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The Question/Comment:
----- Original Message -----From: Name and Address WithheldTo: reborn@oraclesofgod.org (Paul Stringini)Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:07 AMSubject: About pastor MurrayIs he a false prophet? I don't have a good feeling about what I hear him saying.
The Too-Fast-For-Me Second Message:
----- Original Message -----From:Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:23 AMSubject: do you have a list?Do you have list of the misleading theories that Pastor Murray preaches? I have a basic understanding, but would love to have more to work with. My mother recently has taken full belief in Murray and has become very hostile about defending his preachings. Does Murray teach that the sacrifice of Jesus is to be ignored? I was recently informed there was to be no family gathering this weekend because it would be an insult to God as we were really celebrating a false god "Ishtar". How can I be celebrating something I never heard of and have never intended to commemorate?XXXXXXXX
My Responses: Edits Look Like this: (but)
----- Original Message -----From: reborn@oraclesofgod.orgTo: XXXXXXXXXXSent: Monday, March 24, 2008 1:58 PMSubject: Re: do you have a list?Hi XXXXXXXXX Sorry to hear about your Mother, Dr. Murray is very persuasive and appealing on many levels, and yes, he is a false prophet.On my website, I have a short list of the teachings I feel are most egregious and also explanations of why I feel that way. There is also a lengthy section of questions and answers from emails."Does Murray teach that the sacrifice of Jesus is to be ignored?"No, I do not think any of Dr. Murray's Critics have ever suggested that. I believe that most mainstream critics would say that his "basic gospel" is perfectly normal. They would object to his perversion of their Trinity doctrine, the Kenite doctrine, etc.But I'm not a mainstream Christian, and I would say that while he does not teach that the sacrifice of Jesus is to be "ignored," (but) in my opinion, he does minimalize its power. "Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof," Arnold Murray teaches a "pick yourself up by your own bootstraps" form of godliness. I do not recall Dr. Murray ever declaring the power of the cross to actually free men from sins by miraculously turning them to righteousness. He consistently "poo-poo's" the notion of righteousness and suggests that anyone who claims to be righteous is a "hypocrite" (SC Tape: Law and Grace (90's version)In regards to the "Ishtar" issue (and I'm sorry this is coming the day after) The Idea behind this is that at some point pagans who had become Christians worked Christian themes into ancient pagan festivals or that Christians attempted to reform pagans by offering similar and competing traditions to win over Pagans. I do not know how it really exactly happened but the name Easter is descended from the Babylonian Goddess Ishtar (along with many Roman Catholic traditions concerning Mary) The Easter egg, the rabbit, none of that stuff has anything to do with Jesus, people come up with alternative explanations but they really don't make sense.I do not personally celebrate Easter, but my kids did color eggs last week, as you have noticed, most of the pagan symbols have no meaning anymore, you are no more honoring Ishtar on Easter than you are honoring Thor on Thursday (Thor's Day).Here is what you need to bring to your mother. Arnold Murray has made her WEAK and the more she adheres to his teaching the weaker she will become.1 Cor 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.In the new testament it was very common practice for believers to walk into idol's temples and sit down and eat.8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
This is part of the problem with Arnold Murray, he teaches us that meat does commend us to God, he teaches people to observe the Passover, he teaches people to avoid pork and shellfish because of God's health laws, but God did not make those laws for health reasons, it does not hold up. God made laws stating that the Israelites would wear fringes on their garments and boxes on their heads, for absolutely no pragmatic reason, it was only because they were to be special. The same goes for the dietary laws, there is nothing in the bible to suggest that the injunctions against certain foods were due to health concerns. Arnold Murray's teachings concerning days and foods are all about weakness, fear, and bondage. "Touch not taste not handle not"
In years past your mother celebrated Easter and there was no sin, now she is so afraid that she will be sinning, she has conscience of the idol, she has forgotten that an idol is nothing. When you celebrate Easter, in her eyes, you are sinning terribly and worshipping a false God. If she were to celebrate with you it would be so sinful that her conscience would absolutely condemn her.Ro12:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
This is the heart of the Easter issue, I do not celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on any special day (either), but I think it is fine if you do, I think it is fine for kids to roll eggs and learn about the resurrection of Jesus, but I'm strong in the faith, but your mother is not.5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.I know the scripture says we have to be careful for weak brothers but it also says this,"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."There is a certain amount of responsibility we have to the weak to make them stronger, we also have a responsibility to keep them from spreading fear and bondage to others.Hope that helps, If you have any more questions or would like clarification feel free to write backSincerely,Paul
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