The Sad Case Of Pastor Steven Anderson

Proverbs 26:12, “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Steven Anderson started the Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona, in 2006. The cult moved in 2025 to Phoenix. From Anderson's ministry has grown the New IFB (independent fundamental Baptist) movement, now comprised of a few dozen churches nationwide. I cannot warn everyone enough to avoid these ungodly wolves who spread false doctrine, slander, false accusations and vicious hatred everywhere they go. The New IFB make Pastor Fred Phelps (1929-2014) look like Mr. Fred Rogers (1928-2003).

No matter what criticism comes his way, in the mind of Pastor Steven Anderson he is always right and everyone else is wrong. Low character individuals like Jonathan Shelley and Matthew Stuckey pander to him (their cult mentor) who can do no wrong in their eyes. The entire New IFB camp is very shallow and immature. I say that kindly in love.

Any so-called “pastor” who goes around inciting hatred of people is a false prophet. Wanna-be pastor Matthew Stuckey recently preached a heretical sermon called, “Friends Come And Go,” which is ironic because Steven Anderson is no true friend to anyone. Matthew preached that sermon because Steven Anderson has literally driven everybody away from him, even his own four oldest biological children who have all come out publicly to expose his abuse and hatred. The ungodly pastor went as far on July 5th, 2026, as to call for the death of his four oldest children. That is NOT a man of God!

• Isaac Anderson exposes his father
• Miriam Anderson expose her father
• John Anderson exposes his father
• Solomon Anderson eposes his father

Why hasn't this wicked fraud resigned as a pastor? By everything the inspired Word of God teaches, Pastor Anderson should have already resigned a long time ago, but he is conceited and will never step down until God removes him. 1st Timothy 3:7, “Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” These New IFB churches are not genuine “churches,” because in a real church the congregation has the power to fire the pastor. In a real church Steven Anderson would have been fired a long time ago, but since he started the cult in 2006 it is his own.

How can the New IFB hypocritically claim that “friends come and go” when they throw everybody under the bus? There is a revolving door system at Faithful Word Baptist Church in Arizona. In 2024, when Pastor Anderson's four adult children exposed him for beating his wife and kids with an extension cord, 95 members quit the church. They finally woke up! Were those 95 people just “friends who come and go”? No, they were disgusted with a wicked pastor whose hatred and abusive behavior has finally caught up with him.

Anyone who supports Anderson is not right with God. Little by little as I find them, I am removing links from my own ministry websites to his webpages. I want nothing to do with the New IFB anymore. The “New IFB” is Steven Anderson! The ungodly members of the corrupt New IFB all preach Anderson's beliefs, his convictions, his methods and his hatred of sinners. I simply won't support someone who is consumed with hatred, abusing and hating his own family. What kind of pastor wants his own children killed? The inspired Holy Bible foretells that in the last days men will be “without natural affection” for their own family (2nd Timothy 3:1-5).

I and Pastor Anderson were never “friends,” because a true friend can never be lost. If someone “used” to be your friend, you were merely acquaintances, or perhaps you supported someone for a time, but you were never truly “friends.” So, Matthew Stucky is preaching heresy to say that friends come and go, because that is impossible. Acquaintances may come and go, but never a true friend. Most people haven't the faintest clue of what true “friendship” means.

Unlike Steven Anderson who has never been a friend toward me, I was a friend toward him for many years, promoting his ministry while overlooking his flaws, heresies and abuse. It was a one way street. But Steven's reckless behavior in recent years, with his four oldest children exposing him as an abusive monster at home, his unbiblical teaching that you cannot be saved by faith alone (he says you must pray), his deteriorating public testimony and blatant hatred has removed my rose-colored glasses. I am done with looking the other way.

The Bible says, “A friend loveth at all times” (Proverbs 17:17a). When Steven Anderson turns against people on a dime because they disagree with him on something, Anderson was never a friend to that person. Steven Anderson was NEVER a friend to Pastor Roger Jimenez! Anderson is as shallow as can be, throwing hundreds of former ministry “friends” under the bus. And then he and his cronies have the gall and audacity to accuse his victims of being fair-weather friends? Unreal. Steven Anderson is the fake fair-weather friend!!!

Please understand that I love everybody, truly. I do not hate Pastor Anderson, but I do hate his immaturity, woeful lack of love for sinners, numerous false teachings, and ungodly arrogance that permeates his bad attitude. I am also 100% against the unbiblical hatred of the New IFB toward LGBTQ+ people for whom Jesus Christ gave His life on Calvary's cross 2,000 years ago. The Bible clearly teaches in 2nd Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Kindly said, the New IFB are spiritually dangerous and toxic. Please RUN from their poisonous so-called “churches.” They are not New Testament churches. They are a hateful cult led by one corrupt hatemonger for a leader. If I could sum up the New IFB with one statement it would be 2nd Corinthians 3:6b, “for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” People will not tolerate hatred. God is love. Preaching hard against sin absolutely must be tempered, coupled and balanced with love or else it will just harden sinner's hearts toward God and the truth. The same sun that melts the wax hardens the clay.

