"Controversy for the sake of controversy is sin.
Controversy for the sake of TRUTH is a Divine command."
DR. WALTER MARTIN
It is unfortunate but true, that when you think that you've seen it all, something more tragic, perverse or dangerous appears on the horizon. You are dismayed at birth control, then along comes legal abortions. We shudder at civil wars, then we experience proliferation of world wars. The Son of Sam is arrested, and suddenly we see the carnage of Jeffery Dahmer. Our country reeled at the removal of prayer from school, now we have lost our right to even mention God. When we thought that car bombs were horrific, now we hold our breath as we witness airplanes crumbling the Twin Towers.
There is a paradox in our social lives, we behold a consistent disintegration of our values, rights, and beliefs. Likewise, as we observe the spiritual landscape, we see similar erosions transpiring. One of the most subtle and insidious infestations to arise on the spiritual field, is the Word of Faith Movement (WOF).
The WOF spiritual lethality is found in its covert activity. The effectiveness of a predator is not only its teeth and claws, but the stealthy, subtle unobserved moves that positions it to strike its prey. The WOF has committed itself to change forever the face of Christianity within twenty years.
It has positioned itself in the high grass of the church environment, camouflaged itself, and moves unnoticed towards its prey. The WOF has struck and devoured thousands, and we haven't noticed the blood and bones scattered in the parking lot.
Many Pastors and born again believers don't recognize the dangers lurking within the WOF movement. I suppose, I more than anyone can attest to its subtlety, for 'I' fell prey to its errors. We at BARC will unravel the tangled knot of WOF teachings and provide a biblical response to its teachings in a well balanced fashion.
The most effective tactic in warfare is espionage. Military strategist gain enormous advantages when they plant spies, infiltrating an enemies organization. The counterfeit soldier must speak like, act like, look like the enemy, or his effectiveness is neutralized (2 Corinthians 11:4-14). In this sense, the WOF movement has performed its insurgence, and the church is being devoured from the inside out.
What makes the WOF so easily digested, is that its palatable. If its teachings were course, and its terminology and methodology foreign, we would sound the alarm and jump in our fox holes. Satan never unmasks and divergently announces his presence. Since that's true, how do we discern the markings and characteristics of WOF?
WORD OF FAITH CAST& CREDITS
The WOF teachings are being carted around the world by some of Americas most notable personalities. The religious network Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) is the primary purveyor of this sinister and capricious doctrine. For a more in depth analysis of individual persons [Click on Articles] when you visit www.deceptioninthechurch.com. The WOF does not possess an organizational chart or creed. It is not a structured denomination as you would find in Baptist, Methodist, or Assembly of God organizations. Its teachings define, and identify it. You can find it's axiomatic system of doctrine in most Pentecostal and Full Gospel groups world wide.
This is similar to systems of football. There is the 'west coast offense', 'run and shoot', 'pro- set', 'wish bone', '46 defense', '3-4', '4-3', 'two deep'. All of these systems are readily identified by the opposing coach who is preparing to compete against them. The system of WOF is currently observed destroying the lives of Gods precious people from a myriad of pulpits and denominations. The WOF teachings are heavily entrenched within organizations such as the Charismatic, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, United Pentecostal Church, Apostolic Oneness Pentecostals, and numerous independent ministries across the globe. Why do we list these groups?
We at BARC agree with the position of G. W. Bush, in which he says in his stand against terrorism, "We consider those who support, harbor terrorist a terrorist." Likewise, we consider any organization, ministry, pastor, bishop, teacher who supports, endorses, or harbors those who teach WOF doctrines, also WOF. We take serious the command of the Holy Spirit spoken through John in 2 John 10-11{Ampilfied};"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught] do not receive him [do not welcome or admit him] into your house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement. For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings!"
Many reading this study of WOF theology are not sure exactly what WOF is or how to distinguish it, hopefully the following will assist you.
Some of the more prevalent identifying names of WOF churches include World Harvest Outreach, Victory Outreach, Rhema Bible Church, Grace Christian Center, Abundant Life Ministries. Most end with center or ministries. They may not have an official affiliation with WOF leaders, but they embrace some or most of WOF teachings. Many churches disguise their affiliation with WOF similar to multi-level marketers. The multi-level marketer will approach you about a business opportunity, they may address themselves as 'Johnson Enterprises.' However, they are connected with and endorse AMWAY, Quixtar, or Noni Juice. The largest churches in America that fall into the category of 'Mega Church' are mostly WOF oriented ministries
What is the catalyst and allure sparking such enormous growth?
We see the fingerprint of Seeker Sensitive methodology being employed, along with a' human wants' enhancement approach. Let me give a capsular example. Last week I was conducting Bible study in Marietta, Georgia, I was teaching on how the word, was identical to Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 53, it speaks of how Jesus would not be desired, that he was acquainted with grief and there was no beauty in Christ where people would flock to Him. The word and Christ would be an offence, and the word was salt, a sword, and a mirror, that showed people their sins. Jesus spoke about Hell more than Heaven. I demonstrated from the scriptures that those in Christ would suffer, and be persecuted. I made the final comment, " How do we get more people to attend our churches and these Bible study sessions? " I think we would have standing room only if we put a sign outdoors that said ' Free musical concert, Learn how to get Rich, drive new automobiles, have perfect health, no debt, and how to have the man or woman of your dreams !!!!!'
Since true Christianity is undesirable to the unregenerate, men with private or slanted agendas will present a form of religion that will tickle ears, and give people what they want, attracting the masses (2 Timothy 4:3)
Note the titles and banners that some WOF ministries deploy to draw thousands: Maybe you can recognize some of these ministries:
'Enjoying Every Day Life'
'Your Best Life NOW' # 1 Best Seller in America !
'A Life of Favor and Blessings.'
'You can be Rich and have everything you want.'
'The Midas Touch.'
'Write your own ticket.'
'Invite Money in your family with 'Cosmic Economics'
'Total Life Prosperity.'
Many on lookers of the explosive numerical growth study and mimic what WOF teachers do and teach, for we equate God's presence with numbers and prominence.
The true father of WOF theology can be traced to one E. W. Kenyon, who early in the twentieth century adopted a brand of Science Mind concepts with Eastern Metaphysics. He frequented many spiritist meetings and attended the Unity School of Christianity. Kenneth Hagin absorbed and plagiarized all of E. W. Kenyon's unbiblical teachings and taught them to current leaders. Kenneth Hagin popularized the WOF message through national radio preaching, and publications. Today he boast an organization of hundreds of thousands, with millions daily eating at his table of deception.
WORD OF FAITH TEACHINGS & HISTORY
WOF teachings include concepts such as 'Seed Sowing', 'Positive Confession', 'Guaranteed Health & Wealth', 'Satanic Ransom', 'Little gods', 'Slain in Spirit.' These doctrinal constructs are the earmarks of E. W. Kenyon. Kenneth Hagin adopted his views and even proclaims that these were fresh original revelations.
BARC stands poised to controvert those who have accepted the novice and dangerous ideas of WOF. Our position is consistent with the admonition of the Holy Spirit who spoke through the apostle Peter, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who ask of the hope that you have (in Christ) with humility and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15). We will provide reasons why we uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ, and reject the different gospel of the WOF.
Many Pentecostal leaders point to the events surrounding the Azusa Street outpouring in 1906, as the restoration of supernatural gifts. Thousands were encouraged by TBN to travel to Los Angeles to celebrate the '100' year celebration in 2006. Along with E. W. Kenyon, Charles Parham who directed a Bible school in Topeka, Kansas were instrumental in the development of the present WOF invasion. Parham instructed his students to seek for a second blessing of the Holy Spirit. He taught them the Bible in unorthodox fashions, such as studying topics in a chain reference method, not learning verses within the immediate or larger context. One of Parham's students Agnes Ozman while seeking the Holy Spirit began to speak in Chinese. This experience began to spread to all of the students. One of Parham's students was a poor, short, uneducated black student named William Seymour. He was unable to sit in the classes because he was black, but dined on the slanted teachings of Parham from the hallway.
Seymour soon left Parham and headed out to Los Angeles, where he obtained an old AME church on 312 Azusa street. He soon began to conduct services and saw a flood of spiritist, mystics come in and introduce their ineffable demonic practices. Seymour being biblically illiterate, had little skill or epistemology from the Word to counter the intrusion of spiritism into the Azusa street mission. BARC is troubled that some consider Seymour one of the greatest men of the twentieth century.{ The phenomenon of tongues and the admixture of Appalachian dancing, with African Spiritism produced a brand of worship the world had not seen for centuries.}
The L.A. Times wrote about the "Babble of Tongues" that broke out at Azusa mission. The news spread throughout the country, and soon many mainstream Christian leaders came to experience the 'New' outpouring of Gods Spirit. Charles Parham was one who came to see what his former student had started. When he saw the strong presence of mysticism, spiritism, and demonic influence in the Azusa services he confronted Seymour. Seymour was so defiant to let the 'show go on' that they feuded and parted with great contention. Many present day denominations and movements have sprouted as a result of the Azusa street experience. Charles Mason, founder of the Church of God in Christ testifies that he traveled to Azusa street to be filled with the Spirit that was being dispensed at the meetings. William Branham, Aimee Semple Mc Pearson, Oral Roberts all speak of the influence the Azusa street experience had on their ministries.
The WOF today, has never examined the true history of Azusa. They look at it as a modern Pentecost. They failed to test it to see if it was of God. The biblical admonitions of trying the spirits was not performed.(1 John 4:1). The facts that demonic spiritist, and Arians who deny the Trinity, were the conductors of the meetings are not considered. BARC has concluded, far from being a great awakening, Azusa was Satan's 'Trojan Horse' that has infiltrated, and infected the modern church.
BARC's 'modus operandi' involves full disclosure, we follow the example of Jesus and the apostles in listing false teachers. Jesus called the high priest hypocrites. He called Herod a fox. John the Baptist called the Sadducees a brood of vipers. Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:17-18; "And their teaching will devour it, and eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have missed the mark and {swerved from the truth} by arguing the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some.
We are not running for mayor, we are fighting for the integrity of God's word to mankind, The Bible. We've been considered "PLAYA HATERS" for informing the public of false teachers. We don't hate the playas, we just expose their games. I suppose if ten known murderers and rapist were on the loose, the news agencies shouldn't notify us, mention their names, or show their pictures. If there is imminent danger, people have to be warned. A good watch dog BARCS!!! We love all people, we have no ill intent to any person or ministry, we are just contending for the faith once and for all delivered unto the Saints.
LEADERS TOWARDS A DITCH
Essek William Kenyon: (The late) The true father of the faith movement. He was born in 1867 and graduated from Emerson College of Oratory which is a hotbed of cultic metaphysics. He was deeply involved and influenced by cultic metaphysics. Was the founder of the 'Kenyon's church of the Air' broadcast in 1923. New Thought Metaphysics had a great impact on Kenyon. Kenyon was plagiarized extensively by 'Dad Hagin'. The vast majority of all WOF teachings were birthed by Kenyon's teachings which were echoed by Hagin and Copeland, Price and so on.
