Marsha West: Dominionists are on the move...and they mean business

[billiefan2000]

Dominionists are on the move...and they mean business

By Marsha West

"Once we have the apostles in place, we will then bring the intercessors and the prophets into the inner circle, and we will end up with the spiritual core we need to move ahead for retaking the dominion that is rightfully ours." — C. Peter Wagner

Until recently not many folks were aware of a man by the name of C. Peter Wagner. But Wagner is quickly becoming a person of interest thanks largely to Christian Right (CR) becoming chummy with him and other high-level charismatic dominionists. In the past couple of months much has been written on pro-family groups uniting of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) dominionists. In fact it was the prominent American Family Association (AFA) that sponsored Governor Rick Perry's August 2011 prayer rally The Response that included many NAR notables in leadership roles.

The NAR's purpose is to restore the office of Apostles and Prophets and advance the Kingdom of God. According to Albert James Dager "dominion theology is predicated upon three basic beliefs: 1) Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth through the temptation of Adam and Eve; 2) The Church is God's instrument to take dominion back from Satan; 3) Jesus cannot or will not return until the Church has taken dominion by gaining control of the earth's governmental and social institutions. (Online source)

So — the NAR/dominionist's goal is to transform society into the kingdom of God on earth. How? By controlling various aspects of society. The term they use is the "Seven Mountains," or "Seven Spheres" of society. The Seven Mountains are: 1) Arts and Entertainment; 2) Business/Economy; 3) Education; 4) Family; 5) Government; 6) Media; 7) Religion. The NAR holds that as they accomplish ridding the world of evil, things will get better and better and then Jesus Christ will return to set up His kingdom.

The goals of the CR and the NAR seem like a good idea, right? I mean, who could argue with wanting to influence the seven spheres of society that are dominated by secular humanists. Christians are not wrong in desiring to have a society based on Judeo-Christian principles. But here's the problem. This "mandate" the NAR mob subscribes to did not come from the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 18:36 Jesus made it clear: "My kingdom is not of this world."

However, dominionists never let a little thing like what Jesus said get in the way of their lofty goals. One of the most troubling aspects of their "theology" is the unbiblical teaching on spiritual warfare. They believe they have a kingdom mandate to do "strategic-level spiritual warfare" which is "a popular charismatic method of casting out demons from geographical locations or territories. It identifies three levels of demonic control on earth. Firstly, are "Ground-Level" demons, which possess people. Secondly, "Occult-Level" demons empower witches, shamans, magicians. Finally, "Strategic-Level" demons which are the most powerful of the three, are said to rule over certain regions or territories. Their main purpose is to hinder people from coming to Christ." (Online source)

Hence, dominionists go hither and yon to do strategic-level spiritual warfare to tear down demonic strongholds established by Satan and his demons. This is not local; it's global.

MAINSTREAMING A CULT

Discernment ministries such as Deception in the Church, Let Us Reason, and Herescope have been reporting on the apostate Latter Rain, now the NAR, for decades. The Latter Rain holds that God is pouring out His Spirit just as He did at Pentecost and is using believers to prepare the world for His Second Coming. The name has been changed numerous times. "Presiding Apostle" C. Peter Wagner is the one who dubbed it the New Apostolic Reformation.

Some pro-family organizations such as the AFA, the Family Research Council and Liberty Counsel have joined forces with the NAR to fight the culture war. Until recently not many folks were paying attention — but they are now. Why? Because the CR has brought the NAR cult into the mainstream.

In A Warning About Latter Day Apostles Herescope's Orrel Steinkamp gives us some background info on Wagner:

This restoration teaching percolated on the back burners of the Charismatic Renewal for years, but it was never promoted heavily and no one attempted to systematically implement it on a worldwide scale. Into this vacuum has stepped C. Peter Wagner as a central personality. Wagner has given organizational and promotional impetus to this so-called restoration and has taken bold steps to implement apostolic restoration to a wider Global Church — as a result he is positioned to have a greater influence than many other promoters of apostolic restoration.

