The latest attack by Charisma is to call people who do not vote as they demand useful idiots...

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And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:9-11 (ESV)

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Today it is Larry Tomczak's turn to carry the Republican Party water for Steven Strang and Charisma News. That means yet another insulting article, demeaning anyone who would dare to vote differently than they command. We are all entitled to our political opinions and leanings but as faux Christian leaders, our responsibility to the gospel overrides that. As the recent devotional highlighting a confession from 300 Evangelical leaders pointed out - this should be about Christ alone and our unity is not political but based upon the finished work of the cross. Not so at Charisma and within the walls of the apostate church however. Today's charlatan, Mr. Tomczak, has decided to call anyone who disagrees with him a useful idiot. I guess that is better than Charisma's previous idiots, Jack Hibbs, Mario Murillo, Greg Locke, and Dr. Michael Brown, who all have said Christians cannot vote for any Democratic candidate. Murillo and Locke went as far as to say that if they did, they would be hell-bound and unredeemable. Beloved, I look forward to the days after the election when Charisma might return to simply platforming spiritual buffoonery and insanely false prophets claiming God told them who was going to win the Super Bowl (we all know God is a Cowboys fan) but until then they will continue to lead Christians down the broad path with pseudo-spiritual and political bullying and someone needs to say, no. So, let us reason once more together through pieces of this inane article linked above. What I am going to focus on however, is how Larry Tomczak absolutely butchers the bible to sell his carnality to you.

"Megan Basham, author of the controversial bestseller "Shepherds for Sale," says that at the end of his life, Frederick Engels (who co-authored "The Communist Manifesto" with Karl Marx) was asked this question: "Who did you most dislike in your promotion of socialism?" Engels answered: "Spurgeon." Engels believed he could use a counterfeit form of Christianity to advance his cause, but Spurgeon, the "prince of preachers," could never be manipulated.

In the Bible, Peter and John were disparaged by certain elite leaders who smeared them as "common" (Acts 4:13), from the Greek idiotes, translated "idiot." The reference is to someone who is stupid, foolish, easily manipulated. Ruthless Russian leaders Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin both used the phrase "useful idiot" to describe sympathizers who blindly supported their radical socialist ideology." - Larry Tomczak

The irony here is staggering. I could get into the carnal irony of using former Russian dictators when you support a candidate that supports modern day Russian dictators but let's try and stick to the scripture references. The argument Tomczak is making is that the use of the word "common" means that they were saying Peter and John were idiots, meaning they were stupid foolish and easily manipulated. The reason why Larry is making this point is to shoehorn his disparaging of Christians who do not vote as he does, as idiots. The problem is that this is not what this text means. The exact verse says that the leaders were astonished at Peter and John's boldness because they knew they were uneducated and comment men. Barnes Commentary sums this up well:

"This word properly denotes "those who live in private, in contradistinction from those who are engaged in public life or in office." As this class of persons is commonly also supposed to be less learned, talented, and refined than those in office, it comes to denote "those who are rude and illiterate." The idea intended to be conveyed here is, that these men had not had opportunities of education (compare Matthew 4:18-21), and had not been accustomed to public speaking, and hence, they were surprised at their boldness." - Barnes Notes on the Bible

So, the key here was that they were surprised at the boldness, which indicates the power of the Holy Spirit working within Peter and John. Not that they were being called idiots. They were astonished that people with no education and experience in public speaking, had such boldness. This highlights how Tomczak and Charisma have utter contempt for their readers. The bible is not a play toy we use to prop up our political arguments.

