found this old thread thought said it all really..
Default Re: Joyce Meyer: Do you like or dislike her? Explain!
The Faith Movement
The Faith Movement is the most powerful popular religious force in America. Its inspirational and self-help literature can be found at the top the New York Times bestsellers and lining the shelves at Walmart. Its celebrities pack convention centers across America for conferences designed to inspire and uplift. Its teachers fill satellite and television programming with promises of God's blessings.
The Faith Movement shares a message of abundance. Its many celebrities, teachers, and congregations find unity in its understanding that "faith" acts as a divine force. God gave all believers the ability to use their faith to bring-into-being all that is necessary to live a prosperous life. Most teachers stress that "prosperity" does not simply mean finances, but also divine health and spiritual well-being. In short, God is a God of "more than enough."
Some of the Faith Movement's most famous teachers include: Joel Osteen, Frederick Price, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Paula White, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, and Benny Hinn.
The Faith Movement is undeniably global, as some of the largest Latin American, Asian, European, and African churches proclaim its message. In fact, the largest Faith congregation in the world (almost 1,000,000 strong) resides in Seoul, South Korea.
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December 30th, 2009 #183
chillymill777
Guest
Default Re: Joyce Meyer: Do you like or dislike her? Explain!
What's wrong with the "Faith" movement? Its leaders include
many of the most popular television evangelists. Its adherents
compose a large percentage of charismatic evangelical Christians.
Its emphases on faith, the authority of the believer, and the
absolute veracity of Scripture could appear to be just what today's
church needs. And yet, I am convinced that this movement poses one
of the greatest contemporary threats to orthodox Christianity from
within. Through it, cultic theology is being increasingly accepted
as true Christianity.
This article will highlight several serious problems with the
Faith movement by providing an overview of its major sources and
leaders. Part Two will focus on the movement's doctrinal deviations
as represented by one of its leading proponents.[1]
*ITS DEBT TO NEW THOUGHT*
It is important to note at the outset that the bulk of Faith
theology can be traced directly to the cultic teachings of New
Thought metaphysics. Thus, much of the theology of the Faith
movement can also be found in such clearly pseudo-Christian cults
as Religious Science, Christian Science, and the Unity School of
Christianity.
Over a century before the Faith movement became a powerful
force within the Christian church, Phineas Parkhurst Quimby
(1802-1866), the father of New Thought, was popularizing the notion
that sickness and suffering ultimately have their origin in
incorrect thinking.[2] Quimby's followers held that man could
create his own reality through the power of positive affirmation
(confession).[3] Metaphysical practitioners have long taught
adherents to visualize health and wealth, and then to affirm or
confess them with their mouths so that the intangible images may be
transformed into tangible realities.[4]
Although proponents of Faith theology have attempted to
sanitize the metaphysical concept of the "power of mind" by
substituting in its stead the "force of faith," for all practical
purposes they have made a distinction without a difference. New
Thought writer Warren Felt Evans, for example, wrote that "faith is
the most intense form of mental action."[5] In treating a patient,
Evans commented that "the effect of the suggestion [or positive
affirmation that the patient is well] is the result of the faith of
the subject, for it is always proportioned to the degree in which
the patient _believes_ what you say" (emphasis in original).[6]
Likewise, H. Emilie Cady, a well-known writer for Charles and
Myrtle Fillmore's Unity School of Christianity, explained that "our
affirming, backed by faith, is the link that connects our conscious
human need with His power and supply."[7] Cady also claimed that
"there is power in our word of faith to bring all good things right
into our everyday life."[8] Such statements strongly indicate that
the distinction between the "mind" of metaphysics and the "faith"
of Faith theology is nothing but a figment of the imagination.
