'Health & wealth gospel' critiqued
 

Posted on Aug 9, 2007 | by Brent Thompson

VICKSBURG, Miss. (BP)--When Justin Peters was born in Vicksburg, Miss., in 1973, the doctors knew right away that something was wrong. They decided not to tell Peters' parents, who proudly took their first-born son home. It wasn't long before they, too, noticed something was different about their baby boy. At the age of 1, Peters was formally diagnosed as having cerebral palsy.

"Don't expect much from Justin," the doctor told his parents. When Peters tells that story today, a smile spreads across his face.

"Jesus always has the last word," he says.

Today, Peters has two master's degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a staff evangelist at First Baptist Church in Vicksburg the church where he grew up and was saved at the age of 7.

Cerebral palsy typically impacts body movement and muscle coordination, although Peters said it affects different people in different ways. For him, it limits use of his arms, hands and legs. But he lives, travels and ministers needing very few accommodations for his disabilities. He gets nearly everywhere he needs to go either on his motorized wheelchair or on his crutches. He drives his specially equipped van or flies on commercial airlines to get to his speaking engagements and revivals.

"It isn't degenerative," Peters said of his cerebral palsy. "The way I am now is pretty much the way I have always been."

He is unperturbed by his physical limitations. In fact, he is thankful to God for them, and says he likely would not be in full-time ministry if not for the effects of cerebral palsy.

"Sometimes there is something better than physical health," Peters said. "That is, like Paul said, 'God's sufficient grace.'"

But Peters has not always felt that way. When he was 16 years old, a well-intentioned family friend came to him.

"Justin, God has told me He is going to heal you," the friend said, adding that Nora Lam, a word of faith healer from China, was going to be holding a healing service at a nearby Holiday Inn. The friend wanted Peters to go.

To encourage Peters to go to the event, the friend opened the Bible to passages that purported to support the word of faith idea of faith healing.

"The prospect of being healed really resonated with me because, at the time, I could not drive, play football, or do all the things I believed were so important at that age," Peters said.

He went to see Nora Lam as well as other faith healers, but after each encounter he came away in the same physical condition. He left those encounters struggling with his own perceived spiritual deficiencies.

"I was told that physical healing is always God's will and that I would receive that healing if I had enough faith," Peters said. "I not only doubted my faith but for a season I doubted my very salvation."

Truly faithful and supportive parents, good teaching at church, and prayer preserved Peters during those dark spiritual days. He graduated from high school, and then went on to Mississippi State University where he received a bachelor's degree in economics. Along the way, the Lord strengthened Peters' faith and helped him see the error of Nora Lam and her colleagues in the word of faith movement. It was at MSU that Peters felt God calling him into full-time, vocational ministry. So, he headed to Southwestern Seminary, thinking he was going to be a pastor.

By 2000, Peters had obtained a master of divinity degree. During his days of seminary studies, Peters received invitations to preach revival services. This is no surprise given his preference for expository sermons, not to mention his God-gifted, mellifluous speaking voice that is authoritative yet conversational.

In his preaching ministry, Peters devoted a small segment of his sermon series to address the topic of the word of faith movement. Also known as the "health and wealth" movement, the most well-known word of faith preachers are televangelists such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch, Jesse Duplantis, Creflo Dollar and, more recently, Joel Osteen.

"I found the response to that segment of my revival sermons was just overwhelming," Peters said. Soon, what was supposed to be a small segment of his preaching turned into a bigger segment. It wasn't long before people were inviting him to preach just on the subject of the word of faith movement. He felt the Lord leading him to do additional master's studies, this time for the more academically oriented, thesis-based master of theology degree.

As he focused his theological training on the word of faith theology, what he discovered troubled him deeply.

"Health and wealth are among the most universal of human desires," Peters said. "These people play on those desires."

Eventually, Peters narrowed his academic focus to one word of faith preacher: Benny Hinn. Perhaps more than the others, Hinn holds himself out to be a faith healer. Over the years millions of people have flocked to Hinn's live events held in huge auditoriums and stadiums around the world; tens of millions more have tuned in to Hinn's "This Is Your Day" television program, seen in more than 190 countries.

As Peters dug into the theology and history of the word of faith movement, he was more convinced than ever that Christians needed to know the truth about it. He discovered that the movement's origins are not at all Christian; instead its roots can be traced directly to the metaphysical cults of the 19th century, Unitarianism, Christian Science, New Thought and even back to the early-church heresy known as Gnosticism.

