Archive for May, 2007
Friday, May 25th, 2007
My sister sent me this from the City Church’s web site:
At the City Church we believe it is a sacred and important decision for a person to make the confession, “I am a Christian.” It is equally as important to declare, “This is my church where the Lord has planted me.” Relationships, worked out in the context of the local church, validate the reality of our faith.
It is just as important to say “this is my church” as it is to say “I follow Christ”? What scripture is that from? I do think it is important to be part of the body of Christ, but you are automatically part of that when you follow Christ. If you are a Christian, you will love the brethren.
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 1 John 3:14
There is nothing in the Bible about knowing we have passed from death to life because we go to church. As a matter of fact, many people who go to church are not part of the brethren (see the parable about the wheat and the tares).
I think it is just a sign of the control and manipulation that goes on in the larger church institutions today. Instead of pointing us to Christ, these churches require the unbiblical tithe, require lots of time and volunteering, and blind allegiance to the leaders (see the book “Under Cover” by John Bevere).
Here is a quote from Pastor Wendell when I was leaving the church. I told them I didn’t think requiring Christians to tithe is biblical, and this was the response (notice how it is obviously a problem with my heart):
Is tithing the issue in your heart or is it a control issue? Do you have a problem with New Testament authority in the local church or someone telling you what to do? Who has been hurt by tithing? Have you surveyed those who tithe and asked them if they are blessed or hurt? Do you truly believe our people feel forced to give?
Nowhere in Christ’s teachings does he back up these claims from the institutions that call themselves the church today. Jesus said if you want to be a leader, you need to be a servant to all.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave” Matthew 20:25-27
It appears from Pastor Wendell’s response, he doesn’t wish to be a slave (to be great), but he wants to exercise authority like the rulers of the Gentiles (Jesus’s words, not mine). Just another example how these institutions don’t follow the plain teachings of Christ.
Tags: The City Church
Thursday, May 24th, 2007
When I attended the City Church Pastor Wendell heralded Kenneth Hagin as the “Father of Faith”. I find this interesting that so many do this in direct disobedience to Jesus; “call no man Father” Matthew 23:9. I believe Jesus taught this so we would not fall in the trap of believing men over God, as so many trapped in the “Word of Faith” heresy do.
Kenneth Hagin is heralded to be the originator of the “word of faith” doctrine that has spawned many of the health and wealth preacher of today. Many of the well known teachers such as Kenneth Copeland, Leroy Thompson, Charles Capps and lesser known ones (like Pastor Wendell).
Unfortunately he is a well known plagiarist from E.W. Kenyon. For side-by-side examples of the plagiarism, you should view this web page.
The modern “faith movement” (that the City Church is a part of) has it’s roots in Gnostic beliefs (see this article).
One of the things I find appalling is how undiscerning (and un-practical) the followers of these leaders are. If God wants all Christians to be healed by the atonement, then why do the leaders (gurus) of this movement get sick at the same rate everyone else does. If God wants us to be wealthy and prosperous, why does the vast majority of wealth lie in the hands of unregenerate sinners? Is God’s hand short? NO. Their theology is false.
We are told to study the scriptures to see if what we are taught is true. If these “name it and claim it” teachings were so important, don’t you think Paul would have said something about it…especially when he wrote about the sick?
See 2 Timothy 4:20:
Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus.
Why didn’t Paul just use his faith muscles and have Trophimus healed? Why didn’t Paul ask Timothy to rebuke the symptoms of Trophimus and use faith filled words to heal him? I can tell you why, because Paul knew biblical faith and the healing of Trophimus was in the hands of a sovereign and merciful God. God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, not on those who can conjure up enough faith and say the magic (faith filled) words.
I also found this article outlining some of the hypocrisy from within the movement when it comes to sickness.
I pray and hope that many who are being seduced by the unbiblical promise of health and provision would not follow Christ for these fleshly desires. I was personally dragged into these doctrines and seduced by the promise of money for following God (being taught godliness is a means to financial gain ).
Jesus even turned away people who followed him for the food (provision). Read John 6:25-70 where Jesus drove the multitudes away with the hard words of the Gospel, not bringing them in with soothing words of comfort. Today, health and wealth preachers widen the road to salvation with soothing promises for the flesh.
Why should we follow Jesus? Peter answered that question:
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:67,68
Notice he didn’t say “because of the miracles you perform” or “because you feed and cloth us”, but because He is the Bread of Life, the Son of God!
It is wrong to take the focus off of who Christ is. We should emphasis how we benefit from Christ spiritually, and not put the emphasis on how we can benefit from God physically. We should look at the example Jesus gave in John chapter 6 for this.