Kenneth Hagin: (The late) is known as the 'father' of the WOF movement, he was an uneducated man who had very suspicious racial views. He and his son has frowned upon the concept of interracial marriages. This caused a highly publicized rift between his ministry and Fred Price. He has been involved in many false prophesies, out of body experiences, and claims to speak with black demon monkeys. He fostered all the Metaphysical, Science Mind ideas of Kenyon on the church.
Most WOF leaders echoed all of Hagin's false teachings. Teaching that men are little gods, that God was a man 6' 2" weighing about 200 pounds. They claim that God's hand was about 9" wide. Some claim that Jesus told them He..............WAS NOT GOD!!
One of their most prominent leaders also teaches that Jesus was a little wormy spirit, on the cross. He also states that Jesus was a sinful being, defeated by Satan on the cross and that Jesus went to hell to be tortured by the devil to obtain our salvation. He also teaches that Jesus was "THE GREATEST FAILURE IN THE BIBLE." He say's God is subject to higher powers, and that Jesus had to be born again. Many may say, "I never heard TBN WOF leaders teach any of those things," well, in the words of Paul Harvey, "Now you know.......................................... the rest of the story."
BARC would suggest that any serious enquirer purchase the audio series entitled "Christianity in Crisis' by Hank Hanegraaff. You can get it at www.equip.org. You can actually hear the false teachers make their fallacious statements.
There has arisen new stars of the WOF movement among blacks across America. Many have mimicked the teachings of Hagin so closely, they have mastered that ' Texas Twang.' One prominent leader in Atlanta even testified that, their dream was to be on the 'Believers Voice of Victory' broadcast. Some have been thrust into national prominence from appearances on that program and in the Vernacular day, 'Blew Up.'
One of the largest ministries in America was built mostly on the blood, sweat and money of poor blacks in Atlanta, Georgia. This pastor has been provided two Lear Jets valued at over $7,000.000, that's million! He lives in properties that are valued over $3,000,000 dollars. I visited one property in Fayetteville, Ga. and the property is for the visiting pastor to live in when they visit the Atlanta church. It's reported that the fence around the thirty acre property cost over a quarter million dollars. He wears designer suits, drives Mercedes, Bentleys, & Rolls Royce automobiles. He conceptualize the same ascetic, unbiblical doctrines of Kenyon. He teaches that wealth and health are guarantees as a result of the atonement. He denies the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, by teaching that Jesus was not always God while on the earth and was not perfect. He also espouses that because Jesus got tired, Jesus couldn't be God. In addition he suggest that Jesus had the ability to yield to sin. This was taught during: (Sermon12/08/2002). He claims Jesus was a rich man wearing designer clothes. He also views Job as a failure, and that we must realize that 'we' are little-gods.
Just as Mormons teach strict morals and have the best structure for helping families on the planet. They still teach heretical doctrines. We can't be blinded by their social and sermonic presentation. They teach that men can become gods, and that Adam was God, as well as modern day biblical revelation. Similarly, many WOF leaders do many wonderful things, however they error in essential Christian doctrine. WOF has a subtle methodology, 'avoid theological doctrines'. If they verbalized their theological positions, they may not maintain such a following. BARC is determined to reveal more than their peripheral axioms. Some WOF leaders are modalist, who teach Sabellianism. Some have a perverted concept of God. One renowned leader was interviewed on Living By The Word ministry, On KKLA 99.5 FM radio broadcast in 1998, the leader stated that he believes that God is Father in creation, Son in redemption, and Holy Spirit in regeneration. This sounds so biblical at first glance, but when you pursue their meaning of this, they say, "We can't define God into something as a Trinity".
{Some hold to the modalist view that God manifest Himself in different modes.} At one point He's the Father, at other times He's the Son, and Holy Spirit. This is similar to me being a father, businessman, Bible teacher, but being one person. {He suggest that God wears different hats.} The biblical definition is this; The Father is God, The Son is God, The Holy Spirit is God. They are co-equal, eternal, of the same substance, essence, Nature, distinct, separate, but comprise the ONE GOD!
This same WOF leader stated; "There is one God, infinitely perfect, and existing in three Manifestations: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. The current doctrinal statement reads: "THREE DIMENSIONS OF THE ONE GOD (1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:19, 1 Tim. 3:16)- "We believe in one God who is eternally Triune in His manifestations, being Father, Son, Holy Spirit......." The term manifestation is used by modalist Oneness Pentecostals.
This leader disagrees with scripture, and takes the position of Oneness Pentecostals in teaching that the three persons are not distinct. CRI Coordinator of Research Sam Wall, spoke over the phone with a assistant Pastor and Director of Ministry Affairs at a WOF church in Dallas,TX. and he confirmed they deny the doctrine of the Trinity. The Pastor states that the ministry determines that the doctrine has its roots in pagan Catholicism.
Denver Seminary's Dr. Gordon Lewis offered this response to that position of God being Triune in His Manifestations. "Those statements on God revives Sabellian Modalism. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not merely three manifestations of one God independent of what hat he wears. Whether its called modalism, Sabellianism, Oneness, or "Jesus Only", this view of the Trinity is heretical". It is a denial of the Trinity based upon the distinction between the members. It accepts the fact of there being only one God, but denies that the Bible distinguishes between the members. The Father is not the Son and vise versa."
This leader has very existential views concerning remedies for sin. He advocates that some sin issues are resolved by psychological methods, and espouses many Science Mind concepts for sins of the flesh. He also teaches that health and wealth are determined by the faith confessions of practitioners. He also suggest we have authority over sickness, disease, ...and every circumstance.
WOF pastors have large followings, and do many good things, but so does the Watch Tower. Why is it that we don't attend the Kingdom Hall on Sundays? Centrally, because they deny the Trinity, and have erroneous concepts about the nature of God! The Watch Tower does not believe that God is Father, Son, Holy Spirit, distinct, separate, co-equal, eternal, and neither does some in WOF. But because they have a style, and exciting presentation in preaching, we accept them, but reject the Watch Tower. We consider the Watch Tower a cult, but we grant WOF false teachers spiritual and doctrinal clemency!
BARC has examined WOF theology in light of Holy Scripture. (Proverbs 18:17) says "He who states his case first seems right, until someone comes and cross-examines him." We have found him incorrect in the essentials of the Christian faith.
Benny Hinn has skyrocketed in the WOF hierarchy. Benny Hinn is seen on TBN, and fills auditoriums across the world. Many flock to Hinns crusades to get the 'anointing.' We at BARC endeavor to expose the aspects of Hinns theology that has escaped the majority of the church. Hinn was mesmerized by the antics of Kathryn Kuhlman. She popularized the phenomenon 'slain in the spirit' during her crusades in the 1940s-1970s. Hinn was captivated by this apparent display of the power of God, and aggressively sought it. Hinn soon was observed waving his hand and people by the hundreds were falling on the ground.
Hinn teaches WOF doctrine such as satanic ransom, guaranteed health and wealth, positive confession, and we're little gods. Benny states the Holy Spirit spoke to him and revealed that Jesus became one in nature with Satan. Benny say's Jesus became sin himself, a serpent on the cross! Hinn boast to being a man of God, but commits the one offense that God declares disqualifies one from that status,....... false prophecy! Hinn said "God told him, all homosexuals will be killed during the year 1994!" He stated that "by 1999, Fidel Castro would be dead". Hinn had the temerity to declare that "Jesus Christ spoke to him, and promised to appear visibly in His glorified body on the platform during his 2000 Kenyan Crusade! "
We at BARC are sad to say, all prophesies failed. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 says; That if a man says he speaks for God or if a man claims God said something, and it does not happen, the person does not speak for God. In Jeremiah 23:21, God said...... I did not send these false prophets, yet they ran, I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. Hinn is a false prophet and fails the test of scripture, for biblical prophets were correct 100% of the time. Hinn also condones necromancy (communicating with the dead), he advises Christians to visit the graves of Aimee Semple Mc Pherson and Kathryn Kuhlman. Hinn affirms his visiting the gravesites to "get the anointing" from their bones. Hinn is a novice in his hermeneutical approach to scripture. He claims that God is not triune but nigon, equaling nine. The Father is a trinity, the Son is a trinity, the Holy Spirit is a trinity.
Finally, Hinn was critiqued by HBO, where he was filmed for one year conducting crusades. {Hinn staged fake healings, and his workers coached catchers to assist in the slain in the spirit phenomenon.} A notable incident was captured by HBO cameras where a paraplegic boy was at seven different crusades and was not healed. HBO representatives approached Hinn as to why the boy was not healed? This was a plausible question, since Hinn claimed to have an anointing of healing? Hinn rebuffed that he wanted the boy brought before him, and God would heal him. During the next crusade meeting Hinn pronounced that the boy was healed before the thousands watching. The parents expected empirical physical evidence of Hinns proclamation, but there was no evidence. Soon something changed, but it wasn't healing...............the boy DIED. When HBO queried Hinn about the proclamation, and the facts of the boys death. Hinn appearing distraught replied. "I don't know who it is that speaks to me." In the words of the Saturday Night Live Church Lady; 'Could it be................Satan?!!!!
These atrocities embolden BARC to not be cavalier in our opposition to WOF theology.
The Pastor of the Largest church in America, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas is a WOF pastor. He is a comparatively refreshing personality on the national scene. He focuses on strong family values, and morality We applaud any effort to give moral and biblical principles to help society. He has a feel good approach to ministry, and appears to be quite sincere. He presents a softer approach to the WOF message, however he still believes that Jesus didn't complete redemption and atonement on the cross. He espouses satanic ransom theories, and harbors and endorses popular WOF leaders. In June 2005, while appearing on the Larry King Show, Larry King asked him, if a person had to be a believer in Jesus to have eternal life? He replied in essence, that people have to be faithful to what they believe [whether Islamic, Buddhist, Mormon] He states he personally believes in Jesus, but he is not the judge as to where the unbeliever will appear. How different his response is to the teachings of scripture. He either has an intestinal fortitude issue or he is taking the politically correct stand. Either way, he demonstrates alarming compromise on the central message of the gospel 'Jesus' is the only way.
A classic case study of WOF deception is a Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta,Ga. When one defines a Baptist church you are confident that it is grounded in essential Christian doctrine. But today the outer shell of a church can exist, but it's inner core can be infested. Like an insect that has injected a host with it's larvae, it is being eaten and devoured from the inside out. Like a person with AIDS will appear wholesome externally but are a courier of deadly viruses. The WOF has overtaken a ministry that historically upheld Bible doctrine. The Bishop now boast the largest African American congregation in the world. I have attended his church several times and have many friends who are members.
I am so impressed by the magnitude of the ministry. I am proud to see an African American build such a large and financially strong institution. The facility it's self is magnificent. The Bishop is an astute and formidable businessman. He has such keen strategy in helping his community. He is providing entrepreneurial opportunities, and is feeding the hungry. We at BARC love the Bishop and most of what he does. However, He is involved in some unscrupulous and suspicious activities. John Blake, of the Atlanta Journal Constitution published an article on August 8 2005, that the bishop established a charity in 1995. The charity was established as a non-profit and tax exempt fund. The IRS law says that the net earnings may not [benefit] any individual. Sadly, he became the charities largest beneficiary. The charity, provided him with at least $3.07 million in salary. During a four year period the charity provided the bishop.
