christianmom

As I contemplate writing the next post, I find myself asking the following question: “what is it about the Faith Movement that people ought to know?”, “what do they NEED to know?”  I think learning the names of the biggest players in the game would help.  Names such as Kenneth Copeland, Morris Cerullo, Benny Hinn and Kenneth Hagin - to name a few.  Even more recently, Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer come to mind as having been associated with the Faith Movement.  By providing some examples, my hope is that people will listen to these individuals with a discerning ear. 

I remember the first time my husband introduced me to Joel Osteen.  He had been telling me about Joel and the powerful message being delivered each Sunday morning.  For those who know me well, sleeping is a hobby, so getting up earlier than necessary on a Sunday  morning was NOT something I relished!  I have to admit, however, I was captivated by Joel’s handsome, charismatic, orthodontia perfect smile.  The message captured me as well.

As I was sharing Osteen’s latest message with my daughter, she said “but Mom - does he ever frown?  Is his message ever anything OTHER than an upbeat, feel good message?”  As I pondered her comments, I realized she had a point.  We, as Christians, need to hear the truth.  We need to hear it with love, but, it needs to be the truth none the less.  As we all know the truth isn’t always pretty and neatly wrapped like the perfect gift.  Sometimes it is ugly and painful - but, in order to grow and be true witnesses for Jesus Christ - we have to hear the truth and speak the truth.  The teachers of the Faith Movement are not only teaching falsehoods - they are attempting to interpret, twist and re-write the scriptures to support their stance.  I’d like to share with you a few examples of the web of lies being woven.  The following excerpts come from Christianity in Crisis by Hank Hanegraff (www.equip.org).  My prayer is that you will be as appalled and disgusted by these lies:

• Kenneth Copeland believed God was “the greatest failure” of all time and stated “Satan conquered Jesus on the Cross” and his image depicted Christ in Hell as an “emaciated, poured out, little wormy spirit”.  I found his words so disrespectful, it was difficult for me to repeat them
• Benny Hinn claimed the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that women originally were designed to give birth from their sides!  How ridiculous is that?

Many Faith teachers believe humans are on the same level as God - not just created in His image, but, EXACT DUPLICATES!!  “Little Gods” - if you will.  So to answer my own questions about what OUGHT people know and what DO they need to know?  People OUGHT to know anybody that says in order to have all you want in life (i.e. money, cars, fame, etc.) is to SAY IT and IT will happen - need to beware!  Beware the SAY IT and CLAIM IT theories!!  What people NEED to know is that there ARE false prophets among us today and we need to be on our guard!  Jesus is our only hope - our only protection in these times of uncertainty.

Let me close with the following warning from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: “Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” - Matthew 7:15.  And finally, until we meet again - Number 6:24 “May the Lord bless you and keep you.  May He make His face to shine upon you and bring you peace”.  Amen.

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