The news (ok, it was Fox) in Atlanta reported that a woman threw her 8 year old son out of the window and stabbed her 4 year old daughter to death, before stabbing herself and being killed by police. Her Pentecostal Bishop, while being interviewed, said that she had been to the church, had said she was under a lot of financial pressure (water had been turned off), acting strangely, was seen talking to herself and was clearly "not herself" according to church witnesses. They prayed for her and sent her home. He said in the interview that they believe there are demonic forces at work, after all, what else could have caused a woman to do this to her own children? I don't know... ummmm... mental health issues?
How many abused women and children have heard from their pastors or bishops that they must stay with their husband/honor their father or mother, with horrible outcomes, because it is God's will according to their pastor or bishop?
How many people have turned to the church they have given their tithes to for years, in a time of desperate need, perhaps in need because their pastor or bishop told them they must tithe and more... just to be turned away without help?
How many people have been prayed for, rather than referred to a Psychologist or Psychiatrist, because of the belief of their pastor or bishop that they could be supernaturally and spiritually healed, with horrendous outcomes?
Who are the truly insane here?
Sometimes, while looking intently for the supernatural interventions that some proclaim, God's work in human compassion, mature thinking and mental health and/or medical sciences is ignored, de-valued or rejected as being OTHER THAN God's work...
Find out where your Pastor or Bishop got their FORMAL TRAINING.
A call is one thing, charismatic gifts are another and responsible preparation is yet another...
Bubba's Bible College for six weeks is not formal training.
If one is called, I believe a cost of discipleship and discipline of preparation for the ministry might be formal training for more than a few weeks of glorified Bible Study.
Has your pastor or bishop learned the original, Biblical Languages?
Has your pastor or bishop studied the historical and cultural contexts of the writers of the scripture?
Exegetical methods and hermeneutical studies?
Has your pastor or bishop had pastoral care and counseling courses at a reputable school?
Have they studied how to teach people in Christian Education courses?
Do they recognize God at work in the mind as well as the heart or spirit?
Have they worked under a pastor in contextual education for a time?
Have they invested their time and money in training for ministry, or have they just claimed God's "anointing" and have launched into making stuff up as they go along?
Don't get me wrong... I think Spiritual healing is needed, often... it is currently my full time ministry, in fact, with hospice... but the healing of the mind, body, spirit and relationships and other aspects of human existence are no less from God when they are done in therapy (the use of the mind God gave for healing) or through medicines provided by the creator.
I am repulsed by someone's bishop praying over them and sending them home, with family members noticing huge differences in behavior and not getting their loved one help... rather than being "mature in thinking" and calling someone who could help her and her children.
Who is really insane or demon possessed here? All of the above? I DO believe that evil was at work in this... just not, perhaps, a demon.
If I seem not myself, start talking to myself and behaving irrationally, depressed or out of touch with reality in any way... PLEASE feel free to pray with me, and then GET ME SOME HELP from someone whose call in life is to serve God by helping me!
Pastor Jamie
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