Thanks again for keeping your eyes opened for me. Obviously I can’t be everywhere and see everything. The folks who read this blog have been a huge help both in uncoveing new information and keeping the site interesting. An example follows:
An e-mail I received from E.W
Mr. Jones I have been reading your site for some time now. I’ve happily given your site address out to many who enjoy reading your site and being informed about the current pimps methods. Recently I was watching Life Today with James and Betty Robinson. I’ve always thought they were sound on doctrine, but when I saw their guest for the day it disturbed me. It was none other than Creflo “cash” Dollar himself. Seeing him threw me for a loop…so I wrote a letter as to why they would have such a pimp on their show. This is the response that I got back. After reading the email below It became clear that they are compromising as so many do. My question is this…if Creflo is changing his views why hasn’t he denounced his past heretical preachings, and why does he still sell those same teachings on his website? Creflo doesn’t miss the mark, his doctrine is destructive. Feel free to post the email below on your site if you like. Thank you.
Evette
Here’s Mr. Robison’s response:
Dear Evette:
Thank you for the email expressing your concerns about Creflo Dollar. I, too, am concerned about every person who is out of sync with Scripture. Interestingly, Dr. Dollar and his wife watched us on television some time ago and later told us that they had never seen such love. I believe their lives are being changed by the relationship I have been willing to risk because I know Creflo is a sincere seeker in the Lord, and he is a very stronger communicator. Obviously, as with all of us, he may miss the mark in a point or two. But then again, do any of us really have a total lock on truth–or are we simply in hot pursuit of it?
King David was a “man after God’s own heart.” Not in his actions, but in the fact that he was ever after the heart of God. Having been with Creflo Dollar on several occasions, and after spending time in prayer and seeking God with him, I am convinced that he is a man who is in hot pursuit of God. I’m also convinced that Creflo is teachable and yielded. I have watched him learn and make very positive progress. I pray that will continue.
I will always be willing to spend time with people who are not correct in every point because I want to be correct in my attitude and heart toward them. I will always shake off the dust of unbelief and heretical teachings, but I will not shake off and disregard the individuals who are in error. Jesus was willing to minister to a prostitute caught in adultery, a woman who had been married five times and was living with another. He was willing to forgive the thief on the cross while He was dying, and He was willing to go into the house of the Pharisee while others wondered why He was there.
I will spend my life trying to be light in the midst of greatest darkness…a sheep in the midst of the most ravenous wolves. I will not endorse error and will always seek to repent of my own. I will continually seek to turn others toward the glory of His abiding life and truth.
Sincerely yours,
James Robison
President & Founder
LIFE Outreach International
So what is it with these people. I remember going to a rally being presented by Robison almost thirty years ago, down in Panama City Florida. I was a Communications officer at Tyndall AFB. He was, at the time, a stand up Baptist. Several years later he went Charismatic and I never quite trusted him from that point on.
Oh well.
Here’s an e-mail I sent him. Not as polite as Evette’s, but I hope it won’t run him off.
Mr. Robison,
Why did you have Creflo Dollar on your program?
While none of us are correct in every point of doctrine, surely you would agree that teaching that Jesus was not God while here on earth is not simply a small difference in a minor point of doctrine. Surely you understand that by appearing with him, you give credibility to his teachings and activities.
Again - why would you appear with a heretic like Creflo Dollar? Who next? Ken Copeland? Fred Price?Melvin Jones
Let’s wee what he says.
While we’re waiting, take a look here and read up.
Oh. And notice that even here poor old David gets trotted out once again.
That response from Robison was horse crap. He was saying Dolar maybe “wrong on one or two points of doctrine” when the guy teaches complete heresy. Unbelievable. I am beginning to grow sick over the amount of deception taking place in the church.
People who read and study their Bibles in context (2 Timothy 2:15) do not have to worry about deception. I understand the purpose of this site, but what concern me are the self righteous indignant tones and attitudes that I feel when I read some of the comments. Why is it okay for Jesus to stand next to a woman in adultery, a corrupted tax collector, a prostitute and several men with leprosy (would make Him unclean according to The Law) and its not okay for Christians to stand next to sinners and those who have made mistakes in doctrine? I too am not a big fan of Mr. Dollar but since I am not apart of the Trinity, I’ll let God deal with him. I can understand refuting the heretical doctrine that goes against the hypostatic union of Christ. But to attack Mr. Robinson for trying to minister to him by judging his motives, sounds a little “pharisaic” to me. Jesus once said “Stop judging others and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” I like this site, but the “pharisaic” tone of this site diminishes its credibility.
I agree that one should not immediately attempt to judge another’s motives. Not immediately. It takes time and evidence before you can do that.
For instance, I can easily conclude that Dollar is taking his followers to the cleaners. I can, based on the things Hinn has said and done, assume that he is in this thing to take people to the cleaners. At this stage in the saga, I can’t safely assume that Robison is blowing smoke up Evette’s nose. Though I can say that unless Robison is completely ignorant of Dollar’s teachings, HE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM IS MORE THAN A LITTLE DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCE! Heck, I might as well approach Calypso Louie (aka The Honroable Louis Farrakan) to join me in ministry since we only have one or two doctrinal differences. And I want to help him to the truth.
