[Click on the title to go to the Facebook group].
The one positive thing about the false prophets and TBN is that sometimes God uses this to push folks in a more Reformed direction. This is what happened to me. I remember I kept noticing similarities between what I knew about Christian Science and what the false teachers were saying. Then at an Assemblies of God college a professor named Terris Neuman recommended that I read a book called, A Different Gospel, by D. R. McConnell. It was a real eye opener. Anyone who wishes to understand the theological roots of the Word of Faith, prosperity, health and wealth gospel should read A Different Gospel. It traces the teaching back to E. W. Kenyon who first introduced doctrines of Christian Science into the healing revivals of the 1940s. Kenneth Hagin then plagiarized E. W. Kenyon. This book clearly shows that Pentecostalism is a heterodox mix of classical Arminianism, classical Pentecostalism, mainline Charismaticism, and outright cultic teachings of the Word of Faith prosperity gospel.
Make no mistake about it, the Word of Faith movement is a cult as much as any other cult like the Mormons, the Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. This is why I believe the entire Pentecostal and Charismatic movement should be shunned by all Evangelicals, especially those who are reformed. The pentecostal/charismatic movement has become so infected with the Word of Faith doctrines that classical Arminianism and classical Pentecostalism have faded into the background.
While I'm not a big fan of Jimmy Swaggart, I have to say that Swaggart at least represents the more classical Pentecostal side of things. But even Swaggart has had discrediting moral failures. This is the problem with Arminianism in general. Arminianism makes man the center of its theology. It is a form of idolatry to lift up self rather than acknowledging God as the source of all grace, mercy, and salvation.
Albeit, McConnell is himself a charismatic--he was a professor of New Testament at Oral Roberts University--his book is well written and irrefutable. BTW, after the prayer tower fiasco many of the United Methodist charismatics left Oral Roberts University.
Reformed Christians have lessons that can be drawn from all this. First, put obedience to Scripture in first place in matters of doctrine and morality. In other words, faithfulness to denominational affiliations is secondary to biblical truth. Do not be afraid to challenge those in theological chairs of seminaries, those in ecclesiastical and denominational positions, and pastors of local congregations when they are not being faithful to the Gospel, the Scriptures, and the principles of the Protestant Reformation.
An example of this is the recent endorsement of the Manhattan Declaration by the Sydney Anglicans. I was quit to point out the contradiction in this action. Such blind obedience to denominational endorsements is what leads to liberalism in the future. I also opposed the Sydney Anglicans resolution invoking full communion with the Anglican Church-North America for similar reasons. It is a deliberate attempt to water down the differences between Reformed Christians and the Anglo-Catholic heresies of works and merits as a means of justification before God. The Manhattan Declaration is in fact a sign that the ecumenical movement means more to Sydney than biblical truth. Those of us on the Reformed side of things must not be afraid of being skewered by Evangelicals. Rather we should stand courageously and boldly against the onslaught of compromise, tolerance, and whatever else comes to tempt people to become "man pleasers" rather than "God pleasers." (See Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4).
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 ESV)
...but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV)
Charlie
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment