could find it when pressed to: "In an evaluation test between Western psychotherapists and African witchdoctors, the witchdoctors not only fared better, they charged less and released their clients sooner."  

[audience laughs]

I didn’t make that up!

The second major myth or false claim is: Counseling is for professionals only. 

No, it has never been established that advanced degrees or training in psychology have contributed to the effectiveness of a psychotherapist. 

No research studies have ever demonstrated the effectiveness of professional psychotherapists over nonprofessionals. In fact, the very opposite is true. 

Consider the conclusion of this lengthy research project conducted by Dr. Joseph Durlak: “Overall, outcome results in comparative studies have favored [non]professionals…. [I hope you’re taking all this in!] There were no significant differences among helpers in 28 investigations, but [non]professionals were significantly more effective than professionals in 12 studies. 

“The provocative conclusion from these comparative investigations is that professionals do not possess demonstrably superior therapeutic skills, compared with [non]professionals.” How many nonprofessionals do we have here? Yeah, put your hands up. I was ahead of you on that one! 

I’ll say it again: “...professionals do not possess demonstrably superior therapeutic skills, compared with [non]professionals. Moreover, professional mental health education, training, and experience are not necessary prerequisites for an effective helping person.” 

When psychotherapists are effective, multitudes of studies concluded that what has enabled them to help their clients had no relationship to their choice of therapy (remember there are more than 500 different basic therapies, most of them in contradiction to each other, okay? And then there are 10,000 variations on all of that!), their education (that is, advanced degrees), or their years of professional experience had no bearing. No bearing whatsoever.  

So, what qualities worked for them? Here we go: pleasing interpersonal skills; genuine interest in people; the ability to develop a personal rapport with a client; being a good listener and a practical, commonsense advisor. 

Volumes of research tell us that those qualities rather than any so-called psychological insight are the only things that may be helpful.

Does the Word of God encourage such qualities in believers? 

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians:6:1-2. 

“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…” James:1:19.

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter:1:5-8. 

Now, here's an additional thought from a best-selling author. He’s a research psychologist and a critic of psychotherapy. His name is Dr. Bernie Zilbergeld. He writes in his book, The Shrinking of America (and you know what means, we’re talking about shrinks–not African shrinks, guys! Therapeutic, so-called, shrinks). Anyway, his book is The Shrinking of America: Myths of Psychological Change. He writes, “…most problems faced by people would be better solved by talking to friends, spouses, relatives or anyone else who appears to be doing well what you believe you’re doing poorly.”

“If I personally had a relationship [he’s speaking] problem and I couldn’t work it out.... I wouldn’t go and see a psychiatrist. I would look around me for the kind of relationship I admire….” Now, he’s talking about psychotherapy, okay? Because it’s a part of–there’s a medical part of psychiatry that’s…I think it’s legitimate, unless it’s pushing you to psych meds. But we don’t get into that. That’s not my expertise, okay, in much knowledge. 

So again, he says, “If I personally had a relationship problem and I couldn’t work it out, I wouldn’t go and see a psychiatrist. I would look around me for the kind of relationship I admire. That’s who I would go to. I want somebody who’s showing by his life he can do it.”

Now that, again, is just good commonsense advice from a man who understands the delusion of psychotherapy.

Nevertheless, we don't need Dr. Zilbergeld's very reasonable counsel. Our counsel has been provided by the Holy Spirit.

Much of what I've presented may not be news to those of you who have followed The Berean Call for many years. Initially, for that reason, I was reluctant to even get into this topic. “Hey, they know that stuff.” It’s back. It’s back with a fury.

Anyway, I was reluctant to even deal with this, because, as I said, for most of us oldies-but-goodies here, we’ve lived through this, a major thrust in the church, okay? Well, I don’t want to get ahead of myself.  

But as the Lord does, He brought me back to this message.

Well, this is what I needed to teach about–or not teach about. I’ve taught about it, but to relate back to you guys.

Now, this is where I’m gonna make analogies here, and I hope you track with me on it.

This conference, we have two ministries represented that are effectively addressing the pseudoscience of evolution, and there are more than a few others in this country and around the world that we could name. 

