The "Tool of Satan" & Kenneth Copeland Ministries

Two things have come up this week that has grieved me. Bare with me, this is a long post:

1.) The Christian right and their stance that Global Warming is a “tool of Satan”

2.) Kenneth Copeland Ministries

The first point is offensive to my soul because it’s absurd! But, that doesn’t really explain it – it’s like saying something is “stupid” (which is also true in this case). Anyway, I will share with you why I am so peeved with this particular group. Please note, I know not everyone who would be considered a part of this group believes that global warming is a hoax. Please also note, I don’t like using the terms 'right' and 'left' to describe Christians. However, it helps me to get across my point quickly – and I'm at work . . . Don’t worry, I’ll work through lunch and I rarely take breaks, so I am not stealing from my employer.

OK. So, where was I before I set my disclaimers? Oh yes, Jerry Falwell and James Dobson and their thoughts on global warming. Now, of course one would suspect Jerry Falwell of saying something so ill conceived - (that the debate over global warming "is a tool of satan"). It’s almost expected. Besides, does anyone really take this man seriously any more? But then to have Dr. James Dobson, founder and Chair of the Board of Focus on the Family (which I'm saving for another post and could evetually be the basis for my Doctoral dissertaion if I ever do a Doctorate), and some of his cronies, demanded Richard Cizik’s resignation from the National Association of Evangelicals because Cizik “cannot be trusted to articulate the views of American evangelicals on environmental issues.”

This is madness! Oh, and what might these unusual views be, you ask? Cizik agrees with the consensus of international scientists, religious leaders, business leaders and economists that global warming is an urgent and imminent threat to planet earth, a threat that if not acted upon soon will only get worse and worse (thank-you Joey for allowing me to plagiarize without your knowledge). If you would like more info on these articles go here for Falwell’s thoughts: http://www.ethicsdaily.com/article_detail.cfm?AID=8596 or go here for Dobson’s and friends’ remarks: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/marchweb-only/109-53.0.html.

It really upsets me that people in such high positions in the Evangelical church would come out and say something like this (I’m more focused on Dobson here, as again I really hope there are more people out there laughing at Jerry Falwell then taking him seriously). Besides, even if (and I do mean if) global warming isn’t occurring, shouldn’t we as Christians still be encouraging one another to honour God by taking care of this gift that has been given (the earth)? To encourage each other to focus on moving away from materialism and be more responsible with the resources we have been given? To be better stewards? To not buy SUV’s or trucks if they’re not for work purposes? To be more conscientious of the global community and how every time we’re at the grocery store buying grapes (or whatever your veggies and fruits are) from Chilli (or any other developing or unstable economically nation) we’re stealing food from a community who is starving because they’re being made to export their food to feed other families who on average, tosses 20%-40% of the produce they buy from companies who are based in North America but continue to run companies in other countries in a manner that would never be allowed to take place in their home country. Where unfair wages and long hours, are the norm. Where land is raped of it’s nutrients as it’s over harvested and pumped with chemicals used to kill ‘predators’ (bugs) and is subsequently destroying parts of an already fragile ecosystem. And don’t even get me started on the distance these grapes (or other fruits or veggies) have to travel using gas and refrigeration on the journey.

Phew – I’m getting’ angry. Whoa - my blood pressure I'm sure has gone up. OK, so you get my point, we need to be better stewards and this is important to me. Is it important to you? If so, what are doing to show this?

By the way, have you thought of trying the 100-mile diet challenge? For more, go here: http://www.100milediet.org/.

OK, and I will try to be quick on thought number 2, as you’re probably getting antsy.

So, a couple days ago I get an e-mail about a focus group looking for young Christian women to come and discuss their thoughts on various ministries. So, I signed up, not just because I love to give my opinion but also I could finally get paid to do so – and the payment? $75!!! Awesome.

For 2 hours then we (me and 4 other women) chatted about different ministries. However, the focus group was to find out what we thought/ knew about Kenneth Copeland ministries. Well, before signing up for this focus group I will be honest, I didn’t know any thing about this ministry. But, being a BIG fan of Google and having a few hours on my hands I did some research, since they mentioned a few ministries I might want to have some knowledge on. And what did I find? The antithesis of my Christian existence (no, this is not more on Jerry Falwell). I discovered ‘Word-Faith’. Word, wha? That’s right, “Word-Faith”. Here it is explained by Pastor and Authour Gary E. Gilley and then in the words of several proponents of this movement, namely Kenneth Copeland:

“As is implied by the title “Word-Faith,” the supporters of this movement believe that faith works like a mighty power or force. Through faith, we can obtain anything we want -- health, wealth, success, whatever. However, this force is only released through the spoken word. As we speak the words of faith, power is discharged to accomplish our desires. Hagin's theme, as found in his booklet How to Write Your Own Ticket with God, can be summarized as follows (Christianity in Crisis, pp. 74-75):

In the opening chapter, titled "Jesus Appears to Me," Hagin claims that while he “was in the Spirit” -- just like the apostle John on the Isle of Patmos -- a white cloud enveloped him and he began to speak in tongues. “Then the Lord Jesus Himself appeared to me,” says Hagin. “He stood within three feet of me.” After what sounded like a casual conversation about such things as finances, ministry, and even current affairs, Jesus told Hagin to get a pencil and a piece of paper. He then instructed him to “Write down: 1,2,3,4.” Jesus then allegedly told Hagin ”if anybody, anywhere, will take these four steps or put these four principles into operation, he will always receive whatever he wants from Me or from God the Father.” That includes whatever you want financially. The formula is simply: “Say it, Do it, Receive it, and Tell it.”

1. Step number one is “Say it.” “Positive or negative, it is up to the individual. According to what the individual says, that shall he receive.”
2. Step number two is “Do it.” “Your action defeats you or puts you over. According to your action, you receive or you are kept from receiving.”
3. Step number three is “Receive it.” We are to plug into the “powerhouse of heaven.” “Faith is the plug, praise God! Just plug in.”
4. Step number four is “Tell it so others may believe.” This final step might be considered the Faith movement's outreach program.

Kenneth Copeland states the faith formula this way: "All it takes is
1) Seeing or visualizing whatever you need, whether physical or financial;
2) Staking your claim on Scripture; and
3) Speaking it into existence" (Christianity in Crisis, p. 80).”


OHMIGOSH!!! I'm suddenly over-come with the desire to kick the crap out of something (inanimate of course)! Wow, nothing burns me up more then this ‘type’ of simplification, misinterpretation, and false theology then this! And to top it all off – what REALLY burned me the most? The woman leading this focus group I believe was un-churched. So now here she is, working on this assignment which is giving her a glimpse into what she’s being told is a Christian Ministry. Lord have mercy! No wonder Christians get framed in a negative light so often. That’s it, I have to stop here, I’m getting too worked-up and I shouldn’t really be crying at work. But it just grieves me so much to know that God is being abused so horribly for political and monetary gain. It hurts me to see the special and intimate relationship one can have with Jesus Christ is being boiled down to 3 or 4 steps of what YOU have rights to demand out of it. Anybody else out there grieving this?


P.S. This is Kenneth Copeland - to find out what he does you can visit his website at http://www.kcm.org/. To see pictures of him with his new jet, Google Kenneth Copeland jet ministry.