Very enlightening! want to hear the charismatic churches counter arguments on this topic
Very enlightening! want to hear the charismatic churches counter arguments on this topic
Kwabena 9 years ago
It is very sad to read such a piece in this age where God has given insights to His people to know the truth.How many souls have u won to the Kingdom by this message. You don't just understand what you are unmasking brother.D ... read full comment
It is very sad to read such a piece in this age where God has given insights to His people to know the truth.How many souls have u won to the Kingdom by this message. You don't just understand what you are unmasking brother.Do what God has called u to do and leave others to do what God has called them to do.
KB 9 years ago
????!What do you mean by that remark?
????!What do you mean by that remark?
SERVANT OF GOD 9 years ago
PAYING TITHE IS SINFUL AND UNBIBLICAL
I must confess that I used to teach and preach tithing, but I did it out of ignorance, because that was what I was taught by my teachers, but now I know better and I don't do it anymor ... read full comment
PAYING TITHE IS SINFUL AND UNBIBLICAL
I must confess that I used to teach and preach tithing, but I did it out of ignorance, because that was what I was taught by my teachers, but now I know better and I don't do it anymore, and want to exhort others who are still collecting tithes out of ignorance or greed to stop forthwith. Duncan is not the only one sinning by collecting tithes, but everyone who is doing so has sinned and we all need to repent and do the right thing.
The issue of tithing and the emphasis on money makes it look like the church is all about money. No wonder some people won't go to church because they associate church with greedy pastors, prophets, apostles, bishops and archbishops who collect money from poor people while living extravagantly. Some are also in the ministry with the desire to make money and fleece the people, but the time is coming when all these armed robbers who use the Bible to rob poor people and give them false promises in the name of the Lord would be judged and even now are being judged.
People need to support the Lord's work but should do so out of love and according to their means or ability. People should not be forced, coerced, intimidated, threatened or cursed in the name of tithing. In the meantime, here is the comment which should feature as a full article and not hidden among comments:
No topic excites many pastors more than tithes and tithing. Waxing eloquent, pastors with fiery zeal, would teach about how if you pay tithes God would bless you. How your business would flourish, how you would find that rich husband and how all would go well in your life. Blessings would flow like the Jordan River and life would be a bed of hibiscus petals. Conversely, you are also threatened and psychologically terrorized for not paying tithes- there would be no breakthroughs in your life, God would take away from you. Nothing would go well for you. Worst of all, you would be cursed by God because you have stolen from Him. Like the mighty spear of Goliath, Malachi 3:10 is launched at your heart.
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me." (Malachi 3:8, 9)
This verse has been used to intimidate many Christians into shelling out 10% of their income as tithes. It is probably the only verse in the Bible that many pastors quote when preaching about tithes. Other verses in Leviticus and Deuteronomy that shed more light on the issue are almost never mentioned. Church members are kept in the dark by design.
Was God rebuking the nation of Israel or the nation of levitical priests in Malachi? Malachi 2:1, explains further,"And this commandment is for you, O priests." God was actually rebuking the Levites for abusing the trust of the people. God is a spirit and does not need food but He wanted the poor to be fed. The Levites were the ones under a curse. Christ broke the curse of the law, so Christians cannot be under a curse today for not obeying the law of tithes.
Who received tithes?
Tithe was God’s way of specifically taking care of the poor Levites, orphans, widows, strangers in Israel. This was the only reason God wanted food in his house. God does not need food. Deuteronomy 26:12, clearly states that when all the tithe is collected “then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger to the orphan, and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.” Deuteronomy 14:28-29 New International Version (NIV) "bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." Did Jesus, Mathew and Paul receive tithes?
Jesus was from the line of Judah so could not receive tithes. Only Levites from the line of Levi could receive tithes. Though the twelve apostles were men of God, they could not receive tithes because of their tribal lineage. How then can pastors today ask for tithes? Are they Levites? If the apostle Paul is not a Levite so could not take tithes why are some pastors taking tithes? The fact that one is a man of God does not qualify one to receive tithes. Even prophets and other men of God in the Bible, not from the tribe of Levi, could not benefit from tithes.
Did Jesus and his apostles pay tithes?
Tithe was never taken in fish or silver or cash. Paul as a tent-maker was not required to pay tithes. Peter as a fisherman did not pay tithes on fish he caught. That was the law of God. None of the twelve apostles could pay tithes because they were not farmers or shepherds/ herders.
Did Abraham, Noah and Jacob pay tithes?
Abraham did not pay tithes. He gave ten percent of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, King of Salem. God did not command Abraham to give. It was from his free will. Abraham did not tithe from his personal property, and there is no record in the Bible that he did.