Beginning with his association with John Wimber, Wagner moved quickly into charismatic Christianity. He has systematized certain charismatic spiritual warfare practices and developed his strategic warfare mentality etc. He also promoted what he called the "Third Wave." In this "Third Wave" he saw generic evangelicals getting involved with signs and wonders without adopting traditional Pentecostal Theology. He has a broad Evangelical pedigree and has notoriety as a former missiologist at Fuller seminary. He is the recognized heir and successor to Donald McGavern, the founding father of all church growth teaching. In addition to being a co-founder of the World Prayer Center in Colorado Springs, he is the founding president of Global Harvest Ministries, which is responsible for the "United Prayer Track" of AD2000 and Beyond" as well as many other missions related activities outside the AD2000 organization. The Billy Graham Lausan conference adopted Wagner's missions/evangelism agenda. And he is now in association with many holdovers from the Latter Rain of the 50's who got a new lease on life in the Charismatic Renewal.

PINOCCHIO'S NOSE

In one of my articles (here) I said that the CR was uniting with cultists. Wagner was indignant that I referred to the NAR as a cult. Within days he sent AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM PETER to his mailing list explaining what the NAR is and is not. Is it a cult, as I claimed? No, he said. "The NAR is definitely not a cult." He went on to say:

Those who affiliate with it believe the Apostles' Creed and all the standard classic statements of Christian doctrine. It will surprise some to know that the NAR embraces the largest non-Catholic segment of world Christianity. It is also the fastest growing segment, the only segment of Christianity currently growing faster than the world population and faster than Islam.

The NAR is not an organization. No one can join or carry a card. It has no leader. I have been called the "founder," but this is not the case. One reason I might be seen as an "intellectual godfather" is that I might have been the first to observe the movement, give a name to it, and describe its characteristics as I saw them. ... The roots of the NAR go back to the beginning of the African Independent Church Movement in 1900, the Chinese House Church Movement beginning in 1976, the U.S. Independent Charismatic Movement beginning in the 1970s and the Latin American Grassroots Church Movement beginning around the same time. I was neither the founder nor a member of any of these movements, I was simply a professor who observed that they were the fastest growing churches in their respective regions and that they had a number of common characteristics." (Global Spheres)

Let Us Reason's Mike Oppenheimer responded to Wagner's explanation in a piece he wrote A Case of Pinocchio's Nose:

Wagner is claiming he does not want to be labeled a cult. He, as a teacher, ignores the fact that there are cults within Christianity that do confess many of the tenets of the apostle's creed on paper, they just don't implement them in practice.

Cult expert Walter Martin, says Oppenheimer, described a cult as "a group of people gathered about a specific persons [sic] interpretation of the bible... from a theological view point, the cults contain not only a few major deviations from historic Christianity." Moreover, "A cult in its most simplistic meaning operates in falsehood, either theologically, sociologically or both (in beliefs and practices). Some are theologically dangerous others are sociologically dangerous. Not all cults are physically harmful, but they are harmful spiritually. While the cults more often operate using control, they also operate in falsehood and will have secrets that are not public. They claim to have a new or better way applied to various aspects of Christianity, more often about salvation. This aspect is seen in the NAR as they state the church will not succeed without incorporating their apostles and prophets." (emphasis added)

TAP DANCING

Recently Wagner appeared on National Public Radio's Fresh Air. The tap dance he did around the truth could rival Fred Astaire who made tap dancing seem effortless. Granted, he did answer some of host Terry Gross' questions straightforwardly. For example, he admitted that the NAR's influence at The Response was "fairly strong and that it was a significant step forward in NAR's work in America." This is a chilling thought!

When asked about his close friend Ted Haggard's homosexual drug-fueled trysts with a male prostitute while pastoring the 10,000 member New Life Church, he lamented:

But when his homosexuality was revealed, it was a devastating blow to me, because not only was he pastor of this influential church, he was president of the National Association of Evangelicals. And he was a representative of all of us, and we all had a great deal of confidence in him.

When asked about the NAR'S Seven Mountain mandate, he made Fred Astaire look like a novice:

In terms of taking dominion, we don't — we wouldn't want to — we use the word dominion, but we wouldn't want to say that we have dominion as if we're the owners or we're the rulers of, let's say, the arts and entertainment mountain.

