SIDEBAR: David Mosher writes like a cynical unbeliever writes of Christians. Sadly, this is the type of writing that comes out of these so-called ambulance chasing heresy hungers who call themselves “discerners,” and who’ve identified their so-called self-proclaimed ministries “discernment ministries.” They’re not. They’re just slanderous revilers and naysayers who throw dirt at members of the Christian faith in the body of Christ, who act like nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing. The wolf dons the apparel of the sheep, and moves in the pen among them in order to attack at the first opportunity. So in like manner, do these so-called self-proclaimed avatars of doctrinal purity and orthodoxy.
David Mosher, did reply to my e-mail. What could he possibly say? LOL Somewhere, if he’s truly a born again Christian, he must realize that he made a colossal mistake in writing as he did about someone that whose book he’s never read, has never sat in on any of his teachings, has never had the pleasure to speak to about these things, and has never asked personally what his personal beliefs were regarding specific theological points that he harps on. Not only did he fail to do all of these things, but he failed to describe the heresy he was kept referring to in his article! LOL So somewhere, he’s got to know that no matter how he slices and dices it, he laid an egg. LOL JB
(revised 02/06/13)
To me it’s obvious that Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s novel The Harbinger is heretical. Yet I’m finding a number of discernment ministries with good reputations that are sympathizing with The Harbinger if not endorsing it. So… rather than analyzing why so many born again, biblically sound men and women of God are falling for this, I’m trying another approach to hopefully wake up deceived Christians and nonchristians.
Namely, researching Jonathan Cahn himself – his life, his beliefs, etc.:
… Does he have a doctrinal statement, and what does it say? And does he really believe his own doctrinal statement, or is he just mouthing what he thinks born again Christians want to hear?
… What other books and articles has he written, and are they biblically sound?
… What sermons has he preached, and what seminars has he taught? Exactly what does he teach in his radio and television broadcasts?
… Where did he get his training, and what was he taught?
… Who were his mentors?
… What authors and books does he recommend?
… What pastors, speakers and movements does he recommend?
You get the idea.
If Cahn is a heretic (which I believe he is), his heresies should be able to be easily documented by looking at his life.
Regarding The Harbinger: I believe it is impossible for heretics to write biblically sound books. Can Richard Foster write a biblically sound book – or Eugene Peterson, Bill Johnson, Todd Bentley, Patricia King, etc. etc.? Of course not – it’s impossible! If Cahn is indeed a heretic, then The Harbinger is heretical.
Note: in this blog I am emphasizing certain points by bolding in orange, and inserting comments [in bolded orange in brackets].
First off, let’s look at a favorable biography of Cahn, found here:
Jonathan Cahn, also fondly known as “The nice Jewish boy” became involved in full-time ministry soon after his college years. From an early age Jonathan questioned his Jewish upbringing rejecting most of its teachings. Consequently he decided not to partake in the usual Bar Mitzvah ceremonies, a traditional rite of passage for young Jewish teenage boys. In seventh grade he became friends with a boy who spoke to him about Jesus, which prompted him to investigate more, searching for answers to his many questions about life and God. He came across Hal Lindsey’s popular book, The Last Great Planet Earth (sic) wherein he found evidence of his Jewish Messiah through the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. This seemed to be a turning point for him, but Jonathan still continued to live his life as he always did, including participating in a rock band. But one thing that did change at that time is his insistence on telling others about Jesus the Messiah─although he himself had not yet made a commitment to the Lord.
After two close calls that could easily have resulted in his death (2 accidents) Jonathan miraculously escaped without any injury and came to realize that if he was to take the Scriptures seriously he would need to make a full-commitment to the Lord, not just a mental acceptance without any lifestyle changes. At the age of 20, grateful that God had spared his life─he drove to a tranquil spot at the top of a mountain, knelt down in prayer and dedicated his life to the Lord. [Is "dedicated" the term Cahn himself uses? Is this his euphemism for repenting of sin and accepting the Messiah as his Saviour? Or did Cahn in fact not have a "crisis conversion experience"?] This marked a major turning point for him. It wasn’t long after that Jonathan was asked to teach a Bible study which led to his first ministry that mainly focused on assisting the needy, the homeless and disabled. [Helping people is okay, but it should always be secondary to evangelism/preaching the gospel/saving lost souls. Has Cahn ever had a truly soulwinning ministry?] Several years later in 1988, he was asked to lead Beth Israel, which with his leadership has grown to be the largest Messianic congregation in the U.S., consisting of both Jews and Gentiles worshiping the Messiah Jesus.
Jonathan Cahn is currently President of Hope of the World – “an end time ministry for an end time world,” and continues to act as senior pastor and Messianic rabbi for Beth Israel/ the Jerusalem Center in Wayne, New Jersey. He has an extensive radio ministry and his teachings are broadcast every day over hundreds of radio stations, some TV stations and by way of shortwave radio broadcasts that reach all around the world. [I'd like to find out when and on what channels/stations he teaches, to hear what exactly what doctrines he is teaching. This list of YouTube videos is a good start.] Jonathan and his ministry team are dedicated to sharing the gospel message. He has ministered to large groups not only here in the U.S., but also to massive audiences in India, Nigeria, Cuba, Mizoram, Honduras, Haiti and continues to reach out to other nations as well. Rabbi Cahn is married and has two children.
In January 2012 his book, The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America’s Future was published and quickly became a bestseller, debuting at number 10 and number 28 respectively on the New York Times bestseller list in the print paperback category. The book is also available with an accompanying DVD set. The Harbinger published by FrontLine, an imprint of Charisma House [formerly known as the charismatic/New Apostolic Reformation "Strang Communications" - read more here] outlines a series of detailed parallels between what has happened in the United States since the 2001 terrorist attacks—including the economic collapse—and similarities in Israel’s history after it turned away from God. The author depicts his personal impressions in a fictional narrative how nine signs he identifies within recent events may signal God’s progressive judgment.
Tessie DeVore, book group executive vice president at Charisma House has stated, “It is a timely message for our nation and a rallying cry for Christians to pray for America.” No doubt she is right and the messages in The Harbinger have ignited a passion for believers who are serious about their faith─to share the Word of God and pray fervently for God’s mercy─to bring repentance and healing to a nation where so many have self-righteously dishonored and abandoned Him. [I disagree with this paragraph - I believe The Harbinger is spreading heresies more than it is bringing repentance. The book is doing far more harm than good.]
Now let’s look at another short bio, found here on Cahn’s own website. Note especially the wording of the last sentence:
Jonathan Cahn is President of Hope of the World ministries, Senior Pastor and Messianic Rabbi of the the Jerusalem Center/ Beth Israel in Wayne, New Jersey. He is also the author of the best selling book ‘The Harbinger‘. His teachings are broadcast daily over hundreds of radio stations throughout the United States and the world and on television. He ministers, as did the first Jewish messengers of the Gospel, sharing the message of Messiah to Jew and Gentile, Israel, and the nations. He has ministered before mass gatherings in India, Nigeria, Cuba, Mizoram, Honduras, Haiti, & throughout the world. His teachings are widely known for revealing the deep mysteries of God’s word and for the restoring of the new covenant message to its original biblically Jewish richness and power. [I've commented on a similar statement in the next paragraph below.]
Jonathan Cahn is President of Hope of the World ministries, Senior Pastor, and Rabbi of the Beth Israel Worship Center in Garfield, New Jersey. His teachings are broadcast daily over hundreds of radio stations throughout the United States and the world. He can also be seen weekly on television (“Something Different”). Descended of the line of Aaron, he has been asked to sound the Jubilee trumpet [who "asked" him to do this, and what exactly does "sounding the Jubilee trumpet" mean?] and minister among the nations, a prophetic ministry [but true prophetic ministries do not exist today - only in the ungodly, heretical minds of New Apostolic Reformation "prophets" such as Bill Johnson, Mick Bickle, John and Carol Arnott, Todd Bentley, Patricia King, etc. etc.] of and to the Jew and the Gentile in the last days. His teachings include the revealing of ancient mysteries , the depth and wonders of God’s Word, and the restoration of the Gospel message in its original Biblically Jewish context, richness, and power. [What exactly are the "ancient mysteries" Cahn is revealing? And what exactly does he mean by the "restoration" of the Gospel message? The Bible is sufficient in and of itself to tell us all we need, without having to be interpreted for us in new and revealing ways by a so-called "prophet" like Cahn.]
Some info on Cahn’s Messianic congregation, found here:
The vision for Beth Israel began with Gary Selman, a Messianic Jewish businessman with a heart for sharing the Gospel to Jew and Gentile alike. Helping this vision become a reality was Reverend Charlie Rizzo of the Church of the Nazarene who gave early support to the new work. [The Nazarene denomination is deeply involved in heretical Spiritual Formation/ Contemplative Spirituality and Emerging/Emergent teachings. And the Nazarenes are increasing ties with various New Apostolic Reformation groups including IHOP. Have the Nazarenes influenced Beth Israel and Jonathan Cahn with any of these beliefs]
Beth Israel became an independent work in 1988 under the leadership, pastorship, and rabbinate of Jonathan Cahn. In this first year it grew from a congregation of about 35 people to three times that size. It soon outgrew its first home in the Paramus Church of the Nazarene, but there was no money for a building….
Beth Israel continues to grow, becoming what is believed to be the largest Messianic Congregation in the United States.
Stand Up for the Truth posted comments by Cahn on the Zohar (Kaballah) here. I’m providing his comments on the Zohar below. Note: the Stand Up for the Truth post also includes Cahn’s brief responses concerning extra-biblical revelation, Gnosticism, etc. Personally, I do not find Cahn’s answers very satisfying – it seems to me he’s just making excuses for his heretical teachings.
I’ve encountered similar excuses when I’ve questioned supposedly born again Evangelical Friends about the heretical Quaker teachings they’re reverting to – such as:
… immediate revelation
… “the Inner Light”/”that of Christ in every man”
… people of various religions going to Heaven because, in faithfully adhering to their own religion, they’re following “the Inner Light” that’s in every person (even though they’ve never heard the name of Christ)
But I digress – back to Cahn’s response regarding his quoting the Zohar, again, posted by Stand Up for the Truth here.:
Question: It is stated that Jonathan Cahn “says that Zohar, an extrabiblical, mystical source from which the occultic and mystical Kabbalah is derived, greatly influenced his writing.”
Answer: Unfortunately this kind of statements represents some of the extreme and bizarre opposition to The Harbinger – It is an extreme false accusation.
