Bonus blessings from the cross…IF you have enough faith!
My good friend and soon-to-be office chum Adam has recently been criticizing certain preachers for claiming that Jesus Christ came and died so that we could live free from suffering the things most unbelievers suffer—not merely in the new heaven and the new earth, but right now!
Silly Adam! It’s too bad you, a puny intern, have to go up against the likes of Joseph Prince, pastor of a 15,000-strong megachurch in Singapore. Pastor Prince knows his stuff. He has an anointing. His preaching is “humorous, personal, and practical,” according to his church’s website. (And who would know better than them?)
Now, Pastor Prince would have you know that Jesus did not merely bear your sins on the cross. He also bore your physical sicknesses. This means that the only thing preventing you from being healed of any ailment is your lack of faith. After all, you have the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you and God would never want you to get sick. (Similarly, since Christ took your poverty on Him when He was crucified, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be wealthy other than your lack of faith.)
The smoking gun prooftext? Here it is:
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
-Isaiah 53:5
Never mind that the context of the entire passage is talking about sin. Never mind that all competent Bible scholars agree that this “healing” is poetic language. Pastor Prince has an anointing, and the Holy Spirit revealed this to him!
Now, it’s possible that I have the same anointing, so let me take a stab at this. Following Pastor Prince’s overly literal interpretation of Isaiah 53, we can draw a few more conclusions that will surely bring joy to you, my dear comfort-starved Christian:
- Jesus Christ bore all your oppression on the cross. “He was oppressed and afflicted….By oppression and judgment he was taken away” (vv. 7-8). If you are one of those unfortunate Christians living in an oppressive society, such as North Korea or the Congo, it’s your fault that you’re oppressed! Clearly, Jesus bore all our oppression, so it’s your lack of faith that got you thrown into that labor camp because you stumbled into the house while that soldier was chopping your kids into little pieces.
- Jesus Christ bore all your unpopularity on the cross. “He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (v. 3). So you’re getting bullied in middle school? So people keep making fun of you because you stutter? So people hate you because you get good grades? Well, Jesus bore all your rejection, so if people despise you for silly reasons like that, it’s clearly because you don’t have enough faith! God would never allow such painful and unnecessary things to happen to you!
- Jesus Christ bore all your ugliness on the cross. “His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblence….He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him” (52:14, 53:2). Are you fat? Are you ugly? Are you both fat and ugly? It’s your fault, stupid! Don’t you know that Jesus bore all your physical unattractiveness on the cross? Get some more faith! As the Caedmon’s Call song “There You Go” explains, “There you go working good from my bad / There you go making robes from my rags / There you go melting pounds from my calves.” According to the Bible, we should all be beautiful and thin.
So you see, your life sucks. If you would only listen to Pastor Prince, things would go much better for you. I leave you with today’s devotional from the good Pastor’s desk:
Consider The Lilies Of The Field
Matthew 6:28–29
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.You may think that you must work very hard to provide for yourself and get ahead in life. But God wants you to consider the lilies of the field — they do nothing. They toil not, spin not and struggle not. Yet, they grow and are clothed by God while simply resting and basking in the sunshine of God’s love! And when God clothes them, they look even more glorious than King Solomon, the richest king who ever lived.
Like the lilies of the field, God wants you to let Him take care of providing for your material needs, instead of striving to do that yourself. When you let go and let Him, you will see Him bless you supernaturally, abundantly and generously!
Consider what happened to one of our church members who had been looking for a job. Initially, he received only two calls for interviews after sending out 12 resumés. Refusing to be discouraged, he believed that God wanted to bless him not just with a job, but with a position of influence too.
God was faithful. This church member soon became business manager of an engineering company even though he had no engineering background. He was offered a very attractive remuneration package and within his first week on the job, was asked to quote on two projects. He knew that this was God’s doing because it was difficult enough just to secure an appointment with contract managers to discuss projects, let alone be asked to quote on not one but two projects. Before long, he was offered the position to run the entire Singapore subsidiary with only one other business development manager. He was then only 25 years old!
My friend, God can do for you what He did for this person. Just believe that if God clothes the lilies and grass of the field which are here today and gone tomorrow, how much more will He clothe you, His eternal and precious child, with beauty and riches! All He asks is that you cease from your striving and allow Him to take over!
So what do you think? Are there any more bonus blessings from Jesus’ death that we can draw out through creative re-interpretation of scripture?
Posted on August 31, 2007, in Laugh, dangit!!, The issues. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
Dave, it is because of your unbelief that we don’t have a hot tube in our office… keep praying.
But in all seriousness, good stuff. It’s easy to see how attractive these bonus blessings are because our sinful man-centered flesh craves these types of self gratification.
Also, it goes to show how a man-centered theology and biblical interpretation can misconstrue the glorious, all satisfying, God glorifying, and Christ exulting glorious gospel.