What we strive to do, and our goal is to have people in the arts and entertainment mountain who are committed to the kingdom of God. So therefore, we use the adjective they're kingdom-minded believers, and we — our goal is to try to have as many kingdom-minded believers in positions of influence in the arts and entertainment mountain as possible. And the reason for that is to help bring the blessings of heaven to all those in the arts and entertainment mountain.

To help bring blessings? Really? Then why did Wagner teach the following at a conference?:

Dominion has to do with control. Dominion has to do with rulership. Dominion has to do with authority and subduing and it relates to society. In other words, what the values are in heaven need to be made manifest here on earth. Dominion means being the head and not the tail. Dominion means ruling as kings. It says in Revelation Chapter 1:6 that He has made us kings and priests, and check the rest of that verse. It says "for dominion." So we are kings for dominion. (Online source)

Here's what they mean by "ruling like kings." The Little Lions is a dominionist website for children. In a DVD, The Little Lion Chronicles, producers Dave Munoz and James Nesbit tell children that the Creator gave them the name lion. "We are strong! We are ferocious! We are lions! We are recognized as kings! We are the keepers of the Royal Way."

Jesus referred to His followers, not as lions, but as sheep. Also, the Bible says God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

The Bible also says, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

Why? Because, "there are certain men crept in unawares [wormed their way in], who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:3, 4). [emphasis added]

Speaking of those who have wormed their way into churches, Wagner also wrote in a newsletter:

The kingdom of God furnishes the template for our stream. We believe that God's desire for this season can be discerned through 'The Dominion Mandate' and 'The 7-M Mandate.' Chuck has laid groundwork through his books, The Future War of the Church and God's Unfolding Battle Plan. I have been doing the same through The Church in the Workplace and Dominion! We want to provide a viable opportunity for apostolic alignment for leaders who minister in all seven mountains....

We feel that Global Spheres, Inc., will fill a gap for many who believe in the direction that Chuck, Doris and I are taking into the future, and who desire official alignment with us as their apostolic leaders. We do not want it to be a traditional, religious organization, but rather an aligned network of leaders from all seven spheres that make up societal structures. This is a way that we can do our part toward fulfilling the Dominion Mandate." [emphases and links added by Herescope] (Online source)

WHAT A REVOLTING DEVELOPMENT THIS IS

Going back to our adroit tap dancer, C. Peter Wagner, I admit he seemed like a rational man during the NPR interview. He did not, however, seem rational during Todd Bentley's commissioning ceremony during the Lakeland Outpouring when he "prophesied" over Todd, who was on stage in the prone position sizzling like a rasher of bacon:

"This commissioning represents a powerful spiritual transaction taking place in the invisible world. With this in mind, I take the apostolic authority that God has given me and I decree to Todd Bentley, your power will increase, your authority will increase, your favor will increase, your influence will increase, your revelation will increase.

"I also decree that a new supernatural strength will flow through this ministry. A new life force will penetrate this move of God. Government will be established to set things in their proper order. God will pour out a higher level of discernment to distinguish truth from error. New relationships will surface to open the gates to the future." (Online source)

Shortly after the televised commissioning ceremony Todd fell from grace. It was discovered that the man who had been given apostolic authority and whom God allegedly "poured out a higher level of discernment" was having an affair with a woman on his staff (here). It also came to light that the anointed one's alcohol consumption had "crossed the line." To make matters worse, he divorced his wife and married his mistress. Not to worry, though. After repenting and going through a short but intense period of restoration under the guidance of "super apostles" Rick Joyner and Bill Johnson, Todd was reinstated. Now the tattooed wonder is traveling the highways and byways with his new wife "opening the gates to the future."

What I've tried to do here is to give a brief overview of the NAR to help true followers of Jesus Christ understand what's happening within Christendom — and this is just the tip of the iceberg, my friends! For decades the Latter Rain was considered a fringe movement but in recent years it has wormed its way into every facet of society. And it hasn't been all that hard for them, and other cults, to pull the wool over the eyes of the sheep. Sadly, this includes undiscerning Christian clergy/teachers/authors/entertainers/media and as I pointed out, many esteemed pro-family leaders.

I'll close with this verse from Hosea 4:6:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you....


