Here's an excellent article about Joel Olsteen.
http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/Article_031805_Olsteen.pdf
Showing posts with label prosperity gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prosperity gospel. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
reflection
Good news cannot exist without the bad news, the bads news cannot exist unless there is good news. we like to talk about the salvation and the good of it , but how about talking about sin? we may have the hope of the good news, but the consequences of bad news very much still exist. yes, preaching justification is good. but how about sanctification? that would put salvation in another light! that would make all of us involved in discipleship. just look at the lives of those who come to God for health and wealth. would not it be the same if our God stop blessing and healing? now i understand why piper calls the health and wealth circus idolatry.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Leaving Lakeland
The Florida Outpouring revival concerned Pentecostal leaders.
Cary McMullen, The Ledger of Lakeland | posted 8/12/2008 10:13AM
Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley has announced that he will leave the Florida Outpouring revival meetings in Lakeland on August 23 to conduct revivals overseas. But some local Pentecostal leaders, as well as some national ones, won't be sad to see him go, and have been wary of giving approval to the meetings since they began in April.
Bentley shrugged off the criticisms.
"We're preaching and teaching the gospel and praying and healing the sick," he said. "Jesus said a tree is known by its fruit. What's the fruit we've produced? Thousands are coming to praise God."
The Pentecostal revival has drawn an average of 30,000 or more people each week, according to its leaders, with about half of those from outside Florida. Almost a third come from outside the United States, leaders estimate. Observers say the Internet, over which the services are streamed live twice a day, has also fueled attendance.
Bentley, 32, runs Fresh Fire Ministries, an independent organization based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He is an unusual sight with his many tattoos and jeweled lip studs. A self-professed fan of professional wrestling, he is prone to giving gentle shoves or kicks and shouting "Bam!" as he touches people to "impart" the Holy Spirit to them. His antics have alarmed some, such as Charisma editor J. Lee Grady, who editorialized against those methods in the magazine. But the crowds beg to differ.
Bob and Hilkka Mounder traveled from Sheffield, England, to attend the revival. "Todd is rather special to us. We've really experienced God's presence at his meetings," Bob Mounder said. "I'm 20 years older, I know lots more about the Bible than he does, yet there's something about him. He's got something I haven't got."
While faith healing is a part of the Pentecostal tradition, leaders' claims that at least 25 people have been raised from the dead have especially raised eyebrows. No dead bodies have been brought into the revival. Rather, reports of the recent death of a loved one—in some cases located long distances away—are relayed to the stage by e-mail or cell phone, and Bentley has led prayers for the person to be revived.
"We do our best to find out the situation. In one case, a boy drowned in a pool. He had no pulse, wasn't breathing, and was clinically brain-dead," he said.
Recent news reports have been unable to verify any of the claims of healing, although revival officials say they have been barred from releasing complete information about the identities and conditions of people claiming to be healed due to privacy concerns and laws forbidding the release of medical records.
"We hear about the dead being raised, but we don't know who they are or where they are," said Reggie Scarborough, pastor of Family Worship Center in Lakeland, a charismatic congregation that frequently practices faith healing. "I saw a lot of passion from [Bentley], but there was too much hype. I just don't feel I can endorse something that's being exaggerated."
In June, the Assemblies of God issued a statement about revivals that, while not targeting the Florida Outpouring specifically, seems to caution people about it. For example, one guideline warned against Christians being "overly enamored with charismatic manifestations."
George Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, said he watched YouTube video clips of the revival and was concerned about a claim Bentley had made in the past about encounters with the apostle Paul and angels named Emma and Wind of Change.
"That sort of information is not in the Bible," he said. "We need to make sure there is adherence to Scripture in any spiritual movement."
The Rev. Stephen Strader, pastor of Ignited Church, who invited Bentley to Lakeland, is a minister in the Assemblies of God. He said he agreed with Wood and the denomination's statement.
"We have the exact same concerns. We watch over everything. Everything that happens on the platform is scriptural," he said. Strader and Bentley say there has been very little talk about angels.
"Emma has never been part of this outpouring. It was an experience Todd had seven years ago, and it's been totally blown out of proportion," Strader said. "The nightly message has been totally 100 percent nothing but Jesus.
"People are saved, people are healed, and Jesus is being glorified," he said. "Even some of my so-called friends are questioning my integrity, but they never come to the services. It's not fair just to watch [them] on TV."
Cary McMullen, The Ledger of Lakeland | posted 8/12/2008 10:13AM
Canadian evangelist Todd Bentley has announced that he will leave the Florida Outpouring revival meetings in Lakeland on August 23 to conduct revivals overseas. But some local Pentecostal leaders, as well as some national ones, won't be sad to see him go, and have been wary of giving approval to the meetings since they began in April.
Bentley shrugged off the criticisms.
"We're preaching and teaching the gospel and praying and healing the sick," he said. "Jesus said a tree is known by its fruit. What's the fruit we've produced? Thousands are coming to praise God."
The Pentecostal revival has drawn an average of 30,000 or more people each week, according to its leaders, with about half of those from outside Florida. Almost a third come from outside the United States, leaders estimate. Observers say the Internet, over which the services are streamed live twice a day, has also fueled attendance.
Bentley, 32, runs Fresh Fire Ministries, an independent organization based in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He is an unusual sight with his many tattoos and jeweled lip studs. A self-professed fan of professional wrestling, he is prone to giving gentle shoves or kicks and shouting "Bam!" as he touches people to "impart" the Holy Spirit to them. His antics have alarmed some, such as Charisma editor J. Lee Grady, who editorialized against those methods in the magazine. But the crowds beg to differ.
