A True Church - Greg Laurie

AVOID THE VOID!

(Galatians 1:8-9; Proverbs 30:5-6)
(Edited September, 2007)

Greg Laurie is a false teacher who preaches a false gospel, believes in a false god, and teaches other destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1-2). See on video Laurie declare, "You're an idiot," "God doesn't send anyone to hell," and watch him deny God's wrath.

Greg Laurie is the pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship (one of America's largest churches) in Riverside, California. He is the author of over 30 books, including the Gold Medallion Award winner, The Upside-Down Church, as well as Are We Living in the Last Days and I'm Going on a Diet Tomorrow, and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves. You can find his study notes in the New Believer's Bible and The Seeker's Bible. Host of the Harvest: Greg Laurie television program and the nationally syndicated radio program A New Beginning, Greg Laurie is also founder and featured speaker for Harvest Crusades - contemporary, large-scale evangelistic outreaches, which local churches organize nationally and internationally. (10 Things You Should Know About God & Life, copyright 2006; link added)

[Laurie also] serves as a board member of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. (The UPSIDE-DOWN CHURCH, p. 221, copyright 1999; link added)

In the New Believer's Bible Laurie says, "Recognize Satan's Strategies . . . Any so-called gospel that distorts the message of Jesus Christ found in the Bible by adding to it or taking away from it . . . is not the gospel, but a 'watered down' version that will give you a false assurance" (New Believer's Bible, 1 Timothy 4, p. 1056 or p. 270). This is exactly what Laurie has done with his "void" gospel (i.e. good news).

I. A False Gospel

A. A False Void

Under "HOW YOU CAN KNOW GOD," Laurie says,

Purpose, meaning, a reason for living - these are all things we desire and search for in life. Despite steps each of us takes to find purpose and meaning in life, we still feel empty, unfulfilled. That is because there is a spiritual emptiness in each of our lives. We each have a hole in our heart, a spiritual vacuum deep within our soul - a "God-shaped blank." Possessions won't fill this hole, nor will success. Relationships alone cannot satisfy this emptiness, and morality, in and of itself, falls miserably short of occupying this space. In fact, even religion cannot fill the void in our heart.

There is only one way to effectively fill that void. This way will not only help us to have a life that is full and rich on this earth, but - more important - will give us the absolute hope of spending eternity in the presence of God. Before we can truly appreciate this good news though, we need to understand the bad news, which is a serious problem we all have. (New Believer's Bible, p. A1, Greg Laurie General Editor, copyright 1996, New Living Translation; New Believer's notes copyright 1996 by Greg Laurie, bold added)

This "spiritual vacuum", "void", and "God-shaped blank" is a lie. Laurie calls filling this void "good news" (i.e. gospel). This is nowhere taught in all of the word of God (Proverbs 30:5-6). On the contrary, Scripture says, "they are filled with all unrighteousness" (Romans 1:29). "The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil" (Ecclesiastes 9:3), and they have an evil spirit working in them (Ephesians 2:2). False assurance is certainly given, when a void that doesn't exist is supposedly filled.

B. An Antithetical Gospel That Flatters The Sinner

In Laurie's book, How To Share Your Faith, Laurie claims this "void" is a "void for God".

And if you come upon a person who has gone from relationship to relationship, trying to fill a void for God with a man or woman, you could speak of what it is to have a relationship with the living God who will never abandon or "dump" him or her. (How To Share Your Faith, p. 30, copyright 1999)

PEOPLE ARE LONELY. We tend to imagine the lonely as shut-ins or widows or people who recently moved to town. We think that the healthy or famous or important could never be lonely. But everyone who doesn't know Christ is lonely for His companionship. (The UPSIDE-DOWN CHURCH, p. 79, copyright 1999, bold added)

In another book,

Every person is lonely - lonely in a way that relationships can't fill . . . children can't fill . . . friends can't fill. I believe it's a loneliness for God." (Why Believe? p. xvi, Billy Graham Library Selection special edition, copyright 1995, ellipsis in original)

In another book,

Have you ever grown so thirsty that nothing seemed to quench your thirst? Not a coke or water, not even Gatorade! No matter how much you drank, your thirst raged on.

