HT: A Little Leaven
Charismania
Sermon of the week: “The Charismatic Movement” by Phil Johnson.
Your sermon of the week is entitled The Charismatic Movement.
A former Charismatic himself, Phil Johnson examines this movement from its recent beginnings (January 1, 1901) to it’s position today in mainstream Christianity. He tactfully, and Scripturally exposes the errors of Charismatic theology (and the damaging effects it has on those who adhere to it) in this message.
If you have any questions about this abhorrent movement, I cannot recommend this message enough.
Introducing A.C.E.
We are unveiling a new feature on DefCon: Answering Common Errors.
This will be a quick reference apologetics page that answers many of the falsehoods and errors levied against the Christian faith.
It features a common error with a link to a previous DefCon post with the answer.
New entries will be added regularly so check back often. If you know of any past posts featured on DefCon that you think should be included in this list, let us know.
You can check out the new A.C.E. page by clicking here, or access it later from the tab above the header of the DefCon blog between About Us and Rules of Engagement.
What exactly DOES 1st Corinthians 9:19-22 mean, anyway?
Ohhhhh, the ways this passage is twisted, and perverted, and turned on its head by the oh-so-hip, oh-so-cool, oh-so-relevant “pastors” of the many seeker-sensitive, non-offensive, cross-less “churches” that pepper the American religious community today. They take the words of the apostle Paul, and they use them as an excuse to perform all kinds of free-for-alls by inviting all kinds of filthy, heathen, Satanic methods into a place that is supposed to be sanctified, consecrated, and set apart for the worship of Almighty YHVH.
And what is their excuse? “See??? Paul said he was ‘all things to all men!’ So take that you Bible-thumping Pharisee!” And we who love the precious word of God and consider ourselves slaves to it, shake our heads and groan on the inside, knowing that one more person has just allowed themselves to be conformed to this evil world, whilst trying to hold on to Christ. So, for the sake of clarity, let us examine just exactly what the apostle meant. Here are his actual words:
1st Corinthians 9:19-22 (New King James Version)—19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
But, let’s take the attitude of those who would say, “Of course they played Marilyn Manson music in church this morning! They were reaching out and being relevant to Marilyn Manson fans! I mean, how else are they going to draw them?” And let’s draw it out to its inevitable conclusion. This is what they would have Paul say–
1st Corinthians 9:19-22 (New Seeker-Sensitive Version)—For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I may win more; and to the murderers I became a murderer, so that I might win murderers; to the blasphemers, as a blasphemer, so that I might win the blasphemers; to the pornographers, as a pornographer, so that I might win pornographers. To the pagans and Wiccans and Druids, I became a pagan and Wiccan and Druid that I might win the pagans and Wiccans and Druids; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.
But is that what Paul was saying? If you think it is, then stop reading right now and go back to reading Rob Bell or Doug Paggitt. Because you will not like what I am about to say. Paul was not saying that he committed acts that were sinful, neither was he saying that he brought Satanic rituals into the church, nor is he saying that we should be conformed to this world so that we can be “all things to all men.”
Why we do what we do
Many people who visit DefCon come here seeking truth. They have heard lies and stories told by those who claim to be shepherds and pastors, only to find they have been lied to and misled. Others are new Christians who are looking for help to understand what is truth, where to find it, who can be trusted, and who to should be avoided at all costs.
Then there are some who come here from a mindset, a philosophy, a religion, that is opposed to the truth of God. They are Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness or Emegerent or postmodern or they come from the prospoerity gospel, and so on and so forth. Or they may come from The Church of the Fluffybunny–those churches where they would not DARE speak biblical truth, lest somebody’s feelings get hurt. They would not DARE talk about sin, lest somebody’s self-esteem be injured. They are from an all-inclusive, seeker-sensitive, porpoise-drivel, Osteen/Warren/Schuller/Ed Young type church where truth is simply whatever you want it to be.
So, this person comes to DefCon, sees that we are not afraid of offending anyone, knowing that the cross is “to the Jews a stumblingblock, and to the Greeks foolishness” (1st Corinthians 1:23). And they see us tear down the foolishness of these “little boy preachers,” and compare/contrast what they say against the Scripture. And the accusations come flying. We are “Pharisees.” We are “judgmental.” We are “putting God in a box.” We are “the only ones who know the truth.” We have never “talked to God.” etc. etc. etc
At this point, the question becomes: “Why do we do what we do.” That’s what you’re about to find out. Let me tell you in a parable.