No. I have never in my life said that the Zohar has greatly influenced my writing – nor has it ever. What this accusation is taken from and twisted out of recognition from – Is that I have in some special teachings shared quotes found in the rabbinic writings which unwittingly bear witness of the truth of the Gospel – things that most Jewish people have no idea of – such as Isaiah 53 being about the Messiah, or God being Three in One, Messiah dying for our sins [Isaiah 53 in our Bible clearly describes the suffering of Jesus Christ. Why does Cahn need to appeal to occult, mystic Jewish documents like the Zohar/Kaballah to get Jewish people to listen? Isn't reading the Bible itself sufficient for Cahn?], or a connection made between the mercy of God and the word “Golgotha.” These things can be used to share the Gospel. This has been a standard method of apologetics and evangelism for ages. Rabbinical writings, mystical or otherwise, have been quoted for ages, in Bible commentaries, apologetics, works such as The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, etc. To take this and then present it as if I or any Christian pastor or scholar is a secret follower of such things because they used a quote to bear witness of the Gospel is, as, one minister friend of mine would say – shameful at best. It should not have even appeared in print.
The apostle Paul actually quoted from a pagan hymn to Zeus in order to share the truth of the Gospel at Mars Hill. [This argument has used by many heretics to justify their quoting Catholics, Buddhists, etc.] If we were to then to accuse him of being into Zeus worship, or that pagan writings were behind the epistles, or accuse of him of being secretly pagan – I would think we would need to repent. It’s called bearing false witness.
Sorry, for me the logic does not follow. If Cahn is the born again Christian that he claims, he should condemn the ungodly, occult Zohar/Kaballah. He should not quote it, except in condemnation of its passages. Let’s look at it another way – would a born again, biblically sound Christian:
… quote from a Catholic document to evangelize Catholics because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Mormon document to evangelize Mormons because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Jehovah’s Witnesses document to evangelize Jehovah’s Witnesses because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a New Age document to evangelize New Agers because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Wiccan document to evangelize Wiccans because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Satanic document to evangelize Satanists because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
I realize born again, biblically sound (in my opinion) Christians such as A.W. Tozer and even H. Orton Wiley have commended the writings of Catholic mystics. But they should not have. These and many other born again Christians set a dangerous precedent, helping pave the way for today’s contemplative Emerging/Emergents to quote Catholic mystics, etc.
And as I mentioned above, aside from his quoting the Zohar/Kaballah, why does Cahn need to “reveal ancient mysteries” to “Jews and Gentiles?” Why can’t he just preach the Bible as it is, without having to reveal various mysteries that have supposedly been hidden for centuries in its pages? I believe this is going way beyond what God’s Word says. Cahn is treading on dangerous, heretical ground here, twisting God’s Holy Word, reinterpreting passages to say things God never intended.
It would be very insightful to also locate detailed info about Cahn’s true positions on the following questions. To me it seems Cahn was quite flippant, evasive and unrepentant in responding to the questions below, in this interview:
Question: Why infer that God is giving extra-biblical revelation, when the Bible was given once and for all to the saints?
Concern: Israel is not America, and God did not make a covenant with us, nor are we the apple of His eye.
Question: Is the publisher pronouncing Rabbi Cahn a foretelling prophet?
Question: What else has the publisher put out there?
Question: Does Rabbi Cahn draw from extra-biblical, mystical writings as his sources?
Question: One critic said that since The Harbinger speaks of mysteries being revealed – does this have to do with Gnostic beliefs?
Question: It is stated that Jonathan Cahn “says that Zohar, an extrabiblical, mystical source from which the occultic and mystical Kabbalah is derived, greatly influenced his writing.” [I have attempted to expose Cahn's true position on the Zohar/Kaballah in the paragraphs above. I've also reposted Berit Kjos' much more detailed expose here - God bless you Berit!]
Question: Does The Harbinger say that Isaiah is prophesying of America?
FOR FURTHER READING
(revised 02/06/13)
(DAVE MOSHER)To me it’s obvious that Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s novel The Harbinger is heretical. Yet I’m finding a number of discernment ministries with good reputations that are sympathizing with The Harbinger if not endorsing it. So… rather than analyzing why so many born again, biblically sound men and women of God are falling for this, I’m trying another approach to hopefully wake up deceived Christians and nonchristians. (sic)
(MY REPLY) There are some very important questions that Mr. Mosher should answer, if only to clarify where he is coming from before we proceed with what he writes in this examination. Then after we’ve asked these questions we may proceed to the next one.
The first question I’d ask Mr. Mosher before he continues is, is he born again? Has he received the Messiah in full repentance and made T’shuvah (return) to the ways of God himself? If the answer is NO, then I would suggest that he come to God in full repentance, knowing that there is no other path to God, but through the way He has established in His Son, the Messiah Yeshua, and ask forgiveness of all of his sins, so that he may receive of the Lord full pardon and removal of all of his sins, and be clothed in the righteousness of God imputed upon him through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit through the shed blood of the Messiah on his behalf. Then he will be sealed with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit so that he may worship love God with all of his strength, heart, and life in spirit and in truth, and walk in God’s way, becoming a son of God by faith in the Messiah’s complete work at Calvary, and not in the mitzvot of the Torah, lest he’d boast.
The next question I would ask Mr. Mosher is, has he read The Harbinger for himself? If he has not read The Harbinger, then what is he doing writing about it, and its author? If the answer is NO, then I would suggest that Mr. Mosher refrain from further comment, go and get himself a copy of The Harbinger, and read it first before continuing. If the answer is YES and he has read The Harbinger, the we may proceed to the next question.