Jacob also gave a conditional 10% to God which was not a tithe. There is no record of Jacob paying any tithes after this. The traditional 10% in Middle Eastern societies is different from the legalistic mosaic tithe from God. The mosaic tithe was not optional, it was the law.
Without tithes, the message of the Gospel could not be preached
God in His infinite wisdom asked for tithes to be used for the poor and needy. God did not request tithes to be used for pastor's salary, cars, church organ or choir robes. God explicitly said use it to feed the poor Levites and the orphans, widows and strangers.
God does not need tithes to spread His word. The apostles gave their lives to spread the gospel of Christ without taking tithes from anyone. Many churches function perfectly today without tithes. We cannot disobey God with the excuse that we are spreading the gospel.
Even if you are poor, unemployed and struggling financially, now is the time to pay your tithes.
Nooooo!!! This is twisting and misquoting the Bible because we want to take money from the poor. The Bible says do not take tithes from the poor and needy. The poor are to benefit from the tithes. They are to be given tithes. Telling the poor to pay tithes, with promises that God would open the windows of heaven and pour blessings on them is a big con game.
The Bible says those with less than ten goats or sheep were exempted from paying tithes. God did not take tithes from the poor. Telling the poor and needy that if they don't pay tithes God has cursed them is the ultimate in greed and callousness. Some pastors tell poor church members to pay tithes before their rent or children’s school fees and expect miracles. Some tell the congregation not to worry about what the tithe is used for. They say to just pay the tithes and leave the rest to God.
Would paying tithes make you rich and prosperous?
The promise of breakthroughs and prosperity and material blessings is used as a bait to make many pour their hard-earned money into the bank accounts of some pastors. This is nothing but manipulation. If the gospel of Christ is about acquiring earthly possessions how come the apostle Paul was not rich? How come John the Baptist, Peter, John and the other apostles did not get financial breakthroughs? Many of Christ's apostles were persecuted and killed. Life was not rosy for them. Were they not blessed men of God? If you believe pastors who tell you that you would prosper financially if you pay tithes, then you need serious Bible study. People like Oprah Winfrey, Ted Turner, LeBron James etc. are very wealthy, but they do not pay tithes, they are not even Christians. If you believe paying tithes would open gates to riches for you, then you are in for great disappointment and cannot carry the cross of Christ.
Should I give to my church?
Yes, absolutely! Give to the church. Your offering helps the church a lot. Paul spoke about supporting the church. But give from your heart to God and expect nothing in return. Give because you love God. It is free-will, not a binding law like tithing. God had a special purpose for the tithes. It was to feed the poor and needy in society. It was to take care of the Levites who were poor, not wealthy pastors who have mansions, fancy cars and are far richer than most in the congregation
Should Christians pay tithes today?
Jesus and his apostles did not pay tithes, neither did they accept tithes. The Pharisees obeyed all the 613 mosaic laws, so they paid tithes. Today, Christians are not under the law, so we do not follow the Mosaic Law, as we are under grace and not the law. How come so much emphasis is laid on only tithes but not the other 613 laws? If we have to pay tithes then we have to follow all the laws, like the Pharisees. When a child disobeys the parent, he has to be stoned to death according to the old law. No Christian obeys that law today. However, some hold on to the law of tithing with the might of Samson. Why? Is it the money? The love of money...
Who is killing the church of Christ?
It is unlawful and unbiblical for anyone outside of the tribe of Levi to receive tithes, be they prophets, bishops, arch-bishops or reverend-doctors. Tithe has become the yoke around many Christians’ neck. When the clergy enslaves the masses and amass wealth at the expense of the poor it creates a history of resentment against the church. Many thinking people become suspicious of religion. When leaders of a faith insult the trust of their flock with misinformation and manipulation, the backlash can be unfavorable to all. The gospel of Christ suffers when boys are molested by clergy just as when money becomes their main focus. Many centuries ago, Martin Luther had to revolt again the leaders of the church who were taking the faithful for fools. You can fool some of the people some of the time but all the people cannot be fooled all the time. At some point Europe woke up.The shady history of the church in Europe has forced many out of Christianity. Today Christianity is dying in Europe. No wonder, a recent pope said, the future of the church is in Africa. Are our pastors robbing God, are they killing the church of Christ?
Kobby T 9 years ago
The Prosperity Gospel has replaced the shield of faith with some 'magic' wand' forgetting the reason why it must be a shield; that flaming arrows are going to come at us! Whether the weather is fair or otherwise, the Christia ... read full comment
The Prosperity Gospel has replaced the shield of faith with some 'magic' wand' forgetting the reason why it must be a shield; that flaming arrows are going to come at us! Whether the weather is fair or otherwise, the Christian must have that 'anchor that keeps his soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll';that unflinching faith in the face of the 'storms of life'. It must be an 'even if' faith rather than the 'not at all' shortcut. If even the Master took the long way to the cross where he suffered the worst, must those of us who are supposed to tread his path take the shortcut? Who are we?
