Paula White Now An “Official” Member of Trump Administration
From Wikipedia:
White is a proponent of prosperity theology. Along with other televangelists who have made millions of dollars through the prosperity gospel, her ministry Without Walls was the subject of an inconclusive 2007–2011 Senate Finance Committee investigation with which she refused to co-operate. The committee had investigated financial improprieties that could have affected the religious organizations’ tax-exempt status.
Southern Baptist theologian and ethicist Russell D. Moore said that “Paula White is a charlatan and recognized as a heretic by every orthodox Christian, of whatever tribe.” Michael Horton, a professor of theology at Westminster Seminary California, wrote in early January 2017 that White represented a heretical movement and that her then-upcoming address at President Trump’s inauguration was helping to introduce heresy into mainstream public life. Horton addressed White’s alleged denial of the Trinity and the prosperity gospel’s position that Christ died on the cross not for the forgiveness of humankind but to rescue people from financial hardship.
- Connor Gaffey has drawn attention to a 2007 televised event at which White stated, “Anyone who tells you to deny yourself is from Satan.” Gaffey contrasts that with Jesus’ words in the Gospel of Matthew: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
White has denied all allegations of heresy. In a January 5, 2017, CNN interview, White responded to some of the criticism saying “I have been called a heretic, an apostate, an adulterer, a charlatan, and an addict. It has been falsely reported that I once filed for bankruptcy and — my personal favorite — that I deny the Trinity!” During her interview, she also said in her defense, “My life and my decisions have been nowhere near perfect, though nothing like what has been falsely conveyed in recent days.”
My ecumenical spirit, though broad, has its limits.
I cannot abide the “health and wealth” crowd as they prey on the most vulnerable among us.
The orthodox members of Trump’s coterie have sold their souls for power and influence and abandoned their calling to protect the people of God from ravenous wolves.
It’s one more confirmation that Trump is simply not Christian. If it wasn’t obvious enough from his earlier “testimony,” it ought to be clear at this point.
I’m not sure it says anything about his politics, but it speaks loudly about his purported “faith.”
Well, I know my old Calvary Chapel pastors would not approve of Mrs. White as they have been very critical of the so-called prosperity “gospel.” I suspect they do not believe Mr. Trump is a Christian, or if they think he is, a “baby” Christian with a lot of growing to do. <— This is always possible.
The answer they will give is this: We did not vote for a pastor; he is sent by God acting in the role of the pagan king Cyril who helped the Hebrews get back to their land; we are obligated as Americans to vote and Hillary a worse candidate; he is not nearly as bad as the "fake news" makes him out to be, etc.
On the positive side, Planned Parenthood has lost its government funding to which I say Amen. It was the main reason many Christians voted for him in the first place. This isn't going to last long, IMO, because this will be reversed whenever a Dem gets back in office.
Trump Jr, a person I especially dislike, threw his weight behind the story in Texas where the little boy was being forced by his mother to be a girl. Thank you Donald Jr, I appreciate your help in this matter.
On the negative side:
Trump is slipping into senile dementia. I appreciate Steve's explanation as to why Pence is not a good option, but the butter is slipping off Trump's noodles and you can tell this simply by reading his Tweets. (His fans say he's just toying with us. I say phooey to that idea.)
Plus all the other stuff, which his followers will dispute so no point bringing any of it up.
Paula White may be demon possessed. She's at the very least got a demon who is in charge of her antics.
“The orthodox members of Trump’s coterie have sold their souls for power and influence and abandoned their calling to protect the people of God from ravenous wolves.”
I tend towards the more conservative end of the spectrum theologically. HOWEVER, it is NEVER right to sell one’s morality for temporal fixes as so many have been willing to do in order to bolster their point of view. I find that sick, appalling and dangerous to do before the Living God. So many lack the fear of God and, for personal gain (though they deny it), sell out their faith for the most fleshly of rationalized reasons. Jesus shed blood for them and they cannot see that they dishonor Him. Disgusting! It is the pattern that, if these “religious leaders” do not make an early correction and repent of their error on their own—that correction is likely to never come and they will progress to even greater compromises. All the while they are happily deluded—along with their Biblically lazy followers.
This sort of thinking led to tragedy in the Bible. Israel wanted a King so they would be like other nations. Saul brought disaster. David’s pride made him number the people. That brought judgement. Tricksters tried to scare Nehemiah to break a Temple rule by scaring him into thinking he would die if he did not. He was strictly obedient to God instead and it saved his life. There’s a clue there.
