PastorMarkJones, your marriage experience is vastly different from Paula White, why, because you've revealed what happened. Neither of them have and not to cite why is a direct violation of Scripture concerning the acceptable reasons for divorce. They've never stated a valid reason based on Scripture why they should divorce. I'm saddened that there are pastors that have not been more empathet...more

PastorMarkJones, your marriage experience is vastly different from Paula White, why, because you've revealed what happened. Neither of them have and not to cite why is a direct violation of Scripture concerning the acceptable reasons for divorce. They've never stated a valid reason based on Scripture why they should divorce.

I'm saddened that there are pastors that have not been more empathetic to you and what was not your fault. May you both continue to minister to others in the same grace that has been shown toward each of you.less

Well said oldstudent.

Did she really go public with all her stuff? Did she really get real in the church? I don't think so. And there is nothing new here too. She's just adding to the story - a midlife meltdown, compassion fatigue, her friend being falsely accused and sent to prison, a stroke and an addiction to prescription medication she was given following her stroke. All of which may be legitimately true, but...more

Did she really go public with all her stuff? Did she really get real in the church? I don't think so.

And there is nothing new here too. She's just adding to the story - a midlife meltdown, compassion fatigue, her friend being falsely accused and sent to prison, a stroke and an addiction to prescription medication she was given following her stroke. All of which may be legitimately true, but irrelevant to going public with all her stuff.

What really was the cause for her and Randy to divorce? Why was she holding hands with Benny Hinn in Rome and if there was nothing inappropriate and they are/were just friends, why the need to display such physical contact?

I didn't attend the conference, nor would anyway, but by the article here, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of significant substance to clarify any questions people have regarding Paula White. Then again, the story may have been reported quite accurately too, which I would believe more the latter, than the former.

Maybe the motivational speech was something she needed to hear, but what really needs to be heard, is the truth and there is a great risk to doing so too, because she knows how much money would be lost, if she really went public 'bout all her stuff.

If she truly has nothing to hide, then many people will be judged by God for the harsh criticisms that have been made against her. But if they are true, she will suffer a far greater judgment by God himself when it is her day to stand before the Lord and give an account of her life.

Ms. White would do well to meditate on the words of Jesus, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." Matthew 16:26-27less

Didn't the serpent deceive Adam & Eve by saying they would not surely die? (Genesis 3:4) Isn't Rob Bell saying the same thing in this book? Deceiving people into believing they will not be condemned to hell for not believing in Jesus Christ? (John 3:18)

Where in Scripture is it stated that God continues to work on a condemned soul in hell? If there is a passage that states this and it is explained correctly, then maybe those that have been so critical of Rob Bell may stand corrected, but I doubt you will be able to do so. God seeks to save people through faith in Christ BEFORE they go to hell, not AFTER they are there. This line of thinkin...more

Where in Scripture is it stated that God continues to work on a condemned soul in hell? If there is a passage that states this and it is explained correctly, then maybe those that have been so critical of Rob Bell may stand corrected, but I doubt you will be able to do so.

God seeks to save people through faith in Christ BEFORE they go to hell, not AFTER they are there.

This line of thinking you are suggesting would imply that even Satan can be pardoned for centuries of his destructive work against God, because God's love will win him over? Satan doesn't want God's love. He wants to steer everyone's love and devotion away from God and the cross of Christ, to himself.less

I never planned on reading the book, but I'm grateful for those who have and have provided a very good, critical review that warns against reading it. The author has not provided a doctrinal understanding of hell, but rather a self-imposed idea and as a pastor to a church, that is not what he is supposed to do. It's a shame that the publishers allowed this book to be printed and sold too.

If it was one person that was alleging a claim against Eddie Long, I'd be weary of the allegation, but when five men come out and there are photos that add to the suspicion, his actions have opened up the reason for questioning concerning his behavior. Look, I want nothing more than for the whole situation to be find him innocent and not because I like Eddie Long or watch him on television. Ho...more

If it was one person that was alleging a claim against Eddie Long, I'd be weary of the allegation, but when five men come out and there are photos that add to the suspicion, his actions have opened up the reason for questioning concerning his behavior.

Look, I want nothing more than for the whole situation to be find him innocent and not because I like Eddie Long or watch him on television. However, there are too many people telling the same story and Eddie Long has decided to enter settlement discussions too, which adds to more scrutiny and questioning. Why discuss a settlement, if he has fiercely stated that he's innocent?

