By John Immel (Click here for MP3 audio)

The original publication of Moral Seduction was my first effort to show how the seeds of tyranny are sown with precise ideas beyond the narrow confines of church and Christianity. 

My first months of blogging stardom were spent highlighting tyranny’s philosophical elements as displayed in the Charismatic Reformed denomination called Sovereign Grace Ministries.My familiarity with their doctrine and practices made it an effective stepping off point.Plus, other voices needed to rise up to join the existing blog commentary concerning their blight on the vineyard.I was happy to take up in 2007 where I left off in 1998 before the blogging world took notice. 

People tend to think that this blog revolves around the very narrow criticism of Sovereign Grace Ministries.This is understandable but not true.No matter how much I enjoy poking those specific intellectual and spiritual thugs in the eye, they are hardly the bulk of my concern.… Read the rest

I started on this article over two months ago, long before the current conversation on www.sgmrefuge.com with Protestant Knight (AKA ~John) advocating reform and Jim’s post Let’s take a poll (1) started on March 23 of ’09. It has undergone substantial changes from the original drafts, but as a writer the time comes to abandon a project. That time has come for To Reform or Not to Reform. What started as a 1500-ish word post turned into this 24-page 9,500 word behemoth with end notes.

I’m a wordy sort…what can I say?

This is a Sovereign Grace Ministries (2) related post. While many of you dear readers have no connection with SGM directly and therefore may be inclined to skip this post, please don’t. The concepts within this post are related to the current trend in American history on the political and religious fronts. Indeed, these fronts are inseparable.… Read the rest

All tyranny requires these elements to be successful.

• • Universal Guilt
  • Incompetent masses
  • Dictated Good
  • Abolition of Ambition
  • Collective Conformity

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The next time you hear a church leader say, “I’m the greatest sinner I know…” the first thing you should ask him is to define his peer group. If he’s hanging around with Genghis Khan, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot, then maybe he’s got an interesting story to tell.

And if his peer group is Pope Benedict XVI, Billy Graham, and Mother Theresa, the finest advice is…run.

At BEST, the leader is afflicted with a case of the subjectives: a disease that creates hierarchies of evil–inexplicit ethics that turn natural tendencies into the greatest moral depravity and virtues to vice.  At BEST, the leader is parroting vain sophistry that he’s heard from those he admires, giving little thought to the true implications. On its face, “I am the greatest sinner I know…” is a comparative statement devoid of any real context or…substance.… Read the rest

Lay Down Your Mind (Click here to listen to an Presage Publishing MP3 Audio production)

I can make you lay down your mind down in one article. In the space of a few words, you will forgo your motivation to think. No, I won’t put a gun to your head. I won’t originate any violence. You will freely lay your mind aside and bow to my polity. Here is how I will do it: I will remind you of who you really are. And upon concession, you will then cheerfully surrender your time, talents, and resources.

You are scandalized. How could anyone make such a claim? You are daring me inside now, girding yourself against the onslaught. So very sure that it cannot be done. You are an independent thinker, an original thinker and the master of your own destiny. A free man! A free woman!

It is good that you resist: I count on it.… Read the rest