Days ahead of the deadline Thursday, when six popular televangelists are expected to turn over their financial records for a Senate probe, traditional Christians are not applauding the investigation.
Some Christians wonder what the future implications of the inquiry, led by Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), might be for Christian media ministries.
"What we're concerned about is the future of Christian broadcasting and Christian ministries – nonprofit ones – if this inquiry is either broadened or ratcheted up and hearings are held and new legislation is considered," said Craig Parshall, senior vice president and general counsel for the National Religious Broadcasters, according to The Associated Press.
Grassley sent letters last month to six leaders – Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn – who head prominent faith-based ministries, requesting financial statements and responses to a wide range of questions regarding their personal and organizational finances. The investigation by Grassley, who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Finance, was prompted by complaints from watchdog groups and media coverage on the pastors' extravagant lifestyles and whether they are abusing their nonprofit status.
"My business is the enforcement of the tax laws and the integrity of the tax code and making sure that trustees of charitable giving are true trustees," Grassley said, according to NPR.
Charisma magazine editor Lee Grady expressed support for the investigation, saying "questions need to be asked."
"That's why I refuse to demonize Grassley for launching this probe," he wrote in a recent column.
Grady found it unfortunate that the investigation was initiated by someone in the federal government and insisted that the Christian public should have demanded a higher level of accountability a long time ago.
Some – including Paul Crouch Jr. from the Trinity Broadcasting Network, which watchdog groups have also questioned but is not currently under investigation – have criticized Grady for defending the Senate probe.
While Grady hopes the pastors – who preach what critics call the “prosperity gospel,” which claims wealth is a sign of God's favor – can prove no wrongdoing, he said, "if God wants to use a senator to help the American church clean up its act, then I say bring on the reformation," according to his column.
But some wonder whether the investigation is the right way to end any wrongdoing.
"We're not representing any of the parties involved, but when I see a senator charging into organizations, wielding this kind of budget ax and laying bare religious figures and expenditures, huge constitutional questions are being raised," said Garry McCaleb, senior counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund, a religious liberty legal group.
The ministries have said they comply with tax laws, but it is unclear how many will respond this week to Grassley's inquiries.
Comments
Here are some quotes from the main guru in the Word Faith/Seed Faith/Positive Confession Movement - Kenneth Copeland Himself. You be the judge if they are heretical or not:
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2005/10/can_you_be_an_e.html
Taken from an article called:
CAN YOU BE AN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN AND DENY GOD?
"Copeland speaking of Adam "his body and Adams were the exactly the same size." (Holy bible K. Copeland Reference edition p.45)
K. Copeland speaking of God " A being that stands somewhere around 6-2 , 6-3 that weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of a couple of hundred pounds or a little better, has a span of 9 inches across (relating to his own hand span) (Spirit, soul and a Body 1985 audio # 01-0601 side 1Kenneth Copeland, Spirit, Soul and Body 1, 1985. )
(http://www.letusreason.org/Wf17.htm)"
This is just one heretical teaching taught by Word Faith teachers who subsequently teach prosperity. I'm sorry RB, I know you like Joyce Myers, but she is a astute studet of Copeland and many of her core beliefs stem from his teachings. And here are some of her quotes taken from the same article:
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2005/10/can_you_be_an_e.html
"G. Richard Fisher and Paul R. Belli of Personal Freedom Outreach inform us:
Meyer can be classified as a Word-Faith teacher and as such has shown an inclination to waffle on major doctrines. In her 1991 booklet, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make, an evangelistic work aimed at nonbelievers, she resounds the Word-Faith view of Christ’s atonement:
“During that time He entered hell, where you and I deserved to go (legally) because of our sin. He paid the price there ... no plan was too extreme ... Jesus paid on the cross and in hell” (pg. 35, emphasis added).
“God rose up from His throne and said to demon powers tormenting the sinless Son of God, ‘Let Him go.’ Then the resurrection power of Almighty God went through hell and filled Jesus ... He was resurrected from the dead — the first born-again man” (pg. 36, emphasis added)."
As you can see, there is page, book name and direct heretical quotes. The Bible does not teach that latter notion of a "born again Jesus", and neither does it teac Copelands position on Adam being the same as God, or God being a certain height. I say if the Apostles that saw the risen Lord did not have a "special revelation" contrary to the Scriptures, and then tell about it, then why shouldKennet Copeland have one? I tell you RBB, if it doesn't line up in Scripture, then I don't want to have anything to do with it. The Word tells us to contend earnestly for the faith. Look at Jude 3.
