We were on US staff of Gospel For Asia awhile back with KP Yohannan and these teachings were common. Ugh! Totally kept people from questioning their authority and led to leadership doing anything they wanted without accountability. The people who join these movements are often some of the best people you’ll ever meet. But the leadership…that’s a different story.
Thankfully we got out years ago and so many stories ended up coming out from fellow ex-staff that led to discovering cult-like abuses and eventual financial impropriety and a lawsuit settled as a class action out of court.
We happen also to live near an NAR affiliated ministry called
Global Spheres. I knew just from touring their property that it was most likely just the same as GFA. Felt the same way when I went down to Waco to Homestead Heritage and saw how their charismatic leader wields complete control over the whole group. That’s so common.
You hit the nail on the head as to why people come under their influence when you wrote:
“The NAR is subtle, sneaky, powerful, and attractive to people who are looking to be part of something extraordinary, or desiring power, or sadly struggling with mental illness.”
I am grateful for articles like yours that help spell it out as a warning for others. May they be saved from years of being under such righteous control. Jesus taught us: “the Gentiles lord it over, but not so with you…” King Jesus followers are not meant to be in systems of lording it over. Not in a group, church, ministry, or family. King Jesus leadership is “giving oneself up for one another”, and that includes the ENTIRE GROUP, leaders especially and included.
If that is not true in your group, you do not have a King Jesus-like situation. Time to get out. Ask for help if you need it. There ARE safe people. Look for those outcast by leadership…usually they are the biggest threats to leadership because they see through them. And the leaders know it.
Amen! Wow, you’ve been through a lot. My parents used to support GFA so I remember when everything came out. I’m glad the truth was eventually known, but sorry that so many were hurt in the process.
Ahhhhh yes.... there is that "little", yet profoundly important word for sound Biblical interpretation - context. Not only the context of the overall passage in relation to what is "before and after", but the context into which the passage is speaking (audience, cultural, historical, specific issues and the like). Having taught Bible studies, preached sermons and emphasized time and again that context (in all forms) matters, I find many folks don't want to do the hard work, discerning prayer and even the setting aside of their own assumptions or preconceived notions about a passage of Scripture, all of which the application of context requires. They prefer to sit obediently and drink the "kool-aid" poured out from the current "flavor of the month" in the pulpit and blindly believe what they are told. It is frustratingly sad, to say the least.
It is frustrating! We have more access to the Bible in various translations, study guides, commentaries, etc than in any other time in history, and yet people are incredibly biblically illiterate. 😭 And, like you said, seem to want to be for some reason.
"We should listen to others’ wise counsel, be attentive to and trust in God’s wisdom, and not assume that we know everything on our own".
Well, that's interesting because yes that's the stance of culty Evangelical leadership. I shed what remnants I had of that set of ideas during what some would call my 'deconstruction', to use a term that people will understand. But my mindset has always been that I *do* know everything on my own, because my attitude has always been to question and deep-dive things so that I can be convinced of them *for myself*, and not just believing what others told me. I suppose that's all part of my professional scientist makeup, as well as the Autism. But I remain teachable, and open to new ideas. I especially listen to the 'witness of the spirit' - both my spirit and God's Spirit - in order to know what is worth keeping and what needs to be avoided or discarded. That way, I am using not only my God-given talents but also listening to what He says.
Christy once again you are spot in your assessment and interpretation of “not touching the Lord’s anointed”. The way of biblical leadership starts with humility of mind and a heart of integrity that seeks to shepherd people with love, mercy and compassion. It’s never power over but power under following the ways of Jesus. I will have to read more about the NAR. Evangelical Christianity has lost its way allowing Political Ideology to infiltrate and usurp what should be total allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s the worst kind of idolatry. Thank you Christy.
If I had a dime for every time I heard "Don't touch the Lord's anointed," as well as "If you can't understand the plan, just follow the man," I would be rich. Thanks for writing this!
We were on US staff of Gospel For Asia awhile back with KP Yohannan and these teachings were common. Ugh! Totally kept people from questioning their authority and led to leadership doing anything they wanted without accountability. The people who join these movements are often some of the best people you’ll ever meet. But the leadership…that’s a different story.
