Cult Recruitment / Growing the Business at BVC

You may have an idea of a "cult recruit" as as obviously troubled young person, maybe "mentally ill," easily exploited by unethical cultists.  But studies show that people who join cults have only a slightly higher incidence of psychiatric disorders than the general population.

Cult members come from all walks of life, all age groups and all personality types.  However, one common thread among most cult recruits is heightened stress:  Research indicates that a majority of people who end up joining a cult were recruited during a particularly stressful period.  People undergoing significant stress can be more susceptible when a person or group claims to have the answer to all of their problems.  Michael Langone, Ph.D., a psychologist who specializes in cults, also identifies some psychological traits that can make a person more likely to be successfully recruited, including:

• dependency - an intense desire to belong, stemming from a lack of self-confidence
• unassertiveness - a reluctance to say no or question authority
• gullibility - a tendency to believe what someone says without really thinking about it
• low tolerance for uncertainty - a need to have any question answered immediately in black-and-white terms
• disillusionment with the status quo - a feeling of marginalization within one's own culture and a desire to see that culture change
• naive idealism - a blind belief that everyone is good.
• desire for spiritual meaning - a need to believe that life has a "higher purpose"

Cult recruiters hang out in places where you might find people in a period of extreme stress or possessing the above personality traits - which is anywhere.  Some particularly fruitful recruiting locations might include college campuses, religious gatherings, self-help and support groups, seminars related to spirituality or social change and the unemployment office.  In a 1990 article in the San Francisco Examiner, a unnamed ex-cult member commented on how easy it is to get sucked in:  "People don't realize how susceptible we all are.  Those smiling faces lead you to buy it when you're naive and accepting."  She was recruited on the UC San Diego campus when she was 19.  Her parents arranged for her to be "deprogrammed" eight years later.

The main methods of cult recruitment revolve around deception and manipulation.  Potential recruits are not told the true nature or intentions of the group.  Instead, recruiters portray it as something mainstream, low-pressure, and benign.  They may tell people at a church gathering that their group meets once a week to brainstorm ways to raise money for a new homeless shelter.  They might invite a high school student to a talk about how public service can enhance a college application.  Recruiters identify the specific needs or desires of their targets and play to them.  They learn to pick up on a person's fears and vulnerabilities and portray the cult accordingly.  For instance if a young woman just went through a bad breakup, and she is feeling depressed and alone, a cult member might tell her that his group helps people to overcome interpersonal problems and rebuild their confidence for a fresh start.  If a man just lost his wife in a car accident, and he can't bear that he didn't get to say goodbye to her, a recruiter might claim that his group helps people reach peace in the wake of sudden death.  

It might seem strange that someone would accept these types of invitations, but there are a couple of factors that make it seem more palatable.  First, the recruiter might be someone these people know.  He could be in that young woman's college dorm or that man's survivor's support group.  And someone who is sad, lonely or desperate might be more inclined to trust someone who claims to know the path back to happiness. Also, cults typically isolate recruits so they can't get a "reality check."  They may hold meetings or services at times that would normally be spent with family and friends; they may hold "retreats" that submerge the recruit in the group's message for days at a time; and they may ask recruits not to discuss the group with others until they know more about it, so they don't mislead people or give them only part of the story.  This kind of isolation narrows a person's feedback structure drastically for a period of time, to the point that the only people they're really communicating with are the members of the cult they're being invited to join.  Their doubts about the group, therefore, are never reinforced, and they end up turning into self-doubt, instead.  Looking around them at all of the smiling, friendly people who have obviously found peace and happiness by following this path, it appears that it must be the right way.

Once a person attends one meeting or service or lecture, he's invited to another, and another, and another.  He's welcomed into the cult family and invited to commit himself to the group.  From day one, it's a process of manipulation and deception.  And for those who stay on, the recruiting process culminates in the submission of their own personalities to the "will of the group."

Cult Leadership Structure

There is no cult without a powerful, charismatic leader.  A charismatic leader has the uncanny ability to get people to follow him unquestioningly.  The phrase "cult of personality" refers to this type of group dynamic.  Cult members are devoted to the leader not to the leader's ideas.  The leader has complete control over his followers -- there is no questioning of his decisions, and he is accountable to no one within the group.

Most destructive religious cults demand absolute devotion to a single person who is considered to be God or connected to God, the Messiah, a prophet or possessing some other holy status.  This is a critical component in maintaining absolute devotion:  To the members of a cult, only this single person can lead them to salvation.  Without this single person, they will spend eternity in Hell.

How does a person fall into a role like this?  One common scenario is the preacher or church member who gets "banished" from a mainstream church for preaching extreme or unconventional ideas or showing signs of corruption or instability.  When he leaves, his followers go with him, or else he joins an already existing cult and eventually vies for control.

Many of these religions are founded by a single person who retains a position of exclusive power within the organization, and power tends to corrupt even the most ethical among us.  Because these groups operate outside the mainstream, there is usually no one checking up on their operating procedures, so a corrupt or mentally unstable leader is free to exploit his followers to his heart's content.  In addition to this authoritarian leadership structure, some primary characteristics of a destructive cult include:

• Charismatic leadership 
• Deception in recruiting
• Use of thought-reform methods
• Isolation (physical and/or psychological)
• Demand for absolute, unquestionning devotion and loyalty
• Sharp, unsurpassable distinction between "us" (good, saved) and "them" (bad, going to Hell)
• "Inside language" that only members fully understand
• Strict control of members daily routines

In the end, it's all about subjugating members' individuality to achieve the desires of the leader(s), whether that means reinforcing a self-proclaimed messanic status or simply filling the leader's pockets with their hard-earned money.  Destructive religious cults target people with certain vulnerabilities and then play on those vulnerabilities to keep them "in the fold."  The end result is a "convert" who will try to get all of his loved ones to buy into the same deal that he is losing his life savings on, or keep signing up for an unending series of lectures, seminars and retreats that promise psychological and spiritual healing but really only drain his bank account.

-- Julia Layton

Growing the Business at BVC

Hare Krishna used to send its converts out on the streets to sell flowers.  BVC is sending out its "worker bees" for 7 weeks to bring in more potential targets to the cult.  Income must be down - people must be leaving.  Praise God!

When you go door-to-door be sure to tell them when you invite them to BVC, that BVC worships the new and improved Faith Movement Jesus, not the Jesus of the Bible.  You should also make sure to inform them that you believe in the Health and Wealth gospel.  Also tell them how much of their income (likely half or more) they will need to give when they convert as well as how much of their now free time will be gobbled up by BVC.  But you won't tell them that because your recruitment is deceptive and manipulative.  PM has you well-trained.

