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"PART 1: The Daniel Fast, here
There are many churches today participating in the current fad known as The Daniel Fast. This is a man-made so-called spiritual activity that is supposed to automatically draw you closer to God by eating things that are on a list and not eating things that are not on a list.
If you partake of this fast, other benefits mentioned on The Daniel Fast website are winning the battle over the flesh (hard to do when we are still flesh when the fast is done), losing weight and healings from diabetes, allergies, arthritis and cancer. Another benefit is said to be putting our spirit in charge of the other two parts of us, the soul and the body. It must be news to the Holy Spirit that we can put Him in charge of things. (source). Here is what others have experienced by fasting along with Jentezen Franklin: healed relationships, spiritual growth, physical healings, financial breakthroughs, and other blessings. Wow.
"If that is the case, you have to wonder what blessings aren’t being released, Franklin writes, what answers to prayer are not getting through…what bondages are not being broken…because we fail to fast." The Word-Faith crowd always makes a point to say that we will lose out on something if we don't do it their way. This is an example. Fasting is a voluntary activity we engage in at the prompting of the Spirit or when we feel we need to humble ourselves in grief or repentance, or to focus on Jesus in a more pointed way. More on fasting in previous post.
Jentezen Franklin is the guru of fasting. He has written two books on it and is the one who championed The Daniel Fast. His statements about why we fast include fasting to get a blessing, to earn God's favor, to get a public reward, to get our greatest breakthrough, to "release" a hundredfold return. (source).
So the lesson from The Daniel Fast and Jentezen Franklin is that we fast to get something. I do not believe we fast to get something, and I do not believe we should expect something and I do not believe we have the power to cause God to do something if we fast. More on what fasting is all about in the previous post.
Secondly, if we fast, Franklin says, it causes God to "release" these things into our lives. My understanding is that fasting is a private expression of a deeply felt spiritual need and a way to humble myself before Almighty God.
All this elevates fasting to an importance the bible does not give it nor did Jesus give it. So who is this Jentezen Franklin?
Franklin is pastor of a Holiness church in GA but he is also pastor of a Holiness church in CA. How does he do it? This article from Charisma Magazine explains:
"Every Sunday, Franklin arrives at Free Chapel in Gainesville (GA) by 5 a.m. for prayer, preaches two sermons and shakes hundreds of hands before boarding a private jet at 2 p.m. with his family and two staff members. They arrive at John Wayne Airport, located five minutes from Free Chapel Orange County (OC), and by 6 p.m. Franklin is in the pulpit. The next day is filled with Orange County staff meetings, and the group returns to Gainesville on Tuesday. "This may sound like a crazy schedule, but it is actually exhilarating," Franklin says. ... "My family comes first, and what shows me that this is of God is the way they can be with me more now than ever," Franklin says. "The school systems have actually worked it out that my children can be off the two days so they can be with me."
Is this a biblical model of pastoring? Pastor means shepherd. How can he shepherd his flock if he has one pasture in Judah and one in Persia? He can't. It is not a biblical model of shepherding. As for his family, is taking his children out of school for two days a week the best, most stable life for them? Is his ambition so great he plunks his children in the middle of his "crazy schedule" so he can enjoy the 'exhilaration'? And a private jet??? He had a choice to stay in GA. He chose the jet set lifestyle. Is this the proper Christian pastoring and fathering model we want to buy into? It isn't for me, and I refuse to spend money buying his book.
His friends tell us a lot about who Franklin is. This weekend he is preaching from the pulpit of false preacher Joel Osteen's stage at Lakewood Church! (source here and here). There is no worse false church in America than Lakewood. There is no worse false preacher than Osteen! Osteen denies the Gospel in favor of becoming a motivational guru to have "your best life now". The only way you're having your best life now is if you're going to hell. (that was John MacArthur's wit). This Jentezen Franklin will be preaching from Osteen's stage for two days. That should tell us a lot.
FALSE PASTOR ALERT.
If that is not enough, after this weekend Franklin will be hosting the "Praise the Lord" show with Jan and Paul Crouch on TBN. There is no deeper of a snake pit of false doctrine than Praise the Lord show on TBN and Franklin will be promoting it. (source)
Franklin should be excised from any bible-believing church on these bases ALONE.
But wait, there's more.
As for his teachings, they are false doctrine too. He said in one sermon as he appealed for money, lots of it for over ten minutes, over sentimental music blared from loudspeakers, "I've never come to Hillsong Conference where I haven't sown at least a $1000 seed..."
Yet the bible says, "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." Mt 6:2
and Franklin goes on, "$1000 seed...into this place, because if I sow now, the rain of now will fall on my life." NAME IT CLAIM IT! Tithe big, you get big. And what is "the rain of now" for heaven's sakes? His hands were fluttering down as rain, and the audience looked up as if expecting manna or Armani suits or money to fall from the sky right then.
He is a Word-Faith preacher and we know those are false. The Word-Faith crowd is big on "if you do this, you get this." "If you do this it will cause God to move." They talk about 'releasing' power into your life, but in fact the only thing we have the power to release is a fart after dinner. He elevates to us more power than we have and diminishes Jesus in the process.
"It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of ministry," he says. "It's dangerous to have a growing ministry and a shrinking passion for God; something gets out of whack. When I find myself becoming mechanical in my preaching, even a one-day fast fine-tunes me and makes my heart sensitive. For me, fasting is the key."
Fasting is not Jiffy Lube. It is the Word fine-tunes you. Sigh.
But most telling, is the following:
He said, "When I feel myself growing dry spiritually, when I don’t sense that cutting-edge anointing, or when I need a fresh encounter with God, fasting is the secret key that unlocks heaven’s door and slams shut the gates of hell. The discipline of fasting releases the anointing, the favor, and the blessing of God in the life of a Christian."
Don't gloss over this.
It is the most abhorrent statement imaginable. It is sacrilege. Jesus has the key to heaven and hell. Nothing we do unlocks it. How sacrilegious to say that any activity we do unlocks heaven or shuts hell. This is wrong! On just that statement, he should be booted from every bible-believing pulpit, our churches, and our bookshelves!
And why is fasting characterized as a "secret"? It is not, at least not to anyone who reads the bible. And what is a 'cutting edge anointing'? Is it different from a regular anointing? Franklin distinguished the "normal seed" from the "precious seed" in one 'name it claim it' sermon I'd listened to. I guess I am missing out on the "cutting edge" anointing and I just have to settle for the regular anointing we get when we're saved. (1 John 2:20).
See, that is the dangerous heresy in Word-Faith preachers like Franklin, they subtly elevate themselves and their teachings above what the bible says, making everything else seem humdrum by comparison by using sexy words like cutting edge, fine-tune, heart sensitive, breakthroughs, hundredfold return, precious seeds.... it is all very exciting in Franklin's world, exhilarating, even. By comparison, the staid old faith, prayer, service, obedience seems dry as yesterday's toast.
The Word-Faith doctrine "puts confidence in the nature of faith rather then in the object of faith. It assumes that there's something inherent in believing that enacts [or "releases"] something when it isn't true at all. It is not the nature of faith that is effective, it is the object of faith. It is my faith in God that gets results not my faith in my faith." (source: A biblical answer to the prosperity Gospel)
Franklin Jentezen is a jet setting, TBN hosting, Osteen partnering Word-Faith prosperity preacher who has no business being in any biblical church. He is a wolf. Avoid Jentezen Franklin and The Daniel Fast. Rely on the Holy Spirit to direct your steps. Pray, fast when the Spirit prompts you, read your bible so you will have the discernment to spot a false teaching when you come across one. Go have a good lunch, and don't forget to thank the Lord for it!
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If you partake of this fast, other benefits mentioned on The Daniel Fast website are winning the battle over the flesh (hard to do when we are still flesh when the fast is done), losing weight and healings from diabetes, allergies, arthritis and cancer. Another benefit is said to be putting our spirit in charge of the other two parts of us, the soul and the body. It must be news to the Holy Spirit that we can put Him in charge of things. (source). Here is what others have experienced by fasting along with Jentezen Franklin: healed relationships, spiritual growth, physical healings, financial breakthroughs, and other blessings. Wow.
