SAM STORMS + MICHAEL BROWN: WORTHLESS SHEPHERDS

Roundtable: Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman (youtube.com)

According to Sam Storms, a false teacher must deny some foundational truth. He went on to mention some "secondary issues" that he does not identify as false teaching i.e. "differences in eschatology, the mode of baptism, or the role of women in ministry". Storms parameters for false teachers are so broad that he does not identify Benny Hinn as a false teacher despite irrefutable evidence of Hinn's false prophesies, manipulative tactics, prosperity teaching etc. Storms claimed that he has never heard Hinn deny a foundational truth, and on that basis he accepts him as a believer "as far as I can tell". Justin Peters interjected with Hinn's heretical teaching on the nine-member godhead. Despite this Storms was still reluctant to call Hinn out as a false teacher. (22:23 mark) 

Storm's definition of a false teacher is scripturally inaccurate and shortsighted. If it were a black and white issue we would easily identify false teachers and we would not need discernment. (1 Corinthians 12:10). The challenging nature of discernment is to recognize that "lesser errors" bleed into the very gospel itself, and primary doctrines are indirectly attacked and diminished by so-called "secondary issues". (1 Corinthians 5:6). All false teaching is damaging and has repercussions on the gospel itself. For instance, irresistible grace (TULIP)) has massive implications for soteriology; the doctrine of baptismal regeneration misrepresents salvation; false eschatology such as dominionism and pretribulationism will have catastrophic consequences for those who have been mistaught. Eschatological error is likely to lead to catastrophic loss of confidence in Jesus Christ when severe persecution arises at the end of the age. (Matthew 24:10,21). Jesus' command to pay careful attention counters the sloppy attitude of many charismatics to the word of God. (Mark 4:24; Acts 17:11; Proverbs 19:27).

Storms noted that there are only eleven instances of the term "false prophet" in the New Testament and in each instance, the term always applies to non-believers. He neglected to mention that other terms and warnings also identify false teachers. For instance wolves, Acts 20:29; deceivers 2 John 1:7; evildoers and impostors 2 Timothy 3:13 etc. Storms objection that we have no business calling out false teachers to any significant degree because "we do not know their heart" is sentimental nonsense! The scriptures warn that there will be many false teachers/prophets at the end of the age and we are negligent if we do not take this warning seriously. (Matthew 24:5-11; Acts 20:29). The basis on which we are instructed to judge false teachers is to identify their fruit i.e. teaching and lifestyle. (1 Timothy 4:16). Since the scriptures condemn false teachers, we cannot doubt that they are on a calamitous course unless they repent. (2 Peter 2:17). The ultimate fate of false teachers is a matter for the Lord who knows the heart. (Acts 15:8). While we do not want to pick up on every little detail, we are required to be zealous regarding doctrine in order to keep the church pure and to purge evil from amongst ourselves. (1 Corinthians 5:13 cf. Deuteronomy 17:17). The lackadaisical attitude of many charismatics as evidenced by Storms, Brown and other leaders is responsible for the degenerate state of many congregations within that movement.  

The tragic irony is that when Storms had finished rebuking those of us who practice discernment, he went on to give a glowing report of Mike Bickle! (54:00 mark)

Justin Peters: "I believe that Mike Bickle has lied about a number of things, in fact, not the least of which he claims to have been to heaven at least twice. I don't believe that. I don't believe he has been to heaven." 

Storm's: You might not believe it, but how do you know he is lying?  I believe he has..  Everything you have said about Benny Hinn without knowing the man personally, Mike Bickle is probably my best friend in this world. I was in a small group with him and his wife for seven years, on his staff as his Senior Associate, on his staff at IHOP for an additional four years, eleven years. I know this man to the depth of his soul. I can't think of a more biblically orthodox, humble, Christ-exalting individual who lives an incredibly simple lifestyle.. If I hear people say that Mike Bickle is a false teacher it angers me.. because I know the individual. We are not talking about just watching ministry, I know the man personally and he is not NAR as has been claimed by so many..  the stories have been empirically verified.. Bob Jones had a remarkable gift.."

