Recently someone made comments about the income and net assets of two prominent Christian leaders.
This information was obtained from a Youtube channel called Servus Christi. The individual who produces these videos is Josh Chavez , who is associated with Jacob Prasch and Moriel Ministries.
I have listened to some of the Servus Christi videos in the past. I have noted that Josh Chavez often makes "suggestions" about those he is criticizing, rather than producing solid facts against the individuals.
My question is this: are discernment ministries biblical?
I personally do not think ministries purely focused on discernment are biblical. It is entirely one thing for a well-educated pastor to identify and mark a false teacher, and another thing for an unordained believer to identify and mark a false teacher.
Am I claiming that an unordained believer cannot identify false teachers? No. Am I claiming that an unordained believer cannot recognize a false teacher? No.
What I am claiming is that a young, unordained believer should not be operating a discernment ministry where it is his full time occupation to criticize ordained, older men of God. And, often these criticicisms are not backed up by solid proofs, but mere suggestions.
For instance, in this case, John MacArthur and Alistair Begg are being accused of financial improprieties. Firstly, Josh does not have solid income figures or net asset figures about either men. Secondly, if he had such figures, he would not know how much either men gave to Christian causes throughout their life. Thirdly, he would not know if the wealth was received from inheritances. Fourthly, the average layman has no idea how expensive it is to live in Los Angeles, in the case of John MacArthur. Fifthly, are not pastors allowed to write books and to receive royalties? That is actually based upon the agreement the individual has with his employer, the church. Sixthly, it is not immoral to have a net worth over a certain amount.
Satan is an accuser of the brethren. Christians who engage in unwarranted accusations are actually serving as Satan's mouthpiece. Neither of these men are involved in the bogus giving claims of Word of Faith types either. So, if someone wants to insinuate that either are involved in immorality, I encourage them to produce their solid evidence, otherwise they are making false accusations.
By the way, my understanding is that Billy Graham's net worth exceeded $25 million at his death. I was a bit shocked about this, because I thought he took something like a "vow of poverty" to live within a certain level of income. I don't mean a literal "vow of poverty" but I heard he agreed with certain other ministers to make sure that money never became an issue in their ministry.
However, I don't know if this vow was ever made. Additionally, I don't know what the terms were. And, finally, I don't think it was immoral for Billy to have a net worth of $25 million. My understanding is that any money I receive is entirely mine to do what I want with it. I should give to the church, and I should give to the poor if I'm able, and I should support outreach efforts. But, the decisions on those matters are mine. I should be aware that I am going to be judged by my decisions, though. I should not be hoarding wealth and neglecting others.
These discernment ministries which are proliferating like wildfire amongst the Church do serve a purpose in some cases, but when do they overstep their bounds? When do they become a vehicle of Satan to accuse solid church leaders? When do they intrude upon the private affairs of the leaders?
Personally, I don't believe Josh Chavez has a biblical discernment ministry. Like I said, I have watched some of his videos. He hints a lot, to build suspicion about certain individuals, without enough solid evidence to support his claim. Additionally, he is too young to be sitting as a judge over the ministries of various men who are likely almost twice his age.
I am also not convinced that ministries focused strictly on discernment are worthwhile. I have watched episodes of various discernment ministries, and find that almost all of them, including ones from my own camp, tend toward conspiracy theory mentalities looking for every little thing they can criticize. So, I am becoming skeptical about them, although I know in some cases these ministries are very handy in identifying pertinent issues.
Anyways, are discernment ministries biblical? This is the topic of discussion.
This information was obtained from a Youtube channel called Servus Christi. The individual who produces these videos is Josh Chavez , who is associated with Jacob Prasch and Moriel Ministries.
I have listened to some of the Servus Christi videos in the past. I have noted that Josh Chavez often makes "suggestions" about those he is criticizing, rather than producing solid facts against the individuals.
My question is this: are discernment ministries biblical?
I personally do not think ministries purely focused on discernment are biblical. It is entirely one thing for a well-educated pastor to identify and mark a false teacher, and another thing for an unordained believer to identify and mark a false teacher.
Am I claiming that an unordained believer cannot identify false teachers? No. Am I claiming that an unordained believer cannot recognize a false teacher? No.
What I am claiming is that a young, unordained believer should not be operating a discernment ministry where it is his full time occupation to criticize ordained, older men of God. And, often these criticicisms are not backed up by solid proofs, but mere suggestions.
For instance, in this case, John MacArthur and Alistair Begg are being accused of financial improprieties. Firstly, Josh does not have solid income figures or net asset figures about either men. Secondly, if he had such figures, he would not know how much either men gave to Christian causes throughout their life. Thirdly, he would not know if the wealth was received from inheritances. Fourthly, the average layman has no idea how expensive it is to live in Los Angeles, in the case of John MacArthur. Fifthly, are not pastors allowed to write books and to receive royalties? That is actually based upon the agreement the individual has with his employer, the church. Sixthly, it is not immoral to have a net worth over a certain amount.
Satan is an accuser of the brethren. Christians who engage in unwarranted accusations are actually serving as Satan's mouthpiece. Neither of these men are involved in the bogus giving claims of Word of Faith types either. So, if someone wants to insinuate that either are involved in immorality, I encourage them to produce their solid evidence, otherwise they are making false accusations.
By the way, my understanding is that Billy Graham's net worth exceeded $25 million at his death. I was a bit shocked about this, because I thought he took something like a "vow of poverty" to live within a certain level of income. I don't mean a literal "vow of poverty" but I heard he agreed with certain other ministers to make sure that money never became an issue in their ministry.
However, I don't know if this vow was ever made. Additionally, I don't know what the terms were. And, finally, I don't think it was immoral for Billy to have a net worth of $25 million. My understanding is that any money I receive is entirely mine to do what I want with it. I should give to the church, and I should give to the poor if I'm able, and I should support outreach efforts. But, the decisions on those matters are mine. I should be aware that I am going to be judged by my decisions, though. I should not be hoarding wealth and neglecting others.
These discernment ministries which are proliferating like wildfire amongst the Church do serve a purpose in some cases, but when do they overstep their bounds? When do they become a vehicle of Satan to accuse solid church leaders? When do they intrude upon the private affairs of the leaders?
Personally, I don't believe Josh Chavez has a biblical discernment ministry. Like I said, I have watched some of his videos. He hints a lot, to build suspicion about certain individuals, without enough solid evidence to support his claim. Additionally, he is too young to be sitting as a judge over the ministries of various men who are likely almost twice his age.
I am also not convinced that ministries focused strictly on discernment are worthwhile. I have watched episodes of various discernment ministries, and find that almost all of them, including ones from my own camp, tend toward conspiracy theory mentalities looking for every little thing they can criticize. So, I am becoming skeptical about them, although I know in some cases these ministries are very handy in identifying pertinent issues.
Anyways, are discernment ministries biblical? This is the topic of discussion.
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