Has Mr. Mosher tried to contact Jonathan Cahn to ask him about his book? If he has then we may proceed with the next question, if not, we must ask WHY? And why is he writing this scathing article against a man he has not met and hasn’t spoken to about a topic he doesn’t know about? But if Mr. Mosher’s answer is YES, then we may proceed with the next question, and it is; What questions do you still have about Jonathan Cahn and or his book that you write this scathing article calling him a heretic? On what grounds are you attributing the charge of heresy to this man?
I would also ask Mr. Mosher, if he has indeed spoken to or corresponded with Jonathan Cahn, what has he said or written to you that you consider heresy?
Then after all of the above questions have been answered in a biblical and satisfactory – and I might add, civil and not hostile – manner, then we may proceed in this discussion.
Then after all of the above questions have been answered satisfactorily, I would proceed to ask in what way does hurling reproaches against another person honor the name of Christ? And for what purpose? Even if for argument’s sake, one were doing this to – as Mr. Mosher claims here – to hopefully wake up deceived Christians and nonchristians - then, what metric is Mr. Mosher using to compare himself to them and presume upon their faith to claim for them that they are asleep and he himself awake? What metric is he using to claim for himself to be awake? How do you apply this metric in light of what Christ warns about in Matthew 7?
And after he has answered these questions, then I would also proceed to ask Mr. Mosher if he has allowed Jonathan Cahn to speak in his own defense, because according to God’s Word, he has that right. (Exodus 23:1, Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15, Proverbs 18:13, John 7:51, Acts 23:3)
(DAVE MOSHER) Namely, researching Jonathan Cahn himself – his life, his beliefs, etc.:
… Does he have a doctrinal statement, and what does it say? And does he really believe his own doctrinal statement, or is he just mouthing what he thinks born again Christians want to hear?
… What other books and articles has he written, and are they biblically sound?
… What sermons has he preached, and what seminars has he taught? Exactly what does he teach in his radio and television broadcasts?
… Where did he get his training, and what was he taught?
… Who were his mentors?
… What authors and books does he recommend?
… What pastors, speakers and movements does he recommend?
You get the idea.
(MY REPLY) All of the above questions are asked on a presumption of guilt of what each question by rhetorical nature attempts to infer. In other words. The inference of something being said about the person is contained within the rhetorical question asked. All of the questions asked above begin at the presumption that Jonathan Cahn is nothing but a charlatan. To do this to anyone is judgmental and self-righteous, because it breaches the injunction given by James in inspired Scripture, where all Christians are admonished in the following manner:
Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
(James 4:11-12)
One has to wonder, was Mr. Mosher aware of the admonition James gives in the Holy Spirit above about criticisms against a fellow member of one’s faith in Christ? But Mr. Mosher has gone further than just criticize, he’s actually branded Jonathan Cahn a heretic! On what grounds?
(DAVE MOSHER) If Cahn is a heretic (which I believe he is), his heresies should be able to be easily documented by looking at his life.
Regarding The Harbinger: I believe it is impossible for heretics to write biblically sound books. Can Richard Foster write a biblically sound book – or Eugene Peterson, Bill Johnson, Todd Bentley, Patricia King, etc. etc.? Of course not – it’s impossible! If Cahn is indeed a heretic, then The Harbinger is heretical.
Note: in this blog I am emphasizing certain points by bolding in orange, and inserting comments [in bolded orange in brackets].
(MY REPLY) This is nothing but a logically fallacy. It presumes, without first presenting the evidence to support the charge, that the person targeted is a heretic, and then under that false presumption, claims that because – according to this false presumption – that the person in question is a “heretic” then whatever that person writes is heresy. This is absurd and ridiculous at the onset, and nothing but a false charge with nothing to show as evidence to support it.
(DAVE MOSHER) First off, let’s look at a favorable biography of Cahn, found here:
(MY REPLY) I was not aware there was an unfavorable biography of Jonathan Cahn. LOL
(DAVE MOSHER) Jonathan Cahn, also fondly known as “The nice Jewish boy” became involved in full-time ministry soon after his college years. From an early age Jonathan questioned his Jewish upbringing rejecting most of its teachings. Consequently he decided not to partake in the usual Bar Mitzvah ceremonies, a traditional rite of passage for young Jewish teenage boys. In seventh grade he became friends with a boy who spoke to him about Jesus, which prompted him to investigate more, searching for answers to his many questions about life and God. He came across Hal Lindsey’s popular book, The Last Great Planet Earth (sic, The Late Great Planet Earth, actually - JB)wherein he found evidence of his Jewish Messiah through the prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. This seemed to be a turning point for him, but Jonathan still continued to live his life as he always did, including participating in a rock band. But one thing that did change at that time is his insistence on telling others about Jesus the Messiah─although he himself had not yet made a commitment to the Lord.
After two close calls that could easily have resulted in his death (2 accidents) Jonathan miraculously escaped without any injury and came to realize that if he was to take the Scriptures seriously he would need to make a full-commitment to the Lord, not just a mental acceptance without any lifestyle changes. At the age of 20, grateful that God had spared his life─he drove to a tranquil spot at the top of a mountain, knelt down in prayer and dedicated his life to the Lord. [Is "dedicated" the term Cahn himself uses? Is this his euphemism for repenting of sin and accepting the Messiah as his Saviour? Or did Cahn in fact not have a "crisis conversion experience"?] This marked a major turning point for him. It wasn’t long after that Jonathan was asked to teach a Bible study which led to his first ministry that mainly focused on assisting the needy, the homeless and disabled. [Helping people is okay, but it should always be secondary to evangelism/preaching the gospel/saving lost souls. Has Cahn ever had a truly soulwinning ministry?] Several years later in 1988, he was asked to lead Beth Israel, which with his leadership has grown to be the largest Messianic congregation in the U.S., consisting of both Jews and Gentiles worshiping the Messiah Jesus. ].
