NAR still seeking to destroy the church and replace it with their Charismaniacal vision...

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"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. -- Matthew 6:5-6 (ESV)

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/80491-how-covid-19-will-dramatically-change-the-church-forever

The staunch NAR dominionists want to destroy church as we know it. Some of the cause seems noble enough resulting in the apostate church taking hold of mainstream America. The problem is replacing one apostate system with a different apostate system is no solution. Only a return to the true Gospel will do. Today's deep theology is any heresy is heretical. The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend. The enemy of my God and His Gospel is always my enemy. The NAR dominionist sees a church that is wildly out of control with charismania, abusing the gifts of the spirit, a false prophetic paradigm and a move away from pastoral leadership into the C. Peter Wagner vision of false apostles running the church. One of the staunchest of the staunch dominionists is John Burton who fancies himself a prophetic messenger and revivalist, revealing how neck deep he is in this heresy. The above link is to his latest piece, where he shows no shame in trying to capitalize on the COVID confusion to push his NAR agenda. Let us reason once more together:

"This should be the shock to the system pastors need, or the next pandemic just may take the church out. You'd expect the church to respond very differently than the world in the midst of crisis. Sadly, this hasn't always been the case. Social media is filled with freaked-out Christians who are absolutely terrified, spending their energies seeking out natural solutions to a supernatural situation. The fact that they can't disinfect their hands has sent many into a frenzy. Something is terribly wrong, and church as usual is no longer an option. If ignoring, minimizing or seeking a natural solution to a demonic threat brings relief, don't presume you have won the battle. The entity is merely resting alongside you, thankful his foe has refused to fight. The response is a glaring indictment on the church, and without question, the church must not ever be allowed to go on as usual. This pandemic may be the catalyst to reformation for which the remnant has been crying out." -- John Burton

This is a dangerous and stupid position. Faith is not the absence of reason. It is amazing that people who are quick to cite Romans for obedience to authority so quickly abandon it when it suits their ungodly agendas. If you want to see what Burton is speaking of take a look at Rodney Howard-Browne's Central Florida mega-church who thumbed their nose at science and continued to meet this past week. Browne, the man who preaches drunk in the spirit theology and refers to himself as a holy ghost bartender, claims that he cured Florida of the Zika virus and will do the same with coronavirus. In other words, not only is he a rank heretic but he is a demented one as well. I agree that the church should respond differently and I am even willing to say they should pray for the sick but to do so with blatant disregard for what science says about the virus is as moronically stupid as the churches that handle snakes because of Mark 16. Burton's call for "we must never allow church to go on as usual" is the exact same call he has made in multiple articles prior to COVID, which means he is merely using a worldwide pandemic that will potentially kill millions of people for his own twisted ends. Truly depraved.

"The Church Isn't Ready. "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready" (Rev. 19:7). In an age when so many believers are merely concerned with their personal eternal security, and so many others are sitting back waiting to be raptured before the trouble comes, it's clear that the church is far from ready for the end-time waves of crisis that are crashing down. Global traumas like the coronavirus very well may play a part in determining the wheat and the tares. Who will rise up in great, unmovable faith, and who will shrink back in fear? Those who know God will respond very differently than those who are mere pretenders. "The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits" (Dan. 11:32b, NKJV). So the question for pastors and every believer in the midst of trial is, how can we prepare? Yes, there are natural precautions we should take. There are spiritual reactions that are necessary too. Many are suggesting adopting house church/small group models. That very well may come into play, but that's a functional shift. There are spiritual shifts that are much more important. Here are ten ways every church must respond." -- John Burton

I agree the church is not ready but Burton cannot see that he is a major reason why it remains unready. Gospels contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ make it unready. Preaching a NAR false signs and lying wonders dominionism make it unready. Burton is so singularly focused on the heresy he has bought into that he cannot even properly exegete the word. The wheat and the tares is a parable of Jesus explaining that there will be unbelievers in the church along with true believers and while we must point out false teaching to hope that some may see the light and be saved, we are not to judge the salvation of anyone. These false converts will be determined by the reaping angels who are instructed to take out the tares first and burn them. Cross reference this with Matthew 7:21-23. These people who clearly are churched are the tares the parable speaks of. God does not need the coronavirus to know who the tares are. To Burton, the tares are those who will not follow his theology. Let's examine the first five of the ten things he believes churches "must respond." He is saving the second five for another article.