In the same way, deep inside each one of us boils a deep, spiritual thirst - a thirst for God Himself. All attempts to quench and satisfy this thirst by other means inevitably meet with failure. (Breakfast with Jesus, p. 209, bold added)

He [Christ] became the only bridge connecting a fallen humankind with a righteous heavenly Father. Man would rather try to build his own ladder to God, apart from Jesus - but as Scripture says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12, NIV). [ibid., p. 265, bold added]

Besides "adding to" the gospel (Galatians 1:8-9; Proverbs 30:5-6) by adding a "void" that doesn't exist, Laurie preaches the opposite of the gospel. God says, "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts." (Psalm 10:4) "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, . . ." (Romans 1:28) And, "There is none who seeks after God." (Romans 3:11) And, "An evil man seeks only rebellion." (Proverbs 17:11; see also Romans 1:18-32; 3:10-18; Proverbs 14:2). Psalm 10:3 says the wicked "renounce the Lord." John 3:20 says they hate the light (1 John 1:5). Romans 1:30 describes them as "haters of God." They are not lonely for Him. They do not thirst for God. They would not rather try to build their own ladder to God. They hate Him.

But Laurie claims otherwise. In his booklet, Ben Born Again's New Believer's Growth Book, Laurie writes,

MAN HAS TRIED TO CLOSE THE SEPARATION BETWEEN GOD AND HIMSELF IN MANY WAYS, WITHOUT SUCCESS. (p. 11, copyright 2001 by Harvest Ministries)

Romans 1:18-32 says just the opposite.

Laurie's teaching flatters the wicked as he lies to them. Laurie's "void for God" and "loneliness for God" delude the clear declaration of Scripture communicating that the sinner isn't really as bad as the Bible says. After all, they wanted God all along (according to Laurie).

C. A False Why

Moreover, Laurie uses this "void" (that doesn't exist) to explain why people sin.

For instance, if someone is strung out on drugs and/or alcohol, you might emphasize that only Jesus can fill the void that person has tried to fill with these substances. If you struggled with these yourself, you could share your own personal story of how God filled the void in your life you once tried to fill with these cheap worldly imitations. (How To Share Your Faith, p. 30)

But I'll tell ya what God says to you tonight. He looks at the root of your problem. He knows why you do the drugs. He knows why you drink. He knows why you fool around sexually. Because you're empty inside and there is a void deep in your heart you're trying to fill with those things and it's not working. (1994 Harvest Crusade, Anaheim, CA)

Indeed, God knows why people do such evil deeds. It is because they despise Him.

He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. (Proverbs 14:2; see also Romans 1:18-32; John 3:19-20)

D. A Works Gospel

Besides adding to the gospel (Proverbs 30:5-6) and teaching the opposite of the gospel, Laurie deceitfully teaches a gospel of works in his perverted teaching about "free will." In the context of "Why Would a Good God Send Anyone to Hell?" Laurie says,

The truth is that there are some things only God can do - such as cleanse us of our sin, forgive us, and justify us. At the same time, there are some things only we can do - such as come to him, believe in him, and repent of our sins. While God does indeed love everyone (see John 3:16, p. 895; and Romans 5:8, p. 966), he has given us a wonderful but dangerous gift. That gift is called "free will." It is the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, God and Satan, and heaven and hell. God will not force his salvation and forgiveness upon our lives. (New Believer's Bible, Hebrews 2, p. 1073 or p. 287, bold added)

It is a gospel of works to teach that man chooses God based upon his own "free will." It is contrary to the gospel found in Laurie's own Bible (New Believer's Bible) on page 973 (or p. 187) which says,

So receiving God's promise is not up to us. We can't get it by choosing it or working hard for it. God will show mercy to anyone he chooses. (Romans 9:16, NLT, bold added)

So you see, God shows mercy to some just because he wants to, and he chooses to make some people refuse to listen. (Romans 9:18, NLT; see also John 6:44)

In the NKJV Romans 9:16 says, "So then it is not of him who wills." Yet, Laurie says it is. This is a works gospel, because Romans 9:11 reveals that salvation is "according to the election of God, not of works," and the "works" being spoken of includes the work of the will (Romans 9:16; see also John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:1-10).

