Over the last few days I have been led to read more of the harms of the prosperity gospel and its effects on ordinary Christians like you and me. I don’t specifically look out for these accounts, but I believe God has led me to read them and warn others.
Some are really heart-wrenching accounts where families have lost loved ones and almost everything they owned. In the end, I can only conclude that the prosperity gospel not only takes away all that one has materially and turn one’s life on its head, but, more dangerously, it can also take away lives of those who trust in the falsehoods!
In one such instance that is very well-documented, let me share with you the account from the Parker family.
I came across the Parker family’s blog after reading a comment left by Kristy Beach at My Footsteps in the River of Time, a blog that I visit often. What was also interesting was that the comment was written 14 February, a day after I made the post on False Teachers.
The Parker family’s blog has an accompanying photo album here.
Before you head off to the blog, let me give you a short summary of the testimony that Kristy wrote regarding the prosperity gospel and how it has torn her family to pieces:
- The Parker family lived in a small country town, and started listening to the 30-minute Sunday worship broadcasts from Kenneth Copeland’s Ministry (KCM) that were beamed by a local broadcast station.
- Bonnie Parker, the mother of the family, began believing in the prosperity gospel preached by KCM.
- Over a ten-year period, Bonnie Parker gave and gave to the ministry “believing in their misleading testimonies of health and wealth” after hearing numerous “miraculous healing confessions, and newly found wealth testimonies…”
- In the end Bonnie’s belief in the false promises of KCM cost her her life when she refused treatment for her cancer.
Now, before you believers in the prosperity gospel start accusing Bonnie of her lack in faith, or berating me for judging and accusing such teachers, go read the blog and see just how much devastation these false teachings is wrecking on countless others like the Parker family around the world!
Finally, I just want to share just how true what Kristy wrote on their blog is regarding the prosperity gospel. In one of her many letters to Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, she wrote
Before knowledge of, KCM, BVOV, GLORIA’S HEALING SCHOOL, and EMIC, our lives were simple, and complete. Before BVOV, faith had no mathematical values, you was never told you had to little, or to much. Before BVOV, sickness was not blamed on lack of faith, nor finances. Before BVOV, rewording, or falsifying bible verses, well, before our knowledge of prosperity gospel (materialistic Christian belief: the doctrine taught in some Christian groups that God will grant wishes to the faithful, especially those wishes involving material wealth .Encarta ® World English Dictionary), this act was unheard of, tithes received during collection were used for the upkeep of our church, parsonage, cemetery, and exedra, the exedra was legit. Before BVOV, I had a mother, faith, finances, piece, and a belief in God I never questioned for there was no reason to. My personal thanks goes out to both you and Gloria, prosperity gospel truly is a life changing experience!
In another letter to the Copelands, Christian, the 9-year-old grand-daughter of Bonnie, said:
Dear Kenneth and Gloria Copeland,
If you don’t all ready know me I’m Christian Beach granddaughter of Bonnie Parker. The girl who had to watch her grandmother go threw so much pain for her trust in god through you. You didn’t help her by telling her not to go to the doctor. No you told her that the doctor was the work of the devil. Yes I remember some of the stuff from your shows and CD’s. My grandmother would put so much of her money in to checks and some as just cash, so much in fact that I can’t even recall exact amounts. How exactly much does your healing cost, because my grandmother paid with her money and her life? I watch your shows, listened to your CD’s at the same time watched my grandmother slowly and painfully be killed by your word not God’s word your word!!! You can do what you want and say what you want but you can never be forgiven by me or my family for what you did to us. Don’t want the money she sent you back. I just want you to feel the pain that I have felt day after day since she died. How does it make you feel to take a nine year olds grandmother from her? Now the next time you are taking money out of letters and not even reading the at all, think of what you have done to our family by not reading my grandmothers!!!
I didn’t have a dry eye after reading through the blog. Since then, I have sent the family an email of encouragement and my prayers for them and countless others that these false teachers be brought to account for their evil deeds.
Remember: there are countless thousands out there in the same dire circumstances or probably even worse off. As Christians, we do well to warn and help them turn away from this falsehood to return to the true Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that gives us true joy and peace.
Shalom Aleichem.
Photo “Real Tears” by Paul Moody.