"If that is the case, you have to wonder what blessings aren’t being released, Franklin writes, what answers to prayer are not getting through…what bondages are not being broken…because we fail to fast." The Word-Faith crowd always makes a point to say that we will lose out on something if we don't do it their way. This is an example. Fasting is a voluntary activity we engage in at the prompting of the Spirit or when we feel we need to humble ourselves in grief or repentance, or to focus on Jesus in a more pointed way. More on fasting in previous post.
Jentezen Franklin is the guru of fasting. He has written two books on it and is the one who championed The Daniel Fast. His statements about why we fast include fasting to get a blessing, to earn God's favor, to get a public reward, to get our greatest breakthrough, to "release" a hundredfold return. (source).
So the lesson from The Daniel Fast and Jentezen Franklin is that we fast to get something. I do not believe we fast to get something, and I do not believe we should expect something and I do not believe we have the power to cause God to do something if we fast. More on what fasting is all about in the previous post.
Secondly, if we fast, Franklin says, it causes God to "release" these things into our lives. My understanding is that fasting is a private expression of a deeply felt spiritual need and a way to humble myself before Almighty God.
All this elevates fasting to an importance the bible does not give it nor did Jesus give it. So who is this Jentezen Franklin?
Franklin is pastor of a Holiness church in GA but he is also pastor of a Holiness church in CA. How does he do it? This article from Charisma Magazine explains:
"Every Sunday, Franklin arrives at Free Chapel in Gainesville (GA) by 5 a.m. for prayer, preaches two sermons and shakes hundreds of hands before boarding a private jet at 2 p.m. with his family and two staff members. They arrive at John Wayne Airport, located five minutes from Free Chapel Orange County (OC), and by 6 p.m. Franklin is in the pulpit. The next day is filled with Orange County staff meetings, and the group returns to Gainesville on Tuesday. "This may sound like a crazy schedule, but it is actually exhilarating," Franklin says. ... "My family comes first, and what shows me that this is of God is the way they can be with me more now than ever," Franklin says. "The school systems have actually worked it out that my children can be off the two days so they can be with me."
Is this a biblical model of pastoring? Pastor means shepherd. How can he shepherd his flock if he has one pasture in Judah and one in Persia? He can't. It is not a biblical model of shepherding. As for his family, is taking his children out of school for two days a week the best, most stable life for them? Is his ambition so great he plunks his children in the middle of his "crazy schedule" so he can enjoy the 'exhilaration'? And a private jet??? He had a choice to stay in GA. He chose the jet set lifestyle. Is this the proper Christian pastoring and fathering model we want to buy into? It isn't for me, and I refuse to spend money buying his book.
His friends tell us a lot about who Franklin is. This weekend he is preaching from the pulpit of false preacher Joel Osteen's stage at Lakewood Church! (source here and here). There is no worse false church in America than Lakewood. There is no worse false preacher than Osteen! Osteen denies the Gospel in favor of becoming a motivational guru to have "your best life now". The only way you're having your best life now is if you're going to hell. (that was John MacArthur's wit). This Jentezen Franklin will be preaching from Osteen's stage for two days. That should tell us a lot.
FALSE PASTOR ALERT.
If that is not enough, after this weekend Franklin will be hosting the "Praise the Lord" show with Jan and Paul Crouch on TBN. There is no deeper of a snake pit of false doctrine than Praise the Lord show on TBN and Franklin will be promoting it. (source)
Franklin should be excised from any bible-believing church on these bases ALONE.
But wait, there's more.
As for his teachings, they are false doctrine too. He said in one sermon as he appealed for money, lots of it for over ten minutes, over sentimental music blared from loudspeakers, "I've never come to Hillsong Conference where I haven't sown at least a $1000 seed..."
Yet the bible says, "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." Mt 6:2
and Franklin goes on, "$1000 seed...into this place, because if I sow now, the rain of now will fall on my life." NAME IT CLAIM IT! Tithe big, you get big. And what is "the rain of now" for heaven's sakes? His hands were fluttering down as rain, and the audience looked up as if expecting manna or Armani suits or money to fall from the sky right then.
He is a Word-Faith preacher and we know those are false. The Word-Faith crowd is big on "if you do this, you get this." "If you do this it will cause God to move." They talk about 'releasing' power into your life, but in fact the only thing we have the power to release is a fart after dinner. He elevates to us more power than we have and diminishes Jesus in the process.
"It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of ministry," he says. "It's dangerous to have a growing ministry and a shrinking passion for God; something gets out of whack. When I find myself becoming mechanical in my preaching, even a one-day fast fine-tunes me and makes my heart sensitive. For me, fasting is the key."
Fasting is not Jiffy Lube. It is the Word fine-tunes you. Sigh.
But most telling, is the following:
He said, "When I feel myself growing dry spiritually, when I don’t sense that cutting-edge anointing, or when I need a fresh encounter with God, fasting is the secret key that unlocks heaven’s door and slams shut the gates of hell. The discipline of fasting releases the anointing, the favor, and the blessing of God in the life of a Christian."
Don't gloss over this.
It is the most abhorrent statement imaginable. It is sacrilege. Jesus has the key to heaven and hell. Nothing we do unlocks it. How sacrilegious to say that any activity we do unlocks heaven or shuts hell. This is wrong! On just that statement, he should be booted from every bible-believing pulpit, our churches, and our bookshelves!
And why is fasting characterized as a "secret"? It is not, at least not to anyone who reads the bible. And what is a 'cutting edge anointing'? Is it different from a regular anointing? Franklin distinguished the "normal seed" from the "precious seed" in one 'name it claim it' sermon I'd listened to. I guess I am missing out on the "cutting edge" anointing and I just have to settle for the regular anointing we get when we're saved. (1 John 2:20).
See, that is the dangerous heresy in Word-Faith preachers like Franklin, they subtly elevate themselves and their teachings above what the bible says, making everything else seem humdrum by comparison by using sexy words like cutting edge, fine-tune, heart sensitive, breakthroughs, hundredfold return, precious seeds.... it is all very exciting in Franklin's world, exhilarating, even. By comparison, the staid old faith, prayer, service, obedience seems dry as yesterday's toast.
The Word-Faith doctrine "puts confidence in the nature of faith rather then in the object of faith. It assumes that there's something inherent in believing that enacts [or "releases"] something when it isn't true at all. It is not the nature of faith that is effective, it is the object of faith. It is my faith in God that gets results not my faith in my faith." (source: A biblical answer to the prosperity Gospel)
Franklin Jentezen is a jet setting, TBN hosting, Osteen partnering Word-Faith prosperity preacher who has no business being in any biblical church. He is a wolf. Avoid Jentezen Franklin and The Daniel Fast. Rely on the Holy Spirit to direct your steps. Pray, fast when the Spirit prompts you, read your bible so you will have the discernment to spot a false teaching when you come across one. Go have a good lunch, and don't forget to thank the Lord for it!
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I really enjoy most of your posts, but when you start to bash people, I think it is wrong. Instead, why not pray for those you disagree with? I know Jesus would not be posting negative words regarding any of his children, because he loves each of us unconditionally. If you are trying to educate the Christian body about fasting, leave other people's names out of it. You could have just as easily written about the Daniel Fast without mentioning specific names. I don't think it matters what foods we fast. The main think is that our heart is in the right place and God receives the glory.
ReplyDelete1. How do you know I don't pray for him?
ReplyDelete2. I am not bashing him, I am condemning his teachings. I am alerting people to the false teaching promoted from his pulpit, something we are called to do firmly and immediately. I am unashamed to alert people to a wolf in our midst and I hope you don't fail in your duty when it comes time.
"As soon as we discern their false teaching, it is our duty to refuse to hear them or to read their books. Never was more wholesome or beneficial advice given than that of Solomon: "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge" (Prov. 19:27)"
"A heretic, after the first and second admonition, reject" (Gal. 5:12; Titus 3:10)
"Jude "exhorted" his brethren "earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints" (verse 3). He who is willing to risk nothing for Christ, does not love Christ. He who, being duly called to defend the truth, declines to do so, does not love the truth."
more on how to deal with false teachers, here:
http://www.gracegems.org/Plumer/false_doctrines.htm
please read it. Even better, read your bible on how to spot a false teacher and what to do when you come across one.,..
I'm interested in knowing your thoughts/interpretation of Matthew 10:16
DeleteHello Anonymous,
DeleteMt 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
this link contains 17 commentators' explanations of that verse. http://biblecommenter.com/matthew/10-16.htm From Matthew Henry to Wesley, Barnes to Gill, you can read various interpretations of the verse in which you are interested.