Suppose I served a master who was married to a young bride. This bride is not always wise when it came to the ways of the world (Matthew 10:16). Now, my master is going on a long trip, and will not be back for a long time (John 16:16). While my master is gone, he has entrusted me with the care of his bride (1st Timothy 3:15). I promise that I will look after her, watch over her, and let nothing happen to her. I promise to let no one do violence to her or despoil her (Acts 20:28). After all, my master has gone to great lengths to keep her pure (Ephesians 5:27).
Shortly thereafter, a young man comes knocking at the door. He is a finely-dressed, good-looking, well-spoken young man. But I also know he is not as he seems. Yet, when He asks to come in, I let him in. After all, I don’t want to offend him or make him feel bad or unwelcome. Then I step out to go to the store, leaving the young man alone with my master’s young bride. When I return, the young man is gone. I go upstairs to find my master’s young bride in the bedroom. Her face is bruised, her clothes are torn. She is crying and inconsolable. I know what has happened. I also know that it is my fault that it happened, because I left her alone with someone whose intentions were evil–and I knew it. I have done evil by allowing this evil to be done–all the while thinking my master will never know (Psalm 10:11).
But, my master does know. He has cameras all over the house. He can see everything that happens (Hebrews 4:13). And He has seen that I left His bride with a man who was good-looking outside, but evil resided within him (Matthew 7:15). When He finally returns, will He be angry? I dare say He would be extremely angry for allowing such evil to be done to his bride (Jeremiah 23:1). He would be furious with me for allowing His bride to fall prey to someone that I knew good and well was evil throughout (James 4:17). And He would beat me severely for my disobedience (Luke 12:47).
On the other hand, suppose when that young man came to the door, I knew his intentions (Hebrews 4:12). And instead of letting him in, I proclaimed to the entire neighborhood that he was evil (Philippians 3:17-19). I let it be known to all who could hear that this man who looked so dashing and charming was a snake on the inside (Romans 16:17-18). Thus warned, men kept their brides hidden from him, and would not so much as open the door to him (2nd John 1:9-11). And when my master returned, He would reward me for my obedience (2nd Samuel 22:21; Revelation 22:12).
That, friend, is why we do what we do. Because there are many good-looking, fine-sounding religions that are just waiting to find their way into the true church and wreak havoc upon her. We, with every breath in us, will fight to never let that happen! And will warn everyone we can so they do not fall prey.
Wolf!
Todd Bentley exposed as fraud
Unfortunately, we don’t have a category here called “News of the Obvious.” Because if we did, this would be at the top of the list. As if we needed any further proof that Todd Bentley was a liar, conniver, charlatan, false prophet, etc–in addition to the kicking, kneeing, motorcycle boots to the face, and all the other shenanigans that with the Bentley Brothers and Joyner and Branham Flying Circus™, here is a story about the list of those whom Todd Bentley Ministries claimed were MIRACULOUSLY HEALED!!
However, there’s a problem with some of those who were supposedly “healed.”
What’s the problem, you ask?
They’re dead.
I kid you not. From World Magazine (via A Little Leaven) [emphases mine]:
[W]hen [Christopher] Fogle got severe cancer, his relaxing fishing trips, which he sometimes took with his children, ended. It was a devastating blow for the active 45-year-old. But for Todd Bentley, television preacher and self-proclaimed healer, the cancer represented an opportunity to “proclaim the glory of God.” [Or was it more to proclaim “The glory of Todd“?–Ed.] At the height of what many called a revival, WORLD asked Bentley to talk about the healings, like Fogle’s, and asked for a list of people who had been healed at the services. His associates told me Bentley was out of the country and a list could not be produced. But six weeks and more than a dozen requests later, the ministry eventually sent a list of 13 names. Fogle was No. 12 on the list, along with this note: “Healed through the Outpouring and is back to fishing.”
