The 2011 “Response” Prayer Rally: When The Religious Right Mainstreamed A Once Shunned Theological Cult

In August of 2010, it was Glenn Beck with whom Christians were uniting for his “Restoring Honor Rally”. I took a real beating from many Christians for stating that I believe that Glenn Beck, as a Mormon, is proclaiming another Jesus and another gospel and that this event would not help America but hurt America.

Even after Beck released his book, Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life , in which he detailed his completely unbiblical worldview; Christians continued to defend Beck stating that he is a good Christian that is teaching truth.

A year later, my prediction that a greater public convergence would occur between the religious right and the religious left was confirmed as Christians, from both camps, jumped on board the next spiritual bandwagon. This next spiritual enterprise was hosted by Governor Perry of Texas and supported by such organizations as The American Family Association, The Family Research Council numerous leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation and members of the International House of Prayer.

Why would such a rally necessary? The website of The Response, declared:

America is in the midst of a historic crisis. We have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters. The youth of America are in grave peril economically, socially, and, most of all, morally. There are threats emerging within our nation and beyond our borders beyond our power to solve.

The reason the “youth of America are in grave peril economically, socially, and most of all, morally”, is because they are in peril spiritually and I believe that giving credibility to, and introducing youth and adults to false teachers, and their unbiblical spirituality is only going to put people in danger of eternal, spiritual peril.

I do not believe this event will aide in reclaiming the country, restoring liberty, or prosperity, and it certainly will not prompt God to bless America. I believe such an event will actually hasten God’s judgment on our nation.

News reports reveal revealed just days before the “prayer rally” that Governor Perry stated that he had no problem with gay marriage in New York for he saw it as a state’s rights issue. Did pro-family leaders that agreed with boycotting secular companies for their support of gay marriage remain consistent and boycott Perry’s prayer event? Not at all, in fact, the New Religious Right went into what I believe was nothing more than political spin and damage control. I guess it is easier to gore the ox of others over the issue of same-sex marriage than it is your own.

Perry was interviewed by one pro-family leader at what seemed like an attempt to clarify and repair the damage. However, the damage was done and conservative journalist Joe Farah of Worldnetdaily declared that Perry had fooled him.

…you can forget…the nice things I said and wrote about Rick Perry. I'm afraid I've wasted my time and your time. In fact, I was just dead wrong in all of my conclusions about the governor of Texas. I no longer want him to run and no longer believe he is a viable candidate. In fact, I will do all I can to warn the American people away from him.

The Response, as this event is was called, was promoted as a time of prayer and repentance. However, how can Christians and Christian leaders gather together in a spiritual enterprise and a spiritual service, with individuals that embrace a theology and doctrine that teaches a different Jesus and a different gospel? I, and thousands of pastors and theologians, believe that the Word of God reveals that the teaching of the New Apostolic Reformation, (NAR) the Word of Faith movement and the prosperity gospel is completely unbiblical.

Worldview Weekend has been warning about the unbiblical aspect of the prosperity gospel for years. We produced a DVD in 2008, in which Dr. Ron Carlson was warning of the unbiblical nature of the prosperity gospel.

I am thankful for the pastors in America that are Biblical shepherds and are guarding their flock.  The pastor of a large church in Houston, who is also a columnist at Worldview Weekend.com, e-mailed me the following after studying the resources on our website concerning The Response.

I'm praying for you.  Thank you for bringing this out.  I had planned on promoting the event until your stuff came out…Thank you for doing your homework…Stay committed to being the "voice crying in the wilderness."  

My friend, and columnists at Worldview Weekend.com, Tommy Ice, wrote a book back in 1988 on the unbiblical teachings of dominion theology. Tommy has written numerous articles on the dangers of the Latter Rain Movement that has given rise to the Kansas City Prophet Movement and now the New Apostolic Reformation.

