10 April, 2011 By Rev. Ted Pike

We live in a time when leaders of the political/religious right all too often neither sound warning of danger nor thank those who reprove them for their failure. Last week, Brother Nathaniel Kapner was faithful to his conscience and truth as he understands it and publicly reproved me for my recent "Book of Esther" article.

After 40 years of consideration, I finally published an article charging that the book of Esther is humanistic and Jew-glorifying and should not be included in Scripture. (See, The Pseudo-Biblical Book of Esther -- Mainspring of Zionism) Kapner publicly reproved me, saying that to deny Esther is to cut out part of inspired Scripture - an act of heresy leading to perdition. (See Kapner's article, Truly Understanding the Book of Esther) Kapner, a Russian Orthodox monk, believes that acceptance of Esther by the greatest and earliest authorities of the Russian Orthodox tradition legitimizes the book as part of the Bible.

In contrast, I place no confidence in either Christian councils or theologians—much less Jewish “authorities” in an obscure period of history about which little is known, except that it preceded the emergence of the Pharisees, whom Christ so bitterly excoriated. Am I to trust 120 possibly proto-Pharisaic rabbis, “the great synagogue,” who the Talmud says wrote the book of Esther? No way!

I have observed over a lifetime that high clergy, far from being truly spiritual, are usually just as political in their own way as their secular counterparts. They are often less able to hear the still small voice of God than are humble listeners in their congregation. Therefore, I believe that church fathers and their decrees and councils cannot define what constitutes Holy Scripture. Instead, I am convinced that only the conscience of the deeply sincere believer, testing whether any alleged Scripture resonates with the witness of the Holy Spirit, is able to fulfill that role. “But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13) “…the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you…but His anointing teaches you about all things.” (1 John 2:27)

When a book as blatantly humanistic as Esther fails this test within my conscience, it is my duty to warn of heresy as boldly as I can!

Thus, Kapner’s warning of my alleged heresy and my warning of the heresy in Esther are both manifestations of the same Christian love and concern—and duty to sound a warning. Our theological and epistemological premises differ. Yet we both strive to be faithful to speak according to truth.

It is refreshing to know that America and the world have in Kapner a watchman who will courageously warn even a friend when he perceives danger. Here is the note I sent to Kapner: “Thank you for speaking out boldly for truth as you understand it. Keep it up!”

Breaking News

Hate crimes laws may make you a lawbreaker! Such laws, while claiming to promote tolerance, actually lead to the end of free speech! Powerful articles and NPN’s video exposé of hate crimes laws in Canada and the United States provide you with the vital tools necessary to combat this imminent threat to freedom. This video is especially important as acts of terrorism extend the power of "Big Brother" to monitor what you do, say, and think.

4 Jul 2020 - EMERGENCY ALERT
White House sources have revealed that President Trump regrets following the left-conciliating advice of his son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner regarding police reform.
They say he has abandoned Kushner’s advice on this issue, returning to his previous assertion that “systemic racism” in American police is a virtual non-issue compared to the magnitude of protection and fair play which the vast majority of police provide all citizens.
More…

17 December, 2019 - EMERGENCY ALERT - Trump Supports Jewish Claim: Christianity is Antisemitic.
President Trump’s recent Executive Order IS THE TEXT of the Jewish ADL’s “Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, S852, recently rejected by the US Senate for Committee consideration.
More…

24 Sep 2019 - EMERGENCY ALERT
“Anti-Semitism Awareness” Bill Worse than “Equality” Bill! Good news! The Christian-threatening, LGBT- promoting “Equality Act” could not face confrontation with hostile Senate Judiciary Republicans this spring. It went nowhere. Yet Democrats could still try to get it through the Senate Judiciary. NPN will sound the alarm at Truthtellers.org if it starts to move forward.

18 May 2019 - EMERGENCY ALERT - Senate New Forum for “Equality” Bill Debate
Call the Congress Hotline at 1-202-224-3121 and ask for a Senator’s office. I suggest you say: “Please don’t vote for the “Equality Act” S788. It will help end free speech for Christians making them criminals if they criticize Homosexuality”.
More…

01 May 2019 - EMERGENCY ALERT - “Equality” Bill Hastens Babylon the Great - Part Two
If Jews acquire full protection as a “protected class” in America it will mean that if a Jew complains to the government that he has suffered “acute emotional trauma” as a result of “anti semitic” discrimination or criticism of his race or religion he may prompt a federal investigation. If the government agrees, the defendant will have to retain the best lawyer he can find.
More…