On one hand this is some masterful marketing. Not a bad idea to deflect criticism about Perry Noble's nutty tithing teachings by making a parody video and a series based on the church just wanting your money. Truth is the problem with Perry is not that they "just want your money"...it is the ridiculous teachings that Perry uses to convince Christians that if they want God's blessings - in fact if they want to avoid a CURSE from God himself - they must give 10% of their money to Perry's church.
And really, that is NOT funny. So NewSpring church members - there really is nothing humorous about what Perry is going to teach you. It is not something to make light of. If you actually believe what Perry will teach you about tithing and you follow his teaching on "redeeming" your income, that 10% of your income is required, etc. etc., it can do much harm to you and your family.
Perry addressed his new sermon series here at his blog, and the Christian Post wrote an article about the series here. They both miss the point about Perry's teachings on money - it is not that Perry teaches ABOUT money or that he enjoys taking an offering - it is WHAT Perry teaches about money that is noteworthy. His latest nonsense I wrote about here, where Perry linked non-tithers to Judas betraying Jesus by saying,
and
Perry will stop at nothing to convince his church members that they MUST give 10% of their gross income to his church or they will be cursed by God.
Bottom line: Perry really is his own parody. To study Perry's teaching on money is itself a lampoon of church finances. Go here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here and you'll see what I mean. Or just type in "Perry Noble" in the Watchdog search, and you'll see even more.
And really, that is NOT funny. So NewSpring church members - there really is nothing humorous about what Perry is going to teach you. It is not something to make light of. If you actually believe what Perry will teach you about tithing and you follow his teaching on "redeeming" your income, that 10% of your income is required, etc. etc., it can do much harm to you and your family.
Perry addressed his new sermon series here at his blog, and the Christian Post wrote an article about the series here. They both miss the point about Perry's teachings on money - it is not that Perry teaches ABOUT money or that he enjoys taking an offering - it is WHAT Perry teaches about money that is noteworthy. His latest nonsense I wrote about here, where Perry linked non-tithers to Judas betraying Jesus by saying,
"Technically, Judas betrayed Jesus over tithe money."
and
"When it comes to your finances, they are either blessed by God, or cursed by God, there is no middle ground..."
Perry will stop at nothing to convince his church members that they MUST give 10% of their gross income to his church or they will be cursed by God.
Bottom line: Perry really is his own parody. To study Perry's teaching on money is itself a lampoon of church finances. Go here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here and you'll see what I mean. Or just type in "Perry Noble" in the Watchdog search, and you'll see even more.
So the Watchdog is at the ready to examine Perry's parody series of his own silliness when it comes to finances.
This may just have the opposite results
ReplyDeleteDear Dog,
ReplyDeleteI really feel sorry for the folks in the mega churches who are subject to this Biblical untruth and manipulation. Many of the pastors you have written about are SBC church pastors. Their churches are probably not giving much to the CP or the missions offerings. They seem to have the feeling (arrogance) they can do so much better with the church's money.
How sad that churches have resorted to such demonic theology to keep the money just rollin' in so the pastors can live the high, "good life." I wonder if the staff of the church gets the kind of money the pastor gets. I doubt it.
There are a lot of Christians in this era who either are brainwashed to believe whatever the pastor, big church or little church, says, or they are just plain stupid to believe the "man of gawd."
Maybe the doughnut-man preacher will be visiting that church soon.
So sad, so stupid.
I go to a large SBC that thankfully doesn't do any of the kinds of things mentioned on this website. Nevertheless, many friends in my church speak so much stuff about TV "prosperity" preachers while filling their Facebook walls with quotes from the likes of Noble, Furtik, Driscoll, etc.
ReplyDeleteThey are basically doing the same thing in albeit a more subtle manner.
That video is the most real thing I've seen in a long time. They may have meant it as a parody, but they nailed it. Well, maybe not the x-ray vision contact lens (only because it doesn't exist), but even without that you can bet they size up potential giving units. Probably throw money around like confetti occasionally, too. Or at least want to.
ReplyDeleteTruth in advertising.
ReplyDeleteI've listened to, and watched for over 35 yrs. the damage this kind of demonic teaching has done to the most vulnerable of the children of God; the poor, elderly, and disabled. Those who they target the most. I long to see the day when the Lord Jesus will finally say "enough", and put a stop to this preaching from hell.
