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Dr. David Jeremiah
&
Shadow Mountain Community Church


(2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019, ph. 619-440-1802)
Spring, 2001

Dr. David Jeremiah is senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in California. His internationally syndicated radio program, Turning Point, is broadcast on more than four hundred stations. (back cover of God In You, by Dr. David Jeremiah, copyright 1998, Multnomah Publishers, Sisters, Oregon)

Dr. David Jeremiah is a false teacher (2 Peter 2:1) who is on the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14). For just a short sampling of his teaching, please note the following.

I. Suicide

As so many others, David Jeremiah teaches you can kill yourself and end up in heaven (Dr. Jeremiah Audio Clip).

I've had the funerals of a number of people who have taken their own lives, and quite often family members will come and say, "Is there any forgiveness if someone takes their own life." And I need to report that that sin is neither accorded any greater or lesser value in the economy of God than the other sins which are chronicled in the word of God. And it is possible, I believe, for a person who has gone through some terrible stress in their life and in a moment of not thinking clearly has ended their life that person very easily might find his place in heaven; especially because he could have given his heart to Christ in this life; and even to take one's life does not undue what God does in the inward act of salvation. (Saul's Suicide, tape TTW13)

This speaks directly against Matthew 24:13; John 15:1-6; Romans 11:22; 1 Corinthians 15:2; Colossians 1:23; Hebrews 3:6, 14; 12:25; and 1 John 5:4. Committing suicide is not enduring to the end (Matthew 24:13). It is not abiding in Christ (John 15:1-6). It is not continuing in His goodness (Romans 11:22). It is not holding fast the word (1 Corinthians 15:2). It is definitely being moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). It is not holding fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end (Hebrews 3:6). It is not holding the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (Hebrews 3:14). It is refusing and turning away from Him who speaks from heaven (Hebrews 12:25). And, it is not overcoming the world (1 John 5:4), but rather being overcome by the world and the devil (1 Peter 5:8; 1 John 5:18).

This kind of teaching on suicide opens wide the door of death and Hades (Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 20:11-15) to those in despair.

Some might argue, "What about Samson? He committed suicide." Samson's "suicide" was actually an act of war, as he killed three thousand Philistines in his vengeance upon them (Judges 16:28-30). He died in his effort to kill others, as he said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" (Judges 16:30). It was not, as a typical suicide of our day, because of a lack of hope, or a deranged mind. He died with the Philistines to "take vengeance on the Philistines" for his two eyes (Judges 16:28). Plus, this was the only choice he had, to kill them as he did.

Typical suicidal people today are those who have no hope, and they are thus not in Christ (Ephesians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:3; 3:15), or they have been moved away from the hope of the gospel and are thus lost (Colossians 1:21-23). Those with deranged minds, or who "might have a mental breakdown," are those who do not have a sound mind and are therefore not in Christ (Isaiah 26:3; 2 Timothy 1:7). These people will end up in hell if they die in such a state. Such people are not saved.

II. Lewdness (Jude 4; Titus 1:16)

In his book entitled, God In You, Jeremiah writes,

But unfortunately, when the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, He doesn't always get control of us. Sometimes we push Him off into a closet in some dark, unused wing of our soul, while He is living with us. Yes, He is an occupant, but He has no access to the TV room, or the Master bedroom, or the kitchen, or the garage. He is resident in our life, but He isn't president of our life. (p. 96, entire paragraph quoted)

Second, there are other people who come to church who are Christians, and the Holy Spirit lives within them, but they've never given Him control of their life. They're believers, but they don't live a very Christlike life. They live on a carnal level.. (ibid., p. 97, entire paragraph quoted)

Please see Matthew 7:21 and Romans 14:7-8 for a contradiction of Jeremiah's words, and then further note the following.

So Paul says if we walk by means of the Spirit we won't be walking in the flesh. We won't be walking like God wasn't a part of us. Did you know that you can be a Christian and act as though God isn't even in your life? For all intents and purposes, some Christians are practical atheists. They live their lives as if there is no God. Are they Christians? Yes, if they've trusted Christ. But somehow they've gotten away from walking with the Lord. They are walking in their old flesh nature. (ibid., p. 145, entire paragraph quoted)

Scripture says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, . . . "(Psalm 14:1; Proverbs 3:35). Jeremiah continues,

Finally, it's the proof of your faith. Did you know that? How do you know if someone is a Christian? Well, you might say, do they go to church every week? Do they give money to the church? Do they live upright lives in the community? Those are all important things, but Jesus gave us the one sure way you can tell whether or not a man or a woman is truly a believer. By this very thing, Jesus said, all will know that you are My disciples. And what is that?

"If you have love one for another."

When we're controlled by the Spirit of God, when He is president of our lives, one of the things that will be evident is that we're people of love. If you get around folks who are cantankerous and angry and mean-spirited, they might be Christians, but they're not Spirit-controlled Christians. Because when the Spirit of God controls you, He makes you to be like Jesus Christ, the very embodiment of love.(ibid., p. 164, bold added, both paragraphs quoted in their entirety)

This is hypocrisy. First he says, "How do you know if someone is a Christian?" Then, he gives the answer, "If you have love one for another." Then he says, "If you get around folks who are cantankerous and angry and mean-spirited, they might be Christians." 1 John 3:14 says,

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

And,

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:8)

All of the lewdness (2 Timothy 3:5) above (Jeremiah's quotes) goes against, 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 John 2:4.

III. Endorses Billy Graham

Jeremiah writes,

Certainly, we can all rejoice that God has gifted people like Billy Graham, who knows how to reach people at the level of tens of thousands - and even millions - .(ibid., p. 200)

See our report on Billy Graham.

IV. Endorses The False Gospel of 12 Step Recovery

Shadow Mountain Community Church passes out a flyer entitled, "Celebrate Recovery" (hard copy on file) stating on the front, "Do you know someone who needs a 12 step Recovery Program?" Inside the flyer it says,

Through the 8 Recovery Principles and the 12 Steps, we begin the healing process that only God can complete.

These "recovery groups" are for people "Seeking Freedom from Addiction," and they also write,

Celebrate Recovery will continue to add groups (such as Sexual Addiction, Gambling, Eating Disorders, Abuse Survivors, Anger Management, Divorce Recovery, etc..) as the need and leadership arises.

They have "Worship and Small Group Meetings from 7-9 pm" on Fridays at First Lutheran Church, 867 S. Lincoln Ave., 92020, ph. 619-444-7444.

See John 8:31-36; Galatians 1:8-9; 5:16, 22-24; Colossians 2:8-10

V. The Essentials

In Shadow Mountain Community Church¹s statement of faith they write,

I will refrain from propagating any Scriptural interpretations that differ from those set forth in the Statement of Faith in order to avoid unprofitable divisions caused by contention (1 Corinthians 1:10-11). At the same time I will allow freedom of expression in non-essentials so that we may learn from one another (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Essentials? See Matthew 4:4; 7:24-27; John 8:47; 14:23-24; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 John 2:3-5; 2 John 9; Revelation 22:14. See also our report on MacArthur under, Damning Fundamental Doctrine.