JAS News - News from The John Ankerberg Show

[The John Ankerberg Show Staff]

Dear Friends of the John Ankerberg Show,

 

Great, great news for you this month. I am elated and exhausted.
Simultaneously, I'm having a mountaintop experience and walking in the
valley.

 

Appellate Court Rules In Our Favor

 

First, the mountaintop.  Last month, the Appellate Court in Houston, Texas
ruled in our favor, dismissing the $136 million lawsuit that was filed
against us. Now, please keep in mind that because we won the lawsuit it does
not mean our ministry will receive $136 million.  That's only what we would
have had to pay had we lost.

 

We received nothing except the opinion that we were right and they were
wrong.  The legal rules for such cases in Texas dictate that even though we
won the case we cannot recover any of the deposition costs or attorney fees.
By the way, it cost over $2 million in insurance money to defend ourselves
and to stand for biblical truth.

 

If you are new to our ministry here is a little bit of the background.  In
1999, we published a 700 page Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions.  We
wrote it to help Christians identify some 57 religious groups and
organizations who claimed to be Christian but diverged from Orthodox
Christian belief in their books and publications.

 

One of those groups sued us and our publisher for $136 million in December
2001 because we included them in the book. The group, called the Local
Church, was led by a man named Witness Lee, who is now deceased.

 

This group has sued others who have criticized their theological beliefs.
As a Publishers Weekly article on January 11, 2006 states, "This is not the
first time The Local Church has filed suit against an author or publisher.
In the late 1990s, the group pursued legal action against Neil T. Duddy,
author of The God Men, and the publisher of the German-language edition of
his book; in the 1980's, it sued Jack Sparks, author of The Mind Benders,
and publisher Thomas Nelson."

 

As a result, we have had to defend ourselves in court ever since. On advice
from our attorneys, we were told not to say anything -- even to our
supporters.  We discovered a surprising number of people were on our mailing
list who were affiliated with the other side.  Anything we said to you could
have been used against us in court. What I am saying in this letter now will
probably still be read by someone from the other side.

 

So, these five years have been pressure packed and very expensive.  Each of
my staff members who worked on the book had to testify in front of the other
side's lawyers for up to six hours.  Many of the staff at Harvest House
Publishers also had to give testimony from six to 12 hours each.  My
co-author, Dr. John Weldon and I, testified for 12 hours each.  This took a
huge amount of preparation and was very grueling.

 

Further, through the years we have had to prepare for the depositions of
expert witnesses called to testify against us.  To prepare, we had to read
their books, and write out  questions for our attorneys.  We also had to
travel to various cities for those depositions.  It was very time-consuming.

 

Those Who Stood With Us In Court

 

Our publisher, Bob Hawkins, and the staff at Harvest House Publishers have
stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us.   They have been wonderful and I am
proud to be associated with them.  Twenty-four Christian organizations,
ministries and publishers filed Friend of the Court Briefs supporting us in
court.  These included: The National Religious Broadcasters Assoc.,  Moody
Publishers, Kregel Publications, USA Radio Network, The Rutherford
Institute, and others.  We have them listed at our website.

 

Reasons The Court Sided With Us

 

January 5, 2006, the Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas issued
its opinion and ruled in our favor dismissing the lawsuit against us.  The
court said, "...we agree that the passages in the book that referred to the
[Local] church are not, as a matter of law, defamatory, [therefore] we
reverse the judgment of the trial court and render judgment that the church
take nothing from the publisher and authors."

 

All along, we argued exactly what the court said in their opinion, "The
introduction of the encyclopedia defines a 'cult' as 'a separate religious
group generally claiming compatibility with Christianity but whose doctrines
contradict those of historic Christianity, and whose practices and ethical
standards violate those of biblical Christianity.'  In their motion, the
publisher and authors claim that the introduction 'centers on doctrinal and
apologetic issues.'  We agree."

 

Local Church Did Not Sue On The Content Of Their Chapter

 

Now a little bit about the case.  The  Local Church did not sue us regarding
anything we wrote about them in our chapter on them in the encyclopedia.  

