"Word of Faith" - An Analysis

Mississippi Baptist Convention Board ^ | 01/14/2--8 | Justin Peters

[WileyPink]

I'll be posting all four of these over the next couple of weeks. Otherwise you can go to the web site and get them all at once.

In Christ...Alone!

[Talking_Mouse]

Revelation knowledge – The belief that God dispenses to certain believers, apart from the Scriptures, secret knowledge of Himself. This is a modern day version of the ancient heresy of Gnosticism against which the New Testament repeatedly warns.

Honest question here. If I study the Scripture and pray, asking the Lord to show me how He wants me to act in my daily life, as well as asking that I always walk closely with Him, isn't this closer walk with Him/how I should act in daily life gained thru pray and scripture study the revealed knowledge?

[WileyPink]

I believe that the "knowledge" has already been revealed in His Word. In My prayer and Bible study life, I ask for His wisdom to discern and the Holy Spirit to teach that which has already been revealed in His Word.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Simply having the "knowledge" does not teach us His Word. After all, Satan and his demons have knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

In Christ...Alone!

[Lee N. Field]

Justin Peters' webiste

Mike Corley's had him on his radio show a few times.

[attiladhun2]

No analysis of Word of Faith doctrine needed than that it has its basis in the violation of the 10th Commandment. You know, the part about NOT coveting. It also violates the 1st Commandment, in that it exalts mammon above the true God. It violates the 8th Commandment against theft, in that WOF preachers are chisling, manipulating conmen and thieves. It violates the 7th Commandmant in that it turns its adherents into spiritual whores.

[alpha-8-25-02]

"...a form of sound words must be one that exalts God and puts down man. We dare not for a moment think that any doctrine is sound that does not put the crown upon the head of Jesus, and does not exalt the Almighty. If we see a doctrine which exalts the creature, we do not care one fig about what arguments may be brought to support it; we know that it is a lie, unless it lays the creature in the very dust of abasement, and exalts the Creator. If it does not do this, it is nothing but a rotten doctrine of pride; it may dazzle us with the brilliant malaria rising from its marshes, but it never can shed a true and healthful light into the soul; it is a rotten doctrine, not fit to be builded on the gospel, unless it exalts Jehovah Jesus, Jehovah the Father, and Jehovah the Holy Spirit. C.H.SPURGEON

BROTHER,PRAY ALL IS WELL,PING YOUR BIBLE STUDY LIST TO THESE,A BELIEVER SHOULD BE KNOWLEDGABLE ABOUT DISCERMENT.

5 SOLAS!

[Talking_Mouse]

My question was not truly clear, sorry about that. Nowhere in the canon is there specific direction for me — Talking_Mouse take the job with ABCcorp, Talking_Mouse don’t marry Numbskull, etc. This kind of direct, personal, only to me, revelation, that is not in scripture, is one of the things I seek from the Lord. From your description “...apart from the Scriptures, secret knowledge of Himself.” it sounds like you are calling this kind of revelation heresy, which I think it is not.

[Zechariah11]

There is a very unfortunate modern Christian narcissism, encouraged by topical sermons (”what does the Bible say is the secret to __________”) to study the Word from the wrong point of view. We don’t study it as a value in itself but for what our immediate payoff is. That’s tantamount to using it as a ouija board.

[Terriergal]

Oh you’re so MEAN. :-) So many people get so blessed by these preachers, why you shouldn’t JUDGE them...

glad you posted it.

[Terriergal]

He said “apart from Scriptures”

[Terriergal]

VERY good point. It’s the old “inductive vs deductive” or “exegesis vs eisegesis.”

[Zechariah11]

It’s the old “inductive vs deductive” or “exegesis vs eisegesis.”

Bingo! The modern believer thinks that the Bible is like God's telegraph machine. He or she doesn't seek to grow in grace and knowledge, but get a quick-fix to a perplexing problem and then move on. It really is a disgrace at how the Word is treated.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

The eisegesis has infiltrated many churches under the radar screen (to steel a phrase from “America’s pastor”), in part, via Blackably’s “Experiencing God” - embraced by many people who had disengaged their minds from what their church masters put before them.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

I do believe that many decisions - such as jobs - are not much concern of the Lord. He tells us not to worry about mundane things such as food and clothing nor to work at being rich. I think He reveals to us that our character being conformed to Christ is of utmost concern - for in that He is glorified and we are true to the One who bought us.

To the slave, be content. To the rich man, be not high minded. In all things, do unto the Lord and not your earthly master.

“Manage” your character (pursue Christ) and take the job you want. If greed is one’s motivation, the character of Christ will restrain, convict, re-direct, etc.

Most of us (I speak for myself) do not well at following the explicitly revealed will of God for us (1st Thessalonians 4:3-7 for example) - why would we expect Him to reveal beyond His Word in such a situation? He who is faithful in little things will be given more.

I have found that when I am faithful to the “little things” that He has revealed to me, the “bigger things” that are temporal either take care of themselves or “grow strangely dim”.

[Zechariah11]

Could you elaborate on that a bit?

[WileyPink]

Wonder Dawg, thank you for your analysis of Talking_Mouse's question. I think you're right in that the Lord doesn't concern Himself too much with what we 'want'.

Remember at the wedding feast at Cana? Mary wanted Jesus to fill the family's need when she told Him, "they have no wine". Jesus' response was pretty clear when He said, "What is that to Me and to you, woman?" (Literal Translation)

Jesus wasn't at this marriage feast to fulfill the family's needs, but that He "...manifested forth his glory".

I believe it's the same with our material needs. As long as we seek first the kingdom of God, all these other things will be added unto us. (Matthew 6:33)

In Christ...Alone!

[WileyPink]

Thank you Alpha...All is well and I pray the same for you. And, I will ping the Bible Study list. Thank you for the suggestion. Stay...

In Christ...Alone!

[WileyPink]

Baptist Bible Study Ping

Please let me know if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list.

[Gamecock]

Will you be sponsoring a WOF ping list? If so please add me!

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

“Could you elaborate on that a bit?”

“That” is a rather expansive topic. I would be happy to elaborate on whatever I’m able - perhaps you can be a bit more specific in what your questions is.