"These preachers blur the line between the Creator and the created," Peters said. "They demote God and deify man ... To them, faith is not placed in God; faith is a force you direct at God to make Him do what you want Him to do. It is a very man-centered gospel which makes it a different gospel.... All this has been wrapped in a Christian terminology to make it more palatable."

Peters accumulated literature, video collections and numerous articles about Hinn and other word of faith preachers. He attended several Hinn healing services and has watched myriads of programs on Trinity Broadcasting Network. He even went to Hinn's headquarters twice, seeking an interview. He was denied both times.

"Unfortunately, I had to support many of their ministries by buying their books and DVDs," Peters said, laughing.

The faculty of Southwestern's school of theology accepted his master's thesis titled "An Examination and Critique of the Life, Ministry, and Theology of Healing Evangelist Benny Hinn." In December 2002, Peters was awarded a master of theology degree.

Shortly thereafter, Peters was invited to be a staff evangelist through FBC Vicksburg, and he formed Justin Peters Ministries (www.justinpeters.org.) Through his ministry, he goes to churches, conferences, retreats and other speaking engagements with a three-part seminar he developed called "A Call for Discernment."

During his seminars, he respectfully, deliberately, and carefully leads audiences through an examination of the word of faith movement. The first session, titled "Dangerous Doctrines," examines the metaphysical cultic origins of the movement and the doctrines it espouses, which deviate from orthodox Christianity. The second session, which he calls "Mangled Manifestations," explores the more dramatic elements of the movement such as the abuse of tongues, being 'slain in the Spirit,' and false prophecies. The third session, the one to which he relates to most personally, is "The Hurt of Healing" and deals solely with physical healing.

Using clips from video tapes and DVDs, Peters doesn't just tell Christians what the health and wealth preachers claim: He lets them see and hear for themselves what they are really teaching during their crusades and television programs. Most people who attend his seminars are dumbfounded by the things they see and hear, Peters said.

Peters believes God is allowing this brand of blatant, dangerous heresy to continue for a purpose.

"It's a sign of the End Times," Peters said. "The Scriptures are clear that in the last days false prophets and false christs will rise 'so as to deceive even the elect.' Too many Christians today want teachers who tickle their ears."

Where Hinn's star was at its zenith during the 1990s and early 2000s, Peters said the newest popular Health and Wealth teacher is Joel Osteen.

"[Joel Osteen's] teachings are of a slightly different stripe, but they are just another version of the prosperity gospel," Peters said. "Joel Osteen was on Larry King Live when he admitted that he doesn't use the word 'sinner.' How can you preach the gospel of Jesus Christ if you don't first get people to realize they have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? I don't doubt that Osteen is sincere, but sincerity is not the issue –- truth is the issue."

Despite the errant nature of the subject matter he deals with, Peters has not lost his joy in the Lord. He is quick to smile, is gracious and polite, and encourages people who attend his seminars to treat the followers of the word of faith movement in a like manner.

"It is my desire that God use this seminar to help equip people to do as Ephesians 4:15 enjoins us: to speak the truth in love," he said.

God has changed lives at his seminars, Peters said. He shared the account of a recent seminar series he led at a church in Alabama. After one session specific session, a woman came up to him told him about her 8-year-old son with muscular dystrophy.

As Justin told it, "With tears streaming down her face she said, 'Justin, I've been told by so many that if I had enough faith my son would be healed. I've been told that if I loved him enough he would be healed. All of these years, I have blamed myself for my son's illness. But for the first time I now realize it's not my fault.'

"Hearing stories like this makes it all worthwhile for me," Justin said. "Next to my salvation, my cerebral palsy is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me. I have come to know and experience Him in ways I could never have done otherwise. God has used it to keep me dependent upon Him ... One of the tragedies of the prosperity gospel is that it robs believers of experiencing God's sufficient grace and strength made perfect in weakness."

jwharv- Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup

I believe many Christians carry a greater heartache than non-Christians when it comes to illness and bad things happening; because they are at utter loss to understand why God isn't intervening on their behalf (the way they expect Him to).

They end up fighting two battles.... Whatever the issue is and the reason for God's silence. The reason for God's silence is many times the harder thing to deal with. Has the person offended God? Are they hated by God? Do they lack faith? Are they not "good" enough? Does God even exist?

But the reality is that nobody has been promised health and/or wealth and no one is immune from heartache in this life. It rains upon the just and the unjust. To believe otherwise will almost certainly result in feeling betrayed by God down the road.

I remember being surprised to be sitting in a church that was going through a building program and to hear them tell some of the negative things that had happened to people since giving money for the program. Serious stuff like losing their job or ending up in the hospital for a lengthy stay. The Church wanted to make sure the people understood that giving money to such a program was no guarantee of any kind. It certainly wasn't the kind of spin that one would see on TV about "seed" money.

