“Peter rebuked Simon the magician for thinking “that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts:8:20). Yet the practice of charging for what only God can give has become the norm in the church. Were he living today, Simon would find that his offer to pay for the Holy Spirit’s gifts would not only be accepted but required to attend a John Wimber “Signs and Wonders” seminar to learn how to “operate in the gifts of the Spirit.” If there were no other reason to take a closer look at Promise Keepers (another Vineyard offshoot), the exorbitant fees they charge to attend their rallies would be cause enough.”
THE WAY OF BALAAM
The Berean Call
September 1, 1995
“Last summer 50,000-plus gathered in Colorado for the Promise Keepers Christian Men’s Conference. Colorado football coach Bill McCartney, founder of the organization, declared in his address, “We’re going to contest anything that sets itself up against the name of Jesus Christ.” Obviously, the coach hasn’t “scouted” psychospirituality. Two of the main speakers at the conference were psychologist James Dobson and psychology popularizer Gary Smalley. Of even more concern than what attendees heard from the speakers is the fact that each man received a complimentary hardback copy of The Masculine Journey: Understanding the Six Stages of Manhood by psychotherapist Robert Hicks (foreword by psychologist John Trent).”
THE PSYCHOSPIRITUAL APPROACH
The Berean Call
April 1, 1994
“In a recent editorial entitled “A Time to Build Bridges,” Charisma founding editor and publisher Stephen Strang seemed hopeful that the Holy Spirit was doing a great work of reconciliation. He announced that historic church rifts were being mended and that fast-growing organizations such as Promise Keepers (he publishes its official magazine, New Man) were breaking down denominational barriers. Strang was particularly excited about an upcoming congress designed to bring together Catholic and Protestant charismatics and featuring as speakers Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson and Rainier Cantalamessa, the personal preacher to Pope John Paul II.1”
EXPERIENCE-DRIVEN SPIRITUALITY
The Berean Call
May 1, 1995
“Sadly, Promise Keepers (PK) has taken upon itself to forge such a false unity. I watched in shock and dismay as Pat Robertson, interviewing PK founder Bill McCartney, suggested that PK was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and McCartney responded that indeed it was: that the church had never been united in its history, but that PK was going to bring it all together for the first time!”
UNITY AND TRUTH
The Berean Call
April 1, 1998
“The great tragedy in the church today is that many top leaders, instead of standing firm upon “It is written,” doubt what God has unequivocally declared. The Pope, Christianity Today, Promise Keepers, Billy Graham and many other leaders, Christian universities and seminaries have all agreed that God may have used evolution to create man. Yet that theory, as we have shown, contradicts God’s Word. Graham is surely the most honored evangelical alive, yet he also doubts that the flood was worldwide, even though God’s Word declares in the clearest language that it was. Last Christmas on “Larry King Live,” Billy said concerning heaven, “If sex is necessary for our happiness and fulfillment, it’ll be there.” Again, the Bible was contradicted.”
“IT IS WRITTEN”
The Berean Call
February 1, 1999
Media Spotlight Report on Promise Keepers
Greg Laurie:
Calvary Chapel Mega-Church Clergyman,
long-time Promise Keeper participant, endorser of Mel Gibson’s Catholic movie, “Passion of the Christ”
“I believe The Passion of The Christ may well be one of the most powerful evangelistic tools of the last 100 years, because you have never seen the story of Jesus portrayed this vividly before. -Greg Laurie, Harvest Crusades”
Look who is yoking with who for the sake of this movie
A Cinematic Crucifix? Mel Gibson’s Catholic Movie
Calvary Chapel Clergy & Moses Authoritarianism