Prophets or Profiteers

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="040c8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <div> <B><U>Jon Zens</U></B></div> <div> <B>is an elder and teacher at the Word of Life Church in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin and editor of the journal </B><I><B>Searching Together</B></I><B>.</B></div> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>This article is from the Autumn 2002 issue of  </B><I><B>Searching Together</B></I><B>.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>To subscribe to this fine journal, contact Jon at: Searching Together, P.O. Box 548, St. Croix Falls, WI, 54024</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Brush Script MT" ><B>Restoration Ministries</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" >  |  </FONT>   <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Restoration Ministries"><U>home</U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="0fa1c480.jpg" border=0 width="540" height="72" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>A Challenge to Those Who Tarnish the Gospel With Their Doomsday Dogmatism -- How They Mislead the Saints and Often Get Rich in the Process</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>By Jon Zens</B></div> <div> ___________________________________________________</div> <bR> <div> I once saw a funny bumper sticker that read, “My Karma Ran Over My Dogma.” Karma, of course, is primarily a Hindu or Buddhist concept wherein one<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s actions determine one<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s fate. In common usage, however, it often refers simply to feelings.</div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately, that otherwise humorous bumper sticker also provides a sad commentary that is the basis of this article. We have far too many supposed Bible teachers today whose message is based less on solid “dogma” than on mere “karma.” Their message is less a proclamation of biblical truth than an outlet for misguided personal opinions or feelings.</div> <bR> <div> While we<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>re discussing words, most dictionaries define “dogma” as a generally positive term that refers to a body of doctrines held to be true and authoritative. The cognate term, “dogmatism,” however, does not fare so well in common usage but denotes “positiveness in assertion of opinion <B>esp. when unwarranted or arrogant</B> . . . a viewpoint or system of ideas based on <B>insufficiently  examined  premises</B>” (Webster, emphasis added). Unfortunately, there seems to be far too much <B>dogmatism</B> by church leaders today that is based on far too little biblically sound <B>dogma</B>.</div> <bR> <div> It is amazing, in fact, how well known contemporary Bible teachers can make dogmatic predictions that have no real basis in biblical revelation and never come to pass, yet escape any accountability. Even when the course of time and unfolding facts of history prove these would-be prophets wrong, most of their constituents quickly forget all about the false alarms generated by past sermons, books and cassettes and once again buy into their latest prophetical fantasy with blind abandon. Some, however, who made life-altering decisions based on such teaching, have become disillusioned and cynical — especially after blowing their life savings on an alarmist cause that fizzled.</div> <bR> <div> Remember Y2K? Given the role computers play in nearly every facet of modem society, a wide spread programming glitch that would prevent internal clocks from “rolling over” to 1/1/2000 was certainly reason for some concern. But many Christian writers and speakers, with Gary North leading the pack, predicted with bold certainty that all life one minute after 11:59 PM on December 31, 1999 would never be the same. Based on such dire forecasts by these so-called experts, gullible followers spent millions on books, videos, cassettes, food supplies, generators, fuel, weapons, and other survival commodities to try to insulate their families from the impending chaos. Here are more examples of such paranoid prophecies:</div> <bR> <div> “It is Tuesday, January the fourth [2000]. . . Today, you get out of bed and flip the light switch — nothing happens. Further, there is no water coming out of the faucet . . . The power grid is down. Over 99% of America has no electricity. . . Most banks will not open again because their computers have lost their records. . . Welcome to the new millennium and the <B>Y2K problem</B> . . . Some of the above <B>will</B> happen. All of it <B>can</B> happen! . . . This much is certain: The Y2K problem will come <B>after</B> a worldwide panic and <B>after</B> a worldwide depression. A depression which <B>will</B> begin in 1999 . . . This is a certainty. And it will bring poverty to the entire world . . . A bank panic sometime in 1999 is very likely.” — Gene Edwards, <B>Economic Doomsday</B>, 1998, pp 3-5</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>*     *     *     *     *</B></div> <bR> <div> “At the time this book is being sent to the press, there is no evidence that by January 15, 2000, electrical power will be back up and functioning, no evidence that fresh water will be available, no evidence that banks will be open, no evidence that businesses will be able to function without banking . . . The editors of this book are not announcing such terrible scenarios. We are pointing out that there is no evidence to suggest that these bad scenarios will not happen.” — Julian Gregori,<B> What Will Become of Us?  Counting Down to Y2K</B>, 1998, pp. 19-20.