Baptists and the Prosperity Doctrine

I know that this blog post will probably cause some to protest against what I am about to write but I have decided to write it anyway.  I have been afflicted with an illness called Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was nineteen but it wasn't until I was in my late twenties that I began to suffer badly from the disease without knowing its name.  Many at church knew I had been sick and would ask me about what was happening to me.  Unfortunately only three people out of all of those who inquired about my illness ever asked how was God using it to do great things in my life.  THREE!! I discovered upon realizing this fact that something was off but I couldn't figure out what.  I thought at first people really didn't care about what was happening to me but as I started to hear what others said to those especially during the recession of '08 who lost jobs or to those who lost loved ones I realized something interesting.  Everyone claimed to pray for those who had lost their jobs, their loved one or who were sick like me and intended to pray that people got jobs, people healed quickly from the pain of losing someone and that I would be healed from my illness.  On the surface you may say Kary they were just trying to be nice because no one wants a person to suffer.  The problem is I know parents who prayed for rock bottom to save their drug addicted children, or spouses who prayed for difficulties to come to their cheating spouse because they wanted what was best for their loved ones not the mediocre or good time sought by the drug addicted child or cheating spouse.  So then could God not want the best for his children who are stuck in Christian mediocrity? We have taught our children that good is only a job, health and having all our loved ones which is the definition of the Prosperity Doctrine.  Up until a conversation with an aunt and a cousin, I too was proud of myself for not believing in the Prosperity Doctrine.  I realized that in speaking with them that this pride and hurtful comments like John Piper and John MacArthur have made divide us as believers but more importantly misses the reality that we too believe in the Prosperity Doctrine.  Protestants from the Pilgrims on were taught to believer in the Prosperity Doctrine and is where we get it from.  Puritans were judged about the strength of their faith based on how much wealth they had, how their health was and how hard they worked and forced their families to work.  As a first world country we went from a backwater territory to a superpower in less than three hundred years.  We live in a culture that believes the more wealth you have the more power you have and the more important you are.  How many Baptist churches do you know where the richest member runs the church?  If we didn't believe in the Prosperity Doctrine then wouldn't the poorest member have influence over leadership? Our culture also has the best healthcare in the world constantly looking at how to live longer and better.  How many Baptist churches do you know where the deacons go visiting the sick and shut-ins from their church? If they didn't believe in the Prosperity Doctrine wouldn't they value the sick over visiting healthy guests they hope will become members? My cousin and my aunt have come to their belief system based upon searching for the truth and correcting whatever they discover is wrong.  But I have found that most of the believers I've come across not just in Baptist churches but in other non-Charismatic denominations are hypocrites for bashing those who believe in the Prosperity Doctrine while they themselves practice it. These people are not searching for truth but often for comfort so I admire my cousin and aunt above some of my own church.   Most of the people who ask me about my illness hope it is a short conversation so they can so show interest without being invested.  We have taught each other that being sick is bad and if you are healthy then your reaction should be pity because they are worse off than you.  If someone lives pay check to pay check and you live very well then you're supposed to pity them because they are missing out on the good things in life.  If someone loses a loved one then you are supposed to think I'm glad that's not me because having all your loved ones is the definition of happiness.  Here is a shocking revelation, I am blessed beyond measure by my illness. What? Yes I was given the gift of illness by God.  Job, Joseph, Jacob, Hannah, Naomi, Ruth and others were given the gift of suffering in some capacity so that they could reap the blessings of gratitude and true sacrifice of praise because praising God cost them in some way.  Americans don't get that.  We're selfish, self-absorbed, career dominated, family only, cliques only, busy all the time and when we're supposed to be resting we work from sun up to sun down at church because that's what we're supposed to do right? So what is my life like and the lives of those I know who are suffering at this moment.  I was able to study Koine Greek to read the New Testament in its original language so I can know for myself what it says.  I was given the gift of time and how resting is not wasting it.  I see others around me like the lady who's radiator busted in the Taco Bell line or the homeless who walk by my neighborhood to avoid the hill on the interstate.  God brought people to me because they couldn't understand how I walked with a cane and still smiled.  God made me understand that the hurting are my ministry because God interferes in our suffering by having people like me be that medicine that gets them through the day.  I have a friend who lost her son in an accident and I didn't not pity her but was in awe of what God was doing through her.  There are so many who rush through the day concern themselves only with their families and think soccer or dance will enrich their children's lives.  I'm glad my parents decided to drag me and my brother along to VA hospitals, shut-ins and nursing homes to sing so I learned that ministry is the best child enrichment ever.  I have been told not by my cousin or aunt or by any of the Charismatic friends I've had over the years but by people I've gone to church with and other churches that believe what I do that God wants me healed and I will be healed. It turns out they just don't want to deal with me.  If God answers their prayers they don't have to be brought down by my problems and they can check off another prayer answered.  At first I was embarrassed when I kindly told them God told me differently and they argued with me.  I was also tense when I saw these people because usually I was worse not better.  Finally I had a sense of humor about it and thought these people had to be thoroughly confused when I didn't get better.  Now they avoid me out of embarrassment and hating to hear about my problems.  If they just asked me what God was doing in my life imagine how uplifting that would be?  There are people who suffer from mental and physical illnesses, difficult home lives, rebellious children, loss of job or underemployed, loss of a loved one, traumatic incidents like rape, assault or car accidents and mounting bills because of these issues.  God uses these things in our lives to bless us even though it does seem like punishment but the church right now likes to avoid and condescend their fellow brothers and sisters into isolation as an added bonus.  The next time you are tempted to say something derogatory about the Prosperity Doctrine look at how you treat the hurting and suffering around you before you say it. You might decide God would rather you keep it to yourself. And the next time a friend at church or in class asks for prayer because of something difficult in their lives stop and ask them how God is using their situation to bless their family and others and watch out for the smile and the sigh of relief! Get ready for a flood of wonderful from an unexpected place!!

