Counterfeit Gods Order Printed Copy

Author: Timothy J. Keller
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About the Book

"Counterfeit Gods" by Timothy J. Keller explores the false idols and modern-day idols that people often worship instead of true faith in God. Keller uses Biblical teachings and real-life examples to show how these idols can never truly satisfy our deepest longings, and how only a relationship with God can bring true fulfillment and purpose.

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German monk who forever changed Christianity when he nailed his '95 Theses' to a church door in 1517, sparking the Protestant Reformation. Who Was Martin Luther? Martin Luther was a German monk who began the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, becoming one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of Christianity. Luther called into question some of the basic tenets of Roman Catholicism, and his followers soon split from the Roman Catholic Church to begin the Protestant tradition. His actions set in motion tremendous reform within the Church. A prominent theologian, Luther’s desire for people to feel closer to God led him to translate the Bible into the language of the people, radically changing the relationship between church leaders and their followers. Early Life Luther was born on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Saxony, located in modern-day Germany. His parents, Hans and Margarette Luther, were of peasant lineage. However, Hans had some success as a miner and ore smelter, and in 1484 the family moved from Eisleben to nearby Mansfeld, where Hans held ore deposits. Hans Luther knew that mining was a tough business and wanted his promising son to have a better career as a lawyer. At age seven, Luther entered school in Mansfeld. Education At 14, Luther went north to Magdeburg, where he continued his studies. In 1498, he returned to Eisleben and enrolled in a school, studying grammar, rhetoric and logic. He later compared this experience to purgatory and hell. In 1501, Luther entered the University of Erfurt, where he received a degree in grammar, logic, rhetoric and metaphysics. At this time, it seemed he was on his way to becoming a lawyer. Becoming a Monk In July 1505, Luther had a life-changing experience that set him on a new course to becoming a monk. Caught in a horrific thunderstorm where he feared for his life, Luther cried out to St. Anne, the patron saint of miners, “Save me, St. Anne, and I’ll become a monk!” The storm subsided and he was saved. Most historians believe this was not a spontaneous act, but an idea already formulated in Luther’s mind. The decision to become a monk was difficult and greatly disappointed his father, but he felt he must keep a promise. Luther was also driven by fears of hell and God’s wrath, and felt that life in a monastery would help him find salvation. The first few years of monastic life were difficult for Luther, as he did not find the religious enlightenment he was seeking. A mentor told him to focus his life exclusively on Jesus Christ and this would later provide him with the guidance he sought. Disillusionment with Rome At age 27, Luther was given the opportunity to be a delegate to a Catholic church conference in Rome. He came away more disillusioned, and very discouraged by the immorality and corruption he witnessed there among the Catholic priests. Upon his return to Germany, he enrolled in the University of Wittenberg in an attempt to suppress his spiritual turmoil. He excelled in his studies and received a doctorate, becoming a professor of theology at the university (known today as Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg). Through his studies of scripture, Luther finally gained religious enlightenment. Beginning in 1513, while preparing lectures, Luther read the first line of Psalm 22, which Christ wailed in his cry for mercy on the cross, a cry similar to Luther’s own disillusionment with God and religion. Two years later, while preparing a lecture on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, he read, “The just will live by faith.” He dwelled on this statement for some time. Finally, he realized the key to spiritual salvation was not to fear God or be enslaved by religious dogma but to believe that faith alone would bring salvation. This period marked a major change in his life and set in motion the Reformation. Though Luther intended these to be discussion points, the 95 Theses laid out a devastating critique of the indulgences - good works, which often involved monetary donations, that popes could grant to the people to cancel out penance for sins - as corrupting people’s faith. Luther also sent a copy to Archbishop Albert Albrecht