One believer is bitter that the money she donated to several prominent ministries didn't bring about the material blessings the preachers had assured would come.
"I wanted to believe that God wanted to do something great with me like he was doing with them," said Cindy Fleenor, a 53-year-old accountant from Tampa, Fla., according to The Associated Press. "I'm angry and bitter about it. Right now, I don't watch anyone on TV hardly."
Fleenor wrote checks to Benny Hinn and Paula White - two popular televangelists - and pledged $500 a year to Joyce Meyer, another prominent evangelist. But Fleenor has yet to be showered with the riches that the preachers said would come as donors give.
The three preachers preach what critics call the "prosperity gospel," a highly criticized theology that teaches wealth is a sign of God's blessing. They encourage believers to donate and instill hope that they will experience prosperity. While they do not exclusively teach that God's riches mean money in people's wallets, it's still a key part of their sermons.
The "gospel of wealth" is denounced in many Christian circles. Still, many are flocking to the multi-million-dollar churches prosperity preachers have built to hear the positive messages and are faithfully giving in hopes of being blessed.
"More and more people are desperate and grasping at straws and want something that will alleviate their pain or financial crisis," said Michael Palmer, dean of the divinity school at Regent University, according to AP. "It's a growing problem."
Emerging church leader and author Brian McLaren says one of the prosperity teaching's attractions is that it doesn't dwell on traditional Christian themes o heaven and hell but on answering pressing concerns of the here and now, as reported by AP.
Richard Young, author of The Rise of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen, has said that society today is overstressed and already believes they are living in Hell daily and thus is eager to embrace the messages that prosperity preachers like Osteen deliver.
But the teachings put too much emphasis on individual success and happiness, McLaren said.
"We've pretty much ignored what the Bible says about systemic injustice," he said.
Evangelist Meyer, who has improved her ministry's financial transparency in recent years, recently stressed the need for balance in the teachings.
A prosperity gospel "that solely equates blessing with financial gain is out of balance and could damage a person's walk with God," she said.
Prosperity teachings became prominent, mainly in Pentecostal and charismatic churches, with evangelists Oral Roberts and Kenneth Copeland - then, Kenneth Hagin - in the postwar era.
"What Oral did was develop a theology that made it OK to prosper," said David Edwin Harrell Jr., a Roberts biographer, according to AP. Harrell noted that Roberts and Copeland trained tens of thousands of evangelists with "health and wealth" theology - a message that resonated with an emerging middle class.
Money isn't the only thing people are blessed with, prosperity preachers say. God's blessings extend to health, relationships and being able to help others.
Six prosperity preachers are currently under investigation for allegedly abusing their non-profit status to shield lavish lifestyles. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) has requested financial statements and responses to questions about personal and organizational finances from ministries led by Paula and Randy White, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, and Kenneth and Gloria Copeland. The deadline to turn over the papers was Dec. 6.
While Grassley has stressed that the investigation is about whether the ministries are playing by the rules and not about doctrine, some wonder if the probe can strictly keep off theology questions.
"How do you determine how much money a minister like this is able to make when the basic theology is that wealth is OK?" said the Rev. Adam Hamilton, a prosperity gospel critic, of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, Miss. "That gets into theological questions."
Joyce Meyer is the only one of the six that has promised to fully cooperate with Grassley's probe. Kenneth and Gloria Copeland have turned in papers; lawyers for Randy and Paula White have asked for more time; recent contact has not been made by Benny Hinn who had agreed to respond by Dec. 12 but did not; and Creflo Dollar and Eddie Long have indicated they will not comply with Grassley's probe.
Comments
Copeland brags about being a billionaire to his congregation. I wonder who he's serving?
http://www.grassleyinvestigation.com
kbeach...that is certainly true. A good point that should be heeded by all who are thinking about giving to a ministry. But it seems to me that this whole prosperity gospel problem in Christianity has become one-sided. Yes, the preachers who pump the poison out on the airwaves and in their books will have the greater judgment - far greater, I'm sure - but that doesn't alleviate the responsibility of the hearer to judge for him or herself what is sound preaching and what isn't. The real problem is larger than prosperity gospel ministers, it's a lack of discernment in the professing Body of Christ in general. If believers didn't buy into the message, the problem would be MUCH smaller as there would be far less opportunity for these men to make merchandise of other mens' souls. It's most often because of the same greed in the heart of the giver that draws them to this message. While the leadership is woefully lacking in Modern Western Christianity as a whole, the individual believers are lacking at least as much. The thing is, it's much easier to point the finger at someone else than to admit that you (referring to those that point fingers after having been scammed by a religious huckster) are at least partially to blame by seeking for riches rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God (after which all things become yours).
