Refuting Mike Gendron's tract "Are You Being Deceived?"

[Church_Militant]

Are You Being Deceived?
If I were to insult you, you’d feel the sting immediately. If I were to embarrass you, you’d be the first to know. But if I were to deceive you…you might never know it!
As painful as being insulted or embarrassed can be, at least you’re aware of what’s taking place. But deception can be deadly because you don’t realize you are being betrayed, misled, seduced or ensnared. It’s much more than a clever slight of hand.
Deceived people are not even aware they are being misled unless they are confronted with the truth. Tragically, many go to their graves deceived about their relationship with God.

The Importance of Your Source for Truth
What is your source for truth? Is it trustworthy? Will it protect you from the schemes and lies of the master deceiver, Satan?
The biblical prophet Jeremiah gave wise counsel for choosing who to trust. He said if you put your trust in man you will be cursed like a withered bush in a barren desert. However, if your ultimate trust is in God, Jeremiah said you will flourish like a tree planted by the water (Jeremiah 17:5-8).
Still many people today disregard Jeremiah’s advice and in their search for truth put their trust in man–religious leaders–instead of God.

Well, here we go again. notice firstly that Mr. Gendron fails to connect his own teachings to the cited passage, even though I have pointed out many times over that he regularly teaches things that depart from the straight reading of the Word of God. Could this actually be a form of self-deception?

Who Will You Trust?
Catholics, for example, believe that the pope and the Roman Catholic Church teach exactly what Jesus and the Bible teach. But how do we know if the popes’ teachings or the dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church are true?
The only way we can be 100% sure is to do what the church of Berea did in New Testament times. They examined the Scriptures to see if what the Apostle Paul taught them was true (Acts 17:11).
We must use the same scriptural standard for the teachings of all religious leaders. Disregarding the objective truth of God’s Word in favor of the subjective teachings of men can be a tragic mistake.

(Bold emphasis is mine) Didn’t I just point out that I’ve shown this man to be doing exactly that in previous articles of mine?

I have been comparing Catholic teaching to the Word of God for many years now and it was just such comparisons, sparked by a-C remarks, (See My Testimony) that both led me home and maintains me in the Catholic faith. My examinations of Mike Gendron’s a-C propaganda has also shown that he is not a reliable source for correct teaching.

Furthermore, we know that the Bereans did not set the example that he seeks to make of them. Catholic Answers has a number of articles on this.

• Why the Bereans Rejected Sola Scriptura
• Not by Scripture Alone | Catholic Answers
• Acts 17:11 The Bereans rejected “Scripture Alone”!

The Danger of Deception Would it surprise you to learn that many religious teachings go against the Bible? Shouldn’t that concern you, since your eternal destiny may depend on such teachings?
Here is how Catholic doctrine misleads people about God’s plan of salvation:

• All graces needed to attain eternal life can be merited (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2027).

Now here, (again) we see that Gendron cherry picks his citations of source for catholic teaching in order to mislead his readers and followers. her cites CCC 2027, but fails to cite the actual section of the catechism that that 'IN BRIEF" statement actually refers to Section III, paragraphs 2006-2011, which read.

III. MERIT

You are glorified in the assembly of your Holy Ones, for in crowning their merits you are crowning your own gifts.59 2006 The term “merit” refers in general to the recompense owed by a community or a society for the action of one of its members, experienced either as beneficial or harmful, deserving reward or punishment. Merit is relative to the virtue of justice, in conformity with the principle of equality which governs it.
2007 With regard to God, there is no strict right to any merit on the part of man. Between God and us there is an immeasurable inequality, for we have received everything from him, our Creator.
2008 The merit of man before God in the Christian life arises from the fact that God has freely chosen to associate man with the work of his grace. The fatherly action of God is first on his own initiative, and then follows man’s free acting through his collaboration, so that the merit of good works is to be attributed in the first place to the grace of God, then to the faithful. Man’s merit, moreover, itself is due to God, for his good actions proceed in Christ, from the predispositions and assistance given by the Holy Spirit.
2009 Filial adoption, in making us partakers by grace in the divine nature, can bestow true merit on us as a result of God’s gratuitous justice. This is our right by grace, the full right of love, making us “co-heirs” with Christ and worthy of obtaining "the promised inheritance of eternal life."60 The merits of our good works are gifts of the divine goodness.61 "Grace has gone before us; now we are given what is due. . . . Our merits are God’s gifts."62
2010 Since the initiative belongs to God in the order of grace, no one can merit the initial grace of forgiveness and justification, at the beginning of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit and by charity, we can then merit for ourselves and for others the graces needed for our sanctification, for the increase of grace and charity, and for the attainment of eternal life. Even temporal goods like health and friendship can be merited in accordance with God’s wisdom. These graces and goods are the object of Christian prayer. Prayer attends to the grace we need for meritorious actions.
2011 The charity of Christ is the source in us of all our merits before God. Grace, by uniting us to Christ in active love, ensures the supernatural quality of our acts and consequently their merit before God and before men. The saints have always had a lively awareness that their merits were pure grace.

