The Real Truth Podcast

Episode 98: TRT-PODCAST#98-Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering Part-4

This is the 4th part of a series on the subject: Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering, consisting of excerpts from the audiobook of that title. The book and audiobook is adapted from a chapter of the widely disseminated book, Charismatic Captivation—Authoritarian Abuse & Psychological Enslavement in Neo-Pentecostal Churches, which exposes the widespread problem of authoritarian abuse that has been flourishing virtually unabated for decades since it was first infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of the Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal church during the false movement known as the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement (1970-77). Owing extensively to that Movement and the teachings that were promulgated during it, hyper-authoritarian doctrines and practices have become cemented into the foundation, fabric, and functions of many churches, major segments of some denominations, as well as many of the apostolic networks of churches, ministries, and ministers that have emerged over primarily that last four or five decades. The problem has become so widespread that it has now reached pandemic proportions in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal streams. The purpose of Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is to analyze against the foundation-stone of Scripture, one of the foundational elements of this hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical culture, demonstrate its irrefutable incongruity with Scripture, and disabuse believers from acceptance of and adherence to it, thereby liberating them from the invisible chains of psychological enslavement that have been holding them in bondage to the illegitimate authority structures of men.  Hyper-authoritarianism is predominance or psychological control imposed by spiritual leaders upon their followers or congregants regarding not only their involvements within the church or ministry, but also regarding their personal and private lives.  Ministries and church-groups practicing this illegitimate domination employ various means and degrees of psychological indoctrination and coercion to compel congregants or adherents to subject and conform their personal activities, behavior, and affairs of life to the leadership-prescribed standards, rules, expectations, and collective corporate goals of the church or ministry. The purported pretext for the imposition of this religious governance is an adulterated or perverted concept of ecclesiastical authority. Promulgators and practitioners adamantly claim that the mechanisms of manipulation they employ are a perfectly Scriptural system of "discipleship" or "spiritual training" in fulfillment of the role and responsibility of spiritual leaders to "make disciples." However, the fact of the matter is this kind of "discipleship" exceeds by far the bounds and intents of legitimate, that is, Scriptural and Godly, authority. This kind of so-called "shepherding" is not that which is inspired by the Good Shepherd, but by His arch-rival, Satan, rather it is blatant misuse and abuse of authority, and is Scripturally-prohibited usurpation of believers' God-given prerogative or right of personal autonomy. This series conclusively demonstrates that so-called "spiritual covering," as theorized by those who teach, promulgate, and adhere to it, is an absolute myth and an unmitigated lie, and that indeed no semblance of the version of "spiritual covering" taught by its proponents exists anywhere within Scripture. It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines by which to facilitate and perpetuate their purely self aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination and control of the sheep of God's Flock. Every believer in Christ who has ever been exposed to the deception of "spiritual covering," whereby hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical autocrats use it to subjugate, dominate, and control their followers, desperately needs to read Charismatic Captivation, and follow the "15 Rs of Recovery from Authoritarian Abuse" delineated in the book's last chapter.

Episode 97: TRT-PODCAST#97-Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering Part-3

This is the third part of a series on the subject: Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering, consisting of excerpts from the audiobook of that title. The book and audiobook is adapted from a chapter of the widely disseminated book, Charismatic Captivation—Authoritarian Abuse & Psychological Enslavement in Neo-Pentecostal Churches, which exposes the widespread problem of authoritarian abuse that has been flourishing virtually unabated for decades since it was first infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of the Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal church during the false movement known as the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement (1970-77). Owing extensively to that Movement and the teachings that were promulgated during it, hyper-authoritarian doctrines and practices have become cemented into the foundation, fabric, and functions of many churches, major segments of some denominations, as well as many of the apostolic networks of churches, ministries, and ministers that have emerged over primarily that last four or five decades. The problem has become so widespread that it has now reached pandemic proportions in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal streams. The purpose of Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is to analyze against the foundation-stone of Scripture, one of the foundational elements of this hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical culture, demonstrate its irrefutable incongruity with Scripture, and disabuse believers from acceptance of and adherence to it, thereby liberating them from the invisible chains of psychological enslavement that have been holding them in bondage to the illegitimate authority structures of men. Hyper-authoritarianism is predominance or psychological control imposed by spiritual leaders upon their followers or congregants regarding not only their involvements within the church or ministry, but also regarding their personal and private lives. Ministries and church-groups practicing this illegitimate domination employ various means and degrees of psychological indoctrination and coercion to compel congregants or adherents to subject and conform their personal activities, behavior, and affairs of life to the leadership-prescribed standards, rules, expectations, and collective corporate goals of the church or ministry. The purported pretext for the imposition of this religious governance is an adulterated or perverted concept of ecclesiastical authority. Promulgators and practitioners adamantly claim that the mechanisms of manipulation they employ are a perfectly Scriptural system of "discipleship" or "spiritual training" in fulfillment of the role and responsibility of spiritual leaders to "make disciples." However, the fact of the matter is this kind of "discipleship" exceeds by far the bounds and intents of legitimate, that is, Scriptural and Godly, authority. This kind of so-called "shepherding" is not that which is inspired by the Good Shepherd, but by His arch-rival, Satan, rather it is blatant misuse and abuse of authority, and is Scripturally-prohibited usurpation of believers' God-given prerogative or right of personal autonomy. This series conclusively demonstrates that so-called "spiritual covering," as theorized by those who teach, promulgate, and adhere to it, is an absolute myth and an unmitigated lie, and that indeed no semblance of the version of "spiritual covering" taught by its proponents exists anywhere within Scripture. It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines by which to facilitate and perpetuate their purely self aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination and control of the sheep of God's Flock.  Every believer in Christ who has ever been exposed to the deception of "spiritual covering," whereby hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical autocrats use it to subjugate, dominate, and control their followers, desperately needs to read Charismatic Captivation, and follow the "15 Rs of Recovery from Authoritarian Abuse" delineated in the book's last chapter.

