(Luke 6:39 KJV) And he spake a parable unto
them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
One of the most bewildering appellations given to famous Christians just
because of their fame is that of “Christian Leader.” Nowhere in the Bible do
we find that term. It is not pointing to the church where the Elders and
Deacons have authority over the local flock but it is speaking about someone
who appears on TV or has a wide radio outreach. The moment somebody becomes
famous, instantly the secular media calls them “leaders.” That is one of the
biggest misnomers I have ever heard and incidentally I have never personally
heard any of those being glorified to reject that title of Christian leader.
With the advent of radio in the 1920’s and the advent of TV in the
1940’s, many have undertaken the responsibility to reach the masses with the
Gospel. I believe the first Gospel radio program was that of Charles E.
Fuller. He began the broadcast of “The Old Fashioned Revival Hour” in 1937.
The first broadcast was October 3, 1937 and by 1951 grew to 650 radio
stations. The early years of Christian radio yielded some good broadcasts
with men who earnestly desired to get the Gospel to as many as they can.
What has happened to Christian broadcasting in the present, since the
time the first broadcast went on the air is described as nothing more than a
descent into Hell. When one looks at broadcasting networks such as TBN
(Trinity Broadcasting Network), Inspiration Network, Christian Broadcasting
Network, Daystar Television Network, a true bible believing Christian will
see the number of false ministries and ministers presented on them. To be
able to recognize these money-grubbing heretics, a person must be well
grounded in the Bible, not commentaries, not books about the Bible nor a
paraphrase of the Bible like the Message but the King James Bible which is
the standard because it has not changed like every modern version which
comes out on the market.
While I disagree with the free will gospel because the Bible states a
person is spiritually dead and can do nothing, not even accept the Lord, at
least some of the old timers like Charles Fuller or Oliver B. Greene at
least told you that you are sinner in need of salvation. Today all you hear
from frauds like Mike Murdock or Rod Parsley is salvation by checkbook. Just
send them $1,000 or $2,500 and God will bless you. If you are not saved, the
only thing you will be blessed with is less in your checkbook and you will
still be on your way to hell.
Now I do not want to get off the topic of this article because it speaks
about Christian leadership. I wanted to mention these false networks and the
media ministry because it is out of them where the world thinks they are
leaders of Christians. It is also unfortunate that the average Christian
also carries the notion that because a person is on Radio or TV, that they
somehow have a greater relationship to God and that is why they are in that
position. The sad thing is that many of these false media ministers are
called on to comment on different subjects and so many think they are
speaking for Christians worldwide. Nothing could be further from the truth.
They speak only for themselves and not for Christians worldwide. At the end
of this article, I am going to show who the true leaders really are and it
is those that we must pattern our Christian lives after.
There are so many that believe Billy Graham is a great Christian leader.
There are many that think Rick Warren is a great Christian leader. There are
many who think Ken Copeland is a great Christian leader. The same can be
said about Greg Laurie, Jack Hayford, Jack Van Impe, Chuck Smith, R.C.
Sproul, Pat Robertson, Tony Evans, Hal Lindsey and many others. What they
all have in common is they all possess media ministries and therefore come
into the homes of millions. I want to look at some of these people and see
if they are really worthy of being called leaders or is it a false title
being given to unworthy men and women?
The Falsely named Leaders
Billy Graham
He is probably the most compromised of all media preachers. He sold out
as far back as 1954 when he went soft on Communism and embraced Zionism. He
gave people at his crusades to the Roman Catholic Church and he embraced the
teachings of Roman Catholicism. He is also quoted as saying, "Pope John Paul
II has emerged as the greatest religious leader of the modern world and one
of the greatest moral...leaders of this century." (The Saturday Evening
Post, Feb, 1980.)
He
embraced the World Council of Churches and National Council of Churches, He
has welcomed known apostates and anti-Christians to the platform of his
crusades, men such as Dr. Leslie Weatherhead who was a virulent Christian
agnostic in the 1954 London Crusade, Henry Van Dusen the president of Union
Theological seminary, the most liberal and left wing school in America in
the 1957 Madison Square Garden in new York City Crusades.
He believes that one does not have to receive Christ to become saved. He
made this statement publicly on Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power on May 31,
1997. He claims those in false religions are saved. In 1956 Billy Graham
went to Japan and refused to have a crusade unless members of the Shinto
religion were allowed to mix with the true Christians on the platform. This
one act completely destroyed the evangelistic efforts of many in Japan from
WW 2 to 1956. Today Japan is only 1% Christian thanks to the destructive
efforts of Billy Graham. Billy Graham is a 33rd Degree Mason
which means he must give allegiance to the false god of Masonry called
Jahbulon, which is the mixture of Jehovah, Baal, and On as the Egyptian god
Osiris. He was also a good friend to many in the One World movement such as
John Foster Dulles, William Randolph Hearst and many others. After Bush Sr.
gave his speech for anew world order, Billy stated that we need to embrace
the New World Order. Billy also used a homosexual named Mel White to ghost
write some of his books. I think you get the point on Graham. If you think
this is only a diatribe against Billy Graham, then please purchase the book,
“Billy Graham and His Friends” by Dr. Cathy Burns.
