Faith, Current Events
Veritéetfeu
Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the ...

As one who has enjoyed content by both Allie Beth Stuckey and Melissa Dougherty, it was nice to see the two women chat it up during a recent episode of Stuckey’s podcast Relatable. In summary, the episode focused mostly on Dougherty’s new book, her journey from New Ageism to Christ and her take on the various false teachings that have crept into the Church. Yet, the episode took an interesting turn in its final ten minutes during a segment entitled, “Prosperity Gospel in the Black Church”. 

As Dougherty concluded her thoughts on the “little gods” doctrine, a false, word of faith teaching that ascribes innate divinity to all mankind, Stuckey inquired: 

“Can I ask something? It’s gonna be controversial,” she acknowledged. “This seems to be especially prevalent in majority Black churches.

“There’s a lot of prosperity preaching, but [also] a lot of…’You are divine. You are a queen…a goddess…something special.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about the roots of that, or why that is?”

Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”
Podcast Episode, Politics, Faith
Veritéetfeu
S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris

Host Veritéetfeu shares why she didn't vote for Kamala Harris and encourages fellow Christians to remain faithful to Christ no matter their candidate of choice.

S4:E8 Why I Didn't Vote for Kamala Harris
Faith, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

In response to the May 11, 2022 Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified abortion nationwide, allowed abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and for which 49 out of 50 Senate Democrats voted in favor, Pastor Tom Buck tweeted the following:

“In light of today’s vote by Democrats to legalize abortion until the moment of birth, we are rapidly reaching the point that voting for a Democrat should be a matter or church discipline.” 

I believe Pastor Buck’s words were meant in jest, but some on his thread found them to be spot on and long overdue. 

“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”
Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

In 2018, I penned an article making a case against the social justice movement entitled, “Social Justice: Why Jesus Didn’t Pursue It + Why Christians Shouldn’t Fight for It”. It was a well-received piece, namely among my Christian conservative friends, and it served as a resource for those who discerned the burgeoning movement was problematic, but had trouble precisely articulating why this was so. Honestly, before writing that piece I, too, struggled with offering a precise, Biblical case for how something that, on the surface, sounded so good was ultimately quite evil. 

Years later, I’ve found myself similarly positioned regarding Christian Nationalism, the latest problematic movement seeking to take root in America and in the Church. 

Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends
Podcast Episode, Christian Living, Politics
Veritéetfeu
S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should ...

In this episode of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu examines the Scriptures to determine how the Body of Christ should address Christians who vote Democrat.  

S4E6: "Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be..."

Christian Living

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As is the Manner of Some: When Pastors Disassemble the Gathering

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As is the Manner of Some: When Pastors Disassemble the Gathering

I haven’t read much from The Gospel Coalition (TGC) since 2018. That was the year I began to realize that rather than build up, their content slyly compromises the Gospel message and undermines the growth and maturation of the Church.

With this context in mind, I wasn’t surprised to learn of TGC’s most recent nonsensical appeal to the Church. In “Why Our Church Canceled Christmas Service”, Pastor Fletcher Lang, founder of the Boston Center for Biblical Counseling, lists several reasons his church won’t be gathering for worship this Sunday, which this year falls on Christmas Day.

The thing is, neither of Pastor Lang’s reasons is Biblically sound, his sharing this information isn’t edifying to the Body, and I am concerned his take is yet another sign of a dangerous trajectory churches have been on since the 2020 Covid closures (which TGC supported, and I was against, of course). So, as I have with other TGC offerings, I am writing to express a few concerns with Pastor Lang’s article here.

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Gossip Girl? What the Church Can Learn from Julie Roys

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Gossip Girl? What the Church Can Learn from Julie Roys

I had never read The Roys Report before a couple of days ago, though I had heard of Julie Roys in passing. Both Mrs. Roys and her outlet are often associated with the latest scandal in Christendom. As such, I never felt it necessary to read her content, presuming I might be exposed to more gossip than that which edifies.

So when I learned of her latest piece on John MacArthur, I initially paid it no mind. Yet, after seeing various Believers dissecting and analyzing her report across social media - and some concluding that John MacArthur must resign from Grace Community Church (GCC), I decided to review the report for myself.

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S2E10: Why I'm "Still Single"

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taylor-heery--_tUHvw09jY-unsplash.jpg

In the first episode of the new year (and the premiere installment of the Writer’s Block Series), host Veritéetfeu discusses her Christian dating woes and shares her empirical and Biblical analysis for why they exist.

Listen Now
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S4E1: Married Single Mothers?
S4E1: Married Single Mothers?

