Comments on: Micromanaging a Mess http://availablelightonline.com/blog/2009/02/07/micromanaging-a-mess/ blog of a Spirit-filled, post-political, Reforming Christian. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:29:29 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Diane R. http://availablelightonline.com/blog/2009/02/07/micromanaging-a-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-9303 Diane R. Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:22:37 +0000 http://availablelightonline.com/blog/?p=2348#comment-9303 I wish to be a little on the contrarian side here. There is a correct doctrine of spiritual warfare and deliverance. The problem started in the 1970's when this was beginning to be taught and IMO there was an over emphasis on it. For example, there sprang up "deliverance churches." There is no deliverance church as all churches should be praying over Christians against demonic interference/influence WHEN needed. But when churches started centering around deliverance instead of Christ the trouble began. Sadly, most churches, even Pentecostal ones, are not engaging in the deliverance ministry at all because either they don't beleive in it or they've been burned by teh improper use of it. The Assembly of God statemnet of faith absolutely refutes deliverance for Christians. This isn't about Christians being possessed; but about Christians being influenced and not knowing how to get out of it. It's intresting to see that the two televangelists and the third evangelist caught up in the 1980's scandals were all licensed AG'ers. I never read about Foursquare pastors or the original WOF teachers being in sex or financial scandals (although many beleive the prosperity message itself is scandalous and I tend to agree). And believe me, lots of folks want to catch the original WOF'ers in a scandal(by the way, I don't consider Hinn to be a legitmate WOF teacher--he has a hybrid theology IMO). And it's interesting that both WOF and Forusquare believe in deliverance for Christians. A proper deliverance ministry is just ONE of many ministries in a church. And it needs to be stressed that the "fun" begins AFTER the deliverance - that is - discipleship, commitment, confession of sins where appropriate (not looking for straw men sins as you so ably posted above), good and balanced teaching and the true Holy Spirit - not a fake spirit standing in for the real Spirit of God. Sorry this turned out to be a treatise....LOL. I wish to be a little on the contrarian side here. There is a correct doctrine of spiritual warfare and deliverance. The problem started in the 1970’s when this was beginning to be taught and IMO there was an over emphasis on it. For example, there sprang up “deliverance churches.” There is no deliverance church as all churches should be praying over Christians against demonic interference/influence WHEN needed. But when churches started centering around deliverance instead of Christ the trouble began.

Sadly, most churches, even Pentecostal ones, are not engaging in the deliverance ministry at all because either they don’t beleive in it or they’ve been burned by teh improper use of it. The Assembly of God statemnet of faith absolutely refutes deliverance for Christians. This isn’t about Christians being possessed; but about Christians being influenced and not knowing how to get out of it. It’s intresting to see that the two televangelists and the third evangelist caught up in the 1980’s scandals were all licensed AG’ers. I never read about Foursquare pastors or the original WOF teachers being in sex or financial scandals (although many beleive the prosperity message itself is scandalous and I tend to agree). And believe me, lots of folks want to catch the original WOF’ers in a scandal(by the way, I don’t consider Hinn to be a legitmate WOF teacher–he has a hybrid theology IMO). And it’s interesting that both WOF and Forusquare believe in deliverance for Christians.

A proper deliverance ministry is just ONE of many ministries in a church. And it needs to be stressed that the “fun” begins AFTER the deliverance – that is – discipleship, commitment, confession of sins where appropriate (not looking for straw men sins as you so ably posted above), good and balanced teaching and the true Holy Spirit – not a fake spirit standing in for the real Spirit of God.

Sorry this turned out to be a treatise….LOL.

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