- A $1.4 million six-bedroom, nine bath home on twenty acres.
- Use of a $350,000 Bentley.
- More than one million in salary, including $494,000 in 2000.
There is a four member charity board. He and his wife are two. A third, Terrance Thornton was given a $160,000 loan to purchase a home near the Bishop's.
The bishop demonstrates pride and arrogance in many of his actions and responses. He often wears short sleeve shirts while preaching to show his bi and triceps. I coach a semi- professional football team, and I am keenly aware of testosterone and flexing. Flexing is OK, but not behind the sacred desk while Jesus is to be the focus of glory. In response to the charity improprieties; He states, "We're not just a church, we're an international corporation," "We're not just a bumbling bunch of black preachers who can't talk and all we're doing is baptizing babies. I deal with the White House. I deal with Tony Blair. I deal with presidents around the world. I pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation. You've got to put me on a different scale than the little black preacher sitting over there that's supposed to be just getting by because the people are suffering."
It is clear that he is exalted in his words and actions. Paul who wrote 2/3rds of the New Testament demonstrated the attitude and humility of the true servant of Christ. Paul said in (Philippians 3:8-14) that he was nothing and that his goal was to know Christ in the power of His resurrection, pressing for a heavenly prize. Paul boasted of his social affiliations, and prose before his spiritual transformation, but eternal verities, and dying to self were his spiritual passions.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) chairman of a Senate committee investigating lavish salaries of nonprofit executives, said leaders of tax-exempt organizations must be responsible for the public trust they've been given.
Sen. Grassley say's," I'm worried that a few people are confusing the ringing of a church bell with the ringing of a cash register. When I hear about leaders of charities being provided a $300,000 Bentley to drive around in, my fear is that it's the taxpayers who subsidize this charity who are really being taken for a ride." Does any one smell the stench of Daddy Grace, Father Divine or Reverend Ike???
Sen. Grassley has launched an accountability investigation in 2007 of several WOF ministries for claiming Non-profit status, but are profiting by unscrupulous tactics. A corporation must pay taxes on products sold. We at BARC desire to see no reproach against the 'body of Christ', but false teachers and those who make merchandise of God's church and people need to be 'whipped' out the temple as Jesus modeled!!!
The bishop has confederated with WOF leaders, and adopted the most corrosive doctrines. He "watch this, watch this, watch this" practices or believes in false teachings such as, slain in the spirit, positive confession, guaranteed health & wealth, little god theology. He teaches that when "Christians look in the mirror, we should say 'GOOD MORNING GOD!" "If somebody say, I want to see God, the bishop say's, "Here he is, LOOK AT ME!" he also said "My whole objective in life is to be His image, HIS DUPLICATE"........................ Erroneous presuppositions and premises can lead to skewed views of the scriptures. A perfect example of this occurs when he commits interpolation, a violation of proper hermeneutics (inserting a meaning not originally intended by the speaker or author). He violated it while interpreting Luke 19:10; Jesus said "The Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost." He reveals his lack of biblical acumen by teaching God's precious people that the text say's Jesus came to earth to acquaint the world of the lost fact that they were gods. The clear contextual teaching is that Jesus was responding to His mission of not being partial or concentrating on secondary issues, but He came to fulfill John 3:16. When you compare it with Mark 2:16-17 you can't miss the true meaning. Jesus came to save lost sinful mankind! He has perverted two cardinal doctrines. The doctrine of God and Salvation, if those reading don't see anything alarming or incorrect in any of this, please continue to read our research of these topics.
BARC is only concerned with the truth. Jesus revealed that truth was central, so crucial that he was called Faithful and True. (Rev.19:11)
Jesus was described as being full of grace and truth (John 1:14)
Jesus said He was the Way, The Life, and the Truth......(John 14:6)
Jesus came to reveal the truth that will make us free (John 8:32)
We can only worship God in the truth (John 4:24)
Some claiming to be Christians swerved from the truth (2 Timothy 2:18)
If ones teachings about God's nature and salvation is wrong, then it's not true. It's not from God!
True are the words of Pascal, "Truth is so obscure these days, and falsehoods so established......that unless you love the truth you can't know it."
Patrick Fitzgerald lead prosecutor, while announcing the indictments of perjury against 'Scooter Libby' said "Truth is the engine of the Justice System. Without truth we have nothing!"
Paul wrote by the Holy Spirit;" Test and prove all things (until you can recognize) what is good, [to that] hold fast.(1Thessalonians 5:21). 1 John 4:1 says;" Beloved do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God: for many false prophets are gone out into the world. John goes on to reveal that the pivotal aspect of our objective analysis should be how a person represents and conceives God. If a person presents God and His gospel in an unorthodox fashion, we are to contend for the faith, that has been delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
We read something very important in Galatians, "I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade, and deserting Him who invited and called you by the grace of Christ and that you are transferring your allegiance To a different opposing gospel. Not that there could be any other genuine Gospel, but there are some ...who are bewildering you with a (different kind of teaching) which they offer as a gospel and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ into something it absolutely is not. But if even we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we have preached......let him be accursed.v.9........let him be anathema (devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment") (Galatians 1:6-9). VERY STRONG WORDS, huh?
Paul said; Till I come, devote yourself to reading (studying the scriptures) to teaching and instilling 'doctrine' (1Timothy 4:13).
What is 'Doctrine' ? It is defined as: 'something taught; principles of a religion'; belief held as truth;
The Kingdom of the Cults has flourished, because of the negligence of the church in learning the doctrine of Christ. If God's people would pray and study the scriptures, they would not fall prey to deception. I am certain that most who consider themselves saved, born-again, spirit filled, could not articulate the 'essentials' of the Christian faith. The essentials are the things that we all must believe to be classified a Christian. We can't believe there is God, and other little gods, and be a Christian. Just like we can't believe that we can be saved through the name of Allah! We can't believe that Jesus death on the cross was insufficient for salvation, and be classified a Christian. It is essential that you believe that the cross of Christ paid it all !!!
The essentials draw the line of demarcation between Christianity and the Kingdom of the Cults.
Augustine wrote: In essentials harmony, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.
2 Timothy 2:15 says; Study to shew yourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing (properly fitting) the word of truth. Paul was skilled as a tent maker. His tents were not composed of vinyl, silk or canvas. His tents were made of animal skins. He had to cut each skin to fit the other pieces, insuring no sun, moisture or elements could invade the integrity of the tent. His thought was 'we should fit all the parts of scripture together in proper context, so that we can produce fool proof, air tight, insulated, and sound doctrine.
We should be so sound in our doctrine, that we're as the piano tuner, we can take the accurate tuning fork of God's Word and discern doctrines that are off key. We are to be like the expert Gemologist, we can put any teaching under God's microscope to determine it's authenticity or quality. The federal currency investigator is so familiar with authentic bills, he can spot a counterfeit a mile away. This is the indictment against the body of Christ, we have allowed any wind and doctrine to blow into the church!!
We have let men stand and lie on God, flim flam, steal, and hurt people. We may silently whisper our displeasure, but we won't stand up and say; 'Enough is enough!!!' Preachers have committed atrocities in the name of God, and we reverence their titles and prominence so much, we look the other way. Many of us suffer from a disease called 'nonrocktheboatus', but in the words of 'Vernon Johns', we at BARC are BOAT ROCKERS!!!! We have a larger responsibility to Christ and His gospel than to organizations and personalities.
When Robert Tilton swindled millions from trusting people, why didn't the church confront and make him accountable to the truth of God's word? We put our collective heads in the ground, and allowed Dateline and Dianne Sawyer to expose, what we should have. Today, we see Tilton reborn, and still committing the same scams. He targets the gullible and poor blacks through Black Entertainment Television. He daily preys on people who are desperate for some financial miracle. Why do we still support Peter Poppoff, after he was caught with a transmitter in his ear scamming people as if God was speaking to Him? Where was the church when HBO, and Dateline exposed Benny Hinn for lying on God, and pronouncing people healed that soon died. The world should not be our police or conscience. We must hold them accountable!!!
How can we be so gullible? We wonder how a woman could sell her body and give her money to a pimp driving a Mercedes, but the church is worse. We let pimps in pulpits manipulate us with the same game. They tell you that you can get protection, support, a sense of being, by the sacrifices that you make, and the money you give to their ministry. The pimp intimidates the whore by letting her know that there will be repercussions if she withholds her money from him. Pimps in Pulpits do the same thing, they just use the name of God as their backhand.
For a classic example of this plague of mystical manipulation click on www.bishopjordan.com the church pimps use biblical masquerades to accomplish the same end. I remember Richard Pryor saying, when his wife saw him in bed with another woman; "who are you going to believe, me, or your lying eyes?" If the church would awake out of its lethargic zombie state and just.............. LOOK, they will realize, they are being pimped by so many in the WOF.
It's leaders have millions of dollars of personal wealth, One has over twenty million dollars at his disposal, Others are filthy rich multi-millionaires. There are some preachers in California that live in Beverly Hills. It is epidemic within many denominations. We remember the antics and excesses of Daddy Grace, Father Divine, and Reverend Ike, if one would just look, they will see the same strategies and devices in ministries today. If the whore associated with a pimp was rich, then we could conclude that its a good business arrangement, but what defines a pimp/whore relationship is only the pimp is prospered. Open your eyes, only the leaders are getting the Benjamin's.
BARC will provide detailed exposition on the cess pool of money manipulation within the WOF. We only paused to demonstrate, that just as the church permits abuse in that area, it permits abuse in essential doctrinal areas.
AVENUES OF ERROR
We at BARC will now present some startling yet revealing teachings of WOF leaders:
"God has to be given permission to work in the earth realm......Yes you are in control!, So if man has control, who no longer has it? GOD!! "
"When you look at me you are looking at God. You're looking at Jesus!"
"Never go to the Lord and say, If it be thy will....don't allow such faith destroying words to be spoken from your mouth."
"Satan conquered Jesus on the cross."
"Our problem is, we don't realize we are gods."
"Satan had to torture Jesus in Hell to pay our ransom."
A twelve year old Sunday school student can see that this is not Christian doctrine. But these statements are just the tip of the iceberg. Let's delve deeper into the avenues of error that have germinated in the WOF spiritual incubator.
The WOF denies that the substitutionary, redemptive work of Calvary was sufficient to justify man before God. Instead they adopt the pernicious teaching of E. W. Kenyon and suggest, Jesus had to redeem man by paying the ransom to Satan in hell. The scriptures tell us that in (Hebrews 9:12); Jesus went once into the Holy of Holies, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by HIS OWN BLOOD, having found and secured eternal redemption for us. The Bible is clear, it is the cross of Christ that paid the price. This is not a cursory diversion from Christian doctrine, it is a capital offense!
When the most important event in human history is perverted, how do we reconcile the perverter as a member of Christ? As an example, many people daily tune their televisions to the Oprah Winfrey show. Oprah has a format that we applaud. She addresses the social and spiritual concerns of women and families. However, Oprah is guilty of the same spiritual narcissism observed in the WOF. She provides a platform to assist those who have been casualties of the growing socio-spiritual tailspin.
