There is a lot of preacher bashing going on all over the Internet. I would submit that there are times when the direction that some in the Body of Christ are heading are not in line with the Scriptures. My battle is not that the heresy hunters/pulpit pimp hunters don’t have a case, but I have challenged the spirit in which they have chosen to comple what they feel like is their assignment from God. Reproof and Correction may be needed in a great way today, but we don’t need bashing and name calling of preachers by other Christians. The writings of Paul are often quoted to define the role of women in Ministry, but many of Paul’s other teachings about treating one another correctly are not heeded by many of these Preacher Bashers!
Second Timothy 2 verses 24-26 reads as follows-(24)-And the Servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. This passage of Scripture calls for the Servant of the Lord to be patient and gentle to all men. It also teaches to not strive and to instruct in meekness. This is not the Spirit in which the Preacher Bashing on the Internet is carried out like. One is made to feel like he or she is watching one of the Barber Shop or Beauty Shop movies on these websites that spit out rumours that are unfounded and some rumours that are founded, but it is the Spirit in which these sites operate with that I oppose.
It would appear that the owners of these websites/attack blogs have no problem following the admonition of Paul about the role of women in the ministry, but they virtually ignore the manner in which Paul suggested that they carry out their ministry assignments. Paul also recorded these words in Titus 3 verses (2-7)-(2) To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle shewing all meekness unto all men. (3) For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobediant, deceived, serving divers lust and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another (4) But after kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared (5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
These attack blog owners should keep these scriptures in mind, and realize that it is foolhardy and hypocritical to bash others with reckless abandon, when one does not have his or her own self together. It’s as if they believe that God will forgive their mess, but God will not forgive the televangelist or the megachurch pastor that goes astray. These scriptures doesn’t call us to be wimps at all, but it would seem to suggest that those who are attacking others should develop meekness and patience if they are supposed to be carrying out their “ministry assignments”. Maybe you will consider these words before you move your mouse in the direction of one of these attack websites that are attacking Christian leaders all day long every day!
Respectfully Submitted,
Pastor Stephen F. Smith
Filed under: Bashing Preachers Online!, God, Preachers Online, pulpit pimps |
Preach Stephen.Com-Pastor Stephen F. Smith 
I dont always agree with their language, but they do bring up so good questions about some Preachers. I would like to know why so many of the maga church leaders tend to push their own name, and products instead of living a sin free life and the Bible?
There was a man that lived a totally sin free life and his name is Jesus! What megachurch leader do you know well enough to say whether that individual is living in sin or not?
Hi. I believe everyone has a right to state their opinions and beliefs freely. That’s America, right? So what’s the big deal if someone thinks they are doing a favor by pointing out some commonalities among a group of people that APPEAR to be contradictory to the platform they stand on? Do these ‘bashers’ pass judgment on this so called fake preachers? Do they say they’re going to hell or that GOD has rejected them? If they do, then perhaps they have crossed the line. That kind of judgment is only up to GOD, right?
You’re a man of the word, so I’m sure you remember reading about Jesus calling out the heretics and false/ misguided teachers during his time on earth. He called them liars, vipers, robbers, etc. because they were misleading the people and carrying them and their sells into hell w/ their interpretations and false teachings.
I also believe it also says in the Holy Bible that one should be mindful of false prophets and teachers (many of which will come in the Lord’s name, saying he is here, or he is there) and false doctrines. If you hear unsound doctrine or recognize the bad fruit of bad works, wouldn’t you say something to your friend possibly in danger of being lead astray?
Jesus at no time whatsoever glorified riches… as we both know, he condemned it. Man was instructed to look after heavenly riches, no? Because the things of this world will pass away. The root of money is all evil. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also. There are many such passages in the Bible. If all I hear when I turn on a ‘religious’ program is how I have to sew a seed to some ministry so that god will bless me (which is a fat lie if you look at the Bible… grace and mercy can’t be won over… GOD can’t be bought or swayed by how much money you give ‘a man of the cloth’ or his ‘ministry’. GOD will show mercy to whom he will show mercy, and will save whom he will save. Want to show GOD your inner light, just move on faith. Remember when Jesus praised the poor woman who gave the last bit of money she had? –He didn’t give her more money, he just said her simple act of faith added to her heavenly reward… I’m sure no fat check came in the mail for her later). So, if a ‘preacher’ keeps telling me I’m not showing any faith because I’m not sending them money or buying their foolish prayer cloth and miracle water (which is just pure idolatry and occultism… I should just call up Miss Cleo in that case), GOD won’t have anything to do with me?
My friend, if the devil and evil spirits/ demons can call on Jesus’ name and even perform miracles, why can’t men put on the cloth of holiness and try to cause as much destruction and divisiveness as Satan and those demons do every single day? If a man says he is Jesus Incarnate (just google them, they’re here.. and think of the Branch Davidians, for example), you know right away that can’t be so, because everyone would know at the same time if Jesus came back to earth (the Bible says so, right?) You would know that this is just a man calling himself Jesus, but what about your brother or sister who for whatever reason can’t see and hear as clearly as you? You wouldn’t tap them on the shoulder and open the Bible and point out the reasons as to why this person could not possibly be Jesus?
I’ll just leave it at that… as you can see, there is so much evidence to show how many false teachers and doctrines exist today that have been steadily leading people away. These false teachers are focused on building their riches on earth (money and material possessions)…
I commend the people who speak out against these false teachers who only seem interested in making GOD a gimmick. And feel sorry for those whose eyes will never be open or have their hearts softened.
