God is an ATM
Category: Faith...
Posted Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 09:33 AM [GMT-6]

Update: After a series of email exchanges with Justin (see below), I've agreed to strike the implied association between the "little gods" doctrine and Jehovah's Witnesses. I'm fine with that, as I believe there are so many other more serious doctrinal errors in the JW system of belief that "little gods" are the least of our disagreements.

Midlanders had a choice of two interesting seminars last night.

One featured a local theologian discussing the increasingly vocal attacks by atheists (e.g. Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens) on religion in general and Christianity in particular. The other took place down the street a mile or so and focused on the so-called "Word of Faith" movement, also sometimes referred to as "the Prosperity Gospel" or the "Name It and Claim It" movement, or, in its most misleading moniker, the "Faith movement." The chief proponents of the latter movement are such well-known televangelists as Benny Hinn, Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Paul and Jan Crouch, and, to a lesser extent, Joel Osteen.

There's no doubt that the former category -- attacks by atheists -- are troubling on some level, but they are also easily recognized and frankly, not very effective in terms of the potential for damage to the Church. After all, these attacks are coming from wolves in wolves' clothing, and it doesn't take a lot of discernment to recognize and defeat them.

I would contend that the latter category represents a much more serious threat to the Christian community, because it mingles false doctrine with just enough truth (or what sounds very much like truth) to disguise the poison. The undiscerning partaker can be seriously damaged.

Justin Peters is a theologian and evangelist, with a degree in economics from Mississippi State and masters degrees in divinity and theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. In addition to serving on a church staff, Peters has also developed a seminar entitled A Call for Discernment in which he systematically addresses the numerous and fundamental heresies upon which the Word of Faith cult is built. He is now in Midland presenting this seminar (attendance is free; it concludes tonight) at First Baptist Church.

Justin has encountered first-hand some of those heresies, especially those related to the "faith-healing" aspects. You see, he's been afflicted most of his life with cerebral palsy, and his search for healing led him to encounters with some of the prominent practitioners of the Word of Faith cult, including the aforementioned Benny Hinn. In one case, his family was informed that healing would not be possible due to their lack of generosity ("give more to get more"); in the case of Benny Hinn, he was not allowed on the platform because of his obvious disability (it's much harder to fake the on-stage healing of cerebral palsy than of, say, kidney disease).

Here's a comment that I've heard from several attendees of this seminar: "I always knew those televangelists sounded crazy on TV, and I never took them seriously, but I never really understood the doctrines behind their claims. This is some scary stuff."

Scary, indeed, given that those doctrines range from the ridiculous (Positive Confession - believers can speak things into existence, just as God did the creation) to the dangerous (Little gods Doctrine - believers are themselves gods; see also Mormonism and Jehovah's Witness [Note: In an emailed comment, fellow web designer and blogger Justin disputes that the "little gods" doctrine is a part of the Jehovah's Witness belief system.]). And far too many well-meaning and/or desperate people are basing their faith upon and committing their resources to ideas that are not supported by Biblical truth.

How can this be dangerous? Well, take the example of the "true believer" who comes to Benny Hinn for healing. When she's not healed, she can only conclude that it's her fault for not having enough faith. She might reject the true gospel of Jesus Christ in exchange for a false one that gives the illusion of more hope.

This seminar uses video and audio clips of these false prophets to condemn them through their own words. Peters addresses each doctrinal error and heresy with the Scriptures that leave no doubt as to why the discerning Christian should steer clear.

It would be too easy to dismiss Justin Peters as someone who is simply disgruntled, using his personal circumstances to get back at those whom he believes misled him. But that would be so far from the truth as to be laughable. Spend a little time in his presence, experience the joy and the passion for the truth that he has in spite of his obvious physical limitations, and you'll understand that what he wants above all else is for people to know the one true God, and His only-begotten Son who came to save the lost.

Tonight's concluding session, entitled "The Hurt of Healing," will deal with faith healing. Justin promises to provide some Scriptural insights about healing, and he promises that anyone who is dealing with illness will go away with a renewed sense of hope and understanding about God's will and purposes in these matters. If you're interested in attending, the seminar begins at 7:00 p.m. at the corner of Louisiana and Garfield. Just follow the steady stream of people into the First Baptist Church worship center.

The post title is a contemporary cultural allusion to a song by Pink, entitled "God is a DJ." I wouldn't recommend it for theological inspiration either, but it does have a good beat.