When I first started this site over a year ago, I identified Ken Copeland as the Godfather of the Word of Faith mafia. He has again proven my assessment of him as accurate. A reader let me know that the Godfather had canvassed the faithful for money and sure enough the sheep came through. And now, the Kenneth Copeland Ministries is the proud owner of a Cessna Citation X business jet. Take a look at a generic version of what the sheep bought their wolf. Click here.
It was pretty low for Copeland to insist that “the ministry” buy the jet, the $20 million jet, for him. But it was even worse for him to try to represent God as telling them that He wanted Copeland and his wife to have the jet. Take a look at the prophecy that proved God wants them to have the plane. Click here for an image of the prophecy. The text follows:
[Thus saith the Lord]: I am rallying and raising up support to you. It will far surpass all you have previously seen or known. I’m joining to you new Partners who are very strong financially, and they will obey Me. I’m prospering your longtime Partners with supernatural increase and they will obey Me.
Mark this day-Friday, September 20, 2002. From this day, there is a release to you and to all those joined to you. And all that you need and all you desire will now come quickly and much easier than it has in the times before.
It’ll not be by greater labor on your part but by a supernatural multiplication and a divine release from heaven through this earth to you.
And you will do this thing I’ve commanded you and you will not come short and you will not fail. And all this ministry that I’ve placed under your hand will prosper and will increase mightily.
You will not lack. You will not want. You will not be diminished.
Only rest in Me and rejoice in Me. Yes, rest and see if I will not do this thing just as I have told you and you will see the goodness and the faithfulness of the Lord in the land of the living.
I have to say, the man is brilliant. First, get people to accept the idea of prophecies, like the ones given by Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and even Agabus (Acts 11:28 - He predicted a great famine, which happened). As long as you don’t say anything that is too much of an obvious contradiction to Scripture, you’re okay. Once the people accept what you say as a prophecy, as that which is from men who “…moved by the Holy Spirit, spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:21), then it’s only natural that you should also be the one to tell them what it means.
In the case of Mr. Copeland, this bogus prophecy somehow verifies his desire for the $20 Million business jet. And who can argue with him? Once you give him the “ability” to speak the very words of God through prophecy, then you hand to him the authority to tell you what he wants. And as long as he keeps it general enough, he can make it mean whatever he wants it to mean. It’s brilliant! And it’s proof he has ‘nads the size of grapefruit.
I wouldn’t have the nerve to say “Thus says the Lord” to a crowd of people and pass it off as the very words of God. That’s way too much like the foolishness at Azuza Street that started us down the road that ends with Copeland and the rest.
Just as an aside, if you see Azuza Street as a great outflowing of God, you need to check your spiritual barometer. Because you are confusing outlandish behavior and hysterics for a move of God. But I digress.
So far, Copeland’s schtick has bagged him a bunch of airplanes, including the Citation. And it all came at the expense of the poor stupid sheep asking to be fleeced.
I watched about forty minutes of a three hour webcast in which he flies the plane into the private airport he owns, taxis up to the grand stand packed with people supporting his “ministry,” and begins to tell them to use the airplane and the fact that he got it as an indication that if they continue to sow in faith (he’s still running a scam), God will give them the desires of their hearts.
So again one of the pimps uses the results of his successful scam of the people to prove that God supports what he does. Afterall, he’s prospering, so surely God is blessing him.
Why does that remind me of the foul-mouthed rappers and the near-naked divas who thank the lord Jesus that their song, “Sex You Up, Oil Me Down” won a grammy, or an NAACP image award, or something?
One fellow pointed out that Mr. Copeland is simply proving that the Scriptures are true. It says that men will grow cold, take advantage of each other, be consumed in their greed (2 Tim 3:1-7). These guys are getting worse and worse. These guys have had planes for a while. Jimmy Swaggart had a jet. Called it Spirit 1. But you didn’t hear much about it. Fred Price owns a jet. But again, he doesn’t exactly broadcast the fact publicly.
But starting with Zachary Tims and one of our favorites, Dr. I.V. Hilliard, the pimps have begun publicly bragging about their toys. Tims and Hilliard broadcast that they have helicopters to get from one service to another in town.
And now, Ken Copeland puts the purchase on the internet. He brags about it. He publicly uses it to convince the sheep to give more, so he can get another Jet, in addition to the multitude of planes he already has. These fellow have no shame.
I wonder sometimes what these blokes and blokes like them will say when they face Jesus Christ. I just hope, if Jesus tarry, that they have to do their ’splainin’ at the Bema Seat rather than the Great White Throne. But right now, it’s not looking too good.
