Enemies Of The Cross

Enemies of the Cross examines how suffering and truth were aligned in the divisive debates of the early Reformation. Vincent Evener explores how Martin Luther, along with his first intra-Reformation critics, offered "true" suffering as a crucible that would allow believers to distinguish the truth or falsehood of doctrine, teachers, and their own experiences. To use suffering in this way, however, reformers also needed to teach Christians to recognize false suffering and the false teachers who hid under its mantle. This book contends that these arguments, which became an enduring part of the Lutheran and radical traditions, were nourished by the reception of a daring late-medieval mystical tradition the post-Eckhartian which depicted annihilation of the self as the way to union with God. The first intra-Reformation dissenters, Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt and Thomas Müntzer, have frequently been depicted as champions of medieval mystical views over and against the non-mystical Luther. Evener counters this depiction by showing how Luther, Karlstadt, and Müntzer developed their shared mystical tradition in diverse directions, while remaining united in the conviction that sinful self-assertion prevented human beings from receiving truth and living in union with God. He argues that Luther, Karlstadt, and Müntzer each represented a different form of ecclesial-political dissent shaped by a mystical understanding of how Christians were united to God through the destruction of self-assertion. Enemies of the Cross draws on seldom-used sources and proposes new concepts of "revaluation" and "relocation" to describe how Protestants and radicals brought medieval mystical teachings into new frameworks that rejected spiritual hierarchy.

'Enemies of the Cross' employs classical rhetorical analysis to examine how Paul structures a deliberative argument using his understanding of the 'cross of Christ'. His goals are to guide/advise the Philippian community through internal and external strife (ch. 2), combat his opponents (ch.3), and develop his notion of the eschatological community (3:18-21). Williams proposes that while Paul has a 'theology of the death of Jesus', of which cross terminology is one of several aspects, this terminology is used almost exclusively in polemical/conflictual contexts. Hence Paul appears to be using 'cross of Christ' not so much as a doctrine but rather as a rhetorical tool, in a context of conflict and strife, to support his understanding of eschatology, apostolic service, the nature of Christian existence, and community among the saints.

Apostle Sharon Loving Ruff shares an amazing journey in her quest for a greater anointing from the Lord for spiritual warfare. After years of being used in the deliverance ministry, she encountered individuals who didn’t receive the fullness of relief they desired. Being one who had suffered torments from demonic attacks from childhood, her heart cried out for their plight. One day she decided to experiment with a warfare strategy recorded in Ezekiel 4 in the Bible. The results she sought did not manifest, so she lost interest in that approach. Years later, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Enemies are all around you.” Shortly afterwards, she received a visit from an Angel of the Lord. In a voluminous voice he said, "Declare war against the enemies of the Cross attacking you and the works of your hands." Little did she know that the manner in which she followed those instructions wasn't sufficient to protect the works of her hands or her from the spiritual enemies that the Holy Spirit had told her were surrounding her. This truth was revealed about four months later when the Angel of the Lord made his second visit. This time his visitation brought a message that was a strong rebuke. Her book chronicles her experiences, manifested changes in her life and members of her church, and ends with an amazing breakthrough. She invites others to seek the Lord for permission to use His declaration of warfare prayer delivered by the Angel of the Lord on his third visit.

Everyone must choose a side. In the aftermath of Dras Weldon's stand against the Strange Man, Dras's older brother, Jeff, discovers that the demon's arrival in Greensboro did not come as a surprise to everyone. Consumed by guilt, Jeff embarks on a crusade to expose the town's secrets. As he works to unravel the treachery that exists among the people he once trusted, his thirst for vengeance leads him down a dangerous path as his moral lines begin to blur and his obsession pushes away those closest to him. Meanwhile, the Strange Man grows closer to claiming Rosalyn for his own evil designs. The Dark Hour is coming to this small town, and the battle lines have been drawn. In the end, lives will be lost, relationships tested, and perceptions altered, as everyone must take a stand and choose how they will face the coming evil. Enemies of the Cross is the second act of a trilogy that depicts a world where monsters are real and simple men and women must overcome their doubts and fears in order to stand against the unspeakable creatures of the night.

The Cross of Jesus Christ! The most recognized emblem in the world! A symbol of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, hope, peace, and eternal life! Why is there so much opposition to it? There is only ONE answer to that question: no one wants to carry his God-given cross - God's pleasing and perfect will for his or her life. Why? As spoken by the Lord, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:2; Mark 8:34 NIV) Self-denial of our own will in order to live for someone else is a hard choice, even in this simple life we live. "How hard it is for many to give themselves over to me," says the Lord. "Very few will say, 'For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, '" (Philippians 1:21-24 NIV) Millions embrace the cross of Christ with open arms; yet very few open their hearts to carry and endure the pain of the cross unto their death, thus denying the power of the Cross: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, (Jesus Christ) who loved me and gave himself for me."