Friday Church News Notes
March 28, 2025 - Volume 26, Issue 13
The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, though this does not imply an endorsement.
ROCK’S HAND-HORNS SIGNAL (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The rock hand-horns signal is ubiquitous in today’s society, but there is nothing right about it from a biblical perspective. God’s people are admonished to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good,” “abstain from all appearance of evil,” and “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; Ephesians 5:11). I began to do this in 1973 when I was saved out of a lifestyle steeped in rock & roll, submitted to the Bible as the sole authority for my life, and no longer wanted the rock & roll culture to shape my life. Consider two facts about the rock hands-horn signal in modern times: First, the signal began with the occult side of 60s and 70s rock and signified the sign of the devil. The back cover of Coven’s 1969 album Witchcraft Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls featured two of the band members showing the horns sign (“Where Did the Rock + Metal’s Devil Horn Come From?” Loudwire, Apr. 21, 2021). Coven was photographed using the sign beginning in 1967. The album included a 13-minute Satanic Mass. In that context the sign was called “the devil’s horn” and was used with that meaning by John Lennon, Geezer Butler and Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath, and others. The occult was a major theme of rock in the 60s and 70s. Second, by the 1980s the horn signal had infiltrated pop music in general and morphed into a sign of rock & roll itself and its fundamental philosophy, which is “live as you please, live life as a party, live free.” “The ‘sign of the horns’ has morphed into a mainstream way of saying, ‘Rock on’ ... or ‘Good times’’’ (“Hand-horns,” Florida Times-Union, Aug. 15, 2024). The fundamental rock philosophy was encapsulated by the Rolling Stones in their 1965 hit “I’m free to do what I want any old time.” The Animals seconded that with “It’s my life and I’ll do what I want.” More recently, Snoop Dog added his amen to this in the “weed anthem” “Live Young Wild and Free.” In 2017, Gene Simmons of KISS tried to trademark the horns sign, but was thwarted when Coven threatened a lawsuit. No matter which meaning you choose, the rock horn sign doesn’t pass the Bible test. It is not “good” (1 Th. 5:21); it has the appearance of evil (1 Th. 5:22); and it is associated with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11).
NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASKS PARENTS IF THEIR NEWBORNS ARE STRAIGHT, GAY OR TRANS (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Is Your Baby Straight or Gay?” NJ.com, Mar. 10, 2025: “At the height of the pandemic when COVID-19 was taking a heavier toll on Black people, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law that required hospitals and labs in New Jersey to collect more detailed demographic information on its patients. Four years later, the law has taken a surprising turn. Hospitals are handing out forms asking pregnant and post-partum mothers the gender identity and sexual orientation of their babies, according to a patient in South Jersey. ‘Which of the following best describes your baby? Lesbian or gay; straight or heterosexual, bisexual, questioning/unsure, prefer not to answer.’ The form from Inspira Health explains the questions are required under state law and to help the hospital fulfill its mission ‘to provide a safe and compassionate experience.’ ... State Sen. Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen, got wind of the chatter and investigated. On Friday, she said she was drafting legislation that would amend the law to introduce some ‘common sense.’”
BEWARE OF LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE’S BIG TENT (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Logos Bible Software is one of the most popular and influential Bible software packages, but it is an ecumenical blending machine that encompasses nearly every branch of end-time Christianity: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, theological liberalism, evangelicalism, and more. Logos is a subsidiary of Faithlife, as are Verbum Bible Software and Lexham Press. Logos Bible Software is a dangerous world that can easily draw the individual into association with heretics and put them under the influence of heresy. God’s Word contains strong warnings about such things. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Co. 15:33). See also Romans 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 11:1-4; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:5; Jude 1:17-23; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 1:7-11; Revelation 2:2, 14-16. We are living in an age of ecumenical blending and merging toward the ultimate fulfillment of Mystery Babylon. We are witnessing the overall collapse of every “fundamentalist” element in Christianity, including fundamental Baptists. Large numbers of them are moving away from core doctrinal convictions by dabbling in the broad tent of evangelicalism that has bridges to cultural liberalism, amillennialism, post-tribulationalism, replacement theology, the church fathers, Christian rock, C.S. Lewis, the downgrade of hell, contemplative prayer, gibberish tongues, prophesying, and a slew of other errors. Logos Bible Software is a major player in this Babel. It started offering Roman Catholic material in 2011 and founded a full-blown Roman Catholic edition called Verbum in 2013. Roman Catholics hold positions in Logos and Faithlife. Consider how Logos describes their role as a blending machine: “In the very simplest terms, Logos links together thousands of texts and keys them all to the Scripture. The Bible becomes a sort of hub around which the whole tradition revolves. But, all the texts are linked to each other as well. So, as you read the Bible the software is mining the data of the library for information about the passage. What did St. Augustine say? Aquinas? Vatican II? Once you start following a thread, you can go in any direction with it.” Any direction, indeed! That is a recipe for doctrinal disaster and spiritual shipwreck. A few brethren are biblically grounded enough and spiritually strong enough and critically minded enough to use Logos and not be led astray, but this software package is extremely dangerous. We would not recommend it except for an extreme minority that might need its powerful search tools and are able to protect themselves. (For more on this see the free eBook The Deceptive Dangers of Logos Bible Software by Brian Snider, www.wayoflife.org.)