By the way, I earned my private pilot license about four weeks ago. If any of you feel the Holy Spirit moving you to buy me an Cirrus SR-22, here is the site. Right now I rent Cessna 172s from the flying school.
Oh well. It was worth a try.
Yeah…you digressed alright on this one (LOL):
I wouldn’t have the nerve to say “Thus says the Lord” to a crowd of people and pass it off as the very words of God. That’s way too much like the foolishness at Azuza Street that started us down the road that ends with Copeland and the rest.
Just as an aside, if you see Azuza Street as a great outflowing of God, you need to check your spiritual barometer. Because you are confusing outlandish behavior and hysterics for a move of God. But I digress
I assume that you will start another post on Asuza Street, right? You can’t just throw this comment in and think that someone wouldn’t follow-up :-). So when can we expect your Asuza Street thoughts? Tonight or tomorrow?
Shouldn’t have to check out Carlton Pearson and his gospel of inclusion movement. Didn’t Carlton come from Azusa. If your foundation is cracked eventually the building will fall or the dam will break.
Melvin,
I read the article on tithing, and it was very interesting. Did you write that? The reason I’m asking is because of the writer’s view on the law. I have to assume that if you did not write this article, then surely you must agree with it in order to post it. So, for the sake of this comment, let’s just say that you did write the article. I noticed when it comes to tithing, your exegesis allows you to have a tunneled view of the scriptures( which by the way, are exact).But you not deal with your counterparts,the pimps in the same manner. Before I get into a round about discussion, let me make my point. Either we are under the law or not! Clearly by your view on tithing I know where you stand, but when it comes to this pimpish area your not as nearly precise. Allow me to clarify.
In the Old Testament Israel is under the law so the prophets and judges spoke in judgement in response to disobedience of the law. As you know, the law was given so that Israel would know they were in sin. If I’m to apply your view of the law concerning your Christians brothers, James 4:11 should cover that. This by the way is after the temple. If your under grace with the tithing principle, then they too share that same grace. Please, when you make your argument for this case, speak after the law, as you did with tithing. Again, we live by the law or not!
See you can’t have it all Melvin. Yes you are to warn, but your in no place to judge! And on top of this, you created a cult of judges. Your a powerful teacher, but your gift is often times soiled by too much mudslinging. Remember, what made and still makes Christ powerful is that He chose to love us and not cast us out. Eventhough we deserve it! Its’ apparent you have a powerful voice, but I submit to you, use it for good and not for evil. Without grace where would you be?
p.s. I do not belong to one of these mega-churches. I am not brainwashed by the Oneness or WOF teaching, like you I’m interested in the truth-THE WHOLE TRUTH!
So “My Brother’s Keeper”, what are you to do with those who cause divisions within the body?
Also, under the law, these false teachers were to be put to death. I’d say Melvin and the rest of the watchmen are being very lenient.
Melvin… Check this out.
http://www.afro.com/content/templates/?a=4875&z=1
Hello Sincere,
False teachers are not the only ones causing divisions in the body of Christ. If I’m to believe that this question is pertaining to fasle teachers, then we do what Paul instructs Titus to do. Titus 2:15 speak, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Titus 3: 1-2 put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
I encourage you to read brother Melvin’s paper on tithing so that you will receive a greater understanding of my initial comments. You are correct. Under the law, false prophets would have been put to death. Thank God for all our sakes we are freed from the law. Peter addresses the false teachers in 2 Peter verse 1, which answers your question again on ” what are we to do with them?”
Notice what Peter tells us here; 2 Peter verse 1: ” But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you. according to Peter, “many” shall follow them, verse 2. In other words, this nothing new. Please read the entire chapter of 2 Peter. It tells us specifically that God will judge these teachers in the same manner that He did under the law. So you see, it is not our job to judge but to rebuke them sharply, if we are in authority. This is why we have bishops, as Paul writes to Titus.
I’m going to stop here seeing that this could be a lengthy issue. I don’t support false teaching when it comes to the word of God, but I won’t spend a great deal of time making fools of those that do. According to the word of God, they do enough of that themselves. Paul spends more time teaching love and forgiveness, so should we. I believe Christ wants it this way.
So the only person who should correct one of the pimps is a bishop? Who calls attention to the pimp when he IS a bishop?
By the way, you really seem to be confusing condemn/punish for pronouncing unfit or heretical.
God will judge with the ultimate judgement. But Jesus, Pau, and others did not say judge righteous judgment, but only if you are a bishop.