God knows that I did not write this article to attack Steven Anderson; but rather, to teach and warn everyone that the New IFB movement is not what God intended for Christianity to be. The good Lord never intended for pastors to propagate hatred against people. LGBTQ+ sinners are still people who were created in the image of their Creator. Please understand that Steven Anderson does not represent Christianity, he is a poster boy for hatred. I disagree with Pastor Anderson on at least FOURTEEN things. The guy is bad news!

That doesn't mean homosexuals were “born that way,” God forbid. I reject that heretical concept entirely. Like all sins, homosexuality is a choice. Abortion is a choice. Adultery is a choice. Lust is a choice. A woman putting on a pair of pants which causes men to lust is a choice. A crazy mother who murders her three children is a choice. Nobody ever "falls" into sin, we all choose to go into sin. Sin is never an accident, it is deliberate.

Gangster Al Capone (1899-1947) donated food and clothing to the poor people in Chicago, but that couldn't compensate for the umpteen murders, bootlegging, illegal gambling and prostitution rackets that he operated. Likewise, the good that the New IFB have done cannot compensate for their spreading of hatred toward a certain class of sinners, covering up for spousal and child abuse, and lionizing their wicked hateful leader Steven Anderson. A spade is a spade, a liar is a liar, and Pastor Anderson is a monster in the eyes of his own family.

Kindly said, Steven Anderson is worse than a fool, he is conceited. Proverbs 26:12, “Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.”

Val Kilmer's Tragic Faith In The 'Christian Science' Cult

1st John 4:1-3, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

The deadly false religion of 'Christian Science' began in 1879 when Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) founded the Church of Christ, Scientist. The movement was established following the publication of her book, 'Science And Health with Key To The Scriptures,' in 1875.

Sadly, Hollywood legendary actor Val Kilmer (1959-2025) was a lifelong devout follower of this demonic cult. I say that kindly, but truthfully. Interestingly, similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses who frown upon doctors, Val went against his Christian Science religious beliefs by seeking medical treatment for his cancer...

Actor Val Kilmer, 64, Went Against His Religious Beliefs in Favor of Doctor-Supported Standard of Care While Battling Throat Cancer

Here's some more information...

Val Kilmer’s Christian Scientist Beliefs & How They Impacted His Cancer Treatment

by Evolve Editors | April 2, 2025

Val Kilmer’s tragic death has fans questioning the late actor’s much-discussed beliefs in Christian Science. The Top Gun star recently breathed his last, passing away at the age of 65 following a prolonged battle with throat cancer. While Kilmer engaged in several medical procedures over the years to cure his ailment, the actor almost went another way due to his religious philosophy. READ MORE

In his excellent book titled, “Some Serious, Popular FALSE DOCTRINES Answered From The Scriptures,” Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980) writes on page 127:

I do not hesitate to call anyone a Christian who has trusted in Jesus Christ as his own personal Saviour and who believes that Jesus, the very Son of God, paid for his sins on the cross. Unfortunately Christian Science cannot be classed as any part of the Christian religion. It is not a Christian sect but must be classed with the false religions of the world, such as mohammedanism Confucianism and Buddhism. This is a startling statement and we are sad that it is true, but it is true, as we can very easily show. —Dr. John R. Rice, “Some Serious, Popular FALSE DOCTRINES Answered From The Scriptures,” p. 127; Sword Of The Lord Publishers, 1970

Dr. Rice continues on page 128: 

Christian Science is like Grape-Nuts which are neither grapes nor nuts. It is like guinea pigs which are not guineas and not pigs. So-called Christian Science sails under false colors and is a deceptive false unchristian religion. —Dr. John R. Rice, “Some Serious, Popular FALSE DOCTRINES Answered From The Scriptures,” p. 128; Sword Of The Lord Publishers, 1970

In Christian Science, Heaven is taught as a state of consciousness rather than a literal physical place, achieved through spiritual understanding and the practice of Christian Science principles, particularly the teachings of Jesus Christ. Salvation and entry into Heaven come from recognizing one's true spiritual nature and the reality of God's love and grace. As you can easily see, this is totally unscriptural. In Christian Science, you merit Heaven by your works.

In sharp contrast, the inspired King James Bible teaches that Heaven is a literal place with streets of pure gold, as if it were transparent glass; and there are twelve gates made of a single pearl each (Revelation 21:21). How beautiful is that? But Christian Science blatantly denies these Biblical truths. So-called “Christian Science” (a misnomer) is a FALSE RELIGION that exploits Christian beliefs, but has substantial differences in doctrine and practice from the Christian faith. Christian Science has unorthodox beliefs about the nature of God, Jesus, sin, death and the authority of the inspired Holy Bible. Please avoid this Satanic deception.

Christian Science Denies Jesus' Deity

Mary Baker Eddy and her demonic Christian Science religion deny Jesus' deity, that He is God almighty. Like the Seventh-Day Adventist cult, Christian Science tries to hide their true beliefs from newcomers to lure them in by deception. Case in point, this website makes it sound like Christian Science esteems Jesus highly, but they deceptively refuse to come right out to tell you that they don't think Jesus is God. This is highly misleading.

The following appeared in the Christian Science Sentinel publication in 1923...

Christian Science does not teach that Jesus was God

Mrs. Alice T. Caruthers, Committee on Publication for the State of West Virginia | April 7, 1923 Issue

Christian Science does not teach that Jesus was God, but that he was what he claimed himself to be, the "Son of God." READ MORE

Christian Science is rooted in unbiblical New Age philosophy. According to Christian Science, God is a form of divine conscience and does not possess a physical body; not an individual being. Christian Scientists do not believe God has any human qualities.