Episode 96: TRT-PODCAST#96-Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering Part-2

This is the second part of a series on the subject: Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering, consisting of excerpts from the audiobook of that title. The book and audiobook is adapted from a chapter of the widely disseminated book, Charismatic Captivation—Authoritarian Abuse & Psychological Enslavement in Neo-Pentecostal Churches, which exposes the widespread problem of authoritarian abuse that has been flourishing virtually unabated for decades since it was first infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of the Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal church during the false movement known as the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement (1970-77). Owing extensively to that Movement and the teachings that were promulgated during it, hyper-authoritarian doctrines and practices have become cemented into the foundation, fabric, and functions of many churches, major segments of some denominations, as well as many of the apostolic networks of churches, ministries, and ministers that have emerged over primarily that last four or five decades. The problem has become so widespread that it has now reached pandemic proportions in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal streams. The purpose of Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is to analyze against the foundation-stone of Scripture, one of the foundational elements of this hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical culture, demonstrate its irrefutable incongruity with Scripture, and disabuse believers from acceptance of and adherence to it, thereby liberating them from the invisible chains of psychological enslavement that have been holding them in bondage to the illegitimate authority structures of men. Hyper-authoritarianism is predominance or psychological control imposed by spiritual leaders upon their followers or congregants regarding not only their involvements within the church or ministry, but also regarding their personal and private lives. Ministries and church-groups practicing this illegitimate domination employ various means and degrees of psychological indoctrination and coercion to compel congregants or adherents to subject and conform their personal activities, behavior, and affairs of life to the leadership-prescribed standards, rules, expectations, and collective corporate goals of the church or ministry. The purported pretext for the imposition of this religious governance is an adulterated or perverted concept of ecclesiastical authority. Promulgators and practitioners adamantly claim that the mechanisms of manipulation they employ are a perfectly Scriptural system of "discipleship" or "spiritual training" in fulfillment of the role and responsibility of spiritual leaders to "make disciples." However, the fact of the matter is this kind of "discipleship" exceeds by far the bounds and intents of legitimate, that is, Scriptural and Godly, authority. This kind of so-called "shepherding" is not that which is inspired by the Good Shepherd, but by His arch-rival, Satan, rather it is blatant misuse and abuse of authority, and is Scripturally-prohibited usurpation of believers' God-given prerogative or right of personal autonomy. This series conclusively demonstrates that so-called "spiritual covering," as theorized by those who teach, promulgate, and adhere to it, is an absolute myth and an unmitigated lie, and that indeed no semblance of the version of "spiritual covering" taught by its proponents exists anywhere within Scripture. It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines by which to facilitate and perpetuate their purely self aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination and control of the sheep of God's Flock. Every believer in Christ who has ever been exposed to the deception of "spiritual covering," whereby hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical autocrats use it to subjugate, dominate, and control their followers, desperately needs to read Charismatic Captivation, and follow the "15 Rs of Recovery from Authoritarian Abuse" delineated in the book's last chapter.