*SUBSTANCE, STYLE, AND SCAMS*
There is no denying that much of Faith theology is derived
directly from metaphysics. Some of the _substance, style,_ and
_scams_ endemic to the movement, however, can be traced primarily
to the teachings and practices of certain post-World War II faith
healers and revivalists operating within Pentecostal circles.[9]
With regard to _substance,_ for example, both Kenneth Copeland and
Kenneth Hagin point to T. L. Osborn and William Branham as true men
of God who greatly influenced their lives and ministries. Of
course, Osborn himself has consistently followed E. W. Kenyon's
(_see_ below) Scripture-twisting antics,[10] and Branham has (among
other things) denounced the doctrine of the Trinity as coming
directly from the Devil.[11]
Unfortunately, Hagin and Copeland are not alone in affirming
Branham; Faith proponent Benny Hinn gives him a hearty "thumbs up"
as well.[12] When it comes to _style,_ however, Hinn gravitates
more toward such faith healers as Aimee Semple McPherson and
Kathryn Kuhlman. In addition, Hinn has given his endorsement to
notorious revivalist A. A. Allen,[13] who was truly a huckster if
there ever was one -- which brings us to our third "s," the
_scams._
Faith teachers such as Robert Tilton and his female
counterpart, Marilyn Hickey, have copied many of the scams
pioneered by Pentecostal preachers such as Oral Roberts and A. A.
Allen. In fact, Tilton and Hickey have managed to exceed even their
predecessors' outrageous ploys. This is hard to believe when one
considers what sort of schemes they had to outdo.
Roberts, the reader may recall, is the man who claimed that
Jesus appeared and told him God had chosen him to find the cure for
cancer. In a lengthy appeal, Roberts avowed that the Lord told him,
"I would not have had you and your partners build the 20-story
research tower unless I was going to give you a plan that will
attack cancer." Roberts then said that Jesus instructed him to tell
his partners that "this is not Oral Roberts asking [for the money]
but their Lord."[14] (The project was completed, but has since been
"shut down and sold to a group of investors for commercial
development."[15] Not surprisingly, no cure for cancer was ever
found.)
In like fashion, A. A. Allen "scammed" his followers by
asserting that he could command God to "turn dollar bills into
twenties."[16] He was also known to have urged his followers to
send for his "prayer cloths anointed with the Miracle Oil,"[17] and
he offered "Miracle tent shavings" as points of contact for
personal miracles.[18] Allen even "launched a brief 'raise the
dead' program."[19] Of course, it died.
Allen was eventually kicked out of the Assemblies of God
denomination when he jumped bail after being arrested for drunk
driving.[20] In 1970 he died from what "news accounts report [as]
sclerosis of the liver."[21]
As we proceed to examine the primary purveyors of Faith
theology, we will see living proof of the maxim that "error begets
error and heresy begets heresy." If, for example, one examines the
cultic progression of E. W. Kenyon's theology, one will discover
that his original deviations from orthodox Christianity were minor
compared to those that characterized the later stages of his
ministry. And with each of Kenyon's successive disciples, the
errors become even more pronounced. Hagin, who popularized and
plagiarized Kenyon prolifically, not only expanded Kenyon's
perversions but added to them as well.[22] The progression from bad
to worse has continued with people like Kenneth Copeland and
Charles Capps, and is now reaching heretical heights that are
almost inconceivable through ministry leaders like Frederick Price,
Benny Hinn, and Robert Tilton.
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December 30th, 2009 #184
chillymill777
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Default Re: Joyce Meyer: Do you like or dislike her? Explain!
*THE CAST OF CHARACTERS*
Twisted texts, make-believe miracles, and a counterfeit Christ
are all common denominators of the Faith movement's leading
teachers. And, as all who look into the matter will clearly see, it
all began with the metaphysical teachings of Essek William Kenyon.
*Essek William Kenyon*
Essek William Kenyon, whose life and ministry were enormously
impacted by such cults as Science of Mind, the Unity School of
Christianity, Christian Science, and New Thought metaphysics,[23]
is the true father of the modern-day Faith movement. Many of the
phrases popularized by present-day prosperity preachers, such as
"What I confess, I possess," were originally coined by Kenyon.