Dominionists are on the move...and they mean business

[billiefan2000]

Damnable heresies invading the Church
A large number of Christians are unaware that literally truck loads of counterfeit Christians have gained access to pulpits, wormed their way into Church leadership, Christian organizations and are deeply entrenched in the so-called Christian entertainment industry. Call them what you will--false teachers/prophets, liberals/progressives, cultists, misinformed, misled, even looney tunes--the one thing they all have in common is that they have strayed from the truth.

Unbiblical teaching has been going on since the early church took root. Peter cautioned that “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).
Today there is a damnable heresy in the Church that many Christians haven’t yet heard of: The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) aka Dominionism/ Kingdom Now/Replacement Theology. Those who disagree with their false gospel must be removed through intense “spiritual warfare” and by raising up a “new breed “of Christian they call an “Army of God.”

The NAR is not new at all. Only the name has been changed—many times—to fool people into thinking there is a “New Wave” or a “Paradigm Shift” taking place in Christendom. Over the years they have dubbed themselves Joel’s Army, Latter Rain, Manifest Sons of God, and the list goes on. They’re ushering in “a reformation greater in scale than the reformation of the 1500's.”

A liberal pundit lamented that NAR is on a mission to “take control of communities and nations through large networks of 'prayer warriors' whose spiritual warfare is used to expel and destroy the demons that cause societal ills. Once the territorial demons, witches, and generational curses are removed, the 'born-again' Christians…take control of society."

The concept of spiritual warfare comes from the Bible. It warns of invisible beings who want to harm us and advises us to put on armor (spiritual armor) in order to ward off their vicious attacks. Problem is, the way in which NAR practices spiritual warfare is both unorthodox and extra-biblical. First of all, they teach three levels of spiritual warfare:

"Ground-level" involves casting demons out of individuals; "occult-level warfare" involves more organized "powers of darkness" [They target here New Age thought, Tibetan Buddhism, Freemasonry, etc.]; and "strategic-level warfare" directly "confronts 'territorial spirits' assigned by Satan to coordinate activities over a geographical area."

In addition, they carry out other extra-biblical practices such as “binding Satan,” “rebuking demonic spirits,” “tearing down strongholds,” and “taking control of cities and situations.”

Why go to all the trouble of demolishing demonic strongholds, even if such things do exist, when the Bible teaches that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sufficient for demolishing strongholds! (2 Cor 10:3-5).

Liberals/progressives actually fear born again Christians who hold a place of power, have political influence, and are well-connected. One reason the Left hated George W. Bush is because he purported to be a born again Christian. For daring to openly profess his faith in Jesus Christ, liberal elitists labeled him a religious zealot. The liberal press relish portraying individuals who professes a belief in Christ as not the sharpest knife in the tool shed. Never mind that some of our Founding Fathers, who most people will concede were brilliant men, were born again Christians.

Now it seems liberals have a bit of anxiety over “movement operative’s” plans to take dominion:

“The movement's notion of ‘spiritual warfare’ has spread from the California suburbs to an East-Coast inner city, and has impacted policy decisions in the developing world. Movement operatives are well-connected enough to have testified before Congress and to have received millions of dollars in government abstinence-only sex-education grants, and bizarre enough to maintain that in its prototype communities, the movement has healed AIDS, purified polluted streams and even grown huge vegetables.” (Note: Michelle Obama has also grown huge veggies in her garden at the White House.)

With all due respect, most progressives/liberals haven’t the foggiest idea what spiritual warfare even means. What they don’t quite “get” is that spiritual warfare is a metaphor for what is taking place in the invisible realm. The Bible tells us that Satan is the ruler of this world until Christ returns to judge the world. Moreover, the demonic forces control the minds of individuals. Jesus said to the Pharisees: Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). What does this mean? John Wesley explains:

He was a murderer - In inclination, from the beginning - Of his becoming a devil; and abode not in the truth - Commencing murderer and liar at the same time. And certainly he was a killer of men (as the Greek word properly signifies) from the beginning of the world: for from the very creation he designed and contrived the ruin of men. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own - For he is the proper parent, and, as it were, creator of it. See the origin not only of lies, but of evil in general!