What are your thoughts on the verse?
Good job! I didn't feel you were bashing him just laying out the facts. The company Franklin keeps is very telling. I am a missionary in Haiti and I actually met him at Love a Child Mission once. I knew immediatley he was Word of Faith and I kept my distance. He supports Bobbie and Sherry Burnette there. I didn't know any of this about him and thank you for taking the time to "mark those who walk unseemly amongst us." I am an avid "faster" but everything you say is right.
DeleteFasting is the prayer warrior's automatic response to a brick wall situation. I have learned over the years that the greatest work of a fast is my subjection to Christ during and after. Through fasting and prayer I have seen many impossible situations turn around and God has heightened my ability to hear His voice. But when I begin I always pray whether it is God's will and how long should I fast.
Furthermore, fasting means not eating food; amazing how someone can make a name and a fortune writing a book about the foods to abstain from. It is real easy - NO food! There are water fasts, juice included fasts, and no water fasts. I actually know a great man of God who fasted in Haiti for days w/o water Puerto Rican evangelist Yiyi Avila. This is NOT recommended for most and I have never dared try it. I can do 2 days on just water and then add 4 oz of juice in the AM and PM. This works even on a forty day fast though I have a dear friend who did 40 days on water only.
Fasting is a precious intercessory tool but it cannot manipulate God as the Word of Faith believes they do with their mouth! God keep the infantile American Christians from one more wrong teaching.
As far as this statement you made goes, "I know Jesus would not be posting negative words regarding any of his children," Jesus reserved His *harshest* words for the false teachers of the day: Pharisees, Scribes, Saducees and Herodians. he called them vipers, hypocrites, stinking graves, evil, and more. Pretty strong stuff. Again, read your bible. This political correctness that we can't hold a false teacher to task in the guise of tolerance promotes indifference to the Word.
ReplyDeleteOne might wonder, why are you so bent on protecting the names of the people who pervert the Word of God, and make money off Him in the process? That is what I mean by indifference to the Word
Based on Matthew 16:34-42, I believe you are a part of fulfilled prophecy. I love knowing that Jesus is NOT a wimp, nor did He choose delicious words to convey His digust and frustration among His critics... still He knew who He was... He knew His purpose. He accomplished exactly what He was sent here to do never breaking stride nor fellowship with His Father! It would do us well to follow His example -- knowing who we are and why we're here, while never breaking fellowship with The Father. There would be a lot less arguing and a lot more victory among "Believers!" Unity in the Spirit=Unity of purpose!
DeleteThere is a type of "service to God" that isn't at all and I agree with you Elizabeth. Matt. 15 came to my mind as I read your post and the comment from in his steps ministry. What kind of watcher of the sheep are you if you allow wolves to come and go as they please and never drive them off or warn the sheep?
ReplyDeletePassage Matthew 15 :
Matthew 15
1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
10And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
12Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
13But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
15Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
16And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
elizabeth I couldn't agree more, call a wolf by his name so that the flock can be made aware! This IS our duty as believers, to stand boldly for Christ and protect the sheep so that more will not be led astray.
ReplyDeleteFurther if Mr. Franklin had said these things to you in private, then you should have confronted him in private. Yet, he makes his claims public for ALL to see, thus the rebuke can/should also be public for the church to see and understand.
Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
The first commenter has an incorrect view of who Jesus was while here on earth, Who He continues to be in heaven. In our culture and time today He has been so feminized and stripped of His true masculinity as fully human, and his holiness as fully God, so as to be almost unrecognizable. Jesus was not a sweet talking, never hurt a fly kind of guy. He was the Son of God in bodily form, who got right in your face, calling sin sin and people to repentance. He didn't say, "oops, Peter, you made a mistake! Now try again more carefully this time." No, "Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." If he said this to his own disciple while here on earth, would he not confront those who teach falsehood today in a likewise manner? Jesus also took a whip and went to work right there in the temple, smashing things up, driving out the money changers. When it came to the crucifixion he was NOT a victim, but in strength went willingly through all of it in order to pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus calls us to a life of sacrifice, of giving up our so called "rights" in order to serve God and others.
ReplyDeleteI do not always agree with your interpretation of Scripture, Elizabeth, but if all you wrote in this post is correct (and I'm certain it is), then this man needs to be named by name and shown for what he teaches. He is a danger to the church, along with Osteen, the Crouches and any other of their ilk. If he, and they, do not repent of this sin, I shudder to think of what awaits them in eternity. "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6
I did the Daniel fast at the beginning of this year for the first time ever and read his book. I admit I just glossed over certain parts of the book that focused so much on getting things from God....I focused on where He talked about knowing God more because it was my main purpose for fasting. The fast was amazing and I truly learned that fasting really does take away focus off so many distractions and you are focused solely on God. It was not anything Jentezen said, it was all God of course.
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to Jentezen but I started backing away when I heard him supporting the prayer of Jabez....I cannot lie and say the Lord did not use him to minister to me when I was still a young christian. There were things I would be struggling with that he'd randomly start preaching about and I know it is God. It doesn't excuse any falsity he preaches though.
I also did the Daniel Fast and have done so for the last 3 years after reading his book. I, too, wasn't fasting to get something but to be closer to the Lord and to have more love for Him. I have more love for the Lord than I have had, I am more consistent on spending time with Him, I want others to know Him and I am more aware of how much I need Him as my Savior. I am thankful for the teaching because most preachers do not want to talk about fasting even though Jesus said "when you fast" and not "if you fast".
DeleteI am a total believer in fasting to seek the Lord. I do believe things happen in us (conviction of sin, focus on the Lord, increased love for Him and His Kingdom, etc) and also things in the spirit realm which we cannot see or explain. I advise you not to "throw out the baby with the bath water".
Has he denied Jesus as the Son of the Living God? Has he rejected the fundamental truths of the Gospel? (I am aware of what Joel O'Steen has said and diagree with his gospel.) I don't hear his preaching much but I know God has used his book on fasting to teach me. I also know that there are doctrines or beliefs that I am going to disagree with other Christians concerning. However, I am equally suspectible to being in error in what I believe because I am human. I don't know of one great preacher (or Christian either) that has or had all of their theology correct. If so, why is there so many denominations? Is one right and all of the others wrong? I have some friends who are so afraid to read anything by someone who is not a Calvinist because they are. But who said that John McArthur and John Piper have it all right (especially since they diasagree on infant baptism)?? No, we are not all going to agree. If anything, I would pray hared for someone if I think they are preaching something contrary to the Word of God. Let's face it, we don't understand the pressure and temptations they have by being in the Christian spotlight. As unknown as I am, I can get too much attention and forget who gave me my talents and gifts. I am sure it is one hundred times more difficult for him. I am not excusing anything he may say but I am saying let's pray instead of bash other Christians. The Holy Spirit can certainly coprrect him, or anyone else for that matter. Also, maybe God led Franklin to teach at Joel's church so they could hear some truth? I am only giving him the benefit of the doubt. Too many times, I have judged people and have not considered that the Lord was doing something. Clearly, if someone teaches/preaches salvation from any other name, then it is false. But we should pray for others and even write letters to them (speak the truth in love) instead of tearing someone down. For truly the Lord Himself said, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35. Are we, as Christians, truly showing the world that we are His disciples if we are cutting one another down because we see something that is wrong or don't agree on doctrine? I think if we, as Christians, would keep our lips shut more and pray more, the Holy Spirit would move in the hearts and lives without us trying to tear people down in front of a world that needs to see true Christianity.
Hi Anonymous,
DeleteThanks for all your comments. I have just a few responses:
1. RE throwing out the baby with the bathwater, I wouldn't be too quick to accept an innocent looking baby if it comes in dirty bathwater
2. RE John MacArthur and John Piper, we don't compare preachers with each other. We compare what each individual one says with the bible.
3. I am glad you were personally blessed by the Franklin book and fasting. However personal blessing isn't how we detect what we are taking in is true or not. Satan knows how to make anything look like a blessing. Learning the truth isn't a journey of personal satisfaction, but one of constantly comparing what we hear with scripture and having it confirmed by scripture.
4. If we keep our lips shut how will we alert the unaware of false teaching and show them the true?
I would also remind you and us all that we CAN know correct theology. Titus 1:9 says we can.
Im sorry i just want to understand, please explain why it is wrong to support the prayer of Jabez?
