I am a sinner. In direct opposition to Psalm 131 I occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. I can refuse to be content with where the Lord places me, frustrated that I am not ministering the way I choose to minister. I have done my share of confessing in this arena. I also know that the Lord convicts us – I don’t know how this works it is one of God’s mysteries. A conviction that burns in my heart year after year is the desire to speak out against false teaching.
Recently, Chris and I had an opportunity to teach biblical marriage to some folks in Colombia. We were at our first stop and I had that old conviction back again. I have learned over the years better ways to deal with it. I used to become angry and respond – contrary to Ephesians 4.31 – 32 I would ‘react’ rather than ‘act’. Let me tell you friend, this immediately puts distance between you and your hearer.
So if you’re still with me after that confession and attempt at showing my repentance, please stay with me now:
Up until now I believed I could skate by without gaining an understanding of the apostolic movement and the Word Faith movement. I had different issues that I chose to study…those that I believed were much more important in my life. … Chris and my recent trip to Colombia changed that. The stories of the people broke our hearts. They were lied to and used for profit by these false teachers. They came to the Reformed churches (only 1 existing each city we were in!) fleeing from lies of a promised better life. They were told their little faith held them back. The focus was always on their abilities and the charisma and kindness of these false teachers. Matthew 23 describes the leaders of this movement well – however unlike the Pharisees they should be given NO authority in any believer’s life.
Our culture says a lot about who we are (ok duh!). In this case I believe the comparison made here is a window into what makes false teachers false.
INDULGE ME A MOMENT
I stumbled upon an article about an encounter that a chronically ill teenage boy had with Lady Gaga. I actually felt pangs of nausea when I read it. The boy’s greatest wish was to go backstage and talk with Lady Gaga. The article describes the encounter in Buffalo – it was her ‘Artpop’ tour.
The article began:
“Thousands of little monsters flocked to First Niagara Center last week to see their beloved Lady Gaga…”
And it continued…“
The concert was everything you would imagine a Lady Gaga concert to be – crazy costume changes, erotic dancing, and the mother monster preaching to her fans about chasing their dreams.” (bold mine)
We are talking about impressionable youth coming to hear the words of their god Lady Gaga. (No those words are not exaggerated). It seems this teenage boy – brought to see Lady Gaga by his family – worshipped this person….read on…
“What people didn’t expect came after she performed “Do What You Want.””
According to this article, during the concert the singer received a jacket with a note from this boy pinned to it. She called him on stage. He said to her, “You’re my life.” She looked at him and said, “You’re mine too.” These are ‘worship’ words.
What does this have to do with the apostolic and Word Faith movement and various other health and wealth cults out there? (I’ll refer to them as ‘new movements’)
A GREAT DEAL
Now, I have no right to judge Lady Gaga – none. The responsibility I have to her is to pray that she would be released from that mindset and her heart would be arrested by the living Christ. LISTEN – I am called to pray that she would repent – that she would see God as HOLY, herself as a SINNER. I am called to pray that she would be called by Christ to see Him as the ANSWER, that she would REPENT and be born again. I cannot judge she who is not able to stand before the Judge.
YET
Here is the connection:
Lady Gaga would cease to exist were it not for ‘the little monsters’ who flock to see her. They lift her up as HOLY. They hear what she sings about, they see her videos and agree with how she interprets the world around her. If they did not support her she would have no game. She would slip away into the annals of rock and be (mostly) forgotten.
These new movements – actually not so new they just change their name – speak of ‘new words’ and prophecies and new apostles – lifting themselves up to be marveled over. There is agreement among their flocks that there is a different standard to live by – more and different from God’s written word that we have been given. If not for the support of their followers these new movements would cease to exist.
Both of these preachers speak of those things that would build them up.
That is understandable for a pagan rock star.
It is not ok for someone who professes to be a believer read Matthew 5.2 – 12 for what a believer looks like.
Both of these preachers lead others to believe that there are plans for them contrary to Scripture.
That is normal for a pagan rock star. (see ‘Born This Way’)
It is not ok for someone who professes to be a believer. Read Jeremiah for starters. (Yes this takes work). Matthew 7.15 – 27
Both of these preachers have a false sense of redemption.
Repentance or ‘heart change’ is seen as unnecessary by a pagan.
Sin is not the issue, one’s faith is, for a participant in these new movements. Matthew 3 and especially .7 – 10. Repentance is a fundamental Christian belief. When we take our need for that away we become god. When our focus is on empowering self we place self in a position that is rightly Christ’s. Without upholding the authority of God’s call to a life of repentance, in recognition that Christ as the Word of God is holy, and that we are sinners, we have no Gospel. If we remove this truth we have no need of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus who is the answer.
Finally, the followers of Lady Gaga and of these new movements are indoctrinated into believing that these false prophets are their lives. Of course these leaders (who are no leaders) must say, ‘You’re mine too.’ For without such a response from their followers they would have no ‘religion,’ unlike Christianity. Jesus does not merely have all authority he is All Authority (Matthew 28.18) and does not need followers for authentication. If needs be, even the rocks will cry out (Luke 19.37 – 40).
Now because this new movement claims that it is Christian my responsibility toward them is different than toward Lady Gaga. The scripture calls Christians to discern between the teaching of lies and the teaching of biblical truth (Matthew 7.15 – 23). What I have found in my beginning study of these new movements is there is a denial of the authority of God and the foundational Truth of the Scriptures.
There is a denial of the authority of God in that there are claims made in this new movement of God speaking to these leaders. Now I would never limit God by making the statement that he cannot talk to us today. However, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 14.33.b – 40 teaches what this should look like – admonishing the church in Corinth. Every gift we have is for the sake of the Gospel – Paul points to Christ – it is not for the building up of the ‘prophet’ or ‘apostle’ (listen to Paul’s heart here: 1 Cor. 15.1 – 11)
There is a denial in the foundational Truth of the Scriptures: There is no stronger evidence for this than the perversion of order that is seen by the placing of women in pastoral roles. God’s design of creation is given to us in Genesis 2. We have been given parameters to live in – not a constraint of the culture – Paul makes this very clear in 1 Timothy 2. God designed mankind to image Him – and then marriage and roles were designed to reflect God the Son and the Church (Ephesians 5.22 – 33). This is loving authority and glad submission. This is design. This is a Gospel issue.
When your allegiance is to self it is incapable of being submissive to Christ because you believe so strongly that what you are doing is good. Your impressionable ‘children’ are excited about your offer of a better life. However, if what you are doing is good, yet it lies outside the parameters of Scripture, it is still no Gospel movement.
It only took 5 words added to God’s Word to usher in the Fall of Man. Check it out: “…neither shall you touch it.” Genesis 3.3b. These 5 words have made a breach in the wall where the enemy slips in. Adding some words and denying others points to the people who have done so…their listeners calling out – ‘You’re my life.’ This encourages and breeds more false doctrine as the breeders reply…’You’re mine, too.’
The Truth calls out and none shall stand but those who stand on The Rock.