So, please name for me some ministries that are effectively teaching about the pseudoscience of psychological counseling? Think about it. 

Furthermore, how many of our young Christians are aware of what I just reviewed in "bits and pieces"? 

Not only are they not aware, they are being seduced for “filthy lucre,” if you guys read the King James. For “filthy lucre.” 

I could show you dozens of ads from professing Christian colleges across the country enticing students to come to their schools and earn degrees in psychological counseling. 

They're found from Liberty University on the East Coast, Wheaton in the Midwest,  Fuller out here on the West Coast. 

Their ads promote the statistical fact that the second most popular career choice of students at secular and evangelical colleges and universities is–guess what? Psychology. 

Therefore, if schools can't offer that popular career choice, they can't attract the students. And if they don't get the students, they can't charge the outrageous fees they do.

How many of you put yourself through college? Okay? With part-time jobs! Guys, settle down, Tom, settle down–just get back with this.

You see, it's actually worse than that. 

Most young Christians are under the delusion that psychological counseling is a career that can be used to help people. Moreover, our evangelical universities and colleges teach this fake science that is diametrically opposed to the truth of God's Word. They teach it. 

Now, not all the kids that go to these schools take those courses. But nevertheless, you can see what’s trying to attract them.

Now let me repeat the quote from psychologist James Dobson:

“Christian psychology is a worthy profession for a young believer, provided his faith is strong enough to withstand the humanistic concepts to which he will be exposed….” 

Now, if that's troubling to most of you, hang in there. I’ve got some even worse news, a worse part. 

Even though I've been addressing this subject for four decades or more, and I'm a very simple-minded guy…you hang out with Dave Hunt, you recognize how far short you fall! But wait a minute–hasn’t God chosen the foolish things of this world? So we all, every one of us, can step up to the plate if we’re willing. 

Well, you know, again, I’m a very simple-minded guy, as in complexity, which is not my wheelhouse. I missed the simplicity of the deception of what was taking place. That’s why I had so much difficulty in coming up with this message.

To get to that, I want to mention a book–you may be familiar with it. Well, anyway, I had the privilege of helping Dave Hunt write. Why my name is even on The Seduction of Christianity has all to do with Dave's graciousness. 

Actually, I'm sort of...not on it. 

As I was working with Dave, I remember the anxious thought coming to me early on. It may be that a lot of people are not going to like this book...or its authors. Do I really want my name on this book? 

So, what did I do? I used a name no one had ever known me by: T. A. McMahon. 

As it turned out, that silly self-protective idea had some very practical results which hadn't dawned on me, because I was only thinking about myself! I'd gone through programs and been to conferences where I had to register as T. A. McMahon in order to get into the conference. That could have produced some problematic and unwanted attention because of the book The Seduction of Christianity.

For example, what did I do? Or how did this turn out? That’s the best way to say it. Well, I went through the Celebrate Recovery Program at Saddleback Church as Tom McMahon. I was completely honest by simply using the name on my driver's license. And how did that turn out? 

Well, as a sports announcer used to say, no harm, no foul. No issues of unwanted attention related to a book that multitudes of pastors told their congregations not to read.

There were a few interesting things in terms of the reaction to The Seduction of Christianity as I suspected.Here's two in particular. 

The conservative evangelical part of the church was thrilled with the first part of the book because we addressed the doctrinal abuses of the hyper-charismatic and Pentecostal church. That gladdened the hearts of the conservative evangelical church. 

But then they got to chapter 13, and as they say, "The thrill was gone." 

Why? Because we addressed the biblically erroneous teachings and practices of psychological counseling. Conservative Evangelical Christianity was into psychobabble in a huge way. 

But now I want to give equal time to what I believe is a—and perhaps the— chief heresy found within the Charismatic movement. 

And by the way, well, I don’t want to get ahead of myself. But I do have to point this out: This chief heresy–where did it begin? In heaven. I’ll get to that. 

But I need to put out a side note here, because I just listened to what Pastor Mike said, and I couldn’t be in more agreement. But as a side note here, so nobody gets the wrong idea that Dave and I are anti-charismatic, we met with Jack Hayford, which put that myth to rest. At least with him. 