Nice piece Robert. The truth has been rightly divided!
Prophet Ayensu 9 years ago
if u are worshiping God and u r still poor, u r not worshiping right. God want you be rich, poverty is not of God. Wealth and health if from God. Poverty is from the devil.
if u are worshiping God and u r still poor, u r not worshiping right. God want you be rich, poverty is not of God. Wealth and health if from God. Poverty is from the devil.
Yaw 9 years ago
A word in season I pray we have ears to hear!
A word in season I pray we have ears to hear!
Prophet Ayensu 9 years ago
Otabil is blessed by God. Duncan-Williams is blessed by God. God loves riches. God wants u to live good and have all the material blessings- expensive cars, nice clothes, mansions and all.
Otabil is blessed by God. Duncan-Williams is blessed by God. God loves riches. God wants u to live good and have all the material blessings- expensive cars, nice clothes, mansions and all.
YW 9 years ago
Fantastic peace. I think pastors of today are missing the point.
Fantastic peace. I think pastors of today are missing the point.
Watcher 9 years ago
Well written! Thanks! The biggest thing God wants to heal is our hearts. If we trust in the Lord, he is faithful and true, in good times and in our challenges. Among believers, in just one person, he may work signs and wond ... read full comment
Well written! Thanks! The biggest thing God wants to heal is our hearts. If we trust in the Lord, he is faithful and true, in good times and in our challenges. Among believers, in just one person, he may work signs and wonders one time and leave the person struggling another, and the sign and wonder in the struggle may be the witness that believer bears to their faith.
God knows what is best for us in each instance; what will keep us close to Him and deepen our relationship with Him and with other believers. How can we feel compassion for others if we have not ourselves born pain with faith?
1 Peter 2:18 RSV
The Example of Christ’s Suffering
"Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to the kind and gentle but also to the overbearing. For one is approved if, mindful of God, he endures pain while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."
Pikay Richardson 9 years ago
Brother Robert, I sincerely thank and praise God for you. The Gospel of Christ,(one of salvation)has been turned upside down by half-baked evangelists and deceitful preachers (the Bible warn us about these in the last days) ... read full comment
Brother Robert, I sincerely thank and praise God for you. The Gospel of Christ,(one of salvation)has been turned upside down by half-baked evangelists and deceitful preachers (the Bible warn us about these in the last days) whose only aim is not to win souls for the Kingdom, but to make money from exploitation and extorsion - their lot is bound in hell. The Gospel is about Salvation -restoration of man back to God through the paying of the debt of sin by the Lord Jesus. Christ calls on his followers to take up their cross and follow Him, because He said they will do to us what they did to him -a tough road. But these so-called preachers who chose any title they like - evangelists, prophets, and prophetesses, apostles, bishops and arch-bishops, etc - preach not of faith and allegiance to the Lord, but one that give promises wealth and riches, and offer people a feel-good factor, although their followers may still not be saved and therefore sadly bound for hell. True Christians and true-to-Christ preachers must stand and expose these false prophets for what they are, and in so doing snatch some of the deceived from the clutches of the devil.
Bravo once again.
Yours in the name OF Jesus
Pikay
K Boateng 9 years ago
Thanks brother and I pray that God continue to use you to unmask this charlatans who have by their messages made millions poor and enrich themselves. Through the pulpit, they have become business tycoons all of a sudden whils ... read full comment
Thanks brother and I pray that God continue to use you to unmask this charlatans who have by their messages made millions poor and enrich themselves. Through the pulpit, they have become business tycoons all of a sudden whilst their flock remains the same. I believe God is using you to unmask these people at this time. Any chance you could do this through publishing handouts that will educate many as people are ignorant and that is why they have been taken for granted. Can you also hit on the issue of tithing as started by one Brother Amartey from the USA. God bless you for the work he has started in you.
Pastor Frank Opoku-Amoako, Virginia U 9 years ago
Bro. Coleman, thank you for emphasizing this aspect of the Gospel message. Indeed, this understanding builds godly character into believers. HOWEVER, this is only one side of the Gospel message. The full gospel out of the Abr ... read full comment
Bro. Coleman, thank you for emphasizing this aspect of the Gospel message. Indeed, this understanding builds godly character into believers. HOWEVER, this is only one side of the Gospel message. The full gospel out of the Abraham story with God was that Abraham actually didn't believe God because of His promise of acceptance but His promise to give him a CHILD - a physical thing, make his name great; and also make him a nation - both spiritual and physical Israel.
"Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3)
Yes, God accepted him SPIRITUALLY by Covenant.