In the premiere episode of Season 4 of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu tackles "married single motherhood", a parenting phenomenon where married mothers take on the sole responsibility to care for their children. But is this practically beneficial for the mother, the father or their children? More importantly, is it Biblical?

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"It's About Self-Love": The Lie Tia Mowry Keeps Telling Herself (And Us)
"It's About Self-Love": The Lie Tia Mowry Keeps Telling Herself (And Us)

Frankly, I don’t expect much of celebrities in the way of proclaiming Christ, rightly dividing His Word or espousing a consistently Biblical worldview. But since Tia is a professing Christian and known for her “good girl” image, it’s important to address her rhetoric and test her fruit for the sake of those tempted to eagerly pick up what she’s been dropping lately. This is especially necessary in a culture that increasingly preaches that women are “victims of the patriarchy” and that “self-love” is a virtue…a Biblical mandate, even. Indeed, they will find a way to bring this ideology into the Church.

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"New Year, New Me": Reflections of a Bride-to-Be
"New Year, New Me": Reflections of a Bride-to-Be

As I prepare this January to receive and celebrate my new earthly identity, I felt it most appropriate to testify of and celebrate the identity in Christ I’ve enjoyed through Januaries past.

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S2E10: Why I'm "Still Single"
S2E10: Why I'm "Still Single"
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Christians, Like Christ, We Marry for Keeps (But): On Divorce, Remarriage + the Gospel
Christians, Like Christ, We Marry for Keeps (But): On Divorce, Remarriage + the Gospel

“What would you do if your husband cheated on you?”

“DIIIVOOOORRCE!”

“Really? Divorce? You’d just give up your family like that?”

“Give up on my family? Didn’t my husband give up on us the moment he cheated? I could NEVER trust him again!”

“That’s cold! I can’t believe you’d do that.”

“Are you SERIOUS?!”

This is a snippet from a conversation I had with a gentleman I dated well over a decade ago. I do believe that was the last conversation we ever had. He was an audacious fellow, and I was a little bit more than furious. The nerve of him. OF COURSE I’d divorce my unfaithful husband!  What was he thinking...that if we got married he could do whatever he wanted and I’d just deal with it? Tuh! Nope! I was so undone by his response. In fact, as I shared that conversation with girlfriends over the years, everyone said that I was right and agreed that this guy was clearly out of his mind. I didn’t need them to affirm me, of course. I already knew I was right. Indeed, I was more than right! 

But then I began to follow Christ.

Read more →
Why I No Longer Pray for 'Contentment in Singleness'
Why I No Longer Pray for 'Contentment in Singleness'

About two weeks before my 39th birthday I fell into a mild depression. I was entering the final year of my 30s a single lady, and not only that, there was no one waiting in the wings to “put a ring on it”. Honestly, that broke my heart...and it did a nice little number on my pride. I didn’t feel “single, saved and sassy” or whatever catchy, alliterative descriptor some Christian authors might use these days. I simply felt “single and sad”...and angry...and lonely...and frustrated...and anxious!

Thankfully, on the day of my birthday, the depression and heaviness of what I’d been feeling lifted. But in the weeks and months to come, I’d still find myself “feeling a way” about my marital status.

Read more →
"Then the Lord called to the man...'Where are you?'": Men on Abortion
"Then the Lord called to the man...'Where are you?'": Men on Abortion

After thousands of years of human existence, women remain the only gender (of the only two genders) that can biologically become pregnant with, carry, and give birth to another human life. As such, it is only natural and understandable that the female perspective is considered in discourse on abortion.  Yet, in the past 40 years, society has systematically and disingenuously presented the female perspective as the only perspective that matters, especially when that perspective is “pro-choice”. 

Sure, the very camp that’s long supported rhetoric like  “It’s a woman’s right to choose!” now also supports the “right to choose” of  women who feel they’re men (thus, per society, they are “men”) -  because, apparently, “men can get pregnant, too.”  But gender confusion and obvious delusions aside, the male perspective on, and a man’s experience with, abortion is typically silent and silenced. And with abortion in the news quite frequently in recent months, I’ve found their silence rather deafening - perhaps as deafening as Adam’s as he watched Eve eat the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). 

