The Lord led me across this article concerning Emergent cult leaders. As you may know I am the one who authored the piece re. McLaren as a “cult” leader. As Dr. Walter Martin toward the cults in general, please know that it is my love for young people (I am 51) that compels me to study this EC movement in such depth. I have done much work with kids in sports, I was head football coach at the local high school for years.

Alex you said: “Appraising (actually Apprising - “make aware”) Ministries is quite critical with the Emergents,” you are very correct. However, I do wish you to know that it is not a “personal” issue concerning individuals, but as a pastor part of my job is to defend the Gospel as well as to preach it. I do sincerely thank you for mentioning my ministry, and btw, I am the sole writer there. I also share my views on criticisms etc. here: http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/08/another_perspec.html

I would also like to commend you Alex, as well as encourage you my brother, by saying not many would have been “man” enough to admit what you have here publicly re. Bell. And you are correct in your assessment over-all of the Emergent rebellion, but when you say: “Bell’s Nooma videos contain good Spiritual food,” inadvertantly you are still leading people in the wrong direction.

If you haven’t, please see: “Rob Bell: A Very Poor Christian ‘Communicator’”: http://www.apprising.org/archives/2006/08/rob_bell_a_very.html I’m not against him, nor as a former professional musician/singer/songwriter/guitarist, do I necessarily think his “style” is a problem. I used to be a street musician in L.A., I’m not easily shocked

But in Bell’s case, since he denies the penal substitutionary atonement (see above piece) we now have reason for serious concern as to whether he is saved himself. Alex, we don’t think that the first century Gnostic teachers condemned within the pages of Holy Scripture itself were mean people. Can we not see them also as plain ol’ “regular” folk of that day, pleasant, and looking like the real deal?

But John and Paul tell us they were counterfeit. They looked like authentic Christians, but inwardly they were spiritually corrupt. Can you see it? Just as the Pharisees in Christ’s time. Surely these men looked “nice,” maybe even “cool” to their own culture. Counterfeit - it must look and act like the real thing to be considered counterfeit. I pray this helps.

What these counterfeit Christians (remember they deny the Reformation) in the EC are actually doing is providing good food laced with spiritual poison and it is helping to warp an entire generation of young people. Man, I care deeply about that and I am investing much time and money to study exactly what they believe and why they believe it so that I might “lay my life down” for them to come back into the knowledge of the Truth.

Alex, please forgive me if I have over-stepped here but I stringly felt the Lord in what I have shared. By the way, I am also contributor/pastoral advisor at http://www.sliceoflaodicea where we do our best to make people aware of various trends within the Church. There’s comments sections for most pieces that you might find interesting as well.

*extending the right hand of fellowship* Please know I stand ready to assist you in any way I can, so please don’t hesitate to ask. It is my honor to be able to serve the Body of Christ in this way. And Alex, if not before - I’ll see you when we get There.