Uh Amen, and well said!
Your post has some considerable merit, yet I am not in agreement with the following-
A. I believe in one contending for the Faith and opposing heresy, but I contest the manner in which this is done on many of these websites online. It is fair to oppose one’s doctrine if it is not inline with the Holy Writ, yet Jesus didn’t waste time making caricatures of the leaders whose doctrines that he opposed in that day, nor did he waste time listing unfounded gossip about the religious leaders of that day!
B. Jesus not only spoke of heavenly riches, but he spoke of prospering in this world also. One of the fallacies of those who want to preach a dead gospel is that many want to proclaim a gospel that teaches that one will have a pie in the skie when one dies. Jesus stated in John 10 verse 10-The thief cometh not but for to kill, and to steal, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly. Phillipians 4:19-But my God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus. 3rd John1 verse 2 states-Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayest propser and be in health even as thy soul prospereth. God is interested in our wellbeing on this earth and The Bible is full from cover to cover with promises of material, physical, and spiritual blessings. If one opposes blessings and prosperity then don’t read your Bible, because it is a book of blessings and prosperity!
C. The scriptures delcare that the love of money is the root of all evil, and not money itself. One can be flat broke and love money. The Bible also states that money answereth all things. The Bible speaks on money more than many other subjects, yes money can be used in a wrong way, but it can also be used positively!
D. One does not have to order a prayer cloth to be healed, but in The Holy Writ God used many insignificant things to bring about the miraculous! Matthew Henry once wrote that the more insignificant the instrument is that God has decided to use, the more is God glorified! Maybe these instruments shouldn’t be mass marketed, but I stand by that God can work the mircaulous through what you call trinkets!
E. We must sound the Clarion Call and the alarm for the Body of Christ to forsake false techers, but we should also do it in love and compassion, and not with four, five, and thirteen letter word that are in tongues that for sure are not Holy!
F. One can hold up the standard of Jesus Christ without being a Christian National Enquirer, or Christian Gossip Rag full of hearsay and gossip!
G. One must always consider collateral damage to the many souls that can be adversely affected by these attacks!
Relevant New Post by Preach Stephen.Com!
I read an awesome article in Ministry Today Magazine by Pastor Dave Cannistraci! This article is on the many Online Heresy Hunters,Pulpit Pimp Hunters, and Preacher Bashers Online! He has written a work that should be shared by many in The Body. It is a splendid read and a must have for every major Christian Church and every major Christain Media Ministry in the world! It helped me to understand why I am being attacked by a few strange acting individuals, one of whom is an alleged small time tennis instructor in Greece, who doesn’t even know me. It’s one thing to fight for a cause, but it’s another to fight just because. I don’t refute all of their stances on the many excesses and problems in The Body of Christ, but I refute the spirit in which they take most of their stances! Many of these online bashers are sowing disunity in the Body! What do you think? Well here’s a few excerpts from the article:
The War on Error
By David Cannistraci
Are online heresy hunters bringing needed correction in the church or sowing disunity?
Infidels beware: A new generation of crusaders is on the march, ignoring history’s warnings about the damage unrestrained spiritual zeal creates. Their mission? To protect us all from religious fraud and dangerous doctrines by investigating and exposing those who push past the accepted boundaries of conservative evangelicalism. They have pledged themselves to defend truth and liberate the kingdom of God from the threat of apostasy. From discernment ministries to watchdog groups to bloggers to anonymous Web site commenters, the Internet has created a breeding ground for unbridled criticism. Though truth and correction are essential to the health of the church, this new wave of heresy hunters may be taking things too far. Their targets are not the likes of David Koresh or Jim Jones—we would thank them for that. Instead, they’re aiming at many of today’s most popular charismatic Bible teachers, including Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes.
These zealous soldiers of orthodoxy aren’t afraid to fight dirty, either. Armed with ample evidence to prove their case, they quote, deride and scoff at any ministry they “discern” as dangerous. In this biblical blitzkrieg, no question is too trivial, no accusation too personal and no ridicule too cruel.
Ministry Today Article-Must Subscribe to View Entire Article-http://www.ministrytodaymag.com/display.php?id=15788
Dave Cannistraci Website-http://www.davidcannistraci.org
Pastor Smith,
I have heard about the Pimps in the Pulpits but I have not read anything until today. Bishop Eddie Long was at Morning Star Baptist Church on Yesterday evening for service. Now what I saw last night and what I have been reading I could see how someone could look at what was going on and think it was not in accordance with God’s word. But for me in my walk of faith I heard the message last night and relized God called him to help me to understand what I should be doing and to prepare myself to do more of Gods word. If someone is not in a place to take the next step that God has prepared for them, then yes they would miss the point of the message that God was delivering to them throught the minister in the Pulpit. For me I was one of those people awhile ago but I have grown in Christ Jesus and he is taking me in a new direction in him. Thank you for Standing up and sticking to God’s word.
God Bless You and your family,
Desola
I agree with you regarding this. We can’t put our focus on man because while we do; we’re missing God and Oh, what a miss that is. I applaud your speaking out on this matter. I’ve faced some persecution in trying to state the same but it is of no effect. Thanks for your comments. Work to do, gotta go. Blessings
By the by: nice site.