Prata Potpourri: 2nd Commandment, JHP, Costi on Quiet Time, Dear Woke Christian v. Julie Roys, more

By Elizabeth Prata

I updated my essay on The History of Quiet Time by adding this excellent 3-minute video of Costi Hinn explaining what Quiet Time IS. This is so good!

My essay “Why John MacArthur was right to say “Go Home” about Beth Moore” gained some attention and significant retweets. There is still a lot of interest in Beth Moore and of John MacArthur due to scandal reporters making up stuff about him, sadly.

It’s just a fact that discernment posts get more views than theology posts or encouragement posts. That is the way of it. And this holds true for a recent post I did on Jackie Hill Perry: Jackie Hill Perry rejects discernment talk about her false prophesying

Jason Whitaker AKA Dear Woke Christian has been focused lately in his ministry on reviewing scandal whipper-upper Julie Roys’ book, “Redeeming the Feminine Soul”. He found little Bible in it and a twisting of gender roles so as to be an unfit, unqualified, and an unbiblical tome to be avoided. He’s an insightful fellow and respectful in his approach to discernment as well as theology in general. I recommend him. He tweeted the following which I found funny:

Dear Woke Christian @MrJwhit
I like the “Fast & Furious” franchise. Someone told me they’ve made too many F&F movies. I told them that I would consider it when there are as many F&F movies as
@reachjulieroys articles on JMac. In the mean time pass the popcorn.
8:14 AM · May 1, 2022

It’s in reference to the fact that Roys has written to date at least 48 article against John MacArthur, Grace Community Church, or The Master’s Seminary. A lot. Some might even say this has become an obsession. Me. It’s me. I’d say that.

Maybe it’s time I catch up on the F&F franchise of movies…there are 9 now, right?

By the way, The BTWN guy (Tim Hurd) presented a short clip of John MacArthur from yesterday’s sermon, of which JMac providentially was in Ephesians 4:25-32. JMac answered about his online attackers citing also Romans 12, ‘Bless those who persecute you’ and Hebrews 10:30, ‘vengeance is mine’. As Tim said, “Much wisdom here.”

25Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27and do not give the devil an opportunity. 28He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

Speaking of reporters who aren’t reporters, it’s easy to appear credentialed or to actually be credentialed, to write or speak in such a way as to confirm that credibility, but still be opposed to all that Christ stands for. That is where discernment comes in. Sometimes it’s hard to know who is telling the truth, but the Bible informs our conscience, our attitudes, and His word hones our discernment radar. So does prayer. Don’t forget prayer when you’re trying to work through an issue.

On another topic, I’ve been fascinated with Chris Koelle’s rendition of the book of Revelation since it came out in 2012. It’s a graphic novel, using all the scriptures and arranging them in order. I’m uncomfortable with monkeying with scripture and confused on the Second Commandment. So I’ve held off on reading it or looking at it until I gain clarity on the issue.

This morning I listened to a FANTASTIC podcast from Scott Aniol explaining why pictures of God, the Trinity, or heaven, whether the pictures are still or moving (i.e. TV/Movies) actually harm’s one’s ability to understand God and are forbidden in the Commandment for a reason. He uses the current popular movie, The Chosen, to make his point, but the point is well taken for all images of the Trinity. His explanation, so clear and helpful is here-

“Don’t give in and watch The Chosen. Your imagination will forever be shaped by the visceral potency of a cinematic interpretation of Bible narratives, and it will therefore be much more difficult to allow the words of Scripture to shape your imagination.  God gave us words. Scott Aniol explains why using any visual images of the triune God is harmful to truly knowing and loving God.” By the Waters of Babylon podcast, Scott Aniol

I can’t say enough how good and clear Aniol’s half hour was. I’m going to listen to it again, actually!

I translate my written blog essays into a podcast. It’s on Anchor and elsewhere. I started doing that last April, so it’s just been a year. I’m blessed to say that I’m coming up on 100,000 plays. Thank you! If you don’t have time to read essays then take a listen on Anchor, Google Plays, PocketCast, RadioPublic, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iTunes etc