"In the upcoming presidential election, we have the choice between a progressive leftist Democrat who supports core principles of socialism and a populist Republican former president who supports free-market capitalism. So none of us fall prey to being a useful idiot for either party, I offer some insights for a prudent casting of your vote. The Bible directs us to exercise "discernment that you may approve the things that are excellent" (Phil. 1:9b-10a, NKJV), not idiotic!" - Larry Tomczak

First of all, let us not gloss over the stupid NAR dominionist notion that God has ordained capitalism. God is not impressed nor concerned about the economic theories that men have contrived. Our government is based upon a free market but there is plenty of socialism sprinkled in and that does not make anyone less Christian. His kingdom is not of this world beloved. That said, I always wrinkle my nose to see someone cite a half of a verse, let alone two half verses here. So, I have made the full verses in context the key verses listed above. These verses have absolutely nothing to do with carnal politics. God did not urge is to use discernment to judge between socialism and capitalism. The use of discernment, is to discern what is and is not from God - especially when it comes to false teachers like Larry Tomczak. Here is today's deep theology. Neither candidate, political party or economic theory, is from God. NONE. This bastardization of scripture is borderline blasphemous as it takes what is crucial for believers in discernment, and corrupts it into making carnal electoral decisions. The word of God is not supposed to be abused like this. God gives us His word for our spiritual growth, not to pursue worldly political power. This is simply disgusting.

"This is not a normal presidential election. The stakes could not be higher at this defining moment when progressive secularists advance the "fundamental transformation of America," while patriotic conservatives seek to preserve the traditional ideals of our Founding Fathers. Have we reached the point of no return? "With God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26), so I'm not a pessimist but an optimist. I'm also a realist, and if we continue compromising biblical precepts and sell out, disregarding 2 Chronicles 7:14 conditions for "healing our land," then God is not obligated to some supernatural sovereign intervention (see Romans 1, which lays out what happens to those persisting in turning from God and His Word)." - Lary Tomczak

Dear Lord. There is nothing sacred for Larry Tomczak and Charisma News? Matthew 19:26 is about salvation, not that it might be possible to elect your three times married, three times unfaithful, genital grabbing, porn star sleeping with, convicted rapist. This verse is after Jesus explains how hard it will be for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. His disciples then lament this by saying, "who can be saved?' THAT is when Jesus says that with God all things are possible! Anyone can be saved because of God! When you compromise the gospel however for NAR dominionism, you butcher any scripture you see to accomplish your fleshly goals. The next verse abused here was written to ISRAEL! It has nothing to do with America. It is not a prescriptive text and was part of a historical narrative. Even if you want to apply it to any country, the people in question that it is written to are people called by God's name! That means Christians or the church, in this country. The NAR whores always distort this verse and pretend that if the unsaved would only start behaving better then somehow God will stay His hand of judgment upon this country. Spoiler alert - He will not. The reason why the land needs healing is not because the lost behave like the lost but because the church does not behave like the church.

"God has strict judgment for those misleading people in teaching His Word (James 3:1) and for "watchmen" failing to alert people of impending dangers (Ezek. 33:6). Today, leaders, groups and publications (Sojourners ministry, Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, Southern Baptist Russell Moore, Andy Stanley's Northpoint church, some contributors to Christianity Today and others) are justifiably being scrutinized for compromise and "woke" leanings. Investigations are exposing those who are supporting LGBTQ and transgender agendas, gender affirmative surgical mutilation, receiving hefty donations from anti-Christ Leftist groups, identifying with those advancing notions of a white supremacist nation and/or Black Lives Matter propaganda. Be alert, informed and extremely discerning with the widespread deception increasing at this time." - Larry Tomczak

Now, Larry is absolutely correct about James 3:1 but the delicious irony is that while he correctly calls out apostate teachers such as Warren and Stanley, he fails to see how he is no better. They might be too far on one side of not preaching the gospel but Tomczak is just as guilty in the other extreme of not preaching the gospel. The slaughtered scripture here is the misuse of Ezekiel 33:6. The failing to alert people of impending danger is not God saying for church leaders to warn people of "woke" leanings. That is biblically absurd. Sin is sin. Preachers are supposed to warn against sin, but not for political goals. Black Lives Matter is not an anti-Christian teaching. It just sought justice for unfair treatment. Now, you can disagree politically, but don't drag God into it. These political arguments are not "deception." Do you know what is? Articles such as these that take our eyes off of Christ and onto political power. It is idolatry, pure and simple. We are watchmen about the word of God and matter of sin and repentance. Discernment is not determining which political action groups you disagree with.