In conclusion (this is getting to long) the main advocates of this doctrine show the same level of health as the rest of the world. Even local Seattle preachers of this heresy are fighting major sickness in their bodies in opposition to what they teach. They even go to doctors just like the heathen do.
One thing is for sure, the preachers of this doctrine do live a life of wealth like they preach…unfortunately it is often off the backs of those who need money or health. They claim “if you have a need, sow a seed” and make money off the needy. Shame on them.
Tags: Kenneth Hagin
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007
I got an email from my friend Daniel that included some scriptures on rebuking. One thing we as Christians need to do is rebuke. Our modern culture is too satisfied being passive and allowing all kinds of false teachings into the church. We are admonished to rebuke those false teachings in love and through the Word. Here are some scriptures to support this:
Note: When we confront people for false teaching, we need to be sure we are speaking the truth in love and humility. We also need to be sure to come with the spirit of reconciliation, not division (if there is repentance).
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 1 Timothy 5:20
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;Â Titus 1:13
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Titus 2:15
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19
These scriptures admonish us to study the word and from the authority of the Bible to rebuke those who teach contrary to sound doctrine. We need to do so in love, with all long suffering.
Scripture predicted these things to happen:
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:13
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1
The characteristics of heretics gives us some insight on how the early church identified these false prophets.
I don’t think we have to look very far to see the same tactics used today by people who claim to be prophets of the Lord. These false prophets will come with signs and wonders, promising miracles as proof of their authenticity…but Jesus warned us about this in Matthew 24:24.
How are we to know when a prophet is false? We are to know our God, so when these temptations come to us – just as the Devil tempted Jesus using portions of the word – we can stand against false teaching. Jesus knew the scripture Satan was using was taken out of context, so Jesus rebuked the Devil using the Truth!
Here are some things I think are a sign of a false prophet (this is from my experience):
- Use scripture out of context
- Get rich off preaching the gospel (
Tags: Rebuking
Saturday, May 19th, 2007
I found an article from the website http://www.intotruth.org – it has some great articles on the Word of Faith movement and why it is simply un-biblical. This list can be used to see if your church is an unbiblical “word of faith” church. The one I attended denied being part of the movement, but followed most of the doctrines.
The article I read is called “Ten Reasons to Reject WORD-of-FAITH Teachings“.
Here is reason #1:
It requires ‘revelation knowledge’.
Like the gnostic heresies all through the ages, Word-of-Faith needs special knowledge in order to be effective. Leaders see themselves as having a commission to bring new spiritual revelation to the Body, and they condemn ’sense-knowledge’ as inadequate. In this scheme, it is not sin and disobedience that causes us to fail, but ignorance of the Word. Moreover, this revelation knowledge is limited to the few who can receive it; the less intelligent are at a disadvantage. This is elitism.
How true. It does create elitism, the pastors have their (usually wealthy) group of close friends, but they do not mix with the crowds. They come to you with a “word from God” and we are to follow their lead as an army, not as brethren.
Also, this “revelation knowledge” leads to great heresies, such as “money cometh” and there is no hell, and seed faith (found nowhere in the bible).
Read the whole article here.
Tags: Prosperity Gospel, Word of Faith
Monday, May 14th, 2007
I have been spending some time looking at what the characteristics of heretics are through the scriptures. You can see me use some of these scriptures throughout the previous posts on the blog. I decided to do a quick survey to see what the Church Fathers said about heretics in the first few centuries of the Church. It turns out there is nothing new under the sun. I got my quotes from “A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs.” by David W. Bercot, Editor.
Let us rather be mindful of the sayings of the Lord, and of the letters of the apostles. For they have all told us beforehand that there will be heresies. And, in anticipation, they have given us warnings to avoid them. Tertullian (c. 197 A.D.)
Tertullian admonishes us to take heed to the warnings in scriptures regarding heresies. Obviously these things sprung up quickly, and they continue until today.
Therefore, on account of the heresies, the toil of discovery must be undertaken. Yet, we must not at all abandon [the truth]. Suppose that fruit were set before us. Some of it was real and ripe, and some was made of wax. However, the was fruit was as much like the real as is possible. Would we abstain from both kinds of fruit merely because of the similarity? … Among garden-grown vegetables, weeds also spring up. Are gardeners, then, to desist from gardening? Clement of Alexandria (c. 195 A.D.)
Clement of Alexandria talks about wax fruit that looks almost identical to real fruit. As a side note, I find it interesting they had wax fruit way back then, I was surprised. I think we find heresies today that look almost identical to the real thing, until you impartially stack it up with the proper division of scriptures and look for the true fruits of love, peace, and contentment.