But He also blessed him PHYSICALLY(eg. healing his old body to give birth)and FINANCIALLY and MATERIALLY.
In Genesis 24:34-36 - 'So he said, "I am Abraham's servant. "The LORD has blessed my master (Abraham) greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. "And Sarah my master's wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has" (Genesis 24:34-36)
So Brother Coleman, I know that the Full Gospel is repentance from sin and righteous living; And it ALSO promises physical, financial and material help from the God of our salvation.
What I agree with you most, however, is that many preachers of today appear to emphasize too much on the latter (financial, material blessings) to the neglect of sin and righteous living, which is seriously hurting christian character development in today's churches.
SERVANT OF GOD 9 years ago
I know that the Full Gospel is repentance from sin and righteous living; And it ALSO promises physical, financial and material help from the God of our salvation.
WHY IS IT THAT AFRICANS WHO ARE MORE CHRISTIAN THAN EUROPEA ... read full comment
I know that the Full Gospel is repentance from sin and righteous living; And it ALSO promises physical, financial and material help from the God of our salvation.
WHY IS IT THAT AFRICANS WHO ARE MORE CHRISTIAN THAN EUROPEANS AND ASIANS ARE THE POOREST?
WHY WERE THE APOSTLES OF JESUS SO POOR? WERE THEY NOT BLESSED BY GOD?
WHY WAS PAUL NOT A RICH MAN, DID GOD NOT BLESS HIM?
WHY ARE THE NON-CHRISTIAN PEOPLE OF JAPAN SO RICH BUT CHRISTIAN AFRICANS POOR?
WHY ARE ATHEISTS LIKE TED TURNER SO WEALTHY BUT MANY GOOD CHRISTIANS POOR?
WHY ARE JAPANESE MORE PHYSICALLY AND FINANCIALLY BLESSED THA CHRISTIANS IN AFRICA? GOD HATES CHRISTIANS IN AFRICA?
WHAT ABOUT NATIONS LIKE GERMANY, SAUDI ARABIA, BRUNEI?
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT BEING A CHRIST FOLLOWERS WOULD LEAD TO FINANCIAL WEALTH AND LONG LIVE. IT IS A LIE. THERE IS PO EVIDENCE. JUST LOOK AROUND THE WORLD.
SERVANT OF GOD 9 years ago
Look at the riches people in the world and look at the poorest people in the world. Look at the longest living nations in the world.
There is no logical evidence that those who worship God are blessed with wealth and health. ... read full comment
Look at the riches people in the world and look at the poorest people in the world. Look at the longest living nations in the world.
There is no logical evidence that those who worship God are blessed with wealth and health.
The longest living and healthiest nations in the world are the atheistic nations of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Japan.
The richest people in the world are not christians.
This idea that God would make a christian rich is just a way to fool poor people and take their money. Oprah, Ted Turner, Bloomberg etc are not Christians.
The evidence is that being a Good christian would not make you wealthy or make you live longer. Geography is what makes you live healthier, wealthier and longer.
PLease stop spreading the lie.
Amador Lawrence Junior 9 years ago
what u said is true .the problem is those who preach this kind of preaching, are they really a Christians? Because when we study on a biblical Christian n how two become a true Christian we will all be free from these lies a ... read full comment
what u said is true .the problem is those who preach this kind of preaching, are they really a Christians? Because when we study on a biblical Christian n how two become a true Christian we will all be free from these lies as JOHN 8:32.
Dr. J. Val-Addo, USA 9 years ago
Brother Coleman, I thought the piece was written by Dr. Robert Coleman, a distinguished professor of Evangelism in a US Seminary whom I met in Amsterdam 86, organized by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The name Rob ... read full comment
Brother Coleman, I thought the piece was written by Dr. Robert Coleman, a distinguished professor of Evangelism in a US Seminary whom I met in Amsterdam 86, organized by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The name Robert Coleman and the introduction to your write-up really caught my attention to read it. The introduction was very convincing and motivated me to continue reading.
I've been preaching full-time for 33 years and the message of salvation from the Cross of Jesus, repentance from sin, faith in Jesus Christ for righteousness and eternal life has been the core of my ministry. I'm a whole gospel preacher-teacher and not a new age prosperity preacher at all. But we need to be careful not throw away the baby and the bathwater with apologetics, a so-called defense of the Gospel.
Apologetics is a Western philosophical thought approach to handling the Scriptures and defending "the Gospel". It has its many shortcomings just as the "Prosperity Gospel" has its own faults. Apparently what is needed is knowing how God Almighty related to and dealt with people in the whole of Hebrew-Christian Scriptures over important matters of life as part of the Gospel and the sound and balanced interpretation of the same Scriptures in order address such matters related to the Gospel with carefulness. Such theological and hermenuetical understanding of Gospel matters and issues from the Hebrew-Christian Scriptures would have influenced your subtitles on "He Became Poor So That You Might Be Rich","The Blessing Of Abraham", and "Sickness" to be a blessing to the worldwide reading public. You would have written a balanced piece as a Christian educator or teacher. But you rather chose to put on a Western apologetic lens to write the article. The subtitle on "The Blessing of Abraham" was poorly written because it was simply apologetic.