"Institute Strategic Prayer - The days of simply attending a Sunday-morning service where we worship a little, pray a little and listen to a sermon before heading back into the world for a week must come to an end immediately. The primary focus of every legitimate Christian church must be fervent, passionate, powerful and strategic intercession. The days of simple prayer lists and prayer chains are over as the call to groans and cries of spiritual prayer explode out of the saints. For years I've been campaigning for services that are marked by people laid out at the altars from start to finish as the Holy Spirit broods over them. Deep, guttural groans of intercession will be heard throughout the sanctuary every Sunday (and ultimately, every day of the week). I am absolutely convinced that a church filled with tongues of fire will do more than any other single activity to make everybody ready for the coming storms. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4)." -- John Burton

While Burton sounds very pious we must not lose sight of his diminishing of "simple prayer." If you want to see his model, google the YouTube clips from the Brownsville demonic outpouring. There is nothing strategic about turning our corporate prayer life over to an uncontrolled free for all. I was saved in a semi-Charismaniacal church so I have seen what Burton pursues. The problem is that no matter how much you intend to be "spiritual" your flesh strives for the super spiritual status that others will envy. Our super spirituals used to seek the first two rows at every service. Eventually this was not enough attention so they moved on to Hebraic prayer shawls. Intercession is not to be done within the church service. True intercession occurs in the back room while the service goes on. it does not seek the limelight. Consider the key verses today were the teachings of Jesus specifically on prayer. It is the hypocrites who love to pray to be seen by others. C'mon, be honest. You know people who are exactly like this. Saying a prayer of grace for a meal should not include a ten-minute journey into God's provision from Egypt to Canaan; just saying. Does Jesus teach that prayer must be fervent, passionate, powerful and strategic? Of course not. In fact His description of shutting your door and praying in private sounds, dare we say, simple. There is nothing special nor extra-spiritual about exploding prayer. Services with people laid out at the altar has always led to carnally fueled emotionalism disguised as a spiritual move. Charismania has always been marked by a very narcissistic showy spirit. Look at me! I can speak in tongues more than you! Oh yeah? I have a word of knowledge for you! Let's all get slain! The problem is that John Burton is absolutely convinced that his vision of tongues of fire is what the church needs and cites the Day of Pentecost when there were indeed tongues of fire! Except that was the only time we actually see tongues of fire so to pursue them now as what the church needs is not biblically supported.

"Deal Directly With Spirits Of Fear - It's astonishing how a very dark spirit of fear has blanketed the church. Fear results in unsettled, nervous reactions, while faith results in a confident, peaceful, calculated response. Pastors must introduce deliverance into their churches as a primary ministry. The spirits that are tormenting Christians have been exposed all over the world during the pandemic. I believe nearly all Christians need or have at one time needed deliverance. The enemy is especially attracted to children of God as he seeks to find open doors to latch on and destroy. We cannot afford a scared, timid people who shrink back at the sight of their own shadow. This end-time season requires mighty warriors, an army who has annihilated fear and who will stare right through the darkness, expose the enemy and send him fleeing! In fact, it very well may be time to allow those who are afraid to step back so the church can finally do what God has ordained it to do--fight and possess the land! "'So now, call out so the people can hear, "Whoever is afraid or anxious may turn back and leave Mount Gilead." So twenty-two thousand from among the people turned back, and ten thousand were left'" (Judg. 7:3)." -- John Burton

While I agree that there may be too much fear and not enough faith these days I recognize there is a reason for it. Preachers like Burton espouse denial as a virtue when it is not. Some fear is healthy. If we had no fear of hot stoves we would constantly be burned. If we had no fear of tigers we might get eaten alive. If we had no fear of a global pandemic that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, we might look like the people who showed up for church service this past Sunday at Rodney Howard-Browne's church. This was not out of courage but rather recklessness and a cult like devotion to the preacher. Because Burton fancies himself in a cultural war he is constantly asking for warriors to fight it. God never asked Christians to possess the land. That was Israel. His usage of the verse from Judges is out of context not relevant to the point he is trying to make. This was when Gideon had too many men and God was whittling them down. The first cut were those who were fearful. This is a portion of scripture that is historical narrative. It is not meant to be prescriptive. If it were, then we should all drink water with our hands, lapping it with our tongues because those were the ones who made the second cut.