ReplyDeleteIf a person in the pew is giving their money with a pure heart to the Lord through the church and like what the church is offering them in ministry, discipleship, opportunity to serve or observe what is really the big deal.
ReplyDeleteIf a church member is fine with the pastor making big bucks and continue to give to support that, is it really a big deal?
If a church member was raised on tithing as taught by many of those mega church pastors in the preceding decades, were those men evil?
If a church member doesn't care about the transparency of the finances (maybe because they have sen to many fights in the church over such things) but have decided to trust the Lord for the end result, is that such a big deal?
Not everyone who teaches tithing is evil. Not everyone who gives their tithe because the see it as biblical are evil.
Not every big church who keeps the topic of money coming in before the people is evil.
Not every pastor making big bucks is evil.
Not every pastor who makes a parody video is evil.
Maybe it is fun to look for evil under every rock we don't like.
Maybe it is fun to call people dumb sheep... suckers... evil... satanic...
Hey, September 18, 2014 at 3:00 AM. What is your point. No one here has ever claimed that "every pastor that..." does so and so is evil.
ReplyDeleteThe issue is quite simple. The ones that do are either liars and manipulators that use their position to increase revenue by teaching a lie...OR they are sincere and really believe this, which means they are willfully ignorant and negligent in their duties.
The biggest problem, from a practical standpoint is, that the younger generation is leaving the church in droves because they can see that it is a revenue based business. These young people choose to serve elsewhere and give elsewhere where they can truly make a difference in the world and help others. It used to be learning about Jesus in a church was a catalyst for this. Now the opposite is true. Learning about Jesus merely tends to encourage them to give and serve at or through the local Christian social club. Which is very, very expensive if you do what you are told. And for what? The poor and needy still must turn to and rely on government assistance, not the church. That is why it is a big deal. And those like you that don't get it and don't seem concerned just because "not everyone is evil" are enabling them.
“Not everyone who teaches tithing is evil.”
ReplyDeleteTrue and no one here has said that “everyone” who teaches tithing is “evil.” What we have tried to say is that they are mistaken and a right and proper study of scripture will lead to a simple conclusion, Christians are under no compulsion or directive to give ten percent. Christians have two directives from scripture; give as God leads and to do so cheerfully because God loves a cheerful giver.
“Not everyone who gives their tithe because the(y) see it as biblical are (is) evil.”
Again we agree. Christians are under no compulsion or directive from scripture to give ten percent. Christians have two directives; give as God leads and to do so cheerfully because God loves a cheerful giver.
“Not every big church who keeps the topic of money coming in before the people is evil.”
Well on this I have to disagree because 1 Timothy 6:10: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
“Not every pastor making big bucks is evil.”
I think that depends on how you define “big bucks.” $70,000, $100,000, $150,000 a $1,000,000. What constitutes “big bucks?”
“Not every pastor who makes a parody video is evil.”
Don’t know. Sarcasm and cynicism are indicative of an angry person. Do you really want an angry person as your pastor?
“If a person in the pew is giving their money with a pure heart to the Lord through the church and like what the church is offering them in ministry, discipleship, opportunity to serve or observe what is really the big deal.”
ReplyDeleteAnd therein you lay bare the great fallacy of the modern church. My money and my membership are determined by “what the church is offering them in ministry.”
“If a church member is fine with the pastor making big bucks and continue to give to support that, is it really a big deal?”
A man called to be pastor chooses to live life as a shepherd not a king. A shepherd must live in the same field as his flock. He cannot live in a palace. He has to be with the flock he cannot live behind high walls and take care of his flock.
“If a church member was raised on tithing as taught by many of those mega church pastors in the preceding decades, were those men evil?”
Over the centuries the church has raised and taught members devotion to the king as God’s representative on earth, you must be a member of the Holy Roman Catholic church to be a true member of the church, the Pope is infallible, not to mention teaching on slavery, wife beating, persecution of the Jews and on and on. So you decide. Were they wrong? Were they “evil”?
“If a church member doesn't care about the transparency of the finances (maybe because they have sen (seen) to (too) many fights in the church over such things) but have (has) decided to trust the Lord for the end result, is that such a big deal?”