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>*     *     *     *     *</B></div> <bR> <div> “You probably will not have your present job in 2001. . . We are heading for a disaster greater than anything the world has experienced since the bubonic plague of the mid- 14th century. . . The Medicare system won<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>t make it through 2000 . . . What happens to the delivery of food into cities when money fails because the banks are busted? . . . What happens to the world economy when this scenario is multiplied across every government? Kiss your job goodbye. Especially if you<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>re a journalist. I know. I am one. I figure I<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>ll be out of work — forced retirement — January 1, 2000. I<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>m making plans to be in small-scale agriculture. I<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>m out of debt . . . Keep visiting my website for updated information . . . E-mail this report to anyone you care about.” — Gary North, “Blind Man<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s Bluff in the Year 2000,” 1997.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>*     *     *     *     *</B></div> <bR> <div> “The author and the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred as a result of the application of any of the information in this book . . . As I document in this book, my research suggests that although the Y2K crisis may only last a short period of time (from a few months to a few years, depending on the country in which you live), it may be devastating for those who are unprepared. . . The infrastructure of every community is threatened by the Y2K problem. You may lose vital public services you have taken for granted all your life, such as heat, light, water, sewage, telephone, security systems, police, hospital medical services, and transportation.... The evidence is very compelling that the magnitude of the Year 2000 computer crisis will prove to be the most expensive and disruptive man-made technological disaster in history.” — Grant Jeffrey, <B>The Millennium Meltdown</B>, 1998, pp 8, 13, 22, 23.</div> <bR> <div> Like many doomsday predictions that have gone before, of course, the threatened end of the world never came to pass. But have any of these “prophets” repented of the harm they did or apologized for the panic they caused? Have they refunded the millions that were spent on their books or tapes or cassettes? They were wrong! Why haven<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>t they been held accountable? Why do their followers still look to them for insight into Biblical truth? Gary Hedrick has an interesting take on this problem:</div> <bR> <div> “Have you noticed that the most adamant doomsday prophets are the ones who have newsletters, books, videos, and other products to sell us? . . . How objective can we realistically expect these people to be in their analysis of the Y2K problem when they themselves are profiting from it? Y2K has given birth to a multimillion-dollar industry.” — Gary Hedrick, <B>Seven Things the Doomsayers Don’t Want You to Know About Y2K</B>, 1999, p 5.</div> <bR> <div> In 1947, Horace Kallen observed that “clergy” status often permits these people to get away with speaking dogmatically about things for which they have no real expertise:</div> <bR> <div> The clergy may, without any loss of face whatever, declare the sinfulness or virtue of this or that aspect of sumptuary behavior; this or that event in the arts or the sciences. No proficiency in the subjects they pass upon is expected of them. They step in where experts fear to tread (“Buildings, Clergy & Money,” <U>Searching Together</U>, Vol. 28:1-3, 2000, p 30).</div> <bR> <div> In the same year that we printed excerpts from Kallen<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s <B>Why Religion?</B>, some friends contacted me to express their own concerns along the same lines about things David Wilkerson was saying in some of his writings. Their concerns were certainly justified. My purpose in this article is to examine some of Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s writings in chronological order and demonstrate his penchant for biblically baseless end-times conjecture. He needs to be held accountable for misleading and unnecessarily alarming his readers. By the way, it has always been our policy to give those whom we may take to task in <U>Searching Together</U> an opportunity to defend themselves before we release an article. A copy of this manuscript was sent to Mr. Wilkerson over a year ago with an invitation to dialogue our concerns. He has not responded.</div> <bR> <div> <B>America’s Last Call – On the Brink of Economic Holocaust</B> (1998)</div> <bR> <div> I read this book in 1999 when a friend gave a copy to my wife. Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s main thrust was that America was facing imminent financial and social disaster. In a later writing, he reported that as a result of <B>America’s Last Call</B>, “our offices were inundated with appeals for financial advice and words of encouragement,” and admits that because of his prophecies, his readers “were overwhelmed with fears about the future” (See below, <B>God’s Plan to Protect His People in the Coming Depression</B>, 1998, p. 6). It is now 2003 — nearly five years later — and his predictions still have not materialized. At what point are we justified in asking him to repent for the unnecessary anguish and fear his message of imminent financial dicaster has wrought in the lives of his readers?</div> <bR> <div> America may very well experience another economic crash — perhaps even worse than 1929. Believers should certainly be taught to hold on to the “things” of this life very loosely, and to be prepared for whatever economic ups and downs may unfold. But when preachers spread unnecessary fear or even panic by making dire predictions of imminent economic collapse, they neither do justice to God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s Word nor to their fellow believers — especially when those prophecies are accompanied by “run for the caves” advice. Some believers, frightened by such doomsday predictions, have actually quit their jobs, sold their homes and cached food and weapons in underground shelters.