Develop a Prophetic Culture - Possibly a primary source of fear in the camp is the lack of foresight, the absence of prophetic revelation. Imagine how different everything would be if God's people were made ready in their spirits as God prepared them with all sorts of prophetic communication. Dreams, visions, God's still small voice, words of wisdom, words of knowledge and other divine impressions are extremely powerful and necessary if everybody in the church is to weather the storm. Every Christian must be both equipped and activated prophetically. The church needs to hear God's ever-present voice now more than ever. To have some people who are not tuned in compromises the camp and gives the enemy a very powerful and secure foothold. "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies" (1 Thess. 5:19-20). -- John Burton

So we come to the whackadoodle portion of Burton's NAR theology. This is a defining trait among these heretical groups. A reliance upon false prophets and false prophecy. Burton espouses the same beliefs here as Bethel Church, who believes they can teach the gifts of the spirit and that everyone can prophesy. Nonsense! The bible makes clear that prophecy is a gift and that the gifts are not given to all. The Holy Spirit decides who gets what gift in order to edify the body of Christ. Every believer is NOT supposed to be "activated prophetically." If the church wishes to hear God's present voice -- read the bible! Instead of the verity of scripture Burton, like Bethel, prefers to rely upon these flesh driven concepts of still small voices and listening for God's voice apart from the bible. Shawn Bolz for example pretends to be a prophet and he receives fake words of knowledge through his smart phone. The people are taught to empty their mind, like in eastern mysticism, and wait for the first thing that pops into their minds and assume that is god talking to them. They are encouraged to share those words prophetically, as if God spoke them, and embrace the times they are wrong as opportunities for growth. That is biblically absurd and dangerous for the people who getting the false words! There is nothing God forgot to tell me in His word that He now needs John Burton to relay to me. Nothing.

"Grow in Powerful Faith - There is an angry crowd of "believers" who are demanding we "use wisdom!" regarding this crisis. I wish they'd shout, "Use faith!" It's much more effective. It's disappointing to see very little difference between the world and the redeemed in time of trouble. For so many, the initial and most powerful reaction is natural protection instead of supernatural advance. On social media, I've run into an angry Christian crowd that snipes anyone who suggests peace, faith and authority over the schemes of the enemy are the answer. They see such counsel as a minimization of their human efforts and a threat to that strategy. I wonder just what counselor they are listening to. They love to promote "wisdom" but tend to see faith as haphazard and even some sort of nonsensical supernatural voodoo. A life of true biblical faith is so foreign to them that the extent of their belief system is a cop-out by simply "trusting that God will do as he pleases." True faith looks nothing like that. It's confident, authoritative and declarative. Pastors have no option but to repent of their silly anti-faith positions and to actually embrace some of the teachings they previously dismissed. Whether you appreciate the whole of who Kenneth Copeland (or similar ministers) is or not, you cannot deny the powerful truth on the subject of faith that he carries. "Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Heb 10:38)." -- John Burton

I can deny the faith of Kenneth Copeland. Yep, sure can. Do you know why? Because I exercise discernment. Besides seeing that Copeland has scammed a billion dollars off of the sheep of God I can see his theology does not line up with scripture. He thinks he can stop pandemics and control the weather when I know he can do no such things. It does not take faith to believe you can do things you cannot do. It takes lunacy. Take for example these nuggets from Copeland just this week:

"In the name of Jesus, standing in the office of the prophet of God, I execute judgment on you, COVID-19! I execute judgment on you, Satan! You destroyer! You killer! You get out! You would break your power! You get off this nation! I demand judgment on you! I demand -- I demand -- I demand a vaccination to come immediately! I call you dark! I call you doggone! You come down" from your place of authority! Destroyer! You come down and you crawl on your belly, like God commanded you when He put His foot on your head in the Garden of Eden. You will destroy through COVID-19 no more! It! Is! Finished! It! Is! Over! And the United States of America is healed and well again." -- Kenneth Copeland

This was a couple of days ago. Is America healed of COVID? No and in fact it is getting worse. Yet standing in the office of an idiot pretending to be a prophet, Copeland declared, demanded, and passed judgment when he had no ability nor power to do so. So I do not appreciate a wolf who has spent his entire life working against the cause of Christ and His people. There is nothing redeemable about Kenneth Copeland.

Now, faith and wisdom should co-exist. They are not mutually exclusive. Burton mocks the notion of trusting that God will do as he pleases without seeing that is also faith. There is a pandemic infecting hundreds of thousands and killing thousands of them. It is so bad that every professional sports league in the world has suspended play. Entire countries are quarantined. I have faith that God will use all for his glory and His plan. I have faith that if He takes me, I am going home to eternity with Him. Declaring what God is going to do outside of scripture is not faith, it's arrogance. It's usurpation. What Burton is demanding is not faith. Our confidence is in Christ. Our authority rests in Him. All we have the power to declare is what He has already said. That is not what John Burton is advocating for here. While I am afraid to see part two of his article, part one reveals all we need to know. Burton is using this time of international chaos and death to sell his NAR dominionist dreams. We ain't buying.

Reverend Anthony Wade -- April 1, 2020

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.