In the book of Philippians 3:1-3 Paul commands us to “keep rejoicing in the Lord”.   In the Greek, the preposition “en” means to be fixed or stationary.  The only way we can rejoice in the Lord is to abide or be fixed in Him consistently.  Paul says writing to the Philippians about these matters again was no trouble and he commanded all of them not just the elders and the deacons, “you must watch out for the big dogs, you must watch out for the skilled evil workers, you must watch out for the false circumcision!” These commands were meant to be tied back into his first command, “keep rejoicing in the Lord,” because when we are consistently “in the Lord” we have to watch out for thieves who want to steal our joy.

This warning and command from Paul is quite timely considering that recently David Platt shocked many young Christians by questioning the phraseology they grew up with to describe the conversion experience.  Those of us who are older however remember that John MacArthur did the same thing when he released his book, The Gospel According to Jesus.   Solomon was right when he said in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun.  Because I believed that Platt’s new book, Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live, was so similar to what I remembered of The Gospel According to Jesus, I was convinced that it wasn’t coincidence so I read both books to see if my suspicions were accurate.

Paul’s command to “watch out for the big dogs” was an allusion to the alpha male in a wild pack that often intimidated both people and the other dogs in the pack.  They ran the streets in the first century A.D. terrorizing and scavenging, but it was the alpha male the pack followed and obeyed.  Both Platt and MacArthur exhibit what Paul was warning the Philippians about.  “Big dogs” are those who are able to gain control of a church or organization and use fear and intimidation in order to keep other people under them in line.  Platt and MacArthur not only have a platform in their own churches as pastors but they also have influenced others through their books and MacArthur through Masters College. 

You may think that my characterization is a bit harsh but first let me share with you what I discovered reading both books as well as articles and videos they have done.  Both Platt and MacArthur hold to the same soteriology (the study or belief system of salvation) that begins with Lordship Salvation which Follow Me and The Gospel According to Jesus explain if you know how to read their books.  Unfortunately, most people do not know what these two authors really believe but those who do understand or agree with them, know that Platt and MacArthur’s intimidation through their status and position have influenced the beliefs of others in ways that no lay person could.  We find that someone who is in a high position or who seems to be confident about what they believe can make us doubt the truth.  Paul warns us to be constantly on guard against these individuals because they are lurking around every corner and unless we fine tune our sensitivity to heresy we can be fooled and pressured into theology that is wrong.

In Galatians, we also get the warning from Paul, that if anyone presents a gospel that creates additions to faith in Christ by grace alone, we are to reject that gospel.  Paul went so far to say if he or an angel preached such a gospel we are to reject it.  The Messianic Jews we see in Acts 15, made Gentiles be circumcised before they could be saved but Peter and James believed that scripture disputed that idea and sent out a decree abolishing the practice among Gentiles.  Some of those Messianic Jews however did not comply and went to the churches along Paul’s journey trying to convert Christians to their brand of heresy.  They forced them to not only be circumcised but follow the Mosaic Law.  So Paul makes it clear that if there is any deviation from the original message of the gospel then we are to reject it and those who bring such a gospel.

Calvinism is a man-made concept that adds to true gospel starting with Lordship Salvation.  Calvinism was created by John Calvin shortly before the death of Martin Luther in the sixteenth century.  Lordship Salvation created a bridge among  non-Calvinist Protestants because it sounded so close to their own doctrine, concerning salvation, that it was accepted among some and tolerated among others over the centuries.  Even though many do not think Calvinism is Biblical they will not reject those who hold to Calvinism outright.  For that reason Platt and MacArthur have been given the impression of legitimacy when by Biblical standards they should have been rejected long ago.