And if all Paul wants us to do is preach love and forgiveness, why in the world did he tell the church at Corinth to kick the young fornicator out? Or why did he tell the church in Rome to take note of those who preach another gospel. Or why would he pronounce as anathema those in Galatia who would preach another gospel. Doesn’t sound very loving and forgiving to me.
I think you also have a somewhat distorted view of what it means to be loving and forgiving. If John Jenkins were to turn away from the path he is on, I would certainly be the first in line to receive him back into the fellowship of orthodoxy. Same for Copeland, Dollar, Price, and the rest.
Brother Melvin,
To answer your question, no. I referred you to the scriptures to establish order and logic in the way we deal with false teachers. Not my word but God’s. I’ve noticed that you speak truth but don’t have the time to listen to it. You sir are right, we are to warn of heresy, but what is it called when you make characters in smoking jackets and clown faces? I’ll let that settle with you.
As far as being confused, I don’t believe I am. The Bible is very clear, God will judge these false teachers. I am very specific in what my request is of you. Embrace the entire word of God. Let those who teach instruct with gentleness. Speaking of confusing, ” did not say judge righteous judgement, but only if you are a bishop”? Please clarify, because I don’t recall saying they did.
Since this is an issue of contex, please qoute the scripture in its’ entirety. That chapter also included covetous, railer, drunkard and extortioner. Again you are right, the Bible says not to fellowship with these kind. Unless you are on an island by yourself, there’s a least one person that you love that fits into this catagory. Are you quick to deal with them in the same manner? I’ll let that settle with you also.
Let me ask you this question; If a stranger disciplined your children in your presence for something they did wrong, would you thank him or take offence? Your natural response would be to defend your children even though they are wrong. We as parents don’t like it when people correct our children, we believe that’s our job. John Jenkins maybe, but the others you perch gossip and funnies about, you probably know little if nothing at all about them personally. In case you forgot, there is an order in how we are to do things in the body of Christ.
Finally, I have the perfect example of what loving and forgiveness is- JESUS!!!!! So just incase I forget, He constantly reminds me. Please read Titus chapter 3, I believe you have forgotten who you were before Christ. Let me be honest brother Melvin, this thing with John Jenkins has consumed you. What kind of erronious love do you seek from him? You left the church of Glenarden, it didn’t leave you. There’s a deep-rooted issue here that goes beyond this website. I’ll let that settle with you too.
CHECK YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD, I’M PRETTY SURE IT SAYS ” ADOPTION”, AND NOT ” FATHER”
If Jesus is a perfect example of your idea of loving and forgiving, then I suggest you are either ignoring things about Jesus or you haven’t read the Gospels.
When Jesus took the whip and whacked people, and overturned the money tables, was he being “loving and forgiving?”
I call people “pimps” for the way they shamelessly take advantage of those who would follow Christ. Was Jesus being loving and forgiving when he referred to the Pharisees and Saducees as hypocrites? Was he being loving and forgiving when he called them blind? Was he being loving and forgiving when He tells some “Depart from Me you workers of iniquity. I never knew you?”
Your analogy of father and child is weak at best. Galatians talks about us restoring one who has fallen. You can’t do that unless you correct them.
Romans tells us to mark those who would teach another gospel. You can’t do that unless you speak up.
The relationship between believers is more like (and this is imperfect as well) brothers and sisters, with God being the father. And if the brothers and sisters are growing as they should, they will correct ecah other.
By the way, John Jenkins is not even a tenth of what I do. But as I said before, I am most familiar with him. However, if you think it consumes me you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I suspect some times that some of you anonymous commenters either are John Jenkins or are his minions. However, I completely miss the point of your question about “erroneous love.”
Please be specific. What “gossip” am I engaging in? The information I put out here is information that has already been made public. John posts his itenerary. I simply bring attention to it. Copeland publicly preaches about Jesus being the first born again man. I simply make sure you hear him. Fred Price preaches that Jesus suffered in hell for your sins. It’s my job to make sure you take note of that. How is any of this gossip?
And please note: I didn’t leave the church of Glenarden. WHen John started preaching about Jesus suffering in hell, and when he accelerated his association with Jakes, Ellis and the like, he left the church and dragged an entire congregation with him.
I’ll let that settle with you.
Finally, my relationship isn’t that of “member” like a club. My relationship is that of son, like a family. And in a family, the fact that you are adopted is, or at least should be, totally transparent. So I don’t get your point here either.
However, for one who bloviates so much, you are rather pleasant to read.