Dr. John R. Rice further writes:

Before me is the Christian Science Sentinel of December 22, 1934. On page 330 is an editorial which states part of the infidelity of Christian Science Literature—that is, it's teaching that Jesus is not God. 

Christian Science is doing much to clarify the thoughts of men regarding the great Way-shower. Among other things, it is correcting THE FALLICY THAT JESUS IS GOD.

The teaching that Jesus is God, Christian Science says is a fallacy, that is, is false. Christian Science everywhere teaches that Jesus was kin to God only in the same way that every other man is. Christian Science says much about the life of Jesus, the teaching of Jesus, and so on, but denies the fact of His deity, denies that His blood atones for man's sin, denies that Jesus is very God. 

Jesus expressly claims that he is God, that He is one with the Father, that He is equal with God. Notice these Scriptures.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” —John 1:1-3.

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” —John 1:10.

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” —John 1:14.

“I and my Father are one.” —John 10:30.

“If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” —John 14:7-9.

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” —Philippians 2:6. —Dr. John R. Rice, “Some Serious, Popular FALSE DOCTRINES Answered From The Scriptures,” pp. 128-129; Sword Of The Lord Publishers, 1970

The Jews plainly understood that Jesus claimed to be God. John 10:33, “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” Jesus boldly declared to the people that He is God. John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” If Jesus were not God almighty, then He would have been committing the sins of idolatry and blasphemy in John 14:1. There is no controversy if you believe the inspired Holy Bible.

Christian Scientists see God as the only reality, so in their view all sin, sickness, disease and death are mere illusions that can be overcome through meditation, prayer and realization of spiritual truth. Christian Science is New Age hodgepodge!

Jesus' deity is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Although you don't need to be a theologian to be saved, at some point in your Christian life you should learn that Jesus is God and readily receive that truth as a fact. Someone who professes to be a Christian, but upon learning that Jesus is God firmly denies this truth, just confirms they are not born again. No one is saved, who after being taught the truth, still rejects the reality of the Godhead, Jesus' virgin birth, His substitutionary vicarious death on the cross for our sins, Jesus sinless life, His blood applied to the Mercy Seat in Heaven and His bodily resurrection.

You don't have to know all these things to be saved, but if you are saved the blessed indwelling Holy Spirit will teach them to you (John 16:13). When I got saved at age 13, I didn't know that Jesus is God. No one had ever mentioned that truth to me before. But when I attended Bible college at age 18 and heard my Bible professor tell me about Jesus' deity, the Holy Spirit confirmed in my soul that it is the truth. Wisdom is justified of her children (Luke 7:35).

Christian Science Elevates Christ, But Lowers Jesus

In the cult of Christian Science, Jesus refers to the historical figure who lived and taught on earth; while Christ represents the divine idea or spiritual truth that Jesus embodied. Mary Baker Eddy made a distinction between the man Jesus and His role as Christ. This distinction emphasizes the spiritual understanding of Jesus' role in revealing God's nature and the healing power of divine love.

Mary Baker Eddy taught that Christ is the divine idea of God, while Jesus is the human manifestation of that idea. In her corrupt view, Christ represents the spiritual truth and healing power, distinct and without any need for the historical figure of Jesus. Mary Baker Eddy writes:

The theory of three person in one God (that is, a personal Trinity or Tri-unity) suggests polytheism, rather than the one ever-present I AM. Jesus Christ is not God, as Jesus himself declared, but is the Son of God. (Science and Health, 256:9-11)

Beware The Cult Of 'Christian Science'

As do the Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science rejects medical treatment, believing that all ailments can be healed through spiritual means instead. That is ridiculous which common sense dictates. This alone should be evidence enough that something is very wrong with the Christian Science religion.

Christian Science: World is Illusion

Christian Science views the material world as an illusion created by the human mind. According to Christian Science teachings, the physical universe that we perceive through our senses does not actually exist.

It is considered a false belief that can be overcome through prayer and spiritual understanding of God’s true nature.

Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy taught that matter, sin, sickness and death are not creations of God, but rather are mistaken beliefs of mortal mind. She described the material world as the “error of carnal mortal mind”, not the true spiritual creation of God which she saw as entirely good and spiritual.

By turning away from belief in materiality and focusing completely on the spiritual nature of God and his creation, Christian Scientists believe we can transcend this illusion of a material world and align our thought more fully with Divine Mind, or God. READ MORE

Clearly, Christian Science is based in pagan New Age mumbo-jumbo.

Christian Science does not support the doctrine of the Godhead (aka, Trinity), believing it to be unbiblical. Instead, they view Jesus as a "Way-shower" (a term exclusive to Christian Science) because His life and teachings serve as a model for how to live a balanced and fulfilling life. Christian Science is a Satanic deception intended to take more victims to Hell.

Christian Science adherents don't trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life; but rather, to save them by showing us how to live life to its fullest.