Deleteabe, this link below is to a short essay on the pros and cons of the Prayer of Jabez. Personally I try to avoid name it-claim it kind of prayers and I try to avoid reciting prayers that are little more than chants, or good luck charms or have the potential to become so. While the Prayer of Jabez promotes prayer, which is good, the methodology it promotes is not something that one can or should replicate and expect that *this* is a prayer that God always answers, as is stated in the book. Please check out the link FMI.
Deletehttp://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA64
In 1978 I wanted to get "right" with God and had explored what limited avenues to do so exisited in my Upstate NY town including attending the play Godspell.
DeleteFrustrated that I could not "find" Him I went back to my Catholic church and made confession, something I had not done in 7 years! The next day at communion I was so blessed to be reuniting my life to Christ, b/c the Catholic heretical teaching of transubstantiation meant I was consuming Christ!
God used all the situation and my pure heart just liked He used a donkey to speak His words to wicked Baal! When I received communion I physically felt like a bucket of warm water poured over me from head to foot. I was so full of joy that on the way back to pew I felt like dancing, of course I didn't! After Mass instead of prefunctorially shaking one hand, I sought out people to greet with the Catholic closing, "the peace of the Lord be with you."
In my car on the way home from church I was singing the song from Godspell, "O dear Lord, three things I pray; that I might love you more dearly, follow you more nearly and see you more clearly." Then the Holy Spirit spoke to me, "We do not speak English in heaven." That made great sense to me, an English major, why should the Creator be limited to a finite language? Then He spoke again,"the language that we speak you can speak it now." Next thing I knew I was singing in tongues though I did not know what it was and stopped after a few seconds thinking I'd done too many drugs. Weeks later I had a Calvary experience and attended my first Protestant church where I arrived late to 800 people on their feet singing in tongues.
I told you all that to tell you this. I do not revere the Catholic church, nor Godspell, nor heretical transubstantiation. God used them all to His glory. God used Franklin and his book to bring some closer to Christ and for that all the glory is to Jesus Christ! We are so ready to build an altar to whatever revelation God gives us and He will not share His glory with another.
Also, I've reconciled with the fact that if someone led by The Lord said something similar about the preacher/pastor I respect the most and whose teaching I listen closely, I would humble myself and pray to The Holy Spirit to also minister to me about it. It's just the days we are living in and forever and ever, God has the final word not our preferences.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being obedient to The Lord Elizabeth.
"faith in my faith" is definitely the best to sum it up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the comments! You guys are terrific! I am enjoying reading your thoughts and the discussion is good. :)
ReplyDeleteA friend posted this quote on facebook tonight and it reminded me of your blog post:
ReplyDelete"We know that the sheep live in denial; that is what makes them sheep. They do not want to believe that there is evil in the world. The sheep generally do not like the sheepdog. He looks a lot like the wolf. He has fangs and the capacity for violence. The difference, though, is that the sheepdog must not, cannot and will not ever harm the sheep. Any sheepdog who intentionally harms the lowliest little lamb will be punished and removed. Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, 'Baa.' Until the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog." – LTC Dave Grossman on Rangerupdotcom .
I want to ask the author of this article to mention just ONE preacher in US or any part of the world that is PERFECT. See, as long as you continue to dent the image of someone like J. Franklin that will publicly say on his pulpit that Illicit sex is bad, fornication is bad, pornography is bad, alcoholism is bad without fear or favor, then I think you need DELIVERANCE yourself. The level of moral degeneration in US calls for people that are ready to pray and seek God's face regardless of how they choose to do it. Daniel's fast or Judas' fast means nothing as long as you seek the face of God in the fasting. What you are expert in is bringing down those that are ready to sensitize people to seek God. All you'll say is that Jimmy Swaggart is bad, Kenneth Copeland is bad, Benny Hinn is bad, Maurice Cerullo is bad, TD Jakes is bad, Creflo Dollar is bad, Kenneth Haggain is bad, Billy Graham is bad, Reinhard Bonke is bad. Only you are good. I pity you, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteWhy not select what blesses you from their sermons and leave the rest for God to handle?
Thank you!!!
DeleteElizabeth,
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting Professed Christians bash other Christians and forget how we should NOT judge others! We call Pastor Franklin a wolf, but from what I understand of this ministry is that he supports poor children in North Georgia, has a world wide mission which helps poor people around the world and then has 2 churches to bring the lost to Christ. I have seen Pastor Franklin on the pulpit and he speak the truth from the word of God. I have seen him repudiate sin, homosexuality, adultery. What more do you want from. Man of God?
In addition isn't the Daniels fast biblical. I do the fast yearly and I believe I draw close to God. Allowing me to pray for a better spiritual relationship with Jesus .
From what I can see, you sit in an office and make false claims about men who are trying to live a life that God approves.
In the future, I would love for you to write about alternatives on whom Pastors we should watch on tv or what churches Christians should attend. I can guarantee one thing, you and I would have biblical differences. From priest to rabbis, to evangelical pastors their are differences.
instead of posting negative things on men of God why are you not discussing the false doctrines of the Mormons or Jehovah Witness or the Dali Lama or a Santero priest? I just wonder where your true priorities are?
Finally, does it make a Man of God better or whose to comment on his preaching from coast to coast? If you were around when Jesus would have been alive, then his preaching would have remained locally. Never would Jesus be able to perform his miracles of healing, raising the dead, and preaching and have an impact as he did by traveling from city to city. I am NOT comparing Jesus to pastor Franklin, but if traveling is how he spreads the work, to God be the Glory!
All my comments have been made with the most respect and love, but I am one of those that are tired of attacking people that love God while we give passes to those in the work that attack our beliefs, norms, and make Christains seems crazy and passé! Have a wonderful Christams!
Hi Gonz,
ReplyDeleteHere is an essay on why naming false teachers is biblical
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-we-name-false-teachers.html
in that essay is also an explanation of the correct use of the old chestnut 'judge not' that people use incorrectly.
I see you feel fine with pointing that the Mormons are false, though they claim Christianity, yet you are not happy that I pointed to a pastor as false whom *you* follow and like. Yet the bible tells us repeatedly that false teachers will come in the latter days, false prophets, false christs, counterfeits, and false doctrine. Did you think all of those will be so easily identifiable as the Dalai Lama or a Mormon adherent? No. That is why the bible calls them counterfeit. They fake the real thing. Take another look at 2 Peter 2:1- they will be "among you."
As for the Daniel Fast being biblical, I explained in this essay- using scriptures- the difference between what Daniel did and what Jesus calls us to do in the NT. Jesus gave us a new command about fasting.
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2011/12/if-you-have-concerns-about-daniel-fast.html
I notice you rebut vehemently (and personally) yet do not cite scripture. If you go ahead and read the essays I've offered you, and re-read the essay above on which you are commenting, you will have sufficient scriptures to answer your concerns about how and why it is important to alert the people to the wolves among us, the ones Jesus said will come. Discernment is tantamount in these apostate days, Gonz, and not everyone claiming to be doing God's work really is.
Elizabeth we need more believers out there to point out the truth no matter how uncomfortable
ReplyDeleteit makes others feel. The truth is NOT about "feelings" the truth is about doing what is right. We are called to be like the Bereans, study the scripture. I don't care how much money false teachers give to the poor, it isn't worth their losing their souls for a loaf of bread. To waste your time on false teaching is a tragedy. Thank-you for telling it like it is . To ignore God's Word is to HATE God's truth. And God WILL call you out on it.....
FANTASTIC AND CORRECT, HE IS NOTHING BUT A BUSINESS MAN
ReplyDeleteGod showed Joan Pearce (a word of faith evangelist) which large tv ministries wouldn't make it when disasters strike. She was not allowed to tell anyone which ones they were from God Himself.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that Mrs Pearce was shown something by someone she believes was a supernatural experience, and indeed was. But I'll eat my hat if it was from God.