The false assumption that you have to know someone personally in order to critique their teaching is patently false. Clearly, it failed in this instance! Bickle's dubious association and experiences with false prophet Bob Jones has been widely exposed elsewhere. It is impossible to know what these two shady individuals cooked up between themselves, and in light of recent events, we should not believe any detail of Bickle's "prophetic" history. A group of former IHOPKC leaders known as "the Advocate Group" claim that Mike Bickle has been engaged in predatory sexual behavior and pathological misconduct spanning five decades.1 The Bickle debacle leaves Storms credibility and spiritual discernment in tatters!

As graphically demonstrated by Storms, we cannot base our approval for teachers on friendship, personal liking, or any other criteria; our approval must always be based on fruit. If Brown and Storms don't have the time or the inclination to research people like Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Benny Hinn, Todd White etc. then they are negligent and have no business in the ministry. The mandate for shepherds is to guard the flock, not to support an old boy network! Such appalling negligence is an insult to the Lord and breaks the first commandment. (Mark 12:30 cf. Deuteronomy 6:5). 

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Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28). 

NAR Charismatics have not only brought the gospel into disrepute, in many cases they have caused untold damage and ruin to the body of Christ. (2 Peter 2:2). Michael Brown's affinity for Sid Roth is based on the false foundation of personal friendship of almost forty years. Brown absolutely views Sid Roth as a brother and he pleads ignorance regarding his ungodly antics. He claims that he doesn't know because he has only seen "snippets" of Roth's programs. (1:47 mark) Apparently Brown is too busy providing fresh victims for the wolves "Jewish evangelism" that he doesn't have time to test the spirits and guard the flock! (1 John 4:1; Matthew 28:19). As a leader and teacher it is Brown's responsibility to be fully conversant with the antics of the ministries and teachers he defends. God will hold leaders like Brown and Storms accountable for the flock! (Ezekiel 34:4-10).

On the basis of Titus 10:1-14  Brown and Storms are disqualified as leaders: 

    

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced.. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth. (Titus 10:9).

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:11-13).

Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!” (Zechariah 11:17; cf Jeremiah 23:1). 

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 17. - Woe to the idol shepherd! rather, woe to the worthless shepherd! literally, shepherd of vanity, or nothingness, as Job 13:4, "physicians of no value." The LXX., recognizing that no special shepherd is signified, renders, Ω οἱ ποιμαίνοντες τὰ μάταια, "Alas for those who tend vanities!" St. Jerome, expounding the verse of antichrist, "O pastor, et idolum!" That leaveth the flock. Thus Christ speaks of the hireling (John 10:12). The sword shall be upon his arm, etc. The punishment denounced is in accordance with the neglect of the shepherd's duties. The sword represents the instrument of punishment, whatever it he; the right eye, the severity of the retribution (1 Samuel 11:2). The arm that ought to have defended the flock shall be withered up as by catalepsy; the eye that should have watched for their safety shall be blinded. This is the judgment on the foolish shepherd."2

NAR charismatics and other false teachers should continue to be challenged and their deceptions exposed as commanded in the scriptures. (Ephesians 5:11). Reformed cessationists are not in the clear by any means. Calvinism has massive implications for soteriology and spiritual gifts. Peters and Osman's approval of Martin Luther is very telling and reveals that they are equally remiss. I have addressed the subject of Martin Luther's despicable behaviour and writings in a separate post: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: THE SINS OF MARTIN LUTHER DOWNPLAYED (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

1. I sadly admit I sinned’: IHOPKC founder repents, but denies ‘intense sexual activities’ (yahoo.com)
2. Zechariah 11:17 Commentaries: "Woe to the worthless shepherd Who leaves the flock! A sword will be on his arm And on his right eye! His arm will be totally withered And his right eye will be blind." (biblehub.com)