From my early days among Calvary Chapelites to Discernment Ministries to so-called, Doctrinally “Orthodox” preachers/teachers, I’ve seen enough to know that no one is immune from this corruptive behavior. It is simply not possible to give blanket approval to groups, popular teachers, popular ministries, etc. any more. To keep one’s integrity means being ever watchful and being willing to dissent in the face of unrepentant sin even among those with whom we formerly agreed. I have said many times (and, I think you have said similar, Michael?) that Calvary Chapel kept their immoralities from being discovered by cloaking themselves in “orthodoxy” . That should be a wake up call for many, but no one is listening. Entrenchment and polarization is not only a problem on both sides of the political isle, but it has made its way into churches and related ministries. It will likely get worse.
“the “health and wealth” crowd as they prey on the most vulnerable among us.”
Absolutely true! My better half and I come from economical armpits and those that embraced this were only further enslaved to their poverty. If I may, because of research I did regarding Mind Science, I read of a direct connection between The Word Faith/Health and Wealth Gospel to which head heretical whore Paula White ascribes, and the cult of Christian Scientism. They both used similar root materials. (Kenneth Hagin used EW Kenyon.) They are absolutely related and demonic.
Mrs. White’s theology is actually very fitting for Americans. Our nation’s entire reason for being is “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” For many people, happiness = material wealth. American is not a nation where we all grew up together over the millennia and view each other as literal brothers and sisters, relatives we are willing to sacrifice for, maybe by paying higher taxes for the well-being of all. This is why socialism works in places like Denmark where they have a long history together while here in America we have rich people who are resentful that some poor immigrant kid might get a free vaccination on their dime. We don’t really feel all these diverse people are our brothers and sisters.
Can we just say that the court theologians (so-called) have sold their inheritance for a pot of lentils?
Although it is not popular in today’s culture to advocate for, and defend, objective, universal, truth, in the field of Christian biblical doctrine, a theologian is not authorized to compromise or trade truth for a half-truth or lie, but only to speak what is given to him by the Word of God, not less and not more, when that man is acting within his office as a pastor-teacher of the Christian faith.
In addition, the first three Commandments of the Decalogue are non-negotiable for any Christian, regardless of vocation.
I think I said this on another thread…you can draw a direct line from Trump to White. Trump
attended Norman Vincent Peale’s Marble Collegiate Church (I think that’s the name!) for 50 years. It’s all a sad combination of New Thought and prosperity gospel.
I heard John Stott say this once: “I find Peale appalling and Paul appealing.” Not sure who
first said it but pretty well sums it up!
i do not find Donald Trump an abysmal President as most here do… Is he a Christian as we define that condition? It wouldn’t seem so… however, that is not a requirement for a secular office…
Most power brokers are hard nosed and some are dangerous… I don’t think Trump is dangerous, but i look at the politicians lined up against him and i have to conclude that he is dangerous to their agenda… i have lived long enough now to see our past distorted by historians who focus on the worst actors – there were plenty, but conversely, there were so many well intentioned, struggling with life to survive people who had very high standards, even if they could not live up to them at times…
What i see now is a plunge into a national rationalization of evil as a necessary means to a goal and i don’t think the goal is what is being held up to us… as our wise forefathers told us, there is no free lunch… that carrot is followed by a stick that will hurt, i think…
It is time for all of us who name the name of Christ as our hope and redemption to focus on The Kingdom… in my not so humble opinion, of course 🙂
“It is time for all of us who name the name of Christ as our hope and redemption to focus on The Kingdom… in my not so humble opinion, of course.”
I’ll say “amen” to that. 🙂
Speaking of old CC pastor’s, I got a laugh from the end of Paula-White video with her speaking in tongues. When my ex CC pastor’s said they could speak in tongues is this what they mean? He went even as far to say that any Christian who asks for it will definitely be able to speak in tongues. Paula White makes me laugh but my old CC pastor actually hurt me.
Em,
I wish I could agree with you. I respect you and your opinions. I always have and I’m sure
I always will.
I guess for me, Trump violates so many commonsense “right and wrong” norms, norms
that most everyone, whatever their religious belief (or non) agree on. People know
it’s wrong, for example, as President to instead of utilizing our foreign policy to benefit our own security and well being, you apparently utilize it for your own personal gain. I think
most folks believe that’s wrong. I know the issue becomes “how bad” which I think
misses the point. No one is above the law. Period.
bob1, ig you slogged through my post, thank you…
We all have to educate ourselves with the resources at hand, coming to our own conclusions
It isnt easy today with so many sources ofinformation available – some good, some not
God keep
On the normal measures for a successful administration, I can’t find the marks of good management or success in this administration for the citizens of America, whether on foreign policy, trade, national debt, natural resource stewardship, healthcare….