Unaware to the 22 million who watch her program daily is the fact that she advocates a brand of spirituality carved from New Age. Her invited guest that provide spiritual remedies to hurting America are practitioners of New Age thought and Metaphysics. Oprah advocates that "Jesus is not the only way to eternal life." We buy the books of Iyanla Vanzant, and she puts your head in her lap, like Delilah by using terms you identify with such as prayer, God, spirituality, peace, joy, miracles. Her message sounds so empowering, enlightening, but it is impotent and accretious .
Vanzant is an African Yoruban priest, who practices ancestor worship, and the worship of a pantheon of gods. There are 400 gods in Yoruba, and Vanzant thanks and acknowledges six of them in her book, 'In the Meantime.' Vanzant practiced the teachings of Christian Science, and states that many African Americans have been abused with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She embraces the New Age keryama that 'all' is God. BARC sees strong parallels in the autonomous acceptance of Oprah and Vanzant with how so many embrace the WOF. "If it sounds good, and addresses my needs, bring it on." We don't test, analyze, or attend to sound doctrine.
Paul said in Acts that the Berean Christians were NOBLE, because when he preached to them, they studied the Word or scriptures, to see if what Paul taught was correct (Acts 17:11). They even tested the Apostle Paul, who was instrumental in the establishment of the church, who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament. They checked his doctrine!!!! Today if a person is revered, we scurry to their meetings, turn on their programs and give no thought to their doctrine.
Recently there appeared a book on the New York 'Best Sellers' list. The book was entitled :
THE SECRET....... within the confines of the book are outlines of many of the metaphysical concepts espoused by New Agers, Christian Scientist, and WOF teachers. It surmises that man has the internal abilities of creating his own world reality. The 'Secret' espouses that by our internal thoughts and words we can activate the 'laws of attraction'. We can speak, and the time space continuum has to make it so. If you think, focus, believe in your own ability as a god, you can attract every good thing you desire. Conversely the book suggest that even negative thought will attract rape, murder chaos into a life as well. Prior to THE SECRET being released, man lived in his normal sinful state, and since it's release nothing has changed. Why? Because man's ill's and redemption are not found in a SECRET, but in an open revelation called 'THE GOSPEL' Here again Satan is repackaging his old tactics, 'Man is the center, man is God, man can control his own destiny, man and creation are supreme, NOT GOD OR HIS WILL!!
Just as New Age philosophy is being consumed by a biblically naive culture ,WOF teachings are being served to an unsuspecting generation.
We will now analyze and examine the teachings of WOF and uncover its error, prayerfully bringing liberation and stability to those ensnared by it.
- Faith is a literal substance, All things including God, are subject to it. The 'force of faith' is released by words.
- God made an exact duplicate of Himself, Adam.
- Jesus was wealthy, and its God's will, that all be wealthy.
- Jesus was a sinful being on the cross, & suffered in hell.
- Man is a god.
- Slain in the Spirit.
- Positive confession.
- Guaranteed health.
The designation `Word of Faith' is ironic, since the Movement does not demonstrate an understanding of the 'Word' or 'faith'.
Kenneth Hagin declares that, "faith in ones own faith is the secret to getting every desire of the heart." There are several verses that WOF twist to support their views, but we feel that looking at two will establish the biblical position of faith.
In (Hebrews 11:1) WOF interpret the word 'substance' to mean the basic stuff the universe is made of, its the building block of the universe. BARC would like to point out that the Bible never uses substance in this sense. The word translated 'substance' in the NASB is 'assurance'. So then faith is the living trust, assurance which stretches man to God. One of the worlds foremost Greek scholars J.G. Maachen, took every reference to faith, and came to this conclusive definition: Faith is acting on the assurances of what God has said .
True biblical faith pistis (Greek) encapsulates three essential elements....knowledge....agreement......trust.
Greek scholars such as Dr. Goodspeed, Dr. Julius Mantey, agree that the Greek word hypostatsis should be rendered 'assurance' as rendered in the NASB, or 'being sure' as rendered in the NIV. So faith is, "the inner certainty about things that simply are not open to empirical verification, but are communicated by God's Word." So faith, far from being a physical or literal substance (material) it is, used in a relationship established by trust and maintained by trustworthiness.
Faith teachers claim God had to use faith to create the world, so like wise, we must use faith filled words, to create our reality. They misapply (Hebrews 11:3) by interpreting it to say: By His faith 'God' spoke the world into existence. But scholars agree that the subject is not God, but the subject is 'WE'. God is not using faith, but 'we' by using our faith believe that God created.
The parallels of WOF positive confessions with the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science are striking. Remember E. W. Kenyon studied the Mind Science Cults. These concepts have been practiced by other eastern Hindu science false teachers such as Tony Robins, Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuler, Napoleon Hill.
Mark 11:22 is another verse that is mistranslated by WOF. Faith teachers say that it means, 'have the God kind of faith', this appears correct if you are a novice in the Greek language. But upon closer inspection, the Greek words echte pistin theou (have, faith, God) in the grammatical construction of (Mark 11:22) makes theou an 'objective genitive' meaning the noun is the object of the action. Thus 'GOD' is the 'object' of faith not the 'possessor' of faith.
"Faith is summed up in various facets. To fully understand faith, one must see it in its complexity. One must understand, the warranty of faith, the reason for faith, the basis of faith, the misapprehensions of faith, what faith includes and what faith excludes. Faith is a gift and a fruit. Faith is trusting in the Word of God, and corresponding actions are indicators of real faith.
Indeed, beloved, even those who know what faith is, personally and experientially, do not always find it easy to give a good definition of it. They think they have hit the mark, and then, afterwards, they lament that they have failed. Straining themselves to describe some part of faith, they find they have forgotten another. In the excess of their earnestness to clear the poor sinner out of one mistake, they often lead him to worse error"- Charles Spurgeon
Faith teachers would do well to heed the admonition of the "Prince of Preachers," for they continue to use text such as Mark 11:22-23 to teach that faith is released by words. You can hear, them say that "mountain moving" faith is initiated by words. The teaching is, if you say, and doubt not, then you can have what you say. The scriptures are replete with passage after passage that tells us; our words and faith are governed by one important factor: THE WILL OF GOD!
It is noteworthy to reveal that Faith leaders oppose the will of God !
A WOF leader revered as a pioneer and icon of the Movement, refrains from using the term 'if it be thy will'? He concludes, "if a Christian has to say "if it be thy will" then you're calling God a fool." He considers the term a 'badge of doubt'. He claims that "if you say 'if it be' when you pray, God won't answer." If that's not absurd enough, he say's "THE LORD'S PRAYER IS NOT FOR CHRISTIANS!" WOF leaders are adamant on verbal confession. He even had the temerity to claim that "silent prayers never get answered." If he'd read the Bible before he teaches, he would have seen in (1 Thessalonians 5:17), that Paul wrote" Pray continually." This means be in a constant attitude of prayer. An attitude of prayer can be silent. How can we eat, or listen to anyone, if we were to be always praying out loud? According to him, it has to be verbal, and out loud.
In( Nehemiah 2), between verses 4&5 there is a prayer, but you'll not find the words spoken. It was silent, and it was answered. It saved Nehemiah's life and resulted in the wall being rebuilt in Jerusalem. Lastly, (1 Samuel 1:9-20) speaks of Hannah praying in her heart, her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. It was silent, and answered, for she had her son.
The WOF has forfeited a great attribute of God, His omniscience. God made man lower than angels. The scriptures tell us "It is not in man to know his way." God sent His Spirit to lead man, and gave us His Word to reveal His will. Not seeking God's will, is like playing spiritual roulette. We may go down spiritual roads with the bridges out. (Romans 11:33) explains "How God is full of knowledge, and might, God's way is unsearchable." (Isaiah 55:8) trumpets out to us: "MY thoughts are not your thoughts, My ways are not your ways."
This is why Paul wrote; "It is vital and important that we be not unwise of God's will."( Ephesians 5:17).There are numerous passages in scripture that commands us to commit to God's will, We will list a few, please read, (Galatians 1:4, Acts 21:14, Romans 1:10, 2:18, 9:19, 1 Corinthians 4:19, James 4:13-15.) To acknowledge God's will, would keep God on the throne, but 'faith' is king for WOF.
In the face of such blatant false doctrine, he is still an icon, and spiritual mentor for so many WOF practitioners.
A few text must be examined to isolate the error of WOF theology. BARC looked at biblical text, namely (Proverbs18:21); where it says "Death and life are in the power of the tongue". Faith teachers have taught that blessings and cursings will come into the life, by what you speak or don't speak. But Hebrew scholars suggest that the verse is speaking of the ability of the tongue to bring pain or deception into lives. Words have the ability to uplift or condemn, to break or bring life to ones spirit. It does not mean that you can effect your destiny or reality by what you say!!!
(Proverbs 6:2) says, "You are snared by the words of your mouth". WOF teachings advocate that curses, misfortune, or hindrances occur by having negative confessions. This verse outlines the neophytical and amateurish abilities that WOF leaders posses. The WOF has neglected to practice the principles of hermeneutics or they would not make such basic mistakes. This text has an historical implication that can't be missed. 2,500 years ago, the use of notary republics, and attorneys were non existent. The old hand shake and the words or promises that proceeded from your mouth were binding. Business transactions and the barter system only required a person to give a verbal commitment. It is this tradition that prompted Solomon to write "You are bound or committed by your verbal words." Snared by the words of your mouth, MEANS NOTHING MORE!
The WOF has built a theological construct on the premise, 'mans words create his reality'. It is common to hear people polluted by WOF doctrine say "be careful what you say, you're going to speak that thing into existence." They will get sick and go around saying "by His stripes I'm healed" over and over. They will get laid off their job and start saying "I'm employed, I have my job." I've attended churches and heard evangelist tell parishioners to go to the Lexus dealership and put their hands on a Lexus and claim it verbally by faith! The sad fact is, WOF creates a mystical world. Within this world are the things that are manifested and the other world, are the things you desire. By our confession or faith you can bring into manifestation your desires or dreams. By this concept, live in defeat or victory. So many live stagnant and oblique lives, ever holding on to baseless dreams that God never promised.
In order to promulgate this deception, it causes faith teachers to mangle other text from their true meaning. This occurs in (Romans 4:17); Paul is giving an exposition on the consistency of the Old Testament and the Gospel concerning justification by faith. The context is speaking of Gods method of justifying man by faith. The WOF splinters the continuity of the passage and interprets it to mean; Abraham could speak into existence "things that are not as if they were." Close review of the verse indicates that it was 'GOD' not Abraham who had the ability to speak things that were not tangibly evident as if they already existed. Abraham was considered the 'father of faith' because he practiced the fundamental aspects of true faith, [believe and act upon what God said]. Abraham did not just arbitrarily start speaking life into Sarah's womb, he only trusted that the God who promised him a son was reliable. In the face of old age, and the absence of Viagra, God said Sarah was having a baby!