Rick Warren
He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations which is the
globalist and most powerful New World Order group and has been responsible
for all wars since 1919 and is dedicated to the destruction of Christianity
worldwide.
Rick Warren is Pro-Homosexual
By Jacqui Salmon
The Rev. Rick Warren, the conservative evangelical minister who will deliver
the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration, has extended an olive branch
to Bishop V. Gene Robinson. Robinson, an openly gay Episcopal bishop, had
reacted angrily to the selection of Warren, who opposes gay marriage,
calling it a "slap in the face." But then Robinson was selected this week to
give the invocation at the inaugural opening ceremony at the Sunday
afternoon concert on the Mall. Today, Warren issued a statement praising
Obama for selecting Robinson, saying the president-elect "has again
demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill
together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the
president of every citizen.
-Washington Post - 1/14/09
Rick Warren denies salvation through Christ
…You may be Catholic or Protestant or Buddhist or Baptist or Muslim or
Mormon or Jewish or Jain, or you have no religion at all. I’m not interested
in your religious background. Because God did not create the universe for us
to have religion. He came for us to have a relationship with him. -
Interfaith Prayer Breakfast - United Nations - September 2005
Jack Hayford
Hayford does Demonic Dance
Did an African dance to some devil at the Atlanta promise keepers in
February 1996.
At the beginning of the conference, hyper-charismatic Jack Hayford was
speaking and trying to influence everyone to "dance in the Lord," an
unscriptural routine favored by the fanatical wing of Pentecostal
charismaticism. Hayford said he learned the dance in Africa, and later the
Lord spoke to him directly saying, "May I have this dance?" He then
began doing an African folkdance around the podium, suggestive of the dances
associated with heathen witch-doctoring. [Nobody at the conference seemed
disturbed that Hayford was teaching them Charismatic worship forms, much
less that he claimed to receive these teachings through direct revelation
from God!] General musical choices at the conference were of the satanic
hard rock variety (ear-splitting noise) that was utterly devoid of true
spirituality. (Reported in the 3/11/96, Christian News, p. 11.)
Hayford sees Jesus in Heaven
In the 10/91 issue of Charisma magazine, Hayford relates a vision
of seeing Jesus seated in heaven and then rising from the throne. Hayford
states: "As the anointing caught in the folds of His garments, it began to
splash out and fall over the church." Jesus then supposedly said, "I am
beginning to rise now in preparation for my second coming. Those who will
rise with me will share in this double portion of anointing."
Hayford is a New Ager
Hayford Praised Richard Foster for his efforts in bringing together all
the streams of the church. (Foster is the head of Renovaré , an
international ecumenical organization that espouses the use of guided
imagery and visualization as means of obtaining personal spiritual renewal.
Chuck Smith
Chuck Smith is Ecumenical
In his book, Answers For Today (copyright 1993), Smith says the
following,
Paul points out that some say, "I'm of Paul," while others say, "I'm of
Apollos." He asked, "Isn't that carnal?" But what's the difference between
saying that or saying, "I'm a Baptist," "I'm a Presbyterian," "I'm a
Methodist," "I'm a Catholic"? I have found that the more spiritual a person
becomes, the less denominational he is. We should realize that we're all
part of the Body of Christ and that there aren't any real divisions in the
Body. We're all one.
What a glorious day when we discover that God loves the Baptists! - And
the Presbyterians, and the Methodists, and the Catholics. We're all His and
we all belong to Him. We see the whole Body of Christ, and we begin to
strive together rather than striving against one another. (p. 157)
Notice that Smith refers to Catholics as Christians as he includes them
in his list. Roman Catholics are not Christians, they are a mission field.
Chuck Smith believes in carnal Christianity
This is true Biblical teaching. Yet, in his book, Answers For Today
(copyright 1993), under what is a carnal Christian (p. 148 and following),
he contradicts himself and denies the power of godliness (i.e. the power of
a changed life that comes through faith in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
The carnal Christian, however, has enough of the Lord to be saved, but
not enough of the Lord to rest in that salvation. He has enough of Christ to
be miserable in the world, but too much of the world to be happy in Christ.
(p. 148)
So, to begin with, we see his definition of a "carnal Christian" is a
person who is "saved". Then on page 154 he says,
The "carnal Christian" is the man who has been awakened by the Spirit of
God to his need of Jesus Christ and has received Jesus Christ into his life
as his Savior, but he has never submitted his life to the Lordship of Jesus
Christ. Thus, he is one who believes in Jesus Christ as his Savior, but is
still ruled by his flesh.