of Mainz, calling on him to end the sale of indulgences. Aided by the printing press, copies of the 95 Theses spread throughout Germany within two weeks and throughout Europe within two months. The Church eventually moved to stop the act of defiance. In October 1518, at a meeting with Cardinal Thomas Cajetan in Augsburg, Luther was ordered to recant his 95 Theses by the authority of the pope. Luther said he would not recant unless scripture proved him wrong. He went further, stating he didn’t consider that the papacy had the authority to interpret scripture. The meeting ended in a shouting match and initiated his ultimate excommunication from the Church. Excommunication Following the publication of his 95 Theses, Luther continued to lecture and write in Wittenberg. In June and July of 1519 Luther publicly declared that the Bible did not give the pope the exclusive right to interpret scripture, which was a direct attack on the authority of the papacy. Finally, in 1520, the pope had had enough and on June 15 issued an ultimatum threatening Luther with excommunication. On December 10, 1520, Luther publicly burned the letter. In January 1521, Luther was officially excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. Diet of Worms In March 1521, Luther was summoned before the Diet of Worms, a general assembly of secular authorities. Again, Luther refused to recant his statements, demanding he be shown any scripture that would refute his position. There was none. On May 8, 1521, the council released the Edict of Worms, banning Luther’s writings and declaring him a “convicted heretic.” This made him a condemned and wanted man. Friends helped him hide out at the Wartburg Castle. While in seclusion, he translated the New Testament into the German language, to give ordinary people the opportunity to read God’s word. Lutheran Church Though still under threat of arrest, Luther returned to Wittenberg Castle Church, in Eisenach, in May 1522 to organize a new church, Lutheranism. He gained many followers, and the Lutheran Church also received considerable support from German princes. When a peasant revolt began in 1524, Luther denounced the peasants and sided with the rulers, whom he depended on to keep his church growing. Thousands of peasants were killed, but the Lutheran Church grew over the years. Katharina von Bora In 1525, Luther married Katharina von Bora, a former nun who had abandoned the convent and taken refuge in Wittenberg. Born into a noble family that had fallen on hard times, at the age of five Katharina was sent to a convent. She and several other reform-minded nuns decided to escape the rigors of the cloistered life, and after smuggling out a letter pleading for help from the Lutherans, Luther organized a daring plot. With the help of a fishmonger, Luther had the rebellious nuns hide in herring barrels that were secreted out of the convent after dark - an offense punishable by death. Luther ensured that all the women found employment or marriage prospects, except for the strong-willed Katharina, who refused all suitors except Luther himself. The scandalous marriage of a disgraced monk to a disgraced nun may have somewhat tarnished the reform movement, but over the next several years, the couple prospered and had six children. Katharina proved herself a more than a capable wife and ally, as she greatly increased their family's wealth by shrewdly investing in farms, orchards and a brewery. She also converted a former monastery into a dormitory and meeting center for Reformation activists. Luther later said of his marriage, "I have made the angels laugh and the devils weep." Unusual for its time, Luther in his will entrusted Katharina as his sole inheritor and guardian of their children. Anti-Semitism From 1533 to his death in 1546, Luther served as the dean of theology at University of Wittenberg. During this time he suffered from many illnesses, including arthritis, heart problems and digestive disorders. The physical pain and emotional strain of being a fugitive might have been reflected in his writings. Some works contained strident and offensive language against several segments of society, particularly Jews and, to a lesser degree, Muslims. Luther's anti-Semitism is on full display in his treatise, The Jews and Their Lies. Death Luther died following a stroke on February 18, 1546, at the age of 62 during a trip to his hometown of Eisleben. He was buried in All Saints' Church in Wittenberg, the city he had helped turn into an intellectual center. Luther's teachings and translations radically changed Christian theology. Thanks in large part to the Gutenberg press, his influence continued to grow after his death, as his message spread across Europe and around the world.