Concerning this statment:
If Jesus is a perfect example of your idea of loving and forgiving, then I suggest you are either ignoring things about Jesus or you haven’t read the Gospels.
If Jesus is not the example, then who from the Scriptures is?
(MN: My apologies. I was not clear. Jesus IS a perfect example of love and forgiveness. Therefore our idea of love and forgiveness, based on the example of Jesus, should also include correction and exposure. ‘Keeper seems to think that loving and forgiveness means never saying hard things. If Jesus, as our perfect example of loving and forgiveness, can say hard things and still be loving and forgiving, why is it that, according to ‘Keeper, we are being unloving and unforgiving if we say hard things?
Put in a slightly different way, 1 John says that God is love. And this is true. Yet he rained fire down on Sodom, He drown pharoah’s entire army in the Red Sea, He killed all of Egypt’s first born, He struck dead the poor schlep who tried to keep the ark from falling over, He kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden, dooming them to pain and suffering for the rest of their lives, and He wiped out the world’s human population (minus 8 ) with a flood.. From a purely human perspective (which seems the perspective ‘Keeper is coming from), where is the love in ANY of this?
Thanks for the feedback. I hope this clarifies what I was saying. )
I agree. We too often think that God is not a wrathful God as well. Like He is not Just, as well as Merciful. How loving will it be when Christ says to the false shephards, “I never knew you”. We cringe and tremble at the thought, but God is Holy and hates wickedness. We should hate it as well.
Brother Melvin,
Let’s establish a much needed fact in our conversation. I am not John Jenkins. I do not attend the church that Mr. Jenkins is pastor of. I’ve been to the Baltimore/D.C. area twice, and not once did I attend a church while there. As a matter of fact, I didn’t know John Jenkins existed until I came in contact with your website. So for clarity, this is not personal. I have not now or ever felt the need to defend any one of these preachers that you have posted on your website. It would be foolish to speak on the behalf of men that I do not know.
It would also be foolish to be ignore the wrath and judment side of God. The Bible never said that He was fair, it distinctively says He is just. So when reading any comments that I make, read with a greater understanding of who ” My Brother’s Keeper” is. One that suggests I see the whole picture, and not just my own tunneled view.
Hopefully, now that we understand each other, let us reason. Please remember my intial point. After reading your paper on tithing, which again was detailed with truth, I began to question your ” love” for the men and women on your website. Being a militant man, you used a precise strategy in your analogy of the tithes, post-law. By doing this, you entitled yourself to grace. In your most recent comment, who was Jesus ” whacking” , Jacob or the church? Did the offence under the law warrant a ” whacking”? Let me submit this to you, if Jesus did it then rightfully so. The issue, to your delight, was about defiling the house of God.
I believe the Bible is clear when it tells us Jesus died for ALL and MANY will be saved. ” Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do”. I believe He was referring to those who put Him on the cross( Pharasees and Saducees) and those who mocked Him at the cross. Regardless, He died for all and not just some. That Brother Melvin is true love. The more we embrace that kind of love, then we truly become like Christ.
I encourage you to be more like Jesus and Paul since you reference them often. Say what you say, mean what you say and continue the good fight of faith. After all, that is your commision.
As far as my ” weak” analogy on the ” father and child”, you still did not address it. Correction, correction, correction! I employ you to invest time into the individuals before you correct them. Unless you study to show yourself approved, where you are regarded as an ” authority”, then you sir are nattering. Any fool can qoute scripture, but it takes one with the heart of God to instruct and correct with gentleness as Paul said.
The Bible says that angels do not bring railing accusations before God. Trust me Melvin, if I was the kind of individual who was intersted in debating the word of God, I could pick the word of God like cotton and make you a sweater. That’s not why I’m here. We all have the ability to tailor the scriptures to our perfect fit. I believe you and I are far too mature for that, so let’s not. And as far as gossip, anytime someone brings you information that you did not witness firsthand, and you repeat it, you sir are a gossip by all accounts. examples: Melvin did you see this?, oh! Melvin take a look this, did you hear what they said Melvin?, yo won’t be believe this Melvin!, etc.. Now!, who corrects you?, according to the Bible you are wrong for doing this. What happens if we kick you out of the fellowship? I’ll let that settle with you-
In closing, whether you see it as a club, gang or whatever, Christ is the head of the church. And by your recent retraction, you often speak before you think. If Tweet had not pointed this ” Heresy” out to you, again you would have been in violation of God’s word. See we all make mistakes. Please, by no means am I asking you to overlook false teachers and their misleading doctrine. I personally think you are an asset to the body of Christ and if given the chance, I would be a fool not to gleam from your teaching. The means that you take in spreading the gospel about these men and women I think is bit abrasive in the character of a man of God. I will never ask you to apologize for what you believe in because that’s where your heart is. And prayerfully it is with God. Not once did I ask you to stop this website, for it has purpose.