• Christianity teaches that everybody has sinned and fallen short of God’s standards. The first sin separated Adam and Eve from their intimate relationship with God. Sin is disobeying God’s laws (Romans 3:10-23, 5:12).
• Christian Science teaches that the fall of Adam and Eve never happened. Eddy believed that humans are an expression of God and thus perfect, with no sin. She said that one gets victory over sin by realizing it’s simply an illusion.

The teachings of Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science are just plain strange and unbiblical. My article has been more about Christian Science than Val Kilmer, but my heart goes out to the man and his family. Val was horribly deceived by Satan. What saith the Scripture?

2nd Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”

The world is full of Satanic imposters who masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Sadly, Val was just one of billions of Satan's victims who were tricked by a false religion. There are over one billion hellbound Roman Catholics who have been deceived by Satan, to think that they can get to Heaven by keeping the Seven Sacraments of the Catholic religion. No such requirements are taught in the Holy Bible, not even in the Catholic Douay version of the Bible.

Christian Science followers errantly believe that death transforms them to a higher state of consciousness into a different realm. They don't believe that God is a person; but rather, a force of nature. They don't believe that Heaven or Hell are literal places. They teach that death is an illusion. Christian Science is neither Christian nor based on science.

The Counterfeit Plan Of Salvation Of Christian Science

Jesus warned in John 3:3b, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” But read what Christian Science says you must do to live forever...

Christian Scientists believe that death is an illusion, and that it can be overcome through prayer and the understanding of spiritual truth. READ MORE

That is a false plan of salvation. In Christian Science, they make a distinction between Jesus versus Christ.

Unless Val Kilmer repented on his deathbed to forsake his trust in the lies of Christian Science, and instead place his faith in Jesus Christ alone as his Savior, he sadly went to Hell forever. Christian Science teaches that Heaven is a state of consciousness and harmony that can be experienced now, rather than a literal physical place one enters after death.

The cult emphasizes that individuals can achieve this heavenly state now by aligning their thoughts with God's positive and constructive ideas. Christian Scientists do not believe in a literal Heaven or Hell. They believe that our spiritual nature determines our experience after death, rather than a physical place of reward or punishment. This is all unbiblical rubbish. The inspired Word of God teaches that there are literal places called Hell and Heaven. Where you end up in eternity has nothing to do with your spiritual nature; but rather, if you die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13), or die in your sins (John 8:24).

In Christian Science you don't receive eternal life by faith in Jesus. Christian Science teaches that salvation is achieved through understanding and proving the truths of Christian Science rather than through faith in Jesus. They view Jesus as a "Way-shower" who exemplifies the path to God, but do not adhere to traditional doctrines of atonement or the Trinity.

Totally contrary to God's Word, Christian Science teaches:

Christian Science emphasizes that the quality of life one experiences after death is determined by the moral and spiritual progress one makes during their life. This belief encourages individuals to live a life of service and spiritual growth in order to experience a higher level of consciousness after death. READ MORE

Please don't mistake this heresy as being similar to rewards for the Christian who faithfully serves God on earth. What you just read is their plan of salvation in Christian Science! What saith the Scripture? John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Christian Science is of the Devil, because they do not believe you are saved by trusting Jesus as your personal Savior. They believe you live forever if you live the Christian life by following the example which Christ set for us. Clearly, this is a works-based type of FALSE RELIGION.

Religion Cannot Save Anybody

Instead of pastors, they have public Christian Science reading rooms with books to guide and teach interested followers. The false religion has no official dogma apart from six tenets. Christian Science is a classic example of Alice Bailey's demonic vision in her book, “The Externalisation Of The Hierarchy,” in which she taught that Theosophists (Luciferians) should infiltrate Christianity by maintaining an outer shell of core beliefs (e.g., the six tenets of Christian Science), while promoting New Age ideologies (which is exactly what Christian Science does). If you check the Statement of Faith of nearly every pseudo-Christian organization and church today, you'll find that their basic beliefs are okay. They do this to deceive the masses, to keep up appearances.

The founder of “Lucifer” Magazine in 1887, Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831-1891), and editor Annie Besant (1847-1933) along with other occultists, believed that Christian churches were the key to introducing the doctrines of Lucifer to large masses of people. The 1904 annual report of the Theosophical Society stated:

“I believe it is through the Churches and not through the Theosophical Society that Theosophy [the worship of Lucifer]... must and should come to large bodies of people in the West.” (Transactions of the Theosophical Society, H. P. Blavatsky, Annie Besant, 1904, p. 377)

And then just eight years later the 1912 report of the Theosophical Society stated:

“Our Lodges continue their propaganda work... Outside the Lodges many of the members engage in what is really Theosophical work such as lecturing, talking on the principles we are trying to put forward, preaching and other activities in connection with the Christian Churches and other organizations....” (Theosophist Magazine, Annie Besant, 1912, p. 88)

Nineteenth century occult mystic Fenton Hort is perhaps best known for his part in the work of the corrupt bible revision committee of 1881. Speaking on the subject of creating a new eclectic New Testament text Hort stated:

“At present very many orthodox but rational men are being unawares acted upon by influences which will assuredly bear good fruit in due time, if the process is allowed to go on quietly;” (Life and letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort, Vol. 1, 1896, p. 400)

In the Old Testament Jeremiah said that “their course is evil, and their force is not right” (Jeremiah 23:10). The apostle Paul warned, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2nd Corinthians 11:13-15). As you can plainly see for yourself, there has been a sinister plot by Satan's minions to infiltrate and corrupt Christianity in first world countries for well over a century.