After earth’s exile, I hope to go and enjoy you in the fatherland, but I do not want to lay up merits for heaven. I want to work for your love alone. . . . In the evening of this life, I shall appear before you with empty hands, for I do not ask you, Lord, to count my works. All our justice is blemished in your eyes. I wish, then, to be clothed in your own *justice *and to receive from your love the eternal possession of yourself.63Now, does his citation accurately reflect authentic Catholic teaching in its context and does it disagree with or contradict the New Testament? No, it does not. So who is being deceived here?
(Cont’d)

 

[Church_Militant]

Catholics are reborn as sons of God and freed from sin through water baptism (1213).

As is taught in the New Testament and was taught by the early church. The whole teaching on baptism is too long to include here, but I encourage you all to take the time to carefully enter the Catechism at this paragraph and note for yourselves the accuracy of this Catholic doctrine.

Just because Gendron denies it and argues against it, by no means he is correct.
(See also “I Find No Sacraments In the Bible” he said.)

Purgatory is a cleansing fire that achieves the holiness necessary for heaven (1030-31).

He doesn’t even cite the whole passage, which reads,

**III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY **
1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1031 The Church gives the name *Purgatory *to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611

Nor does he touch on the fact that we share this essential belief with the Jews even to this day. See Biblical and Jewish Traditional Beliefs About Purgatory

Jesus is offered daily as a sacrificial victim on Catholic altars (1367).

Which, because of his misleading and specious citation, (In fact, how many a-Cs are actually going to research this by checking the Catechism for context?) would not help anyone to understand the facts of our beliefs.

Again, the relevant Catechism portion is too long to post here, but I urge you all to enter the Catechism at this paragraph (More accurately at CCC 1356 and following.)

Venial sins are not deserving of hell (1863).

He really should begin to properly cite catechism topics if he intends to contend with knowledgeable Catholics about our most holy faith. The Catechism actually reads…
1862 One commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent.
1863 Venial sin weakens charity; it manifests a disordered affection for created goods; it impedes the soul’s progress in the exercise of the virtues and the practice of the moral good; it merits temporal punishment. Deliberate and unrepented venial sin disposes us little by little to commit mortal sin. However venial sin does not break the covenant with God. With God’s grace it is humanly reparable. "Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness."134

While he is in the flesh, man cannot help but have at least some light sins. But do not despise these sins which we call “light”: if you take them for light when you weigh them, tremble when you count them. A number of light objects makes a great mass; a number of drops fills a river; a number of grains makes a heap. What then is our hope? Above all, confession.135 1864 "Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven."136 There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit.137 Such hardness of heart can lead to final impenitence and eternal loss.

This would rather well summarize the teaching of many n-Cs even though they would not use Catholic terminology. For example:
These two circles represent two kinds of lives:
http://www.campuscrusade.com/images/circles.gif
Self-Directed Life
S-Self is on the throne
http://www.campuscrusade.com/images/cross.jpg-Christ is outside the life
http://www.campuscrusade.com/images/circle.jpg-Interests are directed by self, often
resulting in discord and frustration Christ-Directed Life
http://www.campuscrusade.com/images/cross.jpg-Christ is in the life and on the throne
**S-**Self is yielding to Christ,
resulting in harmony with God’s plan
http://www.campuscrusade.com/images/circle.jpg-Interests are directed by Christ,
resulting in harmony with God’s plan