What we need is "The Whole Gospel" (All the Gospel/Full Gospel/Biblical Gospel/Divine Gospel, call it what you may), NOT "Prosperity Gospel" nor "Apologetic Gospel". This writer agrees with you that several portions of the "Prosperity Gospel" are so positive to be a deviation from Scriptures. But your "Apologetic Gospel", too, is so mixed up negative defense and imbalances, which has the possibility of leaving already confused readers who may searching for the truth about the real Gospel in Ghana more confused.
Anyway, let's not give the dog a bad name and hang it. The conclusion of the write-up was good.
SERVANT OF GOD 9 years ago
BRO COLEMAN EXPOSED THE LIE AND MANIPULATION OF MANY PASTORS TODAY. I REALLY RESPECT HIM FOR THAT. BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT ABOUT RICHES AND WEALTH. MANY HAVE BEEN DISILLUSIONED BECAUSE OF THIS BOGUS TEACHING.
ARE THE PEOP ... read full comment
BRO COLEMAN EXPOSED THE LIE AND MANIPULATION OF MANY PASTORS TODAY. I REALLY RESPECT HIM FOR THAT. BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT ABOUT RICHES AND WEALTH. MANY HAVE BEEN DISILLUSIONED BECAUSE OF THIS BOGUS TEACHING.
ARE THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN MORE BLESSED BY GOD THAN AFRICANS? PEOPLE IN THE NORDIC NATIONS LIVE HEALTHIER, LONGER LIVES THAN AFRICAN. DID GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF THESE ATHEISTIC NATIONS THAN SAY THE PEOPLE OF GHANA AND NIGERIA?
ANY MODERATELY INTELLIGENTLY PERSON WOULD KNOWS THAT BEING BORN AGAIN DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM POVERTY OR DISEASE. HAVE BEING BORN-AGAIN PROTECTED AFRICANS FROM THE RAVAGES OF MALARIA ?
GOD IS NOT A LIAR. IF GOD SAYS HE WOULD GIVE YOU MATERIAL WEALTH AND HEALTH , HE WOULD DO IT. BUT THAT IS NOT THE BLESSINGS GOD PROMISED US AND THAT IS WHY MANY GOOD CHRISTIANS ARE POOR AND SUFFER FROM ILLNESSES.
AS I LOOK INTO THE CHURCH IN AFRICA, IT SEEMS THE ONLY PEOPLE 'BLESSED' BY GOD ARE THE PASTORS WHO DRIVE THE LATEST CARS, LIVE IN MANSIONS AND HAVE FAT BANK ACCOUNTS.
YES, IT IS PROSPERITY GOSPEL, AND IT IS A LIAR. IT IS A CON ACT BY A FEW TO MILK THE POOR.
Dr. J. Val-Addo, USA 9 years ago
Sorry, "Servant of God", real truth doesn't hurt me a bit. I love and I am only convinced by a properly referenced truth and nothing else. Please, let's try not to get personal here but be civil which is part of Christianity ... read full comment
Sorry, "Servant of God", real truth doesn't hurt me a bit. I love and I am only convinced by a properly referenced truth and nothing else. Please, let's try not to get personal here but be civil which is part of Christianity and for "servants of God" to observe in dealing with issues.
I am indeed worried about imbalanced assertions people make which have no WHOLISTIC Biblical and divine bearings. I do look for proper and wholistic reference points for whatever people who consider themselves "authorities" say from the Scriptures on Christian matters and issues so they might be analyzed critically to determine their sources. The Christian Scripture says if the foundation [of things, including the Gospel] is destroyed what would the righteous do (refer Psalm 11:3)? DESTROYED, ALSO! And that is scary, you now?
Sorry, you seem to diagress and pick many different which you may have personal problem with and not the Gospel based on Scripture. Let's go for a proper definition or definitions of the Gospel and its exposition from the Christian Scriptures to educate the reading public. I would be glad if you or Brother Coleman would that sincerely. That's the most important and wise thing to do. When we do that we will certainly minimize the assertions, accusations, generalizations, and attacks on people we seem to have beef with.
Let me state again for the record: I am not a "prosperity preacher" but we can also love and help prosperity preachers straighten up by endeavoring not to bring the present Ghanaian political approach to issues into Christianity. We seem to attack everyone we disagree with. We can do better in Christianity with proper, balanced exposition about the true, whole Gospel from the Scriptures to educate rather than merely talking about issues. Scripture says we should contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. That includes "the common salvation" (jude 3)based on the whole truth of the whole Gospel. I rest my case!