Until we speak again, I bid you a good night. The Lord Bless You and open your eyes to this deception
I exhort in brotherly love, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that anniefourjesus, and anyone else interested in finding out some of the outlandish statements made by many in this word faith false teaching please go here:
http://www.apprising.org/archives/2005/10/can_you_be_an_e.html
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/word-faith.html
http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac17c..htm
http://www.gospelhour.net/2104.html
I hope these links will help many on this sight understand why we as born again evangelical Christians need to contend earnestly for the faith. I exhort each and everyone of you in love to go do some research on your own. Some of the statements made by these prosperity teachers contradict the Scriptures they "claim" to be teaching. Don't take my word for it. Do the research yourself.
And annie, you truly do not understand the heresy of Word of Faith cult teachings, which claim faith in faith, not faith in God--so you as a sinful fallen person can use the force of faith to make God act for you. Do you believe these false teachings? Read Hagin, father of these liars, then answer.
anniefourjesus--so does God just wink at sin? As long as I speak worldly love, I'm okay with God, right?
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
KENNETHMATIBA, I did not know that this particular senator is a Mason, but I know that many, many leaders all across America are; in some localities, one has a very difficult time getting a leadership position unless one IS a Mason. A good friend works for the local fire department, and he says non-Masons cannot get promotions. That is really frightening, and underscores the need for Christians to take a stand against such blatantly discriminatory practices. A guy I know who has been in the Lodge for many years says Masons can flash a hand-sign to a Masonic judge, and the judge is bound by Masonic law to be as lenient as possible, often throwing out the case on an invented technicality. It's even worse that many churches are run by Masons, who often have great power on boards and as trustees. I have known of churches which will not tolerate a pastor speaking out against Freemasonry.
annie,
peace with all men? especially those of the house of God? how can anyone be at peace with false teachers? can you? would you just sit by and let them destroy the church? i cant. the bible also tells us to test and judge everything and everyone. those who say that you have to send $x to receive $100x are they really of God. do you just let them be. i dont think so. we need to weed them out. remove this leaven before it leavens the whole lump. first for the good of the others in the flock and also with the hope that the one disfellowshipped would repent and return.
first let me define what i mean by 'word of faith'. when people say that God is bound from doing anything before we speak it, that we have to claim it before we have it and God cant do anything unless we allow Him by believing it. Isnt this heresy. it is one thing to have faith in God and another thing to say that God cant do anything unless we say it thereby putting God in our command. what the word of faith people do is interpret scripture in such a way as to use God for their selfish and worldly desires. so instead of the focus being all about God it becomes all about how God can be used to better ourselves in this world.
what about the martyrs? why didnt God prosper them? when the bible talks about rewards wrt the believer in the NT it usually refers to spiritual blessings not worldly ones. yes God talkes care of everyone but we are to look and lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven.
people have shortcoming but you also have to understand the those who call themselves preachers will be held to a higher standard. it is part of the calling.
unity that is not based on the truths of scripture is a false unity. it is a unity based on a lie. it wont last. neither is it approved of God.
anie,
the false teachers were mentioned in the Word so that we can be careful and avoid them. there were many false teachers that preached most of the word but held to some false doctrine. T. D. Jakes is an example where he denies the doctrine of trinity. should he be preaching? i think not. is he called of God? i think not. if he doesnt know what the bible says and if he isnt apt to teach then he isnt called in the first place. are there many who ran but werent called. obviously. so how do we know the difference. if they were truly called they would first of all be apt to teach what the word says because that is one of the requirements of a preacher. and if they cant then God hasnt called them to preach. do you understand this? do you think i have interpreted the bible correctly here? i think so.
the next point would be if it isnt the wrath of God that drove you to Christ then what did? there has to be a point where a preacher must mention hell and the wrath of God. otherwise ull never see your need for a savior. jesus saves but from what? the wrath of God that abides on everyone who doesnt believe. you dont repent so that you'll have your best life now in this world. true repentance is when you repent because your sin is exceedingly sinful in Gods sight. you dont repent just to go to heaven or to avoid hell. everyone in this world would repent if that were the case.
you says that people were drawn to Christ because Christ cared for them. i dont think so. the people flocked about him because of the free food they would get, maybe because of the miracles but not because He was the Christ. they left him the moment he told them the truth that they must accept him as the savior. there were very few disciples of Christ.
when it comes to judging, if an error is done openly in public we rebuke them in public. and in private then in private.