</div> <bR> <div> In <B>America ‘s Last Call</B>, Wilkerson points to the severe judgments that God brought upon Israel in response to her sins and warns that America<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s depraved appetites will surely bring similar punishment. It is a familiar parallel often drawn by a number of contemporary bible teachers, but it has no basis whatsoever in biblical truth. In the first place, it rests on the faulty and presumptuous notion that, like Old Testament Israel, present day America was brought into existence by God himself and therefore enjoys a “most favored nation” status — the “God bless America” mentality. Secondly, it makes the basis for God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s blessings or curses contingent upon external morality rather than on true gospel repentance and faith.</div> <bR> <div> In Old Testament times, the physical nation of Israel enjoyed a unique relationship with God. She was a “people I formed for myself<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT> (Isaiah 43:21), a nation “chosen . . . out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6). When Israel fell into bondage in Egypt, it was God himself who delivered her by his own mighty hand. After the exodus, Israel<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s special place among the nations was formally ratified in the terms of the covenant imposed through Moses at Sinai. No other earthly nation, then or now (including modern-day Israel), can rightly claim such a special standing before God.</div> <bR> <div> But God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s temporal relationship to Old Testament Israel was never intended to be an end in itself. It was only a shadow of which the church would become the reality. It pointed to a greater deliverance of “God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s people” at Calvary and to a better covenant sealed forever in the blood of Jesus Christ. The only legitimate comparison that can be made to Old Testament Israel, therefore, is not to America or any other earthly nation, but to the church. It is the redeemed body of Christ that the New Testament now identifies as God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s “chosen people,” his “holy nation,” a “people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9). Even Wilkerson is forced to admit, “all references to Zion in the New Testament point to the overcoming church of Jesus Christ” (<B>God</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><B>*</B></FONT><B>s Plan</B>, p. 67 — cf. Bill Knaub, “Does America = Israel? No! — A Reply to Bill Bright,” <U>Searching Together</U>, 1998, 26 3-4, pp 7-13).</div> <bR> <div> <B>God</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><B>*</B></FONT><B>s Plan to Protect His People In The Coming Depression</B> (1998)</div> <bR> <div> Wilkerson followed up on <B>America‘s Last Call</B> with <B>God</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><B>*</B></FONT><B>s Plan to Protect His People</B> — supposedly to encourage the saints for impending troublous times. Again, he boldly asserts, “in the near future, you<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>re going to begin hearing news reports of terrifying events” (p. 6), then adds, “If not today, then someday very soon you<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>re going to need the spiritual encouragement this hopeful message offers” (p. 7). Nearly five years have gone by and none of Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s warnings of an imminent apocalypse has come to pass. I am reminded of Moses<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT> words: “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously” (Deuteronomy 18:22).</div> <bR> <div> Wilkerson does make an excellent observation, however, even if perhaps misapplied: “A prosperous, satisfied people simply do not want to hear anything that might threaten their good life” (p. 5). While that<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s true, the message believers who have been caught up in the “good life” need to hear is not to store up their wealth as a hedge against economic collapse, but to open their hearts and purses to care for other brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering <B>right now</B>. If the Holy Spirit visits America, it will not be to force moral rectitude on unbelievers through some kind of punitive retribution, but to stir up true believers so that it can once again be said of the believing community, “no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had . . . Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as they had need” (Acts 4:32, 2:45).</div> <bR> <div> I would also agree with his assessment that many of today<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s “Christian” ministries have become dependent on America<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s affluence and are ill prepared for true suffering or hardship: </div> <bR> <div> “Right now it is a church being deceived by ministers who act as predators, preying on widows, the poor and the spiritually uninformed. They have misled multitudes with their message of prosperity, encouraging them to trust in a health-and-wealth gospel that totally misrepresents Jesus. God has already written the obituaries for these false shepherds<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT> ministries. In the coming depression, prosperity preachers are going to see the world falling down all around them. Evangelists who promoted a glitzy gospel and a Santa-Claus Christ are going to go bankrupt. Most tragic of all, when the prosperity vanishes and hard times set in, those who were bewitched by this phony gospel will end up trusting no one, not even the Lord” (p. 147).