Post by philiprosenthal on May 4, 2006 20:53:13 GMT
Is EveryNation going back to the errors of the pre-reformation Roman Catholic Church?
Many people in EveryNation from different parts of the world have commented to me independently that they feel EveryNation is becoming more and more like the pre-reformation Roman Catholic Church.
For example:
* Hierachical elitist aristocracy form of governance. Just replace 'Pope' and 'Bishops' with 'apostle'.
* Many EveryNation & His People churches see themselves as superior and better than other churches in the area.
* Major clergy/laity distinction with clergy seldom mixing socially with 'mere mortal' members of congregation. His People Pastors socialise separately from congregation in separate room. Can't see unless book appointment long time in advance.
* Emphasis on titles 'Pastor Paul' 'Pastor Rice' vs 'Father Paul' (contrary to Matthew 23) instead of just calling leaders by their real names.
* People see the church as their connection with God, rather than developing a healthy personal relationship.
* View the church as the Kingdom of God - rather than just a small part of the Kingdom of God.
* Senior leader/apostle treated as if he was infallible (e.g. Rice Broocks, Paul Daniel). No one inside the hiearchy has the guts to tell them they are doing something wrong (until after they are gone).
* Power oriented dominating view of authority of church hierachy over all of life including the civil government and personal lives of members - as did the pre-reformation Roman Catholic Church. (This was faulty theology was explained to me by a group of His People leaders at a meeting in 2001).
* The hierachy must interpret the Bible. If you disagree with the leaders interpretation, then you must be wrong. (Again explained to me at a meeting of His People leaders in May 2005).
* Sex scandals of leadership covered up by the hierachy.
* Fundraising using unethical manipulation and false promises for big projects and the enrichment of leaders. (Compare Tetzel's exploitation of the poor to fundraising for St Peter's basilica which angered Martin Luther to His People EveryNation's false promise 'give money to us and God will make you rich').
* Anyone who disagrees gets persecuted. No space for discussion. No logical debate on theology or practice. Anyone who says the church is doing something wrong must be an evil rebellious person, who needs correction.
Now since the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church also reformed substantially - and I am personal friends with many Roman Catholic priests who are very humble and spiritual people who I most appreciate. But most inside and outside the Roman Catholic church agree that the 16th century church needed reformation. I think EveryNation does too.
I would not accuse all EveryNation leaders of believing and practicing the above nonsense, but a lot do believe it and the rest tolerate them.
The irony though is that all of the above is being done in the name of the so-called 'New Apostolic Reformation'. Thus misusing the name of the reformation to justify a return to the very practices that the reformers like Martin Luther fought to destroy and root out of the church.
What do you think about this comparison? Is it appropriate? I think so?
Many people in EveryNation from different parts of the world have commented to me independently that they feel EveryNation is becoming more and more like the pre-reformation Roman Catholic Church.
For example:
* Hierachical elitist aristocracy form of governance. Just replace 'Pope' and 'Bishops' with 'apostle'.
* Many EveryNation & His People churches see themselves as superior and better than other churches in the area.
* Major clergy/laity distinction with clergy seldom mixing socially with 'mere mortal' members of congregation. His People Pastors socialise separately from congregation in separate room. Can't see unless book appointment long time in advance.
* Emphasis on titles 'Pastor Paul' 'Pastor Rice' vs 'Father Paul' (contrary to Matthew 23) instead of just calling leaders by their real names.
* People see the church as their connection with God, rather than developing a healthy personal relationship.
* View the church as the Kingdom of God - rather than just a small part of the Kingdom of God.
* Senior leader/apostle treated as if he was infallible (e.g. Rice Broocks, Paul Daniel). No one inside the hiearchy has the guts to tell them they are doing something wrong (until after they are gone).
* Power oriented dominating view of authority of church hierachy over all of life including the civil government and personal lives of members - as did the pre-reformation Roman Catholic Church. (This was faulty theology was explained to me by a group of His People leaders at a meeting in 2001).
* The hierachy must interpret the Bible. If you disagree with the leaders interpretation, then you must be wrong. (Again explained to me at a meeting of His People leaders in May 2005).
* Sex scandals of leadership covered up by the hierachy.
* Fundraising using unethical manipulation and false promises for big projects and the enrichment of leaders. (Compare Tetzel's exploitation of the poor to fundraising for St Peter's basilica which angered Martin Luther to His People EveryNation's false promise 'give money to us and God will make you rich').
* Anyone who disagrees gets persecuted. No space for discussion. No logical debate on theology or practice. Anyone who says the church is doing something wrong must be an evil rebellious person, who needs correction.
Now since the Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church also reformed substantially - and I am personal friends with many Roman Catholic priests who are very humble and spiritual people who I most appreciate. But most inside and outside the Roman Catholic church agree that the 16th century church needed reformation. I think EveryNation does too.
I would not accuse all EveryNation leaders of believing and practicing the above nonsense, but a lot do believe it and the rest tolerate them.
The irony though is that all of the above is being done in the name of the so-called 'New Apostolic Reformation'. Thus misusing the name of the reformation to justify a return to the very practices that the reformers like Martin Luther fought to destroy and root out of the church.
What do you think about this comparison? Is it appropriate? I think so?