E. A Blasphemous Gospel

In addition, it is blasphemy to say, in the context of the Almighty God, "there are some things only we can do" (2 Timothy 3:3, "blasphemers"). "For with God nothing will be impossible" (Luke 1:37; see also Philippians 2:12-13). "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36; see also Hebrews 2:10). This "all things" includes the "will" of man (Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23).

Moreover, contrary to Laurie's claim "there are some things only we can do - such as come to him," John 6:44 says, "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him." Furthermore, see Acts 26:9-18 where God forced His salvation upon Paul, which is contrary to Laurie's words, "God will not force his salvation and forgiveness upon our lives."

F. According To Laurie, The True Gospel Isn't Good Enough

Furthermore, besides adding to the gospel, teaching the opposite of the gospel, and preaching a works gospel, in Laurie's book, The God of the Second Chance (copyright 1997) Laurie actually admits that the true gospel is not enough (people "couldn't care less"), therefore he "appeals" to the flesh (2 Peter 2:18) and preaches a man-made void gospel.

Even if we don't have the highest motives, if we truly come to Jesus Christ, He will accept us. He will receive us and forgive us. In time we get the bigger picture of higher motives and how we were separated from God by sin.

Some people would criticize me for saying that. They might say, "The problem is you preach a man-centered gospel. You tell people that Jesus can fill the emptiness in their lives - that He can give them peace. What you really ought to say is, 'You have offended a holy God and sinned against Him. You have to turn away from the sin and repent.'" I don't disagree with that statement. It's true that we have offended a holy God. And when I present the gospel I emphasize that. But if we only say that to most people we fail, because they couldn't care less about a holy God they have offended. However, people do recognize that they have voids in their lives. When we tell them that Christ can fill those voids, that appeals to them. (p. 193-194, bold added)

So, according to Laurie, we have failed if we give someone the simple gospel of truth! Laurie goes so far as to say, "You're an idiot" if you are not "winsome" and simply call someone a sinner and tell them they're going to hell! Click here to see him say that. John the Baptist was not very "winsome" when he said to those coming to be baptized by him,

Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Luke 3:7)

In his booklet, Four Keys To Effectively Share Your Faith, in the context of Acts 8:30, Laurie writes,

A number of more judgmental Christians might have shouted, "Did you know you're going to burn in hell unless you repent?" Obviously such a statement would not have resulted in the Ethiopian's conversion. (p. 9, Revised Edition 2004, A publication of Harvest:greg laurie)

Laurie has no way of knowing it "would not have resulted in the Ethiopian's conversion," yet it is obvious to him. What is obvious is Laurie's folly (Proverbs 30:5-6). He continues,

I've often heard nonbelievers attack Christians for their lack of tact. Some of those criticized believers go away feeling persecuted. They should realize, however, that they're not being persecuted for righteousness' sake; they're being persecuted for being obnoxious!

So, in other words, using this same measure (Matthew 7:1-2), Laurie believes God is not righteous, but rather obnoxious, when He says to the wicked, "You shall surely die" (Genesis 2:17; 20:7; Ezekiel 3:18; 33:8, 14). Likewise, according to Laurie, Jesus was not righteous, but rather obnoxious, when twice over He said, "Unless you repent, you will likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5). What Jesus said in Luke 13:3 & 5 equals, "Did you know you're going to burn in hell unless you repent?" Laurie follows not the example of God, but rather the way of man (Matthew 15:8-9).

This is because Laurie does not believe in the power of the Word of God. Instead, Laurie uses human wisdom and his own persuasive words that will save no one. Paul, who preached the true gospel, refused to do what Laurie does, because unlike Laurie, Paul was a man of God. Paul wrote,

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

Laurie gets people to put their faith in the wisdom of men (1 Corinthians 3:19), not in the power of God.

