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Lysa TerKeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries is coming to Athens, GA.
I strongly recommend that you not go see Lysa Terkeurst. Avoid her.
Here's why.
First, about her: Her website states Lysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 16 other books. She is also a speaker at conferences and a daily blogger. She is also wife and mom to 5 kids.
Here are some reasons to strongly consider avoiding Lysa TerKeurst in all her venues but especially in person when she arrives at Athens. These are in no particular order. All are a concern.
On August 9, 2016 in the Uninvited Book Release party held at Elevation on behalf of Lysa, she once again claimed Elevation as her church and Furtick as her pastor. Furtick also affirmed TerKeurst as one of his church family. This association violates the degree of separation from false teachers demanded by the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:5, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:7). Instead, she partners with them. (source- Uninvited Book Release Celebration webcast).
1a. In another recent partnership, Lysa recently spoke alongside these men. Aside from Furtick, an additional two have been fired from their pastorates for being unqualified because they fell below reproach. (1 Timothy 3:2). Not excellent. TerKeurst should be separating herself from these 'leaders', not supporting, promoting, and partnering with them.
A student will rise no higher than her teacher. So ladies, avoid Lysa TerKeurst, because her teachers, associates, and spiritual influences are very low.
Source 1, TerKeurst at the Sunday morning service at Perry Noble's church NewSpring;
Source 2, Steven Furtick introducing TerKeurst's series of Sunday morning messages at Elevation Church, messages based NOT on the word of God but as a church they instead studied her book The Best Yes. Can you imagine not only violating a clear scripture that women do not preach, but using your own book as the basis for the message?!
Source 3, Mark Batterson (who is another false teacher), introducing TerKeurst at his church and asking the audience to receive the word she is about to bring.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
(1 Timothy 2:12). Also see 1 Corinthians 14:34. As Michelle Lesley said in her piece on TerKeurst,
If you follow Lysa you are partnering with her in her usurping rebellion, which is a sin. (James 4:17).
As Learn to Discern Granny cited, with source page numbers from Uninvited, TerKeurst teaches that if you're silent you'll receive secrets and whispers and new information from Jesus, directly.
Therefore it is not surprising that TerKeurst teaches how to hear the voice of God in her video and pamphlet, also does so in prayer journals for sale and a book called Saying Yes to God.
For example, she said at her book release party, emphasis mine:
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9).
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?' (Daniel 4:35).
Please avoid Lysa TerKeurst for these and other reasons, as noted in the articles linked below (which also have further links). It's one thing when teachers such as this are 'out there,' but when they come to my city, a college town with vulnerable Christians and new babes in Christ who sit in the pews with me, it's another thing entirely.
----------------------------------
Further Reading
Michelle Lesley has written graciously and fairly about Lysa, here: Leaving Lysa: Why You Shouldn’t Be Following Lysa TerKeurst or Proverbs 31 Ministries
Discerning Granny reviewed Lysa's 2016 book, Uninvited here: A Review of Lysa TerKeurst's Book: Uninvited
Grace To You: What is Biblical discernment and why is it important?
Ligonier: What is discernment?
I strongly recommend that you not go see Lysa Terkeurst. Avoid her.
Here's why.
First, about her: Her website states Lysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times best-selling author of The Best Yes, Unglued, Made to Crave, and 16 other books. She is also a speaker at conferences and a daily blogger. She is also wife and mom to 5 kids.
Here are some reasons to strongly consider avoiding Lysa TerKeurst in all her venues but especially in person when she arrives at Athens. These are in no particular order. All are a concern.
1. Bad Associations
1. Lysa's home church is Elevation Church led by pastor Steven Furtick. Furtick is a prosperity teacher who opposes deep doctrine and mocks those who enjoy it, and has taken the title of Super Apostle. He also unsurprisingly preaches blasphemous things. Steven Furtick is a false pastor.On August 9, 2016 in the Uninvited Book Release party held at Elevation on behalf of Lysa, she once again claimed Elevation as her church and Furtick as her pastor. Furtick also affirmed TerKeurst as one of his church family. This association violates the degree of separation from false teachers demanded by the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:5, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:7). Instead, she partners with them. (source- Uninvited Book Release Celebration webcast).
1a. In another recent partnership, Lysa recently spoke alongside these men. Aside from Furtick, an additional two have been fired from their pastorates for being unqualified because they fell below reproach. (1 Timothy 3:2). Not excellent. TerKeurst should be separating herself from these 'leaders', not supporting, promoting, and partnering with them.
 |
| The person speaking here is Perry Noble, who was fired from NewSpring Church 5 months later. Driscoll had already quit ahead of certain discipline and likely firing from Mars Hill Church. |
2. Preaches to men
2. Lysa preaches at the pulpit and at other venues in church, to men, violating a basic and clear scripture that women must not do so.Source 1, TerKeurst at the Sunday morning service at Perry Noble's church NewSpring;
Source 2, Steven Furtick introducing TerKeurst's series of Sunday morning messages at Elevation Church, messages based NOT on the word of God but as a church they instead studied her book The Best Yes. Can you imagine not only violating a clear scripture that women do not preach, but using your own book as the basis for the message?!
Source 3, Mark Batterson (who is another false teacher), introducing TerKeurst at his church and asking the audience to receive the word she is about to bring.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
(1 Timothy 2:12). Also see 1 Corinthians 14:34. As Michelle Lesley said in her piece on TerKeurst,
If a woman is supposedly knowledgeable enough about the Bible to be in the position of teaching and authoring, yet doesn’t understand or obey such a basic biblical truth, what does that say about the rest of her knowledge of the Bible? How can you trust that anything else she teaches you about the Bible is accurate and true?
