Emotion is not Salvation.

“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel” (Phil. 1:12).

The events of these past couple of years – with the creation of the Catholic/Spiritual prayer app, the (heretical) series The Chosen and House of David, and the brutal attacks on Israel by terrorists – and now with this past week’s assassination of evangelist/political activist Charlie Kirk – we are witnessing many “spiritual” movements around our great nation.

I call it spirituality because it is reminiscent of what my generation experienced in the late 70’s and 80’s with the campus crusade ministries: massive altar calls, massive “decisions” being made, group baptisms, etc.

Profession without possession. They want the Savior but not the Lord.

And therefore, many fell away – Just as they have done time and time again, throughout history:

“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him… When many of His disciples heard it, they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ … After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him…” (Jn 6:56, 60, 66).

With shows like the Chosen and also very popular speakers (heretics) like Lisa Terkeurst, Steven Furtick, Greg Locke, Beth Moore, Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer (honestly, there are too many to list), who are preaching a false gospel – and people getting their theological education off the internet – chances are, we are headed into the same, miserable, unchanged historical outcome as before – and that is simply unacceptable in this day and age.

I don’t know Charlie’s theology; I do know that he unashamedly and boldly declared the gospel. I heard it. I’ve seen the fruit of that message of transformation in the love he demonstrates for Christ in his declaration of the necessity of church, family, and civic responsibilities. But, I also see a growing population that is deifying him, and we cannot allow that to happen! And we must, as boldly as Charlie, speak out against that, and remember to make it all about Jesus.  

When we went through the latter phase of Billy Graham and the Campus Crusade for Christ… who, in the not so holy name of relevance, changed their name to the, oh so, gangsta: “Cru…” We faced the overwhelming fallacy that “God loves everyone!” – A message Franklin Graham still preaches: “Just pray this prayer…” Additionally, the prosperity gospel began to grow – especially as the economy began to decline.

Now, when we clear the air of the smoke machines and Hillsong/Bethel “Jesus is my boyfriend” and “what can you do for me today,” soundtrax, we see a new revolt of the Scriptures with a not-so-Christian-contemporary form of women’s liberation taking over not just churches – but pulpits, preaching to weak and effeminate men who dress like immodest women with a bun and a 5’Oclock shadow.

Other high-profile preachers have become so arrogant that they have profaned fundamental theology and doctrine with their arrogance, pride, and savior complex (papalism) that they have people believing that they are part of the deity of God and the authority on all things holy.

This is legalism. Making up rules and regulations, “traditions of men,” like abstaining from alcohol and demanding the use of the King James only, while instilling the belief that they are the only authority on Scripture.

This results in clericalism—A prelatical, sacerdotal swagger that turns a pastor into a functional pope.

This is a far cry from the servant Christ commands from His leaders (Mark 10:42–45; 1 Pet. 5:2–3) – and it is rampant! Especially in the south!

Frankly, having a single pastor is probably the most egregious sin of the church today. No where in the instructions of setting up a church is there one individual ordained or commanded to be appointed as The Pastor – but rather, we are commanded to have a group of elders who are “above reproach” and “able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Acts 20:28–31; cf. Acts 14:23), with The One named the name above all names, Jesus, being the head and the only ultimate authority on Scripture.

Back in the 40’s and 50’s, when Billy Graham first got rolling – we can look back at the footage and see thousands and thousands come forward and “accept Christ” as their savior. Men, women, children – all making their “public professions of faith” at the “altar” (stage).   

Then what happened? We saw the ’60s revolt. Women’s liberation, prayer removed from schools, the mantra: “sex, drugs, and rock and roll.”

Immorality and fornication became the lifestyle of choice – and then we had the rise of political assassinations, Manson and his “cru,” disrespect soared in homes and on the streets, they even were spitting on soldiers returning from Vietnam, the Mafia was in full force, and law enforcement and politicians were committing bribery and looking the other way.

Liberalism took a foothold, and parents were told that discipline was abuse and if they didn’t want the child out of wedlock (or for any reason, actually), they had the right to murder it.

Same with your spouse – don’t like them, just divorce them – “Here, we’ll even make it easier with no-fault divorce laws. Don’t worry about the kids, they’re resilient!”

Human life became “relative” and psychological issues were glorified (now they’re not only glorified – but they’re worn as a badge of honor – and the worst of the worst are protected by law).