Make sure you tell them that PM is directly connected to God.  He must be!  He uses the phrase "God told me" all the time.  This is his biggest deception.  He needs you to think he's connected to God so that you will do what he wants unquestionningly.  In your eyes, he is God.  But he isn't!  He's just a master manipulator.  A deceiver and his smile and funny little laugh has you convinced that this can't be true.  You don't want it to be true because you feel so good about yourself and life's one big party.

Knock knock.  Who's there?  It's your local cultist calling, looking for money for our divine revelator to line his pockets with.  Don't forget to tell them, you can teach them to do the gibberish -- PM likes that, anybody can learn.  But you won't tell them this for fear of having the door slammed in your face.

This is my prayer on behalf of the neighbourhood around BVC.  I pray that all doors around BVC will be locked or slammed shut for the next 7 weeks and that people will finally "wise up" and begin to leave BVC.

Remember, the plan is to keep all these things a secret until you get them in the door and PM's smile (and DM's) will do the rest, just like he's doing to you every week.  Isn't being a convert fun!! 

Be prepared, on Sunday, for PM to say that this is an attack of Satan.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  God gave me this post!

For more information on Victory Churches and the Faith Movement, go to the Reference Library.  Click on any book title to get a brief overview of the book.  All books on the list are available through www.amazon.com. 

Brainwashing -- Why Your Family Won't Listen!

 "Brainwashing is the attempt to change the thoughts and beliefs of 

another person against their will." 

This post has been written in response to two frightening comments that came in 
on the previous post:

". . . his demonic hold over his members. . ." (PM)

". . . he's a brainwashing genius. . . " (PM)

After listening to a couple of his sermons he has posted on-line, it is obvious to me that brainwashing techniques are being employed at BVC on a regular basis.  This heightens the urgency for you and your family to leave BVC.  

How Brainwashing Works?

During the Korean War, Korean and Chinese captors reportedly brainwashed American POWs held in prison camps.  Several prisoners ultimately confessed to waging germ warfare -- which they hadn't -- and pledged allegiance to communism by the end of their captivity.  At least 21 soldiers refused to come back to the United States when they were set free.

The study of brainwashing, often referred to as thought reform, falls into the sphere of  "social influence."  It's the collection of ways in which people can change other people's attitudes, beliefs and behaviours.  For instance, the compliance method aims to produce a change in a person's behaviour and is not concerned with his attitudes or beliefs.  It's the "Just do it" approach.  Persuasion, on the other hand, aims for a change in attitude, or "Do it because it'll make you feel good/happy/healthy/successful."  The education method (which is called the "propaganda method" when you don't believe in what's being taught) goes for the social-influence gold, trying to affect a change in the person's beliefs, along the lines of  "Do it because you know it's the right thing to do."

Brainwashing is a severe form of social influence that combines all of these approaches to cause changes in someones way of thinking without that person's consent and often against his will.  

Because brainwashing is such an invasive form of influence, it requires the complete isolation and dependency of the subject, which is why you mostly hear of brainwashing occurring in prison camps or totalist cults.  The agent (the brainwasher) must have complete control over the target (the brainwashee). In the brainwashing process, the agent systematically breaks down the target's identity to the point that it doesn't work anymore.  The agent then replaces it with another set of behaviours, attitudes and beliefs that work in the target's current environment. 

Brainwashing Techniques

In the late 1950s, psychologist Robert J. Lifton studied former prisoners of Korean War and Chinese war camps.  He determined that they'd undergone a multi-step process that began with attacks on the prisoner's sense of self and ended with what appeared to be a change in beliefs.  Lifton ultimately defined a set of steps involved in the brainwashing cases he studied:

1. Assault on identity
2. Guilt
3. Self-betrayal
4. Breaking point
5. Leniency
6. Compulsion to confess
7. Channelling of guilt
8. Releasing of guilt
9. Progress and harmony
10. Final confession and rebirth

Each of these stages takes place in an environment of isolation, meaning all "normal" social reference points are unavailable, and mind-clouding techniques are typically part of the process.  There is often the presence or constant fear of rejection, which adds to the target's difficulty in thinking critically and independently.

We can roughly divide the process Lifton identified into three stages:  breaking down the self, introducing the possibility of salvation, and rebuilding the self.

Breaking Down the Self

• Assault on identity:  You are not who you think you are.  This is a systematic attack on a target's sense of self (also his identity or ego) and his core belief system.  The agent (PM) denies everything that makes the target who he is.  The target is under constant attack to the point that he becomes exhausted, confused and disoriented.  In this state, his beliefs seem less solid.

• Guilt:  You are bad.  While the identity crisis is setting in the agent (PM) is simultaneously creating an overwhelming sense of guilt in the target.  He repeatedly and mercilessly attacks the subject for any "sin" the target has committed, large or small.  He may criticize the target for everything from the "evilness" of his beliefs to the way he eats too slowly.  The target begins to feel a general sense of shame, that everything he does is wrong. 

• Self-betrayal:  Agree with me that you are bad.  Once the subject is disoriented and drowning in guilt, the agent (PM) forces him (with the threat of the continuance of the mental attack) to denounce his family, friends and peers who share the same "wrong" belief system that he holds.  This betrayal of his own beliefs and of people he feels a sense of loyalty to increases the shame and loss of identity the target is already experiencing.

• Breaking point:  Who am I, where am I and what am I supposed to do?  With his identity in crisis, experiencing deep shame and having betrayed what he has always believed in, the target may undergo what in the lay community is referred to as a "nervous breakdown."  In psychology, "nervous breakdown" is really just a collection of severe symptoms that can indicate any number of psychological disturbances.  It may involve uncontrollable sobbing, deep depression and general disorientation.  The target may have lost his grip on reality and have the feeling of being completely lost and alone.  When the target reaches his breaking point, his sense of self is pretty much up for grabs -- he has no clear understanding of who he is or what is happening to him.  At this point, the agent (PM) sets up the temptation to convert to another belief system that will save the target from his misery.

The Possibility of Salvation

• Leniency:  I can help you.  With the target in a state of crisis, the agent (PM) offers some small kindness or reprieve from the abuse.  He may offer the target a time of rest.  In a state of breakdown resulting from an endless psychological attack, the small kindness seems huge and the target may experience a sense of relief and gratitude completely out of proportion to the offering, as if the agent (PM) has saved his life.

• Compulsion to confession:  You can help yourself.  For the first time in the brainwashing process, the target is faced with the contrast between the guilt and pain of identity assault and the sudden relief of leniency.  The target may feel a desire to reciprocate the kindness offered to him and at this point, the agent (PM) may present the possibility of confession as a means to relieving guilt and pain.