In that meeting Pastor Hayford accused Dave of not believing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Dave responded to Jack that he was sure that he did not know anyone who was persecuted more for his beliefs in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Dave was an influential leader in a denomination that believed that most if not all the gifts of the Spirit had ceased. Subsequently, the leaders of that denomination, because of Dave’s influence, persecuted him around the world for his change from his denomination's beliefs. 

So, what is the chief heresy I'm pointing to? 

Let’s turn to Isaiah chapter 14:14.

Isaiah:14:14: “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” 

Those are the words of Lucifer exalting himself above God, thereby introducing the first sin that we know in all creation. His sin transformed him into Satan, God's chief adversary, and he took his rebellion of Godhood to earth. 

His lie to Eve, "Ye shall be as gods," has worked its way through the history of mankind and has become known as "the Lie." 

What began with the seduction of Eve in Genesis, we find acclaimed by the Antichrist, "...Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing that he is God." 2 Thessalonians:2:4.

If you remember my comment after watching the video of Dave Hunt which we opened the conference with, in which he named the leaders of the hyper-charismatic, word/faith, healing and prosperity movement. Who were they?

Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, E. W. Kenyon, Fred Price, I’m not sure if he mentioned Casey Treat, but that was one of the majors there. And I pointed out that the few, the very few young people in attendance, you know, here, listening to what Dave had to say had no idea. They have not dealt with this as we have, and we’re taken through this by the hyper-charismatics.

For example, they all went…well, in getting back to these guys, they all went along with the rationale (or irrational)–here’s just one of them; they all believe this: "Just as dogs have puppies and cats have kittens, so God has little gods.”

But you oldies-but-goodies know of them. They were the chief topics of the hyper-charismatics for years. Here are a couple of Kenneth Copeland quotes:

“Man was created in the god class. We are a class of gods.”

“Man was designed, or created, by God to be the god of this world.”

Now, that's an ironic, if not stupid, quote, since the Bible tells us clearly who the god of this world is.

So, let me put all of this together for you if you're not quite tracking with me.

We are deep into Apostasy.

I believe the Apostasy had its beginning, or at least its major thrust because the church has drifted away from its love for Jesus according to Revelation:2:4, which I read for you.

The consequence of that has been the fulfillment of the prophecy given in 2 Timothy 3: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves.”

On the contrary to the interpretation of many, and I mean many, evangelical church leaders who jumped on the bandwagon of teaching Christians to love themselves as a biblical command. This hasn’t gone away. This lie, this deception, this destruction and drawing people away from the truth of the Word of God is pervasive today.

Well, they jumped on the bandwagon of teaching Christians to elave themselves as a biblical command. 

No. The Bible couldn't be more clear regarding the perilous–I didn’t make that word up; you guys know what perilous means, okay?–regarding the consequences of loving ourselves as it states again in 2 Timothy:3:2-7.

Go over those verses again for yourselves if you're still not sure.

Here are some observations that include just simple logic.

God does say, “Come, let us reason together.” But He doesn’t say to me, “Well, Tom, what are your reasons?” No! No! No. 

So if you or I drift away from our first love, where are we drifting to? How about self!

And hasn’t most of all what I’ve said deal with self? Isn’t that the heart, the teaching, the program of psychological counseling: turning us back to self? 

And how about the deification of self?

So, there's no difference between such God-blaspheming heresies of the hyper-charismatics–and this is why I put both those together. There is no difference between such God-blaspheming heresies of the hyper-charismatic movement and the teachings of so-called Christian psychology, which promotes the fake science–fake science–of psychological counseling.

They both spread the Lie—they both move to the deification of self. That man is God.

Well, let me simplify it even more for you. It's not complex theology.

My life as a Christian, it it’s not first, foremost, and fully and absolutely about glorifying God–guess what? I’ve moved to self. And my whole being totally, in addition to loving God, my whole being has to be totally other-directed.

You know, the world, one of their complaints about us, those who are born-again believers, and so on–not that we all do it, but it’s something we need to be aware of–what is it? Hypocrisy! Hypocrisy. If I’m not other-directed, I’m not living out what I claim to profess. And I’m demonstrating to them maybe there’s something wrong with this belief system. 

