I basically googled 'charismatic church' in my area and this was where we ended up. For those who don't know what that means, it's the name it and claim it, God wants you to be healthy and wealthy 'gospel' which, in reality, is no gospel at all.
What was weird was that their worship seemed, to me, to be so spirit filled, but then when the preaching started, was I in for a shocker.
Has this ever happened to anyone else? What say you about the prosperity 'gospel'?
(My counter argument to them would be: Well, it sure doesn't seem like *Jesus* was wealthy while He was on earth --- and isn't He who we are to imitate?)
2007-11-04 15:19:05 · 25 answers · asked by KL 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is not a gospel at all. It is a place where people go to hear what they want to be told. Being a Christian was never meant to be easy. The bible itself states it is easier for a camel to walk through a needle than a rich man enter heaven. See people who seek God only to ask and receive are hypocrites in their own right and I apologize for believing so strongly but God is not QVC. Faith isn't about asking and receiving - FAITH IS ABOUT BELIEVING.
2007-11-04 15:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by Allison from Puerto Rico 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The thing that plagues these kinds of churches in our day & time, is the fact of religion. They get so caught up in the fact of what to do right, how to preach in a certain way, play worship in the exact same way everytime to try to bring God into the equation. The fact is, they are not living in the truth. They need to stop thinking conventionlly, and start thinking spiritually. They need to flow in the spirit of God, rather than on what new Benz should they buy, it is irrelevant. There is no perfect church but, next time you look for a church. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the direction you should go. With Him at the reigns, you will never be steered wrong. He will lead you in a place where the Lord is moving freely, in a new way. Many Blessings on your search, may you be lead to the goal.
2007-11-04 23:30:13 · answer #2 · answered by Kyle R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, those are messed up people (for the most part). However, I have a hard time believing that Christians are "supposed" to be poor, by definition. I know a few who have a pile of $$$, and a few of those I know well enough not to question their eternity AT ALL. As long as we put God first, what does it matter if we accumulate a few dollars along the way? "Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well" (Luke 12:31, directly referencing clothes, food and drink, which you need $$ to buy). I would love to be able to give to whoever I knew that needed it, and have time freedom so that I can physically go and help as well. You only get time freedom by having, guess what, $$$ freedom, so I can not see God condemning people JUST for being rich. My church needs $$, and I don't want to just go out and "get" a bunch of new people just so they all can put a few bucks in the plate on Sunday. "No man can serve two masters" -- true. Don't "serve" the almighty $$, use it for what it can do.
Martin Luther once said, "Pray like everything depends on God. Work like everything depends on you." Kinda makes sense, at least a little bit.
Have a great night!
2007-11-04 23:35:30 · answer #3 · answered by herfinator 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They do give "full-gospel" churches a bad name. I've been to one, too and I really didn't know what to think. I kept waiting for the actual message, but I don't think the "pastor" used the Bible as reference even once. It was ALL about how God wants us to be rich (in worldly terms). I now attend a full-gospel, charismatic, whatever you'd like to call it church and it's wonderful. I can tell it's my church home, because with every message (and I mean EVERY one) there is something in it that is speaking directly to me. Speaking to something I'm going through, some aspect of my life that I need to work on, something I can't seem to let go of, etc. etc. Keep looking, dear, God will lead you where He wants you. But we have to be willing to do the footwork.
Blessings always!
2007-11-05 00:05:41 · answer #4 · answered by Linnie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Been there done that! Blab it and grab it! You give the Lord $100 and by God He will step-up to the plate and give you $1000 "why I knew this little ole lady one time....."
These churches are mainly for the young and healthy because sooner or later when your confession isn't getting you anything you leave. But there is always another naive soul to take their place and these prosperity 'cults' aren't going anywhere. When I see these guys strut around like a Peacock I just want to.....
2007-11-04 23:36:58 · answer #5 · answered by Terry L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ray Stevens put out a recording of "Would Jesus Wear A Rolex" back in 1987, lyrics and music by Margaret Archer and Chet Atkins.
Lyrics here:
http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/w/wouldjesusweararolex.shtml
2007-11-04 23:29:45 · answer #6 · answered by chris g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All non liturgical churches IMHO seem to fucus on entertainment or the pastor's view the Roman Catholics and the Anglicans are to modernistic so that leaves me with the Orthodox church and the teaching is the same...we might use different calendars and asceticism is part of the Christian life. fasting prayer and charity are what we are called to do.
2007-11-05 02:32:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was basically what a well known person from the LA Kabbalah Center kept telling me. He kept pushing me to say I wanted to be wealthier. When I told him, wealth held no importance to me, he kept trying to sell me books and programs from the center. It seems the more I gave, the wealthier I would become.
I know one person would become richer- and it wasn't me.
I never sent him a dime and told him to stop calling.
There do seem to be more and more "Christian" books out there about making money. I think it's a reflection of the material times we live in. People are promised whatever they crave most to draw them in.
2007-11-04 23:24:09 · answer #8 · answered by Pangloss (Ancora Imparo) AFA 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rich parishioners mean a richer preacher. It's brilliant strategy. But you are right, it doesn't follow the Gospel at all. I try to stick to what I know for my religious experiences. It might be a little boring from time to time, but I am not left feeling ill.
2007-11-04 23:23:38 · answer #9 · answered by desperatehw 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well Jesus was one that practiced what he preached. When he went out to preach he didn't take anything with him but the clothes he had on..
Was Jesus poor? No he was not... When he was born... 3 wise men brought him gifts of gold, frankensence and murrh
They brought the gifts as unto a king
When you bring a king gifts it better not be something small.
2007-11-04 23:27:09 · answer #10 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