• Channeling of guilt:  This is why you're in pain.  After weeks or months of assault, confusion, breakdown and moments of leniency, the target's guilt has lost all meaning -- he's not sure what he has done wrong, he just knows he is wrong.  This creates something of a blank slate that lets the agent (PM) fill in the blanks:  He can attach that guilt, that sense of  "wrongness" to whatever he wants.  The agent (PM) attaches the target's guilt to the belief system the agent (PM) is trying to replace.  The target comes to believe it is his belief system that is the cause of his shame.  The contrast between old and new has been established:  the old belief system is associated with psychological (and usually physical) agony; and the new belief system is associated with the possibility of escaping that agony.  

• Releasing of guilt:  It's not me; it's my beliefs.  The embattled target is relieved to learn there is an external cause of his wrongness, that it is not he himself that is inescapably bad -- this means he can escape his wrongness by escaping the wrong belief system.  All he has to do is denounce the people and institutions associated with that belief system, and he won't be in pain any more.  The target has the power to release himself from wrongness by confessing to acts associated with his old belief system.  With his full confessions, the target has completed his psychological rejection of his former identity.  It is now up to the agent (PM) to offer the target a new one.

Rebuilding the Self

• Progress and harmony:  If you want, you can choose good.  The agent (PM) introduces a new belief system as the path to "good."  At this stage, the agent (PM) stops the abuse, offering the target physical comfort and mental calm in conjunction with the new belief system.  The target is made to feel that it is he who must choose between old and new, giving the target the sense that his fate is in his own hands.  The target has already denounced his old belief system in response to leniency and torment, and making a "conscious choice" in favour of the contrasting belief system helps to further relieve his guilt:  If he truly believes, then he really didn't betray anyone.  The choice is not a difficult one:  The new identity is safe and desirable because it is nothing like the one that led to his breakdown.

• Final confession and rebirth:  I choose good.  Contrasting the agony of the old with the peacefulness of the new, the target chooses the new identity, clinging to it like a life preserver.  He rejects his old belief system and pledges allegiance to the new one that is going to make his life better.  At this final stage, there are often rituals or ceremonies to induct the converted target into his new community.  This stage has been described by some brainwashing victims as a feeling of  "rebirth."  

Certain personality traits of the brainwashing targets can determine the effectiveness of the process.  People who commonly experience great self-doubt, have a weak sense of identity, and show a tendency toward guilt and absolutism (black-and-white thinking) are more likely to be successfully brainwashed.

This information was taken from a book written by Denise Winn titled The Manipulated Mind, Brainwashing, Conditioning and Indoctrination.  The book is available at www.amazon.com.

The book deals with various topics such as brainwashing, unquestioned beliefs, and the influencing effects of feelings.

For more information on Victory Churches and the Faith Movement, go to the Reference Library.  Click on any book title to get a brief overview of the book.  All books on the list are available through www.amazon.com. 

Has Satan Blinded Your Eyes at BVC?

1. Numerous false teachings mixed with "just enough" truth.
2. Slavery to "Covenant Giving" leading to bankruptcy.
3. Brainwashing -- loss of common sense -- terrorist mentality. 
4. The pastor owns the church.  His net worth is growing while your net worth is decreasing.
5. Pyramid scheme --several churches in Ontario send money.
6. Verbal and emotional abuse - positive confession.
7. Wrong Jesus.  Counterfeit Jesus can't save you!
8. False hope of  the "health and wealth" gospel.
9. Blessing and favour are the buzz words for this false teaching.
10. Loss of control of your finances.  Your family will suffer.
11. Extreme amounts of time and money required for acceptance.
12. Lavish lifestyle lived by the leaders is unmerited.
13. Leaders are unaccountable.  Disagree and you will be asked to leave.
14. Lack of proper biblical education of the leaders -- blind leading the blind.
15. What did you buy with your hundredfold return? 
16. The church of the "itching ear."  Pastor sounds demon-possessed. 
17. Pastor thinks he's a modern-day prophet -- they don't exist!
18. Miracles on demand from the Sovereign of the universe - really?
19. Extra-biblical revelation - from the pastor's own mind - mark of a cult.
20. "Little gods" falsehood.  Faith Movement nonsense.
21. The next dimension - pentecostal gobbledygook.
22. It's all about me and my personal blessing, instead of Jesus.
23. Phony gibberish tongues.  "Heavenly language" not in the Bible.
24. Trance state of mind in services.  Endless repetition of mindless choruses.
25. When you get mature, you can be led -- down the garden path to Hell.
26. Twisted or misinterpreted scriptures.  Where is your discernment?
27. Mandatory 100% attendance because your tithe is paramount.
28. Constant calls for more money from guest speakers.
29. Your priorities are all screwed up.  Church before family.
30. No time for family when you are always at the church.
31. People say it's a cult.  It has many of the marks!
32. Speaking out in the service - Satan is the author of confusion.
33. No eternal security -- no peace of mind!
34. Unusual, unnatural dating practices.  No hand holding, kissing, hugging etc.
35. Marrying couples who haven't even bonded with each other.
36. Pastor is worshipped, not God.  You are serving the pastor, not God.
37. God is doing a "new thing" --  there is nothing new in Christianity.
38. Giving to get, e.g. the $1,000 seed faith fraud.
39. Wrong emphasis on tongues, healing and miracles.
40. All activities geared towards bringing in more money.
41. People who are now your friends will become your enemies if you leave.
42. If you stay, you risk losing everything.
43. Exposing your children to false teaching leads to confusion and disillusionment.
44. The self-esteem gospel - no mention of sin, sinners or repentance.
45. Saved and born again are foreign language.
46. Overuse of the words "power, "break through" and "encounter."
47. Overly long, boring talks - emotionally draining - complete waste of time.
48. Pastor likes the sound of his own voice.
49. Repetition of the words "I will not quit" - mind control
50. If you start saying "no" to appeals for money - will you still be welcome?
51. Meeting "needs" to keep you beholding to the group.  Being controlled.
52. The pastor must have the biggest and the best house, car, etc.
53. Supporting the school / college proliferates falsehoods.
54. Mortgage hidden in covenant documents.
55. Do's and Don'ts list -- under the law not under grace.
56. Satan is at work, blinding your eyes to the truth.
57. The road to "Hell" is through the front doors of BVC.

Who do you say Jesus is?

Let’s just suppose for a minute that all of the items on the list are not true -- except one.  That one is No. 7 – “wrong jesus.”  Who you say Jesus is, matters!  He is our Saviour who died for our sins.  When you say that He also died to make us healthy, wealthy and happy, you have created a ”new jesus” who is not the Jesus of the Bible.  If you have the “wrong jesus,” all the other items on the list do not matter because if you have the “wrong jesus,” you have nothing!  If you accepted the “wrong jesus,”  you are not a Christian.  Victory Churches and the Faith Movement can’t decide after 2000 years that Jesus needs to be redefined, reworked or made new.  His character is the same yesterday, today and forever.

