People caught up in the WoF/Prosperity Gospel are so deceived. I rebuked a couple Christians at work who were “arguing” the Gospel to another unsaved co-worker. I don’t doubt their salvation but both are of the Pentacostal/WoF/Prosperity Gospel. I must say I actually got embarrassed for them. It’s situations like this and people with errant doctrine that make people like us look like fools. You see the Devil uses this nonsense to his advantage. When you and I say we are Christians many assume that we are a bunch of babbling weird Holy rollers. We are very far from that. Unlike the afore mentioned nonsense we present the Gospel truth as just that, the Gospel truth. No need for jumping,clapping,babbling, or prophesying. We present the shed blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and eternity with Him. Plain and simple. You are either saved or you are not.

Sadly the Pentacostal/WoF/Prosperity Gospel proponents are being laughed at by the unsaved world for their kookyness, are tickling peoples ears to help seal their damnation and bloat the incomes of the Pimps, and make sane Christians like us be lumped in with them.

Now as for my mentioning of the two co-workers who were presenting the muddied Gospel to a fellow unsaved coworker. I will sometime soon present the true Gospel to him.

Kyle

They speak of being “passionate” about Jesus. He is portrayed, it seems to me, as a love-sick teenager with a crush on the church. It’s all about the heart and being sold out to Jesus.

Their theory of IHOP is that if a 24/7 praise and worship center is set up in a city, that the city will be eventually won over to the Lord. It is based a lot on an unfortunate translation of Psalm 22:3 from which they take it that as we praise the Lord, He takes up a throne from which He scatters demon forces in the local area that keep the citizens unsaved.

I believe what is happening is that the kids are being immersed into experiences which are altered states of consciousness brought on by extended worship sessions with rhythmic background music. The emotional reaction is taken for the presence of God or the “glory.” The manifestations that occur are the typical slaying in the spirit, carpet time, visions and other mystical experiences.

I am afraid for this young woman, as she is not capable of discerning the error that leads to these experiences. Her friends are being tattooed for Jesus and exhibiting other hippie characteristics. It bothers me a lot to have had this sown in my old church when I was there as a teacher. At the time, I had not yet been woken up by the Lord to the sea of error our people were being assaulted with and getting into.

Beware this ministry.

As for the assertion of the WOF being a cult, you are correct on this as well. I just finished reading an e-book “The Harlot Church System” by Charles Elliott Newbold, Jr. http://www.meatindueseason.net/newbold/or/harlot/harlottoc.html This e-book does an EXCELLENT job in giving detailed descriptions, history and characteristics that bode well in describing the present-day church and the behaviors that permeate throughout.

As far as the characteristics you laid out for the prosperity gospel, yes, I do see it as a loose connection that some pastors have with one another, in different parts of the country, that will mirror the same garbage to increasing numbers of people. I have sat under numerous people from across the country (including one from England) that my former pastor paraded into the church that have spoken variants of what you mentioned in your closing paragraph. The common theme was to “speak into existence,” “the world is your oyster” and “give me your money” as you believe God for “whatsoever you desire.” This is all happening with an unsuspecting and very loyal following.

Cult?? Absolutely.

Very true regarding the tough economic times approaching. A true believer would solely rely on the Lord and the talents the Lord has given he/she to go out and either work harder, longer hours, or even get a second job. The Prosperity Pimps however will continue to tickle the ears of the weak minded Christians claiming that if only they would give more God would return it back a 100 fold.

One of the main reasons this is so appealing in particular to Western Christians is the fact that we have been so accustomed to having it so good in this country many can’t fathom scarificing to get ahead. the Prosperity Gospel gives them an easy out.

Now regarding your former Church. What amazes me is the typical “ forsake not the assembling of yourselves” line of nonsense. The reason this is nonsensical is because this is exactly the tactics cults use. The problem is that most people are either blinded or not willing to admit that the Prosperity Gospel is a cult. We too often are quick to claim Catholicism, Mormonism, etc, etc as cults but merely claim the Prosperity Gospel as bad doctrine. This could not be further from the truth. I would even go as far to say that the Prosperity Gospel is just as cult like as the afore mentioned examples. Think about it. You have a Pastor that claims ye are little gods, that you MUST give, that you should not touch the anointed one, and biblical interpretation which does not align with scripture. By all definitions the Prosperity Gospel is a loosely held cult.