Suffice it to say that Satan and his demons influence people’s thinking--and not in a good way. Since Bible-believing Christians hold that the devil exists, we prepare ourselves for battle by putting on the “armor of God.” (Eph 6:10-19) (Learn how to get dressed for battle by clicking here.) We are commanded to be discerning: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

Let us apply this principle to dominionists.

The movement is made up of Charismatics and Pentecostals. There is a movement of charismatic Catholics as well. NAR is growing at a rate of 9 million per year. Charismatics hold that the manifestations of the Holy Spirit seen in the first century Christian Church are still available today and can be experienced and practiced and that the Holy Ghost has endued them with supernatural gifts such as prophetic utterance, speaking in tongues, casting out demons, breaking down strongholds, healing, and other "signs and wonders" to include bringing dead people back to life, although no documentation exists to prove this claim.

The “High Priest” of NAR is C. Peter Wagner, former professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission. Wagner, born in 1930, is the founder of Global Harvest Ministries and the presiding apostle of the International Coalition of Apostles, which he also founded, and co-founder of World Prayer Center.

There is a hierarchy in NAR that resembles the Roman Catholic Church. Once world dominion is accomplished, those at the top level will have apostolic authority over other ministries. Are you seeing the danger yet? This could mean literally thousands of ministries with so-called apostles and prophets at the helm! Every person will have an apostle or prophet to whom they are accountable.

According to one source the coalition includes “several hundred apostles across the U.S. and about 40 nations, international training centers and prayer warrior communication networks in all 50 states and worldwide.”

Some readers are sitting there with their mouths agape, thinking “This smacks of imperialism!” Bingo!

Sarah Leslie of Discernment Ministries has written on this very subject. In her article “Dominionism and the Rise of Christian Imperialism” She reveals what Dominionism teaches. Here is an excerpt:

“The Gospel of Salvation is achieved by setting up the ‘Kingdom of God’ as a literal and physical kingdom to be ‘advanced’ on Earth in the present age. Some dominionists liken the New Testament Kingdom to the Old Testament Israel in ways that justify taking up the sword, or other methods of punitive judgment, to war against enemies of their kingdom. Dominionists teach that men can be coerced or compelled to enter the kingdom. They assign to the Church duties and rights that belong Scripturally only to Jesus Christ. This includes the esoteric belief that believers can ‘incarnate’ Christ and function as His body on Earth to establish His kingdom rule. An inordinate emphasis is placed on man’s efforts; the doctrine of the sovereignty of God is diminished.”

Any student of the Bible will understand that the type of thinking described above is highly unbiblical. Where in Scripture does it teach that the sheep, as Jesus refers to His followers, will be given the power to incarnate Christ?

Also mentioned in Sarah Leslie’s article is Pastor Rick Warren. She says Warren “intends to amass the world’s largest volunteer ‘army’ of ‘one billion foot soldiers’ to implement his global P.E.A.C.E. Plan.”

On Sunday, April 17, 2005 Speaking before 30,000 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Rick Warren announced his plan:

“The bottom line is that we intend to reinvent mission strategy in the 21st century. As I stated, this will be a new Reformation. The First Reformation returned us to the message of the original church. It was a reformation of doctrine – what the church BELIEVES. This Second Reformation will return us to the mission of the original church. It will be a reformation of PURPOSE – what the church DOES in the world.”

“Our goal will be to enlist one billion foot soldiers for the Kingdom of God, who will permanently change the face of international missions to take on these five ‘global giants’ for which the church can become the ultimate distribution and change agent to overcome Spiritual emptiness, Self-serving Leadership, Poverty, disease and ignorance (or illiteracy).”

Pastor Warren also made these comments:

"Who's the man of peace in any village - or it might be a woman of peace - who has the most respect, they're open and they're influential? They don't have to be a Christian. In fact, they could be a Muslim, but they're open and they're influential and you work with them to attack the five giants. And that's going to bring the second Reformation."

"'I see absolutely zero reason in separating my fellowship from anybody," he said. Noting he has theological differences with many of the diverse denominations that invite him to speak, Warren added, "That doesn't stop me from fellowshipping with them." When he heard of the SBC's withdrawal, he added, "I thought, 'This is silly! Why would we separate ourselves from brothers and sisters in the world?'”

