Clever but again transparent. It is easy for someone with the learned background of a Dr. Brown to imply that teaching or itinerant ministry is some kind of pre-requisite but he knows it is not. If you must know however, I was a credentialed minister for the Assemblies of God for several years after five years of classes and training. I then became the primary teacher for credentialling at my church for a few more years, before I left as indicated earlier. None of that made me special however. While at my church, I served in seven ministries. I led two of them as well as a bridge group. I loved the baptism ministry the most. To share those joyous moments with new believers. That was my first ministry as I believe when I was getting all hyped for what God was going to use me for, He said, here's a mop, start in the bathroom. I did the projection ministry, manned a camera and directed a camera crew for the church. Every Sunday I served in all three services and the Friday prayer service. I say none of this to brag but to answer your question that you thought was a "gotchya" question. I have never mentioned any of these efforts in my writing except my credentials when I turned them back to the AG.
"3) Are you bearing more fruit than those you are critiquing, or is your primary "fruit" the critiques you bring? If you are critiquing the soul-winning ministry of someone else or their healing ministry, etc., are you winning the lost and setting the captives free more effectively?" - Dr. Michael Brown
I will approach this as if Dr. Brown is genuinely confused. I do not write about false teachers who are merely making an error. A wolf does not "bear fruit." You still do not get it Dr. Brown. Our fundamental disagreement is the people you think are "winning souls" are doing nothing of the sort. Bill Johnson does not win souls. Brian Houston does not win souls. Jennifer LeClaire does not win souls. Benny Hinn does not win souls. So, do I think that I am more effective at winning souls or setting captives free than voracious wolves devouring the sheep of the Lord? Yeah. Discernment is often a thankless ministry but I do get emails from people all over the world who have come into the light after being under the teachings of darkness. I have had people say their faith had been restored. I do not say this to brag and again, I never mention it, but you thought you'd ridicule it. I also had very little to do with it. God is the author Dr. Brown. I am merely the pen, or the keystroke in these modern times. When people ask me to share my work, my answer is always, the word is God's, not mine.
So, I hope this answers your "honest" questions (see what I did there're with the quotes). This is not about me or even you. It is about the word of God and our adherence to it. I know you have decades of service over me. That is what makes you so frustrating to deal with. I saw a promo meme today that says you will be appearing with Vlad Savchuk at some bogus conference. I know you don't like doing research but do you even know who you are walking on the same stage with? Does it even matter to you? Do you think it matters to God? Do you think it is good to lead your followers to believe you endorse the fake demon dude of You Tube? Benny Hinn pretends to slay entire audiences with his suit coat. Shouldn't that matter to you? He has scammed 40 million dollars from the sheep. How many of them have no faith in God today because of him? Who cares if now he says he has changed his mind about prosperity, even though he clearly has not. I want you to know that this ministry is not done for some unconscious pleasure. It would be far better personally to preach about how God wants to make us all rich and give us candy coated unicorns but that simply is not true. The Matthew verses about Lord Lord, terrify me. I do not take the command of walking out my salvation with fear and trembling lightly. People used to ask me if I was afraid God would strike me dead with a lightning bolt and my answer remains - I am afraid of forgetting He can. Maybe that sounds like a bad way to live out your faith but it is a good way of making sure you do not end up on stage with Vlad Savchuk or making videos asking if somebody as obviously false as Benny Hinn needs to repent.
Reverend Anthony Wade - April 5, 2024