It used to be difficult for me, as a born again child of God, to understand how Val Kilmer or anyone could be so gullible to fall for Satan's deception of Christian Science. But then I realized that they cannot see what I see, because the inspired Holy Bible says that Satan has blinded them. 2nd Corinthians 4:34, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” I am truly saddened that almost assuredly Val Kilmer died in his sins without Jesus and is now burning in Hell forever, deceived by the Christian Science religious cult.

Always Be Grateful For What You Have

1st Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I love something that Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001) said: The expectation of nothing is the foundation of gratitude. In other words, if you expect nothing you will be grateful for everything.

We are living in one of the most spoiled generations in American history today. One of the main reasons is the television that has conditioned Americans to expect a certain quality of life that matches what they see on television. Some call it: Keeping up with the Jonses.

Our text passage of Scripture is 1st Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” The Holy Bible doesn't say to be thankful “for” every thing; but rather, “in” every thing. There is always something to be thankful for. I saw a married couple recently on the news whose house was totally destroyed by a tornado, but they were thankful to be alive and safe. That is what the Bible means.

The Scripture has much to say about maintaining a grateful spirit toward God at all times. Romans 1:21, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” The first step downward in life is to become unthankful toward God.

A few years ago, I saw a disheveled looking homeless man in California being interviewed as he searched for food in a dumpster. I was humbled when he quoted Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God bless that dear man! He relies on leftover food, scraps from restaurant customers, that he finds in a dumpster to provide his daily sustenance; and he is thankful to God for those meals.

If that poor man (like Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31) can be grateful to have so little, then we have no excuse. There are 10,080 minutes in each week. Have we thanked God with even one of them? I guarantee that if you will start being more grateful for what you have (and don't have), it will change your life. Happy people are not thankful people; thankful people are happy people.

Lord willing, I will turn 60 years old on March 5, 2027. At my age I cannot help but take notice whenever I hear about anyone dying in their fifties. Bill Bixby (1934-1993), who starred in The Hulk television series, died of prostate cancer at only age 59 (my age).

Famous Hollywood actor Humphrey Bogart (1899-1957) weighed only 80 pounds at the time of his death. Bogart was 5' 8" tall. He passed away on January 14, 1957, due to esophageal cancer. Bogart was only 57. Oh dear reader, life is so short. ...

Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” 

I am now in the third act of my life. My chronic neck pain is debilitating. My continual burning nerves feel overwhelming. The right side of my body feels half asleep all the time. Both of my arms feel inflated with air. These are my heavy burdens to bear. But I know that my God is good and faithful. The Bible promises me a new glorified body just like Jesus' resurrected body when He returns. Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

Notice what the inspired Word of God says people will be like in the Last Days. 2nd Timothy 3:2, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” The vast majority of Americans today have become unthankful and unholy. Jesus' words have never rang more true than they do today in Mark 11:22b, “Have faith in God.”

Is Believing In Eternal Security Essential To Salvation?

John 10:27-29, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”

God does not give anyone temporary life, He only gives eternal life. Eternal life and eternal security are not two separate doctrines; they are one and the same thing.

I was reading one of Dr. John R. Rice's (1895-1980) books today and read something that didn't set right with me. Here is what the famous evangelist writes:

Is believing in eternal security essential to salvation?

No, the doctrine of eternal security is not essential to salvation. You understand, when I go to the doctor with a desperate illness, it is essential that I go to the right doctor for healing. It is not essential that I know all about the diagnosis of my case, or that I know all the details of the remedy. It is enough that I turn the matter over in loving faith to the doctor. That is the way it is about Jesus Christ. None of us really know all the depths of wickedness of our hearts. We do not know fully the disease which cures us. But we can know we are sinners and we can know we must go to the doctor. 

One does not even have to know fully the plan of salvation in order to be saved. You don't have to know the medicine if you go to the right doctor. He will decide the medicine. And even when we take it, by faith, we may not fully understand it. 

This is made clear by several Scriptures. First, the Scripture says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). The publican in the temple who said, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13), may not have known just how God had planned to pay for our salvation. But he called upon the Lord and went home justified. 

The dying thief in Luke 23:39-43 said, “Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” That was a very ignorant prayer, and yet Jesus saved him. The thing for a poor sinner to do is to come to Jesus and if he comes, Jesus does not cast him out, as is plainly promised in John 6:37.

One may be saved without knowing all about the plan of salvation. One can be saved without being even sure of salvation. I went for three years after I had trusted Christ without full assurance of salvation. But I had been saved and when the matter was cleared up by the Scriptures, then it became certain that I had been saved all along. You see, one does not have to be a graduate in theology to be saved. One who comes to Christ is saved. One who calls upon the Lord for salvation is saved. One who believes on Christ as Saviour is saved. These are all different ways of saying the same thing, They all describe how simple is saving faith.

Those who do not understand the matter of security of a believer are missing a great joy, I think, but that has nothing to do with whether or not they are saved. One who trusts Christ is saved and saved forever, whether he knows it or not not. —Evangelist John R. Rice, “Dr. Rice, Here Is My Question...,” p. 272-273

I agree with nearly everything that Dr. Rice wrote, with the exception that someone can deny the eternal security of a believer and still be saved. From Dr. Rice's viewpoint I would agree, if you simply mean that someone lacks the peace of knowing they are saved.