"Former Governor Mike Huckabee calls on pastors to "rise to the occasion and view the spiritual battle as one in which they see themselves as captains on a battleship, not simply a love boat keeping people happy and entertained more than the church down the street." Jesus directs us to "render unto Caesar" (Mark 12:17)"honor legitimate citizenship duties while benefiting from rights and privileges"which for us include praying; voting; exercising our freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and so forth; and, when necessary, appealing to authority ("due process") as Paul did three times as a Roman citizen." - Lary Tomczak

The NAR turns the concept of love, which Jesus was all about, into a derogatory comment. The battle is the Lord's not ours, despite what politician and faux Christian Huckabee believes. We do not need a battleship. Our weapons are not of this world. The verse that Larry mangles here is the well-known "render unto Ceasar" scripture. This verse is Christ blowing up the trap the teachers were trying to spring on Him regarding paying taxes. This is yet another example of Jesus saying to not confuse the things of this world with the matters of the kingdom. What Tomczak tries to do though, is pretend that rendering unto Caesar secretly means that we have to honor legitimate citizenship duties. What? Has Larry ever read the verse that explicitly says that our citizenship is in heaven? God does not allow dual citizenship beloved. We do not render unto Caesar by voting. That is a ridiculous use of this scripture. Again though, it is Tomczak superimposing his carnal political greed over scripture.

"We have an imperative: Save America from insidious forces seeking to undermine our Judeo-Christian foundations and heritage. This is primarily a battle between good and evil, not Republicans versus Democrats! The Bible commands us to exercise discernment (Phil. 1:9), so may we vote for candidates not on the basis of emotion, party affiliation, skin color, sex or charisma. Character counts, morality matters and discernment decides for whom we cast our vote." - Larry Tomczak

This is the second time Larry eviscerates Philippians 1:9. Discernment has nothing to do with which political candidate we vote for. Notice what he is trying to do here. Instead of just saying he thinks his guy is better he wants to turn this into his candidate is good and any disagreement is evil. The truth is both candidates are evil and none are good. None seek after God. The truly laughable thing is that Tomczak claims that character counts and morality matters yet look at who he is insisting Christians vote for! If character counts, how can you defend voting for a man who has been married and unfaithful three times, including with a porn star while his new third wife was at home with his new born son? If morality matters, how can you defend voting for a convicted rapist who has 34 other felony convictions against him? That is not to excuse the immorality of any other politician but rather it highlights why we should not be defending and demanding political fealty to someone who is so ethically and morally compromised. Either way, it is not discernment. Philippians 1:9 is not speaking about politics.

"There simply is no flawless politician enabling us to check all the boxes in our pursuit of perfection. Voting for a president means voting for an administration with accompanying policies, Cabinet positions, appointed department heads and judges across the land. The United States of America was established not as a pure democracy (majority rules) but rather as a constitutional republic, in which our Constitution provides for elected representatives (with checks and balances and three branches of accountable government preventing one party/person rule), where officials serve "we the people," not the reverse as in a monarchy, dictatorship or communist regime. I personally have supported Donald Trump in the past and plan to do so in 2024 despite his flaws, shortcomings and past sins. My focus is first and foremost on Jesus, my Lord and Savior, but I prayerfully support Trump (not idolize or apologize for him) and vote for him in faith, believing he gives America our best chance to make progress. Christians are called to be "salt," holding back decay." - Larry Tomczak

Once again, tone deaf to reality. The man Tomczak is bullying Christians to vote for has OPENLY declared that he will be a dictator on day one. He has already promised legal retribution if elected against any of his enemies. We all know he will immediately dismiss all of the court cases against him, destroying our rule of law. So, spare me your wistful pontificating about not being a monarchy or dictatorship. Notice the tell here. Larry feels compelled to assure us that he is not apologizing or idolizing because he knows that is exactly what he is doing and his good friend Steven Strang. The scriptural abuse here is the reference to "salt" from Matthew's gospel. Let us turn to Gill's Commentary on Matthew 5:13:

"Ye are the salt of the earth,.... This is to be understood of the disciples and apostles of Christ; who might be compared to "salt", because of the savoury doctrines they preached; as all such are, which are agreeable to the Scriptures, and are of the evangelic kind, which are full of Christ, serve to exalt him, and to magnify the grace of God; and are suitable to the experiences of the saints, and are according to godliness, and tend to promote it: also because of their savoury lives and conversations; whereby they recommended, and gave sanction to the doctrines they preached, were examples to the saints, and checks upon wicked men. These were the salt "of the earth"; that is, of the inhabitants of the earth, not of the land of Judea only, where they first lived and preached, but of the whole world, into which they were afterwards sent to preach the Gospel." - Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Voting for Donald Trump, or any carnal political candidate is not an example of behaving as salt towards the world. That is insultingly unbiblical. We are salt because of the correct doctrine we preach, which Gill refers to as savory. As salt, we are to be full of Christ, not political opinions. We are supposed to magnify the grace of God, not the hatred of mankind. Once again it is about the gospel, not the Republican Party. Your opinion about who gives America the best chance to make progress is just YOUR opinion. It is not God's. The problem, is Charisma and their fraudster teachers act as if their opinion is God's opinion and that Christians must vote according to their opinions. Some, as outlined, go as far as to say disagreement is demonic or that Christians will face judgment if they do not vote according to their opinions. This is once again, the textbook definition of idolatry. I am going to skip to the end of the article, as Tomczak abandons scripture references and makes a slew of political opinions that are tired and old and distorted to death at this point. What is worse is the lies and gaslighting he engages in to bear false witness against his political opponent. For example, he asserts that Kamala Harris wants open borders, a vacuously stupid argument that disengages from our current reality that the Vice President supported the recent bill that would have tried to fix the border problems but Mr. Trump ordered his cronies in the House to kill the bill, solely so he could run on the issue. Another absurdity Tomczak offers is complaining that Harris supported a fund to bail out violent protestors in 2020, after the George Floyd protests. So what? Supporting bail, still leaves the accused to be adjudicated by the justice system if they were really violent of lawbreaking. Tomczak's guy, has promised to pardon the January 6^th rioters, who are already convicted! I do not want to get lost in the political weeds. I only highlight these to remind us that the world is watching and can easily spot the hypocrisies of Larry Tomczak and people who claim to represent the church. This damages the witness for Christ, full stop. Mercifully, Larry wraps it up with one more scripture mutilation:

"Here's the deal: You and I have a sacred responsibility and privilege to vote. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15c), and I hope you will vote as an informed influencer"not a useful idiot!" - Larry Tomczak

So, we come full circle. If you do not vote for his guy, you are a useful idiot. I guess that is better than saying you are an unredeemable hell-bound reprobate but it is still wildly insulting. The verse from Joshua was an admonition against Israel for idolatry, worshiping other gods. The gods of this world. It is too trite to just say, as for me and my house. The context matters because what Larry Tomczak and Charisma News constantly sells us, is idolatry. This entire article was not but idolatrous. Just because you swear you are not doing something, while you are actually doing it does not make your statements true. It is the ultimate form of gaslighting. It is like when Toto pulled back the curtain and even though they were staring at the man behind the curtain the charlatan wizard yelled - pay no attention to the man behind the curtain! We do not have a "sacred" responsibility to vote. Sacred means holy, set for God. The privilege argument is entirely secular. Charisma News has absolutely made an idol out of politics. That is why they take someone as immoral and unchristian as Donald Trump and pretend he is the second coming of King Jehu or King Cyrus. That is why they trot out lunatics like Locke and Murillo to tell you that you are going to hell if do not vote as they demand. That is why they trot out false teachers like Jack Hibbs and Michael Snyder to bully you by saying you will answer for your votes when you stand before Christ, which is inferring the same hell-bound narrative. That is why they trot out people like Dr. Michael Brown to teach you that only a vote for the least righteous candidate ever is the one Christians must make. That is why they trot out Larry Tomczak to wax eloquently about how important character and morals are while he calls you an idiot if you do not vote for a man with neither character or morals. Well Larry, I stand with Joshua in that I will serve the Lord and tell His followers that the only idiot here is you and you remain completely useless to the cause of Jesus Christ.

Reverend Anthony Wade - September 13, 2024

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.