The WOF is wrong, we can't call the things that are not as if they were. What a travesty if followers of this doctrine practice calling tumors that are in their body; 'to vanish'. Further on, they neglect going to the doctor because they were told to hold on to their confession like Abraham. If calling healing into existence does not occur, the consequences are devastating and final.
Why does BARC take such a strong stand against false teachings? Imagine you bought a health insurance policy, the policy said that it only paid for one annual doctor visit, annual physical exams, and only paid a maximum of $50,000 dollars in benefits for the life of the policy. But the person who sold it, told you it would pay for hospitalization, prescriptions, emergency room visits, surgery, out patient expenses, and disability payments. You don't take time to study the policy yourself and take their word for it.
Five years later you contract cancer and go to the hospital and they tell you that your out patient visits, are not covered, your medications, 45 days of hospitalization, surgery to remove tumors, and loss of work are not covered. You have an attorney look at the policy and it's true you're not covered. You incur medical bills of over $350,000 and lose your home, your savings, and ability to get coverage again. You experience relapses and have to continue to pay out of pocket or die!
The tragedy is, this is what happens spiritually when WOF leaders erroneously teach what God promises, and what abilities you have. When you encounter life's crises and the alleged promises don't work, many end up paying with ruined lives and an uncertainty of God's word and faithfulness. We must study for ourselves what is covered by God's word. God's will, His sovereignty, purpose, and confirmed promises are provisions covered in God's policy to us.
Another scripture that WOF fractures is (Matthew 16:19); They teach that Christians have the ability to bind and loose. But a survey of the verse reveals, that as an apostle, Peter was given a special calling to establish the foundations of the Church. In (Matthew 18:18) it tells us something similar, here it speaks of the apostles authority in the area of church discipline. The crux of the teaching is, their authority was only within the boundaries God already established. Jesus alluded to the verse in Isaiah 22:22 that speaks of the authority of Christ. The Bible says we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets and Jesus was the chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Peter was given apostolic ability to BIND AND LOOSE WHAT WAS ALREADY LOOSED IN HEAVEN!
The church does not have an unrestricted power of attorney with God!
Finally on the subject of confession, WOF adherents declare, Jesus cursed the fig tree, and we can speak to our trees of life and have them wither. They refer to (Mark 11:22-23) where Jesus said, 'you can speak to the mountain, and the mountains of your life will flee.' A more reasonable interpretation of the text is, Jesus saw a tree that was designed for providing life and nourishment to the world. The fruit or figs on a fig tree above all trees has the ecological ability to support the entire cycle of life. It supports all life from the microscopic parasite to the elephant. When Jesus saw the tree was not bearing fruit, he considered it worthless. It symbolically speaks of the Nation of Israel in it's fruitless condition and a warning to every individual who wears the name of Christ who does not bear fruit. (St. John 15) Far from providing us an example of unrestricted confessional authority. Jesus established the principle that if He speaks something, and you believe what He say's, God will likewise move mountains, wither trees and any other act to honor your faith in what He said. It reinforces Christ focus on the essentials.
Lets for demonstration purposes perform an exercise, shout out loud, I am the President of the United States, do it again, to make sure it got out into the atmosphere. Now go look in the mirror, we'll wait...............If you did it, and your name was not G.W. Bush, it didn't work. The missing ingredient of the entire flawed concept is the SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. The first rule of God's sovereignty is; God don't have to do nuthin God don't want to do. Rule two is similar, You can't make God do nuthin by your faith. That's poor grammar, but its very true.
Faith was granted to man, to allow him to respond to what God said. God is the conductor, the designer, navigator of our world. God does not take orders, or wait tables for what we say or demand. The 'faith god' is not 'Commander and Chief' but merely a 'private' that executes orders. The WOF has committed a spiritual coup and doctrinally dislodged God from His throne. Now 'faith' sits supreme on their throne.
WOF claims that since faith is in control, God has to do what our 'faith request' demand. A notable WOF leader said "God cannot do anything separate from faith." Just think of the implications of that statement, God....... cannot......... do something. No, God has never granted us spiritual Carte Blance on earth.
Within the WOF realm there is a circulating wind that has blown up a piece of doctrinal trash called 'Generational Curses'. The concept espouses that in essence Satan has planted a curse in a family bloodline and the curse is perpetual throughout the generations. If the curse of low self esteem, domestic violence, drug use, homosexuality, etc was injected into your family, it continues until the Christian makes some dynamic confession or spiritual counter attack to break the curse. There are ministers who have written books on the validity of generational curses. But let's look at the Bible as it relates to generational curses. Based on text being taken out of context it has become increasingly common to hear Christians believe they are victims of some generational curse.
The scripture tells us CLEARLY in Ezekiel 20:5 " the son will not share the guilt of the father or the father of the son" When the proverb "The Father eats the grapes and the teeth of the sons will be set on edge" that became socially popular and was spoken prominently in Israel. God responded in Ezekiel 18:2-4, that the proverb is to not be spoken because every man will give account for their own sins!!!! God has broken every curse when HE hung on the cross, He became a curse for us to break the source of every curse, SIN!! You can stand liberated on the sufficiency of the atonement of Christ. The WOF is saturated with novice Bible teachers who will parrot anything that another internally respected teacher says.
We see the use of the word 'Dominion' being used by WOF leaders, as meaning 'man received some endowment of sovereignty in the garden.' Benny Hinn claims that since we have dominion, we can do anything. Hinn as well as other WOF teachers have a bizarre idea of dominion. But they don't understand the Hebrew word translated 'have dominion' (radah) (Genesis 1:26,28) means 'rule as a steward'. A steward has a restricted power of attorney. This means that the designator gives the designee specific, limited, control over their affairs. God set parameters of what man had authority over. We find it interesting when researching the concept of dominion, we see The New Testament says man has no dominion over every affair (2 Corinthians 1:24). The Greek word for dominion is kratos meaning; lordship, rule over. WOF leaders didn't study their Bibles. They would have seen that man lost his dominion. (Hebrews 2:8-9) records that Man had in times past everything in subjection under his feet. He left nothing outside of man's control. BUT AT PRESENT.........WE DO NOT YET SEE ALL THINGS SUBJECTED TO MAN. v. 9; BUT WE SEE JESUS {with all things subjected unto Him}. That's why the twenty four Elders in (Revelation 4:10) threw their crowns which represented authority and dominion, and relinquished it to {Christ} God and confessed God has all dominion, glory majesty, We read similar testimonies in (1 Peter 4:11, 5:11) Revelation 19:1 states that Salvation, glory, power, and DOMINION BELONG TO OUR GOD! Contrary to WOF doctrine, God is still in control.
little gods or BIG FOOLS ?
Now we'll look at the false concepts that God made an exact duplicate of Himself, and the inference, that we are 'little gods.'
Faith teachers point to two primary scriptures to support their little god teaching. The first is (Psalms 82, WOF leaders are heard on TBN teaching that Psalms 82 teaches; 'we are gods'. The other text is St. (John 10:31-39). Lets expound on the two in light of each other. First in (John 10:31-39) Jesus is about to be stoned for claiming he was God. He responds to his opponents by quoting Psalms 82:6. In ironic fashion Jesus asks, "Is it not written in your law, I have said you are gods"?....... To this the faith teachers exclaim "Jesus said it, I believe it, and that settles it-we are little gods". It appears that WOF is correct at this juncture, but lets look at the Old Testament verses, so we can see what Jesus meant. If Jesus was teaching a little gods doctrine it would carry devastating implications. It would destroy the inerrancy of scripture, since (Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10,44:6) says there is one God. Finally, it would agree with the Devil, that we will be like God (Genesis 3:5). Any such teaching is no more than a doctrine of devils.
Let's take a closer look at (Psalms 82). God is holding court in a great assembly. He is pronouncing sentence on judges who were not fulfilling their purpose. God clearly ridicules human judges who have the audacity to think of themselves as gods. In other words God is chiding them by stating; "So you think you're gods,( Elohim, mighty ones) do you? Well the grave will prove you are mere men! When you die you will eternally know the difference between, mortal and immortal. The context will not support a little god doctrine. It is ruled out by their being unjust, wicked, and corruptible. This is nothing like a holy Deity. WOF teachers use the novice analogy that if 'we are sons then we are like our father. Another WOF leader says "Dogs have puppies, Cats have kittens so ...God has........little gods". However, we are not sons by nature, or essence, but we are sons by adoption. We have no characteristics of God.
The WOF also allude to (2 Peter 1:4), where it reads 'we are partakers of His divine nature' to mean that we have divinity in us. The context is speaking of our new nature that has transformed our morals. We can read in verses 5-11 it makes distinctions from the corruptible world and its deeds from our new life in Christ. In (Genesis 1:26) the Hebrew word for likeness is tselem which means similar, resemblance Not identical !! God used the term tselem to avoid the implication that man is a precise copy of God.
Now back to (John 10:34-36) when Jesus referred to the incident in Psalms 82, He was specifying that in Psalms 82, God was addressing wicked human judges. They were called (Elohim, gods) because they had limited authority as God's representatives. He was arguing that if Gods representatives were called gods, although they were corrupt humans, how much more of a right did He have to call Himself 'The Son of God'. Jesus in no way affirmed that the Old Testament judges were deities, but that they were trusted as His representatives as having authority over His covenant people.
When WOF leaders claim that we are gods, does anyone really see what they are saying? They are sabotaging the core of Christianity. The anthropomorphic status of man is distorted. Any first year divinity student learns one thing 'There is only one God/god'. This is basic. We at BARC are astonished to see so many people in the body of Christ eat the garbage that WOF teachers serve. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Jehovah's Witnesses make the same error. They deny Jesus is God, so they changed (John 1:1) to ....and the Word was a god. With the stroke of the pen, introduced polytheism into Christianity. The WOF believes in millions of gods [all Christians], but worships the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. This is a type of Mormon theology, believing men can be gods. Lets go back to Sunday School: In Genesis, we see where God made animals, creeping things, stars, heavens, angels, mankind, but we don't see the creation of ...gods.
When they claim we are gods, just think of the absurdity of the statement. God is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, without error, infallible. 'We'... don't know what's going to happen in one minute. We drive cars, and ride in planes because we are not ultra-dimensional and omnipresent. We don't have the power to cure the common cold, let alone create the Milky Way. We are sinful, inconsistent, vile, wretched. Paul who wrote 2/3 of the New Testament didn't teach men were gods. He said something quite different. Paul said in (Romans 7:24); Oh wretched MAN that I AM!! We posses no qualities or attributes of divinity or deity. We suppose, if you believe you can speak anything into existence, then you'll believe you're a god also. We chide The Watch Tower for teaching there are little gods, but we accept WOF when they pervert the word.
ATONEMENT ATROCITIES
Another aspect of WOF doctrine is the concept of guaranteed health. Within the confines of faith teaching, we must let its leaders speak for themselves, we at BARC can't believe what they say:
"We don't allow sickness in our home"
"I have not had a headache, the flu, or even a sick day in 60 years, I confess my healings, and get results in seconds.'
"You have a covenant with Almighty God, and one of your covenant rights is the right to a healthy body "
"He healed you 2,000 years ago, all you have to do is receive your healing by faith."