Tommy sent me the following e-mail this from a Pastor, Dr. Robby Dean of West Houston Bible Church. Pastor Dean sent this letter the members of his church and to 50 pastors so they might warn their churches of what he believed to be the doctrinal and theological problems with The Response. In his warning this Dr. Dean wrote:

…the delegation of the administration of this event, called, "The Response," is to a Christian group with ties to what is in my opinion, one of the most radical, fringe, quasi-cultic groups I have ever investigated. In my view, Response organizers have been exceptionally foolish in designating this a "Christian" event. The most distressing fact is that this event is being run by people from the International House of Prayer (IHOP) which has its roots in a movement called the Kansas City Prophets, which in turn was associated with the Vineyard churches founded by the late John Wimber. In the late 1980's I conducted more than two thousand hours of research and personal interviews with key leaders in the Vineyard movement as part of independent studies courses in my doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. In January of 1989 I attended a "Spiritual Warfare Conference" at the home Vineyard church in southern California. I was there when Paul Cain, one of the most extreme, cult-like leaders of this movement and one who himself taught his own brand of heresy, was first introduced to the Vineyard congregation.  Cain became very influential in the life of Mike Bickle who was then pastor of the Kansas City Fellowship. In October of 1990 Dr. Thomas Ice and I interviewed the pastoral leadership of the Kansas City Vineyard, the so-called Kansas City Prophets, a now defunct ministry. Bickle went on to become one of the founders of the International House of Prayer. Our critique of this movement was published in Biblical Perspectives, a bi-monthly newsletter Dr. Ice and I published at that time. The Director and Program Coordinators for "The Response" are Luis and Jill Cataldo, both on the staff of the International House of Prayer. 

One of the key heresies of the Kansas City prophets, which is also at the core of the thinking of the IHOP movement, is based on a misuse and abuse of a passage in the Hebrew Scriptures, Joel 2:15-16. This passage is at the core of a heresy which calls upon present day Christians to fulfill a passage that has nothing whatsoever to do with modern events. In their view this passage is twisted to be call for spiritual elites, the so-called "Joel's Army," to take over the United States and then to purge it and bring in a Christian kingdom. Unfortunately, in a display of theological naiveté, Gov. Perry was duped into using this passage as the rationale for his call to a Day of Prayer: "In the spirit of the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, Verses 15-16, I urge a solemn gathering of prayer and fasting. As those verses admonish: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly... Gather the people, consecrate the assembly...".  This is what happens when theologically uninformed politicians get duped by advisors whose religious agendas are not obvious. Few Christians are even aware of this movement, its heretical theology, and its political agenda. Governor Perry is not the only one who has been taken in by their pious duplicity.

On the basis of all my research into IHOP, I cannot, on the basis of the Word of God, endorse this event. Further, I must strongly encourage my congregation, and indeed all Bible believing Christians, to not participate in this event… Prayer is important, prayer for a nation is important, political leaders who recognize this are vital to our national health. But a right thing done in a wrong way is wrong. The end never justifies the means!! The way the Texas Day of Prayer is being administered is wrong and foolish, therefore the entire event is tainted. Rick Perry has let the wolves disguised as sheep into the hen house.

Some would try and accuse me of guilt by association. However, I do not believe those participated in The Response, and other such projects, are guilty by association but guilty by participation. I believe they are guilty of giving credibility to false teachers by choosing to unite with false teachers. Ephesians 5:11 says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” 2 Timothy 3:5 says “and from such people turn away.”

It appears that the New Religious Right in America has openly embraced, for the sake of political pragmatism, the New Apostolic Reformation, the Word of Faith Movement, and the proponents of the prosperity gospel. This is not a new trend. To the shock of some, an interesting coalition of religious activists united at Liberty University in 2010 and 2011.  The lineup included prominent leaders of the New Religious Right and prominent Christian radio Networks along with leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation.