What Warren is purporting is ecumenicism. Actually, we are moving beyond ecumenicism into interspirituality (interfaith spirituality) or interdenominational cooperation. “In the name of peace and unity,” says Ray Yungen, “the world’s religions are more and more joining together. And with that joining together will come a consensus that it is narrow minded and even hateful to say there is only one way to salvation.”

Peace and unity has a nice ring to it. But traditional, historic, evangelical Christianity holds that there is only one path to God, one door to enter through. Peter left no doubt when he said, “Salvation is found in no one else” (Acts 4:10). (Also see John 3:16, John 6:66-68, John 14:6, Acts 16:30-31, 1 Tim 2:3-6, 1 John 2:1) The Bible clearly teaches that all paths do not lead to God. Those who take a different path will spend eternity in hell. So the loving thing for a committed Christian to do is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost. In fact, Jesus commanded His followers to go out into the world and spread the good news. Those who keep the good news to themselves fail to understand that God gives no second chances. Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat. 7:22).

I’ve drifted from my point so I’ll move on.

Most Christians have no clue that false teachers abound in the Church. And if they’re aware, they’re ignoring it--or they just don’t care! Some may think the Bible teaches that believers must set up a kingdom here on earth to usher in the Second Coming of Christ. But let me assure you, this is extra-biblical teaching.

Christians have got to put up their discernment antenna. We must start probing to see what other Christians believe and then ask ourselves, “Is it scriptural?” There is nothing wrong with examining teaching coming from the pulpit! Paul praised the Bereans for checking his teaching against the Word of God. (Acts 17:11) We must scrutinize Bible teachers, evangelists, missionaries, speakers, writers, politicians, entertainers, health practitioners, bloggers, and look into “Christian” businesses to see what they’re really selling. Anyone can use a Christian symbol or quote Bible verses to make themselves or what they’re selling sound Christian because they know that gullible folks buy into it! Is it any wonder God warns us to be on the lookout for the spirit of error that comes from Satan and his demons? Satan was a liar from the beginning which is why believers have to be armed with the sword of the spirit--the Word of God!

It is imperative that Christians guard (tend to carefully) God’s Word. Deuteronomy 11:17-20:

"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates…”

When his words are written on our hearts we are not so easily taken in by charlatans, false teachers or enticed into a cult.

Paul admonished Timothy to “keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called” (1 Tim 6:20). In other words, “continue in the simplicity of sincere doctrine.”

Knowing the truth is essential to the faith. Yet neo-evangelicals are inept at protecting biblical truth. Biblical truth is not found in so-called Christians who abandon Church doctrine and rely on what God or so-called angels say to them in visions and dreams. Never, never, never abandon the Bible to follow the teachings of these men and women! Run from those who deny the Deity of Jesus Christ. If Jesus Christ is not God, Christianity is a sham.

One last thing. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that we are to treat false teachers with charity and Christian love. In fact we’re taught just the opposite:

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 1:9-11).

Copyright by Marsha West, May 2010. All rights reserved.

Revised February, 2012



Damnable heresies invading the Church | Fighting the culture of corruption

[billiefan2000]

related:


A fast-growing movement with disastrous implications

A fast-growing movement with disastrous implications

By Marsha West

"The gospel's most dangerous earthly adversaries are not raving atheists who stand outside the door shouting threats and insults. They are church leaders who cultivate a gentle, friendly, pious demeanor but hack away at the foundations of faith under the guise of keeping in step with a changing world." — Phil Johnson

"Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them." (Ephesians 5:11)

There is a spiritual battle of epic proportions going on in churches all over the globe that should drive serious Christians to their knees. A whole host of aberrant to downright heretical movements have slithered into contemporary evangelicalism and more are being added to the mix virtually every day.

Unbiblical teaching is rampant in mainline Protestant denominations as well as in non-denominational churches. Inside our churches you will find men and women teaching rank heresy. Sunday after Sunday people flock to churches and become a captive audience to those who preach outlandish lies and half-truths. Televangelists are the worst offenders! Many of them are money grubbing charlatans! As a result of false teachers and cult leaders gaining worldwide access to churches and Christian ministries over these past few decades to spread their false doctrines, evangelical Christianity is experiencing a downward spiral.