On this one item alone, you need to leave BVC immediately.  There is no doubt that this heretical group has modified, remade, and therefore created a “new jesus.”  This “new jesus” is not in the Bible, cannot save you and will not be able to get you to heaven because he does not exist.  Victory churches and the Faith Movement are responsible for this horrendous deceit.  The leaders of these groups will be condemned to Hell for eternity for spreading this falsehood to millions of people around the world.  So if you need a number of reasons to leave BVC read the list top to bottom, but the primary reason is No. 7.   Who you say Jesus is, matters!

To all you Baptists at BVC

You know the truth because you were raised in a Baptist church.  The Baptist church did not include any lies or misinterpreted Scripture in its teachings.  You were saved by the Holy Spirit when you became a Christian.  Part of what the Holy Spirit gives you at salvation is discernment regarding false teaching.   How is it that you are unable to discern that BVC is a cult?  How is it that you are unable to discern that many things are very wrong at BVC?  There is a feeling of darkness or evil when you walk into the place. I felt it the one time that I was there.

You need to ask yourself why you are still there?  Why are you willing to be part of this grand deceit?  If you have young children, why are you OK with exposing them to false teaching and having them accept the “wrong jesus?”   When your children figure this out, what will they do?  Just think about who they are going to blame for the deceit.  I’ll bet it will be their parents who chose to get involved with a false religion and didn’t have enough discernment to realize that they needed to get out!  Do you want your children to miss Heaven because of something that you did or would you rather be the ones that saved them from this travesty?

Your decision to reject the Jesus of the Bible, and embrace the “new jesus” at BVC has consequences.  The “new jesus” cannot forgive your sins or get you to Heaven.  You will instead be going to Hell for eternity.  God will not let you into Heaven when you have placed your trust in a “counterfeit jesus.”  You have been deceived big time.  Being made a fool is no fun but this is what has happened to you, whether you like it or not.

You have been deceived by the smoke and mirrors of tongues, blessings, healing, miracles, breakthroughs, and power encounters.  If you can’t discern that BVC is a cult, this means that you cannot be a Christian.  You were born again in a Baptist church but you have rejected that to follow the “wrong jesus,” and focus on favour, fake tongues, phony healings and personal blessings – instead of the real Jesus who you learned about in your Baptist days.  Just think about it, Satan has been the victor in this situation.  He has been successful in drawing you away from the truth into a false religion.  In Satan’s world, this is a huge victory.

You need to repent for placing your trust in a “counterfeit jesus” and come back to the real Jesus, the one in the Bible who can forgive your sins and get you into Heaven.  Tongues, blessings, healing, miracles, breakthroughs and power encounters will keep you out of Heaven if you continue to make them the central focus of your religious experience instead of the real Jesus.  These “riff-raff” experiences provided by BVC are meaningless in light of the fact that they are promoting a “new jesus.”  This means that BVC has nothing to offer you of any importance or relevance to your life and future in eternity.  It’s all worthless and useless without the real Jesus of the Bible.  Remember, “There is nothing new in Christianity.”  

Everybody say, "I'm outta here!"

For more insight into the "goings-on" at BVC, read the comments on the previous post and refer to the "False Teachings of Barrie Victory Centre."

For more information on Victory Churches and the Faith Movement, go to the Reference Library.  Click on any book title to get a brief overview of the book.  All books on the list are available through www.amazon.com. 

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Posted on - Faith Teachers Confess - Their Faith Teachings Don't Work
"I like your post. I went to a Bible study and the lady who lead it said by going to see Oral Roberts she was healed of a burning problem all over her body. She also did teaching from a man named Andrew Wommack, Kenneth Copeland and others u have named. As I went I new something wasnt right. When I questioned the teaching she wouldnt talk to me. I believed the Lord was telling me to stay away from her and the others falling into these lies. It is a False teaching.The Bible warns of false Jesus. They makeup another Jesus not the Bible Jesus. I would get a bad feeling every time I went. Satan Knows when we desire closeness to God and if not careful will lead us to a trap. Hes the father of lies and knows God's word and will work through these false teachers to make God's word sound the way he wants."

-  By Anonymous

Posted on - Biblical Theology
I really wish that some of these nutbar preachers of the Faith Movement would go to Bible College before they open their mouths. Now Barrie Victory Centre is going to have a Bible College in their new building..probably taught by uneducated and ineffective people from the Victory Churches International. Already they are trying to get my high school aged children to commit to attending college with them instead of going to Ryerson. These people should be run out of town on a rail before they destroy even more lives than they have already.

- By Anonymous

Posted on - The Faith Movement Televangelist and the Word of God
It's about time that someone took on these televangelists and Word of Faith preachers. Most of them don't have a clue about what God's Word says. I have been researching a lot of your books and find the work that you have undertaken to expose these frauds inspiring. Keep up the good work.

- By J. Dickens

Posted on - A Preliminary Assessment of Word/Faith Televangelism
Televangelism is one of the biggest ways for the spread of distorted biblical information. These T.V. preachers who think that you can speak it to get it or name it to claim it are so horribly wrong. They are leading everyone who listens to them right down the road to eternal damnation. Keep on writing, Sir! Maybe someday, all of these kooks will get kicked off television.

- By R. Browning

Posted on - Scripture Twisting
What a true statement! Word of Faith "preachers" are always twisting the scriptures to suit their own agendas, especially when it comes to getting their poor deceived attendees to give more and more money! They are so deceived that they don't realize what is happening until they are broke and discouraged. God never said that we would be wealthy! He said He would provide for our needs if we trust and obey Him. That doesn't mean paid for houses and big cars! We found this out way too late.

- By Name Withheld Because of Embarrassment

Posted on - A Preliminary Assessment of Word/Faith Televangelism
So delighted to read your latest series! You give hope to those who have family members caught up in these cultic Victory Churches. We were able to get our children to see reason after we sent them to this clearly researched blog. Of course, their "pastor" tried to say that you were a "nut" but with the list of books that you have read and provided information to us, our kids finally saw the light. They are back in our Baptist church and we are very grateful to you. Keep it up -- maybe your boys will eventually see the light.

- By Lorena Goldsmith

Posted on - Assessment of Positive Confessionism
This is a very interesting concept. I am sure that many people don't understand it and get sidetracked by these misinformed preachers. I hope that a lot of people find the truth through your blog.

- By Anonymous

Posted on - Assessment of Positive Confessionism
I just want to encourage you to keep writing. My wife and I have found your blog to be one of the most helpful ones when dealing with the Faith Movement and Victory Churches International. This plague of heretical teachings is spreading across the world like wildfire and so many people who think they are saved are actually worshipping a god that is not in the Bible nor the Saviour of our world. We continue to pray that more people will find your blog and that God will open their eyes to the truth.