In 2011, Pastor James Robison wrote on his website about “supernatural gatherings” and listed “those who attended one or both Leadership Summits along with those who encouraged and assisted in bringing about the gatherings.” The list included men whose ministries I have respected but also prosperity preachers I have refuted.

I also discovered that the organization Renewing American Leadership, which was started by former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, also had a list evangelical pastors, leaders of the New Religious Right, and leaders of the New Apostolic Reformation and Word of Faith movement uniting in calling American to prayer and fasting.

The list on the website of Renewing American Leadership included a who’s  who of evangelical pastors, Christian broadcasters, pro-family leaders, Word of Faith pastors and New Apostolic leaders such as:

Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Mike Bickle, Che, Ahn, Lou Engle, Cindy Jacobs, Rick Joyner.

Pro-family and evangelical leaders listed on the website as calling Americans to “pray and act” included:

Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, Tony Perkins of The Family Research Council, Tim and Don Wildmon of the American Family Association, Jerry Falwell, Jr. of Liberty University, David Barton of Wallbuilders, Chuck Colson, Founder and President of Prison Fellowship, Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship,

I fear the American church is following in the steps of the “German Christians” that eliminated their denominations and abandoned doctrinal purity in order to unite under the Reich Bishop so they might save their country.  Nationalism, ecumenical patriotism, mysticism, and a lack of biblical discernment, which leads to tolerance of false teaching, are growing in America.    

In April of 2011, I wrote an article entitled, “Christians That Partner with False Teachers and Think They are Defending Liberty for the Sake of the Gospel are Compromising the Gospel for the Sake of Liberty.”

I warned then, as I do now, that the mixing of evangelicals with false prophets for the sake of the culture war is really an offense to the Gospel. God is not dependent on us to violate Biblical principles in order to be successful at restoring righteousness. How can we restore righteousness through an unrighteous manner? How can we hope to restore Biblical principles within government when we have willingly violated Biblical principles within the church? The end does not justify the means.

When Christians compromise the gospel and unite with false teachers in spiritual and political enterprises, regardless of the political outcome, we will have lost because we gave credibility to false teachers and their false gospel. I believe this is Satan's strategy. Satan has moved his false teachers into our camp as a religious Trojan horse and Christian leaders have embraced the Trojan horse of false teachers.

One of the people listed on The Response website as an endorser was “prophet” Cindy Jacobs.  Members of the International House of Prayer were listed on the leadership team of The Response and Mike Bickle of IHOP was listed as one of the endorsers on the website of The Response. There are numerous articles and reports that have been written on IHOP for any discerning Christian to read.

Entering into spiritual services or enterprises with false teachers is a clear violation of God’s Word. Thus, how can God bless the church in America and our nation when Christians and Christian leaders are in direct disobedience to God’s Word? How can Christians and Christian leaders repent of sin while participating in an event that in and of itself is something for which to repent? To repent means to turn from sin. I believe Christians and Christian leaders that participate in The Response, or have participated in other events with false teachers, need to repent for their unbiblical event that is ironically calling for repentance.

Some of the individuals that have endorsed this rally include C. Peter Wagner. of Mr. Wagner can be seen in video footage on the internet installing Todd Bentley as a “Prophet”.

At one point Mr. Wagner’s name and picture were removed from the website of The Response but I have a print-out of the website when it contained his name and picture. Why was his name and picture removed?

In the the video of Todd Bentley’s installation service, as “a prophet”, a man is introduced as Che’ Ahn. Che’ Ahn was also listed on the endorser page on The Response website. If you are not aware of Todd Bentley, a quick search on the interent will reveal a disturbing report of him by ABC’s new program Nightline.

Another friend of Mr. Bentley is Rick Joyner. I found a written statement and video clips on Rick Joyner’s website in which Joyner was discussing his efforts to restore Todd Bentley to ministry after Bentley divorced his wife and married another women.  Sadly, pro-family leaders have appeared on a broadcast with Mr. Joyner.