The problem is massive and the prosperity gospel ministers are just one of the symptoms.
Victims have the right to ask!
Exactly who does have a right to question Copeland about where the money goes? Copeland put on a exhalent performance at his latest ministers conference, visible at http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/copelandclips , in which has now gotten the attention of people all across the USA, and abroad. If I didn’t personally know better, one would actually think he cares about the protection of all his followers (partners),that pour money into his ministry. Requesting a summery of my mothers (Bonnie Parker) contributions, a long time partner of KCM, we like Grassley got little or no response. (Request viewable at http://sis359.blogspot.com/ ). If their partners aren’t entitled to this privileged information, even though they are funding this lavish lifestyle KCM has grown very accustom to, nor is the Senate entitled either, then who is? The IRS perhaps? Are the teachings of the Prosperity Gospel message being misconstrued? Do we, any of us, have a valid argument, or the right to ask for these records ? I believe with all my heart, we should let the ones affected most by this money making scam have a say in determining the answer to those questions..
“ I had a home“, “I had a life“, “I had faith“, “I had a family“, “I lost a loved one“, “I have no clue what the truth is anymore!” “I will never trust any form of religion.” these are merely a handful of endless testimonies coming to light nationwide. Ranging from all walks of life, their heartbreaking testimonies can be found throughout the web, yet inconceivably, victims are being labeled as fools, ignorant, and basically downright blind for not seeing the truth behind the Prosperity Gospels falsehoods. ” Being only human, our quest for health and wealth, regrettably does lead some in the wrong direction. Promises and guaranties, made by the Prosperity Gospel ministers, give people that have not obtained these blessings on their own, a second chance at achieving their goals in life. An important discovery I made while reviewing testimonies, revealed the fact numerous victims had very little knowledge of the Prosperity Gospels dark side. These unfortunate victims, appear to be equipped with only a small portion of the web of deceit these ministers weave. Knowledge, is the only discovery I found to be effective in this seemingly endless battle. Sadly for some our efforts will go unheard. God be with them.
The family of Bonnie Parker
sis359@gmail.com
Photo, before and after KCM,
http://picasaweb.google.com/sis359/BonnieParkerDiaryPhoto
Documentary Suffer The Children, exposes televangelists lavish lifestyles ,
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/suffer-children
Book recently published by Sara Posner, also looks into these subjects,
http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Profits-Republican-Crusade-Values/dp/0979482216
Wow! I REALLY, REALLY need some help on this issue. PLEASE, somebody please respond to this post soon and tell me how the REAL issue keeps getting overlooked? Let me make it simple: You cannot start a church (no matter what the philosophy) and have the church publish your book, distribute your book and then pay you royalties IF you have a tax-exempt 501c. Is that simple enough? It doesn't matter if that book is the greatest book ever written and saves the lives of millions of people, you still can't use your non-profit 501c to sell it and pay your royalties. You CAN donate the same book to that same non-profit organization and let the non-profit sell it and keep the money to be used for other projects. CAN YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE?????? Read below for a more detailed explanation.
Most of the comments 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, simple "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 them all charlatans is equally juvenile. Victor Conedy
Two televangelists have resigned their posts as regents at Oral Roberts University, as the DEBT RIDDEN school tries to regroup following a spending scandal involving its former president. The university on Thursday also settled with one of three professors who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the school.
Oral Roberts University is DEBT RIDDEN? I wonder why.
jesus4me,
In reference to Joyce's comment on being a sinner.
"14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members." Romans 7:14-23
Notice in verses 17 and 21, Paul referenced that it was no more he that did the wrong thing, but sin that dwelt in him. Paul was differentiating between his spirit (which has been saved and does not sin) and his flesh (which sins and cannot be saved). Who do you associate with? Are you a spirit...or a body? But I understand how Joyce's comment can rub people the wrong way. I believe we cannot cease from sin, but we can cease from practicing sin. You see the difference?