Bob and Hilkka Mounder traveled from Sheffield, England, to attend the revival. "Todd is rather special to us. We've really experienced God's presence at his meetings," Bob Mounder said. "I'm 20 years older, I know lots more about the Bible than he does, yet there's something about him. He's got something I haven't got."
While faith healing is a part of the Pentecostal tradition, leaders' claims that at least 25 people have been raised from the dead have especially raised eyebrows. No dead bodies have been brought into the revival. Rather, reports of the recent death of a loved one—in some cases located long distances away—are relayed to the stage by e-mail or cell phone, and Bentley has led prayers for the person to be revived.
"We do our best to find out the situation. In one case, a boy drowned in a pool. He had no pulse, wasn't breathing, and was clinically brain-dead," he said.
Recent news reports have been unable to verify any of the claims of healing, although revival officials say they have been barred from releasing complete information about the identities and conditions of people claiming to be healed due to privacy concerns and laws forbidding the release of medical records.
"We hear about the dead being raised, but we don't know who they are or where they are," said Reggie Scarborough, pastor of Family Worship Center in Lakeland, a charismatic congregation that frequently practices faith healing. "I saw a lot of passion from [Bentley], but there was too much hype. I just don't feel I can endorse something that's being exaggerated."
In June, the Assemblies of God issued a statement about revivals that, while not targeting the Florida Outpouring specifically, seems to caution people about it. For example, one guideline warned against Christians being "overly enamored with charismatic manifestations."
George Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, said he watched YouTube video clips of the revival and was concerned about a claim Bentley had made in the past about encounters with the apostle Paul and angels named Emma and Wind of Change.
"That sort of information is not in the Bible," he said. "We need to make sure there is adherence to Scripture in any spiritual movement."
The Rev. Stephen Strader, pastor of Ignited Church, who invited Bentley to Lakeland, is a minister in the Assemblies of God. He said he agreed with Wood and the denomination's statement.
"We have the exact same concerns. We watch over everything. Everything that happens on the platform is scriptural," he said. Strader and Bentley say there has been very little talk about angels.
"Emma has never been part of this outpouring. It was an experience Todd had seven years ago, and it's been totally blown out of proportion," Strader said. "The nightly message has been totally 100 percent nothing but Jesus.
"People are saved, people are healed, and Jesus is being glorified," he said. "Even some of my so-called friends are questioning my integrity, but they never come to the services. It's not fair just to watch [them] on TV."
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Some Observations....
" I used to be $700k in debts before coming to church, but after coming to church, now my net worth is $1.5 million dollars - USD, not singapore Dollars. - this is how God bless me.... wow... hallelujah "
such statements/testimonies are common coming out of health and wealth megachurches. Another term we commonly used to describe their doctrine is the prosperity gospel. The strange thing is many people flock to it despite feeling uncomfortable with the messages.
I was discussing a certain City Harvest message with my bro today, and when i mention about the above testimony which was shared at the pulpit, my bro immediately responded: sounds like it makes no difference you visit a temple or a church... you just wanted to be bless....
John Piper is outright against such doctrines... he said that such doctrines are form because of idolatry in the hearts of men. We look forward only to the gifts not the giver... we are interested or even obsess with how God can be manipulated for our gain instead of developing and building this once-broken relationship with Him. Our God has become a vending machine God (as depict in Eugene Peterson's book Running with Horses) John MacArthur falls short of calling these people false teachers.( check out his book charismatic chaos- an outright anti-charismatic material -pls read with discernment)MacArthur mentioned something that speaks right to the heart of idolatry... conveniently borrowing Christianity to fulfill a theology that's born out of men's sinful desire....
Are they false teachers or not? we will never know on this side of eternity ... but it is good to take caution... let's check out the following portion of the scripture...
1 Timothy 6
Love of Money
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Here's my question: why would a church or a pastor lead his sheep to temptation? No way a true messenger of God would lead his people to stroke sin. It is playing with fire... the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. No surprise the population of city harvest are filled with businessmen, people dealing with MLM, impressionable young people who wanted to succeed the quick way... it is interesting to see if any of these charismatic church preach on the above portion of the scripture..
more to come...
such statements/testimonies are common coming out of health and wealth megachurches. Another term we commonly used to describe their doctrine is the prosperity gospel. The strange thing is many people flock to it despite feeling uncomfortable with the messages.
I was discussing a certain City Harvest message with my bro today, and when i mention about the above testimony which was shared at the pulpit, my bro immediately responded: sounds like it makes no difference you visit a temple or a church... you just wanted to be bless....
John Piper is outright against such doctrines... he said that such doctrines are form because of idolatry in the hearts of men. We look forward only to the gifts not the giver... we are interested or even obsess with how God can be manipulated for our gain instead of developing and building this once-broken relationship with Him. Our God has become a vending machine God (as depict in Eugene Peterson's book Running with Horses) John MacArthur falls short of calling these people false teachers.( check out his book charismatic chaos- an outright anti-charismatic material -pls read with discernment)MacArthur mentioned something that speaks right to the heart of idolatry... conveniently borrowing Christianity to fulfill a theology that's born out of men's sinful desire....
Are they false teachers or not? we will never know on this side of eternity ... but it is good to take caution... let's check out the following portion of the scripture...
1 Timothy 6
Love of Money
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Here's my question: why would a church or a pastor lead his sheep to temptation? No way a true messenger of God would lead his people to stroke sin. It is playing with fire... the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. No surprise the population of city harvest are filled with businessmen, people dealing with MLM, impressionable young people who wanted to succeed the quick way... it is interesting to see if any of these charismatic church preach on the above portion of the scripture..
more to come...
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