"Sickness does not belong to you, it has no place in the body."
Although a prominent WOF leader claims he does not allow sickness in his home, we at BARC are sad to report that his dear wife was stricken with cancer, and has profusely thanked her doctors for the careful treatments of radiation and chemotherapy she received. The other may claim that he has never been sick, or had a sick day. But the facts show he has suffered at least four cardiovascular crises, some lasting six weeks, including a full scale heart stoppage. And just as atheist, Muslims, witches and warlocks, he kept his appointment with death. Faith healer Oral Roberts suffered a heart attack hours after he was supposedly healed of chest pains by TBN president Paul Crouch.
From the onset, It is apparent, what faith teachers teach, doesn't work in their own lives.
The WOF myth is that when Adam sinned, he got God thrown off the planet and Adam received the satanic nature. Since that time man has been plagued with sin, sickness, suffering and death. God got Abraham to strike a deal, part of the deal was that Abraham and his seed were promised tremendous wealth and total health. WOF teaches that "The basic principle of the Christian faith is to know that God put our sins, sickness, disease, sorrow, grief, and poverty on Jesus at Calvary." The WOF teaches that health is something we already possess. When symptoms of sickness arise it is just the devil trying to steal the health that is already yours. This is why faith teachers teach that all you have to do is just 'confess' what the word says; 'by His stripes we are healed'.
Now we can see the components of WOF error, a flawed concept of confession, a flawed concept of Christ atonement, leads to a flawed concept of healing.
We will look at the biblical teaching on healing, and explore the definitive distortions of WOF teachings.
WOF leaders are biblical neophytes, they appear to be so learned and anointed, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are no scholars within the WOF movement. It's like having no certified doctors in a hospital. They have Bible colleges, but the staff of these institutions are from biased backgrounds. The staff of Brigham Young University has a biased persuasion towards Mormonism. The Bethel Bible College of Jehovah's Witnesses leans completely towards the Watch Tower theology. The staff at World Harvest Bible College, are WOF trained and credentialed. There are Jewish Universities that teach the scriptures, however, they deny that Jesus is the Messiah. For the most part WOF leaders only have enough Bible knowledge to be dangerous.
A WOF leader demonstrates this when he quotes (Ephesians 5:23) to mean that Jesus is the Savior of 'the body'. He interprets this verse to mean that health is guaranteed because Jesus is the Savior of the physical body. When you read the passage, it is unmistakable that Jesus was not talking about the physical body. Jesus called the 'Church' His body. This is the danger of following WOF leaders, they are so lacking in biblical acumen, they will hurt trusting people who believe their interpretations.
I can personally site an incident when I was in management within a Fortune 500 company. I was interviewing a young lady in Atlanta for a position in our office. She was incoherent, listless and inattentive. I asked her if she was alright? She explained, she had attended the ICM conference held at 'World Changers' in Atlanta. She explained that the speaker proclaimed that 'all were healed by Jesus stripes', so she would not take her medication any longer. Unfortunately she has Lupus, and had to get her mother to dress her to come to the interview. I told her of the danger of WOF, advised her to go home and take her medication, and I would interview her later. What if I echoed WOF teachings? What if I'd said "those symptoms are just the devil stealing your healing?"
Another grim incident occurred when a family believed the false teachings of WOF leaders. In his book, 'We let our son die' Lucky Parker writes, how he denied his son insulin because he was taught by WOF leaders that confessing healing would bring manifested healing to his son. His son went into a diabetic coma and died. The family was arrested and charged with neglect, and second degree murder. They were sentenced, and served time in prison. But worse than all, they lost their son. These incidents occur too often in WOF circles.
One of the text that WOF mistranslates is (Isaiah 53:5), The prophecy says, that Jesus would be wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and by His stripes we are healed. Contrary to Faith teachings, the Hebrew word rapah often refers to spiritual rather than physical healing. For example Jeremiah 3:22 says; Return O faithless sons; I will heal (rapah) your faith. He is not speaking of physical healing. God makes it clear as crystal, that in (Isaiah 53:5) He was talking about spiritual healing by saying transgressions and iniquities would be healed.
When looking at the New Testament reference of this prophecy, (1 Peter 2:24) , Peter enlarges on the proper understanding of it. It says; "He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his stripes you have been healed. Peter being inspired by the Holy Spirit speaks with poignant clarity; Jesus death on the cross guaranteed one thing, the forgiveness of sins! Hank Hanegraaff states: "One of the corollaries that must be induced if you teach that healing was guaranteed in the atonement is salvation and healing must be accessed in the same manner. If one does not have enough faith to make ones self well then he does not have enough faith to be saved."
Divine healing is a benefit of our redemption, but not a guarantee. God heals every day, but some are not healed. WOF will suggest that lack of faith by the Christian is why sickness persist. (Isaiah 55:4) does speak of Christ providing healing for the body, but it was fulfilled in Christ earthly ministry, not on the cross!!!! Read (Matthew 8:16-17), this confirms that since it occurred before the cross our healing is not guaranteed today. Dr. Vincent, Dean of Word Studies, when writing about the word 'bare' (abatazare) in (Matthew 8:17). He writes "this translation is correct. The word does not mean, "He took away" but He bore as a burden laid upon him. This passage is the cornerstone of the faith cure theory, that claims that the atonement of Christ included bodily healing. They insist on translating it 'took away."
Dr. Walter Martin with five doctorates in theology says; "The whole range of biblical scholarship insist that the faith cure theory will not stand up in the Greek text, and has no basis to be taught." There are two Greek words that must be considered, the first is anaphero; to carry a burden, as a cross, suffer on the behalf of others. The other word is bastazo; which means to have empathy with, identify with them in their plight; to care greatly for. Hebrews says; We have a High Priest that is touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15) Both Greek words are translated bore, or bare. In (Matthew 8:16-17), the word bare, is not anaphero, but bastazo, it does not mean he carried, or bore our sickness on the cross, but he had empathy for them. To understand what the Old Testament meant, you have to see it in the light of the New Testament. Matthew was inspired to give us the true interpretation of (Isaiah 53). Dr. Vincent says: "Matthew could have chosen no other word more inappropriate than bastazo, if he meant to teach that our sicknesses were a part of the atonement at Calvary."
What does it all mean? Should Christians expect to see their diseases healed? Yes, we should pray for healing, but more than that, we should desire to see the 'will of God' done. Although WOF leaders defame Job, God provided us with an entire book, 'The Book of Job', that outlines the critical aspects of His will, Satan's desires and constraints, the nuances of evil and human suffering. These are core components in discerning the events of our lives. Within this book we see that sickness, calamity, disasters, are all within the sovereignty of a loving just God. The Bible records three periods of prolific miracles. WOF leaders don't know this. The first period was the period of Moses, the second was the period of the prophets, Elijah and Elisha, the last was the period of Christ and the apostles. God had specific purposes for miracles. They asked Jesus to perform a miracle during His trials and crucifixion, but He did not. Why? He raised Lazarus for a specific reason, that men will believe. Jesus performed miracles to confirm that He was God in human form. The apostles performed prolific miracles to confirm they were truly the servants of God tasked with establishing His church and inspired to write the New Testament.
The Bible is replete with many examples of great men of God being sick. Job was affirmed as a great man of faith, but was covered from head to foot with boils. Paul confessed to the Galatians that because of 'bodily illness' was preaching to them for the first time. (Galatians 4:13). Paul told Timothy to take no water, but a little wine for his stomach (1 Timothy 5:23). Paul left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). Epaphroditus fell ill and nearly died, (Philippians 2:25-30).
Paul, who was the inspired writer of most of the New Testament, was plagued with a thorn in the flesh. Paul asked God to heal him three times. God said "My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness" ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). What did Jesus say to Paul? NO, I'm not going to heal you! Did Paul have lack of faith? No! If the apostles understood faith, and were inspired by God to write the scriptures, and they were plagued with sickness, then certainly modern Faith teachers are incorrect. The WOF look down on prayer request for the 'sick and shut-in', for anyone on that list, is lacking faith, and are not in the will of God. The truth is, even Faith teachers get sick, and die, just like all other men.
One final verse must be clarified, ((James 5:14-15), It says; "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the Elders of the church. And let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. To understand this verse, you have to see the specific historical setting of the text. In this instance, a certain man committed a sin that resulted in sickness. God is chastening him, in order to bring him back into fellowship. This promise, is to the person who has sickness that is a direct result of sin. If he repents, confesses it before the elders, God will heal. This verse does not guarantee healing to all Christians for every sickness. To take the passage literally would mean that healing can only occur with the use of oil, or only if an elder prays. If this was the only verse in scripture concerning faith or healing, then we would concur that this is the methodology prescribed to the Church. There are approximately 31,173 verses in the Bible, to understand what one is saying, we must enlist and learn from the testimony of the other 31,172.
(1 John 5:14) says; "This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He listens and hears us." All faith is controlled and governed by this verse. Anointing with oil, or calling on the name of the Lord, will not bring healing unless it's the will of God!!
CORE OF CORRUPTION
We will now delve into the WOF doctrine of guaranteed wealth. We at BARC must declare that God neither condemns or condones wealth. But in keeping with the theme of scripture, we are to embrace eternal perspectives verses earthly verities. We are reminded of the admonition the Holy Spirit gave to Paul when writing young Timothy; "People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction" ( 1Timothy 6:9). Despite Paul's warnings, we see those within the WOF promoting wealth as our divine right.
Jesus said; "Watch out!!! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions!" Jesus also told us the 'Rich man' was a fool. The Bible wants us to 'Seek first the Kingdom of God.' This is 180 degrees out of phase from the Faith message. Hank Hanegraaff concludes; its a "Brand of Christianity" that is little more than a baptized form of greed garbed in a thin veneer of "Christianese." [Visit Christian Research Institute] at WWW.EQUIP.ORG As Quintin Schultze, author of Televangelism and American Culture astutely noted: Televangelist offer their own personalized expressions of the gospel as adapted from and directed to American culture. To put it more strongly, the faith of some televangelist is more American than Christian, more popular than historic, more personal than collective, and more experiential than biblical. As a result, the faith they preach is highly affluent, selfish, and individualistic.......These three aspects of televangelism's faith system....reflect the American Dream, whereby a self motivated individual supposedly attains great affluence. They also reflect the impact of modernity on the church!
The Church is being transformed by the culture. Preachers who are committed to presenting a Jesus who wears a Rolex watch, will butcher any text to support their view. In His book 'Midas Touch' Kenneth Hagin has taken several verses out of context to support guaranteed wealth, and the myth that Jesus was rich. He claims that the gifts that Jesus received at birth were worth so much, that He lived His thirty three years in abundance. In His book 'How I learned Jesus was not poor.' a faith leader says;...."The Bible says that He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. That's why I drive a Rolls Royce. I'm following Jesus steps." When Jesus said in Luke 9:58;" The foxes have holes the birds have nest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
A WOF leader, interprets the verse to mean; in Samaria, Jesus was conducting a seminar and He didn't have a Holiday Inn with any vacancies. He didn't have anywhere in Samaria to sleep, because all the hotels were at full occupancy. There is no Greek scholar who will support this view. Jesus would be Bipolar to be rich, and then tell His disciples in John 6:27, to not labor for the material, and He was aggressively pursuing, and lavished in it Himself.