And so it is with healing. Not guaranteed; but grace sufficient to meet our needs EVERY TIME; and refueling as necesary. :cool:

Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.


Mat 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with [his] word, and healed all that were sick:
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare [our] sicknesses.

stmatt- I don't have the time to get pulled into this. Someone else is going to have to address your post. ;)

Aww Comon!!!!! Its been like forever!!!! :killinme

While I dont agree with those that tell others that they lack faith if God is not responding to their situation....surely, I have to approach the throne of God with the attitude of "Ask, seek, and knock" until someone finally opens the door because of my persistence...hope, and hope again... For my God is able to come get me out of this fiery furnace....but even if he does not, I will not bow down....

While I reject the trappings that surround this movement how can we brush off the Bible teaching of faith?

Who said this?

23: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Is Jesus not encouraging his people to have this kind of faith? If believers stick straightly with the word on this how could the teaching of faith be wrong?

Well, I believe that salvation includes the whole person --spirit, soul, and body.

When we come to Jesus in faith and ask Him into our life, He comes in as the Holy Spirit and there is a joining of His Spirit with our spirit per 1 Cor 6:17.

Salvation of our soul (mind, will, emotions) is a gradual growing and developing in the Lord. Some times this is called emotional healing.

Salvation of our body will happen when this mortal puts on immortality and this corruptible puts on incorruption. However, God in His mercy grants us foretastes of this in this life when He heals us physically. But any healing in this life, no matter how spectacular, is just temporary. Unless we are among those who are alive when Jesus comes and we are changed in a moment and in the twinkling of an eye, we will all eventually die.

So yes, I believe we are all healed and guaranteed healing but we don't receive it in its fullness in this life.

Peter tells us that by the stripes of Jesus we "were healed" (past tense) because in God's sight we are already completed in Him and are already seated in heavenly places in Christ (Eph 2:6) and we are displayed in our white robes, seated on thrones with crowns on our heads as raptured or completed saints(Rev chapter 4).

I wonder what we could do if we would just start looking at everything from Gods viewpoint??

Regarding Benny Hinn and his type:


Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Contrary to what I have heard many say, the word "suffereth" does mean "allows" in this scripture. The scripture is saying the Kingdom is under attack. People like Benny Hinn latch on to the things of God and take them by force.

With that said, I got the impression the writer of this article may be going too far in the opposite direction. I believe God still heals and performs miracles in people's lives.

Amen, God "calleth those things that be not as though they were" KJV
or
God "speaks of the nonexistent things [that He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed. Amplified
or
God "speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past!" The Living Bible

I do too, but I don't think it's wrapped up in the neat little package that we'd like to see it in.

Some folks don't get healed and I don't think it's because of sin in their lives or because they don't have enough faith.

Hebrews 11 speaks of great things that happened and that were received by the heroes of faith. However, toward the end of the chapter it speaks of some who were not delivered, who were killed, who were destitute, who didn't see the miracles and great deeds of some in the earlier part of the chapter. Yet these in the latter part of the chapter are heroes even though we don't even know their names.

I agree with Newman, Matt, and have several things to say not related to your post, but it seems like a good jumping off place...know you don't mind. :hypercoffee

This is a very sensitive subject for me because I have a nephew with CP, one with Asperger's Syndrome, and a 20 year old nephew who died due to complications of diabetes.

I am a believer in healing and am certain that it is God's will that all are healed, yet all are not healed...I am not smart enough to have all the answers, nor am I arrogant enough to pretend that I do.

However, I do know with John that he was prayed for by many men and women of faith in the Church, and he believed as did those around him...YET John died...I don't know.

There are those who have said that these happen because of sin on the part of the parents. Sickness first came into this world because of sin...true enough, but is not indicative of wrong doing by a parent or individual, IMO.

Sickness is the result of the rebellion in the Garden of Eden, but comes to our lives for a variety of reasons: poor diet, environment, unsanitary conditions, exposure to someone who is sick--any number of things can cause sickness and disease. Sometimes it is our fault (possibly through negligence), and sometimes it is no one’s fault.

Let us remember that the man in John 9 was not born blind because of sin or poverty in his family, but so “that the works of God should be manifest” (v. 3).

Yet, the so-called father of the Faith movement said, “God is glorified through healing and deliverance, not through sickness and suffering.” This contradicts Scripture. The glory of God is seen through healing, but I have also witnessed God work through sickness. And, the life of the above-mentioned teacher doesn’t mirror his own words. He claims to having not been sick in sixty years, yet had been treated by doctors several times in recent years for heart problems.