Well I guess “if a church member doesn’t care” is a perfect descriptor. My personal opinion is that the church should lead the world when it comes to financial accountability and transparency. Instead most churches lag far behind worldly not-for-profits with regard to accountability. I cannot remember but I believe there is a scripture that some kind soul will tell me about a Christian living in such a way the world cannot accuse them of wrong doing.
I'm pretty sure that the Nazis and Stalin employed this particular tactic also. Ridicule your critics claims as ridiculous with hyperbole, then do the very thing your critics accuse you of
ReplyDeleteAlethia - PLEASE send me a private email so we may correspond! Thanks!!
ReplyDelete- And therein you lay bare the great fallacy of the modern church. My money and my membership are determined by “what the church is offering them in ministry.”
ReplyDelete* Interesting that you left out the the part about giving to the Lord with a pure heart. That term which was used to designate the motive.
- 1: A man called to be pastor chooses to live life as a shepherd not a king. 2: A shepherd must live in the same field as his flock. 3: He cannot live in a palace. 4: He has to be with the flock he cannot live behind high walls and take care of his flock.
* 1 - I am not sure you can find biblical support for this. You can interpret things to make it say this to you but I am not sure that wold be the only interpretation.
2 - But what if the sheep live in many different fields?
3 - Who gets to define what a palace is?
4 - What if some of the flock, widely distributed to many fields, live behind those walls?
- Over the centuries the church has raised and taught members devotion to the king as God’s representative on earth, you must be a member of the Holy Roman Catholic church to be a true member of the church, the Pope is infallible, not to mention teaching on slavery, wife beating, persecution of the Jews and on and on. So you decide. Were they wrong? Were they “evil”?
* I don't think bringing up ancient history and trying to make it a case against current pastors who live in a way you disagree with makes sense. Can you name me one modern pastor who is teaching on slavery? Wife beating? Persecution of the Jews? on and on?
- Well I guess “if a church member doesn’t care” is a perfect descriptor. My personal opinion is that the church should lead the world when it comes to financial accountability and transparency. Instead most churches lag far behind worldly not-for-profits with regard to accountability. I cannot remember but I believe there is a scripture that some kind soul will tell me about a Christian living in such a way the world cannot accuse them of wrong doing.
* Again you leave out the crucial factor of the comment. They choose to trust the Lord. Context is important, or should be.
Looks like after all these years one tradition remains constant in Anybody's Baptist Church in Sept/Oct ----- Money.
ReplyDelete* 1 - I am not sure you can find biblical support for this. You can interpret things to make it say this to you but I am not sure that wold be the only interpretation.
ReplyDeleteJohn 21:15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." 16He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.…
How do you interpret the above?
2 - But what if the sheep live in many different fields?
Then he is a trespasser on another shepherd’s flock. He needs to stay in his own field.
3 - Who gets to define what a palace is?
In the context of writing an opinion on a blog, I do. How do you define a “palace?”
4 - What if some of the flock, widely distributed to many fields, live behind those walls?
Your question is self-contradictory
* I don't think bringing up ancient history and trying to make it a case against current pastors who live in a way you disagree with makes sense. Can you name me one modern pastor who is teaching on slavery? Wife beating? Persecution of the Jews? on and on?
Since I have heard all of this preached within my lifetime, this is not so ancient history and yes I can.
Can you name one person with a “pure heart?”
- How do you interpret the above?
ReplyDelete* I see a Shepherd King telling His followers how to live their lives like He has demonstrated. The teaching is not about economically living like a shepherd.
- Then he is a trespasser on another shepherd’s flock. He needs to stay in his own field.
* I think you missed the big picture. Big and small churches have people living all over the city. The field of the church is no longer centralized to a specific location. It is possible some sheep live behind the gates where the shepherd lives.
- In the context of writing an opinion on a blog, I do. How do you define a “palace?”
Since palace was not my term, I will let the person who chose it to give that answer. Or, how would you define it?
- Your question is self-contradictory
* I do not think so. Your response is avoiding the reality that in today's society the sheep in a church live in many places within the city. If you want to make this comment about where the pastor lives vs sheep in a field, then geographical location must be brought into the discussion.
- Since I have heard all of this preached within my lifetime, this is not so ancient history and yes I can.
* In context of your comment you mentioned centuries and the Pope, neither of which are current to Baptist life. I have no idea why you wanted to compare the historical narrative of the RCC to modern day baptist churches. Your point is lost.