WOF leaders are all rich. They teach that Jesus was rich, and wore the best designer clothes in an attempt to justify their own extravagance. But Jesus said he didn't wear good clothes, those in the presence of earthly worldly kings wore those kinds of clothes (Luke 7:24-25).The WOF teaches us that all the disciples were rich. But let's take a snapshot of what the scriptures reveal about the financial status of the disciples. In (Acts 3), we see where Peter and John were coming to the Gate called Beautiful. There was a beggar there who was lame, who asked for money from the disciples. What did they say? Did they say, all you have to do is take out the few pennies you have, sow them by faith into our ministry and you'll receive a hundredfold return? Did they say, here take $200,000, we are rich men, go buy you a home, clothes, and a Lexus? No, they said "Silver and gold have we none," = We don't have any money! But we do have the gospel and the anointing to heal your body.
In (1 Corinthians 4:9-13) it tells us something about their social and financial status,....."to this very hour we have gone hungry, thirsty, we [habitually] have no change of underwear. We shiver in the cold, are knocked about, wandering around homeless. And we still toil unto weariness [for our living] working with our own hands....we are rubbish, and filth [socially] the scum of the earth."
When we look at Paul and the disciples, we don't see $2,000 designer suits or Rolex watches, we see persecuted men, living in lack, fulfilling their commission to 'preach the gospel throughout the world.' Paul was a tent maker, he would work at his craft to free people of giving to him. Paul needs his head examined, to spend his days working making tents, if he was wealthy. Imagine if Bill Gates was unloading trucks for $300.00 dollars a week, you'd call him mad. We would have to call Paul a hypocrite, to tell Timothy "riches were a trap, a snare, and causes destruction" if he was himself living in luxury.
Many teach that its God's highest will that we be financially prospered. They allude to (3 John 2); "I would above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your souls prospers." We were taught that this verse confirms God's support of our being healthy, and wealthy. However, this passage is a 'salutation' its how we would open a letter we are writing. We might open like this; I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and health. John was simply writing to Gaius," Hi Gaius, I hope this letter finds you prosperous and in good health. "Far from being a doctrine, that it's God's highest will for the church to be healthy and wealthy, it's just a simple salutation.
WOF leaders are posing as certified Bible teachers, but they understand little of the Bibles doctrines. Nowhere do we see more abuse than in the area of finances. The WOF leaders run like Secretariat past verses such as( Matthew 6:19-20); The Master told us "Do not store up for yourselves treasure on the earth where moth, rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. (Matthew 13:22) says that "riches are deceitful and choke the word." In (Luke 16), it gives the graphic account of the 'rich man' and Lazarus. The rich man died and went to eternal torment, and the 'poor' Lazarus obtained eternal life with God. How we admire the rich and famous, but no one wants to be Lazarus!
WOF leaders utilize verses out of context to hood wink their followers. We will look at a few.
In (Deuteronomy 8:18) it says, "It is God who gives you power to get wealth." The Greek equivalent for the word wealth is euporia, meaning-well provided for. The context of the stated text is that the provisions that Israel enjoyed came from God, not their own abilities. Wealth is a very subjective term, it could be defined differently by each person. To some $100,000 dollars is wealth. To Bill Gates, having only $100,000 means jumping out of a window. Wealth is used synonymously with material provisions in many instances. The fact is, most mega rich men in our world, gained it through industry, contrary to God's will. Phillip Morris didn't get rich through God's power. Neither did Larry Flynt, Michael Jackson, Warren Buffet, Edward Eisner, Ted Turner, Donald Trump, Bernie Ebbers, William Coors, Rockefeller, Kennedy, Michael Dell and countless others.
To teach that God empowers all to acquire wealth is erroneous. To teach that God may grant certain persons wealth for His purpose, is indeed biblical. But in spite of that fact, we hear WOF leaders snorting" It is God, who empowers us to get wealth." The inference is; If we want wealth, it's ours, because it's God's will. Imagine if you gave an allowance to your child, and the child went around bragging about their money, and acted as if they worked a job for it. Instead of being grateful to you, they came and waved the money in your face. You pull the child aside and say, "Don't forget it was I who gave you the money." This is all the verse is saying! But WOF twist it's context to fit their idea that it's God's will, and our right to be wealthy.
Many have heard of Martin Luther King Jr. He was a great civil rights leader in the fifties and sixties. King was named after Martin Luther, a German Monk, who was used of God to bring reformation to the church of Jesus Christ. The world was reeling from the dark ages, totally engulfed in spiritual darkness. Roman Catholicism was dominating spirituality in Europe. There was a monk named Johann Tetzel who was commissioned by Rome to con and scam the common people by selling indulgences. How he did it was to tell people " As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, The soul from purgatory springs.
This entailed the people giving money to get their loved ones out of purgatory. If religious leaders introduce an ideology that giving money will produce God's favor, and accomplish spiritual blessings, then we have a doctrine that say's, "you can buy God." This is exactly what occurred in ( Acts 8:1-24). Simon a sorcerer, made much money using his skill in magic, duping people into thinking it was God at work. When he saw the real power of God, he used his old carnal methods of thinking he could purchase it with money. Simon was rebuked by the apostles for his wicked desires.
Luther stood like Phillip and the apostles, and resisted the idea that you could buy spiritual things. This led to his infamous 95 thesis, where he challenged the audacity of Rome selling blessings from God. Money manipulation is what caused Luther to start the 'Reformation'. We at BARC are standing just as Luther and saying, We resist the greed, and manipulation that occurs through money. Luther was swiftly and severely punished, Rome labeled Luther a heretic.
We at BARC expect similar reviews from WOF adherents. You will hear catchy phrases from the money manipulators such as, "Have a need plant a seed." Oral Roberts notable for his colossal lie that; "God was going to kill him if he didn't raise $8,000,000 in January 1987. He and his son Richard used the lowest form of persuasion to get the money. They sent out letters that said;" Giving will help you avoid terrible new diseases." Richard wrote that people would receive a 'hundredfold' return on their money. He said that if people didn't give, they would be hit by the devil with bad things and "People will wish that 1985 would have never come."
Roberts even descended to the gutter level and warned, "people will die if they didn't send money."
You can hear so many in the WOF state that 'seed-faith' theology comes from the Bible. The Bible primarily calls seed, 'The Word', not money. The truth is, the idea came from Charles Fillmore, founder of Unity School of Christianity (a metaphysical school). WOF teaches that according to Mark 10:30, if you give one house, you'll get one hundred in return. They forgot verse 25 says, riches are an obstacle to the Kingdom of God. Why would Jesus speak against wealth, possessions, and then immediately promote giving, so you can get one hundred times more? She like all other WOF teachers forget, if God literally meant He'd give back one hundred fold, then He would literally give 100 wives, 100 persecutions,100 mothers. Who believes, that God actually gives one hundredfold persecutions? The language is metaphoric, any student of hermeneutics knows this. When David said in (Psalms 50), that God has cattle on a thousand hills, He was speaking metaphorically. For we know, that God owns all the cattle on all the hills.
John Avanzini, popularized this term and procedure, through his testimony, that while in Abba, Nigeria, God told him that he was going to have a 'sign and wonder' ministry. The sign was speaking a 'hundredfold increase' to all who gave. After telling the Nigerian leaders that God was going to give a hundredfold return. As soon as the 'lie' was told, Negroes went crazy. They filled pillow cases full of money. The crowd was so frenzied, that they had to be restrained from giving. People still threw money at the WOF leader. We must mention, that no one got a hundred fold return. Imagine if Charles Schwab guaranteed 100 fold return on an investment. Greedy, money hungry people, would put all they had into those Schwab accounts. What could muster more giving than a hundred fold return from God?
Jan and Paul Crouch heard of the response to the 'fundraising tactic' and summoned him to TBN. Now, he is a leader in the TBN 'Scam-A, excuse me, Tel-A-Thon. According to Hank Hanegraaff, "Now, just as in Nigeria, American Christians are now throwing money at Faith teachers, hoping for a hundredfold return." If the hundredfold doctrine was fact, prosperity preachers would never ask their followers for more money. They would simply go into the streets and give it away as fast as they could, so they could get one hundred times more from God. All poverty would be gone. "Faith teachers don't believe or practice the garbage they teach." They tell you to give to them, and all your needs will be met, but really manipulate you to give, so their needs are met.
WOF teaches that the Bible gives us an example that we are to sow or give in an effort to get something back. He sites the Widow who gave two pennies in the treasury as giving out of her want (Luke21:1-4). They explain the verses to mean that she wanted something from God, so she gave everything she had to get it. Their ploy is to get innocent people to give up their money, even their last money to get something from God. But this highlights how ominous and uninformed they are. The text clearly teaches us that the widow gave out of her penury which is an old English word for POVERTY!
She didn't give two pennies with a give to get motive, she gave her all of two pennies because she was poor! Her heart was right, when you are poor your few pennies are more valuable and precious than $10,000 to a rich person. That's why Jesus said she gave more than all. God rewards us for our motives and proper perspective. The Bible provides an example of Jacob making a vow to give money with an intent to get something back from God (Genesis 28:20-22). This is a archetypal example of a unspiritual bribe. What WOF leaders are shaping people to become selfish, carnal bribers. Giving a little to get more from God!
When WOF teachers use seed-faith terminology to get you to give, they site ( Matthew 17:20), Having faith as a grain of mustard seed. This text does not mean that we can sow and use faith to get what we want from God! All it means is, if they used their faith to heal the epileptic, it would be accomplished. Why? Because it was God's will that he be healed. They failed due to lack of faith. Some WOF leaders point to (Galatians 6:7) that says; You will reap what you sow. From the context, it is not suggesting, a give to get scheme, rather it appeals to people crucifying selfishness and serve God towards eternal life.
(2 Corinthians 9), speaks of sowing offerings sparingly or grudgingly. The text is speaking of God blessing a proper motive in giving, and using a giving heart to continue to supply the needs of ministry towards the poor. God promises to bless His people as they give out of their heart, as an act of love and compassion to hurting people. Don't give to pay for alligator shoes, $2,000 suits, and $3,000,000 dollar mansions. Give to the local church that is fiducially responsible, and give to organizations that are reaching the lost and feeding the poor. The heart was the focus not what was given!
We have seen credulous Christians so enamored with their Faith leader that they close their eyes to any scam. There is the 'hold your wallet in the air' scam. Then we have the 'hold your tithe in the air' scam. The 'hundred dollar line' scam, the 'speak to your purse' scam. We see the 'lay your seed at the apostle's feet' scam. We see these prosperity pimps standing before God's precious people, promoting that people lay their hard earned dollars at their feet. Why? The subtle suggestion is they are God's anointed, and by sowing money into their ministry, will produce great blessings, protection, and monetary return. These false teachers have no boundaries, they sell, so called anointed water, thread, cloth, beads, oil. All in an effort to get more money. They send you a cheap free gift, to get you on their mailing list, to solicit more money.