In addition, they will add a good deal respecting the high authority of each teacher of heresy. They will relate how that these men strengthened belief in their own doctrine through mighty works, how that they raised the dead, restored the sick, foretold the future – so that they might deservedly be regarded as apostles. As if this warning were not also in the written record: that many would come who were to work even the greatest miracles, in defense of the deception of their corrupt preaching. Tertullian (c. 197, A.D.)
Not only was there an abundance of false teaching in 197 A.D., but they were backed up with spectacular miracles. This sounds like many of the faith healers of today, they preach things contrary to the scriptures, but are accepted because of the miracles they perform.
A better god has been discovered [by the heretics]: one who never takes offense, is never angry, never inflicts punishments, has prepared no fire in Gehenna, and requires no gnashing of teeth in the outer darkness! He is purely and simply “good.” He indeed forbids all the delinquency – but only in word. He is in you, if you are willing to pay him homage. This is for the sake of appearances, so that you may seem to honor God. For He does not want your fear. Tertullian (c. 207 A.D.)
I often heard that God does not inflict sickness, does not cause natural disasters, does not do anything “bad” in the world…it is all the Devil. Never mind all the examples of God doing these things throughout scripture.
How do heretics use scripture?
Those who give themselves up to pleasures, twist scripture in accordance with their lusts… However, when those who follow heresies venture to avail themselves of the prophetic scriptures, [they do the following]: In the first place, they do not use all the scriptures. Secondly, they do not quote them entirely. Finally, they do not quote them as the body and context of prophecy prescribes. Rather, selecting ambiguous expressions, they twist them to suit their own opinions, gathering a few expressions here and there. Instead of looking to the sense, they make use of the mere words. Clement of Alexandria (c. 195 A.D.)
I find this particularly descriptive of the “word of faith” and “prosperity gospel”. They take scriptures out of context of the whole of scripture and they take small portions of scripture to derive there “messages” and twist them from the initial intent to fit the message they wish to give. Not only that, some profess to be modern prophets who can add to scripture with “fresh revelation”. These are very crafty in their persuasions. One of their favorite claims is to say that Jesus talked about money over 500 times. This is a laughable assumption, because not one of Jesus’s quotes back up their claims…but many of them warn of the seeking of riches. They ignore the warnings of seeking riches and use the Bible to back up their claims on cash.
Those who seek to set up some new dogma have the habit of very readily perverting into a conformity with their own notions any proofs they care to take from the Scriptures… Consequently, in addition to what has been once committed to us by the apostles, a disciple of Christ should receive nothing new as doctrine. Disputation of Archelaus and Manes (c 320 A.D.)
I believe the new doctrines of today (Word Faith and Prosperity Gospel) are exactly what these writings are opposing. To see some small examples of what I am talking about visit the posts below:
Leroy Thompson at the City Church – This is Leroy Thompson talking about a new doctrine lost in the halls of religion
Pator Judah Smith on “the Yolk” – An example of a preacher taking a scripture out of context to fit the point he wants to make
Tags: Early Church, Heretics
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007
Last fall, the City Church had their annual “prosperity with a purpose” conference and the keynote speaker was Dr. Leroy Thompson. I did a Google search on him, and there really wasn’t much information. He wrote a book called “Money Cometh”, and it seems he has close affiliations with Creflo A. Dollar.
I listened to his sermon called “Prophetic Ministry On Covenant Wealth” (download it here) given on 10/20/2006 at the City Church’s conference. I am going over this sermon at such a late date because I know this sermon caused several people to leave the City Church. I also believe this shows how far away from scripture this “prosperity doctrine” goes.
Early on in the sermon, he sets the tone by saying we (Christians) have lost the “covenant of wealth” through religion. To understand the covenant of wealth God has for us Leroy proposes that we de-program ourselves of religion and then we can be open to the fact God want us to be wealthy.
Quote from his sermon:
“People love a struggling message, they will fly all over the world to hear a struggling message.”
I found it ironic he was saying such a statement after being flown into a conference about wealth, where there are thousands gathered to hear about how God wants them to be wealthy. I have never heard of a conference about poverty. There are all kinds of conferences on how to make money in the secular world…these “prosperity†conferences is just a way to get God into the business. The reason prosperity preachers have to “restore” this ministry, is because it was never there to begin with.
Definition of “Prophetic Ministry On Covenant Wealth” from Leroy:
“Ministry of spiritual interpretation to bring back what the people of God has lost.”
Utter foolishness.
At 21:20 on the sermon:
“The Holy Spirit is the spirit of wealth.”
