- Jul 12, 2004
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Heres a true story of the dangers of pop-theology.
Several years ago a fortyish woman, who had been through three disastrous marriages became involved with a local Charismatic congregation that was into all sorts of fad theologies, including free-for-all-prophecy and generational curses. She became convinced, thanks to her counselors (including the pastor). that her problems, which had contributed to her divorces, were the result of a generational curse caused by her parents neglect, sins, and failures. Forget the fact that her parents and two older sisters were faithful, balanced Christians with happy marriages. I was close to the family and observed how she soon became estranged from them.
She became the glowing project of the church, their crown of success, and were determined, I felt, to make her their trophy and she was soon alienated from everyone but members of the church.
Eventually, a serious alcoholic fresh from prison and rehab began attending the church. He became their next project and soon prophecies were going forth that God had put this damaged couple together for His divine purpose and He had a glorious ministry ahead for them that would effect thousands. But I knew that the delivered alcoholic had been picked up by the police for public intoxication on two separate occasions and feeling that they were about to make a serious mistake I went to the pastor on behalf of the family who could not get an audience with him. He was going through his mid-life crisis at the time, complete with motorcycle and bandana, and I confronted him about the seriousness of the unwise advice his members were giving this crippled pair who need professional help, not pop-theology, and not marriage. He laughed at me, told me that I was not their God, and that the church was on track with God and them, and that maybe I should mind my own business.
I told him some things, too.
The end result was that this broken couple married within months. It soon became obvious that he would not find work, he wrecked their only car while driving DUI, was seen by me purchasing beer at a local convenience store, and they were stuck in grim poverty. Within two years they were divorced.
The pastor, a father of two young boys, himself soon fell into a sordid and scandalous affair with (you guessed it) his blond college-aged secretary , left his family, the church and our community; sought and gained a divorce; and married the young woman.
The wounded church hung on for a time as members left one by one until finally they dissolved and a remnant reorganized under another name. But to this day they cannot shake the stigma of all they did to damage not only themselves but the work of the kingdom in our community.
This is a personal example of why I resist trendy ministries and fad doctrines. They are deadly and never accomplish the good they claim.
What do you think?
\o/
Several years ago a fortyish woman, who had been through three disastrous marriages became involved with a local Charismatic congregation that was into all sorts of fad theologies, including free-for-all-prophecy and generational curses. She became convinced, thanks to her counselors (including the pastor). that her problems, which had contributed to her divorces, were the result of a generational curse caused by her parents neglect, sins, and failures. Forget the fact that her parents and two older sisters were faithful, balanced Christians with happy marriages. I was close to the family and observed how she soon became estranged from them.
She became the glowing project of the church, their crown of success, and were determined, I felt, to make her their trophy and she was soon alienated from everyone but members of the church.
Eventually, a serious alcoholic fresh from prison and rehab began attending the church. He became their next project and soon prophecies were going forth that God had put this damaged couple together for His divine purpose and He had a glorious ministry ahead for them that would effect thousands. But I knew that the delivered alcoholic had been picked up by the police for public intoxication on two separate occasions and feeling that they were about to make a serious mistake I went to the pastor on behalf of the family who could not get an audience with him. He was going through his mid-life crisis at the time, complete with motorcycle and bandana, and I confronted him about the seriousness of the unwise advice his members were giving this crippled pair who need professional help, not pop-theology, and not marriage. He laughed at me, told me that I was not their God, and that the church was on track with God and them, and that maybe I should mind my own business.
I told him some things, too.
The end result was that this broken couple married within months. It soon became obvious that he would not find work, he wrecked their only car while driving DUI, was seen by me purchasing beer at a local convenience store, and they were stuck in grim poverty. Within two years they were divorced.
The pastor, a father of two young boys, himself soon fell into a sordid and scandalous affair with (you guessed it) his blond college-aged secretary , left his family, the church and our community; sought and gained a divorce; and married the young woman.
The wounded church hung on for a time as members left one by one until finally they dissolved and a remnant reorganized under another name. But to this day they cannot shake the stigma of all they did to damage not only themselves but the work of the kingdom in our community.
This is a personal example of why I resist trendy ministries and fad doctrines. They are deadly and never accomplish the good they claim.
What do you think?
\o/
That was why we taped all prophecies. Frequently people only hear what they want to hear and then when things soured they would say "well you said". We'd dig out the tape and listen and we did NOT say, that was just what they heard. 