They ask for tithes, then double tithes, then triple tithes.
They may as well put dollar signs on the church banner :
FIR$T A$$EMBLY OF CHRI$T
Madison Ave is alive and well in the modern church!
These prosperity preachers, will make great promises, but they are the only ones who profit. This is similar to the casino. You will see the people who hit the jackpot on big pictures on the casino wall. They are seen smiling holding a big $50,000 check in their hand. The psychology is, illicit more gambling by advertising incidences of success. The prosperity preachers of the world resort to the same mundane tactics. They will televise a few people who apparently received some benefit from the ministry, as a stimulus for others to continue following their erroneous doctrines.
In a casino, people are drawn by the numbers, promises, and possibility of winning. People play the lottery daily in an effort of 'hitting the jack pot.' But remember "THE HOUSE ALWAYS WINS"!!!!!! They come up with unbiblical phrases and affirmations like" MONEY COMES TO ME NOW IN JESUS NAME" . Their followers play the Christian lottery, in hope of getting something from God.
This is indulgences, dressed up in biblical terminology!
There are leaders influenced by WOF methods, who tell their followers that God will curse them if they don't pay tithes. But the curses of the Old Testament are nailed to the cross. How dare anyone suggest that God would curse His adopted children so they can get their money. A WOF leader on a 2000 TBN telethon promised that whoever sent in $2,000 dollars would be rewarded with the .......salvation of their loved ones. Wow, this is better than hitting the lottery, I can buy my families eternal life for only 2K,.................... get my check book! As I look at the parking lot of 'WOF Mega Churches, I see an abundance of wealth. I see fancy cars, richly dressed people, but they are the pastor, wife, a few staff members.
The 20,000 other members who drove in pickups, Hondas, smoking Chevrolets, and assorted automobiles, look like members of any other church. The parking lot looks like any other parking lot. It looks like the Wal-Mart parking lot. They are average people, with average incomes and wealth. If what WOF teaches was correct, WHY ISN'T IT WORKING?
Think of the millions who play the state lottery, thinking that they may be the 'one'. What keeps them playing week after week is the knowledge that 'someone' will hit the jackpot. Within the WOF, the one who 'hits' week after week,....... is the leader. They sit in the pew and observe the leader spouting so called 'principles of financial success', wearing Versace suits, riding in Lear jets, driving in Rolls Royce automobiles, living in $3,000,000 dollar homes and deduce, 'It's working for him.' So they keep playing the Christian lottery.
WOF leaders deflect criticism of thier extravagance, by stating that none of the cars, homes, planes belong to them,... they belong to the ministry. This sounds so humble and disarming. However, if no one can drive the cars, ride in the planes, live in the houses, but Dollar, whose are they? You can list assets under the 'church' corporation, but can tithe paying, offering giving, seed sowing members use 'mega church' planes, Bentley's, Rolls Royce's, mansions? NO! NO! NO!
I see so many ministers across the United States who have national ministries, such as Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, Dr. James Dobson, Dr. Michael Youssef, Chip Ingram, Dr. Charles Swindoll, Dr. John Mc Arthur who could live lavishly, but commit all resources to the ministry. They live moderate lives, choosing to give to the people of God. Some WOF leaders gave $100,000 dollars to Katrina victims, unfortunately they choose to live in affluence through the contributions people thought were targeted for God's work.
I personally hired numerous persons from a 'mega church' in Atlanta, Ga. The members were no different than all other employees. They confessed all the financial prosperity rhetoric. They shouted the affirmation "money cometh to me now, in Jesus name." They still were in debt, had no savings. They borrowed money from me. They beat their wives, lied, cheated, broke policies, had drug, and sex addictions, just like all other employees. Most didn't have automobiles, but rode the MARTA buses and trains to work. Their leader may teach, sow into the ministry for financial prosperity. But just like the lottery and gambling casinos, it has never benefited the community. The list of broke, destitute people who played the lottery is innumerable, and covert. Sadly, the Christian Lottery is no different.
The words of Jesus, still rings clearly through the ages; "Do not worry about what to eat, drink, or wear, for unbelievers worry about those things, your Father knows you need them, but seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all other things will be added to you (the things you need)" ( Matthew 6:31-33). God is not obligated to give you what you want, but only what you need. James 4:3 says; you can ask for things, but God won't give them because of your evil motives. Wealth is not God's will for the church, nor is abundance, He only promised to meet our needs. "He shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory "(Philippians 4:19).
The church resist suffering. We don't want crosses, we want crowns. We desire the sunshine, not the rain. We don't want to serve God because He's good, we want His goods. To so many, Jesus is a means to their end. BUT, JESUS IS THE END. We are a barley loaf generation. The WOF has preyed upon the climate of our carnal 'I want it now' nature, and sold us pipe dreams. That's why the WOF churches are the largest congregations in America. Sinful, capitalistic conditioned people can go to a church that makes them feel good and give them apparent principles that will bring them a good, safe, suffering free, rich, 90210 life style. The church service is transforming to a self help, man centered seminar. What we hear is a Tony Robins, Dr. Phil self improvement approach. The WOF is a hybrid of the new Seeker Sensitive move, which attracts people by surveying what they like, want, and desire and shape your ministry to the survey. Is it no wonder that the #1 Bestseller in 2005 was written by WOF leader entitled "Your Good Life Now".
Repentance, and the cross bearing, suffering life is avoided by WOF clergy. This is the hotbed for great numerical growth. What are the benefits of a mega-church? Prestige, prowess, recognition, money, fame, all the trappings of our egocentric Adamic nature. John Piper in his book Desiring God, said; "A wealth and prosperity doctrine is afoot today, shaped by half truth that says, We glorify God with our money by enjoying thankfully all things he enables us to buy. Why should a child of a King live like a pauper?
The true half is, that we should give thanks for every good thing God enables us to have. That does glorify him. The false half is the subtle implication that God can be glorified in this way, by all kinds of luxurious purchases. If this was true, Jesus would never have said, Sell your possessions and give alms ( Luke 12:33). John the Baptist would not have said, He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none.( Luke 3:11). The Son of man would not have walked around with nowhere to lay His head, (Luke 9:58).And Zacchaeus would not have given half his goods to the poor. (Luke 19:8).
God is not glorified when we keep for ourselves (no matter how thankfully) what we ought to use to alleviate the misery of the unevangelized, uneducated, unmedicated, and unfed millions. The evidence that many professing Christians have been deceived by this doctrine is how little they give, and how much they own. God has prospered them. And by an almost irresistible law of consumer culture (baptized by a doctrine of health, wealth, prosperity) they have bought bigger houses, newer and more cars, fancier and more clothes, all manner of trinkets, gadgets containers and devices and equipment to make life more fun.
They will object: Does not the Old Testament promise that God will prosper His people? Indeed! God increases our yield so that by giving, we can prove our yield is not our god. God does not prosper a man's business so that he can move from a Ford to a Cadillac. God prospers a business so that 17,000 unreached peoples can be reached with the gospel. God prospers a business so that twelve percent of the worlds population can move a step back from the precipice of starvation.
The issue is not how much a person makes. Big industry and big salaries are a fact of our times, and are not necessarily evil. The evil is in being deceived into thinking a $100,000 dollar salary must be accompanied by a $100,000 dollar lifestyle. God has made us conduits of His grace. The danger is in thinking the conduit should be lined with gold. It shouldn't. Copper will do."
The bank statement in heaven is what counts, remember Jesus words; Lay not up for yourselves treasures on the earth, for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. SEEK THOSE THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE!
SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT
Slain in The Spirit (SIS) is the final aspect of the WOF that we will examine. This phenomenon is the 'badge' that supposedly confirms the power of God in the midst of a ministry. SIS is defined as; someone supposedly falling semi comatose after someone prays, or God touches them. BARC does not suggest that a person who accepts or believes in SIS is not born again, but we warn of it's unscriptural precedence and dangers. The person who was initially credited with exposing this generation to the 'power' was Maria Woodworth-Etter. She lived from 1844-1924.She was called the "Priestess of divine healing," and was reported to have suddenly 'frozen' for over 24 hours in the middle of a sermon. So many in WOF, point to her as a conduit and vessel of the Holy Ghost. However, she was a false prophet who prophesied that San Francisco would be destroyed by an earthquake and a tidal wave in 1890.
Following Maria was Aimee Semple Mc Pherson , she carried the torch of the SIS act further than Maria ever dreamed. She had a fascination and obsession with the SIS phenomenon. Aimee proudly testified of the common SIS occurrence in her meetings. It was the 'sign' that drew the crowds. Aimee spoke of people falling by the organs, and all sides of the church, as they received the Holy Ghost. It was accompanied by being knocked unconscious by God. Although many speak of Aimee as being an anointed servant of God, they fail to mention that she had several disappearances, alleged affairs, multiple marriages, and apparent death from a drug overdose.
When Aimee died of the drug overdose in 1944, she was replaced by another rising star in the WOF, counterfeit revival movement. A woman had meticulously studied her, "taking in every movement, every song, every dramatic presentation, every altar call from the vantage of the Angelus Temple balcony." She lived in Aimee's shadow during her early ministry, until Aimee's death . This woman was Kathryn Kuhlman, she soon became the most famous woman preacher of all. Kathryn loved her super star status. She had a flamboyant lifestyle. She loved expensive clothes, precious jewels, luxury hotels, and first class travel. Kathryn, just as Aimee had suspicious relationships, for her husband left his wife, to marry Kathryn.
Kathryn impressed her followers by her ability to 'Slay people in the Spirit'. She boasted of many miracle healings, but benefited most for her ability to put people 'under the power'. When questioned about the 'Power', she replied;" Our spiritual beings are not wired for God's full power. When we plug into that full power, we can't survive it. We are wired for low voltage, God is high voltage through the Holy Spirit. Many who were influenced by Kathryn was, Oral Roberts, Charles Hunter, Francis Mc Nutt, and a young immigrant named Benedictus 'Benny' Hinn.
Benny Hinn, said, "I have got to have this power', when he first encountered Kathryn Kuhlman's ministry. He explained; "I wanted it with every atom and fiber within me." Hinn say's the Power he got was so enormous that when people walked by him, they would fall SIS. Hinn speaks of an occasion that while his mother was cleaning the hallway, when he walked out of his room into the hall, she was thrown back into the wall. Hinn also claims that when he first entered his pulpit, he lifted his hand to 'summon' the Holy Spirit, and people began to cry and fall on the floor. Today, Hinn is seen blowing on people and they fall unconscious.
Closer examination of Hinn and the other cast of characters who exercise SIS reveals, it is not supported by scripture. BARC must give notice, that all of the pioneers of the phenomenon, none referred to the Bible to test if it was of God. In all error, the Bible is forsaken or misinterpreted. We at BARC have seen SIS first hand. We have been involved in it's deception. In 1998, I was personally convicted by the Holy Spirit while teaching in Colorado Springs. The Spirit convicted me to look at the phenomenon from a biblical perspective. I have prayed for people and had them cry, fall back, lay on the ground. My experience told me that this was God at work. Preachers in