Months before Governor Perry’s “The Response”, was even announced, I reached out privately to some of that participated in event. I called to plead with them not to join in a spiritual enterprise or service with those participating in the New Apostolic Reformation and the Word of Faith Movement. I gave them documented proof of what I believe are the unbiblical teachings of those in the NAR and Word of Faith movement.

Some of my calls were returned and some were not. Thankfully a few Christians have reviewed my research and the research of others. Some Christians conducted their own research and told me they would not participate in The Response or promote it. Sadly, others continued to make excuses for how we are not in agreement with the theology or doctrine of all involved in The Response, but are just uniting for prayer.

2 Corinthians 6:14 does not provide a stipulation that says it is acceptable to unite for the purpose of “just praying” with false teachers or those that embrace unbiblical theology.

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

2 John 9-11 also does not give us an out to partner with false teachers if we are “just praying”.

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

Were those that participated in The Response and other such calls to prayer with the NAR and Word of Faith proponents even aware of the unbiblical reasons members of the NAR pray?

The reasons, from my study of the Bible, are completely unbiblical.  Do they know that the Jesus many of them describe is not the Jesus described in the Bible? Thus, how can true Christians unite in a prayer service with those who are not committed to the same Jesus or the same gospel?

Do not be shocked at the excuses and justification that supporters of this event will circulate in order to avoid obeying the clear cut mandate of Scripture.

The lack of Biblical discernment, research, knowledge, and commitment to the authority of the Word of God I believe has given the church leaders that are weak theologically and doctrinally. Thus, they seem to embrace anyone’s call for revival in hope the revival will produce greater liberty and prosperity. I contend that what the church needs is a decrease in liberty and prosperity and an increase in persecution before we see Biblical revival. Our Christian brothers and sisters in China know of what I write.

I believe The Response, and other such events, are giving credibility to false teachers and their pagan spirituality that is laying the foundation for a false revival. The late Vance Havner put it best when he said:

I am more afraid of false revival than of no revival—a false revival with a false gospel, false evangelists, false converts, false joy. It will seem so genuine that it would deceive, if possible, the very elect. Many church leaders will endorse it. Other good people will be afraid to oppose it for fear that they might be fighting against God.

I have been warning in my new DVD series, Religious Trojan Horse that I believe the religious right in America has been infiltrated by false teachers that seek to use the credibility of Christian leaders to give themselves credibility and to gain acceptance by Christians that would otherwise reject their false teaching.

I believe that many American Christians will allow their commitment to reclaiming the country, reclaiming Congress, lowering taxes, and defeating the progressives trump their commitment to the Biblical mandate declared in 2 Corinthians 6:14. Christians are commanded in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, to expose every high and lofty thing lifted up against the principles of the Lord.

American Christians should not and cannot rate success on whether or not we “reclaim America.” Our success or failure must be based on whether or not we have been faithful servants of the one and only true God and have earnestly contended for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

2 Peter 2:1-2 further reveals the need for Christians to guard themselves and the flock from the deception of the religious Trojan horse:

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

I am reminded of Acts 20:28-31 which declares:

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.  Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

I am very much aware that the majority of professing Christians in America have succumbed to a form of Christianity that is anything but Biblical. Therefore, I know that much of what I am writing and warning about will be met with hostility. I am also aware that there will be those that will attempt to marginalize and characterize me because they cannot marginalize my message that is deeply steeped in the Word of God.  Charles Spurgeon put it best when he said:

We shall not get back a strong race of Christians till we get back such a sturdy band of outspoken men as dare their reputation, if not their lives, upon the unvarnished testimony they give to the Truth they know, the Truth as it is in Jesus, the Truth as it burns in their own hearts and fires their tongues, the Truth as it commends itself to every man’s conscience in the sight of God!”— (1903, Sermon #2854)

Please pray for the Christian leaders involved in this event that they will even at this late hour withdraw from this rally under Biblical conviction and speak boldly against the philosophies of men that are not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)