Furthermore, here are some other false teachings coming from Kenneth Copeland one of the founding father's of this "prosperity/name it and claim it/blab it and grab it/speak things into existence false gospel":
"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. )
I would like Mr. Copeland himself, or anyone who follows this false teaching to find Bible book, Scripture and Verse(s) where the Bible actually says God was like Adam, and that he is 6"2" in height and that He (God) has a hand span of 9 inches across, then you please make sure you post it, so we can go to the Bible and verify this.
Also, Benny Hinn said something similar concerning Adam being able to fly; to have superpowers, and all, but he couldn't back that up biblically either could he?
Why don't some of these TV evangelists just stick to the Word of God in context instead of teaching off of tangents, feelings, and false claims. If God didn't say it in His Word, then why are they so pompous to assume, or to claim to have some divine revelation apart from the Scriptures?
As for Brian Mclaren, he also needs to repent of his heretical/extrabiblical teachings in the emergent church post modern latter day deception.
Here are some heretical/extrabiblical quotes by Joyce Myers; one of the "evangelists" probed for this "prosperity/name it and claim it gospel".
1) “Several years ago I found myself completely worn out from trying to fight the devil. I learned many ‘methods’ of spiritual warfare; however, they did not seem to be working ... I had fallen into the trap that many Christians fall into. I had the right teaching, but the wrong order ... I was feverishly applying methods I had learned — like fasting and prayer ... rebuking and resisting evil spirits ... empty formulas which wear us out and produce no results except maybe a sore throat” (The Word, The Name, The Blood, pp. 28, 32, 33).
2) Her now-unavailable tape, “What Happened from the Cross to The Throne?” continued to teach the “Born-Again Jesus” doctrine; she also subsequently says that she is not a sinner:
“I’m going to tell you something folks, I didn’t stop sinning until I finally got it through my thick head I wasn’t a sinner anymore. And the religious world thinks that’s heresy and they want to hang you for it. But the Bible says that I’m righteous and I can’t be righteous and be a sinner at the same time ... All I was ever taught to say was, ‘I’m a poor, miserable sinner.’ I am not poor, I am not miserable and I am not a sinner. That is a lie from the pit of hell. That is what I was and if I still am then Jesus died in vain. Amen?”
This is what the Bible says; not what Joyce Myers says:
The Apostle John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). It is Christ’s righteousness imparted to us, not ours, that makes us righteous.
Why is Brian McClaren being interviewed on his thoughts on the onslaught of Prosperity teachings? That paints him out to be a good-old, solid Christian defending our faith from foreign heresy. Has it come to this? Do we need our heretics to defend us from our heresies? Read up on McClaren...
Knightopia, the central theme behind the emerging church is one of ecumenicalism, and a "social gospel" Sorry brother. I have to let people know about it. I came out of a church that started replacing line by line Bible studies with Rick Warren Purpose Driven material. Several people pointed the error out to the pastor, and it was to no avail. He did not want to change. He promoted the teaching of Richard Foster contemplative spiritualityin the woman's Bible Study. Many who guarded sound doctrine had to leave the church for their failure to teach the Bible correctly.
I am convinced Jesus will return soon for His Bride, and we are living in the end times brother, and make no mistake about it, the "emergent conversation", the "emergent church", the COEXIST Movement, and BOno from U2 along with the Rick Warrens of the world with their social gospel are creating a "bridge" between Christianity and Eaastern as well as Catholic Mysticism wich is really new age.
Read up more on the social liberalism of the emergent church, and the many seductive false doctrines such as contemplative prayer (which is really eastern mysticism), the bringing back of icons to "feel" God move in people's midsts, you can eve read up on Brian Mclaren's (The man who is credited to being the founder of this liberal church movement) view, as well as many of their leaders views on hell and homosexuality, and you will see they are totally extra biblical. you can find more info on this at www.understandthetimes.org, and www.apprising.org.