There is no such thing in Scripture as a Carnal Christian. (Rom
8:6 KJV) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually
minded is life and peace.
Jesse Duplantis
In August 1988, He claims he was in Heaven for five hours and within the
tape he sells, he claims he counseled God not to be discouraged.
Then you have some of the false teachings by other media preachers and I
am not claiming they are all unsaved, but they do pander to the hearers
because they must survive on donations.
Joel Osteen
- Will not speak of sin and hell - The word sin is used
447 times and hell is used 54 times in the Bible.
R.C. Sproul
- Mixes philosophy with the gospel and believes that
dead Roman Catholic saints are saved as he quotes them many times.
Jack Van Impe
- Believes Roman Catholics are saved and glorified
Pope John Paul II. Roman Catholics are a mission field.
John Hagee
- Has an abnormal obsession with the Jews and wants to
bomb other sovereign nations to protect Israel. Is that the attitude Jesus
had? His gospel is the Jews.
T. D. Jakes
- Denies the trinity - is a oneness Pentecostal.
Tony Campolo
- An avowed socialist and globalist. Member of the
Philadelphia Council on Foreign Affairs which is an arm of the Council on
Foreign Relations. Believes homosexuality is fine and people of other faiths
will get to Heaven without Christ.
Paul Crouch
- Homosexual and has paid hush money to a former lover.
He and his wife are multi-millionaires.
Chuck Colson
- A Roman Catholic Ecumenist who would like to see the
Protestants bow the knee to Rome. His wife is a Roman Catholic.
Joyce Meyer
- Believes in sinless perfection in the flesh. She is a
multi-millionaire living a lavish lifestyle. She teaches a word faith
prosperity message.
I think the point is well-made that there are many false preachers out
there who are considered leaders. Just look at the crowds which people like
Ken Copeland or Joyce Meyer draw, they are very large crowds. Whenever the
news media wants to bring a member of the Christian community for an
interview, it seems they continue to bring on the same ones who have the
same old false teachings. I remember once on Larry King, Robert Schuller was
asked by King if one must be born again to get to Heaven. Schuller’s
response was typical of the false teacher as he responded by saying, “we
don’t know, nobody knows.” Just as Schuller denied Christ, at the Judgment
Seat, Christ will deny him. It is a shame how the news media sets up these
buffoons as leaders because there is nothing in Scripture which states that
men or women are leaders of Christianity. We have only one leader and that
is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now I want to go to the second half of this study and let us see who
would really qualify as Christian leaders.
Shoaib Assadullah
On Jan. 3, 2011 a judge told Shoaib Assadullah that if he did not
renounce Christ within one week he would face up to 20 years in prison or
even be sentenced to death. Shoaib was arrested on Oct. 21, 2010, when he
gave a man a Bible in Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth largest city in
Afghanistan. The man reported the incident to authorities, and Shoaib was
arrested. He has been imprisoned in northern Afghanistan since his arrest.
Although the judge has offered him freedom in exchange for denying
Christ, Shoaib, a Muslim convert to Christianity, has remained faithful to
the Lord Jesus Christ. VOM contacts say he has been listening to Christian
radio programs while in prison and is very thankful that he can still hear
Scripture. He is concerned about his family, but he remains strong in Christ
and even sends greetings to other Christians in Afghanistan.
Pastor Wanna
On Jan. 4, 2011, at 7 p.m., district police arrested Pastor Wanna at his
home in Nakoon Village, Laos. They also arrested 10 other believers as they
ate a meal together in Pastor Wanna’s home, which also serves as a house
church. The Christians asked that they be allowed to finish their meal, but
their request was denied. The believers were taken away at gunpoint.
By 2009, 105 villagers were trusting Christ. Police had summoned Pastor
Wanna to the police station for interrogation, telling him they would arrest
him if he did not give up his Christian faith and stop influencing others to
believe in God. But Pastor Wanna remained faithful to his calling. In May
2010, Pastor Wanna was arrested, imprisoned and charged with leading other
people to the Christian faith, thus destroying Lao customs and tradition.
Asia Bibi
Sandul Bibi recently met with VOM friends in Pakistan to celebrate one
year since her release from prison. Sandul was arrested in October, 2008,
and falsely charged with tearing pages from the Quran. During the time of
celebration Sandul and the other believers took time out to pray
specifically for Asia Bibi, another Christian in Pakistan who is currently
facing a death sentence for alleged blasphemy against Mohammed.
Asia was arrested by police in June 2009 following an intense discussion
between her and her co-workers about their faith. Asia told the Muslim women
about her faith in Christ, explaining that he had died on the cross for our
sins. Then she asked them what Mohammed had done for them, according to VOM
sources. She told them Jesus is alive, but Mohammed is dead. “Our Christ is
the true prophet of God,” she reportedly told them, “and yours is not true.”