Episode 95: TRT-PODCAST#95-Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering Part-1

This is the first part of a series on the subject: Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering, consisting of excerpts from the audiobook of that title. The book and audiobook is adapted from a chapter of the widely disseminated book, Charismatic Captivation—Authoritarian Abuse & Psychological Enslavement in Neo-Pentecostal Churches, which exposes the widespread problem of authoritarian abuse that has been flourishing virtually unabated for decades since it was first infused into the very fabric, foundation, and functions of the Charismatic/Neo-Pentecostal church during the false movement known as the Discipleship/Shepherding Movement (1970-77). Owing extensively to that Movement and the teachings that were promulgated during it, hyper-authoritarian doctrines and practices have become cemented into the foundation, fabric, and functions of many churches, major segments of some denominations, as well as many of the apostolic networks of churches, ministries, and ministers that have emerged over primarily that last four or five decades. The problem has become so widespread that it has now reached pandemic proportions in Pentecostal and Neo-Pentecostal streams. The purpose of Uncovering the Myth of Spiritual Covering is to analyze against the foundation-stone of Scripture, one of the foundational elements of this hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical culture, demonstrate its irrefutable incongruity with Scripture, and disabuse believers from acceptance of and adherence to it, thereby liberating them from the invisible chains of psychological enslavement that have been holding them in bondage to the illegitimate authority structures of men. Hyper-authoritarianism is predominance or psychological control imposed by spiritual leaders upon their followers or congregants regarding not only their involvements within the church or ministry, but also regarding their personal and private lives. Ministries and church-groups practicing this illegitimate domination employ various means and degrees of psychological indoctrination and coercion to compel congregants or adherents to subject and conform their personal activities, behavior, and affairs of life to the leadership-prescribed standards, rules, expectations, and collective corporate goals of the church or ministry. The purported pretext for the imposition of this religious governance is an adulterated or perverted concept of ecclesiastical authority. Promulgators and practitioners adamantly claim that the mechanisms of manipulation they employ are a perfectly Scriptural system of "discipleship" or "spiritual training" in fulfillment of the role and responsibility of spiritual leaders to "make disciples." However, the fact of the matter is this kind of "discipleship" exceeds by far the bounds and intents of legitimate, that is, Scriptural and Godly, authority. This kind of so-called "shepherding" is not that which is inspired by the Good Shepherd, but by His arch-rival, Satan, rather it is blatant misuse and abuse of authority, and is Scripturally-prohibited usurpation of believers' God-given prerogative or right of personal autonomy. This series conclusively demonstrates that so-called "spiritual covering," as theorized by those who teach, promulgate, and adhere to it, is an absolute myth and an unmitigated lie, and that indeed no semblance of the version of "spiritual covering" taught by its proponents exists anywhere within Scripture. It is a complete fabrication concocted by the originators of these fallacious doctrines by which to facilitate and perpetuate their purely self aggrandizing objectives of subjugation, domination and control of the sheep of God's Flock. Every believer in Christ who has ever been exposed to the deception of "spiritual covering," whereby hyper-authoritarian ecclesiastical autocrats use it to subjugate, dominate, and control their followers, desperately needs to read Charismatic Captivation, and follow the "15 Rs of Recovery from Authoritarian Abuse" delineated in the book's last chapter.

Episode 94: TRT-PODCAST#94-Apostolic Warfare Part-4

God has decreed and is doing a NEW THING in this last hour as He declares in His Word (numerous times) He will do! The "New Thing" He is now doing in the Church Jesus is building is the restoration and reactivation of the genuine Apostolic Anointing and function! The Apostolic Anointing and function are absolutely vital to the fulfillment of God's end-times purposes and plans! In fact, they cannot be fulfilled without the functioning of the apostolic in that the apostolic office and function is one part of the two-part foundation of the Church Jesus is building (Eph. 2:20). Despite the plethora of problems associated with the restoration of the apostolic and prophetic functions in the 21st Century, God has no other plan to work through than that which He was published in his Word for the spiritual development of individual believers and the collective church, i.e., the Fivefold Ministry Offices (functions) working together in tandem and concinnity to fulfill this task (Eph. 4:11-16)! Every other "plan" or "program" for that end goal is merely "man-made" and therefore inferior to God's and doomed to failure! This is the cold, hard fact! Literally every former restorational move of God transpiring since the Protestant Reformation (1517) has been fraught with human failures and humanly-caused faults and frustrations to the fulfillment of God's purposes and plans for each of those movements! Nothing on this earth is perfect now in this dispensation, before "the perfect comes." The fault with every such former restorational move of God was neither the move itself or God who initiated it! The fallenness of humanity is the foundational cause for all such failures, for "we have this treasure in earthen vessels!"  This movement in the 21st Century, continuing from the Prophetic Restoration Movement transpiring in the last quarter of the 20th Century, is no exception; neither should it be expected to be. Man always makes messes in the fulfilling of God's messages to His Church. It's never perfectly carried out without flaws and blemishes! That's just the way it is! We can bemoan and complain about the imperfections all we want and wish it was otherwise but that won't change it one iota. Unfortunately (or not), the perfect group left the building a long time ago! We are left now with the IMperfect--like me and you! We, imperfect vessels, are all God has to work with at this time! This is Part-4 of this series.