Then I have slipped away from my first love...loving Jesus. Where does it go from there? It can only go to self!

You know, I remember, you know, meeting with some pastors down in Australia. It was late at night, and it had been a long day. And I said to these guys, “Guys, you know what my problem is?” And they groaned. They didn’t want to hear about my problem! And I said, “No, hang in there with me just a little longer.” I said, “I love me more than I love Jesus too much of the time.” There’s an indication! 

So, when it all comes down to God or self, how difficult is it for me to recognize who it is I'm making decisions for? Or living for?

I'm sure the Holy Spirit isn't having to work overtime to get me to figure out that. Again, it's either God or self.

Now let me close with this.

The Lord has put on my heart a burden, a joyful burden, for our children. Yours and mine, children and grandchildren, and all children. Out of that came the booklet How to Strengthen the Faith of Our Children with 5-minute Conversations.

That we're giving them to you for free is not just a conference deal. I have a deal with the publisher: I want no residuals. There’s no residuals for the author, and I can give away as many as I like. Now, the publisher got so excited about that, saying, “Tom, we’re gonna do the same thing!” Thank You, Jesus! Praise the Lord.

So we’re also giving you an advanced copy of the September TBC newsletter, which I believe is one of Dave’s best articles ever. You read it and tell me what you think.

Finally, as Carl Teichrib exhorted all of us to cry out to the Lord to give us opportunities for continual conversations about Jesus. And that's not just the folks at Burning Man.

We need to do it everywhere we can and to everyone we can. That's the good way at least to offset, to some degree, the antichrist noise that's flooding over our loved ones, young and old alike.

That’s why, you know, the Lord put on my heart this booklet. It’s just a little booklet, but I want conversations with our kids, one-on-one! I want them to talk to people every–talk to their kids, grandchildren, and so on one-on-one every chance they can. That’s why I say, “Hey, gimme five!” I’m not talking about high fives, I’m talking about five minutes. And then we’ll get on to having fun with them, doing things with them, and so on and so forth. 

Because we’ve got oldies-but-goodies here, I can’t begin to tell you the responses that I get from people who tell me, “Yeah, you know…” Well, they may admit they’re not walking with the Lord, and they’re not promoting it with their children. So what takes place? I can’t begin to tell you…if you’re walking with the Lord, you know, as a grandparent, how that ministers–maybe not even directly–they see the love of you for Jesus, and they respond to that! It’s incredible! But, no, it’s the way it is! So that’s the opportunity that you have.

You know, I love ministering to young kids, that's my joy. Apologetics is okay. But I love second and third graders! I get no pushback from them. They love–you know, because they haven’t been influenced by, not just the world, but by the church. Their theology is not complex, okay? And that’s why it’s a joy for me to minister that way.

Even so (and here's what I’m ending with), as a personal request, I pray that the Lord will show me how to help our Christian college students keep from being deceived by the psychological counseling at our Christian schools. It’s a wide open place, and they’re up against the world big time. 

Let's pray.

Lord, again, you know, I can’t remember if it was Carl or somebody who said, “Where do we minister? Where do we go and minister? Wherever…” somebody told me this, I love it! It’s gonna be one of my bumper stickers: “Wherever your feet are!” That’s where we go and minister, okay? 

So, Lord, thank You for this time together. Thank You for Your love for us. Thank You for an incredible conference. You have no idea. The Lord took away the smoke, the Lord took away…I mean, a beautiful day! Beautiful fellowship, beautiful…all the things that we cried about before the Lord that we wanted to see happen, He produced in big space and big times. And I thank You for that. And I thank You for all of that.

I can’t…this is my home! This is my fellowship. These people that I’ve been hanging out here for 15 years–well, more than 15 years, over 25 years! So I’m thankful for this fellowship, for my fellowship, and their heart to serve. And I thank You for Your people coming here. And my cry out is, wherever your feet are, that’s your ministry.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

Copyright © The Berean Call 2016. All rights Reserved.  Click here for copyright permissions.