Christian Leaders Must Be Careful Not To Elevate Constitutional Principles Above Biblical Principles
In Exodus 3 we see one of the most beautiful, delicious ironies in all of recorded human history. It is the story of the captives plundering the captors. Just before the Hebrew people were led out of Egypt by Moses, the women asked their Egyptian masters for gifts to see them on their journey: “But every woman shall ask of her neighbor and the woman who lives in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing; and you will put them on your sons and daughters. Thus you will plunder the Egyptians.” (Ex. 3:22)
Many Egyptians apparently gave generously out of genuine affection for the Hebrews. But Pharaoh himself had another motive for allowing the plundering to go on. He wanted the rest of the world to know he was too rich and powerful to antagonize. He wanted the rest of the world to say, “If their slaves are this rich, how powerful must the Pharaoh himself be?” It was a “vanity of vanities,” but all a part of God’s sovereign plan.
However, just a few chapters later, we see God’s Chosen People using God’s good gift to them to build a Golden Calf. So it is we see in Scripture for the first time, but not for the last, a tragic tendency of humankind: to worship the gift and not the Giver.
I was reminded of that unfortunate reality during my coverage of the investigation by Sen. Charles Grassley of six televangelists. The so-called “Grassley Six” are (along with their associated organizations and spouses) Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, and Eddie Long. My coverage of them and Grassley’s investigation for WORLD Magazine and for the Evangelical Press News Service (much of it a collaboration with Rusty Leonard and MinistryWatch.com) has revealed enormous excesses by these ministries: mansions, private jets, luxurious vacations, and much more. But these excesses are not my real concern. My real concern is the shroud of secrecy and darkness and falsehood with which these televangelists conceal themselves. Copeland, in particular, has said he is an “open book” while his books remain closed. Creflo Dollar told “Larry King Live” that he had “nothing to hide” while he continues to hide his financial dealings from Grassley and from the public.
Friends, whatever you think of their “prosperity theology,” this lack of transparency is simply not a biblical response. Scripture is plain that Christians should be “children of light” (I Thess. 5:5) and not of darkness. Indeed, scripture reserves special condemnation for the “works of darkness.” (Rom. 13:12) We are told that our deeds should be “above reproach.” (II Tim. 3:2) Whatever else these verses might mean, surely they also mean that complete openness, transparency, and self-disclosure should be the proper posture for both individual Christians and for any organization that presumes to call itself a Christian ministry.
But what is particularly interesting about the Grassley Six is that they have found some unlikely advocates. The Alliance Defense Fund, a legal defense group that is normally a great defender of Christian values, appears to be on the side of the “Grassley Six.” Gary McCaleb, the ADF’s senior counsel, criticized the “tone” of Grassley’s investigation. The American Center For Law and Justice, led by conservative firebrand Jay Sekulow, said it was “concerned about the constitutional issues raised by the inquiry.” Kelly Shackleford of the Texas-based Liberty Legal Institute voiced similar concerns.
Mssrs. Sekulow, McCaleb, and Shackleford are right. There are constitutional issues here. But I am surprised that these so-called “Christian legal” groups are not much more concerned about the biblical issues. If the Bible says we MUST be transparent, no Christian should care that the Constitution says we MAY be opaque? The Constitution is a great document, perhaps the greatest document ever devised by human hands. But its greatness – and, more to the point, its authority – are far short of the greatness and authority of Scripture. Indeed, I would argue that whatever greatness and authority the Constitution does have is born of its consistency with biblical principles. In any case, when the two are in conflict, it should be Scripture — not the Constitution – that defines the behavior of Christians. Any legal group that denies or undercuts that principle has to that extent given up its right to be called “Christian.”
Here’s the bottom line: Christians are required to be open, honest, and above reproach in all our dealings. This should be any Christian ministry’s or church’s “default” posture toward its members, its donors, and the world at-large. We shouldn’t need a law to require it, but we surely don’t need to hide behind the Constitution to prevent it.
Just as the Hebrews turned God’s good gifts into a golden calf, these Christian groups are in danger of turning one of God’s good gifts to us – the U.S. Constitution – into a modern-day idol. And by allowing a defense of constitutional rights to take precedent over a clear proclamation of biblical responsibilities, the legal defenders of the “Grassley Six” – whether they call themselves Christian or not – are miserable defenders of the Gospel.
Warren Cole Smith is the editor and publisher of the Evangelical Press News Service.
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posted July 28, 2008 at 8:10 pm
From your mouth to God’s ear…
posted July 29, 2008 at 4:18 am
Amen!
Perhaps, since the gifts to the ‘gang of six’ were not given to each ministry per se but to the God of Heaven the accountability is with God. I hope each and every ministry is thankful, that the God of Heaven has used you, Warren Smith and Sen. Grassley et al, as instruments of gracious warning of the necessities of stewardship and trustWORTHY accountability before HIS people and the watching world. May the God of Heaven have mercy on U.S.
posted July 29, 2008 at 5:41 am
Enough said! Even Apostle Paul was so concerned about how donations where handled see 2Cor 8:19-21. He wanted it to be above board. Hscb says (verses 20-21),”Our aim in this is to show that our conduct in dealing with these substantial sums is above reproach;for we take pains to do what is right not only in the sight of God but also in the sight of other people.”