The good news is: "Upon this rock I will build my church," said the Lord Jesus Christ, "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mat. 16:18).

Matthew Henry stated that "Christ himself is the Rock, the tried foundation of the church; and woe to him that attempts to lay any other!"

Triple "woe" goes to the wolves that have infiltrated evangelicalism and show a startling disregard for the major tenets of the faith.

Speaking of wolves, somewhere around 45,000 people attend Lakewood Church each Sunday to hear Pastor — celebrity Joel Osteen preach the word-faith prosperity gospel "lite." The Lakewood services are broadcast in over 100 countries. Gary Gilley reveals that:

Osteen has no theological training and it is obvious from his books, sermons and interviews on television that he has little knowledge of the Scripture. Nevertheless, he has caught an unprecedented wave of popularity and could clearly claim the title as the most admired pastor in America.

Osteen brags that he teaches a non-confrontational gospel. He believes:

There's a lot of negativity in the world. We need somebody to bring us hope and somebody to tell us that we can overcome our past and break free from addictions and things like that. And, you know, our whole message is that Jesus came to help us live a great life. And some people are not going to agree with that. (Online source)

I for one disagree with Joel's statement that Jesus wanted us to live a "great life." Tell that to the persecuted church! Jesus said "My kingdom is not of this world," so for many the "great life" Osteen speaks of will not be experienced here on earth, but in the Kingdom of God. The reason Jesus came to earth was to set the captives free! Free from what? Free from sin and death! Why? We are dead in our sins. And by the way, sin is an odious thing — and the God of the Bible is infinitely holy and righteous. (Isaiah 6:3, Rev. 4:8, 2 Thess. 1:6)

Sin makes us unclean, thus the unredeemed are not permitted in the presence of holiness. How do people get clean? By believing in Jesus! Believe that He came to earth to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. When He died on the cross our debt was paid for — in full. He died once, for all. Only believers will spend eternity in heaven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Contrary to popular belief there is no way to have a relationship with the One true God unless we believe that we are sinners in need of Savior, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23) God says sinners must be punished, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

This is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sadly, this is not the gospel people hear from Joel Osteen and countless other word-faith prosperity preachers.

The intent of this article is not to fully examine the Word of Faith Movement (WF), but to give readers a glimpse into their beliefs. At the end of this piece are links to articles and videos of a few prominent word-faith teachers. It's important to take the time to watch these so called teachers and preachers in action.

Following is a summary of WF teaching:

God created man in "God's class," as "little gods," with the potential to exercise what they refer to as the "God-kind of faith" in calling things into existence and living in prosperity and success as sovereign beings. Of course, we forfeited this opportunity by rebelling against God in the Garden and taking upon ourselves Satan's nature. To correct this situation, Jesus Christ became a man, died spiritually (thus taking upon Himself Satan's nature), went to hell, was "born again," rose from the dead with God's nature again, and then sent the Holy Spirit so that the incarnation could be duplicated in believers, thus fulfilling their calling to be what they call "little gods." Since we're called to experience this kind of life now, we should be successful in virtually every area of our lives. To be in debt, then, or be sick, or (as is even taught by the faith teachers) to be left by one's spouse, simply means that you don't have enough faith — or you have some secret sin in your life, because if you didn't, you would be able to handle all of these problems.

Further...

In every instance, the "Word-Faith" teaching is guilty of presenting an inflated view of man and a deflated view of God, thereby compromising God's message as revealed in the Bible. This fast-growing movement has disastrous implications and, in fact, reduces Jesus Christ to a means to an end — when in fact he is the end. If the New Age Movement is the greatest threat to the church from without, "positive confession" may well be its greatest threat from within. (Online source)

The WF is considered a metaphysical cult. Pastor/teacher John MacArthur calls it Satanic. WF holds that faith is a tangible force. This force is released through the spoken word, hence name-it-and-claim-it. When we speak words of faith, power is discharged that will accomplish our desires. Through faith we can have health, wealth, success — anything we want!

As I previously stated, word-faith teaching ranges from aberrant to outright heretical. As such these people must be exposed. "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-14).