If you follow Lysa you are partnering with her in her usurping rebellion, which is a sin. (James 4:17).
3. Teaches Mysticism & Direct Revelation
3. Lysa TerKerst teaches how to listen for the voice of God and to receive personal revelations.As Learn to Discern Granny cited, with source page numbers from Uninvited, TerKeurst teaches that if you're silent you'll receive secrets and whispers and new information from Jesus, directly.
Now, Lysa also confesses she hears whispers from God. She relates, "I've got to spend time getting quiet so I can be prepared to hear new things from the Lord. Isn't it a lovely thought that God might be waiting for silence ... in order to share some of His best secrets with you? ... in the silence, He whispered to my soul, You are not set aside, you are set apart ...." (p.112). Much like Sarah Young's messages in Jesus Calling, Lysa, too, is saying she gets new revelations from the Lord.Ladies, the canon is closed. (Revelation 22:18-19). Jesus is not currently speaking to individuals. He did that Himself in His incarnation, and via the Apostles and NT writers via His Spirit.
Therefore it is not surprising that TerKeurst teaches how to hear the voice of God in her video and pamphlet, also does so in prayer journals for sale and a book called Saying Yes to God.
For example, she said at her book release party, emphasis mine:
I have this feeling that Uninvited is not going to be just a book.I have a deep feeling in my heart Jesus has decided that too many of His people have been held back by rejection. I want to know if you are in this room tonight and you are ready to embrace that the devil might be vicious but he will not be victorious. Can I get an Amen! Uninvited Book Release Celebration webcastBible teachers should not be saying they have any inkling at all of what Jesus has decided. Of all the things on this page and of the ones I listened to and read, this is the worst for me. It is highly dangerous for a 'Bible' teacher to go around purporting to speak for the secret things that Jesus has decided in His power and will. It is a gross perversion of our calling as submissive witnesses to His glory and exaltation.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9).
All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?' (Daniel 4:35).
Conclusion
Please avoid Lysa TerKeurst for these and other reasons, as noted in the articles linked below (which also have further links). It's one thing when teachers such as this are 'out there,' but when they come to my city, a college town with vulnerable Christians and new babes in Christ who sit in the pews with me, it's another thing entirely.
----------------------------------
Further Reading
Michelle Lesley has written graciously and fairly about Lysa, here: Leaving Lysa: Why You Shouldn’t Be Following Lysa TerKeurst or Proverbs 31 Ministries
Discerning Granny reviewed Lysa's 2016 book, Uninvited here: A Review of Lysa TerKeurst's Book: Uninvited
Grace To You: What is Biblical discernment and why is it important?
Ligonier: What is discernment?
Wow, that conference lineup was a "must miss"...
ReplyDeleteMercy.
-Carolyn
I challenge you to go to The Word Alive and hear how Lysa teaches straight from God's Word. She is the real deal and I am shocked you would go through these lengths to persuade people from going and hearing the Word. It is a shame really. You should hear for yourself before passing judgment.
ReplyDeletePerhaps, before you JUDGE, you could enact your own advice. What makes you think I haven't listened to their teachings? Or read them? Or even have engaged personally with several of the women?
DeleteRemember, discernment is not just detecting the difference between right and wrong, but the differnece between right and almost right.
All The false teachers Paul decried in the NT were preaching the word. But theywere not preaching 'this same Jesus", or were teaching a difference in doctrine that destroys souls. Or living in such a way that is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Satan is the most subtle creature in the garden, remember. (Genesis 3:1). be not ignorant.2 Corinthians 2:11
Can you tell me how you hear from God? Or rather how I am suppose to hear hime? I am not being sarcastic but seriously inquiring.
ReplyDeleteHi csilky,
DeleteThanks for your question. I am really glad you asked. There is a lot of confusion these days about 'hearing from God'. This is because we have had a decade or more of women teachers and writers claiming to have heard from God directly, either in an audible voice, like HGTV's Fixer Upper personality Joanna Gaines and Bible teacher Beth Moore, or via writing like Sarah Young of the very popular book series Jesus Calling, and many other women.
The truth is, these women are not hearing God. God is not speaking directly today, because that is not how He promised to reveal himself in this era. He said that in these last days He has spoken thru His Son whose deeds and words are recorded in the inspired scriptures.
Hebrews1:1-2 says "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
The famous Puritan John Owen said, “If private revelations agree with Scripture, they are unnecessary, and if they disagree they are false.”
Makes sense, doesn't it? :)
"Scripture is a closed system of truth, complete, sufficient, and not to be added to (Revelation 22:18–19). It contains all the spiritual truth God intended to reveal." John MacArthur
So what to do? Well, you read the Bible! Read it a lot. Before you read, pray to the Holy Spirit that His ministry of illuminating the Bible to your mind would be strong and deep. He won't put understanding into your mind by a voice, but He will lift the layers of sin and blindness, bit by bit, and offer you understanding as you read and later as you meditate on what you read. Then, just live out the Godly precepts in the Bible, day by day you will please the Lord by your obedience and your growth in wisdom will be evident.
If you want even *more* wisdom, ask for it! James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
The Father gives good gifts. It is His will that you read His word, that you understand His word, and that you obey His word. If you ask for obedience in this, and ask for understanding and strive for right living, He will give it to you. :)