 

[Church_Militant]

By performing acts of penance, Catholics can expiate their own sins (1459,1477)

Again he likes to “short cite” the catechism, which in context reads:
1459 Many sins wrong our neighbor. One must do what is possible in order to repair the harm (e.g., return stolen goods, restore the reputation of someone slandered, pay compensation for injuries). Simple justice requires as much. But sin also injures and weakens the sinner himself, as well as his relationships with God and neighbor. Absolution takes away sin, but it does not remedy all the disorders sin has caused.62 Raised up from sin, the sinner must still recover his full spiritual health by doing something more to make amends for the sin: he must “make satisfaction for” or “expiate” his sins. This satisfaction is also called “penance.”
1460 The *penance *the confessor imposes must take into account the penitent’s personal situation and must seek his spiritual good. It must correspond as far as possible with the gravity and nature of the sins committed. It can consist of prayer, an offering, works of mercy, service of neighbor, voluntary self-denial, sacrifices, and above all the patient acceptance of the cross we must bear. Such penances help configure us to Christ, who alone expiated our sins once for all. They allow us to become co-heirs with the risen Christ, "provided we suffer with him."63

The satisfaction that we make for our sins, however, is not so much ours as though it were not done through Jesus Christ. We who can do nothing ourselves, as if just by ourselves, can do all things with the cooperation of “him who strengthens” us. Thus man has nothing of which to boast, but all our boasting is in Christ . . . in whom we make satisfaction by bringing forth “fruits that befit repentance.” These fruits have their efficacy from him, by him they are offered to the Father, and through him they are accepted by the Father.64 His other citation, CCC 1477 actually has nothing to do with his point, though he seeking to attack the merit of the intercession of and the Communion of Saints.
I answer this in my blog article The Intercession & Communion of Saints.

The Bible says man is saved by believing God’s truth (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Again, this is a very shallow and lite gospel of salvation. Does Gendron’s scripture citation accurately reflect the many passages of the New Testament that deal with salvation? No, it does not. For instance, consider the following 2 articles I wrote. The differences will be pretty clear I think.

• Who REALLY Preaches “A Different Gospel”?
• How Is A Catholic Saved?

God can never deceive anyone (Titus 1:1-2). But man remains condemned if he continues in deception.

Well as we all know, even a stopped clock is right twice a day, so there is nothing wrong with this scripture citation, however, as one who has been proved many times to teach error and misinformation, who would actually be the deceived and continuing in their deception?

False religious systems hold people in bondage to deception by perverting God’s truth and grace. Any religion that teaches its followers that salvation is obtained through human effort and merit is nullifying the grace of God. Yet grace is the only means by which God saves sinners! The Bible says “if by grace, it is no longer because of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:6).

Of course, by inference he means the Catholic Church, but so far, have any of you reading this seen any such perversions of God’s truth and grace in authentic Catholic teaching? I haven’t…

 

[Church_Militant]

Misplaced Faith Some people blindly put their faith in religious leaders, assuming that their leaders would never seduce anyone with a false plan of salvation. Yet the Apostle Paul warned that “from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them” (Acts 20:30).

The complete relevant passage reads:28] Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son. 29] I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30] and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Now, in our discussion and analysis of Mike Gendron’s messages, who is actually better described by these verses?

Other people simply choose not to respond or conform their lives to truth. Instead they turn away to listen to teachers who say what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Here again, who has this proved to be true of in our examinations of Gendron’s messages?

Then there are people who have a zeal for God, but not in line with the truth. Many people have been indoctrinated with false teaching and have difficulty believing the truth. They fail because they refuse to let go of unbiblical beliefs.
It was disobedience to God, a lack of faith in His purpose, plan, and word that separated Adam and Eve from Him. Instead they chose to put their faith in the deceiver, which brought spiritual and physical death to us all.

By his own words he convicts himself I think. God be merciful to him and to all those who also, for the same reasons he gives here, do not carefully study to show themselves approved unto God, rightly handling the word of truth. (2nd Timothy 2:15)

God uses the very instrument that separated us from Him–faith–to restore us back to Him. By repenting of our dead works and turning to God in faith, we receive spiritual and eternal life: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Sola Fide anyone? Yet Matthew 25:31-46 refutes this unscriptural gospel of “Christianity Lite”.

