Crosstalk: March 25, 2020

Scripture provides many warnings.  But some of these warnings are given repeatedly throughout Scripture.  One such warning concerns false teachers, even a false gospel. The apostle Paul also warned of those who are deceivers.  John, one of Jesus’ disciples under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote as recorded in I John 4:1, ‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.’  

As the coronavirus has become front and center all over the world, there’s deception that abounds with teachings going forth that people all over the globe are falling prey to.  Such was once the case with the guest on this Crosstalk who presented a warning about that which is deception and that which is truth.

Mike Gendron is founder and director of Proclaiming the Gospel Ministry.  Mike was a devout Roman Catholic for over 3 decades and was taught to rely upon the authority of the church above all else.  Mike searched the Scriptures and was amazed to find that what he read in Scripture contradicted the teaching and tradition of the church he had been a part of for so long. He trusted Jesus as his Savior and now the Bible has become his sole authority in all matters of faith.  Mike is the author of the books, ‘Preparing for Eternity’ and the new, ‘Contending for the Gospel.’

Is religious deception going away as people supposedly become more ‘enlightened’ or is it getting worse?

Mike believes it’s getting worse and he appealed to the Bible to make his point.  When the apostles asked Jesus what the signs of his return would be he said in Matthew 24 that many false prophets would arise and mislead many and that false christs and false prophets would show great signs and wonders so that if it were possible, even the elect might be deceived.

From there he noted that the greatest attack against the Christian faith today is on the purity and exclusivity of the Gospel.  It’s these points we need to remember as we attempt to rescue people from under religious deception. We know that the only way they can be set free is through the Word of God.

Through stories coming out of the Vatican and other sources, Jim had Mike address the following: 

–Is it biblical to pray to Mary?

–Is everything that happens for the ‘triumph of the church’?

–How should we view the Mass, the Three Hail Marys or wearing a scapular?   

Other related issues Mike dealt with included:

–Can sacraments merit salvation for us?

–Is the Pope using the coronavirus crisis to advance his push for global religion?

–What is the Pope’s general absolution of sin?

–How should we view the apparitions of Mary? 

–What is it that’s much more deadly than the coronavirus?  What is the remedy?

The second half of this broadcast also featured stimulating questions from Crosstalk listeners.