</div> <bR> <div> <B>Times Square Church Pulpit Series</B> (April 10, 2000)</div> <bR> <div> This newsletter is somewhat confusing and conflicted. Wilkerson expresses a concern about people who try to “go back and adopt the customs and observances of the early church,” and end up with “just a copy, without the power of the Holy Spirit.” He observes that, “in every generation a movement arises that seeks to duplicate the New Testament church of the Apostles.” He seems to summarily dismiss all such efforts by adding, “that which is spiritual cannot be duplicated.” In <B>God</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><B>*</B></FONT><B>s Plan</B>, however, he laments the fact that, “much of what is called the church today is not recognized or accepted by God as ‘his<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT> church” (p. 146). He would seem to be saying that the church has a problem for which there is no solution.</div> <bR> <div> What<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s wrong with a local assembly trying to return to New Testament patterns? Obviously, to simply change the outward <B>form</B> will not by itself produce genuine renewal, as Wilkerson rightly observes. But that is precisely what some of the people I know who have returned to simpler, New Testament patterns are not interested in: a change in <B>form</B> without a change in <B>life</B>. They are making every effort to channel the life of Christ into everything they do, not in a wooden manner, but in cheerful obedience to Jesus Christ. </div> <bR> <div> Again, what<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s wrong with endeavoring to implement the inspired patterns for fellowship that our Lord has given us in his word? What<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s the alternative? Are we to simply continue to follow the centuries of inherited, man-based traditions that so clearly stifle the Spirit<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s work? Wilkerson reinforces his point by pointing to those who supposedly even “adopt the apostles<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT> dress codes and manners” in their quest to recover early church practice. Perhaps some have, but it seems to me that this is just a “straw man” argument to reinforce his general disapproval. None of the brothers and sisters I know who have returned to simpler New Testament patterns has adopted such dress codes or other purely cultural practices.</div> <bR> <div> In a letter sent to his constituents on May 22, 2000, Wilkerson answers “a number of questions asked by some of our readers.” The third question challenges his dogmatism about the “coming depression.” The reader inquires:</div> <bR> <div> “You have been saying for a long time that the stock market is going to blow . . . I believed you, even though you say you are not a prophet. But there seems to be no sign of a crash. Will you apologize if it doesn<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>t happen reasonably soon?”</div> <bR> <div> While Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s response reveals some self-doubt, it falls short of admitting to making any errant or misleading predictions:</div> <bR> <div> “In prayer, I have told the Lord I am ready at any time to confess I am wrong — that I must have spoken from my own fears or that I have spoken unadvisedly. Recently, when the market reached record highs, I wondered if those calling me a false prophet were right. But I know how diligently I seek God.... Every time I am shut in with God, fasting and praying . . . I hear God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s still, small voice saying, ‘It is coming. It will happen suddenly. Forget the criticism — warn the people.’”</div> <bR> <div> Given the sense of urgency that pervades Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s writings, his reader was certainly justified in asking for an apology if the predicted crash did not take place “reasonably soon.” It is very difficult to define immanency in terms of five or more years — especially for those who made foolish financial decisions to avoid the predicted financial cave-in. The fact is prophets like Wilkerson have been warning that America is on the brink of economic ruin since 1850 or so. While there have been a number of boon/blight cycles — most notably the stock market crash of 1929 — the passing of time has largely shown these predictions to be rubbish. The “9/11” tragedy has certainly adversely affected the nation<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s economy, but not to an extent that would qualify as a fulfillment of Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s dire predictions.</div> <bR> <div> Ironically, even he admits that “at any given moment, printing presses around the world churn out a myriad of books on prophetic subjects” (<B>God’s Plan</B>, p. 90). While the common theme of impending financial ruin pervades many of these writings, the only valid economic component I can identify is more a case of supply and demand than of divine retribution. The incredible success of the recent <B>Left Behind</B> series clearly demonstrates that the general public seems to have an insatiable appetite for such fantasies — a hunger, unfortunately, that such self-proclaimed prophets have always been quick to fill. The only real relationship of these writings to our nation<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s economy is the fact that such books have made many of their authors rich while their gullible readers have been ripped off.</div> <bR> <div> The second interchange involves a frustrated pastor who questions if Wilkerson has really heard from the Lord in a particular area:</div> <bR> <div> “As a pastor of a small church, I was deeply bothered by your suggestion that disgruntled Christians start their own church at home, using videotapes of your Times Square Church services. A few in our church who disagree with me have left and started their own meetings, and they seem determined to shut us down. Do you really believe you heard from the Lord on this?”