Not Knowing One is Saved Versus Requiring Faithful Living to Maintain a State of Salvation

However, there are many deceived religious people (e.g., Roman Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of God, et cetera) who sincerely think you can lose God's gift of salvation if you go into deep sin or abandon your Christian faith. In such cases it is absolutely paramount that someone believe in eternal security to be saved. So, it depends on the reason why someone doubts eternal security as to whether or not it is essential to salvation. Take a look at the damnable false teaching of Seventh-Day Adventists...

“The Assurance of Salvation”: Myth and Reality 

Adventist Today

by Pastor Steven Siciliano | April 8, 2022

Let me state three key premises at the start: 

1. An individual’s ultimate salvation depends on maintaining faith and faithfulness to the end (by which I mean either the individual’s passing or the second advent). 
2. None of us can predict the future or know for certain whether we will remain faithful to the end. Therefore, 
3. logically speaking, it is impossible to have assurance of salvation. That concept is either a myth or, at best, a misapplication.

So where did this phrase and its accompanying sentiment come from? Why are so many individuals wedded to it? What reality may the term be pointing to, perhaps ambiguously? And where can we begin sorting it all out? READ MORE

NOTE - Steven Siciliano is pastor of the Jackson Heights and Hartsdale churches in the Greater New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Apostates had a profession of faith in Jesus Christ at one time, but not the possession of faith (i.e., they were never born again). Their mouths spoke something other than what their hearts believed. Apostasy is not loss of salvation, but evidence of past pretension. They were never saved at all. They may have joined a professed “Christian” organization; such as, the Roman Catholic church, but they were never born again.

You don't get saved by living the Christian life. Satan's greatest weapon is to con people into living the Christian life without ever being born again. This is what the false prophets in Matthew 7:21-23 were guilty of doing. They boasted of having done “many wonderful works” in Jesus' name, but they had never completely rested in Christ's sacrifice on the cross for their sins. The true Gospel always points you to CHRIST; a false gospel always points to YOU. If salvation is truly by grace, then you don't need to start or stop anything to be saved. Eternal life is a free gift from God (Romans 6:23). One is saved by God's grace through faith in the finished work of His Son on the cross as payment in full as our pardon for sin.

Dr. Rice Mistitled His Question

It is plain to see from Brother Rice's answer that he is not talking about Eternal Security at all; but rather, someone who sincerely lacks a full understanding of the theological workings of God's plan of redemption, or someone who has doubts about their salvation. In sharp contrast, Eternal Security is the doctrine that once you are saved, you are always saved. This Bible truth is commonly expressed as: “Once Saved, Always Saved” (OSAS).

In my humble opinion, Dr. Rice should have titled his question: “Is Knowing That You're Saved Essential To Salvation?” or “Is Fully Understanding Salvation Essential To The New Birth?” You really do need to believe in Eternal Security to be saved, because if you think salvation depends upon your human efforts, performance or faithfulness in the least degree, you are not fully trusting Christ and are not saved. If you are trusting in Jesus plus water baptism (just in case), you are not saved. You just need to believe that Jesus did it all for you.

If you are trusting in Jesus plus trimming your toe nails once every ten years, you are not saved. I am being facetious of course, but you get the point. Salvation is promised by God only to the sinner who wholly rests in the finished redemptive work of Christ (i.e., the Gospel).

I agree with Dr. Rice from the standpoint that a person can be saved who still doubts their Eternal Security, just so long as they don't trust in their own performance, good works or faithfulness to stay saved. You don't have to believe in Eternal Security in the sense that you don't need to know for sure that you are saved; but this is not Eternal Security, it is Assurance.

People Only See What They Want To See

Isaiah 56:10, “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.”

The old adage is true: People only see what they want to see.

A ministry friend recently shared his frustration with me in dealing with a Roman Catholic friar. They were debating over Saint Augustine's negative views and comments concerning women. As expected, the Catholic Friar spoke high words of praise in defense of Augustine.

I wrote back to my friend and told him that I go through the same frustrating phenomena with professed Christian clergy all the time, who bizarrely insist that Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a born again Christian, when Luther's catechisms (which were written in 1529, twelve years after his alleged conversion to Christ in 1517) all require Sacramental Salvation to get to Heaven.

Martin Luther Taught That Water Baptism Saves

Tragically, many church pastors and layman alike only see what they want to see. There is nothing more dangerous than the inspired Holy Bible in the hands of an incompetent preacher. Isaiah 56:10, “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.”

People tend to only see what they want to see due to motivated perception, where our desires and beliefs influence our interpretations of reality. That is to say, we all see through a selfish filter. This can lead to biases in how we process information, often focusing on aspects that align with our preferences, beliefs or expectations. This is why the old adage is true: To the man with a hammer in his hand, everything looks like a nail sticking up.

According to Psychology Today...