- By B. McTavish

Posted on - Scripture Twisting

I have been following your blog with some interest for the couple of years or so. I've never been one to comment because I've found everything to be well-researched and presented. The library list has allowed me to purchase some of the books and review them in conjunction with looking up the Scriptures that are referred to and I must say that there is no doubt that these Bible scholars know what they are talking about. It is clear that they know their Bible inside and out -- I hope that you continue writing so that all of the deceived people in these cultic churches will have their eyes opened.

- By W. Fitzsimons

Posted on - Assessment of Positive Confessionism
I find this blog to be an eye-opening experience into the problems with the Victory Churches and in particular, with Barrie Victory Centre. I find it completely unbelievable that so many people can be duped by the biblically uneducated people who are running all the programs especially the youth leaders who have had no biblical training whatsoever.

- By Anonymous

Posted on - Scripture Twisting - Conclusion
Once again, Mr. Poo-Bah, you have hit the nail right on the head. These Faith Movement people are so deceived by their leaders (I refuse to call them pastors or ministers--they can stick anybody at the front to rant and rave at them--and that's preaching????) It really saddens me that these uneducated followers of the Faith Movement are going to hell because they are being led down the garden path by charlatans and false teachers just like the Bible says will happen in the end times. Keep the faith, Brother. God will pass His final judgment on all of these when it is in His time.

- By Edward C. Tomson

Posted on - Ye Shall Be As Gods

I have been reading your last few posts with great interest. This last one about the little gods syndrome is so typical of what is being taught at the Barrie Victory Centre (in fact, all Victory Churches).. and if you don't adhere to their teachings -- watch out. I hope that you are aware of how far these BVC nuts are ready to go to keep their adherents toeing the line and believing all the drivel that that nutbar in charge along with the youth leaders are teaching. I have stopped attending and now my family is being harrassed because I used to contribute a lot of time and money to this Devil-lead group. Do be careful as they will stop at nothing to keep their attendees under their thumbs.

- By Name Withheld Out Of Fear

Posted on - Ye Shall Be As Gods
You are so right on with this interpretation of how the Victory Churches think. Kenneth Copeland and his wife are the worst of the worst in teaching this to the millions of deceived people who watch their TV programs and read their puff-books. And they get filthy rich off the hard earned dollars of their followers. We were sent a link to your blog and after reading it all -- our eyes were opened. We no longer have any dealings with the Copeland organization and are actively trying to show our family and friends the error of their ways. Thank you for taking a firm stand -- we believe that God led us to you.

- By V. Totten

Posted on - Scripture Twisting - Conclusion
The twisting of Scriptures is something that the Faith Movement does well. They take a piece of God's Word and manipulate it to suit their purposes. Nowhere in the Word are Christians guaranteed health, wealth or freedom from trials by having enough faith. In fact, the Bible says that Christians will face many trials to bring us closer to God. A "feel good" church is a "bad" church. For example, true churches teach everything based on Scripture while "feel good" places (like Joel Osteen's) are full of deceived people. I enjoy reading your blog. 

- By Constance H; Wyatt

Posted on - Misapplied Texts and Terms
I wish these "little gods" preachers would stop incorrectly quoting Scripture. You can sure tell when you sit in their services that they don't have a clue about real teaching based on the truth of the Scripture. And forget asking them about it -- they swear that you are a "Devil's Spawn" and tell you not to come back to their "church." Blahhhh! Somebody ought to run these charlatans out of town on a rail! 

- By B. Corrigan

Posted on - Misapplied Texts and Terms
One of these days all these "little gods" people will be rotting in hell for deceiving Christians. On that note, Christians who follow these "little gods" preachers like Paul McCullough from Barrie Victory Centre cannot possibly be Christians. They go broke supporting this idiot who tells them that they need to give more and more money. Their youth leaders have no Bible training at all to teach correct Scripture to the children. This new church is costing every attendee a fortune in covenant spending. The school is a farce and none of the children who go there will be able to cope in the real world when they graduate. Thanks for letting me rant.. I am afraid to leave my name because of the repercussions that could happen.

- By Anonymous

Posted on - Scripture Twisting - Conclusion
If these so-called churches are twisting Scripture to suit their warped sense of worth to deceive their followers into giving them things that aren't scriptural - they should be closed. Most of these Faith Movement organizations are run by a tyrant who keeps everyone toeing the line. There is no accountability and that's why they get away with it. I wish that their followers would miraculously get their eyes and ears opened and run these charlatans out of town.

- By Anonymous

Posted on - False Teachings of Barrie Victory Center
I was looking up Barrie Victory Center and your blog came up right underneath their website. I'm so glad that I read your take on this church. We have attended there for a few weeks and just felt that something was "off" about the touchy-feely aspect of this group. The constant grab for money was also a bit much and the process is very sneaky. My wife thought that some of the teachings were a bit off the mark and after we read this posting on your blog, we know why. Thank you for putting the finger on what we felt was wrong. We'll be finding another church to attend.

- By C. McKenzie

Posted on - False Prophesies and a "Born-Again" Jesus
We are so glad that you are continuing to write about these "false Jesus" teachings. It breaks our hearts that we have children involved in a local faith movement group that distorts the true Scripture in order to create a pyramid scheme of pastors getting rich quick on the backs of their followers. We hope that your children will also see the light about what is really going on in their church.

- By D. Grienway

Posted on - False Teachings of the Barrie Victory Center
Boy, am I ever glad that I read this blog post about the Barrie Victory Centre. My teenage kids want to go to their youth group because they are friends with the Kenney kids... after reading this; there is NO WAY that I would let my children attend anything at that so-called church. How heartbreaking it must be for you to watch your children and grandchildren going down this path where they are so deceived by the leadership at this cult. Now that the church is in a huge building I can just guess how much cash this guy is taking out of the families' pockets who attend there. I will keep you and your family in prayer that somehow they will see the light and get out before it is too late. 

- By Can't Leave My Name

Posted on - "Health and Wealth" Teachers Claim Direct Counsel from God
What a load of hogwash! These people are so out to lunch and it is so unfortunate that they don't see what they are doing to their followers. I really wish that they would wise up before it is too late.

- By Anonymous

Posted on - What is the Health and Wealth Gospel?
This is so ridiculous. Nowhere in Scripture does God tell Christians that everyone is going to be rich and healthy. So many people get deceived with TV preachers like Joel Osteen and Joseph Prince. In fact, Scripture teaches that Christians will suffer more for their faith than worldly people. Thank you for continuing the fight for true Christianity.