SERVANT OF GOD 9 years ago
Dr. Val-Addo, can you please address the questions posed here:
ARE THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN MORE BLESSED BY GOD THAN AFRICANS? PEOPLE IN THE NORDIC NATIONS LIVE HEALTHIER, LONGER LIVES THAN AFRICAN. DID GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE ... read full comment
Dr. Val-Addo, can you please address the questions posed here:
ARE THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN MORE BLESSED BY GOD THAN AFRICANS? PEOPLE IN THE NORDIC NATIONS LIVE HEALTHIER, LONGER LIVES THAN AFRICAN. DID GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF THESE ATHEISTIC NATIONS THAN SAY THE PEOPLE OF GHANA AND NIGERIA?
ANY MODERATELY INTELLIGENTLY PERSON WOULD KNOWS THAT BEING BORN AGAIN DOES NOT PROTECT YOU FROM POVERTY OR DISEASE. HAVE BEING BORN-AGAIN PROTECTED AFRICANS FROM THE RAVAGES OF MALARIA ?
GOD IS NOT A LIAR. IF GOD SAYS HE WOULD GIVE YOU MATERIAL WEALTH AND HEALTH , HE WOULD DO IT. BUT THAT IS NOT THE BLESSINGS GOD PROMISED US AND THAT IS WHY MANY GOOD CHRISTIANS ARE POOR AND SUFFER FROM ILLNESSES.
AS I LOOK INTO THE CHURCH IN AFRICA, IT SEEMS THE ONLY PEOPLE 'BLESSED' BY GOD ARE THE PASTORS WHO DRIVE THE LATEST CARS, LIVE IN MANSIONS AND HAVE FAT BANK ACCOUNTS.
YES, IT IS PROSPERITY GOSPEL, AND IT IS A LIE. IT IS A CON ACT BY A FEW TO MILK THE POOR. WE CANNOT PUSSYFOOT AROUND THESE PEOPLE. WE HAVE TO POINT THEM OUT AND EXPOSE THEIR GREED AND LIES. THE JONESTOWN MASSACRE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE KIDDY GLOVE AROUND THESE GREEDY PEOPLE.
Dr. J. Val-Addo, USA 9 years ago
“Servant of God”, let me take the pains one more time to quote from what I submitted in my response to yours:
“Sorry, you seem to digress and pick on many different [things] which you may have personal problem with ... read full comment
“Servant of God”, let me take the pains one more time to quote from what I submitted in my response to yours:
“Sorry, you seem to digress and pick on many different [things] which you may have personal problem with and not the Gospel based on Scripture. Let's go for a proper definition or definitions of the Gospel and its exposition from the Christian Scriptures to educate the reading public. I would be glad if you or Brother Coleman would [do] that sincerely. That's the most important and wise thing to do. When we do that we will certainly minimize the assertions, accusations, generalizations, and attacks on people we seem to have beef with.
“… we can also love and help prosperity preachers straighten up by endeavoring not to bring [in] the present Ghanaian political approach to issues into Christianity. We seem to attack everyone we disagree with. We can do better in Christianity with proper, balanced exposition about the true, whole Gospel from the Scriptures to educate rather than merely talking about issues. Scripture says we should contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. That includes "the common salvation" (Jude 3) based on the whole truth of the whole Gospel. I rest my case!”
I do not know what you want me to say further. It is clear from the foregoing that I did address the question related to the topic raised by the writer of the original article. I did not address your questions because I did not and still do not find it needful to do so since they were a digression to the matter that was being discussed. If you insist on me answering the questions you posed in this forum under someone’s article, for obvious reasons you will not get one from me. I will, however, suggest and advise you to go to a Seminary you prefer in the city you live in and talk to some professors who can relate the Bible or Theology to Development. I suggest you first find out from them before you proceed. The problem I find about some Ghanaians these days is that they think the Church deals with only religious issues and that all ministers are charlatans, milking church members. In their own thinking, Churches and their ministers have nothing to offer for the development of individuals and the nation. I find these kinds of generalizations and thinking very disturbing and as subtle ways to suppress what true Churches and their sincere, well-trained, and experienced ministers have to do to contribute to the development of people’s lives.
If you are in Accra, let me suggest you pay a visit to Trinity Theological Seminary. In Kumasi, you may consult the professors of the Theology Department of Christian Service University College. I’m not related to any of these institutions and their academic staff but I know to be very credible.