The emergent church preaches an extra biblical gospel that is more in line with the new age than it is with Sound Doctrine based Biblical Christianity. Many of them - to mention one - Tony Campolo recently told a young reader how to have a born again experience thru contemplative prayer! Imagine that, the Bible says there is only one way to God and that is Jesus Christ, and here is a so called evangelical preacher (not really evangelical even though he calls himself this) and he is teaching an eastern mystical practice taught in the Roman Catholic Church and the Jessuit Order. Now imagine that, he is adoptig practices from a church that teaches the deification of Mary as being co-redemptrix with Christ. This is heresy my brother, and we need to exhort others in love, and pray for their eyes to be quickly opened to this deception in the church; that they may see this for what it is, and that the Holy Spirit in mercy and grace may convict their hearts to repent and come back.
God is Jehovah-Jireh, HE provides! I think that God requires all His children to be accountable and transparent. If any one of these leaders is misleading anyone, they will answer to God and God alone!
I have been doing my own study on tithing, giving, etc. I've been in a legalistic church where we kept three tithes and then I've gone to another church, where we had two offerings, no tithing and now I am at a church where Jesus is Lord, I'm learning that God loves a cheerful giver and I give not expecting anything back, it is out of obedience and love for God.
When we give expecting something back, and then it doesn't happen the way we expect, we think GOD did something wrong.
God never told us we would have wealth untold on this earth, in fact, Jesus said, "in this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer for I have overcome this world." HE is the treasure, HE is all I need, and HE supplies all of my needs. Jesus loves me and gave HIS life for me and that to me is the best treasure. I want more of HIM and not this world or anything in it, seek the giver not the gifts.
HE blesses us as it pleases HIM. He is not some genie in a bottle at man's beck and call. HE is Almighty GOD, He is Holy and many who seek His blessings do not even worship Him.
All this stuff on earth is going to burn up, all the jets, all the cars, and all the big fat houses, and I for one do not care, for my Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me, a Mansion in Heaven and so my prayer is that I will be a faithful, servant of The Most High GOD! Now that is the truest treasure!!!!
Also, other people seeing Jesus in you and they surrender their lives to Jesus, that is true treasure that will last in Heaven!
Get your eyes off this world and see The Kingdom of God that is at hand! For JESUS Glory!
knightopia - apologies for the delay in responing to you but I had Internet connection difficulties for a number of days.
To help you assess whether you are right in your thinking of my assessment of the teachings of Brian McLaren could I direct you to this extensive article that is posted on our ministry website - I think you will see that I have extensively 'looked into ' his teachings and am certainly not guilty of 'slandering' him. The link is
http://www.takeheed.net/SummerMadnessMcLaren.htm
As for the teachings of ‘prosperity preachers’ such as those mentioned in the article we have likewise identified them as being unscriptural on links such as
http://www.takeheed.net/BELFASTBEWARE.htm
http://www.takeheed.net/Index_for_NFTF_articles.htm [look under ‘charismatic-type’ issues]
As regards ‘speaking the truth in love’ in Luke 13:3&5 no less a person than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in answer to questions concerning recent tragedies, said to His listeners “Except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish”.
John the Baptist, of whom the Lord Jesus Christ said “among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist [Matthew 11:11] – he didn’t ignore spiritual error but rather he told those in error to “bring forth fruits therefore worthy of repentance “ [Luke 3:8] and he was obviously as direct with Herod for we read some verses later “But Herod…being reproved by him (John) for Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife…shut John up in prison” [Luke 3:19&20].
Those in and promoting error need to have “the truth in love” preached to them [Ephesians 4:15]
Two articles that I think are helpful in the age we live in are found on
http://www.takeheed.net/EARNINGTHERIGHT.htm
http://www.takeheed.net/whentol.htm
As Christians we are in humility but yet with boldness to “mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them” [Romans 16:17]
kaishinden79 and akonda: Both of you have made excellent points. Paul worked as a tentmaker, could not have made much money, but I doubt there's ever been a more effective witness/missionary than he.
Professor, I understand your point and agree we should love the brethren. Is it not loving to expect godly accountability from them? Did the apostles not reprove and correct each other?
I read somewhere that Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland met the December 6 deadline for submitting their records. I wonder what the result will be.
kaishindin79: Don't forget the 5 fresh water wells that could have been drilled with Joyce Meyer's $28,000 toilet!