In other words, Robison would have to be an idiot, senile, or both in order to be telling the truth from his perspective. And he might be, in which case he shouldn’t be head of a Christian ministry. The only other option (if he’s not senile or an idiot) is that he has compromised. It may sound judgmental, but I’m not real clear on what the other options may be. Maybe you can give out a couple or three.
YOUR ARE SO SELF RIGHTEOUS….
Now try real hard to respond to my request instead trying to put me on the defensive and trying to insult me. I don’t mind if you insult me as long as you respond to the request.
Do you honestly feel that the differences that dollar and robinson are comparable to the differences that any Christian and Louis Farrakan may have? And may I ask why you give these nicknames that are meant to insult those who you give them to?
(MN: Yes. Creflo denies that Jesus was God while on Earth. Farrakan denies Jesus’s deity. The big difference between the two - Farrakan is honest about his distortions of the Bible (i.e. presenting another Gospel as another Gospel) and Creflo is not. To say that Jesus suffered in hell for our sins and His death on the cross was not sufficient to pay for them is as bad as Sun Myung Moon saying Jesus failed to pay for our sins on the cross.
Why the nick names? To remove the veneer of respectbability from these men and women and make it easier for you to see that they are a bunch of clowns taking you for a ride in one of those teeny weeny clown cars. For instance, did you know that Calypso Louie was a singer back in the fifties? A Calypso singer ala Harry Belafonte. Thus the name Calypso Louie. If it sounds like I have no respect for these men and women, it’s because I don’t. But whatever nick name I give them, alsways note that I never call them or imply that they are stupid. They are not. Vicious, cruel, greedy, ready to take advantage of the weak and ignorant - yes. Stupid - no. They deserve no respect as long as they insist on doing what they do. They deserve no understanding as long as they continue to fleece the flock. Sure pray for them. In the same way Paul had the Corinthians pray for the fellow who lived with his mom. But warn people about them. )
Thanks for answering my question thoroughly. I now understand exactly where you’re comming from although I may not agree 100% with what you are saying.
(MN: I am a very benevolent dictator. I don’t require 100% agreement. Understanding is quite acceptable. )
I see a lot of what you are saying Brother Melvin, because I too get very frustrated with the Non-Christ centered preachers and teachers out here. At one time it bothered me so bad that I began to give up on my ministry. Then God reminded me of why he called me to the ministry and that as long as I was focused on Him I could effectively do what He called me to do. At one time I was un-lovelingly (not a real word) blasting Christians who did not take the Christian lifestyle seriously. God had to show me that everything I do for him must be done in “agape”. Sometimes I still get frustrated but I shake the dust from my sandals and move on to my next assignment. If you look at the example of the Apostle Paul in his epistles, He gives a good example on how to do ministry. He focused his ministry on kingdom building, even when he had to deal with false profits and defending his apostleship. I’m new to this site and have not read all of the articles, so forgive me if this suggestion is already in place. I would like to see a positive reinforcement tone whereby there would be some articles giving props to the preachers and teachers who are hitting the mark. Stay encouraged Brother Melvin because at least you are sparking needed conversation.
(MN: Let me try again. He called me to the pimpological exposure ministry. I’m not here to give kudos to the pastor who do it right. I’m not here to post articles on churches that get it right. As I have asked before - do you call into the police to let them know about parents who aren’t abusing their children?
Bottom line - if you want a positive reinforcement tone, start a site that has a positive reinforcement tone.
Forgive me if I seem somewhat abrupt. But people keep telling me what I should do when they don’t do even what little I am doing in terms of exposing the pimps. And no, I’m not saying you don’t do anything. The front end of your comment made it clear that you do. )
OK Brother.
You will hear nothing else from me.
Maranatha,
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Maybe, just maybe, here lies the problem;
“I too am not a big fan of Mr. Dollar but since I am not apart of the Trinity, I’ll let God deal with him.”
A Fan?
Fan is short for Fanatical. Don’t read into anything that’s not there.
No kidding? SO let me get this straight, you are fanatical about Dreflo Dollar. Hmm. interesting…
No, no. He said he is not a fan of Creflo.
Oh My fault, I DID read too much into it. I apologize again.
(MN: I moved this comment from a comment to a posting. See the new posting “They really don’t care what you call them, just don’t call them broke“)
I am so saddened if this is true. Life Today was about the only program I would watch on Daystar or TBN.
Mel did u watch primetime tonite; here is a comment from pt forum. AIDS IN BLACK AMERICA
Posted: Aug 24, 2006 11:05 PM reply
3 Posts
Registered: Aug 24, 2006 11:00 PMI AM SO UPSET THAT REV. JAKES HAD THE NERVE TO SIT THERE ON TELEVISION AND SAY THAT THE REASON THAT HE DID NOT DISCUSS MORE ABOUT AIDS IN BLACK AMERICA IN HIS BIG CONVENTIONS IS BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER LEFT IN THE BIBLE, WHAT TO DO ABOUT THAT AND HOW TO ADDRESS IT.