That was on Aug. 8, 2008. There was just one problem. Two weeks earlier, on July 22, Christopher A. Fogle—according to his obituary in the Keokuk (Iowa) Daily Gate City, “left this life . . . after a courageous battle with cancer.”
Oops. But the fraud doesn’t end there. Read on [emphases mine]:
A review of the list nearly one year later reveals that Fogle is not the only person “healed” who is now dead. When I called Phyllis Mills, of Trinity, N.C., on April 22, to hear the testimony of her healing, a polite family member said, “Phyllis passed away a few days ago. In fact, we’re on our way to her funeral now.”
Any more? Yep [emphases mine]:
Another problem with Bentley’s list is that some of the healings, even if legitimate, didn’t happen at Bentley’s services. Gaila Smith, 53, of Yerington, Nev., was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago, at age 43, and had what she called a “total mastectomy” at that time. But the cancer had spread to her liver. Over the next decade she endured more rounds of chemotherapy, the latest one ending in December. She eventually attended a women’s conference, where “God touched me,” she said. She says she was healed at the women’s conference, but when she attended Bentley’s meetings in Lakeland, they asked, “If you had experienced a miraculous healing, come forward.”Smith went forward and told her story, and she ended up on Bentley’s list, with this note: “Healed of breast cancer that had spread to liver. Totally healed in Florida, all scans are now clear.”
Not only did any healing take place elsewhere, Smith now admits that the scans are not now clear. “The doctors tell me that my numbers are going up,” said Smith, who told me that she, too, had a healing ministry. “But we don’t buy into that. That’s a fact, but it’s not the truth. The truth is that I’ve been healed.”
It’s a fact, but it’s not the truth. So if I say my bald head “is a fact but not the truth,” does that mean I have hair up there? But, he does have his supporters [emphases mine]:
“We don’t regret our time there at all. We saw many miracle signs and wonders. The Lord knew what was going to happen, but he chose Todd anyway. And there are still fires burning all over the world. How can you argue with that?”
Still fires burning all over the world. Hmmm, I was starting to wonder why I keep smelling sulfur.
And the downward spiral that is Todd Bentley continues. All that “counseling” he was going through because he is such a “man of God?” Man of God, huh? What kind of “man of God” does this sound like [emphases mine]:
In November, the Fresh Fire board said that Bentley was “not submitting” to the counseling and restoration process and that he was guilty of adultery…..On March 9, 2009, [it was] announced that Todd had remarried—to the same “former employee” with whom he had had the inappropriate relationship.
In clear violation of the word of God that he was supposed to be so dedicated to. Except, he was NOT committed to the word of God. He was too busy being led around blindly by “angels.” Of course, those weren’t God’s angels who were leading him through darkness. If only Fresh Fire had shown that kind of sense before this circus got out of hand. But, hey, since he’s going to be restored to the charismatic circus, why not learn from the worst [emphases mine]:
Bentley relocated to Ft. Mill, S.C., where according to statements he is undergoing a “restoration process” under the direction of controversial charismatic ministry leader [and rank heretic–Ed.] Rick Joyner…..Joyner admitted that Bentley’s remarriage was “wrong and premature,” but he said that Bentley’s restoration process would continue.
Expect the Bentley excuse train to start firing up the locomotive any time now.
Bezel333: “21st Century signs and wonders”
Once again, Bezel uncovers the truth using a little thing called “Scripture” to debunk the claims made by the Satanic signs and lying wonders crowd who take God out of the box and make Him dance like He’s their own little puppet.
“If I was dying, and I walked into your church…”
Thanks to Amy (a commenter on this thread) for alerting me to the following video. Because of it, I have decided to wield my newly-granted powers as editor to add a new category called “If I Was Dying…” As in, “If I was dying, and I walked into your church seeking the truth about where I was headed, would I find it? Or would I leave unchanged, walking toward the gates of Hell with a joke in my mind and a song in my heart?”