Please don't use the power of the tongue ramble either, as many do and falsely believe they can actually speak something into existence for themselves and that by doing so sets aside the will of God and elevates the will of self.

I'm not caught up in emotion either regarding this and never have been. I am waiting like everyone else, to find out if he's truly innocent, or a liar.

The Scripture says that every person is to be above reproach and that includes Eddie Long, so when allegations come up like this one that he's in, that's not being above reproach, that's questionable behavior, which requires the leadership of the deacons and elders to do something about it until he is cleared of the charges.less

ManofGod, you've cited the verse, Psalm 105:15, which says, "Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” If this were used correctly in its context, you would be stating that it would be wrong to physically harm Eddie Long, because the word 'touch' in Hebrew, in this verse means exactly that. The psalmist wrote saying, do not physically harm God's anointed prophet...more

ManofGod, you've cited the verse, Psalm 105:15, which says, "Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” If this were used correctly in its context, you would be stating that it would be wrong to physically harm Eddie Long, because the word 'touch' in Hebrew, in this verse means exactly that.

The psalmist wrote saying, do not physically harm God's anointed prophet.

The way you have used the verse is out of context with regard to Eddie Long. He does deserve to be corrected, reproved and rebuked according to Scripture, just like everyone else.

But to use that verse out of context and without proper understanding is wrong and it wrongfully classifies Eddie Long as one who is anointed and a prophet, which in my opinion, he is neither.

Eddie Long is more like Samson, thinking he can shake himself free from this and that God is still with him, not realizing that the Lord has already departed from him (Judges 16:20) and tragically from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.less

Couldn't agree more. The "economic downturn" excuse seems to be another way of saying, "we need to pay our legal fees."

"Addressing the topic of good and evil, Morgan asked Osteen if he thought that Adolf Hitler was evil, or if there was any good in a man like that. Characteristic of the glass half-full pastor, Osteen deflected the question by pretending not to know it all. Morgan then accused the pastor of “copping out” of difficult questions. “You see, it may be a likable trait, but I think in your posi...more

"Addressing the topic of good and evil, Morgan asked Osteen if he thought that Adolf Hitler was evil, or if there was any good in a man like that. Characteristic of the glass half-full pastor, Osteen deflected the question by pretending not to know it all.

Morgan then accused the pastor of “copping out” of difficult questions. “You see, it may be a likable trait, but I think in your position of such responsibility and influence you need to be more determined about these things,” Morgan pressed."

Joel can't, nor ever will speak definitively because he does not know the Scripture as thoroughly as he should. He could have simply said there is good and bad in every person as a result of the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the actions of humanity have never changed since.

In every interview he's done, he never provides any substance from Scripture to support anything he has said. He has always waffled in his position often claiming to not know everything and even referencing that he didn't go to seminary, which would help him greatly, even now because he has a poor theological understanding of the Scripture.

Joel is a good speaker, has a nice personality and yes, a nice smile, but people should expect to hear from God through Him and not just a bunch of stories, funny jokes and an outline of steps for Christian living that follows his one of his books.

Follow the Bible, Joel. That's the way a pastor is to lead people to God. Not through your philosophical, encouraging, rah-rah your best days are ahead of you speeches.

Those that listen to him, take heed to what the Scripture says regarding this too: "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ."less

The church needs to do a better job of preaching sound theological doctrine and should not become so consumed with finding "creative ways to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ" as Derick Faison has said.

It's easier to face another for accountability than to face the judgment of God for not having corrected yourself, especially when He had placed someone in your life to help you to live holy as He is holy. I've read that somewhere before, where?

The 6,000+ at Elevation Church can't see he is a false teacher. Sad.

This is another problem too. Every other pastor within his network is accountable to him, but to whom is Eddie Long accountable to? To God, yes, and His authority, yes, but he is also to be an example of submission to another leader, so that he does not go astray and bring a reproach against Christ and His church.

Why would a man who has been accused of homosexual behavior with young men, enter into discussions to consider settling with his accusers, when he has categorically denied the claims made against him? This has HUSH-MONEY written all over it and if the people of New Birth don't see this, then they remain blinded by the devil. In my opinion, this is very bad for Eddie Long and for the people at ...more

Why would a man who has been accused of homosexual behavior with young men, enter into discussions to consider settling with his accusers, when he has categorically denied the claims made against him? This has HUSH-MONEY written all over it and if the people of New Birth don't see this, then they remain blinded by the devil.

In my opinion, this is very bad for Eddie Long and for the people at New Birth.less