 

Why?  Because our chapter only dealt with their theology.  But The Local
Church sued us anyway.  They did it on the basis of something we never said,
nor intended to say.  Here is how they did it.

 

Our encyclopedia begins with a section entitled "How to use this book" which
is followed by a 16 page general introduction, and then 57 separate chapters
that describe various religious groups (including the one on The Local
Church and their publisher, Living Stream Ministry).  The Local Church
argued that the lawsuit was not about being labeled a cult, rather they
contended that by their mere inclusion in the encyclopedia, and because the
introduction mentioned misdeeds committed by some unspecified cults, their
group stood accused of any conduct mentioned in the introduction.  Thus,
they alleged, the book was libelous.

 

But in our introduction, where we gave 12 characteristics of cults in
general, we did not even mention The Local Church.  Further, concerning the

12 characteristics we wrote," the list is not exhaustive.  Not all groups
have all the characteristics and not all groups have every characteristic in
equal measure." When the court read our introduction, they saw right through
the argument of The Local Church, and said, "If a statement does not concern
appellants, it cannot defame them, nor can it injure their reputations."

 

The court went on to say, "In sum, considering the introduction as a whole,
we cannot conclude that a reasonable reader could believe that all groups
named in the book participate in the criminal activities that plaintiffs
claim as the basis of their libel action," and "nothing in the book singles
out the church as having committed the "immoral, illegal, and despicable"
actions alleged in its petition.  Simply being included in a group with
others who may have committed such "immoral, illegal, and despicable"
actions does not give rise to a libel claim....Therefore, "we reverse the
judgment of the trial court and render judgment that the church take nothing
from the publisher and authors."

 

Why We Included A Chapter About The Local Church

 

Here are a few of hundreds of quotes we have that will tell you a little
about this group and why their theology is unorthodox. The emphasis added is
ours.

 

"The apostate church has deviated from the Lord's word and become heretical.
The reformed church, though recovered to the Lord's word to some extent, has
denied the Lord's name by denominating herself, taking many other names,
such as Lutheran, Wesleyan, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc....To
deviate from the Lord's word is apostasy, and to denominate the church by
taking any name other than the Lord's is spiritual fornication....All other
names are an abomination in the eyes of God."  The Recovery Version New
Testament, p. 1244, Rev. 3:8, note3, p 1256

 

"The Lord is not building his Church in Christiandom which is composed of
the apostate Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant denominations...[but]
through the Lord's recovery." The Recovery Version New Testament, p. 99, Mt.

16:18.

 

"I have recently discovered that whoever opposes the new way and attacks me
[Lee] or my ministry becomes dead within.  But whoever practices the new way
and receives my ministry becomes living... and whoever opposes the new way
become sad and dead."  Witness Lee, The Oneness and the One Accord According
to the Lord's Aspiration and the Body Life and Service According to His
Pleasure, (LSM 1990) 48.

 

"The saying is popular and current, 'Attend the church of your choice.'  I
would like to shout at the top of my voice to all the Lord's children, "You
have no choice!"' Witness Lee, The All-Inclusive Christ, (LSM: 1969) 179.

 

"If you have been listening to God in my speaking, you have been blessed.

My speaking of these main, new revelations in the past 25 years has been the
oracle of God." Witness Lee, Further Light Concerning the Building Up of the
Body of Christ, (LSM; 1988) 61-64

 

"Furthermore, whoever speaks for God in his oracle has a certain amount of
Divine authority." Witness Lee, Further Light Concerning the Building Up of
the Body of Christ, (LSM; 1988) 61-64

 

"The traditional explanation of the Trinity is grossly inadequate and
borders on tritheism." Witness Lee, Life Messages, Vol. 2, 164-166
http://www.triunegod.org/quotes/nine.html

 

"The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are not three separate persons or three
Gods; they are one God, one reality, one person."  Witness Lee, The Triune
God to be Life to the Tripartite Man, (LSM: 1970) 48

 

"The father is not only the father, but is also the Son."  Witness Lee, The
Economy of God, (LSM: 1968) 47

 

"...God the Father is also the Spirit..."Witness Lee, The Economy of God,

(LSM: 1968) 14

 

"The Father who listens to the praying is the Son who prays; and the Son who
prays is also the Father who listens to the prayer."  Witness Lee,
Concerning the Triune God, (LSM: ND) 27

 

"Because the Father, the Son, and the Spirit are all one with the Body of
Christ, we may say that the Triune God is now the 'four-in-one God."'

