So I flip over to TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) this Sunday morning about 8 am, and I see this preacher convincing an audience to use the bible as a roadmap to wealth. I wait long enough to see the name Dr. Ed Young – ‘The Winning Walk’, yeah.
You flip over to the Inspiration Network, owned by Morris Cerullo, and you can see Mike Murdock and Todd Coontz promising you rewards if you “sow your financial seed now!”
Good grief. On local KPSZ Praise 940 radio they have had forever Ken and Lynette Hagin and Charles Capps teaching you how to “name it and claim it!”
What is it with Pentecostals and Assemblies of God people? You can go all the way back to Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, and say what you will, but more often than not those two denominations are making a bad representation for Jesus.
It all seems to come down to the speaking of tongues. As I heard one guy say who grew up in the Pentecostal movement, and left after 23 years, he had never seen someone interpret another’s “tongues”. The bible seems to make it clear that that is a key ingredient to the authentic speaking of tongues, if there has even been such a thing since the time of Pentecost. If there is no one there who can interpret it, or benefit from it, there is no purpose to it.
People who are delusional in one area, seem to also be susceptible in other areas.
As a wonderful preacher by the name of Adrian Rogers explained, speaking in tongues should accomplish three things, otherwise it is babble. Does it glorify God? Does it communicate to someone who would otherwise not be able to understand? Does it convey the original intent, that the gospel should be taken to the everyone? (the gentile also)
I would say the modern “full gospel church” is full of something alright, their contrivance that the Holy Spirit is possessing them does not pass the biblical test on the speaking of tongues.
The point being, Christians have a hard enough time being good representatives for Jesus. As Gandhi said, Christianity would be okay, if it wasn’t for the Christians. We shall trip and fall on a daily basis on our own. We don’t need outright conmen to tar us further.
What posses’ “Christian” programming to be dominated by these people is beyond me. Once again it seems to come down to “follow the money”.
[Matthew 6]
“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.”
Iowa life 