Two points describe Lordship Salvation, Commitment and Practical Righteousness.  Both Platt and MacArthur stay in sync with one another on these two points.  Lordship Salvation teaches that Commitment pre-salvation is crucial before someone can become a believer.  Commitment Platt and MacArthur argue have to include two components, devotion to Christ with the idea that anything Christ commands the individual will do and that the individual must be willing to die for Christ pre-salvation.  Platt says, “He is the all-sovereign Lord who deserves submission from everyone” and “We would be wise not to give people blanket assurance regarding their eternal destiny apart from the fruit of Biblical faith, repentance, obedience and love.”  MacArthur echoes Platt saying, “Implicit obedience to His commandments is the necessary expected and natural fruit of genuine love for Him.  It is also the tell-tale mark of authentic saving grace” and “When Jesus called people to follow Him, He was not seeking companions to be His sidekicks or admirers whom He could entertain with miracles.  He was calling people to yield completely and unreservedly to His Lordship.”

Many of you may be thinking that what they are saying is so close to the truth that it must be truth but what if I put the microscope on those quotes to bring it into sharper focus. 

Calvinism is defined by five points known as Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints.  We will examine four of these points and how they relate to Lordship Salvation.  It is important to understand that how they perceive Lordship Salvation is very different than how we perceive it.  Total Depravity means that man after the fall was so totally depraved he is not able to choose salvation nor even want it.  Unconditional Election is the concept that explains how we can be saved if Total Depravity exists.  God selects, because He is sovereign, people to become Christians and in selecting some to salvation He condemns others to hell. This is called predestination.   Limited Atonement explains the inconsistencies of Unconditional Election and scripture passages that disputes their claim.  Christ only died for the elect not for the whole world so that John 3:16 is referring to those who were chosen to believe.  Irresistible Grace again explains the inconsistencies with the other three points by saying that the elect who are chosen, God forces His grace on these individuals but they have no choice or say in the matter.  These four points change the meaning of what Platt and MacArthur said in their books.

Instead of us submitting by choice to a Holy God and accepting His gift of salvation instead some of us are selected by God to salvation and His grace is forced on them resulting in salvation.  Reading both books Platt and MacArthur question several times the salvation of many in the church.   We also question the salvation of some but it is a rare thoughtful exercise.  Platt and MacArthur however question the salvation of the individual who is an immature believer or who have been taught incorrectly or who has sin that has plagued them like drug abuse.  Some of you may be skeptical they really believe these things but look at what they have said.  Platt says in his book, “In our sin we are utterly unable to call on Christ because we are totally consumed with running from God” and “I praise God that he has not left the invitation to salvation up to sinful men and women who in their rebellion would never choose Him.”   MacArthur says also, “We cannot believe without God’s sovereign enablement.  We cannot conjure up faith out of the human will” and “First it is God who sovereignly initiates salvation…He does the seeking and the saving and it is He who brings sinners into His kingdom.  Though we respond with a desire to follow Christ even that desire is wrought in our hearts by God.  Salvation is not ultimately a human decision.”  Platt and MacArthur believe that God’s sovereignty takes out any choice we may have in accepting or rejecting salvation.  Even though they use words like repentance, grace and faith in the end you find the comments listed above as the fine print that is deceptively inserted among ideas that are acceptable to mainstream evangelicals.

Contemplative Prayer

In recent years a particular movent called Contemplative Prayer has come to my attention.  Because I'm not a big fan of Christian books I was unaware of its influence until lately.  Christian books to me are not a bad thing if used properly as supplemental to the study of scripture from the Bible itself not from a study about the Bible.  However in the last decade I've become increasingly worried that these books are taking over devotions and personal study, the study of scripture straight from the Bible is taking a backseat.  For this reason when a new movement that could introduce heresy into my church or any other church I sit up and pay attention.  When I was first alerted I did what I always do and that is to research what I have been warned about to find out if it is a threat or someone's paranoia.  In this case I was finding information from different denominations and even a secular publication that made me pause at this new phenomenon.

Contemplative Prayer is not a new phenomenon per se but rather something that has resurfaced from its Catholic origin.  The Jesuits originally interpreted the mystical early fathers, whom are not used by traditional evangelicals, as having endorsed this type of prayer and viewing of scripture.  In the 1930's it resurfaced again in God Calling the book used as the basis for the current book Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  I think it is important to understand God Calling in order to understand the ritual and concepts that made up the book Jesus Calling. 

God Calling was written by two annonymous women who encountered God by using a method that would cause them to clear their minds, sit and wait until God contacted them and they would keep a journal of what was told to them.  A man named A.J. Russell was where the women got the idea from and who wrote a book himself called For Sinners Only. Louis Talbot's who wrote an article about God Calling, Russell and The Oxford Group in "The King's Business" (1962) said that the only criticism that Russell received was that his explanation of salvation was unclear and he barely mentioned atonement.  William Irvine who surveyed evangelical pastors at the time said they were all in agreement that the practice of centering prayer or contemplative prayer was heretical (Heresies Exposed 3rd edition) and warned churchgoers against inimtating such concepts.