So, what happened? We were in the midst of “revival!” We saw it! You can still see the footage! Millions and millions of people reported to have been changed by Billy Graham and his crusades. They would come by the thousands and would end their journey with a tear-filled walk to the counselors in the front, to “get saved.”  

So what happened to all these “saved” people?

We now call them liberals, and their spiritual “transformations” have become transparent as we see their new doctrines rule every part of society – including legislating their version of morality.

Their children and grandchildren grew up without fathers, some preach their new theology of abortion in “certain circumstances,” gay-rights, multiple genders/pronouns, transgenderism, tolerance, and CRT. When their children get out of line, they are quickly medicated (and society wonders why we have a “thirst” for illegal and illicit drugs as our children spiral out of control and into isolation).

Others turned their disrespect towards their siblings into violence in the schools and then later, onto the streets… and we could go on, and on…

Note: Sibling to sibling abuse is the #1 form of domestic violence in the US and the #1 predictor of bullying in schools, juvenile delinquency, and criminal behaviors in young adults. Children in abusive homes are 1500 times more likely to become victims or offenders of domestic violence.

Just as the false assumptions of conversion through a systematic 19th-century Diotrephian spirit led Charles Finney, so are the same “spiritual” leaders flooding our churches and cyberspace with their religion today – and leading so many to become aposolic, or just make up their own versions of what they see as relative truth.

Simple fact. We have as much Jesus as we want.

• First: We don’t know who He is.
• Second: Because once we find out Who the God of the Bible is, we don’t want that Jesus!

So, here we are again, and once the mountain-top high of the spiritual experience wears off and the thorns grow up and steal the warm-fuzzies away, or their “beliefs” are confronted with truth – it’s over.

Not only do we not know what we believe or why we believe it, but because the God of the Bible isn’t being preached and because the church has been conditioned to believe they need to keep score:

• What was the attendance?
• How many came forward?
• How many got baptized?
• How much money did they tithe?

How about this, Pastor: How many hours did you study Scripture to prepare for your sermons this past week? Did you actually study with commentaries and historical accounts – or did you just find the answers that matched with your stories in the King James Dictionary?

News Flash: King James didn’t write the Bible. Nor did it use the most up-to-date, complete, ancient archeological manuscripts written.

Here in the south – We have a smorgasbord of “worship” services.

The Baptists rule, of course, but they are mostly all the same: Animated. They spit, they flail their arms, slap their Bibles to make their point before demanding a hearty “Amen” from their crowd. They bring their gluttonous bellies down from their stage and, with red-faced enthusiasm, yell their “fire and brimstone message from the ONE verse they have quoted from the pulpit, sometimes followed with a three-point, out-of-context, PowerPoint application – before finishing with an inspiring story on how they saved the world… “Now just say this prayer and we’ll baptize you next week (or when you finish our class) with a full video presentation, pictures, and even a certificate you can hang on the wall to show your piousness.”

I don’t recall anywhere in the Bible where baptism was a pomp and circumstance event. As a matter of fact – it was quiet compliance – a simple act of obedience. Whether you trekked to the mountain river – or jumped off your carriage at the first sign of water.

Today’s version of worship: Zero theology. Zero doctrine. But they do have the latest Fox News updates to get you all riled up and feeling good about yourself – because – you’re not nearly as bad as those guys…

Some of these pulpit-dwellers even have full-time jobs outside the pulpit and are (repulsively) proud to do the weekly Sunday saunter for their one-hour walk of fame.

How many hours can you spend studying your Scripture, preparing to “rightly handle the Word of God,” before you step up to the altar of God, “with fear and trembling,” when you have a 40-hour-per-week job?

Answer: Not enough.

Try giving that same amount of time and energy to your real job and see how long you last.

What could possibly be worse are those who did go to seminary (and beyond), and get themselves caught up in thinking they are the only author on Biblical knowledge and therefore, the servant-leadership that Christ demonstrates and demands, is replaced with a monotone lecture on systematic theology without application – let alone any coherent words that can be understood by a congregation commanded to “test all spirits.”  

But don’t worry – I’m sure they’ll be glad to explain it over a glass of whiskey and a cigar – and with any luck, at a tattoo parlor.

So, what’s next?

We repent.

Then we act.

Preach truth. Demonstrate righteousness. Demand holiness.

And do it in the fear of the Lord.

And do it OUTLOUD.

Keep (restore) the bride of Christ to purity, holiness, and blamelessness.

And for the sake of His holy name, remember: We fight from victory! Not for victory.

Tetelestai!! (1 Cor. 15:57; 1 Jn 5:4).