Read more →
"God Told Me to Marry You"...And What God Really Said
"God Told Me to Marry You"...And What God Really Said

Long, long ago, I belonged to a church where it wasn’t uncommon for members to “know” the specific person “God” told them they were destined to marry. A good friend of mine at the time believed God revealed to her that our pastor’s armor bearer (assistant/Bible toter/water getter/forehead wiper) was her husband to be. Another member said God told her she would marry one of our church’s ministers. And I believed the Lord told me a popular radio personality (and church member) was destined to be my hubby. Suffice it say, each of us found ourselves looking like an idiot as time and circumstance played out.  The pastor’s armor bearer ended up marrying another woman within six months of meeting her. The minister simply used the other young lady for sex as she pined away hoping he’d one day see they were meant to be. And my radio personality hubby-to-be told me flat out that I wasn’t “the one”, went on to marry a gorgeous gospel artist and (10+ years later) they remain married and have an adorable family.

Since leaving that church, I’ve come to learn that our embarrassingly mistaken “revelations” aren’t uncommon among professed believers in other churches, either. I’ve since met another young lady who so sincerely believed God told her a specific guy was her husband that she remained single and waited for him for 13 years! (THIIIIIIIR-TEEEEEN...YEEEEEAAAAARRRRSSSS!!!!) Meanwhile, that gentleman barely knew her name, and if I recall correctly, he also went off to marry someone else.

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"Hello, I'm a Christian and Physical Attraction is Important to Me"
"Hello, I'm a Christian and Physical Attraction is Important to Me"

As a Christian woman, it’s hard to admit that physical attraction is one of my non-negotiables. I'm often made to feel like I’m confessing some secret sin from which I require immediate deliverance, as if wanting to be attracted to my spouse makes me carnal, superficial or “loose”. Now, it is quite possible my present perspective on this topic is spiritually immature. I might look back on this piece years from now, perhaps after I’m married, and find that my current priorities are slightly out of whack. Nevertheless, I feel very strongly about this at the moment and, even on the chance that it isn’t the most mature perspective, I’m certain it isn’t a sinful one.

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What Your Single Friends REALLY Think About Your Engagement
What Your Single Friends REALLY Think About Your Engagement

It seems within weeks an engagement occurs, female friendships can begin to take a nasty, catty turn. According to my social media timelines, these cat fights rear their ugly heads because a single friend is now “hating” on the newly engaged friend. It's a sad state of affairs, people. So, this post is inspired by a lot of what I've seen play out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and much, much more.  I’m writing this in love, and in an effort to help you repair and maintain important relationships. I also seek to help others who have to watch this stuff play out in our newsfeed maintain our sanity - ladies, we honestly can't take another passive aggressive status update or meme.

So, engaged ladies, here are four things your single female friends are most likely thinking about your impending nuptials.

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S2E7: Black Card Revoked

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S2E7: Black Card Revoked

Host Veritéetfeu discusses civil rights activist Shaun King’s recent call to remove all depictions of “white Jesus” and why she's seriously thinking about revoking her own "Black Card".

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S2E3: And a Sound Mind: Mental Health + COVID-19

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S2E3: And a Sound Mind: Mental Health + COVID-19

Host Veritéetfeu and mental health advocate Stephen Swinson discuss mental health and share practical tips and Biblical wisdom for maintaining peace and mental well-being in the midst of COVID-19. Available on all major podcast streaming platforms.

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S2E1: Workin' On My Fitness: A Biblical Approach to Fitness +Nutrition

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(Image Danielle Cerullo)

(Image Danielle Cerullo)

The second season of Truth + Fire: The Podcast returns with a candid discussion on fitness and nutrition from a Biblical perspective. Tune in as host Veritéetfeu and certified personal trainer and nutritionist Brittney Fairley  encourage Believers in their fitness goals in 2020 and beyond.  Available on all major podcast streaming platforms.

*To access free resources from Brittney Fairley or to inquire about her services, you may reach her at brittneyfairley86@gmail.com  or @BFairley_Fit on Instagram.*

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WORKIN' ON SPIRITUAL FITNESS
Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”
Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”

As one who has enjoyed content by both Allie Beth Stuckey and Melissa Dougherty, it was nice to see the two women chat it up during a recent episode of Stuckey’s podcast Relatable. In summary, the episode focused mostly on Dougherty’s new book, her journey from New Ageism to Christ and her take on the various false teachings that have crept into the Church. Yet, the episode took an interesting turn in its final ten minutes during a segment entitled, “Prosperity Gospel in the Black Church”. 

As Dougherty concluded her thoughts on the “little gods” doctrine, a false, word of faith teaching that ascribes innate divinity to all mankind, Stuckey inquired: 

“Can I ask something? It’s gonna be controversial,” she acknowledged. “This seems to be especially prevalent in majority Black churches.

“There’s a lot of prosperity preaching, but [also] a lot of…’You are divine. You are a queen…a goddess…something special.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about the roots of that, or why that is?”