Thankfully we got out years ago and so many stories ended up coming out from fellow ex-staff that led to discovering cult-like abuses and eventual financial impropriety and a lawsuit settled as a class action out of court.
We happen also to live near an NAR affiliated ministry called
Global Spheres. I knew just from touring their property that it was most likely just the same as GFA. Felt the same way when I went down to Waco to Homestead Heritage and saw how their charismatic leader wields complete control over the whole group. That’s so common.
You hit the nail on the head as to why people come under their influence when you wrote:
“The NAR is subtle, sneaky, powerful, and attractive to people who are looking to be part of something extraordinary, or desiring power, or sadly struggling with mental illness.”
I am grateful for articles like yours that help spell it out as a warning for others. May they be saved from years of being under such righteous control. Jesus taught us: “the Gentiles lord it over, but not so with you…” King Jesus followers are not meant to be in systems of lording it over. Not in a group, church, ministry, or family. King Jesus leadership is “giving oneself up for one another”, and that includes the ENTIRE GROUP, leaders especially and included.
If that is not true in your group, you do not have a King Jesus-like situation. Time to get out. Ask for help if you need it. There ARE safe people. Look for those outcast by leadership…usually they are the biggest threats to leadership because they see through them. And the leaders know it.
Amen! Wow, you’ve been through a lot. My parents used to support GFA so I remember when everything came out. I’m glad the truth was eventually known, but sorry that so many were hurt in the process.
I resonate with all you said. 💕
Ahhhhh yes.... there is that "little", yet profoundly important word for sound Biblical interpretation - context. Not only the context of the overall passage in relation to what is "before and after", but the context into which the passage is speaking (audience, cultural, historical, specific issues and the like). Having taught Bible studies, preached sermons and emphasized time and again that context (in all forms) matters, I find many folks don't want to do the hard work, discerning prayer and even the setting aside of their own assumptions or preconceived notions about a passage of Scripture, all of which the application of context requires. They prefer to sit obediently and drink the "kool-aid" poured out from the current "flavor of the month" in the pulpit and blindly believe what they are told. It is frustratingly sad, to say the least.
It is frustrating! We have more access to the Bible in various translations, study guides, commentaries, etc than in any other time in history, and yet people are incredibly biblically illiterate. 😭 And, like you said, seem to want to be for some reason.
What a great piece. Why am I not surprised.... ;)
"We should listen to others’ wise counsel, be attentive to and trust in God’s wisdom, and not assume that we know everything on our own".
Well, that's interesting because yes that's the stance of culty Evangelical leadership. I shed what remnants I had of that set of ideas during what some would call my 'deconstruction', to use a term that people will understand. But my mindset has always been that I *do* know everything on my own, because my attitude has always been to question and deep-dive things so that I can be convinced of them *for myself*, and not just believing what others told me. I suppose that's all part of my professional scientist makeup, as well as the Autism. But I remain teachable, and open to new ideas. I especially listen to the 'witness of the spirit' - both my spirit and God's Spirit - in order to know what is worth keeping and what needs to be avoided or discarded. That way, I am using not only my God-given talents but also listening to what He says.
Leadership don't like that ;)
Christy once again you are spot in your assessment and interpretation of “not touching the Lord’s anointed”. The way of biblical leadership starts with humility of mind and a heart of integrity that seeks to shepherd people with love, mercy and compassion. It’s never power over but power under following the ways of Jesus. I will have to read more about the NAR. Evangelical Christianity has lost its way allowing Political Ideology to infiltrate and usurp what should be total allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It’s the worst kind of idolatry. Thank you Christy.
Thanks Steve! Yes, look into the NAR. The more I learn, the more some of the crazy stuff happening in our world makes sense. 😬
If I had a dime for every time I heard "Don't touch the Lord's anointed," as well as "If you can't understand the plan, just follow the man," I would be rich. Thanks for writing this!
You are welcome. Taking a step back and asking, “Who benefits from this teaching?” is eye opening!