- By A. Dysarairt

Posted on - Errors of Positive Confessionism and Consequences
Wow! I had no idea that all these people were teaching a false Scripture. I stumbled upon your blog when I was doing research for a paper on pentecostal teachings. What a wealth of information you have provided. Thanks to you and your certified reference materials, I have been able to rethink my position on pentecostalism and I am now looking for a true Bible believing and preaching church in my home town. We do have a couple of Victory churches in our area and they seem to be mesmerizing all of our kids in the neighbourhood with the crap that they are teaching. Good for you. 

- By Owen Blythe

Posted on - The Bible Shows Faith Teachers' Errors
All of these false teachers should really attend a good Bible-based seminary and learn what the Scripture really says about the verses that they all use out of context. Christians, for the most part, have more difficulties and issues because we are targets of the Devil who is constantly trying to get us to denounce God. I find your blog extremely informative and helpful in dealing with people who are involved in such scam churches as Barrie Victory Centre. It is unfortunate that most of the adherents to this scumbag pastor cannot see the forest for the trees and it will be too late when they finally realize that they have been scammed for all their money, time and whatever else those so-called better than everyone else pastors can get out of them. Keep up the good word! 

- By Gordon Thomas

Posted on - The Bible Shows Faith Teachers' Errors
I think that these "preachers" who lead their congregations astray with all the non-biblical garbage that you have indicated should be thrown out of their churches. It is unfortunate that so many people have their eyes and minds closed by Satan to only believe what the "pastor" is telling them instead of reading their Bibles for themselves. Your blog is an eye-opener to us as we were involved in a Victory church years ago. If only we had known that we were being led astray and into bankruptcy and emotional breakdown because we didn't give enough or believe enough. 

- By R. & B. Chattyn

Posted on - Does the Atonement of Christ Allow Us to Claim Physical Healing This is a very interesting article. God can choose to heal some people while He chooses not to heal others. Scripture doesn't say anything about us being able to CLAIM healing. It does allow us to pray for it but the healing is at God's discretion, not our demand to be healed. Where these people misinterpret the Scriptures to teach that Christians can claim healing is beyond me. I hope that some of these misguided people can find your blog and read what true Bible scholars are saying about these health and wealth teachings. 

- By O. Kennedy

Posted on - Errors of Positive Confession and Consequences There are so many things that are wrong with this positive confession theology, especially when you have to come up to the front of the church and confess everything that you've ever done before the congregation. I always thought that the only person you had to confess to was God but when we unwittingly got involved with one of these faith movement churches, we had no idea of what positive confession was. It turned out to be humiliating and we were told that in order to be accepted we had to sign a covenant with the church to ensure that we would not backslide into sin. Included in that covenant document was a list of MUST DOs and DON'Ts. We so wanted to be accepted that we went in blindly to this agreement to support the church and then in turn, they would support us. Well they did -- right into bankruptcy and by using emotional blackmail, caused my wife to attempt to take her own life. Fortunately we found a real saviour in our doctor who realized what we were involved with and he helped us disentangle ourselves from this abuse.  Make no mistake -- it is abuse -- of the worst kind.  These pastor-charlatans are nothing more than demons in disguise who eat up their followers and when there is nothing left of them, spit them out and move on to the next bunch of easily led people.

By M. Torey

Posted on - Does the Atonement of Christ Allow Us to Claim Physical Healing

I agree with O. Kennedy's comment about the physical healing. We were involved in BVC and had several health issues. We were told that if we had enough faith (1st thing) that God would have to bend to our will because we were on the same level as Jesus. What a crock of crap that was -- then the next line was that we weren't tithing enough to get God's attention for healing -- so we gave more money -- still ill. Then we had to sign up for a covenant relationship to help build the kingdom (guess what we were building -- yup -- that big new edifice that belongs to the pastor and his wife) and it's going to be paid for in a few short years thanks to all of us fools who were taken in. Still no health for either my wife or I. We have since left BVC and we are expecting to receive some sort of legal action because we are not paying our covenant bill (turns out -- it's a mortgage hidden in there -- and our lawyer says we probably don't have a leg to stand on to get out of paying unless we go bankrupt

- By Anonymous

Posted on - Does the Atonement of Christ Allow Us to Claim Physical Healing The ability for these fraudulent "pastors" to guess about what they don't know in the area of physical healing just makes me sick. God is in full control and decides for whatever reason He chooses to heal some people while others suffer. It doesn't matter whether you have enough faith or pay enough money. God decides, not man. Nobody can claim healing in the way that these faith people say they can. Somebody ought to send them out to see a real mission field where they cannot dupe people into giving them money to live high on the hog lives like Paul and Debby McCulloch on the backs and wallets of their followers. Your revelation of the false doctrines of these churches has been an eye-opener to us. Keep up the work and maybe your sons and their families will realize just how much they have been deceived. 

- By Grace Whyte

Posted on - Healing for Emotional Hurts

I am so disgusted with the youth leaders at Barrie Victory Centre. Every time you turn around, they want to take our kids on a "faith retreat" -- what this has turned out to be is them being taken to another Victory Church location where they become free labour to help build classrooms, benches, and other things. This is supposed to enrich their faith experience. I agree that kids need to have some experiences but every month for the last 6 months? Really? When we refused to let our kids go the last time, they were ridiculed because God's work should come before family. The youth leaders have since asked us "nicely" -- to stop bringing our kids to youth group. This group should be exposed for the charlatan church that it is!

- By Anonymous

Posted on - Errors of Positive Confession and Consequences I think my family is attending one of these "itching ear" churches based on this article. Everything that their leader says to them, they do. They have lost all common sense about life when it comes to this guy. He tells them that he needs a new car and the church comes up with enough money for a new Mercedes. In the meantime, their family car needs winter tires and they cannot afford to put them on. I am sending them the link to this article. Maybe it will make them see some sense since I can't.

- By Roger Tompkin

I Hope You Hear What I Hear!

For more information on Victory Churches and the Faith Movement, go to the Reference Library.  Click on any book title to get a brief overview of the book.  All books on the list are available through www.amazon.com. 

Other Distorted Views of Positive Thinkers

The faith teachers have misread the plain meaning of the words of the Bible in their context.  Gloria Copeland, Kenneth's wife, is a good example of how the faith teachers not only misinterpret but occasionally deliberately delete the words of Scripture that deny their view.  For example, Gloria Copeland quotes Daniel 3:17, 18, which is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo where they told the king that they would not serve their gods.  These men tell us they believe it could be God's will not to save them, but they will still trust and serve Him just like Job . . . .  But this goes against the theology of the Copelands and other faith teachers who say Christians should overcome in every circumstance.  Since the words of Daniel 3:18 didn't fit her view, Gloria deleted them.  She leaves out the words "but even if He does not".  She actually cites a Scripture in her defense that were it quoted in full would disprove the point she is making.