(MY REPLY) I really have to break it here and comment on this, because it demands to be addressed. Since when is it a heresy to do good works? And what does this have to do with Jonathan Cahn’s born again experience? To question it? When this information is being shared, it is not to claim that these mitzvot (good deeds) or any work was done by Rabbi Cahn to earn his salvation, but as a result of it, as evidence of it, that he had changed to the point that he became active in these things. And this squares and lines up biblically with James’ exhortation where he writes in the second chapter to his Letter. I quote
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil [d]motives? Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called?
If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
(James 2)
Again I must ask Mr. Mosher, what wrong is there in doing right for the poor? And how can anyone presume to believe that Jonathan Cahn is not sharing Christ with these people? In fact, it is assumed, and goes without saying, that when an Evangelical Christian ministry is helping the poor, they are supplying the spiritual needs of those people as well as feeding them, providing clothing for them, perhaps even shelter. Why then, does Mr. Mosher presume upon what Jonathan Cahn does or does not do, and assume to infer that he has not and does not share the Messiah with the people he helps? This is pure nonsense and below any servant of Christ to do to another. Can one imagine an unbeliever who is about to accept Christ, being exposed to this as he searches for Christians to pray with? He’d be compelled to flee, because he’d be seeing one Christian devouring another.
(DAVE MOSHER) Jonathan Cahn is currently President of Hope of the World – “an end time ministry for an end time world,” and continues to act as senior pastor and Messianic rabbi for Beth Israel/ the Jerusalem Center in Wayne, New Jersey. He has an extensive radio ministry and his teachings are broadcast every day over hundreds of radio stations, some TV stations and by way of shortwave radio broadcasts that reach all around the world. [I'd like to find out when and on what channels/stations he teaches, to hear what exactly what doctrines he is teaching. This list of YouTube videos is a good start.] Jonathan and his ministry team are dedicated to sharing the gospel message. He has ministered to large groups not only here in the U.S., but also to massive audiences in India, Nigeria, Cuba, Mizoram, Honduras, Haiti and continues to reach out to other nations as well. Rabbi Cahn is married and has two children.
(MY REPLY) MR. Mosher says he would like to listen to Jonathan Cahn’s radio program to get a hear exactly what doctrines he is teaching. Well, if he wants to know for certain, Mr. Mosher is welcomed to come and visit the Beth Israel Jerusalem Center any Friday night or Sunday morning, and if he really wants to know what is being taught at the Jerusalem Center, he can attend some of free classes at the Beth Israel Arise and Shine Academy, even come and in any of my classes. I would be more than glad to share with him what I teach, and discuss with him any topic of any interest to him he wishes to discuss. But if I were him, I would refrain from making any off color comment about anything pertaining to Jonathan Cahn’s ministry and or anyone in it until he has visited us a couple of times. Then and only then will Mr. Mosher be in any position to present an intelligent opinion about Jonathan Cahn’s ministry, or any ministry associated with his at Beth Israel.
(DAVE MOSHER) In January 2012 his book, The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America’s Future was published and quickly became a bestseller, debuting at number 10 and number 28 respectively on the New York Times bestseller list in the print paperback category. The book is also available with an accompanying DVD set. The Harbinger published by FrontLine, an imprint of Charisma House [formerly known as the charismatic/New Apostolic Reformation "Strang Communications" - read more here] outlines a series of detailed parallels between what has happened in the United States since the 2001 terrorist attacks—including the economic collapse—and similarities in Israel’s history after it turned away from God. The author depicts his personal impressions in a fictional narrative how nine signs he identifies within recent events may signal God’s progressive judgment.
(MY REPLY) What Mr. Mosher does here is a deceptive guilt by association canard used by The Harbinger’s critics, in claiming that Jonathan Cahn is guilty for associating himself with people that Mr. Mosher disapproves of. Well, it’s just too bad, Mr. Mosher. I’ve known Jonathan Cahn for over ten years, and he is not part of the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation), and for you to interpolate into the publisher a name it has never had and an association that has nothing to do with The Harbinger, or its author is patently dishonest of you to do.
(DAVE MOSHER) Tessie DeVore, book group executive vice president at Charisma House has stated, “It is a timely message for our nation and a rallying cry for Christians to pray for America.” No doubt she is right and the messages in The Harbinger have ignited a passion for believers who are serious about their faith─to share the Word of God and pray fervently for God’s mercy─to bring repentance and healing to a nation where so many have self-righteously dishonored and abandoned Him. [I disagree with this paragraph - I believe The Harbinger is spreading heresies more than it is bringing repentance. The book is doing far more harm than good.]