- Can you name one person with a “pure heart?”
* I would imagine you have had a pure heart in making decisions to live and behave righteously for Christ. Since he comment on pure heart was about making a certain decision on tithing, I think it would be safe to say many people have given unto the Lord with a pure heart.
It can be done Psalm 51:10, Matthew 5:8. In the Matthew passage we must agree that this can be done because Christ said there are those among us who have or can have a pure heart. I think it could be said, we have sat in the pews with those saints who have a pure heart.
I just read Noble's blog on the sermon series. What I find interesting is what he compares church to.
ReplyDeleteHe basically compares church to a college football game, a concert, Starbucks, Apple, Target, and American Girl. All of these are business ventures.
I'm sure that Noble wants his sheep to be as wild as a college football game. He's already shown that his "worship" efforts are like a concert. And he runs his church like many modern pastors do - as a business.
He's the CEO and he has to create a brand so that he can sell his product (Jesus). If the product doesn't sell, he changes it to fit what his consumers (seekers) want so that they'll buy it. This means that his "sermons" are basically 30 minute infomercials for his version of Jesus/Christianity.
Sadly, this is becoming the norm and the consumers are eating it up...
Interesting reply to my asking you to name one person with a pure heart and you could not do it. Instead there is some vague argument about people and pews and tithing. Please understand I really am not trying to mock or make fun of you but your answer is all too typical of us. Because, my friend, the one person with a pure heart is Jesus. There is no one else. But like so much in the modern church with our I-mags, wifi, rock bands, coffee shops, etc., Jesus is missing. And before you saying anything, I am guilty, too.
ReplyDeleteI named you. I referenced scripture where Jesus supports and speaks to the fact that there are those among who have a pure heart.
ReplyDeleteSure I could mention names but you would not know any of them.That snot the issue. The fact is - Jesus says those with a pure heart are blessed. If that is something that cannot be obtained, why did Jesus speak of it? Do we get to pick and choose which of the beatitudes are capable of being lived out?
If I write here with the foundation that my heart is wicked, that is what you will get. If I write here with full intentions to use words which honor God, is that not doing what I do with a pure heart?
Is not a pure heart, at least to some extent, about the motive behind what we do?
If this is something that is not achievable then we are all just wasting time trying to correct others when we, by your admission, cannot have a pure heart in that which we do.
Are we just one dirty rag telling another dirty rag they are dirty?
Uh, nobody has a pure heart, as you're demonstrating by your attempts to defend Noble, his false teaching, and his celebration of himself.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I am not defending Noble. I mentioned those who give with a pure heart. That has escalated to this point.
ReplyDeleteIn the beatitudes was Jesus giving false hope, speaking of the unattainable (Matthew 5:8)? Will those who lack a pure heart, not see God?
The position that no one but Christ has a pure heart doesn't argue against my point but Christs.
Psalm 24:3-6 tells us the conditions of a pure heart.
Obtainable - yes
Often found - probably not
"Do we get to pick and choose which of the beatitudes are capable of being lived out?"
ReplyDeleteNo - you can't live out any of them. That's why we need a savior.
As this year is the Shemitah, it will be interesting to see if the issue of tithing is dropped from the pulpits.
ReplyDeleteOK this story has run it's course. Next! What is ol Ergun up to?
ReplyDeleteGee, here it is, 26 days after the last comment from the latest entry from WD...and nothing new to report on. On the one hand, I truly do hope nothing is physically wrong with you, Mr. Rich, but if there is, I hope you get better. However, if your silence is due to nothing of interest or importance going on in the "wretched" mega-churches, no new "scandalous" musings or activity, then maybe the silence is a good thing that should teach us all to guard our tongues and put up barriers to prideful, hurtful criticisms (even if we're RIGHT!) that only damage one another and, more importantly, gives the world opportunity to make mockery of our Lord. Just something to consider, Tom.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
A friend and brother-in-the-Lord
Thanks for checking in, "friend". I'm doing very well, thanks. Just not a lot to write about. You can be sure I'll continue to write as long as I care about the state of modern Christianity. If I don't care, I'll stop writing.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, this blog does not give the world an opportunity to make a mockery of our Lord - rather it is the pastors and the topics on which I write that have already done that, and that is why I blog.