Positive and Negative Spiritual Signs of the End Times

Dear Roger, When I think of the signs of the End Times, I usually focus on the outward, visible signs. I’m familiar with what the Bible says about what will happen in nature, like oceans turning to blood, earthquakes, nuclear holocaust, and the battle of Armageddon. But too often, I think we all neglect the fact that there are spiritual signs as well, maybe because they’re not taught or discussed nearly as often. Could you please help me understand the spiritual signs leading up to the End Times? Sincerely, Peter Dear Peter, I’d be most happy to do that. Many today are preaching about the signs of the times. Yet, the world continues to scoff at the message of Christ. They don’t want to hear the truth, and they certainly don’t want to change their behavior for anything. You must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions … Thank you. (2 Peter 3:3, 8) The prophet Jeremiah also tells us that the heart of man is desperately wicked! The result is that mankind usually ignores the signs of God. For example, Noah's preaching fell on deaf ears! The testimony and miracles of Christ fell on deaf ears! Even when people watch in horror as a sign is fulfilled before their eyes, many refuse to believe the signs and repent. Instead, they curse God. The fourth angel poured his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch men with fire; … yet, they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues, and they did not repent. (Revelation 16:8-9) As followers of Christ, the Bible encourages us to watch the signs of the times in preparation for Christ’s return. Jesus will come like a “Thief in night. … But you aren't in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief!” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4) So, read the signs and be ready. Jesus is coming like a thief! First, notice that these spiritual end-time signs involve the perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here are four negative spiritual signs that will herald the Lord’s return: 1. False Prophets Will Lead Many Astray “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray” (Matthew 24:11). “For false Christs and prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead many astray, if possible, even the elect” Matthew 24:24). Sure enough, the landscape today is polluted with false prophets, both inside and outside of the Christian faith. For example, outside the Christian faith, we find Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, and thousands of other non-Christian’s religions that pervert, replace, or contradict God’s Word. This isn’t a statement of “intolerance” as our culture would claim. It’s simply the truth, according to the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have little trouble seeing these for what they are. But the real danger is when they are within the church! These false prophets use Christian language and Christian symbols, but they do not know or profess Jesus Christ, who said, "I am the only way to God.” Witness some of the things taught in the name of Christ that are not true. Jehovah's Witnesses preach Jesus as the “Archangel Michael.” The Church of Christ Scientists and Unity Churches proclaim a Jesus who is a Spirit only. Both have very little to do with the real Jesus Christ who was both God and man. But without a physical body, there was no way for Jesus to resurrect from the dead! He must be fully God and fully man to pay the price for our sin and give us eternal life. Mormons erroneously teach that Jesus and Adam are brothers who have grown and matured into being higher planes of god. In fact, Mormons proclaim that Jesus is just one of a thousand gods. They teach that anyone can become a god. Unitarians speak of Jesus as nothing more than a good moral man. We are besieged on every side by these false prophets, so let me encourage you to keep constantly in mind the warnings of the Apostle Paul: Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander in the myths.” (1 Timothy 4:1-3) A black apple with a black background 2. A Worldwide Revival of Satanism Will Occur Satan has ruled the world through deception since the Fall, and his rule will intensify as during the End Times. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3) For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Mark 13:22) Think carefully about Satan’s deceptive powers in the Garden. If he could deceive perfect Eve, think what he can do with us! Evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13) Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. (2 Thessalonians 2:3) You may notice that we hear of overt demonic battles in Third World countries. Spiritual warfare is obviously engaged there. You may wonder why we don’t see the same manifestations in America. The answer is simple. Satan doesn’t need to bring out his big guns against American Christians. He already has us trapped in materialism. And don’t miss this; Satan is also reading the signs of the times. He's launching his last great ego trip which Revelation says will reach its high point during his rule of the earth through his possessed puppet, the Antichrist. Satan is bold and brazen in his deceptions. He thinks he can win the final battle. He cannot. 3. Many Will Fall Away from Jesus and Commit Apostasy Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. (Luke 8:13) Jesus also said, “Those who endure to the end shall be saved” (See Revelation 3:10). In other words, Jesus was saying that those who navigate the end days well will make it through the End Times. Placed in historical context, Revelation 3:14-19 Jesus shows us the state of the Christian church during the End Times. It is not a very pretty picture. Jesus said that the church at Laodicea was lukewarm. It was neither hot nor cold. He was about to spit it out of his mouth: You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. … Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me. (Revelation 3:17, 19-20) This church is wretched, poor, blind, and naked, yet it thinks it is rich! This church is so apostate that Christ is on the outside looking in! And this is the type of church that will be in existence when Jesus Christ returns! In fact, we are in the End Times. This is the state of the Christian Church today. It is not unusual to find Christian ministers and organizations condoning abortion, extramarital sex, and defending homosexuality. The Roman Catholic Church is shot through with corruption, superstition, pedophiles, and unbelief. Mainstream Protestantism is rushing toward a renunciation of the fundamental truths of Christianity. The World Council of Churches has rejected the Gospel of the Lord Jesus for the rankest form of liberal humanism! In Revelation, the apostle John also says this attitude of apostasy will result in a church that will unite politically with the revived Roman Empire and the Antichrist. He also illustrates it as the great harlot, drunk on the blood of saints, with which kings of the earth commit fornication. Truth and false word blocks on a scale 4. Many False “Christs” Will Arise In the New Age Movement, we are all Christ. What a damaging, dangerous claim! And how this deception perverts the truth that we are sinners and Jesus alone is our Savior. In Matthew 24, Jesus says, “For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. … False messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Be wary. Be ready. Be wise. Not only are we used to looking at natural, earthly signs of the End Times, we are also likely to catch onto the negative ones. But there will be several positive spiritual signs… ones that we can be inspired and encouraged by as we wait for Christ’s return. Here are 3 positive spiritual signs that will herald the Lord's return: 1. The true church will make herself pure and holy as the bride of Christ. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7) In this unparalleled season of persecution during the End Times, those who are alive shall realize a level of holiness and blamelessness of the quality in which Jesus Himself walked. Persecution and suffering always make the church grow stronger! 2. There will be a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual renewal will thrive throughout our world. We will see a sweet aroma of love and unity among Christians. I look forward to the day the prophet Joel described; I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:28-32) 3. “The gospel will be preached to all nations, then the end will come!” The Good News of the Gospel is going out around the world in ways that have never before been possible, thanks to the advent of the internet and other technology. The Bible has been translated into 75% of the languages on earth, with more translations happening every day. Missionaries are on the field in nearly every nation. The number of “unreached people groups” is decreasing fast. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14) Our God is a God of great mercy and incredible love. And it is out of His mercy that Christ has yet to return … to give as many people as possible the opportunity to hear the Gospel and respond. Let me leave you with this. We are blessed to be living in the most exciting times of the Lord's return in triumph! But these days are a blessing only to those who know the Lord. Without knowing Jesus and the eternal hope we have in Him, these must be terrible days as we are confronted daily with wars and rumors of wars and natural catastrophes and famines and inhumanity and breakdown of values and morals and collapse of the economy. Therefore, as we watch for signs of the End Times, may we seek to share His love far and wide. May we never be discouraged by the negative spiritual signs we encounter, because they point directly to Christ’s return. And may we be encouraged that eternal life with Him is near! Dr. Roger Barrier