This phenomenon, called motivated perception, has been explored in psychological research for decades. Indeed, the world as we conceive it in our awareness is not exactly an accurate representation of what it truly is. Our perception is often biased, selective, and malleable. Even our desires can affect what we see by impacting the way we process visual information. READ MORE

In the Bible, the phrase “seeing they see not” refers to people who observe but fail to understand or perceive the truth. This concept is highlighted in Matthew 13:13b, where it states, “because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” Jesus spoke in parables to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God to those who seek the truth, while concealing the truth from those who are indifferent or hostile.

Matthew 13:13-15 “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

One of my favorite Bible teachers at Hyles-Anderson College (where I attended between 1985 to 1993 when I graduated) is Pastor Brad Strand in Texas, who writes:

Parables were given to illustrate doctrine, not to declare it.. In other words, it would be wrong to build a case for some doctrine on the basis of a parable. Parables were designed to teach a heavenly truth and to reveal some kind of character flaw within human nature, not exemplify doctrine. Only two of the forty-one parables given to us by Christ are explained by him (Parable # 5 - Mt 13:18-23 and Parable # 7 - Mt 13:24-30, 36-43), which sets the standard for the interpretation of all parables. 

Christ used parables for 2 reasons: 

1. To reveal truth (Mt 13:10-11) - Only the humble and spiritually awakened benefited from parables (Mt 11:25-26). As long as you were willing to admit having character flaws, you were able to benefit from parable
2. To conceal truth (Mk 4:10-12, Lk 8:9-10 and Acts 28:25-27) - Parables were used to hide truths from unreceptive hearts, which cared more about entertainment than salvation. 

NOTE  - Because there is no common accepted definition of the parable, it is difficult to say just how many parables are present in the Gospels. The exact number depends on one's definition of a parable. If the word parable is taken to include proverbs, riddles, and simple comparisons as well as those in story form, the number is about sixty in all. If one's interpretation of a parable does not include proverbs, riddles, and simple comparisons as well as those in story form, then Christ gives us a total of 41 parables.

While it is true that many of the Old Testament prophets and saints (righteous men) may not have understood the actual death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Lk 18:34 and 1 Peter 1:10A), it is also true that every Old Testament saint understood the “facts” behind the actual death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and it is the “facts” behind the Gospel that save a person (1 Cor. 15:1). —Pastor Brad Strand, 'The Strand Study Bible' (.PDF); commentary for Matthew 13:10, p. 1494

Bravo! That is beautiful. I bought five copies of The Strand Study Bible (2 new and 3 used). I wanted to get them before they're forever gone! I cannot recommend Brother Strand's study Bible enough. He is a brilliant Bible teacher, a sweet man and I cherish his work for Christ.

It is in our sinful human nature to only see what we want to see, which is why the inspired Scripture says in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Pastor Jack Hyles Blew It At The End Of This Sermon

Matthew 13:24-30, “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

I am listening to a needful sermon by Pastor Jack Hyles titled, “The Parable Of The Tares And Wheat.” Our churches today are full of tares (unsaved people). With all the Devil's lies about repenting of your sins, inviting Jesus into your heart, inviting Him to become Lord of your life; and other junk to get to Heaven, it is no wonder why there are so many tares. Jesus made it very clear that the wheat and the tares look identical and you cannot tell them apart. There are lost religious people in churches everywhere today, who have never been born again.

Satan always imitates the real. Have you been born again dear friend? I sincerely hope that you will listen to Brother Hyles' sermon, it is so beautiful. Pastor Hyles mentions pianists, song leaders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, preachers and church members who came forward to be born again, after years of being involved in church.

Dear reader, have you been born again? I didn't ask if you are a member of a church. I didn't ask if you love Jesus. I didn't ask if you have prayed a prayer. I don't want to know if you are a good person. I don't want to know if you are familiar with Christianity. I am asking if you have been born from above by the Holy Spirit of God? You may fool everybody around you here on earth, but you cannot fool the angels and God. I was born again at age 13.

You were born spiritually dead, and so was I (Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2-12). The second death (Revelation 21:8) is not the same thing as being spiritually dead. The second death is to spend eternity burning in Hell (Revelation 20:11-15). Although we were all born spiritually dead (alienated from God), you don't have to die the second death. If you're born once, you die twice; if you're born twice, you die once. Is your name written in the Book of Life?

Since we were born spiritually dead, that is why we all need to be born again for the second time. You get “born again” by coming to God as a guilty sinner and by faith (taking God at His written Word) accepting Christ's sacrificial death on the cross as full payment for your sins, believing that Jesus was buried, but then bodily resurrected from the dead three days later. This is the Gospel according to 1st Corinthians 15:1-6. Your faith in the Gospel equals eternal life. Nothing more is required.

It doesn't matter if you are Baptist, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Seventh-Day Adventist or any other religion, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Please trust Jesus Christ now for what He did to pay your debt of sin on Calvary's cross and be saved.

Pastor Hyles Perverted The Gospel In This Sermon

Unfortunately, I need to mention something about what Dr. Hyles said at the end of his sermon that is blatant damnable heresy. Here is the suggested sinner's prayer given in his invitation:

Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner. Save me now. This moment. This moment I receive the living Christ into my life, by faith. Would you do it? —Pastor Jack Hyles, 'The Parable Of The Tares And Wheat'

That is not the Gospel. That is not how a lost sinner gets to Heaven. Judas Iscariot received Jesus into his life, becoming one of His very apostles. Yet, Judas went to burn in Hell forever in his sins and unbelief. No one has ever been saved by inviting Christ into your life. Where is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus? Where is the preaching of the cross? Hell is full of misled people who heard some preacher give them a shoddy presentation of the Gospel. 