You may also request for help, through the media, from Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante of the Peace Council of Ghana or the Principal of the Mid-Ghana Bible College in Kumasi. I am sure he has a graduate degree related to development from a prestigious university in Ghana. I have personally known and interacted with these two men of God for many years and I hope they will be able to help you if are humble. The interesting thing about them is they belong to different denominations so you will not feel being put into a specific mold. Let me also assure you that they have solid background of many years of preaching the true Gospel of Christ. None of them is a “prosperity preacher” but they don’t attack prosperity preachers because they are trained to understand what civil theology is. They approach what God has called to do in a positive way through the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the rest to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Spirit.
Hope I have done my best, through this medium, to point you to some professionals close by you in Ghana who may be able to help you. Thank you.
Amoateng 9 years ago
Servant of God asked some very interesting questions that I expected you to answer, but your response is disappointing. I have read Servant of God's questions over and over and they are probing and intelligent. You did forume ... read full comment
Servant of God asked some very interesting questions that I expected you to answer, but your response is disappointing. I have read Servant of God's questions over and over and they are probing and intelligent. You did forumers a disservice by evading the questions.
Anane Nkrumah 9 years ago
Pastors Milking Their Flock
According to a recent article by Thabiti Anyabwile, in the Atlanta Black Star, while some pastors struggle to make ends meet, others make as much as 200 times more than their average congregat ... read full comment
Pastors Milking Their Flock
According to a recent article by Thabiti Anyabwile, in the Atlanta Black Star, while some pastors struggle to make ends meet, others make as much as 200 times more than their average congregation member’s salary.
In the article “Eight Black Pastors Whose Net Worth is 200 Times Greater Than Folks in Their Local Communities,” Anyabwile pointed out the net worth of these mega-rich pastors, alongside the average earnings of their church members.
The list of pastors who earn far more than they can possibly spend or are worth, include two from Nigeria, 4 from the U.S. and one from England.
David Oyedepo of Living Faith World Outreach Ministry has a net worth of $150,000,000 and Christian Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy, Lagos, Nigeria is worth $50,000,000, while the average earnings in their country is about $2 per day.
A third pastor in Nigeria, Temitope B. Joshua, of the Synagogue Church of all Nations, Lagos, has a net worth of $15,000,000, while 55% of those around him earn less than $2 per day.
Creflo Dollar tops the list in the U.S. with a net worth of $27,000,000, as compared to the average salary in the neighborhood of College Park, Georgia of $29,640. He is closely followed by T.D. Jakes of the Potter’s House, Dallas, Texas, with a net worth of $18,000,000 while his congregation earns only $56,954 on average.
Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, Georgia is the third American pastor on the list with a total net worth of $5,000,000 and a neighborhood average salary of $25,154.
Although his net worth is not listed, Charles Blake of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, South Central Los Angeles has a yearly salary of $900,000 and owns a 10,000 square foot mansion in Beverly Hills. The neighborhood average salary around his church is $27,907.
Last but by no means least, is Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Center, London, U.K. His net worth is said to be $10,000,000 but most of his home country members in Nigeria earn less than $2/day.
The long and the short of it is this, no matter what your pastor teaches you about the false doctrine of prosperity gospel or however he claims that he made his money otherwise, he has been making himself rich from your donations, according to Anyabwile.
Victor Weston 9 years ago
Now, Listen to me guys, Science and Religion is the same-thing, don't you believe that someday, someone will bring you back from the dead and process your minds in a virtual reality which is heaven, if you want I will process ... read full comment
Now, Listen to me guys, Science and Religion is the same-thing, don't you believe that someday, someone will bring you back from the dead and process your minds in a virtual reality which is heaven, if you want I will process the Unified Field Theory and Bring you back from the dead.
Donald H Lebert 9 years ago
It is equally as hard to read about those who preach a wealth related gospel as it is a gospel of one that denies the pleasures in life. Yes the things we do for the Good Lord ought to have come from our Heart and be done wit ... read full comment
It is equally as hard to read about those who preach a wealth related gospel as it is a gospel of one that denies the pleasures in life. Yes the things we do for the Good Lord ought to have come from our Heart and be done with the same joy and effort that we would do for the things that bring us pleasure of any kind. In fact they could bring us as much pleasure as the easy things. We are a Spiritual being first and foremost, we are a physical being also, so their must be a balance in our life. We must Thank the Good Lord for our Whole life. That means anything and everything that comes our way. Just as much as we would enjoy the good parts we can as well rejoice in the hard parts, giving thanks for those parts as well. The thing I have a pet peeve with is that we judge far too much. We are worried about what the other side has and how much they are getting away with when we could just love what we have and SHARE it just like they did in Christ's time. It seems that we as a people always go overboard for the wrong things where as I don't think one could go overboard for Christ or the things he stood for. Like loving no matter what. Loving ones Enemy and Praying for them. To not cast a stone because we all have sin. To Look For the Good and Praise It. It seems that a Prosperity agenda has attached itself to the whole country, in that unless you are somehow prospering you are not doing the Lord's work. When in fact it is those who are persevering under the most horrendous conditions are the ones really doing a Loving Good Job. Just a Thought.