” An open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed”. And also to clarify, I never said that because you say hard things you are not loving. What I question is your heart. I almost forgot, if you use the old testament for reference, then you should Tithe. We don’t do it to keep the law, we tithe to keep the spirit of the law-
My Brother’s Keeper in Christ
Gregory Eaton
p.s. did you ever think that when you post these so-called “pmips” fasle doctrine, your actually spreading it? It is said in Hollywood that ” There’s no such thing as bad press” I’ll let that settle with you
(MN: This is probably Mr. Eaton’s last posting on this posting. While I have certainly enjoyed reading his comments, they generally have not gotten to the point. He’s certainly not banned from the site, but I see little point in continuing to post his generally long-winded comments. They tend to bore me and I suspect they are starting to bore you. I have tried to read him as carefully as possible, but he seems to keep going in circles. I have other things to do and so, dear readers, and I suspect you do as well. )
Brother Melvin,
I forgot to address the issue of erronious love. That is man’s need for the physical love. Now before you or anybody else jumps to conclusions, I stated it that way because there is a physical expression we seek when we need an apology. Are we clear? You seek John Jenkins admission of guilt, like he owes it to you. Since I doubt that you’ll ever get it, pray for his short comings and leave the rest to your Father in Heaven.
My question is now for Sincere. Can you hate everything that God hates? I’ll let that settle with you-
(MN: Okay, this is the last, last one.)
My Brother’s Keeper,
What does God hate? I see you’ll be coming from an Arminian point of view. If He hates wickedness, shouldn’t I. You’ll say, but you are to love your enemies and I’ll agree with you, because vengence is the Lord’s. I never said that I can hate Esau as God does, I only said that we are to hate wickedness as God hates it. I’ll let that settle with you.
I got a question for you. How can Christ die for all, but all won’t be saved? That doesn’t make sense. That doesn’t…let’s say… settle with me.
Thank you for allowing me to post-
(MN: No problem. )
hey everyone…..
very glad to be back…(have had a sick baby to deal with) Any way, The Godfather and those of his ilk, have the grapefruit sized nads, (and even some nadettes) becuase christians refuse to read the Word of God for themselves. Period. It would be impossible for there to be ANY divisions in the body if we had the Word “written on the tablets” of our hearts. Let alone let a theif steal money from God’s people.I know this comment is a little off the topic, but I am so jhappy to be back involved again that I just had to find a palce to chime in!!!!
Very interesting postings, as well as info on the pimps.. I have a sister in Christ who I have known for years. She bought into the TBN garbage about 7 years ago, and has really a spiritual dwarf. I was saved 8 years ago, and watched TBN for a few months until I got a glimpse of the Beg-a-Thon and didn’t take the discernment of a begotten son to see the error. I am always reminded of when the Temple was built, and not a dime was asked for.. The hearts of men were inspired to give to this project. Just as the scripture, “I will not see my seed begging for bread..” also pops up on this subject. I am a man of pretty good understanding for the short time as a believer, however I have experienced how the Lord works as far as health, wealth and prosperity and I will say that it isn’t something we can buy or receive in return for a donation.. God forbid!! Your posted info is informative, as well as comical and I dig it.. Anyway, you all keep it real and look forward to more stuff in the future. God Bless All..
JC
I don’t even care that much for Copeland and can respect that the jet is for travel. Can’t get over how having something nice automatically makes you bad.
(MN: Danharr, please don’t expect a response to your comment. I stopped playing the “”Make a comment, duck, and watch them chase their tail” game a while back. Answer the question I asked a couple of days ago or don’t bother commenting. )
To Melvin,
I have read on another website that many ministers, especially with mega ministries, are into freemasonry, including Billy ——- and ———. Are you familiar with this claim?
To Melvin,
I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds on this site when I inquired about freemasory. I didn’t make this stuff up for I have seen this info on another website.
Interesting read.
http://www.letusreason.org/testim14.htm
Soli Deo Gloria,
R4C
Shalom Alechem,
John Copeland has come to his daddy’s rescue! In many articles their concern is the same:
“When questioned about the spending, the younger Copeland asked how they can reach the world if they don’t have money.”
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=8415258
Check out the sad pic of Kenneth:
http://www.star-telegram.com/national_news/story/672103.html