The balance between purity and inclusion is a tough balance, but when you have non-traditional views on Jesus Christ, perhaps there's something to be said for disinclusion. From True Discernment:
In a new book by John Hagee entitled In Defense of Israel, this pastor of Cornerstone Church in Texas proceeds to make some very bold claims about Jesus and His mission that are counter to what has been taught since the days of Jesus and the Apostles. The question arises then whether or not we have been taught incorrectly all these millennia?...
So what happens with Hagee and his denial that Jesus came to be the Messiah? Is he merely mistaken? Did he misrepresent his position? If his statements had been made once in the book, one might be able to give leniency saying it is a typo or misprint. However, time and again, throughout the book, John Hagee, a pastor who is required to preach and teach truth, denies that Jesus came to be the Messiah; teaching instead that Jesus is not the Christ, he is not the Messiah for both Jew and Gentile. What then does the Bible say of those who deny that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah?
Scripture says: “Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:22
And then, if the statement is accurate that you can know someone by their fruits, then there are some people who are going to get some scrutiny.
Before I get to the six, let's jump back to a comment that was made in this blog a while ago.
Art S. said...
I'm having trouble following your point, to be honest. But, this jumped at me:
They don't sow seeds, they spend all their time demanding donations and taking other people's money. And the money is going to no good purpose, other than to buy television time so they can get more money.
No good purpose? Churches, orphanages, hospitals, doctors are all tangible, and I'd say they are "good purposes." There are also intangibles--direction, hope, strength. Imagine a battered woman that finds the strength to leave, or the hope of a better day, because of that television show she saw.
Are there problems with Word-Faith? Of course. But, there are problems with every religion in the world.
23 October, 2007 10:01
After Art S. wrote that, I tweeted this:
thinking about dvd burning software (didn't get) and joyce meyer (didn't research)-back 2 bed
Well, I got a trial copy of Ashampoo (works fine, by the way), but never did research Joyce Meyer. Looks like Charles Grassley will beat me to the punch:
CBS News has learned Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is investigating six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct.
Letters were sent Monday to the ministries demanding that financial statements and records be turned over to the committee by December 6th.
According to Grassley’s office, the Iowa Republican is trying to determine whether or not these ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to shield lavish lifestyles.
The six ministries identified as being under investigation by the committee are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. Three of the six - Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar - also sit on the Board of Regents for the Oral Roberts University.
A spokesperson for Joyce Meyer Ministries provided CBS News with an IRS letter to the ministry dated October 10, 2007, that stated: “We determined that you continue to qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income tax.” The letter could not be independently verified in time for this story. The ministry also pointed to audited financial statements for the last three years that are posted on the organization’s Web site.
Well, I went to the web site. If you check the clickable links at the right, the first one is for "Online Giving." For the record, here's what you can find if you dig a bit:
To Supporters of
Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.
We have examined management’s assertion during 2006, 82% of total expenses were used for outreach and programs directed at reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.’s management is responsible for the assertion. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the assertion based on our examination.
Our examination was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and, accordingly, included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting management’s assertion and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our examination provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, management’s assertion referred to above is fairly stated, in all material respects.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
April 26, 2007
A recent "statement of functional expenses" can be found here. I don't know how many employees the ministry has, so I don't know if the million dollar travel expenses are reasonable.
[8 NOVEMBER 2007 - THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DIDN'T INCLUDE A LOT OF DETAIL.]
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