Backward Masking
Backward masking is the technique of recording spoken or sung messages that can be heard as intended when the recording is played backwards. Some music groups have done this on purpose, and where done the messages often are satanic.
We use “Catchall’ pages for brief entries that have not been assigned their own page (for one reason or another — but usually because they are too brief).
In the late seventies and early eighties, some Christians claimed to find backward-masked messages even on albums by Christian artists.
They said that when listened to, backward masked messages bypass the normal thought processes, but are decoded and accepted as “true” by the brain. The late Rich Buhler, then host of a popular Christian talkshow on KBRT, Los Angeles, was among those who exposed this claim as an urban tale.
Jim Bakker
Founder, PTL (Praise The Lord) network. Jailed after being convicted of overselling timeshares to a hotel on the PTL grounds.
Has since denounced the prosperity gospel. However, he is back on TV, and has turned into a huckster for expensive ‘doomsday survival food.’
Bakker treats his viewers to end-time conspiracy theories, and attempts to relate current events (including weather phenomena) to his interpretation of the Bible.
Also, since his release from jail, he has associated himself with false prophet Rick Joyner, touting the latter’s off-the-wall revival theories.
He appears to lack the spiritual discernment necessary to tell apart orthodoxy from heresy.
Bakker also is a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. Enough said.
Speaking of which, according to Bakker — who has never been strong where sound doctrine is concerned — “Only saved people can love Trump.” That’s what he told his TV audience in an episode of “The Jim Bakker Show” that aired Monday, January 6, 2020. 1
Currently (we’re talking February, 2020), Bakker is hawking a $125 quack ‘cure’ for the Coronavirus.
Books
- PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Evangelical Empire, by John Wigger
PTL is more than just the spectacular story of the rise and fall of the Bakkers, John Wigger traces their lives from humble beginnings to wealth, fame, and eventual disgrace. At its core, PTL is the story of a group of people committed to religious innovation, who pushed the boundaries of evangelical religion’s engagement with American culture.
Drawing on trial transcripts, videotapes, newspaper articles, and interviews with key insiders, dissidents, and lawyers, Wigger reveals the power of religion to redirect American culture. This is the story of a grand vision gone wrong, of the power of big religion in American life and its limits.
– Source: Publisher’s description at Amazon.com
news tracker &news archive
» Jim Bakker news tracker &news archive, provided by Religion News Blog
Older Items:
» Database of archived news items
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)
Older item:
(May 24, 1999) Former televangelist calls Y2K a picnic compared to coming apocalypse
Baptism
Some churches and individuals teach that Christians must be baptized in order to be saved. That teaching is aberrant at best, and heretical at worst, since it violates one of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.
Articles
A Brief Rebuttal of Baptismal Regeneration by James White.
Is Baptism necessary for salvation? Baptism and Romans 6:3-5
The Gospel According to Oneness Pentecostalism One Man’s Exodus from the United Pentecostal Church
Placing Faith in the Baptizer; Not the Baptism Part of an extenstive site on the United Pentecostal Church
Water Baptism and Salvation Systematic refutation of the Church of Christ’s claim that water baptism is necessary for salvation.
Why Was Jesus Baptized? Article on the CARM site.
You in Your Small Corner – the elusive dream of evangelical unity How baptism is a major obstacle to unity – an extract from the book You in Your Small Corner: The Elusive Dream of Evangelical Unity By Mark Johnston
Online Book
A Study on Baptism (Alternative link) by Prof. M.M.Ninan
Basic Life Seminar
Produced by the controversial Institute in Basic Life Principles (see details there), headed by Bill Gothard.
As the cornerstone of IBLP’s outreach, the Basic Seminar is held in cities around the world throughout the year. Since 1964, well over 2.5 million people have attended this seminar.
E. Calvin Beisner
Author of "’Jesus Only’ Churches", "Where Garden Meets Wilderness: Evangelical Entry Into the Environmental Debate," "God in Three Persons.," and other books.
Brother of apologist Gretchen Passantino (✝ October 2, 2014).
David K. Bernard
Associate Editor of World Aflame Press – a United Pentecostal Church publishing firm. His article "Answering the Charge of Cultism", published in the 1993 issue of Forward (a quartely magazine for United Pentecostal International ministers) is answered by E. Calvin Beisner. Both articles are available in our CounterPoint section.
R. Vincent Bertollini
Bertollini, who adheres to the Christian Identity theology, refers to himself as an “evangelist.”
He was fugitive, after failing to show up for a court trial.
Bertollini was arrested in April, 2006, and sentenced in June, 2007.
Articles
Bertollini and Story : 11th Hour Remnant Messenger Information from the Anti-Defamation League
Computer Millionaires Fund Hate ADL coverage on Vincent Bertollini, Carl Story, and 11th Hour Remnant Messenger
News Tracker
» Religion News Blog News about religious cults, sects, alternative religions and related issues.
» Database of archived news items
Website
The 11th Hour Remnant Messenger Official site of Bertollini’s hate group.
Birthing
“Birthing” is one of the manifestations practiced, and promoted in the Toronto Blessing Movement, as well as in similar renewal and revival movements.
A person will, allegedly under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit, squat on the ground, and pretend to give birth. This is accompanied by the moanings and groanings associated with a normal birthing process. It is claimed that the person manifesting this way is giving birth to "something spiritual."
Also a teaching (see pregnancy)
…God has revealed to me revelations… of His Spirit, of His endtime, so sacred… You never heard this word preached anywhere. It is Hot, it is sacred, it is Deep!… Come away to this place where I poured out My Holy Spirit… I will make you pregnant with My reality… The Holy Spirit is the part of God that will manifest the pregnancy in your being. Something great is about to happen to you.
– Source: Moris Cerullo, Promotional letter for his 1994 London School of Ministry
I am now impregnating some of my mature, older ministers with truth… I’m choosing my older men because I can trust them to carry that truth to full gestation and have the patience to raise it up once it is delivered… I will bring forth truth that is not now being taught and you will be part of it.
– Source: Judson Cornwall, interviewed by Pat Robertson, 700 Club, Family Channel, June 9, 1994
Black Supremacy
A racist world view that considers black or colored people to be better than white people. (E.g. Black Hebrew Israelites, Nation of Islam, Yahweh Ben Yahweh).
Notes:
- Source: Joe Marusak, “Only saved people can love Trump,’ says televangelist Jim Bakker, Charlotte Observer, January 7, 2020. The show in question: Jim Bakker Show #3835. ↩
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First published (or major update) on Monday, April 7, 2014.
Last updated on February 15, 2020. Original content is © Copyright Apologetics Index. All Rights Reserved. For usage guidelines see link at the bottom.