In the book, The God of the Second Chance, Laurie attempts to justify his use of human wisdom by reasoning,

I am, after all, only following the example of my Lord. Remember how He went to the woman at the well . . . (p. 194, this quote comes immediately after the quote above from this same book)

As they conversed a bit, she became somewhat flippant in her response to him. [Where is this to be found?] Jesus could have retorted, 'Repent, you adulteress!' Yet, it is interesting to note that he did not do that. He saw behind the facade to what was really troubling this woman. Instead of hammering her for her immoral lifestyle, he went to the root of the problem: she was empty and separated from God. Then, lovingly and tactfully, Jesus shared with her that he as God could fill that void in her life that she had previously tried to fill with men. He essentially told her that if she drank from the "well" of relationships, she would thirst again. (How To Share Your Faith, p. 34, copyright 1999, bold added)

Scripture says,

The woman said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?" Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." (John 4:11-18)

This text is void of any void, and the well Jesus was speaking of (in verse 13) was a literal well. He spoke not a word about some "'well' of relationships." Jesus said nothing about her "emptiness" either. But rather, He exposed her sin (verse 16-18), and gave Himself as the answer for her need for life (verse 13-14). Laurie perverts and adds (Proverbs 30:5-6) to the gospel Jesus gave in John 4.

Scripture says, ". . . if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:9) Laurie preaches an "other gospel." He should be accursed, and is (2 Peter 2:14). The true gospel is void of Laurie's void (e.g. Romans 1:16-11:36; Ephesians 2:1-10), and thus Laurie does exactly what he says is a Satanic strategy. He gives people a false assurance. He gets people to fill a void that isn't even there, with a god that doesn't exist (see below). Therefore, no salvation is taking place, just as 2 Peter 2:17 says, "These are wells without water."

II. A False God

Biblically, a false God = a demon. This is evident in Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; 2 Chronicles 11:15; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20-21; Revelation 9:20. Thus, Laurie, and all who worship his god, worship a demon.

A. A god Of Second Chances No Matter What

In Laurie's book, The God of the Second Chance, on pages 110-111 Laurie describes the false god in which he believes via the story of the prodigal son.

Let's consider the prodigal son story again. Imagine what might have happened if, after a few months of being home, the prodigal son got tired of hanging around with good old Dad. What would have happened if he had said, "Dad, I am leaving again. I'm returning to my old prodigal life." Let's say he went out and committed the same sins again and, once again, returned home repentant. Would the father have forgiven him a second time? Yes!

Scripture says no such thing (Proverbs 30:5-6, see below). Laurie continues.

Suppose he did it a third time. Would the prodigal have been forgiven a third time? Yes, he would have. A fourth time? A fifteenth time? Would he have been forgiven? Again and again the answer is yes.

In the same way, if we sin against God, will He forgive us? Absolutely. If we have blown it more than once, will He still forgive us? Yes. He will forgive us again and again and again. No matter what we have done, what sins we have committed, God stands ready to forgive us if we will come to Him truly repentant. He will forgive us for embezzling money, for cheating on our spouses and, yes, even for committing murder! (bold added)

With Laurie's context of the prodigal son, going back into a lifestyle of wicked living, Laurie turns the grace of God into lewdness (Jude 4) and describes a false god of second chances. The true God warns via the writer of Hebrews,

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witness. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

There is no second chance here. There is no longer a sacrifice for sins, and nothing but vengeance and a "certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." The true God warns, in some cases, there is no second chance!

Yet, in complete denial of the words of the true God, Laurie writes,

No matter what you have done or think you have done, there is still room for forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. (ibid., p. 119)

The true God, again, warns to the contrary.

Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hands and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. (Proverbs 1:24-29)

Isaiah 55:6 says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found." There is a time when He will not be found (e.g. Proverbs 1:24-29; Luke 8:10, 18; John 12:37-41; Hebrews 3:7-11).

