What are Richard Taylor's motives for doing the Crime-Stopper series “It Takes a Thief to Catch a Thief”? From a biblical standpoint, should a minister of the Lord (so called) be engaged in this sort of activity?
Richard Taylor demonstrates with aptitude and pride those things of which he should be ashamed (Romans 6/21). He appears to be very much enjoying the notoriety and a kind of perverted glory from his previous life of crime instead of fulfilling the calling of a genuine shepherd to suffer for the gospel of Christ. In the process he is upsetting and humiliating the very people he purports to be helping – namely the shopkeepers and their staff. Taylor demonstrates criminal “skills” which the general public were no doubt previously unaware. To shopkeepers and law enforcement agencies it is important to know these things, but these techniques may actually put ideas into the minds of weak people who would not otherwise have considered stealing. This series may be something of a double edged sword which could actually encourage stealing rather than prevent it!
The series itself confirms that as fast as deterrents to shoplifting are put into place, the criminals always find new ways of getting around them. The problem with humanity is the heart, not the outward actions (Jeremiah 17/9). People need to repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ so that their sins can be blotted out (Acts 3/19). Along with protecting the flock entrusted to them, this should be the number one priority of any true pastor. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that people can really be changed from their hearts and be saved.
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. (Mark 16/15)
Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12/25)C
What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. (Galatians 6/15b)
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6/9-11)
Paul's instruction to Timothy:
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Timothy 2/3-4)
To another he (Jesus Christ) said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9/59-60; Matthew 8/21-22) In other words – let the spiritually dead, (those who are not true Christians – unregenerate people who have not been renewed by the Holy Spirit) deal with their own problems. Jesus Christ goes on to say: “But as for you (in this case probably an apostle) go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” This man probably wished to stay with his father until his father's death, and his request seemed reasonable in humanistic terms..... but not to Jesus Christ. Following Christ is a tough call contrary to popular belief. Jesus Christ told this man to prioritise and focus on his calling.
In the case of Richard Taylor, no biblical argument can be made for doing the series “It Takes a Thief to Catch a Thief”. The Bible tells us that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5/19). The problems of this world will never be resolved until the return of Jesus Christ. Christians are not called to fix the problems of this world or to attempt to make the world a better place without the gospel.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2/15)
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17/16).
IS RICHARD TAYLOR STILL A SCAM ARTIST?
I do not believe for one second that Richard Taylor is a genuine minister of the Lord. For one thing his doctrine is totally unbiblical and his guest speakers are all apostates without exception. The so called Welsh Outpouring has dredged up many problems involving the dubious ministry of Richard Taylor and his sidekick Andrew Parsons. Instead of breaking the law of the land as a criminal, Taylor has taken full advantage of his transferable skills as a con artist. Furthermore he has influential connections and even has the authorities on side - The way of the wicked prospers and the treacherous thrive. (Jeremiah 12)
…..if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11/3)
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more; though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there. (Psalm 37/10)
It really was very odd that Cllr Haynes should represent local residents over retrospective planning permissions and also promote Unite@Victory on her Facebook page. Cllr Haynes has close relatives and Facebook friends attending Victory Church in Cwmbran. Needless to say, no action has been taken against Victory Church to address retrospective planning permissions despite legitimate complaints. Similarly no action has been taken to protect the residents of Victory Outreach UK, despite a number of people raising genuine concerns that the ex-prisoners under the “care” of VOUK have come under the cultish influence of the leaders of Victory Church. These ex-prisoners were obligated to attend the nightly meetings and were subjected to hours and hours of mind control techniques and false teaching. In addition no answer has been forthcoming concerning VC's very strange acquisition of their campus at Merthyr Tydfil. With suspect qualifications and phony healings, Richard Taylor is as much a scam artist as ever he was, only now he does it by spiritual deception. Incredibly, despite irrefutable evidence to the contrary, a core group of people still attend Victory Church and attribute the false manifestations to an “outpouring” of the Holy Spirit.
An appalling and horrible thing
has happened in the land:
the prophets prophesy falsely,
and the priests rule at their direction;
my people love to have it so,
but what will you do when the end comes? (Jeremiah 5/30-31)
These are just a few of the issues that have been thrown up by the so called “Welsh Outpouring” which is spreading like gangrene into various parts of the UK (2 Timothy 2/17).
Taylor and Parsons are not honest and open about their finances.
SCRIPTURE OUT OF CONTEXT
“In 2013 after hosting a national conference in Cardiff The Lord spoke to them (Taylor and Parsons) from psalms 2:8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession’ Today VIM (Victory International Ministries) is carrying an evangelistic anointing to the nations by hosting conferences, crusades, revival meetings and teaching materials to resource the body of Christ in reaching nations.” http://viministry.org/about-us/
Psalm 2/8 taken IN context is messianic i.e. it refers to the Messiah and no one else! It is a conversation between God the Father and the Son and concerns the reign of the Lord's anointed, Jesus Christ during his millennial reign. The Gentiles will be divided into nations with Jesus Christ as their righteous ruler (Psalm 2/8; Isaiah 42/1; Daniel 7/14,27).
I will tell of the decree:
The LORD said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron
and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalm 2/7-9)
For Taylor and Parsons to take messianic prophecies and apply them to themselves is the very height of arrogance. This is the spirit of antichrist who is not only against Christ but is a usurper and puts himself in the place of Christ.
The title of the series “It Takes a Thief to Catch a Thief” is very apt.
University College London researchers have come up with some very interesting findings:
Taylor says that the thieves don't care about those they steal from. That phrase: “they don't care” has stuck in my mind regarding Taylor - he just doesn't care.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared..... (1 Timothy 1/1-2)