Jean, what are the marks you refer to?
I see a world spiraling downward, do you think a U.S. President can/should fix this? Without cooperation from Congress, is it possible? For that matter, is it possible at all?
“I see a world spiraling downward”
Em,
I acknowledge your right to your opinion, but I wonder how many people worldwide share your pessimism. The Chinese and Indians are ascending in economic power. American technology companies are innovating, pharma companies are creating new medicines to treat diseases. Young people are going to college, getting married, and having children.
Where is the downward spiral?
I think the damage Trump is doing to our country will benefit other countries, such as Germany, China, India and Japan, which continue to progress.
While we make coal ash in public water ways great again, our competitors will continue improving wind and solar renewable energy.
Jean, those prospering, rising countries you list (not too sure about Germany) are – in my view .. .? – bad news… their prosperity IS the downward spiral
Japan – situation ethics
India – fractured with nuclear capability
China – good grief, they clearly want to see the U.S. go down
None of the above are particularly friendly to the Christian Faith – to put it mildly…
Wind and solar energy are not as reliable as they promote it
Chimney sweepers could quickly solve the biggest downside of its use to produce electricity, but Congress is too constipated to legislate anything useful…
Young people ARE going to college, but orospering? not so sure
Pharma? Who is manufacturing their products? For the most part, not us. .
Sorry, Jean, but i just don’t see much of what you see. ?
But, then. … I AM old….
God keep
Xenia said: “Well, I know my old Calvary Chapel pastors would not…”
Sister, you have been gone from CC for how many (fifteen?) years now?
Maybe it’s time to let this go?
CC has nothing to do with Paula White, but here they are, mentioned again.
CC is pretty much dead. (Heck, we’re all going to be dead soon.)
I am not CC myself, but why you keep mentioning your “old CC pastors” is a mystery to me.
Post Script to my 5:36…
clean energy? up here in the PNW we primarily rely on our rivers to provide energy and it seems to me that the nation that masters the use of the oceans’ tidal flows will finally have clean energy…
my late husband (UCLA degree in nuclear physics) said that wasn’t as easy as it sounds, but sure seems like a good idea to me….
but i AM old…. LOL
CC has nothing to do with Paula White<<<
Yes, that's what I said.
This is the 2nd, maybe 3rd time this Will Whosoever has dropped in and subtly lets me know that s/he knows exactly who I am in real life. Both times it was to needle me. This puts me at a disadvantage because s/he is anonymous while my name is known to you all. This person is a coward.
Forgive me Xenia, I am not trying to needle you. Please forgive me. Is Calvary Chapel even relevant anymore, especially concerning PW? The CC pastors referenced are still faithfully serving and bearing fruit in ministry today. By the grace of God they are helping the Kingdom and are serving in their latter years and even may I say under pretty hard circumstances. They are still your brothers in Christ. But seemingly they are disparaged and when mentioned, in less than favorable ways. It hurts my heart to see this. I don’t understand, that’s all. I apologize for offending you.
Japan is on a death sprial due to lopsided demographics, as are Russia and Italy. Some of us here will see it in our lifetimes. China is as well, and has reversed the 1 child policy. Much of their economic reporting is smoke and mirrors. Vietnam has been moving closer to the USA due to China hemogeny. Who would have guessed that even 20 years ago?
“Japan is on a death sprial due to lopsided demographics”
There is a lot of data that one can point to. Go to the auto dealer this weekend and compare the new Toyotas and Hondas vs. Ford and Chevy. There you will get a good snapshot of health vs. decay.
Here’s what I said about Calvary Chapel pastors and PW:
“Well, I know my old Calvary Chapel pastors would not approve of Mrs. White as they have been very critical of the so-called prosperity “gospel.” I suspect they do not believe Mr. Trump is a Christian, or if they think he is, a “baby” Christian with a lot of growing to do. <— This is always possible."
This is not at all critical of CC and its pastors, who I credit for exposing the heresies of the prosperity "gospel."
You probably didn't care for the 2nd paragraph where I describe some excuses people give for supporting Trump. Well, this is exactly the excuses I hear from Christians, be they CC or EO, who want to keep Trump in office. You will notice a version of one of these excuses was offered by a poster in this thread.
The next 2 paragraphs were appreciatory of 2 good things that have happened under Trump.
Last paragraph was an observation of Trumps mental health.
—–
So your attempt to show that I am obsessed by CC pastors is whacked.
AND, since you are still deploying your Klingon cloaking device, I will not be responding to you anymore.