“Also, it goes to show how a man-centered theology and biblical interpretation can misconstrue the glorious, all satisfying, God glorifying, and Christ exulting glorious gospel.”
Jiminy Crickets! Could you have used any more variants of the word “glory”? Who cares about that crap? Gimme the abundant life!
My beloved roommate Cheeseborger got back from a 20-mile run this morning in training for a marathon. He was in a lot of pain, but thanks to Pastor Prince, I had the presence of mind to comfort him by saying that the only reason his body hurt so much was because he didn’t have enough faith.
haha
This know also, that in the last days perilous times will come.For men will be lovers of their own selves, false accusers, incontinent, despisers of those that are good,
heady, high-minded, having a form of godliness, but denying its power:…ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth…, deceiving, and being deceived…
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us who are saved, it is the power of God.
It is given to you (that are being saved) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (that are perishing) it is not; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.
Now we have received the spirit which is from God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye will in no wise believe, though a man declare it to you.
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal, “The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. ”
For all y’all thats too carnal to recieve the word of God,the above passage is directly compiled from scripture..,God’s children have a way of resolving faith issues without attacking the Lords anointed,understanding that the message is of/by the Lord himself rather than the pastor’s.
“…bonus blessings from Jesus’ death that we can draw out through creative re-interpretation of scripture.”
dont creatively interprete the scriptures,do not interprete the scriptures at all,Let God by His Spirit lead you through His word,as it is written ” For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God… But if anyone has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” because “the Comforter, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things”
One Love
Danni
Huh??
Wow, I guess I’m a little “too carnal” to understand that last amazing comment. I’ve never seen incomprehensibility quite that intense! (My fault, of course, for trying to interpret what I read–I’ll try and let the Spirit guide me next time.)
Dave, thanks for mentioning this issue. I’ve met a few people from the faith-healer crowd over the last couple weeks and have had some frustratingly illogical discussions with them about this stuff. I think it’s an excellent example of the danger of “blind faith”–believing in something despite all evidence and reason to the contrary. God gave us minds so that we could use them. (But never mind that, that’s your unbelief talking. Pray for more faith.)
Anyhow, I’d like to hear more of your thoughts on the purpose of suffering in the Christian life.
-Joshua
I was drawn here through googling Joseph Prince. I caught him on one of the God channels here in the UK and was struck by his excellent take on the book of Romans, the doctrine of the two Adams and the meaning of true grace etc. To be honest it was some of the best and clearest teaching I have heard on the networks about the position of those who are saved by the blood of Christ.
Ah! but then he quoted something from “brother Hagin”. I was shocked and waited with interest to see where he was going with this line of thought. Then Bang! he was off into the whole “there is healing in the atonement” Word of Faith thing.
He quoted Matt 8:17 where there is reference to part of the Isaiah 53 passage being fulfilled. Matt 8:16 tells of the acts of healing performed by Jesus and v17 states that it was by doing these acts that the prophecy of him taking our infirmities and baring our sicknesses was fulfilled. Jesus obviously hadn’t gone to the cross at that point but that part of the prophecy relating to sickness and infirmity was fulfilled here. Healing is definitely not in the atonement, which was the healing of being reconciled to God. That part of the Isaiah 53 prophecy WAS fulfilled at the cross.
The fact is that we await the redemption of our bodies. God heals in answer to prayer – sometimes. But sometimes He doesn’t and says “my grace is sufficient for you” as He did to Paul, who prayed thrice about his “thorn in the flesh” (which was probably eye trouble) and was denied healing for that reason. Then Paul had to put his faith in God’s testimony that His grace would be enough.
It just goes to remind us to be vigilant and stick by the word of God. False teaching is often mixed with the good stuff and you’ve got to be able to pick it out
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; 2Co 11:14,15
Just because he seems like a nice guy and says a few sound things, does not lessen the need for true discernment. False teachers don’t walk around with neon flashing headbands which say ” I’m a false teacher” they may not even be conscious that they are in error. We have to work hard at making certain that we know what is the “faith once for all delivered to the saints” and see how these folks measure up to it. You have to check out the doctrine with the teaching of the Word. And if you don’t study to know the Word, you’ll be relying on your flawed instincts about the guy instead, and you will end up in trouble.
in His precious Name
billyp
Thanks billyp, your comment was encouraging to me. I agree with everything you said, and your thoughts on Matthew 8 and Isaiah 53 were actually very helpful to me. It’s incredibly frustrating to see someone who is spot on with the atonement of sins but who then mingles it with false teaching. May God grant his church more discernment in identifying false teachers.
