kata Drew

We pay all our bills online. And, to be honest, going paperless for many of our accounts was less about creation care (i.e., saving trees) and more about having less clutter. It’s pretty sweet that going paperless not only provides for less clutter but also in a real way saves trees. So consider the below and consider switching whichever accounts permit to paperless in order to have less clutter and more trees.

On another note, isn’t Citi bank one who’s on the verge of going the way of Fannie Mae? The paperless, tree initiative might be the least of their worries. Nonetheless, woo-hoo trees!

The event was advertised as the Fire Conference at which Pastor Benny Hinn would share powerful insights from God’s Word. Being a seminary student, curious Christian, and interested interlocutor of the Word, “powerful insights from God’s Word” is something I am most definitely interested in. However, attending the Fire Conference proved to shed light not on God’s Word but the fundraising techniques of popular televangelist Benny Hinn.

The evening started a few minutes off schedule with a video featuring orphanages from Mexico and the Philippines for which Benny Hinn Ministries and their partners graciously provide with money and prayer support. The overarching theme of the video was that peoples’ money has gone to establishing orphanages and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Repeatedly the number 45,000 was given as the total number of orphans who are currently benefiting from the work of Benny Hinn Ministries.

After the video, a financial advisor turned financial redeemer, entered the stage to share the twofold gospel: Jesus’ person and his principles. “Why do men such as Bill Gates who are not Christians but extremely wealthy prosper like they do?” Todd contends that it is because they follow Jesus’ fixed principles of wealth of which anyone, Christian or otherwise, can take advantage. In essence, the god who emerges is not that different from his Son’s principles: know the principles, apply the principles, and reap the benefits of the principles automatically. It is turns out rather mechanistic and impersonal. God is the transcendent wish dispenser who will grant all your wildest dreams when you insert the coinage of faith as in a soda machine. As impersonal principles like gravity automatically respond so too does God. “Your faith decides divine timing” quickly became a popular maxim of the conference. Said plainly, you receive from the mechanistic god what you will when you insert what he wills: faith.

Moreover, characteristic of the god who emerges is not an interest in personal holiness and sanctification but an interest in providing wealth. Why then is that? “For you can’t preach the gospel without money.” The gospel cannot go out without money therefore God desires all to be wealthy so that the gospel can proceed. And we’re not talking metaphorically and symbolically of being wealthy in love for God and others; we’re talking cash. “I’m not going to be the one to tell you to be satisfied with what you have.” But God might.

Insights from God’s Word?

So, for a conference which promised to share insights from God’s Word, which passages were preached? That’s kind of a difficult question to answer because only short Scripture snippets were quoted randomly as opposed to a particular passage being worked through in an expository fashion. But, let me now try to remember which passages made the headlines. On an interesting note, before turning to the passages themselves, it is worth noting that all Scripture quotations and references were taken from what sounded like the King James Version. It would be interesting to find out if the speakers feel that this translation in particular adds additional emphasis to Scripture. In other words, if they feel it sounds more authoritative; how they most definitely would want to sound given that they’re encouraging the audience to hand their money over into their care. Now the verses.

The first that I can recall is “seedtime harvest shall always be on the earth” which was said to be from Genesis 8. Indeed it is Genesis 8, verse 22 to be exact, which in the English Standard Version reads: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” The context into which this passage was imported had to do with Jesus’ principle of sowing (inserting the coinage of faith) which I mentioned above. With this passage the speaker was corroborating his understanding that the principle(s) which God has fixed concerning wealth will always yield, not just generic wealth but especially that for which you specifically ask. I think this notion is known as Seedtime Theology. The biblical context of this passage will most likely be familiar to many: Noah’s ark and the flood. Indeed, God is speaking here of promise. In verse 21 he says “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.” The Lord’s promise here loudly bespeaks his gracious dealings with sinful humanity in that even though our intentions are evil from youth, he will allow time and space for us to repent. Further, he will never again curse the ground because of man, but will punish man because of man in the judgment. His promise is not only to man but also concerns the earth. What then is herein emphasized is not wealth from impersonal principles but the gracious of God juxtaposed to the radical depravity of man. In conclusion, we should be forced to our knees to beg for mercy from the Lord from this passage not led to demand material wealth. He is providing for us in allowing the earth to continue to do its thing (grow seeds, yield harvest, heat up and cool down, etc.) even while our sinfulness wrecks his creation. While most assuredly more is going on in this chapter of Genesis, what I have described shouldn’t be missed, and to leave the context behind is to reinforce unbiblical presuppositions of wealth gaining.

The second Scripture that I can recall is Luke 10:2 which says “And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’” This was imported with the simple phrase “He is the Lord of the harvest,” here again meaning that to sow to him by sowing a “thousand dollar seed of faith” is to insure a harvest because he is the “Lord of the harvest.” The context of Luke 10 is vital to uprooting such extra-biblical thinking for here Christ is speaking of salvation and laboring to that end, not wealth or planting seeds of faith. Frightening (lack of) exegesis.