</div> <bR> <div> “Answer: Truthfully, I did not pray this matter through as I should have. It has been a flop. We received probably less than 150 responses, and only a handful have conducted meetings. God has blessed it only in remote areas where there are no churches within miles. I am a pastor — I know the importance of being part of a body of believers under God-appointed pastors and leaders. And I have repented before the Lord for not acknowledging him on this matter. God knows my heart — and he has gently let the idea die. We will continue to make our videos available, but we are not advocating home churches.”</div> <bR> <div> In this case, both the question and the answer trouble me. For the pastor to admit, “a few in our church who disagree with me have left . . .” suggests a serious communication problem. Perhaps he is unwilling to discuss their concerns and, like many pastors, regards himself as the final authority in the church. However, for disgruntled people to try to “shut down” the church they left behind is also a sorry attitude. It sounds like both sides are in need of repentance (cf. Thomas Dubay, “Communication in Community,” <U>Searching Together</U>, 14:4, 1985).</div> <bR> <div> But Wilkerson<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s response is equally troubling. His effort to empathize with his reader by saying “I am a pastor” implies his support for a strong-pastor form of church leadership that is totally without New Testament warrant. Such hierarchical structures have created untold problems in the churches over the years (cf. Jon Zens, <U>The Pastor</U>, 1981). Further, since Paul acknowledges “the church that meets in your home” (Philemon 1:2, et al), why would Wilkerson say, “we are not advocating home churches”? Is it not likely that even today, there are more believers in the world meeting in homes than in traditional church buildings? The New Testament provides far more support for home churches with simple, servant attitude leadership than costly structures run according to the world<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s corporate management models.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Concluding Thoughts . . .</B></div> <bR> <div> Commenting on the sometimes-groundless dogmatism of the Reformers, Leonard Verduin notes, “to what astounding lengths do theologians sometimes go in their ambition to find Biblical warrant for their own ideas”<B> </B>(<B>The Reformers & Their Stepchildren</B>, 1964, p. 15). The same could be said of contemporary writers who do great injustice to Scripture in an attempt to add an apparent air of biblical authority to their dogmatic predictions. Worse yet, they seem oblivious to any sense of responsibility for the often-devastating consequences of their Chicken Little warnings. In the end, of course, they will indeed be held accountable, for those who presume to teach others will be judged by a stricter standard than those whom they mislead (James 3.1).</div> <bR> <div> There is a world of difference between a firm resolve in communicating essential matters of faith and an unwarranted dogmatism in defending such hobby-horse and moot issues as “end times” prophecies. To warn unrepentant sinners of the coming judgment is to bear faithful witness to the gospel. To predict immanent economic ruin for a nation because of moral bankruptcy is to misrepresent God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s purposes in Christ. To encourage believers not to cling to the things of this world and to share with those in need is consistent with the gospel. To frighten them into hoarding resources to survive a supposed impending economic collapse is totally without biblical mandate or example.</div> <bR> <div> I watched a movie years ago about a boatload of people making their way from Britain to the New Country. On the way, the people expressed concern about being able to communicate with the natives. Their fears were allayed when the pastor who was leading their pilgrimage pronounced quite dogmatically that the Lord had revealed to him that they would all be given the gift of tongues when they arrived. After landing and encountering the native Indians, however, the people were greatly disillusioned when the pastor<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s prophecy failed — and, of course, the pastor<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s credibility was never the same. It is a story that can probably be retold in a wide variety of settings and details.</div> <bR> <div> Today<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" >*</FONT>s mass marketing resources for reaching millions of people in just minutes are both a blessing and a curse. They make it possible for the gospel to be disseminated far and wide in ways unthinkable in times past, but they also provide an enormous audience for preachers and teachers with a bee in their bonnet to vent the kind of baseless dogmatism that has deceived and often disillusioned boatloads of less discerning believers.</div> <bR> <div> Those who would teach or lead others must choose their message carefully. They must be ready always to provide solid biblical support for any expressed views and encourage a Berean spirit in their hearers. And they must not react with an air of authoritarianism when their views are challenged, but rather should “Always be prepared to give a reason for the hope [or concern] that you have.. .with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3 15). Truth is its own best defense and is best communicated through patient dialogue. It is <B>never</B> enhanced or made more persuasive by dogmatism.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>