My name is Mark Hutchins and I am a young evangelical conservative who loves to share my thoughts with others on issues ranging from politics to religion to culture, and I love to discuss things with people. The purpose of this blog is, above all, to share what I believe to be true and positively interact with others...
This is a fun thing to do compliments of www.wordle.net. I must say my blog must be quite boring judging by the words picture. :-) Of course, the three words from my signature figured prominently into the analysis.
I just ran across this very challenging (short) message from Pastor John and felt led to pass it on. His condemnations are pointed, and I believe spot on. But, I think that beyond the obvious heresies common to the prosperity gospel, Pastor John's question about whether converts of/to the prosperity gospel will fulfill the Great Commission is particularly thought provoking. If we are known by our fruits and the prosperity gospel teaches that growing closer to God will make things better for us in terms of riches, wealth and comfort, thereby making prosperity and comfort a type of fruit, then what would a prosperity gospel advocate say regarding it's (the prosperity gospel's) lack of fruit or motivation in fulfilling the Great Commission?
Any discussion of false teachers would be incomplete without establishing another truth that Paul Washer, in his usual no holes barred style, states this way: "Let me tell you something about false teachers, you think so many times that people fall prey to false teachers, and that, in a sense, can be true, at times. But, I think the dominant theme in Scripture is just the opposite. False teachers are God’s judgment on people who don’t want God…but, in the name of religion, plan on getting everything their carnal heart desires. That's why a Joel Osteen is raised up; those people who sit under him are not victims of him, he is the judgement of God upon them...because they want exactly what he wants, and it's not God!"
II Timothy 4: 1-8:
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.