I’ll let the man in the video speak for himself…
Dr. Steven J. Lawson: “You Foolish Galatians!” (Galatians 3:1-3:5)
Galatians 3:1-5 (NASB)—1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
In this day and age we live in, when so many supposedly mature Christians are being carried away with every new wind of doctrine. When they go running after evey newfangled idea. When they are tossed to and fro like a wind on the sea. When the goofier, and kookier, and crazier and more off-the-wall, the more “spiritual” it is supposed to be. When many who call themselves Christian are following a wanna-be pro wrestler who kicks cancer patients in the gut and puts his boots in an old lady’s face–then use the Scriptures that talk about what happened on the Day of Pentecost to justify these nonsesical shenanigans (while they ignore the clear teachings that all things are to be done decently and in order). When all of these things are going on in a body of people that is supposed to be glorifying Christ on earth, we can echo the sentiments of the apostle Paul when he declared, “You foolish Galatians!”
God has performed a miracle by transforming our dead hearts of stone to living hearts of flesh–yet Charismaniacs need more and bigger experiences to “build their faith” (which is a bit of a paradox. If they need more experiences to build their faith, then what does that say about their faith to begin with?) This is the theme that Dr. Lawson builds upon in this message.
Here is the seventh installment of this series going verse-by-verse through what Dr. Lawson calls “Paul’s Most Explosive Letter.” You can listen by left-clicking this link.
The Hell-bound false prophetess Helen Ukpabio of Liberty Gospel Church in Nigeria.
So who is this Helen Ukpabio and why has she rightly reserved her spot in Hell lest she repent? She’s a self-proclaimed “prophetess” who is becoming rich on the abandonment, abuse, and murder of innocent children. She runs Liberty Foundation Gospel Ministries and is responsible for much of the false teaching in Nigeria.
You can learn much more about her from the documentary exposing the wickedness that she’s up to her neck in. If you haven’t seen it, you can check out the fruit of Helen Ukpabio’s false, Hell-spawned “gospel” in the six-part video on the post Charismania Unrestrained: Africa’s Witch Children. You cannot remain unchanged or at least unaffected after viewing it.
The secular organization Stepping Stones is one of the very few in Nigeria trying to help the victims of the millstone-wearing Ukpabio. On their website they write:
Stepping Stones Nigeria does not wish to denounce any faith organisation. However the role of the church, especially some of the new Pentecostals, in spreading the belief in child witches cannot be underestimated. There are numerous so-called pastors in the region who are wrongly branding children as ‘witches’ mainly for economic self gain and personal recognition.
Ukpabio, who claims to be anointed to cast out witches, is making her living on preaching a false gospel. Below is one of the propaganda videos she produced to indoctrinate the naive into believing that their own children are witches, thus leading to their abandonment and even murder. Viewer discretion is advised.
You can sign a petition to stop this madness by clicking here.
A strong delusion.
Chris Rosborough sums this up best by calling it “demonic.”
Have you seen me?
It wasn’t long ago that a gruff and tattooed charlatan sprung onto the world stage offering healings like a snake oil salseman. His followers defended him no matter what lies, deception, and heresy spewed from his forked tongue, even as he tried to get people to “believe in the angel.”
Then, faster than you can say, “Sheek A Boom Bah,” this once idol of Charismatics simply vanished off the face of the earth without a trace (infidelity scandals have a tendency to do that).
And the only thing more shocking than the absence of this “anointed prophet of God” is the absence of all of his defenders and supporters who ridiculed, attacked, and defamed all those who dared to examine and question Todd Bentley’s theology and practices.
The silence is deafening as the experience chasers sit quietly in the shadows waiting for their next big thing. I bet it’s going to be a doosey!
Thanks to Adrian and Social Hazard for making this post possible with photshop. Once again you’ve come through, Berry. Thanks a million.
Quiz for 1/26/2009
OK, here is another quiz for you.
The question this time is, what kind of worship is the following quote describing? And, as usual, no fair Googling.
“The emphasis [is on] psychophysical relatedness and subjective experience…The transcendence of the deity is overcome in the ecstasy of feeling. Sensory participation is featured. Images are necessary-the bolder, the more colorful, the more sensational, the better. Music and dance become the means for drawing persons out of their private diversities and merging them into a mass response…worship [is] reduced to the spiritual stature of the worshipper. Its canons are that it should be interesting, relevant, and exciting.”
Where’s the sermon?
As you watch these two video clips you have to ask yourself, “Where is the preaching of the Word?” These people are entertained (and manipulated) so easily that it’s frightening.
