The Call
Dr. James Dobson speaking at The Call, San Diego.
Thousands of Christians gathered at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, Nov. 1, to fast and pray in support of Proposition 8 — which would ban same-sex marriage.
“The Call” received support from prominent evangelical leaders like Dr. James Dobson (who spoke at the event) and from many Southern California churches — even though its list of organizers reads like a “Who’s Who” of the apostolic-prophetic movement. Well-known “apostles” and “prophets” behind the event include founder Lou Engle, C. Peter Wagner, Che Ahn, Rick Joyner, Bill Hamon, Cindy Jacobs, Chuck Pierce, Dutch Sheets and more. See the national board and advisory board.
What’s the problem with this? The apostolic-prophetic movement promotes modern-day “apostles” and “prophets” who claim to wield unlimited authority and give new doctrinal revelation in addition to Scripture. It’s teachings have historically been considered outside orthodox Christianity.
Why would mainstream evangelicals like Dr. Dobson, Michael W. Smith (Christian musician) and Steve Douglas (president of Campus Crusade) partner with this fringe movement? (See other prominent evangelicals here.) My guess — and hope — is that they aren’t aware of the organizers’ teachings. But in their zest to support marriage and family values, their participation gives the movement greater visibility and credibility in mainstream evangelicalism.
As a result, many Christians who never heard of Lou Engle or Cindy Jacobs or Dutch Sheets before are going to want to learn more about them, buy their books and attend their churches. Then they’re going to start being exposed to dangerous apostolic-prophetic teachings.
I’m the former managing editor of Biola University’s magazine, Biola Magazine, and a former contributing writer to the Christian Research Journal. I have a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola. I also operate the site www.fulfilledprophecy.com.
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November 12th, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Thank you so much for getting this information out! I thank the Lord for somehow finding your blog b/c so far I’ve no one who has nailed down what my husband is into. He like me has been a protestant for many years and on his website gracehead.com someone linked him trumpetcallofgodonline.com who claims to be a modern day prophet. In trying to prove this stuff wrong, my husband became brainwashed by this demonic stuff. My husband had been dabbling in the weird before this trumpet stuff so he did have the door for evil slightly a jar enough for the legions of demons to come and take over Trent’s mind.
Anyway, I can’t wait to read more of your blog to help me understand more of this “movement” that I’m pretty sure that my husband is into.
December 10th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Well Done! I really appreciate the truth that you represent here in your response to ‘The Call!’
The multitudes that continue to flock to these gatherings sadden me very much as ‘Truth’ is set aside for a false message inside a false church.
I am refreshed by the blessed reminders of truth amidst so much error!
February 16th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Holly,
Have you ever heard of Rev Samuel (Sammy) Rodriguez? He’s the grand-high poohbah, what’s-in-charge of evangelical pentacostal hispanics, or something like that. He is on the Elijah list and I strongly suspect that he’s a dominionist. He was a guest-speaker at my ex-church, and his theology is fishy. I care because my sister, brother-in-law, and niece seem to think the sun rises and sets on this guy. I want to show my family that he’s involved in bad theology, but I need more evidence than just my gut feeling.
I believe he’s involved with this whole group of apostolic kindom now dominionist men and women. He’s hard to pin down, though. Please let me know if you find anything.
Thank you, and God bless!
March 12th, 2009 at 12:50 am
hi holly…read fp.com from time to time…will you be updationg your blog?….we have an apologetics blog in spanish…appreciate your advice…
Peter
liberandoaloscautivos.org
January 1st, 2010 at 7:08 pm
you are going to reap all of the judgements on yourself that you are piling on these men and women. Be very careful what you condemn.
January 27th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Hi Holly,
I know that they don’t believe in what you say they do. I think you need to listen to what they say. Lou Engle is a man of prayer and he spends several hours in the prayer room at the International House of Prayer in Kansas Ciyt. I know because I see him there. He is also a man of fasting. He speaks sometimes speaks on Sundays and his main issues are for the defense of the unborn, for the Holy Spirit to break out in revival like it did at Azuza (and in the book of Acts) and for us to embrace the type of Christianity that the Apostles did – fasting, prayer, a radical lifestyle devoted to Jesus and to move in signs and wonders empowered for the Holy Spirit.
I am note sure what you have against Lou. His theology seems pretty sound to me. He is contending for Christianity the way it was expressed in the book of Acts not the way we see it expressed in modern-day westernized Christianity – coffee culture, no prayer, no fasting and no signs and wonders. Real Christianity is what we found in the book of Acts!
I think you have this view because you may not believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Read the book of Acts again closely and see. Plus it is good that someone is standing up for the unborn and against immorality, hardly anyone is doing that right now. We should bless this movement because again Lou stands against immorality, aborptions and for revival like we saw in the book of Acts – I dont think anything is wrong with that.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Hello D W,
A Christian isn’t necessarily defined by prayer, fasting, anti-abortion stand, and/or exhibiting signs and wonders. Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Hindu’s and others likely pray, fast, and take a stand against abortion as well. And let’s not forget the magicians in Egypt who exhibited great signs and wonders with their secret arts.
No. When these things accompany a twisting of the foundation of our faith, God’s Word, a red flag should alert us that something is wrong. That should cause us to compare the teachings which come from that person or ministry with the Bible to arrive at an accurate evaluation of the same. Holly has done an excellent evaluation by unmasking false interpretations of scripture.
March 28th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
JA Says:
January 1st, 2010 at 7:08 pm
“you are going to reap all of the judgements on yourself that you are piling on these men and women. Be very careful what you condemn.”
JA, It seems to me that that God’s already put His judgment on His son @ the cross and Jesus said “it’s finished”. I believe that we are now under grace and the Holy Spirit now leads us to righteousness and not to fulfill the desires of our flesh. I also think that the New Covenant is not focused on the law but focused on abiding in the Holy Spirit of our Lord God. I don’t see that what you say about us being judged really lines up with this scripture found in the New Testament under the New Covenant. “Therefore, now there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1