In Laurie's preface to The God of the Second Chance, Laurie makes his error on this accord abundantly clear.

The purpose of this book is to show you there really is such a thing as a second chance - for everyone - no matter who you are or what you've done. (p. xii)

Laurie's god gives everyone a second chance, no matter who they are or what they've done. The true God, the God of the Bible, gives second chances to whomever He wills, and whomever He wills He hardens (Psalm 115:3; Romans 9:16).

Laurie goes so far as to say,

No one lies beyond the forgiveness of God. (Breakfast with Jesus, p. 266)

603,548 Israelites did as they wandered through the wilderness, as God said,

So I swore in My wrath, they shall not enter My rest. (Psalm 95:11; see also Hebrews 3:11-19 and Numbers 1:45-46; 14:28-35; 26:2, 51, 63-65)

Those who blasphemed the Holy Spirit lay beyond the forgiveness of God (Matthew 12:22-32). Today, anyone who sins willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth lies beyond the forgiveness of God (Hebrews 10:26-31). Moreover, in the future, the antichrist, the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and his false prophet (Revelation 13:11-17), and all who worship the beast, will lie beyond the forgiveness of God as they walk upon the earth (Revelation 13:8; 14:9-11; 19:20).

B. A god That Does Not Send People To Hell

In addition, Laurie's god does not send people to hell. In How To Share Your Faith Laurie writes,

How can a God of love send people to hell? God doesn't send anyone to hell. We send ourselves there. Hell was never created for man but for the devil and his angels. When speaking of the destiny of those who hypocritically claimed to follow him, Jesus said, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41, italics mine). [p. 66, bold added. See also how to live FOREVER, p. 20, copyright 1999; 10 Things You Should Know About God and Life, p. 50-51, copyright 2006, and also the booklet Four Keys To Effectively Share Your Faith, p. 26 & 33. To see a 2006 video of Laurie teaching God does not send people to hell, click here.]

For a Biblical answer to Laurie's question, see our article, How Can A God Of Love Send People To Hell? The Bible never teaches that "we send ourselves" to hell, or that "hell was never created for man" (see Proverbs 30:5-6; and Romans 9:22). Plus, the Bible does teach that God sends people to hell. In fact, note the very verse Laurie quotes, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire . . . ." Note further what the Word says.

And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! (Luke 12:4-5)

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11-12, 15)

". . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction . . ." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; see also Matthew 8:12; 10:28; 13:41-42, 49-50; 18:8-9; 22:13; 25:30, 41; Mark 9:45, 47; Revelation 19:20)

It is true that people bring God's wrath upon themselves (e.g. Jeremiah 2:17). Yet, it is nonetheless God bringing His wrath. Laurie's god doesn't send people to hell. The God of the Bible does.

C. A god That Doesn't Initiate Wars

Moreover, Laurie's god doesn't initiate wars.

Take wars, for instance. They are not initiated by God but humanity. (How To Share Your Faith, p. 63, bold added. See also Four Keys To Effectively Share Your Faith, p. 25)

Scripture says, "The Lord is a man of war; The Lord is His name" (Exodus 15:3; see also Psalm 18:34; Romans 11:36).

D. A god That Does Not Cause Disasters

Not long after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Laurie produced a tract entitled "Why?" His deceit in this tract is consistent with his statement above. In the tract Laurie writes,

The question often asked at a time like this is, "Why?" And more specifically, "Why did God let this happen?" Some have even phrased the question, "Why did God do this?"

God did not do this, friend. Wicked people did. The Bible tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" That's so true. (tract on file)

It is true that wicked people destroyed those towers, but it is a lie to say "God did not do this."

In Laurie's book, 10 Things You Should Know About God and Life, he writes,

After the September, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, I was asked one question again and again. "Why did God allow this?" Some even said, "This was obviously the judgment of God."

I don't agree with that. (p. 39)

Click here to see Laurie speak similarly about 9-11-01 and declare he does not know why these things happen. In other words, he does not believe Romans 1:18.

