The Harmful Teachings of Kenneth and Gloria Copeland

[shipwrecksoul]

Jesus posted a warning! Did you know that?
He said I quote,
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Who in the world would this be in reference to?

 

[Ophel]

Jesus posted a warning! Did you know that?
He said I quote,
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Who in the world would this be in reference to?

Yes, I ask you--who?

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Yes, I ask you--who?

Someone who fits with this next great thread the Lord Jesus posted.
Here it is are you ready?

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Wow right?

 

[Ophel]

Someone who fits with this next great thread the Lord Jesus posted.
Here it is are you ready?

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Wow right?

Absolutely right.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

If one truly wants to know the facts, then listen to what Kenneth and Gloria say themselves! I do, and I haven't heard one heretical word.

I've heard it said many times that when buying a used car, its important to have the vehicle checked out by a qualified mechanic before signing on the dotted line. That also applies to Christian theological interpretations. How foolish it is to expect a balanced analysis from the people whose livelihood is based on selling the product.

SLE

 

[Ophel]

I've heard it said many times that when buying a used car, its important to have the vehicle checked out by a qualified mechanic before signing on the dotted line. That also applies to Christian theological interpretations. How foolish it is to expect a balanced analysis from the people whose livelihood is based on selling the product.

SLE

By all means buy a car based on what everyone and his mother is saying.

 

[trucker]

Coplands

I am totally shocked to see this type of post on this site. I am a Graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, in fact my entire family graduated from Rhema. What is posted here about Kenneth Hagin and the Copland’s is not true. People have taken their teachings and have gone into the ditch with them, but Brother Hagin (who is now deceased) and the Copelands serve God with all their hearts. Like any teachings there are some teachings I do not agree with, but to say they teach Heresy is wrong. The prosperity doctrine as you call it is straight from the bible. Some people have used it for their own flesh, but God put the curse of poverty on Jesus because poverty is a curse. If you think this is all they teach, then you have not listened to the hundreds of teachings on Righteousness, The atonement, Christian Character, Healing, The trinity, The difference between the Old and New Covenant and the list goes on and on.

My son and daughter both were totally healed of Cancer at the healing school on the Rhema Campus when the ministers their laid their hands on them. I myself have been totally healed of major sickness and my wife was totally healed from numerous deadly diseases.

The world laughs at us when we fight and bicker like this. The biggest problem the body of Christ has is the constant infighting over who is right and wrong, heresy hunting and those who have been disappointed in their walk, so they blame groups of teachers.

I have listen to and heard hundreds of hours of tapes and read dozens of books by the Copeland’s and hagins. I have been in meetings when Brother Hagin ministered and the spirit of God was so strong you could not even stand. He operated in the gifts of the spirit and has led thousands of people to the Lord. So has Kenneth Copeland.

I think its time we stop this type of nonsense! Our number one role as Christians is to have intimate fellowship with God, not bash each other. I could sit here and tell you of all the faults of well know ministers around the world, yet I will not. Are any of us perfect? Is your doctrine perfect?

I have known and been associated with both the Hagin and Copeland’s ministries and I can tell you right now, heretics they are not! The problem I find is the people who criticizes usually have not stood the test of time and application of Gods word so they blame the teachers they have listened to. I do agree that some of the teachings by the Copelands and Hagins had Law and Grace mixed, but I see God moving the entire body of christ in the center over the Grace of God opposed to the Law.

God promises to the body of Christ to include healing, prosperity, peace, wisdom and all that being in Christ encompasses is for all people! I do know that Brother Hagins book The Midas Touch dealt with some correction on prosperity he had taught earlier in his life.

As far as prophetic utterances being off base, all you have to do it turn TBN on and you will see this all the time. Heck, David Wilkerson has spoken some real doozies along with Pat Robinson, but they are still members of the body of Christ and born again. Now I know all you who look at other ministries through the eye of your own microscope have never missed it, but God uses imperfect men. Does anyone remember 88 reasons Jesus is coming in 1988? The guy missed it! Hal Lindsey has missed it, Perry Stone and most of all, I have missed it. So lets stop all this nonsense and get to the task of leading others into a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have issues with ministries, go to those ministries instead of polluting a person character on a huge site like this.

Trucker

 

[Ophel]

I am totally shocked to see this type of post on this site. I am a Graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center, in fact my entire family graduated from Rhema. What is posted here about Kenneth Hagin and the Copland’s is not true. People have taken their teachings and have gone into the ditch with them, but Brother Hagin (who is now deceased) and the Copelands serve God with all their hearts. Like any teachings there are some teachings I do not agree with, but to say they teach Heresy is wrong. The prosperity doctrine as you call it is straight from the bible. Some people have used it for their own flesh, but God put the curse of poverty on Jesus because poverty is a curse. If you think this is all they teach, then you have not listened to the hundreds of teachings on Righteousness, The atonement, Christian Character, Healing, The trinity, The difference between the Old and New Covenant and the list goes on and on.

My son and daughter both were totally healed of Cancer at the healing school on the Rhema Campus when the ministers their laid their hands on them. I myself have been totally healed of major sickness and my wife was totally healed from numerous deadly diseases.

The world laughs at us when we fight and bicker like this. The biggest problem the body of Christ has is the constant infighting over who is right and wrong, heresy hunting and those who have been disappointed in their walk, so they blame groups of teachers.

I have listen to and heard hundreds of hours of tapes and read dozens of books by the Copeland’s and hagins. I have been in meetings when Brother Hagin ministered and the spirit of God was so strong you could not even stand. He operated in the gifts of the spirit and has led thousands of people to the Lord. So has Kenneth Copeland.

I think its time we stop this type of nonsense! Our number one role as Christians is to have intimate fellowship with God, not bash each other. I could sit here and tell you of all the faults of well know ministers around the world, yet I will not. Are any of us perfect? Is your doctrine perfect?

I have known and been associated with both the Hagin and Copeland’s ministries and I can tell you right now, heretics they are not! The problem I find is the people who criticizes usually have not stood the test of time and application of Gods word so they blame the teachers they have listened to. I do agree that some of the teachings by the Copelands and Hagins had Law and Grace mixed, but I see God moving the entire body of christ in the center over the Grace of God opposed to the Law.

God promises to the body of Christ to include healing, prosperity, peace, wisdom and all that being in Christ encompasses is for all people! I do know that Brother Hagins book The Midas Touch dealt with some correction on prosperity he had taught earlier in his life.

As far as prophetic utterances being off base, all you have to do it turn TBN on and you will see this all the time. Heck, David Wilkerson has spoken some real doozies along with Pat Robinson, but they are still members of the body of Christ and born again. Now I know all you who look at other ministries through the eye of your own microscope have never missed it, but God uses imperfect men. Does anyone remember 88 reasons Jesus is coming in 1988? The guy missed it! Hal Lindsey has missed it, Perry Stone and most of all, I have missed it. So lets stop all this nonsense and get to the task of leading others into a relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have issues with ministries, go to those ministries instead of polluting a person character on a huge site like this.

Trucker

Thank you, Trucker! I know that what you are saying is the truth! May God continue to bless your life with His insight!

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Pro 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Lev 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

1Sa 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

Tada!

 

[beam]

Well said trucker, there is NOT ONE of us on this earth who is perfect yet. We ALL still fall short of Gods Glory! And anyone and everyone who has called on the name of Jesus has the right to be called sons of God. Thank God for Jesus Christ.

 

[Darian]

Prosperity

I don't hold to the name it and claim it teachings, but I get annoyed when people try to make out that having money is a sin, or if you are short of it, that it is sin to desire it. I have been a Christian for twenty years, and I have yet to hear a preacher or teacher say that "he who does not provide for his own is worse than an unbeliever". All things belong to Christ, all wealth is His, all the silver and the gold are His. But believers found in poverty are not told to ask in faith, but to be content with what they have. If you serve the God who owns all and your children are doing without, and you don't ask in faith for what you need, you are worse than an unbeliever. In such a condition you ought not to be content, nor feel guilty for asking for what you need. If you have no money to give to the church or to the poor, you ought to pray in faith for greater resources. We are commanded to give to the church, the poor and our own families. You can't do that if you are content with nothing.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

By all means buy a car based on what everyone and his mother is saying.

Ophel, you misquoted me. In that post I referred to a trained mechanic. I can only conclude that your misquote was intentional.

SLE

 

[Ophel]

Ophel, you misquoted me. In that post I referred to a trained mechanic. I can only conclude that your misquote was intentional.

SLE

So, I take it that you have really tuned in and listened and read what the Copelands believe and applied the Word of God as a Berean, and not taken the hearsay of every Tom, D ick and Harry as "gospel". In that case, then we merely disagree on those points.

