Predator's Paradise & Selective Humility

Having just listened to a sobering and helpful response by Stephen Powell to Dr. Michael Brown's new video release. I've included the link here:

Stephen Powell Video

I have greatly appreciated Stephen Powell's videos who himself was/is a victim of clergy sexual abuse and who had to expose his own mentor, Todd Bentley, as an unrepentant sexual predator. 

Powell's critique of the the current state of the Charismatic Church is a fresh of breath air. He speaks/writes AS A CHARISMATIC himself. So, unlike the Cessationist critics, who are by definition anti-Charismatic, Powell is an insider who is contending for a Charismatic Church that deals with sin, and with false doctrines/practices. Beyond that, he is one of the voices that is questioning the very structure of the platformed, celebrity pastor (or prophet, healing evangelist, apostle) structure of churches and/or ministries. I agree with him. I believe God is not simply exposing sin and/or false teachings in the Body of Christ, but that He wants to dismantle the very model wherein such sin and/or false doctrine has been able to thrive. 

In Powell's video, he brings up two concepts that were particularly important/critical. 

The first one was when he describes the Charismatic church having been a "Predator's Paradise" due to the modern influence of such doctrines of hyper-Grace and the Father's Love. (I would add to these the "Culture of Honor" teaching) Grace of course is Biblical as is the Father's Love, but when these doctrines are taken to extremes and/or taught in the absence of other Biblical truths, a climate was created that predators could and did thrive within. Think about it - is there anything that Charismatics have believed disqualified people from leadership in the church? Divorces and remarriages without Biblical grounds? Abusive and manipulative behavior (patterns thereof) that have been captured on video or audio? Unwillingness to admit to past sin? The list goes on and on. And yet, the church is full of platformed ministers who have been put back into ministry because of their "gifts" in spite of their character!  The early Church would have simply never tolerated such scandal. Just read the writings of the 2nd and 3rd century church.

Back in 2013, I blogged about the dangers of hyper-Grace in a lengthy post - see here: Blogpost

I now realize that such a false doctrine provided the perfect opportunity for sexual predators to thrive. Powell calls it a "Predator's Paradise" - a brilliant description of a repugnant reality.

The 2nd concept he called "Selective Humility" - this is when a Christian leader on one side presents himself in a truly humble posture, but in another place is anything but humble. We saw this when the recordings from the scandal at Daystar TV came to light - Joni Lamb and Jimmy Evans on camera appear "humble" but in private meetings with Joni's son and daughter-in-law, reveal a level of pride that is hard to imagine. 

Dr. Michael Brown has come off in certain contexts (and in his most recent video) as humble and meek. However, through the years when different people went to him, including close friends, to confront him about certain behavior, they were bullied and threatened. No humility. Selective humility. 

I am grateful to Stephen Powell for giving me two concepts that are helpful in describing and thinking through the current Charismatic church climate we find ourselves.

May we restore to the Body of Christ, and the charismatic one in particular, an environment where predators are not tolerated. Instead of a "Predator's Paradise" may it become a "PREDATOR'S NIGHTMARE".

And as for humility, may it become a major emphasis once again in the Church. It has been considered one of the most important virtues throughout the History of the Church, but seems to be largely forgotten in much of Christ's Body today. Pride (today popularly called Narcissism) has become the norm. Having met and been around multiple Christian leaders through the years, I can say that far too few struck me as truly humble. That is a tragic indictment! 

At the end of my life, I would hope that those around me would be able to say, he strove to walk in true humility. I am keenly aware of my shortcomings in this area. I had so hoped that Dr. Michael Brown, rather than itching to get back into ministry, would have humbled himself in light of what he did (and has done in subsequent years to cover it up), would have been willing to step aside from public ministry for the rest of his life for the sake of Christ's Name and to bring no further reproach to Christ's cause. But he appears to be "spiritually tone-deaf" to the impact of what he done and is convinced that "his gifting" is too important. Humility, genuine Biblical humility, would demand another way than the one he sadly seems to be taking.

I will end this post with what is known as The Humility Prayer. I believe that if somehow Dr. Brown ever saw it and would actually pray it, then he would do exactly the opposite of what he has decided to do.

"O Jesus, Meek and humble of heart,

hear me, Deliver me, Jesus,

from the desire of being loved,

from the desire of being extolled,

from the desire of being honored,

from the desire of being praised,

from the desire of being preferred to others,

from the desire of being consulted,

from the desire of being approved,

 

from the fear of being humiliated,

from the fear of being despised,

from the fear of being forgotten,

from the fear of being wronged,

from the fear of being suspected,

 

And, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire

that others might be loved more than I,

that others might be esteemed more than I,

that in the opinion of the world

others may increase and I may decrease,

that others may be chosen, and I set aside,

that others may be praised and I unnoticed,

that others may be preferred to me in everything,

that others may become holier than I,

provided that I become as holy as I should."