Kyle

I had a conversation with someone just within the last two days inquiring why I left the church. Knowing he is one that has a very strong emotional alliance with the pastor (he and his wife have been members almost since its inception), and was likely not willing to hear my biblcally-based answers, I gave him the “…some things happening there did not sit right with me….blah, blah, blah.” Needless to say, he gave an emotionally-based response, labeling it “noise,” half-using the scripture “….forsake not the assembling of yourselves…” and that I should simply come back. As I attempted to answer further, he continued to interrupt, implying that there is no good reason for me to walk away. Rather than “answer a fool in his folly,” I told him that either he can keep quiet as I attempted to answer his question or simple hang up the phone. I told him straight out that if I was going to “forsake” the saints, I would not have hosted an Easter dinner in my home nor would I have made any attempts to have maintained contact with him or anyone else since leaving in late February. All he could offer was that he “missed seeing me.” I told him that despite my walking away from the institution, I gave him assurance that I was not walking away from him.

If you look at all of the scams that are brought out from these false teashers, the common denominator is one of emotionalism (hype, fear, unreasonable expectations). Proverbs 4:7 prompts us to get understanding (wisdom), and Romans 12:2 implores us to be transformed by renewing our minds (intellect & sharpening wisdom, specifically), to prove the good, perfect and acceptable will of God, NOT our emotions. As long as people can be programmed to disengage their thinking towards the Word and continue to act on indescriminate loyalty, hype and emotionalism, it will ultimately lead them to their demise. This is why we (as an entire body) is being ridiculed and mocked for its activities (Luke 16:8). This is where I see this gentleman and his wife.

The worsening economy is likely going to strengthen the resolve of the unlearned and unregenerated. It will make them more hardened to the Word in favor of all of these New Age and meta-physical practices passing as something godly.

I thank God DAILY that he has given me the wisdom and grace to separate myself from the harlot while still having contact with the saints.

My husband gently warned about such teachings in Sunday School class on several occasions, prompting 2 members of our small, country church to leave. They now attend one of the WOF churches springing up in our area, where they can hear the pastor speak of the financial breakthroughs at hand. It is disheartening for my husband and me to have diligently ministered to these families in their need, only to be summarily dismissed (with a phone call!) because we are “lacking in faith” to get them a financial miracle. The smooth, pleasant words of this aberrant teaching lure those not yet well-grounded in scripture away from churches truly wanting to nurture them in the Lord.

I had always viewed the prosperity gospel as an urban/suburban blight, and that we would remain unaffected in our very rural and isolated setting.

I can see how even more prominent the WOF/prosperity teachings will become as it appeals to gullible Christians panicking at the prospect of a tanking economy.

Also, this would indicate how imperative it is for this web-site to continue to address this attack on the true gospel, mandating our prayers for the ministry done here. It serves as an encouragement to me as I help my husband in our church. Many thanks!

(MN: Be encouraged. You should look at it differently. Your husband preached the truth, as is his responsibility. The people who left were not pursuing the truth. John talked about it. If they had been of Christ they would have listened to him. Their leaving simply demonstrates that they are not of Him. Your husband’s preaching has done its job and has done the local body [over whom your husband shepherds] a huge favor by getting rid of the leaven. )

Doesn’t the “lack of giving” scam give you the creeps. Talk about pandering. This guy Fast Eddie has millions and then throws that line of bull in your face. I’m sure he even spouts off some “mission” in need or some “program” in need of money to make one feel guilty. YUCK! There is one person though that I have to give credit to and that’s Jesse Duplantis. He has been running this million partners scam for a few years now. It’s great marketing. If he could get a million partners that’s quite a steady income. It’s kind of like a pyramid scam where the only one who makes money is the guy on the top. click this link below and become a partner today. LOL!

http://www.jdm.org/jdmdefault.aspx?tabindex=-1&tabID=43

P.S. Melvin I’m still waiting for you to talk about this guy. He is a big dog on the TBN circuit.

Kyle

I see why she would only do this by reservation. If you have to contact her and provide your info then she will probably have your phone number, address, and e-mail. Once she has got that you can expect to be bombarded with messages pandering for your money. I have to admit that’s pretty slick. Hey! Ya gotta give a Pimp their props. They do know what their doing. Sigh!

Kyle

Peter.

Q. Who do you make the check out to?

A. Whomever teaches you.

Well, Nigel you are my teacher. Thank you.

While you are between the *hic* and the *cup* peruse this site won’t you: http://www.presenttruthmag.com/index.html

Peter

http://www.givingandtithing.com/

On another note I guess Mel got fed up of correcting spelling this new version of pp.org has a spell checker. Woo hoo!!

“Feed the flock, not on the flock.”