Book: “A Different Gospel”

Posted in Book ReviewsLeave a comment

CopelandI’ve been reading A Different Gospel by D.R. McConnell.  The book takes a bold and revealing look at the biblical and historical basis of the Word of Faith movement.  The book began as McConnell’s master’s thesis when he was a student at Oral Roberts University.  McConnell himself is a Charismatic pastor, so this is an insider’s look at something he finds unbiblical and heretical.

McConnell says that today’s Word of Faith preachers (Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch, Fred Price, Benny Hinn, Marilyn Hickey, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, etc.) base their doctrine on the works and teachings of Kenneth Hagin.  Hagin based (some say plagiarized) his doctrines on the works of E.W. Kenyon.  The real bombshell in the book is that Kenyon based his teachings and beliefs on what he was taught in college, at the hands of teachers who were Gnostics and Christian Scientists.  Although Kenyon was sincere, his theology was not biblical from the very beginning.

I personally believe that many of the Word of Faith ministers are sincere, but they are sincerely wrong.  In effect, they have changed the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to include Gnostic and Christian Science teachings.  Paul clearly warns:

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel– which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”
Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV)

McConnell’s book is not an easy read,  but it is imperative that every believer be informed about the Word of Faith message.  You can also read a lot about Word of Faith with a simple Google search.

Thrilled to Be Here

Posted in Church Chat4 Comments

uhaulCan you imagine putting up with me for 28 years? Just thinking about it can make your heart skip a beat, but that’s exactly what Laura has done! Twenty-eight years of being married to me should earn her a mansion or two along with several stars for her crown.

We have seen a lot of life together. She followed me to the mountains of eastern Kentucky. The first time she sat foot in eastern Kentucky was when I took her to meet “the folks.” She later told me that the hills almost smothered her to death. She followed me to Morehead, Banner, Fort Worth, Hazard, Pikeville, Belfry, Georgetown, Williamstown, Louisville, and now Shelbyville. At least 14 times we’ve loaded all our belongings in a rental truck and moved to a new home. A couple of weeks ago, we made the trek from Louisville to Shelbyville. Thank you for all your help in relocating us—we are thrilled to be here!

We have seen highs and lows mixed in with a lot of everyday life. We were thrilled when our little marching band from Pikeville finished Class A State Runner-up in ‘88 and ‘89, but more thrilled when God began to move dramatically within our church at Belfry. We watched the church almost triple in size and celebrated several members called to full-time ministry. Missionaries, pastors, youth directors—God did an awesome work.

We both long to see God’s awesome power in our church at Shelbyville. We are overjoyed to be in Shelbvyille because we believe God wants to do a great work here as well. In order for that to happen it cannot be business as usual. The church is not a business; it is the bride of Christ. God will move when we, the bride, fall in love with Christ, the Groom. It’s one thing to mark off another anniversary with Christ, but another thing to be madly in love with Him. Which one do you think He prefers?

Home Sweet Home

Posted in Life Happens3 Comments

Eastern KentuckyTonight I’m staying at the Hampton Inn in Pikeville, Kentucky. Tomorrow I will be teaching at a Super Saturday event for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. As I type, I’m looking up the hill at the Pikeville College campus where I began my formal studies. I spent two semesters at the college before I transferred to the big city of Morehead, Kentucky where I eventually graduated from Morehead State University.

I spent a large percentage of my life here in these hills and I suppose it will always be “home” to me. I began my life here, grew up in “these parts,” taught school nearby, and pastored for 12 years at two different churches in the area. I often miss the mountains and miss serving as a pastor of a local church here. When I get to make a treasured visit back home I always feel a certain peace and serenity.

I remember when I left the First Baptist Church of Belfry to take a senior pastor position in Northern Kentucky. When my moving truck topped the last hill on the Mountain Parkway, I thought my heart would burst out of my chest. I knew at that moment that I might never live here again.

If you are reading this and you are from Eastern Kentucky, please know that you are blessed if you are able to live your life in these beautiful hills among these wonderful people. Although I have loved the people and places where God has allowed me to live, I know in my heart, this will always be home!

Book of “Acts”

Posted in DiscipleshipLeave a comment

ActsI’ve been reading the Book of Acts the last couple of days. As I read I am reminded and convicted that the book is about the “acts” of the early followers of Jesus. They did not simply say they were believers; they acted it out each day in the way they lived. Many of them made great sacrifices along the way as disciples and many of them died for the faith.

I ask myself, “What am I sacrificing for Jesus? What acts in my life show that I stand with and stand for my Savior?”

In Acts 5, Peter and some of the Apostles were called before the Jewish religious court and were ultimately flogged for speaking about Jesus. After their brutal beating, the Bible says they they left “rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:41, NIV).

Wow! I don’t know about you, but passages like this challenge me and convict me. Any thoughts?

Book: “Running with the Giants”

Posted in Book Reviews1 Comment

maxwellI just completed John C. Maxwell’s book, Running with the Giants. Maxwell spent a couple of years of his Bible reading focusing on Old Testament heroes. In his book, he shares what he believes these Old Testament heroes would want us to know about life and leadership.

The book was interesting, but rather predictable. Like most pastors, I have preached on the heroes mentioned in the book and made many of the same observations in my sermons. I recommend the book, but don’t expect this book to reach the level of some of the other Maxwell leadership books.