Junior Copeland Needs a Bible Lesson

Like many big time ministry leaders today it seems Kenneth Copeland views his televangelism empire as little more than a family business. In recent months his son John has been taking a higher profile role in the ministry and is perhaps being groomed for he top spot once his father steps down, or is forced out as the case may be.

This practice is becoming increasingly common among the major Christian media ministries. At TBN, Paul Jr. and Matt Crouch are taking over for Paul and Jan. Matthew Hagee regularly preaches in his dad's place.  Fred Price Jr. can be seen on TV preaching to the Faithdome faithful. Gordon Robertson has succeeded his father Pat as chief of CBN and often fills in for his dad as host of the 700 Club. Robert A. Schuller has formally taken over for Robert H. at the Crystal Cathedral. Will Graham, grandson of Billy and son of Franklin is carrying on the family business of public evangelistic crusades with the launch of the Will Graham Celebration tour. Of course the most successful of all the junior evangelists has to be Joel Osteen. After dropping out of O.R.U. and directing the media department of his dads ministry, Joel prepared for the senior pastor position at Lakewood Church by preaching exactly one sermon the week before his father John unexpectedly passed away. 

All of this wouldn't be so bad if junior had some actual maturity and at least a little training in the scriptures before they deigned to take over these major ministries. John Copeland is a case in point. Recently Copeland was quoted in this Associated Press article defending his father against the ongoing senate investigation being conducted by Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa into misuse of donor funds by prosperity preachers like the elder Copeland.

Several quotes stand out as a display of Johns ignorance of scripture.

"Where in the Bible does it say you should have watchdogs and judgment groups that watch over ministries?" asked John Copeland.

May I answer that for you? How about this

1Cor 5:11-12
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

How about this one John.

1Tim 6:5
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

OK, just one more

Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them

It seems the apostle Paul was quite clear that Christians should not have fellowship with anyone who claimed to be a brother in the Lord yet was guilty of covetousness. In addition he states that it is the duty of all Christians to judge those who claim to be in the Body of Christ and turn away from those who preach doctrine contrary to the truth

Copeland attempts to justify his Dads covetousness with this gem

"A lot of people may see that as a luxurious lifestyle, but when you hit 19 countries in 12 months, what are you going do that with. The jet is a tool. It's just a tool to use in ministry," John Copeland said.

The jet referred to is of course the $20 million Cessna Citation X purchased for Copeland last year by his faithful partners. Even if you buy the idea that a private jet (or a fleet of private planes in Copeland's case) is a necessary tool for ministry it doesn't begin to explain the need for an 18,000 square foot private estate.

Junior Copeland has learned well from his dad how to set up a false premise from which to launch your false prosperity doctrines.

"There's a lot of doctrine that teaches that you're not a good Christian unless you're poor. But that's not our doctrine, that's not what we believe," the younger Copeland told KTVT-TV.

This idea is common among the prosperity group but I have yet to hear anyone explain to me who exactly it is teaching the doctrine of poverty for Christians. No denomination or reputable Christian fellowship teaches or believes this ridiculous assertion. Perhaps at some time in history there may have been some fringe groups that held to this doctrine but it has never been taught in orthodox Christian circles. The bible does however teach this.

1Tim 6:7
For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Contentment with whatever we have - what a concept! Apparently this scripture has been excised from Copeland's bible (along with a bunch of other money preachers).

Finally John Copeland show his ignorance not only of scripture but of church history with this statement.

"How can you reach the world if you don't have money to do it?

The early church fathers, the apostles, the men who turned the world upside down didn't live the lavish lifestyle of today's televangelist. God provided what they needed but if you want to know how they lived you can find it here.

1Cor 4:
For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

These were the men who were willing to die for the testimony of Christ. Not only were they willing to die, they were willing to live as the "filth of the world", hungry, naked, laboring with their own hands and having no certain dwelling place which would seem to preclude them from having an 18,000sf estate. Does this come anywhere near describing the Christian elite of today? In only a few short years after the resurrection of Christ these men preached the gospel in the whole known world. And they didn't need private jets, satellite television, or millions of dollars. What they needed and what they had was obedience to God.

There is nothing inherently wrong with a son following his father into the ministry. In scripture though we are given two distinct views of this practice. We can choose to follow the sons of Zadok, who kept the charge of the Lord and did not go astray when the children of Israel went astray. Or we can follow after men like the sons of Eli, worthless men who knew not the Lord and stole the offerings from the Lord table for themselves. It seems clear that most of these sons of celebrity Christians today fall into the latter category.


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Steve Lumbley 2006 www.apostasywatch.com
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