Witness Lee, A Deeper Study, 203-204 from: "The Local Church and Mingling"
http://www.ltm.org/mingle.html

 

"We must stay away from the practice of the deformed and degraded
Christianity and come back to the divine revelation for the Lord's recovery.

The preaching of the gospel and the teaching of the Bible do not take place
in Christianity... The traditional way of [church] meeting kills and annuls
the functions of the members of the Body of Christ and builds up something
satanic and demonic." Witness Lee, The God Ordained Way to Practice the New
Testament Economy, (LSM: 1987) 35

 

Can you see why The Local Church's statements about the Trinity are not
Orthodox?  Further, can you see the kind of authority that Witness Lee
claimed?

 

Though The Local Church clearly desires acceptance within evangelical
Christianity, suing those who critique their teaching is not the way to gain
it, but rather, it is by dealing with the unorthodox teachings that exist in
their publications.  We care deeply about the people within The Local
Church, and wish they would admit the error of Witness Lee and stop
publishing his books and sermons.

 

If you would like to read the 20 page opinion of the Court of Appeals, we
have posted it at our web site at www.JohnAnkerberg.org.  You will also find
our press release there.

 

Walking In The Valley

 

Now, this is why I'm simultaneously having a mountaintop experience and
walking in the valley.  Most of the $2 million spent to defend us was paid
by the insurance company.  But those of you who have health insurance know
that if you have an operation for $100,000 the insurance company will pay
for only about 80%.  You pay the other 20%.  There have been a lot of
expenses that our ministry has had to pay to stay in this battle that were
not covered by the insurance company.  This has caused a tremendous strain
on the ministry.

 

We pray every day that God will send us people that will help lift the heavy
load.  Many times we did not know if we could continue the ministry. Could I
say right now that if God has given you money to help ministries, we need
Christian people who understand what we have been through -- and are still
facing -- to help us.  If God lays this on your heart to help, it would be
like someone pouring cool water over dry, hot sand.

 

We Really Need Your Help This Month

 

Before I go on let me comment further.  Some of you can give big gifts.  If
we're going to stand in court, and stand for the truth of God's word on
television, God must lay it on your heart to help us.

 

I also know that most of you who receive this letter cannot give a large
gift.  But your $10, $15, or $30 gift each month is crucial to what we do.

Almost every television ministry I know depends on people who faithfully
give a small amount each month.  I need your help now.

 

Please don't think you gift is too small or that it is not important.  When
Jesus saw the widow in the temple give her mite -- less than a penny, He
commented, "She gave more than all the rest."  At the end of this letter
there is a place where you can help.  Please take a moment to do so.

 

It's Still Not Over

 

So, this is a great victory and we thank God for it.  But keep in mind it
still is not over.  The other side can still appeal this decision to the
Supreme Court of Texas, and eventually to the Supreme Court of the United
States.  We believe the opinion of the Appellate Court is so strong, and so
clearly written, that it will be hard for them to do this.  Please be in
prayer that this will stop now.

 

 

New Debate:  Science And The Bible

 

Now, let me change topics.  It was right after New Year's, on January 3 and
4, that we taped The Great Debate on Science and the Bible.  My guests were
some of the best that we have in Christianity, and they were all guests that
you asked us to invite.  Two were astrophysicists and two were theologians.

 

One of the reasons The John Ankerberg Show is so unique is that Christian
scholars in the church trust us to treat them fairly and allow them to
present the issues as they see fit.  It also allows you to hear
conversations that you would hear no place else, and certainly on no other
Christian television program.  I believe the programs are very helpful.  For
my part, I put in more than 200 hours of study just preparing for this one
series.