God's calling and gifts are IRREVOCABLE!!!! - true, but is everyone who says that he is called called?i think not
when paul asks us to esteem others he is referring to those brothers who behaved like christians. if this werent the case why would he ask us not to fellowship with those who call themselves brother but sow false doctrine or discord. is this a way of esteeming people? i dont think so. so reserve your esteem to those who humbly follow the Lord not those who say one thing and do the other.
Well said AnniefourJesus!
"word of faith false preachers" = You see I believe my God's Word, I have faith in HIS Word. I believe what HIS Word says, I believe in HIS promises, and I believe that my GOD is able to do all that HE says. This is a Word of Faith, JESUS brought the WORD OF FAITH. Was He a false preacher? Without faith it is impossible to please God! Jesus in Nazareth could only do some miracles, and why?? LACK OF FAITH! They did NOT believe Him and HE was right there.
Why are people in the "church" so quick to dismiss "Words of Faith" God longs to prosper HIS children in every way, do we believe that our God is good, that HE rewards those who earnestly seek Him. The Lord has shown me that even though my life has hard times, HE is my Jehovah-Jireh and HE does provide!
I went from being a "welfare mom" to being a responsible citizen, to obeying God and repenting of the life I had been living and Joel Osteen ministries went a long way in teaching me how to walk with the Lord, in repentence and obedience. Joyce Meyer ministries helped me as well.
I am so thankful that GOD knows the WORD we need, and when we need it! So many are quick to say what is God and what is not. Many things I had dismissed in my past as not from God; turned out to be exactly that. He didn't come the way I thought He should, wow, how convicting that was for this "self-righteous" woman I was in my past.
Praise be to the Lord that HE has forgiven me for my own narrow mindedness of HIM!!
I choose to see the very best in people; not their shortcomings, I have those myself.
Prophet, I appreciate your insights too, as I'm a person who believes that we are works in progress and we are here to build one another up in our walk and faith. In the early church, they had NO NEEDS, they took care of one another. I took a real look at where the monies are going at Osteen ministries, wow, it is exciting what they are doing and what they are teaching.
Go and visit these places, they invite folks to come and visit them. I take no man's word for anything; but I take it before the Lord and His Word, and I ask the LORD to show me if something is from Him or not. I'm even learning with my own finances, to ask the LORD, "how do you want me to spend this money today Lord?" After all this is not my money, and in my past, I'd spend it anyway I wanted. Now, I seek to honor Him (and sometimes I fall short here too). But HE knows my heart and my focus are truly on Him today! I'm very close to the Lord, and I am not ashamed of Him, I'm blessed to be used by HIM to build UNITY in the BODY OF CHRIST! :o) That's part of my own calling. Praises to The KING!
Jesus Christ is Joel's Advocate as well! The LORD is calling on HIS family to draw closer to Him in these darker days, to be still and know that HE is God and that HE has everything under control. Joel Osteen shares the LOVE of JESUS and part of that he teaches repentence and obedience to GOD! I think that's what Jesus did too! Akonda I love you in Christ but I pray that you will focus on Jesus Christ, and be at peace with all men, but especially with those from the HOUSEHOLD of GOD!
This world hates Jesus Christ and hates His people. We are to judge our brethren in love, not condemnation. Also, we are to go to that brother, one on one, and then take two or three witnesses with us. If a brother/sister is willfully sinning, we are to put them out of the church, not in condemnation, but in love, with the hope and prayer that they will repent and turn back to God.
God's Word is not for us to use to beat people up with. I had enough of that growing up and that never drew me closer to God, in fact, I ran the other way.
The Wrath of God is on those who hold to unbelief of all that God has done through Jesus Christ; now if a brother/sister is misusing their calling/gifts, THE HOLY SPIRIT will bring conviction on that person(s). He may use any means to do this.
God's calling and gifts are IRREVOCABLE!!!! I really appreciate Joel Osteen and his wife Veronica, they have an outstanding marriage, they work as a team, and I never hear Joel Osteen bad mouth any other human being. But many bad mouth him, even those who call themselves Christians. This man loves the Lord, that is so evident to me; and he wants so much for people to understand how God loves them, and how they have value in God's eyes, because of what Jesus has done.