 

[Church_Militant]

God’s Truth Determines Destiny
The Bible makes it clear that:

• We are either children of the devil (John 8:43-45) or children of God (John 1:12),
• We live as slaves to sin or as slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:16-18), and
• We will spend eternity under the wrath of God or in His loving presence.

As does the Catholic Church! Anyone remember your Baptismal promises?

V. Do you reject Satan?
R. I do.
V. And all his works?
R. I do.
V. And all his empty promises?
R. I do.
V. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
R. I do.

V. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
R. I do.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
R. I do.
V. God, the all-powerful Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given us a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and forgiven all our sins. May he also keep us faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
R. Amen.

“Whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).

Check…that’s Catholic.

God has revealed that trusting in anything other than Christ and His Word is evidence of deception. Those who choose to follow the traditions, opinions, and philosophies of men will be condemned. Jesus said “Whoever rejects Me and does not accept My words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day” (John 12:48).

Sadly for Gendron, he has failed to accept the very scriptural fact of the inclusion of Sacred Tradition as mentioned in the New Testament and cited by the apostles themselves. So then this would not qualify as the “traditions of men” that he wishes to allege against the Catholic faith.

Infallibility & How The Apostles Taught the Study of Sacred Tradition.

Tradition? No way!

By contrast, how wonderful are the words, “to those who did accept Him He gave power to become children of God to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). Are you basing your life and eternal destiny on the eternal truths of God’s Word or on the Catholic traditions added to God’s truth? How will you respond to God’s truth?

Sorry Mike but having weighed you message against the Word of God and found them seriously wanting of the fullness of truth, and having compared teh Word of God and the authentic teachings of the Catholic Church, I have not found said additions, though I have found you yourself misrepresenting Catholic doctrine and teachings and teaching contrary to the New Testament, therefore I base my life and eternal destiny on the eternal truths of God’s Word -]or/-] and on the Catholic traditions documented for the 2,00 years of Christian history.

(Cont’d)

 

[Zooey]

freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-signs131.gifDoes Mike ever do anything besides take swipes at Catholics?? Kick the dog?smiley-faces.org/smiley-faces/smiley-face-dry.gif Spit at the cat??smiley-faces.org/smiley-faces/smiley-face-dry.gif Have asmiley-faces.org/smiley-faces/smiley-face-dry.gif PB&J??

 

[JRKH]

Didn’t read through the entire discourse above…Suffice it to say that, once those who point to the Bereans as models for their inspection of Scripture, actually begin doing it themselves…More and more will become Catholic…

But as long as they insist on overlooking, ignoring, or reinterpreting the many passages and exhortations that clearly point to a unified, universal, authoritative Church, they fall far short of the very people they themselves hold up as examples…the Bereans…

Peace
James

 

[Church_Militant]

More to come later on this particular article. Feel free to add your own insights.

 

[CalCatholic]

I started to read this article by Gendron and after reading his first three references to the Catechism, and after looking them up and seeing how he takes things out of context and blatantly misquotes, I was done! Do any of his followers look these quotes up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to check to see if his citations are true representations of Catholic belief??? I guess many of his ‘disciples’ are blind followers and turn on his every word , (don’t drink the cool aid!!!)

 

[Zooey]

I started to read this article by Gendron and after reading his first three references to the Catechism, and after looking them up and seeing how he takes things out of context and blatantly misquotes, I was done! Do any of his followers look these quotes up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to check to see if his citations are true representations of Catholic belief??? I guess many of his ‘disciples’ are blind followers and turn on his every word , (don’t drink the cool aid!!!)

That’s what I think: that Gendron’s faithful readers never check to see whether he knows what he’s talking about, or if he just made it up off the top of his head. (I say: He makes stuff up to suit his notions). It’s really pretty pathetic. At least it would be if he weren’t too busy inventing things that he has no time left to do or say anything of any value…

 

[Credo_ergo_sum]

I think you’re wasting your time on a lunatic.

 

[JRKH]

I started to read this article by Gendron and after reading his first three references to the Catechism, and after looking them up and seeing how he takes things out of context and blatantly misquotes, I was done! Do any of his followers look these quotes up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to check to see if his citations are true representations of Catholic belief??? I guess many of his ‘disciples’ are blind followers and turn on his every word , (don’t drink the cool aid!!!)