Scripture says,

If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is calamity in a city, will not the Lord have done it? (Amos 3:6)

I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7)

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, . . . (Romans 11:36, see also Lamentations 3:38)

E. A god That Does Not Cause Sin

In answering the question "Why does He allow evil?" Laurie explains the reason is because God has chosen to give man "free will." In this context Laurie writes,

Romans 5:12 (NLT) tells us: "When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned."

The point we must keep in mind is that man, not God, is responsible for sin. (10 Things You Should Know About God and Life, p. 38)

Likewise, in Laurie's booklet, Four Keys To Effectively Share Your Faith, under the question, "If God is so good, why does He allow evil in the world?" he writes,

When faced with this question, the point we must keep in mind is that people - not God - are responsible for sin.

And,

The truth of the matter is that the evil in this world does not come from God; it comes from our sinful living. (p. 25)

It is true man is responsible for sin, and indeed Adam's sin brought evil into this world with its resulting devastation and death to all mankind; but it is not true that God is not responsible for this as well, or that evil does not come from God (Romans 11:36). Laurie is attempting to get away from the truth that God has and does create evil. That's why it exists. God not only allows it, He creates it, as Isaiah 45:7 plainly says in the KJV,

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:7 KJV; see also in the KJV Lamentations 3:37-38; Amos 3:6)

This same prophet knew God causes people to sin, that's why he also wrote,

O Lord, why have You made us stray from Your ways, and hardened our heart from Your fear? (Isaiah 63:17; see also 2 Samuel 12:11-12; 24:1; Psalm 105:25; 141:4)

In other words, "Why have you made us sin?" The answer? Because,

He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. (Romans 9:18)

Who was the first one He hardened? Adam (Proverbs 16:9; 20:24; Jeremiah 10:23). Why? Because God, who does as He pleases (Psalm 115:3), desired to commit,

. . . them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. (Romans 11:32; see also Galatians 3:22)

Laurie's god is out of control. His god did not and does not cause evil. The true God did and does. Laurie's god didn't destroy the World Trade Center. The true God, the God of the Bible did. Laurie's god doesn't initiate wars. The true God does. Laurie's god doesn't send people to hell. The true God, the God of the Bible, does send people to hell. Laurie's god gives second chances to everyone. The true God gives second chances to some (Luke 15:11-32), and not to others (Hebrews 10:26-31).

Laurie preaches a false god and gets untold thousands to trust in this false god, who cannot save. Truly, Laurie leads people, not to heaven, but rather to the eternal torment of the unbelieving (Revelation 21:8); because he deceitfully sways them away from faith in the word of God.

III. Other Destructive Heresies (2 Peter 2:1-2)

A. A Forgiveness Lie

Commenting on Mark 11:25, Laurie says,

As verse 25 of this passage implies, an attitude of unforgiveness can actually hinder our prayer life.

In verse 25, Jesus is not saying that God's forgiveness is dependent upon your forgiveness of others. (New Believer's Bible, p. 842 or p. 56)

Laurie's teaching here destroys the serious warning Christ gives. The bottom line to forgiveness is this: if you are not forgiven, and you die in such a state, you go to hell (Matthew 18:23-35). Scripture says,

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too (Mark 11:25, NLT)

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15, NKJV)

B. A Discipleship Lie

Laurie says,

The requirements of discipleship are different than the requirements of salvation. To be a Christian, you need to believe in Him whom God has sent, and then you will receive eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is a gift. To be a disciple is to take up the cross daily and follow Him, making His will your will. It is a commitment. As you are learning, every disciple is a Christian but not every Christian is a disciple. (Discipleship, Giving God Your Best, p. 30-31, copyright 1993)

Let's look first at the statements of Jesus concerning what is required in order for us to become His disciples. But let me make this doubly clear: These statements are not Jesus' requirements for salvation. (The UPSIDE-DOWN CHURCH, p. 112)

Laurie's statements above are damning lies. Jesus said,

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:27)

Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:34-36)

Bottom line? If you are not a disciple of Christ, you are on your way to hell (see also Matthew 10:37-39; 16:24-27; 28:19; Luke 9:23-26; 14:26-33; Acts 11:26)! Jesus' requirements for discipleship are requirements for salvation! If anyone does not follow Jesus Christ (i.e. is not His disciple, John 8:31-36; John 10:27), they will be destroyed (Mark 8:36; 1 Corinthians 16:22).