Consider the following areas that the faith teaching has distorted.

God

Faith teaching has distorted both the sovereignty of God and the will of God.  God is no longer sovereign if He can be forced to act on the basis of what men do.  Thus, in some cases, His will can be replaced with man's will.  In essence, what God's sovereignty lacks, human sovereignty supplies.  Not even God will interfere with the believers "divine rights."

Jesus and the Atonement

Faith teachers have redefined the mission of Jesus Christ to incorporate their beliefs.  For example, J. Osteen teaches, "did Jesus die for your prosperity?  Yes."  Robert Tilton teaches, "Jesus came to deliver man from failure, and to cause him to be once again a success . . . Christians who do not believe in divine healing, who do not believe in prosperity -- they do not believe in what was atoned for  at Calvary."  Charles Capps teaches that Jesus came and died for us to get Adam's power back to rule and dominate the earth.  Gloria Copeland states, "You have a titled deed to prosperity.  Jesus bought and paid for your prosperity just like He bought and paid for your healing and your salvation . . . .  This prosperity already belongs to you."  Here you can see these four faith teachers are saying that because of Jesus' death on the cross, He bought and paid for your healing or success now.  Their conclusion is that (even if it takes time to manifest) you can claim success or immediate healing by faith.

This is wrong.  Why?  First, because it is another misinterpretation of Scripture; namely, Isaiah 53:4, 5 and Matthew 8:17.  

Secondly, it is wrong because the Bible plainly teaches that the average Christian, the Apostles, and Jesus Himself did not teach or hold this view.  Physical healing is not the instantaneous gift assumed by the faith teachers.  The Apostle Paul himself had a physical infirmity or bodily illness he simply had to live with.  Paul told Timothy to take a little wine "for the sake of your stomach [problems] and your frequent ailments."  Paul said, "Trophimus I left sick at Miletus."  Paul never once told Timothy or anyone else to "claim your healing."  He clearly did not believe the death of Christ healed believers' illnesses.  Otherwise, how did such great men of faith as Paul and Timothy fail to know and teach that Christ died for our illnesses?  Nor was Christ's death a guarantee of success in this life.  To the contrary, by worldly standards, Paul, the apostles, and the early church were highly unsuccessful.  These godly men accepted the fact of their sickness and tribulations.  Even Jesus also accepted and expected sickness and hardship among believers.  In fact, Jesus Himself taught that sickness could be to the glory of God.  Jesus said of Lazarus, "this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it "(John 11:4).

Faith

In prosperity thinking, faith is similar to the power of magic.  J. Osteen states, ". . . faith reaches out into the invisible area.  It creates the physical realm out of invisible truths."  Here the faith teachers ascribe faith as a force to be exerted upon God forcing Him to act in our behalf.  But this is wrong.  The Bible nowhere states that God relinquished His will to each one of our wills.  He knows that would be chaos.

Man

In Positive Confession,  man is considered "a god" or a godlike being.  In some ways man is the ruler of God, who is his servant.  Like the genie in the bottle, man decides what he wants and then commands or demands God to do his bidding.  In some teachings, man comes close to deification.  

As Charles Capps states, "natural men can become supernatural" . . . and are no longer totally subject to their natural ability."  For example, the miracles done in the book of Acts were not done solely and directly by God but by believers exercising their supernatural powers and influence on others.  In Acts 14:8-10 when Paul told the cripple "stand up," the result is that "spirit words received into his spirit released spiritual power in his physical body.  This creative ability of spirit words formed in his spirit and produced physical results."

Nevertheless, the idea that men are gods is denied in the Bible.  Even Paul, a man of great faith, never considered himself a god.  

Angels

The prosperity movement is overly obsessed with the demonic and has distorted biblical teaching on the angels.  Many teach that physical illness results from demons.  They do this even though Scripture clearly distinguishes physical illness and demon possession (Luke 8:2).  Frances Hunter, for example, teaches "a demon takes a look at a woman and says, 'Wow, I think I will lay a little cancer on her. . . ' so he jumps into her body . . . and before long, the woman discovers she has cancer of the breast . . . . "  Not only does such teaching produce fear of demons in people, it offers a cruel and false hope of a "quick fix" by "exorcism" to those with serious illness.  The logical conclusion of reading some of the faith teachers' instruction has been to lead many people into fear and bondage to demons.  An example of how far this can be taken is seen by Don Basham's teaching that post-nasal drip, fingernail biting, and arthritis of the knees, among many other normal ailments, can be caused by demons. 

Conclusion

Many people have been influenced by false teaching in the church.  Some of them have been hurt because these teachings have not worked.  For example, the "faith assembly" of Hobart Freeman has resulted in the deaths of almost 100 people because his people were told that seeking medical help was supposedly "a sin" and "denial of faith."  Instead they were to claim their healing.  But sadly in claiming their healing the sick all died one by one.  This is just one of the terrible consequences of false teaching.  Not surprisingly, many of the other people felt betrayed and felt like giving up on Christianity.

Jesus stated that false teachings will lead to harmful consequences (Matthew 7:17; 24:11, 12: Acts 20:30), but He said there is a way out.  Those who truly live by His Word , the Bible, can stand the pressures of life because their lives are built on His Word, the solid rock (Matthew 7:24-27).  He promises those who know and obey His Word, that they will be set free (John 8:31, 32).  Have you neglected to learn and obey His Word, relying instead on spiritual experiences and unbiblical faith?

If you are hurt, feel betrayed, and feel like giving up on Christianity, what can you do?  First, you should not continue to fellowship where false teachings are taught (Romans 16:17).  Diligently search until you find a church where the Word of God is honoured and taught accurately, where the pastor has spent years of study in an evangelical seminary.  

Second, you must learn the Word of God yourself.  Take the time and effort to learn the basic doctrines of the Bible so that you will know when it is being "wrongly divided" (misinterpreted).

You should visit a Christian bookstore and purchase some good commentaries.

Try and help those still caught in false teachings.  The Bible encourages us to reprove those following false teachings "severely that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13).

Finally, we ask some of you to consider whether you have substituted a technique of salvation for salvation itself.  Is what you consider "faith" in God really nothing more than a mechanical technique to manipulate God for your own ends?  In John 6:26, 27 Jesus said that many people followed Him only to satisfy their own hunger.  He said instead of following Him for "food that perishes" they should rather seek the "food that endures to eternal life."  Jesus went on to explain that His food that endures to eternal life was not anything material that we can possess; rather it is true knowledge of God Himself (John 6:33-35).

Augustine spoke of this true knowledge in his commentary on Psalm 73.  There he said that God Himself should be our only treasure and reward.  To seek anything but God alone is not to seek for God.  Does this depict you?  Do you love God for Himself alone or for what you can get out of Him?