Some extreme measures might need to be taken, like fire your pastor, clean house, start over (Titus – the whole book is a step-by-step guide).

We have replaced “awe and reverence” with “the big man upstairs,” and as my beloved will tell you – that guy’s a whole lot easier to sin against. Denounce this! Get real about the real Jesus, or sit down.

If we continue to redefine who God is for a more palatable god that is nice, comfy, complacent, and loves everybody… we are doomed (and will be judged) to repeat history all over again. Same is true for the sinner – If we continue to lie, coddle, and steal biblical truth from them – not only will their blood will be required of us (Ez 3:18) – but we’ll be right back where we started – heading straight for God’s holy judgment.

“The truth will set you free” (Jn. 8:32)

Lies will not.

Ditch the theology of morality – and get back to biblical theology and solid doctrine.

If we continue to forsake solid Biblical teaching – and continue to run those out of church who demand it – we will continue in the sin-cycle, just as the Pharisees and Sadducees in Jesus’ day and the Billy Graham/Crusaders did in the earlier century, and the Greg Locks, Joel Osteen’s, Beth Moore’s, of our day are currently doing.

We must preach boldly and courageously. We must demand the Biblical instruction for the church plant. And guess what: It is not broadcasting yourself to your many campuses – so you can boast. Rather, it is being in active pursuit of and training up the next generation of preachers and teachers through discipleship: “equip the saints for service” that is our job (Eph 4:12-16).  

Not allowing for a single man to head up the church – That role is taken. His name is Jesus. Put your team of qualified, above reproach, male elders together and get preaching the whole counsel of God, and discipling men who disciple men.

Quit taking attendance. Quit tracking your stats. You have no idea who God will or will not convert. We cannot declare that anyone has been saved. That is wholly the job of the Holy Spirit.

What we can do, however, is observe the transformation of the work of the Holy Spirit, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16-20).

Are you looking for fruit? Real transformation? Are you discipling and disciplining? Exhorting and rebuking? Are you casting out those who have the appearance of godliness, but deny it’s power? Those who take advantage of vulnerable women? Those who are always learning but never able to arrive at the knowledge of the truth. We must cast them out. (2 Tim. 3:1-9).

When you see a man who doesn’t love his wife, discipline him! When he doesn’t comply – we don’t coddle the pathetic loser, we purge the evil out of the church (1 Cor. 5).

Ditch the “programs” for children and youth and teach parents how to train their children in the way they should go and invoke church-discipline when they don’t (Matt 18). And teach the youth the gospel of Jesus Christ – in the congregation – these are our future and it is never too early for them to hear the gospel!

Preach the patriarchy!

Teach in-home father-led, family discipleship.

Parents teach your children how to worship by following your lead. (Pastors, watch how they are doing this – is it biblical?). Teach them to be reverent in church, honoring the Lord without climbing on the furnishings, running around like wild banshees, or being disruptive. And in the name of the holy sanctuary and your witness to others/respect for the preaching – take the little vipers in diapers out and discipline them when they do not comply (thank you Voddie). (OT: Deut 6:6–7; Prov 3:11–12; 10:1; 13:24; 19:18; 22:6, 15; 23:13–14; 29:15, 17; 1 Sam 3:13; 1 Kgs 1:6. NT: Eph 6:4; Col 3:21; Heb 12:5–11; Jas 1:19–20; Rev 3:19; 2 Tim 3:16–17).

Women. Stay in your lane. In your role. Older women teach the younger women. Teach them how to honor their husbands, respect and submit to their husbands, train up their children, prepare their homes for family and a refuge for their husbands, and speak out against anything and everything unholy, immodest, irreverent, or blasphemous. THAT is loving your neighbor. That is the command (Titus 2).

It is only when we get back to the basics of obedience and an adherence to the standards of God, that we will see the fruit of our labor – Until then, we labor in vain.

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the house of the Lord” (1 Pet. 4:17).

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Holly T. Ashley, MS, writes under the authority of her husband, Pastor David Ashley, MAA; MDiv (The Pastor of Pump). We are Cross Strength Ministries, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, Christ-centered, biblically sound, Scripture-saturated ministry that focuses on biblical manhood and biblical womanhood, with a separate division (R3) that works with victims and offenders of domestic and sexual abuse, and another division (The Pastor of Pump) that focuses on discipling young men. For more information, go to www.CrossStrengthMinistries.org or contact us at info@CrossStrengthMinistries.org