C. Lewdness (Jude 4)

Laurie says,

The British preacher Alan Redpath once said, "It is possible to have a saved soul and a lost life." In other words, it is possible to be saved and forgiven of one's sin but to waste one's life by not serving the Lord." (New Believer's Bible, 1 Corinthians 3, p. 986 or p. 200)

Scripture says,

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:7-8)

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. (1 Corinthians 6:9)

Laurie is deceived (2 Timothy 3:13). He believes the unrighteous will inherit the kingdom of God, as he writes in his book, Losers and Winners, Saints and Sinners,

We all face giants in life. You might be facing one right now - something that looms so large, something so frightening or so powerful that you don't think you can ever win against it. Maybe it's the giant of addiction. You find yourself under the power of a drug habit or alcohol dependency or you are hooked on pornography. Then again, it could be the giant of fear or worry, or the giant of jealousy. You have tried to overcome and conquer it, but it smacks you down again and again. This giant lords its power over you. It terrifies you. It taunts and terrifies you. (p. 68, copyright 2005, bold added)

Who is Laurie speaking to? He makes this question abundantly clear a few paragraphs later by saying to these same people,

You are on the winning side. God is stronger than the devil. Your God is mightier than any vice, addiction, or problem. Your God is greater. First John 4:4: "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (p. 69-70, bold added)

Clearly, Laurie teaches a person who is "of God," who has God in them ("He who is in you"), is also one who may at the same time be overpowered ("lords its power over you") by sin ("drug habit," "alcohol dependency," "hooked on pornography"). This is a complete denial of Romans 6:14:

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Jesus said,

If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

Clearly, these people have not been set free by the Son. Thus, they prove themselves among those who do not abide in His word (John 8:31-36), but are wicked and on their way to hell (Galatians 5:19-21).

D. A Lie on the Fear of God

After quoting Luke 12:4-5, Laurie writes,

Jesus does not mean to make us afraid of His Father, . . . (Breakfast with Jesus, p. 151)

Laurie's statement is insane (Ecclesiastes 9:3)! He says the exact opposite of the truth. Please note the verse he quoted.

"I say to you My friends," He told His disciples, "do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:4-5). [Breakfast with Jesus, p. 151]

Who is more fearful? The person who can kill, or the person who can not only kill, but cast to hell? Obviously, the latter! Yet, Laurie obliterates the truth of Christ's words and says,

Jesus does not mean to make us afraid of His Father, yet He does want to remind us that fear of people makes no sense for those who fear God. (ibid.)

This is double talk. Fear means to be afraid, and it should be obvious to anyone that the One who can kill and cast to hell is someone much more to be afraid of, than someone who can only kill. Laurie perverts the words of Christ, and encourages people away from the true fear of God (Romans 3:18).

IV. Laurie Admits, He Would Never Tell The Truth

In his book, Breakfast with Jesus, Laurie writes,

What if we did not try to sugarcoat the life of the deceased but told the bare-bones truth? What if we said, "This man wasted his life pursuing a bunch of stuff his family will now fight over. He was selfish, never spent time with his kids, and was dishonest. And I suppose this would be as good a time as any to mention that he was having an affair!"

Of course, we would never do that! But let me ask you this: If someone were to honestly sum up your life at your funeral service, how would you be remembered? (p. 190, bold added)

Why would Laurie "never do that"? Because,

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. (Proverbs 27:6)

Laurie is an enemy of God and His people. He is a flatterer and a deceiver (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 16), whose judgement is not idle and destruction does not slumber (2 Peter 2:3).

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