WELL, THE BIBLE DOES NOT ADDRESS RIDING IN THE MOST EXPENSIVE CARS AND LIVING IN GREAT MANSIONS BUT YET HE DOESNT TAKE IT UPON HIMSELF TO ADDRESS IT BUT IT NEVER STOPS HIM FROM ASKING HIS CONGREGATION OR CONVENTIONS FOR TITHES.
JESSE JACKSON IS ANOTHER THAT UPSET ME BECAUSE HE IS A POWERFUL VOICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY-ALTHOUGH NOT AS POPULAR ANYMORE WHY BLAME THE PRESIDENT WHEN YOU HAVE THE VOICE. IF IT IS A BIG MEDIA ATTRACTION HE DOES NOT HESITATE TO FLY ANYWHERE AND GIVE HIS OPINION- BUT NOT ON AIDS. THIS IS ALMOST TOO MUCH TO LISTEN TO THESE TO SO CALLED PILLARS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
Let me try my best not to adopt my usual pharisaical tone as I say this…………Jedidiah, we are not talikng about doctrinal differences such as……
Should we be sprinkled or dipped??
Do we meet on the Lord’s Day or the Sabbath??
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck??
No, we are talking about someone who adheres to the metaphysical heresy of whether Christ was indeed Christ from the womb, or rather had Christhood conferred upon Him afterwards as so many cults suggest.
And……..in having Dollar on his TV program without even the suggestion or hint of this essential doctrinal
dichotomy being addressed, Roibson did no less than wish Dollar “Godspeed” in the eyes of viewers. There is a defacto credibility given to Dollar, since sharing the platform as seeming equals with no evident doctrinal disagreements lends Robison’s credibility to Creflo.
Tell me……..would you feel the same if Robison had a Theosophist, or a New Ager, or an Eastern guru on his show and never gave a hint as to the serious doctrinal chasm that exists between them??
I doubt it. Yet Dollar’s heresy is no less egregious than any I have named……..in fact, they all share the same heresy.
As to the assinine assertion that Robinson trots out about fellowshipping with Dollar to “help” him along in his path to orthodoxy……..I fail to see what that has to do with putting him on a TV show. Fellowship with him…….I have no problem with that as long as the goal is correction. But to provide him a platform that grants him credibility with viewers who may well begin accepting his heresies and buying his books/tapes is downright irresponsible.
Your examples of Jesus and the sinners with whom He associated is also flawed at its core………Yes, he stood among and alongside them to show them the Way of Life……..just as Robinson claims he does with Creflo.
BUT………..I haven’t yet read where Jesus invited those sinners to preach, teach, or share the platform with Him as He expounded the Words of Life.
That is exactly what James Robison did.
I wasn’t sure where to post this, so I just decided to find the last Creflo topic…Found this article this morning. Michael Dyson makes some interesting comments on the subject:
http://blackvoices.aol.com/black_lifestyle/soul_spirit_headlines_features/canvas/feature_article/_a/the-gospel-of-prosperity-does-wealth/20060426121509990001
Mary says in the article in question………
“MY GOD is a God who wants me to have things. He wants me to bling. He wants me to be the hottest thing on the block. I don’t know what kind of God the rest of y’all are serving, but the God I serve says, ‘Mary, you need to be the hottest thing this year, and I’m gonna make sure you’re doing that.’”
HMMMmmmmmnnnnnnn……..the “god” she serves is interested in her having “bling”………and being the “hottest thing this year”.
Well, she’s right………there IS a god who promises that.
Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
Gary, man of God: This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God! And I don’t mean “the god of this world” that Mary heard. S-s-s-a-a-a-d!
Sad indeed my friend………..bless you Beryle.
Thank you for all you do, Mr. Melvin, in exposing the lies and giving ear to the truth.
Judgement is mine says the Lord.
(MN: That’s true. But remember: “It could be worse. It could be raining,” said Igor. )
I once heard the story about an Indonesian minister who came to visit America. He was asked by local church leaders if he found that the spiritual warfare in “pagan” countries was much more intense than what he found in North America. He replied that the actually, the “spirit of greed” was that he found concentrated here was much more powerful and deceptive than anything he had ever encountered in the third world.
There was a short period of time that James Robinson was working on starting his own church in Ft Worth. My husband and I attended as he pumped the audience to give sacrificially or we wouldn’t make it. Later, I saw a Dallas Ft Worth paper profiling the top 10 houses in the area. Robinson, in competition with the super rich had a house on the top of that list. I just don’t get why ministers justify having lifestyles that are so opulent that the name of Christ is mocked and shamed. Who knows though, maybe he sold his house and scaled down since he has reportedly had a change of heart in his ministry?
My husband was on the accounting staff (where he was paid 1/2 of what he would have gotten elsewhere) at one of the mega churches in Dallas. The pastor had his own private Lear jet. a private pilot, Mercedes, Town cars, furs, diamonds absolutely lavish life style, yet, we had to use charge cards to buy our groceries at our poverty level wages. The pastor was later run out of town. However, 15 years later my children won’t darken the door of a church.
Why. The absolute, blatant greed is incredible and who exactly does it “bless” when a pastor has a house that maybe the top 10% of the wealthiest can afford?