Another Faith teacher boldly declares that he does not allow sickness to come to his home, but his wife had cancer. This is not an attempt to make light of their situations...heaven forbid, however, we must be careful when we make bold declarations that the “chickens don’t come home to roost!”

Just my thoughts...need to head out to run errands...:driving

My pastor stated it more like some people put their faith in faith, rather than in God.

Good article.

I haven't had to opportunity to visit the forum in nearly two weeks and this thread immediately caught my attention. Truly, this has been a very personal subject for me and the article posted on this thread touched me.

It took many, many years for me to realize that we won't all see our physical healing on this earth, but we have hope in Christ Jesus that our healing will come one day. The knowledge that if Jesus doesn't heal our afflections today....when we close our eyes in death our healing will come to fruition, because one day we shall have a glorified body....free from all sickness...to live forever in the presence of our mighty God.

Thanks again for the article...

chosen

I wish I knew all the answers...however all that I have prayed for has not been healed but many have so I am thankful for those that have...

Very good post.

Same here.

I don't believe in the prosperity plan:) It is for T.V. Evangelists to sponser their habits:)

god gave all of us a prosperity plan, go to work, lol,dt:hypercoffee:killinme

The Warrior

There was a warrior who had a fine stallion. Everyone said how lucky
he was to have such a horse.

"Maybe" he said.

One day the stallion ran off. The people said the warrior was unlucky.

"Maybe" he said.

The next day the stallion returned, leading a string of fine ponies.
The people said it was very lucky.

"Maybe" the warrior said.

Later, the warrior's son was thrown from one of the ponies and broke
his leg. The people said it was unlucky.

"Maybe" the warrior said.

The next week, the chief lead a war party against another tribe. Many
young men were killed. But, because of his broken leg, the warrior's
son was left behind, and so was spared.

From "Bolt from the Blue" as told by Marilyn Whirlwind (from Northern Exposure).

or

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

It is God's will for everyone to be saved, but is everyone saved?

It is God's will for everyone to be healed, but is everyone healed?

It is God's will for everyone to have enough provision to live a comfortable life, but does everyone have enough?

The answer to all the above is, of course, NO!

I don't know all the reason's why not, but I do know that when you start judging the Word of God by your experiences, you are way off base. You should regard the Word to be the highest authority on any subject. If the Word says you are healed, you should call yourself healed, until your heart is persuaded that you are healed. When that is accomplished, then faith will automatically be there. When you speak from a persuaded heart, you will have whatsoever you say. (Mk 11:23-24) Whatever you say with your mouth, believe and not doubt in your heart, you will get. Good or bad. It works both ways. People who talk a lot of sickness will have a lot of sickness. People who talk a lot of poverty, will have a lot of poverty.

You see, Justin, has already accepted the lie that it is God's will for him to be sick. He believes that God has blessed him with sickness, so he would get all those calls to minister. Let me ask all you preacher posters, do you have to be afflicted to get invites to preach? Don't you want to be blessed with some kind of affliction? LOL

Mark Ch4 tells us that words are like seeds, if you plant words (good or bad) into a receiving heart, (vs.20) they will produce a harvest. (good or bad)

Some TV preachers are phonies and some are not. There is one TV teacher, who laid hands on me and I received the answer. He did not ask for money, his name is Andrew Wommack. There are a few others that I believe are also genuine.

"Justin, God has told me He is going to heal you," the friend said,

What's wrong with this picture?

When Justin's friend said, "God is going to...", she had already missed it. She was speaking in future tense. That's not faith, that's hope. If it's not now, it's not faith. Faith is always now tense.(Heb 11:1)

(Mark 11:23) Jesus says that, "what things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that ye receive them, and you shall have them".

You must believe you receive before you have. The believing you recieve comes before the having.

God has changed lives at his seminars, Peters said. He shared the account of a recent seminar series he led at a church in Alabama. After one session specific session, a woman came up to him told him about her 8-year-old son with muscular dystrophy.









I assume that Justin finances his own seminars, or does he sell CDs, Videos, DVDs? Maybe just a freewill offering on occasion?

I assume that Justin finances his own seminars. Maybe just a freewill offering on occasion?

Or does he sell CDs, Videos, DVDs?

Excellent post. The fact is from Gods perspective the promise is already delivered. It is us that are just like the ones that rebuked Rhoda, after having spent so much time parying, yet not really believing, thought the answer is at the door waiting to be accepted into the house.

That's right Matt, God has finished all His works and He's just waiting for us to enter into His promises.