-  John Ankerberg & John Weldon

For more information on Victory Churches and the Faith Movement, go to the Reference Library.  Click on any book title to get a brief overview of the book.  All books on the list are available through www.amazon.com. 

Does the Atonement of Christ Allow Us to Claim Physical Healing?

Almost all the "faith" teachers and "faith" healers claim the Scriptures prove that the atonement of Christ guarantees our physical healing.  They teach that all we need to do is "claim" our healing by "faith."  But we disagree.  The Bible does not teach that Jesus died so that all may "claim" divine healing now.

Let us examine the Scriptures to see if they are properly applied by the faith teachers.  In Isaiah 53:4, 5 it states, "Surely our griefs [the Hebrew word implies both physical sickness and the emotional and physical consequence of sinful behaviour; Ecclesiastes 6:2] He Himself bore, and our sorrows [or pains] He carried . . . .  He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities [sins] . . . .  By his scourging we are healed."  In response to this verse, we may state the following:

In English or Hebrew the word "heal" may refer to either physical or spiritual healing.  The context must determine if one or both meanings are meant.  For example, in 1 Peter 2:24, Peter refers to spiritual healing, and in Matthew 8:17, Matthew refers to physical healing.

Peter says of our spiritual healing, "He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by His wounds you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24).  Peter stresses the spiritual aspect of the atonement of Christ.  Nothing is said here about a believer's physical healing.  On the other hand, Matthew does refer to physical healing.  He says that Jesus physically healed those who were brought to Him "In order that what was spoken of through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, 'He himself took our infirmities, and carried away our diseases'" (Matthew 8:17).

The question is, Do these verses teach that perfect physical healing is available to every believer if, by faith, he simply "claims" it?  Since it is beyond doubt that Peter stresses the spiritual healing of the atonement, we only need concern ourselves with Isaiah and Matthew.  We accept that Matthew applied Isaiah 53 to Christ's earthly ministry of healing.  But we cannot accept that this example of Christ's ministry gives anyone permission to teach that all Christians should therefore claim their healing immediately.  Why?  Because in our Scriptural accounts Jesus and the apostles did not teach this (Matthew 25:37-40; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20).  We do not believe that the apostle Matthew contradicted Jesus or the other apostles in this matter of the application of Jesus' healing ministry.

Also, Matthew is only pointing out that when Jesus was healing this was another sign of fulfilled Messianic prophesy.  In healing many people physically, Matthew realized Jesus fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy, thereby proving His rightful claim to be the Jewish Messiah (see Luke 7:19-23).

It's possible that Matthew's words could lead one to speculate that Jesus now provided healing for everyone, but such speculation can be seen to be false because Matthew himself specifically quotes Jesus against such a view.

In Matthew 25:37-40 Jesus Himself states He personally "expected" sickness and difficulty among believers ("[those] brothers of Mine" v. 40).  Also the writings of the apostle Paul reject such speculation as can be seen in 1 Timothy 5:23 and 2 Timothy 4:20.  For those who are following faith teachers and still not convinced, we submit the following evidence from Scripture proving this view is wrong.  Many biblical persons who had great faith were sick and in spite of their great faith not healed, such as Elisha, Daniel, Lazarus, Dorcas, Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus and Trophimus (2 Kings 13:14; Daniel 8:27; John 11:2; Acts 9:36,37; Galatians 4:13-15; Philippians 2:25-30; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20).

When we read the scriptural letters of the apostle Paul, we find that physical pain and sickness were indications of God's gracious work in his life (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  Paul also boasted in his physical weakness not in his power (2 Corinthians 11:24-30).

Our Lord Jesus Himself said that even physical blindness and death could be to God's glory (John 9:1-3; 11:4).

Job said, "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"  (Job 2:10).  These verses and many others indicate that God does not expect  every Christian to be healed simply because they "claim" it.

Faith teachers are wrong on another point.  They emphasize healing results are based on the amount of faith a person possesses.  They claim everyone who exercises enough faith will be healed.  They teach doubt always blocks God's divine power from healing.  But Mark 9:24 proves their teaching is wrong.  We know that Jesus mercifully healed even the son of a man who admitted to unbelief.  In addition, the faith teachers claim that even negative thinking will block God's power but this is also wrong since the Bible tells us David prayed in a state of acute depression, and yet his prayer was answered (2 Samuel 15:30-32; 17:1-23).

There is another reason why the "faith" teachers are wrong about a Christian "claiming" his healing.  There is not one Scripture verse that teaches us to "claim our healing."  No Scripture anywhere tells us that Christ's death provides physical healing now merely on the basis of our claiming it.

For example, concerning salvation, the Bible repeatedly promises "whosoever will may come."  But concerning claiming one's healing, there is not a single "whosoever will claim" promise in all of Scripture.

If we listen closely to the apostle James, we find he stresses the calling of elders and their "prayer of faith" for healing.  He does not mention an individual "claiming" his healing (James 5:1-5).

Those who say we must "claim our healing" should also examine the biblical use of the word "claim."  In the New International Version, there are about 45 uses of the word "claim" again, not one of them refers to healing.  But many times the word is used in a negative sense where men claim things that are false, things that they have no right to claim.  (1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:6; Titus 1:16; Revelation 2:2; Job 41:11).

Contrary to the teaching of the faith healers, the Bible states:

1.  If a person is sick, he can call for the elders of the church to come and pray for his recovery (James 5:14, 15).
James says two things.  First, you should call the church elders for your sickness.  Second, you do not claim healing by yourself.

2.  According to James, if a sick person is not healed, it would seem to be due to the lack of faith on the part of those who prayed for him, not the lack of faith of the sick person.

3.  There can be no doubt that God asks his people to individually bring their needs and requests to Him (Philippians 4:6).

4.  Even though we are encouraged to make our requests to God, He does not guarantee to fulfill our requests; He may still decline them.  In such cases God says that His grace is sufficient and that even in our weakness God's power can be made manifest.  Paul states:  "three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it [a thorn in his flesh] away from me.  But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Peter said "let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right" (1 Peter 4:19).  Christ's death will one day perfectly heal every believer, both spiritually and physically (Romans 8:30).  Until that day, we must accept that each of us will, in some way, suffer from the natural consequences of living in a fallen and imperfect, sin-cursed world.

However, this does not imply passivity or resignation.  David prayed fervently for God to spare his son for he said, "Who knows, the Lord may be gracious to me, that the child may live" (2 Samuel 12:22).

All of these verses should be included in our thinking concerning healing.

For more information on Victory Churches and the Faith Movement, go to the Reference Library.  Click on any book title to get a brief overview of the book.  All books on the list are available through www.amazon.com.