Glad to be of help. Some folks might find it strange, the idea of God fulfilling a specific prophecy in ‘bits’ – as in Isaiah 53. (Partially fulfilled in The Lord’s pre-cross ministry – miracles of healing sicknesses and infirmities and the later fulfillment of the healing in regard to reconciliation with God at the cross).
In fact there is another example of this at the beginning of the Lord’s earthly ministry which you may already be aware of :
“And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luk 4:18-21
Notice that he did not read the full quote from Isaiah 61.He shut the book after reading “the acceptable year of the Lord. He omitted the phrase “and the day of vengeance of our God”. This part of the prophecy of Isaiah is to be fulfilled in the future. Today is not a day of vengeance it is a day of grace.
I meant to mention this before. I hope it helps clarify things a little
in His precious Name
billyp
On the question of faith, Pastor Prince is refering to the faith that God will deliver you from your predicament as he only wants good things for you. The 3 examples given in your literal translation of Isaiah 53 – Opression, Bullying & Vanity are man-made afflictions/standards. Faith will/may not stop this from happening to you but it will give the strentgh to overcome them. In fact he never says “don’t see the doctor” or that you won’t fall sick … but have faith in JC that you will be well & that God will cure you. In fact, he makes it a point to remind us of the difference between faith & blind faith.
I attend New Creation Church in Singapore where Pastor Prince leads. Though I’m a recent attendee, NCC has changed me in so many ways. I actually look forward to going to Church & have never felt more at peace or closer to god than ever before. From an attendence of only a few hundred to 15000 & growing … surely something must be right as many are returning to the Church as God had intended.
I can certainly respect your opinion but take sometime to understand the whole message he is conveying and in the context it was spoken. There some snippets of his sermons on youtube … just search for Joseph Prince. You can also see & hear some at the NCC website. Don’t knock it till you tried it!
Thanks for your comment, GBC. I’m glad to hear that God is using Joseph Prince to help you; however, I think this demonstrates the fact that God can use flawed teachers and teachings to accomplish his purposes. I heard one of his sermons, and then I read his daily devotional each day for several weeks to get a good idea of what he emphasizes. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of his prosperity teaching if he doesn’t mention it much; however, it is clearly a focal point of his ministry.
Much of what Joseph Prince teaches is based on poor analysis of scripture. For example, in one of his devotionals, he taught that we should not lose our memory as we grow old, quoting 1 Corinthians 4:5b: “But we have the mind of Christ.” And Christ never forgets, right? Well, this proves way too much — if we really have the mind of Christ the way Prince says, then we should never forget anything. If you look at the context, it has nothing to do with mental acuity; this is simply an awful instance of eisegesis — reading into the text a meaning that the author never intended it to have. And I’ve noticed that Prince and other prosperity teachers do this frequently whenever it suits their purposes.
So while Joseph Prince may speak many helpful things, his teaching is based on his own wisdom, not on the Bible (though he is very clever at making it look biblical). The growth of his church — or of any church, for that matter — is not proof of the Spirit’s work. Consider 2 Timothy 4:3, and think of how many people want to hear that they can get health, wealth, and material prosperity out of the gospel. Joseph Prince is a very charismatic figure, and his personality and message attract people — for better or for worse.
Hi! Dave, Thanks for your comments. I do take your point on the mentioned devotional. I’m not to sure how to answer this but one of the points often mentioned in NCC was JC was God in human form. He was divine but built of flesh & blood. In other words JC would have human limitations/afflictions/frailities no different from you and me. Putting the devotional in that context … the message would have made more sense.
I came to this answer after stumbling upon a disturbing video on YouTube where another TV evangelist Rev. Creflo Dollar was questioning the divinity of JC. He used examples of how JC would need to rest after a long journey, go to the toilet etc … & questioned on how this could be the Son of GOD! God doesn’t get tired, God doesn’t need to go to the toilet! He totally ignored the fact that JC was human.
Pastor Joseph Prince recently put quite number of short videos on his sermons on YouTube. You can find them at:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=JosephPrinceMedia
The section on Humourous Illustrations is nice viewing and is from his DVD of the same name. He talks on quite a number of subjects and by viewing them you will get a better understanding on the Church’s message. I’ll guarantee you it will put a smile on your face
Joseph Prince tells people that we are living by grace and are not under law and we should not worry about keeping the ten commandments. Obviously he hasn’t read Matthew 5:17-20. In particular verse 19. Also Luke 16:16-17. This is the Lord Jesus speaking himself. Don’t follow false teachers.
Hmmm…could you refer me to where Joseph Prince says that? It doesn’t strike me as something he’d teach….
Sorry, franciscus, if you were planning on replying…I’ve decided to close the comments on this post and the Andrew Wommack post because the discussion keeps going in circles. I don’t have the time to keep responding to the same objections over and over again (typically explaining why I misunderstand these teachers or I have no right to criticize them). Thanks, everyone, for the discussion.
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