It is imperative that serious Christians recognize word-faith teaching. Therefore I'm including Beyond Grace's Word Faith Top Ten which is an abbreviated version of an article Tricia Tillin wrote: Top Ten Reasons for rejecting Word-of-Faith doctrine.

REASON ONE:

It requires 'revelation knowledge.'

REASON TWO:

It makes the Almighty God and Creator a weak 'faith-being' who is at the mercy of His own universal laws.

REASON THREE:

It makes the Divine Son of God into a born-again man who had to die in Hell to pay the price for our treason.

REASON FOUR:

It elevates man to equality with Jesus.

REASON FIVE:

It makes man a god.

REASON SIX:

It makes the redemption into a restoration of dominion for mankind.

REASON SEVEN:

Its goal is the transformation of the earth by spiritual dominion.

REASON EIGHT:

It replaces prayer with confession, and God's will with the manipulation of 'forces.'

REASON NINE:

It denies the reality of sin and sickness.

REASON TEN:

It focuses on self and the world instead of God and Heaven. (Tillin's article expands on these ten points)

To avoid being taken in by false teachers and cult leaders Christians must have some knowledge of heretical movements such as the word-faith/prosperity gospel/name-it-and-claim-it. Another movement that is steeped in word-faith theology that's taking the Church by storm is the New Apostolic Reformation/Dominionism aka Latter Rain/Kingdom Theology/Kingdom Now/Charismatic Renewal/Third Wave/Joel's Army/Manifest(ed) Sons of God. Read about this dangerous movement here.

Most false teachers and cultists do not take the opposition's rebuke or criticism lying down. In part 4 of a piece I wrote titled Doublespeak: The Language of Deception I explained how words are often used as a club against anyone who reports on the aberrant teaching of those who have "Christian rock star" status:

...Conservative Christian apologists and those involved in the counter cult and discernment ministries who dare to expose apostates are accused of being divisive. For example, if a conservative attempts to combat the spread of the social justice gospel that emphasizes good deeds without the power of the gospel, their liberal critics cry "Pharisee!" Implying that these critics are Pharisees is another way of saying that they are narrow-minded, mean-spirited and unloving — and yes, even intolerant and bigoted.

Word Faith (false) teachers use "heresy hunter" to define the opposition. But in reality discernment ministries are "truth-seekers."

What is heresy and what is a heresy hunter? According to Let Us Reason Ministries:

"Heresy can be defined as any departure from Christian orthodoxy which is a teaching, doctrine or practice that goes beyond the apostles teachings — the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Biblical heresy is often a denial of the core beliefs held in the Church that are founded on the Bible. In this sense it applies to groups which reject basic Christian doctrines and separate themselves from the historic church."

Most mature Christians recognize heresy when it rears its ugly head. But when they speak out against prominent false teachers who are leading the Body of Christ astray, their bamboozled followers invariably play the Matthew 7:1 card:

"Judge not, lest you be judged."

This is doublespeak for: Shut the heck up!

First of all, discernment demands that we make judgments. As my pastor, Stan Way, said in a recent sermon, faithful Christians live their lives in a new center of gravity — the biblical worldview. Serious Christians must stand up and speak the truth with conviction and courage. We must be willing to lose our life for Christ and the gospel. In other words, for truth! Further, we must be willing to be treated with contempt by the world. Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38).

So — I am going to name names.


The list of popular word-faith teachers numbers in the hundreds. Following are the names of a few of these who have risen to a more prominent status:

Kenneth Hagin, E. W. Kenyon, Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Robert Schuller, Paula White, Paul and Jan Crouch, Robert Tilton, Paul Yonggi Cho,


Jentezen Franklin, Marilyn Hickey, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Fred Price, John Avanzini, Charles Capps, Jerry Savelle,

Morris Cerullo, Juanita Bynum, Rod Parsley, Ed Young, Eddie Long,

Rodney Howard Brown, Joseph Prince, Kim Clement, Cindy Trimm, and John Hagee.


As I have indicated in this piece there are things going on in the Church that are deeply disturbing. And for this reason it is imperative that Christians have no fear of exposing those who "hack away at the foundations of faith."


We really have no choice, the reason being that the Bible commands the Body of Christ to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude 1:3)



A fast-growing movement with disastrous implications