 

My guests were Mr. Ken Ham and astrophysicist Dr. Jason Lisle of Answers in
Genesis, debating astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross of Reasons To Believe, and
Dr. Walter Kaiser, distinguished professor of Old Testament and President of
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

 

I believe the debate covered the topics that you wanted to hear.  I
appreciated the fact that even though these men strongly differ on some
points, all four of them are Christians.  They all love Jesus Christ with
all their heart.  They all believe the Bible is the inspired and inerrant
Word of God.  They do not believe in evolution.  They all believe Genesis is
a real historical account.  They all believe God supernaturally created all
the plants and animals and Adam and Eve.

 

In the first four programs we covered what the Bible is literally teaching
about when and how God created.  The second part dealt with science and the
record of nature.  What does it tell us about the age of the universe, the
age of the Earth, and when God created Adam and Eve?

 

We taped more programs then we expected. We actually taped 10 programs.
This means, that if you order the entire package of eight programs for $78
that we advertised, we will include two additional half-hour television
programs as a bonus, absolutely free.  Here are the topics that we covered
in this important debate.

 

PART ONE

 

Program 1:  The meaning of the word "day" is the focal point of the
controversy in the church of when God created.  What is the literal,
biblical meaning of the word "day" in Genesis 1&2?  Is it six 24-hour days
or six consecutive long periods of time?

 

Program 2:  When "yom" (day) is used with a number (like 1, 2, 3) in the Old
Testament, does it mean the day referred to is always 24 hours?  What does
the phrase, "evening and morning" mean?  Why wasn't it used with the seventh
day?

 

Program 3:  What kind of world did God create?  Was there any death to
plants and animals before Adam sinned?

 

Program 4:  If one holds that animals and plants died before Adam sinned,
does this alter the Doctrine of the Atonement? Does it undermine the Gospel
and the authority of Scripture?

 

PART TWO

 

Program 5:  Science and the Bible: What does God tell us in the Bible about
the record of nature?  Is what we see in the record of nature completely
trustworthy and reliable?

 

Program 6:  Did God make 24-hour days on the fourth day? Did God make the
sun, moon, and the stars on the fourth day, or did God transform Earth's
atmosphere so that the sun, moon and stars became visible from Earth's
surface?

 

Program 7:  Is the Big Bang a good scientific and biblical model? Does
evidence from astronomy tell us the universe is old?  Did God create things
with the appearance of age?

 

Program 8:  Was Noah's flood universal (and killed all of humanity except
Noah and his family)but not global?  Or, was it both universal and global?

 

BONUS PROGRAMS

 

Program 9:  Question to both sides:  What biblical evidence would persuade
you that you are wrong and the other side is right?  Does the comparison of
the creation days with a six-day workweek in Exodus 20:9 prove the creation
days are 24-hours?  Is the seventh creation day (the

Sabbath) still going on according to Hebrew 4:10?

 

Program 10:  Do the biblical genealogies tell us how many years ago Adam
lived? Was Archbishop Ussher's date of October 3, 4004 B.C. right or wrong?

 

I hope you will order these important television programs.  There is a lot
of information that you can only get by slowly listening to it over and
over, and then looking up the verses in the Bible.  There were many
questions I wanted to ask and never had time to do so.  I told my guests
that somewhere in the future we might want to tape another series.

 

Ross And Lisle Future Debate

 

As you will hear during the debate, Dr. Ross asked Dr. Lisle if he would be
willing to debate some of the astronomical evidence in front of a group of
professional astronomers.  I told them I would be willing to tape that
debate and the astronomers' response.  I'll keep you informed.

 

Former Muslims Return For New Series

 

I have invited former Muslims, Emir and Ergun Caner, to tape a new series at
the end of March.  If the Lord tarries, what will we be facing from Islam in
the future?  Where are we headed? And what questions do Muslims ask
Christians?

 

Thank you for reading this long letter.  God has given us your friendship
and you mean so much to us.  We really need your help this month.  As God
leads, please let me hear from you.

 

For the sake of the Gospel,

 

Dr. John F. Ankerberg

President

 

 

 

Ankerberg Theological Research Institute (A.T.R.I.)
P.O. Box 8977
Chattanooga, TN 37414 USA
(423) 892-7722
For credit card orders only:
1-800-805-3030 
 <http://www.johnankerberg.org/> http://www.johnankerberg.org


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