Read more →
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023

Since publishing the original SITMAC series in 2018, I’ve received several requests to write another installment. Admittedly, I didn’t believe one would be necessary because, as my logic went, by exposing the up and coming protégés of the old guard (see Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Kenneth Copeland, etc), it should be easy to sniff out other false and extremely problematic preachers and pastors by association. Those birds all seemed to flock together, so writing about yet another member of their coop felt redundant. 

What I didn’t consider at the time, however, was the role social media was beginning to play in platforming charlatans who don’t necessarily have ties to the old guard. I also didn’t consider how, thanks to social media, false teachers and problematic brothers (and sisters) no longer need a pulpit or a local church to sow error and confusion before a mass of God’s people.

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S2RR: Pastors, Podcasters + Pulpit Pimpettes (S1E3)
S2RR: Pastors, Podcasters + Pulpit Pimpettes (S1E3)

In light of recent allegations against Heather and Cornelius Lindsey, today's episode is a relevant replay of a fan favorite from Truth + Fire: The Podcast Season 1: Pastors, Podcasters and Pulpit Pimpettes (S1E3).

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"No. Women may NOT be Pastors." Where is the lie?
"No. Women may NOT be Pastors." Where is the lie?

Dear Sisters in Christ,

As many of you may already be aware, March is Women's History Month. For 31 glorious days we have the opportunity to celebrate, commemorate and applaud women who have made (and are making) notable contributions to society. This annual observance, and simply observing women day-to-day, demonstrates we are competent, capable and courageous beings. Outside of our biological differences, we ladies really CAN do nearly anything men can do in general society and across various fields.

But here’s an unchangeable truth with which we all need to come to grips: In the family of God women MAY NOT assume spiritual authority over and teach men (1 Timothy 2:12).

Read more →
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: 8 Preachers to Avoid in 2018
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: 8 Preachers to Avoid in 2018

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Paula White, Kenneth Copeland, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, and a host of other false teachers in their generation, is they’ve been scheming Believers and blaspheming the truth of God for 20+ years - and they show no signs of repenting. They don’t flinch or stutter when they preach lies, heresy and the doctrines of demons.  Indeed, they are false teachers through and through. The preponderance of the evidence is stacked so highly against them that this fact isn’t even debatable!

But there is a new generation of false teachers following in their footsteps, some of whom they’ve influenced, mentored and even raised from birth. But if it is possible, I pray this new generation will see their error and repent as soon as possible. Like their elders, this rising class of the uncalled are capturing the hearts of professed Believers the world over, especially among millennials, and they’re leading countless souls astray.  These preachers are young, funny, charming, wise (according to men), well-dressed, successful, physically attractive - and wholly unqualified to teach the people of God. Their doctrines are dangerous, their speech is destructive, and their errors are damnable. They withhold the Gospel, fail to teach the full counsel of God, and they readily compromise the truth.

Read more →
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Sarah Jakes-Roberts in 2018!
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Sarah Jakes-Roberts in 2018!

Jakes-Roberts co-pastors One Church LA, one of the fastest growing churches in Los Angeles, alongside her husband, Touré Roberts. Much like her father, T.D. Jakes, Jakes-Roberts is a poised, articulate speaker who seems to possess a wealth of life wisdom. She appears pensive, and she speaks in paced patterns that suggest she is sincerely delving into the Word of God with great care and divine guidance. Yet, also like her father, she merely employs oratory techniques and leans a lot to her own understanding.

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Tasha Cobbs-Leonard in 2018!
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Tasha Cobbs-Leonard in 2018!

Cobbs-Leonard is not only a Grammy award-winning Gospel artist, she’s also a pastor and a prophet! As a Gospel artist, Cobbs-Leonard is a consistent talent with wonderfully powerful vocals. The messages in her songs can be hit or miss, however.  For example, Break Every Chain is a beautiful worship song. It’s not lyrically or theologically dense, but it says enough to remind those who know better that Jesus Christ came to set the captives free (Luke 4:18)! Meanwhile, I’m Getting Ready, featuring Nicki Minaj, takes the focus off Christ and offers up more of a prosperity-focused message. I’ve previously discussed the doctrinal problems with this song as well as the issue with the collaboration.

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid "Real Talk Kim" in 2018!
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid "Real Talk Kim" in 2018!

I was first introduced to Jones-Pothier through Preachers of Atlanta, an Oxygen network reality show chronicling the lives and ministries of select Atlanta-based pastors. Around the time I watched the show I didn’t necessarily see much wrong with it outside of Leandria Johnson’s storyline and ministry and a lot of the things that Judah guy had to say. But by God’s grace, as I’ve grown in Christ since then, I can see how the show as a whole was problematic. And though I once loved me some “Real Talk Kim”, I also now see that her ministry is out of order and her teaching is riddled with error.