GATHER25: MORE APOSTASY MASQUERADING AS REVIVAL (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Gather25 was a “global prayer event led by Bible teacher and bestselling author Jennie Allen ... which featured live gatherings in seven locations and over 21,000 groups meeting in churches and homes ... an unprecedented moment in Christian unity and worship” (“We are living in Pentecost,” The Christian Post, Mar. 11, 2025). The event harnessed AI translation technology to make “real-time communication possible across languages.” Allen, a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate and founder of IF:Gathering, said the “vision for Gather25 took shape” from a “vivid dream that Jesus was coming back soon, in 10 years” (though she also claims that she doesn’t know when Jesus is coming back). She said, “‘How do you know if you’re obeying God or if this vision is from God?’ And a wise person once said, ‘When it happens,’” but that is not a biblical stance. The devil can answer misguided prayers. Scripture warns that if a prophecy comes to pass but it is contrary to God’s Word, it is not of God (Deuteronomy 13:1-4). GATHER25 is contrary to God’s Word in multiple ways, such as the following: It neglects the earnest defense of the faith, which God’s Word commands (Jude 1:3). It ignores the Bible’s strong warnings about end-time apostasy (Matthew 13:33; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:3-4). It ignores the Bible’s command to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). It incorporates the world’s music into the worship of a holy God, which is gross confusion (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 5:11; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). It ignores the command of God’s Word to separate from error (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:5). It ignores God’s disallowance of women church leaders and women teaching men (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:2). Finally, it is founded on an unbiblical doctrine of “the church.” There is no “global church” described in Scripture. There is the “general assembly and church of the firstborn” in heaven (Hebrews 12:23). And on earth there is the New Testament church that has pastors and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-15). It is this church that is the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. A “global church” is a biblical impossibility. Who are the leaders? How are they chosen? Who ordains them? Who are the members? What baptism do they receive? By whom? How is a “global church” taught to “observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you”? How is it taught “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)? How is it disciplined? How is it protected from false teachers and “every wind of doctrine”?
FLIPPERPITHICUS (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is from CreationMoments.com, January 17, 2025: “Creation Scientists have often complained that evolutionists seem unscientifically eager to turn any ancient fossil into proof of human evolution. In the past, bones from pigs, monkeys, alligators, horses and even an elephant have been ‘reconstructed’ into missing links between humans and ape-like creatures. While these examples are all old, evolutionists continue to be over-enthusiastic about using animal bones to make human-like creatures. A more recent example caused the respected magazine, Science News, to note that even some evolutionists have begun to discuss ‘anthropologists’ over-zealous pursuit of human ancestry.’ In 1979, a bone discovered in northern Africa was described as a hominoid clavicle. In plain English, the bone was said to be the collarbone of a creature that was an ape becoming man. Its discoverer said that the bone indicated that its owner had possibly even walked upright, like modern humans. As in most of these claims, its discoverer said that it was the oldest evidence yet for the evolution of modern man. Others studied the fossil bone over the next few years. They came to the conclusion that it was, in fact, the rib bone from a Pacific white-sided dolphin. One scientist jokingly nicknamed the creature ‘flipperpithicus’--meaning the dolphin ape. We need to take care that we don’t become over-impressed by the conclusions of scientists with lots of letters behind their names. When it comes to supporting evolution, many scientists are driven more by their desire to prove evolution than by any facts. REF.: W. Herbert, ‘Hominids Bear Up, Become Porpoiseful,’ Science News, Vol. 123, p. 246.”
