• Kenneth Copeland
• Creflo Dollar
• Jerry Savelle
• Benny Hinn
• John Hagee
• Marilyn Hickey
• Jesse Duplantis
• Word of Faith: Where they all come from…
• Creflo Dollar
• Jerry Savelle
• Benny Hinn
• John Hagee
• Marilyn Hickey
• Jesse Duplantis
• Word of Faith: Where they all come from…
Here’s smiling Richard Roberts on Tulsa Local News at 6:00 AM this morning. He claims that the "notes" on his sister-in-law’s computer have been altered. He says that the late night text messages are to/from youngsters in trouble that they minister to. There’s just nothing wrong at O.R.U. at all, just a lot of things blown out of proportion and distorted. Whether he’s telling the truth or lying through his teeth, he has that beautific fixed smile such people always seem to have. Watching him, I couldn’t tell you if he’s a Martyred Saint or an Ax Murderer. If you want to read something amazing, look at the Word of Faith piece in Wikipedia. It is a truly remarkable bit of rationalization and entrepreneurship, truly remarkable. Some examples:
- "According to adherents, sickness is an attempt by Satan to rob believers of their divine right to total health."
- "It is often taught by Word-Faith proponents that Jesus and the apostles were rich, and therefore that believers should expect the same financial success. Supporters such as Kenneth Copeland have argued that Prosperity Gospel is validated by the teachings of the Apostle John: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." Copeland posits that “as the seeds of prosperity are planted in your mind, in your will and in your emotions…they eventually produce a great financial harvest."
In this last part, the operative buzz-word is "seeds." In practice, a "seed" is money you give to these ministries, the idea being that you then "reap" financial rewards. They all have "partners" which is the same deal – something like pre-paid miracles. So all this talk of Jesus and the Apostles being rich and the Prosperity Gospel has a point – "give us money, and God will reward you". Embedded throughout these web sites are testimonials of great financial rewards that came from "planting a seed." Why giving money to a specific ministry will result is getting a miracle back is simply never mentioned…
An example page [from Marylin Hickey’s web site]:
Faith Reports Update for October
• Your Keys to More Miracles book really ministered to my spirit—I really needed that! I thank God for your ministry and the prayer covering you provide your partners every day. I know that even if I don’t get to watch Today with Marilyn & Sarah on a regular basis, I am covered by you in prayer! Mattie
• I was believing and praying for a new job. During this time, I received a prayer package from Marilyn. I sent it back with my prayer request for this new job. Praise the Lord, I got one! It is the best job I’ve ever had, it pays more money, and I have less stress than I have had in my 25-year career. Monica
• During one of Marilyn and Sarah’s recent Bible encounters, my wife and I brought our three-year-old grandson believing for his healing from a terrible skin condition he was born with. Early in the service, Marilyn said she received a word that someone in the audience was suffering from a terrible skin disease and that it would be healed by morning. We didn’t know if that word was for our grandson or someone else. We took him through the prayer line—and I am thrilled to report that his skin is completely normal and is as smooth as any child’s skin can be! Bill
• I thank God for your awesome Prayer Center warriors. Many times I have called in with requests and my prayers have been answered almost immediately. One time I called and asked for prayer for a $5,000 raise and I received a salary increase of exactly $5,000. Everything from financial blessings to job needs have been answered, and I am blessed beyond measure! Karen
Reports from Our Partners• Several months ago Sylvia called for favor in selling their house. They ended up selling the house within one week after the prayer and Sylvia noted that it sold for $ 136.00 over the asking price. She was delighted and gave God all the glory. Sylvia
• Lavenia called last Friday praying for work for her husband. She called back on Tuesday to report that he had been offered the position that he had been trying to get for some time. Lavenia
• Muriel called to sow a seed on her mother’s behalf when her mother was in a coma. She sowed the seed and didn’t even ask for prayer. Within a very short time her mother came out of the coma. Muriel
• She faithfully reads and follows all the letters she gets in the mail. She meditates on all the scriptures and as a result, her finances have been very blessed. Yolanda
Thus we have it – something of a mass bilko scheme that apparently brings in millions…
Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize is just too ironic for me to not to note. If the Nobel committee had a prize for war George W Bush would win hands down. I wonder if there are any Supreme Court justices crying on the inside for what they helped Bush do with the power they handed him in 2000.
You know, if this whole seed scheme were real how much of a “seed” would it take to make my prayers come true that predators like them to go away? Priceless, right? Or maybe it would just take the actions of a few people in the know to break this whole thing wide open.
Since when did “seed” equal money? I’ld like to have some money “seeds”…….I do get veggies from seeds though!!