ReplyDeleteI think false preachers and false doctrine should be bashed. Read what the Book of Jeremiah has to say about it.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I am so dissapointed in the way you put your thoughts together. You are wrong about Jentzen Franklin and his minitry, but only those that are truly connectected and lead by the Spirit will know this. Does that make him perfect? Of course not! I wonder though if you were lead by the Spirit to write this report. Demons enjoy reading these types of reports because it causes confussion and division and make it harder for non-believes to know what to believe. NOw as far a sowing, I believe that if the Spirit leads you to sow and you're obedient then you will get blessings. If you sow out of the flesh then there is no reward because anything done out of the flesh doesn't glorify God. When you posted and some of your posting was about him traveling on a private jet and his kids not being in school.. you were tyring to use that to say he should be kicked out of any Christain church. WOw! your opinion is greater than God's I guess. If God has him as a shepard in two different church's and GOd blesses him for it, why are you so upset. IT's like being angry with the government over your taxes and you know what the bible says about people in authority over you. God placed them there. Don't you think that if God wants to remove him, he can? Don't you think that if Jentzen Franklin isn't of God, GOd would nudge the SPirit of believers (this is called decernment). I hear people like yoiu all the time in the church trying to point out the speck in someone else's eyes and can't see the plank in thier own. I believe your full of religion and not truly relationship with our heavely Father. Those that have religion like to throw scriptures around to show they are holier than though. I am not angry writing this, just dissapointed that Christians today are not lead by the SPirit of God. THey are more like the Farasis and Sadducees of Jesus' time knowing scripture and condeming those that didn't follow it the way they believed it should be followed. May the Lord of Heaven and Earth give you peace and understanding that we are different and even though our beliefs might not be aligned exactly to eachothers...we are aligned to God's love, grace and mercy through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteOH Elizabeth, I forgot to tell you to check out Jentzen Franklin's website about fasting. At the bottom it says that this is about the heart and when the heart if right before God then blessings will surely follow. When you mention scripture from the Old-Testament...that already tells me you are a religous person. God Bless my sister in Christ.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, I guess it makes two of us that are disappointed. I am sorry you read the piece and commented without referring to any of the bible verses I'd used. That is not a good basis for a biblical discussion.
ReplyDeleteWe inside the church are to judge for ourselves whether a teaching is true or not. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).
As for the Mr Franklin's website and fasting about being about the heart, that is also a shame. Because the "heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick, who can know it?" (Jer 17:9). The heart is the WORST standard to judge anything. Joseph Smith's teaching is from the heart and his religion consigned many millions to darkness (Mormonism). Muhammad's teaching is from the heart and many millions following Allah are likewise consigned to darkness. Oprah is teaching New Age ecumenism from the heart and also many who follow it will end up in eternal darkness. Being heartfelt has nothing to do with whether a teaching is right.
If your standard to determine if a false teaching is
--'from the heart'
--mentioning the Old Testament equals being a "religious person'
--prosperity means God is blessing you
then I submit that you are dangerously misled as to what biblical discernment is.
The standards that you mentioned are exactly the *opposite* of what we should be using as a barometer for determining if a teacher is true or false. Discernment is not a "nudge from the Spirit," because that calls for subjective decisions and as per the verse about the heart, subjective assessments on any given situation are not valid. The only way to practice discernment is to test against the bible. (1 Thess 5:21). Romans 12:9; 1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1
Tim Challies wrote a book about Discernment. He defines it this way:
"Discernment is the ability to think biblically about all areas of life." A longer, more thorough definition might be something like this: 'Spiritual discernment is the God-given, Spirit-empowered ability to understand and interpret truth, so that we can apply truth to our lives, thus bringing glory to God and furthering our enjoyment of Him.'
"The Hebrew word for discernment is used 247 times in the Old Testament. The word has been translated variously as understand, discern, and distinguish. The Greek word is used similarly in the New Testament. It too refers to a process of separating or discriminating whereby truth may be set apart in relief from that which is false. In short, discernment is a filtering process by which a person distinguishes and separates good from the bad, right from wrong, and truth from error." (source: Tim Challies, "Defining Discernment" http://www.challies.com/discernment/defining-discernment-0)
If a person does that, they ARE being led by the Holy Spirit. I pray you come to this understanding as well. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
This post makes me sad. I used to be in a church that used to fast according to the Bible but never taught us why we fast or how to fast correctly. Jentezen Franklin has helped me learn so much about fasting. Instead of it being a ritual it is now a time of growing. At the end of the day the point is that you fast when you want a breakthrough. Esther fasted. Daniel fasted. Jesus fasted. And they all received something in return. There is nothing wrong with giving up something to show God that you want His plan for your life. And as for your comment about the heart...you pick and choose scriptures as it suits you... what about Ezekiel 36:26...where God gives us a new heart?
ReplyDeleteAlso whats wrong with your best life now? Sure its not heaven but there is no reason you cannot enjoy life.
You seem to have a problem with any popular preacher/teacher.
I hope the people reading this blog remember that you can take the Bible and use its scriptures to justify anything you want. Just google any atheistic blog and see how they are confused by what the Bible says. Not everyone who reads the Bible understands it because the Spirit illuminates the scripture. And I think you are reading the Bible with no Spirit guiding you.
It is sad that non-believers look at us Christians and wonder why we are so divided if we serve one God. If I were you I would consider how many people have been saved by these preachers and how many people you've turned away because of your rantings.
By the way...for an artistic person your website is horrendous. That's my professional opinion.
just to support you.
DeleteI just want to remind the critics about what Jesus said, that you will know the tree from its fruit.Both Franklin and Osteen have been fruitful in their ministry, so what have these critics achieved.
Franklin and Osteen have been fruitful in their ministry? I do not agree with your assessment.
Delete"Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." James 3:11-12
Anonymous of 7:23 AM,
ReplyDeleteI don't know why you're sad. There is nothing to be sad about. We're discussing biblical truth, which is wonderful.
Your reliance on Jentezen Franklin to learn about fasting is unfortunate. You should rely on Jesus for your teacher. He taught about fasting directly to you in Matthew 6:16-18, and it is not a hard lesson. Read this, if you would:
'Fasting to Be Seen Only by God'
16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Additionally, Colossians 2:20-22 says that when you subject yourselves to which foods to taste, touch, handle you are wrongly submitting to a doctrine of men.
Colossians 2:23 says that doing so has no heavenly value.
Mark 7:19 declared all foods clean.
Romans 14:17 says the kingdom of God is not about food.
In his fasting book, Mr Franklin said that our fasting is a key that opens up heaven and shuts the gates of hell. Do you believe you have such power? Mr Franklin tells you that you do.
However, Jesus tells us that we fast it should be unto the Father in secret. Hmmm, which teaching do you prefer, believe, and adopt? Franklin's, which bestows upon you power, or Jesus's which acknowledges His?
You can't determine if a preacher is teaching a valid doctrine by how many people he has saved. For one reason, it is the Holy Spirit who saves, and it is a matter of the heart that only Jesus determines. Many who seem to be saved, are not! (Mt 7:23; 7:13). I urge you to look to the bible and compare what the teacher or preacher is saying to the Holy Word. Looking at man's subjective barometer to see if a teaching is good or not will yield a false result- while comparing to the Word NEVER does.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI don’t approve your comments because:
--you don’t use scripture to support your stance
--you make remarks that show you haven’t thoroughly read the article
--you make personal attacks
--your comments don’t add to the discussion positively
Examples:
You said, ”So you are saying he is a false teacher by.... oh wait you didn't buy or read the book? Right... so you know what it says in it? .... yeah.”
I have read the book. You made an assumption there, an incorrect one
You said: “I have a question, how do you know if it's a private jet? (Hint: obviously, you don't know)”
If you had read the article you’d know that the fact of his traveling in private jet is reported in the Charisma Magazine article, which is both quoted in my essay, and sourced with a live link.
A final example, you said “You skew scripture (just as Satan himself used against fasting) to prove your own doctrine.”
You made an accusation, but failed to use scripture as your basis to show me where you think I skewed it.
Therefore, comments like yours will never get published. Not because I am “scared,” but because they only afford you a platform to negatively vent, and they do not advance anyone’s biblical understanding of the issues at hand.
Jesus said let him without sin cast the first stone. Guess you would have been the first to throw one, if you had been there back in the day. Read about condemnation . It's of the devil. Jesus said to walk in love. Remember love your neighbor as yourself. Don't think you are doing that!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, We didn't park our brain at the door when we accepted Christ. The bible is replete with scriptures on what to do when coming up against a false teacher or doctrine. Jesus didn't say "sit there like monkey see monkey do with your mouth closed." I love Jesus too much to let brethren continue under a false teaching that dishonors Jesus without saying something biblical and in love. I love my neighbor too much to stay quiet. When a train is coming, and a person is asleep on the tracks, would you say that I am being a bad neighbor by making noise to wake him up before he gets crushed by oncoming circumstances? That is what you are essentially saying, you know.