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mt. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Ro. 13:11-14).
NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASKS PARENTS IF THEIR NEWBORNS ARE STRAIGHT, GAY OR TRANS (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is excerpted from “Is Your Baby Straight or Gay?” NJ.com, Mar. 10, 2025: “At the height of the pandemic when COVID-19 was taking a heavier toll on Black people, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law that required hospitals and labs in New Jersey to collect more detailed demographic information on its patients. Four years later, the law has taken a surprising turn. Hospitals are handing out forms asking pregnant and post-partum mothers the gender identity and sexual orientation of their babies, according to a patient in South Jersey. ‘Which of the following best describes your baby? Lesbian or gay; straight or heterosexual, bisexual, questioning/unsure, prefer not to answer.’ The form from Inspira Health explains the questions are required under state law and to help the hospital fulfill its mission ‘to provide a safe and compassionate experience.’ ... State Sen. Holly Schepisi, R-Bergen, got wind of the chatter and investigated. On Friday, she said she was drafting legislation that would amend the law to introduce some ‘common sense.’”
BEWARE OF LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE’S BIG TENT (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Logos Bible Software is one of the most popular and influential Bible software packages, but it is an ecumenical blending machine that encompasses nearly every branch of end-time Christianity: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Reformed, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, theological liberalism, evangelicalism, and more. Logos is a subsidiary of Faithlife, as are Verbum Bible Software and Lexham Press. Logos Bible Software is a dangerous world that can easily draw the individual into association with heretics and put them under the influence of heresy. God’s Word contains strong warnings about such things. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Co. 15:33). See also Romans 16:17-18; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 11:1-4; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 3:5; Jude 1:17-23; 1 John 4:1; 2 John 1:7-11; Revelation 2:2, 14-16. We are living in an age of ecumenical blending and merging toward the ultimate fulfillment of Mystery Babylon. We are witnessing the overall collapse of every “fundamentalist” element in Christianity, including fundamental Baptists. Large numbers of them are moving away from core doctrinal convictions by dabbling in the broad tent of evangelicalism that has bridges to cultural liberalism, amillennialism, post-tribulationalism, replacement theology, the church fathers, Christian rock, C.S. Lewis, the downgrade of hell, contemplative prayer, gibberish tongues, prophesying, and a slew of other errors. Logos Bible Software is a major player in this Babel. It started offering Roman Catholic material in 2011 and founded a full-blown Roman Catholic edition called Verbum in 2013. Roman Catholics hold positions in Logos and Faithlife. Consider how Logos describes their role as a blending machine: “In the very simplest terms, Logos links together thousands of texts and keys them all to the Scripture. The Bible becomes a sort of hub around which the whole tradition revolves. But, all the texts are linked to each other as well. So, as you read the Bible the software is mining the data of the library for information about the passage. What did St. Augustine say? Aquinas? Vatican II? Once you start following a thread, you can go in any direction with it.” Any direction, indeed! That is a recipe for doctrinal disaster and spiritual shipwreck. A few brethren are biblically grounded enough and spiritually strong enough and critically minded enough to use Logos and not be led astray, but this software package is extremely dangerous. We would not recommend it except for an extreme minority that might need its powerful search tools and are able to protect themselves. (For more on this see the free eBook The Deceptive Dangers of Logos Bible Software by Brian Snider, www.wayoflife.org.)