Leroy, I’d like to see that scripture please… Please note Leroy was talking about wealth and money here. This is a revelation he has received outside of scripture, and one of the foundations of his false gospel. The entire quote is actually worse in my opinion…if you listen to the sermon, you will know what I mean.
There is so much (pardon my language) crap in this sermon I am just going to list some of the quotes that are just outrageous.
At 53:50 on the audio he says the people there is a “mantle of wealth” and they need to wear it. This mantle gives you financial favor wherever you go.
No scriptures to back this one up.
At 55:54 he tells the congregation to run around the room to receive the “mantle of wealth”. He said “when a man of God gives you instruction you aught to be moving”.
People obeyed this “man of God” and began running around the room to receive the “mantle of wealth”. I had some friends who were there, and this “running around the room to get the mantle of wealth” scared them.
At 58:00 “Tell them, based on my word and based on what you said on my behalf, if they shout or make some kind of movement, from this night forward, whatsoever they do shall prosper.”
- Leroy proclaiming a “thus saith the Lord.”
At 60:00 10 Senior pastors of The City Church are called to the front and are “slain in the spirit” to receive the “mantle of wealth”.
No comment.
At 1:16:00 Leroy Tells the listeners that God showed him in a vision that Cleopatra fainted when she saw the wealth and wisdom of Solomon.
More things God evidently didn’t write in the Bible, but he saved them for Leroy so he could sell more books and speak at conferences.
At this point he also talked about “upward giving”.
“If you give to the poor, you only get back what you give. If you give $13,000 – $13,000 you get back.” He says, you should “give up” to your pastor so you can get their anointing.
I don’t even know where to begin on this one. Any discerning Christian can see the folly in this. I am not aware of any passage in the Bible that tells us to “give up” but constantly admonishes us to give to the poor. I can’t believe he said this, but I guess what do we expect from this false gospel.
“We need respect in the earthly realm, nobody listens to a poor man.”
Um, Leroy…didn’t God use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise?
You can listen to the sermon, it gets worse…trust me. The part where he goes into a fit of laughter that sounded demonic to me…it really creaped me out. I literally had goose bumps when I listened to some of the message it was so frightening.
At the end of the sermon, he waits to collect an offering and then blesses the congregation with the “mantle of wealth”. Basically, he wouldn’t do it unless they first paid up. He says:
“After I receive this offering people are going to receive the Holy Ghost.”
Isn’t that similar to selling the anointing? The Apostle Peter had something to say about that…
Acts 8:17-21 (King James Version)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
It saddens me terribly that there are people who don’t preach the gospel, they preach money. They preach the cross of Christ was a means of us getting earthly wealth. Jesus even told Pilate His kingdom is not of this world. Even scarier, there are loads of Christians who are described by these scriptures:
And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2 Timothy 4:3
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:5
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Isaiah 30:8-9
Tags: Dr. Leroy Thompson, Prosperity With a Purpose, The City Church, Wendell Smith
Friday, May 4th, 2007
Congratulations to Dr. Wendell Smith of the City Church. According to the Northwest University press release, since the City Church sends a lot of business their way (students) they awarded the honorary doctorate to Dr. Wendell Smith.
View the press release here.
I find it interesting that Universities and churches pat each other on the back for driving revenues of Christians in their direction.
From the press release:
“City Church has grown into a great partner in ministry with Northwest,” said Argue. For the past seven years, City Church has been among the top five churches sending students to Northwest; for the past two years it has topped the list. It is the church home for many of the University’s students, staff and supporters.
I find it ironic that several people I know from the City Church attended Northwest and found out the doctrines at the City Church are in error (after being taught the alternative view) and have left the church. My question to Northwest is, do you accept the “prosperity gospel” (the central doctrine of the City Church) as mainstream Christianity now? Does Northwest also now accept the “word of faith” doctrine as mainstream, a doctrine that was considered fringe only a few short decades ago?
I guess by greasing the skids with a few $$$ anything is possible. In the world they call it business, in modern Christian circles they call it “favor”.
Tags: Wendell Smith
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007
I was talking to my little sister today and we discussed some things that cause division in the body of Christ (this was added per her request..see first comment on the post). One of the things I struggled with when leaving the City Church was what doctrines should I take seriously and what ones should I not take seriously. I have found myself struggling with the views on end times (eschatology), Calvinism vs. Armenianism, prosperity, word of faith, the American church’s weak stance on divorce/remarriage, tithing, and many other smaller issues.
One of the most common comments I get from people is “Why do these doctrinal things matter? Isn’t it more important to have unity?” The answer in scripture I found was this:
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1 Timothy 4:16
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 1 Timothy 4:1
Paul told Timothy why doctrine is important, because it will save you and those who you teach. He also told Timothy there will be doctrines of devils that will come at the later times and seduce people from the faith. The prosperity gospel and word of faith gospels are new…food for thought.