Upon hearing this, the Muslim women became angry and began to beat Asia.
Then some men took her and locked her in a room. They announced from mosque
loudspeakers that she would be punished by having her face blackened and
being paraded through the village on a donkey. Local Christians informed the
police, who took Asia into custody before the Muslims could carry out their
plan.
Asia was charged with blasphemy, and on Nov. 8, 2010, she was sentenced
to death. Pray for Asia’s protection during this tense time. Pray for Asia’s
release from prison and for her safety after her release. Ask God to
minister to her family, especially her children.
On Dec. 3, 2010, a mullah in Pakistan offered more than $6,000 (U.S.) to
anyone who kills Asia Bibi, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.
VOM contacts are concerned for Asia’s safety. In the past, Christian
have been killed in jail, on their way to court, and even after being
released from jail. “There is threat that she can be killed even after her
releasing from the jail,” VOM contacts said. “It’s not just a statement by
mulana, but we have examples of previous blasphemy cases.”
Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani
The Assize Court of the province of Gilan, in Iran, has officially
charged Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani with denying that Mohammed was a prophet.
The court stated that this resulted in apostasy because Nardarkhani believes
in Jesus and has shared his faith with others, according to The Voice of the
Martyrs.
The indictment, which was issued by a public prosecutor in the presence
of a jury, stated, “He has frequently denied the prophet hood of the great
prophet of Islam and the rule of the sacred religion of Islam. ... He has
proven his apostasy by organizing evangelistic meetings and inviting others
to Christianity, establishing a house church, baptizing people, expressing
his faith to others and denying Islamic values.”
According to court documents, when Pastor Youcef was asked about his
faith, he told authorities, “Since I was born in a Muslim family, I was
Muslim until I converted to Christianity at the age of 19.” He openly
acknowledged accepting Jesus Christ.
Neshan Saeedi
Neshan Saeedi, a 27-year-old Christian, has not been seen since his
arrest by government authorities in July, according to the Farsi Christian
News Network.
On July 24, Saeedi was at home with his wife and young daughter in the
city of Ahvaz, Iran, when plainclothes security officers entered his house
and arrested the family. Security officers searched the home and seized
personal belongings, including a computer, CDs containing films of Christian
seminars and teachings, Christian books, Bibles and family photo albums.
Ali Golchin
Ali Golchin, an Iranian Christian, has been held in solitary confinement
in Tehran’s Evin prison since he was arrested in his hometown of Varamin,
according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN).
After appealing to authorities for weeks, Ali’s father was finally
allowed to visit him on June 17. “Ali’s father shared that he was distressed
to find his son ‘crying uncontrollably’ and in obvious pain,” FCNN reported.
Sources believe Ali has been treated harshly during interrogations because
he is suffering from “weakness and severe stomachaches.”
The Iranian government has not filed criminal charges against Ali, and
no lawyers have been appointed for his defense. “Ali’s wife has been warned
not to attend church and told that she will only be able to negotiate with
the authorities about Ali’s release if she converts to Islam,” according to
FCNN.
The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers like Ali Golchin
in Iran. VOM encourages you to pray for these believers and others in Iran
who risk their lives daily because of their faith. Pray for Ali’s release.
Pray that the Lord will sustain him and his family and that Ali’s testimony
will strengthen the faith of other believers.
Summary
Isn’t a crying shame what American Christians call Leaders when most of
them are nothing more than money-grubbers, false doctrine proponents,
ecumenical, government worshipping, loathers of the true Gospel,
self-worshippers, Christ deniers, etc. These are not worthy of the name of
Christ because they have abandoned Christ for their own pursuits and that is
either money or self-aggrandizement. If one really wants to see a cavalcade
of true leaders, then one should read “Foxes Book of Martyrs” or read Voice
of the Martyrs on line at:
www.persecution.org It is these which have kept their true testimony of
Christ and not abandoned Him for fame, fortune, and the favor of the new
World Order crowd who are all Satan worshippers. It is no wonder that
Christianity is so weak because instead of Christians actually investigating
these media preachers and then stop sending them money, they would fade out
of existence and much satanic influence will disappear.
As long as Christians refuse to do any studies and just send money
because someone else tells them to, these false teachers will always be
around. It is time to starve them out of existence. There are so many
Christians around the world who have held their testimony for Christ and we
may never know their name till we get to glory. Those on American TV who
deny Christ and just preach money like Mike Murdoch should be in total fear
of facing Christ because these liars will all be put to shame by the real
Christians who held their testimonies without regard for their own lives.
Just as Jesus stood for Stephen when he was being martyred, I wonder if He
will stand any of the great American Christians Idols? Well the real
Christian leaders are those who do not relinquish their testimonies and the
fakes, well, you can’t even find their testimonies, if they ever had one.