We will wrap up our series with two more comparisons from the book:  “Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese, (copyright 1975, SP Publications, ISBN 0-88207-704-x). We have been reviewing the insights from the author and comparing them to my experience at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley. In the seventh post from this book, we reviewed chapter 11 titled “Financial Exploitation”.  I encourage readers to obtain their own copy and read this book.

    Breese writes in Chapter 12 titled “Denunciation of Others”, “When one announces himself as the true Messiah, all others of course are false and must be put down.” (page 110) For certain, I have never heard Jane Whaley say she was the “Messiah”.  She did say she was “no one’s Savior”. However, we must look at her actions that I have witnessed, to verify the view she has of herself and her position. I have seen in writing and heard in person; Jane and Sam Whaley reference themselves as “Apostles”. Recently, the written titles have been “Pastors”… I am not sure what has changed. While I was there at WOFF, we were never told, that I remember.  

    Continue reading “Know the Marks of Cults” Part 8 →

     We will continue with a few more comparisons and observations from the book:  “Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese, (copyright 1975, SP Publications, ISBN 0-88207-704-x). We have been reviewing the insights from the author and comparing them to my experience at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley. In the fifth post from this book we reviewed the “Doctrinal Ambiguity” as noted by the author and compared some aspects of that, to what I have known about WOFF. As a note, I will not write full length posts on the entire list all of “The 12 basic errors of false religion” that are mentioned in the subtitle of this book. Reviewing each one in depth is not for this forum. However, a brief reading would affirm that out of the twelve listed errors, I have seen and experienced all of them during my time at WOFF.   Again, let me repeat that I will not be able to cover all the good information given by the author. I encourage readers to obtain their own copy and read this book.

    Breese titled chapter 7 “The Claim of Special Discoveries”. From those who have been at WOFF, what shall we say then? Do we have space to list the “Special Discoveries” claimed by WOFF? We go from the WOFF-talk to WOFF-dress to WOFF-lifestyle to WOFF-prayer to WOFFness in general. The whole experience at WOFF was billed as “special”. Does this lead to problems and/or does it reveal the error inherent with WOFF? For sure we must ask does the “special” aura of Jane and WOFF give place to even further deceptions.

   Continue reading “Know the Marks of Cults” Part 6 →

“Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese Part 4

    We will continue with insights from the book:  “Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese, (copyright 1975, SP Publications, ISBN 0-88207-704-x). In the third post from this book we reviewed the “False Basis for Salvation” and “Uncertain Hope” as marks of a cult. Next, Breese writes about “Presumptuous Messianic Leadership” in cults. This is the longest chapter in this book, 12 pages, however; the whole book is only 128 pages. I will not be able to cover all the good information given by the author. I encourage readers to obtain their own copy and read it to learn many details that I will not be able to give here.

    Breese starts out this chapter with “Only Jesus Christ deserves disciples!” (page 45, bolding added). That sums up the main point of the chapter very well. He goes on to make several points from which I will only draw a few for support. “One of the marks of a cult is that it elevates the person and the words of a human leader to a messianic level.” (page 48) “All too often converts to a religion stand in inordinate awe of the person who brought them into the faith. Many religious persuaders have been unable to withstand the temptation to personally promote themselves so as to retain their exalted image in the minds of their devoted followers. The temptation to change from a simple servant to an exalted messiah can be very strong in the life of a charismatic leader.” (page 49) Though, I must add that the strength of the temptation is no excuse for the action of receiving the status of “messiah” from your followers.   

   Continue reading “Know the Marks of Cults” Part 4 →

“Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese Part 3

    We will continue with insights from the book:  “Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese, (copyright 1975, SP Publications, ISBN 0-88207-704-x). In the second post from this book we reviewed the “Extra Biblical Revelation” as a mark of a cult. Next, Breese writes about “A False Basis for Salvation” in cults. Upon reading the title for this chapter, I was remembering all the Scripture references I had learned at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Jane Whaley taught what felt like from dawn to dark and beyond on certain subjects. Several meetings were spent on Scripture references centering on salvation and knowing if one was truly saved. So, I had my ideas about skipping over this chapter.

    However, as I read Breese’s work, I noted several alarming points he makes about cults and their denial of true Biblical salvation. For sure, Scriptures are taught at WOFF. But, to be true to our methodology of assessing WOFF and other groups; what are the practices that go along with the teaching of salvation at WOFF? Members of WOFF are taught chapter and verse. That impression is confirmed by the number of Scripture references on their website. But, what is practiced that either confirms or denies, the Scriptural understanding for salvation?

    Continue reading “Know the Marks of Cults” Part 3 →