I looked to the Bible for guidance on what doctrines are important and found some good scriptures that tell us to strive for unity, but there are some scriptures that tell us to withdraw from others.
Scriptures that tell us to strive for unity:
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 1 Corinthians 3:4-6
This reminds me of those who say they are of this doctrine or of that doctrine, when we align ourselves with men we are potentially being carnal in our thinking since we have one savior.
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:13
We are told to be in the unity of the faith (unified by our knowledge of the Son of God).
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark 9:39-40
There are many more scriptures that can be used to strive for unity and not get caught up in doctrinal differences between followers of Christ. The question is, what guidance do the scriptures give in withdrawing yourself from those who believe differently from yourself.
Scriptures telling us to separate:
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1 Timothy 6:5
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:2-3
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:2-4
The scriptures above led me to leave the City Church. For the longest time, I didn’t think the prosperity gospel was very harmful. I thought “so they think everyone should be blessed (financially) who follows God, who cares…that isn’t a bad thing”. But the scripture that says to withdraw from those who suppose gain is godliness, and the one that talks about people heaping up teachers for their itching ears is so easily applied to the prosperity gospel and the conferences they have where they bring in teacher after teacher to tell them God wants them to have money.
I also looked at how every speaker they bring in seems to have something to sell in the lobby of the church (making merchandise) and started to take these scriptures warnings more seriously.
Other doctrines, such as Calvinism, end times, even if there is healing in the atonement are not shown in scriptures as being pivotal doctrines that we need to cause division over. I do believe we need to study, discuss and come to our understanding of scripture on these issues, but they are not ones that we need to divide over.
I look forward to any comments you might have.
Tags: Doctrine
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007
Marilyn Hickey is a well known leader of the “word of faith” movement, mentored by the likes of Oral Roberts and William Branham (who says the doctrine of the Trinity was the doctrine of demons). Some refer to her as the “fairy godmother of the word of faith movement” – to show her association to the movement.
To view the deflections about the associations with the word of faith movement by Pastor Wendell view his letter to me here.
When I was still a member of the City Church she came and spoke. I remember her telling us our words have creative power, and all we have to do is speak to our sickness and pocketbook for healing and wealth. It sounded so easy, and she taught it was my right as a believer.
I went away from that meeting speaking to my bad vision to be healed (since I need contact lenses). I thought God was going to move because of my faith and words. I later realized nature of God’s sovereignty, and He is not bound to do anything because of my faith and words. I later had to repent from my arrogance toward God, since I should not presume to tell God what to do. For more information on the “word of faith” doctrines see this link.
I was so excited to learn I could just speak words like God and He had to do what I say, at the end of the meeting I signed up to be a “faith covenant partner” to help support her ministries. This is where my eyes were <b>really</b> opened (maybe God did answer my prayer). I started to be flooded with fund raising gimmicks (for lack of a better term) where I would receive “anointed” items in the mail and if I were to return them with a check (usually asking for a large sum) she would pray over them so different miracles would happen in my life. The letter usually preyed on people looking for financial miracles (the poor) and those who have loved ones who are not saved. The basic tone of the letter was if you give money to the ministry she would pray for you and because of her better connection to God your miracles would happen.
Below are links to examples of these letters:
http://www.discernment.org/wordfaith/marilynhickey.htm
http://www.discernment.org/prior.htm
I am concerned for her attempts to raise money from the Christians on her mailing list because it flies in the face of scripture. In Acts 8, there was a man named Simon who believed at the preaching of the Gospel, and was baptized. He followed the Apostles and saw the Holy Ghost move through miracles and wanted to pay money to the Apostles to receive the power they had (presumably so he could charge money for the miracles). I will let the scripture tell the story:
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon [the sorcerer] saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Acts 8:14-22
Peter took this issue very seriously, why do not Christians all around the country fall for this? Why do we trust the visions of current teachers over the clear direction of Peter?
Also read this scripture from Peter:
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they <b>with feigned words make merchandise of you</b>: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:1-4
This scripture talks about “prophets” who treat the believers as a revenue center through covetousness. Maybe it can be phrased like this “tithe to me and God will make you rich” or “give your best offering to me and God will perform miracles for you”.
I pray the ministry of Marilyn Hickey (and prosperity gospel proponents) would repent of the unscriptural methods of raising money and just tell the congregation the need and let the Holy Spirit lead the congregation to give. There is no need to bribe true Christians into giving.
Tags: Marylin Hickey, The City Church, Wendell Smith
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