Kenneth Hagin, to whom we next turn our attention, plagiarized much
of Kenyon's work, including the statement, "Every man who has been
'born again' is an Incarnation, and Christianity is a miracle. The
believer is as much an Incarnation as was Jesus of Nazareth."[24]
*Kenneth E. Hagin*
As I thoroughly demonstrate in my book _Christianity in Crisis_
(Harvest House, 1993), Kenneth Hagin takes Kenyon's theology from
bad to worse. Not only does he boast of alleged visits to heaven
and hell, he recounts numerous out-of-body experiences (OBEs) on
the earth as well.
On one occasion, Hagin claims he was in the middle of a sermon
when, suddenly, he was transported back in time. He ended up in the
back seat of a car and watched as a young woman from his church
committed adultery with the driver. The entire experience lasted
about fifteen minutes, after which Hagin abruptly found himself
back in church, summoning his parishioners to prayer.[25]
Despite his propensity for telling tall tales and describing
false visions, virtually every major Faith teacher has been
impacted by Hagin -- including such "luminaries" as Frederick K. C.
Price and Kenneth Copeland.
*Kenneth Copeland*
Kenneth Copeland got his start in ministry as a direct result
of memorizing Hagin's messages. It wasn't long before he had
learned enough from Hagin to establish his own following. To say
his teachings are heretical would be an understatement --
_blasphemous_ is more like it. Copeland brashly pronounces God to
be the greatest failure of all time, boldly proclaims that "Satan
_conquered_ Jesus on the Cross" (emphasis in original),[26] and
describes Christ in hell as an "emaciated, poured out, little,
wormy spirit."[27]
Yet, despite such statements, Benny Hinn ominously warned that
"those who attack Kenneth Copeland are attacking the very presence
of God!"[28]
*Benny Hinn*
Benny Hinn is one of the fastest rising stars on the Faith
circuit. According to an October 5, 1992 article in _Christianity
Today,_ sales of his books in the last year-and-a-half have
exceeded those of James Dobson and Charles Swindoll combined.[29]
While claiming to be "under the anointing," Hinn has uttered some
of the most "off-the-wall" statements imaginable -- including the
claim that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that women were
originally designed to give birth out of their sides.[30]
Hinn also admits to frequenting the graves of both Kathryn
Kuhlman and Aimee Semple McPherson to get the "anointing" from
their bones.[31] Despite his outrageous antics, Hinn has somehow
managed to gain wide acceptance and visibility within the
evangelical Christian church. His platform on the Trinity
Broadcasting Network (TBN), as well as his promotion by a
mainstream Christian publisher (Thomas Nelson), have catapulted him
into prime-time visibility.
Whether Hinn is referring to his family history or his
rendezvous with the Holy Spirit, fantasy is often passed on as
fact. A case in point are the thousands of "documented" healings
claimed by Hinn. Recently, he sent me three examples -- presumably,
the cream of the crop -- as proof of his miracle-working power. One
of the cases involved a man who was supposedly healed of colon
cancer. A medically naive person reading the pathology report may
well see the notation "no evidence of malignancy" and be duped into
thinking that a bona fide healing had indeed taken place. CRI's
medical consultant, Dr. Preston Simpson, however, was not fooled by
the report. His investigation revealed that the colon tumor in
question was _surgically removed_ rather than miraculously healed.