Fundraiser

It is for these reasons and more that I refer to Benny Hinn’s Fire Conference as Benny Hinn’s Raleigh fundraiser. Powerful insights from God’s Word were not shared. The audience was, in the main, exhorted to give, to sow a seed of faith while the preaching of the gospel was neglected.

Tip of the Ice Berg

Lamentably, more could be said: the undoubted morning-after crisis of faith by many givers, the ease with which the audience was duped, the shame of having a packed out auditorium and not exhorting sinners to turn to Christ in faith for the forgiveness of sins, poor theology proper presented (the mechanistic god), and more; but I shall draw to a close here.

photo credit: Chris Kind

I guess it’s not too early to start thinking about going to the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Providence this November. As of the spring I’m now a member and this will be my first conference should arrangements proceed swimmingly. Online registration ($10 for students!) was supposed to open up on the ETS website on July 1, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to register on there quite yet. So, I’ve emailed the contact guy (or gal) to see what the deal is. Shall I post my findings? Sure thing.

Though registration is only $10 for the three day (i.e., November 19-21) scholarly showdown, getting to and staying in a city eleven hours away (i.e., Providence, RI) does pose a possible problem (i.e., costing dollars). Round-trip flights from RDU are cheapest at $250 which is well-nigh feasible. For accommodation, I’ve created a profile on CouchSurfing.com which might just come in handy. We’ll have to see.

What is couch surfing and its dot com? Well, why quote from its definiton when I can quote its mission statement. Yes, mission statement:

As a community we strive to do our individual and collective parts to make the world a better place, and we believe that the surfing of couches is a means to accomplish this goal. CouchSurfing isn’t about the furniture- it’s not just about finding free accommodations around the world- it’s about participating in creating a better world. We strive to make a better world by opening our homes, our hearts, and our lives. We open our minds and welcome the knowledge that cultural exchange makes available. We create deep and meaningful connections that cross oceans, continents and cultures. CouchSurfing wants to change not only the way we travel, but how we relate to the world!

More succinctly: people let you stay on their couch and you can do the same with your couch for others. Not a bad idea though my wife worries. I’m up for it. From the description it sounds like a great way to save dollars, attend ETS and meet new and possibly exciting people though I haven’t actually done it yet and my profile is new so I’m not sure if any one of the 100+ surfable couches in Providence will open wide their arms to embrace me that ETSly week in November. We’ll see. It could be fun and I hear lots of books are in attendance, too.

Are you thinking of going? What are your plans? What will keep you from going? Dollars? Class? (I am kind of worried about missing class.)

BoingBoing.net links to a story where a price comparison website ran an experiment on the streets of London and Manchester offering passers by a £5 note if they would only stop and ask for it. The results confirm that people are skeptical of freebies:

“Despite encountering over 1800 people, only 28 passers by bothered to take advantage of the offer…[and] all but 7 of the people who claimed the free cash were men.”

Though considerably different, what does this say of trying to “hand out” the Gospel?

“If you stop and ask me how to know Jesus, I’ll tell you.”
“You can go to heaven for free. Ask me how.”

Using these lines on the street would likely yield similar results if not attracting even less people. Why?

First, it’s interesting that many people could have actually used the five pounds for their day’s commute, but stopping and asking for money makes one lose face and appear needy. Stopping to have a chat about the Gospel may similarly appear as being needy or spiritually bankrupt, feelings most people will likely want to avoid though prerequisite for coming to Christ.

What’s the solution? Well, it doesn’t seem like the marketing folks have yet designed a strategy for passing out money for free, so it’s not surprising that passing out the Gospel would be equally as perplexing. But this has to depend largely on the audience. Go to a slum where people have obvious need that’s clear to everyone: you better believe there would be more takers for the free money than on the streets of major cities where the average passer by is more concerned with saving face (or time) than taking someone up on a good offer. Go then to a slum and share the good news of Jesus Christ to people who are more tuned in to their deficiencies: I would think more would respond than in the cities because of their pressing needs which would take precedence of reputation or time.

This doesn’t mean we don’t share the Gospel wherever we go, but this helps us to understand the people with whom we hope to share the Gospel.

After the Superbowl is over and everybody’s amazed at how quickly the winning team is presented with victory apparel, one wonders where the “winning” shirts and hats end up (if the other team had won). Well, wonder no longer! World Vision takes that stuff and hands it out to people who don’t make millions a year and who could actually use a free t-shirt and hat. Yahoo’s got the story and may God get the glory.

Maybe they should just skip handing stuff out at the Superbowl and immediately after the game, go live to a place with people in need of clothing and start handing the stuff out there instead of even bothering with the millionaires. What a concept, giving hand-outs to people that actually need them? Oh but wait, you’re right, you might not get as big a return on your hand-outs if you give them to people who have nothing to give you in return but thankfulness and a warm smile? Would that that were the currency.

I don’t really use much cash any more, but it looks like saving your leftover change can really amount to something. A 70 year-old man bought a $25,000 Dodge Ram in quarters. Unfortunately, “no bank wants to take them.”

