Understanding Elevation Church - A biblical view of the False Teaching
- Benjamin Lamp
- Oct 13, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 17, 2024
Allow me to begin this crucial discussion by clarifying that this blog does not aim to criticize or embarrass individuals at Elevation Church on a personal level. It is assumed that they are fellow believers in Christ. The intention behind this writing is not to launch personal attacks. Rather, the goal is to highlight doctrinal and teaching errors. The aim is to raise awareness among the large audience, especially the younger demographic, of these errors. With love, it is hoped that my humble voice may guide the leaders of Elevation towards repentance.
Concerning Teaching from Pastor Furtick
Our initial focus will be on the teachings of Steven Furtick himself. Although there are numerous clips on YouTube showcasing some troubling teachings from Pastor Furtick, I would like to highlight a few that particularly concern me.
First – God breaks the law to save you. "Love surpasses the limitations of the law. Let me illustrate this. Imagine your child is severely injured in an accident, with a head wound from falling off the monkey bars. As you rush them to the emergency room, you pay no attention to speed limit signs along the way. Why? Because your love for your child overrides any laws. Similarly, when God sent His son, He acted out of love, breaking the law."
Breaking God's law constitutes sin. God has never sinned and will never do so. This analogy lacks coherence and cannot effectively explain God's love for us. It appears to be a rhetorical device to evoke excitement from the audience without theological substance. Scriptural Evidence – Hebrews 6:18, Titus 1:2, 2 Timothy 2:13.
Second – Little gods theology. – "God said, let us make man in our image. You are not my creator, nor my mirror. When God told Moses 'I am,' He was implying that you are like Me."
Claiming that God told Moses "you are like Me" borders on heresy. Being created in God's image means sharing certain attributes as gifts from God, possessing a threefold nature of moral, spiritual, and intellectual aspects, not being akin to Him in essence. Scriptural Evidence – Genesis 1:27, James 3:9
Third – Without Us, God is not real, just a concept. – "It's not about how God sees me, but how I perceive His view of me that shapes my destiny. In Genesis chapter 1, God created man in His image to manifest His likeness to the world, making Him more than a mere concept."
God is self-sufficient and does not depend on anyone. He existed in contentment before creation and did not require creation to validate His existence. Such teachings tend towards the notion of little gods and self-belief, contrary to biblical teachings.
Regarding Doctrine and Relationships
First – Steven Furtick and TD Jakes – While I do not rush to judge individuals based on their associations, it is evident that Pastor Furtick shares certain beliefs with TD Jakes, some of which are heretical. TD Jakes, a prominent Bishop, author, and Mega church minister, holds concerning teachings, including prosperity Gospel, self-help doctrines, and Modalism (a belief denying the Trinity). Steven has echoed sentiments aligning with such teachings.
Second – The “Unity” Kids coloring book. – Elevation offers a children's coloring book titled "Unity." It asserts, "We are united under the visionary," quoting Romans 13:1, emphasizing Pastor Steven's vision as the foundation of Elevation church.
This raises concerns. If a church's vision is solely attributed to one individual, it is advisable to reconsider involvement. Scripture reveals God's guidance through His Word, which equips believers for every good work, rather than endorsing special revelations for starting churches. The language used at Elevation bears resemblance to cult-like beginnings.
Third – Misusing verses for Doctrinal purposes – This pertains to misapplication of Romans chapter 13 in their "Unity" indoctrination for children. Romans 13:1 addresses submission to civil authorities, not church leadership. This practice is common in contemporary seeker-friendly churches, where scriptures are cherry-picked without considering their context.
In conclusion, I believe engaging with Elevation Church's messages poses risks to one's spiritual well-being. If you encounter their sermons on YouTube or attend their services, I urge you to reconsider. Whether intentional or not, Pastor Furtick's teachings should align with fundamental Christian truths given his tenure in ministry.
My prayers are with Pastor Furtick, the Elevation staff, congregation, and those who may inadvertently come across their teachings. Many individuals are navigating through a distorted version of American Christianity, diverging from the truth yet readily accessible today.
Grace and Peace
References:
Revealing Truth - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ZzJmY-cvfxHW9kZQFyGDA
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