Now let’s look at another short bio, found here on Cahn’s own website. Note especially the wording of the last sentence:
Jonathan Cahn is President of Hope of the World ministries, Senior Pastor and Messianic Rabbi of the the Jerusalem Center/ Beth Israel in Wayne, New Jersey. He is also the author of the best selling book ‘The Harbinger‘. His teachings are broadcast daily over hundreds of radio stations throughout the United States and the world and on television. He ministers, as did the first Jewish messengers of the Gospel, sharing the message of Messiah to Jew and Gentile, Israel, and the nations. He has ministered before mass gatherings in India, Nigeria, Cuba, Mizoram, Honduras, Haiti, & throughout the world. His teachings are widely known for revealing the deep mysteries of God’s word and for the restoring of the new covenant message to its original biblically Jewish richness and power. [I've commented on a similar statement in the next paragraph below.]
(MY REPLY) Again, it begs the question, has Mr. Mosher read The Harbinger? If he has read it, then can he explain what specific heresies it’s allegedly spreading? I’ve been listening the messages which form the basis for the book, and I have yet to find one heresy. I am very familiar with heresies, because I’ve made a study of them, and yet I don’t know what Mr. Mosher is referring to here. But I believe that neither does Mr. Mosher, because I don’t think he knows what he’s talking about. But, let’s continue.
(DAVE MOSHER) And another revealing bio, found here:
Jonathan Cahn is President of Hope of the World ministries, Senior Pastor, and Rabbi of the Beth Israel Worship Center in Garfield, New Jersey. His teachings are broadcast daily over hundreds of radio stations throughout the United States and the world. He can also be seen weekly on television (“Something Different”). Descended of the line of Aaron, he has been asked to sound the Jubilee trumpet [who "asked" him to do this, and what exactly does "sounding the Jubilee trumpet" mean?] and minister among the nations, a prophetic ministry [but true prophetic ministries do not exist today - only in the ungodly, heretical minds of New Apostolic Reformation "prophets" such as Bill Johnson, Mick Bickle, John and Carol Arnott, Todd Bentley, Patricia King, etc. etc.] of and to the Jew and the Gentile in the last days. His teachings include the revealing of ancient mysteries , the depth and wonders of God’s Word, and the restoration of the Gospel message in its original Biblically Jewish context, richness, and power. [What exactly are the "ancient mysteries" Cahn is revealing? And what exactly does he mean by the "restoration" of the Gospel message? The Bible is sufficient in and of itself to tell us all we need, without having to be interpreted for us in new and revealing ways by a so-called "prophet" like Cahn.]
(MY REPLY) Ah, I believe we’ve come upon something. Mr. Mosher doesn’t like certain words and phrases. Certain words like mystery and returning the biblical Jewish origins of the Christian faith rub him the wrong way. Blowing the Shofar rub him the wrong way. What else? Oh, Mr. Mosher is a Cessationist. He does not believe that the Holy Spirit works today as the Scriptures describe the Third Person of the Trinity to work in this day and age as He has since Pentecost and will continue to work according to the Scripture even during the Tribulation period when two witnesses will prophesy and cause fire to come out of their mouths and stop rain from falling, and other practices Mr. Mosher finds disagreeable, which he connects to people with whom he disagrees theologically, and connects Jonathan Cahn to, though Jonathan Cahn has never had any associations with any of the people Mr. Mosher mentions, nor does he desire to. Ah, but guilt by association.
(DAVE MOSHER) Some info on Cahn’s Messianic congregation, found here:
The vision for Beth Israel began with Gary Selman, a Messianic Jewish businessman with a heart for sharing the Gospel to Jew and Gentile alike. Helping this vision become a reality was Reverend Charlie Rizzo of the Church of the Nazarene who gave early support to the new work. [The Nazarene denomination is deeply involved in heretical Spiritual Formation/ Contemplative Spirituality and Emerging/Emergent teachings. And the Nazarenes are increasing ties with various New Apostolic Reformation groups including IHOP. Have the Nazarenes influenced Beth Israel and Jonathan Cahn with any of these beliefs?]
(MY REPLY) Now Mr. Mosher has moved beyond just guilt by association to guilt by non-association, because Charlie Rizzo’s church does not and never has practiced, taught, or believed in any of what Mr. Mosher describes here and accuses its members of practicing, teaching, and believing. WOW. Then Mr. Mosher asks, rhetorically of course, if these practices which he connects with Charlie Rizzo’s church, if they have influenced Jonathan Cahn. The answer is NO. Why? Because Charlie Rizzo’s church neither believes them, practices them, or teaches any of them. It would ask Mr. Mosher if he has ever called Beth Israel, or Pastor Rizzo’s church to ascertain for himself if any of these heresies are being taught at his church or at Beth Israel. I know they’re not, but has Mr. Mosher investigated this for himself by contacting any of these two gentlemen? I don’t think so. Let’s go on.
(DAVE MOSHER) Beth Israel became an independent work in 1988 under the leadership, pastorship, and rabbinate of Jonathan Cahn. In this first year it grew from a congregation of about 35 people to three times that size. It soon outgrew its first home in the Paramus Church of the Nazarene, but there was no money for a building….
Beth Israel continues to grow, becoming what is believed to be the largest Messianic Congregation in the United States.
Stand Up for the Truth posted comments by Cahn on the Zohar (Kaballah) here. I’m providing his comments on the Zohar below. Note: the Stand Up for the Truth post also includes Cahn’s brief responses concerning extra-biblical revelation, Gnosticism, etc. Personally, I do not find Cahn’s answers very satisfying – it seems to me he’s just making excuses for his heretical teachings.