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Devon Franklin in 2018!
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Devon Franklin in 2018!

Franklin, famously wed to actress Meagan Good, is a Hollywood executive, author, and ordained minister. Getting his start in entertainment as an unpaid intern for Will Smith, Franklin has since climbed the ranks, building an extensive filmography along the way. His works include, but are not limited to, faith-based films such as Heaven is For Real, Not Easily Broken, Miracles from Heaven and, most recently, The Star Movie.  In his latest book, The Hollywood Commandments: Spiritual Guide to Secular Success Franklin attributes his Hollywood success to his ability to find a happy middle ground between living by secular and spiritual principles. “Too often, some people are too spiritual and they don’t recognize the value of the secular, and some people are secular and don’t recognize the value of the spiritual. And what I realize is I believe success is a combination of both,” Franklin said in a recent interview with the Breakfast Club. Franklin also argues it is possible to be wildly successful in the secular world without losing one’s faith. In fact, he says God told him to write The Hollywood Commandments to teach the Body of Christ how to be successful. Telling a crowd during one of his preaching engagements, “After 20 years of tremendous favor, God said, ‘DeVon. I want you to teach what you’ve learned in Hollywood to My people.’”

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid John Gray in 2018!
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid John Gray in 2018!

An associate pastor at Lakewood Church, Gray has served under Joel Osteen's leadership for more than five years. However, it was recently announced that Gray will be relocating this year to begin his new role as senior pastor of Redemption Church in Greenville, South Carolina. 

Gray’s personality is charming and unassuming. His preaching style is lively, often incorporating comedy, singing, dancing, and random references to popular secular music. He's so relevant and entertaining that, if you're not careful, you won't even notice he's uttering all manner of doctrinal errors and theological confusion.  Gray, who tends to preach around the truth, will make mention of Jesus by name, and he may even speak of our need for the Gospel, but he never quite gets around to actually teaching it. He also offers up a wealth of spiritual platitudes and often inserts misapplied scriptures that his teaching actually sounds meaty to the undiscerning. But, ultimately, his speech is filled with empty words and his disturbingly odd (if not outright demonic) take on God's word.

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Carl Lentz in 2018
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Carl Lentz in 2018

Lentz is not your papa’s preacher. He's not a preacher of God's Word, either. Lentz repeatedly compromises for the culture, often shrouding the truth in confusion and ambiguity to placate (lukewarm) Believers and non-believers alike. To avoid stepping on toes with the truth, Lentz simply opts to tiptoe around it to remain in good graces with the cool kids.  He is the “spiritual guide” to celebrities like Justin Bieber, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and more. His approach to pastoring isn’t to shepherd his flock per the requirements of 1 Timothy 3 or Titus 1 (especially Titus 1:9). Instead, Lentz is more of a well-groomed bro who will pray and take shots with you.  Whenever asked his views on sin, Lentz is known to give a lukewarm response, failing to answer the question head on and claiming that it isn’t his job to call sin for what it is. Rather, he says, his focus is more on getting to know people personally that he might deal with those matters on a case-by-case basis, behind closed doors.

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Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Steven Furtick in 2018!
Something in the Milk Ain't Clean: Avoid Steven Furtick in 2018!

Furtick is charismatic in the pulpit, and he is eager to share his desire to reach the lost. But he seems to believe that once the lost are “found” his work is done. “If you know Jesus Christ, I’m sorry to break it to you, this church is not for you,” Furtick says. This applies even if you’ve only known Christ for as little as a week.  “Last week was the last week that Elevation Church existed for you,” Furtick declares.  

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Positive Thinking is False Thinking...and a Few Thoughts on Joel Osteen's Latest Book
Positive Thinking is False Thinking...and a Few Thoughts on Joel Osteen's Latest Book

The power of "positive thinking" is a popular concept, and it seems to fit right at home in the Church. This is perhaps why some many mega pastors have authored best-selling books and preached international sermons on the topic.  But my fellow sisters and brothers in Christ need to know that the concept of "positive thinking" is hogwash that cannot be entertained by disciples of Jesus Christ!  (I mean that with as much sugar as my personality will allow.)  Joel Osteen preaches it. Joyce Meyer preaches it. I've heard several other heavy hitters in the faith community preach it, and while it sounds great,  positive thinking is false thinking.  It isn't of God and there's nothing Biblical about it. 

Read more →