Israelites, Pharisees & Sadducees In The 21st Century Church
Israelites, Pharisees & Sadducees In The 21st Century Church
Israelites, Pharisees & Sadducees In The 21st Century Church
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At an "Awake America!" meeting in Denver (June 2, 1998), there was no message and
the preaching was replaced by frenzy. David Works, an obvious advocate of the chaos,
gleefully reported: "the drummer pounded a drum for 10 minutes while the crowd was
led in a chant of “Jesus, Jesus!”
I well remember the meeting organised by Restoration groups to introduce Celtic
theology to British Christians. The meeting was scripted, and while the script was
intoned in a portentous voice, huge screens behind the audience displayed swirling
shapes and colours, to the accompaniment of a bang, bang, bang of a single drum. Is
this Christian preaching or indoctrination?
Either 'In' or 'Out'
TACTIC 2 - Establish control over the person's social environment, time and sources of
social support by a system of often-excessive rewards and punishments. Social
isolation is promoted. Contact with family and friends is abridged, as is contact with
persons who do not share group-approved attitudes. Economic and other dependence
on the group is fostered.
TACTIC 3 - Prohibit opposing information and non supporting opinions in group
communication. Rules exist about permissible topics to discuss with outsiders.
Communication is highly controlled. An "in-group" language is usually constructed.
I think that many who have been involved as members in "restoration" or "shepherding"
fellowships as well as revivalist churches would agree that their lives were swallowed up
by the people and events such that "normal life" disappeared and all social interaction
took place with church people and in the meetings.
When the "blessing" hit Toronto Airport Church the meetings were held almost every
day and lasted for hour after frenzied hour. People were already "drunk" in the meetings
and their minds were further eroded by tiredness, constant loud music and unnerving
spiritual activities. In an atmosphere of uncertainty and chaos there was little time to
think clearly. Some were left incapacitated and could not continue their normal daily
routines, such was the bombardment to their senses.
All of this tended to remove the members from their normal environment, in which they
could have reflected on their previous life and beliefs, and made comparisons. No,
reflection and conscious choice were discouraged, and all those who were "truly
seeking God" had to "jump in the river" immediately without regard to the
consequences.
The waves of power came upon them; the leaders urged everyone to receive (or be left
behind) and under this intense pressure and haste most people caught up in the frenzy
gave into the conditioning.
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