When a Preacher becomes a heretic
Speaking of podcasts, I recently listened to This American Life's podcast on Carlton D. Pearson.
Pearson was an up-and-coming Pentecostal preacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and protege of Oral Roberts when he had an epiphany that there is no Hell and God didn't want us to preach about it any more, and to preach an inclusive gospel.
This is interesting on so many levels. And wrong.
Sorry. I just like this meme.
First, the podcaster kept calling him an evangelical, overlooking the distinction between Pentecostals and evangelicals. I had never heard of the man.
Second, the gospel is inclusive enough already. Whoever will may come. It is we who are not inclusive in extending it to people. He tells a touching story about a homosexual young man who was rejected by his Pentecostal family and drawn to a liberal Unitarian church that showed him love after his AIDS diagnosis. Yes, the gospel is inclusive enough for him.
Third, yes, I have issue with the doctrine of Hell, too. Not its existence, but who goes there. This man's doctrine was a kind of universalism; Jesus died for everyone, so everyone is going to Heaven. Therefore no need for Hell, I suppose. But is that just? Should Hitler get to spend eternity with the God he hated, next to Corrie ten Boom? (Yes, I know I am committed the reductio ad Hitlerium fallacy; insert any pagan evil dictator you want.)
This man still preaches the death of Jesus for our sins, but I don't know why if it doesn't matter if a person believes in it. Why bother? If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Fourth, I was interested in how this man fell from his high position. He obviously liked the attention, the private jet, the wealth, the accolades, having thousands in his congregation, being on the stage with the big wigs. His former colleagues branded him a heretic and eventually his church closed down. Netflix has made a movie about him.
The NPRish guy on the podcast couldn't believe that anyone in the 21st century is named a heretic. Well, he wasn't exactly burned at the stake; his denomination just said he couldn't lead a church anymore because he denied its doctrines. He lost everything, but his having everything was based on one set of assumptions that were no longer true.
Interesting story, though. Definitely worth the listen.
Pearson was an up-and-coming Pentecostal preacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and protege of Oral Roberts when he had an epiphany that there is no Hell and God didn't want us to preach about it any more, and to preach an inclusive gospel.
This is interesting on so many levels. And wrong.
First, the podcaster kept calling him an evangelical, overlooking the distinction between Pentecostals and evangelicals. I had never heard of the man.
Second, the gospel is inclusive enough already. Whoever will may come. It is we who are not inclusive in extending it to people. He tells a touching story about a homosexual young man who was rejected by his Pentecostal family and drawn to a liberal Unitarian church that showed him love after his AIDS diagnosis. Yes, the gospel is inclusive enough for him.
Third, yes, I have issue with the doctrine of Hell, too. Not its existence, but who goes there. This man's doctrine was a kind of universalism; Jesus died for everyone, so everyone is going to Heaven. Therefore no need for Hell, I suppose. But is that just? Should Hitler get to spend eternity with the God he hated, next to Corrie ten Boom? (Yes, I know I am committed the reductio ad Hitlerium fallacy; insert any pagan evil dictator you want.)
This man still preaches the death of Jesus for our sins, but I don't know why if it doesn't matter if a person believes in it. Why bother? If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Fourth, I was interested in how this man fell from his high position. He obviously liked the attention, the private jet, the wealth, the accolades, having thousands in his congregation, being on the stage with the big wigs. His former colleagues branded him a heretic and eventually his church closed down. Netflix has made a movie about him.
The NPRish guy on the podcast couldn't believe that anyone in the 21st century is named a heretic. Well, he wasn't exactly burned at the stake; his denomination just said he couldn't lead a church anymore because he denied its doctrines. He lost everything, but his having everything was based on one set of assumptions that were no longer true.
Interesting story, though. Definitely worth the listen.
Comments