I learned through this man, that my past does NOT define me; I am a new creation in Christ, am I perfect no, do I still sin, honestly, yes, but now I am quick to run to Jesus and confess this and seek His forgiveness. There is NOT a person alive (even Christians) who get all this right!
As you sit in judgement of any of these folks, you be sure that your account is clear with the Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen!
To Akonda: The "false teachers" you bring up were men who were doing things like preaching that people had to observe part of the law as well as obey Christ, and they also taught that Jesus had already come back.
God doesn't command us to beat up on anyone, brother or sinner. God is love and God's wrath was atoned for at The Cross of Jesus Christ! Man's anger does not lead to righteousness.
Jesus died and rose again, when I repent of my sin, HE cleanses me from ALL unrighteousness. I am a NEW creature and I no longer live. The Holy Spirit resides in me, the Temple of The LIVING GOD! Everyone who receives JESUS, is sealed by The Holy Spirit, we are GOD's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus! NO one can snatch us out of HIS hand!!!
Let me share with you something Charles Stanley wrote in my morning devotions:
Christ Is Our Advocate
1(A)My little children, I am (B)writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, (C)we have an [a](D)Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2and He Himself is (E)the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also (F)for those of the whole world.
I would pray for my brother to repent of his sin of adultery, and I would still esteem the man, while praying for his sin!
Let me tell you something, Joel never sought the ministry, never sought to be a pastor. He was a behind the scenes guy, involved in sound production when his father was alive. When his father went to be with the Lord, the LORD elevated him to his father's position.
The only thing I see Joel doing is promoting the LOVE of GOD, which more ministers could do; we do not have to preach FIRE and HELL to help people see their sin condition and needing a Savior. JESUS saved HIS fire for religious oppressors, those who put religious, legal burdens on people.
Jesus told us the world will hate us, and I see how the world hates many of these pastors whose flocks are turning to the LORD and many whose lives have been changed because the LORD changes peoples hearts and minds.
We are to be conformed to the image of our LORD, JESUS didn't just speak the word, HE lived it out in how HE loved people and HIS attitude. People were drawn to Him because they knew HE cared about them; HE loves us and accepts us as we are, and then HE goes to work on "restoring our souls,:"
Did you know the senator is a free mason? But the bible contradicts free masonry, in that in Acts 4:10-12 states, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." This Scripture passage alone eliminates 99% of this world's religions. There is "NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED." Salvation is found ONLY in the name of JESUS. Jesus stated in John 14:6 in no uncertain terms, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Freemasons deny Jesus' claim as sole Savior of the human race. Therefore, Freemasonry is diametrically opposed to the Word of God.
Why do we (Christians) ALWAYS miss the point? It is hard for me to believe that we are actually reading these allegations before we responded to them! Most of the comments on this blog are based on pure emotion, either for or against. Are you aware that tax-exempt status is given to an organization from the US Government? Therefore, the US Government has a right to see that an organization continues to adhere to the rules that were used to determine the tax-exempt status. An organization gets a 501c BECAUSE it files paperwork and asks for the tax-exempt status. The paperwork states that among other things, that the organization will exist for the purpose of some community benefit and not for the benefit of an individual. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast numbers which would indicate what constitutes "existing for the benefit of an individual". In the 1990's for example, the president of the Red Cross was receiving a salary of about $436,000 per year. Excessive? Maybe, considering that the President of the U.S. wasn't making that much at the time. In that case, the salary went up for review and it was determined that it may have been a little much for the circumstances. Those who pointed this out were not against the work that was being done by the Red Cross, but in order to maintain a status of "non-profit" the organizations main focus needs to be to the needs of a group of otherwise disenfranchised persons. Same situation here concerning the church that has applied for and enjoys the tax-exemption. No one is questioning that any of these churches are benefiting the community by feeding the homeless or by providing spiritual relief. The problem is, since there are no clear cut numbers or percentages which would reveal malfeasance, simply "appearances" is all one can go on. Lavish lifestyles of heads of non-profits are in fact a violation of the tenets and purpose for granting the tax-exemption. Taking this as an attack on God's people or God's work is naive and ignores the real issue. Also, gladly calling all the pastors charlatans is equally juvenile.
Get the facts, it is NOT a religious issue, it's just about tax. You know how Uncle Sam is about his money. NOT to mention that the Senator in questions is responding to complaints from INSIDE those organizations. If you focus on the real issues, you might learn something!
Victor Conedy