My guess is that many of his followers are like many Catholics. They assume that the person providing the information is being spiritually and intellectually honest.

The problem that I have seen, on more than one occasion, is that people on both sides, even well known people, can be be guilty (either deliberately or not) of pulling things out of context and misquoting etc.

HERE is just one example from the other side of the fence…
The impression I got from the linked thread is that Steve Ray had quoted something that he honestly believed was correct in context but then, to his chagrin, discovered it was not - I’m confident that he did not deliberately set out to misquote, but probably used an “outsourced” quotation from some other apologist…and on we go…

What you say above about fact checking is indeed important and every apologist, Catholic or non-Catholic, needs to take it to heart.

Peace
James

 

[CalCatholic]

My guess is that many of his followers are like many Catholics. They assume that the person providing the information is being spiritually and intellectually honest.

The problem that I have seen, on more than one occasion, is that people on both sides, even well known people, can be be guilty (either deliberately or not) of pulling things out of context and misquoting etc.

HERE is just one example from the other side of the fence…
The impression I got from the linked thread is that Steve Ray had quoted something that he honestly believed was correct in context but then, to his chagrin, discovered it was not - I’m confident that he did not deliberately set out to misquote, but probably used an “outsourced” quotation from some other apologist…and on we go…

What you say above about fact checking is indeed important and every apologist, Catholic or non-Catholic, needs to take it to heart.

Peace
James

I agree! But quoting ‘the Catechism of the Catholic Church’ is so easily checked by any person. It is available online for free or in any bookstore like Barnes and Noble (also free to browse).

 

[Shannon9791]

Still many people today disregard Jeremiah’s advice and in their search for truth put their trust in man–religious leaders–instead of God

Would Mike Gendron cosider himself a religious leader? As a religious leader, wouldn’t he want folks to put their trust in him? It is how he puts dinner on his table nightly. Has he ever gone to speak at a school or conference and said: “No matter what I tell you tonight, don’t trust any of it, only trust God.” I doubt it. I tell you this much, if he ever did, he wouldn’t be on the short list of guest speakers anywhere. This just shows how hypocritcal he is, and the really sad thing is that he probably doesn’t even realize it.

 

[JRKH]

I agree! But quoting ‘the Catechism of the Catholic Church’ is so easily checked by any person. It is available online for free or in any bookstore like Barnes and Noble (also free to browse).

Very true -

But if a person trusts the speaker then one may not feel the need to look it up on their own, until it comes up some number of conversations later and someone points out the error. But by then the error has spread exponentially.

All I’m saying is that - easy or hard - we all need to fact check, keep the good, discard the bad, and move forward with only the most sound arguments.
It saddens me to see perfectly legitimate objections raised against an apologist of any faith tradition - it damages not only their reputation but sincere dialogue in general…

Yes argue the Faith…But do it well, charitably, humbly and in good faith.

Peace
James

 

[po18guy]

Mike should read and follow James 3:1
Mike should read and ponder the fates of those who send themselves, and are not chosen and sent by God: Acts 8:9-24, Acts 19:13-16.

As with attacks on Mary, the evil one fears to do it himself, so he dupes others into performing his vile work. Let us pray that Mike is duped and not willfully deceitful.

 

[WesleyF]

As usual, good job Church Militant.

 

[Ignatius]

I think you’re wasting your time on a lunatic.

CM is aiming more at saving other people from falling for Gendron’s deceptions, rather than disputing with Gendron.

 

[po18guy]

CM is aiming more at saving other people from falling for Gendron’s deceptions, rather than disputing with Gendron.

The truth can and will save the lurkers. It has no effect against those who are determined to oppose it.

 

[Trebor135]

I think you’re wasting your time on a lunatic.

It’s pretty clear by now that Mike Gendron has gone off the deep end.

But if Church Militant can break through to even a few of his readers or prevent some ill-catechized Catholics from buying the rubbish he peddles, Church Militant’s efforts are surely worth the time and energy he expends on refuting Gendron’s propaganda (which might be so egregious as to allow for a successful libel suit).