Hey Drew,

Thanks for that thorough reply. I’ve been reading it through and trying to absorb it. What you say is worth thinking about.

Another thing that intrigues me is, why are some churches lively and some lifeless. If they are both inspired by the same God shouldn’t they be more similar. Oh’ and some of the lively ones, you know, you see them on TV, always seem to be asking for money. Should they be doing that? I’ve heard that some of these Christians, the leaders mostly, have beautiful houses, expensive cars and at least one has her own personal jet. Is this right? Can you be a Christian and still be super wealthy? Doesn’t Jesus have something to say about that?

Jack

Jack,

You are exactly right: some churches are absolutely rocking while some are absolutely “rocked” into lethargy. If both of these types of churches are made up of regenerate believer’s (those in whom the Spirit of God has worked to bring into a saving, right relationship with God) and both are “inspired by the same God” as you say, why then the varied degrees of alacrity? I can think of numerous reasons:

1. Sin in the believer’s life. Sin breaks fellowship with God. Have you ever been in a fight with your girlfriend, or wife? You know that having that little spat damages your relationship and you don’t feel “in love” as much as you did before you got in the fight. Sin damages relationships whether they’re human-human or divine-human. But we can know that God is faithful. He cannot deny himself.
2. Differing personalities of the believers. Remember: the church is people, not an edifice. Visit an African church then visit a West Virginian Baptist church. People are different. Revelation shows people from all tribes tongues and nations worshiping around the throne God. This shows that inspite of differences of personality, people from all walks of life, all ethnicities will find God so absolutely satisfying. I hate to use the word “inspite” because it seems to imply that diversity is actually something that causes harm or is negative, but can and will be overcome. I think this is an incorrect view of the diversity of life. Diversity rather shows how all-satisfying and perfect God is; that a diverse body of believer’s find in Jesus there all in all. That’s amazing.
3. Differing convictions. There’s a sermon series by David Doran, who teaches and preaches up in Detroit, that I keep coming back to when I think why believer’s can be so different considering we’ve got the same Bible and the same Spirit. Dr. Doran gives several reasons why believer’s convictions are different (which I believe can similarly account for differing churches). I’ve elaborated on them:
   1. Differing knowledge of the scriptures. Knowing that genres of music aren’t inherently evil in themselves, affects your opinion of it. You can only apply scripture to the extent that you’re familiar with it. That is a reason, therefore, to read your Bible!
   2. Differing submission to the scriptures. It’s a fact that Christian’s submit to the mandates of scripture to varying degrees. Just because someone knows what God demands does not mean they will obey!
   3. Not all have the same experiences and backgrounds. Our consciouses have been formed differently in different contexts that forms how we think about right and wrong.
   4. Not all have the same personality as we talked about above which means that we each have differing weaknesses and temptations. Your propensities for fulfilling the lusts of your flesh might be different than mine.

In conclusion, I would point you to Romans 14 where this very kind of thing comes up, differing convictions.

Also, consider this equation (!= is “not equal”): Holy Spirit + Bible + Sinful People in Sinful World != Same Convictions. Who drops the proverbial ball? Where is the malfunction? It’s us, isn’t it! Sin affects everything we do unfortunately; the goal then of the Christian is to be continually filled with the Spirit, the opposite of living in sin.

Money
Can you be a Christian and still be super wealthy? Doesn’t Jesus have something to say about that?
You’re right on, Jack. Jesus did have a lot to say about money. I can think of several passages in the New Testament where money is talked about (there are many more):

1. You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24). No one can serve two masters. You’ll love one and hate the other. Money makes a poor master anyways. Here Jesus shows that serving money as a master is contrary. You can see that serving money makes money an idol. Because money will never satisfy we should not seek it as if it were God. It’s not unimportant that in the very next verse after Jesus says that one cannot serve God and money, he says “therefore do not be anxious about your life… But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” because God knows exactly what we need.
2. Luke 8:3 records that several ladies supported Jesus out of their own pockets! “He went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna…and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.” Money is necessary for subsisting and cannot evil in itself. It’s what we do with it and what place we allow it to have in our lives. I think we can agree that helping to finance Jesus’ ministry is a noble endeavor and a very good use of money.
3. Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s (Matthew 22:21). Pay your taxes.

What principles can we take away from this? Well, it’s fair to say that you can be a Christian and super-wealthy; but I would hope that that Christian is constantly looking to be a blessing to others with that money (to whom much is given, much is required) and that that Christian doesn’t allow his money to become his security instead of trusting in God. Furthermore, we should seek God for God, not because of any blessing that we think we might get from him. God doesn’t promise that when we come to him everything will be great and we’ll have lots of money and big houses and “our best life now.” We are promised rather persecution, misunderstanding and a faithful God who knows what we need. God is enough. We should look to him as such not as a self-replenishing piggy bank that we can shake at any whim and get some cash. I would be cautious of any preacher who lives a lavish lifestyle and promises that you can have one, too, so that you will give him more money. James 3:1 says that “not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” That should scare all in ministry, especially those who are money-mongers.

Let us look how we can use what God has given us for his glory which never fades, instead of our own.