I had to endure this foolishness back in the 1990’s and I see that fifteen years later this wickedness is still popular among the “experience chasers.” I pity these people because I was once in their shoes. I however, never succumbed to the possession / emotionalism / manipulation that they experience. When the “holy laughter” movement came to my church, I summarily left (with ridicule by those who stayed) only to watch the church crumble within a few months with sex scandals starting with the pastor. Oh, how I wasted so much of my life under these false teachers.
Charismania unrestrained: Africa’s witch children.
This is one of the most disturbing and heart-wrenching documentaries I’ve ever seen. This shocking six-part video depicts what I view as simply the Word of Faith heresy taken to its logical conclusion (and perpetuated in the fertile soil of pagan superstition) in a land where no laws exist to protect children. You can’t help but be moved to tears by the human wreckage left in the wake of Pentecostalism’s sweep across Nigeria as children are starved, tortured, beaten, and killed because some “prophet” or “prophetess” labels them a witch. Stepping Stones (the only known organization helping these children) said the following on their website:
“Stepping Stones Nigeria does not wish to denounce any faith organisation. However the role of the church, especially some of the new Pentecostals, in spreading the belief in child witches cannot be underestimated. There are numerous so-called pastors in the region who are wrongly branding children as ‘witches’ mainly for economic self gain and personal recognition.”
This is a documentary that you must see, but be warned, it contains some graphic and disturbing images and material.
I’ve posted my own title/description preceding each video.
One:
The false prophet’s gold wrist watch (seen at 4:44 in the video) reveals his true intentions
Two:
Inside the churches of the ravenous wolves
Three:
Meeting Mary; the five-year old rejected by a whole village
Four:
Helen Ukpabio identified as the lead false prophetess
Five:
Helen Ukpabio’s true self comes out
Six:
A child’s heart-wrenching anguish of abandonment
Also see DefCon’s related posts:
The Hell-bound false prophetess Helen Ukpabio of Liberty Gospel Church in Liberia
and
Do you need any more proof that Kenneth Copeland is a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
“[Jesus] was the first man to be born again from sin, sickness, demons, death to life.“
And yet the multitudes continue to sit under his teachings and send this wolf their money.
Patricia King’s Excellent Adventure
This video is the kind of thing that passes for “Christian” these days. More from Patricia King’s Flying Circus (Hat tip: A Little Leaven):
Prayer Cloths Coming to a Mailbox Near You!
Some continue to question why we share videos, comments, blogs, etc. about those who are teaching heresy. I believe that if more Christians were discerning, submissive to the Holy Spirit, and Berean Christians in their study of God’s Word that charlatans like those mentioned in this particular video would not have the time of day.
Sadly, it is easier to let somebody else do the “studying” (if that’s what you want to call it) for most who claim the name of Christ. Instead of testing the spirits to see whether they are of God, thousands upon thousands are swallowing the bait put out by the enemy of our souls.
Then despite the truth of Scripture to lay up treasures in heaven and not on earth, and Colossians which tells us NOT to set our affections on things of this earth – you have videos like this showing one preacher “blessing another” by praying the blessing of a private airplane (for ministry purposes of course).
And if you can’t have your own airplane, then the least you can do is to get a prayer cloth prayed and sweated over personally for your point of contact between you and whatever your little heart desires!
Todd Bentley’s “Circus and Travelling Sideshow” headed for Knoxville (MAYBE)
UPDATE: The Circus may not be coming to town after all. Much thanks to Douglas (Black Reforming Kid) and Scott771, who have pointed out that Todd Bentley’s own camp is admitting that he has been having an “unhealthy relationship on an emotional level with a female member of his staff.” This didn’t come from any of us–those are the words of Fraud Fire Fresh Fire Ministries themselves, and you can read the whole statement on their homepage. You can read more about the fiasco at Religion News Blog.
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I just learned this from reading one of Berean Wife’s comments, that the Todd Bentley Show is going to be making a stop in my neck of the woods, Knoxville, TN, near the end of September. Please pray for me, that I would understand what God would have me to do, who to call on for support in witnessing at this fiasco, and that He would open the eyes of those who have been blinded by this charade.
PS–there is a local church here that is doing publicity for this thing. May God help me to reach them as well.
Christ Alone Wyoming 