 

[Ophel]

I don't hold to the name it and claim it teachings, but I get annoyed when people try to make out that having money is a sin, or if you are short of it, that it is sin to desire it. I have been a Christian for twenty years, and I have yet to hear a preacher or teacher say that "he who does not provide for his own is worse than an unbeliever". All things belong to Christ, all wealth is His, all the silver and the gold are His. But believers found in poverty are not told to ask in faith, but to be content with what they have. If you serve the God who owns all and your children are doing without, and you don't ask in faith for what you need, you are worse than an unbeliever. In such a condition you ought not to be content, nor feel guilty for asking for what you need. If you have no money to give to the church or to the poor, you ought to pray in faith for greater resources. We are commanded to give to the church, the poor and our own families. You can't do that if you are content with nothing.

Excellent points!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I have been in meetings when Brother Hagin ministered and the spirit of God was so strong you could not even stand. He operated in the gifts of the spirit and has led thousands of people to the Lord. So has Kenneth Copeland.

I used to watch Jim and Tammy Bakker on TV years ago and, as I recall, there were a number of times when the Spirit's presence was evidenced there also. However, I don't believe that that automatically means that the Bakkers' were operating in the will of God. I believe that when God heals, His purpose is to bless the healed person, not glorify the minister. I've no doubt that some people were healed in Kenneth Hagin's meetings, but that doesn't mean that God's stamp of approval is on that ministry.

Mt 10:1 says that all twelve of the apostles were given the Gift of Healing, including Judas. If Judas laid hands on people and they were healed or drawn to the Lord, does that make Judas a man of God? I don't think so.

SLE

 

[A Blessed Man]

I'm quite concerned by this post.

I will agree that not everything that Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach is perfectly phrased or supported; some of what Ken says seems almost to be more out of excitement than thoughtful consideration of the Word.

That aside, I think that the Copeland's are truly God-fearing people of God and are spreading the Gospel message to the lost, and edifying the saved with their ministry.

I will respond to this quote, without getting into other part -- for I still do not know to what extent I can speak in contrast to anything writtn here without being reprimanded or banned.

Copeland is wrong. The Bible clearly tells us that sometimes it is actually God's will that we suffer (1 Peter 3:17; 4:19; Hebrew 12:7).

Let's look at these verses contextually and biblically.

1 Peter 3:17 (and surrounding context: v13-18) (NKJV)
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[c] 15 But sanctify the Lord God[d] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us[e] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
​

What do we see here? Sickness? No. We see those who would come against the believer for preaching the truth. Verse 17 talks about the will of God: what is the will of God here? The suffering? Or the doing good? The suffering (or as other verses put it, persecution) is part of what will occur when we walk in God's will: preaching the truth and doing good.

This message is not foriegn to the Copeland ministry. They teach the persecution that the believer will face when they preach the truth. The do teach that the persecution does not originate from God, for God is love, but that God will allow persecution because it is a means through which we can be strengthened.

1 Peter 4:14, 16, 19
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
​

Once again, what are we talking about here. Believers who preach the Name of Christ and those (not God!) who bring persecution against them. The will of God spoken of here in verse 19 is the will that we follow when we are sharing the Gospel with a dying world: we will be persecuted for it. This should not take us out of God's will, but in His will we will face trials and we will suffer for it. Again, this is not sickness nor disease.

Hebrews 12:7
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
​

Yes. God chastens His children. Copeland teaches this as well. But it must be understood why God would chasten His children (can we say disobedience?); and the form of chastening must also be understood (for God does NOT put sickness upon His children anymore than you or I would wish sickness upon our children). So what is this form?

Hebrews 12:16-17
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
​

Esau wanted to inherit the blessing. But he had sold it, he had stepped out of the blessing, and for that he suffered. Sickness? No, but actually worse: loss of God's annointing; loss of His blessing.

When we step out of God's will for our life, when we turn to self for answers, we step out of His blessing and into the curses of this world. We choose it. God allows it. In this we are chastened: God does not bail us out, but through our suffering He guides us back home.

When Jesus walked this earth there were many who came to Him to be healed. Show me one whom Jesus said "No, you must suffer for a while longer." Show me one whom Jesus said "No, I won't heal YOU! You are still being chastened."

God is Jehovah Rapha (the Lord that Heals). Please, someone, fill in this blank: Jehovah _______ (the Lord that gives Sickness and Disease). Hint: there is no such name of our Lord God!