—-
To all: People are certainly allowed to use screen names, that is not the issue. This person apparently knows or knew me in real life and is being coy. No thanks.
Will Whosoever,
We each have our own backgrounds which inform our frames of reference. Expecting Xenia or anyone else to speak on related issues without this reference is absurd.
For those who don’t like Trump I think there is an appropriate way to get rid of him. That is in the ballot box. All of this impeachment process is a waste of time and is an attempt to over rule our fragile democracy. What Trump is supposedly guilty of in the high crimes and misdomeanors was done in spades by Obama and other past presidents.
Xenia has been consistently gracious about her former pastor..and as CK said it’s part of experience in the church.
I don’t see any reason to question her at all.
Thanks Captain K and Michael.
I wasn’t all that gracious when I first came to the PhxP many years ago, but I have repented of that attitude and apologized to those I disparaged.
Steve,
We’re not going to debate these matters here.
My personal beliefs about Trump are so intense that it will cause nothing but strife to engage in discussions about him.
I do think it appropriate to discuss the impact that the court evangelicals have had on evangelicalism as a whole and promotion by them of someone heterodox at best.
Steve, if only it were that easy! The Dems are going to put up someone who wants unlimited abortion and champions homosexuality! No chance I could vote for one of them, whoever it turns out to be.
Seriously, the advice to “just go to the polls” is pretty meaningless right now for many people. I can sometimes find local things to vote on. One local politician is as liberal as they come but on the local level, he is working hard to solve the homeless crisis. I voted for him. If he ran for a higher office, I probably couldn’t.
Xenia points out another place where I think discussion is allowed.
I think Trump is evil incarnate…but I will have no option in the voting booth to pick someone even moderately sane to oppose him.
It’s time to start living as aliens in a strange land…
I want to be like Xenia when I grow up! Such a classy lady and wonderful, God fearing Christian! I always learn from her comments, and whatever we are talking about for the day, if I don’t hear from Xenia, I am disappointed…
Catherine,
You have a lot of company…
Thank you, Catherine.
Ok, that’s enough about me.
I would like to say that my former CC pastor is a wonderful, hard-working, godly man whose only goal in life, as far as I can tell, is to spread the Gospel and teach the Bible. We are still friends. We do not agree on certain important points of theology, that’s all.
It’s time to start living as aliens in a strange land…
________________________________________
Start? I’ve had this mindset ever since I became a Christian decades ago. I grew up listening to Petra. Remember the song – not of this world? One of my favorites.
Steve,
Christian music references go over my head unless it’s Mahalia Jackson or Dottie Rambo…
Steve
I knew Bob Hartman before Petra. He formulated the idea for the band in my apartment living room. It was a long, long time ago!?
Those who know you(through your comments) need no explanation of what you meant. Your comments are always concise and clearly thought out. Okay, enough.. I believe I won’t be voting in this national election, all the candidates are just too repugnant for consideration. Especially Trump.
Hi Duane, very interesting. So curious, from your perspective and having known the band members themselves, do you believe these guys were sincere and believed what they wrote songs about or were they at the right place and right time to capitalize on the emerging Christian music industry? As a niave youngerster at the time, I just assumed these guys were for real.
Steve
They were/are the real deal. I can still remember their first rehearsal in the basement of the church. At that time there was no Christian music industry! Larry had issued “Bootleg” (I think with Pat Boone’s money) but not on a label. They just wanted to play to evangelize. We were all very innocent in those days!
Duane,,. I guess now that we are talking about musicians, did you know by any chance Jonathan Cain the husband of Paula White? He was in Journey and is in the rock and roll Hall of Fame. About same era when Petra was popular.
Steve
Nope…
I disagree with Diane Feinstein on likely 80% of her views, but still voted for her to keep the other guy away groom the Senate. I may disagree, but as least she acts like an adult, unlike many of our elected officials. The new generation is coming. I’ll soon be the angry old man in the room, on my compound in Idaho, but only near a town with a good Pho shop. And real Mexican food.
I am much like The New Victor – although quite conservative, while in CA I voted twice for Feinstein because I did not like the 2 old white men running against her.
I once really held my nose tightly and voted for Barbara Boxer on a single issue as a reward for her voting against us getting involved in Iraq after 9/11.
I think I voted for Dianne a few times, too.
Speaking of Paula White, the Babylon Bee as always is spot on:
https://babylonbee.com/news/satan-endorses-paula-whites-new-book
Will Snopes call Satan to fact-check this article?
The New Victor…….
Take heart, there are some good Mexican restaurants in Idaho. ?