A Dubious, If Not False, Prophet
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”-Romans 16:17
Note: This article is being updated on August 10, 2008 to reflect both the objections raised by Russ Dizdar in response to this article, and the research I have conducted subsequently on the subject of Enoch, The Book of Enoch, and the connections to unscriptural doctrines found in the manuscripts. The article below is intact except for critical remarks made about deliverance ministries. I have openly redacted the words cited as offensive by Russ Dizdar. I do not retract my criticism of the remarks made by Pastor Dizdar which are in the audio excerpt.
Russ Dizdar wrote in his response:
“I would rather talk first but since this was posted as an attack that will be shown not to be true but clearly suspect.”
As you may hear his side of the story from his audio and webpage, and given that Russ has appeared on numerous audio presentations (webcasts, podcasts, radio shows), as well as articles published on the internet— of which I can find no record of him being questioned on the legitmacy of the Enoch manuscripts—his positions are a matter of public record and are, therefore, subject to legitimate scrutiny. The “attack” coming from this writer is on the expanding use of the Enoch manuscripts by Christians whose discernment ought to be sharpened to perceive the deceptions inherent in the so-called “Book of Enoch”.-Randy Maugans, August 10, 2008
In Russ Dizdar’s case, his statements commending use of an extra-Biblical text toinform prophecy places him on a list of “Dubious”, if not false prophets. Dizdar is using his ministry to guide believers (including those whom he “delivers”) into the appallingly un-Biblical standard of referencing a discredited manuscript to interpret Bible prophecy.
The Original Post:
As Lynne Dixon wrote earlier this week (see below), there are apparent questions about Russ Dizdar, a popular deliverance minister who appears on various internet radio talk shows including P.I.D. Radio and the Revelation Radio Network. I am currently reviewing his materials, but will confirm that Dizdar, on his May 8, 2008 “Preemption Broadcast”, “Where Do The Demons Dance?”—a free introduction to his PAID “Deliverance Training” course—at the 11:20 minute mark tells listeners that all Christians need to read the“Book of Enoch”. He states that the scriptures “attest to the truths found within the prophecies of Enoch”.
From this statement alone Dizdar needs to be held at an arm’s length as the Book of Enoch is a pseude-(false)-pigraphical writing which cannot be, and was not, written by the Biblical Enoch cited in Genesis 5:23-24, Hebrews 11:5, and Jude 1:14. For a detailed refutation of the Book of Enoch and its extollers I endorse Paul Sandhu’s article, “Debunking the Book of Enoch” and the Threshing Floor show I did with Paul of the subject: The Threshing Floor-April 30, 2008-Myth Busting with Paul Sandhu”
http://www.signsoftheend.net/Article12-BookofEncoh.html
Some Conclusions:
In Russ Dizdar’s case, his statements commending use of an extra-Biblical text to inform prophecy places him on a list of “Dubious”, if not false prophets. Dizdar is using his ministry to guide believers (including those whom he “delivers”) into the appallingly un-Biblical standard of referencing a discredited manuscriptto interpret Bible prophecy. The BIBLE tells us that :
2Peter 1: 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
What Russ Dizdar offers in his endorsement of the Book of Enoch is to be seen as a “private interpretation” from an scripturally unverifiable source. The writing, which has questionable scholarship backing its discovery and translation in the 18th century, is more closely aligned to similar texts such as Jasher, The Shepherd of Hermes, and the Catholic apocryphal text of Judith. Moreover, it is only one of a body of manuscripts purported to be the text allegedly referenced in scripture
The Book of Enoch appears to affirm his (Dizdar’s) understanding of prophecy and helps him refine his speculations into his “Black Awakening” apocalypse, whereby Satanic ritual abuse is used to split the minds of an army of demonic remotes in the tribulation. Moreover, the Book of Enoch states the OPPOSITE of what scripture states, that “Enoch walked with God…”. This book has Enoch walking and talking with “angels”!
Recall the angel visitation John experienced in Revelation 19?
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
We are to NEVER use any external source to interpret prophecy, we are to study the revealed testimony of Jesus. No angelic presence who fails to give Glory to Christ should ever be received as “Holy” or inspired, but tested:
1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Attempting to use extra-Biblical texts to discern prophecy of an exotic nature is not only scripturally incorrect, it is spiritually dangerous .As we attempt to discern the times and seasons of the present age there are many pitfalls established to deceive even the very elect (Matthew 24:24). All the tools needed for ministry are fully established in the text of the King James Holy Bible:
2Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
As such, it is well worth stating here that many seemingly good-sounding ministries exist, notably so-called “experts” in fields of specialization, to provide well meaning instruction to believers. Russ Dizdar heads a nationally known deliverance ministry which demands he also scrupulously submit to the edicts of scripture as regards sound doctrine, and conform his public teaching to orthodox standards. The Book of Enoch is widely disputed, historically suspect*, and lacks a conformity to the accepted scriptures. To wit: we hereby place the entire body of his work into question.
Randy Maugans-The Threshing Floor
June 28, 2008
Additional resources on the “Book of Enoch”:
PDF-“The Book of Enoch: Translated from the Ethiopic with Introduction and Notes by Rev. George Schodde, Ph.D”
*Book of Enoch-from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pseudepigraphical Book of Enoch
| .Hello everyone, First, let me say that if this is a question that shouldn’t be answered in a public forum, please do respond to me privately (or not at all, if that’s more appropriate) I’m not trying to cause any difficulties — just learn about something another broadcast said. I get the podcast feed from Revelation Radio Network, which means I get *everything* they send out — including at least one podcast I know isn’t worth anyone’s time, because I’ve heard Randy speak of it before in his show, and even before that I found nothing of value in it. Today I was listening, though, to another one: Preemption Broadcast, by Russ Dizdar. He’s at http://www.shatterthedarkness.net/ I’ve started listening to his shows during the day, because he’s often interesting. Today I was listening to his show about Satanism 101. Now, **perhaps I misunderstood him**, but I thought he said that we should go to the book of Enoch for verification of prophecy. Now, *if* I understood him correctly, is that right? Should we be using texts that were excluded from Scripture to “prove” prophecy? Isn’t there a reason God allowed them to be excluded from Scripture? Thanks for your thoughts and wisdom – Lynne |
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