ReplyDeleteHere are scriptures for you, as if there aren't enough in the article...
2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour
Luke 12:57 “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?"
1 Timothy 1:19-20 Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
1 Timothy 1:3-4 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.
Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
As for your misuse of the verse "cast not the fist stone", if brothers who condemn bad teaching are casting the first stone, and are of the devil, as you state, then Paul surely was of the devil, for he called false teachers by name, and said their teachings at various times were gangrene, evil, and putrid. (2 Tim 2:17,1 Tim 1:20). Are you saying Paul was "of the devil"?
Hope all these help you understand, Anonymous, how important it is to warn each other of false teachings, encourage each other n remaining in true teachings, and to love Christ above all else, even asove our own reputation or comfort.
Elizabeth Hensley has left a new comment
ReplyDeleteYou don't believe in prosperity?
Do you have a home, land,car, computer,things hanging on your wall, job? Then you are prosperous.
Why haven't you sold all you have and given it to the poor, if you don't believe in prosperity?
Because God wants you to prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. He wants you to have enough to meet your needs and help others. There are many, many prosperous people in the Bible. Jesus wouldn't have had a tomb without the rich Joseph of Arimathaea. It is the love of money that is evil ,not the money itself. It's all about where your heart is. How can you go into all the world without money? Your prosperity is a gift from God. Be thankful for it.
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psalm 35:26-28 (in Context) Psalm 35 (Whole Chapter)
Elizabeth H, what gave you the idea I don't believe in prosperity? The problem comes when people preach that God is a vehicle to earthly prosperity. In prosperity gospel, AKA word-faith religion such as Mr Franklin preaches, the person uses God. In true Christianity, the believer is used BY God. In Word-faith doctrine, they teach the Holy Spirit is a power to be put to use for whatever the believer wants, if it is only "released" by certain tricks and rituals. In true Christianity, the believer understand the true power of the Holy Spirit is to magnify Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference.
Elizabeth, I am amazed by your intellect but I will just remind you about what Jesus said, trees will be identified by their fruit (my para phrase).No one can deny the success of both mens' ministries that you are trying to condemn.Whatever your problem is, it is so simple. Show us some fruits.And if your fruit looks better than theirs then may be i will listen to you but if you can not match them then why should I listen to you. ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS.
DeleteIt isn't about intellect. It is about the bible, and the indwelling Holy Spirit whose intellect is far greater than mine or any one person's on this earth.
DeleteActions speak louder than words, do they? Pharaoh's sorcerers did miracles. Do their actions show they could bear good fruit? By your method if discernment, the sorcerers would be judged as bearing good fruit. O ye who are still on milk! Grow up! Demas spent many years with Paul, engaged in Paul's fruitful ministry. yet he abandoned the faith. Hymenaeus heaped to himself a great many followers, yet Paul denounced him as false. Actions do not speak louder than words. You are using man's methods to discern. THE WORD is the basis from which we judge all fruit.
On that score: Mr Franklin speaks contrary to the bible. Period. I don't care if he wraps up that rotten core with sugar plums and cotton candy, at the root is still a man who speaks contrary to the Word. His words speak louder than his actions, to me. How about you? What benchmark will you use as YOUR basis for discerning good from bad? Pleasant works? or the Word of God?
Thank you for a concise expose of this "ministry", keep shedding light on the heretics, we have to continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who are being mislead by these liars.
ReplyDeleteJentzen Franklin is FAR from a heritic. The word of God also gives a stern warning about bad mouthing our pastors, Im glad you have discernment and a platform (which by the way blogging isnt in the bible any more than pastoring 2 churches that you can get to in a plane) Jentzen has blessed my life for YEARS with his teaching.Be careful with your negative assessment of one of Gods servants lest you cause your brothers to stumble. I'm over 50, not a new believer, I earnestly disagree with you. Thank you Jentzen for bringing me closer to the Lord, and bringing truth an conviction to this sinner when I need it.
ReplyDeleteThe bible does give warnings about bad mouthing people. It also gives stern warnings about the effects of failing to discern bad teaching and failing to warn people about them.
ReplyDeleteDo you believe that when Franklin violates Matthew 6:1 that is it OK? Do you believe that we have the key to the gate of heaven and our actions can open it, violating Is 22:22? Do you believe God gave men the power to open the heaven by our actions and to close hell by our actions?
Do you believe it is OK for Franklin to violate Matthew 16-18 and have our fasting, which is only to be seen by God, to be seen by men?
Do you believe some foods are unclean even though Mark 7:9 declared them clean?
No, blogging isn't in the bible. But the New Testament is mainly of letters written to congregants far off for their education, reproving, exhortation and instruction.
Pastoring two churches bi-coastal is not a biblical model of pastoring. If it was, Paul would not have left a pastor or an elder behind every time he started a new church.
I understand you disagree. But I used scriptures and video to lay out my stance. Where and how and why do you disagree with the scriptures I used to show that Mr Franklin is putting forth bad doctrine? Just saying "You're wrong" isn't contending for the faith. It's an opinion as ephemeral as the blowing reeds that bend this way and that to every new doctrine.
Here is a page of scriptures on why the Franklin fasting program is unscriptural. I'm sure you being a mature beliveer will appreciate the clarity of the verses that illustrate and undergird the stance that Franklin brings a false doctrine
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2011/12/if-you-have-concerns-about-daniel-fast.html
Finally, dear Anonymous, my sister or brother, if we take your meaning that naming false teachers is "bad mouthing" them, then we must also chastise Paul. He named as preaching false doctrine or false conversion or not living up to biblical standards- Philetus, Hymenaeus, Jannes Jambres, Demas, Alexander, Phygelu, Hermogene, Euodia, Syntyche, Diotrephes, and Peter.
ReplyDeleteTwelve times, and there may be others I'd missed, Paul "bad mouthed" someone by marking them as a false convert or a false teacher or not living to scriptural standards. Was he wrong to do this? Should we rip those passages out of the bible? Is naming false teachers bad mouthing them? I shed light on that here
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2011/11/why-we-name-false-teachers.html
"It is not unkind to analyze Christian's doctrinal differences in the light of Scripture. That is not unkind. That is kind. We have a mandate from God to do this even if it involves rebuking certain people by name because they are so well known. The apostle Paul writing in 4 Philippians says, "I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord." And then he says, "True comrade, help those women." He identifies two cantankerous, trouble-making, disagreeable women in the congregation who were to be publicly rebuked for all time because their names have occupied a place in the permanent record."
more on the above, naming names here
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/90-52
There is a difference in gossiping and slandering than contending for the faith and pointing out by using scriptures where someone is teaching things that do not line up with the bible.
Now, I don't want you to just believe me about Mr Franklin. Paul commended the Bereans for even testing what HE said with scriptures! Test all, hold on to what is good. Look at the scriptures on the page I'd linked to and pray for the Spirit to confirm or refute my interpretation.
Lets try to keep our focus on God.
ReplyDeleteActs 23:5
Then said Paul, I knew not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.
We should not let the devil distract us from keeping the focus on God. We should not be attacking each other in Christ. No person in Christ is perfect or knows it all. We are all growing, hopefully in humbleness.
Joel and Jentezen are godly men of God.
joel osteen disagrees with through his words
Deletefrom the message that the Bible tells
pls do researches before you state.
thanks
Hi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI am curious if you think that by Paul naming the false teachers and pointing out bad doctrine if he was also not focusing on God? Is his naming false teachers "attacking" them? He named as preaching false doctrine or false conversion or not living up to biblical standards- Philetus, Hymenaeus, Jannes Jambres, Demas, Alexander, Phygelu, Hermogene, Euodia, Syntyche, Diotrephes, and Peter.
Do you uncritically accept every teaching that comes along? When you state that a certain teacher or preacher "is of God" do you use examples and scriptures? These exercises are important. When we perform them they focus us on God because they use His word to support our contentions.
How is studying the bible and realizing that a teacher is preaching something different *not* being focused on God? You lost me there.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteThank you for standing on scripture. The Word of God is our only sure source of testing between what IS truth and what is NOT! If we believe and are carried away by every wind of doctrine we have lost our secure footing on the foundation of God. We must "know the truth" and then the truth will set us free. You must know the genuine before you can identify the false. Again, thank you for being a watchman on the walls of the body of Christ.
