After rereading the previous post, it was apparent I needed further explanation for at least two passages. First, in “Out of the Cults and Into the Church” (copyright 1994 Kregel Resources) by Janis Hutchinson, I quote Hutchinson as she writes concerning sacred stories and cult myths, … “Neither are the doctrines that cults try to establish from them. Visions, dreams, symbols, images or angels, which are often incorporated in myths, were never meant to produce doctrine or dogma. According to the biblical pattern, that is not how God works. Those who exaggerate a meaningful message in order to establish doctrines are deceivers.” (page 155)
As an example I use the passage about Elisha found in 2Kings2:22-24
22So the waters were healed to this day, as Elisha had said. 23He went up from Jericho to Bethel. On the way, [a]young [maturing and accountable] boys came out of the city and mocked him and said to him, Go up [in a whirlwind], you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead! 24And he turned around and looked at them and called a curse down on them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and ripped up forty-two of the boys.
Jane Whaley of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) would quote this story and warn WOFF members not to “talk back” or “mock God’s anointed”. The effect of sharing this story, in this fashion and in this setting was to cut-off any questioning or inquiries of Jane and/or what she taught or did under the guise of being “God’s anointed”. It was a clear use of fear to squash the voicing of doubts or questions. On occasion, Jane would ask the congregation if there were any questions. However, the manner in which she answered the questions, especially ones that called into doubt the decision(s) she made; made it clear that questioning her was not acceptable.
Why would this be deception or a wrong use of this passage? Admittedly, I am not a certified biblical scholar, but I do read in the New Testament where Paul gives instruction for correcting a brother and an example of himself correcting Peter. In Galatians 6:1,3
1BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. .. 3For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.(emphasis added)
Also, read here where Paul corrects Peter in Gal. 2:11, 14
11But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I protested and opposed him to his face [concerning his conduct there], for he was blameable and stood condemned. .. 14But as soon as I saw that they were not straightforward and were not living up to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) before everybody present, If you, though born a Jew, can live [as you have been living] like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how do you dare now to urge and practically force the Gentiles to [comply with the ritual of Judaism and] live like Jews?
The fact is no one “hears God perfectly” or makes the right decision EVERY time. We all need help. The usage of scripture to stifle valid criticism and honest questions says more about Jane Whaley, her position in WOFF and her impression of herself; than it does about the members who have questions and decide not to ask them. Yes, many WOFF members have been frozen with fear and not followed through with expressing their doubts or questions. I know. Does that sound like a healthy environment, either emotionally or spiritually? Since when should God’s chosen leaders use fear to control others- even if the goal is “spiritual”?
We read about love and fear in 1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].(emphasis added)
The “correction” that was practiced by Jane Whaley and her leadership toward regular members was not received with the same “excitement” when it was directed toward Jane or certain ones in leadership. Is there a scripture that says ministers are exempt from the loving, spiritual discernment or simple questions of other members?
Secondly, I mentioned in the previous post what may have been a new term to some in the text: “Years ago, a dear friend warned me of becoming a “jackleg preacher”. The idea of becoming a self-taught preacher and possibly propagating this kind of deception on others scares me and causes me to be leery of people who may consider this as an acceptable “ministry”. Over the years, I have read about and known personally several self-taught preachers. Some were truly spiritual and full of God’s love and some were money-hungry and cared not for the condition of God’s people. All self-taught preachers are not cult leaders, but many religious cult leaders have been self-taught preachers. I may be mistaken, but I believe Jane Whaley is a “self-taught” preacher. The quality of her “ministry” is reflected in the doctrines and practices she adheres to and the lives she has “helped”. Are families better off after being around her? Is there love and trust among WOFF members? Is there any “good reason” for leaving WOFF in the eyes of Jane? Is there free access in and out of WOFF? Are there “five-fold ministers” being sent out to help others and establish thriving, spiritually healthy “works” for the Lord? How many “Bible school graduates” went on to establish thriving growing churches? Read this and consider for yourself. Let the “fruit” of WOFF be examined as it is every day.
Regarding the term “jackleg preacher”, I had a spirited conversation this past weekend with a lovely lady from New Jersey. She had not heard of the term “jackleg preacher” before I mentioned it. She pondered for a minute then exclaimed – “Oh, yea! In the North, we did not use the word –leg!” From the smile on her face, her understanding seemed complete. I did not ask.
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(Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 153.
The word I think of is arrogance for the church. It goes being past prideful. But, people there feel they are truly the chosen ones. Even in telling on each other, there is that feeling of superiority and arrogance over the person who has sinned. You could see that in the children. At WOFF, it was taught that everyone is equal, so there are no titles you use for anyone. So, you do not call anyone Mr., Mrs. Dr., etc. The children call all adults by their first names, even people they encounter outside of the church. There is no tolerance for anyone who is not in their fold. The way they treat others outside of the church is well, disgraceful. There were comments out in the community about this many times.
The children do not talk to anyone and the community views them as zombies or snobbish. But, this all comes from the teachings such as you mention above. If you are in WOFF, you are the anointed (of course outside of church). Inside the church you may not be at that level. This was evident in the DSS interviews and in court. The WOFF had no respect for the government or law officials and so it was okay to lie to them. The same is true for any family members outside of the church, you can lie to them as well. Grace is not taught in the church. Grace it not extended to those outside of the church. If someone is helped outside of the church, the story is told in church in a superiority way. The people needed help because they are not in the will of God. No grace. Once you leave the church you are out of the will of God, you are in sin, you are a Judas, you are an evil person, you are out of the protection of God, you are going to hell, etc. Again, no grace. Remember all the services when Jane talked about the Baptists and the Baptist Associations? The same, they are all wicked and do not know God. No grace.