Tags: Cancer, Danger, Falsehood, Joy, Kenneth Copeland, Peace, Prayer, Prosperity gospel, Warnings
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Isaiah I was really moved by those letters and your post. Really, I must thank God for opening my eyes to the danger of this prosperity message. This is really dangerous.
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How sad but for some reason, I really feel that God is going to begin to expose these teachers and their folly a he has started to do, especially last year with Paula White, Juanita Bynum and now Jamal Harrison Bryant.
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Oh my gosh!!! That’s awful! What a travesty!!! I read the stories and saw the photos of Bonnie and it just killed me! I sent an encouraging letter to sis. I’ve always known that the prosperity doctrine was a doctrine of the devil but it hits harder when you actually read a story of a life lost like this. And the photos!! That poor woman!
Those wolves will be judged severely some Day!!!
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Isaiah,
Thank you for trooping on! While my own personal history doesn’t involve the prosperity gospel, it does involve false teachers, doctrines and all the consequences involved. I have personally witnessed the devastation it (false teaching/teachers) causes. My heart goes out to the Parkers!
I am absolutely dogmatic in questioning the motives/doctrines of anyone claiming to be a teacher of the Word, based on my own personal experiences and the testimonies of others, but more importantly based on the Word itself. 1 John 4:1-2 ; 1 John 2:27
We all, as Believers of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, need to develop a love and commitment to truth, not our own, or how we would prefer it to be, but God’s truth, as He so desires, we should worship Him “in spirit and in truth”. John 4:23-24
With that, you can darn well be sure I’m not going to (any more) place my salvation/beliefs on the “mouth of man”, but on the guidance of the Spirit as all things (truth) are taught! (1 John 2:27)
From one former (WCG) “cult member”, thank you for being a truth lover!
Shalom
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I just now realized that my previous comment may seem as if I am placing blame on those deceived by false teachers. I truly apologize if it gives that impression!
My comment stems from disgust at such professed teachers who teach their own doctrine, and then blame their victims for a “multitude of sins”. The Parker’s story touches my heart, because I have seen and experienced the devastation it causes.
World Wide Church of God lead by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_W._Armstrong ) was the church and doctrine I had to over come.In any event, I am further motivated and emboldened to expose and talk about these prosperity gospel teachers and I pray that those reading the Parker’s testimony will do the same.
God Speed…
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It is incredibly sad how many have believed in a gospel which wasn’t the true gospel after all. This is a great example for believers who may get caught up in this… be discerning. If it contradicts the gospel, then it is false. Plain and simple. Copeland, Hinn and his ilk are false teachers and prophets.
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Carol:
I gave up, truth sometimes is hard but it is good to show me the deceptions that I have been believing in. Pray for me, I am searching the scriptures and conducting a bible study to see and experience the Truth for myself. Thanks. -
Aaron,
I wasn’t sure where you stood on this issue but I’m glad you were willing to talk to Isaiah about this. I’m also very glad that you’re searching this out for yourself. That is what we are supposed to do. Also think about this…would the Lord or His disciples teach anything that could be harmful, even fatal to someone? God’s truths are pure and good. God Himself IS truth and cannot be separated so to say that he teaches this awful doctrine is to assassinate His very character! Even an unregenerate person could see that something is wrong when a sickly old woman gives her money to a ministry while she withers away and dies is not right. The prosperity doctrine appeals to our flesh. They give with an expectancy of monetary return and God will not honor us if we give that way because the motivation is wrong. Not only did this woman lose her life because of this, but towards the end, she questioned her faith. God is not going to teach us something that would cause us to question our faith and possibly turn away from Him. Truth does not do that!
These wolves prey on the weak, on those who don’t know their scriptures and they use Jesus as their pitch.
Hannah,
Amen to everything you said!!
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Carol:
I think Aaron has a change of heart about the subject (or at least moving there), and for that we should rejoice. Reserve the rebukes for those who are stubbornly unrepentant, and who claim that they are “bible teachers” but clearly are not qualified to be one =)
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Aaron,
For the record, I was not rebuking you. I’m trying to give you other angles in which to think about this since you are still researching this. (that’s why I said “Also think about this”)
Thanks Daniel -
It’s hard to communicate in the blogging atmosphere without other communication clues such as body language, facial expressions, tone of voice etc.