GATHER25: MORE APOSTASY MASQUERADING AS REVIVAL (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - Gather25 was a “global prayer event led by Bible teacher and bestselling author Jennie Allen ... which featured live gatherings in seven locations and over 21,000 groups meeting in churches and homes ... an unprecedented moment in Christian unity and worship” (“We are living in Pentecost,” The Christian Post, Mar. 11, 2025). The event harnessed AI translation technology to make “real-time communication possible across languages.” Allen, a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate and founder of IF:Gathering, said the “vision for Gather25 took shape” from a “vivid dream that Jesus was coming back soon, in 10 years” (though she also claims that she doesn’t know when Jesus is coming back). She said, “‘How do you know if you’re obeying God or if this vision is from God?’ And a wise person once said, ‘When it happens,’” but that is not a biblical stance. The devil can answer misguided prayers. Scripture warns that if a prophecy comes to pass but it is contrary to God’s Word, it is not of God (Deuteronomy 13:1-4). GATHER25 is contrary to God’s Word in multiple ways, such as the following: It neglects the earnest defense of the faith, which God’s Word commands (Jude 1:3). It ignores the Bible’s strong warnings about end-time apostasy (Matthew 13:33; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:3-4). It ignores the Bible’s command to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). It incorporates the world’s music into the worship of a holy God, which is gross confusion (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 5:11; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). It ignores the command of God’s Word to separate from error (Romans 16:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:5). It ignores God’s disallowance of women church leaders and women teaching men (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:2). Finally, it is founded on an unbiblical doctrine of “the church.” There is no “global church” described in Scripture. There is the “general assembly and church of the firstborn” in heaven (Hebrews 12:23). And on earth there is the New Testament church that has pastors and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-15). It is this church that is the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth. A “global church” is a biblical impossibility. Who are the leaders? How are they chosen? Who ordains them? Who are the members? What baptism do they receive? By whom? How is a “global church” taught to “observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you”? How is it taught “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27)? How is it disciplined? How is it protected from false teachers and “every wind of doctrine”?
FLIPPERPITHICUS (Friday Church News Notes, March 28, 2025, www.wayoflife.org fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The following is from CreationMoments.com, January 17, 2025: “Creation Scientists have often complained that evolutionists seem unscientifically eager to turn any ancient fossil into proof of human evolution. In the past, bones from pigs, monkeys, alligators, horses and even an elephant have been ‘reconstructed’ into missing links between humans and ape-like creatures. While these examples are all old, evolutionists continue to be over-enthusiastic about using animal bones to make human-like creatures. A more recent example caused the respected magazine, Science News, to note that even some evolutionists have begun to discuss ‘anthropologists’ over-zealous pursuit of human ancestry.’ In 1979, a bone discovered in northern Africa was described as a hominoid clavicle. In plain English, the bone was said to be the collarbone of a creature that was an ape becoming man. Its discoverer said that the bone indicated that its owner had possibly even walked upright, like modern humans. As in most of these claims, its discoverer said that it was the oldest evidence yet for the evolution of modern man. Others studied the fossil bone over the next few years. They came to the conclusion that it was, in fact, the rib bone from a Pacific white-sided dolphin. One scientist jokingly nicknamed the creature ‘flipperpithicus’--meaning the dolphin ape. We need to take care that we don’t become over-impressed by the conclusions of scientists with lots of letters behind their names. When it comes to supporting evolution, many scientists are driven more by their desire to prove evolution than by any facts. REF.: W. Herbert, ‘Hominids Bear Up, Become Porpoiseful,’ Science News, Vol. 123, p. 246.”
CONCLUSION: The Friday Church News Notes is designed for use in churches and is published by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Unless otherwise stated, the Notes are written by David Cloud. Of necessity we quote from a wide variety of sources, but this obviously does not imply an endorsement. We trust that our readers will not be discouraged. It is God’s will that we know the times (1 Ch. 12:32; Mt. 16:3) and that we be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. The News Notes remind us that the hour is very late, and we need to be ready for the Lord’s coming. Are you sure that you are born again? Are you living for Christ? “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Ro. 13:11-14).
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Distributed by Way of Life Literature., publisher of Bible Study Materials and reports for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Established in 1974, Way of Life Literature is a fundamental Baptist preaching and publishing ministry based in Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. Brother Cloud lives in South Asia where he has been a church planting missionary since 1979. OUR GOAL IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF OUR MINISTRY (REPORTS AND FRIDAY NEWS) IS NOT DEVOTIONAL. IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR.
David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org
The Way of Life Literature preaching and publishing ministry is based at Bethel Baptist Church, London, Ontario, of which Wilbert Unger is the founding Pastor. A mail stop is maintained in Port Huron, Michigan.
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