I like this post :-)
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you all sit and pray, ask GOD if Franklin is a false teacher or not, if you have a close relationship with GOD then He will surely tell you the truth,.hear to the voice of GOD not your own consciences. " No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My father I have made known to you " John 15:15, if you are being a friend of GOD, just ask HIM for anything you want to know .
ReplyDeleteThat's good advice Anonymous. Any discovery as to true or false teachings can begin with prayer. Asking Him for wisdom, He will give it without rebuke (James 1:5.) The conscience is also a place where the beginning of the journey into revealed truth or falsity also starts. But simply stopping there may not be wise. The conscience can fool a person, our thoughts actually being satan's. So we always confirm a thing by the Word through the strength of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteNehemiah 9:20- Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Only the Word is truth and only it can be trusted:
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
So when we ask of God if Franklin is a false teacher, we listen to the Spirit guide us, and we delve into the bible for confirmation, using it as the only reliable barometer for learning His truths. Comparing what Franklin says and does with what the bible says is the best way to go.
I've been doing the Daniel fast for 15 days and it has been an awesome experience. God has revealed a lot to me! I definitely feel closer to God.
ReplyDeleteI noticed that several of your comments say "I do not believe" We must remember that what we believe is not always truth.
Mike I'm glad you "feel" awesome and you "feel" closer to God. However what we feel is not truth either. I would point you to the scriptures on this subject which I used:
DeleteJesus Christ declared all foods clean and said that nothing should be rejected if it is received with gratitude (Mark 7:19; 1 Tim 4:1-5).
Fasting should be done in secret= Matthew 6:18.
If we needed such specific detail on fasting as the Daniel Fast gives, He would have given it. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
What you eat cannot defile you (Mark 7:19-23). You don't need to buy a secular book from a pastor who openly violates several verses (Mt 6:2 for ex) to tell you any differently.
Even though Franklin's program tries to tell us that it will make us may seem to be wise and spiritual, fasting in itself does not advance our sanctification (Colossians 2:16-17, 20-23.)
"The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17.
Here is an essay I wrote using these and other scriptures to explain why the Jentezen Franklin book and Daniel Fast are a doctrine of men.
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2011/12/if-you-have-concerns-about-daniel-fast.html
I haven't read his book but I have seen him on TV many times. He has blessed me with his truthful preaching. In this day of seeker sensitivity it's nice to see a man still preaching against sin. It's nice to hear a preacher who still believes in the Gifts and Power of the Holy Spirit. While I don't care for Joel Osteen I don't condemn Franklin for taking the opportunity to preach to Osteen's congregation. Even Jesus preached to sinners. And I'm not a big fan of Jentzen participating on TBN. But that hardly makes him a heretic. Just because he is a preacher doesn't make him perfect. That distinction falls only to Jesus Christ. All this aside the troubling thing about this Blog is the criticism about his family and travelling. Frankly that is between him and his family and has nothing to do with his ability to minister and is completely irrelevant thus being perceived as a personal attack. And to me that is throwing stones.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you totally missed the point. I won't respond to all your comments but I would mention out two things- first, it is not "irrelevant" about how a pastor acts and how he manages his family. There are many biblical admonitions for how he is to conduct himself in is office and how he is to raise his children. Pastors are not above accountability on those matters, as you state.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, that the barometer for discerning whether a preacher is good or bad is not that you personally "get a blessing" from him.
I am amazed in alot of wordly activities that goes on with preachers.We are really suppose to be in the world but not of the world. i recently saw a Pic posted of a TV Preacher at an Eagles Concert!!!! Wow!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the world coming to.
DeleteJesus said you will know my disciples by their fruits. I can see the fruits of the Ministry that God does through Jentezen franklin
ReplyDeletehe is partnering with the great dreams center in Los angeles to give kids a place to stay.
God through his ministry sends 270,000 meals a month to haiti, and also built over 100 families a new home to stay in, not counting the medical needs.
There is no one perfect on this world, only man every was and is, is Jesus. At some point your going to take the bible out of context, at some point everyone does it.
I can see the fruits of God in His ministry,
I wouldnt say he is a false teacher, He teaches about God and preaches sermons that condem sin. I think your more focused on his faults.
We could do the same with the apostle peter, Peter you denied christ 3 times, you false teacher.
Peter you hypocrite you showed favortism to the jews over the gentiles but you say God is not respector of persons.
Peter was human, he messed up. but we dont label him by his faults, we label him as a man of God cause he kept pressing foward in His saviors name.
One thing i know is when its blessed of God it will grow, if its not then God will deal with the situation.
I believe Jentezen is doing what God has gave him, or God would remove him. Btw no one is forcing you to sow a 1000$ dollar seed that is up to you. whatever the amount God Loves a Cheeful giver, and you will be blessed out of your giving.
God Bless
Hi Roger,
DeleteThanks so much for reading the piece and taking the time to reply with your thoughts.
I have heard many people say that Mr Franklin is a doer. He is generous and creative, and that his ministries help many. I think that is fantastic, and in no way do I diminish it. But it is not fruit unless it is done with the right motivation, in His name and for His name, and only Jesus knows that. It is why we have a Bema seat award ceremony, He will burn up even the "good works" or "fruitful" works unless they were done for His glory.
Now the kind of ministry you describe, the Red Cross does as well. Anyone can do them. Mother Theresa is pointed to as the world's kindest, most sacrifical person, but she is in hell right now most likely, having adhered all her life to doctrines that the bible does not teach.
Sure Mr Franklin teaches about God. satan isn't stupid. We would know right away if he came in teaching about Sun Ra the Egyptian god, or Baal, or something. The cult at Waco taught about God. So do the Mormons. Of course false teachers are going to teach Jesus and God, but he isn't the Jesus of the bible.
By their fruits ye shall know that doesn't mean just what they do, but what they do based against what the the bible says about it and how the bible says to do it. Franklin's giving and his fasting are at odds with how the bible says to conduct ourselves on those matters.
As Christians, we are commanded against following teachers blindly but are told rather to “test everything; hold on to the good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Apostle Peter warns us in 2 Peter 2:1-3 that there will be false teachers in our day just as there were false teachers in his day. Paul cried night and day over his flock, warning them the wolves would come.
There is a difference in a faithful believer temporarily messing up and a false teacher deliberately twisting the bible to suit his personal needs. The former is Peter. The latter is Franklin. I hope at some point you can see the difference...
One last thing, you said that 'if it is blessed of God it will grow'. Then why are there so many false teachers with huge flocks of false believers? Mr Osteen's Lakewood Church has grown...but it is not a true church. The numbers are not the indicator. Only Jesus can see the wheat from the chaff. At this late stage of the age, I'd say that if it is growing it is more likely false than true.
DeleteBy your method, every mega church is blessed by God and every small church is false. The Catholic Church is true but the Baptist Denomination is false...
No... you can't go by the numbers. The blessings of God will be revealed at the Bema Seat. We can't tell by the numbers all the time, but only by what the bible says.
In response to your question. i will answer with scripture.
DeleteRomans 8:28
New International Version (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
some people are on milk and their relationship with God may no where even be as close to a walk with what me and you have.
If God gave them a steak they could not digest it, so God will work in due time with them. Giving them small bits of progressive revelations at a time.
I also unlike you will not say that a person is in hell, I dont want adolf hitler to go to hell, and he was detestable. However his judgment does not lay with me cause my judgment is not rightous. God's Judgment is rightous and i will let him place people to where he so desires.
also growth is not measured in numbers of people in a pew seat. Though im sure it is something to boast about, i am reffering to the blessing that come from the place and go outward.
A small non-denominational church every saturday where i live is always out there giving away free food at a ball field, You just bring your box.
Sure we all love financial blessings and we could measure the success of a church by its members, but if that church regardless of size continues to be a blessing and it lines up with galations 5:22 and what james said about faith without works is dead. then we must see it for what it is, a work of God.
As for jentezen franklin. I have never met the guy, nor have i been to his church. I do however have probably close to 100 of his sermons on mp3 that i have downloaded for free over the course of a few years.
As to listening to them i have never seen him go against or preach a false teachings.
Also concerning fasts. The bible never talks about fasting anything beside food, however i have fasted computer for 2 weeks and been blessed.