If you are comfortable with your salary, then what is the big deal in making it public???? Thank you for reminding us that our accountablity is to God first and not the system.
posted July 29, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I’m glad Sen. Grassley has stuck to this issue in spite of the backlash he’s received from some conservative groups and colleagues. The inquiry is certainly constitutional since it involves taxpayers’ money that could possibly be being misdirected. I withhold judgment of these individuals’ relationships with God, but it’s certainly disturbing that they have profited off the gospel they preach–it sounds suspiciously like something the Apostle Paul talks about more than once…
posted July 29, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Let me ask you Warren Smith, have you ever used male enhancement products?
SOME THINGS ARE NO ONE’S BUSINESS!!
If I’ve read the various reports right, Sen. Grassley is asking for names, addresses and DONATION amounts of the partners of these ministries, one can only assume to somehow exploit that information.
The Copelands have REQUESTED an IRS audit so the Senate can have their info, yet protect the information of the donors.
Agree with these ministries or not, this breach of protocol IS something that EVERY Christian should be concerned with.
Separation of Church and State was establish for OUR protection, and if entities like this can just side-step the constitutional way of acquiring information, then we are ALL in trouble…
Stewardship isn’t just about finances, it’s also about responsibility of information. Being “transparent” shouldn’t mean compromising one’s ethics.
posted July 29, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Commentmakker – I have to agree with you. There are several other issues that could be brought into this situation with the details Grassley asked for. As mentioned, he could have gotten the information through an IRS investigation, but this would require that the information be kept confidential. It seems to me that Grassley had more up his sleeve than he originally acknowledged. I think Copeland should continue to fight this investigation, and hopefully the right decision will be made.
posted July 29, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Warren Smith. Can you lead the way with transperacy and tell us how much you earn to write these articles? As a journalist of great integrity maybe you could also reveal your ‘sources’ and ‘biases’ in sharing your opinion.
Good stewardship involves accountability to the Head of the Church and His body. If Jesus was asked, “Where did you get that donkey?” do you think His answer would have satisfied the authorities and they would leave him alone. When He was questioned by Pilot He kept silent.Math 27:13-14 “Then Pilate said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they testify against You? But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marvelled greatly”. By your own measure you would have instructed Jesus to be, “Open, honest and above reproach…….to the world at large.
Interestingly the chief priests and scribes with the multitude led Jesus to Pilate in Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse Him, saying, ‘We found this fellow perverting the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Ceasar………..v4 So pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘I find no fault in this man.’ v5 But they were the more fierce, saying, ‘He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea,…..”
What is so different about the current situation. You dont like what Copeland teaches, but you want the Government to conduct the slaughter. How will you and the crowd respond when the IRS say, ‘I find no fault with this man.’
posted July 30, 2008 at 1:36 am
Warren Smith…..Miserable Indeed
You go to great pains to identify that the real issue is about transperancy. You say that your real concern is ‘the shroud of secrecy and darkness and falsehood which……they conceal themselves”. You then looked up your concordance and plucked a few “darkness” scriptures to add validity to your journalistic expression (bias).
If we were to use your criteria to assess Jesus when He was brought before Pilate then even Jesus would have failed your self indulgent test for transperancy and openness.
In Matthew 27:12-14 Jesus was “….being accused (of tax rebellion)by the chief priests and elders, He answered NOTHING.v13 Then Pilate said to Him,’Do You not hear how many things they testify against you? v14 But He answered him NOT ONE WORD,…….”
In Luke 23:2 “And they began to accuse Him saying,’We find this fellow(Jesus) perverting the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Ceasar…..v4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘I find no fault with this man’v5 But they were the more fierce saying,’He stirs up the people, teaching….”
You and the rest of the crowd have delivered the six ministers to the government to get secular justice based on an an accusation, but in your hearts you are against their teaching. (Talk about Transperancy).
What will be your response be when the IRS say, “I find no fault with this ministry”? I suspect you will do what the chief priests and the crowd do…….Be more fierce because of what they teach. There nothing new in the devils methods.
You, Grassley and the rest of the crowd who know very little about these ministries are not interested in taxes, integrity, truth, transperancy or whatever else you accuse them of.
You just dont like what they teach.
posted July 30, 2008 at 8:47 am
Warren Smith: Do you think you are safe from the lides of Grassley? Dont you think that soon he will come for your church too? I have supported the Copeland ministry financially for many years. I would absolutely LOSE it if Copeland released my name to the Senate of my giving records!
How much I give and to whom is my buisness. Copeland is the mainline financial suppoorter of several benevelent ministries like Rheinhardt Bonke, a HUGE evangelism ministry in Afirca. He gives MILLIONS to that outreach, who has documented over 20 million salvations. Copeland is peerless in his reaching out to prisoners in need. Ask anyone in any prison who writes them! The copeland name is ususally the ONLY one mentioned.