Very enlightening! want to hear the charismatic churches counter arguments on this topic
It is very sad to read such a piece in this age where God has given insights to His people to know the truth.How many souls have u won to the Kingdom by this message. You don't just understand what you are unmasking brother.D ...
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????!What do you mean by that remark?
PAYING TITHE IS SINFUL AND UNBIBLICAL
I must confess that I used to teach and preach tithing, but I did it out of ignorance, because that was what I was taught by my teachers, but now I know better and I don't do it anymor ...
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The Prosperity Gospel has replaced the shield of faith with some 'magic' wand' forgetting the reason why it must be a shield; that flaming arrows are going to come at us! Whether the weather is fair or otherwise, the Christia ...
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if u are worshiping God and u r still poor, u r not worshiping right. God want you be rich, poverty is not of God. Wealth and health if from God. Poverty is from the devil.
A word in season I pray we have ears to hear!
Otabil is blessed by God. Duncan-Williams is blessed by God. God loves riches. God wants u to live good and have all the material blessings- expensive cars, nice clothes, mansions and all.
Fantastic peace. I think pastors of today are missing the point.
Well written! Thanks! The biggest thing God wants to heal is our hearts. If we trust in the Lord, he is faithful and true, in good times and in our challenges. Among believers, in just one person, he may work signs and wond ...
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Brother Robert, I sincerely thank and praise God for you. The Gospel of Christ,(one of salvation)has been turned upside down by half-baked evangelists and deceitful preachers (the Bible warn us about these in the last days) ...
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Thanks brother and I pray that God continue to use you to unmask this charlatans who have by their messages made millions poor and enrich themselves. Through the pulpit, they have become business tycoons all of a sudden whils ...
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Bro. Coleman, thank you for emphasizing this aspect of the Gospel message. Indeed, this understanding builds godly character into believers. HOWEVER, this is only one side of the Gospel message. The full gospel out of the Abr ...
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I know that the Full Gospel is repentance from sin and righteous living; And it ALSO promises physical, financial and material help from the God of our salvation.
WHY IS IT THAT AFRICANS WHO ARE MORE CHRISTIAN THAN EUROPEA ...
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Look at the riches people in the world and look at the poorest people in the world. Look at the longest living nations in the world.
There is no logical evidence that those who worship God are blessed with wealth and health. ...
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what u said is true .the problem is those who preach this kind of preaching, are they really a Christians? Because when we study on a biblical Christian n how two become a true Christian we will all be free from these lies a ...
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Brother Coleman, I thought the piece was written by Dr. Robert Coleman, a distinguished professor of Evangelism in a US Seminary whom I met in Amsterdam 86, organized by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
The name Rob ...
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BRO COLEMAN EXPOSED THE LIE AND MANIPULATION OF MANY PASTORS TODAY. I REALLY RESPECT HIM FOR THAT. BEING A CHRISTIAN IS NOT ABOUT RICHES AND WEALTH. MANY HAVE BEEN DISILLUSIONED BECAUSE OF THIS BOGUS TEACHING.
ARE THE PEOP ...
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Sorry, "Servant of God", real truth doesn't hurt me a bit. I love and I am only convinced by a properly referenced truth and nothing else. Please, let's try not to get personal here but be civil which is part of Christianity ...
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Dr. Val-Addo, can you please address the questions posed here:
ARE THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN MORE BLESSED BY GOD THAN AFRICANS? PEOPLE IN THE NORDIC NATIONS LIVE HEALTHIER, LONGER LIVES THAN AFRICAN. DID GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE ...
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“Servant of God”, let me take the pains one more time to quote from what I submitted in my response to yours:
“Sorry, you seem to digress and pick on many different [things] which you may have personal problem with ...
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Servant of God asked some very interesting questions that I expected you to answer, but your response is disappointing. I have read Servant of God's questions over and over and they are probing and intelligent. You did forume ...
read full comment
Pastors Milking Their Flock
According to a recent article by Thabiti Anyabwile, in the Atlanta Black Star, while some pastors struggle to make ends meet, others make as much as 200 times more than their average congregat ...
read full comment
Now, Listen to me guys, Science and Religion is the same-thing, don't you believe that someday, someone will bring you back from the dead and process your minds in a virtual reality which is heaven, if you want I will process ...
read full comment
It is equally as hard to read about those who preach a wealth related gospel as it is a gospel of one that denies the pleasures in life. Yes the things we do for the Good Lord ought to have come from our Heart and be done wit ...
read full comment