I say a fast can be what every has a grip over your life that you choose to lay it down in order to grow closer to God, or fast for a answer from God.. God did give us a Spirit of discernment, i just dont think many pray to use it.
Aside from all the scripture I posted in the pieces about the Daniel Fast and about Mr Franklin, which still supports the fact the teaches falsely and which you haven't addressed, Roger, all I can say is that if you have listened to 100+ sermons from Jentezen Franklin and never heard anything to be concerned about then I suggest that you pray for discernment. I listened to a tenth of that and immediately spotted many violations, not to mention his saying we humans have the power to unlock heaven and to close the gates of hell, a blasphemous statement if I ever heard one. We differ, but the scriptures stand. Mr Franklin teaches falsely and twists scriptures to do it.
DeleteTo Elizabeth Prada .
ReplyDeleteMy name is Anthony Clark I have been going to free chapel oc for two years now.
I have seen dozens of people that receive the gift of tongues at the same time , I have also seen many financial blessing through fasting even in my own life when participating in the Daniel fast .
Every comment that comes up you seem to reply the same talking about wolfs and false doctrines and teachings.
And how it's our jobs as true believers to exposed these bad men .
And I agree with this 100% but I think there's a ton of things that you need to know about jentezen Franklin and free chapel & the Daniel fast .
Jentezent Franklin is a pentacostle christian That believes and accepts Jesus Christ as lord and savior he also accepts that Jesus is the only son of god who was sent to die for our sins and got up from the dead three days later & lives today .
All jentezen Franklin Teachings that I heard in the last two years were based on this doctrin.
He may enjoy his family and privite jet sometimes but not all the time , I see him sometimes and he looks simply tired .
P.S I don't mind a pastor that's well to do and loves his family .
Free chapel oc gives sinners prayer every Sunday many people get saved on a weekly bases , all free chapel members are very nice and full of love.
Free chapel also does water baptism several times through out the year.
The presence of god dwells in free chapel oc , when Adam and the choir start worship they usher in the holy spirit .
The Daniel fast is not a name it and claim it fast by no means necessary as a mather of fact on the last Daniel fast jentsen Franklin said that we can not demand god for favors or in general .
The Daniel fast is a corporation fast meaning This , participating churches from all over the world fast at the same time .
We take part of the Daniel fast to give god our first fruits , and we do this by taking up a 21 day faontario the Begining of the new year .
NOW HERE ARE THE FACTS . .
1st John chapter 4 verse 1-3 says to test the spirits So Elizabeth Prada is doing a good job here but this scripture also states that any spirit that confesses Jesus came in the flesh is the spirit of god , so if jentezen Franklin publicly confesses jesus Christ on a daily basis how can he be a wolf , fals profit , bad etcher ???
The only way we should publicy announce a false profit or a wolfe or a bad teacher is when that individual is pressing and teaching that there's another way to heaven or that saint Joseph is the true messia or that you need to feed Buda to live forever.
And we all know that god allows us to test him in tieding so when we fast on the Begining of the year we give him out first fruits not only in money but in our year .
And the bible also states That's when we put god first he will give us our harts desires.
I am sorry for all the typos I'm just in a hurry right now , but I just want to say this one last thing .
Don't let anybody fool you with blogs or rumors or taking bits and pieces from sermons and books and making somebody sound evil .
Test the spirits see if a church or a pastor confesses Jess Christ has lord and savior and that he is the son of god and that he died for our sins an thAt he lives today .
And remember nobody is perfect so celebrity pastors that makes Mistakes are not evil there just human..
Thank you Anonymous for your comments. I can sense your fervor and willingness to defend Mr Franklin. I am going to use the bible to rebut what you said.
DeleteYes, Franklin is name it claim it. He said in his book that our fasting is "the secret key that unlocks heaven's door and slams shut the gates of hell." He is saying that if we perform an action we have that power. We do not.
Of course he proclaims Jesus, all the while going against what Jesus said in fasting, and the example of giving I listed, (Both Matthew 6) and in living in a way the bible does not support for pastors. Don't listen to only what he says, watch what he does. The two are inconsistent.
The bible says the wolves will come in in sheep's clothing. Think about what that *means*- THINK. If he came in proclaiming Buddha you would know he was false. Wolves in sheep's clothing come in sweetly, nicely, saying almost true things, but lead the sheep off the path to destruction. You have to test the words he says against the bible. Let's do that right now, using your words and Franklin's actions as an example against what the bible says:
"You said, "The Daniel fast is a corporation fast meaning This , participating churches from all over the world fast at the same time".
Yet Matthew 6:16-18 COMMANDS us to fast in secret. How do you get around that?
How about this: the bible says: " Colossians 2:20-23: “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.” " The Franklin fast is an example of what Paul said not to do.
Why do you dismiss these violations of New Testament commands?
The bible is true and Franklin's excessive focus on fasting to receive blessing, to invoke personal power and to add ritual and legalism to what was commanded to be done in secret is W.R.O.N.G. Period.
I tested his words and actions against the bible, and I found his words wanting. Paul says that doctrines come in like gangrene, an infection. No pastor- from the merely misguided to the overtly wrong- is going to metaphorically come in swinging a machete. He will come in with tweezers, and slowly and carefully pick away at the truth until before you know it, the church is falling down because it is standing on swiss cheese, a foundation that was made full of holes, by melding truth with false. he might well believe in Jesus, but then he goes against Jesus in three cases in Matthew 6, 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9.
Dear Unknown and Elisabeth,
Deleteboth of you have raised important points.
I would like to put this ongoing discussion in the context of Revelation 22:18-19 (NIV; I think it is nowadays also important to stress which translation we are using, since even some new translations have started to 'dilute'):
"18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll."
Yesterday I heard Franklin Jentezen preaching two times. Overall, I did not get the impression that he took away words from the Bible (at least in these sermons), but definitely was adding his personal 'interpretations' that are not Bible-based. For example: he proclaimed that he strongly believes in the rapture of the saints (a false teaching based on 1. Cor 15, which for sure could lead to a big discussion by itself ...).
Elisabeth states that Franklin is picking away the truth, which would mean that he will have to suffer what is described in Revelation 22:19 (which basically means he will go into eternal condemnation).
Personally, I experienced rather 'adding to the word' which will still lead to punishment (verse 18), but not his exclusion of the Holy City in Heaven on Earth (also known as 'Heaven' - if you do not understand what I mean please ask).
I fully agree with Elisabeth to call out false prophets and teachers (very Bible based principle, if it is done based on the Scripture), but we should not forget that these people need to be prayed for, so that Revelation 22 will not have to be applied to them. I wish nobody would perish, but we all know how tempting the world can be (fame, money, porn, ... all come at a very high price).
I also understand 'unknown' who wants to defend their pastor. I can only recommend to you to test every preaching by comparison to the Holy scripture. This does not apply to Franklin, but to every teaching, Bible interpretation, or comment (like posted here). On one hand, this will make you dig deeper and deeper into the Word. On the other hand, you will get equipped for anything ahead of you (sometimes you simply do not have the time to check the Bible before moving ahead). And of course, you can straightforward reject any teaching that is not 100% Bible-based (please do not get me wrong but 99% does not cut it in my opinion - the risk is much too high, and make the math yourself - 100 sermons and each time 1% is unbiblical, well you can easily see where one can end up).
But most importantly:
In case, we happen to live when the things described in the book of Revelations will unfold, we will need to know how to apply the Word of God every single day (maybe even every second?!) - otherwise, we are at risk to fall. 'Believe it and claim it' will not save you when all hell will break loose. And since the 'rapture' will only happen after Christ returns to earth (Matthew 24), nobody who is then alive will be spared the tribulations described in Matthew 24 and the book of Revelations (please check this scriptures by yourself)
Hi ANonymous,
DeleteThank you for your thoughts. I'm sorry I wasn't clear, when I write picking away in one sense by subverting the commands in Matthew 6, and also I meant undermining it by melding falsity with truth. I too believe he is adding to it with proposing legalistic actions that are supposed to then get results. In other words, he twists scripture.
The rapture is a true teaching of the bible, this is a sure thing. It will happen, and imminently.
Thanks for the exhortation to always test what we ingest from our preachers with the truth. Testing is good. When it is proved solid, praise is good too! Thanks again Anonymous.
TO PJ WHO ASKED ME TO EMAIL:
ReplyDeletePlease send another comment with your email address. I don't know how to reach you.