Exodus 15:26
“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
​

If this promise was made for those prior to the cross, how much more His love for those of us who have all our sins forgiven and covered by Jesus' blood! Hallelujah!!

In His Love
Bob

 

[jiggyfly]

I'm quite concerned by this post.


When Jesus walked this earth there were many who came to Him to be healed. Show me one whom Jesus said "No, you must suffer for a while longer." Show me one whom Jesus said "No, I won't heal YOU! You are still being chastened."


In His Love
Bob

Well how about Jesus' friend Lazarus?
John 11:1-7
A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. This is the Mary who poured the expensive perfume on the Lord's feet and wiped them with her hair. [fn] Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, "Lord, the one you love is very sick." But when Jesus heard about it he said, "Lazarus's sickness will not end in death. No, it is for the glory of God. I, the Son of God, will receive glory from this." Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and did not go to them. Finally after two days, he said to his disciples, "Let's go to Judea again."

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Originally Posted by A Blessed Man
I'm quite concerned by this post.
When Jesus walked this earth there were many who came to Him to be healed. Show me one whom Jesus said "No, you must suffer for a while longer." Show me one whom Jesus said "No, I won't heal YOU! You are still being chastened."
In His Love
Bob

Does this count for one to be healed spiritually?
Luk 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

 

[Ophel]

I'm quite concerned by this post.

I will agree that not everything that Kenneth and Gloria Copeland teach is perfectly phrased or supported; some of what Ken says seems almost to be more out of excitement than thoughtful consideration of the Word.

That aside, I think that the Copeland's are truly God-fearing people of God and are spreading the Gospel message to the lost, and edifying the saved with their ministry.

I will respond to this quote, without getting into other part -- for I still do not know to what extent I can speak in contrast to anything writtn here without being reprimanded or banned.



Let's look at these verses contextually and biblically.

1 Peter 3:17 (and surrounding context: v13-18) (NKJV)
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”[c] 15 But sanctify the Lord God[d] in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us[e] to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
​

What do we see here? Sickness? No. We see those who would come against the believer for preaching the truth. Verse 17 talks about the will of God: what is the will of God here? The suffering? Or the doing good? The suffering (or as other verses put it, persecution) is part of what will occur when we walk in God's will: preaching the truth and doing good.

This message is not foriegn to the Copeland ministry. They teach the persecution that the believer will face when they preach the truth. The do teach that the persecution does not originate from God, for God is love, but that God will allow persecution because it is a means through which we can be strengthened.

1 Peter 4:14, 16, 19
14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
​

Once again, what are we talking about here. Believers who preach the Name of Christ and those (not God!) who bring persecution against them. The will of God spoken of here in verse 19 is the will that we follow when we are sharing the Gospel with a dying world: we will be persecuted for it. This should not take us out of God's will, but in His will we will face trials and we will suffer for it. Again, this is not sickness nor disease.

Hebrews 12:7
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
​

Yes. God chastens His children. Copeland teaches this as well. But it must be understood why God would chasten His children (can we say disobedience?); and the form of chastening must also be understood (for God does NOT put sickness upon His children anymore than you or I would wish sickness upon our children). So what is this form?

Hebrews 12:16-17
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
​

Esau wanted to inherit the blessing. But he had sold it, he had stepped out of the blessing, and for that he suffered. Sickness? No, but actually worse: loss of God's annointing; loss of His blessing.

When we step out of God's will for our life, when we turn to self for answers, we step out of His blessing and into the curses of this world. We choose it. God allows it. In this we are chastened: God does not bail us out, but through our suffering He guides us back home.

When Jesus walked this earth there were many who came to Him to be healed. Show me one whom Jesus said "No, you must suffer for a while longer." Show me one whom Jesus said "No, I won't heal YOU! You are still being chastened."

God is Jehovah Rapha (the Lord that Heals). Please, someone, fill in this blank: Jehovah _______ (the Lord that gives Sickness and Disease). Hint: there is no such name of our Lord God!

Exodus 15:26
“If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.”
​

If this promise was made for those prior to the cross, how much more His love for those of us who have all our sins forgiven and covered by Jesus' blood! Hallelujah!!

In His Love
Bob

Praise God! Thank you for this excellent post! It is never God's will that we suffer sickness!

Psalm 103:3 should be a major byword for the believer!
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Jas 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

1Pe 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Read your bible!