Ironically, Dr. Hyles' very purpose for preaching this beautiful sermon is because churches today are full of unsaved religious people who are living the Christian life without ever having been born again; and yet he is guilty of mishandling the Gospel himself here, which is the major reason for tares in the churches to begin with.

Furthermore, Dr. Hyles doesn't make it plain that you don't need to pray a sinner's prayer to get to Heaven, you can just believe. In sharp contrast, Pastor Hyles does defend a free grace Gospel in his excellent sermon titled, “Fundamentalist Heresy.”

Now, I love Brother Hyles, truly, and if someone had warned him about mishandling the Gospel as he just did, I am confident that he wouldn't have made the same mistake twice. You cannot show me one place in the inspired Holy Bible where someone was saved by inviting Christ into their life. In sharp contrast—in Acts 2:41 on the Day of Pentecost when 3,000 souls were saved, and in Acts 10:43-44 when Cornelius and his companions were saved, and in Acts 16:30-31 when the Roman jailer was saved—in each case they were born again by simply BELIEVING the Good News (Gospel) of Jesus' crucified for their sins, buried and risen the third day. Nothing more was required or permitted to be saved. Nobody repented of their sins.

I will go to seed in preaching against the utter nonsense and tommyrot in today's pulpits that to be saved you must invite Christ into your life, turn from your sinning, accept Jesus as the Lord of your life, repent of your sins, pray a sinner's prayer, turn over a new leaf, surrender all to Christ, live a lifestyle of repentance, run the race faithfully, and other mumbo-jumbo garbage. You get saved simply by believing that Jesus did it all for you.

Can You Explain The Judgment Seat Of Christ?

2nd Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

Notice that the Bible does not say that we will be judged for our "sins"; but rather, for the "good or bad." Jesus took the penalty for our sins upon Himself on Calvary's cross, so that “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus...” (Romans 8:1a).

I like to illustrate the two coming judgments by comparing them to our earthly court system:

• The Great White Throne of Judgment will be a Criminal Court, where the dead (unsaved) of all time throughout human civilization will be judged and sentenced to the Lake of Fire forever, without hope or rest (Revelation 14:11, 20:11-15, 21:8).
• In contrast, the Judgment Seat of Christ will be a judgment only for Christian believers; a Civil Court where we stand to lose rewards, but there is no risk of imprisonment or corporal punishment (1st Corinthians 3:11-15; 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11). 1st Thessalonians 4:6, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.” Many saints will suffer shame, weep bitter tears, and have deep regrets in Heaven for their poor behavior while on earth.

So, although there is no condemnation for any saint regarding sins, we still must be held accountable for the GOOD and BAD done in the body. In Romans 12:19-21, God tells us not to avenge ourselves, because that is His job alone. The idea that a Christian can cheat, hurt and defraud others and won't be held accountable at the Judgment Seat of Christ is foreign to God's Word. In fact, God has promised to avenge all evil. I don't claim to understand it all. For now we see through a glass darkly (1st Corinthians 13:12), but when we see Christ we will understand it all by and by.

Celebrity O.J. Simpson (1947-2024) was acquitted in Criminal Court (he later admitted in a 2007 book titled, “If I Did It,” to murdering his wife and her lover), but he was found guilty in Civil Court and required to pay $33.5 million in damages (which he never did). In an intriguing twist of fate, Simpson's estate has awarded the Goldman family $58 million from Simpson's estate.

So, likewise, a Christian who has been justified (just if I'd never sinned at all) in Criminal Court, still must give account at the Judgment Seat of Christ for our choices here on earth, and we will be rewarded accordingly. It is noteworthy to point out that in both cases, for the saved (Revelation 14:13) and the unsaved (Revelation 20:13) alike, we will be judged ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS. The big difference is that the saved will be judged for our works as the redeemed children of God; whereas the unsaved (the damned) will be judged for their works as the children of the Devil.

Christ took our punishment upon Himself on the cross, so we will not be punished as believers for our foolish decisions, but we will still be held accountable which will affect our eternal rewards. The same precious blood of Jesus that saved us, keeps us saved. When we sin we have an Advocate (defense attorney) with the Father, Jesus the righteous (1st John 2:1). As believers we fall IN GRACE (Romans 5:20, 6:1), but never FROM GRACE. Those who trust in Lordship Salvation and turning from their sins (works) to get to Heaven, have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).

So, kindly said, Pastor Jack Hyles is simply saying that we must all give account to God at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” The Bible doesn't mention "sin," it just says we will be held accountable for the "good or bad" (2nd Corinthians 5:10). Those people today who claim that since all of our sins were forgiven at the time of salvation, so that we will never have to give account to God, are very wrong and misled.

In my humble opinion, the illustration of Civil Court versus Criminal Court is helpful to understand the two future judgments. In Civil Court you're not at risk of going to prison (Hell), but you are at risk of monetary losses (rewards). And some harsh words may be spoken by the judge in a Civil Court (Psalms 6:1). Some people do cry, feel ashamed and have regrets in Civil Court. I hope that is helpful my friend.