So what is so heretical in God Calling and For Sinners Only?  Clearing of one's mind is a technique employed not by the authors of scripture but by Eastern mystics especially in Hindu mediatation practices in which the individual uses humming, constant recitation of a phrase or word to empty their minds of any thoughts so that they may experience a oneness with the universe and learn to not desire anything.  In the same way Sarah Young and these two listeners employ the guidence method by clearing their minds of all thoughts, often chanting a phrase, like, in the book Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman, "If anyone would come after Me he must deny himself, take up his cross daily" (Luke 9:23) to transcend the body and experience something outside of themselves.  Well Idleman used scripture surely there is nothing wrong with that?  In his follow-up guide he instructs his readers to meditate by closing their eyes picture Jesus turn and look at you and saying to you over and over again, "If you would come after Me you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me."  Then he instructs them to become aware of their reaction and after the five minutes is up to write down their thoughts. 

God Calling was edited by A. J. Russell author of For Sinners Only and leader of The Oxford Group which was later identified as a cult for these practices and their theology.  So why have so many claimed to have such positive experiences?  Why have so many claimed to have been helped by Eckart Tole's A New Earth and the subsequent seminar on it Oprah conducted?  A New Earth took elements of scripture like, John 8:32, "and you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free" without God and threw in some psychology and philosophy he also ripped off.  Learning to meditate on God in our own physical bodies is difficult and its not so much fun nor mystical but Psalm 119 among many scriptures teaches us to "meditate on Your precepts and regard your ways", "open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your law", "Your servant meditates on Your statutues".  It goes on and on clearly stating that when we meditate our minds are fully engaged.  Because I was taught to look for patterns going through the entire Psalm you only find mental comprehension and not a concentration of visualization that the contemplative prayer teaches.  But they use Psalm 46:10, "Cease striving and know that I am God" as the basis for their meditation.  Could God not use this to help people experience Him in a closer fashion?  The authors of God Calling answer that question with a quote from their book, "We were being taught, trained and encouraged day by day by Him personally when millions of souls far worthier had to be content with guidence from the Bible, sermons, churches, books and other sources".

Both the two listeners and Sarah Young both say that they hold scripture above all but yet they seem not to be content with it and need extrabiblical revelation to make their lives complete.  Now let's distinguish between what they are saying and what God says IS Biblical.  We know that God does warn us, correct us, teach us, lead us into all truth via the Holy Spirit but when I meditate I'm not looking for extra messages but explanations of what I've just learned.  In an interview Sarah Young did with CBN.com she said that when she is writing down her "messages from God", "Scripture often comes to mind and I write that down in whatever version I remembered it."  She doesn't look it up to make sure it's right or that the context is correct.  When I am meditating I'm asking God to help me figure out how the scripture passage goes in order and what characteristics of Him I can glean.  Meditation is like harvasting wheat and we have to know what is truth and what is a lie.  What Sarah and the two listeners are doing is what we were taught to do in English writing in college.  You let your mind go and write down the first thing that comes to mind about the subject you're essay's about.  You use stream of consciousness to write without checking the accuracy of what you are recording.  In the occult this practice is called automatic writing in which a medium clears their mind invites their spirit guide to protect them then communicates with the dead.  They write as they are communicating in a trance and have no idea what they are recording.  It cannot be the same you saybut here's what Sarah Young says of her process, "Before I begin I pray for protection of my mind from distractions, dissortions and disception. I ask that I will only hear only the voice of Jesus, yet every single word He wants me to hear.  Then I simply pray, 'Help me Holy Spirit' and I listen.  Eventually I hear a phrase or a sentence and I write it down.  As I listen and write I continue asking for the Holy Spirit's help. I also thank Jesus for the message as I receive it from Him...I try to relax and enjoy Jesus' Presence."

The huge difference other than the obvious scriptural problems is that she doesn't encourage novices to do what she does and the reason, "New Christians especially need to be cautious about listening to God in this way.  I had been a Christian 20 years before I started this practice."  Paul says it is not a good idea for novices to become elders making an opportunity for the Devil (1 Timothy 3:6) but there is not any other practice in the faith that a new believer is not encouraged to do, study scripture, pray, meditate, minister even teach (I know a certain associate pastor who was thrown into this role early on in CRU).  When a spiritual practice like meditation is discouraged for the new believer I have to ask why?  If it is so dangerous should she even be doing it?

I will continue to present more of my research next post and I hope some of you will really start checking these things out and not just assuming that these books are safe.

CRI Journal R. Poll 1994
CBN.com Q&A with Sarah Young
Journal of GES John Caddock, "What is Contemplative Spirituality and Why is it Dangerous?"