The other two cases had comparably serious problems.[32]
*Frederick K. C. Price*
Fred Price is the most notable of a growing number of black
prosperity preachers. His church in Los Angeles now claims some
16,000 members. He is seen nationally on television and has
referred to himself as the "chief exponent of Name It and Claim
It."[33] Price has added his own unique twists to Faith theology by
asserting that Jesus took on the nature of Satan _prior_ to the
crucifixion[34] and by claiming that the Lord's Prayer is not for
Christians today.[35] Despite telling his followers that he doesn't
allow sickness in his home, Price's wife has been treated for
cancer in her pelvic area.[36] Referring to his wealth, Price says
the reason he drives a Rolls Royce is that he is following in
Jesus' steps.[37]
*John Avanzini*
John Avanzini is billed by his Faith peers as a recognized
authority on biblical economics. The truth, however, is that
Avanzini is an authority on perverting Scripture as a means to
picking the pockets of the poor. He has honed his craft into such
an art form that when Faith teachers need money, they inevitably
call on "Brother John." Armed with a bag full of Bible-twisting
tricks, he tells the unsuspecting that "a greater than a lottery
has come. His name is Jesus!"[38]
According to Avanzini, if Jesus was rich, we should be rich as
well. Thus, he recasts Christ into a mirror image of himself --
complete with designer clothes, a big house, and a wealthy,
well-financed advance team.[39] Thinking otherwise, Avanzini
claims, will prevent Christians from reaping the prosperity God has
laid out for them.[40]
Avanzini runs the gamut from teaching people how to get their
hands on the "wealth of the wicked" to what might best be described
as his "hundredfold hoax."[41] When it comes to fleecing God's
people, few can match the effectiveness of John Avanzini. There is
an exception, however; his name is Robert Tilton.
*Robert Tilton*
Robert Tilton hit the big time as a fisher of funds by
developing a religious infomercial called _Success-N-Life._ It all
began when he traveled to Hawaii to hear from the Lord. Says
Tilton, "If I'm going to go to the cross, I'm going to go in a
pretty place. Not some dusty place like Jerusalem. That's gravel is
all that place is."[42] While languishing in his exotic wilderness,
Tilton "realized his mission was to persuade the poor to give what
they could to him -- as God's surrogate -- so they too could be
blessed."[43]
Then, one day, Tilton tuned in to television and turned on to
Dave Del Dotto's real estate infomercials. The rest is history.
Tilton used what he saw as a prototype[44] for building an empire
that takes in as much as $65 million per year.[45]
It now appears that Tilton's ill-gotten gains may dwindle
rapidly amid reports of scandal and a variety of lawsuits.[46]
Responding to charges from ABC's _Prime Time Live_ that the prayer
request letters he promises to pray over end up in dumpsters,
Tilton claims, "I laid on top of those prayer requests so much that
the chemicals actually got into my bloodstream, and . . . I had two
small strokes in my brain."[47]
*Marilyn Hickey*
Marilyn Hickey, much like Tilton, employs a broad range of
tactics to manipulate followers into sending her money. Among her
many ploys are anointed prayer cloths, ceremonial breastplates, and
ropes that can be used as points of contact. In one of her appeal
letters, Hickey promises she will slip into a ceremonial
breastplate, "press your prayer request to my heart," and "place
your requests on my shoulders" -- all for a suggested donation.[48]
For the most part, Hickey's tricks and teachings are recycled
from other prosperity peddlers like Tilton, Hagin, and Copeland.
Her message is peppered with such Faith jargon as "the God-kind of
faith," "confession brings possession," and "receiving follows
giving."
*Paul Yonggi Cho (David Cho)*
Paul Yonggi Cho -- pastor of the world's largest church,
located in Seoul, South Korea -- claims to have received his call
to preach from Jesus Christ Himself, who supposedly appeared to him
dressed like a fireman.[49] Cho has packaged his faith formulas
under the label of "fourth dimensional power."[50] He is well aware
of his link to occultism, arguing that if Buddhists and Yoga
practitioners can accomplish their objectives through fourth
dimensional powers, then Christians should be able to accomplish
much more by using the same means.[51] In case one is tempted to
confuse the size of Cho's following with the truth of his
teachings, let me point out that the Buddhist version of "name it
and claim it" (Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism) has an even larger
following than does Cho.[52]
It was all God's plan, EVEN allowing the Devil to 'enter Judas (Iscariot), He knew, only Him 