(MY REPLY) Well, I would ask Mr. Mosher again, if he’s taken the initiative for himself by contacting Jonathan Cahn to discuss these things with him privately before putting him to open reproach on an assumption that he is a heretic. If he has not done this, then I would strongly suggest that he’d do it post haste.
(DAVE MOSHER) I’ve encountered similar excuses when I’ve questioned supposedly born again Evangelical Friends about the heretical Quaker teachings they’re reverting to – such as:
… immediate revelation
… “the Inner Light”/”that of Christ in every man”
… people of various religions going to Heaven because, in faithfully adhering to their own religion, they’re following “the Inner Light” that’s in every person (even though they’ve never heard the name of Christ)
(MY REPLY) I don’t know what’s worse, to be accused of being a heretic for believing in the gifts of the Spirit, or for being accused of other people’s beliefs which a person may not necessarily have. Both are equally egregious, and Mr. Mosher is quick to accuse someone whom he knows next to nothing about, hasn’t spoken to – I’m going on the assumption here that he hasn’t contacted any of the people – Jonathan Cahn, Gary Selman, Charlie Rizzo – he rants against – so, it is questionable any of the things this man – Mr. Dave Mosher – is saying about people he has not contacted, has not met, know absolutely nothing about, and has never read or heard any teachings from. If he has not done any of these, what on earth is this man doing writing this felgercarb?
(DAVE MOSHER) But I digress – back to Cahn’s response regarding his quoting the Zohar, again, posted by Stand Up for the Truth here.:
Question: It is stated that Jonathan Cahn “says that Zohar, an extrabiblical, mystical source from which the occultic and mystical Kabbalah is derived, greatly influenced his writing.”
Answer: Unfortunately this kind of statements represents some of the extreme and bizarre opposition to The Harbinger – It is an extreme false accusation.
No. I have never in my life said that the Zohar has greatly influenced my writing – nor has it ever. What this accusation is taken from and twisted out of recognition from – Is that I have in some special teachings shared quotes found in the rabbinic writings which unwittingly bear witness of the truth of the Gospel – things that most Jewish people have no idea of – such as Isaiah 53 being about the Messiah, or God being Three in One, Messiah dying for our sins [Isaiah 53 in our Bible clearly describes the suffering of Jesus Christ. Why does Cahn need to appeal to occult, mystic Jewish documents like the Zohar/Kaballah to get Jewish people to listen? Isn't reading the Bible itself sufficient for Cahn?], or a connection made between the mercy of God and the word “Golgotha.” These things can be used to share the Gospel. This has been a standard method of apologetics and evangelism for ages. Rabbinical writings, mystical or otherwise, have been quoted for ages, in Bible commentaries, apologetics, works such as The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, etc. To take this and then present it as if I or any Christian pastor or scholar is a secret follower of such things because they used a quote to bear witness of the Gospel is, as, one minister friend of mine would say – shameful at best. It should not have even appeared in print.
(MY REPLY) I don’t know of David Mosher is Jewish. Since I do not know if he is or isn’t, I cannot assume that he personally knows why Jonathan Cahn, or any Messianic Jewish believer would use Jewish mystical writings such as The Book of Zohar which forms the basis for the Kabbalah, or other rabbinical writings like it, but in Christian Apologetics, such works have always been cited in support of the Gospel as what is known as “hostile witnesses,” that is, works whose authors did not personally believe in Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah, but whose works bear unwitting witness of the Gospel. Such “hostile witnesses” for example are admissible in the court of law during cross examination where an attorney uses their opponent’s own testimony against them. In the case of these works, Christian Apologists have been using them for centuries. Jonathan Cahn is not the first to do this, and he won’t be the last. The question that Mr. Mosher should answer is where he got the impression that the use of such works is prohibited and ill-advised? Did he get it from David James, who was the first to make the charge?
(DAVE MOSHER) The apostle Paul actually quoted from a pagan hymn to Zeus in order to share the truth of the Gospel at Mars Hill. [This argument has used by many heretics to justify their quoting Catholics, Buddhists, etc.] If we were to then to accuse him of being into Zeus worship, or that pagan writings were behind the epistles, or accuse of him of being secretly pagan – I would think we would need to repent. It’s called bearing false witness.
(MY REPLY) Jonathan Cahn is correct here, and Mr. Mosher shouldn’t try reading more into it than what is there. Jonathan Cahn is not advocating Zen Buddhism, or Roman Catholic doctrines, both of which he does not profess. So it begs the question; why is Mr. Mosher imputing guilt on Jonathan Cahn here for beliefs he does not profess? It’s like the charge above, where he imputes guilt upon Pastor Rizzo, Gary Selman, and Jonathan Cahn for beliefs they do not profess.
(DAVE MOSHER) Sorry, for me the logic does not follow. If Cahn is the born again Christian that he claims, he should condemn the ungodly, occult Zohar/Kaballah. He should not quote it, except in condemnation of its passages. Let’s look at it another way – would a born again, biblically sound Christian:
… quote from a Catholic document to evangelize Catholics because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Mormon document to evangelize Mormons because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Jehovah’s Witnesses document to evangelize Jehovah’s Witnesses because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a New Age document to evangelize New Agers because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Wiccan document to evangelize Wiccans because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
… quote from a Satanic document to evangelize Satanists because it seemed to contain some Christian thoughts?