And if you are a friend as you claim, feel free to contact me via email or Facebook with your name. :)
..." this blog does not give the world an opportunity to make a mockery of our Lord - rather it is the pastors and the topics on which I write that have already done that, and that is why I blog." Really, Mr. Rich? How can you deny your role in bringing to light (to ANYONE in cyberspace) these stories you choose to comment on? Are you that naive to think that it is only Christians who read your blog? The whole world is FULL of people, lost people, just looking for opportunities to trash the people of God and YOU, sir, help them along by giving them a forum in which to do that. I cannot believe that you do not see that as you are just as culpable as the pastors who "screw up" because you "put it out there" on the internet. You may write about some pastor/leader in Georgia but someone who lives in Utah or Ontario or New Delhi will read it and then use it to trash Christianity and the name of God as well as the work that some missionary might be doing in those parts of the world. And you honestly believe that your hands are clean of this? God help you, man!
ReplyDelete-- "Do we get to pick and choose which of the beatitudes are capable of being lived out?"
ReplyDelete**Why would you say this? I mentioned one because it dealt directly with the subject at hand.
-- No - you can't live out any of them. That's why we need a savior.
** When did I take Jesus out of the equation. I was speaking of believers, as I thought that was the idea of those who would have a pure heart.
You are reaching to make a point that has already been made.
As a believer, I can have a pure heart. As one who loved God, David asked for a pure heart. Not because it was unobtainable but because it was.
Your turn. If you need to throw a gotcha out there because I did not state directly that I was referring to believers who could possess a pure heart, then have at it. If you need to win the conversation, I'll let you have it. My heart is fine and my conscience is clear.
Anonymous (1:57 a.m.)
ReplyDeleteEph 5:3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints...
Eph 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them
When the sheep are being led into false and dangerous situations, a good Shepherd/pastor/Christian will protect and warn them by exposing the danger.
"My heart is fine and my conscience is clear."
ReplyDeleteThe Bible says otherwise:
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Self-righteous statements like this show a person who is far from God.
When the prophet Isaiah saw a glimpse of the holiness of God, he came apart at the seams.
"Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
Anonymous 2:24 p.m.
ReplyDeleteThe New Covenant is written on the heart and we become new creatures. That old deceitful heart does not apply to the new creature. Even Jesus said those with a pure heart are blessed.
Rom 2:15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them...
When a believer says their heart is fine and conscience clear, he is doing so because of the cross and he knows there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
He is testifying to the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.
Victorious,
ReplyDeleteYou are lined up with the Word in your comment. Well stated.
“What must the lost think?” is always the incriminating question people throw at us whenever we question the absolute authority of those who call themselves, “Called by God.”
ReplyDeleteIndeed, what must they think? Well, my experience is that they pretty much think that we are no different than any other cult or religion, especially when we shun those brothers and sisters who disagree with our point of view.
However, it is when we set aside our differences in love and worship the true and living God, Lord Jesus that we demonstrate the hope that lives in us.
There will always be differences, that’s a given. How often do you have differences with your spouse? Does that mean you are not married or that you don’t love each other?
How does the world know that we are believers? Is it because we march in lock step with each other blindly following behind some leader?
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Indeed, what must the lost think when we support men who live fabulously affluent lifestyles while extorting money from people by threatening them with the wrath of a Holy God if they do not pay the appropriate amount of tribute? How does it make the one true God any different from the gods of this world?
Do you not know what the gods of this world are like, they are like, “Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary.”
Contrast this with Jesus whose, “…yoke is easy and his burden is light.”
What's even more amusing is that one of the pastors at Church(Circus) of the Glades plagiarized Noble's tithing sermon. Listen to yesterday's Fighting for the Faith.
ReplyDeleteCould we get a little clean up help at Brewton Parker in the area of the baseball field and East of the soccer field.
ReplyDeleteWe had a guest team in from Glen County for a scrimmage game. Trash was poring from the dumpsters. The grass needs cutting East of the soccer field. The trash scattered around the grounds in that area would make a nicer presentation if it was removed.
Thanks
WD,
ReplyDeleteSurprised that you haven't yet addressed the recent happenings to the following story and this article has good things to learn from the incident:
http://www.churchpastor.com/2014/11/7-things-churches-can-learn-mark-driscoll-mars-hill-fallout/?utm_source=Church%20Pastor%20Daily%20-%20ChurchPastor.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11/07/2014