I’m rejoicing for the Glory of God, because whatever conclusions Aaron is led to, God’s truth has prevailed. Something positive came from all the negativity and confusion the Devil had bestowed upon this blog! Let’s remember that.
Isaiah, one thing I’ve learned in my walk with Him, is that during times of disagreement and contention between those who you thought were your friends/family, it is really God “moving and shaking” in your life. There were people in my life that were holding me back spiritually that I needed to get “rid” of.
“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” — Matthew 10:34-35
Let’s all give Praise Honor and Glory to the God whose wisdom and knowledge far surpasses our own for all things work according to His purpose!
“And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
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Isaiah,
I put a link to this post, in mine. When you have a moment, please stop by and tell me what you think.
http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2008/02/stuff-false-doctrines-are-made-of.html
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That truly is sad how preachers get so caught up with their ministries, that they fail to give attention to people.
I have a friend of mine who has a worldwide ministry. He tells me that he receives thousands upon thousand mails every week asking for prayer. And since it is inhuman for him to check and reply to all mails, he has a huge team of prayer warriors that take time to read each mail and reply personally and send them free magazines. I am always touched by such sincerity and transparency in ministry.
Thank God for such faithful servants.
Sidharth
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What’s “sad” is not that these preachers fail to give attention to people by not answering emails, what’s “sad” is that they’re teaching this heretical doctrine to begin with! That is what the crux of this post is about - not his lack of response!
I also see what you’re implying here. By your mentioning your friends ministry and how it’s inhuman to answer all emails, you are drawing a subtle parallel between him and Kenneth, thereby defending Kenneth. It didn’t work.
I’ll tell you what else is sad…that people can see the overwhelming evidence that a particular teaching is wrong yet fail to see the truth.
Also…the subtle attempts made to sidestep the real issue and trying to get people off track.
The real issue here is this prosperity doctrine which is from the pit of hell that is designed to rob you financially, attack God’s Word and character, and leave you spiritually desolate. And in extreme cases, such as this one, death!
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Hannah,
Thank you for passing on the link of the Parker family blog. I pray that more will see the falsehoods that these false teachers perpetuate and how much harm is done to the flock of our Lord!
Your encouragement is much appreciated, sister. I didn’t see it that way until you pointed it out.
Thank you again!
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Aaron,
I rejoiced with you when I saw your email, brother! I am sorry I have yet to reply as I was busy yesterday. I shall do so later today. May you continue to search for the Truth!
Oh, and don’t be intimidated by Carol. She just says things as they are, a fact that I appreciate very much.
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Well, your assumptions are wrong Carol. I was reminded of my friend who was faithful. And I dont like talking about people I dont know, hence didnt speak about Kenneth Copeland.
Sidharth
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I do not have the words to express my gratitude to all of you!! Once I dry my eyes I will comment further!!!
THANK YOU,
Kris -
[...] 2. My new friend Isaiah posted over on his blog Joie de Vivre an account of a family victimized by the prosperity gospel. [...]
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You’re most welcome, Kristy. Our prayers are with you on this to bring these false teachers to light so that they shall no more grief more of our brethren with their greed.
Shalom!
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This emanates from compassion not condemnation.
Until the pulpits starts preaching repentance again, what can we as followers of Christ, but call them to repent. Paul told us in Titus regarding those in leadership in the church the qualifications as well as our responsibility as followers of Christ.
Tit 1:10-11 For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, (11) whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake.
Furthermore, we can not sit idle, Paul further instructs us:
Tit 2:15 Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.1Ti 5:20 Those who are sinning rebuke before all, that the rest also may have fear.
1Ti 5:24 The sins of some men are evident beforehand, preceding them to judgment, but some also follow after.Lets us preach repentance from the housetops - and from house to house -
-Grace & Peace
Jonathan -
That Bonnie Parker story is being shopped all over the internet. It has obvious holes. It is too much of a soap opera. Why didn’t someone insist the woman go to a doctor when they saw it was not working out, or stop the money flow? When someone gets that bad off physically, usually someone is in charge of their finances, etc. If it happened, I condole the loss, and hope that the bystanders will gain some sense lest they continue to fall prey to needless disaster. If it didn’t happen, they are far worse off.
2Ch 6:23 Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
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