(MY REPLY) Well, for one thing, Jonathan Cahn does not profess to believe what The Book of Zohar teaches, but uses only those parts in it, as have dozen of other Messianic Jewish believers such as Alfred Edersheim, Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Dr. Michael Brown, Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Messianic Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira, Moshe Rosen of Jews for Jesus, Dr. Louis Goldberg, Hugh J. Schonfield, and many non-Jewish Christian Apologists such as Josh MacDowell, and others to present as evidence that the ancient rabbis who predate the modern era had a better grasp of the Messianic prophecies of the Hebrew Bible than do their modern counterparts today. This is why Jonathan Cahn and others like him, present company included, have used these writings strictly for Apologetics purposes. If Mr. Mosher cannot understand this and respect it as an act of defending the Christian faith by presenting ancient evidences in support of it from outside conventional circles, then there is not much that any of these esteemed brethren or I or Rabbi Cahn can do to explain why such works are used in Christian Apologetics.
(DAVE MOSHER) I realize born again, biblically sound (in my opinion) Christians such as A.W. Tozer and even H. Orton Wiley have commended the writings of Catholic mystics. But they should not have. These and many other born again Christians set a dangerous precedent, helping pave the way for today’s contemplative Emerging/Emergents to quote Catholic mystics, etc.
(MY REPLY) No comment here. But again, is Mr. Mosher saying this because he believes this, or is he parroting somebody else? Much of his rhetoric thus far sounds a lot like the criticisms and comments of David James, T. A. McMahon, Brannon Howse, Tommy Ice, and a few others of that group. Almost word for word.
(DAVE MOSHER) And as I mentioned above, aside from his quoting the Zohar/Kaballah, why does Cahn need to “reveal ancient mysteries” to “Jews and Gentiles?” Why can’t he just preach the Bible as it is, without having to reveal various mysteries that have supposedly been hidden for centuries in its pages? I believe this is going way beyond what God’s Word says. Cahn is treading on dangerous, heretical ground here, twisting God’s Holy Word, reinterpreting passages to say things God never intended.
(MY REPLY) No he’s not. This is the same parroting of the same charges made by the critics of The Harbinger. Again, has Mr. Mosher ever sat in on a teaching at the Beth Israel Arise and Shine Academy? I’d welcome him to sit in on our next seven week lectures on the evidences for the resurrection I am giving. It’s for free, and Mr. Mosher can come as often as he likes. What’s more, Mr. Mosher can come to service, and sit and listen to Rabbi Cahn himself. But if he has not done this, then he is going by the hearsay of others – David James, T.A. McMahon, Brannon Howse, Tommy Ice, men who have never sat in on a teaching, never visited the Beth Israel Jerusalem Center in Wayne, and who do not know Jonathan Cahn or his personal beliefs as I do, and are unqualified to speak about him, as Mr. Mosher is not qualified to speak against him here, but does.
(DAVE MOSHER) It would be very insightful to also locate detailed info about Cahn’s true positions on the following questions. To me it seems Cahn was quite flippant, evasive and unrepentant in responding to the questions below, in this interview:
Question: Why infer that God is giving extra-biblical revelation, when the Bible was given once and for all to the saints?
Concern: Israel is not America, and God did not make a covenant with us, nor are we the apple of His eye.
Question: Is the publisher pronouncing Rabbi Cahn a foretelling prophet?
Question: What else has the publisher put out there?
Question: Does Rabbi Cahn draw from extra-biblical, mystical writings as his sources?
Question: One critic said that since The Harbinger speaks of mysteries being revealed – does this have to do with Gnostic beliefs?
Question: It is stated that Jonathan Cahn “says that Zohar, an extrabiblical, mystical source from which the occultic and mystical Kabbalah is derived, greatly influenced his writing.” [I have attempted to expose Cahn's true position on the Zohar/Kaballah in the paragraphs above. I've also reposted Berit Kjos' much more detailed expose here - God bless you Berit!]
Question: Does The Harbinger say that Isaiah is prophesying of America?
FOR FURTHER READING
(MY REPLY) It would be good for Mr. Mosher to answer a few questions as well before he asks his own questions; such as is he asking these questions in sincerity to get an answer for each one? Or is he asking the question rhetorically to make a statement? Is he willing to contact Jonathan Cahn himself to ascertain the answer himself from him for each one of these questions? Or is he asking these questions based on the urban legends that were created on the Internet, such as the false charge of Gnosticism, and teaching Replacement Theology, and Jewish Mysticism, or dabbling in the Occult, etc.., all based upon the writings of David James who wrote a polemic of ignorant lies and slanders without consulting Jonathan Cahn before he published it in 2012. These are questions that Mr. Mosher should answer before he asks his. This in no way indicates that the questions he asks here do not deserve a sincere and honest answer. They do. But they do if they are asked in a true spirit of inquiry and not one of inquisition in order to condemn a brother in Christ for heresy he has not committed. Mr. Mosher should do the right thing and bring this matter prayerfully before Christ, and then take immediate remedial action by contacting Hope of the World Ministries, and Jonathan Cahn himself and have a nice long discussion with him about it as soon as he can. Thank you.
SIDEBAR: I have provided below a list of the different ministries that go by the moniker of Discernment Ministries and their doctrinal/theological orientation. The site I pulled it from is decidedly Cessationist and Calvinist in orientation. It is called with CHRIST.org. I list it here so that those who read their articles will be aware of the doctrinal and theological “bent” or bias of the Critic’s Corner, as I like to call it in order to understand their approach. - JB
