Discernment and Counter-Cult Ministries

An overwhelming majority of “discernment” and “counter-cult” ministries are non-denominational by appearance, as well as non-dispensational.  Non-denominational ministries became popular back in the 1920's as fundamentalist believers came together to battle liberalism in their respective denominations.  The fundamentalists lost...badly.  In the aftermath, intentional lack of doctrinal transparency and "division-phobia" became the status-quo among non-denominationalists.  In their view, to revisit historical controversies (i.e., Arminian vs. Calvinist vs. Independent) spelled certain division for either group or church.  However, fellowship with God in truth and the light should be the only divine basis for unity among brethren.

Today, the orientation of a majority of these discernment ministries is Arminian, while a smaller number are Calvinistic.  Some strive to be theologically ambidextrous, having a foot in each camp.  A few adamantly claim to be 'non-theological' (Jesus and the Bible Only!), foolishly believing they have transcended all theology and church history.   Most all lack doctrinal transparency.  If a website avoids stating or even hides its orientation (using a minimalist Trinitarian/evangelical statement doesn't count for adequate transparency), we next look to see who they've linked to for an indication of their doctrinal sympathies.  All Christians have doctrinal sympathies, whether they openly acknowledge them or not.

The primary problem with most discernment ministries, is this:  Their sole, self-appointed role in the body of Christ is to singularly point out heresy.  They fail or refuse to understand (diagnose) heresy’s cause(s), neither can they offer cures that are either preventative or curative.  These are those “…who love nothing more than ‘gatekeeping’, ‘controlling the switches’, and ‘patrolling the boundaries’”, "watchers on the wall" who expect great reward. 

Arminian-based ministries fail to understand that they share the same humanistic foundational tenet (free will) with many of the groups or religious movements they seek to expose.  The doctrine of free will is the seedbed of heresy, and this might explain why Arminian-oriented discernment ministries far outnumber all others--their fellowships and churches have and continue to be hotbeds of apostasy.  By contrast, Calvinists reject the free will tenet, but their non-Pauline approach to Christian living--law as a rule of life--leads to hypocrisy and defeat.

Non-dispensational groups, Arminian or Calvinist, typically advocate “Kingdom building” though use of “charismata-gifts” or “apologetics,” respectively.  Because of their failure to rightly divide the Word, some in both groups advocate "tongues for today" and/or even “demonism" and "spiritual warfare.”  Some individuals and ministries border on emotional hysteria regarding "conspiracies" and the flood tide of apostasy.

However, it is identification-based spiritual growth which is to protect both individual Christians and the Church corporately from error, not the gift of "discerning of spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:10) nor any so-called "word of discernment" from a charismatic leader!  Despite the incessant preaching on "spiritual gifts," heard from pulpits, the list of gifts of 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 14:1-32 are no more.

Not clear on the differences between Arminian, Calvinist, and biblically Pauline?  Read: From Arminius, to Calvin, to Paul.

In identifying "who's who" below, we are not suggesting that all of these ministries are devoid of value.  Far from it.  Yet believers must learn to glean the gold and toss the gravel.  This can be difficult for young Christians, and so we have assembled various categories below to help in the growth and maturing process.

Arminian/Wesleyan/Pentecostal

A Christian Journey - Cassandrah Batya (Closed down)

Alliance of Biblical Pentecostals – Gary Osbourne,ÿ

Apologetics For Christians - Kelly & Theresa Powers

Apologetics Index - Anton and Janet Hein-Hudson,ÿ

Apostasy Alert - Jackie Alnor

Apostasy Revealed - Clive J. Smith

Apostasy Watch - Steve Lumbley

The Berean Call - Dave Hunt & T. A. McMahon

Cephas Ministry - Nicholas A. Stivers and Rita Williams, &

Christian Research Service - Bud Press

Christian Research Institute - Hank Hanegraaff, D

Critical Issues Commentary - Bob DeWaay, ÿ

Deception in the Church - Sandy Simpson,ÿ N

Discernment-Ministries/HERESCOPE - Jewel van der Merwe, now Jewel Grewe,ÿ

Eastern Regional Watch - Steve Muse,ÿ

In Plain Sight.org - Carol & Al Brooks, ÿ

Kjos Ministries - Berit Kjos, [G

Let Us Reason - Mike Oppenheimer,ÿ

Moriel Ministries - James Jacob Prasch, Yÿ

Olive Tree Ministries - Jan Markell, Y O

Reasoning for the Scriptures - Ron Rhodes

Spiritual Counterfeits Project - Tal Brooke

Spiritual Research Network - Chris Lawson,ÿ

The Berean Call - Dave Hunt, T. A. McMahon

The Discernment Web Ring - Several,ÿ

TNN Online - John K. McKee,  Y,ÿ

Understanding the Times, Int'l - Roger Oakland

Wood and Steel - Scott MacIntyre (Closed down)

Calvinistic/Reformed

Alpha and Omega Ministries - James R. White

Apprising Ministries - Ken Silva,ÿ

Berean Beacon - Richard Bennett

Biblical Discernment Ministries - Rick Miesel

Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) - Matthew J. Slick,ÿ

Christian Research Net - Ken Silva and other contributors, [ÿ

Christian Witness to a Pagan Planet - Dr. Peter Jones

Christian Worldview Network.com - Brannon S. Howse

Discernment.org - Rev. Robert S. Liichow

Faith Defenders - Dr. Robert Morey

Kjos Ministries - Berit Kjos, [G

Lighthouse Trails Research Project - Deborah Dombrowski, G

Lighting the Way International - Dwayna Litz, [N

Phil Johnson's Bookmarks - Phillip R. Johnson

Slice of Laodicea - Ingrid Schlueter

Stand To Reason - Gregory Koukl,ÿ

Y - Messianic, ÿ- Non-cessationist, N - Demonism/Spiritual Warfare

& - King James Only, D - Preterist, G - Jesus and the Bible Only!

[ Doctrinally Ambidextrous (figuratively Yin-Yang)

O - Dispensational

Other Ministries

Critical Issues Commentary - Bob DeWaay, ÿ :  DeWaay's spiritual journey includes an early slog through charismania, but also graduation from North Central Bible College (Pentecostal) and Bethel Seminary (Pentecostal).  His ministry is generally on solid ground regarding the subject of free will, a rare phenomena indeed.  See his article here.  This appears attributable to sovereign grace, exposure to Reformed and Lutheran scholars, and "verse by verse expository teaching and preaching" in a pastoral setting.  His academic background and having little-to-no exposure to dispensational scholars may explain his non-cessationist views.

Watchman Fellowship - James K. Walker, This site is large and maintained by a professional staff.  Evangelical, baptistic.

Messianic

Messianic approaches to combine OT & NT are heretical

Abrahamic Faith - Simon Altaf, YÿN

(New Covenant Israel -- Assembly of Yahshua)

 (allows for polygamy)

B'nai Yahshua Synagogues Worldwide Y

(New Covenant Israel -- Assembly of Yahshua)

 (allows for polygamy)

Moriel Ministries - James Jacob Prasch, Yÿ

Rock Salt Publishing - James Sundquist, Y

TNN Online - John K. McKee,  Yÿ

Dispensational-Premillennial

Probe Ministries - Jimmy Williams, Kerby Anderson, Rusty Wright, O