I am confused by the hatred for prosperity by you and your peers. if you REALLY believe what you say, then why dont you sell all that you have, give it to the poor and live in a tiny house with a VERY used car? Who says that your lifestyle is ok? Do you rely on what some man has said? Why are you trying to get out of the humble life of poverty you think God has ordained for people by earning more money? Shame on you for trying to earn money!
You act as though Christ drew the line about prosperity himself, and outlined the salary requirements for ministers. Well, he hasn’t. He actually said in 3 John 2: “I wish above ALL things that you prosper AND be in health, even as your soul prospers…” Does not sound poor to me.
I dont see how we are supposed to reach the whole world with quality gospel if we dont have a LOT of money. We sure cant rely on your articles to do that for us.
posted July 30, 2008 at 10:52 am
Biblical concerns are precisely what led ADF to point out the constitutional limits of government in this situation. It is one thing to speak of the “biblical responsibilities” to be good stewards, something that we can all agree upon. But the Bible is also concerned that government officials understand the limits of their own roles and that they not improperly insert themselves into the church realm where they do not belong. Furthermore, accountability for the spending of these groups lies primarily with their donors and the Christian community, not Sen. Grassley. If these groups have transgressed the law, then there are procedures in place to address that. ADF does not represent these ministries, but we must be vigilant in voicing our concerns over a process that could lead to abuses that affect more of the Christian community than just those involved in this particular circumstance.
Doug Napier
Senior Legal Counsel
Alliance Defense Fund
Scottsdale, AZ
posted July 30, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Here’s the bottom line: Christians are required to be open, honest, and above reproach in all our dealings. This should be any Christian ministry’s or church’s “default” posture toward its members, its donors, and the world at-large. We shouldn’t need a law to require it, but we surely don’t need to hide behind the Constitution to prevent it.
I agree
posted July 30, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Scott,
To protect your right to choose what you beleive, I’m sure you would be the first to hold up the Constitution as your defense. It has nothing to do with being open, honest or above reproach, its about protecting the rights of all churches and ministries. Yes even those you disagree with doctrinally.
The innuendo in the paragraph you have restated implies that there is something wrong about using the constitution.
posted July 31, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Warren Smith,
I too have been a long time supporter for several of these ministries to reach millions with the gospel. Their fruits speak loudly of God working in all their ministries. I believe that the enemy’s schemes are being made known in the church, the Christians attacking their own. Jesus is the only judge and to go along with those who have been ensnared by using our enemy’s tools is evident by your story. I pray that you discern who you are listening to.
posted July 31, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I agree. We should start with Warren Smith being completely transparent. For your next article, I challenge you to start with you and your families private medical records. We want to see them, ALL OF THEM. Then lets move on to your tax filings for the last 20 years. Please provide every credit card receipt and a list of each person that has EVER been in your house. Next, lets see not only your paystubs but that of our your entire family for the last 10 years. Finally, anyone that has ever given you a dime, we need to see a financial recording of it, along with your proof of tithing. Sound ridiculous? Exactly, and it’s unconstitutional which is what is wrong with the entire Grassley investigation. He may start out with 6 but it will soon grow to 10, then 20, then any and every church. It’s not that Copeland is not willing to be open, it’s that he wants to go about it the right way. Too bad the writing and publishing of this article didn’t go through the proper editors before it hit the web!
posted August 1, 2008 at 11:13 am
Warren Cole Smith is a threat to the Gospel and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Does he intend to be? Of course not. But is he….absolutely yes. People who don’t comprehend the necessity of separation of church and state don’t know history. Why does this representative of the government Mr. Grassley want this information? Because he thinks these ministries may need government control. And if it is control for financial reasons today, then could it not be control for theological reasons tomorrow? And is not financial control, the control that can affect the expenditure of money and is not money the lifeline that permits these ministries to minister? And is it not supposed excesses of personal benefits to the ministers the concern? What if one believes in the God of El Shaddi which means “the God of more than enough”. These people don’t like God-given prosperity.
And then the fake issue of tax-exempt status money being used for the salaries and benefits to the leaders comes up. That is a bogus issue. All of the huge salaries paid to American corporation presidents (multiple millions to EACH president) is tax exempt money too. The corporations don’t pay any tax on the money they pay to the executives and the nonprofits don’t pay on the money they pay to the executives.
Grassley’s group ought to go after the enormously excessive pay of corporation executives.
And remember – people GAVE the money to the ministries. But the corporation executives TOOK the money from their stockholders.
Warren Cole Smith has a platform he is using to undermine religious freedom. He is a danger to the American church. He is anti-Christ in this regard. He is horribly deceived. If the government controls the church’s money it controls the church.
posted August 3, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Mr. Smith unfortunately misses the entire point his article is supposed to address: Biblical principle. I Cor. 6 makes clear that it is wrong to attempt to drag other believers before secular audiences to expose their wrongdoing. It smears the name of Christ and does not glorify God or advance His Kingdom.
Any Christian who pushes or advances such activity violates scripture, in addition to setting a horrible precedent for the future.
Kelly Shackelford, Esq.
Chief Counsel
Liberty Legal Institute