here is the first draft of my response to my father. If you have any suggestions please let me know. (sorry the spacing is weird from the cut and paste)
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When you first asked me to watch a DVD series by Mark Virckler, I was very optimistic about getting together as a family and studying the word of God. I decided to research his ministry online. I was a bit shocked and amazed by what I found.
I went to his website1 to see what he had to say about himself and his ministry. I quickly became uneasy from what I was reading. It became apparent rather quickly that Mr. Virckler was pushing his own new brand of New Age meditation techniques. Having spent some time around people who made a living from channeling, ghost writing, etc. I recognized the buzz words he was using. I found it shocking that he didn't even change some of the terminology. The proof texts he uses to defend his practices are so grossly taken out of context that I found it rather insulting, like I wouldn't even bother to check what he was saying.
1 Timothy 6:20
20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"
Let us examine the description for one of his courses:
This module teaches a series of seven specific prayers that will break bondages within your heart caused by spiritual forces. These prayers include breaking generational sins and curses; severing ungodly soul ties; removing negative beliefs and inner vows; healing traumatic scenes; and casting out demonic energy that has connected itself to these inner wounds of the heart and soul. The entire healing process is sealed by doing an intensive meditation on biblical passages that bear on the issues being healed so God can grant you illumined insights from His Word.2
Look at some of the New Age buzz words he uses:
soul ties
negative beliefs
demonic energy
inner wounds
The formula of seven specific prayers is taken, not from the bible, but from Hinduism. This is called a mantra.
In the Indian religions, a mantra (Devanāgarī मन्त्र) is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation"3
Notice how in his course description it is the “prayers that will break the bondages within your heart”, this places the power on the words spoken. Once this healing takes place, then “God can grant you illumined insights”. This is clearly not a biblical principal. He has shifted the power of healing
from God/Christ to a formulaic grouping of human uttered words.
His choice of the word “demonic energy” is New Age as well.
We humans are a most delightful m\aelange of energy patterns or selves. Some of these energies are familiar and comfortable, some are curious or unfamiliar, and some are downright distasteful. In this chapter we will examine the development of the latter energies-our disowned selves-and their effect on our lives. Disowned selves are energy patterns that have been partially or totally excluded from our lives. They can range from being angelically spiritual, creative, and mystical to being lustful, selfish, and even demonic.4
DEMONIC ENERGIES & ENTITIES
September 8, 2006
There are times I feign ignorance--briefly or for longer periods of time--when I sense doing so would be in the best interest of one who has requested my time. Conniving, trickster demonic entities attempt to hide their presence and gain the upper hand when in the presence of those who may have the ability to dislodge them. Some times in such cases they think they've "pulled the wool over my eyes" when the opposite is indeed the case. They may be able to deceive their host humans but not so in the case of experienced spiritual healers--not often and not for long, anyway.
The subject of demonic entities is too broad to discuss in depth here, but a little bit about how they are created is in order. When one becomes angry, one creates demonic energy, which usually quickly dissipates. However, when one holds the anger for longer periods of time, and when the anger is intense, the energy hangs around its creator. Worse than that, like attracts like, so more powerful demonic energy is attracted; thus, the demonic energy continues to build. Once entrenched with one human for a lengthy period of time, it is more difficult to dislodge. As the reader may be aware, it can take over the consciousness of its host human to some degree.5
The bible clearly addresses how to defend our selves from the devil.
Ephesians 6: 10-17
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Acts 17:11
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
The bible makes no mention to a specific seven prayer formula for healing.
From Mark Vircklers website:
This 40-page booklet is a revision of our earlier booklet, “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” We have doubled the size and added extensive practical teaching on how to be baptized in the Holy Spirit6
The booklet only costs $5. What does the bible say about paying for this kind of knowledge?
Acts 8: 18-21
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, "Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
After looking through his course material, I wanted to see who he associated with. I had already become very leery from what I had found so it was of no surprise that I found him rubbing shoulders with other questionable teachers.
In his outstanding links section, under Prophetic Ministries:
Rick Joyner.
MorningStar Ministries
Here is what Rick Joyner has to say about the accuracy of modern day prophets.
"Bob [Jones] was told that
the general level of prophetic revelation in the church was
about 65% accurate at this time. Some are only about 10%
accurate, a very few of the most mature prophets are
approaching 85% to 95% accuracy. Prophecy is increasing in
purity, but there is still a long way to go for those who
walk in this ministry. This is actually grace for the church
now, because 100% accuracy in this ministry will bring a
level of accountability to the church, which she is too
immature to bear at this time; it would result in too many 'Ananias and
Sapphiras.' That so many the (sic) prophetic
ministries are still missing so much is also meant to work
humility and wisdom in them so that they will be able to
handle the authority and power coming in the near
future.”7
Here is what the bible says about prophecy.
Deuteronomy 18: 20-22
20 'But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.'
21 "You may say in your heart, 'How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?'
22 "When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
Rick Joyner must be held accountable to the word of God. If we held him and those of his ministry to the biblical standard, then they should be put to death.
Rick Joyner has directly contradicted the bible with his message.
Galatians 1: 6-9
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
Rick Joyner has been publicly endorsed by Mark Virkler as a leader in prophetic ministry. The biblical standard for prophecy has been rejected by Rick Joyner. Mark Virckler is endorsing false prophets. Mark Virckler is not acting as a Berean and searching the scriptures to test these men and women whom he is endorsing.
He has a whole section of links devoted to Egalitarianism. Without going into any one specific link, they all have the same premise. The rejection of the clear teaching of the bible on the role of women in leadership positions within the church. This to me is further evidence of Mark Vircklers rejection of core biblical doctrine. He claims to hold to orthodox christianity, but none of his ideas are
orthodox. He has come up with a mixture of new age and liberal doctrine and is passing it off as christian.
While I have only scratched the surface of his ministry, I have seen all I need to make a good judgement as to whether my family should be exposed to his teaching. God has spoken through His word. There is no special group of words or formula to unlock Gods word. It is the Holy Spirit who has been given to all believers that guides us in the word of God. My goal is not to offend you or be confrontational on this issue. I do however make a firm stand on the bible and its authority on the doctrine of salvation and the church. Please consider these words in the spirit they are given. That it is my only desire to follow the word of God and test the doctrines of men by that word. I love you very much and hope that this does not become a point of argument within our family.
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